《Adorable Food Goddess》


 Chapter 1

    <h4>Chapter 1: Wedding Festivities</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    <i><strong>Red candles flickering around the surroundings, soft and delicate fragrance, and the sound of festive drumbeats in the distance¡­</strong></i>


    Ye Jiayao slowly opened her gritty eyes to the sight of crimson celebratory curtains. She immediately scrambled to sit up, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up, as if she was startled awake from a nightmare. She looked at the ancient surroundings and hesitantly bit into her fair wrist.


    <i>Ouch!</i>


    So, this was not a dream. She really has... time-traveled.


    The host was supposed to marry to Ji Nan prefectural magistrate¡¯s eldest son, Wei Liujiang. No one knew that halfway through the journey, she would get kidnapped to Hei Feng Gang and would be forced to enter the bandits¡¯ nest to be the wife of the third-in-charge.


    She has already seen the first-in-charge and second-in-charge. The first-in-charge looked like a typical viin with his shady eyes and smile. Ye Jiayao could tell with one look that he was treacherous. The second-in-charge looked brawny, practically the reincarnation of Li Lu, so she deduced that the third-in-charge would probably be just more of the same type.


    <i>¡°F*ck!¡±?</i>she thought angrily. Running into this kind of situation as soon she woke up was just asking for her to die again, isn¡¯t it?


    No. She has to find a way to escape.


    She got off the bed where she was lying down, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she heardughtering from outside.


    ¡°Third brother! First brother said to get you a pretty wife, and I have kept my word! The chick in there is definitely fine and I heard that she is from a wealthy family. You would be satisfied for sure!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, second brother,¡± a slightly intoxicated yet gentle voice that does not fit in with the crowd of coarse voices, answered.


    ¡°The first night is short and every moment is worth thousands of gold. Third-in-charge has to enjoy himself,¡± someone said in an obscene tone.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, you have to make sure that your wife is unable to get out of bed for at least three days and three nights!¡± someone uttered loudly.


    Everyone burst intoughter.


    Upon hearing that, Ye Jiayao turned pale. They were all a bunch of lewd wolves! Heaven must have been blind if they haven¡¯t been struck by lightning yet. Instead, they sent her ¨C the girl who has been reincarnated through time with such difficulty ¨C to this wolf pit.


    Hearing the sound of the door unlocking, Ye Jiayao immediately jumped back on the bed and yed possum. However, as soon as she lied down, she realized that her idea sucked. She should¡¯ve hidden under the bed and made them think that the bride had run off. Surely, they would go searching for her everywhere and she would get the chance to escape. Now though, it was toote for regrets. The door has already opened and closed.


    Opportunity often appears in a split second- once you miss it, it¡¯s gone.


    The footsteps were soft, almost inaudible, but she could feel that he wasing closer because she could smell the alcohol. As though she held a herd of rabbits in her chest, she pulled her bridal gown together nervously.


    Xia Chunyu stood by the bed, looking at his bride from above. His eyes were as dark as ink, resembling two bottomless pools void of emotions. Yet, his heart was not calm.


    He just came back from below the mountains when he got dragged to change into his wedding gown by the brothers from the stockade. They pulled him to the hall to drink congrattory wine and announced that they have kidnapped a wife for him.


    Was this yet another test? Was this woman a spy nted at his side? Why would the first-in-charge and second-in-charge get him a wife when they themselves have yet to get married?


    Hei Feng Gang has assembled more than 3000 bandits to rob the government, disturb the civilians, and basically not shrink away from any crimes and be Qi Lu¡¯s malignant tumor. The bandits relied on their strategic mountain typography. They also had men guarding the mountain pass to block at least 10,000 enemies from entering.


    The court has tried several times to bring them down but all of their attempts resulted in failure, as well as the loss of arge number of their men and horses. He was sent here on a secret mission to enter the mountains as a bandit and find a way to defeat them. He had done all he could to get the bandits to trust him. He has handed in the pledge of allegiance and has made outstanding contributions to the stockade. However, despite all these, the mistrustful first-in-charge was still wary of him, continuously trying to catch him in any incriminating act.


    As he looked down at his bride, her eyes slightly closed, her finely-arched brows, jade-like nose, and cherry lips, he has to admit that?even though she was a little pale, she made a fine beauty.


    Outside the door, there was a slight disturbance that made Xia Chunyu sneer slightly. Since they wanted to watch a show, then he should cooperate in ying pretend. Luckily, this woman has the looks.


    Ye Jiayao was at a loss. Should she continue to y dead or should she fight back? She reckoned she was no match for him. She might even have to suffer several blows which really made the whole situation just a lose-lose for her.


    After a moment of rustling, the nket was lifted, followed by a masculine body leaning in.


    Ye Jiayao was unable to keep up with the pretense anymore. She climbed away from him and pulled a hairpin from her hair, pointing it at her jugr ¨C she¡¯d rather die than submit to him. ¡°Don¡¯te any closer or I will kill myself!¡±


    However, once she got a good look at the man, she fell into a daze.


    There was actually a handsome bandit?


    The man was lying on his side, the perfect picture ofnguid grace, his head resting on one hand, smiling. His almond-shaped eyes that were lusciously glistening under the influence of alcohol dazzled Ye Jiayao. His well-defined lips were slightly raised in a small smile, and the overall image was just beautiful ¨C he was a beautiful man.


    Ye Jia Yao swallowed, forgetting?her resolution. In her past life, she was an ardent fan of the appearance club. Her friends have to be good-looking, the actors in the movies and dramas she watched have to be good-looking, and she was even wishing to marry a good-looking man. Sadly, she died before her wish was able toe true. It didn¡¯t ur to her that heaven would bless her with such a handsome bandit after time-traveling in the past.


    She lost a bit of her initial manner as she contemted her situation. In the light of things, it seemed as though it wasn¡¯t that uneptable to give herself to this handsome man if she really was unable to escape.


    <i>Peipeipei! Ye Jiayao are you out of your mind? No matter how good-looking he is, he is still a bandit!?</i>Ye Jiayao despised herself for getting caught up on his good looks and unconsciously tightened her grip on the hairpin. She resumed her previous stance and stared at him with wide-eyes.


    Xia Chunyu observed the changes in her emotions that were clearly shown in her eyes. It went back and forth between determination and contemtion. To him, it seemed like that there was an element of acting going on. If she was indeed from an honorable family, she would¡¯ve treated her innocence as her life and wouldn¡¯t have wavered. She might be just some inexperienced chick from some unknown brothel.


    With his eyebrows raised, the man smiled maliciously. ¡°A strong character, I like.¡±


    ¡°Let me go or else my father will call the constables to catch all of you.¡± Ye Jiayao bluffed, pointing the hairpin closer to her neck until it touched her skin.


    The man sneered, ¡°Call the constables? What kind of ce do you think Hei Feng Gang is? Don¡¯t mention the authorities ever, not even if it is the army themselves. Once the Dragon-breaking Stone is released, tens and thousands of men and horses won¡¯t be able to attack us. I suggest you save your energy and just obey me ¨C while I¡¯m still interested in you. If you annoy me, I will send you to the brothers in the stockade. I¡¯m sure they will be more than happy to take you off my hands.¡±


    Although he said it frivolously, the threat was mighty. Ye Jiayao was afraid of hisst statement. She has entered the wolf¡¯s nest and was unable to escape. If she was really thrown to those beasts, she might not even have her bones left after it was all said and done.


    She was not like the host with such a strong character; banging the wall or hanging herself to preserve her honor. She was a modern woman, keeping her life was the most important thing to her. She has to consider how to mitigate the effects of her situation.


    Therefore, she put her hairpin down and stammered, ¡°It¡¯s not like I can¡¯t adapt to the situation, but I am still a daughter of a decent family. If you want me to submit to you, I won¡¯t be able to get over myself very easily. Besides, after a day of shock and fear, plus knocking into a pir, my body is not in a good condition, my head is still actually spinning. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t able to serve you if you don¡¯t allow me to take a little time to rest.¡±


    As long as she could avoid tonight, her father would be able toe up with a n to save her.


    Xia Chunyu was a little surprised that she would say something like that. Was it a dying tactic or to make him loosen the reins a bit?


    ¡°You knocked into a pir? Where are you hurt? Let me take a look.¡±


    Ye Jia Yao hesitated for a moment but spurred into action when she saw him raise his eyebrows with annoyance. She moved over slightly, pointing to the left side of her head, ¡°Yeah, here, there¡¯s a huge bump.¡±


    She lowered her head, her jet-ck hair tumbled down silkily, carrying a faint fragrance as it swept past the back of his hands. It was like being drawn on by the tip of a feather; like a dragonfly skipping the surface of the pond. Xia Chunyu raised the ends of his lips mockingly at himself, how long has it been since hest touched a woman? It has been almost half a year since he has arrived at Hei Feng Gang.


    He stretched his hand out and felt that there was indeed a bump. She was not lying.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed, exaggeratedly inhaling a mouthful of cold air to appear even more sickly.


    He grasped her shoulder and lightly guided her into his embrace, snatching the hairpin away from her hand at the same time. The hairpin fell with a??<i>ting</i>to some unknown corner, broken. He turned to lie on top of her, a hand propped beside her head to confine her underneath him. With the back of his hand, he caressed her delicate cheek, eyes full of concentration and devotion as though he was looking at a precious treasure.


    His voice low and slightly hoarse, with a hint of temptation, he said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to wait on me. For tonight, I¡¯ll wait on you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao quivered, feeling her scalp go numb. This man was a superb actor. He certainly knew how to entice a woman.?If he had lived in the modern day, he would definitely be the sensation of South Asia, all those long-legged oppas would have to make way. It was a pity he was born at this time and he only ended up as a handsome bandit.


    ¡°How¡­ how can I ¡­ you are the 3rd-in-charge,¡± Ye Jiayao stuttered.


    ¡°I am willing to serve you tonight,¡± he said, lowering his head.


    Ye Jiayao saw his handsome face approaching closer, his breath filled with the fragrance of fine wine. His clothes smelled of hibiscus, and together with the intoxicating scent of alcohol, it created a special vor, stimting her senses to sharpen.


    Right before their lips were about to meet, an icy cold hand appeared between them.


    ¡°Wait, can you¡­ rinse your mouth? I¡­ I can¡¯t stand the smell of alcohol¡­ I¡¯ll vomit,¡± Ye Jiayao said quick-wittedly, knowing that no one would wish for the other party to vomit during an intimate moment.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s pupils darkened with a tinge of awkwardness and anger. How dare she resent the smell of alcohol on him? There has never been a single woman who despised him.


    He eased up from her and left the bed. He walked to the roundtable and busied himself with the teapot.


    Ye Jiayao was in disbelief. How was he being so obedient?


    The next moment, she changed her mind.


    Xia Chunyu lifted the teapot and put it down again. He turned around and brought the wine pot over, drinking it in front of Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. What a narrow-minded man, a waste of such elegance and presence.


    In the next beat, she knew that she has thought wrong.??<i>Again?</i>.


    The man¡¯s kiss caught her off guard as he forced her mouth apart overbearingly, passing the strong liquid from his mouth into hers.


    ¡°Mmmm¡­¡±

 Chapter 2

    <h4>Chapter 2: Grumble</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The spicy liquid flowed down her throat, burning its way down her stomach. Since all she had for the whole day was shock and fear, her empty stomach began to itch and spasm. She struggled in pain but Xia Chunyu had no intention of letting her go, continuing his ministrations. Not long after, she began to feel dizzy and weak.


    ¡°Stop¡­ stop it!¡± Ye Jiayao cried. Why did she have to run into such petty man?


    The dense scent of alcohol around her lips disoriented her, making her timid gaze blurry. Xia Chunyu¡¯s throat constricted as he looked at her pink-tinged fair cheeks and her luscious moist lips that was like a siren call to his libido. All the blood in his body seemed to rush below his waist with her coquettish expression. He was so aroused that it was almost painful.


    He recklessly threw the wine pot away as his hand reached for her dress, which gave away with little force. The exquisite button split open, revealing her fair and delicate neckline, her deep d¨¦colletage and that faintly discernible cleavage ¨C none of which did anything to calm his lust down.


    The corner of his mouth rose up with a wanton smile. First-in-charge was certainly not mistreating him if he had found such a beauty for him.


    Despite being sober enough to know what kind of situation she was in, Ye Jiayao realized that the mental preparation she has done was useless. Being prepared for something and being able to actually go through it were entirely different matters. This was the first time in both her lives that she was treated like this, by aplete stranger no less.


    Her delicate and inexperienced body was unable to handle his impudence. The two little bumps on her chest were still developing and they shouldn¡¯t be touched. Yet, at this particr moment, he was holding them in his hands- massaging, sucking and licking. The pain coupled with numbness felt like a rush of electric current attacking her, pushing her to her limits.


    ¡°It hurts. Please ¡­ don¡¯t!¡± she whimpered, unable to stand it. Acting ording to her natural instincts, she grabbed his hair, not allowing him to continue his evil ways to her chest.


    ¡°Let go,¡± he growled, his voice husky and low, and his eyes dark with anger.


    Seeing his fury, Ye Jiayao released her hold immediately. ¡°You were hurting me.¡±


    She has resigned to the fact that she wouldn¡¯t be able to escape this cmity but she couldn¡¯t help but wish that he wouldn¡¯t be so rough. She would quite likeing out of this alive, with all her body parts intact and working.


    Seeing her trembling in fear, Xia Chunyu calmed down a little. ¡°So frail, how are you going to handle itter?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t one to be s¨¦ with female well-being but her origins were dubious to him. If she really was kidnapped from under the mountains, why would first-in-charge not enjoy such a delicate beauty for himself? Why did he leave her for him?


    He was infamous in the mountains for being callous, decisive and a cold-blooded killer ¨C being protective towards females would contradict his brutal image amongst the bandits. Besides, there were people outside waiting for the show he was expected to put on and he couldn¡¯t fail now.


    Decidedly, he ripped away whatever was remaining of her bridal gown while she remained rooted to the spot from shock. He spread her legs open and set about conquering her with his hot rod.


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes in pain and resignation. She couldn¡¯t escape him so she would just grit her teeth and get this over and done with.


    Xia Chunyu grew annoyed upon seeing her look like she was about to face the death squad. Was it really so difficult to have sex with him? There were so many women out there who were dying to crawl into his bed! Granted, he really could not care less about them, but still!


    No amount of mental preparation could get Ye Jiayao¡¯s body ready for his intrusion. As he buried himself inside her, she couldn¡¯t help but moan from the ripping pain she was experiencing. Uncontroble tears seeped out from the corner of her eyes, falling to the silk sheets beneath her.


    <i>Filthy man!?</i>One day, she would disable his tool of evil, she thought ruthlessly as she cursed him inside her head, using all the malicious words she could think of.


    However, it was really too painful that despite her anger and determination not to show weakness, she still ended up weeping in agony. Her insides were resisting ferociously as if it was trying to squeeze him out. Also, because she was severely unprepared, the dryness was causing every movement to hurt.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to show off his masculinity and make her scream for pleasure but he only ended up stuck in the middle, unable to withdraw. Left with no choice, he lowered himself, holding her tightly and kissing her gently to suppress her whimpering. His warm palms caressed her all over,forting her from pain and uneasiness.


    ¡°Rx, or it will only hurt more,¡± he whispered affectionately against her lips.


    This disgusting pig was empathizing after what he had done??<i>F*cking hypocrite!??</i>


    He continued to pet and caress her, and even though she hated to admit it, her body slowly wilted under his experienced and skilfull teasing. She began to feel a strange thirst that scared the wits out of her. Her abdomen felt like it was on fire, the mes rapidly expanding all over her body, the heat leaving her in a daze.


    ¡°Open your eyes, look at me¡­¡± he cajoled.


    His deep voice was so maic that she felt her heart skip a beat. She opened her blurry eyes and locked gaze with a pair of dark eyes so deep, it was pulling her in. He looked at her with eyes zing with passion, provoking her senses.


    He really was exceptionally good looking. If they were not in their current situation, she would really be bewitched by him. If they could¡¯ve dated normally and progressed slowly, even if he was a bandit, there was a big chance that she would¡¯ve fallen for him. Unfortunately, there were no ifs ¨C only now.


    She was inexperienced, sensitive, and was a virgin, yet her reactions perplexed Xia Chunyu. She looked scared but she was actingposed as if she has epted her reality. A woman from an honorable family would¡¯ve put up one hell of a fuss for being treated like this.


    Where exactly was she from?


    He felt her insides slowly give way to him and he lost his train of thought. That¡¯s a problem for another time.


    He started to move slowly and carefully, but it wasn¡¯t long before he was unable to control himself. His thrusts became harder as his pace quickened. He was hitting her most sensitive spot every time he plunged in deep. Ye Jiayao felt overwhelmed, her senses bombarded, though this time, it was not from pain. She felt as though she was a fallen leaf floating in the wind; like a little boat swaying with the waves, rising and falling involuntarily.


    She wanted to shrink back and move away from him, but she was unable to, as his arms were around her waist, locking her in ce. What she had managed to do though, was provoke a series of even more violent thrusts.


    She bit her lip, not willing to let the embarrassing moans escape. She did not want to admit that under such circumstances, she was actually feeling an indescribable pleasure. It was all just too embarrassing because she was acting as if she was a promiscuous woman.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold it in. I want to hear you moan for me.¡± He?lowered himself again as he drove inside her, kissing her eyebrows tenderly.


    <i>Definitely not!?</i>She would not let him mock her for her shamelessness. She would not let him enjoy the sense of aplishment from conquering her. Ye Jiayao turned her face away to avoid his kisses.


    Seeing her stubborn face, the corner of his mouth rose and his hand reached down to press down on her sensitive button.


    ¡°Ah¡­ No¡­¡± Ye Jiayao felt as though she had been shocked, her defenses crumbling. She had no idea that her body had such a lethal weakness.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t do this, please¡­¡± Her cries were like purrs as she reached out to stop him, yet, her efforts were futile.


    He pressed harder and she knew he just deliberately wanted to make a joke out of her.


    ¡°Are you going to be obedient?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you like it like this?¡±


    ¡°No, yes¡­ Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Louder, I can¡¯t hear you.¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡­ like it!¡± Ye Jiayao wished she could strangle him.


    He hid a pleased smile. She really was a sensitive woman, a few caresses of her weakness and she became putty in his hands.


    Outside the door, the gang of bandits listened to the bride¡¯s soft, submissive moans, flushed and heartbeats pounding.


    ¡°Third-in-charge is awesome! To think that he can turn a woman ardently fighting for her honor into a submissive, frail girl so easily.¡± someone sighed softly.


    The people nodded in agreement, subconsciously revealing a sense of admiration through their eyes.


    ¡°Shhh, stop talking!¡± Second-in-charge turned his head around, ring at those talkative fellows.


    ¡°Are you done? I can¡¯t take it anymore,¡± Ye Jiayao pleaded.


    She really could not stand the burning sensation from below anymore. How was he able tost so long? Couldn¡¯t he just be done with it?


    <i>Done??</i>It was still early, but seeing that it was her first time, he realized that this might really be too much for her. Sympathizing with her, he finished quickly, ejecting his warm liquid on her fair and t abdomen.


    Ye Jiayao felt weak and sore all over, her tired lids unable to stay open. She heard him get off the bed and put on his clothes. She felt a warm handkerchief on her body, wiping away the traces of their merrymaking. She continued to lie motionless until he lied back down and stretched his arm to scoop her into his embrace. It was then that she began to move and struggle away from him.


    ¡°Looks like you still have energy, maybe you could satisfy me more,¡± he said threateningly.


    Ye Jiayao stilled and did not dare to move anymore. She lied in his embrace obediently, listening to his strong and stable heartbeat. The events that she has gone through felt like a nightmare. She has been rebirthed, time-traveled, and was transformed from ady to a woman?not even two hours after.


    Not only that, it was a man she did not even know. Oh, this man was also a bandit. Great.


    <i>The timing of this time-travel could not be any more f*cking urate!?</i>She was supposed to be in the Ji Nan prefecture in 2 days and married to her childhood sweetheart Wei Liujiang. Thinking of the cultured and refined Wei Liujiang, Ye Jiayao sincerely felt that she had been done wrong. She was supposed to be a young mistress of a household, living life peacefully, yet she was now reduced to being a bandit¡¯s ything.?<i>This was too f*cking miserable!</i>


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± the husky sound of anguid man who has eaten to his fill asked.


    Outside, the gang who were listening through the walls have finally left.


    He had thought that she has fallen asleep but she felt her longshes fluttering against his skin so he could not help but ask.


    ¡°Nothing much. I¡¯m just tired and my neck is sore from lying like this. Can I turn over to sleep?¡± Ye Jiayao asked cowardly, a little afraid of him now. Afraid that if she annoyed him identally, he would torture her again.


    He withdrew his arm and propped it to support his head as he gazed at her serenely, his heart full of curiosity.


    <i>?Why isn¡¯t she crying?</i>


    It was not that Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to cry. She just doesn¡¯t want to show weakness in front of her tormentor. Plus, she didn¡¯t know if she has enough strength left to cry. She hasn¡¯t had anything to eat in the whole day, and she was so hungry. She felt as though her chest had shrunk in, sticking to her back and knotting all her intestines up.


    Her stomach grumbled cooperatively at the thought of food.


    In the silent room, with only the asional sound of the candle flickering, the rumbling sound seemed to amplify.


    Ye Jiayao held on to her stomach instinctively, her face flushed. If she thought about it, she had just been through the most distressing situation, the mere grumbling of her stomach was nothing to be feared. Nevertheless, she could not resist voicing herint. ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nced at the table and replied, ¡°There¡¯s no food here. You can eat tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rubbed her stomach depressingly. ¡°If it is going to continue growling, won¡¯t it affect your sleep?¡±


    ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Xia Chunyu frowned.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I sleep there?¡±Ye Jiayao suggested, pointing at the Rohan couch.


    He wrapped the nket around himself tighter and turned his back to her. ¡°Sleep,¡± he said fiercely.


    Was that an approval or not? Ye Jiayao bared her teeth at his back, cursing him silently.


    Smarting from the reprimand, still starving, and still forced to sleep in the same bed with him, Ye Jiayao felt as though she ran out of luck. It felt like the situation she was in was more melodramatic than any of the melodramas she watched.


    Everyone in her family, stemming from her great-grandfather, was a renowned chef in the culinary industry. Therefore, in her home, the thing that was the leastcking was the food. She?had never known what it was like to be hungry even when she was still little. Going through what she was experiencing now, Ye Jiayao quickly realized that it was an awful feeling. The night was so long and she didn¡¯t know if she could bear her hunger through it.


    Grumble¡­ grumble¡­


    Initially, Ye Jiayao wanted to wrap the nket around her tighter to cover the awkward sound. She quickly realized how useless that would be, so instead, she just lied on the bed, resigning to her fate.


    Grumble¡­


    It now has a rhythm. Fantastic.


    Grumble grumble¡­


    The two sounds rose and fell in harmonious session.


    <i>Mmm? That¡¯s not right.?</i>?Ye Jiayao stayed silent and listened carefully for a while. She almost burst outughing when she realized that the handsome bandit¡¯s stomach was also grumbling. So, he was hungry after all!


    Ye Jiayao felt vindicated, knowing that he was starving as well. They were getting hungry together. It was only fair.


    Xia Chunyu lifted the nket and sat up, annoyed to discover that his new wife was actually secretlyughing at him.?She actually dared to mock him! If not for her stomach grumbling at his side, his stomach would¡¯ve been just fine. Although to be honest, he was pretty hungry too. All he did the whole night was drink alcohol and his stomach wasining.


    Ye Jiayao did not expect him to turn around suddenly, so he caught her with a smile frozen on her face. The corner of her mouth twitched as she awkwardly suggested, ¡°How about I go look for something to eat?¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted, bending down to gather his clothes. Ye Jiayao hurriedly put on her dress and stood up before he could even get his shirt on. ¡°Just tell me where the kitchen is and I can manage. If there¡¯s no food, I can just make some.¡±


    He turned to look at her, eyebrows raised in question. Wasnt¡¯ she?from a wealthy family? Did she really know how to cook?


    Ye Jiayao looked at third-in-charge with as much sincerity as she could muster, and said, ¡°Leave small matters like that to me, third-in-charge. Just wait here for a while and I¡¯ll bring you something to eat.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was silent as he thought the situation through. If she really was kidnapped, she would be thinking of ways to escape from here. However, she was neither crying nor kicking up a fuss, it doesn¡¯t really look like escape was in her ns. She was?even taking the initiative to make him food. He could not help but wonder if she was merely trying to curry his favor with that level of eager attentiveness.


    Ye Jiayao took his silence as a consent and quickly finished dressing before dashing out of the house. She was afraid that if she stayed too long, he was going to change his mind. He might be able to resist his hunger, but Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t.


    Xia Chunyu stared after her running figure. Didn¡¯t she just say she didn¡¯t know where the kitchen was? Xia Chunyu hesitated for a while before deciding to just lie back down. She wouldn¡¯t be able to escape, anyway. He¡¯d just wait and see if she could really cook.


    The two bandits guarding the door of the courtyard were confused upon seeing Ye Jiayaoe out of the house. They¡¯ve just heard the intense war that went on between the newlywed couple and were wondering how their new sister-inw had the strength?to even get off the bed.


    ¡°Big brothers, could you tell me where the kitchen is?¡± Ye Jiayao asked timidly. ¡°Third-in-charge is hungry and wants me to make some food.¡±


    The two guards looked at Ye Jiayao, both their eyes reflecting a sense of sympathy. The new sister-inw really has it hard. After she had satisfied the bottom, she now has to still satisfy the top.


    The one called Song Qi said, ¡°Go back, new sister-inw. I will get some pork shoulder for third-in-charge.¡±


    Hearing the term ¡°new sister-inw¡± caused Ye Jiayao to shudder. New sister-inw my foot! She was never going to acknowledge being married to a bandit.


    ¡°Having greasy stuff in the middle of the night will cause indigestion. Why don¡¯t you juste along with me?¡±?Ye Jiayao said generously, knowing that the bandits were not assured enough to just let her out.


    Song Qi and Peng Wu exchanged looks. Since it was?food for third-in-charge, and the new sister-inw was okay with one of them tagging along, they deemed it was okay to let her go.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with new sister-inw,¡± Song Qi volunteered.


    Ye Jiayao smiled gratefully, saying abashedly, ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble you, big brother.¡±


    Song Qi quickly replied,¡±New sister-inw, call me Song Qi. I wouldn¡¯t dare to ept the honor of being called big brother.¡± If he dared to go along with it, and third-in-charge should know about it, he would skin him alive.


    With her empty stomach grumbling and aching, Ye Jiayao inevitably stooped as she walked towards the kitchen. It was a good thing that the kitchen was only 50 meters away from the courtyard.


    However, in Peng Wu¡¯s eyes, their new big sister was waking weirdly because of the hair-raising wrestling she had with third-in-charge. Her husband was not known for being sympathetic to women, and such delicate beauty would¡¯ve needed a lot less intensity from her lover. Then again, the third-in-charge was not an easy person to please. In the stockade, all the brothers were afraid of first-in-charge, but even more so of third-in-charge because he was definitely ruthless.


    Song Qi walked into the kitchen and bellowed, ¡°Auntie Jiang! Is there any more food?¡±


    The one called Auntie Jiang was a forty odd-year-old woman, thick in the waist and arms, and very fitting of the image of a kitchendy. Currently, she was holding a fried pork shoulder, gnawing at it merrily, her mouth smeared with oil. Seeing that it was only Song Qi who came in, she did not bother trying to hide her food.


    ¡°Look at what time it is! What food do you think was left?¡± Auntie Jang said rudely.


    ¡°I think it is all eaten by you,¡± Song Qi grumbled.


    ¡°Pei! You people eatvishly, satisfied with the wine and rice I served you. Meanwhile, here I am starving,¡± Auntie Jangined.


    ¡°Third-in-charge is hungry, go see if there is anything to eat.¡± Song Qi opened a pot, but there was only hot water inside.


    Auntie Jang immediately lost her hostility upon hearing that it was for third brother. ¡°There are no more leftover dishes but there is still some leftover rice in the cupboard.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked around the kitchen and saw that there was a piece of beef hanging by a pole. There were also a few tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots in the basket on the floor. ¡°Are there any eggs?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I just got some from the chicken coop this evening,¡± Auntie Jangughingly replied. She took stock of Ye Jiayao¡¯s red bridal dress and immediately knew that she was third-in-charge¡¯s wife that the second brother got from below the mountains.


    ¡°Is the fire at the stove out?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, the water is still boiling.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to trouble Auntie Jiang to help me raise a fire. Oh, and also, bring a few eggs over.¡±


    Ye Jiayao began rolling her sleeves up, preparing to get down to work.


    ¡°New sister-inw, let Auntie Jiang handle it,¡± Song Qi protested.


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± Ye Jiayao picked two tomatoes, one cucumber, and one carrot from the basket, scooping up adle of water to wash the ingredients.


    Cooking was her biggest hobby, which was a good thing because she really had no other skills.


    Song Qi and Auntie Jiang watched with their mouths wide open as Ye Jiayao waved the knife expertly. She skillfully diced the tenderloin, in equal pieces, without even breaking a beat.


    Ye Jiayao did not need to ask Auntie Jiang which condiment is which. She simply opened lids, smell the contents, and started seasoning. She really knew her way around the kitchen and it showed.


    First, she marinated the beef with soy sauce, cooking wine, a dash of salt and sugar, as well as two pieces of ginger.?Ye Jiayao then began to chop both the cucumber and carrot into equal cubes.


    ¡°Madam, do you want shiitake mushrooms?¡± Auntie Jang offered.


    Ye Jiayao brightened up, ¡°Yes, yes! It¡¯d make the dish taste better.¡± Shiitake mushrooms could enhance tastes, a natural equivalent to MSG.


    After the preparation work, Ye Jiayao added a little oil in the wok, waited for the oil to heat up before she threw in the marinated beef. She stir-fried it for a hot minute before transferring it to a te. Beef was originally tender and delicious, but cooking it for too long would cause the meat to be tough and chewy. By stir-frying it quickly in hot oil, the tenderness of the meat could be retained.


    Next, she beat the eggs, fried them, and broken it up into small pieces before taking it out of the wok. She then stir-fried the shiitake mushrooms, carrot, and cucumber. She fried them until they were just about cooked before taking it out. Ye Jiayao then poured two bowls of leftover rice in, kneading until the rice grains separated, and added all the ingredients back into the wok to mix.


    It wasn¡¯t long before the kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma. Song Qi looked at the colorful egg fried rice and his mouth watered. The smell was so enticing it was making him hungry.


    Ye Jia Yao was filled with joy upon finishing her favorite beef egg fried rice. Everyone raved who has tasted it, raved about it. That detestable third-in-charge was lucky he gets to eat this.


    Afterpleting the rice, Ye Jiayao began to make a simple tomato egg soup. This was a basic dish, but as her father said, the simplest dishes were the ones that train chefs. The tomatoes had to be cooked until the juice came out, yet, it could not be too mushy.?If it was too mushy, the dish would not look good. However, if it was not cooked until the right time, there would be no juice, and the dish would be tasteless.


    ¡°Third madam, your cooking skills are far superior to Old Head Yu,¡± Auntie Jiang praised. This big kitchen was helmed by Old Head Yu, and Auntie Jiang and some other Aunties were only helpers. Old Head Yu loved to mix stew, and just kept on throwing in a variety of stuff, like pig feed. He was no match for the beautiful, young madam.


    Ye Jiayao smiled humbly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say refer to it as skills. It¡¯s just a hobby.¡±


    For her, cooking was not working but purely a hobby. She, as well as her whole family, where picky when ites to food. They were all well-versed in the art of cooking, so naturally, their standards were high.


    After scooping two big bowls of egg fried rice, and an additional bowl of tomato egg soup, there was still some food that remained in the wok.


    ¡°Song Qi, you must be hungry. If you¡¯d like, you can have these,¡± Ye Jiayao graciously offered, seeing as Song Qi¡¯s eyes haven¡¯t left the wok.


    Song Qi chuckled, rubbing his hands together. ¡°That would be perfect sister-inw. I wasn¡¯t really hungry but after seeing you make such good food, I am now.¡±


    Auntie Jiang smiled, envious as she eyed Song Qi as he?took a bowl to scoop out the remaining egg fried rice. She pondered if it would be too embarrassing?to exchange the half-eaten pork shoulder with that egg fried rice.

 Chapter 3

    <h4>Chapter 3: Climb All Over My Head</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Just when Xia Chunyu was about to lose his patience, Ye Jiayao hobbled in, carrying tes of steaming food.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to roll her eyes.?<i>This arrogant man!?</i>?She should¡¯ve just given him two cucumbers to gnaw on since he wanted a quick meal so much.


    ¡°The kitchen has run out of food and I made this at thest minute,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    The enticing scent that drifted over made Xia Chunyu walk over to take a look. It was a bowl of egg fried rice that looked very pleasing to the eye. Each grain of rice was coated yellow, shiny with oil yet not greasy, the rice was mixed with meat, carrots, and cucumbers, plus fine bits of eggs and shiitake mushroom. All the vibrant colors made the dish looked very appetizing. It made his mouth water but he could not let her know that, so instead, he said, ¡°What is this mess? Can this be eaten?¡±


    Ye Jiayao cursed inwardly.?<i>You ungrateful git! I make you something to eat and here you are, criticizing it! If you don¡¯t like it then don¡¯t eat it!</i>


    She stered on a fake smile and said,?¡°There are no other ingredients in the kitchen. I can only make this, so I¡¯m afraid you will have to make do with this, 3rd-in-charge. At least, it is better than an empty stomach.¡±


    He was already digging in before she could even finish her sentence.


    <i>Ugh, this doesn¡¯t taste bad.?</i>?The meat was tender and creamy, the carrot and cucumber were fresh and crisp, and the saltiness was just right. It was actuallyparable to the royal kitchen¡¯s eight treasure rice. Maybe it tasted delicious because he really was starving? After all, how could it possiblypare to the royal kitchen?


    Regardless, it wasn¡¯t bad. In fact, he would consider it as?the most exquisite food he has eaten since he came up the mountain. The past half a year has been hard on his stomach.


    Ye Jiayao sneaked a peek at his expression as he ate. He was still frowning!?<i>Is it that disgusting?</i>


    ¡°How is it? Is it okay?¡± Ye Jiayao asked softly.


    ¡°So-so,¡± Xia Chunyu replied indifferently.


    Ye Jiayao sneered in her head. A bandit who was a picky eater, go figure.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Xia Chunyu took a mouthful of soup. It was light, a little sweet and sour and a perfectplement to the egg fried rice.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face darkened with anger. Was he now only bothering to ask for her name after molesting her? Was there anything more preposterous than this?


    ¡°Ye¡­ Jinxuan, my nickname is Yao Yao,¡± Ye Jiayao stumbled, almost saying the wrong name.


    Xia Chunyu nced at her andmented, ¡°That bridal gown is quite exquisite. They really take this seriously.¡±


    What did he mean? ¡°I embroidered this myself.¡±


    ¡°You embroidered it yourself?¡± Xia Chunyu was shocked. ¡°I heard you are found by second-in-charge. Where exactly are you from?¡±


    ¡°Found? I was kidnapped! I was on my way to Ji Nan prefecture to get married! I don¡¯t even know what the situation at home is since the bride got kidnapped. I guess it is a mess right now,¡± Ye Jiayao resented.


    Xia Chunyu just stared at her nkly. Was she really kidnapped? This was not an borate ploy of the first-in-charge?


    Ye Jiayao wondered why he looked so shocked. Could it be that he doesn¡¯t know? Hope red in her chest as she stammered, ¡°Third-in-charge, do some good and let me go! I am not the daughter of an ordinary family. My father is the Yang Zhou prefecture government, sub-prefect Ye Bingrong. I was initially supposed to marry the Wei family¡¯s eldest son in Ji Nan prefecture. If they knew that I got kidnapped, they would find their way here, and it would not be good for the stockade. Let me go and I would eternally be grateful. I would even set up a longevity memorial tablet for you.¡±


    Longevity memorial tablet my foot, he was not dead yet! Xia Chunyuughed coldly. ¡°Why? Do you still want to marry the Mr. Wei?¡±


    To think that she actually was not just some small fry! Yang Zhou prefecture government sub-prefect¡¯s daughter and Ji Nan prefectural magistrate¡¯s daughter-inw; first brother was indeed generous. Thoughpared to the list of crimes Hei Feng Gang hasmitted, kidnapping the daughter-inw of a prefectural magistrate was no big deal.


    If what she said was true, then he would not be able to just leave her afterpleting his work. If she was still obedient, he could consider taking her in as a concubine after he leaves. Her status as his wife would be insufficient.


    However, this was only?her side of the story; the truth still has to be investigated.


    ¡°No, no, I am a fallen flower! How can I marry Mr. Wei? I only wish to go back to Yang Zhou and stay single for the rest of my life,¡± Ye Jiayao pleaded her case.


    The ancient people hold honor with the highest regard. Who would want a woman who has lost her virginity? Surely, she was aware of this?


    Xia Chunyu mocked, ¡°Do you think that if you go back to Yang Zhou your family will still tolerate you? You¡¯d be lucky if your father does not strangle you to death just to protect the family reputation.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt numb. That was not possible. Even though her birth mother has passed away a long time ago, and her stepmother does not like her, she was still her father¡¯s daughter. A tiger never devours its cubs!


    ¡°Don¡¯t look so shocked. I did not say that to scare you.¡±?Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows, cleaning the bowl of itsst grain of rice.


    ¡°Then¡­ then I will not go home! I can survive on my own without the Ye family.¡± Ye Jiayao shuddered, heartbroken because she knew that he was telling the truth.


    Her statement caused him to sneer. ¡°You? Survive on your own? How? Sell yourself as a prostitute or a ve? If you want to sell yourself as a ve, just sell yourself over here. A kind customer like me is not easy to find.¡±


    Ye Jiayao flushed red with fury. She really wished that she could just pour the soup over his head and spit rice on his face. How could there be such an evil person? What does he take her for? He was a bandit and what¡¯s more than that, he was a bandit leader. How could you talk sense to a bandit?


    ¡°I am still not full. You can¡¯t finish yours?¡± Xia Chunyu snatched her bowl of rice without waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Who says I can¡¯t finish? Didn¡¯t you say this is not good? Why are you eating so much? Careful, we don¡¯t want you to stuff yourself to death.¡± Ye Jiayao pounced over, snatching her bowl back.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her, surprised. He didn¡¯t think that she would really snatch it from him. She looked like a hungry wolf pouncing for food.


    Yang Zhou prefecture government sub-prefect¡¯s daughter, a daughter from a wealthy family, and yet so unrefined. Xia Chunyu found this unfathomable. She really was making him doubt her wealthy ims.


    Xia Chunyu red at her, frowning.


    Seeing his scowl, Ye Jiayao remembered that she was still in the wolf¡¯s den and her life was literally in his hand. Immediately, the fire burning within her extinguished.


    ¡°I ate the top?part, why don¡¯t I share half of the bottom part with you?¡± shepromised weakly.


    She was so busy talking that she barely took a few bites. She has always taken her time to chew slowly because delicacies need to be savored, even if it was just in rice. Chewing slowly makes the food taste sweeter.


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°That will not be necessary. Get me another bowl.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid the leftover is all in Song Qi¡¯s stomach,¡± she replied.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face darkened. Why did she not bring all of it over? Did she forget that he was a man? Did she think that he has a cat¡¯s stomach like her? A bowl and he will be satisfied?


    Ye Jiayao looked at his dark expression and silently pushed her bowl over.


    Xia Chunyu took it grumpily and scooped half of it into his bowl, leaving the other half for her.


    Ye Jiayao secretly rejoiced upon seeing that he was not ruthless enough to leave her with nothing.


    This time, Ye Jiayao did not dare to take the time to savor her food in case he finished and snatch her food away from her again.


    Soon, both of their bowls were empty, but Xia Chunyu was still unsatisfied while Ye Jiayao was only half-full.


    After taking off his clothes and going back to bed, Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Just be content up here in the mountains. Don¡¯t think of unrealistic things, and as long as you are obedient, I will not mistreat you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao?didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. What did he mean by ¡°will not mistreat¡±? Didn¡¯t she almost got mauled by him today? Was that the good treatment then?


    Xia Chunyu leaned up on the bed and raised a leg, looking at her expectantly.


    Did that mean that she has to help him take off his boots? Ye Jiayaoined inwardly. Though she was not born wealthy in her past life, she was still the treasure of her parents. Her host was a respectabledy and was waited upon since her young age. Waiting on people like this was a first for her in both her lives.


    However, Ye Jiayao knew that whether it was a first for her or not, she has to do it. She was stuck in the proverbial wolf¡¯s den and living under someone¡¯s shelter. She has to lower her head and suck it up.


    She shifted over unwillingly to help him take off his boots.


    Why was this boot so tight? Ye Jia Yao was unable to get it off despite trying a couple of times. Then she realized it was this stinking man who was flexing his foot and making it difficult for her on purpose!


    Xia Chunyu rested his head in his hands and watched her idly as she tried with all her might to take the boot off.


    If she had a knife in her hand right now she would¡¯ve cut his stinking foot off, Ye Jiayao thought furiously.


    She gritted and ground her teeth as she exerted all her force to tug, at the same time that Xia Chunyu rxed his foot, causing her to fall back. Shended on her bottom, hugging his boot.


    Xia Chunyuughed loudly, suddenly finding that it was fun to have someone to tease.


    Ye Jiayao was boiling mad and before she thought better of it, she hurled the boot towards his face.


    Xia Chunyu did not think that she would throw the boot at him and he wasughing so merrily that he did not notice until it was toote. The boot flew towards his face andnded right smack on his open mouth.


    In a split second, the house became eerily quiet, as though the air stopped moving. Ye Jiayao stared angrily at him while Xia Chunyu seemed to go nk from the impact. After a few seconds, indignation filled his eyes, his expression turning severe.


    After a few seconds of eye contact, Ye Jiayao shrunk. She crawled up obediently and took the other boot off.


    Xia Chunyu did not move, allowing her to take the boot off. After the boot was removed, he straightened up and scooped her into his arms. He flung her over onto the bed and pinned her down under him, saying fiercely, ¡°Nobody dares to throw a boot at me.¡±


    Seeing how he looked like he was about to eat her alive, Ye Jiayao cried fearfully, ¡°I am wrong! I am wrong, I apologize, okay? I have never done this before at home. I am always the one who is waited upon. I am unable to adapt to such a sudden change in status. Sir, please have mercy and forgive me this once.¡±


    ¡°Forgive you? If you dared to throw a boot at my face, then you should be aware of the consequences. You think you can climb all over me just because I am polite to you? If I don¡¯t punish you for your mistakes, you will not learn.¡± Xia Chunyu remained immovable with fury. If this got out, that Jing An Hou¡¯s heir got a boot thrown at his face by a woman, his reputation would be tarnished.


    ¡°I have learned it already! I will definitely not do it again, ahhhh¡­ have mercy¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no use begging for mercy¡­¡±


    Outside, Song Qi, who was leaning against the railing after a satisfying meal, heard the new big sister¡¯s cries, and thought sympathetically, ¡°So, third-inw is really a beast¡­¡±

 Chapter 4

    <h4>Chapter 4: Die Of Anger</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao could not remember whether she fainted or simply fell asleep from over-exhaustionst night. She was already in a deep sleep before the sun was out ¨C that was until someone shook her shoulders roughly.


    She was actually?dreaming that she was discussing her creative insights and concepts to the editor-in-chief of a delicacy magazine. The editor-in-chief was engrossed in her presentation and was so impressed by her skills and knowledge that he said, ¡°Ye Jiayao, you will handle the delicacy column for next week.¡±


    ¡°Wake up! Wash and change me!¡± someone yelled, disturbing her dream impolitely.


    Ye Jiayaoughed foolishly in her dream, half-consciously hitting the annoying hand away as she wrapped herself up in the nket. She turned away and said in annoyance, ¡°Stop bothering me, I want to sleep.¡±


    Xia Chunyu screamed her name, ¡°Ye Jinxuan!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so noisy! Can you not be so irritating?¡± Ye Jiayao grumbled, covering her head with the nket.


    Xia Chunyu lifted the nket away from her and howled, ¡°Are you a pig? Only pigs sleep so much! Get up!¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt cold so she sat up in frustration, shouting with her eyes still closed, ¡°Have you lost your marbles?¡± She pounced to get the nket back, hugging it tightly and lying back down to sleep.


    She was hurting all over! It¡¯s as if she just ran 3000 meters because there was not a single part of her body that was not aching.


    Ugh! Ye Jiayao felt a shiver down her spine and she opened her eyes in shock. She had thought that she was still in her home back in the 21st century! She had forgotten that she has time-traveled to another time. What did she yell?at him just now? Oh, lost his marbles!?<i>Well, sh*t?</i>! She has angered him again.


    Although her back was to him, she could hear his heavy breathing from behind her and she just knew that he was about to erupt.


    Ye Jiayao coughed dryly, sitting up properly with the nket still around her and looked at his face timidly. His eyes were dark with anger and his face was cold as ice. Ye Jiayao only thought of two phrases: dark clouds above-head, torrential rainfall about to descend.


    Ye Jiayao started kissing up to him immediately, smiling embarrassedly. ¡°That¡­ I am so sorry! I thought I was at home.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her expressionless for a few seconds. He just told him he had lost his marbles, and even though he does not know exactly what it meant, he has strong suspicions that it was less than respectable.


    None of her demeanor was that of a wealthy family¡¯s daughter. She just looked like a spoilt and willfuldy.


    ¡°Are you really the daughter of Ye sub-prefect? Are you usually this overbearing and bossy at home?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded.


    Ye Jiayao cursed at him silently.?<i>You are the bossy one!?You lot of bandits are bossy!?</i>¡°No, no, no, I thought it was Xiao Hei who was annoying me just now.¡±


    ¡°Xiao Hei?¡± Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows in question.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Mmhmm, Xiao Hei is a dog, around that big.¡± Ye Jia Yao pointed to the teapot on the table. To prove that the dog really existed, Ye Jiayao added, ¡°Xiao Hei is the offspring of the gatekeeper¡¯s Labrador and a wild dog from somewhere. Xiao Hei is cute and cheeky so I adopted him, but he is quite annoying. He will jump on my bed early in the morning to lick me and annoy me. At night, he will lie around on my bed and I can¡¯t even chase him away.¡±


    <i>Stinking wench!?</i>?Was she trying to call him a dog? A dog with a bastard breed?


    This was it! He would die of anger with just three minutes of talking to her.


    Additionally, he was now tempted to discuss whether the bastard breed was a metaphor or not.


    Xia Chunyu snatched her nket away angrily.


    ¡°Ay, a gentleman uses his mouth and not his fist! If there is any problem we should talk it out. Don¡¯t use violence¡­¡± Ye Jiayao thought he was about to vite her again so she clung tightly to the nket.


    Xia Chunyu spent so much effort into getting his clothes out of the nket and here she was, snatching the nket away, pulling his shirt into the pile once again.


    Ye Jiayao realized that his goal was to get the shirt and she let go of the nket awkwardly. ¡°Oh! So, it is the shirt that you want to take? You should have said so earlier.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s blood was boiling and he was so mad he was about ready to spit nails. He red at her venomously before he snatched his clothes and walked off.


    ¡°Ay, I really thought it was Xiao Hei just now!¡± Ye Jiayao called after him.


    Xia Chunyu almost went back to strangle her.


    Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the filthy man was finally gone. She felt like the air in the room was fresher without him. She lied back down, hugged the nket again and went back to sleep. After all, recurring dreams were the best.


    Xia Chunyu walked out, his face thunderous and his foul mood clearly obvious.?<i>I am not in a good mood, don¡¯t annoy me.</i>


    The brothers in the stockade, however, didn¡¯t see it that way. Was the third-in-charge dissatisfied with his new wife? Or was his desire not fulfilled?


    ¡°It can¡¯t be that the third-in-charge is not satisfied with the bride¡¯s looks, right?¡± someone discussed as they saw third-in-charge walk away.


    ¡°Is that bride still considered ugly? Such a delicate woman! Just thinking about it makes my whole body limp. If I can just hug her or kiss her, even if I have to go report to Hades tomorrow, it will be all worth it.¡±


    ¡°How dare you think of third-in-charge¡¯s woman? I think your bone is itching for a beating.¡±


    ¡°You should stop acting all righteous. Don¡¯t you think about women?¡±


    ¡°The lot of you! Are you free? Don¡¯t you need to train today? If I see any more people skiving, we¡¯ll go by the stockade rules,¡± third-in-charge berated in his deep voice that was cold as ice.


    The few bandits scattered away, warning each other, ¡°Third-in-charge is not in a good mood today. Take it easy all of you.¡±


    Indeed, third-in-charge¡¯s training was exceptionally harsh today. First, it was getting the lot to hike two rounds around Mist Peak, the main peak of Hei Feng Gang. Then, it was swimming 10ps around Haze Lake at the bottom. After lunch, it was four hours of horse stance at the training grounds. The whole gang of bandits was crying for their parents before it was even over.


    ¡°First-in-charge, third brother doesn¡¯t seem right today. I have never seen him so ruthless before,¡± second-in-charge sympathized. The bandits in horse stance at the training ground had legs trembling and eyes flowing with tears.


    First-in-charge simply narrowed his eyes, shaking his head, seemingly deep in thought. Abruptly, he walked away with his hands behind his back.


    Why didn¡¯t the first-in-charge say anything? Second-in-charge pondered as he watched first brother walk away.


    Xia Chunyu drilled the bandits like they were about to die, so there was no one to annoy Ye Jiayao and she has managed to sleep all the way until noon. She only woke up from hunger so she braced her aching body and got up to hunt for food.


    Outside, the noon sun was shining brightly. Ye Jiayao stretched, tilting her face up to bask in the sun¡¯s rays and took a deep breath. The air in the mountains was exceptionally fresh and the gentle mountain breeze carried with it the scent of grass and wildflower. If one thing good came out of her kidnapping, it was that she didn¡¯t have to inhale smog anymore. Ye Jiayaoughed bitterly. Since it has already happened, she would just have to make do with it. Life goes on, or whatever life she has left that is. Right now, she was starving so her problems would have to wait until she has filled her stomach.


    Ye Jiayao made her way to the kitchen and seeing as it was way past lunchtime, everyone was already packing up. She still hasn¡¯t gotten the chance to see Old Yu, and Auntie Jiang was nowhere to be found. There were only three aunties that were washing the pots and bowls in the kitchen.


    The three aunties saw Ye Jiayao dressed in red and immediately knew that she was third-in-charge¡¯s bride. They all turned away and ignored her. Today, their men got tortured by third-in-charge and they heard that it was because of this new woman. Somehow she has annoyed third-in-charge, who in turn punished their men. In their eyes, it was all Ye Jiayao¡¯s fault so they ignored herpletely.


    Obviously, Ye Jiayao did not know that she has be themon enemy of the whole stockade, so she simply smiled sweetly and asked if there was anything to eat.


    After asking for the third time, one of the aunties replied coldly, ¡°No, the leftovers are fed to the pigs.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ can I make some noodles to eat?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, the fire is extinguished,¡± the auntie said, scooping a dipper of water and pouring it over the stove to extinguish the fire.


    It was clear to Ye Jiayao that these aunties did not like her. Were they jealous because she was pretty? Ye Jia Yao nced over the kitchen quickly and took a cucumber from the basket. The vine was still fresh so it must be newly plucked.


    She would have to just nibble on the cucumber to fill her stomach.


    ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t just take whatever you want! This is for dinner,¡± the auntie who extinguished the stove fire scolded.


    Ye Jiayao grinned and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a cucumber. Don¡¯t be so stingy!¡±


    Before the auntie blew her top, Ye Jiayao escaped. It looked like the authority as the third-in-charge¡¯s woman was not useful. It must be because third-in-charge does not have enough power. The stinking man was only a tyrant only at home!


    While munching on the cucumber, Ye Jiayao walked around idly, checking out the topography of the ce. She was blindfolded when she was kidnapped yesterday so she has no idea what the view of Hei Feng Gang is. From what the stinking man has said, it seemed like a formidable ce.


    The topography of the mountains here was strategic with cliffs scattered all over. There seemed to be only one way down the mountains and there was a guard posted with every few steps. Escaping would be more difficult than scaling heaven. Attacking up the mountains would also be more difficult as it wasparable to Shui Po in Liang Shan.


    Ye Jiayao was discouraged after she had finished roaming around. Was she going to stay as a bandit¡¯s wife up here in the mountains forever?


    She turned a corner and her eyes widened at what she saw. On the horizon, the cliff has a piece of emptynd about the size of half a ser field. There was a banner waving in the wind and a few hundred bandits standing neatly in formation, all holding a horse stance. It was a spectacr view.


    ¡°No skiving! The hardship of today will bring arge chance of survival on the battlegrounds. Iron Cow, hold your ground steady! Er Lengzi, don¡¯t let me see you skiving again or?I will add another two hours,¡± Xia Chunyu lectured coldly.


    ¡°Hey, focus! Stop looking around. What are you looking at?¡± Xia Chunyu realized that everyone¡¯s eyes were fixed in one direction and turned around to have a look. A dainty-looking woman dressed in red garb appeared by the bend, her steps quick and light.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face darkened.?<i>What is this wench doing up here?</i>


    Ye Jiayao saw Xia Chunyu, dressed in a white gown, standing tall and straight. He certainly stood out among the group of uncouth bandits with his aura and looks. This was the first time Ye Jiayao had a direct observation for the idiom, a crane in a flock of chicken?<i>.</i>


    Thinking that he was the best-looking bandit and she would be the prettiest bandit¡¯s wife in Hei Feng Gang, made her feel better. Of course, this was only temporary. She certainly didn¡¯t want to be a bandit¡¯s wife for all of her life.


    Ye Jiayao saw how everyone greeted her with their attention and knew that she had to y nice. It was obvious that she wouldn¡¯t be able to escape anytime soon so might as well build good rtionships with everyone to make her time here a bit better. She certainly did not want a repeat of what happened with the aunties today.


    She put on her sweetest smile and waved her hand just like how famous people do it to show her good intentions.


    She just has to switch her cucumber to her other hand first.

 Chapter 5

    <h4>Chapter 5: Just A Toy</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    With a sweet smile and a wave of her arm, the crowd of bandits who were tortured half to death was revitalized. Each one of them straightened their backs and steadied their horse stance. They couldn¡¯t possibly lose face in front of a beautiful woman, could they?


    Seeing the bandits look at Ye Jiayao like hungry wolves, Xia Chunyu started to get annoyed.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Take another look and you won¡¯t get to eat dinner,¡± Xia Chunyu growled.


    The gang cursed silently. Third-in-charge was so petty. What could a look do? It wasn¡¯t like they were touching her ¨C he wouldn¡¯t lose a piece of meat.


    Ye Jiayao left them to their training as she has already greeted them. She did not wish to disturb them any further. She turned and saw spots of wild strawberries growing on the grass patch at the roadside. She smiled merrily and bounded over. She had heard from her father that these were all over the mountains in the past. In the modern times, the ce had been highly urbanized that it has be very difficult to find them, so she was happy to see so many.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her sleeves up and lifted her skirt as she began picking strawberries.


    The bandits could not control their eyes. It was notmon for?such a beautiful woman to appear in the stockade and they couldn¡¯t resist staring. Even if they couldn¡¯t touch, taking a few looks would suffice.


    <i>Prettydy, prettydy look over here, prettydy, prettydy look over here¡­</i>


    The bandits rejoiced in their hearts.


    It was a pity that Ye Jiayao did not have telepathy with them. Her whole attention was upied by the red wild strawberries.


    Upon seeing their inattentiveness, Xia Chunyu turned his head over to take a look at what was preupying them. He raged when he saw that girl bent over, picking god knows what, with that tempting derriere raised in the air.


    <i>F*ck!?</i>?No matter how much he detested her, she was still his woman. He could not just let these lewd bandits continue ogling her. Their drool was almost dripping onto their shirts for goodness¡¯ sake!


    Fed up with training, Xia Chunyu called Peng Wu over. ¡°Stay here to supervise. Use the rod on whoever cks off.¡± He threw onest re at the bandits before walking over to Ye Jiayao.


    The bandits were overwhelmed with joy. Peng Wu was nothingpared to third-in-charge.?They looked at the new sister-inw practically as the goddess bodhisattva that saved them from suffering. Thanks to the new sister-inw, third-in-charge was finally leaving them alone. Everyone had already forgotten how they cursed her before that, ming her for what they had to endure.


    ¡°What on earth are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu thundered.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him in confusion, not understanding his anger. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell? I¡¯m picking wild strawberries. These are delicious.¡±


    ¡°I think you are here to embarrass yourself.¡± Xia Chunyu grabbed her hand, dragging her back to their house.


    This sudden pull caused all the wild strawberries that Ye Jiayao has plucked painstakingly to drop to the ground. She red up at him, her anger obvious yet she did not dare to speak, only cursing him in her head.?<i>You are the one embarrassing yourself! How is plucking wild strawberries embarrassing? I really don¡¯t know what goes on in that big head of yours!</i>


    Back in the courtyard, Xia Chunyu flung her hand away, his voice tight as he lectured, ¡°From now on, you are not to run around the ce. To think you are from a wealthy family! Do you even know what the word modesty is? Do you think you are a courtesan from a brothel? Not an inch of you is dignified. If you want to embarrass yourself, go ahead, but don¡¯t drag me into this. If there is a next time, I will fulfill your wish and let you sell yourself as much as you want.¡±


    Was he actually angry at her for greeting the bandits? Was he really annoyed at her for simply?<i>waving?</i>?her hand?


    She chased him into the room, sneering, ¡°I am already a bandit¡¯s wife. Why do I have to behave like a respectabledy? This is called when in Rome, do as the Romans do! If you like respectabledies, why the hell did youe up to the mountains to be a bandit? The pot should always match with the lid. The day you retire and start doing good would be the day that I turn into a virtuous respectabledy, how about that?¡±


    Xia Chunyu halted, turning around to re at her, the corner of his mouth twitching.?<i>What kind of logic is that?</i>


    ¡°Also, what is up with you and this perpetual scowling face? The brothers in the stockade are sure to dislike you because you are always in such a foul mood. If I am more easy-going, I can help you win some of them over. I was only trying to help and here you are, scolding me for my good deed,¡± Ye Jiayao sulked. Actually, to be perfectly honest, she was feeling sorrier for her ruined wild strawberries.


    Xia Chunyu scoffed, ¡°Why are you treating yourself as the wife of a Hei Feng Gang¡¯s leader? Have we matched our eight characters? Ordered betrothal gifts? Prayed to the heavens and earth or drank the nuptial wine? At the very best, you are just a toy. If I am in a good mood I will let you stay in this room and if I am not, I can always reward you to someone else. You don¡¯t have to be so eager to show yourself to others, there will be many opportunities toe.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was so angry all she could do wasugh. ¡°Oh, really? I didn¡¯t know you bandits have so many regtions in getting a wife. In case you¡¯ve forgotten, you are not from a decent family. I don¡¯t care what you see me as, anyway. The brothers in the stockade call me sister-inw when they see me. In everyone¡¯s eyes, I am your wife.¡±


    This filthy man kept using the threat of giving her to others to keep her in line. If she did not retaliate, she would always be lead around by the nose.


    Xia Chunyu squinted, his lips rising into a treacherous curve. He slowly leaned over as Ye Jiayao leaned away. When he didn¡¯t drink, he has a clean and fresh scent on him, just like the wind in this mountain. However, she knew that the winds in the mountains were the hardest to grasp with its turbulent undercurrents that can engulf anyone up at any time.


    His lips were almost touching the tip of her nose and Ye Jiayao stared anxiously at him, almost bing cross-eyed.?<i>Why must hee so close when he talks?</i>


    ¡°Maybe I can¡¯t reward you to my brothers but I can sell you. I heard that selling?out of the borders can fetch a good price and then you can forget abouting back for the rest of your life,¡± he said,?his tone gentle as though he was whispering words of endearment.


    Ye Jiayao was unable to bnce herself with him leaning so close and her body fell backward. Just as she thought she was going tond st on the ground, his arm circled her waist and pulled her back up. Ye Jiayao¡¯s nose collided into his firm chest as she took in a deep breath.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to provoke me. Here, what I say goes,¡± Xia Chunyu said firmly.


    <i>He really is ruthless!?</i>Ye Jia Yao shut her mouth despite all the barrage of curses she wanted to hurl at him.


    Xia Chunyuughed coldly on the inside as he saw the fight leave her. Pitting against him never resulted to good things for his opponents.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wear this anymore, it¡¯s an eyesore,¡± Xia Chunyu demanded, eyeing the wedding garb with disgust.


    ¡°What would I wear? Why don¡¯t you help me ask second-in-charge if he also took some stuff with him while he kidnapped me? All my clothes are in my trousseau.¡±


    Xia Chunyu knew that he did not have any clothes for her here, and the?clothes that the Aunties wear in the stockade were not suitable for her either. He really had to ask second brother if he wanted to dress his bride in something less conspicuous.


    ¡°Do not run out here, do you hear me?¡± he warned, pointing at her.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯srge eyes blinked and she nodded obediently.


    Once Xia Chunyu walked out, Ye Jiayao started hitting his pillow with her fists.


    ¡°F*ck being your toy! You are the toy! Filthy man! Just my luck to end up with a bandit! Just you wait, I¡¯m going to y you to death,¡± she ranted.


    After venting her anger, Ye Jiayao lied on the bed, spent. She knew that the road ahead was obscure, a long way with a heavy burden and she had toe up with a n. She has given up on conquering his heart. She originally thought that he was quite handsome but now, she had decided that this filthy man has no merits other than good appearance. He has no respect for women. Plus, he was arrogant, aloof, cold and fickle. No matter what angle she looked at it from, it was impossible for her to like someone like that. If they were in the modern times, she would¡¯ve already f*cking pped him in the face.


    However, she still has to y along. Only by winning his trust and the trust of the brothers in the stockade could she have the chance to escape.


    She would need to begin with food. She would start by pampering his stomach and turning him into such a fussy eater that he would like no one¡¯s food but hers. She would cultivate a habit in his body to get him to progress to psychological dependence on her.


    Yes, that was it, Ye Jiayao concluded, her fighting spirit reignited.?Her conquering would start with delicacies.


    After a while, Xia Chunyu returned, still empty-handed. ¡°Song Qi says they did not snatch any other things. Just make do with these for a few days and if you don¡¯t go out, it¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t wear anything.¡±


    <i>Lecher beast,?</i>?Ye Jiayao cursed inside.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird. When you go down the mountain, don¡¯t you all steal some things up? I have quite a generous trousseau,¡± Ye Jiayaoined. Her sister from her stepmother would stand to gain from her things if they really did not take it.


    It really did seemed a little odd to leave such a generous trousseau behind and only taking the girl. That did not seem like second-in-charge¡¯s style. Every time second-in-charge goes down the mountain, it was a total havoc. He burned everything useless and takes everything he deemed has value.


    ¡°Why are you out of breath? Get me a cup of tea.¡± Xia Chunyu frowned at her.


    Ye Jiayao poured him a cup of cold teapliantly. ¡°There¡¯s no more hot water, will this do?¡±


    Xia Chunyu red at her, face full of dissatisfaction. ¡°If there is no hot water then go to the kitchen and get some.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sulked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you forbid me from going out?¡±


    ¡°It is not allowing you to loiter at ces you shouldn¡¯t go to. Don¡¯t you realize you are in a bandit¡¯s den? Aren¡¯t you afraid that someone will peel your skin and eat your bones?¡± he barked.


    <i>Then that would mean that you are useless as a third-in-charge. Which bandit would dare to covet your woman??</i>?Ye Jiayao thought to herself.


    ¡°If I go, I really doubt they will give me water. Just this afternoon, I wasn¡¯t even given lunch! I asked them for food and they said there was none. I offered to make some for myself and one auntie went as far as to extinguish the stove fire in front of me. I just ran out after snatching a cucumber because I was so hungry. If it wasn¡¯t for me being fast, that auntie would have probably caught up with me and snatched the cucumber back,¡± Ye Jiayao muttered.


    Xia Chunyu spat out the water he was drinking.


    He looked at Ye Jiayao, unable to make sense of her. She even snatches food? What, was she mad from hunger?


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? I am speaking the truth,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°Are you daft? Can¡¯t you just say you are my woman?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied innocently, ¡°Unless they were colorblind or fools, they should¡¯ve known who I am as soon as they saw me in this garb! Why do I even need to announce that? I am actually puzzled too. I just came herest night so I know that I didn¡¯t offend them. Could it just be because you did not win the hearts of the people, third-in-charge?¡±

 Chapter 6

    <h4>Chapter 6: Call Me Yaoyao</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao saw his face flush with annoyance and she immediately backpedaled, ¡°What I mean is, third-in-charge, you are so handsome. You¡¯re like a jade tree standing in the wind and you¡¯re known as the top pretty boy in Hei Feng Gang. Even a woman would be ashamed to bepared to you. Besides, you are so well-versed in martial arts that the brothers in the stockade must be filled with envy and jealousy. As for the aunties, though they are of certain age and don¡¯t really have any looks, that does not mean that they are not secretly in love with you. I think that I just became the target of their jealousy!¡±


    <i>Top pretty boy in Hei Feng Gang??</i>When did he have such a nickname? However, that is a fact so Xia Chunyu felt a bit better.


    Ye Jiayao continued kissing up to him, massaging his shoulders as she asked, ¡°Do big brother?and second brother have people serving them?¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied defensively, ¡°Why? Do you want to serve them?¡±


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s just that I noticed you do not have anyone waiting on you here. You are the third-in-charge, are you not? How can there be no one serving you?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t I have you serving me now?¡± Xia Chunyu closed his eyes as she kneaded his shoulders. She was exerting just the right amount of pressure, not too soft and not too hard, and it was doing wonders for his muscles. It has been a long time since he enjoyed such treatment.


    Ye Jiayao was indignant but she did not protest. She knew protesting would lead her nowhere. She would just go along with whatever he was saying and silently do her scheming.


    ¡°Of course, I will take care of you, but you need to know that I am new to serving people. If there is something that I didn¡¯t do well, don¡¯t be angry and allow me to learn slowly,¡± Ye Jiayao implored even though she detested using the word ¡®serve¡¯. She just needed to warn him to lower his expectations of her.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°You are from a wealthy family and after being kidnapped here, unable to marry the man of your dreams, unable to be a young mistress, don¡¯t you feel sad? Don¡¯t you hate me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to bash his head as she answered woefully, ¡°Of?course I feel upset, but what use is that? I have tried to kill myself and you stopped me. Do I just wash my face with tears every day and look for every avable opportunity to try to hang myself? Besides, you¡¯re not the one who kidnapped me, so why should I hate you? If I have to me anything, it should be fate. Honestly, I didn¡¯t have a good life. My mother passed away after giving birth to me and my father married his second wife not shortly after that. I had brothers and sisters and if it wasn¡¯t for the power that my maternal family has, I would¡¯ve definitely been cast aside. Everyone has their own misfortune but wallowing in self-pity is not going to solve anything. It¡¯d be better to just ept it and move on.


    Xia Chunyu was surprised by her wisdom. ¡°It¡¯s good that you are so adaptable and can think things through. If you do your role well, I will protect you. If you dare to y outward devotion but inner opposition with me, well, you already know the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Stop threatening me. I am a weak woman, no matter what I cane up with, how could I execute it?¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    Xia Chunyu scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re right. I doubt you are capable of anything.¡±


    No matter what her past was, whether what she said was true or false, as long as she does not test his limits and does not foil his ns, he would not treat her badly.


    ¡°In the future, when I am not around, you can look for Song Qi and Peng Wu. Those are my trusted people,¡± Xia Chunyu said. Duan Wu was sent over by 1st-in-charge so he really does not trust him. Song Qi, on the other hand, was really his person who came up two months before him.


    ¡°Oh, okay,¡± Ye Jiayao replied absent-mindedly, thinking about how to make him grant her freedom since she would be unable to do a lot of things if he continued to ban her from going out.


    ¡°Third-in-charge!¡± Song Qi shouted from outside of the house.


    Xia Chunyu called, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°First-in-charge is asking you over to discuss some matters.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Xia Chunyu rose, dispensing a warning to Ye Jiayao again, ¡°Stay inside the house.¡±


    <i>Stay inside the house??</i><i>What am I, a dog??</i>?Ye Jiayao scowled at his back.


    The only thing she could do inside was sleep and Ye Jiayao has had enough sleep already, so she got up and walked out to the courtyard to get some air.


    Song Qi was sitting in the courtyard paring a wooden pole when Ye Jiayao walked over. ¡°What is this for?¡±


    Song Qi stood up to let Ye Jiayao sit but she just waved her hand at him. ¡°Sit, sit, I¡¯ll stand.¡± Before this, there was no one guarding the courtyard so Song Qi was just probably ordered by that filthy man to watch her.


    ¡°I¡¯m preparing to dig a trap to catch a wild boar in the mountains,¡± Song Qi answered.


    ¡°There are wild boars in the mountains?¡± Growing up in the city, Ye Jiayao has always been curious about wild animals. Of course, the first thing she thought of was the stomach of the wild boar. That was some good stuff because, in the modern times, a wild boar belly was worth quite a lot.


    ¡°Not only wild boars but there are also wild rabbits, deer, snakes, and more.¡±


    ¡°There are snakes?¡± Ye Jiayao face grew pale. She hated creepy crawlies the most, especially those gaudy and slimy snakes. She nced at the mountain behind the courtyard anxiously. ¡°Do snakese here?¡±


    Song Qi pared the wooden pole depressingly. ¡°Sometimes, there will be. A few days ago, I caught a cobra. I gave it to the kitchen to make snake soup, it tasted so fresh.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was even more worried now. What if a snake slithered onto the bed while she was sleeping at night? She shuddered at the mere thought of it.


    After paring the wooden pole, Song Qi looked up and saw how pale Ye Jiayao had gotten. He realized that what he had said must have scared her; women are all timid. Heughed and reassured her, ¡°Sister-inw if you are afraid of snakes, I will go get some red orpiment powder to scatter around the courtyard. It would keep snakes away.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was skeptical. ¡°Is that useful?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it is useful. Snakes cannot stand the smell of red orpiment powder,¡± Song Qi assured her.


    Ye Jiayao heaved a sigh of relief, turning around to take a look at the courtyard. Song Qi voluntarily introduced, ¡°The east side is mine and Peng Wu¡¯s room and the west side used to be a small kitchen, now it is a storage room.¡±


    <i>Small?</i><i>kitchen??</i>Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes widened.?¡°Can I have a look?¡±


    ¡°It is a little messy and dirty inside.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay.¡± Ye Jiayao dly pushed the door open and immediately, dust fell upon her entrance, nearly choking her. There was a bunch of random stuff in the room, all piled up and broken. It was so messy that there wasn¡¯t even a space to set foot in.


    ¡°Are these things needed?¡±


    Song Qi answered, ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Alright then! Let¡¯s clear these things up and chop them for firewood. Once this is clean, we could cook here, make whatever third-in-charge wants and we don¡¯t even have to be watchful of others.¡± Ye Jia Yao was ted. This would be her territory, the ce where she could begin to take that filthy man down.


    Song Qi hesitated because the whole stockade of brothers ate at the same ce. Would opening a kitchen stove on their own work?


    Seeing Song Qi¡¯s reluctance, Ye Jiayao attempted to entice him further. ¡°In the future, I will make delicious food for all of you.¡±


    Song Qi¡¯s eyes brightened as he thought about the delicious egg fried rice she gave himst night. He immediately rolled his sleeves up and acquiesced, ¡°Sure, I will clean this up right away.¡±


    Xia Chunyu came back from 1st-in-charge¡¯s ce with Peng Wu and stepped into a courtyard filled with piles of trash.


    ¡°Song Qi!¡± Xia Chunyu called angrily.


    Song Qi ran out of the storage room with face covered in dust. ¡°Third-in-charge, you¡¯re back!


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded immediately, unable to stand dirt and mess.


    Song Qi chuckled and answered, ¡°Sister-inw says that she wants to clear up the small kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s anger subsided by half as he heard that they were cleaning up the kitchen. The girl¡¯s cooking skills were not bad, though he was still unsure?if she knew how to make anything else.


    ¡°She¡¯s scrubbing the pot inside because it was all rusty,¡± Song Qi replied.


    Peng Wu rolled his sleeves up and offered, ¡°I¡¯ll help.¡±


    ¡°Help me to chop these piles of stuff, sister-inw wants to use them as firewood,¡± Song Qi said.


    ¡°Hurry up with the cleaning, this mess is outrageous.¡± Xia Chunyu said, casting a nce at the kitchen before going back to his room.


    In the kitchen, Ye Jiayao was in full swing and with an extra helping hand, she was able to get everything done in no time. She felt happy just looking at how much the kitchen has changed.


    ¡°Song Qi, go to the kitchen and grab some ingredients. We¡¯re going to open our kitchen stove tonight,¡± Ye Jiayao shouted from the kitchen.


    ¡°Aye!¡± Song Qi ran out happily.


    ¡°Hey, Song Qi, don¡¯t forget to bring wine, salt, marinated soy paste, and vinegar, get a bit of whatever condiments there is.¡± Ye Jiayao ran out to catch up to him as she suddenly thought of it, however, Song Qi was long gone.


    ¡°Sister-inw, I¡¯ll make a trip down,¡± Peng Wu, who was chopping firewood, volunteered.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll trouble you and tonight, I¡¯ll be sure to reward you guys,¡± Ye Jiayao replied gratefully.


    Xia Chunyu, who was in the room reading, looked up upon hearing what she said. He frowned, wondering why did that sentence sound so ufortable?


    <i>Well, someone has unclean thoughts.</i>


    Ye Jiayao went back to the room to get a drink because she was just so parched. It has been a long time since she did such heavy workout, plusst night¡¯s torment caused her to back to ache and she was wiped.


    Ye Jiayao threw herself onto the table and drank three cups of water without even pausing to breathe. She then lied t on the table, unmoving and totally oblivious to her husband¡¯s judging look.


    Xia Chunyu looked at Ye Jia Yao in disgust.?<i>Which dog hole did this woman crawl out of??</i>Her hair was a mess with spider webs clinging on, her face was grey with dust, and the red garb on her was extremely filthy.


    ¡°Hey, go tidy yourself up. Looking at you kills my appetite,¡± Xia Chunyu said, repulsed with her appearance.


    Ye Jiayao smoothed the lock of hair blocking her vision and turned her face over to roll her eyes.?<i>Can¡¯t you see that I am about to die of exhaustion? You didn¡¯t even help and yet here you areining. If you don¡¯t like it then don¡¯t look¡­</i>


    ¡°Hey, did you hear me?¡± Xia Chunyu yelled at her.


    Ye Jiayao answeredzily, ¡°I¡¯m out of strength. Also, don¡¯t call me hey, I have a name. I am called Ye Jinxuan but you can call me Yaoyao.¡±


    Xia Chunyu shuddered.?<i>Yaoyao??</i>?There was no way would he call her such an affectionate name.

 Chapter 7

    <h4>Chapter 7: Found A Treasure</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu could not stand to look at such a sloppy woman swinging around in front of him so he threw his book away, walked over, and dragged her up by the back of her cor.


    ¡°Go wash up by the well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was too tired to ridicule this man and his nasty behavior, so she just quietly turned towards the back of the small kitchen and headed for the well.


    <i>Ugh, so obedient??</i>Xia Chunyu thought that she would erupt. After all, she had dared to throw a shoe at his face. Although she knew how to resign herself to adversity, knew how to fawn and tter, eventually, her pride would not take any more hits.


    Xia Chunyu felt very confused as he returned to the room to continue reading.


    After a while, Song Qi and Peng Wu returned with four huge baskets containing two sacks of rice and flour. Ye Jiayao checked the condiments over and was happy to see that they also grabbed a wok, bowls, adle and a basin ¨C even the cutting tools are aplete set. They also brought back a huge carp,?pork ribs, ughtered chicken, mutton leg and various types of vegetables. They brought enough to feed an army! Well, she supposed that was the nature of bandits ¨C take everything and anything that they could carry.


    Although she was exhausted, she made a promise to cook them dinner tonight so she would deliver. This would be the first legitimate meal she would be preparing ever since her arrival in the stockade. Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirit livened as she prepared to show off her cooking skills.


    Ye Jiayao grabbed the carp and threw it ruthlessly on the floor. After the fish had passed out from the blow, she started to remove the scales and innards, asking, ¡°Song Qi, Peng Wu, where are you all from?¡±


    ¡°I am from Hebei province,¡± Peng Wu answered as he began to start the fire.


    Song Qi, who was in charge of chopping the ribs, replied, ¡°I am from Zhenjiang prefecture.¡±


    ¡°What about third-in-charge?¡±


    Song Qi scratched his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure where third-in-charge is from. He never really mentioned it.¡±


    <i>Alright then.?</i>?Judging from his ent, he should be from around Wu Yue, so making Huai Yang cuisine should be fine.


    China¡¯s culinary culture was profound and broad. It has developed its own particr system of distinct regional vor and style after a long period of evolution. In the Tang and Song dynasties, it was more or less categorized into southern and northern food. Qing dynasty, on the other hand, has developed into four major cuisines; Cheng Chuan, Lu, Cantonese, and Huai Yang. It was then divided even more meticulously into eight major cuisines.


    Although Ye Jiayao has studied all of the major cuisines, she was the best at Huai Yang cuisine because her father was a chef in a five-star hotel in the Suzhou prefecture. Huai Yang cuisine was particr on the choice of ingredients and meticulous in preparation. It required precise cutting skills, vor excellence, and wonderful appearance. The heat was also closely controlled in the cooking process whether it be in stewing, brewing, roasting, or simple steaming.


    Seeing sister-inw¡¯s experienced motions, Song Qi inquired, ¡°Sister-inw, where did you pick up your culinary skills?¡±


    ¡°At home¡­ I mean, I learned from the kitchendy at home.¡±


    ¡°You are a refineddy yet you have to learn this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her head slightly, looking up at the beam of the roof, her gazeplicated, as though she thought of some memories that she could not bear to recall. ¡°Ayy¡­ it¡¯s a long story,¡± she replied with a sigh.


    Pretending to be depressed always worked when deflecting a question.


    Indeed, Song Qi did not probe further.


    After setting the fish, Ye Jiayao stir-fried the chopped ribs, adding ginger slices, some shiitake mushrooms, cooking wine, soy sauce, and other condiments. She then transferred it to a y pot to brew slowly. This way, the simmered ribs would absorb the vor, making the bones rich in scent and the meat soft and well-cooked.


    She then washed the chopping board and proceeded to slice the tofu into extremely thin pieces. She looked so skillful as she continued slicing at a fast speed, her hands blurring at her pace. Peng Wu stared at her nkly, wondering if she was making mashed tofu.


    Song Qi was in awe as he observed her. ¡°Sister-inw, are you making Wen Si Tofu?¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s right! Have you tried it before?¡±


    ¡°No, no, but I have seen it before,¡± Song Qi replied, his mouth watering.


    ¡°Then today you shall try the authentic Wen Si tofu. It¡¯s a pity there is no ham.¡±


    ¡°Will air-dried meat work? I saw some in the kitchen,¡± Song Qi suggested.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened and she nodded. ¡°Sure! Although it does notpare to ham in color and taste, the texture would be more than enough to lift the vor.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get it then.¡± Song Qi went off, bustling with energy.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to tell him to take just a small piece because from what she knew of him, he would surely bring back the whole chunk of meat. She wasn¡¯t able to voice her warning though because Song Qi was long gone.


    She had just finished cutting the dried chicken, bamboo, and shiitake mushrooms into shreds when Song Qi ran back into the kitchen, huffing as he hauled a huge chunk of air-dried meat. ¡°Old Head Yu is too petty! He chased me out with a chopping knife for just a piece of air-dried meat!¡± he panted.


    Ye Jiayaoughed at his antics.??<i>Wee to the life of the bandits.</i>


    Xia Chunyu looked at the rising smoke from the kitchen and couldn¡¯t help but look forward to seeing what kind of tricks the girl has up her sleeves. He wanted to go over there to take a look but he was afraid that it would be misunderstood as excitement.?He suppressed the curiosity within him and continued on reading his book.


    He lifted the teapot to pour some water but nothing came out. He yelled for Song Qi to bring him some more but he didn¡¯t answer, so Xia Chunyu brought the teapot to the kitchen himself.


    The strong scent of seasoning filled the entrance of the kitchen, making him eager to taste what the wench has been cooking.?Xia Chunyu ced the teapot down on the table, yelling, ¡°Where¡¯s everyone? Where did everyone go?¡±


    Peng Wu scuttled out of the kitchen, flustered. ¡°Third-in-charge, please wait for a while, dinner would be served soon.¡±


    Xia Chunyu deadpanned, ¡°Who asked about dinner? This teapot is empty, did you know that? It¡¯s just a dinner, not a feast, is there a need for so many people? You all want to be a chef? Sure, tomorrow go work in the kitchen.¡±


    Peng Wu, dejected from the scolding, cated, ¡°I¡¯ll go boil some water this instant.¡±


    That was thest straw. Ye Jiayao was just about to rush out with adle in her hand when Song Qi stopped her, shaking his head.


    Seeing that no one came out after his rage, Xia Chunyu returned to the room silently.


    Song Qi checked the entrance before returning inside, saying, ¡°Third-in-charge went back inside.¡±


    ¡°That person is so hard to please! Everyone is preparing a meal for him with kind intentions and not only is he not grateful, he still came over here to find fault,¡± Ye Jiayao ranted.


    Song Qi chuckled at her annoyance. ¡°Sister-inw, don¡¯t take it to heart. Third-in-charge is actually a very nice person.¡±


    ¡°Nice my foot! He throws tantrums like a child.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t me third-in-charge for that. There is no one to get along with here in the stockade. Third-in-charge became Hei Feng Gang¡¯s third leader after being here for just two months, and many of the brothers in the stockade refused to ept it. If he was not ferocious, how can he manage to keep control of them?¡± Song Qi exined.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes.?<i>He just wants to suppress and control everyone?</i>.


    ¡°What about second-in-charge and first-in-charge? What are they like?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Song Qi frowned. ¡°That is difficult to say. First-in-charge has a nice temper and I heard that he used to be a schr. He really doesn¡¯t know any martial arts but still, all the brothers in the stockade are afraid of him. Second-in-charge has a fierce face but he is actually the most easy-going out of the three.¡±


    In other words, the bad guy yed the good guy and the good guy ying the bad guy.


    Ye Jiayao changed frying pans as she poured a thinyer of oil before proceeding to fry the shiitake mushroom stuffed with meat paste. The scent of the meat and the shiitake mushroom smelled so heavenly that Song Qi and Peng Wu couldn¡¯t help but salivate. Just as it was almost cooked,?Ye Jia Yao poured in the seasoned soup, adding a little cornstarch and leaving it to cook for a while so that the mushroom could absorb more vors.


    This was the method for modern time teppan shiitake mushroom, but Ye Jiayao changed it slightly to make it into a new dish. Using a pair of chopsticks, she set the mushrooms on top of the stir-fried vegetables before drenching it with the soup.


    ¡°Alright, you can bring this over!¡± Ye Jiayao pped her hands in aplishment.


    Today, there was a total of five dishes; simmered-fried ribs, sweet and sour carp, shiitake mushrooms with greens, Wen Si tofu, and air-dried meat with bamboo stew.


    Song Qi smelled the food and sighed. ¡°Sister-inw, your culinary skill is solid! Just looking at all those colors and smelling that delicious smell is already making me drool!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Be careful not to drool into the food.¡±


    ¡°Sister-inw, why don¡¯t you bring the dishes over? Third-in-charge will surely be pleased to see you,¡± Song Qi suggested.


    ¡°Forget it, I am not pleasing to his eye today so I shall not go hinder his view,¡±?Ye Jiayao declined, taking some food for herself to eat alone in the kitchen instead.


    She has not forgotten how she was lifted out like a rag earlier on; she has never been so embarrassed in her life.


    In the house, Xia Chunyu was pleasantly surprised to see the five dishes. It looked and smelled absolutely divine that if it was not for Song Qi and Peng Wu,?he would¡¯ve thought he was sitting in a restaurant in Jin Ling!


    ¡°Third-in-charge, quick! Try some of the food sister-inw made, it¡¯s delicious.¡± Song Qi had to stop himself from diving into the array of food.


    Peng Wu nodded, his eyes never straying from the food. ¡°Third-in-charge, you have found a treasure.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stared at him harshly. ¡°What treasure? Get me the wine quickly.¡±


    Normally he would have a huge pot of stewed meat, so this was a treat. Such exquisite food was hard toe by and he wanted to level up his dining experience by matching the food with fine wine.


    ¡°Aye.¡± Peng Wu brought out a jug of wine, pouring a ss for 3rd-in-charge.


    Xia Chunyu lifted his chopsticks up, ready to tuck in before he noticed Ye Jiayao missing. ¡°Where is your sister-inw?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s boiling hot water and told to eat first,¡± Song Qi replied.


    ¡°Why is she boiling water when it is time to eat?¡± Xia Chunyu muttered, digging into the food. He then recalled her dirty face and deduced that it was perhaps for a bath. Women are a bother; men would just either fetch a pail of water from the well and pour it over them or go to the pool at the mountain to swim a fewps.


    The fish was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the perfect blend of sweet and sour. The fragrance of the ribs was beyond aromatic and it was so tender, it was melting in his mouth. The?shiitake mushroom was covered by ayer of streaky pork, and the crisp texture of the pan-fried meat and the silky feel of the mushroom was a greatbination. However, it was the Wen Si tofu that shocked him the most. The tofu, bamboo, mushroom, and the chicken are all hair-like thin shreds. Even the head chef of Jin Ling¡¯s famous Zi Weiguan could not demonstrate this kind of precision!


    ¡°Is this tofu cut by your sister-inw?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, still unconvinced


    Peng Wu replied, ¡°It is. I was awe-struck with how she chopped that tofu so fast and so smoothly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. It looked like he really had found a treasure, in a sense.

 Chapter 8

    <h4>Chapter 8: Not Even If I Die</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The dinner that the girl made was so hearty that it made them feel at ease. It didn¡¯t escape Xia Chunyu¡¯s notice that the dish tasted authentic as if it really was from his hometown. The three of them easily cleared the five dishes and a jug of first-ss wine.


    After eating and drinking to his heart¡¯s content, Xia Chunyu decided to go out for a walk. As he passed by the kitchen, he saw Ye Jiayao through the window, struggling to carry a pail of water, even spilling some on her skirt.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to go over and help her but Song Qi moved quicker than him, rushing up to take the pail of water from Ye Jiayao¡¯s hands. Ye Jiayao straightened her back to wipe her sweat off when he saw Xia Chunyu outside the window. She rolled her eyes and turned away, expressionless.


    Xia Chunyu was unfathomably annoyed as he yelled for Song Qi.


    Song Qi rushed over just as Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Today I shall not patrol the mountains, you go around on my behalf.¡±


    Song Qi stared at him nkly before he replied, ¡°I¡¯ll go after I help sister-inw carry the water.¡±


    Xia Chunyu growled, ¡°NOW.¡±


    Song Qi was startled so bad, he almost pissed in his pants.?<i>What¡¯s wrong with third-in-charge today??</i>??<i>Why is he losing his temper out of nowhere? Didn¡¯t he enjoy his dinner?</i>


    After dispatching Song Qi, Xia Chunyu also sent Peng Wu away. He then he brought a chair over to the courtyard, and sat smugly, enjoying the breeze as his eyes constantly nced over to the kitchen.


    <i>Let¡¯s see who will help you now. How dare you disregard me??</i>


    Ye Jiayao suspected that the third-in-charge was ying tricks on her on purpose. How could she be this unlucky? Only she could end up with a man who had no regard for others.?Song Qi¡¯s praises must be out of fear of this filthy man because from whatever perspective she looked at it from, she can¡¯t see him as a good person.


    Ye Jiayao proceeded to carry the water from the well by herself, cursing the backwardness of the facilities in the ancient times.


    Xia Chunyu fanned himself leisurely, looking at Ye Jiayao as she carried the pail of water with extreme difficulty.


    <i>If you can¡¯t handle it then ask me! I will do it on the ount of the dinner you made.??</i>The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips rose undetectably, waiting until she opened her mouth to beg him.


    However, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t even spare a nce at his direction. She continued huffing and puffing without saying a word.


    The second trip, the third trip¡­.


    Xia Chunyu started to get fidgety.?<i>Wench! Will begging for my help kill you?</i>


    Every time Ye Jiayao looked at that smug face of his, her heart burned with rage.??<i>ssless, filthy man!</i>


    ¡°Hey, get me a cup of tea,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered, clearing his throat.


    Ye Jiayao was really tempted to just dunk the pail of water on his head. Couldn¡¯t he see that she was busy? Did he not have hands or legs? He was merely a bandit and yet he was acting like an official by ordering her around like a servant.


    Again, Xia Chunyu was ignored. He fanned himself harder, almost making it fall apart. He was just about to rage when Ye Jiayao handed over a cup of tea, stuffing it into his hands before turning away to continue carrying the water.


    ¡°Hey, stop there.¡±


    Xia Chunyu wanted to demand what was?with her attitude but instead, he just stood up, stuffed the cup back into her hands and took the pail from her, heading towards the well.


    Ye Jiayao was thoroughly surprised. This filthy man had actually found his conscience?


    With someone else carrying the water, Ye Jiayao rushed to scrub and wash the bowls and pots. She didn¡¯t want to touch these greasy things after she was clean.


    ¡°There¡¯s enough water there. Remember to clean the tub after you use it,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered coldly, standing by the door.


    Just when Ye Jiayao had changed her mind about him, he went ahead and acted like a donkey¡¯s butt again. Ye Jiayao suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and continued to ignore him.


    Xia Chunyu walked away gloomily, unsatisfied because he was unable to rile her up.


    Ye Jiayao entered the room after a while, ransacking the ce until she finally found one of his cotton gowns, taking it with her conveniently.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth dropped open at her audacity.?<i>This woman!?</i>?She didn¡¯t even bother to at least ask for his permission before taking his clothes. Did she really think she was the mistress of this ce?


    Ye Jiayao bolted the front and back door of the kitchen shut before heading to wash in peace. She?spotted a small piece of yellow soap sitting on the chair beside the tub and was surprised to see that there was actually soap here.?The workmanship maybe rough but it was better than not having any at all. She would see what she could do to improve it when she has the chance. This is, after all, the quality of her life now.


    <i>Ugh, it must be that filthy man who put it here!??</i>Ye Jiayao smiled slightly, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he wasn¡¯t that hopeless after all.


    After making his round, Song Qi returned to see third-in-charge walking around the entrance of the courtyard with his hands behind his back.


    ¡°3rd-in-charge, I have finished inspecting, everything is normal.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ordered dismissively, ¡°Make another round.¡±


    Song Qi looked at him, clueless.??<i>Make another round? Surely, he heard him wrong!</i>


    ¡°What are you staring at me for? Don¡¯te back until two hours have passed.¡± Xia Chunyu waved his hand impatiently.


    Could it be that third-in-charge was afraid that it would be inconvenient for sister-inw since she was bathing?


    ¡°Yes, I will make another round again and inspect meticulously.¡± Song Qi turned back to make his torturous round once again.


    ¡°Even though the beautiful bubbles are just a spark of fireworks, even though all your promises are just too vulnerable, love is like bubbles if you can see through it, what is there to be sad for¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao sang as she yed with the bubbles, the warm water enveloped her body, erasing all the exhaustion and aches. Her mood lifted as she imagined a life beyond this ce. She would find a restaurant and work there as a small chef as soon as she has managed to escape. She would slowly save and earn enough capital for her to open her own famous restaurant, spreading and promoting China¡¯s culinary culture.


    Still daydreaming, Ye Jia Yao failed to notice the moving object in the dense mist until she reached her hand out to take the soap. She cried out in shock and fear.


    The sharp cry pierced the serenity of the courtyard and Xia Chunyu almost fell off his chair. Without thinking, he rushed towards the west wing only to find that door had been bolted. The shrieking continued, so Xia Chunyu took two steps back, and with a mighty kick, shattered the door open.


    A ck and white cobra, poised and ready to strike, was making its way to the tub. Xia Chunyu immediately moved forward at an impressive speed, grasping the seven-inch snake and flinging it to the wall. The hit caused its joints to shatter and it fell to the floor like a soft straw, unmoving.


    Satisfied that the threat was dealt with, Xia Chunyu turned his head to see a pale Ye Jiayao, her eyes absolutely terrified.


    ¡°You¡­ you alright?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was unable to speak, still trembling uncontrobly.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. He reached into the tub to scoop her out, wrapping her in his gown before carrying her out. He could feel her continuous tremble in his arms and he hastened his pace.


    Xia Chunyu ced her down on the bed, saying grumpily, ¡°You are too useless, being this frightened just by a snake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao let out a pitiful wail and started sobbing. After the fright she had, her heart was especially weak and all the emotions she has been suppressing broke free all of a sudden, cascading like the floodwaters from a broken dam.


    She was not afraid of anything except snakes! She would rather get torn to pieces by lions or tigers than getting bit by a snake.?<i>Why do such disgusting creatures have to exist on earth??I want to get out of the mountains! I am not going to stay in this godforsaken ce any longer!</i>


    Ye Jiayao threw herself into his embrace, crying till her tears stained his clothes.


    This was the first time Xia Chunyu had been around a crying woman and he was at a loss.?<i>This darn woman! It is just a snake, is there a need for this?</i>Couldn¡¯t she cry more reservedly? His brothers might think he did something to her.


    ¡°Alright, alright, stop crying. I killed the snake already.¡±


    ¡°Wuwuwu¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you done? If you keep crying I will throw you into a snake pit.¡±


    ¡°Wuwuwu¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, just stop crying.¡±


    ¡°Wu Wu¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu patted her back clumsily tofort her.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s crying finally subsided. However, she was still traumatized, her mind making up scenarios if she had not discovered the snake and it had slithered into the tub...


    ¡°What if there is a snake again and you are not around?¡± she asked, wiping her tears on the sleeve of his gown.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the tragic sight of his sleeve, dismayed.


    ¡°There can¡¯t be that many snakes. It is just a coincidence,¡± he replied lightly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true! Song Qi said he caught one in the courtyard just a few days ago,¡± Ye Jiayao said in a muffled voice.


    ¡°That is a coincidence too.¡±


    ¡°How is it possible to have so many coincidences?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just unlucky,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    She was indeed unlucky. Otherwise, how else would she have entered this bandit¡¯sir? Not to mention be taken advantage of and now, almost scared to death by a snake.


    ¡°Alright, alright, you clear up quickly and I¡¯ll pick the snake up. Tomorrow you can stew snake soup.¡± Xia Chunyu managed to pry her hands that are tightly clutching his clothes away. The gown was hanging loosely on her body and the sight of her curves quickly stirred his lust awake. Xia Chunyu¡¯s stood up quickly, his throat tightening.


    <i>Stew snake soup?</i>


    ¡°Throw the snake away! Throw it away! I don¡¯t want to stew snake soup! Throw it away!¡± she screeched hysterically.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s ears rang from her yelling.??<i>Wretched woman!?</i>?He would have to just?get Old Head Yu to do it because cobra meat is very tasty, it¡¯d be a pity to just throw it away.


    Xia Chunyu stared at the shambles in the west wing. The floor was a mess and there were wood shavings, water stains, and clothing everywhere. He could not wait for Song Qi and Peng Wu toe back and clean this up. If these single guys see the scene like this, who knows what they would be thinking.?<i>F*cking bothersome woman.</i>

 Chapter 9

    <h4>Chapter 9: Limitless Patience</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu rushed to the east wing, kicking his two henchmen awake before ordering Peng Wu to go and get theme physician of the mountains, Mr. Liu.


    Peng Wu ran straight to Mr. Liu¡¯s room, shaking him awake and hauling the guy out of his nket. Peng Wu pulled him all the way to the courtyard before the physician could even finish dressing up properly.


    Xia Chunyu red at Peng Wu as he saw the physician¡¯s sorry state. ¡°Mr. Liu, please take a look at her. She seemed feverish.¡±


    Mr. Liu touched Ye Jiayao¡¯s forehead, measuring her pulse before asking, ¡°Did she catch a cold?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head.


    ¡°Injured?¡±


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a while before shaking his head firmly.??<i>That?</i>ce might have been a little injured, but it would not have been so serious as to cause a fever! Didn¡¯t every woman go through that? He didn¡¯t see any of them fall sick just because of that.


    Mr. Liu frowned. He wasn¡¯t a professional and although he could handle superficial injuries, apply some medicinal oil and manage to bandage, diagnosing illnesses was beyond his capabilities.


    ¡°Maybe it is from a fright? A snake crawled inst night, but I am certain that she was not bitten,¡± Xia Chunyu said, meaning for the two idiots to hear in case they started making?things up.


    ¡°So third-in-charge kicked the door to save sister-inw,¡± Song Qi said in realization, exchanging a conspiratory smile with Peng Wu.


    Xia Chunyu ignored the teasing looks between the two hopeless idiots in the corner. He just could not be bothered with them at the moment. ¡°Can she be cured?¡± he asked Mr. Liu.


    Mr. Liu smoothed his goatee and replied, ¡°I will write her a nerve-calming and fever-reducing prescription. If that still doesn¡¯t work, then we¡¯ll have to call the soul.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was at a loss.?<i>Call the soul??</i><i>How?</i>


    Peng Wu followed Mr. Liu to get the medicine while Song Qi went to the kitchen to get some food for their sick sister-inw.


    Song Qi¡¯s face was sour when he confessed, ¡°Third-in-charge, I don¡¯t know how to make food!¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied harshly, ¡°Who told you to make it? Even I wouldn¡¯t dare to eat the things that you make! Go and get Old Head Yu to make it.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t go. Yesterday, I snatched a lot of stuff from Old Head Yu and he will definitely chase me out with a knife if he sees me again,¡± Song Qi replied weakly.


    Xia Chunyu kicked him hard. ¡°Scram! Boil some hot water for your sister-inw, you do know how to boil water, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Song Qi rubbed his knee, embarrassed. ¡°Yes, yes, this I know.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went around the house, closing the windows before leaving to look for food.??<i>What is the use of having henchmen if you can¡¯t even get them to go to the kitchen?</i>


    With everyone gone, Ye Jiayao was finally free to open her eyes. She mulled over what the physician had said and wondered if he really was a professional.??<i>He actually said to call the soul!?</i>?She could only hope that the guy was not a hoax because these?three men were allpletely useless in taking care of a sick person. They were just allowing her fever to burn, for goodness¡¯s sake! They didn¡¯t even make her a coldpress or something to bring her temperature down.


    Ye Jiayao struggled to get up, wanting to get Song Qi to fetch some water, but then thought better of it and just lied back down. If that filthy man, whockedpassion and basic morals, saw her get up, he would think that she was just fine and probably begin ordering her around again. She would just let her fever burn for a little longer and put the me on him to torture him for a while.


    Xia Chunyu walked back to the courtyard with a tray of breakfast in hand, attracting many peculiar looks from the bandits.


    ¡°Well, what do you know, marriage does make a difference,¡± someone mumbled.


    ¡°I know! Since when did third-in-chargee to get food personally?¡±


    ¡°He must love sister-inw so dearly.¡±


    ¡°Of course! Sister-inw is so pretty, if I have such an attractive wife, even I would feed her¡­¡±


    <i>This is not what it looks like! That darn woman is sick!?</i>?Xia Chunyu was growling inside in frustration.


    Xia Chunyu returned back to their house gloomily, ignoring all the envious and sympathetic looks everyone was giving him.


    Ye Jiayao groaned weakly upon hearing the sound of the door opening.


    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, setting the food on the table before he walked over to her.


    ¡°Water¡­ I want to drink water,¡± Ye Jiayao croaked, looking like a dying patient as she let out a moan.


    Xia Chunyu poured water for her at once, propping her up to help her drink.


    ¡°I feel awful, am I about to die?¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you saying? It is just a little fright,¡± Xia Chunyu rebutted.


    ¡°Are you sure? It hurts so badly?<i>down there,?</i>¡± Ye Jiayao whispered.


    Xia Chunyu stared at her for quite a while, speechless. Suddenly, he let her go and walked over to the cupboard, taking a small ceramic bottle. ¡°How about I help you apply some medicine?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated, looking at the bottle in his hand suspiciously. ¡°What medicine?¡±


    Xia Chunyu robotically enumerated its function as if he was reading from a script, ¡°Top-grade medicinal oil, effective in healing wounds and clotting blood.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost choked on her own tongue in distress.??<i>Are you serious? Medicinal oil for that!</i>


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do anything rash and just let Mr. Liu consult on this,¡± Ye Jiayao looked at him in apprehension, afraid that he would really apply the medicine on her.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the medicine in his hand.?<i>Asking Mr. Liu on this kind of matters??</i>That would be a little too awkward! However, he did not dare to apply the medicine so hastily lest it just makes things worse. It was him who would be suffering if that happened.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± Ye Jiayaoined, touching her stomach gingerly.


    Xia Chunyu replied, pointing to the spread on the table, ¡°There are porridge and buns if you want some.¡±


    Ye Jiayao feigned struggling to get up, looking as if she was pained at the slightest movement. Xia Chunyu saw how difficult it was for her so he brought the food over, helping her up and letting her?lean on him while he feeds her.


    It was apparent from Xia Chunyu¡¯s clumsiness that this was the first time he had to take care of someone. He should¡¯ve just practiced more controlst night and he could¡¯ve avoided all this hassle. He found it weird though, most women wish for him to be rough, yet this woman fell ill with just barely a touch.


    Ye Jiayaoughed inside as she saw how awkward and ufortable he was.??<i>Now, I dare you to be unreasonable again!</i>


    ¡°It¡¯s too hot.¡±


    Xia Chunyu blew on the porridge till it cooled and fed her again.


    ¡°The bun has too much fatty meat, I can¡¯t take it.¡±


    He picked off the fats in the bun patiently before feeding it to her again.


    After a few mouthfuls, Ye Jia Yao pushed his hand away, shaking her head. ¡°This is not nice. I can¡¯t eat it anymore.¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied calmly, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t want to, you still have to eat it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s already your fault that I¡¯m sick, and now you¡¯re making me eat something I don¡¯t like.¡± She was sulking and pouting,ying it on thick.


    ¡°Then what do you want to eat?¡± Xia Chunyu asked helplessly.


    ¡°I want to eat wild strawberries.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went out to call Song Qi. ¡°Go pluck some wild strawberries and bring them to the room.¡±


    ¡°I am still boiling water!¡± Song Qi protested, pointing to the kitchen.


    Xia Chunyu growled, impatient, ¡°GO NOW.¡±


    There was no way Xia Chunyu was going to go strawberry-picking. If the brothers in the stockade saw him bending his back and raising his butt to pluck wild strawberries, his reputation would take a massive hit.


    Song Qi,?afraid of getting kicked again, scuttered away, calling out a reminder, ¡°3rd-in-charge, watch the fire! It took me a long time to build it so don¡¯t let it go out.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was extremely annoyed at how things were going. The arrival of this woman has turned his life upside down.


    At the same time, Ye Jiayao was rejoicing in his misfortune as she finished the remaining half of the porridge. She lied leisurely in bed, waiting for those red, wild strawberries.


    All training today had been canceled because third-in-charge has to take care of his sick wife. The brothers in the stockade were ted, praising the timely illness of their sister-inw in as they gossip about the changes in the 3rd-in-charge¡¯s behavior.


    ¡°Third-in-charge must¡¯ve been too ferocious and didn¡¯t know how to control himself, causing sister-inw to fall ill from his torment.¡±


    ¡°Ay, I didn¡¯t know that 3rd-in-charge is such an impatient pervert.¡±


    Hearing these discussions, Song Qimented the death of third-in-charge¡¯s clean reputation. He was already dreading what third-in-charge would do once he found out about what people were saying.


    Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Xia Chunyu was squatting in front of the stove, studiously keeping an eye on the fire. Who knew that raising a fire would be such a difficult task? He was the grand heir of the of the Jingan Hou family, a high-ranking bandit, and yet he still had to do this kind of manualbor and wait on a woman. He certainly was feeling exceptionally unlucky.


    <i>*PING PANG*?</i>


    The sound of broken ss came from inside the house and Xia Chunyu rushed back. He found Ye Jiayao lying back on the bed with the bowl that contained the porridge, shattered on the floor.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, furious.


    Ye Jiayao looked at his face covered in ashes and almost doubled over inughter. ¡°I called you many times but you didn¡¯t hear me, so I smashed the bowl.¡±


    Xia Chunyu kicked the smashed ceramic pieces in frustration. ¡°What is it that you want?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thirsty.¡±


    Xia Chunyu brought the whole teapot to her impatiently.


    ¡°Just a small cup will do,¡± Ye Jiayao said softly.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s anger rose. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t ask for too much! My patience has a limit.¡±


    Well, she was definitely looking forward to testing that limit.


    Ye Jiayao pretended to wilt under his anger. She ¡®tried¡¯ to lift the teapot up but after failing for the second time, she just pushed it away and stammered, ¡°Just forget it. I¡¯m not drinking it anymore.¡± She turned over, moving her shoulders up and down to look like she was silently crying.


    Xia Chunyu could not bear to see her like this. He felt like the biggest bastard in the world for getting angry at her when all she wanted was a sip of water.


    He poured her a cup of water and nudged her. ¡°Here, drink.¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m fine.¡± Ye Jiayao sniffed and continued, ¡°If I die, just burn me up! I have no one in this my world anymore since my family will not acknowledge me. Don¡¯t bother setting up a grave, just scatter my ashes somewhere. I was already lonely alive, I don¡¯t want to be lonely when I die too.¡±


    The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth twitched, both in humor and annoyance. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense. It¡¯s just a small illness.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s shoulders trembled even more.


    Xia Chunyu, lost and guilty, went to help her up. ¡°Here, just drink and you¡¯ll feel better afterward.¡±


    ¡°I know I have caused you a lot of trouble, but I didn¡¯t want this to happen either,¡± she said weakly.


    ¡°Alright, alright, I didn¡¯t say that it is your fault. Just hurry up and nurse your body back to health.¡± Xia Chunyu has a whole stomach full of angst yet he refuses to take it out on her in case he upsets her even more.


    <i>What a nuisance!</i>


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 Chapter 10

    <h4>Chapter 10: Beyond all bearing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao had already eaten all the strawberries that Song Qi brought and drank the medicine prepared for her but her temperature was still high.?Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to spend his days like this.?He had already wasted a whole day today and he didn¡¯t even get the chance to eat the snake soup made by Old Head Yu. The second-in-charge ate everything.


    ¡°Go ask Mr. Liu how we can call the soul.¡± Xia Chunyu ordered Song Qi.


    Ye Jiayao heard his demand and panicked. Knowing that what she was about to say was a terrible idea, but refused to have Mr. Liu ¡®call the soul¡¯ on her, she called hurriedly, ¡°I know how to call the soul.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows at her, disbelieving.


    ¡°When I was young, my grandma taught me how to call the soul.¡± Ye Jiayao waved at him and said, ¡°Come around, I¡¯ll tell you how.¡±


    Xia Chunyu came closer with a dubious look on his face. She ryed her instructions and he became even more suspicious. ¡°Is that real?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sniffed pretentiously. ¡°Of course it is real! I remember clearly, my nanny did it this way and it was very effective.¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head fiercely. ¡°No, no. I don¡¯t want to do this.¡±


    ¡°You can ask Song Qi to help?¡± Ye Jiayao looked towards Song Qi.


    Xia Chunyu frowned, shaking his head again.??<i>Shout nicknames to call the soul??Would Song Qi call Yaoyao, Yaoyao all the time?</i>


    Absolutely not.


    ¡°Go back to your room and don¡¯te out without my permission,¡± Xia Chunyu dismissed Song Qi out grumpily.


    Xia Chunyu closed all the doors and windows, making sure that the idiot could not peek through before turning back to her.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a piece of paper with birthdates and said, ¡°We can start now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao slouched over the chair and watched him do as she directed. Sheughed inside, knowing that the third-in-charge was about to do a sorcerer¡¯s dance. It was a shame that she didn¡¯t have anything to record this funny moment.


    Xia Chunyu filled a bowl with water and put the paper with the birthdates down on the stove. He ignited three incenses to worship the Kitchen God, then stuck them into a cup filled with rice. He turned his head and asked Ye Jiayao, ¡°Do I really have to do this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked excited as she nodded at him. ¡°Do this and I will cook something delicious for you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face twitched weirdly. He felt as though he would lose his face as a son of Jin¡¯an Marquis if he performed this sorcerer¡¯s dance. If the message passed around, what would be of his dignity?


    He saw her pair of bright and beautiful eyes staring at him with expectation and Xia Chunyu shouted, ¡± Close your eyes! I promise, if you tell anyone about this, I will choke you to death.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked like the picture of innocence as she said, ¡°I promise that I won¡¯t say a word.¡±


    <i>I wouldn¡¯t say a word because I would tell the full story!?</i>?She smiled mischievously inside.


    ¡°Shut your eyes!¡± Xia?Chunyu shouted angrily.


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes immediately. ¡°You can begin now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu took a deep breath and opened his mouth a couple of times, unsure how to begin. He raised his hands and promptly put it down. He couldn¡¯t do this. Xia Chunyu felt that he had encountered the biggest difficulty in his lifetime.


    He looked at her for a moment before saying, ¡°Cover your ears with your hands too.¡±


    ¡°If I cover my ears, how can I hear you call the soul? Wouldn¡¯t this be all for nothing?¡± Ye Jiayao said sullenly. ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, you should just call Song Qi.¡±


    <i>You¡¯re a grown man, don¡¯t dillydally.</i>


    Xia Chunyu ground his teeth together and took a deep breath. He was dedicated to getting rid of this trouble at all cost. He danced around pretentiously and recited, ¡°Sky ling ling, earth ling ling,?Laotse make my wishe true, evil spirits stay away from me, Yaoyao¡¯s ghost please listen carefully...¡±


    Ye Jiayao peeked between her fingers and almost let out augh at how ridiculous he looked.


    ¡°Yaoyao, Yaoyao, stop wandering. Yaoyao, Yaoyao,e back, your soul...¡±


    Xia Chunyu closed his eyes and poured out the rice, focused on reciting the soul-calling lyrics that Ye Jiayao told him. He didn¡¯t even notice that his patient was almost choking with silentughter.


    ¡°Is this okay?¡± Xia Chunyu asked as he finally finished reciting. He turned around and became furious when saw herughing at him. ¡°Who told you that you can open your eyes?¡±


    Ye Jia Yao immediately stoppedughing and covered her eyes with her hands. ¡°No, no, no, I didn¡¯t see anything.¡±


    Xia Chunyu realized that she might¡¯ve been ying tricks on him.


    ¡°If you dare fool me, I will make you suffer,¡± Xia Chunyu threatened furiously.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t! I just thought you are doing very well, even better than my nanny. I felt much better now,¡± Ye Jiayao said with all the sincerity she could muster.


    Suddenly, there were footsteps outside the door, and though they were very soft, Xia Chunyu could still hear it. It must be Song Qi trying to eavesdrop on them.??<i>Perfect!?</i>?Now, he could vent his anger out on someone. He pointed at Ye Jiayao and murmured, ¡°I wille back to deal with youter.¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked to the door and opened it furiously, shouting, ¡°Do you want to die? Did I ask you toe out?¡±


    The first-in-charge and the second-in-charge stood by the door, blinking.


    ¡°Big... big brother, second brother, why are you here? I thought it was Song Qi.¡± Xia Chunyuughed awkwardly, then shouted to Song Qi from afar, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that the first-in-charge and the second-in-charge are here? Why are you so absent-minded? Go and pour the tea now.¡±


    Song Qi¡¯s eyes were filled with miserable confusion, not understanding how he was getting med for everything.


    First-in-charge waved his hand dismissively and said, ¡°Don¡¯t bother with it. We only came here to have a look because we heard that your wife is sick. Is everything alright now?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s alright. She just had a fright, that¡¯s all,¡± Xia Chunyu answered casually.


    ¡°It is, big brother and second brother! Sorry that I cannote to meet you because of my wilted illness,¡± Ye Jia Yao yelled from inside the house, sounding hoarse.


    First-in-charge answered immediately, ¡°It¡¯s alright sister-inw, you just take care and rest. Third brother, you should take your mind off the business in our vige. Sister-inw¡¯s health is more important. Also, fighting against Xin Yi needs more consideration so don¡¯t rush.¡±


    Second-in-charge said softly, ¡°Sister-inw is a fairdy, very different from the wild girls of the vige. Third brother, you need to take care of her more.¡±


    ¡°Of, course,¡± he agreed reluctantly. Very different from the vige girls, indeed. At least they wouldn¡¯t dare talk back ourugh at him.


    ¡°Okay then, we won¡¯t bother you anymore. Whatever you need, just ask for it, alright?¡± They waved goodbye at him and left.


    Xia Chunyu went back inside and Ye Jiayao sighed in appreciation,¡± It looks like big brother and second brother really care about me.¡±


    ¡°Two people who kill without even blinking an eye would care about you? Huh, not likely, unless you are theirs,¡± he answered, high and mighty.


    ¡°Now that I have called your soul back, you can walk by yourself, right?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, hopeful.


    Ye Jiayao said sulkily, ¡°I am not drinking a magic potion here! The results are not that immediate. Yes, the shocked soul is finally back, but I still need to rest for a couple of days.¡±


    ¡°How many more days?¡± Xia Chunyu asked impatiently. He was very tempted to just kick her out and leave her to die.


    ¡°How would I know? It depends on whether I can have a good sleep tonight. If I sleep well, perhaps, I will be fine tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao said, pouting.


    Xia Chunyu felt like a?powder keg without a wire lead. He was filled with anger but he has nowhere to express it to. Instead, he carried Ye Jiayao to her room roughly, almost throwing her down onto the bed. At the patient¡¯s request,?Xia Chunyu closed all the windows before bringing the oilmp onto the bedstand to enable him to read his book.


    ¡°Could you bring the teapot here? Just in case I get thirsty at night,¡± Ye Jiayao asked weakly.


    Xia Chunyu ignored her and focused on reading. After reading two pages, though, his conscience got the better of him and he still went ahead to bring her the teapot.


    After a while, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°I still want to eat wild strawberries tomorrow.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was beyond irritated as he said, ¡°Eat in your dreams.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was undeterred, proceeding to hug his arm as if she was holding onto a pillow. She intentionally stuck with him and rubbed against him to make him suffer.


    As expected, Xia Chunyu looked uneasy as she tried to shrug her off. ¡°Get away from me, it is too hot.¡±


    ¡°I am not hot! I feel a bit cold.¡± Ye Jiayao put one of her legs directly over him, hugging him tightly.


    Her body rubbing against him made his act in response. He was only a man and his hormones functioned as other men do.


    Xia Chunyu looked irritable, kicking her leg off of him. ¡°It is so heavy!¡±


    Ye Jiayao put it back stubbornly, and muttered, ¡°You said that I was too skinnyst night and all you felt were bones. Now, you are saying I am too heavy?¡±


    Did he really say that? He couldn¡¯t remember saying thatst night. Well, whatever he had said, the fact remained that this cheeky woman was shameless, already glued to him after only two days of union!


    ¡°Song Qi said you are cold outside but warm inside. I think you are a good person. Aye! What is your name? I still don¡¯t know your name!¡± Ye Jiayao babbled.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to know,¡± Xia Chunyu said coldly.


    <i>As if I really want to?</i>??<i>know.?</i>?Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes, d that he could not see her.


    ¡°What should I call you then? Third-in-charge? The same as what Song Qi calls you? No, that won¡¯t make me feel special. Ooh, I can call you Feifei?¡±


    It could mean both bandit or baboon. It was the perfect nickname and Ye Jiayao felt pleased with her smart thinking.


    <i>Feifei??</i>Xia Chunyu would certainly throw up if she ever called him that in front of others.


    ¡°Yes, I think that¡¯s perfect! From now on, I will call you Feifei. I like this name,¡± Ye Jiayao announced giddily.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare call me that!¡± Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t bear this sh*t anymore.


    ¡°Goodnight Feifei. Don¡¯t read toote, okay? I¡¯m going to sleep now.¡± Ye Jiayao ignored his threatening look and kissed him on the cheek. She?rubbed against his body some more and found afortable position before dozing off, feelingpletely aplished.


    <i>God, please take away this crazy woman away!?</i>?Xia Chunyu almost ripped his hair out in frustration.


    However, no matter how much he wanted to, Xia Chunyu dared not to move, afraid that she would wake up. If she couldn¡¯t have a good sleep, she would still be sick tomorrow and this whole hassle would start again.


    He would have to tolerate her antics just this onest time.

 Chapter 11

    <h4>Chapter 11: To continue to pretend or not?</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao slept until the sun was high in the sky, and when she woke up, Xia Chunyu had already left. A bunch of women¡¯s clothes was next to the pillow and they seemed all new.?<i>Are these the clothes Peng Wu brought here?</i>


    Ye Jiayao rummaged around the pile of clothes before settling on a silver and red halter-neck top, a piece of moon-white flowery Beizi (traditional Chinese gown), and a scarlet shirt. She took off the loose gown she was wearing and put the new clothes on. She got off the bed and was surprised to see eight colorful embroidered shoes neatly lined up for her.


    What kind of woman doesn¡¯t like beautiful clothes and pretty shoes? Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood was suddenly lifted and she felt extremely giddy as she looked them over.


    Ye Jiayao decided to forgive him for his viciousness and brutality. After all, he did the sorcerer¡¯s dance for her and she used him as footstoolst night. He had also prepared so many beautiful new clothes for her today.


    It certainly looked like anyone could change!


    There was food spread out on the round table and the first thing she saw was a bowl of red, wild strawberries. Ye Jiayao smiled unconsciously. That man liked to talk tough but he had a kind heart.


    After eating two wild strawberries, Ye Jiayao opened the nearby basket and found white porridge and buns inside. Surprisingly, the meat inside the buns has been taken out.


    <i>Wow! Who knew that he had such a caring and thoughtful side??</i>She was so moved that she almost teared up. She ate the porridge and thought over on whether to keep pretending that she was sick or not. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was Mr. Liu¡¯s medicine or her good mood that cured her fever, but she would definitely deny that calling the ghost worked. She had received higher education in the 21st century, and she couldn¡¯t just blindly believe in that weird theory.


    It was obvious that third-in-charge¡¯s patience was running thin and by continuing to challenge him, Ye Jiayao knew that it would eventually start to annoy and frustrate him. She knew that if she pushed him too hard, it wouldn¡¯t work out well.


    Ye Jiayao finished her food and left the house. She spotted the open kitchen doors, the scent of medicine wafting over from it, and she went in to take a look. There, she found Song Qi squatted in front of the stove, boiling medicine for her.


    ¡°Song Qi,¡± she called


    ¡°Sister-inw, you¡¯re up. That¡¯s great! You are finally okay now,¡± Song Qi said happily. Maybe now that she has recovered, third-in-charge would quit being mad all the time. Also, that meant there would be great food for them soon.


    ¡°Where is the third-in-charge?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°The third-in-charge left early this morning but he didn¡¯t say where he was going. Peng Wu took the brothers to practice and left me here to boil medicine for you,¡± he said and continued on afterthought, ¡°Oh, are those wild strawberries enough for you? I can go pick some more if you like. There are still plenty on the hill but they will be gone in a few days, so we should probably stock up.¡±


    ¡°Did you pick those wild strawberries?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I thought you liked them so I went to pick some earlier.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t what the third-in-charge requested?¡±


    ¡°It was such a piece of cake, there was no need for the request from the third-in-charge.¡± Song Qiughed.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood dampened. She felt a bit disappointed as she thought third-in-charge had done everything for her.


    ¡°Thank you, Song Qi.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled reluctantly.


    ¡°No worries, you are my sister-inw! You can ask for anything that you want!¡± Song Qi said cheerfully.


    Ye Jiayao thoughts drifted and she asked, ¡°Did Peng Wu buy the realgar powder that you talked about before?¡±


    ¡°Yes, wait here and I will fetch it for you.¡± Song Qi handed the fan to her and ran to get the realgar powder.


    ¡°Here, he bought a huge bag of them. Should I pour it out now?¡± Song Qi asked as he came back. He hastily opened the paper package and the realgar powder burst out, fanning to his face and making?his eyes tear up.


    Ye Jiayao frowned. ¡°If you pour it just like this, it will be gone soon. Do we still have wine here?¡±


    Song Qi nodded, his eyes still streaming.


    ¡°Bring a jug of wine here and stir the realgar powder in it evenly. We¡¯ll spray it around the courtyard, doors, and windows,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    Song Qi hesitated and said, ¡°There is only one jug left and that one is third-in-charge¡¯s favorite?high-grade Shaoxing wine.¡±


    ¡°We can buy more wine after this,¡± Ye Jiayao said, thinking that it was definitely more important to keep insects and snakes away.


    Song Qi wanted to protest and say that this wine was not that easy to buy. Last time they robbed a caravan, they only got 5 jugs in total and the third-in-charge was not willing to drink it. However, big sister asked, and Song Qi didn¡¯t want to disobey her. He would just have to me her when third-in-charge asked. Song Qi?went ahead to spray the mixture of realgar powder and wine to the surrounding of the house.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jiayao opened the medicine jug and poured the medicine out. She could not stand the smell of that horrible concoction.


    Xia Chunyu came down from the hill and gave the basket he had on his shoulder to Uncle Jiang. ¡°Uncle Jiang, can you give this to Song Qi? Tell him to nt it in the backyard.¡±


    Uncle Jiang smiled. ¡°Yes, sure.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and ask Aunt Jiang to do me a favor.¡±


    ¡°Understood, I will get her now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked in the direction of his yard and wondered how the woman was feeling. Her fever was gone when he left but still, he didn¡¯t know if she felt any better.


    After Song Qi sprayed the realgar wine around the front and backyard, Ye Jiayao deemed it was safe enough and brought a basin near the well to wash clothes. Just as she was pulling a bucket of water out of the well, she heard someone call?her from behind, ¡°Third Madam, put it down, I will do it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned around and saw Aunt Jiang. ¡°Aunt Jiang, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°The third-in-charge told me toe. You are still sick and you can¡¯t do chores by yourself.¡± Aunt Jiang took the water basket from her, and poured water into the basin, folding her sleeves up to start working.


    Ye Jiayao thought about the underwear in the pile and was mortified. She could not let others wash her underwear! ¡°It¡¯s fine, I can do it.¡±


    Aunt Jiang held up a hand to stop Ye Jiayao. ¡°Third madam, you should be resting. Go, I will be done with this soon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw Aunt Jiang twist her red lingerie and felt extremely mortified. She decided though, to just let it go since she couldn¡¯t really take it back. Instead, she sat on a small stool and started chatting to Aunt Jiang. It was a good thing that Aunt Jiang was chatty and there were no awkward silences at all.


    ¡°Third Madam, I heard you were intimidated by a snake.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it was really scary. Have you seen snakes before?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Oh, yes. It is usual to encounter snakes because I live on the mountain. I am not scared though, my husband grew many Sargasso grass in the backyard and snakes are afraid of the smell of Sargasso. The third-in-charge went with my husband to pick some of it this morning. My husband wille and nt some in your backyardter,¡± Aunt Jiang said.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised that third-in-charge would really go out in the early morning just to pick Sargasso grass.


    ¡°Sargasso grass is very hard to obtain because they grow on the cliffs. It seems that the third-in-charge loves you very much,¡± Aunt Jiang said, smiling warmly upon seeing the surprise on the third madam¡¯s face.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, abashed. She told herself that he really didn¡¯t care about her and just felt stuffy when the windows were closed.


    ¡°Aunt Jiang, why did you and your husband wanted toe up the mountain?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story but the gist is, we were forced toe up here. I mean, who would like to be bandits, right? My old man is a carpenter and makes bows, arrows, and gears for the mountain stronghold. At least, he is safe because he doesn¡¯t need to go down the mountain to rob.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Does the third-in-charge go down the mountain often?¡±


    Aunt Jiang said, ¡°Before the third-in-charge came, the best fighter in the vige was the second-in-charge. He took people down to have fights. Now that third-in-charge is here, the second-in-charge barely goes down the mountain.¡±


    ¡°You see, it is said that they will fight Xin Yi town and that is really hard to take. The second-in-charge tried multiple times to attack it and didn¡¯t seed. Now it¡¯s up to the third-in-charge. If he can take it, it is a great merit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt worried.??<i>I thought bandits only has to?</i><i>rob??</i>Who knew they needed to attack towns? Aunt Jiang said that town was hard to conquer and she could not help but worry if Feifei would encounter danger. She just arrived at the mountain fortress and her position was not yet stable. No matter how bad Feifei was, he was her ally and if something happened to him there would be no one she could rely on.


    Aunt Jiang saw the worried look of Ye Jiayao and knew that she was thinking of third-in-charge¡¯s safety. ¡°Third Madam, you don¡¯t need to worry. Ever since the third-in-charge joined the fortress, there have been no defeats yet. They even took over the hardest Ju Xian Heights, and only a few people got killed. People in the vige say that the third-in-charge was born at a wrong time, otherwise, he would¡¯ve been a head general.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wondered where could this head-general be found.


    As they were talking, Song Qi came over with an old man carrying a basket of grass.


    ¡°Why are you here sote?¡± Aunt Jiang demanded when she saw the old man.


    The old man smiled and answered, ¡°I have been here early. The Sargasso grass has already been nted outside and in the backyard.¡±


    Aunt Jiang smiled and told Ye Jiayao, ¡°This is my old man.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled up at him gratefully. ¡°Uncle Jiang, thanks for the hard work.¡±


    ¡°It was no bother. The herbs were picked up by third-in-charge, I only nted them.¡± Uncle Jiangughed.


    ¡°Sister-inw, where is the medicine in the kitchen?¡± Song Qi asked.


    ¡°I already drank it,¡± Ye Jia Yao answered.


    Song Qi scratched his head in bewilderment.?<i>So fast?</i>


    Two people started digging a hole to nt the grass at the corner of fences and Ye Jiayao looked over them, still dubious. ¡°Does that really work?¡±


    ¡°Third Madam, don¡¯t look down on this herb. No snake will dare to go anywhere near this. It also has an amazing effect on getting rid of snake venom. If you get bitten by a snake, put a few leaves on the bite and you can be cured immediately,¡± Uncle Jiang exined.


    Ye Jiayao decided to trust his judgment and rxed. Realgar wine plus this supposedly amazing herb was a double protection for her, so she should be very safe.


    After washing the clothes, Aunt Jiang went to clean the room and Ye Jiayao started to n what to cook for lunch. Aunt Jiang brought a piece of fresh marbled meat, some new lotus root and bamboo shoots in spring. They still have killed chicken, some leftover mutton, mushroom, cucumbers, and carrots in their kitchen. She could cook stewed pork ball in brown sauce, braised bamboo shoot, chicken stew mushrooms, fried lotus cake, and cold cucumber and garlic burstmb. Six dishes should be enough food to feed six people.


    Ye Jiayao then set to work, taking a piece of marbled meat to chop into meat mud. Then, she peeled and washed a piece of lotus root and cut it into small pieces. The best way to cook stewed pork ball in brown sauce was to use crisp water chestnuts, but soft lotus roots could be good too. It would be sweet, delicious and would have a special taste. She then sliced the onions and ginger thinly before soaking them both in water.


    Next, she cracked an egg and mixed it with the meat mud and lotus root pieces. She added many vors and starch, as well as ginger and water, then mixed it all together. This technique would make the meatballs smoother and more tender.


    Ye Jiayao was almost finished with preparing the dishes went Aunt Jiang came in. ¡°Third Madam! Why are you busy with work again? Let me do it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and waver her away, ¡°I have fully recovered and n to make a good meal. You and uncle Jiang should stay for lunch!¡±

 Chapter 12

    <h4>Chapter 12: Chunyu Dumb Donkey</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Third-in-charge, the agenda for the afternoon¡¯s training has beenpleted, shall I add more?¡± Peng Wu, who was in charge of training, asked upon seeing the arrival of third-in-charge.


    Xia Chunyu replied absent-mindedly, ¡°No, it¡¯s okay, let¡¯s end training early today.¡±


    For the whole morning, he had been with first-in-charge, discussing the attack on Xin Yi. Second-in-charge¡¯s suggestion was to attack aggressively, dispatching 2000 brothers from the stockade to take down Xin Yi.


    This n was favorable to him because by dispatching 2000 men and horses, the stockade would?be left with only around 1000 men. Theck of manpower, plus with Song Qi around to operate from within to destroy the Broken Dragon Stone¡¯s mechanism, He Lianxuan would be able to attack up the mountains. Besides, the 2000 men and horses dispatched, upon losing their headquarters, would be trapped between Xin Yi and Helian Xuan, and would be easily defeated.


    The first-in-charge was more meticulous, however. He was opposed to the idea of almosting out with full strength. He said that the n to use force would result in too much loss so instead, they should use their wits. The huge difference in their opinions meant that there was yet a concrete n to beid out. Xia Chunyu purposely pretended to space out during the meeting, and when asked for suggestions, brought up several ns full of loopholes.


    First-in-charge waved his hand disappointedly at him, merely saying, ¡°Forget it, I know you are still worried about sister-inw¡¯s illness. Let¡¯s just discuss this on another day.¡±


    He has to buy some time so that He Lianxuan would be able to make thorough preparations.


    Peng Wu went ahead to dismiss the brothers who were dying of exhaustion beforeing back to say, ¡°Third-in-charge, about lunch¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned, muttering, ¡°Go to the kitchen and get some food.¡±


    ¡°Third-in-charge, third-in-charge!¡± Song Qi called, running towards them.


    Xia Chunyu watched him expectantly, wondering if something had happened to that sted woman.


    Song Qi panted, ¡°Third-in-charge, sister-inw told me to call you back to eat. She made a lot of good food.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was shocked. ¡°She¡¯s fine already?¡±


    ¡°A bit better but notpletely healed. She went back to the room to lie down after cooking.¡±


    ¡°Are you really that stupid? Why did you let her cook if she hasn¡¯t fully recovered yet?¡± Xia Chunyu scolded.


    Song Qi replied innocently, ¡°Sister-inw insisted that she want to make lunch.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re telling me that you couldn¡¯t have persuaded her otherwise? Didn¡¯t I get Auntie Jiang over to help? Where is she?¡± Xia Chunyu growled, his temper rising.


    Song Qi watched as third-in-charge¡¯s foot shift a little, as though he was about to kick someone, and took three steps back hurriedly, saying weakly, ¡°Auntie Jiang helped.¡±


    He purposely didn¡¯t say that Auntie Jiang only helped to smell the aroma and judge the appearance of the food, otherwise, he was certain that third-in-charge would¡¯ve erupted.


    ¡°Scram,¡± Xia Chunyu barked at him.


    Peng Wu walked over to Song Qi, patting him on the shoulder sympathetically. ¡°Let¡¯s just go back to eat.¡±


    Song Qi rolled his eyes,ining softly, ¡°He¡¯s like a barrel of gunpowder, exploding with the slightest touch.¡±


    Peng Wuughed. ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart, third-in-charge is just anxious.¡±


    ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t he scold you too? Why is it always me?¡± Song Qi was indignant.


    Peng Wu replied grudgingly, ¡°Didn¡¯t I get an earful yesterday too?¡±


    Xia Chunyu returned to the courtyard and ran into Auntie Jiang who was smiling warmly at him. ¡°Third-in-charge, the dishes are served.¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked straight into the room without acknowledging her.


    Ye Jiayao was lying on the bed to rest, exhausted from cooking lunch. She didn¡¯t realize that cooking while she was still slightly sick would be this tiring. Suddenly, she heard Auntie Jiang¡¯s voice from outside, followed by someone entering the room.


    She opened her eyes and saw third-in-charge by the door. ¡°Feifei, you¡¯re back!¡±


    Xia Chunyu forgot all the things he was about to scold her with, ovee with disgust at the nickname she has given him.


    ¡°I warned you not to call me that,¡± Xia Chunyu growled, keeping his voice low, mindful that there were people outside that could be listening. Factoring in his raging temper, that was really not an easy feat.


    Ye Jiayao beamed at him. ¡°You don¡¯t like it? I¡¯ll change it to another one then. Husband? My lord? Hubby? Or BB?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shuddered at her sheer stupidity, replying unkindly, ¡°Chunyu.¡±


    ¡°What? Dumb donkey? Why are you being insulting? I just thought a nickname would sound more intimate. You may not see me as your wife but I have already treated you as my husband. I¡¯m yours for the rest of my life, and yet¡­¡± Ye Jiayao trailed off pitifully, covering her face to appear as though she was crying.


    That name had followed him for 21 years and he never thought that it could be associated with a dumb donkey. Xia Dumb Donkey, what more a blind (Xia), dumb, donkey.


    Xia Chunyu could not remain calm anymore as he bellowed, ¡°That¡¯s my name! Chunyu!¡± He carefully enunciated the two words to get it through her thick skull.


    Ye Jiayao was stumped for a while before going down in a fit ofughter.??<i>His name literally means dumb donkey! Oh God, I can¡¯t breathe!?</i>?She was doubled over,ughing uncontrobly, pounding on the pillows hysterically.


    ¡°What are youughing at? I forbid you tough!¡± Xia Chunyu yelled over her shrieks, embarrassed.


    Ye Jiayao wasughing so hard she could hardly catch her breath, tears streaming down her face. She gasped, ¡°Not¡­notughing any...more.¡±


    Xia Chunyu wanted to lunge at her and wring her scrawny neck.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, time to eat!¡± Auntie Jiang called from outside.


    Xia Chunyu left, still a mixture of annoyed and embarrassed. He was just about out of the door when he heard the wildughter startup behind him. He fought the urge to hurl a teapot at her head and gloomily continued to the kitchen.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, hurry up, it would not taste nice if it is cold,¡± Auntie Jiang said.


    Xia Chunyu suppressed the thought of going back to deal with that darned woman and focused on his meal.


    No matter how annoying she was, he could not deny her skills. The lunch she has prepared was nothing short of sumptuous. The pork meatballs, garlic-fried mutton, lotus cake with chopped onion and bamboo shoots stewed in oil¡­ their aromas mixed together immediately increased his appetite.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Song Qi, get my Huadiao wine and let Uncle Jiang try it.¡±


    Song Qi stared back at him nkly.


    ¡°Are you deaf? Go get it!¡± Xia Chunyu barked at him.


    Song Qi looked apprehensive as he weakly replied, ¡°Third-in-charge, there¡¯s no Huadiao anymore.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t there a jar left yesterday? Did you secretly drink it all?¡±


    ¡°Sister-inw asked me to make red orpiment wine this morning and we scattered it all around,¡± Song Qi answered carefully. Surely, third-in-charge would not be unreasonable and still me him for this.


    It was only then that Xia Chunyu realized how much he has been drinking. Ever since he came up the mountains, he rarely even indulged in alcohol. He med Yaoyao¡¯s cooking because once he saw the meal she has prepared, he would get the urge to drink. Fine food was the culprit.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, I still have a jar of Zhuyeqing if you¡¯d like.¡± Uncle Jiang suggested.


    ¡°Forget it, I am not drinking. I still have something in the afternoon and drinking too much might hold things up.¡± Xia Chunyu waved his hand, picking up the chopsticks and poking it into the pork meatballs. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    The meatballs were bursting with so much vor, it tasted like heaven on his tongue. It holds firm and yet, it was tender enough that it practically dissolved in his mouth. It was the perfect texture and consistency. There was even the fragrance of spring onions and garlic but he was barely able to feel the garlic bits. The lotus cake was wlessly crisp on the outside and soft, sweet, and sticky on the inside. The bamboo shoots stewed in oil was bright red, fresh and has just the right amount of bite to it. Even the garlic-fried mutton had no stench, only delicious fragrance to go with its tenderness.


    She has managed to make home-cooked food that couldpete with the standards of restaurant dishes. She really knew how to keep the original taste of the ingredients and at the same time, mix and match additional vors to make an even more delicious taste. Her skills, from chopping to control of the fire, was something that required a long period of practice to master. He wondered if she?cooked often at home. It was unheard of that ady from a wealthy family step anywhere near a stove let alone manage to cook frequently.


    ¡°Delicious, isn¡¯t it? My sister-inw¡¯s skills are awesome! She¡¯s even betterpared to the head chef in Ji Nan city¡¯s Wang Xian Lou!¡± Song Qi ate merrily.


    Xia Chunyu pped the back of his head. ¡°When have you been to Wang Xian Lou? Even I haven¡¯t been there!¡±


    Song Qi rubbed his head, muttering, ¡°I heard it from someone else. Even if I go to Wang Xian Lou to be a guard, I would get rejected!¡±


    Xia Chunyu red at him, sneering, ¡°d you know that.¡±


    Peng Wu and Uncle Jiang burst outughing.


    Halfway through his meal, Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Did your sister-inw ate already?¡±


    It was Auntie Jiang who answered, ¡°Third madam has yet to eat. She did not have an appetite and just cooked some congee that she said she would eatter.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a while, and said, ¡°Then leave some dishes for her.¡±


    Upon hearing that, Song Qi withdrew his outstretched chopsticks that were ready to pick up some more food.


    Auntie Jiang replied, ¡°Third madam said not to leave food for her. She said that she will make vegetable with lean meat porridge.¡±


    Everyone picked their chopsticks back up and proceeded to continue engulfing everything on the tes. It looked like they all inhaled the food with how fast it disappeared.


    Auntie Jang cleared all the utensils after lunch while everyone else scattered to their own thing. Xia Chunyu walked around the courtyard, going back to the room with a peace of mind upon seeing all the nted Sargasso.


    He found Ye Jiayao in the bed, already heavily asleep. Xia Chunyu opened the window quietly, looked at her intently for a while before reaching out to feel her forehead. He was relieved that she was not feverish anymore.


    He proceeded to his study in the second room of the west wing and took out a map to review. Xin Yi was 80 li away from Hei Feng Gang. It was the territory of Feng Chaolin from Xin Yi¡¯s most influential n. Due to Feng Chaolin¡¯s loyalty and generosity to the needy, many heroes from Lv Lin seek asylum there, making the ce highly mighty. It is also one of the few richnds in Shan Dong because of its prosperous trade.


    Hei Feng Gang have been eyeing Xin Yi for a long time yet have failed all their attempted attacks. Lately, He Lianxuan and Feng Chaolin were in talks of cooperation, and as the information leaked, first-in-charge became very worried.?If Feng Chaolin sought help from the imperial court, it would be a great threat to Hei Feng Gang. Therefore, he wanted to attack Xin Yi as soon as possible before any solid deals of coordination came to ce.


    What kind of n would satisfy first-in-charge, yet would still be able to let Xia Chunyu work with He Lianxuan? This was a thorny problem.


    Ye Jiayao awoke, rubbing her tired eyes, stretching. Lethargically, she walked out of the room, starving and ready to eat. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chunyu sitting at the table, a hand propping his chin up, brows tightly-knitted as he scribbled on a piece of paper. She wanted to go in to greet him but upon further consideration, she just decided not to disturb him.


    She made herself a bowl of vegetable lean meat porridge and dug in with gusto. She returned to the room, ready to nap again, when she saw him still in the same position as she left him earlier, deep in thoughts.


    Ye Jiayao?turned back to the kitchen and proceeded to make him a pot of tea. The tea is top-grade Long Jing and she heard that it was raided by a group of dealers from the south. Mixing it with hot water, the tender, green tea leaves slowly opened up, like shoots blossoming from a branch, its deep fragrance seeping out.


    Ye Jiayao walked into his study softly, putting the tea by his right hand, saying gently, ¡°Have a cup of tea to clear your mind up.¡±

 Chapter 13

    <h4>Chapter 13: All The World¡¯s A Stage, Acting Skills Are At Stake</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu heard the noise and looked up, his eyes visibly brightening at the sight of her. She looked so simple, elegant, and coquettishly charming with that?white overcoat and crimson hundred pleat dress. Her attire contrasted against her blushing face, her eyes sharp and intelligent, beautiful and moving. Indeed, the simple and elegant style definitely suited her better.


    ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡± Xia Chunyu picked up the cup, taking a sip of tea.


    ¡°Yes, I had a bowl of porridge. What are you doing? Are youing up with a battle n?¡± Ye Jiayao nced at the map and saw an encircled ce ¨C Xin Yi town.


    Xia Chunyu calmly drew the map away. Even if she was technically his wife, he still had to be careful and put his guard up. He could not tell anyone what his true ns were.


    Ye Jiayao curled her lips angrily, forcing herself to stay quiet.?<i>I would not understand it even if you let me see it!</i>


    Xia Chunyu leaned back leisurely, sipping his tea. He pointed to the seat beside him, motioning for her to sit.


    ¡°Where did you get your culinary skills from?¡± Xia Chunyu asked casually.


    Was he suspicious? Ye Jiayao put on a miserable and helpless expression immediately, replying sadly, ¡°I learned it from my family¡¯s chef. Although I am the eldest daughter of the Ye family, my father is not very fond of me and I rarely get to see him. Even during morning and evening visits, my stepmother would find ways to stop me from seeing him. She would either say that my father was too tired and had already gone to rest, or that he was in a bad mood and I should not disturb him. I am a dispensable person in the Ye household, Chunyu. I decided to take up cooking so that at least I could give my father something to remind him of me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao spoke in a low voice, trying hard to force out her tears, letting them well up in her eyes. She was portraying the pitiful childcking parental love, whose life was made difficult by her stepmother.


    As the saying goes, all the world¡¯s a stage, putting her acting skills at stake.


    That speech was craftily mixed with truths and lies. Ye Jiayao¡¯s host did learn cooking in order to win her father¡¯s favor. However,?the dishes she made were never delivered to her father. That just went to show how little she was valued in the household. Even the host¡¯s marriage with the Wei family had to depend on her maternal family¡¯s power in order toe to fruition.


    Although pitiful, Xia Chunyu was still suspicious with the validity of her words. Just as he was about to ask her, she sniffed and wiped her tears, saying self-deprecatingly, ¡°Sorry for getting a bit emotional. That¡¯s why you kept saying that I do not behave like a properdy. I am indeed no properdy. I did not learn the four arts, only learned how to cook a few dishes from a chef. So, in the future, I can only make you food, wash your clothes and serve you tea.¡±


    With her eyes still red with unshed tears, she looked so miserable that Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help but feel sympathetic.?¡°Well it¡¯s better than nothing,¡± he consoled.


    ¡°Will you despise me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a long while. He did not have any expectations of her so he could not really despise her. He wondered it if saying that would be too straightforward as he looked at her hopeful gaze.


    <i>Is it really that f*cking difficult to answer??</i>As ady from a wealthy family, marrying a bandit like him was considered marrying down.?<i>I am just being humble you arrogant git!</i>


    ¡°Forget that I even asked.¡± Ye Jiayao waved her hand resentfully, getting up to leave.


    Xia Chunyu frowned, replying unhappily, ¡°What do you mean forget it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao stopped in her tracks. ¡°I¡¯m just afraid of hearing something I want to hear, and also afraid of something I do not want to hear.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, genuinely confused.


    ¡°It means that it was a senseless question.¡±


    After saying that, she left, leaving Xia Chunyu staring after her in bewilderment.??<i>What the f*ck??</i>Did she mean that she really didn¡¯t care either way whether he cared about her or not?


    Xia Chunyu could not stay calm and chased her to their room.


    ¡°Hey, make yourself clear. Why was that a senseless question?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded.


    Ye Jiayao was arranging her new clothes and shoes, marveling over their prettiness. Truthfully, the ancient attire looked way better than modern clothes. They were just?a little troublesome to wear, and even on a hot day, she had to cover herself tightly. It would be a wonder if she did not get heat rash.


    ¡°I have a name, can you not call me hey?¡± Ye Jiayao said, not even bothering to raise her head.


    ¡°I like calling you that, so deal with it.¡± Xia Chunyu said carelessly. ¡°Answer my question.¡±


    ¡°If you are going to call me however you like, does that mean I can do the same too?¡± Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him.


    ¡°The husband is your guiding principle, do you know that? I have the right to call you whatever I want,¡± Xia Chunyu raised his voice at her pompously.


    Ye Jiayao rubbed her ears, thinking that he must¡¯ve been the god of rage in his past life.?<i>Why does he love shouting so much?</i>


    ¡°Ah, so you admit that you really are my husband?¡± Ye Jiayao suddenly smiled. ¡°I thought so. How could you despise me when you treat me so well?¡±


    When did he treat her well?


    ¡°Don¡¯t deny it. You took out the fatty meat from the buns so meticulously and even went down the mountains to pick Sargasso for me. I heard that those herbs grow at the edge of cliffs and are very difficult to pick. Feifei¡­ I mean, Chunyu, I will treat you well, don¡¯t worry.¡± Ye Jiayao said, opening the cupboard and taking his clothes out before putting hers in.


    The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth twitched with indignation. She was acting like the person who was worried about being despised was him. Xia Chunyu said angrily, ¡°That is because I can¡¯t stand how you keep being overly suspicious.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say. I just want to let you know that I appreciate your intentions.¡± Ye Jiayao tidied her clothes which took up the whole cupboard. She was unable to squeeze any of his clothes back in.


    ¡°Hey, you took up all the space! Where am I going to put my clothes?¡± Xia Chunyu protested.


    Ye Jiayao looked around and carried his clothes to the Rohan couch. ¡°We¡¯ll leave it here first!?The furniture seems to becking with more people in the house. Chunyu, go find another cupboard and bring it back.¡±


    Why did that sound like?<i>he?</i>was the extra person?


    Xia Chunyu walked over to open the cupboard and threw her clothes out.?<i>This is uneptable! How dare she take over my ce??</i>


    ¡°Hey, hey, what are you doing? Are you going to fight with a woman over a cupboard? Aren¡¯t you afraid to be aughing stock when the word gets out? Can you just be more gentlemanly?¡± Ye Jiayao snatched her clothes off the floor, cing them back into the cupboard again.


    Xia Chunyu was speechless as she stared at this shameless woman. He was furious and felt an indescribable sense of defeat. She was being unreasonable, yet, it was as though he was the one being stingy. It was true, what the ancient people had once said, that?only women and vile characters are difficult to raise. He could finally understand why his father would rather go to the borders than stay at home to face a bunch of women. He could barely manage with just one!


    Ye Jiayao pouted, acting like a proper young wife who was bullied.


    Forget it! A gentleman should not fight with a woman.


    Xia Chunyu flung his sleeve angrily and went to leave.


    Ye Jiayao shouted from behind him, ¡°Chunyu,e back early tonight. I will make you a delicious dinner.¡±


    She rolled her tongue on purpose when pronouncing the word ¡®yu¡¯ so that it would sound like dumb.


    Xia Chunyu closed his eyes in fury, knowing that the days ahead were going to be insufferable.


    Since third-in-charge was in a bad mood, all the bandits were punished. Initially, it was agreed upon that there would be no training today. Therefore, some of them went back to sleeping, some gambled with dice, and some loitered around, all of them feeling contented. However, a wave of hurried bugle horn stirred them all, disrupting their peace.


    One by one, the bandits rushed to the training grounds, only to see third-in-charge holding on to amand g in the middle of the training ground. He looked like a mighty thundercloud, ready to st everyone and everything in his wake. The gang knew that the third-in-charge holding onto themand g meant that today will be a formation practice. There would be a real fight and it simply came down to either beating someone into a pulp or getting beaten to a pulp.


    For a moment, everyone felt as though they were going to face their deaths; their visions blurred, their knees trembled.


    Oh heavens, they wondered what provoked third-in-charge this time.


    The whole afternoon¡¯s training left everyone on the grounds with a bruised face. They dared not to voice it out but they were all screaming with pain on the inside. It wasn¡¯t until it was dinner time that they saw the light at the end of their dark, torturous tunnel.


    Song Qi ran to the training ground and called, ¡°Third-in-charge, sister-inw called you back for dinner.¡±


    Everyone was so spent and drained, they were about to cry.?<i>Thank f*ck, sister-inw is finally going to collect her?</i><i>man!</i>


    Unexpectedly, third-in-charge behaved as though he did not hear Song Qi. He ignored him and shouted, ¡°Single line formation!¡±


    Themand g fluttered in the wind, and the bandits ran like crazy, screaming for mercy in their head.


    Song Qi remembered sister-inw¡¯s instructions then braced himself and shouted again, ¡°Third-in-charge, sister-inw said that if you don¡¯t go back, she would personallye down to call you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nk face finally showed some emotions as he thought of how she would call his name, rolling her tongue purposefully. If she came here screaming at the top of her lungs, everyone in the stockade would probably be calling him dumb donkey behind his back.?<i>Darn woman!?</i>?She was getting braver! How dare she threaten him?


    This was the first time that Xia Chunyu started to hate his name.


    Peng Wu went up to him, smiling as he said, ¡°Third-in-charge, the sky is turning dark and sister-inw is waiting for you to go back. Let¡¯s just continue tomorrow.¡±


    Without a word, Xia Chunyu withdrew themand g and handed it to Peng Wu.


    Peng Wu waved themand g in the air. ¡°Dismissed!¡±


    Everyone suddenly fell on the ground, their tongues hanging like a dog, huffing and puffing. If this went on, they would all be tortured to death.


    Song Qi kept quiet as they trudged back to the house, dutifully following behind third-in-charge, secretlyughing at him. He thought that sister-inw¡¯s method was indeed effective if she could get him toe to her so easily.


    Xia Chunyu remained silent the whole way back, thinking of how to deal with his errant wife. He could not continue to indulge her stubbornness and fiery attitude. He finally realized that she was not a simple character. She was merely ying dumb in order to climb all over him. He gave her an inch and she took a yard.


    She had painted a pitiful picture of herself but from what he could see,?her stepmother was no match for her at all.

 Chapter 14

    <h4>Chapter 14: Developing A Game</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Dinner was in porridge with meat patty.


    The porridge was boiled until it was thick and mushy and the meat patty was made with fresh pork and leeks. With the addition of pickled vegetables from Auntie Jiang, the three-inch patty, which was pan-fried till golden brown on both sides, emitted a lovely fragrance that burst through with each bite.


    At first, Xia Chunyu despised the simple dinner. However, the patty was decadently delicious and the in porridge had a tinge of sweetness amidst the fragrance. Looking at it, he could tell that it was boiled for a long time in a steady fire.


    ¡°Have as much as you want, there is still more in the pot!¡± Ye Jiayao said like a proper mistress,ughing heartily while she urged everyone to eat more.


    Song Qi whispered beside him, ¡°At first, sister-inw told me to get some vegetables from the kitchen but Old Head Yu is too stingy. He said that the chicken that we took was meant for everyone and refused to give me any more. Sister-inw could only use the leftover streaky pork from the pork meatballs to make patties.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded understandingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, the few thousand brothers in the stockade still has to eat. It¡¯s not easy for Old Head Yu too.¡±


    Peng Wu said, ¡°The meat we got from robbing Feng vige is almost finished. Looks like we have to take a trip down soon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao served another te of the patty. ¡°After you¡¯re done, give these to Auntie and Uncle Jiang for them to try,¡± she told Song Qi.


    Song Qi agreed happily, ¡°Sure!¡±


    Ye Jiayao sought Xia Chunyu¡¯s opinion, asking, ¡°Shall we take a few to big brother and second brother for them to try?¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied indifferently, ¡°Peng Wu, deliver itter.¡±


    After dinner, Song Qi and Peng Wu delivered the patties. Ye Jiayao cleaned up the kitchen while Xia Chunyu went back to the room to prepare a change of clothes for a swim at theke.


    Once he stepped into the room, he got his nth surprise for the day. The windows were all clean and gleaming. The original vases that were on the cab, now held a few stalks of red azalea, were moved strategically to the table. The crimson satin sheets were changed to a in, grey one, and the mosquito was also now white. The semi-circle table that was against the wall had a pot of lovely orchid on it. The addition of nts as decoration made the entire room appear to be more exuberant and it was a pleasant change.


    Being born to the Hou family, Xia Chunyu never had a shortage of people serving him. The house was always neat and tidy and did notck any valuable nts. Ever since he came up the mountains, not knowing how to do all those things, he had tasked Song Qi and Peng Wu to do all the cleaning. However, those two boors just go through the motions carelessly and he had no choice but to put up with it despite being unsatisfied.


    The interior of the house was suddenly changed to one that he had always desired. This made the anger in Xia Chunyu die down a little. Although she had many shorings and was extremely opinionated, there were still some redeeming qualities in her. For example, she could cook up a sumptuous meal. Also, unlike normaldies from wealthy families that were spoiled and pampered, she could handle household chores professionally. Could it be that what she said was the truth? Did really being given the cold shoulder and having things made difficult for her forced her to do everything by herself?


    On the couch, a clean set of clothes that he could change into wereid out, all his other clothes nowhere to be seen.


    Xia Chunyu opened the cupboard but it was not in there. He opened the trunk at the foot of the bed and saw his clothes stacked neatly inside.


    A sense of warmth filled his heart, an emotion that Xia Chunyu himself did not recognize.


    Ye Jiayao hid behind the entrance of the kitchen, looking around. She knew that she had angered him today. During mealtime, his face was dark and he did not even take a look at her. She could not be so stupid to allow his temporary patience to breed her recklessness. As Grandpa Mao said, when the enemy advance, she should retreat, and advance when the enemy retreated. This battle tactic was also applicable to help couples get along well. Granted, they were a fake couple, but still, a couple.


    Hopefully, he would calm down after seeing her efforts.


    Seeing the door open, Ye Jiayao hurriedly pretended to be busy with chores.


    When Xia Chunyu walked pass the kitchen with his clothes, he saw her busy silhouette and couldn¡¯t help but stop by, hesitating before he said, ¡°I¡¯m going for a swim.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to him and smiled sweetly, ¡°Remember to warm up before you enter the water, otherwise you would get cramps easily.¡±


    How did she even know about this?


    ¡°You know how to swim?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    <i>I was once in the school¡¯s swimming team, what do you think? I might even be faster than you.?</i>?However, she could not say the truth. In the past, wealthydies who knew how to swim would be inconceivable.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to swim but my younger brother does. Every time, before he enters the water, I would hear the guard remind him this.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled.


    <i>Oh.?</i>Xia Chunyu shrugged his doubts off and went out.


    Ye Jiayao called behind him, ¡°Chunyu¡­e back early.¡±


    This time, she did not roll her tongue and she called him so naturally, like a virtuous wife eagerly reminding his husband. For a very short moment, Xia Chunyu felt that having her around did not seem to be such a bad thing.


    When Song Qi returned, he presented a basketful of duck eggs to Ye Jiayao. ¡°Sister-inw, this is from Auntie Jiang. Fresh duck eggs.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took it gratefully. ¡°Auntie Jiang is too kind.¡±


    Songqi replied, ¡°She is, but sister-inw, third-in-charge doesn¡¯t like to eat duck eggs. He thinks that it is too fishy.¡±


    <i>Ugh!?</i>Actually, she doesn¡¯t really like to eat it too. Duck eggs were the good stuff, being rich in protein, fats, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and many more nutrients. It also has many health benefits that¡¯s why in the modern times, duck eggs were difficult to find. Despite all that, she still did not care much for it.


    ¡°How about making it into a salted egg?¡± Ye Jiayao inquired.


    Song Qi shook his head. ¡°Third-in-charge doesn¡¯t really like to eat that too.¡±


    ¡°What about a preserved egg?¡±


    ¡°What is preserved egg?¡± Song Qi was at a loss.


    Now that Ye Jiayao thought about it, preserved egg was invented in the Ming Dynasty. Even though this era was not one that she has an understanding of, from the dressing and other aspects, it should be simr to the Song Dynasty. There would presumably be no preserved eggs yet.


    Alright then, she would be making preserved eggs. If he does not like it, she could just give it to someone else. There would be people who would like it, surely.


    ¡°Song Qi, can you get some nt ash and lime?¡±


    Song Qi replied, ¡°Sure, that¡¯s easy.¡±


    ¡°Alright, get some nt ash and lime tomorrow.¡±


    Song Qi agreed gleefully, curious about what kind of delicious food sister-inw would cook for them next.


    After a while, Peng Wu returned, saying that both first-in-charge and second-in-charge praised the patty. They said to share some with them should sister-inw make more in the future.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, ted that they liked her food. ¡°No problem. Tell first-in-charge and second-in-charge that I can make it for them anytime they want.¡±


    Being in a wolf¡¯s den, not only must she manage her rtionship well with Chunyu, she also has to butter up first-in-charge and second-in-charge. In case she had a falling out with Chunyu, at least there would be people to speak up for her.


    It was just some food, no skin off her back.


    Once Song Qi and Peng Wu found out that third-in-charge went for a swim, they hurriedly took their clothes and rushed to theke, leaving only Ye Jiayao in the house. Although both the front and back of the house had been scattered with red orpiment wine, and nted with Sarmentosum, Ye Jiayao was still afraid. She immediately hid back into the room with the windows tightly shut.


    In the ancient times, there were no television, noputers, and you could not invite your friends to shop or drink coffee. Life was so monotonous that it could drive anyone mad. Ye Jiayao was so bored, she went to Chunyu¡¯s study to look for a few pieces of white paper. Using a small knife, she cut the papers into 108 pieces in the size of poker cards. She was going to make her own poker cards and she would teach Chunyu, Song Qi, and Peng Wu so that when they had nothing to do, the four of them could gather to y Fight the Landlord or Doubles.


    At this era, there were definitely no fun games like this. This way, she would be the inventor. Would it be popr all over the country? Thinking about the whole nation ying Fight the Landlord and Doubles made her giddy.


    By the time Xia Chunyu returned, Ye Jiayao was sitting cross-legged on the couch, leaning on the short table, drawing poker cards.


    Seeing the couch full of pieces of unknown drawings, Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Making something fun,¡± Ye Jiayao answered without looking at him, concentrating on drawing the prettydy on the Q with a sharp charcoal.


    ¡°You sure do know a lot of nonsense,¡± Xia Chunyu scoffed.


    ¡°You say that now but when the timees, don¡¯te to me when you get addicted.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled proudly.


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°I think you are too bored.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not even angry as she asked, ¡°Chunyu, what else do you do to pass your time other than reading?¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a while. Before he came up the mountains, he used to watch shows, drink wine and tea, gamble horses, ser, and hunting. However, after he came up to the mountains, he could only read, and sometimes drink with first-in-charge and second-in-charge. As for gambling with dice and all that, he and first-in-charge never participated. Thinking about it now, he realized that his life had be very boring.


    ¡°None,¡± Xia Chunyu replied nonchntly.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head and sighed. ¡°That is so pitiful.¡±


    How could this be considered pitiful?


    ¡°No worries. There will be something fun soon. Take a seat for a while, wait for me to finish this, and I will teach you how to y,¡± Ye Jiayao saidfortingly.


    Xia Chunyu had no idea how to respond. Was she treating him like he only wanted to have a good time?


    ¡°Stop making these things, ugh¡­ wait, where did you get these papers from?¡± Xia Chunyu suddenly realized a serious problem. He picked up one of the pieces she had cut out, inspecting it. Wasn¡¯t this the Shan Xi vine paper that he treasured?


    ¡°Who allowed you to touch my things? Do you know how difficult it is to get these papers?¡± Xia Chunyu bellowed angrily.


    There were many kinds of vine paper but the one from Shan Xi was the most resilient and white, it was of top grade and the production was limited. It was difficult to buy even in the bustling Jin Ling, let alone Shan Dong. He only had 10 pieces and he used it sparingly, but here she was, cutting them up and drawing silly nonsense onto it.


    <i>Ugh! It¡¯s just a few pieces of paper.?</i>?She could not understand what the fuss was all about. Ye Jiayao was about to roll her eyes when the term Shan Xi vine paper registered in her mind. For a moment, she felt terrible as her host knew that the paper was indeed very valuable.


    Ye Jiayao smiled sheepishly. ¡°My apologies, after searching for some time, these vine papers seemed to be the most suitable. If you¡¯d like, I will try to get some back for you. Don¡¯t be angry.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easier said than done. Do you even know where to get them?¡± Xia Chunyu was boiling mad.


    ¡°Ayy! Why is your hair still wet? Why did you not dry it? You will get hair fall easily, don¡¯t you know? You¡¯d get bald at a young age and your suave image would be affected.¡± Ye Jiayao got off the couch and took a clean cotton handkerchief, sitting him down on a chair while she started to gently dry his hair.


    This was called a distraction tactic.


    Indeed, that interruption caused Xia Chunyu¡¯s anger to be disced, merely telling her sternly, ¡°Next time, don¡¯t touch the things in the study.¡±


    ¡°Mm, mm, I know, I won¡¯t touch them next time.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded repeatedly, giving in.


    This was her starting to adapt to circumstances.

 Chapter 15

    <h4>Chapter 15: Rock, Paper, Scissors</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    This time, Xia Chunyu had enough patience and control to work her up and make the experience pleasurable for her. He didn¡¯t want her to hurt and he certainly didn¡¯t want to see her looking like she was about to face the death squad. That would just be a hit to his ego. Making love was a wonderful, out-of-body experience, and he wished that she would be able to enjoy it.


    He moved his body while he watched her reactions, memorizing her body, and trying to find all her sensitive spots.


    Strange and weird feeling flooded Ye Jiayao like a tide. Every time it felt like it was going to burst out of the embankment and crash, he would stop, and she was left suspended, unable to reach her climax. She felt like she would jump out of her skin, her body tense and anticipating. She was certain she was going to go mad and she had a feeling that he was doing this to her on purpose.


    Xia Chunyu intentionally kept her from her peak, liking the way her eyes looked so cute when she doesn¡¯t get what she wants. He could not help but tease her.


    ¡°Do you want it? Beg for it,¡± Xia Chunyu said yfully. Once again, he pushed her to the brink of explosion, stopping just right before she tumbled over the edge.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to kill him. How dare he y her like this? He really had no morals.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, you must not have the strength,¡± Ye Jiayao groaned out, knowing that he could not stop.


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows, his eyes darkening ominously.?Even though he knew that she was only antagonizing him, he could not just let her questioning his prowess go unpunished.


    ¡°As long as you can bear it,¡± Xia Chunyu said coldly. He turned her body over and prated behind her. He had no scruples at all, thrusting punishingly hard as he pressed himself against her wantonly.


    The excitement of the intense pration made Ye Jiayao almost lose her breath.?<i>Evil man!?</i>W?as he trying to kill her?


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t bear anymore and wanted to move away, but he has her waist locked tight in his iron grip. ¡°Stop, stop, I¡¯m sorry, I was wrong, stop!¡± she panted, her voice breaking and tearful.


    ¡°What was your mistake?¡±


    ¡°Questioning your strength, please, it¡¯s me that¡¯s weak,¡± Ye Jiayao begged, overwhelmed with so many emotions.


    Xia Chunyu smiled smugly at her concession, his eyes bright. He changed his angle, making sure to hit her sensitive spot with his every thrust, keeping at it until he felt her walls tighten around him. He felt her reach her climax and he immediately pulled out, spraying his release over her smooth back.


    Ye Jiayao felt paralyzed in bed, every part of her tingling from what they had just done. Her mind was nk, and her eyes were blurry, still not recovered from the ultimate pleasure he had just given her.


    Xia Chunyu fetched a towel, wiping the sweat off of him before cleaning her from any traces of their love-making.


    They lied down the bed, side by side. Xia Chunyu looked at her and saw that her eyes were dull and somewhat worried. ¡°Ufortable?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head then nodded.


    Xia Chunyuughed. ¡°Which is it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was just too tired and didn¡¯t want to move or talk.


    ¡°Still not satisfied?¡± He bent his head and kissed her.


    It sounded strange. It wasn¡¯t like he didn¡¯t have women. If he would so wish, there were plenty of women who would look after him. It was just that he wasn¡¯t keen on this type of things. Most of the time, he partakes just purely to satisfy his physical needs. However, whenever he was with her, he couldn¡¯t help wanting more. Was it because of his long abstinence? Or was it her beauty? Or was it because she was special? She was unlike other women who tried hard to please him, to be submissive in front of him, and tter him even it was against their wills.


    Ye Jiayao also knew how to please him. Every time she pissed him off, she would act like a cute cat, meowling at him with wide eyes. After his anger had evaporated, she would return to her former manner and tried to take advantage of him, literally and figuratively. Perhaps, that was the reason why he felt that she was so novel.


    Ye Jiayao tried to turn her away but she couldn¡¯t, so she just epted his kiss. However, he kept kissing her endlessly, his hands roaming around her especially sensitive body. A few more seconds of this kind of teasing was certain to make them?horny. As much as she liked what had transpired earlier, she was way too tired. If they did that once again, she was sure that she would not be able to get?up tomorrow.


    ¡°I am very tired,¡± Ye Jiayao said, keeping her voice lively and shrill.


    Xia Chunyu teased, ¡°Are you sad about the money you lose?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said sulkily, ¡°No energy to be sad.¡±


    ¡°Sleep.¡± Xia Chunyu smiled, once again finding her very adorable.


    They extinguished the candles and settled in together. After a while, Xia Chunyu heard her soft breathing and knew that she had already fallen asleep.


    Him, however, could not doze off. It wasn¡¯t because he wasn¡¯t satisfied. He was worried how to deal with her once the business in Hei Feng ridge was over. She didn¡¯t seem to be someone sent by the first-in-charge, so perhaps she would like to be a concubine??Ye¡¯s family shouldn¡¯t have any problem with that, maybe it would even exceed their expectations.


    <i>What if she didn¡¯t want to??</i>?Could she really be unwilling? She was already his. Even if she didn¡¯t want to, there was no other choice.


    Ye Jiayao woke up alone again. She was curious as to how she could sleep so tight that every time he woke up, she didn¡¯t even notice.


    She went to the kitchen and realized that Song Qi had already done what she told himst night. He had brought the lime and ash, as well as other food and ingredients.?Saleratus and tea were already there, but theycked cypress branches, wheat straw, and yellow powder. Ye Jiayao asked Song Qi to get them.


    While he was gone, she rolled out the pickle jar in the backyard and cleaned it. One jar should be enough since there weren¡¯t many duck eggs.


    Ye Jiayao started to cook the ingredients as soon as Song Qi came back. She mixed the salt, tea, and cypress branches in one pot before she put lime, ash, and yellow powder in another small water tank. She then poured the cooked soup in, ordering, ¡°Song Qi,e and stir this evenly. Be careful not to touch the lime.¡±


    Song Qi happily took over the stick and stirred it up. ¡°Big sister, are preserved eggs tasty?¡±


    Ye Jiayao put the wheat straw in the pickle jar, smiling. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±


    After putting the wheat straw in, she then put the duck eggs in carefully, one by one. She used the leftover cypress branches to put on top of the duck eggs to prevent them from floating after pouring the soup.


    ¡°Song Qi, pour the soup in carefully. Slowly pour it along the sides of the jar,¡± Ye Jiayao said. Song Qi became her good helper nowadays. It seemed like he liked cooking with her and it looked like he didn¡¯t do much of anything else.


    Ye Jiayao sealed the mouth of the jar tightly with a cloth wrapped with yellow mud, finally done.


    Song Qi carried the jar to a shadowy ce before running back to ask, ¡°Big sister, do you have other requests?¡±


    Ye Jiayao squinted at him. ¡°If you have something to do, you can go.¡±


    ¡°I was up all nightst night and I wanted to take a nap.¡± Song Qi scratched his head, embarrassed.


    ¡°Did you win or lose?¡± Ye Jiayao grinned.


    Song Qi looked cheerful. ¡°Won a lot, they were addicted, and we will continue tonight.¡±


    ¡°How much is a lot?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a bad intention.


    ¡°I won 10 and Peng Wu earned more than me!¡±


    He really made a fortune! Plus the money he won from her, he made 10-ish bucks. Meanwhile, she didn¡¯t even have a single coin on her! If she ran away in the future, she would need some money. She would get nowhere without funds.


    ¡°Song Qi, how about we y Rock, Paper, Scissors?¡± Ye Jiayao smiled even more splendidly. ¡°If I win, you¡¯ll return the money you won from me yesterday. If you win, I will make poke stomach and chicken for you to eat.¡±


    Song Qi was shocked to realize that sister-inw was still sad about the five bucks that she lost.


    ¡°Pig stomach and chicken is absolutely delicious. If you lose, I will still make it for you.¡± Ye Jiayao knew that Song Qi loved eating, and she continued to use food to lure him to do her bidding.


    Song Qi thought about it and deemed that the bet was fair and square. If he lost, he would just return two point five bucks. If he won, he would still have ten bucks, and he could eat pig stomach and chicken.


    ¡°Rock, Paper, Scissors? Isn¡¯t that Hammer, Scissors, and Paper?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. Let¡¯s y one game, okay?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha!?I won! Give my money back!¡± Ye Jiayao jumped for joy. That psychologist really knew his stuff. He told me that when men yed Rock, Paper, Scissors, the first round would always be rock. She yed with her dad before and failed all the time. However, it worked when she yed with Song Qi.


    Song Qi was frustrated. Why did he y hammer all the time? One hammer, and his two point five bucks were gone.


    He was tempted not to give away the payout, but she was his sister-inw, he could not deny it deliberately. He handed the silvers to her, regretful and sad.


    Ye Jiayao took the money happily and consoled him, ¡°Whenever you hunt boars, I will cook pig stomach and chicken for you.¡±


    After saying that, Ye Jiayao walked away, hopeful as she thought about finding a chance to win her money back from Peng Wu. This was the first fortune she made in this world. It may be little, but every little made a mickle. After all, mosquitoes were small but they were still meat.


    Song Qi hung his head and went to take a nap bleakly.


    Later in the day, Song Qi saw that Peng Wu was asked for help by big sister and knew that he was doomed. He wanted to warn Peng Wu not to y hammer but changed his mind quickly. He lost to her already, why should Peng Wu escape that dilemma? He stayed quiet and waited expectantly for Peng Wu.


    Not long after, Peng Wu walked out with a depressed look on his face.


    Song Qi was happy as he asked him quietly, ¡°The money you wonst night, it was lost to sister-inw now, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°How do you know, did you overhear?¡± Peng Wu asked, surprised.


    ¡°Mine was taken by sister-inw too. Hammer, scissors, and paper. One game, win or lose. I¡¯m guessing that you y hammer.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡±


    Song Qi patted his shoulder and shook his head. ¡°Because I yed hammer too. Do you know why we always y hammer?¡±


    Peng Wu thought about it.?<i>Why, indeed?</i>


    ¡°It is all a bubble, one p to break,¡± a cheerful song sounded from the kitchen.


    Song Qi and Peng Wu both covered their ears and returned to their rooms.

 Chapter 16

    <h4>Chapter 16: You must lose</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu was slouched on the couch, resting, when he heard Ye Jiayao humming as she made her way back to the house. ¡°So noisy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shut her mouth and stealthily went over to the cabs to hide her silvers. It was her private money and it needed to be hidden well.


    Xia Chunyu opened one eye and saw her moving around like a thief. What goodie was she hiding?


    ¡°Go get a cup of tea for me.¡±


    ¡°What do you want a tea for? Aren¡¯t you sleeping?¡± Ye Jiayao muttered as she went to get water for him.


    ¡°I want dragon well tea.¡±


    Ye Jiayao narrowed her eyes at him, her tongue itching to give him a verbalshing. He really just had to be difficult.?As he was a don, Ye Jiayao had no choice but to go to the kitchen and bring him hot water.


    As soon as she left the room, Xia Chunyu got up and opened her wardrobe, reaching out with his hands. He touched some silvers that weighed almost five bucks.?Wasn¡¯t that what she lostst night? Where did she get it? Did she ask them back from Song Qi and Peng Wu?


    Xia Chunyu thought she had a headache and could not sleepst night. How could she possibly do that? Shecked poker skills and gambling luck. Xia Chunyu looked down at the silvers in his hand and immediately pocketed it, softly sneering. As if nothing happened, he returned to the couch andid back down.


    ¡°Chunyu, tea is here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu got up and took the tea to the study.


    Ye Jiayao stood behind the assortedttices and peeked at him. She saw him took out the map to study, so she tiptoed to open the wardrobe to move the silvers. She thought that it was better to hide them under the bed.


    <i>Where were the silvers??</i>Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t find them! She knew for sure that this was where she hid them. He must¡¯ve found out!


    <i>Should I ask for it back??</i><i>Why not??</i>Even though he paid the debt, it was her who won the money back. It belonged to her. After some consideration, Ye Jiayao marched to his study confidently.


    ¡°Chunyu, did you take the thing I put in the wardrobe?¡± Ye Jiayao asked softly, trying to stay calm.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t even give any indications as to what he did. He simply replied, ¡°What thing?¡±


    ¡°Silvers.¡±


    ¡°Where did you get silvers?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I won it back.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s newfound confidence was slightly wilting.


    Xia Chunyu finally lifted his eyes and looked at her. ¡°You still owe me five silvers anyway.¡±


    <i>How is he such a stingy man?!</i>


    ¡°I used my wisdom and tried so hard to win back those silvers. You should at least split half with me!¡± Ye Jiayaoined.


    ¡°Oh? With your wisdom? Could you tell me how smart you were? Enlighten me.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s expression held a clear ridicule towards her.


    ¡°It was Rock, Paper, Scissors. Don¡¯t look down on this easy game, it has lots of wisdom. If you don¡¯t believe me, then let¡¯s y one round. If you lose, return the silvers to me. If you win, you can keep it.¡± Ye Jiayao was angry that she had to resort to this maximumpromise to win her money back.


    ¡°It was originally mine. Why do I need to bet with you?¡± Xia Chunyu ignored her and continued to look at his map.


    Ye Jiayao sat down sadly andined, ¡°When I lived at home, I should¡¯ve been given three silvers per month, but stepmother always finds a reason to deduct. Sometimes, she said that they had less ie and could not afford to spend any more. Sometimes, she said I was too easy-going that the servants might try to scam it from me. Other times, she¡¯ll say that she forgot and she would give it all together in the next month. However, I never got any reimbursement the month after. I found it embarrassing to fight for a couple of silvers so I let it go. I got nothing while my younger sisters had new clothes made and got gifted new pieces of jewelry. My grandmother sent many things to me but they never arrived in my hands.¡±


    ¡°When I was 12, I had a serious illness. My father had a position in Wuzhou Council and was more than capable of having me looked at, but the stepmother didn¡¯t even get me a doctor. It was winter, and the fever made me unconscious. Nanny wanted to put some ice on my forehead but she was afraid that the wetness could get inside my body and make me worse. So instead, she went outside to get her body cold and hugged me to get rid of my fever. She went in and out the whole night to do that for me.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps God pitied us because, at dawn, I finally got rid of the fever. However, it left my nanny a permanent illness. Whenever the weather changed, her whole body would get joint pain. I heard that knee pads made of tiger skin were the best thing to use to keep warm. I¡¯ve always wanted to buy a pair for her, but it cost so much and my savings weren¡¯t enough. It kept dragging until she retiredst year. I wanted to give her more silvers so that she could spend her old age happily, but I didn¡¯t even have enough. When they told me I was going to marry someone in Shang Dong, I thought my painful days were gone. I could finally repay my nanny, the only one who took care of me in my whole lifetime.¡±


    Ye Jiayao seldom searched for the host¡¯s original¡¯s memories because they were unhappy. She was optimistic and never liked to remember the sad past. Now, she wanted to move him, so she tried hard to remember. The more she talked about it, the more heartbroken she felt. She was originally trying to save up to prepare to run away, but as she talked about my?nanny, she felt that if she had the ability one day, she must repay her.


    Xia Chunyu was worried. It was not the first time that he heard about the evil stepmother and how pathetic she was. One nce at her frustrated face and he knew that she was not lying.


    Ye Jiayao immersed herself into her terrible memories, her heart dropping into a dark valley. Suddenly, a thought jumped at her. Her stepmother had always been stingy and never treated her well, so why did she prepare such great dowry for her? She not only gave her dowry from Ye Jinxuan¡¯s grandmother but also her own money. It didn¡¯t make sense! Was it just to please Wei¡¯s family? It couldn¡¯t be! Why was she the only one kidnapped in the whole bridal entourage? She couldn¡¯t help but think if there was any underhanded activity that went on.


    Ye Jiayao forgot about the silvers Xia Chunyu took from her as she thought about this question. She quietly walked back to the bedroom and sat on the couch, still in deep thought. If she could only go to Wei¡¯s family, all the secrets might be revealed.


    Xia Chunyu saw her walk away quietly and instantly felt horrible. He did not take the money away because he was stingy. He just didn¡¯t like the way that she earned the silvers. If she wanted money, she could¡¯ve just asked him for them.


    Xia Chunyu put the map away and locked it inside the cab. He followed her to the bedroom and ced the silvers in front of the pier table. ¡°I¡¯m returning your silvers. In the future, if you want money, you can ask me directly. Stoping up with street smart.¡±


    Ye Jiayao found it ridiculous that she won the money fair and square, yet he was treating it as a street smart. A bandit was lecturing her about stealing. Ha!


    Ye Jiayao slouched and said in frustration, ¡°Whatever! I will never see my nanny again in this lifetime. What would I do with the silvers?¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt even guiltier. ¡°You don¡¯t know the future. Just take it! What if you have a chance and you don¡¯t have money, wouldn¡¯t that be a pity?¡±


    Ye Jiayao intentionally hesitated for a while before taking the silvers away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y Rock, Paper, Scissors with other people anymore,¡± he warned.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded obediently and asked, ¡°Can I y with you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°I am not that bored.¡±


    ¡°Are you afraid of losing?¡±


    ¡°I will lose?¡±


    <i>Did she think I was an idiot like Song Qi and Peng Wu?</i>


    ¡°I assure you that you will lose,¡± Ye Jiayao stated, smiling cheekily.


    Xia Chunyu was provoked. ¡°What if I win?¡±


    ¡°If you win, I will massage you for 15 minutes. Deal?¡±


    Xia Chunyu pictured himself lying down on the couch and leisurely reading books as she kneeled next to him, using her soft little hands to massage his legs and back. She would be smiling at him, eager to do anything to please him.?<i>Hmm. This bet is interesting.</i>


    ¡°Half an hour.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a second before agreeing. ¡°Okay, half an hour. What if you lose?¡±


    ¡°If I lose, I will give you five more silvers,¡± Xia Chunyu said generously.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened, seeing her freedom one step closer. ¡°Deal! Let¡¯s y! One game.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips almost curled up into a snarl. His woman was a gold digger.


    A momentter, Ye Jiayao were 10 silvers rich as sheughed on the couch, while Xia Chunyu walked out, looking ferocious.


    Peng Wu followed third-in-charge carefully.


    ¡°Peng Wu.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You and Song Qi both lost to your big sister?¡±


    Peng Wu said honestly, ¡°She took away what we wonst night.¡±


    ¡°What did you y?¡±


    ¡°Hammer,¡± Peng Wu answered sullenly.


    Xia Chunyu was puzzled because he also yed hammer. How did it happen? Coincidence? Or did she y a magic trick on them? How else could she win? It wasn¡¯t like she was sure that he would y hammer.


    Peng Wu thought carefully. Did the third-in-charge also lose to sister-inw?


    ¡°Third brother, third brother!¡± Second-in-charge called, walking briskly towards Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu greeted, ¡°Second brother.¡±


    ¡°Third brother, I am looking for you. The spy we sent to Xin Yi came back, but he was severely wounded and could not go up the mountain. Big brother asked us to go down the mountain immediately,¡± second-in-charge said.


    Xia Chunyu turned to Peng Wu. ¡°Go back to the house and tell your big sister.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, upon hearing the message Peng Wu carried, asked, ¡°Did he say when he wille back?¡±


    ¡°No. Though most likely, if they go down the mountain now, the earliest they cane back will be tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao secretly rejoiced inside. She could finally be free tonight!


    After dinner, Song Qi and Peng Wu went to y Double with the other bandits. The yard was empty and Ye Jiayao did not like it. She felt uneasy, so she hid inside the room with the windows closed.


    Despite her joy to finally be alone, Ye Jiayao was unable to sleep. After what felt like the hundredth time of tossing and turning, she gave up on sleep. She walked to Chunyu¡¯s study, hoping to find a book to read to help her doze off. Yesterday, he told her not to enter his study without permission. However, he was away tonight. She was only here to find a book and she wouldn¡¯t make a mess. He would never know.


    There weren¡¯t many books on the shelf and they were all unfathomable art of war. Ye Jiayao could not understand any of them so she left them alone.


    Suddenly, a thought urred to her. She needed to get the map! If she wanted to run away, she would need to know where she could go.


    Ye Jiayao started to look for the map but she couldn¡¯t find it anywhere. She red at the cab with a lock. It must¡¯ve been locked inside. Chunyu was certainly not taking any chances on her.


    Ye Jiayao slumped on the chair, tired and frustrated. Why must that donkey be so annoying and lock up her chance at escape?


    She idly yed with the brush pot on his desk. Judging from his things and the way he acts, her husband definitely had a fondness for the finer things.?The bamboo brush pot alone, that was carved with the 12 zodiacs, was a work of art and must¡¯ve cost a fortune. Ye Jiayao spun it around haphazardly and it caught on the edge of the desk, making it snap. The bottom and the pot separated from each other, revealing a paper that¡¯s folded into a small square.

 Chapter 17

    <h4>Chapter 17: Secret</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The situation made Ye Jiayao nervous. She didn¡¯t want to know other people¡¯s secret. Secrets that were this type could sometimes cost a life. She had to restore the brush pot, otherwise, she was a dead meat.


    <i>How do I do this??</i>Ye Jiayao tried to put the pieces back together and failed.


    <i>Damn! I¡¯m doomed this time!??</i>Ye Jiayao was so anxious, she kept pulling her hair. If she knew this would happen, she wouldn¡¯t have gone into the study. They were right ¨C the curiosity does kill the cat.


    Since she was going to get killed anyway, Ye Jiayao decided to go down swinging and unfolded the small piece of paper that was hidden in the brush pot.??<i>What the hell! If Chunyu¡¯s going to strangle me, I might as well know what I¡¯m being killed?</i><i>over.</i>


    Wasn¡¯t that the map of ck Wind Ridge? She could clearly see the outline of the Panlong mountain and the Yanxiake. There were also markings that indicated covert and undercover officers. There was even andmark that was especially?marked with ¡°Mi¡±. Ye Jiayao also noted the bold, thick lines in twists and turns, drawn from Juyi hall to the back of ck Wind Ridge. Was that a secret tunnel? It seemed like there was an alternate route to the ck Wind Ridge.


    This must be the top secret of ck Wind Ridge! Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart raced and she immediately grabbed a pen and paper to copy down the map.


    Her escape from the mountains might depend on this map.


    However, Ye Jiayao could not rejoice just yet because there was a more pressing matter. She still had to figure out how to restore the brush pot. If she could not fix it, she was sure that she wouldn¡¯t even get a chance to use the map she just drew.


    Ye Jiayao folded the map and put it back at the notch at the bottom of the pot. She carried the brush pot and took a candlestick before returning to her bedroom. She did not want Song Qi to know that she was in Chunyu¡¯s study. She needed to find a way to restore the brush pot even if she had to sacrifice her sleep to do it.


    Peng Wu unexpectedly came back early and shouted from outside, ¡°Sister-inw, why are you not asleep yet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was so startled that she dropped the brush pot on the bed. ¡°I am not sleepy. I am just reading some books,¡± she answered quickly.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Peng Wu said. After she heard him return to the east bedroom, she continued to study the brush pot.


    Ancient people were surprisingly smarter and more advanced than she thought. The brush pot¡¯s mechanism design was so delicate that she couldn¡¯t figure it out, and she had been at it for more than two hours!


    Ye Jiayao was already feeling dizzy from theck of sleep?and she still hasn¡¯t fixed the damned brush pot. She wanted to just smash the whole thing but she knew she couldn¡¯t. Her life literally depended on that stupid thing, so she?had to force herself to figure it out.


    ¡°Big sister, haven¡¯t you slept yet?¡± Peng Wu called from outside.


    ¡°Slept,¡± she croaked, lying because she did not want Peng Wu to suspect her.


    After a while, Peng Wu said, ¡°Be careful with the candle fire.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m just afraid of being alone in the dark so I lit it up.¡±


    Peng Wu didn¡¯t answer but she heard him retreat to his quarters once again.


    <i>I can¡¯t do this anymore! My brain is fried!??</i>Ye Jiayao was frustrated and so sleepy that she decided to just take a nap. Maybe after sleeping, her mind would be clear enough to make a viable solution for her problem.


    However, instead of waking up to a bright idea, Ye Jiayao woke up to someone banging on the door.


    ¡°Open the door! Ye Jingxuan, open the door!¡±


    <i>Oh, God! It¡¯s Chunyu!?</i>Chunyu was already back. Ye Jiayao opened her eyes in panic and immediately sat up.


    It was daybreak.


    Ye Jiayao saw the still separated brush pot she held in her arms and almost broke down in tears.?<i>F*ck! I¡¯m really dead this time!</i>


    She called out, ¡°Just a second, let me put on clothes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hurriedly walked to the study and ced the brush pot back to where it belonged.?She put the brush in it, just like how she found it before and rearranged it so it doesn¡¯t look like it was even moved.


    After she was satisfied that Chunyu wouldn¡¯t be able to immediately tell that something was wrong with it, she ran to open the door.


    ¡°Why did you take so long?¡± Xia Chunyu scowled unhappily.


    ¡°Putting on clothes takes time,¡± Ye Jiayao said weakly, before doing a double take, ¡°Woah, is that blood on you? Chunyu, did you get hurt? Where is the wound?¡± Ye Jiayao saw the horrifying blood on Xia Chunyu¡¯s clothes and was instantly worried.


    Xia Chunyu walked into the room and said nkly, ¡°It¡¯s not my blood, its other people¡¯s.¡±


    She looked nervous and worried. Xia Chunyu was used to people who dread him, especially when they find out that he¡¯s killed somebody. There was not a single person who woulde up and care for him in the state he was currently in. Seeing her troubled by his well-being warmed his heart.


    ¡°You¡­ You killed someone?¡± Ye Jiayao knew that he was a bandit and that his job was robbing and killing. It was just a shock to her eyes, seeing so much blood on him.


    Xia Chunyu opened the wardrobe and took out some clean clothes. ¡°If I don¡¯t kill them, they will kill me. Do you want to be a widow?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head immediately. She didn¡¯t know that being a bandit was such a dangerous job.


    ¡°Go and fetch a pot of water for me.¡± Xia Chunyu saw her standing in the middle of the room, looking like a fish out of the water, and couldn¡¯t help but antagonize her.


    Xia Chunyu washed his face and body before changing into clean clothes.?¡°I will go to first brother¡¯s ce, you can sleep for a bit more.¡±


    After that partingment, he left.


    Ye Jiayao stared after him and saw the east chamber¡¯s door open. Peng Wu walked out and talked to Chunyu for a bit, following Chunyu as he made his way across the courtyard.


    Ye Jiayao closed the door and ran back to study. It might take a while before Chunyu can leave first-in-charge¡¯s ce. She could only pray that she could fix?the brush pot before Chunyu came back.


    Last night, she couldn¡¯t see clearly because the candlelight was yellowish. Today, as she looked at it in a better light, she noticed that one eye of the zodiac dragon head was a bit different.?Ye Jiayao used a needle to poke the eye, and it revealed three small protruded parts at the bottom of the cylinder.?They were able to fit in the notches of the bottom by matching them! Ye Jiayao rejoiced as she twisted it to put them together. She almost passed out in relief when she heard that they locked together stably.


    <i>Yes!?</i>Ye Jiayao wiped her sweat and took a deep breath.?<i>God! That was terrifying!?</i>She vowed not to touch his things anymore in the future.


    She returned the brush pot to where it was. The problem was, she couldn¡¯t remember exactly how it was ced. Chunyu hid a very important item in here, its cement was surely highly considered. He?must¡¯ve known all the details on how he arranged it by heart. Ye Jiayao intentionally brought a rag to clean the study. This way, even if Chunyu found out that the brush pot had been moved, she could find a legitimate excuse to answer him with.


    Every day, Song Qi was tasked to gather the ingredients for their meal. Ye Jiayao would only cook whatever he could find in the kitchen.?Today, he barely got any food to cook, except a carp. The rest of what he was able to get was all vegetables. It was a good thing that they still have some marinated meat and mutton. Ye Jiayao decided to make braisedmb, stewed carp, stir-fried potato, green pepper, and eggnt, as well as sweet and sour lotus root.


    Song Qi, just like in any other times she had cooked in the past, was her helping hand. ¡°I heard from the vige that the second-in-charge and third-in-charge got ambushed when they went down the mountain. Second-in-charge was wounded in action,¡± Song Qi said as he picked cowpeas.


    ¡°Was the wound grave?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, not really caring if others get hurt or not. She didn¡¯t care as long as Chunyu wasn¡¯t hurt. She was already reassured because he saw him change clothes earlier. His body was untouched. She couldn¡¯t even find a mosquito bite.


    ¡°They said it was very serious, but I am not sure yet. We won¡¯t know for certain until third-in-chargees back,¡± Song Qi replied.


    However, Chunyu didn¡¯te back. It was only through Peng Wu that they were informed?that third-in-charge would take people to go down the mountain, Peng Wu included.


    After hearing that, Ye Jiayao put the fish she was preparing to cut back in the basin.


    ¡°It is almost lunchtime! You don¡¯t want to eat a bit before going down the mountain?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Peng Wu answered, ¡°I can¡¯t, big sister. The second-in-charge is still downhill, and first-in-charge and third-in-charge are worried. We need to get him back.¡±


    ¡°Peng Wu, what is going on? How did they get ambushed? Who did this? Officers and soldiers?¡± Song Qi asked.


    ¡°Who else can wound the second-in-charge except the Shadowless Arrow Feng Chong in Xin Yi? It was a hidden arrow. If we lose here, how do we face the prospect of surviving in the society?¡±?Peng Wu was filled with righteous indignation as he ranted.


    ¡°I¡¯m done, I have to go.¡± Peng Wu waved and walked away irritably.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Xin Yi a town? It¡¯s not a bandit nest, so why would we have anything to do with them?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, trying to get more information.


    Song Qi exined, ¡°Big sister, it¡¯s understandable that you don¡¯t know because you¡¯re from another ce. Xin Yi is a town, yes, but it is simr to a bandit nest. Most people there had the surname of Feng. They were led by Cover Sky Tiger Feng Chao Lin. There are many martial arts masters who worked for him, such as Shadowless Arrow Feng Chong and Thunder God-Fist Du Heng. They are bullies and gangsters, and have done more bad things than ck Wind Ridge.¡±


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t the government destroy them?¡±


    ¡°Xin Yi is building a chastity memorial arch to belie the truth of being a bitch. They have a close rtionship with the local council as well,¡± Song Qi sneered.


    After his tirade, Song Qi remembered that he was talking to his sister-inw. He scratched his head, suddenly embarrassed by his thoughtless use of curse words.


    Ye Jiayao thought that Xin Yi was smart. They were doing robbery for a living and getting recognition from the government for it. They were essentially a licensed bandit group that can act againstw and reason.


    ¡°Who has more power? Xin Yi or ck Wind Ridge?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s ck Wind Ridge! We are stronger than them, especially after third-in-charge joined. Our ck Wind Ridge has already won a couple of skirmishes against Xin Yi.?This time, it must¡¯ve been only an ident that the second-in-charge got hurt.¡±


    No matter how strong ck Wind Ridge was, they could not win against someone with a license. Ye Jiayao wondered if first-in-charge would learn from the ancient history of Song Jiang in Shuibo Liangshan, and take a bunch of brothers to dere amnesty with the government.


    ¡°Sister-inw, cowpeas are picked. Do I need to peel the potatoes?¡± Song Qi asked.


    Ye Jiayao answered absent-mindedly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s just the two of us for lunch. We can make do with frying the cowpeas.¡±


    Song Qi wrinkled his nose, disappointed. Whenever the third-in-charge was away, the meals¡¯ quality decreased like a straight line.


    Peng Wu didn¡¯t say when they would be back, so they took it upon themselves to find out the time of their return. At dinner time, Song Qi went to Broken Dragon Stone to wait for news. Ye Jiayao was left in the kitchen, preparing all the food to cook, as she waited.


    The sky was almost dark when she saw Song Qi running back to the house. ¡°Third-in-charge and the other brothers are back,¡± he panted.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Was the third-in-charge hurt?¡±


    Song Qi shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at him, irritated that he didn¡¯t pay enough attention. ¡°Hurry and make a fire.¡±


    The hot water had just boiled when Chunyu and Peng Wu entered the house. Ye Jiayao immediately sidled up to Chunyu¡¯s side and said, ¡°Do you want to take a shower first? The hot water is ready and dinner will be done soon.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded, looking beyond exhausted.


    As soon as Xia Chunyu was done cleaning up, a delicious meal was set and prepared on the table.


    ¡°Did you eat lunch?¡± Ye Jiayao asked as she scooped rice for him.


    ¡°I had a bun on the way,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    ¡°You must be hungry. Go on, eat. You too, Peng Wu,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu ate the hot and delicious food, his tiredness slowly fading away. This was the first time, since he came up the mountains, that he felt at home in this small yard.

 Chapter 18

    <h4>Chapter 18: Being Doubted</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Song Qi bombarded Peng Wu with questions as they ate. Ye Jiayao simply listened quietly, finally getting the general idea of what was happening.


    The undercover agent that was sent by ck Wind Ridge overheard a secret discussion between a government officer and Feng Chaolin. Both the government and Xin Yi were preparing to attack ck Wind Ridge. The undercover agent also found out that the enemies have already sent someone inside the ck Wind Ridge who would help them wipe the gang out at the right time.


    Unfortunately, someone had discovered the undercover agent before he could get more information. He ran away as fast he could from Xin Yi, but he got seriously wounded and had to hide at a base under ck Wind Ridge. Second-in-charge and Chunyu were sent to retrieve him, where they crossed paths with the agents from Xin Yi. Second-in-charge was shot by a shadowless arrow and Chunyu had to use flying knives to beat their opponents. He then took the wounded second brother and made their bloody trek back up the mountains.


    ¡°Someone from the government is working here? No way!¡± Song Qi was surprised.


    Peng Wu nced at third-in-charge, who was eating quietly, and said, ¡°First-in-charge said that the people who came to the mountainte were all suspects.¡±


    Ye Jiayao anxiously looked at Chunyu, knowing that he?only came to the mountain half a year ago. Was Chunyu the spy sent by the government?


    ¡°But there are so many people who came up the mountainte! There are countless brothers that came to the mountain vige just half of this year. How will we find out?


    ¡°How would I know?¡± Peng Wu mumbled, his mouth stuffed with rice.


    Xia Chunyu put his chopsticks down and walked back to the room. Ye Jiayao immediately followed him, astonished.


    She found him on the study, sat in front of the study table, and concentrated on reading.


    Ye Jiayao walked in and said softly, ¡°Chunyu, do you want some tea?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shifted his eyes to her and looked at her quietly for a moment. Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to fidget. She admits, she had a guilty conscience so she was being extra nice.


    ¡°First brother is doubting me,¡± he finally said.


    ¡°No, no way! Without you, the second-in-charge would¡¯ve died! If you are the spy sent by the government, why would you save him?¡±


    Despite what she just said, Ye Jiayao secretly hoped that he really was the spy. He was a man of striking appearance, and his military skills were unparalleled. It would be a waste if he really was just stuck on being a bandit.


    ¡°Perhaps, first-in-charge would think that I did that just to gain his trust.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips were raised in a snarl and his eyes were cold.


    ¡°Did first-in-charge say anything?¡± Ye Jiayao worried. It doesn¡¯t matter if he was the spy or not, if he loses the trust of first-in-charge, his position in ck Wind Ridge would bepromised. She belonged to him, so if he was in trouble, then she was too. They were in the same boat.


    Xia Chunyu was silent but it was obvious that he was troubled.?¡°Don¡¯t think too much. After what happened, it was reasonable for first-in-charge to doubt people. Innocent people will just have to prove their innocence and have the facts speak for themselves.¡±


    ¡°The first-in-charge knew why I came up the mountain. He can doubt all mybat abilities but not my loyalty. I¡¯ve hated the government for all of my life. My family, along with a hundred other people, were all killed by the government with unwarranted charge. I was lucky to escape, but I was still chased on the way from Jiang Nan to Qi Lu. In order to stay alive, and avenge the deaths of my family, I had toe up the mountain and be a bandit. I could ept whatever first-in-charge uses, except for this.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were full of hatred and pain as he ryed his story.


    She didn¡¯t know that he came from such a miserable background. It seemed that every bandit had sad stories to make people sob.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know what to say, so she just quietly got him a cup of tea.


    ¡°Whatever, I just hope second brother is fine. There will always be a time when we can get to the bottom of things.¡± Xia Chunyu sighed.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, taking notice of the bags under his eyes. He ran around and fought furiously for the past days, he must be exhausted. ¡°Get some early rest tonight,¡± she told him gently before leaving him alone.


    Xia Chunyu watched her pensively as she left the room. He appreciated that way that she had been extra attentive and thoughtful this evening. He was about to go back to his reading when his eye caught on the brush pot on the table, as well as the shifted book on the shelves. The warmth he previously felt was reced by a cold grip of apprehension on his heart.


    The ces for everything in this room were not random. He could notice even the slightest?bit of change and shift in his things.


    Xia Chunyu opened the switch for the brush pot and separated the bottom. He saw the small piece of paper still nestled at the bottom and put the brush pot back together with relief. Perhaps, he was just thinking too much of it. The study was spotless so she probably just moved it when she cleaned the room.


    <i>I am being too paranoid!</i>


    Now, he was starting to suspect even the littlest of things! He just had to?be extra cautious. He couldn¡¯t contact He Lianxuan or his other connections in the government. He must find a way to win the first-in-charge¡¯s trust. Second-in-charge had grave wounds and would be out of action for quite a long while, so it was the chance for him to gain more power amongst the brothers.


    Later that night, Ye Jiayao tossed around in bed, unable to sleep.


    ¡°Chunyu, are you asleep?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah.¡±


    Ye Jiayao mouth twitched in humor. Of course, everyone could hold a conversation in their sleep.


    ¡°Chunyu, should I help cook for second-in-charge tomorrow?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu crawled up to find the flint and lit up the oilmp. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he get wounded? We must pay attention to his diet,¡± she replied weakly.


    ¡°As if you have such a kind heart?¡± Xia Chunyu sneered, doubting her intentions.


    ¡°What is wrong with you? I am doing this for you!¡± Ye Jiayaoined.


    ¡°For me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, for you! You know why? Because we are tied to each other now. If I look good, you look good. Whether first-in-charge doubts you or not, we should use whatever opportunity there is to put our goodwill out there,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Xia Chunyu said, agreeing to the merits of her logic, but not wanting to show it. He turned around and turned the light off.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes in the darkness and started thinking of what to cook for the second-in-charge. She wanted to please second brother so that she could get more information about her kidnapping.


    Ever since she came up the mountain, this was the first time she and Chunyu were getting up together.


    ¡°Chunyu, why do you get up so early every day?¡± Ye Jiayao asked in between yawns, eyes squinting up at him, half-open. From someone who could literally stay in bed all day, she truly couldn¡¯t understand how other people could get up at the crack of dawn.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking a walk around the mountain.¡± Xia Chunyu, alreadypletely dressed for the day, took the bow and arrows before walking out.


    <i>Is he going to hunt?</i>


    She tidied up the room and made the bed before walking out to the kitchen.


    Ye Jiayao had already soaked the ricest night, so she only had to add water and baking soda before she stewed it on a steady fire. The porridge would be particrly thick this way, easy to digest and deliciously fragrant. It was the best food for a patient. Unfortunately, there were no dates, otherwise, it would have helped in improving qi and enriching the blood.


    Song Qi then entered the kitchen, and Ye Jiayao immediately gave him the task of cooking the noodles she had preparedst night.?She had to find cooking materials herself today.


    ¡°Big sister, you should ask Peng Wu to apany you. Old Yu is very stingy,¡± Song Qi protested.


    Song Qi, every time he went on a food run, took ingredients by force, so Old Head Yu couldn¡¯t do anything about it. However, big sister was shy and kind-hearted, she couldn¡¯t really do those type of things.


    Peng Wu heard what Song Qi said and volunteered, ¡°Big sister, I will go with you.¡±


    Old Yu was annoyed at Song Qi the most, as every time he came, he would take the best food. He had no idea that someone could be more annoying than Song Qi.


    Ye Jiayao walked around the kitchen, not paying attention to Old Yu at all. She pointed at the pig liver, and Peng Wu just took it into their basket.


    ¡°That was for the second-in-charge,¡± Old Yu said hurriedly.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°I am cooking for second brother.¡±


    Old Yu said unhappily, ¡°I have always cooked for the second-in-charge. Since when did it be your job?¡±


    ¡°Since now. He¡¯s sick, and it is very important that second-in-charge eats better. How could you cook good food for him in that big pot?¡± Ye Jiayao disagreed.


    ¡°Third madam, don¡¯t tter yourself just because?you can cook a few dishes. Old Yu was a famous cook before, how can youpare against him?¡± an Aunt sneered.


    It was the Aunt who intentionally extinguished the stove fire with water before.


    ¡°Third madam¡¯s dishes can bepared with those from the restaurants,¡± Auntie Jang piped in,ing to Ye Jiayao¡¯s defense.


    ¡°Aunt Jiang, I know that your family is trying to get closer to the third-in-charge and that their fart doesn¡¯t stink for you. Comparable to restaurant dishes? Have you ever been to a restaurant before? Oh, I didn¡¯t know that you have such a rich life!¡± the Aunt taunted.


    ¡°Aunt Wu, watch yournguage. I won¡¯t hesitate to fight you,¡± Aunt Jiang said, arms raised in akimbo, face red with fury.


    ¡°By all means,e on. If you really have the balls,e at me. I¡¯m not afraid of you,¡± Aunt Wu replied cockily.


    The two Aunties stepped close to each other, hostility evident in their stances.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t mean to start a disagreement, and she certainly didn¡¯t want Aunt Jiang to fight for her. ¡°Stop! Stop quarreling! We are all trying to make second-in-charge better. We are all brothers and sisters. What¡¯s the point of fighting?¡±


    Aunt Jiang and Aunt Wu threw onest re at each other before separating unwillingly.


    Old Yu reasoned, ¡°Third madam, it¡¯s not that I am stingy. The food in the mountain vige has a quota, and thousands of brothers need to eat. If you get more, others get less. Before, you have taken as much as you want and I didn¡¯t say a word. However, now, the first-in-charge has requested to give up the Broken Dragon Stone, and without his order, no one can go down the mountain.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t go down the mountain, we don¡¯t get supplies. Everyone must save up tost through the following days. From now on, you can only take what fits your quota and nothing more. Now, regarding the?meals for the second-in-charge, without the first-in-charge¡¯s request, I¡¯m not passing the task to someone else. Third madam, if you have received the first-in-charge¡¯s permission, then you cane back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost felt chastised after what Old Yu had said. She could not argue with someone who was so reasonable. She looked at Peng Wu, who nodded and said, ¡°It is better to ask permission from the first-in-charge.¡±


    <i>Damn!?</i>?She just wanted to please second-in-charge. She had no idea it would be this difficult.


    Ye Jiayao heeded what Old Head Yu had said, and therefore,?only took a few potatoes, some fresh lotus root, two tomatoes, two bunches of cowpeas, and a 500g marbled meat.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the food in the basket gloomily. Was that enough for them to eat? She was feeding three big bellies at home!


    ¡°Now that they have given up the Broken Dragon Stone, no one knows when we can get it back. We might experience some tough days, but it is not a big deal. Song Qi and I can go hunting in the mountains, there are so many birds and animals there that could fill us up,¡±?Peng Wu consoled her.


    Ye Jiayao sighed weakly.


    <i>It looks like that¡¯s the only way now.</i>

 Chapter 19

    <h4>Chapter 19: I Am Born In The Year Of The Rabbit</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Back in the courtyard, Song Qi saw the results that sister-inw got back andined, ¡°That Old Head Yu bullies the weak and submits to the strong. I shall go myself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao resented, ¡°Forget it. It doesn¡¯t matter if it is a little lesser, there might be even lesser in the future. It would be harder to drink porridge, not to mention side dishes.¡±


    ¡°Just stop causing inconvenience. Since the Dragon-breaking Stone has been released, there would be a period where we won¡¯t be able to go down the mountains,¡± Peng Wu told Song Qi.


    ¡°Really?¡± Song Qi was shocked.


    Peng Wu sighed, bringing the vegetable basket back into the kitchen. There was too little meat. Initially, Ye Jiayao wanted to make pork buns, but now, she can only make it half meat and half cabbage filling.


    Song Qi assisted Ye Jiayao with the preparation, kneading the dough thoroughly and evenly. Ye Jiayao split the kneaded dough into equal sizes, rolling them into evenly thick bun skins, adding the filling and closing it up by pinching it into 18 even pleats skilfully.


    ¡°Sister-inw, is there anything that you can¡¯t do?¡± Song Qi eximed in amazement. The foods that big sister whipped up were always so exquisite, both in appearance and taste.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°I am not as capable as you think. All of these are home-cooked food, it only takes practice.¡±


    ¡°It is difficult to make home-cooked food so good,¡± Song Qi countered.


    Suddenly Xia Chunyu walked in, throwing two rabbits on the floor. ¡°Song Qi, kill them.¡±


    ¡°Third-in-charge, these rabbits are too timely because we arecking meat today,¡± Song Qi said merrily, lifting a rabbit ear to take a look. ¡°This rabbit is meaty.¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned to walk away expressionlessly.


    Song Qi was about to bring the rabbits out to ughter them when Ye Jiayao stopped him. ¡°Ay, don¡¯t kill them.¡±


    Both rabbits had been shot in the leg by Chunyu, and they were severely injured. Ye Jiayao was born in the year of the rabbit and has a special affliction towards rabbits. Who wouldn¡¯t like such cute and obedient animals? She used to have a rabbit pet in the past but it ended up dying. She grieved its death, even getting it a small box as a coffin to bury it in.


    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I am born in the year of the rabbit, so no eating of rabbits,¡±?Ye Jiayao replied with conviction.


    Song Qi was stunned.??<i>Is that really a real thing?</i>


    ¡°I am born in the year of the chicken but I still eat chicken,¡± Song Qi reasoned.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the same. Anyway, it is not allowed.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s hands were full of flour and she couldn¡¯t care for the furry creatures herself. Instead, she ordered Song Qi,?¡°Pull the arrows out, apply a little medicine to it and wrap it up. Don¡¯t kill them, or I wille after you.¡±


    Song Qi was speechless and could only act ording to orders, tending to the injured rabbits.


    During breakfast, Xia Chunyu did not see Ye Jiayao around, so he asked Song Qi for her whereabouts. He replied that their big sister was feeding the rabbits in the backyard.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Feeding the rabbits? Didn¡¯t I tell you to ughter them?¡±


    ¡°Sister-inw wouldn¡¯t allow it. She said she is born in the year of the rabbit so we are not allowed to eat rabbit meat,¡± Song Qi replied in discontent.


    The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth twitched. Looking at the pork filling in the bun, he thanked his lucky stars that she was not born in the year of the pig, otherwise, he won¡¯t get to eat pork.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go up the mountains to take a lookter. I made a trap a few days ago, not sure if there would be any prey caught, but it would be good if there is a wild boar,¡± Song Qi said.


    ¡°Mm, if you catch a wild boar, I will make you some pork tripe and chicken.¡± Ye Jiayao said, catching the tail end of the conversation as she entered the kitchen.


    Remembering the deal that they had made involving pork belly and chicken, Song Qi¡¯s head dropped. Peng Wu could not resist and asked her, ¡°Sister-inw, how did you know we would choose rock?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her hands up in a surrendering gesture. ¡°How would I know you would choose rock? I am just lucky, either that, or you let me win on purpose.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nced at her, disbelieving. She was so confident then, like someone who knew they were guaranteed a certain win. He knew that there was a trick there somewhere.


    Ye Jiayao was not going to tell them that she bested them using the results of a psychological research. It was not like she was going to y with them again. She was definitely not giving them the chance to make aeback.


    ¡°Peng Wu, send some breakfast to second-in-chargeter,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Peng Wu looked at third-in-charge for affirmation. Xia Chunyu did not express any objection which they all took as a silent consent. Xia Chunyu had thought about itst night and deemed that there was no harm in doing it.


    So, Peng Wu received the order dly and carried the lunchbox to second-in-charge¡¯s ce.


    Ye Jiayao sat down to eat just as Song Qi asked, ¡°Sister-inw, are you nning to care for those two rabbits?¡±


    ¡°No. I will release them back into the mountains when they recover,¡± Ye Jiayao replied, afraid that she would inadvertently kill the rabbits.


    ¡°There would be more people hunting in the mountains the next few days,¡± Xia Chunyu reminded her.


    That was right! There was not enough food in the stockade. People would be sure to hunt in the mountains for more meat. Those two rabbits were fat and cute, they would be unable to escape those evil clutches.


    ¡°Then I should keep them as pets! Chunyu, can I keep them?¡± Ye Jiayao was uncertain if Chunyu liked small animals. This ce was, after all, his territory. It would be best to seek his permission. If he didn¡¯t like it, she would have to send the rabbits to Auntie Jiang and have her take care of them.


    Xia Chunyu shrugged, replying indifferently. ¡°Up to you.¡±


    He really could not care less. Any way it goes, he was not the one who would be taking care of them.


    ¡°Chunyu, you are so nice,¡± Ye Jiayao said coyly, smiling at him.


    Xia Chunyu and Song Qi shuddered together, shaking the goosebumps out. Xia Chunyu did not like to be called nice, and Song Qi certainly would never think of third-in-charge and nice in the same sentence.


    While they were conversing, Peng Wu returned, saying that second-in-charge drank the porridge, and refused to even touch the pig liver soup Old Head Yu delivered.


    Ye Jiayao rejoiced and felt a little proud of herself. ¡°Who would be able to stomach eating pork liver soup early in the morning?¡±


    Old Head Yu certainlycked consideration for the people who would be eating his food. What was the point of only knowing how to cook? When cooking, one must consider the preferences of the eater, the person¡¯s body condition, and changes in the seasons. No matter how great the food was, if it didn¡¯t suit the appetite, it was useless.


    Peng Wuughed. ¡°I told second-in-charge that sister-inw wants to cook for him and he said that he wants to eat sister-inw¡¯s meat patty.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I will make him some for dinner,¡± Ye Jiayao replied happily. She threw some coquettish nces at Xia Chunyu proudly.


    Xia Chunyu lowered his nce, pretending not to see.??<i>This woman is too undignified!?</i>?He was puzzled, though. Second-in-charge was a typical Shan Dong man, yet he was enjoying the food with a southern taste?


    Their peaceful breakfast was quickly disturbed by a series of purging operation. First-in-charge has ordered those who came up the mountains within the span of the year to be investigated. Song Qi was one of the first waves?of people to be questioned.


    Xia Chunyu said nothing as he faced those who came looking for Song Qi, though hisplexion turned a little unsightly. Song Qi was hidden very deeply and so he should not have been suspected. This was most likely targeted at him.


    Peng Wu patted Song Qi on his shoulders tofort him. ¡°Song Qi, it¡¯s going to be alright. First-in-charge just needs to understand the situation. Just be truthful, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Song Qi puffed his chest, raising his chin up. ¡°I have nothing to be afraid of. I am not a spy.¡± He?walked away with the people who came to get him, feigning confidence.


    Xia Chunyu pushed his bowl aside, saying, ¡°Peng Wu, let¡¯s go to the training grounds.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought of what Xia Chunyu told herst night and shivered. Song Qi was Chunyu¡¯s person. By singling Song Qi out first, does that mean that they were targeting Chunyu?


    After a little over two hours, Song Qi came back, his face gloomy.


    ¡°How was it? Did first-in-charge suspect you?¡± Ye Jiayao asked in concern.


    Songqi replied angrily, ¡°I was boiling mad, I almost fought with them!¡±


    The Song Qi that Ye Jiayao knew was a happy-go-lucky guy, always has a smile on his face and was easily pleased. Seeing him this angry was a first for her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so angry at them, they were just acting upon orders,¡± Ye Jiayao said, trying to calm him down.


    ¡°I just can¡¯t stand how they interrogate me like I¡¯m amon thief,¡± Song Qi said in a low voice.


    ¡°If they let you back, it means they trust you. Don¡¯t be so angry anymore,¡± Ye Jiayao consoled him. Could first-in-charge really find the spy by investigating this way? Which spy would be so stupid as to admit to being a spy? Unless there was concrete evidence, this would only disappoint people and make everyone worry. It looked like first-in-charge really didn¡¯t think things through.


    Ye Jiayao was right. The consecutive days of interrogation resulted in over 200 people in the stockade reporting at?first-in-charge¡¯s ce, yet, there was not even a shadow of the spy to be seen. Instead, it had caused cries ofints, some expressing their desire to go down the mountains and find another ce to go to. Xia Chunyu showed his might and locked these people up. No one dared to say anything after that.


    Only, this way, Xia Chunyu became the target of everyone¡¯s frustration. Ye Jiayao could only guess Chunyu¡¯s intentions vaguely. By standing out at this time, and helping first-in-charge take the brunt of the people¡¯s annoyance, he was putting himself on first brother¡¯s good graces.


    After getting Peng Wu to send the food to second-in-charge for two days, Ye Jiayao decided to take the food over herself.


    ¡°Second brother, are you feeling better today? Yourplexion looks good.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled, carrying a goblet of pigeon soup to second-in-charge¡¯s living quarters.


    She was amazed by second-in-charge¡¯s toughness and ability to withstand pain. After being shot by an arrow, and enduring a sh on his chest, it was said that he was almost on the brink of death. Within only a few days, he was able to gradually recuperate and show an impossible progress. If it were someone else, they would¡¯ve lied on a bed for almost half a month, half dead.


    Second-in-chargeughed candidly and suddenly choked, holding on to his wound as he breathed heavily.


    Ye Jiayao asked with concern, ¡°Second brother are you alright? Should I call Mr. Liu over?¡±


    Second-in-charge waved his hands dismissively, taking a few deep breaths as if to steady himself. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just this f*cking pain.¡±


    ¡°I could only imagine the pain you¡¯re going through. A small wound on my finger is already extremely painful, I wouldn¡¯t know how to handle being shot by an arrow. I especially stewed this pigeon soup for you, it is extremely beneficial for healing wounds.¡±


    Second-in-charge smiled gratefully. ¡°That would trouble you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not trouble, it really did not require much effort. Although first brother and Chunyu didn¡¯t say it, I know they are very worried ever since you got hurt. Chunyu could not sleep in peace. Yesterday, I just mentioned casually that drinking pigeon soup would help in healing wounds, and he got up before daybreak, going up the mountains to hunt a wild pigeon. After half a day, he actually caught two,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°He wears a strict face all the time and doesn¡¯t even know how to say anything remotely nice.?Fortunately, I could grasp a little of his temper, otherwise, I would have died of anger.¡±


    ¡°Third brother is like that, a cold face with a warm heart. Sister-inw, you will have to just bear with it a little,¡± second-in-charge advised her, chuckling a little.


    ¡°I have no other choice. It was just my luck to marry him. This is all fate¡¯s n, there is nothing to do about it... ay! Second brother, take your time to eat, I shall go back first.¡± Ye Jiayao was not eager to be friendly with second-in-charge. Building rtionships take time.


    Immediately, as Ye Jiayao stepped out, she saw first-in-charge walking towards her direction, his hands behind his back, head lowered.

 Chapter 20

    <h4>Chapter 20: Shameless</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Big brother,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted with a smile.


    The first-in-charge looked up in surprise and eximed, ¡°Sister-inw! Did youe to deliver good food for second brother?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve seen that second brother¡¯splexion looks better.¡±


    The first-in-charge¡¯s smile was not genuine, it was a little estranged and sinister. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking about. His stare always made everyone feel as if he could see right through them. Ye Jiayao has no liking for someone so mistrustful. However, he was the first-in-charge, the king of the mountains. Even Chunyu has to be watchful of him, and as a subsidiary, she should try to curry his favor even more.


    ¡°Big brother, how did you get heat sores? You need to eat something cooling. I made some winter melon and spareribs soup, big brother,e have some!¡± Ye Jiayao invited passionately. The first-in-charge might have developed a huge heat sore on his philtrum due to his worries from the increasingly frustrating matters he has to deal with. He looked like someone from a certain ind country, appearing to be even more scheming.


    The first-in-charge touched the heat sore under his nose andughed. ¡°No need. I still have some matters to deal with. I shall try your skills another day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Then I shall get Peng Wu to deliver it to you. I¡¯ll get him take the honeysuckle tea too, it would go well with the soup.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took her leave without waiting for the first-in-charge to decline.


    The first-in-charge squinted his eyes, watching Ye Jiayao thoughtfully as her silhouette became smaller with distance. That woman was not simple. She had only been here for a few days and she had already settled down so quickly.


    Upon seeing first-in-charge enter the house, second-in-charge, who was munching on a pigeon leg with the bowl of soup sp in his hands, paused, putting the bowl down.


    First-in-charge waved his hand. ¡°Eat.¡±


    ¡°Big brother, do you want some? The soup sister-inw made is delicious, it is so fragrant,¡± second-in-charge said, presenting the treasure.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, you have it.¡± First-in-charge has never been obsessed with delicacies. ¡°What do you think of sister-inw¡¯s character?¡±


    ¡°I think she is not bad. She¡¯s cheerful and is also a good cook. Most importantly, she is pretty. If I have known, I would not have given her to third brother. I would have taken her for myself,¡± second-in-charge answered, his tone filled with obvious regrets.


    First-in-charge muttered, ¡°Precisely. She is too good to be true that I think something is amiss. She was extremely hysterical when she first came here and now...¡±


    Second-in-charge replied jealously, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because she thought she would have to be married to us. With third brother¡¯s looks, why would she be unwilling? The women on the mountains all swoon at third brother. Hell, even the hens would cluck merrily when they see him.¡±


    First-in-charge frowned, knowing that second brother has a point.


    ¡°Peng Wu had been with him for so long and still hasn¡¯t discovered anything strange.¡± First-in-charge was extremely perplexed. He had to admit, third brother had made many great contributions to the stockade. If he really was reliable, he would make Hei Feng Gang immensely strong. However, first-in-charge could not put his mind at ease and he could not tell why. It was an intuition. In the stockade, he only trusts the earlier batch of people who tolled with him.


    Second-in-charge asked in a soft whisper, ¡°Is the spy sent to check on third brother back yet?¡±


    First-in-charge shook his head. ¡°I think it would be soon.¡±


    ¡°What I am most worried about now, is that if third brother is really the spy sent by the imperial courts.¡± First-in-charge was conflicted. On the one hand, he cherished third brother¡¯s talent, and on the other hand, he was doubtful and worried. Third brother has many supporters. If he was punished without concrete evidence, the masses would not be convinced and the brothers would be disappointed.


    ¡°I think the possibility of that is small. This time, third brother did risk his life to save me. Even I was hopeless during the situation then. I told third brother to escape but he insisted on pulling me along. If he is indeed the spy, wouldn¡¯t it be better if he had left me to die under those circumstances? Even if I died, you wouldn¡¯t be able to me him would you?¡± Second-in-charge looked at the pigeon leg in his hand, thinking of what sister-inw had said just now. He recalled the bloody battle, his heart softening towards third brother.


    First-in-charge nodded. ¡°I am very grateful to him for that.¡±


    ¡°What about the rest? Wasn¡¯t anyone suspicious found?¡± second brother asked.


    First-in-charge sighed. ¡°That is difficult! Without any concrete evidence, it is hard toe to a conclusion. There are alreadyints all around the stockade now.¡±


    ¡°F*ck! If only we could have heard a little more then, we wouldn¡¯t have to spend so much effort now,¡± second-in-charge grumbled.


    ¡°However, I have ast resort. You just focus on resting your mind and recuperating,¡± first-in-charge said, leaving second brother to rest.


    Ye Jiayao returned to the courtyard, coincidentally, at the same time as Xia Chunyu and Peng Wu.


    ¡°Just wait a while, I¡¯ll whip up two more dishes and then we can eat.¡± Ye Jiayao put the lunch box down, rolling up her sleeves as she entered the kitchen. Just as she added two more firewood into the fire stove, she heard Xia Chunyu¡¯s angry howl, ¡°YE JINXUAN!¡±


    Ye Jiayao jumped, suddenly remembering that she brought the two rabbits into the house to y in the afternoon and had left them there.


    ¡°Song Qi, watch the fire.¡± Ye Jiayao rushed to the house. Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was mottled red with anger as he stood before the bed, ring at the rabbits on the bed like they were his arch nemesis.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I will carry them out right this moment.¡±


    Xia Chunyu furiously said, ¡°Who allowed you to bring them into the house? Take a look at this! Can this bed still be slept on?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at the bed and instantly felt like crying.?<i>Obedient rabbit babies, how could you take a dump on the bed?</i>


    ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, don¡¯t be angry! Da Bao and Er Bao don¡¯t know better. I would educate them properly.¡± Ye Jiayao picked the rabbits up and set them down on the floor. ¡°I told you not to go up the bed! Why did you disobey me? Do you want me to stew you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was in disbelief. Da Bao and Er Bao??<i>I think you are a buffoon.</i>


    ¡°Why are you trying to reason with them? They don¡¯t understand you! If I find them here again, I would throw them to Old Head Yu.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear Father Rabbit¡¯s words? If you do this again, I won¡¯t be able to protect you,¡± Ye Jiayao said, carrying the rabbits out.


    Xia Chunyu was bbergasted. When did he be Father Rabbit?


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, if you want to be Mother Rabbit, don¡¯t drag me with you!¡± Xia Chunyu was almost roaring in frustration and annoyance. An address like Father Rabbit was intolerable to him, even more uneptable than being called Dumb Donkey.


    ¡°Alright, alright. Da Xiao Bao, don¡¯t be scared. Father Rabbit does not like you but I do. You just have to be good, do you hear?¡± Ye Jiayao cooed softly as she stroked the rabbits¡¯ ears.


    Xia Chunyu was almost certain that he was about to have a coronary.?This woman always had toe up with some affair that could infuriate him to no end.


    Ye Jiayao changed the bed sheets quickly. She nced at Xia Chunyu,ying on the couch, reading a book, his face still clearly annoyed. ¡°Chunyu, can I send the honeysuckle tea Auntie Jiang gave us to big brother? When I went to deliver the pigeon soup to second brother just now, I saw big brother. He grew a huge heat sore above his mouth, honeysuckle can clear the heat and detoxify.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was the best at changing topics.


    Xia Chunyu snorted flippantly. ¡°How considerate.¡±


    ¡°Ay!?What do you want me to do? Living under someone¡¯s shelter, you have no choice but to lower your head.¡± Ye Jiayao curled her lips in indignation.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her from the corner of his eyes. ¡°You know that too? Your head¡¯s just so full of knowledge, you¡¯re going to break the roof.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed mischievously. ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating! You¡¯re just mad that the rabbit babies took a dump on the bed. Why are you mad at me? It¡¯s not like I am the one who did it!¡±


    This woman really didck the basic manners of ady.


    ¡°What I mean is, I did not make them shit,¡± Ye Jiayao exined embarrassingly, realizing what she had just said.


    ¡°Besides, though they are big brother and second brother, we¡¯re not blood-rted. If we fall out with them, that would be the end. It is different with you because as husband and wife, it is onlymon for couples to quarrel and squabble. It creates interest, you know.¡± Ye Jiayao said happily. She had already found a way to deal with Chunyu¡¯s anger. She would just ramble incoherently with a smile, and it would confuse him, discing his anger.


    ¡°I shall go make dinner!¡± Ye Jiayao pouted and sent him a flying kiss, leaving with the honeysuckle tea on the table.


    Xia Chunyu rolled his eyes at her back with detest. With skin thicker than the city wall, frivolous in manner, she really was not like any decent woman at all.


    He lowered his head to continue reading, yet, all he could think of was the image of her pouting. The way her small mouth puckered cutely looked so irresistible, and he wanted to kiss it badly. Xia Chunyu closed the book in frustration. After living with that woman for too long, even his concept of right and wrong was a mess.


    Ye Jiayao finished the dishes in record time. She set the winter melon spareribs soup aside, scooping out a bowlful to put in the lunch box.


    ¡°Peng Wu, Peng Wu!¡±


    Peng Wu scurried in. ¡°What do you need, big sister?¡±


    ¡°Send this over to first-in-charge, I¡¯ve already promised this to him.¡± Ye Jiayao handed the lunch box and honeysuckle tea to Peng Wu. ¡°Hurry, we¡¯ll wait for you before we eat.¡±


    Peng Wu epted the delivery mission dly.


    Song Qi asked jealously, ¡°Sister-inw, why do you always instruct Peng Wu to run errands for food delivery to first-in-charge and second-in-charge? Why don¡¯t you let me go?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about it. Was that weird? Why? Maybe she felt that Peng Wu was more reliable. It was also because she felt that he was more familiar with them.


    ¡°You think too much. Why don¡¯t you think about how I always get you to be my helper and not Peng Wu? I don¡¯t even know why! Tell me when you thought about it,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    Song Qi was confused.??<i>How would I know what you are thinking inside?</i>


    After setting the table, Ye Jiayao walked to the door and called for her husband sweetly.


    ¡°Chunyu, time for dinner.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately put his book down and headed for the kitchen. Those who don¡¯t know would think that he was famished, eager to eat. In actual fact, if he waited for her to call him for the second time, that tongue would start to roll, and she would call louder.


    Xia Chunyu was annoyed that he had actually been reduced to a state where he was at the beck and call of a woman. She should be the one obeying him, yet it was the total opposite now. Whatever warnings or threats he gave were useless to her. She would be responding well in his presence, and in the next moment, would revert to her old ways, acting cute, acting pitiful, and any other theatrics. He had never seen a woman more difficult to deal with.


    She really was shameless.


    What else could he do?

 Chapter 21

    <h4>Chapter 21: Do you like me?</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    On the second day, Song Qi came over?to the house after breakfast?to fix the broken table leg. After he saw how badly the table was damaged, Song Qi felt empathy towards his sister-inw.


    ¡°Third in charge is not in a good mood recently, please don¡¯t take it personally sister-inw. Just treat whatever he says as passing wind.¡±


    ¡°You heard everything?¡± asked Ye Jiayao, embarrassed.


    Song Qi shrugged his shoulders. ¡°With that scream so loud? In the middle of the night? I am not deaf.¡±


    Ye Jiayao muttered, ¡°I just can¡¯t be bothered to respond to him.¡±


    <i>Thank goodness, I put on such a showst night that no one suspected a thing!</i>


    Auntie Jiang came to give today¡¯s portion. It was allocated per head, but Ye Jiayao was toozy to get it. Luckily, Auntie Jiang didn¡¯t minding to her house every day just to give her ration.


    ¡°You said you were going to make dumplings for the second-in-charge, so Old Yu gave an extra 500 grams of pork and 1500 grams of flour. The food is bing more and more scarce, even thest pig was killed,¡± Auntie Jang said, sighing.


    Ye Jiayao sympathized, but truthfully, she didn¡¯t have to worry about these problems. Chunyu would hunt for prey every day, and Song Qi would sometimes catch a few fishes and prawns in the Lake Yanxia. There was also a huge excavated area in the mountain?to nt all kinds of vegetables. Their food supply was still guaranteed its quantity and quality.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! There is still some flour left fromst time, so, if you¡¯d like, you and Uncle Jiang coulde and eat with us,¡± Ye Jiayao offered with a smile.


    Auntie Jiang grinned widely. ¡°Sure, that would be nice. Although, during lunchtime, the Kitchen need some help, otherwise, I¡¯d lend you a hand in preparing the food.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary, Auntie Jiang. I can handle it by myself,¡± Ye Jiayao assured her.


    It was time that Ye Jiayao needed, and the one thing she wasn¡¯tcking since she was brought to the mountain, was time.


    After sending Auntie Jiang away, Ye Jiayao got started on preparing the dumplings. She had to consider the four people in her own house, the second-in-charge, the first-in-charge, and the Jiang couple.


    After calcting, Ye Jiayao added three more tablespoons of flour, and another two eggs into the mixture to make the flour more resilient. She then proceeded in controlling the softness of the flour mix by ying with the water content. She decided to wait for Song Qi to massage the flour, and she started on chopping the dumpling fillings.


    ording to the preference of the two brothers and herself, Ye Jiayao prepared three types of fillings. The second-in-charge wanted to eat pork filling with Chinese chives, and Chunyu liked the filling with mushroom, cabbage and pork meat. Ye Jiayao was more partial to pork with wild rice stem. The others weren¡¯t so picky and were amenable to eat any filling.


    The deliciousness of the dumplings depended on the taste of the filling. In the modern times, because of the presence of HCL, people would boil the meat as they prepare it to get rid of any foam. However, in these ancient times, the pork was all natural and uncontaminated, that boiling it would just get rid of its natural vor.?Ye Jiayao only needed to mince the meat into fine grains and marinate it in all kinds of seasonings.


    Ye Jiayao then worked on chopping the cabbage, adding a bit of salt in it, and then squeezing the excess water out to make it especially tender. The chives, on the other hand, didn¡¯t need to be dehydrated as it cooked so easily that drying them out would ruin the taste. The rice stem needed to be cubed and stir-fried until it was about seventy percent cooked, and the mushroom needed to be fried in oil to bring out its fragrance.


    After she has finished all these, Ye Jia Yao went to call Song Qi. ¡°Song Qi, have you finished fixing the table leg yet?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± Song Qi stepped out with his tools and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fixed now, but, it could not withstand another kick from third-in-charge. Big sister, you need to talk to him.¡±


    ¡°As if he would really listen to me. If he breaks it again, I¡¯ll just carry a stone and let him kick it instead.¡±


    ¡°That is a good idea!¡± Song Qi agreedughingly.


    ¡°Is that a good idea?¡± The cold voice of Xia ChunYu seemed to ring.


    Song Qi flinched and immediately looked down. He didn¡¯t want to see how terrifying third-in-charge looked.


    Ye Jiayao wanted tough but she didn¡¯t want to add to Song Qi¡¯s misery.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right, Song Qi. I reckon that rock on the mountain is pretty suitable for a kick, you go ahead and carry it back,¡± said Xia Chunyu casually.


    ¡°B-but... third-in-charge, that rock is a few thousand kilograms. How could it be carried?¡± Song Qi stuttered.


    Xia Chunyu pped Song Qi¡¯s shoulder hard, almost causing Song Qi¡¯s knees to buckle. ¡°I believe you can do it.¡±


    Song Qi cried desperately on the inside.?<i>Can I smash it before I carry it? I only agreed with what big sister said! Why are you punishing me?</i>


    Ye Jiayao could not stand to see Song Qi being bullied. She threw Chunyu a deadly stare, and said, ¡°Song Qi go and massage the flour. There¡¯s no purpose in carrying that rock. Hurry up.¡±


    Song Qi turned to third-in-charge in desperation. ¡°Third-in-charge, sister-inw is calling me to massage the flour!¡±


    ¡°Go. You can carry the rock after you finish massaging the flour,¡± Xia Chunyu said nkly.


    Song Qi needed a bit of punishment. Nowadays, he seemed to be permanently glued to Yaoyao¡¯s side, he wasn¡¯t even taking his master seriously.


    Song Qi cowardly slipped into the kitchen.


    ¡°Big sister, you have to save me,¡± Song Qi cried.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t you get that he is deliberately trolling you? Do you really think that he¡¯s going to kill you or kick you down the mountain if you don¡¯t carry it?¡±


    She really didn¡¯t know if anyone else could get away with disobeying Chunyu, but it had always?worked when she did it.


    Song Qi realized that his sister-inw made sense. It was just that, given the temperament of third-in-charge, even if he didn¡¯t make him carry the rock, he would still think of other ways to punish him.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry. I will talk to himter,¡± Ye Jiayao consoled him. The most urgent thing was to make the dumplings.


    Song Qi started to massage the flour worryingly while Ye Jiayao went to fry a few eggs. After it was cooked, she chopped them up and mixed it with?the vegetable and the meat fillings evenly.


    ¡°Put your muscles into it! It needs to be a bit hard if its soft then it won¡¯t taste good.¡± Ye Jiayao told Song Qi. He was feeling so down, he didn¡¯t even have the energy to work.


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Song Qi picked up the speed.


    ¡°You just work on the flour, and I will go and check out what he is doing,¡± said Ye Jiayao as she left the kitchen.


    Xia Chunyu was sat in the study room, casually turning the pen bottle in his hands. It seemed as though he was in deep thought about something.


    ¡°Chunyu, why are you back so early today? Where is Peng Wu?¡±


    Xia Chunyu lightly nced in her direction, and said dispassionately, ¡°There is so little food these few days, everyone is acting like a sick chicken. No one is in the mood for practicing.¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned. ¡°If the spy wasn¡¯t found, is the Dragon-breaking Stone going to remain closed forever?¡±


    ¡°Who knows what the first in charge had in mind? Feng Chaolin had collusions with the government so attacking the mountain cottage is imperative. Right now, we were forced to save resources, and it was just making everyone starve. How could the spy be captured, if the way they were doing it was endangering everyone, and dividing people¡¯s hearts?¡±


    ¡°Does he really think that the Dragon-breaking Stone could hold off the attacks of the government troops? Did he really think that their cannons could not be transported up here?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled coldly.


    Could the government really break through the defense? Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know if she wished the mountain vige to be attacked or not. Even though this was the hiding ce for gangsters and ouws, there were still good people within them. Some people were forced to go up the mountain even if they didn¡¯t anything wrong, like the Jiang couple and Song Qi. Also, there were people like herself who were abducted up the mountain. These people were all innocent. If the government troops attacked the vige, would they spare these people? Would they spare her? She was the wife of the third-in-charge!


    ¡°Then you should talk to first-in-charge!¡± Ye Jiayao snapped.


    ¡°What will I say? He thinks everyone is the spy! I am not going to bring contempt on myself.¡±


    He was right. If first-in-charge already suspected Chunyu, whatever he said would make him appear as though he has other intentions.


    ¡°What if the cottage was broken in, what would you do? What should I do? Would you care about me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, still perturbed.


    ¡°When the government troops get up here, wouldn¡¯t you be saved? Maybe they would want to decapitate me and you can add a stab.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s tone and stare were all kinds of emotionless, it was a bit terrifying.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly felt enraged. ¡°How could you say such a thing?¡±


    Even though she was forced to be his woman, and hated his arrogance, and stubbornness, she never wanted him dead. She just wanted to leave.


    ¡°Oh? What are you saying? Are you in love with me?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled mockingly.


    <i>Of course not! I am?just not like you guys without any humanity! I don¡¯t view killing people like cutting grass!</i>


    Ye Jiayao turned and walked away, not wanting to answer his question. If she said yes, she would be lying, and he would mock her. If she said no, she would offend him. It was a lose-lose situation.


    He knew where the secret channel was, so even if the troops attacked up here, he could get away. Yes, he treated her like a toy, but surely there would be some gratitude from seeing her serve him with full dedication. Would he take her with him when he escapes?


    Xia Chunyu was simply teasing her. How could he leave her behind? There were innocent people in the cottage, and he would also think of a way to protect them. She might annoy him but she still shared the same pillow with him.


    He didn¡¯t expect her to walk out on him. Was she mad? Or was she not in love with him at all?


    Xia Chunyu felt anxious as he thought about all the possibilities. He couldn¡¯t wait until after everything was finished, and she could go wherever she felt like. It would save him some worry then.


    Ye Jiayao returned to the kitchen angrily.


    Song Qi saw his sister-inw came back looking enraged. He wanted to console her, but he was scared that third-in-charge would see and punish him again. He studiously turned back to his task, quietly continuing to massage the flour.


    Ye Jiayao shoved Song Qi away, taking over the flour dough, and started squashing it with all her might.??<i>You smelly donkey! Dead donkey! You¡¯re a first-ss bastard!</i>


    Song Qi watched as Ye Jiayao massage the flour like she was stabbing her nemesis. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine third-in-charge at her mercy.


    If that day really came, it would surely be a great feeling to see the mighty fall.

 Chapter 22

    <h4>Chapter 22: Shameless</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao made dumplings with pork and chives filling. She packed it, added some sauce, and asked Peng Wu to send it to second-in-charge and first-in-charge.?After that, she went to work on the dumplings for Chunyu. However, she was still mad, so after it was cooked, she asked Song Qi to call for him. Song Qi, seeing the chance to suck up to his boss, happily obeyed.


    Xia Chunyu was used to having Ye Jiayao call him loudly to eat, that it felt wrong when Song Qi called him today.


    Ye Jiayao put the dumplings onto a te and left the te on the stove. Song Qi, not noticing anything different, simply took it away.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, these are the dumplings big sister made. Don¡¯t they look good? It has cabbage and meat filling, they¡¯re delicious. You should eat them while they are warm,¡± Song Qi boasted.


    Xia Chunyu gave him a hard look. This guy was always so enthusiastic when ites to food it was irritating.


    He nced at his woman and saw her busy herself in front of the stove. Xia Chunyu knew that she was ignoring him because even when she turned around, she would deliberately avoid looking at him.


    <i>I didn¡¯t even say anything! Why is she mad?</i>


    The dumplings in the te were orderly ced. Every dumpling was in the same size and had six folds each. The dumpling skins looked like crystal steam dumplings, and it looked very delicious. As he bit into one, the delicious soup came out from the filling and treated his mouth with incredible vors. The cabbage was tasty and refreshing, and the pork was tender and fresh. The dumplings tasted amazing and very close to the authentic Jiang Nan style. Xia Chunyu really appreciated that she could take normal, and otherwise boring ingredients, and make it into a superb gourmet meal.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s eat,¡± Xia Chunyu told Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao pretended she didn¡¯t hear him and kept on what she was doing.


    Xia Chunyu frowned.?<i>This woman is so emotional.</i>


    ¡°Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang areing to eat dumplings soon. Big sister is still making their portion,¡± Song Qi exined.


    Xia Chunyu just continued to eat dumplings by himself.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, third-in-charge, something happened!¡± Peng Wu shouted as he ran hurriedly inside.


    ¡°Spill it,¡± Xia Chunyu demanded. ¡°Clearly.¡±


    Peng Wu was from Shan Xi, and when he talked, he always rolled his tongue. When he was anxious, people could barely understand what he was saying.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, the spy has been seized. First-in-charge is interrogating him right now! He asked you to go there immediately,¡± Peng Wu said.


    Xia Chunyu almost lookedical as he paused with a dumpling inside his mouth. ¡°Really? Who?¡±


    ¡°A brother called Tong Hexiang from the seventh camp.¡±


    Xia Chunyu put his chopsticks down as he finished chewing his dumpling. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go have a look.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going too!¡± Song Qi eagerly said.


    Seeing Song Qi pipe up, Ye Jiayao wondered if there was anything fun to see.


    As everyone left, Ye Jiayao felt angry. The dumplings would be cold when theye back, and they wouldn¡¯t be as tasty as the fresh ones. She just wasted her energy cooking it for them!


    Another thought popped into her head. If they have really caught the spy, it meant that Chunyu was not a suspect anymore, and the Broken Dragon Stone would be open again. She figured that a te of cold dumplings was forgivable in the grand scheme of things.


    After a while, Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang came.


    ¡°Where is third-in-charge?¡± Uncle Jiang asked.


    Ye Jiayao tampered her annoyance down, and answered, ¡°He was only able to eat half of his food before first-in-charge summoned for him. They said they¡¯ve already found the spy.¡±


    ¡°They found him?¡±?Uncle Jiang¡¯s surprise was evident, yet, there was also something strange in his expression.


    ¡°That¡¯s what Peng Wu said. Who knows how many they¡¯ve found these days? This one might be a wrong one just like the others.¡± Ye Jiayao was taking on a negative route on this topic.


    Uncle Jiang gave a littleugh. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them, let¡¯s just eat. Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang, do you like rice stem and meat filling?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. Dumplings with chives filling were already requested by Peng Wu so she couldn¡¯t offer that. Song Qi and Chunyu both wanted to eat the ones with the cabbage and meat filling, and the only one left was rice stem and meat filling.


    ¡°I am fine with anything. Whatever you make, third madam, is tasty,¡±?Uncle Jiang said.


    Auntie Jiang smiled. ¡°Of course! I¡¯m sure it¡¯s delicious, not like the pig food Old Yu makes.¡±


    Last time, Auntie Jiang tried to win credit for third madam, and she offended Old Yu and some aunties in the kitchen. Not to mention, after that fiasco, third madam took over the job of cooking for second-in-charge. Old Yu was mad and he was taking it out on Auntie Jiang.


    ¡°The pot-stewed fowl made by Old Yu is not bad,¡± Ye Jiayao tried.


    ¡°It still can¡¯tpare with your cooking,¡± Auntie Jiang rebutted.


    Chunyu didn¡¯te back for more than two hours. Ye Jiayao was slouched on the couch, resting her eyes, when she heard theme back. Reluctantly, she got up to get them food. It was her job, and no matter how unwilling she was, she still needed to do it properly. Especially now that she realized that she had such an unreliable donkey.


    Peng Wu¡¯s portion had not been cooked in the pot yet, so she went ahead on cooking it for him. Chunyu¡¯s and Song Qi¡¯s had already been cold so she just proceeded to fry their dumplings for them.


    The three men sat around the table and continued to talk about the spy.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that Tong Hexiang really admitted it!¡± Song Qi eximed. ¡°It¡¯s just hard to see! I won a lot of money from him by ying Double.¡±


    Peng Wu said, ¡°You can¡¯t deny that he went down the mountain secretly. First-in-charge didn¡¯t even have to torture him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because first-in-charge said that if he confessed the truth, he would spare his life and deal with him leniently. In the end, he was killed in front of everyone,¡± Song Qi said. All the things that first-in-charge said were just like a bait to get him to confess. Running down the mountain by himself would get him 100 canings, which is technically the same as a death sentence.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, what do you think?¡± Peng Wu asked.


    ¡°I hope it is him. I want the crisis in the vige to be solved already,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    When he realized that first-in-charge was going to kill him, Tong Hexiang¡¯s eyes showed an incredible amount of fear. The scared and betrayed expression on his face made it seem like he med first-in-charge for breaking his word. Was he really dumb enough to believe that a spy can live? What did first-in-charge discuss with him that he was so surprised and unwilling when he faced death?


    Was all of that just a trap that first-in-charge set? Was it just so that the real spy would think the crisis was gone and start to act without caution?


    If he thought about it, that was not impossible. Why else did first-in-charge didn¡¯t follow through and interrogated him more? He could¡¯ve found out if he had any other aplice in the stockade, and how he contacted the government. It was suspicious how the first-in-charge simply killed him without pumping him for more information.


    ¡°First-in-charge has already informed the whole vige. How can that be fake?¡± Peng Wu asked.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. ¡°I¡¯m just worried that Feng Chaolin had already contacted the government, and they are already taking action as we speak.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened quietly, remaining a wallflower, until the water in the pot boiled over.


    Ye Jiayao opened the pot cover and took the dumplings out. ¡°Peng Wu, your dumplings are ready.¡±


    Peng Wu looked at third-in-charge. Third-in-charge hasn¡¯t eaten yet and Peng Wu could not eat before his boss.¡±Big sister, I am not hungry. You can cook for third-in-charge first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t care if he ate or not. She put a small spoon of water on the frying pan, then covered it for a moment.?When she took the dumplings out of the pan, the skins looked deliciously shiny and golden from frying.


    ¡°The food¡¯s ready you guys,e and take them yourselves.¡± Ye Jiayao took off her apron, d that she has already finished work. ¡°Clean the kitchen after you eat.¡±


    <i>I need to teach these men some lessons now! If they want to eat my food, then they need to behave themselves.</i>


    The three men looked at each other. Peng Wu was lost because he didn¡¯t know what happened, he only noticed that their sister-inw looked a bit strange today. Song Qi knew only a little bit of the reason, but it was Chunyu who knew exactly what happened.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get the food.¡± Song Qi shot up his seat hurriedly, afraid that third-in-charge would explode in anger. He already had a dark expression on his face as it is.


    They were all starving as they weren¡¯t able to eat their lunch until thiste, that the dumplings tasted even more delicious than usual. The fried dumplings were especially tasty with their crispy skin and amazing texture. The three of them devoured their food like wolves until they were filled to the brim.


    Song Qi and Peng Wu immediately cleaned up the kitchen while Xia Chunyu walked back to his room. He was wondering if he should do anything to appease her ¨C even if he didn¡¯t do anything wrong. He was just teasing her!<i>Women are hard work!</i>


    He still hadn¡¯t thought of what to do when he saw Ye Jiayao ying with Da Bao and Er Bao on the couch. ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree not to bring them inside the house?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was angry and ignored him. She intentionally brought the bunnies inside to see what he would do. She figured that since she was in a bad mood, she can get away with doing things he wasn¡¯tfortable with.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the wriggling bums of the rabbits nervously. He was afraid that the rabbits would shit on the couch.


    ¡°Can you just take them outside now?¡± Xia Chunyu saw her motionless and shouted impatiently.


    The two small rabbits flinched and huddled near Ye Jiayao¡¯s leg, looking at Xia Chunyu anxiously. Ye Jiayao touched the baby rabbits and said softly, ¡°Be good, don¡¯t be afraid. He is just loud, but he won¡¯t do anything to you.¡±


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan!¡± Xia Chunyu has had enough of her ignoring him. She was getting braver in ignoring hismands, and he was not happy about it.


    ¡°Why are you shouting so loud? I am not a deaf!¡± Ye Jiayao gave him a hard look.


    ¡°Oh! I just thought you couldn¡¯t hear what I was saying. What else could be the reason why you¡¯re not doing what I told you to do?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I heard you just fine. The question is, why should I listen to you? Do you treat me well? In your eyes, I¡¯m only a cook and the woman who does yourundry. I¡¯m only someone who warms your bed and a toy that you can discard anytime. Well, since you don¡¯t take me seriously, stop asking me for so much,¡± Ye Jiayao ranted passionately.


    Xia Chunyu was furious. ¡°I am treating you with more politeness and leniency than you deserve!¡±


    <i>F*ck you!?</i>??<i>That is bullshit!?</i>?His words only served to add more salt to the wound, it was impossible for her not to get mad. She lifted her chin up and smiled coldly. ¡°Politeness and leniency? Ha! I don¡¯t need that Chunyu! You could shove your ¡®politeness and leniency¡¯ where the sun doesn¡¯t shine!¡±


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, my patience has a limit,¡± Xia Chunyu growled out, his jaw ticking in anger. This woman pestered him endlessly.


    ¡°Guess what, Chunyu? My patience also has a limit. I won¡¯t take any more of you treating me like your servant.¡± Ye Jiayao saw him clench his fist tightly, obviously reigning in his anger. ¡°What? Do you want to strangle me? Come on! What are you waiting for?¡±


    They said that the first time a couple fight, there would be no winner. She refused to ept that. She must continue on with this argument until he caved to her demands.

 Chapter 23

    <h4>Chapter 23: Too Much of a Bite</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, stop being unreasonable!¡± Xia Chunyu said angrily.


    ¡°I am not being unreasonable! You are! You are heartless. I¡¯ve treated you so well, and I always try my best to take care of you, but what do I get? Why do you always yell and curse at me? Every time you don¡¯t like something I do, you just threaten me. Are you just that cold-hearted? What more can I do to thaw that frozen heart of yours? Can -¡± Ye Jiayao broke off, unable to continue speaking through her tears. This was the first time she didn¡¯t pretend to cry in front of him. All the thoughts of what she went through in her tragic time-travel covered her face in tears.


    Women¡¯s tears are men¡¯s curse. Xia Chunyu¡¯s anger evaporated as soon as he saw her cry. He resisted the urge to take her to his arms andfort her. He wasn¡¯t sure how such a small thing resulted in this turmoil. She practically used him of being the devil incarnate!


    Song Qi and Peng Wu hid behind the door, eavesdropping. They were both wondering how the fight started between the couple.


    ¡°Should I go inside, and urge them to make peace?¡± Peng Wu offered quietly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just wait for a while,¡± Song Qi replied. Right now, their sister-inw was flying off the handle, and Song Qi wanted to see how would third-in-charge respond. This was a rare asion to watch. Why should they interrupt? They would wait until big sister couldn¡¯t handle it anymore before swooping in to help.


    ¡°Why are you being so sensitive? The other brothers will think that I treat you terribly. I¡¯m just telling you not to bring the rabbits in! Did you forget thatst time, they took a dump on the bed?¡± Chunyu evaded the crucial point.


    ¡°Stop talking nonsense. Be honest with me. Who am I to you?¡± Ye Jiayao cried.


    Xia Chunyu was very close to losing his temper. This woman has lost her mind.?<i>Do I have to yield to her? She is already so cocky right now, what more if I give in to her demands? I¡¯m getting away from this bullsh*t.</i>


    ¡°I have no time to y your games, Ye Jinxuan. There are heaps of things to deal with in the vige.¡± Xia Chunyu turned around and walked away.


    He was running???<i>That little coward!?</i>Ye Jiayao was so angry, she could feel a pit building in her stomach. If he walked away without the problem being solved, she just wasted her time and energy.


    Ye Jiayao jumped down from the couch and chased after him. ¡°No, you don¡¯t need to go. It is your ce, I will leave.¡±


    Song Qi and Peng Wu looked at each other outside the door, both knowing that they could not let the couple out of the room until they¡¯ve fixed their problems. Song Qi immediately?pulled out the short knife from his pocket and bolted the door.


    Due to the rush of adrenaline and anger she was feeling, Ye Jiayao was able to push Chunyu away, making him stagger. She rushed to the door before he could recover.


    <i>Why the f*ck can¡¯t I open this door?</i>


    ¡°Are you insane?¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want her to go out looking like she was at the moment. He grasped her waist and dragged her back to the middle of the room. She wasn¡¯t stable, and who knows what she would do? He now knew that he had to clear up whatever mess this was, or he would lose her.


    ¡°Let go of me! Let me out! I don¡¯t want to stay here! I can¡¯t bear this any longer. I don¡¯t want to see you anymore! You¡¯re just a prick who doesn¡¯t care about me!¡± Ye Jiayao screamed, throwing kicks and punches his way. Since she was already fighting, she might as well do some real damage to him.


    Poor Da Bao and Er Bao were so scared, they hid under the bed, shivering.


    Song Qi and Peng Wu were also worried as the situation seemed to just get worse and worse every second.


    Xia Chunyu allowed her to a couple of hits as he figured out his dilemma. He was dealing with a crazy woman for the very first time in his life. He carried her in and threw her on the bed. He also pounced on top of her, catching her struggling hands, pressing her down tightly. ¡°Enough woman! Stop this madness!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was on a roll and she couldn¡¯t stop. Since her hands and feet were held down, she used her teeth to make her point. She didn¡¯t care where she bit him and she just targeted wherever she could get to. In the end, she managed to bit Xia Chunyu¡¯s nose.


    ¡°Ah, ah, ah! You crazy woman! Let go, immediately!¡± Xia Chunyu felt the pain and shouted. To be honest, he really didn¡¯t care about the pain. He was more worried about what he would look like if she broke his nose.


    ¡°Umphurghff,¡± she garbled.


    ¡°Stupid woman! When did I say I don¡¯t care about you? Why don¡¯t you let me finish my sentences before you get angry?¡±?Xia Chunyu had to address the situation to make her stop.


    She bit his nose harder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you!¡±


    It came out muffled and distorted, but luckily, Xia Chunyu could understand her jargon. ¡°Why would I lie to you? Loosen the teeth, please.¡±


    ¡°You swear?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was furious, but his nose was still in between her teeth, so he had to conform to her or she might go crazy again.


    ¡°Alright. Let me go and I¡¯ll swear.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not stupid. Until she got what she wanted, she wouldn¡¯t let go of his nose.


    ¡°Swear to me first.¡±


    ¡°Okay! I swear, I won¡¯t leave you alone,¡± Xia Chunyu said perfunctorily.


    ¡°You¡¯re not sincere.¡±


    <i>F*ck!??</i>Xia Chunyu took a deep breath and tried hard to control his emotions. ¡°I swear that I will not leave you alone.¡±


    ¡°You need to say that, if you vite your vow, you won¡¯t take another wife for a lifetime.¡± Ye Jiayao reached out for a yard after taking an inch. This was her life they were talking about, she had to be serious.


    Xia Chunyu demanded through gritted teeth, ¡°Ye Jinxuan, this has gone too far!¡±


    ¡°Swear!¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay! If I vite my vow, I will never take a wife again in this lifetime.¡± Xia Chunyu had no choice but to submit to her demands. Thest thing he wanted was to agree to this ridiculous condition, but he couldn¡¯t offend her openly. He already had so many problems, he didn¡¯t want to create new ones.


    Song Qi and Peng Wu tittered outside the door.?<i>Third-in-charge finallypromised!?</i>Who would¡¯ve thought that his weakness would be his wife??Song Qi withdrew the knife he put in the door rings, and the two of them left quietly.


    Ye Jiayao finally stopped biting. Xia Chunyu immediately covered his nose and ran to the mirror to check his wound. He almost blew his top when he saw a prominent bite mark on his nose. ¡°Ye Jinxuan! Look at what you did!¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at him and sobbed softly. She felt anxious. She admits that what she had done was a bit too extreme, and the bite mark wouldn¡¯t disappear in just a short period of time. He always took great pride in his appearance. Even when the second-in-charge was wounded in the ambush, he still went back and changed his bloody clothes before the briefing. He always wore tidy clothes before he went out. Seeing what she had done now, he must be furious.


    ¡°A gentleman uses his mouth, not his fists,¡± Ye Jiayao reminded him. ¡°Also, it was you who came so close to me!¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. He has studied for ten years, but it wasn¡¯t until today, did he finally understood the meaning of that bothersome quote.


    ¡°So, a gentleman uses his mouth not his fists, right? Okay, let me be a gentleman then.¡± Xia Chunyu pretended toe at her.


    Ye Jiayao hurriedly hid inside the nket and extended her arm out. ¡°You can bite there.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was about to bite her when Ye?Jiayao rolled over on the bed, covering her belly. ¡°Aww! My stomach hurts!¡±


    ¡°Stop pretending you¡¯ve got a stomachache. Put your arm out now.¡± Xia Chunyu remained indifferent.


    ¡°No! It¡¯s really painful.¡± Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t pretending, it really was painful. It felt like her guts were knotting together, cramping excruciatingly. She has never suffered such a pain before.


    Xia Chunyu halted and stared at her. Her face was deathly pale and there were beads of sweat all over her forehead. ¡°What¡¯s going on? How did you get sudden pain? Did you eat bad food?¡± Xia Chunyu worried.


    Ye Jiayao was in too much pain to speak, so she just nodded weakly. There was no way that she ate bad food. The dumplings she ate at lunch were cooked well, and her cooking was generally clean.


    ¡°Hang in there, I will go get Mr. Liu.¡± Xia Chunyu went to seek the doctor immediately. He rushed out, totally forgetting the obvious bite mark on his nose.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s body was covered in cold sweat.?<i>Damn it!??</i>What was this illness? Enteritis? It can¡¯t be appendicitis because it was in the wrong spot for that. If she had enteritis, it was not easy to cure this time. Mr. Liu most likely wouldn¡¯t even know what it was, let alone be able to cure it. This was why people in ancient times had such a short lifespan. It was because their medical skills, equipment, and techniques were underdeveloped.


    Suddenly, Ye Jiayao felt a warm gush of liquid at her lower body. The?familiar feeling made her pause. Could she be getting her period?


    Her periods were never as painful as this, though. Her abdomen was almost feeling sore and her limbs were powerless.


    Ye Jiayao forced herself to go to the bathroom to check. She came out, a short minuteter, her head hung. She walked out and called for Song Qi.


    Song Qi rushed out from his room and promptly freaked out when he saw the state his big sister was in. He thought that it must¡¯ve been uneasy for his big sister to fight because it looked like it sapped her vitality.


    ¡°Sister-inw, what is it?¡± Song Qi worried.


    ¡°Song Qi, call Auntie Jiang for me. Hurry!¡± Ye Jiayao requested before she closed the door to avoid further questions from Song Qi. It was hard to exin this type of things to a guy.


    Song Qi rushed to Auntie Jiang.


    Ye Jiayo had already changed clothes and was lying down on the bed when Xia Chunyu brought Mr. Liu back. Her stomach was still cramping, but it wasn¡¯t as painful as before.


    ¡°Mr. Liu, could you please check? My wife had a stomachache a moment ago,¡± Xia Chunyu said hurriedly.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Mr. Liu and said gloomily, ¡°Chunyu, I need to tell you something.¡±


    ¡°You can tell me after Mr. Liu checks you up,¡±


    ¡°No, I have to tell you now.¡± Ye Jiayao made hand gestures to Xia Chunyu, hoping to convey her message without actually saying the embarrassing words.


    Mr. Liu coughed and excused himself. ¡°I¡¯lle back after you two finished your talk.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was embarrassed, and simply made a hurried gesture of thanks to Mr. Liu. After he had left, Xia Chunyu lowered his voice, and asked, ¡°What do you want? Aren¡¯t you in pain? Can¡¯t you wait until he after he looked you over?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved him over. ¡°Come closer.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stared at her angrily for a moment before finally moving towards her.


    Ye Jiayao tugged at his sleeves to request him to lower his head.


    Xia Chunyu lowered his head patiently.


    ¡°I am not sick,¡± Ye Jiayao confessed softly.

 Chapter 24

    <h4>Chapter 24: The awkward thing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°What? Are you ying me?¡± Xia Chunyu was indignant.


    ¡°Shhh! Let me finish talking.¡± Ye Jiayao covered his mouth. She saw his red nose and immediately thought of how he rushed out to Mr. Liu on the other side of the vige. He must¡¯ve taken the long route, allowing everybody to see his nose. She suddenly felt ashamed. Everyone must¡¯ve known that she was the one who bit him because no one else would dare to do that. Even the furious ck dog that second brother was raising was afraid of Chunyu!


    ¡°I... I have a period.¡± Ye Jiayao spoke so softly she wasn¡¯t even sure if she heard herself.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡± Xia Chunyu frowned, not really understanding, or hearing, what she said.


    ¡°It¡¯s that, you know, that thing that women have every month.¡±


    <i>Menstruation!?</i>This was why she didn¡¯t want to exin this to a guy! If they were in the modern days, she could easily ask for a casual leave from the ss teacher without this psychological burden.


    Xia Chunyu stared at her nkly. He seemed to grasp her meaning after a few minutes because his cheek turned bright red and he left quickly.


    Ye Jiayao heard him talk to Mr. Liu, but she didn¡¯t know exactly what he was saying. She only caught it when Mr. Liu startedughing. ¡°Third-in-charge, you just got married, it is understandable. Since third madam is fine, I¡¯ll just go now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could just picture how embarrassed he was as he exined the situation to Mr. Liu. He dragged Mr. Liu out in a panic, only to find out that his wife simply had a period. It was such an awkward, embarrassing situation.


    He came back, not long after she heard Mr. Liu leaving, his expression adorably shy. He looked at her angrily, like a child who was embarrassed by his mother. ¡°How do you not know your own problem? You get it every month!¡±


    Of course, Ye Jiyao didn¡¯t know! She never had such painful experience, and neither did the original host. She didn¡¯t know why it hurt like that. She was worried and frustrated, thinking that she would have to suffer like this every month.


    ¡°I wanted to talk, but at that time, it was too painful to speak. You also rushed out hurriedly!¡± Ye Jiayao defended herself.


    Xia Chunyu groaned, sitting near the bed and staring at her suspiciously.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? You think I am pretending?¡±


    Xia Chunyu knew that it was highly unlikely that she was just pretending. It was doubtful that she could act that well. Now, he wondered if her crazy, unexpected behavior earlier was an act. The word ¡®bitch¡¯ was an apt description. The way she acted just a few minutes ago was just like a typical bandit¡¯s wife.


    ¡°Sister-inw, Auntie Jiang is here!¡± Song Qi called from outside the door.


    Ye Jiayo blushed. ¡°I told Song Qi to call Auntie Jiang because I don¡¯t have the necessary... stuff.¡±


    Xia Chunyu had no idea what stuff she was talking about. It must be one of those things that only women could understand.


    Xia Chunyu left them alone to talk, retreating to his study. Auntie Jiang came into the room, and Ye Jiayao dragged her to talk. Auntie Jiang confessed, ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten that sincest year. I already threw everything away!¡±


    ¡°You must help me find a way, please!¡± Ye Jiayao cried.


    ¡°Okay, okay, calm down. I will go back and make one for you, just wait here for a bit.¡±


    ¡°How long?¡± Ye Jiayao was concerned. She was just spotting at the moment, but it wouldn¡¯t be long before it flowed too much. She wouldn¡¯t be able to move if she didn¡¯t get what she needed! If only she could get her hands on modern-day branded pads, everything would be easier.


    ¡°As soon as possible. I should be able to finish it before dinner time,¡± Auntie Jiang consoled her.


    ¡°Thank you, Auntie Jiang, and I¡¯m so sorry for bothering you.¡± Ye Jiayao had no choice but to wait.


    Aunt Jiang went to the kitchen and made a brown sugar ginger tea for her. ¡°Drink this to warm up your stomach. Don¡¯t drink any cold water for the time being. I¡¯m going to do yourundry for now, but, you have to take care of yourself. You can¡¯t get the same treatment from your home on this mountain.¡±


    The words might sound a bit harsh, but Auntie Jiang said it so warmly that she almost hugged her.


    Everyone¡¯s dinner was made by Auntie Jiang. Everyone¡¯s clothes were washed by Aunt Jiang. Meanwhile, Ye Jiayao lied on the bed like a patient, rolling around carefully as she feared the flow would leak. She didn¡¯t feel secure with the thing that Auntie Jiang made.


    ¡°How many days will this go on?¡± Xia Chunyu asked casually as he slouched on the couch to read a book.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Ye Jiayao answered indifferently.


    ¡°How can you not know your own... thing?¡± Xia Chunyu frowned.


    ¡°This type of things change depends on the environment and moods. Even the moon and tides can affect our period,¡± Ye Jiayao bluffed.


    Xia Chunyu was curious. He had no idea that it was so magical.


    ¡°Will you just continue to lie down like this in the following days?¡± Xia Chunyu was concerned about what would happen to their meals for the consecutive days. Auntie Jiang¡¯s cooking was too bad to eat.


    Ye Jiayao said casually, ¡°Actually, just a heads up, during this time, my temper will worsen. I¡¯ll be very easily angered, and all the negative emotions will magnify. So, in the future, when I have a period, you have to just bear with me and try not to fight me at every single turn. I have very little self-control when I¡¯m on my period.¡±


    Did she mean, that every month, he would need to stay low-key and let her do whatever she wanted? Xia Chunyu¡¯s foul mood worsened.


    ¡°Okay. I will treat you like you have an intermittent mental disorder. I won¡¯t argue with you when you¡¯re sick.¡± Xia Chunyu liked the word ¡®mental disorder¡¯. He found that it was quite urate when dealing with his woman.


    Ye Jiayao nced at him. ¡°Are you deliberately trying to make me angry?¡±


    Xia Chunyu continued to read disapprovingly. He would have to just bear with it this month, next month¡­ he didn¡¯t even know how long they would still be together. The first-in-charge had made an order to open the Dragon-breaking Stone tomorrow. He asked Xia Chunyu to get in touch with the downhill and send the map out, believing that he could do it in no time at all.


    The previous attacks on ck Wind Ridge all failed because they had the Dragon-breaking Stone as an obstacle. This time, Helian Xuan brought two cannons which could easily break it. The only thing they needed to do was find out where the secret tunnel of ck Wind Ridge was and destroy it. No one could survive in the Hei Feng Gang.


    ¡°Chunyu, you¡¯re going to open the Broken Dragon Stone tomorrow, right? You¡¯re going down the mountain?¡±


    ¡°Most likely, yes.¡±


    ¡°Then, can you take me down the mountain with you? I need to buy something,¡± Ye Jiayao pleaded.


    ¡°You can order Song Qi or Peng Wu to do that.¡±


    ¡°No! I want to buy women¡¯s product. How can I ask them to buy that for me? Besides, even if I do order them, I doubt that they have the balls to go.¡±


    Goods and materials on the mountain werecking too much. She had so many things that she wanted that the vige doesn¡¯t have. Also, she wanted to buy some cooking ingredients for the meals she was nning. Going down the mountain was necessary.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°We¡¯ll see!¡±


    Taking servants to buy some necessities might be a good excuse to get down the mountain.


    ¡°What do you mean we will see? If you¡¯re busy, I can just ask Song Qi to go with me.¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t like his offhand tone.


    Xia Chunyu nced at her calmly. ¡°You can¡¯t even move right now, why are you in a rush? Also, what will the others think if we go down the mountain the minute the Dragon-breaking Stone opened?¡±


    <i>Well, that was reasonable.?</i>First-in-charge had a paranoid personality. Even if they had caught Tong Hexian, that didn¡¯t mean that he wouldn¡¯t suspect anyone else.


    ¡°Fine! You¡¯re going to have to take me down the mountain one day, anyway,¡± Ye Jiayao said gloomily.


    ¡°I know.¡± Xia Chunyu touched his nose impatiently, breathing cold air onto it. His whole nose was still swollen. He recalled how the brothers in the vige looked at him weirdly when he went out to fetch Mr. Liu. He also saw Song Qi and Peng Wu, and he could tell that they wanted tough at him so badly.?He felt angry, yet he really couldn¡¯t take it out on her for fear of triggering another meltdown.


    <i>All of this is that crazy woman¡¯s fault!?</i>Now, he was acting like a well-behaved bunny. He would want to swear at her, but before he could open his mouth, she would start to cry. She would look all innocent and pathetic, he couldn¡¯t go through with it.


    After a while, Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Can you sleep on the couch tonight?¡±


    Xia Chunyu squinted at her. ¡°Why do I need to sleep on the couch?¡±


    ¡°I have this little issue, remember? What if it gets on you?¡± Ye Jiayao was worried about the current safeguard measure she had.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just stay away from me?¡± Xia Chunyu asked calmly.


    Ye Jiayao thought that she had already warned him about this. If Chunyu wasn¡¯t going to heed her warning, then he shouldn¡¯t me her when she freaks out on him again.


    At night, Ye Jiayao had a cramp so bad and she couldn¡¯t sleep. She was very ufortable. She remembered the time she saw her female ssmate looking like death warmed over during her period. Ye Jiayao found it hard to understand that she was really that delicate and soft, that she used to think her ssmate was only pretending. Now, she was experiencing the same painful period, and she was feeling sorry for all the ill ideas she thought of her ssmate.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you sleeping?¡± Xia Chunyu asked groggily.


    She was moving around a lot and it was making it hard for him to sleep.


    ¡°Just go sleep. Leave me alone,¡± Ye Jiayao snapped. Men would never know women¡¯s pain.


    She nced at him in disbelief when she heard him snoring.?<i>The nerve of this man!?</i>?Ye Jiayao rubbed her belly gloomily, hoping that the ache would go away. She had been rubbing for quite some time, that her arms started to ache.


    Suddenly, Xia Chunyu scooted close to her, his huge hand sneaking insider her shirt. Heid his hand on her belly and started rubbing it softly.


    Ye Jiayao froze in surprise. He ignored her and continued on rubbing warmth onto her belly. Gradually, the ufortable feeling disappeared. She feltnguid and rxed.


    ¡°Is that better?¡± His voice was hoarse andzy as he murmured in her ears.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded and made herselffortable against his broad chest. She felt very warm and secure in his arms, and it wasn¡¯t long before she fell asleep.


    Xia Chunyu saw her finally drift off to sleep and he contemted on withdrawing his hands. He hesitated for a moment before he decided to just keep hugging her. If he moved and she woke up, he wouldn¡¯t get any sleep either. Besides, it wasn¡¯t like it was a chore to hug her soft body. She smelled fantastic, too. In fact, she looked like an absolute angel while she slept.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly felt worried. If she found out about his real identity in the future, would she behave well?


    After all, it was her behavior that would be the deciding factor whether he would take her with him or not.

 Chapter 25

    <h4>Chapter 25: Tighten Your Belt</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After the Dragon-breaking Stone was opened, Hei Feng Gang began an extensive robbing exercise. On the first day, two teams were sent down the mountains and came back with only minimal gains because it was not the season for harvesting. On the second day, seven teams of men and horses went to a farther vige to plunder provisions and properties. However, when night fell, only four of the seven teams made it back. Not only that, they returned empty-handed, battered and exhausted, and reportedly exchanged blows with the army and the people from Xin Yi. There was still no news of the other three teams.


    The management of the stockade held an emergency meeting. Even second-in-charge, who was still recuperating, attended.


    Auntie Jiang came to help wash some clothes, wearing a grave expression.


    ¡°Auntie Wu¡¯s man is gone. She cried so mournfully. If it had not been us pulling her back, she would have banged her head against the wall and died.¡± Auntie Jiang sighed. Although she was not on good terms with Auntie Wu, her grudges were swept aside in seeing a fellow auntie wracked with so much grief.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Auntie Wu¡¯s man part of the missing teams? How do you know for certain that he is gone?¡± Ye Jiayao knew that many died, but the detailed list of deceased had yet to be announced.


    ¡°The brothers from the Pan Long Mountain Ridges just sent 20 corpses back, saying that the people from Xin Yi threw them there and left. Auntie Wu¡¯s man¡¯s body was almost split into half -¡± Auntie Jiang retched, thinking of the horrible scene.


    Ye Jiayao shuddered. Ever since she came up the mountains, though there were sullen times, life was pretty good. There was no hurry to escape and she felt that there was a lot of time to n and look for opportunities. However, this sudden change caused her to feel a strong sense of distress.


    She could not be certain that the army would listen to her exnation after attacking the mountains. Even if she exined herself, she was afraid no one would believe her. Xia Chunyu was right. If news of her being kidnapped by Hei Feng Gang got out, the reputation of the Ye and Wei family would be damaged. Therefore, both families would definitely try to conceal the news as a way to salvage the situation. Hence, if she were to say that she was the daughter of the Ye family, and the daughter-inw of the Wei family, no one would believe her. Her only identity would be the wife of the third-in-charge of Hei Feng Gang.


    ¡°From what I see, our stockade is going down this time.¡± Auntie Jiang shook her head.


    ¡°Auntie Jiang, if the stockade is attacked, do you think we would be able to survive?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly.


    Auntie Jiang smiled bitterly. ¡°If the army attacks, us women, might be able to survive. If it is the people of Xin Yi that attacked, it would be hard to say. Their people are far more cruel than us! However, towards a young and beautiful woman like you, third madam, they might let you go.?A ruined old woman like me would be sure to be chopped up like melon without batting an eyelid.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not even bother to give a bitterugh. Even if she managed to survive, she would probably be reduced to yet another woman of a bandit! She would have been better off sticking with Chunyu! At least, he was pleasing to the eyes! Besides, Chunyu was gentle and thoughtful at times. Like these past two nights, he religiously rubbed her stomach for the whole night, no matter how she changed her sleeping position.


    She admits, that if she was ced in his situation, she would not be able to do that.


    ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s not talk about these things. I believe first-in-charge would have a n, and if that is of no use, there is still third-in-charge. He will protect us,¡± Ye Jiayao said without much confidence.


    Meanwhile, Chunyu and the rest of the brothers returned.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, I will make some preparations before setting off,¡± Peng Wu said respectfully, cupping his fist in his hand.


    Xia Chunyu wore a grave expression as he nodded. ¡°Take care of yourself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed Chunyu into the house.


    ¡°Where is Peng Wu going?¡±


    ¡°Down the mountains,¡± Xia Chunyu replied concisely, going straight to the study room, opening up the map to study it.


    ¡°He is going down the mountains sote at night? Isn¡¯t there an ambush down the mountains?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with concern.


    Xia Chunyu red at her with annoyance. ¡°Can you stop disturbing me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao snorted resentfully, leaving the room to look for Song Qi.


    Song Qi was sending Peng Wu out, handing his dagger to him. ¡°This dagger is handed down in my family. It is extremely sharp, sees blood and seals the throat. Bring this with you, and return it to me when youe back.¡±


    Peng Wu ced the dagger on his waist belt, patting Song Qi on the shoulder. ¡°Thank you, brother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also sidled up to the two. ¡°Peng Wu, be careful. If you cannot fight them, run.¡±


    Peng Wu smiled. ¡°Sister-inw, it¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just bringing some brothers down the mountains to scope the situation better. I¡¯ll try not to exchange blows with anyone.¡±


    After sending Peng Wu off, Ye Jiayao asked Song Qi, ¡°Is the situation really that terrible?¡±


    Song Qi scratched his head. ¡°There is a little trouble. The army and the people of Xin Yi seemed to have stationed themselves below the mountains. The vigers nearby also alert them immediately when they see us. If we cannot rob any provisions, we would be trapped up here to our deaths.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank. That was indeed troubling.


    That night, Chunyu and Song Qi went out to patrol and reinforce the defenses until the wee hours of the morning.


    As crisis approached, Ye Jiayao felt all the difort in her body disappear. The next day, she woke up early, going to the kitchen to collect ingredients.


    Today¡¯s ration was much lesser than yesterday¡¯s. There was only two catty of rice, one catty of flour, one section of lotus roots, two loofahs, and three eggs. Ye Jiayao knew that the supplies were scarce right now, but she didn¡¯t know that it was to the extent of having porridge! Did Old Head Yu make a mistake? She had quite a few people in her house!


    Old Yu said, ¡°Two eggs are only for second-in-charge. First-in-charge has instructed that other than second-in-charge, who¡¯s recuperating, everyone would have their rations cut by half. Everyone has to tighten their belts to pass the days.¡±


    However, this belt was tightened too much all of a sudden. Ye Jiayao had no choice but to bring the rations back to the courtyard and begin to stew porridge. With such little rice, they could only drink porridge. Adding the newly distributed flour to some old flour, she made steamed buns as they could not afford to have buns with stuffed fillings.


    Luckily, Uncle Jiang sent over the fermented beancurd that Auntie Jiang made. Song Qi and Chunyu could each have a bowl of porridge and two steamed buns.


    At first, she thought Chunyu wouldin about the quality and quantity of the food, but he had no reaction at all. Seeing Ye Jiayao only drinking porridge and not eating the steamed buns, Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°How many buns did you make in total? Why are you not eating?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like eating it yet. You guys go ahead, there are still some left in the pot. I will have themter.¡±


    Only then, did Xia Chunyu start eating his second steamed bun.


    ¡°Song Qi, let¡¯s go.¡± Xia Chunyu carried his sword out after having his fill. Song Qi finished his porridge hurriedly and said goodbye to Ye Jiayao, catching up to Xia Chunyu.


    Ye Jiayao finished her breakfast slowly and counted the steamed buns in the pot. There were eight left. She made a total of twelve, and if she doesn¡¯t eat them, Song Qi and Chunyu could have six each. If Peng Wu returned in time, each person could only have four. They were men and they need to use their strength. Even if they could not eat well, they have to be full as much as possible.


    After clearing the cutleries, Ye Jiayao picked a stalk of Sarmentosum and ced it in her pocket, carrying a basket to look for Auntie Jiang. She wanted to make herself useful, not be a burden to others. She could not do other things, but looking for food should be manageable.


    ¡°Auntie Jiang, I want to go up the mountains to dig for some wild vegetables.¡± She dared not go up alone and wanted to drag Auntie Jiang along.


    Auntie Jiang replied, ¡°Just in time! Auntie Zhao and the rest also wanted to go dig for some wild vegetables. Let¡¯s just all go together!¡±


    That was how Ye Jiayao found herself and Auntie Jiang joining the other aunties up the mountains.


    ¡°There are many traps in this mountain, you guys better be careful.¡± With more experience, Auntie Zhao was everyone¡¯s guide. She was?bringing the group around to avoid the traps like metal mps.


    ¡°Actually, they are all marked, you just have to take note,¡± Auntie Zhao said, pointing to a piece ofnd covered with dry grass and then again to the twig beside it.


    ¡°Also, the traps are marked with who made it. This way, there will not be a case of people fighting over the captured prey,¡± Auntie Jiang whispered to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao had a lingering fear from almost stepping into a trap just now. Initially, she thought that the most frightful thing she would meet up the mountains would be snakes. She had no idea that she would have to watch out for traps as well. Luckily, she joined Auntie Jiang, otherwise, she would have ended up dead in the mountains with no one knowing.


    Pertaining to wild vegetables, Ye Jiayao could only recognize wild scallions, shepherd¡¯s purse, dandelions, purne, and fiddlehead. Under the guidance of Auntie Jiang, she managed to recognize flixweed, a soft shoot that tastes delicious when used to fry egg, and Acorus cmus, which can be used to stew soup. She also learned to spot gutweed, which has cooling and detoxifying properties, and beef nt that tasted exceptionally fresh and delicious when used in a sd.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dig all of them out in one go. Leave some roots so that they will grow out again after a few days,¡± Auntie Jiang exined to her.


    ¡°Mmhm!¡± Ye Jiayao dug excitedly. This mountain was filled with wild vegetables and small animals. Hei Feng Gang was practically a huge treasure trove! Ye Jiayao was still worried about running out of ammunition and starving to death, but now, she was feeling a bit better seeing all the provisions avable.


    Not long after, everyone returned happily from a rewarding journey.


    Ye Jiayao specially picked flixweed, Acorus cmus, and beef nt. She would use one for frying egg, the other to make a sd, and the Acorus cmus to stew soup with the addition of air-dried meat. With those vegetables, there would be three additional dishes for her household. Ye Jiayao was ted and decided to pick wild vegetables every day in the future.


    After preparing lunch, Ye Jiayao waited for quite a while before Chunyu and Song Qi finally came back.


    ¡°Why are you sote today? The dishes are already cold. Do you want me to heat them up?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu waved his hand. ¡°No need, we¡¯ll just eat it now. We¡¯ll have to leave againter.¡±


    The two sat down while Ye Jiayao went to serve porridge and steamed buns.


    Seeing the dishes on the table, Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help but frown. Weren¡¯t those wild vegetables? Yesterday, first-in-charge had ordered to conserve the rations to pass the days, and today there were wild vegetables?


    ¡°Who sent these wild vegetables over?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao replied quite proudly, ¡°I went up to the mountains to pluck them.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face suddenly darkened in anger. ¡°Who let you go up the mountains? Do you know how dangerous the mountains are?¡± he howled.


    <i>Wow! So much concern for little old me!?</i>This was the first time Ye Jiayao felt his concern from all his yelling. Sheughed giddily and replied, ¡°I went with Auntie Jiang and Auntie Zhao, there wasn¡¯t any danger.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s angry stance rxed a bit. ¡°How is going with just a group of women not dangerous? What if you meet a wild boar or a wild wolf? You can¡¯t run or fight! You are not allowed to go on excursions like that again.¡±


    Song Qi agreed, ¡°That¡¯s right! Next time, I will set aside a time every day to go up the mountains to get something to eat. You don¡¯t have to go again.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? We are not going far, just the mountain nearby. What kind of danger can there be? You men just worry about your matters, don¡¯t meddle in women¡¯s issues.¡± Ye Jiayao pouted resentfully. She did not want to be a useless sitting duck.

 Chapter 26

    <h4>Chapter 26: Flustered</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    It has been three days since Peng Wu went down the mountains and there was still no news at all. Meanwhile, there had been corpses transported back from the Pan Long Mountain Ridge periodically and they all belong to the members of the lost teams a few days ago. The atmosphere in the mountains was growing heavier as the days passed.


    As she picked wild vegetables, Ye Jiayao stood on the elevated ground, gazing into the distance. She worried as she saw that there were more sentries posted on the steps.


    ¡°Auntie Jiang, do you think the army would attack up from the waters?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, pointing at the endless hazeke.


    She had been studying the small piece of the map under the pen holder in Chunyu¡¯s study. Adding her observations up?at the mountain these few days, she had a fair understanding of Hei Feng Gang¡¯s terrain and the positions of the sentries. However, she was troubled. There was a huge chance that the army could also attack from the hazeke. Huge battleships coulde in majestically and still take down Hei Feng Gang.


    Auntie Jiangughed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the cliff overlooking theke? Only a small path leads to Haze Lake and there are men watching there. The year before, the army came to annihte from theke and ended up returning without any achievements. Countless of men died in thatke, feeding the fishes and prawns.


    Ye Jiayao shuddered. The fishes and prawns in theke are so meaty! Could that be because they ate a lot of corpses to grow so fat?


    Ye Jiayao had never been to thekeside. Looking out from the mountain, she could not really see the exact terrain of the side of theke. No wonder the vige was assured in Hei Feng Gang. They knew that they had an upper hand in terrain.


    ¡°Besides, there are sentries along the sides. Once the army¡¯s ships draw close, we would be able to easily spot them and get ready for battle,¡± Auntie Jiang exined.


    ¡°What if they swim over to sneak an attack?¡±


    ¡°It would be possible if there are only a handful, but it would be impossible when there are a lot of people. And I¡¯m pretty positive that they wouldn¡¯t take just a small handful of people when they attack. They wouldn¡¯t stand a chance unless all of them are highly skilled like third-in-charge.¡±


    Ye Jiayao watched the surface of theke gleaming and reflecting the light around it.??<i>If it was so difficult to attack up the mountains, what about escaping it??</i>?Basing off on her swimming skills, she should be able to sneak out without being noticed.?However, she was uncertain of theke¡¯s size. Her current small frame was obviously not as strong as her body in her previous life. She might not be able to make it halfway through theke before drowning.


    After plucking the wild vegetables, Ye Jiayao cut some grass back as Da Bao and Er Bao were getting bigger appetites.


    When she was on her way down, she heard the urgent sound of the bugle horn. She rushed down only to see many people running towards the meeting room.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Ye Jiayao was confused.


    Auntie Jiang¡¯s face changed. ¡°That was the signal to show that the enemy has invaded.¡±


    ¡°What? They have started attacking the stockade?¡± Ye Jiayao started to feel anxious. Does that mean Chunyu has to go out to battle?


    Ye Jiayao rushed home. She had to prepare some dried provisions to send to Chunyu and Song Qi. If they start fighting, they might not have time toe back to eat.


    Just when she was kneading the dough, Song Qi ran back.


    ¡°Sister-inw, third-in-charge brought some men to Pan Long Mountain Ridge.¡±


    ¡°Has the army started attacking?¡± Ye Jiayao asked fearfully.


    Song Qi nodded. ¡°They have already camped under the mountain. The sentry at the front could already see their campsite, and there was a dense mass of at least ten thousand people.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ wouldn¡¯t releasing the Dragon-breaking Stone be fine?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not going to work this time. From what the brothers had said, the authorities brought artillery to break through it.¡±


    <i>Then why are we bothering to fight at all??</i>?A few shells would leave everyone dead.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Peng Wu part of the group of people who went down to get news? Is he back yet?¡± Ye Jiayao asked as she suddenly recalled the missing person from her household.


    Song Qi seemed to find it difficult to speak about it. He kept hesitating as he was about to talk.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank.?<i>Did Peng Wu get into trouble?</i>


    ¡°Say something!¡± Ye Jiayao urged.


    Song Qi clenched his teeth as he replied, ¡°Big sister, Peng Wu was actually the spy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was bbergasted. ¡°No, that¡¯s impossible! How could he be the spy? Isn¡¯t he part of the pioneers of the stockade? First-in-charge trusted him so much.¡±


    ¡°Well, as they say, you cannot judge a book by its cover. Who would have expected that? However, that is the truth. The people who escaped back said they saw with their own eyes that he got invited back, politely might I add, by the court officials.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. She didn¡¯t expect that the spy woulde from their own courtyard.


    ¡°Then¡­ did first-in-charge suspect third-in-charge?¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to ascertain the safety of Chunyu first.


    Song Qi shook his head. ¡°Not to that extent. Peng Wu was originally first-in-charge¡¯s man. It was first-in-charge who sent him over to third-in-charge¡¯s side. Moreover, first brother was the one who sent him down the mountain this time. The most crime that could be pinned to third-in-charge was that he failed to notice Peng Wu¡¯s traitorous ways. However, now that the stockade is facing a cmity and in need of manpower, first brother would not pursue the responsibilities of third-in-charge.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heaved a sigh of relief. At least, she doesn¡¯t have to worry about Chunyu on top of fearing for her life.


    ¡°Right! Third-in-charge only got me to get some things, and I have to go now, big sister. We might not be back these couple of days.¡± Song Qi said offhandedly as he went off to the central building.


    Ye Jiayao hurriedly took all the steamed buns left in the pot, stuffed some salted vegetables inside them and started to stow it away. Just when she finished packing them, Song Qi came back, saying, ¡°Sister-inw, third-in-charge wants you to stay inside within the next days. Don¡¯t leave the house as much as possible, and he wants you to know that he won¡¯t abandon you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was really touched that Chunyu still remembered his promise amidst all the chaos that was surrounding them.


    She stuffed the bundle she has prepared into Song Qi¡¯s hands. ¡°Take these dried provisions and just put up with the food for now. If you have time tomorrow,e back and I will make more for you guys.¡±


    Song Qi nodded. ¡°I shall get going, sister-inw. Take care.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said anxiously, ¡°You guys be careful too. Watch out for each other, please.¡±


    After Song Qi left, Ye Jiayao stood nkly, rooted to the ground. She had gone from being on edge and flustered to empty in just a blink of an eye. She never expected that this?day would approach so fast. It had been barely a month since her arrival, yet she had grown fond of this ce. She had grown to love the Chunyu, who was at times overbearing and at times gentle. She had learned to adore Song Qi, the footman, who was the obedient punching bag, and Peng Wu, who did not speak much but very attentive. She had be close with the loud and warm-hearted, Auntie Jiang. If they die, she would be very upset.


    Da Bao and Er Bao hopped to her side. Ye Jiayao squatted down and picked Da Bao up, caressing Er Bao. ¡°Your Father Rabbit has gone to fight a battle. Although he was fierce and unreasonable at times, there were also times when he was nice to me. I don¡¯t want anything to happen to him, will you pray with me for him?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stood at the apex of the Pan Long Mountain Ridge, gazing down. Helian Xuan must havee personally because the banners below were as dense as the forest.


    As agreed, He Lianxuan began encircling the mountain at the sight of Song Qi¡¯s dagger. First-in-charge and Peng Wu must not have thought that he used this method to pass the message, so they both cooperated with his n. They put on an act of Peng Wu going behind the enemy lines to make everyone in the stockade mistake him as the spy, and draw the real one out. Although Peng Wu followed his orders obediently, Xia Chunyu knew that ultimately, Peng Wu was only loyal to first-in-charge. If he did not eliminate Peng Wu, his operation would be hindered greatly.


    Following their n, Helian Xuan would send a convoy to persuade the stockade to surrender, and when the timees, he would find a chance to send the map out. As long as he managed to block the escape route of,?Bai Zongye, the first-in-charge, he can attack fearlessly.


    ¡°Third-in-charge, sister-inw got me to deliver this to you.¡± Song Qi approached, handing a bundle over to Xia Chunyu. Xia Chunyu looked down at his hands and there was a piece of paper in his palm.


    Xia Chunyu squeezed the paper, asking expressionlessly, ¡°Did you pass my words to her?¡±


    ¡°I said everything. Sister-inw wants you to be careful,¡± Song Qi replied.


    Xia Chunyu opened the bundle and saw that there were eight steamed buns inside. His heart warmed with unknown emotions. These past few days, he only saw her drink porridge and nothing else. Whenever he asked her, she would just say that there was more in the pot. Today, before he left, he went to open the lid of the pot to take a look. There was a total of eight inside, including the four that he and Song Qi had for breakfast. Initially, there were 12, which meant that for these past days, she had been drinking in porridge to pass by. She was leaving the steamed buns and egg for them.


    If she was really sent by first-in-charge, she would not have done this.


    <i>Ye Jinxuan.?</i>Her name was like a mantra in his thoughts, anchoring him to the memory of the lovely days they spent together.


    Ye Jiayao was bored to death. Whenever she has nothing to do,?she starts to overthink. The more she thought about the brothers¡¯ situation, the more anxious she got. She was desperate to find something to do to keep her from worrying so much.


    First, she cleaned up the courtyard, then brought the bed sheet and bedding out to the sun. She crawled up and down to wipe the furniture in the house. It was when she was cleaning the study that she realized the pen holder on the table had been moved.


    She had observed that Chunyu always ced his things in specific positions without any deviation. Was Song Qi the one who moved the pen holder? He did mention that Chunyu sent him back to retrieve something. Was that it?


    Ye Jiayao picked the pen holder up, pressing on the dragon¡¯s eye. The pedestal swiveled open, and indeed, the little piece of paper was no longer there.


    Perhaps, they needed that map before the battle, so Chunyu got Song Qi toe back to retrieve it. Ye Jiayao did not think much about it and ced the pedestal back.


    Ye Jiayao only started making dinner after the whole house had been swept, the windows shined and the tables wiped. Although Chunyu and Song Qi would not be back to eat, she still had to deliver food to second-in-charge.


    As she prepared the food, she could not help but think of Peng Wu. How could he have been the spy? He must¡¯ve been very good in order to trick big brother. Would he lead the army to attack the stockade? If he came personally, would he let her off on ount of her making him many delicious foods?


    <i>Ah! Forget it!?</i>?These were all matters of the future. Auntie Jiang mentioned that the imperial court had sent many troops to annihte the stockade. Each time has been bloody and dangerous, yet everything had been fine in the end. She might be able to get through the crisis this time, too.


    Ye Jiayao made a bowl of shredded meat noodles. The noodles were made by hand, cooked till medium well and taken out immediately to rinse in cold water. The expansion and contraction would cause the noodles to be chewy. The soup was made separately. She fried the streaky pork till it was fragrant, then added greens, shiitake mushroom, and tomatoes. She added some boiling water, plus a pinch of salted vegetables to make it more ptable. Lastly, she added the noodles that had been cooled to heat up for a while, sprinkled some chopped green onions on top, and the dish was finished.


    Ye Jiayao carried the lunch box over to second-in-charge¡¯s ce. As soon as she entered the courtyard, the big ck dog that wasying at the corner, basking in the sun, jumped up, ears straight and alert. When he realized that it was only Ye Jiayao, he plopped back down and closed his eyes.


    Second-in-charge¡¯s house always had someone outside guarding it, yet there was none today. Everyone must have gone out to defend the safety of the stockade. Just when Ye Jiayao was about to enter, she heard first-in-charge¡¯s voice from inside.


    ¡°Let third brother guard the ce. I will assign someone to send you out.¡±

 Chapter 27

    <h4>Chapter 27: Trap</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°How can I do that? Big brother, we swore to be in it together, regardless of happiness or suffering. I am not leaving! If we have to die, we will die together,¡± second-in-charge said.


    ¡°Who said anything about dying?¡± first-in-charge chided and continued in a gentle tone, ¡°This time, I am afraid that we could not defend this ce. No matter how strong the Dragon-breaking Stone is, it cannot withstand the attack of artillery. Plus, Peng Wu, the little traitor, knew where the secret passageway is. If we do not evacuate immediately, we would be blocked and killed. None of us would be able to escape. Even if we lose Hei Feng Gang, we could always return back to Qing Long Fang and wait another day to make aeback.


    Second-in-charge was indignant. ¡°We¡¯ve suspected many brothers in the stockade but we didn¡¯t think of suspecting Peng Wu! I don¡¯t get it! How could he betray us?¡±


    First-in-charge sighed. ¡°It is hard to fathom a person¡¯s mind.¡±


    ¡°That rascal! If I catch him, I would tear him into pieces,¡± second-in-charge cursed in rage.


    ¡°Alright, we will talk about thister. Just make some quick preparations, we will leave today,¡± first-in-charge said.


    ¡°What about third brother?¡± second-in-charge asked.


    ¡°Second brother, you and I are the real brothers. As for third brother¡­ we cannot bring the whole stockade of people with us! There has to be someone here to keep watch, otherwise, none of us will be able to escape. Third brother would just have to count his luck!¡±


    The more she heard, the angrier Ye Jiayao got.?<i>You f*cking pigs!?</i>??<i>You have been suspecting Chunyu since the beginning! Now that the stockade is about to fall, you only care about escaping by yourselves! You¡¯re using Chunyu as a cannon fodder to protect you.</i>


    Despite her anger, Ye Jiayao was aware that if first-in-charge found her eavesdropping, he¡¯d kill her on the spot. She crept out of the courtyard silently before calling loudly, ¡°Second brother, second brother!¡±


    First-in-charge walked out from the house, smiling entrically. ¡°It¡¯s sister-inw!¡±


    ¡°Oh big brother, I didn¡¯t know you¡¯re here as well! I came to deliver food for second brother.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled as she met him halfway.


    First-in-charge sneered slightly. ¡°Hand it to me. I still have some things to discuss with second brother.¡±


    ¡°Sure, then I shall trouble you.¡± Ye Jiayao handed the lunch box to first-in-charge.


    After taking two steps, she turned back, and asked, ¡°Big brother¡­¡±


    First-in-charge raised his eyebrows in question. ¡°What other matters concern you, sister-inw?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated a little, saying, ¡°I heard from Song Qi that Chunyu went to guard Pan Long Mountain Ridge. He won¡¯t be in danger, right?¡±


    First-in-charge smiled. ¡°The Dragon-breaking Stone is very resilient. It would not be so easy for the army to destroy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao clutched at her chest, acting as though she heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Then I shall rest assured.¡±


    After seeing Ye Jiayao leave, the corner of first-in-charge¡¯s lips raised up into a sinister smile.


    After leaving second-in-charge¡¯s ce, Ye Jiayao walked briskly to look for Auntie Jiang. Although she knew some people in the mountains, she could only really trust Uncle and Auntie Jiang. She had to let Chunyu know the news of first-in-charge¡¯s and second-in-charge¡¯s?n to escape.


    After hearing Ye Jiayao¡¯s words, Auntie Jiang¡¯s face lost color. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded her head earnestly. ¡°I heard it directly from him! We?have toe up with a way to inform third-in-charge, otherwise, we would all be dead.¡±


    Auntie Jiang hurriedly replied, ¡°I am getting my old man this instant.¡±


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Don¡¯t let a word of this matter spread out. First, let¡¯s just inform third-in-charge secretly. We¡¯ll let him make the decision in case we arouse unrest.¡±


    Auntie Jiang nodded her head solemnly. ¡°I would avoid it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was deploying thebat n when he heard that Uncle Jiang was looking for him outside. He nced at the door and couldn¡¯t help but feel apprehensive. Uncle Jiang was someone on his side that he had ever since he came up the mountains. He had previously ordered Uncle Jiang to guard the Dragon-breaking Stone¡¯s mechanism and await his order. Now that Uncle Jiang had rushed over, could it be that something major had happened? He sent away his attendants and invited Uncle Jiang in.


    Uncle Jiang whispered the news Ye Jiayao heard to Xia Chunyu.


    A hint of surprise shed pass Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes, and he called for Song Qi.


    Song Qi entered. ¡°Third-in-charge, what are your orders?¡±


    Xia Chunyu knitted his eyebrows with indecision, telling himself time and again to remain calm. This moment was a critical period. A slight change would cause a butterfly effect, a wrong move would cause defeat, so every decision he makes has to be carefully thought out.


    Xia Chunyu muttered, ¡°Third madam said that she heard that when she went to deliver food?¡±


    Uncle Jiang affirmed, ¡°That was what my old woman said.¡±


    Doubt niggled at the back of Xia Chunyu¡¯s mind. There should always be someone guarding outside second-in-charge¡¯s ce. Would they really allow Ye Jinxuan to eavesdrop? Unless there was no one in the courtyard.<i>That¡¯s very suspicious.?</i>First-in-charge and second-in-charge were discussing ssified matters and there was no one keeping watch outside. It also just happened to be at the same time that Yao Yao was delivering food. Did they say that on purpose for Yaoyao to hear or was it really just a coincidental negligence?


    If that was a trap, wouldn¡¯t him rashly?rushing over to intercept it expose his knowledge of the whereabouts of the secret passageway? If they found out that he knew of the passageway, his identity as the spy would be revealed.


    However, if the news was true, allowing first-in-charge and second-in-charge to escape would cause his efforts for half of the year to just go down the drain.


    <i>To cut weeds you have to eliminate the roots!</i>


    Maybe, he could spread the message of first-in-charge¡¯s escape. This was a good opportunity to create chaos. His only problem was how to pass the news to He Lianxuan so that they could synchronize their attack.


    Xia Chunyu had to think fast.


    At this particr moment, a bandit from outside reported that the imperial court sent a person over.


    Xia Chunyu was suddenly relieved.?<i>Indeed, heaven is on my side!</i>


    Ye Jiayao was rmed and restless as she paced around the courtyard. Had Auntie Jiang found Uncle Jiang? Had Uncle Jiang passed the message to Chunyu? What would Chunyu do in response? First-in-charge and second-in-charge would be escaping in a few moments. If the gang knew that its leader had gone, the stockade would be in a mess. If that were to happen, she would persuade Chunyu to lead the gang of brothers into surrendering. Perhaps he could even earn himself a position as an official and wash clean.


    Only¡­ Chunyu hated the imperial court so much. Would he agree to surrender?


    No. She had to do something.


    After thinking about it for some time, Ye Jiayao decided to go to second-in-charge¡¯s ce again to see if she could stall him and buy some time for Chunyu. However, when she arrived at second-in-charge¡¯s ce, he was not around. Ye Jiayao knew the entrance to the secret passageway was near the meeting room, so she rushed towards it.


    From afar, she saw Song Qi run towards the meeting room. She wanted to call out to him but someone covered her mouth from behind, dragging her away.


    The other party had exceptional strength, and Ye Jiayao could not struggle. She was helpless as she got dragged into a room where she was pushed down.


    ¡°Sister-inw, what are you doing sneaking in the meeting room? Are you afraid that I would abandon you?¡± an obscene voice echoed.


    Ye Jiayao raised her head. Wasn¡¯t that second-in-charge? He eyed her up and down,ughing lewdly. How could she have not known that the huge second-in-charge was such a vulgar person deep down?


    Ye Jiayao pretended to be calm, smiling embarrassedly. ¡°Second brother, I¡¯m so d it was you! You gave me a fright.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m d that you¡¯re at ease with my presence. You have the perfect timing! Leave with me! I will care for you.¡± Second-in-charge approached with the intention of embracing Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao dodged, scared and angry on the inside, yet, outwardly smiling. ¡°Second brother, are you drunk? Why are you saying nonsense like these? I am your sister-inw.¡±


    Second-in-charge grinned evilly. ¡°Originally, your family wanted to send you to me. Sending you to third brother was just a way to test him out. Now, there is no need, and you can return to my side.¡±


    The news struck Ye Jiayao unexpectedly, leaving her stunned. ¡°What¡­ what did you say? What do you mean my family sent me to you?¡±


    Second-in-charge shook his head, saying sympathetically, ¡°Sister-inw, you have no home to return to. Third brother is not even your real husband. Come on, juste with me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice trembled as she spoke. ¡°Make¡­ make yourself clear.¡±


    Just when second-in-charge was about to open his mouth to exin, the door was pushed open. First-in-charge walked in, his jaw set straight and his eyes cold. ¡°Second brother, do you realize the kind of hurry we¡¯re in? I don¡¯t know how you still managed to find the time to flirt.¡±


    Second-in-charge replied with embarrassment, ¡°Big brother, what is the situation outside?¡±


    First-in-charge ignored his question as he stared at Ye Jiayao.¡±We¡¯re not keeping that woman.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart stuttered. Was he nning to silence her? Could it be that they already knew that she eavesdropped on their conversation?


    ¡°Big brother, there¡¯s no need for that. Isn¡¯t she just a woman? Tie her up and decide when everything is over.¡± Second-in-charge was obviously unwilling to kill off Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°What do you know? Third brother did not fall into the trap. Now that the imperial court¡¯s envoy hade up the mountains, matters are getting more problematic. Third brother should never know about this,¡± first-in-charge said.


    Ye Jiayao was suddenly enlightened. They purposely let her overhear their conversation and everything was a trap to set up Chunyu. She could not guess the specific details but she was certain that they were willing to go to great lengths to keep this conspiracy quiet. They would silence her to have Chunyu continue to risk his life for them.


    Second-in-charge was put in a difficult position. He looked at Ye Jiayao with reluctance, still unable to let her go. ¡°We are still not at ease with third brother, so why don¡¯t we use this opportunity to -¡± Second-in-charge made a motion of slitting his throat.


    First-in-charge hesitated.


    Ye Jiayao held her breath, fearing that one wrong move would end her life.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave it to you, make it quick.¡± First-in-charge left after throwing those words out.


    Second-in-charge brought a piece of rope and tied Ye Jiayao up, saying, ¡°Third brother is good-looking, but good looks can¡¯t feed you. To tell you honestly, big brother does not believe that Peng Wu is the spy. This is most probably staged by third brother. It was a pity we could not get a hold of him. Don¡¯t worry, if there is a problem with third brother, big brother would not be keeping him anymore. Just stay here first, and when everything is settled, we can leave together.¡±


    <i>Peh! I don¡¯t want to leave with a pig-head like you!</i>


    ¡°It hurts! Second brother, please, go easy on me.¡± Ye Jiayao purposely pushed her hands further apart so that there would be space between the rope.


    ¡°Second brother, did you really mean what you said? I don¡¯t want to die, you have to protect me.¡± Ye Jiayao stammered, acting coquettishly.


    Second brother was seduced by her delicate voice and pitiful nce, that he could not help but go easy on her. Anyway, he was certain that she was not going to be able to escape.


    ¡°Be obedient, okay? I love you.¡± Second-in-charge caressed her soft and tender cheek, leaning in for a kiss. It was only first-in-charge¡¯s voice calling him that made him forgo his affection. He raised his hand and hit her hard and swiftly on the back of her neck.


    Ye Jiayao felt a sudden pain in her neck and her sight grew dark as she passed out.

 Chapter 28

    <h4>Chapter 28: No Need To Act</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao slowly regained consciousness to a dark surrounding and the sounds of gunfire and shouting.?<i>What happened? Is the army already attacking?</i>


    <i>F*ck!?</i>?This time, she was too careless. She actually fell into the trap of those two baboons and almost lost her life. Thankfully, Chunyu did not heed her warnings, otherwise, she would live the rest of her life wracked with guilt. He was still in danger, though. First-in-charge was such a viin that he was making use of Chunyu even till the end to save their own hide.


    Ye Jiayao struggled mightily against her bonds. Fortunately, second-in-charge did not tie the rope too tightly and she managed to just scrape ayer off her skin before she broke free. She ignored the pain and looked out the crack in the locked door. There was not a single soul outside.


    She has to get out of here. Ye Jiayao groped around in the darkness, feeling the window. She pushed with all her strength and blessedly, it opened. Ye Jiayao was exhrated as she climbed out through the window.


    <i>Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!</i>


    Ye Jiayao looked back and saw her skirt caught on a nail. Impatient, she just tore the ripped hem off. Escaping was of the utmost importance and she could not be bothered with her image at that moment.


    There were mes zing everywhere and people were running in all directions. Ye Jiayao was at a loss, not knowing where to go.


    ¡°Brother, what is going on now? Where is first-in-charge, second-in-charge, and third-in-charge?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the man she grabbed.


    ¡°How would I know? It is all aplete mess right now.¡± The person shook off Ye Jiayao¡¯s grip and ran off.


    Ye Jiayao approached anyone she could talk to, and after several attempts, she finally got news of Chunyu.


    ¡°We are not sure of the specific details, but we heard that first-in-charge is going to abandon the brothers and escape on his own. Third-in-charge would not see to it and they fought,¡± a bandit answered, scratching his head in distress.


    ¡°F*ck! Now, I don¡¯t even know who is fighting who! We should just try to escape,¡± another bandit added.


    ¡°Escape? Escape to where?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. Did they know where the secret passageway was?


    ¡°Up the mountains. Hei Feng Gang is huge, we should be able to hide for a while,¡± the bandit replied.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a while before saying, ¡°You guys get to the meeting room. There¡¯s a secret passageway in there that leads to outside.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± One bandit was suspicious.


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°I overheard first-in-charge and second-in-charge¡¯s conversation. They intend to escape from the secret passageway by themselves and abandon the brothers.¡±


    Everyone felt indignant at the betrayal.


    ¡°So, the rumor is true! F*ck that! First-in-charge is too disloyal.¡±


    ¡°Everyone risked their lives for him and he¡¯s just going to run?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s curse him another time! Come on, let¡¯s go!¡± Ye Jiayao urged.


    ¡°Third madam, I saw third-in-charge near the kitchen earlier,¡± one of the bandits informed her.


    Ye Jiayao brightened up. She bid everyone farewell before heading for the kitchen.


    Chunyu must be looking for her back at the courtyard.


    ¡°Everyone search carefully. Don¡¯t let a single bandit off.¡± The voice of a soldier came from ahead.


    Ye Jiayao quickly hid at a dark corner.?<i>What do I do??</i>If she rushed out right now to plead with the soldier, he might not kill her.?<i>But what about Chunyu?</i>?He would be in danger if he was discovered by the army.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated before deciding to look for Chunyu first.


    Suddenly, she saw a familiar muscr figure a few steps away from her.??<i>It¡¯s</i><i>Chunyu!?</i>Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart almost jumped out of her mouth. She was just about to rush out to warn Chunyu that there were soldiers, when she heard him say, ¡°As long as they surrender, don¡¯t kill them, just lock them up.¡±


    That soldier in charge replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    <i>Wait. What??</i>?Did the soldier actually listen to the orders of Chunyu? Could it be that Chunyu was really the spy sent by the imperial court? Ye Jiayao brain worked into overdrive as she tried to figure out what was going on.


    Did everything he previously told her was all a lie?


    She supposed she could understand his difficult position. As a spy, it was only normal for him to lie to her.?In that case, she didn¡¯t need to run! Chunyu was there to protect her. She was safe.


    Ye Jiayao was overjoyed, knowing that Chunyu was not really a bandit but a spy. She suddenly saw Chunyu in a different light, he became mightier in her eyes.?<i>Wow! This is the ancient reality version of Infernal Affairs!</i>


    Just when Ye Jiayao was moving out of her hiding spot to show herself, she saw Song Qi ran towards Chunyu.


    ¡°Master Crown Prince, there is no sign of sister-inw.¡±


    There was low light and Chunyu was facing the other side so she could not make out the expression on his face. She could only hear him say coldly, ¡°What sister-inw? There is no need to act anymore. I warn you, don¡¯t let me hear that term again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt as if she was just thrown a bucket of cold water. She could actually feel her heart breaking inside.


    <i>Crown prince.</i>


    He was a crown prince. That wasn¡¯t just an ordinary respectable status.


    <i>No need to act. Huh.?</i>All that he did for her was just an act. Now that everything¡¯s over, he was not intending to acknowledge her.


    Ye Jiayao stepped back, gazing at that tall silhouette. All the excitement, worries, and self-reproach she was feeling was now gone. Her heart that was about to burst from the seams just a second ago was now empty and cold.


    She told herself not to be upset. She did not expect to have anything to do with him or to have any further development with him. It doesn¡¯t matter if he was a bandit or a crown prince, he had nothing to do with her anymore. Although she almost caused him danger due to her carelessness, he did not fall into the trap. She doesn¡¯t owe him anything, just like he doesn¡¯t owe her anything.


    However, the feeling of being ditched and ditching someone was indeed very different!


    ¡°We found Shengwu. He was at the training grounds,¡± a soldier reported.


    Xia Chunyu rushed over with some men immediately.


    When everyone left, Ye Jiayao emerged slowly from the darkness, walking back to the courtyard.


    The door of the courtyard was wide open, and a few corpsesid around, all of them are brothers from the stockade. Ye Jiayao had always been afraid of corpses. However, at this moment, she was not in the mood to be scared.


    <i>Da Bao, Er Bao¡­ where are you? Mummy is here for you.?</i>?She prayed that the rabbits got away from the fighting and were okay.


    Chunyu did not care about her anymore. His words were ultimately empty promises, but she would not go back on hers. She would not abandon Da Bao and Er Bao.


    However, afterbing the ce, she still could not find Da Bao and Er Bao.


    Ye Jiayao was devastated, have they abandoned her as well? That might be for the best. She might not be able to defend herself right now, let alone take care of them.


    After being dispirited for a while, Ye Jiayao wiped her tears and went to the bedroom to retrieve her secret stash of money under the bed. She wanted to be independent. She would find a way to leave this ce.


    She made her way out carefully. She hid when she met soldiers orid down to y dead. Thankfully, she was able to get through without harm.


    ¡°To hell with you, old hag!¡± a voice screamed from ahead.


    Ye Jiayao shrank.?<i>That was second-in-charge¡¯s voice!?</i>?Didn¡¯t they say he was on the training grounds??<i>What is he doing here?</i>


    A blood-curling screech echoed around.


    ¡°Quick! Someone! Second-in-charge is here!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked when she heard the voice and she quickly ran towards it.


    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    She found Auntie Zhao on the ground, wounded. Meanwhile, second-in-charge was standing over Auntie Jiang, waving his machete. Ye Jiayao rushed over to stop him.


    Seeing Ye Jiayao, the murderous look in second-in-charge¡¯s eyes calmed. ¡°You are just in time.¡±


    ¡°Let them go! I will go with you, or you can take me as your hostage,¡± Ye Jiayao said, using the courage she didn¡¯t know she had. She looked directly at second-in-charge as she gave Auntie Jiang signals to run.


    Auntie Jiang helped Auntie Zhao up, wanting to leave, but worried about the safety of Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao walked over and stood between Auntie Jang and second-in-charge. ¡°Why are you still meddling around here? Do you want to get stabbed? Scram!¡± she demanded fiercely at Auntie Jiang.


    Auntie Jiang knew that Ye Jiayao wanted to save her and staying would not help. She had better find third-in-charge quickly and get him to save her.


    Second-in-charge did not want to let Auntie Jiang go. If she told the soldiers about his location, he would be in deep trouble.


    Ye Jiayao held on to second-in-charge to distract him. ¡°Second brother, where is the secret passageway you talked about? Quick, bring me with you.¡±


    Second-in-charge replied gloomily, ¡°There are soldiers outside the meeting room. How do we even get to the passageway? F*ck! Big brother was right, third brother was a spy.¡±


    ¡°I just came back from that side and almost ran into him. He was with other soldiers and they¡¯reing here. We better go before it¡¯s toote.¡± Ye Jiayao pointed to the courtyard, giving Auntie Jiang a clear direction.


    Second-in-charge looked at Ye Jiayao suspiciously. ¡°You met third brother? What are you still doing here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao pretended to be full of sorrow. ¡°I saw him but he did not see me. I just found out that he is a crown prince. I heard him tell his henchmen to get rid of me. Perhaps, he did not wish for me to appear before him again, and let others know that he was once married in the stockade.¡±


    That was the half-truth. It was a bonus that she didn¡¯t have to pretend to be sad because she was indeed upset with how things have turned out.


    Second-in-charge clenched his teeth in anger. ¡°They say bandits are ruthless, but I think the officials are the real heartless ones. Lady Ye, don¡¯t be upset. When we escape, I will care for you and treat you like a treasure.¡±


    Ye Jiayao secretly heaved a sigh of relief as she saw Auntie Jiang got away.


    ¡°Now that the secret passageway has been watched by soldiers, how do we escape?¡± Ye Jiayao had another motive for staying. She wanted to find out more about her kidnapping. He mentioned before that she was betrayed by her family. She could guess who it was but she still wanted to verify it.


    ¡°The passageway might be blocked, but there are other routes. Follow me. I would be sure to bring you out,¡± second-in-charge said, pulling her ahead.


    Ye Jiayao was brought to the cliff by the hazeke.


    ¡°There is a small boat beneath. We will take the boat,¡± second-in-charge said.


    ¡°Second brother, who in the Ye family contacted you?¡± Ye Jiayao inquired. She did not want to leave with him. He was a wanted criminal by the army and if she escaped with him, she would only hasten her death.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it when we get onto the boat. Now,e-¡± Second-in-charge stopped suddenly, his eyes wide and filled with fear.


    He slowly looked down at his body. There was an arrow piercing through his chest.


    Ye Jiayao turned around and saw dots of me from afar. A troop of soldiers had already encircled them.


    ¡°Shoot! Don¡¯t let anyone off,¡± one soldier ordered.


    <i>Whoosh!</i>


    Swift arrows whizzed past them, slicing through the sky.


    Second-in-charge, who was at death¡¯s door, pulled Ye Jiayao over, shielding her with his body as he was shot into a porcupine.


    ¡°Quick¡­ run!¡± Second-in-charge used thest ounce of strength in him to push Ye Jiayao away.


    Behind Ye Jiayao was the cliff, and with his push, she stumbled back and fell straight down.


    She heard the wind rushing by her ear as she plummeted down the cliff. Her mind was nk but her body moved instinctively, her hands automatically stretching to form a cross to protect both sides of her head.


    Her body dropped vertically, just like how divers enter the water, and Ye Jiayao was submerged into cold darkness.

 Chapter 29

    <h4>Chapter 29: Why Can¡¯t You Be A Little More Shameless</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The battle only ended when day broke. The army was victorious. First-in-charge, who escaped from the secret passageway, was blocked at the entrance and caught. Second-in-charge¡¯s whereabouts, however, were still unknown.


    Following Bai Zongye¡¯s arrest, thousands of bandits surrendered, while others refuse to submit. Those that rather die than give in were ughtered. The notorious Hei Feng Gang finally disintegrated and ceased to exist.


    Only, Yaoyao¡¯s tracks had yet to be discovered.


    Song Qi led a gang of brothers to search the corpses but was unable to find her. Yaoyao seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Facing the immense victory, Xia Chunyu did not feel happy. His heart felt more and more empty as the seconds passed with no news of Yaoyao. He should¡¯ve been rejoicing, yet, here he was, sick to his stomach with worry.


    ¡°Has no one seen her at all?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, depressed.


    Song Qi replied, ¡°When we caught second-in-charge¡¯s henchman, Li Tie, he said that before the battle happened, sis¡­ Lady Ye was kidnapped by second-in-charge. She was imprisoned in the little house beside the meeting room. However, when I went over there, there was only a piece of bloodstained rope and an open window.?Lady Ye must have escaped from the window.¡±


    When Xia Chunyu heard the word bloodstained, his heart contracted into a tight vise.?Second-in-charge must have realized Yaoyao eavesdropped in their conversation and captured her.


    ¡°Some men from the group of bandits who were arrested in the meeting room said that Lady Ye told them about it. She was the reason they knew of the passageway.¡± Song Qi visibly deted and continued, ¡°After that¡­ there was no news of Lady Ye.¡±


    ¡°Master Crown Prince, there is someone outside called Auntie Jiang who wishes to see you.¡± A guard entered with the message.


    <i>Auntie Jiang??</i>Xia Chunyu ordered hurriedly, ¡°Let her in.¡±


    After escaping the previous night, Auntie Jiang was busy taking care of the injured Auntie Zhao. She only came to look for third-in-charge to inquire about third madam. She was going to go as soon as she finished helping Auntie Zhao settle down, but she had no idea where third-in-charge was. She had asked many soldiers but they all ignored her. She couldn¡¯t ask her old partner because he had gone to lead the army?to the secret passageway to chase after first-in-charge.


    ¡°Third-in-charge!¡± At the sight of third-in-charge, Auntie Jiang was overwhelmed by an inexpressible agitation.


    Song Qi smiled. ¡°Auntie Jiang, it¡¯s time to call him Master Crown Prince.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, my stupid mouth! Master Crown Prince, please do not take offense.¡± Auntie Jiangughed in embarrassment.


    Xia Chunyu was not concerned. ¡°Auntie Jiang, have you seen Yaoyao?¡±


    Auntie Jiang was astounded. ¡°Master Crown Prince, you haven¡¯t found third madam yet? That is terrible.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart sank. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Aunti Jiang?recounted the events of the previous night. She started with how she and Auntie Zhao met second-in-charge and almost got shed by him, continuing onto how third madam came to save them and became second-in-charge¡¯s hostage.


    ¡°Auntie Zhao and I followed the direction third madam gave to look for you, Master Crown Prince. It was a pity we could not find you, but instead, we ran into a few soldiers. I told them where the second-in-charge of the stockade was at and they chased after him. I thought third madam would have been saved. Third madam gave herself over to save me, otherwise, she would not have been held hostage by second-in-charge. This is all my fault!¡± Auntie Jiang thought of Ye Jiayao¡¯s kind and selfless heart, and could not help but weep grievingly.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s brows were knitted. ¡°Yaoyao said she saw me and even pointed you in the direction I was at?¡±


    Auntie Jiang nodded.


    ¡°Which direction did she point in?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Auntie Jiang choked with emotions, ¡°The training grounds.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Song Qi looked at each other in dismay. The previous night, he did chase second-in-charge, Shengwu, all the way to the training grounds, but he left when he realized that person was not Shengwu. How did Yaoyao know? Did she see him? When was it? Why didn¡¯t shee out to meet him if she saw him? Did she make use of the chaos to escape?


    ¡°Oh, right! I remember third madam said something like, you are the crown prince and don¡¯t want her anymore.¡± Auntie Jiang was so afraid at that moment and did not listen carefully.


    <i>Ugh! When did he say anything like that? Ridiculous!</i>


    Song Qi suddenly remembered something, saying hesitantly, ¡°Master Crown Prince, could it be possible that Lady Ye was there near the courtyard at that time?¡±


    Master Crown Prince have said something along the lines of putting on an act.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face lost all of its colors.?<i>If it was really then... but??</i><i>wasn¡¯t she always very thick-skinned? When did she be so sensitive?</i>


    Song Qi looked at the Master Crown Prince with sympathy. The Master Crown Prince was just reluctant to admit it, but he obviously cared about sister-inw a lot.


    ¡°Chunyu!¡± A handsome man dressed splendidly walked in.


    ¡°Marquis,¡± Xia Chunyu weed with cupped hands.


    Helian was the only king who still had a different family name from the ruling emperor, Zhao. Helian Xuan was an outstanding talent from the Helian royal family.?Thete Helian Marquis passed away at his prime, and Helian Xuan took over his position as the Marquis from a young age. He had a deep friendship with Xia Chunyu, and this time they worked together hand in hand to get rid of Hei Feng Gang who had been wreaking havoc in Shan Dong for more than 10 years.


    ¡°Shengwu¡¯s corpse had been found,¡± Helian Xuan ryed.


    ¡°Where is it?¡± Xia Chunyu shuddered at the worry of Yaoyao¡¯s condition.?<i>Where is she??</i>


    ¡°It is right outside. He was shot like a porcupine. The soldiers only realized that it was Shengwu as they were cleaning up.¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked out at a fast pace with Song Qi and Auntie Jiang following him.


    In the courtyard, a corpsey on its stomach with more than 10 arrows piercing his back. Xia Chunyu went up to examine him.


    ¡°That¡¯s Shengwu. Where did you find him?¡± Xia Chunyu asked with a heavy heart.


    A general stepped up and replied, ¡°Right at the cliff by the Haze Lake.¡±


    ¡°Find the soldier who shot the arrows,¡± Xia Chunyu nearly howled, an ominous feeling settling deep in his heart. It was a chaotic and dark night. If Yaoyao was with Shengwu then, it didn¡¯t bode well for her.


    The same general raised his chest, his eyes gleaming with pride as he proudly replied, ¡°To answer your query Master Crown Prince, it was I who shot the arrows.¡±


    At that time, he did not know he shot the second-in-charge of Hei Feng Gang, otherwise, he would have carried the corpse back earlier. This was a huge merit for him.


    Xia Chunyu stared daggers at him. ¡°Was anyone with Shengwu at that time?¡±


    That general did not seem to have noticed that misfortune was about to befall him. ¡°There seems to be a woman.¡±


    Xia Chunyu almost stopped breathing as he forced out his words with difficulty through his gritted teeth. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    The general finally noticed that something was amiss from the Master Crown Prince¡¯s expression. His deathly re looked like he could eat him whole, and for a moment he had no idea how to answer him.


    Helian Xuan chided, ¡°The Master Crown Prince is asking you. Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡±


    ¡°I think¡­ she fell down the cliff¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu gripped his cor, lifting him clear off his feet. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    The general was rmed. ¡°The sky was dark at that time. I saw that they wanted to escape so I ordered for the arrows to be shot. I am not certain if the woman was shot, but when we arrived there, the woman was not around. I could only guess that she fell off the cliff because I did not witness it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was struck speechless.?<i>She was by?the cliff on a period of disordered shooting? Even Shengwu got shot like a porcupine!?</i>??<i>Could Yaoyao have made a narrow escape??</i>??<i>Where? How could she just disappear??</i>


    A few days ago, she was still biting his nose, forcing him to swear never to abandon her. It hasn¡¯t been long since when she was still kicking him in her sleep. The previous day, she still got Song Qi to deliver steamed buns to him.


    Each and every bittersweet scene kept reying in his mind.


    Her beautiful smile that can range from crafty, proud, to hypocritical. The look of her acting pitiful, acting obedient, making eyes at him while she pretended to cry. Every expression of hers were still so vivid as though they were ingrained in his brain.


    Helian Xuan had no idea what happened, but judging from Xia Chunyu¡¯s reaction, he could guess that this woman must be someone Chunyu cared for a lot.


    ¡°Master Crown Prince.¡± Song Qi was deeply upset as well. The sister-inw that he had grown to care for in barely a month, the Lady Ye who made so much delicious food for them, was no longer around.


    Auntie Jiang sobbed loudly, her face buried in her hands. ¡°Third madam! I brought this upon you!¡±


    Helian Xuan frowned.?<i>Third madam? Chunyu had a wife?</i>


    The exhausted Ye Jiayao climbed up the shore with thest of her energy, plopping down on the grass and unable to get up.


    <i>F*ck! If not for my good swimming skills, I would have drowned in theke.</i>


    It wasn¡¯t until her wet clothes were almost dried by the sun and wind, did Ye Jiayao finally manage to get back some strength. She lifted her hand to touch her chest, and luckily, her secret stash was still there.


    Ye Jiayao sat up with great effort and looked at her surroundings. There was a forest not far away. The previous night, she swam northwards, so if she did not get her directions wrong, she was no longer in the boundary of Hei Feng Gang. If she continued walking north, she should be able to reach the Ji Nan province.


    After her sessful escape n, she wanted to go to Ji Nan province first. She had to go to the Wei family to understand the situation.


    Standing by theke, she gazed at the majestic mountains, her heart breaking once again.


    <i>Hei Feng Gang, farewell¡­</i>


    <i>Chunyu, Master Crown Prince, although we were forced to be a couple, and you were indeed horrible, we would not see each other again so let¡¯s forget all the good and bad times! Treat it as a dream.</i>


    <i>Also, Auntie Jiang, Auntie Zhao, and the other kind people in the stockade, I hope you are safe and sound. I hope that you¡¯d be leading only happy and peaceful lives from now on.</i>


    After her personal farewell ceremony, Ye Jiayao tidied her hair and clothes, walking northwards into the forest without looking back.


    At the moment Ye Jiayao was gazing back at Hei Feng Gang, Xia Chunyu was standing at the cliff by Haze Lake, silentlymemorating the loss of his ¡®wife¡¯.


    He once mistook Yaoyao to be a snitch sent by Bai Zongye and because of that, he never really treated her well. He would often scold her and even purposely torture her sometimes. Now, filled with guilt and remorse, he wished that he could turn back the time.


    Wasn¡¯t she also a pitiful person? At home, she was mistreated by her stepmother, and when she was about to escape to a better life, she was kidnapped by the bandits. She ridiculously became his woman and now, she died by the cliff, her corpse nowhere to be found.


    <i>Yaoyao¡­</i>


    He called out her name silently. There was a time that she kept requesting him to call her that, yet he had never done so.


    <i>Yaoyao¡­</i>


    <i>I did not have the intention of abandoning you when I said that! Why couldn¡¯t you have been a little more shameless and tough like always? Why didn¡¯t you jump out, point at my nose and said, ¡®hey, dumb donkey, I am already your woman, don¡¯t you dare think of abandoning me...¡¯</i>


    His eyes were stinging bitterly, hot tears flowing down his face uncontrobly.


    Xia Chunyu rubbed his eyes, gazing at the endlesske, saying softly, ¡°Yaoyao, I brought Da Bao and Er Bao with me. I will take care of them for you. If there is a chance, I will be back to visit you¡­¡±

 Chapter 30

    <h4>Chapter 30: Figure it out</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Three dayster, on an early morning, Ye Jiayao ventured out wearing old-fashioned grey clothes. She looked like a good-looking young boy as she waited among the crowds who were going into the city.


    The shabby grey clothes she bought from a farmer cost her 100 copper coins. It was a bit too expensive, but as she had nothing else, this attire was safe and convenient.


    She had never been to Ji Nan district, but she heard it was famous. It was a ssic dialogue said by Qiong Yao:?<i>Your Majesty, do you still remember Xia Yuhe from Da Mingke?</i>


    At five in the morning, the city gate opened slowly, and the crowds walked into the city like waves. Ancient people usually got up early because there were not busy doing fun activities at night.


    As early as it was, the shops had already opened on the street. The most popr ones being the breakfast shops. There were steamed buns with soup, steamed corn bread, deep-fried dough sticks, pancakes and pliable ramen. It emitted a heady, exquisite fragrance that wafted through the city.


    Ye Jiayao spent four copper coins on two big meat buns and one copper coin on a soup. After she had her fill, she then started to ask about the Wei family in Ji Nan district.


    It was easy to find Wei¡¯s house, it was getting inside of it that was the hard part. She?couldn¡¯t just barge in hastily, otherwise, people would be suspicious. Therefore, she walked near the back door and looked for the most suitable opportunity.


    After a while, Ye Jiayao saw an auntie with a vegetable basket walk out from the back door. She looked like she was going out to buy food in the market.


    Big families usually had a specific ce and time to buy cooking materials. Every day, people sent the food in. It was only when the master specifically asked for something that servants had to go out and buy them.


    Ye Jiayao followed her from a distance, trying to find a chance to talk to her.


    The auntie arrived at the market and she walked straight to an aquatic product store. Without even asking for the price, she weighed out 1.5 kg of river shrimps, two crabs, as well as two basses. She then walked to a cooked food store at the side of the market,ing out with a basket overflowing with goods.


    Ye Jiayao intentionally wobbled and carelessly bumped into her.


    ¡°Damn you! Don¡¯t you have eyes? Watch the roads when you are walking,¡± the auntie shouted at her.


    Ye Jiayao smiled apologetically and immediately made a bow, with her hands folded in front, to say sorry.


    ¡°Big sister, I am so sorry. I was looking for someone just now and didn¡¯t pay attention. I apologize to you.¡±


    Her anger vanished as she stared at the very handsome young man with beautiful eyes. Guys were very forgiving to beautiful girls, and women were also forgiving to handsome guys.


    ¡°Little brother, you are too reckless. If you¡¯ve knocked off my groceries, how would you repay it?¡± the auntie chastised gently.


    Ye Jiayao kept bowing to her with her hands folded in the front. ¡°Big sister, you are right. It was my fault. Big sister, did I hurt you?¡±


    The aunt stroked the hem of her skirt. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just be careful in the future.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡±


    The auntie turned around and walked away. Ye Jiayao thought for a moment and ran up to her. ¡°Big sister, your basket is heavy. Can I help you carry it topensate for my wrong-doing?¡±


    The auntie was not angry anymore and waved her hands dismissively. ¡°No, no, I am alright.¡±


    ¡°It is okay, sister. I was looking for my vige friend, but I couldn¡¯t find him. He probably went back already. I can help you carry the basket home then I will go back to the vige.¡± Ye Jiayao took over the basket in her hand as she spoke.


    ¡°Big sister, where do you live?¡±


    The auntie thought she was warm-hearted, so she just let her do it. It was a long way back and the basket was, indeed, heavy. She forgot to take helpers and her arms would suffer if she was to carry the basket back alone. She was d that someone was willing to help.


    ¡°Wei¡¯s house,¡± the auntie said.


    Ye Jiayao acted surprised, ¡°Is it the prefecture of Wei Zhi?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is the prefecture of Wei Zhi.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoposed her features to show an admiring expression. ¡°Aiya! I have found a high-ranking government official today. Big sister, I knew your manner and breadth of mind was different from other people. As it turned out, you were from the prefecture of Wei Zhi! Big sister, you are so amazing! People from big families are certainly different.¡±


    The auntieughed. ¡°You, little guy, have a smooth tongue. How am I different from others?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said seriously, ¡°Of course you are different. Big sister, even if you just stand among people wordlessly, your manner shows that you are superior.¡±


    The auntie was happily ttered. The two of them shared stories andughter on their way back to the prefecture of Wei.


    Ye Jiayao returned the basket to the auntie as they arrived. ¡°Sister, I will just leave you here now.¡±


    The auntie saw her sweat all over her head and offered, ¡°Do you want to have a drink inside?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled fatuously. ¡°I am a bit thirsty, but... I have never been in such a huge house before. I dare not to enter.¡±


    The auntieughed once again. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! Come in and drink some water before leaving.¡±


    ¡°Aye,¡± Ye Jiayao answered happily and took over the basket again. ¡°Let me carry this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was right, this auntie worked in the kitchen. The reason that she glowed with health was that she could eat good food stealthily.


    ¡°Yo, Sister Gui, where did you kidnap such a cute young guy?¡± The aunties who worked in kitchen teased upon seeing Ye Jiayao.


    Sister Gui yed along humorously. ¡°I kidnapped him from the market. He bumped me carelessly and was forced to carry the food back topensate for his wrong-doing.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. She put the basket down and said, ¡°Hello, big sisters, I am here for some water.¡±


    Sister Gui said, ¡°You wait for a second, I will pour some water for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked around, just like a viger who has never seen the world. She eximed, ¡°Wow! The big families are really so different. This kitchen is bigger than my house!¡±


    ¡°Yo, little brother, where are you from? Your ent is not local,¡± one of the aunties asked.


    ¡°Oh, my hometown is Yang Zhou. I came to Shang Dong to do a small business a few years ago but I lost the money. Now, I n to go back to Yang Zhou.¡± Ye Jiayao intentionally mentioned Yang Zhou to get them talking.


    ¡°Aiyo! Such a coincidence! Ourdy is also from Yang Zhou.¡± Sister Gui carried a cup of tea to her.


    Ye Jiayao feigned surprise. ¡°Really? Where about in Yang Zhou was she from? And how many years has she been in Ji Nan?¡±


    ¡°She only just married herest month.¡±


    ¡°She is from inside the city and she is Tong Zhi governor¡¯s daughter. She is the perfect match for our young master. It is just her temper-¡± another auntie said, trailing off as she made a sour expression.


    <i>Married herest month? How is that possible? Or did Wei¡¯s family find a faker?</i>


    As they were talking, someone came in and cleared her throat and said, ¡°Sister Gui, did you get the river shrimps and crabs that the firstdy wanted?¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard the sound and turned around. She almost spat the water in her mouth in shock.?<i>What??</i>??<i>Isn¡¯t that my second sister¡¯s servant girl, Tao Hong?</i>


    Sister Gui answered, ¡°I bought them. They are all fresh and still alive.¡±


    ¡°Good. Today, you can just make some Fried Shelled Fresh Shrimp and some Crab Roe Buns for lunch. Make sure it is delicate.¡± Tao Hong turned away after barking out the orders. She didn¡¯t even spare a nce at Ye Jiayao.


    <i>Wow!?</i>??<i>A lowly servant giving people threatening looks. Huh.</i>


    Sister Gui waited for Tao Hong to leave before she poohed at the door. It seemed that she disliked Tao Hong.


    ¡°Sister, who is that person? She¡¯s so snobby,¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Sister Gui had a contemptuous look as she answered sulkily, ¡°That¡¯s the big servant girl of firstdy.¡±


    ¡°She is just a servant? I thought she was an actual master or something.¡±


    Her heart was beating crazily fast and she could not stay calm. Tao Hong was the best personal maid for Jinrong. Tao Hong was here. Fried shelled fresh shrimp was Jinrong¡¯s favorite dish. Undoubtedly, the firstdy in the prefecture was Ye Jinrong. The problem was, Jinrong was supposed to be in Yang Zhou. Even if her father let Jinrong save the situation, it shouldn¡¯t have happened this fast.


    The only possible reason for Jinrong marrying to Wei so fast was that she followed her here. The second-in-charge said that she was framed by her own family. Perhaps, Jinrong followed her here secretly in preparation to take over her position.


    ¡°Aye, who knows how to cook fried shelled fresh shrimp?¡± Sister Gui asked everyone.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t learn Huiyang style of cooking. How would we know?¡± someone answered grumpily.


    Someone else piped in, ¡°We have made Crab Roe Buns several times, and every time, she despised it. Pei! She has such a picky mouth and stomach. Why didn¡¯t she just bring her chef here to cook for her every whim? ¡±


    ¡°Aye, what can we do? She is the apple of the eye of the big young master. We are just servants. Servants just get used to being scolded.¡±


    ¡°Such a hassle! At least, they are going to Jin Ling next month,¡± Sister Guiined sulkily.


    <i>They¡¯re going to Jin Ling next month??</i>Wei Liujiang must be going to join the test and visit Jinrong¡¯s family on the way.?<i>Then, it is decided!?</i>Ye Jiayao would go to Jin Ling as well. Even if she doesn¡¯t know how to make things right, she would not let this atrocity go so easily.


    Ye Jiayao offered weakly, ¡°Perhaps you¡¯d let me try? My father worked as a chef in restaurants and I mucked around in them when I was young. I haven¡¯t made Fried Shelled Fresh Shrimp, but I have seen how to make it.¡±


    Sister Gui¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, but she said unhappily, ¡°I have the method, but we can¡¯t create the taste that firstdy wanted. You haven¡¯t even done it so you probably can¡¯t, too.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that I am from Yang Zhou. I am very familiar with the taste that Yang Zhou people want. Don¡¯t worry, I will make sure the firstdy will be satisfied.¡±


    This was only the way she could repay Sister Gui for taking her in.


    ¡°What¡¯s the harm in letting him try? If it doesn¡¯t go well, it would not be the first time that we messed it up, anyway,¡± one of the aunts suggested.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her sleeves up and started to work. She washed the shrimp and put them into boiling water for three minutes. Then, she got rid of the shrimp shells and ced them on a te in a very elegant, neat and beautiful shape. Huai Yang dish was delicate. It has to have good color, smell, taste, and shape ¨C not a single one can be omitted.


    She put the shelled shrimps in circles inside the te orderly before she started on making the sauce. She poured sesame oil into the pot, waited until it was fragrant, and then added soy sauce, sugar, and caltrop starch to mingle. The amount of soy sauce put in the dish has to be perfectly controlled. If it was in little amounts, the shrimps wouldn¡¯t look bright. If it was too much, the dark look of the shrimps would ruin the beauty of the food. Everything required precise control and measurements, but to Ye Jiayao, it was just a piece of cake.


    ¡°Little guy, you don¡¯t look new at this at all,¡± Sister Gui eximed as she watched her.?<i>This guy has better cooking skill than me!</i>


    Ye Jiayao replied casually, ¡°Normally, I cook at home as my mum is not well.¡±


    As she talked, the sauce has already mixed well, so she used a spoon to spread it on the shelled fresh shrimps on the te. The satisfying sizzling sound it made signaled that the te of Fresh Fried Shelled Shrimps was done.


    Ye Jiayao also made some Huai Yang dish, Steamed Bass, Boiled and Shredded Dry Bean Curd, Bean Curd with Mince and Chili Oil¡­


    <i>Damn! Jinrong took over my ce, and yet, I still cooked for her! I hope she gets diarrhea after eating!</i>


    Ye Jiayao cursed her sister inwardly as she finished her dishes.

 Chapter 31

    <h4>Chapter 31: Take the wrong and make the best of it</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was ready to leave after cooking. She didn¡¯t want to stay for too long. If Jinrong knew that Jiayao was alive and in her space, she would definitely kill her.


    She came out from the alley at the back door. A group of people lifted a pnquin and walked past her, nearly knocking her off her feet. Ye Jiayao ttened her back against the wall hurriedly.


    <i>Wow! Trips for governors are so high-ss.</i>


    The street didn¡¯t resume its hustle and bustle until the squad had passed. Ye Jiayao quickly blended in with the crowd and vanished.


    The pnquin stopped in front of the prefecture of Wei. The guards came up to their master and said, ¡°Lord, we¡¯re at the prefecture of Wei.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened the curtain and got off the pnquin. He lifted his head and saw a golden horizontal inscribed board with a ck background, the words ¡®The prefecture of Wei¡¯ sparkling under the sunlight.


    Initially, he was going to go back to the capital after he finished his business in Hei Feng Gang. However, he felt that he just had toe to the prefecture of Wei at once.


    Li Tie, who was the follower of second-in-charge, Sheng Wu, confessed that someone paid 3000 silvers for the Hei Feng Gang to kidnap Yaoyao. It was easy to guess who that was. Who else could gain profit from this monkey business? All he wanted was proof. If he couldn¡¯t find the truth in Wei¡¯s family, then he will search in Yang Zhou. Xia Chunyu felt that it was the only thing he could do now that Yaoyao was gone.


    The prefecture of Wei got the news of Xia Chunyu¡¯s arrival and hurriedly sent people out to greet him.


    ¡°Please, forgive us. We?didn¡¯t know that the Yu Hui ambassador would be arriving. This wee was beneath you. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled calmly. ¡°I was just passing by and thought that I¡¯de visit here. I¡¯m sorry for troubling you.¡±


    ¡°It is not a trouble at all. My humble house is honored by Yun Hui ambassador¡¯s arrival.¡± Wei prefectureughed.


    The two of them made small talk as they walked inside the house.


    After Xia Chunyu took a seat, Wei prefecture requested the servants to prepare some drinks and food. ¡°Let the firstdy decide what drinks and food we get. Yun Hui ambassador is from Jin Ling.¡±


    Xia Chunyu suspected that the firstdy should¡¯ve been Yaoyao. Before he arrived, he expected Wei¡¯s family to use two strategies to react to the kidnapping of the bride. One was to maintain theirposure and find a substitute toplete the wedding, and the other was to pretend that the Ye family never sent anyone here.


    However, it was difficult to use the second strategy. Normally, it only took two days for the bride to arrive at Ji Nan district. Since it was a big event, they must¡¯ve already sent the wedding invitations ages ago. If they had canceled the wedding abruptly, people would¡¯ve suspected. So, it was more likely that they found a substitute for Yaoyao.


    Although, Xia Chunyu never expected that the substitute would be a southerner. Why else would the prefecture of Wei let the young firstdy decide their meal?


    The prefecture Wei dismissed the servants and turned around to ask, ¡°Master Crown Prince, is it government business that brought you to Ji Nan?¡±


    <i>Of course, it is government business!??</i><i>I stayed in ck Wind Ridge for more than half a year!?</i>?It had been a ssified secret, though, so he kept his mouth shut. Even his family didn¡¯t know that he went to Shang Dong. Now that he had seeded, they would be informed as he didn¡¯t need to cover his tracks anymore. ¡°I aming from the ck Wind Ridge.¡±


    Prefecture Wei had a strange look in his eyes, as expected, at the mere mention of the gang. ¡°Helian Lord is marvelous, taking out Hei Feng Gang in one shot. You gave the Qi Lu area their peace back. You¡¯re truly formidable and you have served the country well.¡±


    ¡°It is nothing. The Majesty of Jin Ling has always worried about the rampant bandits in the Lu area. He has sent troops many times but didn¡¯t seed. This time, Helian Royal Highness went himself and finally solved a worrying problem for the Majesty.¡± Xia Chunyu mentioned the Majesty with a respectful expression.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! Do you know when will Helian Royal Highnesse to Ji Nan? I must thank his Royal Highness for the Shang Dong people,¡± Prefecture Wei ttered with a smile. Helian Royal Highness has such a high position, and if they ever meet, it would be a great honor for him. Meeting the Royal Highness would at least make the bowing and humbling he was doing, all worth it.


    Xia Chunyu smiled gently. ¡°The Royal Highness has sent the head of ck Wind Ridge back to the capital. I will pass on your regards to him.¡±


    Prefecture Wei put on a regretful, look. It would¡¯ve been nice if he could cozy up to the Helian Royal Highness. He would just have to turn his ttery and humility to the Yun Hui ambassador for the time being.


    Technically, the prefecture of Wei and the Yun Hui ambassador were equal as they were both rank four official. Prefecture of Wei has a?hold over a district and Xia Chunyu was in the military and an ambassador of the Majesty. However, Xia Chunyu was far nobler as he was the sessor of the current Marquis.


    The prefecture of Wei knew that building a connection with the Yun Hui ambassador was also practically the same as bonding with the Marquis. He had always heard of Yun Hui ambassador¡¯s outstanding deeds, abilities, and unlimited potential. The Yun Hui ambassador was the cream of the crop among the young generation of the royal bloodlines. Prefecture of Wei¡¯s son, Liujang, was going to take the test in Jin Ling soon, and if he seeded, prefecture Wei nned to get him a position in the capital. If Liujang could make friends with the Yun Hui ambassador, that would benefit their family a lot.


    Prefecture Wei said, ¡°Thank you so much, Your Highness. If I may ask, how many days are you going to stay in Ji Nan? It is only so that I can prepare amodations and hospitality for you.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. He looked around, intentionally dodging prefecture Wei¡¯s question. ¡°I saw the prefecture filled with happiness on my way here. Did you have a wedding?¡±


    ¡°My eldest son just got marriedst month.¡±


    Xia Chunyu acted surprised. ¡°Is that right? If I knew, I would¡¯ve prepared a gift!¡±


    Prefecture Weiughed. ¡°Your Highness is too modest.¡±


    ¡°I should, I should. It is just that I have been outside, and I don¡¯t have anything good with me now. After I get back to the capital, I will make up for it.¡± Xia Chunyuughed and asked again, ¡°Which daughter of highness did he marry?¡±


    ¡°It is my old family friend Yang Zhou Tong Zhiye Highness¡¯s daughter. The two had been engaged to each other before they were born.¡±


    Xia Chunyu maintained hisposure. ¡°Is that the eldest daughter of Ye¡¯s family?¡±


    ¡°How does Your Highness know?¡±?Prefecture Wei looked at him in surprise.


    ¡°To be honest, I am here to verify something for a friend.¡±


    Prefecture Wei was visibly worried.


    ¡°What is it, Your Highness?¡±


    Xia Chunyu slowly sipped tea from his cup, and said, ¡°When we attacked ck Wind Ridge, I met a girl who called herself the eldest daughter of the Ye family. She said she was the daughter-inw of Wei¡¯s family.¡±


    Prefecture Wei was shocked and infuriated. He had been gued by this issue for a long time. He only knew that there had been issues when he saw the second daughter of Ye in the bridal chamber, instead of the first daughter. They said that the rightful bride was kidnapped on her way to Ji Nan. Both families knew that if the news of the situation got out, their reputations would be tarnished. Luckily, and coincidentally, the second daughter was in the bridal entourage, so she took her sister¡¯s ce.


    He thought that this incident could be hidden forever. Who knew that Hei Feng Gang could be destroyed so fast? Yun Hui ambassador had seen Ye¡¯s first daughter and now he was asking for the truth.


    <i>But what has been done is done.</i>


    No change can be made. They would all stick to their stories and even if it was wrong, it will stay that way.


    Prefecture Weiposed himself and smiled. ¡°Your Highness must be jesting. Ye¡¯s first daughter has married my sonst month. The female bandit must¡¯ve just used that excuse to get away from her crimes.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Xia Chunyu sneered insensibly.


    Prefecture Wei nodded with certainty. ¡°This thing can¡¯t possibly happen.¡±


    ¡°That is good! I didn¡¯t believe it either. If Wei¡¯s daughter-inw was really kidnapped, there was no way you would stay calm, right?¡± Xia Chunyu was smiling outside but he was seething with rage inside.


    Prefecture Wei was sweating bullets and he looked like a broken doll as he continuously nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right! If this really happened, I would¡¯ve raised hell to get her back. Such an awful woman to make this type of lie to destroy Wei¡¯s honor. Please hand over the girl to me, Your Highness, and let me deal with her.¡±


    Prefecture Wei wanted to get to the girl first before she could spread the story to anyone else.


    Xia Chunyu was angry. He knew that Wei would deny this, but he didn¡¯t think that he would go these lengths. Yaoyao was gone, but even if he had her, he wouldn¡¯t hand her over to him. He was certain that they would kill her to get rid of any evidence.??<i>What wrong did Yaoyao do to them?</i>


    ¡°I cannot deliver what you have requested I¡¯m afraid.¡± Xia Chunyu tamped down his anger patiently.


    Prefecture Wei was apprehensive. ¡°Your Highness, this concerns the Wei¡¯s honor¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his hand to stop him from continuing. ¡°Your Highness thinks too much. That girl is dead from the war. I was just being cautious so I came here to ask about it.¡±


    Prefecture Wei secretly rxed. The memory of holding Ye Jinxuan before when she was still a baby, drove a twinge of pity in his heart. He was sorry for the girl, but it was for the best. She had already lived among the bandits and must¡¯ve already lost her virginity. How could she face the rest of the world? If she had to me anyone, it should be her fate for dealing her with a cruel hand.


    Servants came in and announced that the lunch was ready.


    ¡°We have prepared food and drinks, please take a seat with us,¡± Prefecture Wei graciously offered.


    Xia Chunyu put his fist together and said, ¡°Your Highness is too generous. I¡¯m afraid I still have tasks to do and I can¡¯t stay long. Since this thing has been figured out, I can bid my farewell.¡±


    He detested eating with a hypocrite like him. He wasn¡¯t sure that he would be able to keep his food down.


    ¡°Your Highness, we can still eat quickly, if you¡¯d prefer,¡± Prefecture Wei urged him.


    ¡°Farewell, farewell.¡± Xia Chunyu left hurriedly. There was no necessity to stay. Now that he had?figured out who the so-called Ye¡¯s first daughter was, he must bring Yaoyao her justice.


    After sending Xia Chunyu away, prefecture Wei asked his servant to call his first son to his study.


    ¡°Yun Hui ambassador just visited and mentioned that he met a woman iming to be the first daughter of Ye in ck Wind Ridge,¡± Prefecture Wei said.


    Wei Liujiang was nervous. ¡°Father, what should we do now?¡±


    Prefecture Wei looked calm and cold as he said, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. I believe Ye¡¯s family would take the same stand as us. Since Ye Jinxuan is already dead, no evidence can be found. If both of our families say the same story, there won¡¯t be any problem. You just have to talk Jinrong to be careful and tell her not to give the show away.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Rongrong will be careful as always,¡± Wei Liujiang said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.


    ¡°Ji Nan district is safe but when you go to Jin Ling, you must exercise extra caution,¡± Prefecture Wei warned.


    ¡°There will be some trouble in dealing with Jinxuan¡¯s grandparents.¡±


    ¡°Your father-inw can deal with that by himself.¡± Prefecture Wei felt anxious. No one wanted this type of trouble, but since they had no choice, they just have to cover it up as much as possible.


    They¡¯d take the wrong and make the best of it.

 Chapter 32

    <h4>Chapter 32: Son Of Nobility</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Once Ye Jiayao left the Wei residence, she went to the location of Da Ming Lake on the east side of Ji Nan City. However, it was not called Da Ming Lake but Lotus Lake, because of the lotuses covering it.?It was also called Li Xia Ripple because it was located below Mount Li. Whatever it was called, ake was still ake, and the scenery was still magnificent. As the saying goes:?<i>lotuses on four sides, willows on three, a city of spring scenery, half a city of theke.</i>


    Today, the sun¡¯s rays shone through the pure, turquoiseke water. The willow trees form a dense shade, and walking by the side of theke, with a gentle breeze blowing, it was an extremely enjoyable experience. It wasn¡¯t the season for the lotus to blossom so Ye Jiayao was unable?to witness the majestic sight of extensive lotuses on theke in full bloom.


    There were many travelers floating around on boats on theke and it was a pleasing sight to behold. Ye Jiayao ran to the pier to rent one, but there was only one left and it cost 200 coppers.


    Ye Jiayao could not help but clutch to her purse tighter. She did not have much money, and what little she had, was allotted to supporting herself in Jin Ling. She really couldn¡¯t spare the 200 coppers to tour theke.


    However, it took so much effort to make the trip here. If she just walked along the bank and not even take the chance to go to the pavilion at the heart of theke, she would regret it.


    ¡°Boatman, could you make it cheaper? I won¡¯t stay for long.¡± Ye Jiayao negotiated with the boatman.


    The boatman judged her from the corner of his eyes, replying impatiently, ¡°If you want to rent it, rent it. If not, go away. Don¡¯t hinder my business.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was still determined not to spend that 200 coppers. ¡°Then, can I find someone to rent the boat with?¡±


    The boatman did not even look at her. ¡°The base price is 200 coppers, there is no negotiating on that. If you add one more person, it would be another 100 coppers.¡±


    <i>Peh! It¡¯s just a bloody old boat!?</i>??<i>Do you know how many big meat buns you can buy with 200 coppers? Exactly 100 of them!?</i>


    ¡°Boatman, to the center of theke.¡± A young man dressed in magnificent clothing walked over and boarded the boat immediately.


    The boatman greeted him with a smile. ¡°Customer, watch your step, it is slippery.¡±


    ¡°Ay! I rented the boat first, you can¡¯t just snatch it away!¡± Ye Jiayao pulled the young man back, seeing that thest boat was about to be taken.


    The young man looked back at her. The long and thin pair of almond-shaped eyes slightly squinted as he looked at Ye Jiayao. He then shook her hand off in distaste. ¡°You rented it first? Then why didn¡¯t you get on the boat?¡±


    ¡°Who said I rented my boat to you? Can you even afford it?¡± the boatman cut in. He was worried that his business would be ruined by this poor chap.


    Ye Jiayao could not stand this kind of self-serving people.?<i>Screw you!?</i><i>?I won¡¯t fight for steamed buns but I will fight for my rights! I will stand up against you today.</i>


    ¡°Who said I can¡¯t afford it? Open your eyes wide and take a good look.¡± Ye Jiayao took out a handful of silver pieces, swinging them in front of the boatman.


    The boatman simply looked down on those silver pieces. Renting the boat to him would only earn him 200 coppers at most, but renting it to that son of nobility might get him tips.


    ¡°You still have to haggle for just 200 coppers. If you cannot bear to spend money, just stand by the bank and look. Master, this way please.¡± The boatman nodded and bowed to the son of nobility.


    Ye Jiayao blocked his path, her hands on her hips as she said overbearingly, ¡°How can you do business like this? You should always go ording to the order of arrival. I didn¡¯t say I won¡¯t rent the boat. Did you write on your boat no haggling? Or is it because he is better dressed and looked richer than me? Do you know what you are? Self-serving. If you don¡¯t rent your boat to me, I swear, I¡¯d flip it over.¡±


    The boatman was stupefied. He did not think that the poor chap would be so unreasonable. His business has always depended on amiability to bring in money. If this poor chap was set on making it difficult for him, there would be serious trouble.


    ¡°Forget it, forget it! You two just partner up and get on the boat together.¡±


    The son of nobility said in disdain, ¡°I like to be alone. How about this? The one who can offer a higher price gets to rent the boat.¡±


    The boatman could not contain his joy. ¡°That would, of course, be good.¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally managed to scare the boatman yet this rascal stirred up trouble.?<i>So what if you have money? If I did not end up in dire situations, I would not be worse off than you!?</i>Ye Jiayao moved close to the son of nobility and sniffed. ¡°What is so smelly?¡±


    The son of nobility was immediately angered. ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°I said you reek of copper smell. You are quite good-looking but why are the words from your mouth so hollow?¡±


    ¡°You little ¨C do you know who I am? How dare you diss me?¡± The son of nobility¡¯s face was flushed red.


    <i>That f*cking southern dialect! He¡¯s a foreigner! I¡¯m not scared of you! I¡¯d be?gone after touring theke, anyway.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was not bothered as she strolled on to the boat. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. Anyway, I rented this boat. I, too, don¡¯t want to share it! It is so satisfying to be alone.¡±


    ¡°Boatman, start the boat.¡±


    The son of nobility just stared at her.?<i>The boat got snatched away from me just like that?</i>


    ¡°Hey! We¡¯ll just take it together and split the money.¡± The son of nobility jumped onto the boat,nding steadily next to Ye Jiayao.


    The boat rocked and Ye Jiayao, not having the time to sit yet, wobbled. She frantically tugged the son of nobility¡¯s sleeve to steady herself.


    <i>Riiiiiiiipppppppp!</i>


    The sound of silk ripping prompted Ye Jiyao to nce at the son of nobility, eyes widening as his sleeve tore widely.


    ¡°Let go, you rascal!?You tore my clothes.¡± The nobleman was boiling mad as he shook Ye Jiayao off with all his might.


    ¡°You jumped in so suddenly! Do you think this is hard ground?¡± Ye Jiayao was still clinging tightly onto his sleeve and the two of them tangled up, rocking the boat even more.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey! Don¡¯t do this please, the boat is about to capsize,¡± the boatman said urgently.


    <i>Riiiiiiiippppppppppp!</i>


    Another ripping sound echoed and Ye Jiayao fell on her ass, a sleeve in her hand.


    The son of nobility stared down at his tattered clothes, his face looking murderous.


    Ye Jiayao was also shocked. She did not know that the material of his clothing could be so unreliable!?It was might have looked very impressive but it was ultimately useless.


    ¡°Take¡­ take this back.¡± Ye Jiayao stood up, dusting her backside, returning the sleeve to the son of nobility.


    The nobleman took the sleeve and threw it ruthlessly into the water, gritting his teeth and ring at Ye Jiayao. ¡°What are you going to do now? This is the first-rate Hang Zhou silk, Yun Shui Bi! You might not even get a bolt for 100 taels.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips twitched as she shot back, ¡°You still have the cheek to ask me what to do? If not for you jumping in so rashly I wouldn¡¯t have grabbed onto you! I would¡¯ve fallen into the water! What would you do if I drown? Can youpensate? I haven¡¯t even asked you to pay for my distress!¡±


    Afraid that both of them would end up getting off the boat, the boatman quickly sculled and left the bank.


    Seeing that the chap had ae-bite-me-if-you-can¡¯t-ept-it face, the son of nobility bottled his anger in. He should¡¯ve checked his fortune when he left the house. If he had, he might¡¯ve known that he would meet his nemesis today.


    ¡°Hey, we agreed on splitting the fee in half!¡± Ye Jiayao could not be bothered by his anger. Even if he was angry, that was still his fault. The important matter was settling the rental fees.


    The son of nobility snorted angrily, staring daggers at Ye Jiayao as he sat down.


    This episode seemed to have no effect on Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood in sightseeing. After all, why wouldn¡¯t she be happy? She was touring theke and she had managed to save 50 coppers.


    ¡°Wow, there are so many fishes! There is even a gold carp!¡±?Ye Jiayao was so giddy, she was like a little child at a fair. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s a water bird! Boatman, what is this bird called?¡±


    The boatman sculled, replyingzily, ¡°It¡¯s a little egret.¡±


    ¡°Is it the little egret from a row of little egrets flying up the blue sky? Truly beautiful,¡± Ye Jiayao was deeply moved at finally seeing the little egret from the poem.


    The son of nobility looked at Ye Jiayao from the corner of his eyes scornfully.<i>I?</i><i>mitating schrs reciting poems? What a pretentious guy!</i>


    ¡°Ay, boatman! I heard that theke has four wonders; the frogs do not croak, the snakes are hard to find, the water level does not fall with prolonged drought, and neither does it rise with prolonged rainfall. I know the reason for the three but what is with the frogs not croaking?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    The boatman replied in disbelief, ¡°I have made my living on thiske for more than 20 years and I don¡¯t know what you mean. Do exin,?why snakes are hard to find, the water level does not fall with prolonged drought, and why it doesn¡¯t rise with prolonged rainfall.


    Ye Jiayao was pleased. ¡°What do I get from telling you? How about you give me 50 coppers discount for each one I answer?¡±


    The boatman shut his mouth tactfully. Satisfying his curiosity was not worth the money he would lose.


    However, the son of nobility sulking at the side, became interested.


    ¡°Say, if it makes sense, I will pay your share.¡±


    For a moment, Ye Jiayao found the youngster quite cute and naive. If it was that dumb donkey, he would¡¯ve never fallen for it so quickly.


    ¡°Treat me to a meal at the ind and I will tell you.¡± Ye Jiayao was the best at asking for a foot after getting an inch. Only stupid people would not jump at the chance of extortion. She heard that there were many characteristic delicacies on the ind. However, things were always expensive in tourist spots, and since she was short on money, she had to spend wisely.


    ¡°Answer it first.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed mischievously.¡±Take a look at the birds at theke, aren¡¯t there exceptionally dense in poption?¡±


    The son of nobility raised his brows. ¡°What connection is there?¡±


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that many birds do not only feed on fishes in the water but also snakes and insects? There are so many species of birds here that insects and snakes would naturally not be able to survive.¡±


    The son of nobility frowned and pondered, saying unwillingly, ¡°I guess that would make sense.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pouted. ¡°It makes sense because it is a fact.¡±


    <i>In my previous life, I especially studied travel guides just to travel to Da Ming Lake. I¡¯ve researched everything with regards to this site, be it local traditions and customs, delicacies, cultures, myths, and legends. Trust me, boy, I¡¯m an expert.</i>


    ¡°Then what about thest two?¡± the son of nobility asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao kept him in suspense. ¡°The exnation would be more profound. I don¡¯t know if you would understand.¡±


    ¡°You must be boasting.¡± The son of nobility scoffed.


    Ye Jiayao wrinkled her nose, exining, ¡°The water level does not rise even with prolonged rain because theke has many drainage outlets. Any amount of water would be discharged in time. With regards to the water level not falling during prolonged drought, it is because the bottom of theke is ayer of igneous rock with a fine texture. Therefore, it would be difficult for the water in theke to seep through. Do you understand?¡±


    The son of nobility replied embarrassedly, ¡°For all I know, you are just babbling nonsense.¡±


    It was Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to scoff. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, don¡¯t believe me. Anyway, I never expected someone with average intelligence to know this.¡±


    ¡°It does make some sense,¡± the boatman spoke.


    He did not know what igneous rock was, but seeing how that poor chap exined it so confidently, he decided to believe him.


    ¡°So? So? You pay the rental fee and treat me to food!¡± Ye Jiayao giggled.


    The nobleman rolled his eyes. He was fretting how he could ovee the shame of touring the ind with his torn clothes.

 Chapter 33

    <h4>Chapter 33: Lost money</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Boatman, is there a silk warehouse or a clothing shop on the ind?¡± the nobleman asked.


    The boatman replied, ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s nothing of that sorts on the ind. There is?a phnthropist, though, who opened a charity shop. Usually, if someone fell into theke, they can change their clothes there.¡±


    After the boat touched down the shore, the nobleman went straight to the charity shop and Ye Jiayao followed him aimlessly. Her delicious meal n depended on him, so naturally, she followed him closely.


    It wasn¡¯t long after before the nobleman had transformed into an average civilian dude in yellow linen clothes. Since he has long legs, the pants were too short for him. The cropped pants look was too hrious, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stopughing uncontrobly after seeing him.


    The son of nobility was terribly disgusted. ¡°What a terrible charity shop! It costs 500 grams of coppers just to get this ragged clothing,¡± he said depressingly.


    Thinking about the cheap clothes that only cost her a few hundred copper coins, she felt proud of herself. She didn¡¯t need good clothing if it was going to cost that much.


    ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! If you didn¡¯t tear my clothes, I wouldn¡¯t have any reason to wear this garbage,¡± the noblemanined.?<i>Hell, even my horse-keeper wears better clothes than this.</i>


    ¡°For such a big man, you sure are such a sissy! Don¡¯t you get?frustrated from talking about these tiny little insignificant details? All you toffs are so squeamish and spoilt! One tiny little thing that doesn¡¯t go your way and you think that the sky has fallen apart! What if, one day, you can¡¯t depend on your family anymore? What would you do then, huh?¡± Ye Jiayao ranted angrily. Although the kid was a lot taller than her, he looked very much younger than her.?<i>He doesn¡¯t even have a full beard!?</i>


    ¡°A true man needs to know when to yield. What is wrong with wearing linen clothing? Does it really kill you to wear it? There are so many people in the world that don¡¯t even have linen clothes to wear! There are families who make do with one pants for all of them. You are quite luckypared to them, so stop whining about it!¡± Ye Jiayao?was fully aware that she was acting like a big sister, but she couldn¡¯t help it. She just couldn¡¯t bear how rotten this young man was acting.


    It was the first time that the nobleman had heard of such things. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s true. Only one pants to wear for the whole family? How could they even wear it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her eyebrows, challenging him. ¡°How? The person who needs to go out wears it and the others just hide in the bed sheets.¡±


    ¡°You must be making that up.¡± The son of nobility could not picture such a scene.


    ¡°That¡¯s because there are only a few ces that you have been. You haven¡¯t seen much of the world. Just because you haven¡¯t seen it, doesn¡¯t mean they don¡¯t exist.¡±


    The pretty phoenix eyes of the nobleman lost its fire as he grudgingly said, ¡°You?talk as if you¡¯ve seen many parts of the world. You look the same age as me, how much experience could you possibly have had?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I haven¡¯t had more experience than you in the rich families, but I certainly understand more about the poor families,¡± Ye Jiayao said haughtily.


    As they talked, they made their way inside an eight-sided, grandeur ancient pavilion. Ye Jiayao raised her head and saw ¡®Li Xia Pavilion¡¯ written on the awning and a feeling of historical significance washed over her. She thought of the poem that was left as the old Du drank here?with the protector of the north sea, Li Yongyan.??<i>Please, let the sea protect this pavilion. There are many famous people in Ji Nan. Although, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s an old Du yet at this time.</i>


    As she stood in the middle of the pavilion, looking out afar, she marveled over another scenery. She could see the width of theke, the green lotuses everywhere, the surrounding willow trees ¨C the whole magnificence of Da Min Lake could be seen.


    ¡°The scenery here is really good evenpared to the river of Qin Zhun.¡±<i>Thank God, the nobleman finally stopped whining about the clothes and praises.?</i>No wonder big mountains and seas can cure a person¡¯s mood. It really opens a person¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Are you a descendant of Jin Ling?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    The nobleman raised his eyebrows in surprise. ¡°You know about the river of Qin Zhun?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. I¡¯ve even been there!¡±


    <i>In another space-time, thousands of yearster.</i>


    ¡°Where else have you been?¡± the nobleman asked, curious.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been to many ces, from the ends of north and south,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    ¡°How old are you? You¡¯ve been to the ends of north and south? You must be bluffing.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shrugged. ¡°Believe what you want, I don¡¯t care.¡±


    <i>I have even been to foreign countries, another continent, oh, and another time! I bet it¡¯ll scare the life out of you if I tell you.</i>


    ¡°Selling ice sugar and lotus seed soup! Aromatic and delicious lotus seed soup, five copper coins a bowl! It¡¯s cold and refreshing¡­¡± The booming voice of a seller could be heard from not far away.


    Ye Jiayao was ecstatic. Ice sugar and lotus seed soup could be counted as one of the delicacies of?Da Min Lake. The lotus seed produced here were big, round, filling, snow-white in color, and it was very fresh.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! You promised to treat me to delicious food! Let¡¯s go and eat the ice sugar and lotus seed soup!¡± Ye Jiayao took his arm and dragged the son of nobility outside of the Li Xia Pavilion.


    They found the stall that sells the ice sugar and lotus seed soup beside the road. Ye Jiayao excitedly said, ¡°Madam, two bowls of ice sugar and lotus seed soup please.¡±


    The madam filled up two bowls happily.


    The nobleman was left bemused.?<i>Are we going to eat it while standing here on the side of the road?</i>


    ¡°Hurry up and eat it!?This is delicious! The lotus seeds here can only bepared with the Wu Yi lotus seeds from Jin Hua pce. You can¡¯t eat it anywhere else.¡± Ye Jiayao has already started devouring her food. Her mouth was filled with the tenderness and deliciousness of the lotus seeds, and the aroma stays in the mouth. It was indeed true to its name.


    Even though it was just an ordinary ice sugar and lotus seed soup, the cook has to be careful to make it right. The yellow dried up lotus seeds from regr shops don¡¯t have the same taste no matter how well you cook it. The good quality seeds must be selected, rid of the bitter heart of the seed, bathed in water for a night, and then added the ice sugar, white fungus, and mer. After that, it still has to be boiled in a steady fire until the flesh was soft.


    It was a long process.


    Ye Jiayao saw herpanion eat a tiny portion at a time, pecking on his food like a bird. She said in exasperation, ¡°No one knows you¡¯re here! Why are you still putting on a show? It¡¯s only refreshing if you drink a lot at a time.¡±


    The nobleman stole a nce at the sides, and when he was satisfied that no one was watching him, he took arge swallow.


    <i>Refreshing!??</i>¡°Yes, it¡¯s quite good.¡± The son of nobility smiled, revealing two adorable dimples.


    Ye Jiayao looked mesmerized.?<i>Damn! A man with dimples! He looked so charming when he smiles.</i>


    The two quickly finished their bowls of lotus seed soup.


    Ye Jiayao put her bowl down, wiped her mouth, and said, ¡°You are paying.¡±


    The nobleman went to fetch his wallet. His worried look gradually started to get worse as he felt left, right, up, and down.


    Ye Jiayao had an unfortunate feeling. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    The nobleman was confused. ¡°My wallet is gone! It was just here before.¡±


    <i>Oh, gosh.</i>


    ¡°Did you forget to take out your wallet when you were changing clothes?¡±


    The nobleman frowned. ¡°That¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°Look, you drank my lotus seed soup. You can¡¯t get if for free, my business is quite small.¡± The madam scowled after seeing that they have lost their wallet. She feared that they might not pay the bill.


    ¡°Can you pay first? I¡¯ll pay you back when I find my wallet,¡± the nobleman said, visibly embarrassed.


    <i>Well, if you¡¯ve lost your wallet, how could you get it back??</i><i>I?was going to get you to pay, now, it turns out that I am the one who¡¯d be treating you?</i>. She really was the ma of misfortune.?YeJiayao looked down at her sad looking money bag rapidly bing very t.


    Reluctantly, she paid the ten copper coins.


    The two found their way back to the charity station. The nobleman immediately asked a worker, ¡°What happened to the clothes I left here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. You can check it out from that old pile of clothes.¡± The worker pointed to a basket coldly.


    The nobleman didn¡¯t care about how dirty or messy it was right now as he bent down and sifted through the pile.


    Ye Jiayao leaned against the counter as she watched the nobleman search for his wallet, knowing that he would not find it. When he bought his linen clothes and paid, she saw the golden leaves on his purse and the silver coins in it. Arge sum of wealth like that, who wouldn¡¯t be happy to have found it? There was slim to none chance of them ever giving it back.


    The nobleman hadpletely turned the basket upside down but still could not find his original clothes.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it was dumped here? Why isn¡¯t it here?¡± the nobleman asked the worker.


    ¡°How would I know? The peopleing here are all looking for their clothes. Your clothes have a good material, it¡¯s probably already taken by someone.¡±


    Ye Jiayao observed the worker¡¯s calm expression. He looked so collected, they couldn¡¯t just randomly use him of taking the wallet.


    ¡°Well, have you seen my wallet, then? Maybe I left it here when I was changing clothes.¡± The nobleman was still not defeated.


    The worker said angrily, ¡°What do you mean? We hid your wallet? We are a charity station, our specialty is doing good deeds. How could we have taken your wallet?¡±


    ¡°I was just asking! Why are you yelling at me? Your?specialty is doing good deeds, and yet one ragged clothing cost five hundred copper coins. Ha! I think you are just a bunch of thieves robbing people¡¯s money,¡± the nobleman snapped back.


    ¡°Did you just say we are a bunch of thieves?¡± The worker rolled up his sleeve, and shouted, ¡°Brothers, there¡¯s someone here looking for trouble.¡±


    Suddenly, a few aggressive-looking dudes appeared from the courtyard behind the curtain. ¡°Who is it? Who is looking for trouble?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw the situation took a worse turn and stepped in. ¡°Calm down everyone. My brother here lost his wallet after he changed his clothes. He is just worried, that¡¯s why he asked. He didn¡¯t say much really, just asked if you have seen it. That¡¯s normal right? You are all doing good deeds and by beating up a kid, you¡¯d just look like you were hiding something.¡±


    The worker was now seething as he pointed to the nobleman and said, ¡°He said it! He said we are just a bunch of thieves!¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly replied, ¡°When did he say such a thing? I was beside him and I didn¡¯t hear anything like that. Don¡¯t use the fact that you have more people to bully us! Do you know who he is? Ha! You¡¯d pee your pants if I tell you who he really is.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dragged the nobleman away as the workers processed her little tirade. ¡°Let¡¯s go! There¡¯s no need to waste your temper on them. Losing the wallet isn¡¯t that much of a big deal.¡±


    Once they were outside, the son of nobility shook her hold off him. ¡°Why did you stop me? What can those scumbags do to me? I can beat them up so bad their mother wouldn¡¯t even recognize them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao scowled at him. ¡°Do you have a brain? A real man won¡¯t fight when the odds are against him. Besides, do you have evidence that the wallet is really at the charity station? If you wreck the shop but still couldn¡¯t find the wallet, what then?¡±

 Chapter 34

    <h4>Chapter 34: You Are The Only One I Know</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Are you just going to leave it at that?¡± the nobleman asked angrily.


    Ye Jiayao saw the salesmen walk out and watch them cautiously. She decided to drag the nobleman away first.


    ¡°I tried recalling what happened and it seems that when you were changing, the purse was already missing. Moreover, the salesmen had such nice attitude before and were coaxing you to buy the clothes with silver. When they saw that we were going back, they changed their attitude immediately and became indifferent. When you mentioned your purse, they became angry, which raises some suspicions,¡± Ye Jiayao analyzed.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking as well,¡± the nobleman said heatedly. ¡°No, I can¡¯t take this insult.¡± He started to walk back to the store, his stance tensed.


    Ye Jiayao clung to him firmly. ¡°Can you not be so impulsive? God, they were telling the truth when they said youth without facial hair cannot be relied upon!¡±


    ¡°What did you say about me?¡± the nobleman¡¯s voice rose by an octave, his eyes bulging in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying that you do things without thinking,¡± Ye Jiayao hollered back.?<i>You think I¡¯d be scared of you when I¡¯ve lived with ouws before?</i>


    ¡°Then what do you suggest?¡± the nobleman asked unhappily.


    ¡°Well, what can we do without any evidence? We can only chalk it up to our bad luck,¡± Ye Jiayao stated. If they were locals, then they could¡¯ve at leaste up with some ideas. However, they were outsiders, what could they do? Even if they have tons of money, it was still of no use. Hasn¡¯t he heard?that a fierce dragon was no match for a snake in its home territory?


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you have any rtives or friends in Ji Nan?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    The nobleman responded in a foul mood. ¡°I am escaping, I mean, I don¡¯t have any rtives. I¡¯m out to y and travel by myself.¡±


    Although he corrected his mistake quickly, Ye Jiayao had already picked up on the key point. This child was in his rebellious stage and has run away from home.


    ¡°Since you lost your money now, how will you return to Jin Ling? It¡¯s obvious that you¡¯re not very experienced. You should¡¯ve put your money and other belongings in various ces so if you lose one portion, you still have another. Putting them all together like that was a rookie mistake. I¡¯m really beginning to have doubts about how you managed to go to Ji Nan from Jin Ling,¡± Ye Jiayao criticized unrestrainedly.


    ¡°Was this not all your fault? If you did not steal my boat, rip my clothes, I would not be in this predicament!¡± The nobleman started to recount from the start.


    ¡°Oh God, we¡¯re back to this again? Why don¡¯t you mention that if it was not for you fleeing from home anding to Ji Nan then nothing would have happened? Geez! I even gave you a bowl of sugared lotus seed soup! Plus, I am about to pay your boat feeter. If you keep whining, I¡¯ll leave you by yourself,¡± Ye Jiayao threatened.


    The nobleman immediately calmed down and muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t care. You are still partly responsible, anyway.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s temper red.?<i>How dare he me me?</i>


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the energy to keep arguing with you. You know, I was really excited to go on this tour, but now? Ha! We should just go back before my mood starts to get worse. I¡¯ll send you back to the shore and we can part ways,¡± Ye Jiayao said in a huff as she walked off.


    The nobleman followed her hurriedly. ¡°You can¡¯t just bring me back to the shore! I don¡¯t have any silver. How can I survive? What will I eat? Where will I live?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your own problem, not mine. Don¡¯t ask me,¡± Ye Jiayao rebutted without even turning to look at him.


    ¡°You are also at fault! Who do I ask if not you?¡± The nobleman followed closely behind Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao stopped her tracks and the nobleman barely managed to stop before almost colliding with her.


    ¡°Listen to me. I¡¯m a poor wretch and I am only surviving by begging everywhere and asionally doing some odd jobs. Are you sure you want to follow me?¡±


    The nobleman observed Ye Jiayao from head to toe and smiled. ¡°A beggar who wants to tour around? Who are you kidding?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shrugged.??<i>I can barely feed myself, little dude, how can I care for you?</i>


    The two headed straight for the pier and boarded the boat back.


    The boatman chuckled. ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay and tour a bit more?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not fun at all,¡± Ye Jiayao angrily replied.


    ¡°Absolutely no fun at all,¡± the nobleman agreed.


    The boatman was confused. It was the first time that he heard people say that they didn¡¯t enjoy the ind.


    Once they returned to shore, Ye Jiayao paid three hundred copper pieces. She was pretty sure she heard her purse cry from the loss. Or maybe that was her heart.??<i>How can I get rid of this fellow?</i>


    ¡°Hey, where¡¯s your home?¡± The nobleman was afraid of Ye Jiayao leaving him, so he dogged her steps closely.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have one¡±


    ¡°Then where do you live?¡±


    ¡°On the streets.¡±


    <i>Umm. ¡±?</i>Stop lying. What are we going to eat for dinner? I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got no money.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so stingy. Once I return to Jin Ling, I will pay you back in double.¡±


    ¡°I really am poor. I just came around to tour because I want an escape from my poverty.?You should try and find someone else and stop following me.¡± Ye Jiayao was about to cry from frustration.?<i>How did I end up being tangled in this mess?</i>


    ¡°If I had any idea, then I wouldn¡¯t be following you. Don¡¯t worry. When I go back to Jin Ling, I will repay you ten times of what was spent,¡± the nobleman vowed.


    ¡°A hundred times would still be useless! This is all the silver I have on me right now! I can barely survive,¡± Ye Jiayao replied with a long face. She had emptied her pockets to prove that she really was poor. ¡°Look, it doesn¡¯t even add up to two taels. These are all my possessions.¡±


    The nobleman replied, ¡°You said before that the silver should be split up,¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to choke him.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and lowered her head, walking quickly. The son of nobility matched her pace. When she slowed down, he also did. When she hastened her steps, he rushed to meet her. This went on until the sky gradually darkened as they returned to the city.


    For dinner, Ye Jiayao could not afford anything delicious, so she could only buy a few steamed buns and some pickles.


    ¡°This is what we¡¯re eating?¡± the nobleman asked incredulously.


    ¡°This is not for us. It¡¯s only for me. There¡¯s none for you,¡± Ye Jiayao said petntly. She bit into the steamed bun angrily and red at him.


    The nobleman quickly swiped a steamed bun from her and said resentfully, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone stingier than you,¡±


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to kick him.?<i>You¡¯re eating my food and you dare call me stingy?</i>


    As Ye Jiayao chewed on her steamed bun, she started to look for an inn.?<i>I can¡¯t get out of the city tonight, otherwise, I would only be able to sleep in the pavilion. I should stay for the night and buy some rations tomorrow before setting out.</i>


    After looking tirelessly, Ye Jiayao finally found a cheap hostel with a bed for five copper pieces. Ye Jiayao paid for one bed and walked in. The nobleman started to follow after her but was stopped by the attendant.


    ¡°You need to pay if you want to stay here,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with him,¡± the nobleman said while pointing at Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know him,¡± Ye Jiayao said quickly.


    The attendant drove the nobleman away without allowing him to exin further.


    ¡°Oi! You can¡¯t be like this! We¡¯re together¡­¡± the nobleman yelled from outside.


    Ye Jiayao could not be bothered caring about him. She hade to a hostel, which was not that much better than a wood storage, and she was tired. She found a bed on the edge andid down.


    The hostel fits ten to twenty people and the room was all full of vulgar men. There were those who were picking at their feet or their nose. The air was filled with all sorts of disgusting smells.


    Ye Jiayao scrunched her nose up. Sheforted herself by the thought that this was still better than sleeping in a pavilion.


    However, her heart was not at ease. Has that fellow left yet? It was more than obvious that he was an inexperienced young man who had not been out much. It seemed a bit unreasonable to leave someone who has no money on him and with no rtives in this foreign ce.


    <i>Yet, I need to have some capital before I can help others. I can barely take care of myself, so how can I help others?</i>


    Thunder rolled outside.


    Not long after, the rain came pouring down onto the green tiled roof sounding like the sound of scattering beans.


    Ye Jiayao felt even more tormented. Everyone has times of suffering. People would all wish for someone to lend a hand and help during those times, whether it is a ce for shelter, or a steamed bun, or a bowl of water.


    <i>Ah! Forget it.?</i>She was also headed towards Jin Ling, anyway, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to have a partner along the way.


    Ye Jiayao sat up.?<i>If he¡¯s still there and he doesn¡¯t mind suffering with me, then I¡¯ll bring him along!</i>


    The hostel was already closed, but Ye Jiayao persuaded the attendant to open the doors.


    The attendant was very reluctant. ¡°It¡¯s pouring rain and you still want to go outside?¡±


    ¡°That person is actually my friend. We had a quarrel, and now that I think about it, it was not quite worth it. I want to go out and see if he is still there,¡± Ye Jiayao said awkwardly.


    The attendant only opened the door then.


    Ye Jiayao stuck her head outside and saw him standing under the eaves watching the pouring rain, looking indescribably pitiful and lonely.


    ¡°Oi! What are you doing huddling there? Come in,¡± Ye Jiayao shouted at him.


    The nobleman turned to look at her expressionlessly and stood still.


    <i>Oh, he¡¯s sulking.</i>


    Ye Jiayao walked out and dragged him back. The rain came nting down, making it quite cold.


    ¡°Get inside!¡±


    He lowered his head, making the rain drip down along his distinctive forehead and nose bridge.?His pitiful looks made Ye Jiayao feel bad about her uncharitable behavior from before.


    As she was about to talk, he suddenly looked up. His dark eyes filled with anger as he yelled, ¡°Why would you say that you don¡¯t know me? You are the only one I know here!¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s temper got the best of her and she yelled back, ¡°What are you getting angry about? You don¡¯t even know my name!¡±


    He was unable to answer.


    <i>Geez, he¡¯s really just an immature little kid.?</i>¡°I¡¯m Jin Yao. How about you? Give me your real name, otherwise, I¡¯ll leave you by yourself,¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.


    ¡°I¡¯m Helian Jing,¡± he murmured.


    There weren¡¯t many people with the surname Helian. If it was really his real name, it should be easy to ask around when they get to Jin Ling.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you now, I¡¯m poor. As it is, I am also traveling towards Jin Ling. If you are not scared to suffer with me along the way, then we¡¯ll go to Jin Ling together. However, if you are still picky about the smallest of things, then you should just get lost now,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Helian Jing nodded quickly.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Ye Jiayao snapped.


    Helian Jing scuttled in after her.


    Ye Jiayao paid five more copper pieces for another bed.


    Once they returned to the room, Helian Jing almost fainted from the horrible smell inside. Once he thought about his situation, though, he decided to tolerate it. He was penniless and without his identification documents in a foreignnd ¨C things could be??<i>much worse.</i>


    ¡°You can sleep there.¡± Ye Jiayao pointed to the spot beside her.


    Helian Jing did not want to stick together with those vulgar men, and said, ¡°You sleep on the inside and I¡¯ll sleep on the outside.¡±


    ¡°You sleep where I tell you to. What are you fussing about?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded fiercely.


    Helian Jing could only climb to the inside obediently andy down.


    ¡°Take off your wet clothes. I don¡¯t have the money for a doctor if you get sick,¡±?Ye Jiayao said.


    Helian Jing swallowed his anger as he sat up to take off his clothes, revealing his white skin and perfect muscle lines.


    Ye Jiayao stared and gulped. This guy has quite a nice body.


    It was a shame that she still found it a bitckingpared to that stupid donkey.

 Chapter 35

    <h4>Chapter 35: You Have to Listen to Me</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but feel dejected whenever she thought of that stupid donkey. That guy was undercover for more than half a year, and now that he has sessfully aplished his mission, he must have been promoted to a higher position.?<i>Ayy, had I known he was a prince and a ¡°Mr. Perfect¡±, I would have tried harder to keep him.?</i>s, how could she have known??<i>Whatever, what¡¯s passed has passed.?</i>There¡¯s no point in dwelling on what could¡¯ve happened.


    Ye Jiayao hung Helian Jing¡¯s clothes on the back of the chair andid down next to him.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take off your clothes? Your clothes are also wet.¡± Helian Jing stuck his finger out and poked at Ye Jiayao¡¯s shoulder which was stained with water.


    ¡°Go to sleep and mind your own business.¡± Ye Jiayao pped his hand away and turned around to sleep.?<i>Bringing this guy along is quite troublesome. I shouldn¡¯t let him catch on that I¡¯m a girl.</i>


    Helian Jing made a face and stuck his tongue out at her back.?<i>You brat!?</i><i>I¡¯ll let you have your way. Once you know my real identity, I bet you¡¯d be kneeling in front of me.</i>


    This outing was seriously not going as smoothly as he nned. He originally wanted to follow his older brother who came to Shan Dong to suppress the bandits, but his mother forbade him.?He barely managed to sneak out, and after all the trouble he went through, he arrived yesterday only to find out that his older brother had already left. His older brother had already gotten rid of the bandits¡¯ nest?and was already escorting the head bandit back to Jin Ling. Helian Jing did not want to go back despite not catching up with his older brother, so he came to Ji Nan to travel around. He didn¡¯t know that he would have such unlucky encounters on his first day.


    Usually, it would only be his older brother who would scold him. Who else would even dare to breathe loudly near him? However, today, he was yelled at and told off by that brat and also left out in the pouring rain. When has he ever been so irritated before in his sixteen years of life? It was all thanks to that one person.


    <i>So, I¡¯ll just tolerate all I can for now and we¡¯ll see what happens when we get back to Jin Ling. Heh heh.</i>


    The man next to him let out a loud snore. Helian Jing covered his ears and shifted towards Ye Jiayao, putting his head next to her shoulders. A hint of fragrance drifted towards him. In this space filled with all sorts of nasty smells, this fragrance was wee and his breathing finally became less strained.


    Helian Jing slowly drifted to sleep as he lied by her side.


    The sky gradually became brighter and people in the hostel started to wake up one by one. Ye Jiayao was awoken by the noise but found that she couldn¡¯t move because of some snoring guy who was bear-hugging her.


    Ye Jiayao pinched the arm that was across her chest hard.


    ¡°Ah¡­ What is this? There¡¯s a bug biting me!¡± Helian Jing was sleeping soundly but the pain made him sit straight up.


    Ye Jiayao sat up and slowly said, ¡°Get up.¡±


    Helian Jing rubbed his arm and saw that it was red and swollen. ¡°What was it that bit me so hard?¡± he muttered curiously.


    Ye Jiayao threw him his clothes. ¡°A man shouldn¡¯t whine about little things like these. You¡¯re so annoying.¡±


    Helian Jing wrinkled his nose. This guy was even more menacing than his older brother. He let him, a prince, sleep in this run down ce, and did not even allow him toin about being bitten by an unknown bug.


    After they left the hostel,?Ye Jiayao immediately purchased some rations and daily necessities which cost a little less than six hundred copper pieces.


    The shoe shop that sold a pair of shoes for ten copper pieces caught Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes and she dragged Helian Jing over to it. She lifted his leg andpared it with a pair of cloth shoes before turning to the salesman, saying, ¡°This pair will do.¡±


    Helian Jing did not want to change into the cloth shoes. ¡°My own shoes arefortable. Why should I change? The bottom is so rough, it¡¯ll be ufortable.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was too frustrated to talk. He couldn¡¯t just have fancy blue satin shoes because all of the clothes he was wearing were too short for him. People might think that he just stole them.


    ¡°Are you going to change or not?¡± Ye Jiayao red at him. She didn¡¯t want to argue about how he styles himself this early in the morning.


    Helian Jing could only silently resent her. His shoes were clearly morefortable, but why did he have to change? Did he find it uneasy to stand with someone who was clearly well dressed?


    ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll change. Why are you always so fierce? You might not be able to find a wife at this rate,¡± Helian Jing mumbled as he changed his shoes.


    Ye Jiayao snorted with contempt.?<i>I don¡¯t need a wife, buddy.??</i><i>I just like to be fierce to keep men that needed scolding, like you, in line.</i>


    Ye Jiayao put his satin shoes away. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of this city.¡±


    Helian Jing walked a few steps, his spirits lifting as he found out that the cloth shoes were quitefortable. He caught up with Ye Jiayao with just three steps.


    ¡°Yao¡­ Jin Yao¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned. Does her name sound really that bad? Why did it sound so awkward when he called her?


    ¡°Call me brother Jin. You are little Jing,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Helian Jing scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re shorter than me! How could you be older? What makes you?the older one and me the younger one?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved her hands dismissively. ¡°Height has nothing to do with age. I¡¯m morepetent than you, so you have to listen to me.¡±


    Helian Jing objected, ¡°How can you be so sure that you¡¯re morepetent than I am? At best, you just have a few more taels than I do.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smirked. ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard? Those who have more money are older. If you¡¯re not convinced, then don¡¯t follow me!¡±


    Helian Jing took a deep breath.?<i>Keep calm, keep calm.</i>


    ¡°Fine. Since you have more money, then you could be the older one,¡± Helian Jing acquiesced.?<i>Once we get to Jin Ling, you¡¯ll see who the boss is.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was not fooled by his affirmation. She smiled tauntingly and said,?¡°Once the boss, forever the boss. Little Jingjing, one should know how to be grateful. Not everything is about seizing power.¡±


    Helian Jing was certain he threw up in his mouth a little bit.??<i>Little Jingjing? Even his mother would not call him by such a gross nickname!</i>


    The mismatched pair then headed south after leaving the city and spent the night in an old temple. Helian Jing?ended with a heap of mosquito bites while brother Jin¡¯s skin was still white and smooth without even one red spot. Helian Jing consoled himself at the thought that his blood was simply?rarer and the mosquitoes were able to tell good from bad.


    The second day, they arrived at the town of Xin Yi.


    Ye Jiayao studied the town with curiosity. This was the town that first-in-charge wanted to get rid of. Apart from being absolutely busy and having more people, there was really nothing special about it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here before. There were corpses hanging on the town square and I heard they were the bandits of Hei Feng Gang,¡± Helian Jing said, finally finding a chance to prove that he was not as ignorant as he seemed.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart turned cold. ¡°Really? Let¡¯s go and see.¡±


    Maybe there will be someone she knew.


    Helian Jing was a bit taken aback. Wasn¡¯t he afraid? It¡¯s quite a horrifying sight.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Ye Jiayao urged.


    There were a dozen poles erected in the center of the square with a corpse hanging on each pole. Ye Jiayao recognized the body that was hung the highest in the center ¨C second-in-charge, Sheng Wu.


    He was hated by the people for his bad reputation and he had also tried to make a move on her before. He was definitely an evil person and deserved to be whipped and have his corpse up on the street. However, Ye Jiayao could not feel any hate for him at this moment. In fact, she even felt sorry for him. Second-in-charge was a horrible person, yes, but that night, it was him who had protected her from the rain of arrows.


    ¡°Why are your eyes red? Too scared? I told you not toe and look but you insisted,¡± Helian Jing mocked.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and turned to leave, not wanting to argue with him again.


    So many days have already passed but the corpses were still on the streets. Did they want to warn the people, or did they just want to show off their achievements? Are the people of Xin Yi Town all nice people?


    ¡°Will we be eating something better today? I only had one tasteless steamed bun yesterday.¡± He Lian Jing quickly followed after her.


    ¡°Eat, eat, eat! Is that the only thing you know how to do? This is only the beginning and you already can¡¯t take it. We don¡¯t even know if we could afford steamed buns tomorrow.¡± Ye Jiayao was in a foul mood.


    Helian Jing responded gloomily, ¡°You¡¯re so stingy! Why do you have to bring up all that other stuff?¡±


    Ye Jiayao did not want to stay here any longer and bought some salt before continuing on their way.


    Helian Jing was confused. Why would he buy salt? To dip the steamed buns in?


    Just as the two left the square, Xia Chunyu and Feng Chaolin arrived.


    Xia Chunyu nced at the corpses on the poles and ordered, ¡°Take them down! The smell will get worse since the weather is too hot.¡±


    Feng Chaolin signaled to his subordinates and someone immediately went up to undo the ropes.


    ¡°Has a suitable ce been arranged for the rest of the people from Hei Feng Gang?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°Those who wanted to leave have been released and those who wanted to stay have already been ced in a proper spot,¡± Feng Chaolin answered.


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°Xin Yi has made the correct choice this time. The imperial government will definitely give out rewards ordingly. I hope brother Feng will continue to promote benevolence, righteousness, and also continue to do virtuous deeds, which will benefit the vige. One day, the Feng family will definitely be a distinguished family and bring blessings to theter generations.¡±


    That was also a warning to Feng Chaolin to not to step on the path of Bai Chongye. Feng Chaolin had always been neutral, so if there were no restraints put on him, one day, his ambitions might swell and be even more difficult to control than Bai Chongye.


    ¡°Feng will keep what my lord has said in mind,¡± Feng Chaolin replied solemnly.


    Two subordinates carrying the broken corpse of Sheng Wu passed in front of Xia Chunyu. He remembered how Yaoyao died because Sheng Wu abducted her and his hatred rose. ¡°Throw his corpse to Luan Zang Gang to feed the wild dogs,¡± he said coldly.


    Quite a few days had already passed and he would still often think of her. Whenever he thought of her, he would feel bad and regretful. He would never be able to see her again, hear herugh, or her sarcastic quips. He would never be able to make up for all the wrongs he had done to her. There was no second chance for them and it made his heart ache with longing.


    Song Qi came running over, saying, ¡°My lord, everything has been prepared.¡±


    When Xia Chunyu lifted his head, the sad look in his eyes had already disappeared. He turned to Feng Chaolin and said, ¡°Let¡¯s part here, until next time.¡±


    Feng Chaolin bid him farewell.


    Ye Jiayao bought a bottle of Sichuan pepper, and also settled on the ceramic jar on the side, while Helian Jing looked on with despair.?<i>Will we be eating Sichuan pepper in steamed bun dipped in salt from now on?</i>


    From behind, there was the sound of horse hooves ttering. Helian Jing instinctively turned his head around just in time to see a valiant man riding past him on a pure white horse.


    <i>Umm¡­</i>


    <i>Isn¡¯t that Xia Chunyu, the prince of the noble family Jing An??</i>

 Chapter 36

    <h4>Chapter 36: Beggars¡¯ Bird</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing opened his mouth to call for him but then thought better of it. If brother Chunyu saw him in such an awkward look, he would surely rebuke him.


    However, as he watched Chunyu¡¯s horse gallop away, Helian Jing started to regret his decision.?If he had just shouted, he could¡¯ve escaped the dilemma he was in now and he wouldn¡¯t need to follow the terrible kid anymore.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Take this.¡± Ye Jiayao put a terrine onto Helian Jing¡¯s hands.


    Helian Jing sulkily looked away from his chance at escape. It was probably for the best, anyway. He ran away by himself, and if brother Chunyu took him home, he would look even more terrible.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I hope we can find a farmhouse to stay for the night. Otherwise, we have to sleep in a broken temple.¡± Ye Jiayao pushed him.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a boat? Or do we have to walk to Jin Ling?¡± Helian Jing said in a muffled voice.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Is there a grand canal?¡±


    Helian Jing scowled. ¡°What is the grand canal? I came here by boat, though.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes turned bright. ¡°Where did you take the boat to?¡±


    ¡°Ji Ning.¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled to herself.?<i>Isn¡¯t that the grand canal??</i>How else can anyone get to Ji Ning from Jin Ling by boat? She wondered which emperor ordered for the grand canal to be built.


    ¡°You know how to get on a boat in Ji Ning, so what?¡± Ye Jiayao intentionally stared at him with an angry look.


    After they left Xin Yi, they walked towards the south-west direction. They passed a vige and saw some hens walking around in the wild field nearby.??<i>I am so hungry!?</i>?She hasn¡¯t eaten any fish or meat for so many days.


    She saw little Jingjing staring at the old hens with wide eyes.


    <i>Should we steal them or not??</i>Ye Jiayao felt conflicted.


    <i>I just want one to treat my stomach, but?ever since I was young, I¡¯ve been taught to have a high moral standard and not to steal.</i>


    It was not easy for these vigers to raise a few hens and they might be counting on them toy eggs in exchange for some copper coins. They couldn¡¯t take away their means of livelihood.


    Ye Jiayao touched her tummy, trying to convey to it?that no matter how hungry it felt, she would keep her principles. At this time, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but think of the stupid donkey. That guy had extraordinary martial arts kill. Every time he went up the mountain, he would always get birds or animals. If he was with her, she would never go hungry or be afraid of anything.


    ¡°Little Jingjing, do you know how to hunt?¡± Ye Jiayao asked hopefully.


    Helian Jing couldn¡¯t keep his disgust off his face at what she called him. ¡°Hunting? It is my strong suit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re bluffing. Show me how you hunt.¡±


    Helian Jing held out his two hands in despair. ¡°If you help me find a bow and arrow, I am sure that I can do it easily.¡±


    ¡°Crap! Where can I find bow and arrow for you?¡± Ye Jiayao sarcastically searched for weapons.


    Helian Jing looked around and saw two birds resting on the dates tree nearby. He picked up a small piece of stone and smiled. ¡°You will see.¡±


    Helian Jing aimed at the birds and threw the stone out.


    <i>Choo!</i>


    The two birds flew away in fear.


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°Are you hitting the birds or surprising them?¡±


    Helian Jing touched his tummy awkwardly. ¡°I just have no energy right now. I¡¯m hungry, otherwise, I would have hit them urately.¡±


    ¡°No skill is no skill. You don¡¯t need to make up excuses.¡± Ye Jiayao nced at him. To be honest, she was really hungry too. However, they needed to save what little bit of food they have left forter.


    Ye Jiayao begged for a pot of water and they kept on going.


    Helian Jing thought about the shame he just went through and channeled it as he tried to hit every bird he saw on the road. He missed every single time.


    Ye Jiayao was exhausted just by looking at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Save some energy!¡±


    Helian Jing groaned sulkily and aimed at a bird again.


    <i>Dong¡­</i>


    ¡°Ha! I got it!¡± Helian Jing saw the bird fall from the tree and ran happily to pick it up.


    ¡°Big Raorao, I hit it! We have meat to eat!¡±


    <i>What the hell? Since when I am called big Raorao?</i>


    ¡°You called me what?¡± Ye Jiayao had no mustache to blow but she still stared challengingly at him.


    Helian Jing saw her mad and felt even happier. ¡°Didn¡¯t you call me little Jingjing? Well, I am calling you big Raorao. That¡¯s only fair.¡±


    ¡°Fair my ass. Don¡¯t think that I would leave you even the bird¡¯s ass.¡±?Ye Jiayao wanted to tickle him to death.


    Helian Jing was more familiar with her now and knew that she was just bluffing. She looked angry but he could tell it was all for show. He smiled. ¡°You can leave me with one bird wing.¡±


    Luckily this bird was fat and Ye Jiayao could make beggars¡¯ bird with it. She would just adapt the beggars¡¯ way of cooking chicken.


    They both went to the pond near the road and Ye Jiayao asked little Jingjing to pick up a few lotus leaves. Meanwhile, she crouched near the water, got rid of the bird¡¯s hair and gutted it.


    Helian Jing returned with some lotus leaves and asked curiously. ¡°Are we using lotus leaves as bowls?¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t be bothered to answer him and instead ordered him to dig a hole.


    She took some salt and five-spice powder from her bag and rubbed it over the bird¡¯s body and a little bit on its stomach. She sprinkled some pepper on it and then wrapped it in the lotus leaves, using the water in the pond mixed with some y. It was supposed to be used with Shao Xin yellow rice wine so that the roasted bird¡¯s meat would be more delicious. However, their conditions were barely livable so they couldn¡¯t reallyin. It was great enough that they have meat to eat, there was no need to be too exquisite.


    ¡°Big Raorao, the hole is dug.¡± Helian Jing was excited and dug a big hole neatly and quickly.


    Ye Jiayao walked over to him and looked. ¡°You sure the hole wasn¡¯t dug for yourself?¡±


    They were just roasting a small bird! That hole could be used to roast a pig.


    Helian Jing mumbled, ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me what size you want.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Go pick some firewood.¡±


    Helian Jing dly went to pick up some firewood. He had never cooked anything in the wild before. Even when he went hunting with Chunyu, they still had chefs to cook for them. He found this new experience very interesting.


    ¡°Yo, don¡¯t bring a whole tree back! Just pick some branches.¡± Ye Jiayao was afraid that the dumb kid would pull a tree out from the road.


    Ye Jiayao buried the bird, which was sealed by y, and started to make a fire. She was very familiar with using firestone as she used stove fire in ck Wind Ridge for almost a month. It wasn¡¯t long before she had a decent fire going on.


    Helian Jing looked dubious as he peered at what Ye Jiayao was doing. ¡°You sure it will work? Sealed with y and buried in the earth, isn¡¯t that dirty?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat on the extra lotus leaves and held a Setaria Viridis in her mouth. She said, ¡°We¡¯ll see, just don¡¯t droolter.¡±


    Helian Jing sat next to her. He smiled and ttered, ¡°You can do so many things. I thought we¡¯d have to beg just to live.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lifted her chin up and said proudly, ¡°Of course! I¡¯ve roamed all over the country for so many years, how can I survive without any skills?¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Bluffing again.¡±


    ¡°Aye! Little Jingjing, what does your family do? Government officials or just business owners?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Helian Jing thought that if he told the truth, she would be scared. He answered humbly, ¡°Small officials and small business.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t believe him one bit. ¡°Can small officials and small business people wear 100ish silvers ¡®Cloud and Water Green¡¯ clothes?¡±


    Helian Jing decided to keep her guessing. ¡°After we get to Jin Ling, you will know.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me.¡± She didn¡¯t tell him the truth about her either, so they were even.


    After almost an hour of roasting, Ye Jiayao took a stick to dig the y package out of the dirt. The outeryer of y was cracked from the heat and one knock by the stick shattered it. She opened up the lotus leaves, the delicious smell from inside wafting over to them.


    ¡°Wow! That smells great!¡± Helian Jing couldn¡¯t stop drooling, reaching out to take the bird.


    ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s hot.¡± Ye Jiayao pped his hands away and carefully cut a bird leg for him. ¡°Here, have a taste.¡±


    Helian Jing took a bite and was immediately amazed by the soft texture and the fragrant smell of the meat and the lotus leaves. It was especially alluring. Even though the ingredients were limited, the original taste of the bird meat stood out and it was very delicious. It was more delicious than the roastmb his chefs cook at home.


    It was the first time that Ye Jiayao cooked beggars¡¯ bird in such an original way. She was d that she did it, though, because this way of cooking beggars¡¯ bird had its special taste. The double package of lotus leaves and y prevent water from steaming away and the smell from spreading around. The simple ingredients she used maximized the original taste of the bird meat.


    ¡°Tasty, tasty. Big Raorao, you are awesome,¡± Helian Jing praised her.


    ¡°Call me brother Jing or next time I won¡¯t cook anything for you.¡± Ye Jiayao shook the beggars¡¯ bird in her hand yfully.


    Under the seduction of delicious food, Helian Jing chose to lower his pride, ignore his status, and be a well-behaved little Jingjing.


    The two of them finished off the bird voraciously, still marveling over its deliciousness even after it was long gone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will get a few birds or something else every day in the future,¡± Helian Jing said confidently as he wiped his mouth.


    ¡°I think, you hitting one today was just a fluke. I¡¯ll believe your hunting prowess when you manage to get a few every day,¡± Ye Jiayao teased once again as she packed up to continue on their journey.


    ¡°Aye! You doubt me now but wait until you see my skills with a bow and arrow. Using a piece of stone to hunt was a first for me and my hands were not familiar with it. After I got used to it, everything will be easy,¡± Helian Jing bragged, afraid that she would look down on him again.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re great! I was just afraid that you were bluffing too much. I was just helping you think more realistically.¡± Ye Jiayao held her hands up in a surrendering fashion.


    The sky turned darker and Ye Jiayao felt disappointed. They walked an average of ten kilometers today, and at this speed, it would take ages to get to Ji Ning.


    ¡°I can¡¯t walk anymore, I¡¯m so thirsty.¡± Helian Jing never had such a bitter experience before. The bottom of his feet aches from the blisters he got. He plopped down on the road and took off his shoes to rub his pained feet.


    Ye Jiayao looked around. They were in the middle nowhere. There was no broken pavilion, no possible resting ce. ¡°And here you are denying that you¡¯re weak. Get up, I don¡¯t want to spend the night in the wilderness.¡±


    Helian Jing stared ahead of them, getting so excited that he managed to ignore?Ye Jiayao¡¯s ridicule.


    Ye Jiayao turned to look at what he was staring at ¨C it?was a watermelon ntation.


    They looked at each and said, ¡°You go...¡±

 Chapter 37

    <h4>Chapter 37: Sad Little Jing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Both of them wanted to eat watermelons, but neither were willing to steal it. When it was clear that no one was going to budge in their staring contest, Ye Jiayao suggested a game to end it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s y Rock, Paper, Scissors, and whoever loses has to go take a watermelon.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled cunningly. ¡°Little Jingjing, what are we going to y?¡±


    Helian Jing hid his hands behind his back and stared at her cautiously. ¡°What are you ying?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°I will y scissors.¡±


    Helian Jing contemted.?<i>Is he lying just to make me y paper??</i>??<i>Or make me y rock???</i><i>Whatever! I¡¯ll just y scissors too and get an even game.</i>


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get on with it! Just don¡¯t be a sore loser, okay?¡± Ye Jiayao looked downright maniacal. She was not satisfied with the simple conclusion made by a psychologist. She wanted to improve her odds and find other ways for a sure win.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not the sore loser?¡± Helian Jing sneered at her.


    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors, show...¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed when she saw him y scissors.?Little Jingjing really was adorably naive when ites to the ways of the world.


    Helian Jing¡¯s mouth gaped open, speechless. ¡°You yed it unfairly! You told me that you were going to y scissors? Why did you y rock?¡±


    Ye Jiayao flicked his forehead. ¡°Little Jingjing, are you really just this easy to fool? Haven¡¯t you ever heard of ¡®strategy¡¯? It¡¯s just like making a noise in the east and attacking from the west. You still have a lot to learn, little brother. For now, be good and go take a watermelon. I¡¯ll teach you how to smartly y this game, afterward.¡±


    Helian Jing was so confused and dejected he wanted to hit something. He really couldn¡¯t do anything right with this guy.


    Ye Jiayao watched as Helian Jing sneak inside the watermelon field, walking wobbly on his toes. She couldn¡¯t steal a chicken before, but she figured that stealing a watermelon wouldn¡¯t sit so heavily on her conscience. She actually thought it was funny. There were so many watermelons in the field anyway, taking one or two wasn¡¯t a big deal.


    Helian Jing really didn¡¯t want to do it. If he continued with this, he would forever be a watermelon thief. Also, the watermelons weren¡¯t mature yet, they might not be sweet enough.


    He turned his head and hesitantly looked at Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao gestured for him to hurry up.


    Helian Jing had to force himself to pull out the biggest watermelon he found.


    <i>Woof! Woof! Woof!</i>


    No one knew where the big ck dog came from, but they didn¡¯t notice it until it rushed right in front of Helian Jing and barked menacingly at him.


    Helian Jing turned pale and immediately scooped the watermelon up, fleeing away without heeding the path he was running in.


    Ye Jiayao was spooked by the incident. They didn¡¯t know there was a big guard dog here! Ye Jiayao waved at Helian Jing desperately and shouted, ¡°Come up, here!¡±


    However, the dog blocked the way Ye Jiayao was pointing to. Helian Jing ran to the other side of the field, desperate to get away. In his hurry, and factoring in the bleak sky,?he stepped into a?dung jar buried near the field, failing to notice it.


    Ye Jiayao blinked and small Jingjing was gone.??<i>Stupid kid! How is he such a fast</i><i>runner??</i>?It wasn¡¯t until she spotted the dog barking at one spot incessantly, did she realized that something was wrong. She waited until the dog walked away before carefully walking over there.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless as he watched Helian Jing slowly crawl out of the field, his whole body covered in shit.


    Two hourster, Ye Jiayao sat next to the river, gazing up at a sky full of stars and listening to the water¡¯s crashing sound.


    ¡°Small Jingjing, have you finished showering yet? It has been almost two hours.¡±


    Ye Jiayao found it strange that when she was with little Jingjing, she barely felt any mosquitoes. Now that small Jingjing was away, it seemed that all mosquitoes in the area havee to bite her.??<i>I guess hungry mosquitoes are not very choosy.</i>


    Helian Jing ignored her and continued to scrub his body raw. It just felt like no matter how hard he rubbed, he was still dirty.


    ¡°Aye, just be careful with snakes and leeches in the water. They can get inside where they are not supposed to be.¡±?Ye Jiayao tried to scare him.?<i>Does he really want to stay in the water for the whole night??</i>


    Helian Jing subconsciously covered his private part and immediately jumped out of the water. Perhaps it was a trick, but as soon as she said it, he started to itch and felt like there were worms crawling all over him.


    Helian Jing got dressed in the clothes Ye Jiayao had dried next to the fire. His back was to her, so Ye Jiayao stole secret nces at him.??<i>Wow, this kid has a good-looking body!??</i>He was tall, slim, long-legged, and has curled hips. His muscles weren¡¯t as strong and bulky as that stupid donkey, but he had clear curves and defined muscles.


    Helian Jing felt the strange feeling of eyes on him and suddenly turned around. Luckily, Ye Jiayao had quick reflexes and was able to look away just in time. ¡°Will you hurry up? I¡¯m almost drained by the mosquitoes!¡± sheined.


    Helian Jing wrinkled his nose at her. Drained by mosquitoes??<i>I was dropped in a dung jar!?</i>?He finished dressing and walked to her sulkily. His mood was the lowest it has ever been after all that has happened to him today. He felt like his whole world was tilted on its axis.


    Ye Jiayao saw his sorrowful eyes and consoled him empathically. ¡°Hey, consider yourself lucky you didn¡¯t drop inside a big dung jar. Stop worrying too much. You¡¯ve clean yourself up now, no harm done.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s face turned red and he shouted angrily, ¡°This is all your fault! If it wasn¡¯t for you, I won¡¯t be so miserable.¡±


    ¡°Little Jingjing, I understand you¡¯re feeling pretty crappy, but do you really need to be unreasonable? I didn¡¯t force you to y Rock, Paper, Scissors.?We agreed that whoever loses will steal the watermelons. If you want to me someone, me the dog. If it¡¯ll make you feel better, we can go back to fetch the dog and steam the meat.¡±?Ye Jiayao said innocently.


    ¡°You can go by yourself if you want. I will never go back to that ce again.¡± Helian Jing walked away angrily.


    That was a ce of nightmares and he was never going to set foot in there again. He couldn¡¯t believe that the two things he hated the most now were watermelon and dogs. He swore that he would?never eat a watermelon again, and never raise a dog inside his mansion in this lifetime.


    Ye Jiayao stood up and chased after him. ¡°Alright. Don¡¯t be mad. No one else saw it anyway. You don¡¯t talk about it and I won¡¯t talk about it. No one else will know.¡±


    <i>Well, he¡¯s right! No one else saw my humiliation. This will stay with brother Jin and?</i>??<i>I?</i>.?<i>No one else can know.</i>


    Helian Jing abruptly turned around and stared at Ye Jiayao quietly.


    Ye Jiayao saw the dangerous glint in his eyes and immediately realized that what she said vited some taboo. She held her right hand up immediately and promised, ¡°I swear that I won¡¯t tell this to anyone, or I will get hit by a car when I go out.¡±


    It was convenient since there were no cars in this ancient time and little Jinjing knew nothing of it. However, she really didn¡¯t have any intention to spread it like a gossip. The kid was already tragic, and she didn¡¯t want to add humiliation to the list of bad things he was feeling.


    Helian Jing gradually calmed down, but he was still in a saddened mood as he walked forward, head bent low.


    Tonight, they had to sleep in a pavilion again. Luckily it was summer, otherwise, the wind blowing from all four sides could get chilly real fast.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a big bun to cheer him up, but Helian Jing had no appetite and couldn¡¯t eat.


    ¡°Just eat it. I will make something good for you tomorrow.¡± Ye Jiayao held the bun in front of his mouth.


    Helian Jing reluctantly bit some off.


    The past times, she was always yelling, reprimanding, and swearing at him, but tonight, she refrained. His mood was so low and he was so quiet that Ye Jiayao started to feel sorry for him.


    It rained againe midnight. Ye Jiayao was roused by the coldness. She looked for small Jinjing and found him curled up against a pole, his eyebrows knitted. She scooted closer to him, letting his head rest on her shoulder.??<i>We¡¯ll just warm up for a bit.</i>


    Dawn broke, and the early birds perched the handrails of the pavilion, chirping happily.


    Helian Jing opened his eyes and nced at his surroundings. Ever since this crazy, miserable journey, he always felt disoriented and lost when he woke up.


    His heart started to flutter when he realized that his head was rested on brother Jin¡¯s shoulder.??<i>It¡¯s weird that he always smells good.?</i>


    He watched her at a close distance. Her skin looked translucent and soft under the morning sunlight and he could almost see the veins hidden under her skin. The way her longshes, defined brows, and button nose stood out made her facial features appear delicate. Her lips looked deliciously light pink and could give the people an urge to bite it...


    Helian Jing averted his eyes and shifted awkwardly, the unusual feeling surprising him.


    There were some gays among the capital¡¯s noble families. He heard funny stories about them sometimes, but he always felt that it was ridiculous. How could a man feel something towards another man?


    Only now, he not only didn¡¯t dislike this man but also has some crazy ideas about him.


    Helian Jing shook his head promptly, trying to shake off the ridiculous idea in his head.


    <i>Forget it! He¡¯s just a poor kid with a bad temper. He is ferocious and always swears at him. Even if she is a girl, I won¡¯t like her.</i>


    Ye Jiayao opened her eyes andzily said, ¡°Hey! You¡¯re already awake.¡±


    Helian Jing moved away from her awkwardly and mumbled something incoherent. He wanted to get away from her and what he was feeling. He got up and told her he was going to take a piss.


    Ye Jiayao looked away. The sound of flowing water reached her ears and she shifted ufortably. She was a woman and there¡¯s never going to be a time that she wouldn¡¯t feel awkward hearing that.


    ¡°Little Jingjing, I will go find some food,¡± Ye Jiayao said, d that she had an excuse to walk away.


    The rain was a gift of nature. It dampens everything and paves the way for food materials to grow, such as mushrooms and different types of fungus.


    Ye Jiayao learned how to distinguish edible fungus when she had followed auntie Jiang and auntie Zhao to dig wild herbs during her days in ck Wind Ridge. She now has a pretty great understanding of what was poisonous and what was edible.


    She didn¡¯t spend too much effort in preparing the cep mushrooms she picked. She only cleaned them up, put them in a jar, added some salt in, and stewed it on the fire.


    It didn¡¯t take long before the water started boiling and the bubbles and the fragrance came out.


    ¡°So, the jar you bought is used to cook things.¡± Helian Jing observed,ing up to Ye Jiayao as he smelled the delicious fragrance.


    Ye Jiayao took out a big pancake and tore it into small pieces. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s used to cook things. Did you think we¡¯re just lugging it around for nothing? Oh! We can get a big pan! We can cook in it and it can also protect us during rainy days!¡±


    Ye Jiaoyao looked at the gray sky in apprehension.??<i>Damn it! I forgot to prepare umbres!</i>


    Helian Jing tittered.?<i>This Jin brother is very funny.</i>

 Chapter 38

    <h4>Chapter 38: Good Luck Comes</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After devouring therge bread soaked in straw mushroom soup, Helian Jing was in a better mood as they continue on with their journey.


    Halfway through their trip, it rained again, the raindrops as big as beans, pelting down and hurting their face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take shelter under the tree there!¡±?Helian Jing suggested, squinting his almond-shaped eyes as he pointed towards a tree ahead.


    ¡°Are you crazy? Take a shelter under a tree in the rain? Do you want to get shot by lightning?¡±


    Right after she had just berated him, the sky resonated with a muffled thunder growl.


    They looked at each other, creeped out.


    Helian Jing clenched his teeth and took his shirt off.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    Helian Jing held his shirt up above their heads to shelter them both,ughing. ¡°This way we won¡¯t get wet.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help but feel touched as she watched him bare the top of his body to the cold just to protect her. More than half of his shirt was covering her head, and his upper body was already trickling with rainwater, yet he was still smiling so radiantly. This fellow might know next to nothing and could be quite unreasonable, but he was adorably innocent. Plus, he doesn¡¯t get angry every time she bossed him around. That was the true mark of a gentleman right there.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Ye Jiayao inched closer to him and they both ran in the rain with their heads touching.


    Fortunately for the two, the summer rain came and left quickly, leaving a double rainbow in the beautiful azure sky.


    Helian Jing shouted excitedly, ¡°Quick, look! There¡¯s a double rainbow! I heard that if you see a double rainbow, good luckes.¡±


    Right now, he was desperately wishing for his luck to change. He¡¯s been dealt with ill-fated days and it would be nice if that could change.


    Ye Jiayao was in slight awe. It was her first time witnessing the double rainbow phenomenon and it was stunning.


    ¡°Say, if I make a wish, will ite true?¡±


    Helian Jingughed. ¡°Who cares whether it wille true or not? Just make the wish.¡±


    After he said that, he put his palms together, closed his eyes, and began to make a wish.??<i>Oh beautiful rainbow fairy, please bless and protect Brother Jin and me so that we can return to Jin Ling smoothly.</i>


    Ye Jiayao followed suit.?<i>Rainbow fairy, although I am a lowly and ordinary person, I have a big wish. I want to open Jin Ling¡¯s most famous and popr restaurant and count money everyday till my hands cramp. Of course, it is not entirely just to make money. I also want to promote Chinese cuisine¡­</i>


    Helian Jing opened his eyes after making his wish and saw that Brother Jin was still praying, his eyes closed. From the tiny drops of water clinging onto his curvedshes,?the perfect curves from his forehead to his chin, Helian Jing found every part of him attractive.


    He¡¯d always found that brother Chunyu was an extremely enchanting man, but there was something about brother Jin that held his attention. Chunyu¡¯s appeal and handsomeness were more heroic and masculine, while brother Jin was...??<i>how can I describe it??</i><i>Brother Jin¡¯s look is?</i><i>gentle and mesmerizing.</i>


    When Ye Jiayao opened her eyes, she saw little Jingjing staring foolishly at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there something on my face?¡± Ye Jiayao touched her cheek, perplexed.


    Helian Jing¡¯s face flushed red. He stretched his hand out and pretended to wipe something off her forehead to conceal his embarrassment. ¡°You have some dirt on your face. It¡¯s gone now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Ay, little Jingjing, what did you wish for?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t say your wish out loud, otherwise, it would note true.¡± Helian Jing replied, shrugging his shoulders.


    He did not want to cause furtherplications.


    ¡°Tsk, I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Ye Jiayao pouted.


    ¡°Then, what wish did you make?¡± Helian Jing asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao narrowed her eyes and smiled. ¡± I wish I could be a rich person in the future and then eat all the delicacies in the world.¡±


    ¡°Such a simple wish?¡±?Helian Jing smiled teasingly.


    Then, he shall help her fulfill her wish.


    ¡°For rich people like you, it¡¯s a small wish, but to poor people like us, having sufficient meals is difficult.¡± Ye Jiayao said wisely. He wasn¡¯t a fish, he doesn¡¯t know what constituted the enjoyment of fishes.


    Helian Jing was thoroughly convinced. Hasn¡¯t he been constantly hungry these few days with her? He thought of how?she has always been getting by like this in the past, skipping meals and sleeping in the open, and he felt a huge wave of sympathy for her.


    ¡°Brother Jin, I¡¯m sure your wish wille true,¡± Helian Jing told her solemnly. When he gets back to Jin Ling, he would make it sure that she would get to try all the delicacies in Jin Ling and live a carefree life.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him from the corner of her eyes, pondering over what he meant. Does he want to repay her? When the time came, how much money would he give her? Tens of taels? Or hundreds of taels? Opening a restaurant must cost a lot of money! It would be impossible without a few thousand taels.?<i>Forget it, forget it!??</i><i>I wasn¡¯t seeking any repayment. I brought him along with me purely to do a good deed of sending a lost child home.??</i>She has to fight for her own happy future.


    ¡°Ay, believe me, I have that ability,¡± Helian Jing assured her eagerly, thinking that she did not believe he would help her fulfill her wish.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, ending the topic.?¡°We¡¯ll talk about it?<i>if?</i>we make it to Jin Ling.¡±


    Their priority, for now, was finding a ce to build a fire to dry their clothes. They would fall sick if they stay any longer in their dripping wet clothes.


    <i>Ring ring¡­</i>


    Up ahead, bell sounds could be heard. As they looked up, they saw someone leading a donkey, and another person sitting on top of the donkey, approaching towards them.


    ¡°Hurry, hurry, we have to find a chef before the dinner,¡± the person on the donkey rushed urgently.


    The servant leading the donkey replied, ¡°It is still quite a distance from the Zhao mansion. No matter how fast we go, we would not make it back in time before the dinner.¡±


    ¡°I know, but we have to try! How could we have known that Old Ming would fall ill suddenly? The wedding in young master¡¯s house requires the best chef, otherwise, we¡¯re going to get in trouble,¡± the person on the donkey said with mncholy.


    Upon hearing the word ¡®chef¡¯, Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened. She rushed to meet them and weed them with a smile. ¡°Pardon me for interrupting, did you say you¡¯re looking for a chef?¡±


    The person on the donkey sized the drenched Ye Jiayao up, smoothed his beard, and replied, ¡°That is right.¡±


    ¡°I just heard you say that a chef is needed for the wedding in your young master¡¯s house. I have worked in Wang Xian Restaurant in the Ji Nan province before, perhaps I could help you,¡± Ye Jiayao offered.


    Ye Jiayao fabricated up a random story. She has never been to Wang Xian Restaurant before, but she has heard Song Qi mention it more than once. Whenever Song Qi mentioned Wang Xian Restaurant, the corner of his mouth looked like he was about to drool. It was clear that the ce was very famous.


    The servant leading the donkey was delighted. ¡°Housekeeper Li, this is such a coincidence! We were looking for a chef and ran into one on the way.¡±


    ¡°Are you really a chef at Wang Xian Restaurant?¡± Housekeeper Li questioned suspiciously, finding that the chap looked too young.


    Wang Xian Restaurant had a grand reputation. The people who patronized the ce were all people with money and power in the Ji Nan province. Their young master went there once and could not forget the delicacies served there.


    Ye Jiayao was afraid that she would go too far with her lies, so she replied humbly, ¡°No, not as the chef. I¡¯m just a helper, but I know how to make several dishes.¡±


    Helian Jing looked at Ye Jiayao, bewildered.?<i>When has she worked at Wang Xian Restaurant?</i>


    Housekeeper Li rejoiced. ¡°Anyone from Wang Xian Restaurant, even if it is just a helper, is highly skilled. Where are you going?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled lightly, pointing at Helian Jing. ¡°Something happened back at home, my father got my brother to escort me back home.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound like a local,¡± Housekeeper Li probed further just to be cautious.


    ¡°You have a good ear, housekeeper. I am from Jin Ling, and though I¡¯ve been in Shan Dong for few years to learn culinarily, I still could not change my ent,¡± Ye Jiayao replied self-deprecatingly.


    Housekeeper Li was still indecisive. Ye Jiayao hoped to rush things along and said, ¡°You just seem quite rushed, so I came forward to inquire. If you do not need help, then I would have to hasten on my journey with my brother.¡±


    Housekeeper Li hurriedly replied, ¡°The chef that we originally got happened to fall ill. We wanted to make a trip to the Zhao mansion and get the chef there. However, we do not have enough time, so if you could help, that would be the best. If the feast could start smoothly, our young master would be sure to thank you heavily.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It does not matter whether he thank me or not. My father always told me to help if I can as each good deed will umte good merits.


    Ye Jiayao did not haggle over price which endeared her further in the eyes of Housekeeper Li. He got down from the donkey, cupped his hands together, and said, ¡°Then I shall trouble you. How should I address you?¡±


    ¡°My surname is Li, I am called Li Yao. This is my brother, Li Jing.¡± Ye Jiayao purposely used a surname identical to the housekeeper so that he¡¯d feel more trusting towards them.


    The corner of Helian Jing¡¯s mouth twitched.?<i>Change your name if you want, but why change mine as well?</i>


    Once Housekeeper Li heard that they share the same surname, he felt more at ease with Ye Jiayao. He even offered her to sit on the donkey, but Ye Jiayao refused. Housekeeper Li was of a certain age, and even in the modern times, she has always given her seat up to the elderly. How could she snatch a seat from a man that was the same age as her grandfather? Respecting the old and cherishing the young was a traditional virtue regardless of the time.


    The four people then made their way to the Li mansion.


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing followed behind. Ye Jiayao smiled broadly and told Helian Jing softly, ¡°You are right. Seeing a double rainbow really brings good luck.¡±


    ¡°Did you really work at Wang Xian Restaurant?¡± Helian Jing asked worriedly.


    Ye Jiayao motioned for him to keep silent, ncing at Housekeeper Li. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare let it slip and remember to call me older brother,¡± she warned him, lowering her voice.


    Helian Jing silently cursed.?<i>Older brother my ass! Why are you taking advantage of me all the time? No matter how you look at it, I look like the older one!</i>


    ¡°Can you really cook delicious meals for a wedding dinner?¡± Helian Jing didn¡¯t feel that this was good luck at all. A wedding dinner was a very important feast, and if it was ruined, they were sure to be beaten to death.


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow at him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, little brother, I will show you some skills today.¡±


    Her father was an aplished chef from a five-star hotel and was often invited to manage wedding feasts. When she was young, her mother would be the helper, and she would tag along to eat. She had seen the event so many times, she was familiar with all the trimmings and extravaganza that came with it. It was really nothing but?making a few big dishes, anding up with auspicious names for it to match the festive asion. She might not be adept at it but it was definitely not a problem to her.


    Helian Jing saw how confident she was and decided to just trust her. After all, she made the simplest ingredients for beggars bird and the straw mushroom soup taste very exquisite. If that was anything to go on, it looked like she really was equipped for this.


    <i>It looks like I¡¯m eating a good meal tonight!</i>

 Chapter 39

    <h4>Chapter 39: Show Off Some Skills</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After walking about five li of the road, they arrived at a vige with a poption of a few hundred families. As far as the ancient standard goes, it could be considered as a big vige.


    ¡°This is the Li Family Vige where most of the people have Li as their surnames. Our master is the rich lord of this vige and he¡¯s doing business in herbs. Oh! I just remembered! He also has business at Jin Ling, brother Li. If you manage to impress him with this wedding feast, you can go?back to Jin Ling with our business group,¡± Housekeeper Li said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Ye Jiayao was overjoyed. If they could follow the Li family¡¯s business group, the way back would not be so tough anymore.


    Helian Jing¡¯s eyes also brightened up and he looked at Ye Jiayao hopefully.<i>Brother Jin, this time around, it is all up to your capabilities.</i>


    Many guests have already arrived, milling around the room decorated withnterns and colored banners. Housekeeper Li rushed them through the room and provided them with a clean set of clothes; the pitiful little Jingjing no longer has to wear three-quarter pants.


    In the kitchen, the ingredients have all been prepared, merely waiting for the arrival of the chef.


    Ye Jiayao took a look at the menu that the original chef Old Ming crafted. There were no major problems because she knew how to handle chicken, duck, and fish meat. What she didn¡¯t like was the ordinary and tacky names of the dishes.


    She asked housekeeper Li for a pen and paper and crafted a new menu out.


    She changed the Whole Chicken to Auspicious Phoenix Cry, the Roasted Duck to Double Taste Duck Roll calling it Two Hearts Beating as One. She creatively renamed the Exotic Delicacies Hodgepodge to Distinguished Friends All Around, and even tweaked a few of the recipes.


    Helian Jing stood at the side, shocked.?<i>Brother Jin really knew how to seize every opportunity and adapt to someone¡¯s fancy.?</i>He was just still a bit dubious if the food that he would make would be as delicious as it sounds.


    ¡°Housekeeper Li, I would have to trouble you to bring this menu to your master to look over. If it is good, I would follow it.¡± Ye Jiayao handed the newly crafted menu to housekeeper Li.


    Housekeeper Li walked away merrily, and after a while, came back smiling. ¡°Our master said that this menu is extremely well done. He is very satisfied and told you to proceed ordingly.¡±


    Housekeeper Li took two sealed red packets out and handed it to Ye Jiayao. ¡°This is a reward for you by our master.¡±


    Ye Jiayao declined, saying, ¡°I have yet to start on the feast, how can I ept the reward?¡±


    Housekeeper Li responded, ¡°Our master said that just by seeing the menu, he knows that you are an expert. There is no mistake, take it as an encouragement.¡±


    Ye Jiayao epted the packets with embarrassment, passing it to Helian Jing.


    Holding the red packets, Helian Jing found big Raorao absolutely admirable. Though she kept saying that she was just helping them out, she earned a reward money even without doing anything yet.


    After the menu was approved, and she has epted the reward money, Ye Jiayao fastened the apron around her and began her work.


    First, she chose a prepared hen that was half a catty heavy. A hen of this weight would be delicious no matter how it was prepared. The quality of the meat was perfect, not too soft, and not too tough. Ye Jiayao deboned the chicken in a highly skillful manner that awed Helian Jing once more.


    Ye Jiayao brushed the blended seasoning on the chicken from inside and out. She then added peeled chestnuts and cooked quail eggs into the seasoning and mixed it for a while. She left 10 chestnuts for ting and stuffed the rest into the chicken¡¯s stomach, making it full and bulging to signify a blessing for many descendants.


    She tied a knot at the chicken¡¯s neck and ced it into the steaming tray to steam for 40 to 50 minutes.


    ¡°Little Jing, help me take note of the time.¡±?Ye Jiayao handed him a task so that he has something to do. She was not familiar with the counting of time in the ancient times so it was best to hand it to someone ustomed to it.


    Helian Jing sat on a chair at one side, staring at the steaming tray with concentration. He also has rewards so he has to at least do something to earn it.


    Ye Jiayao felt likeughing upon seeing how earnest he was. He was indeed an innocent child.


    After she had finished the first dish, Ye Jiayao started on Two Hearts Beating as One.


    She began by mincing the prawn meat, adding chopped onions, mixing the seasoning, and slicing the roasted duck into long rectangles. She then beat the eggs and spread it to make it into an egg-skin of even thickness of simr rectangr shape. Following that, Ye Jiayao rolled the prawn paste in it, dabbed a small amount of beaten egg, and coated it in crushed almonds before deep frying it in the wok.


    This dish¡¯s characteristic was that it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It was a dual roll with a dual taste, both fragrant and tasty.


    However, to the people watching, the highlight was Ye Jiayao¡¯s skills in vegetable sculpting.


    After getting rid of the insides of a tomato and slicing it into strips of two centimeters wide, she arranged it into a blossomed flower on the te. For the leaves, she used sliced cucumber skin strips. A red flower with green leaves, coupled with the rolls that were fried till golden brown arranged neatly, and an exquisite dish of double taste duck roll waspleted.


    The women helping out in the kitchen could not help but stare in admiration.<i>A chef from a well-known restaurant in Ji Nan province! His skills are indeed admirable, and not only does he pay attention to the taste, he also makes sure it looks pleasing. It was??</i><i>making them drool just by looking.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was agile with her movements; stir-frying, pan-frying, boiling, deep-frying, steaming, simmering, roasting, sculpting flowers and decorating. She started on all 10 dishes together, overseeing and nning, yet everything remained neat and tidy. Bonus ¨C she also finished in the shortest time possible.


    Helian Jing¡¯s eyes could not keep up with all the movement. Brother Jin¡¯s aura and attitude when he was cooking were radiating. It was as if he was the king here ¨C taking control of everything, a pair of miraculous hands changing something rotten into something magical. With skills like that, even if he had imed to be the head chef of Wang Xian Restaurant, no one would question him.


    Helian Jing nned that when they return to Jin Ling, he would appoint brother Jin as the head chef in the prince¡¯s mansion. He would repay his debt and he would get to eat exquisite meals! That would be the best of both worlds.


    Housekeeper Li entered the kitchen to check the progress and saw the jaw-dropping state of the dishes. They looked so precious, it was almost a shame to eat them. He definitely underestimated the little chap.?<i>Oh my! Such culinary skills, even Old Ming, the region¡¯s most famous, is left far behind.</i>


    He secretly rejoiced, knowing that he found just the right person today.


    When the golden hour has arrived, the feast began. There were distinguished guests everywhere and the sounds of gongs and drums rang in the sky. Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing, together with the other aunties, had their meal in the kitchen.


    Only then did Helian Jing get to enjoy Ye Jiayao¡¯s meticulously prepared food.


    The Auspicious Phoenix Cry was a pure delight in his mouth. The fragrance of the chestnut stuffing has been sufficiently absorbed by the chicken, and likewise, the chestnuts have absorbed the chicken¡¯s juice. The scent of the chestnut was thick and the meat was tender, rich, and mellow.


    The celery was tasty, the lily light and sweet, and the shrimp fresh and smooth in the?Hundred Years of Happiness. All the ingredients harmonized together to produce a distinct vor.


    Calling the Distinguished Friends All Around simply delicious was insufficient. The collection of sea cucumber, abalone, fish lips, fish stomach, fresh bamboo shoots and shiitake mushroom was a divine match.


    ¡°Jin¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a hard stare and Helian Jing immediately corrected himself. ¡°Brother, after such a long time, your culinary skill has improved.¡±


    Ye Jiayao broke into a smile. ¡°Of course! Master has always praised me to be talented in cooking. No matter what dish it is, I can replicate it almost perfectly with just one look.¡±


    Helian Jing rolled his eyes at her.?<i>Look at your smug face! Can¡¯t you be more humble and restrained? Are you not afraid of peopleughing at you?</i>


    However, when he turned to look at the women in the kitchen, none of them has the intention of mocking. They were all staring at brother Jin with a look full of?admiration.


    Helian Jing rolled his eyes once again.?<i>A bunch of women with no knowledge.</i>


    Ye Jiayao scooped a quail egg for him, saying, ¡°Eat more. This is very nutritious and you are still growing.¡±


    It was totally the way an older brother would care for his younger brother, and it elicited more respect from the women. They have the urge to swindle this young man back home to be their son-inw.


    Helian Jing also took an egg for her, and mocked, ¡°Brother, eat more too. Look at you, years of being a chef and tilting thedle so much caused you to stop growing. Those who don¡¯t know would think that you are my younger brother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied calmly, ¡°Little Jing, having some capabilities is of the utmost importance. If you have real-life skills, you will be able to survive anywhere. With just height and no skills, you¡¯d get nowhere. We don¡¯t have the life of being a parasite like those rich people.¡±


    The women all nodded their heads, agreeing with Ye Jiayao.


    Helian Jing deted again. He could just not win with her!


    After a while, Housekeeper Li came back, a wide smile on his face. ¡°Brother Li has good skills! The guests could not stopplimenting the dishes! They kept saying that they have never had such a delicious feast. Our master is delighted and wants to see the both of you after the wedding.¡±


    Ye Jiayao epted the praise humbly. ¡°As long as everyone is satisfied, that would be fine.¡±


    She secretly looked at Helian Jing.?<i>?Aren¡¯t I awesome?</i>


    Helian Jing looked away expressionlessly, ignoring her.


    After the feast, rich man Li invited the both of them over to thank them personally. He even added to their mary reward!


    <i>10 taels!?</i>?If it was in the past, Helian Jing would not even bat an eyelid. Now that they were so poor, they were about to go crazy, 10 taels were extremely precious. He could not even conceal his happiness.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him in scorn.?<i>Little Jingjing, though your dimples look good, your smile is about to reach your ears. Do you know how embarrassing is this? I thought you came from a rich family!?</i>?She chose not to acknowledge the embarrassing look she had on when she rolled happily on the bed the night she managed to swindle 10 taels from the dumb donkey.


    ¡°I heard from my housekeeper that you are going to Jin Lin. You¡¯re just in time because my business group would be going to the area around Yang Zhou in three days. Stay here for a while and we can set off together!¡± rich man Li invited.


    Ye Jiayao responded gratefully, ¡°That would be great! We can make meals for the group on the way.¡± She knew that she has to show her value as much as possible and not just take advantage of the help that hase their way. After all, a hardworking person was weed everywhere.


    The biggest perks of all were that the two of them could finally sleepfortably on a huge bed.


    However, Ye Jiayao started to fret.


    She had introduced little Jingjing to everyone as her brother, and therefore, they arranged for them to stay in a room with only one bed.


    Although she has slept in the same bed with little Jingjing before, it was a huge nk bed with 10 or more people in it. That was different.


    Now, it was only the two of them in bed. A single man and a woman. Not only that there was a?physiological barrier between them, Ye Jiayao¡¯s secret was at the risk of being exposed.


    Helian Jing plopped face down on the bed, spreading his arms and legs wide. ¡°We¡¯ve been sleeping in ruined temples and pavilions every day, I almost forgot how it feels like to sleep on a huge bed.¡±


    Ye Jiayao watched him roll around on the bed with her face full of worry.


    <i>I want to roll around too!</i>

 Chapter 40

    <h4>Chapter 40: Just A Foodie</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao stepped out to wash up first and when she returned, Helian Jing was almost unconscious, hugging a pillow.


    ¡°Hey, get up and wash up before you sleep.¡± Ye Jiayao nudged him awake.


    ¡°Don¡¯t disturb me! I want to sleep!¡± Helian Jing smacked her hand away, snuggling further into his pillow.


    ¡°You¡¯re filthy! Come on! Get up and wash!¡± Ye Jiayao pulled the pillow out from his arms.


    Helian Jing?reluctantly crawled out of bed, his eyes only half-open as he stumbled on his way to the washroom.


    Ye Jiayao pushed the four benches thate with the square table together to make a makeshift bed. She took a pillow and a nket to serve as her cushion from the hard wood. Luckily, it wasrge enough that it could also cover her. Finally done, Ye Jiayao lied on the benches, heaving a long sigh of relief.


    Although this bed was a little hard and a little uneven, it was still way better than sleeping in ruined temples and pavilions. Not to mention that it doesn¡¯t have the odor of a huge nk bed. She¡¯d just make do for the night and see if she could ask housekeeper Li for a couch or a straw mat.


    After washing up, Helian Jing returned to the room to see brother Jin sleeping on the bench. ¡°Why are you sleeping on a bench when we have a bed?¡±?he wondered.


    Ye Jiayao groaned. ¡°I am not used to sharing a bed with someone.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we sleep in a huge nk bed with 10 smelly people? Are you afraid I would molest you? I am not a homosexual,¡± Helian Jing replied with disdain.


    <i>If only you are gay, I¡¯ll jump on that bed in a heartbeat.</i>


    ¡°Stop nagging and just sleep on thefy bed and let me sleep on my bench.¡±?Ye Jiayao red at him before turning her back to him. She was dog-tired and she had no energy left to banter with him.


    Helian Jing sat by the bed, a little upset as he watched her curl up on the bench. Although she acts fierce and bullies him all the time, he?could tell that she was always looking out for him. She always let him eat first when there¡¯s food, and always find a clean and dry ce for him to sleep when they have to hunker down in a ruined temple. She had a busy night tonight as she had juggled making several dishes all at once. Even though the aunties helped, it was her that did the heaviest work.


    Helian Jing suddenly said, ¡°You sleep on the bed.¡±


    ¡°I told you, I am not used to sharing¡­¡±?Ye Jiayao replied, annoyed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll sleep on the bench, you sleep on the bed,¡± Helian Jing cut her off.


    Ye Jiayao turned to look at him, surprised. She couldn¡¯t believe that he was willing to give the bed up for her. He was a pampered, rich young master from a wealthy family. All throughout their journey, all he¡¯s done wasin about every little inconvenience that they encounter. For him to offer such thing, he must¡¯ve actually finally learned how to be considerate of others in light of the trials and tribtions he had experienced.


    She was the perfect example of making the best out of a hard deal. Growing up, she did not have to worry about money, food, or staying alive. Now that she has time-traveled to the past,?she was forced to face various challenges and crisis of survival. She would¡¯ve liked toin, but she didn¡¯t. She desperately wanted to spiral down into depression, but she didn¡¯t. Staying down would only speed her death, well, the second death, up. Instead, she worked hard to survive and live a better life. It doesn¡¯t matter even if the world deserts her because she would not give up on herself.


    ¡°Forget it. You¡¯re gigantic and you don¡¯t have a good sleeping posture, you¡¯ll just fall down halfway through the night. Leave me alone and go to sleep.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s tone might be hard but she really was feeling warm inside.


    Helian Jing settled back on the bed, despondent. As he lied on his side, he watched her slender back, and even from a distance, he could smell the faint fragrance of her body. He yearned for that scent that makes him feel warm and at ease.


    He knew that he was not easy to get along with, and just like what she said, he was unreasonable, proud, and bad-tempered. In the prince¡¯s mansion, everyone would give him anything he wanted and he always took it for granted. He had no qualms about taking everything and it wasn¡¯t until now that he felt guilty about it.


    He has experienced more hardship these past few days than on all of his 16 years of lifebined. He would never have imagined that he would meet someone who would have a huge impact on him at Lian Hu. Although they were simr in age, he was a mere ignorant childpared to her. He does not even know how to survive on his own. He had always thought he was remarkable, and for the first time, he realized how useless he really was. Without her guidance, he might have really be a beggar.


    <i>Big Raorao, when we get to Jin Ling, I would be sure to fulfill my promise and let you live a good life. You would never have any need to wander around ever again.</i>


    Helian Jing silently repeated his promise over and over again. He raised his hand towards the candlestick and with a flick, the me flickered and extinguished.


    Within the next three days, Ye Jiayao mingled around rich man Li¡¯s home. She took to everyone like a fish took to water. From the old madam Li, to the watchman, and even the dog, everyone loved her.


    Helian Jing concluded the reasons for brother Jin¡¯s poprity. She was good-looking, very passionate, enthusiastic, polite, and extremely hardworking and industrious.


    That thought darkened Helian Jing¡¯s mood. She was always polite and cheerful around others, yet she was constantly snarling at him. Did he really deserve to be scolded like she was always saying? Was he that terrible?


    On the fourth day, the Li family business group sets off as scheduled.


    Ye Jiayao and?Helian Jing sat on the packets of herbs on top of the handcart. Although the transportation was a little simple, it was still a blessing because that meant they didn¡¯t have to walk anymore. Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood was so bright, she could not help but burst into a song.


    ¡°The river flows towards the east, the stars in the sky are part of the Big Dipper¡­¡±


    There were many strong and courageous people in Shan Dong, so singing a heroic song was more than fitting. However, she deliberately made her voice hoarse and loud. The off-tune and off-beat singing made Helian Jing, who was sitting by her side, break out in goosebumps.


    ¡°Hey, can you not howl? You are going to summon the wolves,¡± Helian Jingined in agony, putting his hands over his ears to block the sound.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him, continuing to sing. ¡°Howl at the sight of injustice when it is time to attack, attack¡­¡±


    The crowd from the business groupughed heartily, heavily entertained by Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao sang more enthusiastically upon seeing everyone¡¯s enjoyment. However, what everyone thought was novel the first time, became annoying after the fourth time.


    ¡°Brother Li, aren¡¯t you tired? If you are tired, you can take a break.¡± The leader of the group, Li Mao, housekeeper Li¡¯s son, hinted at her.


    Helian Jing burst intoughter.


    Ye Jiayao stopped mid-song, embarrassed.?<i>I only sang that bad to give you strength and cheer you on!?</i><i>Unappreciative boor!</i>


    Ye Jiayao swung a fist as big as a bean paste bun at Helian Jing as a sign of warning. Helian Jing silenced hisughter but he still could not restrain the shake of his shoulders.


    Without vexing over where to find their next meal and where to sleep for the night, the journey became more enjoyable and interesting.


    The group reached Ji Ning after 10 days. They were traveling by boat and they were able to cover a few hundred lis in a day.?Ye Jiayao calcted their course, and at this speed, they could reach Jin Ling in 10 days.


    They were almost reaching Yang Zhou and Ye Jiayao began to ponder. Should she stop by Yang Zhou and take a look at the Ye house? Would her step-mother be shocked when she sees her? Does her father know about this perpetrated fraud? Well, even if he did know, what were the chances that her father would actually do anything about it? It was more likely that he would help her stepmother and sister to save the reputation of the Ye and Wei family.


    After considering for a long time, Ye Jiayao dispelled the thought.


    <i>Oh! I can go to my maternal grandparents¡¯ house!??</i>Her maternal grandmother doted on her the most and surely, she would stand up for her.


    However, after some thought, Ye Jiayao decided against it. At the start of the year, someone from her maternal grandparents¡¯ house came to deliver news of her maternal grandmother¡¯s poor health. If her maternal grandmother were to know that her beloved granddaughter got bullied like this, she would¡¯ve kicked the bucket. She didn¡¯t want to go over there and?cause her more trouble.


    ¡°Hey, what are you thinking?¡± Helian Jing asked,ing up to the deck upon seeing Ye Jiayao sat at the bow of the boat, daydreaming.


    Ye Jiayao nced slightly at him.?<i>Stinking fellow. Why is he like that dumb donkey, always calling people hey?</i>


    ¡°Thinking of what to eat for lunch,¡± Ye Jiayao answeredzily.


    Helian Jingughed. ¡°You know you don¡¯t have toe up with different fancy styles every day, right? Surely, that¡¯s just a headache. Speaking of, you told me you¡¯re not a chef, but how did you know how to cook so many dishes?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow at him smugly. ¡°That¡¯s not a wonder. I am a genius and I have goodprehension skills. It¡¯s just like a lesson being taught by the same teacher, but there were students that could just grasp the techniques quickly. You are the kind of student who has poorprehension and can never learn well so you find my knowledge a wonder.¡±


    Helian Jing clucked his tongue, saying, ¡°A couple of praises and you¡¯re already flying over the clouds. You know what I think? I think you¡¯re just a foodie who only mulls over eating.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smirked, a fake smile on her face. ¡°Congrattions, you are not hopelessly stupid. Interest is your best teacher and the source of motivation. It¡¯s only when you are interested in something, would you put all your concentration and efforts in it. You¡¯d find ways to do it to its best like I just did with my cooking.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re preaching again. I think that you can be a chef and a teacher.¡± Helian Jing pouted mockingly.


    Ye Jiayaoughed in a self-deprecating manner. It was a pity she didn¡¯t apply what she had just said in her previous life. Her teacher would always nag her to study more and she had always found it irritating. It was only now that she had gone through the horrible things she did that she understood her teacher. If she had heeded the advice to learn more skills, she would probably have another way out instead of just depending on her cooking.


    Li Mao came out from the hold of the ship, shouting towards Ye Jiayao, ¡°Brother Li, we are going to reach Yang Zhou shortly. We are going ashore to deliver some goods, would you and little brother Jing want toe ashore to y?¡±


    Helian Jing eximed, ¡°Let¡¯s go ashore to y! I¡¯ve been to Yang Zhou and I know of a lot of fun ces. I¡¯ll bring you there!¡±


    ¡°Sure, we are going ashore too,¡± Ye Jiayao shouted back to Li Mao.


    The boat docked ashore gently, and Li Maomanded everyone to move a portion of the goods ashore. They were going to deliver the herbs to Ji Ren Tang, the biggest medicinal store in Yang Zhou.


    Ye Jiayao called Helian Jing over to help.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, brother Li. Go and enjoy yourselves! The boat will be stopping here for a night, and you don¡¯t have to make the dinner tonight. Everyone is going ashore to drink.¡± Li Maoughed.


    <i>They¡¯re free today!</i>


    Helian Jing pulled Ye Jiayao ashore merrily, excitement making him practically bouncing on his toes.


    In the top grade room of the biggest inn in Yang Zhou, Yue Lai Ju, Xia Chunyu was drinking tea while listening to Song Qi¡¯s report.


    ¡°Your subordinate has asked around and found out that there are three sisters in the Ye family and one brother. The first young mistress is called Ye Jinxuan, 17 this year, the second young mistress is called Ye Jinrong, 16 this year, the third young master is Ye Zhongyuan, 14 this year, and the fourth young mistress is only 10. Madam Ye was originally a concubine and was only made thedy of the family after sub-prefect Ye¡¯s wife passed away. The Ye household is very calm, as though nothing happened. The servants all said that the first young mistress got married to the Wei family in Ji Nan province but cannot be sure of the whereabouts of the second young mistress.¡±

 Chapter 41

    <h4>Chapter 41: A Coincidence</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Your subordinate also went to the house of first young mistress Ye¡¯s wet nurse, Su, who has left the mansion and went back to her hometown. First young mistress Ye was indeed having a hard time at home,¡± Song Qi reported.


    Xia Chunyu set his cup of tea down and walked to the window, his hands sped behind his back. He looked into the distance with a frown. From where he was, he could see the dense white canvas of boats in the canal, manifesting into this flourishing city.??<i>Indeed, the river flows east, bringing tens of thousands of white sails over.</i>


    However, the bustling scene before his eyes could not cover up his mournful and deste heart.


    All the information that he has gathered pointed to Yaoyao telling the truth. Ye Jinxuan really was kidnapped and brought to Hei Feng Gang while the second young mistress Ye acted as a substitute for her. The second young mistress Ye took Ye Jinxuan¡¯s rightful ce as the first youngdy of the Wei mansion.


    <i>Yaoyao wasn¡¯t lying.</i>


    He dared not think of what Yaoyao must have been feeling when she left. She promised that she would follow her husband¡¯s orders, even if he has always treated her badly. She?took on the role of the doting wife, neverining?when she washed his dirty clothes or made him delicious meals every day.


    <i>Chunyu, I will treat you well.</i>


    <i>Chunyu, you cannot abandon me.</i>


    He shook his head, his mind upied by her words, her soulful eyes, and her crafty, beautiful smile.


    It was a pity that he didn¡¯t believe her back then. She treated him as a life-saving buoy in the sea of her troubles and misfortunes in her life, and he only looked down on her. He had let her down time and again just for the sake of protecting his noble status. With her gone, he was left with so much guilt and regret. At times, he would feel like there were two mountains pressing down on him, rendering him unable to breathe. Every thought of her was a sharp pain to him.


    Song Qi looked at the Master Crown Prince sympathetically. Sister-inw was a good woman, and he believed that everyone who has interacted with her would find it difficult to forget her. Even until now, he still could not forget the pig stomach chicken that she promised to trick him into ying with her.


    ¡°You did not tell Su the true condition of Yaoyao, right?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Song Qi replied, ¡°Your subordinate dared not tell the truth. The only thing that got Su to trust me was telling her that the first young mistress Ye is living well in Ji Nan and misses her. Su was delighted and even said that she was relieved that the hard times for first young mistress Ye has finally ended.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Take another trip to Su¡¯s house and give her a hundred silvers. Also, buy a pair of the best tiger skin you can find for her.¡±


    He did not know if Yaoyao has any other wishes,?those were the only one he has heard her mention.


    Yang Zhou, an ancient city that was as described in poems and paintings, has a beautiful Shou Xike, a majestic grand canal, and beautiful private courtyards. The courtyards were passed down the generations of salt merchants and have be famous tourist sites in the modern times.


    However, Helian Jing and Ye Jiayao decided that sightseeing could wait. Filling their growling stomachs were the priority.


    There was a bustling food street by the grand canal. The ancient times were not like the modern times with cars, trains,?and nes. Shipping was the main mode of goods transportation in ancient Yang Zhou. People from different locations would stop by here to try the local delicacies or simply appreciate the beauty of the scenery. It made perfect sense, at least business-wise, that the food and beverage industry near the canal coastal area was the most developed.


    The two of them entered an ordinary teahouse, and Helian Jing ordered San Ding buns, jade, and a thousandyered cake. ¡°This is called the three absolutes of dim sum, a necessity when drinking tea. However, I am not sure if the dim sum here would taste good. The dim sums in Man Fu Restaurant are absolutely delicious, but it is too expensive and we cannot afford it right now. I will bring there next time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled, replying carelessly, ¡°Sure!¡±


    The dim sums in Man Fu Restaurant were indeed the most authentic and expensive ones in Yang Zhou. Jinrong loved eating them, getting people to buy them for her from time to time and even unting it in front of her. Ye Jiayao only had it once when she was 10 when her maternal grandfather bought some for her.


    In the range of Ye Jiayao¡¯s cooking abilities, her pastry skills were the mostcking, because, in the modern times, her father wasn¡¯t also very good at it. Ye Jiayao really did want to learn more about it but bing?a formal apprentice in the ancient times was difficult. Most chefs don¡¯t allow people to watch them cook or make pastry for the fear of their trade secret getting out. At least in the modern times, there were specialized schools and training sses to nurture budding chefs.


    The dim sums were served quickly, and Helian Jing rubbed his hands together in excitement. He picked his chopsticks up and chose a San Ding bun first, relishing his first bite with a satisfied look.


    Ye Jiayao followed his lead and also tried one. The skin was still soft and chewy, and the filling was diced chicken, diced meat, and diced bamboo shoots. However, Ye Jiayao found that the chicken was not fragrant enough. It appeared that it was used to stew soup because the freshness of the chicken was all extracted out. The diced meat was too fatty, and the diced bamboo shoot was quite tough with the taste of the dregs prominent.


    <i>Well, I¡¯m giving this a two-star review.</i>


    She tried the thousandyered cake next. The authentic thousandyered cake has around 20yers, ayer of cake and ayer of sugar oil alternately stacked together and separated. It was exceptionally soft and moderately sweet. Unfortunately, the thousandyered cake in front of her was all stuck and mashed together and a little too sweet.


    <i>Two stars.</i>


    On the contrary, the jade shumai was an unexpected surprise. The skin was paper thin, revealing the jade green chives inside and making it worthy of the ¡®jade¡¯ description. The shrimp filling was also good, fresh and tender.


    <i>Hmmm. Four stars.</i>


    ¡°Delicious, delicious! This is too yummy, I miss the taste of Yang Zhou¡¯s delicacy too much.¡± Helian Jing was clearly very satisfied with his meal.


    Ye Jiayao watched him with sympathy.?<i>Pitiful little Jingjing.?</i>?After a few days of hard times, his expectations for delicacies has sharply declined. Based on his snobbiness, if this was served to him in the past, he might¡¯ve thrown it away to feed the dogs.


    <i>I¡¯m going to refrain from teasing him about this.?</i>?Back in the day when Empress Dowager Cixi was seeking refuge, she considered a bread given to her delicious. Even when she returned to the pce, she wasn¡¯t able to forget it. It really was true that when a person is starving, everything would taste delicious.


    ¡°You can eat more if you like.¡± Ye Jiayao pushes the dim sums towards Helian Jing.


    Helian Jing was extremely touched. Big Raorao was tough with her words, but she really was soft-hearted. She was always putting him first.


    ¡°Have some too! I cannot finish this much alone.¡± Helian Jing endured the pain of parting with his treasure. Big Raorao was so nice to him, he can¡¯t be too selfish.


    Ye Jiayao broke into peals ofughter. ¡°There is a total of three San Ding buns, four thousandyered cakes, and six jade shumai. Normally, these would not even be enough for you. Don¡¯t try to be courteous, I¡¯m just not that hungry and I don¡¯t feel like eating.¡±


    She did not want to affect little Jingjing¡¯s appetite, and also in the principle of not wasting food, so she didn¡¯t tell him that the food tasted horrible to her.


    Helian Jing, satisfied with her answer, finished the rest of the food.


    After having dim sums, the pair continued on to search for good food. They spotted someone selling candy man by the road and they both rushed over. Ye Jiayao paid three coppers for a phoenix while Helian Jing ended up getting a dog. He detested the dog so much that he made the vendor exchange it for a rabbit.


    The master in candy man looked perfectly fluid as though he was merely drawing, creating a flying phoenix with its wings spread and a little rabbit expertly.


    Ye Jiayao proudlypared her huge phoenix with Helian Jing¡¯s little rabbit,ughing out loud.


    Helian Jing was bummed. They both paid three coppers but she got something so huge and he only got this little rabbit.??<i>Oh, well. I didn¡¯t really pay for it.</i>


    The two of them continued strolling around while they eat their candy man. Helian Jing showed interest in the roadside ring toss game. Ye Jiayao saw his eagerness to try so she handed him some coppers. ¡°Have a go!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Ye Jiayao raised her chin towards another direction. ¡°I¡¯m going to mold a dough.¡±


    Helian Jing was not interested in dough molding.?<i>Perhaps big Raorao would ask the master in dough molding to make a mold of my face.??</i>¡°Thene back here to look for me after that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went to the dough figurine shop, inquiring. ¡°Master, how much does it cost to mold a dough?¡±


    The dough figurine master replied, ¡°Two coppers for a dough. I can mold it ording to your appearance.¡±


    ¡°Then mold one ording to my appearance,¡±?Ye Jiayao said merrily.


    She posed with a tacky peace sign and asked, ¡°Can you mold it just like that?¡±


    The corner of the master¡¯s eyes twitched as he looked at Ye Jiayao¡¯s peace sign. ¡°With that hand gesture as well?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded her head repeatedly. ¡°Yes, yes.¡±


    The dough master looked at her weirdly before heaving a big sigh and beginning to mold.


    Over at the other side, Helian Jing managed to squeeze his way to the front of the line. He scoffed upon seeing how the person before him failed to get anything for five consecutive rounds.


    ¡°One hoop for one copper! You can loop whatever you want! If you get it, the prize goes to you! Come,e, toss some rings!¡± the uncle tending the store shouted loudly.


    ¡°Give me five rings.¡± Helian Jing handed the uncle five coppers and got five bamboo rings in exchange. He immediately targeted the fat porcin doll. Big Raorao has a broken, ck, and ugly ceramic pot to contain coppers. He would gift her a prettier one for her to contain her coppers.


    <i>Whoosh!</i>


    The bamboo ring looped steadily onto the porcin doll, and the people watching all cheered loudly. Helian Jing felt proud. Throughout their unlucky journey, he has practiced hitting birds with stones and it showed with his dramatically improved uracy.


    Following that, Helian jing looped a few other small things. The uncle tending the store worried about his hundred percent hit rate. He passed the prizes to Helian Jing and said in discontent, ¡°Young man, what uracy! I am only a small business, please know when to stop!¡±


    Helian Jing looped the things that he wanted and left the things he had no interest in. Big Yayao has taught him to always give others some leeway, hence, he stopped and carried his prizes happily to look for her.


    ¡°Raorao, Raorao!¡± Helian Jing squeezed in amongst the crowd, shouting at the top of his lungs.


    Ye Jiayao turned around and saw Helian Jing carrying a bunch of items in his arms, shouting for her. It looked like he had quite a profit. She was just about to call him when she spotted a person walking straight towards Helian Jing. Ye Jiayao immediately turned away and started in the opposite direction.


    <i>F*ck! What is dumb donkey doing here??</i>


    Just as Helian Jing made a move towards Ye Jiayao¡¯s direction, a tall silhouette stepped in front of him.


    Helian Jing squinted?his eyes against the light. ¡°Brother... brother Chunyu?¡± he stammered.


    Xia Chunyu was feeling incredibly frustrated so he came to take a walk by the river when he suddenly heard someone call Yaoyao. His heart skipped a beat and before he knew it, he was already heading towards the direction of the voice.

 Chapter 42

    <h4>Chapter 42: Jing Young Royal Highness</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Little Jing? What are you doing here?¡± Xia Chunyu asked in surprise. He took notice of Helian Jing¡¯s grey clothes andmon folk attire as well as his tanned skin. ¡°Did you run away from the mansion?¡±


    Helian mansion¡¯s Young Royal Highness was a master who constantly gives people headaches. He loved stirring up trouble wherever he goes. Two years ago, Helian Xuan went to southern Fu Jian deal with the pirates, and Helian Jing used the moment to try and sneak out of the mansion. Luckily, he got caught before he could set foot outside the gate. Helian Jing must¡¯ve followed his older brother who went to Shang Dong to get rid of the bandits.??<i>Come to think of it! Little Jing must¡¯ve already been to Shang Dong! How else could he have?met this unfortunate situation?</i>


    Helian Jing subtly nced at his sides, trying to estimate the probability of escaping from brother Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu looked right through what he was thinking and blocked his way. ¡°Where are you going? Come with me to Jin Ling.¡±


    Helian Jing cried out, ¡°I can¡¯t, big brother. I am here with my friend and I can¡¯t just leave him.¡±


    ¡°Who did you kidnap this time?


    ¡°How can I kidnap anyone??<i>I?</i>was almost kidnapped! Luckily this Rao brother saved me. He¡¯s actually helping me to go back home,¡± Helian Jing said defensively. He did not want Chunyu to think of big Raorao as a bad person.


    Xia Chunyu frowned.?<i>Jin Rao brother? Raorao? A male?</i>


    ¡°Did you call this friend just then?¡±


    ¡°Yes! He¡¯s just right there, I will get him.¡± Helian Jing wanted to run away from Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu took his arm and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡± He would never let little Jing slip away under his watch.


    Helian Jing had no choice but to let Chunyu tag along as they looked for brother Jin.


    ¡°Eh? Where is he? He was here just a moment ago.¡± They came in front of the dough figurine store but couldn¡¯t see Ye Jiayao. Helian Jing asked the dough figurine master nervously, ¡°Where is the little brother who came here to do dough figurine?¡±


    The dough figurine master was busy with molding the dough in his hand that he didn¡¯t even look up. He simply replied, ¡°The little brother said that if someone came looking for him, he has a sudden stomachache and he needs to leave early.¡±


    <i>What??</i>?Big Raorao looked fine to him just now.?<i>How can he have a stomachache??</i><i>Was it the dessert we ate??</i>??<i>We ate the same thing, and I¡¯m still fine.</i>


    Helian Jing worried, ¡°Brother Chunyu, my friend seemed to be not well. I have to look for him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu saw his worried look, decided that he was being honest, and relented. ¡°Where do you guys live?¡±


    Originally, Helian Jing wanted to y and have fun with big Raorao before they reach Jin Ling. However, now that brother Chunyu has seen him, it wasn¡¯t possible anymore. He had no choice but, to tell the truth. He pointed at the dock and said, ¡°We came here by boat and the boat stopped at the dock.¡±


    Xia Chunyu signaled for his guards toe forward. ¡°Follow Jing Young Royal Highness until he finds his friend then bring them back to the boat. Remember, if you lose him, don¡¯t bothering back to me.¡±


    The two guards gave a loud affirmative, their sights already fixed on Jing Young Royal Highness.


    Ye Jiayao waited for them to leave beforeing out from the alley she was hiding in.


    She didn¡¯t know that little Jingjing knew Chunyu. She also observed that he seemed to be afraid of the dumb donkey.?<i>This world is too small!?</i>She randomly picked up someone in Da Mingke and he just happened to be rted to that stupid donkey. The rare asion she went shopping in Yang Zhou, she ran into Chunyu.


    <i>This is just fantastic.</i>


    She refused to chalk it up to fate. The only fate that she and Chunyu have is doomed. She doesn¡¯t want anything to do with him.


    ¡°Little brother, the dough mold is done. Do you still want it?¡± asked dough figurine master.


    Ye Jiayao gave him two copper coins to him and take the dough figurine to chase after little Jingjing. She knew that little Jingjing was most likely going to go with Chunyu. It was good that Chunyu and little Jingjing went in separate directions so Ye Jiayao could get the chance to say goodbye.


    Helian Jing went back to the boat and shouted for Raorao loudly but couldn¡¯t find anyone.?He was getting desperate.??<i>Where did big Raorao go?</i>


    ¡°Boatman, boatman! Did you see my big brother?¡± Helian Jing asked as he spotted the boatman.


    The boatman pointed at the dock and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t that your big brother?¡±


    Ye Jiayao intentionally clutched her stomach as she slowly moved towards Helian Jing. Helian Jing saw her and immediately ran over to hold her up. ¡°What is wrong? How did you get a stomachache so randomly?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved his hands away weakly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s just probably the thousandyer cake that was too sweet. I don¡¯t eat stuff that is too sweet because I get a stomachache.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay now? Should I get a doctor for you?¡± Helian Jing asked in concern. He could ask brother Chunyu for some money.


    ¡°No, no! I am much better now. I just need more rest and I will be fine.¡± Ye Jiayao was moved in seeing how worried little Jingjing was.


    Helian Jing carried her inside the boat and sat her on a bench. He went to pour her a ss of water andined, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you can¡¯t eat sweet stuff? You didn¡¯t have to finish it!¡±


    Ye Jiayao reigned in the smile that was threatening to show. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that it would be too sweet. By the time I figured it out, I¡¯ve already bitten into it and I can¡¯t waste food.¡±


    ¡°Well, you still wasted the food eventually!¡± Helian Jing said sulkily.


    ¡°Tell me, what did you get from the ring toss?¡± Ye Jiayao changed the topic.


    Helian Jing happily brought his loot out to her. His grin was proud as he said, ¡°I got you a china doll to put your copper coins in!¡±


    Ye Jiayao really liked the adorable looking china doll, but she couldn¡¯t let him know that. ¡°Only girls like this type of doll.¡±


    Helian Jing was a little bit disappointed and said unpleasantly, ¡°At least it¡¯s still much better than your broken jug. I got it especially for you. Don¡¯t you want it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took?the doll and held it against her chest. ¡°It cost five copper coins, of course, I want it.¡±


    ¡°It was my skill that won it! Did you think that was very easy to get?¡± Helian Jing whined, frowning.


    Ye Jiayaoughed through the pain in her heart.??<i>Little Jingjing is leaving!?</i>?This awful, pitiful, and adorable little guy that brought many troubles for her was finally going home. She would never admit it, but he gave her happiness these past horrible days.


    ¡°This is for you, it was crafted in my shape.¡± Ye Jiayao handed over the small dough figurine to him.


    Helian Jing looked at the little dough figurine andughed. ¡°Big Raorao, what was that weird gesture? So funny!¡±


    Helian Jing imitated Ye Jiayao¡¯s gesture and put up a scissor hand next to his ear. His elegant and almond-shaped eyes were squinted and his charming dimples were on full disy. That smile was so bright, and Ye Jiayao feared that she would never see a smile that bright ever again.


    ¡°Stupid. You can¡¯t even copy it right,¡± Ye Jiayao sneered, rolling her eyes.


    Helian Jing happily took the dough figurine and said, ¡°Raorao, I just met my brother¡¯s friend. He can take us to Jin Ling.¡±


    <i>Us?</i>


    Ye Jiayao shook her head immediately. ¡°I can¡¯t go with you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±?Helian Jing was surprised.


    Ye Jiayao racked her brains toe up with an excuse. ¡°Because... because I promised rich man Li to cook for the business group. I can¡¯t break my promise, he¡¯s been so good to us. If I leave, what will Li Mao and the others eat? I need to finish what we signed up for.¡±


    ¡°Well, what are we going to do?¡± Helian Jing was distressed. Brother Chunyu would never let him stay here but he really didn¡¯t want to leave big Raorao.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Little Jingjing, you can leave with your brother¡¯s friend. I will go with Li Mao and I¡¯ll juste and look for you when we get to Jin Ling.¡±


    ¡°You promise you will look for me?¡± Helian Jing asked sulkily, feeling torn.


    ¡°Of course! You still owe me silvers, after all. You promised that you would repay me double in Jin Ling. You¡¯re not going to go back on your debt, right?¡± Ye Jiayao teased.


    Helian Jing straightened up and lifted his chin haughtily. ¡°You really think I am that type of person?¡±


    <i>But if he knew my real identity, will she still look for me?</i>


    ¡°Jing Young Royal Highness, it is getting dark,¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s guards urged outside.


    Ye Jiayao stared at Helian Jing in shock.?<i>Jing Young Royal Highness?</i>


    She knew that he was from rich family. He was wearing a Cloud Water Green gown that cost at least 100 silvers when they first met, for cripes¡¯ sake! She just never thought that he would be a??<i>Royal Highness.?</i>??<i>Good, God! What is happening??</i>?First, she met an heir-son lord in a bandits¡¯ nest, and now she picked up a Young Royal Highness on the road.?<i>Is my luck really this good??</i>??<i>Or are there really just too many princes in the world?</i>


    Helian Jing saw her surprised look and knew that he should start to exin before she gets mad. ¡°Um... I was going to tell you when we arrive Jin Ling.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stayed silent, still shocked.


    <i>What the ever loving f*ck! Young Royal Highness lived in the same dorm with her, slept next to her, stole a watermelon with her, and got dropped into a dung jar! Oh, and she also had a Master Crown Prince for a husband!?</i>?Although, if she was beingpletely honest, those two nobles made her second life exciting and fascinating. It was just that it had gotten a bit too exciting and she?couldn¡¯t face it anymore.


    ¡°Jing Young Royal Highness,¡± the guards called again.


    ¡°Shut Up!¡±?Helian Jing answered angrily.


    Helian Jing held Ye Jiayao¡¯s arm and said, ¡°Big Raorao, I am the Young Royal Highness in the Helian mansion. When youe, and you promised that you will, just say my name and they¡¯ll let you in. I promise to take you around Jin Ling to eat all the delicious food. You can¡¯t break your promise. You told me a bargain is a bargain.¡±


    Helian Jing felt nervous and frustrated as she saw him flinch away from him. He had many friends in Jin Ling, but he knew that those people were just with him because of his title. All they did was try to please and tter him to get into the good graces of the royal family. It was big Raorao that finally made him feel like a normal person.


    Even though she always spoke harshly to him and derided him, she took good care of him. Whenever they had food, she would always let him eat first. She slept on the hard bench and let him take the bed. She?let him use the umbre even if it meant she was going to get soaked. She cooked him good meals that she knew he would enjoy. Never had someone treated him so well before without expecting something in return.


    They?met by chance, like patches of drifting duckweed, and formed a real bond on the way. If it was possible, he would walk with her forever and visit all the corners of the world. He wanted to live an adventurous and wonderful life with her. He didn¡¯t want to be a bored young Royal Highness in a mansion and surrounded by hypocrites.


    The thoughts that formed in his head surprised Helian Jing. He thought that he liked?to be with her because she was funny, strong, and caring.


    It was when he was faced with the fact that he had to leave her that he figured out that his feeling was not so simple after all.

 Chapter 43 - Saying Goodbye

    <h4>Chapter 43: Saying Goodbye</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao saw his worried look and the beads of sweat on his forehead andughed. ¡°Why are you so worried? You¡¯ve got to be the only person I know who¡¯s worried that his creditor won¡¯t find him. I am embarrassingly poor, if I don¡¯t charge you for your debt, how else will I survive? It¡¯s Helian mansion, right? I promise that I¡¯ll go look for you.¡±


    Helian Jing rxed a little after hearing her vow. He put his hand out and made her pledge by pping each other¡¯s palm.


    Ye Jiayao readily pped his hand to ease his worries.


    ¡°Now, go and get ready. Don¡¯t let others wait for you for too long.¡± Ye Jiayao punched his shoulder affectionately.


    Helian Jing gave into the sudden impulse to hug her.


    Ye Jiayao was immobile with surprise.


    ¡°Big Raorao, you muste,¡± he whispered next to her ear as he hugged her. He gave her onest squeeze before turning around to leave. He was afraid that he would cry if he spent a moment longer with her.


    <i>Why is it so painful?</i>


    Suddenly, his heart felt empty and cold. He felt like a little kid that lost his favorite toy. It was just like when big Raorao denied association to him and he stood under a roof, watching the rain fall around him.


    He stopped just by the dock and looked back at the boat. Ye Jiayao was waving at him, and he waved back unenthusiastically. ¡°Big Raorao, you¡¯lle, right? If you don¡¯te to me, I don¡¯t know where I can find you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waited until he was gone before walking back inside the cabin, carrying the china doll that he gifted her. She looked up at the nks at the top of the boat so that her tears wouldn¡¯t fall.


    <i>Little Jingjing left.?</i>She felt changed.


    When she had fled from ck Wind Ridge, she didn¡¯t cry. She didn¡¯t want to cry. She felt upset and disappointed and she didn¡¯t want to shed a tear for that stupid donkey.


    <i>Little Jingjing is different.?</i>?In so many ways, he became just like her little brother. Bickering with him turned awful days into something bearable. He made their tough journey fun and less like a suffering.


    Would everyone she cared about leave her eventually?


    She waited until she had control of her tears before taking out the copper coins from her broken jar and putting it into the adorable doll Helian Jing got her. Ye Jiayao saved up some money so that she could buy some rtively good clothes for him when they arrived at Jin Ling. She didn¡¯t want to send him home to his family with his ratty look.


    Now¡­ the money was useless.


    The canal at night sparkled under the cold silver moon and ethereal twinkling stars. The fishing light from faraway eventually disappeared from her sight.


    Helian Jing sat at the end of the boat, holding the dough figurine that Ye Jiayao gave him as he stared nkly at the dark night.


    <i>What is big Raorao doing right now?</i>


    Xia Chunyu noticed that little Jing had been sat at the end of the boat for quite a while, so he went over to him to see what was wrong.


    ¡°Are you still thinking of your friend?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Helian Jing was not in the mood to talk and stayed quiet.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. ¡°If you are worried about your friend, let me give him some silvers so you don¡¯t owe him anything.¡±


    Helian Jing said sulkily, ¡°You can¡¯t give him silvers. If you pay him off, he won¡¯te after me anymore.¡±


    ¡°Having a connection with Jing young Royal Highness is a dream for many people. Don¡¯t worry, he will definitely look for you,¡±?Xia Chunyu assured him calmly.


    ¡°Big Raorao is not that type of person! He is different,¡±?Helian Jing countered angrily.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s curiosity was evident in his smile. ¡°Oh? Why do you say that? Last time I checked, you can¡¯t see through a person¡¯s heart.¡±


    Helian Jing sounded like a child as he insisted,?¡°I just know, okay? Big Raorao is different.¡±


    <i>You know? You know nothing! You¡¯re just a willful kid who never grows up. You¡¯re too naive and trusting. Just because someone gave you a bun when you were hungry, that doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re a good person.</i>


    ¡°Running away may have made you more capable, but you still are the same child who doesn¡¯t think things through. Didn¡¯t you ever think of how worried your mother would be? You just did what you wanted and damn the consequences,¡± Xia Chunyu ranted, fed up with Helian Jing¡¯s antics.


    ¡°Why could my brother go on an expedition when he was just 14 and I had to stay at home and do nothing? You even had people tomand at 16!¡± Helian Jing rebutted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? They¡¯re worried about you. The first time you stepped out of the pce, your money was stolen and you had to rely on someone to keep you alive. You almost became a beggar! With that little skills, it¡¯s no wonder they don¡¯t let you out.¡±


    Luckily, little Jing was like his little brother so Xia Chunyu could freely give him the scolding he deserved.


    Helian Jing¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. ¡°How would I learn if I they don¡¯t let me go? Were you already perfect at the beginning?


    Xia Chunyu arched his brows and haughtily said, ¡°You tell me.¡±


    Helian Jing tried to settle down. He didn¡¯t think that he was that bad. There definitely were worse young nobilities. It was justpared to his older brother and Chunyu, he was a tragic case. Even big Raorao, a poor man, was infinitely better than him.


    ¡°When your brother and mother sees that you are mature and responsible enough, they will give you duties. I would think that after the journey you¡¯ve just been through, you¡¯ll understand more about?having a man¡¯s responsibility,¡± Xia Chunyu said in earnest, patting his shoulder.


    Xia Chunyu went back inside the cabin, and Song Qi hurried to ask, ¡°Does young Royal Highness still doesn¡¯t want toe inside?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, let him stay by himself. He just needs to go for a blow and refresh his mind.¡± Xia Chunyu believed that he had given the spoiled prince a lot to think about.


    Song Qi thought he that he had been blowing for a long time now, and if he continued to stay outside, the wind will surely blow him into an idiot.


    The night breeze over the canal was cool, and the paddles of the boat made a rhythmic rushing sound. Xia Chunyu¡¯s words sat heavily on Helian Jing¡¯s heart and thoughts.


    <i>Man¡¯s responsibility.?</i>?Everyone, including his family and constituents,?thought of him as just a kid. Even big Raorao has always said that he was an overgrown kid. Was the problem within himself? He was hot-headed. His behavior was not stable. He had a big heart and big dreams but hecked the initiative. Who would trust him with anything?


    He lifted his eyes to stare at the serene river bank. His eyes looked clear and bright with determination as he decided to change the path he was on.??<i>I¡¯m going to get stronger. I¡¯m going to stop relying on other people to survive. I¡¯m going to be a responsible Jing young Royal Highness. I am going to be a prince that everyone would be proud of.</i>


    Six dayster, in the early morning, a boat slowly docked into the cargo wharf. Immediately after the boat pulled into the shore, a group of officersmanded it, asking for a person named Jing Rao.


    After an hour, Helian Jing arrived at the dock and boarded the boat.


    The officers standing guard all saluted in unison. ¡°Jing Royal Highness.¡±


    Li Mao bowed his head and shivered.


    He was just a civilian and an honest businessman who has never encountered such situation before. He didn¡¯t know what was wrong. The little brother Li they were looking for was not a bad person. How could he have offended a Royal Highness?


    Helian Jing ordered the officers to leave.


    ¡°Li Mao, you don¡¯t have to be afraid. I am here just looking for Jing Rao. Where is he?¡±


    Helian Jing, for the past days, has been worried that big Raorao was not going to look for him. Luckily, brother Chunyu taught him a way to estimate when the boat would arrive and he was able to send people to wait at the docks. The guards immediately controlled Li¡¯s boat when it arrived so big Raorao could not run away.


    Afterbing the boat to no avail, they called for Helian Jing who immediately rushed here.


    <i>Eh? He sounds?</i><i>familiar.?</i>Li Mao looked up curiously and stared at Helian Jing, speechless.??<i>Wow, this handsome young Royal Highness with fancy clothes was really that Jing little brother.</i>


    After the shock, Li Mao finally rxed. He thought that little brother Li was a government criminal. Li Mao was scared because hiding government criminals was a ground for penalties. He was just d that wasn¡¯t the case.


    ¡°Royal Highness, little brother Li has gotten off the boat in Zhen Jiang,¡± Li Mao answered carefully.


    Helian Jing hurriedly asked, ¡°Did he say where he was going?¡±


    ¡°Little brother Li said he needed to do something in Zhen Jiang first, then he might head to Jiang Xi.¡±


    Helian Jing was muddled.?<i>How can I find him now?</i>


    Meanwhile, outside of the city, Ye Jiayao was lying on an ox cart slowly heading to Jin Ling.


    She was hiding from little Jingjing because of his association with Chunyu. To make sure that little Jingjing doesn¡¯t corner her, she got off the boat in Zhen Jiang and transferred to and route.


    ¡°Little brother, I am not going inside Jin Ling City, but the good news is that it¡¯s not far ahead,¡± the old man who was driving the cart said.


    Ye Jiayao got up and jumped off the ox cart, dusting off the hay and straw that stuck to her clothes. ¡°Thank you so much, uncle!¡±


    Ye Jiyao handed a few copper coins to the old man. The ox cart was a ride and she felt that it was only right to pay for it.


    However, the old man adamantly refused to take her money.


    Ye Jiayao thanked him over and over before she walked to the city, carrying her bag over her shoulders.


    Jin Ling, called Nan Jing in modern days, was famous for its history and culture. It has a history of about 6000 years evident by its prosperity. It is known as an ancient capital for six dynasties and a metropolis of 10 dynasties. Even though it looked different to the history she knew about, it still looked like a very bustling and prosperous capital city. It was not just the center of politics, but also the center ofmerce.


    Ye Jiayao had nned to find a job to settle down when she arrived in Jin Ling. She would start her n of vengeance slowly and surely. As a nobleman said, 10 years for revenge was not too long, and it just so happened that Ye Jiayao was a patient woman.


    As cooking was her only real skill, she was looking for a restaurant that had an opening for a chef, or even just a helper in the kitchen. Jin Ling City was the heaven of delicious foods. There were countless restaurants inside and Ye Jiayao was excited. The excitement quickly fizzled out, though, when she had gone through so many restaurants that refused to hire new people.


    <i>I am the legacy of chefs from 5-star hotels. If I can¡¯t find a job here, I might as well just quit now.</i>


    Since she wasn¡¯t able to find a job today, she was forced to find somewhere else to spend the night in. She didn¡¯t have enough money on her, but it was enough to survive in for a few days.


    Now, all she had to do was find an affordable amodation. She wasn¡¯t having any luck on that either. Even the small and cheap rooms in small hotels cost 100 copper coins per night.


    Ye Jiayao was worried.


    Her idea was great, but the reality was just too cruel.

 Chapter 44 - Put one’s finger into another’s pie

    <h4>Chapter 44: Put one¡¯s finger into another¡¯s pie</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao gritted her teeth and paid 100 copper coins on a room with the te number ¡°earth¡±.


    After days of sleeping with other guys, finally, she was able to stay in a room by herself. Ye Jiayao carefreely took off her clothes and bra to showerfortably. For almost a month, she only had been wiping herself clean and she?was already starting to feel rotten.


    She changed into some fresh, clean clothes and set out to look for food.


    She walked to the hall where she saw a few customers quarreling with a staff.


    ¡°Why are you serving this disgusting food with such an expensive price? Is this a tourist trap?¡± One of the young men mmed the chopsticks down causing the dishes and the table to violently shake.


    The staff seemed already used to it as he showed no visible signs of panic. He said calmly,?¡°I¡¯ve told you beforehand that the chef was not here today, and we can¡¯t make any delicious meals. It was you who insisted to stay and eat here.¡±


    The fat customer looked indignant and acted as if the waiter didn¡¯t speak. ¡°The vegetables are over-cooked, and the beans are too salty! And what is this? Is this braised meat in a brown sauce? It looks like crisp fat!¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now if it was disgusting or delicious. You insisted on eating here, and you¡¯ve already finished your meals. You must pay. Four dishes and one soup totals to one silver coin.¡± The waiter held his palm open, asking for the money.


    ¡°We are not paying anything! As a matter of fact, we are not staying in this ce anymore. We¡¯re going!¡± The customers lifted their baggage, preparing to leave.


    ¡°Aye! You can¡¯t go! You haven¡¯t paid the rental fee yet. If you don¡¯t pay, I will report to police.¡±


    ¡°Go and report for all we care. We are looking for somewhere else to stay. Your business is disgusting. You gave us dirty sheets, cold tea, and foods that were suited for pigs! Pay you? Ha!¡± The customer was very cocky.


    Ye Jiayao realized that these customers were trying to get out of paying the motel. Yes, the food was bad, but the service was quite good, the room was clean, and the tea was hot. The?staff especially sent two pots of hot water for her when she wanted to take a shower.


    In good conscience, Ye Jiayao could not let this pass. She went to ask the scared cashier behind the counter.


    ¡°Sir, how long did they live in this ce?¡±


    The cashier answered, ¡°They have lived here for more than half a month and they asked for two rooms with te number ¡®People¡¯. They only paid two silver coins as a deposit and they still owe us six silver coins.¡±


    ¡°Where is your manager?¡± Ye Jiayao only saw the cashier and the wait staff.


    ¡°The manager is not here. If he is here, they would have no way to repudiate the debt. They are only doing this because our manager is away,¡± the cashier despised.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. She had seen ¡®dine and ditch¡¯, but not ¡®live and ditch¡¯.??<i>Well, what do you know, ancient times also has its share of reprobates.</i>


    The tricksters were starting to cause a scene, pushing the wait staff around and?gearing up to start a fight. Other tenants of the motel must¡¯ve heard themotion and rushed down to take a look. Even people outside the motel circled around to?look.


    Ye Jiayao saw the unfair incident and couldn¡¯t just stand by and do nothing. She went to stand between the two parties and smilingly said, ¡°Big brothers, you can negotiate with each other and avoid this fight. Don¡¯t get too angry or you¡¯ll hurt your liver. Come, we can settle this inside.¡±


    The man saw the good-looking guy meddling in their business and was immediately frustrated. They were looking for a reason to leave, they didn¡¯t want to go inside and ¡®settle¡¯ the dispute. He said angrily, ¡°Stay out of this! It¡¯s none of your business!¡±


    ¡°I also came to live in the motel. I just heard it was a tourist trap and I wanted to know for sure. If it is really a tourist trap, I don¡¯t want to live here any longer,¡± Ye Jiayao replied calmly.


    The wait staff was worried. ¡°Sir, you can¡¯t believe what they said. Our motel is small, but our service is good. Our price is clear, and we tell no lies to anyone. Our neighbors and everyone who has stayed here can prove that.¡±


    ¡°Good service my ass! It is definitely a tourist trap.¡± The fat man sounded indignant.


    ¡°It is!¡± two other men with him echoed.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying all these awful things because you just want to repudiate the debt¡±?The wait staff¡¯s face turned red with anger.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± The fat man grabbed the wait staff¡¯s cor, almost lifting him off his feet and stared at him fiercely.


    ¡°You said this ce is a tourist trap. Why do you say so? You must give some reasons so that the others would be aware as well,¡± Ye Jiayao reasoned before turning to the spectators. ¡°How about you all? What do you think?¡±


    The people around them all echoed the same sentiments as Ye Jiayao.


    The wait staff felt foolish. He thought that this good-looking young man was a nice gentleman that wasing to his aid. He thought that he misjudged Ye Jiayao as she appeared to take the sides of the troublemakers.


    Ye Jiayao deliberately set them up because she knew that these rascals only made up a reason to leave. There was no way they could rationally exin their side of things once she asked them for facts.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to enumerate all the bad things in this motel because the customers who live here already know. We even lost some of our things, and the wait staff was the only one who came in our room. You see they cleverly disguised their thieves as the guards!¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered.??<i>This low-life really would me anyone and anything just to get out of paying.</i>


    ¡°Tell us then, which one of you saw me steal your things?¡± the motel staff countered angrily.


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t really prove anything regarding your missing stuff, as you don¡¯t have a tangible evidence. Even if you go to the police, they can¡¯t convict the wait staff with just your words to go on. What I¡¯m curious about, though, is how bad the motel is. I¡¯m wondering how did you manage to spend more than half a month here if you hated it so much? There are many other better motels in Jin Ling City, surely?¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    The four customers looked at each other, unable to answer her.


    Everyone around them understood the situation, and all smiled secretly.


    ¡°It seems to me, that you like this motel seeing as you lived here for quite some time. I just arrived here today and I¡¯m staying in a room with a number te ¡®earth¡¯, which by the way, is the lowest. The nkets were soft and clean, they have warm and cold tea, and the service is great. All of that, for the price they¡¯re asking? I say it¡¯s fair.¡±


    Other tenants of the motel nodded, agreeing with what Ye Jiayao said.


    She was on a roll as she continued, ¡°On the ount of the dishes not being great as they were supposed to be, you were warned earlier that the chef was not present. It was understandable that the dishes were not as delicious as you expected. How about this? I will make you guys another round of dishes. After you finish eating, you¡¯ll pay the rest of the rental fee, and leave. Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°Manager Du is a great man who runs this motel for so many years. He¡¯s well-liked by everyone.¡±


    ¡°It is not easy for them to run the business with a small capital. It would be good to just talk through the misunderstanding.¡±


    The neighbors and tenant rounded out to call for fairness.


    ¡°Just let it go,¡± a voice from the crowd urged.


    The four customers had nowhere to go. Their guilty conscience was already showing on their faces and if they refuse Ye Jiayao, they would appear more unreasonable. They had no choice but to go along. ¡°Okay, you¡¯ve convinced us. We will let it go but we refuse to live here anymore.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Now, go pay the rental fee, and I will go to the kitchen to cook for you.¡± Pulling her sleeves up, she turned to the wait staff and asked, ¡°Where is the kitchen?¡±


    The wait staff pointed at the back hall. ¡°It is behind the small yard on the left-hand side.¡±


    After the dispute has been settled, and the four customers left, Ye Jiayao gave one silver coin to the cashier.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel right to take that,¡± the wait staff said embarrassedly. He thought he misjudged the little brother earlier, but it turns out that he really was a gentleman.


    ¡°I insist.¡± Ye Jiayao set the money down on the counter and returned to her room.


    One silver coin was a lot of money to her, but Ye Jiayao never lost money in business. Sometimes, suffering a loss is a blessing, and she knew that the silver coin would return to her in multiple.


    On the second day, Ye Jiayao woke up very early because she was going to start looking for a job.


    She was just about to leave when she heard a knock on her door. ¡°Little brother, are you up yet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened the door to the wait staff fromst night. ¡°Good morning! What can I do for you?¡±


    The waiter¡¯s smile showed excitement. ¡°Little brother, our manager wants to see you!¡±


    ¡°Your manager is back?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he came backst night. He arrived veryte and we didn¡¯t want to bother you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed the waiter as he led her to the manager, a short, fat middle-aged man who looked like the Buddha when he smiles.


    ¡°Little brother Li, thank you so much for what you did yesterday.¡± Manager Du made an obeisance by cupping one hand in the other before his chest to thank her.


    Ye Jiayao returned that with a polite gesture and a smile. ¡°It was nothing, manager Du. You¡¯re most wee.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve felt something wrong about those customers from Wei Zhou ages ago. I should¡¯ve known that they would try to run away when I¡¯m not here. Little Yang told me that you managed to stop them with a few words and get them to pay their rental fee. I am a man who repays his debt, little brother Li. These two silver coins are for you. I can¡¯t let you spend money on a favor you delivered.¡±


    Ye Jiayao refused to take it, but manager Du forced to put the money in her hands.


    ¡°Take it, take it. Otherwise, I won¡¯t let you live in the motel,¡± manager Du jokingly threatened.


    Ye Jiayao finally took the silvers.


    Manager Du asked, ¡°What are you doing in Jin Ling, little brother?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for a job here in Jin Ling. I was a chef in Shang Dong and I only arrived here yesterday,¡± Ye Jiayao answered honestly.


    was a chef in Shang Dong and looking for a job in Jin Ling. I only arrived here yesterday, and I am looking for work right now.¡± Ye Jiayao said honestly.


    ¡°You are a chef?¡± The manager was surprised.


    ¡°Yes! I studied for a few years and I know how to make a few dishes.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how to cook Huaiyang dishes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am good at making Huaiyang dishes.¡± Ye Jiayao was dancing inside. The way that the manager was asking her made her think that he wanted to hire her as a cook.


    Manager Duughed and loudly called, ¡°Seconddy, seconddy!¡±


    A woman lifted the bamboo curtain and asked, ¡°What is going on?¡±


    Manager Du said, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a coincidence? Big uncle¡¯s hotel needs a chef and here we have a chef in our motel. This is little brother Li who helped us solve the problem yesterday. He is a chef and good at Huaiyang dishes.¡±


    The woman looked at Ye Jiayao with doubtful eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a chef? How? You¡¯re so young.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw the woman¡¯s hand stick with fish scales and guessed that she might be the proprietress as well as the cook. ¡°Big sister, if it will appease you, you can ask me any question.¡±


    The woman was slightly reassured with Ye Jiayao¡¯s confidence.


    Manager Du said, ¡°Are you going to the hotel to help during lunch time? You can bring him to see your brother. If he is happy with little brother¡¯s work, he doesn¡¯t have to look around anymore.¡±


    Manager Du was a warm-hearted person. He recognized the big help that Ye Jiayao had done for himst night and he wanted to return the favor.


    The woman hesitated before saying, ¡°Sure, I will bring him. Heads up, though,?my brother is not looking for any mediocre chef. You have to impress him little brother Li.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, grateful for the help they were giving.


    It was true that a good act will always be rewarded.

 Chapter 45 - Preserved Egg

    <h4>Chapter 45: Preserved Egg</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Li Er Niang¡¯s older brother¡¯s restaurant was right by the Qin Huai River. It was built facing the river in an excellent district, three-story high, and richly ornamented. The roof steep even boasted a domineering name of ¡®Heavenly Residence¡¯.


    <i>How did this kind of signboard did not get censored?</i>


    Li Er Niang brought Ye Jiayao to her brother, the boss of that restaurant.


    He was talking to one of his workers when they walked in. ¡°The ingredients must be fresh. Pick the good ones because those aristocrats are not normal people. Every single one of them has high standards.¡±


    The henchman took the menu and went back to work.


    Li Er Niang called out, ¡°Big brother.¡±


    ¡°Sister, you¡¯re here.¡± He saw a young man following behind his sister and asked, ¡°Brother-inw did note with you today?¡±


    Li Er Niang smiled and shook her head. ¡°I brought you a chef. Today, he will assist me and make a few dishes on his own. If you¡¯re satisfied with his work, you can hire him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walks up to him and bowed. ¡°Shopkeeper Li, I am Li Yao.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li could not help but frown but frown at how young Ye Jiayao looked. He has never known a chef that was this young. However, since second sister brought him here, he would give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, this was all just a trial and he doesn¡¯t have to keep him. ¡°Then, have a go. Just one thing before you start, Heavenly Residence might not be Jin Ling¡¯s top restaurant, it is still quite renowned. We have high expectations for our chefs.¡±


    Ye Jiayao expressed her understanding respectfully. A restaurant¡¯s sess relies on many factors such as location, environment, service, and marketing and more. However, the crux was always the dishes. Were the dishes tasty? Were the meals unique? Could the food keep the customersing back? This restaurant, in particr, had to put their ducks in order in order to gain a foothold in a ce full of masters like Jin Ling.


    Therefore, regardless of what restaurant it was, the head chef was of high importance. Restaurant owners would not hesitate to attract chefs withrge sums of money because a famous head chef is one of the restaurant¡¯s main attraction.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t dare to im to be the best as there were always better chefs than her. Moreover, she has just arrived at Jin Ling and she was not familiar with the food and beverage industry in the city.


    She humbly replied, ¡°Thank you, shopkeeper Li, for giving me this chance. I will definitely work hard.¡± Ye Jiayao has to work hard to get this job. This would be a high starting point for her that might mean she would struggle for lesser years.


    A workstation that was more than 10 meters long, with more than 10 helpers handling various ingredients, was prominent inside the kitchen. The chopping sounds ovepped in different rhythms and formed a whole percussion. Further inside, there was a row of more than 10 big stoves and small stoves, their fires burning a fiery red. Such scale should be considered formidable in ancient times, just as expected from a reputable restaurant.


    Once Li Er Niang stepped into the kitchen, everyone stopped to greet her.


    Li Er Niang gave a single nod of acknowledgment, rolled up her sleeves and put her apron on. She passed one to Ye Jiayao who immediately tied it up around her.


    ¡°What kind of dishes are you best at?¡± Li Er Niang passed her a set of the restaurant¡¯s menu.


    Ye Jiayao browsed the menu. She knew how to make all the dishes on the menu, but some of them she has yet to try. Today was her interview and assessment, and by letting her choose, Er Niang was going the extra mile to take care of her. Ye Jiayao has to?use her special skills to pass in one go.


    ¡°Wen Si Tofu, Pork Meatballs with Crab Roe, and Quick-fry Cuttlefish,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    She selected these three dishes after careful consideration. First, today¡¯s main agenda was the assessment so she was not allowed to make too many dishes. Second, these three dishes were the signature dishes of Jiang Su cuisine. Wen Si Tofu would showcase her knife skills, Pork Meatball with Crab Roe would disy her techniques in seasoning, and Quick-fry Cuttlefish would show-off her excellent control over fire. All the three dishes she chose were enough to reflect skills and abilities that were required for a chef.


    Li Er Niang looked indifferent as she said, ¡°Then, you will handle these three dishes. You can start now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao washed her hands and took a piece of soft tofu. This tofu was more tender and supple than elsewhere. It was a little like egg tofu and is suitable for making Wen Si Tofu soup.


    Once the helpers saw her pose, they knew that this ¡®young man¡¯ was trying out for a job. The original head chef, Niu, got poached by Xiang Yi Restaurant and shopkeeper Li had been fretting over the matter for a long time. Thankfully, shopkeeper Li¡¯s sister who has high culinary skills saved the situation. Though, ever since Niu left, everyone had been curious as who would take over the position of head chef.


    Everyone temporarily stopped their work to watch.


    After studying in the modern education system, Ye Jiayao was experienced in dealing with stressful situations. She took a deep breath, let go of the thoughts of all unnecessary things, and started cutting decisively.


    <i>Chop! Chop! Chop!</i>


    The de hit the chopping board at a set second, producing a crisp methodical sound.


    Though the way she handled the knife was impressive, her knife skills could only be judged when the tofu was ced in water. The tofu has to be in thin andplete strands.


    The chopping sounds stopped, and Li Er Niang brought a bowl of water and ced it in front of Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao used the knife to sweep up the cut tofu carefully and ced it in the water. Using a chopstick, she gently brushed the tofu strands apart.


    Everyone gasped, their surprise almost palpable.


    The phrase ¡°as thin as hair¡± was only used to describe foods that had undergone meticulous knife skills. However, at the moment, the tofu strands of equal length and thickness that Ye Jiayao had done were literally as thin as a hair.


    Everyone could not help but exim in awe.


    A look of surprise swept pass Li Er Niang¡¯s face. Little brother Li¡¯s knife skills far exceeded her expectations, and she has to admit that even she could notpare.


    Ye Jiayao was still tensed. The assessment?was not over yet, and she still had to do bamboo slices.


    Tofu was soft and fragile, making it difficult to cut. Bamboo shoots, however, were crisp and even easier to break. Slicing it as thin as the tofu strands was?more difficult. She has raised the bar high with her tofu strands, and now, the rest of the dishes has to get on the same level.


    By the time all the ingredients were sliced, Ye Jiayao¡¯s back was drenched with sweat.


    In the Jing An Hou mansion, the first maid in Xia Chunyu¡¯s house, Qing Liu, came to ask for his preference for lunch.


    <i>What to eat??</i>That was a question that Xia Chunyu was very particr about in the past, but has now lost interest in.


    ¡°Anything,¡± hezily replied.


    Qing Liu was not at all surprised upon hearing his answer. It has been eight days since heir-son lord came back, and his reply was the same every time she asked him that question. She just has been ordering the kitchen to make food based on the heir-son lord¡¯s past preferences. Even then, Xia Chunyu only takes few small bites and dismisses the food.


    His attitude has worried the servants. They were unsure if there was something wrong with the heir-son lord¡¯s health. This issue even rmed the old madam so she invited a royal physician to examine her son.


    A short while after, his lunch was served. The kitchen has prepared him a steamed fish, a te of chestnut chicken, spare ribs with Wu Xi sauce, pork meatballs, and three strips soup.


    Xia Chunyu was reminded of Yaoyao¡¯s cooking upon seeing the exquisite dishes, especially the pork meatballs.


    Perhaps it was only a psychological effect, but Xia Chunyu, ever since he came down the mountain, thought that no one makes better food than Yaoyao. Yaoyao was the one who makes his stomach picky.??<i>Perhaps, I just miss your food.</i>


    Seeing heir-son lord raise his chopsticks without picking anything at all, Qing Liu and Qiao Xi exchanged worried looks.


    Aftering back from the trip, heir-son lord lost a lot of weight. He has also be silent as though there was something heavy weighing down in his heart.


    ¡°Heir-son lord.¡± Song Qi called, bringing in a bowl merrily.


    Xia Chunyu sniffed, frowning. ¡°What did you bring? Why is it so smelly?¡±


    Song Qiughed and put the bowl before the heir-son lord. ¡°Heir-son lord, this is preserved egg. I brought it back from the mountains. Miss Ye marinated it and said that it can be eaten after 45 days. I almost forgot about it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows, eximing in surprise, ¡°She made it? This is so smelly! Are you sure it can be eaten?¡±


    The preserved egg does not only smell nasty, it doesn¡¯t look particrly appetizing as well. It was a lump of ck and yellow, translucent with a few specks of white snowke-like patterns. Never before had he seen such peculiar eggs.


    Song Qi replied, ¡°I have yet to try it, but ording to Miss Ye, this preserved egg is good stuff. It can dispel internal heat and decrease inmmation. It¡¯s good for the heart and mind also delicious.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looks at the size of the egg, asking, ¡°It is made with duck egg?¡±


    ¡°It is. Auntie Jiang gave those duck eggs, but upon hearing that heir-son lord does not like to eat duck eggs, Miss Ye made them into preserved eggs.¡±


    ¡°You already know that I don¡¯t eat duck egg. Why did you bring it here?¡± Xia Chunyu asked apathetically.


    Song Qi pouted. Ever since Miss Ye died, heir-son lord has never had a proper meal. Song Qi just suddenly remembered about the preserved eggs today and he brought it to the heir-son lord in the hopes of getting him to eat.


    ¡°I will take it away right now,¡± Song Qi muttered with discontent.


    ¡°Leave it!¡± Xia Chunyu ordered emotionlessly.


    He thought he would not be able to eat Yaoyao¡¯s cooking ever again, so knowing about the preserved eggs she made him was a relief. Even if tasted awful, Xia Chunyu would still eat it down to thest bite.


    Xia Chunyu used his chopsticks to cut the egg into small pieces. He dipped it in some sauce before taking a nibble. He was surprised at the contradiction. This thing was smelly and ugly but it tasted fresh and smooth. It has a unique taste.


    With just two eggs, Xia Chunyu actually finished a whole bowl of rice. He even requested for additional helpings.


    ¡°How many preserved eggs are there?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°Around 20 to 30 of them.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighed in disappointment. He would finish that in no time and he¡¯d be left with none of Yaoyao¡¯s dish again.


    ¡°Starting tomorrow, bring me one every morning. It does not go that well with rice so I think itpliments porridge more.¡±


    ¡°Ay! Then I shall hand this egg to the kitchen,¡± Song Qi acknowledged happily.


    Both Qing Liu and Qiao Xi were curious of this Miss Ye? Why was the heir-son lord enjoying the smelly thing that she made?


    ¡°Oh! Heir-son lord, Yong An Hou heir-son lord was holding a feast at Heavenly Residence today and he invited you over. This is the invitation.¡± Song Qi handed Xia Chunyu the invitation.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s enthusiasm waned. During this time, there were all sorts of invitations to celebratory feasts that he was beyond tired of handling. He simply replied, ¡°Just say that I am feeling unwell. Return?it!¡±

 Chapter 46 - First-Class Helper

    <h4>Chapter 46: First-ss Helper</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After lunch, Xia Chunyu headed to the study room. Qing Liu wanted to follow him but he refused. ¡°You don¡¯t have to follow me. I won¡¯t need your services for a while.¡±


    Qing Liu stopped in her tracks, feeling a sudden sense of disappointment. After a half a year away, the Master Crown Prince was apletely different person. He was now cold to her and unwilling for her to go near him.??<i>Did the heir-son lord find someone he likes? Is is that Miss Ye that Song Qi was talking about??</i>


    ¡°Heir-son lord, are you not happy with the presence of your lowly servant?¡± Qing Liu asked, bitterness evident in her voice.


    ¡°You think too much,¡±?Xia Chunyu replied indifferently, walking away without even a backward nce at her.


    Qing Liu has been serving him since she was young, right at the time when he was full of curiosity towards the opposite sex. She did not exactly set out to seduce him but something happened between them. From then on, she put in more effort in serving him, and in turn, he treated her differently from the other servants. Xia Chunyu has thought of settling her down properly in the future as his concubine.?The people around him all have three or four concubines at hand, so this kind of things did not concern him that much.


    However, now, his heart was fully taken over by another woman. It was difficult to even think of entertaining such matters when his heart was still imed by aching and longing.


    Just when he reached the study room, one of his guards reported, ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing is here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips twitched in annoyance.??<i>This little devil is haunting me even on a rare day where I get to rest.</i>


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, brother Chunyu!¡± Helian Jing rushed in without waiting for Xia Chunyu¡¯s permission to enter. ¡°Brother Chunyu, you have to help me think of something! The men I sent have almost flipped the whole of Zhen Jiang over and they still can¡¯t find big Raorao.¡±


    Xia Chunyu shot him a nce and slowly said, ¡°It looks like he is intentionally hiding from you. Why do you bother finding him? Unless you get the constables to put up pictures and offer a reward for a missing person, which you don¡¯t want because you don¡¯t want to cause gossip, I don¡¯t know how else you can find him.¡±


    ¡°Is that the only way?¡± Helian Jing asked with discontent.


    Xia Chunyu frowned, ¡°I am curious as to who is this big Raorao. How can he make you think of him all the time? You told me he¡¯s a male... are you like Zhao Qixuan?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was the Yong An Marquis heir-son lord. In the imperial capital, there were many aristocrats who are male homosexuals. Most of them just y around, keeping their sexuality under wraps. Zhao Qixuan was the only one who proudly announces his preferences to everyone who will listen. He tantly professed his affections for the left premier¡¯s third son, chasing him undyingly. It caused the third young master to escape from the imperial capital and wander around everywhere, refusing to return to Jin Ling.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? I am not that kind of person! I¡­ it is just that I feel bad owing people something,¡± Helian Jing bluffed, his face flushed red from guilt and agitation.


    Xia Chunyu looked at him with suspicion. ¡°That better be the case. Otherwise, your brother would be more ruthless than Zhao Qixuan¡¯s father.¡±


    Helian Jing was slightly distressed. His big brother was vehemently against this kind of things and he was still not 100% sure of his feelings yet.


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Helian Jing muttered, shifting his gaze away.


    Xia Chunyu, as hard as he was, could not bear to watch Helian Jing like this. ¡°When you first met that brother Jin Yao of yours, did he say for sure that he¡¯sing to Jin Ling?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then did he say why he wanted toe here?¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought that if Jin Yao has a motive foring to Jin Ling, then it is impossible for him to wander around for thousand miles and just give up. It was very likely that he did not go to Jiang Xi, but instead, came quietly to Jin Ling.


    Helian Jing wracked his brain for information to no avail. He was discouraged as he replied, ¡°No, he didn¡¯t say.¡±


    He regretted not probing big Raorao further then. If he had, he wouldn¡¯t have to?run around like a headless chicken to find him, like he was doing now.


    Xia Chunyu asked again, ¡°If he wants to survive at a ce, what is the most probable job he¡¯d do?¡±


    Helian Jing mulled over Chunyu¡¯s question. Big Raorao has exceptional cooking skills. If he were to seek a livelihood, he would definitely be a chef. He already sent his men around to look at restaurants and eating houses, but they still couldn¡¯t find him.


    ¡°He¡¯d be a chef. He is very good at cooking. We managed to hitch a ride with the Li family¡¯s trading ship because he helped prepare a wedding feast for the family.¡±


    Xia Chunyu froze.


    <i>Very good at cooking? Jin Yao... Jinxuan... Yaoyao...</i>


    His heart pounded against his chest, thumping so hard he was afraid that everyone could hear.??<i>Is it possible??</i>¡±


    ¡°Are you sure Jin Yao is a man?¡± Xia Chunyu asked nervously.


    Helian Jing broke intoughter. ¡°Of course, he is a man. We ate and slept together on the entire journey. If he is a woman, surely I would be able to tell.¡±


    Xia Chunyu fell silent for quite a while, bitterlyughing at himself inwardly. He was bing too sensitive and paranoid. There was no way Yaoyao would still be alive. She was with Sheng Wu when the barrage of disordered arrows rained on him. Even if she fell into theke, a woman like her would not be able to swim across it.


    Although he was extremely unwilling to ept the truth, he had to.


    <i>Yaoyao is no longer around.</i>


    ¡°Okay, listen. First, assuming Jin Yao did not go Jiang Xi but came to Jin Ling instead, you can secretly inquire around all the major restaurants and eating houses in Jin Ling. You must do this covertly. He¡¯s intentionally hiding from you, and if you rm him, he would surely escape again. Second, assuming he did go to?Jiang Xi, you can get Zhao Qixuan to help you. His brother-inw is Gan Zhou¡¯smander.¡± Xia Chunyu suggested.


    Helian Jing thought over Xia Chunyu¡¯s suggestions meticulously, his frown slowly spreading. ¡°I shall go look for Zhao Qixuan this moment.¡±


    He got up and cupped his hands hurriedly before leaving.


    Xia Chunyuughed, shaking his head. He has never seen little Jing so hung up on anyone. Hopefully, he finds Jin Yao, so that he could end his misery.


    <i>At least little Jing has hope, mine has already been dashed?</i>.


    In ¡®Heavenly Residence¡¯, shopkeeper Li tried the three dishes before him, nodding his head appropriately. ¡°Authentic, not bad.¡±


    Li Erniang said, ¡°I think you can keep him. His knife skills, I dare say for sure, is top three in the entire Jin Ling. He also has good control over fire, and most importantly, he cane up with innovative ideas. For example, he changed the lotus root in pork meatballs to fresh water chestnut and changed the starch powder to lotus root powder. It made the dish have the crisp of the water chestnut and the sweet scent of the lotus root. The texture is even more distinctive in vour. In the food and business industry in Jin Ling, where hidden masters are everywhere, it is difficult topare everyone¡¯s cooking skills, so the one who knows how to adapt and innovate would emerge as the winner. I believe he can do that very well.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li was quite satisfied with Ye Jiayao¡¯s culinary skills but he was apprehensive of her age. Would she be able to handle the task of being the head chef?


    Li Erniang understood her brother¡¯s concerns and said, ¡°Li Yao is a rare talent and his age is his disadvantage, but also his advantage. Groom him well and one day he would be the head chef that can shake the whole Jin Ling. Or, you can just take him in and let him cook for a period of time. I have my own inn to handle, I cannote over every day.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li took another look at the three dishes, toying with the merits and disadvantages in his head before he finally decided. ¡°I will sign him as a helper first, temporarily taking over the head chef. If he performs well, I¡¯ll give him the position.¡±


    The position of the head chef was too important. It was vital to the restaurant¡¯s survival, and he has to be extra careful. His praises do not count, the customers have to acknowledge the deliciousness of the food as well. Especially because he has many regr customers thate for the food head chef?Niu makes. They were so used to chef Niu¡¯s food, he was not sure if the customers could get ustomed to a new head chef.


    ¡°You still have to stay today because there is a VIP reservation for two tables. We will have Li Yao show some of his skills, you just watch over him,¡± shopkeeper Li said.


    Ye Jiayao waited nervously downstairs. Although she thought she has performed rtively well today, she was uncertain of the standards of the original head chef. Li Erniang had been gone for a long time and Ye Jiayao¡¯s confidence was dwindling by each passing second.


    Finally, Li Er Niang came back down.


    Ye Jiayao rushed towards her. ¡°Big sister, how is it?¡±


    Li Erniang smiled slightly ¡°Congrattions! Shopkeeper Li has decided to keep you as a helper.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was overjoyed. Although it was only a helper, being able to work in such a grand restaurant as a helper was already a chance that was hard toe by.


    ¡°Manager Qian will look for you to sign the contract in a while. If you have any requests, you can bring it up,¡± Li Erniang said.


    ¡°Yes, yes! I will do well, big sister. Thank you very much!¡± Ye Jiayao nodded happily.


    After a little rest, manager Qian called Ye Jiayao over.


    ¡°First-ss helpers draw a monthly sry of eight taels, second ss is five taels, third ss is three taels, and normal workers draw one tael. The restaurant currently only has one first-ss helper and you are the second one,¡± manager Qian started.


    <i>Yes!?</i>Ye Jiayao was very satisfied in getting the position of a first ss helper. She was so ted she couldn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°The contract is signed every five years. The restaurant covers meals and amodation. There are four people in one room. If you have no other questions, then sign and press your thumbprint!¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated when she heard that the contract was signed every five years. That was too long! She does not want to be a chef for the rest of her life. Her goal is to open her own restaurant and be the boss.


    ¡°Can I not sign for five years? I can¡¯t leave my house for so long,¡± Ye Jiayao asked weakly.


    Manager Qian replied, ¡°The minimum is three years. No restaurant will sign anything under three years.¡±


    It was an eptable range. Based on her capabilities, three years was enough for her to gain a foothold and reputation in Jin Ling¡¯s food and beverages business,ying the foundation for her future development.


    ¡°Sure, three years it is. I will sign it.¡± Ye Jiayao nods. ¡°Also, manager Qian, if I don¡¯t live in the restaurant, can you cover some of my amodation fees? Any amount will do.¡±?Ye Jiayao forced a smile. Any amount was still an amount that could go to her savings.


    She could do with four men in a room but only for a short period. It would not be convenient and practical in the long run.?Shopkeeper Du¡¯s inn was not very far from here, half an hour walk was all it takes. If she rented a room permanently in the inn, there should be some discounts. With a monthly sry of eight taels and free meals, it was enough for her to slightly improve her living condition.


    Manager Qian showed a hint of impatience. ¡°You will have to ask the shopkeeper about this. However, I suggest you stay in the restaurant because there might be customers at night and everyone can only rest after all the customers leave. What¡¯s more, you are from out of town, the rental in Jin Ling is not cheap.¡±


    ¡°I know. I will not let it interfere with the work at the restaurant. It does not matter howte or early, but I would still like to live outside.¡± Ye Jiayao insisted.

 Chapter 47 - I Can Do It

    <h4>Chapter 47: I Can Do It</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The business for lunchtime had finished and it was too early for dinner. Ye Jiayao decided to go back to the motel and book the amodation during this spare time.


    Manager Li was such a great man and gave her almost one silver coin as a subsidy for amodation. She was d because it saved her a lot of money.


    After Ye Jiayao stepped out, Helian Jing and Zhao Qixuan rode to the restaurant on the back of their respective horses.


    Zhao Qixuan got off his horse first and handed his horsewhip to the greeting bellboy.


    ¡°Helian Jing,e down!¡±


    Helian Jing said, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Just what you want to eat so we can leave.¡±


    ¡°No, no! I can mistreat anyone but not the Young Royal Highness. Hurry,e down,e down,¡± Zhao Qixuan hastened.


    Helian Jing reluctantly got off the horse.


    ¡°I heard that chef Niu was snatched by Xiang Yi restaurant. I don¡¯t know what can this new chef do, but no matter, I personally like to taste new things,¡± Zhao Qixuan said, patting Helian Jing¡¯s shoulder.


    Helian Jing moved out of his reach. ¡°Take your hand off me. I don¡¯t want people to think we have sort of connection.¡±


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t like to spend time with this guy because?he has a bad reputation. However, he had something to ask of him, so he had no choice but to deal with him.


    Zhao Qixuan cut him a cold look. ¡°You are just an overgrown child. I am not interested. I have such strong rtionship with my little Su and our love is deeper than the sea. I would never cheat on him.¡±


    Helian Jing shivered in repulsion. The talk of love between two men was so shameless, he could not bear it.


    ¡°If you shift your love to another person, Su¡¯s family would y fireworks to celebrate,¡± Helian Jing sneered.


    Zhao Qixuan sighed and looked up mncholically. ¡°People in this world don¡¯t understand what true love is.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s almost bit his tongue off in an effort not to say anything.?<i>True love my ass!?</i><i>You are the same as a gangster who kidnaps civilians. Mr. Su doesn¡¯t even like you.</i>


    The two royals walked into the restaurant, talking about business. Manager Qian heard that the heir-son lord of Yong An and Jing Young Royal Highness were here. He nervously ran out to wee them, desperately trying not to wet his pants despite his anxiousness.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord and Young Royal Highness, wee. Come upstairs to take a seat.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan waved him away and sat down on a random chair in the hall. ¡°I want to get a few dishes. Bring the menu over and let Young Royal Highness order.¡±


    ¡°Right this instant!¡± Manager Qian asked the staff to bring the menu and he personally held it up for the two royals.


    ¡°Helian Jing, order whatever you want.¡± Zhao Qixuan had a bad reputation for harassing pretty men. However, he has his strengths. He was a generous man and he has a warm heart. He also knew how to do business, thus further extending his riches. All of the good and bad sides of his reputation made him popr in the capital city.


    Helian Jing browsed at the in dish names and couldn¡¯t stop thinking of big Raorao¡¯s menu. If this menu was made by big Raorao, she might change ¡®Mandarin Duck Snowke ¡®Roll¡¯ into ¡®Envy the Mandarin Ducks but not Gods¡¯, and change ¡®Steamed Mixed Stew¡¯ into ¡°Happiness Overload¡±. ying to the gallery was big Raorao¡¯s specialty.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything else, just add a Double Taste Duck Roll and Lotus Wrapped Chicken.¡± Helian Jing folded the menu and returned it to manager Qian.


    Zhao Qixuan raised his eyebrows and protested, ¡°That is too little. Manager Qian, add Carp Leap Over Dragon Gate and Sandalwood Fan Duck Feet.¡±


    Manager Qian wrote the orders down, grinning widely. ¡°Heir-son Lord, what else do you need?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Just these for now. I will add more if it is not enough. Ah, Manager Qian, I heard Chef Niu left. Who is your new chef now?¡±


    Manager Qian had a glint in his eyes as he said conspiratorily, ¡°We hired a chef from another city. He will take over tonight¡¯s cooking. Heir-son Lord, you¡¯d be the first to taste the new chef¡¯s dishes.¡±


    ¡°I love tasting new things. You tell him that if I am satisfied with the dinner, I will reward him.¡±?Zhao Qixuan was interested.


    Manager Qian added, ¡°Not to brag, and if anyone asks, this didn¡¯te from me, but our new chef is definitely better than master chef Niu.¡±


    ¡°Better than master Chef Niu? Manager Qian, don¡¯t bluff!¡± Zhao Qixuan was curious. Master Chef Niu was one of the best chefs in Jin Ling. Xiang Yi Restaurant wouldn¡¯t have paid such a high price to poach him, otherwise.


    ¡°I won¡¯t say such things in front of Heir-son Lord, that¡¯s a disgrace. You can decide for yourself, Heir-son Lord, once you taste the food,¡± Manager Qian said proudly.


    As soon as the manager left with their orders, Helian Jing turned to?Zhao Qixuan and said earnestly, ¡°Qixuan,?I have to go back. I have some matters to attend to in the mansion. I wille back at night.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go yet. What business do you have? You don¡¯t have a title nor any responsibility, you have no power over businesses in the mansion.¡± Zhao Qixuan stood up and grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the restaurant. ¡°Come with me to theke. I have prepared a gaily-painted pleasure-boat. I also invited new head brand of Changchun attic who could y Pipa well. Let¡¯s go to theke and listen to music together.¡±


    ¡°Aye! Stop dragging me! I can walk by myself!¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re a slowpoke.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me a slowpoke!¡±


    The two royals people pulled and pushed each other as they walked out of the restaurant.


    Inside the Laifu Motel, Manager Du spotted Ye Jiayao?in the lobby and hurried to her. ¡°How did it go? Were you sessful?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled proudly. ¡°I got the job! I¡¯m a first-ss chef helper!¡±


    Manager Duughed and patted Ye Jiayao¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Little brother Li, not bad! I¡¯m sure that after a few years, you¡¯ll easily be a master chef.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for yourpliment big brother. I will treat you to a round of drinks someday,¡± Ye Jiayao said affectionately. Since she wanted to live in his ce, she would have to build a good rtionship with him.


    ¡°Why wait for ¡®someday¡¯? I will treat you to a drink today.¡± Manager Du patted his broad chest boastfully.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a patient smile. ¡°I¡¯m afraid, I can¡¯t go today, Manager Du. I still need to go back to the restaurantter. They have important guests tonight, and Manager Li asked me to show off my skills.¡±


    ¡°Aiyo! That¡¯s great little brother! It¡¯s your first day on the job and you¡¯re already being handed important task,¡± Manager Du said. He thought that if big uncle was confident to hand important guests to little brother Li, the kid must¡¯ve been better than he originally thought.


    ¡°I know. I will try my best to impress them all and not make you regret giving me a shot. Thank you, again, for that,¡± Ye Jiayao vowed. She really appreciated the help that Manager Du and seconddy Li gave her. No matter how good her skills were, if she would¡¯ve applied alone, she wouldn¡¯t have gotten the job of first-ss chef helper. If normal workers or chef would want to rise to that position, it would take years of hard work.


    ¡°Little brother Li, you are wee. However, if you didn¡¯t have any real skill,?my older brother wouldn¡¯t have given you such an important task. It wouldn¡¯t matter if I rmended you or not.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Big brother, I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°What is the matter?¡± Manager Du asked.


    ¡°I actually want to rent a room for a long period. Do you do any long-term rental for your rooms?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, we do long-term rentals. If you live for one month and above, you get 20% off your fee, and for three months and above, you get 30% off. How long do you n to stay for?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about it and answered, ¡°I will take three months first.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll give you a 70% discount and you can stay however long you want,¡± Manager Du said offhandedly.


    Ye Jiayao was stunned. She thought that Manager Du would give her a 50% discount at most, but?she never thought that he¡¯d raise it to 70%! That was practically for free!


    ¡°Manager Du, I can¡¯t take that. How about 50% off?¡± Ye Jiayao suggested, abashed. Her father has always taught her not to always ept cheap deals from others. She must give what she thought was fair as everyone has?their own livelihood to think of.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, little brother. We have spare rooms all the time and there¡¯s no point leaving them empty. You¡¯re a good person with a righteous heart, and I can tell that we¡¯ll get along really well. You¡¯re another friend that I can chat and drink with.¡± Manager Du truly liked this young man. He has met all different kinds of people in running his business, but it was rare to see someone like little brother?Li who doesn¡¯t expect any reward for his help.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Thank you so much, big brother!¡±


    <i>Whenever I am free, I¡¯ll help with the chores in the motel so I¡¯d at least earn the huge discount Manager Du is giving me.</i>


    With her amodation problem solved, Ye Jiayao bid her farewell and headed back to Heavenly Residence to?start preparing tonight¡¯s dinner.


    Li seconddy showed her tonight¡¯s menu: ¡°Here, have a look at the menu. I¡¯ll help you in any dish that you may not know.¡±


    Ye Jiayao flicked through the menu and realized that the people who wereing for dinner tonight must either be rich or royal. Tonight¡¯s dinner was really important not just for the restaurant but also for her. If she could manage to make a good impression, she¡¯d bring the restaurant a good reputation as well as start to make a name for herself.


    Another reason she was more determined than ever to amaze the diners was the way everyone looked at her. As soon as she came in a moment ago, the workers started staring at her dubiously. Ye Jiayao understood their hesitation. She was a young chef brought by seconddy Li just this morning, and already, she was in a higher position than them. It was only natural for them to feel uncertain. It was up to her to prove to them that she deserved her position.


    ¡°Big sister, let me handle everything. I can do it,¡± Ye Jiayao announced.


    Seconddy Li nced at her, unconvinced. There were a few difficult dishes on the menu which required excellent skills andplicated equipment.??<i>Can he really do it all?</i>


    ¡°Tonight¡¯s guests are very important, little brother. You can¡¯t make any mistakes. Are you sure that you can do it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled brightly. ¡°I assure you that I can, big sister. If you¡¯re worried, you can watch over me.¡±


    Seconddy Li was still not certain. She rmended little brother Li, and of course, she wanted him to be sessful immediately, but that doesn¡¯t mean she doesn¡¯t have any doubts.


    ¡°Alright, then. Tonight¡¯s dinner is all on you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and steeled herself.?<i>?You can do it, Ye Jiayao!</i>


    She started to arranging food materials and assigning the workers responsible for cutting vegetables, preparing fish, roasting, and broth-making. She has worked in kitchens ever since she was young, thus, she was very familiar with what order everything should go.


    Seconddy Li¡¯s apprehension with Ye Jiayao loosened when she saw how efficient she was.


    Ye Jiayao took some red and white carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and started to work on them.


    Everyone looked on at the little brother, confused.?<i>He assigned all the hard work to us and he¡¯s just messing around with heaps of carrots? What is he doing?</i>


    However, theints soon turned into admirations as they saw Ye Jiayao turned those carrots into flowers, white rabbits, and red-and-green-feathered parrots.

 Chapter 48 - Is that possible

    <h4>Chapter 48: Is that possible</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao focused on carving the carrots in her hands. She hasn¡¯t yed with them for a long time and handling them now felt unfamiliar. It wasn¡¯t until she carved the first flower that she found her groove back again.


    When other kids were busy with ying the piano, dancing, and learning maths, Ye Jiayao yed with carrots. At that time, she was jealous of the stuff that his father carved, so she practiced intensively to mimic them. After carving for a few years, she finally reached the point that the things she carved were better than her father. There wasn¡¯t a challenge anymore and she eventually lost interest in the art.


    ¡°How did you know how to do this?¡± seconddy Li asked in surprise.


    ¡°I learned from my father before,¡± Ye Jiayao answered vaguely.


    The second level chef helper, Liu Qisheng, elbowed the first-ss chef helper Zhong Xiang and quietly said, ¡°Brother Xiang, this guy knows how to y a show.¡±


    Zhong Xiang groaned unhappily. He had to admit that this Li Yao was a strongpetitor. However, he knew that he wasn¡¯t any worse than him. What Zhong Xiangcked was chance.?He was an apprentice for four years and he spent six years being a chef helper. He literally climbed from the bottom to get where he was today. He had real skills and he was a consistent hard worker. Master Chef Niu was just too selfish and didn¡¯t want to promote chef helpers because he feared they would surpass him. Now that Chef Niu left, he thought now was finally his chance to excel, but Manager Li was reluctant to promote him. Instead, Manager Li hired seconddy Li, who in turn brought Li Yao.


    Within just one morning, Li Yao had already be the first-ss chef helper ¨C the same level as Zhong Xiang. Now, Li Yao was handed such an important dinner for his first test. It was not fair.


    Zhong Xiang secretly hated Li Yao for stealing what was supposed to be his.


    Ye Jiayao carved the decorations for the te and asked the other workers to put tonight¡¯s dishes in a straight line. She determined different shapes for each dish before she got started on creating a pattern.


    The chef¡¯s order goes color, fragrance, taste, and shape. However, Ye Jiayao has always thought that color and shape should be put together and ced before everything else. It was the color and shape of the dish that the customers would see first and wouldrgely influence their decision. Also, a dish¡¯s color and shape that was well done would set a huge appetite for the customers.


    From the moment she saw the menu, she immediately pictured how they would look individually. She decreed that every dish on the menu would get a different design of ting.


    There were eight cold dishes and 18 hot dishes in total tonight.


    There would be 26 tes and 26 different styles. Never repeated.


    Seconddy Li didn¡¯t know which dishes were in which tes, but she admired them all the same. She was amazed by the beauty and uniqueness of the patterns and designs on the tes.??<i>This Li Yao is truly talented!</i>


    Decorations were frequently used in Huaiyang food, as Huaiyang food paid a lot of attention to refinement. They used refined materials, refined work, and beautiful matches, but Li Erniang hasn¡¯t seen any other master chef making such exquisite essories.


    After the food materials for the cold dishes were prepared, Ye Jiayao went to work on arranging them.


    She neatly positioned the duck tongue, using bamboo leaves to make rolls. She arranged the preserved and braised beef into the shape of a crescent moon and decorated the te with the carrots she carved as flowers.?She used honey to vor the Chinese yam and decorated it with a few matrimony vines. She then used coriander and red cabbage to add more flourish to the te.


    Next, Ye Jiayao made cucumber rolls by cutting the cucumber into thin slices. She sliced the lettuce leaves into slivers and wrapped it around the cucumbers. She mixed onion, garlic, coriander, spice, fish sauce, and lime and poured it over the rolls.


    It looked amazing but it was not what the guests had ordered. Li Erniang was dubious so she tasted one.


    She was surprised by how the vors and texture worked together. ¡°What is this dish?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and answered, ¡°Double crispy rolls. How do you like it?¡±


    Li Erniang nodded in delight. ¡°I think we can add one more rmended cold dish in Heavenly Residence¡¯s menu.¡±


    Everyone burst into cheers. For the new chef¡¯s dish to be a rmended dish on the menu was the highestpliment. Creating a new dish that would get put on the menu was hard enough, but creating one that rose to the title of the rmended dish wasparable to a heroic feat. This?new Chef Li Yao was really something else.


    Ye Jiayao felt a little bit guilty. What she made was simply Thai cold cucumber rolls. She only modified it a bit to make it more suitable for the Southern people¡¯s taste.


    ¡°He might be the master chef in Sky Live if this goes on,¡± Liu Qishengmented sulkily.


    Zhong Xiang sneered. ¡°You think being the?master chef would be that easy? He was only opportunistic.¡±


    Zhong Xiang spoke proudly but he was worried inside. The better that Li Yao performed, the more threatening he was to his career.


    ¡°Little Lu, tell the waiters to bring out dishes,¡± seconddy Li requested.


    The guests trickled in one by one.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t they say this is the celebration of the sess of the Heir-son Lord of Jing An Marquis? Why is Xia Chunyu still not here?¡± someone asked.


    Zhao Qixuanughed flippantly. ¡°That was just an excuse to gather everyone around. If I didn¡¯t use brother Chunyu¡¯s name, would any of you havee?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was an outstanding royal among the nobles. He worked as undercover for more than half a year in ck Wind Ridge and got rid of the bandits with Helian Majesty¡¯s outside help. He made a great merit with that achievement. He jumped two levels from level four Yunhui ambassador to level three first-hand guard. He was favored by the Majesty and has be so popr that everyone wanted to befriend him.


    The actual reason they came was not here, and though everyone was somewhat disappointed, Zhao Qixuan knew how to create a good atmosphere. It wasn¡¯t long before he got everyone in a cheerful mood and people started openly chatting as they drink tea.


    Helian Jing was dragged by Zhao Qixuan on theke and they spent the whole afternoon there. He was not in the mood for any more socializing in the dinner. There were people who tried to engage him in a conversation but he only gave them clipped answers. He just wanted to go home.


    The waiters brought out eight cold dishes to the roundtable.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s eyes turned brighter.?¡°Waiter, are these cold dishes made by your new chef?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Heir-son Lord, they are made by the new chef,¡± the waiter answered politely.


    Zhao Qixuan picked up one of?the double crispy rolls and said,¡±Not bad, not bad! What is this called? I don¡¯t think I ordered that.¡±


    ¡°It is called the double crispy roll. It is a new dish in our restaurant. The new chef made it especially for you, Heir-son Lord.¡±


    Everyone picked up their respective chopsticks and rose to taste the new dish. Helian Jing was not interested. He knew that no matter how good it was, it could notpare to what big Raorao could do.


    ¡°Truly double crispy.¡±


    ¡°The taste is very special. Sour and sweet.¡±


    ¡°Tasty!¡±


    Everyone was impressed with the food.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°I have eaten the same food over and over again, and finally, there is something new.¡± He put one silver bullion on the waiter¡¯s tray and ordered, ¡°Give this to the new chef. If I¡¯m satisfied with the hot dishes, I will give him more reward.¡±


    Manager Li was shocked. Truthfully, he was worried that Heavenly Residence¡¯s business would quickly go bankrupt after Master Chef Niu left. In the five days without him, the restaurant only managed to make even less than what they usually make in a day! The opportunity of the Heir-son Lord dining in the restaurant could make or break them.


    It was very risky to hand the feast over to Li Yao. When the waiters brought the cold dishes out, Manager Li was impressed with how novel they looked. He was even surprised to see two dishes that he didn¡¯t recognize. However, he was still not certain about their taste and he held his breath as the guests sampled the dishes.


    Now, seeing the delighted faces of the?guests, Manager Li finally rxed. The gamble with Li Yao paid off and he had a feeling that this was just the start of the good things that the new chef would bring to the restaurant.


    The waiter rushed back to the kitchen and presented the silver bullion in front of Ye Jiayao, smiling. ¡°Congrattions, brother Yao! The Heir-son Lord gave you this reward for a job well done.¡±


    The look of envy on everyone¡¯s faces was obvious. This Heir-son Lord was famous for his generosity. Every time he came to the restaurant, he would give an extra reward. Sometimes, the bell boy got it and sometimes it would be the waiter who served him. What he never did was reward any chef, even Master Chef Niu. Li Yao has only arrived today, and not only did he managed to create a new rmended dish, he also managed to get a reward and acknowledgment from the Heir-son Lord.


    The chef helpers felt cheated and started to think whether they should suck up more to Li Yao.


    Ye Jiayao was entirely focused on making the double taste duck roll and didn¡¯t even look up as she said, ¡°It was everyone¡¯s work. Go and exchange it to coins and split it with everyone.¡±


    The waiter did a double take.??<i>The silver bullion was worth five silver coins! Did he really say ¡®split it¡¯???</i>He hesitated and looked at second Lady Li.


    Seconddy Li nodded subtly and the waiter sprung into action. ¡°Aye, Chef Li Yao!¡±


    Ye Jiayao said loudly, ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s work hard! The better we perform, the more rewards we can share.¡±


    The helpers went back to their jobs with more energy and vigor.


    Li Erniang smiled with relief. It seemed that she didn¡¯t need to worry after all. Li Yao knew how to cook as well as how to properly interact with his workers. He had the credit, and instead of being too proud, he shared the?honor with everyone.


    The hot dishes were brought out one by one. They looked like exquisite handicrafts that?made the people ravenous for them. They didn¡¯t think that the taste couldpare with the appearance, but they were wrong. It tasted even more delicious than it looked.


    Everyone was extremely pleased the dishes. Helian Jing picked his chopsticks up reluctantly and tried one of the fried eel slivers. They were smooth and fresh to the taste, and before he knew it, he had already picked up three more.


    <i>This is actually so good.?</i>


    ¡°Double taste duck rolls,¡± the waiter announced as he put the dish down on the table.


    Helian Jing looked at the te that the waiter just brought in and froze.


    Tomatoes slivers were made to look like a blossomed hibiscus flower. Cucumber slivers were arranged to look like green leaves.?<i>Why do they look so familiar?</i>


    <i>They were talking about a new chef earlier.?</i>?Helian Jing suddenly sat up straight. ¡°Waiter, how old is your new chef?¡±


    ¡°He is quite young but he is very skillful. What do you think, Young Royal Highness? Are you satisfied with his cooking?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°After all the dishes are brought out here, bring him over to us. I want him to make a toast.¡±


    Helian Jing wanted to ask more questions, but the waiter had already left.


    <i>Is it really possible?</i>


    His heart started pounding in his chest and his hands began to shake. He wanted to run into the kitchen to find out the truth, but that would be too impolite. The new chef woulde out in just a few moments. He just has to wait for a little while.

 Chapter 49 - Caught You

    <h4>Chapter 49: Caught You</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Shopkeeper Li personally went to the kitchen to inspect how the dishes wereing along. Since he could see that Li Yao was busy, he turned to Li Erniang and asked, ¡°Is it all done?¡±


    Li Erniang replied, ¡°I¡¯m on thest dish. What are the customers saying?¡±


    Shopkeeper Li chuckled, ¡°Heir-Son Lord is waiting until all of Li Yao¡¯s dishes arepletely served before giving a toast.¡±


    ¡°Well, this is done so he doesn¡¯t have to wait any longer.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li nodded, pleased.


    Thest dish, Liyue Longmen, was taken out from the pot and Manager Li frowned as soon as he saw it. He dubiously asked, ¡°Why is Liyue Longmen made like this?¡±


    It was a dish passed on from the northern part of the country. The main ingredient should have been a big red carp, but instead, shrimp was used here. Shrimp meat and minced pork were kneaded together and wrapped in a potato flour bun with two pieces of radish ced on both sides of the body and on its back to serve as the fins. The eyes were two green peas, and the shrimp tail was naturally curled, making it look like there were little goldfishes swimming towards the shrimp from all directions. In the middle of the te was a blooming peony rolled from thinly sliced radish, giving the dish an aesthetically pleasing look.


    Yes, it looked good, but it waspletely different from what the customers were expecting. Shopkeeper Li wondered worriedly how it would be received.


    Ye Jiayaoughed and said, ¡°New chef, new cooking style. Tonight¡¯s banquet already has three dishes of fish, another one would be too much.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know how this person picked his dishes. Three dishes of fish were already too many, and this uncultured man picked four. It might as well have been a fish banquet.


    Helian Jing kept count of the dishes. Including the cold dishes, there were already 25. Were there any more toe?


    ¡°Waiter, bring me the menu,¡± Helian Jing ordered.


    Zhao Qixuan quickly said, ¡°Bring us the menu, waiter. Let Young Royal Highness Jing order a few more.¡±


    Helian Jing rolled his eyes.?<i>You stupid, homosexual man. I just want to see how many dishes you ordered and if there are any moreing.</i>


    The waiter obeyed readily and quickly handed him the menu.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to order any more food. Bring us a list of what we ordered!¡± said Helian Jing impatiently.


    Just as the waiter was about to say something, a dish arrived.


    ¡°Liyue Longmen. All your dishes are served, sirs, please enjoy.¡±


    Helian Jing turned around and saw the face that he had been thinking about his every waking moment. He saw the face that had been tormenting him for many days.


    <i>Big Yaoyao.</i>


    <i>It¡¯s Big Yaoyao.?</i>


    Ye Jiayao also saw him and her eyes widened.


    Helian?Jing stared at Big Yaoyao in a daze, smiling so bright his dimples dug deep in his cheeks. His heart suddenly started beating so fast and so hard it felt like there were a thousand horses galloping in his chest.


    How could he be this lucky?


    Before the dishes were served, Ye Jiayao had asked the waiters who were present at the feast. The waiters neglected to tell her that Little Jingjing was here.


    Seeing Big Yaoyao¡¯s surprised face, Helian Jing was overjoyed.?<i>You thought you could hide from me, huh? Go ahead. Even God is helping me, you have nowhere to go.</i>


    If it wasn¡¯t for Brother Chunyu¡¯s suggestion, he wouldn¡¯t havee here to look for Zhao Qixuan. If he hadn¡¯t look for Zhao Qixuan, he wouldn¡¯t have had toe here to eat. If he hadn¡¯te here to eat, he wouldn¡¯t have found Big Yaoyao. All the choices that led him here... it was all Helian Jing could do not to burst into a crazy, gratefulughter.


    ¡°This is Liyue Longmen? Waiter, are you sure?¡± someone questioned.


    Helian Jing immediately said, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be Liyue Longmen? Don¡¯t you see this little carp? How cute is it? My mouth is watering just looking at it.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan thought that this dish was quite interesting. He turned to Ye Jiayao and said, ¡°Exin.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°This is a new cooking method, sir. The shrimp represents wealth and fortune and we served this forst because its name meant a rich ending.¡±


    ¡°Well said, well said.¡± Zhao Qixuan pped lightly. This waiter was not only handsome, he was also good at speaking. Zhao Qixuan gave him a favorable look.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try one. If it¡¯s good, I¡¯ll tip you,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Helian Jing quickly picked up his chopsticks. He knew that all the dishes on the table would be very delicious as they were all cooked by Big Yaoyao.


    The shrimp body made of minced meat and shrimp pieces tasted fresh, it was in the right bnce of tender and springy.


    Zhao Qixuanmended, ¡°Looks good and tastes good. Excellent. I made the right decision toe here.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan quickly took out a piece of loose silver and give it to Ye Jiayao. ¡°You¡¯re good at speaking, this is your tip. Now, bring me the chef who made the dish.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed and replied, ¡°I am the chef.¡±


    Everyone was very surprised. The waiter from before said that the chef was still young, but it really couldn¡¯t be?<i>this young?</i>? How old was this fellow? Sixteen? Seventeen? How could he already have cooking skills this amazing? Why, if he changed his clothes, with his bright eyes and graceful brows, no one would contest if he imed that he was from a rich family.


    Helian Jing chuckled at everyone¡¯s faces.?<i>You all are dumbfounded, aren¡¯t you?</i><i>This is my Big Yaoyao!?</i>From everyone¡¯s faces, Helian Jing could tell that they thought the chef would be a big-bellied, shiny-faced man.


    Zhao Qixuan coughed twice to clear his throat before taking a swig of wine. ¡°That was... unexpected. What is your name?¡±


    ¡°I am Li Yao,¡± answered Ye Jiayao.


    Helian Jing reigned in his surprise. He now wondered what was Big Yaoyao¡¯s real name. Of course, Big Yaoyao might be hiding his real name to avoid him, but it hardly mattered now since he still found him.


    Helian Jing elbowed Zhao Qixuan and teased, ¡°Where is the tip you promised? How much will you tip since you¡¯re so impressed and satisfied with your food? How much, huh, Rich Zhao?¡±


    Helian Jing knew Big Yaoyao was short on money so he used the opportunity to coax Zhao Qixuan into giving him a big tip.


    Zhao Qixuan was well-known to all the brothers of the royal park to be generous. With the motivation of Helian Jing, he proudly said, ¡°Thousand gold can¡¯t buy me enjoyment. Today, I am both satisfied and contented. Xiao Shao, bring one hundred taels of silver to tip this man.¡±


    This time, it was Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to be dumbfounded.??<i>No way! My ie is only a hundred taels a year, but on my first day of work, I?get to earn a year¡¯s wage??</i>??<i>This is too much!?</i>?Rich men, indeed, do not have much care on how they spend their money.


    Helian Jing joined in the fun and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re being so being generous, I¡¯m going to match you. I will tip one hundred taels as well!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was pretty sure that her heart had stopped for a few seconds.??<i>What? What is going on? Am I dreaming??Little Jingjing, what are you doing?</i>


    ¡°That¡­gentlemen, you visiting Heavenly Residence was already our biggest honor.?Our service motto is always centered around satisfying our guests. Knowing that you are satisfied today is already our biggest reward. You really don¡¯t need to tip. If you really like our dishes, you can juste often,¡± Ye Jiayao said humbly.


    Shopkeeper Li breathed a sigh of relief from outside the door as he heard Li Yao. Little Li¡¯s words were well-said, prioritizing the restaurant¡¯s interests. If it were someone else, they definitely would have justughed and taken the tips without a second thought.


    ¡°I still have other good dishes that I promise you haven¡¯t tried before. Next time you visit, I¡¯ll cook it for you,¡± Ye Jiayao added.


    ¡°I¡¯lle as well, I¡¯lle,¡± Helian Jing said, worried he won¡¯t be invited.


    Helian Jing was familiar with the scathing look in Big Yaoyao¡¯s eyes. He pressed his lips together, trying to contain his smile. Even though it looked like Big Yaoyao was trying to kill him with his eyes, Helian Jing couldn¡¯t be happier. A few minutes ago, he had thought that he¡¯d never see him again, never hear him scold him for being too much of a spoiled rich man. Now, here he was, healthy and full of fire, standing in front of him.


    Zhao Qixuan liked the chef¡¯s humility, but he had already promised that he would tip, so he would. In the end, the chef had no choice but to ept the 100 taels of silver.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord is being generous to you, Little Li! You should have some response,¡± Mu Assistant Minister¡¯s son, Mu Qinchu, called out with a cheeky grin.


    ¡°Exactly, exactly!


    ¡°You must at least drink three cups of wine with us.¡±


    Everyone started tough and chant.


    Helian Jing¡¯s face changed. Ye Jiayao knew this kid couldn¡¯t hold his temper and was about to throw a tantrum. If a fight or an argument broke out, it would be bad for Heavenly Residence, thus bad for her.


    She said, ¡°You¡¯re correct, sir. I will toast three cups to Heir-Son Lord. Please, join at your leisure.¡±


    The waiters who came in with Ye Jiayao quickly served alcohol.


    Ye Jiayao proudly toasted three cups in a row.


    Zhao Qixuan gave Li Yao a thumbs up, impressed at how good he was at entertaining guests.


    Helian Jing watched as Big Yaoyao drank one cup after another, his careful liver making its own silent protest. Could Big Yaoyao handle that much alcohol? Would she get drunk?


    After Ye Jiayao finished her three toasts, she turned over the alcohol cups, showing that there was not a single drop left.


    She said, ¡°In the future, everyone please look after our business. I also toast three cups to everyone!¡±


    ¡°How are three cups enough? At least one cup per person!¡± said Mu Qinchu, goading for a fight.


    Before Helian Jing could get angry, Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Mu Qinchu, did you drink the bowl of alcohol you owed me from before? Andst round you lost a feast¡­¡±


    Mu Qinchu turned red and immediately said, ¡°Three cups it is. Little Li, the cups have to be full!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed and signaled for the waiters to pour the alcohol.


    Looking at the full cups of alcohol, Helian Jing¡¯s heart started beating fast. He started, ¡°Allow me¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly interrupted him before he could finish, ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing would also like a cup?¡±


    Her eyes shed him a warning.


    Helian Jing said unhappily, ¡°I¡¯ll also have a full cup.¡±


    Outside, Shopkeeper Li¡¯s face was wrinkled from silentughter. He found Li Yao a good man. He could cook, talk, and could also drink alcohol.


    This fellow might just be what Heavenly Residence needed to be popr again.

 Chapter 50 - Stalk

    <h4>Chapter 50: Stalk</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After the feast ended, Zhao Qixuan yed host once again and invited everyone to have a night tour along the Qin Huai River. Helian Jing waved his hand and declined, ¡°I have already toured it this afternoon, I can¡¯t take another round. You guys go ahead, I will be going home.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan saw that Helian Jing clearly had other matters in mind so he decided not to force him. ¡°Alright, you go ahead. Don¡¯t worry about the issue that you asked help for. As long as he is in Jiang Xi, my brother-inw would find him for you.¡±


    ¡°Actually,¡± Helian Jing started. ¡°Now that I had given it more thought, I think it would be better if I just stop looking.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡±


    <i>Because I already found him!?</i>¡°I just realized that maybe he was intentionally misleading me. It¡¯s possible that he didn¡¯t even go to Jiang Xi. I¡¯m thankful that you¡¯re willing to help, but let¡¯s just forget it for now.¡±


    ¡°Little Jing, we make a sad pair, huh? However, you are far more reasonable and clear-headed than me. Me? I am a simple fool. Even though I know that little Su is lying to me, I still keep searching for him, refusing to give up. Oh, why can¡¯t I just get over it?¡± Zhao Qixuan said, dejected.


    Helian Jing stared nkly at him. They weren¡¯t a sad pair. They weren¡¯t a pair, period. He didn¡¯t have the same problem as him.


    ¡°Nevertheless, even if I crack my head open bashing against a wall, I would dly do it. Little Jing, if there¡¯s a will, there¡¯s a way. I believe that as long as I persevere, there would be a day where the sky would clear and the moon would surface. I will not give up, and neither should you.¡±


    After that, Zhao Qixuan patted his shoulder, as if he was the one who neededforting and left. Helian Jing saw him nce up at the moon with a mournful expression.


    Ye Jiayao was feeling great even after downing six shots of Zhuang Yuan Hong. However, after she returned to the kitchen, the effects of the alcohol started kicking in. She used to be a good drinker. Her minimum was a catty of spirit, she could handle seven to eight bottles of beer with no sweat. Although she does not drink rice wine often, she could also manage half a catty of it easily. Her problem tonight was she drank six consecutive shots on an empty stomach.


    Shopkeeper Li was extremely satisfied with his new hire but he observed that Li Yao was turning a bit pale. He turned to Li Erniang and said, ¡°Second sister, go back to the inn with Li Yao. You don¡¯t have toe back early in the morning tomorrow, but be sure to be on time for the lunch hour.¡±


    Li Erniang replied, ¡°I¡¯ll take him with me, but I won¡¯t being over with him tomorrow. The inn is short of manpower and I need to be there.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li felt bad. ¡°It has been hard for you these few days, I know. Heavenly Residence willpensate for the losses in your inn.¡±


    ¡°There are no losses, and even if there is, I cannot ask you forpensation. It is only right for siblings to help each other out.¡± Li Erniang smiled.


    ¡°Get old Guan to send you two back.¡± Shopkeeper Li tasked little Lu to get old Guan to prepare the horse carriage.


    Already tired and dizzy, Ye Jiayao did not refuse. She handed Shopkeeper Li a 100-taels banknote, and said, ¡°Shopkeeper, I would have to?trouble you to break the note and split this with the rest.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li replied, ¡°This is your reward from the Heir-son Lord, you can keep it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have been able to do it alone, everyone has a contribution,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a kind smile.


    Shopkeeper Li hesitated for a while before finally saying, ¡°Alright. I will split this up for you but I will only split 30% of it with everyone.¡±


    Although her generosity was genuine, splitting up a hundred taels would still hurt Ye Jiayao. She was currently?impoverished and although she does not have to rely on others for survival, she was still strapped for cash. Shopkeeper Li¡¯s offer worked well for Ye Jiayao so she simply said, ¡°Shopkeeper Li, I¡¯ll trust you with the arrangements.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li¡¯s care and concern for Li Yao made other workers envious. For them, it was already quite obvious that the position of the master chef was sure to be given to Li Yao. Most of the workers have no opposing opinions on that matter and was actually wishing for Li Yao to seed as he was?amiable and generous. Li Yao acknowledged everyone¡¯s help and even split his reward with them. Even without factoring his cooking skills in, on attitude alone, he has already surpassed Head Chef Niu by a mile.


    However, Zhong Xiang firmly thought that Li Yao only made it through because of his connection. Splitting his reward and being kind to the other workers was his way to win their heart. Without Li Yao, he would¡¯ve been the one in the limelight. Li Yao was the sand in Zhong Xiang¡¯s eye, the thorn in his flesh that he must remove.


    Ye Jiayao was a little surprised that she did not see Helian Jing as she walked out of Heavenly Residence. From what she knew of little Jingjing, his impatience would¡¯ve forced him to wait for her outside to interrogate her.


    <i>Ah, forget it! I think I just thought too highly of myself.</i>


    Little Jingjing probably has returned to the prince¡¯s mansion and does not need her help anymore.


    Ye Jiayao opted to walk and let Li Erniang board the carriage. Now that she was dressed up as a man, she could not just ride with Li Erniang. Although the seconddy was a middle-aged woman, she was still quite attractive, Ye Jiayao did not want to tarnish her reputation.


    Li Erniang said, ¡°Li Yao, you can take a seat with old Guan.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. I want to take a walk and enjoy the breeze to get rid of the smell of alcohol. It is not a long walk, anyway,¡± Ye Jiayao refused politely.


    The horse carriage moved slowly, the??<i>click-cking?</i>sound that it made on the limestone pavement resonated on the empty streets.


    From afar, the sweet sound of traditional Chinese musical instruments drifted over. The Qin Huai river was dotted with lights that looked like twinkling stars. Many grand pleasure boats floated along silently among the dazzling lights in the river. The vivid descriptions of history books that she read were brought to life right before her eyes.


    Ye Jiayao vowed that when she gets rich, she would book a pleasure boat, invite the prettiest girl in Jin Ling, and tour the river with her. She thought about her dreams and aspirations when she suddenly remembered something. Little Jingjing already knew that she was at Heavenly Residence. There was a great possibility that he would either mention it to the dumb donkey or bring him at the restaurant.


    All the hiding and pretending she was doing was all because she wanted to avoid that dumb donkey. It was not like she could just leave. She had already signed a contract and she was too honorable to break it.


    <i>Ugh! Whatever!?</i>?She was going to achieve her goals and follow her dreams no matter what happens with the dumb donkey. After all, what does she have to be afraid of? The battle at the ck Wind Ridge wasn¡¯t even over yet, and Chunyu had already denied any connection with her. It was entirely possible that he might even pretend not to know her when they cross paths.


    Ye Jiayao was too caught up in her thought that she did not realize that someone was following her from a distance.


    Helian Jing yed smart and decided not to approach her so hastily. He wanted to understand the situation first lest she runs from him again.


    After stalking her all the way to Laifu Motel, Helian Jing waited for a long while. When big Yaoyao did note out, he guessed that this must be the ce he was staying at.


    The waiter came out to close the shop and Helian Jing hurriedly waved him over.


    The waiter came out to him and asked suspiciously, ¡°What can I do for you?¡±


    Helian Jing pulled him aside and softly asked, ¡°Is there a man living in the inn called Li Yao?¡±


    The waiter replied, ¡°Yes, what is the matter?¡±


    ¡°He is a distant rtive of mine. Both of his parents passed away and he hase to Jin Ling to seek a livelihood. I wanted him to stay over at my house and arrange a good job for him, but he is too proud and is too afraid to give me any trouble. He even refused the money I gave him! Ay! I really don¡¯t know what to do to help him.¡±


    Upon hearing that Helian Jing was a distant rtive of little brother Li, the waiter lowered his guard down. ¡°Little brother Li is quite a nice person. On his first night here, he did our shopkeeper a huge favor so Shopkeeper Li likes him. Ourdy boss is making noodles for Li Yao now!¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart ached. Big Yaoyao had been busy preparing delicious foods the whole night while he himself was only eating noodles now. He must¡¯ve been famished. Helian Jing immediately pulled out a few silver fragments from his pocket and stuffed them into the waiter¡¯s hands. ¡°I am very worried about him living alone outside. Could you please take care of him? Don¡¯t let him know that I talked to you, though. He¡¯d just feel indebted to me and refuse more help.¡±


    The waiter wasn¡¯tfortable in taking the silver so he returned them, and said, ¡°I will do that even if you don¡¯t pay me. He is our guest.¡±


    ¡°Keep it, keep it. Just please keep me informed no matter what happens in the future, whatever issues that he has, big or small. I will send someone to hear from you every day. If he leaves, please inform me first-hand. I am working in the Helian prince¡¯s mansion, you can find me there, just say you need to find little Jing. I will reward you ordingly for your help.¡±


    The waiter worked on keeping his surprise from showing.??<i>Little brother Li has a rtive that works in the Helian mansion??</i>?¡°Sure, I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°You must never let him know, okay?¡±?Helian Jing warned him.


    The waiter smiled. ¡°I won¡¯t, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°I also heard that he is working at Heavenly Residence.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes! Little brother Li has extraordinary culinary skills and he already signed a contract as a first-ss kitchen helper on his first day.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how long is the contract?¡±


    ¡°I heard little brother Li tell our shopkeeper that it was for three years.¡± The waiter continued, ¡°He also booked an earth code room for three months in our motel. Shopkeeper Li even gave him a 30% discount.


    Helian Jing felt even more saddened to learn that big Yaoyao was staying in the lowest grade room. He knew that he has to think of a way for big Yaoyao to live morefortably.


    After the walk, Ye Jiayao felt a little better. Li Erniang¡¯s noodle also helped a great deal with her headache. She found that the seconddy¡¯s skills were indeed good as she made a normal tomato and egg noodles taste very delicious.


    ¡°Big sister has such good skills! Why didn¡¯t she opened a restaurant? It is more profitable than an inn,¡± Ye Jiayao asked in between bites.


    Shopkeeper Li replied, ¡°It is not that easy running a restaurant. It¡¯s very tiring. Seconddy is not in good health and she cannot overexert herself.¡±


    <i>Oh! That exins why Li Erniang looked so slim!</i>


    ¡°Big brother, how about your children? Why have I not seen them?¡±


    Shopkeeper Li let out a long depressed sigh. They¡¯re gone. They fell gravely ill at the age of ten and just... left.:


    Ye Jiayao almost choked on her noodles. She felt like pping herself for her big mouth. ¡°I am so sorry, I¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Li waved her apology. ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry. Just don¡¯t let your sister-inw hear it. Once she gets reminded of it, she¡¯d feel terrible and fall sick again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded her head in understanding.


    The waiter stepped back inside the inn. Shopkeeper Li frowned and scolded, ¡°I just asked you to close shop, what took you so long?¡±


    ¡°T-there was a customer who wanted to stay. He asked for the price but then left because he thinks it is too expensive,¡± the waiter stammered


    ¡°Expensive? I have the most reasonable price in the whole of Jin Ling! Well, let him ask around and see if anyone can give him any cheaper rates!¡± Shopkeeper Li ranted. ¡°Ay! It¡¯s really hard to run a business these days!¡±

 Chapter 51 - Joining In

    <h4>Chapter 51: Joining In</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After Ye Jiayao got back from the restaurantst night, she was so tired that she immediately conked out as soon as her head hit the pillows. She had a good night¡¯s sleep so she was able to easily get up early in the morning. She went out to sweep the floor, clean the tables and chairs, before going to the kitchen to prepare ingredients for the breakfast meals to help out Li Erniang.


    Since her reincarnation, she hadpletely kicked away her habit of sleeping in. It was a problem that couldn¡¯t be changed?in her previous life, but the worry of surviving day by day fixed it.


    By the time that Li Erniang and the waiters got up to do their work, the?hall had already been swept clean of all fibers and dust, with the tiles gleaming. The tables and chairs were clean and neatly arranged, and the kitchen was already wafting out the scent of buns.


    ¡°Li Yao, you don¡¯t have to do this. You¡¯re a guest. How can I let you do this type of work?¡± the seconddy gently chided.


    ¡°It was no big deal, big sister, I was already up anyway. Free time is boring.¡± Ye Jiayao added more firewood to the stove.


    ¡°Free time allows you to rest your mind and body. I know that working in Heavenly Residence can be exhausting,¡± replied Li Erniang.


    Ye Jiayaoughed dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s nothing a deep sleep can¡¯t fix.¡±


    After eating breakfast, Ye Jiayao headed to the restaurant to work.


    When Manager Qian saw Ye Jiayao, he smiled brightly. ¡°Little brother Li, why have youe so early? The owner told you not toe in tillter. You should go home and rest some more.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused, trying to make sure if she heard the tones of the manager correctly. Manager Qian had just addressed her very respectfully as if she was older than him.


    <i>Huh. What¡¯s with the attitude change overnight?</i>


    ¡°I wanted toe early to make a few new dishes for the shopkeeper to test. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, that¡¯s great! The shopkeeper will arrive a little bitter, though.¡± Manager Qian suddenly gasped like he just remembered something. ¡°Oh, little brother, I have your banknote with me. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m giving you quite a small amount. The remaining 30 silvers have been distributed to the others. The kitchen help each got two silvers,?the misceneous staff each got 800 coppers, and the doorman and old Guan got 500 coppers.¡±


    Manager Qian was too embarrassed to say that he also took two Liang.


    ¡°Okay, as long as you have distributed it fairly, that¡¯s fine with me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took the banknote and made her way to the kitchen.


    When she arrived in the kitchen, everyone started greeting her warmly.


    ¡°Good morning, big brother Yao!¡±


    Other than the two young children at the door, the other people in Heavenly Residence were all older than her. They were all calling her ¡®big brother Yao¡¯ and she found it strange.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine to call me Little Yao or Little Li,¡± said Ye Jiayao modestly.


    ¡°Everyone will address you based on your cooking. Whoever has the best cooking is the boss,¡± second chef Deng Haichuan said, smiling.


    What Deng Haichuan really wanted to say was that anyone who could pay them was the boss. Last month, they got two and a half Liang silvers which were only enough for half a month¡¯s wage. He had lived in Heavenly Residence for five years and itst night was the first time he encountered such luck with tips.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, big brother Yao!¡± several workers agreed.


    Ye Jiayao yfully said, ¡°Please, everyone, whatever you do, don¡¯t call me that. You¡¯re going to make me, your magnificent little brother, an old man.¡±


    Everyoneughed out loud, the kitchen hadn¡¯t had such a rxed and happy atmosphere in ages.


    Theughter abruptly ended when the door swung open. Ye Jiayao turned to the door and saw Zhong Xiang walking in, his expression simultaneously cold and thunderous. He was followed by Liu Qisheng who was more or less mirroring his face.


    Zhong Xiang walked straight towards her.


    Ye Jiayao felt the obvious hostility and she knew where it wasing from. Zhong Qixiang had been in the restaurant longer than she had, and she knew that he felt that she has taken what was supposed to be his.


    Despite the way he was acting, Ye Jiayao was relieved. An open unfriendliness was always better than?a smiling face that stabs in the back.


    Zhong Xiang quietly and menacingly put the two and a half Liang silvers he was clutching down on the tabletop of the workbench by Ye Jiayao¡¯s side. Then, he turned around, put his apron and hat on, and started to work wordlessly.


    Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and put the silver away.?<i>This guy is pretty proud, huh??</i>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to force the money on him so instead, she waved Deng Haichuan over. ¡°Brother Haichuan, why is brother Xiang like this?¡±


    Deng Haichuan said, ¡°It¡¯s quite obvious, brother Li. Brother Xiang has worked here for seven years, and it was onlyst year that he was promoted to be a first-ss kitchen hand. You, on the other hand, got the first-ss position as soon as you walked in the door. He¡¯s just feeling a bit cheated, but brother Xiang is really a good person. Just let it pass, he¡¯ll work it out soon enough.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t think so. Things like this weren¡¯t likely to disappear on its own just by wishing it away.


    ¡°So, what dishes is brother Xiang good at making?¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang¡¯s cooking skills are quiteprehensive, but I have to say that his best work is pastries. He had no chance to disy it before because Master Chef Niu had brought his own pastry chef to the restaurant. When Master Chef Niu left, the pastry chef left with him. These days the pastries are all made by brother Xiang, it¡¯s just a pity that no one ordered dessertsst night.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled upon hearing Deng Haichuan defend Zhong Xiang earnestly. ¡°That is good for him. I am not that good at making pastries so perhaps, there would be an opportunity for us to work together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took two Liang from her own pocket, as well as?Zhong Xiang¡¯s two and a half Liangs, and gave it to Deng Haichuan. ¡°After you finish work tonight, take the other brothers and get two Tan of good wine. Tell the others it was brother Xiang¡¯s treat.


    She knew that once Zhong Xiang found out about what she did, he would get angry. She wanted to explore and test if the guy was?a king attacker or simply a puffy member.


    Deng Haichuan hesitated, then said, ¡°Okay. Will you be joining us tonight?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°I live outside, it¡¯s inconvenient. I will go with you all another day.¡±


    Xia Chunyu got back at his house from hisst night¡¯s duty at the royal court. As soon as he stepped inside his house, a servant came up to him and reported, ¡°Heir-son Lord, Prince Jing is waiting for you outside the study.¡±


    <i>Wasn¡¯t he just here yesterday? Howe he¡¯s again? What does he want now?</i>


    ¡°Little Jing,¡± Xia Chunyu greeted as he walked into his study.


    Yesterday, as soon as Helian Jing got home,?he sent his trusted servant to go to watch the Laifu Motel. The prince was so full of excitement and giddiness he wasn¡¯t able to sleep the whole night. In the morning, he called for his servant who reported that big Yaoyao had already?gone to Heavenly Residence to work.


    Helian Jing contemted on inviting brother Chunyu to have lunch at the restaurant. He wanted to properly thank brother Chunyu for his advice on finding big Yaoyao. He also wanted brother Chunyu to see firsthand how different and kind big Yaoyao was.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu,¡± Helian Jing weed cheerfully.


    Xia Chunyu looked at him with a frown. Yesterday, Little Jing came to him looking so miserable, and now he was almost bursting out of happiness. Xia Chunyu was confused.


    ¡°What happened to make you so happy? Did you find your brother Jin Yao?¡± Xia Chunyu teased as he sat down while the maidservants served them tea.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, you guessed it! I found big Yaoyao!¡± Helian Jing eximed, grinning from ear to ear.


    Xia Chunyu almost spat out his tea.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, you really know your thing. Sure enough, big Yaoyao really came to Jin Ling. I met with?Zhao Qixuan yesterday and he was holding a celebration party in Heavenly Residence for you ¨C a party you didn¡¯t go to, might I add. He dragged me to the party and it turns out that big Yaoyao was the restaurant¡¯s new cook! Man, now I understand the saying ¡®without coincidences, there would be no stories¡¯!¡±


    Xia Chunyu gritted his teeth, seething inside. Every time Helian Jing mentioned his ¡®big Yaoyao¡¯, he felt like he was being stabbed in the heart.


    ¡°That¡¯s such a coincidence.¡± Xia Chunyu forced a smile.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°Brother Chunyu, we should go for lunch at Heavenly Residence. It¡¯s my treat. This is the least I could do to thank you for all your help.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ¡°Are you trying to butter me up?¡±


    He Lianjing chuckled. ¡°No, no! Big Yaoyao¡¯s dishes are delicious, I promise.¡±


    ¡°You should find someone else to go with. I have already promised your older brother I¡¯d go to Fragrant Floor,¡± replied Xia Chunyu. If it was any other person who invited him, Chunyu would¡¯ve declined. However, it was Helian Xuan, and he really couldn¡¯t say no. It would also give them a chance to catch up because they haven¡¯t really talked since they both returned to Jin Ling.


    ¡°Why would you go to Fragrant Floor? What good dishes can that old chef make? Just go to Heavenly Residence. Brother Chunyu, I promise it won¡¯t disappoint you,¡± Helian Jing boasted.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. Your brother already booked the ce. Maybe next time.¡±


    Helian Jing was very disappointed but he knew that he there was no changing brother Chunyu¡¯s mind. He bid him goodbye and instead, went straight to the pce of Yong An, thinking that Zhao Qixuan the cker would definitely have the time for lunch.


    The servants informed him that Zhao Qixuan had swum in theke until midnightst night and was still fast asleep.


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t care and rushed directly into Qixuan¡¯s room to wake him up.


    ¡°Get up, get up! Let¡¯s eat lunch!¡± Helian Jing flung the covers off of him and immediately looked away in embarrassment. Face red with mortification, he yelled, ¡°How do you sleep with no clothes on?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was dreaming about meeting with the very beautiful little Su, so when he was startled awake he was nearly livid. Luckily, before he went on a rampage, he recognized Helian Jing. He smiled and asked, ¡°Little Jing, what brings you here?¡±


    Helian Jing did not dare to look at him. ¡°Put some clothes on. I¡¯m going outside to wait for you. Quick!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan scowled. The only person who has seen him naked was himself. Even Little Su still hadn¡¯t seen his good figure yet.


    Zhao Qixuan put his clothes on and went out to speak with the young prince. ¡°Little Jing, why have youe to see me so early in the morning?¡±


    The redness on Helian Jing¡¯s face hasn¡¯t gone away yet. ¡°What do you mean early in the morning? It¡¯s almost lunchtime. I came to see you so we can have a meal,¡± Helian Jing snapped as he reluctantly nced at him.


    ¡°Is it sote already?¡± Zhao Qixuan had been a little bit muddle-headedtely. Old Grandpa Hou hadn¡¯t been at the pce, so he had been very carefree.


    He Lianjing pointed to the fingers on the clock.


    ¡°Uh, right, um, little Jing, you came to have a meal with me? Okay. It¡¯s big brother¡¯s treat. Where do you want to go? Fragrant Floor or Fu Ji?¡± Zhao Qixuan said generously.


    Helian Jing scoffed and replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t you sayst night that you¡¯d be treating me at Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan stared at him nkly for a moment before pping a palm on his forehead. ¡°Oh, curse my memory. I suppose I did say that, huh? Then, by all means, let¡¯s walk to Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had made several new dishes for Shopkeeper Li to try. Blessedly, after he had tried them all, he ordered?<i>all?</i>?of them to be added to the menu. Ye Jiayao was giddy with pride of her work.


    Little Lu came rushing to the kitchen and reported, ¡°Shopkeeper! Lord Hou¡¯s heir from Yong An and Young Royal Highness Jing came again. They¡¯re in the Lotus Pavillion and they asked for brother Yao to go over.¡±


    Ye Jiayao angrily pursed her lips.


    <i>The kid finally came, eh?</i>

 Chapter 52 - Are you messing with me?

    <h4>Chapter 52: Are you messing with me?</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    In the Fuqu Attic, Zhao Qixuan slouched over the flowery armchair, his lips stretched into a small smile. ¡°Little Jing, from the second we entered this attic, I can tell that you¡¯re uneasy. What are you nervous about?¡±


    Helian Jing peeled his eyes away from the door he was anxiously staring at. ¡°Why on earth would I be nervous?¡±


    Helian Jing took a drink from his cup, trying to cover his?agitation. He took a big sip, forgetting that the tea was just made seconds ago with boiled water. The drink scalded his tongue and he jumped up, spilling the tea all over his clothes in the process.


    ¡°Who¡­ Who made this tea? Are you trying to burn me?¡±


    The waiter in thepartment, Little Lu, hurriedly came over to help the prince. He sounded absolutely terrified as he said, ¡°Young Royal Highness, that wasn¡¯t my intention. I am so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Get off me!¡± Helian Jing pushed Little Lu away irritably.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I will make a new tea for Young Royal Highness, right now.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan pped his paper fan andughed. ¡°Who said that he wanted hot tea again?¡±


    Helian Jing stared at him angrily and wiped the tea on his clothes sulkily.


    A knock sounded on the door.


    Helian Jing sat up immediately and cleared his throat. ¡°Come in.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pushed the door and came in. Yong An Marquis Heir-son Lord was smiling and slouching at the side. Little Jingjing was sat in front of him, looking serious, a puddle of water in front of him.


    ¡°What is going on? Little Lu, how did you treat our customers?¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t bother asking who was at fault and immediately put the me on Little Lu. Customers were always right, and in this case, these customers were practically gods. She couldn¡¯t offend them. Plus, she didn¡¯t know if Little Jingjing came here to get even with her.


    Little Lu felt helpless. He knew he didn¡¯t do anything wrong, but he didn¡¯t dare to defend himself.


    ¡°It was not his fault. I was careless and I spilled my tea,¡± Helian Jing said.


    ¡°Hurry up and change the tea for Young Royal Highness,¡± Ye Jiayao told Little Lu, who bowed his head and hurriedly scurried out.


    Ye Jiayao then greeted her customers, her hands held together respectfully. ¡°Li Yao wees you, Heir-son Lord and Young Royal Highness.¡±


    ¡°You told us that you still had some delicious dishes, I am here to try them out fresh,¡± Zhao Qixuan casually said.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and nodded. ¡°Chicken, duck, fish, abalone, sea cucumber, wild goose, shark¡¯s fin, shrimp, crab, and fresh vegetables. Whatever you want to order, I can make it for you, Heir-son Lord.¡±


    ¡°I want to eat beggars¡¯ bird,¡± Helian Jing said, not happy that Big Yaoyao was only focusing on Zhao Qixuan.


    Ye Jiayao faked a smile. ¡°I have an upgraded version of the beggars¡¯ chicken, do you want to try it, Young Royal Highness?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the upgraded version. I want the original taste of beggars¡¯ bird,¡± Helian Jing insisted.


    Beggar¡¯s bird was the first dish that Big Yaoyao made for him. The bird that they ate cost him so much energy to hunt and he could not forget it so easily. In fact, the memory was still fresh in his mind, and he really missed its taste.


    <i>He really is looking for trouble. Damn it! If I am doing this dish, I will have to dig a hole?</i>??<i>in??</i>the?<i>ground.</i>


    ¡°Alright. Whatever Young Royal Highness wants to eat, I will cook,¡± Ye Jiayao agreed graciously.


    <i>You¡¯re going to pay for this.</i>


    ¡°I also want grass mushroom soup with pancakes,¡± Helian Jing continued.


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to punch him.?<i>This brat!?</i>?That grass mushroom soup was made with mushrooms she dug in the wild. This was a restaurant and they only had winter mushroom, t mushroom, needle mushroom, and monkey head mushroom.


    Ye Jiayao grinned a tad evilly. ¡°There is no grass mushroom avable, Young Royal Highness. Will you be amenable to changing it to thin mushrooms?¡±


    Helian Jing thought about it for a while before nodding. ¡°It must be good enough to satisfy me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan had no idea what was going on.?<i>What the hell is Little Jing ordering?</i>?He was sensing a weird tension between these two.


    ¡°What does the Heir-son Lord want to order?¡±?Ye Jiayao asked.


    Zhao Qixuan pped his paper fan. ¡°Whatever you are good at. It¡¯s only me and Young Royal Highness today. You can make the decision.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then. Please wait for a while, I will make them right away.¡± Ye Jiayao bowed respectfully and left.


    She returned to the kitchen and ordered a third-ss kitchen hand, Cui Dongpeng, to go find some yellow y.


    Cui Dongpeng was lost. ¡°Brother Yao, what do you need the yellow y for?¡±


    ¡°Making beggar¡¯s bird,¡±?Ye Jiayao answered indignantly.


    Everyone was shocked as they have never heard of a dish called beggar¡¯s bird.


    ¡°Haichuan, go find a pigeon. Brother Xiang, please make a pancake. You don¡¯t need to add other ingredients for taste except for salt. White flour pancake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pulled her sleeves up and got ready.


    Zhong Xiang replied tartly, ¡°I am busy. You only need to take care of two valuable customers, but I still have a few tables of dishes to cook for.¡±


    He suspected that Li Yao was making him do such an easy job to make him look bad.?Also, why did he have to listen to Li Yao? He wasn¡¯t the master chef.


    Ye Jiayao nodded.??<i>Alright, you wanna y hardball?</i>


    ¡°Who can make a pancake?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw that third-ss kitchen hand Jiang Youli wanted to step up, but he halted after a nce from Zhong Xiang.


    The air turned a bit awkward.


    Ye Jiayao decided to just let it go. She didn¡¯t want to trouble Jiang Youli. She took the yeast and started to do it by herself.


    She squished the dough into thin pieces and then added a little bit of salt to it. She also added some butter and rolled the skin of the dough and made it into a pancake shape.


    She was cursing Little Jing inside her head as she made the pancake.??<i>That little runt. You¡¯ve already made my journey to Jin Ling tough, and now you¡¯re still creating trouble??</i>


    Inside the Fuqu Attic, Zhao Qixuan smiled at Helian Jing as if he knew what happened between him and Li Yao.


    Helian Jing felt ufortable under Zhao¡¯s knowing nce. ¡°Why are you looking at me? My face doesn¡¯t grow flowers and I am not your Little Su.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan immediately folded his paper fan and moved closer to him. He smiled craftily and said, ¡°I know why you are not looking for?<i>that?</i>person anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Helian Jing sneered.


    ¡°Because you love someone else now.¡±


    Helian Jing almost choked on his own tongue. He yelled defensively, ¡°Nonsense! Love?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was too smart and perceptive to believe Helian Jing¡¯s lie. ¡°Why are you being defensive? You¡¯re denying it because you¡¯re afraid. Do you now that you have a tell? When you feel guilty or afraid, you can¡¯t meet people¡¯s eyes.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say,¡±?Helian Jing scoffed dismissively, trying to calm himself down.


    ¡°I knew something was wrong with you since yesterday. When you saw Li Yao, your eyes lit up. Today, you rushed me toe here with you. When you didn¡¯t see him, you were nervous and unsettled. When he was here, you couldn¡¯t look at him directly in the eyes. You also intentionally ordered strange dishes to create problems for him.


    ¡°Little Jing, I have been through this type of things. You are the typical guy who likes someone so much but never speaks it out. You wanted to treat someone well but because you¡¯re confused, you intentionally do the opposite. You just started to feel love for the first time but you¡¯re too shy to express it. You¡¯re heart and mind are struggling.¡±


    Helian Jing looked at Zhao Qixuan in shock.??<i>Have I been really that obvious?</i>


    ¡°Do you need some help from me?¡± Zhao Qixuan was willing to help him to save a love story and expand the gaymunity. The more people who could understand him, the better.


    ¡°Help? I don¡¯t need any help.¡± Helian Jing tapped the table with his fingers. The chaotic rhythm mirrored his unstable emotions.


    ¡°You are really not interested in Li Yao?¡± Zhao Qixuan smiled at him as if nothing happened.


    Helian Jing shook his head, his lips twitching involuntarily. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan unfolded his paper fan and shook it calmly. He slowly said, ¡°Since you are not interested, I will make a move on him. Little Su had been gone for two years, he seemed to have lost interest in me. A forced rtionship is never good. Li Yao looks good and he is smart. The way he talks matches my temper¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡­ excuse me? You¡¯re going to what?¡± Helian Jing felt nervous.


    ¡°Chase him, of course! Li Yao is the first person other than Li Yao who stirred my feelings. I spent so many years on Little Su. I almost lost my life for him. I would do anything for him, but it all ended up just for nothing. Since there are so many beautiful men in this world, why should I limit myself to loving just one? I decided that I will go for Li Yao,¡± Zhao Qixuan said firmly, sounding and looking as if he had already made up his mind.


    Helian Jing licked his dehydrated lips. ¡°Umm... Qixuan, you just said yesterday that love needed persistence. Why would you give up today? I think Little Su still likes you. It¡¯s just that his father objects it and he is trying to be an obedient son. My guess is he is sad and crying somewhere. If you give up on him, you¡¯ll never know.¡±


    ¡°Also, Li Yao... yes, he is good, but he is just a chef. Your status is too different,¡± Helian Jing reasoned, desperately trying to dissuade Zhao Qixuan from his horrible idea.


    ¡°If it is true love, other things are unimportant.¡± Zhao Qixuan tried not tough at how hopeless Little Jing looked.


    ¡°Okay, fine, those are not important. But do you know if he even likes men? There¡¯s a high chance that he¡¯s not, but he¡¯d still go along just because he¡¯s intimidated by your power. That¡¯d be beyond cruel!¡± Helian Jing cried out, his voice getting more panicky. He dragged Zhao Qixuan here so that he could boost his ego, not so he could steal his love.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled kindly. ¡°Well, we won¡¯t know if he likes men if we don¡¯t ask him. Perhaps he doesn¡¯t even know it yet. Just like me, when I was 12, I thought I was going to marry my cousin. It wasn¡¯t until I saw Little Su that I realized that I like men.¡±


    Helian Jing had run out of excuses and the anxiety was already eating him up. He said angrily, ¡°Just stay away from Li Yao.¡±


    ¡°Why? I like him. I don¡¯t see how this concerns you,¡± Zhao Qixuan needled, wanting Little Jing to confess.


    ¡°Because¡­ because¡­ because he is the one I am looking for,¡± Helian Jing blurted out, sumbing to pressure.


    That shocked Zhao Qixuan. Didn¡¯t he say that he went to Jiang Xi? How did he turn into Li Yao?


    ¡°Don¡¯t put anything into it. We are only friends. Just friends,¡± Helian Jing hurriedly exined as he saw Zhao Qixuan trying to piece everything together.


    ¡°As long as you don¡¯t have feelings for him, it is fine with me,¡± Zhao Qixuan said casually.


    ¡°You just can¡¯t. I won¡¯t let him be with you. If you so much as make a move on him, we¡¯ll cease being friends,¡± Helian Jing warned aggressively.


    Zhao Qixuan frowned. ¡°Aiyo! Are you threatening me? I don¡¯t really care. I won¡¯t stop until you confess that you like him.¡±


    Helian Jing turned red.??<i>Yes, I want him, but I can¡¯t say that out loud!</i>


    Zhao Qixuan watched Little Jing became more worried with each passing second. Finally, he took pity on him. ¡°Okay, fine. I was only joking. Ease up, young prince.¡±


    ¡°You are messing with me?¡±?Helian Jing eximed angrily, feeling really embarrassed.


    Zhao Qixuan held his hands up and apologized. He patiently said, ¡°Little Jing, it is not easy to meet someone you really like. Whatever other people say is not important. I¡¯ve got your back. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡±

 Chapter 53 - Interrogate

    <h4>Chapter 53: Interrogate</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao made the mushroom soup and beggars¡¯ chicken that little Jing wanted. She also prepared seasonal vegetables, tree fungus sd, pork tripe chicken, and cabbage with shredded wings, serving them personally to him.


    Shopkeeper Li waited for her at the mouth of the staircase.


    ¡°Li Yao, ah, go have a couple of drinks with the prince. You don¡¯t have to help out in the kitchen for the time being.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s jaw fell open.?<i>Am I an escort now?</i>


    Shopkeeper Li didn¡¯t think there was anything inappropriate about his order. It was a great honor to join Young Prince Jing during his meal.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry, the Heir-son Lord fromst night is not around.¡±


    That Heir-son Lord was an infamous homosexual, if Li Yao was invited to dine with him, Shopkeeper Li didn¡¯t think that his young chef would survive it intact.


    <i>Why should I be relieved that the Heir-son Lord is not around?</i>


    ¡°Quick, get moving. Don¡¯t let the prince wait for too long.¡± Shopkeeper Liughed as he hurried Ye Jiayao along.


    Well, it was not like she has anything to be worried about. It was just little Jinjing.


    Ye Jiayao walked into the lotus room with high fighting spirit.


    Helian Jing sat alone at the table, tapping his fingers. Zhao Qixuan¡¯s words reyed in his mind, confusing him even more. Could it really be possible that he was bing gay? He was feeling worried and anxious for a man. He feels disappointed when he couldn¡¯t see him, ted when he was with him. Was that love?


    Unfortunately, Helian Jing wouldn¡¯t know that. In his 16 years of existence, he has never experienced that love for either a female or a male. He felt like he was going crazy trying to make sense of what he was feeling.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, the dishes you ordered are here.¡± Ye Jiayao ced the dishes on the table efficiently.


    She picked up a small hammer and knocked the mud wrapped around the beggars¡¯ chicken off. A burst of vor together with the scent of lotus leaves drifted through the air.


    Ye Jiayao looked at little Jingjing, who was sat there expressionless.??<i>What now? Is this brat going through one of his mood swings again?</i>


    She tore off a pigeon thigh and ced it in his bowl. ¡°Didn¡¯t you kick up a fuss wanting to eat the beggars¡¯ chicken? I assure you it is as authentic as it can get, try it!¡±


    The fragrance reminded Helian Jing of the first time he shot a bird. He remembered the joy he felt when he jumped into the lotus pond to pick a lotus leaf. He remembered how he spared no effort in digging a hole. He recalled the curiosity and excitement he felt when he got down on all fours to watch Big Yaoyao prepare the beggars¡¯ bird.


    He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ever since he was young, he got everything he wanted with a flick of his hand. He has never gone hungry, and neither has he slept in a run-down pavilion, getting bitten by mosquitoes. He had never gone through hardship so it didn¡¯t ur to him that there were so many people in the world who were leading hard lives.


    Therefore, that beggars¡¯ bird that came with great difficulty became the most delicious dish he had ever tasted in his life. The smell infused into the bones, the image of both of them sitting on a dirt pile, wolfing down the food, rushed to his thoughts.


    He just continued to sit there silently, eating and reminiscing the past, not caring if Big Yaoyao was still standing there.


    Ye Jiayao watched him slowly and expressionlessly eat the beggars¡¯ chicken. It looked like he was savoring every bite of the beggars¡¯ chicken and every spoonful of the mushroom soup. She might as well have been invisible for all the attention he was giving her.??<i>This brat took me away from the kitchen just to make me watch him eat?</i>


    After finishing the whole bird and half a bowl of soup, Helian Jing wiped his mouth with a piece of the serviette.


    Finally, he nted a look at Ye Jiayao. ¡°Why did you not keep your word?¡±


    The interrogation has finally started! Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and denied, ¡°I didn¡¯t break my promise.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s eyes were filled with fury. ¡°You promised to look for me. We even pped our palms and swore.¡±


    ¡°I was going to look for you. I just wanted to wait until I have settled down and found a job before seeking you out,¡± Ye Jiayao argued with conviction.


    Technically, she was telling the truth. She did not say she would immediately look for him as soon as she reached Jin Ling.


    ¡°You¡¯re a liar! Why did you get off at Zhen Jiang? Did you know that I waited for you in the harbor? I waited for Li Mao¡¯s ship but you were not there! Did you know how I felt, then? I went to Zhen Jiang to look for you, my men almost ransacked the whole town to find you, but you weren¡¯t there!?<i>Did you know how I felt, then??</i>?Justst night, I begged Zhao Qixuan to get his brother-inw in Jiang Xi to look for you.¡±


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, how could you break your promise? Even now, you¡¯re still denying it! I hate people who break their promises!¡± Helian Jing?couldn¡¯t help the words pouring out of his mouth. All the pent up worry, frustration, and anger he was feeling just busted out of him. He had been going out of his mind looking for big Yaoyao, and yet, here he was, looking as if he did not care.


    Ye Jiayao felt like screaming back at him. However, she stopped short when she saw his eyes welling up with tears. He looked so angry and sad at the same time that Ye Jiayao could not bear to argue with him.


    ¡°Little Prince, you are overthinking this. I went to Zhen Jiang because I have some things to settle there. And I did intend to go to Jiang Xi, but in the end, I decided against it. Jin Ling is a flourishing city, it would be easier to find a job here. I promised you that I¡¯d look for you, and I don¡¯t go back on my words.¡±


    ¡°I even fell ill for two days on the way to Jin Ling and had to hunker down in a ruined temple to wait for the pain to pass. I only reached Jin Ling the night before. It was Manager Du of Laifu Motel who introduced me to work here. I came to apply for the chef position yesterday morning. You can ask the manager of Laifu Motel or Shopkeeper Li if you don¡¯t believe me,¡± Ye Jiayao exined calmly.


    Helian Jing¡¯s anger dissipated when he heard that big Yaoyao fell ill.??<i>What illness did he contract??</i>?He would have to get the royal physician check on him after he gets back.


    Seeing his expression ease, Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Little Jingjing, you¡¯re a prince. To civilians like me, you¡¯re unreachable. I admit, I hesitated because I don¡¯t know how to approach you in your mansion. I was going to look for you once I¡¯ve made a decent living here in Jing Ling. I wanted to look for you for the sake of old friends catching up, not to charge you for your debt or beg for something to eat. I didn¡¯t want you to look down on me, little Jingjing.¡±


    Helian Jing was so touched, the tears he was holding in almost fell. He had always dislike how big Yaoyao calls him little Jingjing, but now, it felt like a term of endearment. It was just like how he sometimes call him ¡®big Raorao¡¯ to get on his nerves.


    <i>Big Yaoyao did not forget me!</i>


    Helian Jing stood up and pulled a chair out for Ye Jiayao. ¡°Big Yaoyao, take a seat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat down on the chair he offered. The young prince immediately pushed all the dishes she cooked right in front of her. ¡°You must be hungry? Quick, eat.¡±


    <i>Um? Talk about a personality change!</i>


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. You go eat, I am not hungry. These are made especially for you,¡± Ye Jiayao replied courteously.


    ¡°You eat, you eat! I already had my fill. Besides, if I want to eat the food you prepare, I can juste here every day.¡± Helian Jing smiled happily.


    <i>Everyday?</i>


    ¡°That... Little Jingjing, I know that your family is wealthy, but even if you have a lot of money, this is not the way to spend it. Eating in a restaurant every day would not look nice in the eyes of others. They would think that you are idle. A man should have some aplishment, like serving your country and themoners. Anyway, I am contractually bound to this ce for three years. You cane here asionally if you have guests or you want to socialize. When I open my own restaurant in the future, you can go over there every day if you wish.¡±


    Helian Jingughed out loud. ¡°Alright, I will listen to you.


    Suddenly, a thought urred to him and he suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you open one now? I can lend you the capital if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about.¡±


    The more thought he put into it, the more that Helian Jing was convinced that it was a superb idea. Opening a restaurant together would bound him to Big Yaoyao legitimately. Besides, with Big Yaoyao¡¯s culinary skills and his connections as a royal, the restaurant was sure to be bustling with business. They could easilypete and defeat Xiang Yi Restaurant, Heavenly Residence, and Man Ji.


    Unexpectedly, Big Yaoyao rolled his eyes. ¡°What are you talking about? I just signed a contract, do you want me to breach it?¡±


    Helian Jing shrugged. ¡°So what if you breach the contract? I will talk to Shopkeeper Li, see if he dares to not let you go.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare,¡± Ye Jiayao told him fiercely. She has only just settled down in Jin Ling and there were still a lot more for her to learn. Moreover, she got this job because of the help of Shopkeeper Du and his wife. She couldn¡¯t just abandon the job they so generously gave her. Also, she wanted to open a restaurant thatpletely belonged to her. She does not want to bring in other people to partner up. She has seen too many failed business ventures in the modern times just because the partners ceased being friends. She didn¡¯t want that to happen to her.


    ¡°We can always discuss opening a restaurant in the future. First, we have to learn how to walk before we run. Opening a restaurant is not as easy as it seems,¡± Ye Jiayao lectured.


    Helian Jing pouted.


    ¡°Oh, also, you can bring anyone you want here but not the person who brought you back in Jin Ling.¡± Ye Jiayao said, suddenlying up with a solution to one of her problems.


    Helian Jing was puzzled. ¡°Why?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes again. ¡°Because I hate him.¡±


    <i>What???</i>Helian Jing was baffled.?<i>How did brother Chunyu provoke big Yaoyao??</i><i>They don¡¯t even know each other.?</i><i>Could it be... could it be that big Yaoyao detests brother Chunyu for bringing him back to Jin Ling, causing them to part?</i>


    Helian Jing¡¯s heartbeat involuntarily increased as he thought of this.??<i>Is that really the case? Oh, my god! This is awesome!</i>


    Ye Jiayao picked up a slice of potato, watching Little Jingjing stare at the wall, smiling like a fool.


    ¡°You do know you look ridiculous when you smile like that, right? Hold up a mirror and I¡¯m sure you¡¯d scare yourself.¡± Ye Jiayao missed teasing him.


    Helian Jing managed to restrain his smile for a while. After a few seconds, it burst out of him again, his eyes glistening like the spring sun reflecting in the ripples of the Qin Huai River.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, I am so d I found you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help butugh.?<i>Such a cute little child!</i>


    ¡°Mm, I am also happy to see you.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded.


    That was not a lie. She was indeed fond of this little brother.


    Helian Jing smiled even more brilliantly, the joy in his heart indescribable.

 Chapter 54 - Gigolo

    <h4>Chapter 54: Gigolo</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    In a suite in Xiang Yi Restaurant, Helian Xuan and Xia Chunyu were having a?few drinks together.


    ¡°Even after little Jing returned, he continues going out every day. I have no idea what he is so busy with! Seeing him idling around the whole day gives me a headache. I want to arrange an errand for him, but I¡¯m afraid that he would ruin it and bring shame upon the Helian family.¡± Helian Xuan had his head in hands, troubled.


    Xia Chunyu contemted his friend¡¯s problem.?<i>What is Little Jing busy with? Now that he has found the person he was looking for, isn¡¯t it time that?</i><i>he concentrates on more important things?</i>


    ¡°In my opinion, I think it would be better to arrange an errand for him. Giving him something to do would get his mind to settle down and give him a sense of responsibility. Don¡¯t think too much if he¡¯d do well or not. It¡¯s the first few challenges that teach young men. Even you lost your first battles. Hell, I also made a fool of myself on my first assignment! Little Jing is quite clever. Just give him a chance and I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be able to achieve something,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Helian Xuan bounced the idea around his head for a while. ¡°I¡¯ll take a look and see if there¡¯s anything suitable for him. Help me look for something, too, okay?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled and nodded his head. ¡°Of course, I will take note.¡±


    ¡°Right, what is up with the third madam back when you were at ck Wind Ridge? I never had the chance to ask you,¡± Helian Xuan asked with curiosity.


    Xia Chunyu filled his cup up with wine and downed it in one go. The spicy liquid burned right down to his stomach, but it was still unable to dissolve the knot in his heart.


    His predicament has been weighing heavily on his heart. It was a little better in the day when he has things to do that kept his mind off it. At night, however, when all was quiet and he was left to his own devices, he would toss and turn, the memories of Yaoyao haunting him. The mere thought of her would tug at his heart and it was like an unbearable physical ache in his chest. Sometimes, he?would wake up in the middle of the night and subconsciously feel around beside him, only to find it cold and empty.


    He did ponder over his feelings meticulously, trying to figure out if the reason for his obsession was guilt or because he has genuinely fallen in love with her. Perhaps, it was both.


    ¡°She is originally from a good household but she got kidnapped up to the mountains. The first-in-charge rewarded her to me and I always thought that she is a spy¡­ it¡¯s only after the whole fiasco that I found out that she wasn¡¯t. I let her down. She died believing that I turned my back on her. I didn¡¯t even get the chance to make amends.¡± Xia Chunyuughed bitterly, filling his cup again.


    For a long while, Helian Xuan did not know what to say to console his friend. Finally, he sighed. ¡°Beautiful women suffer unhappy fates.¡± He paused and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to beat yourself up over it. It¡¯s understandable that you didn¡¯t trust her right away.¡±


    Xia Chunyu scowled harder and when he spoke, his tone was even more bitter. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. I promised her that I¡¯d get her out of there safely. I promised her that I wouldn¡¯t leave her. She believed me. She trusted me, and I let her down.¡±


    Helian Xuan was at a loss for words. He has known Xia Chunyu since they were young, and they¡¯d been friends for a long time. The Xia Chunyu he knew was a capable, cold, arrogant, and an unruly person. He has never seen him be this depressed over a woman. It was clear that the woman was extraordinary to get him to act like this.


    ¡°Forget it, brother. Let¡¯s not think about it anymore, it is all in the past. If you really feel that you have let her down, make it up to her family. Surely, you know where her house is?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes darkened with cold intentions. Those vile people could not be called Yaoyao¡¯s family. They were cold-blooded, ruthless, and conniving people. Oh, he was sure to make it up to them. He was going to get even with each one of them for Yaoyao¡¯s sake.


    However, he did not want to let Helian Xuan in on his ns so he gave an indifferent smile. ¡°Enough of this depressing talk. Let¡¯s drink up.¡±


    Helian Xuan wanted to discuss Princess Liuli with Xia Chunyu. Princess Liuli was the Empress Dowager¡¯s pet princess, and the Empress Dowager has always been looking for a suitable partner for her. Yesterday, his mother said that she heard the Empress Dowager mention that she thought highly of Chunyu for the princess.


    This called for a celebration. However, seeing Chunyu¡¯s current mood, it seemed unwise to bring the matter up. If the Empress Dowager made up her mind, there should be news of it soon, anyway.


    It took great effort before Ye Jiayao finally managed to coax little Jingjing to leave. She returned to the kitchen only to find the workers looking at her with envy in their eyes.


    Ye Jiayao stopped in her tracks.


    ¡°Ay¡­ these days looks really matter most whatever you do. When you are good-looking, there will be people supporting you. If you¡¯re like us, thick and fat, no matter how delicious you make your food, you¡¯d still get swept aside,¡± Li Quisheng, Zhong Xiang¡¯s sycophant, mocked sourly.


    <i>This imbecile! Is he really using me of being a gigolo? Is it my fault that you are thick and fat? Go back and me your mother for letting you loose in the kitchen!</i>


    ¡°Just do your work well, and stay within your bounds, Li Quisheng.¡± Zhong Xiang said loudly, his lips raised into a sneer.


    <i>Hmph! You two are cowards! Do you think I¡¯m so stupid that I won¡¯t recognize your digs? You use me of this dishonesty yet here you are, belittling me when I¡¯ve done nothing! The people who said that men are upstanding people clearly hasn¡¯t met the two of you.</i>


    Deng Haichuan forced augh. To smooth the tension out, he changed the topic, and asked, ¡°Brother Yao, what did the little prince say about the dishes today? That beggars¡¯ bird covered in mud seems a little worrying. Did the Young Royal Highness ept it? The beggars¡¯ chicken nowadays is wrapped with flour seasoned with Hua Diao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled patiently. ¡°Little Prince Jing came here to reminisce some bittersweet memories. When I was on my way to Jin Ling, I coincidentally ran into him. I was cooking beggars¡¯ bird at that moment and he followed the scent, iming he was hungry from his journey. He told me that he couldn¡¯t get the taste out of his mind. So when he found outst night that I was working here as a chef, he came over to ask me to make beggars¡¯ bird today.¡±


    Ye Jiayao purposely left some bits of their story out. She mixed some truths and lies to get people like?Li Quisheng and Zhong Xiang off her back. She has friendly rtions with the prince and they really couldn¡¯t do anything about it. She just found it insulting that they thought that she was using her looks to climb up the socialdder.


    ¡°Oh! I didn¡¯t know that you have such a personal rtionship with Young Royal Highness Jing. It¡¯s no wonder that he requested you to dine with him,¡± Jiang Youli said, feeling apologetic for not helping brother Yao bake therge tbread previously.


    Everyone suddenly understood why they got so many tipsst night.


    Ye Jiayao saw how Zhong Xiang and Liu Qisheng¡¯s faces darkened, and the corner of her lips lifts into an unnoticeable smirk. They have another thinging if they thought that she¡¯d be a pushover while they pit against her. She knew how to win people over and these kitchen workers were not different.


    After lunch, there was a resting period. Shopkeeper Li told Ye Jiayao that if she would like, she could go rest in the lotus room. There was a rocking chair there and the suite oversees the Qin Huai River so she can also admire the river scenery. However, Ye Jiayao did not want any more special treatment. She wanted to get familiar with everyone and integrate into the group, so she chose to stay in the kitchen to chat with the gang.


    After all, Ye Jiayao was a modern person from a few thousand yearster. She was born in a family of chefs, has been the editor of a gourmet magazine, has visited various countries, and has tried pretty much all the delicacies in the world. Her knowledge and experience were not one that an ancient person couldpare to.


    Ye Jiayao has her sleeves rolled up, one foot on the bench, talking about Kobe beef. ¡°I have been to the beach and heard that a certain ind produces a cow that drinks spring water from the mountains and eats tender grass mixed with herbs. Every day, it listens to rxing music and gets a massage. If it does not have an appetite, you have to feed it malt-fermented wine.?The meat from such cows is iparably tender, sweet-smelling, and grease-free. It melts in your mouth and is practically the best among all beef.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost drooled as she spoke, her eyes fixed on the roof of the restaurant.?<i>Kobe beef, I miss you!</i>


    ¡°Brother Yao, surely you¡¯re bluffing us! A cow with a treatment better than most human gets? I think I want to be reincarnated into a cow!¡± Cui Dongpeng smiled indulgently.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it would be better to be a cow,¡± someone agreed.


    Ye Jiayaoughed, shaking her head. ¡°Then it will depend on whether you guys have good luck. Perhaps if you work hard enough in this life and earn enough money to bribe Yama, it might happen.¡±


    Everyoneughed heartily.


    ¡°I am not bluffing you, though. Abalone and sashimi would be inferiorpared to such beef. Do you know what the top nine delicacies in the world are? The beef that I just mentioned ranked six!¡±


    The group stared at her curiously.


    ¡°Alright. The first ce goes to something called Bahaba. In the Guang Zhou region, it is known as Jin Quin Mian, and in the Wen Zhou region, it is called Huang Gan. Shredded abalone and assorted dried seafood soup are only authentic and tastiest if we use Bahaba¡¯s dder.¡±


    Someone nodded in the crowd, agreeing with her. ¡°I did hear about this, before. I just have never made it.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, quick, tell us the second ce,¡± Jiang Youli rushed.


    In second ce was gold shavings, but it would be a lot of effort exining this stuff to ancient people. The craft was not something that could be produced in this era, hence she skipped over it and went straight to the truffle.


    ¡°The second most precious food is called truffle. This kind of fungus only grows in a country with terrain that looks simr to a boot. It is a few thousand lis away from here. It is very rare and has to be eaten raw. It cannot be cooked because once it meets with fire, the taste will change. This fungus is sweet and has a heavy fragrance and is not suitable for storing. You have to eat it immediately after picking it. Therefore, unless you are local, it is difficult to enjoy its taste.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, where did you hear all these from? You couldn¡¯t probably go all the way there to taste it, right?¡± someone questioned.


    Ye Jiayao heaved a long sigh. ¡°This is what my master, my grandmaster, and great grandmaster spent half their lives gathering from around the world. My only wish in this life was to tour the world and try all the delicacies like what my master and grandmaster did.¡±


    Zhong Xiang and Liu Qisheng sat destely outside, feeling upset as they listened to the bustling excitement in the kitchen.


    Liu Qisheng scoffed sulkily, ¡°It is obvious that he is uttering nonsense. Touring the world, ha! Does he even know how wide and big a farnd is? He¡¯s just making up stories and the fools inside are happy being taken along for a ride.¡±


    Zhong Xiang remained silent, his expression a little depressed. In the past, everyone always crowded around him, and now, they have all gone to Li Yao¡¯s side

 Chapter 55 - 1.73 Meters

    <h4>Chapter 55: 1.73 Meters</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Now that the matter weighing in Helian Jing¡¯s mind was lifted, he was finally able to feel more rxed. He happily hummed the tune he learned on the river tour yesterday as he went off to find his mother and grandmother.


    ¡°Stop,¡± an icy and imposing voice called from behind him.


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat and he froze on the spot. He hung his head low, and with great dread, slowly turned around.


    ¡°Big brother,¡± Helian?Jing greeted.


    Helian Xuan could not help but frown upon seeing his little brother acting so carefree. Their uncles all passed away from early wars, leaving only him and his little brother to carry on the family name and position. The emperor favoured the Helian family, conferring both of them as monarchs. Before their father passed away, he had tasked Helian Xuan with taking care of Helian Jing. He had reiterated the loyalty they must show to the country and the importance of maintaining the family¡¯s ster reputation.


    Helian Xuan took his father¡¯sst words to heart, working overtime to further his career and excel on all the matters the monarch has trusted him with. The same could not be said for his little brother, however. Due to Helian Jing¡¯s weak health when he was younger, everyone has pampered and spoiled him. It was clear that even now at age 16, Helian Jing?still expected everyone to cater to his every whim. He was like a child who never grows up.


    ¡°Where have you been the entire day?¡± Helian Xuan demanded.


    ¡°No-nowhere! I just went to Heavenly Residence and had a meal and some tea with Zhao Qixuan,¡± Helian Jing answered carefully, intimidated by his brother¡¯s imposing looks.


    It would¡¯ve been fine to Helian Xuan if he hadn¡¯t mention eating with Zhao Qixuan. As it was, hearing that his little brother had been hanging out with the likes of that man brought his blood to a boil.


    ¡°How many times have I told you to stay away from people like Zhao Qixuan?¡± Helian Xuan scolded.


    ¡°Brother, Zhao Qixuan is actually a good person. I mean, other than??<i>that</i>?problem, he¡¯s a decent guy,¡± Helian Jing softly defended.


    ¡°You know that he has a problem, and yet, you still associated with him? Aren¡¯t you afraid you¡¯d that he¡¯d turn his disgusting affections on you? And even if you had nothing going on with him, that does not prevent tongues from wagging! You¡¯re going to cost the family its reputation if you keep this up.¡±


    Helian Jing stayed silent in order not to further aggravate his brother.


    ¡°I think you have too much time on your hands. You want to pass the day so you go around doing inconsequential things,¡± Helian Xuan criticized.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do inconsequential matters, either!¡± Helian Jing protested. ¡°I¡¯ve asked you and mother for assignments in the past, but you both ignore me!¡±


    ¡°Well, this sloppy look of yours certainly does not scream trustworthy.¡± Helian Xuan fixed him with a hard stare.


    Helian Jing looked away.??<i>My looks have nothing do with this! You and mother just don¡¯t trust me with anything.</i>


    Helian Xuan sighed. He really doesn¡¯t enjoy chewing his brother out. ¡°Look, next month is grandmother¡¯s 70th birthday. I am quite busy dealing with official businesses, so you shall be in charge of preparing grandmother¡¯s birthday feast.¡±


    Helian Jing visibly perked up, delighted. ¡°Brother, are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re just going to fail, might as well do it in front of the family first. I don¡¯t want your first humiliation to be in front of strangers,¡± Helian Xuan scoffed.


    Helian Jing rolled his eyes, unfazed. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t underestimate me. I might even throw a party that¡¯s infinitely better than what you could do.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible as I¡¯m sure you¡¯d resort to one of your tricks again.¡±


    <i>Be that as it may, only smart people cane up with tricks.?</i>?Helian Jing was too excited to let his brother get to him.


    ¡°Alright, you have to prepare the party well and make sure that Grandmother is pleased. If there is anything that you don¡¯t know, you can ask mother. If there is anything you cannot settle outside, look for me. I will arrange an official assignment for you if you do great at this,¡± Helian Xuan said.


    Helian Jing was overjoyed, replying brightly,¡±Yes, brother. Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely make it satisfactory and make sure that grandmother will have the time of her life.¡±


    Looking at his excited face, the corner of Helian Xuan¡¯s lips rose involuntarily. ¡°Do a good job.¡±


    Perhaps Chunyu was right. In the past, they were too careful, too worried, and too afraid to let go, robbing the bird a chance to learn how to fly on his own. It was time to give little Jing a chance?and toughen him up.


    When his big brother left, Helian Jing also turned around, walking towards the mansion¡¯s front door. He wanted to look for big Yaoyao and ask for his help toe up with ideas.


    ¡°Where are you going again?¡± Helian Xuan asked when he happened to nce back.


    Helian Jing scratched his head, letting out an embarrassedugh. ¡°I was so happy I lost all sense of direction! I was going to greet mother and grandmother.¡±


    Helian Xuan sighed and shook his head in resignation. It was not even a minute in and he was already regretting giving little Jing this assignment.


    In the Jing An Marquis mansion, Xia Chunyu was back from his evening greeting. Qing Liu has already prepared his bath and change of clothes.


    Qiao Xi came up to him to help him take off his clothes.


    ¡°Is Da Bao and Er Bao doing well?¡± Xia Chunyu asked as he always does every day.


    ¡°Yes, they are doing well, bouncing around as always. Today, when I went to feed them, Er Bao sneaked out when I wasn¡¯t looking. Everyone chased him around the courtyard,ughing their heads off,¡± Qiao Xi recalled with augh.


    causing everyone to chase him around the courtyard, everyone wasughing their heads off at that situation.¡± Qiao Xiughed.


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help but smile. If Yaoyao was around,?Da Bao and Er Bao would not dare to run around. They would always stay obediently by her side.


    After they took off his outer coat, Xia Chunyu lifted his hand to stop them from continuing to undress him. He disappeared behind the screen with his inner wear on.


    Qing Liu looked at Qiao Xi meaningfully, and Qiao Xi nodded, exiting the room with a knowing smile.


    Xia Chunyu swam ap around the pool. The pool was so small that two strokes were enough for him to reach the other end. It was not satisfying at all. This made him miss the Haze Lake at ck Wind Ridge. He could swim as much as he wanted to there, and every time he returned from swimming, Yaoyao would be there with a dry towel. She would help him dry his hair, all the while bbering nonsense.


    At that time, he found her annoying, wondering how one tiny woman could have so much to say. He could never enjoy some peace and quiet with her around. Now, as he recalled the memory, it filled his heart with warmth.


    Xia Chunyu cupped a handful of water and sshed it on his face. He then leaned on the edge of the pool, his eyes closed as he rested.


    He heard soft footsteps approached him from behind. Xia Chunyu, with his low and maic voice, saidzily, ¡°I said there is no need to serve me.¡±


    Instead of stopping, the person came closer. He felt more than hear the ripples sweep across the water as the intruder got in the pool.


    Xia Chunyu opened his eyes to see Qing Liu slowly moving closer to him, totally naked.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, let your servant wait on you.¡± Qing Liu¡¯s face was slightly flushed, both from her shyness and from the steam of the pool.


    The water gently caressed her young and slender body, her cherry red nipples faintly discernible underneath the water. She looked alluring.


    However, Xia Chunyu could not care less about her and what she was offering. He said expressionlessly, ¡°Get out.¡±


    A hint of embarrassment and awkwardness showed on Qing Liu¡¯s face, but she only hesitated for a slight while before she continued moving forward.


    Song Qi has already confirmed that the Heir-son Lord indeed had a woman, but that woman was now dead. Even if the Heir-son Lord really liked this mysterious woman, he couldn¡¯t do anything about it. Qing Liu believed that as long as she put more attention and care for the Heir-son Lord, his affection will shift back to her.


    ¡°Qing Liu, you know I don¡¯t like to repeat myself,¡± Xia Chunyu said emotionlessly.


    Qing Liu halted her tracks, her embarrassment growing. She was not a shameless woman. If she wasn¡¯t someone who had served the Heir-son Lord in<i>that?</i>?way before, she would never dare to throw herself at him like this.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, you have changed.¡± Qing Liu choked with sadness. The tenderness and loving words from before have be icy cold. She can¡¯t even get close to him because he would not look her in the eyes.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t wish?to raise his voice nor resort to violence. After all, Qing Liu served him once. If she would not leave, then he will.


    Xia Chunyu turned over, pressing one hand on the edge of the pool to leap above the water. He pulled the gown on the rack and quickly donned it on. ¡°You are not young anymore. I will instruct the housekeeper to arrange for you to leave the mansion.¡±


    Qing Liu lost her breath. She couldn¡¯t believe that the Heir-son Lord she once served could be that heartless. She wailed, ¡°Heir-son Lord...¡±


    Xia Chunyu did not waver in his decision as he walked out of the bathroom inrge steps, not once ncing back at the broken heart that he left.


    After that incident with Qing Liu, Xia Chunyu was left feeling frustrated and antsy. Finally, he changed his clothes and decided to leave the mansion to take a walk.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, where are you going?¡± Song Qi asked as he jogged to keep up with his master. The Heir-son Lord only remained silent as he walked away aimlessly.


    Song Qi remembered that it was just like the day when they returned from Haze Lake. The Heir-son Lord didn¡¯t say a word back then, too, as he walked through the whole of ck Wind Ridge.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly stopped, raising his head to take a look at the Qin Huai River in front of him. ¡°Let¡¯s take a walk by the river.¡±


    There was not much business today at Heavenly Residence so the gang retired early. Deng Haichuan followed Ye Jiayao¡¯s instructions and invited the rest of the men for a drink. Ye Jiayao returned to the inn and after helping the workers a little, she retired to her room to lie down. The problem was she wasn¡¯t sleepy at all. If it were the modern times, this is when the nightlife begins. The ancient people do not have many leisurely activities to do so they could only go to bed and dream. Since she could not fall asleep, Ye Jiayao got up and decided to take a walk by the Qin Huai River since it was just two streets away from the inn.


    Gazing at the pleasure boats cutting through the river, Ye Jiayaoforted herself with the thought that she was basically also touring the Qin Huai River. Technically, she was touring the Qin Huai River every day when she gets off work. The only difference was the rich people were floating on the river while she was walking by the bank.


    ¡°Bean cakes for sale! Sweet-smelling bean cakes, two coppers for a bean cake!¡± a peddler called out. Ye Jiayao looked to the direction of the vendor and saw an old man sitting in the harbour, in front of him was the bean cakes he was selling.


    Ye Jiayao realized that it was hard for the old man to sell the cakes thiste at night so she walked over to him and said,?¡°Old uncle, give me a piece of bean cake.¡±


    The old man smiled. ¡°Wait for a moment, young chap, I will make you a fresh one.¡±


    Ye Jiayao struck up a conversation with the old man. ¡°Old uncle, is there still a business sote at night?¡±


    The old manughed. ¡°Every sale counts. I can earn more this way.¡±


    ¡°Will those rich men buy them?¡±?Ye Jiayao pointed at the leisure boats.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t even take a look at cheap stuff like this. Thedies and the servant boys, however, would asionally take care of this old man¡¯s business.¡±


    ¡°Give me another three then!¡± Ye Jiayao said. She was going to bring it back for the people in the motel.


    ¡°Young chap, try one first. You can always buy more if you find it tasty,¡± the old man said.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, finding the old man¡¯s honesty endearing.


    Just when Ye Jiayao was buying the bean cakes, Xia Chunyu and Song Qi walked pass her.


    Song Qi smelled the delicious fragrance of the bean cakes and smiled merrily. He turned to Xia Chunyu and asked, ¡°Heir-son Lord, would you like a bean cake?¡±


    ¡°Buy it for yourself if you want some,¡±?Xia Chunyu replied indifferently.


    Song Qiughed a little bit abashedly. ¡°Then, Heir-son Lord, please wait for a while.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paid the old man, and with a bean cake in her mouth and three other in her hands, she continued walking forward.


    By the time Song Qi reached the old vendor, Ye Jiayao was already more than 10 meters away.


    ¡°Uncle, one bean cake please.¡±


    ¡°Well, the business is quite good tonight,¡± the old manmented, bemused.


    Xia Chunyu got a little impatient waiting, and turned to look at Song Qi¡¯s whereabouts and instead, saw another person loitering alone at a distance. Xia Chunyu smiled bitterly, somehow inexplicablyforted by the idea that there was someone like him who fancied a stroll by the river thiste.


    ¡°Song Qi, are you done?¡± Xia Chunyu hurried.


    ¡°Coming,ing!¡± Song Qi ran back with the bean cake, biting a huge chunk of it before eximing, ¡°Heir-son Lord, this bean cake is really pretty good.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t say anything as he continued on his walk.


    Never would he have imagined that that night, just at that moment, he brushed past Yaoyao and for a second, they were only 1.73 meters apart.

 Chapter 56 - Furious

    <h4>Chapter 56: Furious</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The next day, as soon as Ye Jiayao stepped inside Heavenly Residence, Deng Haichuan pulled her aside.


    ¡°Brother Xiang was furiousst night, you better watch out,¡± he warned her.


    Ye Jiayao smiled upon hearing this and asked, ¡°How was he furious?¡±


    Deng Haichuan looked at brother Yao, confused as to how he was still smiling.


    ¡°I did as you told me to. After drinking, I told everyone that it was a treat by brother Xiang. He looked so mad so I told him that you gave back his reward plus another two taels. Brother Xiang did not say anything for a long time and then he just suddenly smashed a vat of wine! He got right in my face, I thought he was going to beat me up! I was lucky he didn¡¯t, otherwise, I¡¯d be going to work ck and blue today,¡± Deng Haichuan said, his lingering trepidation evident. This time, he has offended brother Xiang by standing by Li Yao. From now on, he would have to stay near the new chef in case brother Xiang tried something.


    Ye Jiayao imagined Zhong Xiang¡¯s furious expression, and could not help butugh. Indeed, she was out to tease Zhong Xiang. She wanted to punish him for mocking her?with Liu Qisheng yesterday.


    She patted Deng Haichuan¡¯s shoulderfortingly. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I forked out the money while everyone thought he was just being generous enough to treat them. The worst that he could do was pay me back!¡±


    Ye Jiayao guessed right, as not long after, Zhong Xiang came over to her, his foul mood obvious to everyone. He smacked four and a half taels on the table in front of her and said hatefully, ¡°Here¡¯s your money. I will treat everyone if I want to, there is no need for you to be hypocritical.¡±


    Ye Jiayao purposely acted as if she was the wronged one. ¡°Brother Xiang, I think you are mistaken. We all work together and we all work hard, it is only right that everyone shares the reward. You refuse to ept your share so I thought I would just top up a little and treat everyone to drinks. The majority of the amount was reallying from you, so naturally, you are the one treating. If I have done anything wrong, I¡¯m sorry. I am new to here and I don¡¯t know the rules, so please, don¡¯t hold it against me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s words won the consent of the majority. For a long time now, the kitchen had been dominated by Master Chef Niu. The other workers were always treated as if they were beneath him as he scolded and belittled them. Chef Li Yao was a blessing for them. He empathized with their sufferings and credited them for their work. They thought that what Li Yao did was merely an effort to endear brother Xiang to them. Brother Xiang was just a tad too narrow-minded to realize it.


    Cui Dongpeng stood up and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, Brother Xiang. Brother Yao only wants everyone to have a good time. He means no harm.¡±


    Zhong Xiang turned to them, biting his tongue.??<i>Are you happy now? Are you happy seeing me get yed by this newbie? Why do you believe him so easily? I¡¯ve been with you for years!</i>


    There was a saying that goes, ¡®there is no need to be afraid of a god-like opponent,?but instead, be afraid of a pig-like teammate¡¯. Unfortunately for Zhong Xiang, his pig-like teammate has chosen this moment to appear.


    Liu Qisheng pointed at the crowd angrily. ¡°You people, are you really this blinded by this new guy??How does Brother Xiang usually treat you all? When did Brother Xiang not stand up and take the brunt for you when Head Chef Niu gets angry? Now that you receive a few taels from someone, all of a sudden, you found a new hero?¡±


    ¡°Liu Qisheng, how can you say something like this? I think the situation has ended up like that because you are stirring up shit.¡± Wang Mingde, who was usually silent, jumped out.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! So what if brother Yao has shared his rewards with us? What made him my friend was his words of encouragement and praise. The money is only secondary,¡± Cui Dongpeng defended.


    Everyone agreed, and suddenly, Liu Qisheng became the target of everyone¡¯s frustrations and was verbally attacked from all sides.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s face showed absolute defeat. He felt as though everyone was abandoning him, choosing to stand on Li Yao¡¯s side.


    Ye Jiayao stepped in between the fight to resolve it. ¡°Everyone, stop it. This is all my fault, it is because Ick consideration.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, you are not at fault,¡± Wang Mingde disagreed.


    Deng Haichuan scowled and hurriedly said, ¡°It is all my fault. I am to me. Brother Yao didn¡¯t want me to say anything, yet I had a drop too much, and I couldn¡¯t think straight. Brother Xiang, brother Yao, this is all my fault, I apologize.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stole a nce at Deng Haichuan, surprised at his quick wit.


    Public opinions all sided Ye Jiayao while Liu Qisheng has been drowned in criticism. Zhong Xiang was now isted with no one in his corner. He turned to walk out, discouraged.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Everyone, go back to work. I will talk to brother Xiang.¡±


    Zhong Xiang was sat on the grindstone in the courtyard, sulking. Ye Jiayao walked over, sitting beside him.


    ¡°Brother Xiang, I know what you think of me. ¡®What right does this chap have to be on equal footing with me? Is it because of her rtionship with Li Erniang, or because he is good-looking?''¡± Ye Jiayao said in Zhong Xiang¡¯s voice.


    Zhong Xiang rolled his eyes, unamused.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°You have strived for years to get to where you are today, and yet here I am, so young and surpassing you. It¡¯s not fair to you.¡± Ye Jiayao let out a bitterugh. ¡°News sh, there is nothing fair in this world.¡±


    ¡°I say this without modesty ¨C in this kitchen, no one has studied culinary for a longer time than I have. I am born in a family of chefs. My father was carrying me to the kitchen to learn before I could even speak. Before I even learned how to use a chopstick, I was already wielding a spat. At six, I was cooking for my whole family standing on a stool. When everyone was ying with mud and catapults, I was ying with knives. Although skills and talent are important, without hard work, you won¡¯t go far. You might think otherwise, but I definitely did not put in lesser work than any of you.¡±


    Listening to her story, Zhong Xiang gradually calmed down.?<i>No wonder this chap is so good! He¡¯s from a family of chefs!</i>


    ¡°Knowing Li Erniang is purely coincidental. I came to Jin Ling and stayed at her motel. She found out that I am a chef looking for a job, and since you guys have an opening, she brought me here to apply. Brother Xiang, I admit that in terms of skills, you might not be worse than me. You have to know, though, that cooking is not a rigid process of strictly?sticking to the recipe. Cooking is likepleting a unique work of art, incorporating the feelings of the cook to give it its unique vour. A lot of people do not understand this that¡¯s why they don¡¯t progress to anything more than a chef.¡±


    ¡°With regards to this, I am better than you, Brother Xiang, you have to admit,¡± Ye Jiayao said in a matter-of-fact way, looking straight at Zhong Xiang confidently.


    Zhong Xiang wanted to say something but hesitated. This was the first time he has heard such a novel idea, and after mulling it over, he realized that it was logical. He treated every dish as a mission to bepleted. Being a chef was only a way to earn a living, he has never thought of it as something so profound.


    ¡°Perhaps you feel that by sharing my reward, I am boasting and trying to win everyone over. I assure you, I don¡¯t have any intentions of boasting. I personally know the sufferings of a chef, especially those at the very bottom, because I experienced it as well. I shared my reward purely in the hopes of appropriately reciprocating everyone for their hard work.¡±


    ¡°As for winning everyone over, I admit, it was part of my reason. However, I wasn¡¯t trying to form cliques. It is not easy for everyone to work together, so I just wanted to get everyone in high spirits to work more harmoniously together. Also, I¡¯m new. I don¡¯t want you to just see me as someone ¡®higher¡¯ than you guys. I wanted for you to see me as a part of the team.¡±


    Zhong Xiang couldn¡¯t find the words to refute her exnation.


    ¡°From the moment I felt your hostility, I asked around the brothers privately as to what kind of person you are. The answer I got was?surprisingly unanimous; they say you are a good person. Let me ask you, brother Xiang, if you were the one in that situation who has received the tips, would you share it with everyone?¡±


    Zhong Xiang thought about it and was a bit ashamed knowing that there was a big chance that he would not be able to do it.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°I heard that you do pastry well. With my ideas and your skills, perhaps pastry will be Heavenly Residence¡¯s yet another signature dish. As long as we work together with sincerity, I think Shopkeeper Li would not need to hire a head chef. This is my chance as well as yours. Whether we pit ourselves against each other, or work together, is up to you, brother Xiang.¡±


    Zhong Xiang was a little moved. Li Yao has spoken to him so frankly and sincerely that he opened his mind, making him see the error of his ways. For a moment, he felt hope stir in his heart.


    <i>Can he really be trusted?</i>


    With her work done, Ye Jiayao took out the four and a half taels that he returned to her and ced it on the grindstone. ¡°If you choose to go against me all the way, then you can smack this right in front of me again. If you think that I am not that bad and is worthy of being your friend, then ept this money.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him onest time before returning to the kitchen. When she turned around, she saw more than 10 heads sticking out of the kitchen door. When they saw her turn around, all of them scattered away, acting as if nothing happened.


    <i>These people.?</i>?Were they afraid that she would exchange blows with Zhong Xiang? Ye Jiayao shook her head in amused disbelief.


    She has never been the type of person to give in and suffer in silence. If people were nice to her, then she would reciprocate. If they didn¡¯t want anything to do with her, then she shall send them on their way. Simple.


    However, she trusted Zhong Xiang to make the right decision. If their fight gets ugly, it should already be clear to Zhong Xiang who Shopkeeper Li will choose to keep.


    Everyone was busy in the kitchen yet all of them were not working with a peace of mind, constantly looking out towards the door. They were wondering why brother Xiang hasn¡¯t returned yet.


    ¡°Brother Yao, why do you think brother Xiang has not returned? Should I go...¡± Deng Haichuan chose to stand by Li Yao but he still wished that both brother Yao and brother Xiang coexist peacefully.


    ¡°No need. Let him think it through,¡± Ye Jiayao said inly.


    Only when Zhong Xiang has sorted it out by himself could this issue be settled.


    After another cup of tea, Zhong Xiang returned.


    Everyone fixed their eyes on Zhong Xiang¡¯s figure, tracking his movement as he walked across the kitchen.?Zhong Xiang took his apron and tied it on before turning to his chopping board and started chopping.


    Everyone silently heaved a sigh of relief. The kitchen was finally at peace.


    The corner of Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth turned up into a smile. She expected that she and Zhong Xiang wouldn¡¯t have any more problems like this in the future. From what everyone said, and what she observed, Zhong Xiang seemed like a very tolerant man. She knew that his patience was what caused him to explode. After all, suppressed emotions never did any?good for anyone.


    ¡°Brother Yao, Brother Yao, Young Prince Jing is here again to see you.¡± Little Lu ran excitedly to the kitchen.


    Ye Jiayao frowned. Didn¡¯t she tell him yesterday not toe so frequently? It was not even lunchtime yet!


    ¡°I am busy, let him wait.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Everyone gasped, finding brother Yao so imposing that he dared to give the prince the cold shoulder.

 Chapter 57 - Dumb Donkey Wants To See Her

    <h4>Chapter 57: Dumb Donkey Wants To See Her</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Since big Yaoyao was busy, Helian Jing did not want to disturb him further. He simply ordered a cup of tea and a te of snacks as he patiently waited in the Lotus Suite, asionally jotting down some ideas for the birthday feast he was throwing.


    As soon as Shopkeeper Li arrived at the restaurant, someone informed him of the current situation. He was shocked and embarrassed, finding Li Yao¡¯s behaviour outrageous. He rushed over to the Lotus Suite and immediately apologized to the young prince.


    ¡°I will get Li Yao toe over at once,¡± Shopkeeper Li promised.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, don¡¯t bother. I will wait until he is done,¡± Helian Jing said indifferently.


    Shopkeeper Li was surprised to find the Young Prince Jing so amodating to a mere cook. There were rumours that Young Prince Jing was a bit spoiled and not at all an easy-going person. Shopkeeper Li was wondering what was going on.


    Helian Jing waited until lunchtime but big Yaoyao still hasn¡¯te out. He ordered a few dishes and continued waiting again.


    Xia Chunyu, on his way to the pce with two Imperial bodyguards, passed by Heavenly Residence.


    ¡°Sir, I am afraid it would be way past lunchtime by the time we reach the pce,¡± a bodyguard informed him.


    Xia Chunyu considered it for a while before dismounting the horse. ¡°Then, we shall have our meal here.¡±


    Little Jing has been singing praises about his friend Jin Yao¡¯s cooking skills, so Chunyu thought that it was time for him to put it to the test.


    The waiter named Ah Xing weed him gracefully. ¡°Sir, would you like to take our Orchid Suite? It oversees the river so you can enjoy that wonderful view as you eat.¡±


    Ah Xing has been a waiter for years now and he has skillfully mastered discerning the customers, identifying their status by their clothing and presence.


    A waiter must practice till he has a pair of discerning eyes, telling the status of every customer from their clothing and presence. He rmended the best suite because one look at Xia Chunyu¡¯s official Imperial bodyguard uniform and his imposing manner, he knew that he was not just an ordinary rich person.


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t care less about anyvishness. ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    Helian Jing walked to the mouth of the staircase, on his way back to his suite from visiting thetrine, when he ran into Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Little Jing¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother Chunyu? What a coincidence! Are you here for lunch?¡± Helian Jing was shocked to see brother Chunyu in the restaurant, big Yaoyao¡¯s warning shing in his head.


    Xia Chunyu frowned.??<i>What else will I do in a restaurant? Practice sword fighting?</i>


    ¡°Yes, what about you? Who are you here with?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I am about to leave!¡± Helian Jing squeaked in panic.


    Ah Xing was baffled and asked, ¡°Young Royal Highness, the dishes that you¡¯ve ordered are not served yet.¡±


    Helian Jing wanted to strangle the meddlesome waiter. He said fiercely, ¡°I just don¡¯t feel like eating. Am I not entitled to leave whenever I want to?¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his brows, finding little Jing¡¯s reaction very unusual for him. He looked flustered and Xia Chunyu found it odd that he¡¯d leave without eating what he ordered. Wasn¡¯t he always boasting of Jin Yao¡¯s cooking skills?


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, why don¡¯t we go to another restaurant. Come on, I¡¯ll treat you to Fu Ji.¡± Helian Jing smiled and tried to pull Xia Chunyu away.


    Xia Chunyu refused to budge. ¡°I went here because I wanted to support your friend. Besides, we¡¯re already here, there¡¯s no sense in leaving. Waiter, where¡¯s Young Prince Jing¡¯s suite?¡±


    He was pretty certain that little Jing was hiding something, and as his brother¡¯s friend, Xia Chunyu was obliged to check it out.


    ¡°It¡¯s the Lotus Suite,¡± Ah Xiang replied.


    Xia Chunyu immediately veered straight to the Lotus Suite, Helian Jing on his heels.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu!¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened the door to the suite but there was no one else inside. He was a bit bewildered because he was sure that little Jing was hiding someone in here.


    Xia Chunyu took a seat and asked, ¡°Waiter, what are your specialty dishes?¡±


    Helian Jing sighed in defeat. Now that brother Chunyu has made himselffortable, he couldn¡¯t really just send him away. He would just have to reason to big Yaoyao that Chunyu came here on his own ord. Hopefully, big Yaoyao would believe him.?¡°Well, brother Chunyu, the pork stomach chicken here is good. It is big Yaoyao¡¯s specialty dish, I tried it yesterday and it is absolutely delicious.¡±


    Xia Chunyu perked up.??<i>This dish sounds familiar! Isn¡¯t it the one that Yaoyao used to?</i>??<i>entice Song Qi and the gang to y Rock, Paper, Scissors with her??</i>Song Qi never got to taste it and until now, kept bringing it up. Wasn¡¯t it a big coincidence that this Jin Yao fellow also knew how to make it?


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll have one of that. What else do you rmend?¡±


    ¡°Waiter, add a Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Door, a crab powder pork meatballs, and simmer-fried spare ribs,¡± Helian Jing ordered smoothly. He knew that these were brother Chunyu¡¯s favourites so he knew that this was a must.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. This is just lunch, no need to be so grand.¡± Xia Chunyu still has work in the afternoon!


    When the order form was sent to the kitchen, Ye Jiayao looked at the numerous orders from Lotus Suite. She asked, ¡°Does Young Prince Jing have guests?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. He ran into someone he knew so they sat in the same suite,¡± Ah Xing replied.


    ¡°Okay, then you bring these dishes over first,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Xia Chunyu noticed the little notebook on the table and he asked Helian Jing, ¡°Are you doing homework?¡±


    Little Jing was notorious for being mischievous. Back in his days at Imperial College, no teacher was willing to school him because they could not stand him. Since he was not learning anything at college, the Helian family hired a tutor to teach him in the pce. Little Jing ended up setting his tutor¡¯s moustache on fire. It was an ident, of course, but it was enough to build his reputation. No one dared to teach him so Helian Xuan was forced to be his brother¡¯s tutor.


    ¡°No, no. My brother assigned the preparation of my grandmother¡¯s birthday feast to me. Those are some ideas for the program.¡± Helian Jing smiled embarrassedly.


    ¡°That is good! If there is anywhere you need my help in, just tell me.¡± Xia Chunyu smiled encouragingly. He was d that Helian Xuan heeded his advice.


    The waiter came in and served their dishes; one grilled shiitake, one seasonal vegetable, and one sweet and sour carp.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, try it! Big Yaoyao made them, they are delicious! Especially this shiitake mushroom, you can¡¯t find it anywhere else,¡± Helian Jing said.


    Ah Xing smiled. ¡°This is a new dish that the restaurant justunched.¡±


    Xia Chunyu froze. Indeed, it couldn¡¯t be found anywhere else, except...??<i>I¡¯ve seen this at ck Wind Ridge.</i>


    Although it wasn¡¯t served in an iron pan then, the fragrance of the still sizzling meat, made his heart race. Xia Chunyu tried the shiitake mushroom, the meat patty on top was crispy, and the shiitake mushroom at the bottom was sulent and tender. The familiar taste of the dish was scrambling his memory.


    He tried the sweet and sour carp next and found that the bnce of the sweetness and tanginess was just right.


    He felt as though his heart was about to jump out of his mouth.


    Multiple thoughts shed through his mind.?<i>Perhaps this Jin Yao and Yaoyao have the same master¡­ perhaps, Yaoyao did not die and she taught Jin Yao this dish¡­ perhaps Jin Yao is Yaoyao¡­</i>


    ¡°Well, how is it? Delicious, right? I told you!¡± Helian Jing urged excitedly.


    Xia Chunyu told himself to calm down. The higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment. If he made a rash mistake, it would be very embarrassing. Anyways, there was still the crab powder pork meatballs and the simmer-fried spare ribs to judge. Yaoyao has also made these dishes before and he wanted to taste them first before he let himself expect more.


    ¡°It is passable,¡± Xia Chunyu said in an off-handed manner.


    Helian Jing pouted. Everyone has always said that he has a picky mouth, well, in his opinion, Chunyu was pickier than the two of them. How could big Yaoyao¡¯s divinely delicious meal just be??<i>passable?</i>


    ¡°How old is this Jin Yao of yours?¡± Xia Chunyu asked casually.


    Helian Jing thought about it for a while. Big Yaoyao looked a lot younger than him, he just liked to be the boss and lecture him.


    ¡°16 or 17, I think? I never asked, actually.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart stuttered. They were not far apart in age.


    ¡°He intends to stay in Heavenly Residence? After he gave you so much help, you are not going to find him a better job?¡±


    Helian Jing wrinkled his nose in distaste. ¡°I want to, but Big Yaoyao wants to make it on his own. He wants to seed on his own. He doesn¡¯t want to be looked down by others that¡¯s why he purposely hid from me.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded in understanding. Yaoyao was like that too, a little unreasonable and very hardworking. She never asked for anything from him. The only thing she begged him for was keeping Da Bao and Er Bao and...?<i>not to abandon her.</i>


    ¡°He has principles and a backbone, I¡¯ll give him that,¡± Xia Chunyu replied.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s impressive. I don¡¯t evene closepared to him,¡± Helian Jing admitted discontentedly.


    Xia Chunyu sneered jokingly, ¡°At least you have self-awareness.¡±


    Helian Jing ignored the jibe and said, ¡°Brother Chunyu, my brother said that if I¡¯m sessful in organizing grandmother¡¯s birthday feast, he will arrange an assignment for me.:


    Xia Chunyu patted him on the shoulder, cheering him up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You can do this.¡±


    Helian Jing smiled gratefull. ¡°Go on, eat, eat.¡±


    Dish after dish was served.


    Xia Chunyu could count two dishes tasting simr to Yaoyao¡¯s as a coincidence, but??<i>all of?</i><i>them??</i>?He was afraid to hope, but he could not help it.


    ¡°Little Jing, this friend of yours has quite the skill. Invite him out here, I want to meet him. You¡¯ve also got me curious as to how this man could get your admiration,¡± Xia Chunyu jested, forcing himself to adopt a rxed posture.


    Helian Jing was very hesitant. Big Yaoyao told him not to bring brother Chunyu to the restaurant, and yet here he was. Big Yaoyao would be angry for sure.


    ¡°He¡¯s... um, he¡¯s very busy!¡± Helian Jing stammered.


    Ah Xing, hoping to please both noblemen, said, ¡°Brother Yao should be free right now. There are not many customers this afternoon.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately ordered, ¡°Invite him over.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, I will go at once.¡± Ah, Xing ran to the kitchen excitedly. The new customer seemed to be satisfied with brother Yao¡¯s dishes, and might even give them some tips.


    Helian Jing opened his mouth to stop him but Ah Xing was already gone.


    In the kitchen, after Ah Xiang ryed the message to Ye Jiayao, she carefully asked, ¡°Do you know who is with the prince?¡±


    Ah, Xing answered, ¡°I heard Young Prince Jing call him Brother Chunyu.¡±


    All the blood drained from Ye Jiayao¡¯s face. She got so lightheaded she thought she was going to pass out.


    <i>F*ck!?</i>?That dumb donkey wants to see her! What could she do? She doesn¡¯t want to see him!


    Deng Haichuan walked over to her and said, ¡°Brother Yao, Cloud Suite on the second floor just ordered another grilled shiitake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at Deng Haichuan, an idea forming in her head. She pulled him aside hurriedly and carefully whispered her n to him.


    Deng Haichuan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Brother Yao, this is not a good idea!¡±


    ¡°Well, good or not, it doesn¡¯t matter. I am busy. I have no time to?chat with those big masters. It¡¯s alright, Young Prince Jing will not?scold you. If anything happens, I promise, I will take the me. Remember what I said, okay? Go, quick! If there are rewards, it will all go to you!¡± Ye Jiayao pushed him out.


    Deng Haichuan could only brace himself as he went up with Ah Xing to the Lotus Suite.


    ¡°Will this work? What if the customers get angry? That new sir looks imposing, even Young Prince Jing was respectful to him,¡±?Ah Xing worried.


    Deng Haichuan was covered in cold sweat. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but whatever happens, brother Yao said he¡¯ll take the me.¡±

 Chapter 58 - You Must Be Mistaken

    <h4>Chapter 58: You Must Be Mistaken</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Sirs, the chef is here.¡± Ah Xing was mindful to say ¡®chef¡¯ instead of ¡®Brother Yao¡¯.


    With his back to the door, Helian Jing could only clench his fist nervously as he muttered under his breath, ¡°Big Yaoyao, you cannot be angry. This is not my fault, I didn¡¯t bring him here¡­¡±


    Deng Haichuan entered, cupping his hands together as he said, ¡°Greetings, sirs.¡±


    Upon hearing his voice, Helian Jing¡¯s eyes widened. He turned around and?was even more surprised at what he saw.??<i>How is this Big?</i><i>Yaoyao??</i>??<i>But, no, this is better!?</i>?Helian Jing kept silent and buried himself in his food.


    Xia Chunyu watched Little Jing¡¯s reaction calmly. The chef standing before him looked like he was in his twenties, tall and sturdy, and not at all like the Big Yaoyao that Little Jing mentioned.


    ¡°Did you make these dishes yourself?¡± Xia Chunyu leaned back, drumming his fingers leisurely against the surface of the table.


    Deng Haichuan braced himself and answered, ¡°Yes, I made them. Are they to your liking?¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow and said, ¡°Not bad. What is your name?¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart was hanging by a string.


    Deng Haichuan could not bring himself to do it. Brother Yao wanted him to pretend to be him, but how could he?


    ¡°I¡­ I am called Li¡­¡± Deng Haichuan stuttered guiltily.


    Helian Jing fell into a violent coughing fit.


    ¡°Little Jing, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Xia Chunyu asked with concern.


    Helian Jing pointed at his throat, answering with a husky voice, ¡°Fishbone, stuck¡­ stuck in my throat.¡±


    Ah Xing reacted immediately. ¡°I will go get vinegar.¡±


    Deng Haichuan seized the opportunity and rushed, ¡°I will go with you.¡±


    After finishing half a bottle of vinegar, Helian Jing said with a bitter face, ¡°This won¡¯t do, it¡¯s noting out. I have to see a physician. Brother Chunyu, apany me to the physician¡¯s, I feel terrible.¡±


    Helian Jing pulled Brother Chunyu away without giving him the chance to say anything else.


    At Jiu De Hall, the physician asked Helian Jing to open his mouth. He took a look and said, ¡°I think it is still better to go back and drink more vinegar or swallow some rice or buns. That should be able to make it go down.¡±


    ¡°What if it doesn¡¯t go down?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    The physician replied, ¡°Then he will have to take medicine. The medicine will soften the fishbone.¡±


    ¡°Then why does he need to swallow rice or buns? Get him some medicine now. Travelling back and forth is such a hassle,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there is a need, Brother Chunyu. I am not used to medicines. I think I¡¯ll just go back and swallow some rice.¡± Helian Jing shuddered at the word ¡®medicine¡¯. He has grown scared of medicines after taking so much when he was young.


    Xia Chunyu pressed him down and told him firmly, ¡°This is not a small matter. Listen to the physician.¡±


    <i>Do you really think that I can¡¯t tell that you¡¯re just pretending? You purposely came up with a situation that would allow the cook to slip away. Are you that afraid that I will see Jin Yao? Whatever you are hiding, I will find out about it sooner orter. You¡¯re still young Little Jing, you can¡¯t fool me.</i>


    ¡°This herb does not need simmering, just add water and you can drink it. It is just a little bitter,¡± the physician said as he went to prepare the medicine.


    Helian Jing was pressed down by Xia Chunyu and could not move. He couldn¡¯t express his disdain, so for the sake of selling his act, he kept coughing so much he almost hacked out a lung. He also downed half a bottle of vinegar. His stomach was so full of acid by now that it was twisting painfully.


    After watching Little Jing finish thest drop of medicine, Xia Chunyu ordered the bodyguards, ¡°You two are responsible for sending the Young Royal Highness back to the Helian mansion. Bring him to the Yu De Princess and say that he choked on a?fishbone and it still hasn¡¯te out yet.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, surely there is no need to inform my mother? This is just a small matter,¡± Helian Jing said, flustered.


    His mother doted on him excessively. If she so much as hears him cough once, she¡¯d dog his steps the entire day, fussing over him. If she found out about this, Helian Jing was sure that she¡¯d make him spend at least three days in bed.


    Xia Chunyu said earnestly, ¡°You choked on a?fishbone while eating with me. If something happens to you, your mother would skin me alive.¡±


    He knew that after Yu De Princess found out about this incident, Little Jing would definitely not be able to leave the house for the rest of the day.


    As soon as Little Jing was escorted home by the guards, Xia Chunyu mounted his horse and made a trip back to his mansion. Once he arrived, he ordered?Song Qi to go down to Heavenly Residence and investigate Jin Yao.


    ¡°Be careful. Don¡¯t let him see you. I want definite information when I return from work.¡±


    He was 90% sure that Jin Yao was Yaoyao, but that 10% of uncertainty was enough to unsettle him. He did not like the expectation and fear.


    He kept telling himself to remainposed, to wait a bit more. The answer would be out soon, he just has to be patient for a little longer.


    Xia Chunyu settled his work quickly and left early. He could not wait any longer. Every moment felt like an eternity, every second was torture.


    Song Qi was waiting for him outside the pce door. As soon as he dismounted his horse, Song Qi walked up to him agitatedly and said, ¡°Heir-son Lord, I... I saw Miss Ye.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hearing tunneled, and for a moment, all he heard was static.


    ¡°Are you certain?¡± he asked, his voice wavering, unable to believe the sudden good news.


    Song Qi nodded. ¡°I am sure, Heir-son Lord.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked up at the sky. The red clouds looked as soft as cotton, and two birds fluttered past, disappearing behind a colorful roof. How long has it been? He felt like he has been living in a nket of darkness from the moment he returned from ck Wind Ridge. Now... now, his deste heart was starting toe back to life.


    <i>Yaoyao is still alive.</i>


    <i>She¡¯s alive.</i>


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Miss Ye has disguised herself as a man and is working as a first-ss helper in Heavenly Residence under the name Li Yao. She is staying in the Laifu Motel. When I saw her, I was shocked. I thought I saw a ghost¡­¡± Song Qi could not stop rambling.


    Xia Chunyu lowered his head, smiling. ¡°Did she see you?¡±


    ¡°No, I remembered your instructions. I was very careful.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°Go back and report to Madame that I have an appointment tonight so I shall not eat with her.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Song Qi answered merrily.??<i>This is great! Miss Ye is still alive so Heir-son Lord could stop acting so miserable now!?</i>


    Ye Jiayao was unable to concentrate the whole afternoon. Little Jingjing choked on a fish bone. Did he get it out? Was it serious? Why didn¡¯t that fellow send anyone to tell her some news? Didn¡¯t he know that she¡¯ll be worried?


    There was no sign of anything unusual even until she knocked off for the night. There was no servant informing her of Little Jingjing¡¯s condition, there was no Dumb Donkey barging in the kitchen ¨C nothing.


    Ye Jiayao heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that everything would be just fine.


    ¡°Brothers, I shall leave first. Brother Xiang, I will treat you to a drink another time.¡± Ye Jiayao waved her hand, bidding everyone goodbye.


    Zhong Xiang did not answer her but his face was no longer hostile.


    Li Yao called him Brother Xiang as though they were very close, and that made him feel sort of embarrassed.


    ¡°Brother Yao, take care!¡± everyone told Ye Jiayao sessively.


    Outside Heavenly Residence, the lights were already lit up, making the streets as bright as the daytime. The Qin Huai river at night was dotted withnterns, and under the faintly discernible music, it appeared to be even more charming.


    Ye Jiayao sashayed unhurriedly, enjoying her leisure time after a busy day at work.


    Xia Chunyu followed her from afar.??<i>This silhouette, this walking posture... it¡¯s all familiar.?</i>?Xia Chunyu recounted his walkst night. Could it be that the person he sawst night was her?


    How could he have not recognized her?


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan!¡± Xia Chunyu shouted.


    Ye Jiayao froze.


    He found her.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked slowly towards her, his heart beating rapidly, his breathing ragged.


    He was actually nervous.


    Ye Jiayao instinctively ran. She didn¡¯t want to see him. She wanted to hide from him forever. He has the most intimate rtionship with her, and yet it was the most unfamiliar. There was never trust between them. They were both just acting, but she pathetically and unknowingly took it seriously. Meanwhile, he was just ying a role the entire time.


    She has always refused to reminisce the past, but the events of that night were still clear,?shing past in her mind like a sharp knife. She looked for him without caring for her own safety. She was worried that he would be in danger. She was a fool.


    She was d that she had heard what he said, otherwise, she would¡¯ve remained by his side stupidly.


    She could not even fathom the insults and ridicule that he was thinking of when she shamelessly called him her husband. He must¡¯ve been sneering at her.??<i>Such a stupid woman. Do you really think that I¡¯d like someone like you?</i>


    She really, really did not want to have any sort of rtionship with this person. He was just as repulsive as her stepmother and sisters who plotted against her. They were all full of deceit andpletely ruthless.


    Xia Chunyu did not expect her to run so it took him a few seconds before he chased after her.


    He also didn¡¯t expect her to run so fast. After chasing her for a while, it was clear that he would not be able to catch up to her. He had to use his martial art skills. With a few leaps and soars, hended in front of her, grabbing her hand. ¡°Stop running, you won¡¯t be able to outrun me.¡±


    ¡°Who are you? Why are you grabbing me? Do I know you?¡± Ye Jiayao flung her hand hard but she did not manage to shake his hand off.


    ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t be like this. It took me great trouble to finally find you.¡± Xia Chunyu sounded bitter and astringent.


    He thought that Yaoyao would be angry, maybe even cry and scold him. He was prepared and determined to endure that because it was all his fault. He lost her due to his negligence.


    However, she did neither of those. She looked at him so apathetically as if he was a mere stranger. He was at a loss.


    Ye Jiayaoughed darkly, ¡°Sir, you must be mistaken! I am not your Yaoyao.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you run?¡± Xia Chunyu questioned her, smiling faintly.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and answered fiercely, ¡°Can¡¯t I do some physical training? Did I block your path or hinder you in any way? Let go of me now or I will scream.¡±


    ¡°By all means, scream as loud as you want. Don¡¯t you know that the people in Jin Ling don¡¯t like to meddle in other people¡¯s business?¡± Xia Chunyu replied.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. ¡°How can someone be so thick-skinned? I already said that I don¡¯t know you. What else do you want? Is there something wrong with your head?¡±


    Xia Chunyu remained unmoved despite her insults. His gaze shifted to her shoulder and he smiled lightly. ¡°So you wouldn¡¯t mind showing me your shoulder? I remember that my Yaoyao has a cinnabar mole on her left shoulder.¡±

 Chapter 59 - I’m Sorry

    <h4>Chapter 59: I¡¯m Sorry</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°You¡¯re insane! Let go of me!¡± Ye Jiayao shouted, ring at him.


    ¡°Yaoyao, you¡¯re looking good ¨C even if you are dressed up as a man,¡± Xia Chunyu teased, doing his best to pretend that he was rxed.


    That smug, teasing face of his just served to rile Ye Jiayao up even more. She cooed bitingly, ¡°Heir-Son Lord, why are you doing this? We¡¯re nothing to each other. I am just a ything that you abandoned. You¡¯ve already thrown me away, so why are you pestering me again? I already did you a favor by not looking for you, what more do you want?¡±


    ¡°Who says I want to abandon you?¡± Xia Chunyu countered.


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°Isn¡¯t that so?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Xia Chunyu replied defensively. ¡°I have never intended to abandon you. It was just chaotic that night and I lost track of things. I searched for you after Auntie Jiang said that you were held hostage by Second-In-Charge, but someone said he saw you fell off the cliff, I thought¡­¡±


    ¡°You thought I died? Well then, just carry on thinking as if I¡¯m dead and we can all go on our merry way.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was silent for a while. There was a rarely seen gentleness and heartache in his eyes when he said, ¡°I brought Da Bao and Er Bao back with me. They have grown big and fat, and are very mischievous.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to look at the river to avoid his eyes. She missed Da Bao and Er Bao a lot. Before she escaped, shebed the entire house trying to look for them. When they didn¡¯t turn up, she thought they have escaped back to the mountains.


    <i>This donkey actually brought them back.</i>


    What was this supposed to mean? He?<i>rejected?</i>her, but he took care of her pets. What exactly does he want?


    ¡°You want the truth? Fine. I admit I was Yaoyao once, but that Yaoyao has already died when she fell off the cliff after you abandoned her. The person standing before you now is Li Yao, an orphan with no home to go back to. That¡¯s okay, though, I don¡¯t have to depend on anyone to survive. I will rise up and live a colorful, happy life. So, if you are looking for me because of guilt, there¡¯s no need. I¡¯m more than alright. You don¡¯t have to ¡®make up¡¯ for anything,?there is nothing between us anymore,¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    Xia Chunyu did not know what to say. There was a huge lump stuck in his throat and he felt helpless.


    There was once a time that she depended on him, but he let her down. He didn¡¯t know how she managed to escape death. The Hazeke is ten lis wide, swimming across that, especially for someone her size, would¡¯ve been nearly impossible. He has no idea how she managed toe to Jin Ling from Ji Nan. A weak woman like her, with Little Jing who knows nothing tagging along with her... she must have suffered much.


    ¡°Yaoyao, please don¡¯t be like that,¡± he said, his voice breaking. ¡°I won¡¯t make excuses for whatever happened in ck Wind Ridge. I know I have let you down. I wanted to help you settle down appropriately after the matter was over¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao pierced him with a sharp re. ¡±?<i>Help me settle down appropriately?</i>?How exactly did you n to do that? Were you going to bring me back to the Jing An Marquis Mansion and make me your mistress? Or were you just going to dismiss with a few taels?¡±


    The corner of Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips rose in a self-mocking sneer when she saw the guilt in his eyes grew deeper. She was right.


    If that was the case, she was truly d to have just fallen off the cliff. She would rather roam the streets as a beggar than be his concubine.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, the show has ended, it¡¯s time for the audience and the actors to go their separate ways. What¡¯s in the past stays in the past, there is no need to rehash it again now that we¡¯re both living our own lives.¡± Ye Jiayao made a show of looking around before pulling her hand away from his grasp. ¡°It¡¯s getting dark, I need to go back before the inn closes.¡±


    Xia Chunyu refused to let her go, his grip bing tighter.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, don¡¯t make me hate you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know what to say or what to do. This meeting has gone so awry, so different from the sweet reunion he imagined. He was powerless. The happiness, frustration, helplessness, and the??<i>love?</i>?he was feeling was all jumbled together, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.


    He pulled her into a tight hug, wishing that she could melt into his body so that they would never separate again, wishing that they could stay like this forever.


    He inhaled her scent greedily, takingfort in her. For countless nights, he dreamed of hugging her just like this. It had always felt so real that when he wakes up alone, the ache in his chest would throb like a live wound. He has never told anyone about this, his pride would not allow him to. Only thentern by his bed knew how he truly felt, that he missed her so much he was going crazy.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I¡¯m sorry, so, so sorry. This is all my fault. You can hit me, yell at me, I don¡¯t care, just give me another chance. Please. I will never let you down again, I swear...¡±


    In his whole life, he has never begged someone so humbly like this, but he was prepared to do anything,?give?anything just to see Yaoyao¡¯s sweet smile again.


    Ye Jiayao stood still as a statue as he hugged her, her heart aching. Even if she gave him another chance, what could happen? He could never marry her. He didn¡¯t care much for her when he found out that she was ady of the Ye family, what more now that she was a mere chef in the city?


    They have no future together. She had seen too much, been through too much to allow herself to believe in a silly daydream.


    Once bitten, twice shy.


    Her fear has taught her that without hope, there will not be a disappointment; if she does not love, she will not get hurt. Her innate pride wouldn¡¯t let her give in to him. She¡¯d rather be a shattered vessel of jade than an unbroken piece of pottery.


    And it was her pettiness that urged her to seek revenge for all the hurt that she suffered, for all the pain that she felt.


    She kneed his crotch.


    With his guards down, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t see iting. His hold on her loosened as the pain hit him. He curled up into a ball, cradling his crotch and grimacing in pain. He managed to say through gritted teeth, ¡°Ye Jinxuan...¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, I may be of a humble social status, but that does not mean you have the right to put your hands on me whenever you want. I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t bother me again.¡± Ye Jiayao turned and ran away.


    Xia Chunyu broke out in cold sweat, the pain holding him temporarily immobile. He could only watch her run away as he ground his teeth with hatred.??<i>You insufferable wench! If this does anysting damage, I swear you¡¯ll pay.</i>


    Ye Jiayao ran back to the inn as fast as she could. When Little Yang saw her huffing and puffing, he asked, ¡°Little Brother Li, is there a dog chasing you outside?¡±


    Ye Jiayao panted, ¡°Yeah, yeah, a huge dog, I almost got bitten. I¡¯m going back to my room to calm my nerves.¡±


    Little Yang watched Little Brother Li retreat, all the while thinking whether he should report this to the Young Royal Highness Jing or not.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao shut her door, she plopped face down on her bed, exhausted. Her mind, however, was more active than before, echoing all that he said, shing his guilty eyes...


    Ye Jiayao gloomily covered her face with a pillow.??<i>No.?</i>?She would not believe him. He just said all those things because he was feeling guilty. He just wanted to redeem himself.??<i>You can¡¯t fall for him again, Yaoyao.</i>


    Just as her thoughts stopped running a mile a minute and started to settle down, she recalled the violent knee kick she gave him and paled. That must¡¯ve hurt badly.


    Would he be infertile from that?


    Well, that would serve him right for getting fresh with her.


    Ye Jiayao tried to sleep but she could not stop her imagination from running wild.


    What if he refuses to let her off?


    What if he pesters her every day?


    <i>No, no, no! You are thinking too much, Ye Jiayao. If he really cares so much about you, he?would not have abandoned you in the first ce. You are not important to him.</i>


    Xia Chunyu limped and hobbled with great difficulty back to the Jing An Marquis Residence.


    He did not bring anyone along with him tonight, so he had no choice but to suffer alone. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that Yaoyao would do this to him.


    Song Qi, who has been waiting at the front door for news, immediately hurried to Chunyu¡¯s side upon seeing his terrible state. ¡°Heir-Son Lord, what...¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted mncholically but didn¡¯t say anything.


    Song Qi thought that the Heir-Son Lord would return happy, and possibly bring Miss Ye back with him.??<i>What on earth happened??</i>Did the two of them quarrel? How bad did their fight get that the Heir-Son Lord got injured?


    ¡°Should I get a physician to take a look at you, Heir-Son Lord?¡± Song Qi asked worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu replied coldly, ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son lord, be careful of the doorstep.¡±


    Xia Chunyu lifted his foot and had to mp his mouth tight so that he wouldn¡¯t cry out from the sharp pain the movement caused.


    The next day, Ye Jiayao went to work listlessly. She was so keyed up that she happily weed the distraction of Little Jing¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°Have you gotten that fish bone out? Really, Little Jing, you didn¡¯t even get someone to deliver a letter,¡± Ye Jiayao reproached him immediately.


    Helian Jing replied sulkily, ¡°There¡¯s no fish bone. I was just putting on an act. I had no choice, Brother Chunyu was poking around too much. I was afraid you¡¯d get angry. I was so miserable yesterday! After finishing half a bottle of vinegar, I was forced to drink a huge bowl of medicine by Brother Chunyu. When I went home, I vomited everything out. Worst of all, my mother kept hovering over me the whole day that I could not reach out to anyone.¡±


    <i>Aye!?</i>?From Ah Xing and Deng Haichuan¡¯s vivid description yesterday, she really thought that he got a fish bone stuck in his throat! Only Little Jing woulde up with such ridiculousness just because of what she said.


    ¡°What medicine did he make you drink? You can¡¯t just take any medicine. Are you okay?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, concerned.


    Seeing Brother Yaoyao care and worry about him so much was worth any amount of medicine Helian Jing had to take.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I am fine after vomiting,¡± Helian Jing assured with a smile.


    ¡°If he wants toe in the future, just let him, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°Oh right, why were you looking for me yesterday?¡±


    Helian Jing sat up straight and began, ¡°Next month is my grandmother¡¯s 70th birthday. I have thought of a few programs, but I still would like you to give me some advice. Also, I want to invite you to be the chef.¡±

 Chapter 60 - Promotion

    <h4>Chapter 60: Promotion</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiaoyao needed to give this problem a serious thought. The birthday celebration of the old royal consort wasn¡¯t like any other ordinary birthday celebration. There were too many rules and customs involved and there should be no mistakes.?She had never done anything quite like this before so she didn¡¯t just readily agree to it.


    <i>But this is a rare opportunity.?</i>If she organized this birthday celebration well, she would be famous. It would really help pave the path for her career in Jin Ling.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, you must help me with this, you are the key to sess,¡± Helian Jing said expectantly.


    Ye Jiaoyao smiled. Little Jingjing was really nice. He was clearly the one doing her a favor. Normally,?big chefs were invited to cook for serious celebrations like this. The power of the Helian Mansion was great enough that they could get any chef they want, yet, Little Jingjing was giving this opportunity to her. He was willing to believe in her and take this risk.


    ¡°Little Jingjing, this feast is very important. I¡¯ve never organized a celebration of this caliber before,?I don¡¯t know if I can do it,¡± Ye Jiaoyao told him honestly.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°There¡¯s always a first time for everything, right? How do you know you can¡¯t do it if you don¡¯t try? This is also my first time handling something like this, and I¡¯m very confident that we can seed this together.


    Ye Jiaoyao held back augh and said, ¡°Well, look at you, talking smartly. Okay, how about this? If you can get a copy of the celebration menu that big chefs usually put together, I¡¯ll take a look at what¡¯s in there before I decide.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a piece of cake. I¡¯ll get it for you right away,¡± Helian Jing said, smiling.


    Helian Jing left Heavenly Residence and went to the Duke Yongan Mansion. He remembered that the grandmother of the mansion celebrated her 70th birthdayst year. He knew that Zhao Qixuan would be able to help him.


    However, Zhao Qixuan wasn¡¯t in the mansion. The servants told him that he was on duty. Helian Jing wrote down a note for them to pass to Zhao Qixuan.


    Xia Chunyu proimed that he caught a cold so he retired to his home to rest. The news startled his mum and aunties and they ran all over the ce calling doctors and cooking him healthy foods which annoyed him greatly.


    In the afternoon, Song Qi reported that there was news in the Yang State.


    Xia Chunyu closed the fan in his hand and sat upright. He looked at the maids and gave them a stern look. They left without a word.


    ¡°Speak.¡±


    ¡°A servant kicked out of the Ye family said that Wei Liujang was already with the second daughter of the Ye family when he went to visit themst year. She said she once caught the two of them in the garden at night. I know that she could just be?saying this out of anger and thirst for revenge, but when there is smoke, there is fire...¡±


    ¡°Where is this person right now?¡± Xia Chunyu asked coldly.


    Song Qi answered, ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for her toe to Jin Ling. She¡¯ll be here in a few days.¡±


    ¡°I will interrogate her personally,¡±?Xia Chunyu said.


    If it was just the second Ye daughter wanting to harm Yaoyao, he could deal with her easily. It was another thing if Wei Liujiang was involved. Xia Chunyu promised that that sorry ass excuse for a man would pay greatly along with his lover. Of course, there was also Mrs. Ye. He believed that she definitely knew about all this?betrayal. There was no way that the second daughter coulde up with 3000 silver pieces on her own to pay Hei Feng Gang for the abduction.


    Song Qi was contemting if he should tell the young master more.


    Xia Chunyu saw Song Qi¡¯s confused look and said impatiently, ¡°If you have something to say, spit it out.¡±


    ¡°Young Master, this morning, Jing Young Royal Highness went to find Ms. Ye. It was said that the two of them are quite close,¡± Song Qi reported feebly.


    Song Qi didn¡¯t know that Ye Jiayao was the person Jing Young Royal Highness was looking for.


    Xia Chunyu sneered, jealousy coursing through his veins. He was calling her Big Yaoyao, how could they??<i>not?</i>?be close?


    Here was Helian Jing, permitted to stick like glue by her side, but when Xia Chunyu tried to get to her, he was kicked and almost lost his manhood.


    <i>Stinky girl!?</i><i>I¡¯ll let you be for a few days, but?</i>??<i>be ready when I finallye for you.</i>


    Ye Jiayao looked over the menu and sniffed.


    She was looking at the Man Han¡¯s Long Life Feast. Man Han Feast was formed from the essence of the Han and Man ethnic group. It was the most famous Chinese feast. There were six parts to it, Meng Gu Feast, Yan Chen Feast, Long Life Feast, Qian Sou Feast, Nine White Feast, and Jie Ling Feast.


    There were 196 types of hot and cold dishes, 124 types of dessert, and 320 soup types in total.


    Her dad only made four feasts and it was all modified. It was a pity that she was in university at that time and she didn¡¯t get to see this big feast.


    This conjugated the essence of thousands of years of Chinese cuisine. With that and her dedicated practice, she could be the next leader in the cuisine industry.


    Ye Jiayao was confident. She was going to make good use of this opportunity to make a name for herself.


    When she reached the master chef level and opened her own restaurant, earning big money wouldn¡¯t even matter that much. As long as she could buy a house beside Qing Huai River, she would be okay. In her free time, she would invite her friends to drink on the boat or go out for a holiday. She would be a free and single upper ss. If Dao Bao and Er Bao coulde with her, it would be even more perfect.


    Ye Jiayao bit the pen,ughing dumbly. She was getting carried away, yes, but it was good to dream.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the manager wants to see you,¡± Xiao Lu called from outside.


    Ye Jiayao quickly put her book away in her clothes. This was what she was going to be wealthy with, she had to take good care of it.


    Manager Li made the decision, after careful thought, to promote Li Yao be the head chef.


    There was nothing to doubt about Li Yao¡¯s cooking skills. The business these few days have been getting much better. A lot of customers came back, reacting avidly to their new dishes. Li Yao also got along with everyone quite well. It seemed that other than Zhong Xiang, who didn¡¯t seem to like him, other people have already taken in Li Yao as the leader. He was able to aplish this in such a short time, it was a solid testament to his ways of socialization.


    If he didn¡¯t give this valuable asset higher privileges and a better contract, he would likely be poached away by others.


    Ye Jiayao knocked on the door and called, ¡°Manager Li?¡±


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pushed the door and stepped in,?smiling politely. ¡°Manager Li, you were asking for me?¡±


    Manager Li waved his hand to the envelope in front of him. ¡°Come look at this first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took it and opened it. It was a contract raising her to head chef.


    ¡°Manager, this¡­.¡±


    ¡°Li Yao, I look at your abilities favorably. From the first day you came here, I knew you had the capabilities to be the head chef. After a few days of observation, you didn¡¯t disappoint. The kitchen needs a head chef, and you are the one I¡¯m putting in this task,¡± Manager Li said.


    Ye Jiayao was very happy to have reached head chef this quickly. A head chef¡¯s sry was more than double of what normal chefs get. The sry was 18 pieces and it would increase by five each year.?It was said that great chef level was at least 30-40 pieces, but the top chef had no limit. It could be 100 or more. Some owners would even give the top chefs a share of their business just to keep them.


    She hesitated when she noticed the date. It was for another five years. If she just wanted a job to feed herself, this was perfect. However, her goal was to open her own restaurant. Five years was too long, and from the contract, the cost of leaving halfway was a bit too much.


    ¡°Manager Li, can we change this period? I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯ll be staying in Jin Ling for five years,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Manager Li shook his head and said, ¡°This is the rules of the profession. A third-grade chef has a minimum of one year, and a first-grade chef has a minimum of three years. Brother Yao, cultivating a head chef is hard, and the treatment I¡¯m offering you is much better than other restaurants. Even Xiang Yi Tower and Fu Ji only give their head chefs 15 pieces a month with only two to three pieces increment. I can prepare you to be the greatest chef in Jin Ling, Brother Yao.¡±


    ¡°Manager, I¡¯m grateful for this, I really am. It¡¯s just that... I¡¯m used to traveling all over the ce. If you can change it to three years, during of which, I¡¯ll prepare someone to be as good as me, I can ept it,¡±?Ye Jiayao offered.


    Manager Li hesitated. From the restaurant¡¯s perspective, the longer the contract the better because changing chefs also meant losing customers. However, Li Yao has offered to prepare a head chef that would be as good as him. A chef¡¯s art was the basis of their survival so Li Yao¡¯s proposal had him thinking.


    ¡°I can see the merits of that, but... how about both of us think about it some more? Okay?¡± Manager Li still wanted Li Yao to sign with the restaurant for five years.


    Ye Jiayao headed downstairs and was immediately dragged to the backyard by Deng Haichuan and Cui Dongpeng.


    ¡°What are you guys doing?¡± she protested.


    The two looked around to make sure no one else was within hearing distance.


    Deng Chuanhai asked conspiratorially, ¡°Brother Yao, I heard that the manager was promoting you as the head chef?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Wow! Your ears are really good, where did you hear this from, again?¡±


    Cui Dongpengughed and said, ¡°Brother Yao, tell us, is it true?¡±


    ¡°Do you want it to be true?¡±?Ye Jiayao asked them instead.


    ¡°Of course, Brother Yao. We all want to work with you,¡± Cui Dongpeng said honestly.


    Deng Haichuan nodded.


    Ye Jiayao actually really liked the work environment here, there were no higher-ups abusing them nor people scheming against each other. Everyone worked together happily here. If it was just for three years, she would¡¯ve signed the contract in an instant.


    ¡°Yes, the manager wants me as the head chef, but I¡¯m still thinking about it.¡±


    Their jaws dropped.


    ¡°Brother Yao, this is a good thing! Most chefs could only dream about this! What else do you need to think about?¡± Deng Haichuan asked in disbelief.


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Brother Yao. If you don¡¯t ept this, the manager would get a head chef from somewhere else. If it¡¯s someone that¡¯s hard to get along with, everyone would suffer again,¡± Cui Dongpeng said, his face sour.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to do it, the problem is that the manager wants to sign me for five years,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    ¡°Did you reject it?¡± Deng Haichuan asked.

 Chapter 61 - Would you please leave

    <h4>Chapter 61: Would you please leave</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Zhao Qixuan finished his duty and went out with a few friends to drink. He came back home veryte and saw Helian Jing¡¯s message. In the morning, he got up early to get the menu from his mom and personally delivered it to the Helian Mansion.


    Helian Xuan and Helian Jing were eating breakfast?with their mother and grandmother when the servants reported that the son of Duke Yongan came to find the Young Royal Highness.


    ¡°Grandma, Mum, Big Brother, I¡¯m going out for a bit,¡± Helian Jing excused, quickly putting his chopsticks down before rushing out excitedly.


    Helian Xuan frowned, staring after his younger brother. He said, ¡°Grandma, Mother, I¡¯m going out, too.¡±


    He wasn¡¯tfortable with the son of Duke Yongan getting close with Helian Jing.


    Princess Yi Dechang knew her son¡¯s character. He was very capable, yes, but his temper also runs hot. She had also heard about the proclivities of the Duke Yongan¡¯s son, so it wasn¡¯t hard to put things together.


    ¡°He¡¯s a guest, don¡¯t be rude,¡± she reminded her son sternly.


    Helian Jing ran all the way to the front foyer.


    ¡°Zhao Qixuan, did you bring what I wanted?¡±


    ¡°Would I dare toe emptyhanded?¡± Zhao Qixuan said as he rubbed his temples. Drinking too muchst night and getting up this early was giving him a huge headache.


    ¡°Come on, give it to me,¡± Helian Jing rushed.


    Zhao Qixuan gave him the menu and said, ¡°The chef we invited was Fu Ji. He¡¯s the best cook in Jin Ling for birthday celebrations.¡±


    Helian Jing looked at him contemptuously. ¡°Whatever he can do, I¡¯m certain that Big Yaoyao can do it better.¡±


    ¡°Big Yaoyao? Are you talking about Li Yao?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to let him do the celebration? Helian Jing, this is no joking matter!¡±


    ¡°Well, why not? You¡¯ve tried his food, you know it¡¯s much better than Zhen Fugui¡¯s!¡± Helian Jing reasoned.


    Zhao Qixuan shook his head and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t just about making good food. If it¡¯s an ordinary family¡¯s birthday celebration, I support you hiring Li Yao. Helian Jing, this is the ancestor of the Helian Mansion¡¯s birthday! There are too much customs to consider. You can¡¯t let someone without experience do this.


    ¡°I know you want to help Li Yao, give him a chance to raise his name and all that, but... have you really thought about this. What if he screws this up? Helian Jing, this isn¡¯t a smart move. And, do you think your brother will let you do this? He¡¯s going to question your motives! Young Royal Highness, sometimes you need toy low if you want to live longer. I?was too impulsive and look what I got. Don¡¯t follow in my footsteps.¡±


    Helian Jing stared at Zhao Qixuan, weighing his words. The Duke Yongan¡¯s son was right, he didn¡¯t think this through. When his big brother gave this job to him, his first thought was hiring Big Yaoyao to be the chef. He had thought that if Big Yaoyao did well in the feast, he¡¯d be famous in the city. It didn¡¯t cross his mind that this could harm Big Yaoyao.


    ¡°Then¡­. what should I do? I already told Li Yao.¡±


    ¡°Just say that your brother didn¡¯t approve of it, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll understand. I have to say, he¡¯s really brave for daring to take on something this big,¡± Zhao Qixuan said as he waved his fan around.


    Helian Xuan was shocked by what he had heard.


    <i>Lay low to live long? Don¡¯t follow in my footsteps? And who is that Li Yao??</i>


    Helian Xuan left and immediately told a servant, ¡°Call Ping An over.¡±


    The servant replied, ¡°Ping An hasn¡¯t been here these past few days. He seemed to have been sent out by Young Royal Highness Jing to do something.¡±


    Helian Xuan frowned, displeased. Ping An was Helian Jing¡¯s closest servant. Whatever Helian Jing was up to must be confidential for him to send Ping An out. Did it have something to do with that Li Yao?


    ¡°Fine. Follow the Young Royal Highness. Find out where he goes, who he talks to, and report it to me. Take note of someone called Li Yao, find out who he is,¡± Helian Xuan ordered.


    Helian Xuan wasn¡¯t going to let his younger brother fall into the wrong path.


    After Zhao Qixuan left, Helian Jing retreated to his room for a long time, disheartened. He suddenlycked the motivation to do anything. However, after?torturing himself with negative thoughts, he decided to follow Zhao Qixuan¡¯s advice and went out to find Big Yaoyao.


    ¡°Your brother won¡¯t agree?¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed. Ever since Helian Jing told her about this, her thoughts had been consumed with ns to make this birthday celebration great. She was still thinking about the menust night right before she fell asleep,forted by the feeling of a bright future ahead.


    Helian Jing¡¯s words felt like a bucket of cold water thrown in her face. However, she could understand the situation. Despite Helian Jing¡¯s desire to help her, he still has?to obey Duke Helian. She could even understand why Duke Helian didn¡¯t approve of her. After all, who would give such an important celebration to someone who has never even been heard of?


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, I¡¯m really sorry I couldn¡¯t convince my brother,¡± Helian Jing said apologetically.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Little Jingjing. I was just thinking about how to break it to you that I wouldn¡¯t be able to ept the job. Now, we both don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t feel relieved. He knew that Big Yaoyao was only saying this tofort him.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be like that. It¡¯s your grandmother¡¯s birthday, you need to look joyful and arrange it well. You need to show everyone what you¡¯re capable of. Come on, tell me what preparations you¡¯ve made.¡± Helian Jing looked so dejected and pitiful that Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but try tofort him.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t really done much yet. I was thinking of doing something new like inviting the circus, but my mum said that Grandma loved watching the opera, so I invited the famous Chun Opera in Jin Ling. I hate listening to opera!??<i>Yi Yi yay a!??</i>I don¡¯t even know what they¡¯re singing,¡± Helian Jingined.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not your birthday, it¡¯s your grandmother¡¯s. You have to do it ording to what she likes. When it¡¯s your birthday, I¡¯ll help you prepare your celebration and you can invite the circus,¡± Ye Jiayao said with augh.


    Helian Jing perked up for a second before deting again. He muttered, ¡°But my birthday has already passed this year! The next one would be next year.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then, I¡¯ll invite you out to drink when it¡¯s my birthday,¡± she said.


    ¡°When is your birthday?¡±


    Ye Jiaoyao replied, ¡°August 8th.¡±


    Her birthday was the same as the original host¡¯s which she found quite strange.


    ¡°That¡¯s soon, Big Yaoyao! What present do you want?¡± Helian Jing asked joyfully. His grandmother¡¯s birthday was July 28th.


    Ye Jiayao shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m okay with whatever. I¡¯ll be happy regardless of what you give me, you¡¯re my only friend.¡±


    Helian Jing was very excited to know that he was Big Yaoyao¡¯s only friend! He silently vowed to make Big Yaoyao¡¯s birthday great and happy.


    Helian Xuan soon got the report. Li Yao was a chef from Heavenly Residence. He was new, pretty-looking, and Helian?Jing visits him almost every day.


    <i>A chef.?</i><i>Helian Jing is infatuated with a chef.</i>


    Helian Xuan shook with anger and disgust. Zhao Qixuan was into the handsome third son of the left prime minister, at least. What was a chef?


    This has to end now, while Helian Jing wasn¡¯t too far down the rabbit hole yet. He must remove this Li Yao.


    Thus, in the evening, Helian Xuan came to Heavenly Residence and asked for Li Yao toe and personally serve him.


    Ye Jiaoyao knew that Little Jingjing¡¯s big brother was here so she didn¡¯t dare to be careless. She made the dish with extra attention and delivered it to him herself.


    Everyone thought that since Brother Yao had a close rtionship with the Young Royal Highness, Duke Helian must¡¯vee here to support him.


    As Ye Jiayao arranged the dishes on the table, she sneaked nces at Duke Helian. Just like Helian Jing, he had almond-shaped phoenix eyes. However, the simrities stopped there. Helian Jing¡¯s eyes were clear?and innocent. Duke Helian¡¯s eyes were deep and looking at it felt like staring into the abyss. His eyes didn¡¯t betray his thoughts, only his serious temperament.


    She knew that the ck Wind Ridge was annihted by Chunyu and him.


    ¡°Duke Helian, please enjoy.¡± Ye Jiayao was uneasy. He didn¡¯t seem like he was here to befriend her.


    Helian Xuan studied this Li Yao.


    His face was delicate. He had watery eyes and distinctive features. His face was more exquisite than a girl¡¯s and was indeed very handsome. Helian Xuan could understand how Helian Jing fell for the chef, because even him, a duke with vast experience, was captivated by his looks.


    Li Yao was also well-mannered and polite, but not scared. This fellow wasn¡¯t simple.


    This made Helian Xuan more adamant about his decision.


    ¡°Li Yao.¡±


    ¡°Duke?Helian, what are your orders?¡±


    Helian Xuan motioned for his servant. The servant dutifully stepped forward and ced a stack of cheque on the table.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Helian Xuan in confusion.


    Helian Xuan said, ¡°This is a cheque for 500 silver pieces, three years worth of your sry here. Now, please take this and leave Jin Ling. I don¡¯t care where you go, just don¡¯t let Helian Jing find you again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was stunned. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no why,¡± Helian Xuan replied coldly. ¡°You just need to do as you¡¯re told. I willpensate for the restaurant¡¯s losses, but you must leave here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was so angry all she could do wasugh.


    ¡°Duke Helian, I believe I haven¡¯t offended anyone while working here. If you don¡¯t want the Young Royal Highness to be friends with a lowly citizen like me, you just need to tell him. What has this got to do with me?¡±


    <i>What the fuck??</i>?She had seen rich families use tactics like this to break up their children¡¯s rtionship, but was that necessary for??<i>friends??</i>?Helian Jing treated her as a friend and she considered him as a little brother. They weren¡¯t lovers!

 Chapter 62 - Bullshit

    <h4>Chapter 62: Bullshit</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°How dare you!¡± the guard yelled, taking a step forward, his hand poised to draw his sword out.


    Helian Xuan stopped him with a wave of his hand. The guard retreated warily.


    He could tell that the reason Li Yao was this bold was because he knew that he wouldn¡¯t be able to persuade his little brother to let him go.


    Helian Xuan had a smirk on his face as he said, ¡°You better do as I say, or you¡¯ll find may people harmed. Maybe this restaurant? Or the hotel you live at? Li Yao, I¡¯m paying you generously to just??<i>leave.?</i>?Don¡¯t wait until I stop being magnanimous.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gasped.??<i>This cruel ass!</i>


    ¡°Duke Helian, aren¡¯t you here for the birthday celebration? I already said I won¡¯t do it, and Young Royal Highness Jing has also given up the thought. I really don¡¯t get why you¡¯re going to these lengths just for something so small?


    Helian Xuan¡¯s eyes thinned. ¡°If Little Jing can do this for you today, he can do more tomorrow. I won¡¯t allow someone with a bad influence to dig his ws deeper into my brother.¡±


    <i>What the actual f*ck??</i>??<i>What kind of bullshit was this??</i>How was she being a bad influence on Little Jing?


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s annoyance got the best of her and she spoke, ¡°Duke Helian, I am not being a bad influence on Young Royal Highness Jing. Yes, I am of low status and I have no right to be friends with him, but I didn¡¯t ask for this. Young Royal Highness Jing only wants to help me because I gave him help when he needed it the most. How is that being a bad influence? I¡¯m just a poor kid but I don¡¯t steal. I am an honest person.?How is that being a bad influence? F*ck! What more do you need? Just because you have money and power doesn¡¯t mean that you just get to insult people like that!¡±


    Helian Xuan was speechless. No one except his dad has ever dared to swear in front of him.


    ¡°And here I thought good people get good fortune! All I did was help him! If you harm the hotel or the restaurant, I will spread the news of how people in the Helian Mansion use their power to oppress normal citizens,¡± Ye Jiayao threatened. ¡°Oh, and if you want to kill me, you should ask Duke Jing An¡¯s son if he¡¯d allow it.¡±


    Content that she had said her piece, Ye Jiayao walked out of the room, mming the door.


    The guard said in fury, ¡°Duke, I will go kill that kid now.¡±


    Helian Xuan stopped him.


    Li Yao was on a roll and he wasn¡¯t able to react. So the person who saved Little Jing was Li Yao??<i>But what has this got to do with Xia Chunyu? Was he protecting him?</i>


    Where did this arrogant kide from?


    <i>F*ck!??</i>This was the first time he was sworn at and had the door mmed in front of him. He would clear the things Li Yao said, then, he would make the little chef pay for disrespecting him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to Duke Jing An¡¯s mansion.¡±?Helian Xuan stormed off.


    Ye Jiayao was so ovee with anger earlier that she didn¡¯t think before she blew up in front of Duke Helian. Now that all she has said came back to her, she started to feel scared. If he really wanted to kill her, it could be done within a matter of minutes. However, she mentioned Xia Chunyu. Duke Helian must have some concerns, right? Even Little Jing addressed that Dumb Donkey respectfully. Surely, these two families were quite close?


    Manager Li walked over to the kitchen and asked worriedly, ¡°Li Yao, what happened? Why did Duke Helian storm off?¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°Nothing. He and his brother had a fight so he wasn¡¯t in a good mood. I can¡¯t really help.¡±


    Manager Li was confused, but nevertheless, he believed Li Yao.


    Xia Chunyu heard that Helian Xuan was outside the mansion and quickly told Song Qi to invite him in.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Xia Chunyu asked before ordering the servants to fetch some tea.


    After the two sat down, Helian Xuan questioned, ¡°Do you know someone called Li Yao?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know him,¡±?Xia Chunyu replied, hiding his surprise.


    ¡°If I kill that kid, would you mind?¡±


    Xia Chunyu blinked. ¡°What did he do?¡±


    Helian Xuan hesitated. Could he really say that Little Jing might be interested in a man? Could he say that some punk swore at him? Oh, and mmed the door in his face?


    <i>This is humiliating.</i>


    On the way to Xia Chunyu¡¯s ce, Helian Xuan thought about all that has transpired. Yes, it was possible that he was overreacting just??<i>a bit.?</i>?He could be taking things too seriously. Perhaps all Little Jing wanted was to repay Li Yao out of gratitude. If that really was the case, Helian Xuan could admit that his actions tonight were out of line.


    ¡°Did you know that he was Little Jing¡¯s savior?¡±


    Xia CHunyu nodded. ¡°Yes, Little Jing told me about this a long time ago.¡±


    Helian Xuan sighed, ¡°Little Jing alwayses to you. He never talks to his brother.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re too serious.¡±


    Helian Xuan rolled his eyes. ¡°As if you¡¯re not the same.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled. ¡°Just drink some tea.¡±


    ¡°The older brother adopts the role of the father. Little Jing is naughty. If I don¡¯t control him, who knows what sort of trouble he¡¯d get into.¡±


    ¡°Little Jing isn¡¯t actually as bad as you think. Helian Xuan... your hopes are too high. You¡¯re judging him based on your standards,¡± Xia Chunyu told him honestly.


    ¡°What is your rtionship with Li Yao?¡±


    ¡°I owe him big time,¡± Xia Chunyu answered seriously.


    Helian Xuan nodded. It was no wonder that the kid wasn¡¯t afraid of him.


    ¡°What did he do?¡± Xia Chunyu was curious. He doesn¡¯t understand how Yaoyao could¡¯ve offended Helian Xuan.


    ¡°Nothing. Ignore what I said.¡± Helian Xuan waved his hand dismissively.


    The two chatted for a bit before Helian Xuan bid him goodbye and left.


    After he was sure that Helian Xuan left the mansion, Xia Chunyu called for Song Qi.


    ¡°Send people to follow Ms. Ye. If something happens, report back to me quickly. If someone is going to harm her, stop them. She must not be harmed.¡±


    Helian Xuan wouldn¡¯t just make the threat of killing her for no reason. Something must¡¯ve happened.


    For three days, everything was calm. Little Jing didn¡¯te to the restaurant so Ye Jiayao was happy in her peace.


    Manager Li finally epted her offer but made thepensation for vition of the contract much harsher.


    Ye Jiayao believed that she wouldn¡¯t leave mid-contract anyways, so she signed it.


    Manager Li notified every one of the news. Deng Haichuan and the other workers hugged Ye Jiayao happily, congratting her. They started ribbing her to treat them to food and drinks.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and asked the manager, ¡°Manager, after dinner, how about you give me a room? Discounts for food and wine, too?¡±


    Manager Li was actually generous this time. ¡°Wine is 30% off and the food is base cost, you¡¯re cooking it anyways.¡±


    After everyone finished cooking the foods, Xing Xiao ran in and set up two tables. Everyone took their ces including Zhong Xiang who was pulled in here by Deng Haichuan.


    ¡°Brother Yao, congrattions on bing the head chef! We will be listening to you from now on.¡± Deng Haichuan raised his wine cup and everyone stood up.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°You only have to listen to me when we¡¯re working. If anyone tries to ck... well, my spoon isn¡¯t just used for cooking. Now,e on brothers! Let¡¯s drink and eat to our heart¡¯s content. Who doesn¡¯t drink is a little dog!


    ¡°Drink, drink! Whoever doesn¡¯t drink has to crawl on the ground,¡± Cui Dongpeng cajoled.


    Everyone finished the wine in the bowl.


    Zhong Xiang also drank, but he was unsatisfied. He couldn¡¯t beat Li Yao, whether it was about cooking or socializing.


    Ye Jiayao found that this sort of life was much better than hiding in some house, being some rich man¡¯s wife. Here, she didn¡¯t have to care about her image.?She could say whatever she wanted without studying people¡¯s expressions to gauge if she¡¯d offended them.


    She pulled her sleeves up and started to y drinking games.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already thought this over. My contract is for three years, and in that time, I will personally teach you all to at least graduate to assistant chef. You all need to work hard for me, okay? We¡¯ll be the best kitchen team in Jin Ling,¡± Ye Jiayao announced.


    Everyone fell silent as they stared at Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°What are you all doing?¡± Ye Jiayao was weirded out by their reaction.


    Deng Haichuan stood up and said seriously, ¡°Brother Yao, no head chef has treated us lowly kitchen helpers as brothers. Only you, Brother Yao. So today, I promise that anytime you need me, I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    Zhong Xiang also stood up, holding the bowl of wine in his hand. ¡°Li Yao, just from what you have said, I, Zhong Xiang, approve of you,¡± he said before drinking the wine.


    No big chef would say this sort of words. Even if they were willing to take you as a disciple, they wouldn¡¯t teach you their best skills. No head chef would allow anyone to be better than him. What Li Yao had just said was a testament to his gracious and kind heart.


    Everyone stood up with misty eyes.

 Chapter 63 - Fall Into the River

    <h4>Chapter 63: Fall Into the River</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s alcohol tolerance was high and no one could keep up with her as she drank to her heart¡¯s content.


    After they had finished their meal, Wang Mingde, who was still sober, offered to take her home. Ye Jiayao looked down at the mess of a guy on the floor and waved her hand in dismissal.


    She said, ¡°That¡¯s alright, I¡¯m not drunk. You¡¯d already have a hard time carrying these drunkards to the house with Old Guan. Oh, and make some sobering soup for them to drink, alright? Shopkeeper Li would go ballistic if no one would be able to work tomorrow.¡±


    In truth, Ye Jiayao knew that she had drunk too much. She had only been forcing herself to act as if?the alcohol didn¡¯t affect her one bit. However, as soon as she left the restaurant, she gave up the pretense and allowed herself to stagger home, asionally burping loudly.


    In her drunken stupor, she thought of Little Jing. He didn¡¯te to the restaurant today, and perhaps, Ye Jiayao thought sadly, he wouldn¡¯te in the future either.?<i>Cute Little Jingjing, I don¡¯t know what is wrong with your brother! Ah! Forget it. It¡¯s better this way. You, Young Royal Highness, should be looking for something respectable to do. Hanging out all day in the restaurant will only make people think that you¡¯re just a good-for-nothing royalty.</i>


    As for Dumb Donkey, it was good that he didn¡¯te again. She could not stand to see him staring at her so lovingly. What was up with that? Did he forget what he had done? Did he think that after ripping her heart in two, he could just apologize and everything would be a-okay again???<i>Ha! I¡¯m not that easy, you stupid donkey.</i>


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s gaze was already a bit blurry so she didn¡¯t notice the small stones on the road. On one particrly bad step, she slipped. She braced herself for the pain of falling, but just as her butt was about to hit the ground, a pair of arms caught her around the waist and pulled her up.


    ¡°Th¡­thank you!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed.


    ¡°Dead drunk at midnight. Are you really a woman?¡± an angry male voice retorted.


    Xia Chunyu hade to the restaurant earlier and waited outside for Yaoyao. An hour passed before he saw her walk out of the establishment?drunkenly.


    She was really getting wilder and brasher these days. Did she think that dressing like a man automatically made her untouchable? She even dared to drink with a bunch of men! The mere thought of that made Xia Chunyu hate the nameless guys. It made him want to close the restaurant down and put all the people inside there in a big prison.


    Ye Jiayao turned sideways to look at her savior. Was she really that drunk? She had to be hallucinating, because why else would Dumb Donkey be here?


    Xia Chunyu swore under his breath, his grip on her tightening in fear that she might fall over. He was unbelievably angry but he couldn¡¯t exactly unleash that on a drunk woman.


    ¡°You¡­are you Dumb Donkey?¡± Ye Jiayao, bleary-eyed, poked her tongue out and pointed it at his nose.


    Xia Chunyu furrowed his brows.?<i>This woman.</i>


    ¡°Chunyu,¡± he corrected her. ¡°It¡¯s actually remarkable that you can still recognize me since you can barely even?<i>walk?</i>.¡±


    <i>Oh. It¡¯s really him.</i>


    Ye Jiayao immediately pushed his hands away from her, tottering a few steps back. ¡°I already told you not to bother me. Why are you here?¡±


    Xia Chunyu noticed that she was swaying dangerously close to the river.


    ¡°Yaoyao,e here. You¡¯re going to fall into the river if you go further back,¡± Xia Chunyu told her, his eyes darting to her feet nervously. If he thought that she wouldn¡¯t move away from him the second he goes near her, he¡¯d go over to her pull her back right now.


    Ye Jiayao waved away his concern impatiently. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to take care of me.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay. Can you just exin to me why Helian Royal Highness came looking for me?¡± asked Xia Chunyu.


    He had known that before Helian Xuan came to find him that night, he had gone to Heavenly Residence and apparently left there angry. Xia Chunyu went to ask Little Jing about it, but he, too, knew nothing because Helian Xuan had been keeping him close to his side these days. Helian Xuan imed that he was teaching him how to manage general affairs, but it seemed to Xia Chunyu that it was just a ploy to keep Little Jing from leaving the pce.


    With no one else that could answer his question, he could onlye to Yaoyao.


    <i>Yes, that¡¯s a very good?</i>excuse. Xia Chunyu told that sarcastic voice inside his head to shut up.


    Ye Jiayao was slightly embarrassed, remembering how she used Chunyu¡¯s name as a shield.


    ¡°Why would I know that? He is crazy!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed in exasperation, beyond tired of thinking about the rude Helian Royal Prince.


    ¡°How is he crazy?¡± Xia Chunyu squinted at her, his body tensed and prepared to rush over to her at any second if she falls.


    ¡°First, he offered me money to leave Jin Ling and to never contact his brother again. When I refused, he said he¡¯d kill me.??<i>What kind of idiot does that??</i>?What, just because he¡¯s a prince, that automatically gives him the right to bully people?¡± Ye Jiayao ranted angrily.


    Xia Chunyu could feel his forehead crinkling in confusion. Why would Helian Xuan do that? What could possibly be his reason for wanting Yaoyao out of the city?


    ¡°He even said that I had made Little Jing bad ¨C that I¡¯m a bad influence.?<i>Me.?</i>?I¡¯m telling you, that prince is mental,¡± Ye Jiayao continued.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know what to make out of this.


    ¡°Well, in that case, I agree that he is very detestable. Do you want me to help you vent?¡± asked Xia Chunyu with a smile.


    ¡°No need. I am not scared of him. If hees at me again, I will just let loose another stream of curses at him.¡± Ye Jiayao ruthlessly snapped off a willow branch. When she went to toss it into the river, she almost came with it.


    Xia Chunyu pped a hand to his forehead. It was no wonder that Helian Xuan got so mad at her.??<i>She actually cursed at him!?</i>?Xia Chunyu could hardly imagine what that scene must¡¯ve looked like.


    ¡°Yaoyao, you shouldn¡¯t go against him like that again. It¡¯s not good to mess with that guy,¡± Xia Chunyu advised well-meaningly, finally understanding what had happened.


    Helian Xuan did not know that Yaoyao was the person who brought Little Jing back to Jin Ling. He must have heard that Little Jing was close to a chef and thought that he was turning into Zhao Qixuan. That must be why, even with the immensity of his anger, Helian Xuan couldn¡¯t exin what was going on. It was a good thing that Yaoyao mentioned his name, otherwise, Helian Xuan would¡¯ve truly destroyed Yaoyao in a fit of his temper.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him and mumbled, ¡°You guys are terrible.¡±


    ¡°How did I get dragged into this? I wasn¡¯t asking for trouble when??<i>you?</i>?almost maimed me,¡± Xia Chunyu said innocently.


    That one well-ced kick put him in bed for two days. He wasn¡¯t even sure if he could still function well.


    Ye Jiayao stared at him in disbelief for a moment before shouting furiously, ¡°I haven¡¯t even started with you yet! You broke your promise! Even when I was knocked out and locked in a small dark room, I thought about your safety! I was afraid that you got hurt by the army so I searched??<i>everywhere?</i>?for you. I shouldn¡¯t have. If I had just left you all alone, I wouldn¡¯t have had to listen to what you really think of me. I trusted you and you lied to me. You¡¯re a liar Chunyu. A goddamn liar!¡±


    Her tears fell from her eyes involuntarily, her chest tightening with anger, hurt, and betrayal. She felt so wronged.


    ¡°Everyone said that Second-in-charge was cruel, and yet when he was facing death, he protected me. He shielded me from all the arrows and gave me time to get away. Where were you then? Huh? You were with your troop, weren¡¯t you? Because that¡¯s what you only cared about ¨C your achievement.¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt her words cut through him like a knife. He could only imagine how terrified and helpless she had been as she looked for him. He could picture how heartbroken and desperate she was when she heard him denounce their connection. She was right. When she was facing death, all his thoughts were on catching the leader of the bandits. All his efforts were focused on adding to his achievements.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, I hate you. You know why I didn¡¯t hate my stepmother and sister when they sold me? It¡¯s because I never loved them. They¡¯re my blood but they¡¯re not my family. You ¨C I really believed in you. You promised me that you won¡¯t leave me alone and I??<i>believed?</i>?you.¡±


    Maybe it was because she was drunk, or maybe it was because she had had enough, but Ye Jiayao just exploded. She was so mad, so hurt, so... tired.


    Xia Chunyu took a few steps toward her, his heart aching. He wanted to wipe her tears, unable to bear seeing her so broken.


    Ye Jiayao pped his hands away that was reaching for her. ¡°You f*cking prick!?<i>Why now??</i>?Why are you still bothering me? Go live your royal life! I don¡¯t want to see you anymore!¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, Yaoyao¡­¡± Xia Chunyu wanted to hold her against him.


    Ye Jiayao pushed him away angrily. ¡°Stop calling that! You don¡¯t get to call me by that name.¡±


    In her need to get away from him, and also her drunkenness, she fell back into the river.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡± Xia Chunyu cried out and tried to pull her back only to end up falling in with her.


    There was a reason that people don¡¯t go swimming drunk. Ye Jiayao was an excellent swimmer, but the alcohol had numbed her hands and feet. She tried to paddle up the water but she?had no strength.


    Fortunately, Xia Chunyu got his bearings together quickly and was able to pull Ye Jiayao up from the water. It was hard to swim to the dock with a heavy weight?on him, but Xia Chunyu managed to get them both to drynd.


    The water was cold, Ye Jiayao thought giddily as she floated about. Her head lolled around, sleep iming her.


    Xia Chunyu panicked when he saw her eyes closed. He pped her face but she didn¡¯t even so much as flinch.


    He put his fingers in front of her nose, relieved when he felt her breathing. He then made her lie down on his legs and shook her a few times until she spat some water out.


    Ye Jiayao mumbled, ¡°I feel terrible.¡±


    He murmured softly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you will be fine soon.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t take anyone out with him today because he didn¡¯t want anyone to see him get berated like a naughty child, so he had no help. He decided to just bring her back to Laifu Motel?since it was closer than his mansion. She needed to get dry and rest as soon as possible or she would get sick.


    Little Yang sat in front of the motel, waiting for Little Brother Li. It was already sote and he was wondering why Little Brother Li hasn¡¯te back yet.


    Suddenly, a man carrying another guy, drenched from head to toe, came rushing over to him. ¡°This is Li Yao, he fell into the river.¡±


    Little Yang was horrified.


    ¡°Hurry, take him to the room. I will call the manager.¡± Little Yang let them in.


    ¡°No need to call the manager, just bring clean towels and cook some ginger soup. Which one is his room?


    Little Yang pointed at the corridor and said, ¡°On the left of earth room, the innermost room.¡±

 Chapter 64 - Keep You Guessing

    <h4>Chapter 64: Keep You Guessing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing rushed back to the military department. His brother¡¯s guard told him that the Royal Highness had been looking for him for a while. Helian Jing wiped the sweat off?of his forehead and forced himself to face his big brother.


    ¡°Where were you?¡± Helian Xuan asked sullenly. He knew that Little Jing ran away, but with other ministers around, he couldn¡¯t say anything. At first, he thought that Little Jing was just bored and went out to get some air. It was the guard who had told him that Little Jing went to Heavenly Residence. He spent three hours going back and forth?the mansion and the restaurant just so he could?spend half an hour with Li Yao.


    ¡°You were in the middle of a meeting and I couldn¡¯t say anything. I just went out to get some air,¡± Helian Jing lied.


    Helian Xuan stared at his sweating forehead and sneered, ¡°Get some air or get some sweat?¡±


    ¡°It is hot outside,¡± Helian Jing said feebly.


    Helian Xuan hated his lies the most. He wanted to give Helian Jing some responsibilities to keep him busy, but he didn¡¯t think he¡¯d run away?whenever he has a free time.


    ¡°You must be hot as you ride the horse rapidly. Did you eat at Heavenly Residence beforeing back?¡± Helian Xuan asked coldly.


    Helian Jing looked at his big brother in surprise. ¡°Did you have me followed?¡±


    ¡°I was only curious to see where you¡¯re going. I heard that you kept going to Heavenly Residence. Tell me, what is attracting you so much there?¡± Helian Xuan conversed patiently, trying to avoid getting Little Jing mad.


    ¡°I like the dishes in Heavenly Residence. They¡¯ve recently changed the head chef there and the food is amazing. I want to try something new.¡± Helian Jing remembered Zhao Qixuan¡¯s warning so he didn¡¯t say anything about Li Yao.


    ¡°Really? I¡¯d like to try that someday,¡± Helian Xuan said. ¡°Or, maybe we should go at lunchtimeter?¡±


    ¡°I just went to see if there were new dishes out. I am sick of the other dishes already,¡± Helian Jing said hurriedly.


    Helian Xuan smiled. ¡°You get sick so fast, huh?¡±


    ¡°Big Brother, we can go to Family¡¯s Fragrance. It is new, and I heard it is good.¡±


    Little Jing tried so hard to keep him away from Heavenly Residence. What was he afraid of? If Li Yao really was just Little Jing¡¯s savior, there shouldn¡¯t be any problem. He could even ask Helian Xuan to repay Li Yao. Instead, Little Jing exerted all these efforts to keep this hidden... Helian Xuan was even more worried. How could he persuade himself to believe Little Jing when he was acting so suspiciously?


    And that Li Yao had some connection with Xia Chunyu as well. He couldn¡¯t make a move.?<i>This thing is such a problem!</i>


    Song Qi informed Xia Chunyu that the former servant of the Ye family has already arrived in Jin Ling. Xia Chunyu dropped what he was doing and met with the 40-year-old woman immediately.


    ¡°I swore that what I said was the truth,¡± she vowed. ¡°And I¡¯m not the only servant who knew about this. The other servants who knew just didn¡¯t dare to discuss this because they feared the Lady. The maid who was responsible to clean the main yard also heard that Master quarreled with the Lady about the first daughter¡¯s marriage. Thedy meant for the second daughter to marry the first son of Wei¡¯s family.


    Master said that the marriage was nned ages ago, and with the Wei family already waiting, they could not change it. When the first daughter left to marry, the second daughter, as well as her personal servant, also disappeared. Your Highness, if I see the firstdy of Wei¡¯s family, I would be able to recognize her.¡±


    The servant lost a little money to gambling so she used a bit of the public money, which got her kicked out of the mansion by the Lady. Meanwhile, Mother Yang who also took some public money carried on unpunished just because she was next to the Lady. The servant didn¡¯t find it fair, so when people asked her about the Ye family with the offer of a big reward, she bbed everything she knew. The Ye family had a high social status and paid attention to traditional?Chinese courtesy, but they have done many terrible things.


    Even though she didn¡¯t know why this rich and powerful man was asking about the affairs of the Ye family,?she didn¡¯t care. As long as she getting a reward from him, she¡¯d keep talking.


    Xia Chunyu believed her story. It would also exin why the second daughter wanted to set Yaoyao up.


    He wanted to know how Ye¡¯s second daughter nned to keep this charade up. Was she that certain that?Yaoyao would never make it back?


    ¡°What was the first daughter like in the mansion?¡± Xia Chunyu wanted to know more about Yaoyao¡¯s past.


    The woman eximed, ¡°The first daughter was pitiful even though she was ady. Her life was not even as good as the servants. Master didn¡¯t care about her, and the second daughter always bullied her. The Lady would say that she liked the first daughter¡¯s cooking so the first daughter had been obligated to cook for her every day.?The Lady would secretly feed the dogs with that food.


    ¡°Even when the first daughter fell ill, the Lady didn¡¯t bother to get a doctor for her. She wouldn¡¯t even pay the first daughter¡¯s monthly pocket money. Every season, the second daughter and the second son would get four new sets of clothes, but the first daughter would be lucky if she¡¯d get one new set.


    The ss in Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand broke.


    Song Qi quickly ran to his side and cried out, ¡°Sir, are you hurt?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stared at his hand angrily. Yaoyao had been so mistreated by her family. Last night, she had told him that she wouldn¡¯t even be sad no matter how her family has set her up.?She told him that they were all wolves and she didn¡¯t love them.


    The servant stopped with her story, shocked by Xia Chunyu¡¯s reaction.


    After a while, Xia Chunyu calmed down enough to say, ¡°Song Qi, take her away and settle her properly. She¡¯ll get her reward when we¡¯ve confirmed what she said. Wei¡¯s firstdy would be arriving in Jin Ling any day now.¡±


    Song Qi took her away and Xia Chunyu paced around the room.


    He was incredibly furious. Ye¡¯s Lady was the daughter of Hanlin court¡¯s schr, Ye Dakuan. How could someone born in a schr¡¯s family make such low and sinister actions? If Ye Dakuan knew about this, Xia Chunyu was sure that the schr would boil with rage.


    This matter should be made known to Yaoyao¡¯s maternal grandparents. They have to know what was done to Yaoyao.


    Xia Chunyu made up his mind and got started on the list of his requests.


    After a busy lunchtime, Ye Jiayao pulled Zhong Xiang aside so they could study some pastry materials together.


    At the beginning, they reviewed Bengal gtine, a substance extracted from a mix of hot liquid of muricte eucheuma frond and agar/gracria. After they cooled down, it would concentrate into seaweed essence which was filled with dietary fiber. It was a very important bodying agent for making pastry.


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°Buy more, I haven¡¯t done Bengal gtine before. This may cost a lot of material.¡±


    The next was light cream. It was not hard to do, she would only need to cook the milk repeatedly. The solid fat would float on the surface and she would only need to separate the fat from the milk.


    Deng Haichuan told them, ¡°There are cows in our vige.¡±


    ¡°You can get us this then. Buy more fresh milk. We will do it ourselves. You can take money from me first,¡± Ye Jiayao said. The early study cost should not be asked from Manager Li. Luckily, she still had 70 silvers. They could ask for reimbursement after the study was proven sessful.


    Thest thing they studied was shredded coconut stuffing.?It was pretty hard to get because coconuts were only produced in the southern area near the sea. It was hard to find even in Yang Zhou. No one at this time was really in the habit of making pastries with coconut stuffing. They would simply use sesame powder and soybean powder.


    ¡°We can only ask southern business ships to buy this. Oh, that Yong An Heir-son Lord is doing business in the south! Can you ask him to bring some here?¡± Zhong Xiang told her.


    ¡°I will ask him.¡±


    Deng Haichuan asked curiously, ¡°Brother Yao, what you want are so rare. What do we do with them?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled mischievously. ¡°I will keep you guessing. I assure you, though, that we can sell out after it is done. Zhong Xiang, this is a chance for you to be famous!¡±


    ¡°I will try my best to help,¡±?Zhong Xiang said, smiling awkwardly.


    ¡°Brother Yao, Brother Xiang, teach the rest of when you¡¯re done,¡± Deng Haichuan implored.


    ¡°Of course, we¡¯re going to teach you!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed. ¡°You can¡¯t just idle around, you know? You¡¯ll need to work extra hours for this.¡±


    Brother Yao sounded so certain that both of them filled with hope.


    ¡°Ah, my headache¡¯s getting worse. Let me have a nap.¡± Ye Jiayao felt like her brain has run out of fuel and she has been absent-minded since this morning.


    ¡°Okay, you get some rest. When we¡¯ve got everything done, I will call you,¡± Zhong Xiang said.


    Ye Jiayao wobbled up to the third floor and slouched on the chair in the Fu Qu Attic. She closed her eyes and napped.


    She couldn¡¯t sleep well. She dreamt of her previous life and current life. Luckily, this situation didn¡¯t ur frequently, and they mostly happened in dreams, otherwise, people might think she had split personality.


    She didn¡¯t know how long she slept. She only woke up when she heard someone shout her name.


    ¡°Brother Yao, Brother Yao!¡±


    She opened her eyes and saw Deng Haichuan standing over her. She closed her eyes again and askedzily, ¡°Is it time?¡±


    ¡°Manager Li is asking for you,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Her drowsiness disappeared almost immediately. She got up and fixed her clothes before heading to Manager Li¡¯s office.


    Manager Li looked sad as he asked her to sit down. He kept quiet for a long moment, looking slightly dazed.


    Was the restaurant going bankrupt, Ye Jiayao thought. Or did Helian Xuan made good on his threat and did something bad to the restaurant?


    She was not patient enough to wait for him to snap out of whatever he was thinking, especially with him looking so sad. She prompted,?¡°Manager, what do you need me for?¡±


    Manager Li finally sighed and said,?¡°Today, we had a talk in the Chamber of Commerce. Fu Ji asked to hold a chef match, and every restaurant will choose someone to participate. There will be gold, silver, and bronze reward. Now I know why Xiang Yi spent such a huge money to hire Master Chef Niu. They found out about this earlier than I did.¡±

 Chapter 65 - Return Money

    <h4>Chapter 65: Return Money</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao knew that thispetition had a lot riding on it, both for the reputation of the restaurant and hers. There would be no friendliness here. There would be definite?winners and losers, and the results would determine fame and profit. This was why there was such a big difference between winning a gold medal and a silver medal in the Olympics.


    ¡°This culinarypetition was organized five years ago. Back then, Heavenly Residence sent Master Chef Niu topete. He won the third ce and that established?Heavenly Residence¡¯s status in Jin Ling¡¯s food and beverages industry,¡± Shopkeeper Li told her.


    Ye Jiayao asked curiously, ¡°Who won the first and second ce?¡±


    ¡°Lu Yiming won the first ce, he¡¯s a chef from Vegetarian ce. He entered the Imperial kitchen after that. The Vegetarian ce only makes vegetarian feasts, and even though it is famous, its business is not as good as the other restaurants. In second ce is Zheng Fugui from Fu Ji. He rewarded Fu Ji with a high status that¡¯s still going strong even five yearster.


    ¡°I heard that the Imperial court also had the intention of summoning him to work in the Imperial kitchen then, but Zheng Fugui rejected the offer. An Imperial chef only offers title, it can¡¯t beat the chance of opening your own restaurant?and earning truckloads of money.


    ¡°Xiang Yi Restaurant was a neer, but they rose impressively. And now that they have poached Master Chef Niu, it looks like they¡¯re really hellbent on winning thepetition. There¡¯s also Kylin Pavilion and Ju Fu Lin, they¡¯ve both developed quite well?these past few years while Heavenly Residence is only going downhill.¡± The more thought he puts into it, the more depressed Shopkeeper Li became.


    On the contrary, Ye Jiayao was pretty interested. ¡°Shopkeeper, no matter what, Heavenly Residence will take part, right?¡±


    ¡°Even if we don¡¯t want topete, we have to. If Master Chef Niu was still around, everyone would be more than happy if we don¡¯tpete. Only now, there are... rumors circting that Heavenly Residence can¡¯t find someone capable for thepetition. If wepete now, in our current situation, you are our only candidate,¡± Shopkeeper Li told Li Yao, his face full of worry.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°Shopkeeper, don¡¯t you worry about me. Who knows, maybe I¡¯ll emerge as a new force to be reckoned with. I just might surprise everyone with my skills! Now, tell me more about that Zheng Fugui and Master Chef Niu. What are the specialties that make them the best?


    Shopkeeper Li sneered, ¡°Master Chef Niu is not the best. In the whole of Jin Ling, he¡¯s the fifth at most. The?real master is Madame Rong, Li Erniang got her skills from her. It was a pity she has be a nun.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked.?<i>The best chef is actually a woman? And she¡¯s now a nun? Why?</i>


    ¡°Why did she be a nun?¡±


    ¡°This is her private matters and it¡¯s inappropriate for us to discuss.¡± The stern words from Shopkeeper Li stifled Ye Jiayao¡¯s curiosity. He continued, ¡°The second would be Lu Yiming, third is Zheng Fugui, and fourth is Duan Qilin, the head chef of Kylin Pavilion. However, he wasn¡¯t able to attend thepetition then because he was ill. Niu Shunbao onlyes in fifth.¡±


    Ye Jiayao brightened up and said, ¡°Lu Yiming has already entered the Imperial kitchen and would naturally notpete. Zheng Fugui ced second so he would probably be too embarrassed topete again. In that case, there is only Duan Qilin and Niu Shunbao! We still have a chance at this!¡±


    Shopkeeper Li shook his head dejectedly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not the case, Li Yao. Lu Yiming and Zheng Fugui are not participating, but their sons, Lu Xiaotian and Zheng Sanduo are. They have all the handed-down techniques from their fathers, and they are both impressive.¡±


    <i>F*ck!?</i>?Ye Jiayao finally saw how grim the situation was.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, we don¡¯t have any other choice. I have topete no matter what, so why don¡¯t you say something encouraging instead? You¡¯re being a serious wet nket,¡± Ye Jiayaoined, pouting.


    Shopkeeper Li sighed. Li Yao was right, they had no choice. He would just have to fake it till he makes it. He said, ¡°Of course, of course. You¡¯re right. Don¡¯t mind me. I called you here today to give you a heads up. When thepetition date and rules are set, we¡¯ll think of a n together.¡±


    ¡°Ay!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed, her lips pulling up into a smile full of mischief. ¡°No matter what rules they set, it¡¯ll still be under the category of cooking, right? Wouldn¡¯t you say that it¡¯d be better if I know the rivals I am up against? Do you think I should make a trip to Fu Ji, Kylin Pavilion or Xiang Yi Restaurant to try some of their foods?¡±


    Shopkeeper Liughed in spite of himself. ¡°Go, bring your bills back so I can reimburse them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao made a show of putting on a serious face. ¡°Yes, Shopkeeper Li. I will make sure that every meal I eat will trante into gains. I will not waste a single cent of the restaurant.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry at Li Yao¡¯s antics. He waved his hand to shoo him off. Though even after Li Yao has left, Shopkeeper Li continued to frown. His new chef was full of spirit and enthusiasm, but that could only take him so far. This cookingpetition was a tform for the restaurant and its chef. This was the shortcut for fame, a great opportunity for chefs and the restaurant they represent. He wasn¡¯t sure how they would be able to pull through this sessfully.


    That night, Ye Jiayao returned to the motel and found Manager Du waiting for her.


    ¡°Little Brother Li,e over here,¡± he called, smiling.


    ¡°Big brother, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Shopkeeper Du pointed at the 100-tael banknote on the counter, and said, ¡°Your friend sent this over, insisting that you change to the first-grade room. The roomes with free breakfast, dinner, as well as additional furniture.¡±


    It doesn¡¯t take a genius to figure out that the ¡®friend¡¯ who sent that note was that stupid donkey. Why the hell was he meddling in her affairs? Was that 100-tael note enough to buy him a peace of mind???<i>Ha! He¡¯s got another thinging if he thinks I¡¯m going to make this easy on him.</i>


    ¡°Big brother, ignore him. I am fine where I am, I don¡¯t need to change rooms. I will return this banknote to him,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Manager Du nodded. ¡°If that¡¯s you want, sure, but I¡¯ve thought about something for a while now. You¡¯ve been helping around the motel every day, and I don¡¯t feel good letting you stay in the lowest grade room. How about this, I shift you to the second-grade room on the second floor and you could just pay me a tael every month.¡±


    ¡°Big brother!¡± Ye Jiayao uttered in disbelief, ¡°Surely there is no need for that!¡±


    A second-grade room costs 300 coppers for a night, and a month would equal to around nine taels. Manager Du only asking for one tael ¨C she might as well be staying for free! They already have been too generous, giving her a 70% discount on her current room. She couldn¡¯t take a 90% discount on an upgrade!


    ¡°It is all set, your sister-inw and I have already discussed it.¡± Manager Duughed merrily.


    Ye Jiayao replied resolutely, ¡°Big brother, you two have taken more than good care of me. It wouldn¡¯t feel right to take advantage of you like that. I will stay in my room, or else I¡¯ll look for another ce to live in.¡±


    Manager Du was offended as he responded, ¡°Little brother, saying that means you¡¯re seeing me as an outsider. Are you calling me big brother for nothing? I own an inn! Do you know what Ick the least? It¡¯s the rooms!¡±


    ¡°But your rooms are not here for you to leave vacant, it is for your business,¡± Ye Jiayao reasoned.


    None of them were willing to budge. It was only when Li Erniang?interfered that they both took a step back. Theypromised in the end. Ye Jiayao would be moving to the second-grade room and she would be paying three taels a month.


    Now that her sry would be increasing soon, Ye Jiayao felt that it was only right that her quality of life should improve as well, so she gave in.


    Ultimately, this was all stirred up by that Chunyu. After shifting rooms, Ye Jiayao took the banknote and made her way to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion.


    After asking around, Ye Jiayao arrived at the massive doorstep of the mansion. There was a huge stone lion on both sides of the entryway, lit up by a row of hangingnterns. The uniformed guards lined up on every step just added to the mansion¡¯s imposing manner.


    Ye Jiayao was just about to climb up when the guards blocked her way.


    ¡°Open your eyes wide, little guy. This is the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion. It¡¯s out of bounds for unauthorized persons.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked down at her clothes. Yes, she admitted, she looked kind of shabby, but it was not as if she was dressed like a beggar. Her clothes were clean and there were no holes! It seemed like the watchdogs of the mansion took after their pompous master.


    ¡°Did you hear me? Scram!¡± the guard told her, his voice slightly raised.


    Ye Jiayao took out the 100-tael banknote and pped it against the guard¡¯s chest. ¡°I am here to return some money. I would have to trouble?you to pass this banknote to your Heir-son Lord. Tell him that if he has nothing better to do with his time, he can visit a brothel or drown himself in wine. Tell him not to interfere with my life again. And if you dare take this for yourself, don¡¯t me me if your Heir-son Lord asks about it.¡±


    After finishing her piece, Ye Jiayao walked off with her hands behind her back.


    The guard looked at the fellow¡¯s retreating figure. For a moment there, he was intimidated by the attitude that the scrawny guy?has shown. He was dressed in such shabby clothes and looked like a poor fellow, but he was quite bold to ridicule the Heir-son Lord.


    After some thought, he went out to seek for his master.


    Xia Chunyu listened to his mother half-heartedly as she talked about matters that he had no interest in ¨C matters that were giving him a headache.


    ¡°Chun-er.¡± Jing An Marquis¡¯dy, Xia You, smiled gently, the crow¡¯s feet on her face doing nothing to hide the joy in her heart.


    Ever since Yaoyao gave him the nickname ¡®Dumb Donkey¡¯, the name he once proudly carried never sounded quite the same. Every time his mother would call him ¡®Chun-er¡¯, all he could hear was her calling him ¡®Stupid¡¯.


    ¡°Today, Mother went to the pce to meet the empress, and she gave me a piece of news. The empress dowager has intentions to marry Princess Liuli to you. This is a joyous event, Chun-er! Everyone knows that the seventh prince is the empress dowager¡¯s favorite son and the brother that the emperor relies heavily on. It was a pity that he passed away so young.


    ¡°The empress dowager raised Princess Liuli up on her own and is only waiting to title her ¡®princess¡¯ until she gets married. Whoever marries her will be able to inherit the seventh prince¡¯snd, bing the king of the vassal state. All of the princes and noblemen are thinking of it and the empress dowager has preferences solely for you¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯sck of concern was notable in his voice as he replied, ¡°Your son does not have the good fortune to enjoy it.¡±


    He has heard the rumors of Princess Liuli¡¯s pampered ways. If he marries her, the whole mansion would be turned upside down to?cater to her whims. He also has no doubts that she was not above using tears to get her way.


    Xia You clicked her tongue in disapproval. She reproached, ¡°How can you say that? This is the empress dowager¡¯s idea, and the empress dowager¡¯s idea is the majesty¡¯s idea! Are you thinking of going against the Imperial edict? Other men are praying for this chance, and yet, here you are, disregarding it. Have you gone mad?¡±


    ¡°Madame, someone is looking for the Heir-son Lord outside,¡± a servant reported.


    Xia Chunyu quickly jumped up.??<i>Just in time!?</i>?¡°I will go out to have a look. This might be an official matter.¡±


    He fled without another word.


    Xia?You is worried for her son.

 Chapter 66 - Intrigue

    <h4>Chapter 66: Intrigue</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu stared at the banknote in his hand as he listened to the guard, his eyes gradually turning stormy with anger.


    ¡°Where is this person?¡±


    The guard saw the anger on Heir-son Lord¡¯s face and answered with fear, ¡°He¡¯s gone, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°How long ago did he leave?¡±


    ¡°He just left. As soon as he turned away, I immediately rushed here to tell you, Heir-son Lord. I don¡¯t think he has gone far, yet.¡±


    Xia Chunyu took a saddled horse and quickly chase after Yaoyao.


    As expected, he caught up with Yaoyao not too far away from the mansion.


    <i>It is alreadyte, and this infuriating woman isn¡¯t even afraid to wander alone in the street!</i>


    Xia Chunyu spurred the horse faster and moved closer to her. He used his long arms to drag her onto the horse.


    Startled, Ye Jiayao started to scream.


    Xia Chunyu pushed her to sit in front of him and?stered her against him with an arm around her waist. He was afraid that all her struggling would cause her to fall off the horse.


    He said softly, ¡°Stop screaming.¡±


    Ye Jiayao closed her mouth and gaped angrily at Chunyu. ¡°Why the hell are you kidnapping me?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°How is this kidnapping?¡±


    ¡°You took me against my will! What else would you call it? You know what, don¡¯t answer that. Just let me go!¡±


    ¡°No way. You came to me first. I¡¯m not letting you go,¡± Xia Chunyu said stubbornly.


    ¡°I only came to return the money and tell you to stay out of my business,¡± Ye Jiayao retorted angrily.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re here now, and I think that it¡¯s high time that we have a chat.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have anything to say to each other. We¡¯re??<i>nothing?</i>?to each other. What will we talk about? We only acted on a show together,¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly. His close proximity to her was wreaking a havoc on her hormones. With her back against his muscled chest and his arm around her waist, she couldn¡¯t help but think of the steamy nights they spent in bed. She squirmed, starting to feel hot. She was extremely aware that she was blushing.


    ¡°Can you stop mentioning?<i>that?</i>? You have to understand my situation back then.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s jaw brushed her ear. Her long, soft hair floated to his face and he felt a bit ticklish. Despite her hostility, Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart was happy and at peace as he held her close to him.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. Oh, she understood his situation perfectly. She also understood that denying connection to her and telling Song Qi that ¡®there¡¯s no need to act anymore¡¯ was him trying to ditch her. She might have acted shamelessly towards him in the past, but she was not aplete airhead.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about the past. Can we just pretend that we don¡¯t know each other? You are an Heir-son Lord and I work as a chef. We have nothing to do with each other. Deal?¡± Ye Jiayao offered sulkily.


    ¡°No,¡± Xia Chunyu answered without even pausing for a beat.


    <i>Neigh¡­</i>


    The horse stopped. Xia Chunyu nimbly maneuvered his body and got off the horse. He was going to help Yaoyao down, but when he turned around, she has already jumped down to the ground.??<i>Woman, for once, can you pretend that you need my help?</i>


    Ye Jiayao dusted her hands and said, ¡°I am going now. There¡¯s no need for us to see each other again, alright?¡±


    She turned to walk away but Xia Chunyu dragged her back easily. ¡°I said we need to have a chat.¡±


    ¡°Yo, Heir-son Lord, you should be sitting in a boat, drinking alcohol, listening to music, and hugging beautiful girls this time of the night. You shouldn¡¯t drag unwilling people with you,¡± Ye Jiayao mocked.


    Xia Chunyu smiled at her roguishly. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, and that¡¯s exactly what I am going to do. Come along!¡±


    He pulled Ye Jiayao to the dock.


    ¡°Yo, don¡¯t corrupt me! I am only a poor guy. I don¡¯t want to learn what you rich kids do.¡± Ye Jiayao struggled against his hold.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s my treat. You don¡¯t need to spend a single cent.¡±


    Xia Chunyu dragged her straight into a boat and immediately said, ¡°Boatman, start the boat.¡±


    The boatman?immediately did as he was told, happy to get a business thiste at night. He acquiesced, ¡°Yes, sir! I will start the boat right away.¡±


    Usually, there would be male or female ¨C or both ¨C prostitutes inside the boat. It depended on the customer¡¯s preference, so the boatman really didn¡¯t blink an eye as he saw the two men board his boat.


    Xia Chunyu made her sit down.


    A coquettish woman appeared before them, bringing up some snacks and wine. She winked at Xia Chunyu and softly asked, ¡°Sir, what else do you want to order?¡±


    Thisdy didn¡¯t even spare Ye Jiayao a look. There was no point to look at such a poor kid since it was clear that Xia Chunyu, with his clothes in gold, was the rich master.


    Xia Chunyu put a 100-silver note on the table.?¡°Bring whatever you have and get us a pot of Liu An tea.¡±


    Thedy¡¯s eyes brightened and her smile turned wider. ¡°Of course. Please, wait a second, sir, I will go fetch it now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at the 100-silver note and thought that it was so easy to make money in a?boat. They only had to bring drinks, a few tes of dry fruits, cruise for a while, and they already get 100 silvers.??<i>When I get rich, I¡¯m going to buy a couple of boats.</i>


    Xia Chunyu saw her staring at the silver note and started to feel sorry for her. ¡°You can take this note if you¡¯d like.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly snapped awake from her daydream and called, ¡°Boatman, stop the boat!¡±


    The boat kept its cruising pace. The boatman wouldn¡¯t stop the boat unless the rich man ordered him to do so.


    Ye Jiayao was furious as she saw Chunyu¡¯s cocky look. She really wanted to kick him.


    The beautifuldy brought out some green grapes, almonds, preserves, and a te of crispy small dried fish, as well as a pot of Liu An tea.


    Xia Chunyu waved her away.


    ¡°Do you want to know Aunt Jiang¡¯s situation?¡± Xia Chunyu poured tea for Ye Jiayao and he poured himself a ss of wine.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and ignored him.


    Xia Chunyu just kept talking, ¡°Their family is going to being to Jin Ling in a few days. They just set out to look for their son in Ji Ning first. They were forced to be bandits. It was a good thing that this time, Uncle Jiang did the right thing and cooperated with me. I had the police take their case off so they can go back to their hometown without any concerns.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was happy to hear that. She was curious as to what kind of case Uncle Jiang was involved in, though.


    ¡°Do you know why they became bandits?¡±


    ¡°There was a gangster who was interested in Uncle Jiang¡¯s daughter and wanted to rape her. In the urgent situation, Uncle Jiang used a hoe to knock him out but he identally killed him, instead.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know that the fatherly Uncle Jiang she met had that much guts.


    ¡°I also let Auntie Zhao and the rest of the people who were forced to go up the mountain free. I tasked Feng Chaolin take care of the people who didn¡¯t really do bad things.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stop herself from asking, ¡°What about Peng Wu? I heard that you framed him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu squinted at her and smiled ambiguously. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°He treated me very well and called me big sister all the time. He was hardworking and he helped me out a lot.¡±


    Xia Chunyu scoffed, ¡°You can¡¯t judge someone¡¯s nature just by that. He didn¡¯t talk much and he worked very hard, yes, but he was also the fiercest killer in ck Wind Ridge. At the time when the group of Bai Chongye has just expanded, most of the bloody cases involved him and Sheng Wu. They wiped out whole viges. Their hands were full of blood.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked.??<i>I guess it¡¯s true that you never really know what¡¯s inside a person¡¯s heart.</i>


    ¡°He was as a serious criminal, and I handed over to the governors to take care of. He might not be able to evade death.¡± Xia Chunyu finished the alcohol in his cup. The topic of their conversation seemed to have gotten very heavy and it was not his intention. He only wanted to get closer to her by talking about the old memories they shared.


    Ye Jiayao drank her tea in silence, her heart saddened. Even though he was as bad as Second-in-charge, he has never shown her anything but kindness. Ye Jiayao has always believed that even the evillest person has a good side.


    ¡°Yaoyao, go back to your family. I am here, I won¡¯t let them do anything bad to you again,¡± Xia Chunyu told her earnestly. He was starting to actualize his n.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him as if he was the biggest idiot she has seen. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about my issues.¡±


    Her life was full of happiness now. Why would she want to face the people she hated? To torture herself???<i>No, thank you.</i>


    ¡°Do you want to stay in Heavenly Residence for life?¡±


    ¡°Of course not! I¡¯ll be working there for three years at most, and then, I will open my own restaurant and earn lots of money,¡± Ye Jiayao said casually.?<i>Ay! Why did I tell him my ns?</i>


    ¡°So you¡¯re nning to be adyboy for the rest of your life?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao blinked and said unhappily, ¡°What do you meandyboy? I¡¯ll have you know, everyone praised me as a pretty, young man.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. She even called herself pretty. Truly admirable.


    ¡°Pretty is a word used to describe beautiful girls. Handsome is the word for guys, or smart, or dashing. Understood? If they¡¯re calling you pretty, they might mean that you are a bit...¡± Xia Chunyu trailed off.


    Ye Jiayao put the teapot aside and stared at him angrily. ¡°What? Your brain is full of strange ideas!¡±


    ¡°It is because I know who you really are.¡± He looked at her t chest which was wrapped and concealed tightly by her clothes.


    Ye Jiayao covered her chest. ¡°What are you looking at?¡±


    They might have done the??<i>deed?</i>?before, but they don¡¯t have any rtionship now. He has no right to see or even??<i>think?</i>?of her in that state anymore.


    Xia Chunyu smiled as if he couldn¡¯t care less at how indignant she was. ¡°I heard that if you wrap it tight like that, the blood will clot and you¡¯re going to fall ill easily.


    ¡°That is none of your business.¡± Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes.


    Another boat matched up to their pace. It was a summer night so the windows on both boats were open from all sides to let in the cold wind. It also made watching the night scenery of the river easier.


    ¡°Oh? Is that Xia Chunyu?¡± Zhao Qixuan who was cruising in the boat next to Ye Jiayao¡¯s eximed. ¡°Xia Chunyu! Xia Chunyu!¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked to the side and saw Zhao Qixuan on the boat beside theirs, waving his paper fan. He really didn¡¯t want to have a conversation with him so Xia Chunyu merely nodded and held up his wine ss as a greeting.


    Ye Jiayao found the calling voice familiar so she also turned around to take a look.


    Zhao Qixuan was taken aback when he saw Li Yao. ¡°Um... Li Yao? What are you...¡±


    Zhao Qixuan found this too odd. It would make sense if it was Li Yao and Little Jing cruising together... but he was with Brother Chunyu! How did the two of them know each other? And why were they cruising together on a??<i>very?</i>te night?


    Ye Jiayao smiled and waved awkwardly, silently cursing herself.?<i>Why did I have to show my face? Damn you curiosity!</i>


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, do you want to have a drink together?¡± Zhao Qixuan offered.


    Xia Chunyu smiled calmly and said, ¡°No, thank you. Perhaps some other day.¡±


    ¡°Alright. It¡¯ll be my treat then,¡± Zhao Qixuan said graciously, still perplexed.


    As the two boats drifted apart, Zhao Qixuan worried. Did Xia Chunyu turn down his offer to drink together because he was spending time with Li Yao? Did Little Jing know about this rtionship?

 Chapter 67 - Snitch On Her

    <h4>Chapter 67: Snitch On Her</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°He knows you?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°Of course! He even gave me a 100-tael reward!¡±


    Ye Jiayao intentionally wanted to annoy him. She wanted him to know that him giving her a 100-tael banknote wasn¡¯t such a magnificent thing. She could easily earn that in tips alone.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face went tight with anger. Wasn¡¯t Zhao Qixuan faithful to his Xiao Su? Why was he so generous towards Yaoyao? Was it because she was good-looking?


    ven dressed up like a man, Yaoyao was still in danger.


    ¡°Don¡¯t interact with him so often in future. Actually, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t interact with him?<i>at all,?</i>¡± Xia Chunyu told her gravely.


    Ye Jiayao has always disliked thatmanding tone of his. In the past, she has no choice but to obey him because her life was in his hands. Now, her life was her own and she doesn¡¯t have to do anything he tells her.


    ¡°And why should I listen to you? He is one of Heavenly Residence¡¯s best customers. He¡¯s a nice person, he doesn¡¯t have the arrogance of a??<i>certain?</i>?Heir-son Lord I know, and he is quite generous. What is the problem with that?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s dark expression only got worse the more he listened to her. He said through gritted teeth, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid he¡¯ll take advantage of you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused. ¡°He is a man, and I am currently a man. What is there to take advantage of?¡±


    Xia Chunyu really did not want to discuss?<i>that?</i>topic with her, but he knew that if he didn¡¯t make it clear to her, she¡¯d never heed his warning. In fact, he was sure that she¡¯d do the opposite of what he told her just to spite him.


    ¡°He would want to take advantage of you precisely because you¡¯re a ¡®man¡¯. Zhao Qixuan is Jin Ling¡¯s most famous homosexual,¡± Xia Chunyu said, his tone unkind.


    <i>Ugh¡­ Homosexual? Gay?</i>


    Ye Jiayao stared at him nkly for a few seconds before bursting out inughter. She has read about gay rtionships in novels in the past, but she has never met one in real life. Perhaps it was because they hide well. She didn¡¯t imagine that she¡¯d run into one in the ancient times of all ces!


    ¡°Is there anyone he likes? He seemed so happy to see you earlier that he couldn¡¯t stop smiling! Does he like you?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, half-teasing.


    Xia Chunyu spat his wine out and stared disdainfully at her. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied in a disappointed voice, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not you? That¡¯s such a pity! With your looks, he should be attracted to you! Could it be that he is the top and he prefers someone weaker? Someone like Little Jing?¡±


    Shopkeeper Li¡¯s warning to her made sense now. He once had told her that if it was?<i>that?</i>Heir-son Lord asking for herpany, she should be worried.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her in disbelief. Why doesn¡¯t she find people like Zhao Qixuan disgusting? It even looked like she was very interested in the dynamics of these homosexual rtionships! She even dragged Little Jing to her ridiculous mutterings. Didn¡¯t she know that Helian Xuan almost killed her because he suspected that Little Jing was in a homosexual rtionship with her?


    <i>This woman is going to be the death of me.</i>


    ¡°I am not kidding, Yaoyao. Stay far away from him, and stay far away from Little Jing, too,¡± Xia Chunyu said angrily.


    The angrier he got, the more Ye Jiayao wanted to oppose him.


    ¡°Why should I listen to you? I actually find being with you even more dangerous!¡± Ye Jiayao retorted.


    Xia Chunyu was furious. ¡°You will listen because you belong to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed bitterly. ¡°Xia Chunyu, is your brain working fine? I belong to you? Did you marry me or buy me? You think I belong to you just because we acted as husband and wife for a while, and had some physical intimacy? That I should just be a good littlep dog for you? Ha! Dream on.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was confused as to how could she say something like that. Didn¡¯t all women ce their chastity over their lives? Well, of course, the women in the brothels are the exceptions. How could she, ady from a noble family, be so alright with this?


    He thought that she was only angry at him?for not keeping his promise and hurting her. He thought that despite this hostility, she was holding him deep in her heart, so he apologized and groveled. He didn¡¯t retaliate when she hit him, didn¡¯t talk back when she scolded him. He was prepared to take on the responsibility of his mistake. However, she was acting like he didn¡¯t really matter to her, like what they had was nothing more than an act.


    It stung.


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, don¡¯t push your luck.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lifted her chin up and looked at him straight in the eye. She has no intention of backing down. She had submitted to him for far too long.


    ¡°In the mountains, I had no choice but to say ¡®how high?¡¯ every time you told me to jump. I am my own person now. I don¡¯t have to listen to you. Chunyu, we can¡¯t see eye to eye, so we should just go our separate ways. We don¡¯t need to see each other ever again.¡± With that said, Ye Jiayao swiftly turned around and jumped out the window.


    Xia Chunyu almost had a heart attack at her sudden movement. He rushed after her, jumping into the river without even thinking about it.


    However, she was nowhere to be seen in the water. The only sign she was in it was a ssh in the distance.


    He should¡¯ve realized that she was a good swimmer. Haze Lake was 10 lis wide, and if someone who doesn¡¯t know how to swim falls in, the impact alone would knock them out. Even if they managed to survive the fall, the current and the depth would¡¯ve drowned them. Yaoyao survived that.


    <i>That wench! If you think that a few ruthlessments would make me give up and let you go, you don¡¯t know me at all. You belong to me, Yaoyao. You¡¯re not going to get away from me ¨C not in this lifetime.</i>


    Xia Chunyu pped the water surface in annoyance, making arge ssh.


    Ye Jiayao swam away a good distance, onlying up at the next harbor.


    The quality of the water in the ancient times was excellent. There was no pollution unlike the rivers in the modern times. She couldn¡¯t even think about going down for a swim in a river in the 21st century. Even fishes in the water were about to go extinct.


    <i>Ay, that was cooling. I wish I could do that every day.</i>


    Ye Jiayao returned to the motel dripping wet.


    Little Yang stopped in his tracks when he saw her. ¡°Um, Little Brother Li, did you... um, did you fell into the river?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied embarrassedly, ¡°I went into the river to catch some fish, but I didn¡¯t manage to catch any.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want to say that she didn¡¯t fall in today, otherwise, that spy would snitch on her again. Why must Little Jingjing nt a spy around her? What was the need?


    Ye Jiayao returned to her room to change, grateful that it was summer and the clothes dried fast. She could wear the clothes she had on yesterday. However, what little clothes she owned were all for sloppy dressing. She still had to go to Fu Ji to scout for information, and she wouldn¡¯t even make it past the door with the current state of her clothes.


    Tomorrow, she¡¯d go out to shop for some decent clothing.


    She would not think about anything else for the next few weeks ¨C that includes Dumb Donkey. She has her culinarypetition to focus on, she doesn¡¯t need additional distractions. Anyways, after her heartless words today, she doubted he¡¯d bother her anymore.


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes and slept in peace.


    Xia Chunyu rode on the back of his horse to the mansion, dripping wet. The servants were all curious as to what their Heir-son Lord was up to. He looked like he?jumped into the river fully clothed. Though from his gloomy expression, no one dared to say anything. They silently gave him nkets and fresh clothes, serving him cautiously.


    Xia Chunyu got more and more frustrated as he thought about what had just happened. He has already humbled himself so much, what more does she want? How long would she continue to torment him for?


    <i>Ah, forget it! That woman was too much trouble. She¡¯s not the least bit gentle and she mingles around the marketce like a hooligan. Why do I need to worry about her?</i>


    He settled down on his bed and tried to sleep, but instead, spent the night tossing and turning around. He couldn¡¯t get his mind to shut off because all his thoughts were filled with??<i>her.</i>


    <i>Xia Chunyu, you¡¯re already a goner over this pesky woman.</i>


    The next day, in the morning, the first thing Zhao Qixuan did was look for Little Jing.


    Helian Jing was just about to leave with his older brother when he heard that Zhao Qixuan has arrived looking for him. He immediately rushed to meet him.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Zhao Qixuan? It¡¯s very early,¡± Helian Jing asked.


    In a low voice, Zhao Qixuan told him, ¡°Guess who I sawst night when I was touring the river?¡±


    Helian Jing was not in the mood to y along. ¡°I don¡¯t have the patience for your games. Just tell me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan leaned in closer to Helian Jing, afraid of being heard by anyone else. He whispered, ¡°I saw Xia Chunyu and Li Yao touring the river, just the two of them.¡±


    ¡°Just the two of them? Are you sure?¡± Helian Jing asked, stricken.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure. I even greeted them. I saw how awkward Li Yao looked when he saw me,¡± Zhao Qixuan said. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that two men touring the river in the middle of the night is too weird? If it is me with Little Su, that¡¯s fine, but...¡±


    Last night¡¯s incident had him thinking. He thought of the possibility that Xia Chunyu might be a homosexual. If that was true, that¡¯d be great. Xia Chunyu would be a great boost to the gaymunity! The whole of Jin Ling¡¯s princes and noblemen looked up to Xia Chunyu as their role model. Perhaps he would be able to take the bad connotation of gay men away.


    The problem was that Little Jing liked Li Yao. If what he imagined was true, Little Jing would suffer from heartache.


    ¡°Little Jing, I just thought that you should know about this. I came here to tell you first thing.¡± Zhao Qixuan patted Helian Jing¡¯s shoulder sympathetically.


    Helian Jing replied, ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone else about this. The situation is still not clear. If this gets out and causes a big scandal,?Brother Chunyu is going to murder you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan unconsciously puts a hand over his heart. ¡°I definitely won¡¯t go around telling anyone. If it wasn¡¯t Li Yao, I wouldn¡¯t have even told you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡±


    After sending Zhao Qixuan away, Helian Jing resumed his activities. However, he wasn¡¯t really able to concentrate on anything. He could not fathom what kind of rtionship do Brother Chunyu and Big Yaoyao has. What has happened these past few days that he did not go to Big Yaoyao?


    Ping An insisted that there was nothing going on. The only news there was to report was Big Yaoyao falling into the waterst night. Did Brother Chunyu save Big Yaoyao? He wanted to look for Big Yaoyao to get some answers, but his big brother was bringing him to the army today.


    <i>Oh, that¡¯s right!?</i>??<i>Feign illness.?</i>Helian Jing immediately started coughing uncontrobly.


    Helian Xuan came over to take a look at Little Jing upon hearing that he was not feeling well.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Weren¡¯t you just?fine yesterday?¡±


    Helian Jing mustered some coughs before he replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t close the windowst night, maybe I caught a cold.¡±


    Helian Xuan looked at him suspiciously. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me Zhao Qixuan spread it to you.¡±


    ¡°That is not possible. He only came here to ask if there was anything he could do to help with Grandmother¡¯s birthday feast. He organized the birthday feast for his grandfather so he has some experience,¡± Helian Jing lied guiltily.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t go to the camp today, stay home and rest,¡±?Helian Xuan told him after some thought.


    Helian Xuan immediately called the servants over to him. ¡°Tell the princess that the little prince is ill and get a physician quickly.¡±


    With Mother keeping an eye on him, Helian Xuan believed that Little Jing would not sneak out.

 Chapter 68 - Seek Confirmation

    <h4>Chapter 68: Seek Confirmation</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao began to busy herself with tasks as soon as she reached Heavenly Residence. Today, she wanted to experiment with the extraction of agar and cream.


    Zhong Xiang bought all of the euchema, seaweed, and Gracria in the market ¨C a whole truckload of them.


    That gave Manager Qian a fright, but after hearing that Li Yao was going to use it, he left them alone.


    Everyone worked together as they washed the vegetables and soaked them in some soda. The huge basins took up all the space in front of the kitchen and in the courtyard.


    Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang were extracting cream in front of the stove while Deng Haichuan was in charge of keeping the fire burning. Whenever the milk woulde to a boil, ayer of fat would float to the surface. With a fine cottondle, Ye Jiayao would take them out then wait for the next batch of fat to float to the surface before scooping them up again.


    Zhong Xiang frowned as he watched Li Yao. ¡°The extraction of these two things seems to be a little expensive. Are you sure you can make a profit from this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m positive we¡¯ll make big bucks from this.¡±


    In this era, no?one has tried the ice cream mooncake. They certainly haven¡¯t seen a crystal mooncake. Such novel food would be a hit with the wealthy people in Jin Ling. Their money would allow them to satisfy their curiosity.


    ¡°There are icehouses in the city, right?¡± Ye Jiayao asked him.


    Zhong Xiang answered, ¡°Yes, there are 16. 12 of them are run by the government, provided especially for the pce and other princes and officials. The other four are run by civilians for the use of wealthy people.¡±


    ¡°Are the ice run by the government for sale?¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that the quality of the ice in the icehouses run by the government and by the civilians was different. Usually, the ones run by the government were brick kiln, therefore, the ice inside was purer. The ones run by civilians were earthen kilns so it was difficult to guarantee the quality of the ice. It basically just satisfies the function of reducing temperature and freezing food.


    ¡°Yes, they¡¯re for sale, but people usually do not have the qualification to buy them. Even officials only have a fixed amount of ice that they can buy. Some of the wealthy people build a little icehouse in their residence, though. It¡¯s just for the use of their family and there aren¡¯t really many of them,¡± Zhong Xiang exined.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised at how much he knew.


    ¡°How much are the ice in the ones run by the civilian?


    ¡°It depends on the weather. If it is especially hot, 100 catty of ice can go up to 10 taels, but for a normal day, it is usually just around five taels. Why, do you need ice to make this thing?¡± Zhong Xiang smacked his lips, thinking of how expensive the end product would be.


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°Only for storing the food. Get someone to buy 100 catty, that should be enough for now.¡±


    For the time being, she would use the civilian-run ones. When the new product is fully developed, she would just find connections to get the government-run ones.


    There were only able to extract one small basin of cream from the four buckets of milk that Deng Haichuan carried over.


    Deng Haichuan worriedly asked, ¡°What do we do with all these milk?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret, it won¡¯t be wasted.¡± Ye Jiayao replied. ¡°Get someone to tell Manager Qian that there will be a few new drinks in today¡¯s menu ¨C iced double milk, iced pinkdy,?and iced peach milk.¡±


    ¡°Cui Dongpeng, go buy 20 catty of bananas and eight big watermelons.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, help me make some glutinous rice balls. We¡¯ll use tomato juice, vegetable juice, and some purple cabbage juice. The size of the balls should be smaller than nails.¡±


    ¡°Tell Little Lu and Ah Xing to advertise to the customers these few drinks today.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave orders smoothly. The advantage of being the head chef was that she could call the shots in the kitchen without anyone questioning her.


    Shopkeeper Li heard that there were a few drinks added to the menu and they were all iced. He found that smart since on such a hot day, everyone would be craving for some refreshing ice-cold drinks. He wondered what kind of drinks would Li Yao make. They all have such interesting names, especially the iced pinkdy, and he was very intrigued.


    Shopkeeper Li came to the kitchen to personally find out what was going on.


    He first saw Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng pounding something on the table, which he found upon closer inspection, were bananas and watermelons. They seemed to be separately making a banana mash and watermelon juice. Zhong Xiang was at the corner making small glutinous riceballs of various colors.


    ¡°Li Yao, where is that pinkdy?¡± Shopkeeper Li asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao pointed at Cui Dongpeng and said, ¡°He¡¯s making it.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li scratched his head, a little worried. Li Yao was full of antics, giving an alluring name to a simple watermelon milk. What would the customers say? He wouldn¡¯t actually care as long as this gets him more money.


    All the customers this afternoon ordered drinks as expected. There were very few restaurants that carried iced drinks, and those that do, only served iced plum juice, iced white fungus or lotus seed soup. Everyone was sick of them. The drinks that Heavenly Residence was serving have such novel names, especially the iced pinkdy, and the customers were expectant.


    The waiter served the drinks in no time.


    The iced double milk was served in a top grade Long Quan ceramic bowl. The iced pinkdy was dished up in a small, expensive crystal bowl, while the iced peach milk was ced in an exquisite little bowl with a pink and white base.


    They all looked exquisite and Ye Jiayao knew that these alone would increase their grade.


    The iced double milk was slightly yellow in color, carrying a strong fragrance of milk and a hint of banana. It tasted smooth and thebination of the fragrances made the drink dance between the line of mellow and rich.


    The iced pinkdy has an alluring pink color of the watermelon juice and tasted as fresh as a 16-year-old beautiful woman.


    The iced peach milk?was pure white milk dotted with?small squares of yellow peach in the middle. Thebination of the colors yellow and white makes bodily fluids rise.


    The drinks weren¡¯t as simple as it seemed, however. With the scoop of a small silver spoon, the customers would find out that the drinks contained translucent glutinous rice balls of different colors. These rice balls looked cute but were also soft and chewy.


    Everyone in Heavenly Residence, from Shopkeeper Li to the runners and waiters, were nervously waiting for the reaction of the first customer who ordered the drinks.


    It was only Ye Jiayao who seemed unperturbed, she was focused on cooking dishes like it was just a normal workday.


    After what felt like an hour, Ah Xing walked out from the suite, smiling. He gave them a thumbs up and said, ¡°There are customers who want another bowl.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li heaved a long sigh of relief and said happily, ¡°Go get them.¡±


    The news spread to the kitchen and everyone cheered. Brother Yao was indeed full of ideas. Not only did he solve the problem of the leftover milk, he also managed to earn more money. They were even more impressed by him.


    Ye Jiayao pouted. She only made the simplest of drinks, what more if she was done making ice cream? They would surely go gaga over it. She wondered how much would it sell for. Haagen Dazs in the modern times was so expensive, but there were still people who buy it because it was marked as top-grade. The brand had be a form of fashion and a symbolism of status that¡¯s why everyone scrambled for it despite its hefty price tag.


    69 bowls of drinks were sold at lunchtime. Customers starteding in continuously just for drinks alone, and they managed to sell 20 more bowls. It was apparent that the news spread quickly over the city.


    Shopkeeper Li was smiling so much, his eyes almost disappeared.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, the remaining ingredients should be enough for another 70 to 80 bowls, but the milk and fruits are bought with my money,¡±?Ye Jiayao informed him.


    Shopkeeper Li smiled and said, ¡°im however much you used from the restaurant. From tomorrow onwards, whatever ingredients you need, the restaurant will pay for them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao calcted loudly, ¡°There is a total of three buckets of milk, a bucket costs six taels, including the transportation fee, it should be 20 taels, the fruits cost five taels, the ice also cost five taels, and the vegetables and all cost eight taels, including the transportation fee¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, stop that. Go to the ounts room and get 50 taels,¡± Shopkeeper Li said generously. Li Yao has smartly thought of this money-making and reputation-building method, a capital of 50 taels could easily be tripled.


    Ye Jiayao did not expect Shopkeeper Li to be so generous. Well, he was going to be earning a big profit from this, so she readily epted his offer. A few more taels would mean that she could buy a few more clothes.


    ¡°Li Yao, prepare more ingredients tomorrow. I reckon there will be more peopleing,¡± Shopkeeper Li reminded her.


    The people in Jin Ling liked to chase novel things and good food. This was sure to be an even bigger hit tomorrow. They might just hit the sales of 300 to 400 bowls.


    ¡°Brother Yao, Young Royal Highness Jing is looking for you,¡± Ah Xing reported.


    Ye Jiayao told Shopkeeper Li, ¡°I know there would be more demand tomorrow, but if we only sell 200 a day, people will find the stuff precious. It wouldn¡¯t be something that they could have anytime they want. The more that they can¡¯t have it, the more that they¡¯d want it. They¡¯re going toe here every day, not just for the drinks, but also for the other foods. Do you agree with me, Shopkeeper?


    Shopkeeper Li seemed to be speechless.


    Ye Jiayao bowed and said, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take a leave first.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li pondered over what Li Yao has said, and the more thought he gave it, the more he realized how right Li Yao was. That is the human nature ¨C the easier you get it, the less you will appreciate it.??<i>Wow! This little fellow is better at running a business than I am!</i>


    Ye Jiayao has actually a lot more tips in running a business, but she can¡¯t share them all because she was still thinking of opening her own restaurant!


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, what brings you here?¡± In front of outsiders, Ye Jiayao still abides by the rules and addresses Little Jing properly.


    Helian Jing¡¯s gaze flickered. ¡°I have some matters to ask you.¡±


    He managed to sneak out, after much difficulty, but he could not stay out for long. This was what his life came to, sneaking out like a thief. In the past, he was able toe and go as he pleased, staying out however long he wanted.


    Ye Jiayao told Ah Xing, ¡°Get Brother Xiang to make a bowl of iced double milk, put it on my tab.¡±


    Both of them headed to the Lotus Suite to talk.


    Helian Jing has spent almost the entire day thinking of how he should confront him. He hated how suspicious he was being. He was like a nagging woman! However, what Zhao Qixuan had said made sense. He has the right to find out what was going on.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, I came in a rush yesterday and I did not have the chance to ask how have you been these past few days,¡± Helian Jing stuttered.


    ¡°I am doing fine. I¡¯ll let you try mytest invention, the iced double milk.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled, hoping to put him at ease as Little Jing seemed to be a tad agitated.


    Helian Jing hesitated for a second before asking, ¡°You fell into the water the day before, are you okay?¡±


    Ye Jiayao spread her arms wide and said, ¡°Take a look at me. Don¡¯t I look okay?¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ then who saved you? I must thank him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pouted and answered, ¡°It is the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-son Lord, he happened to pass by.¡±


    Dumb Donkey didn¡¯t save her. She jumped on her own to get away from his demanding, meddlesome self. If it wasn¡¯t for him, she wouldn¡¯t have jumped in the river.


    Helian Jing said absent-mindedly, ¡°Oh, so it is Brother Chunyu! What a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it is quite a coincidence,¡± Ye Jiayao agreed drily.


    ¡°No wonder Zhao Qixuan said that he saw you and Brother Chunyu touring the Qin Huai riverst night. I thought he was just spouting nonsense!¡± Helian Jing observed Big Yaoyao¡¯s expression carefully.

 Chapter 69 - Brothers’ Quarrel

    <h4>Chapter 69: Brothers¡¯ Quarrel</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    As soon as he mentioned Zhao Qixuan, Ye Jiayao understood why Helian Jing seemed a little off today.??<i>That loquacious, homosexual man!?</i>?Zhao Qixuan must¡¯ve assumed that she and Chunyu were out doing unspeakable thingsst night. He must¡¯ve told Little Jingjing, scaring him enough to make hime all the way here just to fish for some information.


    To appease Little Jingjing, and also because she did not want to have anything to do with Xia Chunyu, she calmly replied, ¡°He did not make a mistake. To tell you honestly, the Heir-son Lord came to look for me the other day. However, I had a drop too many and I fell into the river, so he looked for me again. It was just all because of the incident where I asked Deng Haichuan to pretend to be me.¡±


    Helian Jing was surprised. ¡°What? He knows that?¡±


    ¡°He is so shrewd and could already tell what the problem was. He just watched you drink vinegar and medicine to prank you!¡±?Ye Jiayao spoke in a muffled voice.


    Helian Jing was horrified. ¡°Did¡­ did he make things difficult for you?¡±


    ¡°He thought I was some sort of bad person. He was afraid that I have ulterior motives for getting close to you, but it is all settled now, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Helian Jing suddenly stood up with indignance. ¡°How can Brother Chunyu do that? How can he just use you of having evil intentions when he doesn¡¯t even know you? I have already exined it to him that you¡¯re a good person! No, I will not let this pass. I¡¯m going to speak with him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao tugged at his hand to get him to sit back down. ¡°I said it is alright already. If you go look for him now, you¡¯ll just be finding trouble. Tsk tsk, Little Jing. Look at you, all hot-tempered, so quick to light just like a barrel of explosives. It¡¯s no wonder your brother is so worried about you.¡±


    ¡°My brother? When did you meet my brother?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    <i>Ugh!?</i>Ye Jiayao silently cursed her tongue. Why didn¡¯t she think first before speaking? To salvage the situation, she quickly said, ¡°I haven¡¯t. It¡¯s just... you said it yourself,?your brother is so strict towards you and he¡¯s not willing to let you handle important matters.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I guess you¡¯re right.¡± Helian Jing smiled embarrassedly, scratching his head.


    Now that he finally has some answers and the dark clouds above his head had dispersed, Helian Jing was d he didn¡¯t jump to conclusions. If he hade up here asking dumb, awkward questions, Big Yaoyao might¡¯ve kicked him down the stairs.


    <i>This is all Zhao Qixuan¡¯s fault!?</i>That fellow would see a strong wind and immediately assume that it was raining. He was just d that he reined himself in and didn¡¯t embarrass himself.


    Ah Xing served the iced double milk.


    ¡°Little Jing, quick, try it, this is my new invention,¡± Ye Jiayao said warmly.


    Helian Jing has absolute faith in Big Yaoyao¡¯s skills, but, after drinking a mouthful, he was still surprised at how good it tasted. ¡°Big Yaoyao... this... this is simply delicious.¡±


    It was sweet and fragrant, smooth and refreshing, and it quenched the thirst he worked up after rushing all the way here. This was the perfect drink for a hot summer day.


    ¡°If you like it, I can get Little Yang to send it over to you when I finish making it. What do you think about that?¡± Ye Jiayao smiled craftily.


    Helian Jing nodded absent-mindedly. ¡°Mmm-hmm...¡±


    He was on his third gulp when what Big Yaoyao said finally registered in his head. The glutinous rice balls he was about to eat fell back to the bowl. Helian Jing nced at Big Yaoyao timidly.


    ¡°Who is Little Yang? The waiter just now?¡± Helian Jing was determined to im innocence until the end.


    Ye Jiayao sneered.??<i>You are the worst liar ever, Little Jing.</i>


    He was lucky that she was feeling gracious today. Regardless, whatever he had done, Ye Jiayao knew that his heart was in the right ce. She would let him off easy this time.


    Helian Jing requested another bowl as soon as he finished. A littleter, even after gulping down three bowls, he was still unsatisfied.


    Ye Jiayao started to feel a bit guilty. Was she being too greedy using such a small bowl on purpose just to earn a few more taels?


    Shemented how pitiful the ancient people were. They were ecstatic just by a simple bowl of a child¡¯s drink. She imagined how they would react to the other delicacies in the modern times ¨C mango sago, lychee dew, kiwi ice shavings, and of course, her favorite, durian pancakes. Just thinking about all these foods was making her drool.


    In the future, she would need toe up with a way to make them all to satisfy her cravings and also earn more money.


    <i>Dishes and desserts all dominated by my recipe, a dessert shop next to my restaurant, a few boats in the river that includes the services of eating, drinking, and ying...</i>


    Ye Jiayao felt that the blueprint of her future was getting more and more achievable every day.


    After seeing Little Jingjing off, the restaurant immediately weed its first wave of climax ever since the departure of Head Chef Niu.


    Both the second and third floor was packed,?and the first floor was also swimming with people.


    There were only 89 bowls of chilled drinks and the demand was higher than the supply. Shopkeeper Li used this opportunity to dere the chilled drinks¡¯ limited avability.


    ¡°Because we could only get little ingredients, there will only be 200 bowls made every day. Our head chef, Li Yao, is trying very hard to solve this problem, but in the meantime, he hopes that everyone will be satisfied,¡± Shopkeeper Li announced. This also served as a push to Li Yao¡¯s fame and to get people talking about the uing culinarypetition.


    The drinks of Heavenly Residence be famous overnight.


    Li Yao¡¯s name also became known overnight, his poprity quickly rising.


    Ye Jiayao only came up with the drinks as a way not to waste the milk. She knew that they will be well-received but she didn¡¯t expect them to be this popr. She felt like she was going to go to a frenzy keeping up with everyone¡¯s demand.


    Meanwhile, the Helian Mansion was turned upside down by a quarrel.


    Upon returning to the mansion, Helian Xuan heard that when Mother was busy entertaining Madame Xia You of the Jing An Marquis, Little Jing took the chance to sneak out to Heavenly Residence. He was instantly furious.


    He originally suspected that Little Jing was only feigning illness. He suspected that it had something to do with whatever Zhao Qixuan had told him, but for once, he chose to believe in his younger brother. Little Jing had only proven that he could not trust him.


    Helian Xuan went in search for Little Jing, his stomach unsettled with anger.


    Little Jing sat leisurely on the Rohan couch, conversing with the housekeeper about the matters regarding the birthday feast.


    ¡°I have settled with the He Chun troupe, but are we still getting the acrobatic troupe?¡± the housekeeper asked.


    Helian Jing answered in a matter-of-fact tone, ¡°Of course! The women like to watch shows so we invited the best acting troupe, however, the men cannot stand the noise, acrobatics are more exciting. This way, everyone watches what they want. Hire the one I told you about, the troupe that does handstands and knows how to do magic, the one in front of the Cheng Huang Temple. We can¡¯t hire the ones doing stuff with knives and fire, that would not be good for the olddy¡¯s birthday feast.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then I shall follow your orders.¡±


    Helian Jing stopped him. ¡°Wait, has Fu Ji sent the menu over?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. They said they will do it as soon as possible.¡±


    Helian Jing sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t they do this thing often? Drafting a menu should be as easy as ABC. It has already been two days! If they can¡¯t do it, they should say it soon. It¡¯s not like there is no one else who can do it.¡±


    He only approached Zheng Fugui because he has no choice. He was still very unwilling.


    Helian Jing suddenly spotted his big brothere in the room with a dark face. He immediately stood up and said to the housekeeper, ¡°You¡¯re dismissed.¡±


    The housekeeper bowed respectfully and took his leave.


    Helian Jing smiled and weed, ¡°Brother, you¡¯re back!¡±


    ¡°Where have you been today?¡±?Helian Xuan asked him in a low voice, ring.


    ¡°In the mansion!¡±


    ¡°You still dare to lie to me? Were you in the mansion this afternoon?¡± Helian Xuan¡¯s expression clearly showed his fury.


    Helian Jing looked down guiltily. Whichever big-mouth had tattled on him would be very sorry.


    ¡°You went to Heavenly Residence in the afternoon and chatted with Li Yao for an hour in the Lotus Suite before rushing back to the mansion. Little Jing, do you think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been up to? Do you think Ping An is still keeping an eye on Li Yao? Does that Li Yao attract you so much that you cannot control yourself?¡± Helian Xuan asked aggressively.


    He had thought that separating them would make Little Jingjing¡¯s feelings fade away, but again, it looked like he thought wrong.?At first, he wanted this matter to die down quietly. If word gets out of this?<i>affliction?</i>, it will taint Little Jing¡¯s reputation and also the Helian Mansion¡¯s reputation.


    However, he has now reached the state where he has no choice but to poke a hole in the window paper.


    If other means do not work, he has to use the simplest method ¨C suppression. It just might be the most effective one.


    Helian Jing looked up, stunned. He looked at his big brother with disbelief in his eyes which slowly morphed into anger and shame.


    ¡°Brother, you sent someone to stalk me? What do you see me as? A three-year-old child? You¡¯re having me followed everywhere I go? What, I can¡¯t have some freedom now?¡±


    Big Yaoyao was the first person in 16 years to touch his heart. He made him understand what a soulmate is, someone that you could let your guard down with, someone you could open up to.


    He liked to eat her cooking, liked to talk to her, and whenever he was with him, he felt at ease. He was not afraid that he¡¯d be looked down upon. There was no hypocriticalpliments and ttery.


    Even though he was the Young Royal Highness who holds a very precious position, finding someone like that was very difficult.


    When he heard that Brother Chunyu and Big Yaoyao toured the river at night, the first thing he thought of was how unsafe it would be for Big Yaoyao if he and Chunyu really had an ambiguous rtionship. The Jing An Marquis would kill him.


    It was not jealousy but worry for Big Yaoyao¡¯s safety.


    This thought gave him the courage to challenge his brother. For the past weeks, he had been unsure and afraid to tell his brother about Big Yaoyao¡¯s existence. He was afraid that Helian Xuan would behave like Zhao Qixuan had suggested and misunderstood their rtionship. He was afraid that he would do things to harm Big Yaoyao.


    Helian Xuan stared at his younger brother with wide eyes. He was extremely shocked. Ever since he was suppressed for half a year when he was 12, Little Jing has always been very obedient and submissive in front of him. He never dared to raise his voice.


    Today, he actually raised his voice at him.


    ¡°I think you are worse than a three-year-old child. You¡¯re mixing with a bunch of indecent people all the time. Look at yourself, what have you be? Leaving home just like that, not sparing a thought to your family members. Now you have even followed in the footsteps of that Zhao Qixuan! Did you ever think how Mum would feel if he knows that you... you...¡± Helian Xuan could not even bring himself to say the words.


    Helian Jing found it darkly hrious that his brother could not even bring himself to say the words. He retorted, ¡°What have I be? What did I learn from Zhao Qixuan, Brother? You despise me for being useless... yes, I could neverpare to you. You went out to war with Father when you were only 14 and you¡¯ve umted so much merit over the years. I am not as good as you, but I am not a coward either. I am so useless because you¡¯ve always refused to give me a chance! You¡¯ve never even considered my feelings.¡±


    Helian Xuan found this argument ridiculous and off-topic. His uselessness was not the subject here. It was regarding the mansion¡¯s reputation.


    Helian Xuan sneered, ¡°Stop changing the topic. You know what you have done. Do you really want me to say it out loud? Do you really want to lose face that bad?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I want to know what kind of heinous crime I havemitted to warrant an anger like this,¡± Helian Jing snapped back.

 Chapter 70 - Who The Hell Are You

    <h4>Chapter 70: Who The Hell Are You</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Xuan was about to explode with anger. Why was Little Jing still denying it when all the facts were already clear?


    ¡°Tell me, are you in love with that fellow Li Yao?¡± Helian Xuan questioned.


    Helian Jing blinked, momentarily stupefied. Then he doubled over and busted outughing.


    ¡°How can youugh about this? Don¡¯t you know how embarrassing this is? All your life, I¡¯ve set up a good example for you, I don¡¯t know how you¡¯ve be...?<i>this.?</i>?Helian Jing stopughing!¡± Helian Xuan clenched his fists, fighting the urge to p his brother sober.


    Helian Jing wasughing so much he had tears rolling down his face. He tried to stop, he really did, but it took him about a few more minutes of roaring out loud before he could pull himself together.


    ¡°Brother, I thought only brains like Zhao Qixuan¡¯s would think of something like that. You even managed to be more preposterous than him! I am close with Li Yao because he is my rescuer. If not for him, I would¡¯ve had to??<i>beg?</i>?my way back to Jin Ling. Besides, we click together very well, even more than the other princes and noblemen. Brother, we are close, but Li Yao and I are only friends,¡± Helian Jing exined.


    Helian Xuan scoffed, ¡°If that¡¯s really just the case, then why are you trying to hide it? Why are you always sneaking around to meet him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I am afraid you would put too much into it ¨C just like you¡¯re doing now. I don¡¯t want to cause him harm.¡±


    Helian Xuan was quiet for a while. When he finally spoke, his voice was low as he said, ¡°Do you swear to heaven that there really is no such thing going on?¡±


    ¡°Brother, if someone says you and Brother Chunyu are having??<i>that?</i>?kind of rtionship, how would you feel? You¡¯re both of age and you¡¯ve yet to get married. If you really want to talk about suspicious...¡± Helian Jing hinted.


    Helian Xuan??<i>really?</i>?wanted to smack his brother then. However, as mad as he was, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit impressed that Little Jing actually had learned how to checkmate him.


    ¡°What is all this ruckus about?¡± Princess Yu De demanded. She had heard from a servant that the brothers were fighting so she came over to see what was going on.


    Helian Jing quickly replied, ¡°Mother, it is nothing. Big Brother is lecturing me because he heard that I want to hire acrobats.¡±


    Princess Yu De looked at both her sons with suspicious eyes. She asked Helian Xuan with a stern face, ¡°Xuan-er, is this true?¡±


    Helian Xuan red at Little Jing and answered, ¡°It is Grandmother¡¯s birthday, I don¡¯t see the reason why he should invite acrobats.¡±


    ¡°Little Jing has already discussed this with me. Honestly, son, I don¡¯t think it is such a big deal. You men don¡¯t like to watch opera shows and an acrobatic act to entertain you instead is not a bad idea,¡± Princess Yu De said.


    Helian Jing looked at him smugly.


    Helian Xuan rolled his eyes at his little brother. Mother?has always pampered Little Jing. If hees to her with no evidence of his suspicions, she¡¯d just end up siding with Helian Jing just like what she was doing now. He had to put this matter with Li Yao on hold for now until he could gather concrete evidence.


    ¡°Xuan-ere with Mother, I have some things to discuss with you,¡± Princess Yu De told Helian Xuan.


    As soon as his mother and brother left, Helian Jing leaned back on the couch, heaving a huge sigh of relief.


    Ye Jiayao has already taught everyone how to make the chilled drinks so she doesn¡¯t have to oversee it that much. There really weren¡¯t many skills involved, but of course, they couldn¡¯t let the customers know that. They had to make the drinks sound as magical andplicated as possible to keep attracting patrons.


    Extracting agar alone used up a whole day of work. The next step would be drying it in a shady area, and toplete the whole work, it would require about half a month¡¯s time.


    She could finally get on with her n of shopping for clothes and trying out the other restaurants¡¯ food that has been dyed for two days.


    Ye Jiayao was going to go shopping after the lunch orders. For the past few days, the newly served chilled drinks brought so many businesses that there were almost always no seats vacant during lunchtime. The restaurant at night, however, was a lot quieter so she could afford to leave for a bit.


    She just stepped out the hall when she saw a young man rudely pointing a finger at Manager Qian, scolding him.


    ¡°What kind of lousy restaurant is this? You¡¯re only selling 20 bowls of chilled drinks so that the people wille back every day? You¡¯re just trying to cheat people on purpose! Don¡¯t you know that I can close this restaurant down?¡±


    Little Lu told Ye Jiayao softly, ¡°That person is here for the chilled drinks, but since it¡¯s sote, he didn¡¯t manage to get any, so he just settled on scolding everyone.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. It was inevitable that they¡¯d run into someone difficult. Hopefully, Manager Qian would be able to handle this well.


    ¡°Also, your head chef, Li something, who does he think he is? Does he think he¡¯s a master chef to limit only 200 bowls a day?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took back her earlier stance on letting Manager Qian handle the situation. She sashayed over to them, her eyes squinted as she looked over the chap with such a loud voice.


    He has quite the looks with his willow brows, almond eyes, jade-like nose, and delicate red lips. He was shorter than her by around four to five centimeters.<i>Another brat who has yet to be fully grown.</i>


    Ye Jiayao made a show of sniffing around. ¡°Mm? What¡¯s so smelly? Manager Qian, did you fart?¡±


    Manager Qian blushed, replying embarrassedly, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Who farted?¡±


    Ye Jiayao went to the young boy¡¯s side and sniffed again. She eximed, ¡°Oh! So that smell is from you.¡±


    The young boy¡¯s face flushed red, her willow brows raised so high. ¡°Who the hell are you? If you dare to spout that filthy lie again, I¡¯ll have your head cut off.¡±


    Ye Jiayao used her hand to fan her nose lightly. ¡°Sir, you have a lot of internal heat. I think your constipation must be very serious, otherwise, your breath would not stink so much.¡±


    Little Lu and Ah Xing standing by the side snorted, trying to stifle theirughter. Brother Yao was too sarcastic.


    The young boy was so angry he was shaking. He pointed a finger at Ye Jiayao and stammered, ¡°You... you...¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her chin defiantly. ¡°You, you what? There is nock of princes, noblemen, and influential officials who eat here. There are a great number of them who return after not getting to try the chilled drinks. Unlike you, they don¡¯tck proper manners andmon human decency. Ha! Who are you to make threats about closing the restaurant and cutting people¡¯s head off?


    ¡°If you¡¯re really that affronted just because you were not served chilled drinks, let¡¯s take this to court. I¡¯m sure people would love to hear your side of the story, you know, fighting for your right to chilled drinks and whatnot. Come to think of it, maybe they¡¯d think your certifiable, but they could also think that Heavenly Residence¡¯s drinks are just that good. Win-win for us.¡±


    The brat looked at Ye Jiayao incredulously. This young boy who was dressed so shabbily was actually lecturing??<i>her. Her.?</i>?Worst of all, she was unable to p back because she can¡¯t have people finding out her identity.


    ¡°You¡­ I¡¯m not going to talk to someone who is so full of crap anymore. Just wait and see.¡±


    The brat walked away furiously with the good-looking servant boy who came with him hurrying behind him.


    Manager Qian smiled and gave Li Yao a big thumbs up. ¡°That was awesome! You sent him off with just a few sentences.¡±


    ¡°However, judging by that chap¡¯s dressing, he doesn¡¯t look like someone ordinary. Is it okay to offend him?¡± Manager Qian worried a bit.


    Ye Jiayao shrugged, indifferent. ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? We have the right to send him away, we are not in the wrong. If this gets out, it won¡¯t be us who would lose face. Next time you encounter someone as difficult as him, just stand straight and hold your ground. There¡¯s no need to be afraid of bullies like him.¡±


    ¡°Big Brother Yao is formidable,¡± Little Lu and Ah Xing praised. It was not their first time to encounter such a rude customer, and as waiters, they almost always took the brunt of the people¡¯s displeasure. Today, although that young mister was not targeting them, they were still delighted to see Brother Yao show off his prowess.


    That young master exited angrily, murmuring, ¡°Infuriating, infuriating! I must get my revenge on that chap.¡±


    The servant advised, ¡°Princess, just let it go. If the empress dowager finds out that you sneaked out of the pce, there will be many more people who will be punished. There is no need to take a poor fellow so seriously!¡±


    ¡°Little Ya, I cannot just silently take this insult. I have already risked getting scolded by the empress dowager by sneaking out just to try the chilled drinks, and all I got was a slew of insults. I might as well take this fellow down if I¡¯m going to get in trouble anyways,¡± Princess Liu Li said, kicking a stone in her path angrily.


    ¡°Princess, calm down, please. That fellow looks like he works in the restaurant, so when you return, you can just find some reason to arrest him. You can vent your anger at him however you want when the timees,¡± Little Ya reasoned.


    Princess Liu Li¡¯s smiled and patted Little Ya on the shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s a fine idea. After all, it is never toote for revenge.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked to the most flourishing decorated archway. There were many shops here selling ready-made clothes as well as silks and satins. Fu Ji was also just around the corner, and she could head straight there for dinner after getting her clothes.


    Ye Jiayao entered the shop that does not stand out and was also quiet in business. She chose three sets of clothes, two sets of normal cotton clothing, and a set of slightly better silk clothes, spending a total of six taels. Ye Jiayao put on the silk clothes merrily. She gave the helper of the satin shop five coppers as tips to get him to send the other two sets of clothes to Laifu Motel. She still has to go out to eat and she didn¡¯t want to carry a baggage as she does.


    When Ye Jiayao came out of the shop, it was still a little early to eat so she decided to walk around and familiarize herself with this ancient city.


    ¡°Princess, princess..¡± Little Ya tugged on the princess¡¯ sleeve urgently.


    Liu Li red at her with herrge, round eyes. ¡°What¡¯s the fuss about?¡±


    Little Ya corrected herself, ¡°Young Master, look at the person there! Isn¡¯t that the chap from Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Liu Li looked towards the direction Little Ya was pointing at.??<i>Hey, that¡¯s the chap!?</i>?He has changed clothes and looked a bit more human now, but he was still detestable.


    ¡°Go ask around in the shop he just entered,¡± Liu Li ordered.


    Little Ya went to ask. She came out after a while with a grin. ¡°Young Master, that chap is Li Yao! He is staying in the Laifu Motel, and he even got the worker to send his clothes back to the inn.¡±


    <i>I¡¯m going to get even with you, Li Yao.</i>


    ¡°Let¡¯s follow him.¡±


    Little Ya protested, ¡°But Young Master, it is not early anymore, what if¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop nagging! It is not dinnertime yet, no one will be looking for us.¡± Liu Li had already gone to so much trouble just to sneak out, she didn¡¯t want to return without achieving anything.


    Ye Jiayao browsed through a few female products in a stall. There were hairpins, earrings, cosmetics, and many more. They all looked so beautiful that she wanted to buy some, but since she was a ¡®man¡¯ at the moment, she really couldn¡¯t use them. She bought a white jade hairpin, though, to gift to Li Erniang.


    Just as she was about to leave, a beggar ran over, knocking into her.


    ¡°Ay, watch where you¡¯re going!¡± Ye Jiayao cried out.


    The beggar bowed and apologized profusely, even offering to help Ye Jiayao up.


    ¡°Forget it, forget it, just be careful next time.¡± Ye Jiayao waved her hand, she did not wish to make things difficult for a child.


    The beggar turned away and ran off.


    Ye Jiayao took a few steps away before she felt that something was off. She felt around for her money pouch, it was still there, but it didn¡¯t feel right.


    She pulled it off to look at it and gasped.


    This money pouch was not hers!

 Chapter 71 - Who Is Pranking Who

    <h4>Chapter 71: Who Is Pranking Who</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Before she could even process what was going on, someone bumped into her again.


    The person walked away without even a backward nce.


    <i>What the hell? Have I suddenly be invisible? Why is everyone knocking into me?</i>


    She red daggers at hertest attacker¡¯s back before she focused back on the money pouch that just appeared out of nowhere. This pouch was a lot heavier than hers, but??<i>where did my money pouch go?</i>


    ¡°Aiya, my money pouch is gone!¡± the person who had bumped into her screamed, looking back at Ye Jiayao.


    It was that rude young man from the restaurant earlier!


    ¡°Aha! You bumped into me purposely just to steal my money!¡± Liu Li used, pointing at the money pouch in Ye Jiayao¡¯s hands.


    The passersby gathered around both of them, wanting to get in on the gossip. They all looked at Ye Jiayao with disgusted eyes and talked among themselves.


    ¡°He does not even dress like a poor person, why must he steal¡­¡±


    ¡°You really can¡¯t judge a book by its cover. Do you think only beggars dressed in rags will steal?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Perhaps dressing this way would make it more convenient to steal since people won¡¯t suspect him¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally understood what was going on. She has fallen into the trap of this young chap.??<i>This f*cking undergrown brat. What a sore loser.</i>


    ¡°Young Master, this prank is not funny at all. If you¡¯re trying to get back at me for all the things I said to you back at the restaurant, then I apologize. Take your money pouch back and return mine. Tomorrow, I will reserve two cups of chilled drinks just for you, you cane anytime you like,¡± Ye Jiayao cated, knowing that if she didn¡¯t give in, things would only get worse.


    The corner of Liu Li¡¯s mouth turned up in an undetectable sneer. It was toote now. She already had been humiliated and a princess would never forgive that.


    ¡°I have no idea what you are talking about.¡± Liu Li then turned to the crowd and said loudly, ¡°This petty thief stole from me, and to get away from punishment, he¡¯s talking nonsense, making it seem like we know each other. Look, he is holding my money pouch in his hands! There are five taels of golden leaves and a 100-tael banknote in there. If you don¡¯t believe me, get him to open it. Guys, please be my witnesses, and I will give each and every one of you a tael. I despise petty thieves the most so I¡¯ll make sure that this one will get the appropriate punishment!¡±


    The crowd¡¯s mood rose upon hearing that there would be a reward for those who would be a witness. Everyone started shouting their support for Liu Li.


    ¡°Little brother, we will be your witness! Drag him to the court.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gritted her teeth.??<i>Fine.?I tried to y nice but you insisted on being a jerk.??</i><i>You wanna y, little guy? Let¡¯s y.</i>


    Ye Jiayao straightened her back and turned to the crowd. ¡°What are you all shouting about? And why are you here? This is a fight between husband and wife, why are you all meddling in our affair?¡±


    Everyone was dumbstruck. Husband and wife? They were obviously both male!


    Liu Li was stunned, too. Did he see through her disguise?


    While everyone was in a state of shock, Ye Jiayao bowed to Liu Li and said in a low voice, ¡°Little Su, I understand your intentions. I feel the same for you, and my love is definitely no lesser than yours, it¡¯s just... Father disapproves. I can¡¯t just defy him especially now that he fell ill from worrying over our rtionship. I am the only son in my family, Little Su, and if I take on this path, Father will die of anger. I love you so much but I can¡¯t be with you. I know you¡¯re angry and I don¡¯t me you. Hit me, kick me, do whatever you want... just know that I will never stop loving you. I will pray that hopefully, in the next life, we¡¯d finally be able to be together the way we want to.¡±


    After Xia Chunyu told her that Zhao Qixuan was gay, Ye Jiayao asked around about the Heir-son Lord¡¯s love affairs. He was, indeed, the most famous homosexual in the city. It was also well-known that he was very much in love with someone called Little Su. They were Ye Jiayao¡¯s muses for this particr acting show.


    ¡°So the two of them are gay¡­¡±


    ¡°Aiyo! What a sin! Two fine young men just became¡­¡±


    ¡°You really can¡¯t me him. If it is my son who goes on this crooked path, I would die of anger, too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡­¡±


    Everyone was deceived by that depressingly loving look in Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes. They don¡¯t see Ye Jiayao as a thief anymore, but rather, just as a pitiful pervert. Liu Li became the repulsive pervert. His lover¡¯s father was ill, and still, he wouldn¡¯t give in.


    Liu Li¡¯s head spun at how the events had changed so rapidly. How did that poor chap gain the upper hand?


    ¡°Who is your Little Su¡­¡± Liu Li was flustered and panicked.


    Ye Jiayao was not going to give him the chance to say anything else that will get the people in his favor. With a voice full of sorrow, she said, ¡°Little Su, remember, whether it is in this life, or the next, or the ones after that, you will always be my Little Su.¡±


    Ye Jiayao did not know how she kept from shuddering as she said that.


    ¡°Little brother, you have to understand his situation! Stop kicking up a fuss.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! This is not a glorious matter. Why are you making a fuss on the streets, aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡±


    Everyone¡¯s mood dampened. The ancient people were very?conservative and were generally against this kind of things. They would tolerate Young Masters ying around like this and creating a scene, but they really do not have the patience when ites from ordinary folks.


    The crowd dispersed, mumbling their displeasure.


    ¡°Ay, don¡¯t go away! I don¡¯t know him! He really did steal my money pouch!¡± Liu Li stomped her feet angrily.


    Ye Jiayao winked at him.??<i>Ha! That serves you right, you horrible fellow.</i>


    Little Ya, who was ordered to hide in a corner far away, rushed over to the princess as soon as she saw what happened. ¡°Pr- um, Young Master...¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s eyes were glistening with tears. She was so angry that all she could do was cry and re at Li Yao who was giving her a smug look.


    Her parents had passed away early so she grew up by the empress dowager¡¯s side. The empress dowager held her dear in her heart, pampering and loving her so much that even the emperor and empress have to give in to her to some degree. She had always been the one doing the bullying because no one had ever dared to go against her.


    Today, she was insulted and humiliated??<i>twice?</i>?by the same poor fellow!


    ¡°Li Yao, you jerk! I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Liu Li bellowed


    The onlookers who have yet to leavepletely believed in Ye Jiayao¡¯s story upon hearing that high-pitched bellow.


    Ye Jiayao winced at the sound. His bellow had the power of a shrewd wife¡¯s. She was not at all surprised that he knew her identity. It was clear that this nobleman was not one to lose graciously so he must¡¯ve done some digging around to take revenge on her.


    ¡°I told you, your internal heat is too strong. That¡¯s not very good. That would give you constipation, a bad liver, and skin rash. Go home and take some cooling medicine. Next time, don¡¯t leave home without your medications, alright? You¡¯re polluting other people¡¯s air,¡± Ye Jiayao said harshly.


    If not for her quick wits, she would have probably ended up beaten by the crowd, tied up, and paraded through the streets just because this brat can¡¯t take a lecture. She was not going to go easy on him.


    Just when Liu Li was sure that she was about tobust with anger, she saw a familiar face in the distance. ted, she immediately ran over to him and pulled on his sleeves.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, someone stole my money pouch and refuses to admit it. He even bullied me! You have to stand up for me!¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked down at the person pestering him, shocked. ¡°Princess Liu Li,?what are you doing outside the pce?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not important! You have to fight for me, or... or I¡¯m not returning to the pce and I will say that you are the one who brought me out,¡± Liu Li threatened.


    Xia Chunyu took a deep breath, his eye twitching in annoyance.??<i>Of course, I get to be your scapegoat. Apparently, I don¡¯t have enough stubborn, pain-in-the-ass women on my hands.</i>


    ¡°Tell me, Princess, who dares to bully you?


    Liu Li pointed at Li Yao. ¡°Him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao cursed her luck when she realized that the brat was asking help from Xia Chunyu. This was the one time that she gets to shop and she immediately runs into him. Was Jin Ling that small? Or does Dumb Donkey just doesn¡¯t have anything to do other than roam the streets?


    Ye Jiayao wanted to run but the brat¡¯s servant was firmly grasping her arm, refusing to let go.


    Xia Chunyu followed the direction of the princess¡¯s finger and got his second shock in minutes.


    <i>Yaoyao?</i>


    How did she provoke Princess Liu Li? This spoiled girl was the most?demanding master of all of Jin Ling!


    Yaoyao¡¯s ability to create trouble has certainly increased.


    For three days, he had tried very hard to control himself and not look for her. For that whole three days, he was ill at ease, dispirited in all his tasks, and just in miserable. He told himself that if this continues for two more days, he would cease torturing himself and just go see her. The opportunity came earlier than expected?and with more headache than he had nned.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, bring him to the court and give him a good beating. Make him squat in jail until he dies.¡±


    It was clear to Xia Chunyu that Liu Li¡¯s hate for Yaoyao was very strong.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret, Princess. Wait for me here and I¡¯ll get to the bottom of this.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to ¡®get to the bottom of¡¯! He bullied me and he made a fool out of me. I have never been so humiliated in my life. I want him to die.¡± Brother Chunyu was about to be her husband soon, it was only right that he helps her with anything she demanded.


    Ye Jiayao stood in ce in annoyance, waiting for Dumb Donkey toe over.


    After Xia Chunyu calmed Liu Li down, he walked over to Yaoyao and gave her a cold look. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why did you do the princess?¡±


    <i>Princess??</i>Ye Jiayao looked at the pouting chap who was staring daggers at her. He¡¯s actually a woman? And a princess? Well, that exined why she was so unruly and arrogant.


    <i>But... what is the rtionship between this princess and Dumb?Donkey??</i>The two of them seemed very close.


    Ye Jiayao threw the money pouch in her hand to Xia Chunyu and concisely ryed to him what had happened. She made sure that she had exined herself very clearly as she was going against a princess.


    ¡°Okay. So you¡¯re telling me that she spoke rudely in Heavenly Residence so you taught her a lesson. After that, she followed you here, gets a beggar to take your money pouch and rece it with hers to frame you for stealing?¡± Xia Chunyu repeated.


    Ye Jiayao put on a fake smile. ¡°Heir-Son Lord has a smart mind. So in this case, are you?going to side with reason, or with someone of noble blood like you?¡±

 Chapter 72 - Dine And Dash

    <h4>Chapter 72: Dine And Dash</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu sighed helplessly. Why must she be so sarcastic all the time? Does she really despise him that much?


    Liu Li retorted angrily, ¡°Nice try. Why don¡¯t you spin another tale again, Brother Chunyu is not so easily deceived.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. This woman was so fake she doesn¡¯t see how anyone would believe her.


    Xia Chunyu handed the money pouch to Liu Li. ¡°Princess, Li Yao is my friend, and he¡¯s also a friend of Young Royal Highness Jing. If he has offended you in any way, I apologize on his behalf.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, what did you say?¡±?Liu Li asked in disbelief, thinking that she misheard him.


    Ye Jiayao snorted and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize on my behalf. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. She was the one being disrespectful to the people in the restaurant, I only lectured her about her behavior. I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s a princess, I¡¯m not apologizing for something I didn¡¯t do.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t going to apologize to this retarded, arrogant princess. She must learn that not everyone was going to bend to her whims just because of her title.


    Liu Li red at Li Yao in disbelief, wondering where he got the audacity to speak like that. He really didn¡¯t care that she¡¯s a princess? Wasn¡¯t he just chef from a restaurant? He was no match for her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care for apologies. I want you to pay for your arrogance,¡± Liu Li seethed, her anger boiling hot. For a second, she has considered letting it all go since her husband-to-be requested it, but she has quickly changed her mind.


    Xia Chunyu said gently, ¡°Princess, why is there a need to get angry at him? Won¡¯t doing so just lower your status?¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened her mouth to speak but stopped short when Xia Chunyu gave her a malicious re. He looked like he was going to eat her up if she talked. She shut up unwillingly, silently protesting his words. What did he mean by ¡®lowering the princess¡¯ status by getting angry at her¡¯? If anything, it was Ye Jiayao lowering her status by getting angry at someone who was so clearly off her rocker.


    ¡°Besides, if this matter gets out of hand, the empress dowager would find out that you sneaked out of the pce. Since she¡¯s ill at the moment, any anger or strain may cause unfortunate events, especially since she dotes on you so much.¡± Xia Chunyu intentionally emphasized the empress dowager. Liu Li might be unruly and willful, but she was definitely afraid of the empress dowager.


    ¡°But...¡± Liu Li was unwilling to let Li Yao off just like that.


    ¡°I will teach him a lesson. I would even get Helian Jing to join in. We will stand up for you, Princess, just let this go.¡± Xia Chunyu could really be persuasive when he wanted to be. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get you back to the pce, it¡¯s already gettingte.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nearly pushed the princess in his haste to get her away. He turned around and fiercely told Ye Jiayao, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of you when Ie back.¡±


    Then he gave his guards a meaningful nce.


    Ye Jiayao was so pissed off she very nearly threw a shoe at his head. Logically, she knew that he was just helping her, but she didn¡¯t like seeing him hold another woman. She didn¡¯t like him with another woman, period.


    After that whole fiasco, Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t really in the mood to eat. However, this meal was for work. When she has just entered the workforce in the modern times, she was warned from day one not to bring her personal emotions to work. Work life and personal life should always be kept separate.


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath, steeled her nerves, and marched into Fu Ji.


    Fu Ji was indeed deserving of its title as Jin Ling¡¯s big boss in the food and beverage industry. In that expensive city center, the restaurant was unexpectedly an imposing and grand three-story tall building, its area more than twice that of Heavenly Residence¡¯s. Its interior was decorated simply but elegantly, it was low-key luxurious.?She heard that this building was Zheng Fugui¡¯s personal property.


    The ambiance of the restaurant and its interior design was a solid five-star on her ratings.


    Ye Jiayao smacked her lips in anticipation. A well-established restaurant was really a good money-making business.


    She was here alone so she opted to seat on a space?in the hall on the first floor instead of upying a suite.


    The waiter served her tea and brought the menu over, smiling warmly. ¡°You look quite unfamiliar, sir, is it your first time in Fu Ji? Would you like me to rmend some of our specialty dishes? I guarantee that you¡¯ll be satisfied with them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Sure, let¡¯s hear them.¡±


    ¡°How does Fu Ji brewed stew, Fu Ji sauce meat, and Fu Ji all happiness soup sound? I would rmend a te of crab roe steamed dumplings for the main since it is our signature dish. The skin is soft and thin, and the soup is delicious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave another five stars for the waiter¡¯s service.


    He was passionate but not overly so. He did not fawn over his customer and he also didn¡¯t sound like he¡¯s rehearsed what to say. He was good at making the customer feelfortable. He also rmended dishes with a reasonable fusion of both vegetables and meat, not cheap, but not too expensive either.


    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go with that!¡± Ye Jiayao was targeting their specialty dishes today, anyway.


    ¡°Would you like some wine? We have pure Gao Liang Shao, authentic Shao Xing Nv Er Hong, Zhuang Yuan Hong, and also rice wine from Jin Hua prefecture. If you do not like alcohol, we also have chilled sour plum juice, white fungus and lotus seed soup. They¡¯re perfect for such a hot day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao considered her options for a while before settling on a bowl of chilled sour plum juice.


    ¡°Alright, please wait for a moment. I will arrange for your dishes to be served.¡± The waiter walked away smiling.


    As she waited for the dishes,?Ye Jiayao went about observing the customersing in the restaurant. They came in wave after wave and it did not take long before the whole hall was fully seated. It made her envious as Heavenly Residence did not have such good business at night.


    The dishes were served in record time. However, Ye Jiayao did not immediately dive into eating. Instead, she first observed the appearance of the dishes.


    The brewed stew was cooked in a vessel, the various ingredients were equal in thickness and length, and it looked lustrous and translucent under the light. There was ayer of raw vegetable underneath and the top was decorated with shiitake mushrooms, big shrimps, fried fish maw, and a few thin spring onions. It looked exquisite.


    If the food served in the hall was this good, the ting for the customers in the suites must be beyondpare.


    The Fu Ji sauce meat has six pieces of streaky pork ced evenly in the center of the te, surrounded by fresh and vibrantly green broli florets. The meat was ruddy, glistening with oil, and the fragrance assails the nostrils pleasantly.


    Just from the color of the meat alone, it was apparent that the chefs in Fu Ji have a very urate gauge of the coloring procedure. For the coloring, the modtion of the red food dye rice flour is of utmost importance. Too thick and the color would be diluted, resulting in a color that was not red enough. Also, if they stewed it for too long, or too short, the color would not take hold.


    Last came Fu Ji all happiness soup. It contained ck chicken, freshwater soft-shelled turtle shell, prawns, hoof tip, the core of Jinhua Ham, shiitake mushroom, and many more. There was an abundance of ingredients and the fragrance was strong and rich, a little like the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.


    After she has cataloged how all the dishes looked, she then began to dig in leisurely.


    The various stripped ingredients in the brewed stew consisted of carp, prawn, and pork meat. They were chopped till mushy and mixed together with some pepper. The texture was soft, chewy, and smooth.


    <i>Five points.</i>


    The sauce meat melted in her mouth almost immediately. She had nothing else to say.


    <i>Five points.</i>


    For the soup, she could only say one word:??<i>fresh.</i>


    Ye Jiayao silently cheered in admiration. Despite how divine the food tasted, she knew that all the dishes in the main hall were only made by the first-ss kitchen hands. The head chef and master chef were usually only in charge of the food for the customers in the suites.


    The standard of this first-ss kitchen hand was higher than that of Zhong Xiang¡¯s. If the kitchen hand¡¯s skill was already of this caliber, Ye Jiayao could only imagine how formidable the head chef and the master chef must be.


    If it was just apetition of culinary skills, she doesn¡¯t have that high of a chance of winning. Her only chance was to impress with novelty. However, she has yet to try Zheng Fugui or his son¡¯s skills, so she really couldn¡¯te to any definite conclusion.


    Ye Jiayao savored every bite of her meal as it was not every day that she gets to have free meals this exquisite. Ye Jiayao ate so much that she felt like her stomach was going to burst. Although she has yet to finish all of the food, she could not eat another bite. She was just about to settle the bill when she thought of a very serious problem.


    Her money pouch got swiped by the little beggar upon the orders of that unruly princess, and she has already returned the princess¡¯s money pouch.


    She was currently penniless.


    Ye Jiayao broke out in cold sweat, looking timidly at the waiter. The waiter smiled and quickly walked over to her. He asked, ¡°Sir, do you want to pay the bill now?¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly replied, ¡°No, not yet. The food in your restaurant is too good, I feel like I won¡¯t do the chef justice if I don¡¯t finish them all.¡±


    She picked her chopsticks back up and started eating the broli.


    The waiter smiled again. ¡°Enjoy your meal, sir.¡±


    <i>What to do? What to do?</i>


    Was she just going to dine and dash? No, that was not possible. She was sitting at the innermost part of the hall and she would have to pass around six waiters and a doorman in order to get to the exit.


    There were no phones in this era, she couldn¡¯t just send a message or call someone to ask for help.


    Ye Jiayao furiously tried toe up with a n as she ate. She has already finished all the raw vegetables and broli but she still hasn¡¯te up with anything. She was now only left with the remnants of the all happiness soup.


    The waiter seemed to have noticed that something was wrong. He still smiled at her, but his eyes revealed his cautiousness. He also has started to whisper to another waiter, making that waiter take note of her, too.


    Ye Jiayao wished that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.


    Could she just tell the waiter to get someone from Heavenly Residence?


    No. That would expose her identity. It was a taboo for people in this industry to spy like this.


    Could she get Little Jing to save her?


    <i>What if his brother finds out??</i>?It would look bad to the already suspicious Helian Xuan if she gets Helian Jing to pay for the food she ate.


    No, no.


    Look for Manager Du?


    <i>This is the time where Manager Du and Er Niang are the busiest!</i>


    Look for Dumb Donkey?


    <i>I think I¡¯d rather get beaten up and humiliated.</i>


    Ye Jiayao scooped the remnants of the soup hopelessly.


    ¡°Are you the reincarnation of a hungry ghost? Are you going to lick the te clean, too?¡± a cold voice mocked from behind her.


    Ye Jiayao dropped the spoon in her hand and closed her eyes in despair.??<i>F*ck! I just had to invoke his name, didn¡¯t I?</i>


    ¡°Took you long enough. Reluctant to part with a certain someone?¡± Ye Jiayao derided, trying to calm her emotions down.


    She could not let Dumb Donkey know that she did not bring any money with her. He could not know that his arrival has just saved her.

 Chapter 73 - Too Embarrassing

    <h4>Chapter 73: Too Embarrassing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°You knew that I wasing? Were you waiting for me?¡± Xia Chunyu was a little surprised.


    It took him much difficulty to coax Princess Liu Li back to the pce so it was a long time before he was able toe to Yaoyao. He also had been forced to say things in front of her that he knew she wouldn¡¯t like. This woman was very petty so he knew that if he didn¡¯t exin himself to her, they¡¯d be in an even worse rtionship than they already were. Luckily, he had instructed his guard to follow her, otherwise, he would¡¯ve never found out where she currently was.


    ¡°I was waiting for you to settle some scores. Why else would I sit here and stuff myself?¡± Ye Jiayao leaned on the chair painfully, gingerly touching her stomach.


    Xia Chunyu flushed red. Was she really that unconcerned with her image? He felt like walking away and pretending he didn¡¯t know her.??<i>She¡¯s too embarrassing!</i>


    He said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± she protested. ¡°You made me wait for so long, you have to pay for this meal.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said it so loudly that the customers around her all turned to look at them.


    He snarled at Yaoyao, hoping that his re was conveying his annoyance. Ye Jiayao simply raised her chin challengingly.


    ¡°How much?¡± Xia Chunyu asked the waiter.


    ¡°Seven taels, sir.¡±


    Xia Chunyu paid and left.


    With that crisis averted, Ye Jiayao was finally able to walk out of the ce dignified. Well, as dignified as she could with her stomach too full.


    She stood by Fu Ji¡¯s door with her hand on her stomach and looked around. She could not see Chunyu anywhere.??<i>Where is he? Did he run away?</i>


    ¡°Come on up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to see the curtain of a horse carriage lift up. Dumb Donkey was looking impatiently at her, motioning for her to climb up.


    She huffed and puffed as she spent a great deal of effort to hoist herself up the carriage. She pushed Chunyu to a side and took more than half of the space in the carriage as she lied down. She was literally stuffed to the brim with food and her stomach was revolting with every move she makes.


    ¡°Why did you get a carriage?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu snorted, ¡°I couldn¡¯t very well walk with someone who can¡¯t even take half a step without doubling in pain, could I?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes angrily.


    ¡°Would it have killed you to take one less mouthful? Are the dishes in Fu Ji so delicious? Better than the ones you make?¡± Xia Chunyu really could not stand how sloppy she looked. Up in the mountains, he used to tell her that she does not behave like a rich man¡¯s daughter, but this was on a whole new level. She was behaving??<i>and?</i>?looking like a total greasy ruffian.


    ¡°What do you care?¡± Ye Jiayao retorted.??<i>Do you really think I chose to do this? This is all because your precious princess is so spoiled that she can¡¯t take it when someone¡¯s right! I lost my money!</i>


    ¡°Do you think I want to care? You¡¯re the one who??<i>begged?</i>?me to, remember? Or have you forgotten biting my nose just to make me swear not to abandon you? Aren¡¯t you angry with me now just because I didn¡¯t fulfill that promise?¡± Xia Chunyu mocked before instructing the coachman to move.


    Ye Jiayao barely heard him as she curled up in pain. Her stomach was aching so much, she has no energy left to bicker with him.


    ¡°Is it really very terrible?¡± His big hand reached over and rested on her stomach.


    ¡°Go away! If you don¡¯t want to care, then don¡¯t!¡± Ye Jiayao pped his hand away.


    Xia Chunyu ced his hand on her stomach again and started rubbing it tenderly. ¡°Just shut up and ept help for once.¡±


    Even through the thickyer of clothing she had on, she could still feel the warmth of his palm. This scene reminded her of the night in ck Wind Ridge when she was struck by horrible period cramps. He patiently rubbed her stomach like this, too, back then.??<i>For the whole night.</i>


    When did she start growing dependent on him? She wrinkled her nose in displeasure. Ye Jiayao turned her face away, not wanting him to see the weakness in her eyes.


    ¡°In the future, if youe across people or things you disapprove of again, just ignore it. Let?the manager and the shopkeeper handle the disputes in the restaurant. This is Jin Ling, Yaoyao,?anyone on the streets could easily be a nobleman or a prince. You might offend someone powerful unknowingly,¡± Xia Chunyu said in a?gentle but firm voice.


    Princess Liu Li spent the ride back to the pceining to him about how Yaoyao has scolded her in Heavenly Residence, and how she was humiliated and teased on the streets. Of course, he knew that Princess Liu Li was not telling the whole truth, but he also knew how ruthless Yaoyao could be when she was scolding someone ¨C he had experienced it first-hand.


    Being spoiled rotten, today was the first time Liu Li has met someone who did not bow and scrape the ground before her. This hit her too hard, and Xia Chunyu knew with certainty that she was not going to let this go. The princess¡¯ favorite past time was holding grudges.


    He has to make Yaoyao see reason. She has already provoked Helian Xuan, a formidable enough enemy on his own, but now that Princess Liu Li has joined the mix... Yaoyao could not afford to offend another powerful noble.


    Ye Jiayao knew he was right. She really didn¡¯t want to interfere at first, but that brat mentioned her and she could not help jumping in.


    ¡°Some people are not so reasonable, unlike me who talks things over¡­¡± Xia Chunyu continued.


    Ye Jiayao snorted, rolling her eyes.??<i>You? Talk things over? Since when?</i>


    Xia Chunyu ignored her and said, ¡°Princess Liu Li is the seventh prince¡¯s daughter. The seventh prince and his wife passed away in an ident, leaving the two-year-old Liu Li behind. The empress dowager pitied her so she raised her by her side, doting on her extremely. Even the emperor spoils her! Ever since she was a child, she has gotten whatever she wanted, it¡¯s unavoidable that she¡¯d grow up willful and arrogant.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised to hear that Princess Liu Li lost her parents. That was quite pitiful. No matter how much care and material things she was given, it could neverpare to parental love.


    ¡°The year before, West Mongolia wanted to arrange a marriage with Song. His majesty merely mentioned that Liu Li was already of age, and the empress dowager erupted. In the end, His Majesty could only send his 13-year-old princess, Jing He, over to West Mongolia,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue. It was apparent that Liu Li has a higher position in the empress dowager¡¯s heart than the actual princess! She was suddenly worried that she has kicked an iron te.


    ¡°Now you know what kind of person you have provoked!¡± Xia Chunyu saw her distress and could not bear to scare her further. It was sufficient that she was wary. Jin Ling was right under the nose of the emperor, the center of power. She has to be cautious, especially since she worked in a restaurant where all kinds of people congregated.


    Ye Jiayao pouted. ¡°But she is in the wrong.¡±


    ¡°There are many things that cannot be judged by simple right and wrong.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright! Stop lecturing. I understand. There is no absolute fairness in this world, money will make the devils turn millstones, power will make the millstones turn devil, yadda, yadda.??<i>However,?</i>?I¡¯m still gonna throw this out there ¨C if no one dares to stand up against injustice, there would be no more justice in this world. If you are in the wrong and no one corrects you or punishes you, you¡¯d only carry on thinking that what you were doing was just fine. The empress dowager was doing Liu Li harm, pampering her so much.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°You have a point,?<i>but?</i>, if you run into Liu Li again and she provokes you, what would you do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes glinted mischievously. ¡°It will depend on the situation and my mood. If I am in a good mood, then I will kiss the ground she walks on. If I am in a bad mood, I will sing her praises ¨C sarcastically.¡±


    Xia Chunyu could only shake his head in exasperation.


    ¡°Sir, we have arrived.¡± The coachman stopped the horse carriage.


    Xia Chunyu was not in a rush to get off the horse carriage, instead, he asked, ¡°Are you feeling better?¡±


    She was actually feeling much better, but Ye Jiayao refused to admit that to him. ¡°I¡¯m still feeling terrible!¡±


    Xia Chunyu lifted the veil and said, ¡°You get off first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wriggled out and frowned. Why were they in Ruyi Motel?


    She looked at Xia Chunyu questioningly. ¡°What are we doing here?¡±


    ¡°You know Zhao Qixuan, right??He has also offended Liu Li before, and in the very night he spoke against her, he was dragged out of his bed and thrown into the pond in the backyard of the Marquis Mansion. Mm¡­ I remember it was the twelfth lunar month, it was snowing heavily.¡±


    Xia Chunyu omitted someone¡¯s habit of sleeping naked ¨C it was quite a disastrous situation.


    Ye Jiayao shuddered. Liu Li was too insolent! If she knew that she was staying in Laifu Motel, would she send someone to set a fire in the middle of the night?


    Xia Chunyu walked into Ruyi and Ye Jiayao follow behind himpliantly. She¡¯d put aside all her adversity to Dumb Donkey for the moment, saving her life was more important.


    Xia Chunyuughed on the inside. He knew that she had to be terrified to have followed him so meekly.


    ¡°I have to tell Manager Du that I won¡¯t be staying there tonight, otherwise, Little Yang would be waiting at the door,¡± Ye Jiayao told him after receiving the key to the first-grade room.


    ¡°I will send someone to inform Manager Du. Just stay here for a few days, lie low, and when Liu Li¡¯s anger subsides, everything will be fine.¡±


    ¡°What if her anger never subsides? What if she goes to Heavenly Residence to make trouble?¡± Ye Jiayao was really starting to worry.


    Xia Chunyu pretended to have a headache. ¡°What was I thinking promising you that I will shoulder anything no matter how troublesome.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to get angry at him but she couldn¡¯t. Instead, she pressed her lips together and stared at him gloomily.


    Xia Chunyu found it funny that she would only be decorous in these kinds of situations.


    ¡°Go up. Don¡¯t worry, no one wille here.¡± Xia Chunyu pointed towards the direction of the room.


    In her room, Ye Jiayao settled on a chair depressingly.


    Of all the people she could provoke, it just had to be the devil incarnate, didn¡¯t it? Should she leave Jin Ling while she still can? She was waiting for Jingrong, but she could always look for her in a few years. After all, revenge is a dish best served cold.


    Ye Jiayao contemted for a long time before finally getting up to wash her face dispiritedly.


    <i>Knock, knock, knock!?</i>


    Ye Jiayao thought that it was the waiter who was serving water so she called out, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Xia Chunyu came in.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ye Jiayao was cautious.?<i>Don¡¯t tell me he is thinking of staying here?</i>


    Xia Chunyu ced a bag of things on the table. ¡°Fresh hawthorn fruit, it aids in digestion, and also clothes for you to change into.¡±


    He walked off before Ye Jiayao could say anything.


    Ye Jiayao stared at that bag of hawthorn fruit and spare clothes, an indescribable feeling unfurling in her heart. Other than??<i>that?</i>?incident, Dumb Donkey had been pretty good to her. However,?<i>that?</i>?incident cut her deeply. She was afraid that if she let her guard down with him again, this time, the pain and hurt would be much harder to ovee.


    Song Qi was waiting for Xia Chunyu outside the inn.


    ¡°I will hand it over to you from here. Ensure her safety and you must follow her closely these next few days. If you find anything out of the ordinary, report back to me immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Heir-son Lord, don¡¯t worry,¡± Song Qi replied solemnly. Although he was unsure of what happened, the grave expression on the Heir-son Lord¡¯s face was?enough to get him to take this seriously.?Even when Duke Helian Jing was unfavorable towards Miss Ye, the Heir-Son Lord was never this worried.

 Chapter 74 - Reinforcement

    <h4>Chapter 74: Reinforcement</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    It rained the night before so the morning of the next day dawned clear and fresh with a cool breeze.


    Ye Jiayao was wearing the new clothes Xia Chunyu had bought for her, a beautiful cerulean blue made of top grade Hang Zhou silk. It was a perfect fit and also looked better than the silk clothes she bought yesterday. Her only worry was that it would be too ostentatious to wear in the kitchen.


    Unexpectedly, she found Song Qi waiting for her outside the inn.


    ¡°Song Qi, what are you doing¡­¡±


    Song Qi smiled in delight. Habitually, he greeted her, ¡°Sister-inw!¡±


    Ye Jiayao coughed dryly. ¡°Uh, Song Qi there¡¯s no need to call me that. Besides, didn¡¯t your Heir-son Lord made it clear to you never to address me like that again?¡±


    Song Qiughed. ¡°Heir-Son Lord didn¡¯t mean what he said. He actually likes you a lot!¡±


    She looked at him doubtfully.??<i>Really?</i>


    ¡°Still, it is better to not call me that. I am Li Yao now,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°Yes, Master Li,¡± Song Qi said in a weird tone.


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°Is anything the matter?¡±


    Song Qi gestured toward the inn. ¡°I have been staying in the room next to yours sincest night. The Heir-son Lord wants me to keep an eye on you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao remembered Princess Liu Li and decided not to protest.


    <i>So be it.</i>


    ¡°I am going to Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Song Qi said, ¡°The horse carriage has been prepared for you.¡±


    The first thing Ye Jiayao did when she arrived at Heavenly Residence was extract cream. They have extracted quite a significant amount of cream these past few days, but it was still far from enough.


    Deng Haichuan rushed in and reported, ¡°There¡¯s trouble! I heard from Ah Xing that someone reserved the whole of the third floor.¡±


    Zhong Xiang remained calm as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that? The whole Heavenly Residence has been reserved before. It might be just some family holding a feast.¡±


    ¡°No, no! Ah Xing says that the person who reserved the ce did not ce an order for any dishes and just said that his master would be the one to decide what to eat once he¡¯s here. The only thing he ordered was two sets of each chilled drink, which means there are not many peopleing,¡± Deng Haichuan exined.


    Zhong Xiang frowned. ¡°That is a little odd.¡±


    Cui Dongpengughed it off. ¡°I don¡¯t think there is anything strange. Maybe this customer was just afraid that he would not get to try our chilled drinks since it was so in demand these past few days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened silently, feeling uneasy. Why does she have a feeling that this involved her?


    Not longter, Shopkeeper Li entered the kitchen, looking for Ye Jiayao. ¡°There might be an important customering to the restaurant today, so when the timees, you have to prepare the meal personally.¡±


    ¡°Do you know who the important person is?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly.


    Shopkeeper Li shook his head. ¡°I have no idea.¡±


    Just before noon, a grand horse carriage arrived?at Heavenly Residence.


    ¡°Brother Crown Prince, quick!¡± Liu Li, dressed as a boy once again, hurried.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t Iing?¡± The crown prince fanned himself leisurely as he got off the horse carriage.


    ¡°You are too slow!¡± Liu Li pouted, unsatisfied.


    ¡°Are you eager to try the chilled drinks or to settle scores with that chap who offended you?¡±


    ¡°Both.¡±


    The crown prince smiled indulgently, shaking his head. ¡°I really don¡¯t know what to do with you. Yesterday, you sneaked out of the pce, today, you pester me to bring you out. If the empress dowager finds out, I¡¯m dead meat.¡±


    Liu Li fluttered hershes and smiled coquettishly. ¡°Brother Crown Prince, you know you love me. Anyway, I¡¯ll harass you every day if you don¡¯t stand up for me today.¡±


    The crown prince could only gape at Princess Liu Li¡¯s antics. He looked at the signboard of Heavenly Residence and muttered dubiously, ¡°Are the chilled drinks here really that good?¡±


    Song Qi, who was posted outside Heavenly Residence, went on high alert as he spotted the crown prince and the princess¡¯ arrival at Heavenly Residence.??<i>This was something out of the ordinary.?</i>?He would have to report this to the Heir-son Lord.


    Manager Qian waited by the door to greet the arriving guests and almost took a step back as he saw the rude young man from yesterday. Didn¡¯t he threaten to close down the restaurant? And he brought an even more imposing young master with him along with four knife-carrying guards. Was he making good on his threat today?


    That rude young master was wearing a smile but his eyes were showing his evil intentions. He wasn¡¯t here just to eat and try the chilled drinks.


    Liu Li smiled at the shocked manager, a hint of her sinister purpose peeking through.


    Manager Qian did his best to hide his fear as he smilingly escorted both young masters upstairs. Little Lu followed them up to pour tea.


    ¡°What is your specialty dish here?¡± Liu Li asked arrogantly as she took the menu.


    Manager Qian answered with a smile, ¡°Our signature dishes are abalone with oyster sauce, three fresh sharkfins, money squid soup, and mandarin duck snowke roll. However, the new dishes we¡¯veunched are also very popr. They are Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Door, hot te shiitake, Drunken Prawn, and lotus yellow Catfish.¡±


    Liu Li said indifferently, ¡°Serve one of each dishes that you just mentioned and also the chilled drinks.¡±


    Manager Qian nodded and bowed politely. ¡°Please wait for a moment, sirs, I will send in your orders now.¡±


    ¡°Hold on. I want your head chef Li Yao to make these dishes personally,¡± Liu Li ordered.


    After walking out of the suite, Manager Qian exhaled loudly and wiped the sweat from?his forehead. He called Little Lu over and said, ¡°Go send in the orders and tell Li Yao that the young master that he lectured yesterday is back. He didn¡¯t seem friendly so tell him to be careful.¡±


    After hearing the message that Little Lu passed on, a sudden chill ran down Ye Jiayao¡¯s spine.?<i>F*ck! That bitch certainly didn¡¯t want to waste time, did she?</i>


    Does Song Qi know?


    Ye Jiayao tried to maintain herposure as she said, ¡°Alright, serve cautiously.¡±


    While Zhong Xiang was making the chilled drinks and the others were preparing the ingredients, Ye Jiayao ran out to look for Song Qi. She looked around for a moment but she didn¡¯t find him. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to follow her closely? Did he take a break???<i>Of all the times he could take a break, he took one now??</i>


    <i>Ah, forget it!?</i>?She would just have to y it by ear and settle her own problem. Dumb Donkey couldn¡¯t possibly protect her forever.


    Xia Chunyu immediately rushed outside when a guard told him that Song Qi was waiting for him outside the pce.


    ¡°What is the problem?¡± Xia Chunyu asked anxiously.


    Song Qi replied, ¡°I saw the crown prince and Princess Liu Li arrive at Heavenly Residence. I am not sure if this is considered out of the ordinary, but...¡±


    Xia Chunyu was rmed. Liu Li actually dragged the crown prince down to Heavenly Residence to aid in her revenge??<i>That vindictive quick witch.</i>


    Xia Chunyu was silent for a while before he came up with a n. He instructed,?¡°Go to the army department and invite Duke Helian and Young Royal Highness Jing to Heavenly Residence. Just say that Li Yao is facing some trouble and they have to be there to save him. Tell them it¡¯s best if they bring more people along.¡±


    With the crown prince around, he could not settle the matter alone. It was best to get help from Helian Xuan.


    ¡°Yes, Heir-son Lord.¡± Song Qi set off to the Helian Mansion.


    Xia Chunyu returned to the pce and made some arrangements.


    Helian Jing was listening to the officials discuss the West Mongolia problems dispiritedly. Something about West Mongolia having an internal conflict with two uncles fighting against each other. The king nephew tried to stop the fight but ended up attacked by both uncles, and now the king was asking Song for reinforcement. Some of the officials said that they should send reinforcements, while others say that they?should not interfere with family matters.


    It was all so incredibly boring that he started to fall asleep. Helian Xuan shot him a?re and he quickly sat upright. However, a minute hasn¡¯t even passed before his eyes started to close again.


    Suddenly, he noticed Song Qi hiding outside the door, waving at him. Helian Jing pointed at his own nose and Song Qi nodded.


    Helian Jing took a look at the arguing officials and quietly left.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, I am here under the orders of Heir-Son Lord Chunyu to invite you to rush over to Heavenly Residence. Li Yao is in big trouble, and it is best if you could bring Duke Helian along,¡± Song Qi exined.


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart dropped and he eximed angrily, ¡°Who is the fellow that dares to find trouble with Li Yao? I will go over there right now and finish him off.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the crown prince and Princess Liu Li,¡±?Song Qi replied weakly.


    Helian Jing¡¯s me immediately extinguished to a little spark. He stuttered, ¡°Cr..crown... crown prince and Princess Liu Li? What¡­ what is going on? How did Li Yao provoke them?¡±


    Song Qi shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s a long story. The urgent matter right now is to save Li Yao. Young Royal Highness Jing, you better hurry, otherwise, Li Yao would be dead meat. Our Heir-Son Lord is preparing to rush over, too.¡±


    Helian Jing was unsure how to approach the situation. This involved the crown prince and Princes Liu Li! However, he still has to try for Big Yaoyao¡¯s safety. ¡°Go back there and keep watch, I¡¯ll be over soon.¡±


    Helian Jing returned to the discussion room where the officials were still arguing. Fed up, Helian Jing walked up and said loudly, ¡°What are you still arguing about? The West Mongolian king is weak in nature that¡¯s why the old king prepared for the arranged marriage before he passed so that we would be able to give support. The two kings are vicious and have long been coveting ournd. If we allow them to usurp the throne, when the conflict in West Mongolia settles down, it would be disadvantageous for us. Now, is this still considered other¡¯s family matters? Dispatching troops is not only to help the king but also to keep the peace of Song. We have to send reinforcement.¡±


    Helian Xuan looked at Little Jing in shock. After so many days of listening to the?political discussion, he has not once voiced his opinions. Helian Xuan didn¡¯t think that his little brother actually listened to the report, let alone have a valuable input.


    ¡°Well said, Young Royal Highness Jing. All you muddle-headed people cannot even analyze the situation as thoroughly as Young Royal Highness Jing,¡± an official who was pro-war agreed.


    The pro-peace faction was unconvinced. They were about to start arguing again when Helian Xuan said,?¡°I will present all your opinions to the court. The decision still lies in His Majesty. Today¡¯s discussion will end here, everyone is dismissed!¡±


    The officials red at each other, dispersing with an angry fling of sleeves.


    ¡°You have finally made progress. That speech was quite impressive.¡±?Helian Xuan gave Little Jing an approving look.


    Helian Jing was still worrying about Li Yao and could care less about how impressed his brother was. He said anxiously, ¡°Big brother, Brother Chunyu just sent someone over to say that Li Yao is in big trouble. We have to rush to Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Helian Jing raised his brow in question. ¡°What has Li Yao¡¯s trouble got to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Brother, you can¡¯t say that! He is my benefactor! Even Brother Chunyu is lending a helping hand. You can¡¯t just sit and do nothing. The people finding trouble with Li Yao is the crown prince and Princess Liu Li. If Brother Chunyu can¡¯t handle them and ends up offending the crown prince, wouldn¡¯t it be his trouble too?¡± Helian Jing reasoned desperately.


    Helian Xuan was silent for a moment. He really couldn¡¯t be bothered about that Li Yao, but if Xia Chunyu was involved, he could not just sit and watch.

 Chapter 75 - Well Done

    <h4>Chapter 75: Well Done</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    <i><strong>Inside the Lan Xuan Attic of Heavenly Residence.</strong></i>


    Liu Li finished the three cold drinks at once and sighed with satisfaction.


    The prince, still taking his time in tasting his, smiled at her. ¡°If you like the cold drinks so much, why don¡¯t you get this chef to work in the Imperial kitchen? That way you can have him make whatever you want, whenever you want.¡±


    The cold drink really was special and delicious. It would be popr in the pce.


    Liu Li¡¯s big eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea! Get him inside the pce, so that I can torture him anytime. Ha!¡±


    She wanted to teach Li Yao a lesson. He could not just disrespect and humiliate her without any consequence. She had to admit, though, that the cold drinks were really tasty and the pce¡¯s master chef wasn¡¯t even able to make something like it. His skills would justify her bringing him to the pce under her control. She could turn him into a ything whenever she¡¯s unhappy. That would teach Li Yao to bow at her feet.


    Liu Li spirits lifted the more she thought about this.


    After a short while, the dishes started toe up.


    Little Lu announced the dishes¡¯ names as he presented them.


    ¡°Mandarin duck snow roll¡­¡±


    ¡°Iron te mushroom¡­¡±


    ¡°Eel slices with oyster sauce¡­¡±


    ¡°Lotus leaves yellow thorn fish¡­¡±


    ¡°Please have them slowly, sirs. There are a few more dishesing up.¡±


    The prince carefully looked at the deliciously smelling dishes in front of them, folding his paper fan.


    They looked as delicate as the emperor¡¯s food, the decorations and cements artfully and beautifully arranged. The carving design was especially amazing and life-like. The overall look of the dishes was doing wonders to his appetite.


    Liu Li picked a flower made of carrots and cradled it in her palm. She said admiringly, ¡°This is so beautiful, what is it made of?¡±


    Little Lu answered, ¡°It is made of purple carrots, sir. Our head chef is really good at carving. He could carve anything and everything flying in the sky and running on the ground. He could even carve flowers with tofu!¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s mouth set into a straight line when she heard that this was done by Li Yao. She threw the carrot back to the te and scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s mediocre. Compared with the emperor¡¯s...¡±


    The prince coughed twice, warning Liu Li.


    Little Lu worked not to scowl.??<i>This brat was so amazed just a moment ago, but when he heard that it was made by Li Yao, she immediately changed her mind? Really? What kind of person does that?</i>


    Little Lu came back to the kitchen. Ye Jiayao immediately asked, ¡°How was it?¡±


    Little Lu told the truth, acting out Liu Li¡¯s despicable expressions.


    Ye Jiayao sighed, her heart heavy. That spoiled princess was not budging. She said, ¡°You take this to him and say that it¡¯spliments from the chef.¡±


    Inside the room, Liu Li was talking shit about the dishes as she enjoyed them.


    The princeughed at how ridiculous she was being. ¡°Well, since his dishes are so terrible, you can¡¯t hire him to the pce.¡±


    Liu Li shook her head. ¡°Hiring him to the pce has nothing to do with his skills. I want to hire him to make it easier for me to torture him.¡±


    The prince nearly choked on his food at the word ¡®torture¡¯.


    ¡°Liu Li, I think you shouldn¡¯t be too hard on him. He didn¡¯t know who you were. It¡¯s not right to punish him for something unintentional. Just let him apologize to you and let it go. Okay?¡± the prince said.


    ¡°No, no! He humiliated me ¨C no one has ever done that. I¡¯m not going to just forgive him that easily,¡± Liu Li said, pouting.


    The prince couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    The waiter brought up a soup made by half of a papaya and set it down in front of Liu Li. ¡°Sir, this papaya braised snow ms was given to you by our head chef. We haven¡¯t put this on the menu yet, so you¡¯d be the first one to try it.¡±


    The prince asked in confusion, ¡°Why don¡¯t I get one?¡±


    Little Lu responded, ¡°Sir, our head chef said that this is only effective for the young. It will have a counter effect on you. Our head chef is doing another special dish and it wille up soon.¡±


    The prince still didn¡¯t understand why it was only effective to Liu Li.


    Liu Li¡¯s face turned a bit red.?<i>Is it because the dish is made for women and he knew that she was really a girl??</i>


    Did Li Yao make this as a token of his apology???<i>Hmph.?</i>?Her forgiveness wouldn¡¯t be bought with just a cheap dessert. Liu Li wanted to tell the waiter to take it down and throw it away, but the carved papaya?and the sparkling, crystal-clear snow ms were too tempting.


    <i>Whatever. I¡¯ll try it first and if they taste bad, I will throw it away.</i>


    She ate a spoonful and was immediately impressed by the sweet taste. The ms had the fragrance of papaya and it melted decadently in her mouth.


    <i>Delicious!</i>


    In fact, it was?<i>too?</i>delicious that it made her angry. She was a princess who lived in a magnificent pce and ate the most delicate food in the world, but she has never tasted anything as good as this. It?felt like other civilians have better gourmet¡¯s luck than her.


    Little Lu looked at the young man with barely concealed anticipation and carefully reminded, ¡°Sir, that papaya is also edible.¡±


    Liu Li rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Go away. I don¡¯t need you looking over my shoulder as I eat. Call your head chef here.¡±


    ¡°The head chef is still cooking. Do I need to call him now?¡±?Little Lu said.


    Liu Li said angrily, ¡°Are you deaf? I told you to bring him here. Go.¡±


    Little Lu ran away.


    Ye Jiayao stayed calm. She really couldn¡¯t get out of this so she just has to face it. Before she trudged upstairs, she requested Little Lu to do something for her.


    She stood outside Lan Xuan Attic and did her best to tidy herself before knocking on the door.


    She smiled and greeted politely, ¡°I am Li Yao, wishing you two sirs peace.¡±


    Liu Li mocked, ¡°Li Yao, weren¡¯t you so cocky yesterday? Why are you acting so nice now?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said patiently, ¡°You must be joking. I am always humble and polite, especially to customers whoe often. However, if I meet provocative troublemakers, I wouldn¡¯t give in. If no one offends me, I offend no one.¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her brow, adopting a confused look, and continued to Liu Li, ¡°What did you say about yesterday?¡±


    Liu Li saw his questioning eyes and got so angry.


    ¡°Did I meet you yesterday, sir? That¡¯s not possible because, with your look and attitude, you must be the best among people, and I definitely would¡¯ve remembered you.¡± Ye Jiayao tried to look as if she was thinking hard. ¡°I¡¯m sure that I haven¡¯t seen you before.¡±


    Liu Li was furious. ¡°Do you think that I¡¯d let you go if you pretend to lose your memory?¡±


    The princess had thought that Li Yao would be scared and more respecting of her now that he knew her real identity. It had never urred to her that he would pretend that he didn¡¯t know her.


    Ye Jiayao said innocently, ¡°Sir, I truly have never seen you before. Is it possible that you remembered the wrong person?¡±


    The prince smiled and looked at this good-looking chef, interested at how things would unfold.


    ¡°Why are you are still pretending? I even talked to your manager yesterday and all your friends saw that!¡± Liu Li shouted angrily.


    ¡°Is that so? Shall I call the manager and the staff members here to ask?¡± Ye Jiayao asked for permission.


    Manager Qian and Little Lu were called in.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Manager Qian, this young sir said that you had spoken with him. Do you remember him? How about you, Little Lu?¡±


    Manager Qian remembered Li Yao¡¯s previous warnings. He knew that this person had a special status and he couldn¡¯t just confess that he had offended him. He pretended to study Liu Li closely. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. I definitely remember the customers whoe here, and I haven¡¯t seen him before.¡±


    Little Lu also shook his head.


    Liu Li felt like she was going to go berserk with anger. She said to the prince hysterically, ¡°They are lying! They made up this lie together to make me look bad!¡±


    ¡°Sir, why would we lie? It is true that a guy who was a simr age as you stirred up some trouble in the restaurant yesterday just because he couldn¡¯t get a cold drink. He berated the staff and swore so much like a street punk. I taught him a lesson. But you don¡¯t look like that guy, sir, you are so elegant and posh,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°Right, right! That young man had a terrible attitude. Everyone in the restaurant was not happy about him at that time,¡± Manager Qian added.


    Liu Li was taken aback. Should she confess or not?


    Liu Li persisted, ¡°How do you exin the incident on the street yesterday then? Xia Chunyu also saw you! How do you exin that?¡±


    ¡°There was truly an ident in the down-up street. My wallet was swiped and reced with another one, and a guy tried to set me up by making it look like that??<i>I?</i>?stole his wallet. Sir, are you saying that you¡¯re the one who stole my wallet ?¡±


    Liu Li didn¡¯t understand what was going on. ¡°Nonsense! It was you who stole my wallet!¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned mockingly. ¡°I would never steal from someone. Manager Qian, am I that kind of person?¡±


    Manager Qian replied, ¡°Our head chef here would always share with others the reward he¡¯d get from the customers. How could he ever steal money?¡±


    Little Lu also said loyally, ¡°Our head chef can easily get money from making cold drinks. Why would he need to steal?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said kindly, ¡°So, I thought that the whole wallet incident was a mistake, and sir only wanted to prank me.¡±


    Liu Li pounced on what Li Yao said. ¡°Ha! So, you do know me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was getting tired of this. ¡°I was doing you a favor by denying that I know you.¡±


    ¡°A favor? You are cunning and crafty, full of lies. You are full of shit,¡± Liu Li rebuked, pointing insultingly at Li Yao.


    The prince asked Liu Li to settle down. When Liu Li approached him with her story, he was already skeptical because the princess was famous for her antics in the pce. Everyone, even him, has be the victim of her pettiness and lies. It turned out now that he was right to withhold his judgment.


    He was impressed at how Li Yao could face Liu Li so calmly even after knowing her true identity. The way he handled the confrontation clearly showed that the princess was being unreasonable. After so many years, Li Yao was the first person who was able to win arguments against Liu Li and make her so mad.


    He actually wanted to congratte Li Yao on a job well done! He had exacted revenge for those who were hurt by Liu Li in the pce.


    Winning against Liu Li was not an easy feat. It looked like this Li Yao was also smart on top of his other skills in the kitchen. He looked so pretty, too. The prince kind of liked him.


    <i>But if I don¡¯t punish him, Liu Li won¡¯t give up. What should I do to him?</i>

 Chapter 76 - What A Coincidence

    <h4>Chapter 76: What A Coincidence</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Outside Heavenly Residence, Xia Chunyu waited for Helian Xuan. If he went in by himself, there was a chance that Princess Liu Li would think that he was there to help Yaoyao and get even madder. He wanted their meeting to appear coincidental.


    ¡°Are you sure Young Royal Highness Jing wille?¡± Xia Chunyu asked Song Qi.


    Song Qi answered, ¡°Young Royal Highness looked worried when I told him the news, he will definitelye.¡±


    A short whileter, Helian Xuan arrived on the back of a horse.


    Xia Chunyu came up to him immediately. ¡°Why are you alone? Where is Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°What is wrong with you? He¡¯s just a chef! Why would you risk offending the crown prince and the princess for him?¡± Helian Xuan was puzzled and exasperated.


    Xia Chunyu smiled awkwardly. ¡°If anything happens to him, I will have a guilty conscience for a lifetime.¡±


    Helian Xuan looked at him as if he was a stranger. ¡°I don¡¯t understand you anymore. You are stranger than Little Jing. What magic does that guy have? Why are you all protecting him?¡±


    Helian Xuan only met Li Yao once before, and the only way he¡¯d describe him was??<i>bold.?</i>


    ¡°You will understand it in the future,¡± Xia Chunyu said, smiling.


    Helian Xuan shrugged and said, ¡°I asked Little Jing to find more people to help. More people can make things easier. They should arrive soon.¡±


    As if on cue, Helian Jing arrived with other people in tow.


    Helian Xuan squinted and spotted Zhao Qixuan and the usualpany he kept. He frowned. These were not the people he had in mind.


    Zhao Qixuan got off the horse and came up to greet themughingly, ¡°Hello, Royal Highness and Brother Chunyu. I heard you guys were the hosts so I immediately rushed here.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±?Little Jing asked worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it inside.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan and the others had no idea what was happening and felt that this dinner was dodgier than they were led to believe.


    As the group walked into the restaurant, Manager Qian immediately recognized Zhao Qixuan and Young Royal Highness Jing. Manager Qian happily greeted them, knowing that Young Royal Highness Jing has a close rtionship with Li Yao.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness and Heir-son Lord, please,e upstairs.¡±


    Ah Xing took them to the second floor and neglected to offer the higher suite.


    Xia Chunyu gave Helian Jing a meaningful look.


    Luckily, Helian Jing understood and said discontentedly, ¡°Why are we only on the second floor? I want the Fu Qu Attic.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Young Royal Highness, though the Fu Qu Attic is empty along with other rooms, the whole of the third floor was already rented out,¡± Ah Xing responded.


    ¡°Who is so rich that he hires the whole floor and leave the other rooms empty? What purpose does that even serve?¡± Zhao Qixuan demanded.?How many people in Jin Ling could be as extravagant as him?


    Helian Jing added, ¡°Yeah, who dares to be that cocky? What, do they just want to show their riches off?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan rolled his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s go and have a look there.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Helian Jing agreed.


    The two of them rushed to the third floor and walked directly into Lan Xuan Attic.


    Zhao Qixuan took the lead and pushed the door open. His eyes looked like they were about to pop out when he saw who were inside.


    ¡°C...cr...?uhm, Crown Prince,¡± Zhao Qixuan stammered, too nervous to speak properly. He never would¡¯ve thought that the people he¡¯d see in here were the crown prince and Princess Liu Li. The prince was creepy enough. The addition of that evil woman was too much for his heart.??<i>She¡¯s my nightmare.</i>


    Helian Jing was much calmer than Zhao Qixuan, especially when he saw that Big Yaoyao was fine. He smiled, adopted a polite hand gesture and said, ¡°Crown Prince and Princess Liu Li. Excuse our barging in here, we are down on level two and there are no morepartments left. I was informed that someone hired the whole third floor and I was just wondering if we could share. Forgive us, we didn¡¯t know it would be you. Sorry for the intrusion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t even focus on the happiness she felt from Little Jing¡¯s arrival.??<i>This is the Crown Prince??</i>?She knew that he might be someone of high status, but she didn¡¯t think that he was the??<i>Crown Prince, the future king.</i>


    Ye Jiayao kneeled immediately, followed by Manager Qian and Little Lu.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know Crown Prince has visited us, if we have offended you, please forgive us, Prince Highness.¡±


    The prince smiled and said, ¡°Get up. I know you didn¡¯t know, I don¡¯t me you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was secretly happy. What he just had said conveyed a double meaning. He was not ming her for scolding that brat of a princess!


    ¡°You¡¯ve paid your respects, you can leave now. Don¡¯t interrupt our meal again.¡± Liu Li tried to rush these two out as she had more important things toplete.


    Zhao Qixuan was relieved and immediately began pushing Helian Jing out of the room. If the prince wasn¡¯t present, he would¡¯ve left as soon as heid eyes on that evil witch. The year beforest, that little bitch dumped him into a lotus pond in the middle of the night, buck ass naked. He was sick for a whole month! Whenever he heard the name of Liu Li, he would run away.


    ¡°Wait up,¡± the prince called.


    They turned around.


    ¡°Who else are you guys with?¡±


    Helian Jing answered, ¡°My brother and Chunyu is treating us today. They are?still looking for ces to sit downstairs.¡±


    The prince smiled kindly. ¡°No need to look anymore, let theme up. I haven¡¯t seen them for a while. We can all just sit together.


    Helian Jing was happy. ¡°I will call them up now.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan and Helian Jing rushed out together. Zhao Qixuan asked unhappily, ¡°Little Jing, what date is it? Why would Crown Prince eat out with Liu Li?¡±


    ¡°How would I know? Ask Liu Li if you want,¡± Helian Jing mocked.


    ¡°There is absolutely no way that I am going anywhere near that evil woman again. I¡¯d rather hang myself to a crooked tree,¡± Zhao Qixuan swore, shuddering.


    Ye Jiayao was moved upon hearing that both?Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan came. This was not a coincidence. Chunyu must¡¯ve known her situation and brought people to help.


    ¡°Li Yao,¡± the prince called.


    Ye Jiayao recovered her spirit and saluted at him, waiting for his request.


    ¡°You can go now and arrange the dishes for us.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Prince Highness.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was almost out of the room when the prince spoke again. ¡°Wait. What is the thing that you will make for me exclusively? Why are papaya snow ms only for Princess Liu Li?¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered abashedly, ¡°Papaya snow ms are good for beauty, which are suitable for women. I will prepare other desserts for Your Highness.¡±


    What she didn¡¯t say was that the desert had the function of breast enhancement. Liu Li had t breasts so Ye Jiayao was sure that if she had said that, the brat would take it as an insult.


    The prince nodded, face a tad red. He was envious that such decadent dessert was just for women.


    ¡°Brother Crown Prince, why are you letting him go?¡± Liu Li didn¡¯t want him to leave.


    ¡°If we don¡¯t let him go, who will cook?¡± the prince asked patiently.


    <i>Eh¡­.</i>


    Ye Jiayao decided to take advantage of Liu Li¡¯s disorientation and said, ¡°I will go and prepare the food now.¡±


    As soon as they left thepartment, Manager Qian¡¯s knees buckled. ¡°Oh, God. I can¡¯t believe that the prince, the crown prince, is here!¡±


    Little Lu confessed, ¡°I almost peed on my pants, I was so scared.¡±


    Ye Jiayao patted Manager Qian¡¯s shoulder tofort him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The prince said he doesn¡¯t me us since we didn¡¯t know. Also, we should keep the prince¡¯s visit to the restaurant confidential. It¡¯s best that only the three of us know. There are so many customers downstairs, if this gets out,?it might cause unnecessary trouble for him.¡±


    Manager Qian nodded. ¡°Yes, of course. Little Lu, shut your mouth. If any of this leaks out, I will kick you out.¡±


    Little Lu scratched his head. ¡°I know, I understand.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu and the other people he brought with him and smiled, showing him her thanks.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s expression didn¡¯t give anything away, but inside, he was so relieved. Yaoyao¡¯s smile meant that the crisis was solved.


    Inside the Lan Xuan Attic, Liu Li was still being moody.


    ¡°Brother Crown Prince, you didn¡¯t fulfill your promise. You are not helping me.¡±


    The prince said, ¡± Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan are here as well as other royal people. Embarrassing Li Yao would not benefit you,??<i>especially?</i>?if word of this gets out. If he was really at fault, I would¡¯ve immediately punished him without a word. But he¡¯s not, Liu Li.¡±


    Liu Li wanted to throw a fit. Why was everyone helping that guy? In the pce, even if she was the one to make a mess, other people would take the me. Doesn¡¯t that apply outside the pce???<i>These guys just don¡¯t take me seriously anymore! Alright, if you¡¯re not going to help me, I¡¯ll find my own way.</i>


    ¡°You guys can eat, I¡¯ve lost my appetite. I am leaving.¡±


    Liu Li got up and left.


    Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan were on their way upstairs when Liu Li rushed out of thepartment.


    ¡°Princess¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu saw Liu Li¡¯s red eyes and sad face. It was obvious that she was mad. Hopefully, she was not mad about Yaoyao.


    Liu Li pushed Xia Chunyu away and said, ¡°F*ck off!¡± She then furiously rushed downstairs without a backward nce.


    Helian Xuan smiled and teased, ¡°Your future wife is running away. Chase her!¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Shut up.¡±


    He would never agree with that marriage proposal.


    Zhao Qixuan, hearing what Helian Xuan has just said, looked at Xia Chunyu with sympathetic eyes. ¡°Brother Chunyu, my condolences.¡±


    Helian Jing sneered and knocked Zhao Qixuan¡¯s shoulder: ¡°Shush! Do you want to die?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked serious as he said, ¡°Whoever is spreading that gossip, just be careful that you don¡¯t wake up in a lotus pond.¡±


    Everyone busted outughing.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s face turned red.


    He just couldn¡¯t escape that humiliation, could he?


    The atmosphere became rxed and happy. Everyone entered the Lan Xuan Attic.


    Ye Jiayao, too, felt rxed as she happily began cooking. She wanted to make the best dishes poured with love for those people who came to help her.


    ¡°Brother Xiang, I can take over here. You can go make a te of Si Xi dumpling and a Sam Sun Orhiette. Do it well, okay? This is a good chance for you to show off.¡±


    Zhong Xiang answered enthusiastically, ¡°Sure!¡±


    Li Yao rarely gave him chances, he must not fail in this.

 Chapter 77 - Crown Prince’s Calligraphy

    <h4>Chapter 77: Crown Prince¡¯s Calligraphy</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    In the suite, after a satisfactory meal, the Mao Shan clouds and mist tea were served. As everyone enjoyed their tea, the prince remarked, ¡°The head chef here is very different. He can make ordinary dishes taste so extraordinary. He¡¯s clearly highly skilled and very clever.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness is right. Li Yao gives his heart and soul into his cooking that¡¯s why he could make even the simplest dishes taste superb. After all, as long as it was made with effort, even a wild bird cooked in mud and a few mushrooms picked from the bushes can taste like heaven,¡± Helian Jing said proudly.


    Xia Chunyu snorted quietly.??<i>You haven¡¯t even tried the preserved eggs Yaoyao made!?</i>?It was the only one in the world. However, sadly, he has already finished them. One day, he has to get Yaoyao to make him another vat.


    ¡°Li Yao is not only good at cooking, he has an excellent personality and he also has good drinking habits.¡± Zhao Qixuan also wanted to put in a few good words for Li Yao, however, it was not for the crown prince¡¯s benefit but for Helian Xuan¡¯s.


    Xia Chunyu and Helian Jing simultaneously red at him. Of all the things he could say, he has to mention drinking! Thest time Yaoyao drank, she fell into the river.


    Zhao Qixuan was bewildered. What did he say wrong? Weren¡¯t all that he said tteries?


    Helian Xuan fanned himself andzily said, ¡°Since Your Highness also praises Li Yao¡¯s cooking highly, why don¡¯t you pen down yourment on paper and gift it to Li Yao as a form of encouragement?


    Xia Chunyu secretly rejoiced. That was a brilliant move. The crown prince¡¯s recognition and calligraphy would be akin to the crown prince¡¯s protection. Anyone who would want to harm Yaoyao would have to think twice.


    ¡°A few days ago, I heard that His Majesty and the grand tutor mentioned that Your Highness¡¯ calligraphy skills improved, and can even be considered a master. I wonder if we would have the honor of witnessing Your Highness¡¯s calligraphy?¡± Xia Chunyu cajoled.


    The crown prince was a little hesitant at first. Gifting words to a chef seems a little below his status, and although he does have a good impression of this Li Yao, it was not to the state where he would dedicate a writing to him. However, when Xia Chunyu mentioned the grand tutor and his father praising him, he gave in. ¡°Get the writing materials.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan volunteered merrily, ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan found Manager Qian and said, ¡°Quick, get some top grade writing materials. Today is your restaurant¡¯s?lucky day because the crown prince is going to leave his calligraphy! Get Li Yao over to the attic to thank His Highness.¡±


    Manager Qian gaped at Zhao Qixuan in absolute shock.??<i>Is he dreaming?</i>


    Zhao Qixuan snapped his fingers and eximed, ¡°What are you waiting for? You¡¯re going to miss this opportunity!¡±


    Manager Qian jolted upright and immediately rushed downstairs to look for the shopkeeper. In his excitement, he walked a little too quickly and slipped.


    The customers eating in the downstairs hall heard a thud. They all looked up towards the sound and saw someone rolling down the stairs. The person then climbed to his feet calmly and walked away as if nothing happened.


    Everyone was dumbstruck. It was good that at his age he still had strong bones!


    The moment he turned the corner out of anyone¡¯s view, Manager Qian rubbed his throbbing buttocks, cursing silently.??<i>F*ck!?</i>


    Half an hourter, Ye Jiayao was kneeling on the ground, both hands outstretched to receive the crown prince¡¯s calligraphy, kowtowing to thank His Highness. She was so emotional that the words she wanted to say were stuck in her throat. She wanted to shout all over the ce and pump her fist in victory.


    When the crown prince inherits the throne, this calligraphy would upgrade to the emperor¡¯s calligraphy. She was totally going to frame this up when she opens her restaurant in the future. She was getting too excited just thinking about it.


    The crown prince smiled graciously. ¡°If youunch anything new, don¡¯t forget to send a set to the east pce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded enthusiastically. This was a great way to earn the crown prince¡¯s good favor.


    ¡°As long as Your Highness likes it, it will be my honor to send my food to you over every day.¡±


    The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth twitched, his heart sour with jealousy.?<i>I ran all over the ce just to keep you from getting beheaded, shouldn¡¯t I get a set, too?</i>


    Helian Jing looked at Big Yaoyao merrily. His heart was indescribably happy. The better Big Yaoayo does in Jin Ling, the less he would be likely to leave.


    Her crisis had not only been solved but instead, became good luck. The saying,?<i>the kind of people you mix with would determine the kind of life you¡¯ll have,?</i>?came to mind. At the moment, she found it to be very true.


    Her fake marriage to an Heir-Son Lord, and identally picking up a Young Royal Highness as a little brother gave her one of a kind opportunities and chances.


    After sending the crown prince off, Helian Xuan returned to the army department while the other princes and noblemen also dispersed. The only ones left in the restaurant were Xia Chunyu, Helian Jing, and Zhao Qixuan.


    The four sit down for tea.


    Only then did Helian Jing asked, ¡°Can you tell me now how you managed to offend Princess Liu Li?¡±


    Xia Chunyu fanned himself emotionlessly as he drank his tea, acting as if this was none of his business.


    Ye Jiayao narrated the rough course of the events.


    Zhao Qixuan pped the table in amazement. ¡°Li Yao, you¡¯ve avenged me! I wish I could¡¯ve been there to witness this. It¡¯s high time that someone takes care of that little she-devil.¡±


    Xia Chunyu cleared his throat as a warning. ¡°Take it easy, Zhao Qixuan. Your loose tongue may cause trouble and you might wake up in the pond again tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, who has heard of this story, pursed her lips to keep fromughing out loud.


    Zhao Qixuan scowled miserably. ¡°Brother Chunyu, can you please stop opening that old wound? Besides, as long as you don¡¯t tell her, she¡¯d never know.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned, his eyes bing icy cold.


    Knowing that he had said something wrong, Zhao Qixuan backpedaled. ¡°Just kidding, just kidding. Don¡¯t take it seriously.¡±


    Helian Jing said worriedly, ¡°Liu Li is not one to let things pass. She might not be able to openly harm Yaoyao, but she¡¯d definitely find a way to do it secretly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu put his cup down and drawled, ¡°I don¡¯t think she would be able toe out of the pce for a while.¡±


    Everyone looked at Xia Chunyu curiously and chorused, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°She should be listening to the empress dowager¡¯s lecture right about now,¡± Xia Chunyu replied.


    Helian Jing asked dubiously, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow, smiling lightly.


    Of course, he was sure. He was the one who arranged it.


    The empress dowager does not allow anyone to lecture Liu Li or badmouth her because the empress dowager reserved that as her right. If it was a matter of principles, the empress dowager would not concede. In fact, when news about Zhao Qixuan¡¯s incident reached her ears, the?empress dowager grounded Liu Li for three months.?Now that the empress dowager was helping Liu Li pick a husband, she would not allow Liu Li to get into trouble. If he guessed right, the empress dowager would keep a close eye on Liu Li from now on and put a stop to her spontaneous trips outside the pce.


    Besides, he has also arranged for someone to protect Yaoyao. He won¡¯t allow Yaoyao to be plotted against.


    ¡°Then, I can rx a little,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°You still cannot let your guard down, Yaoyao. I will ask my brother to send someone from the guards¡¯ camp to protect you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately protested, ¡°Don¡¯t, there¡¯s no need. It is not really a big deal. There is no need to get so many people involved.¡±


    Helian Xuan already has unsavory opinions about her, if Little Jingjing asked for someone from the camp to be sent over, Helian Xuan would probably exterminate her. Helian Xuan¡¯s presence today was 80% on behalf of Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu was ufortable hearing Little Jing call Ye Jixuan Yaoyao. Although the Yaoyao he and Little Jing knew were different, it still bothered him.?<i>No one else can call her Yaoyao, damn it!</i>


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s guards¡¯ camp can be used whenever you please? Little Jing, it would be more convenient if I send some people over,¡± Xia Chunyu said casually. Protecting Yaoyao was his responsibility, no one could take it away.


    Helian Jing was discontented and unhappy. He hated how he does not have a troop under him. He even had to beg others if he wanted to protect Yaoyao. He has to be strong quickly so that he doesn¡¯t have to beg people for anything.


    Zhao Qixuan sighed resentfully. ¡°If only it was the devil who got married to West Mongolia, there would not be so much trouble.¡±


    Xia Chunyu warned again, ¡°Have you forgotten what happened to Princess Jing He?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan pouted gloomily. ¡°I can¡¯t even say what I want.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will handle whateveres and be more careful,¡±?Ye Jiayao assured them.


    Actually, she was not afraid of anything thates at her openly. What she was afraid of was being plotted against.


    Xia Chunyu rose and said, ¡°I have to go back to the pce to check some things, I¡¯m off now. Little Jing, your brother wants you to go back early, let¡¯s head off together.¡±


    Helian Jing grumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go. They just debate over a simple problem for three days, I¡¯ll be bored to death.¡±


    ¡°Your brother came today because you performed well. If you take this chance to ck off, I don¡¯t think you can ask a favor from him ever again,¡±?Xia Chunyu told him patiently.


    Helian Jing considered Brother Chunyu¡¯s words. He was right. The?quarrel with his?brother a few days ago was very difficult to patch up. He should take it easy and not make his brother mad again.


    ¡°Then, Yaoyao, I¡¯ll be off. Take care, alright? If there is anything you need,e look for me. I would rush over immediately,¡± Helian Jing said, reluctant to leave.


    Zhao Qixuan added with a smile, ¡°If you can¡¯t find them, you can look for me, too. The way you stood up to the princess was enough to get me on your side. Your troubles would be mine in the future, I would never turn you away.¡±


    ¡°Then I shall thank you in advance,¡±?Ye Jiayao said, smiling gratefully.


    After sending the three off, Ye Jiayao let out a relieved breath. She thought about how detestable Liu Li must be for people to cheer Yaoyao on for going against her. Even the crown prince refused to help her! Ay, that was quite pitiful.


    Ye Jiayao was greeted by a smiling Shopkeeper Li when she returned.?¡°Li Yao, can I have a look at the crown prince¡¯s calligraphy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw the greedy look in Shopkeeper Li¡¯s eyes and instantly knew what his intentions were.?<i>No, this is my treasure!?</i>


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, I can let you take a look, but the crown prince instructed that unless I make it as a first-rate chef, I cannot disy it. Perhaps the crown prince thinks that I am not qualified yet. It would shame him if I take it out,¡± Ye Jiayao lied smoothly.


    Shopkeeper Li was a little disappointed. ¡°Oh, is that so? Then¡­ I¡¯ll just have a look.¡±


    He wanted to hang it up in the shop, but since the crown prince has an order not to, he would just have to settle on looking at it.

 Chapter 78 - Don’t Forgive Him So Easily

    <h4>Chapter 78: Don¡¯t Forgive Him So Easily</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After all her work was done, Ye Jiayao walked out of Heavenly Residence with a small box clutched tightly in her arms. She got the box from Shopkeeper Li who gave it to her to keep the crown prince¡¯s calligraphy in.


    When she reached the intersection, she stopped in her tracks, unsure whether to head to Laifu Motel or Ruyi Motel. Xia Chunyu told her that Liu Li was not going to bother her anytime soon, so returning to Laifu should not be a problem, right?


    Song Qi appeared out of nowhere. ¡°Sister-inw.¡±


    Ye Jiayao winced and rubbed her ears. That address was making her feel awkward since she no longer has anything to do with Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Song Qi, can you please stop calling me that? The next time you call me that, I¡¯m going to ignore you.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s annoyance was clear in her tone.


    ¡°What should I call you, then?¡± Song Qi genuinely didn¡¯t know what to call her anymore.?<i>Miss Ye? Young Master Li?</i>


    ¡°Just call me Brother Yao like what everyone else does.¡±


    Song Qi, unsure, called weakly, ¡°Alright... Brother Yao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. That was much better.


    ¡°Brother Yao, for your safety, the Heir-Son Lord?has ordered for you to continue staying in Ruyi. You can move back to Laifu Motel when the news in the pce is confirmed,¡± Song Qi told her.


    Ye Jiayao followed Song Qi to Ruyi Motel without protest. For this instance, she would do as she was told. Many people have been bothered just to ensure her safety, she didn¡¯t wish to bring any more inconvenience to people.


    Randomly, a thought popped into Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind. She asked Song Qi, ¡°Are you still ying Double?¡±


    Laughingly, Song Qi replied, ¡°Of course! Most of the people in the mansion now know how to y. Ha! I even got a lecture when the housekeeper told the madam of what we were keeping busy with. But, guess what did Heir-Son Lord told the madam when sheined to him?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, did he tell her to leave you be because he finds it quite fun?¡± Ye Jiayao said sarcastically.??<i>Yeah, right.?</i>?Chunyu was a buzzkill of the highest order.


    ¡°Brother Yao, how did you know?¡± Song Qi was surprised.


    Ye Jiayao blinked at him momentarily.??<i>What?</i>


    ¡°Madam was quite shocked with how Heir-Son Lord answered her. Shemented that his stay up the mountains for half a year has corrupted him,¡± Song Qi ryed.


    ¡°What happened after that?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°After that¡­ well, I heard that Madam ys with the mistresses secretly. Sometimes, she would even drag Heir-Son Lord, and if he refuses to go, he would get a scolding from her.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not hold herughter in. Chunyu¡¯s mother sounded amusing.


    Suddenly, Song Qi sobered up. ¡°Brother Yao, um, there is something that I have to tell you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled encouragingly. ¡°Shoot.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember the vat of preserved eggs you made just before... everything got chaotic?Ever since we left the mountains, thinking that you¡¯re already dead, Heir-Son Lord had been lost. For the longest time, he wasn¡¯t able to eat very well. The chef in the mansion tried different techniques and cuisines, but the most we could get Heir-Son Lord to eat was a few bites. Everyone thought that he was ill. Madam was so anxious that she got the Imperial physician to look over him over and over again...¡±


    Song Qi paused, observing Ye Jiayao¡¯s expression.


    Ye Jiayao was confused. She recalled the night when he was frantically searching for her ¨C the guilt in his eyes. It was too bad that it was not his guilt that she wanted.


    Song Qi continued, ¡°I understand why Heir-Son Lord denied his marriage to you back then. He is the Heir-Son Lord of the Jing An Marquis, he has rules and expectations to follow. Honestly, if he would¡¯ve brought you back to the mansion, introducing you as his wife, I¡¯m not sure if Marquis and Madam would¡¯ve dealt with you pleasantly and -¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± Ye Jiayao cut him off. She knew that he was in a difficult position, but that wasn¡¯t the reason he did what he did. She knew that it was simply because he didn¡¯t love her. If he loved her, he would¡¯ve never given her up.


    ¡°No,¡± Song Qi said resolutely. ¡°I have to say this because no one else will. The Heir-Son Lord would rather take an acid bath than to admit to this. He made a mistake. He was confused and he chose the wrong thing, but believe me, Miss Ye, he regrets it deeply. When I bought him the preserved egg you made, that was the first time since we left ck Wind Ridge that he was able to finish a meal. He sat there, tearing up as he quietly ate a whole bowl of rice?with just the preserved egg.


    ¡°When I told him that you were alive, he looked so stunned, so shaken up that I thought he was going to pass out. He immediately went to look for you that night, and imagine my surprise when he came back limping. The days following that, he¡¯d been impossible to deal with, getting angry about anyone and anything, and blowing his top for no reason. I figured you haven¡¯t forgiven him yet. Am I right?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was about to defend herself when Song Qi added, ¡°And you shouldn¡¯t. Not so easily, anyway. You have to let him reflect on what he did wrong so he doesn¡¯t do it again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at Song Qi in shock. Did she hear him right? Song Qi painted Xia Chunyu as a wretched, heartbroken lover just to tell her to??<i>not?</i>?forgive him?


    She cleared her throat awkwardly and said, ¡°Song Qi, it¡¯s all in the past. Let¡¯s not... let¡¯s not talk about it, okay?¡±


    ¡°Alright, I will not mention it again.¡± Song Qi smiled. He has already achieved what he wanted. Miss Ye already knows the Heir-Son Lord¡¯s feelings, maybe she¡¯d treat him a little better now. ¡°But you have to teach me how to make?preserved eggs! The Heir-Son Lord has already finished that vat of preserved eggs so he¡¯s asked me to make some more, but I don¡¯t know how!¡±


    Ye Jiayao broke into a peal ofughter. ¡°Alright, I will teach you another day.¡±


    She saw how Song Qi got bossed around and scolded by Chunyu in the mountains. Now, he¡¯s getting him to make preserved eggs???<i>Ay, Dumb Donkey, do you think your attendant is Doraemon?</i>


    Their conversation made the journey feel short, and before they knew it, they¡¯ve already arrived at Ruyi Motel.


    Ye Jiayao handed the box containing the crown prince¡¯s calligraphy to Song Qi for safekeeping. She obsessively reminded him to safeguard it well before she retired to her room to rest.


    She intended to sleep, however, every time she would close her eyes, Song Qi¡¯s words would start ringing in her ears. Does Dumb Donkey really care about her that much? She has turned him away so many times now, berated and scold him, and even injured his precious jewels... but he was still protecting her. Was all that out of guilt?


    <i>That frustrating man!?</i>?Ye Jiayao tossed and turn, trying to think of something else, anything that¡¯s not rted to him.


    What should she think about???<i>Oh!?</i>?Chunyu said that Little Jingjing has been performing welltely. That made her proud and happy. Little Jingjing wasn¡¯t really that bad. She knew that as long as he was given a chance, he could master things quickly.


    And that Zhao Qixuan!?<i>What a remarkable, amusing person.?</i>?She wondered if he was the top or the bottom. He seemed to be a bottom, but he could as easily be a gentle top, too.


    <i>Aiya!?</i>Ye Jiayao sat up suddenly and pped her forehead. She forgot to ask Zhao Qixuan to help her get some coconuts!


    Ye Jiayao lied back down helplessly. Her mind was a mess!


    The next day, Ye Jiayao went to work and found Manager Du waiting for her in the restaurant.


    ¡°Big brother, why are you here?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, surprised.


    Manager Du answered, ¡°When you had someone tell us that you were in trouble and wouldn¡¯t being back to the inn temporarily, we got worried. I thought perhaps you¡¯de byst night, but when you didn¡¯t, your sister-inw sent me here. Little Brother Li, are you alright?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart warmed. They were strangers who she met by chance and yet, here they were, personally visiting to check on her.


    ¡°Big brother, it is nothing. I¡¯m fine. I will be going back after a few days, you don¡¯t have to worry, really.¡±


    Manager Du nodded. ¡°That¡¯s good. If you need my help in any way, just tell me, alright?¡±


    Although Little Brother Li swore that he was fine, Manager Du was unconvinced. How can something that forced him to hide just be??<i>nothing??</i>?He was unbelieving, but since Li Yao didn¡¯t want to discuss it, he didn¡¯t probe further. Manager Du just wanted him to know that he was there for him.


    ¡°Of course. Big brother, I¡¯m sorry but I have to hurry back, the shop is about to get busy.¡±


    At noon, when Ye Jiayao was the busiest, Helian Jing arrived at the restaurant and pulled her out of the kitchen. ¡°Big Yaoyao, I have good news for you!¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind was on the vegetables in the wok. She wasn¡¯t sure that the other kitchen hands could control the fire and she was afraid they might end up burning the vegetables.?<i>Imagine serving burnt vegetables.?</i>?Ye Jiayao held in a shudder.


    ¡°What¡¯s the good news? Hurry up, Little Jing, I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°My brother has agreed to let you do my grandmother¡¯s birthday feast.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened joyfully. ¡°Really?¡±


    When she lost the chance, she was very dejected, but she didn¡¯t want to put Little Jingjing in a difficult situation so she kept quiet. She never imagined that she¡¯d get the opportunity back again.


    Helian Jing smiled, the cute dimples on his cheek appearing. ¡°Really! Zheng Fugui from Fu Ji has contracted gout so he could not do the feast. He proposed to let his son do it, but I argued that if it was going to be his son cooking, we might as well just let you do it, and my brother actually agreed! It might¡¯ve also been because he was impressed with the food you made yesterday!¡±


    <i>Well, he would¡¯ve been impressed sooner if he had actually eaten the dishes I prepared when he first came here to ost me.</i>


    Things like culinarypetitions were like gymnastics. If everyone finishes their routine simrly, the judges¡¯ rating of the performance would be affected by the contestant¡¯s reputation as well the country he/she was representing. Judging food was an even more difficult task because people have different tastes ¨C that¡¯s when famees in handy.


    She has obtained a little fame from the chilled drinks she released, but it was not big enough. The crown prince¡¯s calligraphy was her trump card and should not be used so easily, so that was out, too.


    What she really needed to raise her name in the food and beverage industry of Jin Ling was a tform where she could disy her skills.??<i>This?</i>?was the tform.??<i>This?</i>?was her chance.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, are you going to do it?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Ye Jiayao smiled confidently. ¡°Yes. If you really trust me this much, I will do it.¡±

 Chapter 79 - I Want To Eat Egg Fried Rice

    <h4>Chapter 79: I Want To Eat Egg Fried Rice</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After the lunch frenzy, Ye Jiayao called Zhong Xiang, Deng Haichuan, Wang Mingde, and Cui Dongpeng over to a little teahouse outside for a meeting.


    Such an important feast was impossible to manage on her own. She needed to bring some helpers along.


    She has her own reasons why she chose those four.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s skills were more holistic but Ye Jiayao wanted him to focus on pastry. Deng Haichuan would be in charge of ingredients and the materials. Wang Mingde was good at making soup seasoning. He once mentioned that he learned how to make vegetarian food, and Little Jingjing had told her that the old princess was a Buddhist and a vegetarian. As for Cui Dongpeng, he was a very hardworking person, his cutting skills were excellent, and he could follow directions very well.


    Of course, the most crucial point was that the four of them have a good rtionship with her.


    Ye Jiayao briefed them about the feast. ¡°When the timees, I want to invite you to go over with me. If we do a good job, we could be hired to do more feasts. This is our chance. Are you in or not?¡±


    Without a second of hesitation, the four of them replied in unison, ¡°In.¡±


    Their faces were all filled with excitement. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, they¡¯d be fools to refuse.


    Deng Haichuan said, ¡°Brother Yao, just tell us what you want us to do. We won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng nodded eagerly.


    ¡°Brother Yao, we will follow your orders,¡± Zhong Xiang dered.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Alright, but I have to tell you, only sess is allowed. I will not tolerate failure. Every one of you has to put in your 110% to do this. I will delegate the tasks out tomorrow. Whoever screws up will not be given a second chance.¡±


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Li Yao, we will give this our best shot.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s all settled. Tomorrow, I will draft out the menu and pass it to the Helian Mansion for checking. Once it is passed, everyone has to get ready immediately. Oh, and also, before the menu is confirmed, everything should be kept a secret.¡±


    Everyone nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    After that, Ye Jiayao made a trip back to Laifu Motel to retrieve her little booklet, her manual to sess.


    She has seen the menu that Little Jingjing gave her from Zhao Qixuan¡¯s grandmother¡¯s birthday feastst year. It was done by Fu Ji and was no different from the regr birthday feast, just more expensive dishes. Indeed, the meals from the Manchu Han Imperial feast menu was more detailed, with reasonable arrangements. What she wanted to do now was to make slight changes to the Manchurian dishes that the southerners were not used to.


    After that, she loitered around the streets for a while. She went to a preserved fruit stall and bought a huge bag of things.


    ¡°Brother Yao, are you buying these back as snacks?¡± Song Qi¡¯s mission today was to help her carry stuff.


    ¡°Do you want to have some while we?y Doubles tonight?¡±


    Song Qi¡¯s eyes brightened up.¡±Sure, sure! The Heir-Son Lord is not on duty today, but we are stillcking one person. Nevermind! Finding another yer is easy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bit her lip. She didn¡¯t want to y with Chunyu.


    ¡°I am just joking about ying doubles. You can eat these, though. Right, which pastry shops sell the best pastry in Jin Ling?¡±


    Song Qi answered, ¡°Bai Wei Zhai. Other than the pastries from the Imperial kitchen, they are the best ¨C and most expensive too.¡±


    ¡°Okay! Let¡¯s go to Bai Wei Zhai.¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to understand the standards of the pastries in the market. She needed to gauge how good they were.


    Both of them went to Bai Wei Zhai. They bought some of all types of pastries, like Split Yellow Pea Cake, Lotus Cake, Walnut Cookies, Chestnut Cake, Thousand Layer Oil Cake, and many others, making yet another huge bag.


    Ye Jiayao was about to take her money out when she saw Song Qi pass some silver to the shop assistant.


    ¡°Song Qi, let me get that.¡± Ye Jiayao wanted the shop assistant to return the silver to Song Qi.


    Song Qiughed and said, ¡°Brother Yao, does it really matter who pays? Besides, you bought so much and I reckon more than half of it will end up in my stomach.¡±


    Actually, when she was paying at the preserved fruits stall, Song Qi noticed that she did not have a lot of money with her. And anyway, Heir-Son Lord has given him some silver with the instructions to buy whatever Miss Ye required.


    Ye Jiayao let him pay, not wanting to cause a scene. Besides, it wasn¡¯t as if she could really fight him.


    After buying so much, both of them went straight to Ruyi Motel. Song Qi got the waiter to brew a pot of Da Hong Pao and both of them started to unpack and eat.


    When Xia Chunyu arrived at the inn, he saw the both of them munching busily, the whole table filled with dried fruits and pastries.


    Song Qi looked as though he has been relieved of a heavy burden when the Heir-Son Lord arrived. As a grown man, he really wasn¡¯t used to eating such sweet stuff. The scariest part was that for every one that he eats, Miss Ye would ask him how it tasted. What were the strengths and weaknesses?


    He has always just swallowed his food in and shit them out, how would he know what were the strengths and weaknesses? He was being slowly stuffed to death with sugar.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, take a seat here. I will brew some tea for you!¡± Song Qi said hurriedly.


    ¡°Song Qi, quick, continue, we are not done yet!¡± Ye Jiayao shouted after him.


    Song Qi escaped quickly. With the Heir-Son Lord taking over his ce, he would never return.


    Xia Chunyu frowned and asked, ¡°Not done yet? What are you two doing?¡±


    Ye Jiayao pointed to the little booklet in her hands. ¡°I am doing some investigation. I am in charge of Little Jing¡¯s grandmother¡¯s birthday feast so I have to do some research on which dried fruits and desserts to use. I have to be the best out there.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was shocked. ¡°Little Jing handed the birthday feast to you? Did Helian Xuan agree to that?¡±


    This was no simple matter. A birthday feast was not just cooking up a few dishes, there were different aspects involved. Could Yaoyao really handle it?


    Ye Jiayao smiled proudly and replied, ¡°Would Little Jing dare to entrust it to me without the consent of Helian Xuan?¡±


    ¡°Ay! Don¡¯t look so doubtful. Do you think that I can¡¯t do this?¡± she continued challengingly.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her blinkingrge eyes that were shining with a hint of sly threat. For his safety, he was not going to voice his reservations.


    ¡°Then, you go do a good job. Do you need help?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Xia Chunyu stifled his surprise.??<i>You do? Really?</i>


    Ye Jiayao smiled even brighter, pointing at the table full of food. ¡°Help me eat.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyebrows form a deep furrow. He doesn¡¯t usually eat snacks.


    ¡°Try this Split Yellow Pea Cake and this Lotus Cake, and tell me which one tastes better. Tell me how does itpare to the ones you had in the pce or at home.¡± Ye Jiayao passed him the pastries eagerly.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart started beating quickly upon seeing her expectant gaze and her blooming smile. Does this mean she was no longer angry at him? Was this the sun after the storm?


    He took the pastries dly.


    ¡°How is it?¡±


    ¡°The Split Yellow Pea is very fine, it melts immediately in the mouth. The fragrance of the pea is strong, but it is a little too sweet, and you could get fed up with this easily. As for the Lotus Cake¡­ it¡¯s soft and sweet, but it is?<i>too?</i>soft from steaming. It¡¯s?not chewy enough. As a whole, it¡¯s not bad.¡± He paused and suddenly eximed, ¡°This is from Bai Wei Zhai, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    <i>Chunyu¡¯s cultured upbringing really shows. Hisments are very precise and detailed, unlike the uncouth Song Qi who has nothing to say other than ¡®nice¡¯ or ¡®not nice¡¯.</i>


    ¡°Your taste buds are quite keen. Yes, it is from Bai Wei Zhai. Song Qi says that in the whole Jin Ling, Bai Wei Zhai is the best,¡± Ye Jiayao said as she took down some notes of what Chunyu said.


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°Why would you listen to him? Bai Wei Zhai is but a popr brand with long history. Ju Xiang Yuan is actually better. Take the Split Yellow Pea, for example, the color of that in Ju Xiang Yuan is light yellow, making it more attractive. It is fragrant, sweet and refreshing.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked up. ¡°Song Qi said it with such conviction, though.¡±


    ¡°Ju Xiang Yuan¡¯s shopkeeper is originally a pastry chef from the Imperial kitchen,¡± Xia Chunyu added.


    ¡°No wonder it¡¯s good. I will have to try it tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°Here, try this Osmanthus cake.¡±


    Xia Chunyu reluctantly ate another piece. ¡°The smell of the Osmanthus flower is not strong enough. This must be made withst year¡¯s flowers. The best time to eat Osmanthus cake is during the blooming season of the Osmanthus flower. The Osmanthus cakes then are usually made of freshly picked Osmanthus flowers, making them especially fragrant.¡±


    Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue, impressed. ¡°I think you have the potential to be a gourmet.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Even if you?bring all the pastries from the various shops in Jin Ling and jumble them up, I would be able to tell whiches from where,¡± he said proudly, looking at her from the corner of his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao pouted.??<i>Bluff.</i>


    After eating eight pastries, Xia Chunyu was starting to feel sick. Didn¡¯t Song Qi go out to brew some tea? Where was he? And where was the tea?


    Even if he went up the mountains to pick the tea leaves, he should¡¯ve been back by now.


    Xia Chunyu reached out to take Yaoyao¡¯s teacup.


    Ye Jiayao blocked him.?¡°Hey, I already drank from this.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve kissed multiple times, we¡¯ve done??<i>other?</i>?things multiple times... do you really think drinking your tea will bother me?¡± Xia Chunyu drawled.


    Ye Jiayao blushed but still refused to relinquish her drink.


    Xia Chunyu was annoyed. ¡°I helped you by eating so many of these things, yet you can¡¯t spare me your tea? Do you want me to choke to death?¡±


    Ye Jiayao instantly felt apologetic. She only tore a small piece of each pastry to try and was already so sick of them. What more of him who has eaten so much?


    ¡°Didn¡¯t Song Qi leave to brew some tea for you?¡± Ye Jiayao pouted.


    ¡°Do you think he really went to brew some tea?¡± he replied dryly. ¡°He must have fled away in fear of you force feeding him pastries again.?<i>I?</i>suffered through that, and yet, you won¡¯t even give me a sip to drink.¡±


    ¡°Take it, take it all. I will just get one myself.¡± Ye Jiayao left her seat to get some tea.


    Xia Chunyu called, ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I haven¡¯t had dinner yet, and now I am filled with pastries. Come with me to get some food to get rid of this taste, otherwise, I am going to puke.¡±


    ¡°It is sote! Go eat by yourself. It is time you should leave, anyway.¡± Since the food tasting has already ended, he could leave.


    Xia Chunyu pointed outside. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear that it is raining heavily outside? I didn¡¯te with a horse carriage. I¡¯ll leave when the rain stops.¡±


    Ye Jiayao actually felt like eating something else too, but it was raining outside. There were no boots in this era so walking in the rain would be wet, slushy, and ufortable.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I get the waiter downstairs to lend us their kitchen to make some food?¡± she suggested.


    After some thought, he said, ¡°Cook some egg fried rice!¡±


    The first dish Yaoyao made for him was an egg fried rice, the taste of it still fresh in his mouth.

 Chapter 80 - What Rights Do You Have To Kiss Her

    <h4>Chapter 80: What Rights Do You Have To Kiss Her</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao proceeded to make some food while Xia Chunyu lied down on the bed, reading through her little booklet.


    The booklet was filled with little scribbles of the positive and negative points of every type of dried fruits in detail.


    Xia Chunyu admired how much thought and preparation she was putting on this feast. If it were others, they would¡¯ve just definitely bought some from Bai Wei Zhai or Ju Xiang Yuan out of convenience. The guests would not say much about it either. There were only few who aim for perfection like her.


    He was initially a little worried that she would not do well with this task. However, now, after seeing the lengths she was willing to go to, he knew that she would definitely do great.


    Ye Jiayao carried the finished Yang Zhou fried rice up to her room. Just as she reached the second floor, she heard someone shout, ¡°You think you are formidable with?three Kings? I am gonna kill you with a bomb¡­¡±


    <i>Isn¡¯t that Song Qi¡¯s voice?</i>


    Ye Jiayao followed the voice to a room. She leaned forward to peer through the crack of the door and saw Song Qi and a few guards ying cards.


    <i>I thought this fellow was going to brew tea?</i>


    Ye Jiayao decided to leave this alone for now and continued to her room.


    Xia Chunyu sat up upon smelling the fragrance of the fried rice. He moved the few things on the bed and said, ¡°Eat here, by the window. It is cooler.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t any beef in the kitchen so I used pork. There is also no vegetables left so I added pickled cabbage. If you say anything bad about this, I¡¯ll dump this over your head,¡± Ye Jiayao dered upfront, knowing that this chap was extremely picky about food.


    Xia Chunyu shrugged. ¡°So what? Before you came up the mountains, I ate worse food than that and survived.¡±


    ¡°I made so many delicious foods for you every day, but you always made it seem like you don¡¯t like it!¡± Just thinking about it was making Ye Jiayao¡¯s blood boil.


    Xia Chunyu exined, ¡°I am not clear about your background then! I thought you were a spy sent by First-in-charge! You have to admit that it¡¯s strange that they didn¡¯t keep a beautiful woman for themselves. First-in-charge has always been wary of me so I was naturally suspicious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao cooled down a bit after hearing him praise her beauty. Still, she red at him and said, ¡°Excuses.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t say anything more. He told her the truth.


    Although there wasn¡¯t an abundance of ingredients, only pork cubes, and eggs, everything Yaoyao made was delicious.


    He wasn¡¯t actually hungry. He just missed her egg fried rice so he was able to clean his whole bowl out.


    He nced at her and noticed that the rice in her bowl hasn¡¯t decreased much.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not eating, just give it to me.¡± Xia Chunyu stared at her bowl.


    Ye Jiayao covered her bowl quickly. ¡°You have already eaten a lot! I especially gave you a big bowl.¡±


    ¡°Who said that every grain and meal does note easy, that we shouldn¡¯t waste food, hmm? Besides, I took a trip to the Purple Mountains today and I used up a lot of energy. I need to eat more.¡± Xia Chunyu snatched her bowl over and poured half of the rice into his bowl before promptly returning it to her.


    ¡°If there ever is a famine, whoever is with you will definitely starve to death,¡±?Ye Jiayao said gloomily.


    Xia Chunyu smiled as he looked at her, his eyes as dark as obsidians. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I wouldn¡¯t let you starve even if it means I have to cut my flesh out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was a little embarrassed. What does that mean? Was she really that important to him?


    Ye Jiayao scooped rice into her mouth silently. She looked up when she felt a set of heavy eyes on her.


    ¡°Why are you staring at me?¡± Ye Jiayao snapped.


    Xia Chunyu pointed at her cheek. ¡°There¡¯s a grain of rice.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wiped it hurriedly.?<i>There isn¡¯t any!</i>


    ¡°Are you lying?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded, her eyes narrowing.


    Xia Chunyu lowered his head and resumed eating his rice. ¡°It was there just now. It¡¯s gone already.¡±


    His lips turned up into a faint smile. He was genuinely enjoying simple things like this. There was a time that he thought that there would never be a chance for them to eat face to face like this again. The scene right now was so simr to the night they got married. The only difference was Yaoyao was meeker then.


    ¡°Chunyu, guess where Song Qi went,¡± Ye Jiayao quizzed.


    Xia Chunyu repliedzily, ¡°He won¡¯t be next door, definitely not sitting in the lobby downstairs... I would have to say that he is hiding somewhere ying Doubles.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him in surprise. It seemed like he knew his henchman well.


    Xia Chunyu gave her a faint smile. ¡°Are you going to Ju Xiang Yuan tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I would have to take a look since you gave it such a high praise.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Song Qi to apany you there. I will fork out the money, you get Song Qi to try all the pastries there until he does not have the strength to y cards,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    <i>That fellow is getting out of control. How dare he throw me, his boss, the tough job and sneak away to y cards?</i>


    Ye Jiayao found that a bit too mean, but she had to admit that it was a good idea.


    Outside, the rain had already stopped.


    ¡°You should be going, it is veryte,¡± Ye Jiayao urged.


    Xia Chunyu seemed to sigh. ¡°Yeah, it is time to go back.¡±


    He knew that he should leave but he really didn¡¯t want to go. However, he dared not stay either. Improving his rtionship with Yaoyao was more of a hard work than he originally thought.


    ¡°Then I shall get going. Tomorrow, though, I might not have the time toe over.¡± Xia Chunyu rose, wishing to see a hint of disappointment from her expression, but he found none.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Go do what you need to do. There isn¡¯t much here, anyway.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was mncholic and frustrated. How could he get through to her?


    ¡°Go, go! I am tired,¡± Ye Jiayao hurried him on continuously.


    Xia Chunyu frowned, walking out quickly.


    Ye Jiayao followed behind to walk him out the door for courtesy purposes. She was not really paying attention to him so she didn¡¯t realize that he stopped just before the door. Her face smashed into his back unceremoniously.


    Ye Jiayao covered her nose in pain, grumbling, ¡°Why did you stop so suddenly?¡±


    ¡°I forgot something,¡± Xia Chunyu said thoughtfully.


    Ye Jiayao was about to ask him what it was when he leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.


    He said in a calm, deep voice, ¡°I¡¯lle again tomorrow.¡±


    Then he turned around and walked out.


    Ye Jiayao stared nkly at the open doorway for a long while.


    Why did she let him kiss her? Why didn¡¯t she p him to the next continent? Didn¡¯t all the dramas have that scene? Did he think that just by helping her out he gets to have some sort of payment? Did he think that just because she was nice to him this time, she has forgiven himpletely?


    Even if she has forgiven him, that does not mean that she has epted him back.


    There were too many problems between them. They weren¡¯t even in the same social status! Even if they did end up together, what would be of her? His concubine? Always wary of the first wife???<i>No, thank you.?</i>?There was no meaning to a life like that.


    Ye Jiayao closed the door angrily.


    Early next morning, Ye Jiayao headed to Ju Xiang Yuan and bought a ton of pastries. Song Qi flinched the moment they entered the shop.


    ¡°Brother Yao, why do you have to buy so many pastries every day? Are you thinking of opening a pastry shop?¡± Song Qi sounded her out carefully.


    Ye Jiayao smiled as though she was keeping a big secret. ¡°I have ns for that!¡±


    Song Qi resisted the urge to wail like a child. He was hoping that Sister-inw would open a restaurant so he could get free meals. If she opened a pastry shop, would he be frequently asked over to do taste testing?


    ¡°Brother Yao, I think that a restaurant is better than a pastry shop. See, people would only buy one or two boxes of pastries at most. However, if they eat a meal, they would order a whole table of food. That is very lucrative. For things like pastries, they only attract women and not men.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said leisurely, ¡°Then I¡¯ll set up both a restaurant and a pastry shop to amodate all markets.¡±


    You have such a huge appetite, Song Qi thought.


    ¡°Song Qi, after this, bring all these pastries¡­¡± Ye Jiayao trailed off, gleefully observing his face slowly crumble.


    ¡°Brother Yao, spare me, please. I had so muchst night that I feel like I can go without food for the next seven days. Why don¡¯t I find some servants for you to do the food tasting?¡± Song Qi pleaded.


    Ye Jiayao could not resist herughter. ¡°I haven¡¯t finished what I wanted to say, why are you in such a hurry? I want you to bring the pastries back to Heavenly Residence. Today, I want to treat the brothers.¡±


    Song Qi immediately straightened his back, beaming into a smile. ¡°I can do that.¡±


    After the busy lunch hour, Ye Jiayao called everyone for a meeting. This meeting, however, has better welfare because other than tea, there were pastries.


    ¡°Come, all of you. Try these and tell me the unique qualities of each pastry.¡± Ye Jiayao opened up the boxes, taking the pastries out.


    Deng Haichuan was bewildered. ¡°Brother Yao, why did you get so many pastries? Aren¡¯t the dishes more important?¡±


    Ye Jiayao patted his shoulder endearingly. ¡°Haichuan, that¡¯s not all of it. Of course, you have to make good dishes, but there are already many people in Jin Ling who can cook very well. Pastries are in a different league. If you cane up with some innovative and unique vors, guests will surely remember that. The brilliance often lies in the details. There is a saying that goes, ¡®sess or failure depends on the details¡¯. Didn¡¯t we say that our goal isn¡¯t to just?have a smooth-sailing, but to amaze the world?¡±


    Everyone nodded pensively, seeming to have understood Ye Jiayao¡¯s point.


    ¡°In a feast, the dishes are the keyponents, yes, but the arrangement of drinks, dried fruits, pastries, and desserts are important as well. Even the te that you use, the chopsticks, and the spoons can be the determining factors of our sess. We have to pay close attention to every detail and strive for perfection,¡± Ye Jiayao continued.


    Zhong Xiang gave out the pastries to others. ¡°Eat, taste them carefully, and we can all discuss the various opinions that we have.¡±


    Zhong Xiang felt thatpared to Li Yao, he was miles behind. Li Yao was someone with opinions, someone who controls the situation through the little details ¨C just like a general devising a battle n.


    Ye Jiayao has already drafted out the dishes for the birthday feast and has also settled the dried fruits yesterday. Only the pastries were left. She was still undecided. She wanted to wait for everyone to finish eating and discussing before she finalized it.


    She was considering four desserts: Split Yellow Pea Cake, Walnut Cakes, Thousand Layer Cake, and Kidney Bean Roll.


    ¡°Li Yao, these are all verymon pastries. You said you are going toe up with something new, how are you nning to go about doing it?¡± Zhong Xiang was uncertain.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Innovationes from deep pondering. Everyone, think these all through. I am going to the Helian Mansion, and if the menu is settled, we can start tomorrow.¡±

 Chapter 81 - Chunyu’s Mother

    <h4>Chapter 81: Chunyu¡¯s Mother</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    This was Ye Jiayao¡¯s first time to go the Helian Mansion so she now only realized that the Helian Mansion and the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion was actually very near each other. They were just two streets apart.


    The gatekeeper went to announce her arrival and shortly after, Helian Jing weed her with quick steps.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, you are finally here! I have waited for so long.¡± Helian Jing didn¡¯t dare to step foot outside the house at all in fear that he would miss Yaoyao when hees.


    ¡°Did I hold you up?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, embarrassed.


    ¡°No, not at all. I am just anxious, and also, Mother said that she wants to confirm the menu personally,¡± Helian Jing said. ¡°But, don¡¯t worry, my mother is very easy-going. She won¡¯t give you much of a hard time.¡±


    Despite his reassurance, Helian Jing was still uncertain. He had thought that he only needed his brother¡¯s consent in this matter, so his mother¡¯s interference was a surprise. If Big Yaoyao was rejected again, Helian Jing didn¡¯t know if he could face him again.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed, ¡°I am not worried. It is actually good that your mother would be taking matters into her hands. At least, she knows more than you do.¡±


    If it was just Little Jing, he would approve everything on the menu without even looking at it properly. It would be better if the old princess herself goes through it so Ye Jiayao could get an honest opinion.


    <i><strong>In the mansion¡¯s main room.</strong></i>


    Princess Yu De was in the middle of chatting with Jing An Marquis¡¯dy, Xia You. For the past three years, their topic has always been on the marriage of their sons.


    Both families have outstanding sons, the cream of the crop. Chunyu was 21 years of age while Helian Xuan was already 23. Most men at that age were already fathers, but both boys had yet to settle down. Mainly because they were both too busy, but also because they were very opinionated and have high standards. They?were never satisfied with their parents¡¯ arrangement so their marriage just kept getting dyed.


    Luckily, there were certain prospects for Chunyu¡¯s marriage. However, Xia You was a bit worried seeing as her future daughter-inw seemed a little unsettled.


    ¡°Liu Li is a little willful, but she is still young. It is only normal for her to be curious about the things outside the pce. Whose child isn¡¯t just a bit mischievous? I feel that the Empress Dowager is making a mountain out of a molehill this time,¡± Princess Yu De said nonchntly.


    Xia You forced a smile. Liu Li is Princess Yu De¡¯s niece, so naturally, Yu De would side with Liu Li.


    Her initial excitement about this marriage proposal had already faded. If Chunyu really marries Liu Li, his future would be bright and it would bring great things to the Xia family. However, with Liu Li¡¯s powerful guardians, there was a strong possibility that Chunyu would just get bullied by this pampered and willful princess. Besides, if Liu Li ended up living in their mansion, Xia You was going to have to bow down to her daughter-inw¡¯s will.


    She always had thest say in the Marquis Mansion and she was used to being the one who calls the shots. It would be difficult for her to ept the sudden appearance of someone with a higher status suppressing her.


    Therefore, these past few days, she had been in a conflicted turmoil.


    ¡°Empress Dowager also did it with Liu Li¡¯s interest in mind,¡± Xia You reminded Yu De.


    ¡°Liu Li merely had fun out of the pce once. What is the big deal? When I was her age, I was also extremely curious about the world outside the pce. I would dress up as a little eunuch and sneak out several times! That was also when I met the prince¡­¡± Princess Yu De¡¯s lips lifted into a reminiscent smile, her gaze seeming to drift off.


    Xia You didn¡¯t know how to react to that.?<i>?Mm, you did great sneaking out,?sneaking a beautiful marriage out, sneaking a happy-ever-after out, perhaps Liu Li would be as lucky as you¡­</i>


    The problem was that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor think highly of Chunyu. In their minds, what was left to discuss of this marriage was just its announcement. It should be time for Liu Li to control herself and await the marriage instead of sneaking out of the pce like an errant child.


    Xia You just lowered her head to drink her tea to attempt to conceal the awkwardness.


    Luckily, Princess Yu De did not reminisce the past for too long. She sighed and said, ¡°The Empress Dowager is just too uptight over Liu Li. She is the only one left in our seventh brother¡¯s family so she¡¯s being very overprotective. The Empress Dowager originally nned to finalize Liu Li and Chunyu¡¯s marriage before Mid-Autumn, but there had been trouble with West Mongolia recently and the Emperor is very worried. I heard from Xuan-er that they might have to dispatch some troops.¡±


    Xia You secretly heaved a sigh of relief, grateful for the sudden change of subject. She thought that it was lucky that West Mongolia got in trouble, or else, Chunyu would¡¯ve been rushed into marriage.


    Xia You was puzzled by her reaction. Why was she d that the wedding got postponed? Could it be that between the interest of the Marquis Mansion and her personal preference, she was choosing thetter? She has to think this matter through thoroughly.


    ¡°Reporting to the Princess, the birthday feast¡¯s chef is here with the menu. Young Royal Highness asks if you would like to take a look?¡± the servant reported.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± Yu De Princess asked.


    ¡°He is currently waiting in the reception pavilion,¡± the servant replied.


    Seeing that Yu De had something to settle, Xia You rose to take her leave. She had onlye today to find out about the incident on Liu Li¡¯s punishment, but as soon as she and Yu De got talking, time got away from her.


    Yu De stopped her from leaving. ¡°Don¡¯t be in a hurry to leave yet, go with me to take a look. I heard that this chef is new. I don¡¯t like this, but this is Little Jing¡¯s first task and he is putting all his effort on this. I don¡¯t think he¡¯d take a heavy blow like this well. Just back me up in there so he would dispel the intention of hiring that chef.¡±


    For the second time, Xia You didn¡¯t know how to respond to what Yu De said.??<i>So you¡¯re dragging me along so I can be the bearer of bad news? You want me to y the bad guy so your son doesn¡¯t hate you?</i>


    ¡°In my opinion, newbies have their benefits. After all, only newbies cane up with new tricks. Since Little Jing thinks so highly of him, he must have his merits. Don¡¯t worry too much. Besides, Little Jing is a sensible child, if?he gets shot down, I¡¯m sure he¡¯d understand. This is the Old Lady¡¯s big event so I¡¯m sure he knew that this can¡¯t be done carelessly,¡± Xia You refused tactfully.


    ¡°The severity of the feast doesn¡¯t matter because he allows his emotions to affect his decisions. I heard that this chef was his friend. I asked him a few questions about thisst night, and he got annoyed and frustrated. I¡¯ve pampered him since he was young so my words would not weigh as much as yours to him. Come with me. You can provide more opinion, and if I left anything out, you can cover for me.¡± Princess Yu De pulled Lady Xia You over resolutely.


    Xia You was unable to refuse, but she vowed that she would not y the bad guy.


    In the reception pavilion, Helian Jing was in awe after taking a look at the menu Big Yaoyao had prepared.


    ¡°Big Yaoyao, this is too detailed! How did you think of all these? This is almost the standard of an Imperial feast! The one from Fu Ji pales inparison with yours.¡±


    <i>Of course, it is the standard of an Imperial Feast. This is the improved version of the Imperial Feast with the best reputation in history.</i>


    ¡°Does it vite the regtions and system of the ceremony?¡± This was the only thing that Ye Jiayao was worried about. The ancient feudal society was strict with hierarchy, paying particr attention to eating, dressing, and even marrying. The consequences were dire if the boundaries were crossed.


    Helian Jing replied, ¡°There are regtions for the ceremony, but my grandmother¡¯s status deserve the standards of an Imperial Feast.¡±


    His grandmother was the only first-ssdy who got her title granted by the Imperial court in Huai Song. Her son was the only king with a different surname who got bestowed the title due to his outstanding contributions. On top of that, her daughter-inw was the Emperor¡¯s blood sister, the Empress Dowager¡¯s blood daughter, Princess Yu De. Even if the Empress Dowager summons her in, she was allowed to be on an equal footing with her.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°If you think that this is too extravagant, I still have two other ns with me. I designed a total of three sets in different grades.¡±


    Her experience in the modern workce had taught her to n backups in case the first proposal got rejected. Failing to prepare for possible changes or refusal would be equivalent to passing up an opportunity.


    Helian Jing thought about it for a while before he said, ¡°My mother likes extravagance while my grandmother prefers frugality. My brother likes parties to not be overly extravagant that it makes people jealous, but not too simple either that it bes aughing stock. He kind of prefers moderate feasts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded in understanding. It really didn¡¯t surprise her that Helian Xuan was the most thorough with his considerations. ¡°Then I better let your mother look at the middle-grade menuter on.¡±


    Helian Jing shook his head. ¡°My mother would definitely like this set. The more extravagant it is, the more she will like it. Let her take a look at this first. If there is anything to be taken out, we¡¯ll let grandmother do it. If you take the middle grade or the low grade to her straight away, she would definitely reject it on sight.¡±


    In the middle of their conversation, Princess Yu De and Lady Xia You entered the room.


    With both their graceful presence and bearings of upper-ss women, Ye Jiayao could not tell which one was Little Jing¡¯s mother. Both of them didn¡¯t seem to resemble Little Jing or Helian Xuan. However, thedy with an oval face looked very familiar. She just couldn¡¯t recall when or where she saw her.


    Helian Jing rushed forward to bow. He greeted with a smile, ¡°Mother, I thought you wouldn¡¯t have the time toe over because Auntie is here!¡±


    ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s birthday feast is not important only to our family. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor ce high importance on it and have even asked about it several times. Of course, I have to be here to check on it, Little Jing,¡± Princess Yu De said.


    Helian Jing did not reply to his mother, but instead, turned to greet Xia You. ¡°How are you, Auntie? What is Brother Chunyu busy with these days? He doesn¡¯t drop by to y anymore.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She looked so familiar because this was Chunyu¡¯s mother!??<i>Sh*t! I¡¯m not prepared for this!</i>


    After greeting Xia You, Helian Jing introduced Ye Jiayao,?¡°Mother, this is Li Yao, the head chef of Heavenly Residence that I mentioned to you before.¡±


    Ye Jiayao cupped one fist in the other hand, bowing respectfully.


    Princess Yu De shot a nce at Ye Jiayao.?<i>So young? This is more of a disaster than I thought.</i>

 Chapter 82 - Sidelines

    <h4>Chapter 82: Sidelines</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was not a stranger to the suspicious and negative look Elder Princess Yi De was giving her. For a man, she was considered scrawny and ¡®pretty¡¯ so everyone looked at him as just some naive kid. She knew that this would not be the first nor thest time that she would have to face rigorous questionings because of what she looked like.


    She would rather be doubted and questioned than be ugly.


    Elder Princess Yi De and Lady Xia You took a seat. Elder Princess Yi De did not invite Big Yaoyao to sit, so Helian Jing decided to stand with him.


    ¡°What restaurants have you worked at before?¡± Elder Princess Yi De asked.


    Ye Jiayao could make up a fake background like she did when the people at Heavenly Residence asked her, but somehow, lying didn¡¯t feel right to her with Chunyu¡¯s mom present. On the other hand, her resume was too unimpressive and certainly doesn¡¯t speak the extent of her skills.


    With a prayer, she answered, ¡°Honestly, the biggest restaurant I¡¯ve worked at so far is Heavenly Residence. I was traveling all around the country before that, tasting all the delicious foods, learning about the essence of Northern and Southern foods and fusing Eastern and Western cuisines. However, I don¡¯t believe that my resume, or any resume for that matter, is a way to judge skills and probability for sess. In a few years, though, I believe that not one single person in Jin Ling will ask me that question again.¡±


    Elder Princess Yi De took a sharp intake of breath. This kid was really arrogant. Was he?just young and frivolous, or does he really have the skill he was iming?


    Helian Jing looked at Ye Jiayao with a mix of respect and admiration.


    Lady Xia You, on the other hand, regarded the young chef with interest. It was seldom that someone could one-up Elder Princess Yi De.


    ¡°You are quite confident,¡± Elder Princess Yi De remarked with a re.


    Ye Jiayao smiled calmly and answered, ¡°I¡¯m not being proud, but I¡¯m also not going to pretend to be modest and downy what I can do.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had always believed that the best way to beat the arrogance and prejudice of superiors was to be prouder than they were. She was not going to roll over for anyone, princess or not.


    Elder Princess Yi De already had doubts about Li Yao¡¯s skills and age, and the way he talked was not helping him convince her otherwise. She found him arrogant, brash, and... distasteful.


    Helian Jing was aware of his mother¡¯s temper ¨C the prettier her smile, the worse the situation was about to get. He quickly handed her the menu. ¡°Mum, this is the menu that Li Yao created. What do you think?¡±


    Elder Princess Yi De took the menu leisurely. She was alreadypletely uninterested and dissuaded but she could not ignore Little Jing¡¯s eager and pleading look. She was prepared to nce over the menu for a few seconds and dere itckluster. However, as soon as she made her way down the list, her mind quickly changed.


    She had hosted all kinds of banquets, family banquets, seasonal banquets, and banquets for guests. She had also held feasts for celebrating the first month of a newborn, passing the civil examinations, birthdays, and even feasts for the Imperial family. In that vast experience, she had never seen a menu as detailed as this.


    Li Yao listed??<i>everything,?</i>?from the choice of tes and bowls to the tea and dried fruits and cakes to be served before the banquet. It contained the number of pickled dishes, the number of appetizers, the number of hot dishes, and even the longevity of the noodles. Every part and aspect of the banquet was ounted for.


    Every dish had a name with an auspicious meaning. There were notes marked for the ingredients needed, a brief description of the cooking method, and the characteristics and efficacy. There were even some dishes that she had never heard of before.


    Elder Princess Yi De found the menu extraordinary. The bnce of meat and vegetables, the nutritional value, and the choice of delicacies fromnd and sea were all very particr. It was definitely presentable and fit for a feast. In fact, it could very wellpete with an Imperial Feast.


    Elder Princess Yi De handed the menu over to Lady Xia You who carefully read it over.


    Lady Xia You asked, ¡°You can cook all the dishes that are listed on this menu?¡±


    ¡°Yes. If you¡¯d like further assurance, I can cook a few dishes first for you to sample,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    ¡°Mum, that¡¯s a great idea,¡± Helian Jing chimed in. He would¡¯ve definitely rained down praises on Big Yaoyao in the past, but he has learned to y it smart now. His mother has her notions and prejudices against Big Yaoyao and Helian Jingplimenting him would not help. He would have to just let Big Yaoyao¡¯s cooking speak for itself.


    ¡°There are a few dishes which might not be able to be done by tomorrow, like the hundred year fish. Ingredients such as fresh white mushrooms are not easy to find and will take some time,¡± Ye Jiayao rified with a polite smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s skip over this first,¡± Elder Princess Yi De said. ¡°I want to ask you about the seasonal dessert called ¡®Reunite (Tuantuan Yuanyuan)¡¯. What is this and why is there a question mark next to it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°The elder¡¯s birthday is on the 28th of July, close to the mid-autumn of August. The dessert would allow everyone to eat mooncake in advance, symbolizing the reunion of every year. I marked it with a question mark because this mooncake is one that I have created. It was originally going to beunched in August, so no one has tried it so far. Also, it is quite expensive, so I am not too sure if you would like to add it to the menu.¡±


    ¡°What type of mooncake is it?¡± Lady Xia You asked curiously. She had never understood what was so delicious about sweet mooncakes, whether it be Suzhou-style, or Cantonese style or Beijing style. However, she was intrigued if this new type of mooncake would finally be the one she would like.


    Ye Jiayao subtly shook her nerves off.??<i>This is Chunyu¡¯s mum!</i>


    ¡°To be precise, there are two types of mooncakes. Before theunch, these are all considered trade secrets, but since you asked, I¡¯ll reveal a bit of information about them. One of them is called the Crystal Mooncake. The skin of the cake is clear like crystal, soft, and bouncy. The filling is made from various fruits and it is sweet, but not sickly so. The other type is called Ice Cream Mooncake. This ice cream is what my master learned from Western countries oceans away. It is so good it¡¯s addicting,¡± Ye Jiayao described, already missing the taste of ice cream. She reminisced how her worries would fade away as she enjoys a cup of blueberry ice cream in a dessert cafe with airconditioning in midsummer time.


    Lady Xia You and Elder Princess Yi De exchanged a nce, both perplexed and fascinated.


    This was also the first time Helian Jing heard of something like this, but he was absolutely confident in Big Yaoyao¡¯s ability.


    ¡°Mum and Auntie, have you heard of the chilled drinks that are popr in Jin Ling now? Like the iced pinkdy and iced peach milk?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Yi De frowned a little. ¡°I think I heard that Liu Li left the pce to have a taste of these cold drinks. Are those really that good?¡±


    Helian Jing smiled proudly and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go out and buy some for you to try tomorrow. These cold drinks were created by Li Yao and they are now the most popr drinks in Jin Ling.¡±


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, there is no need for you to go out and buy it yourself. If you want them, I can send some over anytime,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Helian Jing turned to Big Yaoyao and eximed excitedly, ¡°Really?¡± He could turn this as an excuse to invite him over.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him with a smile on her face, but her eyes conveyed a menacing look. Of course,??<i>not?</i>?really! If she had toe over everytime he calls her, she would never get anything done.??<i>I like you, Little Jinjing, but you really are slow sometimes.?</i>


    Helian Jing, quickly realizing his blunder, looked away and scratched his head awkwardly.


    Ye Jiayao returned back to the topic at hand, ¡°The cost of making these two mooncakes are very high and there are many steps involved, so the price really cannot be decreased. The price of a small Ice Cream Mooncake will be at least five taels of silver, and the Crystal Mooncakes would not be cheaper than three taels each. If I were to include all the guests, well... the cost would be frighteningly high. I marked it with a question mark so you can decide whether to include it or not.¡±


    Elder Princess Yi De gracefully touched her pearl headpin and gave a slight smile that hinted of her arrogance. ¡°As long as it is actually good, this amount of silver is nothing.¡±


    ording to the n, there would be thirty-six tables for the feast, each table would seat ten people, so there were three hundred and sixty people in total. Five taels for each person meant that it won¡¯t be over two thousand taels. That was not frighteningly high. This little chef was underestimating the Helian Mansion.


    ¡°ording to your menu, each table is already a few hundred taels. Why would Elder Princess mind about this small amount when she has already spent so much? What¡¯s important is that the food is truly good,¡± Lady Xia You spoke with a slight smile.


    Yi De wanted her to find faults, but Lady Xia You did not want to listen to her. She thought that this chef, a younger age than most, would have new and refreshing ideas. The Ice Cream Mooncake he mentioned was very unfamiliar and hard to imagine, but Lady Xia You was already looking forward to it.


    She has also thought that the menu was designed quite well. Heavenly Residence was quite famous in Jin Ling City and if this young man was able to be a head chef there, how bad could he be? She?was in favor of letting this chef handle the feast.


    At first, Ye Jiayao thought that Chunyu¡¯s mother was agreeing with Elder Princess. However, as the conversation progressed, it seemed that Lady Xia You was backing the Elder Princess to a corner. If Little Jing¡¯s mother back out now, it would look like that she found the menu too expensive.


    Elder Princess Yi De hesitated for a bit. It wasn¡¯t because of the money. It didn¡¯t even matter how much it cost. She also didn¡¯t have any problems with the menu. No. It was because the empress dowager told her yesterday to just leave the birthday feast to the Imperial chefs if there was no one suitable. Elder Princess Yi De just so happened to agree that letting the Imperial chefs take over was more appropriate.


    ¡°Mum,e on, let¡¯s settle this. If we debate any longer, it will just hold everything up. Big brother and I both believe that Li Yao can do this,¡± Helian Jing urged.


    Lady Xia You shot a nce at Elder Princess Yi De who was still deliberating and said mischievously, ¡°Next year, my Lord will be turning fifty. We¡¯re going to hold a feast then, too. I¡¯m telling you now, Li Yao, when we ask you then, you can¡¯t make the prices any higher.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was touched. Who knew that Chunyu¡¯s mum could be so kind?

 Chapter 83 - An Unlucky Person

    <h4>Chapter 83: An Unlucky Person</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Half an hourter, Helian Jing escorted Ye Jiayao and Lady Xia You out of the mansion.


    When it was time to part, Ye Jiayao bowed and said to Lady Xia You, ¡°Thank you for speaking for me before, Lady Xia You.¡±


    Lady Xia You just turned to Helian Jing and said, ¡°Little Jing, if you have time, you shoulde to our mansion, Chunfeng came back yesterday.¡±


    Ye Jiayao awkwardly straightened her posture, her lips pulling up in the slightest.??<i>Fine, I¡¯ll just get ignored. Stupid me, thinking that Chunyu¡¯s mum really liked me.</i>


    ¡°Really? Wasn¡¯t he going toe back at the end of the year together with his father?¡± Helian Jing asked, surprised.


    ¡°He is not ustomed to that side where there is yellow sand everywhere. It is only your uncle who can stay in those types of ces,¡± Lady Xia You said in a mocking tone, a hint of bitterness in her smile.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good! I¡¯ll go and find him tomorrow,¡± Helian Jing replied happily as he escorted Lady Xia You to her carriage.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll also be leaving now,¡± Ye Jiayao said, ¡°I¡¯lle and find you if there are any problems.¡±


    Helian Jing said, ¡°I¡¯ll go to Heavenly Residence for dinner tomorrow. Leave some dishes and cold drinks for me, okay? I¡¯ll invite Xia Chunfeng, Brother Chunyu¡¯s younger brother. He¡¯s one year older than me and we yed together all the time when we were younger.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Xia Chunfeng? Will he look simr to his older brother?¡±


    Helian Jing ignored her question and said instead, ¡°I¡¯m also going to invite someone else.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem. You can invite whoever and as many people as you wish. I¡¯ll reserve the Lotus Attic for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved goodbye and left.


    Helian Jing silently watched Big Yaoyao walk away.?<i>The person I wanted to invite is you¡­</i>


    Song Qi was waiting for Ye Jiayao at the street corner. ¡°Did you get the deal, Brother Yao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled secretively and responded, ¡°It was all thanks to your Lady.¡±


    She was beginning to understand why Lady Xia You helped her. It was not because she favored her, but most likely because Lady Xia You and Elder Princess Yi De were at odds. Chunyu¡¯s mother sided with Ye Jiayao simply because she wanted to spite Elder Princess Yi De.


    ¡°I was kind of worried when I saw my Lady walk out of the Helian Mansion,¡± Song Qi admitted.


    ¡°What were you worried about? That I would be eaten by your Lady?¡± Ye Jiayao joked.


    ¡°It just seems a bit unexpected that you two would meet like this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lowered her eyes. Yes, it was indeed unexpected.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and have a look around at the bronze shops,¡± Ye Jiayao said, changing the topic.


    ¡°Bronze shops? Are you buying bronze ware, Brother Yao? What for? Bronze cauldron? Bronze pot?¡± Song Qi was puzzled. Don¡¯t most people use iron made cooking utensils?


    ¡°Ice holder,¡± Ye Jiayao simply said.


    However, the ice holder she wanted was not the big and heavy ones which required a lot ofplex work. She wanted a simple ice holder to sell the Ice Cream Mooncake in so that it could be stored for at least three to five days. Preservation was the key because if the ice cream melted, the Ice Cream Mooncake would not be worth much.


    The ce for bronze casting ware and forging iron were on the same street and the name was also easy to remember ¨C Forging Iron Alley. The livelihood of the people here depended on iron forging or other trades that extended from it. Even before walking into the alley, the nging sounds of forging iron could already be heard.


    Ye Jiayao walked up and down the alley and found out that there was only one shop for bronze ware. She could only hope that the master here could make what she wanted.


    Ye Jiayao took out her design and discussed with the master for a long time. Overall, the ice holder was separated into two simpleyers. One of theyers had ice in between and the inneryer was for food. It had to be lightweight as well as presentable.


    The master pondered over it for a while before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll have a try first. You cane back three dayster and see the goods. However, if I can¡¯t make it, you won¡¯t be able to find anyone else in Jin Ling.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll leave this to you.¡± Ye Jiayao paid the deposit.


    By the time Ye Jiayao and Song Qi left Forging Iron Alley, it was already dusk.


    ¡°Brother Yao, you¡¯re not going back to Heavenly Residence, right? How about we go to Fragrant House for tonight¡¯s dinner?¡± Song Qi suggested.


    Ye Jiayao liked that idea. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go. I was also thinking of going to try Chef Niu¡¯s dishes.¡±


    Although the birthday banquet was important, she could not fall behind in the cookingpetition. She heard that the rules for thepetition were going to be out in mid-July.


    Song Qi initially thought that it was going to take a lot of effort toplete the mission that Heir-Son Lord had tasked him with. Who knew that Miss Ye would agree right away?


    Ye Jiayao observed the surroundings of Fragrant House and quickly realized why this restaurant was able to earn so much. There were many chambers ofmerce, security firms and banks in the area, so there was no need to worry about the source of customers. Not to mention that these people were all quite wealthy. It would also be very convenient toe to Fragrant House to celebrate once they close a deal.


    Song Qi immediately purchased the best private room. Ye Jiayao knew that if they sat outside, they wouldn¡¯t get to taste Chef Niu¡¯s cooking, but she still found it a bit wasteful to rent such an expensive room for just the two of them.


    After ordering, Ye Jiayao excused herself to go to the bathroom.


    Although the ancient bathrooms were simple, there was an advantage. One bathroom holds only one person, disregardless of the gender. It rid of Ye Jiayao¡¯s worries as to whether she¡¯d have to go to the men¡¯s or women¡¯s bathrooms. It was also private so she could rest assured ¨C as long she doesn¡¯t identally step in the hole.


    The sign on the bathroom door said that it was upied. Ye Jiayao waited for a long while, but no one came out.


    ¡°Is anyone in there?¡± she called out.


    Silence.


    ¡°Is there anyone in? If there¡¯s no one there, I¡¯m going toe in,¡± Ye Jiayao called again.


    Someone hurriedly replied, ¡°It¡¯s upied!¡±


    <i>Then why didn¡¯t you say something earlier??</i>?She wondered how long this person has been squatting there. Diarrhea? Constipation?


    Ye Jiayao waited for some more, cursing internally.


    A few minutester, the person weakly asked, ¡°Excuse me, is it possible to borrow a piece of toilet paper?¡±


    Ye Jiayao red daggers at the ¡®upied¡¯ sign on the door.?<i>You were stuck in there because you didn¡¯t bring any toilet paper??</i>?This person really has a problem with speaking up when needed to.


    Ye Jiayao felt around for a piece of paper. Just as she was about to pass it in, the person inside the bathroom said, ¡°I can buy it from you. What do you think about ten coppers for a piece of paper?¡±


    <i>Well, looks like we have Mr. Money Bags here.?</i>?A pile of toilet paper costs only two copper coins! ¡°How about five taels of silver because there isn¡¯t even enough for me here,¡± Ye Jiayao jested.


    She was surprised when he actually agreed. ¡°Fine, five taels.¡±


    An ingot of silver was thrown to her.


    Ye Jiayao wasughing hysterically on the inside. Who knew that she could earn five taels just by going to the bathroom? The guy inside must be some rich prodigal son.


    That was alright since Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t really feel bad about earning money from rich people.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be giving you the only two pieces of toilet paper I have,¡± Ye Jiayao said and shoved the two pieces of paper inside before returning to the hall with the silver.


    The guy inside must be embarrassed and he probably didn¡¯t want people to see him stuck in the bathroom. She also didn¡¯t want to be recognized as the person who rips off others so its best that she waited away from the bathroom.


    Not long after, a man wearing pale green silk clothing walked out of the bathroom and headed upstairs, his head bent low.


    Only then did Ye Jiayao wandered about to the bathroom.


    Once she returned to the private room they rented, she unexpectedly found that Song Qi had turned into Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Why are you here? Where¡¯s Song Qi?¡±


    ¡°Why are you gone for so long? I thought you fell in.¡±


    The two spoke at the same time and stared at each other, both waiting for an answer.


    Xia Chunyu was the first one to break the silence. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say yesterday that I woulde?¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t remember that because she was pretty certain that he did not say anything abouting to eat with her. However, she couldn¡¯t be bothered arguing with him as she knew that nothing good woulde out of it anyway.


    Xia Chunyu told the waiter to bring the dishes and ordered him out.


    ¡°I heard that you are taking care of the old princess¡¯ birthday feast?¡± he began.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ye Jiayao calmly answered as she poured a cup of tea for herself.


    Xia Chunyu handed his cup over, motioning for her to serve him some. Ye Jiayao reluctantly poured a cup for him.


    ¡°I also heard that you met my mum today?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ye Jiayao replied once again.


    Xia Chunyu felt a bit uneasy with her acting so indifferent towards him. Was it because he kissed herst night? This just piled up to his anxiety about his mum and Yaoyao¡¯s meeting. That ruined all his ns.


    ¡°My mum didn¡¯t make it difficult for you?¡± Xia Chunyu asked in a casual pretense, his deep ck eyes locked on her face, looking for any slight changes in her expression.


    Ye Jiayao looked up slightly and nced at him. ¡°In your mum¡¯s eyes, I¡¯m just a chef. I¡¯m not cooking a banquet for your family, so I have nothing to do with her. Why would she even bother making things difficult for me?¡± Ye Jiayao responded with a hint of self-ridicule.


    Xia Chunyu thought about it. She was right. His mother had always disregarded things that had nothing to do with her. Yaoyao was cooking for the Helian family, so his mother couldn¡¯t care less about her.


    There was nothing to be worried about.?His frown turned into a smile. He said merrily, ¡°Where do you want to eat tomorrow? Qi Lin Pavilion? Or Vegetarian House?¡±


    ¡°Why are you taking me out to eat?¡± Ye Jiayao looked at him warily.


    ¡°The food at home doesn¡¯t taste good. Helian Xuan is also very busy now, so there is no one to eat with me beside you,¡± Xia Chunyu answered idly.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed, ¡°Are you seriously telling me that you can¡¯t find anyone else to eat with you? I¡¯m pretty sure that if you call out on the streets for a dinnerpanion, people would queue up.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Eating is not just about the dishes. The mood as you eat is also important, and that mood is greatly dependent on who you¡¯re eating with. Eating with you is good for my mood. First, we have simr tastes in food. Second, you have the in face that could help people focus on their meals...¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him fiercely.??<i>You stupid donkey! Did you really just say that I look in?</i>

 Chapter 84 - Enemies Meet

    <h4>Chapter 84: Enemies Meet</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu saw her face darken and immediately backpedaled, not wanting to make her angrier at him than she already was. ¡°I¡¯m kidding, I¡¯m kidding. Lighten up, Yaoyao.¡±


    ¡°I actually heard about this culinarypetition and I wanted to bring you around to some of the more popr restaurants to familiarize yourself with your opponents¡¯ skills. It¡¯s helpful to at least know what you¡¯re going up against, right?¡± he continued.


    ¡°How do you know about the culinarypetition? Who did you hear it from?¡±?Ye Jiayao asked curiously.


    As if Xia Chunyu would tell her that he had a few drinks with Manager Du from Laifu Motel who bbered everything out to him. He replied nonchntly, ¡°Who else? Song Qi, of course. That chap is a really good informant, you know.¡±


    Yes, as a matter of fact, she did know. All the?brothers in ck Wind Ridge thought that Song Qi was merely a little attendant who was just barely capable of fetching things. In reality,?Song Qi was actually Xia Chunyu¡¯s most able helping hand. It looked like having him around, following her everywhere, would pose some trouble. There would be no secret that she could keep.


    Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and said nothing.


    Fortunately, the waiter came up with the dishes and prevented the long moment of awkwardness. Xia Chunyu changed the topic hurriedly to discuss Princess Liu Li.


    ¡°Sneaking out of the pce was no big deal actually. Isn¡¯t it just the nature of a child,?being a little too naughty? A few reprimands would¡¯ve been sufficient, but Liu Li¡¯s nonchnt attitude angered the empress dowager. I think she can forget about going out of the pce doors before mid-autumn...¡±


    Ye Jiayao secretly exhaled a relieved breath. The crisis was over for the time being. It would¡¯ve been a miserable ordeal trying to keep her guard up against Liu Li¡¯s mischief as she prepared for the big feast as well as the culinarypetition.


    Head Chef Niu¡¯s cooking emphasized strong vors and a particr attention to freshness. It was not the freshness that the ingredients possessed originally, but the freshness of additives like 13 fragrances seasoning. People who liked that kind of vor would find these dishes delicious.


    Ye Jiayao was a bit disappointed to find out that this was all Head Chef Niu was capable of. She removed him from her list of formidable opponents.


    After having her fill, Ye Jiayao wiped her mouth and asked Xia Chunyu, ¡°What do you think of Head Chef Niu¡¯s skills?¡±


    Xia Chunyu gave her a teasing look and said, ¡°Not as good as someone I know.¡±


    Whether it was Head Chef Niu, Head Chef Zheng, or even an Imperial chef from the pce, no one could make food that suited his taste more than Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow. ¡°Who is that someone?¡±


    ¡°You should know!¡±


    ¡°What should I know? I don¡¯t know anything.¡± Ye Jiayao pressed her lips together.??<i>Why does everything have to be difficult with you? Would it really kill you topliment me just this once?</i>


    Xia Chunyu replied, ¡°Looks like you are not knowledgeable enough. You need to go out more, see and try more things so you can discern between good and bad.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bit her tongue to keep fromshing out at him.??<i>You insufferable git.</i>


    ¡°I am leaving,¡± Ye Jiayao snapped and?stood up.


    ¡°Hang on, I¡¯ll see you off.¡±


    ¡°There is no need for that, I know the way.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t feel assured letting my woman walk back home alone,¡± Xia Chunyu said firmly.


    Did he just say she was??<i>his?</i>?woman?


    ¡°Excuse me? I am not your anything,¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    Instead of getting angry with her rejection, Xia Chunyu pinched her nose indulgingly as if she was an adorable stuffed bunny. ¡°Let¡¯s go, woman.¡±


    It was only when he walked out of the suite did his words registered in Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind. He was not allowed to call her??<i>his?</i>?woman, or a woman, whenever he likes, especially in public. It was not like he would take responsibility if her identity gets exposed and cause detrimental consequences.


    Ye Jiayao chased after him at the same time that two people exit the suite next door, the three of them crashing against each other.


    ¡°ARE YOU BLIND?¡± one of them howled angrily.


    Ye Jiayao frowned.?<i>Isn¡¯t this Mu Qinchu who loved pitting himself against me? The one that Zhao Qixuan invited thest time?</i>


    The other young man held on to the railing to steady himself, asking hurriedly, ¡°Cousin, are you alright?¡±


    Ye Jiayao eyes widened. This was the man who was stuck in the bathroom because he did not have any paper with him.?If she had known, she would¡¯ve asked for 500 taels or even 5000 for that toilet paper instead of five.


    She would¡¯ve never dreamed of bumping into Wei Liujiang here.


    And to think that Wei Liujiang and Mu Qinchu were rtives.


    A thought immediately shed through her.??<i>If Wei Liujiang is here, Jinrong would be here, too...</i>


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m talking to you, you blind chap! If I am hurt in any way, you won¡¯t be able topensate for it even if you have nine lives.¡± Mu Qinchu did not recognize Ye Jiayao. Why would he? He only sees and remembers people who are of a higher status than him. He would never give a small chef from Heavenly Residence the time of day.


    Today, he arranged a weing feast for his cousin in Fragrant?House to show off his wealth. This incident would be the perfect opportunity to show off his authority to his cousin, Mi Qinchu decided, so he became more arrogant and aggressive.


    ¡°Really? So Young Master Mu¡¯s life is worth so much?¡± a voice from behind Ye Jiayao said calmly.


    Mu Qinchu turned to the meddlesome fellow, ready to berate him for interrupting, but his rage quickly dissipated when he saw who spoke. His voice and expression changed faster than the Si Chuan Opera specialty.


    He was all smiles when he eximed, ¡°Brother Chunyu, greetings from Qinchu.¡±


    In Jin Ling, the princes and noblemen who were close with Xia Chunyu would call him Brother Chunyu. Mu Qinchu adopted the name, wanting to worm his way to the?acimed noble¡¯s circle of friends.


    ¡°Who are you to call me Brother Chunyu?¡± Xia Chunyu asked coldly.


    Mu Qinchu gulped loudly.


    Xia Chunyu walked over to them, frowning when he saw Ye Jiayao staring at these two hooligans with a nk look. Did Yaoyao really got frightened by this shouting weasel? Or did she get hurt?


    ¡°Li Yao, where did you get knocked into?¡± Xia Chunyu touched her head gingerly.


    Ye Jiayao pointed at her forehead, face full of grievance. ¡°I got knocked here and I am still a little dizzy.¡±


    When she opened her mouth, Wei Liujiang¡¯s expression changed as though he just remembered something.


    Mu Qinchu was in a greater shock than Wei Liujiang.?<i>What is happening??</i>Xia Chunyu looked to be close with this chap. If that was the case... he must have offended Xia Chunyu by shouting at this chap just now!


    In the whole of Jin Ling, there was a list of top three people that should never be offended. First was the Helian Marquis, Helian Xuan. He was high in status, has a great authority, and absolutely merciless when he attacks. The second was Princes Liu Li. She was petty, gets annoyed very easily, and no one could ever reason with her. Last, but certainly not the least, was Xia Chunyu. He was not one to disy his power ostentatiously but he definitely had an immense amount of it. He was ruthless and efficient ¨C the most formidable out of the three.


    Mi Qinchu suddenly changed his tune andughed apologetically. He said to Ye Jiayao, ¡°My cousin and I were in a rush just now so we weren¡¯t paying attention to where we were going. I apologize for causing you any harm.¡±


    Xia Chunyu remained eerily calm as he responded, ¡°Is an?apology enough? If you hurt my brother, 10 lives won¡¯t be enough topensate.¡±


    Xia Chunyu used Mu Qinchu words to refute him. How dare he scold his woman? That was equivalent to pping him in the face. He was not in the mood to y the polite diplomat to this meritless person. He was not going to relent even if his father, Assistant Minister Mu, came.


    Mu Qinchu shuddered in fright. Xia Chunyu was obviously standing up for his brother! He could just nod continuously and bow. ¡°It is our fault, please forgive us.¡±


    Wei Liujiang had already figured out that the one who knocked into them was the person who swindled five taels out of him for toilet paper. What he didn¡¯t understand was how impressive this guy was to get his cousin to bow to him.


    Just to be safe, he said, ¡°I am extremely sorry for my brashness and knocking into you. This is all my fault.¡±


    ¡°Liujiang, this is none of your business!¡± Mi Qinchu hissed. Although he was a coward, he still wanted to save face. He doesn¡¯t need his cousin to take the me for him.


    Xia Chunyu immediately looked at Ye Jiayao as soon as he heard that name. Ye Jiayao blinked twice in confirmation.


    Only the two of them knew what that meant. Wei Liujiang was the ¡®Mr. Right¡¯ of Ye Jinxuan, the original host.


    Xia Chunyu now understood why Yaoyao seemed to be frozen earlier. She had met the heartless rat that was supposed to be her intended.


    Xia Chunyu looked at Wei Liujiang from the corner of his eyes with contempt. ¡°And which corner did you appear from?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hid her smile. Who knew that watching Dumb Donkey fight for her would be satisfying? The Wei Liujiang who considered himself as the best in Ji Nan was nothing but a little ant in Jin Ling, thend of nobles.


    Wei Liujiang paled. Jin Ling is indeed a ce full of hidden dragons, anyone I meet on the street could be someone influential, he thought.


    Mu Qinchu introduced hurriedly, ¡°Heir-Son Lord, this is my cousin. He just came over from Ji Nan yesterday. He is the Ji Nan¡¯s prefectural magistrate¡¯s eldest son, Wei Liujiang.


    Xia Chunyu nodded as if in understanding. ¡°You are Wei prefectural magistrate¡¯s son, huh? I didn¡¯t see you when I went over to the Wei residence a while back.¡±


    Mu Qinchu reminded Wei Liujiang softly, ¡°This is Jing An Marquis Heir-Son lord, first-ss Imperial bodyguard, Xia Chunyu.¡±


    Wei Liujiang felt like he was going to pass out. It was Commander Xia that came to his house before, seeking confirmation about the Ye family¡¯s eldest daughter, Ye Jinxuan. That incident made his father nervous for quite a while.


    It was just his luck to run into Commander Xia in his??<i>second?</i>?day in Jin Ling.


    Wei Liujiang replied embarrassedly, ¡°Master Xia, thest time you came, I was attending to some matters. I deeply regret not managing to meet you then.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sneered faintly as he noted his evasive gaze, the obvious look of someone guilty.??<i>You¡¯ve seen nothing yet. There is more toe for you.</i>

 Chapter 85 - Taking Advantage Of The Situation

    <h4>Chapter 85: Taking Advantage Of The Situation</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was secretly astounded. Chunyu actually went to the Wei family? When did he go? What did he go there for? To seek confirmation of her identity? It looked like he really didn¡¯t trust her, after all.


    Xia Chunyu did not want to mention that imposter First Young Mistress in the Wei family for the time being, but he also did not want to let Wei Liujiang off so easily. He said arrogantly, ¡°There is no need for you to suck up to me. If I wasn¡¯t here today, how would you have dealt with my brother?¡±


    Mu Qinchu trembled with fear,ughing apologetically. ¡°Heir-Son Lord, all the fault lies with me. I drank too much and got intoxicated, so I was a little louder. Heir-Son Lord, why don¡¯t I arrange a feast especially to apologize to this young brother?¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned to look at Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao mimicked Xia Chunyu¡¯s tone, and said smugly, ¡°There would be no need for the feast. If Young Master Mu is sincere in his apology, then get me 1000 catty of government ice share allocation!¡±


    She knew that this detestable fellow was the son of Assistant Minister Mu of the Ministry of Works. The government ice cer was under the charge of the Ministry of Works so getting a thousand catty share allocation should not be difficult for him. She was going to take advantage of this situation as much as she could.


    Mu Qinchu took a deep breath, his expression sour. It was not that he didn¡¯t want to do it, but getting that much of ice allocation was a little difficult. The supply for the allocation of the ice in the government cer does not meet the demand every year. Even the highest ranking official would not get more than 600 catty of share allocation for one summer. This young brother was asking for a thousand! Arranging a feast to apologize would be much simpler.


    ¡°A thousand catty? Are you sure you want so much?¡± Mu Qinchu asked.


    Ye Jiayao nodded seriously. ¡°Yes, 1000 catty. It actually might not be enough.¡±


    Xia Chunyu knew Yaoyao was making iced drinks, but, 1000 catty was a shocking number. However, since Yaoyao requested for it, he would make sure that Mu Qinchu agrees to it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you cannot ede to this little request by my brother?¡± Xia Chunyu looked at Mu Qinchu, his gaze full of threat.


    Mu Qinchu braced himself and forced out a smile. ¡°I¡­ I will do my best.¡±


    Xia Chunyu continued, ¡°Since you are rightfully apologetic, we shall pretend that this unpleasant event did not happen. Send the share allocation to my residence in three days¡¯ time. Li Yao, let¡¯s go.¡±


    He wanted Mu Qinchu to know that he would be keeping an eye on the matter, and if he failed to deliver, there would be hostile consequences.


    Ye Jiayao broke out into a smile. She trailed behind Xia Chunyu, the both of them proceeding downstairs.


    Wei Liujiang looked down from above and waited until both of them exited the restaurant before asking Mu Qinchu, ¡°Cousin, who is that chap? Why is Xia Chunyu so protective of him?¡±


    Mu Qinchu felt that the little fellow seemed familiar, but he could not remember where he saw him. He was certain, though, that this Li Yao was definitely not any nobleman from a respectable family. In the social circle of Jin Ling¡¯s noblemen, there was no one that he didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°This Li Yao, could he be the one who got famous recently from selling chilled drinks?¡± Mu Qinchu¡¯s attendant suggested hesitantly.


    Mu Qinchu pped a hand on his forehead. ¡°I remember now! It¡¯s that fellow, the head chef of Heavenly Residence!¡±


    Wei Liujiang found it unbelievable. ¡°A chef could be brothers with Xia Chunyu?¡±


    Mu Qinchu replied with annoyance, ¡°This fellow is no simpleton. I heard that Young Royal Highness Jing from the Helian Marquis is very close to him. It seems that now, Xia Chunyu is added to the list.¡±


    He could not?afford to provoke just the Young Royal Highness Jing alone, and now that Xia Chunyu was in the mix¡­?<i>This is f*cking annoying!?</i>?He was just a chef! Even if he was top-notch, he was still just a chef! Thinking about how he had to apologize humbly to a??<i>chef?</i>was making Mu Qinchu¡¯s blood boil.


    This matter was a huge blow to Wei Liujiang. Before he came to Jin Ling, he had thought that he could be considered a very important person, because, in Ji Nan, he could be as unreasonable as he wanted.


    He thought that his cousin was formidable here in Jin Ling. His father has a lucrative post at the Ministry of Works and by extent, Mu Qinchu was also a core figure in the society. Hell, he even saw a few noble princes being extremely polite to his cousin justst night.


    However, in front of Xia Chunyu, his cousin turned into a meek bobblehead. It looked like Xia Chuyu had the final say in the matters and was the real hegemon of Jin Ling. It was no wonder that his father kept reminding him to be careful before he left for Jin Ling. The son of a prefectural magistrate couldn¡¯t evenpare to a fart in the Jin Ling filled with influential officials.


    What puzzled him the most, though, was how this chef called Li Yao became brothers with someone like Xia Chunyu. It seemed like the chef was quite capable. He had to think of a way to get close to this Li Yao. Perhaps he could give him connections with the Helian Marquis Mansion and Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao boarded the horse carriage. Ye Jiayao was in deep thought and she looked depressed.


    ¡°That is the guy you used to like?¡± Xia Chunyu recalled how regretful Yaoyao sounded when she mentioned Wei Liujiang, and couldn¡¯t help but be jealous.


    ¡°Like? I wouldn¡¯t even take a second look at someone like that,¡± Ye Jiayao said with disdain.


    The original host may have liked Wei Liujiang, treating him as the redemption from her horrible life, but to Ye Jiayao, Wei Liujiang was just another stranger.


    ¡°Looks like he doesn¡¯t recognize you anymore. What does this mean now?¡± Xia Chunyu teased with a slight smile.


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°I was 10 when west met. How were we supposed to recognize each other after such a long time?¡±


    She would never tell him that she sneaked a peek at Wei Liujiang when he went over to the Ye familyst year.


    ¡°Do you know how the Wei family and Ye family dealt with the aftermath of you being kidnapped up the mountains?¡±


    From his tone, it was clear that he knew something she didn¡¯t. Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°When did you go over to the Wei family?¡±


    ¡°After the matter in ck Wind Ridge was settled. I think the current imposter of the first young mistress in the Wei family is your second sister, Ye Jinrong.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao was not even surprised. She already knew that.


    ¡°Furthermore, your second sister and Wei Liujiang already had an affair. I reckon that Wei Liujiang was the one who supplied her the information of ck Wind Ridge. Otherwise, how would the Ye family in Yang Zhou be able to get the people of ck Wind Ridge to work for them?¡± Xia Chunyu analyzed.


    Ye Jiayao felt like a pail of cold water was thrown in her face. She looked at Xia Chunyu and his eyes conveyed nothing but seriousness. She didn¡¯t want to believe that. She might not like Wei Liujiang, but she had thought of him as a cultured and refined young schr. Although she had never been in contact with him ever since she was 10, when he came over to stay at the Ye household justst year, she saw him speaking courteously even to the servants.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just say that Wei Liujiang had a part to y in this! Do you have concrete evidence?¡± Ye Jiayao questioned.


    ¡°Of course, I have evidence, but now is not the time to bring it out.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes seemed cold.


    Did heunch an investigation into this matter? Why would he do that? So he could have a peace of mind?


    ¡°Let me ask you, what do you n to do about this whole situation?¡± Xia Chunyu already had an idea, and no matter what Yaoyao says, he would never let that adulterous pair off. He still wished to listen to Yaoyao¡¯s thoughts, though.


    Ye Jiayao bit her lip. What should she do? She had been asking herself that question for a long time now. She would definitely not let them off. She was not some type of a saint that could just forgive the people who wanted to harm her.


    She came all the way to Jin Ling just so that these evil people could get what they deserved.


    ¡°I want to expose their lies and let the whole world see their ugliness. I want Jinrong and Wei Liujiang to lose everything they have, and I want my stepmother thrown out of the Ye family,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a hateful voice, unconsciously clenching her fists.


    That was her ultimate goal. Although she has no idea what she has to do to achieve it, she believed that it will happen as long as she advanced towards it.


    A warm hand enveloped her fists, caressing her gently andforting her. Xia Chunyu said in a deep voice, ¡°They will get their retribution, I promise you.¡±


    The warmth of his hands and his hot breath near her ear made half of her body go limp. She couldn¡¯t contain the shudder that went through her.??<i>F*ck! Why must he lean so close?</i>


    Xia Chunyu felt her body stiffen up and couldn¡¯t help but smile. His Yaoyao was still as sensitive as ever. He knew every sensitive spot on her body and he remembered how he would purposely tease her back then. He recalled how?she panted, confused and distracted under his ministrations.


    Xia Chunyu started to lose control as thoughts of their steamy nights at the mountains flooded his mind. He slowly leaned over and flicked his tongue out to lick her earlobe, indulging in her unique scent.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡± he breathed. ¡°I missed you¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt as though there were an infinite amount of electrical current scattering in her body. She wanted to resist Xia Chunyu, but her limbs felt weightless.


    She was annoyed. Didn¡¯t she get over him already? Why was she turning boneless the minute he puts his hands on her? Or??<i>any?</i>?body part on her?


    Xia Chunyu was now alternating between soft kisses and sultry licks, and Ye Jiayao felt so hot she thought that the heat might drown her.


    ¡°No¡­¡± she protested feebly. In fact, her voice came out so delicate that it sounded like she was acting coquettishly.


    ¡°No what?¡± he asked, a hint of enticement evident in his deep, husky voice. His hand slowly moved up her slim waist, and with little strength, she fell into his embrace.


    He was trying to tempt her, wanting to ignite the passion they previously shared. She had been on a roller coaster ride today and she was disoriented. Xia Chunyu supposed that what he was doing could be considered as taking advantage of the situation, but honestly? He didn¡¯t care. As long as it would win her back, he was not above using despicable moves and using her attraction to him against her.


    He thought that he had everything under control, but he quickly realized that that was far from the case. He was suffering, probably more than Yaoyao. His skin felt heated and he was so hard, it was painful. He wanted to just push her down and take her to sate both of their hunger, but he knew that he couldn¡¯t act that brash. Yaoyao was no longer that young married woman that would meekly submit to whatever he wanted. She was now a rose filled with thorns, and if he was not careful, he could?get pricked.


    Xia Chunyu shifted a little, groaning at the friction it created.


    Yep. He was getting burnt as he yed with fire.


    ¡°Let me go...¡± Ye Jiayao tried again. She felt so ashamed at how she was acting. She wanted to p him, get away from him as far as possible, but her body was not cooperating. Her body was a ve to his hands and lips.??<i>Why?</i>

 Chapter 86 - None of Your Business

    <h4>Chapter 86: None of Your Business</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    <i>What the hell, Yaoyao! You¡¯re a dumbass! Why do you keep falling for his seduction techniques? Even if he did get rid of your troubles, sent people to protect you, and stood up for you, that doesn¡¯t mean he truly likes you! Yaoyao, wake up!!?</i>


    Chunyu maybe handsome and one of a kind, but in this era, love doesn¡¯t rank high on people¡¯s, especially noble¡¯s, list of priorities. Even if he did fall in love with her, he couldn¡¯t just marry whoever he wanted. At best, she¡¯d be his mistress, and she was never going to be okay with sharing her man with other women.


    The bindings on her breast were loosened, and she felt the warmth of his palms on her breasts. He stroked them expertly, alternating between soft caresses and firm touches.


    If she let this go for a second longer, she would never be able to get away from him. As it was, it already took all of her willpower to push him away.


    Xia Chunyu was caught off-guard by her resistance and he fell back on the seats, his head colliding against the wall of the cart with a heavy??<i>thump.?</i>


    Ye Jiayao was too busy arranging her clothes back to pay attention to him. She said fiercely, ¡°You¡¯re such a prick! Why are you always bullying me? If you touch me again, I swear I¡¯m going to castrate you!¡±


    Xia Chunyu touched his head gingerly. ¡°How did I bully you? I was loving you!¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t answer him and instead continued to arrange the wrap on her chest.??<i>Damnit!?</i>?In order to put the bindings back, she must take her outerwear first and if she does that, she¡¯s just going to sh him again. However, if she doesn¡¯t put the wrap back now, people would definitely notice her considerable peaks. After staying at the inn for a few days, all those guys would definitely recognize her.


    Xia Chunyu saw the look of helplessness on her face and suppressed augh. She looked adorable. He teased, ¡°Do you want me to help?¡±


    Ye Jiayao threw him a scornful look.?<i>Help??</i>??<i>Ha! As if!</i>


    ¡°Turn around, you horrible man! You¡¯re not allowed to see,¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    Xia Chunyu dropped his smile. He really did not want to see her continue to harm her own body. Without hesitation, he snatched the strip of cloth from her and unceremoniously tossed it out the window.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s jaw dropped. That was an important?prop for her disguise and he actually??<i>threw?</i>?it away!


    Annoyed, Ye Jiayao kicked at him. ¡°Why the f*ck did you throw it away? Pick it up!¡±


    This time, Xia Chunyu was prepared so he was able to push her leg away. ¡°I should have thrown that thing away a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°Do you want that thing to be picked up by someone else?¡± she questioned frustratedly.


    Xia Chunyu paused for a moment.??<i>Oh.?</i>?Yaoyao used that to wrap her breasts up and it carried her scent. If it was picked up by some wretched man¡­ Xia Chunyu called for the carriage to stop. He jumped off the cart, picked it up, and stuffed it inside his clothes.


    Ye Jiayao stretched out of the cart to watch what Xia Chunyu was doing and found the carriage driver looking at her weirdly.


    Ye Jiayao red at him.


    The carriage driver, startled by her fierce eyes, quickly turned around and focused on the road in front of him. He was missing the good old days where homosexuals weren¡¯t so arrogant.


    Xia Chunyu jumped back into the carriage and the carriage moved forward.


    ¡°Give it to me,¡± Ye Jiayao demanded, holding her hand out.


    Xia Chunyu had a nk expression. ¡°I didn¡¯t find it.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. I just saw you pick it up.¡± She scanned his body up and down and figured that he probably hid the cloth by his chest.


    ¡°You saw wrong.¡± Xia Chunyu knew what her n was before she even moved. The corners of his lips curved up into an imperceptible smile, waiting for her to start.


    Ye Jiayao pointed out the window. ¡°Look, what¡¯s that?¡±


    While Xia Chunyu turned his head away, Ye Jiayao pounced and pulled at his jacket.


    She still hadn¡¯t found it when she was stopped by a strong pair of arms.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re throwing yourself at me?¡± Xia Chunyu said quietly, his smile deliciously devious.


    Even though she was embarrassed, Ye Jiayao only tossed him a re but did not stop pulling at his clothes.?<i>?I¡¯ll deal with your arrogance after I find this cloth.</i>


    ¡°Tsk, tsk. So impatient. I can see you¡¯ve?been holding yourself back so much, you poor thing.¡± Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help butugh as he watched her little hands roam all over his chest.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t in the mood to y with him.


    ¡°Alright, okay, okay!¡± Xia Chunyu caught her wandering hands in his grip. ¡°You¡¯re inside a carriage, no one can see you right now. Just let them breathe freely for the time being.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pointed to her wide open cor. He could see the deep marks that the cloth left where it was tied tightly. It made his heart hurt. She had to go through this every day, and more, just to earn a living.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you see? You¡¯ve made such deep marks on your skin. I asked the doctor and he said if you bind it up for a long time, it will not only affect the development there but also will cause various illnesses due to poor blood flow,¡± Xia Chunyu said seriously.


    Ye Jiayao felt her cheeks heat up. He actually went to ask the doctor! How could he have the nerve to ask about that?


    Of course, she knew the consequences of binding her breasts, but it was not like she had any other choice if she wanted to continue working as a chef.


    ¡°Stop controlling me.¡± Ye Jiayao pursed her lips.


    Xia Chunyu hated when she said things like that.?<i>¡®Don¡¯t control me. ¡®What right do you have to control me?¡¯</i>


    ¡°I am not trying to control you. I want to take care of you.¡± Xia Chunyu lifted her chin and forced her to look up at him.


    His gentle voice was like a sigh. It revealed just how strongly he pitied her. Just this one sentence seemed to contain infinite magical power. In an instant, he had broken through the barrier in her heart and exposed the vulnerability that she didn¡¯t want to acknowledge.


    Since starting this new life, she has always felt like her nerves were strained like clockwork springs pulled tautly. She didn¡¯t dare to rx and getfortable because she felt like there were surprises for her at every turn. She thought that she could be strong enough, that she could endure each difficulty in this hard, perplexing new life. But she was still a woman. Sensitive and soft. There were times that she wanted to sumb to her weariness, to find a shoulder to lean on...


    Ye Jiayao buried her head in his chest, not wanting to let him see her moment of weakness. ¡°Chunyu, why won¡¯t you let me go?


    She hated it when he leaves her in the dark, puzzled and confused.


    Xia Chunyu stroked her hair and said with a soft voice, ¡°I ask myself that, too. You yell at me, you push me away, and yet every time, I always eagerly go back to you. You infuriate me but I can¡¯t stop thinking about you. Do you think there¡¯s something wrong with me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao refrained from snorting.??<i>Oh, Chunyu, there are many things wrong with you.</i>


    ¡°In all my years, you¡¯re the only one who reproves me to this extent. Even my father never cursed at me like you have!¡± As he talked, Xia Chunyu reveled in the feeling of her in his arms. He rarely gets to hold her like this.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°Ha. You¡¯ve just probably forgotten the times when you were scolded during your childhood. I don¡¯t believe that your father never disciplined you. You¡¯re such an abominable person¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled. ¡°Maybe. I just... I just want to tell you that you¡¯re not like the others. You¡¯re different to me.¡±


    Her heart sank.??<i>Not like the others? Is that the best you can do??</i>?This wasn¡¯t the answer she wanted.


    Ye Jiayao struggled free from his embrace, her heart aching.??<i>Ah! Forget it!?</i>??<i>Did I really expect him to say he loves me??</i>


    Xia Chunyu stared at Yaoyao¡¯s turned profile, perplexed. She was fine a moment ago as she leaned into her embrace like a gentle, docile cat. Now, she¡¯s be cold and isted again. What happened? He hastily recalled thest few seconds, had he done or said something wrong?


    ¡°Yaoyao, what¡¯s wrong? Why aren¡¯t you talking?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m annoyed, I don¡¯t want to talk.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be annoyed about?¡± Xia Chunyu went to hold her hand but she shook him off.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, we are nothing to each other. I don¡¯t want to continue being entangled with you. Tonight, I will check out and go back to Laifu Motel. Thank you for these past few days,¡± Ye Jiayao said indifferently.


    She couldn¡¯t continue on like this. She and Chunyu weren¡¯t a good match. Whatever connection or romantic moments they¡¯ve shared was all in the past. She should move on because, despite everything, they have no future together.


    Her cold expression and her careless tone made Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart hurt. What did she mean? Does she want to run away again?


    Xia Chunyu forced himself to smile. ¡°Alright.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to keep her happy, but there were some things that his pride wouldn¡¯t allow him to say out loud. However, he was lost. Yes, he made some mistakes, but how long will she punish him for it? What more does he need to do in order for her to ept him again?


    The two of them fell silent.


    The carriage stopped and the rickshaw puller said, ¡°We have arrived, sirs.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was the first to lift the curtain and jump down from the carriage.


    <i>Umm... what the...</i>


    ¡°Where are we?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu waved the rickshaw puller away before pulling Ye Jiayao by the hand down the alley.


    ¡°Hey, where are you taking me? I want to go back to Ruyi,¡± said Ye Jiayao, struggling.


    Xia Chunyu stopped in front of a redcquered door of a courtyard and knocked.


    ¡°Coming! Coming!¡± someone called from inside the house.


    The young man that opened the door looked no more than 20 years old with bushy eyebrows and big eyes. ¡°Heir-Son Lord, pleasee inside.¡±


    Xia Chunyu introduced him, ¡°His name is Jiang Li, Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang¡¯s son.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth dropped in surprise.


    Jiang Li cupped his hands in front of him politely and bowed. ¡°You must be Third Madam!¡±


    <i>Excuse me?</i>? Ye Jiayao quickly denied, ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±


    Jiang Li frowned in confusion and turned to Xia Chunyu questioningly. Didn¡¯t the Heir-Son Lord tell them that he¡¯d bring Third Madam today?


    ¡°Third Madam¡­¡± an excited voice said.


    Out of the door, spilling water, came Auntie Jiang. When she saw Ye Jiayao, she tossed the copper pot in her hand and ran over to her in a flurry. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy as she excitedly stammered, ¡°Th-third Madam! When the Heir-Son Lord told me you¡¯re here... I-I couldn¡¯t believe it. You¡¯re really here, Third Madam! I thought I¡¯d never see you again...¡±

 Chapter 87 - Don’t call me Third Madam

    <h4>Chapter 87: Don¡¯t call me Third Madam</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    She saw Uncle Jiang ran out of the room, with a young girl, about 16 or 17 years old, following behind him. She must be their daughter.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face split into a wide smile. She was beyond ecstatic to see their familiar faces. ¡°Auntie Jiang, Uncle Jiang, you have no idea how happy I am to see that you¡¯re alright!¡±


    Auntie Jiang wiped her tears and said, ¡°It was all because of you, Third Madam, that I am alive. And thanks to the Heir-Son Lord, we get to live a peaceful life now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside the room. It looks like it¡¯s going to rain soon.¡±


    ¡°Right, right,e inside. Forgive my manners, I am just so happy to see you. Yue Er, go and make some tea for Third Madam and Heir-Son Lord,¡± Auntie Jiang said.


    The young girl called Yue Er obeyed her cheerfully.


    After sitting down, Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang just arrived in Jin Ling and I made them settle down here. You don¡¯t have to look for motels anymore, Yaoyao, you can just live with Auntie Jiang. You don¡¯t have to cover yourself and we can take care of each other. This ce is also close to Heavenly Residence.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord is right, Third Madam. If you live here, we can take care of you very well!¡± Auntie Jiang seconded with a smile.


    <i>What? No!??</i>Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to live here. What¡¯s Chunyu trying to do? Hide his mistress in a golden house? Did he really think that she would go along with this? She didn¡¯t want to be hidden away or taken care of. She wanted her freedom.


    However, with Auntie Jiang¡¯s family here, she could not just t out tell Chunyu??<i>hell no.?</i>?They were a kind family and she didn¡¯t want to hurt their feelings.


    Before she could figure out an underhanded way to rip him a new one, Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Your stuff has already been moved here.¡±


    Aunt Jiang said, ¡°We¡¯ve already tidied up your room, Third Madam. If you¡¯d like, I can take you there now so you can go see whether it is up to your satisfaction.¡±


    <i>This sneaky bastard. How dare he make choices for me??</i>


    ¡°Wait,¡± Ye Jiayao said as calmly as she could. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that I want to live here.¡±


    Aunt Jiang looked surprised and disappointed.


    Xia Chunyu expected this. After all, ever since he met her, Yaoyao has been nothing but stubborn.


    Xia Chunyu took a sip of his tea and carefully said, ¡°You¡¯re free to choose where you want live. You can stay here or not, no one will force you. But, let me just say that I think it is better for you to live here. It will be easier for you to practice and experiment with your dishes because you will have your own kitchen as well as helpers. Manager Du is kind, but there are so many kinds of people that live in a motel, it can be hard to get along with everyone.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated. Annoyingly, he has a point. That doesn¡¯t mean she wasn¡¯t ufortable with this whole idea, though.


    ¡°This house is not mine,¡± Xia Chunyu added. ¡°It is a reward from the empire. It was Auntie Jiang¡¯s idea to make you stay here. I think this will be good for you, so I brought you here to look around.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hoped that Auntie Jiang was quick to think on her feet, otherwise, he¡¯d be in deeper trouble than he already is if Yaoyao finds out that he¡¯s lying.


    Fortunately, Auntie Jiang understood him. She suggested, ¡°Third Madam, the Heir-Son Lord is right. I felt bad when I found out that you were living by yourself in a motel. How can I let someone who saved my life live in a motel when there is more than enough room for you here? If you stay here, we could at least have a friend nearby! My Yue Er even asked me if you could teach her how to cook!¡±


    ¡°Third Madam, just live here! Treat it as your own home! We know that it is too simple and a bit shabby for you, but at least we could serve you here,¡± Uncle Jiang said.


    Ye Jiayao looked torn. If she refused them after what they said, she¡¯de across as rude and snobby.


    Knowing that at least half of the battle was won, Xia Chunyu got up. ¡°I have some work to do. You guys can keep discussing this among yourselves.¡±


    <i>No, I can¡¯t stay here! No matter how they phrased it, this is still a handout and I am NOT taking a handout.?</i>?Ye Jiayao prepared to follow after Chunyu but she was dragged away by Auntie Jiang.


    ¡°Third Madam, you have to check out the room. It took Yue Er a while to decorate it,¡± Auntie Jiang urged.


    ¡°Sorry, Auntie Jiang, I also have things to do. I will check it out some other day¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re already here, why not now? Come on. Yue Er, show the way.¡±


    Xia Chunyu left the yard, Uncle Jiang escorting him. He told the older man, ¡°You must make her stay here.¡±


    ¡°My wife is here to do that. She¡¯ll definitely make her stay,¡± Uncle Jiang saidughingly.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, pleased. ¡°If there is a problem, get Jiang Li to deliver a message to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t resist Auntie Jiang¡¯s enthusiasm so she decided to stay for a bit. Plus, if she refused their generous offer, it would seem as though she was looking down at them.


    The house had three divisions. Jiang Li stayed in the first one, Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang stayed in the second, and Jiang Yue and Ye Jiayao lived in the third one. Inside the yard, there was a small kitchen that was well-stocked and contained well-prepared pieces of equipment.


    She doubted what Xia Chunyu had said. How could the empire be so generous and reward some citizens who helped destroy bandits such a huge house in a good area? She was sure that this was all Chunyu¡¯s doing.


    However, despite her misgivings, this house was perfect. She needed a ce to test out the ice cream recipe and this house would provide her with a much-needed privacy. This ce would also serve her well for the special dishes she would make in the future.


    The more she thought about it, the more she warmed up to the idea of living here.


    After showering, Ye Jiayao dressed, for what felt like the first time, in a girl¡¯s clothes.


    Jiang Yue was shocked when she saw her. She eximed, ¡°Third Madam, you look like a goddess!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed and said, ¡°You¡¯ve seen what goddesses look like?¡±


    Jiang Yue shrugged. ¡°Not really. But when my brother and I worked for a big family in Liao City, we saw ady in that family. The locals said that she looked like a goddess. She was pretty, yes, butpared to you, Third Madam, she¡¯s simply mediocre.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed, ttered. ¡°Yue Er, you are just like your mother.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Jiang Yue suddenly felt shy, her face turning red. ¡°My brother look like Father, who¡¯s good-looking. I look like Mother, not so good-looking.¡±


    ¡°No, no! I didn¡¯t mean that you look like your mother!¡± Ye Jiayao hurriedly corrected, chuckling. In fact, both brother and sister looked like Uncle Jiang, all dark brows and big eyes. Uncle Jiang must¡¯ve been quite handsome when he was young.


    Jiang Yue was lost. ¡°Then what are you talking about, Third Madam?¡±


    ¡°I just meant that you are good at talking like your mother.¡±


    ¡°I only speak the truth,¡± she said weakly.


    ¡°Alright, alright, I was only kidding,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°So your mother said you wanted to learn how to cook?¡±


    Jiang Yue visibly perked up. ¡°Yes, yes! My mother said that your dishes are delicious. My brother learned carpenter¡¯s work from my dad and wherever he goes, he can make money. I know nothing but washing and sewing clothes. I really like cooking, so can you teach me to be better at it, Third?Madam?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was pleased to finally meet a friend who shared the same dream as her. She responded happily, ¡°It will be my pleasure. But first, I have a request.¡±


    ¡°What request?¡± Jiang Yue asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me Third Madam anymore.¡± That title was far too awkward for her!


    ¡°What should I call you then? Even my mother calls you this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved her concern away?dismissively and said, ¡°Your mother shouldn¡¯t call me that, too. You can just call me Yaoyao.¡±


    ¡°That is too impolite! You?<i>are?</i>the Third Madam!¡± Jiang Yue protested feebly.


    ¡°No, I am not. That was a mistake. Don¡¯t call me that in future, or Heir-Son Lord will be unhappy,¡± Ye Jiayao told her.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. Heir-Son Lord is happy. Whenever he talks with my mother about you, he always calls you his wife,¡± Jiang Yue said.


    <i>What? Chunyu will never say something like that. Will he??</i>?Ye Jiayao looked at Jiang Yue doubtfully.


    Jiang Yue saw her disbelief and nodded seriously. ¡°It is true. I heard it directly from him. I promise that I am not lying.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was confused. Why would he call her his wife in front of other people in Jin Ling? In the city where he was known as a respectable nobleman?


    ¡°What else did Heir-Son Lord say to your mother?¡± Ye Jiayao hedged.


    Jiang Yue looked at her cautiously. When Third Madam was in the shower, her mother told her to be careful with answering her questions as Third Madam could be quite sneaky.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord said that it was so hard to find you. He told her that you are in Jin Ling as well and has be the head chef of Heavenly Residence. I... that¡¯s all I heard,¡± Jiang Yue answered a bit hesitantly.


    <i>That¡¯s it???</i>Ye Jiayao felt a bit disappointed. There she went again, thinking too much about Chunyu¡¯s actions.


    Jiang Yue saw the emotions ying and warring on Third Madam¡¯s face and took a step back, wondering if she said something wrong. She nervously excused, ¡°Third Madam, go rest first. I will wash these clothes.¡±


    She gathered the dirty clothes and ran away.


    Ye Jiayao felt sulky so she went for a walk outside.


    ¡°Uncle Jiang, Ah Li, what are you doing with these? Are you going to sell these?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, taking a seat on a small stool.


    Jiang Li blushed and lowered his head when Third Madam called out that nickname.


    Uncle Jiang smiled and said, ¡°This is made for you, Third Madam. My wife said that you would use this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao started to feel embarrassed. They made her a shower bucket! ¡°I am not that picky, Uncle Jiang. Honestly, it is good enough for me to have a bed to sleep on. You don¡¯t have to go through all this trouble just for me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all!¡± Uncle Jiang assured. ¡°We¡¯re handcrafters. Making a bucket is very easy.¡±


    She did remember Chunyu saying before that Uncle Jiang was a good crafter and that he made all the traps that were used in ck Wind Ridge. A thought came to her and she asked, ¡°Uncle Jiang, do you know how to make molds for pastries?¡±

 Chapter 87.5 - Family Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 87.5: Family Meeting</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    ¡°What mold? What type do you want?¡± Uncle Jiang asked.


    ¡°Just this big.¡± Ye Jiayao gestured with her hands. ¡°In various types, like heart shapes, flower shapes, and others. Regarding the patterns on them, would you be able to make what I draw?¡±


    Uncle Jiang thought about it. ¡°That¡¯s fine. Shuanzi could also do this type of skillful work, and he is even better than me at carving flowers.¡±


    ¡°Shuanzi?¡± For a few seconds, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t realize that Uncle Jiang was using Jiang Li¡¯s pet name. She turned to Jiang Li and teased, ¡°Should I call you Shuanzi in the future? I think A-li still sounds better, though.¡±


    Jiang Li looked like he was really thinking about it. Uncle Jiang replied, ¡°It¡¯s just a name. It doesn¡¯t matter what Third Lady calls him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned, troubled by that term. ¡°Uncle Jiang, just call me Yaoyao from now on.¡±


    ¡°How can I do that, Third Lady?¡±


    ¡°I like it when you call me Yaoyao, it seems more affectionate. You see, I call you Uncle Jiang and you call me Yaoyao. Isn¡¯t that great?¡±


    ¡°No, no. You¡¯re Third Lady,¡± Uncle Jiang protested.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to shout at him. He¡¯s so stubborn!


    <i>Whatever.</i>They could call me whatever they like.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go and draw the patterns soon. How long will it take to make?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Uncle Jiang looked at Jiang Li, clearly intending to let his son take the job.


    Jiang Li responded, ¡°If it¡¯s not aplicated pattern, then it will most likely be done in one day,¡±


    ¡°That quickly?¡± Ye Jiayao was d.


    Jiang Li nodded.<i>And by ¡®one day¡¯ I meant that includes day and night. As long as it is something Third Lady needs, I¡¯ll be happy to give up food and sleep to make it possible.</i>


    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll go and draw the patterns now. You don¡¯t need to rush, okay? As long as it ispleted in three days, it¡¯s fine with me. All I want is for the work to be meticulous.¡±


    The patterns on the mooncake were usually flowers apanied by various words, like good fortune, longevity, Number One Schr, Mid-Autumn, or the brand. This time, as it was especially for the Elder Princess, Ye Jiayao decided to use ¡®Fu Shou An Kang¡¯ (good fortune, longevity, and good health), along with their surname ¡®Helian¡¯, to create five blessing. The flowers she decided to use weretree peony and hibiscus which symbolized wealth and auspiciousness.


    She had learned carving flowers before, so her drawing skills were quite good. She drew five designs in one sitting and chose the peony with the word good fortune first for Jiang Li to work on. If it was made well, then they would make the rest. She not only needed these molds for the mooncakes, but also for the other pastries.


    When she went to find Jiang Li after finishing her drawing, he was not there.


    Uncle Jiang said that he told Jiang Li to go out and buy some things and he will be back soon. He told her that he would just hand the drawing over to Jiang Li.


    Ye Jiayao was perplexed. It was already sote. Apart from entertainment and dining ces, all the other shops were closed. What could they possibly buy?


    Meanwhile, in the Jing An Mansion, they were holding a family meeting.


    The meeting was presided by Lady Xia You and the participants included the eldest son, Xia Chunli, who was born of a concubine, and his wife, the eldest daughter-inw, Lady Xia N¨¦e Qiao, the two legitimate sons ¨C second son and future sessor Xia Chunyu and the third son, Xia Chunfeng, who just returned from the frontier.


    There were two main focuses of the meeting. First was the present for Helian Mansion¡¯s Old Ancestress¡¯ 70th birthday, and the second was the Lording back to Jin Ling for the Mid-Autumn Festival. It had been many years since he came back, so Lady Xia You wanted to ask the sons for ideas on how to make this Mid-Autumn Festival livelier.


    Lady Xia Qiao had already started thinking about these problems long ago. She had wanted to please her mother-inw. ¡°Old Ancestress is a Buddhist, how about we let Mingxiu embroider a portrait of Guanyin as a gift?¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu¡¯s mother was from the number one embroidery family in Ji Nan. Most of the embroidery from the Qiao family was given as an imperial tribute. Her mother¡¯s embroidery was exquisite, unparalleled, and very precious. Qiao Mingxiu¡¯s embroidery was also amazing, especially the double-sided embroidery, which is a skill that was handed down to her. She was most proud of this skill and naturally would not leave out any opportunity to show it off.


    Lady Xia You calmly said, ¡°Your idea is good, but on the Old Ancestress¡¯ 60th birthday, Elder Princess Yu De already gave her a Suzhou-style Guanyin portrait embroidery. If I remember correctly, the Guanyin embroidery was from the Qiao family too.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ we can still stitch a million ¡®Fu¡¯ (good fortune) picture,¡± she tried again.


    ¡°Next year is the Empress Dowager¡¯s 70th birthday. I heard that the Empress is going to personally stitch a million ¡®Fu¡¯ picture. If you were to stitch one before the Empress and also gift it to the Elder Princess, I¡¯m sure the Empress would not be happy to know this,¡± Lady Xia You said.


    Qiao Mingxiu was at her wit¡¯s end. Can¡¯t gift this, can¡¯t gift that, she already couldn¡¯t think of any other ideas and turned to Xia Chunli, hoping that he could think of something better, but Xia Chunli just lowered his head and drank his tea, pretending not to see.


    ¡°We¡¯re been family friends with the Helian family for generations, so I think we don¡¯t need to be so picky, as long as they feel out sincerity,¡±


    ¡°Then tell me how will they feel the sincerity?¡± Lady Xia You asked.


    When talking to her biological son, Lady Xia You used apletely different tone which showed her hopes.


    Xia Chunfeng had only mentioned it casually. How would he know what to give?


    ¡°Ask Second Brother. He has the most ideas,¡± Xia Chunfeng pushed this difficult task to his Second Brother.


    Xia Chunyu was still thinking about Yaoyao¡¯s matters at this time, and he didn¡¯t know if Uncle and Auntie Jiang could persuade Yaoyao to stay. There was still no news as of this moment.


    Everyone¡¯s gaze locked onto him, but Xia Chunyu was in a daze and had not reacted.


    ¡°Second Brother, Second Brother? What are you thinking about? Mum¡¯s asking you!¡± Xia Chunfeng elbowed his second brother.


    Xia Chunyu finally responded, and asked in a puzzle, ¡°What?¡±


    This immediately resulted in Lady Xia Yao rolling her eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t hear what we were talking about just then? What were you so engrossed in thinking about?¡± she scolded.


    ¡°Elder Princess¡¯ birthday present,¡± Xia Chunfeng whispered.


    Xia Chunyu immediately understood and mused, ¡°I heard that on the 8th of August, there will be a consecration for the Golden Buddha at Puji Temple which will be presided over by Master Hongji. They have also invited eminent monks from the five famous temples in Huai Song. We can ask for a string of blessed Canaan prayer beads then. I think this present won¡¯t be too bad,¡±


    ¡°Elder Princess has been vegetarian for decades and has also been praying for decades. What type of prayer beads would she not have?¡± Qiao Mingxiu said.


    Her embroidery had been rejected, so what good were prayer beads?


    Lady Xia You was naturally inclined to help her son, and said calmly, ¡°How is it the same? The scale of the consecration ceremony this time is like never before. The six famous monks from Huai Song will be chanting the sutras, so even trying to a get a talisman is hard, not to mention praying beads. I¡¯m sure Elder Princess will like the gift,¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu was not happy. Mother-inw was just more biased towards the younger brother and whatever he said was good. Her husband, as the eldest, received lesser treatment because he was not her biological son.


    ¡°Mum is right, Second Brother¡¯s idea is great,¡± Xian Chunli quickly said, ¡°It¡¯s just that it might be difficult to get the prayer beads,¡±


    Xia Chunfeng smiled, ¡°Eldest brother, this might be difficult for other people, but if it¡¯s our second brother asking, then there should be no problem. Who doesn¡¯t know the friendship between second brother and Master Hongji?¡±


    Lady Xia You also saw no problem and said, ¡°Then we¡¯ll leave this matter to you, Chunyu,¡±


    Xia Chunyu agreed.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s move on and discuss how we should celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. We haven¡¯t had a proper reunion during the Mid-Autumn for many years now,¡± Lady Xia You threw out the second discussion point.


    ¡°Mum, I think you should just decide for this. Every Mid-Autumn is basically the same,¡± Xia Chunfeng said unenthusiastically.


    This resulted in Lady Xia You¡¯s scolding, ¡°You¡¯re so simple minded! How many years has your father been away from home? It is rare for him toe back once and you don¡¯t even think about doing filial duties? It was all for nothing to raise you up,¡±


    Xia Chunfeng innocently said, ¡°It¡¯s because there are so manyplicated matters that father doesn¡¯t want to return to Jin¡­¡±


    He stopped halfway after a death re from Xia Chunyu. That brat! Doesn¡¯t he have a filter on his mouth after going to the frontier?


    Xia Chunfeng had touched a sore spot. If Mum wasn¡¯t happy, then everyone had to look at her expressions.


    Xia Chunyu was about to talk, but saw Song Qi at the door signally to him with his eyes, and said, ¡°There is no rush. Everyone should have a think about it since there is still time, and we can discuss it another day,¡±


    ¡°Second Brother is right. We should all have a think. There is no need to have it full of liveliness, as long as father spends a happy Mid-Autumn,¡± Xia Chunli also said.


    Lady Xia You sighed, ¡°Then we will continue discussing tomorrow,¡±


    As soon as the family meeting was dissolved, Xia Chunyu was the first to rush out. ¡°Already stayed,¡± Song Qi said quietly.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, a heavy weight was lifted. Yaoyao had a safe ce to stay. If Uncle Jiang looked after her, then that would get rid of a lot of his worries.


    ¡°And about Wei, how much have you found out?¡±


    ¡°Second daughter Miss Ye is still in Yang Zhou, and will only be back in Jin Ling after a few days. Wei Liujiang is currently staying with Vice Minister Mu¡¯s family. However, his own residence has almost finished renovating. Wei Liujiang will being to take the metropolitan examination this time. Apparently his talent surpasses many people and there are quite a lot of people who have expectations of him,¡±


    Xia Chunyu sneered. Talented? Not matter how talented he is, these type of yboys are jerks no matter what. Everyone has expectations of him? Then everyone should take a proper look.


    ¡°Keep an eye out there and report back if there is any news,¡± Xia Chunyu instructed.


    ¡°Second brother, what are you muttering about? Who is this Wei Liujiang? Did he offend you? I¡¯ll go and teach him a lesson,¡± Xia Chunfeng had caught on earlier that his brother was distracted and had eavesdropped out of curiosity.


    Xia Chunyu looked at him apprehensively, ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. You just worry about yourself,¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was disappointed and said sullenly, ¡°What do I have? Nothing! I¡¯m bored out of my wits. Second brother, I heard that even Helian Jing that kid has things to do. Let me do something as well!¡±


    Xia Chunyu glowered, ¡°You¡¯re already prepared for the military exam in autumn? Nothing to do? Aren¡¯t you going to hurry and practise? You¡¯ll be going to rece Father guarding the frontier if you don¡¯t rank in at least third ce this year,¡±


    ¡°Is it that easy toe in third ce? Not everyone is like you!¡± Xia Chunfeng said dispiritedly.


    When he thought about it, he and Little Jing were equally pitiful ¨C they both had such strong and able older brothers so they seemed so ipetent inparison.


    Seeing that Second Brother was about to scold him again, Xia Chunfeng quickly escaped.


    When he got to the door, Eldest Brother was waiting for him. Xia Chunli patted his shoulder lightly, ¡°Your second brother is only doing this for your benefit, don¡¯t mind too much. In fact, I think that you¡¯re quite good. I¡¯ll be supporting you,¡±


    ¡°I know that Second Brother is doing it for my good,¡± Xia Chunfeng said in embarrassment.


    In reality, Eldest Brother was also very capable, but his status meant that he was destined to always be in the shadows of the one who everyone focuses on. However, it couldn¡¯t be helped. Who told him to be an illegitimate child?


    Qiao Mingxiu

 Chapter 88 - My Brother

    <h4>Chapter 88: My Brother</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    As soon as Ye Jiayao arrived at work in the morning, she told Shopkeeper Li that she had epted the invitation to cook for the Helian Mansion¡¯s banquet. She was the head chef of Heavenly Residence after all, and such matter still required the support of Shopkeeper Li.


    Shopkeeper Li was delighted. ¡°This is great! If you do an excellent job with this, you will be famous.¡±


    ¡°I signed up as the head chef of Heavenly Residence,¡± Ye Jiayao replied modestly.


    Shopkeeper Li paced his office, excitedly rubbing his hands together. ¡°Do not hesitate to tell me what you need and feel free to deploy the kitchen staff as you please. This is a rare chance and you must perform perfectly.¡±


    Although Heavenly Residence was quite renowned in Jin Ling, most private banquets of such caliber were only catered by Fu Ji. This would be the first time that Heavenly Residence epted such task, and sess in this would elevate them to a new level. It would give them the right to challenge Fu Ji.


    ¡°I have already chosen my assistants ¡ª Zhong Xiang, Deng Haichuan, Wang Mingde, and Cui Dongpeng. The restaurant¡¯s business will not be affected, don¡¯t worry. I just need to use the kitchen when it¡¯s avable in order to study recipes, and I might waste some ingredients,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°No worries. Just fill a form with the specifics and hand it to the ountant,¡± Shopkeeper Li replied. Compared to the benefits he could receive in the future, these were all small gestures.


    For restaurant owners, lifting chefs to fame was a conflicting task. There was always a huge chance that if their chefs gain fame, they¡¯d jump ship to a bigger restaurant. That would just ultimately benefit theirpetitors. On the other hand, a chef that nobody knows would affect the business badly. It was all a big gamble.


    However, Shopkeeper Li was not troubled this time because the contract had a use that would benefit the restaurant. The use basically stated that Li Yao would groom a head chef for the restaurant that would be as good as him in his three-year stint. Li Yao does not hold on to secrets and even taught his kitchen hands how to make cold drinks. That kind of generosity was rare in the industry.


    Li Yao was truly a lucky charm sent to him by the heavens!


    ¡°How are we going to split the earnings from the private banquet, Shopkeeper Li?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. ording to her knowledge, chefs who attend private banquets usually had to pay the restaurant management fees. Cases such as Fu Ji, where Zheng Fugui was the shopkeeper himself, were a different matter.


    Shopkeeper Li thought about it for a short moment. ¡°Usually, the fee is forty percent. How about you just pay ten percent as a token gesture?¡±


    Shopkeeper Li sure was willing to provide a gesture of goodwill, Ye Jiayao thought to herself. That ten percent would not even cover his expenses.


    ¡°How about I pay twenty percent? I can¡¯t let the restaurant lose money, after all, can I?¡± Ye Jiayao offered.


    Shopkeeper Li smiled and nodded. ¡°Fine, twenty percent it is. In the future, we will go by this rate too.¡±


    Li Yao was definitely special and not someone who could be restricted. Shopkeeper Li knew that he couldn¡¯t keep Li Yao tied to him so he might as well help him along his way.


    After receiving Shopkeeper Li¡¯s support, Ye Jiayao went to the kitchen to announce the decision.


    ¡°This time, I chose the assistants ording to their individual strengths as well as recent performances. As long as everyone works hard, there will be many more chances in the future.¡±


    This announcement was to reassure and motivate everyone. She wanted them to know that everyone has a chance and they simply have to fight for it.


    Ye Jiayao intended to build a top-notch team to ept private tasks like this banquet, and a team of just four or five people was insufficient.


    The air of excitement in the kitchen was almost palpable. Those who were chosen were practically bouncing with eagerness, while those who were left out were filled with envy. Their envy was a good thing, though, because it was fueling them to do better in order to gain Ye Jiayao¡¯s attention and good graces.


    The only one who was low in spirits was Liu Qisheng.


    He had helped Brother Xiang oppose Li Yao, only to end up with Brother Xiang joining Li Yao eventually. Now, everyone was ignoring him and he was stuck in a no man¡¯snd. Amongst the second-ss kitchen hands, he was the only one left out, and in favor of a third-ss kitchen hand no less!?He didn¡¯t believe Li Yao¡¯s im that everyone had a chance. He had severely offended him and he was sure that Li Yao would give anyone?<i>but?</i>him a chance.


    Liu Qisheng immersed himself in chopping vegetables, the hit of the knife against the chopping board echoing in the room as he vented out his frustration. The others simply thought he was making a determined effort.


    After lunch, Ye Jiayao called the four that she chose to assign their respective tasks.


    ¡°Brother Xiang, focus on working on the four desserts. Based on the requirements we previously came up with, determine the optimal recipe so we don¡¯t make mistakester.¡±


    Zhong Xiang nodded. ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll go and prepare the ingredients in a while.¡±


    ¡°Wang Mingde, I want you to make me a very tasty vegetarian noodle broth. I want you to go all out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best,¡± Wang Mingde replied.


    ¡°Deng Haichuan, I will prepare a list of the ingredients tomorrow. Go and find the manager of Helian Mansion and go over the quality of the ingredients together. Remember, the ingredients must be carefully chosen.¡±


    ¡°No worries, I will make sure of that,¡± Deng Haichuan guaranteed.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much time left so let¡¯s get a move on,¡± Ye Jiayao said, gesturing with her hands for them to get cracking.


    ¡°Brother Yao, what about me?¡± Cui Dongpeng asked.


    Ye Jiayao slightly winced at her forgetfulness. ¡°Go to the Forging Iron Alley and have the best cksmith make me a set of knives. While you¡¯re there, go to the store that manufactures bronze products and check if the ice holder is done yet.¡±


    ¡°Sure! I know which store Chef Niu and Chef Zheng had their knives made. I¡¯ll have the cksmith make you the exact same set,¡± Cui Dongpeng said with a grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the exact same set. I want something that is more nimble. Oh, and I also want a set of carving knives,¡± Ye Jiayao said. Her arms were not as strong as the male chefs. The knives in this kitchen were already too heavy for her as it is.


    ¡°You want them fine and nimble. Got it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. ¡°Smart.¡±


    They were still in a meeting when Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng arrived.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it too early to eat now?¡± Xia Chunfeng eximed. ¡°How about we go to the teahouse to chat for a while first?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not too early. I¡¯ll introduce you to someone first.¡±


    ¡°Such mysteriousness. Who is it? Who¡¯s this mysterious friend that you¡¯ve made these few months I¡¯ve been away?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked curiously.


    Helian Jing pulled him inside. ¡°You¡¯ll know when you see him.¡±


    Ah Xing saw Helian Jing arriving and hurriedly went up to greet him. ¡°Young Royal Highness, Lotus Suite has already been prepared for you. Please head upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Go and call Li Yao over,¡± Helian Jing ordered.


    Little Lu hurriedly ran to call Li Yao.


    ¡°Brother Yao, Young Royal Highness Jing has arrived. He¡¯s now in the Lotus Pavilion and has asked for you to head over there.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused for a second. This early? Was he really here for dinner? This was more like a time for refreshments!


    ¡°How many people came?¡±


    ¡°Just two.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, would you mind making two cups of iced double milk? Little Lu, go and make a pot of first-ss Lushan Mist Tea and also bring down some Cha Kwo. The rest of you can leave!¡±


    Xia Chunfeng entered the private room and looked around. The breeze blew gently through the open windows that overlooked the sparkling river and the willows lining the embankment.


    ¡°The view is not bad at all,¡± Xia Chunfeng mused.


    ¡°The scenery is only secondary, it¡¯s the food here that reaches the pinnacle of delicacies. Oh, and there are also cold drinks.¡± Helian Jing always felt a surge of pride whenever he tells others of Heavenly Residence. It was almost as if Heavenly Residence was his own home.


    Xia Chunfeng sat down in a chair. ¡°What cold drinks? Chilled Hawthorn Juice?¡±


    ¡°That stuff is old-fashioned. You might not know as you just came back, but right now, iced double milk, iced pinkdy, and iced peach milk are all the rage in Jin Ling. This is the only ce that has them, and if you don¡¯t pre-order them, you won¡¯t get any.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng became very curious. ¡°That¡¯s... ridiculous. Is that really so?¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t ridiculous at all. They only make two hundred bowls of cold drinks every day ¨C exactly two hundred. It¡¯s in short supply every day and if youete, you definitely won¡¯t be able to get one,¡± Helian Jing replied.


    Xia Chunfeng raised a brow, impressed. ¡°The shopkeeper here sure knows how to run a business. He clearly knows that raremodities are worth hoarding. Very well, I must give it a try.¡±


    ¡°Eat all you want. After you try the cold drinks, there are still other delicacies,¡± Helian Jing boasted with augh.


    Xia Chunfeng snorted. ¡°It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t tasted Chef Niu¡¯s dishes, you know? They are just all mediocre at best.¡±


    ¡°Well, as I said, you¡¯re behind the times. Chef Niu has already gone to Fragrant House, there is a new head chef here now.¡±


    ¡°You just like to try new things, just like Zhao Qixuan.¡± Xia Chunfeng chuckled.


    ¡°What do you mean try new things? I¡¯m just looking for the vor that suits me best and I¡¯ve found it now. I won¡¯t swap ces anymore. If I want to eat, I¡¯lle to the Heavenly Residence,¡± Helian Jing said in a huff.


    ¡°Oh! The cook here must be really amazing if can make Young Royal Highness Jing stay in one ce,¡± Xia Chunfeng teased. He felt that Helian Jing was exaggerating way too much.


    ¡°Believe me, in a while, the food you¡¯ll taste will be so delicious, your tongue will fall off,¡± Helian Jing huffed.


    ¡°Little Jing, can you stop boasting? You¡¯re going to exaggerate my skills,¡± Ye Jiayao joked as she walked in.


    As soon as Helian Jing saw Ye Jiayao, his expression rxed. ¡°Yaoyao, this is Xia Chunfeng, the blood brother of Brother Chunyu. He is also a good brother of mine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sped her hands and bowed. ¡°I am Li Yao. Pleased to meet you, Young Master Xia.¡±


    Ye Jiayao discreetly looked Chunyu¡¯s brother up and down. Unlike Chunyu, who only resembled their mother by his eyes, Xia Chunfeng looked very much like their mother.


    Xia Chunfeng nodded in acknowledgment and turned to face Helian Jing. ¡°This is ¡­¡±


    ¡°Li Yao, he¡¯s my brother and also the head chef here,¡± Helian Jing replied.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s expression became cold. Little Jing referred to him as a brother first rather than as a chef. That implied that Little Jing held this person in high regards. Chunfeng and Little Jing grew up together and he had always thought that he was the only one Little Jing regarded as a brother. Hearing him refer to this Li Yao as his brother was very unexpected. It was now apparent that he really did miss a lot during his absence.


    Little Lu brought the food in.


    ¡°Your Royal Highnesses, these are the iced double milk you ordered.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, have a seat. It¡¯s still early anyway.¡± Helian Jing pulled out a chair for Yaoyao.


    This act once again surprised Xia Chunfeng.?<i>Holy crap!?</i>?Was Little Jing really pulling out a chair for a chef now?


    Ye Jiayao sat down without objection


    Curiosity wed at Xia Chunfeng. This Li Yao just a little cook, howe he¡¯s able to refer to Little Jing as a brother? It can¡¯t be that Little Jing has all of a sudden became a foodie, right?


    ¡°Hey, how did you guys meet?¡± Xia Chufeng asked as he drank his iced double milk.

 Chapter 89 - Two Terrible Friends

    <h4>Chapter 89: Two Terrible Friends</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing did not intend to hide from him.


    ¡°Do you remember a few months ago when my brother went to Shandong to defeat the bandits?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng drank a big mouthful of his iced double milk, loving how outrageously delicious it was. He nodded and said, ¡°Yeah, I knew about it. My brother was undercover there for half a year!¡±


    ¡°Right. I slipped to Shandong after him. Unfortunately, when I arrived, the war had already ended. My brother was nowhere to be seen and my purse was stolen. I was almost lost in a foreign territory. Thanks to Yaoyao, I managed to get back home in one piece. If it wasn¡¯t for him, I might be begging for food right now!¡± Helian Jing confessed.


    Xia Chunfeng choked on his drink. He about coughed out a lung just to clear his throat, his eyes full of questions and surprise as he stared at Helian Jing.


    Ye Jiayao stifled augh and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, drink the milk first. There¡¯s more to that story.¡±


    Helian Jing immediately thought of the incident where he fell into the septic tank. ¡°Yaoyao! Brothers are loyal to each other!¡±


    Ye Jiayao once again did her best to stuff down herughter. She said seriously, ¡°What do you think I¡¯m going to say?¡±


    Helian Jing huffed. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t reveal anything.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng, still red-faced from his coughing fit, said to the chef, ¡°Quick, tell me what had he done.¡±


    ¡°No. Don¡¯t tell him,¡± Helian Jing protested anxiously.


    Xia Chunfeng teased, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? I know about all the embarrassing things you have done since we were young anyway!¡±


    That greatly interested Ye Jiayao. ¡°Let¡¯s do an exchange. You¡¯ll tell me one and I¡¯ll tell you one, too.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but it must be at the same level,¡± Xia Chunfeng bargainedughingly.


    Helian Jing could only look at them in shock. They were actually enjoying themselves as they make a deal about regaling each other about his embarrassing moments!


    Ye Jiayao told Xia Chunfeng to go first.


    Xia Chunfeng began, ¡°When Little Jing was only?ten years old, the left prime minister¡¯s eldest son got married. Several of us children wanted to attend the shivaree, so we hid under the bed¡­¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunfeng, I swear to God, if you keep talking...¡± Helian Jing warned.


    ¡°Aye, isn¡¯t Li Yao your buddy? It¡¯s okay to tell him, many people know about this anyway,¡± Xia Chunfeng teased.


    Ye Jiayao nodded solemnly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s fine. I promise not to make fun of you.¡±


    Helian Jing said moodily, ¡°I¡¯m going to unfriend both of you.¡±


    He was now regretting his decision to introduce Yaoyao to his best friend. Yes, he was expecting them to bond, but he never thought that it would be at his expense!


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunfeng couldn¡¯t hold theirughter in as they looked at each other.


    ¡°Alright, alright! Calm down, we were just joking,¡± Ye Jiayao said, taking pity on him.


    Xia Chunfeng added, ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t, but I¡¯ll spare you this time.¡±


    Helian Jing frowned. ¡°Who¡¯s sparing whom? You think you don¡¯t have any awkward incidents? There are still those that your brother doesn¡¯t know, do you want me to tell him?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng swiftly changed the topic. He was smart enough to know when to retreat.


    ¡°Li Yao, this iced double milk taste like bananas.¡±


    Ye Jiayao responded with a smile, ¡°That¡¯s because it is made out of milk and bananas. How do you find the taste? Is it nice?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng nodded. ¡°I thought Little Jing was just exaggerating, but this is really nice.¡±


    Ye Jiayao snapped his finger and called Little Lu over. ¡°Tell Brother Xiang to give us two more servings of the iced pinkdy and iced peach milk.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to eat tonight? I¡¯ll cook for you.¡± Ye Jiayao passed the menu from Little Lu to Xia Chunfeng.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°This guy can¡¯t ever settle on an order. Yaoyao, just casually arrange it, whatever you make is delicious anyway.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng shrugged and acquiesced. ¡°I¡¯m not picky, unlike my brother. I can¡¯t believe he managed to stay with the bandits for such a long time.¡±


    <i>True. That guy is really a picky eater. If I hadn¡¯t had went up the mountain, he would¡¯ve had died at the mere shame of eating pig food.</i>


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll arrange it myself. You guys go ahead and drink some iced drinks and tea, and I¡¯ll head off to prepare the meal.¡±


    Helian Jing caught Big Yaoyao¡¯s hand to stop her. However, the feeling of his warm, soft hand stirred up weird feelings in Helian Jing and he forgot what he wanted to say.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Helian Jing let go of her hand and stammered, ¡°N-no, no, nothing, I just... I just wanted to say don¡¯t cook too much.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded with a smile and left.


    Helian Jing relished the strange warmth he had just experienced.


    Xia Chunfeng stared at him curiously.¡± Little Jing, why is your face red? You were drinking a cold drink, not alcohol.¡±


    Helian Jing flushed even more and obtusely touched his cheeks. ¡°Really?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng simply raised a brow.


    Helian Jing lied guiltily, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just too stuffy in here.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng pointed at the window. ¡°Why don¡¯t you jump into the river to cool down if you think it¡¯s too stuffy when the window is?<i>open?</i>.¡±


    Helian Jing simply stayed silent.


    ¡°Aye, Little Jing, is Li Yao just a chef? Does he have any background?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked.


    ¡°A background? All I know is that he is a cosmopolitan that was born in a family of chefs and he thrives in cooking. I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s a civilian or has a richer background, I like him and I want to be friends with him,¡± Helian Jing dered.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t found a merit in him yet. I just feel like he¡¯s good looking and generous, unlike us who are tterers and obsequious,¡± Xia Chunfeng said, giving his fair evaluation.


    Helian Jing said objectively, ¡°If you get to know him, you¡¯ll know what kind of person he is. Even both our brothers approve of him, which just goes to show how upstanding he is.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was astonished. ¡°Really??<i>My?</i>second brother? There aren¡¯t even many that please him in Jin Ling, much less gain his approval.¡±


    ¡°Yes, your second brother.¡± Helian Jing paused. ¡°There¡¯s one thing that I didn¡¯t have the chance to tell you. A few days ago, Princess Liu Li and Li Yao had an argument and the princess lost. She went here with the prince to take revenge on him. Both our brothers rushed here to interfere but in the end...¡± Helian Jing halted to take a sip of tea.


    ¡°Spit it out! What happened?¡± Xia Chunfeng urged. He couldn¡¯t believe he had missed such an exciting urrence.


    ¡°In the end, it was a false rm. Yaoyao had conquered the prince with a few dishes. Not only did the prince took his side against Liu Li, he even left him with a piece of calligraphy,¡± Helian Jing finished.


    Xia Lianfeng gasped.??<i>A calligraphy??</i>?And Li Yao actually won against Prince Liu Li? Given how vile that princess was, Li Yao was abnormally courageous for standing up against her.


    ¡°If that really is true, then I... I have to say I admire him,¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    As Ye Jiayao was cooking in the kitchen, Ah Xing came in and told her, ¡°Brother Yao, Heir-Son Lord Yong An is here. He knew that Young Royal Highness Jing is here so he made up a table and is ordering now!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was actually d that Zhao Qixuan came over. That would save her the trouble of finding himter to ask about the coconuts.


    In the Lotus Suite, a full table was sat.


    Zhao Qixuan said giddily, ¡°Mu Qinchu is treating us today because he wants to introduce his cousin to everyone.¡±


    It was usually difficult for Mu Qinchu to get Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng toe to his get-togethers, and today was a happy coincidence. He smiled obsequiously and said, ¡°This is my cousin Wei Liujiang. He just arrived in Jin Ling recently to partake in the Imperial examination. Please, look after him in future.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng frowned, looking over at Wei Liujiang calctingly. Wasn¡¯t this the Wei Liujiang that his second brother and Song Qi mentioned? From Chunyu¡¯s tone then, he didn¡¯t seem to like him! How did this guy offend Chunyu when he had just arrived?


    Whatever the case was, if Chunyu disliked this guy, he¡¯d support his brother. Xia Chunfeng saidzily, ¡°We are not the examiner nor the proctor, how could we look after him? We couldn¡¯t?leak the questions even if we wanted to!¡±


    Mu Qinjiang and Wei Jiangliu¡¯s heart sank as they heard the obvious distaste in Xia Chunfeng¡¯s voice. Could he have known about them?displeasing Xia Chunyu?


    Mu Qinchu tried tough it off. ¡°Brother Chunfeng, you¡¯re funny! I just meant to get to know each other.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a casual person. What would happen if I befriend everyone whoes up and say hello to me? And also, who are you calling Brother Chunfeng?¡± Xia Chunfeng said without ncing at them.


    Zhao Qixuan nced at Xia Chunfeng. He was a bit??<i>too?</i>?cocky today. Granted, Chunfeng was normally quite cocky, but he was downright embarrassing Mu Qinchu and his cousin today.


    To cut into the tension, Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Chunfeng, it¡¯s been a few months since we¡¯vest met! Where have you been?¡±


    Helian Jing also found that Xia Chunfeng was acting weird. He was speaking spitefully as if these two had done him a grave offense. He answered for Xia Chunfeng, ¡°He went to the frontier pass to visit the Old Lord as the Old Lord hasn¡¯t returned to Jin Ling for a few years.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was surprised. ¡°Really? It¡¯s actually quite peaceful at the frontier these few years, the Old Lord didn¡¯t have to guard there.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng said proudly, ¡°Why did you think the frontier is so peaceful? If it wasn¡¯t for my father guarding there, do you reckon the people up north would be sow-abiding?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right. If it wasn¡¯t for the Old Lord, how can we drink and chat freely, huh? We would have to mount on horses to fight against our enemies,¡± Zhao Qixuan echoed. Nowadays, Old Lord Jing An was the most reputable and most powerful general in Huai Song. He could never be praised enough.


    Mu Qinchu knew that the Young Royal Highness Jing and Li Yao were good friends. Since he couldn¡¯t please Xia Chunfeng, he moved on to Young Royal Highness Jing instead.


    ¡°I actually came today for another matter. I came to give Head Chef Li Yao something.¡±


    Helian Jing asked curiously, ¡°What are you giving him?¡±


    Mu Qinchu smiled and answered, ¡°Yesterday, Li Yao asked me to get some ice quota for him. I came to give him a couple of ice tickets today.¡±


    ¡°Really? Maybe it¡¯s to make those iced drinks,¡± Helian Jing said with a slight twinge in his heart. Why would Yaoyao entrust Mu Qinchu with such matter and not him?


    Zhao Qixuanughed. ¡°You better help him on that. If not, all of us wouldn¡¯t have icy drinks to drink.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, that¡¯s why I got it done immediately,¡± Mu Qinchu agreed with a politeugh.


    Xia Chunfeng was surprised. Li Yao doesn¡¯t seem like a simple person. He was like a fish swimming in the water of the nobility circle. He had thought that only Little Jing was giving him the special treatment, but it seemed that special treatment extended from other nobles as well.

 Chapter 90 - Homemade Chicken Essence

    <h4>Chapter 90: Homemade Chicken Essence</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao had thought that it was Zhao Qixuan that was treating for dinner today so she wasn¡¯t expecting to see Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang.


    ¡°Li Yao, I was just about to look for you. I have the ice tickets you mentioned yesterday,¡± Mu Qinchu said eagerly as if he was really familiar with the chef.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°So fast?¡±


    Mu Qinchu nudged Wei Liujiang who immediately took out a set of ice ticket and handed it to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao looked over the ice tickets calmly as she counted them. ¡°Why are there only 500g?¡±


    Mu Qinchu exined, ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy to get 1kg at once. I¡¯ll bring you another 500g in a couple of days.¡±


    ¡°No need!¡± Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng said simultaneously.


    Xia Chunfeng, finding himself in an awkward position, signaled for Helian Jing to speak first.


    Helian Jing immediately said, ¡°Li Yao, tell me how much you need and I¡¯ll get it for you no matter the amount.¡±


    <i>Was Mu Qinchu¡¯s help really needed for this??</i>?Helian Jing wanted to be the one to help Big Yaoyao.


    Xia Chunfeng couldn¡¯t help but wheedle, ¡°It¡¯s just 1kg of ice, how hard can it be to get it done?¡±


    Mu Qinchu held in his words of resentment.??<i>That¡¯s easy for you to say because you all are careless. I had to suffer a scolding just to get this 500g of ice!</i>


    Ye Jiayao smiled. She had no doubt that Little Jing can get the ice easily, but this was ckmailed from Mu Qinchu. She was not going to let this arrogant guy off the hook so easily. She said to Mu Qinchu, ¡°In the next days then. I know that you wouldn¡¯t want to dy because?this ice is to be used for Helian Mansion Old Princess¡¯ birthday celebration.¡±


    Mu Qinchu¡¯s eyes widened. If that was really the purpose of the ice, then he must obtain the remaining 500g as soon as possible.


    ¡°The weather has been hottely so the ice supply had been short. Don¡¯t worry, though, I¡¯ll do my best and I won¡¯t cause a dy to the Old Princess¡¯ birthday celebration,¡± Mu Qinchu promptly promised.


    Zhao Qixuan shooed the child on the seat next to him and subsequently offered it to Ye Jiayao. ¡°Li Yao, sit and drink with us.¡±


    Those who didn¡¯t really know Li Yao were stunned. The seating arrangements had always been exquisite, very distinct. The Young Royal Highness Jing was seated in the main seat, while Xia Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan sat on the seats on either side of him. No one had any objections to this seating arrangement because their statuses were distinguished. Why on earth would Zhao Qixuan allow this?<i>chef?</i>to sit by his side? Wasn¡¯t that a bit weird?


    Out of all of them, it was Wei Liujiang who was the most shocked. This Li Yao must be the best chef ever! He had such good rtionships with a group of Royal Highness and Heir-Son Lords. If Liujiang hadn¡¯t seen this with his own eyes, he would have thought that it was impossible.


    ¡°Move away.¡± Helian Jing pushed Zhao Qixuan. ¡°Li Yao,e sit here.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan happily gave up his seat. ¡°Yes, yes! Li Yao,e and sit.¡±


    What was happening? Everyone was confused.


    Mindful of the bbergasted expression on the people¡¯s faces, Ye Jiayao walked over to Helian Jing, yet she didn¡¯t sit. Instead, she picked up a gon and poured herself and everyone else a ss of wine. She picked up the ss and said, ¡°Everyone, thank you foring! I hope you all drink and eat happily. Cheers!¡±


    Helian Jing added, ¡°Come,e, let¡¯s drink up.¡±


    Everyone dutifully drank.


    Ye Jiayao topped up the sses again and said, ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing, this is to thank you for your trust in letting me?organize the Old Princess¡¯ birthday celebration. I can¡¯t thank you enough. Cheers!¡±


    Helian Jing frowned and said, ¡°Nonsense. You¡¯re not an outsider.¡±


    Nevertheless, Ye Jiayao drained her ss and looked over at Little Jing, smiling.


    Helian Jing had no choice but to drink up as well.


    On her third ss, Ye Jiayao wanted to toast to Zhao Qixuan. ¡°Brother Xhao, I have something to ask of you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask, just say it if there¡¯s something bothering you,¡±?Zhao Qixuan immediately replied.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll assume you already agreed. I¡¯ll tell you about itter.¡±


    After she had downed three sses of wine, Ye Jiayao announced, ¡°I have some errands to run in the kitchen, excuse me. I¡¯ll join you all in another day.¡±


    ¡°Are you really that busy? Aren¡¯t there other chefs in the kitchen?¡±?Helian Jing asked disappointedly.


    ¡°But I¡¯m the main chef.¡± Ye Jiayao turned to the others. ¡°Alright, you guys continue drinking. I¡¯m going to leave now.¡±


    Once she exited the door, the weing smile on Ye Jiayao¡¯s face turned into a sneer.??<i>Oh, Wei Liujiang, Wei Liujiang. You¡¯ll get what¡¯sing to you.</i>


    After the feast, Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng went with Zhao Qixuan to find Li Yao. They wanted to hear what Yaoyao wanted to ask Zhao Qixuan for.


    ¡°What do you need, Li Yao?¡± Zhao Qixuan asked.


    ¡°I heard that you have business in the south. I want to ask if you can get me some coconut fruits from there,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    ¡°Coconut fruit? That thing isn¡¯t tasty,¡± Zhao Qixuan protested.


    ¡°I have use of it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sure. How many do you want?¡±


    ¡°These things are not spoiled easily, so if it¡¯s convenient, the more the merrier. Can you obtain a few hundred?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan waved her concerns away. ¡°That¡¯s not an inconvenience. You can have as much as you want. You¡¯re in luck because there will be a ship going to the south tomorrow. I¡¯ll just instruct them to get your fruits.¡±


    Ye Jiayao eximed happily, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, if you have a problem, juste and find us. There¡¯s no need to seek help from Mu Qinchu,¡± Helian Jing told her.


    Ye Jiayao chuckled a bit. ¡°I was just ripping him off. I wanted to cause him trouble.¡±


    Xia Chunfengughed out loud. This Li Yao was really interesting.


    Helian Jing was relieved now that he finally knew that Mu Qinchu and Yaoyao weren¡¯t bing friends. He said to Zhao Qixuan, ¡°I never liked that guy. Next time, I won¡¯te if he¡¯s there.¡±


    ¡°I only met him halfway here,¡± Zhao Qixuan exined.


    After the three nobles left, Ye Jiayao got off work and headed over to Auntie Jiang¡¯s house, carrying a massive bag. Tonight, she was making a very important condiment ¨C chicken essence.


    Chicken essence was a verymon condiment in the modern days, but it had not been invented yet in this era.


    Jiang Li opened the door. He took over the bag Ye Jiayao was carrying and shouted, ¡°Mother! Third Madam is back!¡±


    Auntie Jiang came out from the kitchen. ¡°Third Madam, have you had dinner? I made dumplings.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head with a smile. ¡°I already ate at the restaurant. You guys eat. Jiang Li, help me bring these to the little kitchen, will you?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    Jiang Yue ate thest dumplings quickly and ran out. ¡°Third Madam, are you going to cook?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°Why, yes. If you have nothing to do, you cane help me.¡±


    ¡°Mother, I¡¯ll go and help Third Madam!¡± Jiang Yue called happily.


    Auntie Jiangughed. ¡°Go ahead, little girl, learn from Third Madam.¡±


    Jiang Li went to chop the firewood and lit up the fire.


    Ye Jiayao washed her hands and took out two stone mortars, passing one to Jiang Yue. ¡°Crush that bag of rock sugar to a powder.¡±


    Jiang Yue happily obeyed.


    Ye Jiayao handled the chicken meat herself and tore the chicken breast that had already been cooked and drained this afternoon to tiny shreds. She removed the veins and ced it in the stone mortar to pound it into fine pieces.


    Jiang Li was keeping busy with the fire, wondering when should he show the Third Madam the mold.


    Ye Jiayao ced the tiny pieces of chicken onto the te and separated it with chopsticks, gradually adding some fine salt into it until it was the right level of saltiness. She then proceeded to cut the ginger, spring onions, and mushrooms into tiny pieces before cing it in the crock.


    ¡°Is the pot heated?¡±


    Jiang Li tuned back in and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s heated.¡±


    ¡°ce some salt at the bottom of the pot,¡± Ye Jiayao instructed.


    There weren¡¯t ovens in this era, so she could only do this the old-fashioned way. She ced some salt at the bottom of the pot and ced it on the crock to grill it.


    She turned it around periodically, continuing to grill it again and again until the water has vaporized and the tiny pieces of vegetables had be crispy little granules.


    Next, she grilled the chicken shreds. When it was softened, she mixed all the ingredients together and pounded it over until it turned into powder. She added some sugar and stirred it all up.


    Ye Jiayao put a bit of the chicken essence on her fingertip and tasted it.??<i>Yes!?</i>?It tasted really incredible! Her first attempt at making chicken essence was sessful!


    ¡°Third Madam, what are these?¡± Jiang Yue asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao smiled mysteriously. ¡°This is my secret condiment. Don¡¯t tell anyone else about this, okay?¡±


    Both brother and sister nodded. ¡°We won¡¯t speak a word.¡±


    Ye Jiayao transferred the finished chicken essence into a dry container and gave the rest to Jiang Yue. ¡°Give this to your mother and tell her to use it when cooking soup or vegetables. Just add a pinch in. Only a small?<i>pinch?</i>, okay? And only add it when the food is almost ready to be served. This would make the dish taste amazing.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s really great stuff.¡± Jiang Yue carefully held it, worried that she¡¯d spill it.


    ¡°Find a dry container to store it in. Don¡¯t let it get wet because it wouldn¡¯t be nice to use then,¡± Ye Jiayao reminded.


    Jiang Yue nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll go and find a container now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt great as she looked at the container of the chicken essence on the stove. This was her secret weapon. Whether she could shine on the Old Princess¡¯ birthday celebration not only depended on the Ice Cream Mooncake, but also on this chicken essence.


    ¡°Third¡­Third Madam, I¡¯vepleted the mold,¡± Jiang Li said hesitantly.


    ¡°That quick?¡± Ye Jiayao was surprised.


    Jiang Li nodded. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Well, bring it out and show it to me!¡± Ye Jiayao said excitedly.


    Jiang Li had kept the mold with him so he just quickly took it out and handed it to Third Madam.


    Ye Jiayao was amazed at how delicate the mold was made. It was tiny and could easily be opened and closed. The carvings inside were exactly what she wanted.


    ¡°I took some flour and tried it on. Do you want to see the effect, Third Madam?¡± Jiang Li wasn¡¯t sure if Third Madam liked it. Third?Madam said she wanted it to be delicate so he made it small and dainty, but when it was done, he thought that it was too tiny.


    ¡°Yes, yes, I want to. Go get it, quick.¡± Ye Jiayao was just thinking of getting something to try this with.


    Not long after, Jiang Li came back with some flour.


    ¡°Oh my gosh, that is so adorable!¡± This was what she was after! The rich mooncakes would be too filling if made anyrger. This mold was perfect to just sate the appetite and the curiosity of the guests.


    ¡°Jiang Li, you have such fine hands. I?<i>love?</i>this mold very much. I have four more sample drawings here, just follow this size and make the other four.¡± Ye Jiayao cradled the mold admiringly.


    Jiang Li smiled abashedly and scratched his head. He was happy that Third Madam was pleased.

 Chapter 91 - Not Renting

    <h4>Chapter 91: Not Renting</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After he reached home, Xia Chunfeng went straight to his second brother¡¯s room.


    Xia Chunyu was lying on the bed, his mind upied. Today, His Majesty has gathered the various ministers from the Ministry of War to the royal study to discuss some issues. His Majesty had the intention to send troops to West Mongolia to help settle the armed rebellion. He already expected that the army would be led by Helian Xuan. What he didn¡¯t expect was Helian Xuan asking him to join him in West Mongolia.


    Should he go?


    If it were in the past, he would not even hesitate, but now, there were things he could not leave in Jin Ling.


    ¡°Second brother.¡± Xia Chunfeng barged in energetically.


    Xia Chunyu fidgeted with his jade thumb ring and nced at his younger brother. ¡°Where did you go? You were not even home for dinner.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng smiled, ¡°Little Jing treated me to dinner today. Second Brother, guess who I saw today?¡±


    Little Jing no doubt brought Chunfeng to Heavenly Residence and introduced him to Yaoyao.


    Xia Chunyu yed along and asked, ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°You know him, too! He is the head chef of Heavenly Residence, Li Yao. I heard from Little Jing that you seemed to admire him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted, ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I just also think that he is quite an interesting fellow,¡± Xia Chunfeng replied. He picked up the orchid pea in the te, threw it high up and caught it with his mouth.


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow, amusedly, smiling lightly. ¡°How is he interesting?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really exin. I just feel that he is quite interesting. Not to mention that his temperament matches mine. Little Jing holds him with high regards and since he is Little Jing¡¯s friend, then he is my friend too,¡± Xia Chunfeng stated.


    <i>Yaoyao is indeed lovable!?</i>??<i>What more if they find out that she¡¯s really a woman?</i>


    ¡°Aye, Second Brother, the dishes Li Yao made are really delicious. Why don¡¯t we invite him to our house to cook during the Mid-Autumn festival?¡± Xia Chunfeng suggested.


    ¡°NO.¡± Xia Chunyu rejected the idea without a?second thought.


    ¡°Why?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked curiously.


    ¡°It is not like we have no chefs at home. The Mid-Autumn feast is a family gathering, we can just eat casually here. There is no need to go through all that trouble,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    He could not keep Yaoyao from working in Heavenly Residence, neither could he oppose to Yaoyao epting the Helian family¡¯s birthday feast. This was one thing that he had control over. He would never allow Yaoyao to cook in the Jing An Marquis Mansion, to be at their beck and call like amon servant.


    Xia Chunfeng did not push the matter again. He continued, ¡°I saw that Wei Liujiang you talked aboutst night. I was told that he was Mu Qinchu¡¯s cousin.¡±


    Xia Chunyu froze. ¡°They went to Heavenly Residence?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Zhao Qixuan was there too and everyone sat together for a meal. Don¡¯t worry, I even ridiculed the two of them. Do you want to deal with him? I don¡¯t exactly find him?pleasing to the eye either.¡±


    Xia Chunyu forced an off-handed answer, ¡°They only went to have a meal?¡±


    ¡°No, Mu Qinchu proimed that he went there just to look for Li Yao.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stood up. ¡°What business does he have with Li Yao?¡±


    ¡°To deliver the ice ticket. He said Li Yao requested for them. That made Little Jing unhappy, but Li Yao rified that he was only making use of Mu Qinchu.¡±


    Xia Chunyu heaved a sigh of relief. Mu Qinchu was careful after all. Chunyu guessed that Mu Qinchu knew that if he creates trouble for Yaoyao, he¡¯d go over and break his bones.


    ¡°Alright, alright. The Imperial military examination is around the corner, you should concentrate on that. Don¡¯t embarrass the Jing An Marquis residence, or father wille back to put you in order,¡± Xia Chunyu threatened.


    Xia Chunfeng pouted. ¡°You are even naggier than Mother! You two only know how to criticize me all day long.¡±


    ¡°It is all for your own good. You better train well as I will check with you after three days. If you could not withstand more than 20 moves under me, don¡¯t think about going to that examination.¡± Xia Chunyu waved his hand to chase him out.


    Xia Chunfeng wrinkled his nose angrily. His brother was belittling him.??<i>20 moves? Ha! 200 wouldn¡¯t even be a problem.?I went through Father¡¯s vigorous training at the borders.</i>


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s thoughts drifted away once again. He wanted to go to Yaoyao but he couldn¡¯t keep going over to her too frequently. Thatss was already particrly smug as it was!


    <i><strong>That night, in Yu Shu Pce.</strong></i>


    ¡°Princess, as per my investigation, that Li Yao came to Jin Ling just recently and epted the offer to work in Heavenly Residence. He was originally a first-ss kitchen hand, but he got promoted to head chef in a few days¡¯ time. Now, he has epted the offer to do the Old Helian Princess¡¯s birthday feast. I heard that Li Yao saved the Young Royal Highness Jing and has a deep friendship with him,¡± a guard reported.


    Liu Li¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly. It was no wonder that Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan rushed over that day. It wouldn¡¯t really be that big of a deal if others wanted to protect Li Yao, but with Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan participating, it would be a sticky situation.


    No matter. If she could not do it openly, then she would attack secretly. Whatever happens, she has to get her revenge.


    ¡°What is the situation in Heavenly Residence?¡±


    ¡°The owner of Heavenly Residence is called Li Xudong. He used to run a small restaurant, but seven years ago, he started Heavenly Residence which became quite famous in the Jin Ling food and beverage industry. Thend where Heavenly Residence is located was only rented out to him.¡±


    Liu Li ordered, ¡°Go check who owns the property and Li Xudong¡¯s family situation.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Your subordinate would go immediately.¡± The guard bowed and withdrew.


    Liu Li¡¯s almond eyes showed a cold, hateful look.??<i>I¡¯m going to have fun with you, Li Yao.</i>


    Early next morning, Ye Jiayao brought Jiang Li to Laifu Motel. Since she has decided to stay with Auntie Jiang, there would be no need to keep the room. The autumn Imperial examinations were around the corner and many schrs would flood into Jin Ling to take it. The inns in Jin Ling would be bustling with business and many of them would be full. If she empties the room, Manager Du could rent it out to someone else and earn more money.


    ¡°Little Li, you¡¯re here!¡± Manager Du stopped what he was doing and immediately went over to Li Yao.


    ¡°Big Brother, how have you been?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a smile.


    ¡°Very well, actually. Couldn¡¯t be better! Look at all these people in the inn.¡± Manager Duughed heartily.


    ¡°There are insufficient rooms in the inn, right?¡±


    Manager Du immediately understood Little Brother Li¡¯s concern. ¡°We are notcking that one room. Oh, have you settled your troubles? Isn¡¯t it time for you to move back?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°I actually came here to tell you that I already found a ce to stay in. They are an old acquaintance of mine when I was in Shan Dong. His whole family came to Jin Ling and they have a spare room in their house so they wanted me to move in there.¡±


    Jiang Li cupped his fist and greeted Manager Du.


    Manager Duughed embarrassedly before pulling Li Yao over to the side. ¡°Little Brother Li, you don¡¯t have to this. I really do notck that rental fee.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°Big Brother, it¡¯s okay.?Uncle and Auntie Jiang are extremely nice to me, just like my family. They also wished for me to move in with them so that we can take care of each other.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Manager Du was skeptical.


    ¡°Of course! Why would I lie to you? You can go over there when you have the time if you want to check.¡±


    Manager Du, finally convinced that Li Yao was not lying, heaved a sigh of relief. He patted Li Yao on the shoulder and said, ¡°Then I¡¯m happy for you. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. Even though I am not very capable, I still have a few rooms here. You cane to stay whenever you want.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt extremely touched. Although her time traveling experience was miserable and melodramatic, she was met with only good people throughout her journey. She found strangers, who she met only by chance, that treated her like family.


    Ye Jiayao nodded solemnly ¡°I will, I promise.¡±


    After packing up her stuff in the room into a small bundle, she got Jiang Li to bring it back while she went straight to Heavenly Residence to work.


    She has to start making pastries today. Ye Jiayao was excited as she was weakest in pastries. She really hoped she could learn from Zhong Xiang.


    In this era, there were no pressure cookers so they could only boil the soaked peas slowly. When the peas were soft and have reached a paste state, a fine gauze was used to remove their skins. They added some melted agar, icing sugar, and powdered osmanthus flower and stir-fried the mixture in a pot. They then spread it out evenly and waited for it to solidify. The color would be a translucent light yellow, like split yellow pea jelly.


    Throughout the process, Ye Jiayao used a pen and paper to take note of the quantity of each ingredient, the duration of steaming, and the amount of heat used.


    ¡°After adding agar, the split yellow pea would be even more translucent in color and lustrous.¡± Zhong Xiang was very satisfied with this excellent-looking batch of split yellow pea cake.


    ¡°So this can be used in this way...¡± Cui Dongpeng clicked his tongue in wonder, the agar he used all his strength to extract was actually a good stuff.


    Ye Jiayao picked up a piece to try. After a few seconds, shemented, ¡°The amount of agar is enough, the tenacity of the cake is just right, the powdered pea is also very fine, but it is still too sweet.¡±


    ¡°Really? Let me try.¡± Zhong Xiang also tried a piece.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. It is a little too sweet,¡± Zhong Xiang agreed.


    ¡°A little too sweet would not do. Next time, we have to reduce the amount of sugar by a tenth.¡± Ye Jiayao wanted it to be just right. She realized that it was impossible to cater to everyone¡¯s taste so she wanted this to be perfectly bnced. That way, those who liked it sweet wouldn¡¯t find this too nd, while those who liked it nd wouldn¡¯t find it too sweet.


    Zhong Xiang replied, ¡°Alright, we will try again tomorrow with the sugar reduced by a tenth.¡±


    ¡°We have to make walnut biscuits tomorrow, too. Remember not to add too much sugar,¡± Ye Jiayao instructed.


    If she ensured that all the pastries taste just right, she would definitely seed.


    ¡°Brother Yao¡­¡± Deng Haichuan returned with a huge food box in his hand.


    ¡°Haichuan, what good stuff did you bring back?¡± Cui Dongpeng asked as he moved to snatch the food box over.


    ¡°Ay¡­ be careful! Don¡¯t knock into it, this contains top-grade porcin.¡± Deng Haichuan immediately held onto the box tighter.


    ¡°Brother Yao, these are the three types of tes for the dishes supplied by the Helian Mansion. They asked you to choose whichever is more suitable.¡±


    Deng Haichuan opened the food box.


    There was a set of tableware with longevity diagrams zed onto the porcin, a set of tableware zed with auspicious jubtion diagrams, and a set of tableware zed with riches and honor diagrams.


    The three sets of tableware were brightly colored and well-zed, showing off the Helian Mansion¡¯s wealth.


    After deliberating for a long time and seeking everyone¡¯s opinion, they came to a consensus that the longevity diagrams were the most suitable.


    ¡°Then this set it shall be. Let the housekeeper of the mansion prepare the full set.¡±


    Deng Haichuan replied, ¡°Alright, I will make another tripter.¡±


    ¡°Oh no, oh no.¡± Litte Lu ran in, flustered.


    ¡°What happened? Did someone make a scene again? It isn¡¯t even time to eat yet!¡± Deng Haichuan asked.


    Little Lu exined, ¡°Thendlord of this building came. When I went in to offer him some tea, I heard him say that he wants to reim this building. He is not renting it out anymore.¡±

 Chapter 92 - Riding Together

    <h4>Chapter 92: Riding Together</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    This news shocked everyone.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t the contract just got renewedst year? Wasn¡¯t it a renewal for five years? Why does he suddenly want us to move out?¡± Zhong Xiang asked in bewilderment.


    ¡°How would I know? I didn¡¯t dare listen to more,¡± Little Lu cried.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and find out,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    The survival of the restaurant would directly affect the benefits and interest of everyone. It was only natural that they would be concerned about it.


    The gang tiptoed up to the second floor, crouching at the door, as though they were forming a human pyramid, to eavesdrop.


    ¡°I have no say in this matter. You have to leave this ce after three days,¡± thendlord said firmly.


    ¡°Boss Sun, isn¡¯t there?any room for discussion? The contract clearly stated that if we were to move out, or if you were to stop renting the ce to us, there has to be a three-month notification in advance. With only three days, where do you want us to move to?¡± Shopkeeper Li asked, worry evident in his voice.


    ¡°I willpensate you ording to the contract and you need not pay the rental fees for this year. Will that do?¡± Boss Sun sighed.


    Ye Jiayao knew that there was something amiss. She had found out that in this district, the rental fees for just a storefront would cost more than 2000 taels per year. A whole building cost at least 6000 taels?to rent. 6000 taels was a huge amount, but thendlord had no qualms about refusing it just like that. Could it be that he had a bigger interest in giving it up?


    They heard Shopkeeper Li say, ¡°Boss Sun, this is unfair. We have worked together for eight years and never have I once dyed rental payment. Even if the business cannot go on, you still have to be humane. You¡¯re not giving me a way out!¡±


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, I don¡¯t want to do this either, but I really have my difficulties.¡± Boss Sun sounded apologetic as well.


    ¡°Is someone trying to sabotage us?¡± Shopkeeper Li tried to sound him out.


    Everyone pricked their ears to listen but it stayed quiet. Finally, Boss Sun said, ¡°I have to take this building back, Shopkeeper Li. I¡¯m sorry that I have let you down.¡±


    That was an implicit admittance if Ye Jiayao ever heard one. Shopkeeper Li replied, ¡°Boss Sun, give us some clue on ount of our partnership for all these years. If there is any conflict, I would find a way to solve it and you need not be caught in the middle, right? I will never reveal that you are the one who told me, how about that?¡±


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, please don¡¯t make this difficult for me than it already is. If I could tell you, I would have done so already. You should already know who you offended. I am taking my leave now but I will be back three dayster to reim the building.¡±


    Before everyone could retreat, the door opened. Cui Dongpeng, who was right at the bottom holding on to the door, lost his support and fell forward. The others fell on top of him and the group sprawled down on the ground.


    Boss Sun only shook his head at them.


    Everyone hurried to get up, making a way for Boss Sun. When he left, everyone swarmed into the room, talking all at once.


    ¡°Shopkeeper, let¡¯s just not move and see what he can do about it. This is too unreasonable.¡±


    ¡°With only three days, we don¡¯t even have enough time to find another ce. He is deliberately making it hard for us.¡±


    ¡°Which bastard is making mischief behind our backs? If I find out, I would chop him up into mincemeat.¡±


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, what do you think we should do? We wouldn¡¯t be afraid of a fight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! When the timees, we will seize the guy and protect the restaurant. We¡¯ll chop anyone who darese¡­¡±


    Shopkeeper Li was distraught with anxiety. He could understand how everyone was feeling, but a fight would only make more trouble instead of solving the problem.


    ¡°Alright, alright, go back to work! Let me be alone for a while,¡± Shopkeeper Li said with annoyance. The restaurant¡¯s business has been improving at this juncture and the future looked bright. He had even thought of renovating it slightly. He would never have thought of a cmity like this befalling the restaurant.


    Ye Jiayao waved her hand and motioned for everyone to get out.


    Right now, the mastermind behind this was still unclear. Whether it was someone in the same trade or simply someone who wanted to make things difficult for Heavenly Residence, they didn¡¯t know. Without that knowledge, every n was useless.


    Ye Jiayao had a suspect in mind, though. For Boss Sun to act that afraid,?this person must be extremely influential. Perhaps, this person was specifically targeting her.


    Heavenly Residence has met with an unprecedented crisis, while everyone was feeling indignant at such injustice, for the most part, fear was lurking around. What would happen if the restaurant really closes? Where would they go? Other than Ye Jiayao, the people working here had all been in their jobs for several years. It was not easy to look for a job now, and even if they found one, they would not get the same treatment they have here.


    For a moment, Heavenly Residence seemed to be shrouded with depression, the atmosphere was extremely heavy.


    ¡°Li Yao, can you look for the Young Royal Highness?¡± Zhong Xiang broke the silence. He seemed to have hesitated for a long time before saying it.


    Everyone was worried about their future. Li Yao was the only one who need not worry that he had no ce to go because based on his current fame, many restaurants would scramble to hire him. He would not think ofing to the Young Royal Highness Jing for help. However, all the other brothers need it. As difficult as it was to say, Zhong Xiang had to steel himself and try.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s words were like a ray of light piercing through the haze. Everyone turned to look at Li Yao hopefully.


    Ye Jiayao propped her chin on her hand and thought about it. After a long while, she nodded and said, ¡°I shall look for the Young Royal Highness this instant.¡±


    Everyone heaved a sigh of relief, their faces rxing into smiles. They believed that as long as the Young Royal Highness intervened, the situation would turn for the better.


    Ye Jiayao also wanted to find out what or??<i>who?</i>?was behind this. If it really was her fault, as she strongly suspected it was, she would have to take full responsibility. If it was not, then she would still do everything in her power to help all these people.


    Just as she arrived at the Helian Mansion, Chunfeng walked out.


    ¡°Li Yao!¡± Xia Chunfeng greeted. ¡°Are you looking for Little Jing? He¡¯s not back yet.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng went to the mansion to find Little Jing so they could?have a meal together at Heavenly Residence. Eating at home would only mean listening to his mother¡¯s nagging and that would just decrease his appetite. He didn¡¯t know that Little Jing went to the Ministry of War with his brother and has not yet returned.


    Ye Jiayao smiled slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll just wait for him.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng asked curiously, ¡°It is almost dinnertime, don¡¯t you have work to do?¡±


    ¡°Business is slower at night. Besides, if distinguished guests like you don¡¯te, I wouldn¡¯t really have to cook.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t wee? I was just about to get Little Jing to go to Heavenly Residence. How about this, I¡¯ll leave a message with?the gatekeeper and we¡¯ll wait for him at Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Before Ye Jiayao could respond, Xia Chunfeng had already turned back to pass the message to the gatekeeper and a servant led a horse out.


    ¡°Do you know how to ride a horse? Why don¡¯t I bring you along?¡±?Xia Chunfeng asked.


    Ye Jiayao waved her hands frantically. ¡°No, I am afraid of heights.¡±


    Riding on the same horse through the marketce would invite lots of gossips. In this era, everyone was still quite sensitive to homosexuality. She was even previously misunderstood when she was on a night tour around the Qin Huai river with Chunyu. If another scandal breaks out again, she would soon have a new identity¡­?<i>the male pet of princes and noblemen.</i>


    ¡°A grown man afraid of heights? You suck! Horse-riding is not as scary as you think, you know. Come on, try it. I guarantee you will fall in love with horse-riding.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng, without waiting for further excuses, propped Li Yao up and pushed him onto the horse.??<i>Huh? Why is he so light??</i>?Xia Chunfeng found that strange for a guy who worked with foods ¨C or for a guy, period.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I can¡¯t, I am going to fall.¡± Ye Jiayao deliberately made herself look as if she were to fall, pretending to be afraid and panicky.?<i>How dare this brat touch my butt?</i>


    Xia Chunfeng mounted the horse nimbly and held on to the reins with both arms, confining Ye Jiayao in his arms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, sit up straight and squeeze your legs tight. Look forward, that¡¯s right, just like this, sit tight¡­¡± Xia Chunfeng squeezed his legs and tightened the reins.


    <i>Hyaah!?</i>?The horse started galloping.


    Ye Jiayao felt like crying.?<i>F*ck!?</i>??<i>If Chunyu sees this, he¡¯d pull Chunfeng down and bash him up!</i>


    Ye Jiayao dismissed the thought. No. He was his brother. If that donkey was going to beat someone up, it would be her. He¡¯d go on a lecture of how she was being shameless and promiscuous.


    <i>Like I care about what he thinks. My life is none of his business.</i>


    However, she really didn¡¯t like being confined by someone like this. It felt awfully a lot like a hug, and it was even more ufortable because this is Dumb Donkey¡¯s brother.


    As the horse galloped through the wind, an exotic fragrance wafted over to Chunfeng. It was different from the incense on their clothes, and it wasn¡¯t also the powder that men liked to use. It was very mild but enticingly sweet and it was making him want to move closer to Li Yao.


    He didn¡¯t understand what was going on. This wasn¡¯t the first time that he was riding a horse with a man! He had even slept in the same bed with Little Jing and he never felt this kind of weird sensation.


    Xia Chunfeng looked down and saw Li Yao¡¯s exposed neck, slim and slender, fair and delicate, like a graceful swan. He had the strangest urge to put his lips on it and bite it, his mouth watering at the picture that made in his head.


    ¡°Ay! Ride slower, there are many people in front.¡± Ye Jiayao cried out in rm. Riding so quickly on the street bustling with people was too dangerous.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Xia Chunfeng snapped out of his daze and slowed the speed down.


    In front of a stationery shop, Song Qi cried out, ¡°What was that? Isn¡¯t that Third Young Master and Brother Yao on that horse?¡±


    Xia Chunyu, who came out a beatter, looked up after hearing Song Qi¡¯s words. He could only see the back view from afar but he recognized Chunfeng¡¯s stature immediately.


    ¡°Are you sure the one in front is Ms. Ye?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, his face unreadable.


    Song Qi replied meekly, ¡°I... I¡¯m not sure. I didn¡¯t see very clearly.¡±


    Song Qi wanted to give himself a tight p.??<i>Why do you have to be so loud?</i>


    Xia Chunyu red at him and instructed, ¡°Bring this stuff back.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, what about you?¡± Song Qi asked carefully.


    Xia Chunyu ignored his question and swiftly walked to his horse stopped by the road. He quickly leaped up onto the horse and went off in the direction that Chunfeng took.


    Song Qi¡¯s face turned bitter.?<i>Ms. Ye, pray for the best! I promise I did not do this on purpose.</i>


    Xia Chunyu followed the two all the way to Heavenly Residence but he stopped far back from them. He saw Chunfeng help Yaoyao down the horse, and Yaoyao even lost her bnce, falling into Chunfeng¡¯s embrace.


    Xia Chunyu was so furious he almost jumped off his horse.?<i>Yaoyao, what are you doing???</i>Riding together with another man, parading about town? Did she think that just because she was dressed as a man that would excuse her behaviors?


    The most hateful part was she was with his brother.??<i>You are his f*cking sister-inw! Aren¡¯t you afraid that it would get awkward in future?</i>

 Chapter 93 - Interrogate

    <h4>Chapter 93: Interrogate</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao and Chunfeng entered Heavenly Residence together.


    Xia Chunyu was infuriated. He wanted to barge in and grab her, but this was a restaurant and it would not look good if he caused a ruckus. He could only grit his teeth and ride back to wait for the right time.


    Seeing that Li Yao brought the Third Young Master of the Jing An Marquis residence, the waiters served them especially attentively.


    Ye Jiayao said to Xia Chunfeng, ¡°Take a seat for a while, I¡¯ll take a look in the kitchen.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say that you didn¡¯t need to cook?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°That is under the circumstances of not having an extinguished guest. Now that the extinguished guest has arrived, I have to cook personally. This is the restaurant¡¯s rule.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng frowned. He has no idea when Little Jing would arrive and if Li Yao cooks, that would just leave him alone. He said, ¡°Forget it. We will just eat casually today. Don¡¯t go, sit with me.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng pulled out a chair and pushed Li Yao down onto it without allowing him to say anything.


    Xia Chunfeng was again surprised at how thin Li Yao was. He and Little Jing were also skinny, but not??<i>this?</i>?skinny. They had good physique with lean muscles. Li Yao, though, felt soft, as if she had no toned muscles, like... like a<i>woman.</i>


    Ye Jiayao really didn¡¯t like how Xia Chunfeng was manhandling her. Yes, it was normal for men to behave like this with each other, but she was not really a man!??<i>But he doesn¡¯t know that...?</i>?Ye Jiayao held in her sigh.


    ¡°The embarrassing story about Little Jing you were talking about yesterday, what is it? Little Jing is not here yet, so share it.¡± Xia Chunfeng smiled evilly.


    ¡°You have to share one first. The story about the bridal room, what happened after that?¡±


    ¡°That story¡­ haha¡­ it is killing me¡­¡± Xia Chunfeng startedughing before he even began telling the story, clutching his stomach.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to roll her eyes.


    ¡°Let me tell you, haha¡­¡± Xia Chunfeng looked like he was not going to stopughing at any minute.


    ¡°Okay, okay. We were lying down under the bed prepared to eavesdrop, right? After that, the groom came in and we were extremely excited. Guess what happened?¡± Xia Chunfeng began when he finallyposed himself.


    Ye Jiayao held in her scorn.??<i>You¡¯re just perverts. Why are you so interested in sex at such a young age??</i>?¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°The bride and groom just sat there for two hours without moving! We were so anxious then because these two were just wasting time. Everyone said that every moment of that joyous night was worth thousands of gold, but that was all just a bore!¡±


    This time, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t hold in her eye-roll. She sneered, ¡°How old were you to know that every moment of that ¡®joyous night¡¯ is worth thousands of gold? That clearly shows that all you know were bad things!¡±


    Xia Chunfeng blushed a little. He justified,?¡°We really didn¡¯t know all of that back then. We were just curious and being nosy. I just learned that saying afterward.¡±


    ¡°Okay, continue your story.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng took a sip of tea before he continued, ¡°It was midsummer at that time and it was sweltering hot underneath the bed. Little Jing started to fidget around uneasily beside me. He looked like he was in pain so I asked him what was wrong. He told me he wanted to pee and he couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. Of course, I told him to just endure it no matter what, because if we get caught...¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a pretty good guess of what happened next.??<i>How could Little Jing be so unlucky?</i>


    ¡°What happens after that?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng startedughing out loud again.


    ¡°Little Jing peed in his pants and cried out loud, giving the bride and groom a scare! Oh, they were so embarrassed! We got lectured badly by the adults because of that and we were grounded for a whole month.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost spat out a mouthful of tea. Even if she already knew what was going to happen, she could not help butugh still. She could only imagine how hrious must¡¯ve Little Jing¡¯s embarrassed face looked.


    Xia Chunfeng chuckled and urged, ¡°It¡¯s your turn!¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath to dispel her giggles. ¡°It actually isn¡¯t that funny.¡±


    She wanted to tell all Little Jing¡¯s embarrassing feats on their way to Jin Ling, but she was afraid that he¡¯d get mad at her and end their friendship.


    ¡°If it isn¡¯t funny, then what is it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Does sleeping on a nk bed with more than 10 people counts? How about sleeping in pavilions and run-down temples? Or maybe eating only?<i>one?</i>?bun every day?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was shocked. ¡°Are you serious? That pathetic?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have a single cent on him back then, and I also don¡¯t have much money on me. It really is a miracle that we got back to Jin Ling,¡±?Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk. Little Jing was pitiful on that trip,¡± Xia Chunfeng concluded, sympathizing with his friend.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. Noblemen like Chunfeng who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths have never suffered before, so hearing that story must¡¯ve been a shock. In reality, there were many people in the world who couldn¡¯t even afford a single bun. There were families out there of more than 10 people that have to squeeze in in a run-down little house.


    ¡°Are they inside?¡± Little Jing¡¯s voice carried from outside.


    Both of them quickly changed the topic.


    ¡°Li Yao, do you only have three types of chilled drinks here?¡±


    ¡°Currently, there are only three types, yes. If the restaurant can survive, I am preparing toe out with more,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a sigh.


    ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Little Jing pushed the door open and entered the room.


    ¡°Oh, we were talking about chilled drinks.¡± Xia Chunfeng pointed to the seat by the side, motioning Little Jing to take a seat. ¡°Li Yao, what do you mean ¡®if the restaurant can survive''¡±?


    Ye Jiayao poured a cup of tea for Little Jing, exining, ¡°I went to look for Little Jing today for this matter, I hope you guys can help me out.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s eyebrows knitted together. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Today, the owner of this building, Boss Sun came and said that he wants to take this building back. He wants us to move out within three days. I think he is implying that there is someone who¡¯s making him do this, someone who wants to shut Heavenly Residence down,¡± Ye Jiayao said honestly.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s sharp inhale was audible. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a contract? How can Boss Sun breach the contract just like that?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    ¡°Boss Sun said that he would forgo this year¡¯s rent. What else can we do?¡±


    After some thought, Helian Jing said, ¡°Give me Boss Sun¡¯s information. Chunfeng and I will go investigate.¡±


    ¡°Mm, the two of us would definitely be able to settle this,¡± Xia Chunfeng agreed, nodding.?Just as he finally found a great ce to hang out, it¡¯d be shut down? No, that won¡¯t do.


    Ye Jiayao knew that they would help, but their eager agreement andck of hesitation touched her. She was really lucky to have friends like them.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯m going to get Shopkeeper Li so that he can talk to you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went to look for Shopkeeper Li, but he was not around. Manager Qian said that he went to look for Boss Sun.


    ¡°Do you know any information about Boss Sun?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Manager Qian replied, ¡°Of course I do, we know each other.¡±


    ¡°Okay. The Young Royal Highness and Third Young Master Xia are in the Lotus suite right now and they have agreed to help. Tell them what the situation is.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great! I¡¯m going over there now!¡±?Manager Qian was ted.


    There weren¡¯t many customers that night and no one was really in the mood to do anything. After sending Little Jing and Xia Chunfeng off, everyone just packed up early and went their separate ways.


    Ye Jiayao went back to Auntie Jiang¡¯s house where Jiang Li told her that the Jing An Heir-Son Lord was waiting for her. He warned her that he wasn¡¯t in a good mood.


    <i>Not in a good mood? Fantastic. We¡¯ll just be foul with each other, then.</i>


    Inside her room, she saw Xia Chunyu sitting on her bed, his face dark and stormy.


    ¡°Hey! This is a woman¡¯s room, Chunyu. You can¡¯t juste here whenever you want.¡± Ye Jiayao suddenly recalled that she left in a hurry that morning and left her undergarment lying on the bed. How mortifying!


    Xia Chunyu stared straight at her, his eyes barely holding his emotions concealed.


    ¡°So you know you are a woman?¡± His tone was obviously mocking her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Ye Jiayao stared at him. ¡°And how many times do I have to tell you that what I am and what I do is none of your business anymore?


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, I dare you to say that again!¡± Xia Chunyu yelled.


    Ye Jiayao stood frozen in shock at his sudden outburst. She was surprised to hear him shout at her. Ever since they¡¯ve reconnected, he never so much as raise his voice at her. He would just patiently bear it if she started screaming and hitting him. Was he trying to turn the tables around today?


    ¡°What are you yelling at me for? If you want to exhibit your prowess as an Heir-Son Lord, go back to your mansion because that¡¯s not going to fly with me,¡± Ye Jiayao retorted rudely.??<i>I have too many things to worry about, Dumb Donkey. I don¡¯t have the spare time to bother with arrogant young masters like you.</i>


    Xia Chunyu stood up with a growl, his gaze piercing, and his whole body practically vibrating with tension. He slowly walked towards Ye Jiayao, his ruthlessness evident by each step.


    Ye Jiayao had never seen him like this before and she could not help but feel a little afraid. She stepped back warily. She might act fierce, but if Chunyu was really angry, she knew that she¡¯d just cower off.


    ¡°You¡­ w-what do you want?¡± she stuttered.


    Outside, Jiang Yue ran out to look for her parents. ¡°Father, Mother, Heir-Son Lord and Third Madam are quarreling!¡±


    Auntie Jiang was surprised. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really, really. I heard the Heir-Son Lord shouting extremely loud and Third Madam doesn¡¯t seem to be giving in. Mother, what should we do?¡± Jiang Yue was at a loss.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®what should we do¡¯? This is their problem. Why should outsiders like us get involved? We are only going to make it worse,¡± Uncle Jiang said.


    Auntie Jiang nodded in partial agreement. She said worriedly, ¡°Yue-er, go and keep watch. If things get out of hand, we¡¯d go up and help.¡±


    Jiang Yue nodded and ran back.


    In the room, Xia Chunyu was still steaming with anger. This woman was too heartless. Yes, he was the one who was wrong in the first ce but wasn¡¯t he already paying for that? He had done everything to help her. He even arranged a ce to stay for her! He tolerated her time and again, not retaliating when she hit him, staying quiet whenever she scolds him. He had thought that once she got over her anger, they¡¯d live happily again.


    She did not care about him at all. If she did, she wouldn¡¯t have ridden with Chunfeng today.


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, you are a heartless woman,¡± he growled. ¡°Listen to me. You are my woman.??<i>Mine.?</i>?So don¡¯t even think about flirting with other men,?<i>especially</i>?Chunfeng. You don¡¯t want to see what I¡¯d do if this happens again.¡±

 Chapter 94 - Ruthless Words

    <h4>Chapter 94: Ruthless Words</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao finally understood where his anger wasing from. He saw her and Chunfeng riding together in the streets!


    Ye Jiayao suddenly stopped feeling afraid. Equally angry now, she raised her chin up and said, ¡±?<i>Your?</i>?woman? I don¡¯t belong to you, Xia Chunyu. I was once yours but you denied me, you don¡¯t just get to act like that didn¡¯t happen! And for your information, your brother was the one who insisted that we ride together. What, did you think that I seduced him to give me a ride? Do you really think that you Xia brothers are just so irresistible? Stop using me of baseless things,?because you don¡¯t have the right.¡±


    She continued ruthlessly, ¡°I will be with whomever I like. Even if I sleep around with someone else, that is none of your goddamn business.¡±


    Her every word felt like a dagger piercing right through his heart. It hurt and it made him so??<i>angry.?</i>?It felt like she just threw a stone right at the mouth of a volcano that¡¯s about to erupt.


    Xia Chunyu raised his huge hand high up, rearing to p her.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t shy away and instead, met his gaze with her own cold ones.??<i>Go on. Hit me. Hit me if you dare.</i>


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand was trembling, his heart growing heavier and colder. He dropped his fist, barely scraping her hair, and punched the table behind her, breaking it into pieces.


    Ye Jiayao jumped. She didn¡¯t expect that he¡¯d fist would reallynd. She looked at the debris of what used to be the table and she couldn¡¯t help but tremble with lingering fear. If he had punched her...


    Xia Chunyu took great efforts to calm his rage. When he raised his eyes again, his eyes were nk. He said coldly, ¡°Ye Jinxuan, who do??<i>you?</i>?think you are? Did you really think that I tolerated your attitude because I liked you? I merely pitied you. I showed you benevolence because you¡¯re pathetic. Since you don¡¯t appear to need my kindness, I shall take it back.¡±


    She??<i>knew...??</i>she knew that he really didn¡¯t like her. She knew that whatever he had done for her was out of the guilt he was harboring. Still, hearing those words struck her deep. She could feel the hope that she had previously held onto turning to dust.


    This was just like that song...?<i>all the good things are just bubbles that would burst upon a soft touch.</i>


    ¡°I am nevering to look for you again. We are just strangers from now on. Make no mistake, though, you are never going to be with my brother again. If I found out that you two are in contact, you¡¯d face harsh consequences,¡± Xia Chunyu threatened cruelly before he flung his sleeves and left the room.


    She was not the only woman in the world. There were many women out there who were far better than her. Why should he let her trample on his sincere heart?


    The door shut with a bang, making the room shake.


    Ye Jiayao stared nkly at the closed door.


    He left.


    He said he won¡¯t look for her ever again.


    <i>We are just strangers from now on...</i>


    Her vision started to blur, tears filling her eyes. Why was she crying? She didn¡¯t want to cry! She knew that their situation was impossible from the start. Why was she upset now? She tried to steel herself but her tears still fell uncontrobly.


    She slowly sank to the floor, picking up the mess that was left behind.


    She recalled all the things that Chunyu had done for her.


    He was afraid that she would get bullied so he tasked Song Qi to protect her.


    He knew that Liu Li came to the restaurant to create trouble so he immediately rushed over to help her out.


    He was afraid that it would be inconvenient for her to stay outside so he arranged a ce for her to stay in.


    Were all of those done merely out of pity?


    Those confused and impassioned gazes, pampering and helpless bitterughs, tender words of concern¡­


    Did he do all that because he??<i>pitied?</i>?her?


    Jiang Yue carefully pushed the door open.


    ¡°Third¡­ Third Madam.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wiped her tears away. ¡°You heard what he said. Don¡¯t call me that anymore.¡±


    Jiang Yue, too, felt like crying as she watched how upset Third Madam was. She had always felt that she and Heir-Son Lord made a beautiful couple. Although they couldn¡¯t be together properly, they were still verypatible.


    Was this all going to end just like that?


    Jiang Yue didn¡¯t know how to console Third Madam. She could only squat down and help her clean up.


    ¡°Aiya! Why did it happen like that? Heir-Son Lord had been obviously worried about you but why did he just blew up like that? Why must it end like this?¡± Auntie Jiang grumbled upon entering, looking at the mess on the floor in dismay.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have caused trouble for you.¡±?Ye Jiayao was embarrassed. She must look so wretched right now, a pitiful little creature who got dumped by a guy.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t,¡± Jiang Yue said softly. Third Madam was already heartbroken and saying all these would only make her even more upset.


    Auntie Jiang shut her mouth but she could not help sighing.


    The mother and daughter cleared the mess on the floor. After a while, Jiang Yue stepped out of the room and came back with a basin of water. ¡°Sister Yaoyao, don¡¯t be upset anymore. Wash your face and you will feel better.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and softly thanked her. ¡°Thank you. I am fine. You should rest, Jiang Yue.¡±


    Of course, she would be fine. She had been through worse things than this. What was this little setback to her? Without him, there¡¯s still Little Jing, and even without Little Jing, she still has her culinary skills, she won¡¯t starve.


    <i>This is not a big deal.</i>


    Ye Jiayao consoled herself with that thought.


    Xia Chunyu returned to the Marquis residence angrily. His foul?mood only became worse when the servants reported that Chunfeng has yet to return to the mansion.??<i>That brat.?</i>


    He returned to his room to take a bath, washing away the negative emotions. Xia Chunyu grabbed a book andid on the bed, but even after a few pages in, not one word has registered in his mind.


    His ears kept ringing with the hard words that she said.


    <i>Let¡¯s see if you don¡¯t regret this, wench.</i>


    Qiao Xi entered with a pot of tea and took the initiative to report on Da Bao and Er Bao¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Da Bao seemed to be unable to eat properly for some reason.¡±


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Is it ill? Get a physician to take a look.¡±


    Qiao Xi blinked.?<i>Get a physician??</i><i>What physician??</i><i>Is there a physician for rabbits?</i>


    Xia Chunyu closed his eyes, realizing the mistake in what he just said. ¡°Tell the housekeeper to find someone experienced in rearing rabbits to take a look.¡±


    Just after Qiao Xi left, Song Qi entered the room. He said cautiously, ¡°Heir-Son Lord, Jiang Li is here.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±?Xia Chunyu said coldly. He was listening attentively, though.


    Song Qi felt guilty. If he hadn¡¯t been such a bbermouth, the Heir-Son Lord and Ms. Ye would not have quarreled.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, Jiang Li said that Ms. Ye was crying terribly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sat up straight butid back down after some thought.


    Wasn¡¯t she very arrogant? Why would she cry? She doesn¡¯t mince her words. She just says whateveres to mind without even caring whether others could take it or not. Now that it was her turn to suffer, she could not take it???<i>Let her cry.</i>


    ¡°So what?¡± Xia Chunyu said indifferently.


    Song Qi¡¯s shoulder slumped in defeat.


    Song Qi watched the Heir-Son Lord¡¯s expression and carefully said, ¡°I think you can¡¯t me Ms. Ye for this, Heir-Son Lord. It was most probably initiated by Third Young Master, you know that Third Young Master is a little excitable and Ms. Ye is dressed as a man¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu threw the book aside, and looked at Song Qi expressionlessly, making thetter shudder with fear.


    ¡°You¡¯ve said enough. Scram.¡±


    Since she doesn¡¯t care about him at all, then he should just let her be. Besides, he made his stand. Men should always follow through on what they say.


    However, the image of her tearful face surfaced in his mind. Xia Chunyu flung his head back and forth, but he could not seem to shake that image away. He covered his face with the book and thought with annoyance,?<i>Was I too ruthless??</i>


    Song Qi left dejectedly.


    He went out to meet Jiang Li. ¡°Heir-Son Lord is still in a fit of anger. Perhaps it will all blow over after he calms down.¡±


    Jiang Li silently sighed. His father said that this matter was just between the two of them and no one should intervene, but he couldn¡¯t help but try to make things right. He sincerely thought that Third Madam was a good woman and has a pitiful plight. She was a well-off youngdy who was reduced to having to dress up as a man to make a living. How difficult was that? She could have lived a life of luxury with the support of Heir-Son Lord, but she?chose to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to work. She didn¡¯t depend on anyone.?How many youngdies in the world would be able to be as strong as her?


    Perhaps men liked weaker women and more obedient women, so they could not see the positive points of Third Madam.


    ¡°Go back home. Tell your mother and sister to take good care of Ms. Ye, and I will try my best to think of something on this side,¡± Song Qi said apologetically.


    Jiang Li nodded. When he was leaving, he ran into Xia Chunfeng who was just now returning to the house.


    ¡°Third Young Master,¡± Song Qi greeted, sping onto his fist.


    Xiao Chungfeng pointed at the silhouette of Jiang Li. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Someone Second Young Master called to do some work,¡± Song Qi replied perfunctorily.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Xia Chunfeng nodded. ¡°Is my second brother asleep?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, he is reading in the study.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to talk to him.¡± Xia Chunfeng walked towards the study purposefully. He felt that he had to tell Chunyu about what happened to Heavenly Residence. He went to investigate with Little Jing and found Boss Sun. After using threats and rewards, they finally found out that the mastermind was from the pce. It really didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out that Liu Li was behind all of these.


    ¡°Ay¡­ Third Young Master, it¡¯s best that you don¡¯t disturb him now.¡± Song Qi blocked him.


    Xia Chunfeng raised a brow. ¡°Why not?¡±


    <i>Well, because Ms. Ye and Heir-Son Lord had a fight because of you. If you go in there now, with him feeling so terrible, he might just take a swing at you.</i>


    ¡°Second Young Master is not in a good mood and he even lost his temper just now. Third Young Master, with his current state, I think you¡¯d just get criticized and scolded,¡± Song Qi said.


    Xia Chunfeng backed away. He definitely wouldn¡¯t like that. He and Helian Jing could handle this by themselves.


    ¡°Then I better not disturb him.¡± Xia Chunfeng curled his lips and walked straight to his courtyard.


    Song Qi massaged his temples, feeling a headacheing.??<i>Please let this crisis end.</i>

 Chapter 95 - So That’s Why

    <h4>Chapter 95: So That¡¯s Why</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The next day, Ye Jiayao went to Heavenly Residence with prominent dark circles under her eyes. Luckily, everyone was equally lethargic.


    Ye Jiayao pped her hands to get their attention. ¡°Everyone, keep your spirits up. As long as the restaurant is open, we¡¯ll do our job and serve well. Let¡¯s wee our customers in our best condition, our best service, and our best dishes. Besides, things might not be as bad as we thought. It might just get better so don¡¯t act as if the restaurant¡¯s already gone. If we are absent-minded, we¡¯d offend all our customers.¡±


    Deng Haichuan seconded, ¡°Brother Yao is right. The restaurant has yet to close down, so we must be confident. Even if today is thest day, we have to end it off beautifully.¡±


    ¡°Everyone, get?back to work!¡± Zhong Xiang chirped in and he took the lead by cleaning up.


    Not longter, Shopkeeper Li came in with his head hung low, gathering everyone for a meeting.


    ¡°You guys stay here first, I¡¯ll take a look,¡±?Ye Jiayao said.


    Shopkeeper Li looked as though he was gathering everyone to talk about a funeral. The three days grace period was not over yet, it was too early to give up.


    ¡°Shopkeeper¡­¡± Ye Jiayao and Manager Qian entered.


    Shopkeeper Li looked up, he looked wan and sallow and his eyes were bloodshot. ¡°Where¡¯s the rest?¡±


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, do you intend to give up?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Shopkeeper Li sighed heavily. ¡°I even kneeled in front of Boss Sun yesterday and it still didn¡¯t work. This restaurant could not be saved. Seven years... I have poured everything into this restaurant to get it to where it was now and it¡¯s just going to end like this.¡±


    Manager Qian said, ¡°Shopkeeper, while you were gone yesterday, Li Yao invited Young Royal Highness Jing over and he agreed to help.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li¡¯s shocked eyes swung to his blessed chef. ¡°Li Yao, is this true?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Young Royal Highness agreed to help and had started investigating the situation. If we find out the reason behind this, I believe we can find the appropriate steps to solve the problem.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li couldn¡¯t control the tears of relief that started pouring out of his eyes. He choked out, ¡°Li Yao, thank?you. If not for you, my years of hard work would go down the drain. Everyone who has followed me all these years would end up with nothing. I¡¯d let everyone down...¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled bitterly. She couldn¡¯t ept his gratitude because she might just very well be the cause of this whole mess.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the Young Royal Highness Jing has sent someone over,¡± Deng Haichuan reported.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirits jolted up.


    Shopkeeper Li said anxiously, ¡°Li Yao, quick, get going.¡±


    ¡°What about the lunch?¡±


    ¡°Why are you still thinking of lunch?The most important matter is at stake! Go take a look at what is the situation. If you need me to show up or spend money, just tell me,¡± Shopkeeper Li said impatiently.


    Ye Jiayao headed out and found Little Jing¡¯s attendant, Ping An.


    ¡°Where is the Young Royal Highness?¡±


    Ping An replied, ¡°He is in the teahouse up ahead. Young Royal Highness said that it is inconvenient to speak here so he invited you over there to talk.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. If Little Jing was being that careful, it could only mean that this predicament has something to do with her.


    She followed Ping An to the teahouse and she found Xia Chunfeng there as well. Seeing him made Ye Jiayao feel awkward. If not for him being so touchy yesterday, Dumb Donkey wouldn¡¯t have flipped out.?<i>Ah! Forget it!?</i>?He¡¯d already said his piece, it¡¯s time for her to move on.


    ¡°Yaoyao, take a seat,¡± Helian Jing started.


    ¡°What did you find?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng nced at each other. Helian Jing answered, ¡°We got it out from Boss Sun that someone from the pce sent a word out to get him to take the building back. His son is working in the pce and seemed to have been threatened.¡±


    <i>Pce¡­?</i>Ye Jiayao immediately thought of Liu Li.


    ¡°We probed around and guessed that it might be Liu Li trying to find trouble with you,¡± Xia Chunyu added.


    Ye Jiayaoughed coldly. ¡°She is one stubborn mule! For a stately princess to?use such underhanded means to deal with amoner... ha! How honorable!¡±


    ¡°Stately princess?¡± Xia Chunfeng smirked. ¡°Confucius once said that only women and vile characters are difficult to raise. Liu Li is the perfectbination of the two. She never does ¡®just¡¯ or ¡®honorable¡¯ things. She can be as despicable and treacherous as she wants. Many have already suffered under her.¡±


    Helian Jing continued, ¡°And precisely why this matter is troublesome. Liu Li will not stop until she achieved her goal. Even with Empress Dowager controlling her, she would think of other ways and means to achieve her motive.¡±


    ¡°All her life, it has always been people giving in to her. She has??<i>never?</i>?been rejected or beaten. You¡¯re the first, and she won¡¯t stop until she has taken revenge on you,¡± Xia Chunyu told her seriously.


    Ye Jiayao shuddered. ¡°Okay, you can stop scaring me now.¡±


    The two of them looked at her somberly.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed in despair. ¡°I take it that I have provoked a demoness, ording to what you two just said. Her goal is not just to close down Heavenly Residence, right? I don¡¯t own the restaurant.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng held his fan, tapping it against his palm. ¡°Perhaps Heavenly Residence would only be the first restaurant that would close down because of you. Perhaps she would spread the word that whichever restaurant hires you would end up just like Heavenly Residence.¡±


    ¡°She wants to cut my livelihood?¡± Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°The world is so big! I can still survive even if I leave Jin Ling. She doesn¡¯t have power everywhere.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! Yaoyao could evene to the Helian Mansion to work, I¡¯ll hire him as my personal chef,¡± Helian Jing added, his worry decreasing.


    ¡°Just wait.¡± Xia Chunfeng looked deep in thought. ¡°This is probably not her ultimate goal.¡±


    Helian Jing turned to Yaoyao and said, ¡°I came up with an ideast night. Yaoyao, why don¡¯t I just buy the building? No matter how overbearing Liu Li is, she would not dare to touch the Helian Mansion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a great idea!¡± Xia Chunfeng agreed exuberantly.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated before asking, ¡°How much does a building cost?¡±


    ¡°Money is not a problem. The building is like a hot potato in the hands of Boss Sun, and if someone wants to take over, I bet he would be more than willing. I will use this chance to sh the price down,¡±?Helian Jing said with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao figured that a building would cost at least tens of thousands taels. No matter how wealthy the Helian Mansion was, it was still a significant amount of money. The idea of Little Jing spending so much money just to help her was too much for her to bear.


    ¡°Little Jing, you don¡¯t need to do that. Just help me arrange a meeting with Liu Li. Whoever started the trouble should end it, so we have to talk this out face to face. No matter what I do, she¡¯ll still be after me so it¡¯s better that we just settle it at one go,¡± Ye Jiayao said. This started with her and it¡¯s her responsibility to fix it.


    ¡°Yaoyao, it is impossible to reason with her. I think my idea is better. Besides, if I buy this building, it would mean that I bought Heavenly Residence. Yaoyao, you can be the shopkeeper! With my influence and your culinary skills, Heavenly Residence would be the top restaurant in Jin Ling!¡± Helian Jing ryed excitedly. This was shaping to be more and more of a good n as he thought it through.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s spirits were up as well. ¡°Great! I want to have a share, too! I still have some savings with me, and I can get some from my brother. Little Jing, let¡¯s just settle it this way.¡±


    ¡°If it is not enough, let¡¯s add Zhao Qixuan in. That fellow has tons of money and he is the wealthiest nobleman in Jin Ling. He has lots of friends so the next time he treats them, he can juste to Heavenly Residence!¡± Helian Jing reasoned, smiling widely. ¡°With the power of Helian Mansion, Jing An Marquis Mansion, and the Yong An Marquis Mansion behind you, Liu Li could not touch you anymore!¡±


    ¡°This is a wonderful business n! I know that Zhao Qixuan would definitely agree to this,¡± Xia Chunfeng said, rubbing his palms together.


    These fellows were talking about buying a restaurant like it was just a dumpling! Shopkeeper Li has struggled for a lifetime to open a restaurant and managing it painstakingly for so many years. He would not just let them buy it.


    ¡°Calm down, you two. If you want to open a restaurant, go somewhere else. Heavenly Residence is Shopkeeper Li¡¯s life, he would never sell it,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunfeng and Helian Jing looked at each other. They did not think of that.


    ¡°But if we don¡¯t buy it, then there would never be an end to Liu Li! What should we do?¡± Helian Jing vented angrily.


    ¡°Just help me arrange a meeting with Liu Li. I will talk to her.¡±


    ¡°No, no! Liu Li would definitely make things difficult for you. I am not going to let you get bullied,¡± Helian Jing disagreed firmly.


    After some thought, Xia Chunfeng said, ¡°You can talk to her, but we have to be with you. If worsees to worst, then we will all fall out. When she marries into our house, I will never call her my sister-inw. Ay, whichever house gets her would be unlucky.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard a strange buzzing in her ears.??<i>Sister-inw??</i>?Who was Liu Li marrying? Chunyu?


    Helian Jing turned to Xia Chunfeng. ¡°Is the marriage already settled?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng shook his head. ¡°Almost. But it¡¯s not like Empress Dowager would change her mind about the match.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. I heard from my mother that Empress Dowager has taken her fancy on Brother Chunyu.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why the misfortune is befalling on my family.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked meekly, ¡°What does your brother think about the arrangement?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Xia Chunfeng replied with a shrug. ¡°I have never really asked him.¡±


    ¡°Well... there are benefits and loss in that marriage. Whoever marries Liu Li would be able to inherit the seventh prince¡¯s inheritance and that is not small,¡± Helian Jing told her earnestly.


    Ye Jiayao was having mixed emotions.


    No wonder Chunyu never liked her. Why would he even bother when there was such an important princess waiting for him? Marrying Liu Li would guarantee him a bright future.


    She felt herself shrink as she made theparison between her and Liu Li. She was a mere antpared to her.


    ¡°Yaoyao, what are you thinking?¡± Helian Jing noticed that she seemed out of sorts.


    ¡°Oh, nothing.¡± Ye Jiayao forced out a smile.


    ¡°Ay. If my brother were to handle this, this matter wouldn¡¯t be so difficult to settle. Liu Li would certainly listen to him. But I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with my brother recently, I heard that he has been quite temperamental.¡± Xia Chunfeng sighed.


    ¡°Perhaps it is because of the West Mongolia matter. My brother has prepared to volunteer himself to go to war! My brother and your brother are inseparable, so they might join hands once again,¡± Helian Jing mused.


    Ye Jiayao had no idea what they were talking about and she couldn¡¯t even pretend to care. Her mind was full of images of Chunyu and Liu Li together.


    That was why he was so ruthless with his wordsst night. He was about to marry Liu Li and he was eager to cut off all his ties with his first ¡®wife¡¯.

 Chapter 96 - Apologizing

    <h4>Chapter 96: Apologizing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao spent a sleepless night. She felt as though she might¡¯ve spoken too harshly. Chunyu was right, she really shouldn¡¯t have ridden with Chunfeng.


    <i>But he spoke cruel words to me, too!</i>


    She felt like she had be a big joke. She was bullied by that donkey and she was also being bullied by his brat of a fiancee. What, does she have a target painted on her back that she doesn¡¯t know about?


    <i>Aye!?</i>?She was intending to just bow and apologize to solve the problem peacefully, but it has just gotten bigger!


    Now, there was nothing she could do but fight it. The princess wanted to unt her influence and power, right? Well, Ye Jiayao would make sure that everyone would see just how??<i>great?</i>?she was.


    Her heart zing with the will to end this once and for all, she waved Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng over to her to give them tasks.


    The two noblemen were stunned with the n that Yaoyao has ryed to them. That was so cruel!


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. ¡°Chunfeng, if you are afraid of your future sister-inw, you don¡¯t have to join this n.¡±


    ¡°Why would I be afraid of her? I don¡¯t even want her to be my sister-inw,¡± Xia Chunfeng answered dramatically. ¡°It¡¯s Little Jing that you should be worried about. Liu Li is his cousin.¡±


    Helian Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Since she is my cousin, it¡¯s my duty to teach her some lessons. Otherwise, she would just be worse in the future. She is already too spoiled as it is.¡±


    ¡°So does that mean that both of you agree with my n?¡±


    They both nodded. The thought of Liu Li¡¯s face when she gets her punishment was enough to get them excited.


    The next morning, Xia Chunyu headed to Puji temple as soon as he got off duty. He didn¡¯t get back to the city until the afternoon where he ran into Zhao Qixuan.


    Zhao Qixuan asked him, ¡°Brother Chunyu, did you also go to Lan Ting Xuan?¡±


    Xia Chunyu scowled, confused. ¡°Why would I go to Lan Ting Xuan?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan paled when he saw his reaction.??<i>Crap!?</i>?He thought that Chunfeng had informed his brother of their ns! He hurriedly said, ¡°Never mind! I¡¯ll, um, I¡¯ll go now!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan left immediately.


    Xia Chunyu frowned at Zhao Qixuan¡¯s retreating back. Why did he look so worried? Did something happen in Lan Ting Xuan?


    He tried to ignore it as he rode his horse, but the tugging feeling in his gut was insistent. He had a bad feeling about this. He halted and called, ¡°Song Qi, go to Lan Ting Xuan and report to me what¡¯s going on there.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Heir-Son Lord.¡± Song Qi immediately turned his horse around and carried out his orders.


    A splendid horse cart drove towards Lan Ting Xuan carrying two well-dressed and pretty nobles.


    Helian Jing said softly, ¡°Liu Li, I owe Li Yao a debt of gratitude. Just let him go for me, okay? He didn¡¯t offend you intentionally. He didn¡¯t know who you were back then, you shouldn¡¯t me him. If he knew you that you¡¯re Princess Liu Li, he would¡¯ve treated you nicely.¡±


    ¡°Helian Jing, I don¡¯t really care how much you owe him. It¡¯s not my problem that you ran away from home and barely made it back. And even if he helped you, he¡¯s just a??<i>chef,?</i>?Helian Jing!?<i>A chef.?</i>?Why are you lowering yourself to the likes of him? Where¡¯s your pride?¡±


    ¡°Liu Li, stop talking about chefs in such a disrespectful tone! Stop looking down on ordinary citizens.?Our great great grandfather was born as an ironmaker, and my ancestor was only a horse keeper. People¡¯s lives don¡¯t depend on the status they were born with,¡± Helian JIng admonished.


    ¡°Lives were chosen by God. The great great grandfather was the real dragon. Even though he was born low as a dragon, he could still fly high to the sky.¡±?Liu Li was sneering as she gave him a haughty look.


    ¡°Is there anything that Li Yao could do for you to let him be?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Liu?Li was annoyed. Why was Young Royal Highness Jing negotiating on behalf of Li Yao? Hell, even Chunyu and the prince was helping him! Why does everyone want to help Li Yao?


    ¡°That will depend on my mood,¡± Liu Li answered arrogantly.


    Helian Jing was extremely speechless. How could he be rted to someone like this? He wanted to convince her to let this whole matter go so she could save face. However, since she was so stubborn and evil, he¡¯s now more than content to let her suffer this humiliation.


    The horse cart stopped outside Lan Ting Xuan. Liu Li took one look at the signboard that says ¡®Lan Ting Xuan¡¯ and scoffed, ¡°This is where he wants to apologize to me?¡±


    ¡°Lan Ting Xuan is the best tea pce in Jin Ling,¡± Helian Jing said.


    Liu Li smiled coldly and walked in.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it¡¯s the best tea pce in Jin Ling? Why is it empty?¡± Liu Li asked as she looked around for other customers.


    Helian Jing responded, ¡°We booked out the whole venue. There shouldn¡¯t be other people around for this kind of dealings.¡±


    Liu Li squinted at him. ¡°You are just trying to save the chef some humiliation. I prefer more people around.¡±


    Helian Jing stayed quiet.??<i>Well, just remember that you said that yourself.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was waiting for them in the lobby of the second floor. She made a polite gesture and said, ¡°Greetings of peace to the princess.¡±


    Liu Li totally ignored her and sat in front of the table which wasden with tea and fruits. She tried to look cool like other noble guys as she unfolded her paper fan.


    Helian Jing began, ¡°Li Yao, you need to apologize to the princess sincerely, otherwise, no one can help you.¡±


    ¡°Certainly. If I have known that it was Princess Liu Li, I would¡¯ve never dared to speak so rudely,¡± Ye Jiayao answered automatically.


    Ye Jiayao filled up the teacup and delivered it to Liu Li. ¡°I didn¡¯t see how precious and important you are, and I offended you. I am truly sorry for that, Princess Liu Li. I hope that you can forgive me and Heavenly Residence as well. All the workers in there are innocent, and if it closes, they will have nowhere to go. This is all my fault, I can bear the punishment alone.¡±


    Liu Li mocked, ¡°Bear it alone? So you can afford it?¡±


    ¡°The debtor will pay his debt,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely. ¡°Everything was my fault.¡±


    ¡°Of course, it was your fault. But Heavenly Residence is involved, too! I didn¡¯t forget how you guys treated me that day. I remember everything. There is no way that I will forgive you. I will close down Heavenly Residence and everyone in it will pay for what you¡¯ve done to me,¡± Liu Li said coldly.


    ¡°You med Manager Qian because you couldn¡¯t have a cold drink and you threatened to shut the restaurant down. Manager Qian didn¡¯t say anything bad to you, right? He just kept apologizing. Even the other workers didn¡¯t say anything. It was only me who talked back to you. I only make 200 bowls per day so I could not provide you with a drink. I am sorry for disappointing you, Princess. It was all my fault.¡±


    Liu Li was a bit confused at how Li Yao was phrasing the events.??<i>There¡¯s something fishy...</i>


    ¡°I am sorry. It was our honor that Princess came to Heavenly Residence. If we had known your true identity, we would¡¯ve prepared a wee team. If we knew you wereing, we would¡¯ve saved all the bowl of cold drinks for you. You could¡¯ve had as many as you want. You¡¯re right, it¡¯s all my fault,¡± Ye Jiayao finished.


    ¡°Stop that! You¡¯re being cunning and you¡¯re just ying games here. You knew how awful you were at that time!¡± Liu Li said angrily.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I was awful. I should die for my sin. At first, when you talked about closing down the restaurant, I didn¡¯t react because it was none of my business. It was only when you talked about putting me in jail that I jumped out. I was selfish. At that time, I didn¡¯t really think that I would go to jail for not being able to make one more bowl of cold drink,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Helian Jing did his best to contain his chuckles, turning his face away and covering his mouth.


    ¡°Stop talking nonsense! How dare you say that I have a potty mouth?¡± Liu Li¡¯s face was mottled red with anger.


    ¡°No, no! I only meant that you have a bad temper, I didn¡¯t mean that you have a potty mouth.¡±


    ¡°You... you...¡± Liu Li spluttered, her eyes bulging out. She truly felt like knocking all this chef¡¯s teeth out.


    ¡°Forgive me, I am not going to talk anymore. I am not a very cultured person, I don¡¯t know how to talk properly. I would never dare to say that Princess has a potty mouth. Your mouth smells really good. Even your fart smells good, too!¡± Ye Jiayao apologized carefully.


    Helian Jing¡¯s sides were hurting with the effort it was taking him to keep fromughing out loud.


    Liu Li smashed the table angrily and thoughtlessly, hurting her hand in the process.


    ¡°Li Yao, you are a prick. You will never get my forgiveness. You will work hard and slow to pay your debt. I will make sure that you will live the rest of your life miserable. You will regret that your parents have brought you out to this world,¡± Liu Li swore.


    Ye Jiayao cocked her head to the side innocently. ¡°Do I have any other debt?¡±


    ¡°Stop ying dumb!¡± Liu Li have never met anyone with such arrogance and audacity.


    Ye Jiayao pretended to think it through before jumping up. ¡°Princess, you mean that thing that happened in the street? Aiya, Princess, I had no other choice! You swiped my wallet for yours and announced that I stole it. Everyone in the street was calling me a thief! I was almost thrown in jail!¡±


    ¡°You deserved it. You¡¯ve offended your princess and you dare to run away? Ha!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you were the princess back then. If I had known, I would¡¯ve rather be stripped on the street than tell them that you dressed up as a male. When you dressed up as a male, you just look like a pretty guy. My eyes were stupid, I couldn¡¯t really tell. I was panicking and I didn¡¯t know what else to do,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    She continued, ¡°If you¡¯d like, I will go back to the street and exin to everyone that the young man that day was not my lover, but the most precious Princess Liu Li. That way, you could clear your reputation, Princess. Is that alright?¡±


    Liu Li felt her blood boiling, she was beyond angry. She took the sword that was around Helian Jing¡¯s waist and pointed it at Li Yao, shaking with fury.


    ¡°I will kill you¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± someone shouted furiously from behind them.

 Chapter 97 - Like It or Not

    <h4>Chapter 97: Like It or Not</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu received the news that Liu Li was?going to Heavenly Residence. He was informed that Little Jing reserved the Lan Ting Xuan in an attempt to resolve the conflict between Liu Li and Yaoyao.


    However, in the eyes of Liu Li, Yaoyao was a mere low-life and she could do anything to her as she pleased. Attempting to resolve the conflict with peace talks was ridiculously na?ve and it would never work.


    Xia Chunyu was afraid that Yaoyao would get overpowered, so he rushed to her aid immediately.


    Xia Chunyu was not surprised to hear Liu Li¡¯s death threats even before he climbed up the stairs.


    The door to the room opened and its three upants turned to look at in surprise.


    <i>Did Chunfeng tell Brother Chunyu of their n??</i>Helian Jing figured that his friend thought that they would need a more imposing figure.


    Ye Jiayao was equal parts shocked and angry.?<i>Did he rush here to protect his fianc¨¦??</i>


    Liu Li barely managed to hold in her groan.?<i>Great! Xia Chunyu¡¯s here to oppose me again!</i>


    Under the gaze of the three puzzled and angry people, Xia Chunyu showed no emotion. He simply strode towards Liu Li and snatched the sword from her. He casually flicked the sword away and it plunged into the pole on the opposite side of the room.


    ¡°Are you done?¡± Xia Chunyu asked Liu Li, his voice raised.


    Liu Li looked at Xia Chuyu mournfully. This man was about to be her husband, why was he looking so fiercely and hatefully at her?


    Feeling wronged, Liu Li suddenly burst into tears. ¡°Why are you yelling at me? I am being bullied, you should be helping me!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was muddled. She had thought that Chunyu was going to yell at her for daring to go after his fiance, but instead, his anger seemed to be directed at Liu Li.


    ¡°You were being bullied?¡± Xia Chunyu sneered. ¡°Liu Li, how many people have you made miserable in your 17 years of life? Do you remember General Zhu? He only looked at you a little longer than you liked, and you made him an archery target. He lost an eye and almost lost his life, too. The prince¡¯spanion, Mr. Liu, who you had locked in an alley overnight, drenched from head to toe, just because he read a poem that mentioned your name. He contracted a high fever and was sick for??<i>three months?</i>?after that.


    ¡°And there¡¯s Zhao Qixuan, who you had thrown into a lotus pond in the middle of the night just because of a joke. Did you even care that he almost drowned??The servants and the eunuchs in the pce don¡¯tst long, not because they were doing a poor job, but because you are too difficult to serve.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stepped closer to her. ¡°You feel good when you throw your weight around and make others suffer for some imaginary crime. Just once, did you even think of how they would feel???<i>You?</i>?are the bully, Princess. Li Yao only bested you with words, and yet you act as if he¡¯d physically assaulted you. What, you can¡¯t take what you dish out?¡±


    Liu Li took a staggering step back. If she hadn¡¯t held onto the table behind her, she would¡¯ve fallen down.


    However, Xia Chunyu wasn¡¯t done yet. He wanted his message to really resonate with the spoiled princess. ¡°Do you really think everyone respects and loves you just because they¡¯re bowing and kissing the ground you walk on? Don¡¯t you know what they¡¯re really thinking? What they¡¯re calling you behind your back? Tell me, Liu Li, have you ever thought of what would happen to you if you were to lose the aegis of the Empress Dowager? When you get in trouble, will anybodye to your aid?¡±


    ¡°Stop! I don¡¯t want to listen to you. You are a bastard! I don¡¯t want to talk to you!¡± Liu Li screamed hysterically, feeling like she was going crazy. No one had ever dared to speak to her like this before.?<i>How could he??</i>?Tears flowed out from her eyes uncontrobly.


    Ye Jiayao watched what was happening with the fascination she reserved for car crashes. She knew it was going to be horrible, but she couldn¡¯t look away.??<i>Oh, Chunyu. Aren¡¯t you worried that your fiance will call off your wedding after this?</i>


    Helian Jing looked at the tightly closed door on the left, his anxiety?rising. This was so much more than the humiliation they were nning for Liu Li.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to listen because your noble ears are only used to sweet talks. You don¡¯t want to listen because you can¡¯t face the ugliness of your heart. Liu Li, your father was known for his nobility. Yet, here you are, shaming him by how horrid and vile you are acting. You are bringing disgrace to his reputation,¡± Xia Chunyu said frankly. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t want to hear it, I had to say this, Liu Li. I just couldn¡¯t stay silent anymore. Take care of yourself, Princess.¡±


    Xia Chunyu grabbed Yaoyao¡¯s hand and made a move to leave.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, don¡¯t you dare walk out on me!¡± Liuli shrieked, throwing a teacup to the floor by their feet. How could he leave holding her enemy¡¯s hand after scolding her?


    To their surprise, the door on the left opened and a handful of people rolled out.


    ¡°Ay, ay! I told you not to squeeze me. Get up, my leg is going to be crushed!¡± Zhao Qixuan, who was squashed at the bottom, nagged.


    The strangers get to their feet and met the eyes of the four people in the room.


    Xia Chunyu took a closer look at the interlopers. Zhao Qixuan, Chunfeng, Mr. Liu, General Zhu¡­ all the gentlemen bullied by Liu Li.


    <i>What¡¯s going on??</i>Xia Chunyu red at Yaoyao and she looked down, her mouth set into a thin line.


    Xia Chunyu shifted his re to Little Jing, but he dodged his eyes, too.


    This was Ye Jiayao¡¯s initial n, invite those who had been bullied by Liu Li for the past few years. They were hiding in the closet to watch how Ye Jiayao was going to beat the princess. She never imagined that Chunyu would rush here to her defense.


    Liu Li was indignant. So many people had witnessed the most awkward and mortifying moment of her life! Everyone heard her being teased by Li Yao and being scolded by Xia Chunyu. How could she ever show her face again? For the first time in her life, she became the joke.


    ¡°I will never forgive all of you! This is not over!¡± Liu Li cried in despair. She pushed past Xia Chunyu and ran downstairs.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she really leaves.¡±


    He raced out after his cousin.


    Zhao Qixuanughed merrily. ¡°Brother Chunyu, you were great! You¡¯ve done what no one else had been able to. I admire you!¡±


    Xia Chunyu rolled her eyes and made a shooing gesture. ¡°This is nonsense. Get going, all of you.¡±


    Everyone rushed out, feeling relieved. They felt like a huge weight on their chest had been lifted up and they could finally live peacefully. The female monster had been in...


    ¡°Um, your brother doesn¡¯t look too happy,¡± Zhao Qixuan told Xia Chunfeng.


    Xia Chunfeng was concerned about that, too. This was the first time he saw his second brothersh out like that; it was scary.


    ¡°Is it alright for us to leave Li Yao there with him?¡± Zhao Qixuan nced up at the stairs worriedly.


    Xia Chunfeng said hesitantly, ¡°It should be fine. My brother¡¯s not unreasonable.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just stay and see for ourselves?¡± Zhao Qixuan suggested.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to slip out with the others, but Xia Chunyu held onto her tightly.


    ¡°Care to exin all that?¡± Xia Chunyu asked coldly, his intense gaze boring into her.


    ¡°What, um, what is there to exin?¡± Ye Jiayao stumbled.


    ¡°What were they doing hiding in that room?¡± Xia Chunyu wasn¡¯t stupid. He already had a pretty good guess of what had happened, but he wanted to hear Yaoyao say it.


    ¡°I called them to here for, erm, uh, moral support. Was that not okay?¡± Ye Jiayao lied.??<i>Damn it!?</i>?How was she supposed to know that he¡¯de here and scold Liu Li?


    ¡°You called them? Really? I didn¡¯t realize that you have such great power,¡± Xia Chunyu said sarcastically. ¡°Tell me, Yaoyao, whose idea is this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao flung his hand away. He was holding onto her so tightly, she felt like her bones were going to break.


    ¡°Why are you so angry? What did I do to you? And why are you even here? Didn¡¯t?you say that you didn¡¯t want to see me anymore?


    Xia Chunyu said angrily, ¡°How could you be so stupid to go against Liu Li on your own? Did you really think that a few clever words will shame her enough to leave you alone? Did you think that if you embarrass her, it will solve all your problems? If it wasn¡¯t for me...¡±


    ¡°I can take care of my own problems. No one asked you toe here!¡± Ye Jiayao huffed.


    ¡°You can take care of your own problems? Ha! You dragged Chunfeng and Little Jing to this harebrained scheme of yours! I didn¡¯t know you could be so good at taking advantage of people.¡±


    Xia Chunyu really didn¡¯t mean that. Yaoyao was never one to take advantage of others¡¯ generosity. What he was really annoyed about was that she didn¡¯t ask for??<i>his?</i>?help. Why must she always seek Little Jing and Chunfeng? Those idiots would only provide her with bad ideas.


    Ye Jiayao bristled. She got right into his face and spat out, ¡°If you call standing up for your friends taking advantage, then sure, I exploited them real good. Do you want to punish me? Do you regret offending your intended? Go on then. Tie me up and bring me to her as a peace offering.¡±


    His brows scrunched up. ¡°What are you talking about? What intended? What nonsense rumors did you hear from others this time?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you tell me.¡± Ye Jiayao stared at him coldly. ¡°Heir-Son Lord, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯d like to leave.¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± Xia Chunyu yelled after her.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and continued walking.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s jaw tightened.??<i>Stubborn, silly girl! Why can¡¯t you just listen to me?</i>


    He marched forward, grabbed her arm, and hauled her downstairs as if he was lifting a little chick.


    ¡°Hey, hey! Ease up! That hurts!¡± Ye Jiayao cried out, piqued.


    Xia Chunyu harrumphed. His pace didn¡¯t slow down, but he did loosen his grip on her. He dragged her to his horse and gently deposited her onto the back of the animal.


    ¡°What are you doing? I don¡¯t want to ride with you! I am perfectly capable of walking on my own!¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to jump down.


    Xia Chunyu hopped onto the horse and held onto her tightly, caging her in. He said fiercely, ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°Who are you to tell me to shut up? I thought you said we don¡¯t know each other anymore! Why are we riding the same horse?¡±


    He stayed quiet.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that your fiance might see us? She might think that you¡¯re gay.¡±


    ¡°For thest time, I don¡¯t have a fianc¨¦,¡± Xia Chunyu said grumpily. Nothing had been finalized yet, why was this rumor going around?


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. It¡¯s none of my business. I only care about my reputation. Now, let me down or else...¡±


    ¡°Or else what?¡±


    Well, she really couldn¡¯t do anything to him. For one, they¡¯re on a moving horse, not to mention that he¡¯s stronger, bigger, faster... she really was no match for him. Desperate, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll bite you.¡±


    They both fell silent at that, their thoughts going back to the moment they shared on the little cottage at ck Wind Ridge. Suddenly, the hostile tension between them sweetened.


    Zhao Qixuan and Xia Chunfeng?came out from the corner of the street, watching Li Yao and Chunyu¡¯s retreating form thoughtfully.

 Chapter 98 - Arguing Strongly For What Is Right

    <h4>Chapter 98: Arguing Strongly For What Is Right</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The Emperor strode into the pce hall with Helian Xuan following behind him.


    Everyone called out?<i>Long live His?Majesty?</i>thrice.


    The Empress Dowager said in fury, ¡°Emperor, take a look at your subjects. They don¡¯t know respect! This is too atrocious.¡±


    His Majesty sighed silently. Chunyu was absolutely right, too much pampering has harmed Liu Li. She¡¯s already 16. It was time for her to grow up, but she could not do that because the Empress Dowager is fiercely protective of her and listens to no one.


    ¡°Chunyu, you are a subject that I heavily rely on. I always feel that you have a sense of propriety and boundaries. Why are you so impudent today??Aren¡¯t you going to offer your apologies to the Empress Dowager?¡± The Emperor intended to help Chunyu resolve this matter.


    Xia Chunyu kotowed and said, ¡°Your humble servant is aware of his mistakes. Please, quell your anger, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Knowing your mistakes is not payment enough. Liu Li has yet to enter your family and she¡¯s already being ganged up on. You even dare to contradict me. How can I hand my Liu Li to you with a peace of mind?¡± the Empress Dowager demanded, her rage not subsiding.


    <i>Well, don¡¯t hand her over to me then. I would be more than happy not to marry her.</i>?Xia Chunyu struggled not to let his tion show as he imagined the Empress Dowager canceling the arrangement.


    Xia You stood silently at the side.??<i>If that¡¯s the case, terminate the marriage agreement. I wouldn¡¯t want a daughter-inw like that.</i>


    The Empress Dowager was expecting the pair of mother and son to express their remorse in front of her, but neither of them spoke up. What was the meaning of this? Do they not like Liu Li?


    Yu De, sensing the rising tension, braced herself to mediate. ¡°The children are just ying around. I¡¯m sure that they would make up tomorrow. We shouldn¡¯t take this too seriously. However, Little Jing, Liu Li is still younger than you. You should just indulge her instead of going against her deeds. If something like this ever happens again, I¡¯m going to punish you myself.¡±


    Reluctantly, Xia You followed Yu De and turned to ¡®chide¡¯ her son. ¡°The two of you better get your act right. Go and apologize to Liu Li after this.¡±


    The Emperor seized the opportunity to add in, ¡°This is just a misunderstanding, Empress Dowager. Don¡¯t lower yourself to the children¡¯s level. It is sote, you should retire to bed. Everyone is dismissed.¡±


    Just when they were about to heave a sigh of relief, the Empress Dowager said solemnly, ¡°I can let this matter go on ount of His Majesty, but I have to punish that chef severely.¡±


    Helian Jing panicked and eximed, ¡°This has nothing to do with Li Yao.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng agreed enthusiastically, ¡°Liu Li sneaked out of the pce in in clothes and dressed up as a male. Besides, Liu Li was in the wrong at that time, so Li Yao told her off. How was he supposed to know that she was a princess?¡±


    ¡°Today in Lan Ting Xuan, many of the princes and noblemen witness what happened. If Your Highness insists on punishing Li Yao, I¡¯m afraid people would protest. Liu Li is in the wrong, do you need others to point that out?¡± Xia Chunyu said firmly.


    The Empress Dowager was annoyed. ¡°Who is this Li Yao? Why are you all so protective of him?¡±


    ¡°To answer you, Your Highness, Li Yao once saved Little Jing¡¯s life. He is a benefactor of the Helian family,¡± Helian Xuan, who has stayed silent throughout the discourse, started.


    This statement has clearly shown that the Helian family was bound to oppose the Empress Dowager if she insisted on punishing Li Yao.


    Helian Xuan did not say that for Li Yao, but for his younger brother, his best friend, and his best friend¡¯s brother. They were not afraid to offend the Empress Dowager just to defend Li Yao, and if this goes on, things would get out of hand.


    The Empress Dowager snorted. ¡°The benefactor of the Helian family, huh? What a great influence. So, in that case, he is relying on the Helian family¡¯s influence when he harassed Liu Li?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, Li Yao is not that kind of person. He has shown your humble servant great kindness, yet he did not seekpensation. He hid in Heavenly Residence as a chef, and if not for a chance encounter, I would¡¯ve never seen him again,¡± Helian Jing defended Li Yao.


    The Empress Dowagerughed coldly. ¡°Chanced encounter? How could you be sure that he wasn¡¯t just merely using a long line to catch a big fish? Only an airhead like you would fall for this ruse.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, it is Liu Li who kicked up a fuss over not being able to try Heavenly Residence¡¯s chilled drinks. She threatened to tear the restaurant down and lock the chef up in jail. Li Yao only told her off because he could not stand it anymore. In order to get revenge on him, Liu Li tried to frame him as a theft. She tried to rile themon people up to catch Li Yao and bring him to the constables. It was only Li Yao¡¯s quick thinking that saved him.?I would like to ask, what wrong did Li Yao do?¡± Helian Jing had poured all his emotions in his defense of his friend. After all, Brother Chunyu had done it, why couldn¡¯t he?


    ¡°Not only that, but Liu Li even dragged the Crown Prince to the restaurant to stir up some trouble for Li Yao. Luckily, the Crown Prince recognized Li Yao¡¯s culinary talent and did not listen to Liu Li¡¯s urgings. That angered Liu Li even more so she threatened the restaurant¡¯sndlord to take the building back so the Heavenly Residence will be forced to close down. Your Highness, Li Yao wanted to apologize to Liu Li, but the Princess was unwilling to forgive him. Whether in emotion or in reason, Li Yao is right,¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    The Empress Dowager was secretly shocked. Why was their story different from Liu Li¡¯s? Was it possible that Liu Li was lying?


    The Emperor frowned. ¡°If that¡¯s what really happened, then it is Liu Li¡¯s fault.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, your humble servant has not told a single lie. Today in Lan Ting Xuan, many people have witnessed this and Liu Li has also admitted it herself,¡± Helian Jing told her.


    Hearing that so many people have witnessed the event, the Empress Dowager shook her head. Liu Li had be aughing stock! ¡°Even if Liu Li was in the wrong, couldn¡¯t you just have reported this to me? She¡¯s still a woman who has yet to get married! You shouldn¡¯t have schemed against her like that. She¡¯s still a part of the royal family and you¡¯ve embarrassed her. With Li Yao now knowing Liu Li¡¯s identity and still daring to plot against her... that¡¯s uneptable. He should be put to death for that intention.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s words made everyone¡¯s skin crawl with fear. Was she trying to give Li Yao a death penalty?


    Helian Jing kowtowed heavily. ¡°Your Highness, this is your humble servant¡¯s idea. Ick consideration. Li Yao was not aware of the n and simply came because she wanted to apologize to Liu Li. Your humble servant called so many people because I wanted them to act as witnesses in case Liu Li decides to settle old scores.¡±


    ¡°The rotten idea was thought of by me and Little Jing,¡± Xia Chunfeng supported smoothly. ¡°It has nothing to do with Li Yao. If Your Highness wants to punish someone, punish your humble servants instead.¡±


    Xia Chunyu cupped his hands together submissively. ¡°Your Highness, ultimately, this is all your humble servant¡¯s fault. I didn¡¯t investigate properly and I acted hastily. I was overwhelmed by anxiousness when I saw Liu Li holding a sword, preparing to kill Li Yao. If I knew that there were other people in the room, I would¡¯ve never spoken like that against Liu Li.¡±


    ¡°Chunyu, that Li Yao is Little Jing¡¯s benefactor. It is understandable that Little Jing stood up for him, but what do you have to do with Li Yao?¡± the Emperor asked, a bit confused.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Li Yao has contributed greatly to the destruction of Hei Feng Gang. If not for his assistance, Bai Chongye would¡¯ve figured out my true identity and would¡¯ve strung me up to die in front of the whole stockade. He is my benefactor, too. However, he does not like attention so he did not allow me to report his heroic deed,¡± Xia Chunyu answered sincerely.


    Helian Xuan was bewildered. Why didn¡¯t he know about this? No wonder Chunyu said that he was indebted to Li Yao.


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng exchanged nces, stunned.


    Xia You tried hard to recall the young man named Li Yao. So, the pretty chef has saved Chun-er¡¯s life before! If she had known, she would have been more polite with him. Well, at least she helped him get the birthday feast.


    The Emperor looked at Helian Xuan, seeking his confirmation on the validity of the im.


    ¡°Yes, that is the case,¡±?Helian Xuan calmly said.


    The Emperor nodded. ¡°Well, it looks like this Li Yao can be considered a chivalrous character. I also heard about the famous chilled drinks in Heavenly Residence. Did he invent it?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng replied eagerly, ¡°Yes, yes! It is absolutely delicious. Li Yao said that he is going tounch more delicious things in the future.¡±


    ¡°He is going to be the one preparing my grandmother¡¯s birthday feast. I heard that he is going to make crystal mooncake and ice cream mooncake. He said that it is a fresh idea he brought over from foreignnds over the seas,¡± Helian Jing offered.


    ¡°Oh? He¡¯s even been to foreignnds?¡± The Emperor was starting to take interest in this young man.


    Xia Chunyuughed inwardly. Yaoyao could really bullsh*t.?<i>Foreignnds? A youngdy like her who has never stepped out of her house? Ha! In her dreams, maybe!?</i>Only these two brainless gits would believe her.


    The Empress Dowager was speechless. How did they end up talking about food?


    ¡°Emperor, how do you think we should settle this matter? That Li Yao might not have bad intentions, but this matter started from him. Don¡¯t tell me you are going to let Liu Li suffer in vain?¡± the Empress Dowager said, pulling them back.


    The Emperor gave two dry coughs. ¡°Since this matter rose from the chilled drinks, then I shall punish him to send a portion of chilled drinks to Liu Li every day. If there is any other delicious food, he has to send it, too, as a form of apology to Liu Li. As for the two of you¡­¡±


    The Emperor pointed at Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng. ¡°You have kind intentions but youck consideration. It looks like you still need more practice to improve yourselves. From tomorrow onwards, Little Jing, you will officially enter the army and get Helian Xuan to arrange a job for you. Chunfeng, you will go to the Zhan government to receive a job there. If you do well in the imperial military examination, I will consider putting you in an important position.¡±


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng were both exhrated, quickly kowtowing to thank the Emperor for his favor.


    Yu De and Xia You were also immensely pleased. However, the Empress Dowager was still pulling a long face so they couldn¡¯t make their joy so obvious.


    ¡°Chunyu,¡± the Emperor called.


    ¡°Your humble servant is here.¡± Xia Chunyu awaited the Emperor¡¯s orders respectfully.


    ¡°You were rude to the Empress Dowager today. Although it is pardonable considering the situation, it is still a loss of etiquette. I shall punish you to reflect on your errors. After three days, hand in a written repentance. If it¡¯s not to our liking, you shall rewrite it until the Empress Dowager and I are satisfied.¡±


    The Empress Dowager wasn¡¯t stupid. The Emperor was making it seem like he was punishing Chunyu, but really, he was just trying to cover up for him. This made her furious. She would just feel even more?frustrated seeing him loiter around the pce.


    The Empress Dowager turned to the Emperor. ¡°Emperor, you consider this a punishment?¡±


    The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.¡±It is gettingte. All of you are dismissed.¡±


    Everyone kowtowed, bowed, and stepped down.


    It was only when everyone was gone did the Emperor said, ¡°Empress Mother, the fault in today¡¯s matter lies with Liu Li. If I punish them, the reputation of the royal family would be tarnished. Besides, Helian Xuan and Xia Chunyu are young and outstanding talents, the pirs of the country. How can I disappoint them because of such a small matter?¡±


    ¡°Then Liu Li¡­¡± The Empress Dowager was still feeling sorry for Liu Li.


    ¡°It is a good thing that Liu Li was taught a lesson this time. She is no longer young. She has reached a marriageable age. If she doesn¡¯t change her temperament, how will she get along with her husband and inws? With the character she¡¯s exhibiting now, do you think she¡¯ll be respectful to her elders and kind to her brothers and sisters-inw? I¡¯m afraid there would only be chaos every other day when she goes to the feudal fiefdom in the future. How can she be the mother of the citizens?¡± the Emperor said earnestly.


    The Empress Dowager was silent. She has to admit, the Emperor made sense.

 Chapter 99 - Have We Passed The Ordeal

    <h4>Chapter 99: Have We Passed The Ordeal</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing wiped the sweat from his forehead as the group exited the pce. His relief was obvious in his voice as he said, ¡°Man, I was so terrified I broke out in cold sweat! I thought we would definitely get hit.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng also voiced out his lingering fears, ¡°My legs and stomach are still trembling¡­¡±


    Helian Xuan and Xia Chunyu both rolled their eyes at their younger brothers.


    ¡°Thank heavens that the Emperor is wise enough to give us jobs in the pretense of punishing us! This is a blessing in disguise, right?¡± Helian?Jing said, sounding pleased with himself.


    Yu De rebuked, ¡°Stop being so smug. I was scared to death in there! When we reach home, face the wall to reflect on your mistakes. You are also grounded for a month.¡±


    Xia You also turned to Chunfeng and said, ¡°You, too. If this happens again, I will break your legs.¡±


    ¡°His Majesty is assigning me to work in the army tomorrow! How can I do that if I¡¯m grounded?¡± Helian Jing countered, smiling triumphantly.


    His mother simply gave him a cold stare.


    Xia You noticed that Chun-er and Helian Xuan were standing close together as if they have something else to discuss. She called out, ¡°Chun-er, go home early, alright? I have something to ask you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded and watched them leave.


    ¡°What is going on with you and Li Yao?¡± Helian Xuan asked.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. He never intended to keep his best friend in the dark, but he didn¡¯t want to mention it earlier to him either since he has yet to confirm his feelings. Now that Helian Xuan was entangled with his lies, he has toe clean. Maybe he could even be of some help to them.


    ¡°She is the woman I married in the stockade.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, woman? You¡¯re saying she¡¯s a woman?¡±


    ¡°Her real name is Ye Jinxuan. She is the oldest daughter of Ye Binghuai, the Yang Zhou¡¯s government sub-prefect, and his first wife¡­¡± Xia Chunyu proceeded to tell Helian Xuan how Ye Jiayao got captured to the mountains and became his woman. He told him how they got separated because of a misunderstanding and how she eventually escaped death and traveled to Jin Ling.


    Helian Xuan was speechless for a few seconds, deeply moved. ¡°That¡¯s incredible. It¡¯s such a bizarre turn of events, even more brilliant than the stories in books.¡±


    Helian Xuanughed inwardly as he recalled how he used to think that Li Yao and Helian Jing were homosexuals. ¡°What do you intend to do now?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled. ¡°Marry her.¡±


    ¡°Marry her? How?¡± Helian Xuan was astonished. ¡°She can¡¯t even return home. And even if she is reinstated as the eldest daughter of the Ye family, her status is still far beneath yours. Besides, you can¡¯t decide on your marriage. Even if Liu Li decides to cancel, she¡¯d just be reced by other princesses.¡±


    This is precisely the problem that Xia Chunyu was stuck with.


    ¡°She can be your concubine. That would be easier to settle,¡± Helian Xuan suggested.


    ¡°That will not do. Do you really think that she¡¯d dress up as a man and work as a chef if she¡¯s willing to be a concubine? She has a very strong character. Besides, I don¡¯t wish for that either,¡± Xia Chunyu told him with a bitterugh.


    Helian Xuan looked at him in surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were such a romantic!¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed and punched his shoulder yfully. ¡°Wait until you meet the right person, and then you¡¯ll understand how I feel.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a pity that my Miss Right may still be in someone¡¯s womb.¡± Helian Xuanughed mockingly at himself.


    ¡°Quick, take a look at which family has a cute little baby and carry her home to raise her,¡± Xia Chunyu cajoled.


    Helian Xuan replied with a punch. ¡°How about you quickly give birth to one for me to carry home.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do,¡± Xia Chunyu said, ying along. ¡°I don¡¯t want my daughter to marry an old man.¡±


    Helian Xuan raised his fist as though he was going to beat him up, and Xia Chunyu nimbly dodged it,ughing heartily.


    A few pce maids passed by and Xia Chunyu immediately made his expression somber.


    ¡°Hey, keep this matter a secret for the meantime, okay?¡± Xia Chunyu reminded Helian Xuan.


    Helian Xuan raised a brow. ¡°Get my sister-inw to bring me some delicious food so my mouth would be upied.¡±


    In the pce, Liu Liys on the Empress Dowager¡¯sp, sobbing. ¡°Empress Dowager, I know I was wrong, but they were too ruthless! How can you expect me to face everyone again...¡±


    Earlier on, someone had told her what happened in the pce hall. The Empress Dowager wanted to take her side, but the Emperor kept supporting them. Instead of punishing the rascals, he even arranged jobs for them. Liu Li was a little panic-stricken. What does this imply? Was the Emperor dissatisfied with her? Does the Empress Dowager no longer have the ability to shield her?


    The Empress Dowager tenderly brushed her hair. ¡°Liu Li, the Emperor is right. You are all grown up, it is time to be sensible. If you continue like this, how are you going to be someone¡¯s wife? How are you going to be a mother? I am already old, who knows how long do I have left? But with you like this... how can I pass on peacefully...¡±


    Liu Li looked up at the Empress Dowager tearfully. ¡°Empress Dowager, Liu Li knows her mistakes. I will not make you worry again. Please, don¡¯t say such things to scare me. I am scared...¡±


    ¡°I am not trying to scare you, Liu Li. To be born, to grow old, to get sick, and to die are all part and parcel of life. Everyone has to go through them. I thought you¡¯d be alright with the Xia family since they have a hundred-year Marquis name, and they¡¯ve never faltered despite the changes of the imperial politics. Xia Chunyu seemed earnest and reliable so I thought you¡¯d be okay in his hands.


    ¡°But what he¡¯s shown today... no, this won¡¯t do. He has yet to marry you and he¡¯s already treating you like this! He even dared to challenge me! This marriage agreement should cease immediately.¡± The Empress Dowager sighed. Xia You and Xia Chunyu¡¯s performance today disappointed her deeply.


    ¡°But Liu Li only likes him. I won¡¯t marry any other man!¡± Liu Li blurted out in a moment of desperation.


    She has liked Chunyu for a long time.?When the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and her aunt were choosing her marriage partner, she had been so afraid that they wouldn¡¯t pick Chunyu.


    It was because she likes him that she was unable to take it when he scolded her so harshly. She felt so wronged and abandoned. However, even though she hated him for embarrassing her like that, she has never thought of giving up on their impending marriage.


    The Empress Dowager sighed again, wary with all this back and forth.??<i>Ah, forget it. The younger generations will do alright on their own.</i>


    Liu Li softly bit her cherry lips, a ruthlessness shing through those teary eyes. This incident has given her a huge punishment and has taught her a valuable lesson. Next time, she would not be so brash. She would not be so guileless to be plotted against by someone so easily. She would not waste time punishing whoever offends her, she¡¯d simply make them vanish off the face of the earth.


    Ye Jiayao was agitated, worried about Chunyu and the rest of the guys. She has no idea how the Empress Dowager would deal with them.


    Seeing how Liu Li had ended up so arrogant and willful, she has no doubt that the Empress Dowager would be just as unreasonable.


    Finally, she could not bear to stay any longer in the house. She ran out and sat on the steps by the door, waiting for some news. She believed that if Chunyu was alright, he would send someone to tell her that.


    Jiang Yue also came out to keep herpany.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, Heir-Son Lord would be fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said discontentedly, ¡°How do you know?¡±


    <i>You have no idea how much trouble we are in.</i>


    Jiang Yue pouted. ¡°My father said so. He says this is just like children fighting and falling out with each other. How serious can that be?¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help butugh. If it only were that simple. This was the royal family they¡¯re talking about. All it takes is one wrong word for them to lose their heads.


    However, she believed that Chunyu and the others were very unlikely to be beheaded just because of this matter. After all, the Helian Mansion and the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence were not the kinds of forces to be reckoned with.


    No, she knew that they¡¯d be alright. What she was really feeling bad about was her hand in all this mess. They were in this predicament because of her.


    <i>Ugh! This is so f*cking depressing! Modern age or the ancient times, they¡¯re all the same! All you need is wealth and prestige to get everyone to fall in line behind you.</i>


    ¡°Third Madam, do you think this can be used?¡± Jiang Li walked over to them and handed her a ¡®whisk¡¯ made of bamboo.


    Ye Jiayao looked it over. The whisk was made?with dexterity, with a single thin bamboo split into eight thin strips. A fine bamboo strip was used to fasten the eight strips into a bulge at the base. This looked incredible!


    ¡°Yue-er, get me an egg and a bowl.¡±


    Jiang Li replied, ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Jiang Li returned with an egg and a bowl after a few minutes. Ye Jiayao cracked the egg and separated the yolk. Using the bamboo whisk, she beat the egg white in a clockwise direction. In no time at all, the egg white transformed into a stiff bubble.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Jiang Yue found it very novel. Why would an egg white be like this after stirring?


    ¡°This is good stuff,¡± Ye Jiayao answered, extremely pleased with the whisk. ¡°There are many uses for this, I¡¯ll teach you them in future.¡±


    ¡°Ah Li, is there anything you can¡¯t make?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, feeling immense admiration for Jiang Li¡¯s talent and imagination. She¡¯d only tell him a rough idea and he¡¯d build it to perfection.


    Jiang Li scratched his head, abashed. ¡°I can¡¯t make delicious food.¡±


    Ye Jiayao snorted. It looked like the honest and unsophisticated Jiang Li has such a cute side to him, too. The worry in her heart lightened significantly.


    It was almost nighttime.


    Ye Jiayao leaned on her hand, ncing at the door of the courtyard from time to time. Jiang Yue was leaning on the pir, almost falling asleep. Jiang Li sat in the courtyard, doing some carpentry work. He wanted to make a dressing case for Third Madam.


    In the courtyard, where the rhythmic sound of chiseling echoes, the sound of horse¡¯s hooves sounded like an ominous?<i>boom?</i>.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly got up and ran to open the door.


    Song Qi was about to raise his hand to knock on the door when it opened, his fingers almost knocking onto Ye Jiayao¡¯s face.


    ¡°Madam¡­¡± Song Qi¡¯s hand froze on the spot.


    ¡°Song Qi, how is it?¡± Ye Jiayao asked hurriedly, swiping his hand away.


    ¡°Oh, the Heir-Son Lord sent me to tell you that everything¡¯s fine. There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±


    ¡°Really? What about the Young Royal Highness Jing? What about Chunfeng? Everyone¡¯s alright?¡±


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s alright. The Young Royal Highness and Third Young Master were even given jobs by the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Not a single punishment?¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t believe her ears. Was the Empress Dowager really that reasonable? Or was it just because Chunyu does not want her to worry so he¡¯s just making Song Qi deliver the good news and not the bad?


    ¡°The Emperor got the Heir-Son Lord to go home and write an essay of repentance. Other than that, there is nothing else.¡± Song Qi continued, ¡°This is absolutely no punishment. The Heir-Son Lord can even take this chance to stay at home and rest for two days. That¡¯s more than he could ask for.¡±


    Jiang Yue, who crept up behind them, eximed, ¡°That¡¯s great! I told you, Third Madam, the Heir-Son Lord will be alright.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost keeled over from the overwhelming relief she felt. ¡°Where is the Heir-Son Lord now?¡±


    ¡°He is back in the residence. He was called over by Madam so he couldn¡¯te in person like he wanted,¡± Song Qi answered.


    <i>It looks like he¡¯s going to get a lecture from his mother. Well, a lecture by his mother is more favorable than any punishment by the Empress Dowager!</i>


    Ye Jiayao just has no idea whether this ordeal really has passed or not.

 Chapter 100 - Tell Us Honestly

    <h4>Chapter 100: Tell Us Honestly</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The next day was the final deadline that Boss Sun had given the restaurant. However, he didn¡¯te.


    Everyone was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.


    It was dinner time. Little Lu ran to the kitchen happily.


    ¡°Brother Yao, we will be busy today!¡± he announced.


    ¡°Are there customers on the third floor?¡± Ye Jiayao asked absentmindedly.


    ¡°Thepartments on the third floor are full. Young Royal Highness, Xia¡¯s third son, Heir-Son Lord of Yong An, and many other people are there,¡± Little Lu answered.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. ¡°Who¡¯s treating them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It seemed that Young Royal Highness has his group of friends, Xia¡¯s third son is with a separate circle, and Heir-Son Lord of Yong An is also in another group.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wondered what was going on.


    ¡°Whichpartment is Young Royal Highness Jing at? I will have a look.¡±


    ¡°Fu Qu Attic was taken by Xia¡¯s third son, Young Royal Highness is at Heng Fu Attic.¡±


    Ye Jiayao ran straight to Heng Fu Attic. While Xing was preparing some tea for the customers, Ye Jiayao asked him to call the Young Royal Highness out.


    A few secondster, Helian Jing came out looking happy. ¡°Yaoyao, I was just about to look for you!¡±


    ¡°Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan are here, too, do you know that?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Helian Jing smiled. ¡°I know. We ran into each other when we came in. It is my first day to take an official job so I am treating a few colleagues to dinner.¡±


    ¡°What about them?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s Chunfeng¡¯s colleague¡¯s treat. Zhao Qixuan is here to talk about business, and the other people... um, they were the ones here yesterday. They probably admired you so much that they came here to cheer up the business.¡± Helian Jing looked at the oppositepartment, his mouth twitching as he saw Mr. Liu. It was a miracle that he was here since he rarely ventured out ever since?Liu Li?got him sick with her tricks.


    Ye Jiayao finally rxed. She had thought there was an urgent situation again because so many people had turned up.


    ¡°Okay, then. I will go cook your foods now.¡± Ye Jiayao turned around to leave.


    ¡°Yaoyao,¡± Helian Jing called. ¡°Come cruise with us tonight! I booked a boat and Chunfeng and Qixuan areing, too.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a fake smile. ¡°I don¡¯t think I will have the strength to go on a cruise tonight.¡±


    She had sevenpartments and seven big tables of dishes to do alone since Zhong Xiang was absent. She was not even sure if she¡¯d have the strength to walk home after this.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°It¡¯s cruising, not swimming. You¡¯ll just sit on a boat. Everyone is going, Yaoyao. Come on!¡±


    ¡°We can talk about thatter. If I don¡¯t have the spirit, I won¡¯t go,¡± Ye Jiayao told him catingly.


    She returned to the kitchen and was weed by seven full order lists. They were also all hard and energy-consuming dishes.


    Ye Jiayao braced herself, rolled up her sleeves, and started to get to work.


    She was on fire.


    ¡°Deng Haichuan, take care of the eels. Wang Mingde, take care of the cuttlefish. Cui Dongpeng, cut the meat. Jiang Youli, ce the cold dishes¡­¡±


    She started to cut eggnts into pieces, using a special tool to take the inside of the eggnts out. She minced the inside of the eggnts and mixed it with minced mushrooms, minced meat, and some garlic. She added flour to the ingredients and put everything back into the eggnt shells and steamed them.


    After the shark fins were softened by water, she put them in the hot soup to stew together.


    When the roasted duck was ridden of its skins, she added cucumber slices, onion slices, and some flour skins to it. She made a small dish of ingredients. She found that Bei Jing ducks were way innovative at this time.


    She waited until the oil inside the pan was hot before she put the carrot pieces, bamboo shoot slices, and green chili slices in the pan. She stir-fried them until they were about 60% cooked before putting them inside a dish. She then fried the cuttlefish pieces on a controlled fire and mixed it with the dish she just prepared to finish cooking. She poured a bit of garlic oil over the fish and ted it up.


    Ye Jiayao then turned to change a stove and cook the eels. Immediately, someone went to clean out the pan she just used.


    She changed to another stove, but she didn¡¯t rest. There was no time wasted during nning. The chef helpers worked with her seamlessly. They knew what to do even without her ordering them around.


    The delicious dishes came out to the tables one by one.


    Immediately after thest dish was called out, Ye Jiayao threw the pan down and cheered. Everything was done!


    That was an intense hour! Now that she finally paused long enough to rest, the exhaustion and dizziness caught up with her.


    Being a chef was definitely very tiring. She couldn¡¯t figure out how other chefs managed to have round faces and bellies.


    ¡°You guys take care of the rest of the work,¡± Ye Jiayao requested as she retired to a chair to rx.


    Ah Fu came in and told her that the customers in Narcissus Attic asked to see her.


    ¡°Who are they?¡±


    ¡°The person called himself General Zhu.¡±


    <i>Oh! The general who lost an eye to Liu Li¡¯s arrow.?</i>??<i>What does he want with me? Can¡¯t they just leave me alone? I don¡¯t want to be the hero!</i>


    ¡°Tell him I can¡¯t go. Just say that I am busy,¡± Ye Jiayao rejected.


    ¡°General Zhu said that you cane after you finish working.¡±


    ¡°Then just say that I¡¯ve already finished working and I¡¯m now going home.¡± Yes, she really should leave now, otherwise, Little Jing would just take her to that cruise.


    She hurriedly tidied up a bit and left the kitchen. She didn¡¯t know that the one-eyed general was waiting for her by the doorway.


    The general made a polite gesture with his hands and said, ¡°Brother Li Yao, I aming to invite you personally now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao returned the greeting and pretended to be clueless. ¡°General Zhu, do you have something to ask me? Are you not satisfied with the dishes?¡±


    ¡°No, no. Your dishes are the most delicious things that I have ever eaten. I am extremely satisfied with it,¡± General Zhu ttered.


    ¡°Thank you for thepliments. I am not worth it, though,¡± Ye Jiayao said humbly. ¡°You are wee to visit here frequently.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Brother Yao, your personality is as excellent as your dishes. I wille here frequently in the future. Brother Li Yao, some brothers upstairs wanted to see you. Can you do me a favor and indulge them?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said awkwardly, ¡°I have been busy the whole night... can I go to the toilet first?¡±


    She was for sure going to escape the moment he turned his back.


    ¡°Hey, I feel like going as well. Okay, let¡¯s go together,¡± General Zhu said with augh.


    <i>What? Ugh!</i>


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡±


    Ye Jiayao held in her sigh of relief as she heard Little Jing call for her. Impable timing! She turned around and watched as Little Jing walk down the stairs with Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan following behind him.


    General Zhu greeted Helian Jing immediately.


    Helian Jing nodded and returned the greeting before turning to ask Yaoyao, ¡°Have you finished your work?¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately jumped at the chance to get rid of General Zhu. She said, ¡°I just finished. Are you guys done, too?¡±


    ¡°Almost. My colleagues wanted to sit a bit longer. We are going to cruise first. Come on, let¡¯s go together!¡± Helian Jing suggested eagerly.


    If given the choice between cruising with Little Jing or going to the restroom with General Zhu, there was no question.


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯m kind of sweaty so some air would be good,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    General Zhu sighed when Li Yao walked away with Young Royal Highness Jing. His brothers heard about yesterday¡¯s event and they all wanted to see this smart and bold chef. He shouted for dinner today to satisfy the brothers¡¯ curiosity, but unfortunately, the chef had been elusive.


    When they were a distance away from Heavenly Residence and about a hundred steps away from the dock, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Little Jing, I don¡¯t want to go anymore. I¡¯m just too tired.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted some air? The wind in the river at night is very cooling.


    Ye Jiayao replied sulkily, ¡°I was just trying to get rid of General Zhu because he asked me to go to hispartments. Aren¡¯t they going to spread around what happened yesterday? It was finally solved, I don¡¯t want to make a mess again.¡±


    Helian Jing had been warned by his big brother yesterday to keep the incident lowkey. He said, ¡°Zhao Qixuan, you¡¯re familiar with Zhu Youxu, right? Talk to him privately and tell him to keep quiet if he wants his other eye to stay safe¡±


    Zhao Qixuan nodded. ¡°Okay. I will talk to him tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao,e on, have a seat. No one else is around, just rest.¡± Helian Jing looked at her expectantly.


    Xia Chunfeng pushed her slightly. ¡°Go, go, go!¡±


    Ye Jiayao had no choice but to get on the boat despite her exhaustion.


    The boat was cruising quietly with the wave over the reflection of the starry sky. The music ying in the background sounded elegant and soothing. Ye Jiayao slouched down on thefortable chair, holding a cup of tea. She had to admit, this was really nice.


    ¡°I was worried that you guys would get severe punishment,¡± Zhao Qixuan began. ¡°But you all made it through so easily!¡±


    ¡±?<i>You?</i>?were worried? Imagine how we felt! You don¡¯t know how dangerous it gotst night,¡±?Xia Chunfeng sneered.


    Ye Jiayao inconspicuously started to listen, wanting to know the gritty details of what happened at the pce.


    ¡°What? Tell me what happened! How did you escape punishment?¡±


    Helian Jing sipped his tea and sighed. ¡°It¡¯s quite a long story.¡±


    ¡°Just say it. Stop being pretentious, Little Jing,¡±?Ye Jiayao told him impatiently.


    Helian Jing turned to Yaoyao and said instead, ¡°You should tell us where you went with Brother Chunyu.¡±


    He got Yaoyao to join them on this cruise because he wanted to inquire about his rtionship with Brother Chunyu.


    ¡°Yes, what was that about? I saw you and my brother riding togetherst night,¡± Xia Chunfeng added.


    Ye Jiayao flushed with embarrassment. ¡°We didn¡¯t really go anywhere. We just found somewhere quiet. Why are you asking me that?¡±


    The three nobles looked at her questioningly.


    Ye Jiayao got defensive and eximed, ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I¡¯m lying?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan, who paid more attention to details than anyone else, said thoughtfully, ¡°Li Yao, your ears are red.¡±

 Chapter 101 - I will hug you when you are tired

    <h4>Chapter 101: I will hug you when you are tired</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao tried her best to appear unaffected. The curious and suspicious looks these guys have do not bode well for her. This all seemed too nned. It was like she walked in on an ambush...??<i>holy sh*t!?</i>?Was it possible that Chunfeng followed her yesterday?


    ¡°You know what, I can¡¯t be bothered talking to you guys,¡± Ye Jiayao muttered sulkily, shrinking back to hide in the shadows. She could feel her face burning up.


    Helian Jing looked at her meaningfully. ¡°Yesterday, even when my brother mentioned that you were my benefactor, it did no good. It¡¯s only when Brother Chunyu said that you and him...¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was beating so fast she was afraid that it¡¯d jump out of her chest.??<i>What the f*ck did Chunyu say?</i>


    Xia Chunfeng continued, ¡°My brother said that he met you at ck Wind Ridge. Yaoyao, why were you at ck Wind Ridge?¡±


    Ye Jiayao forced herself not to show her relief. They¡¯re asking about ck Wind Ridge so that means...??<i>they don¡¯t know that I¡¯m a girl.?</i>


    ¡°I was a chef there, of course!¡± Ye Jiayao responded blithely. ¡°One day, when I was traveling, I was captured and brought to the mountains.¡±


    At least, that was some semnce of the truth. She was abducted to the mountains, and she was indeed, Chunyu¡¯s personal chef.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?¡± Helian Jing said.


    ¡°What is there to tell? My time up there was anything but good. I wanted to forget about it,¡± Ye Jiayao said bitterly.


    ¡°My brother said that you achieved great merit in defeating the Hei Feng Gang. Tell us, what was the situation like? Were the bandits there cruel?¡± Chunfeng asked, the interest clear in the sparkle of his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao almost choked on her tongue. Chunyu does know how to talk nonsense. What possible merit could she have achieved?


    ¡°Of course, the bandits were cruel. And I really didn¡¯t do anything. I just tipped him off,¡± she answered casually. Well, she wanted to tip him off, but she ended up rying a trap instead. Oh, and she also got locked up by the underboss. Great times.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t sell yourself short. May it be war or business, the most important thing is information. An essential intelligence will determine a triumph. Li Yao, you are too humble and so indifferent to fame, it is admirable.¡±


    <i>Oh, no. I¡¯m definitely not indifferent to fame.</i>


    ¡°That¡¯s just who Yaoayao is,¡± Helian Jing dered proudly.


    ¡°My brother said you saved him,¡± Chunfeng added.


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow. It seemed like Chunyu was willing to use any excuse just to save her.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that, really. I just cooperated in a few acts with him. I wanted to save myself, too, you know,¡± she said humbly.


    The three of them looked at her with obvious admiration.


    ¡°You¡¯re making light of what happened. From what I know, the situation back then had been extremely dangerous. We heard that Bai Chongye was very sly and very cunning,¡± Helian Jing countered.


    ¡°Yes, that was what my brother said. The boss was always on guard around him,¡± Xia Chunfeng supported.


    Zhao Qixuan cheered, ¡°Li Yao, you are truly amazing! From now on, you are my brother!¡±


    Xia Chunfeng raised his teacup and said, ¡°Yaoyao, you are one of the few people I respect.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had no other choice but to toast with them as she hid the shame she was feeling. If they were to find out the truth about her, how would they react?


    After assuaging their doubts, Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng moved on to other topics. They talked about what happened yesterday in the pce, echoing each other from time to time. Xia?Chunfeng even mimicked his brother¡¯s expression vividly.


    Ye Jiayao was moved. It was all thanks to their upholding safeguardst night that she was still able to continue on her life.


    Thinking about how she got to this point befuddled her. She started off as?a?woman that was forced into a rtionship with Chunyu. She escaped and picked up Little Jing along the way. She helped solve a small scuffle whichnded her a job in Heavenly Residence. Now, as a head chef, she was connected to a bunch of enthusiastic and distinguished nobles. Was it just all her charisma or was she really??<i>that?</i>?lucky?


    Xia Chunyu waited at Uncle Jiang¡¯s house for a while. He was supposed to stay at home and ponder over his mistakes so he wasn¡¯t able to leave in the morning time. He had to wait until dark to sneak out and find Yaoyao.


    Which was why he was so irritated that she still hasn¡¯te back until now.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, ording to the people at the restaurant, Lade Ye went to theke with Young Royal Highness Jing and Third Young Master,¡± Song Qi reported as soon as he ran in.


    Xia Chunyao¡¯s eyes dimmed. That woman was outrageous. He said that he woulde and find her!


    Meanwhile, on the boat, Ye Jiayao and the three nobles were being entertained by some beautiful and graceful dancing women. The lute and pipe flute were being yed in the background by two musicians.


    The three nobles looked at Li Yao, wondering if anyone has caught his fancy, but he seemed to be disinterested which they found quite odd.


    Ye Jiayao was barely able to conceal her boredom. What does she care for pretty women, she??<i>is?</i>?a beautiful woman. It would¡¯ve been better if it were a few handsome men dancing. She imagined a picture of four attractive men dancing to ¡®Little Apple¡¯ to entertain herself.


    It was almost 11 PM by the time they went back to the shore.


    Helian Jing said, ¡°Yaoyao, where do you live now? I¡¯ll send you home.¡±


    Since Ping An had been cautioned by his big brother, he hadn¡¯t sent anyone to follow Yaoyao again. Anyway, he only did it then because he was afraid Yaoyao was going to run?away.


    ¡°I¡¯m living in someone else¡¯s ce at the moment. And there¡¯s no need to send me home, I can get back by myself,¡± Ye Jiayao declined tactfully.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a bother, we¡¯re free tonight anyway,¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    <i>Uh, that¡¯s not going to happen. I¡¯m not giving your brother any more ammunition against me.</i>


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, I¡¯m not a woman. If you do that, I¡¯ll just have to return the favor,¡± Ye Jiayao reasoned with augh.


    ¡°You would look gorgeous if you dress as a woman,¡± Zhao Qixuan said jokingly.


    However, Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng sized up Yaoyao seriously. They had always thought that Yaoyao looked delicate and a bit too pretty for a man. Zhao Qixuan¡¯s words made them rethink Yaoyao in a new light. He would indeed be a gorgeousdy. He already has a fair skin, slim waist, petite figure...


    ¡°Little Su would still be prettier, though,¡± Zhao Qixuan added. He was nothing but loyal to his heart.


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng turned to him scornfully.


    Ye Jiayao yed along and said, ¡°Whatever you say, Zhao Qixuan. I¡¯m going to leave now so I don¡¯t get sucked into all your activities again!¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked away immediately in case they start protesting. When she got a distance away and confirmed that she wasn¡¯t being followed, she rxed a bit. They already had their suspicions, she can¡¯t give too much away again.


    She walked down the dark alley, so lost in her thoughts that she didn¡¯t realize that someone had been waiting for her in the shadows.


    ¡°Did you have fun tonight?¡±


    Ye Jiayao jumped about a foot in the air in shock.


    Xia Chunyu walked out slowly, his hands behind his back, his eyes cold.


    ¡°Wha¡­why are you hiding there? You almost scared me to death,¡± Ye Jiayao berated. She would have probably scampered away if she hadn¡¯t recognized his voice.


    Xia Chunyu just continued to look at her with those cold eyes. ¡°I told you that I¡¯de see you today and yet you went cruising on theke with others.¡±


    His voice wasn¡¯t raised but it was tight with anger.


    He did say that, but Ye Jiayao thought that he couldn¡¯t leave since the Emperor hasmanded him to stay home. From how angry he was, he must¡¯ve been waiting for her for a long time. Her first inclination was to yell at him defensively, but then she remembered how he risked his life to protect her.


    ¡°I thought that you couldn¡¯t leave your home today. And I really didn¡¯t want to go to theke since I am so exhausted but Little Jing insisted. They interrogated me because of what you said yesterday in the pce,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    Xia Chunyu blinked. ¡°What did they ask you?¡±


    ¡°They?want to know what kind of rtionship we have. Don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t tell them the true story.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t mean to me him. ¡°I know. I muddled through their questions and luckily they believed my answers.¡± Suddenly, she groaned andined, ¡°Ahh, my back hurts. Go home, Chunyu, I¡¯m going to retire to my room and rest my back.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stopped her with a hand on her arm. ¡°You want to run again? We haven¡¯t talked this through yet! Even if they persuaded you toe with them, couldn¡¯t you havee back a bit earlier?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was helpless. ¡°I¡¯m not running. My back really does hurt. Do you think I¡¯ve emerged unscathed from how rough you were yesterday? Chunyu, I¡¯m tired and I feel like I¡¯ve been run over by a carriage. I don¡¯t have the patience for this.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stepped back carefully. He really had been a little harsh with her yesterday. He asked with concern, ¡°Where are you hurting? Do you want a doctor to take a look?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes angrily. ¡°Yes, why don¡¯t we seek a doctor¡¯s opinion, hmm? I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll tell me to avoid getting manhandled by arrogant Heir-Son Lords.¡±


    Xia Chunyu had the grace to look embarrassed. ¡°Then it¡¯s best not to have the doctor over.¡±


    ¡°As long as you quit,¡± Ye Jiayao retorted.


    ¡°What? You want to be a widow?¡± Xia Chunyuughed and swept her up into his arms.


    ¡°Hey, put me down. This is so embarrassing! What if someone sees? Chunyu...¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s sote, there wouldn¡¯t be anyone else out. Aren¡¯t you tired? Let me carry you,¡± Xia Chunyu told her with a soft smile, his earlier mncholy and anger miraculously disappearing.

 Chapter 102 - Bothered

    <h4>Chapter 102: Bothered</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    When they arrived at the courtyard entrance, Ye Jiayao¡¯s struggle began anew.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? They are not strangers.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to put her down.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Don¡¯t you think that this is really mean? What do you treat me as? Your mistress? My reputation and fame would be ruined, more so than it already is. I don¡¯t need your support. I can provide for my own needs.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know how to respond. He wanted to give her silver so she wouldn¡¯t have to work so hard, but he knew she¡¯d never take it. She¡¯s more than likely to throw it in his face rather than ept it.


    Xia Chunyu had no choice but to put her down. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go in, too, and sit with you for a bit.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ye Jiayao had suspicions of what that ¡®sit¡¯ really meant.


    Xia Chunyu tamped down the urge to yell at her for turning him away. ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up tomorrow night.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t. There are too many people in the restaurant. If you were seen strolling outside when you were meant to be staying at home, the Emperor would think you¡¯re insincere.¡±


    <i>Ugh! I can¡¯t do this, I can¡¯t do that... I¡¯ve already waited for so long! Do I really have to go back now?</i>


    Xia Chunyu said cheekily, ¡°If youpensate me, I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pinched his nose andughed. ¡°Come earlier tomorrow night, I¡¯ll make you something nice.¡±


    Food temptations don¡¯t work with him. He has a craving for something even more delectable.


    Xia Chunyu backed her up against the wall, holding her against him. He stared down heatedly at her, his breathing out in ragged pants.


    Ye Jiayao could feel his eyes on her as if it was a physical touch. She ced her hand on his chest and she could feel how fast his heart was beating, almost as if it was keeping pace with her own. They were standing so close together that all she could breathe in was his scent, making her weak in the knees.


    ¡°What are you doing? Why aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡± she whispered hoarsely.


    ¡°Compensation.¡± His lips were raised in a gentle smile, like a kid who was asking for an extra sweet treat.


    A guy who was normally so cool and collected was acting cute all of a sudden. Ye Jiayao shook her head in confusion.


    ¡°Whatpensation?¡± Ye Jiayao tried to push him away but she failed. In the next second, his lips descended on hers.


    She tasted like flowers, clean, pure, and lovely. He couldn¡¯t tear himself away. All he wanted to do was stay right here in this moment. He pressed on her deeper, wanting more, wanting everything.


    The courtyard door suddenly opened and Jiang Li stuck his head out.


    They jumped apart so fast, it was like they were cattle prodded.


    Ye Jiayao red angrily at Chunyu, her cheeks beet red. She told him not to do this again!


    Xia Chunyu looked up and acted as if he was looking at the stars.


    Jiang Li opened the door because he heard some noise outside, not even thinking that he might disturb something. He closed the door immediately, put thetch in, and leaned against it. Why did he open the door like that? He should¡¯ve just peeped out quietly! Now he had ced Third Madam and the Heir-Son Lord in an awkward situation.


    Xia Chunyu pounced back on her the moment the door closed again.


    ¡°Stop!¡± Ye Jiayao dodged his advances and tried to open the door but it wouldn¡¯t budge.??<i>What? Did that idiot Ah Li lock this?</i>


    Xia Chunyuughed and stepped back. ¡°Go call for someone, I¡¯m going to go back now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao scowled at his retreating back and knocked again. A few secondster, Jiang Yue came and opened the door.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, you are back! I told my brother to stay by the door, where did he go?¡± Jiang Yue mumbled.


    Ye Jiayao figured that he must have felt embarrassed and hid away.


    ¡°Maybe he had something else to do. Yue-er, do you have hot water?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it had been boiling on the stove! I¡¯ll grab it for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao returned to her room and was surprised when she was immediately surrounded by two rabbits as soon as she opened the door.


    Ye Jiayao looked down, stunned. ¡°Da Bao, Er Bao...¡±


    <i>Oh, my. It¡¯s my precious little babies.</i>


    Ye Jiayao knelt to carry Da Bao.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, Da Bao is pregnant. She¡¯ll be a mother rabbit,¡± Jiang Yue said as she brought the water in.


    Ye Jiayao touched Da Bao¡¯s bumpy stomach and eximed furiously, ¡°Who did this? Who did this?¡±


    It had only been a few months since she hadst seen Da Bao and now, she will be a mother? Which bastard did this?


    Jiang Yue pointed at Er Bao and smiled. ¡°Ask him.¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s Er Bao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s turned him over and spread his legs to check. How did she miss this? How could she not know that Er Bao was a male?


    Er Bao, surprised by the intrusion, struggled away from her hands. He jumped onto the bed and hid in the corner, his red eyes staring at Ye Jiayao innocently.


    Ye Jiayao said angrily, ¡°How dare you run?away? Don¡¯t you know that rabbits don¡¯t eat grass near their burrow? Tell me, who did you learn this from?¡±


    Jiang Yue couldn¡¯t stopughing as she watched Sister Yaoyao talk to the rabbits as if they really understood her.


    ¡°Da Bao, tell Mummy, did you volunteer? Did Er Bao force you?¡±


    Da Bao jumped onto the bed and cuddled with Er Bao in response.


    Ye Jiayao sighed in defeat. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t bother you. You better love each other forever, okay?¡±


    That night, Ye Jiayao slept peacefully, hugging Da Bao and Er Bao.


    Early next morning, as the bell rang from the clock tower at 5 AM, four sides of the city gates opened. Three luxurious carriages drove into Jin Ling City, heading towards Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s house.


    Ye Jinrong flipped open the carriage¡¯s curtain and looked at the bustling city of Jin Ling. Her chest filled with hope and ambition as she sensed a brighter future in this rich capital.


    Ji Nan and Yang Zhou were nothingpared to Jin Ling. This was the underfoot of the Emperor, the most flourishing ce in Hua Song. As long as Liujiang stands out in the examination, his uncle would be able to make sure that he stayed in Jin Ling. She too would gradually blend in with the higher society of the women in Jin Ling and be one of them. That would surely be an honor.


    The carriage arrived in front of Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s house where Wei Liujiang, Madam Mu, and Mu Qinchu were waiting for them.


    Not far away, Song Qi was hiding at the street corner with a woman.


    ¡°Did you see her clearly?¡± Song Qi asked.


    Thedy answered, ¡°Yes, I saw it clearly. The woman who¡¯s standing next to the son-inw is the seconddy of the house of Ye.¡±


    Song Qi sneered distastefully. ¡°Let¡¯s report it to the Heir-Son Lord.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was sitting in the study when Song Qi rushed in to give his reports.


    Xia Chunyu turned to thedy and asked, ¡°Would you like to leave with twenty ounces of silver now or stay and help meplete another mission? I¡¯ll give you another thirty ounces of silver then.¡±


    Thedy nodded, eager for more silvers. ¡°I am willing to stay and listen to your orders, Heir-Son Lord.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Song Qi, give her the twenty ounces of silver and arrange for her to be sent to the hamlet to work. Wait for my next orders.¡±


    Song Qi ushered her out as Manager Zhao, who was taking care of the shipping logistics, came in for a meeting.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, the matter at the Heavenly Residence is solved.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ¡°Did you trouble them?¡±


    ¡°No, no. Boss Sun was terrified by the previous matter and wanted to sell the restaurant. He didn¡¯t even care about the price. Shopkeeper Li was a bit harder since Heavenly Residence was the result of his years of hard work. I managed to convince him in the end, though, and he reluctantly agreed,¡± Manager Zhao exined.


    Xia Chunyu nodded, pleased. ¡°When will the contract be signed?¡±


    Manager Zhaoid out a paper in front of him.¡±I had arranged it to be tonight. This is the contract that Boss Sun, Shopkeeper Li, and I drafted. Please take a look at it, Heir-Son Lord.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at it carefully and smiled.


    ording to the contract, Shopkeeper Li would need to help to take care of Heavenly Residence for another three months without revealing that it had been bought from him.


    ¡°This is great!¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, after we spend this money, we wouldn¡¯t have any left to buy products.¡±


    Manager Zhao felt arduous. Both the building and Heavenly Residence cost one hundred and sixty thousand ounces of silver. It¡¯s almost all of what they had gained from sailing these past few years. He felt sorry for the Heir-Son Lord. What business was better than trading on the sea?


    ¡°Why are you panicking when I¡¯m not? I heard that it hasn¡¯t been peaceful on the seately. We¡¯ll just stop for a while and see how it goester,¡± Xia Chunyu told him.


    He and Helian Xuan worked together and got two ships. Hua Song¡¯s silk, tea leaves, and porcin were very popr overseas. They earned quite a bit every trip, and after four years, he has managed to save hundreds of thousands of silver.


    However, this business¡¯ risks were huge. If they were to encounter tsunami or pirates, they would lose everything. They were just very lucky that no problems had risen in their three years of running.


    He had always wanted to?invest in a more reliable business that would have a stable earning. The idea of buying a restaurant came to him after Liu Li¡¯s incident.


    He believed that as long as Yaoyao was in charge, the business would continue to be great.


    Xia Chunyu was excited to see Yaoyao¡¯s reaction when she finds out that the restaurant was soon to be his.


    Manager Zhao nodded in acquiesce and said, ¡°I shall head on to arrange it.¡±


    After he left, Xia Chunyu picked up a piece of paper and wrote a letter. He then asked Song Qi to send it to the Helian Mansion.


    After Helian Xuan received the letter, he asked Little Jing for the guest list and found out that Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s name wasn¡¯t on it.


    ¡°Write an invitation for the Assistant Minister Mu of the Ministry of Industry. Remember to mention that he should bring femalepanions,¡± Helian Xuan told his younger brother.


    Helian Jing asked, ¡°Why are you inviting him?¡±


    First of all, Assistant Minister Mu wasn¡¯t qualified to attend the celebration. Second, he never had any interactions with their family. Third, he just simply disliked Mu Qinchu.


    Helian Xuan pursed his lips. He didn¡¯t know what Xia Chunyu has nned, but since?it wasn¡¯t really a big deal, he¡¯d indulge him.


    ¡°Just write it,¡± Helian Xuan ordered.


    Helian Jing obediently wrote an invitation ording to his brother¡¯s orders and sent it to the Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s mansion.

 Chapter 103 - Ice Cream

    <h4>Chapter 103: Ice Cream</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    It looked like Zhao Qixuan really had warned all those people. The gentlemen who suffered under Liu Li¡¯s cruel hands did not show up at the restaurant tonight. However, Heavenly Residence was still full so Ye Jiayao stayed busy all through the night.


    When she finally stepped outside, she saw Song Qi waiting for her.


    ¡°Brother Yao, please get on the cart,¡± Song Qi called.


    Ye Jiayao sighed, knowing that Chunyu would be inside the cart.


    ¡°I told you not toe here,¡± Ye Jiayao chided, trying to hide the thrill she was feeling. It was just like a modern love story of guys picking up their girlfriends after work.


    Unluckily, there were no flowers.


    Xia Chunyu simply responded, ¡°I don¡¯t want people to take you cruising again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s better that I just take you away,¡± Xia Chunyu continued and pulled her against his chest.


    ¡°Chunyu, you better not move those hands,¡± she threatened him.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes gleamed as bright as his smile. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll just move my mouth.¡±


    He lowered his head and kissed her lips.


    Ye Jiayao struggled for a few beats before giving up and sinking into him. His tongue slipped past her lips?and roamed her mouth, tasting her greedily.


    The heat rose inside the cart, stifling and carnal. Both of them were lost in each other, lost in the passion of their embrace.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Xia Chunyu grabbed her hand and pressed it on top of his groin, letting her feel how hard he was for her. The lust and longing in his eyes were unmistakable as he stared down at her, his breathing ragged.


    Ye Jiayao blushed, feeling embarrassed. She might¡¯vee from the modern age where girls were not as conservative but this was still new to her. She knew that if girls were too??<i>open?</i>??<i>and liberated,?</i>?guys would just treat them casually.


    ¡°If you keep looking at me like that, I will get off the cart.¡± Ye Jiayao took her hand back, fixed her clothing, and adjusted her seating position.


    Xia Chunyu almost groaned in frustration. He knew that what he did was improper, but he couldn¡¯t help it. Whenever she was close, his desire for her just overtakes his rational brain.


    ¡°What did you make tonight?¡± Xia Chunyu asked to distract himself.


    ¡°You will know when we get there,¡± Ye Jiayao answered coyly. This was her first time to make ice cream and she didn¡¯t know if she would seed. It was best not to hype it up.


    When they returned home, Jiang Yue had already prepared all the materials Ye Jiayao would need. There was even arge ice room which had cost Ye Jiayao a fortune because it was custom-made.


    ¡°Where is your brother?¡± Ye Jiayao asked because she didn¡¯t see himst night nor this morning.


    ¡°My brother is doing carpentry work in the house. I told him toe out, but he didn¡¯t want to leave.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu exchanged nces. How long was this kid nning to hide himself?


    Paying no more mind to it, Ye Jiayao started on the process of making ice cream. First, she cracked two eggs, separating the yolks, and mixed it with sugar. She then used the beater Ah Li made to whisk the egg whites until it developed stiff peaks.


    A pot of milk was heating on the stove and Ye Jiayao waited until it was just shy of boiling before taking it off the fire. She let it cool a little bit before she made Jiang Yue pour it slowly into the eggs as she whisked them all together.


    ¡°Slow. No, slower.¡±


    The temperature of the milk and the speed of whisking were the keys during this process. Higher temperature or faster pouring could either scramble the eggs or dilute it, so everything should be controlled.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, confused. He has never seen a process like this before. ¡°That¡¯s so strange.¡±


    Ye Jiayao put the egg and milk mixture back to the pot to boil before replying, ¡°Something you¡¯ve never eaten before.¡±


    A thought then suddenly urred to her. She smacked her forehead and eximed, ¡°I forgot! This will only be edible after three hours! Do you want to juste back tomorrow?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°Just three hours? I can wait.¡±


    It would be great to spend more time with her.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, secretly happy that he wouldn¡¯t leave just yet.


    After the egg and milk mixture has boiled, she set it aside to cool for about 20 minutes or so.


    During that wait, Jiang Yue was smart enough to find an excuse to leave so that the small kitchen would just belong to the two lovebirds.


    Ye Jiayao kept her distance from him for security.


    Xia Chunyu saw her wary look and smiled.


    ¡°Are there books here?¡±


    ¡°None.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t y doubles anymore?¡± Xia Chunyu asked. She invented this gambling game and Song Qi made it popr. Now, it wasn¡¯t just the Jing An Mansion that was ying it, but also people outside.


    She muttered, ¡°I¡¯m tired when Ie back every day, and sometimes, I still have to study the dishes. When will I have the time to y? Besides, I don¡¯t think I have enough money to y.¡± She was still poor, she couldn¡¯t afford to gamble away her savings.


    ¡°Rock, Paper, Scissors? Are you not ying either?¡± Xia Chunyu thought about that terrible rock. He was actually still smarting from that loss and he wanted revenge.


    Ye Jiayao joked, ¡°I don¡¯t want to give you any chance to win it back. You¡¯ve lost to me now. That¡¯s going to my achievement belt.¡±


    Heughed at how easy she figured him out. ¡°Alright, alright. I admit I lost to you.¡±


    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to sound so miserable about it!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t sound miserable.¡± Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Do I?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, smiling mischievously.


    He made a show of clearing his throat before saying, ¡°Yaoyao, I lost to you. There. Does that sound better?¡±


    Ye Jiayao giggled, liking this yful side of Chunyu. ¡°So, if you lose, the money you earnter would belong to me. Can you handle that?¡±


    ¡°I already belong to you, why can¡¯t I handle that?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled at her.


    Ye Jiayao flushed red. Was he just teasing or was he actually serious???<i>What? No! What are you thinking, Ye Jiayao? Of course, it was a joke!</i>


    ¡°Or we can y pick up stones?¡± she suggested. She saw Jiang Yue y it before and Ye Jiayao had also been an excellent yer when she was young.


    Xia Chunyu shrugged. He was willing to do whatever makes her happy.


    Ye Jiayao ran in and borrowed a handful of peach stones from Jiang Yue for their game.


    ¡°How do you y this?¡± he asked. He actually knew the rules but he wanted her to tell him.


    ¡°It is very simple.¡± Ye Jiayao then proceeded to demonstrate the game to him.


    ¡°Do you get it now?¡± she asked him.


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°Almost. You go first. I¡¯ll learn from your moves.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hadn¡¯t yed this for a while, but going through a round wasn¡¯t a problem. What she didn¡¯t expect was for him to be good at this, too. Every time she would progress to one level, he¡¯d follow at her heels. He just wouldn¡¯t lose!


    When it was the turn to cut the vegetables, Ye Jiayao yed smartly. She put a few peach stones enough to only span the width of her palm. If she dropped her palms and touch the peach stones, she would lose. Her palms were slender and his were thick so there was no way he¡¯d pass this round.


    Xia Chunyu saw right through her attempt to thwart him and smiled faintly. He picked up the peach stones agilely, quickly and urately cutting in the gap.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him closely. ¡°Have you yed this before?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°No, but this is such an easy game.¡±


    <i>Easy? Ha! Bring it on, Dumb Donkey.</i>


    The final round was one dragon which consisted of putting the peach stones in a line or a circle. The difficulty depended on the distance or the circumference of the circle.


    Ye Jiayao intentionally made a huge circle. Xia Chunyu shook his head and said, ¡°That¡¯s is too easy.¡±


    <i>You¡¯re too arrogant.?</i>?Ye Jiayao huffed, ¡°You do the cement then.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ced a peach stone at each corner of the table and put two in the middle before gesturing for her to start.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brow furrowed. How would she catch that?


    ¡°What? Do you want to give up?¡± Xia Chunyu mocked.


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°Who said anything about giving up? This time, you go first.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled calmly and stood up. He threw the peach stones in the air, and with his long arm painting a circle, he leisurely caught each stone.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. This guy was amazing.


    ¡°Do you want to see something more powerful?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled.


    Ye Jiayao nodded nkly.


    Xia Chunyu casually threw his arm, flipping his palm, and the peach stones shot out.


    <i>Dong!?</i>


    Yes, just one sound.


    Xia Chunyu pointed to the pole inside the room. ¡°Go and check it out.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoplied and was stunned by what she saw. There were six peach stones mounted on the pole. There were five in a circle and one was perfectly ced in the middle.


    <i>How on earth?</i>


    ¡°Chunyu, you are awesome! How many years did you study Kung Fu?¡± Ye Jiayao also wanted to learn this!


    ¡°That was just children¡¯s Kung Fu,¡± Xia Chunyu answered coolly, breaking Ye Jiayao¡¯s newfound dream.


    epting her loss, Ye Jiayao then went to gather some refined cream from the cold room. She stirred it in with her cooled egg and milk mix before transferring it into a porcin bottle to freeze in the ice room.


    ¡°Is this the tasty stuff you are talking about?¡± Xia Chunyu asked doubtfully.


    Ye Jiayao grinned. ¡°ying pick up stone might be your strong suit, but making food is mine. Please don¡¯t doubt me just like I¡¯m not doubting your Kung Fu.¡±


    Xia Chunyu coughed twice on his fist. He shouldn¡¯t have questioned her.

 Chapter 104 - Jealousy

    <h4>Chapter 104: Jealousy</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    20 mins passed easily, but the two more hours of waiting was painful.


    Ye Jiayao said to Xia Chunyu, ¡°Maybe you should go and rest in your room. I will call you when it¡¯s ready.¡±


    ¡°You go rest, I will wait here,¡± Xia Chunyu countered.


    ¡°And do what? You¡¯re useless here. I will need to mix this every 30 minutes.¡±


    Xia Chunyu suddenly smiled and said, ¡°Come on, let me take you somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Where? I need to watch the stuff here,¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    He didn¡¯t bother replying and simply dragged her outside. Xia Chunyu put his arms around her waist and carried her up to the roof nimbly.


    ¡°It is cooler here. You can enjoy stargazing and still stay close to whatever you¡¯re making,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    That¡¯s...??<i>that¡¯s actually romantic.?</i>??<i>Who knew that this bear of a man could actually act all lovey-dovey?</i>


    Ye Jiayao leaned against his chest and stared up at the beautiful sky. This kind of view, where the stars were all so clearly visible, was a rare urrence in the modern age. The heavy pollution has destroyed beautiful sights like this.


    The Big Dipper, Vega, Orion, Cygnus¡­ they were all in the same location she has studied before. She felt like she was seeing the same starry sky in a different world. It made her think about what would happen when she dies at this time. Would she ever go back to her original world?


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Xia Chunyu asked after a while, breaking the pensive silence they were wrapped in.


    ¡°I am wondering if you have stargazed with other people before,¡± Ye Jiayao lied.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned and looked up at him. ¡°With who?¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. ¡°It was in the past, there¡¯s no point talking about it now.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. You don¡¯t have to tell me if you don¡¯t want to. I stargazed with other people before, too,¡± Ye Jiayao mumbled and moved away.


    Xia Chunyu grabbed her back and demanded, ¡°With who?¡±


    ¡°It was in the past, there¡¯s no point talking about it now,¡± Ye Jiayao mocked.


    ¡°Was it with that Wei Liujiang?¡± Xia Chunyu asked angrily.


    Ye Jiayao lifted her chin up defiantly. ¡°I asked you first. I¡¯ll tell you if you answer me.¡±


    Xia Chunyu answered roughly, ¡°Who else can I stargaze with? It¡¯s my brothers when we were on night duty during wars. Your turn.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wrinkled her nose at him, unconvinced. He was over 20 years old and from their previous??<i>encounters,?</i>?she knew that he was very experienced. She wasn¡¯t the first woman he had.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Xia Chunyu sighed. ¡°It¡¯s with Qing Liu. When she was first brought into the mansion, she missed her home so much that she goes out in the yard to cry. I felt sorry for her, so tofort her, I brought her stargazing.¡±


    ¡°Qing Liu? Your servant girl?¡± Ye Jiayao knew that Young Masters in a big family usually have their servant girls as their enlightening teachers for?<i>romantic lessons.?</i>?If they endear themselves to their charge, they could usually be a mistress or a concubine.


    Xia Chunyu nodded.


    ¡°Did you have a rtionship with her?¡±


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a second before nodding weakly.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart turned heavy. Men are bad. Why do they have to have so many women? Couldn¡¯t they just stay loyal to one person?


    ¡°So she¡¯s your mistress now?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°No. I made her leave aftering back from ck Wind Ridge.¡±


    ¡°Why? She entrusted herself to you, why would you just turn her away?¡± Ye Jiayao rebuked. She might be jealous of the woman but she¡¯s notpletely heartless.


    ¡°It was my responsibility to make her leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she??<i>insisted?</i>?to stay,¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want my one and only to be jealous. I like only one woman and she¡¯s already more than enough,¡± Xia Chunyu replied.


    <i>Oh, God. His promise...</i>


    Ye Jiayao felt her heart beat faster as she asked hopefully, ¡°Have you found that person yet?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± He stared at her closely, his eyes and lips smiling.


    ¡°How would I know that?¡± Ye Jiayao mumbled sulkily, her face red.


    Xia Chunyu merely smiled at her adorableness. ¡°It is your turn. Who did you stargaze with?¡±


    Ye Jiayao made a show of counting her fingers.


    Xia Chunyu was surprised. Was it more than one?


    ¡°Tell me,¡± he insisted.


    She shushed him. ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me, I am counting.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes lost its warmth.??<i>Counting?</i>


    ¡°I stargazed with my grandmother, my nanny, and the big yellow dog¡­¡± Ye Jiayao began with mock seriousness.


    Xia Chunyuughed out loud. However, as relieved as he was, he still felt a pang of sadness for her. She stargazed with her dog because she had no one else in her life. He cuddled her closer to him, trying to give herfort to erase all the mncholy and suffering she went through.


    ¡°And Little Jing, then you¡­ umm, that¡¯s what I have got so far,¡± she continued.


    Xia Chunyu asked jealously, ¡°You went stargazing with Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°Yes, on our way to Jin Ling. We rested in a pavilion and a broken temple and every time we open our eyes, we¡¯re greeted by the starry sky. I guess that counts, right?¡±


    Xia Chunyu squinted at her, trying to control the urge to throw her down and make sure she knows that she only belonged to him.


    ¡°What do you mean that¡¯s what you¡¯ve got so far? Would you want to stargaze with others?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw his gloomy face andughed inwardly. He¡¯s so possessive.


    She said shrugged and replied, ¡°Who knows what will happen in the future?¡±


    Xia Chunyu took her face between his hands and warned her, ¡°No future, no other people. Okay?¡±


    ¡°What, I can¡¯t stargaze with my children?¡± she shot back.


    Xia Chunyu, realizing that he¡¯d been yed again, released her face and nodded. ¡°That¡¯s fine, but it has to be our children.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face turned red. ¡°Who would want to have children with you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled lovingly at how cute she looks when she blushes.


    ¡°Oh, no! It¡¯s time. I have to go down and mix the thing!¡± Ye Jiayao scrambled to stand up.


    Xia Chunyu reclined calmly, his hands interlocked behind his head. ¡°You can go.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked down at the ground.??<i>How the f*ck did we get so high???</i>¡°Send me down immediately. If I failed in making my ice cream, it would be your responsibility.¡±


    <i>So that gloopy thing is called ice cream??</i>Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Pay me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao huffed angrily. ¡°Are you going to get me down or not? If you don¡¯t move, I¡¯m going to jump down by myself.¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied nonchntly, ¡°I think you should ask Jiang Li to carry adder here. It would be easier. If you jump down from this height, you¡¯ll break your bones.¡±


    <i>This arrogant idiot! You¡¯ll get your time, mister, just wait and see.?</i>?Ye Jiayao threw herself into his arms and pecked his cheek. ¡°Are you happy now?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Xia Chunyu was not satisfied with that.


    Ye Jiayao bit his nose.


    ¡°Ahh! Are you a dog?¡± Xia Chunyu touched his nose, ring at her.


    Ye Jiayao grinned unrepentantly. ¡°I am born in the year of the rabbit. There is a saying that when a rabbit is annoyed, it will bite. Do you want to annoy me more.¡±


    ¡°Okay, rabbit, I am officially afraid of you.¡± Xia Chunyu got up and picked her up. ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    Ye Jiayao wound her arms around his neck tightly. ¡°Yes, yes.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately jumped down, the speed and the moment of weightlessness making Ye Jiayao scream.


    Xia Chunyu put her down and taunted, ¡°Hush. Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang would think I¡¯m doing nefarious things to you out here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao leaned in to bite him again, but Xia Chunyu was able to dodge her this time.


    Xia Chunyu yfully chided, ¡°You really are just like a rabbit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stuck her tongue out at him and stomped away. She opened the cold room and took out the ice cream. She used a soup spoon to scoop some of it to have a taste. It was smooth and soft, the pure milk smell heady and appetizing.


    She grinned, happy that her first attempt turned out to be a sess. She then scooped a big spoonful to feed to Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Try it. It¡¯s delicious.¡±


    Xia Chunyu tried a tiny bit and tasted it carefully. It was especially silky and soft that it just melted in his mouth. It was just the right amount of sweet and cool, too. ¡°Yaoyao, this is delicious. Much better than broken ice!¡±


    ¡°Of course, it is better than broken ice. It can¡¯t evenpare to this.¡± Ye Jiayao was so thrilled. She still would like to study a bit more about this so she could make an ice cream that¡¯s even better than Haagen-Dazs, but this was an excellent first attempt.


    Xia Chunyu requested, ¡°Can I have some more? I waited for so long and you¡¯re just going to give me one bite?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and?went back to the room. She brought out some oily paper which she rolled into a cylinder. She used scissors to cut a wavy hole in it before scooping out some ice cream and cing it in her makeshift cylinder. She then squeezed the ice cream onto a dish, fashioning it into a flower.


    ¡°All ready.¡± Ye Jiayao presented it to him. ¡°You are the first person to eat ice cream in the Song Dynasty!¡±


    Xia Chunyu eximed, ¡°You made it look so good, it¡¯s almost a shame to eat it now!¡±


    Yaoyao was so amazing. How could she know so many weird stuff that tastes so great?


    Ye Jiayao made a flower for herself as well and they ate their ice cream opposite each other. If there was a?te of tiramisu or some cookies here, it would¡¯ve been perfect. She wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d be able to make some without an oven, but she¡¯d try that some other day.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly recalled what Little Jing had told the Emperor. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to make this into a mooncake?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Ice cream mooncake, isn¡¯t that creative?¡± Ye Jiayao asked merrily.


    Xia Chunyu was speechless, amazed by her imagination. ¡°You¡¯ve convinced me. I promise that I will never doubt anything you make again. Yaoyao, there¡¯s nothing that you can¡¯t do.¡±

 Chapter 105 - I Want Everything

    <h4>Chapter 105: I Want Everything</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    When Ye Jiayao arrived at Heavenly Residence in the early morning, she was surprised to see that Shopkeeper Li was already there. She greeted him but he did not respond, only continued to pace the lobby as if he was in trance.


    ording to Little Lu, when he opened the restaurant earlier, Shopkeeper Li was already at the front, looking dazed.


    Ye Jiayao frowned, hoping that this wasn¡¯t a sign of an early onset of Alzheimer¡¯s. He was only fifty years old!


    With onest nce, she let the shopkeeper be and went to find Zhong Xiang. She would like to try and make an ice cream mooncake today with his help.


    They first gathered the ingredients such as glutinous rice flour, sticky rice flour, starch, sugar, milk, amaranth juice, and a little agar.


    The process started with them adding the glutinous rice flour into the pot to fry and mixing it with milk and sugar to form a paste. It has to steam in the steamer and set to cool before it could be wrapped around the ice cream fillings.


    The first few steps weren¡¯t difficult, but it was thest one that required good technique. The ends needed to be round and the thickness should be perfectly even. Luckily, Zhong Xiang has great craftsmanship, and he was able to wrap the chewy skins around the ice cream that she madest night. Ye Jiayao took the mold and pressed the mooncake lightly to it for the final touch.


    ¡°It looks so delicate, I almost don¡¯t want to eat it,¡± Deng Haichuan said. The crystal-like, light purplish skin of the mooncake and the beautiful pattern looked so stunningly elegant.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Today¡¯s batch is just an experiment, it will look even better in time.¡±


    ¡°It looks really good, but... isn¡¯t it too small?¡± Zhong Xiang was a little worried as most mooncakes were big and packed with fillings.


    ¡°I really intend for them to be small,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°How many people do you think actually find mooncakes delicious? They only eat it because it¡¯s a festive food. Bigger mooncakes tend to be greasy and too filling. I want our mooncake to not only look good but to also taste delicious. One that people would never be able to get enough of. Plus, its small size would make people think that this is precious.¡±


    Zhong Xiang nodded in understanding. ¡°That¡¯s great thinking, Brother Yao.¡±


    ¡°Can I try one?¡± Cui Dongpeng asked eagerly.


    ¡°Not yet. We need to freeze these before you can eat it so the texture would be better.¡± Ye Jiayao stowed the six mooncakes away in the icebox to freeze.


    Later in the afternoon, Ye Jiayao took one out and cut it into little pieces for everyone to taste.


    They all enjoyed it.


    ¡°Brother Yao, you are awesome! This tastes too good, I can¡¯t even begin to describe it,¡± Deng Haichuan praised.


    Cui Dongpeng gave her a thumbs up, his mouth full of food.


    Wang Mingde said, ¡°It is really delicious but it tastes so different from the normal mooncake. In fact, this could be considered as a whole new cake. Would people be open to this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different, but it¡¯s also better,¡± Zhong Xiang said. ¡°The skin is soft and chewy, cool and refreshing, and the ice cream inside is an indulgent treat. The whole thing practically just melts in the mouth. I think people would happily ept such delicious food.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why the birthday celebration is a good opportunity for us to introduce this to the public. If the Helian Mansion said that this is a mooncake, people would believe that it is a mooncake. I need to go the Helian Mansion today so I could convince the Elder Princess of the merits of our creation,¡± Ye Jiayao told them.


    Ye Jiayao took the icebox that contained the remaining five mooncakes and made her way to the Helian Mansion. This was the perfect timing since it was a hot and stuffy afternoon. The ice cream would be a refreshing treat for her.


    When Ye Jiayao got to the pce, though, she changed her mind about that. The Elder Princess was entertaining a fewdies of the upper-ss. Ye Jiayao tried to turn around, but when the Princess heard that she was here with the mooncake, she ordered her to stay.


    Yu De frowned at the peculiar-shaped copper box that the chefid in front of her. ¡°What is this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°This is an icebox, Elder Princess. I designed it so that it could keep the ice cream mooncake cold and fresh.¡±


    ¡°Ice cream mooncake? What is that?¡± ady asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°It¡¯s a food that came from overseas.¡±


    Someoneughed derisively. ¡°What would those barbarians know about the customs of the moon festival?¡±


    Ye Jiayao arranged her expression and gave a pleasant but nd smile.?<i>So arrogantly narrow-minded.?</i>


    ¡°Madam, we cannot look down on the barbarians. There are some things that they have that are way more advanced than us. For example, while madams are still using incense here, they have already discovered the technique to extract and purify perfume. The scent would linger around much longer once it is sprayed on the body. While we¡¯re still using paper to cover our windows, they¡¯ve already discovered ss. It is much more effective in keeping the wind and the rain out,¡± Ye Jiayao said in a polite tone.


    ¡°Is it really that amazing? Have you seen it?¡± Thedies were doubtful.


    Ye Jiayao refrained fromughing.??<i>Of course, I¡¯ve seen it! I wonder how you¡¯d react if you find out that people in the future could fly to the moon with a spaceship...</i>


    Yu De heard from Little Jing that Li Yao had been to many ces around the world and was very knowledgeable. It didn¡¯t seem like he was making this up. ¡°Present those ice cream mooncakes for us to try.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Princess Yu De.¡± Ye Jiayao eagerly opened the icebox and took out a te of ice cream mooncake.


    It immediately caught their attention.


    Thedies didn¡¯t care that it was small, what they paid attention to was its exquisitely excellent appearance that fits their high status.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at the interest she saw on their faces. She took a knife out and cut the mooncake evenly, presenting it to them.


    Thedies elegantly tasted it with a little spoon.


    Ye Jiayao stood aside and narrated the advantages of the ice cream mooncake.


    ¡°The traditional mooncake is sweet and oily, while our mooncake is lusciously sweet and silky. This type of ice cream mooncake is low in sugar and low in fat so you won¡¯t gain any weight from it.?It is refreshing and a most suitable after dinner snack. If you have an icebox, you can keep it for a few days and it won¡¯t crack or rot. The only disadvantage?with this was the steep cost of making them. We have to price it expensively to offset the expenses, so I¡¯m afraid that simple civilians would not be able to afford it.¡±


    ¡°If the food tastes good, the price isn¡¯t a problem,¡± onedy dismissed.


    They don¡¯t want to eat what everyone else was eating. If normal civilians couldn¡¯t afford it, that was better as it would distinguish the nobles¡¯ and the richdies¡¯ hierarchy.


    ¡°Would you really not gain weight from eating this?¡± someone asked, almost finished with her portion.


    Ye Jiayao smiled triumphantly. ¡°This is definitely a healthy snack.¡±

 Chapter 106 - 30% and 70%

    <h4>Chapter 106: 30% and 70%</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    When she got back from the mansion, Ye Jiayao immediately went to find Shopkeeper Li.


    The ice cream mooncake has been added to the feast¡¯s menu so she knew that people would be going to the restaurant after the banquet to get ahold of it. She wanted a share in the mooncakes¡¯ future profits. Of course, she knew that as the head chef, it was her responsibility to bring out new dishes for the restaurant, but this was different. She had already relinquished the profits she should¡¯ve gotten for the chilled drinks, she couldn¡¯t give up the mooncake, too.


    However, when Ye Jiayao told Shopkeeper Li about it, his response wasn¡¯t as enthusiastic as before. He told her that he¡¯d have to think about it first and that dampened Ye Jiayao¡¯s excitement. She wondered if he wanted to keep all the profits that the mooncake would make to himself. If that was the case, she¡¯d definitely keep all the other good things she was nning to herself.


    The icebox didn¡¯t seem to be enough so Ye Jiayao asked Cui Dongpeng to order a hundred more carry-on iceboxes. This could be a trend that she could profit from.


    Xia Chunyu handed in his letter to the Emperor today. The Emperor gave him a proprietary scolding before he tasked him with a new assignment. The third day of August was the tenth death anniversary of the Seventh Prince. The Empress Dowager had decided to have a memorial at the Puji?Temple and Xia Chunyu would have to guard her and Liu Li there.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want this job, but he didn¡¯t dare decline.


    When he returned to the mansion, his brother Chunli came to find him.


    ¡°Second?Brother, I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded and gestured for him to sit.


    Chunli said, ¡°Second Brother, your sister-inw wants to open an embroidery shop. I¡¯m tight with cash and I¡¯m too shy to ask Mother, can you lend me some money?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Doesn¡¯t the Qiao family already have an embroidery shop in Jin Ling?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and the business is great there that¡¯s why your sister-inw wants to open one herself. Mother-inw thinks that it¡¯s a great idea.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought that that was a bit odd as the two stores would justpete with each other.


    ¡°The Qiao family initially wanted to open a branch for your sister-inw, but she thought that it would be better to open one herself,¡± Chunli continued.


    Xia Chunyu barely has enough money left to buy some stock to sell overseas. However, it was his brother, he couldn¡¯t just deny him. ¡°How much capital do you need?¡±


    ¡°All in all, including the renovations, the rent, appliances and tools, stock purchases... I¡¯m still short of eight thousand ounces of silver. If it¡¯s okay with you, I¡¯d like to borrow ten thousand ounces just to be sure. I know that you have some business outside, you should have this kind of cash, right?¡± Chunli said.


    <i>Ten thousand??</i>?If Chunyu lets him borrow that amount, he¡¯d only have a couple of ounces left. No way! And that kind of money could simply be forked out from?his sister-inw¡¯s dowry, why does his brother need to borrow from him?


    Honestly, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to lend Chunli the money. He, too, was tight on cash. He just bought a piece ofndst year and he has just acquired a restaurant!??<i>But this is my brother...</i>


    ¡°Let me ask my staff if I could spare ten thousand ounces.¡± Xia Chunyu could not bear to reject his brother who was in need.


    ¡°Thank you, Second Brother,¡± Chunli eximed happily.


    During dinner, Xia Chunyu noticed that his sister-inw was extra solicitous and he felt bad.


    After dinner, Xia Chunfeng pulled him away and asked, ¡°Did our brother borrowed some money from you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°He asked me for some, too. I have thirty thousand ounces but I didn¡¯t lend it to him.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s our brother, we should help him.¡±


    ¡°I would if it¡¯s an emergency. However, he¡¯s onlycking money now because he spent twenty thousand to buy a set of yellow stone. And what did they do our sister-inw¡¯s dowry? Mother didn¡¯t ask them to hand anything to her and they even kept their red packets! With that kind of money, why do they still need to borrow cash from others?


    ¡°She actually has been nagging Mother for the family to contribute to the shop that she¡¯s going to open. Mother agreed as long as the family would have a cut in the profits, but she refused! Why weren¡¯t they asking Mistress Wei to contribute to her own daughter-inw¡¯s shop? She has some money, too!¡± Xia Chunfeng broke it down, finding the whole situation irking. They were taking advantage of the family¡¯s generosity and he was having none of it.


    Xia Chunyu tried, ¡°He¡¯s our brother, I don¡¯t want to cause trouble.¡±


    ¡°Look, if you lend him the money, you won¡¯t get it back again,¡± Xia Chunfeng told him confidently.


    Xia Chunyu was helpless. He had already said yes! It doesn¡¯t matter if he could not get the money back because he¡¯d already agreed!


    Song Qi announced that Manager Zhao was already here.


    Xia Chunyu went to the study immediately.


    Manager Zhao was in charge of the restaurant. Heavenly Residence was about to release the ice cream mooncake and the head chef had asked for a part of the profit so he came to ask for Xia Chunyu¡¯s opinion.


    Xia Chunyu tried the ice creamst night. He was certain that the ice cream mooncake would be popr once it was released.


    It cost five silvers each and though it was expensive, he knew that the rich people in Jin Ling would still pay for it. The more expensive things were, the more popr it¡¯d get.


    ¡°How much profit does he want?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Manager Zhao answered, ¡°The head chef only mentioned that he wanted a percentage, not the exact amount. Shopkeeper Li hasn¡¯t agreed to it yet.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a while and said, ¡°30%/70% then!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll take the 70%?¡±


    Xia Chunyu sneered, ¡°When did you be so kind?¡±


    Manager Zhaoughed. ¡°I understand. He¡¯ll take the 30% and we¡¯ll take the remaining.¡±


    The 30% was an exception because it was Yaoyao. If it were others, he wouldn¡¯t have given them anything. It might be selfish and ruthless, but it was the rule of this industry. If he were to break the rules, other chefs would follow.


    ¡°Tell Shopkeeper Li to order a hundred of those carry-on iceboxes,¡± Xia Chunyu said. That was a really handy tool. If people don¡¯t have iceboxes and they bought an ice cream mooncake, they could sell them an icebox, too. They could gain arge profit there.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll tell Shopkeeper Li immediately. Just, um... are you sure that those ice cream mooncakes would sell, Heir-Son Lord? Justst year, it was the Jin style moon cake that was popr in the city,¡± Manager Zhao voiced out, dubious of this new food.


    ¡°Just do what I said.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t have the time to sell to him how delicious ice cream was.


    Manager Zhao nodded and turned to leave.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly remembered his brother¡¯s request. ¡°Wait. How much money do we have left?¡±


    Manager Zhao answered, ¡°We still have thirty thousand ounces.¡±


    ¡°Go to the Da Tong exchange to change ten thousand silver notes for me.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, I know that we¡¯re taking a break on the sea trading, but we must leave at the start of October. We have yet to purchase the stock and if we were to take ten thousand ounces out, we won¡¯t have enough,¡±?Manager Zhao reasoned.


    ¡°There¡¯s still two more months until October, let¡¯s see then,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    After showering, Xia Chunyu wanted to go to Yaoyao, but his servant told him that Helian Xuan was in the mansion looking for him


    The next day, Shopkeeper Li told Ye Jiayao about the share of profits.


    ¡°This had already been an exception. No other restaurant would give such generous profit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips twitched. Even if she found thispletely unfair, she had no choice. She was an employee and she would continue to be one for the next three years since she signed a contract. Sheforted herself with the image of a future where she¡¯ll have her own restaurant that produced profits just for her.


    ¡°I heard that you have a carry-on icebox. Take it out and show me, we¡¯ll order a hundred more. Maybe we could use it when we sell the mooncakes,¡± Shopkeeper Li continued.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cry. The seventy percent of her profit had already been exploited, now the icebox, too?


    The rich were greedy, horrible people.


    Ye Jiayao went back to the kitchen feeling dejected. She told Cui Dongpeng, ¡°Get the money for the iceboxes you¡¯re going to order from Manager Qian.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were going to pay for it?¡± Cui Dongpeng was puzzled.


    ¡°I was. I wanted to earn some wine money for us brothers, but the restaurant now wants to order it,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    Chui Dongpeng scowled, but he too couldn¡¯t do anything. He was a mere employee.


    ¡°Brother Yao, there¡¯s someone looking for you outside,¡± Ah Xing called.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize her. She looked like a servant,¡± Ah Xing replied.


    Ye Jiayao went out to meet her. It was indeed a servant, and from her silk dress, she¡¯s probably a housekeeper from a wealthy family.


    ¡°Are you Head Chef Li Yao?¡± the woman asked.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. What do you want?¡±


    That woman nced around before saying softly, ¡°My master heard that you have ice cream mooncakes and they wanted to buy some. Money is not a problem.¡±


    She only revealed the ice cream mooncake at the Helian Mansion yesterday so this servant was probably sent by one of thedies there.


    That woman saw Ye Jiayao¡¯s unconvinced expression and continued, ¡°We will keep it a secret. We won¡¯t say anything, I promise. It¡¯s just for the family.¡±

 Chapter 107 - Black-Hearted Boss

    <h4>Chapter 107: ck-Hearted Boss</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We have made an agreement with the Helian Mansion that we couldn¡¯t sell the mooncake before the birthday feast.¡±


    The woman persisted, ¡°We¡¯ll promise that we¡¯ll keep it a secret.¡±


    ¡°Honesty is important in business. I am very sorry, but we can¡¯t sell you this. Please ask your master to wait for a couple more days. He can have as many as he wants after the birthday feast,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°I will pay you 10 silvers for each one,¡± the woman offered, trying to tempt Ye Jiayao with the money.


    Ye Jiayao was kind of impressed.?<i>10 silvers each?</i>.?<i>For five pieces, I?</i><i>?would get 50 silvers.?</i>This master knew that she already had an agreement with the Helian Mansion and still came to buy it secretly. It seemed that the temptation of the mooncake was great. Maybe they could consider raising the priceter on?


    Despite the amount of money on offer, though, she still wouldn¡¯t sell it. ¡°I am really sorry. ording to the agreement, if I break the deal, I would have to pay 500 silvers. Just tell your master to wait a bit longer.


    When the woman realized that she couldn¡¯t make Ye Jiayao sell it to her, she left sulkily.


    After Ye Jiayao finished working that night, Xia Chunyu came to pick her up again. She had been feeling gloomy all day and couldn¡¯t help butin to him.


    ¡°I know the restaurant has its rules, but?<i>I?</i>invented the mooncake! It will go ces, and yet, I only get to take 30%? That¡¯s terrible! The worst is that they¡¯ll even take away the portable ice cube I invented. That¡¯s intellectual property. I was counting on that to make a little bit of money! Ugh!¡±


    Xia Chunyu bit his lip. He really didn¡¯t mind the percentage she wasining about, but the ice cube... He didn¡¯t think that Yaoyao had been behind that as well.


    He¡¯s the terrible boss she was talking about.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be mad. You¡¯re just an employee so you have to y nice. Do you want me to buy you out so you can open your own restaurant?¡± Xia Chunyu offered, trying to soothe her anger.


    ¡°No,¡± Ye Jiayao rejected without hesitation. She wasn¡¯t really anything to him so she¡¯d never ask for things like that.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell the shopkeeper that you invented the ice cube? Tell him that if he wanted it, he could buy them from you,¡± he suggested.


    Ye Jiayao waved her hands dismissively. ¡°I am not interested in one or two silvers as a payment.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. ¡°How much would you sell it?¡±


    ¡°I nned to sell it as five silvers each, 500 silvers for 100 pieces,¡± she said, her nose scrunched up.


    Xia Chunyu frowned slightly. He was thinking at least 10 silvers!


    ¡°Ah, I don¡¯t want to talk about this anymore. I still have many other good things I can think of. I will bring them out when I open my own restaurant so everything I earn will be just for me,¡± Ye Jiayao dered.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t bring the good stuff out, how can you gain fame and get listed as a famous chef?¡± he reasoned. ¡°Those master chefs bring out new dishes from time to time so that they won¡¯t get eliminated through selection orpetition.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him grumpily. ¡°Is that the only way to be a master chef? To be famous? There would be apetition soon, so if I get a gold, silver, or bronze te, wouldn¡¯t I be a master chef then?¡±


    Xia Chunyu challenged, ¡°Do you really think that the gold te is so easy to get? There are many professional chefs with excellent skills in Jin Ling, Yaoyao.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I have my own ways,¡± she said. ¡°By the way, have you submitted your letter of apology? Did you pass it?¡±


    ¡°It is called self-examing letter,¡± he corrected.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same?¡±


    ¡°No. An apology letter sounds bad. That makes me look like I have done something treacherous.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Talking back to the Empress Dowager?<i>is?</i>?treacherous! But did you pass it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°Yeah. Nothing went wrong. The Emperor really just did it all for the show of ¡®punishing¡¯ me. I¡¯m actually back on duty today.¡±


    What disappointed him was that the Emperor was still trying to push a marriage between him and Liu Li despite him talking back to the Empress Dowager.


    He couldn¡¯t really decline because it wasn¡¯t as if he could just blurt out to the Emperor that he hated Liu Li and that he already had a wife.


    Ye Jiayao rxed at his answer. She told him, ¡°I will be very busy tomorrow. The birthday feast is in five days so I need to get some stuff ready this early on.¡±


    ¡°How are you feeling about that?¡± Xia Chunyu asked. The Queen Consort¡¯s birthday feast was an extraordinary affair. Every one of high status in Jin Ling would be present?and if she seeds, she¡¯d be famous. If she fails, however, she could kiss her career goodbye.


    ¡°Everything is already ready and everyone has been preparing for this. We won¡¯t make a mistake,¡± Ye Jiayao answered confidently.


    ¡°Let me give you a kiss.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t wait for her answer and instead nted a hard kiss on her lips immediately.


    Ye Jiayao moved her head back. ¡°What? Stop taking advantage of me!¡±


    Xia Chunyu sounded innocent as he said, ¡°I am celebrating your sess in advance.¡±


    She snorted.??<i>As if.</i>


    That night, the staff in Heavenly Residence finished work and went to bed. At midnight, someone quietly got up and dragged out a bag of stuff from the corner. He then opened the sweet rice flour bag, which Ye Jiayao prepared before, took a few spoons out, and put a different powder to mix in. After that, he quietly went back the room to go to sleep.


    Wang Mingde opened his eyes in a daze and turned back around to continue sleeping.


    Ye Jiayao spent two nights making a few tubs of ice cream as mooncakes should be prepared earlier. On the day of the feast, she would need to cook the dishes and she wouldn¡¯t have time to do these things.


    The day after tomorrow would be the birthday dinner. After she finished that night, Ye Jiayao brought out a few helpers with her. Helian Jing had sent a horse cart for their transport and also to carry all the necessary cooking materials to the mansion.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I don¡¯t have any duty in the military department tomorrow. The King gave us three days of holiday so that we could prepare for the birthday party at home. If you need me for anything, just let me know.¡± Helian Jing said with a smile.


    He just started working in the military department and he needed to familiarize himself with the business there. He had been too busy to meet Yaoyao. He could now finally understand why his brother didn¡¯t have that much freedom to do leisurely activities.


    Ye Jiayao squinted at him and tried, ¡°Alright, you can be a kitchen helper. Make a fire for me.¡±


    It was a joke, but Little Jing answered happily. ¡°Okay. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it.¡±


    He could watch the fire while chatting with Yaoyao. That was also a win-win because he enjoys watching Yaoyao cook.


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow, surprised. She appreciated his eagerness, but if his mother and brother find out that she was ordering Little Jing around, they¡¯d probably fire her on the spot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I was kidding. You have many things to prepare, you don¡¯t need to help me burn some fire,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°If you need me, I¡¯m here,¡± Helian Jing told her seriously.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him expressionlessly. ¡°If the servants from your mansion see you burning some woods in front of a stove, they will drop dead in surprise.¡±


    Helian Jingughed in agreement. ¡°Totally.¡±


    The carriage suddenly stopped ¨C they¡¯ve arrived at the Helian Royal Mansion. The only ones who have been here before were Deng Haichuan and Ye Jiayao. The others were new to the mansion¡¯svishness. They looked around excitedly, not quite believing that they get to cook in here. Even Master Chef Niu had never been awarded that kind of chance!


    Ye Jiayao coughed twice to get their attention. ¡°Everyone, stay calm. If we do our best here, there will be many opportunities like this in future.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng moved closer to her and ttered, ¡°Following you, Brother Yao, can get us rich. Rest assured, I¡¯ll be following you in the future, no matter what.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes.??<i>Kiss ass.</i>


    Together, they hauled their ingredients and materials into the kitchen. Helian Jing waved two people over and introduced, ¡°This is Manager Liu. If you need something and you can¡¯t find me, you cane to him. This one here is Manager Hu, the master chef in the royal mansion and?the manager of the kitchen. He will follow your orders in the next days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao greeted them politely.


    Manager Liu and Manager Hu humbly returned her greeting.


    Helian Jing turned to the two staffs of the mansion and said sternly, ¡°You willpletely answer to Li Yao¡¯s orders for these next days. If you give him any grief, I will make you suffer.¡±


    Everyone who works in the royal mansion, even the doorkeepers, think that they¡¯re superior to others. Li Yao was only a young chef and he wasn¡¯t famous just yet. Helian Jing was afraid that they would look down on Li Yao and make him feel embarrassed when he¡¯s not around.


    ¡°Yes, Young Royal Highness,¡± they acquiesced. No matter how contemptuous they might feel, orders were orders.


    ¡°I know that we can work together and make the birthday feast great,¡± Ye Jiayao told them with a warm smile.


    Deng Haichuan came in to report, ¡°Brother Yao, we¡¯ve already moved all the things here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and turned back to the managers, ¡°We will use the kitchen tonight, but we don¡¯t need your help yet.¡±


    They would start doing the mooncake and others were not allowed to watch.


    Helian Jing persisted to stay and Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t exactly make him leave, so she just let him watch.


    Zhong Xiang dumped out sweet rice powder in a pan to cook. Wang Mingde mixed the milk and sugar with Deng Haichuan¡¯s help while Cui Dongpeng started with the fire.


    ¡°I heard from my mother that this ice cream mooncake is extremely delicious. I can¡¯t wait to taste it. Yaoyao, where is the ice cream you talked about?¡± Helian Jing asked, looking around.


    Ye Jiayao opened a big ice cube and took out a scoop for him to eat. ¡°Try this. If there are leftoverster, I will let you have more.¡±


    Helian Jing eagerly took it from her.


    Ye Jiayao turned back and rolled her sleeves up to start working. She was busy arranging her materials when she saw Deng Haichuan made a face at her. She turned around and saw Helian Jing opening the ice cube where the ice cream was ced in.


    <i>This fat cat...</i>

 Chapter 108 - Sabotage

    <h4>Chapter 108: Sabotage</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Everyone sharedughs and stories as the first pot of flouryer was made. Zhong Xiang was responsible for the filling while Wang Mingde was in charge of pressing it into shape.


    ¡°It looks delicious,¡± Helian Jingmented, drooling as he stared at the exquisite looking mooncake.


    If only it weren¡¯t needed to be frozen, he would¡¯ve finished a few already.


    Ye Jiayao checked the finished products to pick out all those who weren¡¯t up to her standards. Luckily, Zhong Xiang¡¯s technique was so good that there were almost no failures.


    ¡°Put them on tes and freeze them,¡± she ordered once she was done with her inspection.


    The first 100 batch needed to be put in iceboxes.


    ¡°How long do I have to wait before I can eat it?¡± Helian Jing asked, sounding a little desperate.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to smile at how cute he was. ¡°You¡¯d have to wait at least half an hour, Little Jing.¡±


    Helian Jing nodded eptingly and brought a chair over to sit by the icebox.


    The team then went on to cook the second pot of sticky rice powder.


    When the half-hour mark passed, Helian Jing started pushing them for a taste. Cui Dongpeng went to open the icebox for the Young Royal Highness and immediately backtracked.


    He yelled, ¡°Brother Yao,e here! Something¡¯s not right!¡±


    Everyone stopped what they were doing and crowded around him.


    Ye Jiayao took out a moon cake and noticed that it wasn¡¯t as round and clear as the ones they made before. It was all dried up and some ces were even cracked. It was easily broken in half and not as stretchy like before.


    ¡°It cracked? How? Why?¡± Zhong Xiang eximed.


    ¡°Was the recipe wrong?¡± Wang Mingde muttered questioningly.


    ¡°How could that be? We tested the recipe so many times and it seeded every time,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Was there something wrong with the ingredients?


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°Check the ingredients, we must find the cause of this.¡±


    Helian Jing picked up one of the defective mooncakes and said, ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll still be very delicious.¡±


    ¡°No. It has to??<i>look?</i>?good and taste good,¡± Ye Jiayao said. She was hoping to catapult mooncakes into fame so she has to make their debut nothing less of spectacr.


    Everyone split up to look for what might have been the cause, but no one could find anything. They all turned to Ye Jiayao, not knowing what to do.


    Ye Jiayao frowned as she stared at the second pot that was about to be ready.


    They¡¯ve run through this recipe numerous times so that wasn¡¯t the problem. They all tried to find what faulty ingredients caused this, but they found none.?<i>What the f*ck is the problem here?</i>


    ¡°Put this batch in the freezer and test it. Don¡¯t make any more until thesee out.¡± If they turned out to be the same, it meant that somehow, something went wrong with the recipe.


    The lighthearted talks andughter that was previously running in the kitchen disappeared. Everyone was now looking at the icebox with wariness and apprehension. Every second of the wait was filled with tension and anxiety.


    Helian Jing had never seen Yaoyao looked this worried before. ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t worry too much. I think that looks okay like that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that even if looked like utter horse crap, Little Jing would still tell her that it was the most appetizing thing in the world. She knew that she could?present these as it was and she would still get paid in full. However, she wasn¡¯t wired like that. She had worked long and hard at this and she¡¯ll be damned if it wasn¡¯t going to look perfect.


    ¡°Little Jing, can you please give us a few minutes? My mind is in chaos right now,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Helian Jing wanted to protest, but Deng Haichuan said, ¡°When we find the problem, we¡¯ll inform you, Young Royal Highness.¡±


    Helian Jing reluctantly left the kitchen.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up,¡± Zhong Xiang called out.


    They opened the lid and took the mooncakes out.


    ¡°Hmm? This batch is fine!¡± Deng Haichuan announced happily.


    Ye Jiayao tried one and smiled.


    ¡°Two batches of mooncakes, same recipe, same process... but one came out differently. It only meant that the previous ingredients we used had problems,¡± Ye Jiayao concluded.


    Zhong Xiang frowned. ¡°But they¡¯re the same batch of ingredients! If some are faulty, they should all be faulty.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a cold look in her eyes when she suggested, ¡°What if someone did something to it?¡±


    Everyone was shaken.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Brother Xiang and Wang Mingde bought the ingredients together and I trust them.¡±


    ¡°We checked the ingredients before and they were all fine,¡± Wang Minde said.


    ¡°The first batch used ingredients from the top of the pile. It¡¯s obvious that someone did things to the top of the stack.?Our ingredients are kept in the kitchen so everyone can see it as they walk in and out. They couldn¡¯t have done it during the day so they probably did this at night. Think. Who would do such thing?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Ye Jiayao felt anxious. Why would anyone do this? Was he jealous? Angry? Regardless of his motive, she had to pull this bastard out. She can¡¯t risk epting huge deals like this when someone¡¯s out there just waiting to sabotage her.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t know anyone who would do this,¡± Zhong Xiang said helplessly, shaking his head.


    ¡°Yeah, ever since you came, everyone in Heavenly Residence had been good,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    ¡°No, no. Some people weren¡¯t happy that we were the ones chosen by Brother Yao,¡± Cui Dongpeng pointed out.


    ¡°Those are all justints and grumbles. They wouldn¡¯t harm us like that,¡± Deng Haichuan defended, clearly knowing who Cui Dongpeng was talking about.


    ¡°You can¡¯t say that for sure. How can you know what¡¯s really in a person¡¯s heart?¡± Cui Dongpeng reasoned.


    ¡°You mean Liu Qisheng?¡± Ye Jiayao guessed. Liu Qisheng was Zhong Xiang¡¯s previous crony who held a rally against her. Now that Zhong Xiang had given up going against her and instead became her right hand, Liu Qisheng must be feeling betrayed.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s face dropped.


    Cui Dongpeng analyzed, ¡°We did a test the day before yesterday and everything was fine so you said that we don¡¯t need to test anymore. There weren¡¯t many people around, but I remember that Liu Qisheng was there. He must¡¯ve done it between two nights ago andst night because he¡¯s sure that we wouldn¡¯t check the ingredients again.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very logical,¡± Ye Jiayao agreed.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t just point fingers at Liu Qisheng. Everyone there is also suspicious,¡± Zhong Xiang said, trying to stand up for Liu Qisheng.


    Wang Mingde suddenly blurted out, ¡°I remember something! Two nights ago, at midnight, I¡¯m pretty sure I saw Liu Qisheng sneaking back to his room.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he just went to the toilet,¡± Zhong Xiang tried.


    Wang Mingde shook his head. ¡°No, it didn¡¯t look like it. Since when did he care about not waking anyone up when he goes to the toilet? No, that was different. He was??<i>sneaking?</i>?back in, tip-toeing and trying to be stealthy.¡±


    Everyone fell silent at that. Zhong Xiang looked sad and disappointed.


    Ye Jiayao deduced, ¡°From how the flour base cracked open, I¡¯m guessing it was because the sticky rice powder was mixed with flour. Yang¡¯s white flour is very fine and is very hard to distinguish from the sticky rice powder. Right now, Liu Qisheng is our only suspect. However, until we have concrete evidence, this stays among us. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this once the feast is finished.¡±


    ¡°What do we do with these 100 mooncakes?¡± Deng Haichuan asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s useless.¡± That almost physically hurt Ye Jiayao. This lot cost 100 silver pieces!


    ¡°We can eat it ourselves,¡± Wang Mingde suggested.


    Ye Jiayao nodded helplessly. ¡°You guys can keep 20, I¡¯ll take the rest.¡±


    She would give it to Uncle and Auntie Jiang.


    ¡°Okay, get back to work. Brother Xiang, I¡¯ll leave this to you. You must keep everything in check, alright?


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Zhong Xiang asked.


    Ye Jiayao replied,¡±We don¡¯t have enough fillings, I need to go back to make them!¡±


    Everyone worked until the sun rose. After they have made 400 mooncakes, they then moved on to steamed longevity peaches. They needed to make arge quantity of this so that they could give it to neighbors and passerby.


    In order to get the day off to participate in the Old Royal Concubine¡¯s birthday celebration, Xia Chunyu worked for three days in a row.


    He came to the Helian Mansion early in the morning to help amodate the guests. He and Helian Xuan stood side by side weing guests. One wore a purple and gold snake cloak and another wore sea and cloud cotton cloak. They both looked handsome and regal.


    ¡°I heard sister-inw has quite the heart. Helian Jing told me that there was a problem with 100 pieces of mooncakes. Sister-inw decided to just throw it away instead of serving it,¡± Helian Xuan told him.


    ¡°How could something like that happen?¡± Xia Chunyu was surprised. Yaoyao always did things carefully and meticulously. Yaoyao must be heartbroken with that much waste.


    ¡°That I don¡¯t know.¡± Helian Xuan shrugged. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve invited Mu Shng like you asked. What are you nning?¡±


    ¡°I want to see someone from his family,¡± Xia Chunyu answered vaguely.


    ¡°Man or woman?¡± Helian Xuan turned to him, intrigued.


    Xia Chunyu smiled and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ll know in time.¡±


    This was a good opportunity to rub elbows with high ranking nobles that Wei Liujiang wouldn¡¯t pass up. Xia Chunyu was hoping that Ye Jinrong woulde as well so he could set things in motion.


    If all goes to n, this was the first step in his quest to avenge Yaoyao.


    Xia Chunyu tried to sneak into the kitchen, but just as he was about to enter, Helian Jing came out the door.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, what are you doing here? Are you looking for some food or Yaoyao?¡± He Lianjing asked. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for Yaoyao, he¡¯s really busy now. He even kicked me out.¡±


    Xia Chunyu lied, ¡°I came to find you. Your brother and I are so busy that we don¡¯t even have the time to go to the toilet but you¡¯re just here, scrounging for food. Your brother told me to bring you back.¡±


    Helian Jing protested, ¡°I wasn¡¯t running away, I promise. I was just keeping watch with the food since that¡¯s the most important part of the celebration!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to exin to me. Go tell that to your brother.¡± Xia Chunyu turned away and left.


    Helian Jing quickly followed behind him. ¡°Where¡¯s Chunfeng? He said he would help in the morning.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s already here. He¡¯s watching the circus with Zhao Qixuan and the others.¡±


    ¡°Is that what he calls helping?¡± Helian Jing murmured exasperatedly.


    The two was justing out of the kitchen when they overheard someone report, ¡°Lord Mu Shng is here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stopped and watched as Mu Shng walked in with Mu Qingchu and Wei Liujiang. Behind them, with a manager maid and Mu Shng¡¯s wife, was Ye Jinrong.

 Chapter 109 - Losing Face

    <h4>Chapter 109: Losing Face</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing noticed Xia Chunyu watching thedy with Assistant Minister Mu with great interest. He teased, ¡°Brother Chunyu, do you like her? Do you want me to ask which family she¡¯s from?¡±


    Xia Chunyu threw him a cold re. ¡°Your brother asked me to pick a wife for you. I am checking out which family is suitable.¡±


    That sobered up Helian Jing quickly. ¡°He¡¯s not even married himself! Why would he care about me?¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu spotted Xia Chunyu and Helian Jing so he came up to them to say hi.


    ¡°Official Xia, Young Royal Highness,¡± he greeted.


    Xia Chunyu returned his greeting politely.


    ¡°Little Jing, congrattions,¡± Mu Qinchu said, using Helian Jing¡¯s nickname casually.


    Helian Jing rolled his eyes at him.??<i>This little rat. Even your dad called me ¡®Young Royal Highness¡¯.</i>


    Assistant Minister quickly rebuked, ¡°Don¡¯t you have any manners? Have you forgotten how to properly address our royalties?¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Young Royal Highness,¡± Mu Qinchu said, properly embarrassed and chastised.


    Trying to shift the attention from his cousin, Wei Liujiang greeted, ¡°I wish Young Royal Highness and Officer Xia good health.¡±


    ¡°This is my nephew. He was the schr who won first ce in the provincial imperial examination and he¡¯s nowe to Jin Ling to take the examination,¡± Assistant Minister Mu introduced proudly.


    ¡°Minister, let¡¯s have tea inside,¡± Xia Chunyu said, ignoring Wei Liujiangpletely.


    Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang were upset. It seemed that Xia Chunyu still remembered the mishap that happened between them and his friend. Even Helian Jing didn¡¯t pay them any attention.


    Ye Jinrong was dressed especially elegant today. She wore white silk lingerie, a pale pink and grey coat with a matching pale pink watery patterned dress. The delicate scattered flower patterns were made of gold silk that cost about 100 silver per unit. She was also wearing a gold ne adorned with jade and pearls. The beads and gold hairpins she was wearing were also the most popr ones at the time.


    She figured that this was the only chance she would get to dress this extravagantly so she made certain that she would dress well.


    Madam Mu Qie walked ahead of her looking faint. She didn¡¯t want to take her nephew¡¯s wife here. This kind of asion was a good chance to get their own daughter into the limelight and show her off to other nobles. However, Liujiang begged her to take Jinrong here so she had to acquiesce.


    The housekeeper led them to drink some tea in the flower hall.


    The flower hall was filled with the rich women of the capital city. It was said that all the most powerful women, except those from the pce, were here.


    Qie knew some of them so she went over there to say hi. Ye Jinrong followed her and dutifully?say her greetings from behind Mu Qie. Her?gestures and mannerisms showed her good?upbringing so some young women went ahead to chat with her.


    Qie saw that she was doing well on her own so she left Jinrong behind to chat with some familiar madams.


    ¡°I¡¯m the first daughter of the Yang governor. My mother¡¯s house is also in Yang Zhou. Maybe I have some connections with your family,¡± one schr madam said with a smile.


    Ye Jinrong smiled back. ¡°What¡¯s the surname of your mother?¡±


    ¡°Zhu.¡±


    ¡°The Zhu family that had been famous for a century?¡± Ye Jinrong tried to look surprised.


    The madam smiled. ¡°That is right.¡±


    Ye Jinrong said happily, ¡°We do have a?real connection. I remember Zhu¡¯s first madam eating with my family before.¡±


    ¡°Is that right? First Madam is my mother¡­¡±


    The two quickly got familiar with each other as they exchanged stories and gossips.


    The servant girls came in and out with tea and fruits. The housekeeper reported progress and such to Princess Yu De from time to time to keep her apprised of how the guests were doing.


    ¡°Old Ancestress is ready. Are we going to a theater?¡±


    Yu De smiled. ¡°Yes. You can take the madams to the theater and I will wee Old Ancestress by myself.¡±


    Everyone moved to the back garden.


    There were an inner garden and an outer garden in the royal mansions. The outer garden was for a variety show and the inner garden was holding a troupe.


    ¡°Second Lady?¡± a servant woman called in a stunned voice.


    Ye Jinrong was chatting with Zhu so she wasn¡¯t paying much attention to her surroundings.


    No one knew who the servant was calling for so they ignored her.


    Suddenly, she chased up and blocked Ye Jinrong. She eximed excitedly, ¡°Second Lady, it is really you! I thought I was seeing things. Second Lady, ever since the First Lady married to the Wei family in Ji Nan, you also disappeared. We thought you¡¯ve been harmed. Second Lady, where have you been for half a year?¡±


    Horror settled into Ye Jinrong as she recognized her as a servant in the Ye household.?<i>How did she get here?</i>


    ¡°You¡­ who are you? I don¡¯t know you,¡± Ye Jinrong stuttered in panic. She never thought that this would happen!


    ¡°Second Lady, why do you say that? Of course, you know me. I am Lee! I took care of you when you were young. I can still remember the red mole on your nape.¡±


    Xia You turned around upon hearing themotion. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Yu De immediately went ahead to check what was making such a ruckus.


    Lee didn¡¯t wait?for Ye Jinrong to respond and hurriedly said instead, ¡°Madam, I saw my seconddy who had gone missing for half a year and I got too excited. I meant no offense. Please forgive me, mydy.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! Who is your seconddy?¡± Ye Jinrong nearly yelled, frantic to get away.


    Zhu narrowed her eyes. It was clear that the servant really knew Ye Jinrong because she was right about the mole on her nape. However, why was she denying their association? And the business about the firstdy marrying to the Wei¡¯s...


    ¡°I heard that Ye¡¯s firstdy was married to the Wei family. What is going on? How manydies in your family have been married to the Wei family?¡± Zhu asked.


    Lee answered, ¡°The Ye family only had onedy married. Second Lady and Third Lady were yet to be married.¡±


    Ye Jinrong could feel sweat beading on her forehead. Backed into a corner, she could only scold meanly, ¡°I don¡¯t even know you. What nonsense are you talking about? Why is there such a graceless servant in the royal mansion?¡±


    Yu De only caught the tail end of the conversation, but that was enough. Who was so arrogant that they dare to reprove a servant in the royal mansion?


    She said coldly, ¡°The servant in?<i>my?</i>royal mansion have been ill-behaved and have offended you, madam. I, as the??<i>master?</i>?of this house, apologize to you.¡±


    It was clear to everyone who heard this that the ¡®apology¡¯ was conceded with anger.


    People that have been talking to Jinrong just now all moved back, keeping a distance from her.


    Ye Jinrong felt like she was going to throw up. She said in a rush, ¡°Elder Princess, it was not that serious. My temper got the best of me and I made a mistake. Please forgive me, Elder Princess.¡±


    Elder Princess Yu De nced at Lee, finding her unfamiliar. She couldn¡¯t remember ever seeing her around the mansion. She might¡¯ve been just someone who was temporarily hired by Manager Liu for the birthday celebration. Regardless, temporary or not, she still belonged to her.


    She wanted to teach this arrogantdy a lesson, but she didn¡¯t want to make the Old Ancestress angry over such a trivial thing. Yu De said graciously, ¡°Good show will begin soon, so let¡¯s not waste time. Mum Gui, take this servant and get to the bottom of this. If she really made a mistake... well, our royal mansion has its rules.¡±


    Everyone followed Yu De and the Old Ancestress to watch the show. Ye Jinrong was left alone with no one wanting to talk to her. She barely managed to hold in her sobs.??<i>Why am I so unlucky?</i>


    Qie, who has been absent for the altercation, saw Jinrong by herself and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why don¡¯t you watch a show with them in the courtyard?¡±


    Ye Jinrong¡¯s eyes were red and she looked like she was barely holding it together. However, there were people around her auntie so she stayed quiet.


    Those people saw Ye Jinrong¡¯s state and quickly excused themselves.


    When there was no one else around, Ye Jinrong ryed what had happened.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Mu Qie eximed angrily. ¡°I told you not toe yet you still insisted. You should¡¯ve just kept silent and walked away! I think you¡¯re forgetting the gravity of what??<i>you?</i>?did. You should¡¯ve just stayed home. Now what? Someone recognized you and revealed your identity. If this gets out, you¡¯re going to ruin Liujiang¡¯s future. Even the Mu family would lose face...¡±


    ¡°Auntie¡­¡± Ye Jinrong sobbed.


    ¡°Where is the servant?¡± Qie asked. She has to settle this. If the servant changed her statement and confessed that she recognized the wrong person, it would be just fine.


    ¡°She was taken by the people next to the Elder Princess. They said that they¡¯ll interrogate her,¡± Ye Jinrong answered weakly.


    Mu Qie wanted to rage. If they interrogate the servant, they wouldn¡¯t have the chance to bribe her to change her statement!


    She turned to their own maid and told her to pass a message to Assistant Minister Mu.


    Assistant Minister Mu and some government officials were chatting casually when he got the bad news. His son and his nephew were out with a bunch of young nobles watching a sideshow so he had the servant look for them.


    <i>No, no!?</i>?Assistant Minister Mu felt his body get cold. This could not happen.


    Xia Chunyu saw a servant of the Mu family approach Assistant Minister Mu and knew that it was done. He got up and went outside where Song Qi was waiting for him.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, it was wonderful. That Lee really had some balls and called out the Second Lady in front of so many people,¡± Song Qi reported.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t get too out of hand, right?¡± Xia Chunyu wanted to rattle Ye Jinrong and Wei Liujiang but he didn¡¯t want to ruin the Old Ancestress¡¯ mood.


    ¡°No, no. Second Lady Ye was worried and panicked so she scolded Lee. The Elder Princess heard that and she satirized the Second Lady. Lee was now taken by Mum Gui.¡±


    Xia Chunyu assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just follow the n.¡±


    He knew Elder Princess¡¯ temper. She would never let things go as easy as that without a reason. He was certain that she was nning something to get even with Ye Jinrong and the Mu family.

 Chapter 110 - Breathtaking

    <h4>Chapter 110: Breathtaking</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Qie was too embarrassed to continue sitting there and watch the show. She has been in Jin Ling for more than 10 years and though she has never been assimted into the noble circle, her reputation was ster. She thought that this feast was an opportunity for her to finally get in with the nobles, but then?<i>this?</i>?happened. She wanted to strangle Ye Jinrong.


    Ye Jinrong didn¡¯t dare to make any sound as she obediently sat next to her aunt. She trembled with fear as she saw people around her murmuring and asionally throw nces at her.


    The upper-ss women gave tips to the singer at the stage and Qie followed their example. She got someone to seal some money in an envelope to throw it up as a gesture of goodwill to the Elder Princess. However, no matter how much silver she gives, it would be of no use. The Elder Princess already has made up her n.


    When Wei Liujiang received the news, he instantly paled.


    ¡°Cousin, there is trouble,¡± Wei Liujiang told Mu Qinchu when he pulled him out.


    ¡°What problem could there be?¡± Mu Qinchu asked vacantly, his attention still on the acrobats.


    Wei Liujiang has no other choice but to tell him the truth about Jinrong. His father made?it clear to him that this matter should only be known by his aunt, but this was an emergency.


    ¡°What?¡± Mu Qinchu cried out in rm. ¡°What have you done?¡±


    ¡°Tone it down! Quick! Help me clean this up or we¡¯ll both be in trouble,¡± Wei Liujiang pleaded desperately.


    Mu Qinchu thought about it for a while before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll look for Zhao Qixuan. He has close ties with Young Royal Highness and he might be willing to help.¡±


    ¡°You must not tell him the truth. Just ask to see a servant woman. Once we see her, we can talk things out,¡± Wei Liujiang reminded him.


    Upon hearing that Wei Liujiang was requesting to see the servant woman who used to work in the Ye family, Zhao Qixuan replied nonchntly, ¡°Why do I need to step in for such a small matter? Just order the housekeeper to bring the servant over.¡±


    Both of them were unable to speak of their difficulties.


    Mu Qinchu said, ¡°I don¡¯t think that it¡¯s appropriate to take things into our hands since this is the royal mansion.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a servant? What is the matter?¡± Zhao Qixuan asked, still riveted with the show.


    The two have no other choice but to look for Assistant Minister Mu.


    At the theater troupe, Mum Gui returned and whispered something to Princess Yu De. Thetter sneered and nodded before instructing, ¡°Keep a close eye on her.¡±


    Qie and Ye Jinrong were sitting far away and could not hear what Mum Gui had said so they only continued sitting anxiously.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just return from Yang Zhou? Haven¡¯t you seen the servant woman?¡± Qie asked softly.


    Ye Jinrong replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t see her, but I didn¡¯t know that she has left the Ye household.¡±


    Qi warned, ¡°Whatever happens, just insist that you are the oldest daughter of the Ye family. Otherwise, be prepared to be divorced!¡±


    Ye Jinrong held her tears back, not daring to say anything else.


    Ye Jiayao has been busy working in the kitchen. The original 36 tables have increased to 39 which meant more work for her. Luckily, there were enough ingredients.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the dried fruits, honeyed preserved food, pastries, and appetizers are all ted and arranged,¡± Cui Dongpeng reported.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the candy box is also ready,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the antelope penis soup, and the happiness soup are ready,¡± Wang Mingde told her.


    The antelope penis soup was going to be served to the male guests while the happiness soup was reserved for the female guests.


    ¡°Alright. Wait for Manager Liu to send word.¡± Ye Jiayao was busy decorating a few dishes.


    She woke up at three in the morning today to carve various flowers from white radishes because they would lose moisture when exposed for a long time. They have to be carved on the day of the celebration and ced in a basin of ice water.


    Zhong Xiang concentrated on making the dragon-whiskers noodles. They have to be hair-thin, long and continuous; the finest strand must be able to pass through a needle.


    After a short while, Manager Liu sent word to the kitchen that it was time to start the banquet.


    Manager Hu arranged for a group of servant girls to serve the dishes.


    Ye Jiayao has trained these servant girls before the banquet on the order of serving the dishes. She also taught them how to announce the names of the dishes, which have to be paid particr attention to.


    Just as the guests settle down, the servant girls entered in a line, carrying a silver basin for them to wash their hands. They then passed them warm, white handkerchiefs to wipe their hands dry.


    This procedure alone made the guests feel that the birthday banquet today was going to be extraordinary as they have never experienced this before.


    After washing their hands clean, they were served some Lu Shan¡¯s clouds and mist tea. It was light but the deep and pure aroma of it was evident. The guests¡¯ attention was not on the tea but on the food being set on the tables, though.


    There were four dishes of dried fruits: milk dates, fragrant peanuts, salt and pepper cashew nuts, and double-colored soft candies.


    There were also four dishes of pastries: split yellow pea, walnut biscuit, thousandyered cake, and kidney bean roll.


    The dried fruits did not seem special, but the pastries made everyone¡¯s eyes light up.


    The split yellow pea was not in themon rhombus but in a heart shape. The orange-yellow color was glossy and luster, making it look very appetizing. The walnut biscuit was in a V shape, the thousandyered cake has changed from the regr square to a rhombus, and the kidney bean roll has beautiful white patterns drawn on them. They looked different and very delicious.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to admit it, but he was nervous at how people would think of the food. Their reactions would affect Yaoyao?greatly. Before he could even lift his chopsticks up, he heard Zhao Qixuan exim from afar, ¡°What is this on the kidney bean roll? It is cool, sweet, smooth, and extremely delicious!¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ this split yellow pea is too delicious. Is this from Bai Wei Zhai or Ju Xiang Yuan? Wait, no. Even they can¡¯t get their pastries to be this delicious,¡± Xia Chunfeng alsomented in pretense.


    Xia Chunyu rolled his eyes. Those two didn¡¯t know what subtlety meant.


    Some old people frowned at the scene that the young nobles made, but they too were pleasantly surprised when they took a piece to try. They almost automatically reached for seconds even before they finished.


    Since someone got the ball rolling, others started to voice out their praises as well. They were wondering who made the pastries or where they were bought.


    Xia Chunyu was happy that they were liking Ye Jiayao¡¯s cooking, but he found this a bit exaggerated. They might be delicious, but they were still just tes of dried fruits and pastries. How could theypare to the ones made by the royal kitchen?


    He changed his mind as soon as he tried a piece of the split yellow pea, though. He has tried many delicate pastries, but this one was hands down exceptional. These were extremely soft and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness. Everything about it was just right that he could not help but exim in admiration.


    It looked like all the pastries Yaoyao made him eat weren¡¯t in vain. All the research she made, collecting the positive points from different shops and shunning their negative ones, really paid off. Xia Chunyu was wrong. Just these four pastries were enough topare with those made by the imperial kitchen. At this point, he honestly didn¡¯t know why he continues to doubt Yaoyao¡¯s skills.


    ¡°These pastries cannot be bought elsewhere. They are personally made by the head chef of Heavenly Residence,¡± Zhao Qixuan announced proudly.


    ¡°Is that true? Is the head chef of Heavenly Residence really so formidable?¡±


    ¡°You are too slow on the news. Who doesn¡¯t know about Heavenly Residence now? Have you heard of the chilled drinks?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s him? It¡¯s no wonder that he can take on the birthday banquet in the Prince¡¯s mansion!¡±


    ¡°Leave some space in your stomachs, the good things are yet to be served. They are all so delicious, you would bite your tongue off,¡± Helian Jing said, smiling widely.


    Helian Xuan shook his head. He would let his bragging pass because this time, Little Jing really has found the right person for the job.


    Meanwhile, on the main table, everyone¡¯s eyes were glued to the red-crowned crane carving presented for the event.


    ¡°Mother-inw, take a look at this red-crowned crane, it looks alive,¡± Yu De eximed in amazement.


    ¡°Oh, yes! Even the eyebrows are so distinct!¡±


    ¡°I wonder what this is carved with? This is so amazing.¡±


    Mum Gui answered, ¡°This is carved out of white radish by Head Chef Li Yao. He said that this is specially presented to the Old Ancestress to wish you happiness as immense as the East Sea and live as long as the Zhong Nan mountains.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s jaw dropped upon hearing that it was carved from some?white radishes.


    The Old Ancestress was a Buddhist so she was pleased with the carving. She said with a smile, ¡°That head chef is so considerate. Reward him.¡±


    Yu De smiled. ¡°Did you hear that? Pass the news to Head Chef Li Yao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was frying vegetables in the kitchen when Manager Liu ran over to tell her what just happened. ¡°Brother Li, the Old Ancestresses has rewarded you! She loves your red-crowned crane.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied with delight, ¡°Is that true? That is great!¡±


    She came up with the idea of a red-crowned crane when Little Jing had told her that the Old Ancestress was a Buddhist.


    ¡°What about the other foods?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. She has spent a lot of time and effort on the dried fruits and pastries.


    Manager Liu replied, ¡°The response is enthusiastic. Everyone is trying to find out where the pastries were bought.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang exchanged pleased looks. It¡¯s a sess! All their efforts weren¡¯t useless!


    One after another, the delicacies are served, stimting everyone¡¯s taste buds.


    Usually, in this kind of events, people only attend with the motive of getting more connections. In today¡¯s banquet, however, the most discussed topic was the food.


    ¡°The longevity noodle is served.¡±


    A bowl of longevity noodles was presented.


    The Old Ancestress has to take the first bite.


    Yu De quickly extended her help. No matter how she scooped, she couldn¡¯t seem to get to the bottom of it. The noodles were too long and it took a great effort before she finally has the noodles in the bowl.


    ¡°This is a good sign, Old Ancestress! You¡¯ll live a ripe old age,¡± Xia You said.


    The Old Ancestress chuckled merrily. ¡°Good, good. This is the first time I have eaten such long noodles at my age.¡±


    ¡°Here, try it.¡± Yu De scooped two spoonfuls of soup into the bowl.


    The Old Ancestress took two mouthfuls. ¡°Not bad. The chicken soup is rich and the bamboo shreds are tasty.¡±


    Mum Gui smiled. ¡°Old Ancestress, this is not made with chicken soup.¡±


    ¡°How is this not chicken soup? This is obviously the taste of a chicken soup. Try it,¡± the Old Ancestress insisted.


    ¡°It is the taste of chicken soup, very pure and fragrant, but not greasy,¡± Xia Youmented after trying some.


    Yu Deughed. ¡°Mum Gui, stop keeping us in suspense. What is this made of?¡±

 Chapter 111 - Old Ancestress’ Reward

    <h4>Chapter 111: Old Ancestress¡¯ Reward</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Mum Gui said, ¡°It¡¯s not really made with chicken soup. I heard Manager Hu say that Head Chef Li Yao used a few types of vegetables for this. I have no idea which vegetables he used as it is his secret recipe.¡±


    Everyone was amazed.


    ¡°Master Chef Lu also made this type of veggie chicken soup, but the taste was as strong as it,¡± Xia You supplied.


    Yong An Madam, who had tasted the ice cream mooncake, smiled and said, ¡°If I had known him earlier, I would¡¯ve invited Head Chef Li Yao for my Old Ancestor¡¯s birthday. These dishes were not only tasty but so thoughtful.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. From the scented tea to the final dessert, they were all made by him. I initially thought that he was too young and that he could not take on this responsibility, but Little Jing was insistent about him. I¡¯m d I listened to my son. This chef... he really is amazing,¡± Yu De said happily.


    Old Ancestress smiled. ¡°If your family wants to have a party, we have to wait for Elder Sister to turn 80 years old.¡±


    ¡°9 more years?¡± Yong An Madam looked disappointed.


    ¡°If you could afford it, you should hire Head Chef Li to be your home chef,¡± Yu De joked.


    ¡°Only if Helian Mansion doesn¡¯t take him away,¡± Yong An Madam yed along.


    The minutes passed by and everyone was still talking about this little chef.


    Ye Jinrong slowly rxed. Perhaps Elder Princess Yu De has already forgotten the unhappy moment that happened before.


    ¡°Sister, this octopus soup is delicious and special. You should try it,¡± Ye Jinrong said to Zhu who was sat next to her.


    Zhu, who was clearly poised to taste the soup, sat back when Jinrong spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t like octopus.¡±


    During the show, Zhu thought about what the servant said and arrived at a terrifying conclusion. If there¡¯s any sliver of possibility that this woman was pretending as the Ye¡¯s firstdy, she definitely wouldn¡¯t like to be associated with her.


    Ye Jinrong knew that Zhu was trying to keep her distance from her, but she was having none of it. Zhu¡¯s husband was the youngest schr in the government and his grandfather was the left chancellor. They have connections everywhere. If she could build a good rtionship with Zhu, Liujiang might be able to get close to the left chancellor.


    ¡°Then you should try this double taste duck roll! The duck was roasted extremely crispy¡­¡± Ye Jinrong tried again.


    Zhu cut her off coldly, ¡°Madam Wei, I will eat whatever I want to eat. You don¡¯t need to trouble yourself, just mind your own food.¡±


    A few younger madams on the same table sneered at her.


    ¡°Madam Wei, are you really the firstdy of Ye?¡± someone asked aggressively.


    Ye Jinrong thought about what her auntie told her and said affirmatively, ¡°Of course, I am. It was that servant who made a mistake.¡±


    ¡°But she knew that you have a mole on your nape!¡± another one protested.


    ¡°My two sisters and I all have moles at the back of our neck. I look so much like Second Sister that she¡¯d just mistaken me for her.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how simr the two of you looked. She¡¯s your servant, she wouldn¡¯t make a mistake like this.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t even remember that woman. For all I know, she might¡¯ve just been someone who worked on the farm. Second Sister and Mother frequent the farm and?they must¡¯ve?met her there. I really don¡¯t remember her. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask around in Yang Zhou,¡± Ye Jinrong lied with great conviction. She has calmed down enough to get into the pretense without missing a beat.


    ¡°Then why did she say that Second Lady Ye went missing the same time that First Lady Ye got married. Are you saying that¡¯s just a coincidence?¡± Zhu questioned doubtfully.


    Ye Jinrong schooled her features to look as if she was in despair. ¡°I don¡¯t really want to tell others about this but since I have no choice now... my sister didn¡¯t go missing. She¡¯s sick. Mother wanted her to rest well so she sent her to another home. As soon as she recovers, she¡¯d be back in Yang Zhou.¡±


    Everyone eased up on their hostility and settled back on their chairs. Ye Jinrong gave a logical exnation that they couldn¡¯t help but believe. Perhaps that servant really recognized the wrong person.


    Ye Jinrong rxed a bit and hid her sigh of relief.


    The servant girls came in with copper boxes, the star of tonight¡¯s banquet.


    ¡°It is not mid-autumn festival yet, but it is Old Ancestress¡¯ 70th birthday. There is a special dessert for everyone called ice cream mooncake. Please, try it. I hope for everyone to have a happy and peaceful life,¡± Elder Princess Yu De brought up a toast.


    The ice cubes were opened and a dish of crystal-clear, lovely and delicate mooncake was presented in front of everyone.


    Yong An Madam¡¯s eyes were bright as she eximed, ¡°I have been waiting for this mooncake! I tried one the other day and it was beyond excellent!¡±


    She actually sent people to find Li Yao in Heavenly Residence to buy a few more, but the chef didn¡¯t want to sell it. She was forced to wait until this birthday celebration to taste it again.


    ¡°Is that true? Is it really that delicious?¡± Xia You asked even though she wasn¡¯t at all worried that it would disappoint. Every dish that Li Yao had prepared for the feast was nothing short of heavenly.


    ¡°You will see when you try it,¡± Yong An Madam replied.


    ¡°Old Ancestress, Head Chef Li said that this was made especially for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had been mindful of the Old Ancestress¡¯ age. Given that she was an elder, Ye Jiayao knew that cold food?wouldn¡¯t sit well with her and might even give her diarrhea. Instead, Ye Jiayao made a sweet peach filling ording to the Old Ancestress¡¯ favorite vor.


    ¡°My, this looks very scrumptious,¡± Old Ancestress praised.


    Mum Gui helped her cut it into small pieces.


    The Old Ancestress had a bite. The skin was cool and soft and not sticky at all. The sweet peach filling was deliciously sweet with just the right amount of richness.


    ¡°I heard that the ice cream mooncake is low in sugar and fat and is good for the health. Old Ancestress, how do you like it?¡± Yu De asked.


    Old Ancestress said with a pleased smile, ¡°Is this the only one? This is not enough!¡±


    Mum Guiughed. ¡°Old Ancestress, there are more. Head Chef Li is making a box for you.¡±


    ¡°He is really clever. Yu De, I am very satisfied with this birthday feast. Good troupe and a better chef. Give him a big red pocket as thanks.¡± Old Ancestress paused and said, ¡°No, no. Ask him toe here. I will reward him personally.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was so exhausted but she could not bring herself to rx without hearing the guests¡¯ finalment about the mooncake.


    Manager Liu ran to her hurriedly. ¡°Brother Li, Brother Li! Clean up fast, Old Ancestress wants to see you! She is rewarding you!¡±


    Deng Haichuan and the others cheered loudly. They had already received three red pockets from outside and they¡¯ve made a lot of money. However, the best reward was the praises they got for their hard work.


    ¡°Brother Yao, hurry! Get rid of your apron!¡± Deng Haichuan rushed.


    Ye Jiayao cleared her head and?tidied herself up before following Manager Liu out.


    Helian Jing heard about what his grandmother was nning and he immediately bounded to Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan. ¡°Grandmother wants to reward Yaoyao personally!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Xia Chunyu actually felt a bit excited. Yaoyao exceeded everyone¡¯s expectations today. She performed marvelously and he couldn¡¯t wait to see how?she¡¯d flourish even more after this.


    Helian Xuan patted Xia Chunyu¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°You are really lucky.¡±


    Helian Jing looked at them in confusion, ¡°Big brother, why is Brother Chunyu really lucky?¡±


    Chunyu squinted at Helian Xuan.??<i>You big mouthed fool.</i>


    Helian Xuan cleared his throat, feeling a bit stupid. He said to Helian Jing, ¡°Little Jing, you should go to Grandmother, too. Ask her for the best reward because you actually deserve it this time.¡±


    Helian Jingughed. ¡°That¡¯s what I intend to do!¡±


    ¡°Go, go. Let me handle everything here,¡± Helian Xuan said.


    Helian Jing walked to flower hall happily and ran into Yaoyao and Manager Liu. He called proudly, ¡°Yaoyao, you¡¯re amazing! You¡¯ve conquered everyone¡¯s stomach today!¡±


    Helian Jing barely held himself back from giving Yaoyao a huge hug.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°It was all thanks to you, Young Royal Highness Jing, for giving me a chance.¡±


    Helian Jing returned the smile, and together, they walked to the flower hall.


    ¡°Old Ancestress, Head Chef Li Yao is here,¡± Manager Liu informed.


    Everyone looked at the young man next to Helian Jing with obvious surprise. He¡¯s such a pretty young boy! How could he be the chef? Weren¡¯t chefs normally pot-bellied with sweaty faces?


    Ye Jinrong looked surprised than most. The chef looked awfully familiar. She looked like her older sister... Jinxuan???<i>No, that can¡¯t be.?</i>?Jinxuan might be a good cook, but not?<i>this?</i>?good. No, it couldn¡¯t be her older sister. Absolutely not.


    Also, when Officer Xia came to the mansion, he said that Jinxuan was already dead.


    <i>No, it¡¯s not Jinxuan.</i>


    She must¡¯ve only been feeling guilty so she¡¯s seeing her sister¡¯s face.


    ¡°Grandmother, I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Your life will be long and your fortune will be boundless,¡± Helian Jing said his wishes as he kneeled in front of his grandmother.


    Old Ancestress smiled fondly at him. ¡°Alright, get up now.¡±


    Helian Jing has always been Old Ancestress¡¯ favorite. If there weren¡¯t that many guests, he wouldn¡¯t have been so formal.


    ¡°Little Jing, your arrangement for this birthday celebration is sessful. I am very happy,¡± Old Ancestressmended.


    Helian Jing scratched his head abashedly. ¡°Old Ancestress, those were all Li Yao¡¯s idea.¡±


    Yu De softly said to Old Ancestress, ¡°When Little Jing ran away to Shang Dong, it was Li Yao who brought him back to safety.¡±


    Old Ancestress nced in surprise at Li Yao. This was the first time that she heard about this. He wasn¡¯t just a great chef, he¡¯s also Little Jing¡¯s benefactor. That meant more reward.


    ¡°Little Brother Li,e.¡± Old Ancestress said.


    Ye Jiayao got up and walked up to where Old Ancestress was seated. She nced around and almost did a double take when she saw an unexpected face in the crowd.

 Chapter 112 - Lee Is Missing

    <h4>Chapter 112: Lee Is Missing</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    <i>Second Sister??</i>Ye Jiayao was surprised. How was she able to join this kind of social circle?


    Ye Jinrong saw the chef squint at her and her heart stuttered a bit.


    Fortunately, Ye Jiayao recovered from her shock immediately and was able to look away as if she just had a quick and casual nce.


    ¡°Little Brother Li, if we invite you to work in the royal mansion, would you ept the offer?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was stunned. She never expected for the Old Ancestress to ask this question.


    Helian Jing beamed and turned to Yaoyao expectantly, waiting for her to say yes.


    Working in the royal mansion would mean that she would have a strong support system to rely on. Even Princess Liu Li would hardly be able toy a finger on her. Not to mention the connection that she could build! She could gain hundreds of benefits from working in the royal mansion.


    <i>But what about Heavenly Residence??</i>What about the promises she made to Shopkeeper Li? Also, what about the brothers? They ced their hope and loyalty in her. If she left, she¡¯d be abandoning them in the lurch.


    Furthermore, if she worked in the royal mansion, it wouldn¡¯t be as convenient to see Dumb Donkey anymore.


    ¡°Old Ancestress, thank you so much for the honor. I really want to work for the royal mansion, but I have a contract with Heavenly Residence and they can¡¯t survive without me. If Old Ancestress would like to eat anything, I would happily make it for you anytime. We can use warm bottles or ice cubes to keep the freshness of the food,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    Once again, the Old Ancestress was surprised by this chef. She had thought that Li Yao would readily ept the offer. However, he rejected it in a very humble way that Old Ancestress couldn¡¯t help but admire him even more. He put fame and money behind righteousness and that wasn¡¯t something she sees every day, especially frommoners.


    Helian Jing, on the other hand, was extremely disappointed with Yaoyao¡¯s answer.


    Old Ancestress lifted her head andughed in delight. ¡°I will hold you to your promise. Just don¡¯tin if I get?too troublesome!¡±


    ¡°Old Ancestress, it is my honor that you like my dishes. You would never be troublesome,¡± Ye Jiayao said pleasingly.


    ¡°Alright, Yu De. How do we reward him considering how much effort he put in?¡± Old Ancestress asked her daughter-inw. However, before Yu De could answer, Old Ancestress dered to herself, ¡°Silvers are toomon. Or... yes, that¡¯d do. Cui Yan, take the Wish Jade from my room.¡±


    Yu De and Helian Jing were both shocked. Would Old Ancestress?really reward Li Yao the Wish Jade?


    Ye Jiayao was surprised as well. The Wish Jade sounded expensive. And it was inside Old Ancestress¡¯ room! She couldn¡¯t take that!


    ¡°Old Ancestress, your recognition is already the best reward. I have gotten enough rewards today, I can¡¯t take more,¡± Ye Jiayao said to her.


    Yu De said nicely, ¡°Li Yao, the reward from elders cannot be refused. Today, it¡¯s the reward from the god of longevity and it brings good fortune.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bowed, not daring to decline the reward again lest she offended them.


    Others might not know the gravity of that gift, but Xia You understood it perfectly. The Wish Jade was a masterwork of fine white tallow jade. Its preciousness was not just from the item itself but also the sentimentality and the history behind it. It was a gift to the Old Ancestress from the mother of the Empress Dowager.


    She couldn¡¯t figure out how a chef could be rewarded of such a precious thing. They get sries for doing a good work, not the Wish Jade. If they wanted to reward him, 200 silvers would¡¯ve been perfect.


    After a short while, Cui Yan came out with the Wish Jade and everybody gasped at the sight of it. They knew how priceless this item was. They couldn¡¯t believe how ostentatious the Old Ancestress was being.


    ¡°You must visit here often in the future, okay?¡± the Old Ancestress?said with a kind smile.


    Ye Jiayao held the Wish Jade in her hand anxiously. She didn¡¯t really understand jade stones, but she knew enough to know that this was way too much for her. She felt as though the Wish Jade was burning a hole in her palms.


    ¡°I will, Old Ancestress,¡± Ye Jiayao acquiesced shakily.


    ¡°Old Ancestress, where is my reward?¡± Helian Jing asked cheekily.


    Yu De stared at him chidingly. ¡°There are people watching, Little Jing. Don¡¯t you have any shame?¡±


    The corner of his mouth twisted. He wanted to get rewarded in front of other people to prove how well he has arranged the birthday banquet.


    Old Ancestressughed, unoffended. ¡°I will reward youter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao held the Wish Jade carefully as she walked out the flower hall.


    ¡°Little Jing, this thing is too precious. I don¡¯t think I deserve this.¡±


    Helian Jing shook his head with a smile. ¡°It seems that Grandmother is really happy with what you¡¯ve done. She wants to reward you with this, just take it. If you really want to pay it back, just make more good food for her in the future.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do.


    ¡°By the way, Little Jing, I saw Wei Liujiang¡¯s wife just now,¡± Ye Jiayao brought up, suddenly remembering Ye Jinrong.


    ¡°That guy is really something else,¡± Helian Jing said with distaste. ¡°The invitation was for his uncle. He¡¯s just a schr and yet he has the nerve to show up here! He even brought his wife!¡±


    ¡°I dislike his wife even more,¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    ¡°What happened with that whole ice ticketst time? Why did you sh with them?¡± Helian Jing asked as he remembered the incident with Mu Qinshu and Wei Liujiang.


    Ye Jiayao told him about what had happened.


    ¡°Those f*cking bastards! If I had known of this earlier on, I would¡¯ve taken care of them!¡± Helian Jing got mad at the thought of those two pansies bullying Yaoyao. ¡°I¡¯m going to look for them now.¡±


    ¡°Ay, what are you doing? Today is Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday. Don¡¯t ruin her mood with your hotheadedness,¡± Ye Jiayao said, dragging him back.


    Helian Jing said angrily, ¡°It was Brother Chunyu who requested that we invite the Mu family. If I have known what they did, I wouldn¡¯t have let them step foot inside the mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hid her surprise. Chunyu asked him to invite the Mu family? They didn¡¯t seem to have any connection with each other. Chunyu barely even interacts with Mu Qinchu! Why did he do that?


    As she was pondering over this, a servant girl ran inside and asked to enter the flower hall.


    Helian Jing stopped her. ¡°Why are you in a rush?¡±


    She answered, ¡°The servant that the Elder Princess asked to look after has gone missing.¡±


    Helian Jing scowled. ¡°How? And which servant? Tell me everything.¡±


    Everyone was enjoying the festivities inside, Helian Jing doesn¡¯t want to let a stupid thing ruin their enjoyment.


    ¡°That woman had a disagreement with Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s nephew¡¯s wife, Madam Wei. Elder Princess asked us to look after the servant girl, but when Manager Liu brought Mu and Wei back to ask the servant a few questions, she was gone,¡± the servant girl replied.


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t quite get what was happening. What he was certain about, though, was that this mess was rted to Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang. He¡¯d be damned if he¡¯d let them get away with messing around in the Helian Mansion.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s skin prickled as she processed what the servant girl was saying. ¡°Do you know what happened with the servant and Madam Wei?¡±


    ¡°That servant woman said he worked for the Ye family before. When she saw Madam Wei, she went to talk to her and called her Second Lady. Madam Wei insisted that she was the firstdy and denied seeing her before.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to snort in derision. Was Jinrong really going to use her name forever? She asked, ¡°What is the name of the servant?¡±


    ¡°I only know that her surname is Lee.¡±


    <i>Lee?</i>? There were about three or four servants with the surname Lee in the Ye household.


    ¡°What did she look like?¡±


    The girl gestured in front of her and said, ¡°About this height and a bit fat. She has small eyes and there¡¯s a mole near her nose.


    Ye Jiayao remembered her now.?<i>How did Lee get a job in the Helian Mansion??</i>


    And what were the odds that she¡¯d see Jinrong here?


    Was this rted to Chunyu asking Little Jing to invite the Mu family?


    This was too much of a lucky hit to be considered a coincidence. There had to be someone who was behind this and she¡¯d bet everything she has that it was Chunyu.


    ¡°Why, Yaoyao? Do you know the woman?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°No. I heard about this thing when I was in the kitchen so I¡¯m just a bit curious. I think I saw her earlier.¡±


    Helian Jing nodded. ¡°Okay, you go back to the kitchen and finish up. I will go find these bastards and ask them.¡± He turned to the servant girl and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to report this inside, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao watched Little Jing leave and she made a mental note to grill Chunyu about thister.


    On the other side, Song Qi was reporting the events to Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°She¡¯s already out of the mansion as nned. Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang would never be able to exin this now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled coldly. They walked into the trap so easily.


    ¡°Alright. You can get off now.¡± Xia Chunyu waved him away and went back to the dinner.


    Ye Jiayao was still holding the Wish Jade when she got back to the kitchen


    Everyone gathered around her and started chattering excitedly.


    ¡°Brother Yao, what reward did you get from Old Ancestress?¡±


    ¡°The red packet must be huge!¡±


    ¡°Did Old Ancestress praise our dishes?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated to show?them the treasure she was given. Would they be too jealous of her because she wouldn¡¯t be able to share this with them?


    Ye Jiayao revealed the Wish Jade a bit nervously. ¡°This is the reward.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, wow! How much is this thing worth?¡± Deng Haichuan¡¯s eyes were wide as he stared at the precious stone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know and I really don¡¯t care. This represents the recognition of the Old Ancestress and that¡¯s all that matters,¡± Ye Jiayao told them proudly.


    ¡°Brother Yao, we finally made it,¡± Zhong Xiang said happily.


    Ye Jiayao patted his shoulder. ¡°Today is just the beginning. We can achieve more if we work hard together. We can beat everyone else in Jin Ling!¡±


    The excitement and delight were evident in the smiles of everyone. Their eyes were sparkling with happiness at the thought of a brighter future.

 Chapter 113 - Must get to the bottom of it

    <h4>Chapter 113: Must get to the bottom of it</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After the birthday celebration ended, Helian Xuan asked someone to call Yaoyao over to him.


    He had to admit, being alone with Yaoyao again was making him a bit uneasy. Her red lips, beautiful eyes, and delicate brows... how could he have believed that she was a guy?


    Thest time they met was still a humiliation that he didn¡¯t want anyone else to know. He was indignant about that for a long time, but when he found out the truth about her, he decided to let it go. Chunyu¡¯s woman was his sister-inw and he should give her utter respect.


    ¡°This is your sry,¡± Helian Xuan said, gesturing for a servant to bring the tray to her. ¡°There are two more silver notes there, a reward just for you. The birthday feast was a tremendous sess and Old Ancestress was very satisfied. I am actually very pleased with it, too.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw the silver note that was worth 100 each and gulped. The rewards that she got tonight equaled to almost 400 silvers excluding the Wish Jade. It was far more than her agreed sry. This was all too much.


    ¡°You must take good care of the Wish Jade. That precious stone has an extraordinary meaning,¡±?Helian Xuan continued.


    Ye Jiayao was curious. Was it a family heirloom? Was it a favor from the Helian Mansion?


    Helian Xuan smiled as he saw her confused expression. ¡°If you encounter any problems that you can¡¯t solve in the future, you can bring the Wish Jade to find me. No matter what the problem is, as long as it¡¯s in my ability, I will take care of it ¨C but just?<i>once?</i>.¡±


    After Helian Xuan found out about her real identity, he¡¯d been wondering how he could repay her for helping Little Jing. It was a good thing that his grandmother gave him the perfect opportunity today.


    <i>Did I hear him right??</i>?Ye Jiayao was befuddled at how Little Jing¡¯s older brother was acting.


    ¡°You can also ask small favors from Helian Jing.¡± Helian Xuan was amused to see her surprised look.?<i>She must be wondering why I was being so nice to her.</i>


    Ye Jiayao remained silent, still not quite grasping what has gotten into Helian Xuan. She was so sure that she¡¯d have to endure his sneering and hurtful barbs, but he was nothing but... civil.?<i>What happened?</i>


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s all. I know you are tired, you should get some rest.¡± Helian Xuan had his servants send her out.


    Ye Jiayao had just stepped out of the room when Manager Liu came in. ¡°Royal Highness, Elder Princess has requested your presence.¡±


    Helian Xuan nodded, silently cursing his best friend. Xia Chunyu used his grandmother¡¯s celebration to?punish Wei Liujiang and his wife, and now he left him to take care of the rest of the problems. What¡¯s more was that Xia Chunyu only revealed this to him after the incident had already happened!??<i>I¡¯ve got a terrible friend!</i>


    Yu De could finally deal with the earlier problem as the guests have already left and the Old Ancestress has retired to her room to rest.


    She was a prideful woman, and the little bitch from the Mu family humiliated the royal mansion. They were delusional if they think she¡¯d just let it go that easily.


    ¡°The wife of Mu¡¯s nephew is really the Second Lady Ye, yet she was calling herself First Lady. When the servant called her out on it, she had the nerve to drag the mansion¡¯s name!¡± Yu De told Helian Xuan angrily. ¡°The servant told Mum Gui that the second daughter had a secret rtionship with Wei Liujiang. When the first daughter was sent to marry Wei, the second daughter had gone missing, too.


    ¡°It seemed that she took over the first daughter¡¯s ce to be Wei Liujiang¡¯s wife. No one even knows if the first daughter is still alive! That woman is simply horrible! I wouldn¡¯t normally care about other people¡¯s business, but she brought this to our mansion! I won¡¯t have anyone humiliating our house and our workers!


    ¡°And the woman! She disappeared, Xuan-er! How could she disappear inside the royal mansion? How could she be here one second and gone the next? When did our mansion be so unsafe?¡± Yu De finished her tirade, her anger still as intense as it was when she started.


    Helian Xuan sympathized with Ye Jinxuan for having such an evil stepmother and half-sister. It was fortunate that she survived all their cruelty.


    ¡°Mother, calm down. We won¡¯t let this go unpunished, I promise you. Little Jing told me that the woman had only gone missing after she saw Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang. They seemed to be having a fight then and talking about bribery as well. I know that they have something to do with this. I¡¯m not sure if they bribed her or they asked people to dispose of her, but I will find out for you.¡±


    Yu De pped the armrest in her fit of anger. ¡°How dare they do this kind of things inside the Helian Royal Mansion?¡±


    ¡°Today is grandmother¡¯s birthday, Mother, please rx. If Grandmother finds out about this...¡± Helian Xuan tried to settle her mother down.


    Yu De took a few deep breaths, trying to find herposure. ¡°You¡¯ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. You¡¯ll report everything to me.¡±


    ¡°I will, Mother.¡± Helian Xuan bowed and left.


    On the other side, Ye Jiayao and the others moved the leftover ingredients and other materials back to Heavenly Residence. They closed the kitchen door and talked about?their share of the silvers.


    ¡°The sry for this time is 300 silvers. The restaurant wants 20% which is 60 silvers, so we¡¯d have to distribute 240 among us. What do you guys think? How do we share them?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°Li Yao, you take them. Just treat us to a good meal next time and we¡¯ll call it even. I know that ording to the rules,?we are just helpers who are not eligible to take a share. You gave us a chance to work this feast, we are already very grateful for that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled at Zhong Xiang. He was really an honest man. It was the reason why Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t give up on him.


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Brother Yao. Besides, we already got enough rewards today. More than 20 silvers! That¡¯s more than a few months sry. It is enough,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Wang Mingde piped up, ¡°Brother Yao, you take it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°No, I am different. We¡¯re different. As I told you, we are a team. Everyone worked hard so you all deserve a reward.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng pped his pocket andughed. ¡°I already have my reward here!¡±


    ¡°It was you who overdrew the money to buy materials for testing. We shouldn¡¯t split?<i>your??</i>reward anymore,¡± Zhong Xiang said.


    ¡°That is different. How about I keep the half and I split the rest between the four of you? That¡¯s 30 silvers each.¡±


    ¡°Too much,¡± Zhong Xiang protested. ¡°We¡¯ll take five silvers.¡±


    ¡°Five is enough,¡± everyone echoed.


    Ye Jiayao?didn¡¯t care and started to split the notes. ¡°As long as you work hard, you¡¯ll seed. I promise you that if you continue doing your best, in the future, you¡¯ll be able to afford your own house, get married, and have a great life.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s spirit rose up again at Brother Yao¡¯s words. He really was the best. The rewards in their pockets were the best evidence of how far they¡¯lle if they follow Li Yao.


    ¡°Brother Yao, we willmit ourselves to you,¡± Deng Haichuan said solemnly.


    Everyone nodded determinedly.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Hide your money. Don¡¯t show it off or others might get envious and do bad things.¡±


    The shadow of the sweet rice flour incident popped into everyone¡¯s head.


    ¡°I need to find a chance to ask him,¡± Zhong Xiang said.


    ¡°He won¡¯t confess,¡± Cui Dongpeng sneered.


    ¡°He might even swear that you framed him up,¡± Deng Haichuan told him as he was familiar with Liu Qishen¡¯s temper.


    Wang Mingde sighed. ¡°We should look for evidence first. If we get that, we won¡¯t need his confession anymore.¡±


    Zhong Xiang asked hesitantly, ¡°Li Yao, if it was really him, what would you do?¡±


    What would she do? Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know. She has always shared her rewards with him and yet he still set her up. If Little Jing wasn¡¯t greedy, they wouldn¡¯t have found out about the problem in time.


    She could not just let this pass, but she also has to consider Zhong Xiang¡¯s rtionship with him.


    ¡°I am not sure. It will all depend on his attitude.¡± If he showed remorse, she¡¯d let him go for Zhong Xiang¡¯s sake. If not...


    Zhong Xiang nodded eptingly. ¡°We¡¯ll find the evidence first.¡±


    Everyone took their silver notes and left.


    Ye Jiayao got up and stretched, mindful of her aching shoulder. She really wasn¡¯t looking forward to the walk back. All she wanted to do was lie on the two stools in the kitchen and sleep for about two days.


    She walked out of Heavenly?Residence and was disappointed when she didn¡¯t see Chunyu¡¯s horse cart.??<i>You Dumb Donkey, where are you when I need your care?</i>


    She only made it a few steps away when she heard the sounds of a horse carting towards her. She hesitated for a bit because it wasn¡¯t normally what Chunyu rides in.


    ¡°Yaoyao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao stopped.


    ¡°Thank heavens, I made it. Get on the cart.¡± Xia Chunyu jumped down the cart to lift her up.


    ¡°Why did you stille when you¡¯re so busy?¡± Ye Jiayao chided softly, not wanting to show how happy she was that he came.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t Ie? I was just a bitte because my mother kept talking my ear off!¡± Xia Chunyuined, pausing when he saw her weary face. ¡°Are you tired?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and my arms are swelling.¡±?Ye Jiayao shook her arms a bit.


    Xia Chunyu massaged her right arm gently. ¡°Does it hurt much?¡±


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his hands. ¡°It is alright.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart ached when he saw how exhausted she looked. She¡¯s been working non-stop for the past few days. She was so skinny, it was a wonder she was able tost that long.


    ¡°Ey, I am wondering what happened to Lee?¡±


    ¡°Ey, I heard, Old Ancestress rewarded you with the Wish Jade.¡±


    They started, talking on top of the other.

 Chapter 114 - Sales on Fire

    <h4>Chapter 114: Sales on Fire</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    They both stopped short.


    Ye Jiayao moved first and handed the box that contained the Wish Jade to him. ¡°This looks so precious, I don¡¯t think I should¡¯ve taken it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened the box and admired the stone inside. ¡°Your box doesn¡¯t match the Wish Jade. I will get you a better one tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just a temporary box because I was afraid I¡¯d break it,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    ¡°Look after it well, alright? This thing is rare. The whole Huai Song only has one.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll take care of it. But what do I do if a thief breaks into my house?¡± Ye Jiayao worried. She has two treasures now, the Crown Prince¡¯s calligraphy and the Wish Jade.??<i>Oh, scratch that!?</i>?She has the recipes she wrote and the 600 silvers she earned. That was all that she had as well as her first bucket of gold.


    There were no safe boxes these days. She couldn¡¯t even build a secret closet because she doesn¡¯t own the house she¡¯s living in.


    ¡°Uncle Jiang and Jiang Li are good at making gears. You should ask them for help,¡± Xia Chunyu suggested.


    Ye Jiayao perked up. He¡¯s right. She could ask them to make a box that¡¯d release poisonous gas or arrows if anyone tries to steal it.


    ¡°It is your turn now,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Xia Chunyu feigned innocence. ¡°Turn for what?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that you asked Little Jing to invite Assistant Minister Mu to the banquet because you¡¯re just such good friends with him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips twitched. Yaoyao really was smart. ¡°That servant Lee was kicked out by your stepmother. I learned many things from her. For example, I learned that Wei Liujiang had a part in your abduction. I also knew that your second sister is very vain and showy. She wouldn¡¯t miss the chance to show up at a high profile party, so I set this up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was moved.?Finding a servant who was kicked out from the Ye household all the way in Yang Zhou must¡¯ve cost a lot of effort! It seemed that he¡¯s been at this for a long time.


    ¡°So you also arranged Lee¡¯s disappearance?¡± Ye Jiayao asked rhetorically. She already knew the answer. With Chunyu¡¯s power and connection with the Helian Royal Mansion, it was easy to get a person in and out soundlessly.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her with a happy smile. ¡°Just wait, the good part is yet toe.¡±


    The next day, the talk of Jin Ling City¡¯s was Heavenly Residence¡¯s ice cream mooncake.


    The ice cream mooncake¡¯s debut yesterday was huge. Everyone in the banquet only had one, and it was not enough for them.?No one had ever seen such novel and delicious dessert that they were moring for more.


    So the next morning, people came to Heavenly?Residence to get the famous ice cream mooncake.


    Ye Jiayao had anticipated this so she prepared a sign to be put at the door.


    <i>Ice cream mooncake is five silvers each. Everyone can only buy five pieces. We¡¯ll start to sell it at 1 p.m. onwards until it¡¯s sold out. The ice cream mooncakes need to be kept in cold storage, so if you don¡¯t have an icebox at home, we sell them for 10 silvers each.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was happy about the deal with the icebox. When Shopkeeper Li came in the morning, he told her to sell the ice cubes for herself. He even suggested to price it at 10 silvers each.


    Ye Jiayao was touched. Shopkeeper Li really was a good guy!


    ¡°Five silvers each? That¡¯s too much!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so expensive. My two months sry is worth one bite.¡±


    ¡°There really are so many rich people nowadays. We poor people are simply satisfied with rice.¡±


    ¡°Damn, limited purchase. Will it really kill you to make a few more?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to make more money, dumbass¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you know? Good products are in short supply.¡±


    ¡°It makes people like us, who run errands, tired. Cold drinks made us run around so much, and now the mooncake? I¡¯d probably have to line up here before dawn.¡±


    ¡°It would be toote before dawn. I am going to sleep over here tonight.¡±


    A group of people gathered at Heavenly Residence¡¯s door,ining about the price and the hassle, but no one left. They just found a cool ce to sit down and waited. They were afraid that they¡¯d miss the queue if they left. Most of them were ordered by their masters to buy this famous ice cream mooncake.


    In the kitchen, Ye Jiayao and the others were working hard on making the mooncakes.


    ¡°Li Yao, people outside have objections about the limited purchase,¡± Manager Qian told her.


    Ye Jiayao waspressing the material and said off-handedly, ¡°Limited purchase is just a trick. Only rich people could afford this and I¡¯m certain that five pieces will not be enough for them. The harder it is to buy, the more valuable it¡¯d seem.¡±


    Manager?Qianughed. ¡°That¡¯s reasonable, but I think 500 would not be enough.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯ll just have toe again tomorrow.¡±


    She only made a limited filling for the ice cream and could not make more. She also didn¡¯t want to tell anyone else how to make ice cream so she had to do it by herself at night and have Jiang Li bring it over when it was done.


    As expected, the 500 ice cream mooncakes they made were sold within 30 minutes. They also sold about 80 iceboxes.


    The sales of mooncakes were through the roof. The customers who came to eat also increased drastically. All the tables were full during lunch and thepartments were booked out for tomorrow and the day after that.


    Heavenly Residence became the most popr restaurant in Jin Ling City overnight, and Head Chef Li Yao was the one behind it all.


    After they finished their work, Shopkeeper Li asked her toe to his office so he could pay her. For the 500 mooncakes she sold, she got 725 silvers, and on the 76 iceboxes, she got 760 silvers. She got a total of 1485 silvers in just one day.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. She finally knew what it was like to make a bucket of gold every day.


    Shopkeeper Li almost cried with jealousy as he looked at the numbers. ¡°Li Yao, you are rich now! Your one day¡¯s ie is more than what the restaurant get for days! But this was all thanks to your skill so you deserve this.¡±


    ¡°Manager, don¡¯t be sad. You are making more than me. I only get 30% and you take the remaining 70%. Despite the cost, you still have 60%. One day¡¯s sale of mooncakes is 3000 silvers, not even adding all those from other meals. I heard from Manager Qian that all thepartments were booked until the day after tomorrow, so cheer up. You¡¯re the rich one!¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Shopkeeper Li tamped down his tears. If he had known that Li Yao¡¯s ice cream mooncake would sell this well, he would¡¯ve never given up the restaurant. He was so jealous and bitter, but he couldn¡¯t take it out on Li Yao. All the chef ever did was work hard and?bring fame to the restaurant.


    He forced a smile and said, ¡°I will give you your sry every three days as well as your silver notes. Are you okay with that?¡±


    ¡°No problem. I don¡¯t really mind.¡± Ye Jiayao shrugged.


    It would be better if it was a few dayster since she was still waiting for Jiang Li to make her a safe box.


    Manager Li handed over a few lists to her. ¡°Five families have invited you to do their dinners. I think that the timing is good, but I am afraid that you¡¯d get too tired as you¡¯re still doing the mooncakes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the list. They were all high-status governers! There was even Left Minister Su¡¯s family for the celebration of his wife¡¯s birthday. Ye Jiayao suddenly remembered Zhao Qixuan¡¯s Little Su. Would the son show up on his mother¡¯s birthday?


    ¡°I gave the quotes of 300 silvers and 400 silvers for you,¡± Shopkeeper Li said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this. Making money is supposed to be tiring so I have noints.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Shopkeeper Li, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to leave now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bowed and proceeded to the kitchen to take an ice cube for the gifts she needed to send.


    When she walked out of the restaurant, Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu¡¯s horse cart parked under a willow tree about 30 meters away. She was walking towards it when she heard someone call her name.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡±


    <i>Little Jing?</i>


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Helian Jing jumped down the horse and smiled enthusiastically. ¡°I am looking for you!¡±


    <i>Oh, crap.?</i>Ye Jiayao nced at Chunyu¡¯s horse cart anxiously. It looked like she wasn¡¯t getting on that today.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I am bringing you the money for the mooncake. It¡¯s 1100 silvers, you can count them if you like.¡±


    Ye Jiayo put the money in her pocket without even looking at it. ¡°I don¡¯t need to count it.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Is the mooncake inside that?¡± Helian Jing went to grab the icebox.


    Ye Jiayao moved it out of the way. ¡°This is for the Crown Prince.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I eat one,¡± Helian Jing teased.


    ¡°Or you cane tomorrow and I will make a few for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding, Yaoyao!¡± Helian Jing rolled his eyes at Yaoyao¡¯s tight grip at the icebox. ¡°Are you going to the Crown Prince¡¯s mansion now? I can take you there.¡±


    ¡°No, no, there¡¯s no need. I can go there by myself.¡±


    ¡°Do you know where the Crown Prince¡¯s mansion is?¡±


    <i>Well, I don¡¯t actually.</i>


    Helian Jingughed. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you. Horse riding is faster than walking.¡±


    <i>Horse riding? Together??</i>Ye Jiayao nced at the horse cart again. If she gets on the horse with Little Jing, Xia Chunyu would get mad at her again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like horse riding. I will just walk. It is healthy to walk,¡± Ye Jiayao declined.


    ¡°The Crown Prince¡¯s mansion is far from here, but if you really want to walk, I¡¯ll walk with you.¡± Helian Jing took the icebox from and wound the horse¡¯s leash with his other hand.


    Ye Jiayao had no choice but to follow him.


    Xia Chunyu scowled as he watched Yaoyao and Helian Jing walk away. He has waited for her for hours only to get stumped by Little Jing again. The worse part was that he couldn¡¯t even take her back!


    He was furious.


    <i>This whole disaster with the Ye family needs to be over soon so that Yaoyao could reim her status again. I am not going to be able to sleep well knowing that anyone could just take her anywhere!</i>

 Chapter 115 - Flattering

    <h4>Chapter 115: ttering</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    It was the beginning of autumn, but the weather was still hot. The afterheat this year was extra strong.


    The night sky was dark, the air pressure was low, and it seemed that there was a storming.


    Ye Jiayao was worried. She didn¡¯t know what she¡¯d do if it rained since both of them didn¡¯t have an umbre.


    Helian Jing, on the other hand, was rxed. As long as he was with Yaoyao, he wouldn¡¯t care even if it hailed.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I am telling you, that Wei Liujiang is disgusting. He even has the nerve to say that we intentionally framed him!¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded sympathetically. Well, to be honest, they really did frame him. Chunyu nned this thing out so perfectly that Wei Liujiang wasn¡¯t able to defend himself. However, to actuallye outright and say that the Helian Royal Mansion framed him was equivalent to asking for a death sentence. Helian Mansion had nothing against him, who would believe him of that usation?


    ¡°You really cannot find the servant? What will you do now?¡± Ye Jiayao asked curiously.


    Helian Jing sneered, ¡°My mother said that Wei Liujiang and his wife are dogs. It¡¯s possible that they had worked together to set First Lady Ye up. Now, they even dare deny it and use the Helian Mansion? Mother will not let this go that easily. My brother has already sent people to Yang Zhou to investigate.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hid her astonishment. Was it really possible? She had thought that Wei Liujiang was a kind man because the servants of the Wei Mansion adored him. She was not so sure now. And if she actually thought about it, it was indeed strange that?he did not care when his real wife was taken away by the bandits. Instead, he immediately moved on to Jinrong. If that didn¡¯t scream cold-blooded man, she didn¡¯t know what will.


    Ye Jiayao mused, ¡°Since Second Lady Ye substituted for the First Lady Ye, then the Ye and Wei families must¡¯ve covered up for it, too. It would be hard to find anything that can incriminate them.¡±


    Helian Jing smiled coldly. ¡°The truth will always prevail. It was a guarantee that they missed something and that¡¯s where we¡¯ll start. During the dinner, Wei Liujiang¡¯s wife said that the Second Lady Ye is sick and was sent to her grandmother¡¯s house to rest. We¡¯ll check up on the grandmother¡¯s house and see if Second Lady Ye is really there.¡±


    The Ye family would not be able to go against the Helian Mansion, especially with how determined and ruthless this royal family was. That thought actually settled Ye Jiayao.


    It seemed that those two dogs would encounter bad fortune soon.


    ¡°Arrgh! Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang are such douchebags! I will beat them to a pulp if I see them again,¡± Helian Jing eximed angrily.


    ¡°Why are you so indignant?¡± Ye Jiayao felt bad. Chunyu used the Helian family to exact their revenge and now they were caught in the middle of it.


    Helian Jing replied, ¡°They made my mother mad and they did horrific, shameless things inside our home. For that, I will make them suffer.¡±


    ¡°So if I make your family mad one day, you¡¯ll make me suffer, too?¡± Ye Jiayao was upset. If Little Jing finds out the truth one day, would he be angry at her? Would he me her?


    Helian Jing turned to her with a slight smile. ¡°You? How could you ever do that? My grandmother adores you. When I greeted Old Ancestress this morning, she gushed about you!¡±


    Helian Jing cleared his throat and squinted his eyes, thinning his lips a bit. He said, mimicking his grandmother¡¯s voice, ¡°Little Jing, Li Yao was not born in a rich family, but he has a good personality. He is much better than your other rich and spoiled friends.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed, kicking him yfully. ¡°Stop that! That¡¯s creepy!¡±


    Helian Jing dramatically said, ¡°I was praising you! Why are you kicking me? Gosh!¡±


    The two of them talked andughed until they finally arrived at the Prince¡¯s mansion.


    Helian Jing reported their presence and after a short wait, someone came to take them inside.


    The Prince was still discussing business with some people in the study when they arrived so they were asked to wait at the side hall.


    They waited for a while before they were permitted to enter the study.


    The Prince didn¡¯t look well and kept pressing his temples.


    ¡°Peace with Your Highness ¡­¡±


    ¡°Peace with your Prince Highness¡­¡±


    Helian Jing made a hand gesture while Ye Jiayao had to kneel down.


    The prince didn¡¯t recognize Ye Jiayao at the time so he simply smiled at Helian Jing. ¡°Young Royal Highness, to what do I owe this visit?¡±


    Helian Jingughed. ¡°Crown Prince, I apanied Li Yao here because he wanted to bring you a few new ice cream mooncakes to taste.¡±


    <i>Li Yao??</i>?The prince frowned slightly before suddenly eximing, ¡°You¡¯re Li Yao from Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Ye Jiayao worked hard to keep the disappointment off her face. The Crown Prince has already forgotten her?


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. Last time, you asked me to bring anything tasty to you so I brought this special mooncake that I made for Your Highness to taste,¡± Ye Jiayao said respectfully.


    ¡°Your Highness, this mooncake is really delicious. It was served at my grandmother¡¯s dinnerst night and everyone was so impressed!¡± Helian Jing gushed.


    The Prince smiled. ¡°Yes, mydy talked about that new ice cream mooncake. She wanted to get a few to try at dinner.¡±


    Ye Jiayao brought up the ice box. ¡°If Your Highness and Lady like it, just ask someone to deliver a message and I will bring them to you immediately.¡±


    The Prince waved for one of his servants to take it and said happily, ¡°You really have a good heart.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°It is Your Highness¡¯ goodwill that got me to this point. I am very grateful to you and since making good food is all I know, this is the only way I could repay you.¡±


    ¡°It may be the only skill you know, but you¡¯ve more than mastered it. And since you¡¯re offering this, I have one thing to ask you,¡± the Prince said.


    ¡°Your Highness, I will do whatever you ask. Even if it¡¯s not in my capabilities, I will do my best to deliver it to you,¡± Ye Jiayao immediately said submissively.


    Helian Jing stayed silent. Yaoyao did not need any help talking to the Crown Prince, he was already saying all the right things. Yaoyao really did know how to properly suck up.


    The Prince was impressed with Li Yao. He had met up people who could utter tteries so easily, but he rarely met someone who¡¯s sincere in what they say.


    ¡°Mydy is pregnant and she doesn¡¯t have a good appetite recently. She is sick of the food in the Emperor¡¯s kitchen already. Since you seem to know new and fresh dishes, could you make her one?¡± The Prince requested.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly felt pressured. It was not easy to please the Prince¡¯s wife. She was pregnant with the future heir and Ye Jiayao was sure to be drawn and quartered if she made any mistakes.


    ¡°So? Could you?¡± the Prince prodded.


    Ye Jiayao swallowed back her unease. It wasn¡¯t as if she could really say no. ¡°I will try my best. However, I need to know what kind of physique yourdy is in, what she can eat, what she can¡¯t, and her favorite food and vors.¡±


    The Prince nodded, approving of how thorough and meticulous Li Yao was.


    ¡°Little Chuan will take you to see Doctor Liu and Wet Nurse Zhang. You can ask them anything about mydy¡¯s health,¡± the Prince said.


    Helian Jing and Ye Jiayao walked out of the mansion about an hourter.


    The heavy rain that was looming the whole night finally came down as they got out. The Prince had someone send them home with a cart. Helian Jing had no choice but to leave his horse at the pce ande back for it tomorrow.


    Helian Jing insisted to send Yaoyao home first.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t dissuade him so she just allowed it.


    When they were near the alleyway, Ye Jiayao wanted to get off but Helian Jing didn¡¯t let her. ¡°You¡¯ll get soaked if you go out in this heavy rain. Don¡¯t you live in the alley? Driver, please get in.¡±


    Helian Jing opened the umbre and escorted Yaoyao up until the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, you can go back now,¡± Ye Jiayao said as she knocked on the door.


    Helian Jing studied the house. It was rtively new and pretty quiet in a noisy area. It was a relief to see where Yaoyao lives because he¡¯d been worried that he¡¯d been living in a bad condition.


    ¡°Aye, open the door.¡±


    The door opened and everyone fell into a stunned silence.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t expect for Chunyu to actually open the door.


    Chunyu didn¡¯t realize that Little Jing would actually walk Yaoyao to the door. After all, why would Little Jing do that for a man?


    Helian Jing was stupefied. So the friend that Yaoyao talked about was Brother Chunyu? Brother Chunyu arranged the living ce for Yaoyao?


    Chunyu was the first to recover from the shock. ¡°Little Jing, you took Li Yao away. I couldn¡¯t find him and I was just getting ready to leave. Come,e inside and talk!¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned around and called loudly, ¡°Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang, there is a guest.¡±


    He wanted to warn the Jiang family not to give away Yaoyao¡¯s real identity yet.


    Everyone came into the room and Jiang Yue brought some tea while Auntie Jiang gave them clean towels. She then excused herself to make some eggs.


    They wiped the water off their clothes and Helian Jing asked, ¡°Brother Chunyu, why are you here?¡±


    Xia Chunyu replied casually, ¡°Oh, it is Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang¡¯s house. They¡¯re from ck Wind Ridge and Ie here to visit them sometimes.¡±


    Helian Jing nodded in understanding. He was initially surprised why Brother Chunyu was here sote at night. However, he?was feeling a bit cheated. He wanted to take Yaoyao home many times but he always refused while Brother Chunyu could just sit around here any time. Now that he knew where Yaoyao was living, Helian Jing would be sure toe visit often in the future.


    Ye Jiayao cleared her throat and asked, ¡°Heir-Son Lord, why were you looking for me?¡±


    ¡°It is not a big deal. I just wanted to ask you for a few ice cream mooncakes since my servants couldn¡¯t get any today. The women in my family wanted them. I had a chat with Uncle Jiang since you were not here and the rain caught up with me,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    ¡°Okay. I will make a few more tomorrow and you cane and take them,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°I want some as well,¡± Helian Jing reminded her immediately.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°I know. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Right, where did you two go sote at night?¡± Xia Chunyu asked perfunctorily. He already knew that they went to the Prince¡¯s mansion since he followed them there.


    Helian Jing responded, ¡°Yaoyao was sucking up to the prince.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to him and knocked his head with her finger. ¡°I did no such thing!¡±

 Chapter 116 - Slip of the Tongue

    <h4>Chapter 116: Slip of the Tongue</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing immediately backtrackedughingly. ¡°Alright, alright. You were delivering some good food?for the Prince and you just happened to say a few tteries to him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lifted her hand, wanting to knock him again. ¡°I think you are looking for trouble.¡±


    ¡°Guests, I prepared some sugar water egg,¡± Auntie Jiang announced with a warm smile as she got back from the kitchen.


    Helian Jing was the first guest in this small courtyard so Auntie Jiang naturally wanted to entertain him properly.


    ¡°What is that? That¡¯s the first time I¡¯m hearing about that. I have had phoenix eggs, quail eggs, spiced corned egg, fried egg, scrambled eggs, but... sugar water egg? Oh! Auntie Jiang, you gave me a double-yolked egg!¡± It was now Helian Jing¡¯s turn to suck up. He wanted toe here often in the future so he wanted her to like him.


    Ye Jiayao thought that sounded weird, too.


    Auntie Jiangughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s my first egg and it¡¯s a double-yolked egg. That¡¯s a good sign.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu both spat out their tea.


    Helian Jing looked at them curiously. ¡°What? Are you jealous that Auntie Jiang gave me eggs to eat? We can share if you¡¯d like. Auntie Jiang¡¯s eggs taste really good ¨C for real.¡±


    ¡°No need to share, there is more in the pot. I will bring them up now.¡± Auntie Jiang walked away happily.


    Ye Jiayao wasughing so?hard?that her sides ached. Xia Chunyu, too, could barely keep up his dignified image.


    ¡°Aye, what¡¯ s wrong with you two?¡± Helian Jing felt unsettled by theirughter. He didn¡¯t have anything on his face, does he?


    ¡°Auntie Jiang¡¯s egg. Hahahaha! Her first egg¡­ aiyo, stop!¡± Ye Jiayao doubled over, clutching her stomach.


    Xia Chunyu was more controlled in hisughter. ¡°Only hensy eggs! Why would you say it like that?¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s eyes widened in realization and the three of themughed together.


    Xia Chunyu said in a serious tone, ¡°Stopughing. Eat. These are Auntie Jiang¡¯s eggs, very precious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao busted outughing again. She cried, ¡°No, no, I am done! My cheeks hurt so much. You go eat. I will change my face and wash clothes.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Helian Jing looked at her.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Eat your eggs,¡± Ye Jiayao told them.


    Helian Jing said stonily, ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t change your face. Your face is already quite good.¡±


    Ye Jiayao then realized her mistake.??<i>Ugh! That was monumentally stupid!</i>


    She spluttered, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡±


    Ye Jiayao then hurriedly walked away.


    Helian Jing said to Xia Chunyu, ¡°Change his face? That¡¯s creepy.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded and yed along, ¡°It is creepy. If he has the other face, though, I want to see that.¡±


    ¡°No, I like the way he is,¡± Helian Jing said as he ate his sugar water egg.


    The gleam in Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes was different when he teased, ¡°Why do you like him?¡±


    Helian Jing looked taken aback for a second before he flushed red. He carefully said, ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m just used to him the way he is. I don¡¯t want any change.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s raised a brow and faked a smile. ¡°I¡¯m just asking. Why is your face red?¡±


    Helian Jing was getting more embarrassed. ¡°It¡¯s not red.¡±


    He was afraid that people would start asking this kind of question. At times, he was very determined to think that his rtionship with Yaoyao was very simple. However, there were still moments that he was confused. He didn¡¯t know how to describe what he was feeling toward Yaoyao.


    But, why would Brother Chunyu ask that? Did he find anything wrong with how he was acting?


    Xia Chunyu stopped his questions with a faint smile. Yaoyao was still a woman. Even though she dresses and acts like a man, her appeal as a girl was still undeniable. Xia Chunyu just vowed to pay close attention to the friends that surrounded Yaoyao.


    He still wasn¡¯t sure what Little Jing thought and felt for Yaoyao, but based on his reaction, Xia Chunyu knew that it was nothing casual or normal.


    Perhaps Little Jing had already discovered Yaoyao¡¯s original features. Maybe he was just inexplicably attracted to her. It could also be that Little Jing himself was not sure about his feelings for Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao returned to her room, washed her face with water, and was just about to get dressed when she saw a box on the table.


    The material of Huanghua pear was carved on it with a beautiful pattern of tangled flowers. When she opened it, there was a deep, soft red velvet lining inside.


    <i>Chunyu...</i>


    With a smile, Ye Jiayao moved the Wish Jade to the box that Xia Chunyu brought. This box was definitely worthy of the Wish Jade¡¯s preciousness.


    ¡°The rain stopped,¡± Xia Chunyu observed.


    ¡°Ah, it stopped,¡± echoed Helian Jing.


    ¡°You¡¯re still not going back?


    ¡°Are you not going either?¡±


    ¡°Well, my house is nearby.¡±


    ¡°Mine is just two streets away and I have a horse cart.¡±


    ¡°Time to go.¡±


    ¡°Well, it is a bitte.¡±


    But neither of their feet moved.


    Ye Jiayao looked on at the two idiots.


    ¡°It iste, guys, go home. I¡¯ll get you your mooncakes tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao said to them. She needed to make ice cream and she doesn¡¯t have the time to chat with them.


    Xia Chunyu nodded at Helian Jing. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll leave now.¡±


    Helian Jing said, ¡°Come ride with me, I have a cart.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said indifferently, ¡°Nah, I like taking a walk.¡±


    ¡°Only the elderly likes to walk,¡± Helian Jing muttered.


    ¡°What does a?<i>child?</i>know?¡± Xia Chunyu gave him a haughty look and walked away.


    ¡°Aye, Brother Chunyu, the door is over here,¡± Helian Jing called when he saw Chunyu walking in the wrong direction.


    Xia Chunyu said in a low and muffled voice, ¡°I am saying goodbye to Uncle Jiang.¡±


    ¡°Right. I will say bye to Auntie Jiang, then.¡± Helian Jing followed.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Auntie Jiang is in the kitchen.¡±


    When the two nobles returned, Helian Jing said, ¡°Yaoyao, I¡¯ll look for you after I finish my duty.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face turned dark and he stared at Yaoyao warningly.


    Ye Jiayo resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ¡°If youe after duty, you won¡¯t have any food to eat as the seats are fully booked. You shoulde after dinner.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I wille after dinner,¡±?Helian Jing said with disappointment.


    Ye Jiayao finally sent them away.


    Jiang Yue came over and handed her a note. ¡°Sister Yaoyao, the Heir-Son Lord asked me to give you this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened it.?<i>Leave Heavenly Residence using the back door tomorrow night. I will wait for you in the alley.</i>


    The next day, Ye Jiayao made about 600ish mooncakes and left eight each for Little Jing, Chunyu, and Zhao Qixuan.


    If possible, the sales were even hotter than yesterday. Most of the buyers yesterday were governors and today was predominantly businessmen.


    People who came yesterday even brought two to three people with them so they could purchase more.


    After a busy lunch, Ye Jiayao sat in the seat on the street to rest and drink some tea. She was feeling terrible because of the heavy workload she had these past two days.


    Twenty minutes before 1 PM, people who were lined up outside the restaurant under the sun were swimming in sweat.


    Ye Jiayao called Ah Fu over and whispered something to him. Ah Fu happily?left toply with her request.


    After a short while, Cui Dongpeng and Wang Mingde came out with a big teapot. Ah Fu and Ah Xing were just behind them carrying numerous bowls.


    Cui Dongpeng loudly announced, ¡°Anyone like to have some tea?¡±


    There was suddenly a buzz.


    ¡°I want, I want...¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled, pleased. Making more money was really just about seizing business opportunities when they present themselves.


    Although tea doesn¡¯t really generate a lot of money, it?didn¡¯t matter. Money is still money.


    When the people in line had quenched their thirst with a bowl of tea, their irritation subsided. The wait was not so anxious anymore and they started to chat with one another.


    ¡°Hey, did you hear about the affairs of Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s nephew?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I heard it! Everyone in the city has heard of it.¡±


    ¡°I heard that he¡¯s still the schr of the Ji Nan government. He might be knowledgeable but he acts like a despicable dog.¡±


    ¡°I know, right? Second Lady Ye is a horrible person as well. A poisonous woman! You know, I think that they murdered First Lady Ye.¡±


    ¡°Such a terrible couple!¡±


    ¡°They should be forced to ride a wooden donkey and paraded in the streets.¡±


    A few more people added to the gossip.


    Ye Jiayao inconspicuously listened to what the people were talking about. At this rate, Wei Liujiang and Jinrong would be ranked the worst couple in the history of Huai Song by the end of the week. She wasn¡¯t sure if the public derision was also part of Chunyu¡¯s n.


    ¡°Come on, mooncakes are on sale. Everybody, line up!¡± Deng Haichuan shouted.


    The people immediately left their gossip groups and returned to their original position.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the rough estimate of the people in the queue and knew that the six hundred mooncakes were not enough.


    Other materials were easy to obtain, but the amount of agar and butter were limited. She couldn¡¯t do more even if she wanted to.


    Suddenly, Ye Jiayao saw Eunuch Little Chuan, who was always by the Prince¡¯s side, walk towards Heavenly Residence.


    Ye Jiayao got up and weed him enthusiastically.


    ¡°Eunuch Little Chuan, is it the Prince¡¯sdy¡¯s order?¡± The Prince¡¯sdy told herst night that she¡¯d think about what she wanted to eat and would just send someone over to tell her.


    Little Chuan replied, ¡°No, I¡¯m here to buy ice cream mooncakes. Today, Empress Mei Fei went to see the Prince¡¯sdy and tried the mooncakes you sentst night. Empress Mei Fei was impressed by them so she wanted to bring some back. The Prince¡¯sdy asked me toe here and buy some more.¡±


    ¡°No, no, you don¡¯t need to buy that. How many do you want? I¡¯ll give them to you,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°Can I get ten?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course! Wait here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao called Ah Xing and told him, ¡°Take ten mooncakes out for this eunuch.¡±


    Little Chuan handed her some money but Ye Jiayao just pushed them back to his hands. ¡°I told you, there¡¯s no need to pay for it.¡±


    He smiled and said, ¡°I will go back and tell the Empress that this is your filial piety.¡±


    ¡°What kind of food can the Prince¡¯sdy have?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Prince¡¯sdy wanted to eat something sour and delicious. She said it¡¯s up to you what to make.¡±


    Suddenly, people in the queue started shouting, ¡°That¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°We lined up in the heat for these mooncakes!¡±


    ¡°Why are you giving it so easily?¡±


    It seemed that Eunuch Little Chuan¡¯s special treatment did not go unnoticed by the people.

 Chapter 117 - Do You Want to See Susu?

    <h4>Chapter 117: Do You Want to See Susu?</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The people started rallying, shouting their indignation.


    Little Chuan was?embarrassed. ¡°I... I don¡¯t...¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll handle this,¡± Ye Jiayao assured him.


    Ah Xing brought the mooncakes out and Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Take this eunuch and escort him to the back door.¡±


    Eunuch Little Chuan dutifully followed behind Ah Xing.


    Manager Qian ran down from upstairs when he heard the racket that the people were making. ¡°What is going on? What¡¯s with all that noise?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took huge steps outside and stood at the door. ¡°What are you shouting for?¡±


    ¡°You gave someone ten mooncakes when you said five is the limit!¡± someone shouted angrily.


    ¡°That¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t even stand in the line!¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and snapped back, ¡°He¡¯s from the pce! Do you want me to call him back so you can air your grievances with him?¡±


    The angry crowd fell silent.


    Even their masters would not dare challenge the people in the pce.


    Manager Qian was shocked and asked Li Yao softly, ¡°Is he really from the pce?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°He¡¯s from the Prince¡¯s mansion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Manager Qian eximed, ted.


    After all the mooncakes were sold, Ye Jiayao asked Deng Haichuan to deliver the mooncakes to the Helian Mansion and Yong An Lord¡¯s mansion.


    After a short while, Deng Haichuan ran back to the restaurant, looking rmed. He panted, ¡°Brother Yao! Sh*t! I saw someone take an ice cream mooncake to?Fragrant?House. I was curious so I followed him and I saw that he handed it over to a pastry chef that works for Master Chef Niu.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re trying to copy our work!¡± Cui Dongpeng said, angered.


    Ye Jiayao calmed them down. ¡°That¡¯s only normal. It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if other restaurants are trying to copy that as well. Don¡¯t worry, let them try. They won¡¯t?get very far.¡±


    ¡°They can study our mooncake as much as they want, but they won¡¯t figure it out. The materials we use are rare. What do they know about agar?¡±?Zhong Xiang said.


    Wang Mingde chimed in, ¡°They won¡¯t seed. Don¡¯t forget that we have the recipe here¡­¡±


    Everyone was silent, their thoughts turning to the same path. They acted normally around everyone these past two days, but they were still wary of the traitor.


    The other helpers in the kitchen participated in the extraction of agar and butter and they knew what materials to use and what to do. However, the final and most important step, the production of ice cream, was only made by Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ye Jiayao repeated. ¡°Even if they manage to sessfully copy it, I¡¯ll just make new products again.¡±


    Their distressed expressions finally rxed.


    Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s mansion was overshadowed with sadness and shame as the people¡¯s contempt for them grew.


    Assistant Minister Mu was the most furious out of all of them. He worked long and hard for his position and he was actually hoping for a promotion this year. Now, everything has fallen apart.


    ¡°Send a letter to Ji Nan and tell them to deal with this themselves. I can¡¯t and won¡¯t help them anymore.¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu didn¡¯t even go to work today. He said that he was sick just to have an excuse to hide in his house. He could not bear the people¡¯s scrutiny and scorn.


    Lady Qie replied, ¡°They have sent letters to Ji Nan and Yang Zhou. The problem is on Jinrong and Liujiang was simply dragged into it. If worsees to worst, he would need to divorce her.¡±


    ¡°All the mistakes are on you! You adore Liujiang too much and youply with all his request. It was you who promised that you¡¯ll bring Jinrong to the Helian Mansion,¡± Assistant Minister Muined.


    ¡°I did not expect this to happen! They said everything had been dealt with and there would be no more problem. How was I supposed to know that this would blow back like this?¡± Lady Qie felt wronged.


    ¡°Look at what yourck of vignce did. Our reputation is totally destroyed,¡± Assistant Minister Mu said in a raised voice. The more he thought about it, the madder he got.


    ¡°Why are you shouting at me? I didn¡¯t want this to happen either!¡± Lady Qie cried.


    Assistant Minister Mu calmed down after seeing his wife¡¯s distraught state


    Lady Qie said, ¡°If Liujiang is right, Lee must be hidden by the Helian Royal Mansion¡¯s people.¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu snorted, appalled by how his wife was always so quick to defend her nephew. ¡°Woman, think! The Helian Royal Mansion had nothing to do with us. Liujiang only came to Jin Ling recently, how would the Royal Mansion even know him?¡±


    ¡°Master, I don¡¯t know if I should tell you something or not,¡±?Lady Qie hedged.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°This morning, Qinchu told me that he and Liujiang had offended the Heir-son Lord Xia Chunyu before. After that, Third Young Master Xia and Young Royal Highness Jing had been rude to them. Master, I think there¡¯s a problem there.¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu scowled for a moment and before ordering a servant to call forth his son and Wei Liujiang.


    After a short moment, Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang entered the room.


    ¡°Peace with Father and Mother.¡±


    ¡°Peace with Uncle and Aunt.¡±


    ¡°Qinchu, when did you offend the Jing An Heir-Son Lord? And why?¡± Assistant Minister Mu asked. If they find out the real problem, solving it would be easier.


    Mu Qinchu ryed how they identally offended Heavenly Residence¡¯s Head Chef Li Yao and how Heir-Son Lord had stepped in on his behalf. Mu Qinchu also told them about the 500kg of ice ticket that they extorted from him.


    Wei Liujiang added, ¡°Jing An Heir-Son Lord came to my house after the ck Wind Ridge was destroyed and asked about the First Lady Ye. He said that First Lady Ye was killed in a fight against the bandits and the army. I don¡¯t know if this is rted to that but...¡±


    Wei Liujiang was panicking. His exam wasing soon and if they don¡¯t settle all the rumors, his future would be ruined.


    ¡°I¡¯d say that it must be the Jing An Heir-Son Lord that was behind this.¡± Lady Qie was certain.


    Assistant Minister Mu squinted at her and said, ¡°We must not make hasty judgments.?We have already offended the Helian Mansion, and if we offend the Jing An Marquis Mansion... we¡¯re better off disappearing off the face of the earth.¡±


    ¡°What do you think we should do, Master?¡± Lady Qie asked anxiously.


    ¡°At the moment, we can only wait for the Ye family and see if they have any way to prove that Jinrong is First Lady Ye. As for that servant, we could just say that Lee got terrified that her lie would be revealed so she fled. I will personally apologize to the Helian Royal Mansion to ease up the tension,¡± Assistant Minister Mu said.


    Lady Qie sighed. ¡°I told my sister and brother-inw a thousand times not to hide the fact?that?Jinrong was?the one that married Liujiang. It was not their fault that First Lady Ye was kidnapped by the bandits! Why do they have to?use all this ruse? Now, this one lie would need countless other lies to cover it up.¡±


    Wei Liujiang looked away, fear spreading throughout his body. Even his father didn¡¯t know what really happened!


    After making dinner, Ye Jiayao got ready to leave. If she didn¡¯t clock off early, she wouldn¡¯t be able to get away when Little Jinges.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the shopkeeper asks you to go to see him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that Shopkeeper Li would settle her sry with her so she excitedly hurried up to his office.


    She opened the door and Little Jing greeted her.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised. ¡°Little Jing, when did youe?¡±


    Helian Jing smiled and responded, ¡°Ages ago. I already finished a whole pot of tea.¡±


    ¡°Li Yao, are you finished working?¡± Shopkeeper Li asked.


    ¡°Ah... um, almost.¡±


    Helian Jing got up and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you to a good ce.¡±


    ¡°What good ce? I have to go back to work.¡±


    ¡°We have to hurry, we don¡¯t have much time,¡± Helian Jing said and dragged Yaoyao out. He called over his shoulder, ¡°Shopkeeper Li, see you next time!¡±


    <i>Xia Chunyu is still waiting for me at the back door!</i>


    She wanted to ask someone to send Chunyu a message, but she didn¡¯t see a credible messenger. Before she knew it, she was already pulled out of Heavenly Residence.


    ¡°Go and get on the carriage. You said you don¡¯t like horse riding so I called a horse cart,¡± Helian Jing said.


    ¡°Where the hell are we going?¡± Ye Jiayao asked uneasily.


    ¡°You will know when we get there.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this. If you don¡¯t tell me where we¡¯re going, I am not going with you,¡± Ye Jiayao said, trying to scare him into fessing up.


    ¡°Do you want to know what Zhao Qixuan¡¯s Susu looks like?¡±


    Ye Jiayao perked up. ¡°He is back?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. His mother¡¯s birthday party is in a few days so he sneaked back. Zhao Qixuan knew, though. He came to me this morning, excited and nervous, but he did not know what to do. His Little Su went away for three years without?any message for him. Poor Zhao was so heartbroken.¡±


    ¡°What is he going to do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hadpletely forgotten that Chunyu was still waiting for her, the attraction of this juicy gossip was too great.


    Susu was said to be Jin Ling¡¯s most beautiful man. She thought that Chunyu was already very handsome and the two Helian brothers were not bad either, so just how handsome was this Susu? How could he ensnare Zhao Qixuan¡¯s heart that bad?


    ¡°He asked Susu to meet with him under the white tower temple tonight where they first met. We could go first and lurk to listen to what they will say,¡± Helian Jing said conspiratorially, dancing with giddiness.


    ¡°Well, alright! What are you waiting for? Let¡¯s go!¡± Ye Jiayao hopped on the cart hurriedly.


    The carriage stopped before it reached the white tower temple.


    ¡°We should go around and walk there in case Zhao Qixuan arrived very early,¡± said Helian Jing.


    Hemanded the driver to hide the carriage in an unobtrusive ce.


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing carefully walked to the white tower temple and hid under a bush of trees.


    As Helian Jing expected, Zhao Qixuan was already there, holding his fan restlessly and pacing back and forth. From time to time, he would stop and look around expectantly before resuming his anxious pacing.


    ¡°What time are they supposed to meet?¡± Ye Jiayao whispered.


    ¡°10 pm and it is close.¡±


    After a little while, Helian Jing suddenly said, ¡°There is a sound of a carriageing.¡±


    A carriage slowly entered their sights.


    Ye Jiayao held her breath in anticipation.

 Chapter 118 - Stop Susu

    <h4>Chapter 118: Stop Susu</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu spent a long time waiting at the back door. He thought that the restaurant business was just so good today that Yaoyao could not leave early.


    However, this was way toote.


    Xia Chunyu could not wait anymore so he told Song Qi to go and have a look.


    Song Qi ran to back door and saw that it was already closed. He ran to the front just as the staff was preparing to lock it.


    ¡°Hey, is Li Yao avable?¡±


    Little Lu, the person who was closing the door, said, ¡°Brother Yao has already left.¡±


    ¡°He already left? No way! Can you go in and check?¡±


    Little Lu replied, ¡°It¡¯s true. He left with Young Royal Highness earlier.¡±


    ¡°Was it Young Royal Highness Jing?¡±


    Little Lu nodded.


    Song Qi¡¯s heart sank as he looked up at the dark sky. He did not know how he would tell this to the Heir-Son Lord.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face clouded over at Song Qi¡¯s report. He was angry and hurt. He knew that Yaoyao could not really get rid of Helian Jing, but couldn¡¯t she have asked someone to send him a message? How could she just leave without even a thought for him? What was he to her? Was he really that dispensable?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± Xia Chunyu told Song Qi coldly.


    Ye Jiayao hid behind bushes. Under the dimness, she saw a guy in a moon-white clothing get off the horse cart. Even though it was just a silhouette, his long body shape and the movement of his feet gave away his elegant nature.


    Zhao Qixuan came up quickly to wee him but he was so excited that he could not speak. He simply stared at him like an idiot.


    Susu started first, ¡°How are you?¡±


    His voice was so nice, warm and smooth.


    Chunyu¡¯s voice was also good. It was low and hoarse,?especially when he was feeling emotional. It was maic and has a charm that could kill people.


    <i>Umm... what??</i>?Ye Jiayao berated herself silently. Why was she thinking of Chunyu? And why those specific thoughts? She shook her head, trying to dump the impure thoughts.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Helian Jing looked at her strangely.


    Ye Jiayao blushed. ¡°There are bugs. Don¡¯t mind me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that Zhao Qixuan wouldin about Susu¡¯s apathy and demand where he went for three years. She thought that Zhao Qixuan would be in tears by now, confessing his love and longingness for Susu...


    Zhao Qixuan smiled and giggled. ¡°Susu, you haven¡¯t changed at all.¡±


    Susu lowered his brows. ¡°And you are still the same.¡±


    <i>Wait. What??</i>??<i>That¡¯s what a gay couple say to each other after they reunite for the first time in three years? No kisses, no tears, no passion???</i>Ye Jiayao was feeling a bit disappointed.


    ¡°Will you go away again after your mother¡¯s party?¡± Zhao Qixuan asked with a forced smile.


    Susu looked up at the moon and sighed softly. ¡°Why are you so persistent?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled at him indulgently. ¡°You know me. I¡¯ve only been obsessed with one thing in my life.¡±


    Ye Jiayao grinned. The show would begin soon.


    ¡°I think it is better if I just leave.¡± Susu still had an indifferent tone, but there was still an underlying touch of sadness in it.


    ¡°Why? I said I won¡¯t force you. I only need to see you asionally and know?where you are, to know that you¡¯re okay. Is there something wrong with that?¡± Zhao Qixuan?said hurriedly, feeling a bit panicked.


    Susu did not say anything and just simply looked at him.


    From where Ye Jiayao was hiding, she could not see his face. She could only see his silhouette so she could not tell what expression was on Susu¡¯s face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move to the other side,¡± Ye Jiayao mouthed to Little Jing, pointing at a closer hiding spot.


    Little Jing shook his head and mouthed back, ¡°Susu¡¯s Kungfu is strong, he¡¯ll spot us.¡±


    ¡°Qixuan, your persistence is dedicated to the wrong thing. You¡¯ll just make your life hard,¡± Susu told him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it is wrong. And even if it is hard, I enjoy it. I am willing to suffer for it,¡± Zhao Qixuan responded.


    Ye Jiayao secretly cheered for Zhao Qixuan. He¡¯d been pining for Susu for way too long, it was time that he reached his goal.


    ¡°You may be willing, but I am not. Qixuan, I have already given up,¡± Susu said emotionlessly.


    Zhao Qixuan sneered, ¡°Who are you lying to? Even if you¡¯ve deceived everyone, you can¡¯t fool?me. You haven¡¯t let it go. Why else would you be wearing those jade beads on your neck?¡±


    Susu looked away uneasily, his hand flying to the beads on his neck. ¡°So now I can¡¯t like jade beads?¡±


    ¡°You like it because I gave it to you.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I will leave after Mum¡¯s birthday.¡±


    ¡°Susu, you are a coward!¡± Zhao Qixuan shouted.


    They stared at each other wordlessly, emotions a knot in their throats.


    Ye Jiayao felt anxious for them.


    After a while, Susu said defeatedly, ¡°I am done with this meeting. Take care, Zhao Qixuan, and goodbye.¡±


    Susu turned away but Zhao Qixuan pulled him back. ¡°I know you¡¯re worried, but don¡¯t you think all of this is too cruel to us? If you want to leave, tell me. I am willing to leave everything behind to be with you.¡±


    Susu refused to look at him. ¡°I told you, I am not a willing participant in this. You said you won¡¯t force me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s face crumpled with sadness which tugged at Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart.


    Poor Zhao Qixuan! He looked so cheery all the time, no one knew the destion he was carrying inside.


    <i>Zhao Qixuan, don¡¯t give up!?</i>?Ye Jiayao silently urged him to fight harder. She didn¡¯t want to see her friend continue on with a broken heart.


    Zhao Qixuan loosened his grip on Susu little by little.


    Susu choked a bit and strode away.


    One step, two steps, three steps.


    Helian Jing sighed. How could it end the same way as before?


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. She stood up and yelled, ¡°Susu, stop!¡±


    Helian Jing looked at Yaoyao, his jaw falling open.??<i>What are you doing, Yaoyao?</i>


    Zhao Qixuan was so immersed in his sorrow that he did not really pay attention to Yaoyao. However, Susu turned around and stopped, his eyes curious.


    Helian Jing stood up, too, scratching his head embarrassedly. He waved to Susu sheepishly and said, ¡°Hi, Susu.¡±


    Ye Jiayao recklessly rushed forward and stood in front of Susu.


    She got her first look at the man and she almost stumbled back.?<i>What??</i>How could a man look this enchanting and beautiful?


    ¡°Zhao Qixuan¡¯s right, you are a coward. Do you think you¡¯re the only one with family? He has people he cares about here, too, but he¡¯s willing to give them up. And what do you do? You just run away, hoping that the problem would solve itself when you get back. Well, news sh, Susu, Zhao Qixuan loves you. He will always love you and it doesn¡¯t matter how much time passes, that will still be true.


    ¡°Are you just going to be forever afraid of doing things because your parents don¡¯t approve of it? Every problem has a solution! If you are strong enough, if you are persistent enough, things will work out! You want love, but you can¡¯t give it back. You are just torturing Zhao Qixuan! What do you even want? The way you¡¯re stringing him along... I have two words for you: pretentious and stupid.¡±


    Susu waspletely stunned.?<i>Who the f*ck is this guy??</i>


    Zhao Qixuan looked at Li Yao, deeply moved by his devotion and his defense.??<i>Li Yao, you¡¯re really a good friend.</i>


    Helian Jing had seen Yaoyao scold people, but this was a whole new level. He was almost scared of his friend.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Why are you so afraid ofing out as a gay man? Even emperors have been gay! Who says you can¡¯t be one? I know you love him, I see it in your eyes, so why are you punishing the both of you?¡±


    She then turned to Zhao Qixuan and proceeded to rebuke him, ¡°Are you a fool? Why do you just ept what he says? Why don¡¯t you just take him down and drag him home with you?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan opened his mouth to reply, but he saw Susu¡¯s face darkening so he swallowed back his words.??<i>If I can do that, I would?have already done it a long time ago. Unluckily, I cannot win a fight against him.</i>


    Ye Jiayao looked at Zhao Qixuan¡¯s ufortable expression and remembered what Little Jing said about Susu¡¯s Kungfu. ¡°If you can¡¯t fight him, then use other tactics! Knock him out with a medicine if you have to! You can even dere your love in front of the Su¡¯s mansion. People already knew about the two of you, so why not own it? After a few times, Governor Su and other people will just get used to it.¡±


    The three men looked at Ye Jiayao, all in varying degrees of shock.


    Susu turned to his lover.??<i>Zhao Qixuan, don¡¯t listen to this kid¡¯s nonsense!</i>


    Zhao Qixuan felt a renewed sense of hope. Why did he not think of that? If they were to move past this hurdle, he would have to force Susu.


    If this was how Yaoyao deals with her offenders, Helian Jing would do his best never to cross his friend in the future.

 Chapter 119 - Caught

    <h4>Chapter 119: Caught</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Susu had always been calm and cool but right at this moment, he was feeling unsettled.


    This guy was a madman. He couldn¡¯t believe that Qixuan would associate with the likes of this chap.


    Susu¡¯s face darkened and he turned around to leave.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice rose when she said, ¡°Zhao Qixuan, if he dares to leave the capital city, you should visit their mansion every day and pay your respects to Governor Su. You can just say that you are doing filial piety for Susu.¡±


    Susu went on, his fists clenched.


    ¡°And when you adopt a child, you can say it¡¯s your and Susu¡¯s love child. On new years or festivals, you can take him to see his grandpa and grandma.¡±


    Susu felt himself stumble.


    ¡°Let him hide. That¡¯s what he does best, isn¡¯t it? Don¡¯t worry, even if he crawls to the deepest hole at the end of the earth, everyone in Jin Ling already knows that he belongs to you.¡±


    Susu couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He turned around and red at his former lover, ¡°Zhao Qixuan, if you dare to do those things, I¡¯ll destroy you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan wasn¡¯t intimidated. Li Yao enlightened him and gave him a glimmer of a chance. If he wanted Susu, dancing around him wasn¡¯t going to cut it. No, if Zhao Qixuan wanted Susu, he¡¯d just have to take him.


    ¡°Then, you better destroy me now,¡± Zhao Qixuan said affirmatively.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Susu spluttered angrily.


    He stepped towards Zhao Qixuan and grabbed his cor.


    Zhao Qixuan just looked at him calmly, fully prepared to let him do whatever he wanted.


    Helian Jing was afraid that they were going to fight so he came up to them to try and break it up.


    ¡°Susu, Qixuan, can¡¯t you two talk properly? Just calm down¡­¡±


    He might as well have been air for all the attention that the two lovers paid him.


    Ye Jiayao dragged Helian Jing away. ¡°Let them solve their problem. This has gone on for far too long. We have to let them hash this out because all this evasion and waiting around is not healthy for either of them. Life is too short for them to continue with this back and forth when it¡¯s clear as a day that they love each other. Come on, Little Jing, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned around and walked away, feeling a little bit mad at the two gays and their annoying pseudo-rtionship.


    Helian Jing watched Yaoyao walk away and turned to the two men. He said worriedly, ¡°Just talk this out, don¡¯t fight. Zhao Qixuan, I¡¯lle back to find youter.¡±


    When they returned to the horse cart, Ye Jiayao hugged herself and didn¡¯t say anything.


    Helian Jing was also quiet, his thoughts upied. Zhao Qixuan and Susu weren¡¯t the only ones affected by Yaoyao¡¯s words. It actually made him examine his own heart properly.


    He and Yaoyao met in Shang Dong which was thousands of miles away. They went on the same boat, slept on the same bed, and from there, they basically lived together for a while.


    There was a time when he thought that he¡¯d lost Yaoyao forever, and that greatly devastated him. Their meeting at Heavenly Residence was his second chance and here he was, still dawdling over his feelings.


    No more. Yaoyao was right. Life is short, and he must seize every chance and leave no regrets. He couldn¡¯t just be like Susu and run away everytime the going gets tough. Even if it¡¯s a road with no way back, Helian Jing was still determined to take it.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡± Helian Jing hedged.


    ¡°What?¡± she snapped. She was feeling all kinds of raw and annoyed so she was out of patience at the moment.


    Maybe, Helian Jing figured, he¡¯d travel on that one-way road next time. ¡°I¡¯m just worried that they would fight.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if they fight. They¡¯ve kept their feelings bottled for too long, they need a release. Sometimes, we hurt the ones that we love the most, may that be physical or verbal abuse.¡±


    Yaoyao swore at him a lot. So does all that verbal abuse meant that he loved him??Helian Jing smiled foolishly.


    ¡°Yo, what¡¯s with the creepy smile?¡± Ye Jiayao looked at Little Jing strangely.?<i>This kid¡¯s really weird.</i>


    ¡°Oh? Um, nothing. I just remembered how hrious Susu¡¯s face is earlier,¡± Helian Jing lied.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes, her annoyance returning. Susu might look beautiful and carved but his pretentiousness ruined his appeal.


    By the time they returned to the small yard, it was already 7 PM. In ancient time, it was already veryte.


    ¡°You should go back! I have some things to do.¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want him toe in because she knew that Auntie Jiang was already resting by this time.


    ¡°Okay. I wille and find you tomorrow, then.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a job? Why do you always seem to have ample free time?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of free time!?There are many things to do in the military department. We even needed to fight West Magnolia recently.¡±


    ¡°I think you are idle,¡± Ye Jiayao told him. ¡°See you.¡±


    Helian Jing smiled affectionately. ¡°See you.¡±


    Jiang Yue and Jiang Li were still awake as they have to help Ye Jiayao make ice cream every day.


    Ye Jiayao asked them, ¡°Did Heir-Son Lorde here today?¡±


    Jiang Yue shook his head.


    ¡°How about Song Qi?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯te either.¡±


    ¡°Should I go to the Heir-Son Lord¡¯s mansion?¡±?Jiang Li offered.


    ¡°No, no, I am just asking.¡± Ye Jiayao was worried that Chunyu?might be mad at her. She didn¡¯t meet him and she even neglected to send the mooncakes she promised!


    It was the middle of the night when someone carrying a bag sneaked into the kitchen stealthily. The person opened the sack of the sweet rice flour on the ground.


    A fire lit up.


    The person covered his face and made a run for the door.


    ¡°Liu Qisheng,¡± Zhao Qixuan breathed disappointedly as he stopped him at the door. ¡°It¡¯s really you.¡±


    Deng Haichuan lighted the oilmp.


    ¡°Liu Qisheng, do you really think that we are that dumb to let you screw us over twice?¡±


    Liu Qisheng schooled his features to look indifferent, knowing that he could not escape this situation.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Zhong Xiang questioned him.


    Liu Qisheng rolled his eyes but remained quiet.


    ¡°Do you think your silence will save you? We caught you red-handed! The evidence is all here and there¡¯s no way you can deny it.¡± Deng Haichuan wanted to wipe that look off his smarmy face.


    ¡°Have you caught the traitor?¡± Cui Dongpeng and all the other chefs rushed in.


    ¡°Liu Qisheng, it is really you. How can you even do this?¡± Cui Dongpeng scolded.


    Everyone looked down on him.


    ¡°It is too much.¡±


    ¡°Jealousy does not excuse this!¡±


    Zhong Xiang lifted his hands, gesturing for everyone to stop talking. He stared at Liu Qisheng somberly. ¡°Give me one reason. Tell me why are you doing this!¡±


    Liu Qisheng said, ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to say. You already caught me. I will just leave you guys be.¡±


    Deng Haichuanughed coldly. ¡°Leave? You¡¯re not going to get away that easily.¡±


    ¡°You set us up in the birthday party at the royal mansion and we let it go. Now, these mooncakes belong to the restaurant?and you are making a mess again. Are you trying to ruin Heavenly Residence¡¯s name?¡± Cui Dongpeng demanded angrily.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to harm Heavenly Residence. I did it because I don¡¯t like you guys,¡±?Liu Qisheng said answered bitterly.


    ¡°So? I don¡¯t like you either.¡± Deng Haichuan punched him and Liu Qisheng fell over.


    Deng Haichuan still wanted to give him few more beatings but Zhong Xiang pulled him back. ¡°Lock him up first. We¡¯ll deal with him in the morning when Li Yao and Shopkeeper Li are here.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng found a rope and tied him up.


    ¡°This is againstw,¡± Liu Qisheng yelled, struggling against his bonds.


    Cui Dongpeng snorted. ¡°So is sabotage, you blithering idiot.¡±


    Ye Jiayao came to work in the morning and saw Zhong Xiang waiting for her at the door.


    ¡°Li Yao, we caught him.¡±


    ¡°Is it Liu Qisheng?¡± Ye Jiayao was not surprised. He seeded once and that gave him the confidence to do it again.


    Zhong Xiang nodded silently.


    ¡°We found 20 silvers and one prescription in his bed. The prescription should be his dad¡¯s as his dad has tuberculosis.¡±


    ¡°What do the 20 silvers mean?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°His family is quite poor. His father has tuberculosis and his mother went blindst year. He¡¯s the eldest son and he has five younger brothers and sisters. His sry is used to cure his father and mother. When he didn¡¯t have enough, he would borrow from me. It¡¯s not possible for him to have so many silvers. I asked others in the restaurant too, but no one lost money nor lent him some. I think the 20 silvers has a dubious background.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, already having an idea of what was going on. She was surprised, however, to learn the hard life that Liu Qisheng was leading.


    ¡°Is Shopkeeper Li here yet?


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Take me to see Liu Qisheng.¡±


    Liu Qisheng was locked in the bedroom and tied up in the corner. Half of his face was swollen and his lips were broken, too.


    He turned his face to the other side when he saw Ye Jiayaoing.


    Ye Jiayao took a stool and sat cross-legged in front of him.


    ¡°Do you really find me annoying?¡± Ye Jiayao asked casually.


    Liu Qisheng remained expressionless.


    ¡°Last time in the royal mansion, we already suspected that it was you who did it. We didn¡¯t say anything afterward because we didn¡¯t have enough evidence. I really didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so stupid to try again.


    ¡°I figured that you did that because you were jealous. You were jealous of my skills, my connections, the money I earn, and how I¡¯m treated by everyone. You hate me because Zhong Xiang, your best friend, left you and partnered up with me. You hate that you¡¯re a first-ss kitchen hand and yet people like Cui Dongpeng who are a level below you got the chance to cook for Helian¡¯s birthday feast...¡±


    ¡°You hate the five of us, so you want to destroy us.¡±


    Liu Qisheng still didn¡¯t show any reaction.


    Ye Jiayao said coldly, ¡°That was?all the reason why you did what you did the first time. Now, what could be the reason for the second time?¡±

 Chapter 120 - Palace Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 120: Pce Invitation</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Zhong Xiang and the others waited outside the room and listened. They didn¡¯t know how Li Yao would deal with Liu Qisheng.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°We found a 20 silver-note in your bag. Let me guess where it came from.¡±


    Liu Qisheng blinked.


    ¡°The sale of ice cream mooncakes is quite good so it¡¯s not surprising that other restaurants would want to ruin it because they can¡¯t replicate it. They would figure that everyone in Heavenly Residence would know how to make it. What they also know is the staff of the restaurant. They know who needs money the most and can be bought easily. Am I right?


    Ye Jiayao spoke casually but she was observing every micro change in Liu Qisheng¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Since you are so good at guessing, why don¡¯t you just be an advisor to the governor?¡±?Liu Qisheng said calmly.


    Ye Jiayao pretended tough. ¡°Was that apliment? Or were you just mocking me? Hmmm... I think that was apliment.¡±


    Liu Qisheng rolled his eyes to express his disdain.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really care who gave you the silvers nor your purpose. You did things that would harm the restaurant and that automatically kicks you out of Heavenly Residence. You know that, and yet you still went through with it. That makes me think that you¡¯re prepared to leave. Someone must¡¯ve promised to take you in if you get caught,¡± Ye Jiayao said softly. She cajoled in a different voice, ¡°Just do it, Liu Qisheng. If anything happens, you cane to us. We won¡¯t treat you as bad as Heavenly Residence...¡±


    Liu Qisheng¡¯s mouth twitched.


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Betrayal is the worst thing to do in any industry. I will suggest to Shopkeeper Li to make an official notice to tell people about what you did. Do you think anyone will still take you then? Do you think that the person who got you into this mess will still keep his promise?¡±


    ¡°Do you think that the 20 silvers in your hands can guarantee your family¡¯s life in the future? What will you do when you¡¯ve used them all up? What if you can¡¯t find a job?¡±


    Liu Qisheng¡¯s bravado began to crumble. His family was his weakness and Li Yao¡¯s words struck a fear in his heart.


    He didn¡¯t think that the consequences would be so serious. Before, he held the idea that he could move to somewhere else and start over. He thought that he had a safety to fall back on.


    Zhong Xiang wanted to go in and beg forgiveness for Liu Qisheng. If Li Yao does what he said, Liu Qisheng was as good as done and that would include his family, too.


    Wang Mingde pulled him back and shook his head at him.


    ¡°Brother Yao always knew how to deal with things. Just wait for what Brother Yao would say,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°I am very kind, Liu Qisheng, and I think that despite your hatred of me, you know that. I will give you a chance. If you tell me who put you up to this, I will persuade Shopkeeper Li to just let you resign and we¡¯ll pretend that this has never happened. If you refuse to admit your mistake...¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Liu Qisheng said with difficulty, ¡°I will tell Brother Xiang.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°I am the manager in the kitchen now and you will report to me. If you want to see Brother Xiang after, that¡¯s okay. However, you have to tell me everything first or I¡¯m not sure if your best friend would ever want to see you again.¡±


    <i>This assh*ole has the nerve to bargain with me? Hey, buddy, you¡¯re the one at fault here. You should be groveling at my feet, not making stupid demands.</i>


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to let you think this over. Shopkeeper Li wille soon and everyone will start to work,¡± Ye Jiayao said impatiently. ¡°My offer expires at the count of five.¡±


    ¡°1.¡±


    ¡°2.¡±


    ¡°3.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Liu Qisheng rushed.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    ¡°The first time I did it was because of my jealousy. The second time... it was Master Chef Niu. When I went to the drugstore yesterday to get some medicine, their people found me and it was just like what you said. I told them the way to extract agar and cream and they gave me a 20 silver-note. If I could create problems for Heavenly Residence, they will give me 30 more. That is it,¡± Liu Qisheng confessed.


    ¡°What do you think now?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Liu Qisheng lowered his head and said weakly, ¡°I was wrong. I thought it was the best course since everyone here hates me anyway because I offended you. Even Brother Xiang was alienated from me! I didn¡¯t think that I have a future here and I really need the money.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was torn between sympathy and hatred.


    ¡°It was your self-abasement. They don¡¯t hate you. They are avoiding you because you walk around looking as if someone owes you five hundred silvers.?Liu Qisheng, if you want others to like you, you should show them that you are worthy of their kindness and affection. How could they befriend you when you act so arrogantly? Also, friends are made by heart, not by mouth.¡±


    Liu Qisheng blinked a few times and his tears fell down.


    Ye Jiayao got up and opened the door and saw the staff waiting for her. She asked Zhong Xiang to go in.


    ¡°All of you, go to work with me,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered, taking everyone else away.


    When Shopkeeper Li arrived, Ye Jiayao ryed to him what happened and convinced him to allow Liu Qisheng to just resign.


    When Liu Qisheng left, only Zhong Xiang sent him away.


    ¡°I saved 20 silvers for you and the other 20 silvers are from Brother Yao. Don¡¯t go to Master Chef Niu, he¡¯s not a good man. We have seen that before. Just find another ce to work!¡± Zhong Xiang pleaded. ¡°And... you shouldn¡¯t hate Brother Yao. It¡¯s all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have left you just like that.¡±


    Liu Qisheng said with shame, ¡°No, it¡¯s my fault. I can¡¯t ept the money. You live a hard life, too. I just want you to help me apologize to Brother Yao.¡±


    Zhong Xiang forced the money on his hand. ¡°Brother Yao said that the money is not for you. It is for your father and mother. He said that even if you didn¡¯t treat him as a brother, he still thought of everyone in the kitchen as his brother. Just take the money and work hard. Maybe we¡¯ll have a chance to work together in future.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, I don¡¯t know how I will face everyone again,¡± Liu Qisheng sobbed.


    Zhong Xiang patted his backfortingly. ¡°You know your mistake now, just don¡¯t do it again.?I¡¯ll visit your parents when I am free.¡±


    Liu Qisheng left. The traitor inside the team was finally eliminated, but Ye Jiayao felt a bit bad. If she had known Liu Qisheng¡¯s family status earlier, she could¡¯ve pulled him up and he wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this...


    Before dinner, Jiang Li came to Heavenly?Residence as promised. Ye Jiayao gave him a box of mooncakes and told him to take it to Xia Chunyu in the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion.


    ¡°Remember to tell Heir-Son Lord that something came up that¡¯s why I missed the date with him.¡±


    Jiang Li nodded.


    Ye Jiayao thought that Chunyu woulde after he received the mooncakes but she didn¡¯t see him even after work.


    Little Jing didn¡¯te either, and she went back to the small courtyard sullenly.


    Xia Chunyu struggled whether he should go to Yaoyao or not. She sent Jiang Li to give him mooncakes and exin aboutst night so that meant she was apologizing, right?


    However, he was wondering why she didn¡¯t tell him that he was with Little Jing. Jiang Li told him that?Yaoyao got homest night at 7 PM. Where did Little Jing and Yaoyao go for such a long time? Xia Chuyu thought about it and got angry all over again.


    <i>No! I¡¯m going to leave her for a day. I can¡¯t let her know the effect she has on me otherwise, she just might take it for granted.</i>


    The day after tomorrow was the third day the of the month and he had to escort the Empress Dowager and Liu Li to an event in Puji Temple that would take seven days. He would just look for Yaoyao tomorrow and say goodbye to her.


    Early on the next day, someone invited Ye Jiayao to the pce.


    Ye Jiayao was immediately terrified. Liu Li and the Empress Dowager were in the pce, both of which wanted to punish her severely.


    ¡°Eunuch, which master in the pce summoned me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked nervously.


    The eunuch smiled and said, ¡°Chef Li, you will know when you go.¡±


    <i>What¡¯s with all this cloak and dagger bullsh*t?</i>


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°Please wait for me, Eunuch. I need to arrange something here then I will follow you to the pce.¡±


    The eunuch said gently, ¡°Just don¡¯t let masters wait for too long.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and went back to the kitchen and called for Deng Haichuan.


    ¡°Go to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion and look for the Heir-Son Lord. If the Heir-Son Lord is not there, look for someone called Song Qi. Tell him that I was invited to the pce. I don¡¯t know who invited me or if it¡¯s good or bad.¡±


    Chunyu had told her that she should look for him if something happens, so it¡¯s what she was doing.


    Deng Haichuan nodded and said seriously, ¡°I¡¯ll go and find him right away.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took off her apron and went to the ounting office to take a few hundred silvers to put in her pocket. She didn¡¯t know how or why she would need it, but it always pays to be prepared.


    Along the way, Ye Jiayao asked the eunuch, ¡°How do I call you?¡±


    ¡°My family name is Shi.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so Eunuch Shi,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted with a gesture and gave him a silver note. ¡°Eunuch Shi, it is my first time to enter the pce and I don¡¯t know the rules there. I need you to guide me.¡±


    Eunuch Shi looked at that silver note and his brows rose in surprise.?<i>100 silver-note? How could this little chef afford to be generous?</i>


    Eunuch Shi took it expressionlessly and said, ¡°Just follow me. If there¡¯s anything to be careful with, I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you so much, Eunuch Shi.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be afraid, you know. Concubine Mei asked for you because she wanted some ice cream mooncake,¡± Eunuch Shi said, his tongue loosening up because of the bribe.


    <i>Concubine Mei??</i>?A few days ago, a eunuch came to fetch mooncakes and said that it was for Concubine Mei. Did she want to reward her???<i>I should¡¯ve brought a few mooncakes with me!</i>

 Chapter 121 - No Such Thing As Most Shameless

    <h4>Chapter 121: No Such Thing As Most Shameless</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Deng Haichuan ran to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence but was told that the Heir-Son Lord has gone to Puji Temple with Song Qi. He tried for the Third Young Master Xia, but the gatekeeper said that he was working at the Zhan Shi residence.


    Deng Haichuan could only request for the gatekeeper to tell the Heir-Son Lord that Head Chef Li Yao of Heavenly Residence was in the pce.


    Deng Haichuan, not finding the help he needed in the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, made his way to the Helian Mansion. He found Manager Liu and ryed the urgency of his visit.


    Manager Liu then got someone to take Deng Haichuan to the army to look for the Young Royal Highness Jing.


    ¡°What? Who summoned him to the pce? When was this?¡± Helian Jing asked anxiously.


    Deng Haichuan shook his head helplessly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Brother Yao himself probably doesn¡¯t know, too! He has been gone for almost an hour now.¡±


    Helian Jing fretted. Today was really a bad day for Yaoyao to get in trouble. The two people who have the most power were all quite a distance away. His older brother has gone to the campsite and Brother Chunyu has gone to Puji Temple, so he was on his own now.


    <i>The Crown Prince! The Crown Prince likes Yaoyao!</i>


    Helian Jing ordered, ¡°Go back to the restaurant. I will handle this.¡±


    Deng Haichuan replied, ¡°Then I shall leave now.¡± He was halfway out when he stopped and looked back worriedly, ¡°Young Royal Highness, will Brother Yao be alright?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let any harme his way,¡± Helian Jing answered. If he could not find any help, he¡¯ll go alone.


    After Deng Haichuan left, Helian Jing asked the guard at the pce doors if a eunuch had brought someone from outside into the pce. The guard said that Eunuch Shi from Concubine Mei¡¯s pce brought a young man in just a while ago.


    Helian Jing was puzzled. Why did Concubine Mei summon Yaoyao??<i>Yaoyao has nothing to do with her!</i>


    The concubines¡¯ pces were not a ce where officials like him can just barge in, so Helian Jing could only get Ping An to watch the outside of Zhao Hua pce while he looked for the Crown Prince.


    However, the Crown Prince was still in a meeting with the Emperor discussing national affairs, and it was uncertain when they¡¯ll be done. Helian Jing was so anxious he could feel his heart burning.


    Ye Jiayao has never seen anyone so shameless.


    Initially, when she heard that Concubine Mei liked the ice cream mooncake, she had thought that she¡¯d be rewarded. She didn¡¯t expect that the concubine would demand her recipe! Concubine Mei reasoned that despite Ye Jiayao¡¯s willingness to make the food for her anytime, there were still dangers outside the pce. She said that Ye Jiayao should just teach the royal chef the process to save everyone the hassle.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to p her upside the head. This was her money-making skill, how dare she demand to just give it to her?


    Ye Jiayao tried hard to control her anger, replying tactfully, ¡°If Your Highness likes them, I can send it to you daily. The food I make is definitely clean and hygienic.¡±


    Concubine Mei frowned, unhappy with the little chef¡¯s refusal. She asked for it, why wouldn¡¯t he just give it to her?


    ¡°Delicacies like this would definitely be very popr with the imperial concubines. If all of them wants it, can you manage to send them over every day? If you¡¯re afraid that the imperial chef would disclose your secret recipe, don¡¯t worry. The pce has strict rules, no one would dare to break them,¡± Concubine Mei assured, leisurely using the cover of her cup to brush away the floating tea leaves.


    ¡°It is not that I do not trust the imperial chefs, Your Highness. It¡¯s just that?there are rules, secret recipes are not passed on to outsiders that easily. Even if the pce wants it, it has to be levied in the form of a tribute. It is unheard of for the pce to make someone hand over their secret recipe,¡± Ye Jiayao tried to reason. If she gave in now, it was guaranteed that this would happen again.


    Concubine Mei¡¯s expression changed slightly and her tone became cold and threatening as she said, ¡°I summoned you to the pce today because I think highly of you. Don¡¯t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled as politely as she could. ¡°I would stand by my words. If Your Highness wants to eat them, you can have your servants get them from the restaurant. I will not collect a single cent as a show of filial respect to Your Highness. However, I would definitely not agree to hand over my secret recipe.¡±


    Concubine Mei ced her teacup heavily on the side table. ¡°I have heard that you are rather daring, Li Yao. I didn¡¯t believe that anyone would ever dare to offend Princess Liu Li, but now that I¡¯ve met you...¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied honestly, ¡°I am not daring, Your Highness. In fact, my legs are shaking right at this moment. However, I stand by my words and principles because it is all that I have.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think that I won¡¯t punish this.¡± Concubine Mei was the Emperor¡¯s favorite. She always gets what she wants so the rebuttal of amoner was a hard pill to swallow.


    It took all of Ye Jiayao¡¯s willpower to appear calm. ¡°Everyone in Heavenly Residence knows that I am summoned to the pce by Your Highness. If I don¡¯t return, the Crown Princess wouldn¡¯t be able to have the yogurt ice cream she ordered me to make, the Old Ancestress of the Helian Mansion wouldn¡¯t be able to have the osmanthus cake I made, and the mooncakes that the Jing An Marquis residence wanted would not get sent. Someone will start asking questions and I don¡¯t think Your Highness would want to tarnish your reputation...¡±


    ¡°You actually dare threaten me?¡± Concubine Mei demanded in rage.


    ¡°I would not dare do such a thing, Your Highness. I am only analyzing the situation and breaking it down to you.¡± Ye Jiayao could feel her palms sweating. Why wasn¡¯t Chunyu here yet? If he doesn¡¯te soon, she doesn¡¯t know what this crazy bitch would do.


    Concubine Mei snorted. ¡°You sharp-tongued chef, do you think that by relying on your gift of the gab, I will pardon you? Guards, drag him out and smack his mouth.¡±


    If she wants to punish a mere chef, would someone really dare jump out to oppose her?


    Ye Jiayao cursed silently.??<i>F*ck, f*ck, f*ck! This f*cking bitch is as crazy as Liu Li! Are all royalties batshit insane like this?</i>


    A pce maid entered and hurriedly said, ¡°Your Highness, Eunuch Little Chuan from the East Pce seeks your audience.¡±


    Concubine Mei¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Someone from the East Pce? Could it be for this fellow?


    ¡°Bring him down first,¡± Concubine Mei ordered.


    Ye Jiayao was dragged out by two eunuchs, her mouth covered.


    Little Chuan entered the Zhao Hua pce hall, greeted Concubine Mei and said, ¡°Your Highness, your servant has received orders from the Crown Prince to summon Li Yao.¡±


    Concubine Mei was secretly astounded; he really dide for Li Yao. How was that fellow able to rm the Crown Prince so quickly???<i>I have underestimated him.</i>


    Concubine Mei smiled gently. ¡°Li Yao has left long ago. I summoned him to reward him and he left the pce after receiving the reward.¡±


    Little Chuan knew that she was lying. Young Royal Highness Jing has assigned someone to keep an eye outside the Zhao Hua pce hall and he has not seen Li Yao leave. If Concubine Mei has to lie, it only meant that some harm came to Li Yao under her hands.


    ¡°May I enquire how long ago did he leave?¡± Little Chuan asked politely.


    Concubine Mei made a show of thinking about it. ¡°At least 15 minutes ago. If you go to Heavenly Residence now, you might find him.¡±


    ¡°But the Young Royal Highness Jing is right outside waiting for Li Yao for an hour and he did not see hime out. Is it possible that Your Highness remembered wrongly?¡± Little Chuan said, using Helian Jing as a shield.


    Concubine Mei¡¯s heart skipped a bit. Young Royal Highness Jing was waiting outside for Li Yao? What on earth was going on? How could a measly chef get the attention of both the Crown Prince and the Helian Young Royal Highness?


    She was nervous, but since she had already said her lie, she could not take it back. ¡°I am not sure about it, Eunuch Little Chuan. Why don¡¯t you carry out a search here?¡±


    Little Chuan broke out in perspiration, quickly declining the facetious offer.


    ¡°Since Li Yao has left the pce, your servant had better go take a look at Heavenly Residence,¡± Little Chuan said and took his leave. He went to the imperial garden and ryed the situation to the Young Royal Highness Jing.


    Helian Jing was enraged. ¡°Lies! Li Yao must still be in Zhao Hua pce hall.¡±


    ¡°We know that, but if Concubine Mei refuses to admit it, what can be done? We can¡¯t possibly carry out a search, can we??Your servant doesn¡¯t have the guts to.¡± Little Chuan would not dare do such thing even under the protection of the Crown Prince.


    Helian Jing rubbed his hands anxiously.??<i>Why can¡¯t Ie up with a better solution??</i>?If Concubine Me was telling lies, it implies that Yaoyao really was in deep trouble.


    ¡°What kind of game is this Concubine Mei ying? Li Yao didn¡¯t even offend her,¡± Helian Jing asked frustratedly.


    ¡°I am afraid that Concubine Mei has her eyes set on the secret recipe of the ice cream mooncake,¡±?Little Chuan answered tentatively.


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t understand. ¡°What does she want the secret recipe for?¡±


    Little Chuan exined, ¡°I heard that the shopkeeper of Ju Bao Zhai is some rtive of Government Minister Mei.¡±


    ¡°What the hell? How shameless can she be?¡± Helian Jing howled angrily, turning back to charge into Zhao Hua pce hall.


    Little Chuan quickly stopped him. ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing, you can¡¯t do that. We should look for the Crown Prince first and see what he suggests.¡±


    ¡°Who is kicking up a fuss here?¡± a voice bellowed.


    Helian Jing and Little Chuan hurried down on their knees as the Emperor sauntered from the rockery, his attendants in tow.


    ¡°Your subject greets Your Majesty. Long live your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Your servant greets Your Majesty¡­¡±


    The Emperor frowned upon seeing Little Jing and Little Chuan, who was always beside the Crown Prince. ¡°Little Jing, why are you still so bad tempered? Didn¡¯t I send you to the army to improve yourself? Is the army very idle for you?¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Your Majesty, forgive me. This matter is just too infuriating that I lost my temper.¡±


    The Emperor raised a brow. ¡°Oh? What is the matter you are referring to?¡±


    Helian Jing recounted the whole incident of Li Yao being summoned into the pce by Concubine Mei and how she wanted to seize Li Yao¡¯s ice cream mooncake recipe. He also ryed how Concubine Mei lied about Li Yao not being in the pce halls.


    His Majesty¡¯s brows furrowed.??<i>This Li Yao again?</i>


    And what was Concubine Mei thinking? How could she just demand someone¡¯s secret recipe? If word of this gets out, even he would lose face!


    The Emperor has already witnessed the lengths that the Helian brothers and Jing An Marquis brothers would go to protect this Li Yao. If any harmes to this chef in the pce, Little Jing and his big mouth would be sure to spread it around. His Majesty could not have that.


    The Emperor turned to Eunuch Gao and said, ¡°Go to Zhao Hua pce hall and pass my decree. I want to eat Li Yao¡¯s cooking for lunch, get Concubine Mei to release him.¡±

 Chapter 122 - First Time In The Imperial Kitchen

    <h4>Chapter 122: First Time In The Imperial Kitchen</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Eunuch Gao arrived and dered His Majesty¡¯s decree. Consort Mei was shocked and flustered.


    She couldn¡¯t believe that this matter has actually rmed His Majesty.


    ¡°Why are you all asking me for him? Do you think that Li Yao is still here even after he received his reward? Yang Momo, go and take a look.¡± Consort Mei nced at Yang Momo meaningfully.


    Yang Momo nodded understandingly and disappeared into the back room.


    Ye Jiayao still has her mouth covered but she didn¡¯t bother struggling. It would be better for her to save her energy.


    ¡°Today, on the ount of the Crown Prince, Consort Mei will pardon you temporarily for your impudence. If you dare spout nonsense after you leave, Consort Mei can im your life anytime,¡± Yang Momo warns. ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded.


    Yang Momo gestured for the two Eunuchs to release her.


    Ye Jiayao massaged her aching wrists and said, ¡°Please have Consort Mei rest assured that amoner like me only wants to live life peacefully. If no one offends me, I won¡¯t offend anyone.¡±


    Yang Momo¡¯s jaw almost dropped. This little chef was too savage. She wanted to throw out a few more threats but the thought of His Majesty waiting made her swallow them back in.


    ¡°Remember, Consort Mei has already released you a long time ago. You are dyed by the pce maids in Zhao Hua pce hall who ask you for pointers in pastries.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered silently. They¡¯ve detained her and now they wanted to help her with their lies???<i>Fat chance.</i>


    She nodded dutifully and slipped out of that godforsaken ce.


    ¡°Yaoyao, are you alright? Are you hurt?¡± Helian Jing asked with concern when he saw Yaoyaoe out.


    ¡°No. However, if you guys were a littleter...¡± Ye Jiayao trailed off distastefully. The females in this pce were all turning out to be just rich brats.


    Eunuch Gao said, ¡°Head Chef Li, His Majesty personally appointed you today to prepare his lunch. Please follow me to the imperial kitchen!¡±


    Ye Jiayao gaped at him. She was going to what?


    <i>I don¡¯t even know what my life is right now.</i>


    Helian Jing chimed in encouragingly, ¡°Yaoyao, this is your chance! Go for it!¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded vigorously. She would pull out all her special skills and pour everything she has into this meal. She would make a meal that His Majesty would not forget.


    She squared her shoulders and followed Eunuch Gao to the imperial kitchen.


    The moment she stepped foot in the imperial kitchen, Ye Jiayao nearly burst into tears.??<i>Oh, my God! This kitchen is so huge! And so many chefs! This is amazing!</i>


    Eunuch Gao brought her straight to the innermost row of the building and said, ¡°This is the kitchen where His Majesty¡¯s meals are made.¡±


    An imperial chef immediately bounded over to Eunuch Gao. ¡°Eunuch Gao, what are His Majesty¡¯s orders?¡±


    Eunuch Gao replied, ¡°You can take a rest today, Head Chef Lu. His Majesty has personally appointed Head Chef Li to make his lunch.¡±


    He continued, ¡°This is Head Chef Lu who is personally in charge of His Majesty¡¯s meals. This is Heavenly Residence¡¯s Head Chef Li Yao.¡±


    Lu Yiming looked Li Yao over. So this was the Heavenly Residence¡¯s head chef who was currently the talk of the food and beverage industry of Jin Ling. Everyone was marveling over his chilled drinks, his ice cream mooncakes, his vegetarian longevity noodles, and many other dishes he just invented.


    He thought that someone with such culinary skills would be at least over 30 years old, but the person standing in front of him was a mere young chap who was yet to grow a beard. This astonished him greatly.


    Lu Yiming was wondering if he could really perform as well as everybody was saying or if he was just overly hyped.


    Ye Jiayao asked cautiously,¡±May I dare ask if you are Lu Yiming, Head Chef Lu?¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Lu Yiming replied.


    Ye Jiayao was ted. ¡°Head Chef Lu, it is an honor to meet you! You have always been my role model. I am so beyond happy to meet my idol today, I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s excitement was a little exaggerated. She didn¡¯t want for Lu Yiming to think that she was recing him. She knew how easy jealousy and suspiciousness could ruin a person¡¯s credibility so she wanted Lu Yiming to like her. He was top notch character in Huai Song¡¯s food industry and as he was her senior, she has to humble herself before him. And yes, even bootlick if necessary.


    ¡°Idol?¡± Lu Yiming asked in confusion.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to p herself for her slip up. ¡°It means role model, like a person you respect the most in your heart.¡±


    Lu Yiming chuckled a little, finding this chap weird but cute.


    Ye Jiayao was thankful for the practice in acting that ck Wind Ridge gave her. At this point, she could probably praise a lump of shit into a stalk of a flower.


    ¡°What are you intending to make today?¡± Lu Yiming asked.


    Although Ye Jiayao has pondered over the dishes she was going to prepare on the way here, she still has to know more about the Emperor¡¯s preferences.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Eunuch Gao.


    Eunuch Gao smiled and said, ¡°His Majesty said you just have to bring out your specialty dish. The Young Royal Highness Jing did rmend your iron te mushrooms to His Majesty.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked quickly, ¡°Is there anything that His Majesty cannot eat? Does he prefer strong vors or something light?¡±


    Eunuch Gaoughed. ¡°You have to ask Head Chef Lu.¡±


    With Eunuch Gao around, Lu Yiming would naturally tell her everything without leaving anything out.


    Ye Jiayao found out that His Majesty liked to drink soup so she decided that she¡¯d make Budda Jumps Over the Wall. This soup smelled and tasted fantastic, a definite pleaser. And since she knew the imperial kitchen has all the ingredients under the sky, she knew that she¡¯d be able to make this.


    Ye Jiayao picked her ingredients carefully and started.


    Lu Yiming pointed at a few chefs in the kitchen and said, ¡°If you need help, feel free to order them around.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled gratefully. ¡°I just need some help to wash these vegetables clean.¡±


    She actually really didn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s help. In Heavenly Residence, she has to make more than ten tables of dishes all by herself so this wasn¡¯t really any trouble. However, she was making a royal meal for the Emperor today, she has to be extra conscientious.


    First, she has to handle the various ingredients needed for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. There were 18 different ingredients necessary for this dish, and the culinary skills were moreplicated than usual. It also required a high attention to the control of the fire.


    She intended to save this dish for when she opens her own restaurant, but for this special opportunity, she¡¯d let the Emperor be the first to enjoy it.


    Lu Yiming was still skeptical of Li Yao¡¯s skills. He doesn¡¯t know how could such a young chef?be worthy to cook the Emperor¡¯s lunch.


    Ye Jiayao washed the sand off the shark¡¯s fins before stacking them neatly on top of a bamboo grate. She added some Shao Xing yellow wine, spring onion, and ginger into boiling water before putting the shark¡¯s fins into the boiling water to cook. After removing their fishy smell, she scooped them up and ced somerd on top of the shark¡¯s fins. She drizzled a bit of Shao Xing yellow wine before putting them in a steaming tray to steam over arge fire.


    Immediately after that, she sliced the fish lips into equal sizes and also put them in the boiling water to remove the fishy smell.


    After that, she moved on to the rest; abalones, chicken, duck, pig trotters, pork belly, goat elbows, beef tendons, duck gizzards, fish maws, sea cucumbers, scallops, calipash, pigeon eggs, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms.


    Lu Yiming watched Li Yao cook, growing more and more confused. He didn¡¯t know what dish he was making. It all seemedplicated and out of order.


    While the ingredients for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall were steaming, Ye Jiayao moved on to the preparation of the other dishes.


    She sliced an X on the shiitake mushrooms, minced the streaky pork, and made a meat patty with starch and other seasonings. This would be pasted on the bottom of the shiitake mushrooms, which would be pan-fried.


    The eggnt was cut into sections, dug out, filled in with seasoned ground meat, and ced in the steaming tray.


    The heads, shell, and tendons of the prawns were removed, leaving only the tail of the prawn. Another te of shrimps was grounded into a paste and ced beside the ground meat for further use.


    Potatoes were cut into strips, then fried until golden-brown in hot oil. The cowpea and eggnt were cut into the same length and were also deep fried.


    After all of these were done, she picked up a radish and started carving. Following some knife shaves, digs, and spirals, realistic flowers of different forms started toe together.


    Lastly, Ye Jiayao picked up a huge carrot and began to carve a flying dragon.


    Everyone in the imperial kitchen was stunned into absolute silence. They were all riveted to the carving knife and the carrot in Li Yao¡¯s hands.


    They weren¡¯t impressed with her thorough and methodical process earlier as everyone in the imperial kitchen could do that. It wasn¡¯t until she started to produce lifelike radish flowers and carrot dragons that they started to notice her. They were all amazed by the exquisite carving skills.


    Lu Yiming¡¯s dubious expression turned grave. Although some chefs knew how to carve, their patterns were simple and easy to replicate. Complicated patterns like Li Yao¡¯s was a first for him and it astonished him. Li Yao¡¯s estimation of the shape, the control, the preciseness... it all spoke of his excellent skills.


    While Lu Yiming admired Li Yao¡¯s excellence, he was worried. Why was this young chap here?


    Eunuch Gao was extremely astounded by the flying dragon that was slowly taking shape.??<i>Who is this young chef?</i>


    After carving two flying dragons, she made a quick carving of a cloud and set the two dragons on it with bamboo sticks. Finally, she scooped up a luster ball made of radish and embedded it between the two dragons¡¯ mouth, forming the image of two dragons ying with a pearl.


    Ye Jiayao then proceeded to slice cucumbers, tomato strips, and other supplementary ingredients before ting up.


    The ingredients in the steaming tray were almost done. Ye Jiayao prepared them in order and ced them into a vat that had Shao Xing wine. She added the chicken and duck soup?before finally sealing the vat with a lotus leaf, cupping a bowl over it, and putting the vat over firewood to simmer over a small fire.


    Lu Yiming finally understood the various ingredients Li Yao had prepared beforehand. They were all for one dish! He could not help but be bbergasted. He has never seen suchplicated cooking method before. It looked like a pot of mixed stew, but every ingredient was prepared very meticulously.


    The urgency and pressure he was feeling earlier began to rise.


    He felt as though he was about to be reced.

 Chapter 123 - Serve

    <h4>Chapter 123: Serve</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing was in Zi Chen Pce apanying the Emperor in a game of chess as he recounted the interesting events on his way from Ji Nan to Jin Ling. He especially enjoyed telling the Emperor of his experience in digging the soil in order to make beggars¡¯ bird.


    The Emperor asionally let out a cheerful chuckle, finding that young chef really clever.


    ¡°Checkmate. Little Jing, you lost again,¡± the Emperor said.


    Little Jing pouted. ¡°Your Majesty, this match does not count. I was distracted.¡±


    The Emperorughed out loud. Although Little Jing was a chess addict that was terrible at the game, he was candid and delightful. ying chess with him always interests the Emperor. If it were his other subjects, they would just humbly concede to him. It was only Little Jing that would make excuses.


    ¡°Okay, I will give you a cavalry handicap. Let¡¯s go again,¡± the Emperor said generously.


    ¡°Can you give me another canon handicap?¡± Helian Jing wheedled.


    His Majesty red at him.?<i>Brat.</i>


    Helian Jing said confidently, ¡°Your humble subject¡¯s chess skills are not on par with Your Majesty¡¯s, it is only fair to give me another canon handicap.¡±


    The eunuchs and the pce maids standing by the side could not help but secretlyugh at the pair.


    The Emperor sneered, ¡°You¡¯re the only person I know that would admit his weakness so proudly.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I am simply aware of my capabilities,¡± Helian Jing stated with a chortle.


    The Emperorughed in amusement. It was no wonder that this young man was adored by his mother. ¡°Then I shall give you another handicap. If you lose again, I¡¯ll give you a severe punishment.¡±


    Helian Jing asked cautiously, ¡°Your Majesty, can you tell me what the punishment is first? Otherwise, I would just spend the whole game anxious and I wouldn¡¯t be able to y well.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Don¡¯t make excuses for your lousy chess skills. Come on, let¡¯s y.¡±


    The two royals started another round. However, even with Helian Jing¡¯s entire attention focused on the game, he still lost.


    ¡°What excuse do you have this time?¡± the Emperor teased, extremely pleased with his win.


    Helian Jing replied discontentedly, ¡°Your humble subject epts defeat wholeheartedly.¡±


    ¡°Your face doesn¡¯t really say that you ept it wholeheartedly.¡±


    Helian Jing was about to argue when a eunuch reported that the Emperor¡¯s wife was arriving.


    The Empress has a distinguished air of elegance and coquetry as she stepped into the Zi Chen Pce Hall and greeted the Emperor.


    Helian Jing rose immediately to greet her.


    The Emperor asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    The Empress smiled gently and answered, ¡°Your concubine heard that Your Majesty summoned Heavenly Residence¡¯s Li Yao over to prepare your lunch. If it¡¯s alright with you, I would also like to join in the meal.¡±


    The Emperor nodded and ordered the pce servants to check on why the meal was taking so long.


    ¡°Li Yao is very particr with his cooking. This is his first time to prepare a meal for Your Majesty so he was being more thorough,¡± Helian Jing exined on behalf of his friend.


    ¡°Little Jing is right, Your Majesty. If you¡¯re hungry, I can get the imperial kitchen to prepare some snacks,¡± the Empress suggested.


    ¡°There is no need,¡± the Emperor said. ¡°I will wait. Empress, why don¡¯t you summon the Crown Prince as well? I have not had a meal with him for quite a while.¡±


    The Empress smiled joyously. ¡°I will get someone to summon him this instant.¡±


    The Crown Prince arrived about the same time as Eunuch Gao came out of the imperial kitchen, a few servants following behind him carrying several tes of food.


    Eunuch Gao announced the name of each of the 18 dishes as it wasid on the table.


    The Emperor looked at the food set out in front of him, amazed by how extravagant they look. The pce¡¯s royal chefs always served him with excellent meals, but what Li Yao made far surpassed their exquisiteness.


    The Empress said in wonder, ¡°These two flying dragons are so life-like! Oh, and these flowers, what are they made of?¡±


    Eunuch Gao was about to reply when Helian Jing interrupted, ¡°Your Majesty, these are carved from radishes. It is Li Yao¡¯s expertise.¡±


    The Crown Prince, who has tasted the dish when he went to Heavenly Residence before, added, ¡°This Carp Leaping over the Dragon Door is Li Yao¡¯s creation and is more delicious than the original method of cooking it.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, this hot te shiitake is also Li Yao¡¯s creation. Try it, it tastes very unique,¡± Helian Jing told the Emperor with an eager smile.


    Eunuch Gao used a pair of silver chopsticks to pick up the dish for His Majesty.


    Another pce maid did the same for the Empress.


    The Emperor took a bite. The pan-fried meat patty was crunchy and fragrant, fusing harmoniously with the soft and smooth shiitake mushroom. Its taste was unique, indeed.


    ¡°Not bad, not bad,¡± the Emperorplimented, nodding satisfactorily.


    After trying a few dishes, His Majesty had grown impatient. He does not want to wait for Eunuch Gao to pick up the dishes for him. These foods were all so delicious that he just wanted to devour them all.


    ¡°Why is there no soup? Eunuch Gao, didn¡¯t you tell Li Yao that His Majesty likes to drink soup?¡± the Empress asked.


    Eunuch Gao replied, ¡°Li Yao says that the soup would have to take a little longer.¡±


    As if on cue, a eunuch came to pce hall carrying a Shao Xing wine vat.


    Everyone was puzzled. Was Li Yao serving wine or soup?


    ¡°This is it. Your humble servant saw Li Yao make this. The procedure is soplex, I couldn¡¯t follow it,¡± Eunuch Gao said with a proud smile.


    Helian Jing deted a bit.??<i>Oh no, Yaoyao. Why did you use a wine vat for soup? There are so many containers in the pce, why did you pick this one?</i>


    Helian Jing saw that everyone was disappointed with the wine vat, too. Every dish served was breathtaking so they expected for the soup to be the same.


    The eunuch lifted up the bowl covering the opening and removed the lotus leaf sealing the vat. Immediately, a strong fragrance wafted through the air, following the steam.


    ¡°That smells so good...¡± The Empress could not help but take another whiff of the mouthwatering scent.


    ¡°Quick, scoop a bowl up for me,¡± His Majesty rushed urgently. He has never smelled a soup with such strong fragrance before. He could not even tell what ingredients were used to create it.


    Everyone watched the Emperor with anticipation, already chomping at the bit to try the delicious-smelling soup.


    ¡°Fragrant and rich! This... this has unparalleled taste,¡± His Majestyplimented, in awe of the food.


    The eunuch prepared three more bowls for the Empress, the Crown Prince, and Helian Jing.


    ¡°This is incredible!¡± Helian Jing eximed upon trying it. ¡°I¡¯ve tasted Li Yao¡¯s cooking many times, but this is extraordinary!¡±


    The Crown Princeughed. ¡°This is probably Li Yao¡¯s hidden skill!¡±


    ¡°What is the name of this soup?¡± the Emperor asked the eunuch who served the dish.


    The eunuch replied, ¡°Your Majesty, Head Chef Li said that this soup doesn¡¯t have a name yet. If you¡¯d like, he said that Your Majesty should have the honor of naming it.¡±


    The Empress suggested, ¡°Your Majesty, why don¡¯t you summon Li Yao to the pce hall?¡±


    Ye Jiayao has been standing outside, waiting to be summoned, when Eunuch Gao came out and said, ¡°Head Chef Li, His Majesty wants you in the pce hall.¡±


    ¡°Is His Majesty satisfied with today¡¯s lunch?¡± Ye Jiayao asked softly.


    Eunuch Gao beamed. ¡°Extremely satisfied. Head Chef Li, this is your good luck.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heaved a silent sigh of relief. She has done her absolute best today, but she was still unsure. Every pte has different preferences and it was entirely possible that the Emperor would not be impressed with her cooking. Not to mention that this ce was where the most skillful chefs gather. Everyone here has excellent skills.


    When she entered the pce hall, Ye Jiayao kept her head down, not daring to look anywhere else. Although she really wanted to see the Emperor, she restrained herself. If she somehow offended him, no one could stop him from chopping her head off.


    ¡°Your humblemoner, Li Yao, greets Your Majesty and Her Highness. I wish Your Majesty an evesting fortune and a life as long as the sky. Long live, Your Majesty. Her Highness, I wish you evesting beauty and good health. Long live, Her Highness,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted, kowtowing respectfully.


    Helian Jing tried to suppress hisughter. Yaoyao has already started bootlicking.


    It was the first time that the Emperor and the Empress have heard such novel greeting and they enjoyed them.


    ¡°Li Yao, is this soup your creation?¡± His Majesty asked amiably.


    Ye Jiayao said honestly, ¡°This soup is an improved version of what I saw from the locals when I traveled the coast of Li Nan Sea.¡±


    His Majesty grew fonder of Li Yao after hearing that. He could have easily said that it was his creation and no one would doubt it. He could be even more famous for this alone, and yet he opted to tell the truth.


    ¡°The same dish but different taste, right? That¡¯s because of the effort. Li Yao, today, I have seen your effort,¡± the Emperor said.


    ¡°Your humblemoner¡¯s teacher has always taught me that every ingredient has its unique taste. As long as one knows the characteristics of each ingredient and one puts in the effort, they can create unlimited delicacies. This was just like how a musician¡¯s audience could feel his emotions when he performs. Your humblemoner is grateful that Your Majesty has tasted my efforts. Your Majesty really has a deep understanding and appreciation for delicacies more than the average person,¡± Ye Jiayao responded humbly.


    The Emperorughed out loud, extremely thrilled with this young fellow.


    The Crown Prince and Helian Jing exchanged amused nces. They already knew how good Yaoyao was with words.


    ¡°Li Yao, you may not have created this but it has be the epitome of delicacy through your hands. I shall name this dish for you,¡± the Emperor said.


    Everyone turned to the Emperor, curious as to what he would name the dish.


    ¡°Your dish has an intoxicating fragrant that I think even the Buddha would forgo meditating and jump over the wall to taste it. I shall bestow it with the name ¡®Buddha Jumps over the Wall¡¯! What do you think?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was startled. The history was starting toe together. It looked like this was really fated!


    ¡°A million thanks to Your Majesty for giving this humble dish a name!¡± Ye Jiayao praised, unable to contain her joy.


    The Crown Prince gently added, ¡°His Majesty has personally bestowed a name for this dish, Li Yao. You are the first person in this dynasty to enjoy such honor.¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately kowtowed and said, ¡°This is your humblemoner¡¯s honor, and also this dish¡¯s honor, to be so lucky to obtain Your Majesty¡¯s favor. I am willing to offer this dish to Your Majesty, to be an imperial dish, to signify its preciousness.¡±


    The Emperor finally understood why Helian Xuan, Xia Chunyu, and Little Jing showed such favor to this little chef. This young man not only has superb culinary skills but also has the gift of the gab. It was really difficult not to like him especially considering his good looks and adorable ways.


    The Emperor joked, ¡°This is your expertise, can you really bear to offer it to me?¡±

 Chapter 124 - Mobile Imperial Chef

    <h4>Chapter 124: Mobile Imperial Chef</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao responded solemnly, ¡°Everything under the sun belongs to Your Majesty, even I. There¡¯s nothing to bear.¡±


    The Crown Prince silentlyughed at how Li Yao was charming the Emperor. For a couple of weeks now, His Majesty had been stressed over the events in West Mongolia that?he¡¯d been so grumpy.


    The Emperor smiled. ¡°Li Yao, your words are pleasing to my ears. Why don¡¯t I hire you to work in the imperial kitchen?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart skipped a beat.?<i>Oh, no?</i>. She has gone too far in sucking up. Although working in the imperial kitchen was every chef¡¯s final goal, it was not hers. She only wanted to make money and live a carefree life. The pce rules were strict, just like an invisible Band-tightening spell* around her. Moreover, she was a woman dressed as a man. If she ends up working in the imperial kitchen, she¡¯d be directly deceiving the Emperor. She would lose her head.


    ¡°Many thanks to Your Majesty¡¯s favor, but¡­ your humblemoner is used to being carefree and undisciplined. There are times that I will offend people because I am not good with words. There are so many Masters in the pce and not everyone is amiable like Your Majesty and Her Highness. Your humblemoner is afraid that if I enter the pce, I would just spend my time worrying about my head instead of cooking,¡± Ye Jiayao declined tactfully.


    The Empress was initially a little unhappy. Rejecting His Majesty¡¯s favor was a huge offense that not even she could do. However, she didn¡¯t speak up since the Emperor didn¡¯t look offended or irate. In fact, His Majesty was even smiling.


    It was obviously a rejection, but Li Yao put it in such a polite way that His Majesty could not bear to be angry. ¡°If you don¡¯t enter the imperial kitchen, I wouldn¡¯t be able to try your cooking again if I want to.¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered hurriedly, ¡°If Your Majesty wants to eat my foods, I would rush into the pce to prepare it for you.¡±


    The Emperor really wanted him to work in the pce but he also did not wish to force him. However, it would be too much of a hassle to summon him every time.


    The Empress smiled and suggested, ¡°Your Majesty, why don¡¯t you give him the title ¡®Mobile Imperial Chef¡¯. That would mean that he¡¯s not officially working in the imperial kitchen, but could still enter the pce conveniently to prepare royal meals. It¡¯s the best of both worlds.¡±


    ¡°Mobile Imperial Chef?¡± the Emperor muttered to himself. This was a novel concept for him, but the more thought he put into it, the more it appealed to him. ¡°Very well. Li Yao, I appoint you as the Mobile Imperial Chef. You can enter the pce anytime to prepare my meals.¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that the imperial chefs do not have official ranks. They are but servants that prepare meals for the Emperor and the Masters in the pce. A Mobile Imperial Chef would be even lower than them. However, that was still a million times better than the other chefs outside. It would give her a very significant advantage over them.


    She kowtowed immediately, thanking the Emperor and gracefully epting the title.


    Liu Li¡¯s stood up agitatedly from her seat.


    ¡°What? Li Yao is in the pce? His Majesty summoned him to prepare his royal meal?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! They¡¯re at the Zi Chen Pce Hall with the Empress and the Crown Prince,¡± Little Ya replied.


    Liu Li was in disbelief. Li Yao did her wrong but instead of punishing him, His Majesty even gave him the honor to prepare his meal? What does that mean?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and take a look.¡±


    Little Ya pleaded, ¡°Princess, don¡¯t forget what the Empress Dowager said. We will be going to Pu Ji temple tomorrow and that¡¯s a good opportunity to ease the tension between you and Lord Xia. Don¡¯t cause any more troubles, please. Li Yao is not worth it.¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s eyes were cold when she turned to her maid. ¡°I am not stupid. There are some mistakes that only need to be made once. I would definitely not allow myself to fall at the same ce twice.¡±


    Liu Li stalked out of her room and headed to the pce hall. Little Ya was muddled. Was the princess?going to settle scores with Li Yao or not?


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing left Zi Chen Pce with joyful hearts.


    Ye Jiayao yed with the imperial chef token in her hand. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m an imperial chef now. I never thought I¡¯d be one.¡±


    ¡°Your culinary skills are superb, Yaoyao. It is inevitable that you would gain recognition from the pce. The usual imperial chefs are hand-picked by the imperial kitchen manager, but you are the only one that His Majesty titled as a Mobile Imperial Chef. That is way more impressive than the other imperial chefs.¡± Helian Jing was ecstatic?for his friend. It turned out that Consort Mei¡¯s maniption actually worked for Yaoyao¡¯s favor.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°Imperial chefs are only impressive outside the pce. In the pce itself, they are only servants.¡±


    Helian Jing pped a hand over Yaoyao¡¯s mouth immediately and lowered his voice, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that. You¡¯d get in trouble if anybody hears you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao brushed his hand away. ¡°No one else is here. I¡¯m not a fool, Little Jing.¡±


    Helian Jing flushed red, abination of his embarrassment by his impulsive move and how Yaoyao¡¯s lips felt against his palm.


    ¡°This token is not the best thing I got today, though. It¡¯s actually having the ice cream mooncake made as a tribute. No one would dare target my secret recipe from now on.¡± Ye Jiayao fumed at the thought of that shameless Consort Mei.


    ¡°Consort Mei really had her eyes set on the secret recipe, huh? Little Chuan said that the shopkeeper of Ju Bao Zhai is Government Minister Mei¡¯s rtive,¡± Helian Jing said with a frown.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Ju Bao Zhai a ce that sells antiques? What has that got to do with them?¡± Ye Jiayao was bewildered.


    ¡°Ju Bao Zhai and Ju Xiang Yuan pastry shop share the same shopkeeper. Shopkeeper Mei used to make pastries in the imperial kitchen but he broke his leg a few years ago so he had to leave. He opened Ju Bao Zhai and Ju Xiang Yuan shortly after that,¡± Helian Jing ryed.


    Ye Jiayao was finally enlightened. She really needed strong backers and supporters in order to survive in Jin Ling what with all the horrible people around.


    ¡°Right, how did you know I got summoned to the pce anyway?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, puzzled. She told Deng Haichuan to inform Chunyu, not Little Jing.


    ¡°Deng Haichuan came to look for me. He could not find Brother Chunyu since he went to Pu Ji Temple to settle some matters. My brother is at the army camp, so I can only go the pce alone. I sought some assistance from the Crown Prince and luckily, he gave it.


    ¡°Consort Mei is too cocky, though. The Crown Prince got Little Chuan to go over to get you but she lied and said that she has released you a long time ago. If I didn¡¯t get Ping An to keep watch outside, I would have been fooled by her. I was so angry that I kept cursing outside and that¡¯s how His Majesty found me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lowered her head, feeling sorry. ¡°I have troubled you again.¡±


    Helian Jing raised a brow unhappily. ¡°What are you talking about? Your problems are mine.¡±


    ¡°You really are a loyal friend, Little Jing.¡±


    ¡°Hey, the two of you, stop right there,¡± someone yelled from behind them.


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing turned around, confused.


    Liu Li sashayed over to them, her chin raised as she looked at Ye Jiayao arrogantly. Ye Jiayao immediately cupped her hands and bowed. ¡°Greetings, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Li Yao, His Majesty has punished you to bring whatever delicious food you have to me. I heard you made ice cream mooncakes but nothing was sent to me,¡± Liu Li demanded.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Helian Jing questioningly. He gave two dry coughs and whispered to her, ¡°The Emperor did say that, but no one really cared.¡±


    <i>Ugh! You should¡¯ve told me even then!</i>


    Ye Jiayaoughed embarrassedly, saying in a perfunctory tone, ¡°I thought Your Highness is still mad at me! I didn¡¯t dare to send them to you in case I provoke you even more.¡±


    Liu Li snorted, ¡°Don¡¯t you have a lot of courage?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, Princess. I have already reflected deeply and I know my mistakes. Princess Liu Li, please be generous and forgive me.¡± Ye Jiayao was actually sincerely apologizing this time. She didn¡¯t wish to be entangled in this fight anymore. She didn¡¯t want everyone to worry about her all the time and even risk their lives to stand up for her.


    ¡°Liu Li, this matter is over¡­¡± Helian Jing began defensively.


    Liu Li raised her hand to stop him. ¡°That¡¯s in the past. I don¡¯t have the time to mull over my anger.¡±


    <i>Did she just say what I think she said??</i>?Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know what to feel. Was it really over?


    ¡°Why do you look like that? Are you disappointed that I am no longer angry?¡± Liu Li asked impatiently.


    ¡°No, no. We are more than happy, Princess. I will send you the mooncakes as soon as I get back. Tell me what vors you like and I will make them especially for you,¡± Ye Jiayao quickly assured.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±


    Little Ya chimed in, ¡°Princess likes to eat sweet and sour vors.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Little Ya, let¡¯s go.¡±


    With that, Liu Li left, leaving Ye Jiayao staring after her, dazed. As much as she wanted this to be over, that whole thing was just... too easy. Liu Li was such a proud person. For her to forgive her just like that...??<i>what is she nning?</i>


    Helian Jing smiled happily. ¡°This is great, Yaoyao! Liu Li has forgiven you so you don¡¯t have to worry about her again!¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, forcing a smile. If that was really the case, why was she even more worried?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go visit Zhao Qixuan at the Yong An Marquis Residence,¡± Helian Jing suggested.


    ¡°I still have to return to Heavenly Residence. I have been out for more than half the day, everyone is bound to be worried,¡± Ye Jiayao told him. Although she was dying to know whether there was any development between Zhao Qixuan and Susu, she has to return and inform everyone that she¡¯s safe.


    ¡°No need. I have already sent Ping An to inform the people in Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had no other excuse so she simply followed Helian Jing to the Yong An Marquis Residence.


    It has been two days since Zhao Qixuan stepped out of the door. He has shut himself in and refused any visitors. However, he made an exception for Helian Jing and Li Yao.


    Ye Jiayao got a shock upon seeing the state that Zhao Qixuan was in.


    ¡°Zhao Qixuan, what happened to you?¡± Helian Jing demanded, bbergasted.


    Zhao Qixuanughed bitterly, the wound at the corner of his lips stinging with the effort. ¡°Susu gave me a huge beating.¡±


    ¡°How can he do this to you? That¡¯s too cruel!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed.


    Helian Jing consoled him, ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. Hitting is loving. The way he beat you up so terribly showed how much he loves you.¡±


    ¡°You f*cking try getting walloped, then,¡± Zhao Qixuan snapped back.


    Helian Jing stole a nce at Yaoyao, his face blushing all of a sudden. He muttered shyly, ¡°If it is someone that I like, I wouldn¡¯t mind!¡±

 Chapter 125 - Jealous

    <h4>Chapter 125: Jealous</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao ignored Little Jing, already immune to how useless he could be. She asked Zhao Qixuan, ¡°What happened after he beat you up?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan replied discontentedly, ¡°He dragged me back to a horse carriage and threw me at the front door before leaving!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. She thought that Zhao Qixuan was the top! How could he be that weak?


    ¡°Zhao Qixuan, I think you should just give up. Even if Susu is a Ferghana horse, it is no use if you cannot dominate him,¡± Ye Jiayao tried to sound him out.


    ¡°No way! I have a feeling, that as long as I endure it, I would seed,¡± Zhao Qixuan replied. ¡°I have known Susu for so many years and this is the first time he beat me so badly. This means that he has nowhere to run. I can break through his defense soon andpletely conquer him.¡±


    His swollen eyes show confidence.


    ¡°Forget it! You should train yourbat capability first before you go anywhere near him again,¡± Helian Jing said with a haughty scoff.


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°Stop being so discouraging.¡±


    She turned to Zhao Qixuan and said, ¡°Not conceding despite multiple setbacks is the quality of a true man. I¡¯ll teach you some tricks to help you take him down.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind was filled with ideas to help her friend out.


    The three of them exchanged ns, muttering quietly to each other.


    In the Su Mansion, the third young master, Susu, was idly drinking tea when he suddenly started shivering and sneezing.


    Meanwhile, Xia Chunyu rushed back from Pu Ji Temple. He reported in the pce first before heading back home, prepared to wash up and change.


    He was going to meet Yaoyao tonight.


    Just as he got off the horse, the gatekeeper told him that earlier in the morning, someone from Heavenly Residence came and said that Head Chef Li got summoned to the pce. Xia Chunyu immediately spurred his horse back to the pce to check, his heart beating fast with fear. When the servants of the pce informed him that Yaoyao has already left, he felt a mixture of relief and anger.??<i>Why didn¡¯t she send word that she¡¯s okay? Does she enjoy making me worry?</i>


    For the second time, he rode back home from the pce, his thoughts uneasy. It was fortunate that Yaoyao was called to the pce for a good thing, but what if it had been something bad? He was not here and he could not protect her!


    After a bath and a change of clothes, Xia Chunyu headed to Heavenly Residence, nning to have his dinner there as well. It has been days since he had Yaoyao¡¯s cooking and the glutton in him was protesting.


    When he got to the restaurant and asked for Yaoyao, Deng Haichuan told him that she wasn¡¯t around and that she actually hasn¡¯t returned yet.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he leave the pce already?¡± Xia Chunyu was confused.


    Deng Haichuan replied, ¡°I am not too sure. It was Young Royal Highness Jing¡¯s servant that came here and informed us that Brother Yao is okay.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°He is with Young Royal Highness Jing?¡±


    ¡°He should be. When Brother Yao got summoned to the pce, he got me to tell it to you, but you were not around. I was afraid that something might happen to Brother Yao so I went to look for Young Royal Highness Jing. He went to the pce so I think he helped Brother Yao,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly lost all his appetite.??<i>Why is that brat always in the way??</i>?He was a hundred percent certain that Little Jing¡¯s feelings towards Yaoyao were not simply that of a friend. Now they were off to god knows where and it was making Xia Chunyu¡¯s skin crawl.


    He tried to stifle his anger because he could already feel his blood boiling. He decided to forgo his n for dinner and instead headed to Uncle Jiang¡¯s ce to wait for Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to return to Heavenly Residence to work, but Zhao Qixuan insisted on having her stay for dinner and she couldn¡¯t very well decline his hospitality.?She would just treat this as a break for her self.


    A servant woman came in, saying that the Yong An Marquis Madam has sent her to deliver medicine to Zhao Qixuan.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes squinted, finding the servant familiar. When the woman smiled sheepishly at her, Ye Jiayao recalled her as the one who insisted on buying the mooncakes before the birthday feast.


    <i>The greedy owner was Zhao Qixuan¡¯s mother?</i>


    Finally, Ye Jiayao rose to leave as the sky grew dark.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°When the n is put into action,?you guys have to be there to support me!¡±


    Helian Jing patted his shoulder assuringly. ¡°Even if Yaoyao isn¡¯t free, I will definitely be there.¡±


    ¡°Your presence doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s Li Yao that has to be there so he can give me courage,¡± Zhao Qixuan replied.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him.


    Little Shao was just about to send them out when Ping An arrived. He said that the Elder Princess has an urgent matter to discuss with Helian Jing and he has to rush back immediately.


    Helian Jing scowled. He wanted to take Yaoyao home first.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I shall be off. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t send you home. I¡¯ll look for you again tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved her hand dismissively, ¡°Go on, go home now. Don¡¯t let your mother worry.¡±


    Ye Jiayao returned back to the courtyard and Jiang Yue opened the door for her. The younger girl whispered softly to her, ¡°Sister Yaoyao, the Heir-Son Lord is here. He is drinking with my father!?He doesn¡¯t look like he is in a good mood, and is drinking a little too much.¡±


    <i>Oh, f*ck!?</i>?Ye Jiayao pped a palm on her forehead. She forgot to have someone inform Chunyu that she¡¯s alright.


    ¡°Okay, okay. Let me get changed first,¡± Ye Jiayao said hurriedly.


    Jiang Yue entered the dining hall just as her father was pouring another cup of wine for the Heir-Son Lord. She said, ¡°Father, Heir-Son Lord, Sister Yaoyao is back.¡±


    Uncle Jiang stopped mid-pour and chuckled. ¡°Your Sister Yaoyao is back early today. Ask her if she has eaten. If not, get her over to eat.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said nkly, ¡°I¡¯m sure she already ate from wherever she came from.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, Sister Yaoyao said she will be over after changing,¡± Jiang Yue told him.


    Xia Chunyu took the pot of wine and filled his cup.


    Uncle Jiang and Jiang Yue nced at each other. It looked like Heir-Son Lord¡¯s mood has not improved.


    After Ye Jiayao changed, she headed out, bringing the token with her so she could tell Chunyu about what happened.


    The?atmosphere in the dining hall was a little awkward, so Jiang Yue gave Yaoyao a sympathetic look. Uncle Jiang said, ¡°Yue-er, get your mother to make a few more dishes. I shall check if there is any wine left.¡±


    The father and daughter left hurriedly.


    Ye Jiayao sighed, feeling a bit guilty. She knew she was in the wrong today.


    ¡°Chunyu, how long have you been here?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a sweet smile as she sat opposite of him.


    Xia Chunyu just red at her and continued to drink his wine.


    ¡°Look what I got today.¡± Ye Jiayao presented the token to him.


    Xia Chunyu did not even bat an eyelid.


    Ye Jiayao pushed with a pout, ¡°Look at it. I spent a huge amount of effort to get this.¡±


    Xia Chunyu flicked a nce at the token but his face remained expressionless.


    ¡°I even ran into Liu Li in the pce! She said that she already forgives me, but do you think I can trust her with that? I¡¯m still feeling a little bit uneasy!¡±


    Xia Chunyu retorted, ¡°What is there to be uneasy about? Young Royal Highness Jing is at your beck and call should you get in trouble.¡±


    <i>What? Is he jealous of Little Jing??</i>?That was ridiculous. Little Jing was just like her little brother!


    ¡°What are you talking about? I went to look for you first but you weren¡¯t there,¡± Ye Jiayao justified.


    Xia Chunyuughed in a self-deprecating tone. ¡°Well, then, thank goodness for Little Jing, right? Even if I¡¯m not around, at least he¡¯s there.¡±


    ¡°Can you not talk like that? I admit, I forgot to inform you that I am alright. That was entirely my fault, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Ye Jiayao said. She did not like his sardonic tone.


    ¡°How do you want me to talk? Do you want me to talk like Little Jing? As though I¡¯m a little puppy eagerly waiting for your attention?¡± Xia Chunyu asked with a mean smirk.


    Ye Jiayao frowned, unhappy with this side of Chunyu. ¡°What did Little Jing do to you? Why are you talking about him like that? If you are angry, then be angry at me. Why are you putting others down?¡±


    ¡°Am I putting him down?¡± Xia Chunyu seethed. Her quick defense of Little Jing was just making him angrier. ¡°Aren¡¯t I just stating facts? He smiles like a fool when he sees you and whenever you are in the room, his eyes are glued to you. He wouldn¡¯t even go against you! Ye Jinxuan, don¡¯t tell me you are unaware of his feelings? Or maybe you¡¯re just enjoying his adoration?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re jealous! Don¡¯t even deny it, I can practically see the green monstering out of you!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed,ughing.


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°Jealous? You think too highly of your self, Ye Jinxuan. Do you think that just because you¡¯re a Mobile Imperial Chef now, you¡¯re everyone¡¯s fantasy?¡±


    The smile on Ye Jiayao¡¯s face froze. Chunyu¡¯s words felt like a physical barb striking her heart.


    ¡°Then why are you drowning your sorrows in wine here?¡±


    ¡°This is Uncle Jiang¡¯s home, not yours. If I want to sit here and drink, that¡¯s my business. I didn¡¯t invite you here to watch.¡±


    Ye Jiayao poured a cup of wine for herself, hands shaking with the anger she was feeling. ¡°For your information, Xia Chunyu, when I got summoned to the pce today, my first thought was you. I told Deng Haichuan to look for you, but he could not find you. Thankfully, he was smart enough to look for Little Jing. If it was not for Little Jing today, I would have died in Consort Mei¡¯s pce.¡±


    She then proceeded to down her cup of alcohol in one go and stood. ¡°Enjoy your drink, Heir-Son Lord.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t interested to get into a squabble with someone who was clearly not in the right mind.


    Only¡­?<i>I can¡¯t stay here any longer?</i>. He said that this was Uncle Jiang¡¯s home but they both knew that it was really Chunyu¡¯s. If he¡¯s willing, he will give her a shelter over her head. If he¡¯s unhappy, he could kick her out any time.


    She detested that feeling of dependence on him.


    That won¡¯t do.

 Chapter 126 - Making Up

    <h4>Chapter 126: Making Up</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know about Consort Mei¡¯s incident, so when she dropped that bomb, he was shocked. What did Consort Mei want with Yaoyao?


    He was still pondering over that when Yaoyao left.


    He stared at the empty seat in front him, recalling her tone and her expression...


    <i>No! This is not good!</i>


    He stood up and rushed to her room.


    Ye Jiayao ced a square homespun cloth on the bed, opened the cupboards, and started packing. She did not have many things. All the woman¡¯s clothing she has was what Chunyu asked Song Qi to buy, and she wouldn¡¯t be taking those. He could keep it or throw it away.


    However, even though she only has a few things, they were all valuable so staying at an inn would not be safe. She did not want to go to Lai Fu Inn because Manager Du would just worry about her. Her only other option was Heavenly Residence. Now that she was the Head Chef, and an Imperial Mobile Chef, at that, she was positive that Shopkeeper Li would permit her to stay in the Lotus Attic for the night. Maybe she could even talk him into giving her her own room tomorrow.??<i>Mmm, I think I¡¯m set...</i>


    Just as Ye Jiayao was bundling up her bag, her door opened.


    Xia Chunyu, upon seeing the baggage she was holding, raced in and snatched it away.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, flustered.


    Ye Jiayao replied emotionlessly, ¡°Give me back my baggage.¡±


    ¡°No, stop. Don¡¯t be so childish. How do you think Uncle and Auntie Jiang will feel when you leave the house?¡± Xia Chunyu said softly


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°Leave me alone. I¡¯m very grateful for making all these arrangements for me, but I don¡¯t need nor want it anymore. I epted it then because I thought you were doing it because I was special to you. Now, though, since you¡¯ve made yourself clear, I can¡¯t stay here any longer. I don¡¯t care if I have to sleep on the streets, I¡¯m not going to continue to stay here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao made a move to take her bag back but Xia Chunyu held on tightly to it.


    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t say anything! You are putting words in my mouth.¡±


    ¡°Just stop, okay? If yanking me around like this is fun to you, well, count me out.¡±


    ¡°I had a drop too much, I was spouting nonsense. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Xia Chunyu apologized. Thest time she left him, he spent a great deal of effort to coax her back. If she leaves now, with Little Jing dogging her step all the time, she might note back.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed, ¡°In vino veritas.¡±*


    ¡°Alright. I admit I said all those things just to spite you. It¡¯s just... you don¡¯t consider my feelings. The day before, I waited so long for you at the back door but you ended up leaving with Little Jing without even telling me. When I came back today to the news that you were in the pce, you can¡¯t even begin to imagine the fear I felt. I only found out that you¡¯re safe when I rushed into the pce!


    ¡°Then I went to look for you at Heavenly Residence, intending to have a meal with you, but your co-workers informed me that you were with Little Jing.?<i>Again.?</i>?How do you want me to think? You are dressed up as a man, you cannd yourself into all sorts of trouble. Yaoyao, I was so angry because I care about you.


    ¡°When we fight, it is just natural that we would talk brashly. We¡¯d try to make each other feel horrible and guilty, but I... don¡¯t like seeing that I hurt you. I felt terrible saying those words. I¡¯m sorry. Don¡¯t leave, alright?¡± Xia Chunyu said, pouring his heart out in every?word.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart lightened up. She forgives him, but she still could not stay at the house anymore.


    ¡°Chunyu, I... I really don¡¯t want to stay here anymore. I have never liked staying here. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to live with Uncle and Auntie Jiang, but it¡¯s the?<i>feeling?</i>?of staying?<i>here.?</i>?I feel like I am some mistress that you are hiding from everyone else.¡±


    ¡°This is only a temporary arrangement. When your status is reinstated, I will find a way to marry you,¡± Xia Chunyu exined to her. He knew that Yaoyao was a strong, prideful woman who would not settle for less.


    Ye Jiayao stared at him in shock. This was the first time she heard him say that he would marry her.


    While she was still in a daze, Xia Chunyu stuffed her baggage back into the cupboard.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go. Auntie and Uncle Jiang treats you like family. If you leave, they will be extremely upset. They¡¯ll think that you don¡¯t like them. Plus, I would just constantly worry about you if you stay somewhere else.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pulled her into his embrace, slowly tightening his arms around, rubbing his cheek against her silky hair. He said in a low voice, ¡°I was just jealous. I don¡¯t like to see you and Little Jing being so close.¡±


    ¡°I treat Little Jing as a little brother!¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    ¡°But he is still a man. Believe me, I can tell that Little Jing does not treat you the same,¡± Xia Chunyu said worriedly.


    ¡°Nonsense. Little Jing doesn¡¯t even know that I am a woman.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not an issue. You¡¯re friends with Zhao Qixuan, right?¡±


    <i>Oh. Oh, no.</i>


    ¡°If he finds out the truth in the future, it¡¯ll be so awkward, don¡¯t you think? You have to be more mindful and keep your distance.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was still in disbelief. Does Little Jing really like her?


    ¡°Tell me what happened with Consort Mei,¡± Xia Chunyu asked, changing the topic.


    ¡°Huh? Oh. Consort Mei wants me to hand over the secret recipe to the ice cream mooncake. I heard that the shopkeeper of Ju Xian Yuan is a Mei and is actually Government Minister Mei¡¯s rtive.¡±


    ¡°They are,¡± Xia Chunyu confirmed.


    This Consort Mei really dared to use His Majesty¡¯s adoration towards her to?give her family business more profits? And to think that she was the daughter of the Director of the Board of Rites. All the moral teachings have gone to waste on her.


    ¡°Did she do anything?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°No. I was almost beaten, but thankfully, Eunuch Little Chuan by the Crown Prince¡¯s side came.¡±


    ¡°This matter would not end so easily,¡± Xia Chunyu said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Forget it. I doubt she would do it again since even His Majesty was rmed this time.¡± Ye Jiayao did not want to make too many enemies. She has enough on her te with just Liu Li!


    ¡°Who does she think she is? Just because she¡¯s favored in the pce, doesn¡¯t mean everyone else likes her, too. There are people who are just waiting to bring her down,¡± Xia Chunyu ranted.


    ¡°The women in the pce are trouble,¡± Ye Jiayaomented.


    Xia Chunyu nodded empathetically.


    She still did not wish to believe that Little Jing liked her. How were there so many homosexuals in this era?


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s blood started to heat as he stared at her soft, pink pouting lips. He lowered his head, wanting to kiss her.


    ¡°No. You just drank.¡± Ye Jiayao dodged him.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, shaking his head. ¡°Didn¡¯t you drink some, too?¡±


    He held her head firmly and kissed her.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao¡­¡± Little Yue¡¯s voice called from outside.


    The two of them separated quickly, Ye Jiayao¡¯s face beet red. She tidied her dress and calmly asked, ¡°Yue-er, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing is here. He is looking for the Heir-Son Lord. My father is holding him back!¡±


    They exchanged confused nces. Why was Little Jing looking for Chunyu?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go out first, you change your clothes,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Little Jing must not see Yaoyao in a woman¡¯s clothing.


    ¡°Little Jing, you¡¯re looking for me?¡± Xia Chunyu asked as he stepped into the room. He was surprised to see that Chunfeng was here as well.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, you are here, indeed,¡± Helian Jing said.


    Chunfeng chuckled. ¡°Little Jing said you¡¯d be here but I didn¡¯t believe him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu gave him a cold look and said tly, ¡°I heard that Li Yao got summoned to the pce today. I came to ask what happened.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that Consort Mei that¡¯s shamelessly coveting Yaoyao¡¯s mooncake recipe,¡± Helian Jingined, his voice filled with righteous indignation.


    ¡°I already know about that. Don¡¯t tell me you were looking for me just for this?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, feigning boredom.


    ¡°No, it is another matter.¡±


    The three of them sat down to talk.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, do you still remember that Wei Liujiang?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded.


    ¡°My brother sent someone to Yang Zhou and they reported that the family said that Second Lady Ye has recovered from her illness and is now back with them. My mother does not believe it and thinks that there is something wrong, but she can¡¯t pinpoint exactly what. My brother is still not back from the army camp so I¡¯m asking you for your take on this,¡± Helian Jing ryed.


    If the news is true, the Helian Mansion would be put in an awkward position. They created such a fuss with this that if it turned out that the Helian Mansion¡¯s servant was the one lying... well, Helian Jing didn¡¯t want to think about that.


    Xia Chunyu said resolutely, ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to confess everything to them, but he knew that it was not the right time yet. ¡°Firstly, if the servantdy is lying, why would Wei Liujiang and Mu Qinchu so anxious to see her? Why would they attempt to bribe her? Secondly, your brother only sent someone over the next day. I reckon that Wei Liujiang has already sent someone over to Yang Zhou to deliver news that night. When your people reached the city, the Ye family already concocted a n to deal with it.¡±


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°This must be a fake news released by the Ye family. No one even saw Second Lady Ye¡¯s return! And even if they let you see her, you wouldn¡¯t know if she was the real deal. We have never seen the Second Young Lady Ye.¡±


    Both of them nod again.


    ¡°How can we expose their lie?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Xia Chunyu muttered, ¡°Just wait. I¡¯m sure that the Ye family will send someone over to exin things soon. When that timees, we¡¯ll y it by ear.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was bewildered. ¡°Isn¡¯t the First Lady Ye born to the first wife? How is it possible that the Ye family allows the Second Lady Ye to impersonate her? Could it just be that the First Lady Ye simply refuses to marry in a faraway ce?¡±


    The corner of Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips rose into a sneer. ¡°Chunfeng, not everyone is as kind as you think. Wei Liujiang is the first young master of the Ji Nan prefectural magistrate. Who doesn¡¯t wish to marry him? The first youngdy was born to the first wife and that¡¯s where the problem lies. She¡¯s not born by the current Madam Ye, the second youngdy is.¡±


    <h4></h4>

 Chapter 127 - Not Going To Budge

    <h4>Chapter 127: Not Going To Budge</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Besides, didn¡¯t that servantdy mention that Wei Liujiang and the Second Lady Ye have long set their sights on each other? Wouldn¡¯t First Lady Ye just spoil things for them? They might have even conspired against her,¡± Ye Jiayao said as she walked in. She has actually arrived long ago, but when she heard them talk about the Ye family affairs, she stood outside for a while to listen to their theories.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her profoundly.


    Helian Jing sighed and said, ¡°If that really is the case, then those two fellows are just too shameless!¡±


    ¡°They should not be pardoned. We have to expose their wrongdoings and humiliate them in front of everyone,¡± Xia Chunfeng said resentfully.


    ¡°Mm.¡± Helian Jing nodded in agreement. ¡°Brother Chunyu, Yaoyao, think of a n. How do we expose their plot?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shrugged. ¡°I think it¡¯d be best if we create some discussion. Put some pressure on them.¡±


    ¡°After that, we should find the real First Lady Ye. As long as the original appears, all their lies will unravel,¡± Xia Chunyu said nonchntly, trying not to look at Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao frowned slightly. Make her appear? She wasn¡¯t sure if she could let go of her identity as Li Yao.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, but?where should we go looking for the First Lady Ye?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Xia Chunyu stifled his smile. The person they were looking for was right under their noses. ¡°I don¡¯t know. What I know is that they can¡¯t hide the truth forever. I¡¯m sure that the first youngdy is waiting for her chance to exact revenge.¡±


    ¡°But if they really plotted against First Lady Ye, won¡¯t all the traces of that be destroyed by now?¡± Xia Chunfeng was not confident in the n that they were hatching.


    Ye Jiayao said ambiguously, ¡°Then we shall put our trust in heaven! It is just a matter of time before the good and evil reap their karma.¡±


    The four of them chatted for a while. Xia Chunyu noticed that the other two didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of leaving so he stood up announced, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. We should leave because Li Yao still has to make ice cream.¡±


    ¡°Ah? Yaoyao, you make the ice cream at home? I want to stay and watch.. and also eat,¡± Helian Jing said eagerly.


    Xia Chunfeng also expressed his interest. ¡°I want to stay and watch, too. That thing is too incredible. I only managed to have one of those that you sent over yesterday.¡±


    Xia Chunyu cursed his mouth. Why on earth did he mention ice cream? Now, the two gluttons only found an excuse to stay longer.


    ¡°What are you yapping about? This is Li Yao¡¯s secret recipe, you can¡¯t just watch him make it,¡± Xia Chunyu said darkly.


    Helian Jing still didn¡¯t see anything wrong with that. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We are not going to open a restaurant and steal from Yaoyao¡¯s business. Can we stay, Yaoyao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was torn. If she agrees, Xia Chunyu would be unhappy. If she doesn¡¯t, it would seem like she was being petty.


    Xia Chunyu, fed up with making up excuses, simply dragged them out, one brat on each arm. ¡°How can you have the nerve to ask that? Come on, let¡¯s all go home.¡±


    ¡°Ay, ay, ay¡­ don¡¯t pull me, I can walk on my own.¡±


    ¡°Second?Brother, let go! I am suffocating!¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help butugh at them. Little Jing was really just like a simple child! Chunyu must be thinking too much.


    Xia Chunyu was on his way back when he suddenly remembered that there was something important he wanted to tell Yaoyao today. The two brats just screwed it up for him.


    He was going to the Pu Ji Temple for seven days tomorrow. He could not just leave without a proper farewell.


    ¡°Second Brother, you bought that house two years ago, right?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked suddenly.


    Xia Chunyu was shocked for three seconds before he managed to quibble guiltily, ¡°Says who?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try, Second Brother. I won¡¯t go around telling people about it. Anyway, you bought it with your own money, no one really cares.¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Second?Brother, you don¡¯t have to lie. Way back, I went to your study to look for you but you weren¡¯t around. There was a property deed on your table and I saw it all. I even passed by here at one point to take a look at the house. I think its location is pretty good, you know? It¡¯s a quiet area in a busy ce.¡±


    ¡°I heard from Little Jing that the Uncle and Auntie Jiang staying there have helped you when you were in ck Wind Ridge. Li Yao also saved you before, giving them a ce to stay is the right thing to do,¡± Xia Chunfeng continued.


    Xia Chunyu shot him a nce. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell Little Jing, right?¡±


    ¡°No, Second?Brother. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell anyone. Even if you hide your mistress there, I won¡¯t tell anyone,¡± Xia Chunfeng saidughingly, putting an arm around his brother¡¯s shoulders.


    With a flip and a twist of his arm, Xia Chunyu has Chunfeng under his grip.


    ¡°Aiyo, hurts, hurts, hurts...¡± Xia Chunyu cried loudly.


    ¡°Rascal, if you dare to spout such nonsense again, I am going to rip your arm out.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not gonna happen again! Never again!¡± Xia Chungfeng eximed loudly.


    Only then did Xia Chunyu let him go.


    Chunfeng massaged his arm, grumbling with a pout, ¡°Second?Brother, we are brothers from the same mother, how can you be so ruthless?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at him from the corner of his eyes. ¡°Do you want to have another go?¡±


    ¡°No, no. I know you love me the best.¡±


    After apanying his brother back to the residence, Xia Chunyu snuck out again.


    Unless he tells Yaoyao personally about his departure tomorrow, he wouldn¡¯t feel at ease.


    Back in the courtyard, Xia Chunyu was shocked when he saw Helian Jing sitting at the grindstone in the courtyard, ying with the Kong Ming* lock that Jiang Li made. That little devil actually snuck back!


    ¡°Helian Jing,¡± Xia Chunyu shouted furiously.


    Helian Jing looked up, startled. ¡°Mm? Brother Chunyu, what are you doing back here? Oh... you must be back for the ice cream!¡±


    Xia Chunyu red at him.??<i>No, you idiot, I¡¯m not back for the ice cream. Also, unlike you, I don¡¯t use the ice cream as an excuse to hang around Yaoyao.</i>


    ¡°I left something behind,¡± Xia Chunyu said unpleasantly.


    ¡°What is it? I¡¯ll get it for you,¡± Helian Jing offered.


    Xia Chunyu really felt like giving him a flying kick.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Li Yao?¡±


    Helian Jing pointed to the direction of the kitchen. ¡°He is making ice cream with the Jiang siblings inside! I¡¯m not going in to watch, don¡¯t worry. I am just going to wait here until the ice cream is ready.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ignored him and turned to head to the kitchen.


    Helian Jing blocked him immediately, saying firmly, ¡°Brother Chunyu, you must not go in! This concerns the secret recipe.¡±


    ¡°There is something I have to ask Li Yao,¡± Xia Chunyu replied impatiently.


    Helian Jing did not budge. ¡°You were here a long time ago, shouldn¡¯t you have asked him already?¡±


    Helian Jing might act simple and childish at times but he has an acute intuition. He did not miss how especially close Brother Chunyu and Yaoyao are. The way he looked at Yaoyao was just like how Zhao Qixuan looked at Susu, full of tender feelings.


    Although he has always held Brother Chunyu in high regards, Yaoyao was dear to him so he would not just roll over to him.


    Xia Chunyu looked at Little Jing, confused and irritable. He saw the resolution in Little Jing¡¯s eyes and he sneered. Was this brat really willing to fight him over Yaoyao? Ha!


    Ye Jiayao heard some movement outside so she came out to take a look. She saw the two of them standing in the middle of the of the courtyard staring at each other. Little Jing even has his arms open wide to stop Chunyu.


    <i>What?</i><i>the f*ck is going on?</i>


    ¡°Hey, what are the two of you doing?¡± Ye Jiayao broke their staring contest.


    Xia Chunyu turned to her, his eyes furious.??<i>You didn¡¯t me believe me when I told you about Little Jing¡¯s crush, right? Well, take a good look for yourself right now. Your little brother has evolved into a bull in oestrus.</i>


    Helian Jing puts his arms down and said with a smile. ¡°Nothing. Oh, Brother Chunyu, you said you left something behind, right? What is it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu answered thoughtlessly, ¡°I dropped my thumb ring in your room.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart sank a little.?<i>He was in Yaoyao¡¯s room?</i>


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you look for it,¡± Helian Jing said, walking towards Yaoyao¡¯s room.


    <i>No! What the f*ck is this brat trying to do??</i>?Ye Jiayao?remembered that the dress that she had changed out of was still lying on the bed. What if he sees it?


    ¡°Stop right there,¡± Ye Jiayao shouted frantically. ¡°You don¡¯t know where it is, you¡¯ll just mess up my room. Go to the kitchen and help beat the eggs.¡± She?pulled him back and pushed him into the kitchen.


    Helian Jing was fuming but he didn¡¯t dare say a word.


    Xia Chunyu followed Ye Jiayao into the room.


    Once the door shuts, Xia Chunyu pressed her against it and kissed her deeply and passionately, pouring all the pent-up aggression he was feeling in the kiss.


    He panted, ¡°You still think he has no interest in you? I saw it with my own eyes. If you came out a littleter, we would have fought.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was getting dizzy from theck of oxygen and from the lust she was feeling. ¡°I know. I tried to chase him out but he just won¡¯t leave.¡±


    ¡°You are not firm enough,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. What did he want her to do? Throw Little Jing out with a broom?


    ¡°Alright, alright, I know. Where did you leave your thumb ring?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu stared at her deeply and said with a gravelly voice, ¡°It was not my thumb ring that I left here, it¡¯s my heart.¡±


    Ye Jiayao flushed with pleasure from his words.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I am going to Pu Ji Temple tomorrow to escort the Empress Dowager for the Seventh Prince¡¯s ritual. I will be gone for seven days so you have to take care of your own safety. I will have Song Qi stay in the residence to await orders. If there is anything you need, look for Song Qi, he will find a way to inform me. What happened today will not happen again. I¡¯ll always be here when you need me, one way or another,¡± Xia Chunyu said sincerely.


    ¡°Seven days¡­¡± Ye Jiayao could not help but feel down.


    Her mncholic expression touched Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her over and over again. ¡°Seven days will pass by quickly. Remember, don¡¯t get too close to Little Jing, okay? I will be jealous and I will go crazy.¡±


    A man who gets jealous and goes crazy for a woman must be madly in love with her, right? Ye Jiayao giddily embraced him. ¡°Alright, naggy.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pinched her nose. ¡°I am not nagging! Wait until my return, I¡¯m going to punish you for that.¡±


    He pressed harder against her, letting her feel his desire.


    Ye Jiayao understood the punishment he was referring to when she felt his enormous bulge. She blushed shyly and pushed him away half-heartedly. ¡°We should get going. Little Jing might get suspicious.¡±

 Chapter 128 - First Time In The Chamber Of Commerce

    <h4>Chapter 128: First Time In The Chamber Of Commerce</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Little Jing wasn¡¯t able to wait for the ice cream because the Elder Princess wanted to know the conclusion of his discussion with Xia Chunyu and got someone to call him back.


    The next day at work, the entire Heavenly Residence was buzzing when Ye Jiayao showed the token she received yesterday.


    The staff was amazed that Li Yao has already achieved so much and he has even yet to join the culinarypetition. Being a chef of the imperial kitchen, especially for someone so young and new, was not an easy feat. The only way to even qualify there was ranking high in the culinarypetition. Even the low-level helpers would still need to pass the imperial kitchen¡¯s strict and rigorous test and would have to wait about 10 years to match with an imperial chef.


    Everyone knew that Brother Yao was very skillful but the speed of his rise was a little scary. He practically did it overnight!


    ¡°Wow! Heavenly Residence has an imperial chef now! If word gets out, the restaurant will be packed with customers¡­¡± Deng Haichuan said proudly.


    ¡°If anyone asks for the imperial chef to cook for them, they¡¯d have to pay more,¡± Cui Dongpeng addedughingly.


    ¡°Brother Yao, does this mean that you can enter the pce whenever you like?¡± someone asked.


    Ye Jiayao exined, ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that. It¡¯s just the permission to enter the imperial kitchen to make royal meals if the pce summons me.¡±


    ¡°That is impressive!¡± Deng Haichuan eximed happily.


    ¡°Li Yao, Shopkeeper Li wants to see you,¡± Manager Qian called.


    Zhong Xiang watched Li Yao disappear upstairs, his emotions a mess. He wasn¡¯t feeling jealous as he has been long convinced of Li Yao¡¯s superb culinary skills. However, the ever-growing distance between him and Li Yao was making him ufortable. He felt as though Li Yao has risen so quickly and so highly that he left nothing but smoke behind.


    Shopkeeper Li couldn¡¯t help but bemoan his luck. If he knew that?these consecutive fortunate events would happen, he never would?have sold the restaurant. He couldn¡¯t stop ming himself for being so short-sighted and cowardly.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted with a smile.


    ¡°Li Yao, take a sit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat obediently.


    ¡°Today, there will be a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce. Go with me,¡± Shopkeeper Li started, looking at this energetic youth before him. Shopkeeper Li still could not believe how someone of his age became an imperial chef.


    ¡°Are there some rough ideas for the culinarypetition?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Shopkeeper Li nodded. ¡°Today¡¯s meeting will touch on the specific n and if everyone agrees, we will set it down. Go with me to hear it out so you can also mentally prepare.¡±


    Ye Jiayao acquiesced cheerfully. She¡¯d finally be able to meet all the big shots in Jin Ling¡¯s food and beverage industry.


    ¡°There is also something else that I want to discuss with you. Now that your status is different, I think the private rooms on the third story should increase in price. How much do you think it should be?¡± Shopkeeper Li asked.


    ¡°Also, you¡¯ll have a pay raise. I will pay you ording to the rank of a head chef, 50 taels a month. There will also be a bonus from time to time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°I am fine with anything, Shopkeeper, you can decide.¡±


    Her earnings every day counted in thousands now so the sry and bonus really don¡¯t matter to her.


    ¡°Then, all the private rooms on the third story will increase by 2% and this 2% will go to you,¡± Shopkeeper Li dered. This restaurant does not belong to him now so he was fine being generous.


    ¡°Sure, whatever you decide.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was already running the numbers in her head. There were eight private rooms on the third story and the average spending for each private room is 50 taels. With an additional 2%, she would get 40 taels in total, and in a month, that would be 1200 tales. In a year, it will be more than 10, 000 taels. That wasn¡¯t even counting hermission from the mooncakes and iceboxes. If this continues on, in a year, she would have enough capital to open her own restaurant.


    Skilles with gold and silver, indeed.


    While Ye Jiayao was building castles in the air, Shopkeeper Li handed her a stack of banknotes, all of them worth 2000 taels each. ¡°It was decided that you would be paid once every three days but you were not around yesterday. This is themission for the mooncakes for the past four days. A total of 2300 mooncakes was sold in four days so that would be 3450 taels. We sold 136 iceboxes so that would be 1360 taels, and 4810 tales in total. Do check.¡±


    It was only the third day of the eighth month and there were still twelve days to mid-autumn. If everything goes well, she would be able to earn 20, 000 taels! Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t evenprehend that.


    ¡°There is no need for that! I told you that I trust you.¡± Ye Jiayao held the thick stack of banknotes, grinning so widely it felt like her face would split.


    Shopkeeper Li smiled, amused by Li Yao¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°I suggest you deposit your money into Da Tong Exchange. There would be a 0.05% interest every month. Besides, it is not safe to have so many banknotes with you.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll do that,¡± Ye Jiayao agreed.


    At the Wei hour, Shopkeeper Li called Ye Jiayao to go with him to the Chamber of Commerce. They dropped by Da Tong Exchange on the way so that Ye Jiayao could deposit her money.


    Da Tong Exchange was Huai Song¡¯srgest bank, with a total of 56 branches. It was the bank of choice among the wealthy in Jin Ling.


    The Commerce Street was a street where all the Chambers of Commerce were, be it for medical, silk and cloths, tea leaves, pottery, or antiques. Any industry that you can name would have its Chamber of Commerce here, showing how advanced Huai Song¡¯s economy is.


    The front of the Food and Beverage Chamber of Commerce was pretty imposing. One after another, horse carriages stopped in front of the door.


    Shopkeeper Li has already given Ye Jiayao a holistic introduction on the way here.


    There would be an election once every three years in the Chamber of Commerce. The current president of the Commerce was Zheng Fugui and the vice president was Qi Lin Pavilion¡¯s Duan Qilin. The previous president was Zhang Youcheng, the most senior member and also the only one who does not own a restaurant. The reason why he became president was that he has many disciples and all of them have impressive skills, like Lu Yiming and Zheng Fugui.


    Ye Jiayao was very impressed with the old man. Lu Yiming was a master at vegetarian food but he¡¯s also great at other culinary styles. Zheng Fugui does not do vegetarian food, but he¡¯s still well-skilled in the other aspects. If there¡¯s a chance, she has to ask that old man for guidance.


    The meeting room in the Chamber of Commerce was quiterge, almost like that of ck Wind Ridge¡¯s. There were three seats of honors and on both sides, there were two rows of six seats and a table in between each. Judging by the looks of it, this meeting room could only seat 27 people, representing the most powerful bunch of people in Jin Ling¡¯s food and beverage industry.


    Ye Jiayao felt a little agitated.


    Shopkeeper Li pointed to a middle-aged man with a huge belly, introducing him as Zheng Fugui and on his right was Duan Qilin. On his left, the old man with a beard reaching his chest was Zhang Youcheng.


    ¡°Do you see that guy with droopy eyes? His name is Lian Xingwang, the shopkeeper of Xiang Yi Restaurant and the one with small eyes beside him is Niu Baoshun. The one drinking tea there is called Mei Xiuguang, the shopkeeper of Ju Xiang Yuan¡­¡± Shopkeeper Li said softly.


    Ye Jiayao could not help but take a second look at Mei Xiugang.??<i>That¡¯s Consort Mei¡¯s rtive!?</i>


    When people noticed Shopkeeper Li¡¯s arrival, they started toe over to greet him. Everyone ignored Ye Jiayao, thinking that she was just Shopkeeper Li¡¯s attendant.


    Shopkeeper Li signaled her to find a seat in the second row while he took a seat on the third chair on the left. Ye Jiayao knew her ce as a newbie and a young chef so she sat on thest seat of the second row on the left.


    Just when her butt touched the seat, someone walked over and said meanly, ¡°Who are you??Don¡¯t you know the rules? Do you think you can just sit in this seat?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her head and saw a young man of about 20 years old looking down cockily at her.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a pleasant smile. ¡°Is this your seat?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± he retorted haughtily.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to call him out for his holier-than-thou attitude, but seeing as this was her first visit here, she didn¡¯t want to cause trouble. Wordlessly, she stood up and gave him the seat.


    When she searched around, she realized that all other chairs were already taken.??<i>What, am I supposed to just stand?</i>


    Left with no choice, Ye Jiayao headed to the back and stood in a row with all the attendants that the restaurant owner¡¯s brought.


    The young man who told her to give up her seat turned back and nced at her, the corner of his lips rising in a smirk. He told the person beside him, ¡°Whose attendant is that? So unruly.¡±


    The person replied kindly, ¡°Maybe it is his first time here and he doesn¡¯t know the rules.¡±


    ¡°Ay, Xiaotian, my father said that you are a hot favorite for the champion in this culinarypetition. I guess like father like son,¡± the cocky guy praised.


    Xiaotian? Lu Xiaotian? Could he be Lu Yiming¡¯s son?


    Ye Jiayao has taken a liking to Lu Yiming, and it seemed that this Lu Xiaotian was also as nice as him.


    ¡°Uncle Zheng is too kind. There are so many seniors and masters here, how would I be able topete? I only go for the experience, but you, Brother Sanduo, is the skilled one that can really win thepetition,¡± Lu Xiaotian replied.


    Ye Jiayao frowned.??<i>This arrogant guy is Zheng Sanduo? The young master of Fu Ji?</i>


    Zheng Sanduo only said, ¡°I am not that skillful. I am just going to join in the fun.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him.?<i>Disgusting hypocrite.?</i>


    Someone joined in the conversation and said, ¡°I heard that the new head chef in Heavenly Residence is formidable. What do you guys think about him? Do you think he can win?¡±


    Zheng Sanduo scoffed, ¡°Formidable? He¡¯s just full of tricks. All those chilled drinks and ice cream mooncake nonsense... pfft.¡±


    ¡°You cannot put it like that. He was the one in charge of the Helian Mansion¡¯s birthday banquet and was very highly praised. He wouldn¡¯t be hired if he wasn¡¯t capable,¡± Lu Xiaotian reasoned.


    ¡°The only reason he was hired is that he is friends with the Young Royal Highness Jing of the Helian Mansion. Besides, the Helian Mansion originally wanted my father to do the banquet but he declined because of his health,¡± Zheng Sanduo said in disdain.

 Chapter 129 - Protest

    <h4>Chapter 129: Protest</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Oh, so that is why.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li, who was sitting in the first row, heard what Zheng Sanduo said and felt extremely annoyed. He wanted to rebut him but it was inappropriate for a senior to argue with the younger ones.


    Lu Xiaotianughed. ¡°Brother Sanduo, you have underestimated him. I heard that His Majesty summoned him to the pce yesterday to prepare his royal meals ¨C 18 dishes and a soup. His Majesty even personally bestowed a name for his dish and conferred him as a Mobile Imperial Chef.¡±


    Everyone gasped.


    ¡°Surely not?¡±


    ¡°What kind of official is a Mobile Imperial Chef?¡±


    ¡°Even imperial chefs are not officials! What kind of official is a Mobile Imperial Chef? It is just a servant in the pce,¡± Zheng Sanduo said, feeling salty. He could not believe that the new chef actually became a Mobile Imperial Chef.


    Lu Xiaotian said, ¡°It is indeed not impressive to be an imperial chef. After all, only the first ce in the culinarypetition has the qualifications to be an imperial chef. Even the second ce can only do odd jobs in the imperial kitchen.¡±


    The statement was obviously a jab at Zheng Sanduo. Everyone seated knew that Lu Yiming only became an imperial chef by winning the first ce in the culinarypetition. Zheng Fugui might have the qualifications to enter the imperial kitchen, but his status was clearly iparable to that of Lu Yiming¡¯s.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cheer for Lu Xiaotian.??<i>That¡¯s right! Put that arrogant brat in his ce.</i>


    Zheng Sanduo immediately regretted his slip of the tongue, his face paling with embarrassment.


    ¡°If you put it that way, then that Li Yao must really have some skills,¡± someone chimed in.


    ¡°Since he is so incredible, he should have the qualifications to join today¡¯s meeting.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Shopkeeper Li, why didn¡¯t you bring him along? We could¡¯ve gotten to know each other.¡±


    Someone snorted.


    Ye Jiayao looked to the direction of the sound. It was Niu Baoshun who was sitting on the first seat on the second row.


    ¡°We can only find out about his so-called skills in thepetition,¡± Niu Baoshun said.


    Zheng Sanduo, finally founding his ally, added, ¡°That¡¯s right. We have only heard rumors about Li Yao¡¯s capabilities, but fame does not represent his skills. Who knows how he was able to win His Majesty¡¯s favor? This Li Yao obviously knows how to get into the good books of the wealthy and powerful so he might really just be good at bootlicking.¡±


    <i>F*ck you, you douche canoe.??</i>Ye Jiayao stared daggers at the back of Zheng Sanduo¡¯s head, reigning in the urge to kick him.


    Lu Xiaotian chuckled coldly. ¡°I think Li Yao would definitely participate in this culinarypetition. When the timees, Brother Sanduo will be able to see for himself whether Li Yao really lives up to his name or whether it is all unwarranted fame.¡±


    The shopkeeper of Ju Fu Lin, Lin Changchun, who was sitting beside Shopkeeper Li,ughed in amusement. ¡°Shopkeeper Li, five years ago, your Heavenly Residence has Niu Baoshun who managed to clinch in the third ce as a dark horse. This year, your restaurant is the hot topic even before thepetition begins.?Your head chefs are no simpleton!¡±


    Shopkeeper Li said humbly, ¡°You are too kind. I heard that the head chef of your Ju Fu Lin is the real hidden master.¡±


    Zheng Fugui, who was sitting on the seat of honor, took a sweeping nce of the meeting room. Since all the seats were filled up, he began, ¡°Since everyone is present, let¡¯s start the meeting!¡±


    ¡°First on the agenda is the protest that a few pastry shops in Jin Ling raised.¡±


    Immediately, everyone turned to Shopkeeper Li, who turned a blind eye to their stares, sipping his tea calmly.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart stopped for a while.??<i>Why are you so envious of my mooncakes, you f*ckers? What have we ever done to you?</i>


    Zheng Fugui continued, ¡°Although it is not explicitly mentioned by themittee, it is themon consensus in the industry that restaurants, pastry shops, teahouses, wine houses, and even vinegar shops have their specific range of operations. The boundary should not be easily crossed. I heard that recently, Heavenly Residenceunched their ice cream mooncake and greatly impacted the pastry shops in Jin Ling. Shopkeeper Li, why don¡¯t you give an exnation.¡±


    Shopkeeper Li set his cup of tea down and responded calmly, ¡°A restaurant¡¯s range of operation isprehensive. We do not simply cook dishes. Restaurants also brew wine. For example, the Fu Shou Chun of your Fu Ji is self-brewed and brings good business to you. The wine houses haven¡¯t raised a protest because of that, no?¡±


    Zheng Fugui¡¯s face turned ugly.


    ¡°Restaurants also make chilled drinks. For example, every restaurant willunch the iced sour plum soup, the lotus seed with fungus, and more during the summer period. Restaurants also make pastries. Some even marinate their preserved food. For example, Xiang Yi Restaurant¡¯s pastries, Qi Lin Pavilion¡¯s preserved food, all of them are very famous. Why didn¡¯t anyonee out and protest? If you¡¯re talking about selling mooncakes, who, among all the people sitting here with restaurants, do not sell mooncakes every year? Now that our Heavenly Residence starts selling mooncakes, how is that a hindrance?¡± Shopkeeper Li stated.


    The bald Mei Xiuguang sitting at the opposite side jumped out to say, ¡°Others who brew wine, make pastries, and marinate preserved foods did not constitute a destructive impact towards others. Your ice cream mooncakes caused our mooncakes to sell poorly! We simply can¡¯t sell them anymore!¡±


    Shopkeeper Li directed a patronizing smile at him. ¡°Calm down, Shopkeeper Mei. Our Heavenly Residence¡¯s ice cream mooncake is targeted at the wealthy people. Although Jin Ling has a lot of rich people, themoners still far outnumber them. There is still an abundance of customers for pastry shops like yours. Business has always been reliant onpetitiveness. Whoever has better things would naturally have better business. Otherwise, Xiang Yi Restaurant wouldn¡¯t have the need to poach talents, would it?


    ¡°How is it my problem if??<i>you?</i>?can¡¯t sell?<i>your?</i>?foods? If you are unable to win the people¡¯s favor, then don¡¯t you think that you shoulde up with a better n? If you cannot sell top-grade mooncakes, then sell low-grade ones. Shopkeeper Mei, you are also an experienced businessman. I don¡¯t have to teach you that, do I? If you insist on using an egg to knock a stone, who do you think will be the one to suffer?¡±


    Ye Jiayao barely restrained herself from pping. Who knew that Shopkeeper Li was capable of such eloquence?


    Mei Xiuguang was dumbfounded and speechless.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li, don¡¯t be so aggressive. Fortunes rise and fall every day. Do you think your head chef will stay in Heavenly Residence forever?¡± someone reproved, disapproving of Shopkeeper Li¡¯s sharp tongue.


    ¡°No one knows what the future holds so it is best to be in control of the present,¡± Shopkeeper Li replied in an offhand tone.


    Zheng Fugui said, ¡°Shopkeeper Li, we are all in the same trade and would cross paths often. Harmony breeds wealth, you know that. Why don¡¯t Heavenly Residence reduce your quantity by half so that others can have a means of subsistence.¡±


    Most of the people in the meeting room agreed. It was clear that many were envious of the fame Heavenly Residence was suddenly getting.


    ¡°I do not agree. Business has always been based on capabilities. As long as we do not swindle, cheat, or steal, any legitimate strategy should be fine,¡± Duan Qilin disagreed.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the man in shock. She didn¡¯t think that the fierce-looking man would jump to their defense.


    ¡°Please pardon this younger generation¡¯s bold words.¡± Lu Xiaotian stood, his hands cupped in front of him.


    ¡°Chefs have their specialties because one¡¯s skills and energy is limited and could not stretch out so far. So when the head chef of Heavenly Residence, Li Yao, appeared, we were all shocked and threatened. He is someone who not only makes exquisite and delicious dishes, but also a master in pastries ¨C and, from what I heard, he¡¯s also skilled in carving. Heavenly Residence is fortunate to be able to hire him as their head chef.


    ¡°Simply put, if your business is not as good as theirs, you have no one to me but yourself for not being able to hire such an all-rounded chef. As for the pastry shops who are supposed to??<i>specialize?</i>?in pastries and were beaten by a restaurant¡¯s chef, you need to take a hard look at your business. If you¡¯re in a fight and the other party defeats you, you can¡¯t request to?have his hands and legs tied up just because you lost. That¡¯s a shameless act that¡¯s only done by desperate, uncouth people.¡±


    Mei Xiuguang¡¯s old face was flushed red with anger and embarrassment but he was unable to respond.


    ¡°What Lu Xiaotian said makes sense. Ju Fu Lin¡¯s business is slowing down but do you hear us ming anyone?¡± Lin Changchun said.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s words were incisive. Everyone present didn¡¯t dare to disagree with him lest they getbeled as a shameless person whose skills were not up to par.


    Zheng Fugui sought the opinion of the old president beside him, who said, ¡°You should settle this matter privately amongst yourself! Next?topic is the discussion with regards to the culinarypetition.¡±


    ¡°Jin Ling¡¯s culinarypetition is held once every five years. It was initially an eventunched to raise the reputations of various restaurants and provoke innovation. However, this year, the government is hoping that the scale can be increased to not only limit thepetition to the various restaurants but also to include anyone who feels that they have excellent culinary skills.¡±


    Immediately, the whole hall was filled with chatter. This meant that the level ofpetition has risen. It was no longer just a matter within themunity. When the timees, the participants would definitely increase, including those from other towns and cities. Thepetition would be stiff.


    ¡°Why? The money for thepetition is going toe out from themittee,¡± Lian Xingwang from Xiang Yi Restaurant opposed.


    Zheng Fugui answered, ¡°Themittee will only bear 30% of this year¡¯s expenses. The rest would be shouldered by the government.¡±


    He, too, did not wish for the scope of thepetition to increase as it would be unfavorable for his son, Sanduo. If it was just within Jin Ling, Sanduo¡¯s culinary skills have the chance of winning. However, he was not sure if it would still hold true once thepetition is open to all. There is always someone better out there.


    Since the government was going to bear the majority of the cost, they could not even object even if they wanted to.


    Ye Jiayao, however, was thinking about getting Zhong Xiang and the rest to enter thepetition.


    ¡°How are the prizes going to be set?¡± someone questioned.


    ¡°Since the scope is wider, the prizes would naturally increase. The government has said that this year, the top 10 would be able to enter the imperial kitchen. Also, this time, thepetition would also include pastries and noodles and the top three will be chosen,¡± Zheng Fugui answered.


    Once again, there was a moment of chattering. The top 10? Was the imperial kitchen just using thispetition as an opportunity to hire chefs?


    Ye Jiayao could understand the logic behind the government¡¯s decree. The masters in the pce must already be tired of the cooking of those chefs and wanted to try something new for a change.


    It was normal. A restaurant changes chefs after a few years for fear that their customers would grow tired of the food.


    ¡°Therefore, everyone here has to prepare. This time, thepetition is not just a fight for fame for yourselves. It is a fight for the reputation of Jin Ling¡¯s restaurants.¡± Zheng Fugui obviously wanted to encourage everyone but as he said the words, he too felt a little heavy.

 Chapter 130 - Becoming A Monk

    <h4>Chapter 130: Bing A Monk</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Everyone¡¯s mood sank after hearing Zheng Fugui¡¯s words. With a wider scope and more participants, thepetition would be tougher than ever.?Even Master Chef Niu¡¯s expression has be grave. The only one who looked as confident as ever was that Zheng Sanduo, which made Ye Jiayao suspicious.


    Was that assh*le really that confident with his skill or was there some conspiracy going on? Did his father somehow manage to reserve him a ce in the top 10?


    Zheng Fugui announced that thepetition would be held around mid-October, which meant that there was still around two months left. He made it clear that every contestant would have to pay 200 coppers for the preliminary round, an additional two taels if they make it to the semi-finals and another five taels for the finals. The contestants would also have to buy and prepare the ingredients themselves.


    <i>What the hell??</i>?Ye Jiayao frowned. It seemed that even in another era, people of power are still money hungry.


    When the meeting was finally over, Mei Xiuguang was the first to walk off, giving Shopkeeper Li a deathly re. He didn¡¯t care about the culinarypetition. His aim for today was to get rid of the ice cream mooncake but things did not go as he nned.


    Shopkeeper Li ignored him and?instead gestured to Li Yao that they were leaving.


    However, Ye Jiayao wanted to do something before they leave.


    Lu Xiaotian stood up when he felt someone pat him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Brother Lu, greetings from me.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian turned around, his brows furrowed. Wasn¡¯t this the young man who sat at Zheng Sanduo¡¯s seat just now?


    ¡°Brother Lu stood up for justice today. Your overwhelming sense of righteousness makes me admire you.¡± Ye Jiayao cupped her hands in front of her sincerely.


    ¡°And you are?¡± Lu Xiaotian was touched but he still did not know this young fellow.


    ¡°I am Li Yao of Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Those who were just about to leave suddenly stopped in their tracks, turning to look at Ye Jiayao.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s jaw dropped open in shock.


    Zheng Sanduo looked so pale and horrified. ¡°You are Li Yao? Head Chef Li?¡±


    It was said that Heavenly Residence¡¯s Head Chef Li was young, but they didn¡¯t know that he would be??<i>this?</i>?young. Hell, the guy doesn¡¯t even look like he¡¯d been with a girl yet!


    Shopkeeper Li slowly said, ¡°He is not just Head Chef Li anymore. He¡¯s Mobile Imperial Chef and Heavenly Residence¡¯s Master Chef Li Yao. Now, if you don¡¯t mind, we have ces to be.¡±


    Ye Jiayao cupped her hands again and smiled at the crowd before following Shopkeeper Li.


    They were dumbstruck, staring after Li Yao and Shopkeeper Li nkly.


    ¡°Xiaotian, your father is in the imperial kitchen, is this the truth?¡± Ju Fu Lin¡¯s Lin Changchun asked.


    Lu Xiaotian smiled helplessly. ¡°It is.¡±


    Lin Changchun nced at the shopkeeper of Xiang Yi Restaurant, Lian Xingwang, who looked like he was about to pass out, and purposefully said, ¡°Shopkeeper Li is indeed?lucky! He might have had his chef stolen, but he sure did found someone infinitely better.¡±


    Ye Jiayao boarded the horse carriage and grumbled merrily, ¡°Shopkeeper, that was mean! I think you scared them!¡±


    Shopkeeper Liughed proudly. ¡°Good. That is what I intend to do. You know, I¡¯ve spoken more today than I have in all of seven years that I¡¯ve been on thatmittee. It is exhrating!


    ¡°I¡¯ve always disliked that Mei. He thinks that because he¡¯s worked in the imperial kitchen before, he¡¯s above everyone. Ha! My head chef is also now from the imperial kitchen!¡±


    Shopkeeper Li usually liked to keep a low profile, but now that he has sold the restaurant, he has nothing to be afraid of anymore. He can say whatever he wants and the blowback wouldn¡¯t be directed at him.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to tell Shopkeeper Li what happened with Consort Mei and their theory of its connection with that Mei?Xiuguang. However, Shopkeeper Li was a bit of a coward and Ye Jiayao was afraid to give him a fright. Luckily, she was now the Mobile Imperial Chef. The Meis, or anyone for that matter, would think twice before plotting against her.


    After dinner, Ye Jiayao had everyone in the kitchen stay back for a short meeting.


    She discussed the new rules of the culinarypetition and also her thoughts about them joining in. This was a rare chance that they couldn¡¯t and?<i>shouldn¡¯t</i>pass up. Although it would be difficult to enter the top 10, they would at least be able to gain experience and knowledge if theypete.


    Deng Haichuan said, ¡°Brother Yao, our skills aren¡¯t suited for thepetition yet. Brother Xiang, you should go.¡±


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    Zhong Xiang was slightly interested but he¡¯s still too unsure.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to make it.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you can participate in the pastrypetition. Your basics are strong and you are creative. I think it is worth a try,¡± Ye Jiayao encouraged.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. Very mindful of Li Yao¡¯s opinion, he asked, ¡°Do you really think I can try?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Of course I do! In the Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday banquet, your pastries were highly praised.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, go for it. When the timees, we will all go and support you and Brother Yao,¡± Cui Dongpeng said.


    ¡°All of you go back and consider it. Registration starts in three days. Don¡¯t be too caught up in winning, just take it as an experience,¡± Ye Jiayao told them.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk about the second matter. You should all know that we?recently have epted many private banquets. We can¡¯t cope with that if it¡¯s just the five of us, so I have decided to split us up into two groups.?Me, Deng Haichuan, Wang Mingde in one group, Brother Xiang and Cui Dongpeng will be in another. The rest of you will fill in the remaining slots. I told you before that everyone here has a chance. This is it. If you perform well, you stay. If I see you cking off, others will take your ce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to take care of her brothers.?She would pull up whoever she could but she has to make it clear that inept and weak workers were not wee.


    Her deration overwhelmed the brothers with emotions.


    ¡°Brother Yao, we will not disappoint you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled, pleased with how the meeting went. She still wasn¡¯t sure whether everyone would be up to the task, but that was now out of her control. She had done what she could.


    The family banquet of Governor Su was on the fifth day of the eighth month. There was another event on the fourth for the family of a fourth rank official. Ye Jiayao set the menu and put Zhong Xiang mainly in charge. On the day of the banquet, she¡¯d just have to make a few key dishes to guard a pass.


    Today, Ye Jiayao has something more important to do.


    She has to find out what happened with Zhao Qixuan.


    She was the one who came up with the idea so naturally, she wanted to see how it would turn out.


    Early in the morning, Su Yi was practicing calligraphy in his study when a servant came in to report that Little Shao from the Yong An Marquis Residence was seeking his audience.


    Without even lifting his head, Su Yi replied, ¡°No.¡±


    The servant said, ¡°Little Shao said that if he doesn¡¯t see you, he will kneel in front of the residence until Young Masteres out.¡±


    Su Yi frowned in annoyance. He thought that after giving him a harsh beating, Qixuan would exercise restraint. He didn¡¯t think that he¡¯d really follow that Li Yao¡¯s asinine advice.


    He has actually already checked up on that shameless git. He found out that he¡¯s Heavenly Residence¡¯s head chef and it was only because of Little Jing that he and Qixuan became brothers.


    This chap has not even been in Jin Ling for long yet he was already well-known. Actually, almost all the nobles and aristocrats know him because of his chilled drinks, ice cream mooncakes, and his work at the Helian¡¯s Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday banquet. The news that shocked him most was his win against a fight with Princess Liu Li. It looked like the young guy was quite capable and courageous.


    Su Yi felt like his Achilles¡¯ heel was in the hands of others and he didn¡¯t like it.


    He wanted to get someone to chase Little Shao away, but he¡¯s afraid of blowing things up. He could not have Little Shao kneeling outside so he called him in.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Su Yi demanded coldly. He¡¯s determined that no matter what message Qixuan got Little Shao to pass, he would not pay attention to it.


    Little Shao wiped his eyes with his sleeve, his tears starting to pour out. He was silently cursing the chili that Heir-Son Lord gave him. It was so hot that he felt like he was going to go blind.


    Su Yi waited for a while, but when he did not hear Little Shao talking, he lifted his head to look at him. He was taken aback by the tears streaming on Little Shao¡¯s face. ¡°What are you crying for??Your master isn¡¯t even dead.¡±


    Little Shao sobbed, ¡°S..soon¡­ he is going to die.¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s heart stuttered for a bit before he recovered with a smile. ¡°Your master is using self-harming methods to move me.¡±


    Although he bashed Zhao Qixuan up pretty badly, it was only skin deep.?He had good control over the extent and power he used so he wouldn¡¯t really hurt Qixuan.?<i>Dying? Who is he trying to bluff?</i>


    ¡°Yes, it is true. It is akin to dying. The Heir-Son Lord¡­ he is going to be a monk,¡± Little Shao whimpered.


    Su Yi was stunned. He wasn¡¯t expecting that.


    ¡°Madam has already cried several times. No matter how much we persuade him, it is of no use. The Heir-Son Lord is determined to be a monk. He is going to the White Tower Temple today to take the tonsure.¡±


    Little Shao brought out a little bundle wrapped in cloth from his chest and passed it to Su Yi. ¡°Heir-Son Lord wants me to give this to you. He says it is for memory¡¯s sake.¡±


    Su Yi opened up the parcel shakily. Inside, there was a bead and a lock of hair.


    It was as if he was struck by lightning.


    He also has the same bead. It¡¯s polished from the same piece of jade. They bought this piece of jade together at a temple fair after school. It wasn¡¯t really a good piece of jade but because Qixuan insisted on him buying him a gift, he picked up a random piece of jade from a random stall. He asked Zhao Qixuan to bring it back home and carve a seal out of it for fun. Two dayster, Qixuan brought two beads over, saying that he polished the jade into beads for each of them.


    He could still remember Qixuan¡¯s wide smile, revealing all his pearly white teeth. He said,??<i>¡°Wear this and never remove it, okay?¡±</i>


    At that time, he didn¡¯t know Qixuan¡¯s feelings so he obliged.


    Slowly, he started to get furious. Yes, Su Yi hid from Qixuan, but he¡¯d never thought of removing that bead.


    Does this mean that he really has decided to be a monk?

 Chapter 131 - Get Used To It

    <h4>Chapter 131: Get Used To It</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Little Shao presented him a letter next.


    Su Yi almost keeled over after reading it.


    ¡°Susu, I have thought things through. I finally realized that you are unable to ept me, not because I am not good enough, but because our affinity is not as deep as I thought it to be. Li Yao said that a love like ours is not something you might get even after thousands of years of cultivation. Therefore, I have decided to sit in front of the Buddha and do religious cultivation for the rest of my life. If in this life it is insufficient, I will do it again in my next one until it is enough. Susu, just remember that even after I take the tonsure, I will still miss you very much.¡±


    Su Yi felt wrecked. Zhao Qixuan might be a shrewd businessman, but he has a one-track mind when ites to rtionships. The man was just hopelessly foolish. How could he believe Li Ya¡¯s nonsense? How could he even consider bing a??<i>monk?</i>


    Little Shao¡¯s tears were still flowing when he said, ¡°Madam wants me to be a monk too so I can wait on Heir-Son Lord. I don¡¯t want to be a monk! Master Su,?please persuade the Heir-Son Lord! He will only listen to you.


    <i>Qixuan, you f*cking moron! You¡¯re doing all these because of a crazy thought that we¡¯d be together in another lifetime?</i>


    ¡°When is your Heir-Son Lord taking the tonsure?¡± Su Yi asked, his face pale.


    Little Shao was ted and cried even harder.


    ¡°This morning. Yesterday, the monk in White Tower Temple promised to shave his head this morning.¡±


    Su Yi gripped the jade bead and that lock of hair, rushing off to White Tower Temple without another word.


    He could not allow Zhao Qixuan to be a monk.


    Su Yi rushed over to the temple on a horse. When he reached White Tower Temple, he practically rolled down from the horse, silently praying that he was not toote.


    He ran up the stairs, all of its 399 steps, in one breath. At one point, he fell and cut his knee, but he did not stop. He got up and ignored the pain, stumbling his way up to the monastery.


    White Tower Temple has three sections. At the second section, Su Yi was stopped by someone. ¡°Sir, we are in the midst of a tonsure ceremony right now. We do not ept pilgrims.¡±


    In the main hall, the sound of the mokugyo beating and the monks chanting Buddhist scriptures filled the air. Su Yi peered in and saw someone kneeling before the Buddha, the person-in-charge of the White Tower temple shaving his head. He wanted to yell for them to stop, but the words were stuck in his throat. He felt dizzy and disoriented like he was about to faint.


    He was toote. Zhao Qixuan has already taken the tonsure.


    He would never take all his scoldings and beatings shamelessly again. No one would call him Susu again.


    S?<i>usu, I feel that we are a match made in heaven¡­</i>


    <i>Susu, why do you think I like you so much? I liked you from the moment I saw you.</i>


    <i>Susu, will you say something?</i>


    <i>Susu, my father gave me a beating, but that¡¯s okay. Even if he beats me to death, I will not change my mind about you...</i>


    <i>Susu, I don¡¯t care what others say about me. I only care about you. Please, don¡¯t ignore me¡­</i>


    <i>Susu, you are a coward¡­</i>


    Something warm was trickling down his cheeks. Surprised, he reached up to touch it. Tears. It looks like he knew how to cry, after all.


    Zhao Qixuan has always chased him around, finding ways and means to make him happy, but he has never been willing to give in to him. Su Yi acted as though he could not stand to be near him.


    In reality, he does not find him annoying.


    In reality, he actually liked hearing him spout nonsense.


    In reality, he liked to see him being silly.


    In reality, he liked hearing him call him Susu...


    He never wanted to leave Jin Ling. On those days where he couldn¡¯t see Qixuan, he would sit under the moon and y the tune ¡®Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix¡¯ on a vertical bamboo flute. He heard Qixuan say that he?liked the tune very much so he learned it secretly.?He never had the chance to y it for him.


    Qixuan was right, he¡¯s a coward.


    He was afraid of the different looks people would give him and the hurtful words they¡¯d say. He was afraid to be mocked and pointed at by others when he walks down the street. He was afraid that his parents?would disown him.


    He was so afraid of being with Qixuan that he hid far away.


    He always thought that Qixuan was heartless. How could he not care about anything? How could he just proim his intentions so easily and so freely? It was only now that Su Yi understood him. It wasn¡¯t that Qixuan doesn¡¯t care about anything ¨C it was just that he only cared about him. He was able to ignore all the contempt others threw his way because the only opinion he cared about was Su Yi¡¯s. He endured being beaten so badly by his father that he was bed-ridden for months because, in Qixuan¡¯s mind, he has Su Yi.


    Now¡­ he has given up everything to take refuge in religious life, still all for him.


    The tears were getting uncontroble and for once, he didn¡¯t wish to control them. His heart felt like it was ripped away. He couldn¡¯t think of anything else but the thought of the person he cares about the most leaving him forever.


    ¡°Susu, what are you doing here?¡±


    Su Yi turned around, almost jumping out of his skin in shock.


    Zhao Qixuan stood before him, donning a monk¡¯s robe with his head still full of hair. He took another look at the kneeling person in the main hall, his hair falling, then asked a very silly question, ¡°The person inside isn¡¯t you?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan touched his head. ¡°It is not my turn yet. Today is a good day to take the tonsure so there are three other people who are taking it.¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s fist mped tightly on the jade bead in his palm, staring straight at Qixuan.


    Zhao Qixuan has never seen Susu cry. Seeing his face wet with tears, he almost couldn¡¯t resist the urge to rush up to him andfort him.


    However, Li Yao has made it clear; before the time is right, he has to bear with it.?<i>Bear with it, he must bear with it...??</i>?If he crumbles now, their efforts would just go to waste.


    ¡°Susu, thank you foring to see me. However, you don¡¯t have to worry, I am really going to take the tonsure. From now on, you don¡¯t have to hide anymore¡­¡± Zhao Qixuan stuttered.


    Su Yi just stared at him wordlessly.


    ¡°Umm, I have a vi built there. You said that you like the scenery so I am going to give the vi to you. Someone will be going over to your residence to give you the deed of the house. I, um, I wanted to give it to you from the start¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir, it is time,¡± a monk interrupted,?giving a Buddhist greeting to Zhao Qixuan.


    ¡°Oh! Okay. Susu, I am going now. You have to take care of yourself, okay? I will chant scriptures and pray for you in front of the Buddha.¡± Zhao Qixuan lowered his head, afraid to look Susu in the eyes.


    After taking two steps, Zhao Qixuan nced back and said, ¡°Susu, you should go back. Don¡¯t watch. I am afraid I won¡¯t look nice without hair.¡±


    Su Yi watched him take each step towards the main step. Each step symbolized Qixuan giving up his worldly affairs, giving up on??<i>them.?</i>


    He couldn¡¯t take it anymore and Su Yi suddenly rushed up in big steps, grabbing his arm and dragging him out.


    ¡°Ay! Susu, what are you doing? I am going to take the tonsure soon! There must not be any dy, otherwise, the Buddha will think that I¡¯m insincere. He might even punish me to many more lifetimes of cultivation...¡±


    ¡°Then, so be it. I don¡¯t care if we¡¯re going to hell after death. In this life, we will be together,¡± Su Yi said determinedly, pulling him out in fast paces. He wanted to leave this ce as soon as possible.


    Zhao Qixuan stared at the back of Susu¡¯s head in disbelief. Did he hear correctly?


    ¡°Susu, you¡­ what did you say?¡±


    When they were finally out of the White Tower Temple, Su Yi flung his hand away and practically shouted, ¡°You moron! Didn¡¯t you say you are only persistent on this one matter in your whole life? What is this, then? If you take the tonsure and be a monk, what am I going to do? Should I take the tonsure with you?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan stammered, ¡°Are you afraid that the people of my family will me you? It won¡¯t happen, I assure you. My parents are very reasonable. They know that their son fails to live up to their expectations and that it has nothing to do with you.¡±


    Su Yi really felt like punching him, making his other eye swollen to even them out.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you don¡¯t believe that I don¡¯t hold you dear in my heart?¡± Su Yi screamed.


    Zhao Qixuan said meekly, ¡°I¡­ I was trying to console myself. I was living in my lies.¡±


    In the next moment, Su Yi pounced over. Zhao Qixuan dodged instinctively, thinking that Susu was going to punch him, but Susu merely grabbed the sides of his face and nted a firm kiss on his lips.


    In that split second, Zhao Qixuan felt as though everything around them was reduced to nothingness.


    ¡°What about now? What do you say?¡± Su Yi lets go of him, the fury in his eyes reced by a calmness as still as water. That Li Yao might be impertinent, but what he said was true. A lifetime is too short and he didn¡¯t want to leave any regrets again. His family and other people would just have to get used to it.


    Zhao Qixuan waspletely dumbstruck, standing there staring at Susu stupidly. ¡°I... what did I say?¡±


    Su Yi rolled his eyes. It looked like he has not made himself clear.


    He kissed him again. This time, it was tender and filled with love and affection. He was actually surprised to find out that he was not repelled by such intimacy.


    ¡°Silly, do you still want to take the tonsure?¡±


    Susu¡¯s slightly cool lips made Qixuan¡¯s whole body sing with happiness. Susu actually??<i>kissed?</i>?him! They even barely progressed to holding hands after so many years! Susu has finally and truly epted him.


    Zhao Qixuan did not remain silly for too long and threw himself into Susu¡¯s embrace, kissing him back passionately. He wanted to make up for all the kisses they didn¡¯t get to share all these years.


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing, who was hiding in a temple to spy on them, heaved long sighs of relief.


    ¡°Should we go out and congratte them?¡± Helian Jing asked.


    Ye Jiayao stared at Helian Jing. ¡°Do you have a death wish? If Susu finds out that all this is a trap, the three of us are going to die a horrible death.¡±


    Helian Jing withdrew, thought back at how pathetic Zhao Qixuan looked when Su Yi roughed him up and shuddered.


    ¡°We will just hide here and go out after they leave. You can¡¯t tell anyone about this. You must take this secret to the grave, do you hear me?¡± Ye Jiayao warned.


    Helian Jing nodded immediately. ¡°I will never tell a soul.¡±

 Chapter 132 - Long Story Short

    <h4>Chapter 132: Long Story Short</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Madam Ye came to Yangzhou with the ¡®real¡¯ Second Lady Ye.


    The well-nned visits and appearances of the two daughters changed the public¡¯s previous bad opinions.?Of course, people would not believe that the Helian Mansion deliberately lied to cause trouble for Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s family so everyone just thought that it was all a misunderstanding.


    Ye Jinrong was finally in the clear.


    When she heard about this, Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t the least bit worried. In fact, she was thrilled to see the Ye jumping around to cover their lies. After all, the higher they jump, the harder they fall.


    Soon, it was the sixth day of the month and it was Ye Jiayao¡¯s birthday. She still found it strange that she and Ye Jinxuan shared the same birthday. Maybe that was why she was reincarnated in thetter¡¯s body.


    Ye Jiayao had long forgotten that she had mentioned her birthday to Little Jing.


    After a?busy afternoon, she asked Zhong Xiang to make her a bowl of noodles with two extra eggs.


    Zhong Xiang joked, ¡°Li Yao, it¡¯s not your birthday, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°My digestion hasn¡¯t been good recently. I would like to eat noodles to try and give my stomach a break,¡± Ye Jiayao replied casually.


    If the brothers knew that it was her birthday today, they¡¯d definitely make a whole scene of it with meals and drinks. They might even get her gifts and Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want that much trouble. All she wanted to do was go home and sleep.


    In the afternoon, Eunuch Little Chuan came and gave Ye Jiayao a basket of red pomegranates?as a reward from the Prince¡¯s wife because she liked the yogurt ice cream she made.


    Pomegranates weren¡¯t really worth a lot, but they arrived at the right time.?Ye Jiayao took them happily and thanked the eunuch.


    She saved five of it, one for herself and four for the Jiang family, and she shared the rest with brothers in the kitchen.


    When she finished working that night, Little Jing was waiting for her.


    ¡°Yaoyao, let¡¯s go cruising.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m too tired.


    ¡°Just for a little while. I will make the ice creams for you tonight.¡± Little Jing looked at her expectantly.


    Ye Jiayao returned his look with wariness. ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t want to trouble you.¡±


    Last time she asked him to crack eggs, he cracked it as if he was bashing a rock. He used too much strength and the bucket of eggs fell down the floor. He wasted a few dozens of eggs, nearly bringing Jiang Yue to tears.


    Little Jing sneered at her. ¡°I didn¡¯t have experience before! I assure you that I will not make a mistake this time. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ve rented a boat already. I heard that there will be a courtesanpetition in Qinhuai River. We can go and have a look.¡±


    When Ye Jiayao heard about the courtesan¡¯spetition, her interest was piqued. She thought about the story of the eight famous courtesans in Qinhuai. They were rumored to be the most beautiful girls in Qinhuai and was so elegant they could pass off as royalties.


    Her moment of hesitation was enough for Little Jing to get her to the dock.


    When Ye Jiayao saw the small boat that Little Jing led her to, she asked, ¡°We¡¯re going on a cruise on this little boat?¡±


    ¡°When I found out about thepetition, the luxurious boats have all been rented out. The only ones left were this type of boats. I had to reveal to them my royal rank to rent it,¡±?Little Jing said, acting embarrassed.


    What really happened was that he exchanged the luxurious boat with other¡¯s small boat. He wanted to tell Yaoyao something and he didn¡¯t want others overhearing him.


    Ye Jiayao pictured Little Jing pulling rank on the boatmen to rent this measly boat and she couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Once the two boarded the boat, the boatman utched it from the dock and pushed it softly.


    The boat just floated away ¨C without the boatman.


    ¡°Wait! Why is the boatman on the dock? Who is going to row this thing?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Little Jing picked up the paddles and started to row the boat. He smiled reassuringly and said to Yaoyao, ¡°I will.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Not bad!¡± Ye Jiayaoplimented when he saw how well Little Jing was doing.


    Little Jing did a happy jig inside.?<i>Of course, I am good. I?practiced for a whole afternoon just for this!</i>


    Qinhuai river was especially noisy tonight. Every light in the vicinity was on and there were countless boats on the river. Little Jing pointed to Yaoyao which big boat belonged to brothels.


    ¡°Do you know how theypete in this kind ofpetition?¡± Ye Jiayao asked curiously.


    ¡°The formal show has not started yet. Later, the courtesans from big brothels will gather together?at one spot. See that? That¡¯s the water stage in the front. They willpete?against each other using their talents and skills.


    ¡°Tonight is just a beginning. Thepetition willst for three days and then they will choose the most popr courtesan among them.¡±


    ¡°How would they assess that? Is there a judge?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s really no judge. They will just see who¡¯s the most popr. The one who would garner the highest bid would be the flower courtesan.¡±


    <i>An auction in public? In the ancient era? Who knew!?</i>


    ¡°Little Jing, would anyone among your friends bid in this? Like your brother, Xia Chunyu, Zhao Qixuan. Eh¡­ I guess Zhao Qixuan wouldn¡¯t go,¡± Ye Jiayao tested.


    ¡°Even though some royals would go, people like us who are traditional and decent would not bid. The best we can do is just watch,¡± Little Jing said seriously.


    Ye Jiayao sighed in relief. If Chunyu ever dared to join this kind of ce, she¡¯d leave him in the dirt so fast his head would spin.


    ¡°We can grab a good spot over the waterside earlier!¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to row there.¡± Even though Little Jing managed to navigate around the river, he was still new to this. He almost hit other boats several times!


    ¡°Hurry up! It looks like it is about to begin.¡± Ye Jiayao noticed that the other ships were beginning to move closer to the water tform.


    ¡°Emm...¡±


    <i>Pong!</i>


    Their small boat hit a luxurious boat next to them.


    ¡°Who is this? Do you even know how to row a boat?¡± someone from the boat came out and swore at him.


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing looked up and the man immediately retracted his head.


    Little Jing scowled at the big boat. ¡°He¡¯s lucky that I¡¯m in a good mood today. I¡¯ll deal with him some other day.¡±


    In the luxurious boat, Mu Qinchu swore at his bad luck. He just yelled at Young Royal Highness Jing and Li Yao! He just hoped that they didn¡¯t recognize him.


    ¡°Cousin, what happened? Who is it?¡± Wei Liujiang asked when he saw Mu Qinchu¡¯s pale face.


    Mu Qinchu whispered the names to Wei Liujiang, whose face turned pale, too. They just came out to have fun, why was this happening to them?


    ¡°Ask the boatman to drive the boat further away,¡± Wei Liujiang told the servant.


    Ye Jiayao noticed the boat veering away and smiled. ¡°He knew it was us so he ran away.¡±


    ¡°He can¡¯t hide forever,¡± Little Jing said with a cold smile.


    ¡°Oh, that reminds me. Did your brother came up with ideas on how to expose them?¡±


    Little Jing shook his head. ¡°My brother and Brother Chunyu are keeping their mouth shut about their ns. Whatever. I don¡¯t really care as long as those two suffer. I know that my brother and Brother Chunyu will make sure that they pay.¡±


    Little Jing finally managed to row the boat in front of the water tform. It was good timing since thepetition just started.


    Little Jing brought out a bunch of food and wine from the wooden box under his seat.


    ¡°You prepared for this,¡± Ye Jiayaomented.


    ¡°Of course! We can¡¯t just watch and do nothing!¡± Little Jing told her, looking proud.


    The music started and they saw seven girls with their beautiful bodies covered in even prettier clothes walked softly into the water tform. The cheers and shouting rose.


    ¡°Tonight is the group debut, tomorrow will be the personal talent show,¡± Little Jing introduced.


    ¡°These are all of them?¡± Ye Jiayao asked doubtfully. They did have good body shapes and pretty faces, but weren¡¯t courtesans supposed to be held to a higher standard?


    ¡°Yes. There is apetition every year but the quality for each year is different. I heard Zhao Qixuan said that the most beautiful girl was Liu Yiyi from the year before. She was certainly the real flower. The night after tomorrow, Liu Yiyi will appear.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t wait to see Liu Yiyi as this year¡¯s courtesans disappointed her.


    The audience was another matter. They were all cheering loudly, praising the girls¡¯ beauties. Some people even started to recite poems for them.


    Ye Jiayao cringed.??<i>Unbelievable?</i>.


    Even Little Jing looked happy.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want toe tomorrow but I want to see Liu Yiyi. I trust Zhao Qixuan¡¯s judgment,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    They haven¡¯t heard from Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi for a?couple of days now. Su Yi didn¡¯t evene to look for her during the Su family¡¯s dinner party.??<i>Now that they¡¯re living the happily ever after, they forgot all about their wingman.</i>


    ¡°Okay. I will rent a huge boat the day after tomorrow and I will ask Liu Yiyi toe and toast to you and y the qin for us,¡± Little Jing said.


    ¡°For free?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Liu Yiyi was the most expensive bid in Qinhuai river. She wouldn¡¯t do anything for anyone expect Brother Chunyu.¡±


    <i>What the f*ck? Chunyu had a rtionship with a courtesan??</i>?Ye Jiayao felt like she was going to throw up.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    ¡°Then shorten it,¡± Ye Jiayao demanded angrily.

 Chapter 133 - Birthday Gift

    <h4>Chapter 133: Birthday Gift</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Little Jing obliged.


    Last year, in the courtesan contest, Liu Yiyi was almost won by an insignificant old man who was in the coal business when he bid 8,000 silvers for her. No one dared to raise the bargaining price again even if they all saw that a flower was about to be nted on a cow dung.


    Xia Chunyu saved her by raising the amount to 10,000 silvers.


    Little Jing made Xia Chunyu sound like a hero when he saved the beauty by offering 10,000 silvers for her.


    Ye Jiayao spat her wine out.??<i>That f*cking perverted bastard!</i>


    She was hurt and furious. He paid 10,000 silvers for one night with a woman.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back. I am not watching this anymore,¡± Ye Jiayao said testily.


    ¡°What? Why? If you don¡¯t like this, there will be more programster,¡± Little Jing said.


    ¡°I said I want to leave. Why, are you enjoying yourself? Do you fancy their beauty?¡±


    Little Jing shook his head frantically. ¡°No, no. Even if they look like goddesses, they still can¡¯tpare to... um, someone.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that that ¡®someone¡¯ was Liu Yiyi and she felt more indignant.


    ¡°Then what is there to see? If you want to watch, go ahead. I¡¯m leaving.¡± Ye Jiayao stood up, forgetting that she was still on the boat.


    ¡°What are you doing? Yaoyao, you sit down! Come on, I¡¯ll get us out of here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat down and Little Jing drew their boat away from the festivity.


    ¡°Why are you upset, Yaoyao?¡± Little Jing asked curiously.


    If Yaoyao was in a bad mood, it would be a bad time for Helian Jing to confess his feelings.


    ¡°I¡¯m not upset. I just... I just don¡¯t like those girls,¡± she lied. She refused to get upset because of that womanizing prick.


    ¡°Are you really not unhappy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him in response.


    Little Jing smiled and rowed the boat farther away. When Yaoyao wasn¡¯t paying attention, he gently threw a basket to the river.


    ¡°Aye, what¡¯s that?¡± Little Jing eximed.


    Ye Jiayao looked in the direction that he was pointing at and saw a basket floating on the water.


    ¡°Quick, pick it up!¡± Little Jing steered the boat towards the basket.


    Ye Jiayao immediately snatched it out of the water. When she opened up the cloth that was covering the basket, she let out a squeal of surprise.


    The basket contained two newborn puppies whose eyes were yet to open. They looked so cute!


    Ye Jiayao breathed, ¡°Puppies.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I thought it was something valuable. Just throw them back to the water!¡± Little Jing said deliberately.


    Ye Jiayao leveled him a fierce re. ¡°You¡¯re heartless. These puppies are alive. They¡¯re abandoned at such a young age and they need guidance. I will take them back home and raise them.¡±


    She gently touched the puppies¡¯ furs, loving their adorableness. She had already raised a nest of rabbits as?her pregnant bunny has already given birth to five cute babies. Adding these two fur babies would just liven up her ce more. Jiang Yue would certainly like them very much.


    ¡°Do you really like them?¡± Little Jing asked with a smile.


    ¡°Yes! I love them and I¡¯m not going to throw them away.¡± Ye Jiayao held the basket to her chest as if they were treasures that Little Jing would take away.


    Little Jing said happily, ¡°I¡¯m d that you like it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows furrowed.??<i>Wait...?</i>?¡°Did you arrange this?¡±


    Little Jing tried to stifle his grin.


    Ye Jiayao softened. ¡°How did you know that I like dogs?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I just saw the rabbits that you¡¯ve raised and I took a gamble that you liked all little animals. I wanted to give you some gold or silver for your birthday, but that was too conventional, so I thought of this.¡±


    Gold or silver was not conventional, Ye Jiayao would just be too embarrassed to take them. This gift was infinitely better. She was moved by how much thought Little Jing has put into this.


    ¡°Thank you, Little Jing. I really love this... but how do you know that today is my birthday?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Little Jingughed. ¡°Have you forgotten? You told me yourself! I initially wanted to throw a celebration for you, but you¡¯ve been so busy and tiredtely that I figured you wouldn¡¯t want that.


    She almost teared up. It has been so long ago and yet Little Jing still remembered it. The kid really was very sweet and thoughtful.


    ¡°Do they have names?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I wanted you to name them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao carefully looked at the two puppies. She can¡¯t name them based on what they look like as they were still pink and it was impossible to figure out what color their furs would be in the future.


    ¡°How about Little Ji and Little Rui?¡± she suggested. ¡°That means good fortune!¡±


    Little Jing has to admit that he was worried that Yaoyao would name one of the puppies ¡®Little Jing Jing.¡¯


    ¡°That sounds good. They are lucky to have you as their master, Yaoyao.¡±


    Her anger with Chunyu gradually dissipated as she looked at the puppies. She plucked little Ji¡¯s ear and he moved his paw, seeming to protest the disturbance in his sleep. Ye Jiayao then went to touch Little Rui¡¯s mouth and he stuck his tongue out, licking her finger.


    ¡°Yao... Yaoyao, actually... I, um, I want to give you another present,¡± Helian Jing stammered.


    ¡°Huh? Little Ji and Little Rui are more than enough. There¡¯s no need for more,¡± Ye Jiayao declined distractedly, still upied with the cute puppies.


    ¡°But I want to give this to you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked up. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Little Jing gave Yaoyao a small box.


    Ye Jiayao put the basket down by her feet and cautiously took the box. ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Find out for yourself,¡± Helian Jing said, his cheeks flushing red.


    Ye Jiayao opened it and saw a piece of lucid white jade, clear and clean. It looked like a very valuable gem.


    ¡°This¡­ this is too expensive! I can¡¯t take it.¡± Ye Jiayao hastily handed it back to him.


    ¡°You can! I want to give this to you,¡± Little Jing insisted, his heart thumping.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head.??<i>It¡¯s too expensive!</i>


    ¡°This is handed down from my ancestors.¡±


    That just renewed Ye Jiayao¡¯s determination not to take it. An ancestral heirloom was even more priceless! ¡°No, I really can¡¯t take this.¡±


    Little Jing wanted to p his own mouth.?<i>You idiot, why?</i><i>did you say it was from your?ancestor?</i>


    ¡°There are a lot of things handed down from my ancestors, this is nothing!¡± Little Jing tried again. ¡°Yaoyao... please take it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at Little Jing, finding his actions weird. The breeze over the river was cool yet he was sweating profusely. He was also blushing like a drunk man and was acting very skittish.


    <i>Oh...</i>


    <i>Oh, no...</i>


    ¡°Little Jing, I??<i>really?</i>?can¡¯t ept this.¡± Ye Jiayao had a strong feeling that the jade has some other meaning. She thought about what Chunyu said about Little Jing and she felt her heart sink.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I...I...¡± Little Jing was frustrated beyond belief. He had practiced what to say to Yaoyao for countless of times and yet he still could not get the words out.


    She already has a pretty good guess?of what he wanted to say. This little kid?might¡¯ve been inspired by Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi¡¯s sessful reunion.


    <i>Crap! I never meant to turn Little Jing gay!?</i>


    ¡°Stop. Don¡¯t say anything else or we¡¯ll stop being friends,¡± Ye Jiayao told him, quickly stopping his confession.


    Helian Xuan would no doubt me her for ¡®corrupting¡¯ his little brother.


    ¡°Why? Yaoyao, I think that we¡¯re destined to be together,¡± Little Jing said earnestly, his eyes shining.


    <i>You don¡¯t even know who I am!?</i>


    ¡°Little Jing, there are many things that you don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Little Jing said. ¡°I know that you like Brother Chunyu and that he likes you too. But I don¡¯t think you guys are suitable. He will marry Princess Liu Li, Yaoyao, their marriage is all set. If she gets wind of this, do you think she¡¯d just let it go? Yaoyao, I am serious with you...¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± Ye Jiayao shouted.


    ¡°No, I want to talk. You can take Brother Chunyu, why can¡¯t you take me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was panicking.??<i>This ignorant f*cking kid!</i>


    ¡°Yaoyao, I have never been more certain about my feelings in my entire life. I don¡¯t care what others will say...¡±


    ¡°Stop, Helian Jing! I¡¯m warning you, if you dare to say one more sentence, I will never speak to you again.¡±


    ¡°I will not give up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stay here anymore. She grabbed the basket and jumped into the river to escape Little Jing.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡± Helian Jing didn¡¯t expect that Yaoyao would jump off the boat just to get away from him after he just spilled his heart out.


    He was stunned for a split second before he jumped after him, intending to be his hero.


    Ye Jiayao was preparing to swim towards the bank when she heard Little Jing screaming. She turned around and saw him drowning in the water.


    She silently swore. Why did he jump if couldn¡¯t swim???<i>Idiot.</i>


    Left with no choice, Ye Jiayao left the basket floating on the water and turned around to save him.


    Helian Jing was choking. When he jumped down, he?forgot that he didn¡¯t know how to swim because his only thoughts then were pulling Yaoyao to safety.


    Ye Jiayao quickly dived down and grabbed Little Jing, who immediately clung to her.


    She held in an angry gasp. This kid was grabbing her private parts!

 Chapter 134 - The Truth

    <h4>Chapter 134: The Truth</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao used all her strength to pull the heavy kid up.


    Helian Jing looked like a dying fish. He would¡¯ve been fine as he only choked on the water for a few seconds, but when he felt himself grab something that he shouldn¡¯t have, he inhaled more water in his frightened gasp.


    ¡°Spit the water out...¡± Ye Jiayao turned Little Jing around and used her knee to knock his stomach as she pped his back. She prayed that nothing serious would happen to Little Jing because Helian Xuan would kill her otherwise.


    Little Jing spat the water out and started to cough.


    Ye Jiayao was relieved.??<i>Some birthday...</i>


    ¡°You¡¯re okay, don¡¯t worry. Drink some ginger soup when you get home and you¡¯ll be just fine,¡± Ye Jiayaoforted.


    Little Jing stared at Yaoyao, his mind still stuck on a certain body part that he felt that shouldn¡¯t have been there.


    She thought that his daze look was just because of the fright he got so she said, ¡°Sit here while I go get the puppies.¡±


    Ye Jiayao jumped into the water again and grabbed the basket and swam back. Luckily, the water didn¡¯t get into the basket or the puppies would be in danger. Puppies this young and weak wouldn¡¯t be able to swim yet.


    After she saved the puppies, she suddenly remembered the jade that was still in the boat. It was an heirloom for Little Jing and it would be bad to lose it.


    By the time she found the jade and came back to the river bank, she was exhausted. In her previous life, she could¡¯ve easily swum a few thousand meters, but in this body, shecked exercise.


    She panted heavily and handed the jade haphazardly to Little Jing. ¡°Here. Don¡¯t lose it.¡±


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t make a move to take the jade and just continued to stare at her.


    The wet clothes stuck to her body and it showed a silhouette of breasts. Even though he really hasn¡¯t seen a woman¡¯s body before, he could feel the difference regardless of theyers of the clothes.


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t know what to do or say so he got up and ran away.


    Ye Jiayao stared after him.??<i>Errm?</i>


    She rolled onto her back, shaking her head. She¡¯d just return the jade to Little Jing another time. Musing, she found out that this Qin Huai River brings her bad fortune.?Every time she came here, something bad happened. From now on, she needed to stay away from here.


    <i>Wait.?</i>?She still has toe back the day after tomorrow to see Chunyu¡¯s old lover, Liu Yiyi. If she finds out that he was still talking to that woman, he¡¯d regret it.


    Come to think of it, didn¡¯t Chunyu also had a lover called Qin Liu before? What was it with him and women with the character ¡®Liu¡¯?


    Ye Jiayao, in a terrible mood, got up and took the basket to trudge back home.


    In the Helian Mansion, Ping An was shocked to see Young Royal Highness Jinge back looking like a drowned rat.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing, what happened?¡±


    ¡°Bring me clean clothes and get a bowl of ginger soup. Hurry up.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Ping An hurriedly brought him a towel, a change of clothes, and asked someone to cook ginger soup.


    Helian Jing changed his clothes and sat cross-legged on the couch, meditating for while. After he was done, he waved Ping An over.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, what do you need?¡±


    ¡°Ping An, why would any guy need to cover his chest with a cloth?¡±


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s wounded?¡± Ping An inferred.


    Helian Jing shook his head. Yaoyao didn¡¯t look like he was wounded. He squinted at Ping An, his eyes focused on thetter¡¯s chest area.


    Ping An felt goosebumps cover his body. Frightened, he inquired, ¡°Young Royal Highness, what... what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Find a strip of cloth to cover your chest.¡±


    ¡°Why? Young Royal Highness, I am not a woman,¡± Ping An protested, almost screaming. What was wrong with his master?


    Helian Jing tensed.


    <i>Woman?</i>


    ¡°Hurry up! Do what I said,¡± Helian Jing demanded urgently.


    Ping An cried out in fear and went looking for a strip of cloth.


    When Ping An came back, Helian Jing glowered at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you have any brains? Is that how you do it?¡±


    Ping An wrapped the cloth around his chest and on top of his clothes. He looked ridiculous.


    ¡°How should I do it?¡± Ping An eximed.


    Helian Jing shook his head in impatience. ¡°Come, let me touch it.¡±


    Ping An wanted to run away and hide. He covered his chest with two hands, looking like he was amb up for ughter. ¡°Young Royal Highness, I have served you well, please let me go.


    <i>Young Royal Highness must have learned bad things from hanging out with Zhao Qixuan.</i>


    ¡°Why are you crying?¡±


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, my parents only have one son¡­¡±


    Little Jing frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you. I just want to feel it. Come.¡±


    Ping An continued to cry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry. One touch, one silver,¡± Helian Jing offered.


    Ping An stopped crying and?looked at Helian Jing eagerly. ¡°Add 500 copper coins, too.¡±


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t know whether tough or get angry. ¡°Fine.¡±


    Helian Jing felt around his wrapped chest. Ping An counted in his head,??<i>once, twice...</i>


    It was different as expected. Little Jing let out a long breath. He felt a surge of happiness that lifted away all the heaviness in his heart.


    <i>Yaoyao¡¯s a girl!</i>


    <i>Thank the heavens!</i>


    Helian Jingughed and rolled on the couch. Although he was prepared to be with Yaoyao even if that meant being gay, he was still troubled by how his family would react. Now, there was no need. Everything was all great!


    Yaoyao smelled nice and felt soft because she¡¯s a girl!


    <i>This is fantastic!</i>


    Helian Jing kept rolling on the couch,ughing hysterically.


    Ping An was speechless. Young Royal Highness Jing has gone crazy.


    ¡°I... I will call Elder Princess,¡± Ping An dered, wanting to get away from his master.


    ¡°No, no,e back,¡± Helian Jing called, halting hisughter.


    Ping An hedged, ¡°Young Royal Highness, are you sick?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sick. In fact, I¡¯ve never been better.¡± He tossed five silvers to Ping An and said, ¡°This is yours. Keep the change.¡±


    Ping An counted the silvers andined, ¡°Young Royal Highness, you touched me four times so there should be six silvers here. I need one more.¡±


    Helian Jing stared at him and Ping An ran away immediately.


    If Zhao Qixuan and the others find out that Yaoyao was a girl, what would they think? He could just imagine the shock on their faces! Ha! And if Brother Chunyu finds out that...??<i>Oh.</i>


    <i>Brother Chunyu must¡¯ve already known that Yaoyao was a girl!?</i>


    Helian Jing suddenly felt torn. There was no denying that Brother Chunyu was better than him, but he was set to marry Liu Li. Would Yaoyao just be his mistress? That couldn¡¯t be! Liu Li would just bully Yaoyao.??<i>No. Absolutely not.</i>?For Yaoyao¡¯s happiness, he couldn¡¯t let her be a concubine.


    Helian Jing must take Yaoyao away.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jiayao was feeling sad and ill.


    She caught a cold when she jumped at the cold riverst night.?The ginger soup wasn¡¯t able to easily get rid of the cold air inside her body.


    Regardless, Ye Jiayao still headed to Heavenly Residence to work even if she was feeling extremely dizzy.


    Zhong Xiang was worried at how terrible Brother Yao looked. ¡°Li Yao, go see a doctor and get some medicine. I can take care of things here.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Brother Yao. You can¡¯t work like this,¡± Deng Haichuan seconded.


    Cui Dongpeng brought him some warm tea. ¡°Go rest at home.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cry at the brother¡¯s concern for her health. She sniffled and said, ¡°I¡¯m okay. I just caught the flu. I¡¯ll be fine in two days.¡±


    She was forced to stop talking when she sneezed. ¡°But, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea for me to cook. Brother Xiang, you will be busy. You¡¯re responsible for the banquet in thepartments.¡±


    They all knew the recipes for the new dishes she created and Zhong Xiang has picked up on her lessons very well. Most people couldn¡¯t even taste the difference.


    ¡°No problem,¡± Zhong Xiang assured.


    Ye Jiayao stayed at the restaurant until afternoon. When she began feeling hot, everyone pushed her out of the kitchen and told her to go home and rest.


    Jiang Li found a doctor for her.


    ¡°My mother said that it would be better if you sweat it out,¡± Jiang Yue said as she watched Ye Jiayao drink the medicine.


    Ye Jiayao asked with a stuffy nose, ¡°How are Little Ji and Little Rui?¡±


    ¡°They get along just fine with the little rabbits. I gave them the milk that you brought back and they drank a lot of it,¡± Jiang Yue answered with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I will trouble you in these next few days,¡± Ye Jiayao said apologetically.


    ¡°No worries! I really like them. Even my brother likes them and has already made them a nest!


    Pleased, Ye Jiayao fell asleep.


    She slept for quite a long time. At one time, she felt someonee in her room, sit by the bed, and speak to her. She wanted to open her eyes but she was just too tired and groggy.


    When she fully woke up, the room had already been lighted. She looked at the clock and found that it was already midnight.


    Jiang Yue was sleeping on her bedside.


    Ye Jiayao was very thirsty so she got up to get some water. However, before she could get out of the bed, Jiang Yue woke up.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao? Do you want a drink? Lie down and I will get it for you.¡± Jiang Yue rubbed the sleep from her eyes and proceeded to pour a ss of water for her.


    ¡°Yue-er, have you been taking care of me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, embarrassed.


    ¡°I have nothing else to do and it is not tiring anyway. Oh. By the way, Young Royal Highness Jing came here. He knew that you were sick so he got you a doctor. My brother told him that you already had seen a doctor but the Young Royal Highness said that he still wanted a doctor that he trusts to check up on you. He also sent you a bunch of medicinal products.?I saw ginseng and bird-nest...¡±


    So the person she saw while she was dreaming was Little Jing?


    Well, that was just right. She got sick because of him!


    Suddenly, a thought urred to Ye Jiayao.


    She checked her body and touched her chest. She was lucky that she was too tired to get dressedst night. Her identity would definitely have beenpromised if anyone else saw her in a girl¡¯s clothes.


    Jiang Yue, correctly guessing her thoughts, assured her, ¡°Sister Yaoyao, don¡¯t worry. Young Royal Highness Jing didn¡¯te to the room. Only the doctor came and measured your heartbeat. I was looking the whole time.¡±


    <i>So Little Jing didn¡¯te to my room? Who was the one speaking to me, then?</i>

 Chapter 135 - Liu Yiyi

    <h4>Chapter 135: Liu Yiyi</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Who else entered my room?¡±


    ¡°Just me and my mum. My mother was beside herself when she saw you like that. Even when I was sick, I never saw her that worried. She sat on your bed and cried as she talked to you for a long time,¡± Jiang Yue told her.


    <i>Oh... it was Auntie Jiang.</i>


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, are you hungry? My mom made some porridge for you. Wait here and I will bring it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and touched her stomach. ¡°Thank you, Yue-er. After I eat, I need to make some ice cream, too.¡±


    Jiang Yue smiled and shook her head. ¡°My brother and I already made it with your recipe.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ye Jiayao was a bit surprised. She had thought Jiang Yue how to make it ages ago, but she didn¡¯t expect her to take the initiative like this.


    ¡°I¡¯m just not too sure if it tastes good. I made the same quantity as we did a few days ago.¡± Jiang Yue wasn¡¯t really confident in her work yet as it was her first time making ice cream without Sister Yaoyao¡¯s guidance.


    Ye Jiayao encouraged, ¡°You need to trust yourself. In the next few days, when I am less busy, I can teach you how to cook. When I open my own restaurant, I will make you my manager.¡±


    She actually had already nned this before. If she opened her own restaurant, she would need people she could trust. Jiang Yue, who was also gifted in cooking, was the ideal choice.


    ¡°Really?¡± Jiang Yue was ted.


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    Jiang Yue said happily, ¡°I will bring the porridge to you now! I will even add two eggs.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ no. People who catch a cold can¡¯t eat eggs.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why?¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t really exin the risks of foods with high protein to sick people without revealing her modern knowledge so she just said, ¡°I don¡¯t know either. I just heard it from a doctor.¡±


    After she ate, Ye Jiayao went back to sleep. When she woke up the next morning, she was refreshed and all better. She dressed in a set of moon-white gown because she wanted to look her best when she meets Liu Yiyi tonight.


    Little Jing was waiting for her outside.


    ¡°Yaoyao, are you better now?¡± Helian Jing looked horrible. He had bags under his eyes and his mouth seemed to have been permanently set into a worried frown.


    ¡°I am fine! What about you? What is wrong with your eyes? You look like you haven¡¯t slept in a week.¡±


    Little Jing rubbed his eyes and said remorsefully, ¡°I¡¯m the reason why you were sick.¡±


    ¡°Tsk, tsk. What were you thinking? You don¡¯t know how to swim and yet you dared to jump into the water to save people? If I wasn¡¯t a good swimmer, we would¡¯ve both drowned,¡± Ye Jiayao told him seriously. She?really scared him that night. If anything had happened to him, she would¡¯ve never been able to live with herself.


    Little Jing defended himself awkwardly, ¡°I was in a rush.¡±


    ¡°Well, next time, rush your head to think first!¡±


    ¡°I know, I know. Don¡¯t be so mad!¡± Helian Jing looked at Yaoyao with sad eyes.


    ¡°Whatever. I need to go now and you need to go to the military, too.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, are you still going to see Liu Yiyi tonight? I can rent a more luxurious boat this time and take you to see her,¡± Helian Jing offered graciously, hoping to please her.


    Ye Jiayao dragged Little Jing to the side and asked softly, ¡°Will you still say those weird stuff?¡±


    Helian Jing shook his head. He wouldy off of her for now. That doesn¡¯t mean that he was giving up, though. Now that he knew that Yaoyao was really a girl, he¡¯d double his efforts to woo her.


    Ye Jiayao patted his shoulder. ¡°I will go after I finish work.¡±


    Tonight¡¯s show was much more lively than the night before. It was definitely a ¡®hunting chick¡¯ party. There were all kinds of rich kids in Jin Ling City joining in the festivity.


    As Ye Jiayao finished workte, when she arrived, the boat could only hang around the outside.


    ¡°So I can¡¯t see anything more?¡± Ye Jiayao went on her toes, craning her head to look above all the things blocking her way.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will ask the boat in front of us to move.¡± Helian Jing said to the boatman, ¡°Boatman, raise thentern of the Helian Royal Mansion and ask the boats in front of us to move.¡±


    As expected, when the people saw thentern of the Helian Royal Mansion, they gave way for them. Their boat moved forward all the way until they were close to the water tform.


    Suddenly, a voice called loudly, ¡°Little Jing!¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked towards the sound and saw Xia Chunfeng waving at them. She looked more closely and saw that Zhao Qixuan was with him as well.??<i>Well, it looks like the honeymoon is over for the couple.</i>


    Little Jing pretended not to hear them and even hid behind a curtain.


    ¡°What are you doing? Chunfeng is calling you!¡± Ye Jiayao looked at Little Jing, baffled at his weird actions.


    ¡°Come here and hide, too! Don¡¯t let them see us.¡± Little Jing dragged her in with him.


    ¡°Why? Do you owe Chunfeng money? Are you afraid that he will ask you to pay him back now?¡±


    ¡°No, no! I will tell youter.¡±


    ¡°What ¨C stop! Hiding is useless because your bigntern is still on disy!¡±?Ye Jiayao pointed at thentern hanging high at the front of the boat.


    ¡°Get it down, get it down,¡± Helian Jing yelled.


    The environment was too noisy and the boatman couldn¡¯t hear him.


    Ye Jiayao peered outside and said, ¡°Stop hiding, Little Jing. They are already on their way.¡±


    Since the boats were close to each other, just a nk in between enabled Xia Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan to cross over.


    Little Jing frowned sullenly which made Ye Jiayao suspicious. ¡°You¡¯ve done something bad, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Little Jing, you lied to me. You told me you don¡¯t have a boat! What is this?¡± Xia Chunfeng questioned. ¡°I was lucky that Zhao got a boat, or I would have had to watch on the river bank.¡±


    Little Jing said evasively, ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to get one until thest minute.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly understood what was happening.??<i>Geez! This kid is really trying hard.</i>


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s face looked better and he looked well-recovered. He greeted Ye Jiayao and said, ¡°Li Yao, I wanted to ask you toe along, but Little Jing said you were sick. Are you better now?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng smiled mischievously. ¡°I think Yaoyao wasn¡¯t really sick. Little Jing was just lying to us both.¡±


    ¡°He was sick! If you don¡¯t believe me, ask him,¡± Little Jing insisted, his cheeks red.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°I just caught the flu. I sweated it outst night so I¡¯m better now.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng let it go and he and Zhao Qixuan sat down and helped themselves to some tea.


    The topic went back to thepetition of the most popr courtesan.


    ¡°Qixuan, who do you think will win thepetition this year?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked.


    Zhao Qixuan shook his fan and said, ¡°Lady Xiao would have a greater chance since Liu Yiyi is going to help her with the votes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I think so, too. However, the courtesan of this year is just a name since Liu Yiyi remains to be the real flower here,¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    Helian Jing wanted to jump in the discussion, but he thought that Yaoyao would like him better if he seemed a bit innocent in this area.


    ¡°Of course! I haven¡¯t seen any girl who could look as good as Liu Yiyi,¡± Zhao Qixuan praised.


    Helian Jing held in his snort of disbelief. Even Liu Yiyi couldn¡¯tpare to his Yaoyao.??<i>My Yaoyao looks and cooks the best!</i>


    ¡°Is she that pretty?¡± Ye Jiayao asked sadly.


    Zhao Qixuan said thoughtfully, ¡°She¡¯s not just pretty. It¡¯s her quality that makes her stand out. She just looks... pure.¡±


    Ye Jiayao has never had any problem with women like this who made a living by giggling. She knew that their life wasn¡¯t easy as they would like others to believe. However, whenever she remembers how Chunyu spent thousands of silvers on Liu Yiyi, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but despise the woman.


    ¡°Of course. Why else would Chunyu pay for her?¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s tone rang with jealousy.


    Xia Chunfeng sneered. ¡°You have heard of it, too?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly. ¡°It is quite a story in Jin Ling City, it¡¯s hard to not know about it.¡±


    ¡°Since the ancient period, only lovers could imprison the heroes. Brother Chunyu clearly wasn¡¯t an exception!¡±?Zhao Qixuan saidughingly.


    <i>Prisoner? Lover??</i>?Ye Jiayao asked bitterly, ¡°If he likes her that much, why doesn¡¯t he just buy her out?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan looked at Xia Chunfeng for an answer.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. My brother hasn¡¯t even mentioned anything about this,¡± Xia Chunfeng responded.


    ¡°Maybe your mother would not allow him?¡± Helian Jing suggested.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe. After all, no matter how good Liu Yiyi is, her presence in our mansion would be bad for our reputation.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the same held true for her. Xia Chunyu promised to marry her, but could she really believe him? Would he really sacrifice his family¡¯s reputation for her?


    Suddenly, the crowd went wild.


    ¡°Lady Liu! Lady Liu¡­¡±


    Xia Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan stood up, eximing excitedly, ¡°Liu Yiyi is here.¡±


    She peered out at the iing boat. All the noises of the night were washed away by the sound of the ethereal and sensuous qin. She was a bit stunned because the beautiful qin also seemed to conceal a faint tune of grief.


    Ye Jiayao was brimming with curiosity. What does Liu Yiyi look like?

 Chapter 136 - Bickering

    <h4>Chapter 136: Bickering</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    As the boat slowly came closer, the sound of the qin stopped and the green yarn slowly opened. Liu Yiyi stepped out wearing a white silk coat that emphasized her small waist and a long silk skirt with a white soft smoke pattern. Both the cuffs and the skirt were embroidered with bright yellow silk thread thatplemented the goose yellow muslin on her arm. She walked gently and delicately as if she was treading on a ss, her steps crossing like a cat.


    Little Jing¡¯s boat was positioned perfectly in front of the water stage so Ye Jiayao was able to see Liu Yiyi clearly.


    She was really a beauty. Her dark hair framed her face her seductive eyes in a way that entuated them even more. Ye Jiayao could totally see what Zhao Qixuan was saying about the courtesan¡¯s high quality.


    ¡°She is beautiful but she still can¡¯tpare with Susu,¡±?Zhao Qixuan eximed.


    ¡°She is beautiful but she cannotpare with... someone,¡± Little Jing repeated.


    Xia Chunfeng squinted at him. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Little Jing raised his brows, giving nothing away.


    Xia Chunfeng lips twitched. ¡°Idiot.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was frustrated to find that Liu Yiyi really was gorgeous. She could notpare to her! The woman was elegant, could y the qin, has a face that couldunch a thousand ships and a body that men would kill for. She could grudgingly say that Liu Yiyi really was worth thousands of silvers.


    <i>I am worth thousands of silvers, too! Well, I can make thousands of silvers, at least, so I should be much better than her! Right?</i>


    Ye Jiayao hated feeling this unsure of herself. She¡¯s an imperial chef, for cripes¡¯ sake! Why was she feeling so insecurepared to a woman whose job was to just to giggle and look pretty?


    Her predicament was so shallow and so unlike her that she could not help but let out a bitterugh.


    The three nobles turned to her, looking at her as if she had lost the plot.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°What?¡±


    They shook their heads.


    ¡°Chunfeng, go and ask Lady Liu over to the boatter,¡± Little Jing said.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s forehead wrinkled. ¡°Why me? I have nothing to do with her.¡±


    ¡°Just go there,¡± Zhao Qixuan urged.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll try.¡±


    Fortunately for them, Liu Yiyi was easy to invite today. After her appearance on the stage and a few rounds on other boats, Liu Yiyi came to them.


    ¡°I wish peace to Young Royal Highness, Heir-Son Lord Zhao, and Heir-Son Lord Xia,¡± she greeted softly, sounding and looking coquettish.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t believe that this woman¡¯s ie relied on??<i>this.</i>


    When Liu Yiyi looked at Ye Jiayao with her bright eyes, she smiled and asked, ¡°May I dare to ask who this sir is?¡±


    ¡°He is the famous chef who makes ice cream mooncakes in Jin Ling. He is the head chef of Heavenly Residence and he¡¯s also the Mobile Imperial Chef, Li Yao,¡± Little Jing responded proudly.


    ¡°Helian Jing, stop talking me up,¡± Ye Jiayao muttered.


    Liu Yiyi hid her surprise. ¡°So you were the one who invented the ice cream mooncakes?¡±


    She has heard people talking about this chef before but she didn¡¯t expect her to be a??<i>woman.?</i>?Liu Yiyi wondered if thepany of nobles she was keeping knew about it.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡°If you like it, I will give you 20% off.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your generosity, but I already have piles of ice cream mooncakes on my table gifted to me. I am afraid I would not be able to finish all of them,¡± Liu Yiyi declined graciously, a slight flirty smile still on her lips.


    Ye Jiayao gritted her teeth.?<i>There¡¯s no need to rub the generosity of your customers on my face!?</i>?She faked augh and ttered, ¡°Of course! What else should I have expected from the head of the flowers? I¡¯m sure that many people are already lined up to show their favors.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know that there are also many people who?favor Master Chef Li. It¡¯s not easy to get recognized in a city full of talented people such as Jin Ling,¡± Liu Yiyiplimented.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have another choice. I rely on cooking to live, and you rely on good looks to live. The difference is that I can rely on cooking for a lifetime, but good looks...¡± Ye Jiayao trailed off in a cough.


    Liu Yiyi¡¯s indifferent look changed a fraction. ¡°Whatever you say, Master Chef Li. However, I¡¯m not really living a miserable life, so...¡±


    The three men were a bit confused, knowing that something wasn¡¯t quite right yet they were unable to put a finger on it.


    ¡°Liu¡¯s qin technique is getting more and more refined as time passes by,¡± Zhao Qixuanmended. ¡°I won¡¯t be forgetting the way you sound for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, you tter me too much. Don¡¯t worry, I will y a song for you when youe to Drunk Spring Lane.¡±


    ¡°I will definitelye to look for you another day.¡±


    Liu Yiyi turned to Xia Chunfeng and said, ¡°May I ask if the Jing An Heir-Son Lord ising?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid my second brother is busy at the moment! He went with the Empress Dowager to Puji Temple and won¡¯t be back for at least a couple of days,¡± Xia Chunfeng answered.


    The vague disappointment in Liu Yiyi¡¯s eyes did not escape Ye Jiayao¡¯s notice.?<i>She actually still remembers the man who paid for her?</i>


    ¡°I still have people to entertain so I will have to leave for now. I will prepare wine to drink with you guys another day.¡± Liu Yiyi bowed to her knees and made a move to go.


    Before leaving, however, Liu Yiyi stole onest undecipherable look at Ye Jiayao to which thetter responded with a quirk of her brow and a smile.


    The three guys stared after Liu Yiyi¡¯s silhouette, their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. Ye Jiayao wanted to deck them.??<i>All men are perverts.</i>


    ¡°Are you really going to go to Drunk Spring Lane?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Of course! That invitation is hard toe by, you know. I wasn¡¯t exaggerating when I said that seeing Liu Yiyi is hard. Even a 500 silver-note won¡¯t necessarily guarantee you a meeting.¡±


    ¡°Take me with you!¡± Xia Chunfeng jumped in,ughing excitedly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go.¡± Helian Jing shook his head firmly and said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to do there but drink and talk.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°You should listen to Little Jing.¡±


    ¡°If you want to spend money, you might as well just go to Heavenly Residence for Yaoyao¡¯s foods,¡± the smitten Helian Jing added.


    Zhao Qixuan and Xia Chunfeng looked at them like they were disgusting. ¡°You don¡¯t understand the art of love and seduction.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at Zhao Qixuan and deadpanned, ¡°Will you take Susu with you?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan paled and hastily said, ¡°Well, I think Little Jing is right actually. That kind of money should not be spent so haphazardly. It¡¯s better if it goes to food and drinks.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng, not knowing the new progress in Zhao Qixuan and Susu¡¯s rtionship, teased, ¡°When Susu returns to Jin Ling, you always dress up nicely.¡±


    ¡°I have always been loyal to him. I never looked or touch anyone else,¡± Zhao Qixuan said rightfully.


    Xia Chunfeng snorted. ¡°Then, why did I hear that?<i>someone?</i>wanted to meet the little official in the spring opera ss?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that!¡± Zhao Qixuan yelled, sounding panicky. ¡°That was for business!¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing exchanged secret smiles. Even if Zhao Qixuan was tempted, he would not dare to do anything that wasn¡¯t with his beloved Susu.


    Now that she had seen Liu Yiyi, Ye Jiayao has no interest in staying anymore and watching girls get auctioned off to perverts.


    Helian Jing, of course, capitted to Yaoyao¡¯s wishes and they went back home.


    Meanwhile, in the Puji Temple, Xia Chunyu sat in front of an old pine tree, looking at the direction of Jin Ling.


    He hasn¡¯t seen Yaoyao for seven days now and it was starting to take a toll on him. Song Qi told him that Yaoyao and Little Jing had visited the Qin Huai River to go to the courtesan¡¯spetition. What was bugging Chunyu was she went there with Little Jing. He has repeatedly warned her that Little Jing was romantically interested in her but the stubborn woman wouldn¡¯t believe him.


    He also heard that Yaoyao was wet when she went back to the courtyard that night and because of that, she got sick the next day. He was still worried, not knowing the reason why she fell into the water.


    Xia Chunyu was restless and all he wanted to do was ride back to the city and rush to Yaoyao. However, he has a responsibility he couldn¡¯t just abandon so he¡¯d just have to buckle down and be happy that he was going back tomorrow.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu...¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. He already hid in the backyard to avoid her and yet she still found him? The girl was a bloodhound!


    Liu Li has been finding any excuse to approach him these past few days and it was fraying hisst nerve.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu? What are you doing here? It took me so long to find you!¡± Liu Li said, walking over to him cheerfully.


    ¡°Nothing. I went here because it¡¯s quiet.¡±


    ¡°You are already in the quiet area of the Buddhist Temple. If you¡¯re seeking a ce that¡¯s quieter, it means that you are not at peace. Tell me, what troubles you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu resisted the urge to say,??<i>You. What troubles me is you because you just won¡¯t leave me the f*ck alone!</i>


    ¡°Nonsense. It iste, why aren¡¯t you sleeping?¡±


    Liu Li picked up the pinecone on the ground and fiddled with it. ¡°I can¡¯t fall asleep.¡±


    ¡°Try because you have to get up early tomorrow. I¡¯m going to rest.¡± Xia Chunyu stood up to leave.


    ¡°Hey, stop,¡± Liu Li said. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask me why I can¡¯t sleep?¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighed helplessly.?<i>Heavens, give me patience.??</i>¡°Princess, I¡¯m going to patrol.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me. Ask.¡±


    Xia Chunyu wasn¡¯t going to y into her hands. He knew that she¡¯d find a way to turn the topic to things he did not want to hear much less talk about.


    ¡°Hurry up and ask me!¡± Liu Li rushed.


    ¡°Princess,?don¡¯t mess with me, I really have things to do.¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, am I really that annoying? I know you don¡¯t want me bullying people so I¡¯ve stopped now. Isn¡¯t that good enough? What else do you want me to do? I will improve on whatever you don¡¯t like,¡± Liu Li said desperately, working up her sadness.


    ¡°Princess, you don¡¯t have to change anything for me. You should change for your own good,¡± Xia Chunyu said catingly.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, stop being so cold to me, please? I don¡¯t like the way you keep your distance from me. I just want you to talk to me because I don¡¯t have any friends in the pce. It gets very... lonely,¡± Liu Li said pathetically.

 Chapter 137 - 10 Thousand Silvers Of Anger

    <h4>Chapter 137: 10 Thousand Silvers Of Anger</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Xia Chunyu was ufortable with Liu Li¡¯s pitiful look, but he was well aware of how maniptive she was.


    He said ruthlessly, ¡°Princess, you have the Empress Dowager to spoil you and everyone in the pce to jump at your beck and call. How can you be lonely? I don¡¯t have time for this and I really have to go now. If anything goes wrong, the Emperor would have my head.¡±


    Liu Li bit her tongue to prevent herself fromshing out. She had already begged him so much! What more does he want? If he was just any other man, she¡¯d already have forced him to do her bidding. Unfortunately for her, Chunyu was a breed and a ss of his own and he would never go for her high-handedness.


    ¡°Okay, but you have to promise to take me out of the pce and y with me when you can, or I won¡¯t let you go,¡± Liu Li demanded, grabbing Xia Chunyu¡¯s sleeve tightly.


    Xia Chunyu was scared that anyone would see them like that so he said, ¡°When I¡¯m free, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    Liu Li smiled happily. ¡°You promise?¡±


    ¡°Promise.¡± Anything to get her to let go.


    She released him, pleased with hispliance.


    The next day, Zhao Qixuan came to Heavenly?Residence to treat his friends, but Susu wasn¡¯t with him.


    Little Jing told people that Susu was not ready to leave yet and was intending to do business with Zhao Qixuan.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that he is very smart? Like Jin Ling¡¯s most talented person or something?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s freer this way. You have more concerns when you be an official,¡± Helian Jing responded.


    Well, it looked like Susu finally made a sacrifice for love.


    ¡°You shoulde up and sit down with uster,¡± said Helian Jing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. You know I get so exhausted after work. I just want to go home early and rest.¡± Ye Jiayao was actually feeling particrly tired these past few days so she figured that her period wasing.


    Helian Jing¡¯s heart ached upon hearing her woes.??<i>Then, just stop working! I¡¯ll open a restaurant for you and you can be the manager. I will provide you with anything you need!</i>


    He couldn¡¯t say what he really wanted to say because he knew that Yaoyao still liked Brother Chunyu. He would just have to wait until Brother Chunyu gets married before swooping Yaoyao up. He knew that he¡¯d win her one day with his hard work and sincerity.


    <i>I just have to patient.</i>


    Ye Jiayao finished thest dish and took off her apron. ¡°Brothers, I will hand these over to you and leave now.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, you can rest assured!¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Ye Jiayao paused. Why did his words sound so sad?


    <i>Ugh. Whatever.?</i>?She really couldn¡¯t focus on anything else because she could now feel her stomach cramping.??<i>Stupid period!</i>


    She was still baffled as to why her period seemed to hurt this much. She would have to go to a doctor soon to take care of this problem.


    When she finally made it outside of Heavenly Residence, Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu¡¯s horse carriage. She counted in her head and found out that it really had been seven days since she saw himst.


    She had initially counted days of his return, but when she found out about Liu Yiyi, she deliberately put it out of her mind.


    Ye Jiayao pretended to not see the carriage and walked forward, her eyes staying on her path.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Madam walked away.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes that were previously closed due to exhaustion flew open. He looked out and saw Ye Jiayao quickly walking away.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t see the horse carriage?¡±


    Song Qi said weakly, ¡°She should¡¯ve seen it because I waved at her.¡±


    <i>What the hell is going on?</i>


    ¡°Chase her,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered.


    Ye Jiayao heard horse hooves behind her and quickened her pace even more.


    Xia Chunyu was confused. Was she mad at him again? Unbelievable! She was the one who went on a cruise with another man!


    ¡°Stop the cart.¡±


    Song Qi hurriedly dragged the reins.


    Xia Chunyu jumped down the horse carriage and caught up to her.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡± Xia Chunyu called, grabbing her arm.


    ¡°Leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I went to see you as soon as I got back...¡±


    ¡°Did I ask you to see me? Get your hands off me,¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    ¡°What are you mad at me for? Did I do anything wrong?¡± Xia Chunyu asked unhappily.


    Ye Jiayao was mad at Chunyu for being with Liu Yiyi and Qing Liu and other women she might not even know. What was even her ce on the list?


    ¡°Get your filthy hands off of me!¡± Ye Jiayao gritted her teeth when she saw his cocky face. This guy might look like a gentleman, but he was just a yboy through and through.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips thinned, his eyes burning with anger.


    ¡°Filthy hands?¡± he echoed, aggravated. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about, Ye Jinxuan? Maybe you could enlighten me before you start throwing baseless insults?¡±


    ¡°You should know what you have done,¡± Ye Jiayao replied indignantly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what it is that you¡¯re mad at me about!¡± Xia Chunyu told her frustratedly. Whoever said that absence makes the heart go fonder was a crock. He rushed to her the moment he got back, refusing to even stay and chat with his mom because he just wanted to see her. And for what? To?get insulted by the woman he loves?


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? Oh, right, what should I expect from a yboy? Do you even know how many women you¡¯ve yed?¡±


    Xia Chunyu reared back.??<i>Is she jealous??</i>?He had already exined to her the situation about Qing Liu. Which girl was she jealous of now?


    ¡°Who are you talking about? Tell me,¡± Xia Chunyu said, calming down now that he knew the problem.


    Ye Jiayao saw the indifferent expression on his face and got so angry she tried to kick him.


    Xia Chunyu effortlessly dodged her.


    ¡°Gentlemen don¡¯t use hands, just mouth,¡± Xia Chunyu reminded her with a smile.


    She bit his wrist.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Xia Chunyu quickly pulled his hand away and saw the indent her teeth left. ¡°You are such a dog.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a sharine smile. ¡°You told me to use my mouth.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve already kicked and bitten me, can you now tell me why?¡±


    ¡°Liu Yiyi,¡± Ye Jiayao spat out the name with hatred.


    Xia Chunyu was stunned. ¡°Where the hell did you get this from?¡±


    ¡°Everyone knows about it! You spent thousands of silvers just for one night with her!¡±


    He silently cursed. He should have known that Yaoyao would see Liu Yiyi when she went to the courtesan¡¯spetition.


    ¡°Okay. I admit that I did pay 10,000 silvers for her...¡± Xia Chunyu began honestly.


    Ye Jiayao felt her stomach recoil. ¡°Fuck off! I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡±


    She knew it was true, but hearing him say the words drove the knife deeper.?<i>F*ck! How many more? Will someone turn up again tomorrow?</i>


    Ye Jiayao turned away and ran but Xia Chunyu quickly pulled her back. ¡°Can you just listen to me before you get mad?¡±


    She covered her ears childishly.


    Xia Chunyu grabbed her hands and forced them down. ¡°I did spend 10,000 silvers for her, but I didn¡¯t do anything with her.¡±


    ¡°Ridiculous! What, you spent 10,000 silvers just to drink tea with her? Who the f*ck are you trying to fool?¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t even sit down to drink tea!¡±


    ¡°So you just felt like spending that kind of money to take her away from the bidders? Do you think I¡¯m stupid, Chunyu? Did the air in that temple messed with your already crooked?brain?¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    ¡°She¡¯s an old friend¡¯s daughter. I had been searching for her ever since her family got into an ident. I wasn¡¯t able to find her until the courtesanpetition. I spent 10,000 to get her out of that dilemma. I was only returning a favor for old friends. I have nothing to do with her,¡± Xia Chunyu exined quickly.


    ¡°Old friend¡¯s daughter? Or your ex?¡±


    ¡°She really is the daughter of an old friend. When I fought pirates in Fu Jian, her father was a good local county official who helped me out. I have tremendous respect for her father. When I returned to Jin Ling, I heard that her father was involved in a corruption case and that he was killed after the arrest. His wife couldn¡¯t take it so she killed herself as well.


    ¡°His only daughter, Liu Qianmei, disappeared after that. She changed her name and came to Jin Ling. She entered the society to avenge her father¡¯s death. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Helian Xuan. He knows all about this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated. Was it true?


    ¡°Well, even if you were helping an old friend¡¯s daughter, you were so generous to her. Back in ck Wind Ridge, I asked you to give me five silvers and you refused! You gave her 10,000 silvers! Go die, you bastard!¡± Ye Jiayao may have been overreacting slightly, but she really couldn¡¯t care less.


    Xia Chunyuughed, liking her jealousy. ¡°I gave her that money to repay a favor. I¡¯m already yours, what else do you care about?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s even more unforgivable! If you are mine, your things are mine, too. You threw 10,000 silvers out and didn¡¯t ask for my opinion!¡± Ye Jiayao raged.


    Xia Chunyu smiled at her and said innocently, ¡°I didn¡¯t even know you back then.¡±

 Chapter 138 - Heavenly Residence’s New Owner

    <h4>Chapter 138: Heavenly Residence¡¯s New Owner</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    That took the wind right out of Ye Jiayao¡¯s sails.


    ¡°Well... I¡¯m not going to let this go. Just you wait!¡± Ye Jiayao huffed.


    Xia Chunyu stifled hisughter and said, ¡°I will wait.¡±


    He inched closer to her, forcing her back against the wall. He propped her up with his arms, trapping her in his embrace, and asked in a low voice, ¡°Now, care to exin how you fell into the water?¡±


    It was Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to be distressed. She should have known that it would get back to him. He has spies everywhere!


    ¡°I wanted to swim. Am I not allowed to do that anymore?¡± She did not want to tell him about Little Jing¡¯s confession because she knew that it would only cause more trouble.


    ¡°Really? You went to cruise the river with Little Jing and just ended up swimming in the water?¡± Xia Chunyu probed, his eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°You fell so ill after that night swim that Little Jing even had you looked over the imperial physician, and you still don¡¯t have anything to exin?¡±


    <i>How did he... the Jiangs!</i>


    Ye Jiayao snapped, ¡°Why should I exin anything to you? What is it to you?¡±


    For a second, he looked stunned before his face turned back to that cold calmness he was famous for. ¡°What is it to me? Are you still not clear about that? Or are you really not concerned about my feelings? Or maybe, maybe you just enjoy the feeling of having two men running around you in circles?¡±


    He might have sounded perfectly gentle when he said that, but Ye Jiayao could feel his suppressed?anger and disappointment.


    How was she supposed to answer these questions? Truthfully, she didn¡¯t have faith in their future together. He was supposed to marry Liu Li! If His Majesty bestows a marriage, could he really defy an imperial decree for her?


    Besides, Little Jing was a good friend. She couldn¡¯t throw away their friendship just because the kid thinks he has feelings for her. Wasn¡¯t there a middle ground? A bnce?


    The pain in her lower abdomen started to be distinct, pulsing.


    ¡°You¡¯re putting too much thought in this. Isn¡¯t Little Jing still a child?¡± Ye Jiayao said weakly.


    Xia Chunyu lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. ¡°Yaoyao, look at your guilt in my eyes. You know that Little Jing is no longer a child. Many men have already settled their marriage by the age of 16.


    ¡°Now, if you really like him that much, then, make a decision right now. I¡¯m not going to fight a brother for a woman. I won¡¯t force you to choose me because I will never allow my woman to think of another man when she is with me.¡±


    He has his limits. He could allow her to run around and cook or open her own restaurant, but he could not tolerate other men.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t even concentrate on what he was saying because her stomach felt like it was trying to rip itself apart.


    Xia Chunyu finally noticed her face getting paler and paler as beads of perspiration dotted her forehead.??<i>Sh*t! I¡¯ve seen this before.</i>


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡±


    She couldn¡¯t answer him, the pain too much for her to bear. It felt like this was even worse than the previous times.


    He immediately picked her up in his arms and brought her inside the carriage. ¡°Go, go, go!¡±


    Ye Jiayao huddled in his embrace, clinging tightly to his cor, gritting her teeth to prevent herself from crying out.??<i>F*ck! Why the f*ck does it hurt so badly?</i>


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart filled with anxiety as he felt her uncontroble trembling. ¡°Song Qi, faster!¡±


    When they finally reached home, he carried her to her room and called for Auntie Jiang. Auntie Jiang quickly prepared a heat pack for Yaoyao to hold over her tummy while Jiang Yue brought her brown sugar water.


    After a few minutes, Yaoyao¡¯s face started to regain its color.


    Xia Chunyu pulled Auntie Jiang aside to ask, ¡°Auntie Jiang, is her problem untreatable?¡±


    Auntie Jiang replied, ¡°I am not sure about that. I have heard that with proper care during confinement after childbirth, it will get better.¡±


    He frowned. There were many women in his house, but he has never seen someone suffer from their period like Yaoyao. As soon as everything settles, he would have to ask the imperial physician about this. If it could not be cured, there could be at least something they could do to lessen her pain. Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t like seeing Yaoyao in so much hurt.


    Ye Jiayao hugged the heat pack, curling into a ball.


    Xia Chunyu sat beside her on the bed.


    ¡°Feeling better?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hummed groggily.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. If he could, he¡¯d stay here with her and rub her stomach to make her feel better just like he did in the mountains.


    After sitting there for a long while, watching her, she finally drifted off to sleep. Xia Chunyu covered her with a nket and just as he was about turn away, he saw a tassel peeking out from under her pillow. Not wanting to disturb her, he carefully pulled it away, intending to put it somewhere else.


    He didn¡¯t expect to see a familiar looking jade. When he flipped it over and noticed the dragon¡¯s te, he finally remembered where he¡¯d seen it from. This piece of jade was from the Helian family heirloom. Both Helian Xuan and Helian Jing has one, with Helian Xuan¡¯s dragon head facing up and Little Jing¡¯s facing down.


    <i>This is Little Jing¡¯s jade piece.</i>


    Xia Chunyu held on to the dragon te, his heart slowly sinking.


    Little Jing has given her his family heirloom and she epted it.


    All this time, he¡¯s been in a one-sided love.??<i>She has chosen Little Jing.</i>


    Ye Jiayao spent the night in a fitful sleep. When she woke up in the morning, she felt like she went 10 rounds in a boxing ring.


    She was unable to go to Heavenly Residence to work and she didn¡¯t want the brothers visiting her here, so she asked Jiang Li to apply for her leave when he brought the ice cream over. He told them that she has gone on a trip to visit a chef somewhere else.


    For two days, Ye Jiayao hid at home to rest. During that time, Little Jing tried to go see her, but Jiang Li sent him away, saying that she wasn¡¯t home. Chunyu, however, didn¡¯t make a peep. He knew she was sick and yet he didn¡¯t visit her which disappointed Ye Jiayao.


    By the time she returned to work, a 180-degree change has urred at Heavenly Residence.


    The moment she arrived, she was informed that the restaurant has been bought and that Shopkeeper Li has already left the day before. The new manager was a guy with the surname Zhao, but no one knows who the new owner was yet.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. Heavenly Residence was Shopkeeper Li¡¯s life, how could he sell it just like that? And why would he sell it at a time like this where the restaurant is raking in thousands every day? Was he forced to sell? Did someone powerful coerce him to give the restaurant up?


    Could it be Liu Li? Thinking of that possibility made Ye Jiayao break out in cold sweat.


    She has to go to Laifu Inn to ask Li Erniang.


    Ye Jiayao was just about to slip out when Manager Qian came down. When he saw her, he hurriedly said, ¡°Li Yao, thank heavens you¡¯re finally here! The manager is looking for you! Come on, follow me up.¡±


    Zhong Xiang noticed that Li Yao¡¯splexion didn¡¯t look too good so he consoled, ¡°The new manager is quite amiable. Go on, it will be okay.¡±


    The new Manager Zhao was a lean, middle-aged man. His bright eyes gave away the fact that he was a shrewd businessman.


    ¡°You are the head chef, Li Yao?¡± Manager Zhao asked with a smile.


    ¡°Yes, I am Li Yao,¡± Ye Jiayao answered, her hands cupped together.


    Manager Qian started slowly, ¡°I heard you took two days off?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Because of the culinarypetition, I took a short trip to consult an old chef.¡±


    ¡°Although the culinarypetition would affect the restaurant¡¯s reputation, now that the restaurant is getting busy, do not go about applying for leave too casually. In the future, you have to obtain my consent before going on leave,¡± Manager Zhao said.


    <i>Amiable my ass.</i>


    ¡°Sure. In the future, I would definitely seek your approval.¡±


    ¡°You need to know that most of the customerse for you, Head Chef Li. If you are not around, we cannot satisfy them. For the past two days, we haven¡¯t been receiving the 20% from the private rooms on the third story as we cannot lie to our customers and say that you¡¯re here when you¡¯re not. Therefore, the 20% profit would be deducted from your wages.¡±


    <i>You f*cking prick! Are you serious??</i>


    ¡°Manager Zhao, Shopkeeper Li said that the 20% belongs to me.¡±


    Manager Zhao chuckled. ¡°Have you signed a contract? I didn¡¯t see this use in your contract. If it is an oral agreement, it wouldn¡¯t count. Besides, this doesn¡¯t go on the regtions, in the first ce.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cry.


    ¡°There are also two other uses that are unreasonable,¡± Manager Zhao continued.


    Ye Jiayao could almost see the wings growing on the money in her pocket, lining up and flying away.


    ¡°First, themission for the mooncakes. Although the mooncake is your creation, it is the responsibility and duty of the head chef to develop new dishes to attract more customers. A 30% and 70% split is too much. The maximum is 10%. Let¡¯s go ording to the rules.


    ¡°Second, the private events. ording to the rules, you have to hand over at least 40% of the profit. This also has to change. I have already drafted a new contract so take a look. If you have no other questions, you can sign your name and press your thumbprint here. This way, there is proof so no one would be disadvantaged.¡± Manager Zhao passed her a contract.


    Ye Jiayao was so angry that she could feel her stomach getting upset again. The contract removes her 20% from the rooms on the third story, her cut of profits from the mooncake...??<i>It has cut my dreams of opening up my own restaurant.</i>


    ¡°Manager Zhao, I am not signing this contract. This is unreasonable,¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    Manager Zhao seemed to have anticipated this and took out another contract, chuckling. ¡°Head Chef Li, we have to follow the rules. All personnel of the restaurant has to obey the restaurant¡¯s arrangementpletely. Otherwise, it will be taken as a breach of contract and would have to be punished ordingly. If you do not sign this, I shall treat it as you contributing to the restaurant¡¯s funds.¡±

 Chapter 139 - New Rules

    <h4>Chapter 139: New Rules</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was cursing herself. Why did she trust Shopkeeper Li so much and did not ask him for a contract? Forget the money, all the stiptions about duties and responsibilities in the contract would drive her to an early grave!


    ¡°So how is it? Head Chef Li?¡± Manager Zhao asked with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao said mncholically, ¡°I want to quit.¡±


    Now that Shopkeeper Li has left, she wouldn¡¯t be able to enjoy herself. Leaving would be a better choice. Based on her poprity right now, it wouldn¡¯t be hard for her to get a new job.


    Manager Zhao¡¯s smile never changed. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was bbergasted. Was he actually just going to let her go that easy?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go ording to the rules. If a head chef wants to terminate a contract prematurely, he needs topensate the restaurant for its losses. Now that the restaurant¡¯s profit is around 6000 taels every day, a normal chef would have topensate six taels per day. As for Head Chef Li, it has to be at least 600 taels ofpensation. Your contract bounds you to the restaurant for three years, and it has only been barely two months. You do the math, Head Chef Li. If you can fork out the money, I¡¯ll let you go,¡± Manager Zhao said slowly.


    <i>What the f*ck??</i>?Ye Jiayao could almost feel the blood draining from her face. 600,000 taels? She wouldn¡¯t be able to get that money unless she robs the Da Tong Bank and that heartless man damn well knew it.


    Ye Jiayao tried hard to mask her fury. ¡°Manager Zhao, if you do this, aren¡¯t you afraid that I will leave immediately after my contract expires?¡±


    Manager Zhao justughed. ¡°Head Chef Li, if you stay in Heavenly Residence for three years, I would earn enough. The restaurant might even shut down after that three years!¡±


    ¡°Then aren¡¯t you afraid that I will ck off?¡±


    ¡°That is actually the new rule that I am going to announce. We will use this month¡¯s profit as the basic amount. If we cannot meet our target, the wages will be docked. As the head chef, the overall in charge of the kitchen, we would have to dock more of your pay. If we exceed our target, there will simrly be rewards.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waspletely defeated. For the past days, she had thought that she was actually climbing the ranks, bing quite a respectable figure. Now, she was suddenly reminded of her true status. She was ultimately just a small cook, open to oppression and exploitation.


    She doesn¡¯t have any choice. She would just have to take this as a learning curve. She would definitely be more cutthroat the next time.


    Ye Jiayao picked the pen up resentfully, signing her name on the contract. She pressed down hard on it to leave her thumbprint, imagining that the paper was Manager Zhao¡¯s head.??<i>Gaaah! I wish I could just bash your head in!</i>


    Manager Zhao took the contractughingly. ¡°There will be more changes after a while. I¡¯ll put it up by the entrance of the kitchen. Now, Head Chef Li, gather the staff and tell them everything.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked out wordlessly.


    She started flipping out as soon as she entered the kitchen.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Brother Yao?¡±


    Everyone gathered around, concerned. They were surprised by the change of owner. Shopkeeper Li didn¡¯t tell them anything and when the new manager came in today, he also kept mum.


    ¡°We are going to face hard times from now on,¡± she began.


    Everyone tensed. ¡°Why? Are we getting a pay cut?¡±


    Ye Jiayao told them about everything that the new manager said.


    Deng Haichuan was the first to speak up. ¡°What rights does he have to use this month¡¯s profit as the baseline? If not for the mooncakes, we wouldn¡¯t have made so much this month.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! It is not like we can sell mooncakes all year round,¡± Wang Mingde raged.


    ¡°F*ck, Brother Yao! Let¡¯s all just quit. We will follow you,¡± Cui Dongpeng said indignantly, throwing his apron to the ground.


    Ye Jiayao snarled. ¡°Manager Zhao said that the second ss helpers like you would have to pay 60 taels per day forpensation if you quit. Go do the maths. How long do you have until your contract is up?¡±


    Up until then, everyone thought that they could still find a way out. When Li Yao had told them the new condition, they felt their hopes diepletely.


    ¡°Then who would be able to leave? I knew that I have topensate for quitting but I have never heard of suchrge amount,¡± Zhong Xiang said, depressed.


    ¡°Who is this new inhuman owner?¡±


    ¡°We will find out sooner orter.¡± Ye Jiayao was determined to get to the bottom of this.


    The only person she knew who would be this diabolical was Liu Li. She knew that that spoiled brat wouldn¡¯t let her off so easily!


    ¡°Go back to work. I will look for Li Erniang to find out what¡¯s going on,¡± she told them. This matter was weighing too much on her mind. If she doesn¡¯t shed some light on this, she wouldn¡¯t be able to eat and sleep in peace.


    Just as she stepped out, Little Lu came over to put up the new rules.


    ¡°1. Everyone has to start work on time at 8 AM every day. Every night, no one is to knock off until all the customers are gone. Lateing and early leaving would amount to a deduction of 50 coppers each time.


    ¡°2. All workers can¡¯t go out during working hours. If one has to go out, he has to ask Manager Zhao for permission. Only with consent can he leave. If this rule is broken, 50 coppers would be deducted each time.


    ¡°3. Every month, there is an allowance of a half day leave and only with Manager Zhao¡¯s consent. This does not affect wages.¡±


    ¡°4. No one should be found cking during working hours. If found, 50 coppers would be deducted every time.¡±


    ¡°5. There is a reward at the end of the year for those who have never beente or have left early, didn¡¯t leave the shop, and didn¡¯t receive any punishments. ording to status, a normal worker would receive 10 taels, third ss worker 20 taels, second ss worker 30 taels¡­¡±


    ¡°Though these rules are harsh, we are eating and staying in the restaurant so it¡¯s not like it matters much,¡± someone said.


    ¡°The rewards seem to be quite generous.¡±


    ¡°If we can reach the target every month, there will be an annual bonus. I wonder how much it will be.¡±


    ¡°The reward can reach a few tens of taels! This is something that other restaurants don¡¯t have.¡±


    They were discussing with each other as though they have quickly epted the new rules.


    The year-end bonus and rewards do not mean a thing to Ye Jiayao. However, for the others, that was already a huge amount.


    Ye Jiayao has a feeling that these rules were set because of her. Among the workers, she has the most freedom. Shopkeeper Li has never been demanding towards her.


    Again, she has no choice but to bear with it. Until she understands what was going on, she would have to y by the book.


    There were a few customers today who had a drop too much and refused to leave. The whole gang of chefs could only sit in the kitchen and wait.


    When Helian Jing arrived and realized that Yaoyao couldn¡¯t leave until the customers don¡¯t, he rushed in to chase everyone. Luckily, those people recognized Little Jing and obediently left.


    ¡°When did the shop start such stupid rules? If you meet some drunkard who drinks until the middle of the night, you guys have to stay, too?¡± Little Jing asked angrily.


    ¡°What other choice do we have? The new manager has already set the rules,¡±


    Helian Jing was shocked. ¡°New manager? You mean Heavenly Residence changed owners?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! We have no idea who it is.¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard of that? If I knew Shopkeeper Li was willing to sell the restaurant, I would have bought it.¡±


    Helian Jing was feeling regretful. If he has bothered to ask around, he could¡¯ve been the one to buy the ce. Now, because of hisck of vignce, Yaoyao was going to lose her freedom.


    Ye Jiayao was feeling a bit of regret, too. When Little Jing and Chunfeng suggested buying the restaurant, she stopped them because she thought that it would be too much. If she had known that this would happen, she wouldn¡¯t have done that. Perhaps then, she could¡¯ve been a shareholder, ensuring that Little Jing and Chunfeng would earn a mountain of money.


    <i>Ay¡­ it¡¯s toote to say anything now.</i>


    ¡°Yaoyao, if you are unhappy working here, quit. I have the money to open a new restaurant. We will split the shares and earn money together, isn¡¯t that good?¡± Helian Jing offered. Working together would definitely?give them more chance to be close to each other.


    Ye Jiayao huffed indignantly. ¡°He said that if I were to quit, I have toe out with 600, 000 taels to pay for the breach of contract.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Helian Jing spluttered. ¡°Who the f*ck is so bloody cold-hearted? That?is even worse than the brothel madams!¡±


    The mention of brothels just made her more miserable as she remembered Liu Yiyi.


    ¡°When I find out who that bastard is, I will make him suffer,¡± Helian Jing said resolutely.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°I am going to go to Laifu Inn to ask Manager Du and Li Erniang. Perhaps they would know what¡¯s going on. I think that... I think that Liu Li is the one behind all this.


    Helian Jing grimaced.??<i>That little she-devil.</i>


    The two arrived at Laifu Inn just as it was about to close.


    ¡°What? My brother sold the restaurant?¡± Li Erniang was in shock.


    ¡°Are you sure? Heavenly Residence is brother-inw¡¯s life!¡± Shopkeeper Du eximed, equally disbelieving.


    <i>Well, there goes my lead.?</i>?Ye Jiayao sighed.


    ¡°It was a surprise to us, too. We were afraid that Shopkeeper Li might have met?with some difficulties so we came over to find out,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    Li Erniang responded, ¡°I will go to my brother¡¯s house tomorrow morning. He would usuallye and discuss such big things like this with us but he hasn¡¯t said anything at all!¡±

 Chapter 140 - An Adulterous Pair

    <h4>Chapter 140: An Adulterous Pair</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The trip to Laifu Inn ended up in vain.


    When Helian Jing saw how sad Yaoyao was, he tried to console her by saying, ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t be worried, you still have me!¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled bitterly. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. It¡¯s not really a big deal.¡±


    Of course, every owner would want to earn some big buck. Shopkeeper Li just had been too kind to her so she had been spoiled. She wasn¡¯t used to working for someone who¡¯s so strict so she was feeling out of sorts.


    ¡°Oh, right. Little Jing, I have to return this to you. I really cannot ept it,¡± Ye Jiayao said, handing the piece of jade to Little Jing.


    Helian Jing jumped away. ¡°Yaoyao, how can I take back the thing I already gave? What I will take back are the words I said that day. We¡¯re still brothers, right?¡±


    Seeing Little Jing flee from the jade, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help butugh. Well, it looked like she was stuck with this jade.


    The next day, Little Yang came over during lunch break, saying that Li Erniang has gone to ask Shopkeeper Li and he said that he signed a secrecy pact. Unless the new owner wishes to show himself, he was not allowed to say anything.


    In the evening, Helian Jing came again. He said that he went to the constable to look for the restaurant¡¯s modification document but it was password protected and he was unable to take a look. He reckoned that this person was in a high position to be able to pull this off.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was cramping from the depression.?<i>Who is this greedy rat?</i>


    ¡°Yaoyao, tomorrow is mid-autumn, let¡¯s go and admire the full moon! We can also go see thenterns if you¡¯d like,¡± Little Jing suggested.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. It has been a few days since Chunyu came to see her so she figured that he might be too busy. Since tomorrow is a celebration, it might be his only chance toe see her. ¡°No, I already?promised Uncle and Auntie Jiang that I will spend mid-autumn with them.¡±


    Helian Jing was disappointed but he said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    ¡°What? No! Your grandmother is very old, each year passing is a year lost. You should keep herpany,¡± she scolded.


    He knew that what Yaoyao said made sense, but he still wanted to spend mid-autumn with her! He said discontentedly, ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll celebrate it together next time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled assuringly. ¡°Sure.¡±


    The mid-autumn festival is a day where families have a reunion at their respective homes. Therefore, there were only a few random customers in so the crew had a free afternoon. However, Manager Qian has made it clear that Ye Jiayao has to go back by the evening to prepare supper to send over to Zui Chun Lou for Liu Yiyi.


    There was also a repeated reminder to collect the money.


    Once again, Ye Jiayao cursed Liu Yiyi out. It was rare to get a holiday and this darn woman has to torture her like that.


    In her free time, Ye Jiayao went out to buy some presents for the Jiang family as a way to thank them for taking care of her.


    She got Uncle Jiang a bottle of top-grade Zhu Ye Qing because it was his favorite wine. For Jiang Yue, she bought a jade bangle and pair of pearl earrings.


    Ye Jiayao was in the fabric shop to pick out a cloth for Auntie Jiang when she heard someone behind her say, ¡°I am in a hurry to wear this dress, get it done quickly. I don¡¯t want any dy in this.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, certainly.¡±


    She turned around and nearly?jumped when she saw Jinrong and Xia He. They were with a young woman who has a sharp chin, big eyes, and a mole in the center of her brows. She looked a little familiar but Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t recall where she has seen her.


    ¡°Second sister, let¡¯s go,¡± Ye Jinrong urged.


    <i>Second sister??</i>?Was this the fake Second Lady Ye that Ye Ning brought? Ye Jiayao wracked her brains, trying to figure out where she has seen thisdy.


    <i>Oh, right!?</i>??<i>She¡¯s Ning¡¯s niece, Fang Wanting!?</i>?She has been to their house many years ago and Ning even praised her mole then, calling it a beauty spot.


    Ye Jiayao smirked in excitement.??<i>Fine. You think you¡¯ve won just because you found someone to stand in as the Second Lady Ye? Just wait and watch how I expose you for your lies.</i>


    That Miss Fang was betrothed.


    At this discovery, Ye Jiayao momentarily forgot the unhappiness brought about by the change of restaurant owner.


    Back at the courtyard, Ye Jiayao distributed the gifts to everyone. Auntie Jiang kept saying that she shouldn¡¯t have spent too much money even though her eyes are shining with gratitude.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°This is nothing. I just want to thank you guys since I have been giving you a lot of trouble by staying here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all! We have actually benefited from you,¡± Auntie Jiang said, smiling.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. You even give Ah Li and Yue-er wages, we are so embarrassed,¡± Uncle Jiang added.


    ¡°It is only right to give them wages as they have been a great help.¡±


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, my brother has finished making the safe that you were talking about,¡± Jiang Yue chimed in, making her brother scratch his head in embarrassment.


    ¡°Is that so? Quick, show me,¡± Ye Jiayao eximed.


    The ancient version of a safe has been crafted ording to Ye Jiayao¡¯s request. It was fixed on the wall and a secret door has been made in the huge closet. After opening the secret door, there was a box covered in metal that was around a foot and a half long and a foot tall. On top, there¡¯s a row of wooden keys.


    Jiang Li demonstrated to Ye Jiayao how it worked. She would have to press a few wooden keys first before inserting the key into the keyhole. The box would open once a click sounded.


    ¡°If the wooden keys are pressed wrong, it would not open,¡± Jiang Li said.


    Ye Jiayao whistled, impressed.


    ¡°Ah Li, you are incredible!¡± Ye Jiayao praised.


    With this safe, she wouldn¡¯t have to worry about her treasures being stolen.


    Jiang Li replied shyly, ¡°I¡¯m not that incredible. An expert would be able to decipher it with just a little bit of time, but it still won¡¯t open without the key.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°There aren¡¯t that many experts. This level of anti-theft measure is enough.¡±


    After cing her treasures into the safe, Ye Jiayao told Jiang Li, ¡°Go to the Jing An Marquis Residence and tell the Heir-Son Lord that the ¡®Second Lady Ye¡¯ they¡¯re parading around is Ning¡¯s niece, Fang Wanting.¡±


    Jiang Li nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll go now.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Ye Jiayao stuttered, ¡°If¡­ if he is free, invite him over tonight. I have some things to tell him.¡±


    Because Ye Jiayao still has to work tonight, Auntie Jiang volunteered to make dinnerter so they could celebrate mid-autumn together.


    Ye Jiayao returned to Heavenly Residence and prepared the food ording to the menu Manager Zhao gave her. In the huge kitchen, with only her working tonight, it felt a little sad.


    After finishing the dishes, she stored them in a big food container. Uncle Guan who drives the cart was also on leave today so there was no one to take her to Zui Chun Lou. She had no choice but to walk and carry the food container.


    Zui Chun Lou was a half-hour journey from Heavenly Residence and by the time Ye Jiayao arrived, she was drenched in sweat and her back was aching something fierce.


    The pimp brought her to the backyard. It was a solitary little building with the words ¡®Building Leaning on the Moon¡¯ written on it.


    From inside, a melodious sound of the zither ying and a suave singing voice could be heard.


    It looked like Liu Yiyi has an important guest tonight if she was singing.


    When she entered the building, Ye Jiayao noticed that the interior was not as grand as she had imagined. It was simple and ssy, low-profile but extravagant with a whole set of yellow rosewood furniture, a set of pearl curtain, and an incense burning in the golden lion incense pot.


    Ye Jiayao begrudgingly admitted that Liu Yiyi¡¯s taste is not at all bad.


    ¡°Leave it here!¡± A servant lifted the bamboo curtain, pointing at a yellow rosewood table with embedded marble.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to pass the food container and leave after collecting the money. Personally setting the table for Liu Yiyi was making her feel low.


    However, the servant left after giving her instructions and she could only open the food container and start setting the table.


    ¡°Miss, the food from Heavenly Residence is here.¡±


    The sound of zither continued to resonate.


    After setting the table, Ye Jiayao peered around curiously. Even though they were separated byyers of muslin curtains, she could make out a vague silhouette of a man standing by the window.


    Ye Jiayao wondered which noble would spend mid-autumn festival here instead of at his own home.??<i>Must be a yboy.</i>


    With Liu Yiyi still inside, Ye Jiayao could only wait to collect her money.


    After a short while, the singing stopped.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, I have embarrassed myself,¡± Liu Yiyi said in a sweet voice.


    ¡°Your voice makes one intoxicated,¡± the man¡¯s low and maic voice resonated.


    Ye Jiayao stiffened, staring nkly at theyers of the muslin.


    <i>Is it him?</i>


    <i>No, that¡¯s not possible. Why would Chunyu be here? Ridiculous.</i>


    The moment the muslins lifted, Ye Jiayao heard the sound of her heart breaking?into a million pieces.


    It¡¯s really him. He was looking and smiling so tenderly at Liu Yiyi, pulling the chair out for her with such consideration¡­


    She used to think that that gaze only belonged to her. On her way here, she kept thinking of things to say to him when they see each other again. She gritted her teeth and carried this heavy food container over here just so she could return early to wait for him.


    When he said that there was nothing between him and Liu Yiyi, she believed him.??<i>Oh, Yaoyao, you¡¯re a fool.</i>


    After helping Liu Yiyi to her seat, Xia Chunyu lifted his head as though he just noticed Ye Jiayao¡¯s existence and smiled lightly. ¡°Li Yao, aren¡¯t you going to pour us wine?¡±


    How could he smile so nonchntly and order her to pour wine as if he had done nothing wrong?


    Every word he said to her was still ringing?clearly in her ears, gentle, romantic, tender¡­ she stupidly believed that he really has feelings for her.??<i>Stupid, stupid, stupid!</i>


    ¡°Head Chef Li, we meet again.¡± Liu Yiyi smiled, showing off her dimples. That sweet face contrasted to the mockery and pride hidden in the depths of her harsh eyes.


    They deserved each other.


    An adulterous pair.

 Chapter 141 - One Weak Moment

    <h4>Chapter 141: One Weak Moment</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I am only here to deliver the dishes. Since the dishes are here, would the youngdy please settle the bill so I can go back and celebrate mid-autumn festival?¡± Ye Jiayao said emotionlessly.


    ¡°Li Yao, don¡¯t you also drink with the customers when you are at Heavenly Residence?¡± Xia Chunyu said with a smile, filling a cup with wine. ¡°Finish this cup and we will settle the bill.¡±


    ¡°How is a cup enough? Head Chef Li is a famous chef in Jin Ling, it has to be at least three cups. Ying-er, get two more cups, Yan-er retrieve a gold ingot,¡± Liu Yiyi said gracefully.


    Both servants obeyed.


    ¡°Head Chef Li, after you drink three cups of wine, this gold ingot is yours,¡± Liu Yiyi said with false generosity.


    Ye Jiayao was fuming. What did she ever do to this pair to deserve this humiliation?


    Xia Chunyu slightly raised a brow as if he was waiting for a show.


    Ye Jiayao picked up the gold ingot and weighed it in her hand,ughing coldly. ¡°It is my first time to see a gold ingot. I should thank Jin Ling¡¯s top courtesan, or should I thank the many men sending you money? However, I don¡¯t care for this kind of treasure. Too dirty.¡±


    Liu Yiyi¡¯s face changed, the hand hidden in her sleeve started trembling.


    She forced out a smile and said, ¡°Is that so? Then what should I do? The money I have here are all sent by men. Why don¡¯t Head Chef Li treat us to this meal?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s smile did not change. ¡°The word ¡®treat¡¯ should not be used so casually. I only treat my friends. Both of you are neither kin nor kith to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her wine cup and stared straight at Xia Chunyu. ¡°I will treat this meal as if I was feeding the dogs.¡±


    She threw the drink at Xia Chunyu¡¯s face and walked out of that horrible ce, refusing to look back.


    Behind her, Liu Yiyi cried out in shock, ¡°Heir-Son Lord! Quick, Yin-er, get a handkerchief! The nerve of that man!¡±


    Ye Jiayao kept walking, trying to put as much distance between them as she could.


    How could he do this? He¡¯d humiliate her like that just because she went on a river cruise with Little Jing and refused to break off all rtions with him?


    Why does it always end like this? Just when she finally wanted to pour her heart out, a painful blow would disable her. It happened in the mountains and it was happening now.


    She didn¡¯t want to cry, didn¡¯t want to show how much he hurt her, but the tears wouldn¡¯t stop.


    The round, silver moon in the sky and the lights from thousands of homes served as a reminder to her of just how alone she was in this world.


    <i>No, stop, Ye Jiayao. He¡¯s just a man. A bastard at that. Shake it off, rub some dirt on it, and get up. Just because he left, doesn¡¯t mean you won¡¯t make it.</i>


    The words were easy to conjure, but her heart wasn¡¯t convinced.


    She ran to the river bay, crying out in pain.


    She cried and cried, letting out all the anguish and hurt she was feeling because this was her only chance to do so. She would only allow herself to be weak this once.


    Xia Chunyu, having already wiped his face dry, sat there drinking wine.?Liu Yiyi was dancing to alleviate the tension brought about by Yaoyao¡¯s impudence.


    The dance was graceful, the music was moving, the food and wine were fragrant, but he couldn¡¯t care less about them. Everything had lost its appeal the moment Yaoyao left ¨C from the moment he saw the tears that she was trying to hide.


    He was in pain. It felt like someone stabbed his heart with a sharp de and further twisted it in. He wanted to chase after her, to tell her that he only did those things so she would know how it felt to be betrayed by someone you love.


    But he did not move. He was unable to let go of his pride.


    Yes, he admits that what he did was cruel. He should¡¯ve just spoken to her, told her that he was letting go, but he couldn¡¯t do it. Just like the many things he couldn¡¯t do since he met her.


    He used to mock those people who were troubled by love, but he now has be one of them.


    Perhaps by doing this, he could allow himself to harden his heart and leave her alone, to wish her and Little Jing all the best.


    Xia Chunyu lifted his head as he downed a cup of wine, allowing that spicy liquid to burn in his body, hoping that it could also decimate his sorrow.


    When Ye Jiayao¡¯s tears dried up, she looked up and gazed at the colorednterns on the opposite side. She actually forgot that there was antern festival tonight.


    She wiped her tears away and headed to the festival, determined to push her pain away and have some fun.


    She entered a contest of guessing riddles and?won a bunch of prizes when?she?consecutively correctly guessed a handful.


    ¡°Li Yao!¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned around and saw Zhao Qixuan and Susu waving at her. It was gratifying to see them finally out in public.


    ¡°Hi, guys!¡± Ye Jiayao greeted, forcing a smile.


    ¡°I just heard that someone correctly guessed 28 riddles at one go and I thought it was some schr that hase for the imperial examinations! I didn¡¯t know it would be you!¡± Zhao Qixuan looked at all the prizes Ye Jiayao was holdingughingly. He also has 10 prizes in his hands.


    Ye Jiayao smiled shyly. ¡°That was just some freak luck.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan frowned slightly as he looked around. ¡°Why are you alone? Where is Little Jing? He said that he was going to ask you toe here.¡±


    ¡°He should be at home. We didn¡¯t go together because I had to?work at night!¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go to the White Tower Temple to admire the full moon? That is the best ce to admire the moon,¡± Zhao Qixuan invited enthusiastically.


    Ye Jiayao looked between him and Susu. She couldn¡¯te with them, she¡¯d be the third wheel!


    ¡°No, thank you. I still have to go home to eat mooncakes! You guys go ahead! I should be going, too.¡±


    On the way back, Ye Jiayao passes by the harbor. Someone was writing their wishes on the colorednterns and letting them float away with the current, praying to the river god and the moon god that their wishes would be fulfilled.


    Ye Jiayao saw a little girl selling colorednterns not far away so she walked over to her.


    ¡°Can I exchange a coloredntern with these prizes?¡±


    The little girl looked at the things she was holding and her mouth opened in an impressed ¡®o¡¯. ¡°What is there?¡±


    ¡°I am not sure. Somebs, calligraphy pens...¡± Ye Jiayao replied, searching through her pile.


    The little girl said eagerly, ¡°Sure, sure! I wanted to get a pen for my brother so that¡¯s perfect. Young Master, take your pick!¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave all the prizes to her and picked a lotusntern. On thentern, she wrote, ¡°I want to earn a lot of money¡±. After that, she ran to the harbor and released it in the water.


    From now on, her only goal would be to earn a lot of money. She had let trivial matters distract her before and look where that got her.??<i>Never again.?</i>?She would earn a lot of money and then she¡¯d leave Jin Ling to tour the world.


    When she returned to the courtyard, Auntie Jiang and her family were still waiting for her to have dinner. She couldn¡¯t help but feel warmth in her shattered heart. Although Chunyu arranged this home, this family have been really nice to her.


    Before she went to bed, Ye Jiayao asked Auntie Jiang for an almanac*. There have been too many unlucky things happeningtely and she suspected that she was going through some misfortune. Indeed, in the eighth month, those who were born in the year of the rabbit offended Tai Sui.


    There were just a few more days before the eighth month is over and she¡¯d just have to bear with it for a while.


    cing the almanac down, Ye Jiayao hugged Little Ji and Little Rui against her and lied down.


    The human heart is too fickle. She shouldn¡¯t have trusted it.


    <i>Little Ji, Little Rui, also Da Bao and Er Bao, I still have you guys, right? You won¡¯t leave me, right?</i>


    As though they can sense their owner¡¯s sorrow, the two puppies used their noses to nudge her, making soft whimpering sounds tofort her.


    Xia Chunyu stood at the entrance of the courtyard. He has tried to knock for countless of times already, but every time he would raise his hand, it would just fall back down helplessly. After hesitating for a long while, he quietly walked away.


    The next day, Ye Jiayao received a scolding from Manager Zhao the moment she reached the restaurant.


    ¡°Li Yao, what is wrong with you? I just asked you to deliver the food and you still messed it up? I am going to deduct five taels from this month¡¯s wages. You¡¯ll also have to be held ountable for yesterday¡¯s bill that was not settled, a total of 120 taels.¡±


    Ye Jiayao left without a word, went back to the kitchen, put her apron on and started carving flowers from a radish.


    Deng Haichuan asked in a soft voice, ¡°What is the matter with Manager Zhao? Which restaurant doesn¡¯t treat their head chef like a Bodhisattva, especially if that someone is Brother Yao?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! Why not just send someone to settle the bill? Why must he deduct Brother Yao¡¯s pay?¡± Cui Dongpeng added.


    Zhong Xiang frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t think it is as simple as it looks. Everyone, just buck up and let¡¯s work!¡±


    Deng Haichuan wasn¡¯t at ease with this situation. He made up some reason to take a leave from the manager before rushing off to find Young Royal Highness Jing.


    ¡°What? They dare do that to Yaoyao?¡± Little Jing demanded furiously.


    ¡°Even the other brothers feel that something is wrong. Yesterday, everyone is let out on holiday but Brother Yao was asked to work. After he is done, he still has to go to Zui Chun Lou to deliver the dishes. Today, the manager said that Brother Yao messed things up and that he¡¯s going to deduct his sry and even pay for the dishes. A total of 120 taels. Brother Yao¡¯s monthly sry is only 50 taels! No restaurant in Jin Ling will do this to their head chef!¡± Deng Haichuanined.


    Little Jing¡¯s chest was tight with anger. Yaoyao refused to celebrate mid-autumn with him yesterday because she has to stay to work! Who the f*ck was bullying her? Which shameless slut from Zui Chun Lou dared to?do this to his Yaoyao?


    ¡°Go back and reassure Li Yao. Tell him not to be upset, I will think of a n,¡± Little Jing ordered.


    Young Royal Highness Jing¡¯s promise settled Deng Haichuan. He believed that as long as Young Royal Highness was involved, everything would be okay.

 Chapter 142 - It Is Indeed You

    <h4>Chapter 142: It Is Indeed You</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    After Deng Haichuan left, Helian Jing thought hard about who he could ask help from. His big brother was out as he would just definitely ignore him.??<i>Xia Chunfeng!?</i>?That was perfect! Chunfeng was now working in Crown Prince¡¯s Office so he would be able to check the documents in the name of the Crown Prince!


    Helian Jing immediately left and headed to?Crown Prince¡¯s Office to look for Xia Chunfeng.


    After hearing his story, Xia Chunfeng apanied Little Jing to the constables.


    They used the excuse that the Crown Prince was the one looking for the documents which made the people from the constables?retrieve it?.


    When they saw the signature on the document, the two exchanged dumbfounded looks.


    ¡°How... how can it be my brother?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, incredulous.


    Helian Jing also didn¡¯t know what to make of it. Wasn¡¯t Brother Chunyu and Yaoyao pretty close? Why was he doing this to Yaoyao?


    ¡°There must be some misunderstanding here. My brother may have bought the restaurant but that doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that he¡¯s the one running it. His subordinates could be making the rules here,¡± Xia Chunfeng guessed.


    Helian Jing nodded btedly. Yes, that made much more sense. ¡°What should we do?


    Xia Chunfeng replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go straight to my brother. This is his matter, it would be more appropriate for him to solve it.¡±


    Both of them rushed to the pce only to find out that he has already left. They went to the Jing An Marquis Residence next where they were told that he wasn¡¯t also there.


    ¡°Where on earth is your brother?¡± Helian Jing asked anxiously.


    ¡°How would I know? Why don¡¯t we just go to Heavenly Residence and tell Li Yao about this?¡±


    In the Heavenly Residence¡¯s kitchen, Ye Jiayao was cooking numbly. She has lost all her passion and enthusiasm to cook and her actions have be mechanical.


    Little Lu brought a new list of orders in. ¡°Brother Yao, there is one more table added on the second floor. This is the order.¡±


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°Give it to me, I am in charge of the second floor.¡±


    ¡°But Manager Zhao said that this customer wants Brother Yao to cook for him,¡± Little Lu protested.


    ¡°Bring it here,¡± Ye Jiayao said. One more table doesn¡¯t really matter to?her. If there are still customers outside, she wouldn¡¯t be able to leave anyway.


    ¡°But the third floor has been constantly full all afternoon...¡± Zhong Xiang has noticed that Li Yao didn¡¯t speak much today. It was apparent that he wasn¡¯t in a good mood and Zhong Xiang just wanted to help him.


    Ye Jiayao forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. It¡¯s just a few dishes.¡±


    Zhong Xiang passed the order list to her. ¡°They are all troublesome dishes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao scanned the list and quickly ordered, ¡°Haichuan, cut some tofu slices, Wang Mingde, Dongpeng, mince two catty of meat and prawn paste. Check if the roasted duck is done¡­¡±


    After the Wen Si Tofu was served, Ah Xing brought it back.


    ¡°Brother Yao, the customer said that this Wen Si Tofu is too thick and is requesting for it to be redone.¡±


    ¡°What? Who is that demanding customer?¡± Deng Haichuan asked angrily. He was the one who cut the tofu, and it was definitely not too thick! This was the first time someoneined to him about that!


    Everyone echoed his sentiments, piqued.


    Ye Jiayao said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll cut it.¡±


    Deng Haichuan¡¯s tofu slices were actually?good,?just a little thicker than hers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make the dishes on this order sheet, I will do it myself.¡±


    The second time it got sent out, it did not get sent back.


    However, not longter, Ah Xing returned again with the double vored egg roll. ¡°Brother Yao, the customer said that the duck¡¯s skin is too old.¡±


    Wang Mingde said, ¡°This is the only roasted duck we have. We have used up the rest and this one is just slightly older.¡±


    ¡°Who is so f*cking picky?¡± Deng Haichuan was losing his patience.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Ah Xing, tell the customer that the roasted duck is all sold out for today. Get him to change his order.¡±


    Ah Xing went to negotiate and came back saying, ¡°The customer ordered Buddha Jumps over the Wall. Brother Yao, we don¡¯t have this dish in our restaurant!¡±


    Finally, Ye Jiayao got angry.


    She put her knife down and said, ¡°Ah Xing, which room is the customer in? I will talk to him.¡±


    ¡°He is in Manager Zhao¡¯s room and he¡¯s serving him personally.¡±


    Everyone stilled. If Manager Zhao was serving him personally, he¡¯s either the Emperor or the new owner. Guess which one was it?


    Ye Jiayao would finally meet this mysterious owner.


    She headed straight to the second floor and stopped in front of Manager Zhao¡¯s room.


    She knocked on the door.


    In a sh, Manager Zhao opened it and frowned upon seeing her. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be cooking in the kitchen? What are you doing here?¡±


    From the way he was blocking the doorway, Ye Jiayao knew that it was indeed the owner inside. She pushed him aside and said, ¡°Passing messages through Ah Xing is such a hassle so I came here to deliver it myself.¡±


    <i>Xia Chunyu.</i>


    Song Qi was standing at his side, serving him.


    Ye Jiayao asked emotionlessly, ¡°Are you the new owner?¡±


    It suddenly made sense why she was tasked to deliver the dishes to Zui Chun Lou, why her wages got deducted, why her dishes were picked on...


    There are men that turn into an enemy once the rtionship fizzles out. Clearly, she had the misfortune of meeting one.


    ¡°I am here to spot check today,¡± Xia Chunyu simply said.


    Ye Jiayaoughed, anger swiftly rising in her. ¡°Very well. I would suggest to you that you say everything you need to instead of inconveniencing everyone by delivering it piece by piece.


    He smiled as if everything was just perfectly normal. ¡°I found many problems today, Head Chef Li. You better think of a way to solve it.¡±


    ¡°Second Brother¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother Chunyu¡­¡±


    Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng barged into the room and was surprised at what they saw.


    ¡°Li Yao, why are you here? You already know?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked.


    Ye Jiayao watched Xia Chunyu coldly. She never would¡¯ve thought that it¡¯d be him. She never expected him to buy a restaurant just so he could torment her. Thousands and thousands of silver just to make her life a living hell.??<i>Well, he spent more than 10,000 silvers for me, that¡¯s for sure.</i>


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, the manager that you hired keeps targeting Yaoyao. What is going on? Yesterday was a holiday and he still made Yaoyao deliver dishes to Zui Chun Lou. Is this what a head chef should do?¡± Helian Jing quickly startedining.


    ¡°Little Jing, stop it,¡± Ye Jiayao shouted. She knew that it wasn¡¯t Manager Zhao¡¯s fault since he¡¯s only acting on orders.


    Xia Chunyu let out a coldugh. She went to Little Jing to grumble about her problems.??<i>Figures.</i>


    ¡°A head chef is also a worker, what is wrong with him delivering dishes? If others can do it, why can¡¯t he? And only someone like him, with the status of a head chef, is fit to deliver dishes for Liu Yiyi, don¡¯t you think so?¡± Xia Chunyu drawled.


    ¡°Second brother, how can you say that?¡± Xia Chunfeng was outraged. His brother wasn¡¯t usually like this!


    Helian Jing yelled indignantly, ¡°What did Yaoyao ever do to you? Why must you bully him like that? Liu Yiyi is just a promiscuous woman! How could she evenpare to Yaoyao?


    ¡°Little Jing, this is my restaurant¡¯s operational matters. As an outsider, you have no say in any of this.¡±


    ¡°Outsider? Yaoyao is my friend! I cannot allow you to do this to him.¡±


    ¡°Little Jing, stop it!¡± Ye Jiayao screamed, fed up with everything. ¡°Go home! I will settle my problems by myself.¡±


    She thought that afterst night¡¯s humiliation, she wouldn¡¯t have to see to see that bastard again. Now, as her employer, there¡¯s no escaping him.


    Helian Jing looked at Yaoyao, feeling sorry for her. Why was Brother Chunyu doing this to her? Did he also confess to Yaoyao? Did he get rejected so he¡¯s turning his embarrassment into anger and picking on Yaoyao purposely?


    Ye Jiayao raised her eyes to look at Chunyu. ¡°You want Buddha Jumps over the Wall, right? Wait.¡±


    Helian Jing followed her out. ¡°Yaoyao, I will help you get out of your contract.¡±


    She was moved by Little Jing¡¯s dedication to her. She wanted to cry but she already sworest night that that was thest time she was going to be weak.?<i>No more. I can¡¯t afford to let Chunyu see me broken.</i>


    ¡°Little Jing, I appreciate your kindness, but I will not ept it. It¡¯s just three years, it will pass by in a sh.¡± Ye Jiayao lowered her head, now wanting Little Jing to see the sorrow and hurt in her eyes. ¡°Go on, I still have to work.¡±


    In the room, Xia Chunfeng asked, puzzled, ¡°Second?Brother, why are you making things difficult for Li Yao? Did he offend you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at him from the corner of his eyes. ¡°Why are you with Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°Little Jing wanted to find out who is the new owner of Heavenly Residence so he got me to help him check. I can¡¯t believe that it is you, Second Brother! When did you buy the restaurant? Why are you so rich?¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorted. Little Jing really was willing to go to drastic lengths just for her. How sweet.?<i>Not.</i>


    ¡°Second Brother, even if Li Yao has offended you in some ways, can¡¯t you just be more forgiving and forget about it?¡± Xia Chunfeng persuaded.


    ¡°Why do you think I am making things difficult for him? I am merely running my business. I bought the restaurant to earn some money and I do things with the interest of the restaurant at heart. I don¡¯t think there is anything wrong with that.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was confused. Was that it? But Little Jing made it sound very serious and Li Yao¡¯s expression didn¡¯t seem right, too.


    ¡°If he can¡¯t take such grievance, then how is he going to continue working? He¡¯s just like us. Don¡¯t we also have to be lectured by our superiors?¡± Xia Chunyu continued.


    ¡°Butparing him to Liu Yiyi is a little inappropriate,¡± Xia Chunfeng told him.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°How is it inappropriate? Liu Yiyi sells her talent and not her body. A woman who has great talent and passion, principled and incorruptible, is worthy of respect.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng rolled his eyes frustratedly. He could never win against his second brother. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m hungry. I¡¯ve been so busy looking for you, I didn¡¯t get the chance to have my dinner.¡±


    After taking two bites, Xia Chunfeng said cheekily, ¡°Second Brother, since this restaurant belongs to you now, does this mean I can have free food?¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. ¡°Fine. You can eat here every day, but you have to keep it a secret, otherwise, I would go bankrupt. If that happens, I¡¯m going to ask you for money.¡±


    ¡°I promise to keep it a secret,¡± Xia Chunyu vowedughingly.

 Chapter 143 - Give Me Five Hundred Thousand

    <h4>Chapter 143: Give Me Five Hundred Thousand</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Helian Jing looked for his older brother the moment he returned to the mansion.


    ¡°Big brother, lend me 500, 000 taels.¡±


    Helian Xuan, who was sipping tea, spat it out upon hearing that. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Lend me 500, 000 taels and when we split the inheritance in the future, I will take nothing,¡± Little Jing said.


    Helian Xuan puts his tea down and touched Little Jing¡¯s forehead. ¡°Are you running a fever?¡±


    ¡°Brother, I am serious. Give me 500, 000 taels, I am in urgent need of it.¡±


    ¡°Did you get into trouble outside?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then, what do you need so much money for?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you. I promise you, though, it¡¯s for a legitimate reason,¡± Helian Jing said.


    Helian Xuan said somberly, ¡°500, 000 taels is not a small amount. If you don¡¯t tell me why you need it, I am not going to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°Brother, I swear it is for serious business,¡± Helian Jing pleaded, getting anxious.


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    Helian Jing gritted his teeth at his brother¡¯s stubbornness.??<i>Fine!</i>


    ¡°Brother Chunyu bought Heavenly Residence and I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with him, but he kept making things difficult for Yaoyao. He¡¯sing up with ways and means to bully him and I really cannot bear to watch it anymore. I want to help Yaoyao get out of his contract.¡±


    Helian Xuan was shocked, not because Xia Chunyu bought the restaurant, but because he was making things difficult for Li Yao. It does not make sense! If Chunyu really did buy the restaurant, it would be to protect Li Yao!


    ¡°I think there might be some misunderstanding,¡± Helian Xuan suggested.


    ¡°What misunderstanding? There is no misunderstanding at all! Brother, you didn¡¯t see how upset Li Yao was. Brother Chunyu is too much.¡±


    Helian Xuan fiddled with his cor, ufortable. ¡°Umm, Little Jing, there are some things that outsiders like us would not understand. I think you should not bother yourself with their problem. The more you get involved, the worse the matter gets. I think Chunyu knows what he is doing.¡±


    Helian Xuan figured that it was just a?squabble between the couple and would be fine after a few days. If outsiders get involved, it might just get out of hand.


    ¡°What outsiders? What do you mean their problem? Brother, I don¡¯t understand what you are saying.¡±


    ¡°You will understand it in the future. Listen to me and it won¡¯t go wrong. I guarantee it,¡± Helian Xuan said.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No more buts. Go do what you are supposed to do, don¡¯te and bother me anymore. I still have to look at some documents!¡± Helian Xuan dismissed him with annoyance.


    Helian Jing wrinkled his nose discontentedly.?<i>Fine. If you won¡¯t give it to me, I will find a way to take it myself.</i>


    After Little Jing left, Helian Xuan pondered over what he said. He knew Little Jing and he knew that the more you forbid him to do something, the more he would do it. But where could he get the money...??<i>Mother!</i>


    Helian Xuan hurriedly rose and sprinted to the main room.


    Indeed, Helian Jing was harassing Yu De.


    ¡°Mother, I want to buy a restaurant to do some business.¡±


    Yu De replied, ¡°You have just gone to the army to work, how can you do something else all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Mother, I only have toe up with the capital. There will be someone doing the work.¡±


    Yu De though about it for a while and asked, ¡°Which restaurant? Is the manager reliable?¡±


    ¡°It is Heavenly Residence. Because something happened in the shopkeeper¡¯s house, he wants to sell the restaurant. Mother, you know how good Heavenly Residence¡¯s business is. If I buy it and let Li Yao handle the work, it will definitely be reliable,¡± Little Jing lied.


    Yu De wavered. Heavenly Residence was the most popr restaurant in the city right now and Li Yao¡¯s the most popr chef.


    ¡°How much do you need?¡±


    ¡°Not much, just 500, 000.¡± Helian Jing stretched out one hand, his five fingers wriggling about.


    Yu De looked at him in disbelief. ¡°Not much? Do you think our family owns a bank?¡±


    ¡°It really isn¡¯t a lot. Heavenly Residence¡¯s daily profit is a few thousand taels. It will only take a few months to break even,¡± Helian Jing blurted out, making a wild guess.


    Yu De frowned. ¡°If that is the case, why don¡¯t you get the shopkeeper to discuss it with me?¡±


    ¡°Mother, you are not trusting me!¡± Helian Jing whined, pouting.


    ¡°It is not that I don¡¯t trust you, Little Jing. I am just more experienced with such matters.¡± Yu De smiled, her eyes filled with fondness for herst born.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t listen to his nonsense. There is no such matter,¡± Helian Xuan dered upon entering.


    Helian Jing saw his big brother and scowled. He just lost his chance!


    ¡°What?¡± Yu De was confused.


    ¡°Mother, Little Jing is just kidding. Heavenly Residence has already been bought,¡± Helian Xuan rified, ring at Little Jing.


    ¡°Who is it? That person must¡¯ve some good foresight,¡± Yu De asked curiously.


    Not wanting to rat on Xia Chunyu, Helian Xuan answered, ¡°I don¡¯t actually know. I just know that the owner has changed.¡±


    ¡°Ay, what a pity. If I had known earlier, I would¡¯ve bought it,¡± Yu De said with regret.


    This was the second time that Ye Jiayao made Buddha Jumps Over The Wall and the procedure wasn¡¯t any lessplicated. Every step was so intricate that her moves blurred.


    After simmering the small wine vat, Ye Jiayao slumped on the bench, exhausted.


    ¡°How long does this have to simmer for?¡± Zhong Xiang asked.


    ¡°Two hours.¡±


    Little Lu entered to report, ¡°Brother Yao, the customers outside are almost all gone.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°I got it. All of you get some rest, I will handle things here.¡±


    Everyone but she was living in the restaurant so they don¡¯t have any problem. Plus, she felt bad for making so many people wait with her especially if there¡¯s no point in it.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, we have nothing to do anyway,¡± Deng Haichuan assured.


    Brother Yao hasn¡¯t been happy these past few days and they feel bad about abandoning him to rest.


    After an hour of wait, Ah Xing said, ¡°Brother Yao, the new shopkeeper has left.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed, depleted beyond belief.


    He really was going to torture her. He has already ssified her as an enemy without even giving her a chance to exin.


    Actually, an exnation would just probably be useless. He likes Liu Yiyi and he¡¯s going to marry Princess Liu Li. How could shepete? She¡¯s just a woman abandoned by her family, a woman without an identity.


    ¡°Brother Yao, what do we do with this Buddha Jumps Over The Wall?¡± Cui Dongpeng asked.


    Ye Jiayao fished out a silver ingot. ¡°Ah Xing, get two vats of good wine. I will make another two dishes and we¡¯ll have supper.¡±


    A delicacy prepared with hard work should not be wasted just like that. If he won¡¯t eat it, everyone will.


    Zhong Xiang volunteered, ¡°Let me do it!¡± He rolled up his sleeves, sorting out the remaining ingredients.


    ¡°I will help, too,¡± Deng Haichuan said as he rose.


    The horse carriage reached the Jing An Marquis Residence and the Xia brothers alighted. Song Qi handed the horse carriage to the gatekeeper and caught up with the Heir-Son Lord¡¯s pace.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, it isn¡¯t very good for us to leave just like that! We should¡¯ve notified Miss¡­ notify Li Yao. At least, exin that you left because something cropped up,¡± Song Qi said.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was gloomy. There¡¯s no need for exnation. She has already chosen Little Jing. He left for seven days and she has already epted his family heirloom.


    ¡°There is no need for that,¡± Xia Chunyu snapped.


    Song Qi didn¡¯t know what happened between the Heir-Son Lord and Miss Ye. When they delivered Miss Ye to the courtyard, the Heir-Son Lord was so worried and anxious about her. When he came out, his face was cold as ice.


    It was not like they haven¡¯t quarreled before, but they would usually reconcile after a few days. However, this time... it looked serious.


    ¡°Second Brother, I also think that it is not very nice to leave without saying anything,¡± Xia Chunfeng agreed.


    Xia Chunyu simply threw him a re and walked straight ahead.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, Third Young Master, you are finally back. The Old Master has been waiting in the house!¡± the housekeeper said chirpily as he weed them.


    ¡°Father is back?¡± Xia Chunfeng eximed, surprised.


    ¡°Yes, Third Young Master. He actually was supposed to be back yesterday, but he didn¡¯t make it in time.¡±


    Xia Chunfengughed merrily. ¡°The moon on the 15th is round on the 16th, today is just the right time to be back.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was also overjoyed as it has been several years since he has seen his father.


    Both of them quickened their pace to the main room.


    In the Heavenly Residence¡¯s kitchen, when Ye Jiayao removed the bowl covering the vat and peeled the lotus leaf off, and an intense fragrance immediately spread out the room.


    ¡°That smells so good!¡± Deng Haichuan praised, smacking his lips.


    ¡°No wonder it is called Buddha Jumps Over The Wall! I¡¯m sure even the Buddha would be unable to control himself upon smelling this.¡±


    ¡°You really deserve to be an imperial chef, Brother Yao! You are awesome!¡±


    ¡°Pour out the wine, this meal is on me. Everyone,?drink?to your heart¡¯s content,¡± Ye Jiayao said generously.


    She wanted to get drunk and wash away how f*cking unlucky she has beentely.


    ¡°Here, here, fill this up.¡±


    ¡°Today, we will take it as if we are celebrating mid-autumn!¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her bowl of alcohol first. ¡°Working with you guys is very enjoyable! I hope that next time we would all celebrate mid-autumn together every year.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yao, we will follow you. After three years, if you leave, we leave. If you stay, we stay,¡± Deng Haichuan said.


    Everyone echoed in loud voices, ¡°Brother Yao leaves, we leave, Brother Yao stays, we stay.¡±


    Their sincerity warmed Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart.??<i>F*ck you, Dumb Donkey. I still have my friends who care about me. You won¡¯t break me.</i>


    ¡°Drink,¡± Ye Jiayao led, emptying her bowl.


    <i>Oh, that is delightful!</i>


    Everyone emptied their bowls and started?to eat heartily, sharing the delicacies.


    Because she still has to go back, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t dare to drink too much. She also couldn¡¯t allow everyone get too drunk because there was still work tomorrow.


    After three bowls of wine, Ye Jiayao told Zhong Xiang to keep watch on the rest and went back home.


    She walked alone on the silent and empty street, stumbling along while she hummed an off-beat and off-tune melody.


    ¡°They are all bubbles, only a spark of fireworks. All your promises are just too vulnerable. I can only me myself for not being able to see through it, I feel sad¡­¡±


    ¡°Who is howling in the middle of the night?¡± someone scolded somewhere.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. This was the first time in days that she felt happy and she won¡¯t let anything ruin that.


    ¡°The majestic river flows to the east, the stars in the sky are a part of the Big Dipper¡­¡±

 Chapter 144 - His Majesty Bestows A Marriage

    <h4>Chapter 144: His Majesty Bestows A Marriage</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Early in the morning, Zhao Qixuan was woken up by a violent shaking.


    ¡°Get up, get up!¡± Helian Jing knew that Zhao Qixuan has a habit of sleeping naked, so this time, he didn¡¯t make the mistake of lifting his nket.


    Zhao Qixuan grumbled. ¡°Shut up. Stop disturbing my sleep. I want to sleep.¡±


    He turned over and continued to snore.


    Helian Jing went up to his ear, and yelled, ¡°Fire!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan sprang up anxiously. ¡°Where is the fire?¡±


    Helian Jing patted his chest. ¡°Here.¡±


    When he saw that Little Jing was teasing him, Zhao Qixuan frowned angrily. ¡°Little Jing, what are you doing here so early in the morning?¡±


    He made a move to lie back down and get back to sleep, but Helian Jing pulled him up. ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep a?wink the entire night awaiting daybreak. Qixuan, you have to help me this time.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan paid more attention now upon hearing how serious his friend sounded. ¡°What happened? Did you get in trouble?¡±


    ¡°I want to borrow some money from you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan clicked his tongue. ¡°That¡¯s all? Little Jing, you are my brother, you don¡¯t have to persuade me. How much do you need?¡±


    ¡°500, 000 taels.¡±


    His words chased away the remnants of sleep clinging to Zhao Qixuan. ¡°What was that? Did you just say you want 500,000?¡±


    Helian Jing nodded solemnly. ¡°500,000 taels. You are the richest man I know.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan stared at Little Jing, stupefied.??<i>Even if I am rich, I still can¡¯t afford 500,000!?¡±?</i>For what?¡±


    ¡°I want to help Li Yao get out of his contract.¡±


    Little Jing wasn¡¯t making any sense to him. ¡°Are you pranking me?¡±


    ¡°I am being serious, Qixuan. Heavenly Residence has changed its owner and Li Yao is very unhappy working there now. I want to help him.¡±


    ¡°Heavenly Residence has changed owners? Why don¡¯t I know about it?¡±


    ¡°How would you know? The only thing in your mind right now is Susu. You don¡¯t evene out to mingle around anymore.¡¯


    Zhao Qixuan grabbed a coat and donned it on. ¡°Quick, tell me, what is going on? Who is so generous to be able to buy Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Heavenly Residence was currently a treasure bowl so it must have been expensive.


    Remembering his big brother¡¯s warnings, Helian Jing lied, ¡°I am not sure who he is, but in any case, Li Yao feels like quitting.¡±


    ¡°You mean the price for breaking the contract is 500,000 taels?¡±


    ¡°More than that. It is 600,000 taels, but I already have 100,000 taels with me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan took a deep breath, looking at Little Jing pityingly. ¡°Little Jing... you have fallen in so deep.¡±


    Helian Jing blushed and quickly denied, ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous. Li Yao is my friend and I just want to help him.¡±


    ¡°This is not the way you help a friend! You¡¯re really telling me that you¡¯re agreeing to give 600,000 taels?without even blinking an eye just to help a?<i>friend?¡±?</i>?Zhao Qixuan sneered.


    ¡°Zhao Qixuan, if it weren¡¯t for Li Yao, you and Susu wouldn¡¯t be together now. He has been such a great help to you, but now that he is in trouble, you are not willing to help?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t want to help him, I just feel that this price is too ridiculous. If it were other head chefs, 18,000 would¡¯ve been more than generous. But 600,000 for contract termination? What?kind of joke is that? Who¡¯s the owner? Tell me, and I¡¯ll settle it.¡±


    ¡°His price is set so high because Li Yao is iparable to other chefs. If not for him, Heavenly Residence¡¯s business would not be so prosperous. He is the one who brought Heavenly Residence back up. I can¡¯t tell you who is the owner. I can¡¯t reveal who he is, and even if did, you would not be able to do anything about it, anyway. This is the price he wants. I will find some way to return the money back to you slowly,¡± Helian Jing said.


    ¡°You actually sounds proud of Li Yao for being quoted this price.¡±


    ¡°Of course! It¡¯s an honor to be worth so much!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan shook his head in disgust. ¡°Forget it. You¡¯ve turned into such a sap that I can¡¯t even get through to you.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me whether you are going to lend me the money or not. If not, I am going to tell Susu that we ganged up on him,¡± Helian Jing threatened.


    Zhao Qixuan spluttered.??<i>This little brat!</i>


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. When do you need that 500,000 taels?¡±


    This royal chap was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He¡¯d never been short of money and has never done any business so he has no idea about the concept of 600,000 taels. He doesn¡¯t know how many people it could feed and how many treasures it could buy. If it wasn¡¯t for Zhao Qixuan¡¯s prospering businesses and robust family asset, he wouldn¡¯t be able toe up with the amount Little Jing¡¯s asking.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s reluctance wasn¡¯t anything against Li Yao, though. In fact, he¡¯s very grateful to him. If not for his wits, he would¡¯ve spent an eternity dragging things on with Susu. He¡¯d just treat the 500,000 as?the payment for his and Susu¡¯s rtionship.


    ¡°Really? Zhao Qixuan, thank you for being loyal! I will surely remember your favors. As for the money, the sooner the better.¡± Helian Jing felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.


    Zhao Qixuan thought about it for a while. ¡°Susu and I just recently invested some money so I don¡¯t have much liquid cash with me at the moment. You¡¯ll have to wait for seven days. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes! As long as there is money, it is alright,¡± Helian Jing eximed excitedly.


    Zhao Qixuan has a fond smile stretching his lips. ¡°Take a look at your foolish self. Hopefully, after you throw that 600, 000 taels in, you¡¯d be able to bring him home.¡±


    The redness that just subsided on Helian Jing¡¯s face rushed back up to his cheeks. ¡°Nonsense. Go back to sleep, I am going to the army.¡±


    The Old Jing An Marquis, Xia Zhuofeng, brought his second son, Xia Chunyu, into the pce to see His Majesty after breakfast.


    His Majesty received him amiably.


    ¡°My beloved subject, I am very grateful to you for protecting the borders for many years and ensuring the peace of the area. You¡¯ve done a great service to the nation with your hard work.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng quickly rose, saying modestly, ¡°Protecting the nation is your humble subject¡¯s duty. I would never dare to let down Your Majesty¡¯s benevolence!¡±


    After they exchanged a few polite greetings, the conversation shifted to Xia Chunyu¡¯s marriage. The Emperor has purposely waited for the Old Marquis¡¯ return to broach the subject.


    ¡°The child that the seventh prince had left behind is already 16. The Empress Dowager has been asking me to choose a good husband for Princess Liu Li and after looking around, amongst all the royal princes and noblemen in thend, I found Chunyu to be the most suitable groom. My beloved subject, what do you think?¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng has been away from the capital for several years and was not very familiar with Liu Li. He only knew that the Empress Dowager pampers the princess a lot. However, he had a deep friendship with the Seventh Prince so he was pleased with this marriage.


    He was just about to agree to it when Chunyu, who was behind him, took a step forward and kneeled on the ground to kowtow.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for your royal benevolence. However, your humble subject is unable to agree to this marriage,¡± Xia Chunyu said firmly.


    His Majesty¡¯s expression changed slightly. He never expected for Chunyu to reject such a huge favor without a second thought.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Xia Zhuofeng hissed, embarrassed and infuriated. ¡°His Majesty is only willing to let Princess Liu Li marry you because he appreciates you. This is a heaven-bestowed marriage that others could only hope for! You should be grateful.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his head and straightened his back defiantly. ¡°Pardon your humble subject for being unable to obey your order.¡±


    If not for court etiquettes, Xia Zhuofeng would have already kicked the crap out of his son.?<i>What the f*ck is this git doing?</i>


    ¡°Your Majesty, your humble subject has failed in teaching my son, please pardon me,¡± Xia Zhuofeng apologized, fear coloring his words.??<i>You f*cking bastard! I will beat you ck and blue when we get home, Chunyu.</i>


    His Majestyughed out loud. ¡°My beloved subject, quick, rise. This straightforwardness is precisely what I like about Chunyu.¡±


    ¡°Chunyu, get up and talk, too,¡± His Majesty said amiably. ¡°I know that Liu Li is a little too spoiled and is still a little childish, but when she bes a wife and a mother, she¡¯d naturally be more sensible.¡±


    ¡°My son is not any better. He is stubborn and extremely inflexible. Due to my long period of absence, I failed to discipline him properly,¡± Xia Zhuofeng cated as he wiped his sweat.


    The Emperor smiled reassuringly. ¡°Youngsters will be youngsters. It is normal that they are a little temperamental and brash. It is fine as long as he thinks it through.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said resolutely, ¡°Your Majesty, your humble subject really cannot agree to this arrangement. If I do, I would be guilty of deceiving the ruler.¡±


    This time, His Majesty got frustrated. Why would Chunyu deny him? Why would he deny an imperial decree knowing that it is a mortal crime?


    ¡°Bastard, I dare you to say one more word!¡± Xia Zhuofeng exploded angrily. What was happening to his son?


    His Majesty suppressed his anger and asked Chunyu, ¡°Why do you say that?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Your Majesty, your humble subject has already gotten married in ck Wind Ridge. That woman is also ady from a good family and was kidnapped up the mountains by the Second-In-Charge. Due to the circumstances, I had no other choice but to marry her. Even though it was rashly executed, we still have sworn to the heaven and earth.¡±


    The Emperor was stunned. ¡°Why have I never heard you mention this before?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said dimly, ¡°She was the one who discovered the secret passage in the stockade. When she informed me of it to prevent?Bai Chongye from escaping, she got held hostage by the Second-In-Charge. In order to not be a burden to your humble subject, she jumped off the cliff and fell into the Haze Lake. I searched for her but I wasn¡¯t able to find her. After much inquiry, I heard that a viger saved a girl from theke and so I thought it was her and began my search. The viger said that the girl seemed to have lost her memory and could not remember who she was and left a few days before¡­¡±


    Speaking of all the tragedy that has happened hurt Xia Chunyu and he could not help but choke on his words.


    His Majesty and Xia Zhuofeng sighed,menting what happened. This woman was willing to sacrifice herself for her country. She¡¯s righteous and benevolent, and it was as inspiring as it was tragic.


    ¡°Did you continue inquiring?¡± Xia Zhuofeng asked.


    ¡°I have, all with the hopes of continuing our predestined affinity. She has fallen into dire straits because of me and if I abandon her to marry another, I would be an unloyal and unrighteous person. Therefore, I cannot ept Your Majesty¡¯s grace and could only request for Your Majesty to reconsider,¡± Xia Chunyu said sincerely.


    The Emperor muttered, ¡°What is thisdy¡¯s name?¡±


    With his hands cupped together, Xia Chunyu said, ¡°She is the eldest daughter of the first wife of Ye Binghuai from the Yang Zhou¡¯s government prefecture. Her name is Ye Jinxuan.¡±

 Chapter 145 - The Period Of Three Months

    <h4>Chapter 145: The Period Of Three Months</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    His Majesty frowned, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest of the royal throne. With a name and a surname, it could not possibly be fake. Besides, despite Chunyu¡¯s bravery, the Emperor didn¡¯t think he would have the gall?to lie to him.


    That only leaves the question of what would be of Liu Li. This was the Empress Dowager¡¯s imperial decree and if it¡¯s forced upon, it couldn¡¯t be justified with reasons or feelings.


    Xia Zhuofeng was also thinking through his son¡¯s story. If he¡¯s telling the truth, then this Ye Jinxuan was indeed an admirable woman. Their meeting or union wasn¡¯t arranged, and yet, his son¡¯s feelings were clearly strong.


    After a long time, His Majesty raised his eyes and asked, ¡°If you are unable to find this Miss Ye, what would you do?¡±


    Xia Chunyu says with resolution, ¡°If I can¡¯t find her, your humble subject would never marry anyone again.¡±


    ¡°That will not do,¡± His Majesty said, ¡°Having no male offspring is the biggest unfilial act. Besides, you are the Jing An Marquis¡¯ heir. I will set a deadline for you. If you are unable to find her in three months, you will marry Liu Li.¡±


    The Emperor was certain that Chunyu would never be able to find this woman in the period he set. This way, he would still be able to marry off Chunyu and Liu Li without seeming heartless.


    ¡°Your Majesty, how are three months enough?¡± Xia Chunyu pleaded anxiously.


    ¡°Chunyu, I have already been exceptionally gracious on the ount of your loyalty and faithfulness. Don¡¯t push my generosity,¡± the Emperor said, his voice bing serious.


    Xia Zhuofeng understood His Majesty¡¯s intentions. There was no way that Chunyu would be able to find this woman in just three months. That space was just given to him by the Emperor to clear his mind and prepare himself.


    When the news reached Liu Li¡¯s pce, Liu Li was dejected. Why did a Ye Jinxuan suddenly came out? Although His Majesty said that there was no hope of finding this person, there¡¯s still a??<i>what if...</i>


    Liu Li called for a servant and ordered, ¡°Go investigate the Yang Zhou¡¯s government prefecture Ye Binghuai¡¯s daughter, Ye Jinxuan. Report to me as soon as possible.¡±


    When the servant left, Little Ya advised, ¡°Princess, didn¡¯t the Heir-Son Lord previously?mentioned that Li Yao saved his life in ck Wind Ridge? Why don¡¯t you summon Li Yao over to ask him?¡±


    Liu Li jumped up.?<i>That¡¯s right!?</i><i>Li Yao will definitely be able to clear this Ye Jinxuan matter.</i>


    Ye Jiayao was busy in Heavenly Residence at that time.


    The peak season for the sales of mooncakes was over so they had to think of other ways to keep the restaurant relevant. She already had tasked Jiang Li to make few new molds to change up the looks of the mooncakes. Although the sales weren¡¯t that bad, it¡¯s still not enough to guarantee profits and secure her brothers¡¯ wages and bonuses.


    She has to think of something.


    The most popr uing event would definitely be the imperial civil service examination in the ninth month where all the schrs all over Huai Song would converge in Jin Ling. When the timees, every restaurant wouldunch a few dishes with auspicious names to entice the schrs to eat for a good omen.


    Instead ofing out with a few dishes, Ye Jiayao would simply upscale an existing one andunch the Dragon Gate Feast.


    The dishes were actually just the same as the Carp Leaps Over The Dragon Gate only with a few twists to it.


    Of course, marketing and advertising are important. After all, these schrs came from outside the city and were not very familiar with the market price in Jin Ling. Ye Jiayao personally wrote a slogan and got Manager Zhao to hire a few people with good handwriting to copy a few hundred sets. During their?lunch break, everyone would give them out in various inns.


    The slogan went like this:


    <i>For the numerous schrs, the empire lights up the Heavenly Hall in brilliance.?</i>


    <i>The carps swim a thousand lis to leap over the Dragon Gate, hearing the news of the top scorers and those who pass.?</i>


    <i>The blessings of the gods and Buddhas are still needed on top of talent, cleanse in propitious in Heavenly Residence.</i>


    <i>In this autumn period, at Jin Ling¡¯s Heavenly Residence, the Mobile Imperial Chef, Head Chef Li has put in all his efforts to create this Dragon Gate Feast for all schrs. The Top Scorer Banquet wishes all schrs to flow with inspiration and win the top positions in the imperial examinations with the help of the gods.</i>


    After the advertisements were given out, a few waves of people came that same night and ordered Dragon Gate Feast, Top Scorer Banquet.


    The delicious food, exquisite dishes, and auspicious names made the schrse in high spirits and leave in contentment. The news quickly spread.


    After knocking off, Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan went to a teahouse.


    Helian Xuanughingly pulled out an advertisement he saw earlier and showed it to Xia Chunyu. ¡°Sister-In-Law is full of ideas! Who else would have thought of this? Although the poem is not very well done, it¡¯s still very effective.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the advertisement andughed with his friend. ¡°She really knows a thing or two about business.¡±


    ¡°You have married a treasure,¡± Helian Xuan teased.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to cry.??<i>Don¡¯t you know that your little brother has alreadye between us?</i>


    ¡°What do you intend to do with the three months His Majesty gave you? When do you want her to show herself?¡± Helian Xuan asked him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take it one step at a time!¡± Xia Chunyu thought that he¡¯d be able to let Yaoyao go, but now that His Majesty has mentioned Liu Li, he quickly realized that he couldn¡¯t ept any woman other than her.


    ¡°I heard from Little Jing that there has been a little misunderstanding between you and your wife.¡±


    ¡°There is a little trouble, but it will be settled in a few days.¡± Xia Chunyu has to sort out his emotions first.


    ¡°I told Little Jing not to meddle. If he does anything, just ignore the kid.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sneered.??<i>?A kid? A kid who stole his woman.??</i>¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°If you need any help, just let me know. Now that I don¡¯t have to go to West Mongolia, I am a little idle!¡± Helian Xuan swallowed a mouthful of tea resentfully. It was initially agreed upon that he would lead an army to West Mongolia but the Emperor changed his mind and sent Admiral Huo instead.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s fine for the time being. Juste out to help me say a few words at thest moment,¡± Xia Chunyu said. He has yed up some of Yaoyao¡¯s deeds and admirable qualities today so His Majesty wouldn¡¯t be able to fault her for dressing up as a man and deceiving him.


    After the tea session, Xia Chunyu returned to his residence to find that there was someone waiting for him.


    ¡°My Lord, I have already investigated Fang Wanting¡¯s background thoroughly. She is the second daughter of the sister of Madam Ye and is already engaged to someone. The other party is called Du Heng, the third young master of the Hai Ning government prefecture. I heard that he hase for the imperial civil examinations this year.¡±


    ¡°Go find out where this Du Heng has settled himself,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered, pleased at how everything was lining up.


    ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± The person cupped his hands and left.


    Song Qi started, ¡°Heir-Son Lord, what are you nning to do?¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed coldly, ¡°Just settle in and watch the show. This is getting more and more interesting.¡±


    Ning has gotten her niece to act as a substitute but has never taken any other measures to ensure that they¡¯d never be caught.??<i>That¡¯s a deadly mistake, Ning.</i>


    ¡°In the next few days, spread the word that I am looking for Ye Jinxuan, the First Lady Ye. I want to make this matter know to everyone. Also, let Yaoyao¡¯s maternal family know that it is about time they show up,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Song Qi was an efficient servant. Within three days, the news of the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-son Lord looking for his stockade wife, First Lady Ye, who has been through thick and thin with him,?has be the hot topic among the people in Jin Ling.


    It was not simply a story of a sentimental man looking for his wife. It has also made Ye Jinxuan a courageous, witty, faithful, and righteous woman of wonder. People would definitely link this back to the rumor of the fake First Lady Ye and questioning gazes would once again fall upon Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s residence. Ye Jinrong would boil on the hot seat again.


    ¡°Mother, what should we do?¡± Ye Jinrong asked desperately.


    They have just managed to tamp down the rumors! Now that the mor has awoken old stories again, it was even worse than before.


    Ning, who had been preparing to return to Yang Zhou, was also troubled.


    ¡°No wonder the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord came to visitst time and specifically asked about the First Lady Ye.¡± Wei Liujiang gritted his teeth, cursing Xia Chunyu. He really hated that guy for sinking his reputation. Now, no one was willing to ept him even though he wanted to be an apprentice.


    ¡°But didn¡¯t he say that Jinxuan is already dead?¡± Ye Jinrong asked.


    ¡°Who knows if he is speaking the truth?¡± Wei Liujiang snapped resentfully.


    Ning muttered, ¡°If she is really dead, it is easy to settle. If she¡¯s still alive...¡±


    ¡°Now that the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord has caused a hugemotion over the search for Jinxuan, we cannot just y dumb!¡± Jingrong nearly yelled, anxiety overpowering her.


    ¡°What else can we do? We had so many ways then, but you guys just had to choose this path. We¡¯re here now so we¡¯d just have to make sure that this doesn¡¯t blow back on us more than it already has,¡± Ning said in a huff.


    Wei Liujiang pouted. ¡°We just wanted the bandits to settle the matter! How were we supposed to know that they wouldn¡¯t kill her?¡±


    ¡°They must have lusted over her beauty and couldn¡¯t bear to do it,¡± Jinrong said, indignant and a tad bit jealous.


    Ning stared at the two of them, sighing depressingly. If she knew this would happen, she would have done it herself.


    ¡°I have no idea what to do. We have to get your father involved in this. We don¡¯t have anything to be afraid other than?Jinxuan¡¯s maternal familying over to ask for her. If that happens, even your dad would not be able to do anything,¡± Ning said worriedly.


    ¡°Mother, if they reallye, we would tell the truth. We¡¯ll just say that we spent so much effort hiding the fact that Jinxuan¡¯s been captured by the bandits because we wanted to protect the family¡¯s reputation. They shouldn¡¯t scare us. What I¡¯m worried about is that Jinxuan¡¯s still alive and watching this whole show from the sidelines,¡± Jinrong said.


    Wei Liujiang nodded, expressing his agreement with Jinrong.


    ¡°You must¡¯ve known that cutting the weeds without plucking out the roots would just cause endless trouble,¡± Ning reprimanded.


    Both of them lowered their head, afraid to talk back. It was really a negligence on their part. They thought that the n was meticulous and wless, not really ounting that something could go wrong along the way.


    ¡°Are we still going to hold the housewarming party the day after tomorrow?¡± Wei Liujiang asked weakly.


    His new residence has been renovated and the geomancy said that the ce was a pricednd with the star of Wen Chang hanging high over it. The imperial civil service examination was taking ce next month, and he wished to move in soon to seek good fortune.


    ¡°Yes, of course! It is better to be bustling with noise and excitement rather than just ying dead. We don¡¯t even know, maybe the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord was just bluffing. I will liaise with your father-inw for this matter. You just wash your hands off this and prepare for the examination. Your future prospect is more important,¡± Ning said.

 Chapter 146 - Family Members Are Here

    <h4>Chapter 146: Family Members Are Here</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    The news of the search for Ye Jinxuan reached Ye Jiayao.


    Others may be clueless as to where and how it began, but Ye Jiayao knew that it was Xia Chunyu who started the whole thing.


    What on earth was this fellow trying to do? Didn¡¯t he already make it clear that he wanted nothing to with her anymore??Why was he all of a sudden creating such a big hoo-ha over the search for her?


    Was he just trying to make himself to be some kind of a hopeful hero? That thought infuriated Ye Jiayao.


    While Ye Jiayao was stewing in her anger, Helian Jing was overwhelmed with anxiety that he didn¡¯t dare to go visit Heavenly Residence for the past two days.


    Li Yao has stayed in ck Wind Ridge.?Li Yao is a woman.


    Brother Chunyu was so protective of Li Yao that he even risked the wrath of Liu Li and the Empress Dowager just to defend her.


    Helian Jing also found it odd how certain Brother Chunyu was that the wife of Wei Liujiang was not the real First Lady Ye.


    And the way Brother Chunyu gazes so tenderly at Li Yao...


    Could Li Yao be the First Lady Ye, Brother Chunyu¡¯s rumored wife?


    The mere possibility of that devastated Helian Jing.


    He wished that that wasn¡¯t the case, but he was too afraid to seek confirmation and the uncertainty was driving him crazy.


    Finally, when he thought he¡¯d climb the walls out of madness, Helian Jing turned to his brother.


    ¡°Big brother, that day when you talked about outsiders and their matters, what do you mean by that?¡± His instincts told him that his brother knew exactly what was going on.


    Helian Xuan sweepingly gazed at the impatient Little Jing and said, ¡°It means exactly what it means.¡±


    ¡°What? I don¡¯t understand. Can you make yourself clearer?¡± Helian Jing pouted.


    ¡°How much clearer could it get? Their conflict will be resolved only by themselves.¡± Helian Xuan thought that his brother was still hounding him for that 500,000 taels so he added, ¡°Even if you manage to get the money, Chunyu still won¡¯t let him go.¡±


    Helian Jing was confused. ¡°Why? What rights does he have to not let him go? He can¡¯t go back on his words.¡±


    ¡°Did Chunyu personally promise to let Li Yao go after paying 500, 000 taels?¡± Helian Xuan asked.


    Helian Jing shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t... I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Helian Xuan snorted. ¡°See? You¡¯re meddling in things you know nothing about.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao said it so I believe it¡¯s true,¡± Helian?Jing said as if he was daring his big brother to contradict it.


    ¡°Little Jing, I promise you, they will work this out in just a few days.¡± He was afraid that Little Jing would stick his meddlesome nose in the couple¡¯s business and just ruin things.


    ¡°How can you guarantee that? On what grounds? Did Brother Chunyu tell you something?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything, but I know Chunyu. He doesn¡¯t do useless things and he always has a n.¡±


    ¡°A n? What possible n could he have had topare Yaoyao with Liu Yiyi in front of everyone?¡± Helian Jing told his brother angrily, recalling Xia Chunyu¡¯s cruel words that day.


    ¡°Perhaps Li Yao offended Chunyu so Chunyu is spiting him on purpose,¡± Helian Xuan suggested. Chunyu could be very generous but he could also be extremely petty.


    Helian Jing thought that Brother Chunyu was acting like a woman.?And speaking of woman...


    ¡°Big brother, have you seen Chunyu¡¯s wife?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Could it be someone we all know?¡± Helian Jing tried to sound him out.


    Helian Xuan tensed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear that she jumped off the cliff? Where would have I seen her?¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to fool around with you, Little Jing. Get lost,¡± Helian Xuan dismissed, trying to deter his brother¡¯s suspicions.


    Helian Jing walked out of the study gloomily, his mood worsening.


    In Heavenly Residence, Ye Jiayao was called over by Manager Zhao.


    ¡°This is a list of a few private banquets. I have offered a price of 300 taels for 10 tables on your behalf. The prices used to be 300 taels for 20 tables, but since you¡¯re an imperial chef now, it¡¯s only fitting to raise it. Take a look at the dates and make some arrangement beforehand.¡±


    Ye Jiayao browsed the list. There¡¯s a total of six banquets, which would add up to 160 tables and would equate to 4800 taels. Even after the 40% was deducted and the wages of the helpers were distributed, she¡¯d still have about 2,000 taels left. Finally, she could earn some decent money.


    A name suddenly caught her eye and she stopped short.


    Wei residence? Which Wei residence?


    Understandably, Ye Jiayao was particrly sensitive towards the surnames Wei and Mu.


    She couldn¡¯t figure out which Wei was this because the name wasn¡¯t written on the list, just the date and the address of the house.


    ¡°Alright. Manager Zhao, can I ask when the shopkeeper will being over?¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to ask Xia Chunyu what on earth was he doing.


    Was he trying to reinstate her status? What¡¯s going to happen after she recovers her identity? He made such a huge deal of looking for her lost ¡®wife¡¯, was he intending to marry her??Ha!?<i>Fat chance of that happening now, Stupid Donkey.</i>


    Manager Zhao smiled ndly. ¡°The shopkeeper woulde when he wants to.¡±


    She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and pocketed the list. ¡°Okay. Manager, there is something else I have to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?


    ¡°I hired two people to help me make the ice cream and the molds. These kinds ofbors should be paid wages, right? I am also working for the restaurant, so you can¡¯t possibly have me pay them from my wages, right?¡± Ye Jiayao was being smart this time. If they were going to continue to gang up on her, she¡¯d damn well take advantage of them.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Li previously made a verbal promise to pay them their wages. If you don¡¯t agree to this, I would never be able to ask them for their help again in the future.¡±


    Manager Zhao said, ¡°The ice creambor will be calcted once a month and you canpute the pay. As for the molds, since they are all well done, we will use the market price, with an addition of 20%. Just make a bill and I will get the ounts to pass you the money after I take a look at it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and left.


    She actually has already given Jiang Li and Jiang Yue their pay. The one she was asking for was hers, and although it¡¯s not a huge amount, it would still benefit her.


    Ye Jiayao returned to the courtyard and Jiang Li opened the door for her. ¡°Madam, your family members are here.¡±


    She stopped short. ¡°I¡¯m sorry? My?family members??What? Who?¡±


    What family? Was it Jinrong and the gang? How did they even find her?


    ¡°Xuan-er¡­¡±


    A middle-aged couple walked out from the room.


    Ye Jiayao cried out in disbelief, ¡°Uncle? Auntie?¡±


    ¡°Xuan-er! My poor Xuan-er, I really can¡¯t believe that they would be so ruthless. We have been kept in the dark the whole time, thinking that you were living well in Ji Nan. This is so heartbreaking.¡± The woman hugged Ye Jiayao, crying.


    ¡°Auntie... um, you know what happened?¡± Ye Jiayao was still confused.


    ¡°We do. We rushed here immediately after receiving the letter that the Heir-Son Lord sent detailing the whole story. We didn¡¯t believe it at first because it all sounded so outrageous and horrible! Don¡¯t worry, Xuan-er, we will avenge you. Your grandparents¡¯ health isn¡¯t just too good, otherwise, they would havee as well,¡± Uncle said.


    Did Chunyu get Auntie and Uncle toe over???<i>Motherf*cker!??</i>Her grandmother¡¯s health was deteriorating so she has hidden her plight on purpose!


    ¡°Are Grandpa and Grandma still alright?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly. She had nned to return to Zhen Jiang to visit her grandparents after she has gained a foothold in Jin Ling.


    ¡°They¡¯re alright, don¡¯t worry, dear,¡± Auntie Fang said, wiping her tears.


    ¡°Let¡¯s all go inside and talk!¡± Auntie Jiang said, ushering everyone into her home.


    Ye Jiayao and her family settled down inside the house with the tea Jiang Yue prepared for them.


    Fang took a look at her niece¡¯s male get up and felt even sorrier for her. She knew that she¡¯s working as a chef in a restaurant just to support herself. Ye Jinxuan, a perfectly fine youngdy from a wealthy family, was forced to dress up as a male in order to make a living. Just thinking about all the sufferings her niece went through made Fang burn with anger.


    ¡°Old Master, we cannot just let this matter go. We, the Fang family, cannot be bullied just like that,¡± Fang said, enraged.


    Uncle assured, ¡°We¡¯re not going to turn a blind eye on this. We will go along with Heir-Son Lord¡¯s n and take our retribution.¡±


    He then turned to Ye Jinxuan and reprimanded, ¡°Xuan-er, why didn¡¯t you even look for us aftering back? Were you even nning to tell us? If it wasn¡¯t for the Heir-Son Lord, we would¡¯ve remained ignorant! Do you think you have no one to depend on? No family?¡±


    Despite the scolding words, Ye Jiayao was touched. In her insistence to climb up and support herself, she had forgotten that she still has a family that cares for her.


    ¡°No, Uncle. I was just afraid that when Grandma finds out, her condition would worsen,¡± Ye Jiayao choked out, her emotions running high.


    ¡°You foolish child, didn¡¯t you think that doing this would hurt your grandmother more? Her heart is breaking,¡± Fang said.


    ¡°Xuan-er, just remember that no matter what happens, you have the Fang family to support you,¡± Uncle said seriously.


    Ye Jiayao nodded vigorously as tears trickled down her cheeks.


    ¡°That ingrate Ye Binghuai! If not for the help of our family, he wouldn¡¯t be where he is today! How dare he treat you like this? You¡¯re his first daughter!¡± Uncle raged.


    ¡°Uncle, have you seen my father?¡±


    ¡°No. We came straight to Jin Ling to see you. However, we received a letter from your fatherst month. Your grandmother misses you so she sent a letter asking about your well-being. Your father actually replied that you¡¯re doing well in Ji Nan!¡± Fang answered.


    ¡°I think that it¡¯s mainly Ning and Jinrong behind this,¡± Ye Jiayao analyzed.


    Her father might be cold towards her, but she suspected that it was all because of Ning¡¯s doing. Her father used to treat her well before her evil stepmother came into the picture.


    ¡°From the first time I saw her, I knew that that slut with her high cheekbones and thin lips was a cold-hearted woman. Even your grandmother knew that that¡¯s why we were all worried when we sent you back to Yang Zhou,¡± Fang ryed.


    ¡°She¡¯s been cruel to me the entire time. It¡¯s only when people from the maternal familyes over for a visit that I get dressed up prettily. Once you leave, I live a life worse than the servants,¡± Ye Jiayao confessed. They already knew what happened so she might as well juste clean.


    Fang started tearing up again after hearing that. ¡°You should¡¯ve been honest with us! If you had told us earlier, you wouldn¡¯t havended in this state.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know how to respond to that. Even she was also wondering why the original host didn¡¯t say anything.

 Chapter 147 - Liu Li Requests For A Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 147: Liu Li Requests For A Meeting</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was so grateful for the heartwarming words and support that Uncle and Auntie gave her. She also appreciated them rushing over to her even when they live so far away when they found out what was happening to her.


    The only thing she didn¡¯t understand was Chunyu. After all that he did to hurt her, why was he helping her? What¡¯s his angle? He wasn¡¯t showing himself these days so she couldn¡¯t really ask him.


    Ye Jiayao initially wanted Uncle and Auntie to stay in the courtyard, but Uncle said that Chunyu has already made living arrangements for them as well as a horse carriage to fetch them from here. Besides, staying here would expose her identity. They should not contact each other for the time being.


    The next day, someone from the pce summoned Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was not familiar with the eunuch who came for her and that worried her. She was naturally very apprehensive of pce summons given what happened with Consort Mei.


    ¡°Did His Majesty summoned me to make a royal meal?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Do you work at Zi Chen Pce?¡±


    ¡°What are you asking so many questions? Just hurry up,¡± the eunuch urged, annoyed.


    ¡°Then¡­ can I ask what your surname is?¡± Ye Jiayao smiled meekly.


    ¡°My surname is Yao. Can we go now?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and turned to tell Little Lu, ¡°Go tell Manager Zhao that I left with Eunuch Yao to the pce. Tell him to settle the things in the restaurant.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed Eunuch Yao into the pce. After walking for a while, she found something amiss. Although the pce buildings look simr, she has a good sense of direction and she took special notice the previous time she went to Zi Chen Pce and the imperial kitchen. She was certain that this route doesn¡¯t lead to either Zi Chen pce or the imperial kitchen.


    ¡°Eunuch Yao, where are we going?¡±


    Eunuch Yao said in a sharp voice, ¡°Just follow me.¡±


    He ignored Ye Jiayao from then on.


    Ye Jiayao silently memorized the route.


    She was mentally grumbling when she suddenly saw a familiar face.


    It¡¯s Susu.


    Ye Jiayao quickly said to Eunuch Yao, ¡°Eunuch Yao, I am going to greet the Third Young Master Su.¡±


    Before the eunuch could even react, Ye Jiayao was already running over to Susu.


    ¡°Third Young Master Su, what a coincidence! I would¡¯ve never thought that we¡¯d run into each other here.¡±


    Su Yi turned and a brief sh of shock passed through his eyes. He really didn¡¯t want to exchange pleasantries with Li Yao but he still nodded perfunctorily.


    ¡°Third Young Master Su, can I inquire whose pce is up ahead?¡±


    ¡°The Empress¡¯ Ning He Pce,¡± Su Yi answered.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows furrowed. Was the Empress Dowager looking for her?


    Su Yi nced at the eunuch that was standing behind Li Yao and frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t know who summoned you here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head andughed bitterly. ¡°The people in the pce are weird. They always do things secretively that I just tremble with fear and apprehension every time I enter here. Hopefully, it wasn¡¯t like thest time where I almost didn¡¯t make it out.¡±


    She dropped implicit hints. Su Yi wasn¡¯t her first choice for an ally, but at least someone would know where she is if she doesn¡¯t make it out.


    ¡°We should go now,¡± Eunuch Yao rushed.


    Ye Jiayao cupped her hands and bowed. ¡°I shall make my move.¡±


    Su Yi nodded again and watched Li Yao enter the Ning He Pce.


    After a few turns, Ye Jiayao was finally brought to the person who summoned her.


    Princess Liu Li.


    ¡°Li Yao, where are the mooncakes you promised? Where are the delicacies?¡± Liu Li demanded, huffing angrily.


    <i>This whole thing was just about the mooncakes? Are you kidding me??</i>?Ye Jiayaoughed apologetically and responded, ¡°Princess, the people from the pce say that the food outside cannot be sent in here so casually. If my food upsets the stomach of the masters here, my head will be chopped off.¡±


    ¡°But didn¡¯t you send food over to the Crown Princess and the Old Ancestress? You can deliver to them but not me? Li Yao, I think you are doing this on purpose.¡± Liu Li pouted.


    ¡°I was able to send the Crown Princess some food because it was under the orders of the Crown Prince with the imperial physician keeping watch. As for the Old Ancestress¡¯, Young Royal Highness Jing brought her the food himself so it has nothing to do with me,¡± Ye Jiayao exined. The things that she makes is definitely safe to eat, but the same could not be said about the person who would deliver it. She would have no proof of it if Liu Li tries to sabotage her.


    ¡°Forget it now. Say, Li Yao, you stayed in ck Wind Ridge, right?¡± Liu Li asked, dropping her ruse.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She could already guess where Liu Li was going with this so she had to think of an answer that matches Chunyu¡¯s story.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t stay there for long before it got destroyed by the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord and Prince Helian Xuan,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    ¡°Do you know that the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord married a woman there?¡±


    Ye Jiayao pretended to think about it. ¡°Yeah, I think something like that happened.


    ¡°Have you seen what she looks like?¡± Liu Li asked curiously.


    The information she recently found out said that the First Lady Ye was already married to the Ji Nan prefecture magistrate¡¯s oldest son. She¡¯s now in Jin Ling, but there was a rumor that she¡¯s only pretending to be the First Lady Ye. Liu Li was confused as to which story was true.


    In any case, this matter has been making her feel quite depressed. Now that everyone knew about Brother Chunyu¡¯s marriage in ck Wind Ridge, even if she gets to marry him in the future, she could only be a concubine. A?<i>princess?</i>?as a concubine. How pathetic!


    ¡°Princess, I was working in the kitchen then, making meals for the ruffians. The Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord was the third-in-charge and they live at the core of the stockade. It was a ce that I wasn¡¯t permitted to go to so I have never seen her,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Liu Li was extremely disappointed. She had thought that Li Yao would know something about this elusive Ye Jinxuan. She rolled her eyes and said disdainfully, ¡°Useless.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly thought of a diabolical idea. ¡°Princess, why don¡¯t you ask the First Young Madam Wei about this? Even if she¡¯s not the real First Lady Ye, she¡¯s still from the Ye family and she would know the most about this Ye Jinxuan.¡±


    She would leave the hot potato in Jinrong¡¯s hands. Let here up with the answer.


    Outside the Ning He Pce, Su Yi watched his mother and Elder Princess Yu Dee out together.


    Yu De was extremely envious of Su Yi¡¯s gentlemanly demeanor and schrly vor. She has two sons but only one of them was engaged in martial arts. She had hoped that Little Jing would be more engaged in his studies so she could be a mother of both a fine schr and a fine soldier, but s!


    ¡°Su Yi, the Empress Dowager very much likes the Vajra scripture that you copied,¡± Yu De praised. Even she wanted a book for herself. Su Yi¡¯s calligraphy was elegant and clean, just like the man himself.


    Madam Su smiled, pleased. ¡°If Elder Princess likes it, Su Yi can copy one for you, too.¡±


    Su Yi cupped his hands respectfully. ¡°Which scripture does the Elder Princess like?¡±


    ¡°Do you have the Amitayus script? The Empress Dowager¡¯s birthday celebration is next year.¡± Yu De was overjoyed.


    Su Yi replied. ¡°I can borrow it from Master Hong Ji.¡±


    ¡°Then, I will trouble you with that.¡±


    ¡°It is my honor to serve the Elder Princess.¡±


    Yu Deughed. ¡°Madam Su, I must admit that I am very envious of you. How can you give birth to such an outstanding son?¡±


    ¡°Elder Princess, Prince Helian is the real cream of the crop, the model of all young man in Jin Lin.¡±


    Both started to praise each other, both feeling satisfied.


    ¡°Mother, did you see Heavenly Residence¡¯s Li Yao just now?¡±?Su Yi asked.


    Madam Su shook her head. ¡°I did not see anyonee.¡±


    ¡°Li Yao entered the pce?¡± Yu De asked.


    Su Yi nodded. ¡°I saw him enter Ning He Pce and thought it was the Empress Dowager who summoned him.¡±


    It didn¡¯t take long for Yu De to figure out what was going on. It must be Liu Li who summoned Li Yao over here. What¡¯s the princess trying to do again? If anything happens to Li Yao, Little Jing was going to be anxious.


    Yu De turned to the mother and son and said, ¡°You guys go ahead, I still have some things to do.¡±


    Su Yi smiled. With the Elder Princess here, Li Yao should be alright.


    In Liu Li¡¯s pce, the princess¡¯ eyes brightened up upon hearing Li Yao¡¯s idea. Why didn¡¯t she think of that?


    ¡°Li Yao, have you seen the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-Son Lord recently?¡± Liu Li asked again.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t, Princess. I have been busy with the restaurant and it seems quite a while since the Heir-Son Lord came there.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he has to stay at home to do his filial duties because the Old Master has returned.¡±


    <i>Their father is back??</i>No wonder that both Xia brothers seemed to have disappeared.


    Come to think of it, even Zhao Qixuan was a rare sight these days now that Susu has returned. It also has been a few days since Ye Jiayao saw Little Jing, inside the restaurant or out.


    What¡¯s happening?


    ¡°The Elder Princess arrives,¡± a pce servant reported.


    Liu Li quickly got up to greet her and Ye Jiayao lowered her head at the side in respect.


    When Elder Princess saw Li Yao, she asked calmly, ¡°Li Yao, what are you doing here?¡±


    Liu Li interrupted, ¡°Royal Aunt, I summoned him here. I wanted to ask him to teach me how to make some delicious food.¡±


    ¡°You have yet to get married, how can you summon a man from outside casually? If you want to learn how to cook, we have our own imperial chefs,¡± Yu De reproached slightly


    Liu Li blushed in embarrassment. That was why she had Li Yao brought in secretly! Since she was unable to go out of the pce, this unorthodox method was the only choice.


    Yu De said to Li Yao, ¡°Why are you still here??Don¡¯t think that this ce is someone you just cane to.¡±


    Thankful, Li Yao bowed and left immediately. She was d that the Elder Princess arrived when she did because the conversation with Liu Li had be so stressful. If she slipped up and said something wrong, there would be another chaos.


    Liu Li stared helplessly after Li Yao. She had wanted to hear Li Yao talk more about Brother Chunyu when he was in ck Wind Ridge.


    Helian Jing was unaware that Li Yao has entered the pce as he went to Zhao Qixuan¡¯s ce early in the morning. Today was the seventh day that Zhao Qixuan promised.


    After waiting for quite a while, she finally got his hands on 500,000 taels banknotes. Carrying the money, he then marched on to look for Xia Chunyu.

 Chapter 148 - Want to cancel the contract

    <h4>Chapter 148: Want to cancel the contract</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    This was Xia Chunyu¡¯s resting day and he didn¡¯t want to go out. There were many gossips about him and he was in the eye of the?storm. If he went out, people would pretend to sympathize with him and ask questions to satisfy their curiosity. He didn¡¯t want to answer them. He¡¯d rather stay in here to read books and drink tea.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, Young Royal Highness Jing is here,¡± Song Qi reported.


    Xia Chunyu frowned.?<i>What is Little Jing doing here?</i>


    ¡°Tell him toe in.¡± Xia Chunyu put his book down and fixed his clothes.


    Immediately after Helian Jing entered the door, he ced the 500,000 taels banknote he received from Zhao Qixuan and his own 100,000 silver banknote in front of Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, this is 600,000 silvers from Da Tong Bank. Give me Li Yao¡¯s contract.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at the banknotes and at Little Jing. ¡°What do you mean? Why should I give you Li Yao¡¯s contract?¡±


    Helian Jing said, ¡°Li Yao wants to cancel the contract so this is thepensation.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled a little and asked casually, ¡°Did Li Yao ask you to do this?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know that. Here¡¯s the money so I want the contract now.¡±


    ¡°Little Jing, I thought that now you¡¯re in the military department, you¡¯d have more experience and understanding of how things work. How are you still so naive?¡± Xia Chunyu ridiculedughingly.


    ¡°I am not naive,¡± Helian Jing denied, blushing. ¡°I know why you¡¯re purposely creating difficulties for Li Yao.¡±


    Xia Chunyu leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. ¡°Please, why don¡¯t you enlighten me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to y this game with you. Give me the contract now,¡± Helian Jing said, sounding mad.


    Xia Chunyu responded expressionlessly, ¡°First of all, Li Yao did not say that he would cancel the contract. At least, he did not mention it to me. Second, even if he wanted to cancel the contract, I wouldn¡¯t agree. Li Yao is the pir of Heavenly Residence. Heavenly Residence makes so much money with him there, why would I let him go? I don¡¯t care about six hundred thousand silvers. Hell, you could make it a million and I still wouldn¡¯t agree.¡±


    ¡°You ... how can you do this? Li Yao is a free person, not a tool for you to make money.¡±


    ¡°Li Yao might make money for me, but he also earns arge amount for himself. We both benefit each other.¡±


    Xia Chunyu really did not expect Little Jing to do this for Yaoyao. 600,000 silvers are not easy to get a hold of! Even Helian Xuan couldn¡¯t save 300,000 for three years. Little Jing had to have borrowed from others. In the whole Jin Ling City, only Zhao Qixuan could be that rich and generous to lend him the money.


    ¡°Mutual benefit? You are torturing him! I¡¯ve always admired you, Brother Chunyu, but what you¡¯re doing is despicable,¡± Helian Jing told him spitefully.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips twitched when he said coldly, ¡°This is something between me and him. Stay out of our business.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I can¡¯t just let you bully him. If it is someone I like, I would never make him sad or let him cry a single tear.¡± Helian Jing grabbed the silver notes and walked away.


    Helian Jing was walking so fast, blind with anger, that he didn¡¯t notice Chunfeng until he crashed with him.


    ¡°Little Jing, why are you in such a rush?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked, rubbing his nose.


    Helian Jing pushed him away and walked out of the house wordlessly.


    Xia Chunfeng frowned, confused. ¡°Second Brother, what is with Little Jing? Who is he mad at?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was in a bad mood. If it wasn¡¯t for Little Jing, things wouldn¡¯t have gone so bad with him and Yaoyao.


    ¡°Second Brother, someone from Heavenly Residence came to say that Yaoyao was called to the pce by a Eunuch Yao,¡± Xia Chunfeng added when Chunyu didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°What? When?¡± Xia Chunyu jumped out of his chair. He was pretty sure that Eunuch Yao was Liu Li¡¯s servant.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s all they said to me.¡±


    ¡°Song Qi, get a horse ready,¡± Xia Chunyu called loudly.


    Helian Jing went to look for Ye Jiayao. Since his n failed, he¡¯ll just make her quit work.??<i>Let¡¯s see what you do then, Chunyu.</i>


    Xia Chunyu frantically rode his horse to the pce and ran straight to Ning He. He saw Elder Princess Yu De eldere out from there and gave her a quick greeting.


    Yu De smiled and asked, ¡°Chunyu, are you here for Li Yao?


    ¡°Did Elder Princess see Li Rao?¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t bother denying it.


    Yu De said with a sigh, ¡°Li Yao is so lucky to have so many people worry about him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was confused. Did otherse as well?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry now. I already got him out of the pce,¡± Yu De told him.


    Out of the pce? How did he not see her?


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡± Yue De challenged when she saw Chunyu looking stunned.


    ¡°No, no, of course, I believe you. Thank you, Elder Princess.¡±


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get out of the pce together,¡± Yu De said.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to go to Heavenly Residence to check on Yaoyao, but he could not deny the Elder Princess thepany she asked for.


    ¡°Is your father all good? He has been back for a few days and still hasn¡¯t visited his good brother,¡± Yu De said unhappily.


    Xia Chunyu exined, ¡°He was going to see the Royal Highness, but there are too many peopleing to the mansion these days. He couldn¡¯t even leave the door.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right, your father hasn¡¯t been back for a few years.¡± Yu De wasn¡¯t buying that. No matter how busy he was, he should still carve out the time. She figured that the old saying ¡®when people left, the tea would get cold¡¯ was right in this case.


    When Ye Jiayao returned to Heavenly?Residence, Little Jing came to drag her out before she could rest.


    ¡°Little Jing, what are you doing?¡± Ye Jiayao was weirded out by Little Jing¡¯s behavior. He always has this mischievous and yful look on him, but his face was dead serious right now.


    Helian Jing only released her after they walked to the river where no one was around.


    ¡°Yaoyao, just quit your job. Don¡¯t worry if you break the contract. Let him sue you if he wants to,¡± Helian Jing said angrily.


    ¡°Little Jing, what happened?¡± Ye Jiayao has never seen Little Jing like this.


    ¡°Nothing. I just cannot let you stay there and get bullied every day.¡± Little Jing did not want to tell her about the 600,000 silver banknote incident because he knew that she¡¯d just get mad.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at his thoughtfulness and assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Manager Zhao is quite good and fair. He¡¯s my superior so it¡¯s only natural that I get scolded. Even the chancellor would get scolded by the emperor, right?¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, stop lying to me. I know about your?<i>things,?</i>¡± Helian Jing told her, his heart pumping.


    Ye Jiayao paused. What did that mean?


    ¡°What do you know?¡±


    Suddenly, Helian Jing just didn¡¯t care anymore. He¡¯d give it his best shot andy everything out.


    ¡°I know you are the first daughter of the Ye family.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stumbled, looking at Little Jing in disbelief.??<i>How did he figure it out?</i>


    ¡°You are Ye Jinxuan, but I wish you were not.¡± Helian Jing looked away, licking his lips. He opened his eyes and tried to blink away the tears forming.


    <i>When did he found out??</i>Was it the night they were in the water?


    ¡°But what can you do even if you are Ye Jinxuan? He doesn¡¯t treat you well! If you choose me, you¡¯ll never be sad. It doesn¡¯t matter if you are Ye Jinxuan or Li Yao, I will always be good to you,¡± Little Jing swore ferociously, his tears threatening to fall.


    It didn¡¯t matter that she was Chunyu¡¯s wife before. He loves her and nothing could stop it. As long as Yaoyao was willing, he would do anything for her.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Was little Jing about to cry? She didn¡¯t want to cause him any misery. She really loved him... as a little brother. They were always happy when they¡¯re together and he always goes out of his way to amodate her.


    She really wished she could feel any romantic feelings for the friend who has always been good to her, but fate was a cruel bitch who ced her in the path of a ruthless man.


    ¡°Little Jing¡­¡± Ye Jiayao started sadly. ¡°I am Ye Jinxuan but I wish I could be Li Yao so that I can have a great friend like you and a bunch of brothers in Heavenly Residence. As Li Yao, I can support myself and make a lot of money. I can drink and eat with my friends. I can forget those unhappy things that happened to me before.


    ¡°If it is possible, I wish I could be Li Yao forever. We can be good friends and good brothers forever.¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s lip trembled at Yaoyao¡¯s rejection.


    ¡°You can wish whatever you want. I just want you to know that no matter who you are, I will always be your Little Jing. I will do whatever you want, just say the word. I can leave everything behind and take you away.¡±


    After Helian Jing said those words, he turned away to leave. If he didn¡¯t leave, she would see his tears and the pain in his eyes. He¡¯d never hurt like this before. It almost felt like a physical pain that was so insistent in reminding him of what he would never have.


    Ye Jiayao watched him walk away, hating herself for hurting Little Jing. She wished she could return his affection, but she couldn¡¯t persuade her heart. Even if Chunyu didn¡¯t exist, Little Jing had always been just her brother and friend.


    When Little Jing¡¯s silhouette disappeared from her sight, she turned around and walked back to Heavenly Residence, her heart aching.


    Xia Chunyu stood near a willow tree that was not far away from them. He couldn¡¯t hear what they said, but their conversation seemed to be unhappy.


    It didn¡¯t seem like a fight.


    Were they just both disappointed that he didn¡¯t release Yaoyao from the contract?

 Chapter 149 - Mess It Up

    <h4>Chapter 149: Mess It Up</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was in a bad mood for the whole day.


    If it wasn¡¯t for Deng Haichuan asking, she wouldn¡¯t have even remembered to arrange the private dinner tomorrow. She actually didn¡¯t even remember that there¡¯s an event tomorrow!


    As there were many private dinner parties they were hired for, if it was not a very important family, only one between she and Zhong Xiang would go. The business of the restaurant was very good so they needed people there at all times.


    For the party tomorrow, she made Zhong Xiang¡¯s group stay at the restaurant and brought Deng Haichuan and Wang Mingde instead.


    The next day, when they got to the Wei¡¯s house, she instantly knew that this was Wei Liujiang¡¯s. Just her luck.


    If she had known that he owned this, she would¡¯ve assigned Zhong Xiang instead.


    However, since she was already there, she¡¯d just have to suck it up.??<i>I hope they get serious diarrhea after the meal.</i>


    The people who joined the dinner party tonight were Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s friends and some old friends of the Wei and the Ye.


    Wei Liujiang was famous due to the whole Ye Jinxuan conflict so many people came to the party.


    Ning and Qie were afraid that some ident would happen. They were very cautious about this and got half of the servants from Mu¡¯s mansion here today. No one coulde in without an invitation.


    All the people in attendance here were quite powerful. If an incident like the one in the Helian Mansion happened, they would lose so much face.


    Su¡¯s elder wife Zhu also got the invitation. Ye Jinrong was very fervent towards her and even personally apanied her around. The fake second daughter Fang Wanting also made a debut in the party and chatted happily with other young girls.


    Everything was in harmony as if the rumors outside don¡¯t affect them.


    People outside gradually forgot about the problem. Maybe it was the Jing An Heir-Son Lord that made a mistake.


    The twenty-seat banquet feast and the private banquet hosted by Heavenly Residence was of very high quality and everyone ate with relish. The food was just especially and inexplicably delicious and no one knew what recipe they used.


    While everyone was enjoying the magnificent meal inside, a well-dressed woman stood in front of Wei Liujiang¡¯s mansion. She was followed by about eight powerful men and a young schr.


    ¡°Lady, please show us your invitation,¡± the Mu family¡¯s housekeeper requested with a smile.


    ¡°I came from Yang Zhou, rtives of the Ye. I just arrived.¡± The woman proudly held her head up as if she was daring the housekeeper to contest her.


    ¡°I will pass on the message.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll go in myself.¡± The woman made a move to walk inside.


    The housekeeper quickly stopped her. ¡°Madam, I am very sorry, but my host gave a special request that guests who have no invitations are not allowed to enter.¡±


    The woman looked at the men behind her.


    One of the men came up and pulled the housekeeper to the side, restraining him.


    The woman took her people and went straight into the house.


    The servants of the Mu family thought that they were let in by the housekeeper so no one stopped them.


    The woman walked up to a servant girl and asked, ¡°Where is the feast for the women?¡±


    The servant girl, thinking that the madam was merelyte, said enthusiastically, ¡°I will take you there,dy.¡±


    The woman asked the schr to stay at the door and wait for her orders. She then proceeded to the flower hall and saw Ning and Jinrong sitting at the main table.


    Rage simmering inside her, she loudly called, ¡°Ning and Jinrong, why don¡¯t youe and greet me?¡±


    Ning was talking to the Assistant Minister¡¯s wife when she heard someone call for her. She raised her head and felt her blood run cold when she spotted Fang Wen.


    All the women who were there put their chopsticks down and watched the woman who had suddenly barged in questioningly.


    Who was this impolite woman? Was she trying to ruin the banquet?


    Qie asked Jinrong cluelessly, ¡°Who is she?¡±


    Jinrong couldn¡¯t answer her.?She never imagined that Fang Wen woulde here.


    Ning got up and walked to her. She whispered, ¡°Can we speak outside?¡±


    ¡°Why? Are you afraid that I¡¯ll reveal your lies? Ye Ning, I didn¡¯t know that you and your daughter have such evil hearts,¡± Fang Wen said with a cold smirk.


    Ning¡¯s face was pale when she insisted, ¡°There must be some misunderstanding. We can go outside and talk about it.¡±


    ¡°Misunderstanding? Fang Wen sneered and walked a few steps forward to the center of the flower hall. She raised her voice and said, ¡°I am the sister of Ye Binghuai¡¯s ex-wife in Yang Zhou. I am the wife of Ye Jinxuan¡¯s mother¡¯s brother. I came here today to seek justice for my niece, the elder daughter of Ye, whose death was unknown.¡±


    The flower hall suddenly erupted in chatters.


    ¡°Servants! Drag this troublesome person out!¡±?Ning spluttered angrily.


    Unfortunately, no one came from outside because they werepletely stopped by the men that Fang Wen brought.


    Fang Wen smiled. ¡°Are you afraid, Ning? You look very agitated. Are you afraid that your karma hase? Ye Ning, I knew that you were tough on Jinxuan. I didn¡¯t expect for you to be good to her, but I really didn¡¯t think that you had it in you to do such evil things to her.


    ¡°Everyone, this stepmother and her daughter Ye Jinrong, the one sitting on that main table??<i>pretending?</i>?to be the First Lady Ye, paid 3,000 silvers for the bandits of the ck Wind Ridge to kidnap the real Ye Jinxuan and kill her. Ye Jinrong then pretended to be the First Lady Ye so she could marry into the Wei family.


    ¡°Why? That¡¯s because she had a rtionship with Wei Liujiang. She couldn¡¯t continue their affair if Wei Liujiang marries my niece so she concocted a n to get rid of her own??<i>sister.?</i>?Tell me, how could anyone do such heartless actions?¡±


    The temperature in the flower hall dropped. Everyone looked at Ye Ning and her daughter with suspicion and disdain. They were horrified that they mingled with such evil women.


    ¡°Nonsense. I¡¯m the First Lady Ye. Who are you? How dare you spout this horrible lies?¡± Ye Jinrong demanded.


    Fang Wen stared at her angrily and shouted, ¡°Oh dear, you¡¯re still pretending to be Ye Jinxuan?¡±


    Ye Jinrong pulled Fang Wanting up from her side and refuted, ¡°Second Lady Ye is right here. This is my sister. I don¡¯t even know where you came from. How much do you take from other people to nder us? I¡¯m going to sue you for this.¡±


    Everyone got confused. Who was telling the truth?


    ¡°Du Heng,e in,¡±?Fang Wen sneered.


    A schr walked in with his head down.


    ¡°Du Heng, take a look at the Second Lady Ye.¡±


    When Fang Wanting heard the name Du Heng, her legs became weak. When she saw her intendeding in, her palms turned mmy and she quickly lowered her head.


    Du Heng looked in the direction Fang Wen was pointing at and immediately recognized Fang Wanting.


    ¡°Wanting, how did you be Second Lady Ye? What are you doing?¡± Du Heng asked.


    Ning was in a panic, beads of cold sweat appearing on her forehead. Fang Wen came here prepared. If Wanting buckles under the pressure, it was all over. Ning cast a warning look at her niece.


    ¡°I...I...who is Fang Wanting? I¡¯m Jinrong, the Second Lady Ye,¡± Fang Wanting denied, afraid of her aunt.


    Du Heng said angrily, ¡°Since you are not Fang Wanting, I will go back and tell my parents that we can¡¯t marry anymore.¡±


    Fang Wanting looked at him frantically. She was so fond of Du Heng. He can¡¯t cancel their marriage!


    Overwhelmed with the pressure, Wanting broke down in sobs. ¡°You guys stop forcing me into this farce...¡±


    Ye Jinrong let go of her hands and slouched on her chair.


    Fang Wen smirked. ¡°Spectators, let me introduce you to Fang Wanting, the fake Second Young Lady Ye. She is the daughter of Ye Ning¡¯s sister and she¡¯s also a part of my family, too. She¡¯s engaged with the Hai Ning prefecture¡¯s Young Master Du. She was forced by Ye Ning and Ye Jinrong to act as Second Lady Ye.


    ¡°Let the world take a look at your ugly face, Ning and Jinrong. You bullied my poor niece because her mother died at an early age. She epted the marriage you set with the Wei to escape your abusiveness, but she didn¡¯t know about the evil scheme that you nned. You would¡¯ve gotten away with it, too, if we hadn¡¯t found out the truth.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Ning admitted, knowing that she can¡¯t deny this again. She¡¯d just have to spin the story so that theye out as victims, too. ¡°I asked Jinrong to pretend to be Jinxuan because we can¡¯t disclose that Jinxuan was kidnapped under the jurisdiction of Ji Nan. She was kidnapped by bandits! Even if she¡¯s alive, her chastity would still be a question. In order to preserve the reputation of the two families and hers, we resorted to this. Is it wrong to want to protect your family?


    ¡°We were greatly saddened after Jinxuan¡¯s incident. I could understand your feelings, but we cannot agree with your usations. We were based in Yang Zhou, how could we have known bandits from ck Wind Ridge? Just because I¡¯m not her real mother, that doesn¡¯t mean that I want her harmed. I loved Ye Jinxuan,¡± Ning said righteously as if she was innocent in all this.


    Fang Wen retorted, ¡°Oh, I know how much you want her harmed, Ning. The people in the Ye¡¯s mansion were very clear. Do you want me to bring out a few people to confront you? You might not know any bandits in Yang Zhou, but ck Wind Ridge is in Ji Nan. Prefecture Wei spent a lot of years at the office there dealing with the bandits.


    ¡°It is?very easy for Wei Liujiang to find a bandit to take care of your dirty work. You had previously said that the day Jinxuan headed to Ji Nan to marry Wei Liujiang, Jinrong fell sick and was sent to her grandparent¡¯s house to rest. Why and how did she end up marrying Young Master Wei so quickly, then, huh? If it wasn¡¯t a scheme, why did she secretly followed Jinxuan¡¯s route to Ji Nan??Ye Ning, you must think that everyone is as stupid as you.¡±

 Chapter 150 - Deeply troubled

    <h4>Chapter 150: Deeply troubled</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    What Fang Wen made so much sense that it made Ye Ning¡¯s defense looked ridiculous.


    Everyone suddenly understood.


    Qie really didn¡¯t care that Fang Wen was criticizing Ye Ning and her daughter. All she cared about was his nephew. ¡°How could you say that Liujiang colluded with the bandits? Do you have the evidence?¡±


    ¡°Miss Mu, please be patient. We have to solve the problem one by one. I can confirm everything I have said today and everyone here can make a witness. I also won¡¯t forgive you. I am going to find support upon leaving here and I will im the justice for my niece,¡± Fang Wen said with a scornful smile.


    Fang Wen red at the lot of them and swung her sleeve angrily. ¡°Let¡¯s go Du Heng.¡±


    She had achieved her goal today. However, it was just the beginning. She would make them pay for what they had done and shaming them in public was nowhere near enough.


    Fang Wanting nced fearfully at Ye Ning and walked to Du Heng silently. She wanted to save her marriage.


    Du Heng took her hands and they left quickly.


    Though the food was delicious, nobody wanted to eat finish the meal and stay here after finding out what happened. Zhu left first and the rest followed.


    The garden which was previously busy turned silent in mere seconds.


    Minister Mu hadn¡¯t known something had happened until the men¡¯s wives came to their hall. He quickly took Wei Liujiang and proceeded to the flower hall where they saw Ye Ning quarreling with Qie.


    ¡°It¡¯s your daughter who influenced Liujiang to be bad,¡± Qie used angrily.


    ¡°If your nephew did not seduce my daughter, this would¡¯ve never happened. It was his idea and he found the bandit. How can you me my daughter?¡± Ning defended.


    Qie just got angrier. ¡°He has always been a well-behaved boy. He wouldn¡¯t have done that if you hadn¡¯t persuaded him to do it.


    ¡°You can ask your good nephew yourself!¡±


    The two women red at each other.


    ¡°Stop it! What happened?¡± Assistant Minister Mu yelled loudly.


    Qie said angrily, ¡°Ask her.¡±


    Ning said nothing.


    Ye Jinrong just cried on Wei Liujiang¡¯s chest.


    Assistant Minister Mu was so angry that he said, ¡°How can you still be so stupid?¡±


    Qie, feeling wronged, cried out, ¡°Jinxuan¡¯s maternal aunt came here and revealed everything in front of everyone. We can¡¯t lie anymore.¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu was so stunned, he almost fell down.


    Ye Jiayao was busy in the kitchen so she did not know what happened outside. She just figured out that something was wrong when the servant girls stopped serving the dishes.


    The women were discussing what happened and Ye Jiayao listened to them carefully.


    ¡°The aunt was so fierce when she broke in with so many guys.¡±


    ¡°I really can¡¯t believe that Miss Wei is fake and so is Miss Ye. To think that we served them without even knowing the truth!


    ¡°Our master will truly lose his face this time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. It is too embarrassing that he was exposed in public.¡±


    ¡°The guests are leaving but we forget to serve the dishes.¡±


    ¡°Who knows? It may be unnecessary. The housekeeper will tell us what to do.¡±


    ¡°The housekeeper can¡¯t move! He was taken to the doctor.


    Ye Jiayao was frightened. Was the aunt that the girls were talking about was her Auntie Fang Wen? Did shee here to embarrass Ning and Jinrong? How could she have missed such a fantastic show?


    She wanted to see the look on their faces when they realized that their lies have crumbled around them. However, this was not the right time.


    ¡°Brother Yao, you¡¯re overcooking the fish,¡± Wang Mingde reminded her.


    Ye Jiayao snapped back from her daydream and found that she really was overcooking the fish. She threw it away and told the others to stop cooking.


    The guests have already left, there was no point.


    She made them go back to Heavenly Residence while she headed to the state office. She was very curious if her aunt would really go to court and sue them.


    When she arrived at the state office and nothing happened there, Ye Jiayao thought that her aunt was merely scaring Ning and Jinrong.


    What she didn¡¯t know was that she was simply toote. Fang Wen had already filed awsuit against those evil people. The master of the court recognized Assistant Minister Mu and Wei Liujiang¡¯s names so he said that he¡¯d investigate before giving judgment.


    Assistant Minister Mu did not want to settle the matter in court. He would give the apologies if it was necessary. If they really were involved in thewsuit, it would tarnish Wei Liujiang¡¯s record and destroy his eligibility to join in the imperial examination.


    The Fang Old Master¡¯s address was in the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence so Assistant Minister Mu headed there. However, the lord of the mansion denied knowing Old Master Fang so they turned him away.


    Assistant Minister Mu was helpless. He was forced to send someone to Yang Zhou to ask Ye Binghuai toe to Jin Ling to put this matter to rest.


    Ye Jiayao went back to the Heavenly Residence and requested a meeting with Xia Chunyu to Manager Zhao. She didn¡¯t know where her aunt and uncle was residing and the only person she could turn to was Xia Chunyu.


    However, Manager Zhao said that the Heir-Son Lord was very busy and could not make time for such matters.


    Since that was a fail, Ye Jiayao went home and told Jiang Li to go the Jing An Marquis Mansion and deliver a message to Chunyu.


    Jiang Li came back saying that he wasn¡¯t able to see the Heir-Son Lord.


    Ye Jiayao was irritated. Did she have to find Xia Chunyu herself?


    Ye Binghuai heard of what happened and immediately left for Jin Ling.


    The two families sat together to discuss their next move.


    It was clear to everyone that the two children really did something they shouldn¡¯t have, but since it has already happened, they could only do damage control now.


    ¡°Go and look for that?Mister Xia. He¡¯s clearly the one behind all these,¡± Ye Binghuai said.


    Assistant Minister Mu seconded, ¡°I think so, too. The state office can¡¯t be?held off for a?long time, and Mister Xia is refusing to show.


    If Xia Chunyu was not willing to meet with them, it only meant that he refused to stop.


    Ye Binghuai looked dignified when he said, ¡°Then think of a way to see him! Block the door, block the road ¨C I don¡¯t care.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t expecting Ye Jinxuan¡¯s kidnapping to escte like this. When the Weis sent a letter about Jinxuan¡¯s abduction, he agreed to keep it quiet to preserve the two families¡¯ reputation. He didn¡¯t think that there was more to it than that.


    He should¡¯ve known that something was wrong when Ning proposed to cancel the marriage arrangement between Jinxuan and Liujiang.


    Binghuai has struggled for a long time and just finally managed to climb to this position. This scandal would ruin what he built and all his potentials.


    ¡°Let them sue. They don¡¯t have anything concrete against me,¡± Wei Liujiang said arrogantly.


    ¡°Bastard!¡± Assistant Minister Mu cussed out. ¡°How do you know that people don¡¯t have evidence? Do you think they¡¯ll dare to sue officials if they don¡¯t have anything to back up their im? Have you forgotten that Mister Xia destroyed the Hei Feng Gang?¡±


    ¡°You failed to execute your n properly and now, you left us to pick up your mess for you. You don¡¯t have a say in this!¡±


    Wei Liujiang fell silent, afraid to get cursed at again.


    ¡°Even if we see Mister Xia, what will we do if he still refuses to give up?¡± Qie asked worriedly.


    Assistant Minister Mu was already in a bad mood and snapped, ¡°How would I know that?¡±


    Qie buried her face in her hands, embarrassed. She knew that her husband hated her for supporting her nephew so much andnding them in so much trouble.


    Ye Binghuai sighed. He didn¡¯t know whether it was fortunate that Jinxuan was lucky, or whether it was terrible she was?<i>too?</i>??<i>lucky?</i>.

 Chapter 151 - Who Cares

    <h4>Chapter 151: Who Cares</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Zhao Qixuan toppled the pieces on the chessboard and said brattily to Su Yi, ¡°I quit.¡±


    They were ying chess in the Zhao¡¯s housepound near the Bai Ta Temple and it was clear that Su Yi was beating Qixuan by a mile.


    He then turned to Little Jing who was ying with a bird by the window and remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve been here for days, haven¡¯t you? You should go home, Little Jing.¡±


    Qixuan and Susu seldom have free days together and here was Little Jing, ying the third wheel and destroying his romantic ns.


    ¡°I have no ce to go. Leave me alone and just mind your own business,¡± Helian Jing retorted, teasing the bird with a hair sp.


    ¡°How can I do that when you¡¯re here every day?¡± Qixuan said as patiently as he could.


    Su Yi couldn¡¯t help butugh at the sight of his lover reigning in his temper.


    Qixuan red at him and frowned. He couldn¡¯t just kick Little Jing out of his home since it would look disgraceful and disloyal to turn away his friend. However, he wanted and needed his own personal space back. He has to make his friend see reason and get him out of here.


    ¡°Just tell me what the problem is, Little Jing. If you¡¯re angry at your family and want to avoid them for a while, you are more than wee to stay at my other house as long as you want to. If you¡¯re angry at Heavenly Residence¡¯s new shopkeeper for not agreeing to release Li Yao, I will talk to him for you. Little Jing... hiding like this won¡¯t solve your problem. The only way you¡¯ll ovee it is if you face it head on,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    ¡°It¡¯s my problem, you can¡¯t solve it,¡± Helian Jing threw him a supercilious look and continued to y with the bird.


    Zhao Qixuan was on the verge of breaking down. ¡°The yer sees less clearly than the bystander. We can help you, you know? Two heads are better than one.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rope me into your scheme,¡± Su Yi said softly.


    ¡°I¡¯m just making an analogy,¡± said Zhao exasperatedly.


    With a muffled sigh, Helian Jing tossed the hairpins away. ¡°I¡¯m going out.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t tell them that Yaoyao was really a girl and what¡¯s more, the now famous First Lady Ye. That was Yaoyao¡¯s secret to tell, he couldn¡¯t just go blurting it out to everyone.


    So no, Zhao Qixuan couldn¡¯t help him.


    ¡°He¡¯s never going to leave,¡± Zhao Qixuan cried out.


    Su Yi put thest piece in the chess box and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going out, too.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going? I will go with you.¡±


    ¡°If you want Little Jing to leave, stay here,¡± Su told him firmly.


    He walked to the edge of the garden pool where Little Jing was sitting and started, ¡°You know that Qixuan was right. You¡¯re not going to solve anything by hiding out in here.¡±


    Helian Jing stayed silent.


    Su Yi sighed and continued, ¡°If you want to hide in here, though, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m just a bit worried that with all of us cooped up in here, no one would be able to help Li Yao if Liu Li decides to look for him again.¡±


    Helian Jing suddenly tensed. Thest time Liu Li summoned Yaoyao to the pce, it was only Susu¡¯s quick thinking to involve Elder Princess Yu De that got her out of there. Now, if she gets in trouble again, there would be no one to help her, especially now that she and Chunyu had a falling out.


    The more he thought about it, the more nervous Helian Jing got.


    ¡°I¡¯m... I¡¯m going back home. I¡¯ve been out for a few days and I¡¯m sure my family¡¯s worried. Thank Zhao Qixuan for me,¡± Helian Jing said and swiftly walked out of the ce.


    Su Yi watched his retreating figure, smiling at his sess.


    Ye Jiayao reached the end of her patience and set out to the Jing An Marquis Residence in the evening.


    The guard recognized her and immediately said, ¡°He¡¯s not here.¡±


    Her shoulders slumped in disappointment. She was just about to turn away and leave when Xia Chunfeng came out.


    ¡°Li Yao, what are you doing here?¡± Xia Chunfeng wondered.


    ¡°Ah? Chunfeng... ¡±


    ¡°Are you here to see my brother? Come on, I¡¯ll take you inside.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the guard usingly. ¡°You said he¡¯s not here.¡±


    The guard shrugged and said quietly, ¡°I just take orders from him. Many people havee here to see him but he refused them all.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll show you the way,¡± Chunfeng ushered her in with a smile.


    In the study, Xia Chunyu was drinking a cup of tea and listening to his older brother plead a case.


    ¡°My brother, these people have apologized sincerely. You should just ept it and forgive them, otherwise, you¡¯ll unnecessarily offend three families,¡± Xia Chunli said. ¡°Besides, one of them is still your father-inw, you have to at least let him save some face.¡±


    ¡°An apology does not absolve them of doing harm to others,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t take an eye for an eye. They¡¯re sincerely sorry for what they¡¯ve done. Isn¡¯t that enough? Wei Liujiang¡¯s political career is already ruined as well as that of the Assistant Minister Mu and Ye Binghuai¡¯s. The girl doesn¡¯t evene out now because she¡¯s so ashamed. Don¡¯t you think they¡¯ve learned their lessons?¡± Xia Chunli rallied, trying to persuade his brother.


    ¡°Why are you taking this up with me? It¡¯s the Fangs that holds the key. They love Ye Jinxuan very much so they will do everything to avenge her,¡± Xia Chunyu exined.


    ¡°The Fangs take orders from you. If you tell them to stop, they will,¡± Xia Chunli said with a smarmy smile.


    ¡°Second Brother, look who came here to see you.¡± Xia Chunfeng came into the study with Li Yao in tow.


    Xia Chunyu looked at Yaoyao before turning back to his older brother. ¡°Give me some time to consider this. I¡¯ll get back to you with my answer.¡±


    Xia Chunli smiled. ¡°Fine. I shall go now.¡±


    When Xia Chunli left, Xia Chunyu turned to his younger brother with a scowl. ¡°Leave us alone.¡±


    ¡°But...¡± Xia Chunfeng looked at the two of them worriedly. ¡°You guys behave, okay?¡±


    ¡°Close the door,¡± Xia Chunyu told him.


    When they were finally left alone, Xia Chunyu began indifferently, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Where are my aunt and uncle? I want to see them,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°You can¡¯t. Not now.¡±


    ¡°Why? They are my family!¡± Ye Jiayao insisted furiously.


    Xia Chunyu sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t you know how many eyes are watching us? It¡¯s dangerous times for all of us. You are an imperial chef, don¡¯t you understand what that means? You¡¯ve intentionally deceived the Emperor. I don¡¯t think you realize just how severe the punishment of that will be. It¡¯s not only your head that will be on the chopping block if he finds out about it the wrong way.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was properly chastised. She didn¡¯t think that it would be really thatplicated.


    ¡°Then why did you even bother with all this?¡± she demanded. ¡°I was perfectly content just to stay as Li Yao. My life is none of your business.¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt disturbed. He had risked so many things for her and yet she wasn¡¯t even the least bit grateful.


    ¡°Not my business? Then whose is it, Jing?¡± Xia Chunyu snapped back, his frown fierce.


    ¡°So what?¡± Ye Jiayao goaded him purposely.


    Xia Chunyu suddenly stood up and walked to her, his form vibrating with anger. Ye Jiayao actually stepped back a little, afraid of what he might do.


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, you will do as I say and stay in Heavenly Residence and out of trouble. Don¡¯t even think about involving Little Jing here, he won¡¯t be able to help you. In fact, I really wouldn¡¯t count on him too much. Do you think that the Helian family will ept you? You are and always will be my woman, Ye Jinxuan. It¡¯s best that you keep that in mind,¡± Xia Chunyu hissed.


    ¡±?<i>Your woman??</i>?Is that why you came to Liu Yiyi?¡± Ye Jiayao asked angrily.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were cold when he replied, ¡°You are more open than a whore, Jinxuan. It?seems that you are more suitable to be in a brothel than Liu Yiyi.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t f*ckingpare me to that bitch!¡± she yelled, so angry that she was seriously so close to punching him.


    Xia Chunyu felt his anger growing by the second. If this conversation went on any longer, he wouldn¡¯t know what he¡¯d do.


    ¡°Song Qi, show her the way out,¡± Chunyu demanded loudly.


    Song Qi hurriedly came in and paused at the sight of the Heir-Son Lord and Miss Ye going toe-to-toe with each other.


    Ye Jiayao turned around stalked out of the room without another word.

 Chapter 152 - Negotiation

    <h4>Chapter 152: Negotiation</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao was so angry that when she went back to the yard, she almost missed theughter ringing across the ce.


    Little Ji and Little Rui were chasing Little Jing at the yard while Da Bao and Er Bao¡¯s rabbit babies watched them with big eyes. Jiang Yue was also at the sides, cheering for Little Ji and Little Rui.


    ¡°Little Ji, bite him! Oh,e on, Little Rui, you¡¯re too slow.¡±


    Little Jing dodged the two ball of furs frantically. ¡°How dare you two? I held you when you were born and now you want to bite me?¡±


    <i>Woof! Woof!</i>


    ¡°You¡¯re bad boys.¡±


    <i>Woof!</i>


    The silly scene quenched Ye Jiayao¡¯s anger.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, little boys,¡± Ye Jiayao called.


    When the Little Ji and Little Rui heard her voice, they left Little Jing alone and sprinted to her, circling her and begging for a hug.


    Da Bao and Er Bao, not to be outdone, also took their children and hopped to where Ye Jiayao was standing.


    She alternated petting her pets and cuddling them, her heart gradually warming up with love for her wards.


    Helian Jing walked over to herughingly and said, ¡°Yaoyao, your rabbits are very lovely.¡±


    Little Ji and Little Rui bared their teeth at him when he tried toe closer.


    ¡°Hey! Biting is not cute!¡± Helian Jing reprimanded the puppies.


    Jiang Yue herded the dogs and picked them up in her arms. ¡°I¡¯ll take them to the backyard.¡±


    When it was finally quiet, Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°What are you doing here, Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°I came to see you. I went to the camp with my brother these past few days so I wasn¡¯t able to visit you,¡± he lied. He didn¡¯t want to damage his ego further by confessing that he was hiding out to recuperate from her rejection.


    ¡°Oh...¡± Honestly, Ye Jiayao thought that he¡¯d never see Little Jing again.


    ¡°What about you? How have you been? Did Liu Li messed with you again¡±


    ¡°No, no, everything was fine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Helian Jingmented and they moved on to talk about other things as if his confession never happened.


    Wei Yannian finally arrived at Jin Ling to help his son clean up his mess.


    Qie finally found an in with the Heir-Son Lord through his older brother Xia Chunli. She found out that Xia Chunli and his wife needed a lot of money for their tailoring shop so she offered them some in exchange for Xia Chunli arranging a meeting with Xia Chunyu.


    Assistant Minister Mu, Wei Yannian, Ye Binghuai, and Wei Liujiang met with Xia Chunyu, Old Master Fang, and Fang Wen at Lan Ting to talk things through.


    Wei Yannian began, ¡°It is my fault as a father that I haven¡¯t taught my child very well. When I heard what happened, I got so angry that my son could be that stupid. I admit that he made a mistake. Please, Mr. Xia and Old Master Fang, give him the chance to correct it.¡±


    ¡°A mistake? I don¡¯t think so. nning to kill someone is not a mistake,¡± Fang Wen said coldly.


    ¡°Tell me, what mistakes are you apologizing for?¡± Old Master Fang demanded.


    Wei Yannian and the others exchanged nces. Before they arrived, they have discussed that they would only talk aboutpensation, and never confess any sin.


    Old Master Fang sneered. ¡°You can¡¯t even admit what you¡¯ve done. How can you throw out apologies if you don¡¯t even acknowledge the vileness you¡¯vemitted? We have nothing more to talk about. I¡¯ll see you in court.¡±


    ¡°Please calm down, Old Master Fang, we have a sincere desire to apologize to you,¡± Assistant Minister Mu said with a?smile.


    ¡°Yes, so sincere that you¡¯re not even willing to admit your own crimes,¡± Fang Wen satirized.


    Wei Liujiang replied, ¡°I admit that we shouldn¡¯t have hidden the truth that Ye Jinxuan was kidnapped. However, if it were known, it would be disgraceful to Ye Jinxuan¡¯s reputation as well as the Ye and Wei families.¡±


    Old Master Fang barked out a menacingugh. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, you don¡¯t have to apologize. It appears we should even thank you for your consideration for Jinxuan. Wen, we should go.¡±


    The couple got up to leave.


    ¡°My lord, please wait,¡± Ye Binghuai called out humbly. ¡°Let¡¯s talk this through.¡±


    The anger that Old Master Fang was reigning in busted out. ¡°I have nothing to say to you, you ungrateful bastard. We gave you my sister, the only daughter of my mother and father, to support you. Don¡¯t you think we know that it¡¯s your fault that she died? That as she was ready to give birth, you told her you¡¯re marrying that slut Ning? Now, your new wife and your own daughter plotted Jinxuan¡¯s death and yet here you are, ¡®apologizing¡¯?


    ¡°No, we won¡¯t talk anything through, Binghuai. You¡¯re done. Our family will do everything to make sure that you¡¯re ced in a pig cage and riding a wooden donkey in the streets. People will just how horrible and pathetic you are.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯m sorry. I am really sorry. I didn¡¯t take care of Jinxuan well and it¡¯s my fault that this happened. But we can¡¯t do anything now. Even if you kill them, it won¡¯t help...¡± Ye Binghuai pleaded desperately.


    ¡°That may be so, but it would still please me to make the people responsible for my niece¡¯s suffering pay,¡± said Old Master Fang.


    Wei Yannian¡¯s?turned pale. ¡°No one wished for her to encounter that kind of ident.


    ¡°An ident? Ha! You mean no one wished for her to actually still be alive?¡± Old Master Fang retorted angrily.


    Xia Chunyu calmly put his teacup down.


    Everyone quietened and turned to look at him.


    ¡°Wei went to a man known to have?thousands of hands. He¡¯s a famous thief and?actually served the Second-In-Charge. He¡¯s looking for Li. He was paid 3000 to steal the bride and to leave the other treasures and property in the carriage alone.?I don¡¯t need to hear any of your exnations because I already know the full story. I have Li and his aplice, Cui, and I am going to the court.?There¡¯s no need to waste time here,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Wei Liujiang thought that he was going to crap his pants. He was so confident that Xia Chunyu wouldn¡¯t be able to tie any evidence back to him, but now that the Heir-Son Lord and Cui and Li...


    Wei Yannian got down on his knees in front of Xia Chunyu. ¡°My lord, I wish you be kind.¡±


    He knew that they had no upper hand in this. He just wished that the Heir-Son Lord would soften his heart and hear their pleas.


    Xia Chunyu gave him a nk stare and said, ¡°Then, indulge Old Master Fang and be honest.¡±


    Wei Liujiang confessed the whole story.


    The Old Master Fang was so angry that he kicked the young man. ¡°I will kill you, you f*cking prick!¡±


    ¡°My lord,¡± Fang Wen said, ¡°we can¡¯t get our hands dirty.¡±


    Assistant Minister Mu said, ¡°The child is guilty of the crime. The Lord knows that he is young and insensible, please just forgive him.


    Xia Chunyu snorted. ¡°Forgive him? You, Mister Wei, and Mister Ye are all officers. Do you grant your subjects forgiveness when theymit a crime like this?¡±


    ¡°First Lady Ye is safe. I will try my best to help you find her,¡± Wei Liujiang offered.


    ¡°I will do the same. I will personally drag my wife and my Jinrong to Yang Zhou so that we could all ask for her grandmother¡¯s forgiveness as well,¡± Ye Binghuai said.


    ¡°That will be unnecessary,¡± Xia Chunyu said, his tone cold. ¡°I will find Ye Jinxuan myself. Forgive me if I don¡¯t trust you one bit around my wife. And you don¡¯t have to go to Yang Zhou, they won¡¯t want to see you.¡±


    ¡°So... that¡¯s it?¡± Assistant Minister Mu asked, hopeful.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, looking like a predator that just cornered his prey. ¡°Wei Liujiang, you are banned from taking the imperial examination. You will never be an officer. From the way you acted, you are more likely to do harm than protect the people.¡±


    Wei Yannian¡¯s heart sank.?Liujiang was a talented young schr and was the hope of the Weis. If he wouldn¡¯t be allowed to take the imperial exam, he wouldn¡¯t amount to anything.


    ¡°My Lord, my son knows that he was wrong and he has vowed to correct it. I assure you that if he steps a toe out of line again, I will be the first one to punish him. However, I wish that you be kind this time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote. Lord Su and Prince Helian, you cane out now,¡± Xia Chunyu called.


    The door of thepartment opened, and Su Xiang and Helian Xuan stepped out.


    Wei Yannian looked at the two officers, despairing. Xia Chunyu tricked them and forced Liujiang to admit his guilt.


    Su Xiang was the main invigtor and Liujiang had no chance.


    Su nced at Wei Liujiang contemptuously and said, ¡°I will let His Majesty know about this. The imperial exam is for people with both knowledge and morality, not for some scheming evil man.


    The words confirmed Wei Liujiang¡¯s doom.

 Chapter 152.5 - Make A Deal

    <h4>Chapter 152.5: Make A Deal</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Su Xiang promptly left after he got what he needed.


    Wei Yannian¡¯s face turned white in despair.


    ¡°What happened to Ye Ning and Ye Jinrong?¡± Fang Wen asked.


    ¡°Liujiang¡¯s future has already been destroyed. Why can¡¯t you leave it alone?¡± Mu said angrily.


    ¡°Well, my niece¡¯s whereabouts are unknown as of the moment. I just want to know what should I do when I find her because I will not be returning her to the Ye family if her traitorous mother and sister are still around.


    ¡°Jinrong¡¯s already married,¡± Ye Binghuai replied.


    ¡°We don¡¯t ept someone like that,¡± Wei Yannian suddenly said.


    Ye Binghuai turned to Wei Yannian, his face showing his obvious incredulity. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Wei Yennian knew his son. The boy might be smart, but there was no way he¡¯de up with that whole crooked scheme on his own. He knew that whatever had transpired was masterminded by Jinrong. That scourge of a woman has already ruined his son¡¯s future and he couldn¡¯t let her do any more damage.


    ¡°My son¡¯s divorcing her,¡± Wei Yannian said, his voice firm.


    Wei Liujiang hurriedly protested, ¡°But Jinrong¡¯s already pregnant!¡±


    Wei Yannian turned to his son, his jaw ck. ¡°You...¡±


    He was at a loss on what to say and what to do so he simply turned around and left.


    Minister Mu chased after him.


    ¡°I need to go talk to my father,¡± Wei Liujiang told Ye Binghuai before leaving.


    Xia Chunyu put his teacup down and slowly got up. He said to Ye Binghuai, ¡°I have to call you father-inw now.¡±


    Ye Binghuai visibly swallowed.


    ¡°What are you nning to do now that you¡¯ve learned of the truth? As long as Ning¡¯s still in the Ye family, I don¡¯t think Jinxuan will evere back. Even if she does, it wouldn¡¯t be as your daughter and naturally, I will side with her,¡± Xia Chunyu said before leaving Ye Binghuai to stew on his words.


    Uncle Fang and Fang Wen stared at Ye Binghuai for a moment and then followed Xia Chunyu outside.


    Today¡¯s result might not have been perfect, but it will do. Wei Liujiang and Ye Jinrong might not have divorced, but they¡¯re slowly going to get what¡¯sing to them.


    Ye Binghuai stared at the empty space before him. Xia Chunyu more or less told him to divorce Ning if he wanted his daughter in his life.


    If he divorces Ning, he¡¯d gain the favor of the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Heir-son Lord, his son-inw. Surely Ning would not kick up such a fuss if she¡¯s going to be facing someone as powerful as Xia Chunyu?


    Ye Jiayao had just finished cooking when Little Lu came in to tell her that she had been invited by guests on the third floor. She asked if he knew them and he said that it was the first time he¡¯s seen them. From Little Lu¡¯s description of them, Ye Jiayao guessed that it might be her uncle and aunting to visit her.


    She went upstairs and when she opened her door, sure enough, her aunt and uncle were waiting for her.


    ¡°Uncle, Auntie!¡± she eximed. ¡°Where have you been? I didn¡¯t know where you were staying so I wasn¡¯t able toe visit you.¡±


    Uncle smiled and said, ¡°The Heir-son Lord said that it¡¯s best toy low and avoid contact with you until he¡¯s got things settled.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wondered if their presence here now indicated that Chunyu has already taken care of things?


    ¡°My niece, is it hard?¡± Fang Wen asked as she took her hands softly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it seems. I only really have to take care of the third floor and there are other cooks avable to help me,¡± Ye Jiayao assured with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re ady! You shouldn¡¯t have to do all these things,¡± Fang Wenined.


    ¡°Do not worry so much, her husband¡¯s taking care of her,¡± Uncle said.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to scoff. How exactly was he taking care of her? He was not helping her because of hismitment to their ¡®marriage¡¯, or out of the goodness of his heart. He¡¯s just doing all these things to ease the guilt he¡¯s feeling from abandoning her.


    ¡°By the way, you¡¯re really good at cooking! I was surprised when I first tasted the food, it was incredibly delicious. You have to cook for your grandfather and grandmother when you and your husband visit Zhenjiang next year!¡± Uncle told her.


    Ye Jiayao blinked, confused. ¡°Next year... we¡¯re going to Zhenjiang next year?¡±


    Was her uncle delirious? Why would Chunyu go to Zhenjiang with her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he promised that you guys will visit next year. We¡¯re leaving today so I needed to make sure that we¡¯re going to be seeing you again soon!¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t understand why the hell would Chunyu make a promise like that. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re going back today? Does that mean that everything¡¯s alright now?¡±


    Fang Wen smiled. ¡°Everything has been taken care of. Wei Liujiang has been banned from taking any position in the government. For a schr like him, that¡¯s a huge blow. As for Jinrong, now that her father-inw has found out about all her evil deeds, she¡¯d be living a very ufortable life in their mansion. Wei Yannian proposed to have Wei Liujiang divorce her, but the young man loves his wife so...¡±


    ¡°What about Ye Ning?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°The Heir-son Lord has already hinted at your dad that he should divorce her. He told her that he¡¯s going to lose you if he continues to defend that vile creature. Someone like your dad would choose the option that will give him more power and reach, but I think he¡¯s afraid of what ruckus Ning would create if he kicks her out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pursed her lips, deep in thought. It wasn¡¯t quite the right punishment for trying to have her killed, but it¡¯d suffice.


    ¡°We need to get going. Let me settle our bill and we¡¯ll be on our way,¡± Uncle said.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to pay, Uncle. It¡¯s my treat. I just... can you leave a littleter? I didn¡¯t know you¡¯ll be leaving today so I haven¡¯t prepared some gifts for Grandfather and Grandmother. I can run out now and find them something, if you can dy your departure a littleter,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Fang Wen smiled fondly at her niece. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Your husband has already bought gifts for them. He¡¯s a very thoughtful and considerate man. He asked for our preferences and has bought everyone a gift. You have to cherish him, Jinxuan. He seems to genuinely care for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and pasted a polite smile on her face. What crack did Chunyu give them? How did he fool them so easily? He¡¯s so grumpy with her and yet he puts on a caring act in front of others. It¡¯s sickening.


    In the evening, after her shift, Ye Jiayao walked out of the restaurant and found Chunyu¡¯s carriage waiting by the door.


    She deliberately ignored it and walked away.


    ¡°Wait, Miss Ye! Miss Ye, hold on!¡± Song Qi called out, catching up to her.


    She turned around and leveled him with a deadpan look. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡±


    She¡¯s not a ¡®miss¡¯. She¡¯s a cook now.


    ¡°Miss Ye, please hold on,¡± Song Qi repeated. He¡¯s not going to disrespect thedy just because she¡¯s dressed as a man now.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already finished my work,¡± Ye Jiayao told him. ¡°If you have anything to discuss with me, it would have to wait until tomorrow. I can¡¯t work overtime.¡±


    Song Qi said, ¡°But Miss, it¡¯s better if youe with me now. The Heir-son Lord has something important to tell you.¡±


    She nced back at the carriage just in time to see Chunyue out. He walked over to her, his gaze trained on her as he said expressionlessly, ¡°Song Qi, gather everyone and tell them that they need to work overtime tonight.¡±


    Ye Jiayao held in her snarl. This despicable man! He¡¯s going to punish the workers because she refused to talk to him? His willingness to put his interest ahead of others¡¯ well-being just shows how much of a self-centered he really was.


    ¡°If the


    Terrible! He was torturing her. Everyone was tired. It was hard to get the work done. He was going to toss people again.


    ¡°If the young master has anything to say, let¡¯s just talk about it! Is it interesting to do these things?¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.¡± If you think it¡¯s interesting, I¡¯m still willing to do¡± Xia Chunyu said idlly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not interesting. I¡¯m not as boring as you.¡± Ye Jiayao looked at his handsome face.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get on the carriage!¡± Xia Chunyu leaned on the fan and pointed to the carriage.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a gruff look and went to the carriage.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Ye Jiayao was very indifferent.


    Xia Chunyu leisurely said: ¡°I want to make a deal with you.¡±


    ¡°What transaction?¡±


    ¡°Your contract expires over two years.During this period, the former partpication in profit will be calcted ording to the contract. In addition, you will own 30% of the restaurant¡¯s profit. After the contract expires, the restaurant will return. You will own the whole restaurant.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was eager to reach out her hand and touch his forehead to ensure whetherhe was sick.


    Xia Chunyu nodded his head seriously and said: ¡± don¡¯t you believe it? You can make a statement on paper.¡±


    Ye Jiayao confused, why?


    ¡°What should I do?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡°Marry me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ye Jiayao jumped up in surprise. She forgot that she was in the carriage. She mmed into the top of the car and snarled her head.


    Xia Chunyu was thinking about kneading her. But he gave up finally, He scolded, ¡°why are you still have this rough temper.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoined: ¡°Why are you say it suddenly?¡±


    Do not you know why? Xia Chunyu never know this word, but he understand that this is not a good word.


    ¡°I would like to make heavy profits. Naturally, I will receive rich reports. Moreover, your uncle and your aunt should tell you some things. You should be mentally prepared.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    What am I supposed to prepare for?What is the rtionship between us now? Apart from employers and employees, it is the enemy, the passers-by. How can we talk about getting married? She should not marry him. He is coquettish and mean.


    Xia Chunyu said¡± in fact, you don¡¯t have to surprise, I just want to get rid of the emperor, because he bestowed a marriage upon me.¡±

 Chapter 153 - Just Signed It

    <h4>Chapter 153: Just Signed It</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    Ye Jiayao rified, ¡°What? You¡¯re going to use me as your shield?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to sound so surprised,¡± Xia Chunyu said, rolling his eyes. ¡°After the contract expires, we can just divorce. Anyway, people in Jin Ling already knows that you¡¯re mine. Even your ancestral home recognizes me. This deal just makes sense.¡±


    Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t really think so. In fact, she actually felt insulted.


    ¡°What if I do not agree?¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a moment before saying, ¡°Then the Heavenly Residence would have to be given as a gift to Princess Liu Li. I will announce your real identity and let you return to your family in Yang Zhou. Oh, and I¡¯ll dismiss Zhong Xiang and the others and hire my own workers.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t even surprised that Chunyu resorted to baiting her like this.


    Zhong Xiang and the others have yet to make a name for themselves. They were all following her so that they¡¯d earn money to put food on their table. If they were dismissed on such a short notice, where would they go? Furthermore, her family had already counted on him caring for her. If he ends up marrying Liu Li, her grandmother would be angry.


    <i>F*cking hell! He doesn¡¯t have anything to lose here!</i>


    Ye Jiayao had to think of something to even out the ying field. Heavenly Residence earns an estimated daily ie of 5,000 and a monthly ie of 450,000. That¡¯s a very substantial amount and that¡¯s not even including their peak season.


    She just found her leverage.


    ¡°You mean we¡¯ll have a fake marriage?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°But you still have to fulfill your obligations as a Lady. You¡¯ll have to respect your parents-inw, preserve my reputation...¡±


    ¡°Are we going to be sleeping in separate beds?¡± she tacked on.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. There are people serving in the room who¡¯ll see that and I definitely can¡¯t withhold.¡±


    If they were going to do all that, it¡¯s not really a??<i>fake?</i>?marriage now, was it?


    ¡°Don¡¯t think that I want this. There¡¯s a reason why people easily believed your male disguise...¡± Xia Chunyu looked her up and down, disgusted.


    Ye Jiayao kicked him and yelled, ¡°You¡¯re shameless!¡±


    He rubbed his calf painfully and red at her. ¡°You really are not ady!¡±


    <i>Go to hell, you f*cking bastard!??</i>She really wanted to spit on his face.


    Was this how her life going to be from now on? A business transaction? She¡¯d have a source of wealth and a loveless marriage.


    It really doesn¡¯t matter, does it? No matter if they¡¯re handsome or ugly, from the ancient era or the modern world, men are unreliable pigs.


    ¡°If I agree to this, I have two conditions,¡± she started, throwing daggers at him.


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    ¡°First, I will leave after two years and eight months and the people must know that it was??<i>me?</i>?who asked to leave.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned lightly, ¡°Why must the people know? We can just separate quietly.¡±


    ¡°That would also be my decision if I wanted to go that route or not,¡± Ye Jiayao riposted. She has to protect her reputation.


    Xia Chunyu conceded with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s up to you.¡±


    ¡°Second, during this period, I want 50% of the ie of the restaurant, themon property of the husband and wife.¡±


    Xia Chunyu deliberately considered it for a long time before answering with gritted teeth, ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Third is-¡±


    ¡°Third? Didn¡¯t you say that there are only two conditions?¡± he interrupted.


    ¡°I just thought of it.


    ¡°What is it this time?¡±


    ¡°While we¡¯re married, you are not to have any promiscuous sexual rtions with others. If I hear of such things, I promise you that I¡¯ll save my reputation before yours.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow questioningly. ¡°How do you propose I satisfy my needs?¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t care,¡± Ye Jiayao said meanly.


    ¡°Okay. I promise. Is there anything else? Once we get out of here, the agreements that we made are final.¡±


    ¡°Let me think about it again.¡± She has to cover all her bases. She couldn¡¯t afford to be so trusting again, especially since Chunyu had the habit of hurting her.


    ¡°Okay. Fourth, if your family deliberately make things difficult for me, I will?defend myself and you must stand by me.¡± She was going to be living with the Xias for almost three years. She was definitely not going to endure snidements and unnecessary bullying from any of them.


    ¡°That depends on the situation. If you¡¯re being unreasonable, I won¡¯t back you up just so you could preserve your ego.¡±


    ¡°Well then, look for someone else to use as your shield. How about Liu Yiyi? I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll give you all thefort you need,¡± Ye Jiayao said sarcastically.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that. Her status will bring shame to our family.¡±


    ¡°Oh? But I thought only a head chef like myself can bring her food?¡± Ye Jiayao said sourly.


    Xia Chunyu could not help butugh, ¡°You¡¯re jealous.¡±


    Pleased with her jealousy, he took out a pre-made contract. He wrote some additional conditions in the nk space of the paper and gave it to Ye Jiayao. ¡°Look this over. If you agree with everything, we¡¯ll put our handprint on it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao grabbed it haughtily and looked it over. ¡°Where are the other conditions I stated?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no more space. I will make up a supplementary agreement tomorrow.¡±


    That won¡¯t do. She won¡¯t just blindly trust his words anymore. ¡°This isn¡¯tplete. I¡¯ll wait for the new draft tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Just remember, once you¡¯ve put your handprint on it, the agreement is effective. Sleep well tonight, we have very important things to do tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°What important things?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°We have to go to the pce.¡±


    The carriage stopped.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord, we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°The pce?¡± Ye Jiayao echoed.?Does he n to restore her identity tomorrow?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. All you have to say is that you lost your memory when you fell off the cliff. Everything you know now from our time in ck Wind Ridge, you learned from me.¡± With that, Xia Chunyu got out of the carriage and helped her out.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just slow down? I¡¯m not prepared for this yet.¡± When she was Li Yao, she might get from the hard work, but she was very happy. She didn¡¯t want to go back to being First Lady Ye and deal with the evilness of the Ye family.


    ¡°We can¡¯t slow down. It¡¯s only a matter of time before your identity is exposed. The Weis and the Mus are gunning for both of us. I even heard that Ye Jinrong had gone to the pce today. We¡¯ve run out of time. We have to solve this matter now.¡±


    ¡°But... but what if the Emperor couldn¡¯t forgive my lies?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu gave her a tender smile. ¡°What are you afraid of? If he wants to cut your head, I will be there with you.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised to hear him say that. This guy really was very mercurial.


    ¡°Go in and rest. Don¡¯t go to Heavenly Residence tomorrow, just stay here and wait for me,¡± Xia Chunyu told her and got back to his carriage.


    She watched the carriage drove away, feeling like everything that had just happened was a dream.


    Despite Chunyu¡¯s order to rest, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t seem to sleep. Just the thought of seeing the Emperor tomorrow and confessing her deception was enough to make her heart pound.


    And what was up with Chunyu? Did he really just want to get rid of the Emperor¡¯s marriage arrangement?


    <i>Is there no possibility that he really likes me?</i>


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. She was so confused. She doesn¡¯t know what to think and what to feel.


    Eventually, her thoughts lulled her into sleep.


    Meanwhile, Wei Liujiang¡¯s new house was bustling.


    Ye Binghuai began, ¡°Lady, things have been gone awry here. Heir-Son Lord will not stop until he punishes all of us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if he doesn¡¯t give up. If you dare to divorce me, I will kill you,¡± Ye Ning said angrily.


    Ye Bing assured her, ¡°It¡¯s only an expedient measure. When it all calms down, I¡¯ll be with you again.¡±


    Ye Ning sneered, ¡°Binghuai, I have been sleeping with you in the same bed for more than 10 years. I know what you¡¯re thinking about. Don¡¯t even think of trying to fool me.¡±

 Chapter 154 - Son of A B*tch

    <h4>Chapter 154: Son of A B*tch</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix


    ¡°Ye Binghuai, I know??<i>everything?</i>?you have done these past few years. Don¡¯t try and back me into a corner.¡±


    Ye Binghuai closed his eyes in?frustration.??<i>What was I thinking when I married this crazy woman??</i>


    ¡°Do you think that I want to do this? Either we do this or you go back to your mother¡¯s home for a while andy low!¡± Ye Binghuai reasoned.


    Ye Ning huffed in distaste. ¡°I will not hide and cower like a dog, Binghuai. Get that idea out of your head!¡±


    The following day, Xia Chunyu came to pick up Ye Jiayao. They both stayed silent the whole ride, their nervousness almost palpable. Xia Chunyu just held on tightly to her hand, trying to give herfort.


    Ye Jiayao looked over to the pce wall, hoping that this would be thest time she would need to go here.


    When they arrived at the Zi Chen Pce, she noted the two Helian brothers, Zhao Qixuan, Chunfeng, and Susu waiting outside the hall. There was also an elderly man next to Xia Chunfeng that looked a lot like Chunyu.


    ¡°Why are they all here?¡± Ye Jiayao whispered to Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her, not understanding her surprise. ¡°What do you mean? They came for you.¡±


    <i>They came for me??</i>Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes stung with unshed tears. Her friends might not be perfect, but they do love her.


    Zhao Qixuan looked Ye Jiayao up and down, puzzled. ¡°Why can¡¯t I see it?¡±


    Helian Jing didn¡¯t want to be here at all. He was just afraid that Yaoyao wouldn¡¯t be able to handle?all the stress, so against his better judgment, he went, dragging Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi with him.


    Xia Zhuofeng observed Ye Jiayao silently.??<i>So this is Lady Ye??</i>?A privileged woman who dressed up as a man and made her living through cooking? That was beyond impressive. Even when Chunyu told him all about this situationst night, he couldn¡¯t really believe it.


    ¡°If everyone¡¯s here, let¡¯s go in,¡± Xia Zhuofeng called out. This was such a delicate situation that every move they make should be calcted correctly. Chunyu and Lady Ye??<i>lied?</i>?outright to the Emperor ¨C that¡¯s not a crime that His Majesty would just wave away.


    Helian Xuan turned to Helian Jing and the others and said, ¡°You all can wait here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed Xia Chunyu and walked inside the Zi Chen Pce.


    As Eunuch Wei led them into the house, he said, ¡°The Emperor is not in a good mood today.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nced at Helian Xuan.


    Helian Xuan shrugged helplessly.


    Ye Jiayao tugged on Chunyu¡¯s sleeves. ¡°Can¡¯t we juste back another day?


    Chunyu shook his head. They needed to get this over with. They¡¯ve been battling with this secret for far too long, he was tired of it.


    ¡°Chunyu, you said that you have found Miss Ye? Where is she?¡± the Emperor asked, his face harshly stoic. His dark mood was not just because of their military disadvantage but also because of this whole Miss Ye situation. He could not believe that Xia Chunyu managed to find her this quickly. He felt as if though he was somehow being tricked.


    Xia Chunyu kneeled and kowtowed on the ground. ¡°Your Majesty, she¡¯s here ¨C?the Mobile Imperial Chef, Li Yao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nervously stepped forward and kowtowed. ¡°I am Ye Jinxuan, Your Majesty.¡±


    The Emperor shot up from his seat, anger emanating from his form. ¡°How dare you lie to my face? Execute her!¡±


    Ye Jiayao flinched, fear pumping through her veins.??<i>Is this how I¡¯m going to die? Again? Being beheaded? What kind of sick reincarnation is this?</i>


    Xia Chunyu immediately went to her defense. ¡°Emperor, you can¡¯t bestow death to Ye Jinxuan for lying to you.¡±


    The Emperor turned to Chunyu furiously. ¡°I can¡¯t? Ye Jinxuan dressed up as a man, deceived me, worked in the imperial kitchen as a fraud... this is a direct crime against me!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, Ye Jinxuan only dressed up as a man because she feared for her life. She had to travel thousands of miles from Ji Nan to Jin Ling, and if she hadn¡¯t dressed up as a man... I can¡¯t even imagine the horrors that could¡¯ve happened to her.


    ¡°And Your Majesty, she only worked in the imperial kitchen because of the summons from the royalties. She didn¡¯t deliberately set out to integrate herself with the pce. She was simply following orders. It was not like she could refuse the mandatesing from the pce!¡±


    Helian Xuan added, ¡°Emperor, Ye Jinxuan didn¡¯t ask for the things she was given. Your Majesty offered her a ce in the imperial kitchen because you believed in her skills. She might be wrong about not confessing her true identity, but she didn¡¯t do it with the intention to deceive you.¡±


    The Emperor listened to the two nobles, seeing the reason in their words. Indeed, it wasn¡¯t right to me Ye Jinxuan for the actions he perpetuated himself, but he could not just let the matter go.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Ye Jinxuan is just an ordinary woman,¡± Xia Zhoufeng said with a smile. ¡°She was just trying to make the best out of a very difficult situation. Please find it in your heart to forgive her.¡±


    The Emperor sighed. Old Lord Zhoufeng was of high status and has been an important ally of the crown, he couldn¡¯t just ignore his request. ¡°Alright. For you, Old Lord, I will forgive her. I have another concern, though. Chunyu, why did you ask for a three-month period when you knew where she was all along?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I encountered a problem. Ye Jinxuan lost her memory, and I have been trying to make her remember me as gently as I could. I didn¡¯t want to force her into anything. I asked for a three-month leeway because I wasn¡¯t sure if I¡¯d seed and if I didn¡¯t ¨C if she couldn¡¯t remember the past ¨C she would always be Li Yao. If she didn¡¯t remember who I am, even if she¡¯s around me, she¡¯d always be a stranger. When I said that I didn¡¯t know where she was, that wasn¡¯t a lie. At that time, I truly didn¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever get her back.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s words sounded so heartfelt, there were even tears in his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Chunyu in awe. She knew that he was good at acting, but she didn¡¯t know that he¡¯s?<i>this?</i>good. For a moment there, he even almost had her.


    ¡°Emperor, I can testify to the truth behind Chunyu¡¯s words,¡± Helian Xuan swore.


    ¡°Of course you do. You two practically breathe through the same nostrils,¡± the Emperor dismissed impatiently. ¡°You said she lost her memory? That does not line up with what you said in the Queen¡¯s Pce.¡±


    ¡°Emperor, if she hadn¡¯t lost her memory, why would¡¯ve I let her suffer in Heavenly Residence? Wouldn¡¯t I have just brought her?to our mansion?¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, do you even hear yourself? Do you think that just because of what you¡¯ve done for me and for the pce, I¡¯ll wave this away? Or do you think that I am just that gullible to believe your lies?¡± the Emperor demanded.


    ¡°I would never dare to do such thing, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t patronize me,¡± the Emperor yelled furiously.


    Xia Zhuofeng was drenched in cold sweat. He wanted to say something but the Emperor¡¯s sharp eyes shut him up.


    ¡°This farce has gone too far. I can forgive Ye Jinxuan, but not you, Chunyu. You will be demoted three levels and will be a third-ss guard. And in three months, you will be marrying Princess Liu Li. You can have Ye Jinxuan as your concubine,¡± the Emperor decreed.


    Xia Chunyu kowtowed again and said, ¡°Please take back the order, Your Majesty. I have already married Ye Jinxuan, I can¡¯t marry another woman.¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, are you really daring to refuse?<i>my?</i>?order?¡±


    Ye Jiayao has had enough. She couldn¡¯t stay silent anymore.


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± she began. ¡°I know that your word is thew. You can order your people to do whatever you want and they¡¯ll obey. However, destroying a marriage is beyond your power. There will be curses and consequences that will follow your actions. I am volunteering to step down. I can¡¯tpete with Princess Liu Li and she really is the best fit for Chunyu. She can take my position as Chunyu¡¯s wife but I wouldn¡¯t be his concubine. I may not be a royalty, but I still have my morals and integrity. Your Majesty, I will let my husband go and I will willingly take a que and vow never to marry anyone ever again.¡±


    Everyone waited with bated breath as the Emperor mulled over her words.


    ¡°Emperor,¡± Xia Chunyu called out, cursing Yaoyao inwardly. Why couldn¡¯t she have stayed silent? She was ruining his n! ¡°That is not fair to her. Please, just execute me.¡±


    ¡°What? The Emperor wants you to marry Princess Liu Li! That¡¯s a huge reward! You can¡¯t refuse an order like that! Don¡¯t worry about me, Chunyu. The man I originally wanted to marry turned out to be a vile creature, the person I married was being taken away from me... this is fate telling me that I am destined to be alone. I need to ept that,¡± Ye Jiayao said, wiping her tears mournfully.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the whole city already knows about Xia Chunyu and Ye Jinxuan¡¯s story. If Your Majesty insists on breaking them up, I am afraid that there would be a bacsh,¡± Helian Zhen advised solemnly. He admired how smartly Ye Jinxuan yed this. She really was a formidable woman.


    ¡°Helian Lord, it¡¯s okay. After all, what¡¯s a good story without a tragic ending, right? I am not afraid to be cast out. I just can¡¯t let Chunyu suffer for me. I am merely a plebeian, he¡¯s?an Heir-Son Lord. He¡¯s a great man with a bright future ahead of him. I can¡¯t let that be taken away. Everyone will understand why this happened,¡± Ye Jiayao said tearfully.

 Chapter 157 - Silvertongue

    <h4>NO chapter 155-156</h4>


    <h4>Chapter 157: Silvertongue</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia Zhuofeng looked at her with awe in his eyes. He couldn¡¯t believe that such a young girl can be this selfless.


    Xia Chunyu stared down lovingly at Yaoyao and said, ¡°On the day I stood at the cliff you had fallen off of, I swore that I will never marry again in this lifetime. You¡¯re my wife, Ye Jinxuan. You are my?<i>only</i>?wife. I will never take another woman because I already promised you my heart... and my life.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw the look in Chunyu¡¯s eyes and started to get nervous.?<i>This dumb donkey¡¯s nning something!</i>


    Chunyu turned to his father and kneeled down respectfully. He said, ¡°Father, forgive me, but I will not divorce my wife. I can¡¯t leave her and marry someone else. I am sorry for this disobedience, but I am willing to die for love. I will repay your kindness in the next life.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng turned to his son, shocked. What was he talking about?


    Xia Chunyu then said to Helian Xuan, ¡°Tell Little Jing and Qixuan that Yaoyao and I have epted our deaths. Tell them not to cause trouble, it¡¯s none of their business.¡±


    Panicked, Xia Zhuofeng kneeled down, and begged the Emperor, ¡°Your Majesty, I have always been loyal to you and the crown! I have devoted my life to the service of the pce. My ancestors once fought with you and your brother. I have guarded the border for decades and my loyalty has always been to my country. My son, Chunyu, has done the same service ever since he turned 16. He fought by my side and had achieved countless merits. Please be merciful, Your Majesty.¡±


    Helian Xuan, not wanting to see his best friend beheaded, jumped in, ¡°Please give this some thought, Your Majesty. Yaoyao and Chunyu clearly love each other. I believe that if the 7th Royal Highness is still here, he wouldn¡¯t approve of you breaking them up. I know that you want to look after his daughter, but I also know that he valued true love the most.¡±


    The Emperor looked at all the people in front of him and sighed. All the points they made were valid and if he proceeds with the punishment now, he¡¯d just seem cruel.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, almost exasperatedly. ¡°I won¡¯t be killing anyone today. It was just all a test to see if these two are as solid as they imed they were.¡±


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to balk at the Emperor. Instead, she immediately lowered her head and said, ¡°Thank you for your incredible grace, Your Majesty. I never doubted that you would show us mercy. How could you not? You are the wisest leader our empire has ever seen. To express my gratitude, I will pray for your well-being and sess every day. I will research more good food to serve you. Again, I humbly thank you for your benevolence.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan gave her a side nce, awed at her talent for ttery.


    The emperor shook his head imperceptibly. If it wasn¡¯t for Liu Li, he would¡¯ve been all for Ye Jinxan.


    Xia Zhuofeng looked at her daughter-inw, impressed at how well-spoken she was.


    Meanwhile, their friends outside were beside themselves with worry.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take this anymore. I need to go after them,¡± Helian Jing dered impatiently, making a move to rush in.


    Su Yi stopped him with his fan. ¡°Be patient, Little Jing. In this case, no news means good news.¡±


    ¡°Trust Susu, Little Jing. Everything¡¯s fine,¡± Zhao Qixuan seconded. ¡°But even if we think of the worst, do you think His Majesty will really kill Xia Chunyu? There is no way that your brother and his father will allow that.¡±


    Helian Jing reasoned anxiously, ¡°That might be so, but what about Yaoyao?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right. They can¡¯t do much of anything if the Emperor wanted to punish her,¡± Xia Chunfeng said worriedly.


    ¡°Stop thinking of the worst. We have to believe that they can handle themselves. Besides, I know without a doubt that Xia Chunyu will do everything he can to keep Ye Jinxuan safe,¡± Su Yi added.


    Helian Jing bit his lip, unconvinced. However, he had no other choice but to sit tight and hope that everything¡¯s alright.


    Suddenly, Zhao Qixuan eximed, ¡°They¡¯reing out! And with their head and limbs still attached!¡±


    Helian Jing rushed forward and asked worriedly, ¡°How was it? How are you?¡±


    Helian Xuan blew out a relieved breath. ¡°We¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re alive,¡± Xia Chunyu answered, his face pale and beads of sweat dotting his forehead.


    His father turned to him, aghast. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot. How dare you make those derations? The next time you scare me like that, I will kill you myself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to her father-inw and reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t be mad, Old Lord. I will teach him to do better next time.¡±


    Xia Chunyu scoffed. How dare she to talk to about him to his father like he was a dog to be trained?


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s father raised a brow at her. ¡°Did you just call me ¡®Old Lord¡¯?¡±


    ¡°I... I don¡¯t..¡± Ye Jiayao stammered awkwardly. ¡°It¡¯s just that things haven¡¯t been officially settled yet so I didn¡¯t think...¡±


    The Old Lord rolled his eyes and said, ¡°We all just witnessed my son¡¯s willingness to die for you. I think we¡¯re past all that formalities, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Father¡­¡± Xia Chunyu cautioned, afraid that he¡¯s making Yaoyao ufortable.


    The Old Lord looked around and came to his senses. He couldn¡¯t very well air out their affairs in front of other people, no matter how close they all were. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this at home.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled, happy for his friends. ¡°Congrattions, you two. You can finally live your truth.¡±


    Ye Jiayao scratched her head abashedly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I lied to you guys for so long.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Zhao Qixuan assured her. ¡°It was a pleasant surprise. Though I admit that I didn¡¯t believe it at first when Little Jing told us.¡±


    She then turned to Little Jing and said, ¡°Thank you, Little Jing... for everything.¡±


    Helian Jing smiled bitterly. ¡°Just let us know if he steps out of line. We¡¯ll help you straighten him out.¡±


    Helian Xuan grabbed Little Jing in a headlock. ¡°Stop meddling.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head with a knowing smile.?<i>If he steps out of line, I¡¯ll take care of him myself.</i>


    Everyone was so busy celebrating their good fortune that no one noticed the pretty figure staring coldly at them from a distanc<i>e.</i>


    <strong><i>In the Jing An Lord¡¯s mansion...</i></strong>


    As she poured the Old Lord¡¯s tea, Xia You asked in concern, ¡°My Lord, what did the Emperor say?¡±


    Ever since she found out that Li Yao was Ye Jinxuan, Xia You hadn¡¯t been able to rest easy. Liu Li might be a spoiled princess but at least if Chunyu marries her, the Xia family would be wellpensated for their trouble.


    The Old Lord sipped his tea and shook his head wearily. ¡°Well, we all still have our heads...¡±


    ¡°So Chunyu¡¯s staying with Ye Jinxuan?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing else that we can do. They¡¯ve already done the ceremony ¨C they¡¯re married by all ounts. Besides, she saved Chunyu¡¯s life. How would people view us if we just turn her away?¡±


    Xiayou looked troubled. ¡°It¡¯s just... Ye Jinxuan¡¯s status is too low. Why can¡¯t she just be a concubine? My Lord, she pretended to be a man! She has mingled around themon citizens, how can she be fit to be the Lady of the mansion in the future?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t discount her so easily. I think that she¡¯d make a really gooddy of the mansion someday,¡± the Old Lord defended as he recalled how smartly his daughter-inw handed the irate Emperor earlier.


    His wife rolled her eyes.


    The Old Lord smiled and patted her hand assuringly. ¡°Chunyu is happy with his choice. And I approve of Ye Jinxuan. Her status is not important, it¡¯s her character and abilities that matter.¡±


    ¡°That would be for me to decide,¡± Xia You huffed. ¡°I will test just how good her character and abilities are.¡±


    ¡°Well, that can wait. I gave them permission toe home a bitter so that they can discuss the details of their make-up wedding by themselves. We¡¯ve won His Majesty to our side, but that doesn¡¯t mean that the Empress Dowager would have no objections.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we invite the Ye Prefect toe? After all, Ye Jinxuan is the daughter of Yangzhou¡¯s prefecture.¡±


    The Old Lord shrugged, uncaring. ¡°Why bother? They¡¯re already married, we¡¯ll just be having a make-up ceremony. Also, I heard that the Ye Prefect is not a good person. I think it¡¯s best if we don¡¯t let him know about this.

 Chapter 158 - Cold-hearted

    <h4>Chapter 158: Cold-hearted</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    ¡°Why are you staring at me?¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    ¡°Did you mean what you said in front of the Emperor? Were you really willing to give me up?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, his voice cold and low.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. When has he be so sensitive? ¡°Chunyu, you don¡¯t belong to me. You¡¯re not mine to ¡®give up¡¯. Honestly, I don¡¯t know why you just didn¡¯t take the out that I gave you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s breath hitched in his chest.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Nice acting, though! Even I almost fell for that whole devoted husband act in front of the Emperor. Tell me, Chunyu, was that a necessary skill to learn to work for His Majesty?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was so mad, he swore he just felt a vein on his forehead pop.?<i>Acting? I poured my heart out in front of the most powerful man in the region and you think I¡¯m acting?</i>


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, you are cold-blooded,¡± Xia Chunyu said angrily.


    ¡°Cold-blooded?¡± Ye Jiayao sputtered. ¡°How am I cold-blooded? You have kicked me down at every turn. Are you forgetting what happened back in ck Wind Ridge? Are you forgetting what?<i>you¡¯ve</i>?put me through?¡±


    Just like that, Xia Chunyu¡¯s anger deted. She was right. How could he be mad at her after everything she has gone through because of him? ¡°I¡¯m... let¡¯s just forget about it. It¡¯s in the past, let¡¯s just look forward to our future.¡±


    ¡°Forget about it? How am I supposed to just forget about it? Every time I think about it, it just hurts all over again. Xia Chunyu, I am telling you now, if you do anything like that to me ever again, I will make you pay for it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes widened. They weren¡¯t even properly married yet, and she¡¯s already setting the rules??<i>I¡¯m in for a wild ride.</i>


    He shook his head and decided to ignore thatment. ¡°You made a good impression on my father so you¡¯re in with him. You just have to worry about my mother now. She really cares about social status and well... this wasn¡¯t exactly her dream arrangement. So when she makes quips and other bad remarks, I need you to just ignore her. You can¡¯t talk back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°I have met your mother before, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, Xia Chunyu hurried her inside. ¡°Go to my room and change clothes!¡±


    ¡°To your room?¡±


    ¡°Where else do you want to go?¡± Xia Chunyu looked at her with his eyebrows raised.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°I guess your room is my room for now.¡±


    Thest time Ye Jiayao came to this mansion, the only room she was able to go to was the outer study room. Today though, she was able to see and explore much more. Chunyu¡¯s house reeked of money and opulence, almost as magnificent as the Helian Royal mansion.


    ¡°The third part in the east is Big Brother¡¯s yard, behind is Chunfeng¡¯s, the one behind is my fourth brother¡¯s, and two aunts live in the west. Chunfeng and I have the same mother, my oldest brother was born by Aunt Wei, and my fourth brother, who¡¯s turning 11 this year, was born by Aunt Gui,¡± Xia Chunyu exined as they walked.


    ¡°Your family doesn¡¯t have any daughters?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Only one. My older brother¡¯s first child, Xia Ziyuan, although we call her Ni. She¡¯s only two years old.¡±


    Ye Jiayao kept silent as she pondered over her situation. Well,<i>?I guess it¡¯s a good thing that they don¡¯t have a younger sister.</i>?<i>In this case, the only women I have to worry about impressing are Xia You and Chunyu¡¯s sister-inw.</i>


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s courtyard was thest one in the center which leaned against the garden, his father¡¯s chamber in front of him.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, help Second Young Lady change her clothes,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered one of their servants.


    The girl smiled politely and bowed. ¡°Second Young Lady, pleasee with me.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and don¡¯t let my parents wait for too long,¡± Xia Chunyu told Ye Jiayao.


    Pretty soon she¡¯d be calling them ¡®parents¡¯ too, two people who are strangers to her. Ye Jiayao shook her head in a bit of disbelief and followed?Qiao Xi into the room.


    Qiao Xi and two other servant girls attended to Ye Jiayao. The little girl opened the wardrobe, revealing a cupboard full of brand-new-looking clothes in elegant colors.


    ¡°Second Young Lady, what would you like to wear?¡± asked the little girl.


    Ye Jiayao pointed at the lotus-colored gown. ¡°That one.


    The little girl obediently brought the dress over to her.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°My name is Cherry.¡±


    ¡°Cherry? Like the fruit?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. My original name meant green flower, but the Heir-son Lord thought it sounded bad so he changed it to Cherry. He said that you might like the name Cherry more,¡± the little girl answered, her eyes expectant.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her naturally rosy face and smiled. ¡°He¡¯s right, I like the name Cherry.¡±


    The little girl smiled happily, proud that she was able to please the Second Young Lady.


    ¡°What about you? What is your name?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the one who was helping her pick her jewelry.


    ¡°Second Young Lady, you can call me Pomegranate.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud.?<i>Pomegranate?</i>


    ¡°Second Young Lady thinks?that my name is not good enough?¡±?Pomegranate asked, disappointed.


    ¡°No, no!¡± Ye Jiayao shook her head, still smiling. ¡°It¡¯s a nice name. It just reminds me of an old friend.¡±


    ¡°Second Young Lady, Cherry and Pomegranate are the new servants hired to serve you. I will teach them well,¡± Qiao Xi said as she helped Ye Jiayao dress.


    ¡°Are you going to be serving me as well?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°I follow yours and the Heir-son Lord¡¯s orders. If you want me to serve you, I would be happy to do so,¡± she answered with a sweet smile.


    ¡°I just arrived at the mansion and I¡¯m still not familiar with the people and how things are run here. I¡¯ll ask my husband and then I¡¯ll let you know.¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to be careful in front of the servant who has served the Xia family for many years. She couldn¡¯t give a hasty answer without knowing more about this ce and its people.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t many servants in the courtyard. The only girls who serve inside the house are Sweet Peach and I. The four girls serving outside are Cai Wei, Cai Lan, Qin Wen, and Ye Xue. They have served the Lord¡¯s mansion for many years,¡± Qiao Xi began as shebed Ye Jiayao¡¯s hair.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the mirror and almost didn¡¯t recognize herself... she looked so pretty and elegant.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Xia Chunyu called as he walked in.


    ¡°Almost.¡± Ye Jiayao got up and turned to him with a smile. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Xia Chunyu inhaled sharply. This was the first time he saw her dressed up and she was breathtaking. He went to the window and picked out a pink camellia.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he said.


    ¡°Why? Are you going to put that flower in my hair?¡± Ye Jiayao griped as she walked towards him.


    Wordlessly, Xia Chunyu put the flower in her hair. He then took her hand and said, ¡°We can go now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao squirmed ufortably. ¡°Can you take this out?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why not? This is my hair.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hair was made up to please me. Don¡¯t you know that a woman dresses up for the one who makes her happy?¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re that person?¡±


    ¡°Am I not?¡± he challenged. ¡°Don¡¯t wear that drab men¡¯s clothing anymore. I like seeing you like this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes.


    Hemanded, ¡°Do not roll your eyes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at him, deadpan.


    ¡°Do not stare.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help butugh at how absurd his bossiness was.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it. Be a dainty, gentle woman.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes again.?<i>Whatever.</i>


    Meanwhile, Xia You has gotten impatient. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t they be here already? What¡¯s taking them so long?¡±


    Old Lord Xia Zhuofeng sipped his tea leisurely and said, ¡°Why are you so anxious? We¡¯re not in a hurry to go anywhere. They¡¯re just getting ready. I¡¯m sure Ye Jinxuan wanted to look her best for her future mother-inw. She doesn¡¯t want to disappoint you.¡±


    ¡°Why do you keep defending her? They aren¡¯t even married yet and I¡¯m already losing my status as thedy of the mansion!¡±


    ¡°Lose your status? That¡¯s not possible! You?<i>are</i>?thedy of the mansion, that¡¯s not going to change. No one will rece you.¡±


    You just know to help her, she hasn¡¯t married in yet! I lost my status already?¡±


    ¡°Master, Madam, the Heir-son Lord ising.¡±


    Xia You ran a hand down her gown and fixed her seating position, making sure that she looked immacte in front of her daughter-inw. Although her husband¡¯s oldest son has a wife, she had never really bonded with his wife. After all, the boy wasn¡¯t her own blood. Ye Jinxuan was her chance to forge an actual mother-inw and daughter-inw bond.


    ¡°The son asks his father and mother for peace,¡± Xia Chunyu said humbly.


    ¡°Jinxuan asks her father and mother for peace,¡± Ye Jiayao followed. She wanted to say ¡®daughter-in¡¯w¡¯ but somehow the word got stuck in her throat.?<i>Damn it!</i>


    Xia You¡¯s lips twitched imperceptibly, wanting to tease Ye Jinxuan. She wanted to tease her about saying ¡®daughter¡¯ when she hasn¡¯t even officially been married in yet. Of course, she said nothing since it was inappropriate, but she was unexpectedly tempted to.


    ¡°Please, join us.¡± Xia Zhuofeng looked at Ye Jinxuan all dressed up and nodded in approval. She looked beautiful. Chunyu has gotten lucky.

 Chapter 159 - The Trap

    <h4>Chapter 159: The Trap</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia You cleared her throat and said, ¡°Ye Jinxuan, I need you to know that the only reason that this house is recognizing your marriage is that you saved Chunyu¡¯s life.¡±


    ¡°Mom,¡± Xia Chunyu warned. He knew she was snobbish, but did she have to be so straightforward?


    ¡°Why?¡± Xia You challenged. ¡°Am I wrong?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled slightly. ¡°What Auntie said was right, Chunyu. I know that we¡¯re only here because of how everything transpired back with the bandits.¡±


    Xia You pursed her lips and said, ¡°We nned to call for your parents to discuss this union, but Chunyu said that you are not ready to speak to your father. We¡¯re still deciding on what to do.¡±


    ¡°I know that it is necessary to invite the elders to talk about marriage, Auntie. However, my stepmother and father are not tactful. The people in my ancestral home are more dignified, and to be honest, I would rather have them here than my parents. The choice is up to you, though,¡± Ye Jiayao said honestly.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a ceremony,¡± Xia Zhoufeng answered before his wife can. Xia You had been quite rude and he didn¡¯t want to put these two young lovers through more scrutiny. ¡°Chunyu loves you and so do we. I will send an invite to someone from your ancestral home.¡±


    ¡°Thank you forpassion, Uncle,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a grateful smile. She was lucky that her father-inw was a reasonable person.


    ¡°Since Lord Hou¡¯s making the decision here apparently, I¡¯m going to retire to my chambers. I have a headache.¡± Xia You got up and left, her face pale and her lips pressed into a tight line.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Xia Chunyu called out after her. Why was she making so much trouble for them?


    Xia Zhoufeng ignored his wife¡¯s outburst and focused on the wedding details instead. ¡°Your mother and I was checking the calendar earlier and found that the best day for your wedding is on the 26th of this month. If you have any objections with that, the next date would be in December.¡±


    ¡°26th of this month sounds great!¡± Xia Chunyu replied hastily. If it was up to him, he¡¯d be married tonight. There was no way he¡¯s going to wait until December. ¡°Jinxuan, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you,¡± Ye Jiayao answered with a dutiful smile.


    Xia Chunyu blew out a relieved breath.?<i>Finally.</i>


    ¡°This wedding ceremony shall be grand. I will offer?36 boxes of dowry and 36 tables for the guests. I have one question, however. Where should the bridal sedan chaire from?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Father. Helian Xuan has discussed this issue with his family and they will be adopting Jinxuan as their granddaughter. The bridal sedan chair shall being from the Helian Mansion,¡± Xia Chunyu assured.


    The Old Lord pped his thigh and eximed, ¡°That¡¯s good!¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to him in surprise. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you told me that?¡±


    ¡°The only thing you need to know is that you will be my wife. Nothing else matters,¡± Xia Chunyu murmured.


    He had given a lot of thought into this. Once Yaoyao rises in status, no one would dare to belittle her again. And since they would be siblings, it would put an end to Helian Jing¡¯s romantic fantasies about her.


    Ye Jiayao saw the smug sneer on his face and resisted the urge to roll her eyes.?<i>Sneaky bastard.</i>


    After they have settled all the important marriage matters, the group separated to go back to their own yards.


    ¡°Will your mother keep giving me snide looks until the wedding?¡± Ye Jiayao asked him.


    He frowned. ¡°You¡¯re the one to me for that. I told you to just take whatever snobbyments she throws at you and you didn¡¯t listen.¡±


    ¡°Why are you ming me? If I didn¡¯t stand up for myself, I¡¯ll have to put up with her belittling me like that for the rest of our marriage. Didn¡¯t you hear what she said?¡± Ye Jiayao defended.


    ¡°Come on. My mother is keen on appearances. Even if she disapproves of you, she won¡¯t let others know that I promise you.¡± Xia Chunyu tried to reassure her. He didn¡¯t want to fight with her. They were about to be married soon, they needed to coexist in harmony.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to be married and you can¡¯t even take my side against one simple thing? I¡¯m calling this wedding off. Go and find someone else,¡± she said petntly.


    Xia Chunyu chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s toote. You have signed the contract, remember?¡±


    ¡°So what? I don¡¯t need that money. I will open a new restaurant in the future and I will beat Heavenly Residence,¡± she boasted.


    ¡°You better check the contract again,¡± Xia Chunyu told her with a teasing smile.


    Ye Jiayao frowned. She didn¡¯t like the look on his face. She searched for the contract and looked it over carefully. Everything seemed to be okay, so why was he so confident?


    ¡°Turn it around,¡± Xia Chunyu said as he sat down, his legs crossed.


    Back?


    ¡°No matter which party breaks the contract, he or she must pay each other three times of what the loss will be.¡±


    Ye Jiayao did a quick mental calction and found that she would have to pay him at least 360,000 to break free from their contract. She would never be able to repay that debt.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him furiously. ¡°Xia Chunyu, this is a rip-off!¡±


    He shrugged indifferently. ¡°It¡¯s not. That contract applies to both of us. I¡¯ll pay you the loss if I try to break it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a jerk.¡±


    ¡°Shush... finish reading.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him for a few more seconds before continuing to read.


    ¡°As the Second Young Lady of the house, the future master of the family, Ye Jinxuan has to obey the virtues of a woman and will be charged one month¡¯s interest for every rule she breaks...¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my family rules.¡± Xia Chunyu smiled and gave her a pamphlet which was named ¡®Rules of the Xia Mansion. ¡°Once you have more free time, you need to read this whole thing to avoid problems. One of the rules is that you¡¯re not allowed to abuse your husband in any way no matter what the situation is. And you just broke it. I¡¯ll let it slide this time, but do not do it again.¡±


    <i>What the f*ck?!</i>?Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know whether to kill him or herself. She should¡¯ve checked the contract better and she should¡¯ve put more of her terms on it.


    She banged her head against the desk and moaned, ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with. Go find a knife and just kill me.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, how can I kill you? You are my wife.¡±


    She raised her head and snapped, ¡°You are a fucking bandit.¡±


    ¡°This is the second time,¡± Xia Chunyu said seriously. ¡°One more time and I?will punish you ording to the contract.¡±


    Ye Jiayao let her head fall against the desk one more time.


    <i>Damn it!</i>


    ¡°I also have to point out that whoever reveals the contract to anyone will pay the price five-fold,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao groaned loudly.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk wedding!¡± Xia Chunyu proimed excitedly. ¡°Who do you want to invite for the party?¡±


    Ye Jiayao remained sullen.


    ¡°It better not be all of your mother¡¯s family though. Don¡¯t forget that the Helian family will be showing up as your rtives. We also need to invite Zhao Qixuan and Susu. We can also hire your friends at Heavenly Residence to cook our food if you¡¯d like?¡±


    She remained uncaring.


    ¡°I¡¯m also going to invite the Jiang family here in the mansion. Yue-er is already familiar with you so she can be your servant.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not going to be my servant. I think of her as my sister,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°Then she can just apany you. You need to have someone that you can absolutely trust.¡±


    ¡°What about Ah Li?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°I intend for him to go to the Military Department. He¡¯s learned a lot from Uncle Jiang and I believe he will be good at this. I already spoke to him about it and he¡¯s willing to do it.¡±


    How was this man so thoughtful to others and yet so harsh on her? She almost believed him earlier when he said he was willing toy his life down for her in front of the Emperor. However, her thoughts changed after seeing that ridiculous contract.


    Ye Jiayao began to m her head against the table again.


    ¡°Will you stop that! You¡¯re going to break the table!¡± Xia Chunyu pulled her away and gently touched her reddish forehead. He asked softly, ¡°Does it hurt?¡±


    Ye Jiayao pushed him away. ¡°You hurt my heart. Don¡¯t pretend to care now.¡±


    ¡°Hurt your heart? Let me check it!¡± He proceeded to touch her chest.

 Chapter 160 - Avoid an Accident

    <h4>Chapter 160: Avoid an ident</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Inside the pce, Liu Li sobbed in the embrace of the Empress Dowager. ¡°How can I face the people after this? Everyone knew that I was supposed to marry Chunyu!¡±


    The Empress Dowager sighed, knowing that there wasn¡¯t anything that she could do. The Emperor¡¯s words were final.


    ¡°Liu Li, stop crying. There are so many good men in Jin Ling, not just Chunyu. Don¡¯t you worry, I¡¯ll find you someone else who¡¯s even better than him,¡± the Empress Dowager consoled.


    ¡°I am not going to marry anyone anymore, not after this embarrassment!¡±


    ¡°Stupid child! Don¡¯t say such stupid things. This is not an embarrassment! Chunyu didn¡¯t ditch you because you¡¯re not good enough. He backed out of the deal because he¡¯s already with another woman,¡± said the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°No, he just didn¡¯t like me. Queen Mother, you have to help me,¡± Liu Li pleaded.


    ¡°Liu Li, listen to me and let him go.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she said obstinately. ¡°I want to be a part of the Jing An Mansion!¡±


    The Empress Dowager scowled at her. ¡°Why are you so stubborn, child? Chunyu and Lady Ye are together now and everyone knows that. You can¡¯t do anything about it now!¡±


    ¡°Then I want to marry Chunfeng!¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s brows shot up in surprise.


    <i>What?</i>


    Xia Chunyu wanted Ye Jiayao to start the preparations for their wedding instead of going to Heavenly Residence. Ye Jiayao, as usual, paid him no mind. She might not be the chef anymore but she still needed to talk to the other workers and get things in proper order.


    Since he couldn¡¯t change her mind, Xia Chunyu came with her to the restaurant.


    When Manager Zhao saw her, his attitude changed and he began to address her as Second Young Lady. She ignored that and instead asked him to gather the workers for a meeting.


    No one in the kitchen knew what happened. They just knew that Brother Yao had been gone for a day.


    When everyone has been gathered, Manager Zhao came in to get her and Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Do you want to tell them yourself or do you want me to help you?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯ll tell them myself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your decision. After all, the restaurant will be yours in the future.¡± He smiled and then added mischievously, ¡°If no idents happen.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him.?<i>This stupid donkey really is a piece of work!</i>?She sighed angrily and went to follow Manager Zhao.


    Everyone was expecting for the new owner toe and give a speech, that they were kind of taken aback when they saw a familiar-looking womane out.


    ¡°Is that... Brother Yao?¡± Deng Haichuan mumbled, confused.


    Everyone was stunned.


    Ye Jiayao cleared her throat ufortably and began, ¡°He¡¯s right, I am Li Yao. I am also Lady Ye Jinxuan, the one that everyone¡¯s been talking about.¡±


    No one spoke, beyond surprised at what she just said.


    ¡°To live peacefully and safely, I had to dress up as a man. I want to thank you, brothers, for your care and respect.?I appreciated how you guys weed me. Don¡¯t worry, even though I¡¯ve recovered my identity, I¡¯m still going to help every single one of you to be a Master Chef and get rich.¡±


    ¡°Lady Ye will be owning half of the restaurant in the future,¡± Manager Zhao added.


    Ye Jiayao looked at everyone¡¯s stunned faces and frowned. ¡°Hello? Can someone say something?¡±


    Deng Haichuan scratched his head and said, ¡°Brother Yao, no, I mean... Miss Ye, this is all just a shock to us.¡± He could not get the image of her drinking with them like an actual man.


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Miss Ye,¡± Cui Dongpeng said gloomily.


    Zhong Xiang thought about all the trouble he tried to cause and felt even more ashamed.


    ¡°I know this is sudden to all of you, I feel that too. I assure you, in the future, I¡¯m gonna being back here more frequently so I can teach you everything I know. In the meantime, you just have to keep working hard for the restaurant¡¯s sess. Don¡¯t worry about anything else,¡± Ye Jiayao told them, trying to reassure the workers.


    ¡°Miss Ye, Manager Zhao said that you¡¯ll be owning half of the restaurant in the future. Did you invest in it?¡± Deng Haichuan asked.


    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t,¡± Xia Chunyu answered as he walked in. ¡°She will own half of the restaurant because we will be getting married soon. You¡¯d have to call her Second Young Lady from then on.¡±


    He nced at Yaoyao and couldn¡¯t help but be emotional as he added, ¡°Actually, she¡¯s already my wife. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to him, trying to keep her face neutral.?<i>Why are you being so dramatic in front of these people?</i>


    The shock returned to everyone¡¯s faces again.


    ¡°Why are you guys not wishing us congrattions?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded with a scowl.


    Everyone jumped into action and started congratting them and giving well wishes.


    ¡°Thank you. I will invite you all to a wedding meal another day,¡± Ye Jiayao said gracefully.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Heir-son Lord!¡± a servant called as he burst into the room. ¡°Old Lord and Madame were summoned to the pce.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face immediately tightened with worry. He turned to Yaoyao and said, ¡°Stay here. I will go see what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hurried to the pce. Whatever the reason was for his parents being called to the pce, he knew that it couldn¡¯t be good.


    Unfortunately, a eunuch stopped him before he could enter the room where his parents were.


    Xia Chunyu had to wait outside. He just hoped that his parents could handle whatever it was and all the drama from his and Ye Jinxuan¡¯s marriage is now over.


    He waited for almost two hours. Just as he had enough and was about to rush into the room, his parents came out, both of them looking deep in thought.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart fell out.


    ¡°Father, Mother, what did the Empress Dowager want from you?¡±


    His father saw the anxiety in his son¡¯s eyes so he answered, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about it, it doesn¡¯t concern you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighed in relief, secretly rejoicing.


    Xia You, on the other hand, gave him a deadpan look. ¡°It¡¯s because of what you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°What did I do?¡± he asked, confused.


    Before Xia You could retort, Xia Zhoufeng started ushering them out. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get out of the pce and we can talk then.¡±


    As soon as they arrived home, the Old Lord sent someone to get Xia Chunfeng.


    ¡°The Empress Dowager wants Princess Liu Li to marry you. You¡¯ll be a lord and you¡¯ll take over the Seventh Prince¡¯s area,¡± Xia Zhoufeng said to Chunfeng.


    ¡°What?¡± Xia Chunfeng yelled. ¡°Why do I have to marry Liu Li? I don¡¯t want to do this! What is wrong with the Empress Dowager? Why is Princess Liu Li so desperate to get into our family? Just because she couldn¡¯t marry Chunyu, she decided to marry me instead? I¡¯m serious, I don¡¯t want this!¡±


    The Old Lord chided, ¡°You can¡¯t say anything bad about the Empress Dowager.¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned to his father and asked with a bit of dread, ¡°Father, you didn¡¯t agree to this proposal, right?¡±


    His father remained silent.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the Empress Dowager! I don¡¯t want to get married to Liu Li!¡± Xia Chunfeng said angrily. The princess was a spoiled, evil troublemaker! Why would he want to tie himself to her?


    The Old Lord leveled him with a fierce re and said, ¡°This is amand from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. You are not going against this.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I am not marrying Liu Li. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager can take my head,¡± Xia Chunfeng dered.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Don¡¯t you understand that you can¡¯t go against themand of the Emperor? Your second brother has already rejected Liu Li once. If you refuse this, the royal family will never forgive us. Your head isn¡¯t the only thing we will lose if you don¡¯t get your act straight! Stupid!¡± the Old Lord said furiously.


    ¡°Old Lord, can you ease up? Chunfeng is still a kid,¡± Xia You interjected, trying to defend her son.


    ¡°He¡¯s 17, he¡¯s not a kid anymore. You have spoiled him so much that¡¯s why he¡¯s acting like this,¡± Xia Zhoufeng said sullenly.


    Xia Chunfeng groaned. Why was he so unlucky?


    ¡°Father, are you sure there¡¯s no way around this? What did the Empress Dowager say?¡± Xia Chunyu was feeling extremely guilty. If he hadn¡¯t refused the marriage, it wouldn¡¯t have fallen onto his brother. His brother was going to suffer because of what he did.¡±


    Xia You answered, ¡°The Empress Dowager wants them to get married immediately. They even called the fortune-telling eunuch in the pce and he said that they are a good match. He also chose the date for the wedding next month. Chunfeng will gain so much after the marriage, why would we refuse?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at his younger brother, feeling very sorry for him. Chunyu, at least, had a proper excuse to refuse the marriage, but Chunfeng? His brother was doomed.


    ¡°Third Brother¡­¡± Xia Chunyu began.


    Xia Chunfeng didn¡¯t let him finish before turning around and running away.


    ¡°Ayy! That stupid kid!¡± the Old Lord griped.


    Xia You immediately ordered a servant to follow Xia Chunfeng. They can¡¯t have him running away otherwise, they would trulynd in hot waters with the royal family.


    ¡°No, I will go!¡± Xia Chunyu said and hurriedly chased after Chunfeng.


    Heavenly Residence¡¯s business was good, but Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but worry over what¡¯s happening with Xia Chunyu and his family.


    Half of the day had already passed when Song Qi came to pick her up.


    ¡°Where is the Heir-son Lord?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°The Heir-son Lord is going after the Third Young Master. He told me to tell you that the wedding will still go on as nned, though. I¡¯m here to take you back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked curiously, ¡°Going after the Third Young Master? What happened to Chunfeng?¡±


    Song Qi replied unhappily, ¡°The Empress Dowager invited the Old Lord and Madame to the pce today to tell them that Princess Liu Li wanted to marry the Third Young Master. They have set the date for the wedding next month. The Third Young Master is mad and the Heir-son Lord is trying to soothe him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was stunned.?<i>Liu Li wants to marry Chunfeng? What the hell? What is that girl¡¯s obsession with the bachelors of the Jing An mansion?</i>


    Just as she thought that building a rtionship with everyone in the mansion would be smooth-sailing, she was hit with this news. Liu Li¡¯s going to be her sister-inw!


    Poor Xia Chunfeng!

 Chapter 161 - The Affection of Ye Binghuai

    <h4>Chapter 161: The Affection of Ye Binghuai</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Ye Jiayao asked Chunyu, ¡°Can¡¯t your family just say no to this?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°We can¡¯t turn this down. We¡¯ve already offended the Empress Dowager. If we dare to it again, the Emperor will not hesitate to behead us.¡±


    ¡°Chunfeng must be very sad,¡± Ye Jiayao said sympathetically.


    Xia Chunyu sighed helplessly. ¡°He is. He¡¯ll figure it out, though.¡±


    ¡°Why is the Empress Dowager always trying to create trouble for your family?¡± Ye Jiayaoined angrily.


    ¡°It¡¯s because she took care of Princess Liu Li herself.¡±


    ¡°So she¡¯ll always cater to her every whim? Don¡¯t you think that she just dislikes us and wants us to suffer?¡± Suddenly, a thought came to her and she turned to Chunyu. ¡°Do you have a special rtionship with Princess Liu Li?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She likes you. She¡¯s practically obsessed with you,¡± Ye Jiayao said, watching his face closely.


    Xia Chunyu looked ufortable as he fidgeted slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Tell me the truth, Chunyu. This is very important. I want to know whether this is just a matter of dignity or if it involves actual feelings.¡± If Princess Liu Li has actual feelings for Chunyu, they were in more trouble than they originally thought.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! She just... she just likes to pester me,¡± he stammered.


    ¡°What have you guys done?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°What? I never paid any attention to her!¡±


    ¡°Honestly?¡±


    ¡°I swear.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded eptingly. ¡°I think your family¡¯s about to have more trouble headed your way.¡±


    ¡°You really think so?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He shook his head and put an arm around herfortingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will always stand by your side.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a disdainful look. ¡°I am not worried. If she dares toe after me, I will deal with her.¡±


    <i>¡°You¡¯re</i>?going to deal with her?¡± Xia Chunyu scoffed. ¡°You can¡¯t win against Princess Liu Li. Not with the whole royal family backing her.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that I¡¯ve lost already?¡± she challenged.


    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is that you don¡¯t?<i>need</i>?to fight her. If you cause any trouble, Chunfeng will get caught in the crossfire, too. Anyways, since she¡¯s gonna be marrying into our family, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s not going to stir up unnecessary drama.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stayed silent. Of course, he has no idea how women operate. Spoiled princesses like Liu Li, who was incrediblypetitive and has everything handed to her ever since she was born, do not know how to back down.


    Jiang Yue suddenly came in and told them, ¡°Heir-son Lord, Sister Yaoyao, someone¡¯s outside. He said he¡¯s your father, Sister Yaoyao, and he wants to see you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao looked at each other, bewildered. How did he find her here?


    ¡°I will deal with him,¡± Xia Chunyu offered.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ll have to deal with him sooner orter either way. I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Ye Binghuai sat in the front desk, slightly shaking. Today, Assistant Minister Mu told him that Jinxuan has been found and was actually the Chef Li Yao from Heavenly Residence. He also found out that the Emperor has already approved Jinxuan and Chunyu¡¯s marriage, making her the Second Mistress of Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion.


    Knowing this, he immediately sent out to find her. His daughter has always been devoted to him, so as long as she forgives him, Xia Chunyu will not touch them again.


    The people in Heavenly Residence told him that she lived here, but he did not expect Xia Chunyu to be here too.


    Ye Binghuai was a mess of nerves as the pair walked over to him.


    ¡°Xuan,¡± Ye Binghuai called out, his hands and lips trembling as tears fell out of his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao knew that something was off. This was the same man who imed to be a filial son, and yet when his mother died, did not even tear up in the slightest.


    ¡°Lord Ye,¡± Xia Chunyu acknowledged indifferently.


    Ye Jiayao was worse because all she did was not at him. There was no way she¡¯s calling him ¡®Father¡¯. He doesn¡¯t deserve it.


    ¡°Xuan, I thought I¡¯m never going to see you again! Thank you, God, for bringing my girl back to me.¡± Ye Binghuai wiped his tears with his cuffs.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want me dead?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, deadpan.


    Ye Binghuai was surprised. ¡°Xuan, how can you say that? When I found out about your ident, I wasn¡¯t able to sleep for several nights!¡±


    ¡°Really? Were you worried that I¡¯d make it back to our house and ruin your ns?¡± She smiled at him but there was nothing friendly about it. In fact, it was rather chilling.


    Xia Chunyu remained quiet as he drank his tea. He knew that Yaoyao needed to vent her grievances against her lousy father.


    ¡°Xuan, I know you¡¯re angry and I don¡¯t me you. I am sorry that I didn¡¯t protect you. I just never expected them to do such things. Xuan, they¡¯ve already received the punishment that they deserve. I promise you, no one will harm you again,¡± Ye Binghuai said sadly.


    Ye Jiayao sneered. ¡± I¡¯d like to know... if I didn¡¯t meet the Jing An Marquis¡¯ son, would you still havee for me??When I came back from Ji Nan and passed Yang Zhou, I stood outside the gate of your house for a long time, not daring toe in. I was wondering what you might do if I just show up out of the blue. Will you, a father who has always ignored me and only cares about his title and career, tie me up? Hang me? Or maybe sink me to save your reputation?¡±


    ¡°Xuan, how can you think that I can do any of that?¡± Ye Binghuai asked, forlorn.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you? Then, tell me, why didn¡¯t you do anything when you found out that my convoy was robbed by bandits? You know what, I actually don¡¯t even want to know. I don¡¯t want to know where you were when Ye Ning mistreated me. I don¡¯t want to know where you were when I was suffering in the mountains. I don¡¯t want to know where you were when I disguised myself as a man and struggled just to be able to eat. All I want to know is after all the truth has been revealed, did you divorce that poisonous woman?¡± Ye Jiayao was fierce as she spoke to her father. She has been carrying this for a long time, and she now finally has the chance to confront her demons.


    Ye Binghuai started to sweat. He?never knew that his weak and timid daughter had such a strong side. He also didn¡¯t think about the built-up resentment in her heart and how powerful it was. Of course, she was now backed by the Jing An Marquis¡¯ son so she¡¯s braver and more confident about confronting him.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed at his silence. ¡°You didn¡¯t, did you??Ye Binghuai, you don¡¯t have to pretend to be a loving father now. We both know how our rtionship had been. I am just letting you know now that I will never step foot inside the Ye¡¯s mansion again.¡±


    Did he really think that she was still the weak and helpless Ye Jinxuan? That Ye Jinxuan had died a long time ago. To save her dignity, she was now reborn as Ye Jiayao. She was not a soft persimmon that let everyone trample over her. She would return kindness to those who had done her good, but she would fight anyone who tries to harm her again.


    Honestly, Xia Chunyu was worried at first that Yaoyao would be moved by her father¡¯s tears. However, after watching that whole interaction, he realized he was worrying for nothing. His Yaoyao was a smart, strong woman who can clearly handle herself.


    Ye Binghuai¡¯s n to appeal to Jinxuan¡¯s emotions fell apart before his eyes. Her coldness and fierceness really surprised him.


    ¡°Xuan, don¡¯t you think that I hate Ning too? If it weren¡¯t for her, our family wouldn¡¯t have been destroyed like this. Believe me, I regret being with her. But she¡¯s still Zhongyuan and Jinxiu¡¯s mother. They are still so young and they can¡¯t live without her. Xuan, I have already taught her a lesson and punished her ordingly. She knows that what she did was wrong and she swore that she¡¯s never going to do anything like that again. You should think about your siblings,¡± Ye Binghuai tried.


    ¡°Ha! Do you want them to turn out like Jinrong? Because Jinrong only turned vapid because she grew up under Ye Ning¡¯s guidance. ¡±


    ¡°Let me think about this matter, Xuan. I only came here tonight to see if you¡¯re okay. And also, I want to be a part of your wedding. Can¡¯t your family memberse?¡± Ye Binghuai pleaded.


    ¡°Who said I don¡¯t have a family? The Fangs are my family,¡± replied Ye Jiayao.


    Xia Chunyu interjected, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that. The Old Princess of the Helian family has recognized Jinxuan as her granddaughter. They will be Jinxuan¡¯s family at our wedding.¡±


    Ye Binghuai gasped. This meant that Jinxuan was now the younger sister of the Helian Prince!?<i>No! Now, I must really make this right between us!</i>


    ¡°I am very grateful for everything that you¡¯ve done for Xuan, Lord Xia. It¡¯s also extremely kind and generous of the Helian family to take her as one of their own. However, I am still Jinxuan¡¯s father and I would want to give her dowry to give her a bright marriage.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ye Jiayao told him coldly, ¡°Many people can do that for me. I don¡¯t need you.¡±


    He had another thinging if he thought he can buy her with a silly show of material possessions.


    ¡°As long as Ning is still in your life, I won¡¯t be recognizing anyone in the Ye family,¡± Ye Jiayao said, her words and tone final.

 Chapter 162 - Pick A Fight

    <h4>Chapter 162: Pick A Fight</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Ye Binghuai left the courtyard discontentedly after being snubbed.


    ¡°I reckon he¡¯s gonnae to the wedding,¡± Xia Chunyu sneered.


    Ye Jiayao replied absent-mindedly, ¡°Who cares? Even if hees, I¡¯m not going to honor him.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s really hard to believe that you are this decisive in severing your rtionship with him.


    ¡°Are you trying to criticize me orpliment me?¡±


    Xia Chunyu pinched her nose affectionately, his eyes shining with tender emotions. ¡°I support you.¡±


    After?returning to the Wei residence, Ye Binghuai started to think hard. Jinxuan has changed so much that he almost didn¡¯t recognize her.


    Ning walked over to him and immediately knew that his trip wasn¡¯t sessful. Sheughed coldly and asked, ¡°What happened? Did your own daughter refused to acknowledge you?¡±


    Ye Binghuai gave her disgusted gaze.?<i>This was all your fault, you hag.</i>


    ¡°What are you staring at me like that for? I knew from a long time ago that Jinxuan is trouble. All that well-behaved and docile attitude was just an act. She hid and made the Heir-son Lord do all the work for her just so we¡¯d fall into her trap. Now that she has found a rich powerful man, the Ye family doesn¡¯t mean anything to her anymore,¡± Ning said spitefully.


    Ye Binghuai snorted. ¡°How can you say all of these things? If you did not allow Rong-er?to plot against her, we would not have ended up like this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if not for Jinrong, would she have met the Heir-son Lord? Would she have been able to make all the connections she has now? She should be thanking us for that!¡±


    Ye Binghuai shook his head at her preposterous allegations. He stood up and retreated to his study.


    Ning rolled her eyes and proceeded to her daughter¡¯s room.


    ¡°Mother, is Father back? What did he say?¡± Ye Jinrong has had terrible morning sickness these past two days and is lying on the bed, unable to get up.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything but I know that that bitch wants your father to divorce me.¡±


    ¡°Then, will Father¡­¡±


    Ningughed rather maniacally. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare. That little bitch thinks she can pull me down. Ha!¡±


    However, Ye Jinrong wasn¡¯t as optimistic as her mother. ¡°She has the Heir-son Lord supporting her! She was the reason Liujiang ended up in such a tragic situation. I really hate myself for not killing her myself then.


    ¡°Do not worry about her. This is far from over. I will make her pay for everything she¡¯s done,¡± Ning swore through gritted teeth. ¡°Enough about this. Your father-inw is leaving in two days. What are you and Liujiang nning to do?¡±


    Ye Jinrong answered sulkily, ¡°Father-inw wants Liujiang to go back with him.¡±


    ¡°What for? Your father-inw is venting all his anger on you right now. If you return to Ji Nan with Liujiang, do you think you everything will go back to normal?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I am worried about. I am still talking to Liujiang, but in any case, he cannot take the imperial examinations anymore. It¡¯ll be better for him if he just stays in Jin Ling or return to Yang Zhou. With Uncle¡¯s connection, I¡¯m sure he can find some other job to earn a living. I refuse to go back to Ji Nan,¡± Ye Jinrong worried.


    ¡°Your right to think that. If you cannot stop him, just do your best to dy him leaving. Tell him that you¡¯re still not feeling well. We¡¯ll y it by ear when the timees,¡± Ning told her.


    ¡°Young Mistress, that eunuch fromst time is here again,¡± Xia He reported.


    Ye Jinrong looked at her mother for help. ¡°Mother, what do I do? I am a little afraid of that princess.¡±


    Ning pondered for a while and smiled slyly. ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡±


    This time, Liu Li did not set the meeting in the pce and instead in a secluded teahouse.


    ¡°The Young Mistress Wei is ill, so her mother, Ye Ning, hase in her ce,¡± a servant ryed.


    The corner of Liu Li¡¯s lips rose into a smirk. ¡°Well then, let her in.


    Ye Ning entered and curtsied to greet Princess Liu Li.


    Liu Li shot her an indifferent nce. With one look at Ye Ning¡¯s upturned eyes that reflected her shrewdness and scheming nature, she knew that she wouldn¡¯t be an easy person to deal with. She ordered, ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    Ye Ning unhurriedly sat down. ¡°What would the Princess want me to do for her?¡±


    ¡°No orders, just some questions.¡±


    ¡°Ask away, Your Highness. I will tell you all that I know.¡±


    ¡°Did you guys know that Ye Jinxuan is Li Yao?¡±


    ¡°No, Princess, we just heard about it.¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t know whether she has amnesia or not?¡±


    ¡°Amnesia?¡± Ningughed as if she found the idea ridiculous. ¡°Princess, Ye Jinxuan is no simpleton.?When she was at home, she was filled with deceit, a master at pretense. Just because she is the first youngdy and she has the Fang family behind her, she always bullied her siblings. If it wasn¡¯t for me, she would¡¯ve done worse. She has hated me ever since I married her father. She believed that I snatched him away from her and I think that it¡¯s the Fang family that has instilled that idea in her.¡±


    Liu Li was feeling an equal mix of surprise and glee at what she heard. Her suspicion had been right all along, that Ye Jinxuan was filled with tricks and deceit.


    ¡°Not only that, but she also excels in seducing men. How else do you think she managed to get the Heir-son Lord to her side in just a matter of time? I have no doubt that she orchestrated all of these schemes, forcing the Heir-son Lord to back her up.¡± Ning knew that Princess Liu Li had wanted to marry the Heir-son Lord so she used this opportunity to create more discord between her and Jinxuan.


    Liu Li seethed quietly. If it wasn¡¯t for that conniving Ye Jinxuan, Brother Chunyu would¡¯ve married her. She snatched him away from her, embarrassing her in the process.


    Ye Ning continued, ¡°Now, she is proud, taking revenge on us. The Heir-son Lord used his influence to force Wei Liujiang to admit that he colluded with the bandits. I never thought that she¡¯d be this vicious! We had no choice to admit to it because we cannot go against the Second Young Mistress of the Jing An Marquis mansion. However, Princess, I really feel for you. Everyone knew that that position was supposed to be yours.¡±


    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t getfortable. It¡¯s never toote for revenge,¡± Liu Li vowed angrily.


    Ye Ning hid her sneer as she watched the hatred on Liu Li¡¯s face grow.?<i>Jinxuan, do you really think that you¡¯re untouchable?</i>


    <strong><i>Three days until the wedding day.</i></strong>


    Ye Jiayao had been staying in the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion up until the wedding day in ordance with the rules.


    The Old Ancestress had taken a liking to her, especially when she heard what happened between her and Xia Chunyu. She was impressed with how strong and independent she was. The delicious delicacies that she sends her every day didn¡¯t hurt, too. She also tasked Yu De to prepare her well for marriage, really acting as if they¡¯re marrying off their daughter.


    Yu De was more than generous with the 16 sets of dowry she got for Ye Jiayao. Adding this to the 36 sets she got from the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence and the 16 sets from the Fang family, she has a total of 64 sets of dowry, one of the grandest dowries given in Jin Ling.


    Ye Jiayao dly epted the dowry from the Fang family, but the dowry that the Helian family has given her was making her feel uneasy.


    ¡°Miss, here¡¯s the trousseau that the Old Ancestress wanted to give you,¡± Cui Yan called as she carried a box over.


    Ye Jiayao opened it up to take a look. Inside, it was full of precious jewelry. She hurriedly closed it and turned to the Old Ancestress with a bit of panic. ¡°Old?Ancestress, you have already given me a lot. I cannot ept this.¡±


    The Old Ancestressughed and waved herin dismissively. ¡°They are not anything valuable. Those are just some of the things that I wore when I was young. I always thought that if Xuan-er and Little Jing have a sister, I can give her these, but that didn¡¯t happen. Now that you are here, you can fulfill this dream of mine.¡±


    ¡°Keep it. You should not reject the gifts of an elder,¡± Yu De encouraged with a fond smile.


    Little Jing pouted jokingly and said, ¡°Ever since Jinxuan got here, Old Ancestress never notices me anymore. You only dote on Jinxuan now.¡±


    ¡°What are you getting jealous over? I still have a set for your wife!¡± the Old Ancestress assured him with augh.


    Little Jing looked Ye Jinxuan and his face flushed red. ¡°What wife? You should be telling my brother to find his wife, not me!¡±


    Helian Xuan red at him. ¡°Don¡¯t drag me into this.¡±


    ¡°Both of you should find your wife. Chunyu is getting married and Chunfeng is also going to get a wife soon. It¡¯s just the two of you left! At this rate, I am going to die of waiting.?I should just give all my fortune to Jinxuan and let you two cry in a corner,¡± the Old Ancestress chastised.


    ¡°Forget it. I¡¯d rather not be forced to marry someone like Chunfeng,¡± Little Jing harrumphed.


    ¡°What nonsense are you saying?¡± Yu De quickly reprimanded him. This wasn¡¯t something he could just say casually.


    Chunyu has already rejected the marriage, embarrassing Princess Liu Li and the Empress Dowager. If they hear that Chunfeng doesn¡¯t like Liu Li either, heads will definitely roll.


    ¡°It is the truth!¡± Little Jing insisted, upset with the Empress Dowager¡¯s decree. After the announcement of their marriage, Chunfeng has turned into a pathetic mess.


    Seeing that Yu De was about to start her lecture again, Ye Jiayao quickly changed the topic. ¡°Old Ancestress, you are going to live a very long life and you¡¯ll still be able to carry your great-grandson!¡±


    The Old Ancestressughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously. ¡°I cannot hope to carry my great-grandson from the two of them anytime soon. From you, however, I have no doubt.¡±


    Ye Jiayao has a pretty thick skin, but she couldn¡¯t help but blush at the Old Ancestress¡¯ words. Her marriage with Chunyu was contractual and children were not included in that contract. She doesn¡¯t even know if Chunyu would want children! Despite that, she couldn¡¯t help but imagine how pretty their child would be.


    Yu De sighed. ¡°The Prince even made a pact with Marquis Xia to be rtives by marriage. It¡¯s too bad for them that they only had sons.¡± She then turned to her two boys and said fiercely, ¡°Both of you better buck up. Xuan-er, I will give you until the next year to find a granddaughter-inw for your Old Ancestress, otherwise, I will decide for you.¡±


    Helian Xuan propped his forehead in his hands. ¡°Mother, do you want me to find a random girl for you?¡±


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯ll work. You are getting old, you can¡¯t afford to be picky.¡±


    ¡°You sure are easy-going,¡± Helian Xuan sneered.


    Little Jing chimed in, ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re my role model so I will also get married at the age that you do.¡±


    ¡°You just try,¡± Yu De threatened jokingly.


    Everyone broke into peals ofughter.


    Ye Jiayao really liked the atmosphere in the Helian family. The Old Ancestress was benevolent and loving, and Yu De was so easy to talk to, unlike Xia You.?The whole family gets along well and Ye Jiayao knew that whoever is fortunate enough to marry Helian Xuan in the future would be in good hands.

 Chapter 163 - To Offer Tea

    <h4>Chapter 163: To Offer Tea</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    She knew how vigorous Chunyu could be in bed, but it has been so long that her memories turned out to be quite unreliable. Despite her numerous pleas, he was unrelenting. He resembled a hungry beast, never getting tired.


    At first, Ye Jiayao wanted to take over and show off her female prowess. Who says he should always be the one doing the taking? She wanted to be the one in charge this time. Yeah... thatsted for all about five minutes before Chunyu wrestled her into submission.


    ¡°We still have to serve tea tomorrow¡­¡± she stammered.


    Xia Chunyu leaned closer, his eyes dark as he softly bit her ear. ¡°We can bete, I¡¯m sure everyone will understand.¡±


    <i>What the hell, dumb donkey?!</i>


    ¡°I c-can¡¯t... it¡¯s too much!¡± she begged for what felt like the nth time. His appetite was wreaking havoc in her body.


    Instead of stopping, however, he pounded against her even harder, interpreting her words as cries of pleasure.


    After what felt like hours, he finally pulled out of her,ing on her belly.


    Ye Jiayao felt boneless andpletely exhausted, her mouth and tongue dry, and her thoughts scattered.


    Xia Chunyu put some clothes on and climbed back to bed, cuddling against her with a sigh of satisfaction.


    She stayed still in his embrace, not wanting to identally do or say anything that will get him horny again. She really couldn¡¯t take any more of it.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± he asked, his voice husky.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him, pretending to be asleep.


    He knew that he tired her out, and more than that, today has already been a crazy day. He didn¡¯t mean to be so hard on her, but she was just so beautiful and it had been so long. He went crazy with his need for her, he couldn¡¯t stop. Even now, he didn¡¯t want to and the only thing thing that¡¯s helping him pace himself was the thought that she now belongs to him.


    Xia Chunyu smiled fondly down at her and kissed her on the forehead, covering her up with a nket.?<i>I¡¯ll let you off the hook tonight, Yaoyao.</i>


    Ye Jiayao waited for him to say something, and when he didn¡¯t, she finally rxed and fell into a deep sleep. She was conked out until the sun rose, and she only started to stir when she heard Chunyu say, ¡°Go tell Old Lord and Madame that we¡¯re still sleeping and we¡¯ll be over in an hour.¡±


    She groaned softly and rubbed her sleepy eyes. She nced at the hourss beside their bed and when she saw that it was already almost 9 in the morning, she bolted up immediately.


    <i>We¡¯rete? This is so embarrassing!</i>?She scrambled out of the bed in a hurry, her body protesting. She was sore everywhere from their proclivitiesst night.


    Xia Chunyu walked over to their sleeping quarters, already washed and dressed. He was wearing a sky blue gown with a jade-colored belt. He usually wore white gowns or his imperial bodyguard uniform, but he woke up feeling ted and refreshed so for once, he decided to dress brighter.


    Ye Jiayao took him in, delighted in how handsome he looked. She heard people gossiping about the four most eligible Young Masters of Jin Ling.?First is Su Yi, second is Xia Chunyu, followed by Helian Xuan. Some people say that Xia Chunfeng takes the fourth ce, while others say it was Little Jing.


    However, she found Su Yu to be too elegant and too perfect. His beauty seemed unreal.?Helian Xuan, on the other hand, was too soldierly, while both Chunfeng and Little Jing were too childish. Only Chunyu seemed to have just the right amount of everything ¨C confidence, manliness, and yes, even arrogance.


    She was so entranced by him she forgot that she wanted to smother him with a pillow for his over-eagernessst night.


    ¡°You¡¯re up already? Why don¡¯t you sleep a little longer?¡± Xia Chunyu told her. His eyes caught her exposed shoulder and the elegant line of her decolletage, and his gaze started to heat up.


    Ye Jiayao saw the intense look in his eyes and quickly pulled the nket up over her, wrapping herself tightly. ¡°What time did you get up?¡±


    ¡°Around 7. I didn¡¯t want to wake you up because you look so peaceful sleeping.¡±


    He got up at 7? They didn¡¯t retire until about 3 in the morning! How can he get up that early and look as if he just slept for an entire day?


    Xia Chunyu pinched her cheekughingly. ¡°Since you are already up, I¡¯ll get Yue-er toe in and help you get ready.¡±


    She batted his hand away and frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t do that, I am not a puppy.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, you¡¯re cuter than a puppy,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°<i>You</i>?are the dog. A horndog.¡±


    He smiled slyly, his gaze burning. ¡°You look refreshed. You know, it¡¯s still kind of early for the tea ceremony, we can still...¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± She quickly called, ¡°Yue-er! Yue-er!¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed at how adorably nervous she was. He leaned in closer to her and whispered, ¡°I will punish you for thatter.¡±


    He walked out of the room whistling, his hands behind his back.


    Ye Jiayao red at his retreating figure, her teeth gritted. There was no way he¡¯sing anywhere near her tonight. She¡¯s going toe up with a n to keep him away.


    Yue-er came in with two other servants and immediately started to get things ready.


    Ye Jiayao sat at the dresser and cringed at the sight of her haggard reflection. She couldn¡¯t face people like this! She picked up the makeup on the table and started to doll herself up, applying powder and drawing in her brows. She already has very fair and clear skin so the slightest make up just made her glow more radiantly.


    Meanwhile, in the main room, all the members of the Xia family have arrived.?The Old Lord and Xia You were dressed to the nines. On their left were Chunli and his wife, and on their right were Chunfeng, Chunguo, and the two concubines.


    When a servant came in and told the party that Chunyu was still in bed and that they¡¯ll be joining them in an hour, Xia You scowled.


    ¡°He¡¯s not up yet? What, are we just supposed to sit here and wait for him?¡±


    ¡°They are young people! Don¡¯t you know your son well?¡± the Old Marquis teased with augh.


    Everyoneughed with him, knowing exactly what he meant.


    Xia You gave her husband an exasperated re.?<i>Like father, like son.</i>


    ¡°If Chunyu doesn¡¯t know his propriety, shouldn¡¯t Jinxuan remind him?¡± Xia You said, displeased.


    The Old Marquis coughed dryly, not wanting to get into it with his wife. However, he was on his son¡¯s side with this. Every moment of the first night is worth a thousand gold!


    Concubine Wei seconded, ¡°That¡¯s right. If the Heir-son Lord doesn¡¯t know his propriety, it¡¯s the Second Young Mistress¡¯ job to remind him. Offering tea to the elders on the second day of the wedding is an important thing, they should take it more seriously as is dictated by the etiquettes.¡±


    ¡°Concubine, are you saying that Second Brother and Second Sister-inw don¡¯t have etiquettes?¡± Xia Chunfeng challenged. He has always disliked how Concubine Wei stirs up trouble.


    ¡°I am merely following along with what Madame says,¡±?Concubine Wei said.


    Xia You shot a cold re at Concubine Wei.?<i>That is my son and my daughter-inw, I can say whatever I want to say to them. You don¡¯t have that right.</i>


    Xia Chunli gave his mother a look, silently telling her to keep her mouth shut.


    A few moments passed and finally, a servant announced the Heir-son Lord and the Second Young Mistress¡¯ arrival.


    The pastel yellow dress and the meticulously applied makeup she had on made Ye Jiayao look youthful and beautiful.


    The coupled entered the hall together and stopped in the middle of the room, dazzling everyone with how strikingly gorgeous they look.


    Xia Chunfeng watched them with envy. They looked like they were a match made in heaven and he couldn¡¯t help but think how he and Liu Li would never look like that. He sighed sadly, his spirits down once again.


    Xia Chunyu kneeled and bowed.¡±Your son hase to greet Father and Mother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly followed suit and greeted, ¡°Your daughter-inw greets Father and Mother.¡±


    A servant brought a tray of tea in and Xia Chunyu picked up a cup while Ye Jiayao picked up another, offering one to the Old Marquis and one to Xia You.


    ording to customs, the elders were required to say a blessing or words of wisdom that they want to pass to the newlyweds.


    The Old Lord waited for a few beats for his wife to speak, but when she remained silent, he decided to do it himself.


    ¡°Chunyu, from today on, you are to take care of your wife. Dote on her every day and never make her feel aggrieved.¡±


    ¡°Your son will remember Father¡¯s teachings,¡± Xia Chunyu promised readily.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, touched by her father-inw¡¯s words.


    Xia You surreptitiously looked at her husband.?<i>That¡¯s all he has to say??</i>She cleared her throat and began, ¡°Jinxuan, you are now a mistress of the Jing An Marquis mansion, and as we are not like any ordinary family, you always have to bear your status in mind. Adhere to your role and duties, and bear offsprings for the Xia family soon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to roll her eyes so badly, but she faked a smile instead and replied, ¡°Your daughter-inw will bear Mother¡¯s teachings in mind.¡±


    Only then did Xia You take a sip of the tea, taking out a red packet and putting it on the tray.


    The newlywed then proceeded to serve teas to the rest of the family.


    They served Chunyu¡¯s older brother and wife next, and they too gave them another red packet. They moved on to Chunfeng, and though as Chunyu¡¯s younger brother, he¡¯s not obligated to give them anything, Chunfeng came prepared. His red packet was actually bigger than his mother¡¯s.


    Ye Jiayao nced at him in surprise and Chunfeng smiled mischievously at her. ¡°When I get married, you need to give me a bigger packet than this one.¡±


    Xia Chunyu grinned at him. ¡°We will.¡±


    Finally, they served tea to Chunyu¡¯s youngest brother. Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart practically melted from seeing how cute the young chap was as he looked at her with curious dark eyes.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, I did not prepare a gift. Can I make up for itter?¡± the kid asked.


    ¡°What are you going to give me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a smile.


    Concubine Gui tensed up when she heard her. Chunguo was not as rich as Chunfeng and she doesn¡¯t have any money.


    Xia You couldn¡¯t help but show her displeasure. She was asking her brother-inw for a gift? She really did not know etiquettes!


    Chunguo pondered for a while before saying, ¡°How about I give you my favorite ss bead?¡±


    He was willing to give her his ss bead? Ye Jiayao melted even more at his sweetness. ss beads in ancient times are considered rare and precious, and the fact that he¡¯s willing to give her that just attested to his kind nature.


    ¡°I don¡¯t y with ss beads, though. Do you know how to write?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. She was not going to take a child¡¯s beloved item.


    ¡°Yes! The teacher says I write very well,¡± the little fellow boasted.


    ¡°Then give me a set of words, will you? Write your prettiest words and I will frame it and hang it on the wall,¡± Ye Jiayao told him with a sincere smile.


    ¡°Are you sure you want me to write you words?¡± he asked, a little confused.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°I am sure. I like words.¡±


    Chunguo smiled at her enthusiastically. ¡°No problem! I will give you a set of words!¡± He liked his second sister-inw. She was nice and friendly, not like his big sister-inw who called his writing ugly.


    Xia Chunyu beamed at his wife proudly.?<i>Yaoyao really has a way with kids!</i>

 Chapter 164 - Show Us What You Can Do

    <h4>Chapter 164: Show Us What You Can Do</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    After all the Old Master¡¯s son has been served, the ceremony ended. The newlywed didn¡¯t serve the concubines because their low status didn¡¯t give them such courtesy.


    Xia You looked at Ye Jiayao and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that some families?have a rule?for the new wife to cook for everyone on her first day in the house. It wasn¡¯t popr in my family, but since Jinxuan¡¯s a good cook, why don¡¯t we try it out.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. Was his mother trying to teach Yaoyao a lesson? He has never heard of this tradition before!


    ¡°It¡¯s the first day of Jinxuan¡¯s marriage, you can¡¯t make her work. She can cook you something delicious next time,¡± the Old Marquis rebutted.


    The first young mistress Xia Qiao stifled her smile. When she cooked for the family, Xia You mocked her dishes endlessly.


    ¡°If Mother wants to eat my food, I¡¯d be happy to cook for her,¡± Ye Jiayao said graciously. She wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew that Xia You¡¯s words weren¡¯t praises though it may sound like it. She was trying to embarrass and demean her, but Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t care. For her, this was an opportunity to win Xia You over.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡± Xia Chunyu called softly, looking at her anxiously. He knew she wasn¡¯t feeling that great today because of how wild he wasst night. She wasn¡¯t in the right shape to do anything today. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I was so rough with youst night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle with you,¡± said Xia Chunyu. He wanted to help her and lighten her load as much as possible.


    ¡°Chunyu, you stay. I have something I need to discuss with you,¡± Xia You told him.


    Ye Jiayao saw the worry in his eyes so she gave him a reassuring smile. ¡°You know cooking isn¡¯t a chore for me. Just stay here.¡±


    As soon as she left, the Old Lord sent everyone away. When they were all gone, he turned to his wife and demanded, ¡°What are you doing? Are you trying to embarrass Jinxuan?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a meal,¡± Xia You responded. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? Didn¡¯t she used to cook for people every day?¡±


    ¡°That was before! Don¡¯t forget, she¡¯s your daughter-inw now,¡± said the Old Lord crossly.


    Xia You was unapologetic. ¡°Just because she¡¯s my daughter-inw, doesn¡¯t mean she shouldn¡¯t cook food for me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what we meant, Mother. You just need to ease up on her,¡± Chunyu said. His mother was being difficult and he doesn¡¯t understand why since Yaoyao¡¯s a great person. Why does she keep trying to antagonize his wife?


    ¡°Silly child. I¡¯m doing this for you! Women want to be spoiled, but you shouldn¡¯t pamper them all the time! If you keep catering to her, she¡¯ll take advantage of you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being too traditional,¡± the Old Marquis told her.


    The Old Lord shook his head in anger and stood up to leave. ¡°I can¡¯t be bothered to argue with you, you¡¯re too tiring.¡±


    ¡°Go talk to your other two little bitches, then,¡± Xia You yelled at his back.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t let others hear that!¡± Xia Chunyu chastised. He was really beginning to be weirded out by his mother¡¯s behavior these past few days.


    Xia You said angrily, ¡°Let them hear. Everyone knows about it, there¡¯s no need to hide¡±


    Xia You chose not to say anything.?<i>She¡¯s a nice person, eh? I¡¯ll be the judge of that.</i>


    Xia Qiao let out augh as soon as they left the hall. ¡°It seems like Mother doesn¡¯t like Jinxuan. It¡¯s her first day here and Mother¡¯s already treating her badly. I can¡¯t wait to see what happens next!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about being thedy of the house. I am just happy to see all that awkwardness. Besides, if Second Brother didn¡¯t get the Helian family to back her up, she¡¯ll just be a chef. What can she do?¡±


    Xia Qiao¡¯s face turned red in anger. ¡°What kind of man counts on a woman to make money? Just you, youzy oaf. You¡¯re the oldest son of the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence and yet, you don¡¯t have anything. You have no achievement at all. How dare you call me out?¡±


    Xia Chunli saw the anger in her face and immediately backtracked. ¡°I was only joking! Don¡¯t be offended.¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt unsettled as he headed to the kitchen. There, she saw Yaoyao with an apron, her sleeves rolled up, as she busied herself with cooking. Meanwhile, the house¡¯s regr female cooks were all gathered just watching her.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at his ridiculousness. ¡°Oh, stop. Don¡¯t scold them. I told them that I will do everything today to show Mother my sincerity.¡±


    He rushed the female cooks out before asking her worriedly, ¡°Are you sure you can handle it?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯ve done so many tables of dishes in Heavenly Residence before and I didn¡¯t see you worrying about me then.¡±


    He lowered his head, feeling embarrassed. ¡°I did worry.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Stop interrupting my work.¡± Ye Jiayao pushed him away, grabbed the soy sauce, and poured it over the beef she just cut. She then put a bit of alcohol, sugar, salt, and a spoon of cornstarch to mix with it.


    ¡°Are you angry?¡± Xia Chunyu asked as he walked around her.


    ¡°What should I be angry about?¡± she asked calmly. ¡°Your mother just doesn¡¯t like that you and your father kept protecting me. She feels that the son she raised is being taken by someone else. It doesn¡¯t help that her husband was not on the same page as her. I can understand where she¡¯sing from. Plus, I am not exactly the daughter-inw that she expected nor wanted. Not to mention, Princess Liu Li would be joining the family next month and she cannot exactly set rules for a princess. I am the only person she can take her emotions out on. Stop worrying, it¡¯s not a big deal. I¡¯m here to help in any way that I can.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was once again amazed at how gracious and understanding his wife is. ¡°Yaoyao, you are incredible. Your understanding and patience are really remarkable.¡±


    ¡°I just know how the woman¡¯s mind works.¡± She then said, ¡°Ay, call someone back here. I?need someone to start the fire.¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡± he obliged happily.


    <strong><i>Dinner time.</i></strong>


    To impress as much of the family as she can, Ye Jiayao asked the cooks about their preferences on food. She learned that the Old Lord spent most of his time up in the north and loved to eat northern dishes.?Unfortunately, when the cooks tried to recreate some of it, he didn¡¯t like it. So for him, Ye Jiayao made a?typical northern pot of pork, pork stew noodle, and a pot of mushroom soup.


    The Madame was from Hangzhou, and Hangzhou cuisine also belonged to Huaiyang cuisine. For her, Ye Jiayao made sweet and sour pork ribs, westke sour fish, and fragrant fish with eggnt.


    She already knew what Chunyu and Chunfeng liked so she was able to whip that up without any help.?She also prepared a sweet silky apple for the little one.


    The Old Lord looked at the spread of exquisite dishes in front of him and licked his lips, his mood instantly lifted.


    ¡°Jinxuan, you did a great job! You even prepared northern food!¡± the Old Marquis eximed with a pleasedugh.


    ¡°Thank you for thepliments, Father. Have you tried it? Are they authentic?¡±?Ye Jiayao chose to serve the Old Lord because Xia Qiao was already standing next to the Xia You and has already started to serve her.


    He tasted a piece and gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°They are! You are even better than the northern chefs, Jinxuan!¡±


    ¡°Father, don¡¯t praise her so much or she will make you meat wrap every day,¡± Xia Chunyu teased.


    ¡°Pshh!¡± Ye Jiayao waved his words away dismissively. ¡°I have more dishes up my sleeves.¡±


    ¡°What is this? Why is it so silky?¡± Little Chunguo asked, eyeing the apple in confusion.


    Ye Jiayao rushed to help him. ¡°I made this especially for you. It¡¯s called silky apple and the longer the silk is drawn, the smarter you are.¡±


    Chunguo¡¯s eyes widened with amazement and he did his best to pull the apple up.?Chunfeng saw his younger brother¡¯s struggle and decided to try it too to tease him.


    ¡°Second Sister made this for me, you can¡¯t have it,¡± Chunguoined.


    ¡°You can¡¯t finish this all by yourself! Share some with me!¡± Chunfeng said.


    Xia You scolded, ¡°You¡¯re eating. Behave.¡±


    ¡°Let them be,¡± the Old Marquis said. ¡°They¡¯re having fun and we haven¡¯t been this happy in a long time.¡±


    ¡°Mother, I made?westke sour fish, sweet and sour ribs, and this fish-vored pork especially for you,¡± Ye Jiayao told Xia You.


    Xia Qiao went to get the sweet and sour pork ribs but Xia You¡¯s cold voice stopped her. ¡°I don¡¯t like to eat meat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bit her lip to refrain from saying something.?<i>The cooks literally just said that meat was your favorite!</i>


    Xia Chunyu personally took a piece of fish to his mother and said, ¡°Here, Mother. I know westke sour fish is your favorite.¡±


    Xia You could not refuse what her son got for her so shezily picked the chopsticks up and tasted it. She did her best to hide her surprise at how delicious it was. She hasn¡¯t had authentic westke sour fish in so many years! She really wanted to eat more, but she couldn¡¯t let everyone see that.


    She reluctantly put her chopsticks down and said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s not bad.¡±

 Chapter 165 - Never Again

    <h4>Chapter 165: Never Again</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Everyone, except Xia You, ate the spread with relish.


    At dinner, Xia Chunyu treated the workers of the Heavenly Residence, Uncle Jiang¡¯s family, Shopkeeper Du¡¯s family,?Lu Xiaotian, Duan Qilin, Lin Changchun, and other members of the catering industry.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s former coworkers even bought a gift for her.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, this is the gift that the brothers have put together. We apologize that it¡¯s nothing valuable or precious, Second Young Mistress,¡± Deng Haichuan said, a box in his outstretched hands.


    She took the box from him and was surprised by how heavy it was. She opened the box and saw a knife iid with gold with the handle engraved with an exquisite decorative pattern.


    Ye Jiayao picked it up and tested it out. The weight was just the right bnce for her.


    ¡°This is great! Thank you, brothers,¡± Ye Jiayao said happily.


    Everyone smiled in relief after hearing her eptance.


    ¡°Hey, hey, what did I say? I told you Brother Yao¡¯s gonna like it!¡± boasted Cui Dongpeng.


    Deng Haichuan smacked him on the back of his head. ¡°It¡¯s Second Young Mistress, you idiot!¡±


    The crowdughed at their antics.


    Lu Xiaotian observed the scene in front of him with envy. It was no wonder that the Heavenly Residence has been so sessful. They treat each other well and they were all like family. In a supportive and fun workce like this, it was really hard not to thrive.


    ¡°It looks like the cookingpetition is going to lose a strongpetitor. ¡± Lin Changchun shook his head and said with regret, ¡°I was looking forward to seeing her performance.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need a cooking contest to prove herself,¡± said Duan Qilin.


    ¡°Female chefs are better than men! First, Lady Rong, and now it¡¯s Lady Ye Jinxuan!¡± Shopkeeper Li bragged.


    When the Heir-son Lord bought the restaurant for Li Yao, Shopkeeper Li felt spiteful that his treasure pot was taken away from him. However, being a part of this wedding celebration, all he could feel was happiness for the couple. Besides, he now realized that the Heir-son Lord did him a favor by taking Heavenly Residence off his hands. He was already too old and he should just be enjoying his leisure time now.


    ¡°You only recruited him as a chef because you thought he was a man!¡± Lin Changchun jested.


    Shopkeeper Li grinned and raised his ss. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter now. It¡¯s a happy day today. Besides, it¡¯s you who needs to work harder. You¡¯re being beaten by a woman.¡±


    Duan Qilin shook his head. ¡°With so many people in Jin Ling, business is never done.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Duan¡¯s right. Harmony brings wealth,¡±?Lu Xiaotian said. He used to think that Li Yao was admirable, but now that he knew he¡¯s actually a woman, his respect for her rose to an ultimate high. She was indeed incredible.


    YeJiayao and Xia Chunyu came to propose a toast.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat well and drink our fill!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed.


    ¡°The food in Heavenly Residence is really delicious. Second Young Mistress, what¡¯s your secret recipe?¡± Lin Changchun asked, only half-joking.


    <i>It¡¯s chicken essence.</i>?However, since it is a?<i>secret</i>?recipe, Ye Jiayao answered cheekily, ¡°Love. Cooking is not just a task to aplish. Do every dish with care and thought, and even the simplest ingredients will taste spectacr.¡±


    ¡°Can you really do that?¡± Lu Xiaotian asked suspiciously.


    Ye Jiayao shrugged. ¡°Hey, you asked for my secret recipe.


    Lu Xiaotian and Duan Qilin looked at each other thoughtfully. Professional chefs do so much cooking that over time, technicality takes over everything. Cooking bes a mere process that follows a schedule. Of course, it still yields delicious dishes, but it doesn¡¯t touch the heart of the tasters. Putting your heart into every dish was always too much work and the fact that she does it in every meal that she prepares was admirable.


    ¡°Thank you for the lesson,¡± Lu Xiaotian said, bowing gratefully.


    ¡°I will ask you for some advice on vegetarian foods another day. I am interested in branching out in that area,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Lu Xiaotian was more than happy to help her. ¡°Anytime.¡±


    ¡°In the future, the Heavenly Residence will be managed by the Second Young Mistress. You guys can help each other more, then,¡± Xia Chunyu offered.


    Lin Changchun smiled excitedly. ¡°We¡¯d definitely like that!¡±


    Just then, the waiter came in to serve the dishes, announcing the names ordingly.


    ¡°The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. This was a dish created by the Second Young Mistress for the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Fresh and fragrant. I taste at least?ten kinds of spices and seasoning here, blending perfectly,¡± said Duan Qilin.


    Lu Xiaotian has already tasted the dish at home. His father made it the same way the Second Young Mistress taught him to. However, his father always said that something was missing from his version and now that he¡¯s tasted the original one, he realized that what his father said was true. It was the same dish but there was something significantly different and more delicious with the Second Young Mistress¡¯ food.


    He then realized that what Ye Jinxuan said was right. The ingredient they¡¯ve been missing were their hearts.


    Xia Chunyu was afraid that Yaoyao would get tired so they left the banquet earlier than the rest and tasked Manager Zhao to take care of the guests.


    Ye Jiayao fell asleep on the ride home, leaning against Xia Chunyu. She was exhausted. She was run raggedst night and all of today.


    When they arrived, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t bother waking her up and instead carried her back to their courtyard. He even undressed her and gave her a sponge bath himself. When they were both clean, heid her down on the bed and snuggled against her, sinking into a peaceful dream.


    However, when Xia You heard of this, she immediately went into a tirade. ¡°How spoiled is that woman? She can¡¯t even walk on her own? What, is she just unting her husband¡¯s love for her?¡±


    ¡°Madame, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a big deal. You should be happy for the couple,¡± said Mother Sun who was very close to Xia You.


    ¡°Chunyu is just too fond of her and would do everything just to make her happy. Take tonight, for example. They went to dine at Heavenly Residence and invited a bunch of civilians to drink with them!?That¡¯s very inappropriate. And she¡¯s ady! Why would she drink with a bunch of men?¡± Xia You ranted, aggrieved. ¡°I don¡¯t care that they were her friends before. She is now the Second Young Lady of the mansion and its future mistress. She needs to act ordingly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much, Madame. In my opinion, the Second Young Lady is a kind, smart, and capable woman. You should consider how she won the Emperor, the Old Ancestress, and the Princess while she was still amoner. I know that when the timees, she¡¯ll surely be a qualified hostess and a good wife to the Heir-son Lord,¡± Mother Sun advised.


    Xia You sighed. She was too tired for this. ¡°Where is the Old Lord staying tonight?¡±


    ¡°At Concubine Gui¡¯s, Madame.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Xia You put theb down in a huff and went to bed. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep because of all the worries she currently has. Her husband never agrees with her, Chunyu married an unsuitable woman, and Chunfeng is about to get married to Princess Liu Li. This was too much headache for one person!


    When Ye Jiayao woke up, she found herself lying in Chunyu¡¯s arms. How did she get backst night? All she could remember was feeling sleepy in the carriage ride home.


    Did he carry her to bed?


    Ye Jiayao carefully raised her head and peered at her husband. The first rays of sunlight spread across the edge of the window, painting a faint gold sheen on his sleeping face. It softened his edges and made him more beautiful. Despite everything, Ye Jiayao thought that waking up to a handsome man like this every day was a definite perk.


    ¡°Have you seen enough? Are you satisfied?¡± he asked, his eyes still closed yet with a cocky smirk on his lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking at the gunk in the corners of your eyes, wondering if I should get it for you.¡± There was no way she¡¯s gonna admit that she had been ogling him.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes flew open as he fixed her with a piercing re.


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me? Look in the mirror,¡± Ye Jiayao goaded.


    ¡°I think?you¡¯ve rested enough,¡± he said roughly, moving to get on top of her.


    ¡°Hey! Get off me! Stop that now!¡±


    ¡°No. This is your punishment. Let¡¯s see if you dare to tease me again.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t teasing you!¡±


    A momentter a very angry plea for mercy rang out, ¡°No! Never again!¡±

 Chapter 166 - Mother-In-Law Is The Leader

    <h4>Chapter 166: Mother-In-Law Is The Leader</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was only trying to scare her.?They have to greet his parents soon and they also have to send her rtives off. He?wouldn¡¯t dare to hold up proper business, so after wrestling with her for a while, he finally let her up.


    They got ready and went to greet his parents. As usual, Xia You¡¯s face was stern and cold and Ye Jiayao realized that she should actually create a serious n to win her over. It¡¯s quite embarrassing that she favors the concubine¡¯s daughter-inw than her!


    She wasn¡¯t expecting Xia You to treat her as equal, she just wanted her to treat her better than this. Ye Jiayao knew that only a few mothers-inw treat their daughters-inw like their daughters and she was okay with that. She¡¯s okay with treating Xia You as her superior as long as she stopped deliberately trying to snob her and make her life difficult.


    So when Xia You lectured her about watching her status, she epted it with a humble heart. She also realized her mistakest night ¨C drinking and dining with moners¡¯.


    ¡°Your daughter-inw knows her mistake, Mother. I will take note of it next time,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu opened his mouth to stand up for Yaoyao, but he backed down when she threw him a warning nce.


    ¡°I am not picking on you. I¡¯m just trying to prepare you. You will be the future mistress of the house, and to breed harmony and prosperity, the wife must be virtuous and the husband obedient.


    ¡°I know that you¡¯re only doing everything you¡¯re doing for my sake. I understand. I¡¯ve never had a mother growing up and the only thing my stepmother did was belittle and criticize me. Now that I have you, I can finally get the teachings and advice of an actual mother who cares about me, and I am extremely grateful for that. I will always follow your guidance and I will work hard to not disappoint you,¡± Ye Jiayao vowed, her voice filled with the utmost sincerity.


    She hated how Xia You goes against her at every turn, but she also understood where she wasing from. She wasn¡¯t the daughter-inw she wanted, and she wasn¡¯t used to a woman of her caliber. However, since the only other options were a daughter-inw of a concubine and Princess Liu Li, she knew that Xia You¡¯s only logical sessor would be her.?This was currently a period of change and adaptation for the Madame, so Ye Jiayao knew that she has to be patient.


    Xia You watched her sincere face and fell silent. Did she mean what she said? If that was the case, then it seemed that she really had been unnecessarily harsh on Ye Jinxuan.


    Xia Chunyu, who had been silent throughout the conversation, saw his mother¡¯s face rx, and cautiously said, ¡°Mother, Jinxuan¡¯s rtives are leaving today and I wish to bring her to see them off.¡±


    Xia You understood the situation with the Fang family. They¡¯re considered to be a big n in Zhen Jiang, running the biggest vinegar workshop in the region. Moreover, that family has produced many talents. She replied, ¡°It is only right to see them off. Mother Sun, prepare a generous gift for them to bring back to Old Grandmother Fang.¡±


    After they loaded all the gifts that Xia You and Xia Chunyu prepared, they proceeded to the harbor.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s aunt has put in a great effort to help her and she was extremely grateful for that. She also felt exceptionally close to her, so the thought that they wouldn¡¯t see each other again anytime soon made Ye Jiayao a bit emotional.


    ¡°Xuan-er, the Heir-son Lord adores you, you have to cherish your rtionship. The Marquis¡¯ mansion is unlike any other ce so you have to watch yourself. Feel free to write to me about anything, okay? If you need anything from me, just ask,¡± Wen Fang said.


    Ye Jiayao nodded obediently. ¡°I will. Please say hello to Grandfather and Grandmother for me. I will return to Zhen Jiang to see them when I have the time. Auntie, take care of yourself.¡±


    Everyone bid a reluctant farewell.


    Ye Jiayao was silent on the carriage ride back home, her spirits down.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t say anything to her, but he has actually started nning a trip to Zhen Jiang to visit her grandparents. He also wanted to see if they could expand the Fang¡¯s family business to Jin Ling so Yaoyao could see her rtives more often.


    ¡°Chunyu, on the day of the wedding, did my fathere?¡± Ye Jiayao asked all of a sudden.


    ¡°He did. He sent some gifts, drank a cup of wine and left,¡± Xia Chunyu told her honestly.


    She snorted. ¡°And to think that he actually offered to add to my dowry. I knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to fork that out. All his wealth and finances are controlled by Ning.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which, you still have to settle your 46-set dowry,¡± he reminded her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t they all belong to the warehouse?¡± Ye Jiayao was a little surprised. Half of those sets were from the Marquis¡¯ mansion and she thought that it was all just for show and had to be returned after the wedding. She had already ced all the most valuable items from the Old Ancestress, Elder Princess Yu De, and the Fang family in a huge trunk in their room.


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ¡°We never had the practice of taking someone else¡¯s dowry. My sister-inw kept all of hers, you should also do a check and sort yours out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was exhrated. The dowry that everyone has given her was more than generous!


    Back in the Marquis¡¯ mansion, the gatekeeper informed them about the arrival of Xia Chunyu¡¯s cousin who was currently in the main hall with the Old Marquis and Madame. The Madame gave them an order to stop by once they return.


    Xia Chunyu exined, ¡°It is my Third Uncle¡¯s son, Xia Chunwen. He probably rushed over from Jing Zhou to attend our wedding.¡±


    <i>He what??</i>¡°Our wedding¡¯s over! What is he doing here?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps there was some dy on the way,¡± he guessed.


    At the main hall, they could hear the Old Marquis¡¯ deepughter. ¡°It is good to see you again! You guys have been living in that remote ce for years. It is time to return...¡±


    Ye Jiayao entered the room and saw a feeble schr, white and clean.


    ¡°Greetings to Second Brother and Second Sister-inw,¡± Xia Chunwen greeted as he bowed.


    Ye Jiayao bent her knees?to return his greeting.


    ¡°Brother Chunwen, you don¡¯t look very well,¡± Xia Chunyu remarked.


    Xia Chunwenughed bitterly. ¡°I caught a cold on the way over, that¡¯s why I was dyed. It is a pity I did not make it to your wedding.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chunwen, you should learn some martial arts so you don¡¯t keep falling sick,¡± Chunfeng suggested.


    ¡°Alright, leave him alone now,¡± the Old Marquis told his sons. ¡°Chunyu, your uncle wants to return to Jin Ling. Since you?are familiar with the Ministry of Appointments, drop by and see if there are any suitable positions for him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded obediently. He was afraid that Yaoyao would grow bored hanging out here so he said to her, ¡°Go and settle all the things that you need to do. I¡¯ll be backter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was more than happy toply. She curtsied and left, excited to make an inventory of her assets.


    Song Qi had some peoplee in to move and arrange some things while Second Young Mistress reviews her list.


    First, she cleared out all the furniture given to her, things like?chamber pots and basins, since they already have them. She put them all in her storeroom.


    Next, she tackled the quilts, mosquitos, and cloths. They were all made of superior materials but the color was too festive and she doesn¡¯t care much for them. She had someone pack the mosquitos and the cloths, fully intending to give them away sometime soon.


    Following that, she had all the various extremely valuable antiques and china cleared. She picked out a pair of flower vases for Yue-er to bring to the room so that she can do some flower arrangements. She picked out another pair of vases to put on the shelf in the study as decoration. There were also the Four Treasures of Study given to her by the Helian family, which has two extremely rare inkstones. She nned to give one to Chunyu, and one to the Fourth Young Master since she knew he liked to write.


    After two long hours, she has finally sorted out all of her trousseaus.


    The dowries she received from the three families were all filled with good stuff which YeJiayao estimated to total to about roughly a few hundred taels. Of course, the value of those antiques might have been underestimated since she¡¯s not aware of the actual market price. She just estimated the price based on the amount quoted by Song Qi.


    Ye Jiayao was on cloud nine. She felt like she could do this the entire day and never get tired at all.


    Xia Chunyu only returned home when it is almost time for lunch.


    ¡°Are you all done?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Yes. I am a very efficient worker,¡± Ye Jiayao boasted.


    ¡°Well then we should make use of all the time we have before lunch,¡± Xia Chunyu saidsciviously.


    At the sight of his naughty smile, she paused.?<i>No, no, no!</i>


    Xia Chunyu closed the door.


    ¡°Why do we have to close the door in the daytime?¡± she stuttered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know that you can¡¯t expose your wealth to everyone?¡± he rolled his eyes at her. Why was she blushing so much at the mere act of closing the door?


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened and she excitedly asked, ¡°What wealth?¡±


    Xia Chunyu takes a small box out from the study and handed it to her. ¡°Here are thend deeds for 30 plots ofnd and a house deed for a farm. From now on, you will be taking care of it. Also, I found another job for Manager Zhao so you are going to be running Heavenly Residence from now on.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was dumbstruck. Was he serious? Doesn¡¯t he realize just how much work this will take?


    ¡°Are these all your private property?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Then who have been doing all these jobs previously?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Are you referring to the fields and farm? It has been under Manager Lu. I wasn¡¯t always on top of it since I am so busy, but I have noticed that the harvests and all haven¡¯t been good. I suspect?there to be a problem, so I will hand it over to you from now on,¡± Xia Chunyu ryed. He was actually more concerned about his shipping business since it yields bigger profits and was also a?joint venture with Helian Xuan. Helian Xuan was busier than he is, so he has been doing most of the managing.


    ¡°You will have to run the entire Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion in the future, so you can treat these as practice.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cry. She was back to being an employee!

 Chapter 167 - The Best Relative Has Arrived

    <h4>Chapter 167: The Best Rtive Has Arrived</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_ <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Ye Jiayao was alright with managing Heavenly Residence as half of the profit goes to her. If the restaurant earns more, she would earn more. The farm, however, was another thing.


    She pouted and said, ¡°What do you mean I need to run the entire Jing An Marquis mansion in the future? Don¡¯t forget, my contract is due in two years and seven months.¡±


    Xia Chunyu simply smiled at her. ¡°Don¡¯t belittle the profits from the farm. If you manage to turn it around, it will give you afortable amount of earnings too. How about I give you 20% of the farm¡¯s profit as a reward for your work?¡±


    ¡°20%? Chunyu, that¡¯s too stingy. You¡¯re essentially asking me to clear up your mess. Do you have any idea how much energy and brain capacity that would take? I¡¯ll take 40%,¡± she bargained.


    <i>I knew you¡¯d like that, you money-grubber.</i>?He gave it a thought and finally offered, ¡°30%. I can¡¯t give you more than that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know how much that would be, but it seemed like it was Chunyu¡¯sst offer so she reluctantly agreed. ¡°Deal. I wille up with a contract in the afternoon. It will only be valid after we sign and press our thumbprints.¡± She wasn¡¯t going to let him write the contract again, who knows what trap he might set for her this time.?<i>Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...</i>


    ¡°Sure, but you will have to wait until tonight. I have to apany Chunwen to take a look at his house this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t they already have a house here?¡±


    ¡°They do. It is just on the west side of the Marquis¡¯s mansion. However, Third Uncle¡¯s house has been vacant for several years and it would need some renovation.¡±


    ¡°Question,¡± she interjected. ¡°Who¡¯s between your father and your uncle?¡±


    ¡°That would be my Second Aunt. She got married and moved to Shan Xi. We didn¡¯t even have the time to inform her about our marriage, just like with Third Uncle. Our wedding invitation probably hasn¡¯t evennded in their hands. Brother Chunen only got here this early because of a trip that he had already nned before. I?think they would be able to make it in time for Chunfeng¡¯s wedding, though,¡± Xia Chunyu exined.


    The mention of Chunfeng got Ye Jiayao worried again. Although he looks as if nothing had happened, she doesn¡¯t believe that Chunfeng has thought things through. The worst part was she couldn¡¯t think of a way to help Chunfeng.


    At dinner, Ye Jiayao noticed that Xia You was absent. A servant informed them that the Madame was not feeling well. She also noticed that although the Old Marquis was courteous and gracious towards Chunwen, it was obvious that something in the atmosphere has changed.


    The men proceed to the study for tea after the meal while Ye Jiayao and her sister-inw, Qiao, went to pay Xia You a visit.


    ¡°Sister-inw, do you know why Mother is not feeling well?¡± Qiao started.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head.


    ¡°It is from anger,¡± Qiao answered.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised.?<i>What happened?</i>


    ¡°You know that Third Uncle ising back, right?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded.


    ¡°Since their house has been abandoned for so long, it would need renovation. However, they are being extremely picky. They were demanding that all of the furniture be changed into something new with the materials being either sandalwood or rosewood.?They also wanted the garden to be rearranged, and they wanted to have a pond put in so that the geomancy would be good. All of these would cost about 80 thousand taels!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s their money, they can spend it however they like. At most, we can help them out withbor and manpower,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°That¡¯s where the problem lies,¡± Qiao said. ¡°Brother Wen says he only brought a few thousand taels worth of banknotes back with him. He said he didn¡¯t think that the house would be this old and that we have to help them fork out the money for the time being.¡±


    <i>We need to what?</i>?Ye Jiayao btedly responded, ¡°Fork out the money for the time being? Will they pay it back?¡±


    Qiao sneered. ¡°That would be hard to say for certain. I am not sure about the issues of Third Uncle¡¯s family but I heard from Chunli that Third Auntie¡¯s extremely stingy and has already taken advantage of us in the past. In my guess, once we gave them that money, we¡¯ll never see it again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was aghast.


    When they arrived in Xia You¡¯s room, they found her lying on the Rohan couch, looking dispirited and sickly.


    A servant carried an embroidered seat over for Qiao and Ye Jiayao to sit on while they chat with Xia You.


    ¡°Mother, even if you don¡¯t feel like it, you still have to eat a little,¡± Qiao persuaded.


    Xia You repliedzily, ¡°I have no appetite. I¡¯ll wait till I¡¯m hungry. Where is the rest of them?¡±


    ¡°They are chatting in the study.¡±


    ¡°Aye! All this worrying is exhausting. First, it was Chunyu¡¯s wedding and now Chunfeng¡¯s wedding. He¡¯s getting married to Princess Liu Li so of course, the Empress Dowager would want to get involved. We have to give them all they want so that means buying and providing everything expensive,¡± Xia You ranted gloomily.


    ¡°Yeah, Brother Wen¡¯s request came at a really bad time,¡± Qiao added.


    Xia You sneered. ¡°He knew that they would need to renovate the house and yet they only brought a few thousand taels? It¡¯s obvious that they have nned for this.¡±


    ¡°How about¡­ we get them to write an IOU?¡± Qiao suggested.


    Xia You replied, ¡°It¡¯s useless. The Marquis will not allow it, saying that they are brothers from the same mother and that the connection between brothers is strong. He didn¡¯t even think about how they have taken advantage of us in the past.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re just going to let it slide?¡± Qiao asked sadly. Although the?money might not end up in her pocket, she didn¡¯t want others to benefit from it either.


    Xia You just sighed. ¡°Forget about all we¡¯ve talked about here and never mention it in front of the Marquis.¡±


    Once they left Xia You¡¯s room, Qiao returned in a hurry to look after her child while Ye Jiaya headed to the kitchen to make some food for Xia You.


    Thinking about all this matter makes Xia You¡¯s heart heavy.


    ¡°Knowing that Xin ising back makes it hard to breathe properly,¡± Xia Youined as she stroked her chest.


    ¡°Madame, you have to get over it. Don¡¯t stay angry with the Old Marquis over such small matters,¡± Mother Sun advised.


    She ranted angrily, ¡°This is not a small matter. I have such a huge household to support. Do you think I don¡¯t have to spend money? I already have had to tighten my belt and now? It¡¯s just so like Xin to pull such a stunt on me. Does she think that my money falls from the sky?


    ¡°When we renovated the ancestral hallst year, their family did not even give a single cent. I did everything! I arranged the money and thebor and yet she still had the gall to criticize me for not making it imposing enough. If she has so many opinions, why didn¡¯t she just take charge of it?


    ¡°They have taken so much money from us all these years! The most infuriating part is that the Marquis is blind to their atrocities just because they keep writing letters to him!¡±


    A servant outside suddenly called out, ¡°Second Young Mistress is here.¡±


    Xia You frowned.?<i>Why is she here again?</i>


    Granny Sun went out to greet her.


    Ye Jiayao entered the room, carrying a te. ¡°Mother, I made you some food. I will leave it here for whenever you?feel like eating. Sleeping on an empty stomach is bad for you.


    ¡°Thank you for being thoughtful, Second Young Mistress,¡± Granny Sun said as she took the te from her.


    Xia You stayed silent and impassive.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a while before saying, ¡°About the matter with the Third Uncle¡¯s family, I think that since Father has already agreed to it, it will be difficult for Mother to refuse. It would be better for you to ept it and undertake the whole task.?I have calcted and the painting would not cost much, a few thousand taels would be sufficient. Making the furniture and digging the pond is the most expensive part. However, there is no need to change the furniture. I asked Chunyu and he said that?the materials are all top grade. I was thinking that we could get?a brilliant carpenter to slightly modify it and coat it to make it look good as new.¡±


    Xia You subconsciously straightened up as she listened to her ideas.


    ¡°For the pond, you just have to say that the pond would affect the geomancy. We can invite a geomancy master over and have him talk to Brother Chunwen. As for what the geomancy master would say, it all depends on the employer. We can have him make it sound so bad that Brother Chunwen himself would not want the pond anymore. With this n, I reckon 20 thousand taels would be enough.¡±


    Xia You¡¯s spirits suddenly lifted. She was right! With Jinxuan¡¯s n, they can save around 60 thousand taels!


    Granny Sun was ted as she eximed, ¡°Second Young Mistress¡¯ n is brilliant.¡±


    Although Xia You was impressed, she didn¡¯t let it show. ¡°We¡¯ll see. It¡¯s gettingte, you should get going.¡±


    Ye Jiayao curtsied and left the room. She wanted tough. Xia You could act all she wanted but she knew that she was impressed by her n. She just didn¡¯t want to show it in front of her.?<i>You do you, Xia You. Whatever helps you sleep at night.</i>


    After Ye Jinxuan left, Granny Sun turned to Xia You and said with a smile, ¡°Madame, the Heir-son Lord¡¯s wife has good foresight. She didn¡¯t say a word when she came in here with First Young Mistress because she was alreadying up with a n in her mind! She¡¯s astute.¡±


    Xia You rolled her eyes but was unable to hide the smile in the corner of her lips. ¡°Of course she¡¯s good at this, she has done business before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just that. First Young Mistress¡¯ concerns are only on the surface, but with Second Young Mistress, she cooked you food to make you feel better and she devised a n to help you. I remember her words this morning... what a pitiful child,¡± Granny Sunmented.


    Xia You was quiet. She has to admit that Ye Jinxuan¡¯s idea was fabulous. Since she could not stop this from happening, the best she could do is minimize the loss.


    ¡°Madame, why don¡¯t you hand this matter over to the Second Young Mistress?¡± Granny Sun suggested.


    Xia You raised a hand to stop her. ¡°No. I admit, her idea was smart. However, she can¡¯t take over this just yet. She needs to familiarize with things first and I still need to observe her more before I can give her projects like this.¡±


    Having Jinxuan handle things immediately after her marriage was not a good thing. Besides, this was rted to Xin, and Xia You needed to deal with that shrew by herself.


    ¡°Very well, then, you should eat something first. Second Young Mistress made your favorite pork strips with yuxiang, yam and ribs soup¡­¡±


    Now that Xia You has a load off her mind, she realized that she does feel a little hungry.


    ¡°Bring it over!¡±


    When Ye Jiayao returned to her courtyard, she found Xia Chunyu waiting for her.


    ¡°Where did you go? You didn¡¯t bring a servant with you, I thought you got lost,¡± Xia Chunyu began.


    Ye Jiayao snorted. ¡°Rx, I am not stupid.?I went to the kitchen to make Mother some food. Her heart was stifled. However, I reckon she should be fine now and she can finally eat.¡±

 Chapter 168 - May You Have a Lovely Baby

    <h4>Chapter 168: May You Have a Lovely Baby</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was surprised that Yaoyao cooked for his mom.


    ¡°Well, I was looking for you. We¡¯ll be holding Chunfeng¡¯s wedding soon, and Father made a promise to Third Uncle to help him with the renovation so we¡¯re strapped for cash. I was thinking that we could lend some money to them.¡±


    YeJiayao was surprised that he was actually asking for her opinion, it¡¯s his money at the end of the day, after all.


    ¡°Sure. However, the money shouldn¡¯t be for the renovation. It should only for Chunfeng¡¯s wedding.¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s the same thing.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. The truth is your Third Uncle and his?family is very stingy. Whoes here intending to renovate a house and only brings little money? It was obvious that they wanted your father to give them the rest of the money.¡±


    ¡°Our father,¡± he corrected.


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Alright, our father. I know that Father cherishes his rtionship with his brother and he¡¯s more than generous when ites to him. I guess that Third Uncle knows about Father¡¯s soft spot for him so he¡¯s trying to take advantage of it.¡±


    Although Xia Chunyu was unhappy with her words, he knew that she was right. Third Uncle and Third Auntie have been taking advantage of them since before, that¡¯s why his mother never really liked Third Auntie.


    ¡°As you wish. The money is for Chunfeng¡¯s wedding.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat down and asked, ¡°So how much are you going to give them?¡±


    ¡°How much do you suggest?¡± asked Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Why are you asking me?¡±


    ¡°Fine. I think eighty thousand will do. Tomorrow, I will ask Manager Zhao to deliver the bank ticket. Please give it to Mother.¡±


    She nodded in agreement.


    After she was done taking a bath, Ye Jiayao?sat on her couch and looked at the roster she asked Song Qi to procure for her. She needed to know about the people in the mansion.


    The Jing An Marquis mansion¡¯s kind of peculiar. There were only a few masters in here and most of the poption isprised of the servants. Even then, the servants have their hierarchy. Take for example Granny Sun who was not a master and yet cannot be technically considered a servant. Her only position was by Xia You¡¯s side and yet she holds more power than the servants.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, if you want to know about the mansion, I can ask Sister Qiao Xi toe and brief you,¡± Yue-er suggested.


    ¡°First off, she has been here longer than me which means she has already formed some bias towards certain people. I¡¯d rather get to know everyone by myself and form my opinion then. Second, I don¡¯t want people to think that I¡¯m doing this because I¡¯m getting ready to take over as the Mistress of the house,¡± Ye Jiayao exined. Yue-er was her confidant so she wasfortable being this honest with her.


    Ye Jiayao gestured Yue-er to take a seat across from her. ¡°Come and look at the list with me. If we want to get to know everyone, we must first look at the top. The one with the highest rank is Manager Zhong followed by Granny Sun. They have Mother¡¯s trust so we have to be careful with how we speak to them.


    ¡°The kitchen is run by Zhou Xing which means he¡¯s an inside steward. The warehouse is run by Lin Kun which means his responsibilities lies outside the court. Qian Mingde, on the other hand, operates the Lord¡¯s business of silk and satins. These people have been in their respective position for more than ten years. This signifies their skills and loyalty to the family. It also means that Lady Xia You has deemed these people trustworthy.


    ¡°Look at the other house servants. Qiao¡¯s servants are Manager Zhong¡¯s granddaughter and Lin Kun¡¯s niece. The courtyard attendant for the three young masters is Zi Ming, Zhou Xing¡¯s son. Even Concubine Wei and Concubine Gui¡¯s servants are rtives of the servants that Mother trusts. What does all of this tell you?¡±


    Yue-er pursed her lips for a second before answering, ¡°Does it mean that the whole ce is under the control of Lady Xia You?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. A good wife and a gooddy should always have control of her household. She has to be able to build a loyalwork inside of her house.¡±


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help but overhear Ye Jinxuan and Jiang Yue¡¯s conversation even though he was in his study. He couldn¡¯t help but be impressed at how quickly his wife figured out the foundation of thework of the mansion.


    After Ye Jiayao finished going over the roster, she decided to make use of Yue-er¡¯s offer. ¡°Yue-er, how close are you and Qiao Xi? Can you ask her for information about everyone in the mansion?


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to get to know everyone by yourself? And that you don¡¯t want anyone to know about your inquiries?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different if you¡¯re the one asking. If you ask around, you would juste across as curious. They might think that you only wanted information because you¡¯re new and you don¡¯t want to offend anyone. I need you to be my eyes and ears in this mansion. Can you do that?¡±


    Jiang Yueughed and agreed readily, ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Alright, you can go ahead now. I¡¯m going to go to sleep,¡± Ye Jiayao dismissed.


    ¡°Alright, Second Young Mistress. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± Jiang Yue left the room, brimming with excitement at her new important task.


    After Yue-er left, Ye Jiayao nced at the study worriedly. She wanted to let Chunyu sleep first to avoid any other extracurricr activities he might think about. He only behavedst night because she fell asleep. She wasn¡¯t sure if her luck would still hold until tonight.


    She waited for a few beats before giving up. She was too sleepy. Sheid down on the bed, but just as she was just starting to getfortable, the light in the study went out.


    Ye Jiayao tensed.


    Xia Chunyu came to her, his hands immediately slipping into her dress.


    ¡°Stop that, I¡¯m sleepy,¡± Ye Jiayaoined wearily.


    ¡°Are you still sore?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, kissing her ear.


    ¡°Of course. You practically broke my back the other night,¡± she said petntly.


    He backed away, disappointed.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised that he actually heeded herin. She waited for him to say something, and when he didn¡¯t, she happily let sleep take over her.


    Xia Chunyu, on the other hand, tossed and turned. Her scent was too tempting for him. He wanted to just crawl on top of her and wake her up with his tongue, but he wanted to let her body rest, too.


    When he couldn¡¯t take it anymore, he went out to the yard to practice fighting. He didn¡¯t stop until he was exhausted. He then took a cold shower before finally falling asleep.


    The next day, early in the morning, YeJiayao was awakened by voices outside their door.


    ¡°I want to see Second Sister-inw,¡± a childish voice insisted.


    ¡°Fourth Young Master, Second Young Master is not up yet,¡± Qiao Xi exined.


    ¡°I want to see Second Sister-inw, not Second Brother.¡±


    Qiao Xi didn¡¯t know what to do. If the Heir-son Lord hasn¡¯t gotten up yet, it means that Second Young Mistress isn¡¯t up either.


    Ye Jiayao nced over at the still sleeping Chunyu, confused. Doesn¡¯t he wake up earlier than her? She shoved his shoulders and said, ¡°Get up! Chunguo ising.¡±


    He had already heard of themotion earlier but was toozy to pay attention to it. He ignored her and turned around to go back to sleep.


    YeJiayao huffed and hurriedly put on her clothes.?<i>Aye! This ancient costume is too troublesome to wear!</i>


    Fortunately, Qiao Xi was able to stop Chunguo and buy Ye Jiayao time.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, take Fourth Young Master to the side hall and have Yue-er bring in some water,¡± Ye Jiayao instructed through the door.


    As soon as she was presentable, Ye Jiayao went to the side hall.


    When Chunguo saw her, he weed her happily, ¡°I¡¯m done with your present, Second Sister-inw.¡±


    ¡°You are? Chunguo, you are sweet to bring it to me personally,¡± Ye Jiayao told him with a smile. She was touched by the little guy¡¯s enthusiasm to please her.


    Chunguo proudly brought his work out. He put his best work into this because he wanted to please his new sister-inw.


    YeJiayao unfolded it and took a look.


    Her face immediately turned red.


    <i>¡°Born a noble son early¡± SERIOUSLY?</i>


    ¡°I asked for the best wishes for newly-married couples and they said it was these four words. What do you think of my writing, Second Sister-inw?¡± Chunguo asked, his face beaming with excitement.


    YeJiayaoughed awkwardly. ¡°Not bad.¡±


    She might not like what it said, but she wasn¡¯t going to criticize a child. Besides, these words were well written. His handwriting was neat and very angr.


    ¡°You said you¡¯re going to hang it up, right, Second Sister-inw?¡± he urged happily.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s faked a smile as she nodded.?<i>Where the hell am I going to hang this up?</i>

 Chapter 169 - Abortion

    <h4>Chapter 169: Abortion</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t go back to sleep after all that ruckus so he just got up and got dressed. He was primping himself when Ye Jinxuan came back, holding a roll of paper in her hand.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°The gift that Chunguo gave us. He said we must hang it up. I think you should take it to your study room.¡±


    ¡°Really? What did he write?¡± Xia Chunyu took the paper and was immediately stunned when he read the writing. ¡°Who taught him this?¡±


    ¡°It must be Aunt Gui!¡± she said. She couldn¡¯t help butugh at his expression as she could imagine that was exactly what she looked like earlier too.


    He thought about it for a second before saying, ¡°This is not suitable for my study. I will hang it above the bed so we can see it every night. It¡¯ll encourage us.¡±


    ¡°What? No! No way! This is not in the contract!¡± she protested loudly.


    He smiled teasingly and asked, ¡°What if you get pregnant?¡±


    Without thinking, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°I will get an abortion.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s smile fell and his jaw tightened. He ced the paper on the table and left without saying a word.


    She watched him walk away, confused. Was he angry? What for? Their marriage wasn¡¯t for forever, why would he want to bring a child into it??<i>Stupid Donkey.</i>


    Ye Jiayao headed over to Xia You¡¯s room, but when she got there, Qiao was already there, serving her tea.


    When she saw Ye Jiayao, Qiao smiled apologetically and said, ¡°I was going toe with you but I didn¡¯t realize that you woulde here sote.¡±


    Ye Jiayao held in her eye roll.?<i>Sure, I bet that¡¯s the real reason why you raced over here.</i>?She merely smiled at her and asked Xia You about her welfare.


    Because of her helpst night, her mother-inw¡¯s words and tone towards her were less harsh.?<i>Progress.</i>


    ¡°This is the third day of your marriage. You have to go back to your home ording to the rules. The gifts have been prepared for you. After breakfast, you will go to the Helian Mansion with Chunyu.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± Ye Jiayao acquiesced.


    ¡°Sister-inw, you are blessed to have such a close rtionship with the Old Ancestress even though you are not rted by blood,¡± Qiaomented with jealousy.


    Ye Jiayao maintained a gentle smile, wanting to give Qiao an illusion that she was a mere meek woman. Besides, these were all snide remarks. She would only retaliate if Qiao decides to y tricks or deliberately sabotage her standing here in the mansion.


    ¡°What about Chunyu? Why didn¡¯t hee?¡± Xia You asked.


    ¡°He has something to do and told me to say hello to you for him, Mother,¡± Ye Jiayao lied.


    Xia You nodded in understanding and said, ¡°You are busy yourself, too! Go. You don¡¯t need to serve me.¡±


    As soon as the two daughters-inw were out of the room, Qiao turned to Ye Jinxuan andmented with a faint smile, ¡°You are so kind. I heard that you gave Mother some foodst night.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I made her something to eat since she¡¯s not feeling well.¡±


    ¡°It seems as though you have many skills. Your future is limitless with how skilfull you are,¡± Qiao told her with a sarcastic smile.


    Ye Jiayao pretended not to hear the underlying tone in her words and responded, ¡°There is no need to talk about the future to a woman. I will be greatly satisfied if I can just serve the parents-inw, the husband, and the family well.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re correct,¡± Qiao agreed.


    Ye Jiayao made up her mind; she didn¡¯t like Qiao. That woman was underhanded, mean, and envious.


    Qiao finally had a bit of understanding of Ye Jinxuan.


    The famous woman of Jin Ling was no simple fool. She managed to survive the bandits, travel to Jin Ling from Ji Nan, be a chef in Heavenly Residence, and be the wife of an Heir-son Lord.


    She heard that Ye Jinxuan made their mother-inw foodst night and that she actually ate it. Was that the reason why her attitude towards Jinxuan improved this morning? Was her cooking that good? Or... was there another reason?


    It seemed that she should watch Jinxuan more carefully in the future. She did not expect to be the Mistress of the mansion as she was only the wife of an illegitimate child, but what she expected was a better treatment from Lady Xia You. If her mother-inw liked her, the servants would presume that her position¡¯s higher than it really was.


    Qiao just didn¡¯t want to get upstaged by Jinxuan so soon. Besides, her skills with embroidery were far better than her cooking skills.


    Xia Chunyu ate breakfast alone, stewing in his anger. How could she say that she would get an abortion so callously? The more he thought about her willingness to kill an innocent life that they created together, the angrier he got.


    To be fair though, he has no ns to have children right now since she was still only seventeen years old. Of course, many women were already pregnant at her age, but he knew it was kind of risky. When he was in the pce, there was a new concubine who died because of dystocia. She was also seventeen years old then. He had heard from the imperial doctors that the stress was too much for her young body. That was his reminder to control himself every time. He was going to wait for another year or two before actually starting trying for a child.


    <i>But what if she doesn¡¯t want to have children at all?</i>


    She brought up their contract as the reason for not having kids.?Couldn¡¯t?she see that the contract was just an excuse?


    Song Qi suddenly came in to report that the carriage was ready. Although Xia Chunyu was still angry, he knew he still had to take Yaoyao to the Helian Mansion.


    He ordered, ¡°Call the Second Young Mistress and tell her that I am waiting for her outside.¡±


    Ye Jiayao came out and saw Chunyu on the back of a big ck horse by the carriage. He didn¡¯t even look at her, busying himself with sorting the saddle.


    <i>Is he not going to take the carriage? Is he still angry with me?</i>


    Ye Jiayao huffed and got in the carriage.


    Xia Chunyu proceeded to follow the carriage on the back of his horse. Ye Jiayao?opened the curtain and saw that his face remained stoic over the ride. He looked handsome and powerful, though. However, despite how good he looked, it didn¡¯t lighten Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood.


    The Helian family knew that they wereing back today, and they have been ready. General Manager Liu greeted him at the door and Helian Jing even took a leave from work today to be there.


    Ye Jiayao shook herself off and pasted on a smile. She couldn¡¯t let them know that she was upset otherwise they¡¯d just worry, especially Little Jing.


    When she got off the carriage, she saw that Chunyu was already talking to Little Jing, a fake smile on his face.


    ¡°Little Jing,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted.


    The sight of their smiling faces shot a sharp bitter arrow through Little Jing¡¯s heart. It seemed that they were really happy with each other. Although he was jealous, he was happy that Yaoyao was in good hands.


    ¡°Hello, the Old Ancestress is waiting for you inside,¡± Little Jing said.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°What about your brother?¡±


    ¡°He hasn¡¯te back from the military department sincest night. The condition of the?battle is worsening,¡± Little Jing told him.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. He was on vacation so he hasn¡¯t been paying attention to government affairs for the past few days. It seemed that in that period, things have taken a grave turn. The Emperor should¡¯ve sent Helian Xuan instead of General Huo. General Huo was good at the jungle battle in the south, but the northwest was the desert,pletely different terrain and different way of warfare.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you send someone to brief me about it?¡± Xia Chunyu was worried because Helian Xuan used to go to him in regards to matters like this.


    Little Jing shook his head and looked at him as if he had lost his mind. ¡°You just got married!¡±


    The group of them proceeded to greet the Old Ancestress.


    The Old Ancestress was so happy to see Ye Jinxuan that she immediatelyunched into questions in front of their entire audience. ¡°Did your mother-inw cause you any trouble?¡± She knew about Xia You¡¯s temper and snobbishness with peopleing from the lower ss.


    ¡°No, Old Ancestress, my mother-inw is kind to me,¡± Ye Jiayao assured her.


    Yu De smiled and chimed, ¡°Old Ancestress, she is your granddaughter. Who would dare to go against her?¡±


    The Old Ancestress chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re right. I won¡¯t spare anyone who tries to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Old Ancestress, everyone likes her. We treat her as a precious jewel,¡± Xia Chunyu promised her.


    ¡°I am not a precious jewel,¡± she protested.


    He responded, ¡°You are to us.¡±


    The Old Ancestressughed happily. ¡°Chunyu, love your wife and always treat her well, okay?¡±


    Xia Chunyu agreed without hesitation.


    With this lighthearted banter, Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirits lifted.


    After a satisfying lunch, the couple bid their goodbyes and left.


    Xia Chunyu made a move to get back on the horse but when Yaoyao passed by him, he heard her say, ¡°I will sell this ugly horse the moment I get back.¡±


    He looked at her, delighted. ¡°Is my horse annoying you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao snorted. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about your horse.¡±


    He continued stroking the horse¡¯s head.


    After a few beats, he followed his wife into the carriage.

 Chapter 170 - Eating without paying

    <h4>Chapter 170: Eating without paying</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>Kats <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    The carriage took the couple to Heavenly Residence. Xia Chunyu alighted long enough to request Manager Zhao to get a banknote for 80 thousand taels and tell Song Qi to bring Yaoyao back home before dinner. He then said a quick goodbye to her before speeding off.


    Ye Jiayao did not?know where he was going, but she figured it has something to do with the military situation that Little Jing mentioned this morning. That was out of her reach.


    However, even though she couldn¡¯t help with national affairs, she could manage a small restaurant.


    Zhong Xiang was the only chef in Heavenly Residence participating in the cookingpetition. Heavenly Residence has ced great hopes on him and was in full support of him, providing him the ingredients that he needed. The restaurant business was currently being handled by Deng Haichuan and Wang Mingde.


    ¡°How is Zhong Xiang¡¯s preparation going?¡± Ye Jiayao asked Deng Haichuan.


    Deng Haichuan answered, ¡°Brother Xiang is very distressed. He doesn¡¯t know what to do. You want him to create something new but he is almost out of ideas.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went to the kitchen to take a look at what was going on. There, she saw Zhong Xiang and Wang Mingde bustling by the stove.


    She also noticed a strong scent that was simr to how ¡®Buddha Jumps Over the Wall¡¯ smells.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Zhong Xiang saw Ye Jinxuan and got really excited. ¡°Second Young Mistress,?I just made a bowl of cats¡¯ ear. Wang Mingde cooked the soup. Would you like to have a taste?¡±


    Cats¡¯ ear was a popr noodle in Shang Xi. It was called given its name because its shape looked exactly like cat ears. It was considered as a main dish in the northern area while southern people treat it as desert or street food.


    Ye Jiayao took a bite, finding the noodle a bit too hard. It tasted quite good, but she was certain that Wang Mingde took a part of the recipe from her Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. He mixed it with seafood and some other delicacies. It was strong, but not rich, and the smell was mouthwatering without being too overpowering.


    <i>Wang Mingde did a good job!?</i>¡°You made it with Avena nuda?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Avena nuda is flexible enough to knead into shape.¡±


    ¡°Forming it into the right shape is not a problem with your skill. Just change it to flour. The flour in Yang?Zhou is very delicate and sweet.¡±


    ¡°But flour is not chewy enough.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you need to add a few eggs in.¡±


    Zhong Xiang smacked his head in realization. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been missing! Why didn¡¯t I think of it? I will try again another time.¡±


    ¡°What do you think about the soup?¡± Zhong Xiang followed up.


    Wang Mingde looked at her expectantly.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at him and said, ¡°Wang Mingde has made great progress! The soup is perfect.¡±


    Wang Mingde smiled awkwardly. ¡°Second Young Mistress, I took inspiration from your Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and modified some bits.¡±


    ¡°What did you change?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. The only thing she could tell that was missing from the soup wasmb.


    ¡°I used sea cucumbers, scallops, beef tendon, beef tenderloin, chicken gizzards, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, yams, pork belly, chicken, duck, and gizzard. If these guts were added, they would be too strong and will overpower the taste of cats¡¯ ears,¡± Wang Mingde exined.


    ¡°You have thought this through really well. Wang Mingde, if you work hard enough, you just might be the first king of soups,¡± Ye Jiayao praised happily.


    Wang Mingde blushed and said shyly, ¡°I will work hard for that, Second Young Mistress.¡±


    ¡°I am concerned about dumpling shapes,¡± Zhong Xiang told her. ¡°Our Four Happiness dumplings are famous but I believe that there are plenty of people who can do that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suggested, ¡°Since the soup is your bright spot, why don¡¯t you just make soup buns? Also, for pastry use your ¡®pea yellow¡¯ since that is one of the best in Jin Ling. I also have one more idea, but I still need to n on how to execute it.¡±


    She wanted to make a cake, but since she didn¡¯t have an oven, she had to figure out how and where to bake it.


    ¡°Well, Wang Mingde and I will study soup buns together tonight,¡± Zhong Xiang said in agreement. He was always going to listen to Second Young Mistress¡¯ suggestions because she was the best chef he knew.


    Ye Jiayao came out of the kitchen just as Manager Zhao was returning from the bank.


    When he handed her the banknote, she asked him to get the ount book. When she saw the data, her mouth dropped open in shock.


    In the two weeks that she left, Heavenly Residence¡¯s business rose steadily. The autumn haze was already over and there were no more celebrations for schrs, but everypartment was filled.


    They were earning nearly 200,000 in profit a month!


    She continued to read through the log when she noticed a tally of an unpaid table under Chunyu¡¯s name. She turned to the other pages and there were more of it. She estimated it to total to about 2800 silvers.


    ¡°Manager Zhao, what are these? Has the Heir-son Lord been treating people here?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Manager Zhao answered, ¡°It wasn¡¯t the Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress, it was Master Xia Chunli. He woulde here with his friends from time to time and order the most expensive dishes and best wines without paying. He would ask me to write it under the name of the Heir-son Lord. He would run into some of his friends at times and he would ask me to take their bill and write it under the Heir-son Lord¡¯s name too. We couldn¡¯t say anything because we¡¯re just servants. Third Young Master woulde here too at times but he would always pay even when we tell him not to.¡±


    ¡°Does the Heir-son Lord know about this?¡±


    ¡°I told him about it but he didn¡¯t know what to do either.¡±


    Ye Jiayao annoyance red. What kind of person would do such a thing? It was one thing to eat for free when he was alone, but to treat people with his brother¡¯s money?


    ¡°Tell the staff that when hees, let him know that we are fully booked,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    ¡°The Young Master always sends people to book a seat early. I am afraid that will not work,¡± Manager Zhao told her gloomily.


    <i>What the hell?</i>?¡°Alright. I¡¯ll think about this matter more.¡±


    After she left Heavenly Residence, she asked Song Qi what kind of person Xia Chunli was.


    ¡°The Young Master had a fake position in the Imperial Academy, arranged for him by Madame. The Young Master likes strange stones and spends a lot of money on it. However, he would often ask money from the Heir-son Lord. He would ¡®borrow¡¯?a few thousand, or a few hundred, but he would never return it. The month beforest, he borrowed 10,000 from the Heir-son Lord because the First Young Mistress needed more money to open an embroidery business.¡±


    It seemed that this Xia Chunli had a lot of simrities with the Third Uncle she has yet to meet!


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, you have to talk to the Heir-son Lord about this. He is just like his father. They both appear tough on the outside, but they both have a blind spot when ites to their brothers. The Heir-son Lord isn¡¯t as good in saying no as the Third Young Master is.


    She realized that Song Qi was right. Chunyu was even willing to give Third Uncle the money for the renovation.?<i>Like father, like son.?</i>


    Chunyu didn¡¯te back to the house for dinner. The Old Lord wasn¡¯t present either as he was invited out by some general. Ye Jiayao suspected that this has something to do with the war that was currently happening.


    Ye Jiayao and Qiao were forced to sit there and listen to Xia You¡¯s orders to Housekeeper Zhong.


    ¡°Have the Fourth Young Master moved to the West Side House and renovate it. Two yards will open up, and then the wall of the backyard will be demolished. A wall is going to be built to enclose the moon study.¡±


    Housekeeper Zhong said, ¡°Madamed, half of the back garden will be included? Embrace moon study is the Heir-son Lord¡¯s¡­¡±


    Xia You interrupted him, ¡°Just do what I say. My son doesn¡¯t have a choice. This way is best for everyone.¡±


    ¡°I will ask the carpenter and sterer to do it tomorrow,¡± Housekeeper Zhong said dutifully.


    ¡°Well, all the entrances and exits will be set at the east gate so that the other yards are not disturbed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madame.¡±


    ¡°I have already drafted the list of the goods that needed to be purchased and I had Lin Kun settle it out as soon as possible. That needs to be checked.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madame.¡±


    ¡°Have Lin Kun¡¯s family pick a few careful and smart servant girls to show me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madame.¡±


    ¡°That is it for now!¡±


    ¡°Mother, didn¡¯t you have to build a small kitchen?¡± Qiao quickly reminded her.


    Xia You paused for a beat before nodding. ¡°Yes, build it.¡±


    She wouldn¡¯t put it past the Empress Dowager to hire a royal chef here for her beloved granddaughter.


    Ye Jiayao wondered if she could also build a small kitchen in her yard. She would like to experiment with various dishes, and it would be a bad idea to go to arge kitchen for that. Plus, it¡¯d be easier to make deserts if she gets hungry at night.


    However, that wasn¡¯t her priority at the moment since Xia You was already obviously very stressed and very busy already.


    ¡°All of you can leave now except Jinxuan,¡± Xia You ordered.


    Qiao shed a suspicious look at Ye Jinxuan as she got up.


    Once everyone was gone, Xia You started, ¡°I heard that Chunyu bought Heavenly Residence?¡±


    Ye Jiayao calmly replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°He is really rich,¡± she deadpanned.


    Ye Jiayao gave her a patient smile. ¡°It took a lot of money, but I am confident that he wouldn¡¯t regret this purchase. Heavenly Residence yields great profits.¡±


    Xia You doesn¡¯t approve of his son being so generous with a woman, but she had to admit that it was a smart business move. Heavenly Residence was currently the busiest and best restaurant in Jin Ling. If they could continue to manage it well, they would earn a lot from it.


    ¡°Since the restaurant is your own now, I want you to cater to Chunfeng¡¯s wedding,¡± Xia You told her casually.

 Chapter 171 - I Call The Shots

    <h4>Chapter 171: I Call The Shots</h4>


    ¡°You¡¯re going to take full responsibility of the food,¡± Xia You added.


    Ye Jiayao said without any hesitation, ¡°I will serve food that was even better than the ones I did for the Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday.¡±


    Xia You was surprised. How could she jump into the task like that without even knowing the money she¡¯s going to be receiving?


    ¡°Won¡¯t you even ask who¡¯s gonna be providing the silver?¡± Xia You asked.


    ¡°Chunfeng is Chunyu¡¯s only full brother. We can¡¯t ask to be paid for helping him. Besides, I have a dowry that will cover whatever the cost is,¡± Ye Jiayao told her. She and Chunyu had nned to lend 80,000 for the wedding anyway.


    Xia You tried to hide her shock. Shedidn¡¯t expect her new daughter-inw to be so generous. However, she couldn¡¯t let them pay for the wedding feast.


    ¡°Although it is nice for you to offer, there¡¯s no need. I will be providing the money for the food, you just worry about making delicious things,¡± Xia You declined.


    ¡°Mother, I am serious. I just asked Chunyu yesterday if there was anything we can do to help with the wedding. I may not be able to do other things, but I am good at providing a feast. Please, let me do this for Third Brother,¡± Ye Jiayao pleaded.


    Granny Sun interjected, ¡°Madame, it seems that the Second Young Mistress has her mind and heart set to this. Let her have it.¡±


    Xia You was silent for a moment as she thought it through. ¡°Have it your way. However, if you encounter any difficulties with money, let me know and I will help.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded happily. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, Mother. One thing, though... can you promise me something?¡±


    Xia You nodded in agreement.


    ¡°When people ask, can you say that you provided the money for the feast ?¡±


    Xia You cocked a brow. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just afraid that it might make things awkward if Big Brother finds out about it. I heard that Sister-inw¡¯s business may be having some difficulty.¡±


    ¡°But I heard that her business is doing very well!¡± Granny Sun contradicted.


    Ye Jiayao pretended to be confused. ¡°Really? But Big Brother couldn¡¯t even pay for his meals.¡±


    ¡°Did he put it all in credit?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if Big Brotheres in to eat something. However, when I checked the ount book and found that he owed more than two thousand silvers just this month alone, I had thought that he was having some financial difficulties.¡±


    Xia You couldn¡¯t help but feel angry and embarrassed. Chunli just takes advantage of people, much like his Third Uncle. She even had her suspicions that Chunli wasn¡¯t Xia Chuonfeng¡¯s son at all.


    ¡°Right. Well then, I promise to keep our agreement private. You may go now,¡± Xia You told her offhandedly, trying to rein in her temper.


    As soon as Ye Jinxuan left the room, Xia You exploded, ¡°Who does he think he is?¡±


    ¡°What the Young Master did is really...¡± Granny Sun trailed off with a sigh.


    ¡°He has borrowed money from Chunyu and Chunfeng before thinking that I don¡¯t know about it. All he has done is meander around and ride on the coattails of his family name. Sooner orter, he¡¯s going to run out of favor and karma will get him,¡± Xia You seethed.


    ¡°The Second Young Master took after the Old Marquis. He was always willing to give when ites to his brother. The Young Master must¡¯ve really been excessive if the Second Young Mistress was worried since she¡¯s not the stingy type,¡± Granny Sun mused.


    Ye Jiayao washed up, got dressed, and started reviewing the ount books for the farm. She had thoughtthat it was easy to be a young mistress, but it turns out, it was not any easier than being a chef at Heavenly Residence.


    Qiao Xi came in a few minutester with a bowl of white fungus soup. ¡°Madame, the kitchen made this for you. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao took the bowl gratefull before asking, ¡°Is there a small kitchen here in the mansion?¡±


    Qiao Xi shook her head. ¡°No, Second Young Mistress, all the cooking is done in the big kitchen. When the First Young Mistress was pregnant, she wanted to get a small kitchen, but her Lady Xia You didn¡¯t agree.¡±


    This was troublesome for Ye Jiayao since she was nning to ask her mother-inw for one in the future.


    Momentster, Chunyu came back, looking a little stressed.


    After Qiao helped him take his clothes off, Chunyu quickly washed up and changed. When he got out of the bathroom, Qiao had already brewed some hot tea for him.


    Xia Chunyu thanked her and then dismissed her for the night.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation with the war?¡± Ye Jiayao inquired gently.


    Chunyu took a sip of his tea and sighed. ¡°Helian Xuan¡¯s ready to set off. If he doesn¡¯t go there, I¡¯m afraid that we¡¯re going to lose. The front line has been defeated again and again and King Xi Meng has been besieged. If the pce is broken through and Prince Azari take the right of the King, we will be in trouble. Prince Azari has always been ambitious and militant.¡±


    ¡°So, will you go there?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly. She knew that Chunyu and Helian Xuan had always been good partners.


    Chunyu nced at Ye Jiayao. He really wanted to go with Helian Xuan, but he was more worried about her now that Princess Liu Li was set to arrive soon.


    ¡°Helian Xuan said that he would send for me if he needs me,¡± Chunyu told her.


    Ye Jiayao sighed with relief. She didn¡¯t want him to go. It was too risky. She heard that the soldiers of the Ximeng were very ferocious and was evenpared to the historical Turks. They were brave and their tactics are very advanced, making it difficult to defeat them.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Chunyu asked her.


    ¡°The farm¡¯s books.¡±


    ¡°Have you found anything?¡±


    ¡°Nothing yet. I need moreparison to find out if it¡¯s only you who¡¯s having a bad harvest.¡± She was nning to ask Zhao Qixuan for tips as soon as she¡¯s free. She continued, ¡°You should also know that Mother tasked me with preparing for the wedding feast. I epted it, including all the expenses, so I didn¡¯t give her the 80,000 banknotes.¡±


    He nodded, a bit worried. ¡°You will be exhausted again.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I feel sorry for Chunfeng so this will be hispensation. We¡¯re gonna split the cost together.¡±


    ¡°Look at you being generous,¡± he teased.


    ¡°Oh, you want me to be stingy? Let¡¯s start with your Big Brother then, who had been a frequent customer of the restaurant this month.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked away, feeling ufortable. ¡°Um¡­.but he is my brother.¡±


    ¡°I know you are very embarrassed by your brother. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t mind if it was only him, but hees all the time with other people. I also heard that he would often borrow money from you. Did he ever pay it back?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s my brother,¡± was Chunyu¡¯s only defense.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re generous, but there should be a limit. Do you think we can we take clothes from his embroidery shop for free? Do you think he¡¯d be willing to do that for you? I get that he¡¯s your brother, but as I said, there should be limits. The next time he asks you for money, let me deal with him. If I find out that you dealt with him privately, I will be very unhappy and I wouldn¡¯t forgive you easily,¡± Ye Jiayao told him seriously.


    Xia Chunyu shifted around, feeling awkward. He really didn¡¯t know what to say.


    She continued, ¡°You can¡¯t let your brother continue to use you like this. He¡¯s taking advantage of you. I am looking out for you here. Your brother iszy and instead of working, he¡¯s using you as a crutch to get by.¡±


    He thought about it for a while before nodding. ¡°You are the boss. Just don¡¯t stiff him too much, you¡¯ll embarrass all of us.¡±


    ¡°He should be embarrassed!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t confront him! Can¡¯t we solve this peacefully?¡± Xia Chunyu was afraid that she was going to start trouble.


    ¡°I am not stupid. I told Mother about it, let her handle it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu asked, surprised, ¡°You talked to her about this? What did she say?¡±


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s happy right now. I think she¡¯s going to take this opportunity to educate your father as your uncle¡¯s habit is simr to your brother¡¯s,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s better to nip this as early as possible unless you intend to support him for the rest of his life. Be more like Chunfeng. Chunfeng always refuses him so your big brother doesn¡¯te to him anymore.¡±


    Ye Jiayao closed the ount book and climbed on the bed.


    Xia Chunyu sat there for a long time, mulling over Yaoyao¡¯s words and thinking of the actions he should take next with regards to his brother.


    ¡°Yaoyao, Yaoyao...¡± he called as he joined her on the bed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Thank you for handling this,¡± he said with a tender smile.


    Ye Jiayao turned around to face him. ¡°Promise me that I will always have your support.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°I promise.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hugged him and said, ¡°Turn off themp.¡±


    Xia Chunyu eagerly turned the lights off and jumped back in bed, hugging her close.

 Chapter 172 - The Freeloaders Are Back

    <h4>Chapter 172: The Freeloaders Are Back</h4>


    Ye Jiayao had thought that Xia You would¡¯ve taken action by now in regards of Xia Chunli being a freeloader, but days have already passed since she told her about it and she still hasn¡¯t done anything.


    However, since the culinarypetition¡¯s approaching,?Ye Jiayao busied herself with developing cakes. She was trying to find the best way to bake without the use of a modern oven.


    It was hard and slow-going so she enlisted Jiang Yue¡¯s help in her experiment.


    ¡°Yue-er, make the fire bigger.¡±


    This was already their 13th try but she was still unsure.


    Jiang Yue was starting to doubt the Second Young Mistress. They have wasted so much butter, eggs, and flour, and she was wondering if the ¡®cake¡¯ that the Second Young Mistress was trying to make worth all of this hassle.


    Ye Jiayao, who was keeping watch of the time, suddenly said, ¡°Open the pot.¡±


    Jiang Yue stopped feeding the firewood and took a thick wet cotton cloth to lift the lid of the pot.?The sweet buttery scent of cake whiffed out with the rising steam.


    ¡°It smells good,¡± Jiang Yuemented. Does this mean it was a sess?


    Ye Jiayao nervously took the ceramic pot out and turned it upside down on a chopping board.


    This makeshift turntable was created by Jiang Li. If only Ye Jiayao knows the exact principle of a modern oven to him, she was sure that he¡¯d be able to recreate it for her.


    The ceramic pot was good at retaining heat so the two had to wait patiently for it to cool down.


    After some time, when Ye Jiayao felt that the ceramic pot was no longer hot, she slowly lifted it, revealing a soft, golden cake sponge.


    ¡°Yue-er, it¡¯s a sess! Finally, it¡¯s a sess!¡± Ye Jiayao jumped around in excitement. It took her 13 tries, but she did it.


    Jiang Yue shared her excitement. After all those failures and disappointments, they finally made it happen. She also realized just how much work was required in making delicious food.


    Ye Jiayao took a long knife and began rotating the chopping board as she trimmed the cake to her desired shape and thickness.


    ¡°Yue-er, try it.¡±


    Jiang Yue picked up a crumb and tried it, her eyes going wide with the new vors. ¡°It¡¯s so fluffy and sweet! This ispletely different from all the pastries I have eaten before.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°This is not done yet. Just wait, it¡¯ll taste even better.¡±


    She then went on to ice the cake. With a small wooden spat, she started to coat the cake with an evenyer of frosting. After that, she piped some designs on the cake using an aluminum foil she rolled into a cone.


    Jiang Yue couldn¡¯t take her eyes off of her, amazed by how many different shapes and designs she could make just by squeezing that cone. She was so impressed by how smart, imaginative, and skillful the Second Young Mistress was. It looked like there was nothing that she couldn¡¯t make.


    Half an hourter, Ye Jiayao stepped back and looked at her masterpiece, satisfied.?<i>Looks like all those cake decorating sses paid off!</i>


    They carefully put the cake in a box and took it to Heavenly Residence, excited to show it to everyone.


    As expected, everyone at Heavenly Residence surrounder her new creation, curious and amazed.


    ¡°This is too beautiful! How did you make it?¡± Zhong Xiang asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach youter. Here, everyone, have a taste,¡± Ye Jiayao called as she cut the cake into small pieces.


    ¡°Fragrant and smooth, sweet but not too much. It¡¯s so soft and fluffy, it melts in your mouth! This is a whole new taste and I guarantee this would be a huge sensation,¡± Deng Haichuan praised.


    Ye Jiayao smiled secretly.?<i>Aye, this is the most basic cake. What would you guys think if you ever try mousse, chocte, or even cheesecake??</i>


    ¡°Zhong Xiang, starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll be teaching you how to make and decorate a cake every morning. As for the others, once thepetition is over, I will get Zhong Xiang to pass the knowledge onto you,¡± Ye Jiayao announced.


    Everyone cheered, grateful for the Second Young Mistress¡¯ generosity and guidance.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, Second Young Mistress!¡± Ah Xing called.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ the First Young Master is here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s smile fell.?<i>Again?</i>


    ¡°Which suite? How many people are with him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in the Orchid Suite and he has more than ten people with him.?They have already ordered and it looks like First Young Master is treating them.¡±


    <i>That rat bastard. Fine. Let him eat, but I will be making sure that he¡¯s paying this time.</i>


    A few minutester, Little Lu came in with the order slip. Ye Jiayao looked at it and got even angrier. He ordered all the most expensive things on the menu and this meal would cost around 4000 taels.


    Deng Haichuan asked, ¡°Second Young Mistress, are we making it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied coldly, ¡°Yes, of course.¡±


    She handed the order slip?to Deng Haichuan then proceeded to put on an apron.


    Jiang Yue asked in surprise, ¡°Second Young Mistress, what are you doing?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved her concern away. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I cooked. My hands feel a little itchy so today, you will get to see a head chef in her full glory.¡±


    Everyoneughed out loud. Li Yao might have be the Second Young Mistress, but her temperament was still the same. She was still their big boss.


    Jiang Yue started feeling her hands itch to as she watched the Second Young Mistress move around the kitchen expertly and effortlessly. She has learned so many dishes from the Second Young Mistress, but she has only been making them at home. There hasn¡¯t been a chance for her to disy her new skills.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, can I give it a go?¡± Jiang Yue mustered enough courage to ask.


    Ye Jiayao nodded with an encouraging smile. ¡°Cui Dongpeng, take a table with simple dishes from the main hall for Jiang Yue to try. Keep watch of her.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng obeyed happily, bringing Jiang Yue over to his stove. He would take any chance to serve a beautifuldy.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, Second Young Mistress!¡± Manager Zhao called as he ran in, looking flustered.


    ¡°What happened?¡± she asked calmly.


    ¡°The Old Marquis is here.¡±


    She almost didn¡¯t catch the vegetables she started to flip in the pan.


    Zhong Xiang, who happened to finish his dish, took over. ¡°Second Young Mistress, allow me!¡±


    She passed the spat to him, removed her apron, and walked out with Manager Zhao. ¡°How many people are with the Old Marquis?¡±


    ¡°Just him. He says he wants to see you.¡±


    ¡°Are there any suites left?¡±


    ¡°No, we are full today.¡±


    ¡°Set up a table in my room and serve him some Ku Ding tea,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    ¡°We have already ushered him to the second story, Manager Qian is tending to him,¡± Manager Zhao reported.


    This was Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s first time in Heavenly Residence. It has a nice view of the river and yet still essible to the bustling crow of the city. The three-story-high restaurant was not of thergest scale, but it has an unimaginable amount of business.


    Ye Jinxuan was indeed a capable woman and Chunyu made the right choice in buying this restaurant!


    ¡°Father,¡± Ye Jiayao greeted as she came into the room.


    ¡°Oh, Jinxuan! I happened to pass by the restaurant and decided toe in to take a look,¡± Xia Zhuofeng told her with augh.


    ¡°Since it is rare for Father toe by, I will personally prepare a table full of delicious food for you. Father, what do you want to eat? Southern food or northern food? Name it and I¡¯ll make it,¡± Ye Jiayao offered politely.


    Xia Zhuofeng was taken aback. When she cooked him northern food before, he had thought that she merely learned his favorite dishes just to impress him. He didn¡¯t expect her to know the whole cuisine.


    ¡°Really? You even know how to make Northern food?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed at his incredulity. ¡°Yes, Father.


    Xia Zhuofeng thought about it for a while before saying, ¡°Very well. I would like a double-cooked pork slice, a sparerib with sauce, a pot of mixed stew. I am eating alone so I won¡¯t be able to finish so much.¡±


    ¡°Sure. Give me a few moments, Father, and I¡¯m going to start cooking those right away.¡± She then whispered to Manager Qian, ¡°Stay here to wait on the Old Marquis.¡±


    Back in the kitchen, Ye Jiayao started with cold te appetizers; jellyfish, mixed vegetables, meat rolls with beef, and sweet and sour smoked fish. She had someone bring it up along with Zhu Ye Qing wine because she knew that the Old Marquis loved strong alcohol.


    A thought suddenly came to her and she called for Jiang Yue.


    Jiang Yue, who was enjoying her work with Cui Dongpeng, heard her and immediately put herdle down and rushed over.


    ¡°Yue-er, get Old Guan to drive the horse carriage to the courtyard and bring the vat of?spicy cabbage and the garlic eggnt in the freezer over here. Quick.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Second Young Mistress.¡± Jiang Yue immediately ran out. The restaurant wasn¡¯t that far from the courtyard and it would only take her about five minutes to get there.


    Ye Jiayao went on to start with making the double-cooked pork slices. She started with the batter, one of the two key steps in making the dish. The batter should not be too thick otherwise it wouldn¡¯t marinate the meat well, and it also shouldn¡¯t be too thin because it won¡¯t be crispy enough. The second step is frying.?The control over the oil¡¯s temperature has to be good. It must be thoroughly fried but not overcooked, just enough to get the perfect golden brown color.


    As for the mixed stew, the most important part was the sheet jelly. She handed this task over to Zhong Xiang, getting him to make a soft and chewy sheet jelly. When the spicy cabbage is added and stewed together, it would be exceptionally fresh.


    As Xia Zhuofeng drink his wine, he asked Manager Qian, ¡°I heard that the First Young Master is here.¡±


    Manager Qian carefully replied, ¡°Yes, Old Marquis, he is in the Orchid Suite treating a huge table of customers.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng ordered, ¡°When his meal has ended, tell him to see me.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°The dishes are served, Old Marquis. This is your double-cooked pork slices, just off the pot, extremely fragrant!¡± Ah Xing announced as he served the double-cooked pork slices.


    ¡°Your staffs have the gift of the gab,¡± Xia Zhoufengmented.


    Ah Xing smiled and said, ¡°Old Marquis, Second Young Mistress has said before that when serving food, one has to be passionate, considerate, observant, detailed, and quick. I am still trying my best to embody all of that.¡±


    Xia Zhuofengughed out loud. He has to admit that he really liked his Second Daughter-inw¡¯s wisdom when ites to food and business.


    After a while, he was served the sparerib with sauce.


    Finally, after a few moments, Ye Jiayao came in, personally serving thest dish. ¡°Father, here is your mixed stew.¡±


    Once the lid was lifted, Xia Zhuofeng immediately recognized the familiar sour and spicy smell. He asked in astonishment, ¡°You have spicy cabbage?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled at him knowingly and said, ¡°Not only that.¡±


    She waved her hand and Jiang Yue came in, presenting a te of garlic eggnt.


    The Old Marquis¡¯ jaw-dropped. This was all authentic northern food! He couldn¡¯t believe that Jinxuan made this for him!

 Chapter 173 - Scram Back

    <h4>Chapter 173: Scram Back</h4>


    ¡°Jinxuan, this spicy cabbage, and garlic eggnt take a lot of effort to make,¡± Xia Zhuofeng said.


    Ye Jiayao merely told him, ¡°I made it earlier and was preparing to bring it home. If Father likes it, I can make more.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. These dishes are best eaten with rice.¡± Xia Zhuofeng couldn¡¯t wait to dig in.


    Ye Jiayao poured some wine for him.


    ¡°Jinxuan, I know that you¡¯re busy. There is no need to wait on me.¡± Xia Zhuofeng still has to lecture his bastard of a sonter, and it wouldn¡¯t be good for Jinxuan to witness that.


    She caught the look that Manager Qian was giving her so she said, ¡°Enjoy your meal, then, Father. If you wish to eat more, just let us know.¡±


    She curtsied and walked out of the room with Manager Qian following behind her.


    In a low voice, he said to her, ¡°The Old Marquis knows that the First Young Master is treating some of his friends here.¡±


    ¡°You told him?¡±


    ¡°No, the Old Marquis asked about it himself. He seems to already know that the First Young Master is here today. He even told me to call the First Young Master over to him after they are done.¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally realized what was happening and smiled. Her parents-inw are finally intervening. ¡°Just continue to serve the Old Marquis well. When the First Young Master is done, get someone to let me know. If the Old Marquis asks for his bill, tell him that it¡¯s on the house.¡±


    In the Orchid Suite, Xia Chunli burped loudly in satisfaction of his meal. He started boasting, ¡°This restaurant is my brother¡¯s, so when youe here to eat next time,? feel free to put it on my tab.¡±


    Someone said, ¡°Lord Xia is so generous! Rest assured, Lord Xia, for this year¡¯s judging, you are sure to emerge the winner.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. Lord Xia is full of knowledge!¡±


    ¡°Lord Xia, since Heavenly Residence is your brother¡¯s restaurant, can you get the Heavenly Residence¡¯s Head Chef to do my son¡¯s one-month celebration in a few days?¡±


    Xia Chunli waves his huge hand dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s no big deal. Tell me the specific date and time and I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Lord Xia. I will inform you after I have discussed the details with my wife.¡±


    After bootlicking each other for a while, everyone left and Little Lu went to hand Xia Chunli the bill. He red at him and growled, ¡°Are you blind? Don¡¯t you know who I am? Get me your manager!¡±


    Instead of Manager Zhao, it was Manager Qian who came. He smiled warmly at the pompous noble and said, ¡°First Young Master, the Old Marquis happened? to be having his meal here and he asked you over to his room.¡±


    Xia Chunli¡¯s arrogance immediately dropped and he followed Manager Qian to his father dutifully.


    Little Lu immediately ran over to the kitchen to inform the Second Young Mistress of what was happening upstairs. ¡°Second Young Mistress, First Young Master is done with his meal and is now going over to the Old Marquis¡¯ room.¡±


    Ye Jiayao ordered, ¡°Go listen in. I am not going up.¡±


    She knew that the old man was going to be lecturing his son, it¡¯s best that she wasn¡¯t there to witness it.


    Xia Chunli entered the room and saw his father drinking some wine.


    ¡°Father.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng pointed to the seat opposite him. ¡°Sit.¡±


    Xia Chunli sat down and with a smile, casually asked, ¡°Father, what brings you here today?¡±


    The Old Marquis nced at him, ¡°Why, are you the only one allowed here?¡±


    ¡°No, no! I just meant that if I knew you wereing, I would have asked you to join us,¡± Xia Chunli answered carefully.


    ¡°Oh? Are you treating here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I treated some colleagues.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng nodded and puts his chopsticks down. ¡°Then you should also buy my meal as well. Manager, bill please.¡±


    Manager Qian said, ¡°We will give a 30% discount, the total will be 36 taels.¡±


    Xia Chunli wilted down. He was called here to pay for his father¡¯s meal? This was their brother¡¯s restaurant! They¡¯re family! Why do they have to pay?


    However, he couldn¡¯t very well refuse an order from his father. He took his money pouch and was preparing to take his silver out when Manager Qian spoke.


    ¡°First Young Master, your table also has a 30% discount, it will be a total of 306 taels,¡± Manager Qian added.


    Xia Chunli¡¯s face turned red.??<i>You sneaky, Manager!</i>? He couldn¡¯t pay for that since he only has a few money in his pouch!


    Xia Zhuofeng saw his dried up money pouch and remarked, ¡°You¡¯re out of money already?¡±


    ¡°Father, I- I uhm...¡± Xia Chunli stuttered. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring that much money with me today.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng fixed him with a re. ¡°How can you buy people their meals if you know that you didn¡¯t bring enough money?¡±


    ¡°I forgot, Father! I thought that I still have some. Besides, this is Chunyu¡¯s restaurant. We¡¯re family and we rarely eat here,? do you think they will ept our money?¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng snorted and turned to the staff. ¡°Manager Qian, how often does First Young Mastere here to eat?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not often, maybe just more than half a month every month,¡± Manager Qian answered.


    The corner of Xia Zhuofeng lips twitched in annoyance.


    ¡°Did he pay for all of them?¡± Xia Zhuofeng asked, suppressing his anger.


    Manager Qian nced at the First Young Master before answering calmly, ¡°It¡¯s all on his tab? including today¡¯s meal. It¡¯s a total of 3448 taels.¡±


    ¡°Some of them aren¡¯t mine,¡± Xia Chunli rebutted.


    Manager Qian refuted, ¡°First Young Master, you were the one who told us to put it on your tab.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng wanted to p his son silly. When his wife told him about his embarrassing deeds, he didn¡¯t think that it would be this bad. It was bad enough that he always gets a free meal, but to expect the restaurant to give free meals to his friends too? His firstborn son has no shame! He was just like his Third Uncle, just as Xia You told him.


    However, Xia Zhuofeng knew that his brother was taking advantage of him. The only reason he was letting him was that his mother¡¯s dying wish was for Zhuofeng to take care of him. He had already been taken advantage of, he will not let Chunyu suffer the same fate. He won¡¯t allow Chunli to continue his sneaky and greedy ways.


    ¡°Manager Qian, get me the bill. If you can¡¯t settle the bill, I¡¯ll take care of it. We do not take advantage of family,¡± Xia Zhuofeng said in rage.


    Xia Chunli wanted to cry out. What was wrong with his father? He can¡¯t pay 3000 silvers, he just spent all his money on two? chrysanthemum stones!


    ¡°Father,¡± Ye Jiayao called as she entered. ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry about it. We shall absorb the bill.¡±


    Xia Chunli¡¯s eyes brightened but his father¡¯s sharp look at him made him lower his head in fear.


    ¡°You are not taking that loss. The Xia family always pay what they owe. Give me the bill,¡± Xia Zhuofeng insisted.


    Manager Qian handed the bill to the Old Marquis.


    Xia Zhuofeng red at his ipetent son. ¡°Don¡¯t ever show your face here again.¡± He then turned to his daughter-inw and warned, ¡°If he ever tries to eat inside Heavenly Residence again, throw him out. If I find out that you allowed him to stay for a meal, I will tear this restaurant down.¡±


    Ye Jiayao agreed timidly.??<i>Damn! The Old Marquis is brilliant! He¡¯s forbidden his son to evere here and has also threatened me against serving him. He just prevented any future awkward situations for the restaurant.</i>


    Xia Chunli followed the Old Marquis out of the restaurant meekly.


    When Ye Jiayao returned home, she found out that the Old Marquis forced Xia Chunli to cough up the money he owed and punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall. Qiao ran over to You to beg for forgiveness but was chased away with a few words. Concubine Wei also went to the Old Marquis to ask for forgiveness but got a huge scolding instead.


    After dinner, the Old Marquis announced, ¡°Your big brother has made a mistake and must be punished. Anyone who dares to seek forgiveness for him again will kneel in the ancestral hall with him for three days and three nights.¡±


    Xia Chunyu swallowed back his pleas for his brother and concentrated on eating his dinner. His father was the kind of man who always means what he says.


    Xia Chunfeng, on the other hand, didn¡¯t seem to care at all as he shovels food in his mouth. He was actually secretly ted that his father finally taught Big Brother a lesson.


    Qiao was emotional as she ate her dinner, but she didn¡¯t dare to let her tears flow. However, people weren¡¯t sure if it was because of her husband kneeling in the ancestral hall or because of the money they just spent.


    The meal ended in silence.


    The Old Marquis puts his chopsticks down and said, ¡°Chunyu, Chunfeng, follow me to the study.¡±


    It was only when Xia You left that Qiao let her tears fall.


    ¡°First Sister-inw, let me help you,¡± Ye Jiayao offered, reaching out to her.


    Qiao flung her arm away. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to y the good guy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. Your husbandes to my restaurant? for free meals and yet this is my fault?


    ¡°I don¡¯t y games. If I am nice to you, it¡¯s because I want to be.¡± With that, Ye Jiayao walked away.


    She finally understood Big brother and First Sister-inw¡¯s deal. She was sure that once Liu Li joins the family, they will be following her like a dog.


    Ye Jiayao walked straight to Xia You¡¯s room. She said, ¡°Mother, I havee up with the dishes for the wedding and all the necessary tools for it. Please take a look.¡±


    Granny Sun passed the list to Xia You.


    Xia You reviewed it for a minute and was extremely satisfied. As expected from someone who runs a restaurant, this menu waspletely different from those made by others. The food was wide in variety and novel and all the dishes have auspicious names. The list was very detailed, from the drinks to dessert, ting, and cutleries for male and female, madams anddies, they were all different.


    ¡°The Empress Dowager still has to take a look at the list so I shall make a trip to the pce tomorrow. Granny Sun, go instruct everyone to listen to the orders of the Second Young Mistress with regards to the wedding feast. Anyone who dares to go against her or cken, the Second Young Mistress has the authority to set out punishment,¡± Xia You ryed. She wanted to give Jinxuan this opportunity to practice.


    ¡°Of course, Madame!¡± Granny Sun responded with an excited smile.


    Xia You continued, ¡°I believe your Big Brother has learned his lesson and will not dare take advantage of the restaurant anymore. However, you live under the same roof so it is unavoidable for some conflicts to arise. Chunyu is the heir and he is going to inherit the family business. As Chunyu¡¯s wife, you need to be more epting.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied humbly, ¡°I will bear Mother¡¯s teachings in mind.¡±


    Just as Chunyu said, his mother didn¡¯t have any other problems aside from being snobby.


    ¡°mother, can a daughter-inw open a small kitchen in the yard?¡± She hesitated


    Xia You¡¯s way: ¡°Hou Fu rules, we eat with the same kitchen, there is no separate small kitchen rules, Liuli Princess and you are not the same, you do not look at people open small kitchen on Hot Eyes.¡±


    ¡°the daughter-inw doesn¡¯t want to start a new business. The reason why the business is so good is that the daughter-inw has always introduced new dishes. The daughter-inw needs a small kitchen to study new dishes. Moreover, the daughter-inw also wants to get some delicious food to honor her father and mother. Also, the Crown Princess wants her daughter-inw to send fresh snacks from time to time... it¡¯s not convenient to do these things in the big kitchen after all,¡± ye Jiayao said tactfully.


    Xiayou hesitates, the second daughter-inw¡¯s reason is very legitimate, business needs, and the crown princess side... and the Prince¡¯s house good rtions, also good for the Hou House, also, the Lord came back today, said, second daughter-inw gave him pickled what spicy cabbage, garlic eggnt, deliberately.


    Ye Jiayao looked expectantly at Xia you.


    ¡°then you will be allowed to open one,¡± he said, ¡°but as you said, the kitchen is for research purposes only, and the family will eat together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao exultation: ¡°Thanks Mother.¡±


    ¡°the matter that opens small kitchen, you say with clock butler, did together.¡± Xia You¡¯s simple good person does in the end.


    Ye Jiayao got a small kitchen than pick up what treasure are happy, content to return to their own yard.


    Joe-xi brought in some pieces of material.


    ¡°second youngdy, this is the material sent by the sewing room. They say it¡¯s for you and the prince to make new clothes. They want you to pick out a piece of cloth. Tomorrow a sewing room will send someone to measure you. The prince¡¯s sewing room already has it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao see those colors are very festive, he asked: ¡°is for three young master Big Wedding?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Er... She just got married, Princess Yi de long prepared for her new clothes are still several clothes do not wear, this festive color does not suit her at all, show old, wear like twenty-seven or eight years old.


    ¡°you tell the sewing room, I do not have to do, new clothes and, do not waste.¡± Ye Jiayao Way.


    ¡°the second mistress is really thrifty,¡± said the peach, as soon as she heard that the house was making new clothes for everyone, she chose one piece of material instead of two


    Peach straight-talking, Joe Xi horizontal her one eye, asked: ¡°two young grandmother¡¯s not to do, that son of the Lord?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°put it first, wait for the son of the king toe back, let him pick his own.¡±


    Joe Xi put down the cloth and retreated.


    Ye Jiayao vaguely heard Joe XI in the Jiachang Peach: ¡°Big Little Grandma is what people, I know in my heart is, have no mouth not cover up, let others hear, still think this is the second little grandma said, you this is not to give second little grandma trouble?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nods darkly, this Joe XI pour is a careful sedate.


    Not long, Xia Chunyu came back, expressionless. He had seldom been paralyzed in front of her since their marriage.


    ¡°was scolded?¡± Ye Jiayao personally makes tea for him.


    Xia Chunyu is wringing an eyebrow to say: ¡°the father lost his temper, say I this is in harm eldest brother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao tut way: ¡°Our Father Wise Ah, sometimes connivance is harmful ah! But unfortunately, our father see others in mind mirror like, things fall on their own body can not open.¡±


    Xia Chun is in Mou Light clear and bright, permeate to judge ground meaning, say: ¡°the thing of this son has so coincidence? Can¡¯t Be You Arrange?¡±


    Ye jiayao snorted: ¡°who is our father? A little transparent, also need me to arrange? Seriously, I was scared to father.¡±


    At best, she only cooperated a little. There was no arrangement.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head wry smile, said is also, dad is an old fox, don¡¯t look at him long rough, heart and eyes, stomach can not only have Thirty-Six Stratagems.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think Dad¡¯s going to let him up tonight.¡±


    Ye jiayao smirked: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Your Brother won¡¯t treat you badly.¡±


    Xia chunyu raises eyebrow way: ¡°You know what? Dad every time punish kneel ancestral temple, will send a person to guard to stare, and mat all don¡¯t let use, I was punished, know that taste.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blinks big eyes, curiously way: ¡°you incredibly also have been punished? Quickly say, what trouble did you make?¡±


    Xia Chunyu is embarrassed to get up, murmur a way: ¡°All is the old worn-out years past, don¡¯t mention also.¡±


    e on, just satisfy my curiosity.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook his arm in coquetry.


    Xia chunyu hurriedly gets up: ¡°I still have a little matter in the study, I go first.¡±


    ¡°well, the sewing room has sent you some materials to choose from.¡±


    ¡°you decide good.¡± The Summer Chun at escape.


    He¡¯s not gonna tell her. He¡¯s gonna give her something tough about.


    Ye Jiayao see him run away like, angry wrinkled nose, let you run, I do not dig out your brilliant deeds, I will take your name.


    Since let her be in charge, she gave the Summer Chun Yu to pick a piece of brocade of blue dark grain, his skin is fair-skinned, the aura is strong again, what color clothes can prop up. It¡¯s not like her. It¡¯s just in.


    Ye Jiayao called Joe XI again: ¡°Joe XI, you talk to the bell housekeeper, I this yard also want to build a small kitchen, madam has promised, let the sterere over tomorrow morning, I personally told him how to repair,te I will go out again.¡±


    Joe Xi has some ident, Madam Incredibly Promise 2 Little Grandma to build small kitchen? That¡¯s a first.


    ¡°the maidservant delivers the material to the sewing room first, then goes looking for the bell steward.¡±


    Order finished, Jiang month held Kokichi and Xiao Ruie over, two little guys long Tiger Head Tiger Brain, more and more lovely, the ability to sell cuteness is also growing day by day.


    Ye Jiayao tease them to y for a while, only to let Jiang Yue hug away, ye Jiayao contentedly nted in the big pillowcase, work and life are gradually on the track, this two little grannies when is more and more handy.


    Why isn¡¯t Chunyu Back Yet? You Don¡¯t think she¡¯ll be hiding in the study tonight?


    Xia Chunyu at this moment is chagrined, for a while mouth quick, oneself to dig a pit, Hope Yao Yao hurriedly to forget this stubble.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s expectations are good, but the reality is cruel.


    When he returned to his room and saw the energetic and enthusiastic ye Jiayao, his head suddenly became big.


    ¡°Why are you still up?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took the initiative to undress him: ¡°this is not waiting for you?¡±


    Xia chunyu thoughtfully said: ¡°You also tired a day, early rest, I go to see a little book.¡±


    Ye Jiayao grabbed his cor, his hands took advantage of the trend ring on his waist, leering waves, jiao said: ¡°What good to read?¡±


    Er... so active, the chest of soft against him, that faint fragrance straight into his heart drill, summer chunyu swallowed saliva, all over the dry heat up.


    ¡°Chunyu, take me to bed!¡± She rubbed and rubbed against his chest, her warm breath exhaled in his ears, and her fingers twirled gently against his shoulder des.


    Xia Chunyu in a stimte spirit, this is he always used to tease her way, was she learned to, did not think of himself than she can not withstand the tease, the body of small mes into a sh, burning.


    Son of a bitch, even if it¡¯s a trap, I¡¯m gonna Jump!


    Xia Chunyu a hit her horizontal embrace, two people rolled in the bed, on.


    With ease, she untied her clothes and kneaded her plump and soft wantonly, and her breathing grew heavy.


    ¡°Chunyu, tell me the story or I won¡¯t be able to sleep tonight,¡± she said, holding his hand


    Xia Chunyu pretends to be stupid to be stupid: ¡°What Thing, tomorrow say again.¡±


    Ye Jiayao moved his legs and deliberately rubbed against the hardness under his body, causing him to gasp.


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t get up for anything unless you tell me.¡±


    Xia Chunyu Gnash one¡¯s teeth way: ¡°You don¡¯t need to move, anyway you also can not move, I Come Good.¡±


    Nyima County, how Dare You Underestimate Me? Ye Jiayao Evil to Dan Bian Sheng, a roll over riding on his body.


    ¡°What are you talking about? I Can¡¯t Move? Don¡¯t move if you have the ability today.¡± Ye Jiayao is like a female rascal, domineering ground pulls open his skirt.


    Do what he did to her, eat the little things on his chest..


    Xia Chunyu is a little frightened, today little sheep is going to incarnate hungry wolf?


    The shock was followed by surprise, not expecting his Yao Yao to be so yful. In the old days, I listened to my older colleagues joking about the pleasures of the boudoir. They said, with a big heart, that they would marry any well-to-do woman just to get a name. The boudoir was very prim and joyless. It was not as interesting as the women in the spring tower who knew what was going on, now, that¡¯s a treat.


    Hum, it is the man that a bunch of yboy makes excuse just for his debauchery.


    The first time by the woman so tease, Xia Chunyu is pain and enjoyment, body down to pain, desperately endure, would like to see her to do what step.


    Ye Jiayao son today is a risk, I even use the honey trap, see you recruit or not.


    His hand went down, holding him as hard as a hot iron.


    ¡°Chunyu, say it, say it quickly!¡± He said in a charming voice.


    Xia chunyu difficult way: ¡°do this kind of thing to concentrate on.¡±


    ¡°I am very dedicated AH, quickly say, said I will let you meet...¡± Ye Jiayao continued.


    The Summer Chunyu ck Mou Sears, the feeling, the desire hot fire is burning, the Smelly Wench, the thief heart does not die! Laotse will be firm, let you all kinds of torture is also determined not to say.


    ¡°Oh, Yao Yao, is that all you have? It¡¯s Not Enough!¡± Taunted Xia.


    Ye Jiayao depressed pull back hand, gas drum ground climb down: ¡°Don¡¯t y, no fun.¡±


    ¡°Summer Chun is in the body to suppress her, Gnash the teeth way:¡± you set fire, you are responsible for putting out a fire


    ¡°put out my head, don¡¯t y, I want to sleep.¡± Ye Jiayao pushes him, where can still push.


    Xia Chun in three five divide two, strip off all obstacles, into, effortlessly on the Enemy at the Gates.


    ¡°If you can sleep you just sleep...¡± Xia Chunyu with a smile on her lips, waist a straighten, straight into.

 Chapter 174 - The Empress Dowager Makes Things Difficult

    <h4>Chapter 174: The Empress Dowager Makes Things Difficult</h4>


    The next day, Ye Jiayao woke up with her whole body aching.


    Xia Chunyu gently patted her cheek and said, ¡°Your performance yesterday wasn¡¯t that bad. Keep up the good work.¡±


    She threw a pillow at his head.


    He justughed at her and walked out.


    Ye Jiayao was frustrated. Why was she always the one feeling battered and sore when he¡¯s the one doing all the work?


    Qiao Xi came to the room and told her, ¡°Housekeeper Zhong has brought the mason.¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly got up and got dressed.


    The three of them took a tour around the courtyard while the mason listened to Ye Jiayao¡¯s requests. Since the ¡®small kitchen¡¯ that they were nning to build wasn¡¯t small in dimensions at all, it was rmended for it to be built in the?penthouse opposite the main room.


    Ye Jiayao addressed the mason, ¡°Please start work as soon as possible. If you do a good job, there will be rewards.¡±


    She then turned to Manager Zhong and said, ¡°Don¡¯t bother Mother with the fees for this, Manager Zhong. I will pay for this myself. Mother¡¯s a little tight right now so we shouldn¡¯t trouble her.


    Manager Zhong nodded, impressed by the Second Young Mistress¡¯ thoughtfulness and ability to carry her weight.


    ¡°For the time where the small kitchen is in construction, it is best to build a wall here. This is the inner garden and I don¡¯t want to inconvenience anyone,¡± she added.


    ¡°Yes, Second Young Mistress,¡± the mason said.


    After settling the matter of construction, Ye Jiayao then proceeded to Xia You and Old Lord¡¯s ce to greet them.


    There, she found both Concubine Wei and Qiao kneeling, seeking forgiveness on Xia Chunli¡¯s behalf. The Old Marquis was drinking his tea, unbothered by them.


    ¡°Chunli has learned his lesson. He has work today, let¡¯s just forget about this,¡± Xia You reasoned.


    The Old Marquis snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t think he needs to go to Han Lin Institute anymore. He has resorted to lying, cheating, and other underhanded tricks just to get a good review. He¡¯s just going to tarnish our name.¡±


    ¡°Old Lord, this is not the way to make him change. We have to take things slow. We just need to observe him in the future and if he makes the same mistake again, then you can mete out more punishment,¡± Xia You said. She actually wanted Chunli to finish the three days of his punishment, but since she was thedy of the house, she has to appear gracious and fair.


    Xia Zhuofeng thought it over carefully before finally saying, ¡°I shall pardon him this time and just punish him to copying the family rules a hundred times.¡±


    Concubine thanked him profusely before getting up to go to the ancestral hall with Qiao.?When Qiao passed by Jinxuan, she red at her with her red-rimmed eyes.


    Ye Jiayao was unfazed, she did nothing wrong. She ignored her and instead walked up to?greet her inws.


    Upon seeing her, Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s mood visibly got better.


    ¡°Jinxuan, I heard you built a small kitchen for yourself. That¡¯s good, you get to make more good food!¡± he started.


    Ye Jiayao gave him an indulgent smile. ¡°Father, I have made a lot of spicy cabbage and garlic eggnt for you. Whatever else you want to eat, just let me know. Mother, I also invented a new type of special pastry yesterday. I will bring back some for you to tryter.¡±


    Xia You was moved that she thought about her. She was actually excited to try this as she recalled how much she enjoyed the ice cream mooncake she invented. However, she didn¡¯t dare show any emotion as she said, ¡°I heard that you didn¡¯t want to get new clothes.¡±


    ¡°Mother, I still have a few more sets of new clothes I have yet to wear. It is best to not be wasteful,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    Xia You did not respond, but on the inside, she was happy with her daughter-inw¡¯s attitude. She wasn¡¯t wasteful or extravagant, yet she proved to be generous. Disregarding her background, she actually has a lot of merits.


    ¡°Go ahead and get going with your day. I will take the menu to the Empress Dowager today and if she doesn¡¯t have any corrections, we¡¯re all set for the wedding feast. Come backter tonight,¡± Xia You informed her.


    Ye Jiayao left and headed straight to the courtyard with Jiang Yue where Zhong Xiang was already waiting.


    First, she told Zhong Xiang to chop some firewood and asked Jiang Yue to go fetch some water. Once they were done with the preparations, she handed the recipe to Zhong Xiang and told him to just follow all the instructions she wrote.


    ¡°The most important part is the control of the fire. If you do not have good control, the cake would not rise. You can ask Jiang Yue to help you but ultimately, you should trust your instincts as a chef.¡±


    She wanted to teach him how to bake a cake by letting him discover the critical points by himself. This way, he would have a first-hand experience of what works and what doesn¡¯t.


    As she expected, his first attempt failed. She asked him to point out the details that he think he missed and which area he thinks he could improve more before she told him all the mistakes that she saw.


    Zhong Xiang tried again, and since he was a fast learner, he got it right on his second try.


    Ye Jiayao was happy to his final result. She said, ¡°If you?seed for three consecutive times, you pass.¡±


    They hustled around the courtyard for the whole morning to produce three cake sponges. The cake that?Zhong Xiang decorated turned out rough and ugly so she told him to bring it to the brothers in Heavenly Residence. She finished the other two cakes herself because she wanted to give them to the Crown Princess and Xia You to try. She also made a mental note to make one tomorrow for Elder Princess Yu De and Little Jing.


    When she arrived at the Crown Prince¡¯s residence, she was immediately ushered in.


    The Crown Princess¡¯ belly has gotten very big since the two months that Ye Jiayao saw her.


    ¡°We never expected you to be a woman,¡± said the Crown Princess. ¡°The Crown Prince was so shocked when we found out the truth.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment. ¡°I had to conceal my identity under dire circumstances. I seek your forgiveness, Crown Princess.¡±


    The Crown Princess waved her apology away. ¡°You know, I actually envy you. Your life might have been dangerous but at least it was colorful and exciting.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could understand where the Crown Princess wasing from. Wealthydies lead a boring life where they are catered to 24/7 and their most important job was to keep their husbands happy and bear them an heir. To pass the time, they gossip and scheme against other women. She wouldn¡¯tst two days in that kind of life.


    ¡°What have you brought me? It looks extremely exquisite,¡± the Crown Princess asked curiously.


    ¡°It¡¯s a cake, Crown Princess. I have brought you the best one that I made.¡±


    The Crown Princess smiled kindly at her. ¡°You are so thoughtful! In the future, even if you don¡¯t bring food, doe over more often to talk to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was ted. The Crown Princess liked her!


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to find me naggy when the timees, Crown Princess,¡± Ye Jiayao saidughingly.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have anyone naggy by my side so that¡¯s alright. Come, tell me about what is happening outside.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat and chatted with the Crown Princess for more than two hours. It wasn¡¯t until she remembered her mother-inw¡¯s reminder that she finally excused herself to leave.


    When she returned to the mansion, she went straight to Xia You.


    Xia You was in a terrible mood at the moment.


    ¡°The Empress Dowager is purposely making things difficult for the Second Young Mistress! The Second Young Mistress is no longer a chef, how can she bring up such a request?¡± Granny Sunmented. ¡°Second Young Mistress would agree to it but this is too much.¡±


    Xia You sighed. ¡°I think this will just get worse as soon as Liu Li joins the family. Jinxuan can be kind and tolerant but she is not a pushover. If the two of them are in a conflict, I can¡¯t favor one over the other.¡±


    ¡°Second Young Mistress is here,¡± the servant outside reported.


    Ye Jiayao entered the room, a box of cake in hand. ¡°Mother, this is the cake I made for you.¡±


    Xia You, however, was too worried to eat so she got Granny Sun to take it. After much hesitation, she started, ¡°Empress Dowager gave the go-ahead for the menu that you created, but...¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw Xia You¡¯s weird expression and carefully asked, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°She wants you at the helm of the kitchen for the wedding feast.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirits fell. The Empress Dowager wanted her to cook at the feast? Why the hell was this old woman still trying to make her life miserable? She knew that the old crook just wanted to show everyone that even though she¡¯s the Second Young Mistress now, she was still a cook.


    <i>What¡¯s wrong with being a chef anyway? If she thinks they¡¯re so beneath her, then why doesn¡¯t she cook her food herself?</i>


    After seeing Ye Jiayao¡¯s silence, Xia You added, ¡°I know that it¡¯s a little inappropriate.¡±


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t fret,¡± Ye Jiayao assured, swallowing her rage. ¡°I will take on this wedding feast. I have done the Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday feast and I have cooked for His Majesty. Doing a wedding feast for my brother-inw is no big deal.¡±


    Xia You knew that Jinxuan would not reject this proposition but she still felt uneasy. It was obvious that Liu Li came up with this to punish Jinxuan, but in doing so, she¡¯s also bringing shame to Chunyu, the Heir-son Lord. That she cannot tolerate.


    ¡°I shall make another trip to the pce tomorrow!¡± Xia You dered resolutely.


    ¡°Mother, it is alright. I am Chunfeng¡¯s sister-inw and it is only right that I put in the effort to make his wedding beautiful.¡± Ye Jiayao curtsied and said, ¡°I¡¯m going to take my leave now, Mother.¡±


    Once Jinxuan was out of the room, Granny Sun remarked sadly, ¡°The Second Young Mistress is not happy!¡±


    Xia You massaged her temples. ¡°Who would be in her situation?¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ are we going to let it slide?¡± Granny Sun asked.


    Xia You didn¡¯t respond. Their troubles were just beginning.


    Ye Jiayao returned to her room, depressed.


    Jiang Yue followed her in and asked, ¡°Second?Young Mistress, Madame said that she would make another trip to the pce, why did you refuse her? You know that?Princess Liu Li is just doing this to get back at you!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no use. We all know that Mother wouldn¡¯t be able to change the Empress Dowager¡¯s mind. Just as you said, they wanted to get back at me,¡± Ye Jiayao exined. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. They won¡¯t seed. Everyone will look down at them for making me work and sympathize with me instead. So what if I¡¯m a cook? Everyone already knows that!¡±


    Jiang Yue stayed quiet. Although the Second Young Mistress was putting a brave front, Jiang Yue knew that she was unhappy with the situation.

 Chapter 175 - Come At Me

    <h4>Chapter 175: Come At Me</h4>


    Xia You called Xia Chunyu to her room to tell him about the Empress Dowager¡¯s condition. Jinxuan might be okay with this matter but Xia You wasn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t just Jinxuan¡¯s reputation at risk, it¡¯s the whole Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence.


    Xia Chunyu was understandably pissed when he heard about the news. ¡°Mother, please go to the pce again tomorrow and tell them that Jinxuan agreed. On the wedding day, Jinxuan will be cooking for them, I will be serving the dishes, and you and Father will be the one serving them tea. Let them know that if Princess Liu Li wanted to be pampered, the family will serve her wholeheartedly.¡±


    He was seething. Why couldn¡¯t these people just leave them alone? Why was Liu Li so diabolically evil and obsessed with him?


    ¡°We can also get Princess Yu De to say something,¡± Xia Chunyu added. ¡°If we give in to them this time, who knows what kind of trouble they¡¯ll stir up in the future. We can¡¯t let Chunfeng start his marriage out as a submissive.¡±


    Xia You nodded seriously. She can¡¯t let her son be controlled by a woman, even if that woman was royalty. ¡°I will go to the Helian family after dinner.¡±


    Xia Chunyu returned to his courtyard and was greeted by Qiao Xi.


    ¡°Wee back, Heir-son Lord.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the Second Young Mistress?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the house, Heir-son Lord. She seemed upset,¡± Qiao Xi ryed.


    Xia Chunyu nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡± he called out but there was no response. He went to their bedroom and saw his wife curled up on the bed.


    ¡°Yaoyao, get up. It¡¯s time for dinner,¡± he said, shaking her shoulder.


    ¡°I want to lie for some more time,¡± Ye Jiayao repliedzily. She has lost her appetite but she didn¡¯t want to tell him that.


    Xia Chunyu lied down beside her and said, ¡°Mother told me what happened. Do not worry, we will fix this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to face him and eximed, ¡°Don¡¯t do anything! I don¡¯t want to create any trouble for Mother. I¡¯ll get over it in a few days, just leave it alone.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hugged her close to him. With a firm but gentle voice, he said, ¡°This is not just your problem. It¡¯s the whole family¡¯s. If they embarrass you, they embarrass all of us. And you are my?<i>wife.</i>?I will always do everything I can to protect you. Anyone who tries to hurt you will have to go through me first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was moved by her husband¡¯s beautiful words. Despite everything, Chunyu really was a standup gentleman.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to make things more difficult for Chunfeng. He¡¯s only marrying Liu Li because of us. He was robbed of the chance to meet the love of his life because of us. He deserved to marry the love of his life, not to some bitter selfish woman,¡± she told him.


    Xia Chunyu was quiet for a long time before he spoke, ¡°Some things are just meant to happen a certain way.¡± He was just lucky that he got to marry the woman that he wanted.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say that fate is whatever people make it, but she knew that he wouldn¡¯t understand. This was the ancient time and their concept of choices and freedom were very different and limited.


    ¡°Third Young Master, Third Young Master, please wait a moment and let me announce your arrival...¡± a voice sounded from outside.


    The couple hurriedly got up and fixed their clothes.


    Xia Chunfeng rushed in secondster, screaming angrily, ¡°F*ck the wedding! I am not getting married to that woman! I?would rather be a monk.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at Xia Chunyu and said, ¡°I am going to get us some tea.¡±


    Xia Chunyu directed his younger brother to sit and said, ¡°You¡¯re about to be married, you need to control your temper.¡±


    ¡°Why do I need to change? She¡¯s crazy!¡± Chunfeng ranted. ¡°Who does she think she is, making Second Sister-inw cook for her? What will she ask of us next??Does she n to make Second Sister-inw be her personal chef? I can tolerate everything else, but I can¡¯t stand for her disrespecting my family, royalty or not.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°It is good to be fierce, but you must also remember that the most important key to a rtionship is affection. You can use that against her. We can¡¯t move against Liu Li brashly. She¡¯s a princess and whatever she decides will affect our family.¡±


    ¡°Then what should we do? I will never agree for Second Sister-inw to cook our wedding feast!¡± Chunfeng swore.


    Xia Chunyuughed at his intensity. ¡°I don¡¯t agree with it either. Don¡¯t worry, Mother is going to deal with it.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng frowned. ¡°Mother wouldn¡¯t dare to talk to the Empress Dowager, she¡¯s too afraid to get in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Mother is not afraid to get in trouble in the name of our family¡¯s reputation. She will do anything to protect our dignity,¡± Xia Chunyu exined calmly. ¡°Even if she fails, Father will step in. If he fails too, then I will take his ce.¡±


    The atmosphere at dinner was somber.


    The Old Lord left after only a few mouthfuls and Lady Xia You followed behind him.


    Qiao felt jealous at the concern that everyone was showing over Jinxuan so she said snidely, ¡°I don¡¯t see what the big deal with cooking is. Why does everyone have to suffer over it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes snapped up to her.?<i>Oh, you want to start this you little tart?</i>?Just as she was about to p back, her husband came to her aide.


    ¡°Big Brother, Big Sister,¡± Xia Chunyu began with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m a little short on money these days so I wanted to ask you when you are nning to give me back the 10,000 silvers you borrowed. You told me you¡¯d pay it off in a month, but it has already been two months.¡±


    He didn¡¯t have the intention of asking for the money back before but when Qiao made a pass at his wife, his mind changed.


    Qiao immediately shut her mouth and nudged her husband.


    Xia Chunli, embarrassed, answered, ¡°The embroidery shop isn¡¯t doing so well. I will return the money after we start earning some ie.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng sneered and said, ¡°Big Sister, weren¡¯t you always saying to Mother that your business is good? Were you just bragging?¡±


    Qiao¡¯s embarrassment worsened. ¡°It¡¯s your brother¡¯s fault. He would always buy unnecessary precious stones.¡±


    ¡°Is it? I heard that Big Brother¡¯s strange stone collection was bought at a high price.¡± Xia Chunfeng usually respected his Big Sister-inw, but he wasn¡¯t just going to ignore the malicious quip she made today against Sister Yaoyao.


    They may all be family members, but Second Sister-inw has done for the family in the few days she¡¯d been herepared to Big Sister-inw. Sister Yaoyao made delicious food for the family and has taken care of the wedding feast preparation and expenses for Chunfeng¡¯s wedding. Sister Qiao has done and offered nothing of the sorts.


    Qiao¡¯s face turned red as she looked between Xia Chunli and Xia Chunfeng. Why were they ganging up on her? Her husband wasn¡¯t even trying to defend her as he was just sitting there, enjoying his food.


    Angry and humiliated, she stood up quickly, knocking a bowl on the table, and then left.


    Ye Jiayao snorted, her mood suddenly brightening with Chunyu and Chunfeng¡¯s antics.


    Mean and spiteful witches aside, she has a loving family.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s not let this get us down. I will make some delicious food for Father and Motherter since they didn¡¯t get to finish their meal,¡± Ye Jiayao said brightly.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, the cake you made is so delicious, but Mother only gave me a small piece,¡± Chunguo said, his eyes wide and filled with eagerness.


    ¡°Cake? What cake? I haven¡¯t seen that,¡± Xia Chunyu inquired curiously.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and said to Chunguo, ¡°Cake is very difficult to make. However, if you can recite the Analects down, I will do it for you. I will make as much as you want to eat.¡±


    Chunguo got excited. ¡°You promise?¡±


    ¡°I promise!¡±


    Chunguo started to shovel big servings of rice in his mouth speedily. His servant cautioned him, ¡°Fourth Young Master, you should eat more slowly or you¡¯ll choke.¡±


    Chunguo merely shook his head, increasing his pace.


    Xia You went straight to the Helian family¡¯s mansion with Granny Sun.


    Yu De was aghast after Xia You finished telling her the story. ¡°This is too unreasonable. I can¡¯t believe that the Empress Dowager requested that. This must be Princess Liu Li¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who came up with the idea,¡± Xia You said bitterly. ¡°This is what the Empress Dowager ordered. Jinxuan is too gracious to deny the request, but this is inappropriate. Chunfeng and Liu Li¡¯s wedding is a big affair with all the high-ss people of Jin Ling in attendance. What would people think if they found out that Chunfeng¡¯s sister-inw cooked for the feast? Those who don¡¯t know the truth will think that we are treating Jinxuan badly. Those who know the truth will think that Princess Liu Li was merely taking revenge on Jinxuan. It¡¯s a lose-lose situation all around.¡±

 Chapter 176 - Persuasion

    <h4>Chapter 176: Persuasion</h4>


    Xia You was right. People would figure out that the only reason Jinxuan was cooking in the wedding feast was that Princess Liu Li wanted revenge from Chunyu¡¯s rebuttal.


    ¡°What did Chunyu say?¡± Yu De asked.


    ¡°He said that if Jinxuan would be the one cooking, then he¡¯d be the one serving the dishes. Chunfeng even yelled at me earlier. He was so angry that he said he¡¯d rather be a monk than marry Princess Liu Li. The mansion is in chaos because of this,¡± Xia You told her. ¡°Yu De, you have to help me. Can you get the Old Ancestress to refute this?¡±


    Yu De shook her head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to tell the Old Ancestress about this. She loves Jinxuan and if she finds out about this, she¡¯d wage a war with the Empress Dowager. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go talk to the Empress Dowager myself.¡±


    At this time, Xia Chunfeng and Little Jing were drinking in Heavenly Residence.


    ¡°What are you doing? Did you just call me out here to drink?¡± Little Jing demanded as he mmed his ss down.


    Xia Chunfeng said, ¡°I am drowning my sorrows.¡±


    ¡°Why? Because of your impending wedding?¡± Little Jing guessed.


    ¡°What do you think about me fleeing out of Jin Ling?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked.


    Little Jing almost spat his wine out in shock. ¡°What? You can¡¯t do that! What about your family??Have you thought about what the Empress Dowager will do to your family if you bail out of this marriage?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng sighed, shaking his head sadly. ¡°My life has be pathetic.¡±


    Helian Jing snorted.?<i>You want to talk about pathetic? I am in love with a girl who¡¯s married to someone else. How much more pathetic can you get?</i>


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You have responsibilities that you need to fulfill. Besides, Liu Li isn¡¯t that bad. She might be spoiled and bad-tempered, but she¡¯s a good person deep down,¡± Helian Jing said.


    Xia Chunfeng scowled. ¡°A good person? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Why would you say that?¡±


    ¡°She asked Second Sister-inw to cook our wedding feast.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Little Jing eximed. ¡°That¡¯s too much! What did Yaoyao say?¡±


    ¡°Second Sister-inw agreed but Mother, Second Brother, and I are protesting against it.¡±


    Little Jing sighed with relief. If Brother Chunyu had agreed to Yaoyao cooking, Little Jing would have protested this matter to the Empress Dowager himself.


    ¡°My life has be boring. Now that Li Yao is gone, the taste of the food here has changed. Oh, do you remember the times when you, Qixuan, Li Yao, and I would just eat and drink together? Why did we stop doing that?¡± Xia Chunfengined, already a little bit tipsy.


    Of course, Helian Jing remembered. That was the time that he was hopelessly in love with Yaoyao and thought that he might have a chance with her. He remembered their trip from Ji Nan to Jin Ling, nning the Old Ancestress¡¯ birthday feast together, and even that time when they tried to set Susu and Qixuan up. That was a really happy time for him. Unfortunately, it was all over now.


    Remembering all those memories was just bringing up old feelings and hurt again, so Little Jing decided to take a page out of Chunfeng¡¯s book and just drink it all away.


    Early next morning, Yu De went to the pce.


    ¡°Why did youe this early?¡± the Empress Dowager askedzily.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you in a while, Empress Dowager! I missed you,¡± Yu De said. ¡°Liu Li¡¯s wedding is alsoing up. What can I do to help?¡±


    The Empress Dowagers¡¯ eyes narrowed in suspicion. ¡°No, everything¡¯s settled now. Liu Li would have the grand wedding she deserves.¡±


    Yu De smiled patiently. ¡°I heard that Jinxuan¡¯s organizing the wedding feast. That¡¯s great! I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll do a great job of this.¡±


    The Empress Dowager sneered and said, ¡°She will not only organize it, but she will also be cooking the food!¡±


    Yu De feigned surprise. ¡°Did she offer to cook?¡±


    ¡°Offer? No, I ordered her to.¡±


    ¡°Empress Dowager, I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s inappropriate.¡±


    The Empress Dowager merelyughed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Yu De reasoned, ¡°Everyone knows that Chunyu refused to marry Liu Li because of Jinxuan. What do you think they¡¯ll think when they find out that Jinxuan was ordered to cook for the banquet? They would think that it¡¯s Liu Li¡¯s doing because she wanted revenge.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s smile faded off as she considered Yu De¡¯s words.


    Yu De continued, ¡°This wouldn¡¯t be good for Liu Li¡¯s reputation. Jinxuan is now the Second Young Mistress of the Jing An Marquis mansion, even if she?<i>offered</i>?to cook, you shouldn¡¯t let her. Besides, you know that Chunyu would do anything to protect her. Do you think he¡¯d just stand idly by if you belittle his wife like this?


    ¡°I know that you love Liu Li and you want to avenge her, but this is wrong. Liu Li is marrying into the Xia family soon. What would they think of this affront? How do you think they¡¯ll feel if you start the union this way? What would the outsiders say when they learn about this? More importantly, what will Chunfeng think? He¡¯s to be her husband and if you continue with this, his impression and attitude toward Liu Li will forever be tarnished.¡±


    ¡°Did the Xia family sent you to negotiate on their behalf?¡± the Empress Dowager said after a long moment of silence.


    ¡°Of course not, Empress Dowager,¡± Yu De denied with a slightugh. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen anyone from the Xia family in days.¡±


    The Empress Dowager nodded, deep in thought. ¡°You have valid points. I admit that I didn¡¯t consider the consequences of my order.¡±


    She was determined to take the me for this. No one could know that this was Liu Li¡¯s proposal, especially the people of the Jing An Marquis mansion.


    ¡°Please go and tell them to disregard my order,¡± the Empress Dowager said.


    Yu De secretly let out a sigh of relief. They were lucky that the Empress Dowager changed her mind, otherwise, this would¡¯ve resulted in a whole new bout of chaos.


    ¡°Of course. I will head over there immediately. I also heard that they are expanding the mansion in preparation for Liu Li¡¯s arrival. I will go inspect it and report back to you Empress Dowager,¡± Yu De said with a happy smile.


    Today, Zhong Xiang has sessfully made five cakes. Ye Jiayao was very proud of him. She left three cakes for him to decorate while she iced and frosted the remaining two. She sent one to Zhao Qixuan¡¯s house for his mother. Mrs. Yong An was a foodie and Ye Jiayao knew that she would enjoy the cake.


    She delivered the other cake to the Helian mansion. When she arrived, only the Old Ancestress was present. Ye Jiayao chatted with her for a while before heading back home.


    When she got home, the servants informed her that the Elder Princess Yu De was there and was touring the expanded courtyard with Lady Xia You.


    Ye Jiayao rushed to them to pay her respects.


    ¡°Oh, there you are Jinxuan! Come and take a look. Tell us if there¡¯s anything that can be improved,¡± Yu De said.


    Ye Jiayao knew that the reconstruction of this yard was personally nned by Xia You. Saying anything bad about it would just be in stupid. ¡°Theyout is great and the environment is exquisitely and peacefully elegant. I like it.¡±


    Yu De smiled and offered, ¡°If you like it, maybe this should be yours in the future.¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that the Elder Princess said what she said without any consideration or actual thought so she carefully replied, ¡°I can live anywhere as long as the family is happy. Chunyu and I are happy with our yard right now, Elder Princess, so I¡¯m okay with that.¡±


    Xia You smiled, satisfied with Ye Jinxuan¡¯s answer. She was starting to see just how kind and smart her new daughter-inw is.


    ¡°Yu De, what do you think needs to be improved?¡± Xia You asked.


    Yu De thought about it for a moment and then shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have any idea at the moment.¡±


    ¡°Mother, why don¡¯t set up a flower stand in the corner, nt the wisteria and put on a pair of swings?¡± Ye Jiayao suggested.


    Yu De chimed in, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a good idea! Liu Li still has the heart of a child and she loves swings. She has a pair in the pce, and she loves to swing in her free time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw those swings in the pce before that¡¯s why she suggested it in the first ce.


    Xia You looked at Ye Jiayao for a few seconds before saying to Granny Sun,?¡°Tell Housekeeper Zhong to set up a flower stand here and put on a swing.¡±

 Chapter 177 - The Challenger

    <h4>Chapter 177: The Challenger</h4>


    After seeing Elder Princess Yu De off, Xia You turned to Jinxuan and said, ¡°The Empress Dowager has changed her mind.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth opened in surprise.?<i>Wow, they work fast!</i>


    To show her gratefulness for their efforts, Ye Jiayao decided to prepare several delicious dishes tonight.


    Just as she was just about to prepare all the necessary materials, a servant came in to tell her that someone from Heavenly Residence was outside and wanted to speak to her.


    Ye Jiayao told Jiang Yue to keep going and came out to see what was going on.


    Cui Dongpeng was pacing back and forth anxiously when he spotted her. ¡°Second Young Mistress, there¡¯s a challenger at the restaurant!¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked him calmly, ¡°Why are you so nervous? Can¡¯t Zhong Xiang handle this?¡±


    ¡°That man imed that he¡¯s the best chef in Sichuan and Hunan area,¡± Cui Dongpeng answered. ¡°He¡¯s participating in the cookingpetition and he said that he has already challenged Qi Lin and Niu Baoshun. Brother Xiang wanted topete with him, but he insisted that he wanted to face off with Li Yao. He¡¯s in the restaurant right now and he¡¯s refusing to leave. He¡¯s gathering an audience from all the fuss he¡¯s been kicking up. Even Zheng Sanduo and Lu Xiaotian havee to watch.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that I am married now?¡±


    Cui Dongpeng scowled. ¡°I did but he wouldn¡¯t listen. He thinks Li Yao is just a coward who¡¯s using that as an excuse. The onlookers are just finding the whole thing funny.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smirked. She hasn¡¯t even met him yet and she already knew that he¡¯s cocky. If he was as excellent as he said he was, why didn¡¯t he challenge Zheng Fugui? He was just trying to pick off the little guys to build his name.


    <i>Fine then, I¡¯ll give him thepetition he¡¯s asking for.</i>?¡°Alright. Go back and tell him that Li Yao wille soon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked Song Qi to prepare a carriage for her and had someone inform Jiang Yue that she¡¯d be cooking dinner all by herself. She also asked someone to tell Granny Sun that she had some matters to settle in Heavenly Residence.


    She changed into a man¡¯s clothing and hurried off to the restaurant.


    When she arrived at the Heavenly Residence, the crowd that had gathered started pointing and talking.


    ¡°Li Yao is here!¡±


    Although everyone in Jin Ling knew that Li Yao is actually Ye Jinxuan, they yed along with calling her Li Yao since the challenger didn¡¯t know any better.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s finally here. Do you think she¡¯ll win?¡±


    ¡°That man is sharp. It is said that both Duan Qilin and Niu Baoshun lost to him.¡±


    ¡°So what? Li Yao serves the Emperor. Although she hasn¡¯tpeted with those first-ss chefs like Zheng Fugui and Lu Xiaotian, everyone knows she¡¯s very skilled.¡±


    ¡°Heavenly Residence only got famous because of her.¡±


    ¡°I bet that Li Yao will win.¡±


    ¡°I think the challenger will best her.¡±


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s start a bet and we¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°Susu, let¡¯s have some fun,¡± Zhao Qixuan said excitedly. It has been a long time since something as amusing as this happened.


    Su Yi smirked and said, ¡°Three hundred on Li Yao.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll add two hundred.¡± Zhao Qixuan pulled out a five-hundred banknote and put it on Li Yao¡¯s side.


    Ye Jiayao came into the hall full of people, her eyes immediately zeroing in on Lu Xiaotian and hispanions.


    Lu Xiaotian smiled and nodded at her in greeting. He was here toe to her rescue if she needed him to, but also because he wanted to see her in action. She withdrew from thepetition so he knew that this might be the only time that he¡¯d get to witness her skills. Plus, he needed to see if this challenger can back up all his talk about being the ¡®best chef¡¯ in two cities.


    Ye Jiayao returned his smile before her eyes fell on a man who looked to be in his thirties with an upturned nose and?a handlebar mustache. He looked like every movie viin ever.


    ¡°How do I address you, sir?¡± Ye Jiayao asked warmly.


    He barely swept a nce at her.


    Deng Haichuan said crossly, ¡°Hey, you said you wanted to challenge Brother Yao, right? Here he is.¡±


    The man nced back at her again, the cockiness in his face intensifying. ¡°Hu Dahai.¡±


    ¡°Which way do you want topete in?¡±


    ¡°A guest should follow the host¡¯s choice. It¡¯s up to you.¡±


    When he arrived at Jin Ling, he asked around for the best chef in the city. A lot of people answered that it was Lu Yiming since he was the champion of thestpetition, followed by Zheng Fugui. Lu Yiming¡¯s son,?Lu Xiaotian, was also mentioned because apparently, he inherited his father¡¯s talent in cooking. However, everyone agreed that the most popr chef in the city was called Li Yao. He hade up with a lot of new dishes that shocked the people. After careful consideration, Hu Dahai decided to challenge this Li Yao first since he seemed to be the inexperienced one.


    He was surprised to see that this Li Yao was so young. Hu Dahai predicted that this would be an easy win for him.


    Still with a pleasant smile on her face, Ye Jiayao said,?¡°Sichuan cuisine, one of the four major cuisines in Central in. It is famous for its unique way of cooking and special characteristic, which is called People Cuisines. It has three main features: spicy, hot, and appetizing. The specialties are shredded pork with garlic sauce, double-cooked pork slices, Mapo beancurd, fish filets in hot chili oil, and sliced beef and ox tongue in chili sauce.


    Hu Dahai¡¯s arrogant face turned serious. He was impressed that the youngd was familiar with Sichuan cuisine. It seemed as if he had underestimated him.


    ¡°I¡¯m skilled in Huaiyang cuisine, but I¡¯m not going to suggest that because even if I win, that¡¯ll bring me no honor. So how about we just both cook Mapo beancurd? And hurry up, our restaurant has lots of business!¡± Ye Jiayao said, still seeming unperturbed.


    Every chef in attendance were all thinking the same thing:?<i>Why would she choose a dish that she wasn¡¯t familiar with?</i>


    Some people thought that she has underestimated her challenger while others thought that this made for a more entertaining faceoff. Mapo beancurd might be a simple dish, but the skills needed to make it was very determining. Only first-ss Sichuan chefs can get it right.


    Hu Dahai was stunned. Why would Li Yao suggest that? For him, an experienced chef, making Mapo beancurd was extremely easy. Was Li Yao that good or was he just overestimating himself?


    ¡°What do you think? Are you okay with that or do you want to cook something of your expertise?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, still with a smile that she knew was grating on his nerves.


    Hu Dahai huffed. He was taunting him. ¡°Let¡¯s do Mapo beancurd.¡±


    ¡°Should we choose foreign chefs to judge our finish product? I don¡¯t think Jin Ling chefs would be fair if we get them to judge.¡± Ye Jiayao called Lu Xiaotian over and asked, ¡°Chef Xiaotian, can I bother you to select three chefs who are neither from?Huaiyang or Sichuan?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian readily agreed.


    A few momentster, he produced two Lu cuisine chefs and one Yue cuisine chef. Before they began he suggested, ¡°It would be fairer if the judges were to taste your dish without knowing who made them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought it was a great idea and Hu Dahai made no objection with it.


    With the mechanics of thepetition ironed out, the two chefs entered the kitchen in tandem.


    Mapo beancurd was one of the most famous dishes in China. Ye Jiayao¡¯s grandmother was from Sichuan and Mapo beancurd was her favorite food. When her grandmother was young, her husband would always cook it for her. Then, it became Ye Jiayao¡¯s father¡¯s job to cook for her. Then it passed on to her.


    ¡°Chef?Dahai, which one do you need, beef or pork?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Pork.¡± He answered.


    ¡°Well, then the seasoning¡­¡± Ye Jiayao was about to ask if he needs Sichuan pepper when she saw him take out all kinds of seasoning from his carry-on parcel.?<i>Damn, he came prepared!</i>


    Ye Jiayao set out to retrieve her seasonings, some blue and white pepper powder, fermented ck bean, bean paste, and many other things.


    Deng Haichuanid out two pieces of fresh filet and two?boreal bean curd while Zhong Xiang provided the garlic, onions, andtro.


    Hu Daihai took half of the ingredients and got started.


    He cut the boreal bean curd into two cm pieces and then added some water into the pot. He then proceeded to finely chop the fresh filet.


    Ye Jiayao took her time preparing her ingredients as she observed Hu Dahai¡¯s cutting techniques. He was soft and swift, clearly skilled.


    When Hu Dahai saw Li Yao¡¯s turtle pace, he asked, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t thispetition have a time limit?


    Ye Jiayao chuckled at hispetitiveness. ¡°Sure. Whoever finishesst, loses.¡±

 Chapter 178 - You Cheated

    <h4>Chapter 178: You Cheated</h4>


    Zhong Xiang and the others remained calm because?they had long been ustomed to the Second Young Mistress¡¯ cutting. Her cutting technique was excellent and they knew she could finish that in no time. What they were more worried about was the seasoning she used.


    Although she made a lot of seasonings before, such as chicken essence and garlic paste, the Paprika and the fermented soya bean she was using for today was untested. They didn¡¯t know if it would go well with the dish.


    Ye Jiayao waited until he was almost finished before mincing her meat. As soon as the knife touched the board, her movements became a quiet flurry. In no time, she finished her mince, fine and tender.


    With Hu Dahai¡¯s meat already cooking, he was able to watch Li Yao as he cut through his meat. Hu Duhai had to contain his gasp at the young man¡¯s skill. He had started cooking at the age 12 and he had done countless Mapo tofus before, but he was never able to mince his meat like Li Yao.


    His confidence started to waver.


    He looked at Li Yao¡¯s ingredients and saw that he had authentic green pepper noodles as well as?fermented soya beans and broad bean paste.


    He started to wonder if Li Yao was actually a chef of Huaiyang cuisine since he seemed so adept at Sichuan cuisine as well. Did he lie to him?


    As both chefs began to cook their seasonings, the kitchen started to fill with delicious spicy and fresh aromas.


    Ye Jiayao scooped a spoonful of vegetarian chicken soup from a pot and asked Chef Dahai, ¡°This soup is very delicious. Do you want to use it?¡±


    Hu Dahai ignored her and tested the other soups himself, finally settling with the oily beef soup.


    After a few more minutes, both chefs reached thest step, garnishing their dish with scallions and coriander powder.


    However, Hu Dahai observed that after Li Yao added a dash of yellow powder in his dish.


    He tried to take a closer look but was unable to.?<i>What was that?</i>


    They finished their dishes at the same time, both looked appetizing and smelled fragrant. The only obvious difference was Hu Dahai¡¯s dish was a darker red.


    Little Lu put both the bowls of Mapo tofu on a tray and brought it out to the judges.


    ¡°They¡¯re done!¡± someone eximed when they saw Little Lu with the tray.


    The selected judges tried the two bowls of Mapo tofu one by one.


    Therge lobby was packed with people but it was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was holding their breath as they waited for the verdict.


    Lu Xiaotian stared at the judges, his fists clenched.?<i>You must win this, Jinxuan!</i>


    Zhao Qixuan, who was sitting outside, sipped his tea and casually asked, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t there been any result yet?


    Su Yi told him, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? We both know who¡¯s gonna win.¡±


    Qixuan frowned. ¡°I¡¯m Jinxuan¡¯s friend that¡¯s why I bet on her. What was your reason?¡±


    ¡°I have never met a woman more daring than her. Plus, she is a very excellent chef,¡± Su Yi answered honestly.


    Zhao Qixuan shrugged. ¡°Fair point.¡±


    In the lobby, a judge pointed to the dish of dark red mapo tofu and said, ¡°This is appropriately spicy. The meat is tender and the beef vor tasted great. The tofu?is soft, smooth, tasty, and authentic.¡±


    The other two nodded in agreement.


    One of the judges pointed to the other bowl and started, ¡°This is extremely authentic. It seems to be made of chicken soup, but it is not greasy at all. It tastes fresh.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. The other beef-vored Mapo tofu seems a bit too greasy. This one is impable.


    ¡°Judging from color, this one is more appetizing because of its bright red luster.¡±


    ¡°The minced meat in this one is also softer.¡±


    Hu Dahai¡¯s jaw dropped in incredulity. He was losing. How¡¯s that possible?


    The three judges unanimously agreed that the brighter red Mapo tofu on the left was the winner.


    Hu Dahai cried out, ¡°This is impossible! You cheated!¡±


    As soon as he cried out, the crowd knew who was dered the winner.


    The Jin Ling chefs in the crowd started pping their hands in celebration.


    Those who were betting on Hu Duhai were disappointed and confused as to how he lost.


    ¡°Do you think there was cheating involved?¡± someone questioned in a low voice.


    The three judges were furious.


    One of them spoke up, irate, ¡°None of us have any idea which dish belonged to whom. We judged entirely by taste.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t trust us, pick a chef from the crowd and tell them to try it. Let¡¯s see if we cheated,¡± the other judge challenged.


    Hu Dahai ignored them and scooped a spoonful of Li Yao¡¯s Mapo tofu, tasting it carefully. They were right. It was more delicious than his. It must be because of the yellow powder that he added.


    ¡°He cheated and used secret fresh ingredients,¡± used Hu Dahai.


    Ye Jiayao wanted tough at his face. ¡°Chef Dahai, you used the seasoning you brought. If you can¡¯t make a seasoning better than mine, that¡¯s not my fault.¡±


    She continued, ¡°Let me tell you why you lost. First, I was better at mincing my meat than you. Second, I used in chicken soup which has all the necessary vors without the grease.?I advised you to use the in chicken soup, but you ignored me and chose the beef soup instead.¡±


    Hu Dahai¡¯s face was turning red from anger and embarrassment. He was angry that he lost and he was embarrassed because Li Yao was right.


    ¡°Third, look at the tofu you made. It¡¯s already drying out, but mine is still sulent. That¡¯s because I cut it thicker than you. Fourth, I used?fresh seasonings that I made by myself. All the people who have eaten at our restaurant knows that our dishes are always vibrant, tasteful, and fresh because of our seasonings. Don¡¯t you think making seasonings is also a vital skill for a chef?¡±


    ¡°Li Yao is not exaggerating. The dishes in Heavenly Residence are really delicious,¡± Lu Xiaotian chimed in.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at him gratefully before continuing, ¡°Sichuan cuisine is abination of all the best practices of the southern, eastern, northern, and western cuisines. However, just because you mastered it doesn¡¯t mean that you are an expert at all the cuisines. You can¡¯t call yourself the ¡®best chef¡¯ just because you beat some chefs inpetitions that only catered to certain cuisines. You need to keep studying to improve yourself.¡±


    Every chef in the crowd was nodding along in approval to what the Second Young Mistress was saying. Not only was she an excellent cook, but she was also a brilliant woman.


    Hu Dahai wilted down, speechless. He came here to increase his fame and now, he has be theughing stock.


    Ye Jiayao, seeing that the cocky chef was properly chastised, turned to the crowd and said, ¡°Alright, the show¡¯s done. If you are hungry, you can eat here and there will be a 20% discount for your entire meal.


    Deng Haichuan shook his head in amusement. The Second Young Mistress was really good at seizing business opportunities.


    At this moment, Xia Chunyu came up beside her and announced, ¡°To celebrate the victory of the Second Young Mistress, tonight¡¯s meal and drinks will all be 20% off.¡±


    Hu Dahai stared at the couple.?<i>Li Yao¡¯s a woman?</i>?When the other workers here told him that she¡¯s already married, he thought they were merely making an excuse.?His shame grew and he prayed for a hole in the ground to swallow him whole.


    Everyone dispersed in a hubbub, snatching seats and calling their friends.


    Ye Jiayao turned to her husband with an appreciative smiled and asked, ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°The servants in the mansion weren¡¯t clear as to what trouble you¡¯re in. I wanted to check on you,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the Chef Dahai sneaking away and said, ¡°No trouble at all.¡±


    ¡°You know people ced bets on this. Susu and Qixuan even won 1500 silvers!¡±


    ¡°They what?¡± she eximed. ¡°Tell them to treat us then!¡±


    Xia Chunyu grinned at her. ¡°We must get what belongs to us.¡±

 Chapter 179 - To Win The First War

    <h4>Chapter 179: To Win The First War</h4>


    The achievement of Ye Jiayao challenging a Sichuan cuisine master with a Mapo tofu dish pushed her once again into the limelight after a group of busybodies spiced up the story and spread it around. Her poprity surpassed all the contestants in the culinarypetition.


    Some were grateful that this woman was married, otherwise, there would be one more strongpetitor in thepetition.


    Some found it a pity that she got married so early. She would¡¯ve made the cookingpetition more interesting.


    And then there were some who were vexed, namely Ye Ning, Ye Jinrong, and Princess Liu Li.


    Ye Jinrong was so frustrated at Jinxuan¡¯s growing poprity. She¡¯s already married, why couldn¡¯t she just settle down?


    Wei Liujiang asked his family for some money to start his business. He heard that many people in Jin Ling collects precious stones and then start a shop to sell them. Unfortunately, he fell into a scam and lost tens of thousands of silvers. He tried to argue and get his money back but he only ended up badly beaten and bruised that he was forced to rest at home for a few days.


    Mu Qi could not bear to see him like this further and pleaded with Assistant Minister Mu to give him a business doing oil and water. Coincidentally, the Ministry of Works was doing irrigation projects along the river from Jin Ling to Yang Zhou so if he does it well, the oil and water business would be quite profitable. It took Assistant Manager Mu quite some effort to help him get the contractual rights to the project.


    Wei Liujiang didn¡¯t find the title ¡®chiefbor contractor¡¯ nice since it was not as elegant as a ¡®precious stone collector¡¯. However, he caved under the pressure from both his wife and his mother-inw and took the job unwillingly.


    On the 20th day of the 10th month, the long-awaited 5-day culinarypetition officially began.


    The first day of thepetition was the test of basics.


    Because Zhong Xiang was taking part in the pastry category, Ye Jiayao was more focused on pastries.


    There¡¯s a total of 96 contestants in the pastry category and half of them were from Shan Xi, a region famous for its pastries. These contestants were all filled with pride and confidence, as though they were sure to get the top three cings.


    The assessment was wrapping dumplings.?Dumplings are a popr pastry dish in both the north and south. A little dumpling epasses a whole lot of basics necessary in making food from flour, i.e, making the dough, kneading the dough, rubbing into strips, dividing into portions, making of the skin, wrapping the fillings, many others.


    All the ingredients were standardized. The amount of flour and water provided was the same and so were the tools for making the dumplings. No added seasonings were allowed ¨C just purely dumpling-making.


    Ye Jiayao brought Jiang Yue and Wang Mingde to watch thepetition with her.


    The more Wang Mingde watch the skillful techniques of the other contestants, the more nervous she got. ¡°Second Young Mistress, do you think Brother Xiang can make it to the semifinals?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows knitted slightly. Although Zhong Xiang¡¯s basics were not bad, he was up against some pretty powerful master chefs here. It will all depend on the final step which is shaping the dumpling. Hopefully, he could emerge sessful with his skills.


    Before thepetition, they prepared various new pastries, tri-colored dragon¡¯s beard noodles, gradual color-changing broad noodles, mandarin ducks steamed dumplings, rose steamed dumplings, butterfly steamed dumplings, and various buns and pastries.


    No one expected thepetition format to be like this. They couldn¡¯t add their own ideas to the dumpling so it will all just boil down to shaping the dumplings.


    Everyone¡¯s hands were nimble as they divided the dough strip into 22 portions ording to the rules. Staffs brought a te over and took a portion from everyone, cing it ording to the contestant numbers.


    After they made the dumpling skin, one of the skin is taken again.


    Which meant that every step was a vital part of the judging.


    ¡°They are adding the filling,¡± Jiang Yuemented, twisting the handkerchief in her hands nervously.


    Ye Jiayao started to walk along the cordoned line, from the first row to thest. Her expression rxing with each step, a slight smile starting to form on her lips.


    When she returned joined her group again, Wang Mingde asked, ¡°Second Young Mistress, what did you see?


    She answered with conviction, ¡°Zhong Xiang can win this.¡±


    Most of the contestants were using the traditional dumpling-wrapping method, failing to disy originality.


    Seeing how certain the Second Young Mistress was, Wang Mingde and Jiang Yue began to calm down a little.


    Zhong Xiangpleted the task a littleterpared to the rest. After all, the butterfly dumpling was more exquisite andplicated to makepared to a traditional dumpling.


    This time, the dumplings were not taken away. Instead, the five judges would go over to take a look in a row, nodding their heads if they thought that the shape is fine enough. Afterward, a staff following behind them would take the dumpling away. The ones remaining were those who were eliminated.


    It was without question that Zhong Xiang¡¯s butterfly dumpling was very eye-catching. The judges stopped over in front of his table for the longest time, even asking him some questions.


    Because they were too far away, they could not see the judges¡¯ expressions and could not hear what they said. The only thing they saw was?Zhong Xiang¡¯s butterfly dumpling being taken away.


    Jiang Yue pped her hands merrily, saying, ¡°They took it away! There¡¯s hope for him.¡±


    The five judges gathered around the front desk, surrounding the contestants¡¯ dumplings, pointing and discussing for an incense stick¡¯s time.


    Finally, they announced the names of the chefs?that qualified for the semifinals.


    Ye Jiayao and her friends listened carefully.?There were a total of 36 people and Zhong Xiang¡¯s name was announced at the fifth ce.


    Ye Jiayao nodded in satisfaction.


    Jiang Yue, however, was unconvinced. ¡°I think Brother Xiang did the best. Why is he in the fifth ce?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled patiently at her and exined, ¡°This isprehensive judging, it is not merely based on the outer form. Zhong Xiang¡¯s cing has already leveraged on the dumpling¡¯s outer appearance. We have to be content, being able to move through the subsequent rounds is the main point.¡±


    Zhong Xiang was extremely happy after winning his first war. When he got to the Second Young Mistress, he cupped his fist in his hand and said, ¡°Second Young Mistress, I am d to have not disgraced you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao beamed at him proudly. ¡°Congrattions in passing your first round! However, thepetitionter would be tougher so you better return and prepare with Wang Mingde.¡±


    The pastry category ended early, but on the other side, the cooking category has just started to wrap up. Ye Jiayao went over there to wait for the announcement of the winners.


    As expected, Lu Xiaotian, Duan Qilin, Niu Baoshun, and Zheng Sanduo all passed to the next round. Among the 48 winners, Jin Ling¡¯s head chefs took up eight positions, which is not a bad result.


    Back at the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence, she met the Manager Lin Kun who told her that the small kitchen had been finished today and Manager Zhong was currently inspecting the work.


    Ye Jiayao rushing back to her courtyard excitedly.


    A few workers were there knocking down the wall, shifting the bricks out.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, please wait for a while. This ce is quite messy and I don¡¯t want you to injure yourself,¡± Manager Zhong cautioned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me!¡±


    Ye Jiayao passed through the debris carefully, entering the kitchen.


    This kitchen was her territory, whether or not her family and business can both reap harvest wouldrgely depend on this little kitchen. She has to personally inspect the ce.


    This stove was not the same as the usual ones as it was separated into from the furnace. There¡¯s a big stove for steaming and two small stoves for cooking. The streamlined design made the stove unique, fashionable, and space-saving.


    Ye Jiayao nodded in approval, extremely satisfied with how the mason has materialized her proposal wonderfully.


    ¡°How much is it in total?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Manager Zhong replied, ¡°Madame said that all expenses would be taken from the family money.¡±


    ¡°I already said that I¡¯ll pay for this myself!¡± Ye Jiayao knew that if Qiao found out about that, she¡¯s just gonna pout and make more snide remarks against her.


    Xia You¡¯s approval of her little kitchen has already brought about many whinings from Sister Qiao. Now that Auntie Jiang and Jiang Yue has formed some rtionships with the people around the residence, she was more in tune with the gossips around the ce. She had heard whispers about?Xia You being biased, Jinxuan being a suck-up, and how the construction of her small kitchen was just another plot to challenge Liu Li...


    Qiao¡¯s life must be either really boring or miserable for her toe up with all this stuff.


    With her insistence, Manager Zhao finally relented and said, ¡°The material fees plusbor fees totals up to 467 silvers.¡±


    Ye Jiayao ordered Jiang Yue, ¡°Bring 500 silvers over here. Consider the excess as tips for the mason and his workers.¡±


    The mason was extremely grateful for the Second Young Mistress¡¯ generosity. Not a lot of rich people bother to give them tips. He was definitely lucky to be working with this kind of employer.


    Everyone worked doubly hard after getting their reward, and in no time, the wall was torn down and the courtyard was cleaned and tidied up.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to get the cookware done immediately at the ironware street, but Cai Feng, Xia You¡¯s servant, told her that the Madame was asking for her.


    When she got to Xia You¡¯s room, Qiao was already there.


    Xia You started, ¡°Chunfeng¡¯s wedding day is approaching and the renovation at the courtyard is almostplete with only some potted nts as decorations left. I will leave this matter to Ming Xiu to settle tomorrow. Go take out a thousand silvers from the family expenses tomorrow and buy some pretty-looking peonies from the peony nursery outside town and some other flowers as well. Liu Li likes bright colors.¡±


    Qiao smiled and swore, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mother, I will only choose the prettiest flowers.¡±


    Xia You gave her a slight smile, not assured at all. She was sure that she would just pocket some silvers for herself.


    ¡°Jinxuan, I know that you are busy with the culinarypetition in the next few days. However, you still have to get the things you need ready. Don¡¯t let this affect the wedding,¡± Xia You reminded Ye Jinxuan.


    Ye Jiayao replied ¡°I have all the tools and cutleries ready, it would be delivered in the next few days. All the?necessary ingredients are also set. The culinarypetition ends on the 25th and the wedding is on the 28th, which gives us three days of preparation. It wouldn¡¯t be a problem at all, Mother.¡±


    ¡°You have to put in your 120% in this matter.¡±


    Qiao chimed in, ¡°If Sister-inw needs help, let me know. I can help you get whatever you need to buy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao tried to give her a grateful smile.?<i>As if I would trust anything that came from you.?</i>¡°Thank you for your offer, but my staff are used to doing private feasts and are very experienced. They can handle it.¡±


    ¡°I almost forgot that you are in charge of the Heavenly Residence!¡± Qiao said, a bit embarrassed. She then turned to Xia You and bragged,?¡°My family just released a new kind of cloth that is exceptionally exquisite. There are only a total of three bales produced and it is extremely expensive. I got a bright red one from my family and it would be perfect for decorating Third Sister-inw¡¯s wedding room.¡±


    Xia You responded, ¡°You are very considerate. I am sure Liu Li would love your wedding gift.¡±


    Qiao choked on her spit.?Didn¡¯t they already prepare a wedding gift? The pair of pastel-colored vase decorated with children ying with lotus, an eight-fortune quilt, and eight bales of top quality cloth are more than enough. The cloth that she was talking about cost 400 silvers a bale! She couldn¡¯t give that away for free without suffering a great loss!

 Chapter 180 - Denial

    <h4>Chapter 180: Denial</h4>


    Ye Jiayao felt likeughing at the look on Qiao¡¯s face.


    Qiao purposely said that it was an exorbitant price just so that Xia You would fork out the money, but it backfired on her.


    ¡°Madame, Madame, the Third Old Master¡¯s family is here,¡± Lin Kun reported.


    Xia You asked nonchntly, ¡°Have you reported it to the Old Lord?¡±


    ¡°I already sent someone to get the Old Lod and the Heir-son Lord,¡± Lin Kun answered.


    Only then did Xia You got up. ¡°You girls follow me to wee them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Qiao dutifully trailed behind Xia You to meet Third Uncle¡¯s family.


    Third Uncle looked refined, and if Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t already know that he and the Old Lord were brothers, she wouldn¡¯t have known. There was little to no resemnce between the two brothers.


    Third Aunt is plump and round with a pretty smile, making the indifferent Xia You look even more unapproachable inparison.


    Xia Chunwen is the oldest son followed by Xia Chunzheng and Xia Chunsi. There were also three youngdies with them, Xia Jinlian, Xia Yulian, and Xia Yinlian.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows rose when she heard thedies¡¯ name.?<i>Tell me they didn¡¯t name their daughters Gold, Jade, and Silver on purpose. They couldn¡¯te up with better names than that?</i>


    Qiao whispered softly to Ye Jinxuan, ¡°Chunwen, Yinlian, and Chunsi are born by Third Aunt, and the rest are by concubines.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly realized why Third Aunt was so plump.


    ¡°Third Brother and Third sister-inw, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve had a rough journey,¡± Xia You greeted politely, a forced weing smile on her face. She wasn¡¯t particrly fond of this family, but ady must always honor her duties.


    Third Aunt, Zhou, smiled and said,?¡°Aiya, as soon as we received the wedding invitation, we rushed over here. We were afraid of missing Chunfeng¡¯s big day. It was a little tiring but at least we managed to make it in time. Older Sister-inw, you still look as dignified and as elegant as before! The years have been kind to you. Clearly, though, it has been mean to me!¡±


    ¡°Now, tell me, which of these two is Chunyu¡¯s wife?¡± Xia Zhou barreled on,pletely taking over the conversation.


    Ye Jiayao stepped forward and curtsied. ¡°Jinxuan greets Third Uncle and Third Aunt.¡±


    ¡°My, my, what good looks! Chunyu is very fortunate! If our Chunwen can also bring back such a good looking daughter-inw for us, we¡¯d be overjoyed,¡± Xia Zhou ttered as she held onto Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand.


    Ye Jiayao had to restrain herself from shifting. She was feeling ufortable.


    Qiao was displeased. Why does Jinxuan keep stealing all the limelight?


    ¡°Who is your father? It was not written on the wedding invitation so I didn¡¯t know which family¡¯s daughter you are. I¡¯ll make up for your wedding giftter,¡± Zhou asked.


    Although Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to acknowledge that she was part of the Ye family, she couldn¡¯t very well avoid this question. ¡°My father is the Yang Zhou government sub-prefect, Ye Binghuai.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s smile froze and she immediately let go of Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re a sub-prefect¡¯s daughter!¡±


    It was obvious that she was greatly disappointed by Ye Jiayao¡¯s status.


    Qiao, seeing her chance, stepped forward and greeted, ¡°Xia Qiao greets Third Uncle and Third Aunt.¡±


    ¡°You are Chunli¡¯s wife?¡±?Zhou asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°She is from Jiang Nan¡¯s Qiao family,¡± Xia You added.


    Zhou suddenly found her exuberance again, ¡°The one that¡¯s famous for embroidery? The family that¡¯s in charge of Jiang Nan Weaving?¡±


    Qiao curtsied and answered, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Aiya, that is wonderful! Chunli is so fortunate to be able to marry the Qiao family¡¯s daughter.¡± Zhou took Qiao¡¯s hands, patting it affectionately.


    Although her family doesn¡¯t have a high official high rank, the Qiao family¡¯s embroidery is the best in the dynasty. Even one single handkerchief from them is very expensive.?Zhou was a cheapskate so she wanted to befriend Qiao for favors in the future.


    Ye Jiayao was relieved that Third Aunt lost interest in her. She doesn¡¯t care if she looks down on her, she just wanted that woman away from her.


    Following that, Third Uncle¡¯s children came up one by one to introduce themselves.


    A few momentster, the Old Lord, Xia Chunyu, and Xia Chunli arrived.


    Xia You brought thedies to the inner room to rest while the men continued talking.


    ¡°The house has been settled. Do you want to stay in the Marquis residence first before moving into the new house after Chunfeng¡¯s wedding?¡± Xia You started after everyone settled down in their seats.


    ¡°New house?¡±?Zhou asked in surprise.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Third Aunt¡¯s house has been renovated. Mother and Chunyu have put in great efforts to make it look good it can be considered a new house!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right! I thought the renovation would take a while!¡± Zhou said, chuckling.


    ¡°I told the workers to rush the job. I had them working day and night because I know that you guys will being soon,¡± Xia You told her.


    ¡°Ah? If they were rushed,?then wouldn¡¯t their work be sub-par?¡± Zhou asked.


    Xia You resisted the urge to snarl at this shameless woman. ¡°We?repaired it ording to Chunwen¡¯s requirements. It cost around 70 to 80 thousand taels, but Chunwen asked us to pay for the cost in advance, saying that you¡¯ll return the money once you get here. The walls, doors, and windows have a fresh coat of paint, and all the furniture was newly made. We hired the best artisans and the work couldn¡¯t be greater. Third Sister-inw, you should go over and take a look.¡±


    ¡°Arranging all this work must¡¯ve been tough on you Older Sister-inw!¡± Zhouined, ¡°Chuwen is too picky! I never said I wanted such a huge renovation! I am so sorry he has troubled you.?I would definitely give him a piece of my mindter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was dumbstruck. It was no wonder Xia You disliked this family so much. They are definitely leeches! After all the work was done ording to the demands she made, she¡¯s denying involvement? She was ming Chunwen for all of the work, what, was she expecting Xia You to get the money from Chunwen?


    Xia You had to work hard to keep from throwing Zhou out of her house. She knew that this woman would do and say anything to get out of paying them back. How could someone develop such thick skin?


    She was just thankful that Jinxuan came up with a trick that allowed them to spend only 18000 taels, otherwise, she would¡¯ve definitely strangled Zhou.


    ¡°Aiya, let¡¯s take a look at the house, then! Chunsi has yet to see the old house,¡± Zhou urged excitedly.


    Xia You offered, ¡°I need to wee some peopleing from the pce, so why?don¡¯t I get Chunyu and Jinxuan to go with you?¡±


    Xia-You was well aware of the type of person Zhou is. No matter how well-done the ce is, she would definitely pick out some ws and make use of the opportunity to add something extravagant. If she was to reject her, the Old Marquis would just get mad. She has been observing Jinxuan and she knew that this child was clever. It would be best to let her handle this.


    ¡°Third Aunt, I wille with you too. I haven¡¯t seen the renovated house either!¡± Qiao volunteered.


    Xia You frowned. What was Qiao¡¯s game?


    She ordered Granny Sun,?¡°Send someone to tell the Old Marquis to change his clothes. Someone from the pce ising hereter and we cannot afford to be poor hosts.¡±


    She has to find a way to make the Old Marquis stay because if he insists on following, he would just agree to anything they want.


    Therefore, Chunyu, Ye Jiayao, and others followed the Third Uncle¡¯s family to the house next door.


    Chunyu was in charge of the renovation and even Ye Jiayao hasn¡¯t seen the house yet.


    Although it wasn¡¯t as grand as the Marquis¡¯ residence, it was still pretty impressive. It has five rooms with fivepounds, a side courtyard, and a garden.


    With painted walls and new tiles, richly ornamented pirs with carvings, it exudes a noble vibe. Even the furniture that Uncle Jiang has remodeled all look brand new.


    Chunyu told them, ¡°These are made of top quality mahogany, red sandalwood, and rosewood. The design is also the most fashionable in Jin Ling at the moment.¡±


    Third Uncle and Third Aunt nodded satisfactorily. ¡°Good craftsmanship.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to have a pond in the garden but the geomancer said that this originalyout brings in wealth and is also the best spot for literary advancement. If we dig a pond, we can bring in more wealth but we would gain no literary advancement,¡± Chunwen said.


    Third Uncle, Xia Zhuoqin, is a sessful candidate in the imperial civil service examination. As a schr, he would naturally ce more importance on literary advancement. ¡°Then we should definitely not change it.¡±


    As they walked around, Zhou casually remarked, ¡°This area is quite empty. We have to fill it with some good decoration.?I remember that you have some great stuff in your storage, why don¡¯t you lend us some for our yard?¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally realized why Xia You did not want toe along. Third Aunt has no shame!


    She said tactfully, ¡°Since Chunfeng is marrying Princess Liu Li, the Empress Dowager is personally overseeing the affair. Mother has moved all the good stuff in the family storage into Chunfeng¡¯s new ce to impress both Princess Liu Li and the Empress Dowager. Why don¡¯t we ask Big Brother to help you out with this? He likes to collect antiques and he knows all the good shops in the city, he cane with you to take a look.¡±


    Xia Chunyu gave his wife a knowing smile. That was a fantastic idea! Big Brother is also stingy and Third Aunt and Third Uncle will definitely not be able to get a single cent from him.


    Zhou held her smile in ce but she couldn¡¯t help but grumble, ¡°What¡¯s the big deal about the princess?¡±


    Xia Chunli smiled apologetically. ¡°Jin Ling has everything. As long as you are willing to pay the price, you can buy anything.¡±


    Third Uncle and Third Aunt look at each other, disappointed that their n failed.


    In the Jing An Marquis¡¯ residence, Xia Youined to the Old Marquis, ¡°What did I tell you? We put in so much money and effort for that renovation and I didn¡¯t even hear onepliment or ¡®thank you¡¯! We spent 80,000 taels for that house and we¡¯re not going to see one single cent of it back!


    Xia Zhuofeng did not know that You didn¡¯t actually spend all that money so when he thought about the expense they paid, he couldn¡¯t help but wince. However, he couldn¡¯t say or do anything because it was for his brother.¡±


    ¡°Forget it. We are all a family, what is the point of being so calctive?¡±


    Xia You was enraged ¡°I¡¯m calctive? Do the math for once! After Mother-inw passed, how much silvers have gotten from us? If not for my housekeeping, the budget I created, and how I handled the family business, we wouldn¡¯t be anywhere asfortable as we are right now. Did you think your meager sry and the money that Mother-inw left for us was enough?


    ¡°I am warning you, this is thest time that we¡¯re going to give in to them. If you dare to make any more promises to them, you will fulfill it yourself. You are not getting a single copper from me.¡±

 Chapter 181 - You Are The Petty One

    <h4>Chapter 181: You Are The Petty One</h4>


    The Old Marquis felt a little guilty after hearing his wife¡¯s tirade. Although the Xia family has a Marquis ancestry, his ancestors only focused on martial arts. The Xia men were invincible on the battlefield but not in the field of business. They only earn through their sry and rewards from the imperial court and have not umted much wealth. They only really began to prosper when You entered the family. On top of that, he¡¯s always been away for long periods of time and You has been running the family matters ever since he married her. She built the sessful legacy that they have now.


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± the Old Marquis relented. ¡°This is thest time.¡±


    Seeing the Old Marquis¡¯ perfunctory attitude, Xia You suddenly began to envy Jinxuan. Chunyu was firm and resolute in protecting his wife, he was even willing to sacrifice his life for her. Xia You has never enjoyed such treatment from her husband despite having spent half of her life with him.


    The silver lining was at least he agreed with her. Usually, he would just get angry with her every time sheined about his brother.


    She sighed, happy that her husband finally agreed with her but worried as to?what Zhou was up to this time. Would her Jinxuan be able to manage her?


    As soon as they finished touring the newly renovated house, Ye Jiayao headed to Xia You¡¯s room to give her an update.


    ¡°The gall of her to even ask that!¡± Xia You was bbergasted. She doesn¡¯t even know where Zhou¡¯s limits are at this point!


    ¡°I just said that the good stuff is all at Chunfeng¡¯s ce and that the storage room is empty. I told them that if they want to get some decorations, Big Brother cane with them to the antique shops to take a look,¡± Ye Jiayao ryed. She just made up all that stuff about the storage room being empty so she needed to update Xia You so they don¡¯t get caught in the lie.


    Xia You nodded. ¡°I was already nning to do that. I was gonna do the same for you and Chunyu but you guys got married in a rush, I didn¡¯t have the time to. Tomorrow, go to the storage warehouse and pick whatever you like.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, Mother,¡± Ye Jiayao refused. ¡°I am grateful for the offer but you have already prepared 36 sets of dowries for me. You have given me more than enough.¡±


    She knew that if she gets something from the storage, it would spark anotherment and malicious thoughts from Qiao.


    Xia You wasn¡¯t expecting Jinxuan to reject her offer. Yes, they gave her 36 sets of dowries, but those were only all for show. She didn¡¯t even put the real good stuff in it.


    Xia You finally realized that Jinxuan has the character and skills to run the mansion. She wasn¡¯t greedy or petty, she¡¯s smart and skilfull, and she excels greatly at problem-solving. The Madame believes that the family would prosper even more when Jinxuan takes over in the future.


    Frankly, Xia You just wanted to hand her the reins right here, right now. She¡¯s exhausted and she just wants to enjoy her leisure time.


    However, Liu Li would still have to stay in the Marquis¡¯ residence for three years before moving to the feudalnd. If she hands the family over to Jinxuan now, there would be a lot of resistance from the princess. This meant that Xia You has to endure all this stress for three more years to keep the peace.


    On the other side of the house, Zhou was getting updates from Chunwen.


    ¡°What is with the Second Daughter-inw? She¡¯s just a daughter of a government sub-prefect yet your First Aunt let her into the family? ¡± Zhou was very unsatisfied with Ye Jinxuan¡¯s status.


    Chunwen replied. ¡°Second Cousin-inw might be just the daughter of a government sub-prefect, but she is extremely favored by the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion¡¯s Old Ancestress. The Old Ancestress has acknowledged her as her granddaughter and she was given away by the Helian family on her wedding day.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s jaw dropped in shock.


    ¡°Mother, she was also?bestowed the title of Mobile Imperial Chef by His Majesty and is currently managing the best restaurant in Jin Ling, Heavenly Residence. I heard that the business there is unusually good and they¡¯re earning tons every day!¡±


    ¡°Wait, she¡¯s a chef too?¡± Zhou is stunned once again.


    ¡°Yes! Her culinary skills are iparable. A few days ago, a master chef of the Sichuan cuisine came to challenge her, but she ended up beating him! Not only that but she also taught him a nasty lesson in front of a lot of people. She¡¯s the talk of the city these days.¡±


    Zhou began to reassess Chunyu¡¯s wife. She might have looked delicate and pretty, but it seemed as though she has a vicious side to her. Her close rtionship with the Old Ancestress alone would be enough to be wary of.


    ¡°I also heard of another matter,¡± Chunwen added.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I heard that Second cousin-inw has some bad blood with Princess Liu Li who is about to be married to Chunfeng. The Empress Dowager wanted to have Princess Liu Li marry Brother Chunyu but he wanted to marry Second Cousin-inw.¡±


    Zhou smiled at this news. Despite Chunyu¡¯s wife¡¯s connection and skills, she¡¯s no matchpared to Princess Liu Li who has the Empress Dowager on her side. She was excited to see how this stress ys on Xia You. ¡°Then we better keep our eyes open so we don¡¯t miss the show.¡±


    ¡°Mother, when are we moving over to our ce?¡± Chunwen asked.


    She replied ¡°What¡¯s the rush? We¡¯ll take some stuff over here and keep the rest in storage. After that, we just have to find a random reason to say that the garden still requires some furnishing so we can drag this on for a few months.¡±


    A huge family like theirs would have a huge food expense. If they stay in the main house, they wouldn¡¯t have to worry about that.


    Chunwen was puzzled. The house looked great, what else do they need to furnish? However, since that was what Mother ordered, he didn¡¯t darein.


    Zhou, being the sneaky cheapskate that she was, ordered the servants to bring only some clothes and necessities over to the mansion, leaving all their valuable stuff at the harbor. She had the housekeeper keep watch before shifting them quietly to the new house.


    However, Ye Jiayao was one step ahead of her and has already sent someone to watch their moves.


    Song Qi reported, ¡°Second Young Mistress, you were right. Third Madam said that the Third Old Master is uncorrupted but in truth, he has already looted the people¡¯s wealth. They have a total of 15 carts of extremely heavy chests that strained even the strong men that carried the. I am guessing that the chests contain either gold or silver. All of the chests are delivered to the new house secretly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered. She only sent someone to spy on them because she wanted to know just exactly how?much wealth the Third Uncle¡¯s family has. Now that she knows, she despised that family even more.


    ¡°Alright. Keep this matter between us for now,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    The men all gathered around one table and the women, along with the children, Chunguo and Chunsi, sat on another.


    However, the two children, even though they were simr in age, couldn¡¯t stand each other.


    Xia You chatted about family matters with Zhou.


    ¡°I remember that Jinlian and Yulian are turning 16 this year! Are they betrothed to a family yet?¡± Xia You asked.


    Zhou replied, ¡°There are a few families who have approached us, but when the Old Master decided to return here, we declined. I couldn¡¯t bear to have my daughters married off so far away. We¡¯d only be able to see each other once every few years.¡±


    Xia You nodded slightly. She was from Hang Zhou originally and although it wasn¡¯t very far from Jin Ling, she has only ever returned home twice since she got married. Once when her father passed away and the other time when she went to visit her ill mother. It¡¯s very inconvenient to be married far away.


    ¡°I would have to bother Older Sister-inw to help us in looking for good marriage candidates. I have been away for so long, I¡¯m now unfamiliar with the people,¡± Zhou continued.


    Xia You barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes.?<i>I am not ying matchmaker for you, I don¡¯t even know your daughters!</i>?She faked a smile and said, ¡°I will take note.¡±


    The servants came in to serve tea and food.


    Zhou turned to Jinxuan and said, ¡°I heard you are an excellent chef! When would you let Third Auntie try your dishes?¡±


    Before Ye Jiayao could answer, Zhou added, ¡°I heard that Heavenly Residence is Chunyu¡¯s restaurant now. Why don¡¯t we just go there tomorrow?¡±


    Xia You answered, ¡°It¡¯s not appropriate for ady to cook there what with all the other male cooks. Why don¡¯t Jinxuan make you a few dishes to try some other day?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal?¡± Zhou insisted. ¡°We can just book the whole ce, we¡¯re family.¡±


    This woman was truly a test of Xia You¡¯s patience. And who, pray tell, does Zhou expect to pay for that? Deliberately, she turned to Jinxuan and asked, ¡°Jinxuan, how much does it cost to book the ce?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about it for a while before answering, ¡°If it is just the VIP rooms on the third floor, the eight suites would cost at least 5000 taels. If it is the whole restaurant, that would be 16000 taels. We give a 30% discount for family. That¡¯s all the discount we can give for us to break even because the prices of the ingredients are rising so much.¡±


    Zhou clicked her tongue. ¡°Oh my! That is daylight robbery!¡±


    Did You not understand what she meant? Why would family members need to pay to eat there?


    ¡°Third Sister-inw, booking the whole ce?is what people with so much money with no ce to spend do. We should just eat at home,¡± Xia You said with an indulgent smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Zhou replied angrily. ¡°Very well. Chunyu¡¯s wife should just cook two dishes for everyone here so we can experience the?skills of the Mobile Imperial Chef.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about the cookingpetition tomorrow and couldn¡¯t help but frown a little. Where would she find the time?


    Lucky for her Xia You came to her rescue. ¡°Jinxuan?is busy these few days. Right now, Jin Ling is hosting a cookingpetition and there are some chefs from the Heavenly Residence that are taking part. Jinxuan has to go over there to keep watch and she still has to prepare for Chunfeng¡¯s wedding feast. We should postpone this talk when she has more free time.¡±


    Suddenly, the two children sitting at the other end start to bicker.


    ¡°You are the petty one.¡±


    ¡°You are a hooligan.¡±


    ¡°What did you say? You are just the son of a concubine, how dare you call me names?¡±

 Chapter 182 - Please Apologize

    <h4>Chapter 182: Please Apologize</h4>


    Xia You frowned when she heard Chunsi¡¯s uncouth words.


    ¡°What are you two bickering about?¡± Zhou demanded.


    Chunsi answered. ¡°Mother, he¡¯s not sharing his good food with me.¡±


    ¡°I spent three days memorizing the Analects before I get to eat this cake,¡± Chunguo retorted. ¡°I already gave you half of it. You¡¯re the one who tried to take my portion when you finished yours.¡±


    ¡°I only got half of a half! He has already eaten half of it and is still so petty,¡± Chunsi argued.


    Zhou scolded, ¡°It¡¯s just food. I¡¯ll buy you er, you don¡¯t have to snatch it from others. Acts like this will just tarnish your reputation as a child born by the first wife.¡±


    Xia You was aghast upon hearing her words. It was no wonder Chunsi has spoken those rude words. His mother was teaching him by example!


    ¡°Third Aunt, this pastry is not sold outside, it is made by Second Sister-inw. I heard that it costs a few tens of taels to get one. I haven¡¯t even tried it yet,¡±?Qiao said bitterly.


    ¡°See.?Your Second Cousin-inw knows how to make it, she¡¯ll make some for youter,¡± Zhou told her child.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and responded, ¡°This cake is not easy to prepare. I rewarded Chunguo with it only after he memorized the Analects. If Chunsi wants to eat it, he has to memorize the Analects as well!¡±


    Chunsi rolled his eyes and said, ¡°You wanted money when my mother asked to try your cooking. Now, you¡¯re giving me a challenge before I can eat a cake? You are a bad woman!¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows raised.?<i>Why, you insufferable brat.?</i>


    Qiao was secretly rejoicing at how things have taken a turn.


    ¡°You are the bad one!¡± Chunguo refuted, wanting to defend her sister-inw. ¡°You?cheated my mother into refurbishing your house and you didn¡¯t even return the money for the furnishing. Now you are here to cheat off of our food.¡±


    ¡°Chunguo, what nonsense are you saying? Quick, kneel and apologize to Third Aunt,¡± Xia-You reprimanded sternly.?<i>This damned child! Where did he hear all this stuff?</i>


    Chunguo stood obstinately and refused to kneel, water welling up in his dark eyes.


    ¡°Older sister-inw, did you make the child say it? If you have something to say, say it to me. You don¡¯t have to use a child to make things ugly.¡± The fats on Zhou¡¯s angry face jiggled. She couldn¡¯t afford to be humiliated like this with all of her children present.


    Xia You said lightly, ¡°Third Sister-inw, you¡¯re being too sensitive. He must have heard some servants¡¯ gossip. Don¡¯t put too much thought into a child¡¯s words.¡±


    ¡°Servants wouldn¡¯t only gossip about that if they haven¡¯t heard their masters talk about it. What sin have I done, huh? I came here excited and full of joy to be reunited with my family again, and yet here you are, pressing me for payment? Is this how families treat each other now?¡± Zhuo pulled out her handkerchief and pretended to wipe away tears that were definitely not there.


    Xia You might be an expert in homemaking, but she doesn¡¯t know how to fight. She was at a loss on how to deal with Zhuo¡¯s confrontation. She was not going to apologize, though, that¡¯s for sure.


    ¡°Yes, our Old Master is useless. He¡¯s still just a prefectural magistrate even after so many years and is looked down at by his brother. Just tell us if you don¡¯t like us, there¡¯s no need to hide your hate behind a smiling face...¡± Zhou cried even harder. She was putting her all in this performance.


    The three youngdies looked down at theirps, feeling awkward.


    ¡°Third Sister-inw¡­¡± Xia You began.


    ¡°Stop being a hypocrite. I know what you think of me and my family now. You can¡¯t wait to get rid of us just so you can have the inheritance all to yourself!¡± Zhou used.


    Chunguo was horrified at the trouble that he caused and immediately kneeled in front of Zhou. ¡°Third Auntie, I was ignorant and was just spouting nonsense. Third Auntie, it¡¯s my fault, punish me. Please don¡¯t malign my mother.¡±


    Zhou refused to give in. ¡°I have finally seen your true colors, Older Sister-inw. You wanted us gone, right? Well, don¡¯t worry because we are leaving. Jinlian, Yulian, Yilian,?go get your father and older brother, we are packing up and leaving. We¡¯re not staying in a ce where we¡¯re not wanted.¡±


    Her daughters stood up to follow her order.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Xia You and saw that her mother-inw was at a loss of what to do.


    <i>Crap!?</i>


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Ye Jiayao yelled. She turned to Granny sun and ordered, ¡°Granny Sun, close the door. No one is to leave this room.¡±


    Since Xia You didn¡¯t say anything in protest, Granny Sun followed Ye Jinxuan¡¯s orders.?After being by Madame¡¯s side for so many years, she knows just how much she¡¯s at a disadvantage with Zhou. Today, Lady Xia You would need to depend on the Second Young Mistress.


    Zhou was taken aback by Jinxuan¡¯s action. ¡°Why? Do you want to silence us?¡±


    Ye Jiayao simply smiled and said in a collected voice, ¡°Third Auntie, please apologize to Mother for your words just now.¡±


    ¡°Apologize?¡± Zhouughed in anger.?¡°Did I hear you wrong or is there just something wrong with your brain?¡±


    ¡°If Third Auntie apologizes today, we¡¯ll put this incident behind us. Mother is not a petty person and I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t take this to heart.?If Third Auntie refuses to apologize, then we¡¯ll have to clear all things up once and for all.¡±


    ¡°Who do you think you are? Who are you to head the family?¡± Zhou demanded.


    ¡°I am a young mistress of the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, it is my duty to protect the name and the honor of our house. If I have to y the bad guy to do that, then so be it. Now, apologize to Mother.¡±


    ¡°Bite me,¡± Zhou spat venomously.


    Ye Jiayao snorted. ¡°Bite you?¡± She shook her head and continued slowly, ¡°I don¡¯t eat shit.¡±


    Everyone froze.


    Xia You almost busted outughing. Jinxuan has some fire inside her!


    Zhou¡¯s face was mottled red with fury. She stomped over to Ye Jiayao and raised her hand to hit her, but Ye Jiayao grabbed her wrist just before her hand connected. Ye Jiayao might look weak and delicate, but her daily practice with knives made her stronger than she looks.


    With her wrist incapacitated, Zhou red furiously at Jinxuan and demanded, ¡°Is this what this mansion teaches their younger ones? Disrespect their elders?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you want to talk about upbringing? Okay. Why don¡¯t we reflect on your upbringing, Third Auntie? First, you were disrespectful to your older sister-inw. Second, you owe them thousands and thousands of money and not only have you neglected to pay your debt, but you also refused to acknowledge it.?We helped you renovate your house ording to how you want it and yet, you im that it was all your son¡¯s doing, immediately absolving yourself of the debt. You want to leave? Go ahead. If you are trying to threaten Mother to give in to you, you can forget it. Tomorrow, the entire city will know how you reneged on your debt.


    ¡°Third, Third Auntie keepsining about being poor, so poor that you are unable to afford decorations that¡¯s why you wanted to take things from our storage. Why don¡¯t we go to your new house this instant and take a look at what¡¯s in there? Let me guess, maybe a whole 15 carts full of heavy chests that even four strong men found difficult to move? If word gets out, do you think the people from the imperial censor would go to Jing Zhou to investigate about your ¡®wealth¡¯? What do you think they¡¯ll uncover?¡±


    Zhou¡¯s heart skipped a beat. How did the Second Daughter-inw know about that?


    Xia You was stunned. This was news to her. Immediately, her anger rose. Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s brother was merely pretending to be poor to extort money from them.


    ¡°Third Auntie, no one knows the truth better than yourself. If the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. Everyone knows this principle. However, if there is a shrew in the house, then it is necessary to tidy up the family. You weigh the consequences of going against us, Third Auntie.¡±


    With that, Ye Jiayao flung Zhou¡¯s hand away.


    Xia You was amazed at how bold and daring Jinxuan was. The Old Marquis told her what happened when Jinxuan and Chunyu met with the Emperor, but she didn¡¯t believe it until now.


    Qiao, on the other hand, was sufficiently frightened. She didn¡¯t realize how ruthless her new sister-inw could be. From then on, she vowed never to cross Jinxuan again.


    As she stared at Jinxuan¡¯s cold eyes, Zhou started sweating. All that disy of power coupled with all the things that Chunwen told about her, she couldn¡¯t help but be afraid.?She never imagined that she would fail so miserably today, at the hands of a youngdy nheless.


    ¡°You¡­ You are being disrespectful and unfilial,¡± Zhou stammered, her lips quivering.


    ¡°When you¡¯ve settled this matter, I will go seek forgiveness from the ancestors. Until then, don¡¯t try to use your status as an elder to control me, Third Aunt.?I only give my respect those who are worthy of it,¡± Ye Jiayao dered with a cold smile.


    She knew that she might get in trouble for this, but she was past caring. Ye Jiayao knew that if she didn¡¯t do anything, this vicious cycle would just continue. Xia You was her mother-inw and she was determined to protect her dignity. Of course, she also knew that for someone as shameless as Zhou, one lesson is not enough. She knew that Zhou would hate her after this.


    ¡°Elder Sister-inw, are you really going to allow your young mistress to be this savage?¡± Zhou criticized Xia You, not daring to go directly against Jinxuan again.


    Xia You merelyughed at her. ¡°I think Second Daughter-inw is right. Third sister-inw, aren¡¯t you betting on the fact that I am afraid to air the family¡¯s dirty linen outside? I have thought things through. If you have grown sores on your body, you cannot avoid seeing the physician for fear of pain and shame. If there is an illness, you should treat it.¡±

 Chapter 183 - Assurance Letter

    <h4>Chapter 183: Assurance Letter</h4>


    Xia You¡¯s disy of strength stumped Zhou.


    ¡°How can you bully someone like this?¡± Yulian asked with a tearful voice. Zhou was her actual mother so she couldn¡¯t bear to see her humiliated like this.


    Ye Jiayao nced over at her and smirked. ¡°Are you blind or deaf? The bully here is your mother. What do you think people with think if this incident got out? How do you think it would impact your father and brothers¡¯ future jobs? How will it affect the prospect of marriage for you and your sisters? Who do you think would want to marry into such a vicious family?¡±


    This time, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t disguise her threat.


    The only way to deal with a shameless person is with strong or even despicable means. The only way to deal with pricks was to be more arrogant and more unreasonable than them.


    Yulian paled. Marriage was the most important thing in a woman¡¯s life. If she associated with this, she would be ruined for her entire life.


    She retreated and didn¡¯t dare speak again, hoping that her mother would do the same.


    ¡°Chunguo, get up, you didn¡¯t do anything wrong. Why are you kneeling? ¡± Ye Jiayao gently pulled Chunguo up who was still kneeling in front of Zhuo.


    Then she said to Granny Sun, ¡°Granny Sun, since the Third Madam refused to admit her mistakes and apologize, let her go and send people to help them pack their things.¡±


    Granny Sun hesitated. Were they really doing this? If the Old Lord found out about this, all hell will break loose.


    Xia You prompted, ¡°Granny Sun, didn¡¯t you hear her?¡±


    ¡°You dare throw us out?¡± Zhou shrieked in panic.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re leaving? You will not manipte us ever again,¡± Xia You said coldly.


    Zhou¡¯s has to think fast. She was only pretending that they were going to walk out but obviously. that¡¯s now backfiring on her. They can¡¯t leave, they don¡¯t know anyone in Jin Ling anymore. They needed Big Brother and Big Sister¡¯s influence and wealth, otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t survive here. However, she could stille to the Old Lord and spin the whole story so he¡¯d punish Chunyu¡¯s wife.


    Ye Jiayao saw Zhou¡¯s look go from shaken to determined and knew that this old hag was nning something. ¡°Third Auntie, are you thinking of going to the Old Lord to plead your case and badmouth us to him? Father might value his brother, but I assure you, he values making his children and wife happy more.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s hope wilted again.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Granny Sun,?why haven¡¯t you sent anyone to kick them out? Tomorrow, I¡¯ll let all the people in Jin Ling know what they¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°Big Sister!¡± Zhou yelled, scared.


    Ye Jiayao stared at her coldly and Zhou lowered her head in dismay. ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t mean to offend you but please forgive me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not an apology,¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    Zhou started to fear Ye Jinxuan. This young woman was too strong and too ruthless.


    ¡°I have already apologized. What more do you want?¡± Zhou whined.


    ¡°Assurance that you won¡¯t do this again,¡± Ye Jiayao answered. ¡°Granny Sun, bring me some pen and paper.¡±


    Granny Sun immediately brought her a pen and a piece of paper.


    Ye Jiayao called, ¡°Sister Yulian, pleasee.¡±


    Yulian looked at her mother and moved towards Ye Jinxuan fearfully.


    ¡°Write down what I dictate.¡±?Ye Jiayao gave her the pen and paper. She began, ¡°I, Xiazhou, promise not to stir things up afterward, nor make any trouble...¡±


    Yulian and Zhou¡¯s face changed dramatically.


    ¡°What does this mean, Jinxuan?¡± Zhou asked with her teeth gritted.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at her.?¡°Ordinary people would conclude an incident by apologizing, but you¡¯re not an ordinary person, Third Auntie. Who can guarantee that the apology from you is not just a trick? How can we be assured that you won¡¯t distort the facts once you get out of the door? Who knows what kind of tricks you will y? To prevent such unpleasant things from happening in the future, I feel that Third Auntie must write an assurance letter. What do you think, Mother?¡±


    Xia You nodded approvingly. ¡°It¡¯s really necessary.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re bullying my mother! I will report you to Father.¡± Chunsi ran to the door, but Chunguo kicked him and he fell to the floor, crying loudly.


    Ye Jiayao wanted tough.?<i>Good job, Chunguo!</i>


    Zhou saw her baby falling and her heart broke. ¡°You guys...you are too bad.¡±


    Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue. ¡°Not whenpared to you. So, are you going to sign the assurance letter or can we kick you out?¡±


    ¡°You guys are bullying us!¡± Zhou bit out.


    ¡°The Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion is fair. We give what we get,¡± Ye Jiayao said with absolute conviction.


    Left with no choice, Zhou signed the assurance letter.


    Ye Jiayao quickly handed it over to Xia You to take care of.


    Xia You looked at the letter with satisfaction. She found reparation in seeing Zhou¡¯s helpless face, her dismay and anger about Zhou¡¯s behavior for 10 years finally disappearing.?She did not need to worry about Zhou anymore.


    ¡°Mother, even though there was a cause for this incident, your daughter-inw still offended her elders. I shall take my punishment?by kneeling in front of the court.¡±


    Ye Jiayao curtsied and walked out. She knew how ancient people put so much importance on respecting elders, and tonight, although justified, she vited that. She knew she¡¯s going to get punished anyway so might as well start now. Plus, maybe she¡¯ll earn some brownie points for taking the initiative.


    Xia You did not stop her, but she wanted so badly to. Second daughter-inw did what she did because she wanted to protect her dignity. It was also very telling of Jinxuan¡¯s noble character that she took all the responsibility for herself.


    The servants moved out of the Second Young Mistress¡¯ way, looking at her with awe. If she was the futuredy of the mansion, they were all in good hands.


    The Old Lord finally got the news.


    Zhou was a crying mess as sheined about how she was bullied by Xia You and Ye Jinxuan.


    Xia Zhuoqin was furious. ¡°Brother, how do you want to deal with this matter?¡±


    The Old Lord took a look at Third Brother¡¯s crying family and then to his wife¡¯s calm face. He asked You, puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Third Sister said you quarreled with her? Why?¡±


    ¡°Big Sister, how could you bully my wife and children? This is unforgivable and you have made me mad!¡± Zhuoqin said.


    Xia You¡¯s eyes shed dangerously. ¡°Mad at me? By all means, then,e at me. I¡¯m waiting.¡±


    ¡°Stop talking, everyone!¡± Xia Zhuofeng yelled angrily. He turned to Qiao and demanded, ¡°Mingxiu, tell me what happened.¡±


    Qiao ryed everything that happened, sparing no detail.


    Zhuofeng understood Jinxuan¡¯s intention. She wanted to protect her mother¡¯s dignity and protect the family from Zhou ever taking advantage of them again.


    However, even though what his wife and daughter-inw did was right, this was still his younger brother¡¯s family and he has to show that he still favors them.


    After Qiao finished her narrative, the Old Lord turned to his brother and said, ¡°It¡¯s all a misunderstanding. You know that your Big Sister would never say something like that. Chunguo must¡¯ve just heard some stupid gossip. We¡¯re not asking for your money so no need to worry about that. Besides, we shouldn¡¯t get involved over the trifles of women too much.¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin listened to the recount of what happened and knew that Zhou was at fault. She took the opportunity to make amotion to trick Big Sister in waving the money they owed. That strategy worked for her in the past, but apparently, not today.


    What he was worried about was the assurance letter that his wife signed.


    ¡°Although it was only a misunderstanding, Chunyu¡¯s wife had been disrespectful. If she is not punished, then all of Xia¡¯s family rules are just useless,¡± Xia Zhuoqin said.

 Chapter 184 - Punishment

    <h4>Chapter 184: Punishment</h4>


    Xia Zhuoqin¡¯s request was reasonable. The young shouldn¡¯t meddle with the matters of the elders. Jinxuan had indeed been disrespectful, but she did all for Xia You. Xia You was conflicted as to what she should do.


    The Old Lord was conflicted as well as he has developed a soft spot for his second daughter-inw. Besides, Jinxuan took the initiative to kneel at the court so she obviously already knew that what she did was wrong.


    ¡°Chunyu¡¯s wife was wrong, but her heart was in the right ce. Since she?has taken the initiative to start her punishment, I think we can order her to kneel for 4 hours.¡±


    ¡°4 hours? Old Lord, how can Jinxuan take that? She is so thin and delicate?¡± Xia You protested.


    Tonight haspletely changed You¡¯s attitude toward Jinxuan. Her willingness to fight for her even though all You has done was challenge and snob her was verymendable and moving. You can¡¯t let Jinxuan be punished that bad for standing up for her.


    ¡°Big Brother, you are clearly trying to protect her,¡± Xia Zhuoqin argued, unsatisfied with the proposed punishment.


    Xia Chunyu has kept quiet through the whole thing but he¡¯s had enough. He knew that Yaoyao must be punished, but four hours were too much.?He knew how hard and cold the court¡¯s floor was. He couldn¡¯t let his wife suffer through that. The thought that she¡¯s been there for more than half an hour already was distressing him.


    He coughed twice to get everyone¡¯s attention before starting, ¡°The right assistant minister position will be opening next year and a lot of people want it. Fortunately, the Helian Royal mansion can appoint whomever they want to take that position. Unfortunately, if Elder Princess Yu De and Old Ancestress find out that Jinxuan has been punished because of the Third Auntie...¡±


    The Old Lord realized what his son was trying to do and started ying along. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. Regardless of any reason, it¡¯s wrong to offend the elders. No one is allowed to beg for pardons for her. Otherwise, the punishment will be doubled. I¡¯m sure that Third Brother can wait for another three to five years for this position. There will always be a good ce for him.¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin and Zhou looked at each other, panicked. They forgot that Chunyu¡¯s wife was also the god granddaughter of the Old Ancestress. The position of the right assistant minister was more important than their pride. They couldn¡¯t lose that opportunity.


    Zhou quickly backtracked, ¡°Big Brother, we are family, there is no point fighting against each other. Your daughter-inw made a mistake, but I am an elder, and I should be more understanding. A small punishment will do.¡±


    ¡°No, no, the rules of the ancestors can¡¯t be ignored,¡± Xia Zhuofeng insisted.


    Xia You finally understood what her husband and son were doing. To speed things up, she added, ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to punish Second Daughter-inw for making you sign a letter of assurance? Didn¡¯t you want to punish her because of her ¡®rebellion¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I was just angry. Don¡¯t you know my temper by now? It hase fast and gone fast. I have calmed down now. Us elders should be more forgiving,¡± Zhou reasoned with a smile. She was willing to take this loss today. If her husband loses that position, he would me her for the rest of their days.


    ¡°That depends on what Third Brother wants. The Old Lord would only consider his word since he values brotherhood a lot,¡± Xia You said, a bite in her tone. They wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this position if the Old Lord had learned to handle his younger brother.


    Xia Zhuoqin weighed the pros and cons and reluctantly said, ¡°She¡¯s new, it¡¯s understandable that she didn¡¯t know about the rules. We¡¯ll let her go this time, but if it happens again, we wouldn¡¯t be so lenient.¡±


    The Old Lord shook his head. ¡°No, no. It doesn¡¯t matter if she¡¯s new,?she should still obey the rule. How can you just let her go?¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin wanted to groan in frustration. He doesn¡¯t care about the rules! He couldn¡¯t lose that position.


    He tried again, ¡°Brother, Chunfeng will get married soon. This is not the right time to deal with family issues. If the word of what happened got out, what would the Empress Dowager think? Also, Zhou did something wrong as well. She was too impulsive and talked back to Big Sister. Zhou, apologize to Big Sister immediately.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what I did Big Sister,¡± Zhou apologized, working hard to keep the hate off her face.


    ¡°Old Marquis, since Third Brother has said so, you can forgive Jinxuan this time. This is also for the sake of Third Brother¡¯s future. Besides, what if Jinxuan is with a child?


    Xia Chunyu almost choked on his spit.?<i>Mother, your imagination is really strong.</i>


    The Old Lord¡¯s mouth twitched as he turned to Chunyu. ¡°Go and tell your wife to get up. She doesn¡¯t have to kneel for the penalty, but she has to copy the family rule 100 times.¡±


    Xia Chunyu rushed to the court to see his wife, unaware that someone was following him.


    Ye Jiayao had been kneeling in the court for more than half an hour. The first few minutes were okay, but after a long time, she felt as though her knees were being stabbed by thousands of needles. The ce was also gloomy and creepy what with all the portraits of the ancestors seeming to stare at her.


    She knew that Chunyu would think of ways to save her, but she was not sure what would the Old Lord want to do as he really favors his deadbeat of a brother.


    She just hoped that she wouldn¡¯t have to kneel for the whole night. This was torture!


    Ye Jiayao heard the sound of footsteps and immediately knew that it was Chunyu. Was her husband?bringing good news or bad news?


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡± Xia Chunyu called as he entered the court, heartbroken at the sight of her kneeling there weakly.


    ¡°Yaoyao, get up,e on,¡± Xia Chunyu urged, moving to help her.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and asked, ¡°Who asked you toe?¡±


    ¡°Get up first.¡± Xia Chunyu could not bear to see her kneeling there for one more second.


    Ye Jiayao asked stubbornly, ¡°Who asked you toe?¡±


    ¡°It was my father! Third Uncle and Third Aunt begged my father to release you.¡± Xia Chunyu immediately pulled her up.


    ¡°Aiyo, it hurts...¡± Ye Jiayao grieved. It felt like countless tiny needles were stabbing both of her knees.


    Xia Chunyu lifted her in a cradle. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go home and I¡¯ll get some medicine for you. The floor is cold and I don¡¯t want you to get sick.¡±


    He turned around and saw Chunguo standing behind them.


    ¡°Why are you here, Chunguo?¡±


    Chunguo was crying as he stared at Second Sister-inw lying in Second Brother¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Chunguo, are you okay? Did your father tell you off?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    Chunguo kept crying.


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu looked at each other, confused.


    ¡°Let me go,¡± Ye Jiayao whispered.


    Once Chunyu set her down, she walked over to Chunguo and squatted down to his level. She wiped his tears and asked softly,?¡°What¡¯s the matter? What did you do? Tell your Second Sister and I will help you.¡±


    Chunguo¡¯s tears flowed like a river as he threw himself into his sister-inw¡¯s embrace. ¡°Second Sister, this is all my fault.?If I didn¡¯t say what I said, Second Sister would not have to be punished.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rubbed his shoulderfortingly. ¡°Hey now, don¡¯t cry. What you said today was correct. However, things like that must only be said in front of the people we trust. Okay?


    Chunguo nodded. ¡°I will only talk to Second Sister.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and used her handkerchief to wipe Chunguo¡¯s tears. ¡°Sure. You can always talk to me and I promise that I will not tell anyone else. Now, stop crying. Chunguo is a handsome kid. If you keep crying, you won¡¯t look cool anymore.¡±


    ¡°Second Sister, what is cool?¡± Chunguo asked innocently.


    Ye Jiayao pointed to Xia Chunyu. ¡°It¡¯s just like your second brother, has a cold, stern face all day long.¡±


    Chunguo looked contemptuously to his brother and dered, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be like Second Brother.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to your Second Sister,¡± Xia Chunyu chimed in, a tiny bit offended. ¡°It is called majestic and dignified.¡±


    ¡°Chunguo, ignore him,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°Can you help me go back to our courtyard?¡±


    Chunguo nodded determinedly.


    He carefully held Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand and said to Chunyu, ¡°Second Brother, hold her as well.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately took her other hand. ¡°Yaoyao, are you okay? I can carry you back.¡±


    ¡°I will walk on my own!¡± Ye Jiayao insisted as she limped across the hall. Last time she fell asleep and Chunyu carried her back to the house, Xia You disapproved.


    As soon as they got back to their room, Chunyu ordered Song Qi to get her some medicine and for Qiao to fetch some hot water.


    Meanwhile, Jiang Yue helped her roll up her trouser leg.


    Although she only kneeled down for more than half an hour, her wound was already aggravated and her fair skin looked shockingly red.


    Xia Chunyu told Chunguo, ¡°Let Song Qi walk you back to your quarters. It¡¯ste and you have school tomorrow.¡±


    Chunguo insisted on staying until he sees her wound being treated.


    Xia Chunyu reluctantly agreed. He poured some wine?in the palm of his hand and softly told Yaoyao, ¡°I need to use some force, so it can be effective. You try to endure it.¡±


    ¡°Just do it!¡± Ye Jiayao said bravely.


    He went ahead with it and Ye Jiayao gasped at the pain.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her worriedly and reduced some of the pressure from his hands.


    It took two hours before they finished and only then did Chunguo leave.


    Ye Jiayao leaned back on the bed and watched Chunyu pick up the medicine bottle.


    She asked curiously, ¡°You said that Third Uncle and Third Aunt pleaded for me in front of your father? Why?¡±

 Chapter 185 - An Unexpected Favor

    <h4>Chapter 185: An Unexpected Favor</h4>


    Xia Chunyu scowled. ¡°I just used a bait.¡±


    ¡°What bait?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember that Third Uncle asked Father to help him look for a good position? The right assistant minister is going to retire next year. The Helian family and the minister have a close rtionship,¡±?Xia Chunyu said casually.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, understanding what Chunyu did. It was no wonder they spared her.


    ¡°I think that Third Uncle will bring trouble to this family if he gets that position,¡± Ye Jiayao said. The department was in charge of assessing the promotion of governors. It was a job that allows lots ofmission and grey ie. Imagine a greedy person upying such an important position...


    Xia Chunyu has considered this a long time ago. The reputation of Third Uncle in Jing Zhou wasn¡¯t very good. People called him Xia Peeling because of his greed. Every year, his performance evaluations would fail and he would use the Jing An Marquis¡¯ reputation to bump it back up to average.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find a reason to turn him away when the timees,¡± Xia Chunyu assured her. ¡°You were so brave tonight, by the way. I don¡¯t even dare to correct Third Auntie even if she was wrong!¡± he joked.


    ¡°I just cannot let mother be bullied,¡± she replied.


    Xia Chunyu smiled at her. Yaoyao has certainly won Mother¡¯s heart and trust. Even if Liu Li wants to cause trouble for her, he was sure that Mother would be watching out for her.


    Jiang Yue suddenly came in and reported, ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress, Granny Sun is here on behalf of Madame.¡±


    Granny Sun came in with a servant girl who was carrying a bowl.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress,¡± Granny Sun greeted with a smile, curtsying. She told the Second Young Mistress, ¡°Madame asked me to check up on you. She said that you did not eat much at dinner so you must be hungry. I asked the kitchen to stew the porridge of bird¡¯s nest especially for you.¡±


    Xia You had always been very lukewarm to her so hearing that she suddenly cared about her moved Ye Jiayao. It seemed that her performance tonight really touched Xia You.


    ¡°Madame also said that you should take it easy for the next few days and just pay attention to your health. You do not need to follow the schedule anymore.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t sure if she heard that right. The rule of Xia¡¯s family was very strict. Even when Qiao was pregnant, she still had to follow the schedule!


    She wanted to whoop with happiness. She has finally gained her mother-inw¡¯s eptance.


    ¡°Granny Sun, is Madame alright?¡± Ye Jiayao was a little worried. She knew that the Old Lord wouldn¡¯t have said anything in public, but in private was a different matter.


    Granny Sun smiled reassuringly. ¡°Madame is very good. I haven¡¯t seen her in such a good spirit for so long.¡±


    Madame just worried too much about the Old Lord¡¯s feelings and the mansion¡¯s reputation so she never confronted Zhou. However, Second Young Mistress¡¯ action today encouraged Madame to be braver and more ruthless.


    ¡°Well, then, Granny Sun, thank Mother for me,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely.


    After Granny Sun left, Xia Chunyu turned to Yaoyao with ascivious grin.


    Ye Jiayao blinked at him, unamused, as she ate her porridge. ¡°Go look at the mirror so you can see how creepy you look.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s grin widened. He said suggestively, ¡°Yaoyao, tonight has been stressful for both of us. What do you say we blow off some steam...¡±


    ¡°Stop thinking whatever weird thing you¡¯re thinking right now.¡±


    ¡°What weird thing?¡± Chunyu asked innocently. ¡°It¡¯s only weird with others. For us, it¡¯s making love.¡±


    ¡°Love my ass,¡± Ye Jiayao retorted, blushing. ¡°Mother¡¯s rewarding my courage with porridge. Let me enjoy this!¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. ¡°Then go savor that porridge. One thing I forgot to tell you, though, Father said that since you don¡¯t have to kneel anymore,?you have to copy the family rules for a hundred times.¡±


    Ye Jiayao choked, her eyes widening. ¡°What??


    She saw the family rules of the mansion on her first day here, it was a total of sixty-six pages!


    The porridge she was eating suddenly became difficult to swallow.


    He saw her face fall and suggested, ¡°Well, he didn¡¯t say that you have to do it all by yourself. In the yard, Jiang Yue, Qiao Xi, and Xiang Tao are literate...¡±


    ¡°Will that be okay?¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure. If Father is in a good mood, he will let you pass. If he¡¯s in a bad mood, he might reject it and double your punishment.¡±


    Ye Jiayao groaned frustratedly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not difficult for Father to be in a good mood. Just make him something delicious,¡± Xia Chunyu advised.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°If I do that, Father might think that I¡¯m just tricking him. How about I copy one and you find people to imitate my handwriting?¡±


    He shook his head. His wife really was crafty if she could find a way to make cheating more sincere.


    ¡°Can I just leave this matter with you? If it¡¯s not handled then I¡¯ll just be too anxious to think about other things... like making love...¡± she trailed off.


    He immediately perked up and said readily, ¡°I will make sure this gets done. You don¡¯t have to worry about this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled sweetly at him. ¡°My husband is the best.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was surprised by the warm and happy feelings that those simple words evoked in him. Thest time he heard that from her was when they were still at ck Wind Ridge.


    <i><strong>In the Old Lord¡¯s mansion...</strong></i>


    Xia Zhuofeng returned to his room and was confused as to why his wife wasn¡¯t there to wee him. He turned to Granny Sun and asked, ¡°Where is the Madame?¡±


    Granny Sun didn¡¯t know where she was either.


    Xia Zhuofeng went ahead and washed himself to get ready for bed before returning to the room. There, he saw You sitting on the couch, reading the ount books. He sat opposite her but her eyes still stayed firmly on the books. He coughed twice to get her attention but she still didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Madame,¡± Xia Zhuofeng called sternly.


    Without looking up from her reading, You asked calmly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng, fed up, snatched the books away from her. ¡°You can read thister,?we have to talk about something first.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to talk about?¡± she asked, still calm and perfectly collected.


    You¡¯s reaction surprised Xia Zhuofeng. She was not worried at all. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to cry and plead for forgiveness? How could she be so calm as if nothing had happened?


    ¡°What happened today was extremely inappropriate. Third Brother just got here, why did you have to dig up all the issues so soon? Do you realize how embarrassing that was?


    You slightly looked surprised. ¡°You should know the cause of this incident. Could you please tell me what I did wrong?¡±


    ¡°Even if Zhou was wrong, you shouldn¡¯t have let Jinxuan intervene. If this gets out, what would others think?¡±


    You said, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have let her help me. I should¡¯ve just pped Zhou on the face to stop her arrogance and greediness.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng was speechless. That was not the conclusion that he wanted her to get from this.


    ¡°I have endured her arrogance and underhanded attacks for so many years. Well, that stops today. Today, I finally figured out how to deal with her through Jinxuan¡¯s method,¡± You said through gritted teeth. ¡°And you, don¡¯t talk to me about ¡®brotherhood again¡¯. This so-called close rtionship with your brother is messed up. If your brother truly cares, about you, he wouldn¡¯t have done such sneaky things to take advantage of you and your wealth. Your mother might have tasked you to take care of him before she passed away, but your tolerance with his bad behavior screwed him up.


    ¡°What the hell are you on about?¡± Xia Zhuofeng bit unhappily.


    You sneered, ¡°You are blind to your brother¡¯s fault. Your brother is known in Jing Zhou as Xia Peeling because of his greed. Did you know that?Zhou made people quietly transport 15 carts of extremely chests to the new house? Do you think that with all that secrecy and weight, those carts are filled with books?¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng was shocked. If this was true, then Third Brother has been lying to him all this time!


    ¡°The truth is going toe out in the end. I am telling you that if you keep indulging them and giving in to their demand, it will damage the family¡¯s reputation. And if that happens, don¡¯t expect me to be there and pick up the mess for you. I will take what belongs to me, go back to Hang Zhou and leave you with your brother,¡± You said, her tone and voice brokering no argument.

 Chapter 186 - Finals

    <h4>Chapter 186: Finals</h4>


    Xia Zhuofeng watched You walk away from him in shock. She was like a whole new person with all that strength and steely determination. Was she influenced by Second Daughter-inw?


    The next day, Ye Jiayao got up early and still went to greet Xia You. Although You told her not to bother with the schedule anymore, she felt like greeting the elders every morning is a respectful ritual she can¡¯t pass on.


    As always, Qiao was already there when she arrived. The only difference was instead of snide remarks, Qiao looked at her with more respect now. The eventsst night showed Qiao just how strong and clever Jinxuan was. Besides, she also heard about Mother exempting her from the schedule and sending some porridge for herst night, so she figured that Mother has finally epted Jinxuan. Qiao had to be extra cautious.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, are your knees okay?¡± Qiao asked, concerned.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°They are fine now. Thank you for caring, Big Sister.¡±


    ¡°Madame is here,¡± a servant girl announced.


    When You saw Jinxuan waiting for her, her respect for her second-daughter-inw just rose. However, as always, she couldn¡¯t let her know that.


    After the two young mistresses finished their greeting, You began, ¡°Both of you have your tasks for the day. We don¡¯t have that much time so I¡¯ll let you go so you can get started immediately. The wedding day ising soon and there¡¯s still a lot of preparations to be done...¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a little guilty. If the culinarypetition wasn¡¯t so close to Chunfeng¡¯s wedding, she could¡¯ve helped much more.


    When they walked out of the door, Qiao said, ¡°I have to get some silvers from the ountant. I will see youter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bid her goodbye and then rushed to Heavenly Residence with Jiang Yue.


    Today was the crucial semi-final match. Only ten out of 36 people would be advancing to the finals. Just getting to the finals would be an honor for Zhong Xiang, but if he could get to the top three, he¡¯d be able to work at the Emperor¡¯s kitchen.?This was the ultimate goal for most chefs, which is both bad and good for Heavenly Residence. If he wins, the poprity and reputation of Heavenly Residence would grow even more, but if he leaves to work for the Emperor, there would be no one to manage the kitchen. Although Deng Haichuan and Wang Mingde are good cooks, they¡¯re not nearly as good as him.


    Ye Jiayao shook this thought off. She¡¯s not going to hinder Zhong Xiang¡¯s development just because of her interest.


    Qiao was just about to head out after getting some silvers when she saw Zhou. She wanted to pretend that she didn¡¯t see her, but Zhou came up to her and she had no choice.


    ¡°Third Auntie.¡±


    ¡°Mingxiu, where are you going? I heard you have an embroidery workshop in Jin Ling, I was just about to check it out!¡± said Zhou with a smile.


    Qiao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She doesn¡¯t want to go with Zhou to her embroidery workshop because she was sure to pick out all the expensive stuff. Unlike Heavenly Residence, Qiao¡¯s shop was earning lousy profits.


    ¡°Oh, Mother told me to go to the Peony Garden outside the city to pick out some nice potted nts,¡± Qiao quickly said.


    Zhou¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Really? When I used to live here, that was famous for their beautiful peonies but I never got to go.?I¡¯m gonnae with you, I want to nt a few pots in my new house too!¡±


    Qiao wanted to grumble aint. This was thest thing she wanted, but she has no other choice.


    Today¡¯s quarter-finals attracted more crowd and the ces where two matches were being held were both packed.


    Zhong Xiang was obviously more nervous than he was yesterday. ¡°I don¡¯t know what they¡¯ll test us with today.¡±


    After the match yesterday, the organizers told them that they wouldn¡¯t need to bring their tools and ingredients for the semi-final.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°You must have confidence that our preparations have been done adequately. With your strength, there is absolutely no problem.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, Second Young Mistress said you can do it which means you will be fine,¡± Wang Mingdetold him with conviction.


    ¡°Brother Xiang, you can do this,¡± Jiang Yue cheered, smiling at him.


    Zhong Xiang blushed. ¡°Well, I will do my best.¡±


    The five judges began to move toward the rostrum, and the host began to announce the rules for today¡¯s match.


    It was still a stipted item. The same tools and ingredients will be provided for all of the participants. The participants would decide what dish they want to make ording to the theme and they are only given two hours to finish it.


    Today¡¯s theme is noodles.


    The staff members brought the ingredients out one by one.


    Flour, eggs, oil, spices, a piece of pork, some greens, two tomatoes, a few mushrooms, a pot of water.


    Ye Jiayao realized that the intention of today¡¯s match was mainly the taste.


    ¡°Longxu noodles with tomato sauce,¡± Ye Jiayao told Zhong Xiang.


    Zhong Xiang nodded. He took a deep breath and strode into the stadium.


    Longxu noodles were Zhong Xiang¡¯s best dish and it requires a lot of effort. Ye Jiayao had seen the modern culinary master, the Dragon¡¯s Whiskers, and she has vivid memories of the magnificent scenes that flowed down 3,000 feet. She was confident that Zhong Xiang has reached that level. He could make noodles as thin as hair.


    Today¡¯s match was totally based on real skill, but creativity¡¯s always a plus. Tomato kneading could make the noodles pink, and it would taste slightly sweet and sour.


    The game began, and although Ye Jiayao appeared calm on the outside, she¡¯s extremely worried about Zhong Xiang¡¯spetitors.


    She saw that the Shanxi chef who won the first ce yesterday was making knife-cut noodles, and the shaving of the noodles was amazing.


    Zhong Xiang had already begun to smash, and the pink noodles folded continuously in his hand. He patiently and calmly stretched the dough until the noodles gradually became fine. After numerous folds and stretching, he finally lifted his arms above his head and shook the dough.?The fment gradually loosened and swayed with a graceful arc, hundreds of pale strands falling like a waterfall.


    This disy attracted a lot of people¡¯s attention. Even the judges on the rostrum stood up.


    Zhong Xiang, however, was too focused with his task he didn¡¯t notice.


    After the noodles were made, his pot has already heaten up so he added the cooking oil, stir-fried the egg whites and the various seasoned pork, and then used the pork fat to fry the mushrooms and vegetables. Next, he added the water to make soup.


    After seeing him following the procedures perfectly, Ye Jiayao slowly calmed down.


    Zhong Xiang did his best, it was up to the judges now.


    When the time was up, only one participant in thepetition wasn¡¯t able to finish and was eliminated. The finished dishes of other participants were put on the rostrum and handed over to the judges for tasting.


    Zhong Xiang waited for the verdict, excited. He felt like he had done well so he smiled at his friends to reassure them.


    Whether or not he¡¯ll make it to the finals, he was happy that he¡¯d given his all.


    The judging process took very long. The 35 participants and the hundreds of people watching on the sidelines were silent as they waited for the result anxiously.


    After what felt like hours, the judges finally returned to their seats and the host began to announce the list of the finalists.


    Ye Jiayao listened carefully.


    Yesterday¡¯s first ce still held his spot, and the second ce was the chef in the eighth ce yesterday...


    Zhong Xiang was still the fifth.


    ¡°Brother Xiang is really awesome!¡± Wang Mingde cheered.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, relieved. ¡°There are great hopes for him to reach the top three.¡±


    The host finished calling out the finalists¡¯ name and finally announced the details of the final match.


    The final was in two days and everyone has to prepare their oools and ingredients. They are required to make two mains and two desserts.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, it seems like you know what the final match will be like,¡± Wang Mingde remarked in awe. Second Young Mistress has been making Brother Xiang practice cooking two mains and two desserts.


    Ye Jiayao cleared her throat awkwardly.?<i>This is all just one big coincidence.</i>


    Jiang Yue whispered to Wang Mingde, ¡°Nonsense. If the people here hears you, they would think that the Second Young Mistress is cheating.


    Wang Mingde quickly shut his mouth.


    Ye Jiayao nced approvingly at Jiang Yue.


    The imperial court organized thispetition so it would naturally be based on imperial dining. Three of the five judges were from the imperial kitchen and she has some knowledge about the royal kitchen¡¯s requirements. She took a calcted guess about the final task for thepetition, and it seemed to have paid off.


    Meanwhile, Qiao returned to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion with a long face.


    Third Auntie was rhameless. She said that she wanted to buy flowers but she didn¡¯t bring any money. Qiao carefully bargained for lower prices so she could pocket the remaining money but instead, the leftovers went to Zhou¡¯s purchases.


    Qiao was annoyed that the money was gone, but she knew that if she told Mother about it, they could get it back.


    Xia You heard that Zhou borrowed more than two hundred silvers. In the past, she would¡¯ve just let it go, but this time, she¡¯s not going to be as lenient. Every copper coin that Zhou borrows must be returned.

 Chapter 187 - You Get What You Give

    <h4>Chapter 187: You Get What You Give</h4>


    However, Xia You knew that asking for that money directly won¡¯t work. She has to use gossips.


    Ye Jiayao found it hrious how everyone at the mansion seemed to stand up straighter every time she passes.


    She was in such a hurry this morning that she didn¡¯t realize what they were doing until now.


    When she got to her yard, Qiao Xi told her, ¡°Second Young Mistress, Madame was asking what time you¡¯ll be back. She asked to send someone to inform her of your return.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised to hear that, her mother-inw has never summoned her before. ¡°Did she say anything else?¡±


    Qiao Xi shook her head. ¡°No, but she looked unhappy.¡±


    ¡°Then send Ying Tao t tell her I¡¯m back.¡±


    Soon after Ying Tao left, Qiao came.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, you have to help me,¡± Qiao pleaded.


    This was just one surprise after another. ¡°Please sit, Big Sister. Tell me what happened.¡±


    Qiao told her everything that happened at the gardens with Zhou.


    ¡°I told Mother about this, but we don¡¯t have any ideas on how to get the money back. Although Mother didn¡¯t say anything, it¡¯s clear that she¡¯s displeased. Please, help me, Sister-inw.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel guilty. Mother knows Third Auntie, she won¡¯t me you for this.¡±


    ¡°But Mother was angry,¡± Qiao said anxiously. Now that Jinxuan was in Mother¡¯s good graces, Qiao couldn¡¯t afford to screw up.


    Ye Jiayao thought about it for a while and proposed, ¡°Big Sister, why don¡¯t you go to Third Aunt and tell her that Mother thinks you didn¡¯t buy enough flowers for decoration. Tell her that since she hasn¡¯t moved to her new house yet, you¡¯re going to borrow her decorations for a few days and you¡¯ll return it after the wedding festival. However, after the wedding festival, tell her that you¡¯re just going to keep the flowers as decoration for Princess Liu Li and that she doesn¡¯t need to return the 200 silvers that she borrows anymore.¡±


    Qiao brightened up. This would solve her problem!


    After Qiao left, Jiang Yue and Qiao Xi looked at their Second Young Mistress adoringly. Qiao Xi, especially, has always had her doubts about the Second Young Mistress, but it was clear that she¡¯s a very smart and capable woman. She would make a great Madame one day.


    From that day on, Qiao Xi made up her mind to serve the Second Young Mistress with all her heart.


    Qiao excitedly came up to Xia You and ryed, ¡°Mother, I borrowed the flowers from Third Auntie and had them ced in Third Brother¡¯s yard.¡±


    You was surprised. ¡°And she was willing to lend it to you?¡±


    ¡°I told her that Mother didn¡¯t think I bought enough flowers and we don¡¯t have enough time to go to the gardens again to buy some more. I asked to borrow the flowers since they haven¡¯t moved to their new house yet...¡±


    You listened to the First Daughter-inw¡¯s story, pleasantly surprised to hear that Mingxiu had gotten smart. Did she underestimate Chunli¡¯s wife? All this time she thought she was merely an airhead who couldn¡¯t handle herself.


    After Qiao left, You turned to Granny Sun and said, ¡°First Daughter-inw has finally smartened up.¡±


    Granny Sun smiled and told her, ¡°I heard that First Young Mistress only went to Lady Zhou after she met with the Second Young Mistress.¡±


    You¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Are you saying that this was all Jinxuan¡¯s idea?¡±


    Granny Sun merely smiled. Wasn¡¯t it obvious? First Young Mistress couldn¡¯te up with something that clever.


    Finally, after two days, it was time for the cookingpetition¡¯s finals.


    A lot of people has heard about Lu Xiaotian¡¯s culinary prowess and they were looking forward to seeing if he¡¯d win thepetition like his father did the year before. Ye Jiayao wanted to see Lu Xiaotian¡¯s cooking performance too but she had no time.


    Chunyu, along with Little Jing and Zhao Qixuan, went with her to watch Zhong Xiangpete. Thanks to their rank and pull, she was able to get a seat today.


    The sight of a royalty and heir-son lords caught a lot of people¡¯s attention. They looked so handsome and regal that for a moment, they eclipsed the yers¡¯ limelight.


    Xia Chunyu was ustomed to all the attention that it didn¡¯t even faze him.


    Since Litte Jing started working, his excitable demeanor has changed. He has matured and was acting more and more like Helian Xuan. Normally, all these people looking at him would¡¯ve fueled him up, but instead, he sat there, all cool and calm.


    It was only Zhao Qixuan who appears to be enjoying all the eyes on him. Since Susu wasn¡¯t here, no one was controlling him. He was practically preening as he fanned himself for his audience.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to smack him but she was also aware of the judges¡¯ eyes on them. They were there to support Zhong Xiang and she didn¡¯t want their behavior to impact his chances.


    ¡°Yaoyao, do you think Zhong Xiang would win?¡± Xia Chunyu asked her.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated. ¡°I have no idea. We have to see the others perform first.¡±


    She knew that Zhong Xiang was good. Wang Mingde has made a perfect soup for him, so now, this all hinges on how Zhong Xiang will perform.


    ¡°You taught him, Second Young Mistress, of course, he¡¯s going to win. I¡¯ve betted 1000 silvers on him,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Little Jing shot him a contemptuous nce. ¡°Do you always have to gamble for everything?¡±


    ¡°A little wager never hurt anyone. I¡¯m just trying to support Second Young Mistress. Right, Chunyu?¡± Zhao Qixuan ribbed him with a wink.


    Chunyu rebutted scornfully, ¡°You said you¡¯re going to treat us to a feast after Yaoyao won against that cocky neer. Where¡¯s the feast now?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan waved his hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m not going back on that promise. We¡¯ve just both been busy. We¡¯ll do it after Chunfeng¡¯s wedding.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Alright. If Zhong Xiang makes it into the top three, I will also treat you guys wherever you want. You can order all the food and drinks that you want.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! Second Young Mistress is still so generous. Oh, I miss the days when we¡¯d eat and just chat about anything. Ahhh... now, only Chunyu can enjoy that,¡± Zhao Qixuan said enviously.


    Little Jing scowled at him.?<i>What do you have to be jealous of? You have Susu, the love of your life! The love of my life is married to another man! I have no one!</i>


    <i><strong>Ding, ding, ding, ding!</strong></i>


    Thepetition has begun.


    Zhong Xiang has shown his skill in making Longxu noddles in the semi-final so he decided to make macaroni today.


    It was also created by Ye Jiayao, as she knew that macaroni hasn¡¯t been invented yet in this dynasty. She asked Jiang Li¡¯s colleague who was good at machine-making to help her make the equipment needed to mold the macaroni.


    Therefore, when Zhong Xiang took out the flour machine, the audience was confused as to what it was.


    ¡°Is that the thing you asked Jiang Li to make?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°Actually, his friend made it,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    ¡°What¡¯s it for?¡±


    ¡°Wait and see.¡±


    ¡°Is he making... Baozi?¡± Zhao Qixuan was disappointed. He thought he¡¯d make something more creative.


    Ye Jiayao snapped at him, ¡°It¡¯s not just Baozi! It has an inner stuffing that¡¯s incredible, you¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°If Yaoyao said it is good, then it¡¯s good,¡± Little Jing chimed in.


    ¡°Really? Then, I¡¯m looking forward to seeing how it¡¯s gonna go,¡± Zhao Qixuan said with a smile.

 Chapter 188 - Full Marks

    <h4>Chapter 188: Full Marks</h4>


    After he put the buns and peas on the steamer, Zhong Xiang began to wring the dough that was filled with various vegetable juices. The vegetable juices produced the colors light red, light green, and light yellow. When he shook the handle, the colorful macaroni was showed to everyone.


    The chefs who were still stretching and shaping the dough with their handsined after seeing that. They felt like Zhong Xiang was being unfair, bringing out that new contraption.


    The soup that he needed was stored in Shao Xing wine jars and when he opened them, the strong delicious scent floated in the air, attracting a lot of people.


    ¡°That soup smells so good, what¡¯s in it?¡±


    ¡°I heard that the Second Young Mistress of Jing An Marquis mansion invented a new dish for His Majesty called Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. I heard that it was also stored in Shao Xing wine jars...¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen my master make that dish. This isn¡¯t that. It smells simr but it¡¯s not the same...¡±


    While the soup was reheating, Zhong Xiang took the cake out that he made earlier. He first cut the cake horizontally and applied a kind of jelly-like thing on the cross-section before stacking it again. He then rolled up a foil, filled it up with cream, and started decorating the cake with it.


    Little Jing recognized it immediately. ¡°Yaoyao is that the cake you sent as a present to my mother?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that was the first version. The cake that Zhong Xiang is making now has been improved,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    The first one she made was pure cream which would be too greasy if they were to eat a lot of it. The cake that Zhong Xiang was making has orange jelly in the middle to give some freshness.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°It looks very delicious. Unfortunately, I wasn¡¯t able to taste it when you sent some to us. I didn¡¯t even get the chance to smell it!¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had it yet either!¡± Xia Chunyuined. His mother and little brother have tasted it and yet, him, the husband, was deprived.


    Ye Jiayao shot him a teasing look and whispered, ¡°If you eat too many sweet desserts, you¡¯ll grow thick in the middle.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sat up straighter, puffing his chest. He would never get fat, he exercises every day. He whispered back, ¡°You¡¯ll grow thick in the middle even without eating desserts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned red and she red at him. The dumb donkey merely smiled at her and said, ¡°Watch the show, watch the show.¡±


    Zhong Xiang was finished with an hour to spare.


    One by one, the otherpetitors started finishing their dishes too.


    Everyone looked nervously at the judges.


    The judges were all required to judge the noodles first, but all five of them were attracted to the new pastry on Zhong Xiang¡¯s table. With all the tasteful decorations on it, it looked like an exquisite painting.


    The five judges were masters of pastries, especially the three from the imperial kitchen, but that pastry was new to all of them.


    The judges discussed amongst themselves and finally decided to taste the cake first.


    The cream was sweet and smooth, and the cake sponge was melt-in-your-mouth soft. The hint of freshness and tartness from the jam was also a very pleasant surprise.


    Every judge gave his first pastry a perfect score.


    The audience was surprised by the full marks. This was a very rare phenomenon in the previouspetitions.


    Zhong Xiang also could not believe the result. He knew this cake would cause a sensation, but he didn¡¯t expect the full marks.


    The judges reluctantly put the cake down and moved on to his next pastry, a pea flour cake called ¡°Pea Yellow¡±.


    This pastry was a fairlymon thing to make, but Zhao Qixuan made his in the shape of a flower and it was half crystal with red beans on it, making it look really attractive.


    The judges have made plenty of Pea flour cakes in their careers, but they could never make this look. That alone gave Zhong Xiang additional points. What sealed the deal for him was how good it tasted. It was the right texture, the right amount of sweetness, and just perfectly moist.


    Again, the five judges gave him full marks.


    This time, everyone reacted. No one has ever received two full marks for their pastries before and the audience was wondering just who this chef was.


    The three-colored macaroni earned another full mark with its vibrancy and smooth taste. The soup also earned another full mark because it was just too delicious.


    Ye Jiayao may have looked calm but she was very agitated on the inside. Didn¡¯t they say that full marks were hard to achieve? What does this mean? Was Zhong Xiang going to win?


    Zhao Qixuan heard the full marks and eximed, ¡°I want to try all of that!¡±


    Little Jing wanted to have a taste as well, but he knew that this wasn¡¯t all made by Zhong Xiang. Sure, he was a great cook, but Little Jing knew that this kind of innovative and delicious dishes was all invented by Yaoyao. She must¡¯ve taught him these dishes for thepetition.


    When Zhong Xiang¡¯s four full marks were announced, everyone was shocked. He was the first person to receive such high scores. There was no doubt that he¡¯d be the winner.


    Even as the judges tried the other contestants¡¯ dishes, no one besides Zhong Xiang received four full marks


    When the host announced Zhong Xiang as the winner, the audiences cheered.


    Although they did not have a chance to taste his dishes, the look and smell alone of what he produced was enough to have them excited.


    The chefs in Jin Ling looked at the smiling woman sitting near the podium. From the icy drinks to ice cream mooncakes, to Buddha Jumps Over the wall, she has created legendary dishes/drinks time and time again. They knew that she had a hand in all the dishes that her colleague presented today as well as his training for thepetition.


    With the Second Young Mistress of the Jing An Marquis mansion and Zhong Xiang at the helm, Heavenly Residence is invincible.


    Zhong Xiang took the certificate and the gold medal handed to him in a daze. The most he dreamed about was winning the third ce. He never imagined that he would actually win this whole thing.


    When he turned to look at the Second Young Mistress, the way she smiled proudly at him made Zhong Xiang emotional.


    In the early days, when she was still Li Yao, when she promised to help everyone be rich and famous chefs, he thought she was just lying. It wasn¡¯t until she took them to private banquets, and started teaching them new things, did he believe her.


    She nned everything for him in thispetition. She invented the dishes, taught him the step by step on how to do it, and supported him at every turn.


    He owed this victory to her.


    ¡°The top three finalists will be eligible to work for the imperial kitchen and be an Imperial Chef,¡± the host announced.


    Suddenly, Zhong Xiang spoke up, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I want to continue working in Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, along with everyone else, was shocked.


    Was he serious? What¡¯s wrong with him? Wasn¡¯t this his goal??Ye Jiayao was so confused.

 Chapter 189 - Stay

    <h4>Chapter 189: Stay</h4>


    ¡°Zhong Xiang, this is a golden opportunity. You must think carefully,¡± the host tried.


    Zhong Xiang looked at the Second Young Mistress and Wang Mingde, his eyes softening. ¡°My decision is final. This win is not my personal sess.?It is the credit of all the people in the Heavenly Residence, especially the Second Young Mistress. If it wasn¡¯t for her advice and encouragement, I wouldn¡¯t be standing here.


    ¡°I believe that every cook here who has not yet risen to ranks can understand me. Regr cooks are in the kitchen earning meager wages,?doing the dirtiest and most burdensome tasks. The chefs are always staring at us maliciously, scared that we¡¯ll steal their recipes. They talk down on us because we¡¯re not on the same level as them.


    ¡°So, I always wanted to rise and be a chef. However, for someone mediocre like me, that was just a pipe dream until Li Yao, or the Second Young Mistress came. She has never once looked down on us. She treats us as brothers and is never stingy with her recipes. She taught us to enjoy cooking and she let us hone our skills. Under her leadership, everyone at Heavenly Residence improved. We?started to think of Heavenly Residence as our second home. Even if we do so much work to the point of exhaustion, we are happy.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave this warm and happy home and the guys who persist with me every day. I hope to work with them to create more delicious food andplete our dreams together,¡± Zhong Xiang said. ¡°Please forgive me.¡±


    Everyone was speechless, not because Zhong Xiang gave up, but because he likened Heavenly Residence to a home that was warm and happy. For the cooks who were still struggling in a bad working environment, it was unimaginable to them.


    Just exactly who was this Second Young Mistress? Was she even real? How could there be someone so generous and kind?


    The other cooks were really jealous. They were even thinking of going to Heavenly Residence tomorrow to see if they¡¯re still hiring.


    Xia Chunyu looked over at Yaoyao and saw that there were tears in her eyes. He smiled and said softly, ¡°Your crew loves you.¡±


    ¡°Zhong Xiang is good, but the real good person here is Yaoyao,¡± Little Jing said.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I decided to be her friend the first time I met her,¡± Zhao Qixuan chimed in proudly.


    Xia Chunyu rolled his eyes. Not to be outdone, he said, ¡°When I first met Yaoyao, I decided to marry her.¡±


    This fueled Little Jing¡¯s jealousy. If he had met Yaoyao first, he would¡¯ve done the same thing.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t paying any attention to them. She was still trying to recover from her shock. She didn¡¯t expect Zhong Xiang to stay. She also didn¡¯t expect him to say such a heartfelt passage.


    Since the first ce chose to quit, the qualification for entering the imperial kitchen was postponed. The contestant in the fourth ce was extremely excited. He desperately wanted to work for the imperial kitchen.


    When Zhong Xiang joined the group, Wang Mingde immediately gave him a big hug. He said, ¡°You¡¯re a good brother!¡±


    ¡°I think the sry from the imperial kitchen may be less than what Second Young Mistress would be paying me,¡± Zhong Xiang joked.


    Ye Jiayao responded, ¡°We¡¯ll have to talk about your new pay, Zhong Xiang.¡±


    Zhong Xiang shook his head and hurriedly said, ¡°No, no, Second Young Mistress, I was only joking.¡±


    ¡°You won the cookingpetition. I need to hire you as a chef now, otherwise, other restaurants might beat me to it,¡± she said with a smile.


    Xia Chunyu said told everyone, ¡°Let¡¯s go! We¡¯re going to put two tables of banquets in Heavenly Residence to celebrate?Zhong Xiang.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan and Little Jing promised toeter, while Xia Chunyu returned home to inform his mother that they¡¯d be eating outside tonight.


    Ye Jiayao and the others returned to the restaurant.


    Everyone at Heavenly Residence was on pins and needles. They wanted to watch thepetition and cheer for Zhong Xiang, but unfortunately, they couldn¡¯t abandon the restaurant.


    ¡°They¡¯re back, they¡¯re back! Second Young Mistress and Zhong Xiang are back!¡± Ah Xing eximed as he ran into the kitchen.


    Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed out to meet them.


    ¡°Second?Young Mistress, Zhong Xiang, how was it?¡± Deng Haichuan asked urgently.


    Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang smiled.


    Wang Mingde excitedly said, ¡°He won the first ce!¡±


    Everyone started cheering and pping, jumping up and down in excitement.


    ¡°Brother Xiang, you are so excellent!¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiang, you¡¯re unbelievable!¡±


    ¡°Heavenly Residence is going to be famous again!


    ¡°This is so wonderful, I want to cry!¡±


    Watching his brothers cheer for him, warmed?Zhong Xiang¡¯s heart. Of course, giving up the opportunity to work for the imperial kitchen was hard, but just one look at these guys and he knew that he made the right decision.¡±


    ¡°Is Zhong Xiang going to work for the imperial kitchen now?¡± asked Cui Dongpeng.


    Suddenly, everyone quieted. They may have wanted him to win, but they didn¡¯t want him to go. Big Brother Yao has be the Second Young Mistress now. Although she would stille to Heavenly Residence every day, they couldn¡¯tugh and work with her as they did before. Now that Brother Xiang would be going to the imperial kitchen, they would lose another one of their crew.


    Ye Jiayao teased, ¡°I thought you wanted him to get in the top three so he¡¯d be qualified to work for the imperial kitchen? Why are you sad now?¡±


    Deng Haichuan said, ¡°Yeah! Everyone, we should be happy that Brother Xiang is a royal chef now!¡±


    Cui Dongpeng added, ¡°Brother Xiang, do your best and strive to be a first-ss chef in the future. We are all rooting for you!¡±


    Zhong Xiangughed. ¡°Second Young Mistress, don¡¯t y tricks on them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled.


    ¡°Brother Xiang has refused to work at the imperial kitchen. He wants to stay in Heavenly Residence for all of us,¡± Wang Mingde exined.


    They were dumbfounded.


    Brother Xiang refused? He worked hard to get that first spot! Although the Second Young Mistress guided him, he still earned that ce!?Why would he give up his dream?


    ¡°Brother Xiang, is this true?¡± Cui Dongpeng asked in disbelief.


    Zhong Xiang nodded and joked, ¡°What? Do you not want me to stay?¡±


    Suddenly, everyone rushed to hug Zhong Xiang,ughing and cheering excitedly.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the scene in front of her and her eyes started to water again.


    These people were her brothers. When she had no one, they epted her. They gave her a sense of belongingness.


    They have put their hopes in her and she silently vowed that she would do everything she can not to fail them.


    The Heavenly Residence belongs to all of them.


    The evening celebrations were definitely the biggest party in the history of Heavenly Residence. Even Ye Jiayao personally cooked a few of the dishes.


    The overflowing food and wine put everyone in a good mood.


    In the upstairs private room, Xia Chunyu and the others listened to the livelymotion downstairs and smiled.


    ¡°I am finding the folks here more and more interesting. It¡¯s really a matter of Yaoyao¡¯s management. She united such a rowdy group of people and earned their trust and loyalty. If my men can do their work and be loyal, I will worry about nothing,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Xia Chunfeng snorted. ¡°You should be content! They work well for you, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right. What you need to work on is making us a fortune,¡± Little Jing said. Thest time he tried to get Yaoyao out of a contract, he discovered that he was actually poor.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°No problem! With ourbined efforts, we can sweep the world. Susu¡¯s our manager so we do what he says.¡±


    Little Jing and Chunfeng looked at Su Yi.


    Little Jing asked, ¡°Susu, do you think we can work together? We don¡¯t have a big capital, though.¡±


    Su Yi answered, ¡°I¡¯ve been nning a business venture recently, but I¡¯ll have to look again. If we are going to be partners, you must be sure about this. We¡¯ll discuss more once you¡¯re certain.¡±


    ¡°What business is it?¡± Chunfeng asked curiously.


    ¡°Border Trade.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng frowned and immediately thought of the imperial court¡¯s n to open a border trade with South Vietnam. It hasn¡¯t been finalized yet and very few people knew about it.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled.

 Chapter 190 - Troubles

    <h4>Chapter 190: Troubles</h4>


    The vigorous cookingpetition came to the end. Unsurprisingly, Lu Xiaotian won the first ce in the cooking group without any surprise. Duan Qilin, on the other hand, won the sixth ce. Niu Baoshun didn¡¯t manage to reach the top ten.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s passionate speech was the talk of the people. Heavenly Residence suddenly became the most sought after ce of employment. There have been chefs and cooksing at the restaurant every day asking for a chance.


    Ye Jiayao officially added cake on the restaurant¡¯s menu and as expected, it became the hot newmodity. She also introduced the other three dishes that Zhong Xiang made in thepetition and the people loved it.


    Heavenly Residence¡¯s poprity and good business put pressure on the other restaurants in Jin Ling.?After the employees found out about the sry and benefits of Heavenly Residence, they all protested to their shopkeepers.


    It was also heard that Niu Baoshun¡¯s boss was in a bad mood because he did not make it to the top ten. He beat and scolded the cooks which caused public anger and retaliation. The cooks went on strike and asked the owner to regte the restaurant rules.


    The little guys have started to revolt and demand for better rights, fueled by Zhong Xiang¡¯s words.


    This revolution didn¡¯t just affect the food industry, it has spread to other businesses too. Almost all shopkeepers med Heavenly Residence, but since the owner was an Heir-son Lord, they didn¡¯t dare do anything.


    On a happier note, the business giant of Jin Ling, Zhao Qixuan, announced that he wouldprehensively improve the welfare of all his employees which set off a wave of sry increases. This move significantly and positively affected Zhao Qixuan¡¯s reputation.


    Zhong Xiang and Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t expect this kind of reaction from the people. As it was, they don¡¯t have time to pay attention to these things because the wedding banquet in the Jing An Marquis mansion was about to kick off.


    Princess Liu Li¡¯s wedding was based on royal ritual specifications. It was moreplicated than Ye Jiayao¡¯s marriage and the everyone at the mansion was bending over backward just to make sure it goes perfectly.


    ¡°Wang Mingde, check all the cold dishes again.¡± Ye Jiayao handed over the task of checking the customs to Wang Mingde who was the most careful one in her crew.


    ¡°Yes, Second Young Mistress.¡±


    ¡°Deng Haichuan, make sure that all the dishes are handled in strict ordance with the requirements.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Second Young Mistress.¡±


    Everyone got to work, their game faces on, totally focused on their tasks.


    The female kitchen hands in the mansion were ordered to wash the vegetables and other ingredients. They first thought that the?Second Young Mistress was underestimating them, but when they saw the cooks of Heavenly Residence in action, they understood why they were given such menial tasks.


    Today, they have to make a total of 66 table dishes. It was thergest private banquet that Ye Jiayao has taken on. For this reason, she deliberately spent a lot of money to have Lu Xiaotian and Duan Qilin on board. However, even with them, Zhong Xiang, and Deng Haichuan, it still wasn¡¯t enough that¡¯s why Ye Jiayao has stepped in to cook.


    Outside, the drums and firecrackers sounded, signaling the arrival of Princess Liu Li¡¯s entourage. Sure enough, not long after, Manager Zhou Xing¡¯s wife came in and told her, ¡°You can start arranging the tables now,?Second Young Mistress.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go, everyone!¡±


    She has studied the proper cement and spacing for the dishes on the table since there were specific requirements even for?<i>that.?</i>


    They were serving eight cold dishes per table which have been ready since yesterday. The heaviest work was on the hot dishes. To keep the dishes fresh, most of it should be temporarily treated.


    First dish: ¡°A Harmonious Union Lasting a Hundred Years.¡±


    Several pots worked at the same time, the sound of simmering oil and rich fragrance filled the entire kitchen.


    Second Dish: ¡°Lotus Open with One Pedicle.¡±


    Third Dish: ¡°Phoenix¡¯ Singing Represents Harmony.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian was amazed that Ye Jinxuan could arrange such arge-scale banquet with an?orderly and reasonable division ofbor. Her excellent management and overall nning ability were shining through.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress!¡± Wang Mingde came over and anxiously whispered, ¡°The Bazhen chicken seems to be a bit wrong.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed.?<i>Of course.</i>?She waved Cui Dongpeng over and told him to continue stirring beforeing with Wang Mingde.


    ¡°What is wrong?¡±


    ¡°The Bazhen chickens. I have been checking the taste for two hours now, but something¡¯s wrong with this pot on myst check,¡± Wang Minde answered.


    Ye Jiayao took a spoon and tasted it. It was too salty.


    ¡°I personally put all the ingredients in each pot, same proportion, same ingredients. It makes no sense that this pot is particrly salty,¡± Wang Mingde told her with certainty.


    Ye Jiayao has absolute trust in Wang Mingde. He was too cautious to make such a low-level mistake.


    Are they being sabotaged?


    It was really hard to say who because people have beening and going in the kitchen all day!


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, what should I do? Adding water can dilute the salty taste, but we¡¯d have to add a lot of water and it can lighten the soup,¡± Wang Mingde worried.


    Ye Jiayao thought for a second and said, ¡°Go and tell Haichuan to put on the rest of the dishes first.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was also worried. There were eleven chickens in this pot. How would she be able to save this?


    <i>Oh, my word. We¡¯ll have to use the dumbest, most inconvenient way to correct this mess.</i>


    ¡°Wang Mingde, go get a big pot and pour out all the soup. Go to each pot and get five spoonfuls of soup, evenly go in, and then give the soup ten spoonfuls of water, and then divide it evenly into the six pots.¡±


    Wang Mingde heaved a sigh of relief.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Wang Mingde doing the extra hassle of the work that he shouldn¡¯t be doing and felt her anger rise. She was tired and stressed, whoever this saboteur is picked the wrong day to mess with her.


    She knew that no one from Heavenly Residence would dare to do this. She also knew that Lu Xiaotian and Duan Qilin wouldn¡¯t stab her in the back like this, and they have never even made it to this side of the kitchen.


    Ye Jiayao turned her eyes to the women who were helping them.


    Suddenly, a woman looked up, and connected eyes with Ye Jiayao. Instead of smiling, she immediately lowered her head and went back to work.


    It might have been a brief moment, but Ye Jiayao caught the panic in her eyes.


    If she or some of them has already tried to make trouble, who¡¯s to say it won¡¯t happen again. They got lucky with this because?Wang Mingde was careful. If that salty chicken made it up to the guests, it would ruin hers, the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, and Heavenly Residence¡¯s reputation.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes swayed back and forth on the women and suddenly got an idea.


    She called Jiang Yue first and told her what to do. Jiang Yue nodded obediently and left.


    ¡°Mother Zhou, pleasee here.¡±


    Zhou Xing came in a hurry. ¡°Second Young Mistress? What do you need from me?¡±


    ¡°Go to get those women, I need to talk with them.¡±


    Mother Zhou hesitated. They were all busy, now was hardly the time to talk. However, as she has learned the past few days, the?Second Young Mistress always has a n so she decided to follow. She gathered all the women and put them in a room.


    As the women left, the cooks looked up, finding it unusual.


    Deng Haichuan who has been informed of what was happening shouted, ¡°Go back to your tasks. Don¡¯t worry about that.¡± He couldn¡¯t let the others know of what was happening. It might mess with their heads which would lead to more mistakes.


    Ye Jiayao went to the room where the women were. Jiang Yue was stood at the door and handed her a piece of oil paper.


    ¡°I caught a glimpse of it. It was Zhu Wang who threw it in the corner of the flower bed,¡± Jiang Yue whispered.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. She opened the oil paper and when she tasted the small particles on it, she found that it was salt.


    If they did this confrontation, it would¡¯ve been easy to destroy the evidence by throwing it in the fire or letting it dissolve in a pot of soup. She had Zhou Xing take them to another room so whoever the saboteur was would be forced to improvise. She had Jiang Yue hide outside so she could catch the culprit.


    ¡°Second?Young Mistress, they are all here,¡± Zhou Xing said.


    Ye Jiayao licked the oil paper in her hand and smiled coldly. ¡°You are all carefully selected by Mother Zhou to help. I believe in Mother Zhou¡¯s judgment so I trusted you. However, today, some of you have disappointed me.¡±


    Everyone was confused.


    ¡°Mother Zhou, if someone¡¯s trying to sabotage the wedding banquet, what would be their punishment?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Mother Zhou stammered in shock, ¡°The c-crime of destroying the wedding banquet is unforgivable, and 50 bs are heavily given.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were hard as she said, ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance toe out. Admit what you¡¯ve done and we¡¯ll forget about the 50 bs. If I still have to point you out, you would experience the full punishment of your crime.¡±

 Chapter 191 - Intolerable

    <h4>Chapter 191: Intolerable</h4>


    ¡°Three, two...¡± Ye Jiayao slowly counted, observing Zhu Wang¡¯s wife out of the corner of her eyes. ¡°One.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°I might be a benevolent person, but I also stand by my words. I gave you the opportunity toe clean, but you decided to stay quiet. One thing to know about me, I never make threats, I make promises.¡±


    The lips of Zhu Wang¡¯s wife began to twitch.


    Ye Jiayao directed her stare at her and slowly said,¡±Mother Zhou and Zhu Wang wife, stay here. The rest of you go back to the kitchen to work and speak nothing of this. Anyone here who lets their tongues loose will be punished.¡±


    Everyone was surprised to find out that it was Zhu Wang¡¯s wife. She¡¯s always been honest. How would she benefit from sabotaging the wedding banquet? Was theSecond Young Mistress mistaken?


    The women left confused.


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife stood straight, but when observed more closely, her hands were shaking.


    ¡°Zhu Wang¡¯s wife,what have you done?¡± Mother Zhou demanded angrily.


    ¡°I... I didn¡¯t do anything,¡± Zhu Wang¡¯s wife said guiltily.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed. ¡°I have no time to y games right now. Jiang Yue saw you throw this paperin the corner of the flower bed. There are salt grains on top of this. You¡¯re the one who added the salt in theBazhen chickens.¡±


    Mother Zhou was stunned. ¡°How can you do this kind of thing? Do you have ill feelings toward me or theSecond Young Mistress? We have never treated you badly.¡±


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife¡¯s face fell, defeated. She had deliberately added salt to only one pot because she thought it would be easier to sneak past the chefs. She didn¡¯t know that these chefs were so meticulous and particr!


    ¡°Who put you up to this?¡± Mother Zhou asked aggressively.


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife bit her lip and gritted, ¡°No one. This is my idea. If Second Young Mistress wants to punish me, then so be it.¡±


    ¡°How could you say this? I know that your family is not in good condition that¡¯s why I hired you for this job. Why would you repay me like this?¡± Mother Zhou was shaking in anger.


    Ye Jiayao frowned and asked Mother Zhou, ¡°What happened to her family?¡±


    ¡°What happened to her family?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the wife of Zhou Xing.


    ¡°Her son contracted a strange disease and treatment costs a lot. Both she and her husband¡¯s ie were spent to cure him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly understood how Zhu Wang¡¯s wife was convinced tomit this crime.


    She took a seat and asked Zhu Wang¡¯s wife, ¡°The one who contacted you promised you a lot of money, didn¡¯t they? How much silver? Or did he or sheguarantee to cure your son¡¯s illness? I am verypassionate, but I have my limits. The mistake you made today will cost you 50 bs and your job at this mansion. Do you think that we¡¯ll trust Zhu Wang after your betrayal? It¡¯s a matter of time before he¡¯s out of employment too. What do you think will happen to your sick son if you both lose your jobs.¡±


    The coldness in Second Young Mistress¡¯ voice scared Zhou Xing¡¯s wife so much she couldn¡¯t help but shudder.


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife held firm. The person who made her do this promised her a lot of money and to have an imperial doctor treat her son, Zhonger.


    Ye Jiayao has had enough. There were still a million things to do, she couldn¡¯t keep interrogating this woman. She had to result to a ruthless tactic.


    ¡°Mother Zhou, keep her in here and tell Manager Zhong to keep Zhu Wang in another room. Have someone lock their house and station a guard there. Post one guard at each of their rooms, too. No one in and out at all ces. They are not to be given food or water.¡± Ye Jiayao then turned to Zhu Wang¡¯s wife and said emotionlessly, ¡°Whenever you decide to tell the truth, you let us know.¡±


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife panicked and started to beg, ¡°Second Young Mistress, please let my family go. This isn¡¯t their fault.¡±


    ¡°Since you won¡¯t tell me who put you up to this, it¡¯s up to me to decide who¡¯s at fault. If the Empress Dowager find out that you tried to destroy the Princess¡¯ wedding banquet, she¡¯ll have your family killed.¡±


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife rushed over and hugged Second Young Mistress¡¯ leg, sobbing. ¡°Second Young Mistress, I know what I did was wrong. Please, I beg you, pardon my son, Zhonger.He¡¯s weak and he¡¯s been suffering since he was very young. Please...¡±


    Ye Jiayao was unmoved. ¡°Last chance. Tell me who ordered you to do this.¡±


    Mother Zhou anxiously urged, ¡°Just confess to Second Young Mistress! Do you really want Zhonger to suffer? Didn¡¯t you say that he can¡¯t be without medication for even a day!¡±


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife cried, ¡°I don¡¯t know who the man is but he gave me 30 silvers. I was told to mess upthe wedding banquet so the Second Young Mistress would look like a fool. He also told me that I will be given twenty silvers afterward and the imperial doctor will be brought to treat my son.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, I¡¯m telling you the truth. If you have to punish someone, please punish me and let my family go.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth curled up in a sneer.<i>That petty bitch. She¡¯s willing to sabotage her own wedding just to get back at me??</i>


    She got up and said to Jiang Yue, ¡°Yue-er, bring Song Qi here, tell him to take care of Zhu Wang¡¯s wife. We¡¯ll revisit this issue after the wedding.¡±


    Fortunately, they caught thisplication in time and they were able toplete the wedding banquet sessfully.


    Xia You listened to the constant words of praise regarding the food and felt a sense of pride rise inside her. Shepletely forgot the disdain and prejudice she had when she heard that Chunyu wanted to marry a chef.


    After the end of the feast, the lively mansion gradually returned to tranquility, with only the rednterns hanging high and the double happiness sticks posted everywhere as the remnant of the grand celebration.


    In the wedding room, Xia Chunfeng got so drunk he was unaware of his surroundings. Princess Liu Li bristled with annoyance at him. Why would he get drunkon such an important day?


    The understrapper in the house broughta hangover soup for him and Little Ya was just about to help him eat it when Princess Liu Li stopped her. ¡°No, leave him be.¡±


    Little Ya hesitated. ¡°But tonight is your wedding night.¡±


    ¡°He knows this is the wedding night but he still got drunk,¡± Liu Li spat.


    Little Ya reasoned, ¡°The Third Young Master drank so much because he¡¯s happy. He couldn¡¯t have very well declined all the toasts that the guest asked of him.¡±


    Liu Li rolled her eyes. ¡°Forget it. Just change his clothes.¡±


    Chunfeng was drunk but he was still able to hear their conversation. He wanted to protest and say that he¡¯s drunk because he couldn¡¯t stand the spoiled brat he married.


    When Little Ya went to the bathroom to prepare a sponge bath for the Third Young Master, Princess Liu Li followed her.


    ¡°Was there anything wrong at the banquet today?¡± asked Liu Li.


    Little Ya shook her head. ¡°I heard that the food is very good, everyone enjoyed it.¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Little Guizi really is useless.¡±


    Even at her wedding, Jinxuan has the attention of the people.


    ¡°Do you want me to find out what happened?¡± Little Ya offered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.Let Little Guizi fix this himself,¡± Liu Li said seriously.


    Xia Chunyu also drank a lot, but he wasn¡¯t as drunk as his younger brother. He leaned back on his pillow and sighed in relief. ¡°It¡¯s finally finished.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a cup of strong tea to help prevent a hangover and said, ¡°Yet the trouble is just beginning.¡±


    ¡°Stop worrying. I don¡¯t think Liu Li will cause too much trouble,¡± Xia Chunyu told her.


    ¡°Ha!¡± Ye Jiayao chortled, incredulous. ¡°You give her too much credit. She has barely even crossed the doorway and has already started ying tricks on me.¡±


    Chunyu¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What did she do.¡±


    She told him what happened in the kitchen earlier.


    ¡°Are you sure Liu Li¡¯s behind it?¡±


    ¡°Who else has the power to summon an imperial doctor?¡± She shook her head and added, ¡°I wanted to tell Mother but I was afraid she¡¯d punish Zhu Wang¡¯s wife. Although what she did was wrong, she just did it to help her son.¡±


    ¡°What did you do about Zhu Wang¡¯s wife?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I let Song Qi take care of her.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it for a moment. He then put his teacup down and put his boots on.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Ye Jiayao asked curiously.


    ¡°I will deal with this matter,¡± he said as he donned on his robe.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Ye Jiayao followed.


    ¡°I will go and see if I can get solid evidence.¡±


    He was wrong for thinking Liu Li would ease up with this marriage. It was now clear to him that she would do anything to hurt Yaoyao.


    Chunyu was not going to let that happen.

 Chapter 192 - The Disturbance in Tea Ceremony

    <h4>Chapter 192: The Disturbance in Tea Ceremony</h4>


    It was a long time before Chunyu came back. Ye Jiayao tried waiting up for him, but she was too tired that she eventually sumbed to sleep.


    She only woke up when she felt the bed move. She asked, still dazed from sleep, ¡°Chunyu? How did it go?¡±


    Xia Chunyu tucked her in and softly said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow.¡±


    He already knew who contacted Zhu Wang¡¯s wife. He knew it the minute she described his appearance to him. However, it was Chunyu¡¯s wedding and he didn¡¯t want to cause amotion.


    Ye Jiayao was so exhausted that she just burrowed into his embrace and fell back asleep.


    The next day, the newlyweds were scheduled to serve tea to the family.


    As per tradition, the family, especially older rtives, were expected to present the new couple with a red envelope of cash. Ye Jiayao and Chunyu prepared a thick stack for the couple to wish them well on the start of their marriage.


    The start of the ceremony was lively. All the families were there plus the Second Aunt who arrived from Shanxi yesterday.


    Second Auntie, Xia Peishan, turned to Chunyu andined, ¡°Why did you have to get married in such a rush? By the time the news of your engagement reached me, the wedding¡¯s already done!¡±


    Chunyu smiled apologetically. ¡°I was just too eager to marry my girl. Don¡¯t worry, Second Auntie, I will have a feast prepared for you and Second Uncle tomorrow to make up for it.¡±


    Xia Peishan smiled slyly, a thought forming in her head. She knew that Big Sister approved of Chunyu¡¯s wife. She also couldn¡¯t deny that the perfect wedding banquetst night has impressed her immensely. ¡°I want Jinxuan to prepare this feast, though. What do you say, Jinxuan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be happy to, Second Auntie,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Zhou frowned upon hearing this. Why was it such a big deal when she tried to get Jinxuan to cook for her, and yet the youngdy readily agreed when it was the Second Sister?


    ¡°Hey, howe Second Sister-inw get to have her own feast?¡± Zhou protested in jealousy.


    Xia Peishan, who also wasn¡¯t a huge fan of Zhou, said emotionlessly, ¡°I am not taking this feast for free. If you¡¯re jealous, you cane as well.¡±


    She then gave her husband, Qin Shimao, a meaningful look.


    Qin Shimao smirked and took out two big red envelopes. ¡°Although we did not make it to the wedding, a gift is still necessary.¡± He then handed one envelope to Xia Chunyu and the other one to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao nodded gratefully, hiding her excitement. The stack they gave her was quite thick and she estimated that it would amount to no less than 1000 silvers. It wasn¡¯t really surprising since she heard that Second Aunt and Second Uncle were rich. They owned several coal mines in Shanxi.


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao said simultaneously, ¡°Thank you, Second Auntie and Second Uncle.¡±


    Xia You smiled and remarked, ¡°Second Sister, you really are thoughtful.¡±


    Xia Peishan shot Zhou a nce and said, ¡°This is the tradition. Even if I didn¡¯t make it to the wedding, I¡¯m still going to make sure that you receive my gift.¡±


    Zhou coughed awkwardly. Flushed with embarrassment, she turned to her son and yelled, ¡°Stop fidgeting around and sit properly. Those red envelopes are not for you!¡±


    Chunsi pouted. ¡°My tenth birthday is in a few days. All of you will have to give me red envelopes then.¡±


    ¡°Then wait for that day toe!¡± Zhou chastised.


    The people in the room were speechless. Did that kid just demand red envelopes for his birthday? Were this family¡¯s education and manners really that poor?


    After a few more moments of waiting, Chunfeng and Liu Li finally appeared. The couple came in separately, not even sparing a nce at each other, their faces stoic.


    Ye Jiayao could not help but sigh. It seemed that the newlywed¡¯s first night didn¡¯t go very well.


    Xia You and Xia Zhuofeng looked at each other worriedly. They knew that Chunfeng was an unwilling participant in this marriage, but since it was the Emperor¡¯s decree, there was nothing any of them could do. They tried to make Chunfeng more amenable to this arrangement but based on how he and Liu Li looked today, it was clear that they didn¡¯t seed.


    However, Xia You did not want to draw more attention to this fact so she gestured to Mother Sun to begin.


    Mother Sun cleared her throat and announced, ¡°Will the young couple please start serving?¡±


    The servant handed Xia Chunfeng and Liu Li two cups of tea.


    Xia Chunfeng walked to his parents and kneeled, waiting for his wife to do the same. Liu Li, however, simply stood next to him and slightly bowed her head.


    ¡°Mother, please ept this tea,¡± she said rather haughtily.


    ¡°You are supposed to kneel when you are serving tea to the elders,¡± Xia Chunfeng hissed angrily.


    Liu Li responded arrogantly, ¡°I am a princess, part of the monarch. Do you expect a monarch to kneel before her subservient?¡±


    Xia Zhoufeng and Xia You couldn¡¯t hide their embarrassment.


    This was what You was afraid of. The moment the Emperor dered Chunfeng and Liu Li¡¯s marriage, You has worried about the technicalities of the hierarchy. Add that to Liu Li¡¯s arrogance and bad temper, it was a sure recipe for disaster.


    ¡°So you want my family to kneel before you?¡± Chunfeng demanded, his anger rising out of control.


    Liu Li snorted. ¡°They should.¡±


    Xia Peishan couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and chimed in, ¡°It is part of the tradition for the newlyweds to kneel before their elders as they serve the tea. Even the Emperor is required to follow this custom. Are you saying that this rule is beneath you, Princess?¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°I bowed, didn¡¯t I? Is it really necessary that I, the Princess, kneel?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head in dismay. Oh, this is going horribly wrong. She had thought that Liu Li would for once act a little more mature since she¡¯s facing strangers, but she was as unbearable as ever.


    ¡°It is a rule that everyone has to follow,¡± Xia You exined gently. ¡°Our family wants a daughter-inw, not a monarch. If you treat us all as your ministers, we would never be able to treat you like family.¡±


    The Old Marquis snorted and said, ¡°This is outrageous.¡±


    ¡°Father, Mother, this is my fault,¡± Xia Chunfeng interjected. ¡°I am not worthy to have such a noble wife. I will go to the pce and speak to the Emperor about this. It is clear that Princess Liu Li and I are notpatible with each other.¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s face reddened and she turned to her new husband furiously. ¡°Are you threatening to divorce me?¡±


    ¡°You have belittled my family on the first day of our marriage. Why would I stay with you?¡± Xia Chunfeng demanded coldly.


    Zhou tried to smooth things over and piped in, ¡°Princess Liu Li has a point. The hierarchy cannot be ignored even for tradition. It¡¯s always the monarch first before family.¡±


    ¡°Oh shut up,¡± Xia Peishan retorted.


    All eyes turned to her, shocked by her words.


    ¡°In all those years you¡¯ve lived in that little town, have you forgotten the meaning and importance of rituals? If you¡¯re not going to contribute anything meaningful, stay quiet,¡± Xia Peishan told Zhou, irritated.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s reverence for Second Auntie grew even more. She liked her no-nonsense attitude.


    Zhou was stunned. She wasn¡¯t expecting Second Sister-inw toe at her so harshly.


    Xia Qinqin immediately came to his wife¡¯s defense. ¡°Second Sister, there is no need to speak like that. Just because we lived in a small province doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re beneath you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because all her riches have gone to her head,¡± Zhou said angrily. ¡°I was only trying to help! Chunfeng is not being sensible in what he¡¯s asking. Princess Liu Li might have been married to the family, but she is first and foremost a royalty. We should treat her with respect.¡±


    Since it was obvious that the rest of the family wasn¡¯t a big fan of her, Zhou made up her mind to make Princes Liu Li her ally. None of them would be able to touch her if she has a royalty backing her up.


    Liu Li looked at Zhou gratefully. Finally, a person in this family with sense and respect.


    Chunfeng didn¡¯t want Second Auntie to fight for him so he immediately said, ¡°Since Third Auntie is so insistent, why don¡¯t you take Princess Liu Li home?¡±


    Liu Li screamed at Chunfeng, ¡°You can¡¯t do this! You are going against a royal decree. I will tell the Empress Dowager about this and you will be punished!¡±


    ¡°Go!¡± Xia Chunfeng snorted. ¡°No one is stopping you. Leave and nevere back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was watching the scene unfold in disbelief. How had things gotten so out of hand? This was supposed to be a simple ceremony. How did they go from serving tea to yelling at each other?


    ¡°Shut up, all of you!¡± the Old Marquis yelled furiously, his voice thundering around the room.


    Everyone immediately quieted.


    Xia Zhuofeng said calmly, ¡°Princess, you do not have to go to the Empress Dowager toin. I will speak to her myself. It is clear that our family is too small to amodate a woman of such power and position.¡±


    ¡°Mother Sun,e and help me change,¡± Xia You immediately ordered.


    The couple got up and left.


    Xia Peishan stood up after them and walked towards Ye Jinxuan, throwing Zhou a disdainful look. ¡°Jinxuan, shall we go to your room for a cup of tea? I can¡¯t stand to be around such... revolting things.¡±


    ¡°Revolting? What are you talking about?¡± Zhou demanded, knowing full well that it was a snipe at her.


    Xia Peishan merely smiled at her.

 Chapter 193 - Controlling the Story

    <h4>Chapter 193: Controlling the Story</h4>


    Ye Jiayao looked at Chunfeng, her heart aching. Poor boy. Was he going to have to suffer from arguments like this for the rest of his life?


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Yaoyao, go have a cup of tea with Second Auntie. Big Brother, would you mind taking Second Uncle to go rest up?¡±


    Chunli was more than happy to have the opportunity to rub shoulders with a rich man.


    Zhou pulled at Chunsi and said angrily, ¡°Let¡¯s go! I¡¯m not going to let you hang around longer than necessary with these people.¡±


    She was actually hoping to talk more with Princess Liu Li and cozy up to her, but now that their situation¡¯s unclear, she would have to put that n on hold.


    The people left one by one until the only ones left in the hall were Chunyu, Chunfeng, and Liu Li.


    Chunyu walked over to Liu Li and asked gravely, ¡°Do you even think about the words you say?¡±


    Liu Li used to be afraid of Chunyu. Before the whole debacle with Jinxuan, Liu Li would have never even thought of going against Chunyu. However, this was now a different time.


    ¡°What I think is that this is none of your business,¡± Liu Li answered him coldly.


    ¡°Of course, it is my business. The man you are married to is my brother. You are entering my family.¡± Xia Chunyu has had enough. He couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch Liu Li disrespect his family just because of the grievances she had with him and Yaoyao. ¡°Did you really think that your bratty attitude will continue to fly here? How dare you disrespect your parents-inw? In their own home, nheless! You might be royalty but you are also now a wife. You have to follow and respect traditions. Do you think that the Empress Dowager will side with you in this matter? If you don¡¯t want things to get out of hand, I suggest you go and apologize to Mother and Father right now.¡±


    ¡°Why should I apologize?¡± Liu Li pointed at Chunfeng. ¡°He¡¯s the one in the wrong. He¡¯s done nothing but make me angry ever since the early morning.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng shot back, ¡°I was hurrying you up, you spoiled brat. Your servant tried to rush you but you were deliberately dragging your feet to make my family wait for you.¡±


    ¡°I have always been slow in getting ready! Did you want me to go out without being presentable?¡±


    ¡°You can dress up in gold for all I care, no one would ever want to look at you.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Chunyu said. ¡°You guys are tarnishing the mansion¡¯s spirit with all your bickering.¡±


    He then turned to Liu Li and said firmly, ¡°Princess, if you want to stay in this house, go apologize to my parents. If you want to go home to the pce on the first day of your marriage, then, by all means, leave.¡±


    To his younger brother, he said, ¡°Come with me, Chunfeng. We need to go see Mother.¡±


    When the brothers left, Little Ya hesitantly said to Liu Li, ¡°Princess, I think you should apologize. The Empress Dowager has told you before to follow the customs of your husband¡¯s family.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Liu Li yelled at her. ¡°Did I ask for your opinion?¡±


    Little Ya bowed her head in apology. As much as she wanted to stay quiet, if the Princess¡¯ marriage fails, she was also in the line of fire of the Empress Dowager¡¯s anger. ¡°Princess, we can also go to Mother Shu.¡±


    Mother Shu was sent by the Empress Dowager to guide Princess Liu Li. She¡¯s one of the few people that can sway her mind. Mother Shu has been with the Empress Dowager for many years and she has also taken care of Liu Li as she was growing up.


    However, Little Ya wasn¡¯t expecting Mother Shu¡¯s answer when they went up to her.


    ¡°How dare they treat a princess like this?¡±


    Little Ya barely resisted the urge to protest. Today¡¯s events were clearly the Princess¡¯ fault!


    Empowered, Liu Li ranted, ¡°They even said that they¡¯ll tattle to the Empress Dowager. Chunfeng threatened to divorce me!¡±


    ¡°This is uneptable!¡± Mother Shu said angrily.


    Liu Li cried, ¡°If he wants a divorce, then I¡¯ll request for it even before he can.¡±


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t do that, Princess. This is the first day of your marriage, what would the people say when they find out? Besides, the Empress Dowager would never agree to that,¡± Mother Shu reasoned.


    ¡°What should I do, then? The Old Marquis and Lady Xia You are going to the pce!¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll beat them there. We¡¯re going to get you to the pce before them.¡±


    Little Ya waspletely dumbfounded. It was Princess Liu Li who was at fault and yet, they wanted toin?


    So, as Xia Chunyu was speaking to his parents, Liu Li had already taken a carriage back to the pce.


    When a servant reported this to Xia You, she was furious.


    ¡°She¡¯s going to manipte this story to favor her!¡± Xia You said.


    The Old Marquis sighed. ¡°This whole thing is just¡­¡±


    ¡°We can still go to the Empress Dowager!¡± Chunfeng said. ¡°We can at least tell her our side.¡±


    Xia Chunyu calmly replied, ¡°He¡¯s right. I didn¡¯t want it toe to this but Liu Li has left us with no choice. However, I think it¡¯s best if Father stays home. We can have Mother call the imperial doctor for Father and im that he¡¯s suffering from a headache. We don¡¯t have to say anything else or do more rification, the implications will be enough.


    The Old Marquis nodded in agreement and turned to his wife. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, Madame. We should go for it.¡±


    Meanwhile, Ye Jiayao and Xia Peishan were drinking tea in Ye Jiayao¡¯s yard.


    Xia Peishan was impressed at how dutiful Jinxuan¡¯s servants were. They were polite and very efficient. They were very attentive if needed, but otherwise, they don¡¯t draw any attention to themselves. It was clear that Jinxuan has trained them well.


    She wanted to know more about Jinxuan¡¯s management skills so she asked about the Heavenly Residence. The more she learned, the more she was delighted by her nephew¡¯s young wife.


    ¡°I think that if you open a branch of your restaurant in Shanxi, it¡¯ll do very well,¡± Xia Peishan observed.


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°I have actually thought of opening another branch. However, Heavenly Residence is mainly based on Huaiyang cuisine. If we want to try and enter the Shanxi market, we¡¯d have to cultivate a whole new menu and vor to amodate the people of Shanxi.¡±


    Xia Peishan pursed her lips. ¡°You¡¯re right. If you¡¯re going to open a restaurant in Shanxi, you have to do thorough research and nning. Well, just remember that when you¡¯re ready, I¡¯m here if you need anything.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled gratefully. Second Auntie might be tough but she also has a warm heart.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been living in Shanxi for so long now, Second Auntie. Do you prefer the cuisine there or do you miss the Huaiyang cooking?¡± Ye Jiayao inquired.


    ¡°I honestly can¡¯t tell. I have been there for so long that I have grown so used to the taste. I only miss the taste of my hometown asionally.¡±


    ¡°What dishes would you like me to make you for tomorrow, Second Aunt? I know both Shanxi and Huaiyang cuisine, so just tell me which food would you like to eat.¡±


    Xia Peishan looked at her, surprised. ¡°You can make Shanxi dishes?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and said, ¡°Yes, some of them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I don¡¯t really mind eating whichever, but your Second Uncle is kind of picky. He is a native of Shanxi and he loves their food. Just make whatever you think is best.¡±


    Suddenly, Jiang Yue called from outside, ¡°Second Young Lady, Qiao Xi wants to speak to you.¡±


    Concerned, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Let her in.¡±


    Qiao Xi walked in and bowed at Ye Jiayao and Xia Peishan. She began, ¡°Princess Liu Li took a carriage back to the pce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Peishan exchanged a look, both knowing what the Princess was nning. She was trying to get ahead of the story.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Big Sister?¡± asked Xia Peishan.


    ¡°The Madame also went to the pce.¡±


    ¡°What about the Old Marquis?¡±


    ¡°I heard that the Old Marquis is suffering from a headache so he stayed home.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Peishan looked at each other again, this time with relief. Both women were smart and crafty in their own right so they immediately understood the n.


    ¡°Very well. Thank you, Qiao Xi. You may go now,¡± Ye Jiayao dismissed.


    After Qiao Xi has left, Xia Peishan started, ¡°Chunfeng marrying a royalty should¡¯ve been a blessing, but instead, all it has given us is trouble!¡±


    Ye Jiayao assured, ¡°We just have to be patient. They are both young and temperamental that¡¯s why they¡¯re shing together. Once they¡¯ve had more time to adjust to each other, everything will be fine.¡±


    ¡°I hope so!¡± Xia Peishan worried.


    Meanwhile, in the pce, Princess Liu Li was once again crying in the Empress Dowager¡¯s arms. Of course, Liu Li and Mother Shu have retold the story in a way that painted the Princess as the victim.


    Angered by her beloved¡¯s plight, the Empress Dowager called for the Old Marquis and his wife to exin themselves. It was only when a servant reported that Madame Xia You was asking for the imperial doctor for the Old Marquis did the Empress Dowager¡¯s anger cleared.


    ¡°What happened to the Old Marquis?¡± Empress Dowager asked the servant.


    The servant answered, ¡°It was said that the Old Marquis is suffering from a severe headache. He wasn¡¯t even able to get up.¡±


    Suddenly, the Empress Dowager found everything that her ward has told her suspicious. Why would Xia Zhuofeng fall ill if just not a mere moment ago, ording to Liu Li, he was bullying her?


    She pulled back from Liu Li and asked her sternly, ¡°Tell me the truth, child. What is going on?¡±


    Liu Li was at a loss, surprised with this new development.


    Mother Shu chimed in, ¡°Empress Dowager, don¡¯t believe that so readily.¡±


    The Empress Dowager looked between Mother Shu and Liu Li suspiciously. ¡°Mother Shu, I know that you are fond of Liu Li, but I sent you with her to guide her, not encourage her bad behavior. You¡¯re supposed to keep her away from trouble!¡±


    ¡°We told you the truth!¡± Mother Shu tried.


    ¡°I am afraid I don¡¯t believe you anymore.¡± The Empress Dowager turned to Liu Li and asked firmly, ¡°What time did you show up for the tea serving ceremony?¡±


    Liu Li has never been at the end of the Empress Dowager¡¯s fierce look and she wasn¡¯t used to it. She stammered, ¡°At nine, I think? Or 11. I¡¯m not entirely sure.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes narrowed. She looked at Liu Li¡¯s servant and asked, ¡°Little Ya, what time?¡±


    Little Ya looked at Princess Liu Li princess and mumbled, ¡°It was 11, Empress Dowager.¡±


    The Empress Dowager sighed, finally understanding what happened.


    This was all her ward¡¯s fault. She made the elders of the Xia family wait for her and that was a huge sign of disrespect.


    She realized that Liu Li just raced here so she could control the narrative of what happened.


    ¡°Liu Li,¡± the Empress Dowager sighed, suddenly exhausted. ¡°What have I told you before?¡±

 Chapter 194 - What Did They Say About Me?

    <h4>Chapter 194: What Did They Say About Me?</h4>


    The Empress Dowager gave the Princess a long lecture about tradition, respect, and her duties as a new wife.


    However, all these lessons were useless if Liu Li doesn¡¯t apologize to the Old Marquis and the Madame. They would never let her in the Jing An mansion again if she doesn¡¯t humble herself.


    Determined to fix things, the Empress Dowager sent someone for Xia You. She wanted to mediate between Liu Li and the Xia family so they could all put this behind them. However, a servant came back and reported that Xia You would be unable toe as she was tending to the Old Marquis.


    The Empress Dowager then asked for Chunfeng but was told that he too would be unable toe because he couldn¡¯t leave his father¡¯s side.


    She wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew that the Xia family was doing this to teach Liu Li a lesson. However, since she had no urgent and credible reason to drag them to the pce, she couldn¡¯t do anything.


    It wasn¡¯t long before the Emperor heard about what happened and as expected, he was furious. He called for Liu Li and gave her a dressing down. He ordered her to go back to the Jing An mansion but Liu Li vehemently refused. She had reasoned that it was too embarrassing for her to go back alone. She wanted someone from the Xia family toe and get her.


    Despite his anger, the Emperor didn¡¯t want Liu Li to stay in the pce for the rest of her marriage so he sent someone to the Jing An mansion to apologize on her behalf.


    Xia You understood the Emperor¡¯s intention so, after a night, she sent Chunfeng to pick his wife up from the pce.


    Xia Chunfeng, of course, was extremely reluctant, but he still went.


    At noon, Ye Jiayao prepared two big tables of various dishes for the family to enjoy. It was a mix of the dishes that she knew the Old Marquis loved to eat, as well as Shanxi, Sichuan, and Huaiyang food. She took care to include the Sichuan cuisine for the Third Uncle¡¯s family as she didn¡¯t want to add to the already high tension in the mansion.


    As everyone took their seats, they noticed Chunfeng and Liu Li¡¯s absence. They were all worried but they chose not to say anything. They just hoped that the two stubborn mules hadn¡¯t gotten into another spat.


    When Jiang Yue brought out thest dish, Xia Peishan eximed, ¡°You made oily meat!¡±


    ¡°Well, Second Auntie lives in Taiyuan, so I wanted to try to cater to that.Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t find any Tai mushroom, otherwise, this oily meat would have been more traditional,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you know about Tai mushrooms! There¡¯s a lot of that growing in theWutai Mountain area. If I knew you needed it, I would have brought you some,¡± Xia Peishan said.


    Zhou suddenly said, ¡°You¡¯re very skilled, Jinxuan. You have made dishes from different parts of the country, but unfortunately, all these food are not easy to eat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao only smiled at her, ignoring the thinly veiled insult. ¡°Thank you for the praise, Third Auntie.¡±


    Xia Peishan rolled her eyes, annoyed at Zhou. What was wrong with this woman? She was presented with a feast and yet she had the gall toin?


    ¡°All the colors and smell... aye, Jinxuan, this all look authentic!¡± Xia Peishan praised.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t Princess Liu Li back yet?¡± Qiao mumbled to herself, looking out the door.


    ¡°Maybe the Empress Dowager invited them to eat at the pce. After all, the royal meal is much better than the ones we are served with,¡± Zhou said lightly.


    Xia Peishan whispered, ¡°Then maybe you should befriend the Princess. Maybe she can take you to the pce one day so you can taste the ¡®royal meal¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Second Sister, what problem do you have with me?¡± Zhou demanded. Why was she always taking jabs at her?


    ¡°Sister, you are being too sensitive. I was only supporting what you said. Am I wrong?¡± Xia Peishan said with augh.


    Xia You saw that her two sisters-inw were about to get into another fight so she hurriedly said, ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s eat. We don¡¯t know what time Chunfeng and Princess Liu Li will return. We can¡¯t wait for them otherwise, the food will get cold.¡±


    Everyone started digging in.


    Zhou looked at the te in front of her, skeptical about Chunyu¡¯s wife¡¯s cooking. Was it as good as everyone imed it to be?


    She hesitantly tried a spoonful and was instantly amazed.


    ¡°Oh... this Thousand Piece tofu is so delicious!¡± Zhouplimented. ¡°It¡¯s sulent and so vorful!¡±


    ¡°This is made by the old Sun family in the east of the city. They make the best tofu in Jin Ling City,¡± Ye Jiayao replied, kind of weirded out by Third Auntie¡¯s words. This was the first time she heard her being so genuine.


    Xia You called a servant over and said, ¡°Go and tell the person buying our food to get tofu from the old Sun family from now on.¡±


    Ye Jiayao offered, ¡°Mother, if you¡¯d like, I can make you a list of the best vendors in the city. I know which ones sell the freshest seafood and crispiest vegetables.¡±


    ¡°That would be nice,¡± Xia You said. ¡°Just give your list to a servant whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to be eating the best food with Second Sister-inw around,¡± Qiao remarked proudly.


    ¡°Yeah, Big Sister, I really envy you,¡± Xia Peishan imed.


    Xia You smiled slightly at their words. Jinxuan might be an excellent cook but she wouldn¡¯t allow her to cook for them every day. That would be inappropriate.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, can you also make us the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?¡± Qiao inquired curiously.


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°Well, I can make that for you guys tomorrow. It¡¯s a dish that requires a lot of preparation and ingredients. It takes a lot of work.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, Jinxuan. You are the second young mistress of this house. How can we expect you to cook every day?¡± Xia Peishan said.


    ¡°It is just for one day, what¡¯s the big deal?¡± Zhou countered. ¡°Besides, a daughter-inw¡¯s duty is to serve her elders.¡±


    ¡°You are one to talk about duties!¡± Xia Peishan sneered. ¡°I heard that your new house is finished, why haven¡¯t you moved in there yet? Or are you just nning toe and eat here every day?¡±


    Zhou scowled. ¡°Who said that it¡¯s finished? It still needs a lot of repair and furnishings!¡±


    Xia You was just about to intervene when a servant announced, ¡°Princess Liu Li and the Third Young Master are back.¡±


    Xia You asked hurriedly, ¡°Where are they? Have they eaten yet?¡±


    The servant answered, ¡°The Third Young Master went to eat, and Princess Liu Li has retired to their room.¡±


    Liu Li must¡¯ve been too embarrassed to face them.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to cook a few dishester and have it delivered to her,¡± Ye Jiayao decided.


    ¡°Yulian, you will go to deliver the mealter,¡± Zhou tacked on immediately.


    The rest of the table resisted the urge to scoff in disdain. She¡¯s clearly seizing the opportunity to suck up to the Princess.


    Liu Li was sulking in the room, still mad that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor refused to take her side. They had insisted that shee back and had even warned her to remain respectful of her elders. If she had known that there would be so many constraints and rules to follow, she wouldn¡¯t have gotten married.


    Her husband didn¡¯t like her at all. When he came to pick her up, he looked like he¡¯d rather be shoveling horse crap than go near her.


    ¡°How can I be so unlucky?¡± Liu Li yelled, throwing the teacups on the table to the ground.


    The servants, although shocked, carefully picked up the broken porcin.


    Mother Shu, who was also lectured by the Empress Dowager, said, ¡°Princess, you should try to be more amenable to the rules. If you do that, no one here will dare question you. You are a princess, they will never forget that.¡±


    ¡°I am angry at Chunfeng. I am his wife and yet instead of siding with me, he¡¯s defending others!¡± Liu Li ranted.


    ¡°Princess, those are not just ¡®others¡¯. Those people are his family,¡± Little Ya gently reminded her.


    ¡°Little Ya is right. If you want to gain your husband¡¯s favor and affection, you have to be good to his family. Especially his parents. When your parents-inw back you up, Third Young Master Chunfeng will soon follow,¡± Mother Shu said.


    Liu Li deliberated for a bit. They were right. She only had to gain her parents-inw¡¯s favor. The others are inconsequential. She only has to suck up to them. How hard could that be?


    ¡°Princess, Miss Yu Lian came to deliver your meal,¡± a servant reported.


    Liu Li frowned. ¡°Yu Lian? Which Yu Lian?¡±


    ¡°The Third Auntie¡¯s daughter, Princess,¡± Little Ya responded.


    Remembering how the Third Auntie stood up for her, she rxed and allowed the visitor toe in.


    ¡°Yulian greets Third Sister,¡± Yulian said softly as she curtsied.


    ¡°You are the daughter of Third Auntie?¡± asked Liu Li.


    Yulian smiled and replied, ¡°Yes, Princess. My mother was afraid that you might be hungry so she had Second Sister cook something for you to eat.¡±


    Liu Li could not help butugh. She was liking Third Auntie more and more.


    ¡°Yulian, please sit down,¡± Liu Li offered. ¡°Have you eaten yet?


    ¡°Yes, Princess. All of the family has eaten already.


    ¡°And only Third Auntie cared enough to think of me,¡± Liu Limented with a sigh.


    ¡°My mother has been standing up for you. She was adamant that Third Brother was blessed to be able to marry you. Unfortunately, he doesn¡¯t know how to cherish you yet,¡± Yulian said, repeating her mother¡¯s words.


    ¡°What did everyone else in the mansion said about me yesterday?¡±


    Yulian hesitated.


    Liu Li said, ¡°Just say it. It¡¯s alright.¡±

 Chapter 195 - Forming an Alliance

    <h4>Chapter 195: Forming an Alliance</h4>


    Yulian told her what everyone said while she was away. Of course, she also embellished how her mother ¡®protected¡¯ the Princess¡¯ name while everyone dragged her. She also ryed how Jinxuan manipted Madame Xia You by being such a bootlicker. Yulian made up stories about how Jinxuan has been showing arrogance even though she was yet to be named the mistress of the mansion. She also told her that her whole family hates Jinxuan because of her schemes and her slyness.


    All these words resonated with Liu Li. She made up her mind to ally with Third Auntie to teach Jinxuan a lesson.


    Yulian also hinted that Lady Xia You is a petty and calctive person. She said that Madame was so stingy that she couldn¡¯t even buy some potted flowers to decorate her house. Yulian said that her mother couldn¡¯t stand the sight and used her own money to get some.


    ¡°This is outrageous!¡± Mother Shu eximed furiously. ¡°She was certainly never like this in front of the Empress Dowager.¡±


    ¡°Third Cousin, you can¡¯t tell anyone that I told you these. I am only telling you these because I don¡¯t want you to be disadvantaged int his house. Now that our family is staying with the Old Marquis, my father is relying on him for work. If Uncle and Auntie find out about this, my father¡¯s future job would be in jeopardy,¡± Yulian worried.


    Liu Li waved away her concern. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that the Empress Dowager is my grandmother and His Majesty is my Uncle. I can help your father more than the Old Marquis and the Madame can.¡±


    Yulian¡¯s eyes brightened and quickly bowed. ¡°Thank you, Third Cousin.¡±


    Liu Liughed at her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I am kind to those who are kind to me. Now go back and tell your mother that I will handle your father¡¯s job.¡±


    She took the jade bracelet off her wrist and put it on Yulian.


    Yulian was surprised. ¡°Third Cousin, I can¡¯t ept this¡­ this is too precious.¡±


    ¡°Of course you can. I enjoyed your visit. Do drop by more often in the future,¡± Liu Li told her with a smile.


    On the other side of the house, Xia You was having tea with Xia Peishan.


    ¡°Sister-inw, why didn¡¯t you stop Zhou? Aren¡¯t you afraid that Yulian might talk bad about us behind our back?¡± Xia Peishan questioned.


    You merely shrugged. ¡°Who cares? I can¡¯t stop people from talking.¡±


    Xia Peishanughed, amused. ¡°Sister-inw, when did you get so se about things like this?¡±


    Youughed bitterly. ¡°I have been on edge since Zhou arrived. I just feel like cursing her out every day. This is the only time I was able to let my hair down.¡±


    ¡°Bis Sister, you are too concerned with others¡¯ opinions,¡± Peishan told her gently. ¡°If it was me, I would have long thrown Zhou and her family out. She¡¯s too sneaky and scheming. I know that as long as they¡¯re here, you¡¯re never going to be at peace. Especially now that Liu Li¡¯s here¡­ aye, I dread to think of what trouble they¡¯re going to stir up.¡±


    The thought of those two was giving You a headache. ¡°I can¡¯t throw them out because your brother would never agree. You know how much he loves your Third Brother.¡±


    Peishan shook her head in disappointment. ¡°Third Brother has been spoiled by Mother and Big Brother. On top of that, he married an utter witch. I have never approved of Zhou, even at the start.¡±


    Both of them sighed depressingly.


    ¡°Hey, at least Chunyu got a good one,¡± Peishan suddenly said. ¡°Jinxuan seems like a smart and sensible child. With her here, I¡¯d imagine things would be easier.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s also very bold.¡± You told Peishan the story of how Jinxuan confronted Zhou and how she forced her to write a letter of assurance.


    Xia Peishan was astonished. ¡°She did that? Wow. I would have never guessed that she had that in her. She¡¯s so sweet and delicate looking!¡±


    ¡°I was shocked, too. That child really helped me out.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s brave and smart? Chunyu has lucked out!¡±


    You nodded in agreement. ¡°I have been observing her for a while now and I am quite pleased. I¡¯m confident that she¡¯ll be able to run the house well in the future.


    ¡°My only worry now is Liu Li. Liu Li and Jinxuan have quite a¡­ history. I¡¯m afraid that Liu Li will be making things difficult for Jinxuan while she¡¯s here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s kind of tricky. Liu Li might be a part of the family now, but she still royalty. If we show clear favoritism for Jinxuan, I¡¯m sure that Liu Li would not hesitate to get us in trouble,¡± Peishan worried.


    Ye Jiayao was currentlyying on the couch, browsing through the ount books that Little Jing gave her. It was the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion¡¯s ount book for their two farnds. She was using it as a guide to understanding more of her husband¡¯s business.


    Other than during hard times, the Helian family¡¯s farnds always reaped big harvests. How and why was it that only Chunyu¡¯snds were doing poorly? They were not even breaking even. They were straight-up taking losses.


    After all theparisons and research she¡¯s done, she deduced that Chunyu¡¯s misfortune must be a management problem. Now that the culinarypetition and Chunfenge¡¯s wedding¡¯s over, she has more free time to manage her husband¡¯snd.


    Qiao Xi suggested, ¡°Mother Sun¡¯s nephew, Sun Qian, is knowledgeable in farming. The problem is he¡¯s currently managing Madame¡¯s farnd outside of town. Second Young Mistress, if you want help, I can ask him to keep an eye out for someone that might be able to assist you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, staying silent. She doesn¡¯t mind her mother-inw¡¯s eyes on her, but since she doesn¡¯t have any knowledge in managing farnds, she doesn¡¯t want to embarrass herself in front of You. No, she¡¯s going to turn to Little Jing for help in this matter.


    When the Second Young Mistress didn¡¯t say anything, Qiao Xi started to retreat.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, wait. I want you to stay by my side from now on.¡±


    Qiao Xi couldn¡¯t help but beam in gratitude. She has been dutiful and conscientious in her work, hoping to get the Second Young Mistress¡¯ recognition. However, it seemed like the Second Young Mistress only trusted Jiang Yue. Only Jiang Yue was permitted to enter the room while she and the other servants were limited to stand outside the door.


    ¡°As you wish, Second Young Mistress,¡± Qiao Xi replied, barely containing the excitement in her voice.


    Ye Jiayao smiled fondly at her. She has been noticing how steadfast and meticulous Qiao Xi waspared to the other servants. She also has deep connections with people in the mansion and a servant like that coulde in really handy.


    She put the ount book down and closed her eyes, her mind working on overtime.


    It was obvious that Zhou was trying to curry favor with Liu Li. And with Liu Li having just entered the family and feeling like an outsider, of course, she would cling onto the first person who showed her kindness. Nothing good woulde with those two being in cahoots.


    There was also Qiao to worry about. She might be ying nice now, but since she¡¯s not really close with You and she has a tendency to be a cheapskate, it wouldn¡¯t surprise Ye Jiayao if she rushes to Liu Li¡¯s side too.


    Second Auntie¡¯s a very smart and brave character, but she wouldn¡¯t be staying long here. She¡¯d eventually go back to her home.


    Her only chance now was You. If You starts to side with Liu Li, then Ye Jiayao would really be in deep sh*t.


    However, after yesterday¡¯s incident, it might be hard to sway You over Liu Li¡¯s side.


    These thoughts kept running on Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind until she slowly dozed off.


    Xia Chunyu was just about to enter their sleeping quarters when Jiang Yue halted him.


    She whispered, ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress has already fallen asleep.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed. ¡°What? It¡¯s still so early!¡±


    Jiang Yue exined, ¡°This has been a tiring day for Second Young Mistress. She prepared two tables of dishes for the family, cooked separately for the Princess, and immediately went straight to reviewing the ount books for the farnds. She¡¯s been busy the whole day.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell her to rest up for a bit?¡±


    Jiang Yue shrugged helplessly and replied, ¡°You know Second Young Mistress more than anyone. Did you think that she¡¯d listen to me?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook her head. ¡°Alright then. You can withdraw for now. Just call us when it is time for dinner.¡±


    He tiptoed to the room and saw Yaoyao sleeping awkwardly on the couch, still clutching the ount books in her hand.


    He carefully removed the ount books from her hands and then carried her over to the bed, covering her up with a nket. He then brought a chair over by the bed and sat on it, watching his wife sleep.


    He traced the elegant curve of her face with his eyes. Her delicate lips, her long fluttery eyshes, the elegant angle of her nose¡­ she was extremely beautiful.


    He knew she was beautiful the first time he saw her. However, it seemed as though she was just getting prettier and prettier every day.


    His finger reached out to touch her lips, unable to resist the temptation.


    Poor Yaoyao. She must¡¯ve been so exhausted. She¡¯s been running ragged these past few days, helping out the restaurant and helping him and his family out.


    He slowly withdrew, not wanting to disturb her, his gaze slowly shifting to the ount book by the pillow ¨C the Helian Prince¡¯s Mansion¡¯s ount book.


    Xia Chunyu picked it up, smiling. He appreciated the effort that Yaoyao was putting into learning farm management. However, as he flipped through the book, he started to frown. Why was it that their farm was doing so well and yet his property has been taking losses?

 Chapter 196 - How Will This Do?

    <h4>Chapter 196: How Will This Do?</h4>


    When Ye Jiayao opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Chunyu scowling at some ount books.


    ¡°When did youe back?¡± Ye Jiayao asked sleepily, rubbing her tired eyes.


    Xia Chunyu quickly put the book down. ¡°Did I wake you up?¡±


    ¡°No. It was just a light sleep. What time is it?¡±


    ¡°It will be dinner time soon. Why don¡¯t you lie down for a little while longer?¡±


    Ye Jiayao got up and put her shoes on. ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. If I sleep any more, I¡¯ll just be groggyter on.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pulled out a receipt from his sleeve and said, ¡°I have deposited Second Auntie¡¯s red packet in the bank. There is around 8% interest rate. Here, you keep the receipt.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the receipt and was confused. Why did it say 3600 taels? Didn¡¯t she just have 1800 taels? Did Chunyu add his share to hers too?


    She curved the smile that was forming on her lips. Her husband was really generous and thoughtful when he wasn¡¯t being a pain in her ass.


    However, Second Aunt¡¯s generosity made her question the amount that they had originally prepared for Chunfeng and Liu Li.


    ¡°Chunyu, how much do you think we should give to Chunfeng and Liu Li?¡± she asked.


    Xia Chunyu lied down on the spot she was just sleeping in, basking on remains of her body warmth and scent. With eyes half-closed, he responded, ¡°Big Brother only gave us 500 taels. For the newlyweds, I don¡¯t think that they¡¯ll fork out more than 800. We shouldn¡¯t give them a lot otherwise it would show Big Brother up and make him look bad.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°I was thinking of that, too. Are you fine with giving them 1,100?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled in agreement. ¡°I think that¡¯s perfect. You shouldn¡¯tpare our red envelope to Second Auntie¡¯s, she¡¯s extremely wealthy. Besides, we threw the wedding banquet for them, that¡¯s more than enough. Chunfeng won¡¯t care and I don¡¯t think that Liu Li will either.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about it. He was right. It doesn¡¯t matter if she gives thousands and thousands of taels, she would never please her new sister-inw.


    When dinnertime came around, Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao headed to You¡¯s yard. They were just about to enter the dining room when they heard voices.


    It was Liu Li and Xia You.


    ¡°His Majesty¡¯s intention was to have Chunfeng go to the judicial office, but I think that the Crown Prince¡¯s office is very good too. Chunfeng¡¯s already familiar with the work there so I asked the Empress Dowager to give him a position there. What do you think, Mother?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned upon hearing this. On the surface, a position in the Crown Office would be the best choice. It was no doubt a prestigious position. If Chunfeng does well, he¡¯de with the Crown Prince once he ascends to the throne. However, the Emperor is still at his prime and he wouldn¡¯t be handing the throne over anytime soon. The Crown Prince alsocks resolution and the people are starting to see that. More and more of the citizens are starting to back the Fourth Prince because, honestly, he shows more talent and potential than the Crown Prince. There were too many variables right now and it would be a bad move for Chunfeng to take this offer.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jiayao¡¯s concerns lie on Liu Li. It was obvious that she was trying to get into You¡¯s side by getting involved in Chunfeng¡¯s future. She¡¯s trying to curry You¡¯s favor through her son. Ye Jiayao had to give it to Liu Li, she was ying it smart.


    ¡°What does Chunfeng think?¡± You replied.


    ¡°He said he¡¯d have to talk to Second Brother about it.¡±


    Only then did Xia Chunyu lift the curtain and entered the room.


    ¡°Greetings, Mother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed suit and bowed.


    ¡°You¡¯re just in time. Liu Li and I are discussing Chunfeng¡¯s new job opportunity. Come and let us know what you think,¡± You said.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°I heard, Mother. I think it¡¯d be better for Chunfeng to follow His Majesty¡¯s orders. Besides, as of now, the Crown Prince favors Lord Ji, the Crown Princess¡¯ cousin. Unless Lord Ji gets a better offer, I¡¯m afraid Chunfeng wouldn¡¯t gain that much traction in the Crown Prince¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°I can just get His Majesty to give him a promotion,¡± Liu Li contradicted lightly.


    ¡°What would that say about Chufeng¡¯s skills and character? How would it look to others if he just gets handed that position just because he¡¯s your husband?¡± Xia Chunyu reasoned.


    You pursed her lips in contemtion. The position that Liu Li was offering for Chunfeng was for the Crown Prince¡¯s trusted aide. There wasn¡¯t much room to advance career-wise in that position. Meanwhile, if he takes the judicial office like the Emperor intended him to do, he can undergo training and eventually take a position in the Ministry of Justice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll ask for the Old Marquis¡¯ opinion once he gets better,¡± You concluded tactfully.


    Liu Li couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated. She was trying to make ns for the betterment of Chunfeng¡¯s future, why was Chunyu going against her? Was he just afraid that his brother will do better than him? Or was it just because she was the one making the suggestion?


    Changing the topic, she asked Xia You, ¡°Is Father feeling better? The Empress Dowager sent some top-grade Gastrodia ta with me. She said it cures headaches.¡±


    Liu Li gestured for Little Ya to bring the box up.


    ¡°Oh, how kind of her. Tell her not to worry. This headache was just brought upon by the sandstorm at the borders,¡± You told her.


    Although Liu Li did not really acknowledge her mistakes, You wasforted with this gesture of apology. She doesn¡¯t expect her new daughter-inw to be filial and dutiful, she just wanted her to act with more respect so she can live with the family harmoniously.


    ¡°Madame, the food is ready,¡± a servant reported.


    ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s go eat.¡±


    You moved to stand and to her shock, Liu Li immediately grabbed her hand to help her up.


    Ye Jiayao watched that interaction in surprise. Why would Liu Li do that? You is not even old! She doesn¡¯t need any assistance in getting up.


    Xia Chunyu raised an eyebrow at Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes angrily. She¡¯s going to win her mother-inw¡¯s favor by being genuine, not by being a kissass.


    As they settled down to eat their meal, You took the seat of honor. The seating arrangement was determined by seniority. The seat to You¡¯s left should be taken by Peishan, followed by Qiao, Ye Jiayao, and Liu Li. The seat to You¡¯s right was to be taken by Zhou and her three daughters.


    However, after helping You to her seat, Liu Li sat on her left, taking Peishan¡¯s seat.


    The rest of the family didn¡¯t dare toment on it for fear of starting another fight.


    Xia You was just about to correct Liu Li when Xia Peishan spoke, ¡°When did the rules of the mansion change?¡±


    Zhou quickly said, ¡°Second Sister, you take my seat.¡±


    Yulian¡¯s visit to the Princess wasn¡¯t a wasted trip. Liu Li and Yulian hit it off, and the Princess even offered to help his husband look for a job. Naturally, she has to show Liu Li her support.


    Xia Peishan scoffed. ¡°No. It seems like I am now just amoner.¡±


    She then moved to sit beside Chunyu¡¯s wife.


    Qiao didn¡¯t want anything to escte so she quickly offered, ¡°Second Auntie, you should take my seat.¡±


    Liu Li watched the whole thing in confusion? Why were they making such a big deal about a seat?


    Could she be sitting on Second Auntie¡¯s ce?


    Before, she would have never given up her seat. She¡¯s a princess, shouldn¡¯t she be taking the second seat? However, since she wanted to change everyone¡¯s bad opinion of her, she has to y along with the rules. Besides, Second Auntie would be returning to Tai Yuan soon.


    Swallowing her pride, she stood up and said apologetically, ¡°I am awfully sorry, Second Auntie. This is the first time I am eating with the family, I did not know the rules. I was so used to being in the pce where the Empress Dowager always let me sit beside her.¡±


    Xia Peishan was a little surprised. The Liu Li today was totally different from the one she met yesterday! Was it because she got a lecture from the Empress Dowager?


    Zhou said jokingly, ¡°Liu Li it¡¯s not your fault. You didn¡¯t know better. Second Sister-inw, you shouldn¡¯t get worked up over a youngerdy.¡±


    Xia Peishan¡¯s temper which had originally cooled raged again. This two-faced bitch! Why does she need to involve her if she wants to cozy up to Liu Li?


    ¡°You¡¯re really understanding Third Sister-inw. I wonder, though, why is that you haven¡¯t repaid the hundred thousand taels you borrowed from me a few years ago if you¡¯re so understanding?¡± Xia Peishan challenged with a smirk.


    Zhou blushed and asked in fake confusion, ¡°When was that? I don¡¯t remember it.¡±


    They don¡¯t have any written agreement, she wasn¡¯t going to be stupid and acknowledge it.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Xia You interjected. She really couldn¡¯t take any more arguments. The mansion has been disrupted enough. ¡°Let¡¯s eat before the food starts getting cold.¡±


    Liu Li took Qiao¡¯s seat so Ye Jiayao ended up taking thest seat together with Yinlian.


    Everyone tucked into their food with gusto but Liu Li ended up pushing her food around, only nibbling in tiny bites now and then.


    You took notice and asked her, ¡°What dishes do you like? I can get our cooks to make you whatever you like.¡±


    ¡°This afternoon¡¯s dishes were very delicious. I liked those,¡± Liu Li replied.


    Qiao chimed in, ¡°Those were made by Second Sister-inw.¡±


    Liu Li appeared to be embarrassed. ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know that. Thank you, Second Sister-inw.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could hear the malice behind those kind words. However, she responded kindly, ¡°It¡¯s no matter. You¡¯re wee.¡±


    Zhou smiled and piped in, ¡°If Liu Li likes the food that Jinxuan makes, then you just get Jinxuan to make you food in the future.¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t let her do that!¡± Liu Li protested meekly.

 Chapter 197 - Fake Account Books

    <h4>Chapter 197: Fake ount Books</h4>


    ¡°We are a family, that¡¯s not a big deal. What do you say, Jinxuan?¡± Zhou said.


    Ye Jiayaoughed delicately as she looked at Zhou and Liu Li. Well, that didn¡¯t take long!


    There was no way in hell that she¡¯s going to cook for Liu Li every day.


    ¡°I¡¯m honored that Third Sister-inw liked my cooking, but I manage Heavenly Residence¡¯s business every day, so I¡¯m not sure about my free time. Why don¡¯t I teach the chef that Third Sister-inw brought over?¡± Ye Jiayao offered carefully.


    You was ignorant about Zhou and Liu Li¡¯s n so she simply said, ¡°That sounds good.¡±


    Liu Li was disappointed. Jinxuan really was a sly woman. She tried again, ¡°Second Sister-inw, why do you still have to personally manage Heavenly Residence? Isn¡¯t that tiring? Why don¡¯t you hire someone to take over? You¡¯re ady now, doesn¡¯t that seem¡­ beneath you? Don¡¯t tell me you still cook for the restaurant as well?¡±


    ¡°Third Sister-inw, running a business isplex. There are so many nuances to it that is hard to entrust other people with,¡± Ye Jiayao answered. She didn¡¯t bother exining because she knew that Liu Li¡¯s interest and concern weren¡¯t genuine anyway.


    ¡°Jinxuan is right. It¡¯s even hard to entrust your business to family members, let alone outsiders! It¡¯s better to depend on yourself,¡± Xia Peishan added, giving Zhou a side nce.


    Qiao, unaware of the underlying current in the conversation, jumped in, ¡°True, true. I hired a manager to keep watch in the shop but I quickly realized that it¡¯s better if I handle it myself. When the boss or the owner is not around, the workers tend to just ck off.¡±


    Liu Li smiled. ¡°All of you are so knowledgeable in business. I seem to be the only daft one.¡±


    Zhou immediately tried to console her, ¡°You are royalty ¨C a princess. There is no need for you to stoop to such level.¡±


    Xia Peishan couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. Zhou was really getting on her nerves with her shameless ass-kissing. She snapped, ¡°Third Sister-inw, can you mind your manners and close your mouth while you chew? It¡¯s quite disgusting to see your half-chewed food.¡±


    ¡°If you find it disgusting, why don¡¯t you just leave? Nobody is stopping you!¡± Zhou retorted.


    Xia Peishan stood up, bristling with fury. She red at her and said, ¡°You have no right to tell me to leave. This isn¡¯t your house. Why don¡¯t you leave? Your house is just right next door! You¡¯re just hanging around here for a free meal because you¡¯re too cheap to fork out the money to feed your family! Your shamelessness knows no bounds! A daughter-inw like you brings rotten luck to the Xia family!¡±


    ¡°How dare you talk to me like that?¡± Zhou was bursting with rage. How she wished she could just p Peishan and be done with it.


    ¡°All of you, shut up!¡± You said loudly, her voice firm. ¡°Can¡¯t we have one proper meal without any fights? From now on, no one is to talk during meals.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, peace during mealtimes.


    Compared to the hostile atmosphere on the women¡¯s side, the men¡¯s side was more joyous as they talked andughed among each other.


    After dinner, You purposelyined of a headache and told her daughters-inw not to bother her. She went back to her room and secretly invited Xia Peishan over.


    Ye Jiayao told Xia Chunyu about what happened during dinner. He was quiet for a moment before finally saying, ¡°I think it¡¯s time to find a way to get Third Uncle¡¯s family to move out soon.¡±


    Since Chunyu seemed to have that matter covered, Ye Jiayao shifted her focus in the preparation of managing her husband¡¯s farnds.


    She sent a message over to Little Jing to look out for a manager who¡¯s experienced,petent, and reliable. Little Jing doesn¡¯t know much himself, so he asked his mother for help. Upon knowing about Ye Jiayao¡¯s plight, Princess Yu De immediately sent Manager Bai for her.


    He¡¯s over forty years old and his family has been working for the Helian family since his forefathers¡¯ time. From what Princess Yu De has said, he¡¯s extremely loyal and reliable.


    However, Ye Jiayao still wanted to test Manager Bai herself.


    ¡°This is the farnd¡¯s three years¡¯ worth of ounting records. Take a look at it and let me know what¡¯s the problem. I¡¯m not knowledgeable about farnd matters,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Manager Bai flipped over the book for a few minutes before saying, ¡°Second Young Mistress, I think this ount book is fake.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what?¡±


    ¡°The tenant farmers rely on farms for survival. It is impossible that they do not have experience or skills. There is no reason for others¡¯ farms to reap a bumper harvest while yours end in deficit. I think there is something else going on here. Either someone is pocketing the profits or someone else has taken over the farm.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was pleased. After much research and long hours of reviewing the ount books, she concluded that it¡¯s either fake or it¡¯s been falsified. When she sent someone over to investigate secretly, she found out that Manager Lu has passed the farnds to his nephew who in turn rented it out to tenant farmers.


    Chunyu hasn¡¯t touched thesends after he bought them, choosing to focus on his other business instead, that¡¯s why he hasn¡¯t realized how much of a mess it has gotten.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a trip down to the farnds this afternoon. I want you toe with me, Manager Bai.¡±


    After having lunch at Heavenly Residence, she, Jiang Yue, Song Qi, and Manager Bai headed out to the farm outside of the East City.


    This would be the first time that she¡¯s going to see just how bad the situation is. She told Manager Bai to take notes of the problems that he¡¯ll see and they¡¯ll discuss the n of attack when they get back.


    As they get closer, Manager Baimented, ¡°Second Young Mistress, the Heir-Son lord bought a good plot ofnd. The soil looks fertile and it is along the river banks so irrigation is not a problem.¡±


    The horse carriage was traveling on a road by the river bank so Ye Jiayao lifted the curtain to take a look outside.


    He was right. She also knew that the key to farming is good irrigation. Her grandmother has told her many stories about the fight that vigers would get into the countryside just because of water.


    Manager Lu, at the moment, was lying in the courtyard, tanning.


    A servant hurriedly reported, ¡°Manager Lu, Second Young Mistress is here.¡±


    Manager Lu did not even bat a lid as he askedzily, ¡°Which Second Young Mistress?¡±


    ¡°Master¡¯s wife!¡±


    Manager Lu sat up in surprise. Why was the Master¡¯s wife here?


    ¡°Quick, prepare to wee her! Go get Huang Yuan and ask him to be ready, the Second Young Mistress might question uster.¡±


    Manager Lu rushed out of the courtyard quickly to wee the Second Young Mistress.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress! Why didn¡¯t you let us know you wereing? We could¡¯ve prepared more for your arrival,¡± Manager Lu said with a ttering smile.


    Ye Jiayao smiled slightly. ¡°I was just looking for other plots ofnd that I can buy. Song Qi mentioned that our farnds are nearby so we stopped by to take a look around.¡±


    Manager Lu heaved a secret sigh of relief. She wasn¡¯t here for him.


    ¡°Do you have your eyes on any specifd, Second Young Mistress?¡± Manager Lu inquired. This would be another great opportunity for him to make a lot of money.


    ¡°The ones that I wanted already have owners. It doesn¡¯t matter, I¡¯ll look somewhere else on another day,¡± Ye Jiayao replied, noting the sudden spark in Manager Lu¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, I know a few ces not far away from here with good plots ofnds. It belongs to a rich man who wants to resell it. I can talk to him for you, if you¡¯d like,¡± Manager Lu offered, not willing to give up easily.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I will take a look at them another day.¡±


    After entering the house, a young girl came over with a pot of tea.


    Manager Lu introduced her as his daughter, Qiu Niang.


    ¡°Qiu Niang greets Second Young Mistress,¡± Qiu Niang said respectfully as she bowed.


    Ye Jiayao nodded at her before turning back to Manager Lu. ¡°How is the harvest like on our farnds?¡±


    Manager Lu sighed deeply. ¡°The harvests these past few years haven¡¯t been very good!¡±


    Ye Jiayao feigned surprise. ¡°Really? Why did I hear from Madame that the farnds in this residence are doing pretty good?¡±


    ¡°The tenant farmers are not doing well,¡± he responded. ¡°When I took over the farnds, it was already time to plow the fields and the experienced farmers were already hired by others. The only ones left were inexperienced. The work between experienced and new farmers are vastly different. I was also in a rush to hire people then so I had no choice but to sign a three-year contract with them.¡±


    ¡°If you already know that these farmers were inexperienced, why did you sign a three-year contract?¡±


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, if I haven¡¯t done it, the farmers would have refused to work. I had no choice since we needed to start plowing the fields. I asked the Heir-son Lord and he consented. I was only acting ording to his wishes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted so badly to roll her eyes at his pathetic excuses. ¡°So what do you n on doing once their contract is up next year?¡±


    ¡°I have spent a lot of effort fixing the drainage system to guarantee that the farms would not dry up during droughts and to also make sure that there wouldn¡¯t be any flooding. I also hired an experienced old farmer to teach me more about the ways of warming. I believe that next year, the harvest would increase by leaps and bounds,¡± Manager Lu answered.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a grateful smile and said, ¡°Can you get some of the farmers over here? The profits on the farnds depend on them so I want to see if they have any difficulties¡­¡±

 Chapter 198 - Evidence

    <h4>Chapter 198: Evidence</h4>


    Manager Lu appeared startled.


    Ye Jiayao picked her teacup up leisurely as he contemted his situation.


    Manager Lu¡¯s thoughts were running a mile a minute. Why did the Second Young Mistress want to meet with the farmers? Did she not trust him? Did she want more information?


    Seeing that Manager Lu made no move to get up, Jiang Yue prompted, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what the Second Young Mistress said?¡±


    ¡°The farmers stay a little far away and it will take some time for them to get here,¡± Manager Lu reasoned. ¡°I don¡¯t want to make you wait, Second Young Mistress.¡±


    ¡°Do they all live very far away?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Not all of them. Two of the families live quite nearby, around four to five lis away. Why don¡¯t I send someone to call them over?¡± Manager Lu suggested.


    Ye Jiayao knew that he was just trying to buy himself some time. He has to choose the right people that he could direct to say whatever he wanted them to say.


    ¡°Sure. Call the ones who are staying nearby. I wanted to be able to say something to the Heir-son Lord when he asks about my trip here. I don¡¯t want him to think I just came over for tea,¡± Ye Jiayao joked.


    Manager Lu nodded and quickly left to handle her order.


    Ye Jiayao looked over at Qiu Niang who was standing to the side. She smiled and asked her gently, ¡°How old are you, Qiu Niang?¡±


    Qiu Niang answered, ¡°15.¡±


    ¡°Who else is in your family?¡±


    ¡°My mother, an older brother, a younger brother, and two younger sisters.¡±


    ¡°Do they all live in the farnds?¡±


    ¡°Only my older brother and I stay here. Mother and my younger siblings stay in the city.¡±


    ¡°You have a house in the city as well? Where is it?¡±


    ¡°At the second house of the east side of wine alley.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded perfunctorily. ¡°Your father must be so d to have your brother¡¯s help with the farm.¡±


    ¡°My brother does not know much about the matters on the farnd. It is mostly managed by my cousin.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Then I guess your cousin is pretty capable. What is his name?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°His name is Huang Yuan,¡± Qiu Niang answered. She wanted to help him gain recognition so she began to tell the Second Young Mistress all the things he does for the farm.


    ¡°So your cousin is also in charge of the ounts? What a smart man,¡± Ye Jiayao praised. Since Huang Yuan is in charge, manages the ounts, and also oversees the work, it looks like he was the main one pocketing the farnd¡¯s profits.


    Qiu Niang beamed at the Second Young Mistress¡¯ words.


    ¡°The old man in charge of the ounts in Heavenly Residence is getting old. I am thinking of hiring a new person to manage the ounts there. Qiu Niang, can you bring me the ount books that your cousin did? I want to take a look at it and if he¡¯s as good as you say he is, I¡¯m going to hire him at Heavenly Residence,¡± Ye Jiayao told the young girl.


    ¡°Are you talking about the famous restaurant Heavenly Residence?¡± Qiu Niang rified, clearly interested.


    Ye Jiayao nodded with a smile.


    ¡°I will go get it now!¡± Qiu Niang said excitedly.


    Manager Bai¡¯s lips twitched. He didn¡¯t think that the Second Young Mistress was this smart.


    A few minutester, Qiu Niang came back with a thick stack of ount books. Ye Jiayao flipped through some for a few seconds and was shocked at how different these ount books were to the ones being submitted to Chunyu.


    Ye Jiayao cleared her throat and said, ¡°I¡¯m not very knowledgeable in ounting. I¡¯m going to bring this back to the mansion and have someone else review it.¡±


    She passed the book to Manager Bai and suddenly said, ¡°Why isn¡¯t your father back yet?¡±


    Qiu Niang replied, ¡°He¡¯s gonna take quite some time, Second Young Mistress. They went on foot.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed and stood up. ¡°Unfortunately, I can¡¯t wait. I thought he would be back quickly and I still have things to do in the mansion! Qiu Niang, just tell your father I woulde over in a couple of days.¡±


    Meanwhile, Manager Lu and Huang Yuan were at the farmer¡¯s ce, coaching him on what to say to the Second Young Mistress. They had no idea that she¡¯s already on her way home with the real ount books.


    When Manager Lu returned to the farnd, he saw that the horse carriage by the entrance before was already gone. He rushed in and asked Qui Niang for the Second Young Mistress¡¯ whereabouts.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress has already left. She said that she would be back in a couple of days. She was interested in hiring cousin Huang Yan to do her ounts for Heavenly Residence so she asked to take a look at his previous works here on the farm. I gave her the ount books that Huang Yuan did.¡±


    Manager Lu¡¯s face paled.


    ¡°Which books did you give her?¡± Huang Yuan asked frantically.


    ¡°Those in the cupboard. Didn¡¯t you say that those are the ones that you put extra effort in? I wanted to show Second Young Mistress your best work,¡± Qui Niang answered.


    Huang Yuan looked like he was about to pass out. The ones in the cupboard were all the real ount books!


    Manager Lu fell into a chair, muttering, ¡°It¡¯s over, it¡¯s over¡­¡±


    Huang Yuan, still clear-minded, asked, ¡°How long has the Second Young Mistress been gone?¡±


    Qiu Niang finally realized that something was wrong when she saw her father and cousin¡¯s expressions. She responded timidly, ¡°Around half an hour.¡±


    ¡°Quick. We need to go after them. We have to get those books back,¡± Huang Yuan said through gritted teeth.


    Manager Lu came back to his senses and quickly prepared to chase the carriage.


    Little did they know that they would never be able able to catch up to Ye Jiayao. Once they left, she ordered Song Qi to advance at full speed. They were already long gone.


    <i><strong>In Heavenly Residence¡­</strong></i>


    Ye Jiayao had Manager Bai and the restaurant¡¯s ounting department look over the ount books. She also asked Song Qi to have someone guard Manager Lu¡¯s house in the city in case he tries to flee.


    Now that she has sufficient evidence in her hands, Manager Lu would never be able to deny all his wrongdoings.


    <i><strong>Back at the Jing An Marquis¡¯ Mansion¡­</strong></i>


    Xia Chunyu was resting, sipping on his tea, having juste back from his shift, when he realized that his wife was looking at him weirdly. She was smiling¡­ but not quite.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your face?¡± he asked.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s smile grew bigger. ¡°Chunyu, I realized today that you really are a stupid donkey.¡±


    He threw her an annoyed re. ¡°Can¡¯t you say something nice to me once in a while?¡±


    She bit her lip to keep fromughing. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll say something nice then. I found the problem with the farnd.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her in surprise. ¡°You went to the farnd?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I took a trip down this afternoon and I found out a lot.¡±


    ¡°Well, what have you found?¡±


    ¡°Let me ask you first, where did you hire Manager Lu from?¡±


    ¡°He is the manager of the previous owner. He seemed quite quick-witted and capable. He is also close with the farmers so I just hired him since he already has the experience and connections,¡± Chunyu answered.


    Ye Jiayao sneered. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Why would you hire someone like that?¡±


    Xia Chunyu blushed a tiny bit in embarrassment. ¡°I didn¡¯t think much of it. At that time, I just needed someone to handle daily menial work. Besides, there is not muchnd, and my focus is on my other business.¡±


    ¡°Good for you for having that much money to burn,¡± Ye Jiayao mocked. Not muchnd? He has 40 acres! Doesn¡¯t he know that these tenant farmers¡¯ whole family¡¯s livelihood depends on these small plots ofnd?


    Xia Chunyu huffed impatiently. ¡°Just tell me already.¡±


    Ye Jiayao picked up a mandarin orange from the te and slowly peeled it as she told him about everything that she found out.


    ¡°What? Fake ount books?¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s face darkened in anger. He could forgive Manager Lu for being negligent and ipetent, but he¡¯s not going to stand by while someone makes a fool out of him.


    ¡°This is preposterous! I¡¯m going to send someone to arrest him right now!¡±


    Ye Jiayao chewed on her orange, saying casually, ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I already sent someone over to Manager Lu¡¯s house to keep an eye on him in case he tries to flee. Song Qi might even bring him overter on.¡±


    She then handed him some orange segments. ¡°Try this. It¡¯s so sweet. I heard it was harvested from our residence¡¯s farnds.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s mood was too foul to even think about eating. ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡±


    Undeterred, Ye Jiayao forcefully shoved the fruit in his mouth. ¡°Manager Bai is checking the ounts as we speak. I believe there will be more news soon. Luckily, there are still a few more months before the plowing season, so we can take our time in choosing our new workers.¡±


    Just then, Song Qi entered and hurriedly reported, ¡°Second Young Mistress, you were right. Manager Lu did try to run but I caught him.¡±


    ¡°What about Huang Yuan?¡±


    ¡°I have his address and I already sent someone over to nab him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was beyond furious. For three years, he was deceived by these people. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°Outside, locked in the woodshed!¡±


    Xia Chunyu told Ye Jiayao, ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me for dinner. I¡¯m going to deal with these¡­ vermin.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t try to stop him. Instead, she said to Song Qi, ¡°Keep a close eye on the Heir-son Lord. Don¡¯t let him get too angry.¡±


    On the other side of the mansion, Liu Li was also going through some crisis.


    ¡°What do you mean you cannot find her? How can a person just disappear like that? No one in the residence heard anything?¡±


    Little Ya answered, ¡°After the wedding feast ended, Zhu Wang¡¯s wife, together with Zhu Wang and their son, disappeared. No one in the kitchen has seen or heard anything. It was like nothing happened.¡±


    ¡°Princess, do you think Zhu Wang¡¯s wife will rat on us?¡± Mother Shu asked worriedly.


    Liu Li waved her concern away. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about. Zhu Wang¡¯s wife doesn¡¯t even know the name of the person who approached her. Even if Jinxuan suspected me, without any proof, what can she do?¡±


    ¡°But Little Gui Zi offered the services of the imperial physician¡­¡± Little Ya stammered.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean anything. I¡¯m not the only one in the pce who hates Jinxuan. Concubine Mei is still smarting from the mooncake incident. His Majesty gave her the cold shoulder for a couple of months just because of that,¡± Liu Li said. ¡°Just tell Little Gui Zi to stay alert.¡±

 Chapter 199 - Meat Pie That Falls From The Sky

    <h4>Chapter 199: Meat Pie That Falls From The Sky</h4>


    After dinner, Second Auntie came to visit Ye Jiayao again.


    Just as they were settling down, Qiao Xi came in and told her that Chunyu has brought some people with him to his farnds and would be backte.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated at Chunyu¡¯s impatience. It was already dark, couldn¡¯t he have waited until tomorrow?


    ¡°Jinxuan, is something wrong?¡± Xia Peishan asked with concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, Second Auntie. We just found out that not all of our employees in the farnds are not being truthful,¡± Ye Jiayao answered lightly.


    Peishan nodded in understanding. ¡°I know what that¡¯s like. Make sure you punish whoever this is ordingly to serve as an example and a warning to others.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled at her to show her agreement.


    Qiao Xi served them some tea as Jiang Yue presented them with two pieces of butter cake.


    ¡°Second Mistress, I made a fruit-vored one today. Please try it and let me know what you think,¡± Jiang Yue said a bit shyly.


    Peishan¡¯s mouth watered at the sight of the pastries in front of her. She wasn¡¯t normally such a glutton, but ever since she got here, she¡¯s been presented with such exquisite foods that she has already gotten so used to it.


    ¡°How thoughtful of you!¡± Peishan said with a sigh. ¡°Aye, what am I gonna do when I leave?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brows furrowed as she looked at her in confusion.


    Xia Peishanughed. ¡°Where am I gonna get these delicious foods when I go back? I¡¯m afraid I have been spoiled now!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed too. ¡°Why don¡¯t I get Yue-er to teach Ting Chan how to make them? That way she can make these for you whenever you want them.¡±


    Ting Chan was Xia Peishan¡¯s servant.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°Of course, Second Auntie. In fact, why don¡¯t I get Jiang Yue to teach her right now?¡±


    Ting Chan, who was standing to the side, quickly said, ¡°Thank you, Second Young Mistress.¡±


    Jiang Yue and Ting Chan bowed before leaving together.


    Xia Peishan savored the vor of the cake with abandon. It was beautifully soft and fluffy as it melted in her mouth, and the rich taste of the milk was offset by the thinyer of the sweet and sour orange jam. She knew that there was a lot of careful thought and preparation put into this.


    After a few more bites, she puts her spoon down and turned to Jinxuan with worried eyes. ¡°I will be leaving in a few days and I worry about you. It looks like Zhou and Liu Li are now banding together. Liu Li would be leaving in the next three years, but Zhou is here to stay. She might not remember the people she owed money to but she definitely remembers those who have offended her. You have to always be on alert and on your guard.¡±


    ¡°I will, Second Auntie. Right now, I¡¯m just trying to stay out of her way,¡± Ye Jiayao assured her.


    Xia Peishan didn¡¯t look convinced.


    If she was being honest, Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t too sure about it either. When she signed Chunyu¡¯s contract, the only thing she thought she was going to do was y the dutiful wife and manage the restaurant. She never imagined that she would have to deal with all these baggage.


    ¡°Luckily, your mother-inw favors you. If you get into any trouble in the future, you can talk to her. If you ever need extra help, you can always write to me. If I can¡¯t help you from afar, I will make a trip to you,¡± Xia Peishan told her sincerely. She might be tough and frank, but this young woman has made quite an impression on her. She could tell that she was a good person and she wanted to help her as much as possible.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Second Auntie, I will be careful. Besides, Chunyu would never let anything bad happen to me,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Peishan smiled at that. ¡°That child is just like his grandfather. He looks so stoic and tough all the time, but deep down, he has a soft heart.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought back to their days at the ck Wind Ridge. Chunyu scared even the toughest of the bandits. Hell, he even scared her. The Chunyu she knows now was like a whole other person. Yes, he can still be scary but most of the time, he¡¯s just caring and affectionate with her.


    ¡°Chunfeng, on the other hand, used to smile andugh a lot. He¡¯s always been a cheerful kid. Now, he looks like the whole world is on his shoulders. Seeing him like this worries me. I heard that he locks himself up in the study every night. If this goes on, how will their rtionship improve?¡± Xia Peishan said, her voice heavy with concern and disappointment.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked to hear that. She didn¡¯t know that Chunfeng was hiding himself away in the study. Liu Li has been pretty lively and nice so she didn¡¯t think there was something wrong with their marriage.


    ¡°Does Mother know about that?¡±


    ¡°I heard it from her. She¡¯s also at a loss on what to do. The only thing she can think of doing right now is to keep talking to Chunfeng.¡±


    After a few seconds of heavy silence, Xia Peishan heaved a long sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s not think more of it. That¡¯s their problem. I actually wanted to ask you, Jinxuan, if you have any interest in investing in a mine?¡±


    Invest in a mine? Ye Jiayao perked up. That¡¯s a great way to make money! As long as the source of the mine is guaranteed to be sufficient, it¡¯s pretty much a money pot!


    ¡°Second Auntie, is it a coal mine?¡±


    ¡°It is. Shan Xi is abundant in coal mines. I have a little over ten small coal mine in my hands, all of them churnrge profits. I just have recently found arge coal mine and I¡¯m wondering if you¡¯re interested in investing. You can buy a share and if it makes money, you¡¯ll get the profit. If it produces loss, then it¡¯s on me,¡± Xia Peishan offered.


    ¡°That seems unfair, Auntie. Every business has a risk. If I were to buy a share, I will take ownership of the gains and losses,¡± Ye Jiayao told her. Second Uncle has been involved in the coal mining business for years, so if he has his sights set on this one, it¡¯s likely that he¡¯s right.


    ¡°Second Auntie, how do I buy a share?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, her eyes bright with interest.


    Xia Peishan exined, ¡°This coal mine is the biggest one discovered as of now. Its coals¡¯ qualities are the best, mostly anthracite. Just getting the authority to extract coal from it costs five million silvers, and adding up the other capitals, it totals to at least eight million. A few of Shan Xi¡¯s tycoons were eyeing it too, but we got our hands on it first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue. Eight million as capital? Second Auntie was indeed wealthy. However, with a quick calction, Ye Jiayao found that a single share would cost 80 thousand taels. She only has around 200 thousand taels at hand and that would only buy her a measly two shares! How pathetic!


    Xia Peishan knew that Jinxuan and Chunyu wouldn¡¯t have a lot of money on hand. Their restaurant¡¯s business might be good, but it¡¯s still in its preliminary state. However, she wanted them to have this, so she said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you 50 thousand a share. How much would you like?¡±


    That was a 40% discount! This was such a rare opportunity and Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t let this pass by. If worsees to worst, she¡¯d just borrow money from Zhao Qixuan.


    ¡°Second Auntie, can I just buy one share?¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to ask for too much since Xia Peishan has already given her such a huge deal.


    Xia Peishan readily agreed. ¡°Sure! You can take two shares if you want.¡±


    She was willing to give her a discount because she has really hit it off with Jinxuan. It would be a good investment that would be beneficial for the new couple. Also, the news of someone from the Jing An Marquis residence investing in the mine would be a good thing for Peishan¡¯s business. It¡¯s a win-win all around.


    ¡°Then¡­ let me discuss it with Chunyu first.¡± Two shares would cost a lot and she has to talk it over with her husband first.


    ¡°Alright. Just let me know before I leave.¡±


    Even after Xia Peishan left, Ye Jiayao found herself still thinking about the mine. With her restaurant, she has to be hands-on and innovative to stay on top of herpetitors and make sure that she¡¯s gaining profit. If she invests in a coal mine, she just has toe out with a capital and receive a yearly profit. It¡¯s hassle-free and worry-free!


    She was so anxious about Chunyu¡¯s return. Partly because she wanted to discuss the matter of the coal mine with him and also partly because she was afraid that things might not be going so well over on the farnds.


    It was well over midnight when Chunyu finally returned, his face tight and unreadable.


    ¡°Yue-er, go make the Heir-Son lord some noodles. Qiao Xi, go fetch some hot water,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    She helped him remove his coat and asked gently, ¡°What took so long?¡±


    ¡°I was livid. I couldn¡¯t believe what they¡¯ve done,¡± he answered. ¡°Not only did they deceive me, but they also used my name to cheat the tenant farmers and ruined my reputation. This is my fault for being so negligent.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say that it was indeed his fault, but he was in such a bad mood that she didn¡¯t want to add to his frustration.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve fixed it now. I¡¯m sure the farmers know you¡¯re not to me,¡± Ye Jiayao consoled.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°I brought all the ount books back. Give them to Manager Bai tomorrow and tell him to settle it properly. I want those two to spit out all the money they took. I¡¯ve also already promised the tenant farmers that I¡¯ll decrease next year¡¯s rent by half. They¡¯ve already been exploited enough.¡±


    ¡°You did the right thing,¡± she told him. Those farmers needed all the help they could get and it wasn¡¯t like they were hurting for money either.


    Seeing how understanding and supportive Yaoyao was made Xia Chunyu feel better.


    He sighed and said, ¡°When the farmers found out about Manager Lu and Huang Yuan, they rushed over to air their grievances. For the longest time, they all thought that I was the one making the rules. They stayed silent because they were afraid of my position. When they all kneeled-down, it was just¡­ it was heart-wrenching.¡±


    ¡°Stop ming yourself, Chunyu. It¡¯s in the past. It won¡¯t do you any good to keep rehashing this. Don¡¯t worry, from now on, I will make sure that the farm is managed well,¡± Ye Jiayao assured him.


    A few minutester, Jiang Yue entered with a bowl of shredded chicken noodles.


    Letting out all his frustration and anger has lessened the heaviness in his heart and subsided his anger greatly, that he was able to enjoy the fragrance of the food.


    His stomach rumbled with hunger and he proceeded to scarf down the noodles.


    Ye Jiayao patiently waited for him to have his fill before she brought up the topic of the coal mine.

 Chapter 200 - You’s Mission

    <h4>Chapter 200: You¡¯s Mission</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was excited. ¡°We definitely have to take two shares. This is a rare opportunity and Second Auntie clearly wants us to take it if she¡¯s offering us a discount.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of the risks?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°If it was suggested by someone else, I would definitely be hesitant, but this ising from Second Auntie. I trust her and her judgment. Aside from that, Second Uncle is more than capable. He might be easy-going but his knack for business is unparalleled. Their family wealth actually started rising because of him,¡± he told her. It was clear from his tone that he admired him greatly.


    Chunyu continued, ¡°Do you know why Third Aunt and Second Aunt are in such a tense rtionship? Third Aunt has been wanting Second Aunt to rope her into her business, but Second Auntie refuses to.¡±


    ¡°I know that the coal mine is a good money-making opportunity. And I do trust Second Auntie. I¡¯m just not sure why she offered this to us and not to Mother,¡± she exined.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head, smiling. ¡°Arge-scale coal mine like that is bound to attract the attention of a lot of wealthy people. There are a lot of rich families in Shan Xi, all of them with connections. Without someone from a prominent position staking some im in it, people would not hesitate to stir up trouble. Second Auntie could¡¯ve asked Mother and Father as they hold enough power as the Jing An Marquis, but if she did, she would¡¯ve had to loop in Third Uncle and Third Auntie, too. She gave us this opportunity because we¡¯re the next best thing.¡±


    ¡°And Second Auntie likes you!¡± He reached out to pinch her nose lightly. ¡°Yaoyao, you are my money-making lucky charm!¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened her mouth to bite his finger, but he retracted his hand quickly.


    ¡°I mean money-making dog,¡± he amended with augh.


    ¡°How dare you!¡± Ye Jiayao pounced over him, intending to tickle him but since he was much bigger and stronger than her, he very easily restrained her into a hug.


    ¡°You are getting increasingly passionate, I love it,¡± Xia Chunyu said softly as his hands started to wander.


    ¡°Passionate my ass!¡± Ye Jiayao snorted and stopped his naughty hands. ¡°We¡¯re discussing something important here. Behave.¡±


    Xia Chunyu chuckled. ¡°Fine. Speak, I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pushed herself away from him and said, ¡°We¡¯ll buy two shares, then. I have to warn you, though, I only have 250 thousand cash on hand. Second Auntie said that one share is 50 thousand so two percent would be twenty shares, which would cost a million. You go find a way to raise the remaining 750 thousand.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s simple. I will go borrow some from Zhao Qixuan. Luckily, Heavenly Residence is profitable enough to sustain us and allow us to repay everything in half a year. It¡¯ll just be a little hard on you since you have to make sure the restaurant keeps churning more money,¡± he said cheekily.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°If it¡¯s gonna be harder on me then I should have a bigger cut on the profits.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows in incredulity. ¡°You are so mercenary. Why do you always have to look at it that way? We are married now, we are one entity. What¡¯s yours is mine and what¡¯s mine is yours.¡±


    She smirked inwardly. More like what¡¯s mine is mine and what¡¯s yours is also mine.¡±


    ¡°Stop saying that! Don¡¯t forget that we have a contract. We only have two years and six months left on that. Who knows how things will turn out when the timees?¡± she reasoned.


    Xia Chunyu nodded understandingly. ¡°Alright. We should stick with the old rules then, 50-50.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to snarl at him. Weren¡¯t he just saying that what¡¯s his was hers too earlier?


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said through gritted teeth. ¡°50-50 it is. We need to put this in a contract so that it¡¯s binding for both of us.¡±


    Xia Chunyu held hisughter back at seeing Yaoyao¡¯s face. Silly, impatient girl.


    Ye Jiayao quickly wrote up a contract and asked her husband to press his thumbprint.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I just sign my name? It¡¯s sote, I don¡¯t want to get up and wash my hand again,¡± heined.


    ¡°No. What if you say I forged your signature?¡±


    ¡°Do you really think that I¡¯m that kind of person?¡±


    ¡°People change.¡± Ye Jiayao grabbed his hand, ced it on a red ink paste, and pressed it down on the contract. After it dried down, she locked it safely in the safe, even covering up to prevent him from peeking.


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help butugh at her antics. Did she really think that her makeshift metal box was going to stop him if he really wanted that contract?


    ¡°Aye, don¡¯t tell anyone about this, okay? This will make a lot of people jealous,¡± Chunyu warned her.


    She huffed impatiently. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me that. You never show others the extent of your wealth ¨C that¡¯s business 101.¡±


    The next day, Xia Chunyu spoke to Second Uncle about the business of the coal mine at length. After he was satisfied that he understood enough, he then went to Zhao Qixuan to borrow the money he needed. Zhao Qixuan readily gave it to him after hearing that it was needed urgently and that it would be returned in the next five months.


    Once she handed the money out to Second Auntie and Second Uncle, Ye Jiayao felt poor. She has to watch her expenses more closely from now on.


    Luckily for them, Manager Bai has already gotten the ounts squared away. Manager Lu and his nephew had stolen almost 50 thousand taels, and this was only from what they were able to trace from the ount books.


    Xia Chunyu told them that they either give the money back or they would be sent to the constables.


    Manager Lu could only give him the shop that he bought and all the gold bars and silver ingots he hid. These only costs around 38 thousand taels. He has already spent the rest of the money that they stole and was unable to cough out the remaining amount.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to relent but considering that Manager Lu still has four children and his parents to support, he decided to let it go. He ordered him to leave Jin Ling and nevere back again.


    Ye Jiayao did the math. Although the 38 thousand taels were a wee addition to their budget, it didn¡¯t really help all that much. Her food and clothing mighte out of the family fund now, but Chunyu still has a lot of social parties to attend that would require social expenses. Not to mention the gifts they have to send for the approaching new year, and the money needed for sowing seeds in the new season. All these thoughts of budgeting were making Ye Jiayao¡¯s head spin. Yes, she still has her personal savings and her dowry, but she wanted to avoid using that unless absolutely necessary.


    Meanwhile, Liu Li was feeling unhappy because Chunfeng ended up taking the position in the judicial office. Zhou, the ever backstabbing woman that she was, urged her that this was definitely Jinxuan¡¯s doing. She told Liu Li that Jinxuan didn¡¯t want them doing better than her and Chunyu that¡¯s why she tried to sabotage Chunfeng¡¯s career. This only made Liu Li hate Jinxuan even more.


    Now that Xia Peishan has left, Zhou had more room to move and she couldn¡¯t be happier about that.


    Ye Jiayao, on the other hand, chose to ignore all the snide remarks from Zhou and Liu Li. She simply pretended to not see or hear anything. She also knew that if Zhou ever steps out of line, You would be there to stop her.


    Time at the mansion went by quickly and before they knew it, it was the twelfth month, almost the end of the year.


    Ye Jiayao has opened a pastry shop next to Heavenly Residence that focuses on exquisite cakes and ice creams. She put Jiang Yue in charge but she also employed Zhong Xiang to help out whenever he¡¯s free.


    This little pastry store¡¯s profits were unexpectedly great. Giving cakes as gifts has be kind of a trend and all the wealthydies scramble for them.


    Watching her earnings grow day by day definitely helped Ye Jiayao ignore Zhou and Liu Li¡¯s evil ridicules. She was simply too happy to pay any attention to their pettiness.


    One day, Xia You handed Ye Jiayao a list, saying, ¡°Take a look at this. These are all the names of our friends and aristocratic acquaintances. We need to send them some gifts for the new year and make sure that these gifts would not pale inparison to those that we sent the past years. You would be in charge of these kinds of things in the future so we better prepare you now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was ted. Her mother-inw was teaching and training her to be the future mistress of the Marquis¡¯ mansion.


    She looked through the detailed list meticulously. She noted the long-time friends who require special attention and the ones that the Xia family had a benefit-based rtionship with. She also took notice of the list of things that couldn¡¯t be given to certain families.


    It wasn¡¯t a long list but it certainly gave her an insight into You¡¯s social circle.


    ¡°Start with learning how to write a gift list and I¡¯ll review it once you¡¯re done,¡± Xia You told her.


    Ye Jiayao was starting to realize how hard it was to be a mistress of a family as prestigious as the Xias. Sending out gifts alone required so much detail and attention!


    ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± Ye Jiayao replied obediently, trying not to let on the immense pressure she was feeling. She knew that You was grooming her to be the future Madam. She may not want that position and all the headaches that came with it, but she still couldn¡¯t fail this test.


    ¡°Also, the Empress Dowager¡¯s 70th birthday is in the first month of the new year. His Majesty wants to help the Empress Dowager arrange a grand celebration. I have yet to think of what to give her so I need you to think about that too,¡± Xia You added.


    <i>Of course, you do.</i>?¡°Sure, Mother.¡±


    After their conversation, Ye Jiayao returned to her room and flopped down on the couch with a sigh.


    Seeing her face all scrunched up in a frown, Xia Chunyu asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is the pastry shop not doing well?¡±


    ¡°No. Actually, I need your help,¡± she began. ¡°Mother wanted me to make a list of gifts to send to our family friends and business acquaintances. There are more than 10 households on the list!¡±


    Xia Chunyu pushed his documents to the side and walked over to her. He saidzily, ¡°Why are you stressing about that? Just send the same gifts asst year.¡±


    ¡°Ugh!!¡± Ye Jiayao groaned. ¡°You¡¯re no help. Do you think Mother would¡¯ve told me to make a list if it was that simple? I don¡¯t want to disappoint her. You don¡¯t want me to disappoint her too, don¡¯t you?¡± Ye Jiayao said with a pout.


    He nodded and said, ¡°You¡¯re right. However, I am not good at these things either.¡±


    ¡°Two heads are better than one. Come on, let¡¯s brainstorm!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s three heads! We are stillcking one more!¡±

 Chapter 201 - Rumours

    <h4>Chapter 201: Rumours</h4>


    Ye Jiayao pointed at the names of the few families like the Helian Prince¡¯s and Yong An Marquis¡¯ on the list. ¡°I¡¯m familiar with them and have an idea of what to give them. For the rest, however, I have no clue since I have never met them. How do you give someone you¡¯ve never met a novel and sincere gift?¡±


    Xia Chunyu took a good look at the list. After a few seconds, he started smiling. ¡°Yaoyao, did you notice something here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao moved closer to him. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu pointed at certain areas of the list and said, ¡°Look. These are the gifts two years ago and these arest year¡¯s.¡±


    She looked at where he was pointing and startedughing. It seemed that Xia You was quitezy too. She merely swapped the gifts for the families.


    ¡°Looks like Mother¡¯s kindazy too,¡± he remarked with augh.


    Ye Jiayao shot him a look. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about your mother like that.¡±


    This discovery was a huge help. She didn¡¯t need to pull gift ideas out of nowhere. She simply has to do some rearranging and she¡¯ll be golden.


    With a better n forming in her head, Ye Jiayao started writing on a piece of white paper, adding a set of Heavenly Residence¡¯s gift box at the end.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu inquired.


    She beamed up at him proudly. ¡°I thought of another way to earn money. We can give the pastries from the new pastry shop since everyone loves them. I can design a pretty gift box for it. I just need to have a goldsmith make a few gold tes or gold chicken essories to add to the gift box since it¡¯s the year of the chicken next year. The whole thing would look pretty and high-end!¡±


    This idea came from the modern-day mooncake box that a lot of stores sell. People loved it and were willing to buy it even though the prices were high.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her flushed cheeks and was mesmerized by her beauty. ¡°You¡¯re creativity and innovation know no bounds.¡±


    ¡°My ideas are golden,¡± she preened.


    ¡°I think you should just change your name to Zhaocai (beckoning wealth). You¡¯re just a regr money-maker,¡± he joked.


    ¡°Stop teasing me!¡± Ye Jiayao huffed. ¡°Stop or I will get Little Ji and Little Rui to bite you.¡±


    ¡°Why do you still call them little? Look at them! They are almost as fat as pigs now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately ducked after saying that as a brush flew past his head.


    ¡°Okay fine!¡± he concededughingly as he walked to his study. ¡°I¡¯m leaving!¡±


    Hearing theughtering from the room, Xiang Tao, one of the servants outside today,mented, ¡°Ever since Second Young Mistress came, the Heir-Son Lord has been happy and joyful. I remember how scared I used to get every time I see his stoic face.¡±


    Ying Tao, the other servant on duty, smiled. ¡°Second Young Mistress is a very nice person. Although other people say otherwise, I know that she¡¯s actually really nice.¡±


    Xiang Tao turned to her in surprise. ¡°What did you hear other people say?¡±


    ¡°I only happened to hear a little, they said¡­ they said¡­¡± Ying Tao stammered.


    ¡°Spit it out,¡± Xiang Tao urged impatiently.


    ¡°They said Second Young Mistress is in an ambiguous rtionship with many men... even with the Third Young Master,¡± Ying Tao said weakly.


    ¡°Who would dare say something like that?¡± Xiang Tao exploded in fury. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you punish whoever this is?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±


    ¡°You are useless. Not only did you not stand up for your master, but you also failed to report this to us in time. Who said these vile things?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s Hong Xiu from First Young Mistress¡¯ ce,¡± Ying Tao answered softly.


    Xiang Tao looked for Qiao Xi and told her the story that Ying Tao told him.


    Qiao Xi was also predictably enraged but she managed to contain her temper. ¡°We have to report this matter to Second Young Mistress. If we allow the rumor to spread and grow, it¡¯d be bad for her reputation. If outsiders find out about this¡­¡±


    Qiao Xi knocked on her masters¡¯ door.


    ¡°Enter,¡± Ye Jiayao called, not bothering to look up from the list she was making.


    Qiao Xi entered and sneaked a peek at the secondary room in the west. The Heir-Son Lord was busy looking over at some documents so she walked over to the Second Young Mistress¡¯s side and whispered to her,


    Ye Jiayao slowly put her brush down and walked to the extended room.


    ¡°Ying Tao, tell me the whole story in full detail,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered calmly. She was doing her best to contain her anger.


    After Ying Tao told her the story, Ye Jiayao was holding on to her temper by the thinnest thread.


    She knew that Hong Xiu didn¡¯t start this hoax by herself. There has got to be a mastermind in all of these. Ye Jiayao swore that once she finds this person, she¡¯ll hang them out to dry.


    ¡°Who else was present then?¡± she asked Ying Tao.


    15 minutester, all the people that Ying Tao identified was brought in front of Xia You.


    Ye Jiayao knelt in front of You, her eyes filled with tears as she was unable to contain her grief and indignance.


    ¡°Mother, I have endured other things that they¡¯ve said about me for the sake of the mansion¡¯s harmony. But this¡­ I¡¯m afraid that I can¡¯t tolerate this. This does not just concern my morals and integrity but also Chunyu¡¯s reputation and the Marquis¡¯ mansion¡¯s reputation. Mother, please be the judge of them for me.¡±


    You was so angry that her hands were trembling. ¡°Jinxuan, get up. Mother Sun, go get Ming Xiu and Hong Xiu here.¡±


    Qiao was lulling her child to sleep when Mother Sun came to tell her of Xia You¡¯s message. After quickly passing her child to the wet nurse, Qiao headed over to the main house with Hong Xiu.


    Upon entering, Qiao was shocked to see Jinxuan wiping her tears while a few servant girls knelt in front of Lady Xia You.


    Hong Xiu¡¯s face turned pale once she recognized the people kneeling on the floor.


    ¡°Mother, you called for me?¡± Qiao said timidly.


    You stared dagger at her, making Qiao¡¯s heart pound. She started wracking her brain, trying to find out if she had done something wrong recently.


    ¡°Stand aside. I will deal with you after I¡¯m done with this,¡± You said coldly. She then turned to Hong Xiu and said firmly, ¡°Kneel.¡±


    Hong Xiu crumbled to the floor as her legs turn to jelly.


    ¡°Tell me, what punishment do you deserve after spreading filthy rumors about your master behind her back?¡± Xia You began darkly.


    Knowing that she has no way of escaping this, Hong Xiu started to kowtow. ¡°I deserve death, Madame. I apologize. I would never dare to do it again¡­¡±


    ¡°Who taught you to say such things? Where did you hear it from?¡±


    Qiao immediately knew what her mother-inw was referring to. It must¡¯ve been the day that she brought Hong Xiu to Zhou¡¯s when she heard that Zhou has been bad-mouthing Jinxuan.


    Hong Xiu looked at Qiao timidly.


    Qiao immediately snapped, ¡°What are you looking at me for? What on earth did you say?¡±


    Hong Xiu didn¡¯t dare to point at Qiao. After all, she¡¯s still her master.


    ¡°Say it or I will have you beaten to death.¡± You was absolutely fuming. She knew that Jinxuan was not this kind of woman and she would not have her reputation tarnished by evil rumors like these.


    Hong Xiu was so frightened that she started trembling. She looked at the First Young Mistress helplessly.


    Seeing her servant like that, Qiao¡¯s heart melted. She also knelt and said, ¡°Mother, I am to be med. This is all my fault.¡±


    Through gritted teeth, You demanded, ¡°You are also a part of this?¡±


    In all her years in the mansion, Qiao has never seen You this angry. Fearfully, she answered, ¡°I did not say anything bad about Second Sister-inw, it was all Third Auntie. I even defended Second Sister-inw! I just didn¡¯t know that my servant heard what she said and that she will spread these kinds of rumors. It¡¯s my fault that I didn¡¯t manage her more strictly. I am willing to ept my punishment, Mother.¡±


    Finally, Xia Chunyu has finished handling his documents. He stretchedzily and was preparing to rest as he walked out of the study when he discovered that Yoayao was not in the room. The half-done gift list was still lying on the small table.


    He called for Ying Tao, but it was Xiang Tao who came.


    ¡°Where is Second Young Mistress?¡±


    Xiang Tao pursed her lips and started to cry.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Why are you crying?¡±


    Xiang Tao sobbed out, ¡°Second Young Mistress has brought Ying Tao and Sister Qiao Xi to see Madame.¡±


    ¡°Did Mother summon her over?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± Xiang Tao shook her head as she started to cry harder.


    ¡°Can you talk properly?¡± Xia Chunyu was getting annoyed.


    Xiang Tao replied, ¡°Heir-Son lord, you have to seek justice for Second Young Mistress. Someone in the residence is spreading rumors about her.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face darkened. ¡°What did they say?¡±


    ¡°They said¡­ they said that Second Young Mistress is in an ambiguous rtionship with Third Young Master. Second Young Mistress was furious so she went to Madame.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was livid. Who the f*ck would do such a thing?


    When Zhou heard that Xia You was looking for her, instead of hurrying up, she took her time toe to You¡¯s quarters.


    ¡°Sister-inw, what¡¯s so important that it couldn¡¯t wait until tomorrow¡­¡± she startedining as soon as she entered.


    She trailed off when she saw the scene before her. A sense of guilt started to creep on her but she quickly suppressed it down. She saidughingly, ¡°What are all these? Why such a big hoo-ha in the middle of the night?¡±


    The sight of Zhou made Ye Jiayao¡¯s blood boil.


    ¡°Third Aunt, which eye of yours did you see me seduce Third Brother-inw?¡± Ye Jiayao said harshly.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? When did I say you seduced your little brother-inw?¡± Zhou rebuked.


    ¡°You really are a piece of work. Sister Qiao has already admitted to it and yet you still have the gall to deny this? You are the epitome of a snake,¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily. She doesn¡¯t care about the seniority rules anymore, she was done with Zhou.


    ¡°Watch your words. I guess it¡¯s true, someone grew up without a mother would have no sense of propriety,¡± Zhou spat.


    ¡°As opposed to someone like you? Did your mother teach you to be greedy, to be a liar, and to be a scheming vindictive bitch? You thrive in causing chaos. If I were your mother, I would¡¯ve disowned you a long time ago,¡± Ye Jiayao retorted brutally.

 Chapter 202 - Throw This Shrew Out

    <h4>Chapter 202: Throw This Shrew Out</h4>


    Xia You knew that Jinxuan was angry but she couldn¡¯t let her continue hurling insults at Zhou. She couldn¡¯t let her daughter-inw stoop down to that level.


    ¡°Jinxuan, that¡¯s enough,¡± she said sternly.


    Ye Jiayao red at Zhou angrily.


    ¡°Sister-inw, did you hear her? She¡¯s a disrespectful woman! How dare she insult her elder like that? She has no regards for family rules and ancestors¡¯ teachings!¡± Zhou said furiously.


    You rolled her eyes and gestured meaningfully at Mother Sun.


    Mother Sun nodded obediently and chased everyone out of the room.


    Once they all left, You began, ¡°You¡¯re the one to talk about family rules and teachings. The seventh family rule dictates that all descendants of the Xia family are not to nder or sow discord within the family. It dictates that we are not to threaten the harmony of the house or cause the family¡¯s reputation to be damaged. Those who vite this would either be dealt with by the family¡¯s punishment or be thrown out of the house depending on the severity of the situation. Now, tell me, what facts are you basing on when you said those things about Jinxuan? If you cannot give me a legitimate reason, then¡­¡±


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. How have I ndered Second Daughter-inw?¡± Zhou denied.


    ¡°Third Aunt, didn¡¯t you say that Third Brother is cold towards Third Sister-inw because of Jinxuan? You said that they are making eyes at each other privately and you even said that you saw them in an embrace in the garden once¡­¡± Qiao said. She was not at fault here and she was going to clear her name.


    Zhou once again denied her involvement. ¡°When did I say that? Ha! You guys are just ganging up to ruin my name!¡±


    You was so angry that her whole body was trembling. Jinxuan was right, Zhou¡¯s a snake.


    Qiao insisted, ¡°Third Aunt, don¡¯t lie. Your servants were with us in the room too and they all heard it.¡±


    Zhou shook her head. ¡°To think that I have treated you quite well. Why are you trying to do this? You were the one who said all of those things!¡±


    Qiao was so anxious and panicked that she started crying. ¡°Mother, it was really Third Auntie who said all of those things. I never said anything¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you crying for?¡± Xia You berated. ¡°You know what kind of person your Third Aunt is and yet you continued to hang around her!¡±


    She continued, ¡°Zhou, there is no use trying to act dumb here. I will find the truth out once I summon the people from your house. I have forgiven all of your past words and actions but this time, I cannot stand by and watch you destroy my family. Mother Sun, send the word out that in punishment of her crime, I am throwing Zhou out of the family. Those who have a problem with that can take it up with me.¡±


    The gravity and hopelessness of her situation started to don on Zhou. Frantically, she said, ¡°What rights do you have to throw me out of the family? You have been plotting against me from day one! If you dare to touch me, I am going to tell everyone your evil schemes and your daughters-inw¡¯s bad characters! I am going to make sure everyone knows how corrupt your family is¡­¡±


    Bang!


    The door flew open, revealing Xia Chunyu who looked downright murderous. His thin lips were pressed into a hard line, his eyes cold and unforgiving. ¡°What were you nning on telling others?¡±


    Seeing Xia Chunyu look so ruthless had Zhou flustered. She took a few steps back in surprise and stuttered, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m your elder. Show s-some respect.¡±


    ¡°If you dare tell even one single lie outside of this house, I will make sure that you will never be able to speak again. That¡¯s a promise,¡± he hissed.


    Zhou was so frightened that she couldn¡¯t help the shiver that ran through her. ¡°You¡­ y-you all are trying to gang up on¡­ on me.¡±


    Zhou attempted to attack Xia Chunyu but he swiftly moved out of her way and she ended up stumbling into nothing, falling headfirst to the ground. She cried out loud, ¡°This is abuse¡­¡±


    ¡°Men, throw this shrew out,¡± Xia Chunyu yelled, not even bothering to look at Zhou.


    Immediately, a servant rushed in to pull Zhou up and drag her outside. Zhou¡¯s cries became even louder and shriller.


    ¡°Stop this! What is all this ruckus about? It¡¯s the middle of the night?¡± the Old Marquis demanded as he and Xia Zhuoqin rushed over to see themotion.


    ¡°Old Master, they¡¯re trying to throw me out of the family!¡± Zhou cried, crawling pitifully over to her husband.


    Xia Zhuoqin was immediately angered upon seeing his wife in such a disheveled state. ¡°Big Brother, I demand an exnation! They can¡¯t just decide to throw my wife out like that!¡±


    ¡°Maybe ask your wife what she did to warrant that sort of punishment, first, Third Uncle. If you still have the nerve to throw attitude after hearing what she did, then you can join her in exile,¡± Xia Chunyu told him, his voice chilling.


    ¡°Chunyu, how can you say that? That is very rude,¡± the Old Marquis berated. He was shocked to hear his son speak like that. Chunyu¡¯s always been the most reliable and level-headed of all his children. Xia Zhuofeng wondered what Zhup has done to warrant this reaction from him.


    ¡°Old Master, you have to take a stand now. If you still try and shield this family, then you can go live with them. I will bring my children back to Hang Zhou and from then on, we will lead separate lives,¡± You dered. She was going to make him choose today.


    This was the first time that Xia Zhuoqin heard his sister-inw say something so fierce to his Big Brother. He suddenly became afraid that Zhou had done something so irreparable to back Big Sister into a corner like this.


    The Old Marquis¡¯ face flushed bright red. You has said some fierce words privately to him before, but never has she spoken to him like this in public.


    ¡°Tell me what is going on first,¡± the Old Marquis said in a low, muffled voice.


    ¡°Zhou has been spreading lies. I can¡¯t even bring myself to repeat it, it¡¯s so scandalous and preposterous. I can¡¯t tolerate her nonsense anymore,¡± You told him.


    ¡°What exactly did you say?¡± Xia Zhuoqin howled at Zhou.


    Zhou knew that she has gotten herself in deep trouble this time. She was too careless. She should¡¯ve made sure that the rumors wouldn¡¯t trace back to her. If they didn¡¯t have enough evidence, they wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything. She didn¡¯t think that Qiao would fold so easily.


    ¡°I also heard it from someone else¡­ I heard that Second Daughter-inw and Chunfeng¡­¡±


    The Old Marquis¡¯ eyes bugged out in shock. It was no wonder You and Chunyu were so furious. He himself was tempted to make her mouth bleed!


    Xia Zhuoqin silently grumbled. Of all the things to say, she chose to spread a rumor that involved the family¡¯s beloved Second Daughter-inw and the newly married Chunfeng?


    Before his older brother could do anything, Xia Zhuoqin delivered a hard p to Zhou¡¯s face.


    Zhou immediately let out a pained howl, her cheek immediately swelling up.


    ¡°You stupid woman! Even if this came from someone else, you should¡¯ve stopped them! How dare you jump on it? I ought to drag you out of this house myself!¡± Xia Zhuoqin yelled, raising his hand as if to p her again. He had hoped that someone would stop him, but when no one said anything, he had no choice but to p his wife again.


    Zhou was now rolling on the floor, crying hysterically from the humiliation and the pain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°You better find a rope to hang yourself right now so you don¡¯t embarrass yourself more.¡± Xia Zhuoqin knew that if he didn¡¯t make a show of punishing her, You would make good on her threat to throw her out.


    Seeing her so down, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t feel the tiny bit ted. All she was feeling right now, along with the rest of the family, was disgust for Zhou¡¯s behavior. She always thought that this only happens in viges. She didn¡¯t know that this could happen in a wealthy, prestigious family too!


    ¡°Enough,¡± the Old Marquis finally said.


    Xia Zhuoqin heaved a secret sigh of relief. He immediately pointed a finger at Zhou and said, ¡°I am going to let you off today because of Big Brother. If you dare spout this nonsense again, I will rip your mouth apart.¡±


    ¡°Third Brother, she¡¯s your wife, punish her in private,¡± Zhuofeng said before turning to Zhou. ¡°Who did you hear this filthy story from?¡±


    Zhou hesitated. If she said confesses, she would offend more than just the Xia family.


    ¡°Speak,¡± the Old Marquis yelled.


    Zhou cowering under the Old Marquis¡¯ anger and subconsciously blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s from Mother Shu.¡±


    The whole hall turned so silent you could hear a pin drop.


    This was the first time Xia Zhuoqin thought of a divorce. What a stupid woman. How could she say that? She just cut their alliance with Princess Liu Li!


    After a long moment, the Old Marquis broke the silence, ¡°Third Brother, you have to move into your new house now. We can¡¯t stand all the turmoil your family seems to be causing. If this happens again, I¡¯m afraid our brotherhood would be at risk.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng clenched his fist so tightly, his knuckles cracked. He turned to leave without a single word.


    The upheaval has yet to reach Liu Li and her room was as peaceful as usual.


    ¡°Mother Shu, what do you think I should give the Empress Dowager for her birthday?¡± Liu Li worried, her head propped up on her hand.


    Mother Shuughed, shaking her head. ¡°Princess, the Empress Dowager will like no matter what you give her.¡±


    ¡°The Empress Dowager dotes on me so much, I have to give her something special,¡± Liu Li protested.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you give the Empress Dowager a hand-sewn headband?¡±


    Liu Li shook her head adamantly. ¡°You know that I am not good at sewing! The Empress Dowager saw the mandarin ducks that I had sewnst time and thought they were chickens.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go take a look at the jewelry store some other day.¡±


    ¡°No. The jewelry stores outside do not have better essories than the ones in the pce.¡±


    ¡°Then I am at my wit¡¯s end, too,¡± Mother Shu said with a chuckle.


    ¡°Prince Consort, you are back?¡± Little Ya called from outside.


    Liu Li excitedly got up from the couch.


    The cotton curtain was lifted crudely as Xia Chunfeng stomped in.


    Mother Shu said with a smile, ¡°Prince Consort, you are back sote!¡±


    Xia Chunfeng stared at this smiling olddy for a second, lifted his leg, and gave her a mighty kick.


    Mother Shu was unable to withstand the blow and she flew backward, knocking into the chair behind her.


    Liu Li ran over to check on Mother Shu in shock. Mother Shu¡¯s face was as pale as a sheet, her frail body curled up as she whimpered, unable to speak.


    Liu Li whipped around to re at Chunfeng. She shouted furiously, ¡°WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DID YOU DO THAT?¡±

 Chapter 203 - To Fall Out

    <h4>Chapter 203: To Fall Out</h4>


    <h4><strong>Trantor: </strong>YTJS_, WEBNOVEL_OFFICIAL <strong> Editor: </strong>Perriemix</h4>


    Xia Chunfeng responded coldly. ¡°This old bat just caused a ton of trouble for the family. She thinks that just because she¡¯s part of your employees and has served the Empress Dowager before that she¡¯s untouchable.


    ¡°What are you droning on about? Are you drunk?¡± she demanded, confused.


    Liu Li was worried about Mother Shu¡¯s injury. The kick that Chunfeng delivered was heavy.


    She called out, ¡°Maids!¡±


    A few servants entered the room and Liu Li quickly ordered, ¡°Help Mother Shu up and get her to a physician. Have her thoroughly checked out.¡±


    ¡°You are not allowed to get the physician for this wicked old woman,¡± Xia Chunfeng bellowed.


    Liu Li matched his voice, bellowing back, ¡°How did Mother Shu offend you?¡±


    ¡°She knows very well what she did,¡± he said with a snort.


    ¡°How do you expect her to speak now? You kicked her, Chunfeng! She can¡¯t even talk right now!¡± Liu Li was enraged. First, he gave her the cold shoulder, and now he¡¯s hurting the people around her? Would he hit her too?


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing she can say now. Third Aunt has already confessed. The entire household is in chaos because of the witch you¡¯ve been protecting. Kicking her is a light punishment. If she had done what she did in the pce, they would have chopped her head off!¡±


    The blood in Liu Li¡¯s face drained. She already knew what happened. She wasn¡¯t expecting this because she never thought that Third Aunt would give up Mother Shu.


    Seeing the look on her face, Xia Chunfeng could not help but sneer, ¡°Why do you look guilty? Could it be because you have a part to y in this too? Ha! You didn¡¯t even hesitate to use me just to spite Second Sister-inw! How unscrupulous!¡±


    Liu Li spat through gritted teeth, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it the truth? Are you telling me that you don¡¯t like that bitch? I say one thing about her and you immediately start arguing with me. You are my husband and yet you keep defending her.¡±


    ¡°Stop distorting the truth, Liu Li,¡± Chunfeng said in a cold voice, stepping closer to her. ¡°Everyone knows what the real situation is. You hate her so much because she was the first person to ever stand up to you. You hate her because the man you like loves her. I am not your husband, Liu Li. I am just a tool for revenge for you.¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s lips quivered. She wanted to deny it, but it was the truth. She has been consumed by her hate.


    Chunfeng, however, wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Just because you have the Empress Dowager on your side doesn¡¯t give you the right to act however you wanted to. You expect people to submit to you just because of your position! Even His Majesty shows benevolence, kindness, and virtue. You¡¯re just a princess and yet you act like everything and everyone¡¯s beneath you.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw doesn¡¯t have your wealth or your nobility. She didn¡¯t grow up with parental love, was plotted against with by her family, and lost her life. She has been faced with great hardships and not once did she turn bitter. She¡¯s hardworking and generous. She¡¯s down to earth and everyone likes to be her friend. The people who work for her have unwavering loyalty towards her because she deserves it. How about you, Liu Li? If I strip your title away, what are you? If you¡¯re not a princess, who are the people who will remain by your side?¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s eyes turned gloomy. So this was how he really sees her. He thinks so highly of Jinxuan and yet, he tramples her name to the mud. She retorted, ¡°And you¡¯re telling me that you don¡¯t like her? You practically worship her!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I like her, but not in the way you think,¡± Chunfeng said calmly. ¡°When she was Li Yao, she was my good friend. When she became my sister-inw, I respect her. There is nothing romantic going on with us. You have to take these absurd usations back, Liu Li. Not everyone has malice in their mind as you do. Instead of plotting on how to bring others down, why don¡¯t you reflect on yourself? You reap what you sow, Liu Li. If you keep growing thorns, the only thing you get is a body full of scars.¡±


    She yelled at him, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to lecture me. Get out! I don¡¯t want to see you ever again.¡±


    He scoffed lightly. ¡°The feeling is mutual.¡±


    And with that, Xia Chunfeng stormed off in a huff.


    Liu Li looked at his retreating back, tears welling up in her eyes. She tried to hold them back but she failed to so as she fell to the ground, sobbing. Would she even be in this plight if Jinxuan didn¡¯t exist?


    She shouted loudly, ¡°Little Ya, prepare the carriage! We are going back to the pce.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng stopped in his tracks and turned his head to re at Little Ya.


    Little Ya lowered her head, not daring to say anything.


    ¡°Little Ya, are you deaf? I don¡¯t want to stay in this ce for a second longer.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was prepared to let this matter go after punishing Mother Shu, but it seemed that his bride had other ideas. He couldn¡¯t have her returning to the pce every time they get into a fight.


    ¡°Ah Mu, guard the courtyard. Break the legs of whoever dares to take a step out of this courtyard today,¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    Liu Li snarled at him. ¡°I¡¯d like to see anyone who dares to stop me.¡±


    She tried to walk past Xia Chunfeng but he grabbed her arm and said, ¡°If you step a foot out of this door, I will send a divorce letter to His Majesty.¡±


    Liu Li stared daggers at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that you will cause misfortune to your whole family?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s eyes darkened. He said through clenched teeth, ¡°I am.¡±


    Liu Li was pleased to hear that. She started to say something when Chunfeng¡¯s gaze turned sharp.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m not giving you the chance to tell your tales. If I¡¯m going to hell, I¡¯m pulling you down with me.¡±


    A sudden chill ran down Liu Li¡¯s spine. ¡°What¡­ what do you want?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng dragged Liu Li back into the room and mmed the door shut.


    The loud sound reverberated throughout the whole house. Little Ya shivered with dread as she looked at the closed door worriedly.


    Ye Jiayao watched Chunyu out of the corner of her eyes. Was he angry at her? Why? It wasn¡¯t even remotely her fault! Did he believe all the nonsense that Zhou and Mother Shu was spouting? She¡¯s had a taste of Chunyu¡¯s pettiness before when he got jealous of Little Jing, and she doesn¡¯t want a repeat of that.


    Even as they got back to the room, Chunyu¡¯s sternness hasn¡¯t relented. She has never seen him like this and it actually started to scare her a little.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, get us some hot tea,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    Qiao Xi readilyplied and was back with tea not even a few minutester.


    Once Qiao Xi left the room, Ye Jiayao walked over to Chunyu and handed her a cup of tea. ¡°Have a drink.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked up at her, his eyes were devoid of any emotions.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I am in the wrong?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, putting the cup down on the table. She doesn¡¯t like the way he¡¯s looking at her, as if he¡¯s some criminal to be interrogated.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± His voice was as cold as his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao was slightly mad. She had just gone through a huge grievance, shouldn¡¯t he beforting her?


    ¡°Are you serious? Please don¡¯t tell me that you believe all that nonsense they were saying. When I am not at the restaurant, I am managing your other business. I am constantly on the move. I haven¡¯t even seen Chunfeng¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m stupid enough to believe them?¡± Chunyu interrupted.


    Ye Jiayao demanded, ¡°Then what are you getting mad at me for? What did I do to you?¡±


    ¡°I am angry at you because of how you treat me. I am your husband and instead of turning to me for help, you went to Mother all alone. If Xiang Tao hadn¡¯t told me what happened, I wouldn¡¯t have known anything! My wife was in trouble and yet where I was? In my study, clueless! Do you know what that feels like? Do you think I can¡¯t protect you, is that what this is? Or do you just not care enough to tell me?¡± Xia Chunyu ranted, his voice rising with his frustration. ¡°Why is it always that when something happens, you don¡¯t even think of me? Am I irresponsible to you? Do you not trust me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was stumped for words. She had to admit that at the time, she didn¡¯t think about going to him. She thought that she could settle this matter on her own.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re capable and you can handle yourself. I just wish you don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m just a dispensable husband,¡± he finished.


    He didn¡¯t want to argue with her anymore so he stood up to leave.


    Ye Jiayao quickly pulled him back. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Xia Chunyu flung her hand away unhappily. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    She grabbed him again and said, ¡°If you leave like this, what would others think? They¡¯d assume that I did something wrong.¡±


    He stayed quiet as he turned around and grabbed a nket from the cupboard before retreating to the study.


    Was he going to sleep separately from her?


    ¡°Chunyu, is there really a need for this? This is such a small matter. I promise that I would turn to you in the future if something happens,¡± Ye Jiayao vowed as she followed after him.


    Xia Chunyu continued making up the couch. Once heid out his nket, he lied down, not even bothering to take his clothes off. ¡°Think about how I treat you and think about how you¡¯ve been acting towards me. Don¡¯t bother me unless you¡¯ve realized what¡¯s wrong.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stormed back to the bedroom angrily. What was she supposed to think about? Didn¡¯t she already promise to turn to him for her problems in the future? What more does he want?


    Well, if he wants to sleep in the study, let him. At least, she¡¯d have the whole bed to herself tonight.


    However, even after tossing and turning, she was unable to fall asleep. She¡¯s gotten so used to snuggling in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, and feeling the warmth of his body.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to call him back to bed, but the study was already pitch ck and quiet.


    She sighed and settled back on the bed, pulling the nket over her head.

 Chapter 204 - Being Left Out

    <h4>Chapter 204: Being Left Out</h4>


    When Ye Jiayao woke up, Xia Chunyu was already gone.


    When Jiang Yue came in to clean and noticed the quilt in the study room, she got confused. Were the Heir-son Lord and the Second Young Lady fighting?


    ¡°Yue-er, put the quilt back in the cupboard,¡± Ye Jiayao said quietly.


    ¡°Yes, Second Young Lady,¡± Jiang Yue acquiesced, taking the quilt away quickly.


    Qiao Xi came in and proceeded tob the Second Young Lady¡¯s hair. She told her, ¡°Madame said that there¡¯s no need for you toe and salute to her this morning.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, assuming that You didn¡¯t sleep wellst night too.


    ¡°I heard that Third Young Master broke two of Mother Shu¡¯s ribsst night,¡± Qiao Xi continued.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. How did Chunfeng found out about it?


    ¡°Did Princess Liu Li make any trouble?¡±


    ¡°She definitely did. I heard that she also rmed Old Marquis and Madame. Third Young Master is still kneeling in the temple because of that.¡±


    Since the problems in the mansion were out of her hands, Ye Jiayao decided to head to Heavenly Residence early. She designed gift boxes together with Zhong Xiang and had Manger Zhao scour a great shop that could create the box. She was nning tounch this in the next three days so they must move at a quick pace.


    In the afternoon, Ye Jiayao went back to the mansion and saw that Chunwen was instructing the servants to move their things to their house. When he saw her, he turned around and carried on as if he didn¡¯t notice her.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. They better move out as soon as possible because she¡¯s had enough of that troublesome family.


    She also heard that Chunfeng was on his knees until the Old Marquis pardoned him around noon.


    As one could imagine, the atmosphere in the mansion was very somber.


    At dinnertime, You told everyone that they should eat in their respective courtyards.


    Song Qi also came to tell Ye Jiayao that Chunyu was going to be on duty in the pce and wouldn¡¯t being back tonight.


    Upon hearing that, Ye Jiayao¡¯s already bad mood took a turn for the worse. She knew that Chunyu was only using his ¡®duty¡¯ as an excuse. He just didn¡¯t want toe back and face her.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion, Xia Chunfeng was wracked with guilt as he looked at Liu Li¡¯s lying form. He didn¡¯t expect his bruteness would cause such an adverse pain to her. All the bloodst night terrified him.


    He just wanted to teach her a lesson. He never intended for her to get seriously hurt.


    He ced a bowl of red jujube bird¡¯s nest porridge on the bedside table and said, ¡°You have to eat something, you haven¡¯t eaten for a whole day.¡±


    Liu Li turned away from him, her tears uncontrobly falling.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I hurt you. There won¡¯t be another time,¡± Xia Chunfeng said lowly.


    His father said that it was quite easy to soothe a woman¡¯s temper. All one has to do waspliment her and she¡¯d be fine. The problem was Chunfeng never had to soothe or woo a woman before, let alone one as temperamental and arrogant as his wife.


    Liu Li thought back to the nightmare she experiencedst night and could not help but cry harder. Of course, she wanted to experience the married life with Chunfeng, but not likest night. It was a horrible experience that has honestly traumatized her.


    ¡°Liu Li, let¡¯s start over. We¡¯re married now so I think it¡¯s high time we act like husband and wife. I know I¡¯m not your favorite person and I wasn¡¯t exactly a willing participant in this arrangement, but we¡¯re here now. I don¡¯t want to spend the rest of our lives together fighting. Can we just let the past go and try to be nice to each other?¡± Xia Chunfeng proposed. He had a lot of time to think when he was out in the ancestral hall, kneeling. Afterst night, for better or for worse, Liu Li was now his woman. She¡¯s his responsibility now.


    Liu Li still has a lot of grievances to air, but Chunfeng¡¯s calm words got to her. Could that actually work? Was it possible for them to be actual husband and wife?


    Chunfeng took her silence as disagreement and he sighed helplessly. He got up and was about to walk away when he heard Liu Li say, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    He gently helped her sit up and fed her the porridge bit by bit.


    This was the third day that Chunyu spent away from home, and by now, Ye Jiayao was angry.


    How long was he nning on staying away? What does he want from her?


    The people in their yard knew that something was wrong, but since the Second Young Lady had been in such a foul mood, they didn¡¯t dare say anything.


    Qiao Xi said to Jiang Yue in private, ¡°Yue-er, you have to talk to Second Young Mistress before this problem gets bigger.¡±


    Jiang Yue sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t know how to talk to her.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t help if we don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong. If the Heir-son Lord is angry because of the rumors, then that¡¯s his fault. Let¡¯s also tell Song Qi to talk to the Heir-son Lord. We need both of them to at least meet halfway. Everyone in the yard is starting to get ufortable from the tension,¡± Qiao Xi said.


    Ye Jiayao only managed to take a few bites before she lost her appetite and focus.


    This didn¡¯t escape Xia You¡¯s attention. She should¡¯ve been happy now that Chunfeng and Liu Li seemed to have made progress with their rtionship and Zhou and her family have moved out. Instead, she¡¯s still worrying because all the chaos seemed to have passed on to Chunyu and Jinxuan. Jinxuan may not know this, but You knew that there were no such rules about being on duty in the pce for three straight days. Chunyu was avoiding his wife.


    ¡°Second Daughter-inw,¡± You called.


    It took a moment for Ye Jiayao to snap back into attention.


    ¡°What is the Heavenly Residence gift box written on your gift list?¡± You asked softly. She had reviewed the gift list that Jinxuan made and she was impressed. It was clear that she has given it a lot of thought.


    ¡°Oh. Ah, yes, about that. Yue-er, bring us the gift box in my room,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    After a short while, Jiang Yue came back with the gift box.


    Ye Jiayao opened the box and began, ¡°The gift box will contain the most expensive pastries in our shop. I also had someone make some medals and other tokens that have the Golden Rooster¡¯s symbol on it. I had three specifications made ¨C one that would cost one hundred silvers, one hundred sixty silvers, and one hundred eighty silvers. This particr box costs one hundred sixty silvers.


    Xia You observed the gift box. The cakes inside were of different colors and they all look deliciously decadent. The gold metal included inside was also very delicate yet very well-made.


    ¡°Hey, this is brilliant. There must be a lot of people who want this, right?¡± Qiao said.


    ¡°I just sold more than 20 boxes yesterday,¡± Ye Jiayao answered.


    ¡°This gift box is excellent. It looks exquisite which will give it a special value,¡± Xia You praised. ¡°Go ahead and tell the ountant how much you need.¡±


    Ye Jiayao told her, ¡°For family, this would be one hundred and twenty silvers a box.¡±


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, give me ten boxes of them!¡± Qiao said hurriedly.


    ¡°These pastries can¡¯t be on hold for a long time. It¡¯s best to consume them within three to five days. When you want to give them away, let me know and I will bring them to you.¡±


    Qiao smiled excitedly. ¡°That is perfect.¡±


    Once everyone left, Xia You pulled Jinxuan aside and asked her, ¡°Are you and Chunyu having problems?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled helplessly and answered, ¡°He was a little angry because I didn¡¯t tell him about Zhou first.¡±


    Xia You was relieved. She was afraid that Chunyu actually believed the rumor that Mother Shu and Zhou started about Chunfeng and Jinxuan.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight with him. He might have an explosive temper, but he also has a soft heart. Just give him a few affectionate words and tender gestures and he¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded slightly. How would she do that when she hasn¡¯t even seen him yet?


    ¡°Tomorrow I will send someone to call him back,¡± You told her, reading her thoughts.


    At night, Qiao Xi wasing in the room to help the Second Young Mistress disrobe when she saw her staring nkly at the bed.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, I have put the warmer in the bed. Be careful when you lie downter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ye Jiayao said absent-mindedly.


    Qiao Xi hesitated for a moment before whispering, ¡°I have been serving the Heir-son Lord for nearly six years now. He¡¯sughed with you in a day more than he hasughed for those entire six years. Every time hees home, his first question to us is, ¡®Is the Second Young Lady home yet?¡¯. If you¡¯re not here when hees back, he gets restless.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised to hear that. Chunyu¡¯s words from the other day suddenly came back to her, ¡®Think about how I treat you¡¯.


    He was right. He¡¯s been treating her with love.


    She thought of the cold nights when Chunyu would go to bed first to warm it up before calling over.


    She thought about Chunyu always being there for her and saving her when she¡¯s in trouble.


    She thought about how he would massage her belly all night when she has her period to help ease the pain.


    She thought about how he would always offer to give her a massage every time she¡¯s tired.


    Hell, he gave her the profits of the deeds of the family. She joked that he should be afraid she¡¯d run away with all the money, but he merely told her that she would never get away from him.


    She¡¯s aware of all of his kindness, sacrifices, and acts of love. However, they were still bonded by a contract and she could never forget that. It was a ring reminder that their marriage was just a transaction.


    Ye Jiayao could never let him know that he holds her heart.

 Chapter 205 - Take It Back

    <h4>Chapter 205: Take It Back</h4>


    It¡¯s been three days since theunch of the new gift box. Everyone was rushing to buy it. Ye Jiayao had originally prepared three hundred boxes and they were all sold out in less than half a day. Those who weren¡¯t able to get the gift box pre-ordered for the next batch of stocks.


    She calcted the ounts and found that today¡¯s profit was about 2,300 silvers. She was expecting this to rise since the number of pre-orders for tomorrow¡¯s delivery has exceeded the sale number for today


    ¡°Second Young Lady, we received another order of 20 boxes orders,¡± Jiang Yue reported cheerfully as she ran in. ¡°It seems that we have to make five hundred boxes tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°We can make the pastries, but I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t be able to make enough medals to match,¡± Ye Jiayao worried.


    She paused for a few seconds before continuing, ¡°Have Manager Zhao persuade the shop workers to work overtime. Remind them not to skimp on the quality though.¡±


    Rich people don¡¯t care about the price as long as it matches the product¡¯s quality.


    ¡°Okay, Second Young Mistress!¡± Jiang Yue¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was happy that these gift boxes were doing so well. She was even happier and prouder that she had a hand in creating them. She really admired the Second Young Mistress¡¯ ability to create new ideas that people would love. It was like her creativity was just always on high!


    After Jiang Yue left, Ye Jiayao sat in front of the abacus again to recalcte the ounts that she just counted. She was slowly fiddling it, her mind out of focus, so she kept on making mistakes.


    When Jiang Yue came back, Ye Jiayao was still by the abacus, still calcting and still making mistakes.


    ¡°Second Young Lady, let¡¯s go back to the mansion,¡± Jiang Yue urged gently. The Heir-son Lord would being home today and she wanted the Second Young Mistress to be there when he does.


    ¡°The ounts are not right, I need to count them again,¡± Ye Jiayao told her calmly.


    ¡°Count them again?! Second Young Lady, you have been at this for hours,¡± Jiang Yue muttered. Was she really prioritizing this over finally seeing the Heir-son Lord again?


    Ye Jiayao sighed in defeat, pushing the abacus away and closing the ount book. It was time to face her reality.


    When Ye Jiayao returned home, Qiao Xi reported, ¡°The Heir-son Lord has returned. He changed his clothes and went to see Madame. He said to let you know about this as soon as you return.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, her face betraying her mncholy. She proceeded to wash and change her clothes before heading to the dinner table.


    Today¡¯s mood was considerably better than the past ones.


    Liu Li and Chunfeng would asionally look at each other and share a smile.


    Qiao was being more attentive and pleasing to You more than usual.


    Even Xia You has a gentle smile on her face the whole time.


    It seemed that it was only Chunyu and Ye Jiayao who are having problems.


    Throughout their meal, Ye Jiayao would feel eyes on her, but every time she would look at Xia Chunyu, his head was down as if focusing on his food.


    The pang of loss that Ye Jiayao has in her heart was unbearable.


    After dinner, the Old Lord called his sons to the study room while the women retreated to have some tea.


    ¡°The day after tomorrow is the Laba Festival. In the past years, it was only Qiao who helped me take care of the sacrifices. Now that Jinxuan and Liu Li are part of the family, and now that the Third Family¡¯s here, the sacrifices should be grander. Jinxuan, shadow Mingxiu and learn about the sacrifices,¡± You said warmly.


    ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± Ye Jiayao said absent-mindedly.


    ¡°Mother, what should I do?¡± asked Liu Li.


    You told her, ¡°You should learn it as well. In the future, you will have to take care of this yourself.¡±


    Liu Li answered respectfully, ¡°Then I will follow Big Sister-inw.¡±


    As the rest of thedies talked, Ye Jiayao sat quietly to the side, not hearing a word. Her mind was only focused on Chunyu.


    What more did he want from her? Why was he making such a big deal out of this? It was starting to affect everything around her and she doesn¡¯t like it. She¡¯s never been this hung up on a guy before.


    She wasn¡¯t aware when the conversation ended. She just saw Qiao and Liu Li got up so she just followed them.


    As she was walking out, she heard Liu Li call for her, ¡°Second Sister-inw, you seem sad today. What¡¯s wrong? Did you and Second Brother-inw get into a fight? Did he believe the rumors? I can¡¯t me him. You¡¯re so attractive that he¡¯s right to be nervous with you around other men.


    This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise for Liu Li. Not only did the trouble that she stirred up made her and Chunfeng closer, but it also caused a rift between Chunyu and Jinxuan. It seemed like she hit two birds with one stone.


    Ye Jiayao barely even spared her a nce.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, do you want Chunfeng to talk to Second Brother?¡± Liu Li continued with a smirk.


    Jiang Yue turned to look at Liu Li and muttered, ¡°Third Young Lady is too odious.¡±


    ¡°Let it be,¡± Ye Jiayao said emotionlessly. She wasn¡¯t in the mood to spar with Liu Li and she was honestly the least of her problems right now.


    When Xia Chunyu got back, he immediately headed up to the washroom. Qiao Xi followed to serve him but he uttered a firm rejection.


    Qiao Xi looked worriedly at the Second Young Lady. They couldn¡¯t go on like this anymore.


    Ye Jiayao whispered, ¡°Step outside.¡±


    Xia Chunyu came out after a few minutes and Ye Jiayao moved to dress him. He, however, turned to avoid her hand and walked to the cab. He opened it only to find it empty.


    Even Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know why the quilt wasn¡¯t there. She believed it must¡¯ve been Jiang Yue or Qiao Xi¡¯s work.


    Xia Chunyu saw that the bed has two quilts on it so he took one and walked straight to the study.


    Ye Jiayao followed behind him. ¡°Hey, what do you want from me?¡±


    She has thought about a lot of what she was going to say to Chunyu once hees back. That was undoubtedly not one of those ideas.


    Xia Chunyu remained expressionless and silent as he made up his bed.


    This just frustrated Ye Jiayao, making her forget about all the speeches she prepared for his return. ¡°You havepletely blown this up to such a huge proportion. Why are you so angry? How am I the bad guy here? You know, if you don¡¯t want to see me anymore, just tell me and I will leave.¡±


    Xia Chunyu did not even bat an eye.


    Ugh! He¡¯s such a f*cking child! ¡°I will take your silence as an agreement,¡± Ye Jiayao threatened.


    Xia Chunyu still did not respond.


    ¡°Fine, you stupid donkey!¡± Ye Jiayao yelled in frustration before stomping out.


    Was he still doubting her? After enduring everything their marriage brought unto her? She¡¯s been working her ass off to please his family and he still thinks she didn¡¯t care about him? She has endured humiliation and defamation for him and his family! Did he not realize that?


    When he heard her footsteps, Xia Chunyu looked up to watch her. When he saw that she wasn¡¯t leaving the room, he lied back down and closed his eyes.


    In actuality, he¡¯s no longer mad at her. He just wanted her to say something nice to him for once. He wanted her to be affectionate. It was always him who was trying to woo her, he wanted her to make the effort just this once.


    Suddenly, he was plunged into darkness. This woman actually turned the light off and went to bed? Xia Chunyu grumbled silently in annoyance.


    Ye Jiayao started shivering. Since Chunyu took the other quilt and she forgot to tell Qiao to get a warmer for the bed, she was now freezing. She nced toward the study, an idea forming in her head.


    She got up and lit the oilmp.


    Xia Chunyu quickly closed his eyes when he heard her move. It sounded like she wasing into the study.


    Come on, Yaoyao, say you want me back and I will let this all go.


    However, he was surprised when his quilt was lifted off of his body.


    He sat up, dumbfounded. Was she trying to freeze him to death?


    He jumped out of the couch and chased after her. ¡°Give me back the quilt.¡±


    Ye Jiayao grinned and hugged the quilt to her. ¡°This is mine.¡±


    ¡°Yours? Is your name on it?¡± Xia Chunyu caught the corner of the quilt.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine. If you want a quilt, go ask Qiao Xi.¡±


    Ye Jiayao tugged the quilt back and lied on the bed, wrapping it around her.


    Xia Chunyu lied down beside her, pulled the quilt under her body, and covered himself with it. ¡°Ha! It must be you who told them to hide the extra quilts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pulled on the quilt. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. That kind of underhandedness is beneath me.¡±


    ¡°Stop denying it. We both know the truth.¡±


    ¡°What truth? You know what, just leave me alone as you¡¯ve done in the past days. I don¡¯t care anymore.¡±


    See Her to cry, Xia Chunyu some at a loss, the mouth is also not agile: ¡°when did I say tired of you?¡±


    ¡°you didn¡¯t say but you did. Now everyone is looking at my joke. Are you satisfied? What did you say? Never make me feel wronged, what you said is all bullshit.¡± Ye Jiayao shouted at him.


    ¡°who willugh at you?¡± Said Xia Chun. ¡°you are too much.¡±


    ¡°the colored zeughed at me, you didn¡¯t see her that ted strength, my lung almost gas exploded, Xia Chunyu, I so pour out my heart to you, you treat me like this!¡±! If I had known you were such a man, I wouldn¡¯t have married you if I had married a pig or a dog, take the opportunity to scold, do not hold in these days of this breath to scold out, she will be internal injury.


    That¡¯s calling him a pig and a dog! Xia Chunyu chagrined, how the situation on the reversal of it? Can¡¯t even remember the turning point, and somehow he¡¯s the guilty one.


    ¡°Vroom, Vroom, do you know what I¡¯ve been through thest few days? In front of everyone¡¯s strange eyes but also pretend to be nothing, every day hard work, can not eat sleep, think really cold heart, how can you so cruel, cruel people afraid, how many times want to walk away, nothing, go far, you will also save heart, but I am afraid of my parents sad, living endure, endure...¡± ye Jiayao tears fell more dense.


    Xia Chun in the heart all want to be broken by her to cry, stretch hand to want to help her wipe tears, she wanders away.


    ¡°you told me to think it over, but did you think it over yourself? Do you really think I¡¯m doing this for your money? You ate it up, gave it to you. What more do you want? How far do you want me to go? Why Don¡¯t you think about how I feel? Do you know my pain? The better you are to me, the more I fear, in two years and five months, on that day, if you say, Ye Jinxuan, our contract is up, you must go... I don¡¯t know what I will feel at that moment, and you force me to say, what do you want me to say? What can I say?¡± Ye Jiayao is really very sad.


    Summer Chunyu vibration, guilt, he knew that there will not be that day, in the sky to find her that moment, he decided that this life will not let go, what contract, just in order to reach the destination as soon as possible, he had been trying to get her to understand him, but he had ignored her feelings, not expecting that the contract would upset her so much.


    He licked his dry lips and whispered, ¡°Yao Yao...¡±


    ¡°you don¡¯t call me, I hate you so much, go away, go away... I never want to see you again, take the quilt away, I¡¯ll Cry Myself to death and don¡¯t want you to care...¡± Ye Jiayao sobbed on her pillow, you son of a bitch, let me worry, the body of the meat is white a few pounds, do not give you some pain, I do not name Ye.


    What face, what step, what original intention Xia Chunyu can not remember all of it. His heart ached to death, he really wanted to give himself a p in the face. He was the one who had been unclear in his mind, he¡¯s such a jerk... What¡¯s wrong with going to his mother for help with something like that, when he¡¯s so hell bent on getting things done that makes Yao Yao so sad.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s All My Fault, I promise it won¡¯t happen again...¡± Xia Chunyu gently stroked her a pull of the shoulder, sincerely apologize.


    ¡°you go, what you say, I no longer believe, vuvuz...¡± ye Jiayao cry high and low wan, End is sad.


    Xia Chunyu silently half ring, jump out of bed.


    Ye Jiayao burst into tears, really rolling?


    Whimpering, peeping at him, he went into the study. She cried even more loudly, Nyima County, the rotten men do note to the plot, should not continue to apologize, apologize again and again just right?


    Instead, the guyes back with a box in his hand.


    ¡°Yao Yao, I¡¯ll tell you the truth, I never wanted to fulfill this contract in the first ce, I married you for real, I married you to live with you for the rest of my life, so now I¡¯m going to burn it in front of you, and you¡¯ll never have to worry again, even if you regret it, I won¡¯t let you go,¡± he said, xia Chunyu took out the contract to get close to themp to light.


    Now Ye Jiayao is shocked. He really burns!


    Looking at the paper was engulfed in mes, Ye Jiayao head a nk.


    The Summer Chun is in the deep ck mou son in Lian Yan is having the infinite gentleness, the soft voice way: ¡°Now, you believed?¡±


    Ye Jiayao corner of the mouth: ¡°You don¡¯t think the contract burned I will forgive you, the hearts of the people will change.¡±


    Isn¡¯t that enough? Xia Chun was at his wit¡¯s end: ¡°then you say, how to believe me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao Meng Sit Up: ¡°Unless you make a written statement, in the future if you do sorry to me, you clean out of the house.¡±


    Er... ... Xia Chunyu is foolish live, half a day just Gnash one¡¯s teeth a way: ¡°your business experience can not use toe up to my head?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said very seriously, ¡°do you think I¡¯m going after your property?¡±? If you won¡¯t do me wrong, what are you afraid of? Or are you just not sure what you want? I would do it. If I did you wrong, I would leave the house.¡±


    Be excited by her speech, Xia Chun in the heart a horizontal, teeth a bite: ¡°immediately stand.¡±


    After a pir of incense, ye Jiayao carried the receipt with satisfaction and carefully put it into her safe. Xia Chunyu saw the curve of her mouth, and suddenly felt as if she had been sold and helped count money, what Happened Tonight was incredible. How did ite to this? I Can¡¯t get my head around it.


    The two of themy back on the bed.


    ¡°Yao Yao, how do I feel this thing is not right!¡± Xia Chunyu wondered.


    ¡°what is wrong?¡± Ye Jiayao ys silly to fill leng, innocently looking at her.


    Xia Chunyu said not toe, only feel gas not smooth ah!


    ¡°Chunyu, I¡¯m so cold, I¡¯m freezing,¡± she said, rubbing herself against his chest.


    Xia chunyu hugged her: ¡°Why are you so cold?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said pitifully in his arms: ¡°You are not in, I sleep alone how do not warm, to the dawn, feet are cold.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t you ask Moon to get you a soup?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want soup woman, I want you.¡± Ye Jiayao sticks to him like a cat, and a paw is still fondling his chest.


    Xia Chunyu was stirred up by her a stream of evil fire, for several days did not touch her, thought of all hair ache, turned over and pressed her under the body, the palm of his hand flexibly probed into her inside clothes, kneading her soft: ¡°you want me, you said Oh...¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered him with practical actions, he signed the indentured servitude, her boss should give some benefits.


    The next day, we also see the son and the second daughter-inw have to talk andugh, the heart is all a sigh of relief, and finally it is sunny after the rain.


    Xia Chunyu went to work for three days in a row and took a day off. In the morning, he apanied ye Jiayao to the bakery and saw the hot scene of the bakery, xia chunyu surprised: ¡°Your Gift Box unexpectedly so popr? Really Don¡¯t know how these people think.¡±


    Ye Jiayao white his one eye: ¡°This calls Vogue to understand? All resemble you, I still have money to earn?¡±


    Xia Chunyu can not help but think of that word evidence: ¡°my body is all in your hands, what do you want? Besides the son, I can give nothing.¡±


    Yejiayao blushed and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t you see what this ce is? What did Hun Say?¡±


    Xia Chunyu see her blush to look like, especially charming moving, recallst night her enthusiasm, abdomen is like a fire.


    Well, it¡¯s time to think about the baby. Yao Yao will be eighteen in the New Year.


    Ye Jiayao Remember You¡¯s words, the cake room and the sky to live things arranged properly, early to return home.


    For the first time, Jo had the feeling of being a sister-inw. Her two younger brothers and sisters followed her. She, too, had to put on a good show.


    Liu Li¡¯s mind is not in the study at all,st night see ye Jiayao or a pair of Youyuan appearance, how to spend the night, on the face of spring? Are We back together?


    Ye Jiayao know colored ze a pair of eyes drop slip slip on her body to turn, see see see see see casually, my mother today a very happy!


    ¡°the sacrificial utensils are all to be polished, this is no good, they are still covered with dust, how can you do your work?¡± Joe checked them one by one, just as the political and religious director checks the sanitary work, see Ye Jiayao very want to give her a pair of white gloves.


    ¡°Joss-stick paper money all ready? Silver Ingot?¡± Qiao Shi checks the container to ask Lin Kun home.


    Lin Kun¡¯s family replied, ¡°everything is ready and the silver ingot is folded.¡±


    ¡°are all the animals ready?¡±


    Zhou Xing¡¯s family came forward and replied, ¡°everything is ready.¡±


    ¡°where¡¯s the Laba Porridge?¡±


    ¡°the ingredients are all ready, the lotus seeds, peanuts, red beans and mung beans are all soaked down, and they will be boiled up in the morning.¡±


    ¡°well, remember to tell everyone in the kitchen to bathe and change tonight, and anyone whoes to the water will be turned away tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes...¡±


    Ye Jiayao, as well as remember, the feeling in the heart, the ancient sacrifice can be really grand ah, so many rules.


    At ten o¡¯clock the next day, everyone got up. It was still dark. Everyone went to the ancestral hall.


    Ye Jiayao eyelids are not open, all sour and soft, heartints, a donkey, know today to sacrifice, but also hard to torment her, endless, almost did not break her old waist.


    She suspected that the man was obsessed with the note, and that he was tormenting her on purpose.


    When we got to the ancestral hall, Uncle San and his family were already there.


    I hadn¡¯t seen Zhou for days, and when I heard she¡¯d been lying in bed for days, I didn¡¯t think she¡¯de.


    Zhou did not want toe, her face that day is lost, but ancestor worship is a top priority, she did not dare note, this point she still has.


    See Ye Jiayao, Zhou heart that hate ah! Several times in her hands, this little bitch is the bane of her existence.


    Turning a blind eye to Zhou¡¯s cold gaze, she stood calmly with him.


    Youshi points a few people, cu eyebrow way: ¡°Three Young Masters and three young grandmas how to not arrive?¡±

 Chapter 206 - Importance of peace

    <h4>Chapter 206: Importance of peace</h4>


    The Lord was not happy either. To miss the hour would be a great disrespect to the gods of our ancestors.


    ¡°send someone to ask,¡± the master said in a deep voice.


    ¡°they areing,¡± said Xia Chunli


    Everyone toward the door look, see Xia Chunfeng support the limping ss slowly walk.


    ¡°What¡¯s... What¡¯s going on?¡± Yusuf asked in surprise.


    Chun Feng said: st night carelessly to the ankle sprain, think nothing serious, rubbing with wine, the result today up, swollen not like.¡±


    ¡°that you still let her go to the ground, also very not sensible.¡± You Shi Bo berates a way.


    ss lightly cu eyebrow, like endure pain, reluctantly exhibition Yan, Wen Wan Way: ¡°Don¡¯t me him, ancestor worship is a big thing, Hope didn¡¯t dy the hour just good.¡±


    Hou Ye see her like this still strong toe over, under the heart of the ss impression greatly improved, think of the child just don¡¯t understand, Wayward Point, the nature is still good.


    ¡°Begin!¡± The Lord said simply, and the ceremony began.


    First is the worship of heaven, after the ancestor worship, male in front, female family in the back, Grand Kowtow, extremely cumbersome.


    Ye Jiayao secretly observe ss, but see herme feet, get up kneeling are very difficult, but is meticulous toplete each action. Such ss is really strange ah, it is the power of Love?


    After the sacrifice was over, it was time for you to send someone to carry the soft sedan chair and let the colored ze go back. He urged that his feet should be healed. Don¡¯t go to the ground these days, or you will be in trouble if you fall into the root of your illness, he also told the bell keeper to send for the Doctor. Apparently, he was nervous about Liuli¡¯s foot injury.


    Everyone also went back to their rooms, ateba porridge, ye Jiayao crooked in bed, kneading the sour waist humming and chirping: ¡°in fact, the person who should sit in the sedan chair is me, I did not a ce does not hurt, the bones are almost broken.¡±


    Xia chunyuughs at way: ¡°want to sit a sedan chair son also have a saying, your reason has colored ze so just?¡±


    Ye Jiayao cruelly gouged his eye: ¡°you still have the nerve to say, you this culprit.¡±


    Xia Chunyu came over and smiled. ¡°you don¡¯t have a sedan chair. At least someone is giving you a massage! It hurts all over, doesn¡¯t it? Come on, I¡¯ll give you a full body massage.¡±


    Looking at his ill-intentioned manner, ye Jiayao startled: ¡°go away, go away, don¡¯t youe hypocritical.¡±


    ¡°How is hypocritical? I have the sincerity very good.¡± The summer chunyu can not help but say of press her on the bed.


    ¡°it is daytime now, if somebodyes in to seeter, still let not let a person live...¡± ye Jiayao hurriedly struggles, he wants to toss about again, she had to crawl.


    Look at her that panicky look, Xia Chunyu mood iparable good, deliberately tease her: ¡°you behave well, the people are very sensible, did not get summons, who wille in? Peace of mind!¡±


    Rx my ass, these two days have been too unrestrained, full of tricks, let herpletely overwhelmed.


    He was held down can not move, a pair of big hands in her back rub, from the shoulders to the tailbone, where a piece of acid numbness, but also very bad fun to explore her body.


    Ye Jiayao just about to scream, he left again, continue from the tail start press, along the spine of a section of the upward. To the ribs, his fingers are not honest to her chest drill, low with a smile of evil charm: ¡°Here Rise?¡±


    Ye Jiayao is about to cry, this is not called massage ah, is clearly provocative, tease, make her hot, dry, hot up.


    At this rate, she¡¯ll lose the gate again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t press it. I¡¯m much better now.¡±


    ¡°so effective?¡±


    ¡°HMMM, really much better.¡± Ye Jiayao a face sincerely nodded, only looking forward to this grinding massage soon end.


    ¡°really?¡±


    ¡°mm-hmm, really.¡±


    ¡°well, since there¡¯s nothing else to do at the moment, why don¡¯t...¡± he leaned over, his hot breath breathing down her neck, and tickling her soft ears with the tip of his tongue.


    She wanted to say no, absolutely no, but as soon as she said it, it turned out to be: ¡°Why not?¡±


    The smell of disorder, the flush of the face, the watery eyes, this line of questioning had the effect of suggestion and encouragement.


    Xia Chun was ready to go. Seeing her so charming, she spoke softly. Where was she still restrained? She broke the tie between the two of them and stretched out her hand to the private and secret ce, xia Chun in exultation, a hand buckle her slender waist, a straight body, so from behind the top in.


    These two days make hard, that ce hot pain, although it is wet, but can not help his so strong attack, Ye Jiayao head buried in the pillow, thin moan. They had been together for a long time, and they could feel his temper in bed and in business. If she kept silent, he would get even worse, and he would insist that she make a sound. If she was too emotional, it would be even worse, he¡¯s gonna turn into a monster.


    Of course, she was more worried about being heard by the outside world, at the moment, jo-hee is still cherry, right outside, she¡¯s not an ancient, she doesn¡¯t mind doing this during the day, but she¡¯s surrounded by the ancients, proiming by day, that¡¯s what horny women do.


    ¡°Yao Yao, is this all right? Is this all right?¡± He backed out slowly and pushed deep into the tight, hot interior,fortable only to sigh.


    Can she say no? Can you say ¡°sad¡±? Did It Work? Ye Jiayao hummed at random.


    Seeing that she did not answer, he withdrew and lifted her waist, making her kneel on the bed, and again went in. It was daylight, the light was bright, the perfect curve of the waist, the fullness of the hips, the fullness of the hips, and the mystery of the region is clear, see his eyes a red, start hard.


    Ye Jiayao Shivers uncontrobly, every time he pushes in, all seem to use all one¡¯s strength, too deep, can not stand... she has to whine to beg.


    ¡°easy, easy... I¡¯m dying...¡±


    No, it was almost there, as he understood it. She thought she would just grit her teeth and hold on a little longer, but today he didn¡¯t seem to want to be so quick as she wanted. He slowed down his pace and applied a gentle force, and when she had calmed down a little, another violent storm.


    Also do not know how long, Ye Jiayao a pool of water like the paralysis on the bed, he was lying on her body, and did not withdraw, let those scorching stay inside for a while, is it easy to get pregnant?


    ¡°Ye Jiayao tired to exhaustion, dry lips dry mouth dry, Sad Way:¡± you also control some, my waist acid can not walk


    ¡°yours will be here soon enough not to touch you for days,¡± he said dejectedly, plucking at her disheveled hair.


    ¡°that you also can not toss about in the grave!¡± Ye Jiayao fire big, Nyima County, is originally saved this thought.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Josh to get some hot water, and I¡¯ll carry you to a Hot Bath?¡±


    ¡°do not.¡± In broad daylight soak in a hot bath, deeply afraid that people do not know what they did?


    Until soon to dinner, Xia Chunyu just put him up, see her listless, is really very tired, can not help but send a kind heart: ¡°let you have a good rest tonight.¡±


    Ye Jiayao squinted at him, deeply skeptical of his assurances.


    At lunch time, ss did note, you let people send ss favorite dishes to eat.


    The servant girl delivers a rice toe back, you shi asks again: ¡°Did 3 Little Grandma Eat? Foot injury can have better?¡±


    The servant girl said: ¡°The Three Little Grandmas are eating, let madam you don¡¯t need to worry about, a few dayster the swelling subsided.¡±


    You¡¯s face rxed a point, to Ye Jiayao and Joe¡¯s way: ¡°she is more and more sensible, I said to call a doctor to see, she refused, said that is lest disturb the queen mother, let the Queen Worry.¡±


    Ye Jiayao found Joe more and more like a king: ¡°third sister-inw is changed a lot, to say, this is all the mother¡¯s contribution, third sister-inw before one also told me that she grew up without a mother, her mother is really good to her, just like mother.¡±


    You¡¯s Smile of relief, she has been worried about the handle of this noble daughter-inw, now it seems that she is overanxious.


    Ye Jiayao apanyugh, but in the mind can not be so optimistic, ss a change of normal, easily won you¡¯s heart, especially today to participate in the sacrifice, it seems that even the Lord also on her face and a lot of pleasure.


    She is absolutely do not believe in Liuli to seriously do a filial daughter-inw, do a gentle wife, Liuli in this home more favored, for her, is not a good thing.


    We¡¯ll see! I hope she¡¯s wrong.


    In the afternoon, Xia Chunyu went to the study, let ye Jiayao safely slept a nap.


    When she got up, the two of them went to the House of Helen.


    Laba festival, the court ording to the usual holiday, so Xiaojing also in the house.


    We all sat in the ancestral home and talked.


    ¡°hear, you made a gift box again, see, all sent to me here.¡± The old ancestor cackles a way.


    Ye Jiayao Guan er way: ¡°those cakes, suitable for thedy, I specially brought my grandmother easily digestible.¡±


    Jiang Yue holds a food box at the right time.


    ¡°or do you have the heart to bring me food from time to time.¡± The ancestors were happy to call people up.


    ¡°as long as Grandma doesn¡¯t mind,¡± ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°the old ancestor just won¡¯t disrelish what you do, the old ancestor¡¯s stomach is fed by you diao, now the old ancestor is disrelish the cook in the house, I changed two cooks, the old ancestor is still not satisfied!¡± Princess Yi de Chang said with a smile.


    The old ancestorughed and said, ¡°you make me sound so difficult to please.¡±


    ¡°I was just boasting about Jin Xuan!¡± Princess Yi de-changughed.


    ¡°that¡¯s true,¡± said the old ancestor, ¡°but I don¡¯t deny that what Jane Xuan has done is most to my taste.¡±.


    ¡°the old ancestor, the most disadvantageous person is me, the Jin Xuan is thinking of you, is thinking of the Elder in the home, I want to let her do some to eat, she is all toozy to answer me.¡± The Summer Chunyu calls Qu.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a look, you ya toss about the people are almost falling apart, still want me to do for you to eat? Nice try.


    It made the ancestorsugh andugh.


    Xiaojingughed with him, but she was worried. Yao Yao¡¯s face didn¡¯t look so good. She looked even thinner than at the cook-off. Didn¡¯t she have a good time at the pce?


    Helian Jing might have those doubts, but he couldn¡¯t get the chance to ask Yaoyao with Xia Chunyu following around.


    With no other choice, he looked at Jiang Yue meaningfully before walking out.


    Jiang Yue was confused but when he saw the Young Royal Highness walked out, she followed quietly.


    Chunyu noticed but chose not to say anything.


    ¡°Yue, is your master sick?¡± Little Jing asked outside the room.


    ¡°N¡­No, she¡¯s not,¡± Jiang Yue answered.


    ¡°Then why did she lose so much weight?¡±


    Jiang Yue has been with the Second Young Lady every minute of every day so she hasn¡¯t noticed the change. However, as she thought about it, she realized that the Second Young Lady has indeed lost some weight. Perhaps it was because of the drama with the Heir-son Lord, or maybe it was the overloading business at Heavenly Residence.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because she¡¯s been working too much! The bakery and the restaurant are both doing good!¡± Jiang Yue didn¡¯t dare to mention the drama between the Second Young Lady and the Heir-son Lord.


    Yaoyao was already ady at the Marquis¡¯ mansion, why was she still working hard? It wasn¡¯t like Brother Chunyu needed the money. They should be prioritizing health over money.


    ¡°Advice your master not to wear herself out. Health should still be her number one priority,¡± he told Jiang Yue.


    ¡°I will,¡± she answered obediently.


    Little Jing also ordered Ping An to take some cubilose and ginseng to Yaoyaoter.


    Back in the house, Princess Yu De was busy talking about the uing Spring Festival.


    ¡°Since Xuan¡¯s not home, we¡¯ll just be having a gathering feast within the family. It¡¯s on the twenty-seventh so you better clear your schedule for that.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯lle in earlier so I can make us a great meal,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    The Old Ancestress said, ¡°You are already busy, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get even busier during the Spring festival. You need to rest. Look at you, you have lost some weight since Ist saw you. Chunyu, have you not been treating Jinxuan well?¡±


    Xia Chunyu quickly replied with exaggerated sadness, ¡°Old Ancestress, I am under her thumb. I don¡¯t and can¡¯t treat her bad in any way.¡±


    Ye Jiayao held the urge to roll her eyes and worked hard to keep a shy smile on her face.


    The Old Acestressughingly said, ¡°Yeah, I bet you don¡¯t have the guts to do that. Besides, you know I won¡¯t allow you to bully her.


    ¡°Ease up, Old Ancestress,¡± Yu De defended. ¡°Xia You has told me that ever since they got married, all that was on Chunyu¡¯s mind is his wife. She evenined that he has no more room in his heart for his mom.¡±


    ¡°My mom is exaggerating,¡± Chunyu told them, trying not tough. ¡°I am not that obvious!¡±


    The rest of them burst intoughter.


    As they headed off, Little Jing walked the couple to the door. Ping An handed him two bags and Little Jing, in turn, gave it to Chunyu. ¡°Mother wants you guys to have these.¡±


    Xia Chunyu took the bag with a wary smile. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Back in the Jing An Marquis Mansion, Xia Chunyu waited for Yaoyao to walk inside before turning to Jiang Yue.


    ¡°What did the Young Royal Highness say to you?¡± he asked.


    Jiang Yue¡¯s eyes widened, surprised that the Heir-son Lord knew about it. She couldn¡¯t lie to him, but she also knew that she couldn¡¯t tell him the full truth. The Second Young Lady and the Heir-son Lord has just made up, she doesn¡¯t want to risk saying anything that might cause any problem again. ¡°Young Royal Highness just asked whether the Second Young Lady is sick as she looked off. I told him that she¡¯s just been busy with the bakery and the restaurant.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a bit before waving Jiang Yue away.


    Of course, he was upset that Little Jing still cared about Yaoyao, but he was more upset that he hasn¡¯t noticed the change in Yaoyao. Even the Old Ancestress with her bad eyesight could tell that Yaoyao has lost some weight.


    Ye Jiayao opened the two paper bags was surprised to see cubilose and ginseng. She was almost certain that this was all Little Jing¡¯s idea and that Princess Yu De had nothing to do with it.


    Qiao Xi suddenly walked in and told her in quiet tones, ¡°Second Young Lady, the First Young Mistress paid a visit to the Third Young Mistress this afternoon and stayed for quite a while. Lady Yulian and Third Madame also visited the Third Young Mistress while you were out. Should you do the same too?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought about it. It might just be a sprained ankle, but for it to happen to someone with Liu Li¡¯s status, it¡¯s a big deal. If she didn¡¯t at least appear concerned, she woulde off as rude.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and said, ¡°Get some top gtin ready. It¡¯s good for promoting blood cirction. We¡¯ll go after dinner.¡±


    After dinner, just before Ye Jiayao was about to announce that she was going to visit Liu Li, Xia You said, ¡°Second Daughter-inw,e with me to visit Liu Li.¡±


    Xia You was worried about Liu Li¡¯s injury, but she also wanted to put the animosity between Liu Li and Jinxuan to rest. She figured if she was there to mediate, it would lessen the awkwardness between the two young girls.


    Ye Jiayao quickly said, ¡°I was just about to go to her. I had some top gtin prepared for her.¡±


    Xia You nodded, pleased that Jinxuan was so sensible.


    Chunfeng was rubbing medicinal liquor to Liu Li¡¯s ankle but she kept yelling due to the pain.


    ¡°Just stay still. This will help you heal faster,¡± Chunfeng said helplessly.


    ¡°But you are rubbing way too hard!¡± Liu Li cried out. ¡°Let Little Ya do it.¡±


    He snorted. ¡°She would never be able to do it. One cry from you and she¡¯ll immediately stop.¡±


    Little Ya nodded in agreement. Prince Consort was right.


    ¡°Princess, Madame and Second Young Lady are here,¡± a servant reported.


    Chunfeng packed up everything hurriedly and gently put Liu Li¡¯s leg back into the quilt, while Liu Li wiped her tears away.


    The smell of medicine was prominent as Ye Jiayao and Xia You stepped in.


    Liu Li pretended to get up to greet her but Xia You stopped her.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to get up. Just stay lying down.¡±


    ¡°Mother, I feel bad that you came here despite such bad weather,¡± Liu Li said shyly.


    Xia You smiled and said, ¡°Jinxuan was about toe to visit you so I tagged along. I was worried and wanted to see how you¡¯re doing. I know that Chunfeng doesn¡¯t know how to take care of others.¡±


    Little Ya chimed in, ¡°Madame, Third Young Master has been taking good care of the Princess. He was just rubbing some medicine on her ankle before you came in.¡±


    Chunfeng raised his brows yfully at his mom. He might not be good at taking care of other sicknesses, but he¡¯s seen plenty of injuries and wounds.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, thank you for visiting me,¡± Liu Li said to Jinxuan. ¡°I¡¯m actually okay now. I¡¯m sorry for giving you guys so much trouble.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°We are family, it¡¯s no trouble. You just have to take care of that sprain so it heals faster. I brought you some top gtin for blood cirction.


    She thought that the reason Xia You wanted her to apany her to her visit to Liu Li was out of worry. It wasn¡¯t until she heard what You said that she understood the real reason why.


    Liu Li smiled. ¡°Second Sister-inw, I rather you bring me a cake. I¡¯m so done with medicines.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you one tomorrow,¡± said Ye Jiayao generously.


    They sat down and chatted for a while before heading off.


    Chunfeng walked them out.


    As soon as they were out of earshot, Liu Li pushed the gtin that Jinxuan brought and ordered, ¡°Throw this away, Little Ya.¡±


    ¡°Princess, it¡¯s a shame to throw a gift away. Even if you don¡¯t want it, you can give it to others,¡± Little Ya reasoned.


    Liu Li snorted. ¡°Looking at her gifts makes me sick.¡±


    Little Ya persuaded, ¡°Princess, your injury has drawn Madame¡¯s attention and care to you. The more that Madame thinks and worries about you, the more she¡¯s pulling away from the Second Young Mistress. You can¡¯t risk falling out of her favor by doing anything bad again.¡±


    Liu Li sighed. Little Ya was right. If she was to win against Jinxuan, she needs to y nice long enough to win over others¡¯ hearts and get Jinxuan to drop her guard.


    The n of spraining her ankle came from Little Ya. Little Ya said that it would gain her sympathy from everyone and it did. With all the attention and care she¡¯s getting, the pain she had to endure was worth it.


    Liu Li looked at Little Ya appreciatively. Her servant might look submissive but she has some smart ideas. Ideas that were way better than Mother Shu¡¯s.


    On the way back, Ye Jiayao kept recalling her interaction with Liu Li. She was so¡­ nice. She couldn¡¯t find any crack with her actions which led her to question if Liu Li has had a change of heart.


    Was Liu Li being genuine or did she just get better at deception?


    At night, as they were lying on the bed, Ye Jiayao mentioned the meeting to Chunyu.


    ¡°You think Liu Li has actually be nicer?¡± she asked.


    Chunyu, who was more focused on his reading, replied absent-mindedly, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that she¡¯s getting along with Chunfeng pretty welltely, and he seems to be in a good mood as well.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean that Chunfeng has changed Liu Li?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. Since she has caused so much dramast time, I think she realized that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager won¡¯t always be on her side. If she wants to be happy, she has to get along with Chunfeng. If she wants to get along with Chunfeng, she has no other choice but to change her attitude.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at the patterns on top of the bed, deep in thought.


    What Chunyu said was right. Maybe Liu Li had turned a new leaf. Maybe she was just overthinking this whole thing.


    Xia Chunyu pinched the tip of her nose lightly. ¡°Stop woolgathering. Don¡¯t you want them to get along peacefully? What else are you worried about? Go to sleep. I¡¯m going to do some more reading.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned and cuddled up to him, throwing her legs over his.


    ¡°Okay, don¡¯t stay up toote.¡± With her head on his arm, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.


    Desire rose up in Chunyu with the feel of her soft warm body wrapped around him. He was about to say something when he saw the dark circles under her eyes. She needed her rest.


    So, Xia Chunyu took a deep breath, ordered himself to calm down, and turned his attention back to his book.

 Chapter 207 - Guilty

    <h4>Chapter 207: Guilty</h4>


    As the year approached, all the bad mojo has seemed to finally pass, adding a bit of joy to the Spring Festival.


    Since Heavenly Residence would be closing on the eve of the Spring Festival, Ye Jiayao called all the guys together after lunch. She distributed red packets to everyone as a bonus for their hard work this year.


    All the workers were smiling andughing as they received their heavy red envelope. They could finally have a good Spring Festival.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°This is a thank you for all the hard work that you have exerted for me and the restaurant.¡±


    She made sure to add more than usual in the red envelopes that she gave out. These workers have more than earned her generosity.


    ¡°I also want to tell you that from now on, five percent of the proceeds each year will be distributed amongst you as a reward. As long as you work hard, you have a share,¡± she continued.


    Everyone was stunned as they quickly calcted the math in their brains. If the restaurant¡¯s good business continues, they could be looking at at least a thousand silvers yearly. For the people who are getting paid only a couple of silvers a month, that was an astronomical figure.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t done. ¡°And if you stay with Heavenly Residence until you are fifty years old, you will be getting an allowance from the restaurant every month for the rest of your life.¡±


    Pensions were a part of the modern social welfare system. She wanted to bring that kind of benefit to her restaurant since it doesn¡¯t exist in ancient times. Not only that her workers deserve this, but it would also fortify their loyalty to the restaurant. It¡¯s a definite win for both parties.


    Ye Jiayao looked at everyone¡¯s shocked faces andughed. ¡°What? Do you not believe me? I can have all of these written into a contract if you¡¯d like more assurance.¡±


    ¡°No, no! It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t believe you, Second Young Lady. It¡¯s just too generous and unexpected,¡± Zhong Xiang said.


    Deng Haichuan said, ¡°Second Young Mistress, I will be working for Heavenly Residence until I can¡¯t work anymore.¡±


    Everyone echoed the same sentiment.


    They were lucky to have found such a good master like the Second Young Mistress. It was clear that she values them from the way she takes care of their needs. Now, they wouldn¡¯t need to worry about food and other expenses when they get old.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at everyone. This was a motivation for them to work harder and to work smarter. This type of loyal employees will guarantee that Heavenly Residence would continue to be prosperous in the future.


    Manager Zhao was in awe of the Second Young Lady. He has been in the business for years and he has met a lot of bosses and reviewed a lot of policies. Not one of those people couldpete with the Second Young Mistress. She¡¯s business savvy with a heart of gold. It was a great and unexpectedbination.


    She has inspired loyalty and hard work from her employees without a single threat or punishment. They were loyal and they work hard because they wanted to please her, and that was rare in the industry.


    In the middle of everyone cheering, Little Shao, Zhao Qixuan¡¯s servant, came with two cars filled with coconuts.


    Ye Jiayao has been thinking about these coconuts, but she knew that it wouldn¡¯t be easy to ship from the south so she refrained from badgering Qixuan. She wasn¡¯t expecting them toe on a holiday.


    ¡°These coconuts arrived just this morning and the Heir-son Lord told me to get it to you as soon as possible,¡± Little Shao said with a smile.


    ¡°This is great!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed. ¡°How much do these cost?¡±


    Little Shao said, ¡°The Heir-son Lord said that he didn¡¯t spend that much on these. He said it¡¯s a gift for the Second Young Lady for the New Year.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the two carts filled with coconuts. She didn¡¯t know how much coconuts cost in this era and there was no way to estimate the value.


    She called Cui Dongpeng to take six gift boxes from the pastry shop and gave them to Little Shao to bring back. ¡°Your Madame likes to eat these. Take this back to her as my gift.¡±


    Little Shao shook his head and said, ¡°The Heir-son Lord said not to take anything from you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and insisted, ¡°This is a gift for the Lord¡¯s wife. I was going to send it to her, but since you¡¯re already here, you can just take it to her.¡±


    Little Shao still refused to take it.


    Ye Jiayao gave up. She would have to deliver these boxes herself.


    Back at the mansion, Ye Jiayao asked the servants to move the carts of coconuts to her yard. Qiao Xi and the others have never seen a coconut before and found it strange.


    ¡°What is this used for?¡± someone asked Jiang Yue curiously.


    Jiang Yue shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but the Second Young Lady said that they can be made into something delicious.¡±


    After Ye Jiayao has made sure that all the coconuts were properly stocked, she headed over to the Helian Mansion to help cook for the dinner that they were having that night.


    When she got to the pce, she headed straight to the kitchen and started preparing ingredients.


    She was cutting some fish bones when Little Jing came in and eximed, ¡°Yaoyao, stop! The Old Ancestress told you to rest!¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t cooked for the Old Ancestress for a long time. I have learned some new vegetarian dishes and I want to make it for her.¡±


    ¡°You can do that another time!¡±


    Ye Jiayao only smiled and said, ¡°What better time than the Spring Festival dinner?¡±


    Since Little Jing couldn¡¯t persuade her, he just pulled up a stool and watched her work. He hasn¡¯t talked to her much these past few months.


    ¡°My brother won the battle,¡± he began.


    ¡°I heard it from Chunyu. I hope that the war ends soon so Big Brother cane back.¡±


    Little Jing snorted. ¡°Not so fast. If we do notpletely eliminate Azhake, there would always be trouble.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt bad for the soldiers who have to fight. Instead of spending the festival with their loved ones, they were out there risking their lives.


    ¡°I also heard that Qixuan and Susu will go south after the new year,¡± Little Jing continued.


    Ye Jiayao thought about the border trade. Were they going south for that? That journey would take months. ¡°When will they leave?¡±


    ¡°After the fifteenth! It¡¯s getting more and more boring. First, you and Chunfeng got married, and now they¡¯re leaving. Who will I hang out with?¡± heined.


    ¡°Get married then,¡± she suggested with augh.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. Besides, I don¡¯t have someone that I fancy.¡± He couldn¡¯t say that the person she liked was snatched by another guy. Where could he find another Yaoyao?


    ¡°Give it time. Maybe you¡¯ll meet someone someday,¡± she assured him.


    Before he could stop himself, Little Jing blurted out, ¡°I won¡¯t like anyone else that¡¯s not like you.¡±


    The two of them suddenly went quiet, the air around them tensing.


    Ye Jiayao felt awkward. She knew that Little Jing used to like her, but since it¡¯s been so long and she¡¯s married now, she thought he has moved on. Apparently not.


    ¡°I¡¯m just joking,¡± Little Jing said.


    Ye Jiayao gave a nervous chuckle and changed the topic. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go out and visit some friends before dinner? Now that you are in the military department, you have to socialize.


    Little Jing couldn¡¯t say that he was deliberately staying at home today because he knew that she would being.


    ¡°If I run out now before dinner, Mother would have my hide.¡±


    There was another moment of silence before Little Jing hesitantly asked, ¡°Are you¡­ are things going well for you in the mansion?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded reassuringly at him. ¡°Yes. Very good.¡±


    ¡°Did Liu Li?try to make trouble for you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. If she tries anything, you can go to Mother. Mother is her aunt, after all. She¡¯ll listen to her.¡±


    ¡°I will. Thank you.¡±


    The more Little Jing shows his concern, the more ufortable she was getting.


    ¡°If you have been wronged in any way, you can tell me. I won¡¯t even tell Brother Chunyu.¡±


    ¡°Who would dare to bully me?¡± Ye Jiayao teased. ¡°You know how fierce I am!¡±


    Little Jing didn¡¯tugh. ¡°I¡¯m serious. If you want to talk, I¡¯ll always listen. You can treat it as if you¡¯re talking to your little brother.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Well, with my brother supporting me, I am even more confident,¡± she said. She was already treating him like her little brother. Now, if he could just treat her as his big sister, they¡¯d be golden.


    When Ping An came in and told them that Xia Chunyu has arrived, Little Jing stood up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overexert yourself. Old Ancestress would be happy with just a few dishes. I¡¯m going to greet Brother Chunyu.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and watched him leave, heaving a sigh of relief. She could finally concentrate on cooking now.


    When Xia Chunyu arrived at the Helian mansion and found out that Little Jing was with Yaoyao in the kitchen, he immediately got upset. Although he knew that it¡¯s impossible for Yaoyao and Little Jing to ever get together, he still couldn¡¯t help but be jealous.


    Handing the gift to a servant, Xia Chunyu went to greet Princess Yu De and the Old Ancestress.


    A few momentster, Little Jing came to greet him too.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Where were you? I¡¯ve been looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I was with a guest for some time. When I found out that you got here, I quickly sent him away,¡± Little Jing said casually.


    Xia Chunyu was quiet as he sipped his tea, the knot in his heart throbbing. Why did he have to lie? If his intentions were innocent, there was no need to lie.


    The guilt was painted on his face.

 Chapter 208 - Someone From the Ye Family

    <h4>Chapter 208: Someone From the Ye Family</h4>


    On the carriage ride back home, as Ye Jiayao leaned against Chunyu¡¯s arms, she began, ¡°I heard that Qixuan¡¯s being forced to marry.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ yeah. Su Xiang¡¯s actually looking for a wife for Su Yi,¡± Xia Chunyu replied.


    ¡°Why are they still forcing this issue? Everyone knows that those two are gay. Why can¡¯t they let them go?¡± Ye Jiayao expressed. ¡°One day, they¡¯re gonna push too hard and force those two to elope.¡±


    She had a feeling that Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi¡¯s n for the border trade involves finding a way out for themselves. It wouldn¡¯t surprise her if they don¡¯te back.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°Eloping wouldn¡¯t be that easy. Knowing Su Xiang¡¯s temper, he will chase Susu to the ends of the earth. Qixuan is the Heir-son Lord of the Yong An mansion, he has huge responsibilities. His father doesn¡¯t care about his sexuality as long as he could give the mansion a son, but if he elopes¡­¡±


    ¡°How will Qixuan give them a son? Is he gonna marry a girl and keep her around as a decoration? Is she just supposed to be a vessel for his child? No family would dare subject their daughter to that,¡± Ye Jiayao protested.


    ¡°There is. As long as they reap the benefits of their daughter being married to an Heir-son Lord, they wouldn¡¯t care whatever happens to her.?Just like your father.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a father,¡± she snapped. The mere mention of her family sets Ye Jiayao on edge.


    Xia Chunyu tightened his arm around her, providing her with much-neededfort.


    When they got back to the mansion, the concierge reported, ¡°Heir-son Lord, your brother-inw is here. He¡¯s in the lobby at the moment with Third Young Master.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu exchanged a confused look.


    ¡°Is it Zhongyuan?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. ¡°Is he alone?


    The concierge replied, ¡°He came alone and he brought many gifts.¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned to her and asked, ¡°Would you like me toe with you?¡±


    She hesitated. If Zhongyuan came here, it must be under the orders of Ye Binghuai. It seemed as though her father was too much of a coward to see her himself so he sent someone else to do his dirty work. Was he trying to repair their rtionship or was there another motive behind this?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go alone,¡± she finally said.


    When Ye Jiayao got to the lobby, she saw Chunfeng and Zhongyuan talking.


    Upon seeing her, Chunfeng stood up and greeted, ¡°Second Sister, you¡¯re finally back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°Thank you for keeping my brotherpany. You can go about your business now.¡±


    Chunfeng nodded and took his leave.


    Zhong Yuan got up and bowed. ¡°Big Sister.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at her younger brother with a slight smile. He seemed to have grown so much taller than thest time she saw him. She also remembered him being indifferent to her. This new respectful attitude was a first for her.


    ¡°When did youe to Jin Ling?¡± she asked as she sat down.


    ¡°I just arrived this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Have you visited your mother and your second sister yet?¡±


    ¡°They are both in Yangzhou. I just came to see you and give you some specialties from Yangzhou. I will be leaving tomorrow,¡± he told her.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at him. ¡°You¡¯re very thoughtful. Thank you.¡±


    Zhong Yuan opened his mouth to say something but seemed to think better of it. He wasn¡¯t sure how to act around Jinxuan since he¡¯s never really even talked to her before. His parents said that he should be careful around her since she has a higher status now and has connections to high ces. As he looked at her now, she did seem different from when she was living back at their home.


    He also couldn¡¯t understand the cautious and humble look on her face. Wasn¡¯t she a noble now? His mother said that Jinxuan was simply pretending to be poor, wearing old clothes when she has perfectly good clothes at her disposal. She said that Jinxuan was also telling people that she has been treated badly. He knew that it was true, though. Second Sister even came up with a n to get her killed.


    That was the reason he was reluctant toe here. He felt that it was too shameless to appear just like this after all the horrible things his family has done to her. However, his father told him that he¡¯s the only one from the Ye family that could talk to Jinxuan.


    Ye Jiayao saw his hesitation and asked, ¡°Where are you nning to stay? In your second sister¡¯s home?¡±


    Zhong Yuan shook his head and answered, ¡°I was nning to go to an inn.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, you can stay here. The mansion has a lot of empty rooms. I just thought that your mother has already made arrangements for you,¡± she said.


    Zhong Yuan stayed silent. He would¡¯ve rather stayed at an inn.


    ¡°I will have someone get a room ready, go rest first. I will have someone call you when it¡¯s time for dinner.¡±


    Ye Jiayao then called a servant to escort Zhong Yuan before walking out.


    ¡°Big Sister,¡± Zhong Yuan called.


    She turned around and asked, ¡°Do you need something else?¡±


    Zhong Yuan knew that if he doesn¡¯t say it now, he might never get another chance. ¡°Big Sister¡­ I hope that you visit Yangzhou after the new year. Your grandparents want to see you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled humorlessly. Ye Binghuai thought that he could use her grandparents to manipte her.


    ¡°Zhong Yuan, I¡­ I have a lot more responsibilities now. I can¡¯t just go anywhere whenever I want to,¡± she said perfunctorily.


    ¡°No matter what your responsibilities are, you still need to make time for your grandparents. Big Sister, they miss you very much,¡± Zhong Yuan said, his tone almost pleading.


    Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Miss her? Ha! More like they wanted to exploit her new status as a noble. She knew that her grandparents were extremely sexist. If they could get away with it, they would only be acknowledging Zhong Yuan since he¡¯s the only grandson. She knew that if she hadn¡¯t married into a Marquis¡¯ family, her grandparents wouldn¡¯t have given any damn about her.


    ¡°Once Father has done what he¡¯s supposed to do, I will return,¡± Ye Jiayao said firmly and then walked away.


    Zhong Yuan was crestfallen. He knew that Big Sister was talking about his father divorcing his mother.


    He knew that his mother did a lot of wrong things, but she was still his mother.


    Xia Chunyu was waiting for her when she got to their room.


    ¡°What did Zhong Yuan say?¡± he asked her.


    Ye Jiayao took off her cloak and handed it to Jiang Yue. She then took the cup of tea that Qiao Xi handed her before settling down. ¡°He said that I should go visit after the new year. He said that my grandparents want to see me. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Were you close to them? Did they treat you well?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t live in Yangzhou. They seldom make a trip there, and when they do, they don¡¯t care enough to see me. To tell you the truth, I can¡¯t even remember what my grandfather looks like. It¡¯s a bit obvious why they chose this time to reconnect with me.¡±


    He stayed quiet as he thought it over.


    Ye Jiayao, seeing the wheels in his head turning, said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯m not going back while Ning is there.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes narrowed a bit as he told her, ¡°Go rest. I¡¯m going to go see Zhong Yuan. He¡¯s my brother-inw and it¡¯d look bad if I don¡¯t at least wee him here.¡±


    ¡°Just pay your respects. Don¡¯t agree to anything,¡± she warned.


    She might not have any grudges against Zhong Yuan, but he¡¯ still Ning¡¯s son. His loyalty lies with his mother.


    In Liu Li and Chunfeng¡¯s room, Liu Liined to Chunfeng sweetly, ¡°Why were you gone for so long?¡±


    Chunfeng replied, ¡°I had to wee Second Sister¡¯s brother since they weren¡¯t here yet when he arrived.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she disconnected from the Ye family? Why did hee?¡± she asked curiously.


    He simply shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. What I know is that Second Sister is very angry with her family for mistreating her and trying to have her killed. If I were her, I would not wee any of them here.¡±


    ¡°I heard that they have already apologized to her,¡± she said slowly, testing the waters. ¡°Why can¡¯t she let it go? They¡¯re still her family. Besides, it seems like they have learned from their mistakes. Don¡¯t you think that Second Sister-inw is just being too stubborn at this point?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s her decision. We also don¡¯t know the whole story. But I know that Second Sister-inw is not a vengeful person,¡± he defended.


    Liu Li red at him. ¡°Why is she so perfect in your eyes?¡±


    Chunfengughed. ¡°It¡¯s not like that! I was just stating facts.¡±


    He was pleased with how their rtionship was going. Liu Li has changed a lot and everyone has noticed it. He just hoped that they continue like this for the rest of their lives.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Liu Li continued. ¡°I could understand why Ye Ning always favored her own children. That¡¯s simply nature. She gave birth to them, thus they have a natural unbroken bond. Second Sister-inw, for all ounts, was the outsider that she didn¡¯t want.¡±

 Chapter 209 - Agreed

    <h4>Chapter 209: Agreed</h4>


    Ye Jiayao had lost track of time as she lounged around the couch. She was only startled back to reality when she was called to eat.


    ¡°Where is the Heir-son Lord? Has hee back yet?¡± Ye Jiayao asked as she washed her face.


    Qiao Xi responded, ¡°Song Qi just stopped by to say that the Heir-son Lord and your brother have gone to the dining room.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused. Chunyu took Zhong Yuan to the dining room to eat with everyone? He¡¯s really taking this ¡®brother-inw¡¯ thing seriously, wasn¡¯t he?


    She finished washing and quickly headed to the dining room.


    There were two dining rooms in the mansion. If there were no guests, everyone sits at one table. If they have guests, the men and the women would eat at separate tables.


    After dinner, the three daughters-inw along with Xia You retreated to chat.


    A servant handed You the menu for the New Year¡¯s Eve and without even ncing at it, You said, ¡°Give it to the Second Young Lady for approval.¡±


    ¡°Second Sister-inw knows about banquet matters the best,¡± Qiao said with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao looked the menu over. The dishes were all prettymon and it was sure to please everyone¡¯s pte. She said, ¡°I¡¯m gonna change a few dishes and make some that I know Father will love.¡±


    ¡°If you can think of a few Hunan cuisine for the Third Master¡¯s family, that would be great. They grew up there so they¡¯re used to that cuisine,¡± You added.


    The servant, Zhou Xing, said, ¡°Madame, the cooks don¡¯t know how to make Hunan dishes.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that since Second Sister-inw is here,¡± Qiao offered.


    You swept a hard gaze at Qiao and thetter immediately piped down.


    ¡°Second Daughter-inw, teach them how to cook Hunan dishes,¡± You said. She was not going to let Jinxuan cook on?New Year¡¯s Eve!


    ¡°Jiang Yue has been shadowing me for a long time and she knows how to make Hunan cuisine too. I think she can show off her skills on New Year¡¯s Eve,¡± Ye Jiayao said humbly.


    Zhou Xing nodded happily. ¡°That would be good.¡±


    ¡°I have no problem with that,¡± You said.


    Liu Li smiled and chimed in, ¡°I heard that Second Sister-inw¡¯s younger brother is here. Why don¡¯t we invite him to stay for the New Year? Chunfeng said that Zhongyuan is very talkative and quite talented. Second Sister-inw, you¡¯re really lucky to have such an excellent younger brother.¡±


    You asked Jinxuan, ¡°How old is your brother?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s turning fifteen. He was a schr at the age of thirteen,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    Xia You paused and then asked Mother Sun, ¡°Howe no one told me that Jinxuan¡¯s brother is here?¡±


    Mother Sun was stumped since she didn¡¯t know about it either.


    Liu Liughed. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t me Mother Sun. He just arrived a couple of hours ago and since Second Sister-inw and Second Brother-inw wasn¡¯t here yet, Chunfeng was the one who weed him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao observed Liu Li. She was puzzled as to why Liu Li seemed so enthusiastic about Zhongyuan¡¯s visit.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry about it. I have taken care of it,¡± Ye Jiayao assured You.


    ¡°Is your brother here to¡­¡± Xia You trailed off.


    ¡°Just visit me and bring me some goods from Yang Zhou. He¡¯s leaving tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It seems sweet that your family¡¯s always thinking of you,¡± Liu Limented with a fake gentle smile.


    Xia You knew the rtionship between Jinxuan and her family was veryplicated. She trusted Jinxuan¡¯s judgment so she didn¡¯t dare involve herself any further.


    She simply said to Mother Sun, ¡°Prepare some gifts for Jinxuan¡¯s brother to take back home, it¡¯s the polite thing to do.¡±


    As Ye Jiayao was walking out of You¡¯s house, she noticed Chunyu and Zhongyuan on the other side of the yard, walking side by side. They seemed to be talking about something important but for the life of her, she couldn¡¯t guess what it was about.


    She wanted to go to them, but thought better of it and headed to her courtyard instead.


    It was a while before Chunyu came back.


    Ye Jiayao was already in the bed, a warmer set at her foot and a warmer ced in her hands. She was used to aforter and heater, but this would do.


    ¡°Where have you been? What were you and Zhongyuan talking about?¡± she questioned a bit unhappily.


    Xia Chunyu sat down at the bed, reaching into the quilt to touch her feet. Although she already has a warmer, her feet were cold as ice. ¡°Let me go shower first and then I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡±


    Once he has showered and changed, he got into the bed and gathered Yaoyao in his arms. ¡°I learned something from Zhongyuan.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Ye Jiayao burrowed her hand under his shirt and ced them on his warm bare chest.


    ¡°Your father is being impeached and it may endanger his future.¡±


    She gasped softly. So this was the reason her father wanted her toe home.


    ¡°What¡¯s his crime?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Corruption. It¡¯s said that they have some damning evidence so¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s his fault then. It¡¯s not our job to worry about him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu silently sighed. ¡°Yaoyao, he is still your father. You¡¯re still a Ye, whether you like it or not. If he goes down, people would know that he¡¯s your father. He would be known as my father-inw.¡±


    ¡°So what? He did something wrong, he broke thew, he should be punished. Just because he¡¯s rted to someone powerful doesn¡¯t mean that he should be exempted. Thew is hard, but it is thew.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, I talked with Zhongyuan. I think he is a reasonable and smart child. If he¡¯s trained well, he could be sessful. However, if your father¡¯s issue affects him, it¡¯d be hard for him to get a good job. He shouldn¡¯t have to suffer for your father and Ning¡¯s fault,¡± Chunyu reasoned. ¡°Also, the details of your father¡¯s crime are still unclear. The evidence they have were still unknown.¡±


    Her lips twitched. ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°When we go to Zhenjiang, let¡¯s stop by your family home and talk to your father about this,¡± Chunyu suggested.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly sat up. ¡°Chunyu, if my father¡¯s really guilty, are you going to cover it up? You can¡¯t deliberately break thew, Chunyu. Don¡¯t get entangled with my father¡¯s trouble. Just because you like Zhongyuan doesn¡¯t mean that you have to risk your career and morals for him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pulled her back into his arms and said, ¡°Stop spiraling. If I can help, I will. If he¡¯s really guilty then I can¡¯t do anything. I know that you hate your father and Ning, and I don¡¯t have any love lost for them either, but Yaoyao, the Ye family is still your home. Even though the Helian family have adopted you and you will be the Mistress of the mansion one day, you cannotpletely turn your back on them. We cannot just stand by and watch them fall.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood where he wasing from. Really, she did. She just found it so hard to forgive and reconcile the people who made her life a living hell.


    ¡°Zhongyuan told me about your situation back then. I can¡¯t believe that you used to be such a weak person. If you had half the temper that you have right now, I don¡¯t think anyone would¡¯ve dared to mess with you,¡± Chunyu added. It was hard to imagine Yaoyao as the woman that Zhongyuan described. He couldn¡¯t imagine her just sitting there taking the abuse without saying anything.


    ¡°I was enlightened,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a shrug. ¡°The betrayal and the near-death experience changed me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that if her host was still in control of this body, she would¡¯ve died a long time ago.


    He looked at her proudly. ¡°Sometimes, we have to thank those who have hurt us. For better or for worse, they have inspired us to be stronger individuals.¡±


    Early the next morning, Zhongyuan went back to Yang Zhou. He wasn¡¯t expecting his brother-inw to agree with his request, but he was thankful that he did. However, the conditions that his brother-inw raised were a bit difficult to meet.


    Today was New Year¡¯s Eve, but Ye Binghuai was not happy at all. Only the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion could save him, but with Jinxuan¡¯s feelings toward the family, that would be a difficult feat.


    It was all Ning¡¯s fault. If she hadn¡¯t been so horrible and stirred up so much trouble, he wouldn¡¯t be in this situation. He has made up his mind that if he ever survives this, he would start teaching Ning a lesson. His wife has been so sneaky and he was afraid that one day, she¡¯d betray him when it suits her. He couldn¡¯t have that.


    ¡°Master, Third Young Master is back,¡± the housekeeper reported.


    Ye Binghuai¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Tell him toe to see me.¡±


    Ye Zhongyuan stepped into the study and Ye Binghuai hurriedly asked, ¡°How was it?¡±


    ¡°Big Brother-inw has already promised that they will leave to Zhenjiang in the sixth day of the New Year and will stay in Yangzhou for a day.¡±


    Ye Binghuai was overjoyed. Their willingness toe and visit has given him so much hope and assurance.


    ¡°Father, Big Brother-inw has proposed several conditions,¡± Zhongyuan started.


    ¡°What are they?¡±


    With much hardship, Zhongyuan began, ¡°He said that he doesn¡¯t want Mother and Second Sister to be here when theye.¡±


    Ye Binghuai was quiet for a while. ¡°I will discuss this with your mother.¡±


    ¡°Second, he said he hoped that Grandmother and Grandfather won¡¯t use their age to ask for excessive demands.¡±

 Chapter 210 - Tricked

    <h4>Chapter 210: Tricked</h4>


    Although Xia Chunyu agreed to hear Ye Binghuai out, he made sure to put some conditions that would lessen their headache. Still, he knew, that this visit would be taxing for both him and Jinxuan.


    Ye Jiayao has handed the responsibility for the New Year¡¯s Eve banquet to Jiang Yue, but she was still a little concerned so she was watching her work in the kitchen. They have been braising meat since yesterday. They made some braised beef since that was the Old Marquis¡¯ favorite as well as Madame¡¯s favorite smoked fish. The kitchen was the busiest ce in the whole mansion.


    Ye Jiayao was happy with the bustle though. She has always loved how busy New Year preparations get. She also loved the decors, the rednterns, the couplets, the countdowns... basically every New Year tradition. These traditions are slowly being disregarded in modern society so she was very d to see them in full swing here. These traditions show how important family and ¡®home¡¯ are to Chinese culture.


    She especially loved making food and watching her family enjoy it.


    Which is why, despite all of the helpers, she couldn¡¯t resist cooking.


    Jian Yue grumbled, ¡°Second Young Lady, I thought you¡¯re letting me handle this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just going to cook a few dishes,¡± Ye Jiayao said innocently. She turned to one of the cooks and asked, ¡°Is the sweet and sour lotus root ready?¡±


    ¡°Almost, Second Young Lady.¡±


    ¡°Good. Let it rest, cool it down with ice, then pour Osmanthus-scented honey on top,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered as she kneaded the dough of sticky rice into small portions to stuff into pitted dates.


    Zhou Xingjia saw what she was doing andughed. ¡°Second Young Lady, you really are creative, putting so much ir on a simple date.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. The sticky rice date was quite amon cold dish in the modern days, and it was popr in the Heavenly residence too. It¡¯s great for the elderly and the kids.


    ¡°Yaoyao,¡± Ye Jiayao heard Chunyu call. Since when does hee to the kitchen?


    She handed the stuff she was doing to the cook next to her. ¡°Stuff them in just like that.¡±


    She wiped her hands before walking up to her husband. ¡°Why are you here? It¡¯s so messy in here.¡±


    Chunyu¡¯s face was grave as he said, ¡°Come out with me for a bit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was confused but she followed him out of the kitchen. Once they were alone, Chunyu told her, ¡°Someone from the pce came and said that the Empress Dowager wants you to cook her some Fo Tiao Qiang¡­¡±


    Her lips ttened. It was New Year¡¯s Eve today and the Empress Dowager was summoning her to the pce just to feed her appetite?


    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t refuse the Empress Dowager¡¯s call. I¡¯m going to go change.¡± She had a feeling that she wouldn¡¯t be able to make it back home in time for the family gathering.


    Chunyu said, ¡°I¡¯ming with you.¡±


    He was pissed. Since marrying Yaoyao, the Emperor has mentioned a few times how he wanted to eat Yaoyao¡¯s dish but even he didn¡¯t dare to call her. Yaoyao¡¯s ady now, not just some cook at someone¡¯s beck and call. So the fact that the Empress Dowager was calling Yaoyao now, of all days, to cook for her just made it obvious that she was messing with her.


    However, she couldn¡¯t very well refuse the Empress Dowager so all he could do was be with her.


    ¡°What are you gonna do there, work as a kitchenhand? You don¡¯t know how to cook. Just stay home and in case I can¡¯t make it back on time, keep my red packet for me.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll have our packets regardless. I can¡¯t sit through dinner with you not there,¡± he said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. It¡¯ll be okay without me, but if you aren¡¯t there, that would affect everyone¡¯s mood. If you want to make me happy, just stay home,¡± Ye Jiayao persuaded.


    If Chunyu ditches dinner just to be with her, Ye Jiayao knew that it would upset Xia You. Xia You had juste to terms about her son caring deeply for his wife, but if he ditched the whole family for her, it¡¯d set her back again.


    Ye Jiayao changed her clothes and was just about to leave for the pce when Mother Sun came pass Xia You¡¯s message. Her mother-inw said for her to try her best toe back for dinner. She also said that if she couldn¡¯t, they would just gather forte supper.


    Ye Jiayao was touched. It¡¯s nice of Xia You to consider her.


    ¡°Okay, Mother Sun. But please tell Madame, that if I can¡¯t make it back in time, there¡¯s no need to wait for me.¡±


    Mother Sun told Xia You Jinxuan¡¯s response and You was pleased with her daughter-inw¡¯s selflessness. However, she was still quite mad at the Empress Dowager? Who does she think Jinxuan is? Her chef on demand?


    In her room, Liu Li was getting ready. She¡¯s wearing a satin jacket with gold and pink butterflies pattern and fox fur cor. Underneath, she has a jade crepe dress that highlighted her snowy skin and body shape.


    Little Yaplimented, ¡°Princess, you look like a fairy.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that I only look good when I dress up?¡± Liu Li joked.


    Her servant replied hastily, ¡°You are born beautiful, Princess. You are always gorgeous. Why do you think that the Prince Consort can¡¯t take his eyes off of you?¡±


    Liu Li blushed and gave her a look. ¡°Stop teasing me.¡±


    Little Ya giggled. ¡°By the way, the Second Young Lady is in the pce now.¡±


    Liu Li picked a hairpin from the drawer and handed it to Little Ya. ¡°Put this on for me.¡±


    Her servant followed obediently.


    Liu Li looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯m starting the New Year with my enemy out of the way. I finally get a win.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was led to the kitchen the moment she stepped in the pce.


    Lu Yiming handed her a menu shyly, ¡°These are the dishes that the Empress Dowager wants you to cook.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked the menu over and was dibobted. The list has thirty-six dishes, all of it were main courses. She thought that the Empress Dowager only wanted her to cook one dish? It was obvious that she wanted to make her stay for the evening.


    She held in her groan. When will that olddy stop being a pain in her ass?


    However, as upset as she was, it was still a royal banquet so she has to put her 120% in her food. Besides, she couldn¡¯t afford to give the Empress Dowager more ammunition against her.


    Lu Yiming called in two cooks and told her, ¡°The preps for the ingredients are all done. They¡¯re here to help you with whatever you need.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled gratefully. ¡°Okay. Thank you, Chef Lu.¡±


    Lu Yiming continued with his work as Ye Jiayao began hers. This was going to be a long night.


    At the end of the banquet, when the Emperor tasted the Fo Tiao Qiang, he couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Who made this?¡±


    Eunuch Wei whispered, ¡°The Empress Dowager called in the Second Young Lady of the Jing An Marquis mansion to make it.¡±


    The Emperor frowned. It¡¯s New Years¡¯ Eve today, why would the Empress Dowager ask Jinxuan to cook? Was she deliberately messing with her? What would the people in the Jing An Marquis mansion think? He couldn¡¯t help but be embarrassed.


    However, since the banquet¡¯s almosting to an end, the Emperor could only order Eunuch Wei to give her a huge reward and have someone take her home.


    Ye Jiayao walked out of the pce and saw Song Qi waiting for her with a carriage.


    ¡°Second Young Lady, the Heir-son Lord asked me to pick you up. He was going to do it himself, but he got held up by the Old Lord. They¡¯re ying Shuangkou,¡± Song Qi said as he loaded the gifts in the Eunuch¡¯s hand into the carriage.


    Ye Jiayao could not hide herugh. ¡°Father ys Shuangkou too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. First Young Master suggested it and the Old Marquis¡¯ learning really fast.¡±


    ¡°What about Madame?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Madame wanted to y Shuangkou too, but Third Young Lady doesn¡¯t know the rules, so they can only y Madiao. Third Madame is quite skillful at it and she¡¯s winning a fortune.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could imagine Zhou¡¯s eyes glowing in greed.


    She was now more excited to go home since she hasn¡¯t yed these games for a long time. In the modern days, her family would also gather around to y Mahjong after New Years¡¯ Eve dinner while the Spring Festival G ys on the TV. Her dad wouldn¡¯t join any game and instead would make tea and give out food to everyone. It was quite a joyful asion.


    Inside Xia You¡¯s room, the fourdies were sitting around ying Madiao. You held a ready hand, only needing six-Bamboo tiles and nine-Bamboo tiles. However, Zhou was before her and she kept ying character tiles. You was so anxious that she signaled for Qiao to give her some tiles.


    Qiao has been losing all evening and thought that this was her chance to win one round. But when You asked her for some tiles, she couldn¡¯t very well refuse.


    You was just about to celebrate her win when Zhouughed. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting on a six-Bamboo tile for three of a kind! Come on, give me the money people¡­¡±


    Qiao stared open-mouthed at the tiles. Zhou was bleeding her dry!


    Xia You closed her hands into a tight fist.


    Liu Li handed her money without any hesitation. ¡°You¡¯re very lucky today, Third Auntie! You have some skills!¡±


    ¡°Please, I don¡¯t even y that often,¡± Zhou said with fake modesty.


    ¡°Second Young Lady is here,¡± a servant reported just as Ye Jiayao stepped inside.


    Xia You stood up and said, ¡°You y for me, Second Daughter-inw. I want to change up the luck for a bit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took off her cape and handed it to a servant. ¡°Mother, I don¡¯t know much about this.¡±


    Zhou perked up upon hearing Jinxuan say that. She would love to take money from Jinxuan.¡±Just y around with us! Don¡¯t say no to your mother-inw!¡±

 Chapter 211 - Back to Ye’s home

    <h4>Chapter 211: Back to Ye¡¯s home</h4>


    Although Xia Chunyu put up with a few conditions that would give him headaches, but as long as that can fix up the rtionship, he would take any conditions avable, still that old say, there will be many more days toe.


    Inside the Jing An lord mansion, although Ye Jiayao hand over the responsibility of cooking the New Year¡¯s Eve banquet to Jiang Yue, and she¡¯s confidence on it herself, but Ye Jiayao was still a little bit concerned, so she watching at the kitchen. Since yesterday they started on all kinds of braised food, the lord¡¯s favourite braised beef, the madam¡¯s favourite smoked fish, braised ribs and more. Been ying animals for the banquet, the kitchen was the busiest ce in the whole lord mansion.


    Be Ye Jianyao was happy with the busy work, she loved the rich New Year atmosphere, whether it¡¯s rich or poor family, they all took New Year as a great deal, treated it seriously, stuck up door-gods, couplets, rednterns, cutting out rice cakes, put on new clothes, New Year¡¯s Eve dinner, count-downs etc. These traditions that are slowly fading in the modern society, it showed how important the Chinese see the culture of ¡°home¡±, expressed the cohesive power of family, how fortunate it was to gather along with family. Making a feast for the family and watch them enjoy it, she felt tremendously satisfied.


    Therefore, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t hold the urge to do it on her own, other people can¡¯t hold the urge to eat when they see delicious food, but she can¡¯t hold the urge to cook them.


    Jian Yue grumbled: ¡°Second youngdy, you let me handle it, now you are on it again.


    Ye Jiayao: ¡°I¡¯m just going to cook a few dishes, you are still the chef.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­is the sweet and sour lotus root ready?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    One of the cook responded: ¡°Almost ready out of the wok.¡±


    ¡°Good, rest and cool it with ice, then pour Osmanthus-scented honey on top.¡± Ye Jiayao ordered, while kneaded the dough of sticky rice into small potions, to stuff into pitted dates.


    Zhou Xingjia saw andughed: ¡°How delicate is the second youngdy, has so much tricks on just a date.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smile, the sticky rice date was quite amon cold dish in the modern days, which was a popr in the Heavenly residence too, great for elder and kids.


    ¡°Yaoyao.¡± Ye Jiayao heard Chenyu¡¯s voice, thought she misheard, why would Chenyue to the kitchen? She looked up, there he is.


    Ya Jiayao handed over to the cook next to her: ¡°Stuff them in just like that.¡±


    Wiped her hands as she walked up to him: ¡°why are you her? So messy in here.¡±


    Chunyu had a serious face: ¡°Come out with me for a bit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was confused, what¡¯s going on? Who dares mess around on New Years¡¯ time.


    She followed Chunyu out of the kitchen, Chunyu said: ¡°Some one came to the pce.¡±


    ¡°For me?¡± Ye Jiayao joked.


    Out of surprise, Chunyu nodded: ¡°For the New Years¡¯ Eve dinner, the queen mother wants to have Fo tiao qiang dish, Yaoyao¡­you see¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled stiffly, couldn¡¯t really tell how she felt, it¡¯s New Years¡¯ Eve today, the queen mother demanded for her appearance to the pce, just to feed her appetite?


    ¡°Well I can¡¯t refuse the queen mother¡¯s call, I have get changed back home.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled out of helpless, she hunched that she won¡¯t be able to make it to the family gathering tonight.


    Xia Chunyu: ¡°I wille along.¡±


    He was not pleased, since Yaoyao married into the lord mansion, the Majesty has spoken a few time that he wanted to try Yaoyao¡¯s dish, but never called her in for it, as Yaoyao was on a difference status right now, as the second youngdy of the lord mansion, not someone can be call in anytime. But the queen mother was not being so nice, picking such a good time, not letting her to have the first New Years¡¯ Eve dinner with the family, have to say, there might be something fishy behind it.


    But you can¡¯t refuse the queen mother¡¯s call, all he could do was topany her.


    Ye Jiayao teased him: ¡°What can you do there, work as kitchenhand? You don¡¯t know the kitchen works, stay home, in case I can¡¯t make it back, and mother-inw is giving out red pockets, you can keep them for me.¡±


    Xia Chunyu insisted, didn¡¯t want Yaoyao to take it all on her own: ¡°We will have our red pockets regardless. The dinner won¡¯t be anything without you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, it okay without me, but if you aren¡¯t there, that would really effect everyone¡¯s mood. If you really care about me, for the sake of mine, stay home with your parents.¡± Ye Jiayao tried to persuade.


    She knew what Chunyu was thinking, but if Chunyu ditched the dinner just to apany her, Xia You will definitely be very unpleased, her son cared about her daughter-inw, that no problem, but if he ditched the whole family for her, no matter who¡¯s parents they are, would be unhappy.


    Ye Jiayao changed up, just about to leave for the pce, nanny Sun came to pass the madam¡¯s message, to tell her to try her best to make it back for the dinner, if not, don¡¯t worry, can still gather forte supper at night.


    Ye Jiayao was touched, it¡¯s really nice of Xia You be considerate for her.


    ¡°Okay, nanny Sun, please tell madam, don¡¯t need to wait for me for dinner, the point is that everyone is happy.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled.


    Nanny Sun reported back to Xia You, she heard and silent, the second daughter-inw sees the bigger picture after all, it just that the queen mother was not being really nice, did she really think that the second youngdy of the lord mansion was a chef? Cooks for her on demand?


    Liu Li was dressing up for the asion, she¡¯s a gold threaded pink butterflies patterned satin jacket, fox fur circled around cor and sleeves, down under she wore a jade flowers crepe dress, her clothing set off her beautiful eyes and white teeth, snowy, glowing skin, and the perfect body shape of hers.


    Xiao Ya stepped in, saw that the princess was dressed in, gave herplements: ¡°Princess, you are looking like a fairy from heavens in those.¡±


    Liu Liughed and joked: ¡°You are saying I don¡¯t look good without dressing up?¡±


    Xiao Ya replied hastily: ¡°You are born this beautiful my princess, you look gorgeous regardless, don¡¯t you see that the third young lord always having his sight on you not able to move away?¡±


    Liu Li got embarrassed and gave her a look: ¡°How dare you making fun of me.¡±


    Xiao Ya giggled, whispered: ¡°the second youngdy is in the pce.¡±


    Liu Li picked a hairpin from the drawer and handed to Xiao Ya: ¡°Put it on for me.¡±


    Xiao Ya found a good spot on her hair then put it on nice and steady.


    Liu Li looked at herself through the mirror, satisfied, said: ¡°Finally kicked the annoying person out of the house, to have a decent New Years¡¯ Eve dinner.


    Ye Jiayao was led to the kitchen the moment she stepped in the pce.


    Lu Yiming saw her, handed her a menu, embarrassed: ¡°These are the dished the queen mother wants you to cook.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took over the menu, god, that¡¯s thirty-six dishes, all main courses with heaps effort, didn¡¯t she say only the Fo Tiao Qiang? So, the queen mother was nned to make her stay for the evening.


    This bloody olddy, being a pain in the ass all the time.


    As upset as she was, it¡¯s a Majesty¡¯s banquet after all, Ye Jiayao needed to go 120% on the cooking, gets nothing if she did a good job, but it¡¯s sin if she didn¡¯t, she can¡¯t afford to get picked on be the olddy.


    Lu Yiming called in two cooks, said: ¡°The preps for the ingredients are all done, they will give you a hand on cooking, just say it if you need anything.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°Okay, thank you, Chef Lu.¡±


    Lu Yiming got on his own stuff,ter Ye Jiayao found out, there were one hundred and eighty-eight dishes for this royal feast, the whole kitchen got worked up for it.


    At the end of the banquet, the Fo Tiao Qiang was served, the Majesty had a taste of it, couldn¡¯t resist to ask: ¡°Who made this?¡±


    Eunuch Wei whispered: ¡°The queen mother called in the second youngdy of the Jing An lord mansion to make it.¡±


    The Emperor frowned, it¡¯s New Years¡¯ Eve today, why would the queen mother called Ye Jinxuan in to cool? Was she trying to be annoying? What would the people in the Jing An lord mansion think?


    But since she¡¯s here already, and the banquet was almosting to an end, the Majesty could only order Eunuch Wei: ¡°Get her some handsome rewards and send some to take her hometer.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked out of the pce with a bunch of the pce, she saw Song Qi on a carriage, waiting at the front gate of the pce.


    ¡°The second youngdy, the Heir-son Lord asked me to pick you up, he was going to do this himself, but got hold up by the lord topany him ying Shuangkou.¡± Song Qi took over the gifts on the little Eunuch¡¯s hands.


    Ye Jiayao could not hide herugh: ¡°The lord ys Shuangkou too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Big young master suggested, the lord is learning really fast, he¡¯s in the mood right now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked again: ¡°What about the madams?¡±


    ¡°The madams want to y Shuangkou too, but the third youngdy doesn¡¯t know the rules, so they can only y Madiao, the third madam has good skills, winning a fortune.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could image Zhou¡¯s eyes glowing in green, hugging in the money to her chest, she was getting more anxious about going home, she hadn¡¯t y these games for a long time. Back in the modern days, the family would also gather around to y Mahjong after New Years¡¯ Eve dinner, the Spring Festival G?were ying on the TV, dad didn¡¯t y, instead he made tea and gave out food to everyone, quite a joyful atmosphere.


    Inside Xia You¡¯s room, fourdies were sitting around to y Madiao, XiaYou held a ready hand, she only needed six-Bamboo and nine-Bamboo tiles, but Zhou before her kept on ying Character tiles, Qiao opposite to her kept ying five- and eight-Bamboo but never six or nine, made Xia You so anxious she kicked Qiao, Qiao wondered, thinking, mother-inw might need six and nine Bamboo, she had 3 six-Bamboos, had a ready hand, but she couldn¡¯t refuse to mother-inw¡¯s demand, she had been losing the whole evening, so Qiao gave her six-Bamboo tile out.


    Xiao You was happy, just about to celebrate, but Zhou cracked out ofugher: ¡°Such a lucky day today, was waiting just on the six-Bamboo tile for three of a kind,e on, give me the money, two folds people¡­¡±


    Qiao was speech less, shit, she gave it away and it doubled, she¡¯s bleeding inside.


    Xia You closed her hands, gnashed, this was the fifth time Zhou did this, she¡¯s a bane.


    Liu Li handed out her money with no hesitation,ughed: ¡°Third aunty is very lucky today, even better skills, killing it on your own tonight!¡±


    ¡°Please, I don¡¯t y often.¡± Zhou said modestly, but was so happy inside her heart.


    ¡°The second youngdy is back.¡± The ve girl said outside.


    Xia You stood up: ¡°You y for me, my second daughter-inw, change up the luck for a bit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took off the cape, handed to the ve girl: ¡°Mother, you y, I don¡¯t know much about it.¡±


    Zhou hated Ye Jiayao, she would love to win some more money from her, after hearing that she didn¡¯t know much, said: ¡°Just y around with the family members, mother asked you to y, just y!¡±

 Chapter 212 - The Old People

    <h4>Chapter 212: The Old People</h4>


    ¡°I have nothing to worry about since I know you have a good life now. Those bad guys will get what¡¯sing to them,¡± Mother Su said angrily. She was a woman with a gentle temper so she wasn¡¯t able to protect the young mistress very well. She thought that her fate would change when she found out that she was getting married, but it turned out that it just took a turn for the worse. She never imagined that Ning and the Second Young Lady would do such a thing.


    Ye Jiayao gave a brittleugh. ¡°Where is Ning?¡±


    ¡°She went out with the Second Young Lady to visit some rtives. It is said that your father fought with his wife and broke a lot of furniture. She didn¡¯t even extend greetings to your grandmother on New Year¡¯s Eve. I don¡¯t understand why your father still stays with Ning,¡± Mother Su expressed with a bit of frustration.


    Ye Jiayao was a bit surprised that Mother Su knew a lot of details about the mansion. Then again, the maids of the Ye family has suffered under the Ning¡¯s severe discipline. Understandably, they would take whatever chance was given to bring her down.


    As for why her father hasn¡¯t divorced Ning yet, she doesn¡¯t know. The only reason she could think of was that Ning knew a lot of secrets about the Ye family that his father had no choice but to put up with her.


    This thought worried Ye Jiayao and she couldn¡¯t wait for Chunyu toe back so she could run this theory with him.


    It wasn¡¯t until they were finished with breakfast that Chunyu came back.


    Mother Su quickly got up to greet him but Chunyu stopped her, saying, ¡°Mother Su, there¡¯s no need to be so formal. I brought you a bottle of snake wine. It is said that it is very effective to cure rheumatism. I have Song Qi give it to youter.¡±


    The gesture was so thoughtful that Mother Su teared up a little. ¡°Thank you, Heir-son Lord. I¡¯m sorry that you had to bother with that.¡±


    ¡°Jinxuan always thinks about you so it¡¯s not a bother,¡± Chunyu said with a slight smile.


    Ye Jiayao blushed. She actually forgot about it and yet Chunyu gave her the credit.


    Mother Su said her goodbyes and left the two of them to chat.


    ¡°What have you found out?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. She wasn¡¯t liking the grave look on her husband¡¯s face.


    Chunyu replied, ¡°Your father¡¯s in great trouble.¡±


    It was much more serious than he expected.


    She held her breath. ¡°Can we do something about it?¡±


    Chunyu hesitated, ¡°The salt business is troublesome. The government takes serious control of the salt business. Your father has been taking bribes, but since he was unable to deliver with his promise, the salt traders exposed him.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t he return the bribes? Since he couldn¡¯t deliver, he can just return the bribes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. Even if he returns the bribe, they¡¯ll refuse. What they need now is salt and the only way they¡¯re going to admit that they framed your father is if they get what they want.¡±


    ¡°Bastards¡±, Ye Jiayao whispered. However, her father also made mistakes. If he didn¡¯t take bribes, he wouldn¡¯t be in this position.


    Suddenly, Ye Jiayao thought of something. Those salt merchants knew that Ye Binghuai could not get them the salt but they still made that demand. Why? Could it be because this demand was actually directed at Chunyu? It was possible that they knew about Chunyu¡¯s position and figured that he could get them what they need.


    She looked at her husband worriedly. ¡°You can¡¯t get involved in this, Chunyu. I have a feeling that they wouldn¡¯t stop even after they get what they want.¡±


    Chunyu¡¯s eyes got distant. He appreciated Yaoyao¡¯s concern for him. He knew that his wife would rather see Ye Binghuai in jail than have him get in trouble for helping him out. However, he couldn¡¯t just leave Yaoyao¡¯s family in the lurch like that.


    ¡°I understand, Yaoyao,¡± Chunyu said. ¡°However, I have to spend one more day here. Tomorrow, your father will invite the salt merchants toe and I will go and meet them. We¡¯ll go to Zhenjiang tomorrow night.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, still a little bit anxious about the whole thing.


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.


    Ye Jiayao sat up and called, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Jinyao walked in, a redcquer tray in hand. She said with a smile, ¡°I came to give some food to Big Brother-inw.¡±


    She carefully put the porridge, dumplings, and bun near Chunyu and politely urged, ¡°Sir, please eat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao told her, ¡°You should have let the maid bring this. You don¡¯t have to bring this here personally.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s very kind of you,¡± Chunyu said.


    ¡°You can call me Yaoyao,¡± Jinyao told him.


    Chunyu turned to his wife, surprised.


    Ye Jiayao silently cursed herself. How could she have forgotten that Jinyao¡¯s nickname was also ¡®Yaoyao¡¯! However, it was irrational for Chunyu to call Jinyao by her nickname since they just met. Ye Jiayao guessed that as Jinyao was only thirteen, she just wanted to be closed to them.


    ¡°Grandpa and Grandma found out that you guys are here and asked to see you. I¡¯lle backter to escort you,¡± Jinyao said before leaving.


    Chunyu ate a dumpling and asked, ¡°Why is she also called Yaoyao?¡±


    To deflect, she threatened, ¡°Just try and call her Yaoyao.¡±


    Chunyu smiled. ¡°Of course not. You¡¯re the only one I will call Yaoyao.¡±


    He offered her a dumpling. ¡°Try this. Although yours is more delicious, this is pretty good too.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯ve already had some earlier.¡±


    After his meal, apanied by Ye Binghuai, Zhongyuan, and Jinyao, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu went to see her grandparents.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s grandfather was a schr. When Ye Binghuai married a girl from the Fang family, he finally became an official under their support.


    Her grandmother was also born in a small family and she never went to school.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t really have a good impression of these two old people. In all the years she was living here, they had never once shown any care or concern for her. She might be smiling at them now, but inside she was very ufortable.


    Her grandfather was a little cautious at the beginning but when he noted that Chunyu was fairly respectful, he got braver.


    ¡°Jinxuan, I knew you feel wronged but we are still family. You can¡¯t hold on to your grudge too much. The past is the past. The family should live in harmony and should help each other as much as they can.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted tough. Now that she¡¯s a noble, she¡¯s family? Where was her ¡®family¡¯ when Ning and her sister made her life every day in this house miserable? Where was her ¡®family¡¯ when she almost died? Where was the ¡®help¡¯ that families are supposed to give each other? Ha! They have got another thinging if they think they could manipte her.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Grandfather,¡± she said with a kind smile. ¡°I just wish you said that way earlier because then maybe I wouldn¡¯t have been bullied, wouldn¡¯t have been sold to the bandits, and wouldn¡¯t have my life endangered. However, I appreciate you saying that now that I am finally safe and happy.¡±


    Everyone was quiet, embarrassed with the truth that she just dropped.


    Her grandmother was annoyed. She had thought that the old man would be able to handle their granddaughter, but he was beaten so easily.


    ¡°Oh, you are wrong,¡± her grandmother started. ¡°He¡¯s making this family better. We should be grateful.¡±


    This was unbelievable. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know whether tough or to storm out.


    ¡°Grandma, how can you say so? How am I wrong? Did I n the murder of my brother or sisters? Did I harm the family? It seems like someone else has all those things covered,¡± Ye Jiayao said, still a smile on her face.


    Chunyu knew about Yaoyao¡¯s temper, her smile wasn¡¯t fooling him. He knew that the more she smiled, the angrier she is. If this old crone doesn¡¯t let up, Yaoyao¡¯s going to burst and he can¡¯t let that happen. He¡¯d have to step in before ites to that.


    Her grandmother turned red from embarrassment. She was just about to speak when Ye Binghuai cut in, ¡°Mom, we can¡¯t me Jinxuan. It¡¯s not easy for her toe back. I am to be med for all of these. It is my fault that Jinxuan has suffered so much.


    Ye Binghuai looked at his mother, pleading silently for her to y along. They couldn¡¯t afford to anger Jinxuan and Xia Chunyu now.


    ¡°How dare you control me when you even can¡¯t control your wife and children?¡± the old woman yelled angrily.

 Chapter 213 - When Did You Fall In Love With Me?

    <h4>Chapter 213: When Did You Fall In Love With Me?</h4>


    Everyone left in a bad mood.


    Chunyu said to Yaoyao as she stomped to their room, ¡°Don¡¯t be too angry. They don¡¯t matter. They¡¯re just saying that to guilt you into helping them. Don¡¯t concern yourself with their opinions, you¡¯ll always have my support.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about them, but I am angry. I¡¯m sure that if I hadn¡¯t stood up for myself, they would¡¯ve just gotten more aggressive,¡± Ye Jiayao ranted.


    He stayed silent as he rubbed her back, trying to calm her down.


    When her anger subsided, Ye Jiayao started, ¡°I was thinking earlier that maybe Ning has something against my father that¡¯s why he can¡¯t leave her.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking the same thing. With your father¡¯s temper, he would¡¯ve kicked Ning away a long time ago if she didn¡¯t have any ammunition against him,¡± Chunyu said.


    It seemed that Ye Binghuai spread the news of an Heir-son Lord staying at his home because some of the rich families in Yangzhou came over to meet and talk with Chunyu. Chunyu wasn¡¯t really in the mood to socialize, but since they were already there, he had no other choice. There were so many people that it kept him busy until night.


    Ye Jiayao was concerned for him so she made him some food to eat. Besides, he¡¯s beenining that she hasn¡¯t cooked for him ever since they got married.


    Jinyao followed her around, watching her skillful cooking. She was surprised to see that her sister could cook so well.


    ¡°Big Sister, I heard that you opened a restaurant in Jin Ling?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I did. It¡¯s called Heavenly Residence.¡±


    ¡°Why would you need that when you¡¯re already the Second Young Mistress of a Marquis mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled patiently at her sister. ¡°You¡¯re wrong if you think that you can just sit back and enjoy everything when you be a mistress. If a woman relies on a man for everything, what¡¯s gonna be left of her character? What if she falls out of favor with her husband or his family? A woman needs to have something of her own. Fo me, that¡¯s cooking and the restaurant.¡±


    This was the first time that Jinyao has heard that. She was taught that a woman¡¯s only duty is to run the household and please her husband.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to understand what I¡¯m saying until you get married yourself,¡± Ye Jiayao said. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple to be a wife.¡±


    She knew that what she just said was considered somewhat radical in this era. Women in this time were simply taught that their mission in life is to be a homemaker, a dutiful wife, and a responsible mother. Independence from a man is a foreign concept for a lot of them.


    Jinyao nodded. Her big sister was right, she could not understand it.


    ¡°What about your Second Sister and your mother? What do they do besides manage the house?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. Although she liked Jinyao, she was still Ning¡¯s daughter. Ye Jiayao had to be sure which side she was on before she opens up more to her.


    It was clear that Jinyao was somewhat embarrassed when she replied, ¡°Second Sister is somewhat self-willed, but I don¡¯t think she has anything going on outside of the home. She has now lost favors with the Weis and Father, but fortunately for her, Second Brother-inw takes care of her. As for Mother, she doesn¡¯t open up much to me, only to Second Sister, so I don¡¯t know about her dealings.


    Ye Jiayao was silent as she mused over Jinyao¡¯s answer. She already knew that Jinrong wasn¡¯t industrious enough toe up with a venture of her own, but her judgment was still out on Ning.


    She made braised pork ball with brown sauce, vegetable stir-fry, crucian carp soup with shredded turnips, and fragrant white rice. She told Song Qi to tell Chunyu she wasn¡¯t feeling well so that he¡¯d have an excuse to leave the boring meeting he¡¯s been stuck in.


    Sure enough, Chunyu came rushing to her.


    ¡°Yaoyao, are you feeling unwell?¡± he called loudly.


    Jinyao frowned when she heard her brother-inw yell her name. She was just about to ask him when she noticed him fussing over her sister. Did he just call her sister ¡®Yaoyao¡¯? Why?


    Qiao Xi smiled at her master¡¯s antics. ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Lady was afraid that you¡¯re getting hungry so she made up an excuse to get you out.


    Normally, Ye Jiayao would¡¯ve taken Jiang Yue with her, but the pastry shop needed someone to manage it while she¡¯s gone.


    Chunyu sighed with relief. ¡°You scared me. Next time, find a less terrifying excuse.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed and turned to Jinyao, ¡°Sister, you have apanied me the whole day. Why don¡¯t you go and rest now?


    With Jinyao around, she and Chunyu could not talk freely.


    Jinyao politely said her goodbyes and then left.


    As Qiao Xi went about on preparing the meal, Chunyu said, ¡°These people are stupid. I deliberately told your father not to leave food out for me so I hope they all get the hint and just leave.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re tired that¡¯s why I cooked some food for you to help relieve your exhaustion,¡± she said.


    He looked up from the food in front of him, surprised. ¡°You cooked this?¡±


    She grinned. ¡°Take a bite and you¡¯ll know.¡±


    Chunyu happily shoved a pork ball in his mouth, moaning in satisfaction. ¡°Damn, I haven¡¯t tasted your pork balls in a while. You used to make this all the time in the mountains. It tastes even better now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled with satisfaction as she watched him enjoy the food that she made. ¡°Unfortunately, we can¡¯t cook by ourselves, otherwise, I will make food for you every day.¡±


    She didn¡¯t dare cook so much in the mansion for fear that others would regard her as a cook there and just demand her food.


    ¡°When the manor¡¯s ready, we can go there and live by ourselves for a little while,¡± Chunyu proposed.


    She nodded eagerly. She would love to be able to do anything she pleased without thinking of some rules or etiquette to follow.


    They were quiet for a moment before Ye Jiayao randomly said, ¡°By the way, I want to know, when did you fall in love with me? And why?¡±


    He winked at her saucily. ¡°Guess.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun...¡±


    ¡°Come on, when was it?¡±


    ¡°It happened a long time ago, let me think about it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pouted. ¡°You¡¯re stalling.¡±


    ¡°Let me think¡­¡± Chunyu pondered. ¡°Was it the first time I saw you? No. At that time, I only admired your looks. Was it the first time you cooked for me? No. I was just so happy that I didn¡¯t have to eat the cook¡¯s terrible food. Maybe it was when you fell off the cliff? Or when I found out you¡¯re still alive? Actually, still no. You fought me at every turn at that time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood dived as Chunyu continued. ¡°Then when did you fall in love with me?¡±


    ¡°I honestly can¡¯t remember now,¡± he said dismissively, turning back to his food.


    ¡°You can¡¯t seriously expect me to believe that.¡± She took the bowl of pork balls and threatened, ¡°You can¡¯t eat until you give me an answer.¡±


    Chunyu put his chopsticks down and smiled fondly at her, his eyes gentle and filled with affection. ¡°I can¡¯t pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with you. It¡¯s a process, Yaoyao. You slowly burrowed into my heart and thoughts until you consumed my every waking moment. It was a culmination of your smile, your fire, the way you fight for what¡¯s right¡­ I don¡¯t know exactly when, but I do know that I am in it with you for the rest of my life.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. That was honestly so beautiful it made her eyes well up.


    He took the bowl of pork balls back and asked, ¡°How about you? When did you start liking me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shyly said, ¡°I don¡¯t wanna tell you.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s unfair! I answered your question, why won¡¯t you answer mine?¡±


    ¡°When do you think?¡±


    Chunyu only smiled at her and waited until he was done with his meal before interrogating her again.


    He has his methods to make her talk and needless to say, Ye Jiayao was forced to confess.


    Early in the next morning, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu went to her mother¡¯s grave. She didn¡¯t permit others toe with them except Mother Su, Qiao Xi, and Song Qi.


    Since her mother died giving birth to her, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know exactly how she felt about her. The only knowledge that she has of her mother came from Mother Su¡¯s stories. All she knew was that her mother was a gentle and kind woman.


    Ye Jiayao bowed in front of the grave and kowtowed after burning the sacrifice.


    <i>Mom, maybe you have already met the real Ye Jinxuan there in heaven, but I promise to bring honor and glory to her name. I will make the best of the life she has given me. I hope that you can bless my endeavor.</i>

 Chapter 214 - You Know It Now

    <h4>Chapter 214: You Know It Now</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was also on his knees in front of his mother-inw¡¯s grave. He said solemnly, ¡°Mother, I promise to treat Yaoyao as a precious treasure. I promise to always take care of her and put her first. I promise to nurture our marriage until the day we die.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at him, moved by his words. However, she couldn¡¯t resist saying, ¡°Mother, you heard what he vowed. If he doesn¡¯t keep his word, feel free to visit him.¡±


    He turned to his wife in shock. He was making a sincere promise to her mother, and here she was, trying to use it as leverage against him.?Unbelievable.


    He turned back to the tombstone and said, ¡°Mother, if you have the time, I hope you can tell your daughter that a woman should be kind and gentle. If you could tell her that it¡¯s not cute or attractive when she gets irritable and angry, I would appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not!¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are!¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Mother, see? She¡¯s getting angry again.¡±


    Mother Su, Qiao Xi, and Song Qi stood behind the two couple, trying to stifle theirughter. The Heir-son Lord and the Second Young Lady were both childish but it was clear that they loved each other.


    Mother Su looked up, a smile on her face.?<i>My Lady, your daughter is in good hands with her husband. You can be at peace now.</i>


    When Xia Chunyu came home, he was informed that the salt merchants were already waiting for him in the study outside. He has already told Ye Binghuai not to meet them alone and to wait for him.


    He sat across from the merchants, holding a cup of tea andzily stirring it.


    The salt merchants, on the other hand, were nervously looking at each other. No one daring to say anything.


    Xia Chunyu finished two cups of tea before starting, ¡°You have benefitted a lot from my father-inw in these past few years. Of course, I also know that my father-inw took your bribes, no one¡¯s denying that it was a mutually beneficial rtionship. However, now that the government wants to control the salt business, that rtionship is now ending because it¡¯s beyond my father-inw¡¯s ability now. It is not very kind of you to remove the bridge after crossing the river.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what we were doing,¡± one merchant denied.


    Xia Chunyu slightly raised a brow. ¡°Oh? Then what were you trying to do?¡±


    The salt merchants had the grace to look embarrassed.


    Xia Chunyu sneered, ¡°You¡¯re not going to get anything by getting my father-inw in trouble. It doesn¡¯t matter what you do to Ye Binghuai, you¡¯re not going to get the salt that you want. He took your bribes, but you also shouldn¡¯t have given them out. It¡¯s not right that you¡¯re throwing him in the line of fire now. You may not know me, but one thing I always do is stand up for my family.¡±


    The threat made the men even more anxious. It seemed that they have underestimated the Jing An Heir-son Lord. They thought that they could rattle him into giving them what they want, but he was more ruthless than they anticipated.


    Ye Binghuai may not have scared them but Xia Chunyu certainly did.


    ¡°Of course, I understand the value of making money,¡± Xia Chunyu continued. ¡°I am a businessman too, after all. I will see what I can do to help you guys a little.¡±


    He gave out a warning first to let them know that he cannot be intimidated before showing a friendlier side. The key to these negotiations is a bnce.


    The salt merchants readily agreed to his terms. They weren¡¯t stupid enough to argue and risk ruining their business career.


    Ye Binghuai did not think that his problem could be solved so smoothly. It turned out that his son-inw was even tougher and smarter than he seemed.


    ¡°It¡¯s a piece of cake,¡± Xia Chunyu told Ye Binghuai. ¡°Your real problem is with the Water Resources Administration. You better strengthen the dam before spring. If it gives out and someone dies, the Emperor would have to take action.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll see to it right away,¡± Ye Binghuai said with a nervous nod.


    ¡°If you are afraid that people will start to talk when you get the dam fortified, just say that Jinxuan paid for it. You can tell them that she wanted to do something for her hometown. You¡¯ll have to pay a lot of money but that¡¯s just the price you¡¯re going to have to pay if you don¡¯t want any trouble,¡± Xia Chunyu told his father-inw.


    Ye Binghuai wanted to groan. He¡¯d be forking out the money and Jinxuan will be getting the credit? That seemed unfair.


    Xia Chunyu watched his pained expression and realized what he was thinking. He said to Ye Binghuai, ¡°Jinxuan is your daughter. Whatever she does will reflect on you. It doesn¡¯t matter if her name¡¯s the one being boosted, people will still acknowledge you.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Ye Binghuai said after much thought.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to roll his eyes. His wife¡¯s father was a weak, selfish man. He couldn¡¯t be more different than his daughter if he tried.


    He also added, ¡°And you don¡¯t have to be afraid of Ning. She¡¯s just bluffing. There¡¯s now she¡¯s gonna sabotage Zhongyuan¡¯s future. That kid is smart and he has a good character. Have hime to Jin Ling after the festival and I will arrange for him to enter the Imperial College.


    Ye Binghuai was overjoyed. ¡°That¡¯s generous of you, Heir-son Lord. Thank you, thank you so much.¡±


    That was a brilliant n. The brighter Zhongyuan¡¯s future look, the more Ning would hesitate to ruin it.


    After dinner, Ye Jiayao and the others were set to leave for Zhenjiang. She wanted Mother Su toe with them, but the old woman refused.


    ¡°I¡¯m too old to follow you, My Lady. I¡¯d prefer to stay here in Yangzhou. However, if you¡¯d like, I can visit you in Jin Ling when the time permits.¡±


    There was no way Ye Jiayao was going to let Mother Su visit the Jing An mansion while Zhou and Liu Li were there. The old woman doesn¡¯t need the stress of dealing with those people.


    She handed her some silvers and said, ¡°I will be visiting you frequently, Mother Su.¡±


    Despite the animosity, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu also went to say goodbye to her grandparents.


    Zhongyuan apanied them to the docks where they found Song Qi directing the other servants to carry the luggage on board. Ye Binghuai prepared a lot of gifts to give to Ye Jiayao¡¯s grandparents on her mom¡¯s side so they had to fit those in too.


    Ye Jiayao climbed in the boat first. When she turned to call for Chunyu, she found him talking to Zhongyuan. They seemed to be in a deep conversation and she thought she saw them mouth her name a couple of times.


    ¡°The ship¡¯s about to leave,¡± she yelled.


    Xia Chunyu patted Zhongyuan¡¯s shoulder and boarded the ship.


    ¡°What did you say to Zhongyuan?¡± Ye Jiayao asked as she lies in bed, feeling a little dizzy. She found it strange since she never had that problem before. She chucked it up to physical exhaustion and bad sleeping habits.


    Xia Chunyu was sitting at the other end of the bed, holding a book in one hand and Yaoyao¡¯s cold foot in the other. Her feet were always so cold. Maybe it was because of her poor blood cirction? Whichever it was, he vowed to nurse his wife back to health when they get back to Jin Ling.


    ¡°I asked him toe to Jin Ling after the first month of the year. I¡¯m going to arrange for him to join the Imperial College,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    ¡°He really impressed you, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve read his articles before. They were a bit immature but it was still outstanding. Even I wasn¡¯t as good as him at that age.¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled. ¡°Wait, you practice martial arts! Are you telling me that you¡¯re an academic too?¡±


    ¡°Did you think that all military guys only excel in physicalbat? I¡¯ll have you know that most guys I work with were also schrs. As they said, when you hold the pen, you keep the country safe; when you get on a horse, you influence the country¡¯s future. A person can have both courage and wisdom,¡± Xia Chunyu exined, a bit affronted with her assumption.


    ¡°Wow, I had no idea that I¡¯m married to such a hero,¡± she teased, her eyes twinkling with mirth.


    ¡°Well now you know,¡± he said seriously.


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t find it funny, Ye Jiayao nodded earnestly. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t really know about it before.¡±


    ¡°There are few men in the world that canpare to me, so you should cherish me,¡± Chunyu said, moving to tickle her foot.


    Ye Jiayao fell into a fit of giggles. She tried to pull her feet back, but he has them in a strong grasp. The only thing she could do was wiggle as he mercilessly attacked her.


    ¡°You look even more lovely when youugh!¡± he teased her, still not relenting with his tickles.


    Suddenly, a huge bout of dizziness swept over Ye Jiayao. ¡°No, no, stop, please. I¡¯m getting dizzy now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately stopped and looked at her pale face worriedly. ¡°Do you want Qiao Xi to give you some medicine?¡±


    ¡°Take medicine in the first month of the year? No. This is just sea-sickness.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s grandmother, the one from the modern time, always had this superstition that it¡¯s bad luck to take medicine for the first fifteen days of the first month of the year.


    ¡°You are too superstitious,¡± Xia Chunyu chastised as he massaged her head.

 Chapter 215 - Who’s Better?

    <h4>Chapter 215: Who¡¯s Better?</h4>


    Everyone in the Fang family was excited for Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu¡¯s arrival. The party for their arrival was even more ceremonious than the one they threw for New Year. Almost every single male from the Fang family was at the wharf to greet them while the females waited for them at the second gate. Ye Jiayao felt like she was an imperial concubine returning to her vige.


    Apanied by almost everyone, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu went to see her grandparents at the Weishan Hall.


    Her grandmother cried as soon as she saw her, and Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but cry with her. She knew that her grandmother loved her very much. Her mother was their only daughter and since she lost her life at such a young age, they poured all their love to Ye Jiayao. She knew that Jinxuan¡¯s fondest memories were those with her grandparents.


    Everyone in the house was delighted at the reunion, but they also couldn¡¯t help but feel sad that Jinxuan¡¯s mother wasn¡¯t there to witness it.


    When Ye Jiayao and her grandmother pulled away from each other, Chunyu stepped forward to pay his respects.


    Grandmother had already heard from her oldest son Fang Xiaolian that her grandson-inw was an upstanding man. Fang Xiaolian told her that Xia Chunyu was an Heir-son Lord and that he seemed to truly love Xuan-er. Now that she was finally able to meet him in person, she was even more impressed. To show her approval, she handed him a big red packet.


    Xia Chunyu was too shy to ept it so the Grandmother pretended to be upset and said, ¡°You cannot refuse gifts from the elders. This is given with good intention, how dare you not ept it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes widened. He could now see where Yaoyao got her temper from. He had no choice but to take the envelope handed to him.


    Ye Jiayao jokingly pouted. ¡°Grandma you are ying favorites. Howe he has a gift and I don¡¯t?¡±


    Grandmotherughed and took off her jade bracelet, putting it on her granddaughter¡¯s wrist. ¡°You petty girl. Did you really think I forgot about you?¡±


    ¡°No, no, Grandma, I was just joking!¡± Ye Jiayao protested. Ever since she could remember, her grandmother has been wearing this bracelet.


    Grandmother looked at the bracelet with a sad smile. ¡°That was your mother¡¯s. It¡¯s only right for you to have it now.¡±


    After her talk with her grandparents, Ye Jiayao was pulled away by thedies while Chunyu was taken to the lounge room by the men.


    It was only then that Ye Jiayao was able to properly look at her family. She recognized her aunties and the cousins she used to y with when she¡¯s in Zhenjiang. However, there are a few new faces that she doesn¡¯t recognize.


    Big Auntie introduced them to her one by one and Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t be any happier to find out that her family¡¯s getting bigger and bigger.


    After she met with everyone, her grandmother asked her about her life at the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion. Grandmother was afraid that since they have such a prestigious status, the Old Marquis and the Madame would be snobbish towards her.


    ¡°Rx, Grandma,¡± Ye Jiayao said with augh. ¡°My parents-inw are nice people. Plus, how can they not like me? I¡¯m such a delight.¡±


    Grandmotherughed at her and chided jokingly, ¡°When did you be such a peacock, Xuan-er? Is this what you¡¯ve been up to for the past years?¡±


    Fang Wen chimed in, ¡°Mother, Xuan-er has grown so much. She¡¯s more capable than we know!¡±


    ¡°She was pushed to be capable. She¡¯s supposed to be our spoiled princess! She shouldn¡¯t have been put through so much!¡± Grandmother cried.


    Ye Jiayao was touched. It really feels good to be around people who genuinely loved her.


    ¡°Grandma, hard work is only temporary,¡± she consoled her grandmother. ¡°By the way, my mother-inw sends her greetings to you and Grandpa. She¡¯s also hoping that youe for a visit whenever you¡¯re free. She¡¯s prepared great gifts for you.¡±


    Grandmother was relieved to hear that. It showed that they value Xuan-er as their daughter-inw.


    After a fun and big dinner, Ye Jiayao gave out the presents that they brought.


    Chunyu has prepared a lot for her family. As she gave the gifts out, she did some calctions in her head and realized that these must¡¯ve cost him at least a few thousand. Now that he¡¯s giving all his earnings to her and he never asked her for any money, she figured that he must¡¯ve used his savings.


    Xia You also prepared a present for her grandmother ¨C two ginsengs that are more than two-hundred years old. It was very precious and Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t even imagine how much these costs.


    Ye Jiayao stayed with her grandmother until it was time for the old woman to rest. Even then, they were reluctant to part.


    The room that she and Chunyu were staying in was really beautiful. It was top-quality, warm, and homey. After she washed in the bathroom, she plopped down on the aromatic bed with a deep sigh. She had a lot of fun but all that socializing has exhausted her.


    Xia Chunyu surprisingly came inter than her. He¡¯s in good spirit, though, and he didn¡¯t even look the least bit tired.


    Qiao Xi handed him a cup of tea and Xia Chunyu waved it off. ¡°No, thanks. I drank a lot.¡±


    Qiao Xi nodded politely and retreated.


    ¡°What were you guys talking about? It took so long I was afraid that you¡¯d grow bored,¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    Xia Chunyuid down beside her and said with a smile, ¡°I wasn¡¯t bored. Grandfather¡¯s really lively, I already know Big Uncle, Second Uncle¡¯s chatty and funny, and Third Uncle¡¯s very smart. Your cousins are nice too! I¡¯ve enjoyed talking to them very much.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d that you got along with them,¡± she said, pleased. This side of her family was theplete opposite of the Yes.


    ¡°I wish our family¡¯s just like them,¡± Xia Chunyu said. ¡°Oh, I also met your cousin, Fang Minrui. He¡¯s a prime schr material. Even though he¡¯s only thirteen, the literature he writes is as good as grown-ups¡¯. I told him he could go to the Jin Ling Imperial Academy so he can apany Zhongyuan.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve heardpliments about him from Grandma too. It¡¯s nice of you to offer him that opportunity.¡±


    Xia Chunyu squinted at her andughed. ¡°You are happy that I¡¯m helping Minrui, but you protested when I did the same with your brother.¡±


    She pouted. ¡°Yes, Zhongyuan¡¯s my brother, but he¡¯s still Ning¡¯s son.¡±


    Chunyu sighed. He didn¡¯t like his normally kind-hearted wife to be burdened with this kind of hate. ¡°Don¡¯t be so petty. Ning is Ning, and Zhongyuan is Zhongyuan. Don¡¯t paint them with the same brush. He could be different from his mother just like you are different from your father.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a different story. It¡¯s nature versus nurture. I grew up in the Fang family and they are all great people. Zhongyuan was raised by my father and Ning.¡±


    ¡°Your dad is being strict on Zhongyuan because he wants him to be a government officer. That means he cares about him a lot and doesn¡¯t want him to be spoiled by his mother. He¡¯s been living separately since he was six so he¡¯s not affected by Ning¡¯s values. Zhongyuan¡¯s polite and educated. If you ask me, he¡¯s the only thing your dad did right.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood that she was being prejudiced, but she just couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I am. You might be better than me in some areas, but don¡¯t forget I have a lot of expertise too,¡± Chunyu said smugly.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°The only thing you¡¯re good at is finding a wife. Tell me again, who hired Manager Lu?¡±


    He fell silent. Why would she bring that up?


    It was now Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to be smug as she looked at him, waiting for his rebuttal.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go shower and sleep. Big Uncle¡¯s gonna take me to the Fang¡¯s vinegar workshop tomorrow,¡± Xia Chunyu said before walking off.


    Ye Jiayaoughed as she watched him walk away.


    When Xia Chunyu came out of the bathroom, Yaoyao was already asleep. She was wrapped up in a quilt and her face has the prettiest pink flush due to the warmth. She has been sleeping so muchtely and Chunyu figured that it was because she was exhausted from all her running around for the Jing An Marquis mansion and the restaurant.


    He quietly changed his clothes and turned the light off before jumping on the bed with her, carefully cuddling her close.


    The next morning, Xia Chunyu followed the three uncles to the vinegar workshop while Ye Jiayao met with more Fang family members. Some even traveled to Zhenjiang just to see her. Of course, they were also curious because of her new status. They didn¡¯t ask for any favor, but it¡¯s always good to have connections like that on the back burner.


    Ye Jiayao was hoping to cook a nice meal for her grandparents but that¡¯s not happening anytime soon since she couldn¡¯t even get away from people for one second.


    She¡¯s been smiling so much, her cheeks felt like they were going to split.


    <i>Man, socializing¡¯s hard work!</i>

 Chapter 216 - Nice Chunyu

    <h4>Chapter 216: Nice Chunyu</h4>


    It was noon when Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu again. She asked him, ¡°How was your trip to the vinegar workshop?¡±


    Xia Chunyu deadpanned, ¡°Fantastic.¡±


    She giggled. She had a feeling that he wouldn¡¯t like it because the vinegar smell is very strong, especially for first-time visitors.


    ¡°What about you? Do you actually remember all these rtives?¡± Xia Chunyu whispered, his eyes scanning the houseful of people.


    Ye Jiayao winked at him. ¡°You want me to introduce you to them?¡±


    She was expecting him to refuse because that introduction would need a boatload of patience, but instead, he nodded in agreement. ¡°Might as well. It¡¯ll save me the awkwardness of not knowing them when they talk to meter.¡±


    And so, she quietly pointed out her rtives to him. There were a lot of names and Ye Jiayao was pretty sure that she mangled at least five of them. She wasn¡¯t even sure if she¡¯s addressing all of them properly.


    To her surprise, though, by the end of the gathering, Xia Chunyu was chatting it up with a few men from her grandmother¡¯s side, addressing them correctly.


    She was highly impressed with his memory.


    The days passed by quickly and before they knew it, it was time to leave. Although she¡¯s tired from meeting so many people, she was also full of happiness. Her family has shown her so much love and affection that she honestly just wanted to stay with them.


    Their departure left her with so much sadness that she couldn¡¯t stop crying even as their ship left.


    Xia Chunyu found it a little funny. ¡°Hey,e on, no more tears. If you want to spend time with them that much, we cane back every year.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Ye Jiayao asked hopefully, tears still streaming down her face.


    He doesn¡¯t get much leave working from the government, and he¡¯s already used all his allowed leaves for this year to go with her on this trip. If he did that every year, his mother¡¯s not gonna like it.


    ¡°Of course I am. Besides, I like the Fang family. They are very warm and kind.¡± Xia Chunyu would figure out the rest when the timees. He just wanted his Yaoyao to be happy.


    Ye Jiayao stopped crying and stared deeply into his loving eyes. She leaned forward and rested her cheek against his heart, overwhelmed with love and happiness. ¡°Chunyu, you are so nice.¡±


    He helped the Ye family even though they¡¯ve done nothing to deserve it simply because they were her blood. Chunyu would do anything for her happiness and well-being, and for that, she¡¯s so grateful. She was truly blessed to have found a man like him.


    Xia Chunyu gathered her in his arms, a lovesick smile on his face.


    They got back to Jin Ling on the thirteenth of the month.


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu met with Zhao Qixuan, Su Yi, and Helian Jing on the sixteenth. It was some sort of going away get-together since the couple will be leaving soon.


    They were meeting at Heavenly Residence whose business had significantly slowed down for January. However,pared to the other restaurants, they were still doing pretty good.


    After a few rounds of drinks, Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°How long are you guys gonna be gone?¡±


    ¡°At least half a year!¡± Qixuan answered enthusiastically. ¡°It depends on how smoothly things go there.


    ¡°Is the government certain to open for border trades? What if they change their minds?¡± Ye Jiayao asked worriedly.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s businesses covered the whole Jiang Nan. He¡¯s grown such a profitable empire that he could just lie back and count his money as ites to him. With this venture, he¡¯d have to start all over again. Not only that but he¡¯s putting his position as an Heir-son Lord in trouble for love. He¡¯s taking a lot of risks and Ye Jiayao was afraid that they won¡¯t pay off.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, I¡¯ve heard that the Nan Yue King will send envoys to Jin Ling in March. Everything will be decided by then,¡± Little Jing said.


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°The Nan Yue government is not stable. Of course, they¡¯d want to be allied with Huai Song and the best way to do that is border trades. It¡¯s a win-win for both parties so it shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°If you guys want to invest in it, I¡¯d be more than happy to make room for you. You know how good I am with business,¡± Qixuan offered.


    Little Jing smiled. ¡°Sure!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve just invested in a mine,¡± Chunyu told him. ¡°I actually still owe you some money! When you¡¯re settled there, Yaoyao and I wille to visit.¡±


    ¡°Take me with you guys too!¡± Little Jing quickly said.


    Xia Chunyu refrained from answering. There was no way in hell he¡¯s going to take the kid with them. Why would he want an interloper in his quality time with his wife?


    Qixuan¡¯ eyes brightened. ¡°A mine! That¡¯s practically a cornucopia! Brother Chunyu, how can you not tell anyone about this?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed lightly. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if we can make money from that! We only hold a small share.¡±


    Su Yi slowly said, ¡°I heard that there was a huge mine was sold for three million in Shan Xist year. They¡¯re putting a million tax on it every year. Is that the mine you¡¯re talking about?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at him, surprised. ¡°Su Yi, you are impressively well-informed!¡±


    Su Yi smiled delicately. ¡°I like to keep up to date with things to keep me from getting bored.


    He was a firm believer that knowledge holds a lot of power. He liked to make sure that he¡¯s updated with the happenings around him, especially in the business industry, to stay ahead of everyone.


    They chatted for some time until Qixuan and Susu excused themselves to get ready for their journey on the eighteenth. Little Jing also had to go back to the Ministry of War to work on his documents. Unfortunately, the war didn¡¯t take a break for the New Year. They get reports almost every day from their troops.


    Since it was still early, Chunyu brought Yaoyao out to see thentern show.


    ¡°Little Jing¡¯s too rxedpared to his brother. Helian Xuan¡¯s been getting constant headaches because of this war,¡± Chunyu mocked lightly.


    Ye Jiayao sighed. ¡°Little Jing has actually matured a lot.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t the response he was expecting so before they get deeper into it, Chunyu changed the topic. ¡°Yaoyao, there arentern riddles over there. Want to have a go at it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded excitedly. She was a pro atntern riddles!


    The two of them walked around the show with Ye Jiayao picking up riddles left and right.


    ¡°Are you sure you answered all of those correctly?¡± Chunyu asked skeptically.


    Ye Jiayao waved her riddles around proudly. ¡°These are nothing. I answered more than these in thest mid-autumn festivalntern show.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it. Wasn¡¯t that the time he pissed her off using Liu Yiyi? So she walked off angrily away from them and then went to thentern show for riddles?


    All this time, he thought that she had run off to somewhere private to cry! Was she even the slightest bit jealous? Did he set up all of that for nothing?


    ¡°Do you remember anything else from that day?¡± he couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Of course, she remembered something else from that day. She leveled him with a sharp look. ¡°Are you sure you want to do this right here?¡±


    He suppressed a shiver from her look. ¡°No, no, not at all.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t going to let him get away that easily. He was the one who brought it up! ¡°Be honest. Did you do anything with Liu Yiyi that you should apologize to me for?¡±


    ¡°No! No! Never, I swear.¡±


    ¡°Even before that day? Or after?¡±


    ¡°Never. I am not that thirsty for apanion.¡±


    ¡°So you spent thousands on her for what? Just to eat with her?¡±


    Xia Chunyu scratched his head, a little embarrassed. ¡°I knew her dad. I was just trying to help them out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao harrumphed. ¡°If you ever pull something like that again, I will make sure you regret it.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s stop rehashing the past. It¡¯s not a good memory for the both of us so let¡¯s just forget about it.¡± Xia Chunyu dragged her forward, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go im your rewards.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dropped it and proceeded to im her rewards. They were able to win a lot so they had Song Qi take them back to the carriage.


    ¡°I will go answer some too! I can¡¯t let you have all the glory,¡± Chunyu told her.


    She taunted, ¡°Go then. Let¡¯s see how good is the hero with his pen.¡±


    Much to Ye Jiayao¡¯s surprise, Xia Chunyu was quite good. He matched the sixteen riddles she answered and was able to win a lot of prizes on his own too.


    On the way home, as the carriage passed by the riverbank, Ye Jiayao suddenly remembered something. She opened the curtain and looked out, spotting the girl fromst time.


    ¡°Stop!¡± she ordered.


    Song Qi stopped the horse.


    Ye Jiayao jumped off the carriage.


    ¡°Yaoyao, what are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu asked, following behind her.


    Ye Jiayao walked to the little girl and asked, ¡°Little Sister, how much is this lotusntern?¡±


    ¡°Five copper coins each.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pulled out a handful of coins, not even bothering to count them. ¡°I¡¯ll take two.¡±

 Chapter 217 - Liu Li’s Pregnant

    <h4>Chapter 217: Liu Li¡¯s Pregnant</h4>


    Did she want to float the lotusnterns down the river? Leave it to women to participate in this wistful tradition of writing wishes and putting them innterns in hopes that it woulde true. Xia Chunyu smiled though. He kind of liked seeing Yaoyao¡¯s girly, romantic side because she¡¯s not normally like that.


    ¡°Go and write one down too, ¡± Ye Jiayao said, handing him a lotusntern.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s only for women.¡±


    She gave him a pout. ¡°Whatever.¡±


    She started writing her wish and Chunyu curiously peeked over her shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡± Ye Jiayao eximed, pushing him away. ¡°If you see it, it won¡¯te true!¡±


    He rolled his eyes. ¡°Stingy.¡±


    He watched her for a second before picking up a pen. He¡¯s already here, might as well join Yaoyao. He thought about his wish for a moment before writing,?<i>¡®I wish that we have a cute baby soon.¡¯</i>


    Heughed quietly. Yeah, that¡¯s his wish. He rolled up his paper and ced it inside thentern.


    When Ye Jiayao finished hers, they walked to the dock and put theirntern down onto the water side by side. The sight of theirnterns floating down the river made Ye Jiayao happy.


    When she did this thest time, she wished to make a lot of money and she actually did. This time, she wished for her and Chunyu to stay in love and happy for the rest of their lives.


    ¡°What did you write?¡± she asked him.


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that if others find out about your wish, it won¡¯te true?¡±


    She red at him. How dare he use her words against her?


    Back at the Jing An Marquis mansion, Chunyu saw Manager Zhong escorting a doctor inside. He asked, ¡°Who¡¯s ill?¡±


    Manager Zhong answered, ¡°It¡¯s Princess Liu Li. She just threw up all of a sudden so Madame asked me to call the doctor.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart stopped for a moment. Could she be pregnant? He remembered thest time Big Sister-inw was pregnant, she would also just throw up out of nowhere.


    Ye Jiayao was thinking the same thing so she said, ¡°I will go have a look.¡±


    Xia You and Qiao were both waiting outside of Liu Li¡¯s room with Xia Chunfeng pacing around nervously.


    ¡°Can you stop pacing? You are making me dizzy,¡± You told him. She was so excited to hear from the doctor because she had a feeling that Liu Li¡¯s pregnant. She wasn¡¯t expecting Liu Li to get pregnant before Jinxuan, but she was still happy either way.


    Chunfeng tried to sit down for a few minutes but he was so anxious he just ended up getting up to pace again. He was feeling a mixture of excitement and worry. It felt odd to think that there¡¯s a possibility of him bing a father.


    Qiao was also feeling a little anxious, although for a different reason. Her child¡¯s almost three years old now and she¡¯s not seeing any possibility of giving birth again anytime soon since Chunli¡¯s been favoring Chuiyan over her.


    Ye Jiayao came in and asked, concerned, ¡°Mother, is Third Sister-inw okay?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll know soon,¡± You replied with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao waited with them until the doctor walked out.


    He said happily, ¡°Congrattions, Madame and Third Master.¡±


    ¡°So she¡¯s pregnant?¡± You asked, practically bristling with excitement.


    ¡°She is. She¡¯s two months along, but the Princess¡¯ body is quite weak. She needs to be taken good care of for the duration of her pregnancy.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. If you could give us some prescriptions and instructions, we¡¯ll make sure to follow them dutifully,¡± You said.


    Xia Chunfeng couldn¡¯t wait any longer and rushed in to see Liu Li as his mother spoke with the doctor.


    After giving out a few more advice, the doctor left and You proceeded to check on Liu Li.


    Liu Li might look pale but the smile on her face was bright. She was genuinely happy about her pregnancy.


    ¡°The first three months are the most crucial time. You need to rest well. If you are craving anything, just tell me and I will have our cook make it for you. Plus, Chunfeng, you¡¯d be sleeping in your study from now on,¡± Xia You said.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Chunfeng protested.


    Xia You frowned. ¡°Stop questioning me and just do as I said.¡±


    Liu Li blushed at that.


    They talked for a few more minutes before they left the couple alone to discuss their new situation.


    Once they were out of the room, Xia You said, ¡°I need to offer some incense to our ancestors. I need to pray for Liu Li¡¯s safe pregnancy as well as more addition to the Xia family.¡±


    She turned to Jinxuan and Qiao and ordered sternly, ¡°You two need to hurry up. Liu Li was thest one to get married and yet she managed to beat you. Mingxiu, take initiative. Don¡¯t let Chunli make all the decisions when ites to the bedroom. Jinxuan, ease up on working. Having a kid should be your top priority for now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Qiao were left standing there as their mother-inw walked away, speechless.


    Back in their room, Ye Jiayao sulked around.


    When Chunyu saw her pouting, he asked worriedly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay? What happened with Liu Li?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant,¡± Ye Jiayao told him unhappily.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. He didn¡¯t think his younger brother would be a father before him. It¡¯s an unexpected blow to his ego. He certainly doesn¡¯t want his kid calling Chunfeng¡¯s daughter or son, Big Cousin!


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sad. We can work on it too,¡± Chunyu assured her.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes. ¡°We have been working on it! What else can we do?¡±


    He smiled mischievously. ¡°Just try and try!¡±


    And try they did. Xia Chunyu worked extra hard that night. He was determined to knock her up so he has made up his mind not to stop until he has nothing left to give.


    ¡°Please, give me a break,¡± Ye Jiayo begged weakly. ¡°I can¡¯t take any more of this.¡±


    She has lost count of how many times he¡¯se. He wasn¡¯t even bothering to pull out anymore since his recovery time seemed to be no more than thirty seconds. If she wasn¡¯t so sore and battered, she might have even apuded him for his stamina.


    She was actually enjoying it for the first few times, but as always, too much of anything is never good.


    Xia Chunyu bent down and kissed her forehead, slowing down. ¡°It¡¯s your fault. You¡¯re not letting me go.¡±


    If she had the energy to do it, she would¡¯ve hit him.<i>?I¡¯m not letting him go? What the f*ck?</i>


    However, arguing with him in bed wasn¡¯t gonna do her any good so she just told him, ¡°My belly hurts.¡±


    He was confused for a moment before a thought urred to him. ¡°Yaoyao, when did youst get your period?¡±


    Ye Jiayao counted back in her head. ¡°The eleventh.¡±


    They both fell silent. Today was the sixteenth and she still hasn¡¯t gotten her period.


    He quickly jumped off of her and softly massaged her belly. ¡°How much does it hurt?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s kicking himself in the head. If she¡¯s pregnant, he might have just done irreparable damage with his bruteness tonight.


    Seeing her husband so nervous put Ye Jiayao on edge too. She wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯ste because of all the stress she¡¯s been under or if she really was pregnant.


    ¡°I¡­ it¡¯s dull pain.¡±


    ¡°Besides that. Are you nauseous? Always sleepy or tired?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling sleepy when we were traveling, but I¡¯m feeling better ever since we got back.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was pale as he got dressed. ¡°I have to get a doctor for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly dragged him back. ¡°What? No! Chunyu, it¡¯s toote! You¡¯re going to disturb everyone!¡±


    If people find out that she¡¯s not feeling well because her husband f*cked her too hard, she¡¯s never going to live that down.


    ¡°What do we do then?¡± he asked, panicking.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m feeling better now,¡± she reassured him.


    Since he couldn¡¯t really do anything, he just jumped back to bed and cuddled her close, still rubbing her belly. ¡°We still need to see a doctor. I can schedule an appointment for you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. What if I¡¯m not pregnant? That¡¯s just going to be embarrassing. We¡¯ll wait for a few more days and if I still don¡¯t get my period then, we¡¯ll go see a doctor.¡±


    A few days ago, the thought of a child hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind. She figured she¡¯d have it when she¡¯s ready. However, the news of Liu Li¡¯s pregnancy has kicked her biological clock into overdrive. She wanted to have a baby now too!


    She decided to go see the doctor by herself tomorrow.


    The next morning, the mansion was bustling with doctors, chefs, and some nannies from the royal pce sent by the Empress Dowager to take care of Liu Li. Everyone was overjoyed at the news of a new addition to the Xia household.


    Ye Jiayao went on about with her business at Heavenly Residence. When she was sure that everything was settled with the restaurant and the pastry shop, she took Qiao Xi and headed to a doctor¡¯s office.


    After a few tests and checks, Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°What do you think, Doctor?¡±


    The old doctor answered, ¡°Second Young Lady, you¡¯re just filled with algidity. You¡¯re blood¡¯s not circting well and it looks like you¡¯ve been overexerting yourself. You need to rest and give your body time to recover. I will write you some prescription and I will need you toe back next month for a check-up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was disappointed. That was it? Was that the only thing wrong with her?


    Qiao Xi couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Could she be pregnant?¡±


    The doctor stroked his beard, slowly saying, ¡°It¡¯s too early to tell. ording to Second Young Lady, herst period was on the eleventh. We need to wait for another half a month to be able to tell.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s hopes rose again. There¡¯s still a possibility that she could be pregnant.


    The doctor handed her the prescription. ¡°You can still take these medicines even if you¡¯re pregnant. These just replenish the nutrients in your body.¡±

 Chapter 218 - Complications

    <h4>Chapter 218: Complications</h4>


    Ye Jiayao cooked her medicine in the small kitchen. She drank it while Chunyu was still out because she didn¡¯t want him worrying. She actually rinsed her mouth a couple of times to erase any scent or taste of it so he doesn¡¯t find out.


    It was quite warm today so Ye Jiayao had someone bring her some of the coconuts in the yard so she could make shredded coconut.


    The servants in the courtyard found it interesting so they came over to help. Ye Jiayao eagerly taught them to husk the coconut. She had them open up a little hole on top of the coconut with a hammer. Since they don¡¯t have a straw to use to drink the sweet coconut juice directly from the fruit, she had them pour the juice into a ss.


    She wanted to test the juice because she wanted to know if the meat would be any good. If the coconut juice is sweet, the meat wouldn¡¯t taste good. If the juice is nd, the meat would taste sweet.


    Ye Jiayao took a sip and was pleased to find that the juice is nd because what she wanted was the coconut meat.


    ¡°What is this taste? It¡¯s like water with a¡­ smell,¡± Xiang Tao blurted out, obviously not liking it.


    Ye Jiayaoughed. ¡°The juice doesn¡¯t taste good but it would make a superb soup mix. Ying To, get me a container to pour all the juice into.¡±


    After draining all the juice, Ye Jiayao got Song Qi to split the coconut open and scrape the meat out using a small knife. She then put all of the flesh in a mortar and pestle so she could squeeze the milk out of it. Once the flesh ispletely milked out, she¡¯d dry them out to make shredded coconut kes.


    Xia Chunyu walked into their yard and saw Xue Yue clearing the pile of coconut husks.


    ¡°Where is the Second Young Mistress?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress is in the small kitchen. She said she is going to make something delicious,¡± Xue Ye replied.


    Xia Chunyu changed out of his uniform before heading to the small kitchen to see his wife. There, he saw her bustling around the stove, a fragrant smell wafting through the room.


    ¡°What are you making?¡± Xia Chunyu asked as he sidled up next to her.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out in a while,¡± Ye Jiayao teased.


    Once the Heir-Son Lord entered, the servants retreated tactfully, leaving only Xiang Tao who is lighting the fire. Xiang Tao did her best to remain invisible, putting all her concentration in lighting the fire.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand reached out for her slender waist and hugged her lightly, careful not to put pressure on her abdomen. He ced his chin on her shoulder, asking gently, ¡°Did you feel unwell today?¡±


    When they woke up this morning, he tried to get her to the physician but she shut down the idea. He worried about her condition the whole day.


    ¡°No. I feel great!¡± Ye Jiayao assured him. She decided not to tell him about her visit because she didn¡¯t want him to worry. The physician said that she could be nursed back to full health, so it wasn¡¯t much of a big deal.


    Xia Chunyu pulled her to face him, carefully observing herplexion. Her eyes were clearer and brighter thanst night, and her cheeks are much rosier too. He heaved a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Good. You look better too. But I¡¯d be more at ease if you let a physician look over you. Your hands and feet are always ice cold.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart suddenly sank. From what she had read before, having cold hands and feet aremon among women, but neither she nor her host has had that condition before. She remembered that the host would always snuggle with Mother Su during the winter and the older woman would alwaysment on her high body heat. Her period also became torture for her. It¡¯d be okay if it only hurt the first two days, but ever since she fell into theke, she would suffer the entire duration of her menstruation.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xia Chunyu asked upon seeing the change in her expression.


    ¡°No¡­ nothing.¡± She deflected, ¡°I was just thinking that now that Liu Li got the headstart, our child would have to call her child ¡®older cousin¡¯. I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled. They were meant for each other. That was exactly his first thoughtst night when he found out that Liu Li¡¯s pregnant. He flicked the tip of her nose affectionately and said, ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. They¡¯d be going to the feudalnd in a couple of years and we¡¯d barely see them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said with a smile before pushing him away lightly. ¡°Now, stop distracting me. I am making coconut chicken for the first time and I need to concentrate.¡±


    He made a show of taking a deep breath. ¡°You have nothing to worry about. It already smells fantastic, and knowing you, it¡¯s definitely going to be delicious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao served a pot of the coconut chicken to the main house during dinner.


    Xia You found it delicious so she got someone to bring a bowl over to Liu Li.


    From now on, Liu Li¡¯s meals were going to be prepared by imperial chefs and she would not be eating with the rest of the family.


    Not long after, a servant returned to say that she liked it.


    You asked, ¡°Did she throw up?¡±


    The servant replied, ¡°Third Young Mistress had fish for dinner and vomited again. She didn¡¯t throw up from Second Young Mistress¡¯ food, though.¡±


    You turned to Jinxuan and said, ¡°Second Daughter-inw, make another pot for her tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao obediently agreed but her mind was busy. Now that Liu Li¡¯s pregnant, she¡¯d be even more pampered than usual, and no one can call her out on it because of fear of affecting the baby. In the past, Liu Li would hint at wanting Ye Jiayao¡¯s food but You would never order her to cook it. Now that Liu Li¡¯s pregnant, Xia You would naturally be doing anything to make herfortable, even if that included ordering Ye Jiayao to cook. She would bet all her money that this wouldn¡¯t be thest ¡®request¡¯ Liu Li will make.


    As expected, by the next day, Liu Li had a craving for ice cream. Since the physician said that it would do no harm, Ye Jiayao had no reason not to make it.


    On the third day, Liu Li said she wanted Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, so Ye Jiayao cooked that for her.


    On the fourth day, Ye Jiayao¡¯ste period finally arrived. This time, from all the stress and exhaustion, it was exceptionally painful. She couldn¡¯t even get out of bed so when Liu Li asked for a cake, she wasn¡¯t able to make it.


    Since she didn¡¯t want to be stingy, Ye Jiayao had Song Qi bring some cakes for Liu Li from the pastry shop.


    After that, rumors began to spread that she¡¯s gotten annoyed at Liu Li¡¯s requests even though it¡¯s only been a couple of days. Some people were saying that she must be envious of Liu Li¡¯s pregnancy.


    These rumors might not have reached Ye Jiayao, but Chunyu was made aware of it and it angered him greatly. His Yaoyao was already ill. Do they expect her to crawl out of bed just to serve Liu Li?


    However, he kept this news to himself because he didn¡¯t want to stress her wife any more than she already is.


    When Elder Princess Yu De came over to visit Liu Li, she also found out that Jinxuan was ill so she stopped by to take a look at her.


    ¡°Poor child! How did you be so sick?¡± Yu De got extremely worried upon seeing Jinxuan¡¯splexion. This was definitely not normal! ¡°Why haven¡¯t you seen a doctor if it hurts this bad?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed weakly. ¡°The physician said that my blood¡¯s not circting well and I just need to rest.¡±


    ¡°Which doctor did you go to? Is he capable? Doesn¡¯t Liu Li have an imperial physician here with her? Why don¡¯t you have an expert take a look at you?¡±


    ¡°The imperial doctor was sent by the Empress Dowager for Liu Li. It¡¯s not appropriate for me to horn in!¡±


    Yu De shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯ll be right back and I will get the imperial physician over here.¡±


    She left and then immediately went to see Xia You. She reprimanded her for not taking better care of her daughter-inw who¡¯s been suffering greatly.


    You knew that Jinxuan has been unwell, and she was aware that she¡¯d get painful menstruation, but she didn¡¯t know it was this severe. Seeing how upset and concerned Yu De was made You fell ashamed of her negligence. She immediately got Mother Sun to get the Imperial Physician Li to look over Jinxuan.


    When Liu Li heard about that, she got upset. ¡°What? Why does my doctor need to take care of Jinxuan?¡±


    ¡°I heard that the Second Young Mistress experiences extreme pain during her period. She has been in bed for two days,¡± Little Ya ryed.


    Liu Li snorted. ¡°Come on! She¡¯s not that delicate. I think she¡¯s just jealous because I¡¯m pregnant.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ should we allow Imperial Physician Li to go over?¡± Little Ya asked.


    ¡°Of course. How can we refuse after Mother and Auntie requested it? At least, if she¡¯s faking it, we can expose her,¡± Liu Li said diabolically.


    Ye Jiayao felt a little uneasy as Imperial Physician Li took her pulse. She heard that Imperial Physician Li is the only female imperial physician and is highly skilled, especially in the field of gynecology.


    After a long questioning and other check-ups, the imperial physician left.


    Ye Jiayao heard muted voices outside so she asked Qiao Xi to go listen in.


    After only a few minutes, Qiao Xi returned to tell her that everyone went to the main house to talk. The only thing she was able to hear from the imperial physician was that her condition¡¯s a little troublesome.


    Ye Jiayao tensed up. Troublesome? How troublesome? The doctor she previously saw said she just needed to rest up and replenish some of her nutrients!


    Why weren¡¯t they discussing her condition here? Normally, they only hide the patient¡¯s condition from the patient when it¡¯s an incurable disease.


    She was starting to freak out. Her heart was pounding against her chest and her cramps were intensifying.


    After what felt like hours, Elder Princess Yu De returned.


    ¡°Elder Princess, is something wrong with me?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, propping herself up.


    Yu De smiled gently. ¡°Silly child, of course, there is a problem if there is so much pain. However, it is not a big issue. You just need to rest a lot and you¡¯ll be better.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t tell if Yu De was telling the truth. If everything¡¯s alright, why did they have to talk at the main house?


    ¡°Rest and don¡¯t stress about anything. As women, we should cherish our bodies. I will be visiting you again in the next few days,¡± Yu De told her.

 Chapter 219 - I Am Here

    <h4>Chapter 219: I Am Here</h4>


    Upon returning to the Marquis¡¯ Mansion, Xia Chunyu was immediately summoned over by Xia You.


    After a long talk, Xia Chunyu left his mother¡¯s room feeling like he was just handed a death sentence. He walked to the entrance of their courtyard and for the longest time just stood there, staring nkly into space even as it started to rain.


    He still couldn¡¯t believe what his mother said. His Yaoyao has little chance of getting pregnant. Even if she gets pregnant, it would be difficult for the baby to survive to full term. How difficult is ¡®difficult¡¯? They still have a chance, right? Even if it¡¯s not much, there¡¯s still a chance.


    He¡¯s always wanted to have babies with Yaoyao. Ever since he realized that he¡¯s in love with her, he has imagined having a son and a daughter to spoil. He wanted to see her swollen with his baby. He wanted to raise little critters that he¡¯d love and pamper.


    He knew without a doubt that Yaoyao would be a great mother. He sees it with the way she takes care of their bunnies, his little brother, and even other kids. If she never gets the chance to be a mother, she¡¯d be devastated.


    Yaoyao¡¯s a kind person. Why is heaven being unfair to her?


    He couldn¡¯t help but think that this was because he wasn¡¯t sincere enough when he released his lotusntern. Of course, he did want a baby, but when he wrote his wish, he was simply humoring his wife. He didn¡¯t believe in all that wish nonsense. Did the river god catch his insecurity and is now punishing him?


    Xia Chunyu let out a long sigh and pasted on a smile. He couldn¡¯t let Yaoyao find out about this. Besides, her condition might change after she¡¯s rested enough.


    Ye Jiayao was lying on the bed, her body weak, but her mind active. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something¡¯s seriously wrong with her.


    Suddenly, she heard Qiao Xi greet, ¡°Heir-son Lord, you¡¯re back!¡±


    ¡°Is the Second Young Mistress better today?¡± Chunyu asked, his voice low and gentle.


    Despite how crappy she was feeling, she couldn¡¯t help but smile. She¡¯s always his top priority.


    She then turned around to take a look at the hourss by the corner of the wall. He¡¯s getting inte today.


    Xia Chunyu went to the bathroom first to shower and change. He was soaked from head to due to the rain. He doesn¡¯t want to risk getting Yaoyao sicker than she already was.


    After changing, Xia Chunyu sped the hot pack, something he seldom does and walked into the bedroom. ¡°Let me warm my hands first before giving you a rub.¡±


    Seeing the gentleness in his eyes turned Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart into mush. She told him softly, ¡°You¡¯re backte today.¡±


    He beamed proudly. ¡°Your husband got a promotion today.¡±


    ¡°Really? What rank?¡±


    Xia Chunyu held up two fingers.


    Ye Jiayao was ted. ¡°Second-grade imperial bodyguard?¡±


    ¡°Mmmh. I might even get promoted again soon.¡±


    He was so excited to share this news with her. However, his happiness and excitement have now been tainted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand His Majesty. What¡¯s the point in all of these? If he¡¯s just going to promote you, why did he demote you in the first ce?¡± she grumbled. If they hadn¡¯t gotten married, Chunyu would have already been Huai Song¡¯s youngest first-grade imperial bodyguard.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know how His Majesty thinks. Sometimes, demotion is a form of protection,¡± he said.


    She just harrumphed. Of course, she knew that the Emperor demoting Chunyu was a mere show to appease the Empress Dowager.


    In any case, she doesn¡¯t mind his status. Whether he¡¯s a first-grade imperial bodyguard, an Heir-Son Lord, or amoner, she likes him all the same. She just wanted Chunyu to receive all that he deserves because he¡¯s such a hard worker.


    ¡°Have you told Father and Mother?¡±


    ¡°I will tell them when I go over to greet themter,¡± Xia Chunyu said, not daring to tell her that he¡¯s already seen his mother.


    With his hands already warm, he leaned in, slid his hands under the nket, and touched her lower abdomen. He badly wishes that by doing so, he could expel all the cold air in her body.


    His palm was warm and the pain in her belly slowly faded away as he rubbed it. Hesitantly, she started, ¡°The Elder Princess visited today and when she found out that I was ill, she insisted on having Imperial Physician Li look me over.¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ what did Imperial Physician Li say?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They went to the main house to talk and I wasn¡¯t able to listen.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice carried all her worries and concerns. ¡°Chunyu¡­ what if we find out that I can¡¯t bear you a son? What should we do?¡±


    In modern times, this wouldn¡¯t be that big of a problem. She could try adoption or IVF. However, in ancient times, her options are very limited. She has to rely on their outdated medicine and prayers.


    There are three acts of unfilial conduct in this time, and the biggest of them is to be without a male offspring. Carrying on the family lineage is a woman¡¯s basic duty, especially with a wealthy family like the Xias. Would they want a woman who cannot bear children? Even if Chunyu likes her and wouldn¡¯t divorce her, she was afraid that the elders would pressure him to take a concubine.


    ¡°You¡¯re being silly. What nonsense are you spouting? They didn¡¯t let you listen because they are afraid that you would be worried. If there is a problem, wouldn¡¯t Mother have already told me?¡± he assured her, pretending that he himself wasn¡¯t worried.


    Ye Jiayao fiddled with the tassel on the jade pendant hanging on his belt. She has never been so terrified and no matter how much she tried to reassure herself, it was no use. Her sense of security and confidence was gone.


    ¡°I just want to know what you¡¯d do if it¡¯s true,¡± she said. She wanted assurance from him. She¡¯s ashamed to admit it, but she was seekingfort from him.


    Xia Chunyu felt a sharp prick in his heart. He hugged her to him tightly and said, ¡°I love you, all your strengths and faults. If that happens, it doesn¡¯t matter. Our marriage is for forever. I will give up my title as the Heir-son Lord if I have to. Big Brother can have it. I think that just the two of us for the rest of our lives sounds pretty good too.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt the back of her throat stinging. She wanted to cry. How did she get so lucky to have a man so sweet and so devoted to her? He¡¯s willing to change his future to amodate her!


    ¡°Now, stop overthinking. You¡¯re letting your imagination run wild because you feel unwell. The stress of all that is not good for your body. No matter what happens, I will be here for you!¡± Xia Chunyu smiled at her but his heart was aching. Hopefully, heaven would not be so cruel to them. If anything should happen, he wishes that it just befalls on him. He doesn¡¯t want Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao nodded. Only now did shee to realize that the most romantic words are not ¡®I love you¡¯ but ¡®I will be here for you¡¯. With him by her side, she believed that she could endure anything.


    Meanwhile, Liu Li couldn¡¯t stopughing at Jinxuan¡¯s plight. For so long, Jinxuan has beaten her at every aspect, who would think that the only thing she¡¯s not good at is being a woman?


    Imperial Physician Li followed her orders to exaggerate her condition, but it was still a fact that it would be difficult for Jinxuan to conceive. Xia Chunyu must be extremely upset at this moment! He must be feeling bad because he jumped through all those hoops just to be with a hen that cannoty eggs. Liu Li knew that Jinxuan must be devastated by this and she couldn¡¯t help but smile at that thought.


    ¡°Princess, shouldn¡¯t you keep a low profile?¡± Little Ya reminded her.


    At that moment, Xia Chunfeng entered. ¡°What are you talking about? You seem very happy.¡±


    Liu Li gestured for Little Ya to leave and reached her hands out for Chunfeng. He walked over to her and sped her hands,menting, ¡°You¡¯re looking better today.¡±


    Liu Liughed gently. ¡°Imperial Physician Li¡¯s medicine works wonders. On top of that, Mother¡¯s meticulous care has served me well.¡±


    When she smiled, her dimples deepened and Chunfeng got lost in her charm and cuteness. He never imagined that a spoiled, evil girl like her could turn into a gentle and virtuous wife. If he hasn¡¯t seen it himself, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it either.


    His mother was right. As long as a husband treats his wife right, no matter how incorrigible she is, she would change.


    Seeing Liu Li¡¯s transformation filled Chunfeng¡¯s heart with joy and pride. He had a hand in that.


    ¡°Mother is always doting on you, I am losing my ce in this house now. I don¡¯t even know how long I have to sleep in the study for,¡± Chunfeng said with a pout. Suppressing the desires of a young fellow who just got awakened by love was unbelievably cruel.


    Liu Li¡¯s face flushed red as she whispered a few words to him.


    His eyes brightened. ¡°Really? I just have to wait until after three months?¡±


    She nodded shyly. ¡°That is what Imperial Physician Li said.¡±


    He quickly did some calctions in his head. ¡°You¡¯re two months pregnant, so I just have to wait for another month?¡±


    She punched him softly in the arm, whining, ¡°Is that the only thing you think about?¡±


    He let out a mischievousugh. ¡°I¡¯m only thinking about it because I like you. It¡¯d be bad if I stop thinking about it¡­¡±


    The two of them continued with their sweet nothings for a while before Chunfeng said, ¡°I heard that Second Sister-inw is not feeling well for the past few days. If you feel like eating anything, get the imperial chef to make them. Let¡¯s wait for Second Sister-inw to get better.¡±


    Liu Li felt a little angry. Why does he keep speaking up for Jinxuan? However, she yed her part. ¡°I don¡¯t wish to bother Second Sister-inw too. It¡¯s just that this pregnancy always makes me feel like eating food that others don¡¯t know how t make. I feel bad about bothering Second Sister-inw, but I don¡¯t know what else to do.¡±


    Chunfeng found her so cute. ¡°Looks like you are pregnant with a little greedy cat!¡±

 Chapter 220 - Passing By

    <h4>Chapter 220: Passing By</h4>


    Once her period passed, Ye Jiayao was able to move around again. However, she still couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that somehow, Liu Li¡¯s manipting her. She couldn¡¯t tell anyone because she doesn¡¯t have any proof besides her hunches and because Liu Li¡¯s now the apple of everyone¡¯s eyes. When Liu Li would request food from her, she would apologize for the inconvenience and praise her dish. Add that newfound kindness to her pregnant state, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t refuse her food requests for fear of beingbeled heartless and jealous.


    Well, she was jealous, but she never told anyone that.


    Ye Jiayao also observed that You¡¯s attitude toward her seemed to have changed slightly. She¡¯s been acting cooler towards her and she doesn¡¯t seem to be apologetic anymore whenever she tells her to cook for Liu Li.


    Did You feel that there¡¯s no need to be so polite because it¡¯s just expected of Ye Jiayao now? Or did her sudden change in attitude had something to do with the imperial doctor¡¯s findings the other day? Ye Jiayao had no idea, but she¡¯d rather it be the former.


    Chunyu has been busy recently. First, it was the Empress Dowager¡¯s birthday. Ye Jiayao heard that the Empress Dowager wanted to invite her to the pce too at first but then just somehow dismissed the idea. Ha! She wasn¡¯t buying that for one second. However, to be polite, she still wished the Empress Dowager a happy birthday.


    Second, Chunyu also had to prepare for the arrival of South Vietnam¡¯s king¡¯s envoy. The Emperor has tasked him with the full responsibility of reception and escort duties. He was even asked to participate in the negotiations.


    The negotiation was a difficult task. It determines the future of the Huai Song dynasty in all aspect and they had to work out aplete n in advance. This required a lot of preliminary work so he¡¯d often leave early ande backte. There were even times that he wouldn¡¯te home.


    Of course, Ye Jiayao was happy for his husband. He was entrusted with such an important task which meant he¡¯s on his way to being promoted again. However, she couldn¡¯t help but feel sad about the distance between them. They haven¡¯t been spending enough time together. When hees back at night, more often than not, he¡¯s extremely tired. Sometimes he¡¯d even fall asleep right in the middle of their conversation.


    She was feeling lost but she knew she had to buckle up. She couldn¡¯t show weakness. Since she couldn¡¯t control things at home, she shifted all her focus to Heavenly Residence and her new pastry shop.


    After the first month, Ye Jiayaounched a healthy banquet. It was timely since, for the past months, people indulged with their food. Now that feasts and celebrations are over, it was time to take good care of themselves again.


    For the bakery, the shredded coconut kes she made ushered in a lot of customers too. She incorporated it into a lot of pastries and it has been a hit especially with thedies.


    Other restaurants couldn¡¯t keep up with hers. Heavenly Residence was the only thing everyone could talk about. They couldn¡¯t go head to head with their food because theyck the skills and the knowledge to.


    Ye Jiayao also began developing the farnds. She has visions of an orchard, cow farm, and flower beds for thend. It doesn¡¯t need to be just a single farm for rice and crops anymore. She wanted to transform theirnds into abination of various economic models.


    She had fruit trees such as oranges, peaches, grapes, and the likes, nted for the orchard. She knew that these fruits could be used as ingredients for pastry houses and thus, could bring them more business.


    She also had vegetables nted in the garden to provide fresh good for the residents. Besides, they could also look into selling the produce to restaurants and households in the future.


    The problem she encountered was establishing the dairy farm. There were many experienced dairy farmers around but their materials have run ragged and they have no idea how to market it anymore.


    All these changes were a bit too much for the steward. He¡¯s experienced with personnel and overall farm management, but he had no idea how to manage all the others.


    This is where Zhu Wang came in handy. He¡¯s actually experienced and very good at raising cows.


    Chunyu did not punish Zhu Wang¡¯s wife severely for the incident during Chunfeng¡¯s wedding banquet. He just had them move out of the Marquis¡¯ mansion and gave them some money to help with their son¡¯s medication.


    The couple was so moved by this show of mercy that when Zhu Wang was asked to manage the dairy farm, he jumped at the opportunity.


    Ye Jiayao handed the orchard¡¯s management to Deng Haichuan¡¯s father, Uncle Deng, who was an excellent fruit tree grower.


    For the vegetable garden and flower garden, it was easier to find someone to manage it.


    These changes took a lot of work and dedication and a full month passed before she was able to finish the farm matters.


    During this period, Little Jing woulde to visit her at the Heavenly Residence. He always said that he was just passing by but Ye Jiayao knew that that was a lie. The restaurant wasn¡¯t anywhere near the Helian Mansion or the Ministry of War.


    Princess Yu De also called her over to her house several times, wanting to hear about her well-being and other news. Ye Jiayao naturally gave her happy and positive anecdotes because she doesn¡¯t want toe across as a tattle-tale.


    However, Princess Yu De¡¯s strange behavior, Xia You¡¯s coldness towards her, and Zhou¡¯s asional sarcastic remarks were starting to make Ye Jiayao think. Did they know something she doesn¡¯t? She had this bad feeling that wouldn¡¯t go away no matter how much she reassures herself.


    She had a strong intuition that it had something to do with Imperial Physician Li¡¯s findings.


    She was fed up with all the worry so she decided to visit the first doctor she went to. He had asked her toe back in a month, but it¡¯s been almost two months now.


    ¡°Doctor, I¡¯ve been taking medicine for two months now. Am I getting better?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    The doctor squinted and asked for the prescription he gave her. He sees dozens of patients a day and their illnesses and medicines blur together in his head.


    After taking a look at it, the doctor asked her, ¡°And you¡¯ve been taking this medicine for two months?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no. My family invited another doctor and prescribed two prescriptions for me. However, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s effective. I still believe that you¡¯re better,¡± she sucked up. She knew that it wasn¡¯t very respectful to seek another doctor¡¯s consultation so she wanted to butter him up a bit.


    She was telling the truth, though. She was a little skeptical of the prescription prescribed by Imperial Doctor Li. After all, she¡¯s still first and foremost Liu Li¡¯s doctor.


    The doctor was a bit grumpy about this news but since he¡¯s a professional, he took a look at the other doctor¡¯s prescription. After a long moment, he told her, ¡°There¡¯s no problem with these prescriptions. The problem is that the cold in your body is rooted too deep and it¡¯s not going to simply go away after a few days of rest.¡±


    ¡°Well ... how long will it take to get better?¡±


    The doctor took her pulse and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be impatient. Take your time. Give it a few more months.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s jaw dropped. She¡¯s going to be taking medicines for that long? Flushing, she asked shyly, ¡°It will not affect fertility, will it?¡±


    The doctorughed and patted her hand reassuringly. ¡°No, it should not.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was feeling a mixture of emotions. She was severely disappointed that she¡¯s not going to get better any time soon, but she¡¯s also relieved that it¡¯s nothing serious.


    She left the doctor¡¯s office feeling dazed. She has only taken a few steps away when she heard someone call her name from behind.


    ¡°Yaoyao!¡±


    She turned around and saw Little Jing. ¡°Hey! What are you doing here?¡±


    Little Jing looked at the doctor¡¯s signboard and his eyes narrowed worriedly. ¡°Are you not feeling well?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and tried to reassure him, ¡°I¡¯m just not sleeping well. You know how busy I¡¯ve been these past few days. The doctor said I¡¯m just tired and I¡¯ll be better after a few days rest.¡±


    Little Jing¡¯s eyes were still tensed. He obviously did not believe her. ¡°Why didn¡¯t Brother Chunyue with you?¡±


    ¡°He is busy. I haven¡¯t even seen him for two days,¡± Ye Jiayao replied, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice.


    Helian Jing nodded. ¡°Yeah. He has a lot of things to do.¡±


    ¡°What about you? Why are you here?¡± she asked.


    Little Jing gave the excuse he¡¯s been using recently. ¡°Just passing by.¡±


    She leveled him with a look. ¡°Just passing by? Again? Like you have nothing else to do all day except wander around?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth! Since we¡¯re already here, why don¡¯t we have some tea? I have some good news to tell you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s curiosity was immediately piqued. She was betting that this good news was either about Qixuan or Helian Xuan. Either way, she wanted to know.


    So, the two of them walked to Ziwei Pavilion, not noticing that not far behind them, someone was watching.


    Xia chunwen dinner time, intentionally or unintentionally said: ¡°Today I saw two cousins and King Small Wang Ye in the street.¡±


    Zhou was intrigued. ¡°just the two of them?¡±


    ¡°Yes, have talk andugh, entered Crape Myrtle Pavilion.¡± Chun text way.


    ¡°where is crape Myrtle Pavilion?¡±


    ¡°The Teahouse!¡±


    Zhou thought to himself, and the more he thought about it, the smaller of his eyes could not be found.


    There¡¯s a lot to be done here..


    Zhou had dinner to go to the Hou mansion, recently she ran ss that run is very diligent, Li Department left Shi Lang really to sue old, this fat job, Zhou¡¯s eyes are very hot. Well, that Chunyu Boy, don¡¯t think only rely on him, she find ss, perhaps more secure.


    ¡°you said that thing, a bit of clues, but now the Emperor has a number of candidates, all the forces want to put their own people into...¡± Liuli gently frowned Mansheng said.


    I have to say, colored ze now pinch the ability of people more and more clever.


    ¡°that is not the matter of your words,¡± Zhou smiled obsequiously. ¡°that is not the matter of your words. Chunyu said it was easy before. When the matter came to a head, he didn¡¯t give a fart. He simply couldn¡¯t handle it. How much face could he have? The emperor values him, for the sake of the princess? For the sake of the Master?¡±


    Zhou is also very know ss temperament, like to be carried, be coax.


    As expected, the corner of Liuli mouth bent a little, revealing her innate sense of superiority and arrogance: ¡°Well, this thing, I will remember in the heart, if no ident, this month should be able to have news.¡±


    She had her own n, and it was a great help to Zhou, and Zhou would not be able to follow her lead in the future. Zhou was not very good, but he could throw stones and tell tales, and the point was, zhou hates ye as much as she hates her, and she still needs someone to act as a pawn in her ns.


    ¡°thank the princess first,¡± said Zhou. ¡°If it works out, you will be a great benefactor to our family.¡±


    After talking business, Zhou began to say ye Jiayao¡¯s gossip: ¡°you said the second daughter-inw in the end will not be born? Almost half a year, what movement nothing.¡±


    Liuli leisure way: ¡°This I do not know.¡±


    He patted his already slightly bulging stomach with pride.


    ¡°the medicine has not been broken, the tonic has also eaten many, in my opinion, also is the blind toss about,¡± Zhou satirizes.


    ¡°other people can make money is the same.¡± Colored ze is not salty not light road.


    ¡°How can that be? is the Hou government short of money? This woman won¡¯t have a baby. She¡¯s useless. Chunyu doesn¡¯t know what to think, and treats her like a treasure.¡± Zhou snorted.


    Colored ze Ha ha HA tough two.


    It was only a short time, and if a year did not give birth, two years did not give birth, and never would have given birth, Chunyu would still be able to use the surname Ye as a treasure, and she would be convinced.


    ¡°Sister-inw is also, since I know that the second daughter-inw is no good, and I don¡¯t want to give chun-yu a concubine, Chunyu is not a little old. When others reach his age, the children will all y soy sauce,¡± Zhou added.


    Colored ze Thought of a movement, slowly said: ¡°the third aunt¡¯s words are not unreasonable, the second brother as a son, the future is to inherit the title, if there has been no son, there is some trouble, but, these words, we do daughter-inw to say, not convenient to say, after all, we are younger generation.¡±


    Zhou can not hear the meaning of the ss, ss is not convenient to say, she can say. Then he said, ¡°I must persuade sister-inw some other day. This kind of thing can not be vague and can not be dyed.¡±


    ¡°right, today Chun Wen saw Chunyu daughter-inw and King Xiao Wang Ye together in the street, and they were talking andughing, close as if no one was there,¡± Zhou said, remembering the incident.


    Liu Li is one Zheng, smile a way: ¡°Say of King Small Wang Ye and second sister-inw is nominal elder brother! Close some also is normal.¡±


    A sneer: ¡°what sister and brother, nominal is always nominal, this woman is too casual, do not know to avoid suspicion, Chunyu is busy outside, she is happy.¡±


    Colored ze smiles: ¡°should not!¡±


    After Zhou left, colored ze convergence smile, let ssic of Poetry called the Doctor Li.


    ¡°now it¡¯s time for the next move.¡±


    The doctor looked as if he were just listening to his usualmands. There was nothing dark about Miyazato that he had not seen before.


    ¡°Be.¡± The Doctor of Li Royal Family Waves not startled ground answers a voice.


    The prescriptions prescribed by the Doctor Li Yu-yi, those surnamed ye can not be trusted and will go to the Doctor for verification. Therefore, the first few prescriptions can not be different. Ah, those surnamed ye do not need much. There are just a few patches of medicine, you¡¯ll never have children, and then you¡¯ll be kicked out of the house!


    ss Heart Guffaw, hope to go before her fief, can see such a wonderful scene.


    Ye Jiayao is in a good mood today. Ren Hetang¡¯s attitude has restored her confidence, and Xiaojing says that things are almost over with Symon. Maybe he will be back in a few months.


    Joe Xi looked at her with a smile that he had not seen for a long time, and his mood naturally brightened. Recently, second young mistress has been very depressed. There are many gossips outside saying that second young mistress can¡¯t have a baby. She doesn¡¯t believe it. She apanied second young mistress to the Doctor that day, the Doctor in Renhetang is the most famous doctor in Nanjing City. The Doctor didn¡¯t say no to the second mistress. He thought someone was behind her to make her unhappy.


    ¡°second youngdy, is something good going on?¡±


    Ye Jiayao mouth with a smile could not help: ¡°Well, is a good thing, he Lian Wang Ye soon back.¡±


    ¡°So, we won the war?¡± Said Joe Xi happily. Though they didn¡¯t care about the war, they were always happy to hear about it.


    ¡°should!¡± Ye Jiayao smiles.


    Chunyu sent word that he would be backter today. It doesn¡¯t matterter, juste back, speaking of which, they haven¡¯t made out in days, Chunyu busy, Chun Yu tired, she is also full of worries, are not interested. But tonight, it¡¯s alling back to me.


    ¡°get me some hot water, Joshie. I¡¯m going to take a bath.¡±


    Ye Jiayao washed with fragrance and fragrance, and specially changed into a pink and purple silk dress. The silk dress is light and translucent, revealing arge area of pink and delicate skin on her chest. Inside, a deep purple belly pocket is faintly visible. Ye Jiayao is satisfied with her dress, it¡¯s tempting. It¡¯s a bit like thinking of yourself as a delicate pastry, waiting for the other person to taste it, uncertain and expectant, and a little excited.


    It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt like this, sweet and wonderful.


    Chunyu really came backte, Ye Jiayao almost did not hold up, sleep over.


    Hearing Chunyu¡¯s voice, he sobered up and got out of bed to wait on him while he changed.


    ¡°the return is reallyte.¡± Ye Jiayao smiles the way.


    Chunyu looked a little tired, did not notice ye Jia Yao deliberately loose clothing, revealing the temptation, um voice, said: ¡°busy almost, just waiting for the South Vietnamese envoys.¡±


    With these words, he went into the clean room to wash.


    Ye Jiayao was a little disappointed, he did not look at her ah! On second thought, follow him in.


    Xia Chunyu is wringing a handkerchief and washing his face.


    Ye Jiayao encircled his waist from behind, pressed her face against his broad, solid back, felt his warmth and heartbeat, and asked softly, ¡°Have you eaten your dinner? Are You Hungry? Do you want me to make you some supper?¡±


    Xia Chunyu is wringing the hand of Pa Son a meal, his little woman seems to be particrly gentle today! What¡¯s the catch?


    Involuntarily she lifted a smile, wiped her face, threw the cotton-handkerchief, and turned to embrace her. Her eyes sank into her eyes, and her voice was soft: ¡°these two days, Miss Me?¡±


    ¡°How About You?¡± Said ye Jiayao, blushing and clutching hispel


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied sinctly.


    Ye Jiayao licked the lip p, looked up at him, clear eye waves like brightke ripples, heard his soft greasy voice asked: ¡°How the idea?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled, lowered his head, kissed her wet light lips, gently with the tip of the tongue swept, like licking a delicious cake.


    Voice bes hoarse, soft to melt the heart: ¡°want to do so.¡±


    The hand that holds her slender waist glides deftly into thepel, kneading her plump side at times lightly and heavily: ¡°Think So.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face has been red hot, is she special emotional reason today, or how, actually listen to his voice on the heart swing. He was kissed out of breath, but this is the clean room, Ye Jiayao hard to hold his chest, jiaochen said: ¡°I dun ginseng soup, I go to serve you to drink!¡±


    And with that he fled.


    Xia Chun in see her shy escape, dark eyes more deep and clear, shallow smile floating up, also followed out.


    Go to bed, close your eyes, wait for bird¡¯s Nest, wait for tonight¡¯s meal.


    How could he let her down when she was so aggressive?


    Ye Jiayao put on her coat to fetch ginseng soup. At night, she didn¡¯t dislike having other people waiting on her, so she didn¡¯t disturb Joe and XI.


    ¡°Chunyu, ginseng soup ising.¡± She called out, but there was no response.


    ¡°Chunyu...¡±


    Ye Jiayao into the bedroom, but see Chunyu shoes also did not take off, the quilt did not cover, so leaning on the pillow to sleep, issued a slight and even breathing sound.


    ¡°Chunyu...¡±


    Xia Chunyu is just want to raise a god for a while, but did not think of a closed eyes fell asleep.


    Ye Jiayao Heart lit a night of evil fire, looking at that tired junrong, slowly put out, slowly cold down.


    Put down the soup, for him to take off his shoes, took the pillow, help him lie down, cover the quilt.


    Chunyu rolled up the covers and turned to sleep again, apparently morefortably.


    Ye Jiayao sat on the edge of the bed, stupefied.


    Is He really tired? Or is she less attractive to him now?


    Then she shook her head, deeply looked at his eyes asleep, should be tired out! He¡¯s never fallen asleep like this. She shouldn¡¯t be so Random Thoughts.


    Early in the morning, when the early responsible for sweeping the servants, dragging a big broom across the Bluestone Road, Xia Chunyu woke up.


    The light in the room was cold and dark. Xia Chunyu looked like a cat crouching beside him. His thoughts paused for a moment. Then he remembered her shy but suggestive mannerst night, then, chagrined to find that he actually fell asleep, and a sleep to the dawn, actually so let down her a kind of kindness.


    He rose to his side and looked at the people sleeping beside him.


    In the morning light, her fair skin was coated with a pearly sheen, as fine as white porcin, her brow furrowed slightly, her long eyshes tinged with a pale cyan, her chin pointed, it makes her face look smaller.


    The bottom of my heart involuntarily floating pity, this time, he was very busy, busy to some do not care about her, let him very ashamed, wanted to give her meticulous care, also can only stay in oral questions.


    Did you drink the medicine?


    What¡¯s the mood of the second mistress?


    What did you do today?


    ...


    However, this period of time was when she needed his care most. Although that topic was no longer talked about by either of them, she was as devoted as ever to the affairs of the heavenly abode, the affairs of the farm, and the running of the family for him, and it¡¯s Sound of the Underground. Although she hides very well, make oneself appear as if nothing had happened as far as possible, however, asionally, the absent-minded, cu eyebrow, the vision vacant manner, still divulged her in the mind uneasiness and indecision.


    He was supposed to calm her down. It was just a fucking errand. It turned out that the emperor¡¯s promotion of his official is to make him willing to work as a cow when a horse.


    Thoughts back tost night¡¯s screen, the little woman shy to run out to serve soup, face blushes have spread to the ears.


    Was she disappointed that he fell asleep? How¡¯s he gonna make it up to you?


    Xia Chunyu thinks in this way, the body somewhere fluttered for a while, again moved near some, the palm probes into her clothes to put, loiter in her slender waist limb.


    Sleep ye Jiayao subconsciously under the domination to his side rub rub.


    His smooth skin was like fine Hangzhou silk, and then, thinking of a more delicate and stic ce, his hand rose naturally, taking the fullness of that side, and gently kneading it, the clear feeling that the top of the stamens in his hands erect, inverted provoke their own somewhere hard as iron, rose to a pain.


    And still not wake up? Xia Chunyu¡¯s idea is to gently caress, tease, make her wake up, half asleep half awake, give her a most lingering sentimental kiss, and then deeply into, let her bloom in his body, trembling.


    As a result, the woman doesn¡¯t wake up, he squeezes harder, and she only mumbles, as if protesting his harassment or encouraging him to go further.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t go to bed until verytest night. Sheforted herself by saying, don¡¯t think too much. When someone is not busy, no matter how busy he is, the first word when hees back is still about her. If he can¡¯te back in the pce, he would also ask song Qi to give her a message, go to bed early, don¡¯t forget what to drink and what to eat before going to bed. However, her mind was calm, and the heat inside her was too hot to subside for a long time, so she counted sheep with her eyes open, what was the count again? It¡¯s forgotten.


    What a dream, what a dream, what she had dreamed all night, what she had dreamed all night but could not achieve.


    In the dream, Chunyu¡¯s dark eyes, deep as the sea, looked at her, and with a gentle, sly smile at the corners of her lips, he held her in his arms, kissed her lightly, but stirred her heart, and stroked her gently, like a feather across the skin, make her shiver more severe, the heart of the desire as the spring vine crazy growth.


    Oh, Chunyu... Poor me. I could only make out with you in my dreams.


    Since it was a dream, there was nothing to be afraid of. She reached up to his neck and responded to his warmth. When his knees came between her legs, she parted.


    Xia Chunyu looked at still closed his eyes, but in cooperation with his woman, the lips to smile more and more strong, control the strength, slowly into.


    Ye Jiayao began to feel wrong, this dream is also too real, she can even feel his rhythm in her body, has never been gentle slow, really is she too hungry?


    Suddenly opened his eyes, but on a pair of deep smiling eyes.


    Ye Jiayao embarrassed, it is true, not a dream.


    ¡°You... you...¡± Ye Jiayao you did not know what to say.


    He had kissed her and wasughing softly, in the Husky, Husky, maic, seductive voice of the morning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk, concentrate, like before...¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly from the face to the neck are red, so focused dream, er... it is too embarrassing.


    Since she woke up, Xia Chunyu began to wanton up, slowly withdraw, and then without warning heavily into the top, attracted her out of patience Jiao Yin.


    He was determined to make it up to her today, so he patiently guided her to the ultimatefort, in ordance with his burning desire and desire.


    When she was released, she quickly twitched and moved a few times,nding on her lower abdomen.


    Ye Jiayao is still immersed in the joy of that moment just now. Today¡¯s feeling is very special. From the beginning to the end, it was all so pleasant. He didn¡¯t think much about his timely withdrawal. He said, it¡¯s best not to get pregnant until she¡¯s well-adjusted.


    Early exercise is conducive to physical and mental health, Ye Jiayao mood like rain after a few months, finally ushered in the mist after a ray of bright sunshine, the whole people are fresh up.


    Xia Chunyu has a half-day leisure, afternoon just go to the pce, apany her to her mother, and then apany her to heaven.


    Ye Jiayao went to work, and Xia Chunyu just sat in his room looking at the books, zhao Bushi in a sideugh oh: ¡°the son of the Lord, the sky in these two months of ie, although notpared to years ago, but this period of time is the off season, can do this extent is already a miracle, that is, the second mistress, cane up with so many tricks, I heard Xiangyi floor and Fu Remember to add up the ie is not our sky.¡±


    ¡°moreover, now Deng Haichuan and Wang Mingde are also making rapid progress, and they will carefully think up new dishes. The reaction of the guests is not bad. At this rate, we will probably have several more chefs in heaven.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled, Yao Yao once put bold words, she would in this group, train a chef, chef, build an elite team, other masters are hidden, on her, spare no effort, no wonder everyone was so convinced of her.


    ¡°Prince Ye, that... Sea Thing? Helian Prince Ye¡¯s steward has already looked for small, they want to prepare to go out to sea, ask us is not together?¡± Zhao Guan Shi asks a way.


    Xia Chun finally thought about it, ¡°Let¡¯s not take part in this trip,¡± he said. ¡°If they need a boat, lend it to them. You are still here to help the second youngdy. Now she has to take care of the farm. I don¡¯t want her to work too hard.¡±


    Zhao Steward said with a smile: ¡°to tell the truth, the small also don¡¯t want to go to sea, go to sea where there is so rxed and at ease here, since ye said so, the small give this matter back.¡±


    Xia Chun-yu waited for a long time. Before Yao Yao coulde up, she asked, ¡°is the second daughter-inw so busy every day?¡±


    ¡°yesterday, Wang Mingde came up with a new dish,¡± Zhao said. ¡°I guess the second youngdy is pointing at them now. She¡¯s not usually so busy.¡±


    At noon, Xia Chunyu in the sky on the home for dinner, official clothes also brought, andter changed into a direct into the pce.


    Ye Jiayao cooked a few of his favorite dishes for him personally, sitting on the opposite side and smiling at him to eat.


    ¡°you don¡¯t Eat?¡± Xia Chunyu saw her chopsticks almost did not move.


    Ye Jiayao these days drink medicine, drink the appetite, but do not want to let him worry, said: ¡°I am not hungry, I see you eat.¡±


    She never said it was a pleasure to watch him eat.


    When he eats, he is always so slow, so elegant, like a gourmet, in taste, rather than simply eating. Slender white fingers, well-articted, chopsticks in two-thirds, the best position, down slow but urate chopsticks, never pick to pick, casual in a leisurely manner.


    Good-looking guy. He eats like a champ.


    Ye Jiayao feels more and more like a nymphomaniac, but she is willing.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the smiling Yao Yao, Almond Big Eyes with smile, tender smile, very enjoy her such gaze, eyes other than he has no other concentration and deep feeling.


    It seems that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but he would rather not have it than absence.


    ¡°will you be back tonight?¡± Said Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°not necessarily, this morning the crown prince will present the n to the emperor, if the emperor approved, perhaps can take two days off, if there are still dissatisfied with the ce, it is bad.¡± Xia Chunyu Wry Smile.


    The n has been revised and revised several times. The emperor himself is not sure to what extent. He has too many concerns. Speaking of this, the three princes are quite bold, with a clear purpose, and strive for the greatest interests, if I have to, I¡¯ll back off a little. That¡¯s what he wants. This is like doing business, no matter what price you ask, people always want to bargain, the starting point is low, less profit, of course, the price can not be too high, people will feel insincerity, excessive greed. So, that¡¯s... that¡¯s a bit of a stretch.


    Ye Jiayao hears this words to have some disconste, can not so toss about a person?


    Xia Chunyu see through her mind, soft voice way: ¡°I try toe back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heart a warm, broad-minded said: ¡°Business is important, if you can note back, do not force, we are working overtime, youe back bad.¡±


    ¡°well, I¡¯ll be back aste as they want.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughs a way, that help son old man already toss of fast can not bear, need not he be anxious, somebody can put forward.

 Chapter 221 - Hand It Over To Her

    <h4>Chapter 221: Hand It Over To Her</h4>


    Since Imperial Doctor Li was there too when Ye Jinxuan went to say goodnight to Xia You, the Old Madame had the doctor look her over. You has been so worried and concerned about Jinxuan¡¯s condition these past weeks.


    After checking Jinxuan over, Imperial Doctor Li changed her prescription and said, ¡°You¡¯ve gotten better.¡±


    Xia You¡¯s face brightened up when she heard that. When Zhou came by earlier this afternoon, she hinted at her to give Chunyu a concubine. You has actually already thought about it ever since she found out that there¡¯s very little chance for Jinxuan to bear them an heir. She didn¡¯t want to get in between Chunyu and Jinxuan, but she also has to think about the mansion¡¯s future.


    After a long time, she decided to give Jinxuan another year. Besides, she knew that her son would not ept a concubine at this moment. And if she¡¯s being honest, she doesn¡¯t want Jinxuan to hate her.


    Jiayao dutifully agreed to follow the doctor¡¯s instructions. She always made sure to take her medicine on time. She was determined to fast-track her healing.


    Even though people around her were careful with how they gossip, she could still see the pity in their eyes every time she passes by.


    She also had a feeling that Zhou¡¯s been spreading lies again and the best way to refute that is to get pregnant. A lot is riding on her future pregnancy that¡¯s why she wanted to get better as soon as possible.


    Back at the courtyard, Jiayao was just about to give Qiao Xi Imperial Physician Li¡¯s prescription so she could make the medicine when something niggled at the back of her mind. At thest minute, she gave her servant the prescription from her original doctor instead.


    There was nothing wrong with Imperial Physician Li¡¯s prescription, but she didn¡¯t see much improvement even after a month of taking it. She wanted to try her original doctor¡¯s medicine this time.


    <i><strong>In Liu Li¡¯s room.</strong></i>


    Little Ya helped Liu Li slowly walk around the room since she was adviced that pregnant women should move around.


    ¡°Does Jinxuan have the prescription yet?¡± Liu Li asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course. There was nothing wrong with the prescription. The Cordyceps is the key.¡±


    Liu Li nodded and smiled. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡±


    She needed a way to give Jinxuan the Cordyceps. It causes problems that could not be detected by anyone.


    ¡°Princess, Lady Qiao ising,¡± the servant outside reported.


    Liu Li turned to her doctor and said, ¡°You may retire now.¡±


    Qiao walked in and took a seat, looking at Liu Li¡¯s belly with great envy. She heard that the possibility that Liu Li¡¯s baby would be a boy was rtivelyrge. It was incredibly lucky for the young woman to get pregnant this fast and with a male baby no less.


    Qiao didn¡¯t have such luck since her firstborn was a girl and it¡¯s taking a long time for her to get pregnant again. Fortunately, her mother-inw had sent her husband¡¯s mistress somewhere else. Chunli had mentioned his desire for concubinage but her mother-inw immediately shut that down. So now, there were no more distractions for her and her husband. They were trying very hard and she was hoping that it¡¯d prove productive soon.


    The two caught up for a while before Liu Li said, ¡°You should also consider having a baby, Sister.¡±


    Qiao blushed with embarrassment. ¡°Niuniu is still a baby. I want to wait until she¡¯s a little older.¡±


    That was a bad excuse, but Liu Li didn¡¯t call her out on it. Instead, she sighed and said sadly, ¡°You¡¯re fertile but you want to wait, meanwhile, Sister Jinxuan desperately wants a baby she can¡¯t have.¡±


    Qiao has heard rumors about this floating around the mansion and she never dared to clear it up with Jinxuan. Since she knew that it was the imperial physician looking over Jinxuan, her curiosity got the best of her and she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is it true that she cannot conceive a child?¡±


    Liu Li shook her head, pity written across her face. ¡°It¡¯s hard, but it¡¯s not entirely hopeless.¡±


    Qiao sighed, but there was not much sympathy from her. On the contrary, she was very happy. This takes off pressure from her since Jinxuan couldn¡¯t get pregnant either.


    ¡°Well, I feel bad for her and I hope she gets better soon,¡± Liu Li said.


    Qiao was a little surprised. She heard that there¡¯s tension between Liu Li and Jinxuan. She did not expect Liu Li to care for Jinxuan like that. Have they already buried the hatchet?


    ¡°Me too. Jinxuan¡¯s a nice person,¡± Qiao echoed.


    ¡°A few days ago, the Empress Dowager gave me some good Cordyceps. Go have some, it¡¯s good for your health.¡±


    ¡°No, no. The Empress Dowager sent those for you. I don¡¯t feel right taking any of it.¡±


    Liu Li said with a smile, ¡°Of course you can take some. I have too many tonics here, I can¡¯t even finish it.¡±


    She asked Little Ya to get the Cordyceps. Just as Little Ya was about to go, she added, ¡°Take two servings. I want to give some to Second Sister-inw too.¡±


    After a short while, Little Ya came back with two packs of Cordyceps.


    ¡°Sister, the big one is for you and the little one is for Jinxuan. Can you do me a favor and hand it to her? Tell her that it was from you,¡± Liu Li said.


    Qiao was puzzled. ¡°Why?¡±


    With a sigh, Liu Li said, ¡°You know that Jinxuan and I have had¡­ misunderstandings in the past. Now that we¡¯re family, however, I have long forgotten about that. It doesn¡¯t seem like she feels the same way, though. I¡¯m afraid that if she finds out that it came from me, she would think that it¡¯s poisonous or something. I just want to help her.¡±


    Qiao nodded understandingly. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll give it to her for you.¡±


    The next day, when Jiayao came back from Heavenly Residence, Xiang Tao told her that First Young Mistress hase and gave her some Cordyceps.


    Jiayao knew that Cordyceps is good and very expensive so she was surprised that Qiao¡¯s being generous. However, she didn¡¯t like to take tonics like that, preferring medicine. Also, Princess Yu De has sent over a lot of tonics for her so she didn¡¯t need it.


    She was about to have it stored but Xiang Tao told her that First Young Mistress said that it¡¯s the most nourishing at this time. Ye Jiayao then decided to just use it in a chicken stew for Chunyu.


    The Imperial College was starting soon so as scheduled, Fang Munrui and Zhongyuan came to Jin Ling. However, Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t expecting Jinyao toe too.


    On the same day, Xia Chunyu took Zhongyuan and Fang Minrui to the Imperial College toplete the admission procedure.


    Originally, Ye Jiayao nned to arrange for the two to live in the small courtyard where she had lived before. It was quiet and it was a good ce to study. They would be spending most of their time staying in the Imperial college anyway and they¡¯d only be going home for three days every month.


    However, when Xia You found out about them, she took over. She arranged for the two to live in the mansion. Besides the fact that Zhongyuan and Fang Minrui were good academics, she thought that they could make a goodpanion for Chunguo.


    Xia Chunyu was more than happy to have the two guys stay at the outer court of the mansion. Of course, he was also thinking that if Zhongyuan lives with them, he¡¯d have less contact with Ye Jinrong. He did not want Zhongyuan to be tainted by that vicious woman.


    Since Chunyu and You both agreed on this, Jiayao couldn¡¯t object. However, she insisted on being responsible for all of Zhongyuan and Minrui¡¯s expenses.


    Her only problem now was Jinyao. Jinyao came because she said that the house was a bit boring since her mother and sister left. She also didn¡¯t want to stay with her Second Sister because her mother would be there and living with her mother would make her father unhappy.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t very well turn her sister away, could she? She had no other choice but to let Jinyao live in her yard.


    Jinyao was very happy about her current living situation. When her mother left, she knew that it was only a matter of time before her status plummets down. No one back home was even trying to arrange a good marriage match for her!


    Fortunately, her sister and her brother-inw came to visit. Jinyao was immediately struck at how handsome her brother-inw is. Even when they left, she couldn¡¯t get his face out of her mind.


    So she decided toe here with her brother.


    She was not like Jinrong who would steal someone else¡¯s husband. All she wanted was to be near Xia Chunyu so she could see and hear him every day. If possible, she wouldn¡¯t even mind co-serving him with her eldest sister.


    Xia Chunyu was a sweet handsome man and Jinyao was definitely smitten. Of course, she knew that he and her sister are deeply in love so there was nothing that she could do about that.


    No one knew that she was thinking this. After all, she was only fourteen years old. The people were sympathetic to her because they knew of her family situation and those who didn¡¯t find her likable because of her beauty.


    When the emissaries sent by the South Vietnamese king arrived in Jin Ling, Xia Zhuoqin also came to greet them as a representative of the Ministry of Rites.


    Xia Chunyu was a little surprised. He had already hinted at Prime Minister Su that his uncle was not suitable for this position. It wasn¡¯t untilter that he found out that he got the position because of Liu Li.

 Chapter 222 - A Little Confused

    <h4>Chapter 222: A Little Confused</h4>


    In the evening, Third Uncle¡¯s family hosted a banquet to celebrate his new position in the government. For once, Zhou forked out enough money to prepare an extravagant meal.


    During dinner, Zhou kept on giggling happily, clearly reveling in her unabashed triumph. She also keptplimenting Liu Li, as to which thetter only answered with a humble smile.


    Ye Jiayao ate her food silently, thinking whether this ¡®help¡¯ was out of the goodness of Liu Li¡¯s heart or if it was simply a ¡®reward¡¯.


    ¡°Second Cousin-inw, eat some fish roe. It promotes good pregnancy,¡± Yulian said with a fake smile.


    Ye Jiayao held her breath, working hard on calming her temper.


    Zhou lightly reprimanded, ¡°Yulian, Jinxuan¡¯s already taking medicine for that. Did you forget that she should avoid fishy smell?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right,¡± Yulian said. ¡°I have a bad memory. Forgive me, Second Cousin-inw.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled at them. If they think they could break her with a few petty words, they¡¯ve got another thinging.


    ¡°Besides, fish roe isn¡¯t enough to promote pregnancy. It depends on whether you are blessed or not,¡± Zhou added, smiling at Jinxuan.


    Bitch. Ye Jiayao returned her smile. ¡°Third Auntie is right. We never know, though, blessings are elusive and mysterious. Sometimes, bad events can turn out to be a good thing, and sometimes, a seemingly good thing turns out bad. We really can¡¯t say for sure.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s smile fell. Was she trying to insinuate something?


    Xia You didn¡¯t like the bite to Zhou¡¯s words. She might be bummed about the news of Jinxuan¡¯s infertility, but she was still her daughter-inw. ¡°This gathering is for the celebration of Third Brother-inw¡¯s promotion. Zhou, you will be the Assistant Minister¡¯s wife from now on!¡±


    Zhou was tickled to hear that title that she forgot about Jinxuan. ¡°Madame, I heard that you and the minister¡¯s wife are close. I would need you to make the introductions.¡±


    The two of themunched into this topic.


    Liu Li, who has been watching Ye Jinyao, started, ¡°Second Sister, is this your little sister?¡±


    Ye Jiayao answered,¡± Yes, this is my youngest sister.¡±


    Liu Li joked, ¡°She¡¯s so beautiful, Second Sister, even more beautiful than you!¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is just like a figure in a beautiful painting. I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off of her the first time I saw her,¡± Qiao echoed.


    Jinyao lowered her head, blushing from all the praise.


    ¡°Well, Jinyao is the most good-looking out of the three Ye sisters,¡± Ye Jiayao said generously.


    ¡°Jinyao, how old are you?¡± Liuli asked. She has really mastered the ability to appear kind and sweet.


    Jinyao replied, ¡°14.¡±


    ¡°So you are about to be an adult¡­¡± Liu Li mused.


    Yulian chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s close with me and Yinlian¡¯s age. Jinyao, you shoulde here more often!¡±


    With a shy smile on her face, Jinyao nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    When she first came to the Marquis¡¯ house and saw these nobledies, she realized that thedies back in Yangzhou could neverpare. That invitation excited her and scared her at the same time. She needed connections in high ces if she¡¯s going to survive here, but she was also a bit skeptical if she could get along with nobilities like them.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know why she was feeling uneasy. Liu Li¡¯s words stirred up something in her. She looked at her little sister, deep in thought. Jinyao indeed was very pretty and verydy-like. She was not too proud to admit that Jinyao¡¯s truly more beautiful than her. That wasn¡¯t what¡¯s bothering her, though.


    She recalled how Jinyao acted around her husband. The youngdy was always starry-eyed, giggly, and her smile was just extra bright. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t think much of it before, but now...


    Liu Li was also deep in thought. Did Jinxuan invite her sister here to be Xia Chunyu¡¯s concubine? Keep it in the family? Would Jinxuan be able to stand her? She¡¯s still Ning¡¯s daughter, after all.


    Should she add fuel to an already smoldering situation?


    The women¡¯s banquet ended first before the men¡¯s and they all retreated to their respective yards.


    ¡°Big Sister, they are all very nice!¡± Jinyao remarked excitedly. It was her first time to meet everyone and it went better than she expected.


    Ye Jiayao forced a smile and said, ¡°Some people are not what they seem. Be careful.¡±


    That was a warning both for Jinyao and for herself. False friends are worse than bitter enemies. She hoped that she was just overthinking things, but a part of her knew that trouble¡¯s brewing.


    Jinyao understood what she was saying. She was able to detect all the snipes and underlying tension at the banquet. However, she yed dumb and said, ¡°Big Sister, I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll get itter,¡± Ye Jiayao replied.


    When they got home, Xiang Tao informed them that a woman named Ye Jinrong sent an invite for Third Young Lady Ye toe over to their house tomorrow.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go,¡± Jinyao said immediately.


    Ye Jiayo signal for Xiang Tao to retreat before turning to Jinyao. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you want to go. They¡¯re still your mother and sister. I¡¯m not gonna forbid you from seeing them.¡±


    Jinyao told her firmly. ¡°Big Sister, you don¡¯t have to stand up for them. Yes, they might be my blood, but I cannot forgive them for everything that they have done. It¡¯s better not to see them. It will only make me feel worse.¡±


    Ye Jiayao studied her. Was she really that ruthless? Her mother might have done heinous things, but she was still her mother. She wasn¡¯t even tempted to see her? Ye Jiayao questioned if Jinyao was being genuine or was simply just trying to get her favor.


    Jinyao shifted awkwardly, feeling ufortable under her sister¡¯s eyes. Determinedly, she said, ¡°My mother and my sister have done evil things I can¡¯t abide by. Big Sister, my loyalty lies with you.¡±


    ¡°Alright. If you don¡¯t want to see them, you don¡¯t have to,¡± Ye Jiayao reassured.


    Just then, Chunyu came in.


    Jinyao greeted him and headed out.


    Chunyu watched Jinyao¡¯s retreating hunched figure and turned back to his wife, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Jinyao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smelled a faint scent of wine on him and ordered Qiao Xi to make some soup to sober him up. Chunyu, however, declined and just asked for a cup of tea.


    ¡°Nothing. Ye Jinrong sent a message asking to see her, but Jinyao didn¡¯t want toe.¡±


    He took off his coat and said, ¡°It¡¯s better for her to have less contact with them.¡±


    Jiayao hesitated for a few seconds before asking, ¡°Chunyu, do you n on letting Jinyao live here?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s your sister. If she doesn¡¯t stay here, she¡¯s just going to go to Jinrong¡¯s house. Are you okay with that?¡±


    Frankly, she was. She was afraid that Jinyao living here would cause a lot of trouble. However, she couldn¡¯t kick her sister out just because of her suspicions. There was just this foreboding feeling inside her that¡¯s sending all her senses on high alert.


    She also couldn¡¯t tell Chunyu all of this so she changed the topic instead. ¡°Is Third Uncle happy?¡±


    He sat down next to her and gathered her in his arms. He loved holding her like this like he¡¯s protecting her from the big bad world outside. ¡°Of course. He¡¯s overjoyed. My father, however, reminded him that his positiones with a lot of stress and it¡¯s more ruthless than others. The higher-ups wouldn¡¯t think twice about firing him if he screws up.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think that warning him like that is going to work?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. If he screws up, he¡¯ll just be bringing trouble to his family.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want to bring the mood down by talking about Third Uncle more so he said, ¡°After I¡¯ve settled all the matters that were tasked to me, I¡¯m going to ask for a few days off. Where do you want to go?¡±


    He actually already had an idea of where he wanted to go. He heard that there was a famous doctor in Hangzhou who specialized in women¡¯s studies and was once Imperial Physician Li¡¯s mentor. He wanted to take her there and do some sightseeing after.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lit up. ¡°How many days off can you take? If you leave for long, we can travel further.¡±


    In her past life, she loved sightseeing and could set off for days with just a backpack. In this life, though, as she¡¯s a housewife, she¡¯s not that free. Vacations and leisurely travels are extravagances in her position.


    Looking at her bright eyes and excited smile, Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help but feel proud of himself. He leaned in and ced a tender kiss on her lips. ¡°How many days off do you want me to take?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heartbeat started quickening from that simple kiss. Was it just her imagination or was Chunyu getting more and more irresistible as time passes? ¡°The longer the better.¡±


    ¡°Yes, mydy,¡± he said with a slow smile, leaning in to give her another kiss, this time, deeper.


    Qiao Xi came in with the Heir-son Lord¡¯s tea in hand and immediately blushed when she found him and the Second Young Mistress kissing. She quietly retreated to leave them alone.


    Ye Jiayao heard a rustle and looked up, catching a short glimpse of Qiao Xi. It was then that she remembered the tea that Chunyu asked for.


    She pushed her husband away and hissed, ¡°Qiao Xi saw us!¡±


    Chunyuughed at her virgin-like sensibilities. ¡°So? We¡¯re married, it¡¯s natural for us to kiss. They should be happy to see that our rtionship is going good. Now,e on¡­¡±


    Still blushing, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°No, leave me alone. I¡¯m going to change my clothes.¡±


    Before she could escape, she was pulled into his arms again.

 Chapter 223 - Princess Ah Ruan

    <h4>Chapter 223: Princess Ah Ruan</h4>


    Ye Jiayao never imagined that the reception duty for the royal envoy would fall on her.


    She also never thought that a princess from a foreign country would want to be her friend.


    What happened was while the men were on the negotiation table, the princess of Nanyue, Ah Ruan, decided that she¡¯d like to roam around Jin Ling. She wanted to see the sights, experience the custom, and taste the food of the foreign city. The Emperor tasked Helian Jing to escort the Princess around. Since Helian Jing didn¡¯t want to bring her to random ces, he nned to take her to see Qinhuai River and to Heavenly Residence for lunch.


    When Ye Jiayao got to the restaurant, Manager Zhao told her that Young Royal Highness Jing booked the whole restaurant for lunchtime.


    She was confused. Was Little Jing having a banquet here? When she asked Manager Zhao, he said that Young Royal Highness only requested one table of dishes, but all of the desserts from the bakery. He also specifically requested that she make all of it.


    She analyzed the situation.


    First, if Little Jing was willing to spend an absurd amount of money to book the whole restaurant and was requesting for her to cook all the meals, his guest must be an honorable one.


    Second, he ordered a ton of desserts and only women have that much appetite for sweet things.


    Could his guest be the princess of Nanyue?


    If that¡¯s the case, she had to spend extra effort on this lunch. If they satisfy the princess, Chunyu¡¯s negotiation might go smoother.


    Ye Jiayao looked up Nanyue on the map. If she¡¯s basing it on the modern times¡¯ geography, it¡¯s covering the provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan as well as Vietnam and Myanmar. She recalled that the most famous food there are rice noodles and bamboo rice.


    She nned to make dishes that the princess will be familiar with to give her thefort of her home, but she also wanted to give her a taste of their local cuisine. This way, the princess gets the best of both worlds.


    Little Jing never knew that escorting someone would be this tiring, but Princess Ah Ruan was restless and curious.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing, you said that Heavenly Residence has great dishes? Even better than the ones in the pce?¡± Ah Ruan asked with her ented Chinese as they admired the beauty of Qinhuai River.


    Little Jing had a hard time understanding her the first few times, but she has slowly gotten used to it.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not good, why would I bring you there? I promise you won¡¯t regret it. I won¡¯t even be surprised if you ask to visit it again,¡± Little Jing said proudly. No one in the whole city could cook better than Yaoyao.


    Ah Ruan¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°If I end up liking it, can I go every day?¡±


    Little Jing paused. The Emperor didn¡¯t say if he¡¯s getting reimbursed. He¡¯s already spent quite a lot on buying novelties for the princess, and not to mention the amount he spent on booking the restaurant. He doesn¡¯t have a lot of disposable ie on his own because he¡¯s already invested his savings to Qixuan¡¯s new venture.


    ¡°Well¡­ um, I¡¯m not sure that it¡¯s safe to always eat outside. If you like it, I can ask the chef at Heavenly Residence to cook for you and bring them to your residence,¡± Little Jing proposed.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t it safe? Will I get diarrhea?¡± the princess asked innocently, her eyes wide and bright.


    Little Jing¡¯s brows furrowed. It¡¯s not the right for a princess to say the word ¡®diarrhea¡¯, right?


    ¡°Of course not. The ce I¡¯m going to bring you to is really clean. I¡¯m just afraid that your beauty would cause turmoil since the citizens of Jin Ling has never since such loveliness,¡± he reasoned, totally making everything up.


    Ah Ruan didn¡¯tpletely understand all that he said except that he wasplimenting her on her looks. It made her feel good.


    She smiled, the dimples on her cheek bing more prominent. ¡°Thank you. You look really nice too and prettier than anyone I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    Her earnest words shocked Little Jing, making him blush. He knew that he¡¯s attractive but it¡¯s the first time that adyplimented him on his looks.


    Ah Ruan saw him blush and found it interesting. The girls in Nanyue were forthright, the men even more so, so it was her first time seeing a man blush. Suddenly, she was curious about the young prince who¡¯s been escorting her.


    Her father and Huai Song¡¯s emperor both knew that she was here to pick a husband. Although she didn¡¯t want to leave home, she was willing to make a sacrifice for Nanyue¡¯s political betterment. The only silver lining was that she¡¯s free to choose her husband here.


    Did the Majesty of Huai Song arrange for Young Royal Highness Jing to escort her because he wanted them to get together?


    Well, if that¡¯s the case, she wasn¡¯tining.


    The two of them fell silent. Little Jing because of embarrassment and Ah Ruan because of her deep thoughts.


    Ye Jiayao was busy cooking in the kitchen when Little Lu came in and reported, ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing is here. He brought an incredibly beautiful girl with him and they are upstairs in the Fuqu room.¡±


    ¡°Start serving the dishes. Bring out the dessertster,¡± she ordered.


    She made an exception for the dessert though since she made ice cream for appetizers.


    Ah Ruan liked the environment of Heavenly Residence. ¡°It¡¯s great here. People can enjoy the scenery outside while eating.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Every time I eat here, this is the room I choose,¡± Little Jing told her. He was reunited with Yaoyao in this very room.


    Little Lu came up and served them cold dishes and two cups of ice cream.


    Ah Ruan had never seen anything as soft and smooth as this. It¡¯s light pink color made it look so appetizing and delicate. Curiously, she asked, ¡°What is this?¡±


    Little Lu opened his mouth to answer, but Little Jing beat him to it. ¡°This is called ice cream and it¡¯s absolutely delicious. Only Heavenly Residence makes it. Come on, try it.¡±


    Ah Ruan skeptically scooped a little bit of it with a silver spoon. As soon as it touched her tongue, it melted and she could taste the exquisite sweetness. She went in for another scoop and said, ¡°This is so delicious! I have never had anything this good!¡±


    Little Jingughed proudly. ¡°This is only the beginning. More surprises areingter on.¡±


    He didn¡¯t expect Yaoyao to bring out ice cream today since he knew how hard it was to make. Could she have guessed who he was bringing today? It¡¯s possible given Yaoyao¡¯s sharpness and thoughtfulness.


    The dishes were served one by one, and Ah Ruan was in heaven. She tried every single one of the food, delighted at how amazing they taste.


    ¡°Wow! There¡¯s bamboo rice?¡± Ah Ruan eximed. The rice was mixed with peas, carrots, bamboo shoots, and bacon, and it was served in a green bamboo tube. The smell was so good it was making her mouth water.


    ¡°Oh¡­ this dish is from my home, Young Royal Highness Jing! How did the chef here learn how to make our bamboo rice?¡± She didn¡¯t expect to get a taste of home from a foreignnd. She thought that Young Royal Highness Jing arranged it and she couldn¡¯t help but be touched by his thoughtfulness.


    Little Jing was also surprised. She made a dish from a foreignnd! Was there any dish that Yaoyao can¡¯t cook?


    ¡°The chef here is very excellent and also happened to be my good friend. Would you want to meet the chef?¡± Little Jing offered.


    Ah Ruan nodded eagerly. ¡°Of course! I want to see the person behind all these masterpieces.¡±


    After Ye Jiayao finished herst dish, Little Lu came in to tell her that the beautifuldy with Little Jing enjoyed her cooking.


    She was pleased that all her extra effort was worth it.


    Moments passed and Little Lu came in again. This time, he said that the Young Royal Highness Jing wanted for her to join them.


    Ye Jiayao took off her apron and followed Little Lu upstairs.


    There were four guards by the door, two with Huai Song uniform, two with foreign costumes.


    When they saw Ye Jiayao, they moved aside to let her in.


    Ah Ruan was eating a prawn ball when she saw a woman walk in. She was so stunned, her prawn ball dropped backed to the bowl.


    The chef was a woman? A very beautiful woman nheless?


    Little Jing saw the surprise in Ah Ruan¡¯s face and smiled. ¡°Yaoyao, the is the princess of Nanyue, Ah Ruan.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bowed and greeted politely, ¡°Nice to meet you princess Ah Ruan, I¡¯m Ye Jinxuan.¡±

 Chapter 224 - Can I Go With You?

    <h4>Chapter 224: Can I Go With You?</h4>


    Ah Ruan smiled sweetly. She doesn¡¯t have the snobbish air like other nobles have, which made Ye Jiayao like her immediately.


    Little Jing continued, ¡°She¡¯s the owner of this restaurant, the Mobile Imperial Chef of the pce, the Second Young Mistress of the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, and the second granddaughter of the Helian Prince mansion. You can call her Ye Jinxuan, Second Young Mistress, or Yaoyao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao let out a little chuckle at Little Jing¡¯s introduction. She didn¡¯t realize howplex her identity had gotten until he said it in such details.


    Ah Ruan tilted her head and asked, ¡°Are you older than Young Royal Highness Jing? I can just call you Big Sister!¡±


    The people in Nanyue are straightforward, and once they like someone, they don¡¯t beat around the bush. And Ah Ruan definitely liked this woman. She could cook well, has a pretty face, and doesn¡¯t seem to be prone to brownnosing like most people are when they learn of her status. Plus, Yaoyao has deep ties with the Helian family. If she was to marry Little Jing, she¡¯d be calling her ¡®Big Sister¡¯ anyway, so why wait?


    Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing exchanged looks, both thinking that ¡®Big Sister¡¯ was too intimate for someone she just met.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao,e sit. How are you so good at cooking so many great dishes? Have you been to Nanyue? Why does your food taste just like ours? No, actually, yours taste better¡­¡± Ah Ruan started questioning Yaoyao curiously.


    Ye Jiayao lied smoothly, ¡°I just happened to have the chance to meet some chefs from Nanyue and I really liked the food from your country.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? We have heaps of good food over there, like the bridge rice noodle, erkuai, flower cakes¡­¡±


    ¡°I like flower cakes too! I have a flower field so I¡¯m going to wait until the roses blossom and I¡¯ll try to make some. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re still going to be here then, Princess, but if you are, we can make them together.¡±


    ¡°Then I better stay here longer¡­¡± Ah Ruan nced at Little Jing with a hint of shyness.


    It was an obvious hint, but Little Jing, the daft boy that he was, simplyined, ¡°Now that you girls are having a good time, you¡¯re treating me like I¡¯m invisible!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed at him. ¡°Stop making things up. I should be the oneining that you didn¡¯t tell me that you¡¯ll be dining with the Princess! If I didn¡¯t guess it, the Princess would¡¯ve ended up disappointed!¡±


    Little Jing waved her charge dismissively. ¡°You are too smart to not have guessed that.¡±


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, don¡¯t call me princess. Just call me Ah Ruan, that¡¯s what my family calls me,¡± Ah Ruan told her.


    While they talked, Jiang Yue came in with the desserts.


    Ah Ruan let out a little shriek of excitement. ¡°These are the desserts? Wow! They look so delicious!¡±


    Little Jing handed her the fruit cake. ¡°Try this. This is so good and you can¡¯t get this anywhere else.¡±


    Ah Ruan couldn¡¯t stop eating, but her stomach was already so full. She whined, ¡°Young Royal Highness Jing, why didn¡¯t you tell me there are so many desserts? I love desserts! I would¡¯ve saved some room for them!¡±


    Little Jing was surprised that she could eat that much. He had no idea how such a small body could fit so much food. Where does it all go?


    Ye Jiayao smiled at her adorableness. ¡°Ah Ruan, you can bring them back. If you want to eat more, you can always ask someone to get them here for you. We have nothing but good food here.¡±


    Before Ah Ruan left, she took Yaoyao¡¯s hands and said, ¡°I¡¯m so happy to meet you. I¡¯ll visit you again soon!¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that she just said it out of politeness, but to her surprise, Ah Ruan did indeede to the restaurant every day after that. Sometimes she¡¯s with Little Jing, sometimes she¡¯s just by herself.


    The intermittent negotiation went on for half a month before they finally signed the agreement. Luckily for Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi, the agreement included the opening of the border trade. Those two were sure to make a fortune soon.


    ¡°God¡­ this negotiation was more tiring than the war,¡± Xia Chunyuined with a sigh.


    Ye Jiayao handed him a cup of honey grapefruit tea and said, ¡°Here. Drink this. It¡¯s good for your throat.¡±


    He patted the seat next to him and told her to sit down.


    She obliged and immediately, his hand went around her hips and pulled her to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t! Others can see us,¡± Ye Jiayao protested shyly, trying to push him off to no avail,


    was shy and tried to push him off, which was no use.


    ¡°Let them look,¡± he said before taking her lips in a deep, hard kiss.


    Despite her reservations, she sank into the kiss, reveling in the feel of his arms around her and the way he teased her lips.


    It felt like their kiss went on forever.


    Chunyu only let her go when he was running out of breath. He smiled at the sight of her swollen lips and cuddled her to him, ying with her silky hair.


    ¡°I can finally spend time with you,¡± he said softly.


    ¡°The Nanyue envoy¡¯s going back, right? What about Princess Ah Ruan?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Princess Ah Ruan? I think she will stay. I know that she was sent here by her father to look for marriage prospects. His Majesty tasked Little Jing to escort her so I think he wanted the two of them to get together.¡±


    ¡°I think they¡¯re a good match. Ah Ruan¡¯s very innocent and adorable.¡± From her observations, Ah Ruan definitely has some feelings for Little Jing. She would always ask her about Little Jing¡¯s and even Princess Yu De¡¯s hobbies. Little Jing didn¡¯t seem to dislike her either.


    Suddenly, she remembered the trip that Ah Ruan mentioned. ¡°Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s inviting me to go with her to Qianman Field tomorrow. Do you want toe with us?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to go?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t gone out this year. Spring is the best time for a field trip!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go then. Who suggested Qianma Field?¡±


    ¡°Ah Ruan. I don¡¯t know why.¡±


    ¡°Qianma Field is too far,¡± he told her. ¡°They have bumpy roads too. Let¡¯s go to Puji Temple instead. I haven¡¯t seen Reverend Ji Ren for a while.¡±


    ¡°Big Sister, are you going out for a trip tomorrow?¡± Jinyao asked as she walked in.


    Ye Jiayao hurriedly moved away from Chunyu, blushing. Why did she just walk in like that?


    Xia Chunyu sat up too, coughing out of embarrassment. ¡°Yeah. I have been busy thesest few months and your sister and I haven¡¯t had any quality time together.¡±


    Jinyao wrapped a hand around her sister¡¯s arm and pleaded, ¡°Big Sister, can I go too??I¡¯ve been in Jin Ling for over half a month and I haven¡¯t even been to the Qinhuai River!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Didn¡¯t Jinyao hear Chunyu say that they haven¡¯t had quality time in a while? Why would she third wheel? She¡¯s going to spoil all the fun!


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want her toe, but since she¡¯s his sister-inw, he could only say, ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Really? My brother-inw is the best!¡± Jinyao eximed, the innocence of a little girl written all over her face.


    He smiled. ¡°Now go get some rest, we will leave early tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go to bed now. Big Sister and Brother-inw, you are the best,¡± Jinyao said and left the room.


    Ye Jiayao called in Qiao Xi, a frown on her face. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that Third Young Lady Ye ising in?¡±


    ¡°Apologies, Second Young Mistress,¡± Qiao Xi replied with a bit of fear. ¡°I will remember that next time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s good mood was ruined. She didn¡¯t like how Jinyao simply walked into their room without any notice. It was a good thing that they were not talking about sensitive matters, otherwise, that would¡¯ve been disastrous. Jinyao coulde in if it¡¯s only Ye Jiayao in the room, but not if Chunyu was with her. It¡¯s highly inappropriate.


    When Qiao Xi exited the room, Chunyu sat beside her and rubbed her shouldersfortingly. ¡°Let it go. Jinyao is still young and she¡¯s close to you, that¡¯s why she didn¡¯t think too much of it.¡±


    ¡°You think she¡¯s still young?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she just a teenager?¡±


    ¡°Teenager? She¡¯s 15 next year!¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    Xia Chunyu was startled at the bite in her tone. She could understand what Yaoyao was feeling, though. Once bitten, twice shy.


    He tugged her to him and said with an indulgent smile, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t trust others, you should trust me. I¡¯m not Wei Liujiang.¡±


    ¡°If you ever cheat on me, I will leave and never return,¡± she said firmly.


    She¡¯s willing to stay, do all the work, and take shit from others because she loved him. She¡¯s doing all she can to make him happy and make his life easier, but if he ever strays, she¡¯s gone. She will never tolerate cheating.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart skipped a bit at her words. This was the first time she said something like that to him. It got him worried. He hugged her tighter to him and vowed, ¡°I will never do that. You have my heart. There will never be anyone else.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t say anything. He might mean that now, but what happens if their passion runs out and other thoughts started taking over? No promises beat the changing mind of a person.


    ¡°I just want to say that if we ever have any misunderstanding in the future, we have tomunicate. We have to talk to each other,¡± he told her seriously. He knew that women are more observant than men so they tend to overthink a lot.

 Chapter 225 - Happiness and Sorrow

    <h4>Chapter 225: Happiness and Sorrow</h4>


    The next morning, Helian Jing went to pick up Ah Ruan before heading to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion to wait for Yaoyao. He figured that since the negotiations are done now, Brother Chunyu would being with them.


    As he expected, when Yaoyao came out, Chunyu was right on her heels. What he didn¡¯t expect though was the beautiful girl beside her.


    ¡°Big Sister!¡± Ah Ruan called as she jumped out of the carriage. She looked at the handsome man standing beside her and smiled. He must be the famous Jing An Heir-son Lord. During the negotiation, she has heard from her servants that he was a difficult person to deal with. They said that he¡¯s very sharp and has skillful speech that left their officers floundering around.


    Ah Ruan was secretly surprised. She had thought that Helian Jing¡¯s a handsome man, but he has nothing with the Jing An Heir-son Lord.


    Xia Chunyu bowed to Ah Ruan and greeted, ¡°Xia Chunyu shows my respect to Princess.¡±


    Ah Ruan waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Call me Ah Ruan.¡±


    Chunyu has heard from Yaoyao that this princess was a lovely friend worth meeting. Plus, if she¡¯s to marry Little Jing, she will be a member of the family.


    He nodded and turned to Little Jing, proposing that they go to Puji Temple instead as to which thetter immediately agreed to.


    Helian Jing wasn¡¯t also keen on going to Qianma Field. The road there was too bumpy and it¡¯d be even worse today since it rained quite heavilyst night.


    ¡°Who is this?¡± Ah Ruan asked as she looked at Jinyao again.


    Ye Jiayao answered, ¡°This is my youngest sister. Jinyao,e and greet Princess Ah Ruan.¡±


    Jinyao hurried forward to curtsy. ¡°Jinyao shows respect to Princess Ah Ruan.¡±


    After all the introductions were made, they began their journey. The women got into the carriage while Chunyu and Helian Jing rode on the back of their horses.


    ¡°I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t go. If you canceled, I would¡¯ve dragged you out,¡± Ah Ruan told Yaoyao.


    ¡°Why would I cancel?¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m actually grateful to you for giving me an excuse to take a break. I¡¯ve wanted to go out for a long time.¡±


    ¡°In that case, you shoulde with me tomorrow too,¡± Ah Ruan said, a bit conspiratorily.


    Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t have the luxury to go out every day like her. ¡°Where to?¡±


    A Ruan whispered, ¡°The Helian mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled knowingly. It seemed like Ah Ruan wanted to cover all her bases. ¡°Alright, I¡¯lle with you.¡±


    Ah Ruan gave Yaoyao a big hug. ¡°Thank you, Big Sister!¡±


    Jinyao was surprised at the rtionship between her older sister and the Princess. Weren¡¯t all princesses stuck up and proud?


    Meanwhile, in the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, Liu Li was lying pale on her bed. She was being looked over by Little Ya and Imperial Physician Li.


    There was a strong smell of wormwood in the room.


    ¡°Tell me the truth. Is the child going to survive?¡± Liu Li asked through gritted teeth.


    Little Ya was very sad. How could this happen? Even after all their meticulous care, Imperial Physician Li found out that the child was not quite right.


    Imperial Physician Li stayed quiet for a long moment before carefully saying, ¡°Smoke some wormwood for a few more days. If she still doesn¡¯t improve then¡­¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s eyes were full of pain and determination as she ordered, ¡°Save my child.¡±


    The child has been inside her for several months. She would touch her bump every day and felt her child grow up in her. She was so excited to experience the joy of motherhood. She doesn¡¯t want to lose him or her.


    Moreover, this child was her ticket to win everyone¡¯s heart. She¡¯s going to be the center of attention of the whole mansion. They would all follow her whim and spoil her. She¡¯s finally going to beat Jinxuan.


    However, if she loses this child¡­


    Chunfeng and her mother-inw would be disappointed. All those who were counting on her would be disappointed and Jinxuan would win.


    She couldn¡¯t lose her child. The mere thought of it makes her feel as though she¡¯s being choked.


    Once the long smoking process was over, Imperial Physician Li packed her things up and wrote a prescription for Liu Li with strict instructions to lie still.


    They lit rich ambergris and opened all the windows on the side of the garden to remove all the scent of wormwood.


    She needed to hide this matter for now and just hope that things would improve.


    Little Ya stood by the bed and looked on at her master sadly. ¡°Princess, don¡¯t think too much. Doctor Li said that you should be rxing.¡±


    Liu Li didn¡¯t say anything. It was easier said than done. This was her child. Her flesh and blood. How could she rx? She was terrified of what¡¯s toe.


    Her hand slowly caressed her swollen belly, trying to feel the movement of her fetus, but there was nothing.


    <i>My baby, don¡¯t sleep. Wake up and tell your mother you¡¯re fine...</i>


    Tears fell down her face.?<i>Please, my baby. Please, be alright.</i>


    ¡°Princess, Third Madame asks for a meeting,¡± a servant outside reported.


    Liu Li wiped her tears away and gestured for Little Ya to deal with Zhou.


    ¡°Third Madame, Princess Liu Li sends her apologies. She¡¯s feeling a little weak today and she¡¯s resting,¡± Little Ya said.


    Zhou asked, ¡°Is she alright?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s alright. It may be just because of the weather. She just needs to rest up.¡±


    Zhou nodded and left.


    Halfway to her house, though, she turned around and went to the main house instead.


    ¡°Big Sister, I just went to see Liu Li and she¡¯s not feeling well,¡± Zhou told You.


    You asked anxiously, ¡°What happened? Did she say anything about the difort?¡±


    Zhou responded, ¡°Little Ya said that Liu Li¡¯s resting so I didn¡¯t go in. It should be just a minor problem, though. Imperial Physician Li¡¯s been taking good care of her so I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Xia You wasn¡¯tforted. She hasn¡¯t seen Liu Li in two days. She¡¯d have to go and look at herter.


    Just then, Qiao¡¯s servant came.


    ¡°Madame, the First Young Mistress just threw up.¡±


    ¡°When did she start throwing up?¡± You asked calmly.


    ¡°Just today,¡± answered the servant.


    ¡°What about her period?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s several dayste.¡±


    You¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Go and get a doctor to look her over.¡±


    Zhou watched You¡¯s reaction to the news. You might be excited but she was also worried. After all, it¡¯s only Jinxuan now who has yet to bear the family a child.


    Ye Jiayao was oblivious to all of this craziness. She was too busy admiring the scenery in the temple.


    They were now walking up the steps and they were surrounded by towering ancient trees. The silence would only be disturbed by the asional bird singing and rustle of tree branches. It was breathtakingly peaceful.


    Because it rainedst night, the stone steps were still wet and a little slippery, so Xia Chunyu assisted Yaoyao up the steps. From time to time, he¡¯d warn her to be careful and to watch her feet.


    Ah Ruan, on the other hand, was happily running in front of all of them, the silver pieces on her clothes ringing with her every move.


    ¡°Little Jing, you¡¯re too slow! Come on, let¡¯s race and see if you can run faster than me,¡± Ah Ruan challenged mischievously from above them.


    Helian Jing wasn¡¯t interested inpeting with her. The steps were slippery and if anything happens to her, it¡¯d be his responsibility.


    ¡°Don¡¯t run! Be careful!¡± Helian Jing cried out.


    ¡°Nope! Come on!¡± Ah Ruan turned around and ran up again.


    Helian Jing cursed silently and followed after her. He was afraid that she¡¯d slip and crack her head so he had to catch up to her.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the two of them and couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll make it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they should be able to,¡± Xia Chunyu mused.


    ¡°Ah Ruan is going to the Helian mansion tomorrow and she asked me toe with her.¡±


    ¡°Go then. I¡¯m sure Old Ancestress would love to see you.¡±


    Jinyao was left behind by herself. She hasn¡¯t had much exercise so she was already panting after just a few short steps.


    She looked forward and saw her brother-inw carefully assisting her sister and felt envious. He treats Big Sister so good!


    ¡°Third Young Lady Ye, do you need help?¡± Qiao Xi asked.


    Jinyao shook her head and smiled. ¡°No, I can do it myself.¡±


    Suddenly, an idea urred to her and Jinyao deliberately turned her foot around.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± she cried out in pain.


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu heard a cry and looked back. They saw Jinyao sitting down on the steps, clutching her ankle in one hand.


    ¡°Go and see what¡¯s wrong,¡± Ye Jiayao told Chunyu worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu ran down several steps and squatted beside Jinyao. ¡°Is your foot turned around?¡±


    Jinyao nodded with tears in her eyes. ¡°Brother-inw, it hurts.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a moment, before reaching out to touch her ankle.


    Jinyao¡¯s breath hitched. It was nice to see her brother-inw up close. His eyebrows were like ink, his eyes were like stars¡­ and she could even smell the faint scent of grass on him.


    After a short check, Xia Chunyu blew out a relieved sigh. ¡°Your bones are fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also came down and asked, ¡°Jinyao, are you alright?¡±


    Xia Chunyu told her, ¡°There should be no big problem. She just twisted it and hurt the tendons. She¡¯ll be able to walk.¡±


    ¡°Big Sister, Brother-inw, you can leave me here. I¡¯ll just wait for you,¡± Jinyao said.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°That¡¯s all right. Song Qi, go and get a sliding pole.¡±


    Song Qi nodded obediently and ran down the hill.


    ¡°Big Sister, I¡¯m sorry to spoil your fun,¡± Jinyao apologized.


    Ye Jiayao lightly chided, ¡°Don¡¯t say that. It¡¯s not your fault.¡±


    Qiao Xi stood to the side silently. The stone steps were t and smooth. She was wondering how could Third Young Lady Ye twist her ankle when she¡¯s waking so slowly.

 Chapter 226 - The Mysterious Reverend

    <h4>Chapter 226: The Mysterious Reverend</h4>


    In no time, Song Qi came back with a sedan chair and a few men to help him carry it.


    Jinyao was quite excited because she thought that her brother-inw would have to carry her up to the chair. She¡¯s a youngdy so it¡¯s not appropriate for Song Qi to do it.


    Her hopes were immediately crushed when Xia Chunyu spoke.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, help Third Young Lady up the chair with Song Qi,¡± Xia Chunyu ordered and immediately wrapped an arm around his wife¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Be careful. Don¡¯t drop her!¡± Ye Jiayao told them, her brows furrowed worriedly.


    The men carrying the sedan chair responded energetically, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ma¡¯am, we¡¯ll take care of her.¡±


    Jinyao lowered her eyes to hide her emotions. She could feel her heart breaking in half. Her brother-inw really only has her sister in his heart.


    Meanwhile, Helian Jing and Ah Ruan have long made it to the top of the mountain, where they were directed to a tranquil tea room with Reverend Ji Ren.


    Reverend Ji Ren was sitting up straight and proper in a calm andposed manner. His movements were rhythmic and beautiful as he went through theplicated process of tea brewing.


    It was Ah Ruan¡¯s first time to witness someone go through so much trouble just to brew some tea. However, the solemn atmosphere brought about by the senior monk¡¯s rapt attention to his work glued her to her seat. After all, their people were exceptionally pious. She could only hope that Sister Yaoyao arrives quickly.


    Helian Jing discreetly elbowed her, whispering, ¡°Focus. This tea being personally brewed by Reverend Ji Ren is hard toe by. It¡¯s a blessing.¡±


    Ah Ruan stuck her tongue out at him but sat up straight nheless and copied his movements. When he picked up the cup to smell the fragrance of the tea, she followed suit. When he picked up the teacup to enjoy the tea, she did the same. The teacup was very tiny and she finished the whole thing in a gulp. When she looked at Little Jing¡¯s cup, however, she found that he only took a little sip. Embarrassed, she showed her empty cup to Reverend Ji Ren.


    Reverend Ji Ren only chuckled and filled her cup up again.


    A sudden brightugh broke the silence as Xia Chunyu walked into the tea room with Yaoyao. ¡°Ha! I smelled the fragrance of tea before I even entered the ce.¡±


    Reverend Ji Ren gave a Buddhist greeting and responded lightly, ¡°Today, someone with affinity is here to visit me. The poor monk naturally should not be negligent.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised a brow.?Although he and Little Jing have not been here many times, they could still be considered frequent visitors. Therefore, the person with affinity Reverend Ji Ren was referring to couldn¡¯t be them. Could it be Princess Ah Ruan? Or perhaps Yaoyao?


    ¡°Oh, this is my wife, Ye Jinxuan,¡± Xia Chunyu introduced.


    Ye Jiayao smiled as she greeted, ¡°Reverend, it is an honor to meet you.¡±


    Reverend Ji Ren looked her over. He has the ability to see through the spirit and his gaze epasses boundless wisdom that all kinds of concealments seemed to vanish under it.


    Ye Jiayao suppressed a shiver.


    Everyone settled down to enjoy the tea.


    Xia Chunyu said proudly, ¡°These tea leaves were specially cooked by Reverend Ji Ren himself and have been processed thoroughly. This tea is exceptionally fragrant and cannot be found elsewhere.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the tea set and his art of tea brewing, growing increasingly unsettled. She remembered that the art of tea brewing took shape during the Tang Dynasty, developed during the Song Dynasty, revolutionized during the Ming Dynasty, and flourished during the Qing Dynasty. Reverend Ji Ren¡¯s art of tea brewing was much advanced than it should be in this era.


    A shocking idea popped in her head. Could this young senior monk be a reincarnated soul too?


    She should be happy to find someone like her, but the only thing she could think about was the possibility of someone else like her walking around Jin Ling. How many were there?


    The thought was a bit scary.


    All her creation, the ice cream, the cakes¡­ she could easily be exposed.


    She started to feel distressed.


    ¡°There are many who loves tea but only a few who appreciate it. Some people drink tea to quench their thirst while others drink tea as an interest,¡± Reverend Ji Ren said.


    Ah Ruanughed and said, ¡°I am the one who drinks tea to quench the thirst.¡±


    Helian Jing snorted. ¡°You don¡¯t say. You gulped yours like a cow.¡±


    Ah Ruan pouted. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? I¡¯ve always been like this. I drink tea when I am thirsty.¡±


    ¡°The Princess¡¯ straightforward personality is good,¡± Reverend Ji Renmented with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao drank her tea silently.


    Ah Ruan was unable to stay still and insisted that Little Jing should apany her to look around the temple. Little Jing has no choice but to give in to her pestering.


    Reverend Ji Ren said, ¡°Reverend Liao Ran from Wu Tai Mountains sent a set of Diamond Sutra over the day before. I will bring you guys to take a look.¡±


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Is it hand-copied by Huai Song¡¯s first calligraphy master, Reverend Liao Ran?¡±


    Reverend Ji Ren nodded slightly.


    ¡°Then what are we waiting for?¡± Xia Chunyu demanded impatiently.


    Everyone made their way to the library. The Sutra was kept at the top level and the old monk brought the book down carefully and respectfully.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know much about calligraphy, but seeing how Chunyu was entranced by it, she decided not to disturb him and began looking around the library.


    In modern-day martial arts novels, the library that contains the sutras are always a mysterious ce thatmoners can¡¯t reach. Only the senior monks in the temple have ess to it. It was said to be home to many martial arts manuals and learning any few moves would make one undefeatable.


    However, the library, in reality, was a normal library, carrying various sutras and Buddhist scriptures.


    The interior decorations might be old, but there wasn¡¯t even a speck of dust on them.


    ¡°Madame, may I invite you up at the front for a chat?¡± Reverend Ji Ren asked.


    Ye Jiayao jumped at his voice. She wanted to decline but that would be rude, so she simply followed him out of the library and to an elevated area.


    Reverend Ji Ren looked straight ahead, his gaze far away. ¡°What is your wish, Madame?¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused. Why¡¯s he asking her this? What¡¯s his angle?


    ¡°Promote the food and beverage industry and live a peaceful life,¡± she answered.


    The reverend studied her for a long time, his eyes slowly softening. He then turned back to look at the mountains far ahead. ¡°For the past years, I have personally settled four extremely ambitious guests from a foreign world. You are the fifth one I have met.¡±


    That indifferent tone reverberated through Ye Jiayao like a p of thunder. She looked at the reverend in disbelief. Indeed, there were other time travelers!


    ¡°The universe is boundless and full of mysteries that people do not know of. However, every time and space has its own set ofws for survival and cannot be changed or subverted easily. Madame¡¯s wish is one that would benefit the people and heaven would definitely pity you.


    ¡°Madame, do not be unsettled and bewildered. I have said that you and I have an affinity and because of that, I would gift you a word of advice to tide you over a distressful cmity.


    ¡°For the next few days, please stay away from the viins of your life. Do not pay attention to nor meet them. Do not listen to nor show interest in them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was extremely stunned. With a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°Reverend, can you please make yourself clear?¡±


    He replied calmly, ¡°With your intelligence, you are sure to avert the misfortune headed your way.¡±


    The whole way back from Puji Temple, Ye Jiayao has been in a quiet, anxious state.


    Jinyao said considerately, ¡°Big Sister, you do not have to worry about my injury. It will recover in a couple of days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled at her lightly. She has actually forgotten all about her sister¡¯s injury. In any case, it was just a minor sprain. What she was thinking about was the monk¡¯s warning. She¡¯s scared shitless.


    He ordered her to stay away from viins. That would include Zhou and Liu Li. She¡¯s also quite suspicious of Jinyao. How would she avoid them? They live under the same roof!


    When Ye Jiayao got to the mansion, she was informed of Qiao¡¯s pregnancy. Now, everyone¡¯s pregnant except her.


    Xia Chunyu seemed to have read her mind, and told her in a gentle voice, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We will have ours sooner orter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao remained silent. When exactly was sooner orter? Her normal attitude towards matters like this was to let nature and fate take over. However, in this kind of environment, it¡¯s difficult for her to leave everything up to fate.


    Despite her feelings though, she still headed over to Qiao¡¯s room to congratte her. She also brought a gift to celebrate the good news.


    Xia You also happened to be at Qiao¡¯s room too and when she saw Jinxuan, she asked casually, ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. ¡°Not yet. I came over to congratte Big Sister-inw as soon as I heard the news. I will make some food after this.¡±


    Qiao frowned, her face souring. ¡°Second Sister-inw, I beg of you, do not mention food. The mere mention of it churns my stomach.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t talk about it anymore,¡± Ye Jiayao quickly assured her. ¡°Congrattions, Big Sister-inw.¡±


    You told Qiao calmly, ¡°Rest well. The vomiting medicine that Imperial Physician Li prescribed should be very effective. Remember to take it on time.¡±


    The thought of drinking medicine had Qiao vomiting again.


    Seeing her sorry state, Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Since you¡¯re unwell, I¡¯m going to take my leave. I wille over to visit you another day.¡±


    You also rose and left with her Second Daughter-inw.


    At the door, You told her, ¡°Liu Li has been feeling unwell too. You should visit her if you have the time.¡±


    ¡°Third Sister-inw is feeling unwell? Is she alright? What did Imperial Physician Li say?¡±


    You sighed, her expression bing grave. ¡°Imperial Physician Li says that it is due to the stuffy weather and that she should be alright after a few days. However, I am always worried about Liu Li. She¡¯s so pale.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoforted, ¡°Since Imperial Physician Li says that it is fine, there should be no problem. Mother, please do not worry.¡±


    You sighed again. ¡°You should return soon. Look at the time, Chunyu must be hungry already.¡±

 Chapter 227 - Late Realization

    <h4>Chapter 227: Late Realization</h4>


    When Ye Jiayao returned to their courtyard, Xia Chunyu was just sending the physician off.


    ¡°What did the physician say?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a little sprain. She just has to rub it with some ointment and she¡¯ll recover in a couple of days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed with relief. ¡°Good. What do you want to eat? I¡¯ll make it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu took her hand and led her into their room, saying, ¡°Get the servants to make it. I know you¡¯re tired too.¡±


    Although he really wanted to eat her cooking, he¡¯s not going to sacrifice her health just to satisfy his cravings.


    Qiao Xi took the initiative to make some fragrant shredded chicken noodles. She¡¯s been learning a few things from Jiang Yue and she wanted to put it to the test. It was just a pity that Jiang Yue has been spending most of her time in the pastry shop and couldn¡¯te back every day.


    Chunyu took a bite of the noodles and praised, ¡°Not bad.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Heir-son Lord,¡± Qiao Xi responded, pleased.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said proudly, ¡°Qiao Xi¡¯s quite talented.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just teach all of them so when they leave, they have something to brag about. It¡¯d look bad if they can¡¯t even make a decent dish after serving you for so long.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled meaningfully at Qiao Xi. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. When the timees, the maids in our courtyard would be highly sought after.¡±


    Qiao Xi ducked her head shyly and ran out.


    Xia Chunyuughed out loud.


    Ye Jiayao contemted telling him about the warning that Reverend Ji Ren issued, but after giving it more thought, she figured that it¡¯s not such a good idea. She¡¯d just have to be extra careful from now on.


    The couple turned in early and the next day, they both went to the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion.


    When they got there, Ah Ruan has yet to arrive so Yu De pulled her aside to talk, leaving Xia Chunyu to visit the Old Ancestress alone.


    ¡°What do you think of Princess Ah Ruan?¡± Yu De asked. The way she phrased her question revealed her intentions.


    ¡°I think she is good. Kind, innocent, and adorable. She¡¯s also very lively,¡± Ye Jiayao told her truthfully.


    Yu De seemed to have a lot on her mind when she said, ¡°His Majesty intends for Little Jing to marry Ah Ruan. I¡¯ve met Ah Ruan and I have no problem with her. The only thing I¡¯m worried about is if Little Jing would agree to this. I don¡¯t want my son to marry someone he doesn¡¯t like. They can¡¯t have a sessful marriage if they don¡¯t have at least some sort of feelings toward each other.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised that Elder Princess Yu De would say something like that. In this era, love isn¡¯t the basis of marriage. They put more emphasis on whether the union would be an advantage for both families, especially the wealthy ones. Mothers usually consider their interests rather than their children¡¯s. Yu De¡¯s attitude might be why Helian Xuan has gotten away with being unmarried in his age.


    ¡°Elder Princess, have you asked Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to ask him indirectly but it seems that he doesn¡¯t think of her that way.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I try to sound him out?¡± Ye Jiayao offered.


    ¡°That would be great. Little Jing listens to you the most. Talk to him,¡± Yu De pleaded.


    Her words made YeJiayao feel guilty. The only reason he listens to her was that he¡¯s in love with her and Yu De doesn¡¯t know about it.


    ¡°Alright. I will have a chat with Little Jing then.¡± She was going to make sure this goes well. She wanted Little Jing to be happy and Ah Ruan seemed to be the right girl for the job.


    Helian Jing was busy reviewing some documents in his study. He¡¯s been spending so much time with Ah Ruan recently that his work has gotten dyed.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, Second Young Mistress is here,¡± Ping An reported.


    Helian Jing was immediately overjoyed and he quickly put his documents down. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°Little Jing,¡± Ye Jiayao called out as she walked in.


    Helian Jing ushered her in and ordered Ping An to prepare some tea.


    ¡°When did you get here? Where is Brother Chunyu?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a while. Chunyu¡¯s chatting with the Old Ancestress right now.¡±


    After serving them some tea, Ping An retreated and left them alone.


    Ye Jiayao surveyed his office. The study has cow horns and bow and arrows as decorations. It was so easy to tell that this study belongs to someone who practices martial arts. Chunyu also practices martial arts but his study consisted mainly of books.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going toe and get Ah Ruan?¡± Ye Jiayao asked after taking a sip of her tea.


    ¡°Why would I need to do that? She knows the way here.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t know how to protect girls. This is her first timeing here. You should know better,¡± she reprimanded with a re.


    Helian Jing was confused. ¡°She¡¯s just here to visit. What¡¯s the big deal?¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned. Does he not have any interest in Ah Ruan?


    ¡°Little Jing, what do you think of Ah Ruan?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s nice!¡± Little Jing answered casually.


    ¡°Have you ever thought about why His Majesty tasked you to apany Ah Ruan?¡±


    He grumbled, ¡°Don¡¯t even get me started on that. His Majesty was all out of princes and noblemen, and I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s ¡®idle¡¯. How am I idle? I have a lot of big responsibilities in our military! He also refused to reimburse me all the money I¡¯ve spent entertaining Ah Ruan. I¡¯m going broke!¡±


    She stared nkly at him. She wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯s just slow or he¡¯s just deliberate ignoring all the signs.


    ¡°But you know why Ah Ruan¡¯s staying in Jin Ling, right?¡± she rified.


    ¡°Marriage,¡± he answered. He was just about to drink his tea when he suddenly paused. He eyed her warily and asked, ¡°Yaoyao¡­ do you think His Majesty wants me to marry Ah Ruan?¡±


    I know, marriage!¡± Little Jing says casually, bringing the tea to his mouth, then pausing all of a sudden, putting the teacup down. He watches Ye Jiayao hesitantly.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­ do you suppose His Majesty wants me to marry Ah Ruan?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised a brow.?<i>Duh</i>.


    Helian Jing¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°No, no. Ah Ruan is nice but I have never thought of marrying her!¡±


    ¡°If you like her enough, then why not marry her? I think that you guys are getting along fine. Besides, you can develop deeper feelings for her overtime. I know that Ah Ruan¡¯s already harboring romantic feelings for you.¡±


    He was silent for a while but when he spoke, his eyes were trained on her. ¡°If I had met her first, I probably would have married her in a heartbeat. But I met you first.¡±


    Her eyes widened. When and where did he get the courage to say straightforward things like that?


    He raised a hand and gave her a sad smile. ¡°Don¡¯t feel burdened. I won¡¯t say stuff like these anymore. I just need you to know what I¡¯m feeling. I know that I have to let you go, but I need some time. At least for now, I can¡¯tmit to Ah Ruan.¡±


    The windows on all four walls were open and there was a chilly breeze blowing on them, but Ye Jiayao¡¯s chest still felt tight and stuffy. She recalled the crestfallen look on Little Jing¡¯s face when he asked her if she¡¯s Ye Jinxuan and her heart ached for him. Of all people, why does it have to be her? She wanted to erase his pain but there was nothing she could do.


    She licked her dry lips and with difficulty, started, ¡°But Ah Ruan might not be able to wait. And even if she does, His Majesty wouldn¡¯t. If you¡¯re not willing to marry her, His Majesty would look for someone else. Think about it. Wouldn¡¯t you regret it if Ah Ruan goes to someone else?¡±


    Helian Jing has never thought of it like that. Up until now, he was convinced that the only woman in his heart was Yaoyao. However, the mere thought of Ah Ruan marrying someone else fills his heart with great difort.


    ¡°Just think about it, okay? For yourself,¡± Ye Jiayao persuaded before leaving.


    He stared nkly at Yaoyao¡¯s retreating figure, his mind filled with Ah Ruan¡¯s smiling face, her bright eyes, and those deep dimples.


    He recalled her sweet voice¡­


    <i>¡®Little Jing, do you think this looks nice? No? Then I don¡¯t want it...¡¯</i>


    <i>¡®Little Jing,e and chase me. Let¡¯s see who runs faster...¡¯</i>


    <i>¡®Little Jing, I want to visit your mother and grandmother¡­¡¯</i>


    Could Yaoyao be right? Does Ah Ruan have feelings for him?


    Yaoyao asked him if he¡¯d regret it if she married someone else. Would he? He doesn¡¯t know!


    Helian Jing ran a frustrated hand through his hair. This was too difficult!


    Ye Jiayao joined Xia Chunyu and the Old Ancestress.


    When the old woman was turned away, Chunyu surreptitiously whispered to her, ¡°Have you talked to Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°That kid is slow.¡±


    After a while, Ah Ruan arrived with a huge pile of gifts in tow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the Elder Princess and Old Ancestress like, so I could only prepare gifts that I feel that you¡¯d like. I hope you don¡¯t hate them, Elder Princess and Old Ancestress,¡± Ah Ruan said nervously, her pretty face flushed red.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have bothered with gifts, child,¡± Yu De told her with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s enough that you took the time to visit us.¡±


    The Old Ancestress beckoned her over. ¡°Ah Ruan,e and sit here.¡±


    Ah Ruan obediently sat beside the Old Ancestress.


    The Old Ancestress took her hand and studied her pretty features. The child was extremely beautiful and she couldn¡¯t help but like her. The Old Ancestreses also thought about how she came here in Huai Song all alone for the peace of hernd, and couldn¡¯t help but sympathize with her.


    ¡°Good child, are you used to staying in Jin Ling yet?¡±


    Ah Ruan smiled. ¡°I am. This ce is more bustling than Nanyue and has a lot of good food. It also helps that I have friends like Sister Yaoyao and Little Jing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that. Feel free toe by more often, we¡¯d love thepany,¡± the Old Ancestress said benevolently.


    Tears welled up in Ah Ruan¡¯s eyes and her answering smile was bright. ¡°As long as you want me, Old Ancestress, I¡¯d be visiting you often.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could understand how Ah Ruan¡¯s feeling more than anyone. She¡¯s also alone in a different world and craves for familial love. She hoped that Little Jing sorts his feeling out soon and not let such a good girl go.


    ¡°Young Royal Highness has arrived,¡± a servant called from outside.


    Ye Jiayao looked up and saw Little Jing walked in, his head hanging low.


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao exchanged nces.


    Everything depended on Little Jing¡¯s decision.

 Chapter 228 - Who Kicked Me?

    <h4>Chapter 228: Who Kicked Me?</h4>


    After Little Jing made his greetings, he sat silently at the side, looking straight ahead.


    Ah Ruan must have felt something off because she suddenly turned quiet, making the whole atmosphere awkward.


    The Old Ancestress broke the weird silence by saying, ¡°Aye, I¡¯m so old that a little chat has already exhausted me. You guys go ahead and have fun. You don¡¯t have to keep this old womanpany.¡±


    Yu De got the hint and chimed in, ¡°I¡¯m going to the kitchen to see what dishes are being prepared. This is Ah Ruan¡¯s first time here and we cannot be negligent.¡±


    ¡°Elder Princess, I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Ye Jiayao immediately said. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve cooked and my hands are feeling itchy.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked around, distressed. What was he supposed to do then? He couldn¡¯t very well stay and be the third wheel but he also couldn¡¯te with them to the kitchen!


    ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­ take a look at Xuan¡¯s dog,¡± he said feebly.


    In a sh, everyone left the room, leaving only Ah Ruan and Little Jing inside.


    Ah Ruan didn¡¯t pick up on what was going on so she innocently asked, ¡°Little Jing, do you think I should go and help out?¡±


    Helian Jing was suddenly feeling awkward around Ah Ruan. Before he had the conversation with Yaoyao, he waspletelyfortable being with Ah Ruan. Now, however, his mind was filled with all kinds of ¡®feelings¡¯ and ¡®marriage¡¯ rted things that he couldn¡¯t seem to look her in the eye.


    ¡°Oh, there is no need. You are the guest,¡± he mumbled.


    Ah Ruan, satisfied, smiled at him and said, ¡°Your family¡¯s really nice. I thought the Old Ancestress would be a bit solemn, but she¡¯s so friendly! My grandmother, on the other hand, is a bit strict and never smiles! The first time I saw her smile was the night before I came to Jin Ling. She hugged me and¡­ aye, all this reminiscing is making me miss her. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be able to see her again.¡±


    Her tone became softer and softer as her smile fell from her face.


    Helian Jing felt something tug at his heart. The sight of her in pain was making his heart clench. He wracked his brain, trying to think of words tofort him, but she recovered quickly and continued, ¡°You¡¯re mother¡¯s very nice too. She¡¯s very sweet and nurturing like my mother.¡±


    How was he supposed to respond to this??<i>¡®Since you like my family, let¡¯s just get married!¡¯?</i>?He couldn¡¯t say that. He hasn¡¯t thought things through yet and he doesn¡¯t want to do something he¡¯d end up regretting.


    ¡°Yeah, my family¡¯s very nice and harmonious. They¡¯re also very nice to Yaoyao,¡± he said after a while.


    Ah Ruan moved closer to him, swinging her feet carelessly, her head tilted very slightly as if she was deep in thought. ¡°Brother Chunyu is really nice to Sister Yaoyao! I¡¯m kind of jealous. I want my future husband to dote on me like how he dotes on her.¡±


    Helian Jing looked at her. He wasn¡¯t that guy! Maybe Yaoyao has misread the situation. Maybe Ah Ruan¡¯s just friendly and familiar with him because he¡¯s the one she hangs out with the most. Maybe she favors him because he¡¯s so easy-going that he just goes along with all her ns.


    This thought lightened his burden. He assured her, ¡°You¡¯ll find him.¡±


    Ah Ruan turned to look at him, her huge eyes blinking mischievously. She smiled, her dimples appearing, and said, ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve already found him.¡±


    He tensed up again. Why was she looking at him like that? Was she hinting at something? Was she talking about him?


    He just gave her a dryugh.


    <i>It¡¯s not me, not me¡­</i>


    During lunch, Xia Chunyu kept reminding Ye Jiayao to eat more vegetables. He would pass her various food and urge her to eat a lot.


    Ah Ruan noticed their interaction and kicked Little Jing beneath the table.


    The movement jostled Helian Jing and the beef he was just about to eat dropped back to his te. ¡°Who kicked me?¡±


    Everyone on the table fixed their gazes on Ah Ruan.


    Ah Ruan blinked innocently but her face has started to flush red.


    Yu De red at her insensible son and said, ¡°I kicked you. You¡¯re being rude. Why are you not serving the Old Ancestress?¡±


    Ah Ruan¡¯s face turned even redder.


    Yu De continued, ¡°Learn from your Brother Chunyu. You need to learn how to dote on people.¡±


    She then turned to pick a meatball for Ah Ruan. ¡°Here, have more, Ah Ruan. This is Jin Ling¡¯s authentic pork meatballs made by your Sister Yaoyao.¡±


    Helian Jing was still unsure why he got scolded. Brother Chunyu was serving his wife. He doesn¡¯t have someone like that. Besides, if he was to dote on the person that he actually fancies, he¡¯d most likely have his bones rearranged.


    Nevertheless, he filled a bowl of yam and sweet potato soup for his grandmother. ¡°Old Ancestress, this bowl of soup is for you.¡±


    The Old Ancestress chuckled. ¡°Today, you are the host and Ah Ruan is the guest. She¡¯s the one you should be serving.¡±


    He had no choice but to serve another bowl of soup for Ah Ruan too.


    Ah Ruan smiled shyly at him. ¡°Thank you, Little Jing.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suppressed a sigh as she watched the scene before her. She wanted to hit Little Jing over the head to wake him up. How could someone be this daft?


    After lunch, Ye Jiayao and Chunyu left, letting Little Jing face Ah Ruan alone.


    ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid! Really stupid!¡± Ye Jiayao muttered as they sat inside their carriage.


    ¡°He¡¯s not stupid. He just hasn¡¯t thought some things through,¡± Chunyu said. He wanted to say that this was her fault. If she had only told Little Jing the truth about her sooner, they wouldn¡¯t be having this problem.


    She said in a huff, ¡°I have to think of a n to get those two together. Otherwise, Little¡¯s Jing¡¯s going to regret it.¡±


    He pinched her nose and chided, ¡°You should stop getting involved. Affairs of the heart ultimately depend on the people involved. External intervention might make matters worse.¡±


    ¡°Then what can we do? What if His Majesty marries Ah Ruan to someone else?¡±


    Xia Chunyu gathered her into his arms with a slight chuckle. ¡°Do you think Ah Ruan is Huai Song¡¯s princess? His Majesty cannot decide by himself without Ah Ruan¡¯s approval.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Well, that should be the case. If Ah Ruan doesn¡¯t marry Little Jing, the next possible candidate would be the Third Prince.¡±


    Ye Jiayao leaned into his embrace and said, ¡°I¡¯ve been hearing you talk about the Third Prince¡¯s skills and capabilities recently. If he¡¯s that good, do you think he¡¯ll threaten the Crown Prince¡¯s position?¡±


    He quickly put a hand over her mouth. ¡°Shhh! Words like these can only be said in front of me. You can¡¯t talk about it with others.¡±


    ¡°Of course! I¡¯m not stupid!¡±


    Outside, Song Qi asked, ¡°Heir-son Lord, are we going back to the mansion?¡±


    Xia Chunyu answered, ¡°Yes, back to the mansion.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Ye Jiayao protested. ¡°I want to go to Heavenly Residence.¡±


    ¡°What for? With Manager Zhao and Zhong Xiang around, you should take advantage of the rest time that you have,¡± he told her. Besides, his free times are rare these days too and he wanted to spend some quality time with her.


    She couldn¡¯t very well say that she doesn¡¯t want to go back home because she¡¯s avoiding the witches that live with them. Smoothly, she lied, ¡°I just remembered that I have some things to do in the restaurant. The dairy cows in our farnds have started producing milk so I have to go and take a look at the quality.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just go tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°You know me. Once I¡¯ve thought of something, I wouldn¡¯t be able to rest until I¡¯ve done it,¡± Ye Jiayao said as she tugged on his sleeves. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go back home to rest?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    She gave him a light peck on his cheek as a reward, but he quickly turned and pressed her down, ravishing her lips.


    It wasn¡¯t until Song Qi spoke again that they sprang apart. ¡°Heir-son Lord, where are we going?¡±


    Breathless, Ye Jiayao replied, ¡°To Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hasn¡¯t bothered with the farnds for so long and it wasn¡¯t until Yaoyao talked about the milk that he realized how big the changes were. They would soon have their own supply of vegetables, flowers, and fruits.


    ¡°I also got Manager Bai to dig a pond to draw in water so we can rear fishes and grow lotus roots. This way, the irrigation for the farm, vegetable garden, and nursery would be of no problem too. We can even use it as water storage so there would be no problem even during dry periods. Zhu Wang¡¯s wife¡¯s also raising many chickens and ducks¡­¡± Ye Jiayao boasted. She has spent quite a lot of time and effort nning for this ecological farm, she¡¯s not going to downy her achievements.


    ¡°That¡¯s very smart,¡± Chunyu praised. Yaoyao was really a brilliant businesswoman.


    ¡°I¡¯m also nning to tear down the current courtyard and rebuild it into a vi so we can retreat there if want to take a vacation. For the times that we can¡¯t go too far away, we can stay at our farnd.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. Reverend Ji Ren is very knowledgeable in architecture so I¡¯ll ask him toe up with a design,¡± he mused. Most of the noblemen in Jin Ling have a vi outside of the city. He¡¯s been to Qixuan¡¯s vi near the White Tower Temple and he found the construction extremely elegant. He always wanted one but he just never had the time.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t surprised that Reverend Ji Ren knew architecture. It wouldn¡¯t even surprise her if she finds out that he knew how to make firearms and artillery. No matter how stupid a time traveler was, they still have thousands of years and experience over the people in this era.


    Suddenly, she found the solution to her problem.


    She turned to Chunyu and put her arms around his neck. ¡°Chunyu, don¡¯t you have a few days of leave left? Why don¡¯t we head to our farnd tomorrow? We can take some measurements and make some rough ns while we are there.¡±

 Chapter 229 - Strange Scent

    <h4>Chapter 229: Strange Scent</h4>


    By the time Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu returned to the Marquis¡¯ mansion, it was already dinner time. They went straight to the main house after changing their clothes.


    Because both Qiao and Liu Li were pregnant, they were unable to join them for dinner and Ye Jiayao became the only daughter-inw sitting at the dining table.


    Xia You seemed to be in a bad mood as she asked, ¡°Jinxuan, have you visited Liu Li?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied embarrassedly, ¡°Not yet, Mother. I arrivedte yesterday and I was afraid I would disturb Liu Li¡¯s rest. This morning, I had to apany Ah Ruan to the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion¡­¡±


    ¡°It is just a visit. It won¡¯t take much time,¡± You said, her displeasure clear.


    Chunyu interjected, ¡°Mother, our visit to the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion has been scheduled since yesterday. We didn¡¯t know that Third Sister-inw is unwell at that time.¡±


    You red at her son. He¡¯s always so eager to defend his wife, he doesn¡¯t even see that his wife was in the wrong. How many times have Jinxuan gone over to visit Liu Li ever since they found out she¡¯s pregnant?


    Meanwhile, when she found out the Qiao was pregnant, she immediately went straight to visit her.


    You was being hard because she wished for Jinxuan and Liu Li to get along better. Jinxuan¡¯s older than Liu Li so she needed to act more mature. What¡¯s wrong with being the first one to extend the olive branch?


    Ye Jiayao noticed You¡¯s sour look and quickly gave Chunyu a meaningful nce.


    ¡°Mother, I would go over to visit her with Chunyu after dinner,¡± she said.


    No way she¡¯s going over there without Chunyu. With two pregnant women in the house, she could not afford to offend anyone. If something goes wrong...


    Chunfeng said, ¡°Mother, you don¡¯t have to be so worried. Liu Li¡¯s condition is not that serious. She¡¯s actually looking better today. Besides, Second Sister-inw¡¯s busy with business too.¡±


    ¡°A woman¡¯s job is to assist her husband and educate her children. Don¡¯t get your priorities wrong,¡± You said, her tone a little harsh.


    Xia Chunyu felt his heart contract at the word ¡®children¡¯. What did his mother mean by that? She knew about Yaoyao¡¯s struggle to conceive and yet she made thatment. Wasn¡¯t she afraid that she¡¯d make his wife feel bad?


    He still hasn¡¯t told Yaoyao about her condition and he purposefully steered clear of this topic, but his mother¡¯s blowing the whole thing. Herment was a clear shot at Yaoyao since out of the three daughters-inw, she¡¯s the only one who doesn¡¯t have any children yet.


    He opened his mouth to say something but he saw Yaoyao shake her head at him, her eyes pleading.


    ¡°We¡¯re eating, why is there so much talking going on?¡± the Old Marquis finally said.


    Xia You put her bowl down and said with controlled anger, ¡°You guys finish your meal, I am full.¡±


    When You walked off, Ye Jiayao moved to follow her, but the Old Marquis stopped her.


    She had no choice but to sit back down. She pushed her food around, unable to gain her appetite back. She knew that her mother-inw just wanted to improve hers and Liu Li¡¯s rtionship, but she couldn¡¯t trust the Princess.


    The more gentle and virtuous Liu Li appeared to be, the more she worried. Her gut has been telling her that something was wrong and she couldn¡¯t let her guard down.


    Xia Chunyu looked at Yaoyao, his heart aching. He peeled a prawn and ced it in her bowl. ¡°Eat first and I wille with you to visit herter.¡±


    Chunfeng piped in, ¡°Second Brother, there is no need for that. Mother is just kicking up a fuss over nothing.¡±


    The Old Marquis red at Chunfeng and thetter quieted, turning his attention back to his food.


    After dinner, the three of them proceeded to Liu Li¡¯s room. However, since it wasn¡¯t proper for a man to enter a woman¡¯s bedroom, only Chunfeng apanied Ye Jiayao in.


    As soon as she stepped inside the room, Ye Jiayao smelled a particr strange fragrance. Her sense of smell has always been better than most people, but she couldn¡¯t recall what the smell was off the top of her head.


    Liu Li was leaning on the bed, herplexion pale, and her eyes unfocused.


    ¡°Liu Li, Second Sister-inw is here to visit you,¡± Chunfeng said.


    Liu Li woke up from her daze and turned to them, her lips tipping up into a smile upon seeing Jinxuan. ¡°Second Sister-inw, you¡¯re here! Little Ya, quick, get a stool.¡±


    Little Ya brought an embroidered stool over and ced it by the side of the bed.


    Ye Jiayao took a seat and asked gently, ¡°I heard that you are feeling unwell. Are you better now?¡±


    Liu Li smiled. ¡°It is not a big deal. I¡¯m just getting bored. You know me, I love to run around outside. In the past springtimes, I would always be outside. This year, I can¡¯t go anywhere because of my pregnancy.¡±


    ¡°Your baby is more important right now,¡± Ye Jiayao replied. ¡°Once the child is born and after you have recuperated, Chunfeng can take you out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Just focus on the child right now. Once our baby¡¯s born, we can go anywhere you want,¡± Chunfeng said.


    Liu Liughed bitterly. ¡°That¡¯s still months away. Right now, it¡¯s so difficult to even find someone to talk to since Chunfeng has his work. Third Auntie used to visit me more often but now that Third Uncle has be the assistant minister, Third Aunt has more socializing to do. I can¡¯t ask Big Sister-inw since she¡¯s also pregnant. Aye¡­ I¡¯m getting lonely cooped up in here alone.¡±


    This was the first time Jinxuan heard her say something so sentimental that she almost started to sympathize with her.


    ¡°Second Sister-inw, can youe often to chat with me in the future?¡± Liu Li asked, looking at Jinxuan with eyes full of anticipation.


    Ye Jiayao almost agreed but then she remembered Reverend Ji Ren¡¯s warning. ¡°I will be busy these next couple of days. I wille to visit you when I am free.¡±


    Seeing that Liu Li doesn¡¯t seem to be very energetic, Ye Jiayao only chatted with her for a few more minutes.


    Chunfeng walked both her and Chunyu to the entrance of the courtyard. Chunyu reminded his little brother to take good care of Liu Li before they parted ways.


    ¡°How is Liu Li?¡± Chunyu asked Yaoyao.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, lost in thought. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem to be very well. She said that it¡¯s just because she is too bored.¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s tough for a free spirit like her to be stuck in her room.¡±


    She nodded absent-mindedly. No, something else was wrong.


    Chunyu mistook her quietness as worry for Liu Li and immediately assured her, ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. If there¡¯s a problem, Imperial Physician Li would have already reported it to the Empress Dowager.¡±


    She just nodded again. She hoped so.


    When they got to their courtyard, Xiang Tao came running over, a stack of paper in her hands.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress,¡± Xiang Tao greeted hastily.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°What is that in your hands?¡±


    Xiang Tao smiled and answered, ¡°These are some designs that I got from the embroidery room. The Dragon Boat Festival is almost here and I am going to make a pouch for Heir-Son Lord and Second Young Mistress!¡±


    Suddenly, something clicked in Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind.


    <i>Dragon Boat Festival, scented pouches, wormwood¡­</i>


    The fragrance she was smelling earlier was wormwood. It was masked by the strong scent of ambergris, but it was definitely there.


    Wormwood is used for improving blood cirction.


    Could there be a problem with Liu Li¡¯s baby?


    Ye Jiayao was now certain that the cmity that Reverend Ji Ren was talking about had something to do with Liu Li.


    No matter what, she had to stay away from Liu Li¡¯s ce in the next few days. Not even her servants should go anywhere near her.


    ¡°What are you thinking about? We¡¯re home,¡± Chunyu asked, lightly tugging at her hand with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao came back to her senses and said a bit shyly, ¡°Chunyu, I should be making you this pouch. I haven¡¯t made you anything yet.¡±


    Heughed involuntarily. Was that the only thing she¡¯s worried about?


    ¡°I¡­ I am not good with needlework,¡± Ye Jiayao confessed. She knew that in the ancient time, needlework was one of the important ways to gauge a woman¡¯s capability. However, the original host was not good at it and she¡¯s even worse. She could carve flowers from radishes, but it¡¯s difficult for her to embroider a flower with needles.


    ¡°Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao are here to take care of these things. You cannot do embroidery but you can cook and you¡¯re good at business. You¡¯re more than capable. I can¡¯t ask for more,¡± Xia Chunyu reassured her.


    She was unconvinced though. When she was studying in university, she knitted a scarf for a senior that she had a crush on. It turned out like a belt so she didn¡¯t bother giving it to him. Regardless, she knitted a scarf for another man, she must make something for her husband too.


    She nned on asking Qiao Xi to pick up a simple yet pretty design so that she could make a pouch for Chunyu. She would insist that he brings it around with him everywhere.


    While Chunyu was bathing, Ye Jiayao called Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao over.


    ¡°I will be going to the farnds for a short stay with the Heir-Son Lord tomorrow. Xiang Tao, I am bringing you, Ying Tao, and Xue Ye along with me.¡±


    Qiao Xi could not help but feel disappointed. Didn¡¯t Second Young Mistress always bring her along? Did she do something wrong?


    Xiang Tao nodded excitedly. This was the first time that Second Young Mistress would bring her out and she¡¯s ted.


    Ye Jiayao then ordered Xiang Tao to make some preparations and asked Qiao Xi to stay behind.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, do you know why I¡¯m not bringing you along this time?¡±


    Qiao Xi shook her head.


    ¡°Because I have an even more important task for you. You¡¯re the only one I can trust this with.


    Qiao Xi regained her spirit and looked at Second Young Mistress expectantly.


    Ye Jiayao continued, ¡°Yesterday in the mountains, Reverend Ji Ren told me that I would run into trouble with some viins. Just now, when I went to Third Young Mistress¡¯s room, I could vaguely smell the scent of wormwood¡­¡±


    Qiao Xi¡¯s expression changed slightly. She understood what the Second Young Mistress meant. The trip that she¡¯s taking was a cover to distance herself from the potential problems in the mansion. It was wise for her to heed Reverend Ji Ren¡¯s warning.


    ¡°Therefore, I want you to stay behind and help me keep watch of the people in the courtyard. For these next days, do not leave unless necessary and never step foot in Third Young Mistress¡¯ ce. Do not interfere with matters that have to do with her. Even if you¡¯re ordered by Madam, just pretend to be sick. Just stay away from them so that we don¡¯t bring trouble to ourselves.


    ¡°You need to take charge of this Qiao Xi. There¡¯s no one else I¡¯d entrust this with.¡±


    Qiao Xi nodded solemnly. ¡°Second Young Mistress, I won¡¯t disappoint you. I will follow all your instructions and make sure that everyone in the courtyard does too.¡±


    She knew that if anything bad happens, it will implicate Third Young Mistress¡¯ unborn child and that would mean death.

 Chapter 230 - Countryside Fun

    <h4>Chapter 230: Countryside Fun</h4>


    Theyout of the farnds was nned by Ye Jiayao, but it was implemented by Manager Bai. She hasn¡¯t seen the finished product yet so she was more than surprised when they got to the farnds. It looked so different that she almost didn¡¯t recognize it.


    The nursery¡¯s 20 acres were blooming with red roses, decorating the tender greens across the horizon as though the field was set aze.


    Xiang Tao and the rest have yet to see such a magnificent view as this and were awe-struck. If not for the fear of being rude in front of their masters, they would have already pounced into the field of flowers.


    Xia Chunyu clicked his tongue in amazement. ¡°I have witnessed 10 lis of peach blossoms, a whole garden of plum blossoms bing a sea of scented snow, but I never knew that roses can be this magnificent at this scale.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled proudly. ¡°I have temporarily allocated 20 acres ofnd for the roses. If the rose biscuits prove to be popr, I n to expand it.¡±


    ¡°Rose biscuits?¡± Xia Chunyu looked at her questioningly. ¡°It sounds delicious.¡±


    ¡°It is. I n on making some today,¡± she replied.


    Manager Bai pointed to the short trees far ahead and said, ¡°That¡¯s the orchard. There are apricot trees, pear trees, peach trees, and tangerine trees. The grapevine is on the other side but fruit trees do not grow so fast so I am afraid it would be hard to harvest grapes this year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem. That¡¯s a long term n anyway,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Manager Bai continued, ¡°The farm is just behind the orchard, by the river. The terrain there is wide and open so if Heir-son Lord has intentions to rear a few horses, it would be ideal for it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded. ¡°Yes, I do n on doing that.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at the big, ck horse prancing around leisurely at the back and asked, ¡°What breed is ckie? Is it expensive?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± he replied proudly. ¡°ckie¡¯s a purebred wild stallion from the Tian Shan. He¡¯sparable to a Ferghana horse.¡±


    She looked back at ckie, an idea forming in her head. ¡°We should make full use of such a fine breed. Manager Bai, after this, go to the market and buy a few good quality mares for ckie to mate with so we can breed a few young colts. They¡¯d be mixed breeds, but their quality will still be top-notch.¡±


    Chunyu looked at his horse and noticed the furious look in the animal¡¯s eyes. Heughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s a good idea but I reckon Helian Xuan would be able to bring back a few Ferghana horses from West Mongolia. We can wait until then.¡±


    When they got to the courtyard, Manager Bai ushered them inside the small house.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord and Second Young Mistress havee too suddenly and I didn¡¯t have the time to prepare. I got Zhu Wang¡¯s wife to tidy the ce up a little bit at thest minute, so forgive us if we missed something. However, the kitchen¡¯s beenpleted as per your request, Second Young Mistress,¡± Manager Bai said.


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife came out a bit hesitantly. She was grateful that the Heir-son Lord and Second Young Mistress spared her, but she still felt guilty. Instead of punishing her, they gave her family a new life and even some money for her son¡¯s treatment. She¡¯d never be able to repay their kindness.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Second Young Mistress, the house has been tidied up. If there is anything else that you need, just let me know,¡± Zhu Wang¡¯s wife said politely.


    Ye Jiayao was more interested in the kitchen as that was her territory. She took Xiang Tao and the others to the kitchen, ordering them to check for supplies that they still need to buy.


    Meanwhile, Manager Bai apanied Xia Chunyu to take a look at the newly-dug fish pond.


    By the time Xia Chunyu returned, Ye Jiayao has already gone to the nursery to pick some roses.


    Xia Chunyu had nothing else to do so he asked Manager Bai for a fishing rod so that he can catch some fishes. He¡¯d get Yaoyao to make him some sweet and sour fish for lunch.


    Xiang Tao and the others were exceptionally excited to taste the rose biscuits that the Second Young Mistress would be making. They saw how she magically transformed those coconuts into delicious pastries and couldn¡¯t wait what she¡¯d do with these roses.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, are these flowers ready to be filling for the biscuits after it is picked and steamed?¡± Xiang Tao asked curiously.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. ¡°It is not that simple. We still have to pluck the petals out and remove the heart of the flower. After that, we have to wash them clean and dry it under the sun for around two days. We then need to marinate it with sugar and honey to make it into a rose syrup.¡±


    Xiang Tao lets out a disappointed sound. ¡°That is soplicated! I thought we can try it tonight!¡±


    ¡°Well, get to work. The quicker we get this done, the sooner we get to eat them.¡±


    In no time, the four of them were able to pick four huge baskets of flowers.


    When they returned, Ye Jiayao handed the task of plucking the petals to Xiang Tao and the others.


    Zhu Wang also sent a big basket of freshly picked vegetables. There were tender greens, sweet peppers, tomatoes, lettuces, bamboo shoots, and more. In addition, there was a chicken and a duck.


    Zhu Wang¡¯s wife rolled her sleeves up. ¡°Second Young Mistress, let me kill the chicken and the duck.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. She then turned back and saw her husband fishing by the pond. It looked like he caught a fish with every rod he cast. He seemed to be in a good mood as heughed around with Song Qi.


    She smiled. She wanted this feeling of joy and calm tost forever.


    She started to prepare for lunch. She stewed the chicken with fresh mushrooms and some young bamboo shoots.


    Since the duck was greasy, she braised it. It¡¯s a pity that there wasn¡¯t beer, otherwise, she would¡¯ve made some beer-braised duck.


    Next, she stir-fried the greens with some shiitake mushrooms for a few minutes because she wanted to retain its color and crispness.


    For the tomatoes, she cooked them in the most normal way ¨C with eggs.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, the Heir-son Lord caught some fish and he said he wants to have sweet and sour fish,¡± Song Qi said as he came in, carrying a few passable carps that looked around three to four catty each.


    There was no way she¡¯d be able to make sweet and sour fish with such small fishes!


    ¡°Tell him that if he wants to eat sweet and sour fish, he needs to catch a bigger fish. I can only make simmer-fried fish with what he caught,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Song Qi chuckled. ¡°Then I guess there will be no sweet and sour fish. Manager Bai said that these newly-hatched fishes were put in not long ago. These are the biggest of all of them.¡±


    ¡°Go and cut the fish open,¡± she ordered.


    Song Qi nodded obediently.


    Xia Chunyu was excited to go fishing. It didn¡¯t take much effort before his bucket was filled with over 20 fishes. He inspected them and decided that they were too small. He was about to put them back in the water when Manager Bai stopped him.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, these fishes have bitten the bait and have hurt their mouth so they wouldn¡¯t be able to survive for long. We should just cook them,¡± Manager Bai said.


    Xia Chunyu agreed and just ordered Manager Bai to buy more newly-hatched fishes of various breeds like carps, herring, and catfish.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to put a catfish in this pond. It¡¯d just eat the other fishes,¡± Manager Bai told him.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. He really was ignorant when ites to these matters!


    Song Qi has just finished preparing the fishes when he saw another basket ced in front of him.


    ¡°Song Qi, do these up as well,¡± Xia Chunyu said before walking away.


    Song Qi took a look at the basket and almost fell off his stool. These fishes were as long as his finger and there¡¯s so many of them. How long¡¯s this going to take him?


    After an hour of work, lunch was finally ready. Xiang Tao and the rest have yet to finish plucking the petals so Ye Jiayao just told them to eat first and continue their taskter.


    The servants ate at the kitchen and Ye Jiayao brought their food to the room where she saw Chunyu hunched over the table, drawing something.


    ¡°Chunyu, time for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Coming¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t move, though, even after the table was set.


    Ye Jiayao went over to take a look and saw a diagram of the farnds.


    ¡°Are you designing the vi?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I am nning to build a pavilion in the middle of the pond and a bridge by this irrigation channel. When the timees, we can get some Taihu stones to decorate the ce and nt some unique nts and flowers. What do you think?¡±


    She doesn¡¯t know anything about architecture but she liked all the things he described. ¡°Yeah, that sounds good.¡±


    ¡°This is just a rough concept. The concrete design would be done by Reverend Ji Ren,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a second before asking, ¡°Can we also build a hidden chamber?¡±

 Chapter 231 - Ah Ruan Asked for Help

    <h4>Chapter 231: Ah Ruan Asked for Help</h4>


    ¡°A hidden chamber? Why, do you want to hide turnips?¡± Xia Chunyu quipped.


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°It¡¯s to hide you.¡±


    His smile deepened. ¡°Is it because you don¡¯t want to share me with the rest of the world?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m serious. I want a hidden chamber that only the two of us would know how to ess.¡±


    It may be because shecked a sense of security in this world. God forbid something ever happens, she wanted somece safe she could retreat to.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he conceded after seeing how serious she was. ¡°Do you want Uncle Jiang to design the mechanism when the timees?¡±


    She beamed. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s a great idea!¡±


    He balked at her. He was just joking!


    In the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion, Liu Li asked, ¡°So Jinxuan and Chunyu went to their farnd?¡±


    Little Ya nodded. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s said that there are a few things they need to do over there. Heir-son Lord has five more days left of his vacation, though, so the servants think that they¡¯re just there as a leisurely visit.¡±


    ¡°What did Madame say about their vacation?¡± Liu Li asked, her teeth gnashing with annoyance.


    ¡°Nothing. I think she thinks that the couple deserved that vacation.¡±


    Liu Li pursed her lips. ¡°I don¡¯t care about Chunyu but I¡¯ll find a way to bring Jinxuan back here.¡±


    Today was the third day of smoking wormwood, but the doctor said that the baby hasn¡¯t improved at all. The situation¡¯s just getting worse and worse. The fetus hasn¡¯t moved for over half a month and it was useless for her to take medicine and continue smoking some wormwood. If she dragged this on, her body would take the toll.


    They still weren¡¯t sure what went wrong. It might be an ident now, but Liu Li feared that it will happen again the next time she gets pregnant.


    If circumstances would permit it, Ye Jiayao would never leave the farm. It was like she was living in a safe, tranquil bubble here. All the problems and drama in her life seemed to have faded away.


    Even Chunyu was enjoying the leisurely time away. He would ride horses every day, fish, and even make some delicious food with Yaoyao. And at night, he would make love to his wife over and over again. It was the best vacation he¡¯s ever taken.


    On their third day at the farm, urged by Chunyu, Ye Jiayao made fresh cakes.


    The rose syrup was ready by now and the only thing she needed to make was the pastry.


    She mixed the flour with soaked fresh rose petals and added butter and sugar to it. She covered it and let it rest for thirty minutes.


    Sheunched into the whole process of kneading and shaping the dough almost mindlessly. This was actually kind of therapeutic for her.


    Xia Chunyu sat beside her and watched her work, intrigued by her techniques and skills. Xiang Tao and the others looked on as well, attentively remembering everything that she was doing.


    Xia Chunyu even tried to shape one by himself. The result wasn¡¯t necessarily good, but it wasn¡¯t half bad either all things considering.


    Ye Jiayao turned to her husband and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you help me like this in the future instead of just standing around like a bodyguard? I¡¯ll be more than happy to teach you.¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m good. I just did that for fun. If I learn how to cook, I might surpass your skills. I don¡¯t want to overshadow you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blew him a raspberry. Why does she like him again?


    ¡°Hey, hey! We¡¯re cooking! Be careful not to get your spit in the food,¡± Xia Chunyu said with augh. ¡°I have no problem with it, but I don¡¯t know about the others.¡±


    She smacked his arm, blushing with embarrassment.


    Song Qi¡¯s so used to the couple¡¯s antics that he paid them no mind. Xiang Tao and the others, however, were trying hard to suppress theirughter.


    Suddenly, Zhu Wang rushed in, panicking. ¡°Heir-son Lord, Heir-son Lord!¡±


    Chunyu immediately sobered up. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a guard from the embassy looking for you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. A guard from the embassy? Something bad must have happened.


    He put down the pastry he was fiddling with and told Yaoyao, ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll go and have a look.¡±


    Chunyu came back momentster, saying, ¡°Pack up. We need to go back. Ah Ruan is in trouble.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wiped her hands clean and led her husband out of the kitchen. ¡°What trouble? What¡¯s wrong with Ah Ruan?¡±


    ¡°The Third Prince told the Emperor that he wants to marry Ah Ruan,¡± he answered.


    She froze. Why now? And why so sudden? ¡°Did the Emperor agree?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s up to Ah Ruan. In any case, I think that His Majesty approves of the Third Prince too. They said they asked Ah Ruan this morning and she neither refused nor agreed. She said she wanted to discuss it with us first.¡±


    ¡°Why is she hesitating? She should¡¯ve just turned it down!¡± Everyone knew that Ah Ruan liked Little Jing. Why would she consider marriage with someone she doesn¡¯t like?


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. Come on, we need to go back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao moved. This involved Little Jing¡¯s happiness and she¡¯s going to do everything she can to make sure it doesn¡¯t get ruined.


    Since she didn¡¯t have the time to finish the cakes, she had the servants pack it up and take it with them.


    In a matter of minutes, they were boarded in the carriage, headed for the embassy in the city.


    When she heard that Yaoyao wasing, Ah Ruan rushed out of her room anxiously. ¡°Sister Yaoyao, thank God you¡¯re here. I¡¯m so worried.¡±


    ¡°Where is Helian Jing?¡± Chunyu asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s at the Ministry of War. I¡­ I haven¡¯t told him yet,¡± Ah Ruan answered.


    Xia Chunyu immediately ordered Song Qi to rush to the Ministry of War to get Helian Jing.


    ¡°What did the Queen say?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    Ah Ruan frowned. ¡°She said a lot of good things about the Third Prince. And¡­ it just sounded like I shouldn¡¯t refuse. I also asked Lord Bumu, the assistant emissary who came with me, and he was all for me marrying him too.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could understand where this Lord Bomu wasing from. The Third Prince has been performing well recently and he¡¯s deeply loved and favored by the Emperor. A marriage to him would be more beneficial for Nanyue and Huai Song¡¯s stability.


    What she couldn¡¯t figure out was the Queen. The Crown Prince was the Queen¡¯s son. If the Third Prince was to marry Ah Ruan, he¡¯d have the support of the king of Nanyue and he¡¯d have more ammunition topete with the Crown Prince.


    ¡°The Empress Dowager also wanted me to marry the Third Prince!¡± Ah Ruan added sadly. Although she wanted to marry Little Jing, she couldn¡¯t be selfish. She has the interests of two countries to think about.


    ¡°What about you? What do you want to do?¡± Ye Jiayao asked. She knew that things were not that simple, but she still wanted to know what¡¯s on the Princess¡¯ mind.


    ¡°If I knew what to do, I wouldn¡¯t have asked for you, Sister Yaoyao.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to her husband. He¡¯s the expert in political interests and matters so he should have a logical opinion about all of this. ¡°Chunyu, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it is a good idea to marry the Third Prince,¡± Xia Chunyu answered.


    ¡°But if the Emperor, the Queen, and the Empress Dowager all agreed to it¡­ it¡¯s not going to be very easy to persuade them to change their minds,¡± Ye Jiayao hedged.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s not going to be easy, but it also depends on the Helian family¡¯s stance on this,¡± he argued.


    As long as Little Jing agrees to marry Ah Ruan, and as long as he¡¯s backed by Elder Princess Yu De and the Old Ancestress, they¡¯d be fine. The Emperor wouldn¡¯t dare to push the matter against the Helian mansion. Plus, the Emperor¡¯s original intention was for Ah Ruan and Helian Jing to get together anyway.


    Ah Ruan blushed. She actually also wanted Yaoyao and Xia Chunyu to talk to Little Jing. She¡¯s already hinted at her feelings to him but he seemedpletely oblivious. Was she supposed to take the initiative to propose the marriage?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ye Jiayao assured Ah Ruan. ¡°We¡¯ll talk to Little Jing when he arrives.¡±


    Helian Jing stomped to the embassy.


    He demanded to Song Qi angrily, ¡°What is this about? I¡¯m busy with work!¡±


    Song Qi answered, ¡°I think you¡¯d better ask the Heir-son Lord, Young Royal Highness. He ordered me toe and get you.¡±


    Helian Jing paused. Was this a set up by Ah Ruan? Or was this a setup made by Chunyu to push him to Ah Ruan?


    When he walked into the room, he immediately grumbled, ¡°Brother Chunyu, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao exchanged nces.


    Xia Chunyu stood up and put a hand on Little Jing¡¯s shoulder, leading him out of the room. ¡°Let me tell you something.¡±

 Chapter 232 - Explain The Situation

    <h4>Chapter 232: Exin The Situation</h4>


    ¡°The Third Prince wants to marry her? Why? Why now? When did he get this idea?¡± Helian Jing asked, shocked.


    ¡°This is not such a surprise. The Third Prince is at the prime age to get married. Besides the fact that Ah Ruan¡¯s a beautiful woman, if he marries her, he gets the support of Nanyue. It¡¯s an opportunity that any sane man would take,¡± Xia Chunyu told him. ¡°The odd thing is the Empress Dowager¡¯s and the Empress¡¯ support. Why would they want the Third Prince to marry Ah Ruan? ¡±


    Helian Jing thought about that too. In his time with the Ministry of War, he¡¯s learned a lot about power disputes. The Third Prince has been standing outtely and if he ends up marrying Ah Ruan, it¡¯d just cement his power. The Third Prince¡¯s mother, Concubine Shu seemed to be unproblematic, yet, it was quite baffling how she reached her position. Why didn¡¯t the Empress Dowager and the Empress stop her?


    ¡°I think they¡¯re trying to appear generous in front of others. They can¡¯t directly oppose the idea without people thinking that they¡¯re trying to keep the Third Prince from ascending,¡± Xia Chunyu mused.


    He continued, ¡°The Emperor gave you the task of entertaining Ah Ruan because he wanted to fix the two of you up. However, the Third Prince¡¯s request is reasonable and justified, so the Emperor can¡¯t just refuse him. The decision falls on your family.


    ¡°Only the Helian mansion can stop this from happening now. As long as your mother and grandmother defend your and Ah Ruan¡¯s match, the Emperor would have a reason to reject the Third Prince. Little Jing, do you really want to watch Ah Ruan be a pawn in the power dispute between the two countries? Aren¡¯t you afraid of what would happen to Ah Ruan in this marriage?¡±


    Helian Jing looked like he was going to pass out. He said weakly, ¡°Third Prince may really like Ah Ruan.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled humorlessly. ¡°Do you really believe that? Do you actually believe that the Third Prince wants to marry Ah Ruan because he likes her?¡±


    Helian Jing¡¯s face grew increasingly pale. Of course, he doesn¡¯t believe that. Everyone knew that the Third Prince and the Rong State Councilor¡¯s niece had already fallen in love.


    Xia Chunyu sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to pressure you, but this matter has a deadline. I would¡¯ve encouraged you to get to know Ah Ruan more, but if you wait for too long, the Third Prince is gonna swoop in and take her. Little Jing, Ah Ruan¡¯s a good girl worth cherishing. What¡¯s your hang-up?¡±


    He looked at Little Jing¡¯s confused face for a while before continuing, ¡°Go andfort her. She¡¯s putting all her hopes on you right now. Even if you can¡¯t give her a definite answer right now, just be there for her. And thenter, talk to your mother about this.¡±


    Helian Jing knew that this wasn¡¯t just a matter of whether he¡¯d want to be married to Ah Ruan or not. He also has to consider the implications of her marrying the Third Prince. The Helian family¡¯s a firm supporter of the Crown Prince and they couldn¡¯t just stand idly by as he makes an obvious grab for power.


    Meanwhile, Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao stood beside a canna in the courtyard. Now that Ah Ruan and Little Jing were talking, Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind flitted to another problem.


    Ah Ruan would have had to send someone to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion to find out that she and Chunyu were at the farnds. That meant that the people in the mansion now knew that they¡¯re back.


    She couldn¡¯t go home yet.


    ¡°Chunyu¡­ do you think I can stay here with Ah Ruan for a few days?¡±


    ¡°You can stay here with her during the day, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s wise to sleep here. If the Third Prince finds out that you¡¯ve been living here, and then his marriage proposal gets rejected, he¡¯d me you. It¡¯s better to avoid conflicts like that.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t argue because what he said was actually reasonable. The Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion has always been in an impartial position. Their loyalty lies with the person sitting on the throne and they never get involved with power struggles.


    Helian Jing came out momentster. ¡°I¡¯m going to go talk to my mother and I¡¯ll let you know about my decisionter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went in and spoke to Ah Ruan for a while. When she saw that the young woman seemed calmer and more rxed, she went back to the Jing An Marquis¡¯ mansion with Chunyu.


    When they got home, Xia Chunyu immediately went to his father. Ye Jiayao, on the other hand, went to greet Xia You before retreating to her room to rest.


    Qiao Xi came in with her and reported, ¡°Second Young Mistress, something is definitely wrong with Princess Liu Li. The only people that are allowed to enter her courtyard are Little Ya and Imperial Physician Li. The rest of her servants needed permission toe to the courtyard.¡±


    ¡°What else have you observed?¡±


    ¡°The day before yesterday, Third Young Master came back early and the servant in charge didn¡¯t stop him. After that, they said that that servant was sent to the pce on an errand, but she hasn¡¯te back until now. Cai Lan saw the servant being carried to a carriage, but she didn¡¯t dare follow it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was horrified. Did Liu Li have the servant killed? What secret was she hiding that she¡¯s actually willing to kill for it?


    ¡°You¡¯ve done a good job, Qiao Xi. However, in the future, don¡¯t let anyone do such dangerous things again. The consequences would be unimaginable if you get caught. I don¡¯t want to get in trouble, but I also don¡¯t want any of you to get in trouble because of me,¡± Ye Jiayao said gently.


    Qiao Xi was both moved and ashamed. She was moved that the Second Young Mistress was so caring to her servants, but she was also ashamed that she underestimated the risks of what they did. If Cai Lan had gotten caught, she might have disappeared along with the other servant.


    Ye Jiayao waved her hand and said, ¡°You can retreat for now. I need to think about this.¡±


    Before dinner, Ye Jiayao went to find Qiao.


    Qiao took a few vials of medicine from Imperial Physician Li and was now looking much better.


    ¡°I went to the farm and brought you some hens. It¡¯ll be good for you,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao smiled gratefully. ¡°I heard that you¡¯ve nted a lot of fruits and vegetables at your farm, Second Sister.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we nted a lot of variations of that. However, the fruit trees will take time to mature. When they bear fruit in theing year, just tell me what you want to eat and I¡¯ll get them for you.¡±


    ¡°I really envy you, Second Sister-inw. One embroidery shop has already kept me so busy, but you manage to run the farm and Heavenly Residence so well.¡±


    ¡°I have help. Manager Zhao¡¯s in charge of all the ounts in Heavenly Residence. I only make sure that everyone¡¯s working properly, and create some new dishes and drinks from time to time. The farm is managed by the manager rmended to me by Princess Yu De,¡± Ye Jiayao said modestly.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be humble. You have great skills. I¡¯m just worried that now that I¡¯m pregnant, the embroidery shop would get even worse. We¡¯re barely getting by as it is. I¡¯m worried that we¡¯d be buried in debt if this continues,¡± Qiao worried. She wouldn¡¯t normally admit to such weakness, but she¡¯s out of option. She needed Jinxuan¡¯s advice to turn her business around.


    ¡°Is this business separate from that of your family¡¯s?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°It is. There are only three Qiao embroidery shops in Jin Ling and the other two are doing better than mine.¡±


    ¡°Those two shops have been operating for many years and they¡¯ve built their reputation. They have stable customers that give them constant business,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao grabbed her hand and pleaded, ¡°Second Sister-inw, you have a lot of ideas. Please help me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with that business industry. Are your target customers the rich or themoners?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for the rich, but it¡¯s a pity that it can¡¯t beat the Lan Yi shop next door.¡±


    ¡°Why is that shop¡¯s business better?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. My material is obviously more expensive than hers, and my embroidery skills are better. My style is better too!¡± Qiao told her.


    Ye Jiayao sighed. It seemed that Qiao really doesn¡¯t have the mind for business.

 Chapter 233 - Something Interesting

    <h4>Chapter 233: Something Interesting</h4>


    Competition is inevitable in business unless it is a monopoly. However, in the bustling city of Jin Lin, there is a surplus of businesses doing retail and food and beverages. To survive among thepetitors, one must know thyself and others; what are their strengths and your weaknesses so as to work on your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. To stand out, you have to be clear of your position in order to gain a foothold.


    Quality, style, service, management, and marketing are all interlinked. Neither of them should becking.


    To think that customers would bring money to you by just bringing in a few cloth?and disying them there without knowing anything like elder sister-inw is too na?ve.


    Since nothing woulde out of asking her, Ye Jiayao can only say ¡°Then I shall go over to your shop to take a look tomorrow, then to other shops to see where the problem lies beforeing up with a n.¡±


    Qiao is ted ¡°Thank you, second sister-inw.¡±


    As long as the shop¡¯s business can thrive and not fold, she doesn¡¯t care about face and is willing to beg second sister-inw for help. She had made herself clear in the Qiao family that she can do it and in order to be in full control of the ounts, she rejected the manager that her older brother sent over. If she fails, it would not be merely the loss of money but also face.


    ¡°We are all family, what is there to thank. Besides, I dare not say that I would definitely be of help. I will just try my best.¡± Ye Jiayao does not make a promise, leaving a way out for herself.


    ¡°Of course, of course¡­¡± Qiao replies politely, however, she still ced high hopes on this second sister-inw.


    ¡°Elder sister-inw is pregnant so do not worry about these menial things, you should take care of your body. Now that third sister-inw is not feeling well, Mother is also quite worried¡­¡± saying that, ayer of worry surfaces from Ye Jiayao¡¯s clear eyes.


    Speaking of which, Qiao is feeling a little unhappy. Even if this is her second pregnancy, You was never as caring to her as she did with Liu Li when she was first pregnant. It is all because Chunli wasn¡¯t born by You.


    ¡°What exactly is wrong with Third sister-inw? I have been going through strong reactions from the pregnancy and couldn¡¯t visit her, but didn¡¯t Imperial Physician Li say that there was no problem?¡± Although Qiao is unhappy deep down, she still has to do the surface job. The caring tone and expression are all on point.


    Ye Jiayao sighs ¡°Imperial Physician Li did say that but from what I see, Third sister-inw¡¯splexion is really bad and it seems that her condition got worse. Of course, I have never been pregnant before so I am not very certain but I think Mother should know for sure!¡±


    Qiao is surprised ¡°Could it be that there is something wrong with the child? It shouldn¡¯t be the case, Third sister-inw is only six months into the pregnancy and her reactions to the pregnancy would have been less severedpared to the initial stages. It also isn¡¯t the period where her body is the heaviest.¡±


    ¡°Then that is weird. Since Third sister-inw is not sick and doesn¡¯t have headaches¡­¡± Ye Jiayao is perplexed.


    Qiao ponders for a while, suddenly eximing ¡°Could it be that there is a problem with the child?¡±


    After saying that, Qiao quickly covers her mouth, immediately spitting,ughing embarrassedly ¡°It was a wild guess.¡±


    Ye Jiayao squeezes out a bitter smile ¡°I have been thinking since Third sister-inw keepsining about being stuffy, could it be that the incense she used in her room is too strong?¡±


    ¡°Pregnant women should avoid using incense. Just look at me, I used to light up jasmine tea gruel and all that but after bing pregnant, I removed all of them.¡± Qiao says.


    Ye Jiayao nods in agreement ¡°I think so too, even I cannot get used to the smell of ambergris and wormwood mixed together, don¡¯t even mention Third sister-inw. I don¡¯t even know how the servants there do their job.¡±


    Qiao is dumbfounded ¡°What smell did you say it was?¡±


    ¡°Ambergris and wormwood!¡± Ye Jiayao looks as though she wasn¡¯t even trying to be subtle about it.


    ¡°You smelt it?¡± Qiao¡¯s pupils waver, reflecting her uneasiness.


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°My sense of smell has always been very acute. I would never be wrong.¡±


    Qiao¡¯s expression begins to darken.


    Ye Jiayao asks uneasily ¡°Elder sister-inw, is there something wrong?¡±


    Qiao tries to force out a smile, concealing ¡°No, nothing¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughs in self-mockery ¡°We are just being worried about nothing, perhaps everything is alright. With Imperial Physician Li around, would she let anything happen to Third sister-inw?¡±


    Qiao asks ¡°Have you told Mother about this matter?¡±


    ¡°What matter?¡± Ye Jiayao pretends to not know.


    ¡°The incense.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about the incense? I just don¡¯t like the smell, perhaps Third sister-inw is someone who likes that smell, to each his own. It wouldn¡¯t be nice if I talked about it.¡±


    Qiao stays silent, looking as though there is something weighing in her heart.


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°Elder sister-inw, don¡¯t worry, I am also only chatting and listening about all these interesting things because I am bored.¡±


    Saying that, Ye Jiayao changes the topic ¡°We have a tenant farmer in our farnds who¡¯s surname is Jin. He has two sons and a daughter. Both his sons are quite hardworking but a pity his daughter and son-inw arezy and leech on them all the time. A pity they are sweet talkers and Old Jin¡¯s wife dotes on her daughter exceptionally. Instead of scolding them, she keeps defending them. However, these tenant farmers are tight on money themselves, how can they afford to have two idle mouths to feed. Both the sons are unhappy and the second son¡¯s wife is even pregnant. Therefore, Old Jin decided to harden his heart and ughter the only hen in the family for his daughter-inw to supplement her body. However, coincidently, the daughter is also pregnant and has returned during her pregnancy and Old Jin¡¯s wife is biased towards her daughter, letting her eat the hen while the second daughter-inw didn¡¯t even get a mouth of the soup.¡±


    Qiao could not contain her anger ¡°That Old Jin¡¯s wife is so muddle-headed, and that youngest daughter is so thick-skinned, how could they have their way? If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t let them be.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughs ¡°Of course this matter cannot rest like that, the second daughter-inw keeps holding in the anger and slowly, her body starts to deteriorate and no amount of medicine would work. The second son has no choice but to hire a roaming priest to take a look. The priest did some calcting and said that a mountain cannot contain two tigers. The second daughter-inw is pregnant with the Wen Qu star and is a pity that it is restrained in the womb. After another round of calctions, the priest deduced that there is another pregnant woman in the house and if this person does not leave, there would be no hope for the Wen Qu star in the second daughter-inw¡¯s body. Also, they are not to meet with this nemesis ever again¡­¡±


    Qiao is surprised ¡°Such things actually exist?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies ¡°Hearing that the second daughter-inw is pregnant with the Wen Qu star, which is a big thing for this farmer family, Old Jin¡¯s wife immediately hardens her heart and chased her youngest daughter away, never allowing her back¡­¡±


    ¡°That is the way to go, so the two of them wouldn¡¯t be able to leech again,¡± Qiao says with indignance.


    ¡°I think that priest is most probably in cahoots with the second son. This is too ridiculous. However, Chunyu didn¡¯t think much of this matter, saying that everyone would rather believe than to doubt. Talks about ghosts and gods are the most incredible, even in the pce, people would make use of this to create a scene to achieve their desired oue, for example, to get rid of one¡¯s enemy or to put the me on others. Hearing about it gives me the chills.¡± Ye Jiayao shakes her head,ughing bitterly.


    Qiao frowns a little, as though she is deep in thoughts. Ye Jiayao knows that her words has gone in and is in her subconscious mind, achieving her goal, hence, she rises to take her leave ¡°I almost forgot about dinner after all that chatting, elder sister-inw, I shall take my leave now, I would go down to the shop tomorrow and after Ie up with a n, I wille over to discuss it with you.¡±


    Qiao answers absent-mindedly, getting a servant to see her out.


    At this moment, she seems to be at a loss, in her heart, a huge storm seems to be brewing.


    ¡°Fang Mama, what do you think of Second Young Mistress¡¯s words just now?¡± Qiao asks Fang Mama.


    Fang Mama replies worriedly ¡°No matter if Second Young Mistress is speaking unintentionally or with the intention to warn you, if what she says is true, and Third Young Mistress really used wormwood incense, then there is a huge problem going on.¡±


    Qiao motions her to close the door, saying with a grave expression ¡°I think so too, both of us know under what circumstances will a pregnant woman use wormwood incense. While she keeps saying she is alright, Third Young Mistress has been using wormwood, even using the strong ambergris to cover up the smell, who would believe that there is no problem!¡±


    Fang Mama says hesitantly ¡°I dare to say that Second Young Mistress has already detected something amiss. A few days ago, Madam was still criticizing Second Young Mistress about not going to visit Third Young Mistress. After that, the Heir-Son Lord apanied Second Young Mistress over and the next day, they went to the farnds. I think Second Young Mistress told you that story on purpose¡­¡±


    ¡°Think about it, if the child in Third Young Mistress¡¯s womb cannot survive, for no rhyme or reason at that, it might be because Third Young Mistress has some hidden illness. Also, ording to her strong character, she would naturally not admit that the child is lost because of her. she would definitely find someone to take over the me.¡±


    Qiao shudders, this is what she is worried about too.


    Fang Mama continues ¡°Who do you think would be the best scapegoat? Of course, it is Second Young Mistress. Everyone knows that they are at loggerheads and even though on the surface it seems like everything is fine, who knows for sure what Third Young Mistress is thinking of deep inside? However, Second Young Mistress already has her guards up so she would not fall into the trap so easily. In that case, what would Third Young Mistress do under the circumstance that she is unable to hide the matter anymore?¡±


    Qiao¡¯s face turns as pale as a sheet. Fang Mama says solemnly ¡°Just now, Second Young Mistress quoted the Heir-Son Lord saying that this schemes and tricks are frequently used in the pce. First Young Mistress, think about it, after you just got pregnant, something arises there. Isn¡¯t that the best excuse? All there is to do is to hire a divine interpreter or a senior monk from a temple or any priest from a Daoist temple to make a trip here and everything will be solved, saving on trouble and effort while you, First Young Mistress, will be unable to defend yourself.¡±


    Qiao is unable to stay calm, grabbing on to Fang Mama¡¯s hand nervously ¡°Then¡­ then what should we do?¡±


    She would rather believe than to doubt with regards to matters like this. You would definitely side with Liu Li. If the Empress Dowager starts to pinpoint someone to me, things would be worse. Leaving the residence would be a small case. If she is not careful, she might lose the child inside.


    Fang Mama ponders for a long time. The confusion in her eyes suddenly bes clear with a hint of ruthlessness, saying ¡°Then we can only strike first and gain the upper hand. Before Third Young Mistress begins any movement, we have to disclose Third Young Mistress¡¯s actual condition.¡±

 Chapter 234 - An Unforseen Event

    <h4>Chapter 234: An Unforseen Event</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    Qiao is flustered and afraid ¡°But what if the Third Young Mistress doesn¡¯t have that intention?¡±


    Fang Mama looks at her calmly, saying with eyes cold and solemn ¡°First Young Mistress, do you want to bet on it? First Young Mistress, can you afford to bet on it?¡±


    Qiao is stumped by the question but deep down inside, she knows the answer clearly. She cannot afford to bet on it. This child of hers is hard toe by. If she loses it because of this incident, her status in the Marquis¡¯s mansion would be in danger. You¡¯s attitude towards her has always been lukewarm. If this happens, she would not like her even more and Chunli has always been lusting over that servant, Cui Yan, he might even use this chance to make her his concubine. All these consequences are those that she cannot bear and does not wish to see happen.


    Fang Mama¡¯s expression softens ¡°First Young Mistress, there is no need to worry so much. We just need to secretly expose the fact that Third Young Mistress has been using wormwood incense. Once Madam has gotten wind of it, how can she still remain indifferent? Madam is way shrewder than we are, she understands the various things that are at stake here.¡±


    ¡°Besides, First Young Mistress, you have yet to been to Third Young Mistress¡¯s ce and we have been staying home for most of the time, who would suspect us? If Third Young Mistress were to suspect, it would be Second Young Mistress who would be suspected.


    As though suddenly enlightened, Qiao regains her clear and bright look. Fang Mama is right, as long as they deal with it carefully, Liu Li would never suspect her. Even if she suspects her, she can also say that she heard it from Second sister-inw. That was the case anyway.


    Ye Jiayao walks out of the older family¡¯s courtyard and whispers her instructions to Qiao Xi ¡°Take note of who the servants here interact with.¡±


    She believes that Qiao would definitely take action after she reveals this news to her. Although Qiao doesn¡¯t really have a brain for business, she isn¡¯t totally innocent when ites to scheming on other aspects. She isn¡¯t open and honest today by making use of Qiao because she has no choice but she still has to guard against Qiao. It would be best if Qiao can do things without any loopholes so that everyone would be alright.


    Qiao Xi answers softly and the two walks towards the main house.


    You is not around and they were told that she went out. The servants said that Madam has sent word out that there is no need to eat at the main house today, everyone is to have their meals in their respective courtyards. Ye Jiayao did not receive the news because she went to Qiao¡¯s ce.


    Ye Jiayao would rather that to be the case. You seems to have strong opinions against her and doesn¡¯t seem to favour her. However, she cannot reallyin about it because firstly, You has always had a lot on her mind and secondly, she did do some things that don¡¯t satisfy You due to certain reasons. Aye¡­ she shall make up for it after the dust has settled!


    When she returned to her courtyard, Zhou Xing¡¯s wife has already sent dinner over.


    ¡°Where is the Heir-Son lord?¡± Ye Jiayao asks while walking in.


    Xiang Tao replies ¡°In the study.¡±


    Ye Jiayao goes to the study and sees Xia Chunyu leaning on the chair with a cup of tea in his hand, in a daze.


    ¡°Chunyu, what are you thinking about? It¡¯s time to eat, I¡¯ll go wash my hands.¡± Ye Jiayao greets.


    Xia Chunyu regains his senses as he smiles lightly ¡°Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°I went to visit Older sister-inw, herplexion is not bad.¡± Ye Jiayao turns to walk away.


    After she is done washing up, Xia Chunyu is already sitting at the round table but he is still in a daze.


    Qiao Xi lifts up the lid of the dishes and helps the Heir-Son Lord scoop some rice in his bowl. She puts the rice bowl before him and says ¡°Heir-Son lord, please have your meal.¡±


    Ye Jiayao says ¡°Qiao Xi, you don¡¯t have to serve us, go and have your meals too!¡±


    There is no one else in the house anymore, Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°Stop spacing out, eat!¡±


    Xia Chunyu picks up his rice bowl and puts it back down, sighing ¡°Yaoyao, Little Jing and Ah Ruan might be unable to be together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is stocked ¡°Why did you say that?¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighs heavily again ¡°I made the situation out to be too simple, after spending the few days in the farnds, I didn¡¯t even know something so big happened.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sinks ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°This thing is still kept a secret in the pce but Elder Princess Yu De knows about it. Little Jing might still be in the dark. Actually, it was His Majesty¡¯s intention for Ah Ruan to marry the Third Prince.¡±


    ¡°How could this be? Wasn¡¯t it the Third Prince¡¯s request?¡± Ye Jiayao is extremely shocked. Wouldn¡¯t that subvert their initial deductions?


    ¡°If that is His Majesty¡¯s intention, why did he let Little Jing escort Ah Ruan? Everyone would think that His Majesty had that intention.¡± Ye Jiayao cannot understand at all.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart feels heavy ¡°His Majesty had that intention at first but now, an unforeseen event happened¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu looks grave ¡°There was news from West Mongolia just now that Helian Xuan has requested to marry the West Mongolia¡¯s King Han¡¯s sister. This Princess has a high prestige in West Mongolia and is a brave general that doesn¡¯t pale inparison to men.¡±


    Ye Jiayao digests this news silently and very quickly, she understands theplications of the situation. Helian Xuan has helped West Mongolia to settle their internal conflict this time and it is a big contribution to both West Mongolia and Huai Song. As the general with the most outstanding military services in the current dynasty, and now that he wants to marry the West Mongolia Princess, on top of his contributions, marrying the Princess of West Mongolia would put him in a higher status than the Emperor in the eyes of the West Mongolians. Can His Majesty not be wary? If His Majesty still allows Little Jing to marry Ah Ruan, the northwestern and southwestern side would be under the control of the Helian family. How can His Majesty be at ease? Besides, the Crown Prince¡¯s prestige has been on the rise and hisrgest military support is the Helian Prince¡¯s mansion.


    From the past till present, whether to a wise king or a foolish king, the most important thing is the imperial power they have at hand. They want absolute control and governance. If there is anyone or anything that threatens the power, the king would be wary even if that threates from the heir that was personally appointed by the king, even if it is his son. Therefore, the Third Prince¡¯s standing out and Consort Shu¡¯s favour might be His Majesty¡¯s intention to keep the Crown Prince in check.


    After figuring this out, then, why did the Empress Dowager and Empress not raise any objections with regards to Ah Ruan¡¯s marriage? Instead, they support the decision. She cannot understand this part. Is it because the Emperor has started to be wary of the Crown Prince and Helian Prince¡¯s mansion?


    However, what should Ah Ruan do? She suddenly feels upset. Such a bubbly and lively Ah Ruan, can she stillugh without a hint of care and worry like this in future?


    Xia Chunyu observes her expression and knows that she has thought of the things at stake. Actually, it is easy to tell that Little Jing has some feelings for Ah Ruan just that he has yet to confirm his feelings at the moment. No matter whether it is from the point of the two families being long-time friends or his rtionship with Helian Xuan, he wishes that Little Jing would be happy. Also, the cute and innocent Ah Ruan who is far from home, although it may be a political marriage, he also wishes for Ah Ruan to marry someone she likes.


    However, this matter is not one that can be changed easily.


    In order to avoid arousing suspicion, the Helian Prince¡¯s Mansion cannot even say anything about it, not to mention fight for it.


    ¡°Yaoyao, you¡­ should go and console Ah Ruan about it tomorrow! This is the time where she needs a friend to talk to.¡± Xia Chunyu says with a hint of bitterness and regret.


    Ye Jiayao is so upset she feels like crying. Tears already welled up in her eyes. How is she going to console her? she just told Ah Ruan today that there is no need to worry, that Little Jing would not leave her alone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too upset too, actually, the Third Prince is not bad¡­¡±


    ¡°Does not bad means she can marry him? There are so many youngdies from wealthy families in the capital, all of them are not bad, why must you choose me? Why must you go through so much to marry me? It is ultimately to be with someone that we like! it is always easy when we talk about others but when it happens to us, who can be rxed about it? If Ah Ruan didn¡¯t like Little Jing, if he isn¡¯t in her heart, then marrying the Third Prince might not be a bad choice and she wouldn¡¯t be upset. However, if you already have someone in your heart but you still have to marry someone else, it is a pain that you will never know.¡± Ye Jiayao is agitated. After hearing him say that, she cannot control the anger within her andshes out at him.


    Xia Chunyu is unable to refute her. He knows what it feels like. When he actively tries to reject the marriage, he also had the worst n in mind. If His Majesty doesn¡¯t change his mind, he would rather be a monk than to spend his life with someone he doesn¡¯t like. It is too scary.


    However, his rejection of the marriage does not affect His Majesty¡¯s imperial power and doesn¡¯t affect the political situation, therefore, there is a way out, unlike Little Jing and Ah Ruan. Even if both of them kill themselves for love in front of His Majesty, His Majesty would not bat a single eyelid.


    Seeing his guilt, Ye Jiayao¡¯s face darkens and remains silent. Slowly, she calms down and says softly ¡°Sorry, I know this is not something a person is in control of, I am just feeling upset.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologise, I know you don¡¯t feel good about it. Now that things have turned out like this, we cannot help them and can only console them and help them through the hardest period.¡± Xia Chunyu puts a hand on top of hers, holding it gently in his hand, saying.


    Ye Jiayao sniffs and wipes away her tears, saying in a low tone ¡°I will go and visit Ah Ruan after dinner.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go tonight, Father and Mother are at the Helian Prince¡¯s Mansion now, I will take a trip there too after dinner, if you want to go, you can tag along. Ah Ruan still doesn¡¯t know about the truth, let her have a good night¡¯s sleep!¡± Xia Chunyu says.


    So You¡¯s sudden departure was to go to the Helian Prince¡¯s Mansion. Ye Jiayao nods her head silently and can only feel a certain sorrow. She feels more strongly about the pain of theck of freedom of choice as a modern spiritpared to the women of this era.


    Perhaps Ah Ruan can have a good night¡¯s sleep tonight, what about Little Jing? He would have known about the situation by now. What is he feeling now?


    Helpless, helpless and still helpless.


    The two of them eat silently, unable to enjoy the taste of the food. They just had a few mouthfuls before changing and proceeding to the Helian Prince¡¯s Mansion.


    Seeing their arrival, the housekeeper brings them to Young Royal Highness Jing without a word.


    Helian Jing is sitting alone in the study, in a daze at this moment. His heart feels as though there are hundreds of wild horses galloping and neighing, loud and in a mess.


    You only realise certain things are not what you think it is when it happens.


    When he left the rest stop, he was still hesitating, whether or not he should marry Ah Ruan, is this the best choice? Even if there is no choice, can he ept it dly? Will he feel unwilling?


    However, only when he returned to the mansion did he learn that he already has no choice. Not that he has no choice but to marry her, but no choice because he cannot marry her.

 Chapter 235 - Liu Li’s Miscarriage

    <h4>Chapter 235: Liu Li¡¯s Miscarriage</h4>


    After reading the letter of appeal that is sent together with Helian Xuan¡¯s letter, he passed them to Ye Jiayao silently, turning to ask Little Jing ¡°What are your thoughts?¡±


    Little Jing holds his head with his hands, sticking his fingers into his hair, showing his extreme frustration, speaking in a low, muffled voice ¡°What else can I do? I can¡¯t possibly ask Big brother to not marry Princess Naya, can I?¡±


    After Ye Jiayao read the letters, she remained silent for a long time too. Helian Xuan and Princess Naya built their rtionship through the fire and smoke in the war. Both of them fight against the enemies hand in hand on the blood-soaked battlefield and their bond of going through life and death together is strong and not easily destroyed. Especially when Helian Xuan was besieged for seven days and seven nights by the Arzach Prince and was in critical danger when Princess Naya led three thousand brave West Mongolian soldiers through the siege¡­ Helian Xuan knows very well that marrying a foreign princess requires the consent of the Emperor but in this letter, his determination is reflected in every stroke that is written with strength. He is bent on marrying her.


    She thought that Ah Ruan is the one suffering the most but the Little Jing at this moment, his expression of loss and confusion, shows that he is not having it any better.


    Is it a form of sympathy for Ah Ruan or a sense of regret for himself? Perhaps it is both.


    Only, there is no point talking about this now.


    The house is extremely quiet, no one knows what to say.


    ¡°Yaoyao, go take a look at the Old Ancestress, let me talk to Little Jing for a while.¡± Xia Chunyu starts.


    Ye Jiayao nods, giving Little Jing a worried look before turning to leave.


    From the Old Ancestress¡¯s attitude, she can tell that the Helian family is not against Helian Xuan¡¯s decision to marry Princess Naya. The Helian family ces importance on friendships and ties. She merely brought Little Jing back from Ji Nan on the way and the Helian family repaid her with such great favour, not to mention Princess Naya who risked her life to save Helian Xuan from death. The Helian family would never oppose it, even if they were to be subjected to His Majesty¡¯s suspicion.


    They can only exim and sigh ¡°It¡¯s a pity¡­¡±


    The pity is obviously Ah Ruan.


    After sitting around with the Old Ancestress for around an hour, thetter starts to appear exhausted, looks like it is time for her to rest. Ye Jiayao is about to take her leave when Chunyu arrives and greets the elderly before the two of them departs together.


    ¡°I ran into Father and Mother just now, they made their way back to the residence first.¡±


    ¡°What about Little Jing?¡±


    Xia Chunyu forces out a bitter smile ¡°He¡¯s alright, he isn¡¯t that impetuous youth anymore, he knows his status and responsibilities. He won¡¯t do anything rash.¡±


    ¡°Did he say he likes Ah Ruan?¡± Although that statement is already meaningless, she still has to ask about it.


    Xia Chunyu squints as he looks up at the dark sky, the emotions in his eyes are as obscure as the sky ¡°Will you feel better if he says he likes her?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looks at him, stunned ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Xia Chunyu gazes at her with clear, bright eyes ¡°What do you think I mean?¡±


    A sudden sense of frustration starts to seep into Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart, she detests how he questions her ambiguously like this and immediately hardens her face as she answers ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiles ¡°If he says he doesn¡¯t like her, you will feel that he is still unable to let her go and will feel guilty and pity Ah Ruan even more, isn¡¯t that the case? However, to Little Jing and Ah Ruan, it is best if he doesn¡¯t like her. That way Little Jing would not be in pain and Ah Ruan would not hold on to him and marry the Third Prince with feelings of grievance and she would be able to ept the Third Prince more easily.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is a little embarrassed after her thoughts are exposed.


    ¡°I am not ming you for thinking like that. it is normal for you to feel sorry towards Little Jing. Although I used some tricks to marry you, I am still quite confident that I am the one that you like.¡± Xia Chunyu says with a smile.


    ¡°However, you really don¡¯t have to feel sorry. A rtionship goes both ways. There will only be happiness if both parties are willing. You don¡¯t have to like a person back just because he likes you. you cannot force anyone when ites to love. There is no such thing as someone letting another person down. Little Jing knows this too so you shoulde to terms with it too.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is speechless. He is right. Actually, she only wishes for Little Jing to be a little happier.


    Xia Chunyu holds her hands tightly, his gaze as gentle as the moonlight ¡°That is why we can be together. It is because heaven is taking care of us. Hence, we need to treasure each other even more.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looks back at him, trembling, feeling deeply moved. That¡¯s right. In this era where freedom of love is shamed and marriage has to be decided by parents, her being able to meet him and ultimately be together till the end is the biggest fortune one can get.


    These few days, Ye Jiayao has been going to the rest stop to apany Ah Ruan, exining to her Little Jing¡¯s situation and difficulties. Although she is very upset, she said that she will understand. Little Jing is just like her, left without a choice. She will not me anyone.


    It is also only at the initial stages where she is upset. Very quickly, Ah Ruan starts to pester Ye Jiayao to teach her how to make food. The both of them bake cakes, flower biscuits, and other pastries together¡­


    Ye Jiayao looks at her light dimples as she smiles, only, her smile is not genuine. She knows that she is trying to find things to do to prevent herself from thinking too much and so she puts in a lot of effort to teach her, offering almost all of her pastry-making skills.


    Just like that, four, five days have passed. During that period, Liu Li said that she wanted to have some ice cream and You even specially ordered her to make some but she used Ah Ruan as an excuse to say that she forgot about it and hence, You has been even more unsatisfied with her. After that, the thing that she is most worried about eventually happened.


    The cause of it is a rumour in the residence that there is something wrong with the baby in Liu Li¡¯s stomach and that she has started to use wormwood.


    The rumours quickly reached the ears of You and that caused her to be extremely shocked, which is followed by a surprise attack.


    Although Liu Li has orders for no one to step into her courtyard when she is using the wormwood every morning, nobody dares to stop the arrival of You and she got caught red-handed.


    Imperial Physician Li is speechless in the face of You¡¯s questionings and You got someone to hire the best physicians in Jin Lin to make a diagnosis together. The result is that the fetus is dead in her womb and there is no hope for it. If Liu Li does not abort the dead fetus, her life would be in danger.


    You brings Imperial Physician Li into the pce and reports the matter to the Empress Dowager, getting Imperial Physician Li to exin it to the Empress Dowager personally.


    That night, You watched Liu Li drink the abortion medicine while Ye Jiayao and the others wait at the side room. After an hour, Liu Li starts to experience pain in her stomach and only at daybreak, was the bruised, dead fetus expelled out of her body. It was a boy.


    You feels extreme heartache but she still keeps her spirits up, personally taking care of Liu Li.


    Ye Jiayao finally manages to heave a sigh of relief. A huge stone in her heart finally falls to the ground. Seeing You¡¯s bloodshot eyes and dark eye rings shows that she is unable to withstand the sleepless days and nights. Ye Jiayao finally persuades You to return her room to rest with the help of Sun Mama, staying back to take care of Liu Li.


    Liu Li has long been exhausted and even if she is full of suspicion and hatred, she has no strength to question, falling asleep drowsily.


    Xia Chunyu is the most devastated. For six months, he had been immersed in the happiness of being a father and all of the sudden, the child is gone just like that. It was a huge blow to him and his face was as pale as Liu Li¡¯s. Xia Chunyu and Xia Chunli stay by his side,forting him in any way the can.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, the medicine is ready.¡± Zhou Xing¡¯s wife personally brings the medicine over.


    Xiao Ya says ¡°Second Young Mistress, let me do it!¡±


    Ye Jiayao says gently ¡°You are tired too, go take a rest, let me do it.¡±


    Qiao Xi goes to help the Third Young Mistress up, Liu Li has her eyes shut, saying in a low, stern voice ¡°Get out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gives Qiao Xi a meaningful nce and Qiao Xi retreats quietly.


    Xiao Ya goes up to put a cushion behind Liu Li so she has something soft to lean on.


    Only then did Liu Li open her eyes. Her dark pupils are full of hatred, staring daggers at Ye Jiayao ¡°Now are you satisfied?¡±


    Ye Jiayao stirs the medicine to cool it down, saying gently ¡°Third sister-inw, don¡¯t say that, everyone is upset over your miscarriage, however, you are still young, after you recuperate, you will be able to get pregnant again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you here as a hypocrite, aren¡¯t you always hoping for this day toe? You must have been cursing me every night for these six months, haven¡¯t you? Now your wish has been fulfilled.¡± Liu Li says ruthlessly.


    Xiao Ya calls her princess softly.


    Ye Jiayao sighs ¡°You have just used up a lot of energy and your body is very weak, it is best to stop thinking too much.¡±


    ¡°Am I thinking too much? Do you dare to swear that you never had those malicious thoughts?¡± Liu Li says aggressively. She is going crazy. It was a foolproof n but now that it has gone down the drain, she has to suffer from everyone¡¯s disappointment, mockery and the pain of losing a child. She hates this seemingly gentle and kind person standing in front of her to the core. Every emotion and expression that Ye Jiayao shows seem to her to be sarcasm and mockery.


    Ye Jiayao lets out a bitterugh helplessly ¡°Third sister-inw, I thought you are no longer that princess Liu Li from before, I didn¡¯t think that you would still be that princess Liu Li deep down inside. If you want to think of others like that, I have nothing to say. I do not wish to argue with you because it is pointless. Only, you cannot help but see me even if you don¡¯t want to. Mother almost copsed and Older sister-inw is pregnant. I am the only one in the residence who can take care of you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to take care of me, I don¡¯t need you to cry crocodile tears, scram, I don¡¯t want to see you.¡± Liu Li uses most of her strength to shout.


    Ye Jiayao stays silent for a while, passes the medicine to the servant in Liu Li¡¯s room and says gently ¡°Sister-inw, take care of your body.¡±


    Then she orders the servant ¡°If there is anything that is necessary, just tell Qiao Xi, she will pass the message to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walks off expressionless. Who f*cking wants to wait on you. The anger onlyes from being unable to trick her.


    She hears Liu Li¡¯s heart-wrenching cry from behind her. Ye Jiayao shakes her head and sighs. Every pitiful person has a hateful side.


    Although Ye Jiayao is out of the house, she dares not leave the courtyard and rests for a while at the side room. Otherwise, if You knows that she left her job, she might just vent her anger and grievance on her. Enduring a little would prevent her from suffering from greater pain.


    Xiao Ya is unable to persuade princess Liu Li ¡°Princess, you cannot cry, you just had a miscarriage, if you cry like this, you will harm your body. You have to think about the bigger picture¡­¡±


    Liu Li is unable to withstand the pain in her heart. She is a wilful person to start with, how would she be able to heed any advice? She is unable to suppress all the negative emotions surging up, making everyone in the room at a loss of what to do.


    Xiao Ya has run out of ideas ¡°I will get a physician.¡±


    Seeing Xiao Ya run out of the room, Qiao Xi wanted to ask her what was the matter but who knew, Xiao Ya responded to her with a cold face, pushing her aside, running straight for the main house.

 Chapter 236 - How can you explain it

    <h4>Chapter 236: How can you exin it</h4>


    Ye Jiayao sat down and before she had a sip of tea, Qiao Xi came in.


    ¡°The second mistress, little Ya may go to invite madam here for the third mistress has been crying all the time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao seems calmly, ¡± Let her go, but it¡¯s just going to be trouble our madam again.¡±


    When You came, Ye Jiayao stood in the courtyard, facing the door of Liu Li¡¯s room, and her wailing came out through the curtain one after another.


    ¡± How could you do like that? You even didn¡¯t realize to go in and persuade her when Liu Li cried so sadly, ¡± You rebuked.


    Ye Jiayao bowed her head and said nothing.


    ¡± Never be a wise guy! You always screw up such tiny things.¡± You red at her and sped toward the house, with little Ya opening the curtain one step ahead.


    Qiao Xi really wanted to be outraged by the injustice done to the second mistress. Had the second mistress do anything wrong?Clearly,someone was malicious, the madam was too entric.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head at her and ordered, ¡± Qiao Xi, you go to the posthouse and tell princess Ruan that I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t go there today. You can let Jiang Yue go if the princess wants to learn something, .¡±


    Qiao Xi was worried about the second mistress and said with hesitation: ¡± Can you let Xiangtao send the message?¡±


    Ye Jiayao tuted : ¡± How dare you resist my orders?¡±


    Qiao Xi had no way, so she had to bend a knees and go to work.


    The reason why Qiao Xi was sent away was that her knew the twists and turned in this event best.and look at Qiao Xi¡¯s defiant expression on her face. Later,this girl might not be able to control her resentment and express support for her when madam rebuked her, so it¡¯s the best choice to sent her?away to avoid the usation for butting madam.


    After a wick of incense burned, the crying stopped and quieted down. After a while, Mother Sun took You out.


    You¡¯s face seemed to be covered with frost. She walked past Ye Jiayao, and said coldly, ¡± Follow me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao silently followed You into the second bedroom and stood with her head down beside You.


    You had a long history of dissatisfaction with her, and today it was beyond endurance.


    ¡± Second son¡¯s wife, I always thought you were intelligent and familiar with etiquette. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so petty and to use different face when facing different events¡± You said coldly.


    Mother Sun looked at the second mistress with bitterness.


    The second mistress did do something wrong and couldn¡¯t feel thedy¡¯s painstaking efforts, but the madam¡¯s words were too bitter.


    ¡± Mother taught me and I shouldn¡¯t have any objection, but I didn¡¯t dare to bear the charges you pointed out.¡± Ye Jiayao was courteous and modest with a calm tone.


    ¡± Look,you still dare to answer back!As the second older brother¡¯wife, you should have more care when your brother¡¯s wife is pregnant, but you?Visit Mingxiu¡¯s house day in and day out. If I hadn¡¯t urged you many times, you wouldn¡¯t have set foot here even once.What¡¯s worse,you often refuse to help when I hope you make something to eat. Do you dare say that you did your duty as a sister ¨C in ¨Cw?Grabbing the past grudges, what was not a petty crime?¡± You used.


    ¡± Don¡¯t you know LiuLi is sad now?You have never been a mother.So you don¡¯t know the pain of losing your child.That¡¯s OK.But you should see how weak LiuLi is now. Even if she loses her temper, you should let her go. But what is the truth? You speak angrily to her once by once. She is the golden body now! How many heads do you have to offset your crime if you make her angry to hell?¡± The more You say, the more angry You be, the more unstable You¡¯s breath was.


    Mother Sun hurriedly rubbed her back and said, ¡± Madam, you can slowly told to the second mistress,she will listen to you.¡±


    ¡± She will listen to me?She¡¯s more than once or twice.She was very concerned about Princess Ruan, who can¡¯t have any rtionship with her, but ignore her family. ¡± You was staring straightly at Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao knelt down slowly: ¡± Mother, please calm down and don¡¯t get angry. That¡¯s the sin of me.¡±


    ¡± Your sins?So interesting.¡±


    ¡°I admit that I didn¡¯te and hid on my purpose, but does the mother ever think about why I did like that?¡± Ye Jiayao confessed.


    She knew very well that LiuLi will definitely check where the rumors came from afterwards and trace their origins. It was not difficult to find her. It was better to confess to You earlier than to be exposed by LiuLi.


    You was even more angry when she admitted it: ¡± You¡¯d better exin it to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked up at You and said in a low voice, ¡± Can I go to mother¡¯s room and talk?¡±


    You¡¯s face was frozen and she got up and said, ¡± I suppose you may tell me something new.¡± Then she went out and, as soon as she lifted the curtain, she?saw little Ya standing outside, which made her displeased again.Caught by her madam for overhearding, Little Ya was embarrassed and scared, and she making way for You swiftly.


    Ye Jiayao followed You to the main courtyard and went to the house. Mother Sun sent the servants away. No one was allowed to approach them within ten steps of going to the house. Only then did she close the door.


    ¡± Now you can say,¡± You said coldly.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± My dear mother, I was not willing to say something about the third young brother¡¯wife, but I was really wary of the third young brother¡¯wife. Whether mother consider me a mean person or a petty person, I always believes that it is necessary to not harm others but prevent ourselves.The third young brother¡¯wife are pregnant, if?bad situations arises and I¡¯m right beside them, it is really a hundred words of silence.¡±


    ¡± I thought it is not too far away between she and I, I¡¯ll try to fix our rtioship after the third young brother¡¯wife have given birth. However, when I went to Puji templest time, Master Jiren calcted that there would be an ident in me, so that I should guard against base persons and stay away from them.¡±


    You¡¯s expression slightly changed with a bright eye. Master Jiren was the first monk in Huai Song, and he was enigmatic. It was believed that Master Jiren will not say such a scary word without causes.


    ¡± I have never thought who this cunning guy was. Do you still remember that night when I came back from Puji temple, mother was angry that?I did not visit the third young brother¡¯s wife, and then I went there. But I smelled a strong Long Xian fragrance in her room, mixed with the smell of Ay Tsao.I always had a sensitive smell, but I did not understand why the pregnant woman smoked Ay Tsao. Later on, when I went to see the first brother¡¯s wife, we talked about Ay Tsao undersignedly, and I saw her face changed, so I asked her, but she did not say, I was suspicious and didn¡¯t know why until asked a doctor.¡±


    You¡¯s expressionlessly said: ¡± Now that you knew it, why do you spread rumors privately rather than tell me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile and said: ¡°mom you wronged me, but I did not tell anyone about it except the first brother¡¯s wife ,I did not even dare to tell Yuchun. As for why, I had my own considerations. the imperial doctor lee was a famous doctor in the pce, especially in the field of woman¡¯s studies, no one¡¯s medical skill parallel to his. I thought that with the help of the imperial doctor lee, maybe he had the ability to solve the matter. If I spread it,the third sister-inw would not be happy about it and it would make her angry.¡±


    ¡± Now that I knew that the unborn baby of the third young brother¡¯s wife was unhealthy , I was even more afraid to go to the third young brother¡¯s wife¡¯s yard, moreover, Ruan needed I, and she had no other friends in Jinling City. She regards me as her confidant, so I had the responsibility to apany her. Of course, I also had some selfishness and took the opportunity to avoid trouble.¡±


    ¡± What you said was frank.¡± You red at her, but the expression of her eyes was not as sharp as before.


    ¡± I has always been a frank person, and I also can tell what I shouldn¡¯t say and what I shouldn¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡± Mother also knew that the day before yesterday, the third young brother¡¯s wife said they wanted to eat ice cream. What she did not know was that the day before yesterday, the third young brother¡¯s wife also invited me to chat with her. Mother, you also heard the doctor¡¯s diagnosis today. Fetus had died for many days, if I went there now, maybe you and I would have knelt outside Ninghe Pce to plea for forgiveness.¡±


    You¡¯s gave a gasp of surprise, and Sun¡¯s mother also turned pale.


    ¡± At that time, the queen mother would punish me for doing harm to sister-inw with a grudge, and punish mother for being not strict with family¡¯s rules and your inadequate care. And as for the third young brother¡¯s wife¡¯s abortion, it would not be her problem, but the responsibility of me and even the whole marquis family.¡±


    You¡¯s face darkened and her second daughter-inw¡¯s remarks were really like lightning shes. In fact, she knew that it were not good when she heard Liuli smoked Ay Tsao and handled them in time by means of thunder, which was also what she was worried about.


    If the fetus was still had the chance to be saved, it¡¯s eptable that Liuli concealed the truth and didn¡¯t want anyone to worry about it, but the the fetus had died for many days, and with the high medical skill of the imperial doctor lee, he can¡¯t be unknown. They still deliberately concealed the truth. Who can guarantee that Liuli did not scheme it.


    You¡¯s?quietly looked at Ye Jiayao and said slowly, ¡± Perhaps you knew from the moment when you smelled Ay Tsao that there was something wrong with Liuli¡¯s unborn baby ?You just didn¡¯t want to spread the news by yourself, but take advantage of Mingxiu to do so.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hurriedly knelt down. You¡¯s was too smart to hide anything from her. She had to admit: ¡± Mother is wise, I am afraid that if the third young brother¡¯s wife would not be able to move in on me, with such a mind, she must have to look for another scapegoat, and the first brother¡¯s wife has no knowledge of it, in case she took the bait ...¡±


    ¡± Hum, your sister-inw was pregnant and does not leave home. What can she do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said slowly, ¡± Mother, you forgot that?concubine Shu¡¯s first child died just because the baby offended the queen¡¯s son ...¡±


    this secret was asked by Ye Jiaya who entangled Chunyu to ask about it.


    You was frightened and shouted, ¡± Shut up.¡±


    Mother Sun seemed to think of something: ¡± Madam, you remember the day before you went to visit the third young brother¡¯s wife. And she joked that it was time to invite Qin Tianjian¡¯s people to see if there were any problems with the furnishings in this room and the bed arrangement, since she felt something was pressing during the night sleep.¡±


    The color in You¡¯s face was suddenly gone, and he was suddenly frightened. Although it was almost May, she still felt cold in her back. If she did so, she could make up what she wanted to say.But then You¡¯s was kept in the dark, and naturally everything was made of Liuli, and she could not imagine what kind of bad things she would do, so it would be a sharp sword under the control of Liuli.


    I have to say that this trick was really cruel and chilling.


    For a long time, You seemed to be very tired and her whole strength was drained away. She lifted her hand weakly: ¡± Get up!¡±


    !¡±

 Chapter 237 - Lingering fear

    <h4>Chapter 237: Lingering fear</h4>


    You stand clear, but Ye Jiayao refused to stand up. She spread out her sleeve and knocked on the floor with her forehead. With sad and helpless voice: ¡± what I said just now was only my guesses. I also feel nervous for doubting my own family,?I deserve punishment!¡±


    Although the disaster was evaded and You would not continue to investigate, she also knew very well that You did not like her calction, especially when she made use of?Qiao , Chunyu¡¯s mother. If she wanted to live with Chunyu for a lifetime, she could not help ignoring You¡¯s view of her. Therefore, she sincerely pleaded guilty.


    Punishment?You was disappointed in her heart, although the second daughter-inw was to protect herself, but calcte with her family with careful and deep mind that even far better than her, which made her not happy, but she knew that people are so self-centered and arrogant like coloured ze, who were treated like treasures by everyone because she is pregnant. Suddenly it said that the child was not so healthy. ording to the temper of coloured ze, she really could do something to avoid her responsibility, and all sorts of signs showed that coloured ze was ready to do so....


    If it was true, it would be a great shock to marquis house.?It was inevitable that the second daughter-inw willmit a crime of injuring her sister ¨C in ¨Cw. If it was light, she would be expelled from her home.If it was heavy, it would depend on the mood of the queen mother. If it fell on Mingxiu, the child of Mingxiu¡¯s?would be buried with her.


    You felt hurt when she thought of it.


    She can understand the difficulties of second daughter ¨C in ¨Cw. Everyone can tell her that there was a problem with the child of coloured ze. Only she can¡¯t do it. With the hates before, undoubtedly their resentment deepened. Even if she didn¡¯t rebuke, coloured ze still hate her, and this problems would be even harder to solve.


    Besides, the second daughter-inw did not hurt anyone from beginning to end, which avoided a storm in a roundabout way.


    ¡± This is the end of this matter, what we said today that it is not allowed to enter the ears of a fourth person,¡± You ordered.


    Knowing that the problem has solved, she signed with relief and respond quickly.


    ¡± Get up!¡±


    You gave her a look and asked, ¡± Why did you argue with coloured ze before?¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile: ¡± The third?was angry with me. I did not argue with her,?she said she did not want to see me. I was afraid that she was so emotional and not good to her health , so I had toe out.¡±


    You thought for a moment: ¡± Forget it, during her abortion, you don¡¯t have to go there. I¡¯ll let mother Sun take care of her in person. However, you still need to serve more snacks, instead of do it yourself, ask the doctor what to pay attention to and arrange it.¡±


    ¡± Got it.¡± Ye Jiayao promised. As long as she didn¡¯t have to look at the coloured ze face, getting something to eat was all small thing.


    ¡± Wait, you just go around to see her everyday. While whether she is willing to see you is depend on herself. Just let Zhangxing shoulder the duty of food ¡± You suddenly changed her mind.


    Ye Jiayao paused for a moment and answered yes.


    ¡± Leave here if you don¡¯t have any business !¡± You gave a tired hand dismissively.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao left, You couldn¡¯t hold up. The whole people copsed down and mother Sun hurriedly held on: ¡± madam ...¡±


    You grasped mother Sun¡¯s hand tightly and warbled, ¡± Mother Sun, I¡¯m really shocked with cold sweat!¡±


    Mother sun¡¯s feet and feet was cold too, she advised, ¡± Things have passed.?Madam, don¡¯t think much about it.¡±


    You disapproved: ¡± How can I not think about it? It¡¯s terrible. I thought the coloured ze had changed. who knows ...¡±


    Mother Sun said, ¡± After all, the third youngdies are young. It is inevitable that they will have no idea when they encounter this kind of thing. Perhaps the bad idea was given by the people around them. Madam, why don¡¯t you take this opportunity to arrange two reliable maids around her and stare at them, so that you can be at ease.¡±


    You nodded: ¡± It should be so. At an early age, but learned all the dark tricks of the pce. if I don¡¯t stare at them, if anything goes wrong, it¡¯s really a misfortune for the family.¡±


    ¡± Madam, forgive my remarks. You should give up your preconceptions about the second mistress. Although she is very shrewd, but she is kind. If tricks are used properly, then she is resourceful. She could leave herself clean and kept away from this matter, but she would have to go to remind the firstdy, to tell us through the mouth of the first, how smart she is!¡± said mother Sun.


    ¡± Besides, she will host the central feed in the future. she has no idea about the tricks, she can¡¯t control it without some powerful methods.¡±


    After being told by mother Sun, you¡¯s dissatisfaction with Ye Jiayao¡¯s gradually calmed down and sighed leisurely: ¡± I¡¯m just worried about her body. Although the imperial doctor Li said that her body had improved. But it is still unknown whether she is well enough. If she was childless, it would be a pity after all.¡±


    Mother Sun smiled: ¡± Madam is over ¨C worried. If second mistress really was childless, will she regard the son of other mistresses as the child under her name in the future?¡±


    You gave a wry smile, the children of others were always different. To tell the truth, she also couldn¡¯t treat Chunli equally, it was already if not bad in etiquette.


    With this matter passed. Mother Sun moved to the colored ze courtyard to take care of colored ze abortion. She sent several maids back to the pce and arranged for several maids from the government to go there on the pretext that the maids around colored ze didn¡¯t take good care of her.


    Coloured ze didn¡¯t like this arrangement. This was her territory. She didn¡¯t want others to look around. She secretly wanted the queen mother to help her make up her mind. But this time the queen mother didn¡¯t follow her, but instead let her listen to madam You¡¯s arrangement. Coloured ze was a bit stuffy again.


    In fact, the queen mother was also unable to help herself.The previous people, Gonge, old servents, cook and the doctor were all sent by her. The arrangement was not very considerate for this kind of thing happened. Madam You came to see her that day and scolded a bunch of servants in front of her. Although none of them came at her, all those be disciplined were her people. Can she intervene again?


    As for the rumor, the coloured ze asked little Ya to check it. However, the upper and lower levels of the family were silent about this, but You had already given the sealing order, if there were people here who mentioned this matter again, strict punishment could fall to the person.


    Bad things happened one by one, the mood of coloured ze was terrible, but she believed that the person who triggered this matter must be Ye, the hatress deepened again.


    Ye Jiayao followed You¡¯s advice and went to see coloured ze every day. Sometimes Coloured ze was willing to see her, sometimes she didn¡¯t want to be disturbed and pretended to rest. Anyway, she came here and offer kindness. As for what coloured ze thought , she couldn¡¯t care so much.


    Despite the meticulous care of mother Sun and the warm greetings from madam from time to time, Chunfeng was also extremely gentle and considerate to her. Nobody in the government dared to talk about the abortion, but the mental state of coloured ze was very bad, and had a bad temper.


    Then, one day, You came, retreated people around, closed the door, and had a long talk with her. No one knew exactly what they were talking about. Only after You left, coloured ze cried again, and then everything was settled.


    A storm seemed to disappear, and marquis house returned to its former tranquility.


    The dragon boat festival was soon ushered in, and the wedding date of the third prince and Ruan was also decided on Chinese Valentine¡¯s Day.


    Ye Binghuai wrote in the hope that Jinyao and Zhongyuan would return to Yangzhou for the dragon boat festival. Ye Jiayao was willing to go there, prepare a gift and let Song seven send them aboard.


    During the turmoil over the abortion of colored ze, because Qiao Xi was keeping a close eye on her, Jinyao was rtively calm and didn¡¯t give her any trouble. It was really the blessing of the bodhisattva.


    Fang Minrui, however, stayed away from his family and stayed in imperial academy for only three more days vacation. He did not go back and wrote a letter to greet his family. He stayed at Jing¡¯ an marquis house and study hard with Chunguo.


    At the dragon boat festival, there would be arge-scale dragon boat race in the Qinhuai river. At that time, the emperor would also take the empress, the concubines and all the princes to watch it in person.


    As a result, Chunyu, who was a second-ss safeguard, had no time to apany Ye Jiayao to the dragon boat race. He had to apany the king of his escort duties.


    Because of princess Ruan¡¯s distinguished status, they arranged a seat for her in Wanghuke. While she hoped that Ye Jiayao can apany with her. She only asked the queen about this little wish and helped Ye Jiayao to get a seat.


    Ye Jiayaocked interest. She did not want to sit with a group of noble people. She was not free at all. It was better live and watch in her own Tianshangju!Ye Jiayao could y as much as he wanted, and could y gambling for fun.But she had no choice but to ept Ruan¡¯s invitation.


    Since she wanted to go, she could not go empty ¨C handed. On the first day, Ye Jiayao made many fresh flower cakes and various salty and sweet Zongzi, and brought them with her to please the emperor. By the way, she was also advertising for Tianshangju. What dvertising effect was better than being praised by the royal family?


    Ye Jiayao would not miss such a good opportunity.


    It was true that after the fame had been spreaded, people were eager for Tianshangju. For example, every family can make Zongzi, but the Zongzi in Tianshangju also sold well, which made people jealous of tit. Such expensive things were simply robbing money, but people were willing to be robbed because they wanted to send money. Ah ... what can we do?


    The next day, dozens of exquisite dragon boats had already gathered on the Qinhuai river. Thepetitors of each team were also dressed the and began to exercise their muscles. On the water table, there was a huge drum with red satin. The shore was already full of people who came to watch. However, most people¡¯s eyes were fixed on the majestic tall building standing in front of the water table.


    Looking at the Wanghu building, a five-storey building with five angles, was the best ce to watch dragon boat races. Here, over the years, it had been a royal paddock. Within 100 meters of?theke building, yellow hangings had long been drawn. Guards were also guarded with third rounds inside and there rounds outside. The guards were guarded strictly, and other people could not get close to it.


    Ye Jiayao and Ruan came to the Wanghu building early and handed over all the food they brought to the pce chef for inspection before they could put out trays for the emperor¡¯s prince and concubines to enjoy.


    The seats of the two were on the third floor. The fifth floor belonged to the emperor, emperor¡¯s queen, the imperial concubine¡¯s and princesses. The fourth floor belonged to the prince and a powerful imperial family. The third floor was lower than the first floor, and the second floor belonged to the imperial court.


    The dragon phoenix vechile drove off from the pce, apanied by the pce eunuch, Gonge and guard army, came to the Wanghu building in a mighty way.


    Ye Jiayao looked around and searched for Chunyu among the crowd. She soon saw Chunyu riding high horse with light clothes and thin armor, with a tall straight and calm face. With seriousmand, he was quite a high-ranking general,which is outstanding and eye ¨C catching.

 Chapter 238 - Undercurrent

    <h4>Chapter 238: Undercurrent</h4>


    ¡± Sister Yaoyao, look, that¡¯s brother Chunyu.Brother Chunyu looks handsome in his safeguard uniform ...¡± Ruan pulled Xia Chunyu¡¯s Ye Jiayao¡¯s sleeve quickly.


    Women were vain, more or less. Such a handsome man was her husband. She was very happy, and inevitably she was a little proud.


    Soon Ye Jiayao saw the crown prince again. There were several other people wearing embroidered robes beside the prince, presumably the princes.


    Ruan whispered in her ear: ¡± Look at the highness Yu over there, who is wearing a purple and gold embroidered robe and has an ice-like face. Every time I see serious face, I hate him.¡±


    Highness Yu was also the third prince. The title of the prince was given together with the imperial decree of marriage.


    Heard that it was Highness Yu, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help looking at a few more eyes. The Highness Yu and?crown prince were not of the same type at all. The crown prince was warm and easy-going. He was gentle and approachable from inside to outside.Highness Yu, however, was born with handsome eyebrows, but was unsmiling. The appearance is more royal and strong. He was even more like a crown prince than the crown prince.


    Listen from Chunyu, Highness Yu had umted a lot of military aplishments, had some prestige in the minds of military attache and politics officers. There was also an?minister who supported him and gradually drew closer to the crown prince¡¯s power.


    Ah, the imperial checks and bnces let the princes consume each other. Support the weak prince, press that strong prince,?which is a torture of the government officers. They had tried their best to guess the emperor¡¯s meaning, racking their brains and trying their best to support the people who finally won the battle for power.


    Think like this, Jing¡¯ an marquis house¡¯s impartiality was simple. No matter who sat on the dragon chair in the future, he would not suffer if he did not get the favour of the dragon chair, but ... pure ministers were not suitable either. Especially, Chunyu and Helian Xuan had a deep friendship, and she was also the adoptive daughter of Helian Mansion. Once the crown prince was weak and involved Helian Mansion, can Chunyu just sit back and ignore?If it was she,she can¡¯t do it .


    Xia Chunyu seemed to find the special look upstairs and looked up and smiled, saying hello.


    Immediately, the emperor queen got off and moved in, crowding into the Wanghu building. Soon, the Wanghu building was packed to people.


    Little Jing and Yide princess royal camete, Ye Jiayao discovered them at the first time. When she looked back, she saw the sad look in Ruan¡¯s eyes and was looking at little Jing. Ye Jiayao had to swallow the words reached her mouth abruptly.


    Little Jing looked up and looked at her.He did nothing but send his mother to the fifth floor.He didn¡¯t mean toe over to say hello. Ruan had already made a engagement. He must avoid suspicion. If he didn¡¯t say hello, he just took a second look. It was a sin in the eyes of those bad person.


    Ye Jiayao looked Ruan was even more lonely, so she had to coax her to divert her attention.


    ¡± Ruan, there will be bettingter, oh, you can bet the you think will win.¡±


    ¡± Ah? But I don¡¯t even know. ¡± Ruan¡¯s response was somewhat slow.


    ¡± You could bet with meter.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed. Deng Haichuan had already collected intelligence. Which teams were the strongest and they knew best.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help thinking of Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi again. Zhao Qixuan liked this kind of excitement best. I didn¡¯t know if they also have dragon boat races at the south Yue border.


    ¡± Ruan, in your hometown, how did you spend the dragon boat festival?¡±


    ¡± We had the dragon boat festival there too, but it wasn¡¯t so grand ...¡± Ruan introduced the custom of her hometown, and the mncholy gradually faded away.


    ¡± Princess Ruan, Mrs Xia.¡± Suddenly there was a slightly chilly voice in her ear, interrupting the conversation between the two.


    Ye Jiayao and Ruan turned their heads and looked. The interrupter?turned out to be Highness Yu. Ye Jiayao hastily stand up and saluted: ¡°My royal highness Yu.¡±


    The title of this highness Yu,


    king Yu smiled: ¡± Mrs. Xia does not need to be courteous. This king has given orders to invite princess Ruan and Mrs. Xia.¡±


    ¡± Order?¡± Ye Jiayao slightly stunned.


    Highness Yu said: ¡± The empress tasted the cakes sent bydy Xia and praised them. Knowing that princess Ruan was also helped, he asked the you two to go upstairs and have a talk.¡±


    Queen had invited, naturally, she want to go.


    The two immediately followed Highness Yu to the fifth floor.


    The emperor¡¯s queen was presented first, followed by concubine Shu from the other side.


    The emperor also took care of the Ruan before he said to Ye Jiayao with mirth: ¡± Jinxuan, I haven¡¯t seen you for a while, produced so many delicious food.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± You know, the emperor, the only skill of me was this.¡±


    The emperor smiled: ¡± If you can use this skill to the fullest, it will be extremely great.¡±


    The queen smiled slightly: ¡± This fresh cake was unique, tender and refreshing, full of fragrant flowers. I never knew that this petal could be used to make food.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied, ¡± This is a snack from princess Ruan¡¯s hometown. Hearing it fresh, I asked the princess how she made and studied that. It was now the season of roses. Therefore, we use rose petals as filling. This fresh cake is not only delicious, but also has the efficiency of promoting blood cirction and regting vital essence, calming the liver and detoxifying. It was a good beauty product.¡±


    What women care about most was beauty. After hearing what Ye Jiayao said, everyone was paying more and more attention to this little flower cake.


    ¡± I didn¡¯t expect south Yue has such delicious snacks,¡± said the queen.


    Ruan smiled and said, ¡± Empress, there were many delicious things over there, but there were still not more than Jinling. Otherwise, I will write to my father and ask him to send a chef?However, it seems that sister Jinxuan?can do anything. If she was told how to do that, she can do even more truly than south Yue. ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m not that great,¡± said Ye Jiayao with a smile and modesty.


    Concubine Shu looked at Ye Jiayao quickly, and her eyes shed a vague look.


    I heard that Ruan and Chunyu¡¯s wife Ye Jinxuan had made good friends. I didn¡¯t think they had been so good that they all called each other sisters. The attitude of the Helian family had always been clear, but Jing¡¯ an marquis house never said anything. However, Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan were brothers and sisters. It was known to all that Ye Jinxuan was regarded as a granddaughter by the old princess. It was very difficult to guarantee whether Xia Chunyu would fall to the crown prince as a result.


    But now that Highness Yu was employing people, it was inevitable that Xia Chunyu, such a talented person, will give a fight , and Ruan will soon be princess Yu. It was a good thing that she and Ye Jinxuan make good friends, even if they cannot fight for it, it was also good to keep Xia Chunyu neutral.


    The queen¡¯s eyebrows puckered slightly and in her mind naturally gave some thought.


    She didn¡¯t mind Ye Jinxuan making good friends with Ruan, and Ye Jinxuan also had friendship with her crown princess. In addition, Ye Jinxuan was also the adopted granddaughter of the old princess. It was absolutely impossible for Ye Jinxuan to fall back to Highness Yu¡¯s side. Perhaps, her rtionship with Ruan could be used in the future.


    At this moment, the two most distinguished women in Huaisong had their own thoughts, which other people did not know. Ye Jiayao also didn¡¯t expect that at the moment just now, her weight in the hearts of the queen and concubine Shu had changed.


    The emperor said happily, ¡± Today you have offered so many snacks. Besides, how can I reward you since everyone is happy?¡±


    ¡± The emperor, this is a little gift of me. As long as the emperor queen and thedies like it, it is the highest reward for me,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao was really not humble. Her aim was this. Although she spent a lot of money today, it was simply not worth mentioningpared with the resulting ie.


    ¡± What I admire is your intention, do you want me to eat you for free?¡± Wei Zhong, write it down. After returning to the pce, rewarded the second mistress of Jing¡¯ an marquis house with five dou?pearl and three hundred gold .¡±


    Ye Jiayao half jokingly said, ¡± Emperor, if you really want to reward me, it would be nice of a little. If you give them such a generous reward, they will feel guilty and have to make more delicious food to honor the emperor.¡±


    The emperor burst outughing: ¡± That¡¯s what I meant.¡±


    The queen smiled: ¡± The emperor¡¯s grace is counted. I like these cakes you made very much, and I value your minds more.¡±


    As she spoke, the queen took off a pair of jade bracelets on her wrist and gave them to Ruan and Ye Jiayao.


    The jade bracelet was full-bodied with water embellish and emerald green, and its tentacles were slightly cool. It was the finest jade and was extremely precious. So long, Ye Jiayao was really a little uneasy, but she dared not refuse to ept it. She could only kneel down with Ruan and gave thanks.


    Concubine Shu chuckled gently: ¡± Since the queen has all given her rewards, the servants and concubines cannot be stingy.¡±


    Concubine Shu also took off the two rings on her finger, one ruby to Ruan, and one emerald to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was not happy when she received the two gifts. She felt very hot. This show of kindness always felt that there were subtle factors in it and there was a surge of undercurrent.


    Eunuch asked if the dragon boat raced could begin or not.


    The emperor gave a slight nodding: ¡± Let the crown prince beat the drum.¡±


    He also said to Ye Jiayao and Ruan, ¡± You also go back to watch the dragon boat race!There will be a good showter. ¡±


    The two retreated. When they passed the seat of Yide princess royal, Ye Jiayao specially pulled Ruan toe forward to see her.


    Just now, the queen¡¯s imperial concubine was vying for rewards. Yide already knew that. The third prince was titled with Highness Yu, and many people began to take actions, the officers also couldn¡¯t sit, and concubine Shu was uneasy too. Jinling city had been peaceful for too long, and it was going to start to windy and rainy again.


    Because Ye Jiayao was a member of her family, Yide should be polite to Ruan: ¡± Ruan, my ancestors often miss you and want you toe and sit in the mansion whenever you are free.¡±


    Ruan smiled somewhat unnaturally. She liked princess royal and her ancestors very much. They were different from other people in treating her, they treating her well and always felt very kind. However, now that her identity had changed, she would soon be princess Yu. She can no longer be as casual as before.


    ¡± Well, I wille.¡±


    Thud, thud ... the deafening sound of the drums indicated the dragon boat race was about to begin.


    Ye Jiayao hurried to leave, and the two returned to their seats, staring straight ahead.


    A dragon boat flew like an arrow towards the starting point.


    Ruan looked at it with wide eyes and tugged at Ye Jiayao¡¯s sleeve: ¡°Sister Yaoyao, seriously? Was brother Chunyu standing at the head of the dragon boat?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyeball was bigger than that?Ruan¡¯s, full of incredible expression. It was Chunyu who stood up against the wind. Although she could not see his face clearly, she could recognize his shape with one nce.


    It was no wonder that the emperor said that there will be a good showter, smelly donkey, hide it so secretly!

 Chapter 239 - Lucky egg

    <h4>Chapter 239: Lucky egg</h4>


    The dragon boat team had already assembled and was waiting for the drumming to start. Those who opened betting stations, to add to the fun, were already causing a ruckus. Even the Emperor has ced his bets.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, who should we bet on?¡± Ah Yuan asked.


    Ye Jiayao smiled knowingly at the silhouette of her fighter. ¡°Do you really have to ask that?¡±


    Initially, she nned to bet on the other two teams because their odd seemed great. However, now that her husband waspeting, that was no longer an option. What sort of wife would she be if she doesn¡¯t support him?


    ¡°Song Qi, ce a bet of one thousand ounce of silver on the Heir-son Lord¡¯s team.¡±


    Song Qiughingly answered, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go and do that now.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Ah Yuan cried and shoved a handful of silver tickets to Song Qi. ¡°I wanna bet five hundred ounce of silver too!¡±


    Chunyu¡¯s participation added much more excitement to the dragon boatpetition.


    After a loud drum beat, ten dragon boats shot out like an arrow. The crowd¡¯s excitement was uncontroble as they cheered and hollered for their respective teams.


    Ah Yuan grabbed Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand nervously. ¡°Sister Yaoyao, where¡¯s Brother Chunyu? Why can¡¯t I see him?¡±


    Ye Jiayao tried to shrug offe her nervousness as sheforted Ah Yuan.


    ¡°No, wait! I see him... eh? Fifth ce!¡± Ah Yuan eximed disappointedly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ah Yuan. Thepetition has just started,¡± Ye Jiayao said without conviction. There were too many?strongpetitors! It¡¯s an extremely tight race.


    ¡°Fourth ce, fourth ce¡­¡± Ah Yuan mumbled under her breath excitedly.


    Halfway through the race, Chunyu¡¯s dragon boat was still at the fourth ce.?However, Ye Jiayao realized that the contestants on Chunyu¡¯s boat weren¡¯t rowing quickly but rather, in a more powerful and well-controlled strikes.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Chunyu¡¯s team started passing over the third boat, the second...


    Chunyu¡¯s dragon boat team?matched the pace of the first boat. Everyone started to lose their cool, eagerly anticipating what the results would be.


    The timer wasn¡¯t really avable in this era nor is the camera to capture or rey the moment, that¡¯s why it was hard to know for certain who won. However, Chunyu¡¯s team represents the royalty ¨C who would dare announce that the royal team lost? Thus, for the first time in history, Jin Ling¡¯s dragon boat race had a draw for the first ce.


    This result delighted the Emperor, as evidence by his smile as he handed out the reward to Chunyu and the other winners.


    After he collected his reward, Chunyu squeezed his way through all the people who were congratting him, and made his way to where Ye Jiayao was.


    His smile was wide and his eyes were beaming with pride as he asked her, ¡°How did you fare on the betting?¡±


    Ye Jiayao proudly raised the two thousand ounces of silver ticket in her hand. ¡°Thanks to you, I made a profit of one thousand ounce.¡±


    ¡°And I made five hundred ounce!¡± Ah Yuan said.


    ¡°That was a tight race. They almost had you!¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    Xia Chunyu scratched his nose ufortably and said, ¡°Nah. I just wanted to surprise you.¡±


    She wanted to call him out on his bullsh*it, but as there were other nobles anddies around, she kept her mouth shut.


    The Emperor finally stood up and started to make his way back to the pce.


    ¡°Why are you still here? The Emperor is leaving!¡± Ye Jiayao rushed.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head. ¡°The Emperor gave me a the rest of the day off because he liked my performance. I cane with you wherever you want to go.¡±


    She turned to Ah Yuan and asked, ¡°Ah Yuan, where do you want to go?¡±


    Ah Yuan shook her head frantically. ¡°No, no, I don¡¯t want to intrude on you two!¡±


    ¡°Pshh!¡± Ye Jiayao waved her concern away. ¡°You¡¯re not intruding. How about we go to the City God Temple? I heard it¡¯s lovely there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been there before and I really didn¡¯t like it. Too much people. Why don¡¯t you two just head there on your own??I¡¯m moving to the pce tomorrow and I need to pack.¡± She hurriedly waved goodbye to them and left. Little Jing had toured her around?Jin Ling before and she knew that going around the city would just remind her more of him. She¡¯d rather stay home than put herself through that torture.


    Disheartened, Ye Jiayao watched Ah Yuan walk away. She wanted to hang out more with Ah Yuan because she knew that once she moved into the pce, especially once she bes Princess Ah Yuan, they would see each other even less.


    Xia Chunyu, seeing his wife¡¯s mood plummet down, put an arm around herfortingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her, Yaoyao. She¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I know. I just pity her and I feel bad that I can¡¯t help her,¡± Ye Jiayao mumbled.


    ¡°You have to let her get through this on her own. That¡¯s life.¡±


    The two walked on silently for quite some time before Ye Jiayao snapped out of her sadness. She turned to her husband and said, ¡°Chunyu, I forgot to tell you, the Queen and Imperial Consort Shu gave me a reward.¡±


    She showed him the jade bracelet on her wrist and the emerald ring wrapped in the handkerchief. ¡°Chunyu, I¡¯ve met the Queen a couple of times before, but she had never given me a reward. I don¡¯t even know why Imperial Consort Shu gave me a reward just because of a few flower cookies! And this was all on top of the reward that the Emperor had already given me! I felt odd epting it, but I had no other choice!¡± Ye Jiayao told him worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu smiled at her reassuringly. ¡°Just enjoy the rewards and stop overthinking. As long as you know that there¡¯s only going to be one person on the throne, you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Alright then. Now, no more talk about other things. I rarely get to go out with you!¡± Xia Chunyu said, bumping her shoulders lightly.


    ¡°Alright, alright!¡± Ye Jiayao acquiesced. ¡°What do you say we ditch the City God Temple? Why don¡¯t you juste with me to the silk shop?¡±


    ¡°You want to buy some clothes? Okay.¡±


    ¡°No. I promised your sister I¡¯de up with some ideas for her embroidered square. I need to do some research toe up with a remedy!¡±


    Xia Chunyu eyes were mischievous as he said, ¡°Sure.¡±


    The couple¡¯s servants ended up carrying too many bags home.


    On their way back home, Qiao Xi and Song Qigged behind the couple as they were ridden with many bags.


    When Qiao Xi and Song Qi went back, they carried many things on their hand. Initially, they were to do some market research, however, as Chunyu felt that everything Yaoyao tried on was nice on her, he eventually bought all of them. In the end, he ended up buying a present for all the family members. After all, the reward today was rich.


    The doorman saw that the Heir-son Lord and the wife of the second young master came back; they quickly reported that the reward from the pce had arrived. Thedy asked for the Heir-son Lord and his wife to go to the main courtyard.


    Ye Jiayao asked Song Qi and Qiao Xi to bring back the things as they made their way to find thedy.


    You and the Old Duke Xia Zhuofeng was looking curiously at the shinny gold and blinking pearls on the table.


    The second son¡¯s wife only made some delicious food, how could she have received more reward than Chunyu.¡± You¡¯s tone of voice was obviously not convinced.


    ¡°Chunyu won the dragon boat race based on his ability and his strengths, and earned face for the royalty.¡±


    However, he only received three hundred ounce of gold in the end, his wife only made a little snack and she received a handful of pearls and five hundred ounce of gold. This was not fair.


    The Old Dukeughed: ¡°Look at you feeling uneven. His Majesty¡¯s reward is based on his mood. When was there ever uracy? Moreover, if the emperor were to reward Chunyu, he would have to reward the entire dragon boat team, if he only rewarded Chunyu¡¯s wife, only one would benefit. Chunyu is the leader of the team, his reward cannot be too diffirentpare to the rest of the team, three hundred ounces of gold is considered a massive reward.¡±


    Moreover, they are husband and wife, there¡¯s no difference.¡±


    You rolled her eyes at the Old Duke impatiently: ¡°That¡¯s why you men were said to be careless, how could this be the same? Chunyu had already been pampering Jinxuan if you were to let her be stronger than him, she would be too arrogant.¡±


    The Old Duke looked and her and said speechlessly: ¡°Didn¡¯t I let you beat me all the time? I didn¡¯t see that you grew a tail!¡±


    Mother Sun couldn¡¯t endure andughed.


    You was embarrassed. She stared at him: ¡°How do you speak? Too childish.¡±


    The Old Duke don¡¯t think so: ¡°How am I childish? I think that I¡¯m right. As long as they are happy, no matter who¡¯s the stronger one, it¡¯s the same.¡±


    You thought, it wasn¡¯t the same, that¡¯s my son, I gave birth to him and I raised him.


    As they were speaking, the servants reported that the Heir-son Lord and his wife came back.


    After the two of them saluted, the Old Duke said: ¡°Chunyu, if I knew that you were going topete, I would have gone. How could you have kept it as a secret.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡°Father said that you were sick, I was afraid that you might have gone and got into trouble, that¡¯s why I kept it as a secret.¡±


    The Old Duke smiled wryly: ¡°Right, I¡¯ll go next year then.¡±


    ¡°Second brother, second brother, how could you have kept it as a secret. You made me lost a bet, I not only didn¡¯t gain anything I had lost money.¡± Chunli said while he walked in.


    You frowned. She didn¡¯t like how Chunli was acting.


    ¡°Wah¡­ This much gold, did his majesty grant this?¡± Chunli was amazed by the gold on the table once he walked in.

 Chapter 240 - Stop a fight

    <h4>Chapter 240: Stop a fight</h4>


    Cough cough¡­Is there anything you want?¡±


    Looking at his eyes sparkled, the Old Duke coughed to warn him.


    Chunli looked away reluctantly and said: ¡°Nothing, nothing, I just wanted to say hello knowing that second brother is back.¡±


    He wanted to ask some money from mother initially, who knew father was here. He dared not ask. However, he does not need to ask from mother now, he can ask from second brotherter.


    You said with a stone cold face: ¡°Keep these yourselves and change your clothes, we are about to have dinner.¡±


    ¡°Lady¡­oh no oh no¡­¡±The maidservant, Qiao Juan that was newly ced in the COurtyard Liuli ran in in panic.


    You¡¯s heart sank: ¡°Say properly, what happened?¡±


    Qiao Juan said immediately: ¡°The third young master and his wife are arguing.¡±


    Uh¡­Ye Jiayao was shocked, Chunfeng had always treated Liuli well, didn¡¯t he, why would they argue.


    Before You stride forward, the Old Duke rushed her: ¡°Quick, go take a look.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too.¡± Chunyu said.


    Chunli pestle in ce, he couldn¡¯t stop looking at the gold on the table.


    The Old Duke couldn¡¯t bear seeing the greedy look on his face, he shouted: ¡°Quick, go, you should advice them as big brother.¡±


    Chunli were shocked, he ran out immediately.


    The Old Duke ced his hands behind him and walked towards the study: ¡°He shook his head as he eximed: ¡°There are no quiet days¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked someone to grab a box and ced everything in the box and moved it back to her courtyard. She saw the look on big brother¡¯s face; he couldn¡¯t wait to grab it all.


    The silver couldn¡¯t be stored in the bank, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to bank in the gold and pearls. She might have to trouble Jiang Li, probably to make her a basement, and then she wouldn¡¯t be afraid of theft and flood.


    The silver couldn¡¯t be stored in the bank, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to bank in the gold and pearls. She might have to trouble Jiang Li, probably to make her a basement, then she wouldn¡¯t be afraid of theft and flood.


    ¡°If you want to leave then do it quick, don¡¯t use this as a threat, this doesn¡¯t scare me.¡± Xia Chunfeng yelled.


    ¡°You had been looking forward for me to move out to make space for those bitches? If I leave, you can be free and unfettered? Ok, I¡¯ll fulfil you today¡­¡±


    ¡°Princess, princess, don¡¯t be angry, watch out for your health, the third young master didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Little Ya advised.


    ¡°What did he meant? Ok, are you so eager to please him, you want him to make you his mistress? I see that you are the same as those bitches¡­¡± Liuli ced her anger on Little Ya.


    ¡°I think you are crazy, like a crazy dog bitting whoever he caught.¡± Xia Chunyu said furiously.


    You frowned, these two yelling like nobody¡¯s business, don¡¯t they know it¡¯s embarrassing?


    Especially since they were a bunch of servants standing in the courtyard, not knowing if they were worried or just there to watch a show.


    ¡°Everyone out.¡± You shouted.


    Everyone looked down and went out.


    Mother Sun opened the blinds for thedy. Once You entered the room, she straightaway scolded Chunfeng without asking for the cause.


    ¡°Was your brain covered inrd or was it mmed by the door? If you have the ability, go outside and show-off, what¡¯s the matter with you acting strong in front of your woman? Don¡¯t you know that Liuli is resting, you not only didn¡¯t pamper her, but you made her angry. If she were to fall sick from this, can youpensate?¡±


    As Liuli listened to You scolding Chunfeng, she felt wronged and started to pack her thing as she was tearing up.


    Chunfeng protested: ¡°Mother, you started scolding without knowing anything, it¡¯s nto my fault today, I cannot bear it anymore.¡±


    You gave Chunyu a meaningful nce and continued to scold: ¡°Don¡¯t you dare protest, one beat does not ring, I¡¯ll settle youter.¡±


    Xia Chunyu noted and dragged Chunfeng out.


    You saw the clothes all messed up on the bed and yelled at Little Ya: ¡°What are you doing? Get going and packed up the thing?¡±


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t stop me, I really can¡¯t stay any longer.¡± Liuli said while crying.


    You gently pull the clothes away from her and gave it to Little Ya.


    Mother Sun helped Little Ya to pack thing away.


    You smiled gently and pushed Liuli onto the bed. She too sat and advised: ¡°I know that you are not in a good mood, losing your temper asionally is fine, don¡¯t keep everything inside your heart, this is will hurt your body. It is inevitable that a couple fight, it¡¯s ok to release your anger when you fight. If Chunfeng is wrong, I¡¯ll teach him a lesson, but you can¡¯t say that you want to go back to the pce every time. If you leave, a small matter will grow into a big problem. The Queen mother would be worried. She¡¯s already seventy this year, couldn¡¯t you bear to see her worried for you at this age?¡±


    Liuli didn¡¯t really want to leave, she only wanted to scare Chunfeng and force him to surrender. Who knew that he stood so firmly today.


    ¡°It is said that one girl is responsible for two families. She has to take care of the reputation of both her husband¡¯s family and her own family¡¯s, not to mention you are a princess¡­ If Chunfeng were to piss you off again,e and tell me, I¡¯ll scold him for you, don¡¯t argue with him yourself. It is difficult to be louder than him and it is tiring to be angry. Moreover, the servants wouldugh at you, it¡¯s not worth it¡­¡± You persuaded.


    She couldn¡¯t be bothered to investigate the reason; she heard what Liuli scolded just now. They were along the lines ¡®give way for the bitches¡¯, when Little Ya advised, she then said that she has misconduct, she doesn¡¯t know if Little Ya has thoughts like that, but she knew Chunfeng¡¯s moral character. Chunfeng wasn¡¯t someone like that, out of the three young master of the Duke¡¯s mansion, only Chunli were simr to the Old Duke, both Chunyu and Chunfeng are upright. It must be Liuli who had depression and was suspicious.


    Liuli¡¯s mood settled down slowly, she said: ¡°These day his temper raised, he would be impatient in a short while, he¡¯s definitely ming me for losing our child¡­¡±


    You said: ¡°How could he? It wasn¡¯t your fault that the child was miscarriage! Everyone knows this, no one is ming you, Chunfeng would only feel sorry for you. It¡¯s impossible to say that he doesn¡¯t feel bad; maybe because he was busytely, he might be impetuous. However, a couple need to be considerate and magnanimous with each other, you have a lifetime together.¡±


    As You was persuading Liuli, Xia Chunfeng dragged Chunfeng into his room andforted his third brother.


    However, as they started the conversation, Chunfeng began toin.


    ¡°Since we lost our child, she hadpletely changed into another person, I no longer recognise her. She would loose her temper easily. I know that she¡¯s weak and she¡¯s in a bad mood so I endured it. However, today I only ask Hui Lan a couple of questions before entering the room, I was concern about her, who knew she rushed out and pped Hui Lan and said that she wanted to sell Hui Lan to the brothel and fulfil her needs of seducing men. I tried to exin to her yet she wouldn¡¯t listen, all she would say is that she disgusts me. All these rubbish¡­ If she continues, she¡¯ll catch up with third aunty.


    Xia Chunyu patted his shoulder in pity: ¡°Third brother, it¡¯s best that you endure it a little longer, wait till she feels better than you can bring her out to rx, she would be fine after than.¡±


    ¡°I think that we cannot spoil her. Just because she¡¯s the princess doesn¡¯t mean that she is the greatest and doesn¡¯t need to be reasonable. If my wife were to be so arrogant, doesn¡¯t matter if she¡¯s a princess, I¡¯ll settle her early on.¡± Xia Chunli said disapprovingly.


    Ye Jiayao heard what Chunfeng said when she came to deliver the tea. It seemed like Liuli had depression. There¡¯s no way you could reason with her, she would be at a dead end and leave no peace for the entire house. Nevertheless, it¡¯s not possible toply to all her needs.


    ¡°Third brother, the condition of your wife is a sickness, a psychological sickness. She lost her child, she feels guilty and distressed, and she was worried that you are ming her in your heart even if you are not saying it. In short, she feels frustrated as all these unhealthy thoughts piled up; you need to be tolerant and apany her if you have time. The weather is good these few day, bring her out. If she¡¯s in a good mood, then she¡¯ll recover.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu nodded and agreed: ¡°Your sister-inw is right. Don¡¯t argue with her, if you are frustrated then just walk away ande back when you calmed down. Everything said when you are mad are hurtful.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng rubbed his temple in despondence: ¡°If she keeps it up, I¡¯ll go crazy before her.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed: ¡°How could you go crazy? You are a man, be open-minded. There¡¯s nothing wrong with being yelled at by a woman. If what she¡¯s saying is right then you should listen and change, if she¡¯s wrong then just ignore her. Once she¡¯s finished, she¡¯ll feel better, then there wouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Second brother, I don¡¯t agree with you. Men are the sky; he is the head of the family. How dare a woman go overboard? There¡¯s an extend of how much you pamper your wife. Your sister-inw never dared to say no to me.¡± Xia Chunli said.


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and thought; he¡¯s not even writing a script while he¡¯s bragging. It seemed like he has great abilities, he thought that it was amazing that he could act as if he was prestige in front of his wife. If Qiao was a princess, I¡¯m afraid you would be happy to lick the water she used to wash her feet, how dare you say no? Bullshit, what a g. How dare you encourage your brothers to be a g too.


    Xia Chunyu saw that Yaoyao was unhappy so he said: ¡°After all third sister-inw¡¯s status is different, the current condition is also special, it¡¯s notparable. Alright, third brother, don¡¯t be distressed. Yaoyao, go and prepare, us three brothers will drink and talk tonight.¡±


    Ye Jiayao forgave them because of Chunfeng, she smiled and turned around to prepare the dishes and alcohol.


    She left and ordered Song Qi: ¡°Later when the three masters are drinking, if the eldest young master asks to borrow money, you let me know.¡±


    Hum! Based on what he said today, she¡¯d rather give alms to beggars rather than lending money to him. Isn¡¯t he very capable? Qiao dared not say no to him? Ask money from Qiao then!


    Song Qiughed: ¡°Sure, don¡¯t worry second young master¡¯s wife, I¡¯ll reminds the Heir-son Lord.¡±

 Chapter 241 - Bath together

    <h4>Chapter 241: Bath together</h4>


    As Ye Jiayao expected, after 3 rounds of drink, Chunyu started to ask for money.


    ¡°Second brother, umm, recently, I need some money recently. could you help me out?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng sneered: ¡°Big brother, why are you always poor?¡±


    Chunli said awkwardly: ¡°Your sister-inw is pregnant, and no one is taking care of the business of embroidery. It is making a loss and my sry is not even enough to pay out the loss.¡±


    Chunyu had been to the embroidery business today. It was very quiet, but it was overexaggerating to say that his sry couldn¡¯t fill in the loss.


    ¡°Big brother, if you get rid of your ¡®broken stones¡¯ away, you can get as much money as you want.¡± Chunfeng said.


    Chunli kept shaking his head: ¡°Those are my treasures. I spend so much effort getting them. If I get rid of them, I¡¯d rather sell my own flesh.¡±


    Xia Chunyu asked habitually: ¡°How much you want?¡±


    After he said that, Song Qi who stood behind big brother, made an eye contact with him and then pointed to the direction of upstairs.


    Chunfeng also saw and tried to concede his smile.


    Xia Chunyu felt nervous suddenly. As he forgot that Yaoyao was in charge of money right now.


    Chunli didn¡¯t know anything and smiled: ¡°I saw a Tianhuang stone which is the best for making insignia. The manager will sell 8000 silvers to others. But I am a regr customer, he can give me 6000 silvers. Just lend me 6000 please.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was drinking wine, and he almost spat the wine out from his mouth. He said nervously: ¡°Big brother, you need so much? I don¡¯t have that much, and I still owe a lot of money to Zhao Qixuan.¡±


    Chunli looked at him with a smiley face and acted as if he understood: ¡°Second brother, you are crying about being poor! Everyone knows Heavenly Residence makes heaps every day. It mustn¡¯t be that sister-inw doesn¡¯t allow you? You can¡¯t make your mind in such little things? If you can¡¯t make up your mind, I will talk with sister-inw myself.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said earnestly: ¡°Big brother, I am not lying to you. Heavenly residence seems to have good business, but the profit is low. At the beginning of the year, we invested a lot of money in it. Zhao Qixuan is keeping it. We also invested money in trademerce. We borrowed the capital from Zhao Qixuan. Nowadays profits must repay the debt. I really don¡¯t have much cash in hand.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t tell him that money was used to invest in mines.


    Xia Chunfeng also helped: ¡°I know about this. I didn¡¯t have balls and just invested a little bit in it.¡±


    He only knew something about trademerce as he and little Jing invested 100k silvers in it. Whether second brother joined in or not, he was not sure. However, as second brother and sister-inw were smart, they wouldn¡¯t miss such a great chance.


    ¡°Oh,right¡­¡± Xia Chunli felt disappointed and then said: ¡°Didn¡¯t you get a reward today? Some money you got? Or I can lend a bit less. Just 3000 silvers?¡±


    Song Qi started to make faces again.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to kick him out as he knew already, why kept making faces?!


    ¡°Big brother, I have to repay more than 10 thousand debt every month!¡±


    If it was before, 3 thousand was very easy for him. But now Yaoyao was in charge of money. Also, they really needed to pay debt. He couldn¡¯t easily lend money out. Moreover, big brother was not really in need for the money. Buying one less stone, wasting less money.


    Xia Chunli wasn¡¯t happy: ¡°I see, you are the same as third brother¡ªscared of wife! Alright, I will talk to sister-inw.¡±


    Song Qi twitched his mouth at the back.


    Xia Chunfeng said casually: ¡°Big brother, didn¡¯t big sister have money when she married you? You guys opened an embroidery business, the shop was yours, products were from Qiao¡¯s family and the capital were from second brother. You didn¡¯t really spend any money. Second brother really helped a lot already. Don¡¯t make it too hard for second brother please.¡±


    Chunli looked angry: ¡°The money belongs to your big sister. How do I have face to ask for her?¡±


    ¡°wife and husband are separated in money? Big brother said we were afraid of wives. I see that you are afraid of your wife.¡± Chunfeng ridiculed.


    Xia Chunyu said: ¡°From this aspect, Jingxuan is very generous. I invested all my money in trademerce. These months, the spending of business and family were from Jingxuan¡¯s saving. I really felt bad about it.¡±


    Chunli was awkward: ¡°alright, alright. I know you have difficulties. So¡­ a bit less? 1000? You have 1000 right?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng couldn¡¯t help but show a distained look. Big brother was too shameless, as an elder son of the family, he acted like a beggar. He was the same as auntie Wei in manner, losing face.


    Xia Chunyu sighed helplessly and took out the money from his pocket: ¡°That all I have. If big brother doesn¡¯t mind that it is too little, you can take it.¡±


    It was the leftover money from Yaoyao¡¯s shopping. It had 200 silver-note and a bit change.


    Xia Chunli showed a smile and took the pocket of money and started to count.


    ¡°Why is it so little?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked pissed and acted like he wanted the money back. Xia Chunli stopped him and said: ¡°A little is a little.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng couldn¡¯t bear seeing this awkward situation any more. He finished up the wine and put the cup away: ¡°Big brother and second brother, I will leave now.¡±


    Xia Chunli put the money in his pocket and said: ¡°second bother, I will leave as well.¡±


    Song Qi sent both of them out. Until they walked far, he spat on the ground and murmured: ¡°So busy with borrowing and never pay it back.¡±


    Xia Chunyu called: ¡°Song Qi.¡±


    ¡°Aye,ing.¡±


    ¡°You made eye contact with me, was that a request from seconddy or you meant it?¡±


    Song Qi answer: ¡°I dare not to bother heir-son lord¡¯s matter, it was the request from seconddy.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed bitterly, as Yaoyao could know things before it happened.


    ¡°Just a bit of money, don¡¯t tell the seconddy.¡±


    ¡°What if seconddy asked about it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stared at him, and said roughly: ¡°are you dumb? Just say no.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Song Qi answered unwillingly.


    In the room, a few girls were answering.


    ¡°The present was sent, and madam didn¡¯t say anything. But duke was happy and praised that seconddy was thoughtful. Gifts from third son and thirddy were received too. They asked me to thank you.¡± Qiao Xi said.


    ¡°Firstdy also said thank you and asked me to send the message. About embroidery business, does seconddy have any idea now?¡± Xiang Tao said.


    Ye Jiayao felt nervous as she didn¡¯t spend much time thinking about it. Tonight, she would think about it.


    Xiang Tao kept going: ¡°Fourth son and Ming Rui young master really liked it. Fourth son said his writing improved and he would write some calligraphy for you some other day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sweated. Last time when he wrote ¡°bear a son early¡± to her, she kept on the cab and dared not to take it out. Hopefully, he wouldn¡¯t write any weird and random stuff to her this time.


    ¡°Seconddy, this was the return gift from Auntie Tao and auntie Wei just said thank you.¡± Ying Tao answered.


    Ye Jiayao saw the gift, it was a pair of pillow cover with patterns of butterfly and peony. It looked delicated: ¡°Is it made by Auntie Tao?¡±


    Qiao Xi said: ¡°it should be. Auntie Tao is good at this kind of work. Girls from sewing workshop need to learn from her.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°We will change the pillow case to this one tomorrow.¡±


    Inside the mansion, they didn¡¯t contact aunties that often. But from few encounters, it seemed that Auntie Tao was much more considerable than Auntie Wei. About personality, just looking at big brother and Chunguo, it was clear to see who was good and who was bad.


    As they were speaking, Xia Chunyu came in. Ye Jiayao made Qiao Xi and such leave.


    ¡°hot water is ready, you go shower first.¡± Ye Jiayao went up to loosen his clothes.


    Xia Chunyu opened his arms rxedly so that she could take off his belt easily.


    ¡°Is Chunfeng ok?¡±


    ¡°He is fine, just a bit quarrelling. Just let it be.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly without a sound. Calling Liu Li depressed was decent, honestly she was just a freak and she had delusion of being tricked. She always thought other people would trick her. Only someone like her who always calcted others would think like that.


    ¡°Hopefully!¡± Ye Jiayao said casually: ¡°The key is Liu Li, if she can¡¯t change her mindset, there will be more fights.¡±


    Chunyu held her waist and eximed: ¡°My Yaoayao is the best. You see how good we are, happy all the time and don¡¯t fight at all.¡±


    Ye Jiayao poked his chest with her index finger and warned with a smile: ¡°It¡¯s good that you know. Don¡¯t be like your big brother, otherwise, you will see what I will deal with you.¡±


    ¡°My big brother just bluffs and talks shit outside. When he is in front of his wife, he doesn¡¯t dare to do anything.¡± Chunyu smiled.


    ¡°Bluffing outside is not allowed as well.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to bluff, as I am an honest man.¡± Chunyu praised himself shamelessly.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°OK, honest and stupid donkey, just go shower!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me stupid donkey.¡± Xia Chunyu looked mad intentionally.


    ¡°It is stupid¡­ donkey¡­¡± Ye Jiayao rolled her tongue and dragged the sound longer and felt hrious about it.


    Xia Chunyu bit his teeth and said: ¡°Ok, dare you say it again. See what I will do to you. punish you to take a bath with me.¡±


    As he said, he forced to carry her up.


    ¡°Let me go. You shower by yourself, I don¡¯t want.¡±


    ¡°No, I have to fix your problem today!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry is that ok?¡±


    ¡°Chunyu..¡±


    ¡°Hubby¡­¡±


    ¡°Umm, save some energy, call thatter.¡± Chunyu didn¡¯t care what she said. As he nned to have bath together ages ago. Since he found the chance, he couldn¡¯t let it slip away.


    A momentter, someone put someone else into the big bath basket with any hesitance.


    ¡°Too crowded. Don¡¯t.¡± Someone tried to climb out?but was dragged back by a pair of big arms.


    ¡°Wifey, since you are here, just settle down. as the basket is small, we can stay closer.¡±


    Who wants to be close to you. I just want to get out¡­


    ¡°If you think it¡¯s too small, I will ask Uncle Jiang to make a bigger one and we can take a bath together every day.¡±


    ¡°No way¡­¡± Ye Jiayao rejected firmly. People in the yard were smart. If anything like this happened, they would just think randomly. She didn¡¯t want to be thought by others.


    ¡°Then just make a pool. Oh. Right. The blueprint of farmhouse yard designed a pool. I am thoughtful right? You just let it be for now,ter we can have fun in the other yard¡­¡± Xia Chunyu hugged around her waist and with the slippery water, easily put it inside.

 Chapter 242 - The old cow eats young grass

    <h4>Chapter 242: The old cow eats young grass</h4>


    After a long time, someone looked at the water stains on the floor and said gloomily: ¡°You will clean up yourselfter, don¡¯t ask Qiaoxi and such toe.¡±


    Someone would pick the stars and moon by climbing thedders for her. Let alone just getting hot bath water.


    ¡°I will clean up.¡± Xia Chunyu wrapped her in his robes and carried her back to the bed.


    ¡°Help me get my clothes.¡± Ye Jiayao requested in bed.


    ¡°why do you still need clothes, you can just sleep like this. You don¡¯t even need to take off them. Less troublesome!¡± Xia Chunyu smiled.


    Ye Jiayao stared at him, are you still not satisfied?


    Xia Chunyu said quickly: ¡°I will get it.¡±


    He handed her a deep purple apron, avender dress: ¡°Is this set good?¡±


    Ye Jiayao squinted her chin and asked him to put it down, then her eyes turned to the room and requested him to clean up.


    Xia Chunyu smiled and said in a funny way: ¡°Thedy has an order, and I dare not to disobey?¡±


    He just went to clean obediently.


    Ye Jiayao was teased by him. She quickly put on her clothes. But her hair was still not dry, it was so sticky and ufortable. Then she got out of bed and took a dry towel to wipe it.


    Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu¡¯s wallet and walked over and opened and saw that there was no copper coin inside.


    He paid the shopping during the day. She remembered that there were still more than two hundred silvers.


    Oh! It must be Chunli who took it away.


    Ye Jiayao thought for a moment, then she took two silver tickets from her money bag and stuffed it into his wallet, and then threw a few pieces of broken silver into it.


    First, a man could not have no money, especially a man with his statu. Second, it was to warn him that she knows about everything.


    Fortunately, this time the amount was not that much, she would not pursue it. She wished that he could understand her.


    Early next morning, Chunyu went to the pce, and Ye Jiayao also needed to go out to send Ruan. There was barely a chance for them to meetter.


    To the gate of the pce, Ye Jiayao had to get off the carriage, and Ruan took her arm. And asked sadly: ¡°Sister Yaoyao, will youe to see me in the pce?¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t bear to say no, so she said, ¡°I wille.¡±


    asionally, there should be no problem! But she wanted to avoid these people.


    Ruan eagerly said: ¡°Remember what you said! If you don¡¯te, I don¡¯t even have apanion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded solemnly: ¡°I muste.¡±


    Watching the carriage enter the pce gate, Ye Jiaoyao felt like a free-flying bird out of cage. Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was a bit painful. But she turned around and went back to her own carriage.


    In the afternoon, Zhongyuan and Jinyao came back and brought a gift to the Madam. Ye Jiayao took them both to great peace to You.


    You said a few polite words, and asked about Zhongyuan¡¯s study, and they both stayed for dinner at night.


    After seeing You, Zhongyuan went to Chunguo¡¯s ce, and Jinyao returned to the room to rest, Ye Jiayao was asked to stay by You.


    ¡°Yesterday, you gave a gift to Old lord, Lord liked it, but don¡¯t waste too much money in?future.¡± You said.


    ¡°Mother, I didn¡¯t spend much money, just a little bit. Didn¡¯t I have a reward yesterday? Everyone is happy.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled.


    Yesterday, You thought that there were gifts for only two of them and mother Sun. It¡¯s only known today that everyone in the house has been gifted. Even the housekeepers of the inner and outer courts had got a gift. saying that it was to celebrate Chunyu who win the dragon boat race. Everyone was happy. Although there were only two small piece of silvers which were not worth much. But this was in the name of Chunyu. In this way, You still agreed, and the second wife was so considerate at get along with people.


    ¡°You should still save. I heard that you still owe debts? You have to pay back a few thousands of silvers per month?¡± asked You.


    Regarding the debts, Chunyu told her about it. He said that he invested in the border trade business, but no one told outside, how did You know?


    Ye Jiayao nodded.


    You said: ¡°If you are tight with money, just tell me, I still have some here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°For the time being, we can still survive. The ie from Heavenly Residence is still good. If we don¡¯t have enough, I will ask mother for help.¡±


    ¡°As for your eldest brother, he is just the kind of person. In the past few years, Chunyu and Chunfeng have not asked me for money, but he hase up with a pile of broken stones at home and asked for money from time to time. In future, if he borrows money from you. Just ignore him. He has a lot of money and a business. I gave him a lot, and I don¡¯t want to spoil him.¡± You said.


    Ye Jiayao wondered, if You knew that big brother came to borrow money yesterday? It must be told by Chunfeng.


    Ye Jiayao smiled slightly: ¡°If big brother really has an urgency, it is also appropriate to help between the brothers.¡±


    ¡°What does he need urgently, eager to buy stones.¡± You sneered.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said: ¡°Mother¡¯s words, the daughter-inw remembered.¡±


    You smiled and said: ¡°A while ago, I met Mrs. Su, and Mrs. Su said that Minister Su had read the article of Zhong Yuan. He greatly appreciated it. I am very optimistic about Zhong Yuan and said that this child will have a good future. Rui is also good. I heard that Mr. Guozi¡¯s evaluation of him is also very high. In the future, you will have more snacks for them. In a few days, Miss Su¡¯s four will be married, and you will go to Hexi with me.


    Ye Jiayao always knew that Zhongyuan was good, but he could get such a high evaluation of Su Xiang, or let her have some idents. Is Yishi suggesting that she and the Su family are walking around?


    Ye Jiayao went back to her own yard after saying goodbye to You. Peach and such surrounded Jinyao and talked about Dragon Boat match yesterday and Peach spoke as if she was there.


    Jinyao listened and her eyes sparkled and she looked excited.


    Peach stopped as she saw the second youngdying and she came to serve her. Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°You can keep going and practicing your conversation skill and maybe you can be a storyteller in future.¡±


    Peach said innocently: ¡°Second youngdy. I was telling the truth as Song Qi told me about it.¡±


    So Song Qi now has a student now!


    Qiao Xi smiled: ¡°Peach talked?about this thing a whole nightst night.


    ¡°Qiao Xi sister, you are exaggerating.¡± Peach raised her lips high.


    Ye Jiayao tried not tough and went back to her room and Jinyao also followed.


    ¡°Big sister, Dad told me to tell you that the river embankment has been rebuilt in your name, so that you can rest assured.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a touch of sneer at the lips and let her rest assured that she was toozy to pay attention to his broken things. She said that she had bought her face. Who cares, as long as he is not afraid of being in prison.


    ¡°Are grandpa and grandma well?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    ¡°Not bad, they wanted toe to Jinling but dad stopped them.¡± Jingyao said.


    Ha, still wanted toe? They must¡¯ve been free! Didn¡¯t they say her unfilial? They would be mad?if theye?


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t like her grandparents and didn¡¯t wee them.


    ¡°Big sister, there is something I don¡¯t know if I should say it.¡±


    Chaucer is offering tea.

 Chapter 243 - Mad

    <h4>Chapter 243: Mad</h4>


    Xia Chunyu really wrote the ltter. Ye Jiayao helped him with the content. Thenguage sounded warm and they only suggested. But Ye Binghuai would be the one who make the choice.


    Cherry came in and reported that dinner was ready, and Madam asked her to rush them.


    Xia Chunyu sealed the envelope and gave to Song Qi and asked him to take it to the post office.


    Today Madam invited Jinyao and Ye Jiayao took her to the main yard.


    The strange thing was that Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t even bring up about his wallet until they went to bed. This guy was pretending or not aware at all.


    Xia Chunyu was not aware at all. As he went to the pce early in the morning and when he was off duty, he headed him. No colleagues asked him for money to drink today. As someone voluntarily shouted today, so he didn¡¯t even touch his wallet.


    But he thought that he should put some money in his wallet. No one asked him to shout today and it didn¡¯t guarantee that no one asked him tomorrow. So, it was always good to prepare.


    Ye Jiayao put money in the insurance box and Chunyu¡¯s money were put in the draw at study. Most of Chunyu¡¯s money handed over to Ye Jiayao and he kept one or two thousand as pocket money. He took 5 notes from the draw and he was shocked when he opened his wallet.


    Still some silver notes there? And 2 notes. Did big brother forget to take? No, he saw big brother taking the silver note away.


    After a moment of silence, Xia Chunyu understood, and his heart was feeble. Yaoyao told him that she knew in a way that she did not need to say anything.


    Ye Jiayao sat in front of dressing table and saw someone walking closer with a smiley face.


    Whenever he smiled in a way to please her, it must be that he wanted to have sex or did something bad.


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and continued tob her hair.


    Chunyu took theb away and helped her tob hair.


    ¡°Yaoyao, your hair is so good. Dark and bright, soft and easy. Very fragrant too.¡±


    Start to tter now? Ye Jiayao pretended to smile and yed with a flower on her hand.


    ¡°Yaoyao, umm¡­ ummm¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Can you talk normally?¡±


    ¡°Um, Then.?I know. Big brother is like that, if I don¡¯t give him, he will keep haunt me.¡± Xia Chunyu finally told the truth honestly. Yaoyao knew it and he didn¡¯t have to hide it.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡°Mother talked about this today and asked us not to spoil him.¡±


    ¡°Mother knew? Who told her?¡±


    Ye Jiayao turnt around and looked at him: ¡°Do you think I said it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡°No, no. I don¡¯t mean that. I know you well.¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, you listen carefully. I was not going to investigate it. You want to give and how much you give is your problem. But the way you talk to me annoyed me. In future, I will tell mother whenever you lend to him.¡± Ye Jiayao took theb from his hand and smashed it onto the table. She walked away with a cold face.


    Xia Chunyu was shocked. He didn¡¯t even say anything. Why would Yaoyao be so mad?


    ¡°Yaoyao, I didn¡¯t me you. Just saying, subconsciously¡­¡± Xia Chunyu exined.


    ¡°Subconscious is the truest reaction. Your idea is that who is so annoying? Reporting to mother. You are afraid that mother will scold big brother and you try to protect his weakness. Protecting your brother is fine, but it depends on the situation. Do you really think hecks money? He ys around stones, and whenever he resells it, he earns many times of the price he bought. You think! Hmm!¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.


    Xia Chunyu exined: ¡°Big brother just collects them and he wouldn¡¯t sell them!¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly: ¡°Chunyu, do you know what kind of ce is our restaurant? It is the ce filled with most information. Your big brother is a cautious person and he lied to his whole family. I think big sister didn¡¯t know either. Your big brother saved much more money than you. His personality is like seeing money as life and greedy as fuck.¡±


    Someone even asked for 200 silvers, what can you say about him?


    Initially, she didn¡¯t want to talk about this and backstabbed people. But today she felt so upset like a ignited powder keg.


    Xia Chunyu was quite surprised. Is this true? Big brother perhaps could be an actor!


    ¡°Yes, I remember, next time he want to borrow again, a copper coin will not be given, well, don¡¯t be angry, smile...¡± Xia Chunyu teased her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, I am upset.¡± Ye Jiayao got on bed by herself and stayed far away from him.


    Xia Chunyu was cheeky and came closer to her: ¡°You should not be upset before you go to bed, or you will have nightmares.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to take care of my nightmare.¡± Ye Jiayao muttered in a sigh of relief.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care? You will kick me when you have nightmares. It is not once or twice that you kicked me off the bed.¡± Xia Chunyu said pitifully.


    Ye Jiayao thought those were her intentions anyway. She could not beat him in the day and she could revenge at night. But she could not tell him the truth as she would use this strategy in future.


    ¡°You are afraid that I will kick you, and you can go to sleep somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°No, I am willing to be kicked by you.¡± Xia Chunyu lied down, grabbed her waist with one hand and pulled her into his arms.


    In fact, he also wants to understand this time. Yaoyao will not say it. It must be Chunfeng. Chunfeng has long been unable to understand that the older brother always asks them to borrow money, saying that they are borrowing, and they have never returned. After Chunfeng experienced it several times, he just ignored it, and he could not bear this.


    With Yaoyao¡¯s temper, as others scold her, she may not take it in the heart, but if he did it, she will get mad.


    He gave silvers to big brother and she still put silvers in his wallet so that he could have money to spend. She was so thoughtful. This kind of wife is hard to find.


    ¡°Yaoyao, Yaoyao¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu must please her until she is not angry any more.


    Ye Jiayao pretended to be dead.


    ¡°Yaoyao, if you don¡¯t answer me, I will punish you now.¡±


    As he said, he started to tickle her.


    Ye Jiayao was really afraid of tickling and she could notst for 3 seconds. Sheughed and rolled around: ¡°Stop, let¡¯s sleep.¡±


    ¡°Then you have to kiss me once.¡± Xia Chunyu kept pushing.


    Ye Jiyao truly lost the fight and she had to peak his face once. But he dragged her and forced asting and passionate kiss on her.


    As a result, they got too passionate and she got fucked by him.


    Ye Jiayao had no tears when she wanted to cry. She was the one who was angry and in the end she ¡°begged for forgiveness¡±. Unbelievable!


    Because You said that let her go to the wedding of Su¡¯s fourthdy, Ye Jiayao must prepare some gifts again. and then she needed to vacate the time of the day. Moreover, Su¡¯s wedding banquet invited the chef of Heavenly Residence. Ye Jiayao had a good rtionship with Su¡¯s family, the work sry was exempted, and she had to use her own money to subsidize Zhong Xiang and Deng Haichuan.


    She wondered if Su Yi woulde back to the wedding or not. Su¡¯s elder said that Zhu said that he could not make it back, Ye Jiayao felt a bit disappointed.


    Unexpectedly, she saw Zhou and Yulian among the girls.


    Since Third uncle became an ambassador, Zhou had be a busy person. she was busy with socializing all day. They rarely came to Lord¡¯s mansion. She only would talk a bit with You, and then went to see Liu Li. She came and left early.


    At this moment, Zhou took Yulian to socialize with a fewdies. Zhou giggled with a uniqueughter, especially loud in the flower hall.


    Ye Jiayao looked at You, and You also noticed Zhou, but she ignored her. Madam Su greeted her and invited You to the upper seat. When a group ofdies came up, they started to talk with You.


    You didn¡¯t talk much, and most of the time she just smiled and nodded.


    Finally someone noticed Ye Jiayao: ¡°This is?¡±


    ¡°This is Chunyu¡¯s wife.¡± Youughed and introduced her camly.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and she was polite: ¡°Jinxuan met Madam Du, Liu, Huang, Zhang...¡±


    The smile on You¡¯s lips couldn¡¯t help but deepen. The second wife was quite agile. After a while, she could recognize everyone perfectly.


    ¡°Oh, it turned out to be Chunyu¡¯s wife, so beautiful and smart. it¡¯s a blessing...¡±


    ¡°The most blessed is Mrs. You, who got such a beautiful and capable daughter inw.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? I like to eat the cakes in Heavenly residence. If it is my daughter inw, I will have a good fortune.¡±


    Everyone praised Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao just smiled warmly. When they had almost done, she said: ¡± I made a threeyer cake, a new taste today, and I would like to get some feedbacks from youdies.¡±


    ¡°Oh, big sister, you are here...¡± Zhou had big voice, smiled and walked over.


    You¡¯s eyes shed with a disgusting look.


    ¡°Big sister, I knew you wereing, so I wille with you as well.¡± Zhou giggled.


    You had a faint smile and no words.


    ¡°Mrs. Du, you are here too, and Mrs. Zhang, we didn¡¯t talk much when I met youst time.¡± Zhou greeted otherdies.


    ¡°Yulian,e over and meet thedies...¡±


    Everyone didn¡¯t really like thisdy Zhou, but for You¡¯s sake and nodded back and smiling, they said hello, they went back to their seats.


    You are more and more unseen in You¡¯s heart. The nieces of the people are sitting quietly in the banquet hall. On Zhou¡¯s, they are flying with Yulian, fearing that this niece can¡¯t sell it?


    Here is Jinling, the imperial capital. Thedies who are present in the three or more majors are all knowing the book, and they pay great attention to words and deeds. Whoever looks like her, makes it as if she is the master, and thinks it is in Jingzhou. That little ce?


    This problem, she warned Zhou in thest time, because she did not like Zhou¡¯s pie, so after taking her to socialize for the first time, she would never dare to bring it again. It was really shameful.


    However, Zhou did not have such an awareness, and felt that he was now more and more mixed in the circle of women.


    Zhu came to please Ye Jiayao and pulled her to the side to talk.


    ¡°Ye Jinrong came to see me yesterday and said that her husband was framed. She asked me to help her to introduce ambassador Liu¡¯s wife. Umm. The one who wear autumn smell dress there. I didn¡¯t agree nor disagree. Her things. Do you know?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of it. If he was really framed, the government will find out itself. Why would I be worried.

 Chapter 244 - Beg with tears

    <h4>Chapter 244: Beg with tears</h4>


    Zhu smiled and said: ¡°You are right. The government will decide whether he got framed or not.¡±


    She had a good impression of Ye Jiayao and her mother-inw had a good rtionship with Lord¡¯s wife, so she concerned for Ye Jiayao as Jinrong was Ye Jiayao¡¯s sister. If they let the bygone be gone, she could easily help her out, as it was a piece of cake.


    It seemed that Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to get involved in this, so she wouldn¡¯t involve either.


    ¡°Thanks for telling me about this.¡± Ye Jiayao said politely and she understood that Zhu had a kind heart.


    ¡°What do you thank me for? I should be the one who thank you. This wedding party was your help and you also sent so many deserts.¡± Zhu smiled.


    Ye Jiayao joked: ¡°I am trying to advertize myself in this Su¡¯s wedding party.¡±


    Zhu also smiled: ¡°That¡¯s good. Such a shame that Su only had one daughter. Otherwise, you shoulde to advertize more often. Ah, I will have birthday next month. Do you want to advertize there?¡±


    ¡°I would never miss an opportunity.¡± Ye Jiayao said seriously.


    Zhuughed: ¡°You are such a funny person!¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought Jinrong would note and beg her. Who knew that Jinyao and Jinrong spoke in front of the door when she went back.


    ¡°Big sister, please help Liujiang! He was really framed and now he was taken by officers from the capital. You help him please¡­¡± Ye Jinrong was pregnant as well and she saw Ye Jiayao getting off the carriage and she rushed to her and dragged and begged her.


    You was clear about what Ye¡¯s seconddy¡¯s conduct. Ye Jinrong didn¡¯t feel great and take mother Sun to the mansion.


    Mother Sun was worried: ¡°Madam, you don¡¯t care?¡±


    You said calmly: ¡°Second daughter-inw would deal with this kind of thing.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at Jinrong coldly. Jinrong¡¯s face looked much fatter and uglier due to the pregnancy. Her face was even yellowish and feeble.


    ¡°Youe to the wrong ce? If you want to turn around this, you should go to the government.¡± Ye Jiayao said expressionlessly.


    ¡°Big sister, I was wrong. it was my fault and I did it with Liujiang before. Whatever you wanted to do for me is fine, just save Liujiang.¡± Jingrong cried.


    She really couldn¡¯t help it. Even Uncle Mu¡¯s family were locked up. She and her aunt had been looking around for help yesterday, but they were hitting the wall everywhere. No one gave a hand when they were in need. The former brothers and sisters were gone, no one. was willing to stand up to discuss, let alone help. She really had no way to go, and she had toe to the big sister.


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly. What do you mean? It seems that she forced her to admit her mistake. She wouldn¡¯t care if she admitted her mistake or not.


    ¡°Sorry, the case of government is not under my control, so I can¡¯t help. If Wei Liujiang is really being framed, the government will find out it clearly, and he will be innocent. If he does make something wrong, naturally. Can¡¯t escape the sanctions of thew. ¡°Ye Jiayao wanted to leave.


    But Ye Rongrong grabbed her closely, kneeled in front of her, and cried: ¡°Liujiang is really framed. He doesn¡¯t understand anything. He listened to the wrong people. He ispletely ignorant. Now even the uncle is rted to this. no one can save him, big sister, anyway, look at the sentiment that you are my sister. look at the child in my stomach, you can save him! Can¡¯t let the child have no father...¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless, sisterly love? Do they have it? If so, will they also buy a bandit to murder her? It¡¯s a joke, she still has no shame to say. Also, what is the rtionship between the child in your stomach and me?


    ¡°Ye Jinrong, I can¡¯t help you with this, even if I can help, I will not help. People have done what they have done, God is watching. Being shackled, or he really did it. The dam is all sand, even at the very least, there is no mud watering. This is the fact. If I help, it is interference of the judiciary.¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    ¡°But intention and ident is apletely different crime. Big sister, you just have to let the big brother-inw say a word, or let Old lord do something, maybe it will be apletely different result...¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and let the lord to do something. She dared to say it!


    ¡°Ye Jinrong, you have this time to ask me here, it is better to go to find awyer instead. Jinyao, help your second sister get up, and let her go back!¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s skirt was dragged by her, and could not walk.


    Jinyao came up and advised: ¡°Second sister, you should go back!¡±


    Ye Jinrong lifted her face full of tears and cried: ¡°I don¡¯t want to go. If you don¡¯t agree to help me, I will always be here, kneel until you agree to help.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was really angry, and said: ¡°Are you kidding me? You can kneel down but let my skirt go.¡±


    ¡°Big sister, you are really ruthless?¡±


    ¡°Ruthless, our rtionship was broken by you ages ago.¡±


    ¡°I admitted my mistake. What else do you want? If something happened to Liujiang, I will die too. You will only be satisfied when 3 of us died?¡±


    ¡°Second sister, don¡¯t do this. This is lord¡¯s mansion. You will make big sister awkward.¡± Jinyao advised.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. my family is almost broken. I don¡¯t care if it is embarrassing...¡± Ye Jinrong knew that Ye Jiayao was her only life-saving straw.


    If it was not the lord mansion, Ye Jiayao was really not afraid that Jinrong was messing around. Jinrong was rolling on the ground, she would not raise her eyebrows. But the problem was that happened at the gate of Lord¡¯s mansion. What if people saw that?


    ¡°You get up first.¡± Ye Jiayao said helplessly, at least Jinrong could let go of her hands.


    Ye Jinrong was overjoyed: ¡°Big sister, have you promised to help me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°You¡¯d better make the situation clear as water, there must be no concealment, but I am telling you that if Wei Liujiang really did something bad, I will not do anything for him.¡±


    Ye Jinrong broke into a smile and nodded seriously: ¡°You can be relieved, as Liujiang was really framed.¡±


    Ye Jiayao let Jinrong enter the mansion and listened to Jinrong¡¯s story in the side hall.


    ¡°My uncle gave him the business, and he found another contractor. It was all done by the man. Liujiang only patrolled there from time to time. He didn¡¯t understand anything about building the dam. It was the contractor¡¯s fault.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked: ¡°How much silver did the government give for this?¡±


    Ye Jinrong hesitated for a moment, and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered: ¡°This is the key question,e find me after you found out about it.¡±


    The official project was like this,yer byyer,yer byyer, if nothing happened, it would be good. Once an ident happened, a rope would pull a string. After listening to a few confessions, whether Wei Liujiang took extra money in the subcontracting process, then it would be useless even if you are shouting and screaming until your throat is broken.


    ¡°You have to figure out that this is not a small matter of civil disputes, but aw. If the crime is true, I still want to talk about it, that is, it hurts me. I have been killed by you. I can¡¯t let you hurt Chunyu here.¡± Ye Jiayao said deeply.


    Ye Jinrong was silent, her eyes were flickering,pletely different from the previous screaming.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her. Damn. She was actually threatened by her most hated people.


    ¡°You go back first, figure out ande back to me.¡± Ye Jiayao ordered her to leave.


    Ye Jinrong wanted to talk but she stopped. After two steps, she suddenly turned back and cried. ¡°Big sister, I confessed that Liujiang is profiting from it, but it is only a small part of the money. Everyone has done this since...¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and spit it out.


    She sighed: ¡°If you are not blind of thew, you should know that greed is greed. Others are greedy, but others could hide. and Wei Liujiang? Everyone has seen how bad the dam is, luckily, we found out early and no one has died. Otherwise, he really will die for this. Jinrong, I don¡¯t think I can help you with this.¡±


    ¡°Big sister...¡± Ye Jinrong cried.


    ¡°He knew that he was wrong. He will not do it again in the future. You will save him. His official career has been ruined. The punishment is enough. Do you still have to watch himpletely ruin?¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at her for a long time. This Ye¡¯s second youngdy, who once swayed in front of her, now pitifully squats in front of her and asks her to save her life. The scum that she used to suffer, she is ridiculous.


    ¡°Ye Jinrong, one thing you have to understand, you and he havee to this step. You have to me your mother, she spoiled you, so you can ignore the rtionship in yourfamily, despise thew and your sister. You have toin about minister Mu, he arranged affairs for Liujiang, but did not teach him how to take the opportunity to take the opportunity, how to cut corners.¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    ¡°Yes, I know that I have no face to ask you, but now I can only ask you, big sister, I really regret it...¡± Ye Jinrong worried about Liujiang, she could do anything for him, even if she kneeled down to the person who she looked down, sighed in whisper, stepped on her dignity on the soles of her feet, and got stuck in the mud.


    ¡°After more than a month, the child will be born, big sister, I really want to die.¡± Ye Jinrong cried heartbrokenly.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her big belly, and she felt bad. Although Jinrong and Wei Liujiang were abominable, the children were innocent, poor children, and miscarried.


    ¡°You still go back first, I will discuss it with Chunyu.¡± Ye Jiayao sighed, afraid that Jinrong cried too hard and it would be bad for the baby.


    Ye Jinrong was helped by Jinyao. and she cried too much, and her body was heavy, and she could not move.


    At this time, what is Ning¡¯s doing? Isn¡¯t she very powerful? Doesn¡¯t she have very good ideas? Why not intervene? Let Jinrong run alone with a big belly, it is really safe!


    °¡!

 Chapter 245 - No Way Out

    <h4>Chapter 245: No Way Out</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    Ye Jinrong cried and kneeled in front of the lord¡¯s mansion. The news quickly passed to Liu Li¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Ye really has a hard heart. I know she is a cold-hearted person.¡± Liu Li yed with the canary and said in a weird way.


    ¡°For sure, Ye¡¯s seconddy is pregnant even and it seemed that the baby ising out soon.¡±Little Ya said.


    ¡°Ye¡¯s seconddyes to Ye Jinxuan for help, it seems that she just has no choice. The government is investigating cases among governors. Minister Mu and Wei Liujiang truly hit the rock.¡± Liu Li sneered.


    ¡°If heir-son lord help, they might be saved?¡±


    ¡°Huh, it is hard to say. Last time he could take care of Ye prefect¡¯s thing. The witness changed his own words and said it was framed. Censorate couldn¡¯t do anything about it, as there was not enough evidence. But this time, the destruction of the dam is a true fact. Even though they didn¡¯t bribe, it was a crime for duty of care.¡± Liu Li said slowly.


    ¡°Second youngdy¡¯s family must be really worried.¡± Little Ya sneered.


    ¡°Worried? They will be more worriedter on!¡± Liu Li¡¯s mind turned around and whispered to little ya and Little Ya nodded.


    Ye Jiayao was really worried, and she felt terrible. She originally intended to stay away from this kind of person forever, but she couldn¡¯t hide from her.


    After a while, Jinyao came back and went back and delivered a message.


    ¡°Big sister, I have sent back second sister.¡±


    ¡°Ok...¡± Ye Jiayao was absent-minded.


    ¡°When I got home, the wife of Mu¡¯s family was there, and I saw that she swore at second sister like pping in her face. She said that second sister brought bad omen. Bad luck to her own husband and Mu¡¯s family too. Anyway, it was difficult to hear. ¡± Jinyao sighed.


    Ye Jiayao knew that Mu¡¯s family treated Jinrong badly. but this mistake wasmitted by Liujiang, and Qie should¡¯ve med her nephew. What was the point to me Jinrong.


    ¡°Your mother is not there?¡± Ye Jiayao was curious. Ning was so strong. If Qie dared to say that when Ning was there, they might have a fight.


    Jinyao said with a sigh of relief: ¡°My mother went back to Yangzhou one night before, and I heard from second sister, that she rushed back as father was going to marry.¡±


    No wonder, I knew that Ning would not let go without a fight.


    ¡°Second sister said that mother was very angry and said that Dad was cheating on her, she wanted to revenge.¡±


    Eh¡­ more troubles. Ye Binghuai, Ye Binghuai. If you don¡¯t make mistakes, you won¡¯t die. But you want to die for sure.


    Ye Jiayao was deeply troubled. She was a bit dizzy as she drank a bit of alcohol during lunch. Now she felt dizzier and she waved her hand powerlessly: ¡°Whatever they want to do. I don¡¯t want to get involved and I am not able to do anything. You go back first. I need to rest a bit.¡±


    Jinyao looked at the big sister¡¯s tiring face, she was worried and said: ¡°I will get Qiaoxi toe in and serve.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoyed down for a while but couldn¡¯t sleep. She closed her eyes, and all the things in her head were messy. Then she just got up instead and took out the flower stretcher to embroider.


    Ink blue satin, embroidered with a few bamboos, the pattern was simple and generous, the color was not soplicated, she is a noob in making this, she can only pick these simple embroideries. Originally, she intended to make a fan bag, and give to Chunyu at the Dragon Boat Festival. But her movements were really slow. She couldn¡¯t finish the embroidery for half a month. However, Qiao Qi¡¯sment was that her work was not as badparing with other needle workers even though she was a bit slower.


    That was for sure, people like her who were highly savvy. She could do anything well, as long as they do it with their hearts. she was not serious about embordering before.


    Slowly threading the needles, her mood could gradually calm down.


    The afternoon time passed.


    ¡°Heir-son lord ising back?¡± The voice of Peach came from outside.


    Ye Jiayao stopped the work in her hand and told Qiaoxi to quickly hide it.


    Here, Qiaoxi just put the flower stretcher into the cupboard, and Xia Chunyu opened the curtain and came in.


    Qiaoxi went to fetch water.


    Xia Chunyu saw Ye Jiayao sitting cross-legged on the couch, asked a gang to be in a daze, came over, scraped her nose, and asked: ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    Ye Jiayaozy: ¡°Thinking about things that are not happy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like what you want to do.¡± Xia Yu squatted and sat down.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to think about it, but I can find it in trouble.¡± Ye Jiayao said that she hade to her in the afternoon.


    Xia Chunyu was frowning, and was very angry with Ye Jinrong¡¯s behavior of pulling Yaoyao. This is in front door of Lord¡¯s mansion. Isn¡¯t she doing this to make Yaoyao embarrassed?


    ¡°You tell the truth, do you want to help?¡± Xia Chunyu thought about respecting the meaning of Yaoyao.


    If Yaoyao wanted to help, then it was still feasible to operate corruption and make corruption. Although he was ashamed of this behavior.


    Ye Jiayao sighed: ¡°Wei Liujiang that bitch. I hope he gets what he deserves. I just think Jinrong is pregnant and feel bad for them. Also Jinrong can only reply on me now. If I don¡¯t help, she will keep annoy us. Having a rtive like this is really unlucky.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stroke the back of her hand: ¡°Let me know more details first then we will see. If I can help then I will. Otherwise it is not your fault. But Minister Mu has no way out this time. This morning¡¯s meeting, Governor Tai used him heaps of crimes. Also minister of works and right vice minister had no way out either. The emperor was angry and would investigate them seriously.¡±


    ¡°Eh, then Wei Liujiang must be dead too?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned: ¡°somewhat troublesome.¡±


    ¡°Then you should be careful. If you cannot help, then don¡¯t. You must not get involve inside either.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu went out after dinner and came back atte night. He brought some bad news. It was said that governor just finished the investigation. The contractor used that Wei Liujiang requested him to follow his order. The 200k silver from government became 150k when it arrived to Wei Liujiang¡¯s hands. And it became 80k when it arrived at contractor¡¯s hand. What could you do with 80k? It would be good if they could use sand to build the dam.


    No idea how much dirty money Minister Mu took, but 70k was taken by Wei Liujiang as evidence. He could not get away from it. The worst part was that Wei Liujiang was weak enough to confess all his crimes before people use capital punishment.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised. No other way out!


    ¡°This guy is dumb. He confessed everything including minister Mu¡¯s crimes. He thought he could get away by giving out others¡¯ crimes. Yaoyao, this kind of person. He really should¡¯ve been dead. I am scared to help him.¡± Xia Chunyu eximed.


    ¡°But this time the capital prefecture acted quickly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless and thought for a moment and said: ¡°Just leave it. I will let Jinyao tell Jinrong tomorrow.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said: ¡°You should go by yourself and tell her everything clearly. Jinyao might not be able to convey clearly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took Jinyao to Wei¡¯s mansion next morning.


    They have been to this mansion before when they had wee party. Now it felt cold and not that many people around anymore.


    They didn¡¯t even have many servants any more. When they got to the door and heard that Jinrong swearing at someone inside.


    ¡°Fuck off, all fuck off. You are all bad and have no conscience. Just Fuck off!¡±


    Two ve girls came out from the room sadly.


    Jingyao called one of them: ¡°A Lian, how is firstdy doing?¡±


    A Lian said sadly: ¡°Last night Xiahe sister and housekeeper took firstdy¡¯s money and things and ran away. The firstdy is really mad and she believes no one now.¡±


    Jinyao said angrily: ¡°Xiahe is terrible. She served firstdy when she was young. She is such a disloyal person to do such things.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed coldly in her heart. Xiahe that ve girl was never a good person. Why would they count her to be a loyal servant?


    ¡°reported to governors yet? How much exactly did you lose?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    A Lian answered: ¡°The first youngdy didn¡¯t want to report, and I am not sure how much they lost exactly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that it must be a huge amount as Jinrong didn¡¯t want to report to governors.


    Two people got into the room and saw Jinrong crying on the bed and she looked tired and desperate.


    ¡°Big sister, is there any news?¡± Jinrong grabbed Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand and asked immediately.


    Ye Jiayao saw her look as she was so fallen and poor today. She tried so hard to marry Wei Liujiang at the beginning and now she got into such an awkward and sad situation.


    ¡°Third sister, get some water and let second sister to wash her face.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took her to sit in front of dressing table.


    ¡°Did they steal everything?¡±


    Jinrong cried again: ¡°They stole everything in my dressing today and the small box inside wardrobe, there was over hundred thousands of silver notes inside. Big sister, I have nothing now. Nothing!¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say that she deserved it but she saw that she was so desperate at the moment. She couldn¡¯t bear criticizing her any more.


    ¡°How about your mother? Still have everything?¡±


    Jinrong was shocked: ¡°I was only worried about my side and didn¡¯t check my mum¡¯s room.¡±


    Jinrong called A Lian immediately to ask her to check Madam¡¯s room.


    After a while, A Lian came back and said that Madam¡¯s room was locked and doors and windows were closed. No one had been there.


    Jinrong said: ¡°Mother always took her key with her and no servants have it.¡±


    She took her key with herself? Ye Jiayao thought that Ning must have something important in her room.


    ¡°Jinrong, listen to me. Your brother-inw came back and I asked him to help to talk to governors. But it was toote, Liujiang confessed everything. He not only confessed his crimes as well as minister Mu¡¯s crimes. There is no other way now.¡± Ye Jiayao told her the fact peacefully as there was no point to hide. Just embrace it.


    Jinrong was shocked and looked at Big sister unbelievably. She said emotionally: ¡°Big¡­ big sister, is that true?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded : ¡°So, I have to inform you early and make sure you understand and prepare what ising next. The governors knew the truth, they woulde to take your mansion away soon.¡±

 Chapter 246 - Incite

    <h4>Chapter 246: Incite</h4>


    Suddendly,Ye Jinrong was sank down,Ye Jiayao hurried to hold her,but can not make her move:¡±somebody...¡±


    Qiao Xi et al rushed in,with everyone lending a hand,they helped Ye Jinrong to bed.


    Ye Jinrong¡¯s eyes looked dull and concentrated.She was not breathing for a long time.Her face looked white and frightening.


    Ye Jiayao was anxious to pinch her philtrum,then Ye Jinrong caught her breath faintly.¡±Over,all is over...¡±she murmured with her tears rolled down like beads,


    ¡°Cheer up,Jinrong!If not do it for yourself,you should also think about your child.Wei Liujiang¡¯s crime is not as to death penatal either,he would at most being exiled.¡±


    ¡°It also means over,what else can he do?He was a such talented person but bes a prisoner now.How could this be?¡±Ye Jinrong chocked with sobs.


    How could this be?That is beacuse he had no good intentions.He was talented,so what?A crooked heart makes a crooked way,


    ¡°It¡¯s toote to talk about it.You¡¯d better to pick up and go back to Yangzhou.I will let you know as soon as i get any news .¡±


    ¡°No,i will not go back!I need to see Jiangliu,i need to see him...¡±Jinrong stuggled to get out of bed.


    Ye Jiayao pressed down her:¡±Jinrong,¡±Could you please calm down?Actually,you should have thought of this result when things happened, but you chose to leave things to chance.Now,even the husband of your sister,can not visit him either.No one can see Jiangliu before Mu Shng figure out the truth.The best thing you can do is to keep a good body and give birth to the baby.Leave the other things to God!¡±


    ¡°Yes,second sister, It¡¯s right to listen to big sister,her husband came home sotest night,and is really helping you by heart.¡± Jinyao said.


    Ye Jiayao felt ufortable inexplicably, Jinyao lived in a courtyard, Chunyue in and go out but did not pass her side, how did he know everything so clearly?


    Jinrong wept for a while, slowly epting the fact, sobbing: ¡°I have nothing to pick up.¡±


    She added:¡± your mother is absent now, no one knows when she wille back. If the governmentes to inspect, there will be nothing left.¡±


    ¡°What about picking the lock?¡±Jinyao said.


    Then, Ye Jiayao let Jinyao apany Jinrong, she went to Song Qi to pick the lock on her own.


    When the door opened and went in, Ye Jiayao told QiaoXi to put away all the gold and silver jewelry, and she looked around by knocking here and there on her own.


    Qiaoxi felt strange,what was second youngdy looking for?


    Finally , Ye Jiayao found a dark cabin behind the painting of Buddhism Guanyin on the niche, and she hold out a box.


    The box was locked, and the weight was heavy, but not the weight of silver.


    ¡°Song Qi,pick the lock too.¡±


    Song Qi responded yes,then he hit the lock with a hammer,and use hammer handle to pry it, the lock fell down in the end.


    Ye Jiayao opened the box, there was a pile of ount books which looked same.She picked up one to flip through, but felt creepy.Because it shows the numbers,lists and time of bribery records of Ye Binghuai. The other ount books were the same.


    Ning is a really terrible women, The time she started recording was very early.At that moment,Ye Binghuai treated her very good!Was she prescient,so she began to do this?His every move was recorded by the pillow women. Did Ye Binghuai have nightmares at night?


    No wonder Ning was such peremptory,powerful and looked nothing to fear!


    Ye Jiayao?took all the ount books out, found a cloth bag to put them in, then let Song Qi bring them to the carriage, these things can never be kept.


    ¡°Do everything packed up,Big sister?¡±Ye Jinyao came in.


    Song Qi hurriedly kicked the bag to the under of the bed.


    Ye Jiayao pointed to some gold ,silver and bank notes said, ¡°Everything is here, wrap it in a cloth so it won¡¯t stand out.¡±


    Ning¡¯s family background was rtively solid. There were more than 100,000 taels of silver on the deposit slip of?Datonghui Bank.Added those bits and pieces, more than 200,000 thousand taels of silver in totle.


    ¡°Do your second sister packed up all the things?¡±


    Jinyao said:¡±She have already made up, and things packed up almost done¡±


    ¡°Tell the servant to get a carriage and go straight to the wharf.¡±Ye jiayao said..


    Ye Jiayao sent Ye Jinrong to the wharf, bought her something to eat on the way, told A Lian to take good care of her.The boat would leave in half an hour, so Ye Jiayao returned first.


    On the way, Ye Jiayao hugged those ount books very speechless.She felt Ye Binghuai is really bad, and the viin is her father.


    Ye Jinrong sat motionless in the boat,there¡¯s no hope in her heart.


    Originally, she thought even if Jiangliu did not walk on the official road,they could do something else.It would be also satisfied,as long as two people together.


    Who would know that the disaster came from heaven.Suddenly, her world turned, even thest little hope was dashed.


    ¡°Big youngdy, there¡¯s someone looking for you outside?¡±A Lian came in and reported.


    Ye Jinrong was suddently shocked:¡± who¡¯s there?Is it the government?¡±


    At this moment,she was spooked,even a bit of wind would also make her feel frightened.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s ady.¡± said ine,¡±the dress looks very gorgeous.¡±


    Ye Jinrong wondered, who would came to her?And she left abruptly, who would know her directions?


    ¡°Is Miss Ye willing to leave?¡±A slightly mocking voice sounded, then a pretty figure entered.


    Ye Jinrong was shocked and would never thought that the woman woulde.


    She hurried to got up to salute, but the body was heavy and slow.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to, I juste to say a few words to you.¡±Liu Li sat down.


    Ye Jinrong was so nervous that she did not know what her purpose here.


    ¡°A Lian, you get out first,¡± Ye Jinrongmanded.


    ¡°Did the princesse to see my jokes?¡±Ye Jinrong inferiority said.


    Liu Li smiled and said :¡± see your jokes?I¡¯m not leisure.¡±


    Ye jin rong bit the lips, silently waiting for the next words of Liu Li.


    ¡°I¡¯m here today, is to make a deal with you.¡±


    ¡°What deal?¡±Ye Jinrong felt like she was listening to a joke. What capital could she trade now?


    Liu Li said slowly :¡± I help you save Wei Liujiang, and you need to do something for me.¡±


    Suddently,Ye Jinrong¡¯s eyes truned from?dim to shine:¡±Is it true,Princess?¡±


    Liu Li smiled:¡±Do you feel like i was joking?¡±


    Ye Jinrong knelt down slowly and resolved:¡±If the princess could save Liujiang, I am willing to do anything.¡±


    Liu Li smiled: ¡°Get up, you are pregnant.¡±


    Seeing Ye Jinrong¡¯s big belly, Liu Li¡¯s heart felt painful.If her child was still there,her belly should be so big as well in two months!


    ¡°I knew you had an ident at your house yesterday when you came to the mansion. But you were so naive that you went to beg Ye Jinxuan.She hated you so much, how could she help you?¡±Liu Li sneered.


    ¡°She¡¯s my big sister after all, and I was desperate.¡± she stammered.


    Liu Li sneered:¡±You still think that she is your big sister, but she may not think that you are her second sister. In fact, the matter of Wei Liujiang is not without room for change.With Xia Chunyu ¡®s ability, If he is willing to help, oh, no, if Ye Jinxuan is willing to help you,it¡¯s not a big deal.


    ¡°But big sister said he had confessed.¡±


    ¡°He had confessed but the government has not confeim the case. Even if the government has confirmed the case,there¡¯s still have the criminal department.As long as there is a will, there is always the possibility of change it. The simplest way is to put all the me on Mu Shng.Only say that he is doing what he was told to do. In this way, the charge will be much less.¡±


    ¡°But,Mu Shng is his uncle.He always take good care of us.It¡¯s not good to do so.¡± Ye Jinrong still has a good conscience.


    ¡°Haha,haha...¡±Liu Li smiled for a while and said :¡± do you think Mu Shng would care about one more indictment ?His problems are too big, there¡¯s no difference at all.¡±


    Ye Jinrong was moved:¡±But big sister said nobody can see Liujiang now,there¡¯s no way to tell him how to do.¡±


    Liu Li looked at her with a smile, which showed a kind of pitiful expression :¡± You are such a poor woman,there is no one around to give you advice, your sister is also fooling you.¡±


    Ye Jinrong bit her lip more tigtly.Is it ture?Is big sister lying to her?


    ¡°Think about it, originally,Wei Liujiang was her husband, but you?taken away from her, and her nearly died in ck Wind Ridge.How could she swallow it? The reason you be like this today,is because of her,.if she was not so pester to beg Xia Chunyu to avenge her,Wei Liujiang¡¯s future will not as to be destroyed.ording to his talent, strength, it¡¯spletely possible into the top three.If so,that would be a different scene...¡±Said Liu Li.


    The hate that had been repressed by Ye Jinrong began to rise again. Yes, if big sister had not been so cruel and unwilling to let go of it, how could she and Liujiang became like this?


    ¡°Don¡¯t look down on your big sister, she is a strong role.She always dress up as pig to eat tiger. Not only you,even me often cheated by her.You have to know that, as long as Ye Jinxuan rise one day, you and Wei Liu jiang will never recover new life.Only we do it together,there¡¯s likely to change it.¡± Liu Li knew that she has sessfully started the hate of Ye Jinrong.


    Ye Jinrong raised her clear and determined eyes said:¡± princess, I will do what you say.¡±


    ¡°No hurry, you go back to yangzhou first, give birth to the child.When i have nned everything, youe back again.During?this?period, you had better keep in touch with her,?let her think you really want to made up with her.¡±

 Chapter 247 - Ning

    <h4>Chapter 247: Ning</h4>


    After Ye Jiayao went home, she stared at the booklet and felt that it was not right to burn it. She thought about it and finally decided to lock it in the safe.


    No one knew when Ning woulde back. If she find that thing was missing, Ning would definitelye to her, but she would not admit it.


    However, Ye Jiayao did not wait to Ning came to her, but heard that Ning identally fell into the water, and was drowned on her way back to Jin Ling.


    Hearing this news, Ye Jiayao felt gloomy, was it just a ident? Ning went back this time was definitely going to threaten Ye Binghuai, and then she caught an ident on her way back. It was too coincidental for people to believe.


    Originally, Ye Jiayao still had no idea whether to tell Chunyu about the booklet. After this, she would not dare to hold back and honestly took out the booklet.


    After Xia Chunyu saw it, his face was dull and scary.


    ¡°Ning¡¯s death, will there be fraud?¡± Ye Jiayao asked uneasyly.


    Xia Chunyu closed the booklet and said seriously: ¡°The government has already determined that Ning was drowning. The confession of the boatman said that she was depressed after she got on the boat. She always stood on the bow and secretly shed tears. He persuaded her several times. They didn¡¯t expect that the thing still happened. Coupled with the confession obtained from your father, it is said that Ning¡¯s return to Yangzhou is forpounding, but she failed and had to leave sadly. There are indications that Ning¡¯s tendency tomit suicide.¡±


    ¡°This is the end of the matter. These things had better to be burnt.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡°But... you are also skeptical, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ye Jiayao really had a hard time epting the truth. Ye Binghuai could be greedy, could be ruthless, but he was ruthless to this point, whoever heard would shudder. Ning was bad, but she was not as bad to die!


    Xia Chunyu helped her up on her arms and solemnly said: ¡°It is the government¡¯s business to investigate what the truth is. We can¡¯t just make conclusions based on spection. Listen, you have never seen these booklets. You only need to say you know nothing about it no matter who ask about it. Just for Zhongyuan, this thing must stop here, understand?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, of course, so far, what else? She had no evidence to prove Ye Binghuai, but her heart was full of despair and dislike for the family, first Ye Jinxuan, then Ning, what kind of family was this that could do things so ruthlessly.


    When Xia Chunyu saying, he teared the book one and one page, threw it into the smokecage and turned it into ashes.


    ¡°Chunyu, I don¡¯t want to go back to Ye Family anymore, I don¡¯t want to see that person.¡± Ye Jiayao said in low voice.


    Xia Chunyu burned all the books in silence, then came over and embraced her in his arms. Heforted: ¡°There is no intersection in anyway. If you don¡¯t want to go, just don¡¯t go, don¡¯t think too much. I am going to pick up Zhongyuan. It is not easy to ask for some days off in Guozijian. Please, after all, Ning was his biological mother, let Zhongyuan and Jinyao go back.¡±


    Zhongyuan asked for a three-month holiday and went back to Yang Zhou with Jinyao to arrange the aftermath. Xia Chunyu was afraid that Zhongyuan was too young to understand everything. He then sent Manger Zhao to go with him. Therefore, everything in Heavenly Residence fell on the shoulders of Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao hoped to be busy. Ning¡¯s death was a shadow that couldn¡¯t be swayed. It was in her heart and it wille out to let her cope from time to time.


    The case of Wei Liujiang was also strange, which had already been approved but suddenly had a favorable turn. Wei Liujiang retracted, saying that what he did was directed by Mu assistant minister. The 70,000 silvers were returned to Mu assistant minister.


    Then the government found a huge amount of property in Mu¡¯s house, there were full of gold and silver in arge box, and a number of real estate fields in the field. Mu assistant minister was very careful, and he even did not set up an industry in Jin Ling, nor did he deposit the money in the bank. Without the confiscation, no one knew that Mu assistant minister was so rich.


    Wei Liujiang¡¯s confession became a breakthrough, and the progress of the case went on extremely fast.


    It was said that Qi crying in front of the criminal department¡¯s door every day said that her nephew was cheated.


    Unfortunately, no one would sympathize with her tears, and no one would think about the specific meaning of the word ¡°cheat¡±. It was naturally being cheated to be confessed by his own nephew.


    Ye Jiayao was very disgusted with Wei Liujiang¡¯s action. Others did not know the inside story but she was clear about it. Mu assistant minister took care of him. However, he was dead because of him. The feeling could only be known by the Mu family.


    After half a month, Manager Zhao returned.


    Ye Jiayao must ask a question about the situation there.


    Manager Zhao shook his head and said that Ning¡¯s family was very fierce. They insisted that Ning was killed by Ye¡¯s master. They carried the coffin to Ye¡¯s house and asked to let Ning enter the grave of Ye family. In this way, the continuation of the Yang family was not willing. In short, it was a mess. In the end, the young master Zhongyuan squatted down and asked master Ye, saying that to enter the ancestral grave of Ye Family was the biggest wish of Ning, please helped herplete it. Master Ye then promised it. However, the tombstone was not engraved with Ye Ning, it could only be engraved in the name of Zhongyuan¡¯s mother.


    A dispute was solved, and the deceased finally settled in peace.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was cold, Ning really wanted to enter the Ye Family grave? What thend for peace, fear that the soul would never be peaceful!


    ¡°What about Miss Ye?¡±


    ¡°On the day of Ning¡¯s departure, Miss Ye gave birth to a girl, the mother and daughter were both safe. Now young master Zhongyuan was filial in the mountain. The third youngdy is apanied by the second youngdy at home. Ye¡¯s marriage has to be postponed. I heard that it was arranged after the new year. ¡°Manager Zhao replied.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, the second youngdy let me to ask you if you have ever seen some booklets when making up Ning¡¯s remains.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly be nervous: ¡°No, I have never seen that before, what?¡±


    Manager Zhao said: ¡°It is said that it was Master Ye who asked as he did not see it when he went back to Jin Ling to collect the relics.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered, Ye Binghuai was really nervous about the thing, she estimated that Ye Binghuai did not dare to ask her afterwards.


    He would be hard to fall into sleep if he couldn¡¯t find that thing. Then just let it happen. Let him hang his heart so that he would keep in low profile then.


    The weather became hotter in June. Ye Jiayao had no appetite as taking medicines. Now she even couldn¡¯t eat any more. She sent someone to go to find Renhetang¡¯s doctor and changed the prescription. She had to keep eating them even she didn¡¯t want to.


    The Chinese medicine was so annoying. Why couldn¡¯t I make it into pills? I must have a medicine soup which was bitter and unpleasant.


    On this day, Ye Jiayao just squeezed her nose and poured a bowl of medicine soup into her stomach. Ying Tao took a invitation letter and came in.


    Ye Jiayao saw that it was a invitation from the Chamber of Commerce and Food which invited her to attend the business meeting tomorrow.


    Master Li was the member of the Chamber of Commerce. Now she took over the Heavenly Residence. She should have a ce in the Chamber of Commerce. However, there has been no movement in the Chamber of Commerce. They didn¡¯t hold a meeting for half a year. Nobody knew what to discuss this time.


    The Chamber of Commerce¡¯s invitation, Ye Jiayao definitely would participate.


    So, the next day, Ye Jiayao took Zhong Xiang together to attend the meeting.


    This time, unlike thest time, she was just a small follow-up around the dispensers of Li. No one knew her and treated her as the air. Instead, they all took the initiative to say hello to her. They were also polite to Zhong Xiang. After all, he toook the first ce, this was the fact.


    Ye Jiayao smiled back to each of them.


    ¡°Second youngdy, I haven¡¯t seen you for a long time...¡± Lu Xiaotian came over.


    Thest time Lu Xiaotian took the first ce in the cooking group, but like Zhong Xiang, he refused to enter the imperial kitchen and continued to run his vegetarian restaurant.


    Ye Jiayao also replied: ¡°Mr. Lu, do you know what is going to be discussed in today¡¯s meeting?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian lowered his voice: ¡°May be elected chairman.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked: ¡°Why? Is chairman Zheng not expiring?¡±


    ¡°Chairman Zheng¡¯s father is gone, he wants to go back to filial piety, and the vice chairman Zhang Youcheng is old and his body is not good. This meeting he also fails to attend.¡± Lu Xiaotian said.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°Is that necessary to select? This is definitely you who will hold the position of the chairman.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smiled and said: ¡°I want to rmend you, on strength, on achievements, who else is better than you? You are the best one.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed twice awkwardly: ¡°Don¡¯t, I amzy, don¡¯t take care of the pits.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian was amazed, the second youngdy was too... unrestrained to talk.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth was fast. After she finished speaking, she reacted to herself. She was not Li Yao anymore, but the second youngdy of the lord mansion. It was indeed a bit embarrassing...indecent to say that.


    ¡°Oh, joking, just joking, but I really don¡¯t really want to be a president. I just want to be a loyal listener. After Mr. Lu has any instructions, I will follow suit and firmly support.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    ¡°Hey, Is that both of you have discussed it?¡± Lin Changchun smiled and walked over.


    ¡°Lin shopkeeper.¡± Ye Jiayao bowed her knees.


    Lu Xiaotian smiled and said: ¡°What is the discussion?¡±


    Lin Changchun said: ¡°Who is the president? Nowadays, in Jin Ling City, Heavenly Residence and Su Shang Fang are the leaders in the food industry. Who else is not convinced, you two are all served.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said: ¡°Lin¡¯s treasurer, is this still necessary for discussion? Naturally,Mr. Lu is more suitable, I am a woman.¡±


    ¡°What happened to the woman? You are such a woman who made us man be ashamed of! Second youngdy, you have the most ideas, the Chamber of Commerce can only be functional if it is in your hands.¡± Lin Changchun did not agree.


    ¡°He¡¯s right. I am a rtively rigid person. I am not good at socializing with the government. It is more suitable for second youngdy.¡± Lu Xiaotian said.


    He really hoped that Ye Jiayao coulde to be the president. Ye Jiayao¡¯s ability, whether it was cooking or business, her ability was obvious to all.


    Ye Jiayao had a headache, shit, I was really busy at this time okay? How could I spare time to be the president? She was a very responsible person, once it was on, it was necessary to achieve something. Then how could it not be busy, to get a vice president was barely possible.


    ¡°You two don¡¯t praise me again, if you keep doing that, I will be floating up. I really can¡¯t do that. Mr. Lu, it is your time. I can be your consultant. ¡± Ye Jiayao smiled and refused.


    Lin Changchun sighed: ¡°You two are both humble here. There are some people struggling to get the position of the president.¡±

 Chapter 248 - The contest for President

    <h4>Chapter 248: The contest for President</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    Lu Xiaotian nodded again and again for Lin Changchu¡¯s word: ¡°As far as I know, President Zheng intends to let his son Zheng Sanduo take over, and he secretly has drawn a lot of votes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stunned: ¡°Why don¡¯t you prepare early as you know it?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smiled bitterly: ¡°I just knew itst night, and I said it to Lin.¡±


    Lin Changchun said: ¡°This matter, Chairman Zheng really keeps that secret, if Lu doesn¡¯t tell me, I still don¡¯t know about it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not happy. It doesn¡¯t matter who was going to be the president. But Zheng Fugui did this was not appropriate. This chamber ofmerce was the link between the government and businessmen, businessmen and businessmen, merchants and the market. The aim was to safeguard the interests of members and prosper the industry. The position of the president was especially important. How could his family have the final words?


    ¡°So, now we have to concentrate on rmending one person, so there is still a certain chance of winning.¡± Lu Xiaotian said.


    Ye Jiayao absolutely understanded that they had already done their work ahead of time, and there would definitely be a group of people to admit itter, while the other part of the people would be on fence, they would go for the stronger side.


    ¡°Then needless to say, Lu shopkeeper, you are more suitable than me.¡± Ye Jiayao.


    Lu Xiaotian said: ¡°Ye, the shopkeeper, I am trying to be humble with you. You are indeed more suitable than me. I will say itter, I will rmend you.¡±


    ¡°Chairman Zheng is here...¡± Zhong Xiang said in whisper.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the door and saw Zhening in with sullen face. His arm was marked with white flowers, followed by Zheng Sanduo, Lian Xingwang, Mei shopkeeper and others.


    When people almost all came, Zheng Fugui cleared his voice and said: ¡°To call everyone here today because there is an important matter to discuss with everyone. For personal reasons, I need to temporarily leave Jin Ling, so I can¡¯t take care of the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce for the time being. ording to the regtions of the Chamber of Commerce, I must resign from the position of the Chamber of Commerce and raise the appropriate person to serve. And President Zhang, some of you may already know that Vice President Zhang is not wellbeing, I am afraid he can¡¯t continue working. So, let¡¯s see, is there any suitable candidate?¡±


    When Zheng Fugui¡¯s words fell, Lian Xingwang said: ¡°Since President Zheng has served as the president, his efforts and contributions to the Chamber of Commerce have been obvious to all. In particr,st year¡¯s sessful cookingpetition won a lot praise. President Zheng needs to leave Jin Ling for personal reasons, but he does not have to resign. Let his son temporarily take the job. Mr. Zheng¡¯s ability is also good!¡±


    Someone immediately echoed: ¡°Yes, yeah, Mr. Zheng is young and promising. I heard that Fu Ji has been taking care by him recent years, he has done very well.¡±


    Those who had colluded well, all echoed and agreed.


    In the voice of echo, Duan Qilin¡¯s chilly voice seemed out of ce.


    ¡°I oppose. President Zheng is going to Xuzhou to filial piety. This is not going to be a short period of time for him to be able to return. ording to the regtions of the Chamber of Commerce, the president will serve for a term of five years. If he is unable to preside over the Chamber of Commerce for a long time, he must resign. The Chamber of Commerce has never been a proxy president.¡±


    ¡°Duan shopkeeper, we did not have a proxy president because it has not encountered such a condition before, other chambers ofmerce have a proxy president, we cannot stick to it!¡± Mei shopkeeper slowly said.


    Duan Qilin said coldly: ¡°Even if there is a proxy president, it should also be rmended by everyone who is a good person. The Chamber of Commerce is everyone¡¯s, but not a certain one.¡±


    Zheng Fugui¡¯s mouth twitched a bit, his look was very unhappy, but he was holding back his anger and even gave Xingwang a nce.


    Lian Xingwang said: ¡°Duan shopkeeper is so convinced that you are more suitable than Mr. Zheng to be the president?¡±


    Duan Qilin coldly said: ¡°I am not talented. Butpared with Mr. Zheng, I am confident to win.¡±


    ¡°But I think my ability is not good enough to be the presidency. In the audience, I believe that the ones who can really be qualified as the president is Lu shopkeeper of Su Shan Fang and Ye shopkeeper of Heavenly Residence. .¡±


    ¡°Lu shopkeeper won a first ce inst year¡¯s culinarypetition; his superb cooking is unquestionable. Moreover, his Su Shan Fang is an old brand. After he took over, the Su Shan Fang bes even more brilliant. As for his strength and ability, who dare not be convinced? As for the Ye shopkeeper in the Heavenly Residence, holding the identity of the imperial kitchen chef, the business of the Heavenly Residence is so busy that none of us canpare. The frequency ofing out new dishes and management is also much better than all of us. I would like to ask, who in this room can say that they canpete with her? Moreover, the Ye shopkeeper has another heavy identity, that is, the second youngdy of Jing¡¯an Lord Mansion. When ites to dealing with the government, who else is more suitable than her?¡±


    Duan Qilin¡¯s sharp eyes swept across the faces of the ttering. The guys avoided the his nce like nothing happened.


    ¡°I agree, rmending the promotion of the sage is because the Chamber of Commerce is for everyone. We should rmend a person with outstanding ability, and a heart thinking for the Chamber of Commerce, I rmend ...¡± Lin Changchun loudly said.


    Ye Jiayao quickly interrupted his words: ¡°I rmend the Lu Shopkeeper, there are 2 winnerse from Lu family, this is a rare story in a hundred years, the brand of Su Shan Fang in the Jin Ling and even the surrounding cities are all famous. Lu shopkeeper¡¯s ability on cooking and the obsessive attitude is admirable. But what is even more admirable is his characteristics, never deceive in business. Treat people with sincere and courteous. I believe that if he bes the president of the chamber ofmerce, he will wholeheartedly serve the chamber ofmerce. Of course, President Zheng¡¯s contribution to the chamber ofmerce is also indispensable. Because of this, the choice of the sessor should be more cautious. We must not seek some better development of the chamber ofmerce because of certain personal factors.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was afraid that Lin Changchun will say her name. She only has some consideration in her heart. Lu Xiaotian¡¯s reputation in the industry was excellent as well as cooking. He was also very kind. He was like Duan Qilin¡¯s straightness. He was moderate, not too offensive, and the performance of his vegetarian restaurant is in the upper ss in Jin Ling City, but it does not attract people¡¯s hatred, unlike her. Her heavenly residence is too dazzling, how many people hate her so much. Facing her with smile but cursed her behind the back. So, on the odds, Lu Xiaotian was higher than her.


    Lin Changchun immediately seconded: ¡°Agree, I rmend Lu shopkeeper. There is no more suitable person than him.¡±


    Duan Qilin also said: ¡°I also rmend Lu shopkeeper.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s original poprity was good. There was some people took the lead and immediately won the support of arge number of people.


    Lu Xiaotian looked at Ye Jiayao deeply, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. This Ye shopkeeper, really, gave him such an important burden.


    Zheng Fugui¡¯s face was ck as the bottom of the pot. Today¡¯s situation was in his expectation, but it was also not expected. He did not expect so many people to support Lu Xiaotian. The situation was that the two sides were evenly matched and equal.


    It was useless to me, it was all Sanduo¡¯s fault. If he can get a better ce in the cookingpetition, there will be no such troubles, but it would go smoothly.


    When it came to Zheng Sanduo, Zheng Fugui was not good to have a word, he could only signal other people to speak.


    Mei shopkeeper said: ¡°The ability of Lu shopkeeper is really good, but I still think Mr. Zheng is more suitable. After all, he and president Zheng are the son and father. The father and son are connected. Even if there is any problem, Zheng can always give help.¡±


    Duan Qilin squinted at him, said straight forward: ¡°I¡¯m afraid Mei shopkeeper¡¯s words is not right. Is it true that if others take president job, president Zheng will not offer help? Is President Zheng the kind of narrow-minded person who only helps his own kid but don¡¯t help someone else?¡±


    Duan Qilin did not change his expression and gave Zheng Fugui a punch.


    The Mei shopkeeper was pinched and took the mistakes in the discourse. He didn¡¯t know how to defend it.


    Lian Xingwang said: ¡°Duan shopkeeper, don¡¯t take it out of context! The Mei shopkeeper does not mean that.¡±


    ¡°Does not mean that means what? I heard that means.¡± Lin Changchun helped.


    ¡°And, President Zheng is going to Xuzhou for filial piety, he can¡¯te back in a short time. If you have any problems, how can you ask for advice? Letters for advice? One return for century.¡± Someone snoring.


    ¡°In addition, there is no such rule of acting president in our chamber ofmerce.¡±


    Lian Xingwang¡¯s forehead sweating, the other side¡¯s offensive was strong.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have this in the Chamber of Commerce. It¡¯s because we haven¡¯t encountered such a thing before! We can¡¯t stick to it. Other chambers ofmerce still have the acting president, and they do it very well. I believe that Mr. Zheng can Competent. ¡°Lian Xingwang said awkardly .


    ¡°Oh, now the discussion is about who ispetent, but who is morepetent.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    ¡°If this is the case, then vote to decide who has more votes and who will serve as the president.¡± Zheng Fugui looked at the situation at the moment and could not continue to argue. He just counted the number, and he still upied the number on his own. He still had a little bit of meager advantage, as long as it could win, the difference of one vote was enough.


    Ye Jiayao had also been observing those who had never spoken. These guys who seemed to have no idea, in fact, no one knows what in their mind. If they vote now, they were likely to lose.


    Ye Jiayao suggested: ¡°Before voting, let the two most vocalpetitors say what they will do after the sessor to the Chamber of Commerce. After all, it is about the interests of every member. Let¡¯s get to know the idea of the new president who took office is also easy to make judgments.¡±


    This proposal was reasonable, and Zheng Fugui was not good to refuse.


    Zheng Sandu was eager to perform and immediately stood up: ¡°Then I will talk about my thoughts first.¡±


    Everyone sat straightly, waited for Zheng Sanduo¡¯s speech.


    Ye Jiayao was concerned about Lu Xiaotian¡¯s reaction. Seeing that he was slightly frowning, he was obviously also using his brain.


    ¡°Cough.¡± Zheng Sanduo cleared the scorpion and said: ¡°I can¡¯t say those fancy things, and I won¡¯t swear. I only have one idea, that is, to uphold my father¡¯s purpose for the Chamber of Commerce. Welfare is at the forefront, fully listen to your opinions and demands, try tomunicate with the government as much as possible, and exchange information with members...¡±

 Chapter 249 - Being touched

    <h4>Chapter 249: Being touched</h4>


    Ye Jiayao listened to Zheng Sanduo¡¯s incessant talking and boasted, which were all meaningless, and he said he would not say anything fancy,?but they were not practical at all.


    When it was Lu Xiaotian¡¯s turn to speak, Ye Jiayao was a little worried. She didn¡¯t know how eloquent this guy was. If only she could take the ce of her, she did have a lot of ideas in her mind.


    Lu Xiaotian rose slowly, and his eyes were clear with sincerity and confidence, and said firmly: ¡± If I were elected, I would like to do three things first. First, hold a food festival once a year to give each family a chance to introduce their best dishes and improve their poprity. As for how much money they can make in the end, it depends on their ability.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused and couldn¡¯t help cheering loudly. Lu Xiaotian, you did well. It was the real welfare for members, holding a food festival and providing a tform for everyone to show themselves?were undoubtedly a great opportunity for those businesses whose fame was not very strong, which was what we need to do.


    All the present people here, both ours and the others, can¡¯t help feeling a little moved.


    ¡± And the second thing, I want to run a chef¡¯s ss to train more great chefs. What is the key to make a good dish?It¡¯s the chef, but the chefs are scarce and in great need. If more talents are avable for us to choose from, the high cost of inviting the chef will certainly be reduced, and we can also have more choices. ¡±


    Shopkeeper Mei?mystified and said, ¡± It¡¯s easy to talk about it. Chefs¡¯ skills are what they need to make a living. Will they teach others easily?¡±


    There was a lot of discussion in the meeting room. This idea was good but not very feasible. Who will?teach others his housekeeping skills and then let others be hispetitor?


    Lu Xiaotian smiled: ¡°I am not talented. If this ss is set up, I am willing to try my best to teach them.¡±


    All the people at the meeting felt shocked.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± Since the shopkeeper Lu doesn¡¯t hide your private ability, I¡¯d like to join in it too. So as for the teaching in the ss, just count me in.¡±


    The hall was filled with the air of shock.


    Zhong Xiang also said, ¡± If you don¡¯t feel disappointed at my cooking skills, I will be willing to do so.¡±


    The meeting was silent and everyone waspletely dumbfounded. There should be people like this in the world! And they were all the most famous chefs in Jinling¡¯s food field. Their answers ¡°yes¡± were astonishing enough to shock the whole Jinling city.


    Lin Changchunughed: ¡± There are two gold-medal chefs and one cook from the imperial kitchen willing to join in and teach. What else is impossible?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw that many people¡¯s eyes began to gleam and began to focus?looking expectantly at Lu Xiaotian.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s eyes began to smile: ¡± The third thing is to change the president¡¯s five-year term to three-year term, and the unqualified president will not be a dog in the manger.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost choked by her own saliva. He should say such indecent words in public.


    ¡± Well, shopkeeper Lu, with all these three things you said, I support with both hands.¡± Duan Qilin shouted with pping her chest.


    ¡± Yes ...¡±


    ¡± Yes ...¡±


    Those who didn¡¯t make any noise couldn¡¯t resist the excitement of the tumult. They?run small shops that had been crushed by several big shops for a long time. They didn¡¯t have a chance to show themselves, and they had to endure the pain of the lost of money. They spent a huge sum of money to hire a high-level chef, but it didn¡¯t work. It was really heart-breaking. Lu Xiaotian¡¯s words really correspond to what they need. They would choose Lu xiaotian for their own benefit anyway.`


    The situation immediately reversed, and some people in Zheng Fugui¡¯s side began to waver. Originally they promised Zheng Fugui to elect Zheng Sanduo, that was, they thought Zheng Sanduo could give them some benefits after taking office. Now it seemed that it was not clear whether Zheng Fugui¡¯s benefits were avable, but Lu Xiaotian¡¯s benefits were real and immediate. What else was there to hesitate about?


    Zheng Sanduo anxiously looked at his father. What can he do?


    Zheng Fugui also couldn¡¯t think of a good strategy.


    Zheng Sanduo cried with impatience: ¡± I can do the three things he mentioned.¡±


    Lin Changchunughed and sneered, ¡± Childe Zheng, why didn¡¯t you say that just now?Now he had said, if you?followed him, is it a bted effort ?¡±


    Zheng Fugui gave his son a hard stare. Was it not enough to humiliate him?


    In the end, Lu Xiaotian was elected as the new president by an overwhelming number of votes, and Ye jiayao was elected as the vice president because Ye Jiayao¡¯s selflessly promise to teach them cooking won the favor of all and once again beat Zheng Sanduo .


    At this point, one president and two vice-presidents of the catering trade chamber ofmerce were confirmed, the president was Lu Xiaotian, the two vice-presidents were Duan Qilin and Ye Jiayao.


    Losing two ces, Zheng Fugui went away angrily, his face turn bloodless, and even Xingwang and others left despondently.


    Everyone congratted Lu Xiaotian and Ye Jiayao one after another.


    The two people greeted each other with smiles.


    After the event, Ye Jiayao and Lu Xiaotian stepped out of the chamber ofmerce together.


    Ye Jiayao joked: ¡± I said to be your master, but you¡¯re a master who¡¯s full of ideas. Maybe I¡¯m gonna lose my job.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian said slightly, ¡± The first thing that I thought of is temporary, and the second thing result from what you touched me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dazed and said, ¡± I touched you?I never seem to mention it!¡±


    Lu Xiaotian looked into the distance and sighed, ¡± To be exact, I see you spare no effort to cultivate your own cook. No chef has ever been so selfless as you. Even I have never had such an idea before, when ites to teaching cooking skills and epting students, who is not careful and prudent, hiding anything, teaching little by little, and missing little by little, they will not teach their specialty skills until at the end. After seeing your practice, I realized that our food industry will prosper only if more talents emerge.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blushed: ¡± But I don¡¯t think as ahead as you , nor do I have a broad mind. I have to say that you do a really good job, and I admire you very much.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian looked back at her with a smile: ¡± As for the third thing, it waspletely taught by you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was so embarrassed that she was shy to say so.


    Lu Xiaotianughed: ¡± You said that you will be my master in the future. Anyway, it¡¯s you who force a donkey to dance, so you can¡¯t do nothing.¡±


    The two said goodbye to each other. On their way back, Ye Jiayao asked Zhong Xiang, ¡± Did you say that til you saw I agreed?¡±


    Zhong Xiang solemnly said, ¡± No, because I have experienced it before, I thought I would be a first-ss chef forever in my life and never get promoted. At that time, I dreamed of having a chef who could teach me some skills, who could pull me up and give me a chance, and I always thought that such a idea was a dream and even more luxurious than a dream. Fortunately, I met you, but there are still many people like me in this world who have dreams but are always shattered by ruthless reality. Therefore, I hope to be like you to help realize their dreams.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked by too many things today, first by Lu Xiaotian and then by Zhong Xiang. She didn¡¯t expect Zhong Xiang to have such a profound and great feeling for such a reason.


    Think about herself, the past lofty ambition was to promote the food culture and to remain famous in future generations, but now she lived in a corner, often worrying about some trivial things, and the past original intention was almost forgotten.


    No, she had to do something.


    ¡± Zhong Xiang, this is the second time that I have said I admire you today, but I still want to say that I admire you that you can think like this and it is my pleasure to got acquainted with someone like you,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely.


    Zhong Xiang became shy to see her in such a solemn manner, scratched his head and stammered, ¡± The second madam, this ... this is just a little thought of my own.¡±


    ¡± Small ideas and big ambitions are more admirable,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    She felt harvesting a lot. She suddenly felt herself was open and clear.


    Xia Chunyu was off duty and heard Yaoyao humming there as soon as he came home: ¡± It¡¯s all foam and gorgeous like fireworks. Even if it burst in an instant, I will let the fireworks bloom the most beautiful flowers ...¡±


    Well, this tune sounded familiar. It seemed that she often hummed when she was in Hei Fenggang, but it seemed that every word was different. Anyway, she hummed, indicating that she was in a good mood. And she was in a good mood and Xia Chunyu¡¯s mood also brightened.


    These days, she was always weak and anorexia, which made him quite worried.


    ¡± What¡¯s the matter? You are happy today, what¡¯s the good news?¡± Xia Chunyu sat down in front of her and saw her lying on the couch, wondering what she was writing.


    Ye Jiayao looked up and smiled brightly: ¡± Your wife¨CI identally became the vice president today.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was amused by her: ¡± I don¡¯t know you still have an interest to be officials ...¡±


    ¡± Vice President, not much of an officer, is even not much of a little officer, however, today¡¯s chamber ofmerce argued fiercely, which made me really enjoyable!¡± Ye Jiayao felt very brightened when she thought of the despondent appearance of the Zheng¡¯ father and the son.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her with a smile: ¡± Did you only listen to it?No join in it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao curled her pie mouth and filled her big eyes with a naughty: ¡± Do you think I am the kind of person who can hold back getting involved when there is an excitement?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her bright smile and beautiful eyes. He really wanted to embrace her and kiss her severely. How long had he not seen her smile so happily?


    ¡± If you can stand it, you¡¯re not Yaoyao,¡± Xia Chunyu sneered.


    ¡± Yes, we won the election of president today. Lu Xiaotian defeated Zheng Sanduo. Ha ha, Zheng Fugui also wanted his son to be the president. As a result, he turned himself into a shambles.¡± Ye Jiayao talked cheerfully about what happened in today¡¯s chamber ofmerce.


    Xia Chunyu met Lu Xiaotian and had a good impression of him. He was also very happy to know that Lu Xiaotian was elected.


    ¡± Are you writing recipes?Have you figured out a new dish again?¡± Xia Chunyu took her little notebook and looked at it.


    Ye Jiayao bit her pen and said, ¡± It¡¯s not a new dish. I¡¯m going to ssify the dishes I can cook and write a course for it.¡±

 Chapter 250 - Show off

    <h4>Chapter 250: Show off</h4>


    ¡°Tutorial?¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t understand.


    Ye Jiayao exined :¡±That is to teach the cooks cook. Lu Xiaotian said he wanted to run a specialized training course for cooking. And I promised to teach, so I have topile a teaching material. Practice is important, but so is the theory. The two have to bebined.¡±


    ¡°Ah, in fact, running a course is also a way to make money¡­¡± Ye Jiayao sighed in the end. If asking whose cooking skill is the best, it must be Lanxiang in Shandong. She waspletely able to run a famous chef training course. However, the idea hade up with Lu Xiaotian before her.


    Xia Chunyu knocked on her head funny :¡± Haven¡¯t you been busy enough?¡±


    Ye Jiayao refused to suffer a loss, knocking back hard, said bitterly:¡± Can¡¯t I just think about it?¡±


    She didn¡¯t have the time for it indeed.


    Xia Chunyu made an exaggerated face of pain:¡± You¡¯ve hit too hard, I¡¯ve always been gentle.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes:¡± My hand has also get hurt. Your head is hard enough like a stone.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was speechless, hitting him while saying his head too hard, what kind of person she is!


    ¡°Well, have a look at this¡­¡± Xia showed a stack of drawings to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao opened and said happily :¡± the blueprints of the yard? What makes it so fast?¡±


    ¡°It had been finished for a few days. I went to Puji temple to take it back while I was not on duty this noon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked them one by one. It was so detailed and professional with a general n, elevations, construction drawings and so on that made her wonder if the Master Jiren was master in architecture.


    ¡°Take a look. Is there anything needed to modify?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s great, what about you?¡± Ye Jiayao could hardly pick any holes. Master Jiren was considerate than her.


    Xia Chunyu smiled :¡±If you like it.¡±


    ¡°Have you payed the fees?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessary. It would be fine to add some saisen by the time.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t care.


    There was also a certain amount even it was for saisen. Anyway, Master Jiren had designed such a great drawing for her while he had also gave her a divination to help her avoid a disaster, which made the addition a reward.


    ¡°Well, does it mean that it is possible to start work?¡± after reading the blueprints, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t wait to see the new yard.


    Xia Chunyu said:¡± If you are impatient, ask steward Bai to buy the materials, and it could start when the materials are prepared.¡±


    ¡°How much would it take?¡± Ye Jiayao had just thought about the key problem.


    Xia Chunyu thought and said :¡±I have asked the Master Jiren, it has to take about two hundred thousand taels of silver. However, you don¡¯t have to worry about the money, I will figure out if it is not enough.¡±


    Ye Jiayao jumped off the bed to open the safe, and took out a ten thousand silver ticket and said:¡± You take these at first, and I will go to the bank tomorrow. At the worst, we pay the debt of Zhao Qixuan¡¯ster. It would be good enough that they coulde back after two years, by which time, we should have been rich. Aunt said we will have some dividends at the end of the year, and it won¡¯t less than a few hundred thousand taels.¡±


    ¡°Lord, Second Mistress, it¡¯s gettingte.¡± Qiao Xi came in to urge.


    Ye jiayao turned to look at the clock. It was actually gettingte. They packed their things and hurried to the upper room.


    After passing the hallway, they saw Liuli and Chunfeng walking from the other side. They were chatting in a loud voice. Liuli had recovered well recently, and smiled at whoever she met as usual, without putting on airs.


    ¡°Brother, sister.¡± Chunfeng saw his second brother firstly and hurried greet them politely.


    Liuli smiled at them as well, greeting affectedly sweet.


    Such a defenseless appearance made Ye Jiayao ufortable. She hadn¡¯t forgotten how hatred the eyesight of Liuli¡¯s was after her miscarriage that day.


    Qiao¡¯s hadn¡¯te for meal here for a long time. In fact, the big sister-inw¡¯s pregnancy reaction had justst for about ten days, she was quiet energetic. However, You¡¯s was afraid of the undelightful memories by seeing Qiao Mingxiu, so she left Qiao having meals at her own room, withouting to make Liuli ufortable.


    Qiao¡¯s wasn¡¯t angry at this also. She was happy to be free.


    After dinner, Ye Jiayao sat with You¡¯s for a while. Zhou¡¯s came when she was about to leave.


    Zhou¡¯s came with a bright face, saying as long as she had taken her sit:¡± I aming for asking big sister-inw to make up an idea. You two help to give some advice as well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered and thought:¡± Shee obviously to show off, while sighing deliberately.¡±


    Liuli asked:¡± Is it the yulian you have asked for?¡±


    Zhou¡¯s answered:¡± yes, it was all for yulian. I was supposed to n for jinlian, but, she didn¡¯t have a proper object by now. so I have to make a decision for yulian at first.¡±


    Well, Zhou¡¯s took yulian out everyday, jinlian was not her own child so that she didn¡¯t have a chance to show up. Who woulde to ask marriage for her?¡±


    You¡¯s said softly,¡± What kind of young men hade to propose rtives?¡±


    Zhou¡¯s sighed again:¡± I don¡¯t think much of anyone else, except two men under consideration. One is the second son of Deng¡¯s, who is 22 this year, smart and handsome. He was ranted seventh in the first groupst autumn, and was at the hanlinyuan now. He has a bright future while he is said topany the lord before. The other is the big son of lord Cui. He was the champion ofst year¡¯s fight. He is twenty this year. Both of them are trueborn. What do you think, sister-inw?¡±


    You¡¯s smiled:¡± Both of Deng¡¯s and Cui¡¯s have a rtionship with me, and both of the two young men are great, whoever you choose would be good.¡±


    Nowthat Zhou¡¯s found it great, she would not say anything. What¡¯s more, Zhou¡¯s wasing to show off rather than asking for some suggestions today.


    Zhou¡¯s said:¡± How could both be ok? One of them must be greater. I supposed big sister would know more so that I came for your help.¡±


    ¡°Both civil and military are pir of the country, you wouldn¡¯t be wrong whoever you choose. It will all depend on your favour.¡± You¡¯s said with a smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s too hard. What should I choose? We had discussed for a few days without a result, while both of them are waiting for an answer.¡±


    ¡°That is because yulian is great enough. Don¡¯t bother.¡± You¡¯s followed her words to make her leave as soon as possible.


    Liuli sneered suddenly,¡± Who told you that the second son of Deng¡¯s was handsome? Haven¡¯t you been told that he had six toes on each foot?¡±


    ¡°really?¡± Zhou¡¯s asked surprisingly.


    You¡¯s quickly winked to Liuli. Why did she say so much? When it came to the six toes of the second son of Deng¡¯s, Liuli had to be imed hard. Deng¡¯s had always kept that secret with no one knowing this outside. However, when hepanied the lord, Liuli made a trick on him by throwing his shoes into the river while he was sleeping. The man cut his foot by the stone when picking up his shoes in the water. By this chance, he was known to have six toes, and was known to everyone by Liuli¡¯s tumult, which resulted in his unmarried by now.


    Liuli hadn¡¯t realized You¡¯s ze at all, she continued:¡± If you don¡¯t believe that, just go and inquire about it. You thought you have chosen a great marriage while beingughed at by others secretly.¡±


    You¡¯s was upset. It was unkind to expose other¡¯s shortage. What¡¯s more, she had already said good of the second son while Liuli came to demolish her. Why would Zhou¡¯s not think that she was deliberately concealing and doing harm to her?


    ¡°The Deng¡¯s was so terrible. It¡¯s like cheating on marriage.¡± Zhou¡¯s was angry. She had thought to show off while being ashamed in the end.


    Ye Jiayao was really speechless at Liuli. Wasn¡¯t her beating You¡¯s on the face as saying that?


    ¡°Actually, it doesn¡¯t matter. The sixth toe is much better than the sixth finger, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ye Jiayao tried to round up,¡± Deng¡¯s is a well-educated and innocent family, the second son has good characters, what¡¯s the most important.¡±


    Liuli said with a smile,¡± It¡¯s easy to say for second sister. But will you agree to marry if ite to you?¡±


    Ye scolded in heart: tter bitch!


    Ye said gently:¡± Can¡¯t say that, I have already got married.¡±


    ¡°Jinxuan is right. As it is said that there is no perfect person. The small ws can be ignored.¡± Said You¡¯s.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible, I cannot make yulianughed at that she has married a husband with six toes.¡± Zhou¡¯s had obviously tired of the second son of Deng¡¯s.


    ¡°As well as the son of Cui¡¯s. Although he was good at fight, he didn¡¯t look well. There is a big mole on his face, like a fly sticking there, which is disgusting enough.¡± Liuli scoffed again.


    Zhou¡¯s didn¡¯t look well on her face. She was really angry and wondered whether all the mening to marry yulian was unable to find a wife?


    ¡°Well, in that way, I could hardly believe the matchmakers. It¡¯s better toe here today, or I would harm yulian.¡± Zhou¡¯s said with great anger.


    ¡°I would return to tell the master to refuse both of them, yulian would certainly find a good marriage.¡± Zhou¡¯s stand to leave angrily.


    Ye sent her out, and heard You¡¯sining:¡± Why bother you to reveal others¡¯ shortages?¡±


    Liuli didn¡¯t care and said reasonably:¡± how can it be a revtion of others¡¯ shortages? I was telling the truth. If the third married yulian in a fog, she would finallyin you in the future. I was thinking for you and yulian as well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed, if Liuli really think yulian was so good? Jinling was so big that gossip had already been spread to her ears that many people didn¡¯t like the behavior of Zhou¡¯s and third uncle¡¯s for being too high-profile and boastful. Those true lord with real status wouldn¡¯t seek yulian for marriage with such a family if it wasn¡¯t for these reasons.


    You¡¯s was not going to argue with Liuli, who was too na?ve. Whether characters or judgments about person, the wife of second son was more better than her.

 Chapter 251 - The queen’s summons

    <h4>Chapter 251: The queen¡¯s summons</h4>


    Ye Jiayao left before Liuli came out. If Liuli knew that she had heard You¡¯s lecture, she would certainly not be happy.


    The next day, Chunyu took a half-day off, and took uncle Jiang and mudborers to the farm, while Ye Jiayao was invited to the chamber ofmerce. Now she was the point figure of the chamber ofmerce. She had the right to participate in any affairs in the chamber ofmerce.


    The three presidents, together with several senior members of the chamber ofmerce,?confirmed the three matters formally raised by Lu Xiaotian yesterday.


    The food festival was scheduled on October, but the training of chefs should begin as soon as possible.


    The first batch of trainees were mainly cooks from various restaurants. As the key trainees of various restaurants, they were already equipped with certain cooking skills, who learned quickly. After three months, they had achieved remarkable results, which was equivalent to a promotion ss.


    The courses were arranged by Ye Jiayao, whose temporary students were?Lu Xiaotian , Duan Qilin, Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang.


    The field was provided by Duan Qilin. His family still had an old residence, which had been empty all the time. Since it was an ancestral residence which cannot be sold and he was not in a hurry to use money, it was better to do a good deed with it than to make it idle. A group of people went to Duan¡¯family¡¯ old residence , which was located in the west of the city. The environment was good, quite clean, and the courtyard has two ways. Although it was an old residence, the Duan¡¯family had always sent people to maintain it, to keep it clean and tidy, and now they only need to repair a few cooking stoves and add a board to make it a school.


    Everyone was very satisfied with this ce. Lu Xiaotian decided to rent this ce at the market price and could not let Duan Qilin suffer a loss.


    As for the repair of cooking stoves and the purchase of things, Duan Kirin also took the charge of it, and the Chamber of Commerce was responsible for the costs. After half a month, the school would start.


    Everyone had no objection. After finishing all these, it was almost dusk. Lu Xiaotian suggested that everyone go to the vegetarian restaurant and it¡¯s his treat today.


    Ye Jiayao said sheepishly: ¡± There is some affairs to handle in my family, so I shall not attend it.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian did not force her either. After all, she was a woman and a wife. How could she be asfortable as them men? He said: ¡± Another day, he would specially invited Shopkeeper Ye and Heir-son Lord.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± That¡¯s a deal!¡±


    After saying goodbye to all the people, Ye Jiayao hurried back to the house, cause she did not dare to dy the meal at home and let everyone wait for her.


    As soon as she got back to the house, had the housekeeper greeted her: ¡± Second mistress, thank god youe back. I have been looking for you all the time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised: ¡± Why?¡±


    The housekeeper said, ¡± The queen summoned you, so I went Tian Shangju to look for you, the people there said that you went to the chamber ofmerce and I went to the chamber ofmerce, but you were not there either. I didn¡¯t know where to find you, so I just had toe back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heart thumped: ¡± When was the queen¡¯s summon?¡±


    The housekeeper said with a sad face, ¡± It¡¯s about an hour ago.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was a little worried that the queen must get unhappy when the response was dyed for so long time.


    Ye Jiayao was in a hurry to order the driver to wait at the door and go?back to get dressed. Since she could not dress so casually when she was going to visit queen, which could also be a sin to be disheveled!


    She hurried back to get dressed and asked Qiao Xi to tidy her hair style again. She asked Xiangtao to told to her mother-inw that she would not have dinner at home and would go to the pce first to visit the queen.


    Xiangtao said, ¡± Second mistress, you just don¡¯t worry. Madam has already been afraid you will bete and has sent people to ask about it for many times. Later, I will go and give her the message.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rushed to the pce and entered Chaohua pce of the queen


    Concubine Shu should be there too. It was the time for dinner. The two most exalted women in Huaisong dynasty were still waiting for her, which made Ye Jiayao uneasy. So she plead guilty once met them.


    ¡± I didn¡¯t know that you had summoned me and couldn¡¯t arrive here in time. I ask empress and noble consort for forgiveness.¡±


    Concubine Shu smiled: ¡± You are really a busy woman ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao panicked: ¡± I¡¯m just messing around.¡±


    The queen¡¯s tone was gentle: ¡± Today was also a temporary asion to announce your entrance to the pce. Those who don¡¯t know are not to me. Stand up and have your seat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said nervously, ¡± I am uneasy that I has kept you waiting for so long time. Empress would better let me stand and listen to your teachings.¡±


    Concubine Shu covered her mouth for her smile and said to the queen, ¡°Elder sister, everyone said that Ye Jinxuan was a wonderful person. She was really interesting as expected.¡±


    The queen looked at Ye Jiayao with a gentle smile and said, ¡°I said I won¡¯t me you. Sit down!¡±


    So Ye Jiayao sat down.


    ¡± Today you are summoned here is for the wedding banquet of King Yu and princess Ruan. The imperial kitchen has drafted a menu.?We both are not satisfied with it. I heard that you are adept at organizing the banquet. Formerly, the old princess of Helian Mansion¡¯s birthday party and the wedding banquet of Liuli were both well done by you, so we asked you here to discuss about it.¡± The queen said slowly.


    When Ye Jiayao heard about this, her suspending heart was relieved. She could not do anything else well, but it was not a piece of cake to arrange the wedding banquet, after all it was a royal banquet, and she did not dare to guarantee.


    ¡± Empress, can you let me have a look at the menu proposed by the imperial kitchen?¡±


    The queen gave a wink and the servant girl nearby presented the menu.


    Ye Jiayao carefully read it. The menu was a standard royal banquet. There was nothing wrong to pick, she didn¡¯t know what aspect the two empresses were not satisfied with, and said: ¡± Let me ask the two noble empresses, do you have some specific requirements?¡±


    The queen looked at concubine Shu with a gentle smile: ¡± Let sister raise some requirement!¡±


    Concubine Shu also did not refuse it, and mused, ¡± These dishes are too old ¨C fashioned. Can you make something new?Moreover, the emperor meant to be decent but not too extravagant. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought for a moment and said, ¡± Princess Ruan is from south Vietnam. What if add a few vors of south Vietnam to the menu, which is novel and unique.¡±


    ¡± good idea, what does sister Shu think?¡± Queen said.


    Concubine Shu said, ¡± That¡¯s a good idea. Is there any else idea?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± Since it¡¯s the wedding banquet of King Yu and princess Ruan, I dare not be careless. Can you allow me to go back and ponder over it and give you reply tomorrow?¡±


    The two empresses looked at each other and agreed. The queen said slightly, ¡± That¡¯s very good. The emperor attaches great importance to this wedding banquet and you must be careful.¡±


    Ye Jiayao received the order with courtesy.


    When getting out of the pce gate, she suddenly saw Xia Chunyu waiting for her outside the pce gate.


    ¡± Chunyu, why are you here?¡± Ye Jiayao quickly came up to meet him.


    After seeing that she was safe and sound, his heart was relieved. Perhaps it was because?that concubine Mei summoning herst time left?him a dark memory. As soon as Yaoyao entered the pce, he was worried. Therefore, when he came back from the vi, no sooner had he heard that Yaoyao had been summoned to the pce by the queen than he immediately rushed to here. Knowing that nothing would happen, he still had toe here to assure it.


    ¡± The queen summoned you, what was that?¡± Asked Xia Chunyu as he helped her to get into the carriage.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± To be exact, it is the empress and concubine Shu who summoned me.¡±


    A little smile twitched his lips: ¡± So, is it for King Yu¡¯s wedding banquet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± You got it.¡±


    Sitting in the carriage, Ye Jiayao exined concubine Shu¡¯s request, especially the emperor¡¯s proposal that it should be dignified but not too extravagant, and Huaisong is rich in flowing oil, and King Yu married the princess of south Vietnam, which was rted to the diplomatic rtions between the two countries. Was it not willing to pay for the money?


    Xia Chunyu shook his head and smiled, ¡± You don¡¯t know anything about this. Although the war in Simon has ended, it has cost a lot. Moreover, the drought in the north has affected arge area of the country. Even if the reduction in grain output can be disastrous, say nothing of?the huge sum of money on disaster relief ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao startled, the northern drought?She hadn¡¯t heard any news at all, but after an afterthought, she was in ancient era, traffic andmunication were not that developed, even the imperial court could not have known the news at the first time, let alone othermon people.


    ¡± Also, Huaisong looks rich, but in fact its foundation is very weak. It swelled in corruption. Therefore, this year the emperor will make up his mind to vigorously purge the official discipline and reform the salt tax ...¡± Xia Chunyu added.


    Ye Jiayao sighed: ¡± It seems that it¡¯s not easy to be an emperor!¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡± Do you think being an emperor is just that carefree?I am by the emperor day by day. I can tell clearly that the emperor is diligent and loving. ¡±


    Returning to marquis house, Xia Chunyu said, ¡± You go to see your mother first. She knew that you went into the pce, and she was a little worried. I was going to make some dishes in the kitchen.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Just let the cook make some noodles. I¡¯ll just have some.¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt his stomach with a bitter face: ¡± I¡¯m getting hungry. Just some noodles is not enough for me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised: ¡± Didn¡¯t you eat?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her and arched an eyebrow: ¡± What do you think?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart warmed up, he must have known that she had entered the pce, and been a little worried so that he came here before eating anything.


    ¡± Okay, then let the kitchen cook a few more dishes and I¡¯ll apany you to drink two cups.¡± Ye Jiayao chuckled.


    You was d to hear that the queen had handed over the matter of King Yu¡¯s wedding banquet to Ye Jiayao. At the beginning, she still hated that this daughter-inw was a cook, but didn¡¯t expect that the cook could do much more, even being summoned for royal wedding banquet.


    ¡± Then you have to do it well,¡±You said .


    ¡± Well, I will go back to ponder over the menu in a moment and show it to the empress and the imperial concubine tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao nodded.


    ¡± Then you shall go back early and don¡¯t have toe here for greetings. Oh, by the way, you haven¡¯t had dinner yet. I asked Zhou Xing¡¯s family to keep the food for you. Mother Sun, you go and give your orders.¡± You said.


    While Mother Sun was going to give the order,Ye Jiayao said. ¡± Mother Sun, you don¡¯t have to do it. Lord prince didn¡¯t eat either, so he has already sent people to the kitchen to arrange it.¡±


    You said:¡± Has Chunyu returned?¡±


    Eh, didn¡¯t she know Chunyu had already returned?Ye Jiayao had to said perfunctorily, ¡± Well, he hase back. He went to the farm today and just came back.¡±


    Fearing that her son might be hungry, You hurriedly drove Ye Jiayao away.


    Liuli knew that the wedding banquet of King Yu was handed over to Ye Jiayao on the third day. She heard that originally the queen and concubine Shu just wanted Ye Jiayao to draw up a menu. Who knew that after seeing Ye Jiayao¡¯s menu, they handed over the entire wedding banquet to Ye Jiayao, saying that many dishes on it were not even avable to the imperial chef but only to Ye Jiayao.


    After learning of it, Liuli was very angry. The Ye¡¯s was so tricky that she deliberately made some dishes that the royal chef could not make, so as to show how powerful and capable she was. Moreover, was?she so interested in King Yu¡¯s wedding banquet just in order to please King Yu?

 Chapter 252 - Malicious Slander

    <h4>Chapter 252: Malicious nder</h4>


    Ye Jiayao has the wedding feast and training ss to busy herself with. On top of that, she has to manage Heavenly Residence and is busy tillte at night. However, the busier she gets, the more enthusiastic she is. This is weird. She was never so hardworking in her previous life and would hope to ck a little. Aftering to the ancient times, she became a workaholic.


    Ye Jiayao started staying in the pce with Ah Ruan two days before the wedding feast.


    Meanwhile, Xia Chunyu also requested to stay on duty and stay in the pce so that he can take care of them.


    As the wedding approaches, Ah Ruan¡¯s emotions took a deep. Ever since His Majesty bestowed the marriage, she has always been carrying the attitude of resignation to fate. However, when the day is about to arrive, the negative feelings of indignance, uneasiness, and fear for the future that were suppressed erupted like a volcano and could not be controlled, bing irritable. Luckily, she has a friend by her side who can listen to her and console her. Otherwise, she would have gone mad.


    Seeing her like this, Ye Jiayao really pities her and can really understand her feelings. Before Chunfeng got married, he was like this too. It took Chunyu a lot of time to pacify him. And right now, the only thing she can do is to console her, putting all hopes on Yu Wang to treat Ah Ruan well.


    This night, Ye Jiayao and Ah Ruan are about to sleep when Consort Shu suddenly sent someone to summon them over.


    Ye Jiayao thought that there was something about the wedding feast that Consort Shu is still worried about and wanted to remind her. Hence, she rushed to Rong Hua pce.


    Upon entering Rong Hua pce, Ye Jiayao is astonished.


    In the middle of the courtyard, a pce servant got pressed to kneel down and a eunuch with a bamboo ruler in his hand is pping her with it. The pce servant got beaten so badly her face is as swollen as a pig head, with blood flowing out from the corner of her mouth constantly. She is in a very bad state.


    She has no idea if this scene has anything to do with Consort Shu calling her over. Ye Jiayao feels a little distressed and followed the person into the main hall.


    Consort Shu is sitting upright, her expression is grave and serious. With an observant eye, one would notice that her bright eyes are fuming with anger.


    Ye Jiayao goes up to greet her cautiously.


    Consort Shu motions for a pce maid to give Ye Jiayao a seat and dismisses everyone else before starting ¡°Do you know why that slut outside is punished?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thinks inside: I have been in the imperial kitchen the whole day, so busy I could hardly take a seat, how would I know?


    Consort Shuughs coldly ¡°I guess you would be in the dark as well but this matter is rted to you and therefore I thought that it would be best to let you know.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is perturbed, trying very hard to recall if she did anything wrong and offended Consort Shu. The pce is different from outside. Over here, you cannot afford to offend any single master.


    Consort Shu snorts ¡°That sinister viin is only afraid that there would be no chaos. I have always been kind to others but today, I cannot endure it anymore.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is on tenterhooks and dare not ask, only listening silently. She has reflected over all her actions for the past two days and cannot think of anything that she has done wrong.


    Consort Shu says angrily ¡°They think that they can curse Yu Wang with a few evil words and even cursed Princess Ah Ruan? The most hateful part is they maligned you for that. You are personally chosen by the Empress and me, I would never allow these people to nder you deliberately.¡±


    Ugh¡­ What on earth is going on? Consort Shu, Lady Shu, can you make yourself clear and not let me guess blindly, this will scare me to death.


    Consort Shu continues ¡°I am actually quite impressed by them to actually think of something like this. You need not be petrified, I will never believe that nonsense. That slut outside would have been ordered to be beaten to death if not for the impending wedding.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is speechless, f*ck, what nonsense made Consort Shu so furious?


    ¡°In any case, just pretend you heard nothing no matter what you heard these few days and manage the wedding feast with a peace of mind. I will handle it for you.¡± Consort Shu says.


    Ye Jiayaoughs dryly, this is too ridiculous.


    And the most ridiculous part is, Consort Shu let her go just like that.


    However, she sent the granny by her side to escort Ye Jiayao back. Ye Jiayao ponders, Consort Shu must have a message that she wants this confidante to pass to her by getting her to escort her back. However, she really doesn¡¯t want to be involved in the pce disputes. She is here to work and will leave after finishing her task. She doesn¡¯t care what all of you say, she¡¯ll just take it that she doesn¡¯t know anything¡­


    Therefore, Ye Jiayao did not say anything for the entire journey but that granny seems to be hesitant in speaking and finally, she cannot endure it anymore ¡°Madam, although the Consort tasked me to mind my words, I feel that there are some things that I should tell you. Although the final purpose of this incident is targeted at the Consort, you are attacked in the process and it is difficult to guarantee that these people do not harbour ill intentions towards you, Madam Xia.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listens on silently.


    ¡°This was what happened. That pce maid that shot her mouth off is from Consort Mei¡¯s pce. Someone heard her criticizing Madam today, saying that you are an inauspicious person. At the start of the year, someone suggested to let you manage the Empress Dowager¡¯s birthday feast but someone said that you do not have a good life and do not have the good fortune of having descendants. Therefore, you are not even allowed into the pce during the Empress Dowager¡¯s birthday feast. She even said that princess Liu Li suffered from a miscarriage soon after you did her wedding feast. Now that you are tasked with Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s wedding feast, Princess Ah RUan might not be able to bear a son¡­¡±


    That granny whispered.


    Ye Jiayao really wants tough out loud three times. What logic is this? She has run so many wedding feasts. Liu Li¡¯s miscarriage is her own business and now she gt the me, these people are so good at linking things up that she is speechless.


    That granny observed Ye Jiayao¡¯s expression for a while before continuing ¡°After finding out about this matter, the Consort is extremely furious and summoned this pce maid over to interrogate her and she got to the source of the rumours¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowns, she is curious, who on earth started this rumour.


    However, the granny starts to beat about the bush ¡°These pce maids would never have the gall to spread rumours like these unless they were tasked to and the Consort is furious because of that. some people are jealous that Yu Wang has received His Majesty¡¯s favour and is marrying Princess Ah Ruan, therefore, purposely ndering you. However, with the big picture in mind, the Consort is unable to investigate thoroughly and can only use the pce maid as a warning to the rest.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is also someone who is well thought and can tell from the hints within the granny¡¯s words. In this pce, who else other than the people on the crown prince¡¯s side would bear grudges against Yu Wang? Is Consort Shu hinting to her that there are people from the crown prince¡¯s side that are dissatisfied with her?


    However, so what if they are dissatisfied? Even if the rumours dide from the people on the crown prince¡¯s side, it would never be the intention of the crown prince, neither would it be that of the Empress. One has to know that the most possible person on this earth that would spread rumours about her is only Liu Li and no one else.


    No matter what the truth is, she doesn¡¯t wish to pursue the matter further because it is meaningless. If she takes it seriously, she would have fallen into the trap of others. Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°Thank you, granny, for telling me all these. Please help me pass the message to Her Lady that I am grateful to her for defending me.¡±


    The granny seems satisfied with her reaction ¡°I will convey your words to the Consort.¡±


    Back at the residence, Ah Ruan has yet to sleep, waiting for her.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, what is the matter?¡± Ah Ruan asks with concern. After all, she sent someone over to summon her sote at night.


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°It is nothing, Consort Shu just has some things she is worried about for tomorrow¡¯s feast and summoned me over to ask about them.¡±


    Ah Ruan is skeptical ¡°Is it really like this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°What else can there be? She couldn¡¯t possibly want to chat with me sote at night!¡±


    The next day, early in the morning, Chunyu sent someone to call Ye Jiayao.


    He asked anxiously upon meeting her ¡°Consort Shu summoned youst night?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles helplessly ¡°You are well-informed!¡±


    He knows more than just that. He heard that Consort Shu was furiousst night and evenined to His Majesty, making His Majesty be in a bad mood as well. However, he has no idea what is the matter specifically.


    Ye Jiayao pouts, saying nonchntly ¡°It is nothing big, someone used me to curse Ah Ruan.¡±


    Xia Chunyu is astonished ¡°Use your name to curse Ah Ruan? That is too amusing.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughs coldly ¡°They made it very convincing, saying that I am inauspicious and is doomed to be without descendants. I managed Liu Li¡¯s wedding feast and in the end, Liu Li suffered a miscarriage. Now that I am going to manage Ah Ruan¡¯s wedding feast, you can think about whates next¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart feels like it got pricked by something. The fact that it is difficult for?Yaoyao to get pregnant is only known by him, his mother and Imperial Physician Li. Of course, Liu Li would know about it too. If someone used this as an excuse to nder Yaoyao, could it be that someone has spread this news? Is it Imperial Physician Li or Liu Li?


    ¡°What nonsense, Yaoyao, don¡¯t mind all these nonsense.¡± Xia Chunyu consoles.


    Ye Jiayao snorts ¡°Of course I would not take it to heart, however, it is a little upsetting. The person who said this is indeed malicious, if Ah Ruan really doesn¡¯t bear a little prince, it would be all my fault.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother about them, if this is not the pce, I would definitely find out who that person is and give him a few ps.¡± Xia Chunyu says angrily.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that,st night, the pce maid that spread the rumours got pped into a pig head by Consort Shu. After the wedding feast, I would have no idea how Consort Shu would punish her.¡± Ye Jiayao mocks.


    Xia Chunyu knows very well that the pce maid is just a scapegoat. In the pce where the rules are strict, spreading rumours about masters is a crime punishable by death. Unless someone was incited, who would dare to say something like that? It is a pity that he cannot investigate the matter.


    ¡°Alright, there is nothing more, go back quickly, you are His Majesty¡¯s personal bodyguard and cannot leave your post. I have to go to the imperial kitchen as well. There is a war to fight today!¡± Ye Jiayaoughs, urging him to leave.


    Xia Chunyu really feels like giving her a hug,forting and encouraging her but he dare not act impudently and can only say with a smile ¡°After today, we can go home. I willfort you well when we go back home.¡±


    All those punishments,forts, they all mean the same thing to him. She has already experienced it multiple times and cannot help but blush, mumbling ¡°Who needs you tofort, hurry back.¡±


    Seeing her blush and feign anger coquettishly, Xia Chunyu cannot help butugh at her charm ¡°I have tofort you, you are working so hard. I am going first then¡­¡±


    It is a good thing that he runs quickly, otherwise, Ye Jiayao¡¯s dagger stares would have flown over. That fellow is indeed annoying! Ye Jiayao cannot help but break out into a smile. All the unhappiness fromst night has vanished.

 Chapter 253 - Missing

    <h4>Chapter 253: Missing</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    After watching Xia Chunyu walk far away, Ye Jiayao also turns and walks towards the imperial kitchen. Just as she stepped out of the corner gate, she almost collided with a little eunuch who was rushing frantically. Ye Jiayao immediately gave way. That eunuch kept his head low and grazed past her. Ye Jiayao thought that this was just a very ordinary incident and did not even think much of it until she felt a sudden, sharp pain. The only thing that shed past her mind before she lost consciousness is¡­ oh no.


    Lu Yiming has been waiting impatiently for Ye Jiayao. It has been almost an hour past the agreed meeting time and Lu Yiming dared not to cause any dy, instructing the helpers to make preparations while he informed the managing eunuch of the imperial kitchen.


    The managing eunuch quickly sent someone to Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s ce to look for Ye Jiayao but Princess Ah Ruan said that Ye Jiayao has long set off for the imperial kitchen. The managing eunuch realised that something is not right and quickly reported the incident to the Empress.


    The Empress was shocked. How could a living person disappear just like that? Today is the day of the wedding feast. Ye Jin Xuan is the main person in charge. If something untoward happened to her, things would be in a mess.


    She orders the managing eunuch to send a search party while she reports the matter personally to the Emperor. This is a serious matter at hand. She cannot stay idle.


    Upon receiving the news, Xia Chunyu is in disbelief. Yaoyao was still fine when they parted.


    Consort Shu also rushed over upon hearing the news. Everyone was extremely anxious.


    ¡°Your Majesty, could Ye Jinxuan¡¯s sudden disappearance have something to do with what happened yesterday? I have already warned her to be more cautious.¡± Consort Shu guesses.


    Her Majesty says ¡°That was just someone who doesn¡¯t know the rules spouting nonsense. Who dares to ruin things at this moment when it is Yu Wang¡¯s wedding day.


    Last night, Consort Shu created a hugemotion and the Empress is well aware of who the spearhead is pointing towards. Now that Consort Shu has brought up the topic once again, it is apparent that she wants to guide His Majesty into thinking a certain way.


    ¡°But she is indeed missing, how do you exin this? Ye Jinxuan rarely enters the pce and had never made enemies with anyone. Who would want to target her? On top of that, it is directed towards Yu Wang¡¯s wedding¡­¡± Consort Shu says, her heart aching.


    Eunuch Wei suggests cautiously ¡°Could she be lost?¡±


    Xia Chunyu speaks up powerfully ¡°That would be impossible, my wife has made several trips down the route from Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s ce to the imperial kitchen. Besides, my wife has a good memory, the probability of her getting lost is zero.¡±


    His Majesty mutters under his breath for a while before ordering ¡°Xia Chunyu, I order you to put in your full effort to search for Ye Jinxuan. You must find her before the start of the wedding feast.¡±


    Xia Chunyu receives his order solemnly. He is more anxious than anyone else. The rest are afraid that this incident would dy the wedding feast but he is worried about Yaoyao¡¯s safety. Yaoyao must havended in the hands of somebody and the longer the dy, the more danger she will be in.


    ording to Xia Chunyu¡¯s analysis, the pce guards all around have not seen Yaoyao exit the pce so, at the very least, she did not leave the pce by herself. Therefore, there is a huge possibility that Yaoyao is being abducted.


    Xia Chunyu orders for all people and horse carriages leaving the pce to be searched carefully. He has asked clearly and found out that there were no horse carriages leaving the pce, only entering. Therefore, he can confirm that she is still in the pce. While he orders his men to do a careful search along the route from Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s room to the imperial kitchen, checking if anyone has seen Yaoyao on the way or any suspicious persons. At the same time, he expanded the circle of search, especially remote and quiet ces that people do not pay attention to.


    It has already been almost two hours since the incident. Xia Chunyu is so anxious he feels like his heart is on fire.


    Helian Jing enters the pce slightlyte today and upon receiving the news, he rushed over to find Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, is there any news of Yaoyao yet?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shakes his head with a grave expression. His men have almost flipped the whole pce upside down but they are still unable to find Yaoyao. It feels as though he has lost her forever. However, he cannot go mad, he cannot lose his cool. He has to maintain a level-headed. Yaoyao is still waiting for him to save her.


    Helian Jing consoles ¡°Brother Chunyu, Yaoyao will be alright, we would never let anything happen to her. Even if we have to dig a metre underground, we will find her.¡±


    Back in the Empress Dowager¡¯s pce, Yu De and You are both on tenterhooks. On such a happy asion, no one would have expected something like this to happen.


    The Empress Dowager says in a weird tone ¡°I never supported the idea of having Ye Jinxuan to manage the wedding feast in the first ce, look now, something has happened.¡±


    You feels ufortable hearing that but she dare not rebut the Empress Dowager.


    Yu De smells something fishy ¡°Where on earth did Ye Jinxuan go? Who has the gall to n to ruin Yu Wang¡¯s wedding feast?¡±


    Liu Li says nonchntly ¡°Perhaps after hearing the rumours, Second sister-inw is afraid and is hiding on purpose.¡±


    You shoots Liu Li an unhappy nce. Everyone is feeling uptight now that something has happened to Jinxuan yet Liu Li is making cynical remarks here. This is too uneptable. She says coldly ¡°Your Second sister-inw is not a person who doesn¡¯t know her limits and responsibilities.¡±


    The Empress Dowager agrees indifferently ¡°Liu Li has a point there, there is no knowing what is in a man¡¯s heart. Who knows what she is thinking.¡±


    Yu De says ¡°I believe Jinxuan is not such a person. However, whatever we say now are all wild guesses. If we do not find her in time and causes a dy in Yu Wang¡¯s wedding feast, the person who would be affected the most is Yu Wang!¡±


    The Empress dowager¡¯s facial expression freezes and couldn¡¯t help but feel stifled up. Yu De is right, after what happenedst night, His Majesty is already very unhappy. Although the Emperor does not say it, no one is certain of what His Majesty is thinking of. The one who would be the most disadvantaged would definitely be the ones suspected and they would be none other than the Empress and herself.


    Liu Li¡¯s gaze shifts but dare not to say anything else.


    Ye Jiayao slowly regains her consciousness. It is pitch ck in front of her and the back of her neck is still pulsing with pain, reminding her of her attack just now. Ye Jiayao shoots up awake, where is she?


    She feels her body, thank goodness she is not tied up. feeling around the ce, she senses a damp, stone wall and she it is wet under her as well. There are also stones and sludge. The space that she is in is very small and can only fit two to three people.


    A bad thought surfaces in her mind, this is a dried well.


    She lifts her head up with a jolt. Indeed, she sees weak rays of light seeping through the cracks of the b overhead.


    F*ck, who is that scoundrel who knocked her unconscious and threw her into this abandoned well? No, she did not suffer from any fractures, neither is she injured, so she is not thrown, otherwise, she would at least have broken a few bones if not die,?falling from such a height.


    She reaches out to feel around her waist. She feels a rope.


    So this is what happened. She was lowered by someone with a rope.


    Ugh¡­ the wedding feast.


    Ye Jiayao is fully awake now. How long has she lost consciousness? What is the time now? The wedding feast is during the night time. There is still light from on top and that is not the moonlight. That means it is still daytime, only¡­ the wedding feast might be dyed!


    Is this the reason why she was abducted?


    Ye Jiayao stands up by supporting herself against the wall of the well. Shouting loudly towards the top ¡°Is there anyone? I am Ye Jinxuan¡­¡±


    And so she screamed and shouted like this for quite a while until her throat starts to hurt but there is no reaction from up there.


    Ye Jiayao is extremely anxious. By right if she is missing, Her Majesty would have sent people to look for her, so would C. They would dig the ground to look for her but who would have thought that she would be abandoned in a well? Since there are no replies after shouting for so long, this must be a very remote ce!


    What to do, what to do?


    Ye Jiayao holds her breath and listens for any movement upstairs. After a while, she starts to shout again. She has to conserve her energy.


    Xia Chunyu and Helian Jing have been conducting the search for the third time. Since she is still in the pce, he doesn¡¯t believe that she cannot be found.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, we have toe up with another n. We must have missed out on something.¡± Helian Jing feels that searching blindly like that is not working.


    Although Xia Chunyu is trying very hard to calm himself down, it is very difficult to do so. He is almost at the point where he cannot think anymore.


    Staring out at the boundless pce roofs, his heart pulses in pain. He is too useless, just when Yaoyao needs him the most, he doesn¡¯t even know where she is.


    Helian Jing can understand Xia Chunyu¡¯s feelings but he believes that Yaoyao is not an ordinary woman. She has been through life and death situations and is extremely intelligent. She will definitely find a way to protect herself and send them a message.


    ¡°Brother Chunyu, I think Yaoyao wouldn¡¯t be hidden in the pces.¡± Helian Jing analyses.


    ¡°Think about it, this person¡¯s main motive in abducting Yaoyao should not be targeting at her bt Yu Wang¡¯s wedding feast. He wants to ruin the wedding feast.¡±


    ¡°If she is hidden within the pces, ording to how we search, we should have already found her. Also, it is easy to give themselves away.¡±


    A sudden idea shes passed Xia Chunyu¡¯s mind but he is unable to capture it.


    ¡°Continue.¡±


    Helian Jing carries on ¡°I think, as long as she is still in the pce, she should be hidden in an extremely remote ce and even if she were found, it would be difficult to pinpoint the perpetrator.¡±


    ¡°You mean it is somewhere where there is no owner.¡± Xia Chunyu mulls over the idea that shes past his mind just now. He wants to hold on to that thought.


    ¡°Mm, it should be like that. In that case, which pce is in a remote and quiet ce which cannot be found easily and even if found, no one can be pinpointed.¡± Helian Jing nods.


    Xia Chunyu keeps repeating Helian Jing¡¯s words in his mind, suddenly, his dark pupils reflect a sudden light as bright as the stars. He pats Helian Jing¡¯s shoulders ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Helian Jing is astonished ¡°You thought of it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu does not reply to him but orders the search party around him loudly.


    ¡°Everyone, listen up, forget about the houses. Start searching the imperial garden, the rockery, and wells near the cold pce¡­¡±


    Helian Jing is right. These ces are the best choices for the perpetrator. Even if Yaoyao were to meet with any mishap, that person wouldn¡¯t allow the corpse to appear so quickly. Therefore, thekes are out of the question. Only wells or those hidden rockery and stone caves.


    Once he thought of that, his heart starts to ache again. Yaoyao, nothing must happen to you, if I lose you, what meaning would there be left in my life?


    Helian Jing grows excited ¡°Brother Chunyu, let¡¯s split up. I will bring people to search the imperial garden, you bring people to search the cold pce.¡±


    Both of them quickly parted ways and start a new round of search.


    Ye Jiayao is about to feel despair. It has been almost two hours ever since she has regained consciousness but she has not heard any movement outside.


    Chunyu, you always said that we have telepathy, in that case, can you hear me calling out for you? Ye Jiayao raises her head and looks at the weak rays prating through the cracks of the stone b, silently screaming out Chunyu¡¯s name.

 Chapter 254 - Escape From Danger

    <h4>Chapter 254: Escape From Danger</h4>


    Xia Chunyu brings a group of people with him to the cold pce.


    ¡°You guys, go over there to search, and don¡¯t even skip the bushes and rockery.¡±


    The guards ept their orders and disperse.


    Xia Chunyu tells the remaining guards ¡°There are three wells in this vicinity. Pry open all the stone bs and search carefully.¡±


    Ye Jiayao who was sitting in despair at the bottom of the well suddenly springs right up. She thought she heard footsteps.


    Someone ising.


    Ye Jiayao starts to shout out loud ¡°Is anyone there? I am at the bottom of the well¡­¡±


    Her voice echoes in the empty well but due to the thick stone b sealing the well. If one does not pay attention, it is impossible to notice.


    However, the person who is squatting by the well, preparing to remove the stone b at this moment jolts up in happiness, shouting out joyfully ¡°Master Xia, there is someone in here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu rushes forward, pushing the man squatting by the well and squats down himself, lifting the stone b with might. Just as he lifts one side of the b up, a clear voice travels from the almost pitch dark well ¡°Is anyone there? I am Ye Jinxuan¡­¡±


    At this moment, it is as though Xia Chunyu heard the most beautiful sound in this world, his heart almost leaping out of his mouth. Suddenly, he seems to have gained immense strength and with a push, the stone b was sent flying out.


    The top suddenly lights up with brightness and the shining rays of the sun sting Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes as she has been staying in the darkness for a while. She quickly covers her eyes, shouting out ¡°I am Ye Jinxuan, the person in charge of Yu Wang¡¯s wedding feast, quick, get me out of here¡­¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡± Xia Chunyu leans at the mouth of the well, almost tearing up from the joy. For six hours, his heart is gripped with anxiousness and he almost broke down several times. Now that he has finally found Yaoyao, the joy of regaining something you lost overwhelms him.


    Ye Jiayao recognises Xia Chunyu¡¯s voice and the strong girl who refuses to cry suddenly broke down in tears. She knew that Chunyu would save her, Chunyu would definitely find her.


    ¡°Chunyu, quick, get me out..¡± Ye Jiayao chokes on her tears while she wipes away the tears that fell against her will.


    ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t be afraid, I aming down to save you now. Wait for a while more.¡± Hearing her cry, Xia Chunyu really wants to just jump down and hug her tight tofort her but his rationality tells him that the well is very deep. If he goes down without any tools he wouldn¡¯t be able to get back up.


    The guards already went to look for a rope without needing him to order.


    ¡°Yaoyao, are you hurt?¡± In order to pacify the emotions of his lover at the bottom of the well, Xia Chunyu just leans at the mouth of the well without a care for his image, sticking his entire head in. The guards are afraid that he would fall in and keep a close eye on him, getting ready to grab onto him at any time.


    ¡°I¡­ I am alright, just that it is very dark here.¡± Ye Jiayao starts to stabilise her emotions. Chunyu¡¯s voice seems to be shaking, he must be so anxious.


    ¡°It is wet down here and there is also mud, I am so dirty now.¡± Ye Jiayao self-mocks.


    ¡°It is okay even if you are a little dirty, as long as you are not hurt.¡± Xia Chunyu is extremely touched, he even wants to thank the abductor for not harming Yaoyao.


    ¡°What is the time now? Is the wedding feast starting soon? Will I make it in time if I rush over now?¡±


    Xia Chunyu starts to feel upset again. She is already in this situation but is still thinking about the wedding feast. Tears start to well up in his eyes uncontrobly and the person at the bottom of the well bes increasingly blurred.


    ¡°It iste afternoon now. If you are quick, you can still make it for the main dish.¡± Xia Chunyu tries to sound as rxed as possible.


    ¡°That¡¯s good¡­¡± Ye Jiayao heaves a sigh of relief. This is Ah Ruan¡¯s wedding feast. She has to help her run the event well, she promised to do so.


    ¡°Master Xia, the rope is here.¡± The guard runs back, huffing and puffing.


    Xia Chunyu ties the rope on his waist without hesitation.


    ¡°Master, let me do it instead!¡± His subordinate says worryingly. How can he let the Master go down the well personally!


    Xia Chunyu turns a deaf ear to his words. The person at the bottom of the well is his wife. Of course he has to go down. He can¡¯t possibly allow someone else to carry Yaoyao up.


    ¡°Enough of the nonsense, hold the rope well, just listen to my cueter.¡± Xia Chunyu tightens the rope and jumps right into the well. He supports himself with his arms and legs against the wall of the well, resisting his fall as he slides down quickly.


    Watching the man fall from the sky, Ye Jiayao pounces into his embrace the moment hends, holding tightly on to him. It would be a lie to say that she was not afraid. She was so scared that she would die in this well just like that. Besides, no one would even discover her corpse here. She doesn¡¯t want to die yet. She still has many unfulfilled wishes, she still wants to spend the rest of her life with this man.


    Xia Chunyu hugs her tightly, wishing that she could just be one with him, never to part again. That way, he would not have to worry that she would suddenly disappear.


    He kisses her forehead and cheek passionately,forting her incoherently ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t be afraid, don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯m here¡­¡±


    He said that tofort her but at the same time, he is alsoforting himself. This half-day ordeal would be unforgettable.


    ¡°Master, Master¡­¡± the guard on the ground shouts worriedly.


    Xia Chunyu grabs hold of her waist tightly with a hand, saying gently ¡°Yaoyao, hold on tight to me.¡±


    He tugs on the rope with the other hand and shouts out hismand powerfully ¡°Pull!¡±


    Helian Jing is still searching in the imperial garden, not missing a single spot but he was greeted with disappointment and cannot help but feel a little despair, could it be that his analysis went wrong?


    ¡°Young Royal Highness, Young Royal Highness¡­¡± A guard rushes over.


    Helian Jing recognises him as one of the men with Brother Chunyu, his heart suddenly tightens ¡°Is she found?¡±


    The guard smiles, revealing his pearly white teeth ¡°She¡¯s found, Master is sending Madam to Princess Ah Ruan¡¯s ce right now and got me to inform you.¡±


    Helian Jing looks up at the sky. In the vast area of azure blue, a few white clouds dot the sky, floating around leisurely. His heart that was held up by a thread can finally be at ease.


    Ah Ruan is already dressed up neatly, just waiting for the auspicious hour to arrive to cover herself with the red veil and sit on the marriage sedan, moving towards an unknown future. However, at this moment, she is worried for Sister Yaoyao. Sister Yaoyao entered the pce because of her. if she is unable to return, how would she ever be in a peace of mind?


    Hearing the pce maid report that Sister Yaoyao is found and is currently changing in the side chamber, Ah Ruan could not contain her happiness, springing up to look for Sister Yaoyao.


    The old granny quickly stops her ¡°Princess, you cannot move casually, the marriage sedan will arrive any moment.¡±


    Ah Ruan could not be bothered with her running straight towards the side chamber. Behind, trails a group of pce maids, eunuchs and the old granny, chasing her.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao has already changed out of her muddy and dirty clothes and is washing her face.


    Seeing Ah Ruan rush over, she quickly dries her face and hands ¡°Ah Ruan, what are you doing here, quick, go back, a bride should not be running around.¡±


    Ah Ruan could not care, rushing over to give her a tight hug, choking on her tears ¡°Sister Yaoyao, it is great that you are alright, you have no idea how worried I was, I was about to die from the fright.¡±


    Ye Jiayao feels a warmth creep into her heart, smiling ¡°Today is your big day, you are not allowed to say this kind of things, can¡¯t you see that I am all well?¡±


    ¡°Then where on earth did you disappear to? did someone abduct you?¡± Ah Ruan asks impatiently ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°No, no, don¡¯t worry, just rest assured and be a bride. I am going to the imperial kitchen right now, if I hurry, I can still make it in time to prepare your wedding feast.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sends two guards to protect Ye Jiayao while he reports to His Majesty.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Ye Jinxuan has been found in an abandoned well near the cold pce. Thankfully, she is not harmed and just suffered a little fright. She will proceed to the imperial kitchen immediately and would not hold up the wedding feast.¡±


    The Emperor wears a solemn expression ¡°Do you know who did it?¡±


    This matter is infuriating, it is Yu Wang¡¯s big day and someone actually dares to try to sabotage the event. On top of that, that person is someone in the pce. This is too scary, too hateful, too unpardonable.


    Xia Chunyu replies ¡°ording to Jinxuan, she almost knocked into a little eunuch while she was on her way to the imperial kitchen. That person has his head down and she could not see his face clearly. Immediately after that, someone stuck the back of her neck and by the time she regained consciousness, she was already in the abandoned well. Currently, there is no knowing who the perpetrator is.¡±


    ¡°Investigate, you have to get to the bottom of this.¡± His Majesty is enraged.


    ¡°I ept my orders. Only, this person is extremely cautious and was not seen by anyone from when he abducted Jinxuan all the way till he threw her in the abandoned well. Additionally, the well is at a ce without an owner. There is a high level of difficulty in the investigation.¡± Xia Chunyu has long analysed it. Unless Yaoyao can identify the eunuch, even the identification of that person would be highly unlikely. There are thousands of eunuchs in the pce. This is like searching for a needle in a haystack.


    ¡°You have to get to the bottom of it no matter how difficult it is. If someone can abduct a person in the pce so easily, how can the consorts anddies in the pce be at ease, how can His Majesty be at ease?¡± The Empress says with resolution.


    She is upright and abroad, if she cannot find out who did it, she can never erase this suspicion that would be attached to the crown prince and her. It would not be advantageous for her or the crown prince once His Majesty harbours ill-feelings and suspicion.


    Consort Shu concurs ¡°Of course you have to get to the bottom of it, we cannot allow such a vile character that harbours ill intentions to go scot free.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Xia Chunyu epts his orders. This case would be difficult to investigate but he is only worried that it would be more difficult to make a decision once they find out who it is.


    The news of Ye Jiayao escaping danger has travelled to Yong He pce. A big rock weighing on You¡¯s heart is finally removed. She chants Amitabha under her breath. It is really thanks to the protection of Bodhisattva that Jinxuan can change this misfortune into a blessing.


    Yu De asks ¡°Where is she now?¡±


    The eunuch who came to report the news replies ¡°She has gone to the imperial kitchen.¡±


    Yu Dements ¡°It is really hard on her, she has yet to recover from her fright and doesn¡¯t even have time to take a breather.¡±


    The Empress Dowager asks ¡°Do you know who did it?¡±


    The eunuch answers ¡°His Majesty has already sent orders,manding Master Xia to investigate this matter thoroughly.¡±


    The Empress Dowager nods thoughtfully.


    Liu Li opens her mouth to speak but swallows her words back, staying silent.


    Seeing Ye Jiayao¡¯s arrival, Lu Yiming is relieved from a burden ¡°I would really be at a loss of what to do if you still do not appear.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°Why would I not appear? I would definitely have toe.¡±


    What shocks Ye Jiayao is that she discovers the figures of Zhong Xiang and Deng Haichuan in the crowd of imperial chefs.


    ¡°What are you guys doing here?¡±


    Lu Yimingughs bitterly ¡°Isn¡¯t it because you did not appear no matter how long we wait? The main in-charge of the imperial kitchen had no choice but to get them here first.¡±


    Deng Haichuan and Zhong Xiang were called over thest minute and are not certain of what exactly happened to Ye Jiayao, their hearts and minds are in a mess. Now that they have seen Ye Jiayao, Deng Haichuan cannot help but ask ¡°Second Young Mistress, are you alright?¡±

 Chapter 255 - Actually Fond Of

    <h4>Chapter 255: Actually Fond Of</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    Now is not the time for exnations. Ye Jiayao brushes the question off ¡°Let¡¯s get to work first, there isn¡¯t much time left.¡±


    With Zhong Xiang and Deng Haichuan there, Ye Jiayao¡¯s work is going more smoothly. They do not need orders, knowing what they should do, how they shouldplement just by looking at what she was doing.


    Ever since her status changed from the Head Chef Li Yao to the Second Young Mistress, she has never prepared a feast so seriously like this. Moreover, she has just suffered from a fright and got hurt. With both her body and mind exhausted, she would really be unconfident without these two helpers.


    For a moment, this ce no longer seems to be the imperial kitchen but Heavenly Residence. All those imperial chefs have to listen to the instructions of Deng Haichuan and Zhong Xiang.


    Of course, there would be people who are unable to ept it. Being an imperial chef not only signifies a person¡¯s status but also represents the peak of his culinary skills. Forget about Zhong Xiang, since he was the champion of the pastrypetition and has the rights to enter the imperial kitchen to work with them so it isn¡¯t much to take instructions from him. However, the one called Deng Haichuan, what is he? His name is unheard of but seems to be better than Zhong Xiang when ites to ordering people around.


    Yet, today is the wedding feast and the Empress has ordered that everything would have to go ording to Ye Jinxuan¡¯s arrangements. Even Lu Yiming, the overall head of imperial chefs, has to listen to her and be her helper obediently. They can only endure their anger silently.


    Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t have the time to consider what the others around her are thinking. She devotes her entire being into every dish being cooked and her fluid movements and serious concentration slowly spreads to the ones around her.


    And at this moment, Helian Jing is sitting among the noblemen and princes as one of the attendees, with Xia Chunfeng sitting right beside him.


    ¡°I heard that Big Brother Xuan is going to marry Princess Naya and the Helian Prince¡¯s residence is finally going to organise a wedding. Little Jing, it is not that I want to lecture you but look, your brother and my second brother are of the same age and we are of the same age too. Now that my second brother has gotten married and your big brother is settling down too, shouldn¡¯t you hurry up a little?¡± Xia Chunfeng jokes.


    Helian Jing¡¯s lips turn up into a bitter smile, holding up his wine cup silently and finishing it.


    ¡°The wedding feast has yet to officially start, what are you drinking for!¡± Xia Chunfeng snatches his wine pot away.


    Helian Jing seizes it back, saying indifferently ¡°I¡¯m thirsty.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of drinking wine to quench thirsts.¡± Xia Chunfeng despises.


    He hears the asional mutters from the people around.


    ¡°I heard that this Princess Ah Ruan was supposed to be married to the Royal Highness Jing¡­¡±


    ¡°I heard that too, however, Yu Wang is a royal prince after all, if Yu Wang wants her, can Royal Highness Jing take it from him?''¡±


    ¡°Yu Wang is on the rise right now! Things are going great for him.¡± Someonements. Thismentation consists of too many things and everyone cannot help but consider and reflect upon it in their hearts for a moment.


    ¡°His Majesty and Her Majesty arrive¡­¡± the sharp voice of the eunuch echoes within therge pce hall.


    Everyone stops gossiping and stands, bowing their heads and ovepping their hands to wee the Emperor respectfully.


    After that, the music starts to y, marking the wedding ceremony begins.


    Helian Jing gazes at Ah Ruan, who is covered in bright red from head to toe, as she is helped in. She is even holding on to a crimson silk ball, led by Yu Wang as they slowly walk down the red carpet in the middle of the hall.


    From this moment on, she is the queen consort and no longer the Ah Ruan who would run around with him, be curious at anything, pull his sleeve as she asks him this and that and smile radiantly at him.


    There is a sudden, sharp ache in his heart. He cannot tell whether the cause of this pain is for Ah Ruan or for himself.


    His mind reys thest time he talked to Ah Ruan. He said that he will think of something and Ah Ruan¡¯srge, round eyes glisten with tears as she emits the radiance of joy as bright as the stars.


    At that time, he only thought that Ah Ruan is not detestable and is very close to Yaoyao too. If he has to marry her, then so be it!


    However, he never managed to marry her. his grandmother has sighed regretfully several times¡­ a pity, a pity.


    At that time, he thought that it is a little pity, he finds it a pity for Ah Ruan because the person Yu Wang likes is not her and the person she likes is not Yu Wang.


    He thinks that there would not be any happiness in a marriage like that.


    Thest time he saw her was during the dragon boat festival. At the viewing tower, although she is with Yaoyao, although their gazes only matched for a short while, he could see the grief in her eyes. Perhaps it is because he feels ashamed, he flees.


    Yaoyao has been asking him repeatedly, will he regret it?


    He didn¡¯t think much about it either, ever since Yaoyao married Brother Chunyu, he has slowly learned a skill and that is to ignore and forget. To put it simply, it is deceiving others and himself, numbing himself from the pain, not think of the unhappy things and make himself so busy he has no time to think of them. After being so muddle-headed for so long, he has survived through it.


    However, at this moment, this bright wedding garment stings his eyes, attacking his weak defense. The harsh reality is set out in front of him, raw and naked.


    He is actually fond of her, just that he is afraid to admit to it because he thinks that admitting it would be a betrayal to the oath he had sworn to himself. How could he have a change of feelings so quickly? He is not the kind of person who falls in love easily¡­


    He keeps ncing at the red veil as if he wants to see through thatyer of red cloth to see if that pair of eyes hidden under the veil are filled with grief and sorrow at this moment.


    Suddenly, a pair of sharp gaze is cast at him. Helian Jing¡¯s heart shuddered, he regains his rationality. He has lost control of himself.


    Xia Chunyu is standing right opposite Little Jing, watching him with concerned because Little Jing¡¯s eyes are filled with so much pain. If others see it, it would cause another round of gossips.


    Helian Jing lowers his head, hiding the panic and pain in his heart.


    Everything is set in stone now. There is no way that the situation would turn around.


    He is always thiste to realise and therefore, he has missed it once again.


    The wedding feast has only begun shortly and Helian Jing is already drunk. Xia Chunyu is afraid that he would start to spout nonsense after he is drunk and let others hear him utter things that shouldn¡¯t be said. Therefore, he sends him back to the Prince¡¯s residence personally. Xia Chunfeng is unaware of the inside story and even mocks Helian Jing, saying that his alcohol tolerance has decreased.


    After sending Little Jing back, Xia Chunyu returns back to the pce in haste. The wedding feast is about toe to an end and he is in no mood for eating. He rushes to the imperial kitchen, waiting for Ye Jiayao outside.


    After Ye Jiayao finishes thest main course, mandarin duck dumplings, her entire body is drained of energy. She has overexerted herself physically and mentally and she just bes limped, copsing to the floor.


    Luckily, Zhong Xiang was standing right by her side and held on to her quickly.


    ¡°Quick, get the imperial physician¡­¡± Lu Yimingmands upon seeing the situation.


    A helper is about to run out.


    Ye Jiayao quickly stops him ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t.¡±


    Today is Yu Wang¡¯s big day, how can she see the imperial physician at this time, isn¡¯t it a taboo?


    ¡°I am just a little tired, I will get better after a rest.¡± Ye Jiayao says weakly.


    Deng Haichuan is an uncouth person and isn¡¯t so meticulous in thinking, saying urgently ¡°Second Young Mistress, don¡¯t put on a strong front, look at you, your face is as pale as a sheet.¡±


    Zhong Xiang res at him, whispering ¡°Enough said.¡±


    He turns to Ye Jiayao and says ¡°Why don¡¯t I get the Heir-Son Lord toe over.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nods, Zhong Xiang is still the one who understands her more.


    Zhong Xiang leaves Ye Jiayao to the care of Deng Haichuan while he goes out to look for the Heir-Son Lord. Who knows that upon stepping out of the imperial kitchen, he sees the Heir-Son Lord standing outside.


    ¡°Heir-Son Lord.¡±


    ¡°Zhong Xiang? Where is the Second Young Mistress?¡± Xia Chunyu asks.


    Zhong Xiang replies ¡°Heir-Son Lord, the wedding feast ispleted but Second Young Mistress is also exhausted, are you bringing her back first?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s gaze froze and without saying a word, he rushes in.


    Ye Jiayao is indeed exhausted, her entire body breaking out in cold sweat but she still grits her teeth, insisting on walking out of the pce by herself before she copses into Chunyu¡¯s embrace.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart aches immensely, carrying her up the horse carriage.


    ¡°Chunyu, how is Ah Ruan?¡±


    ¡°Did the wedding proceed smoothly?¡±


    ¡°What about Little Jing?¡±


    ¡°Drunk. I have already sent him home.¡±


    ¡°What about the wedding feast? What is everyone¡¯s reaction?¡±


    ¡°The wedding feast is a sess, just wait to receive your reward tomorrow¡­¡±


    Only then did Ye Jiayaopletely rx and shut her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.


    Xia Chunyu carries her, gently wiping the beads of perspiration on her forehead that seep out endlessly. The pair of dark pupils reflects the heartache he feels for her. He sighs silently.?She has pushed herself to this state of exhaustion and she is still thinking of others


    Ye Jiayao falls into a very deep sleep and by the time she wakes up, the entire room is lit with the faint yellow glow of the candlelight. It is not yet daybreak, she thought she would have slept till thete afternoon.


    Her mouth is parched and feels like drinking some water. Her gaze shifts and sees Chunyu leaning by the bed.


    Why is this fellow not sleeping on the bed?


    Ye Jiayao lifts her hand up, wanting to shake him awake. Just when she puts her hand on his arm, he jolts up awake, raising his head in an abnormal surprise ¡°Yaoyao, you are finally awake.¡±


    He reaches his hand out to feel her forehead ¡°Thank heavens, the fever has finally subsided.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is in a daze ¡°I was running a fever?¡±


    Xia Chunyu cups her face in his hands, gazing intently at her, saying gently ¡°The physician said that the cold air in the well and the overexertion caused you to fall sick. However, all is well now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, alone, doesn¡¯t know about it but her fever subsided in the middle of the night and should not be very serious, why does Chunyu seem so haggard? He even has dark eye rings.


    ¡°I¡¯m thirsty.¡±


    Xia Chunyu quickly says ¡°Wait for a while, I¡¯ll get Qiao Xi to bring hot water over.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opens the door and exits. In a short while, the hot water arrives. Xia Chunyu takes a cup, filling half of it with hot water and half of it with cold water. He takes a sip to ensure that the temperature is alright before bringing it to her.


    ¡°Drink it slowly, don¡¯t choke on it.¡± Xia Chunyu instructs carefully.


    However, Ye Jiayao is extremely thirsty, she drank three cups in a row before she puts the cup down.


    ¡°You shoulde and sleep on the bed, you still have to work tomorrow!¡± Ye Jiayao says as she shifts to the inner side of the bed to make space for him.


    Xia Chunyu says while taking his clothes off ¡°I don¡¯t have to work tomorrow, His Majesty gave me a three-day holiday.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Don¡¯t you still have to investigate the case?¡± Ye Jiayao finds it odd.


    ¡°Mm, I am supposed to investigate the case but since you are sick, His Majesty is sorry to give me more work to do. Also, this matter concerns the royal family after all. His Majesty wants to settle it himself in a low-key way.¡±


    While saying that, Xia Chunyu climbs up on the bed, hugging her while he lies down.


    The more Ye Jiayao listens, the more confused she gets. She pushes herself to copse after she leaves the pce, how did His Majesty know that she is ill?


    ¡°Chunyu, what¡¯s the time now?¡±


    Xia Chunyu caresses the bruise at the back of the neck, replying with a sigh ¡°Yaoyao, you have been unconscious for two days already.¡±


    Ugh¡­ Ye Jiayao is dumbstruck.

 Chapter 256 - Class Opening Ceremony

    <h4>Chapter 256: ss Opening Ceremony</h4>


    Ye Jiayao ispletely unaware that she has been unconscious for so long and during that period, there were times were her life was in critical danger which only took a turn for the better if not for Chunyu¡¯s meticulous care day and night.


    Furthermore, this time, His Majesty bestowed a huge reward. Her Majesty, Consort Shu and Yu Wang also sent rewards.


    His Majesty even sent the imperial physician over to take care of her. In other words, His Majesty takes extreme care of her.


    You even came over personally to take care of her and there were many others who came over to visit her like Elder Princess Yu De, Zhu, the people from the chamber ofmerce and more¡­


    Ye Jiayao wanted to conceal this from everyone. Now, everyone knows about it.


    With regards to her being abducted, she has discussed it with Chunyu before. However, due to theck of clues, it is difficult to investigate the case. Right until now, the only thing they can confirm is the person¡¯s motive. Also, he is extremely familiar with theyout of the pce and is well aware of the number of guards at each location and the time the change shifts. On top of that, he has a helper. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to carry an unconscious person from the scene of the incident all the way to the abandoned well near the cold pce without anyone noticing.


    However, due to time constraint that day, there is a little clue that Ye Jiayao did not mention. That is, she smelled a faint scent of ambergris on the eunuch when they brushed past each other. Not everyone can use ambergris and it is very previous. In the pce, only the Emperor, the Crown Prince and favoured Princes and Princesses own them. This clue can be checked from the records from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.


    Only, Ye Jiayao does not wish to dwell on it because this matter might involve the political struggle within the pce. She got involved in it once and almost lost her life. She dares not be involved again and most importantly, she cannot allow Chunyu to get involved, it is too dangerous.


    Hence, she hid the fact and didn¡¯t mention it.


    The incident of her being abducted slowly fades away just like that and no one mentions it again.


    Ye Jiayao recuperates for a few days and very quickly, she regained her health. Initially,You wanted to hand the ancestral offerings on the seventh month to Ye Jiayao but after having recovered, You didn¡¯t want her to be overworked. In the end, she took on the task herself.


    While Ye Jiayao is recuperating, she took the time to write a detailed ss schedule and rules for the students¡¯ management examination and more. The preparatory work on Duan Qilin¡¯s side ispleted too. All they have to do is pick an auspicious date and start the ss.


    Initially, every restaurant is only allowed to send one person for the ss but because Heavenly Residence pumped in the most resources for this, with both Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang willing to teach, everyone agreed after a discussion that Heavenly Residence can send two people.


    However, Ye Jiayao finds this inappropriate as her restaurant is the only exception and this would result in the other members feeling dissatisfied, thinking that they want to be special. After much persuasion, in the end, the president and members of the council are allowed to send two people to the training ss. Actually, it is just an additional seven ces and is still manageable.


    For the two candidates, Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang has decided to let Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng participate because even though both Deng Haichuan and Wang Mingde are the core of Heavenly Residence, the former is better in terms of managing and coordinating. Hence, the two of them can only participate separately.


    To this, Deng Haichuan says generously ¡°The training ss is just three to six months for a semester, it would be my turn soon in a few months, it is just a matter of time. It doesn¡¯t matter, let Wang Mingde and Dongpeng go first!¡±


    The 22nd of the seventh month is an auspicious date, suitable for opening of businesses and hence, it is the date where the training ss starts officially.


    As the first batch of students, on top of that the first batch of students in Huai Song¡¯s history, everyone seems to be very excited, feeling proud, looking around at the four on stage full of anticipation. They are the best in the Food and Beverage industry in Jin Lin, even the entire country. Everyone is pumped up.


    As the president and pioneer of this training ss, Lu Xiaotian did a brief introduction and also gave a provocative speech, arousing the excitement of the students down stage.


    Ye Jiayao silently gives him a thumbs up, who said that Lu Xiaotian is a gentle and refined person, this fellow is a born motivator!


    Following that, Duan Qilin gave a speech announcing the rules for the students and things to take note, as well as the rules for the examination. In a nutshell, it is easy to get into this training ss but hard to get out. Those who ck off would be kicked out, those who break the rules would be kicked out and those who don¡¯t improve would be kicked out.


    Watching Duan Qilin¡¯s serious expression, which makes him look like a devil, Ye Jiayao thinks that he is very suitable in the role of the discipline master.


    After that is Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to talk. Following Ye Jiayao as she rises from her seat, everyone¡¯s gaze from down stage bes increasingly fervent.


    This is the legendary character, the legend of Jin Lin¡¯s Food and Beverage industry. Everyone knows that she is young and that her status is extraordinary but now that they have seen her for themselves and can listen to her lecture, even attending her sses, they cannot hide their agitation and excitement.


    Ye Jiayao, Lu Xiaotian and the rest split the content for today¡¯s speeches. Lu Xiaotian is in charge of the introduction, Duan Qilin is in charge of rules and regtions while she will say her word of thanks and the industry¡¯s ethics that she has prepared the previous night.


    We have to thank shopkeeper Lu and everyone who put in their blood, sweat and tears for this training ss to be possible. We have to thank the bosses willing to nurture you and thank yourselves. Chances are always only given to those who are prepared and it is precisely because you are outstanding enough that you are able to stand here. Therefore, continue to work hard to allow yourselves to be even better¡­¡±


    ¡°I want you all to remember one point. As people who learn culinary, it is not simply to raise our family. Culinary skills is not just a trade, it is a part of our Chinese civilisation and culture. We are all the inheritors of the Chinese cuisine culture and we will be passing this down to the future generation. Therefore, we have a reason to take pride in ourselves¡­¡±


    ¡°Also, there is no limit to learning. At any time, we should all be humble and grateful. Today, as the first batch of students for the training ss, you all have to work hard to be the model for the future batches. We will pick out the three most outstanding members and put their names up on the training ss¡¯s honour roll so that the future batches of students can look up to and follow in their footsteps. These three people might be you or him. From the moment you all step through the door, the opportunity is ced equally in front of you, it is up to you to grab on to it and be the best among the rest¡­¡±


    Everyone¡¯s spirits are up and they even want to cheer and whistle.


    Lu Xiaotian looks at Ye Jiayao with a little shock. He felt that ever since the day he got pushed to run for the chamber¡¯s presidency, his outlook on life and breadth of mind have undergone a drastic change. He sees things in a bigger picture and takes more things into consideration. However, Ye Jiayao¡¯s ¡°We are all the inheritors of the Chinese cuisine culture and we will be passing this down to the future generation. Therefore, we have a reason to take pride in ourselves¡± moves him to tears all of a sudden.


    This is what it means to be open-minded: to stand at the perspective of History to look at this industry, to look at the work that they are doing.


    Ye Jinxuan is indeed a miracle of a woman!


    After the end of the ss opening ceremony, Lu Xiaotian has been looking at Ye Jiayao in a thought-provoking manner.


    Ye Jiayao starts to feel a little shy and embarrassed, is it because there is something on her face? Ugh¡­ she even woke up early in the morning to put on some light make up for today¡¯s ss opening ceremony.


    ¡°Hey, why are you looking at me like that?¡± Ye Jiayao begins to speak casually to Lu Xiaotian after they be familiar with each other.


    Lu Xiaotian lowers his head and smiles ¡°Nothing, I just feel like I have known someone all over again today.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pouts ¡°Is my speech not well done? I really did prepare a lot for it.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian cannot hold in hisughter ¡°No, no, it is very well done, it is so touching I almost cried.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles and shoots him a nce ¡°You also shocked me, I thought you wouldn¡¯t be good with words, to think you actually spoke so well, making everyone all hyped up.¡±


    ¡°If you praise me like that I will fly up to the skies. Tell you a secret, actually, the script is written by someone else.¡± Lu Xiaotian says half-jokingly.


    Ye Jiayao stares at him, no way is she going to believe that!


    Zhong Xiang has to stay behind to teach today and Ye Jiayao has a date with Ah Ruan. It has been half a month ever since Ah Ruan is married to Yu Wang, she wants to visit her at Yu Wang¡¯s mansion.


    Lu XIaotian personally sends Ye Jiayao off from the training ss.


    Ye Jiayao smiles and waves as she boards the horse carriage.


    Lu Xiaotian watches the horse carriage move away until it disappears before he turns around and returns.


    All these have been watched closely by someone hiding in a corner not far away.


    Ye Jiayao arrives at Yu Wang¡¯s mansion and the gatekeeper has already been instructed to lead her into the mansion.


    After not seeing Ah Ruan for half a month, Ye Jiayao got a huge shock when she saw her. Why is Ah Ruan so thin? Her round, apple-shaped face has transformed into an oval-shaped face now, even her chin has be sharp.


    Ah Ruan is extremely happy to see Ye Jiayao and got someone to prepare tea and fruits, sending all the servants away other than Xiao Man, who followed her here from Southern Vietnam, and Qiao Xi. Only then, did she break out into a smile ¡°Sister Yaoyao, I am so happy that you cane and see me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is worried but forces a smile out ¡°Of course I wille and see you, you are my good friend!¡±


    Ah Ruan smiles and asks with concern ¡°Are you feeling better now? I heard that you fell majorly sick because of the cold air in the well. I wanted to visit you but the granny doesn¡¯t allow me to.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°There isn¡¯t a major illness, I just caught amon cold. I¡¯ve recovered from it long ago.¡±


    ¡°Has the perpetrator been found?¡±


    Ye Jiayao bites her lips ¡°I reckon they wouldn¡¯t be able to find him out, thankfully I am alright and your wedding with Yu Wang wasn¡¯t dyed either.¡±


    Speaking of Yu Wang, Ah Ruan¡¯s smile bes unnatural.


    Ye Jiayao asks her withoncern ¡°Ah Ruan, how have you been? How has Yu Wang been treating you?¡±


    ¡°Good, I am quite alright.¡± Ah Ruan makes an obvious perfunctory reply.


    Ye Jiayao is even more worried ¡°Look at how thin you have be.¡±


    Ah Ruan smiles ¡°Speaking of which, I need your help in something.¡±


    ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡±


    ¡°Can you help me keep a look out for a chef? I am not used to the dishes made by the chefs here, they don¡¯t even taste good.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies ¡°That cannot be any simpler, I will help you look for one when I go back. Oh, right, here are some rose biscuits, I baked themst night.¡±


    Qiao Xi brings out a food box.


    ¡°That¡¯s great, I was craving for something to eat!¡± Ah Ruan opens the food box impatiently and picks up a rose biscuit, taking a big bite. She says unclearly ¡°It¡¯s delicious, it is getting better and better every time you make it.¡±


    Watching her eat in big mouthfuls, Ye Jiayao tries very hard to keep her smile but she cannot help but feel sorry and sad.


    ¡°Ah Ruan, if there is anything that you want to eat in future, just get someone to tell me or go straight to Heavenly Residence, I will instruct them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao knows what Ah Ruan really need is not food and she can tell that her life here isn¡¯t going well, very unwell.


    Did Yu Wang not treat her well? Even if Yu Wang has someone else that he likes, Ah Ruan is so loveable and is also his official queen consort, he should still treat her well. Even if it is not possible for both parties to love each other, they should still be able to treat each other with respect as husband and wife!

 Chapter 257 - Infuriating

    <h4>Chapter 257: Infuriating</h4>


    Hearing what Ye Jiayao said, Ah Ruan agrees ¡°Sure, I will not be formal with you.¡±


    There are a few times Ye Jiayao wants to ask her but she cannot bring herself to, she should just ask Xiao Manter.


    After sitting around for an hour, Ye Jiayao finally bids farewell. They have agreed that she would send a chef over after three days.


    Ah Ruan sends her off to the door and Ye Jiayao forbids her to see her off any further ¡°Just leave it to Xiao Man, you should head back quickly! The sun is raging outside.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, you have toe three dayster!¡±


    Such reluctance to separate, such anticipation in her gaze, how lonely Ah Ruan must be. Ye Jiayao nods, smiling ¡°I will, when have I not kept my word?¡±


    After leaving the main courtyard, Ye Jiayao asks Xiao Man ¡°Xiao Man, tell me the truth, how is the Prince treating the Princess?¡±


    Xiao Man seems to be put on the spot, muttering ¡°The Prince is quite busy.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughs bitterly inside, what a good excuse, amon one to use regardless of time and space¡­


    They just got married and he is so busy?


    Suddenly, she sees a silhouette walk past the corridor, crossing over the hall from the other side.


    If it is not Yu Wang, who could it be? Such hurried footsteps.


    Ye Jiayao asks ¡°Where is that?¡±


    Xiao Man lowers her head and replies ¡°It is the living quarters of the Lin, the concubine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is suddenly enraged, her heart feels like it is burning with fire, when did Yu Wang get a concubine? She actually doesn¡¯t know about it. Well, busy, busy, busy, so this is what he is busy with.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face bes sullen ¡°Xiao Man, you know that I am the Princess¡¯s only friend in Jin Lin, what else can you not tell me?¡±


    Xiao Man¡¯s eyes redden immediately.


    Ye Jiayao hints Qiao Xi to take a look at the situation around, pressing her voice down ¡°Tell me quickly, what is the situation the Princess is in?¡±


    Xiao Man chokes ¡°The Princess is not well at all. On the night of the wedding, the concubine, Lin, also marries in. The Prince says that he is drunk as an excuse, saying that he is afraid that he would be rude to the Princess and left. After that, we found out that the Prince went to Lin¡¯s ce and from then on, the Prince has rarelye by. He hands everything in the residence over to Lin and taking advantage of the Prince¡¯s favour for her, she doesn¡¯t even care about Princess. Second Young Mistress, you also know that the Princess¡¯s heart is not here and therefore she just doesn¡¯t bother to vie for anything. But the more she is like this, the bolder Lin gets and sometimes, when the Princees to the Princess¡¯s side first when he returns, Lin would send someone over to invite him over, finding all sorts of excuses to get the Prince over¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao is so angry she is trembling all over, this is too much, getting a concubine on the day of the wedding night is already too much, he even hands all the household matters over to Lin, then what is Ah Ruan supposed to be? Does he really treat her as a painting on the wall, as a decorative piece?


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, the Princess has instructed be time and again to not tell you all these, the Princess said that she is fine like this, so Second Young Mistress, pretend you don¡¯t know anything!¡± Xiao Man says while wiping her tears.


    Fine like this, fine my foot! Ye Jiayao is fuming with rage. If she is really fine like this, would Ah Ruan be this thin? Ah Ruan is just a figurehead as the Queen Consort, given the cold shoulder and neglected. Does she intend to spend the rest of her life like this like a stagnant pool of water? What is the difference between her and an imperial concubine who got banished into the cold pce?


    Just because she doesn¡¯t wish to vie and doesn¡¯t vie for anything, she can lead a peaceful life? Little does she know that with the title of Queen Consort, she would be a target of envy, who can guarantee that Lin does not have that wild ambition? The easier she is to bully, the more the other party wouldn¡¯t let it easy and her life would only get worse.


    The more Ye Jiayao thinks about it, the more indignant she feels. She turns around and walks back.


    Xiao Man says hurriedly ¡°Second Young Mistress, if the Princess finds out that I was the one who told you all these, she would never let me off, the Princess would send me back to South Vietnam.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pauses in her steps, that is right, what is she going to say when she goes over? Should she say, Ah Ruan, you cannot carry on like this, you have to fight for it, fight for what? Yu Wang¡¯s love or the Queen Consort¡¯s rightful rights? Ah Ruan would never let it sink in.


    However, she cannot just watch Ah Ruan slowly wither like a flower that has lost all water and nutrients.


    Alright, she shall think of another way.


    ¡°Xiao Man, serve the Princess well, if anything happens,e and look for me.¡± Ye Jiayao sighs silently and eventually leaves.


    Once Ye Jiayao left, Ah Ruan sits in a daze. Now, the thing she does the most is nothing. She doesn¡¯t know what to think. She dares not think of the past because it is too upsetting and she dares not think about the future even more.


    In the past, she is a merry little bird in the forests, wild and free with so many people pampering her. after she came to Jin Lin, she has made ns for the worst, thinking that even if she marries someone she doesn¡¯t like, it is okay because she is doing all this for South Vietnam. However, never would she have thought that she would meet Little Jing and would fall for this person. After that, everything changed.


    Xiao Man enters with the creak of the door.


    Ah Ruan asks leisurely ¡°The Second Young Mistress didn¡¯t ask anything, did she?¡±


    Xiao Man hangs her head low, afraid that the Princess would notice her red eyes.


    ¡°She did, I just replied her based on how you instructed.¡±


    Ah Ruanughs self-mockingly ¡°She definitely didn¡¯t believe it.¡±


    Xiao Man replies ¡°Second Young Mistress just said that if there is anything in the future, look for her.¡±


    Ah Ruan sweeps a look at her lightly and continues to stare out the window. She does not wish for Sister Yaoyao to be worried for her, in the future, she is satisfied with being able to meet up once in a while.


    Ye Jiayao returns to the Marquis¡¯s Mansion with a stomach full of anger. The servants notified her that the Heir-son Lord has returned. Ye Jiayao told Qiao Xi not to follow her in as she enters theroom to question Chunyu by herself.


    ¡°Chunyu, do you know about Yu Wang¡¯s concubine?¡± Ye Jiayao gets straight to the point.


    Xia Chunyu has been waiting for her, wanting to talk to her about this matter. Upon hearing her footsteps, he lifts his head up to call her but who knew that she would interrogate him with rage.


    Ugh¡­ how does she know?


    ¡°Tell me, quick, do you know about it?¡± Ye Jiayao urges as she sees him dumbstruck. She doesn¡¯t have the patience.


    Xia Chunyu clears his throat, patting the ce beside him ¡°Take a seat, let me tell you this slowly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walks over and sits down, saying impatiently ¡°Tell me, quick.¡±


    Xia Chunyu grabs o to her hands, saying guiltily ¡°Weren¡¯t you sick at that period, I was afraid that you would be impatient and that wouldn¡¯t aid your recovery so I hid it from you first. I wanted to find a suitable chance to tell you about it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was thinking, since she has been so happy for this half a month, he doesn¡¯t want to destroy her mood but she would definitely not approve of this reason.


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡± Xia Chunyu licks his dry lips, beginning with difficulty ¡°I¡¯m just afraid that you would be angry and upset. However, this is the truth that no one can change. When His Majesty wants the Third Prince to marry Ah Ruan, the Third Prince was unwilling too, he only agreed after His Majesty promised to let him marry Lin Wanyin at the same time.¡±


    ¡°My foot, how can they bully someone like that? Is he all that great just because he belongs to the royal family? The Third Prince is a prince but Ah Ruan is also a princess. By doing that, what do they regard Ah Ruan as? What do they regard South Vietnam as?¡± Ye Jiayao always thinks that the Emperor is a benevolent ruler, at least it seems so on the surface. Besides, His Majesty is not unreasonable but this is too much.


    ¡°Keep it down, keep it down.¡± Xia Chunyu quickly covers her mouth. It is a big crime to criticise the royal family.


    Ye Jiayao bites down on his hand ruthlessly.


    Xia Chunyu is in pain ¡°Hey, hey, hey, pardon me¡­¡±


    ¡°I hate you to the core, how can you not sound off a reminder and watch Ah Ruan jump into a fire pit. To think I was still filled with expectations, settling the wedding feast with all my heart, hoping to give Ah Ruan a good start to her happiness. I hate you to death.¡± Ye Jiayao starts to cry, thinking about Ah Ruan¡¯s thin figure, her heart starts to ache even more.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry¡­¡± Xia Chunyu hasn¡¯t seen her cry for a long while. This sudden crying leaves him at a loss.


    ¡°Yaoyao, even if you knew about it earlier, what could you do? Persuade Ah Ruan to not marry? Is that possible? Because you are genuinely concerned about Ah Ruan and is genuinely nice to her, therefore, you will feel anger and uneptable. However, in the eyes of others, Ah Ruan is just a chess piece. A chess piece used to solve diplomatic rtions between two countries. To His Majesty, it is fair that Ah Ruan is made the Queen Consort and to South Vietnam, it is already not bad that Ah Ruan can be the Queen Consort. The motive has been achieved. It is not rare that the official wife and concubine marry in on the same day. Besides, in order to take care of Ah Ruan¡¯s face, His Majesty orders that the concubine cannot have any official ceremony, just a simple marriage sedan through the door¡­¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, Ah Ruan also knows about it beforehand, she didn¡¯t tell you because she is afraid that you would be worried and upset.¡± Xia Chunyu says with a sigh.


    Ye Jiayao slowly stops her sobbing but her tears fall even more ferociously. Just a chess piece, such words are really hurtful but why should Ah Ruan make such a huge sacrifice, to give up her love and marry someone she doesn¡¯t love at all. She still has an extravagant hope that they can treat each other with respect, who knew that it is actually to treat each other coldly. A man¡¯s tactics but a woman has to make the sacrifice. How shameless.


    ¡°Alright, alright, stop crying. Yu Wang is also not someone who doesn¡¯t know propriety, even though he likes Lin, I believe he would not treat Ah Ruan unfairly.¡± Xia Chunyu coaxes.


    Ye Jiayao really feels like shouting at him, OFF WITH YOUR BULLSHIT.


    ¡°What do you mean knows propriety, on the night of the wedding, he abandons Ah Ruan to whisper sweet nothings with Lin. Ah Ruan is the Queen Consort but he lets Lin handle the household matters. It has been more than a month since they got married and he has only gone to Ah Ruan¡¯s room a few times and every time hees and goes in a hurry, you call this propriety? You haven¡¯t seen how thin Ah Ruan has be¡­¡± Ye Jiayao sobs.


    Xia Chunyu is in a daze, no way, Yu Wang is too¡­


    Xia Chunyu doesn¡¯t know what to say, remaining silent for quite a while before saying ¡°I think, this is only temporary, Ah Ruan is also a smart woman¡­¡±


    ¡°No matter how smart the woman is, if her heart is still, what is the use? Ah Ruan¡¯s heart is still now, she doesn¡¯t want to vie for anything, doesn¡¯t want anything, she is just a figurehead, stuck in a splendid cage, ying her role as a chess piece.¡± Ye Jiayao cannot stop her tears from flowing out. Her heart is filled with sorrow ¡°Now I know how much she loves Little Jing.¡±

 Chapter 258 - In The Name Of Gifting

    <h4>Chapter 258: In The Name Of Gifting</h4>


    This night, Ye Jiayao ignored Xia Chunyu, partly because she was taking her anger out on him, but mostly because she felt devastated from being unable to help and did not feel like responding to anyone.


    There was nothing Xia Chunyu could do too, however, he understands Yaoyao¡¯s feelings and she would feel better after giving her some time to cool down.


    The next day, Ye Jiayao went to Heavenly Residence early in the morning, calling Deng Haichuan over.


    ¡°Haichuan, there is something important that I want to hand over to you.¡± Ye Jiayao had thought about it for the whole night. Ah Ruan wanted her to find a chef for her and after much pondering, she felt that Deng Haichuan is the best candidate. Deng Haichuan is quick-witted and can handle things smoothly. With him around in the Prince¡¯s mansion, even if he cannot help Ah Ruan much, at least she would be informed of anything that happens within the Prince¡¯s mansion.


    After hearing her instructions, it is not that Deng Haichuan is not willing to go ¡°But, if I leave, what would happen to Heavenly Residence?¡± Right now, he is the pir of support for Heavenly Rresidence since Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng are both not around.


    Ye Jiayao replied ¡°I have thought of it, for the pastry shop, I would hand everything over to Jiang Yue and Zhong Xiang would be in charge here. You go to the Prince¡¯s mansion, I will increase your pay ordingly.¡±


    Deng Haichuan said ¡°Second Young Mistress, you are treating me like an outsider, if there is anywhere you need me to go, I would definitely not refuse. As for the wages, whatever I earn here in a year is already way more than what I would have earned in ten years elsewhere.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said solemnly ¡°Once you go to the Prince¡¯s mansion, you have to be extra careful, don¡¯t let others have the chance to pin fault onto you. I wouldmunicate with the other side. You will go over there in the day ande back to Heavenly Residence at night.¡±


    Now that the Prince¡¯s mansion is under the charge of Lin, when Lin knows that Deng Haichuan is working for her, it would be quite improbable that she would pick on him openly but she cannot guarantee that he would not be plotted against in the dark. She had to warn him first.


    Seeing how serious Second Young Mistress is, Deng Haichuan knows that this is no simple task. It is not as easy as going over to cook.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, don¡¯t worry, I will be careful.¡±


    After settling things with Deng Haichuan, Ye Jiayao went over to the pastry shop. The ce has already open for the sales of the snow skin mooncake and business is so good, the queue never ends.


    Jiang Yue is collecting money personally and seeing the arrival of Ye Jiayao, she quickly hands the task over to someone else, weing Ye Jiayao in.


    ¡°Second Young Mistress, yesterday we sold 800 mooncakes and it seems like we would sell more today.¡± Jiang Yue says merrily while pouring tea for Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°It has been hard on you.¡±


    ¡°It is not hard at all, business is so good that I canugh myself awake while dreaming.¡± Jiang Yue replies happily.


    Ye Jiayao feels sorry for her. She only put in some effort at the very start for this pastry shop and after that, she just hands it over to Jiang Yue an Zhong Xiang. It is not too much to say that the sales of the pastry shop is all thanks to the both of them, especially Jiang Yue. She only handed the ice cream¡¯s recipe to Jiang Yue alone and since it is trade secret, Jiang Yue dared not hand the task over to anyone else and had been making the ice cream alone. She knows very well how much effort it takes. Besides, Jiang Yue practically treats the pastry shop as her own house, not even returning home at night. Auntie Jiang has grumbled about this matter to her many times, saying how she doesn¡¯t even see Jiang Yue anymore.


    ¡°After the fifteenth of the eighth month, I will give you a few days¡¯ holiday to take a good rest.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡°No need, no need, I am not tired¡± Jiang Yue has never felt so much sense of achievement before. She always thought she would spend her life doing nothing but now, she has be the pir of support for the pastry shop and business has been booming ever since she has taken over. This sense of achievement offsets all tiredness and exhaustion.


    She couldn¡¯t be happier.


    ¡°Today, I havee to discuss something with you.¡± Ye Jiayao sits her down.


    Jiang Yue smiles ¡°Second Young Mistress, just instruct me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°I have been thinking, that I should let you handle the pastry shop by yourself in the future. I will give you a percentage of the earnings. In the future, 20% of the profits would go to you.¡±


    Jiang Yue is dumbstruck ¡°Second Young Mistress, how would this do?¡±


    Others might not know how much 20% of the profit is but she knows very clearly. 20% of the profit would amount to more than 10,000 taels a month. Whatever would she need so much money for? Besides, although she have been running the pastry shop with Zhong Xiang, 90% of the best-selling pastries here are developed by Second Young Mistress. All she did was act as her helper, how can she take so much money?


    ¡°This is what you deserve. Just take it as my gift to you for your dowry.¡± Ye Jiayao smiles.


    Jiang Yue starts to blush, saying shyly ¡°I am not even marrying, why would I need dowry.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles meaningfully. Don¡¯t think that she cannot tell. Jiang Yue and Zhong Xiang both have that intention. She also thinks that the both of them are quitepatible. She wanted, at first, to discuss this subject with Zhong Xiang after Ah Ruan¡¯s wedding feast, asking him to ask for Jiang Yue¡¯s hand in marriage. However, judging by the current situation, this matter would have to wait.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just save it up first? Sillyss, we¡¯ll just set it as that. Zhong Xiang will be very busy in the near future since he has to be in charge of teaching for the training ss and run Heavenly Residence at the same time. You two might not be able to meet up often.¡± Ye Jiayao tells her beforehand.


    Aye, now she really feels that she is short of manpower. Manager Zhao has been sent to the farnds to help Manager Bai in the renovation works while Deng Haichuan has been given another job by her and Manager Qian¡¯s capabilities fall short a little. However, after Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng graduate from the training ss, everything would be a lot easier since she would have gained another two helpful assistants.


    Jiang Yue asks curiously ¡°Isn¡¯t Deng Haichuan taking care of the kitchen in Heavenly Residence?¡±


    ¡°I sent him to do other things, let¡¯s just grit our teeth and bear through this period. After that, we would all have an easier time.¡± Ye Jiayao sighs.


    Afterwards, she got Jiang Yue to prepare 40 snow skin mooncakes and some pastries for her to bring to the pce.


    It is the first time Qiao Xi apanies the Second Young Mistress into the pce. She finds the experience refreshing yet intimidating. The towering pce walls give off a sense of solemn dignity and luxury, making one even wary of breathing. She holds the ice box and follows behind the Second Young Mistress cautiously.


    Ye Jiayao visits the Emperor first at his ce but since His Majesty is settling stuff at the royal study, she did not enter for fear of interrupting him and hands the mooncakes to Eunuch Wei instead.


    ¡°I made some new vours this year and sent some for His Majesty to have a try.¡±


    Eunuch Wei smiles ¡°Your Madam is really considerate.¡±


    Ye Jiayao passes over another box of pastries ¡°This is Split Yellow Pea for Eunuch Wei. It helps to clear heatiness and aids digestion. Please kindly ept it.¡±


    Eunuch Wei¡¯s eyes squint smaller ¡°I love to eat Split Yellow Peas, my utmost gratitude to your Madam.¡±


    ¡°You are too kind, Eunuch Wei. They are only some food, if you like them, I can bring more during my next trip.¡±


    Nexxt, Ye Jiayao went to Zhao Yang Pce to deliver the mooncakes amd pastries to the Empress and chatted with her for a while before proceeding to Consort Shu¡¯s ce.


    Consort Shu is still quite happy to see Ye Jiayao deliver mooncakes to her.


    It is still a long way before the fifteenth of the eighth month, business in Heavenly Residence must be very good.¡± Consort Shu smiles.


    ¡°I am just doing so in advance. There are a few more vours this year so I wanted to bring some over for Your Highness to try.¡± Ye Jiayao smiles genuinely, showing that she is very sincere.


    It has indeed made Consort Shu very happy as she ordered someone to keep them away.


    The incident that happened must have been difficult for you. How are you feeling now? All better?¡± Consort Shu asks gently.


    That was exactly the same as what The Empress asked and she answered with the same reply. Ye Jiayao has no choice but to say it for the second time ¡°Thank you, Your Highness, for being so concerned. There are no big problems now, I just caught a cold and have recovered long ago.¡±


    ¡°Thank god you are alright, otherwise I would feel very bad about it.¡± Consort Shu says.


    ¡°You mustn¡¯t say that, Your Highness. Your Highness¡¯s trust and faith in me to allow me to take on such a huge responsibility has left me with utmost gratitude. I am only worried that I have not done well enough and have disappointed Your Highness. Besides, the Queen Consort and I are good friends, whether for work or selfish reasons, I have to put in my best effort.¡± Ye Jiayao says tactfully.


    Consort Shu feels at ease after hearing that. This Ye Jinxuan is really good with words, making her even more enticed to rope her in.


    ¡°Your affinity with Ah Ruan is so hard toe by, it is also her good fortune to have such a good sister like you around so that she can feel happier here in Jin Lin.¡±


    Ye Jiayao says ¡°I went to visit the Queen Consort yesterday, she said that Your Highness has taken the utmost care in her in every possible way, even better than her birth mother. It is then the Queen Consort¡¯s good fortune to have a mother-inw like you!¡±


    Consort Shu smiles ¡°That child is obedient and sensible, it is difficult for me not to like her.¡±


    ¡°However, speaking of which, she seems to have note over here to greet me for several days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies ¡°She wanted toe by but she has not been feeling well these few days.¡±


    Consort Shu is shocked ¡°She is feeling unwell? Did she see the imperial physician?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies embarrassedly ¡°It might be because shecks appetite. The food in the Prince¡¯s mansion does not suit her preferences.¡±


    Consort Shu ponders for a while ¡°She is from Southern Vietnam and previously in the pce, the Empress instructed the chef to make Southern Vietnamese specialty dishes. It is negligence of my part. How can youpare the cooks in the Prince¡¯s mansion and the royal pce.¡±


    From her reaction, Ye Jiayao reckons that Consort Shu is unaware of the situation in the Prince¡¯s mansion, hence, she says ¡°She did say jokingly that she likes the dishes I made so I was thinking if it is possible to send a chef from Heavenly Residence over just to make her meals. The chefs in Heavenly Residence are taught by me so the dishes they make would taste simr to mine.¡±


    Consort Shu smiles ¡°Now that she is the Queen Consort, all she needs to do is say it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitates in replying her.


    Consort Shu is able to infer from her reaction but does not point it out ¡°Since she likes it, I would have to trouble you to send a chef over to cook for her.¡±


    ¡°I am just afraid that Yu Wang would be unhappy.¡± Ye Jiayao replies.


    Consort Shu¡¯s suspicion begins to grow ¡°I would settle things on his side, it is not a big deal.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is ted, initially, she could have skipped over Consort Shu and send Deng Haichuan over to the Prince¡¯s mansion immediately but with Consort Shu¡¯s imperial decree, the results would be totally different. This would ensure Deng Haichuan¡¯s safety in the Prince¡¯s mansion. Whoever tries to make things difficult for Deng Haichuan would have to think twice about it.


    ¡°Since that is the case, I would return to pick the best one to send over.¡± Ye Jiayao smiles.


    After Ye Jiayao takes her leave, Consort Shu¡¯s face hardens as she calls for someone ¡°Get Granny Wu into the pce, I have something to ask.¡±


    Granny Wu is an old pce servant she sent to the Prince¡¯s mansion. The dishes are does not suit Ah Ruan¡¯s taste, she is the Queen Consort, who dares to make dishes that does not suit the Queen Consort¡¯s taste? Do they not want their head anymore? Today, Ye Jinxuan used mooncake gifting as an excuse. Actually, she wants to remind her some things.


    Looks like something is going on in the Prince¡¯s mansion!

 Chapter 259 - Yu Wang

    <h4>Chapter 259: Yu Wang</h4>


    The next day, Ye Jiayao brought Deng Haichuan to Yu Wang¡¯s residence.


    She did not expect Yu Wang to be in and even sought her attendance.


    She didn¡¯t know Yu Wang very well and including his back view, she has only seen him a total of three times. Her impression of Yu Wanges mostly from the very few things Chunyu mentioned.


    This person does not show his feelings on his face but is very decisive and harsh. He certainly ispetent. Otherwise, he would not have won the support of so many people within such a short time.


    Nobody knows how much ambition he is hiding under that calm exterior and Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t want to guess and probe as it is not something that she can decide and take control of either. The only thing she is concerned about not is, Yu Wang has been studying her with those dark and gloomy eyes for almost three minutes, looking at her like that silently.


    An invisible pressure is pressing on her like a copsed wall and she can tell that he is not very happy.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s palm starts to perspire. Actually, she doesn¡¯t want to offend this person but she has no choice but to do it.


    She holds her head up high, forcing herself to not back down, weing his examining gaze uprightly.


    Yu Wang is secretly shocked. There are very few people who could be this calm under his gaze. Even those officials would not be able to help it but to avert his gaze, showing any kinds of uneasiness be it guilt or fear.


    Ye Jinxuan, she is indeed a legendary character.


    A beautiful woman who is not only able to escape unscathed after walking into a bandits¡¯ nest, she even managed to capture Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart. A woman who dressed up into a man to work as a chef in Heavenly Residence can make it grow into Jin Lin¡¯s best restaurant in a mere few months and has unparalleled culinary skills with various kinds of styles and is even good friends with Jin Lin¡¯s most prominent noblemen like Helian Jing and Zhao Qixuan. She even dares to go against Liu Li and instead of going out of luck, she even won the recognition of His Majesty and the Crown Prince. It is even said that the Crown Prince gave her his calligraphy¡­ in the end, she managed to push Liu Li aside and be the Second Young Mistress of the Jing An Marquis¡¯s Residence.


    She is indeed not simple¡­ a mere government sub prefect¡¯s daughter can actually have this level of means.


    However, what shocked him the most is what happened on the day of the wedding. She was abducted and trapped in a well. She was injured and frightened yet she could still push through and finish the course of the feast. If he had known he would have given her a huge blow so that she would not be able to continue despite being able to escape.


    However, the key is that he has underestimated Xia Chunyu¡¯s capabilities. He actually managed to find that abandoned well so quickly.


    F course, he did all these not because he wants to pit himself against her and Xia Chunyu. On the contrary, he actually admires this couple. If they could be under his use, it would definitely help him soar higher.


    Thinking to this point, the corner of Yu Wang¡¯s lips turn up into a smile, making him look less cold and profound as he was previously.


    ¡°Madam Xia is thoughtful, I am happy for the Queen Consort to know that she has a friend like you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles ¡°Since we are friends, I would naturally have to put in some effort, this is just a little help.¡±


    ¡°It is a little help to you but it managed to implicate me.¡± Yu Wang smiles lightly.


    Ye Jiayao maintains her smile ¡°Her Highness is wise beyond average, no matter what she says, it is for your wellbeing, why should you mind?¡±


    Yu Wang lowers his gaze in a smile ¡°That is right, however, I don¡¯t like people telling tales behind my back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies ¡°I would never dare. I just feel sorry for the Queen Consort and doesn¡¯t wish to see her lead such an ufortable life. Of course, all these are your family matters and I would have no right to interfere but I was just thinking that the Queen Consort is, after all, the princess from South Vietnam and is the apple of the South Vietnamese King¡¯s eye. If the Queen Consort leads a happy life, the South Vietnamese King would naturally be more at ease and the friendship between South Vietnam and Huai Song can be ever more stable, isn¡¯t that so?¡±


    Yu Wang¡¯s smile deepens, making it, even more, thought-provoking ¡°To think that Madam Xia actually is quite concerned about the country and its people.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles lightly ¡°I would not say I am concerned about the country and its people but have heard a lot of stories about the grape trellis in the backyard falling*.¡±


    Yu Wang¡¯s gaze darkens as Ye Jiayao looks at him smiling just like that.


    After a while, Yu Wang continues ¡°The person you brought should stay, from today onwards, he would be in charge of the Queen Consort¡¯s meals.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bows slightly ¡°Thank you, I shall take my leave.¡±


    Once Ye Jiayao left, a beautiful woman appears from behind a screen.


    ¡°My Lord, why did you agree to it?¡± the woman pouts, questioning unhappily.


    Yu Wang takes a look at her and sounds a little cold ¡°In future, give the Queen Consort some respect and stop making things difficult for her.¡±


    The woman whines ¡°My Lord, are you going to let a woman y with you at the palm of her hand?¡±


    Yu Wang replies coldly ¡°I don¡¯t like what she did but she has reminded me, I do not want the grape trellis in my backyard to fall. I can love you and pamper you but I would not allow anyone to spoil my n.¡±


    After saying his piece, Yu Wang brushes his sleeves and leaves. A sinister and ruthless gaze surfaces from the woman¡¯s beautiful eyes. Well done, Ye Jinxuan, since you are not going to make life easy for me, I am not going to make life easy for you too.


    Ye Jiayao goes straight to Ah Ruan¡¯s ce after that.


    Ah Ruan looks as if she has a lot on her mind. Once Ye Jiayao arrives, she got everyone to leave, even Xiao Man and Qiao Xi are chased out.


    ¡°Sister Yaoyao, did you go to see the Consort?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nods ¡°It is almost Mid-Autumn so I went around the pce to give out some mooncakes. I brought some for you too.¡±


    Ah Ruan sighs ¡°Sister Yaoyao, why did you do that?¡±


    She does not believe that Sister Yaoyao would enter the pce simply to give out mooncakes. Last night, Yu Wang came straight to her room after leaving the pce, telling her unhappily to tell him any requests she has straight away instead of inciting others.


    She knew immediately that it must be because of Sister Yaoyao, who else would stand up for her?


    ¡°Actually, I wanted it this way, it is not Yu Wang¡¯s fault.¡± Ah Ruan says. she can marry Yu Wang but she cannot really face him. To say the truth, she actually is d that Yu Wang got Lin as his concubine.


    Ye Jiayao looks at her solemnly for a long time, saying ¡°Ah Ruan, I know what you are thinking inside, however, what is the point of you continuing to be depressed? All you are doing is harming yourself and Little Jing.¡±


    Ah Ruan looks sluggish and is a little confused. What has this got to do with Little Jing?


    Ye Jiayao sighs, saying with heartfelt earnest ¡°Ah Ruan, I hate to say things that resign to fate but since the situation has turned out like this, we can only face it. Being depressed and sad would not help and would onlyplicate matters. Previously, everyone was guessing that you would marry Little Jing and now you are so cold towards Yu Wang, what would he think? Even if he doesn¡¯t like you, he would still hold it in mind! Wouldn¡¯t he hate Little Jing even more? Besides, would anyone care if you are doing well or not? Only those who care for you would be upset.¡±


    Ah Ruan lowers her head in silence.


    ¡°The future is still long and you wouldn¡¯t be able to get rid of your title as the Queen Consort. If you continue on like this, you would be eaten up by people without bones left. I am not trying to scare you but the battles between women are so venomous and bitter that it would not lose to a men¡¯s fight. Ah Ruan, wake up! It is a big regret if two lovers cannot be together but there are more to our lives than just love, for example, kinship or friendship. Don¡¯t forget you are still carrying the mission with the status of the South Vietnamese Princess¡­¡±


    Ah Ruan cannot help but be moved, her eyes are wet.


    Ye Jiayao caresses her shoulder ¡°Ah Ruan, pull yourself together, you are not alone, you still have me and Little Jing. Little Jing has been very worried about you, don¡¯t let him be even more upset, alright?¡±


    She has said whatever she could but this road is Ah Ruan¡¯s. She hopes that Ah Ruan could think things through and get over it!


    Back in the Marquis¡¯s residence, Ye Jiayao finds out that Jinyao is actually back.


    ¡°Jinyao? What are you doing back here? Where is your second sister?¡±


    Jinyao replies ¡°Second Sister returned overnight upon hearing that Second Brother-inw is fine. I sent Second Sister back to the Wei Residence and both the Old Master Wei and Madam Wei are in so I came back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is even more astonished ¡°Wei Liujiang is alright? How can this be?¡±


    She knows about Wei Liujiang retracting his testimony but she didn¡¯t think that he would not have to shoulder any responsibilities and is released just like that.


    ¡°I am not sure too, Second Sister said that if it is convenient for you, could you make a trip down to the Wei residence?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thinks about it for a while ¡°I will wait for your brother-inw to return and discuss this with him.¡±


    She waited till nightfall when Xia Chunyu returned.


    Ye Jiayao takes the outer clothing he takes off as she asks ¡°I heard that Wei Liujiang is released, do you know about it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s lips raise into a smile ¡°I wanted to tell you this the day before but you ignored me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao res at him ¡°When have you be so self-conscious? Just because I ignored you, you don¡¯t talk to me?¡±


    Xia Chunyu says innocently ¡°In all honesty, I tried ways and means to coax you, how is that not talking to you? I just don¡¯t know if you would be happy or not upon hearing the news. If it makes you even more pent up, wouldn¡¯t I be looking for a scolding?¡±


    Ye Jiayao says gloomily ¡°Then are you intending to only tell me the good news and not the bad ones in future?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Xia Chunyu smiles meekly. He was almost depressed to death these few days. It makes him feel more terrible when Yaoyao ignores himpared to scolding him. Never would he have thought that his emotions would be in control of another person for the rest of his life.


    ¡°Are you not angry anymore?¡± Xia Chunyu holds her shoulders as he asks, currying her favour.


    Qiao Xi retreats consciously and even closed the door behind her.


    Ye Jiayao says slowly ¡°I sent Deng Haichuan to Yu Wang¡¯s residence today and even met Yu Wang.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hands tighten immediately ¡°What did he say?¡±


    Ye Jiayao tells him honestly ¡°He was a little unhappy because I hinted Consort Shu yesterday when I went to the pce. Consort Shu might have lectured him. However, he did say that Deng Haichuan can stay and Ah Ruan¡¯s meals would be taken care of by Deng Haichuan.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowns ¡°Yu Wang is not someone that is easy to deal with, next time when you go to the Yu Wang¡¯s mansion, be more careful.¡±


    Ye Jiayao agrees ¡°I believe so too, he is someone that is unfathomable. When he looked at me with those gloomy eyes, it feels a little suffocating, unlike the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is gentle and mild as a jade, giving off an amiable feeling.¡±


    ¡°Chunyu, do you think Yu Wang would hold a grudge against me for doing that?¡± Ye Jiayao is uncertain and is afraid of bringing Chunyu trouble.


    Xia Chunyu smiles ¡°It wouldn¡¯t go so far as that, besides, I am here? If he dares to do anything to you, I?wouldn¡¯t care if he is Yu Wang or not.¡±

 Chapter 260 - Shameless Family

    <h4>Chapter 260: Shameless Family</h4>


    After dinner, Ye Jiayao still decided to make a trip down to the Wei Residence and Xia Chunyu naturally apanied her.


    The Wei Residence is bustling with life at the moment.


    Qi hates Wei Liujiang to the core. This nephew whom she genuinely cares for from the bottom of her heart actually harmed her husband, her entire family.


    Now, Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s charge has been set and it was said to be a major punishment and now it is unknown whether he is alive or dead. The Mu family has been seized and she has turned from a distinguished wife of the Assistant Minister to a meremoner in dire straits. Her few sons¡¯ futures are destroyed and the entire Mu family is done for.


    If she had not used someone else¡¯s name to purchase a few acres ofnd in the countryside and a small courtyard, their entire family would have to beg on the streets.


    How can she not hate Wei Liujiang? How can she take this lying down? She could only wish that she can strangle this ingrate personally.


    Therefore, once she found out that Wei Liujiang got released, she rushed back from the countryside to settle scores with him.


    At this moment, she is screaming and shouting at Wei Liujiang at the top of her lungs, bawling out at her sister and brother-inw.


    ¡°What has the Mu family done to let down the Wei family, you have caused us so much harm, Wei Liujiang, did your conscience get eaten up by a dog?¡±


    Wei Liujiang hides behind his mother, afraid to talk.


    Although Wei-Qi pities the situation her sister¡¯s family got into, Liujiang is her son after all and she would naturally have to protect her son.


    ¡°Sister, how can you me our Liujiang? It is a fact that brother-inw is corrupt and epted bribes, don¡¯t tell me it is our Liujiang who made him do it?¡±


    Mu-Qi almost vomited blood,ughing hysterically ¡°Sis, so it is like mother like son, Liujiang has gotten all your genes! To think Mu Tong loves Liujiang so much, who knew he would die in his hands in the end, if it wasn¡¯t Liujiang who refused to let Mu Tong off, would our Mu family have ended up in such dire straits?¡±


    Mu Qinchu apanied his mother here today and also hates Wei Liujiang to the core. He can¡¯t wait to drink his blood and gnaw on his meat.


    How dare they actually say such cynical remarks, if such things can be tolerated, then there would be nothing that is intolerable. Mu Qinchu immediately rolls up his sleeves and grabs Wei Liujiang by the cor, his anger reaching the limit, shouting ¡°WEI LIUJIANG, YOU ARE A MOTHERF*CKING BASTARD, I AM GOING TO BEAT YOU TO DEATH.¡±


    Saying that, he waves his fist towards Wei Liujiang¡¯s face.


    The Old Master Wei was initially filled with guilt. No matter what, it is Liujiang who let them down. However, seeing that his son is going to suffer a beating, he could not care less and went up quickly to mediate.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk nicely, there is no need to get into a brawl, we are all a family.¡±


    ¡°Family my foot, is there a family like this? I am indeed stupid and foolish. Seeing the kind of underhanded means he used to deal with his unwedded wife in the past, I should have known and seen clearly for myself how ruthless he actually is. I must be blind, even begging with Mu Tong to take care of him. Now, I am suffering the consequences of my own actions¡­¡± Mu-Qi uses mournfully, after which, she continues ¡°If Mu Tong does not survive, I want the whole lot of you to be buried together.¡±


    Wei-Qi feels sorry for her son, taking her handkerchief out to wipe the fresh blood flowing out from the wound at the corner of his mouth. Neither she nor the Old Master has everid a finger on Liujiang, now he has to go through all these charges and get locked up in the cell, enduring all the sufferings and even have to get beaten up now. Thinking about it makes her heart ache.


    The Old Master Wei is in the end, guilty. He is still afraid of Qi¡¯s threats because he has gained some dishonest property with this brother-inw. If Qi exposes him, he would have to squat in jail.


    He still has to coax them.


    Old Master Wei says kindly ¡°Don¡¯t be so agitated first, Liujiang did do some things that he shouldn¡¯t, it is also negligence on our part, we are also responsible. However, Liujiang does not wish for it to happen too, Liujiang has told us that he was threatened and if he does not confess and change his testimony, they will punish him and there will be a heavy sentence¡­¡±


    Old Master Wei gives his wife a meaningful nce while saying that and Wei-Qi can only abandon her son and console her sister first.


    Old Master Wei continues ¡°We also feel bad that brother-inw has to go through such a distressed situation, however, to be honest, even without Liujiang¡¯s testimony, brother-inw would be unable to escape this cmity unharmed. Now that the imperial court is mping down on the government official¡¯s discipline, brother-inw just got unlucky.¡±


    Mu-Qi replies coldly ¡°You mean to say, it is Mu Tong getting his just desserts?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so agitated first and listen to me.¡± Old Master Wei quicklyforts ¡°Since the matter has resulted in such consequences, there is no use trying to push the me. We should all get together to solve the problem, I will be staying in Jin Lin for a while and use all my connections and rtionships to help brother-inw fight for a lighter sentence.?Where there is life, there is hope. Even if it is not because of Liujiang, we are still a family and I would not stand by and watch. In the future, your family would be the responsibility of the Wei family. When brother-inw¡¯s matter is settled, you will follow us to Ji Nan and I would treat Qinchu as my own¡­¡±


    Standing outside, Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu can hear all the din going on in the house distinctively.


    Ye Jiayao feels like it was a mistake making this trip here, such a shameless family, why should she bother?


    ¡°Chunyu, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Xia Chunyu doesn¡¯t have a favourable impression towards the people inside as well, he is only willing toe because of Yaoyao.


    Just when they left, they coincidentally ran into Ah Lian and she cried in happiness ¡°Second Young Mistress, you are here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asks casually ¡°Is the second youngdy alright?¡±


    Ah Lian is shocked ¡°Second Young Mistress, didn¡¯t you see the second youngdy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao replies ¡°I still have something on my hands, I have to go now, tell the second youngdy to take care of her body and the baby.¡±


    Ah Lian watches as Second Young Mistress and the Heir-son Lord leaves, feeling perplexed, why did Second Young Mistress leave before visiting Second Young Lady?


    Ye Jinrong is in her room at that moment, ying with her baby merrily. Since Liujiang is alright, she seems alive again.


    Aunt came but Liujiang refused to let her go out and told her to take care of the baby in the room. Liujiang must be afraid that she would hear something nasty! Aunt must have hate Liujiang to the core but she couldn¡¯t care about so much, she only wants Liujiang to be well.


    Ah Lian pushes the door and enters, holding a bowl of rice gruel in her hands. Since Second Young Lady does not have any milk, the poor little miss can only have rice gruel.


    ¡°Second Young Lady, just now I saw the First Young Lady.¡±


    Ye Jinrong is shocked ¡°She came? Why didn¡¯t she look for me?¡±


    Ah Lian replies ¡°I saw hering out from the main courtyard with the Heir-son Lord and she didn¡¯t look very good. The First Young Lady even got me to tell you to take care of your body and little miss.¡±


    Ye Jinrong seems to be in deep thoughts, they came from the main courtyard¡­ aren¡¯t Aunt and mother-inw talking in the main courtyard?


    Back in the horse carriage, Ye Jiayao says depressingly ¡°In the future, I am not going to bother myself with this family¡¯s matters. They are birds of a feather, seeing them makes me pent up with anger.¡±


    Xia Chunyu holds on to her hands, caressing her palm with his fingers. Her hands are cold.


    ¡°Since this is what you feel, then there is no need to feel unhappy because of them. Since Wei Liujiang is out, Ye Jinrong would not bother you again in the future.¡±


    Ye Jiayao remains silent, who can be certain about the future?


    Xia Chunyu continues ¡°Tomorrow is my off-day, do you want to go to the farnds with me to take a look? I heard the frame of the house has beenpleted.¡±


    Xia Chunyu feels that she has been made unhappy by all these frustrating matters and wants to take this chance to bring her out to rx.


    Ye Jiayao is about to agree when she suddenly remembered that she has a ss a morning ss tomorrow, hence, she replies ¡°Can we go a littleter? I still have to teach at the training ss tomorrow morning.¡±


    Xia Chunyu is curious at what she looks like when she is teaching ¡°Sure, but I want to sit in.¡±


    ¡°No, I will be affected with you there.¡± Ye Jiayao rejects resolutely.


    Xia Chunyu smiles ¡°Just pretend that I don¡¯t exist.¡±


    Ye Jiayao is annoyed ¡°Your presence is too strong, I cannot pretend that you don¡¯t exist.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughs out loud, pressing her face and giving her a ferocious kiss.


    The next day, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t sit in in the end, waiting for her at home before they set off for the farnds.


    Since he has nothing to do, Xia Chunyu stays in the study to read. He hears footsteps and didn¡¯t even lift his head, thinking that it is Xue Ye who ising to pour him some tea.


    ¡°Brother-inw¡­¡± A gentle voice starts.


    Only then did Xia Chunyu lift his head up, stunned,ughing awkwardly ¡°It¡¯s you, I thought it was Xue Ye! You should let the servants do things like this.


    Jinyao smiles ¡°It is only right that I am serving brother-inw, sister and brother-inw have been treating me very well.¡±


    Xia Chunyu replies ¡°You have had a difficult time too, now that you are back, take a good rest!¡± after saying that, he focuses his attention back on the book. Momentster, he realises that she is still not leaving and begins to feel a little weird.


    ¡°Is anything else the matter?¡± Xia Chunyu asks.


    Jinyao hesitates, gritting her teeth and finally takes out a spice pouch from her sleeve pocket, saying cautiously ¡°I made this especially for brother-inw, I hope you don¡¯t despise it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu takes a look at the spice pouch. It is a green, satin pouch with the pattern of lotus embroidered on it. The needlework is exquisite and the spice pouch is very delicate. Only, her giving him a spice pouch out of the blue makes him feel that something is amiss.


    ¡°Does your sister have one?¡±


    Xia Chunyu asks, not receiving the gift.


    Jinyao blushes as she replies ¡°I am still embroidering sister¡¯s I made one for you first.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiles lightly ¡°Then you can pass it to us together after you are done!¡±


    Jinyao bites her teeth together ¡°Is there a difference?¡±


    Of course there is a difference, if she made two and gift one to Yaoyao, he would ept it even though he wouldn¡¯t bring it around but if only he has it, he can never ept it.


    He is not afraid that Yaoyao would think too much, but afraid that Jinyao would overthink.


    Jinyao lets out a sign of disappointment, saying a little resentfully ¡°Brother-inw, are you despising my embroidery?¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiles lightly ¡°Gift it together, wouldn¡¯t it seem that you are more sincere?¡±


    He does not wish to continue this topic with her and says ¡°If there is nothing else, I am going to read.¡±


    This is an obvious sign that he is turning her away and it makes the disappointment in Jinyao¡¯s eyes turn into awkwardness. After hesitating for a while, she leaves sadly.


    Brother-inw only has?Sister in his eyes, is Sister that good?


    Xia Chunyu heaves a sigh of relief, he hopes that it is him who has read too much into it, otherwise, there would be real trouble!

 Chapter 261 - Petty And Stubborn

    <h4>Chapter 261: Petty And Stubborn</h4>


    Today is Ye Jiayao¡¯s first lesson ever since the start of the training ss.


    The other teachers all lectured on their expertise directly, allowing the students to benefit immensely from the lessons.


    However, Ye Jiayao does not intend to do so. The past cannot bepared to the present and this can be seen throughout space and time from developed transportation to essible information. However, the chefs in this era are not so fortunate. Some of them only know how to make the few dishes that their teachers taught and those who are more creative would still be limited by their experiences, making it difficult for them to reach greater aplishments.


    Therefore, for her first lesson, she is going to broaden everyone¡¯s horizon and tell them all about the different factions of cuisines, their distinctive traits, and principal dishes.


    All these knowledge are basics to her but putting it into the context of the current era, it is shocking information. No one has ever talked about the culture of Chinese cuisine in such a systematic and objective way, making everyone feel that the industry that they are in is actually this important, suddenly opening up a wide panorama for everyone, filling them with joy and excitement after the enlightenment.


    Lu Xiaotian also came down today especially to listen to the ss and the more he listens to it, the more absorbed he is, opening up a multitudinous range of thoughts.


    After the ss opening ceremony, he has been thinking about what Ye Jiayao said and is preparing to organise vegetarian cuisine into a system to leave to the future generations so that vegetarian cuisine can be promoted and developed to a greater height. However, after listening to the ss today, he realised that Ye Jiayao is not one who is all talk no actions, she has long prepared and organised all these.


    Besides, he knows deeply how difficult it is to organise all the information. Different trades are worlds apart and the different factions of cuisines keep their skills to themselves, not imparting their knowledge easily. Moreover, each faction feel that their style is the best and would always look down on the rest, not to mention learn from them.


    It is a huge step forward that she is able to break off from the seal and the old-fashioned thoughts.


    No wonder she can emerge victorious so easily in the previous challenge with the Master in Si Chuan cuisine. No wonder Heavenly Residence is able to continuouslye out with new dishes and can easily capture the customers¡¯ stomachs. It turns out that she not only specialises in Huai Yang dishes, she is also deeply knowledgeable on other types of cuisines.


    It is not simple at all, as a woman, she is able to do things that man are unable to.


    Ye Jiayao says her speech with radiance and delight, not knowing that Lu Xiaotian is already deeply moved below the stage.


    Ye Jiayao ends off with ¡°In the next lesson, we will first learn some authentic northern cuisine. We have to learn all the positive things and continuously innovate. I believe all of you can do it.¡±


    ¡°Incredible, how incredible¡­¡± Duan Qilin who is at the side is already deeply moved.


    ¡°We only teach others how to make but she teaches them how to create, incredible¡­¡±


    Lu Xiaotian nods in agreement. Duan Qilin hits the nail on the head. She has a different perspective and would naturally think differently. The more they interact with her, the shallower they feel they are.


    Ye Jiayao finishes her lecture and an explosion of apuse erupted. Although they did not learn a single dish today, everyone feels that they have benefited the most from today¡¯s ss.


    The students sitting beside Cui Dongpeng and Wang Mingde looks at them with extreme envy. These two chaps are so lucky to be able to work under Shopkeeper Ye.


    Cui Dongpeng and Wang Mingde can feel the envious looks from all around them and begins to straighten their back, feeling super proud.


    Ye Jiayaoes down from the stage and enters the waiting room with Lu Xiaotian and the rest.


    Lu Xiaotian pours tea for her personally.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Ye, every word of yours is thought-provoking, I have benefited immensely from them!¡±


    Duan Qilin who rarely praises anyone chimes in ¡°Shopkeeper Ye, after attending one of your ss, I felt like my 20 years of experience as a chef have all been in vain.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blushes with embarrassment ¡°Is Shopkeeper Duan ridiculing me? Actually, the Huai Yang cuisine that I make is not as authentic as the both of yours and my culinary skills are not as exquisite as the two of yours. I only like toe up with some new styles and everyone is just being supportive.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smiles ¡°It is exactly your new styles that we can never learn.¡±


    Innovation is easier said than done. One would only know how difficult it is when they try.


    Ye Jiayao is really embarrassed and feels as though she has cheated in some way. Aye, so be it, she is not doing it for her personal fame anyway. It is to promote the Chinese cuisine culture. It is her grandfather and father who always say it and she has always heard it since young and hence, it is ingrained in her. She has no idea how far she can take this but she is definitely going to do it.


    Xia Chunyu bes frustrated after Jinyao¡¯s sudden scene, losing the mood to read.


    Just as well, he got Song Qi to prepare the horse carriage, going straight to the training ss to fetch Ye Jiayao.


    When he reached, it was not time yet so Xia Chunyu did not go in but wait in the horse carriage, lifting the curtain to look out from time to time.


    After waiting for quite a while, he sees Yaoyaoe out with Lu Xiaotian.


    The two of them exchanged a few words at the door and he sees Yaoyao smile radiantly. That gaze when Lu Xiaotian looks at Yaoyao makes Xia Chunyu extremely unhappy.


    That gaze, how should he put it? It is concentrated yet gentle, those bright eyes epass too many things.


    It is said that women¡¯s intuition is very urate but the same goes for men. In other words, he doesn¡¯t like how other men gaze at his Yaoyao like that.


    Ye Jiayao exchanges a few polite greetings and sees the horse carriage quickly. She bids Xiaotian farewell hurriedly and walks over.


    ¡°Song Qi, when did you arrive?¡±


    Song Qi smiles ¡°Second Young Mistress, you should as the Heir-son Lord, I did not check the time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao shoots him a re and boards the horse carriage.


    Upon entering the carriage, she got pulled into someone¡¯s embrace and falls, sitting on hisps. Following that, a passionate kiss attacks her lips.


    This kiss is passionate and deep, resolute and violent as though trying to dere sovereignty, leaving her gasping for air. She wants to protest but is afraid that Song Qi and Qiao Xi who are outside might here and therefore, can only use her hands to push him away. It was still alright when she didn¡¯t push him, once she starts pushing him, hees even stronger.


    Only after a long while did Xia Chunyu release her. He is a little short of breath and keeps staring straight at her with a gaze as though there are mes dancing under those dark pupils.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s lips hurt and she grumbles softly ¡°Why did you use so much strength? Have you taken the wrong medicine?¡±


    Her red lips are slightly swollen from his abusive kiss and because it is still wet, it looks exceptionally tender, making it hard to resist a second bite.


    The food she makes is delicious but actually, she is the tastiest food.


    ¡°Keep a distance from Lu Xiaotian in future.¡± Xia Chunyu says softly through gritted teeth.


    Ye Jiayao is stunned and breaks out into augh immediately ¡°Are you jealous?¡±


    In the past, when he warns her to stay away from Little Jing, he also wears that expression on his face. However, Lu Xiaotian is someone with a family and is also an upright gentleman. How is it possible that he has any impure thoughts towards her> Ye Jiayao thinks that Chunyu¡¯s jealousy is ineffable.


    However, Xia Chunyu did not smile ¡°I am being serious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles while she rolls her eyes at him ¡°You are being ridiculously jealous, we are just friends, just like with Old Zhao.¡±


    Xia Chunyu lifts the corner of his lips into an insincere smile ¡°Old Zhao likes men but I am certain Lu Xiaotian likes women.¡±


    Ugh¡­ alright, however, she still has to say ¡°Lu Xiaotian is not who you think he is, he is a gentleman.¡±


    Xia Chunyu snorts ¡°He cannot even think about it.¡±


    ¡°Can you even read minds? How would you know what he was thinking?¡± Ye Jiayaoughs.


    Xia Chunyu says sternly ¡°Eyes, when you like someone, you will look at the person differently, your eyes will glow. I am very urate at reading people.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thinks about it for a while, is that so? Why didn¡¯t she notice it?


    However, it is interesting to see this chap jealous. On top of that, she is in a good mood today so she relents ¡°Alright, I will take note of it in the future.¡±


    Xia Chunyu grumbles ¡°If I have known earlier, I wouldn¡¯t let you teach.¡±


    Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t know whether tough or cry ¡°Are you done, you¡¯re the one being petty here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu acknowledges magnanimously ¡°That¡¯s right, I am petty, just like you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao cannot help but re at him ¡°Who is like you, I don¡¯t get jealous for no rhyme or reason.¡±


    Xia Chunyu replies nonchntly ¡°You grew up with the smell of vinegar, no one can be better at you at being jealous.¡±


    She is speechless, Ye Jiayao decides to ignore him.


    Once her face darkens, Xia Chunyu grows weak immediately, hugging her and saying pitifully ¡°You are so perfect anyone with eyes would like you, I am just feeling a sense of crisis here, I¡¯m afraid someone would snatch you away¡­¡±


    Oh, he actually puts his stance so low? The Jing An Marquis¡¯s Heir-son Lord who was always so proud and conceited, the Jing An Marquis¡¯s Heir-son Lord who doesn¡¯t have care for anyone is actually saying that he is feeling a sense of crisis, this is incredible.


    Mm, on the ount of his sincerity, Ye Jiayao resists herughter and wraps her arms around his neck, leaning close to his ear while she says daintily ¡°Rest assured, if you are petty, I am stubborn, who would have thought I would like you? Now you won¡¯t even be able to escape even if you want to.¡±


    Her breath that smiles like flowers sprinkle at the edge of his ears, tickling him, and her gentle tone teases him, stirring his heart.


    He lowers his head and leans in on her lips, kissing it gently and slowly, saying in a raspy and ambiguous tone ¡°Even if you escape to the corners of the earth, I would catch you back.¡±


    The temperature in the horse carriage starts to rise slowly and the two of them blush immensely, their breath getting increasingly unstable.


    No, no, if this goes on, an ident will happen in the horse carriage.


    Ye Jiayao struggles to hold on to thest of her rationality, pushing him away ¡°Stay away from me.¡±


    Xia Chunyu can already feel her full summit blossoming in his palm, saying with augh ¡°Stay away from you, should I go sit at the top of the carriage?¡±


    ¡°Sure, it is windier up there, just nice for you to cool down.¡± Ye Jiayao cannot help butugh at the thought of the image of someone sitting at the top of the carriage, what aedy!


    The horse carriage arrives at the farnds and Ye Jiayao is awestruck by the view before her.


    What speed! The house is only left with the roof.


    Upon seeing the arrival of the Heir-son Lord and the Second Young Mistress, Manager Zhao quickly wees them, bringing the couple around to take a look.


    Xia Chunyu holds on to Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand. The construction site is still in a mess with wood and tiles all over the ce, making the path difficult to walk on.


    ¡°Watch where you step, why don¡¯t I piggyback you?¡± Xia Chunyu sees how she walks with difficulty while lifting her skirt up and thought of just carrying her.


    Ye Jiayao blushes and says softly ¡°Give me a break! I don¡¯t want to beughed at.¡±


    ¡°Laughed at for what? I am piggybacking my wife, everything is appropriate.¡± Xia Chunyu doesn¡¯t see anything wrong. Come to think of it, he has never piggybacked her before!

 Chapter 262 - Give you a gift

    <h4>Chapter 262: Give you a gift</h4>


    Although the construction nt was still in a mess now, the prototype of the use had alreadye out. Ye Jiayao visited her backroom specially and built it in the main study. It was dug deep under it, and was also really dark, so she couldn¡¯t go down and look at it.


    However, this backroom was designed by uncle Jiang himself, and she had nothing to worry about.


    Seemingly,they came to inspect the progress of the project, and they left the construction nt after only a short time. They also did not let Song Qi and Qiao Xi follow and rode a big ck horse around.


    Walking, she came to a meadow by the stream.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the scenery here. Why was it so familiar?


    ¡± Chunyu, I don¡¯t seem to have been here?But I feel familiar ... look at that crooked neck tree over there. I must have seen it, ¡± Ye Jiayao wondered.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, rode to the crooked neck tree, took her off the horse, pped the horse¡¯s big ck ass, and it walked away to look for food.


    ¡± Of course you have, because you have been here.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were full of teasing, and maybe some ambiguous smiles that were indescribable.


    Ye Jiayao looked around, but was pulled down by him who rolled her over and pressed her under his won body. ¡± Are you reminded of anything by this?¡± he said in a charm tone.¡±


    The same posture, the same blue sky, the same clear water and green grass.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face was flushed at a visible speed. Wasn¡¯t this the ce where he dragged her out of Lanting Xuan, running with her all the way, and made her lost her virginity?


    ¡± Remember it?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled and kissed her eyebrow, her eyes, her nose, her lips ... all the way down carefully.


    Last time because she was very angry, she was not sure what he wanted, and she was nervously taken by him, but now what is going on again?Did he revisit this old ce and want to do that again?


    Thest time she didn¡¯t care much about it, because she thought it was wild and no one would see it, but now she knew that it was so close to their farm that someone could appear at any time.


    ¡± Don¡¯t ... someone wille.¡± Ye Jiayao struggled a little.


    ¡± Shhh ... close your eyes and focus.¡± He was obsessed and kissed her deeply and skillfully untied her belt.


    He was teased by her in the carriage and endured it very hard.


    Ye Jiayao growled from the bottom of her heart, what¡¯s there to focus on. Whether they can have sex in the wild should depends on the surroundings .Of course, the surrounding here was good, but was not safe enough.


    ¡± Yaoyao, I want you ...¡±


    ¡± No, not here.¡± Ye Jiayao pressed his hand.


    ¡± It¡¯s OK, don¡¯t worry, the horse will keep watch for us.¡±


    ¡± no, it is unreliable.¡± She hadn¡¯t forgottenst time the horse¡¯s looking back at her with obscene eyes.


    ¡± My ears are very sensitive.¡±


    ¡± You are even more unreliable.¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s been a long time since I tasted your taste,Yaoyao...¡± he began to act pitifully again. A few days ago, she ignored him because of Ruan¡¯s affair. Later, she was busy sorting out the lecture notes and getting to midnight. His heart ached for her and he was willing to give up her tiredness, so he always endured it. At his age of energetic and with beautiful woman at his side, this kind of torture was simply unbearable.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. In fact, she was teased by him, and worried that someone might appear at any time. This kind of provocative mood, on the contrary, was exciting. He started it when she hesitated. In fact, she wanted to say, did it at home.


    He smoothly entered the warm and moist interior, his eyes were filled with a triumphant smile: ¡± You see, you wanted it too.¡±


    ¡± I didn¡¯t,¡± she murmured humbly.


    ¡± Really?The body is the most honest and can¡¯t lie. ¡± He raised his eyebrows, moved deeply and shallowly, and pushed into the body without any regrity in a deliberately torturing way.


    ¡± You ... please be light ...¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s abdomen, which he tortured, was burning like a fire. She couldn¡¯t say for sure whether it was ufortable orfortable, and her toes were taut.


    The horse felt that he had gone far enough, but the slight purr of yelling still came into his ears, he snorted contemptuously, hum, and knew that his master was here for evil purposes.


    After half an hour, Ye Jiayaoy panting in his arms. The whole body seemed to be hollowed out and floating in the clouds. Doing such a thing in such a ce, well, was still very ashamed.


    A man held her contentedly and said in a low voice, ¡± Yao, you did a great job today.¡±


    It was been a long time since it was so carefree.


    ¡±?don¡¯t say it,¡± Ye Jiayao shut his mouth .


    Shit, it was all because of him, who was extremely provocative and made her to indulge for once.


    Heughed heartily and thought: his Yaoyao still had great potential, just needed his guidance and excavation, and he will try it in the hot spring in the back mountain of Puji Temple next time.


    It was not until the sunset that the two of them returned home.


    As soon as they returned home, Xiang Tao said that Mr. Zhong Xiang, who lived in Tianshang ju, hade here, saying that the office of internal affairs had ordered eight hundred snowy mooncakes and had already ordered it to Jiang Yue.


    Ye Jiayao was overjoyed. Thest time she went to the pce to send moon cakes, she also had the purpose of selling them. Sure enough, the pce ordered them.


    Only 500 were orderedst year, and 300 more this year, it¡¯s good.


    Xia Chunyu warned: ¡± Don¡¯t forget your family.¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled and said, ¡± you don¡¯t need to remind me, sister-inw and some moon cakes have already been sent to Liuli.¡±


    Xia Chunyu felt wronged and said, ¡± What about mine?¡±


    Ye Jiayao called Qiao Xi in a hurry: ¡± Qiao Xi, go and get a basin of hot water. I want to wash up and change clothes.¡± She also wanted to slip away.


    Xia Chunyu grabbed her and asked, ¡± What about mine?¡±


    ¡± You don¡¯t like sweet food,¡± Ye Jiayao said guiltily.


    ¡± I like to eat what you make.¡± Xia Chunyu was very sad. He was supposed to be the first one who could taste what wife made as he had a wife good at cooking. However, As a result, he was always thest one, sometimes even not the one.


    ¡± Oh, I¡¯ll bring some back to you tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao said perfunctorily.


    Xia Chunyu rolled his eyes and shouted, ¡± Xiang Tao, go to fetch water, and I¡¯ll wash up and change clothes.¡±


    He went straight back to his room with his hands behind his back.


    Ye Jiayao crooked her mouth and followed him in when He had already taken clean clothes to the room.


    Ye Jiayao thought for a while, and opened the cab and take out the perfume satchel hidden at the bottom of the cab.


    Poor satchel, originally intended for the Dragon Boat Festival, was not embroidered until a few days ago. His birthday was in September. Recently, there was only such a festival as the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival. It seemed inappropriate to give him satchel on the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival.


    Anyhow, he felt ignored and took this to coax him.


    How can Xia Chunyu be really angry, he just pretended it.


    When she came out of the clean room, she saw her hands behind her back and moved toward him.


    ¡± Well ... that ... I have a little gift for you.¡± Ye Jiayao was a little nervous. Although Qiao Xi said she embroidered it well, she also felt that her embroidery was passable. After all, it was the first time to do this thing, but she was still afraid that he would dislike it andugh at her.


    Xia Chunyu was surprised and looked forward to it, but he deliberately pretended to be cool and said lightly, ¡± What is it?¡±


    ¡± you have to promise first that you won¡¯t dislike it. If you dare to do it, you won¡¯t be given any gifts in your life.¡± Ye Jiayao warned first.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± I¡¯ll see what it is first. I¡¯m not so easy to be pleased.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him and threw the satchel at him: ¡± I give it anyway, if you don¡¯t like it, forget it .¡±


    Xia Chunyu grabbed it in his hand deftly.


    He took a closer look on it, and it turned out to be a satchel covered with a blue satin with bamboo embroidered on it. Although the design was simple, the embroidery work was passable, but his heart was filled with endless joy.


    Because he knew that Yaoyao was not good at embroidering and had never seen her doing needlework. If she took out a delicate embroidering work, it may be Qiao Xi who helped embroider it. the more simple it was, the more possibility that she embroidered it herself.


    ¡± How long have you embroidered it?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao said sheepishly: ¡± I assumed it is easy to embroider such a simple pattern, and haven¡¯t imagined how difficult it was. It was intended for the Dragon Boat Festival. Now it was for the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival.¡±


    Snigger...


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t helpughing out loud.


    His lovely Yaoyao, the satchel which was embroidered for several months, was really precious to him.


    ¡± Hey, I warned you not tough at me.¡± Ye Jiayao bluffed.


    Xia Chunyu walked over and held her in his arms and whispered in her ear, ¡± I¡¯m notughing at you, I¡¯m just so happy. I like this gift very much.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said softly and sheepishly, ¡± Take it and look at it. Don¡¯t wear it.¡±


    ¡± Why can¡¯t I wear it? You sent it to me. I like it even when bamboo is embroidered into straw.¡± At that point, he tied the sachet to his belt in earnest.


    ¡± Elder sister, elder sister ...¡± Jinyao rushed in.


    Seeing the first sister¡¯husband tied a satchel around his waist, her heart suddenly sank.


    When she gave it to him, he declined, and what her sister embroidered can not parallel to hers , but he received it so happily.


    Ye Jiayao was a little unhappy. This was her private space, especially when she was alone with Chunyu. She didn¡¯t want anyone to rush in so rashly. The servants in her yard all knew this rule, and no one dared to offend. Only Jinyao broke the rule for so many times, but she can¡¯t be angry at her, She took two steps back from Chunyu and just asked, ¡± Jinyao, what¡¯s the matter making you in a hurry?¡±


    Jinyao recovered, she still felt sad and said, ¡± It¡¯s not a big deal. That is, Lian hase and said that Second Sister wants to see you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± I see.¡±


    Last night, she had already been to Wei¡¯house and didn¡¯t want to go there again. Not only was it because of Wei Liujiang, but also she didn¡¯t want to get too close to Jinrong, so it would be good to have nothing to do with her.


    Besides, Jinrong wanted to see her again and again, it was obvious that sheing here not for catching up. She must have something to ask her for, and she didn¡¯t want to be concerned about her affairs.


    ¡± Is there anything else?¡± Ye Jiayao felt even more ufortable when she saw Jinyao¡¯s eyes staring at Chunyu.


    ¡± Oh, nothing else, then I¡¯m gonna go.¡± Jinrong nced at the satchel again, still feeling very harsh and piercing.

 Chapter 263 - Doubt

    <h4>Chapter 263: Doubt</h4>


    After dinner, Fang mother brought a new suit, she said thatst time the seconddy designed a few sets of clothes sold very good, many people came to customize, this was a gift of thanks from firstdy.


    Ye Jiayao did not hesitate to ask Qiao Xi to take it up, and returned with tow ponds of donkey-hide gtin. She kept a lot of supplements here, some were from You, some were sent by Princess Yide, and Chunyu also brought a lot of back, where she can¡¯t eat off, left them unused but fear of going bad, so she decided to give them away.


    Seeing her put on her new dress in front of the mirror posturing, Xia chunyu smiled and said, ¡°This skirt will not be your design!¡±


    Ye Jiayao proudly said:¡± How about it? Not bad?¡±


    Looking at the curve of her beautiful waist, Xia chunyu said in a faint way, ¡°It¡¯s not bad if you show it to me alone.¡±


    Men¡¯s minds were also contradictory, they hoped that their beloved dress the more beautiful the better, on the other hand they thought of such beauty better was just belong to them.


    Ye Jiayao turned her head to look ar the man who is stingy. This dress was not revealing, and got well covered in the necessary ce. Just make some decoration in the waist and the cor, which can better highlight the female curvaceous. Couldn¡¯t? He would not have fainted if he had seen modern women¡¯s strappy trousers all over the street.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to wear it out tomorrow.¡± Ye Jiayao sings against him. Why he stopped her from pursuing beauty? Women needed to be magnificent so that they can firmly grasp men¡¯s hearts.


    Xia Chunyu took her no way: ¡°Fine, it¡¯s all right to go to Heavenly Residence, absolutely not to go to the training ss.¡±


    Ye Jiayao remembered the way he was jealous during the day. Her lips curved and said, ¡± Tomorrow there will be no sses for me., I¡¯m going to visit Yuwang mansion and visit Zhu.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with augh, ¡°You are quitepatible with Zhu.¡±


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s nice. Besides, she¡¯s Su¡¯ s sister-inw, and I feel especially close.¡± Ye Jiayao walked to him swaying, she took the book from his hand, put her arms around his neck and smiled at him.


    His eyes were as dark as the deep night sky, but they were in full bloom with the most dazzling light. His beautiful face was so charming that she liked him when she saw him for the first time. Therefore, she didn¡¯t feel much sad when she treated him like that.


    It¡¯s just that such a man was destined to attract the attention and heartache from other women.¡±


    ¡± Chunyu, you say, shall I let Jinyao live in the Wei family?¡±


    Xia Chunyu put his arms around her waist and smiled : ¡°As your wish.¡±


    He wished Jinyao had lived there, and it would have been embarrassing if things had happened again this morning.


    He did not hesitate to express his opinion, so that Ye Jiayao very satisfied, and gave him a kiss.


    Originally she wanted to kiss simply, but he pressed her back brain, came a deep kiss.


    After half a moment, two of them were gasping for breath. They saw the burning desire from each other¡¯s eyes.


    Xia Chunyu let her go, went and bolted the door, came back, and lifted her up.


    Hadn¡¯t enjoyed it yet, let¡¯s went on in the evening.


    Xia Chunyu had not vented in her for a long time. Although he can¡¯t enjoy doing so, he considered her body and had to take some action in case of she may worry about the pregnancy. But today, he got too emotional, and at the critical moment, he had been bitten by her tightly and couldn¡¯t get away from it, so all of them were shot into her body. He thought of that it didn¡¯t matter if he wanted to do it once sometimes.


    Next day, Ye Jiayao deliberately picked a time when royal highness Yu would not be there. Ruan¡¯s mental state seemed better than the previous few days, and her smile was no longer so reluctant.


    Little Man whispered to her that royal highness Yu had been resting in Ruan¡¯s ce for two days, and even Lin had called him three times, royal highness Yu hadn¡¯t leave.


    Therefore, whether a woman in a family has status or not, their own efforts was important, but the most crucial was the man¡¯s attitude, royal highness Yu put the attitude right, Lin wanted to be arrogant also dare not be too tant.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯ s heart was steady atst.


    Having resolved a matter of concern, Ye Jiayao deliberately early returned home, she let Qiao Xi to call Jinyao, Qiao Xi came back to say, Jinyao had went to the Wei family.


    Oh, she used to persuade her but she didn¡¯t go, now she took the initiative to go, it¡¯s fine, Jinyao and Jinrong were getting close, when the time came, let her live in there would be logical.


    In this way, Ye Jiayao was not in a hurry to say it, she nned to mentioned itter.


    In fact, Jinyao did not want to go to the Wei residence, for fear that the eldest sister would not be happy, but second sister couldn¡¯t ask the elder sister toe, so she found her and she had no choice but toe.


    Ye Jinrong gave the baby to the nurse, and the two sisters closed the door to speak.


    ¡°Third sister, there is one thing, you must help me.¡± Ye Jin Rong solemnly said


    ¡°Second sister, what¡¯s the matter? Let me exin it first. I will not do anything that embarrass me.¡± Jinyao said.


    Ye Jinrong coldly smiled, ¡°Thrid sisters, do you really think that the eldest sister will take you as her blood sister? She hates us so much!¡±


    Jinyao was indifferent, thinking that am I going to stay away from eldest sister but stay with you? What benefits would I got to be close to you when you were so miserable? At least there had an eldest brother-inw.


    Ye Jinrong said, ¡°Don¡¯t think that I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking, third sister. Do you think she can tolerate you if eldest sister knows about your minds? What Queen, you dream too ridiculous.¡±


    Jinyao ¡®s face changed slightly, and she said with a guilty conscience, ¡°What are you talking about? I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Thrid sister, you don¡¯t have to pretend, I saw you secretly painted eldest brother-inw¡¯s portrait, but also embroidered Mandarin duck in private, your second sister I came over, I understand your mind.¡± Ye Jinrong said.


    Jinyao¡¯s face flushed red and she couldn¡¯t find any reason to sophisticate, but how did the second sister find out? She was doing so secretly.


    ¡°Thrid sister, big sister is not a generous person, you can see how she treat our mother. What a cruel person! It is a kind of vindictiveness, how can she let you achieve your dream? Third sisters, we three sisters, you have the most beautiful appearance, startling beauty, there is no man who doesn¡¯t like attractive woman in the world, eldest brother-inw is a man, but he already got your eldest sister, even he was lustful, he had no courage. ... ¡±


    Jinyao could not help thinking of that sachet again and felt sick.


    Ye Jinrong saw that she had already listened in, she said again: ¡°Third sister, forgive me to say something bad, eldest sister can be seconddy, you also can.¡±


    Jinyao ¡®s heart was shocked. In a daze, she looked at her sister in expectation. Could she have a way?


    Ye Jinrong said with augh, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not difficult at all. If you can drive your eldest sister away, your brother-inw will be yours.¡±


    Jinyao asked subconsciously: ¡°Drive away? How can we drive her away?¡±


    She didn¡¯t think there was a possibility. There was no doubt that the eldest brother-inw treat eldest sister so good even in his eyes there was only the eldest sister, but she couldn¡¯t help expecting it.


    Ye Jinrong motioned for her toe over and whisper in her ear.


    Jinyao¡¯ s face changed greatly and shook her head hastily. ¡°We can¡¯t do it. In case of exposure, I will be hated to death by my eldest sister, and the eldest brother-inw will not forgive me.¡±


    Ye Jinrong sneered at her nose: ¡°Nothing ventured, nothing gained, or you forget about this thing.¡±


    Jinyao bit her lips, struggled with contradictions.


    ¡°In fact, you don¡¯t have to be afraid, this strategy, I¡¯ve been pondering for a long time, absolutely safe, then, even if the eldest brother-inw loves eldest sister, he also can¡¯t tolerate, and you, take advantage of it, everything has been done, eldest brother-inw can not have you?¡± Ye Jinrong coaxed.


    Jinyao pondered over for a long time, her eyes gradually turn cold: ¡°Well, I promise to cooperate you, when can we start?¡±


    Ye Jinrong smiled. ¡°Just wait a few days.¡±


    Everything is ready, only owes to the east wind, waiting for the princess ze¡¯s orders.


    My eldest sister, Ye Jinxuan, all I have today is thanks to you, if I don¡¯t ask for the profit, I can not be reconciled. Last time I let you escape, you turned cmity into blessing, this time, I would watch how you resolve it. Ye Jinrong smiled gloomy as if she had seen eldest sister was like a lost dog.


    On this day, Xia Chunyu returned home from work, he saw a servant sneaking about in front of the house, so he went up and asked, ¡°Who are you? Who are you looking for?¡±


    The man looked confused. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I just looking around.¡±


    Then he hurried to go away.


    Xia Chunyu gave Song Qi a look and Song Qi grabbed the man. ¡°Look at you sneaking around, you certainly won¡¯t do a good turn, say it or not, if you don¡¯t be frank we will send you to see an official.¡±


    The man was in a panic: ¡°Sir, I really just passing by. I saw the mansion¡¯s elegance, couldn¡¯t help taking a few more nces. I am definitely not a bad person.¡±


    Song Qi chuckled, ¡°Are you cheating a three-year-old child?¡±


    The man saw that he could not escape and had to say, ¡°I am looking for seconddy.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned at his eyebrows and coldly said, ¡°Where are you from? What do you want with seconddy?¡±


    The man suddenly shook his hand, broke free from Song Qi and ran away.


    Song Qi tended to catch up, but was stopped by Xia Chunyu. Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Follow him at a distant, find out where he is from,e back to report.¡±


    Song Qi took orders and ran after the man in the direction of escape.


    This matter, made Xia Chunyu¡¯ s heart get panic, if it was legitimate, was there a necessity to be so sneaky? Did this person want to do something bad to Yaoyao?


    Ye Jiayao found there was something wrong with Chunyu, Seeing his eyebrows were locked and his mind was absent, she asked him what had happened.


    This matter had not been examined clearly, Chunyu didn¡¯ t want to worry her, then he said he got some trouble in the pce.


    He didn¡¯t want to say anything more, Ye Jiayao was not easy to ask, men¡¯s affairs, men wouldl solve on their own, if there was really a big problem, Chunyu would definitely discuss them with her.


    After dinner, Song Qi came back, Xia Chunyu motioned him to go to the outside study room to speak.


    Song Qi wiped out the sweat: ¡°Such a cunning man.I rolled through the city for more than half of the circle, almost let him slipped away.¡±


    Xia Chunyu put his hand on the table and knocked on it again and again, speaking impatiently:¡± Make the point.¡±


    Song Qi said: ¡°I saw him finally went to the vegetarian restaurant.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face darkened when he struck the finger on the table. Dark eyes seemed to surge.


    The vegetarian restaurant was looking for Yaoyao but so sneaky


    It was really hard for people to think about the benefits.


    He could still remember Lu Xiaotian ¡®s eyesight when he looked at Yaoyao.


    But if Lu Xiaotian wanted to find Yaoyao, he didn¡¯t have to work so hard. Yaoyao goes to the training ss every three days. The Chamber of Commerce has a regr meeting once a month, so he has a lot of chances to meet her.


    Xia Chunyu was puzzled. What the hell was Lu Xiaotian doing?

 Chapter 264 - Weird note

    <h4>Chapter 264: Weird note</h4>


    ¡°Heir-son lord, do you want me to watch that guy.¡± Song Qi rolled up his sleeves. Damn kid, made him run around half of Jinling City. He still didn¡¯t have food, if he found that guy, he must punish him.


    Xia Chunyu lifted his hand and said deeply: ¡°You go and watch Lu Xiaotian. If anything happens, report to me immediately.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had no idea of this interlude and she thought what Chunyu talked about was troublesome. So she felt heavy in her heart these days.


    That night, after dinner, Chunyu went to the outer study again. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t talk to You as she had to write essay and came back to the room early.


    Who knew that after a while, someone from You invited her: ¡°Third madam is there and they need one more person to y cards with.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t push and she heard that You really liked card game, especially after she knew double and she invited friends to y. After Lord came back, she barely yed it.


    Umm. It was rare. Ye Jiayao closed the book and went to guest room.


    Liu Li and Qiao Mingxiu were there too. After Qiao Mingxiu gave a set of new clothes to Liu Li, Liu Li visited her a couple of times. You saw Liu Li didn¡¯t mind, so she let go of Qiao Mingxiu.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have enough people? Big sister. You guys y, I will watch.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao Mingxiu said hurriedly: ¡°I am bad at cards. Also I am leaving soon so you y.¡±


    You smiled: ¡°Jinxuan, you join.¡±


    You liked Ye Jiaoyao¡¯s style of ying cards as she wouldn¡¯t react much no matter she won or lost. She also yed fast and never wasted time.


    ¡°Second sister, I want to learn a few tricks from you!¡± Liu Li smiled.


    Zhou said neutrally: ¡°I always lost to you every time. I won most of times elsewhere. I can¡¯t believe this luck of yours.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. Whatever she said. 4 people picked their seat and started to y cards.


    Everyone started to chat at the same time.


    Zhou said: ¡°Next month, Deng¡¯s family will send the invite for a good day. You guys muste!¡±


    Liu Li was surprised: ¡°Third aunt decided to let Yulian marry there?¡±


    Zhou sneered: ¡°How would Yulian marry that kind of person. It is Jinlian. I rejected Deng¡¯s familyst time. I only said that Yulian was a bit too young at that time. And I wanted to keep her longer. I rmended a more suitable daughter with good look to them. They didn¡¯t respond and I thought it would just pass by. Who knows that a few days ago, Deng¡¯s family asked for Jinlian. Then without a doubt, it was Jinlian¡¯s luck to marry that kind of family.¡±


    You said calmly: ¡°Jinlian really had a good fortune.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that she looked down on other family because they wanted to marry her own daughter. When they changed to Jinlian, the stepdaughter, it became her fortune. Zhou was truly biased in a way that everybody can see.


    ¡°Third aunt, you should ask Cui¡¯s family, maybe Yinlian¡¯s marriage can be set.¡± Qiao said.


    Zhouughed: ¡°You don¡¯t say, I really have that thought. My stepdaughter could marry well, so Yulian¡¯s value must increase a lot.¡±


    You wanted to tell her that Cui¡¯s son had engaged and would marry a rich and powerful family¡¯s daughter.


    But she didn¡¯t say it and just let Zhou trouble herself. As he had a mole on his face and she missed out a good marriage for her daughter. Just let her regret by herself.


    Ye Jiayao half listened and her head was filled of calction of the cards. Just her instinctive. You kept ying Dots and Numbers and she didn¡¯t y any stripes. So she just yed a 3 stripes.


    You¡¯s face was happy and hurriedly wanted to take it, but Zhou stopped her: ¡°Wait, I will get that.¡±


    You was speechless, she needed that 3 stripes, if she got it, she would have won the game.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t do much, as she gave the right card for her but Zhou took it half way.


    She took another card and it was another 3 stripes. And Ye Jiayao yed it without hesitance.


    You was happy: ¡°Luck is here and I cannot stop it. The fourth 3 stripes came out already.


    Zhou was not happy and had a glimpse of Ye Jiayao. She said unpleasantly: ¡°Second-daughter-inw, you are cheating. You knew that she wanted three stripes, you still y.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t care: ¡°It would be useless for me to keep it. If third aunt didn¡¯t take it, I would not take another card. I want to win as well, I will y the useless cards for sure.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had good reasoning as the second three stripes was taken by herter on. Zhou had to say: ¡°Let¡¯s keep going.¡±


    This set of cards, You really got a big win with Ye Jiayao¡¯s support. She was in a very good mood as she won the first game.


    After 3 games, Liu Li lost the most and You won the most. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t win nor lose.


    Qiao couldn¡¯t take it and went back. Liu Listed one more round and lost again and said sadly: ¡°No more. Not fun.¡±


    You was the big winner. Losers didn¡¯t want to y and winner could not keep them and just left the game too.


    Ye Jiayao tried not to stretch and sent Zhou out with a smiley face. It was strange that it was more tiring for her to y cards than she cooked 10 tables of food. Her limbs were stiff.


    She went to back to the room and saw Chunyu sat on the couch and she walked towards him and smiled: ¡°When did youe back? I was ying cards with mother and third aunt. Mother won a lot tonight¡­¡±


    Eh? Chunyu had no reaction.


    Ye Jiayao put her hands on his shoulder and got closer and smiled: ¡°What are you thinking? So serious?¡±


    The next moment, she was stunned too. Her head was nk as she saw the note in the book. ¡°You are one in a million, my honor to meet you¡­. Lu¡±


    After the shock, Ye Jiayao became uneasy.


    Fuck, when did this notee out from her book? And it was such a suspicious sentence. It was lu as well.


    Lu must be Lu Xiaotian.


    What is going on?


    Xia Chunyu lifted his head slowly and his eyes were cold and deep, they seemed to be the rock on the bottom of sea as well as the iceberg in northern pole.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart felt heavy as well and she exined immediately: ¡°Chunyu, I have no idea about this. I have never seen this before.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her speechless. His eyes filled with coldness and anger.


    Ye Jiayao started to be panic. At that point of time, even if she didn¡¯t do anything, it would not even work out. As Chunyu was a very jealous guy. When he saw the note, what would he think? There was no way to exin this.


    She was afraid that he would take it seriously and would have this problem in his heart, like a crack in a mirror and one day it would break.


    Ye Jiayao knew there was no way to exin and she called Peach loudly: ¡°Peache in.¡±


    Peach answered and came in: ¡°Second youngdy, what is your request?¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked with a dark face: ¡°anyone came in the room when I left?¡±


    Peach saw heir-son lord and second youngdy¡¯s faces bad. She was upset. Did they lose something?


    ¡°No¡­ no, I was always outside and didn¡¯t see anyonee in.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Peach wanted to say that she went to bathroom once but it was a real short time, also people in this court were generally nice. No one would do anything bad? She said: ¡°I didn¡¯t see anyone?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was stunned and came back to life. Her first reaction was someone set this up. But Peach¡¯s words pushed her idea away. Her notes were taken by a few people to read. Lu Xiaotian also read it, he might put it in at that time?


    She could recognize Lu Xiaotian¡¯s handwriting, it was from his hand.


    But, why, why would he write such weird note?


    One in a million while they met? She and he only worked together and they never even talked much about personal life.


    If he really liked her, he would not write such obvious words. OMG, she was going to be mad.


    Xia Chunyu still kept looking at her and he smiled coldly with anger.


    He hoped that she could find a good reason to persuade him. A reasonable exnation. But she was panic and tried to push the responsibility to the servant.


    So, who would send the message for Lu Xiaotian in this court?


    Ye Jiayao really didn¡¯t know how to exin but she couldn¡¯t say nothing.


    ¡°Chunyu, I have no idea where this notees from. Whatever you believe in. I just have nothing to do with it. I will ask Lu Xiaotian tomorrow. If he really write this note. I will not get involved in any merchant meeting and training sses. I will stop talking with him.¡± Ye Jiayao got mad as well and such a dogshit thing to deal with.


    Xia Chunyu tookj off and the bamboo curtain was noisy.


    Peach was shocked and still didn¡¯t know what happened.


    Ye Jiayao waved her hands and let Peach out. She sat on the crouch unhappily. No. No panic. This note was too weird. She must think carefully, what happened?


    This night, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯te back to room. Qiaoxi checked out the situation and came back. Heir-son lord slept in the outer study room.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Ever since they married, they had fights before. But every time, he apologized to her actively. He always said,?fights between husbands and wife would get better after they sleep together. It was his first time not sleeping in the room after a fight.


    Qiaoxi knew Heir-son lord and second youngdy had a fight. She asked Peach what happened. Peach didn¡¯t know. She wanted to help them, but she didn¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°Second youngdy, or I will go ask him back?


    Ye Jiayao said in a low voice: ¡°No point.¡±


    It would be better if she asked Lu Xiaotian tomorrow.

 Chapter 265 - Question mark

    <h4>Chapter 265: Question mark</h4>


    Ye Jiayao had a sleepless night. She went to training ss early in the morning. It was Lu Xiaotian¡¯s ss.


    Lu Xiaotian was very hardworking for this training ss. He was almost there every morning and night. No matter if he had sses or not.


    Ye Jiayao came to ss before the ss even started, but students were ready too. Cui Dongpeng saw her and came up and smiled: ¡°Morning, Second youngdy.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡°Is manager Lu here yet?¡±


    Cui Dongpeng said: ¡°Yes, he came here early.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked straight into the resting room, it was the ce that teachers could have a rest and get ready for ss.


    She knocked on the door and a clear male voice came out: ¡°Come in¡­¡±


    Lu Xiaotian was still reviewing the teaching material. Affected by Ye Jiayao, everyone started to write teaching material now. They must put theory and practice together, so that students can master everything.


    ¡°Manager Lu.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and walked towards him. She considered how to ask him when she met him. If the note was really from Lu Xiaotian, it would be awkward if she put it straight.


    But she would rather make Lu Xiaotian awkward than Chunyu misunderstood.


    Lu Xiaotian heard it was Ye Jiayao, he lifted his head and smiled kindly: ¡°Manager Ye, why are you here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took the note and put in front of his teaching material.


    Lu Xiaotian saw the note, his face was serious and looked at her seriously: ¡°where does thise from?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was watching his expression. After the feeling of ident, he looked more serious.


    ¡°This note was in my teaching material, manager Lu, is it written by you?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian read the note again and again. He took out a paper inside the draw and he wrote the same words.


    Then his face became really frustrated.


    ¡°Manager Ye, I have to say that was my handwriting. But I swear that I have never written such things before. I didn¡¯t even write those to my own wife.¡±


    He knew how serious this thing had be as Ye Jiayao came in early in the morning. That¡¯s right, he really appreciated her and he alsoplimented her in front others. Only he knew that he might have a bit of other feeling towards her, not just simply admiring. He would never let second person know about those thoughts as it was his own secret forever. How could he write such note to make her awkward?


    He really couldn¡¯t understand. Why the handwriting is the same?


    His eyes looked innocent and there was no doubt there.


    ¡°Are you sure that you didn¡¯t write this?¡± Ye Jiayao actually already believed him but she asked again as she wanted to make sure.


    Lu Xiaotian said: ¡°I may follow my heart sometimes, but I will never touch the bottom line. If I decided to say such a thing, I would not deny it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally could rx but she felt troubled again. If it was not written by Lu Xiaotian, who wrote it? Why would someone use Lu Xiaotian¡¯s handwriting? And why did it happen yesterday? Who suggested to y cards when Zhou came in? When she was not there, the notes appeared in the teaching material¡­.


    Did peach lie?


    No way, after such a long time of observation. Peach was an easy-going person, she wouldn¡¯t lie. Sometimes she could be reckless but she was definitely loyal and would never set her up.


    Who? Got the power to get inside the room without being seen by Peach.


    But it could be inside it during training sses and she didn¡¯t find out in time.


    So many questions were in her heart but there was no breakthrough.


    Lu Xiaotian saw her troubled expression and asked: ¡°Did someone see the note?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded sullenly.


    Lu Xiaotian frowned: ¡°Just recall who else had your teaching material before. Who would set you up? Or who would benefit from setting you up¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao was quiet as she thought about itst time. The only person who might have issues with her was Liu Li inside Lord¡¯s mansion. It was such a troublesome way to set her up, it was not impossible. But if she did it so easily and without any notice, that meant someone must be a spy around her. Ye Jiayao analyzed and thought Jinyao had the highest possibility.


    It seemed that Jinyao had feeling towards Chunyu, even she tried to hide it. She still showed her feelings naturally.


    But it was only her guess and there was no evidence.


    ¡°Let me find out, people who can copy my handwriting that well was not an easy thing.?Less than 3 people could od that in the whole Jinling city.¡± Lu Xiaotian said deeply.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes turned bright. Right, it was the clue.


    ¡°Manager Lu, sorry about this. It is really important for me. Please help me find out.¡± Ye Jiayao requested seriously.


    Lu Xiaotian smiled. Of course he knew it was important as it was about their innocence and name. If it was not clear, both of them would get in trouble.


    Ye Jiayao went back to mansion after saying bye to Lu Xiaotian. She went to You and You was taking care of guests. Ye Jiayao then found Mother Sun.


    ¡°Who suggested ying cardsst night?¡±


    Mother Sun was curious that why second youngdy asked that question. But she said honestly: ¡°It was Third madam and she wanted to y cards when she came in.¡±


    Ye Jiayao replied and thought Qiao Mingxiu was definitely not involved.


    Zhou¡¯s suggestion could be the same as Liu Li¡¯s suggestion. Both of them were on the same boat.


    Mother Sun saw second youngdy walked away in meditation and thought if there was some problems inst night¡¯s card game?


    Qiaoxi followed second youngdy and she had never seen that second youngdy was that troubled and really wanted to help her.


    She asked: ¡°second youngdy, I am sorry can I ask why heir-son lord was mad?¡±


    Ye Jiayao came back and said seriously: ¡°Qiaoxi, you go ask the doorkeeper if someone from the third youngdy went to third madam.¡±


    Qiaoxi answered the request and went out.


    After a short time, and she came to and answered: ¡°Doorkeeper said that little Ya went out?but came back in less than 2 hours.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood as it could the time that she went to Zhou in such a short duration.


    ¡°Qiaoxi, can you let Peache in and say that I have questions to ask her. You have to yell and make people in the whole court to hear.¡±


    Qiaoxi understood and lifted the bamboo curtain and yelled: ¡°Peach, second youngdy have something to ask you, where are you.¡±


    ¡°Ah,ing¡­¡± Peach ran to her.


    After Peach got in, Qiaoxi closed the door and watched the situation outside the window.


    Ye Jiayao stared at Xiangtao quietly and she didn¡¯t say anything.


    Peach¡¯s scalp was numb and after all, it was unbearable, and it was impossible to hold it. she cried and said: ¡°second youngdy, I lied yesterday, but I did not see anyone who came in, but, but... but I went to the bathroom, and it took a little while. I saw second youngdy and heir-son lord were very angryst night. I was scared and did not say anything.¡±


    Ye Jiayao bit her teeth: ¡°Peach, Peach you almost killed me.¡±


    Damn, she didn¡¯t say anythingst night. The way Chunyu looked at her was like a clown who was full of lies. Ye Jiayao really wanted to vomit blood.


    Peach¡¯s eyes turned red and said: ¡°It was my fault. I did not do my duty well and I would like to get punishment.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was a bit angry: ¡°What is the point of punishment now?¡±


    At that time, she did not say, would Chunyu still believe afterwards, would he still believe it? Would he think that she threatened peach to say so?


    They had missed the best opportunity


    Qiaoxi suddenly turned her head and gave Ye Jiayao a look.


    Ye Jiayao knew, the suspect had appeared.


    She continued to scold the peach: ¡°If you have no use, i must punish you, otherwise you will not remember this. I valued you so much, and you did this me...¡±


    Peach was never scolded like that before and she cried.


    ¡°You just kneel down here and think about it.¡± After scolding, Ye Jiayao walked towards Qiaoxi quietly and looked outside the window and saw Jinyao left in a hurry.


    Ye Jiayao went back and said: ¡°Peach, get up.¡±


    Peach still kneeled there and cried and didn¡¯t want to get up.


    Qiaoxi said: ¡°what is the point of crying now. Just get up and listen to Second youngdy.¡±


    Peach got up and walked towards her.


    Ye Jiayao was a bit sad and said: ¡°you have to listen to me and work for me this time. I only trust you two in this court.


    Qiaoxi and Peach looked serious again.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°Last night, I went to the upper room with Qiaoxi. Someone took the opportunity toe in and put a note in my handbook. As for what was written on the note, you can guess from the face of heir-son lord.¡±


    Qiaoxi¡¯s face changed greatly and she was surprised: ¡°second youngdy, is there anyone who pours dirty water on you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded helplessly: ¡°It is not the usual dirty water. If this matter is not clear, there will always be a scar in the heart of heir-son lord.¡±


    Peach wanted to cry even more, if she knew that she would rather pee in her pants than go to bathroom


    ¡°second young lday, you hit me, kill me! I have no face to see anyone¡­¡± Peach said with tears rolling down again.


    Ye Jiayao gave her a look: ¡°Hurry and wipe the tears. When you are out of the door, don¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ording to peach¡¯s temperament, maybe she would let everyone know.


    ¡°Qiaoxi, you can help me watch thirddy. If she has any weird ,pbe, feel free to report to me.¡±


    Qiaoxi said: ¡°second youngdy, you said so, I could think of something, thirddy recently loved to run to Wei¡¯s mansion, and yesterday she went to Wei¡¯s mansion as well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart glimpsed, and a depressing thought emerged. Could it be said that this matter has something to do with JInrong?


    She thought that Jinyao could live in Wei¡¯s mansion if she let her go there more often. If the predictions are right, she really had a problem to fix.

 Chapter 266 - Disappointment

    <h4>Chapter 266: Disappointment</h4>


    However, it was absolutely impossible to let Jinyao leave, it was necessary to keep her. If this was a collusion of several people, then there must be a post-invitation. She must seize the evidence to prove her innocence.


    But, it¡¯s too chilling, she was shocked.


    Her generosity, and her disregard of her former suspicion, and her repeated tolerance, led into nothing in return?


    Xia Chunyu was restless throughout the day.


    He was convinced that Yaoyao didn¡¯t do anything bad. He was angry that Yaoyao knew Lu Xiaotian¡¯s feelings for her, but she still did not keep a distance. was she enjoying the feeling of being loved?


    Whatever was on the note just made him vomit.


    Lu Xiaotian, you dare to like my woman, you want to die?


    He thought that he could beat Lu Xiaotian up, but after all, it¡¯s about Yaoyao¡¯s reputation, Lord¡¯s mansion¡¯s reputation. he had to think about it for long term and listen to Yaoyao¡¯s exnation. She went to Lu Xiaotian today to see if she could find out something.


    He was on duty absent-mindedly, as soon as it was finished, he went home immediately.


    Ye Jiayao was also waiting for Chunyu toe back. There was no point to exin anything in front of him as there was not enough evidence. He might not believe it and thought it was her excuse. She just wanted to wait for him.


    Xia Chunyu walked straight into the room and looked at her speechlessly.


    Ye Jiayao also sat down and stared at each other.


    He was expressionless and looked very serious and it created tension. Also his eyes were cold and distant which made Ye Jiayao sad.


    He always said that he would support her even when the sky fell down. But he never knew that from some point that he became her sky already. Something pressured her and fell down at that moment was this sky.


    Qiaoxi gave them tea and went away.


    The room was still silent like death.


    Xia Chunyu tried to suppress his anger again and again. would she keep the silence and no exnation at all? Nothing to show?


    Ye Jiayao thought and said: ¡°I asked Lu Xiaotian and he didn¡¯t write those words.


    ¡°Would you believe what he said?¡± Xia Chunyu said coldly.


    ¡°Yes, I believe him even the handwriting is the same as him. But I believe that he didn¡¯t write it.¡± Ye Jiayao said honestly.


    Xia Chunyu could not suppress the anger any more. At that point of time, she still helped Lu Xiaotian to talk.


    ¡°If he didn¡¯t write it, who else would write it? Ye Jinxuan, Peach saidst night, she was outside and no one came in before. How do you exin that?¡±


    Ye Jiayao tried hard to be peaceful when she talked. If they had a fight, things would be worse.


    ¡°Peach confessed today that she went to toilet once.¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Xia Chunyu smiled coldly: ¡°Went to bathroom? Such good excuse! Is that something she would hide? Why didn¡¯t she say thatst night? Ye Jinxuan, if you spent a whole day to think of this idea to solve it. You make me so disappointed.¡±


    She knew that he would say that. When she heard that, she felt like she was showered by cold water, she felt cold by her bones.


    ¡°Chunyu, do you really not trust me?¡±


    Not only he was disappointed, she was disappointed as well! She had an enemy right now and she needed his support, but he just stabbed in her heart instead.


    Was he just really jealous and couldn¡¯t see things clearly?


    This is the so-called love? Cannot be tested.?Such a disappointment.


    ¡°I only believe what I see.¡± Xia Chunyu got up and went away.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t call him nor move, just like an icey statue.


    It was obviously still the weather of autumn dryness, people would feel hot and sweat, and she only felt cold, like being in the hail.


    Ye Jiayao, be strong, don¡¯t cry, you didn¡¯t do anything wrong. wait for the evidence, and p little people and let them know how wrong and bad it was.


    Ye Jiayao looked up at the beam and let the tears flow back into her stomach.


    This time, she would not condone again, no more tolerance, the bugs in these gutters, just wait!


    This evening, Xia Chunyu stayed in the study room.


    For three days, You got the news.


    ¡°Does this couple have a fight again?¡± You guessed.


    Mother Sun sighed: ¡°Heir-son lord and second youngdy have always been good, and harmonious, I can¡¯t really think of thing that can cause them so much trouble.¡±


    You indulged: ¡°You can go and ask so that we can have some idea as well. However, it is just a couple thing, let them solve it themselves.¡±


    Chunyu and Jinxuan were both understanding. Perhaps it was just a little temper, they would be fine in a few days. If elders got involved, it might have an adverse effect.


    However, the news from Mother Sun surprized You.


    ¡°What? You said that Jinxuan has other men outside?¡±


    You was stunned, and the impact of this news on her was astonishing.


    Mother Sun said: ¡°The people in second youngdy¡¯s yard said nothing, but the other people in the mansion are talking. It is said that the second youngdy were mixing around heaps of guys every day, and there was a problem now.¡±


    You shook her head and said: ¡°I don¡¯t believe, Jinxuan isn¡¯t that kind of person.¡±


    Mother Sun said: ¡°I don¡¯t believe, now I am investigating to see where the rumors came from?¡±


    ¡°Investigate, be sure to investigate. if you let me know who is causing trouble, this time the punishment will not be light.¡± You was angry.


    ¡°And, when heir-son lordes back today, you let hime to see me.¡±


    Even she didn¡¯t believe it, so Chunyu wouldn¡¯t be so brainless!


    Xia Chunyu did not finish duty, he got the news, saying that Lu Xiaotian sent people to look for Yaoyao in the mansion, and Yaoyao rushed to meet. Xia Chunyu took time off, this time he must give Lu Xiaotian a profound lesson.


    The ce where they met was at the Chamber of Commerce.


    Ye Jiayao rushed in and asked: ¡°Is there any news?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian said seriously: ¡°I found out something. although the person did not admit it, when he saw the words, his face changed.¡±


    ¡°who is it?¡±


    ¡°He is a talented schr in Jinling City, he writes letters ofints for a living, but he also has a unique skill. As long as he has read the word of a person, he can imitate the handwriting with 90% simrity. If he has specially practiced it, he can do it to the point of realizm.¡± Lu Xiaotian said: ¡°I have visited several talents to find him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked cold: ¡°If you say this, then it must be him. No matter what method, I have to open his mouth.¡±


    As long as this person could offered the name of instructor, the truth will be revealed. Ye Jiayao was a little uplifted after being wronged for several days, finally she saw a glimmer of light.


    Dong dong dong, someone knocked at the door.


    It was Lu Xiaotian¡¯s little follower who sent tea in and went out.


    Lu Xiaotian touched the cup of the tea pot with an index finger and asked with concern: ¡°How is your situation now?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth twitched and smiled bitterly: ¡°I still live.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian apologized in his heart. No matter what, the man imitated his handwriting, caused such a big trouble for her.


    ¡°I asked the people around me, I didn¡¯t find any suspicious points. and I didn¡¯t see that I lost any calligraphy books...¡± Lu Xiaotian sighed.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said: ¡°Without evidence, it is very difficult for you to doubt whoever, just like me, knowing who is setting this up. There is no way to prove, everything depends on evidence.¡±


    ¡°Do you know?¡± Lu Xiaotian said happily.


    ¡°Well, I basically have an idea.¡± Ye Jiayao nodded and took a sip of tea.


    Lu Xiaotian said: ¡°I n to go to see the personter to prevent him from running away. If this clue is broken, then things will be hardter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡°I want to move faster, but you can do it? If you can¡¯t do it well, let me go.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smiled, but in his eyes it was a sh of a rare w: ¡°I have to do it, it¡¯s about your reputation and my reputation. I will do whatever it takes.¡±


    He had always been gentle to people, but it did not mean that he was not bloody. This is the most intolerable thing to use his name to set Ye Jiayao up.


    ¡°Or else, will I go with you?¡± Ye Jiayao said, this was the most important clue. It was the breakthrough to uncover this conspiracy. There could be no mistakes.


    Lu Xiaotian said seriously: ¡°You still need to go back early, so that Xia Chunyu will be happy, but you have to be suspicious. If it is not such an urgent matter, I will not ask you toe out.¡±


    Song Qi had been staring outside, suddenly discovering that heir-son lord hade.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, why are you here?¡±


    Xia Chunyu slightly frowned, how it sounded so strange? Didn¡¯t he ask people tell him toe?


    However, he was now concerned with two people inside, and this doubt was quickly ignored by him.


    ¡°How long have they been in?¡±


    Song Qi said: ¡°It¡¯s been a while, there are no other people in the Chamber of Commerce. The second youngdy only brought Qiaoxi.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was screaming with re inside. this was really the posture of a date!


    ¡°Go, let¡¯s go in.¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked over to the gate of the Chamber of Commerce.


    All that said, Ye Jiayao assured a lot, at least she saw hope, and then got up and said goodbye, but stood up, a dizzy look.


    Lu Xiaotian was shocked. He got up and helped her, and he was worried: ¡°Manager Ye, how are you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, still a little dizzy, and, there is a very strange feeling. She could clearly smell the breath of his body, the breath into her breath, what seemed to be awakened in her body, some desire was like mad vines spread across the limbs and wanted to be close to him, and she wished that she could stick herself into him.


    No, no way, why would she feel that?


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s sight became blurry as well. Ye Jiayao seemed to be unrealistic as she smiled at him with ttery. He always admired her and only thought of her atte night. Now he was so close to her and he got to take her hands. The scent from her seemed to be strong and stimte his blood. Even painful.


    Ye Jiayao tried to have a clear brain to push him away. But she fell down.


    Lu Xiaotian grabbed her naturally and Ye Jiayao feel into his chest.


    At that time, Pong. The door was open.

 Chapter 267 - I will let you go

    <h4>Chapter 267: I will let you go</h4>


    Xia Chunyu saw Ye Jiayao in Lu Xiaotian¡¯s arms the moment he entered the room. A pink flush spread over their cheeks with panic. If still insist that they¡¯re innocent, it will be self-deception.


    Song Qi and Qiao Xi, who came inter, were also stunned by this scene.


    Xia Chunyu lost his reasonpletely with great anger. Xia rushed forward to pull Lu away and gave him a punch in his face. It all happened so fast that Lu was beaten to fly before he could react. Lu knocked over tables and chairs, and fell to the ground.


    Lu hadn¡¯t been in his right mind because of the drug attack, while Xia did his best to hit with his fist. So the blow on his head made Lu see stars immediately.


    But how can only one punch be enough to eliminate the crop-full hatred of Xia? He stepped forward and swung a boot to beat Lu. Lu was kicked off again, smashed against the wall, hit the grand heavily, spit out a mouthful of blood.


    The whole thing finished in a few minutes. Ye Jiayao was woken up and quickly rushed over to stop Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Chunyu, stop it! It¡¯s none of Lu Xiaotian¡¯s business!¡±


    If once more, Lu Xiaotian was expected to die.


    Xia Chunyu was already insane, he pushed Ye away with such great strength that Ye tottered, knocked into the chair and fell down with it.


    ¡°Lady Ye ¡­¡± Qiao Xi and Song Qi eximed.


    Both of them rushed to help Ye up.


    While Xia Chumyu payed no attention to Ye, he had only one thought in his head: killing Lu Xiaotian.


    With another punch hitting heavily in Lu Xiaotian¡¯s face, the blood gushed from his nose and mouth.


    Ye Jiayao was extremely angry with splitting eyes, screaming hoarsely:¡± Xia Chunyu, you fucking bastard! Dare you kill me first?!¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s fist stopped in the air. His fist only hit on someone else, but Ye¡¯s words was cutting his heart in pieces with a knife.


    Xia turned around, with ferocious pain and hatred on his face, squeezed words through clenched teeth:¡± Why you like him so much ¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew it was hard to express clearly at that moment. What she only expected was that Lu Xiaotian wouldn¡¯t get hurt any more, or, she would feel guilty the rest of her life.


    ¡°Yes! I like him! I love him to death! If you are going to kill him, you have to kill me first! Come fucking at me if you can! It was me who seduced him before.¡± Ye Jiayao shouted, with flooding tears like an opened water gate that can¡¯t be stopped.


    If the mirror just had a crack in it before, then it was broken up into pieces now. That was also fragmented at the same time was her heart.


    ¡°Lady Ye, you are obviously innocent, why are you saying like that? Please exin, please exin to Heir-son Lord quickly, please¡­¡± Qiao Xi also cried with worries.


    Forgetting that others sshed dirty water at Lady Ye, why did she also nder herself? Wasn¡¯t she aware of Heir-son lord has been mad with anger? How could it be recovered?


    Ye Jiayao struggled slightly to free herself of Qiao Xi¡¯s hand and walked to Xia Chunyu step by step. He was just standing around the corner, but she felt that he was far away from her and she could never reach him by the side.


    Ye stood between Lu Xiaotian and Xia Chunyu and looked down at Lu. Lu Xiaotian was trying to say something with his mouth opened, however, there is only blood spilled out of his mouth.


    She had said that those people would certainly set up a trap again, and she should have seize the opportunity and get the evidence.


    But after all, she still fell into it and became a dying prey.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s manservant hadn¡¯t shown up since the ident. He had probably escaped in disarray. Obviously, there was something wrong with the tea. What great pains it had taken to set up such a trap. Not only was there a ghost around her, but even someone around Lu Xiaotian had also been bought.


    With the heartache making her unable to breath, Ye Jiayao raised her head slowly, looking in the same painful eyes, making a pose of defending to the death with open arms, and said decisively with tears in her eyes, ¡°If you want to kill him, step over me.¡±


    Xia staggered. Even facing arge number of armies or powerful enemies, he could still remain m and wouldn¡¯t be shaken to step back. However this woman, could make him throw away his shield and armour easily with only an eyesight or a few words.


    He looked like ice while his heart rolled likeva. He loved her so much that he could give up all what he has to spoil her. Even though she wanted the stars over the sky, he would manage to get for her without hesitation. Pouring his heart out to her like that, only had her betrayal in return.


    He wanted to ask what¡¯s wrong with him on earth?


    But he couldn¡¯t, he had already suffered a crushing defeat. Was it possible for him to beg her for changing her mind? Absolutely no, he also had dignity.


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, you¡¯re mean.¡± Xia Chunyu grinded his teeth, ¡°Since you like him so much, I will let you go.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ripped off the sachet tying to the waost which Ye sewed for him with her own hands,and threw it into a corner,then strode away without looking back.


    He had to leave,otherwise,god knows what he would do next.


    Song Qi hesitated whether he should leave with Heir-son lord or stay to clean up the mess.


    Watching him go,Ye Jiayao also staggered to fall as if all her strength had been taken away. Luckily,Qiao Xi supported with her hand in time.


    ¡°Lady Ye,how are you?¡±


    Ye shaked her head. She couldn¡¯t fall down yet,as there were lots of things for her to do.


    ¡°Song Qi,send shopkeeper Lu to Renhe hall. Qiao Xi,follow to take care of them. Ye squatted whilemanding,wiped the blood on Lu¡¯s lips with a handkerchief and cated:¡±Shopkeeper Lu,you¡¯ll gonna be ok. Don¡¯t worry,I¡¯m in charge.¡±


    Without hesitation,Song Qi stepped to help Lu Xiaotian up.It wouldn¡¯t be good for Heir-son lord if it causes a death result.


    Qiao Xi watched Ye apprehensivly:¡±What about you, mydy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s gaze was drawn to the sachet in the corner,the one she sewed needle by needle for a few month,which had been abandoned by him in this way. what he lost was her heart rather than a sachet.


    ¡°I have a ce to go.¡±said Ye,¡±Don¡¯t worry,I will be back.¡±


    ¡°Qiaoe to help.¡±Song shouted outside.


    Qiao Xi has to leave Ye alone. Ye is an extraordinary woman so that she wouldn¡¯t be struck down easily and she would always keep her words.


    Ye Jiayao picked up the sachet in the corner and stuffed it into her arms. She finally throwed her eyes on the mess and left indifferently.


    Helian Jing heard about Ye Jiayao¡¯s arrival and hurried to greet her,but he was astonished when catching sight of Ye.


    She was like a lifeless doll with wild hair and red eyes.


    ¡°Yaoyao,what happened?¡±


    Ye looked up at him slowly and said:¡±Jing,I need your help.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went into a restaurant right after he left the chamber ofmerce. He ordered nothing but a jar of wine. As long as he was sober,his heart would be in such unbearable pain. The scene that Yaoyao and Lu Xiaotian hugged together appears constantly in his head,with the words Yaoyao said ringing in his ears. He was extremely painful as if scores of arrows piercing his chest.


    He was going mad.


    He opened the jar and lifted it to drink dorectly without a bowl.


    He wanted to be drunk so that he could forget all of this,especially the woman named Ye Jinxuan.


    Damn woman.


    The waiter watched the man dringking like a fish and worried that the man can¡¯t being to make troubles.


    ¡°one more¡­¡±


    Xia Chunyu finished another jar and hit it on the table heavily,shouted.


    The waiter advised cravenly:¡± Sir,you¡¯d better drink less. How about ordering some dishes and drink slowly?¡±


    Xia Chunyu red at him and said:¡±give me the wine as I ordered!What¡¯s the fuss?Afraid of my defaulting?¡±


    Saying that, Xia took out a bank note woth 200 face value on the table.


    The waiter had no choice but thought that as if you are able to pay,it¡¯s none of my business even if you smashed the restaurant.


    Xia Chunyu had no idea how much he had drunk. It was dark when he came out from the restaurant. He stumbled back drunk and bumped into passengers all the way. He fell down flusteredly. Luckily,he could still find where Hou Fu was and got down as soon as he entered the door.


    The concierge was shocked and called others to walked Xia inside the room hurriedly.


    Xiangtao and the others were busy heating water to help Heir-son Lord wipe his face.


    Jinyao walked in and said:¡±Xiangtao,go to make haejang-guk,I will take care of Heir-son Lord.¡±


    Xiangtao looked at her warily:¡±Lady third ,this is the business of ours or the young mistress¡¯s.¡±


    Jinyao said:¡±He is my brother inw.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­Yaoyao¡­¡± Xia Chunyu vaguely repeated the name. Although he is drunk to unconscious,he cannot forget this name.


    Jinyao smiled and said:¡±You see?Heir-son Lord needs me.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao¡­¡±


    Jinyao walked by and sat beside the bed,holded his hand and said:¡±I¡¯m here.¡±


    Xiang tao grinded her teeth,thinking that she finally showed herself away. After making haejang-guk,I must drive the bitch away.


    ¡°Yaoyao,don¡¯t leave. I will give you everything you want. Don¡¯t leave me.¡± Xia Chunyu murmured,his closed eyes moistening with tears.


    Who cared about his dignity or his pride?That all doesn¡¯t matter. What he only cares was that his Yaoyao could be back.


    ¡°I won¡¯t leave,Chunyu,do you know how much I love you¡­¡± Jinyao saw Xiangtao left and be brave. She whispered softly on Xia¡¯s neck.


    Xia Chunyu was totally drunk that who exactely it was in front of him,snuggling up to him,saying loving him softly.


    All his pain and grievance seemed find their breakthrough,he hugged the person in his arms tightly,calling the name affectionately again and again.


    Jinyao found herself going to be drunk in such deep feelings,although she knew that her brother inw wasn¡¯t call for her actually. However,even as a substitution,that¡¯s enough for her.


    ¡°Chunyu,I love you,I love so much...¡±


    Jinyao also made her affectionate confession.


    A drop of tear fell from Xia¡¯s eyes. He kissed the person in his arms desperately and greedily absorbed her fragrance,Even if this was just a dream. He would die in this dream rather than wake up to face the cruel reality.


    Jinyao responsed to her brother-inw¡¯s passionate kiss with youth. This was the man she¡¯d been longing for for a long time. She would give up all the thins she has in exchange of this very moment.


    Wonder how Yaoyao would reverse?Wonder whether Chunyu would be abused?Wonder if Liuli would have a good result?Please look forward to the next chapter.

 Chapter 268 - Do you have evidence?

    <h4>Chapter 268: Do you have evidence?</h4>


    Helian Jing listened to Ye Jiayao¡¯s description and he was very angry. He wanted to look for Xia Chunyu at that time and beat him up. But he had something more important to do at the time.


    He immediately took people to find Lu Xiaotian¡¯s little follower and the talented writer who wrote a letters for others.


    Ye Jiayao went to Wei¡¯s mansion with Ping An.


    The carriage stopped at a ce not far from the Wei¡¯s mansion, Ping An went to the door and said that he was A Lian¡¯s family and called A Lian out.


    A Lian saw that the person who was looking for her was the youngdy, and she was slightly scared.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her with a gaze: ¡°A Lian, you know what kind of person the second youngdy is. The more secrets you know, the less secure you are. I can promise you now. If you tell me everything you know, then I will take back the sale deed for you, let you be free, and give you a sum of money, enough for your next life and food. Of course, even if you don¡¯t say anything, I have other ways to know the truth, but I am very tired now. Don¡¯t want to be so troublesome, chances are only once, you think for yourself.¡±


    A Lian hesitated for a while, and she looked adamant. She said: ¡°Seconddy was going back to Yangzhou and waited for the boat to set off.?Liu Li Princess wanted seconddy to set you up. And the good thing is that she can get her husband back safely. It seems that seconddy and Liu Li princess colluded with each other. Even thirddy joined in as well. I only heard a little bit here and there, and I did not know what they have nned.¡±


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes for a long time, breathing deeply, and when she opened her eyes, everything was clear.


    That exined¡­


    ¡°A Lian, you still had to go back to the seconddy and endure for some time, my promise will be honored.¡±


    After seeing A Lian, Ye Jiayao went to meet with Little Jing, and called Pinga A to Renhe Hall to find Song Qi to pass a message. Fortunately, Little Jing was fast, he caught the two before they had time to escape.


    Under the threat of Little Jing, both of them gave up the beginning and the end of the matter.


    ording to them, the person who contacted them was the eunuch who called little Luzi who was convinced by the daughter of Zhu Wang and they were Liu Li¡¯s people.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I will apany you to Lord¡¯s mansion now.¡± Helian Jing was both distressed and angry. Yaoyao suffered such arge grievance and was framed by others. Chunyu was so convinced that he had believed in other people¡¯s words.


    Ye Jiayao calmly said: ¡°You wille back tomorrow morning and bring the two people together.¡±


    Now bring people in front of Chunyu, he might not believe it still. she had a better way.


    Liu Li, between you and me, I will make final today.


    Back to Lord¡¯s mansion, Song Qi and Qiaoxi waited for her at the door.


    ¡°How is manager Lu?¡±


    Song Qi replied: ¡°Two ribs have broken, and there are serious internal injuries, but life is worry-free, I am afraid that he has to take care for several months.¡±


    Qiaoxi said: ¡°Now Lu¡¯s wife has brought people to bring manager Lu back. I also said to her, that we will give her a reason.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡°You are doing very well.¡±


    Now, she wanted to find Chunyu and take off the veil of the conspiracy.


    Into the yard, she saw the Peach and Cherry and other people standing in the yard, with angry faces, eyes staring at the door with tears.


    Seeing Ye Jiayao¡¯s return, Peach angrily pointed to the door andined: ¡°second youngdy, thirddy is seducing heir-son lord.¡±


    Qiaoxi changed color of face and roared: ¡°Are you all dead? Just standing by?¡±


    Peaach cried: ¡°I was driven out by heir-son lord. and heir-son lord is already drunk. He also treated Thirddy as second youngdy!¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with no expression: ¡°Song Qi, kicked the door in, and tie thirddy, and closed her in the firewood house.¡±


    Song Qi already knew about the truth from Ping An, and he himself noticed that something went wrong. Today, heir-son lord suddenly appeared in the Chamber of Commerce. What a coincident!


    He immediately led the way, stepped forward and opened the door, Ye Jiayao went in.


    They saw two people in the bed entangled in one ce, their clothes were messy and unsightly.


    ¡°Ah...¡± Jinyao saw someoneing in, scared and screamed.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s confusion was shocked by this movement, and drunkenness suddenly dissipated arge part of it. Only then did he see the face of the person under his body. It turned out to be Jinyao, and he immediately fell off the bed.


    Ye Jiayao stared at the two people coldly, and said with a cold voice: ¡°Song Qi, still not listening?¡±


    Song Qi would not pity this kind of girl who was shameless, and stepped forward to took Jinyao.


    ¡°Big sister, what are you going to do? Big brother, help!¡±


    Jinyao panicked, her clothes were scattered, revealing arge piece of white tender body on her chest, exposed in the sight of another man, making her want to hit the wall.


    Xia Chunyu waspletely awake, but he couldn¡¯t remember how he got together with Jinyao. However, he didn¡¯t have to think about it. He must be drunk, and took Jinyao as Yaoyao


    ¡°Song Qi, let go of her.¡± Xia Chunyu said coldly, this was his fault, it was not about Jinyao.


    Song Qi said: ¡°Heir-son lord, this matter, l cannot listen to you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was furious: ¡°Bold, who is your master?¡±


    Song Qi was not afraid: ¡°Heir-son lord, you have also been set up as well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked away. She didn¡¯t want to see Chunyu¡¯s look with another girl. She said, ¡°If you want to know the truth, put on your clothes ande with me.¡±


    ¡°Big brother, save me...¡± Jinyao was afraid?and asked for help. The n was not like this. She hadn¡¯t really seeded.


    Song Qi pulled a piece of cloth and stuffed into her mouth and said, ¡°You know now that you are calling for help. It¡¯ste, not a human thing, even set up your own big sister.¡±


    Jinyao cried, couldn¡¯t speak, and couldn¡¯t break free.


    Xia Chunyu saw that Jinyao was taken out by Song Qi, and he remembered the truth that Yaoyao talked about. He couldn¡¯t care so much, and quickly changed clothes.


    Damn, he thought that he was so intimate with another woman, he wanted to peel off his body.


    Just out of the yard, Xia Chunfeng walked over.


    ¡°Second brother, do you want me toe for something?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was discussing with several colleagues in the study room. As he heard that the second brother was eager to find him, and quickly sent the guest and rushed over.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°I am looking for you, today, I want to invite you to witness a thing.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Seeing second sister was so serious, Xia Chunfengughed somewhat unnaturally.


    Ye Jiayao said faintly: ¡°You will know when you get there, but you still need to cooperate.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was uneasy in his heart. He saw that his second brother was also a solemn expression without saying anything. It was estimated that it was Liu Li. Just what did Liu Li do?


    Ye Jiayao walked straight to Liu Li¡¯s room and kicked the door open.


    Liu Li was embroidering, seeuing Ye Jiayaoing in with anger. She was not afraid, indicating Little Ya to go out and watch over.


    There was no one else in the house, and Liu Li said slowly: ¡°The second sister is too rude, don¡¯t know knocking on the door before entering the door?¡±


    If the eyes could be substantial, then Ye Jiayao¡¯s gaze was strong enough to pierce Liu Li with hundreds of holes. She never disliked the Liu Li, but she hated her. but now she really hated this person.


    ¡°You made me so miserable, I still need to be polite to you?¡± Ye Jiayao gnashed her teeth.


    Liu Li sneered: ¡°What are you talking about? I cannot understand.¡±


    ¡°Liu Li, you don¡¯t have to pretend anymore. You have done it already, you and Jinrong and Jinyao colluded to harm me, you think that I don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Second sister, if you say this, you have evidence, you can¡¯t talk shit like this!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I can get?evidence, but God has eyes, you will get what you deserve.¡±


    Liu Li scorned: ¡°The second sister is full of mad words, how can I harm you? How can I not know?¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at her: ¡°That night, Zhou is on your call, deliberately said to y cards, took me out of the room, so that Jinyao put a note in my lecture book, and that A piece of paper, you also asked someone to imitate Lu Xiaotian¡¯s handwriting! Today, you also bought the people around Lu Xiaotian to give me and Lu Xiaotian medicine, you dare to swear that these things are not what you do, you dare to swear, If it is what you do, you will never be a mother in your life, you will never be qualified to be a mother, do you dare?¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s face changed, silent, for a long time, smirked out. She said: ¡°You make me swear, I will swear? Why should I listen to you? Yes, that is what I did, what can you do to me?¡± Can youe up with evidence? Do you think that Chunyu will still believe in you today? Ye Jinxuan, how sad you are, how many times you were counted by your sister? haha, you take a wolf as a sheep. You should me that you have no eyes.¡±


    The outside ve girl had already been blocked by the servants that Qiaoxi had brought. Outside, Only Chunyu and Chunfeng were there.


    When Liu Li¡¯s wordse out, the two brothers faced each other. Xia Chunyu was even more angry in his heart. It turnsedout that all this was the trap of Liu Li, and he actually believed...


    There was a loud p in the room.


    ¡°You...do you dare to beat me?¡± Liu Li held her face, incredulously looking at the person who beat her.


    Ye Jiayao sneered: ¡°Why don¡¯t I dare to beat you, this p is a p in your dirty mind, as a noble princess, it is a despicable act.¡±


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, you bastard, you bully...¡±


    ¡°How about I bully you? You have me lost Chunyu, I can¡¯t wait to kill you.¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.


    ¡°Who is the victim? If you don¡¯t exist, the person who marries Chunyu now is me. You are so bad and make me miserable. I can¡¯t wait for you to die...¡± Liu Li swore and didn¡¯t care if people outside heard it.


    ¡°Pa¡±, Ye Jiayao raised his hand and pped again, her movements were extremely fast, and Liu Li was toote to hide.


    ¡°This p is for Chunfeng to hit you. there is such a person who likes you, you don¡¯t know how to cherish, but also remember other men, where do you put Chunfeng?¡±


    ¡°Ye Jinxuan, I am fighting with you.¡± Two ps in a row. For Liu Li, this was a shameful humiliation that had never been seen before. She grew up, no one touched half of her finger, but she got pped by the most hateful woman.


    Liu Li lost her sense of reason and rushed to beat Ye Jiayao like a mad person.

 Chapter 269 - Let’s break up

    <h4>Chapter 269: Let¡¯s break up</h4>


    Ye Jiayao saw Liu Liing at her. She evaded, and Liu Li hit nothing.


    ¡°Why, is a dog rushing onto a wall? You can¡¯t even stand this? The shame that you brought on me was much more than that.¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.


    ¡°You deserved. Ye Jinxuan, you are going to die...¡± Liu Li rushed over again. If she did not p her back, she would change her surname.


    Ding dong, the door was pushed open.


    The Xia¡¯s brothers stood on the doorway with ice on their cheeks.


    Liu Li turned around and saw Xia Chunfeng, and suddenly her heart sank. When did they stand outside? Why didn¡¯t little Ya report to her?


    Ye Jiayao sneered: ¡°Are you afraid? You are not bullying me that I don¡¯t have evidence? Is there any evidence more convincing than your personal recognition?¡±


    Liu Li was stunned, as she was too na?ve in front of her enemy. She thought that Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t take her on her own site. Even if she admitted that she had this door, she could overthrow it and refuse to recognize it. She could even take a bite on her, who knows Ye Jiayao was prepared when she came.


    Liu Li awoke after seeing Chunfeng¡¯s deeply sorrowful eyes. and then she became panicked. It was awful. She used bad words so that Ye Jiayao could be mad, Chunfeng heard everything. What could she do now?


    ¡°Chunfeng, you listen to me. It is not like that.¡± Liu Li tried to pull Chunfeng, but he pushed her away.


    The mood of Chunfeng at this time could no longer be described by words. He could forgive her for any bad thing she did but she touched the bottom line that was the most unbearable for a man.


    Although he knew that the person who Liu Li liked was second brother, they were already husband and wife. and he believed that he had slowly changed Liu Li, there should be a position in her heart, however, the reality was so cruel, tearing open After thatyer of camouge, it was bloody real.


    ¡°What good exnations do you have? I have heard it.¡± Chunfeng said painfully.


    This was his first woman, from disgust to reluctantly epted, to gradually sank into it. He devoted all his heart, but received such an unbearable response.


    ¡°Not like this, I just want to get her mad. Really, Chunfeng, you have to believe me...¡± Liu Li was panicked, and at this moment, she suddenly realized that she was so concerned about this man.


    Ye Jiayao finally nced at Chunfeng¡¯s pain, and Liu Li¡¯s panic. and she walked away silently.


    Sorry, Chunfeng, that you have heard what you didn¡¯t want to hear the most. You have seen the ugliest side of the one you care. I bear her all the time until now. I have to say sorry to you.


    When she passed by Xia Chunyu, Ye Jiayao did not hesitate nor stagnate. She treated him like air and non-existence.


    Xia Chunyu screamed in a difficult voice: ¡°Yaoyao...¡±


    But she didn¡¯t want to hear.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her back, but his heart seemed to have a blunt knife cutting, and the pain made him unbearable.


    When the truth came to the surface, when all the madness recedes, it was reced by deep remorse, jealousy and fear.


    He regret very much, what covered his eyes? Deceived his heart? Let him believe the truth that the so-called eyes have seen, what kind of suffering she was trapped in these days. He gave her no help, and he not only failed to give a helping hand, but gave her more cruel damage.


    He was embarrassed, very embarrassed. He once vowed that he would not let her get hurt again in this life. He wanted to make her the happiest woman in the world, let everyone envy their affection. However, he not only did not do that, but also broke their happiness by his own hand.


    He panicked, very panicked, never seen her so indifferent look, like a dead tomb. She must have been disappointed with him.


    ¡°Yaoyao... Yaoyao...¡± Xia Chunyu chased her up, grabbed her sleeves. He licked his mouth and said the apology from the bottom of his heart: ¡°Yaoyao, sorry, it was my fault... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao stopped, just before today, she still dreamed that Chunyu could tell her this sentence... Sorry, I misunderstood you.


    But now she didn¡¯t want to hear anything.


    ¡°Chunyu, I think, let¡¯s break up!¡±


    She was tired, really tired. She was not afraid of hard work, earning money, taking care of family matters, just to let them live a morefortable life; she was not afraid to drink bitter medicine, she had not fallen from the day of the pregnancy. There was no drop in every bowl of medicine, just to be able to have the crystallization of their love as soon as possible; she was not afraid of being misunderstood and being afflicted, those who were nothing to her, as long as he could stand firmly beside her, he Said that nothing was to be afraid when he was there¡­


    However, the reality was so unbearable, his love for her was so fragile and unbearable that all her hard work became meaningless.


    Disappointment, there will always be hope.


    Desperation, maybe there will be a day of re-emergence.


    However, if the heart is dead, what can you do?


    She already didn¡¯t know how to face this person in the future.


    Xia Chunyu said in fear: ¡°Yaoyao, I know it is wrong, you give me another chance, I promise that this will not happen again in the future.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want to break up, what does it mean to break up? And leave? Forever lost?


    He did not want to lose her, he had experienced it once, and he could barely survive.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him quietly, his regret, his apology, his fear. she saw them in his eyes.


    She believed that he loved her, but she was afraid of such love.


    ¡°Oh, today is because I still have the ability to prove for myself, so you know that you are wrong. If you face such a thing someday, and I can¡¯t prove it for myself, would you still say that you are wrong?¡± ¡°Ye Jiayao was disheartened.


    ¡°No, no, no matter what happens in the future, I am standing on your side...¡± Xia Chunyu expressed his eagerness.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth pulled a bitter smile: ¡°But I didn¡¯t dare to put a bet on you again!¡±


    Yes, she didn¡¯t dare, she was afraid, there was nowhere toin, and she was misunderstood by her favorite person. She was so worried and helpless that she was really scared.


    Xia Chunyu hugged her in a panic, tightly, and she was afraid that she would disappear when she let go of her hand. He repented: ¡°This time I am not good. You can punish me, but don¡¯t say this. I am not a perfect person, but I like you wholeheartedly. I am slowly learning how to be a qualified husband, Yaoyao, give me the opportunity to prove myself...¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were wet. If he said this yesterday, she would be moved to cry.


    ¡°Oh, if you really like me, let go!¡±


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t let go, I won¡¯t let go, Yaoyao, Liu Li set everything up like this, just want to see you and I fall apart...¡± Xia Chunyu held tighter, God, help him. How can we restore Yaoyao¡¯s heart, how can we calm her injuries?


    Ye Jiayao sighed: ¡°Yes, she wants such a result, but I want to thank her for being a wicked person and let me see something.¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t be like this, you are like this, make me afraid.¡± Xia Chunyupletely whispered.


    Fear? When he threw away the sachet, when he repeatedly said... Ye Jinxuan, you disappointed me too much, did he ever think about how scared she was?


    Everyone has to pay for their actions.


    She was not angry, but was deeply aware of the problems between them. If there was no basic trust between husband and wife, it meant that the building had no solid foundation. Maybe a gust of wind could be blown down and copsed.


    She broke free from his arms and said indifferently: ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t bother me, I am already tired.¡±


    She was physically and mentally exhausted, and now she just wanted to be alone.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her bleak back and slowly disappeared into the night. His annoyed fist mmed to the pir on the side, and the red paint on the pir of the earthquake cracked arge piece.


    Xia Chunyu, you are just a jerk. He swore at himself.


    Ye Jiayao did not return to the room, but lived in the partial room. The room was already polluted by some unscrupulous bitch.


    Qiaoxi helped her toy the bed, took clean clothes, and took hot water. Ye Jiayao went all the way, changed clothes, washed, and theny on the bed.


    ¡°Second youngdy, heir-son lord is still standing outside!¡± Qiaoxi whispered.


    Everything had beenpletely ruined. Heir-son lord misunderstood second youngdy. The seconddy was angry. It was not necessary to let heir-son lord suffer. The heir-son lord did not know how good second youngdy was.


    However, after all, she had been waiting for heir-son lord for so long, seeing heir-son lord lost his soul and standing outside, afraid toe in and refused to leave, it looked really pitiful.


    Ye Jiayao tiredly said: ¡°Qiao Xi, turn off the lights for me.¡±


    Qiaoxi sighed silently, knowing that she couldn¡¯t help heir-son lord, and went to the table to extinguish the oilmp.


    The room suddenly fell into a darkness. Under the cover of the darkness, Ye Jiayao huddled up. From the moment she walked out of the chamber ofmerce, she was strong and did not shed a tear. Now, she really wanted to cry, but she couldn¡¯t cry, who said that the greatest grief was the absurdity of tears after drying? Yes, her heart was ridiculously sad.


    Chunyu, I hate you...


    Xia Chunyu stared at the light in the house, as if he had extinguished his hope.


    He recalled that Yaoyao was the one who had been angry with him for the longest time because of A Ruan. She didn¡¯t take care of him for three days. When she saw him, she only rolled her eyes. The reaction was just an anger. He was fine and he just needed to make her happy.


    But this time, she was calm and asked him to let go.


    No cry, no fight, no swear, let him not know what to do.


    The autumn wind entering the autumn had a chill of the bones, and a bunch of sea otters in the yard blows. In the dark night, no one knew how many petals are dying, adding a bleak autumn.


    Song Qi advised: ¡°Heir-son lord, you still have to go back to the room to rest! You will let second youngdy to have some quiet time.¡±


    Xia Chunyu did not move, did not talk, went to rest, how dare he, if he woke up, Yaoyao disappeared, what should he do?


    Song Qi saw the appearance of heir-son lord. Besides sighing, why did you not know the consequence today?

 Chapter 270 - Ye Jiayao’s counterattack

    <h4>Chapter 270: Ye Jiayao¡¯s counterattack</h4>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t have a good sleep at night. The conspiracy was already exposed, but she did not intend to forget it easily. The consequence of tolerance was to give the wicked a chance to breathe, and then they turned back to give her a heavier attack. So, this time, She would not be tolerant again, and she would fight back. It was not her style to not revenge. If she was provoked, get ready for her anger too!


    The dawn just broke, she got up.


    Qiao Xi and Peach came in to serve her to wash, and sent breakfast in.


    Ye Jiayao slowly finished eating breakfast. during the time two servant girls looked at each other, she was going to say something, but she couldn¡¯t be bothered.


    When Ye Jiayao opened the door, she saw that Chunyu sitting under the gallery and leaning against the pir. This guy actually stayed outside for a whole night. Why? Want to make her feel bad? Why bother?


    Ye Jiayao forced herself to walk past him without squinting at him.


    Qiao Xi followed, whispered: ¡°Heir-son lord.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened his eyes and blinked. He saw Yaoyaoing out and immediately got up and followed.


    At the entrance of the main room, Song Qi brought a carpenter to repair the door that was kicked brokenst night.


    ¡°Second youngdy...¡± Song Qi greeted at her.


    Ye Jiayao slightly lifted her head and entered the room. She took out the safe box from the cab.


    Xia Chunyu who followed her changed the color of his face. He stepped forward and held the safe in one hand: ¡°Yaoyao, what are you doing?¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him: ¡°Why? I can¡¯t use the money inside?¡±


    ¡°No, no, I am afraid that you are leaving.¡± Xia Chunyu shook his head. It was just a bit of money here, he wouldn¡¯t mind if she took all his money.


    Under Ye Jiayao¡¯s cold gaze, Xia Chunyu released his hand and smiled apologetically: ¡°As long as you don¡¯t walk away.¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened the safe and took out a few thousand of silver notes.


    Xia Chunyu quickened his heartbeat. Why does Yaoyao take so much money? But he dared not to ask.


    Ye Jiayao took the silver notes and turned to look at the bed which was already made, she faintly requested: ¡°take this bed as firewoods. Also burn the bed sheet too.¡±


    Qiao Xi hesitated. Burning the sheets was fine but the bed was made by yellow pear woods and the workmanship of this bed was amazing. A few carpenters spent thousands of hours to make it. It was worth a lot. Second youngdy didn¡¯t care, but she cared.


    Xia Chunyu twitched the corner of his mouse. This bed was inherited from ancestor. Ah, as long as Yaoyao can forgive him, he will let Yaoyao dismantle the whole room.


    ¡°What are you thinking? Didn¡¯t you hear second youngdy¡¯s request?¡± Xia Chunyu yelled.


    Qiaoxi listened and went to look for people.


    Ye Jiayao walked out the room and said to Song Qi: ¡°You give the work to others and you go out with me.¡±


    Cherry asked worriedly: ¡°Second youngdy, thirddy was mad the whole night, should we give her some food?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said coldly: ¡°She can be hungry for a few days, she will not die. Peache here.¡±


    Peach came to her immediately.


    ¡°You watch over the person inside the firewood room. No one is allowed to approach. No food is permitted. If she threatens you with her status or tter you, Just ignore her. I will bear any consequence.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu coughed twice. Yaoyao actually said this to him. Originally, he still felt that Jinyao was innocent. Jinyao also participated in this event. The note was the handwriting of Jinyao. And, even more abominable was that Jinyao seduced him when he was really drunk.


    Therefore, he would not do a good will this time. it was time to let Jinyao get the lessons she deserves.


    Peach was very disgusted with thirddy, and immediately shouted: ¡°second youngdy can be relieved. I will look at her tightly. Let alone people, I will not even let a mouse get in.¡±


    As she said that, she lifted her chin at Heir-son lord.


    Chunyu was sulking. This little girl, showing something in front him?


    After Ye Jiayao¡¯s request, she went out.


    ¡°Yaoyao, where are you going? I will apany you...¡± Xia Chunyu followed.


    Ye Jiayao paused and turned back and smacked him. she said, ¡°I am going to meet with my adulterer. Are you going toe with me? Should you bring your sword?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was ashamed: ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t say that. I should apologize to Lu Xiaotian.¡±


    ¡°You go apologize yourself.ter, Little Jing will send two people over. you can deal with them by yourself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said that and she didn¡¯t trun around.


    Xia Chunyu followed two steps and stood still. Forget it, there should be no problem if she is with Song Qi.


    Ye Jiayao first went to visit Lu Xiaotian.


    It was her first time to see Lu Xiaotian¡¯s wife, a woman with a beautiful and kindface.


    ¡°Sister, I am very sorry about this. I don¡¯t know how to express my apologies.¡± Ye Jiayao apologized.


    Mrs. Lu was very angry for sure. Her husband was still good when he went out in the morning. Seeing him again was when he was half dead.


    Later, when Jing Royal highness came to take people, she just got to know about the truth. They were innocent, and Jing¡¯an heir-son lord misunderstood.


    However, you can¡¯t beat him up so seriously!


    ¡°Manager Ye, this time, this is the case, but I hope that you will not be too close to Xiaotian in future. His body bones can no longer stand the fist of Jing¡¯an heir-son lord.¡± Mrs. Lu said indifferently.


    Ye Jiayao was very embarrassed, but she could understand the mood of Mrs. Lu.


    ¡°Sorry, this kind of thing will not happen again in future.¡±


    ¡°Again? would Xiaotian still be alive?¡± Mrs. Lu said coldly.


    Mrs. Lu¡¯s attitude, Ye Jiayao dared not to mention that she wanted to visit Lu Xiaotian. So she?left?some good stuff and five hundred and two silver.


    Later, Ye Jiayao went to the training ss again. She let Duan Qilin know that Lu Xiaotian could note to ss these few months. Lu Xiaotian¡¯s ss would be taken over by her.


    Finally, Ye Jiayao went to the country to find Mu Qie.


    Mu Qie¡¯s residence was hard to find, Ye Jiayao looked for a long time, and found it eventually.


    However, it was an ordinary farmhouse, and the bamboo fence was circled. It was estimated used by the good old servant. It turned out to be a refuge for the family.


    ¡°Is anyone there?¡± Song Qi called at the door.


    Mu Qinchu came out and saw Ye Jiayao, he was stunned.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°I am looking for your mother and give her a business.¡±


    ¡°Cough cough... Chu Er, who is it...¡± A cough came from inside.


    Mu Qinchu indicated that Ye Jiayao could wait outside, and he went in and reported it. After a while, he came out and asked her to go in.


    Going into the house, Ye Jiayao looked around. Everything was so simple here. Didn¡¯t minister Wei say that he would take care of them? was it such a care?


    Mu Qie half leaned on the bed, his face was sallow, apparently his body was paralyzed.


    ¡°Mrs. Qie.¡± Ye Jiayao slightly bowed, it was a courtesy.


    Mu Qie smiled andughed at herself: ¡°This title, I can¡¯t afford it.¡±


    Now she was nothing but a vige woman.


    Ye Jiayao found a chair and moved next to the bed to sit down.


    ¡°A few days ago, you went to Wei¡¯s house to negotiate with them. I have heard it. However, I don¡¯t think Mrs Qie shouldn¡¯t have hope on them. Like father like son. What is Wei Liujiang? You have seen him clearly, and the experience is also the most profound. Wei said that he will take care of you and say that Mu Qinchu will be his own son, that is all kidding, they are afraid that you will pull his family into the abyss.¡±


    Mu Qie¡¯s look wasplicated: ¡°What do you want to say?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°Then I will get it straight, I mean, it is better to count on me than them.¡±


    ¡°Counting on you?¡± Mu Qie was puzzled.


    ¡°Yes, of course, I can¡¯t help get rid of Minister Mu¡¯s crime. I don¡¯t have the ability to do so. However, I can make your life better, and you can be carefree about money and clothes, for example, I can help you open a heavenly branch store elsewhere. .¡±


    Mu¡¯s thoughts were fretting. This was a little benefit. Before she wouldn¡¯t care at all. but now it was a seductive pie, but she was alert and there was no free lunch in the world.


    ¡°Howe you have such kindness to help me? I don¡¯t remember how much friendship we have.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°There is really no friendship, so I am not helping you unconditionally.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Mu Qie was an understanding person. Ye Jiayao came all the way to see her, and what she wanted to do must not be simple.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said: ¡°I want you to report official Wei and let Wei Liujiang return to prison. Wei Liujiang was originally guilty.¡±


    Muqie was horrified, did she really hate Wei Liujiang that much?


    ¡°Do you know why Wei Liujiang is fine? It is because Jinrong and Liuli Princess reached an agreement, and Jinrong helped Liu Li to set me up, and Liu li made suggestions for Wei Liujiang to get out. They pushed all charges to Minister Mu.¡± Ye Jiayao said in a loud voice.


    Mu Qie¡¯s eyes reveal hatred.


    ¡°Maybe Mrs. Qie is not sure if minister Mu is involved for the money that builds the riverbank!¡±


    Mu Qie said: ¡°How do you know?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly: ¡°I certainly know that Minister Mu was arrested when he was in the court. Until now, you have not been able to see him. Minister Mu has nowhere to sue. But I can tell you now, that the silvers were indeed taken by Wei Liujiang. And they were stolen by servant girl Hexiang, and all of them were added up to more than 100,000! Where did he get so much money? Ye Jinrong was afraid to report to officials as the money was dirty. ¡±


    After a pause, Ye Jiayao sighed: ¡°Minister Mu is really affectionate about this nephew. It was originally to give him a benefit. How could he ask Wei Liujiang to ask for money? In the end, a good intention has be a shackle on his body, a knife on his neck.¡±


    Mu Qie had not really allowed the lord to ask for this money. Now that she knew the truth, she even gritted: ¡°This ungrateful white-eyed wolf.¡±


    ¡°Jinrong is also a white-eyed wolf. She set me up once. It was fine, I bore her. But she did it again. I will not let it go this time.¡± Ye Jiayao said resentfully.

 Chapter 271 - What do you hate about her?

    <h4>Chapter 271: What do you hate about her?</h4>


    When Ye Jiayao saw Mu qie was about to sputter,but still didn¡¯t dte Minister Wei,she knew that Mu qie still had some extravagant hopes that Minister Weiwould fulfill his promise to take care of her family for Minister Mu.


    ¡°Is Mrs. Qie still counting on Minister Weito help Lord Mu?I advise you not to expect,because Liu Li Princess secretly sent words to him that Lord Mu¡¯s case will never have the possibility of overturn.Minister Weiis just pretended to help you.When they go back to Jinan,you are just another hapless victim.


    ¡°If Mrs. Qie don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Mu Qinchu to Minister Wei,and say that you are short of tael now,see how much he would give you. I guess it won¡¯t be more than a hundred tael. He would say that the tael is used on helping Lord Mu,he really couldn¡¯t take out theextramoney.¡±


    ¡°If I am right, Mrs. Qie cane to me again.¡± said Ye Jiayao.Then sheid down a silver ticket of five hundred teal and bowed to leave.


    Mu qie was pondering.Mu Qinchu sent Ye Jiayao away ande back said: ¡°Mum, Second youngdy was right.I don¡¯t want to hide that i have been to Minister Weiwhen i got this prescription in town yesterday. Just met an intermediary,they wanted to buy the house.I wanted toborrow from Liujiang,but he said he is poor than us now.Then i borrowed from aunt, what she said is same as Second youngdy.In the end, they just gave me 20 tael.I was afraid of telling you would injury your body,so i didn¡¯t dare to tell you.¡±


    Mu qie was coughing with rage, Mu Qinchu hastily handed over a ss of water.


    Mu qie calmed down for a momnent,thenclenched her teeth and said :¡± they are pushing us too far.¡±


    Mu Qinchu said With hatred :¡±We treated them by our hearts, but they hurt us so miserably.Mum, i can¡¯t swallow it.Second youngdy was right,if we still believe them, it will be our responsibility to be fooled again.


    Ye Jiayao had a field day,Xia Chunyu had not been idle too.


    Firstly,he interrogated those two people by himself. The result is very clear that Liu Li told them to do so.She must have been secretly keep an eye on for some time,then picked Lu Xiaotian as Yaoyao¡¯s adulterer.In fact,Lu Xiaotian is deserve that few punches.Everyone could see that he had a problem. Although Lu Xiaotian didn¡¯t act, this kind of thought should not be existed.


    After that, Xiangtao told him what Yaoyao said to them,including she wanted to confess,but was blocked by Yaoyao.Yaoyao said that he would have thought that the reason Xiangtao changed her words was her direction.


    Xia Chunyu was ashamed of himself, he said he was very angry that day because she had worked out for a full day,then only came out this bad idea.


    Also, Song Qi did not inform him at all that Yaoyao and Lu Xiaotian met in the chamber ofmerce,but Liu Li¡¯s men told him.He was very confused at that time,so ignored this link.


    Finally, what he saw in the chamber ofmerce, was Lu Xiaotian¡¯s sidekicks did.ording to Liu Li¡¯s thought,when he arrived,the drug was taking effect. Yaoyao and Lu Xiaotian would have done something can not be undone. But Liu li was mistakenly thought that Xia Chunyu was anxious and early arrived.


    Xia Chunyu was breaked out in a sweat.The consequences would be disastrous,if he arrivedte.


    It came out aplete and detailed conspiracy,when linked everything together.How much do Liu Li hate Yaoyao?She was so hard to destroy her innocence and let her lose everything.


    Xia Chunyu was angry and hurt. No wonder Yaoyao refused to forgive him. He was really damn.


    He Lianjing asked for leave today, he stayed in Hou¡¯s mansion house to see how would Xia Chunyu handle this.If He Lianjing was not satisfied, he would not give up easily.


    He was reasonable,because he was in his character as Yaoyao¡¯s family.


    Looking at Xia Chunyu in pain and remorse, He Lianjing did not feelfortable, but more angry.


    ¡°Do you know what Yaoyao looked like when she came to see me yesterday?I have never seen her so helpless.Xia Chunyu,she is your wife, you let her into such a predicament.When she most needs a shoulder to lean on,she could only hang in there by herself.¡±


    ¡°As a husband,You¡¯re a failure.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was sclod,but he lost his temper:¡±I have already regretted.What about you beating me up,so I can feel better.¡±


    ¡°What? I don¡¯t like the pain of my hand when I hit you, but now I¡¯m hiding it from my mother and my grandmother.If she knows about it, she would hit you with the crutch,¡± he said with hatred.


    Xia Chunyu was flustered and said:¡±You must keep this secret for me.It doesn¡¯t matter that i would take a beating.But if grandmother gets angry and hurt her body,it would be very dangerous.¡±


    He Jinglian gave him a nk look and repliedsourly:¡± next time, even if I can¡¯t beat you, i would also teach you a lesson.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was depressed, originally Little Jing was just a child.Chasing him all day and called him Brother Chunyu.Now,he became the character of brother-inw and said he would beat him.It really made a sayinge true that the evil we bring on ourselves are the hardest to bear.At that moment,he really knew the feeling of it.


    ¡°Ok, let¡¯s get down to business. What are you going to do with Liu Li?She may be my cousin, but what she had done was so outrageous that I can¡¯t take her part.I would do what I have to do,¡±He Lianjing said.


    Speaking of Liu Li, Xia Chunyu was in headache.Liu Li was picking on Yaoyao for several times.Some small things just let them go,but this time,she wanted Yaoyao to die. That¡¯s thest straw.


    But he still has to see the face of Chunfeng.


    That¡¯s all, it¡¯s impossible to conceal this matter. Besides, he doesn¡¯t want to hide it, so let mother worry about it.


    He needed to give Yaoyao an exnation.


    However, he still had a decision that no matter what would his mother handle with it,he would not let Yaoyao and Liu Li live under the same roof.Either he would move out of the house with Yaoyao,or let Liu Li leave.


    Thus, Xia Chunyu went to see You.


    You was worried about what happenedst night.She heard,Jinxuan took some people to Liu Li¡¯s house and made a sence. Then Chunfeng lived in the study room. This morning,Liu Li didn¡¯te to greeting and said she was ill.Jinxuan didn¡¯te either,someone said she went out early this morning.Nanny Sun went to inquired aboutit, but there was still no any result.They were both very careful about this thing.


    Chunfeng was on duty early this morning, Chunyu was at home.But when You let someone ask him toe,he said he was busy and refused it.


    You guessed that could it have anything to do with the rumors?


    When she was worrying over this possibility,the servant came to report that the master wasing.


    He Lianjing came with Xia Chunyu,as family of Yaoyao,he must seek a justice for her.


    ¡°Little Jing ising,e on, get your seat.¡± You has not seen Little Jing for a long time,she went to the pce several times, but Little Jing was not there.Yi Dehas said that he was a busy man.Little Jing used to be loafing all the time,she was very hurt.But now,he was so busy that seldom came home,she was also grieved.


    Little bowed and greeted to You,then took his seat.


    Since there was an outsider here, in the spirit of not washing your family dirtyundry in public,You did not n to ask about the family matter.Who knows that Chunyu took the initiative to speak up.And You was shocked,because he said the original and details about it.


    ¡°Mother,this is what happened,Jinxuan has suffered such a big injustice,i have an unshirkable responsibility, but the most hateful people is the person who designed this trap.Please make a decision and seek a justice for Jinxuan.¡±Xia Chunyu said with deep in sorrow.


    You was angry and embarrassed, and now she knew that Little Jing came here today is as a member of Jinxuan¡¯s family.He came to seek justice for her.


    ¡°You said that Liu Li has admitted?¡± You asked.


    Xia Chunyu answered:¡±She admitted it herselfst night,both my third brother and I have heard it.Because the evidence was conclusive,she couldn¡¯t deny it.¡±


    You considered and said:¡±Little Jing, Go back today,tell your mother and grandma to trust me. I will give them an answer.¡±


    This affair was not like others.Because Liu Li¡¯s identity is special,and she also had to consider the feeling of Chunfeng.


    ¡°As a junior,i am relieved to hear what auntie said.¡± He Lianjing was rasing to bow and said.


    When Little Jing left, You got up and went to Liu Li¡¯s room.


    Little Ya and several servants gathered at the door of the room, where they urged :¡± Princess, please open the door and let us to take care of you.¡±


    ¡°You have eaten nothing, Princess,you must have something to eat...¡±


    ¡°Third youngdy,please open the door... ¡±


    Nanny Sun went to there and said:¡± Get out of the way.¡±


    Little Ya saw madaming,became more worry.Did madame here to ask princess about that thing?


    You pushed the door,but failed.


    Little Ya said:¡±The princess has bolted the door.¡±


    You frowned and said:¡±Nanny Sun,calling her out!¡±


    Nanny Sun knocked the door for several times and shouted, ¡°Third youngdy,madam ising.¡±


    After a long time, You was almost impatient and would like to ask someone to kick the door.Then the door finally opened.


    Liu Li¡¯s hair scattered, tears had not dry and looked very haggard.


    You saw her appearance and sighed, If she knew things would be like this,it would ever like it in the beginning.


    You let Little Ya to fetch water and serve Liu Li wash,she did not want to talk to a person who was not properly dressed.


    When Liu Li was got dressed,You sent out all the servants,including Nanny Sun.Then they started a talking between Mother and Daughter-inw.


    Before talking,You started to sigh and then said:¡±Liu Li,what should i say about you?The stupidest thing for the human is to get in trouble with yourself¡±


    Liu Li wanted to cry again.


    ¡°What do you hate about Jinxuan?You hate that she has embarrassed you?But you¡¯ve embarrassed a lot of people, and if everyone was as stubborn as you,i¡¯m afrid that you have already dead.¡±


    ¡°You hate that she married to Chunyu?Then you should not even.Because it was your own decision to marry him.Chunfeng has always been single-minded to you.His love for you is absolutely beyond Chunyu¡¯s love for Jinxuan. if you still can¡¯t let those things go,I really should doubt you the purpose to be here.¡±


    You was hurt and asked:¡±When you do these things,have you ever think about Chunfeng¡¯s feeling?¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s tears fell down.Actually, she had never regretted to deal with Jinxuan. Butst night,when she saw Chunfeng¡¯s desperatelook,she was regretted.Because she did not want to lose him.In fact,the feeling for Chunyu in her heart has already been thin. She just couldn¡¯t swallow the past.

 Chapter 272 - Xia Chunyu’s sincerity

    <h4>Chapter 272: Xia Chunyu¡¯s sincerity</h4>


    Looking at Liu Li¡¯s remorseful face, You said: ¡°You ask yourself, do you hate Jinxuan so much that you act recklessly disregarding consequences? Do you not hesitate to ruin your reputation and lose your Chunfeng?¡±


    ¡°I...I...¡± Liu Li whimpered and wept.


    ¡°When you pretended that you were pregnantst time, I saw it through? I now clearly tell you that Jinxuan saw through your mind ages ago, but she did not give you abel. She even took good care of you, because you are Chunfeng¡¯s wife and her sister-in-w. but you want to harm her again and again.


    ¡°Liu Li, Chunyu only likes Jinxuan, and they are always in love. The one who was causing trouble was you. If you really can¡¯t get along with Jinxuan and reluctantly live with Chunfeng. I will tell Queen Mother, and emperor, whether you want to take a break, or to leave, I will fulfil your wish.¡± You said her decision in a gentle and pitiful tone.


    She could no longer tolerate the conspiracy inside the family. She worried about different people every day. she used to fight with Zhou, she couldn¡¯t wait for this person to disappear. It was good that Zhou and third uncle went to Jingzhou. But now she thought about it. If they didn¡¯t get along, just avoid each other. There was no point to fight as it could only cause more trouble.


    Liu Li looked at You in horror and said eagerly: ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to be separated from Chunfeng.¡±


    She was a princess. If she divorced this way, then she wouldn¡¯t have a face in the world? How can she lift her head up? And she really liked Chunfeng. The feelings for Chunyu were just appreciation and admiration. It was a girl¡¯s dream at the time. Because he had the best talents that everyone pays tribute to, and he was so cool. Such a man was the easiest to let a woman lose her mind, wasn¡¯t it? But her feelings with Chunfeng were day by day, bit by bit. umted, not vigorous, only in and true, it was deep into the bone marrow, inseparable.


    You was secretly relieved. She wanted her words, but she deliberately sank her face and said with seriousness: ¡°Thinking about what you want, then, what you do. you should be clear that now Chunyu got physical evidence in hands. It depends on whether they can forgive you. Otherwise, if they send the evidence to the emperor, there will be no room for recovery. If you really regret it, you wille up with sincerity. As for Chunfeng, this time you broke his heart, but he still loves you. you talk to him about it. Untie the knots of each other.¡±


    Liu Li gritted teeth and bit the lower lip. She has to apologize with Ye Jiayao? Go to her in a low voice? How can she even open her mouth?


    ¡°Do I have to do this? I promise not to do this in future, alright?¡± Liu Li said pitifully.


    You was speechless and asked her: ¡°Do you think you are doing the right thing? Then I have nothing to say. If you do wrongly, you should apologize. This is the truth that everyone understands, that is, even the emperor does something wrong, he will tell everyone and apologize. A person can¡¯t even admit her own mistakes. Do you think you are credible?¡±


    ¡°I will give you three days. If you can¡¯t solve it, then you will decide ording to what I said. Jing¡¯an lord¡¯s mansion can¡¯t allow any conspiracy.¡± You got up and walked away.


    Liu Li was crying at the desk. She thought she won for sure, but she never thought that it would be a loss. And she was trapped in such a dilemma.


    Ye Jinxuan, are you really my nemesis, I cannot win against you in this life?


    Returning from the countryside, Ye Jiayao went to Heavenly Residence, sitting on the rocking chair on the second floor of the room, looking at the scenery of the Qinhuai River outside the window.


    The sun was like a blood, reflecting the river, with golden light, and three or two paintings floating on the river, leisurely with the waves, the green willows on the shore swaying the embankment, a scene of leisure.


    The string that copsed for a few days, this moment, it was finally loose. She could only stay here for a moment of peace.


    She closed her eyes tiredly, and if she didn¡¯t need to go home, it would be even better.


    She spent a long time staying, watching the sunset sink into the sky, and it¡¯s time to go to the meal! Forget it, I won¡¯t go back to dinner today.


    ¡°Xiao Lu.¡±


    The door opened.


    ¡°You let the kitchen prepare Song Qi the dinner, let him eat first then go home.¡± Ye Jiayao requested without turning her head.


    ¡°What about you?¡± It was a soft and warm voice.


    Ye Jiayao frowned, how did he find it here?


    ¡°No appetite.¡± Ye Jiayao said faintly.


    Xia Chunyu moved a chair next to her and sat down beside her.


    He softly said: ¡°you need to eat a little even you are no hungry. If you get hungry, I will feel bad.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was very eager to swear. He now became gentle and considerate, where did he go earlier?


    She ignored him.


    ¡°Want to eat something? I will give it to you!¡± Someone asked with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao was swearing in her heart. You sound picky, but can you do it? Can you cook something that you can eat?


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me, although I haven¡¯t done it, but ording to my clever mind, I will definitely learn it. I will learn now and make sure that my food will be delicious. If you say it, I will do it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao resisted the impulse to look angry and said indifferently: ¡°There is no appetite, and I have no mood to see you too.¡±


    Someone smiled and said: ¡°I will not appear when you eat dinnerter. Anyway, eat a little, or have a bowl of fried rice with rice, is it good? Just do the kind that you made for me the first time.¡±


    Her heartstring was a little trembling, this guy, really smart!


    The first time she cooked for him, she was so cautiously pleased, expecting him to be full, and being satisfied so that he would let her go. What happened?


    ¡°Chunyu, you better not do anything now. it¡¯s better to be away from me.¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    It¡¯s useless to do anything, she¡¯s already made up her mind, and when she understood everything she knew that she would leave.


    Someone automatically shielded what he didn¡¯t want to listen to, let him do nothing, and be far away from her. How could he do it? He was very sincere to apologize and remedy.


    ¡°That¡¯s a deal, I will do it, you wait a little longer.¡± Xia Chunyu went out, but also asked people to first send him some tablets to stay a clear mind.


    In the kitchen, a row of seven or eight stoves, a few stoves, a few cooks, stir-fried stir fry, a spoonful of spoon, like a juggling, a variety of fragrances filled the entire kitchen.


    Xia Chunyu rolled up his sleeves and took a piece of apron from the hanger and walked to Zhong Xiang, who was cooking.


    ¡°Zhong Xiang.¡±


    Zhong Xiang turned his head and saw heir-son lord. He said surprised: ¡°Heir-son lord, how did you get into the kitchen? The smoke is heavy here...¡±


    Xia Chunyu whispered in his ear: ¡°You stop the work in your hand and teach me to make an egg fried rice.¡±


    Zhong Xiang looked at heir-son lord incredulously. Did he hear it right? Was heir-son lord going to cook?


    ¡°Come on, I made a bet with second youngdy, and I can¡¯t lose.¡± Xia Chunyu saw him stunned and said hurriedly.


    Well, okay! It was very weird that he wanted to cook. He didn¡¯t even think that he would cook by himself one day. However, in order to make Yaoyao happy, he was willing to go to the top of the mountain or deep sea, not to mention the kitchen.


    Zhong Xiang quickly rushed out the dishes in the pot and handed the rest of the menu to the people on other side. He said, ¡°Heir-son lord, or else, I will do it for you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head like a rattle: ¡°no, no, or I lose. You can teach me on the side.¡±


    As he said, he started to move. he couldn¡¯t fake anything when it came to Yaoyao.


    Zhong Xiang had to serve as the master of Heir-son lord.


    First he taught him to cut beef.


    ¡°Can¡¯t cut along the lines, be horizontal, right, that¡¯s it...¡±


    ¡°The fingers are bent, the knife faces the second knuckles, and slowly moves back...¡±


    Zhong Xiang was very cautious, eyes staring at the kitchen knife in the hands of heir-son lord, for fear that he identally cut his hand.


    Xia Chunyu said in his heart: It is so troublesome to make an egg fried rice, and so much to care when cutting a piece of meat.


    Fortunately, he did martial arts, his hands and feet were flexible, his brain was also agile. He learnt very fast.


    Under the guidance of Zhong Xiang, Xia Chunyu¡¯s beef was diced and cut to the decent shape, and the cut beef was marinated.


    Then he cut cucumber diced, radish diced, mushroom diced, green cabbage...


    Xia Chunyu was more and morefortable, and he was smug when he was quite talented in cooking. Hey... identally he cut his fingers.


    Zhong Xiang eximed: ¡°Heir-son lord...¡±


    Xia Chunyu took a handkerchief and wrapped his wound in a slow-pace. He said like nothing happened: ¡°no worries, lets¡¯s continue...¡±


    Ehh...how is it so quiet in the kitchen?


    Xia Chunyu looked back and saw that everyone stopped working in their hands and looked at him with concern. ¡°Keke, Yo. The dish in your pot should be smeared.¡± Xia Chunyu pumped in the corner of his mouth and shouted awkwardly.


    The next moment, the sound of pots and bowls were heard in the kitchen.


    Zhong Xiang started to have a lingering fear, and his eyes stared tighter.


    Finally all the side dishes were cut, Zhong Xiang wiped the sweat, it was hard to be heir-son lord¡¯s teacher.


    He changed a clean wok and poured the right amount of oil. Xia Chunyu poured the te with the beef in.


    ¡°Wait, heir-son lord, fried beef must be hot oil, wait for the oil to be hot, then pour in and stir fry a few times.¡± Zhong Xiang screamed.


    ¡°Why?¡± Xia Chunyu was puzzled.


    Zhong Xiang patiently exined: ¡°The beef that is fried that way can keep the meat tender.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded and waited for Zhong Xiang¡¯s instructions.


    After a while, Zhong Xiang said: ¡°Yes.¡±


    Just after the words, Zhong Xiang remembered that he had forgotten to mention the precautions of the dishes into the oil pan, and he saw heir-son lord had poured the beef like beans.


    Oh...


    The boiling oil sshed. A few drops sshed into Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand, and he instinctively threw the spat, and jumped away.


    Zhong Xiang wanted to cry but he had no tears, and hurriedly pulled heir-son lord to the water tank: ¡°ssh with cold water, or it will get serious.¡±


    He really wondered whether Heir-son lord deliberately made trouble, deliberately scared him, and he almost had a heart attack.


    ¡°Oh, my meat...¡± Xia Chunyu still remembered the beef in the pot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, if the burn is not handled well, it will stay.¡± Zhong Xiang mmed his hand, and the cold water rushed to his hand.


    Waiting to be handled here, the beef over there was too hot, not good.


    Xia Chunyu looked at a te of burnt-yellow beef, thinking sadly, it was not easy to do something, he never dared to look down on chefs any more.

 Chapter 273 - The one that deserved it most

    <h4>Chapter 273: The one that deserved it most</h4>


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s every move in the kitchen had long been reported to Ye Jiayao.


    After a while, he said, ¡± Heir-son Lord cuts his hand and sheds a lot of blood, but he even doesn¡¯t wrinkle his brows.¡±


    After a while, he said again, ¡°Heir-son Lord has been scalded by rolling oil ¡­¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened with horror. This guy, was he crazy? Clearly he couldn¡¯t do anything, but also pretended to be brave and make himself such a mess. Did he want her to be distressed? She didn¡¯t eat this set.


    ¡± Heir-son Lord is cutting beef now, he¡¯ll do it again.¡± Little Lu reported.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t sit still: ¡± Little Lu, you go and tell him that I¡¯m gone and let him stop messing about.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t stay here any longer.


    This time, Xia Chunyu¡¯s beef stir-fry was quite sessful and he was also very happy. But Little Lu said seconddy had left.


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a moment and asked Zhong Xiang, ¡± What should I do next?¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t take a carriage and asked Song Qi to wait here for Chunyu. She walked slowly and aimlessly along the river bank, only to find herself standing at the gate of Laifu inn.


    A notice was posted at the door.Ye Jiayao came forward to see it, it was an inn transfer notice.


    Well, why did Big Brother Du transfer the inn?


    She was ashamed to say that since her marriage, she had note to see Big Brother Du and Li Erniang. She just asked Song Qi to send some presents at the feast. The time when she first arrived in Jin Lin, thanks to the care of Big Brother Du and Li Erniang, she always remembered this kindness.


    Ye Jiayao walked into the inn, Big Brother Du was behind the counter with his abacus. Little Yang wiped the desks and chairs there. The inn looked deserted.


    In her memory, there were many guests in the lobby at this time.


    ¡± Big Brother Du ...¡±


    Shopkeeper Du raised his head and was delighted to see Ye Jiayao. He came out of the counter with a smile on his face: ¡± What a honor for you toe here, seconddy!¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± I passed by and came in to see Big Brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw.¡±


    Shopkeeper Du responded quickly: ¡°Little Yang, get some tea.¡±


    The two of them sat down by the window, and Little Yang cheerfully served Ye Jiayao a good Longjing tea: ¡± Seconddy, I haven¡¯t seen you for a long time.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± Yes, I miss you all.¡±


    ¡± Hey? What about sister ¨C in ¨Cw?Why I don¡¯t see her?¡± Ye Jiayao looked around.


    Shopkeeper Du smiled slightly disconstely: ¡± She packs up at home and we are going back to her hometown of Wuzhou.¡±


    Wuzhou Prefecture was modern Jinhua City, it has some distance away from Jin Lin.


    ¡± Why?¡±


    Du said with a sigh: ¡± The old father-inw is ill at the beginning of the year and lies on the bed. The family¡¯s business is not managed, and the brother-inw family settle in Hejian Prefecture. It is impossible to go back. There is still a brother-inw with a problem here ...¡±


    Shopkeeper Du pointed to his head.


    ¡°Everyone has his own difficulty, Erniang and I are going to transfer the inn over there.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was disappointed, familiar people all went away one by one.


    She managed a smile: ¡± That¡¯s the right thing to do.¡±


    Suddenly she remembered and asked, ¡± Has this inn been transferred out?¡±


    Shopkeeper Du gave a wry smile: ¡± There are several people who ask me, knowing that we are in a hurry to sell and the price is too low to bring back. Forget it. Money is nothing and I intend to sign it tomorrow. I can¡¯t wait any longer.¡±


    ¡°How about Little Yang?¡±


    Du looked at Little Yang, who was sweeping, and said, ¡± He still stays at the inn. I agree with the next owner, but it¡¯s inevitable to reduce his wages.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought, it seemed that she wandered here for a purpose. It was arranged by God. Even if she came one dayte, she could not see Big Brother Du.


    Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and said, ¡°Big Brother Du, you can transfer this inn to me!¡±


    Shopkeeper Du smiled wryly: ¡± Seconddy, I understand your kindness ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao interrupted him: ¡± No, Big Brother Du, first of all, this is my first ce to stay in Jin Lin, and thanks to Big Brother and sister-inw I have great feelings for this ce. Second, you have a good location here, not far from Heavenly Residence, and it is indeed useful for me to take over.¡±


    Shopkeeper Du hesitated for a moment and said, ¡± If you are really eager, then I will transfer it to you at the price I agree with others.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± That¡¯s all right. But as you say, people see that you are in a hurry to make moves and take advantage of the opportunity to bring down prices. If I can do such a thing, I¡¯ll change it ording to your original price. Big Brother Du, you needn¡¯t be polite to me. I¡¯m poor before, and I¡¯ll take advantage of you. But now, I¡¯m rich. You don¡¯t need to save money for me.¡±


    Shopkeeper Du was amused by her, and he was also a cheerful person, he said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll take your kindness, at 38,000, even the deed of the house.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Don¡¯t fool me, Big Brother Du. Is it thirty-eight thousand enough in this area?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not aware of the market, but this building alone was worth at least 42,000.


    Du said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s already enough. I only spend more than 10,000 when I buy it. Over the years, I have saved some money by this inn.¡±


    Shopkeeper Du insisted on this price, Ye Jiayao had to agree to pay tomorrow.


    Little Yang learned that Ye Jiayao had turned over the inn, he was so happy that he worked more vigorously.


    In the store, they sat down and chatted for a while, Ye Jiayao just got up to leave.


    When she got home, it was already dark.


    Severalnterns hung high in front of the gate of Jing ¡®an marquis house, reflecting the majesty and solemnity of the red-painted copper nail gate.


    And a long figure in front of the gate paced up and down uneasily.


    Was he waiting for her?


    Ye Jiayao was going to ignore him. But he found her instantly and quickly came up with a worried look: ¡°Yaoyao, where have you been? I¡¯m worried.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked in without saying a word. Why did she need to tell him? When she cared about him, she could do anything for him as her everything, but when she didn¡¯t care, he was nothing.


    Xia Chunyu followed.


    ¡°Yaoyao, have you eaten?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was silent.


    ¡°Yaoyao, say a word?¡±


    Ye Jiayao remained silent.


    ¡°Yaoyao...¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked faster.


    Back to the wing, Xia Chunyu followed.


    Ye Jiayao said with a cold face, ¡± What are you doing here?There are so many rooms here that you still have an outside study.¡±


    Xia Chunyu made an apology and said, ¡± Where are you? Where am I?¡±


    ¡± If you don¡¯t want me to live on the streets sote, just go out for me.¡± Ye Jiayao unceremoniously ordered.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s smile froze on his face for a long time. He said softly, ¡± Mom say, if youe back, go to find her.¡±


    Ye Jiayao kept silent.


    Xia Chunyu took two steps and paused again: ¡± Also, Mu Qinchu hase, he says, as you say.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused, the decision was made so soon?


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t ask Ye Jiayao why she was looking for her. He also guessed that Ye Jinrong would not be spared this time.


    The Wei family was going to be miserable.


    Ah ... It was worse than Wei Family. He was the worst one, but also the one that deserved it most.


    Qiao Xi came in to help her to dress up.


    Xiangtao served the food, opened the lid of the bowl and put away the chopsticks: ¡°You must not have eaten dinner, seconddy. Please eat some mat first!¡±


    Ye Jiayao smelled the fragrance and really felt hungry.


    She went over and had a look, but it was a bowl of fried rice with egg and a tomato soup.


    Her heart thumped: ¡± Who makes this?¡±


    Xiangtao trembled, looking at Qiao Xi, hesitated whether to tell the truth.


    Qiao Xi said gently, ¡± it is made by Heir-son Lord in Heavenly Residence. it is packed in pottery jars and hold back by cotton cloth, it has been kept in a hot pot all the time.¡±.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at this bowl of fried rice with beef and egg. Her heart was full of mixed feelings. She left there and told him not to do it. But he still did it. She didn¡¯t know how many more injuries he would have.


    Qiao Xi added: ¡± seconddy, heir-son Lord really know that he is wrong, so forgive him this time!You don¡¯t see, because you don¡¯te back, he is so worried, standing at the gate waiting for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was also made of meat. What was Chunyu¡¯s identity? She was afraid he didn¡¯t walk into the kitchen till now, but he was serious about cooking for her. She was not moved or softhearted.


    This incident hit her too hard. Once bitten by a snake, she was afraid of the ropes for ten years. In some ways, she was cowardly.


    ¡± Withdraw, I¡¯m not hungry.¡± Ye Jiayao picked up the chopsticks and put down, said lightly.


    Qiao Xi and Xiangtao looked at each other. Song Qi said this was made by heir-son Lord himself. He did the cooking himself, which was unbelievable, and he did so well, but seconddy was ungrateful at all.


    Ye Jiayao went straight to the house. After all, she was still marquis house¡¯s second wife and You was her mother ¨C in ¨Cw. Besides, You was still good to her and she had to go.


    She came to the house, but saw Xia Chunyu already waiting for her there.


    ¡± Yaoyao, Chunfeng and Liu Li are also inside.¡± Xia Chunyu first told her.


    Ye Jiayao understood that it was estimated that You and Chunfeng would intercede for Liu Li.


    She was now beginning to renovate Jinrong and Jinyao, just to see what attitude You and Chunfeng had. If they would give her justice, she would not be in trouble. If they wanted to protect Liu Li, then she would solve it herself.


    The patience of Liu Li had reached the point where it was intolerable, and two p was far from enough to eliminate her heart¡¯s hatred.


    Two people tandem into the hall.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes turned slightly and even the old marquis spared no effort to be here.


    The expressions of the old marquis and You were slightly serious.


    Chunfeng¡¯s face was dark, and hid eyes wereplicated and indistinguishable.


    Liu Li had been low-headed and dare not to look at her. Her hands had been twisted by handkerchief to hide the unease in her heart.


    Ye Jiayao sneered at the bottom of her heart. She was looking forward to the y tonight.


    Ye Jiayao quietly bowed her knees and said, ¡± Jinyao greets to papa and mum.¡±

 Chapter 274 - Try as You Can

    <h4>Chapter 274: Try as You Can</h4>


    You was also observing Ye Jiayao. She looked serene. But the calmer she looked, the harder it get. Ye Jiayao must have some ideas. It would be difficult to solve the problem without meeting her requirement of reconciliation.


    After Chunyu and Ye Jiayao sat down, You looked at Liuli and sighed,¡±What happened in this family really hurt me. I did a failure of being a mother-inw. I didn¡¯t find out in time and even more stop this thing in time.¡±


    You med herself first but suddenly the words turned around. She said,¡±


    ¡°But, we are family after all. Just like the skeleton in the cupboard. Today, we must speak out what enmity do we have and scold whoever you want. Let¡¯s talk things over and punish the one has faults.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Ye Jiayao admitted that the opening of You sounded good. It moved people by feeling and convinced people by resoning. Just didn¡¯t know if You could follow up.


    The old Lord nodded in agreement with the You¡¯s words, and said in authority:¡± We live under one roof, what family we are if we seduce each other all day. Where do we put our family rules and principles? It¡¯s absolutely not allowed.¡±


    LiuLI¡¯s face was more and more pale. She looked like sitting on pins and needles. Today was her day of reckoning, she really wanted to run away, but she didn¡¯t dare to have such thoughts after taking a nce at Chunfeng who had the same face as she was.


    LiuLI only wanted sess, she never thought she would lose and she couldn¡¯t afford it.


    The two elders have expressed their state. You said:¡± LiuLi, you cause this matter. Exin it.¡±


    You had fullymunicated with LiuLi before and LiuLi would like to admit the mistakes. This matter had to be solved as soon as possible.


    LiuLI kept her head down and did not want to see Ye Jinxuan¡¯s cool and proud face. She felt so aggrieved that she had been pped two times by Ye Jinxuan, which was unforgettable all her life. Is this not enough? Must she humbly ask for forgiveness?


    Although she had been prepared mentally before she came, it was hard for her to speak out.


    Everybody waited for a moment. LiuLi was still in flounder.


    ChunYu said without emotion,¡± If you don¡¯t want to say something, don¡¯t say it. We won¡¯t push you. If we can¡¯t solve the problem here, we can find the emperor.¡±


    LiuLi finally spoke out, ¡°Sorry.¡± The voice liked a mosquito.


    Such volume, only ChunFeng sat beside her could hear.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± ChunYu asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± LiuLi resisted the impulse to roll eyes, got up the courage and loudly said.


    Ye Jiayao sneered from the bottom of her heart. She thoughts,¡± Is this an apology? It isn¡¯t sincere. These words can¡¯t stop me pursuing. LiuLi, you really think me as a virgin. If I don¡¯t show you something, you don¡¯t know you should take another look on me.¡±


    You frowned,¡± LiuLi, you have to apologize sincerely since you realize your mistakes.¡±


    You knew that LiuLi was used to proud. It was difficult to make her humble spirit. But the problem was that, this wasn¡¯t amon conflict. It was so serious that an apology couldn¡¯t dispel JinXuan¡¯s hate.


    LiuLi two tears rolled down, crying¡± You have bet me and I have apologized. What else do you guys want? Do I have to kneel and kowtow to beg for your forgiveness?¡±


    ¡°These words should I ask you. What do you exactly want? How can you give up? Is it like your wish that I am driven out of the house like a stray dog, with a bad name that everyone spit on? Or am I looking for a rope to hang myself from and a pir to kill?¡± Ye Jiayao spoke with a cold voice. ¡°If I can¡¯t justify for myself this time, these would be my ending. Are you disappointed that I broke your conspiracy again?¡±


    Xia Chuyu felt so much pain and fear, if Yaoyao kill herself for these, he would kill himself too.


    LiuLi bite teeth, with tears, without refutation. What Ye Jiayao said is indeed her ultimate goal. She wanted Ye Jiayao to be notoriety and thousands of people spurned her.


    ¡°Do you think it is a good grace for you, such a noble princess, to say sorry to me? I should be d, oh, that the noble princess has finally stopped caring for me?¡±, ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Ye Jiayao sneered. ¡°I¡¯m not as noble as you, and I¡¯m not as tolerant as you. Today, father and mother are all here, tell us what you want. My body, my life, I would give you everything you want. Just say it, saving you from thinking so much which is my guit.¡±


    LiuLi¡¯s face went whiter and whiter by her barbed words. ¡°It¡¯s over and I have apologized. Why can¡¯t you take off the gloves?¡± She said.


    Ye Jiayao gave a sneeringugh, ¡°Does it end? Why do I think it just begin?¡±


    Threat.This a bald threat. LiuLI bit her teeth hating Ye Jiayao. She thought Ye Jiayao was unreasonable, she wouldn¡¯t stay here to listen to her taunting sarcasm because of ChunFeng.


    You saw the two women contending with each other again. She was very worried and she took a nce at marquis whose eyebrows were twisted and face was pale.


    One did wrong but refused to bow down, and one didn¡¯t want to forgive. You could only hold two sides calme down.


    You said:¡± LiuLi, It¡¯s your fault. What JinXuan said is right. This affair ¡®s result is serious. Honor, is the most matter thing in a woman ¡®s life. You almost destroyed her honor and harm the rtionship between her and her husband. They would probably disintegrate. Such misery she has suffered that you can¡¯tpensate by an apology.¡±


    LiuLi can¡¯t refute but still refused to ept. She thought she has pped twice by her.


    You med LiuLi and persuaded Ye Jiayao:¡± JinXuan, LiuLi¡¯s temper is like this. She can¡¯t put down her face but she already knew she was wrong. She was so regret that promised me she will get along with you well in the future. You just forgive her and get on with it.¡±


    ¡°This is my first time saw people so bold when they do wrong things. If the two change their role, I¡¯m afraid that it won¡¯t work even if JinXuan break her head.¡±, ChunYu said when Ye Jiayao was about to open her mouth.


    You red at ChunYu and thought:¡± You are such ignorant. Your mother tried so hard to persuade, and you just help your wife which would make thing worse.¡±


    ChunYu ignored her mother¡¯s and continued, ¡°We don¡¯t need her to apologize either. What¡¯s the use of an insincere apology? I only want to ask father and mother that how LiuLi should be punished ording to the family rule.¡±


    The old lord and You looked at each other. ording to the family rule, LiuLi should be drove out with no doubts. But LiuLi was a princess after all and the emperor ned the marriage. With the support of empress dowager, it¡¯s not easy to get divorce.


    ChunYu sneered:¡± I get it. JinXuan is right. Can¡¯t we elude her when we couldn¡¯t provoke?¡±


    ChunYu stood up and made a bow with hands folded in front to his parent. ¡°Mum and Dad, please forgive me for my filial piety. Even I made mistake this time, almost wrong JinXuan. My ignorance almost caused irreparable fault which chilled me to the bone. I ashamed that I didn¡¯t protect my wife of being her husband. In order to avoid such unpleasant happening again and maintain the family¡¯s peace even on the surface, I asked mother and father to agree me and JinXuan to move out which also satisfied princess LiuLi¡¯s wish.¡± ChunYun said solemnly.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. She didn¡¯t think ChunYu would say such thing,


    You and the duke¡¯s face changed greatly. You stunned:¡± How can this be?¡±


    The old duke was angry too. ¡°I¡¯m still alive. You can¡¯t separate.¡±


    Being JinAn duke¡¯s son, but live outside. What would other people think?


    ChunFeng also stood up, couldn¡¯t being silent anymore.


    LiuLi was his wife and she had done such vicious thing. He could hardly absolve oneself from the me. He had thought divorce because he couldn¡¯t win her heart. But today, LiuLi cried so hard in front of him and exined again and again. She even harmed herself to express which softened his heart.


    He knew that it was hard to get their forgiveness., but he didn¡¯t think it would make them leave. It was his and LiuLi¡¯s falut. If there had someone to leave, it must be him and LiuLi.


    ¡°Brother and sister-inw, I¡¯m ashamed of saying such thing, but LiuLi is my wife, her falut is my falut. I¡¯m so ashamed that I wouldn¡¯t asked for your forgiveness, but I promise LiuLi won¡¯t make such mistake again. Otherwise, I will divorce her to return your justice even take on the crime of deceit.¡±


    The words were loud, sonorous, like a hammer hitting on her heart which made her stand unsteady and drop into chair.


    Xia ChunFeng had less say in the family. He listened to his parent, second-elder-brother and LiuLi. This moment, he took the responsibility of being a son, a brother and a husband.


    ¡°Of course, only promise is not enough, I will Introspect three days before ancestors ording to the family¡¯s rules. LiuLi and I will copy the rules one hundred times. If brother and sister-inw still can¡¯t cool down, I wouldn¡¯t say anything to be punished by stick or rod.¡± ChunFeng said.


    Ye Jiayao was resigned. ChunFeng loved LiuLi so much that he would take on her fault. But, would this really work? Would LiuLi change? We could know that she had more unwilling than regret from her attitude.


    ¡°ChunFeng, I like your attitude. You are brave to take responsibility, like a man. Zhao LiuLi, you marry a great man who will clean up the mass for you. I make things clear today, I forbear because I don¡¯t want ChunFeng and parent to be embarrass, not being afraid of you. But my forbearance made them embarrass atst. This is not my first time to be harmed, but hurt me most.¡± Ye Jiayao said with cold voice:¡± I put the words here. No matter I am the family or not, no matter where I am, if you dare to harm me again, I will hundred times return. You are never my opponent on using conspiracy. You can try if you don¡¯t believe.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was so ashamed that the corner of the mouth was convulsing.

 Chapter 275 - I don’t agree with you

    <h4>Chapter 275: I don¡¯t agree with you</h4>


    It was the first time that Colored ze found Ye Jiayao being so tough. Her cruel eyes and cold tone recalled Colored ze that since she first quarreled with her, she hadn¡¯t taken advantage of it for even once, so she couldn`t help being afraid.


    Seeing Ye Jiayao finally willing to let go, You breathed a sigh of relief, but how did she say whether she was from this family or not? Of course she was a member of this family, can`t she?


    ¡°I don¡¯t agree.¡± Xia Chunyu looked at Xia Chunfeng coldly.


    ¡°You love Coloured ze and willing to take responsibility for her, Jinxuan can be lenient and open ¨C minded, but I can¡¯t tolerate Jinxuan¡¯s being wronged like this, and I am framed together and almost be an aplice. This is not a general debate of words, but to seek people¡¯s lives, her vicious heart and despicable means are outrageous ...¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s usation against hit the floor with no holds barred.


    You¡¯s headache forced her to hold her forehead. Jinxuan had let it go. Why did Chunyu still insist? Was it really necessary to make a big deal out of this?


    Ye Jiayao looked at Chunyu unexpectedly. Why he reacted so intensely?


    Coloured ze had always been afraid of Chunyu, and she was more scared when he pulled down his face and pointed at her nose.


    Xia Chunyu said in a chill way:¡± You should thank the god for now you can still stand here and talk about how to deal with it. If there is anything wrong with Jinxuan, I will definitely want someone to pay a life with life.¡±


    Veins on Xia Chunfeng`s forehead stood out. Though Xia wanted to defend Coloured ze, it was difficult to express it. He said in an obscure way:¡± Second Brother ...¡±


    ¡°Don`t call me like that, it¡¯s useless, let alone kneeling for three days and three nights. It¡¯s no use even you kneel to death, not because I¡¯m cruel and don¡¯t show respect for brothers. I really don¡¯t believe Zhao Coloured ze. Think about what she said tonight and her performance, did she have a little thought of regret? Her reluctantlypromises are just afraid of bearing the consequences of doing evil.¡± Xia Chunyu interrupted him.


    ¡°Today, my parents do peacemakers for her, and you take the responsibility for her. She suffered nothing, maybe she will hate Jinxuan even more. She feels that Jinxuan embarrasses her, and will do even wroth to her next time.¡±


    Xia Chunyu moved his eyesight and pointed his sharp eye at the Coloured ze like a knife:¡± You, listen carefully. It is me who won¡¯t spare you today. And it was also me who refused to marry in the beginning. Even without Jinxuan, I wouldn¡¯t marry you, because your misdeeds are full of stains, which makes people fearful. Who dares to marry you? If it weren¡¯t my refusal to marry at first, Chunfeng could no longer refuse, Zhao Coloured ze, do you think you can enter this family? Indeed, as I guessed. It¡¯s difficult to change your nature. You¡¯ve proved that you¡¯re always the little arrogant, willful and unruly child with your actual actions. You see, this family has been messed up by you, repeatedly persecuting your sister-inw, making your parents worry and embarrassing your husband. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu was so angry because he and Yaoyao have always loved each other. But this time, they were almost killed by Coloured ze`s plot. Of course, he was also wrong, but the culprit was Coloured ze. Today, if he did not stand up, how shameful would he be? what qualifications would he have for Yaoyao¡¯s forgiveness, and what qualifications would he have for being her husband?


    Such harsh words and harsh usations were like sharp knives stabbing straight through Coloured ze`s heart, leaving her dignity trampled by others. Her face turned pale with no color of blood in it. Such embarrassment made her wish to die.


    She looked at Chunfeng with fear and helplessness. Chunfeng lowered her head to see the old duke and You at the top seat.


    Chunfeng didn¡¯t say a word because of guilt. The duke and You didn¡¯t say a word because they knew Chunyu¡¯s temper. Once Chunyu identified something, nine cows can¡¯t pull him back. Chunyu meant very clearly to force Coloured ze to admit her mistake and take responsibility. Then they said nothing but Coloured ze to resolve it.


    If Ye Jiayao was just surprised for Xia`s jumping out before, she was now in a shock.


    Chunyu always said, didn¡¯t be afraid, he would always be there.


    But this feeling was felt only when Chunyu found herst time she was left at the bottom of the well.


    Today, she looked at Chunyu, who exuded rage, relentlessly criticized Coloured ze, who let Coloured ze must show sincerity for him, now she seemed to have that feeling again.


    He said what she couldn¡¯t say, and he did what she couldn¡¯t do because of various concerns, liked a vigorous tree, liked a mountain on the coast which really stood in front of her to protect her from the wind and rain.


    Being so shocked and moved, her hatred gradually faded.


    ¡°So Zhao Coloured ze, if you want to revenge, revenge me, do everything you can do to destroy me, but don¡¯t pick the wrong person,¡± Xia Chunyu said severely, with undisguised disgust and hatred in his eyes.


    Coloured ze staggered back one step and reached the chair behind her, leaving no room for retreat.


    Xia Chunyu approached one step, appearing very aggressive:¡± Now I have all the witness and evidence. I`ll let you decide how this matter be solved. Make it public or private?¡±


    Coloured ze was at a loss and pathetically turned to Chunfeng for help: ¡°Chunfeng ...¡±


    Chunfeng could not bear to see her so embarrassed, but it was her fault that no one could help.


    ¡°Coloured ze, if you admit your mistake, you will be treated the same way as before, and so will I.¡± Chunfeng said helplessly.


    Coloured ze was so desperate, in public, how dare she? If it came to the emperor, there was evidence, she can¡¯t deny it, let alone the queen mother can¡¯t help her. The emperor must give Chunyu an exnation if he was willing to protect her. She still can¡¯t escape from punishment, and it would be known to everyone, then it would be difficult for her to gain her reputation back again.


    However, if it was private, which step did they want her to take before they give up? Until her to kneel down in the ancestral hall would they give up?


    You was very worried:¡± Coloured ze, say something, quickly.¡±


    Coloured ze had a quiver in her heart and her lips trembled, timidly looking at the face of cold-blooded Xia Chunyu, struggling for a long time without opening her mouth, tears streaming down:¡± I was wrong, I don¡¯t know what happened to myself, I just hate her, because she is the first person to embarrass me so much, and then she robs the queen mother of her choice of husband for me. I hate her, I envy her, so I told the queen mother that I was going to marry Chunfeng, and my goal is to make her suffer, but ...I didn¡¯t expect that I will really fall in love with Chunfeng so much, I didn¡¯t realize that untilst night, Chunfeng looked at me with such disappointing and sad eyes. At that moment, I felt the sky was falling down. I was afraid that Chunfeng would never want me again and I cried all night with fear...¡±


    Chunfeng looked at tearful Coloured ze. Before he came here, Coloured ze swore to him that the person she liked was him, not the second brother. At that time, he thought she was just too afraid to not pass the test and tricked him deliberately, but he really couldn¡¯t let this person go, he had to deceive himself.


    But now, in front of the whole family, she told her feelings to him, how can he not be shocked?


    ¡± I was wrong, I confess, but I still don¡¯t like her, and I will still hate her, but I am willing to endure anything for the sake of Chunfeng, and I can guarantee that I won¡¯t find her any more trouble, or we will be like strangers...¡±Coloured ze sniffed and continued saying.


    ¡°I admit, I also willing to take punishment, going to the ancestral temple to punish kneeling, isn¡¯t it? How long will it take for me to go on my knees? How many times do I need to copy the family rules? I`ll do whatever you say, is that okay?¡±


    There was silence in the hall. They never heard of such confession. Coloured ze was a proud princess anyway. She was even to bare the punishment than refused to bow to Ye Jiayao, and frankly said that she would continue to hate her. Then they have nothing to do with each other ever since.


    Ye Jiayao was dazed, but thought carefully, this was exact the style of Coloured ze, and she kinds of admire her frankness and courage, making her believe that Coloured ze really wouldn¡¯t do anything to her than cry for her forgiveness.


    Chunfeng walked beside the Coloured ze silently, holding her cold trembling hand, his eyes were clear like water, his voice was soft and whispered:¡± Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯ll be here with you.¡±


    She made thousands of mistakes, but as long as she really loves him, he would be with her till the end of the world.


    Coloured ze brimming with the impulse to rush into his arms and cry bitterly. She was serious. For the sake of Chunfeng, she would no longer find Ye Jinxuan¡¯s trouble. She would do anything for Chunfeng.


    You and the old duke looked at each other in aplicated mood. Coloured ze admitted her fault and guaranteed not to do it again. However, the two sisters-inw became strangers in the future and do not live in contact with each other. Everyone was under the same roof, which made people feel more ufortable.


    The old duke sighed powerlessly:¡± Chun Yu, Jinxuan, what would you do?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nced at Yaoyao and said nonchntly:¡± ording to the rules of the family, you are supposed to be exiled. For the sake of Chunfeng, you should do as Chunfeng said just now.¡±


    The penalty for kneeling for three days and three nights, and for sending property to the family for a hundred times, was no longer a light penalty for a princess as delicate as Coloured ze.


    As for whether she really won`t do it again, he didn¡¯t care. Anyway, if she dares to frame Yaoyao again, he won`t be mercy anymore.


    Hearing such punishment, Coloured ze¡¯s heart still couldn¡¯t help twitching violently, but it was her choice, she had to take it ... Xia Chunyu, you are too damn cruel.


    Xia Chunfeng bowed to Second Brother and Yisow:¡± Thank you for your magnanimity.¡±


    He didn¡¯t think the second brother¡¯s punishment was too heavy. This was a lighter punishment than the damage caused to Yisow.


    Then Xia Chunfeng bowed again to his father and mother: ¡°Father, mother, I will be punished with Coloured ze.¡±


    You opened her mouth but said nothing in the end. She could only secretly pity Chunfeng who was troubled by Coloured ze.


    The old duke made a concluding statement:¡±This thing is over now. In the future, if someone do that again and plot against their own family. I am the first one to drive her out of the house, I will not tolerate it.¡±


    Chunfeng made another ritual and took the hand of the Coloured ze then left.


    You rubbed her sore brain and said,¡± All right, all things are settled. Just leave. Jinxuan, you stay here and I have something to tell you.¡±

 Chapter 276 - You’s decision

    <h4>Chapter 276: You¡¯s decision</h4>


    Xia Chunyu gave Yaoyao a worried look, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t look back, she stood up silently and sent the duke away.


    When You saw Chunyu still standing on the spot, she frowned and said, ¡°Jinxuan and I have something to say personally. You`d better leave this room.¡±


    Xia Chunyu had to withdraw.


    Ye Jiayao was left in the room and she had almost guessed what You were going to say to her.


    It was nothing more than a few words offort and persuades her to be generous.


    There was no one else in the room. You asked Ye Jiayao to sit beside her and hold her hand.


    ¡°Good boy, you have been wronged. I didn¡¯t believe those rumors the first time I heard them. I sent mother Sun to find out who was ying tricks, but unexpected things happened before it was found out. Coloured ze does go too far. I also want to teach her a lesson, but after all, she is special in identity and Chunfeng cares her too much. If we really make things big, we marquis house will be theughing stock of Jinling City. You are always considerate, know how to advance and retreat, I saw all your injustice and my heart hurts, anyway, the only thing I can do is asking you to excuse me. ¡°You said gently.


    Ye Jiayao said nothing. Hadn`t she suffered enough?


    ¡°As for Chunyu, he is extremely clever when he appears to be clever, and he is so stupid when he appears to be stupid, but on the other hand, it was all because he cares too much about you, and when he meets you, everything will go wrong. It`s said that more care, more trouble, those closely involved cannot see clearly...¡±


    ¡°I think he also learned a lesson, but he can¡¯t be forgiven so easily. You should treat him coldly for a few days and let him reflect on himself again. I also need to scold him, let him realize what mess he had made. If something bad happen on you, no one can help him,¡± You said angrily.


    Ye Jiayao knows very well that You was worried that she will not be able to put down this knot in her heart, and she might lose peace with Chunyu then retaliate against Coloured ze. You hopes to calm things down. Understandably, this remark was indeed very popr.


    ¡°Mother, since I said I won`t stick to it anymore, I will let it go, as long as she didn¡¯t mess with me in the future,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    The old duke and You were nice to her. For the sake of marquis house¡¯s reputation and Chunfeng¡¯s happiness, this time she hit her teeth and swallowed blood, but this was thest time, and there will be no more. Otherwise, even if the consequence was turned the world upside down, she would never spare Coloured ze.


    ¡°How dare she? You just keep your witness and physical evidence carefully. Next time, I will help you and calcte the new ount and the old ount together. I will do what I should do? If Chunfeng can¡¯t let go, I¡¯ll let them fuck off together,¡± You said stoutly.


    Ye Jiayao had always felt that she was a malicious person, but You¡¯s statement still softens her mind.


    ¡°Jinxuan, you don¡¯t have to worry too much. I¡¯ve got a n. I¡¯ll ask the queen mother and the emperor for permission to seal thend early in the next year,¡± You sighed.


    Ye Jiayao looked at You in surprise. If those words You said before were meant tofort her and coax her, but nothing substantial, now the decision was for real.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel surprised. I had this ideast time when the Coloured ze was abortion. This time I`ve made up my mind. Only in this way can I do once and for all. Chunfeng always wants to go to the fief. It¡¯s better to go earlier thanter. I don¡¯t want to see brothers also get into a feud atst, so it¡¯s polite for everyone to keep in distance.¡±You was at a loss and said that Coloured ze had said that she confess but won`t give in, it was hard to let two tigers live in one mountain, and it was better to leave early, at least to maintain peace on the surface.


    ¡°Mother ...¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know what to say. No mother would like her son to leave for the fief, let alone for several years.


    You smiled bitterly: ¡°I only hope you and Chunyu are well now, and there will inevitably be conflicts between husband and wife. Your father-inw did more irritating things than this, and I also bite a tooth to survive. Chunyu is better than his father; at least he only has you in his heart. If there is anything unsatisfactory about him, you can tolerate him for his sake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao doubted whether Chunyu invited You to be a lobbyist.


    She couldn`t say she don`t like Chunyu, or because she liked him too much, it was hard to let go, but Xia Chunyu¡¯s attitude today still gave her somefort.


    ¡°Jinxuan, to tell you the truth, you are not my daughter-inw at first, but this year has witnessed your growth, and your ability let me be impable, and I can finally give you this home with confidence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao were a shock, what does this mean?


    ¡°The Mid ¨C Autumn Festival ising soon. I intend to announce that you will preside over the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival and the family will be handed over to you,¡± You said gently.


    This decision was just made by her, and she was intended to wait until the Coloured ze and Chunfeng went to the fief. However, Jinxuan¡¯s words that whether or not she was from this family, made her nervous.


    She was also a woman, and she understood a woman¡¯s thoughts. It was afraid Jinxuan¡¯s mind was most concerned about Chunyu¡¯s attitude in this matter. Otherwise, her would¡¯t says this time was the one that saddens her most. Maybe Jinxuan wanted leave Chunyu.


    She knew her son¡¯s mind better, and looked the guilty face of Chunyu. If Jinxuan really wanted to leave, Chunyu might do something extreme. Therefore, she would specially leave Jinxuan to say these words and hand over her home, blocking her mouth. At the same time, she also explicitly tells Coloured ze that Jinxuanwas the mistress of marquis house.


    You¡¯s intentions were not bad.


    Ye Jiayao were not able to respond. She was going to leave. What kind of hostess was she, and what kind of feed was she hosting? However, looking at You¡¯s ardent eyes, Ye jiayao felt like riding a tiger. She could only perfunctorily say, ¡°But I¡¯ve been busytely.¡±


    You said, ¡°It`s okay. You get started first. I¡¯ll teach you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao were speechless. Was You trying topensate her to let her take the charge? However, she didn¡¯t want to be in charge at all. What was the good thing about being in charge? She had to be in charge of everything from the daily necessities of the family to the broken chickens and dogs. It was like putting chains on her body.


    The problem is how to refuse? It`s really a headache...


    Xia Chunyu stood under the porch waiting for Ye Jiayao, seeing here out, he hurried up to meet her.


    ¡°Yaoyao ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao ignored him and went on her way.


    Xia Chunyu, like a girl, followed behind and was far from the cold pride and domineering when he used Coloured ze.


    ¡°Yaoyao, Chunfeng does apany the Coloured ze on his knees.¡±


    Ye Jiayao were indifference because it was Chunfeng¡¯s own responsibility. He was in a dilemma with Coloured ze, so this was what he deserved. Does he still want to pretend to be innocent and get away with it? Do you know how oppressed she was? She was almost killed, but the culprit was only a few days¡¯ punishment on her knees. She felt really miserable because she could not revenge. Whenever Chunfeng hesitated a little today, she would let the Coloured ze suffer.


    Three days and three nights, right? Can`tck a minute.


    Let Chunfeng kneel with Coloured ze and let her know that her audacity will eventually hurt herself and the people she cared about most.


    Chunyu said: ¡°Yaoyao, I know I was wrong, you can punish me as much as you want. The ancestral hall has already been kneeling, so I won¡¯t go to join in the fun, will I kneel at the head of the bed?¡±


    Fuck off, one thing belonged to one thing, it was an external struggle, and this was an internal contradiction.


    Back in the yard, Ye Jiayao went straight to the firewood room.


    The door of the woodshed opened and the light was dim. A man was dimly seen near the woodpile.


    When Xiangtao lit the oilmp, Ye Jiayao saw Jinyao huddled up, her hair curled up, her clothes disheveled and she was dying. She can`t be more in a mess.


    Qiao Xi took out a silk handkerchief to clean a long bench, and Ye Jiayao sat down.


    Jinyao spent the nightst night exhausted and had no food to eat. Her hungry eyes were on Venus, she was so hungry that her chest pressed against her back, and her eyes closed drowsily.


    Hearing the noise, Jinyao slowly opened her eyes and saw that elder sister hase, struggling to get up.


    ¡°Elder sister, elder sister, I know I was wrong. Please spared me this time and I am no longer dare to ...¡±Jinyao wept bitterly, she never suffered such hardships throughout her life. It was the first time she saw elder sister¡¯s thunder tactics. No one in the house would lend her a helping hand, and the first sister¡¯s husband even disappeared, making her realize that elder sister had the absolute right to speak in this family. She was afraid and regretted that she knew it would be time to slowly show up and not listen to second sister¡¯s exhortation.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her face, an expression of regret beyond her control. Her lips overflowed with silent sneer. First Ye Jinrong attacked her in order to rob Wei Liujiang, and now Jinyao attacked her in order to rob Xia Chunyu. The same drama was performed for the second time. Was it popr to rob brother-inw in this era?


    Don`t mind Jinrong, she always didn¡¯t put her in the eye. At that time, she was just an inconspicuous suffer indignities bag. Wei Liujiang, the scum man, was easy to seduce. In the long run, they hooked up. But today, Jinyao was confident. Does she think her elder sister was too good to discuss and foolish, or does she think Xia Chunyu, like other men, was a lecherous, hooking her fingers and giving him a hug, will the man take the bait?


    It was silly and naive...


    Seeing elder sister cold face without a word, Jinyao cried: ¡°Elder sister, I was fool, I also didn`t want to do this, it was the second sister, it was she forced me to do this ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled angrily: ¡± She forced you do this? Jinyao, whose house do you live in now, whose food you eat, and who do you depend on? If it weren¡¯t for your own impure thoughts, Jinrong could have forced you?¡±


    It was born of a mother, the same despicable ...


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know your thoughts. It¡¯s normal to love a person. I don¡¯t care about you as long as I love the gift. However, you want to take my ce and not hesitate to collude with others to frame me up, how can I spare you?¡±


    ¡°Coloured zeughed at me for raising a white ¨C eyed wolf, which is the only correct sentence she said.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled wryly and was already as cold as iron, assuming that she had no sisterhood in her life.

 Chapter 277 - Too late

    <h4>Chapter 277: Toote</h4>


    As for how to deal with Jinyao, Ye Jiayao already had an idea. She`ll send her back to Yangzhou and let Ye Binghuai take good care of her. As Qiao was no longer alive, Ye Binghuai will find a new wife soon,just let Jinyao stay at Ye¡¯s house to have a good taste of being snubbed by her father and mother, and then find someone to marry.


    This was the way she chose. The moment she chose to hurt her, her fate had changed.


    Ye Jiayao saw Jinyao with tears and snot on her face. Her heart was filled with disgust. She said nonchntly, ¡°Tell Song Qi to send the thirddy back to Yangzhou tomorrow and ask the master to keep a close watch.¡±


    ¡°Please no! I don¡¯t want to go back to Yangzhou, elder sister. Be kind and don¡¯t send me back. I¡¯ll be your maid ...¡±Jinyao cried. If she was sent back, what hope would she have in her life?


    Ye Jiayao left without looking back.


    The door of the woodshed was re ¨C locked and Jinyao¡¯s shrill cries came from inside.


    Xiangtao gave the door a pooh, ¡°You have no right to cry, no right to be a maid. Even a person like you is not worthy to carry shoes to seconddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao returned her room and saw Chunyu sitting y with his fingers.


    ¡°Get out.¡± Ye Jiayao said with a cold face.


    Xia Chunyu got up obediently and went to the door and shouted to outside, ¡°Yexue, bring in the midnight snack.¡±


    ¡°Here wee ...¡±


    Yexue brought a bowl of hot chicken noodles.


    Qiao Xi and Xiangtao quietly stepped down, hoping that Heir-son Lord could settle down with his second wife tonight so they wouldn¡¯t stand in the way here.


    Xia Chunyu gently courted: ¡± You haven¡¯t had dinner yet! Mad at me, but eat first, be a good girl.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at his eyes which was as ck as ink and filled with tender feelings, she was speechless.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, I am already very depressed today. Can you stop bothering me?¡± Ye Jiayao said impatiently.


    ¡°I know I know, it¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯m worse than Jinrong and Coloured ze, because I am your husband and the person you care about most, but I didn`t believe you. I was wrong. I confess. I will change, don¡¯t be angry, okay?¡± Xia Chunyu humbly coaxed.


    ¡°Do you think I am angry with you? I am disappointed,¡± Ye Jiayao said bitterly.


    ¡°Yes, I shouldn¡¯t have. I know you like me, but I still felt jealous.¡±


    ¡°Who likes you? I like pigs and dogs more than you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu reckon: ¡°But I like you, only you.¡±


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, you somehow are Heir-son Lord, don¡¯t be so fresh, ok? A little grace ok?¡±


    ¡°Grace was show to others. You are my wife. What else do I put in front of you? How tired it would be?¡± Xia Chunyu cheekily said.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, don¡¯t you go? If you don¡¯t go, I¡¯ll go. ¡± Ye Jiayao said, stepping out.


    Xia Chunyu quickly grabbed her, sped her waist and buried his head in her neck and said with pain, ¡°Yaoyao,e on, I¡¯m really worried about you. What can I do to make you forgive me?¡±


    He was helpless and did not know how to melt her frozen heart.


    His chest tightly clung to her back, and he could clearly feel his rapid heartbeat. Ye Jiayao closed her eyes in pain and restrained her emotions as much as possible. ¡°Chunyu, please leave me alone.¡±


    She needed time to heal the wound and regain her confidence.


    ¡± Don¡¯t be quiet, don¡¯t think about it, I will be panic as soon as you are quiet, Yaoyao, don¡¯t be afraid, this thing is a lesson, let me see my own shorings, realize the existing problems, think about it from another angle, it is also a good thing, right? At least it won¡¯t happen again, will it?¡± Chunyu said quickly.


    ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t lose heart to me, give me a chance to prove, ok?¡±


    This kind of soft-spoken pleading for mercy, confession and ttery will soon copse Ye Jiayao¡¯s core wall, but it was too easy to forgive him.


    ¡°Chunyu, I know you are sincere to me, and I cherish this sincerity, but you know, my idea is different from other women. The marriage and love I want are interdependent and rtively independent, not subordinate, and I will not stay in the deep curtge courtyard in peace, be a housewife who cannot leave the gate and lives with a man forever. I have my pursuit and I also want to do something like a man ...¡± Ye Jiayao spoke with difficulty.


    ¡°I understand. I support you in everything you want.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand.¡± Ye Jiayao slowly turned back and looked at him quietly and said, ¡°This means that I will still deal with other men and may make some close friends. If you don¡¯t trust me, we can¡¯t continue.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sipped his dry lips and said hesitantly, ¡°Yaoyao, do you know why Coloured ze is eyeing you and Lu Xiaotian?¡± She had already sent someone to spy on you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said nothing, which she had already thought about.


    ¡°It can be seen that I am not alone. Lu Xiaotian is really interested in you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly remembered that day when Lu Xiaotian said ... I may not be able to help myself, but I would never go beyond the bottom line.


    Is it really possible that Liu Xiaotian was interested with her?


    ¡°Even if he has that idea, it doesn¡¯t mean we have done something,¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly. She can¡¯t control other people¡¯s hearts.


    ¡°Yes, it didn¡¯t really mean anything, but I will be jealous. If a woman is interesting with me, and I always get along with her, your heart will also be ufortable because we care about each other. If we don¡¯t be jealous, our heart will have no feelings at all, indicating that I have no concern for you, will it not?¡± Xia Chunyu said calmly.


    ¡°But not indiscriminate jealous like this,¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help get angry. Speaking, he has too many excuses.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, listen to me,¡± Xia Chunyu said soothingly.


    ¡°I admit that I will be jealous, but I won¡¯t be jealous any more. I think I won¡¯t take a look and move my mind even if the fairy came to seduce me, and I believe that you are the same. We have been together very hard and experienced all sorts of twists and turns and tests. Will it be shaken easily? What`s more, who else in this world is better than me and likes you better than me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help rolling his eyes. It was obviously a self-criticism, but now it was a boast.


    ¡°Who is like you? Who likes such a muddle-headed and jealous person?¡± Ye Jiayao had a bad breath.


    ¡°Didn`t I say that I will?change?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote.¡± Ye Jiayao stared at him and approached him step by step. Xia Chunyu retreated at a loss.


    ¡°The carriage is going to hit the wall and you know you¡¯re going to turn, fire is going to burn your ass and you know you`re going to run. You almost killed people by mistake and you know you¡¯re going to change it. You know you¡¯re going to nurse your baby when the baby has grown up. Xia Chunyu, there is no such easy things in the world.¡±


    As Ye Jiayao was saying, she had pushed him to the door and pushed him out while he didn¡¯t pay attention. She closed the door, bolted it very quickly.


    Xia Chunyu was unprepared. He almost fell on the ground. When he look back, the door was closed. He pushed but it won`t open.


    Uh ... when did this woman be so strong?


    ¡°Yaoyao ... Yaoyao ... Open the door ...¡±


    There was no response.


    Xia Chunyu was about to continue knocking at the door. He only felt someone staring at him and turned to look. Indeed, Xiangtao and Qiao Xi were sitting under the veranda not far away. Seeing him, they looked up and quickly pretend to looking at the stars.


    ¡°The stars are so bright tonight,¡± said Xiangtao.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s really bright.¡± Qiao Xi nodded usibly.


    Xia Chun turned to look at the other side, and Yexue turned away as if nothing had happened.


    Oh! These wenches were all waiting to see his drama. Xia Chunyu hated and gnashed his teeth.


    Ah ... this time was really embarrassing. The image of high cold majesty he had worked so hard to establish for many years had beenpletely destroyed.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head and sighed in chagrin,forting himself that if he could coax Yaoyao toe to her senses, this sacrifice would also be worth it.


    Finally, the noisy and smelly man was driven out, and Ye Jiayao bitterly sat down to eat noodles.


    The noodles had risen and the paste was not refreshing at all, but she was really hungry. She did not eat all day today only drank two cups of tea. The so-called ¡°hungry choice of food¡±, Ye Jiayao crashed and ate half a bowl of noodles.


    Qiao Xi knocked at the door: ¡°Seconddy ...¡±


    ¡°What`s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Ie to send you hot water ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned her eyeballs and asked, ¡°Are there any irrelevant people outside?¡±


    Qiao Xi looked perplexedly at the Heir-son Lord who stood by the door.


    Xia Chunyu made a gesture of booing and winking at Qiao Xi, let her cheat Yaoyao to open the door.


    Who knew Qiao Xiwas a single-minded person who didn¡¯t say anything. She didn¡¯t want to be med by the seconddy.


    Xia Chunyu red and assumed the title of Heir-son Lord of the world. Qiao Xi copsed her mouth, but sumbed to his despotic power, faltered and said, ¡± No ... no¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned over her eyes that Qiao Xi couldn¡¯t even tell a lie. It was clearly someone who was threatening Qiao Xi. She cried out, ¡°Don¡¯t send me hot water, I¡¯ll rest now. You shall step down!¡±


    Never gave someone a chance to enter.


    Ye Jiayao washed her face and feet with cold water and went to bed with the light off.


    Shit, she hadn¡¯t slept well these days, and she had to make up for it.


    However, as soon as she close her eyes, she thought of You¡¯s important task to be entrusted to her and presided over it. Liu Xiaotian would lie down for several months. Among the four teachers, Liu Xiaotian and Zhong Xiang had the heaviest ss affairs. Now she had taken up all of them. More than half of her energy had to be put in training sses and she had to take care of the sky. How could she be busy?


    It was all because of that damn donkey, did such cruel thing. Even if Liu Xiaotian was interested in her, there was no need to beat people to death! She didn¡¯t know how to face Lu xiaotian in the future.


    Being upset, she could only hear the creaking sound from the darkness.


    Ye Jiayao felt a twinge of heart and pricked up her ears.


    Another slight creak.


    Ye Jiayao seemed to hear the noiseing from the west and the sound of opening the window.


    Shit, she forgot to check the window. Wasn¡¯t someone climbing the window?

 Chapter 278 - My heart aches

    <h4>Chapter 278: My heart aches</h4>


    Xia Chunyu carefully opened the window bit by bit. It would be better to have Xiangtao. He knew that she loves his master and told him there was still such a way, otherwise he would sleep under the porch again tonight.


    Ye Jiayao crept into the darkness and came to the west. She saw that the window was opened. She held her breath and waited.


    Xia Chunyu found no sound inside, secretly pleased with himself and pushed open the other window more carefully. As he climbed up the window edge with both hands, he was about to jump into the room when a figure suddenly appeared and snapped the two windows.


    Thanks to Xia Chunyu`s swift, he abruptly holding back the strength of the rush and leaped back. Although it was so, his forehead was still smashed by the window.


    p! The windows were also locked.


    Xia Chunyu paused, this woman was so cruel.


    ¡°Ouch ...¡± Xia Chunyu howled with great pain.


    Xiangtao had been watching from one side. Seeing that the Heir-son Lord was knocking on it, she rushed forward: ¡°Heir-son Lord, are you all right?¡±


    Xia Chunyu winked at her and motioned her to cooperate. He said, ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay. Not so serious.¡±


    Xiangtaowas much smarter than Qiao Xi, she eximed, ¡°Oh, Heir-son Lord, you¡¯re bleeding ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu gave her thumbs up and praised her.


    He said, ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding and still saying that you¡¯re okay. You¡¯ve got to take medicine quickly ...¡±Xiangtao was praised so she work harder.


    However, Ye Jiayao was looking at two men`s y in the window seam.


    Lie, keep lying.


    Hum! Ye Jiayao continued to lie back in bed without any guilt.


    ¡°Seconddy, Heir-son Lord is injured ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned supercilious look, smelly wenches, acting so hard, was there any reward?


    ¡°Seconddy, do you want to call a doctor?¡±


    Ask a fart doctor, Ye Jiayao put on a nket and sleep.


    ¡°Forget it, Xiangtao, your seconddy seems to be asleep.¡± Xia Chunyuforted himself. His eyes were staring at the closed doors and windows with great disappointment.


    Ah, after a long time of work, he was so dusty that he didn¡¯t seed in anything. He was a good Heir-son Lord, and he was reduced to climbing the window, what`s wrose, he hadn¡¯t seeded yet.


    Xiangtao looked sympathetically at Heir-son Lord, who was discouraged and sitting under the porch, and said, ¡°Heir-son Lord, why don¡¯t you go back to your room and sleep? Sleeping here would get cold.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sped his arms and went back to his room to sleep. There was no bed in the room. The bed was already chopped up by Yaoyao and burned as firewood. He said, ¡°Bring me a nket.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lifted the nket, sat up and red at the direction of the door. Must the donkey do this? Does he think this can make her feel sorry for him and forgave him? No way. Sleep wherever you like.


    So, someone was shrinking in the porch again to prepare for the night. Anyway, he had already in such a mess. Then make it worse. He should have to make a real move.


    However, the weather was not beautiful, and it began to rain in the middle of the night, pouring beans all over the ce. Xia Chunyu held a nket and shrank to the door, but was hit by the rain that drifted in.


    Xia Chunyu looked up to heaven without saying a word. He was already miserable enough. God, you were still mean. It was too unkind.


    Ye Jiayao slept soundly and never heard the sound of rain.


    Qiao Xi and Xiangtao got up and looked at Heir-son Lord by the window.


    ¡°Elder sister, if you go on like this, the Heir-son Lord would get cold and ill,¡± Xiangtao worried.


    Qiao Xi sighed silently: ¡°Is there any other way? The seconddy is so angry that she won¡¯t forgive the Heir-son Lord if she doesn¡¯t let him suffer a bit.¡±


    ¡°Then ... let¡¯s send an umbre to the Heir-son Lord somehow,¡± said Xiangtao, getting out of bed.


    Qiao Xi took stopped her: ¡°Don¡¯t go, Heir-son Lord has good body. Cold would be fine. It would not be finished until the seconddy is distressed.¡±


    She said in heart: sorry for Heir-son Lord, I was also for you.


    So someone froze all night.


    The next morning, Ye Jiayao was awakened by the earth-shattering sneeze. One sneeze was followed by another sneeze.


    ¡°Choo ... Choo ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned; listen to the sound was not like a pack, really got cold?


    She would get out of bed and look at it. She walked to the door and stopped.


    Just a cold. What is the big deal? He deserved it if he was ill.


    So she pulled out the door bolt and climbed back to the bed.


    Qiao Xi knocked at the door and came in with a pot of hot water in her hand. Ye Jiayao listened with her ears upright. There seemed to be no movement outside. She wanted to ask Qiao Xi about Chunyu¡¯s condition and could not open her mouth.


    Qiao Xi did not mention it and waited on her to dress and change clothes.


    When everything was ready, Xiangtao brought breakfast in.


    The two men had a tacit understanding, and said nothing about the Heir-son Lord. Ye Jiayao felt ufortable scratching her heart with her paws.


    When she went out, she didn¡¯t see Chunyu, but I found the ground was wet and there was a pool of water in the yard. It rainedst night. Looked at the pool of water, the rain was not small. That guy really stayed under the porch all night?


    Ye Jiayao felt even more uneasy and could not help worrying.


    Angry is one thing, but she still didn¡¯t want him to be ill.


    ¡°Where is the Heir-son Lord?¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stop asking Qiao Xi.


    Qiao Xi secretly rejoiced, seconddy finally felt distressed. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Heir-son Lord didn¡¯t say, handmaiden also didn¡¯t ask, but he looked in very bad condition,¡± she said.


    Ye Jiayao gave her a reproachful supercilious look: ¡± How do you serve people? Didn`t you notice that Heir-son Lord was not feeling well, you should have go and ask for a doctor!¡±


    Qiao Xi said, ¡°The handmaiden is one with the seconddy.¡±


    Bah! It depends!.


    One by one all make worry.


    Xiangtao said, ¡°Do I need to go and look for the Heir-son Lord?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought that Xiangtao was still clever. Last night she joined Chunyu in acting, and she won`t pursue the matter.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything, you go and find him if you want,¡± Ye Jiayao said bluntly.


    Xiangtao deted her mouth and said, ¡°Oh, I`d better won¡¯t give up the idea.¡±


    Ye Jiayao were quite stuffy. She was disobedient when she was supposed to obey and clever when she was not supposed to obey. Ye Jiayao doubted that the two girls were intentional.


    She said fircely: ¡°Go and find him, if you let thedy know that you have not served the Heir-son Lord well, she will strip your skin.¡±


    The Xiangtao shrank from her head and said timidly, ¡°The handmaiden will go.¡±


    As soon as she turned around, the corners of the mouth of Xiangtao could not help but rise. Seconddy still loves Heir-son Lord very much. Heir-son Lord¡¯s hard work had worked.


    Xia Chunyu had already entered the pce at the moment. Yesterday he didn¡¯t go on duty and sent someone to the pce to ask for leave. It seemed that he can`t go on duty today and tomorrow as well as the day after tomorrow. Family matters were more important, so he had to go to the pce in person, change sses or continue to ask for leave.


    Xiangtao wandered around and came back and said, ¡°Seconddy, Heir-son Lord has gone to the pce, and the handmaiden heard from the concierge that Heir-son Lord nearly fell off when he mounted the horse.¡±


    The first one was the truth, and the second one was made up by Xiangtao herself. Seconddy already felt sorry for him, then added more firewood and oil.


    Sure enough, the seconddy was worried and seemed very angry.


    It was estimated that this anger was also caused by love.


    Ye Jiayao were upset and impatient, and this bastard deliberately made her ufortable.


    Yexue came in.


    ¡°Seconddy, I heard thatst night, the thirddy fainted and was carried back.¡±


    ¡°What about the third master?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°The third master is still kneeling in the ancestral temple!¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered at the bottom of her heart. Was she dizzy in the middle of the night yesterday? This period of time would have to be replenished and she would continue to kneel when she wake up.


    Since Chunyu had entered the pce, it was no use worrying , she still has something urgent to do today.


    First, she went to see little Jing and asked him if he had any way to meet Assistant Minister Muqi or Mu Qinchu.


    Little Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°It¡¯s not difficult to see now. The case has already been decided, all property confiscated, Mobei exiled and never returned to the court hall for life.¡±


    ¡°Then can you help me arrange it as soon as possible?¡±


    ¡°I remember you don¡¯t like Mu Qinchu very much. Why do you want to help him?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sniffed: ¡°I am not helping him, I am helping myself. Ye Jinrong joined forces with Coloured ze to frame me and atone for Wei Liujiang¡¯s crimes. I can¡¯t spare her. Besides, Wei Liujiang is indeed guilty. I am trying to help the court bring the guilty to justice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange it and give you news as soon as possible.¡±


    The seconddy Ye was so hateful that she should be punished.


    ¡°By the way, how did uncle and aunt decided to deal with Coloured ze?¡±little Jing had been worried about this issue since he came back yesterday for fear that You would take care of the identity of Coloured ze and handle it unfairly.


    Then he can¡¯t swallow this tone.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°What else can they do? She confessed, acknowledged her mistake and also acknowledged her punishment, but she said that she hated me in her life. Now Chunfeng apanied her on her knees in the ancestral hall, saying that she was kneeling for three days and three nights, but she faintedst night.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too cheap for her,¡± said little Jing. ¡°If let me decide, I¡¯ll ban her for at least half a year.¡±


    ¡°Forget it, forget about her. Everything depends on Chunfeng¡¯s face. Fortunately, she is sincere about Chunfeng and has some scruples about doing things in the future.¡± Ye Jiayao sighed.


    ¡°You said that, what else can I do, but this time you have something wrong,¡± said little Jing.


    Ye Jiayao startled, what¡¯s wrong with her?


    Little Jing said bitterly, ¡°You are the granddaughter of our ancestors, and you are a member of Hector¡¯s pce. You don¡¯t even know what to say to us when you have difficulties, do you think we are family members?¡±


    Ye Jiayao were very embarrassed, but her heart was warm and slightly touched. Little Jing was worried about her.


    ¡°I ... I ...¡±


    Little Jing red at her. ¡°Remember, if someone bully you, Chunyu elder brother will not help you, I will, as well as Helian Mansion, don¡¯t bare everything on your own. You can`t do everything.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, humbly receiving education.


    ¡°Also, Chunyu elder brother is too unreasonable this time. You have to teach him a profound lesson, let him not believe you, let him make a mistake, and I would settle ounts with him when my elder brotheres back.¡± little Jing said severely.


    Ye Jiayao blinked, puzzled, why do we have to punish Chunyu until Helian Xuan`s back? Is he afraid that he can`t fight with Chunyu alone?

 Chapter 279 - Insincerity

    <h4>Chapter 279: Insincerity</h4>


    After saying goodbye to little Jing , Ye Jiayao went to Datonghui Bank. She was ready to take some money. She would sign a contract in Laifu inn.


    When she was checking in, a housekeeper of the Datonghui Bank gave him an invitation card. It was said that at the beginning of September, Dongjia wanted to host a chrysanthemum banquet for big merchants in the city, as well as all presidents of the Chambers of Commerce. Heavenly Residence, as a new magnate in the food industry, also was invited.


    Ye Jiayao took the card and said, ¡°If I¡¯m free, I wille.¡±


    This chrysanthemum banquet was thergest and most high-quality Chrysanthemum banquets in the business world. Ye Jiayao had already heard it .Who can be invited are best in kinds of industries. Last year the invited person of the food industry was Zheng Fugui of Fu Ji. Ye did not expect to her turn this year.


    The housekeeper smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Ye Jiayao. When the waiter cashed it, Ye Jiayao took the silver money and started to leave.


    Today, Li Erniang also came to see Ye Jiayao. She heard that Lao Deng saidst night, ¡°If you are the only trying to help us, we can¡¯t make you suffer.¡±


    But Li Erniang still felt terribly insecure. Although Ye Jiayao was not bad money, she didin¡¯t like owe others. Besides, if Ye Jiayao go to Wuzhou, she may never return to Nanjing. She couldn¡¯t have opportunity to return the favor.It is better to sell it at a low price.


    ¡°You are too worried, Erniang ¡°joked Ye Jiayao, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to sell, you can sell more than 40,000 at any rate. Big brother Deng only asked 38,000. Can I suffer? You can turn around and make a profit. You won¡¯t let me have the opportunity to make money. Don¡¯t you want to give it to others. I can¡¯t agree.


    Erniang heard Yao Jiayao ¡®words , she also had some peace in mind. After signing the contract, the two sat down and talked a little. For Ye Jiayao had to arrange a boat or something, she said goodbye to Erniang.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the empty shop, her heart also felt empty. She recalled that lived here during the time. Although difficult, she had goals, had momentum. So she still felt happy, s. Who said that life is a reunion and separation. Each time is for the next reunion. Can she really see big brother Deng and Li Erniang again?


    Little Yang buttered up to ask: ¡°second youngdy, what do I do now? ¡± Ye Jiayao thought about, ¡°Go to Heavenly Residence and help for a few days first, and learn something. You close the door and wait for me to release the hand toe again to arrange. ¡±


    Little Yang excited to stammer: ¡± Sec ...second youngdy, what you said were really? ¡± How many people want to do things in the Heavenly Residence. As a result, he owned therge profit. ¡± ¡°It is true, you will close the shopter, and go to Heavenly Residence, directly to find Zhong Xiang, and say what I said, let him arrange you to do things. ¡°Ye Jiayao smiled.


    Little Yang joyfully answered: ¡± I will clean the shop again. ¡± ,


    Ye Jiayao smiled with the deed of the house and backed to Jingan Hou Mansion.


    And Ye Jiayao transferred to the Shrine. Chun Feng still there on his knees one night and half of the day. It was really enough. She also tasted the taste, kneeling for not long can not bear.


    ¡°The third master is so pitiful, and with such a. . . ¡°Qiao Xi sighed on the side. It is often said that it is not worthy of love, but that you still love it. Only the person involved can understand it. ¡°Let¡¯s go! ¡± Ye Jiayao turned around, but saw Xiaoya walked here with Liuli. The leg of Liuli was stillme. When Liuli saw Ye Jiayao, she paused and looked at Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes as cold as frost with a strong hatred.


    Ye Jiayu walked past with an unexpressive face and head held high.


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t she die?¡± Liuli gnawed at the teeth and cursed .Xiaoya nced at the back of Ye Jiayao and said to Liuli, ¡°Princess, please endure it patiently. For the sake of the third master.¡±


    Thest one to suffer was herself. Xiaoya was out of luck. Was it the youngdy too much or were they too unlucky?


    Liuli had to put up with it .The thought of Chunfeng still suffering, she felt as if needles were pricking her heart. It was that she was too useless.¡± ¡°But, Ye, you will never be better off. In this life, you are not destined to be a mother. Now Chunyu pampers you, and your mother-inw watches over you. Waiting for a few years to see if they¡¯ll look twice at you, ¡®a hen that doesn¡¯ty eggs¡¯.¡±


    When they were far away, Qiaoxiined, ¡°How can she still have this attitude, do not know the repentance at all.¡± Ye Jiayao sneered, ¡°Liuli love to hate, let her hate, but if dare to make any more obscene means, she will double to suffer it. ¡±


    Back to the yard, Xiangtao said, ¡°Heir-son Lord hase back. When he heard that second youngdy has gone out, then he has gone out, and said that he has some business to do. ¡± Qiaoxi said ,¡±He is ufortable, why is he out.¡± Xiangtao replied, ¡°Yes, Heir-son Lord still has a fever. I urged him to ask a doctor to see. Heir-son Lord did not let me to go, and said nothing to be worry. ¡±


    Ye Jiayu gasped: ¡°Don¡¯t care him. How old is he. Don¡¯t know how to take care of himself. He still want others to worry him? ¡°Xiangtao and Qiaoxi silenced, Heir-son Lord is trying to make your heart ache.


    Where has Xia Chunyu been at this moment?


    ¡°Song Qi, do you really think I should go in? ¡± Xia Chun looked at the door of Lu Fu, and asked.


    Songqi rolled his eyes and thought ¡°Heir-son Lord, you said you wanted toe, all arrived, and then tangle at the outside of the door. This is the third time you asked me.¡± Songqi decided to ignore. Xia Chunyu frowned and said,¡± I¡¯m asking you, are you deaf?¡± Songqi grimaced. ¡°If you can¡¯t pull this face, we will go back. If you want to show your sincerity to second youngdy, you will go in.¡±


    Xia Chunyu weighed and weighed, and took the curtain off the carriage and jumped out of it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m not scared to die. What¡¯s the big deal.¡± Songqi?saw the arrogance of Heir-son Lord. It was not as if he was going to apologize,?he was going to do it again. Songqi couldn¡¯t help but worry about Lu Xiaotian, and hurried after Heir-son Lord.


    When the Lu family heard that it was Heir-son Lord , they were nervous. They didn¡¯t know whet they wereing to do, and they were waiting for them seriously. The lordship Lu Yiming was not at home, so Lu¡¯ wife had toe to see Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, you have beaten him like that, you still do not stop? Yesterday, the second young mistress hade and made it clear that it was a misunderstanding,¡± Lu¡¯s wife shall have words with Xia Chunyu, but to see Xia Chun¡¯ face .She can not help but be frightened by his rming momentum. And Xia Chunyu still had a fever, so his face was not good, more like a reckoning. Lu¡¯s wife¡¯ heart is afraid of a few points. It was not enough to say it, but it was more like pleading for Mercy.¡±


    Songqi smiled, ¡± Madam, you misunderstand. Our Heir-son Lorde here to visit Shopkeeper Lu today, and our Heir-son Lord has found out the in and out and felt sorry. He was the only one who could exin it for his Heir-son Lord was shy to open his mouth to exin it.


    Xia Chunyu tried to resist the urge to stare at Songqi, ¡®sorry my ass¡¯. He had nothing to be sorry about. Lu¡¯s heart was not pure. He deserved it. He just didn¡¯t want Yaoyao to be embarrassedter, or the ghost woulde to visit.


    Mrs. Lu¡¯s heart thumped, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He came here and would not to make trouble.


    ¡°Madam Lu, this is a token of our kindness. ¡± Madame Lu received the gift by Songqi.


    ¡°It¡¯s just that he has just taken his medicine and gone to bed... ¡°Mrs.Lu said.


    Xia Chunyu said hastily: ¡°Since the shopkeeper rests. I will not disturb. Let him rest in peace and heal.¡± It was better not to see Yin. He couldn¡¯t do much good when he met him.


    Mrs. Lu said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I must said your words to him. ¡±


    Xia Chun left the house. Songqi muttered, ¡°you are not sincere in your apology, ¡± Xia Chunyu sneezed, ¡°It was very kind to him toe, ¡± he said. ¡°Do you want me to tell him that I¡¯m sorry? I can¡¯t do such a hypocritical thing.¡±


    Songqi thought: ¡°got, now mouth hard, to the second youngdy. Dare you say?¡±


    Xia Chunyu returned home, just arrived at the door to meet Pingan from the inside out. ¡°Heir-son Lord... ¡°Pingan hurried to give a salute.


    ¡°What are you doing here? ¡± said Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°I have news of the Young Royal Highness in the morning, and the little one is here to tell the tale. ¡± Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡°Yaoyao let Little Jing do a favor for her? Why don¡¯t call him?¡±


    Eh ... And then he thought about Yaoyao still mad at him, so she wouldn¡¯t talk to him .


    ¡°What is it? ¡± asked Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°The second youngdy wants to let Mu Qinchu meet Minister Mu. The little Young Roral Highness asked the ministry. He settled that tomorrow morning can take him to see Minister Mu. ¡°Xia Chunyu thought that yesterday Mu Qinchu came and said he would do as Yaoyao¡¯ words. Now that Yaoyao has asked to see Minister Mu again. Is it true that Yaoyao is going to deal with the Wei Family?


    ¡°What else do you want to say? ¡± Pingan saw Heir-son Lord¡¯ face is not good. He wanted to leave early.


    Xia Chunyu waved his hand and walked thoughtfully towards.


    Ye Jia Yao was trying to send Songqi to visit the home of muqie in the countryside, but Songqi went out with Chunyu. She could not find him. She did not want to speak out. It was not suitable to send others and sent others to her home. She was depressed and heard outside that someone was speaking.


    Yingtao said: ¡°Heir-son Lord, youe back? ¡±


    ¡°Where is second youngdy? ¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the east house.¡±


    Ye Jiaya told Qiaoxi . ¡°Let Songqie in.¡±


    Xia Chun Yu was still trying to think of a reason to see Yao Yao, then he saw that Qiaoxi came out and called Songqi. ¡°Songqi, the second youngdy wants to see you. ¡±


    Songqi looked at Heir-son Lord happily.


    Xia Chun stared at Songqi .Song Qi did not see him. He went in to see second youngdy.


    Xia Chunyu was depressed, and thought that they were wall-fronted grass, a group of grass. They saw me in trouble. No one wanted to help, all there to see the joke.

 Chapter 280 - A dose of fierce medicine

    <h4>Chapter 280: A dose of fierce medicine</h4>


    Song Qi epted order and came out; Xia Chunyu stopped him and whispered, ¡°Did seconddy ask you to send a message to Mu¡¯s family?¡±


    Song Qi also prevaricated and refused to say, ¡°Seconddy didn¡¯t say that I could tell you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu really wanted to kick this ungrateful guy out.


    All right, he would bear it until he¡¯s done with Yaoyao and see how he can settle ounts with these guys.


    ¡°So ... how is the seconddy feeling?¡±


    Song Qi smiled and said, ¡°Heir-son Lord, the seconddy is just in a bad mood when she saw you, when she talked to me, she was very easy-going.¡±


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t bear it. He was knocked his head and shouted, ¡°Fuck off ...¡±


    Song Qi happily ran away.


    As he ran, he thought, ¡°Ah ... what should I do?¡± Supposedly, he should be sympathetic when he saw that the Heir-son Lord was rejected, but how could he be so happy? Song Qi, you were too unkind.


    Xia Chunyu summoned up his courage and was about to enter the room when he heard Xueye saying, ¡°Greatdy, why are you here?¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned his head and looked, really was the eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw.


    Xia Chunyu sneezed in chagrin and did not greet her. Instead, he covered his nose and said, ¡°Sister ¨C in ¨Cw, I¡¯m cold and I have to stay away from you.¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu said with concern, ¡°You are getting cold! Then look for a doctor. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled wryly: ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay.¡± He swaggered to his study.


    Qiao Mingxiu enduredughing. Just now, the second brother was wandering at the door; she saw he wanted to enter but dared not. The second sister-inw was really down a peg or two. If only Chunli could be so obedient.


    Today, she came to persuade the second sister-inw by order of her mother ¨C in ¨Cw, of course, she also wanted toe. Last night, a big event happened in the mansion, Chunfeng and Liuli went to the ancestral hall to kneel, but she knew nothing about it.


    After she heard this morning, she nearly fell down her chin and the mes of gossip were zing. She waszy and ufortable to greet You every morning, but she went to the scene this morning.


    The mother-inw was very tight ¨C mouthed, saying that Liuli and Jinxuan were having a bad time which made Chunyu couple quarreled. She was relieved to do peacemaker, and she dly took the order, just asking what was going on and what let Liuli knelt down.


    Ye Jiayao invited Qiao into the room and ordered Xiangtao to serve tea.


    Qiao looked around and was surprised. ¡°How can you live in this house? This ce is so humble, can you live in it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought, what do you mean? This house is not good?


    ¡°Oh, the main building is leaking and is looking for someone to repair it!¡± I can¡¯t live for the time being,¡± Ye Jiayao disguised.


    She didn¡¯t want to say, because the bed in that room was split by her, the matter of Xia Chunyu and Jinyao rolling together must not be known to others.


    Qiao didn¡¯t believe it, but she couldn¡¯t ask, ¡°I went to greet my mother this morning. I heard you couples are having a hard time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°It¡¯s not an awkward situation, it¡¯s just a misunderstanding.¡±


    Qiao said with a smile, ¡°I said it¡¯s okay. Chunyu doesn¡¯t know how much it hurt you. What can I do for you? Mother is still not at ease.?She told me that I muste and see you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said nothing; I thought it was you who want toe!


    Qiao took a sip of tea and sighed, ¡°Why can¡¯t you get along with the third sister-inw all the time? Now she had to go to the ancestral hall to be punished and brought trouble to Chunfeng.¡±


    ¡°The family should get along well with each other, such a scene would be a joke to others.¡±


    Ye Jiayao carried tea, pulled up the leaves floating on it and quietly listened to Qiao¡¯s talk.


    ¡°I was curious, what did she do to you?¡± Qiao saw that Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t speak and couldn¡¯t help heading straight to the point.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡°This matter had already passed. I don¡¯t want to mention it any more. Otherwise it seems that I am very mean.¡±


    If Qiao wanted to know, go ask her.


    Qiao was depressed, why second sister-inw`s mouth was tighter than the mother ¨C in ¨Cw¡¯s! This showed that the problem was not small.


    She sighed again and said, ¡°Ah,st time the third sister-inw asked me to send you cordyceps, I thought there was no problem between you!¡±


    When Ye Jiayao heard this, her heart thumped: ¡°Sister, I thought it was you who sent the cordyceps?¡±


    She remembered what Qiao said at that time.


    Qiao paused, oh, she forgot!


    ¡°Well, yes, that was because the third sister-inw were afraid of you to think too much, so I said it was from me.¡± I couldn¡¯t hide it anymore, Qiao said everything.


    Ye Jiayao drummed in her heart, was Liuli really so kind? Maybe she put poison in it. The package of cordyceps had eaten less than a half of it. It was all used in stewed chicken for Chunyu. I didn¡¯t see anything wrong with Chunyu...


    After Qiao¡¯s departure, Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi, ¡°Is the Cordyceps still there from greatdy?¡±


    Qiao Xi recalled and said: ¡± still there,st time the seconddy was going to see Mrs Zhu of the Su mansion and asked me to prepare some tonic. When I saw that there was not much left in the bag of cordyceps, I took a new bag.¡±


    ¡°You go and get it.¡± The more Ye Jiayao thought, the more problems she had.


    When Qiao Xi saw that the seconddy was dark ¨C faced, she went to the kitchte to fetch half a bag of cordyceps.


    When Ye Jiayao opened it, she didn¡¯t know much about medicinal materials. She looked at the root of the cordyceps, which was about four or five centimeters long, had eight pairs of feet and was brown. It should be the best cordyceps. It seemed to have a special smell after picking up one. ¡°Qiao Xi, you go to Renhe Hall and ask the doctor there to see if there is any problem with the cordyceps.¡±


    If there was any problem, she would have another bill with Liuli.


    Qiao Xi took cordyceps out of the house, and Ye Jiayao leaned on the couch to rest. She couldn¡¯t help worrying about the guy again, so she got up again and called for Xiangtao: ¡°where¡¯s the Heir-son Lord?¡±


    ¡°Heir-son Lord is in the study! I just sent tea and saw him fell asleep on the table. I did not dare to wake him, so I covered him with a nket.¡± Xiangtao replied.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°You asked the steward to bring a doctor. Don¡¯t say I asked for him; just say thedy knew it and thedy asked for it.¡±


    Xiangtao replied, thought: I¡¯ll tell the Heir-son Lordter and he would be very happy that the seconddy still loves him.


    Xia Chunyu slept groggy on the table and didn¡¯t sleep for two nights. It was not a rare thing for him. During the war, he marched for several days and nights and fought an ambush. An ambushsted for several days and could not rx for a moment. He didn¡¯t feel so tired after all that hard work. Now he was tired and helpless.


    ¡± Heir-son Lord... Heir-son Lord...¡±.


    Xia Chunyu opened his eyes in a daze. He saw that Xiangtao was calling him, and behind him stood an old man carrying a medicine cab.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, the doctor is here. Let the doctor have a look.¡± Xiangtao motioned for the doctor toe and felt the pulse.


    Xia Chunyu held out his handzily. He was dizzy and felt the breath in his nose was very hot.


    The doctor diagnosed his pulse, looked at his tongue coating and tested his body temperature. He said, ¡°Heir-son Lord, you are cold in the body, and it is difficult to ease the stagnation in the body, so you have started to get hot. I¡¯ll prescribe a medicine for you. Take it first, and let the heat subside first.¡±


    The doctor said to write a prescription, followed by Xiangtao, and listened to the doctor¡¯s instructions to drink more water, eat more vegetables and not eat chickens or fish for the time being.


    Xia Chunyu supported his forehead; his worry was difficult to ease. It seemed that he still had a heart disease. This was too bad. Tigers have such a weak time.


    Suddenly, he looked up at Xiangtao, who was listening to the doctor in the outer room, and asked her toe in.


    ¡°Xiangtao, who called the doctor?¡±


    Xiangtao blinked, eyes full of sly smile: ¡°Heir-son Lord, what do you think?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes gradually brightened and he brought a smile: ¡°Is it seconddy?¡±


    Xiangtao said, ¡°Seconddy said she didn¡¯t ask for it. Madam asked for it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu smiled, Yaoyao, it seemed that you still care about me!


    Xiangtao smiled and said, ¡°Heir-son Lord, you just have to work harder.¡±


    Xia Chunyuid his hand on the table, looked at her with a leisurely manner and said with a smile, ¡°All right, this time you can see clearly. A room full of servants, you have the most conscience.¡±


    Xiangtao smiled triumphantly: ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Heir-son Lord. In fact, everyone is very concerned about you and deliberately ignores Heir-son Lord, but they just want to make seconddy more distressed.¡±


    Xia Chunyu slurped, ¡°This is really a sweet talk. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll reward you a lotter.¡±


    Others may think so, but he could be sure that Song Qi betrayed, the traitor.


    ¡°The best reward for me is the early reconciliation between you and the seconddy,¡± said Xiang Tao.


    Xia Chunyu turned his eyeballs and beckoned to Xiangtao toe close. She gave such amand in her ear that Xiangtao nodded repeatedly.


    Ye Jiayao knew the doctor wasing, and her heart was at ease. It was not a big problem to catch cold and have a fever. Just took a few patches of medicine, and nothing to worry about.


    A little whileter, Xiangtao talked back and forth.


    ¡°Seconddy, you see, this is the prescription prescribed by the doctor.¡±


    Ye Jiayao came over and looked at it: ¡°I can¡¯t understand it. Let people prescribe the medicine.¡±


    Xiangtao said with a mournful face: ¡°The doctor said it was quite serious. The prince is not just suffering from the cold.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard a pull in her heart: ¡°What did the doctor say?¡±


    Xiangtao said, ¡°The doctor said that Heir-son Lord was angry at first, then his heart went something wrong. If he let the cold invade again, the problem would be serious and it would turn into typhoid fever.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thriller: ¡°What?¡±


    Her medical knowledge was shallow enough to know that colds and typhoid fever was not the same thing. Thetter was much more serious and may even lose their lives. After all, ancient medicine was not as prosperous and bright as modern medicine.


    Look at the seconddy¡¯s scared face, Xiangtao some feel sorry, thought, would Heir-son Lord be too hard? However, Heir-son Lord said that the seconddy had softened her heart and now owes a dose of fierce medicine.


    ¡°I ... I also don`t understand, maybe you can ask the doctor?¡± Xiangtao said.


    Ye Jiayao was in chaos and said, ¡°Let the doctor in.¡±

 Chapter 281 - Drink

    <h4>Chapter 281: Drink</h4>


    Doctor¡¯s words were almost same as Xiangtao, but just more technical terms. When Ye Jiayao heard that, she felt frightened and bewildered.


    Why was it so serious?


    Ye Xue and the doctor went to get the medicine, and Xiangtao went ahead with her n. She said to second youngdy, ¡°Second youngdy, now, the problem is the Heir-son Lord doesn¡¯t think it¡¯s a big deal. He says that he doesn¡¯t need to take the medicine. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao still confused. He silenced for a long time and said:¡±You put up the bed here, and put up the bedding.¡±


    Xiangtao smiled inwardly. She thought that second youngdy ¡®means was that she would let Heir-son Lord sleep here tonight?


    ¡°Yes.¡±Xiangtao immediately ran to the main room to get the clean bedding.


    Ye Jiayao feltplicated at the other side when she looked Xiangtao¡¯ fussy movements. She thought that she cannot stay with that donkey. But if she doesn¡¯tlet him in, his stubbornness will leave him alone at the outside for a night. And that¡¯s the only way topromise. If he is to be punished, he must be cured.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Qiaoxi and Ye Xue toe back together. Ye Xue went to decoct medicine and George went to reply words.


    ¡°The doctor of the Ren He Tang had been tested for a long time and said there was something wrong, but he could not tell him exactly. And the doctor said that the apothecary had gone out to collect the medicine, and that it would take three or five days to return. The apothecary of Ren He Tang was the most authoritative in Nanjing. He must have known what was wrong. ¡±


    In this case, there¡¯s no rush for Ye Jiayao. What she can do was to wait a few days.


    Outside to report that housekeeper Zhao hase.


    Yao Jiyao rose and went to the front hall to see Zhao.


    ¡°Second youngdy, the Wei House has been settled. ording to the instructions of second youngdy, the guy I entrusted did not make a counteroffer and paid the deposit of two thousand taels, but asked for a few days dy in order to raise money.


    ¡°What¡¯s thetest?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    Housekeeper Zhao was the one that she managed to call back from the vige to help her to do it. Housekeeper Zhao was familiar by most of Nanking people. The Wei family was so eager to sell Wei¡¯s house and leave as soon as possible. She couldn¡¯t let them escape.


    ¡°I do not know whether this time enough by the day after tomorrow. If not enough, I will let a person dy a few days. However, Wei¡¯s family is indeed very urgent.¡±.


    ¡°No¡±, said Ye Jiayao, ¡°that¡¯s enough time.¡±


    Mu Qinchu will send aw suit when he sees Minister Mu tomorrow. Little Jing also went to the Jingdu office. As long as thew suit was presented, the government would arrest him immediately.


    Wei Liujiang was packing his things in Wei¡¯s house. Ye jinrong was coaxing children at the other side.


    Wei Liujiang left books aside and tried to have them burned. But on second thought, his children might need them in the future and put them back in boxes.


    As Ye Jinrong looked at it, she felt very unhappy. This timest year, she and Liujiang were confident toe to Nanjing, looking forward to seed in the government examination and possess the bright Future. But she did not expect such a dismal end next year.


    No matter said ten thousand and ten thousand, it was the bitch Ye Jinxuan too cruel.


    Her eyes began to jump again. Her eyelids kept twitching for days. It said that eye brow money and eye brow disaster. But her both eyes were jumping. She didn¡¯t know it is a blessing or a curse.


    The princess Liuli said that she would do it in a few days, but there was not a word of it. Jinyao hade every day before, but had note for two days. It was sad to know what was going on in Jingan.


    ¡°Liujiang, let¡¯s leave early!¡± Jinrong felt uneasy.


    Wei Liujiang bowed his head and said:¡±they said the day after tomorrow Zheng wille to sign. It doesn¡¯t matter whether to wait a few days.


    ¡°We can leave the matter of signing to the housekeeper!¡±Jinrong said.


    Wei Liujiang smiled coldly:¡± you can give to others with more than eighty thousand silver? Don¡¯t forget the Lotus and the housekeeper. If this money lets people run away again, we really have nothing.¡±


    Jinrong had nothing to say. Hexiang was her servant girl when she was a little kid. The maid was the most she trusted, but she did this thing. For which she wasined by Liujiang.


    ¡°Besides, for aunt, father also needs to arrange properly.¡± Wei Liujiang said.


    Jane asked hesitantly, ¡°What is the arrangement?¡±


    Wei Liu Jiang shook his head. He actually known what it was, but can¡¯t to say. Aunt still hold some evidence about dad. Dad is trying to coax aunt to Jinan. By the time she would listen to him. Father went to visit aunt¡¯s house in the morning, but he could not speak to his aunt. Aunt asked his father to give him a hundred thousand taels of silver and hand over the evidence.


    Jinrong thought it was not well. She called Jinrong


    ¡°You go to Jingan Hou Fu and find third youngdy. If she is convenient, you invite her toe over


    ¡°Yes, we didn¡¯t see Jinyao for two days!¡±Wei Liu Jiang also remembered.


    ¡°Why, do you miss her?¡± Jinrong said.


    Wei Liujiang glossed over:¡±I just follow your words casually. I¡¯m just asking.¡±


    Jane¡¯s heart was cold. Jinyao was growing more and more beautiful now. When Liujiang saw Jinyao, he couldn¡¯t help but stick his eyes on Jinyao.


    All men were bad boy.


    ¡°Why are you still standing there? Did you hear what I said?¡±Jinrong was angry. When she saw that A lian was still standing there, she was angry with her.


    A lian bowed his head and hurried away.


    Now second youngdy did not know her plot had been revealed, she went to see third youngdy who must have been taken a lesson from miss one.


    Since it was second youngdy who told her to go, she went out to find out the news.


    Yao Jiayao is worried about medicine for Xia Chunyu,


    Yexue took back the medicine and said:¡±Heir-son Lord refused to take medicine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao regretted. ¡°There is no such a person, sick and still hang on as if he was iron?¡±


    ¡°Go and ask Heir-son Lorde here, Xiangtao.¡±


    Satsu was sitting in the study. He was getting hotter and hotter. If he doesn¡¯t guess wrong, Yaoyao wille here or ask him to see her. He needed to make himself look worse.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, second youngdy let you see her!¡±Xiangtao smiled.


    Xia Chunyu was in the ecstasy. He almost ran off the air, pained with cold sweat. Well, it was looking more and more real now.


    ¡°Are you all right, Heir-son lord?¡±asked the peach with concern, seeing his pale face.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head, it was a bit dizzy!


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, I can hold it.¡±Xia Chunyu was strong enough to go to the East Chamber.


    ¡°Yaoyao, you called me... ¡°Xia Chunyu smiled and asked carefully.


    Ye Jiayao looked at his face with abnormal red and his feet were also unreal.Why do not cherish him?


    ¡°Sit.¡±Ye Jiayao looked askance at the seat, said indifferently.


    Xia Chunyu sat with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao gave Yexue a wink, Yexue brought the medicine.


    ¡°Drink, ¡± Ye Jiayao said in a tone ofmand.


    Honestly, Xia Chunyu was also afraid to take medicine. He was injured badly three years ago. He spent more than a month lying on his back, drinking bitter medicine every day.When he smelled the vour of medicine, he just wanted to vomit.


    ¡°It is just a small problem. Is there a need to drink it?¡±Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him so coldly, opened her mouth again, still one word:¡±drink.¡±


    It was just a little more emphatic.


    Xia Chun bitterly lifted up the medicine bowl, and drank it at one breath. Xiangtao immediately sent a cup of honey water.


    ¡°Bitter... ¡°Xia Chunyu¡¯ eyes and nose all crumpled together. It was too bitter.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been drinking medicine for half a year. Did I cry out? Did I need you to stare like that?¡± Ye Jiayao did not have a good voice.


    Xia Chunyu was ashamed to say:¡±It¡¯s my wrong.Next time I must consciously and actively drink.¡±


    Yao Jiyao wanted to say a few words again, turned to think that he was a patient, then did not care, said to Xiangtao: ¡°Go and burn some hot water, and give Heir-son lord a brush, and you, Qiaoxi, go and fetch a suit for Heir-son lord.¡±


    He was all sweaty. His clothes never changed in three days, thinking that he had always been the cleanest. Even when he was undercover in ck Wind Ridge, he also had to bathe every day to change clothes. This time he did not change clothes for two days. It was amazing.


    Xia Chunyu just remembered that the dress had been worn for three days. Slightly embarrassed, he sniffed it, but can¡¯t smell the vour because of the fever. He didn¡¯t care about it before .Now Yaoyao said it, and made him feel itchy and ufortable.


    Everyone was busy to help Chunyu to take a bath. Ye Jiayao did ounts at sub-house. These two days would spend a lot of money. They need follow-up ns. They are all need to use money. The extra money upset her original n. It is necessary to have a good calction.


    Yingtao came in and said that there was a girl outside named A lian who wanted to see Jiayao.


    Yao Jiyao raised his eyebrows and said ¡°bring her in.¡±


    After a while, A lian came.


    ¡°Lady, I was ordered by second youngdy to see miss three. If miss three is free, please to see second youngdy.¡± said A Lian


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°second youngdy is still good?¡±


    A Lian replied second youngdy feels uneasy for miss three doesn¡¯te. And there was no news from the princess. Wei had found the buyer, and when the buyer paid off the money the day after tomorrow. They were going back to Jinan.¡±


    A lian said and looked out for the youngdy¡¯s reaction. Youngdy promised that she would give her free. Whether she would be able to keep her words?


    Yes, ¡°I think they won¡¯t be able to leave for a while.¡±Ye Jiayao said.


    A sh of surprise came into A Lian¡¯eyes.


    It was impossible for Ye to reveal her ns to A lian, who, after all, was not her confidant. And Ye said, ¡°you can rest assured that what I promised you. Now you go to tell second youngdy that these days are the key. She¡¯d better not go out. ¡±


    A Lian said yes, and then she said goodbye. Ye Jiaoyao tell her,¡±If second youngdy asks me, you will say I have quarreled with Heir-son lord.¡±


    This would keep Jinrong¡¯s heart, and keep her happy for two more days. There were times when she cried.

 Chapter 282 - Progress

    <h4>Chapter 282: Progress</h4>


    After A Lian took this trip, she felt more confident. Looking at greatdy`s calm appearance as if she would definitely won the battle, she thought, seconddy`s unlucky day was not far away.


    Not because she was not loyal enough, she was originally the maid of the Ye family, great and seconddy were both her master. The greatdy had already hurt seconddy once; it was polite to use the word ¡°despicable¡± to describe her. She never knew repentance. Even Hexiang, her favorite maid, was going to betray her. It can be seen how failed seconddy was in life, and she was unlucky to follow such a ruthless master.


    Therefore, she was right to stand on greatdy¡¯s side. A Lian thought like this, relieved her heart¡¯s burden and became brisk.


    Xia Chunyu had already taken a bath and changed into a in suit of stone blue. He heard the dialogue between Yaoyao and A Lian through the assorted nirvana.


    It seemed that Yaoyao had already had a mature n. It was shameful to say that he should have done those things to get justice for Yaoyao, but Yaoyao was not willing to forgive him now. He had no idea at all.


    He always thought it was not his style to have long-term love for children. It was only at thest moment that he knew that the hero was sad about beauty and man of iron also had tender feelings.


    Fine, this time, he secretly stared at it, and when she needed help, he woulde up.


    When A Lian left, Xia Chunyu came in. Just now, he was still a cold-faced man who became weak for a second, covering his stomach and disgruntled: ¡°Yaoyao, the medicine has been taken and my stomach is not feeling well.¡±


    He pretended so well that Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t tell the difference and wondered if the doctor had taken too much medicine.


    ¡°Lie down, hurry up.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s tone, though still cold, showed concern on the surface.


    Xia Chunyu gave a whoop of weakness and grumble to his bedroom and fell on the bed.


    Er ... Ye Jiayao wanted to say, it was my bed, you should sleep on the floor. But when she looked the weak face, she swallowed it back.


    Forget it, don¡¯t dispute with the patient.


    Ye Jiayao followed him and sat down on the couch opposite him. She said, ¡°Tell you something, Brother Deng and Second auntie Li are leaving Jinling. I bought the Laifu Inn and spent 38,000 yuan.¡±


    Xia Chunyu paused: ¡°Where are they going?¡±


    ¡°It is said to be going to Wuzhou Prefecture, the bride¡¯s family of Second auntie Li.¡±


    ¡°Oh, when will they leave?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, I said I was going to send them, but I¡¯ll have all day¡¯s ss tomorrow,¡± Ye Jiayao regretted.


    ¡°Then I go!¡± Xia Chunyu sat up and suddenly remembered that he was pretending to be ill. He quickly covered his stomach:¡± Oh, it hurts to move.¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help but frown: ¡°If you feel ufortable, lie down and don`t move.¡±


    Xia Chunyuy down again with stiff movements.


    ¡°If you get sick like this, you will be stay at home. Tomorrow, I will let Song Qi to send them.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said regretfully, ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that I haven¡¯t been ill for several years, but this time I got ill.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart said that it was your entire fault to Insisted on standing outside the door. Didn¡¯t he know how cool it was this autumn night, not to mention the heavy rainst night.


    You sent someone to ask if they want to eat dinner today?


    Ye Jiayao looked at the direction of the bedroom. He looked like a ghost. If You see him, there would be so much trouble.


    Then she said, ¡°You told Madam that I was not feeling well, so I won¡¯t eat, nor did Heir-son Lord.¡±


    Xia Chunyu secretly smiled in the quilt. The medicine was effective. Today, it had gone too far. He went into the house and went to bed. Yaoyao said so many words to him.


    Ye Jiayao made the dinner herself. The doctor told her not to eat greasy food and high-protein food such as egg and fish. Yhe patient¡¯s appetite was already not good, if the light food was not well prepared, it would be tasteless and even more difficult to swallow.


    Jiang Yue would have done it if Jiang Yue had been there, but now Jiang Yue waspletely in the pastry room. The people in this courtyard were all not so good and Ye Jiayao had to do it herself.


    The millet gruel simmered slowly and steadily, fried a rotten green vegetable, a three-silk swallow dish, and made several mustard steamed stuffed buns, which were packed in trays and told Qiao Xi to serve them.


    Xia Chunyu knew it was made by Yaoyao as soon as he tasted it, he felt a little guilty. He pretended to be ill and hurt Yaoyao.


    Qiao Xi could not help but ask, ¡°Heir-son Lord, are you really ill?¡±


    Xia Chunyu booed quickly, looked outside warily and warned in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t do me any harm.¡±


    Qiao Xi pursed her mouth and snorted contemptuously, ¡°Xiangtao colluded with you! This bad girl, even hide me from you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hissed nervously again.


    Qiao Xi did not care:¡± Heir-son Lord, this time seconddy has been wronged greatly, and you will have to be better to herter.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°You don`t say.¡±


    Hearing footsteps, the two men quickly shut up.


    Ye Jiayao came in and saw Chunyu had already eaten half of it. Her heart was secretly relieved that he was well enough to eat.


    Xia Chunyu had only eaten half full, but Yaoyao was still here and he had to keep on pretending, so he had to bite the bullet and say, ¡°I can¡¯t eat any more.¡±


    Watching Qiao Xi carry the food away, he should have told Qiao Xi to hide two big steamed buns for him.


    Rinse his mouth and Ye Jiayao personally brewed a cup of chrysanthemum tea.


    ¡°Drink more water when you catch a cold or fever. Chrysanthemum tea is for clearing heat and detoxifying. Tonight¡¯s task ...¡± Ye Jiayao looked at the cup in her eye and estimated it ording to the size of the cup: ¡°Five cups!¡±


    Xia Chunyu said gloomily, ¡°I would pee all night!¡±


    The point was he couldn¡¯t drink scented tea!


    But, madam had ordered, husband would do it.


    ¡°I`ll drink it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao served this lord, touched his forehead and it did not burn badly, so she went to write her handout safely.


    Ye Jiayao was working. Xia Chunyu was not good enough to disturb her. He bored his fingers, proposed to take a book and read it. He was rejected and had to continue to do so.


    By the time Ye Jiayao finished the handout, it was already an hour and a halfter. She had a good stretch and turned to Chunyu. This guy had fallen asleep with the quilt in his arms and gave out a slight nasal snoring.


    Ye Jiayao went softly to wash and came back softly to touch his forehead. Well, the temperature didn¡¯t rise, so he moved to the small square table on the couch andy down with her clothes.


    As soon as the lights went out, Xia Chunyu opened his eyes. His eyesight was excellent. He could see things in the dark after a little adjustment.


    The man on the couch was lying on his side. He could see that she didn¡¯t even take off her coat for the convenience of getting up in the middle of the night to take care of him.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s tender feelings rippled in his heart. Yaoyao did not really have to say anything to him. She was still angry, but she still took good care of him.


    All of a sudden, that man got up and looked at him. Xia Chunyu closed his eyes.


    Ye Jiayao was carrying a heart, and she was afraid of if he needed anything, did not sleep well, and woke up as soon as there was any movement.


    That repeated several times which made Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart ache and confess. She was going to have a day¡¯s lesson tomorrow. But she was afraid that Yaoyao will be even angrier when she knew it and could only endure it.


    Ah, I should have shown mercy when I hit Lu Xiaochuan. He hit him so happily, but it was Yaoyao who was affected.


    Ye Jiayao did not get up until after midnight to check his body temperature once again. He really couldn¡¯t hold up, and then fell asleep.


    Xia Chun did not dare to turn over, so he was afraid to wake her up and remained in a daze until dawn.


    At daybreak, Ye Jiayao got up and Xia Chunyu looked at her eyes glowing blue, worried: ¡± Otherwise, let Zhong Xiang go to ss today! You also have a rest. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao, while dressing, said, ¡± How can that be done? I have to prepare before ss. Today is my ss. Zhong Xiang is not prepared. You let him make a fool of himself!¡±


    The participants in the training course were all cooks with a certain foundation, and they could not be dealt with casually.


    ¡°You have a good rest, take medicine, and don¡¯t let me worry,¡± Ye Jiayao told him.


    ¡°Oh, definitely.¡± Xia Chunyu answered quickly.


    Ye Jiayao ordered Xiangtao to take good care of the Heir-son Lord and then left home with Qiao Xi.


    At noon lunch break, Little Jing brought Mu Qinchu to the training ss.


    Three people were talking in the lounge.


    Mu Qinchu said: ¡°I¡¯ve met my dad. My dad said he knew Wei Liujiang had bitten him, but he was struggling to defend himself. Also, there were more officials in the household department who had problems. He didn¡¯t bite them out because he wanted someone to help him. Since everyone was sitting on the wall, he had nothing to worry about, and he hoped to be able to redeem himself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao only cared about the Wei family: ¡°What about the Wei family?¡±


    Mu Qinchu said, ¡°My father is very dissatisfied with his uncle. Since he is heartless, we don¡¯t need any handouts. He has this situation only for Wei Liu Jiang¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°Funny thing is, uncle came to my house yesterday and asked my mother and I to go to Jinan with him. Hum, we are so difficult now. Ask him to borrow some money and he will send me twenty taels like a beggar. How can I trust him? In Jinan, can we still have a good life on his territory?¡±


    ¡°So, my mother and I decided to go to the government office in the afternoon to file aint,¡± Mu Qinchu gnashed his teeth.


    Ye Jiayao turned to ask Little Jing: ¡°If Assistant Minister Mu offers other corrupt officials, will he be able to atone for his achievements?¡±


    Little Jing mused, ¡°If verified, it should be possible.¡±


    Moreover, most of the people in the household department were on King Yu¡¯s side. Arge part of King Yu¡¯s benefits csme from the household department. If you could bring the household department into one pot, it will be a heavy blow to King Yu and greatly benefit the prince.


    This was Little Jing¡¯s idea, which was rted to the party power struggle. He was afraid that Ye Jiayao would think much, so he didn`t tell the truth.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Well, Jing will take care of business in the government. You just file theint.¡±


    Mu Qinchu handed over his hand and seriously said, ¡± If my father can ease his guilt this time, the two are the great benefactors of our Mu family. Please ept my respect.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°You and I should each take what we need, or simply treat it as a deal.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want such a debt.


    Little Jing said, ¡°If you have written yourint, show it to me first, and then present it.¡±

 Chapter 283 - Black and white upside down

    <h4>Chapter 283: ck and white upside down</h4>


    This morning, Xia Chunyu was not idle either. First he inquired about the departure time of the shopkeeper Deng and second mother Li and hurried to the dock to see them off, then he went to Jingzhao Mansion. Unexpectedly, little Jing did said something about this case, suggesting that the Heir-son Lord attached great importance to this case. Now the court was vigorously cleaning up the official discipline. If we can find out a few corrupt officials along the way, it would be a credit, so Jingzhao Mansion¡¯s chief did not refuse.


    However, Xia Chunyu was well versed in officialdom fighting, and he did not want to drag Wei magistrate into the water. It was afraid that the household department would be shaken. Most of the people in the household department were supporters of King Yu, especially the ministers of the household department, who still have a little rtionship with concubine Shu¡¯s family.


    Xia Chunyu had a headache. Emotionally, he was in favor of the Heir-son Lord. After all, the Heir-son Lord was the eldest son of the emperor. Although he can¡¯t make a decision like King Yu, he won the battle of winning office by virtue of benevolence, kindness and filial piety, and the rtionship between Helian Xuan.


    But the emperor¡¯s mind was hard to ponder. As far as he knew, the emperor summoned ministers of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs many times during the trial of Assistant Minister Mu. Then, Assistant Minister Mu did not confess hispanions, and the Ministry of Criminal Affairs also chose a sentence not light but not heavy, exiled Mobei, left Assistant Minister Mu with a life. Was this directed by the emperor? It was hard to say.


    If the household department was badly hit and it was worsen by Litter Jing, it was hard to guarantee that King Yu would not jump back violently, which would certainly break the rtively peaceful situation at present.


    If this move canpletely defeat King Yu, it would still be cost ¨C effective, but the problem was not, once King Yu turned back, and the Heir-son Lord¡¯s greatest aid, Helian Xuan, had yet toe back, it would not be known who would die.


    Xia Chunyu felt it necessary to talk to little Jing.


    Thanks to Xia Chunyu¡¯s quick action, he found little Jing before Mu Qinchu filed awsuit.


    At that time, little Jing had just met Ye Jiayao.


    After listening to Xia Chunyu¡¯s analysis, Jing was sobering. He thought things too simple.


    ording to Xia Chunyu¡¯s meaning, apromise was made to allow Assistant Minister Mu to offer some unimportant figures, which can not only alleviate his crimes but also not touched the core power of King Yu. This degree can not only make King Yu beaten, but also prevented him from fighting back. Moreover, King Yu was not easy to open his mouth to arrange his own people to go in, so the Heir-son Lord can take advantage of this opportunity to put his own people in the household department and slowly eat away the fat of the household department.


    He often said that Xia Chun was an old fox and now he knew it was true.


    Xia Chunyu counted the time of Ye Jiayao¡¯s ss, had to go back to continue pretending to be ill, and hurried away.


    However, as soon as he got back to the government, he didn¡¯t know what had happened.


    Somehow, the queen mother was furious when she heard about the punishment of the Coloured ze. She had already called his father and mother to the pce to ask for sin. At the same time, he and Yaoyao were also called. The servant had already gone to the training ss to find Yaoyao, and it was estimated that Yaoyao would also enter the pce at the moment.


    Xia Chunyu untied the reins of Big ck and told Song Qi to go to Helian Mansion to tell him that the old woman who always protects her children was sometimes unreasonable. This time, it would have to bother Princess Yide.


    In the Ninghe Pce, the queen mother was so angry that she shivered all over, and a pair of cloudy old eyes red at Jing¡¯ an marquis and his wife as well as Ye Jiayao, almost bursting out with fire.


    When she heard the news, she still didn¡¯t believe it. How could Jing¡¯ an marquis house have so much courage to let her go to the ancestral temple and kneel down? But seeing Coloured ze with pale face and blue knees, it was like dug her lungs and heart, she asked Coloured ze but she wouldn¡¯t say in tears, asking her not to pursue it. How could she not pursue it? Asking little Ya, little Ya also prevaricated, saying that she had had a bit of a bad time with her seconddy. She had been kneeling for two days off and on, she suddenly became furious.


    She treated her like a baby, not to mention kneeling down, she even hardly talk to her loudly. She handed the pearl to Jing¡¯ an marquis house, but she was treated so harshly, queen mother was so angry. She was almost vomiting blood with anger.


    Even if Coloured ze made a big mistake, it would not be punished so severely, it was not murder and arson.


    The queen mother¡¯s sharp eyes swept back and forth on the three men liked ice skates. She threatened with a cold voice: ¡°Coloured ze is the most precious granddaughter of mine. You are expected to treat her well, but you abused her. Today, you must give an exnation to me.¡±


    The queen mother became angry and shouted You¡¯s heart pounding, but the duke and Jinxuan were calm, so she settled down again. What was to be afraid of? This time, the royal power was monstrous and they couldn¡¯t be unreasonable.


    After a pause, Madam You said, ¡°Report to the Queen Mother, it is more appropriate for the Queen Mother to ask Coloured ze about this.¡±


    Such an answer made the queen mother even more angry: ¡°Coloured ze has been oppressed by you like an animal, how could she still dares to say? You, You, you are indeed a good means. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered at the bottom of her heart, Coloured ze was afraid to say, indefensible! She`s afraid of her scandal being publicized, this confused old woman still finding truth here.


    You¡¯s face changed: ¡°I am scared. I asked myself whether I have always been tolerant with Coloured ze and how much times I have maintained in the dark. Therefore, I have not let their daughter-inw and?second daughter-inw be wronged less. If the queen mother do not believe, you can ask anyone in marquis house and ask Coloured ze herself.¡±


    ¡°The Queen Mother know Coloured ze¡¯s temper better than me. If she is right, she won`t have been wronged, let alone punished. She will have sued the Queen Mother.¡± The duke was not salty but not pale.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart said: The duke¡¯s reply was good.


    The queen mother was speechless. The duke was right. Coloured ze was capricious and strong. She was the clearest. If colored ze was wronged, she would be told. But the question was, can Colored ze bepared with the average person? Even if there was a mistake, can¡¯t Jing¡¯ an marquis house excuse her?


    ¡°That¡¯s why I asked you. I want to see if your disposal is fair. Is it all the fault of Coloured ze?Ye Jinxuan made no mistake?¡± The queen mother¡¯s eyes shot at Ye Jiayao coldly.


    After all, it was all because of this Ye, Coloured ze and she were sworn enemies.


    Ye Jiayao openly met the queen mother¡¯s eyes. The queen mother wanted to take her as a target. No matter who is right or who is wrong, the queen mother would find a way to make her take responsibility, so as to vent her anger on Coloured ze.


    You said, ¡°This time, I promise Coloured ze not to mention, but the queen mother must investigate, so I have to tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°it is nothing more than some old grudges. These grudges are also clear to the queen mother. Jinxuan has been patient, but Coloured ze just won`t let go, she colluded with Jinxuan¡¯s sister, imitated other people¡¯s handwriting, and drugged Jinxuan to destroy her innocence ...¡±


    You said, looking even more dignified: ¡°The queen mother, a woman is most concerned about the honor of innocence. Coloured ze forced Jinxuan to die and ce marquis house¡¯s face where?¡±


    The queen mother was surprised, Coloured ze¡¯s hatred of Ye Jinxuan had reached the point to blood?


    ¡°Evidence?¡± the queen mother asked haughtily that she would not believe it without proof.


    ¡°Witness and witness are here, do the queen mother want to call the witness and see the evidence?¡±You asked.


    The queen mother surprised again. It was no wonder that the family always looked calm. It turned out that there was no fear, Coloured ze, you are too useless. Since you wanted to do it, you must be t and agile without any future trouble.


    The queen mother cold hum: ¡°Witness? Physical evidence? Who knows if someone has bought off others, forged evidence, fabricated facts and bitten back?¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost spit out one mouthful blood. The unreasonable nature of Coloured ze was inherited from the old woman.


    These words infuriated the duke: ¡°Report to the queen mother, I ask myself whether I am too old to distinguish right from wrong, and can not tell the truth.¡±


    The queen mother looked fiercely and said with dignity, ¡°Is the duke using me of being old and unconscious?¡±


    The duke said that he was quite stuffy, but he did not dare to contradict him. He said, ¡°I dare not.¡±


    The Queen Mother intimidated Jing ¡®an marquis, looked at Ye Jiayao andughed coldly: ¡°Coloured ze colludes with your sister. That¡¯s your sister. Can she collude with colored ze? Who believed it? If you want me to send your sisters to confront you, can you ask the truth? It was useless to frighten Coloured ze by saying nice witness and evidence. You are still a little tender to try to hoodwink me.¡±


    Ye Jiayaopletely speechless, dead old woman, ck can be said to be white, how can this be argued?


    ¡°The queen mother, on her own merits, is fair and at ease with the hearts of the people.¡±Ye Jiayao said.


    The queen mother was also a sneer: ¡°This is a good-sounding statement, seemingly justified, but it is the most useless one. I only look at the facts.¡±


    ¡°So the queen mother thought the truth is what?¡±Ye Jiayao asked.


    The queen mother¡¯s eyes were sharp and sank a track: ¡°The fact is that you don¡¯t want the Coloured ze to press you everywhere. You want to remove her and then quickly and deliberately design and frame the Coloured ze so that she can¡¯t say how bitter it is. Ye Jinxuan, your ingenuity is appreciated even by the emperor, but it¡¯s useless in the right direction.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled angrily and never saw anything so eloquent as to reverse ck and white.


    ¡°The queen mother is really wise. You didn¡¯t call witnesses and didn¡¯t see the evidence. Only in a few words can you be clear at a nce. I admire you and those people from Jingzhao Mansion, Dali Temple and the punishments department want to hang themselves in shame when they heard what you said. ¡±


    It was funny enough.


    The queen mother¡¯s face sank and she angrily said, ¡°How dare you say that to me?¡±


    When the duke saw that the situation was not good, he quickly took the conversation over: ¡°I implored the queen mother to observe, Jinxuan is tolerant and self-disciplined and never provokes Coloured ze, but responds to her.¡±


    You also said, ¡°If the queen mother says so, we Jing¡¯an marquis house can`t afford the crime. Coloured ze has admitted her mistake in front of the family, and Jinxuan has already been wronged enough.¡±


    The queen mother angrily said: ¡°She is wronged? Does she lose her virginity? Does she lose a piece of meat on her body? Is she stands here and still dare to speak out disrespect to me? This is called injustice. Coloured ze is the one who suffered injustice, who had never suffered a bit from childhood, but had been rectified like this.¡±

 Chapter 284 - The Ancestor Took Action

    <h4>Chapter 284: The Ancestor Took Action</h4>


    ¡°ording to your words, I don¡¯t suffer from injustice until I lose reputation and integrity which make me hang myself. Who harm people is wronged, the one who is harmed deserves it. Is that what you mean? ¡°Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t tolerate anymore.


    She used to think even the royal had so much power but they still make sense. Now, she realized that she was so naive. The truth was always in the hands of the superior. They could make whatever they want to be truth.


    The empress dowager was contradicted again and her majesty has been repeatedly provoked. She was so angry when she thought about the misery of LiuLi. ¡°Someone here p this woman for me. I need to punish this slut. She is reckless and speaks insolently.¡± She roared.


    The old Lord and You knelt down and begged:¡± Please, my lord, don¡¯t do this! Though JinXuan has said something bad but there is reason.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the empress dowager coldly and said:¡± Mom and Dad, you don¡¯t have to beg for me. I have to say everything out even I will lose my life here. It is not wired that LiuLi is so domineering and capricious because of learning from you. As the noblest woman in the world, respected by all the people, should be benevolent, generous and reasonable, is the model of the world¡¯s women. Who knows that in order to protect the child, she would be so nonsense and indiscriminate that deal with things by personal preference. Where is the royal¡¯s dignify? Where is the authority? Where is the prestige?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s queries made the old lord and You frightened. The empress dowager¡¯s face was pale. She was furious and couldn¡¯t believe that someone dared to say something like that.


    ¡°It¡¯s no doubt that it¡¯s hard for you to be the honorable empress dowager from an inconspicuous concubine. You are ustomed to the warmth and shade of the world which make you think what LiuLi has done doesn¡¯t matter. And you think it¡¯s normal that do what you want to do and let others have no way to go. My life has no worth, but even the lowly cricket and ant cling to life, so I won¡¯t be partitioned by others at will. Either you kill me today, or if I walk out this door I will knock on gongs and drums to tell people all that LiuLi and you have done. Let all the world judge you. Let¡¯s lose face together. The royal¡¯s prestige worth so much than JinAn Lord¡¯s.¡± Ye Jiayao said with an invible momentum. She thought,¡± I would rather die with honor than live with shame. She could kill me if she has enough courage.¡±


    ¡°Count me in.¡± Xia Chunyu walked out.


    ¡°Me too.¡± He Lianjing stepped forward.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not enough, you can count me in.¡± The Yide princess supported the ancestors toe in.


    The empress dowager really wanted to kill Ye Jiayao. No one even the king dared to use her like that since she became the queen. Everyone honored her greatly and wouldn¡¯t vite her. This slut deserves to be punished by hacking process.


    But Chunyu, Jing and sister hade, they all stood on the side of that slut.


    Except Chunyu and Jing, sister used to be her best friend. Sitster and the old lord had help her a lot to be the queen. That¡¯s why she let her favorite Yide married to the HeLian. She couldn¡¯t vite her sister.


    The empress dowager only had to let it go and called someone to make seat for the ancestor.


    The lord and You wasn¡¯t relieved until the ancestor took action. They were so frightened that JinXuan was so brave to use the king and the empress dowager.


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t surprised that ChunYu and Jing woulde. She was confused that why the lord didn¡¯t show up until she knew that the lord had went to find people to help her.


    But, ChunYu and Jing stood up for her without hesitate which really moved her.


    This was not the first time. The HeLian would stood up immediately when she had matter. This time even disturbed the ancestor.


    The empress dowager red at Ye Jiayao and then asked softly:¡± What makes youe, my sister?¡±


    The ancestor knock the ground with crutch, arrogant, ¡°LiuLi is your grandchild, JinXuan is my grandchild. I will protect my child like you. My grandchild has suffer such injustice without telling me, otherwise, I will reason with you early.¡±


    The ancestor set out to settle ounts. What JinXuan had said she heard. She knew that JinXuan wouldn¡¯t say such thing if she was not angry enough.


    The empress dowager was worried. The matter was not easy to settle now.


    The ancestor looked around and asked:¡± Where is LiuLi? Is she too ashamed to show up?¡±


    Yide was so frightened. She was the most embarrassed among them. One was her mother, one was mother-inw. It was difficult for her to help anyone but she couldn¡¯t absent.


    The empress dowager rolled her brows and said:¡± You should asked You. Which woman can afford to kneel down for three whole days? LiuLi can¡¯t stand up now.¡±


    The ancestor sneered:¡± Only knelt down for three days? You, was that how you settled the matter? This is obvious partial to LiuLi. She is the granddaughter of the Empress Dowager, so you give the wrongdoer a way out. Our Jinxuan is a cheap one, so she can be trampled on? That¡¯s nonsense. You have to give me an exnation today.¡±


    This words sounded that the ancestor stumped You, but, actually she was helping You, letting the empress dowager know what was the right to do.


    You knew what the words meant and exined with respect:¡± ording the family¡¯s rule, LiuLi should be turned out. But JinXuan and ChunYu was so nice that they let it go since LiuLi had apologized.¡±


    The empress dowager was almost angry to spit blood. What? You even want to divorce LiuLi?


    She scold:¡± What did you said, You? Why it is all LiuLi¡¯s fault?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stepped forward and said:¡± Why don¡¯t you asked LiuLi if it¡¯s all her fault? Or, I give the proof to the state office, let them to judge.¡±


    ¡°This is a good way. We will be considered to protect our children whoever you and I to judge the matter. It¡¯s better to let the office to judge. I have heard that the officer of Jing Zhao Office is scrupulous. He judges things by proof and won¡¯t be partial.¡± The ancestor spoke slowly.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but apud. Chunyu¡¯s words were wonderful, and the attachment of his ancestors was even more wonderful. They sang one song and joined the beads together, and looked at the dark face of the empress dowager. Chunyu was holding her bane. To deal with the olddy should do like this.


    As for the old ancestor, today she really opened her eyes. The old ancestors were usually gentle and kind, but also unexpectedly to be sharp like this which made others has nothing to say. It seemed that the old ancestor was also a great one!


    The lord cleared his throat and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s unfortunately for the family. I have thought that the ugly thing should not go out. Apology and punishment is enough. We are still a family. However, since the Empress Dowager doesn¡¯t believe, the olddy would not give up, then, I would give up the old face and let the government to judge. If the government think my punishment is wrong, I will apologize to LiuLi, and go to the ancestral hall to kneel. ¡±


    The ancestor looked at the empress dowager¡¯s cloudy face and asked, ¡°How do you like it?¡±


    The empress dowager was so angry. They knew that she wouldn¡¯t do this. Sheugh coldly: ¡°When did the government manage the housework of other people?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said solemnly:¡± Although it is housework matter, it involves using medicine to destroy other¡¯s innocence which breaks thew. The government can deal with it.¡±


    The empress dowager was shocked again. In fact, she knew very well that You was telling the truth. Liuli really did these things, but she could never admit that, if she did, Liuli¡¯s reputation waspletely destroyed. Others were fine, but it really was a cheap shot which was awful to be heard.


    She had to swallow her pride and said:¡± I can let it go, but Ye Jinxuan and Liuli can¡¯t live under the same roof anymore.¡±


    The old ancestor said, ¡°No, how can you do that? My granddaughter almost has to hang herself. I can¡¯t let it go.¡±


    The Empress Dowager clenched her teeth, but she had nothing to do and fall into a passive predicament.


    ¡°Ha,ha,ha¡­.¡± A heartyugh came from far away.


    Everyone looked so solemn that the emperor came.


    Yi De was relieved that her brother finally came. Otherwise, this matter could not be ended.


    She sent someone to invite the emperor since she came in.


    When the emperor came into the room, everyone prostrated themselves before him. The emperor felt that the atmosphere in the pce was not right. He smiled and let everyone calm down. He saluted to the Empress Dowager himself. The ancestors stood up and raised herself slightly. She had the privilege granted by the emperor that she did not have to kneel down when she saw the Empress dowager and the emperor.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so polite.¡± The emperor spoke gently.


    ¡°My lord, youe just right. I have a matter need you to judge.¡± The ancestor said.


    Realizing that these people gathered here today did note to talk andugh, but he looked at the ugly face of the empress dowager, he knew that the Empress Dowager was wrong. He said, ¡°Please.¡±


    The ancestor looked at Xia Chun and said, ¡°You tell what happened.¡±


    Xia Chun came forward and told everything. You also added the usation of the empress dowager of using JinXuan.


    This made Chun Yu, Jing and the ancestor angry again.


    The old ancestor stamped with crutch, and angrily said, ¡°This is totally nonsense. It must be done today.¡±


    The emperor was so embarrassed that he secretly med the Empress Dowager for protecting LiuLi. It was clear that it was the fault of LiuLi. It was due to the temper of LiuLi. If she had not been caught by the evidence, could she admit it? She would made a fuss at the beginning and wouldn¡¯t ept the punishment?


    However, how to make a decision? The lord and his wife have dealt with it .Liuli also admitted her fault and got punishment. But the Empress Dowager couldn¡¯t let it go which actually harmed Liuli and made thing worse.

 Chapter 285 - Knocking off

    <h4>Chapter 285: Knocking off</h4>


    Coloured ze was in the side pce hall. Two maids were holding medicated wine rub her knees. Arge area of blue and purple on her delicate and white skin which was shocking.


    Her mood wasplicated, angry and uneasy.


    Annoying, I didn¡¯t know who said so much gossip, told the queen mother that the queen mother carried her back to the pce and left Chunfeng alone.


    Worryingly, now the queen mother was still looking for trouble in Jing¡¯an marquis house. She can¡¯t hide the things she wanted to hide. Before, everything happened to her, the queen mother always took care of her,but this time, she was afraid it won¡¯t be so easy.


    Little Ya came in in a flurry.


    Coloured ze told her to go to the front hall to find out the news.Looking at her in horror,her heart also quivered with fear.


    Let the left and right to retire , Coloured zed asked nervously, ¡± How is it going?¡±


    Little Ya said: ¡± At the beginning the queen mother is very mighty , and she argues for the princess and have to deal with the seconddy. Who knows, Heir-son Lord, Prince Jing, and princess royal, the old gentleman all came. The old gentleman is so awesome. A few words put the queen mother at a disadvantage. Even the emperor was rmed at the moment. The old gentleman wanted to ask the emperor for statements.¡±


    Coloured ze bemoaned, covering her face with both hands and hitting her knees with her head, fretting: What should I do?What should I do?This was a great loss of face.


    Little Ya sympathized but was helpless and said, ¡± Princess, I¡¯m afraid you have toe forward.¡±


    Coloured ze disappointed: ¡± Ie forward, Ie forward useful?¡±


    Little Ya said, ¡± For the present, only the princess should apologize for the mistake. Otherwise, the more the matter is investigated, the more troublesome it will be. They will all go to the government office and ask the government office to decide.¡±


    Coloured ze frightened: ¡± What?Let the government official to break?¡±


    Little Ya nodded: ¡± Yes, the queen mother won¡¯t tolerate anything. The prince and the olddy said, Let the government official do it. Princess, if this goes to the government official, it will be really troublesome.¡±


    Coloured ze was in chaos: ¡± No, it is impossible. The emperor will never promise.¡±


    ¡± If the emperor does not promise, in order to quell the anger of the old gentleman, I¡¯m afraid he will punish the princess. The princess will plead guilty at this time and the old gentleman will calm down. Maybe it will be all right. Anyway, all the people present today are not outsiders. It¡¯s better than being preached out. You will be wronged.¡± Little Ya earnestly advised.


    Little Ya knew that the princess was concerned about face-saving, and thest apology made her depressed to death. Let her apologized again, but also in front of the queen mother, the emperor and the olddy. It was really too difficult for the princess. But if you don¡¯t do this, you won¡¯t be able to pass this test.


    Coloured ze itched to hit the wall, the queen mother, the queen mother, you had done me a disservice...


    In the Hall of Ning He, the emperor was in a dilemma. Jing¡¯an marquis house and Helian Mansion were the mainstay of the imperial court. He can¡¯t ignore the faces of the two families. Moreover, in fact, the reason lied on their side. The queen mother insisted on reversing ck and white and maintaining Coloured ze, which only hurt everyone¡¯s feelings. After considering for a moment, she said: ¡± There is no need to check this matter. I believe it is true and the Jing¡¯an marquis house¡¯s handling is fair.¡±


    Then he said to the queen mother, ¡± queen mother, if Coloured ze does something wrong, it should be borne by her. Fortunately, no more harm has been done. I believe Coloured ze will serve as a warning and won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    The queen mother calm face didn¡¯t talk.


    The emperor named Ye Jiayao again: ¡± Jinxuan, you have been wronged by this incident. I will remember for you what will happen in the future. Juste to me and I will decide for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood that the emperor was just a polite remark, which means that the matter is not to be investigated any more. The parties did not pursue,?others have what to say?


    The emperor had erected adder. How can she not know what¡¯s going on?Forget it, sold the emperor a face.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said generously: ¡± Back to the emperor, I didn¡¯t want to pursue any more. Always thinking about some unpleasant things would make me feel bad. This is hard to live with myself.¡±


    The old ancestress nced at the queen mother and said gently, ¡± There is still something reasonable atst, or else I will?have to fight this old bones for justice.¡±


    The queen mother looked very unnatural. Today she wanted to make justice to the Coloured ze and finally became beaten by herself. She was scolded by Ye Jinxuan, a bitch. How could she swallow this tone?


    ¡± This matter can be dismissed, but the previous Ye Jinxuan say such offensive words, and disobedience ,what punishment should she ept?¡± The queen mother imperially said. Didn¡¯t deal with Ye Jinxuan,where was her majesty?


    The old ancestress smiled, ¡± The emperor still listen the ministers¡¯ exposing usations and impeachment in the previous dynasty. The ancients says that using bronze as a mirror can straighten clothes, and using people as a mirror can reveal gains and losses. Jinxuan¡¯s words are not pleasant but sincere, so the queen mother will not dispute with a younger generation.¡±


    When the emperor heard this, he looked at?Ye Jinxuan with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Ye Jinxuan dared to fight with me and even with the queen mother.


    ¡± Empress Dowager, Jinxuan is such a temper and outspoken. I have been scolded by her. Forget it, we do not care about a younger generation.¡± The emperor joked. Very not easy to calm down,if make trouble again, he can¡¯t stand it.


    Yide finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, ¡± Empress Dowager, A prime minister¡¯s heart is big enough to sail a boat in. Don¡¯t dispute about it with the children.¡±


    You put in energy to give Ye Jiayao a wink, but Ye Jiayao was very reluctant today she had already brought trouble to so many people that she can¡¯t argue and had to plead guilty against her will: ¡± Just now I was in such a hurry that outspoken. Please ask the queen mother for pardon.¡±


    Youpensated with a smile:¡± Empress Dowager, Jinxuan has already knew she was wrong and will not dare to do it again next time. ¡±


    The queen mother was very stifling and she was about to suppress internal injuries, but everyone wanted to block her mouth. She wanted to be serious again, as if she was really stingy and had no tolerance.


    Unwilling to say, ¡± If there is another time, there will be no forgiveness.¡±


    Yide said with a smile, ¡± All right, all right. It¡¯s fine after the rain. All of them are family members. When the teeth and tongue bites, it¡¯s good to make things clear.¡±


    ¡± Hum, I don¡¯t think so. Coloured ze is a one-track mind and ipetent person. Jinxuan is so powerful. Coloured ze is no match. No, they¡¯d better be separated.¡± The queen mother won back a little bit anyway.


    Chunyu was unconvinced: ¡± From the beginning to the end, Jinxuan doesn¡¯t take Coloured ze as his opponent, but Coloured ze always takes Jinxuan as her enemy.¡±


    The queen mother sneered, ¡± Your family all back her up. She naturally does not put others in her eyes.¡±


    Little Jing got angry and said, ¡± The queen mother doesn¡¯t know Jinxuan very well. Only Coloured ze regard her as an enemy,?everyone else regards her as a good owner, a good friend, a good daughter ¨C in ¨Cw, and a good daughter. It¡¯s not clear at a nce where the problem lies.¡±


    The queen mother red at the Little Jing. They were all things to eat inside and pick outside. Coloured ze was your first cousin. What was that Ye Jinxuan?


    The old ancestress said slowly: ¡± The queen mother says very well that she is afraid that Jinxuan would be calcted again. She and Coloured ze are better separated. Since Coloured ze will go to the fief sooner orter, it is better to go earlier or inherit the mantle of the Seven Princes.¡±


    The queen mother was dumbfounded. She said to separate, not to leaf with Coloured ze.


    ¡± The old sister says light, Coloured ze is still a child, so early to let her go to fief, she can take up this important task?¡±


    ¡± Isn¡¯t there Chunfeng? I look at Chunfeng as a nice girl.¡±


    Coloured ze summoned up the courage to admit it, but did not think of it but heard it, and did not dare toe out from behind the screen.


    ¡± This is absolutely not possible,¡± said the queen mother. ¡± Let Jinxuan and Chunyu move out.¡±


    You were in a hurry. How can you let the future heir to the title move out? Was it not Chunyu¡¯s fault?


    ¡± The queen mother undeterred, after this matter, I am also afraid, or separate, however, move out, where do I live?Can¡¯t go to the inn!People outside thought anythings wrong happened !I can¡¯t exin to anyone. Besides, I have no money and can¡¯t afford a house. I still owe Yongning Marquis Heir-son Lord a debt.As the queen mother reward I a house!It¡¯s not too grand. It¡¯s enough to have a five-in-one with two partial courtyards. It¡¯s not too flourishing for lots. Of course, it¡¯s not too remote. If the emperor calls, I won¡¯t be able to reach him and dy the job ordered by the emperor, it¡¯s a sin. As for gardens and things, it¡¯s best to have a small garden. I can also have it ... ¡± Xia Chunyu said naturally.


    Ye Jiayao almostughed. Chunyu was going to take advantage of the queen mother¡¯s being in a weak position to overcharge him!


    The emperor twitched at the corner of his eye, said it as if it were a good discussion, but he kept his mouth shut and said it was ¡± five in and two out of court¡± with a fair location and a small garden. Such a request was simple?Not a few hundred thousand silver won¡¯te down at all. It was really greedy.


    The old duke was happy too, the son was good, if the queen mother was willing to give up her money,?then they move out for a few days.


    The queen mother¡¯s face was ck like the bottom of a pot. Chunyu can really climb along the pole and knock on her bamboo poles.


    But the request was made by herself, and she couldn¡¯t say that she couldn¡¯t afford the house, or she wouldn¡¯t move out.


    ¡± The emperor, you will give a mansion to Jingan Marquis Heir-son Lord.¡± The queen mother threw this hot potato to the emperor.


    The emperor frowned. ¡± Oh, this is not a very easy thing to do. There are two vacant mansions at present, but one owner hasmitted a major crime, and one has been left vacant for many years and is in a state of decline. I don¡¯t mean to reward a minister for his residence a while ago and let Chunyu live in such a house ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu seriously said, ¡± I dare not ask for the house where the traitors and viins lived. It¡¯s too bad luck. It will cost me a lot of money to repair the deserted house, and I can¡¯t afford to repair it.¡±


    It meant new and better, or you can¡¯t send him away.


    The old ancestor said leisurely, ¡± Isn¡¯t the old mansion of the seventh prince still idle?¡± since the queen mother wanted someone to move out for the reason of?Coloured ze, it would be better to give Chunyu the residence of the seventh prince, but I thought it would be more appropriate to live in the residence of the seventh prince with Coloured ze .¡±


    The queen mother couldn¡¯t wait to blow the old sister out. She almost vomited blood when she was choked by the old sister several times today. Let the Coloured ze live in the residence of the seventh prince. How dare the old sister say so? Coloured ze was fine but she was going to open live in another ce. Others must thought that Coloured ze had done something bad, and mansion can¡¯t hold her any longer.


    You busily said: ¡± The queen mother, I have just entrusted Jinxuan with the task of hosting the center feed. Can she leave mansion?¡±

 Chapter 286 - If knock, knock hard

    <h4>Chapter 286: If knock, knock hard</h4>


    The queen mother was so angry, the emperor threw his job to her, seven sovereign`s mansion couldn`t be given to Chunyu to live, let alone Coloured ze. If they built another mansion when they just get married, it would be okay. Now it feels so unreasonable to move out. She didn`t trust Coloured ze and Jin Xuan to remain under the same roof ... did she really need to pay the bill?


    Although she was the queen mother who didn`t have to worry about food and cloths, she still lived by sry. To be honest, everyone there had more money than her, but they were going to corrupt her money!


    Fine, it was she who made the idea. Fine.


    The queen mother said, ¡°Then we`ll choose that deserted house and repair it. I`ll pay the decoration cost.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao looked at each other and shared the same thoughts. Now that the queen mother was willing to pay for the repair, they would repair the house as best as they can, maybe they could take the house apart and rebuild it. Besides, they decide how long to fix it. It¡¯s a good deal.


    The emperor looked at the two men and twitched the corners of his mouth, feeling that the queen mother was going to fall into the deep hole this time.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡°Do we need to ask the queen mother for money after we finish our work, orthe queen mother would give us some money ahead? My father is poorer than me and my family can¡¯t count on it.¡±


    Chunyu had always been known to be a cheeky man, but Ye Jiayao thought he was just cheeky in front of her and didn¡¯t expect that he would do that to the queen mother.


    However, why does she like this cheeky man more and more?


    The queen mother felt that she would be angry to death if she kept talking with these people.


    ¡°Chunyu, don`t cry me about your poverty. I have made a promise and I won`t break my words.¡± The queen mother said unhappily.


    No, no, I¡¯m really poor; I also want to move out early, if I dy longer, you will be worried, right? Maybe the queen mother can give me ten thousand liang so that we can set out to work as early as we can?¡± Xia Chun was determined to ckmail her, if she wants him leave, it costs.


    The emperor was really worried about that the queen mother would be too angry to be ill, and said slowly, ¡°Chunyu, you must sum up how much you need before youe to me.¡±


    While saying, the emperor also red at Chunyu, showing deterrence.


    Xia Chunyu understood the meaning of the emperor ... quit while you are ahead!


    He had to stop and not embarrass the queen mother.


    The emperor secretly sighed: It¡¯s not unusual for the imperial court to give a mansion to the capable courtiers, but it`s the first time that such trouble were caused. This time Chunyu has suffered some losses. He has to move out though nothing wrong with him, he should get somepensation.


    Things were always going on, although they were full of anger, the result was satisfactory.


    When they walked out of the pce gate, Ye Jiayao helped the ancestor to get into the carriage, feeling guilty and said, ¡°Sorry for all the trouble Jinxuan caused.¡±


    As soon as the ancestor left Ninghe Pce, she returned to a kind look with smile in her eyes, but she deliberately said with a serious face:¡± Silly girl, remember that I am your grandmother, they have the support of the queen mother. Although I am useless, I can still support you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face was full of shame, and her gratitude was beyond expression.


    ¡°I`ll keep in mind.¡± For the first time, she imed to be her granddaughter in front of her ancestor. At that moment, she really took the old woman as her own grandmother. She made up her mind to be filial toward her ancestor in the future.


    ¡°Old Ancestor, as long as I`m here, I won`t let her be bullied by anyone.¡± Xia Chunyu came up and held Ye Jiayao¡¯s shoulder, smiling and assured the old ancestor.


    The old ancestor nced at him and snorted, ¡°I thing you are only one who can bully her.¡±


    Xiao Jing told her everything that this time Chun Yu, a fool, let Jinxuan be wronged a lot.


    Ye Jiayao almost cried. Ancestor, you really had sharp eyes and found out who he really was.


    Xia Chunyu said shamelessly: ¡± ancestor, how can you do that? If only she won¡¯t bully me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at him, bah! You stupid donkey, how dare you to say this, don`t you have no conscience? I was so generous with you, but you still piss me off. Fuck, it seems that the renovation is not strong enough and needs to be done more.


    Feeling the threat from Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes, Xia Chunyu quickly changed his tune: ¡°I¡¯d love to be bullied by her.¡±


    Ancestors couldn¡¯t helpughing at Chunyu¡¯s embarrassment. Ah! It was nice to be young. It was also a sign of kindness for a young couple to quarrel. Only after tests could they know how important each other was to themselves.


    However, she still needed to warn Xia Chunyu, the ancestor said with a straight face: ¡°Be careful with my leading crutch if you make mistakes next time.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at the royal leading crutch that was only one in the world, he was scared. This was something more useful than the imperial sword. It could beat bad kings and bad officers. He repeatedly said: ¡± I dare not ...¡±


    The old ancestor was satisfied and put down the car curtain.


    Yide over there was saying goodbye to You, she told her not to take the queen mother¡¯s words to heart. The queen mother was not stick to someone, but simply for protecting calves. The queen mother still was very satisfied with the Jing ¡®an marquis house, otherwise she would not hand Coloured ze to Jing ¡®an marquis house.


    You smiled reluctantly, now she didn¡¯t think that was a gift at all. The princess¡¯s mother-inw was too difficult to be and would be scolded by the queen mother if she didn¡¯t care.


    After sending the family away, everyone got into their own carriages and went back to home.


    In the carriage, Ye Jiayao suddenly found something was wrong. She stretched out her hand and touched Chunyu¡¯s forehead and her own forehead, then looked at him doubtfully.


    Xia Chunyu immediately realized that his fake illness was given away. So Xia Chunyu changed his way of faking it and touched his forehead. ¡°Why doesn`t it hot anymore?¡±


    Yeah! Why not hot anymore? Ye Jiayao asked the same question with her eyes.


    Xia Chunyu continued to pretend: ¡°Not only does it not hot, but it also cools as the ice. s, it was scared and broke out in a cold sweat. It was good.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced at him with hatred, she had found out he was lying, fuck, didn`t hebined with the doctor Xiangtao to deceive her? Another drama!


    Xia Chunyu held his chin high and said confidently, ¡°Really, if you don¡¯t believe me, touch me yourself, I`m sweat over!¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned supercilious look, who wanted to touch, smelly sweat was so disgusting!


    Forget it, regardless of whether he was pretending or not, for the sake of ¡± count me too¡± he said today, spare him once for a while.


    ¡°Dare to cheat me try again?¡± Ye Jiayao red at her eyes.


    Xia Chunyu immediately retreated and said frankly, ¡°I dare not.¡±


    Then he cheekily said, ¡°So, did you forgive me?¡±


    ¡°Hum ... keep your qualification as Ye Jinxuan¡¯s husband for the time being in order to see the future,¡± said Ye Jiayao savagely.


    Xia Chunyu was overjoyed and bowed to her. He learned the character in the drama and said in a strange tone, ¡± Thank you,dy, for your tolerance.¡±


    Ye Jiayao put her handkerchief in his mouth directly, bastard, flirting without distinguish the asion, what if Song Qi who was driving outside heard their words?


    Of course, Song Qi heard it, curled his lips and secretly despised the prince.


    Outside he was a tiger; at home he was a rabbit.


    However, this was very good, finally could see the prince`s poor appearance, what a joy!


    Back to mansion, Chunli held Chunfeng waiting at the gate. His father, mother, Chunyu and Jinxuan were called by the queen mother. The brothers were really upset and wanted to go to the pce to find out the news, but they were not allowed to go to the pce without calling and could only wait at home.


    The duke looked at the trembling Chunfeng and said, ¡°It¡¯s all right, you go back to rest!¡±


    People were back, obviously it was all right, but Coloured ze didn¡¯te back...


    Chunfeng opened his mouth and wanted to ask, but You said coldly, ¡°Coloured ze won`te back after staying in the pce for a few days.¡±


    The duke ordered, ¡± chunli, help your third brother to go back to rest, chunyu and Jinxuan, you go to the house with me. I have something to say.¡±


    The duke¡¯s serious expression made Ye Jiayao somewhat uneasy.She could guess what the duke was going to say, it was nothing more than her licentiousness in front of the queen mother today.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand was tight on her waist and smiled at her. Her deep eyes were inky and dizzy, but they were full of reassuring warmth.


    It seemed like saying ... don¡¯t be afraid, I`m here.


    Ye Jiayao lowered her eyelids. Well, Xia Chunyu, who was blinded by jealous, was still very responsible and considerate.


    When the duke and his wife came to the house, no servant girl was waiting to pouring tea and water, and four of them closed the door and talked.


    The duke looked grave and said, ¡°Jinxuan, do you know your fault?¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a sip of her lip and said, ¡°I know I was wrong and shouldn¡¯t contradict the queen mother.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was eager to protect his wife and said, ¡°It is clear that the queen mother is wrong. She only knows to protect Coloured ze and has given Jinxuan a false usation.¡±


    The duke stared at him like a tiger, ¡°Shut up! I also want to scold you!¡±


    Xia Chunyu closed his mouth.


    You and the duke obviously prepared on the way. You said, ¡°you know how worried I am and the duke are? Don`t you know how bad the queen mother is and how prejudiced she is to you. If it weren¡¯t for the ancestor`s arrival today, you¡¯d have to lose, and the duke and I couldn¡¯t protect you. How much you made me and the duke suffer, Jinxuan, your temper has to be changed. Don¡¯t you think such a smart person like you can¡¯t understand that men don¡¯t suffer immediate losses?¡±


    It was clearly a reproach, but it warmed Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart. The duke and You maintained her every possible way today. If they can do this, they really regard her as a family member.


    ¡°Yes, I know my fault and must pay attention to it next time.¡±


    The duke thought to himself that it was really fun to listen to those words, just for Jinxuan¡¯s safe, he still needed to criticize her, the queen mother was no better than the emperor, and the women are all very mean who like to bear grudges.


    The duke¡¯s eyes turned again to Xia Chunyu: ¡°You are bold and dare to ckmail the queen mother.¡±


    Xia Chunyu murmured, ¡°Her granddaughter made a mistake, but she was going to drive me and Jinxuan out. If I didn¡¯t ckmail her, it would be so unfair.¡±


    The duke bluffed, ¡°How dare you can say SHE? Is there any fear in your heart? That¡¯s the queen mother! ¡±


    Xia Chunyu disapprovingly picked his eyebrows.


    The duke patted the armrest of the chair and gnashed his teeth. ¡°Damn it, since we have ckmail her, then make it worse, and you¡¯ll go to see the house some other day and finish as you like.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu petrochemicals, did they hear right? Was that the duke who had just used Chunyu of not having any fear?

 Chapter 287 - Two pack to force guy

    <h4>Chapter 287: Two pack to force guy</h4>


    That night, Ye Jiayao also climbed to the bed to sleep and was carried back to the bed by one of them.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice rang with anger: ¡± Hey, don¡¯t think I forgive you, you can run amok.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said innocently, ¡± I¡¯m not doing anything wrong. People say the husband and wife quarrels are soon mended. We haven¡¯t slept for several days. Besides, the bed is notfortable. You¡¯ve been working so hard these days ,I love dearly .And I¡¯m supposed to sleep that bed if you want to sleep.¡±


    ¡± Well, then you go to sleep there. I¡¯m used to sleeping alone these days. I don¡¯t know howfortable and spacious it is.¡± Ye Jiayao followed his words and said, ¡± Be considerate, then give you this opportunity.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to cry without tears. He was just being polite.


    ¡± That ... you see I¡¯m just fine ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him with a smile on the skin is not on the flesh: ¡± To be on the safe side, I¡¯ll take you to see a doctor tomorrow ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu hastened to say, ¡± No, no, you¡¯re so busy. I have to go to early sses tomorrow. I¡¯m all right and I don¡¯t need to see doctors any more.¡±


    ¡± Okay, right?It¡¯s okay, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded repeatedly and sincerely.


    ¡± Then sleep on the couch. You also know that I am working hard, so let me sleepfortably and don¡¯t quarrel with me.¡± Ye Jiayao wrapped a nket and turned to sleep on the side of the edge of the bed to prevent him from climbing the bed.


    Xia Chunyu stood on the edge of the bed depressed, muttering in his heart that he had forgiven him. Was this called forgiveness?This lesson was not painful. He was shut out of the door, refused to go to bed, pretended to be ill and drank bitter medicine. Xia Chunyu deeply realized that he should not mess with her, he would never had good oue.


    However, going to sleep at the couch was unwilling after all. Xia Chunyu approached the bed lightly and tried to climb it. As soon as he touched the edge of the bed, someone had eyes behind her back and said softly, ¡± Be honest!¡±


    A man curled his pie mouth, withdrew his hands and feet gloomily, and went to couch dejectedly.


    ¡± Lights out,¡± Ye Jiayao said tly.


    Xia Chunyu got up again to turn off the lights.


    Ye Jiayao was thinking that I said forgive you everything will be finished? If this time didn¡¯t teach a unforgettable lesson once, you would forget it soon.


    Xia Chunyu pretended to snore slightly. Ye Jiayao listened for a while and then went to sleep.


    After a long time, the people on the other side were already asleep. Xia Chunyu crept up and smoothly touched the bed. He did not dare to get too close to her. He waited for a while and saw that she had no reaction. This moved over bit by bit.


    Heid his hand gently on her waist, and she still didn¡¯t respond.


    Xia Chunyu snickered and leaned closer. He smelled the fragrance of her body after bathing and was extremely satisfied. It was not easy to hold her to sleep atst.


    In about fifteen minutes past six o¡¯clock, Ye Jiayao¡¯s biological clock woke up on time. As soon as she opened his eyes, she saw a familiar face.?The early morning sunshine softened his cool lines, bing more and more beautiful and peerless, his eyes slightly closed, corners of the mouth bent slightly, his breathing was even and slight, and his sleep was quiet and peaceful. Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but be infatuated.


    The good thing about marrying a handsome man is that once you open your eyes every day, you can see a pleasing face. Just ... when did this guy climb up?She should have no idea.


    Uh ... incredibly she was lying in his arms.


    Er ... her hand actually held his waist and reached into his clothes.


    Uh ... her leg was stillfortably on him.


    She hung on him like a ko.


    Ye Jiayao was depressed. Ye Jiayao, what did you insist on?What about your reservedness?How did you betray yourself as soon as you fall asleep?


    No, I can¡¯t let him see this scene. Otherwise, this guy will surely say proudly: Look, Yaoyao, your body is much more honest than yours. You still need me very much....


    Ye Jiayao closed his eyes, pretended to be restless in her sleep, kicked him open and turned around.


    Xia Chunyu slept soundly, suddenly got a kick and woke up immediately, thinking quickly about how to exin, saying that she had nightmares in the middle of the night and kicked the quilt?Or did she call him up in her own dream?In a word,he would not admit that he had climbed up.


    After many thoughts in his mind, he found the people around him motionless. Xia Chunyu carefully leaned over and saw that her eyes were still closed. However, he could see through at a nce the curling eyshes as she pretended to sleep.


    Xia Chunyu was happy, Yaoyao was embarrassed?Or did she mean to let him go?


    In that case, he would not restrain?himself..


    Xia Chunyuy down next to her, sping her waist with one hand and tightening her arms, pulling her into his arms.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Shouldn¡¯t he have a guilty conscience and run away quickly?Incredibly push your luck. This?guy was really cheeky !She really want to give him another kick and kick him out of bed. It¡¯s a pity that this time he slept in the back ,or she wanted to kick him down. It was estimated that it will take a fierce struggle, but she didn¡¯t want to move. Today, there was still a day¡¯s lesson and she had to take time to care about the governor of Wei. She needed to store valuable physical strength.


    However, it is really a great enjoyment to lean on his warm and thick chest and shrink into his arms in the slightly cool morning.


    Ye Jiayao thought a moment, forget it, leave it to him!Anyway, I¡¯ll get upter soon.


    So they both pretended not to know anything, and had a quiet and peaceful morning.


    When Qiao Xi knocked at the door, they both pretended to have just woken up and got up and dressed, but no one mentioned how they could sleep together.


    Xia Chunyu was wild with joy, which was tantamount to acquiescence. Before going out, he still did not forget to peck her face and whisper softly: ¡± Today I¡¯ll pick you up. Go and see the house together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao finally caught the chance to twist his arm to vent his few remaining grievances.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her charming and resentful expression and still worked very well. He put his other arm up: ¡± Do you want to twist here again?¡±


    Ye Jiayao twisted his arm forcibly, and he grinned in pain.


    Reconciliation, the mood of both of them brightened up, like the haze dispersed and saw the long-lost sunshine. Ye Jiayao started sses today with extra energy. Some students booed and said that Ye Jiayao¡¯s carving technique was extremely skillful, if she could open another carving technique course. Ye Jiayao readily agreed. Later, she remembered that the courses in this period were already full and could not be deleted. If she wanted to open it, she would have to take another time to go in.


    However,she had already agreed and could not go back on their word. There was no way that Ye Jiayao had to squeeze out time.


    During recess, Mu Qinchu came to tell her happily that his uncle and Wei Liujiang were taken away by the government this morning. Moreover, the government officer had already reported his proposal to reiterate his father¡¯s case, and it was estimated that the criminal department would reply in the next few days.


    Jose Qinchu thanked Ye Jiayao for her kindness. He knew very well that without the help of?Little Jing, things could not have gone so sessfully, and Little Jing only helped him because of?Ye Jiayao. He was secretly d, after he had offended?Ye Jiayaost time he won¡¯t be anymore. Otherwise, what would have happened today?


    He didn¡¯t want his father to be acquitted. He just wanted a lighter sentence and the family to have a chance to reunite.


    Ye Jiayao smiled coldly. That Ye Jinrong should be distracted at the moment!Will she go looking for coloured ze?Coloured ze was now too busy to care for herself. If it wasn¡¯t for hurting her, how could she notice such little characters like Jin Rong?


    She really wanted to see Ye Jinrong¡¯s the appearance of helplessness.


    She said that she could endure the harm once, and over and over again, don¡¯t me her for being ruthless.


    Ye Jinrong was really going crazy at the moment. Her father was only released for a few days and was caught again, and this time even her father was caught. Now, there was not even a person who can help her. Her mother-inw is in Jinan all the year round, and she was not familiar with the people in Jin Lin, so scared that her legs and feet were weak and she would only cry. Her mother-inw also scared her children to cry when she cried. She had a splitting headache and she also wanted to cry, but she can¡¯t cry.


    How did this happen?Not all had been finalized?


    Everyone can¡¯t count on it. Ye Jinrong had to give the child to A Lian and went to Princess Coloured ss herself. However,?Jing¡¯an Marquis¡¯s?told her coldly that Princess Coloured ss was in the pce and didn¡¯t know when toe back. Ye Jinrong proposed to see Jinyao again. Jing¡¯an Marquis¡¯s servant said that the third youngdies had already returned to Yangzhou.


    Ye Jinrong froze, Jinyao returned to Yangzhou? But didn¡¯t A Lian just meet Jinyao yesterday? Jinyao also said that these days were a critical period. How could she say that she went back? Did thingse to light?


    Ye Jinrong was in such a state of panic that she hesitated whether to look for elder sister, but saw several maids and old servants crowded around the duke¡¯s wife to go out.


    You saw Ye Jinrong, paused in her footsteps, frowning, and her eyes was undisguised disgust.


    This was Jin Xuan¡¯s sister, but she had repeatedly framed Jinxuan. Jinxuan¡¯s sister on the stand had fallen for generations.


    Ye Jinrong was busy bending her knees and saluting. You were already looking back and looking straight away. She coldly told the servants, ¡± What irrelevant people wille to the door and blow away directly.¡±


    At that point, a driver already drove out of the side gate, and You went straight on the bus, only assuming Ye Jinrong did not exist.


    Ye Jinrong was there in embarrassment and trepidation. The duke¡¯s wife was not friendly when she saw herst time, but she was not as bad as she was today. Her heart was more and more disturbed.


    As soon as You left, the servant followed orders to drive her away, with a rough attitude like driving out beggars.


    Ye Jinrong left despondently and arrived at the government official again. The official was inquisitive. His attitude was worse than that of?servants, who almost didn¡¯t knock on the kill stick.


    Ye Jinxuan walked away without a door, weeping all the way back to Wei House. Wei Qi saw that she had failed to return and heard about nothing. It was no use calling her straight, crying and cursing ... untilter, she put all the me for the disaster on Ye Jinrong, what hoodlums and messenger of death, who had gone through bad luck since she entered the door, and now the whole families of Wei had been hurt by her at such a time....


    Ye Jinrong was so wronged that she wept bitterly with her child in her arms.


    Lotus watched and thought, this time thedy did not really scold her wrong, and it was indeed a disaster caused by the seconddy.

 Chapter 288 - The evils we bring on ourselves are the hardest to bear

    <h4>Chapter 288: The evils we bring on ourselves are the hardest to bear</h4>


    Xia Chunyu went to ask about the affairs of the Mu ambassador in the early days. He was relieved as everything was in n. After that, he went to the pce to inquire about the situation of the Ninghe pce. He heard that after they leftst night, the Queen Mother called the royal doctor.


    Even the olddy was rmedst night. The olddy was rarely able to enter the pce within a year, plus the Queen Mother was not well. The people in the pce were inevitably gossiping. Some said that Liu Li was arrogant and she didn¡¯t respect Jing An Lord mansion, Jing¡¯an mansion couldn¡¯t bear it and said to divorce Liu Li; others said that the ss seduce him, and then Yaoyao and Liu Lis fighted for this...


    Xia Chunyu was very depressed and embarrassed. Damn, it was none of his business! These people¡¯s imaginations were too rich. They said with every detail, and several colleagues who were not afraid of death actually ran to verify, Xia Chunyu was so angry that he wanted to beat them.


    Now he then could feel the pain of being shackled and unable to justify. It was the pain of grievance made him want to vomiting blood.


    He fled the pce, Xia Chunyu then went to the abandoned house that the emperor said about, strolled around to see if it was really ruined and could not be repaired in order not to scare Yaoyao when took her there afterwards.


    After a nce, he was very happy like picking up treasure. That¡¯s why the emperor gnashed his teeth and said, ¡°You are such a lucky boy.¡±


    This house was originally given to Nangong Shaobao during the Taizu period. Nangong Shaobao together with his grandfather smashed the encirclement in the chaos of the Seven Kings. The emporer was still a prince at that time, they protect him and from Jinling, andter all of the four sons were dead in the chaos. And the son-inw who was staying in Jinling was killed by the rebel sect. So the Nangong family was all dead. The emperor originally did not want to give out this house, as he wanted tomemorate the loyal minister, but he had to consider for the Queen Mother to reluctantly cut his love.


    Well, the house where the loyal minister lived, he would not be bothered, but he felt honored.


    This house was not far from Yongning lord mansion, the location was quite good, the room inside was also big enough. There were 5 rooms, one garage, the two courtyards, and a outrageouslyrge garden. There were many valuable flowers and nts, but they had already been drowned by the weeds. Those carved columns were also paint mottled, but not as serious as he expected. Repainting, tidying up, and adding some furniture, people could live there then.


    Not bad, Xia Yu was quite satisfied.


    Song Qiqiu looked around and said: ¡°Heir-lord son, if it is to be trimmed here, it will be more enthusiasm than the lord mansion! The second youngdy will love this ce.¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows, of course, look who was originally living here, that was the famous Nangong Shaobao!


    Ye Jiayao had not finished ss but she saw Song Qi¡¯s peeping at the door, then she knew that Chunyu wasing. She made a quick conclusion and ended the ss.


    Song Qiu smiled and took the speech clip for her. He couldn¡¯t wait to tell her about the situation of the house. Ye Jiayao was surprised. It was actually the former dynasty, the house of the honored minister Nangong. It was was too idental.


    Xia Chunyu waited for her in the lounge. He heard Song Qiyi¡¯s talking about the house, he couldn¡¯t help but blink his eyes. Such a dog¡¯s leg. I couldn¡¯t tell it to her myself? I was worried about not haing any topic to make your second youngdy happy. You said all of my words what could I say then?


    Song Qi¡¯s was full of grievances, and he couldn¡¯t understand why the world¡¯s sons were staring at him. Did he do anything wrong?


    Hey! The son of the world was hard to serve, although his face was so handsome but it was also unpredictable. It could be sunny for a while and then suddenly turned cloudy.


    On the carriage, Ye Jiayao asked: ¡°Didn¡¯t the emperor say it was too defeated yesterday? And he was embarrassed to give it to the courtier? Was the house that the emperor said is the house of the Nangong?¡±


    Xia Chunyu exined to her: ¡°That was because the emperor liked it. It was lucky that I forced to say itst night, otherwise I would not be able to get the benefits.¡±


    Xia Yuyi told her about the past of the Nangong family. By the way, his also talked about his grandfather¡¯s glorious deeds vividly, as if he had participated at the same time.


    Ye Jiayao listened and entranced, it was not surprised that the emperor paid such attention to Jing¡¯an lord mansion. It turned out that as this past event urred, grandfather saved the emperor¡¯s life, and the lord mansion has been defending the country for many years. There were too many honors.


    As he spoke, the carriage stopped, Xia Yu pointed to a roof tile not far from the front and said, ¡°That is Yongning lord mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened and became happier. Mrs. Yongning had a lot same interests with her, as she was also a food lover.


    Xia Chunyu took Ye Jiayao to walk in while introducing, here was the front yard, there was arge kitchen, there was also a military field in the back, and there was a small building in the back garden, which was extraordinarily elegant and elegant... said his renovation n, every ce was taken into consideration.


    Ye Jiayao thought that his n was very reasonable andprehensive, but it cost a lot. It was a good example of the lord¡¯s intention to really take the benefitsst night. This time, the Queen Mother would have a big bleeding.


    ¡°Yao Yao, what do you think?¡± Xia Chunyu saw that she was just listening quietly and did not express her opinion. He asked her. It was also their home in the future. They might not live there so often, but it was sure that they would live there. He surely wanted to know her opinions.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°All the others depend on you, I will decide on the renovation of the kitchen.¡±


    No matter where it was, the kitchen was her most important position, and she must decide herself. As for the others, she was already very busy and did not want to use her brain.


    She thought about it, it¡¯s a waste of getting such a big house. They still had a few yards! Damn, in modern times, in order to p a little ce, you had to work hard, but when ite to the ancient times, she could actually be the master of the houses.


    Anyway, it was free, it would be a waste if returned it.


    Liu Li made such a big chaos, but she gave her this big present.


    The two saw the house around and saw that it was not early, then went back to the mansion.


    When they arrived at mansion, they heard noisy when got off the carriage.


    ¡°Little brother, help me out! I beg you, I am really in a hurry to see the second youngdy, I am her second sister, you pass a message, she will see me.¡±


    It¡¯s Rong Rong who begged in a low position.


    Ye Jiayao sneered in her heart, how could she dare to see her.


    Xia Chunyu was looked serious, and gnawed his teeth: ¡°How dare shee again.¡±


    ¡°I told you, the second youngdy is not in the mansion, go quickly, don¡¯t make us difficult.¡± The guards at the door were very not wee.


    Ye Jinrong has no way but she had to be cheeky to ask for help from her big sister. But the guards did not let her in anyway, they didn¡¯t even pass a message, she almost kneeled down.


    Turning her head, she saw Xia Chunyu who was helping the big sister to get off the carriage. Jinrong stepped forward and begged: ¡°Big sister, please save Liujiang. I don¡¯t know why, the official government has caught him, as well as my father inw.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stepped forward and blocked in front of Ye Jiayao. Last time he heard that Jinrong was at the gate held Yaoyao and let Yaoyao embarrassed, forcing Yaoyao to promise. Today, as he was here, Ye Jinrong had no chance to make the trick again.


    ¡°The government arrests people for their own reasons. If you don¡¯t understand anything, ask the government.¡± Xia Chunyu was covered in frost and has a cold tone. There was no room for negotiation.


    Ye Jinrong was a little afraid of Xia Chunyu, and she was stunned by the majesty and indifference that he had exuded. Her footsteps were not dare to go one inch further. She was tearful, and said: ¡°I have already asked the government, but the government refused to inform, big sister. Big brother-inw, I beg you, please help! I... I really have no way.¡± Said at the and of the sentence, Ye Jinrong had already choked.


    Xia Chunyu said in a cold voice: ¡°There is no way to go? Aren¡¯ t you familiar with Liu Li? Go for her!¡±


    Ye Jinrong had a glimpse of her heart. She expected that the incident had not been exposed. Even if she was exposed, she did not involve in. Now it seemed that she was too naive, and Yao Yao¡¯s did have such a hard bone. She might put the responsibility on her.


    But now she urgently needed the big sister¡¯s and big brother to help, it was impossible to admit it, and it was awkward: ¡°How can I be familiar with the Liu Li princess, there is no interactions between us.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and twitched, pushing Chunyu slightly anding out from his back.


    Her eyes were disdainful, her tone was slow, and her sarcasm was obvious: ¡°You second sister is really modest. You go back to Yangzhou, and the Princess Liu Li also personally went to welfare. If this is unfamiliar, how familiar do you want to be?¡±


    Ye Jinrong¡¯s face changed greatly, the big sister even knew this. Who told the eldest sister?


    Ye Jiayao turned her attitude and said, ¡°Ye Jinrong, if you don¡¯t want people to know only if you didn¡¯t do it. You hurt me again and again. Is there still a bit emotion in your heart? If you ignore my life and death, how dare you to ask for help? Opportunity, I have given you, you have failed, you have no humanity, no conscience, then, give yourself some esteem, take the result yourself. Go, I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡±


    Ye Jinrong panicked and said: ¡°No, big sister, you misunderstood, things are not what you think, yes, the Liu Li princess has met me, but I did not agree, how could I agree, you are my big sister, In my most difficult time, you helped me, I always remember this kindness...¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost angried to smile, Ye Jinrong, Ye jinrong, you could really be counted as a character, blinking and lying but the face was not red, the heart was not jumping, you were so shameless.


    ¡°It¡¯s Jinyao. She adore big brother-inw. How can I persuade her...¡± Ye Jinrong also made a very regrettable look.


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t listen to it: ¡°Ye Jinrong, after listening to your words, I feel that it is apliment to describe you with shameless. You treated us as three-year-old children, all idiots? If you want to act, go to other ces, we have no interest in watching you acting. sending you a sentence, you can still live in the the disaster, The evils we bring on ourselves are?the hardest to?bear, give your children a little morality!¡±


    After Xia Chunyu finished, he took Yaoyao and left indifferently.


    Ye Jinrong¡¯sst hope was shattered. She wanted to cry and wanted to make trouble, but she did not dare in the presence of Xia Chunyu. She could only watch them enter the mansion.


    She stood in the same ce, and suddenly smiled, tears rolled down, muttering: Is this ... is this retribution?

 Chapter 289 - Fortune’s wheel is ever turning

    <h4>Chapter 289: Fortune¡¯s wheel is ever turning</h4>


    Ye Jinrong¡¯s disaster has just begun. The next day, the official government came to search the house, Wei Qi and Ye Jinrong were smashed into the street. Sevants, as long as there was a property contract, they were all family property and were taken away.


    Ye Jinrong still had a child in her arms. They two have no pennies and no ce to stay. Wei Qi wanted to go to the younger sister and took a pair of gold earrings secretly hidden to go to the pawn for a few silver coins. She called two carriages went straight to the countryside.


    Mu Xi saw the lonely big sistere to her,ughing her head off.


    ¡°Big sister, this is really a turning point!¡±


    Wei Qi angrily said: ¡°Sister, how can you say this? When you are in trouble, I was taking care of you.¡±


    Mu Qi smiled: ¡°Yes, there is a sensation, that is, you take care of me, I have fallen to such a situation, now you are not embarrassed to say that there is a kindness?¡±


    ¡°How can the brother-inw¡¯s issue me us, it was his own corruption of public funds, bribery and bribery, were these things we asked him to do?¡± Wei Qi¡¯s argued.


    Mu Qi¡¯s sneered twice: ¡°Well, it was us who were blind, we have recognized the wrong person. now you have also received retribution. This ount is clear, no one owes anyone. We are done¡±


    Wei Qi was panicked. She had no ce to go now. If her sister did not ept her, she would only be able to fall into the streets. People were cowardly when in bad situations. Now was not the time to argue. She had to be wronged and pity: ¡± Sister, you and me are the same people, why bother each other, to be honest if I have anywhere else to go now, I will not bother you...¡±


    Mu Qi raised her hand and interrupted her: ¡°Big sister, you know that I am a fallen person. Where am I better than you? I should go to the streets to begging, how I can take care of you? Can¡¯t help, go somewhere else! My brother-inw has a lot of friends in Jinling City, go find them!¡±


    Wei Qi¡¯s was so angry and almost vomited blood. When she was rich there were distant rtives, when she was poor no one asked in the downtown. Who would help? It has been lucky no to beughed at?


    ¡°Sister, are you really so cruel? When youe to us, we are responsive.¡± Wei Qi was unwilling.


    Mu Qi sneered: ¡°Is it responsive? Big sister, you said really nice. I was sick on the couch. I don¡¯t even have the money to buy medicine. Qin Chu went for you to borrow some, but you sent us like a beggar.¡±


    ¡°That is because we have difficulties...¡± Wei Qi¡¯s heart was guilty.


    Mu Qi turned tomand Mu Qinchu: ¡°QinChu, take the twenty-two silver and return it to your aunt.¡±


    Mu Qinchu looked coldly at the aunt and turned into the house. He took twenty-two silvers out: ¡°Here, the 20 silvers, return to you?¡±


    Wei Qi said anxiously: ¡°What is the use of these twenty silvers?¡±


    Mu Qi sneered: ¡°Big sister, you are asking me what the use of twenty silvers is. I always wanted to ask you this! Anyway, it depend on yourself? If you were able to be generous, now I can give more, now, there is no way.¡±


    Ye Jinrong saw Mu Qi refused to ept, and her heart was mournful. It didn¡¯t matter if she sufferred hard, but her child was still so little. Follow her with this sin. How could she bear that?


    ¡°Auntie, I beg you, look at the children¡¯s share...¡± Ye Jinrong pleaded.


    Mu Qi looked at the child who was still in the cradle, and there was a touch of unbearable color in her eyes. This child had a wrong destiny! It¡¯s caused by her horrible mother. .


    Mu Qi hesitated for a moment, and said: ¡°I can¡¯t help, Qin Chu, send her away.¡±


    If you leave the small one, you had to leave a big one. She had thoroughly seen their true intention, and definitely didn¡¯t want to have any rtionship with them.


    Mu Qinchu stepped forward and said coldly: ¡°Please, my mother is still sick!¡±


    They took a long way here, bu was refused. Wei Qi frustrated and crying, crying and screaming, suddenly remembered: ¡°For the present, only to go to Yangzhou, the Wei family, your father can¡¯t ignore it.¡±


    Ye Jinrong said in her mind, he still had to rely on the big brother-inw¡¯s breath, looking the big sister¡¯s face, how to be willing to manage the Wei family¡¯s affairs, even if he epts her, she would not be better at home. But, What about the mother? No, she had to smash this burden.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t we care about father and Liujiang?¡± Ye Jinrong said.


    Wei Qi said: ¡°We can¡¯t manage ourselves, can we manage them?¡±


    Ye Jinrong said in heart, the mother-inw was so cruel, others said that the husband and wife are the same forest birds. They would fly away separately when it came a disaster. She was not so cruel, she couldn¡¯t left Liujiang, and she¡¯s thinking, ¡°Mother, At this point, the court should have not sent anyone to Jinan to check it out. We should return to Jinan immediately, and the transfer of the property should be preserved. It is a bit of preservation!¡±


    Wei Qi¡¯s words were like a p in the face. She was fainted and confused. She forgot that there was a whole family in Jinan, and there was a rich industry. If you could save a part, at least you didn¡¯t have to be hungry and freeze.


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go back to Jinan.¡±


    Ye Jinrong said: ¡°Mother, but there can be no one here! There must be someone here to inquire about the news. It is better for mother to go back to Jinan, and I will stay here. You take this money, the toll should be enough.¡±


    Wei Qi¡¯s worried, she has never been a person who travels so far, every time she travels by the master or the servants to do everything for her, she just needs to sit in the carriage and take on the boat, now she is alone to Jinan, this was a long way, she didn¡¯t know what to do!


    Ye Jinrong knew that her mother-inw was useless. She said: ¡°The daughter-inw helped mother to rent the boat, and then went to the station to send a letter to the second brother, let him go to Jining to pick up mother, there is no problem, mother, the action must be fast. If it iste, it is really the end. When the daughter-inw has a message, I will tell the family immediately. Maybe it is not necessary to have nothing to do with father and Liujiang.¡±


    Wei Qi¡¯s was moved, and she thought that she might have nothing, she suddenly gave birth to some courage.


    ¡°Okay, then I will go back to Jinan, you will stay.¡±


    Ye Jinrong sent Wei Qi to the dock, just as a merchant ship was about to leave for Jining, Ye Jinrong went to talk about the price and sent Wei Qi to the ship.


    Looking at the ship gradually drifting away, finally sent a big trouble away, Ye Jinrong looked at the arms of the baby who was not crying, noisy, red face, red, mournful, poor baby, it was all mother¡¯s bad, let you suffer with me...


    Ye Jinrong was distressed to touch the soft face of the child, but she was a shock, it was so hot, the child had a fever, no wonder it was not crying.


    Ye Jinrong was distressed with a needle, and hurriedly took the child to see the doctor.


    The doctor said that the child caught a cold and it would be nice to take a few pills.


    Ye Jinrong ask how much for medicine?


    The doctor said that it was not expensive, two silver was enough.


    Ye Jinrong habitually reached to the money bag, which was remembered, the money was in Wei Qi¡¯s, all was taken away, she was really penniless.


    One day, even if the child was ill, she couldn¡¯t afford the medicine .


    One day, she was worried about two silver.


    One day, she would be poorer than the beggers on the street.


    Ye Jinrong cred without tears, it was really desperated to die.


    She begged the doctor to give medicine and save the child. The doctor saw that the clothes she wore were not affordable for ordinary people. HE felt that she was not credible. HE thought she was a miser, and she was reluctant to spend money to treat her children. said: ¡°There is no way. If the child¡¯s illness is not treated early, it will be serious at the time, but it will be terrible. After all, the child is still so small, it can¡¯t hold long.¡±


    Ye Jinrong was driven out of the pharmacy, holding a burning red-faced child, numbly walking down the street, the streets of Jinling City were still prosperous, the bustling crowds of lonely Xiaosuo¡¯s figure became more and more miserable. Her heart was twisting, so painful, like being smashed by a knife, being boiled by boiling oil, has already reached the point where there was no way to go, what should do? What should do?


    Just the day before yesterday, she and Liu Jiang were still nning to return to Jinan to do what they wanted to do. Liu Jiang was full of confidence and said that they sold the house and had the capital. Even if they don¡¯t need subsidies, they were enough to do a small business. What¡¯s more, my mother couldnt bear to see them suffer...


    Then, the good buyer did note.


    Then, Liu Jiang was taken away the next morning.


    Could life be more ironic?


    She never knew that heaven and hell were only one step away.


    She sat on the street, holding her baby, tightly, and tears.


    Passers-by cast a curious look, a kind-hearted person even threw two copper tes at her feet, she reacted slowly, and suddenly remembered that she needed money, she was about to reach out and squat, but there was a pair of ck hands Come over, took the copper te away.


    It was a middle-aged man with a messy hair and a foul stench. Hecked an arm and said to her fiercely: ¡°This is my territory. Look at the clothes you wear, how can youe to grab the money of my. Get away...¡±


    Ye Jinrong was frightened and hurryed away.


    The heart was full of grief, she didn¡¯t not even have the qualifications to do swearing!


    Continue to walk abruptly, walked and walked to the Qinhuai River, watching the waters of the waves reflected by the setting sun, she could not help but give birth to a thought.


    Jump, jump... It¡¯s an end.


    She moved two steps forward like a magical obstacle. As long as she went further, she could be free.


    At this time, the baby in the arms suddenly burst into tears.


    Suddenly awakened her, she died, but baby is innocent? Baby is still so small, so poor and helpless, she should have a beautiful life, should not be apanied by her useless mother-inw Jumping the river...


    She shed tears and looked helpless. There were only three words in her heart.


    How to do?


    Not far from a three-story building, the cornice was steep and stands proudly on the Qinhuai River.


    She recognized there, it was heavenly residence.


    She struggled for a moment, rubbing her teeth and wiping her tears, and decided to walk to heavenly residence.

 Chapter 290 - The abandoned child

    <h4>Chapter 290: The abandoned child</h4>


    At this time of the day, Tianshang Ju Restaurant was always full of people and everyone was so busy that as if they were floating in the air.


    Little Yang was new here. Zhong Xiang firstly let him bring dishes for a few days, and then let him did something else after getting familiar with them.


    At first, Little Yang still took it lightly and thought it was just serving dishes. It was too simple.


    When he was truly working, he realized that this was not the same thing as serving dishes at Laifu Inn.


    When the business of Laifu Inn was good, there were only six or seven tables and dozens of guests, which could be easily handled. However, here, there were thirty-eight tables in the first floor`s lobby, twenty tables on the second floor and ninerge rooms on the third floor. When there were too many guests, there would even add more seats and even turning tables, dear, there would be six or seven hundred guests then.


    There were only six waiters including him, and everyone had to have a good memory, so they could remember what guests had ordered, they couldn`t miss or even misremember them, not to mention serving the wrong dishes and giving the wrong names.


    Little Yang waspletely at a loss on the first day. Fortunately, Little Lu and A Xing helped him a lot, leaving him to take charge of only a dozen tables in the lobby. Even so, he was so tired at the end of a meal. He sighed: No wonder the wages in Tianshang Ju Restaurant were the highest among all restaurants in Jinling City. None of the workers in this room, from the chef to the doorman, were ordinary.


    As soon as a table of guests ordered food, Little Yang memorized all the way to report it to the ount office. The ount office would write down the menu with a simple number and then hand it over to the kitchen. It was said the idea that recing the name of dishes with numbers was invented by the seconddy, which was simple and time ¨C saving, as long as he was familiar with it, it would definitely work.


    Little Yang scratched his head and was not sure whether the guest ordered Sixi dumplings or Sixi meat balls just now. He was about to going back to verify when he almost bumped into a person as he turned around.


    Little Yang nodded and bowed to apologize. He raised his eyes and unexpectedly found that the person he nearly hit was a beautiful young woman with a child in her arms.


    A woman brought milking baby to Tianshang Ju Restaurant for dinner? This was rare.


    However, those who came were all guests. Little Yang greeted her with a smiling face: ¡°Thisdy, our shop is full. If you are not in a hurry, you can wait for a while. There is a table of guests over there that would be finish their meal soon.¡±


    The woman looked pale and uncertain.


    Little Yang said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit there first?¡±


    There were also two square tables in the lobby to pass the time for waiting guests to drink tea, which were now empty.


    The woman bit her teeth and suddenly shoved her child into Little Yang¡¯s hand: ¡°The child is ill; you are to hand over the child to your seconddy quickly.¡±


    As soon as her finished those words, she ran away without looking back.


    Little Yang waspletely confused. After so many years of serving dishes, it was the first time that he was given a child.


    ¡°Ah, madam, who are you?¡± Little Yang immediately ran up to catch her.


    But the woman ran fast and disappeared in a second.


    Little Yang looked at the child in his arms and began to shrivel, his face flushed bright red and he was about to cry. He was busy holding and shaking for two times and hurried to find Zhong Xiang.


    In Jing¡¯ an marquis house, Ye Jiayao had already had dinner and was discussing with You about the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival tomorrow.


    Basically, ording to the usual practice in previous years, a table of good wine and good food was served, and when the moon was high, the family sat in the courtyard, eating moon cakes and drinking osmanthus wine while enjoying the moon.


    You also invited Yongning marquis¡¯wife to y leaf cards and have fun.


    The question was whether Coloured ze woulde back tomorrow?


    At today¡¯s dinner table, Chunfeng spoke few words and everyone knew what he wanted to say, but no one spoke, Chunfeng did not say in the end.


    You was determined this time. If she hadn¡¯t had the queen mother¡¯s uproar, she didn¡¯t want to pursue the matter anymore. The family was still a family, but the queen mother said so harshly that she scolded them indiscriminately. When the princess¡¯s mother-inw was so timid, she was really angry, so this time she would stay still this time and wouldn¡¯t pick up the Coloured ze or ask her toe back. If you love toe back, you woulde back, if not, she doesn`t care, and everyone would be at ease.


    You was such an attitude. Ye Jiayao naturally supported it, not to mention, not to ask, but to let her arrange tomorrow¡¯s family dinner.


    Xiangtao came in, looking a little flustered, and could not say it in front of thedy.


    You said, ¡°If you have anything else to say, go back then! Tomorrow you will have a lot of things to do.¡±


    Ye Jiayao got up and bowed down.


    Out of the door, Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°What`s wrong?¡±


    Xiangtao said, ¡°A baby was sent to Tianshang Ju Restaurant and he has been crying all the time. No one knows what to do. Heir-son Lord hasn¡¯te back yet.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went to the office. She heard that Wei¡¯family was searched and confiscated the property by the government this morning, and all the maids were taken away by the government and would be auctioned afterward. Ye Jiayao promised to return A Lian¡¯s freedom, so Xia Chunyu was asked to bring her back.


    Ye Jiayao frowned: ¡°A baby?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a small baby. People in Tianshang Ju said that a woman left her child in the restaurant and ran away, saying that the child was ill and asked to send him to you.¡±


    Qiao Xi wondered, ¡°Who, so simpleton, won`t her send her child to the doctor? Why give it to seconddy, she is not her big momma.¡±


    Ye Jiayao guessed who she was. Who else could did it besides Ye Jinrong? Government searched Wei¡¯s house, Ye Jinrong was desperate! Even can`t support a child.


    She was in a relief. She didn¡¯t care once she threw the baby to her. Did she want her to help her raises the baby? A poisonous woman, let her came to raises a child of a rotten man? What an annoying thing.


    However, the child was innocent; it was unlucky to be born in such family.


    ¡°Xiangtao, you¡¯ll call a doctor right away.¡± Ye Jiayao said primly, taking Qiao Xi to the yard.


    She couldn¡¯t let anything happen to this child, if not, Ye Jinrong would me it to her, said she killed her child.


    Shit, why so many stupid things?


    Before Ye Jiayao entered the courtyard, she heard the cry of the children inside. The cry was so piercing that the sound stuck in the throat for half a day and could not be heard, causing people to fear that the children would suffocate.


    Yingtao was about to cry when she saw her seconddying back.


    ¡°Seconddy, I can¡¯t coax the child ...¡±Yingtao had a t mouth and a sad face.


    Ye Jiayao quickly carried the baby over and waved as she walked, touching the child¡¯s forehead with her hand. She really had a fever.


    If she remembers correctly, the child¡¯s nickname should be Bao, Jinyao mentioned.


    This niece, since she was born, was the first time she saw her.


    Less than two months old, waving small hands with closed eyes and crying hard, the skin was tender and almost transparent, and the red face could see tiny blood vessels.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s coaxing didn¡¯t work for a while. She was really afraid the child would cry out, so she had to ask Qiao Xi to call Zhou Xing¡¯s family.


    There was no old man who had raised children in her yard. Aunt Jiang and Uncle Jiang went to the vige.


    Zhou Xing¡¯s family soon came and asked about the situation. She touched her finger on Bao¡¯s mouth. Bao stopped crying and cocked her mouth to suck her finger. Zhou Xing¡¯s family relieved and said with a smile, ¡°The baby is hungry.¡±


    ¡°Seconddy, you should get her some honey water first. Don¡¯t be too sweet, just a little sweet. I`ll get a bowl of rice paste.¡±


    Qiao Xi went to soak up honey water.


    Ye Jiayao held it and fed it to Bao bit by bit with a small spoon.


    Bao was obviously hungry, blinking her mouth, drinking intently and making slurping noises from time to time.


    Tears were still on her face. Her dark eyes were full of grievances and she looked at Ye Jiayao so lovely.


    Ye Jiayao was deeply distressed by the expression in her eyes, her heart was melted, her mother¡¯s love flooded, what a poor child, how long hadn`t your mother given you food?


    Qiao Xi looked aside, her eyes were also very gentle, and she said softly, ¡°Madam, this child is really good ¨C looking, her eyebrows were thin and light, her eyes were big and round, and her mouth is so powerful. She is really beautiful and clever.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled,?she was indeed a beautiful child!


    Ye Jiayao stopped feeding after feeding a few spoons of honey water. Zhou Xing¡¯s family had already gone to make rice paste. Couldn`t let her full before the rice paste was made. If she doesn`t eat rice paste, she would get hungry again after a bubble of urine.


    Bao thought she would not eat any more. She was still hungry and her mouth began to shrivel again. Tears in her big eyes were rolling down one by one.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s soft speech coaxed: ¡°Bao is good, aunt don¡¯t give you food. You should bear it first. Later aunt would give you good food ...¡±


    Qiao Xi froze and thought carefully, then understood that this was second miss Ye¡¯s child. No wonder Ye Jinrong would throw the child in the Tianshang Ju Restaurant.


    After knowing Bao¡¯s life, Qiao Xi felt more and more sorry to Bao. How could she stand on such a pair of parents?


    ¡°Herees the rice paste.¡± Zhou Xing¡¯s family ran and cried before entering the door.


    After all, Zhou Xing¡¯s child-holding posture was much more pleasing to the eye, and Bao was also very clever in her arms, eating rice paste in a big gulp.


    ¡°The child was really clever, and she has a good appetite. If she can¡¯t eat it, that`s real trouble,¡± Zhou Xing¡¯s family said.


    Ye Jiayao remembered the doctor and looked at the door, mumbling, ¡± Why does it take so long for Xiangtao to get a doctor?¡±


    Qiao Xi knew that seconddy was worried about Bao andforted her, ¡°It would take a fragrant time to walk to the nearest medicine hall. She should be back soon!¡±


    Xia Chunyu came back with A Lian and came to the door with Xiangtao and the doctor.


    ¡°Xiangtao, what¡¯s the matter? Who is ill?¡±


    Xiangtao, still unaware of Bao¡¯s life, said gloomily, ¡°Heir-son Lord, today a woman left her child in the Tianshang Ju, and she was still ill. Seconddy asked me to invite a doctor to see her.¡±


    A Lian asked, ¡°How old is the child? Is he a boy or girl?¡±


    Xiangtao gesticted about the size and said not clearly: ¡°It¡¯s about this big. I don¡¯t know about boys and girls. I haven¡¯t seen it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. It was really weird, he heard those who can`t afford a child would leave him at someone`s door, but it was the first time that he heard someone would leave child in the restaurant.

 Chapter 291 - Did I make a mistake

    <h4>Chapter 291: Did I make a mistake</h4>


    Ye Jinrong had been hiding near marquis house. When she saw a servant girl calling for a doctor, a big stone fell to the ground in her heart. Fortunately, her elder sister didn¡¯t angry with Bao and was willing to call for a doctor for Bao.


    Wasn¡¯t A Lian taken away by the government? How did Xia Chunyu just get A Lian out?


    Ye Jinrong was not a fool. She suddenly understood why. No wonder elder sister knew everything and there was spy around her.


    However, it was no longer meaningful to pursue these issues now, she was somewhat fortunate that elder sister and her husband didn¡¯t break off, so Bao could still find a refuge.


    Bao was safe. Ye Jinrongwas started to worried about Liujiang again. Was he still possible to get out this time? She didn`t consider herself at all, where to stay tonight? Would she starve to death for she had no money?


    A Lian recognized Bao at a nce. After Bao was born, she held her most often except second miss. She still had feelings for Bao and missed her very much.


    After the doctor diagnosed, he did not prescribe medicine, saying that the child was so young that it was not good to take medicine, it was just a little cold. Mixing garlic with sugar to feed the child and spread the cold out. That was indigenous method. If it didn¡¯t work, he will prescribe medicine tomorrow.


    Xia Chunyu sent the doctor out of the house. When he came back, he saw that the doors and windows were tightly closed. Yaoyao and A Lian bathed Bao in the clean room, andughter came from inside time to time.


    Xia Chunyu absented for a moment and suddenlyughed. With a child, the atmosphere in the family was different, but it was a pity that it was not he and Yaoyao¡¯s child.


    Qiao Xi asked for some clothes that the youngdy wore when she was a child from the big housewife. Soon Ye Jiayao came out with a delicious, tender Bao.


    ¡°Chunyu, you see how lovely Bao is. You see, she is sucking fingers ...¡±Ye Jiayao had been conquered by the baby in such a short time and liked here very much.


    Xia Chunyu leaned in and saw Bao with her eyes closed and her mouth smashed her fist as if she had not eaten enough.


    ¡°You little greedy cat ...¡± Xia Chunyuughed.


    Looking at such a white and lovely child, his heart became soft. Looking at Yaoyao, her eyes were soft and watery, full of the brilliance of maternal love. Who said that the woman who became a mother was the most beautiful, and Xia Chunyu could not understand it before, but understood it at the moment.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡°Such a small child has only one task. Eat and sleep well and try to grow up. Of course she likes to eat!¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at Yaoyao in a funny way. Yaoyao spoke softly to the child for fear of waking the child.


    A Lian and Qiao Xi packed up bathtubs and came out of the clean room.


    ¡°First miss, let me take care of Bao! In the past, Bao was also cared by me. ¡± A Lian said.


    Ye Jiayao carefully put Bao in her arms and said, ¡°Then you¡¯lle to take care of her, and when second misses to take Bao away, will you leave again?¡±


    A Lian did not think about where to go for a while, and could not stop worrying about Bao, so she obeyed first miss¡¯s arrangement.


    Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi to take A Lian to settle down and called Song Qi to run to the pastry room tomorrow morning and ask Jiang Yue to get some milk. The baby was so small that it was time to grow up, without breast milk, it was better to drink milk than to eat rice paste.


    Then he called Xiangtao to find the soft cotton cloth, and they cut it into two feet square and used it as a diaper for Bao.


    Xia Chunyu watched her busy and attentive to Jinrong¡¯s children, thinking that if she became a mother, she must be a very great mother.


    Just, when would they have children?


    This problem made her mind a bit heavy. Yaoyao had been recuperating her body and had been taking medicine for almost half a year. Although the imperial doctor lee said the hope was small, it still exists....


    Or he should work harder and have a better chance of sowing and harvesting.


    Atst, when Yaoyao was finished, the two men were lying on the bed. Ye Jiayao sighed faintly and said, ¡°Chunyu, do you think I¡¯ve done too much to Jinrong?¡±


    Xia Chunyu held his head in one hand and buckled her waist in the other, with a gentle smile in her eyes: ¡°Why do you think so?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rubbed against his arms, said: ¡°I just feel sorry for Bao. Look at her, she¡¯s hungry, crying profusely and still ill. If Jinrong didn¡¯t give Bao to me, I don¡¯t know what the consequences are ... the child is innocent.¡±


    ¡°But when I do that, I didn¡¯t consider Bao at all; just wanted to severely punish Jinrong.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hugged her andforted her: ¡°Jinrong should be punished and you didn¡¯t do anything wrong. Even if you don¡¯t do it, I won¡¯t let her get away with. She is the one to me. As for Bao, if you feel guilty about her and like her, you can look after her more, I won¡¯t object.¡±


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t seen Bao before. The child is really cute and clever ...¡±Ye Jiayao thought that Bao¡¯s heart was about to melt, perhaps because she was too eager to have a child, but she didn¡¯t get it all the time, so she especially liked the child.


    ¡°Our children will be more lovely in the future,¡± Xia Chunyu chuckled.


    Those words made Ye Jiayao uneasy. What if she won`t? What if she could never be a mother?


    The heart gave a hard twitch, liked being pinched by an invisible hand.


    In this case, her life would not be perfect. How could Jing¡¯ an Heir-son Lord, the future duke, have no descendent? Even if Chunyu didn¡¯t mind, will You mind? Will the duke mind? At that time, will they force Chunyu to take concubinage?


    When the mood was depressed, it was easy to think of bad things and have a vicious chain reaction.


    Did she want to share her favorite person with other women? She couldn¡¯t do it, it would be worse than killing her.


    Seeing her gradually dim look, Xia Chunyu was very distressed. He kissed her eyebrow and whispered in her ear, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will certainly have a baby.¡±


    There was another sentence that he didn¡¯t say, even if he won¡¯t have a baby, he would ept the fact because to him, she was more important than anyone or anything.


    His hand slid into her inner garment, especially tender, touching her smooth and delicate skin inch by inch, also soothing her mncholy.


    At dawn, Ye Jiayao got up and went to see Bao first. The little guy was sleeping soundly and she ordered Song Qi to get milk quickly so that Bao could wake up and drink delicious milk.


    Then she went out of the office and found Lin Changchun. She remembered Lin Changchun¡¯s daughter opened an embroidery workshop, she didn`t mean to help Ye Jinrong. She just hoped that Ye Jinrong could settle down as soon as possible and earn her own living. She knew her temper and she knew Jinrong wouldn¡¯t go back to Yangzhou to take refuge in Ye Binghuai, let alone let Yangzhou¡¯s sisters know that she had been down and out to such a situation.


    A desperate woman was easy to go astray. All she did was for the good of Bao. She didn¡¯t want Bao to have a worse mother. She hoped Ye Jinrong could turn over a new leaf this time and be a steadfast person.


    Today was the Mid ¨C Autumn Festival, many businesses were closed down and there were not many pedestrians on the road, which seemed a bit depressed, but everyone¡¯s face was full of happiness. Today was a day of family reunion. What was happier than family reunion?


    Ye Jinrong shrank in a daze walking on the street, didn¡¯t know where to go. The world was big, but there was no room for her, every family was reunited; only she was fragmented.


    Last night, she hid in the neighborhood of marquis house to spend the night. The security in that area was better; otherwise it would be too dangerous for her to sleep alone on the street.


    She shuddered at the thought that she would spend every night like this.


    One day or two was ok, but if too long, it was afraid she would really be a beggar in the long run.


    In the face of poverty and hunger, no dignity was worth mentioning.


    ¡°Get a ride ...¡± A carriage drove past, and Ye Jinrong gave way to it dully.


    However, the carriage stopped, a maid came out of the carriage, put up a notice on the street, and murmured, ¡°I really don`t understand miss. Why must I put up a notice today? Today is Mid ¨C Autumn Festival. There are few people on the street. Where can I find an embroideringdy with good sewing skills ...¡±


    Ye Jinrong looked up and saw that the notice said Ruyi Embroidery Workshop had recruited embroiderers and tried them for a month, including food and shelter....


    She had no intention of going to see the back, and the words ¡°including food and shelter¡± had already made her happy, and indeed heaven never shuts one door.


    She dared to ask, ¡°Excuse me, this old sister ...¡±


    The maid looked at her from top to bottom and from bottom to top and said, ¡°I look younger than you!¡±


    Ye Jinrong quickly changed her tune: ¡°This young sister, do you have any conditions for hiring embroideringdy?¡±


    The maid said, ¡°Of course there are conditions. Embroidery must be done well.¡±


    Ye Jinrong was delighted and took out a handkerchief to show her: ¡°I embroidered it myself. Look, can I get the job?¡±


    The maid went over to look at it and asked, ¡°Where are you from?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m from Yangzhou.¡±


    The maid returned her handkerchief and said at leisure, ¡°Ok, but in the end it will be up to our youngdy to decide. What about go with me to see my youngdy? s, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°My name is Ye Jinrong.¡±


    ¡°Ok,e with me!¡± The maid got into the carriage.


    Ye Jinrong thanked her and followed the carriage.


    The maid sitting in the carriage breathed a sigh of relief andined in her heart that the job was really not good. She was looking for this girl named Ye all over the street and had to take her to the embroidery shop without showing any trace. She did not know what she was doing. She had never heard of this woman before.


    Ye Jinrong met Lin Ruyi, the owner of Ruyi Embroidery Workshop. She was sessfully retained. Ye Jinrong almost wept with joy, and finally did not have to sleep on the streets again and could have enough food and clothing for three meals a day.


    At this moment, she didn¡¯t want to say that she was Yangzhou magistrate¡¯s apple of the eye. Second miss of Ye would one day be reduced to bing a embroider in embroidery workshop and would earn money to eat with her own hands. She only wanted to be satisfied with such treatment, and when she had saved enough money, she would bring Bao back.


    After falling from a height to a valley, her mood was already different. The reality did not allow her to have any more big dreams and unrealistic fantasies. She could only walk one step at a time.


    Before cooking dinner, Ye Jiayao got the news from the Lin¡¯s family that she was already in the embroidery workshop, and a stone fell to the ground in Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart.

 Chapter 292 - Liu Li came back

    <h4>Chapter 292: Liu Li came back</h4>


    Just before the meal, Coloured ze came back.


    In the past two days, she was on pins and needles in the pce, the queen mother ignored her, the emperor scolded her again, and the eunuches and maids who used to bow to her looked at her differently.


    She had been waiting, waiting anxiously, hoping Chunfeng woulde to pick her up. However, Chunfeng did note.


    She realized that Chunfeng wouldn¡¯te. Maybe it was not Chunfeng who didn¡¯t want toe, but the duke and You didn¡¯t let him do. They were really angry.


    During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the pce would also hold a banquet. She was asked to attend the banquet in the pce, to beughed at by prince, princess and harem concubines. She would rather be looked down upon by all the people in Jing ¡®an marquis house because she knew that Chunfeng also had her in her heart. It was enough. As long as Chunfeng didn¡¯t give her a supercilious look, she only cared about Chunfeng in the world.


    Therefore, she came back, despondently, unable to hold up her noble and proud head any longer and stood in front of You with her head down in fear and trembling.


    You stared at her for a long time and said, ¡± I know this incident is not yourint, but it is because of you. I hope this is thest time you do something wrong. The duke and I are too old to bear it any more.¡±


    Coloured ze nodded slowly and said weakly, ¡± no¡±


    You sighed helplessly: ¡± All those pce maids in your yard will be sent back to the pce. I will send a woman to bring some maids tomorrow. You will pick some maids to use. I am not targeting at you or do something to you, but you also know that there is a queen mother¡¯s eyeliner here. Otherwise, the queen mother don¡¯t know about this. I want you to live a good life with Chunfeng and get along with her sister-inw, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Although this was a question, You didn¡¯t mean to consult to her or discuss it with her. ¡± If you want toe back, you have to listen to my arrangement ¡°.


    Coloured ze did not dare refuse, saying, ¡± I¡¯ll just leave Little Ya behind, others, I¡¯ll let them go back.¡±


    ¡± Little Ya first can¡¯t stay, you do those things, will she not know?As your close-fitting girl, she not only don¡¯t advise you, but also help you to make suggestions. It will be a disaster to keep such people around sooner orter, ¡± You insisted.


    She had eaten more salt than they had eaten rice, the master was not in the right mind, and the maid around her stirred up again, so she could do anything. Therefore, she could no longer hold Little Ya.


    Coloured ze was embarrassed: ¡± Mother, Little Ya serves me from an early age ...¡±


    ¡± Because of this, she can¡¯t stay. She can do anything for you. I can¡¯t let her hurt you, and you don¡¯t want to hurt her.¡±


    Coloured ze eyes filled with tears and choked with sobs: ¡± Mother, leave Little Ya, I won¡¯t make such mistake again.¡±


    She had been apanied by Little Ya for so many years, and she could only tell Little Ya her feelings. If Little Ya went away, there would be no amiable and credible person around her.


    You looked at her pathetic appearance, where she was proud of being a princess everyday, and felt a little softhearted.


    ¡± Well, let her stay for a while. If anything bad happens again, I will be the first not to spare her.¡± You backed down a step.


    Coloured ze nodded: ¡± Thank you mother.¡±


    You sighed silently: ¡± You go back to the house and change your clothes first, and you will have dinnerter. Chunfeng has been looking forward to your return.¡±


    Hearing this, Coloured ze¡¯s eyes shed a bit clear,?bowed the knees and leaved.


    As soon as I went out, I saw Chunfeng standing outside the door.


    Tears of Coloured ze¡¯s injustice could no longer stop and drip down.


    Chunfeng took her by the hand and walked into his yard. He came back to the room to exin: ¡± I really want to pick you up, but you know, my father and mother are scolded by queen mother that day, and they are in a bad mood these days. I couldn¡¯t mention it either. I think for a few days, when my father and mother are out of breath, I¡¯ll pick you up again.¡±


    Coloured ze swooped into his arms and sobbed, ¡± I know you won¡¯t leave me alone, Chunfeng. I¡¯ll listen to youter and won¡¯t argue with Ye Jinxuan any more.¡±


    As long as Chunfeng still cared about her, even if people all over the world abandoned her, she would not be afraid.


    Chunfeng held her in his arms and held her tightly.


    He knew that she had done somethings wrong, but it couldn¡¯t all me her, because the queen mother doted on her and handled all troubles. Over time, she lost her sense of right and wrong and became arrogant and capricious. Now, she was willing to change herself bit by bit for him, that was enough. However, such changes would take time, not to say that they could be changed in a short period of time, but he would help her change.


    Even if everyone scoffed at her, he still cherished her and this feeling, because only he could see that she also had a good side.


    As soon as Coloured ze left, You held up her forehead and sighed. ¡± Madam, don¡¯t worry. I think this time the thirddy really change her mind.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m afraid she didn¡¯t have a long memory and will forget it after a while,¡± You said.


    Mother Sun said, ¡± There¡¯s no need to worry about that. the seconddy is difficult to deal with. This time, the thirddy¡¯s n isprehensive, but she has been fully confessed by the seconddy¡¯s few words.¡±


    Ye Jiayao pped Coloured ze twice that day, and You also knew it.


    ¡± As for the seconddy, there was no need to worry about it. The seconddy is not a person who bears grudges. You see, the seconddy¡¯s sister has hurt her so much, but she still taken Bao.¡±


    ¡± I hope so,¡± You said sullenly.


    Ye Jiayao made only a few dishes that the duke and You loved to eat today, and the rest was handed over to the kitchen maid.


    There were two tables full of delicious food and sweet osmanthus wine, just smelling and watching would make people drool.


    The third uncle¡¯s family also came over to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. It was a lot of fun for the two families to gather together.


    As soon as You and the duke arrived, they meet each other and sat down in chronological order.


    Zhou also took part in the previous events, so she was guilty these days and did not dare toe over. Now she felt everything was over, so she had deliberately courted Ye Jiayao and praised her: ¡± Jinxuan¡¯s skill of cooking is getting better and better.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled faintly and perfunctorily said, ¡± You are ttered.¡±


    ¡± Ah, all people are here? Why don¡¯t I see Chunfeng?¡± Zhou swept round without finding Chunfeng and asked.


    The duke thought by himself: Chunfeng this stinky boy was too disappointing. Wasn¡¯t it just that the thirddy didn¡¯te back? Why he was slouchy and despondent all day? Today he clearly knew about the Mid-Autumn Festival, but he still was so slow that let everyone wait for him alone. didn¡¯t he feel ashamed? He said, ¡± we¡¯re not waiting for him.¡±


    At that time You said, ¡± I think we¡¯d better wait a little longer. The Mid-Autumn Festival always requires family reunion.¡±


    Some people still didn¡¯t know about the return of Coloured ze.


    Xia Chunyu got up and said, ¡± I¡¯ll go and see my third brother.¡±


    The duke motioned him to sit down and said, ¡± look, he¡¯s not a three-year-old child.¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t see him, he wille,¡± You said, and asked Zhou Xing¡¯s family to add another pair of chopsticks to the women¡¯s table.


    Ye Jiayao understood that Coloured ze came back, but she didn¡¯t know whether it was Chunfeng who brought her back, or You¡¯smand, or Coloured ze herself.


    The people of Zhou Xing¡¯s family wanted to add bowls and chopsticks to Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand. You said, ¡± Jinxuan, sit by my side.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused. Wasn¡¯t this ... inappropriate?


    The ancients had many rules. When The family had a meal, all the positions were exquisite. The first seat was reserved for the eldest, and then they were arranged from elder to young.


    In this way, she went over sister-inw Joe¡¯s.


    You nodded to Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao just remembered that You said she would take charge of her family after the announcement today.


    Damn it, how could she forget such an important thing! How dare she!


    The people of Zhou Xing¡¯s family?had put her bowl and chopsticks on You¡¯s side, and Ye Jiayao had to sit there.


    At the same time everybody guessed what would happen.


    Zhou thought: was it not You who want to frighten Coloured ze?


    Joe¡¯s thought: There no doubt that the mother-inw wanted the seconddy to be in charge, otherwise, it was only necessary to ce Coloured ze behind the seconddy.


    Xia Chunyu was also confused and did not know what was the mother thinking. No matter what mother¡¯s mind was, it would not be a bad thing to raise Yaoyao in this way.


    ¡± The third young master and the thirddy areing in.¡± The maid waiting outside the gate preached.


    Chunfeng¡¯s hand held Coloured ze tightened, which meant there was no need to worry. Coloured ze pursed her lips. But no matter how she would face the situation sooner orter, it was no use worrying.


    Two people came in tandem.


    When the duke saw Coloured ze behind Chunfeng, he knew the reason why thedy had to wait.


    ¡± Father, mother, child iste.¡± Chunfeng was sorry so that he made an obeisance by cupping one hand in the other before his chest.


    The duke said lightly, ¡± You know you¡¯rete. Why don¡¯t you hurry up?¡±


    ¡± Yes, it¡¯s the child¡¯s fault.¡± Chunfeng repeatedly pleaded guilty.


    You said slowly, ¡± Since everyone is here, Let¡¯s eat!¡±


    Coloured ze sat down in the only vacant seat. This was not her original position, but it was empty. She had no choice but to sit down and When she looked around, she only found that Ye Jinxuan was sitting in her seat, which symbolized her identity and position. Although she had decided not topete with Ye Jinxuan, she still couldn¡¯t help it.


    Did You threaten her? As soon as she came back, You said that she would change the maid around her, and had already given her a great duel. was this not enough? Did she want to embarrassed her again in front of all people?


    The wine was full, and as the head of the family, the duke would say a few opening remarks.


    ¡± It has been years since thest Mid-Autumn Festival family reunion. I hope that in the future, people would be so round and harmonious.¡±


    You smiled: ¡± On this happy day, everyone is present, and I also announce one thing.¡±


    You paused, looked at Ye Jiayao around her and said, ¡± From today on, Jinxuan will be in charge of the whole family-Jing¡¯an marquis house. She is the mistress of the family, and her words are mine. I hope everyone will look after each other more.¡±


    Instantly, the looks of present people were different and thought differently.

 Chapter 293 - Announced that take charge of

    <h4>Chapter 293: Announced that take charge of</h4>


    Some people were d and some worried about You¡¯s decision.


    Qiao was prepared early. Her second brother was the prince and heir to the title. Her second sister-inw would be in charge of the family sooner orter, but this day hade too soon.


    Zhou¡¯s sorrow was that Ye Jiayao was smarter and more difficult to deal with than You, and it would be difficult to get any benefits from this side in the future. She wanted to oppose it, but she dared not raise it. If the objection was invalid, she would be thankless.


    The most embarrassing one was Coloured ze. She knew very well that You was telling her that Ye Jinxuan would have the final say in the future. But wasn¡¯t it Chunyu and Ye Jinxuan going to move out? How Ye Jinxuan could still host the feed?


    Were they hoodwinking the queen mother? This was a crime of deceiving your king.


    The innocent Chunli poked his second brother with his elbow and asked, ¡± Don¡¯t you want to move out, second brother?¡±


    Although the voice was low, the room was very quiet at the moment, and everyone heard it.


    The duke tiger red at him and asked him not to be talkative.


    Chunli bitterly raised his eyebrows andmented in his heart that he was right again. The emperor also gave the residence.


    You?said, ¡± The house is too dpidated and it will take a long time to repair. Even if you open the house and live in another ce, it will not affect Jinxuan¡¯s charge. They are all in the same city and it will take a long time.¡±


    The implication was that even if?live separately, Ye Jinxuan was also the mistress of the family.


    Qiao was clever for a time and said with a smile, ¡± I can¡¯t help my mother when she is working hard. Being pregnant at the moment is even more troublesome to her. My heart is very uneasy and my two younger siblings are virtuous and capable. It¡¯s the best way to help her share her worries.¡±


    Zhou looked at Coloured ze with gray eyes and secretly despised it. It was useless for a princess to be born in a small family.


    The direction of the wind was already clear. Zhou said with a roar: ¡± Congrattions to your sister-inw first, and you can finally unload the heavy load. I don¡¯t have a sister-inw to live with. Chunwen¡¯s daughter-inw doesn¡¯t even have a shadow yet!¡±


    Coloured galze looked at the smiling faces without knowing whether they were true or false, and felt her face are burning like being pped a few times.


    It was a good reality to be defeated by the king.


    Ye Jiayao wanted everyone to raise objections so that you could dispel the idea. But it was all echo. Even Chunguo,?apuded happily. It seemed that things were certain and could not be pushed away.


    At a family dinner, the two sides enjoyed each other. But whether the tip of the tongue was enjoyable or the heart was really happy, Ye Jiayao did not know.


    The men were still drinking, and the women withdrew first. Coloured ze said she was ufortable and would like to go back to rest and woulde backter when it was the time for?moon worship.


    Chunfeng was worried about Coloured ze all the time, so he said he was full and then followed.


    Chunli sneered, ¡± Our three brothers are more hopeless than one in the matter of henpecked.¡±


    Chunyu disagreed and walked over. ¡± That¡¯s not fear, eldest brother. Have you never heard of it??Women are water, aquatic gold and gold. The better one treat his wives, the richer they will be.¡±


    Chunli was surprised: ¡± Is there such a statement?¡±


    Chunyu looked like he liked to believe it or not. He also just listened these words from Yaoyao,?he felt that these should be said. If he was good to his wife, his family would be harmonious and his family and everything would be happy. Of course, he didn¡¯t mean to hurt Yaoyao for what purpose. First, he really liked it. Second, if a woman had entrusted her heart and soul to you, how could you not treat her kindly?


    However, there were too few people in this world who could think like this. In a society where men were superior to women, women gave everything for men, and that should be the case in men¡¯s eyes.


    When Chunfeng returned to the house, Coloured ze was wiping tears there. Xiaoya whispered to her. When she saw himing, Xiaoya stopped her mouth and said she would make tea under the pretext of avoiding it.


    Chun Feng walked over, sat down next to her, smiled and said, ¡± Mother¡¯s decision is quite unexpected, but sooner orter, she will give the family to sister ¨C in ¨Cw. It¡¯s not bad to let her get acquainted with everything. As for you and me, there are still two years to go to the fief. Who is in charge of the family has nothing to do with it?¡±


    Coloured ze disgruntled way: ¡± That also need not at this time! Mother still can¡¯t forgive me. ¡±


    Chunfeng hugged her on the shoulder and said, ¡± You don¡¯t think much about it. Mother is not such a person. It may be a series of events that have made her feel tired before she came up with the idea of unloading the heavy load.¡±


    Coloured ze thought of Chunfeng¡¯s so-called spate of events, which she made, and she couldn¡¯t help being annoyed and failed to frame up. Instead, she helped Ye Jinxuan a lot. This was called lifting a stone to hit her own foot.


    ¡± I know, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t adapt to it, and my heart is blocked with panic.¡± Coloured ze murmured. That Qiao, who had always been coquettish and ttering in front of her, now turned to kowtowing to Ye Jinxuan, and three aunt Zhou, who devalued Ye Jinxuan in front of her, were now smiling at Ye Jinxuan.


    All of them were snobs.


    ¡± It¡¯s good to ept it. It¡¯s better for us to have a happy life for ourselves than anything else,¡± Chunfeng said with relief.


    Liuli was silent. It was a foregone conclusion. What was the use of her opposition? Now in this Hou Fu, even Qiao¡¯s words were more important than hers.


    It was true that a phoenix without hair is inferior to a chicken. She was the sad phoenix.


    In the main hall.


    Zhou was asking You what programs You have in the evening?and whether You want to y cards?


    You said Mrs Yongning Hou wouldeter.


    Zhou had just asked casually if she had nothing to say. She had already decided on a match with someone else. When she heard that Mrs. Yongning Hou wasing, she immediately left the decided match behind.


    ¡± That¡¯s great. I¡¯m worried about how to pass the time in the evening,¡± Zhou said happily.


    Qiao took Niuniu to the side to y with Chunguo and Minrui. However, Chunguo heard that there was a lovely little sister in Second sister-inw¡¯s yard, so he was determined to go and see her and refused to y with Niuniu, causing Niuniu to cry. Minrui was very sorry and asked Chunguo to go to see Baoer himself. He stayed to y with Niuniu, and Niuniu was happy.


    Qiao said to Ye Jiayao, ¡± Minrui is a good boy, a good reader, a steady person and a young adult.¡±


    When Zhou heard this, he turned her head and said with a smile, ¡°Chunli¡¯s wife, you like Minrui so much that you can have a young marriage.¡±


    Qiao felt embarrassed, she didn¡¯t have that idea, Minrui was ten years older than Niuniu!


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± You said. ¡± How old is Niuniu? She¡¯s so young.¡±


    However, She was thinking that if Minrui could wait, it would be a good marriage. Fang was also a big family in Zhenjiang, with strong financial resources, Minrui himself would have a good future. Of course, this was another story.


    Lin Kun¡¯s servant came in to answer, saying that the yard was ready to go.


    You looked at the hour and asked, ¡± Is it over between the duke and the third master?¡±


    Lin Kun¡¯s servant replied: ¡± Not yet!¡±


    You frowned and said, ¡± Please, don¡¯t drink too much.¡±


    In ancient times, the worship of the moon was also very solemn, offering sacrifices to the moon¡¯s mother ¨C in ¨Cw and praying for disaster relief.


    The ceremony was presided over by You, but it required the whole family to arrive to show sincerity and to symbolize family reunion and harmony.


    After that, there was freedom of movement.


    Thedies were sitting in the yard enjoying the moon while the children were frolicking. Chunguo also asked Arlene to bring Bao over.


    Lovely Bao immediately won everyone¡¯s love. This one was all vying for a hug, even the Coloured ze was reaching out to hold Bao.


    It was the literati¡¯s job to admire the moon, and it was the women¡¯s job to tease the children.


    The duke was a clown who was not interested in any of these things. He was interested in drinking, but he also needed rivals to drink. He often drank with the militarymanders on weekdays, all of whom were generous honest and frank generation. It was a good time to drink.


    The third brother was a schr and couldn¡¯t hold his capacity for liquor. He couldn¡¯t bear to chew the words and phrases after drinking a cup. The duke simply pulled Chunli and Chunyu to double ¨C buckle.


    Chunyu didn¡¯t want to y and felt sorry to win the money of the family, but it was still a game with no trace of losing. It was really a torture. It was better to go and see Yao to y cards. Mother said several times that Yao¡¯s skill was superb. He wondered if he hadn¡¯t yed double-button with Yao and didn¡¯t see how well she yed, but he lost miserably that time and never yed with him again.


    Was it Yao that was hidden, or was it their mother¡¯s skill really too bad? Chunyu was a little curious.


    However, his father told people to y cards and follow the military orders. He had a posture of being beheaded by those who disobeyed his orders. Xia Chunyu had to crustily skin of head.


    Dark sigh or Chunfeng was clever, and he hid early and disappeared.


    The men¡¯s war had already begun, and You didn¡¯t wait long. Mrs yongning Hou came with her second daughter ¨C in ¨Cw.


    Because of Zhou¡¯s participation, Ye Jiayao gave up and wanted to talk with Zhao Qixuan¡¯s younger sibling. As a result, Laozhao¡¯s younger sibling sat down beside Luili and chatted with her. She was happy to watch it for a while. Qiao said she would go back first, then she left and hold Bao back to her yard.


    The doctor said that the earthwork was really effective. Bao was much better and morefortable. He also had delicious milk to drink. The child¡¯s request was so simple that he smiled when he met it andughed when he made herugh.


    Ye Jiayao loved this baby with milk fragrance. How could such a lovely creature melt the heart of a person with a toothless mouth?


    in, worried that Elder Miss was too tired today, said, ¡± Elder MIss, you should rest early. You¡¯ve been busy all day, and the handmaiden took Little Miss out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not willing to give up: ¡± She is good and happy now. Please go down first and I¡¯ll y with her for a while.¡±


    Qiao Xi smiled and winked at ine. The?young mistress hadn¡¯t been so happy for a long time. Let Miss Bao apany her.


    Alian understood and excused herself first.?She could not rest assured when she left. She talked to Qiao Xi that if Miss Bao criedter and if they could not handle it, they could call her.


    Qiao Xi said with a smile that she knew and sent Alian out of the door.


    Ye Jiayao put Bao on the bed, held her small hand and talked to her.


    ¡± Bao, don¡¯t worry, your mother has a ce to live now. She wille to pick you up soon. Your mother won¡¯t abandon you. ...¡±


    Bao shook her small fist and put her finger into her mouth. Her big eyes were bright and smiling at Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± However, aunts are reluctant to give up on you ...¡± Ye Jiayao sighed.

 Chapter 294 - What about sucking yours?

    <h4>Chapter 294: What about sucking yours?</h4>


    When Xia Chunyu came back from the match, he saw the big ¡°baby¡± and the little baby sleeping in the bed with milk bubbles in his cute mouth and Yao¡¯s face sticking to his cute face, sleeping peacefully.


    The scene was so sweet that he cannot bear to disturb it.


    His position was upied by the cute little girl, but he was not annoyed at all. He carefully tucked the two ¡°babies¡± in and went out softly. After washing up, he fetched a lounge chair and put it beside the bed. He fetched a nket and slept on the lounge chair.


    Yao yao didn¡¯t sleep in a good manner, bur he could put up with being kicked, but the little ¡°cute¡± could not. So he had to watch it in case the little baby falls down.


    The moonlight was as bright as silver tonight. Even if the light is turned off, the sleeping face of the two people could be clearly seen.


    He couldn¡¯t help thinking how happy they will be if one day, the three of them can sleep in one bed.


    Er ... it seems wrong. the bed is too small to allow three people to sleep together. what if the child is pressed?


    Well, it¡¯s good to split the Wangong bed. And it¡¯s time to change for a bigger bed. I¡¯ll do it tomorrow. We can¡¯t always live in the east room.


    In the midnight, Bao Er suddenly began to cry. Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu woke up immediately. With an unspoken understanding, One picked up Bao Er and the other went to light themp.


    ¡± What¡¯s the matter with Bao Er?¡± Xia Chunyu asked anxiously.


    Ye Jiayao wiped Bao Er¡¯s ass with a smile: ¡± bed-wetting.¡±


    Qiao Xi also woke up and came in dressed.


    ¡± Qiao Xi went to fetch a basin of hot water and bring a piece of clean diaper.¡±


    After a while, the three finally cleaned up the little ass of Bao Er, but he still cried.


    ¡± What¡¯s the matter with this?¡± Xia Chunyu was be vexed by Bao Er¡¯s cry, he was only adept in coaxing adult, but coaxing children was beyond his ability. He can¡¯t do it at all!


    ¡± Is he hungry?¡± Qiao Xi heard from A Lian that there are generally only two reasons foe children crying. one is that they feel ufortable after wetting the bed and the other is that they are hungry.


    Ye Jiayao learned from Zhou Xing¡¯s family and touched the corners of Bao Er¡¯s mouth with his index finger. Bao Er¡¯s mouth immediately tilted to one side, which obviously showed he wanted to eat.


    Uh ... he is really hungry as expected.


    Qiao Xi said, ¡± I¡¯m going to heat the milk.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at Bao Er¡¯s lovely foraging expression, and learned to tease Bao Er, poor Bao Er, who couldn¡¯t eat anything while he made efforts to forage food by tilting his head, cried immediately.


    Ye Jiayaoined, ¡± why are you ying tricks on her? It made her cry.¡±


    Xia Chunyu knew he had done something wrong and murmured, ¡± If only you had breast milk, you could solve the problem at any time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him, what?She didn¡¯t have a baby. How could she get the milk?


    Xia Chunyu had a sudden whim and said: ¡°Maybe you can have a try, in case you can really suck out milk.¡±


    Ye Jiayao really wants to kick him. Do you have anymon sense? If it could be sucked out, the milk had already been sucked out by him early.


    ¡± You also have two small beans?Why don¡¯t you try it?¡± Ye Jiayao red at him.


    Xia Chunyu was speechless. She shouldpared his nipples to beans.


    ¡± I am a man.¡± Xia Chunyu said sadly.


    Ye Jiayao added ¡± you are a brainless man.¡±


    Fortunately, Qiao Xi moved quickly. Soon, the hot milk was ready, which was mixed with warm water. ye jiayao spooned a little bit of it on the back of her hand to test the temperature, that¡¯s what TV taught her.


    ¡± Yes, Chunyu,e to hold Bao Er.¡± Ye Jiayao gave him some assignments to do in case he made sarcasticments.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head repeatedly: ¡± No, no, I¡¯m afraid of holding this soft thing.¡±


    So small, so tender, if he doesn¡¯t master the strength, will he hurt the child?


    Ye Jiayao patted the edge of the bed: ¡± Sit down.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sat down.


    ¡± Open your hand.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened his hands obediently, and Ye Jiayao put Bao Er in his hand.


    How light ... Xia Chunyu did not dare to move, and his whole body was stiff.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him as if he were a enemy. She felt funny that such a fearless royal highness of Jing An Hou should be overwhelmed by a child.


    ¡± This hand should be taller.¡± Ye Jiayao helped him correct his posture.


    Qiao Xi also wanted tough on seeing this, the prince¡¯s expression was so funny.


    Bao Er, who drank milk, finally stopped crying. He drank it with great enjoyment andined that Ye Jiayao feed too slowly, showing his protesting by waving his hands and kicking his legs from time to time.


    The little thing in the palm move around, making Xia Chunyu more nervous, lest she fall down.


    ¡± Ah, Yao, can you let her not touch?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said crossly: ¡± You can¡¯t even hold a child?¡±


    ¡± No, I really dare not hug it.¡± Xia Chunyu was sad and his face was not very good.


    Qiao Xi quipped, ¡± the prince should practice the skill now and you can know how to hold it when you had a baby.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart suddenly quivered at this, and now she is afraid to hear such words.


    Finally, Bao Er was full. Qiao Xi warned: ¡± ine said that when the child is full, we should hold him upright for a while, pat him on the back and let him belch out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao intentionally read Chunyu¡¯s joke: ¡± This task is up to you.¡±


    Xia Chun Yu was already sweating all over with nervousness. Smell speech screamed: ¡± You asked me to pat her?Will he be taken down by my hand and all the milk will spit ... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Qiao Xi looked at each other and were really afraid that can not control the strength well.


    Qiao Xi said with a smile, ¡± Let me do it,I will take her to Arlene.¡±


    It¡¯ste at night, and there¡¯s still work to be done after dawn for Second Daughter and Second Daughter, they can¡¯t be too tired.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t do such a technical job. Children¡¯s bones were still soft and it wasn¡¯t so easy to hold her up. She wrapped Bao Er in a cloak and told him, ¡± Be careful, don¡¯t let Bao Er suffer the wind.¡±


    After leaving Bao Er, Ye Jiayao fell heavily on the bed. Nima, it¡¯s really hard to take care of children. It¡¯s difficult to be a mother.


    Xia Chunyu also breathed a sigh of relief andy down: ¡± Atst I gained back my territory.¡±


    Ye Jiayao grabbed his arm rudely, pillow it up and nestledfortably in his arms.


    Xia Chunyule hugged her and said with a smile, ¡± I have taken back my ce as well as you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, for the sake of?he sleeping on the sleeping chair, stopped teasing him, circled on his chest: ¡± Chunyu, my mother asked me to take charge of the family duties but I didn¡¯t have so much time to manage the family affairs.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sped her waist with one hand and said, ¡± It was quite unexpected, but I saw you are calm and thought you and your mother had agreed to it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said ruefully, ¡± My mother mentioned to me before and wanted me to let you tell your mother that don¡¯t give it to me so soon, but ... I forgot, I forgot such an important thing.¡±


    Xia Chunyu lost his smile: ¡± There¡¯s no way out. It¡¯s already been announced. Besides, if you don¡¯t take charge of it, your mother should be unhappy. However, you don¡¯t have to worry. I think your mother just confirms your status first, which is good for you. She won¡¯t throw everything to you all the time.¡±


    ¡± I was afraid of something getting wrong. There are too many things to do now,¡± Ye Jiayao sighed.


    Xia Chunyu hugged her: ¡± It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, it doesn¡¯t matter if there is something wrong. No one can never make a mistake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao walked into the pie mouth: ¡± That¡¯s what you said.¡±


    If she does something wrong, others will think she is ipetent and unqualified, and her prestige will be greatly reduced. Well, she is still a very strong person in her heart. No matter what she does or does not do, she will do it well. Anyhow, Virgo requires perfection and can¡¯t afford to be hurt.


    At the thought of Virgo, Ye Jiayao suddenly raised her head and looked at him bitterly,ining, ¡± Xia Chunyu, you are such an asshole.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought she was referring to the incident in which he injured Lu Xiaotian, causing her to take so many lessons. He was guilty and said, ¡± I have already made a mistake, don¡¯t double-check the old scores again, ok?Let it go if he is unhappy in the past. Let¡¯s look forward ... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say something different from what he thought. He gnashed his teeth and said, ¡± It¡¯s all your fault. I didn¡¯t have a birthday this year.¡±


    Xia Chunyu paused, then pped his forehead. God, he forgot that Yao¡¯s birthday was on the 6th of August. He remembered it all a while ago. As a result, he was only indulged in envying in those days.


    ¡± Hum, what a pleasant speech you have said. Actually, there is no such practical thing as it. I was given a birthday present early by someone who wanted to. you are a?failed husband. You are utterly unforgivable.¡±


    Xia Chunyu listened to her praise of the scenery, but it was a burst of envying, but he did not dare to show it. He also had to apologize sincerely: ¡± I¡¯m sorry, Yao, can I make up for your birthday?¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned a supercilious look: ¡± In our hometown, birthdays can not be made up for. It is not lucky to do so. You have no chance.¡±


    Uh ... is there anything else?


    ¡± That make-up birthday gift, ok?What do you like?¡± Xia Chunyu is always ttering.


    Ye Jiayao looked askance at him and slurped: ¡± You said you didn¡¯t have sincerity, that¡¯s true, and you wouldn¡¯t even spend time thinking about gifts. You are just going to give me what I said.¡±


    The gift is not valuable, she cares only about his sincerity. Now think about it, no matter what he gives her, she will not be happy. Forgetting it means negligence, but it¡¯s her birthday, once a year.


    Xia Chun said in his heart: Woman¡¯s minds are the hardest to ponder, but if he doesn¡¯t perform well this time, Yao yao will surely bear the grudges for the rest of her life. ¡± I¡¯m not toozy to think about it, I¡¯m just eager to make up for it. Well, I¡¯ll ponder over this gift carefully, and I¡¯ll manage a great birthday party for you next year, ok?¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him and threatened to him: ¡± If you dare to forget again, I will forget you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± I dare not, I have already engraved it on my heart. I will not forget you, even if I forget myself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face changed a little. ¡± Actions speak louder than words. I want to see your practical actions.¡±


    ¡± Well, you just wait and expect for it, I swear that you won¡¯t be disappointed.¡± Xia Chunyu promised repeatedly, and also thought about the gift.

 Chapter 295 - Where did you go

    <h4>Chapter 295: Where did you go</h4>


    The next morning, Ye Jiayao was called by You and she also gathered all the stewards in the spacious porch.


    Last night, everything she wanted to take charge of was all over the house, and everyone had different thoughts.


    Some people thought that seconddy was capable, and the Heavenly Residence was the best example. Marquis house must be in her hands.


    Some people thought that seconddy was highly rewarded and severely punished. Look at all the people in seconddy¡¯s yard who were being obeyed by her. The madam¡¯s rules were also strict, but the methods were much milder than those of seconddy.


    Some people thought it was nothing. Didn¡¯t you see the people of the second house were cheerful and energetic all day? Apparently, the rules were a little stricter, but all the staff were in a good mood!As long as you didn¡¯t do anything wrong, the benefits would only be more.


    In a word, everyone thoroughly analyzed and discussedst night, and now stood here, most people were still looking forward to seconddy as the head of the house.


    You said, ¡± You must already know that seconddy is going to be the head. In the future, what she says will be what I say. If anyone dares to disobey me, whether you are proud or experienced, don¡¯t me me for not thinking about it and do whatever you deserve.¡±


    You intimidated first, and all the people standing here were those she had reused for many years. There was no doubt about her ability and loyalty, but there was no guarantee that someone would cheat Jinxuan¡¯s youth and despised her, so she had to put the ugly words before.


    A silence swept over, the madam already said such words. She meant exactly what she said. If anyone dared to challenge the power of the new leader at this time, he was really stupid and hopeless.


    You paved the way for her and built the bridge. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to say much, but she said that everything should be done ording to the local conditions. She would look at everyone¡¯s performance first, and then would get familiar with everything, finally she would master it and implement her own management method. A smooth transition was very important. She didn¡¯t agree with the behavior of the new officer when he took office. When you were new, you didn¡¯t know anything, or understand anything, let alone make any good decisions.When they were proved inappropriate and overthrown, wasn¡¯t it hitting your face?Or you would insist the mistake to the end?


    You saw that everyone¡¯s reaction was rtively calm and so was Ye Jinxuan. She thought there should be no problem and went back first.


    Housekeeper Zhong presented a list of all the servants, and Mr. Mo in the ount office also held the ount books for the past three years. Ye Jiayao still had to go to ss at the moment. So she just let them put there and checked themter.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao arrived at the training ss, she saw Deng Haichuan waiting there.


    ¡± Seconddy ...¡±


    ¡± Haichuan, is that Princess Yu having something?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao in a hurry.


    Deng Haichuan looked around and Ye Jiayao understood, ¡± Youe with me to the back hall.¡±


    After entering the back hall, Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi to go out.


    Deng Haichuan said: ¡± Princess Yu overhears some news as if it is rted to Helian Prince. How about it? Princess Yu is not very clear, but she doesn¡¯t feel very good. Let me tell yourdy and ask Helian¡¯ family to pay more attention to it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank. Was it Prince Yu¡¯s attempt to harm Helian¡¯s family? Helian¡¯ family was a strong supporter of the prince, especially Helian Xuan, who held heavily armed forces and was most frightening.


    ¡± I see, you go back and let Princess Yu be careful. Don¡¯t ask about anything and make Prince Yu suspicious of her.¡± Ye Jiayao ordered, though only a few words were heard, but they were crucial, she didn¡¯t want A Ruan to take risks.


    After Deng Haichuan left, Ye Jiayao was uneasy and had no mind to attend the ss. It happened that Duan Qilin came to see her, and she caught Duan Qilin and asked him to help her take part in the half-day ss and find Chunyu herself.


    Chunyu told masons and carpenters to go to Nangong¡¯s house today to take out the repair n as soon as possible, so he would immediately ask the queen mother and the emperor for money.


    Ye Jiayao went straight to Nangong¡¯s house.


    However, there was no one there.


    Ye Jiayao doubted in her heart. It was impossible to be so fast. Chunyu came out of the office with her. Was this guy lying to her?


    Xia Chunyu did want to go to the house, but before he did, he had more important things. He didn¡¯t sleep wellst night and was thinking about birthday gifts. Sending gold, silver and white jade was too tacky. Yaoyao liked small animals, but Little Jing already sent Little Ji and Little Rui. If he sent them again, he would fell behind.


    Yaoyao said that what she paid attention to was the mind, so what did Yaoyao need most now? Yaoyao was bitterly upied. Of course, what she was most needed was a good helper.Then it was better to find her a good helper.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, if you turn around the mountain, you¡¯ll go to Guiyun Temple¡± Song Qi said, pointing to the front.


    Xia Chunyu squinted at the mountains in front of him. The forest was deep and secluded. He squeezed his legs: ¡± Big ck, run fast again ...¡±


    Big ck scattered his hooves and sped off like a meteor on the moon.


    Big ck thought, it wasn¡¯t easy to be faster? He liked to be quick in order to show his skill, but it was a pity that there was no lovely mare on the side to see it.


    Song Qi¡¯s horse and Big ck were not the same grade at all. In a short time, Song Qi was thrown out of the distance. He was so anxious that he waved his whip and urged, ¡± Are you the unintelligent horse or not? You stupid mule!¡±


    Xia Chunyu came to Yun ¡®an to find someone. He heard that the legendarydy Rong was returning to Yun ¡®an. She did not lose her hair but was a disciple of ayman.


    Mrs Rong had no children. Since her husband died, she came to Yun ¡®an to study Buddhism and prayed for her dead husband.


    Xia Chunyu met Madam Rong without much effort. After half an hour of discussion with her, she talked about Ye Jiayao¡¯s ideal and promoting Chinese food culture. Yaoyao said these were treasures left by ancestors and cannot be buried in the long history.


    Mrs Rong looked cool at first and did not dare to be interested at all. Gradually, she was tempted. there was such a woman in the world, who regarded the so-called cooking as treasure, determined to inherit and carry forward it, and wanted to have a passion for it.


    She was also a woman and had the same exquisite cooking skills, but the family had such a big heart, opening sses and teaching and promoting food culture, which was not only word but also true. But she only wanted to cook for her favorite person. Her heart died after her lover died, and she never washed her hands and did not make soup.


    Thisparison not only made Mrs Rong blush.


    ¡± I heard that Lord Rong was hospitable at that time, which was due to his cheerful and enthusiastic temper, but I thought that the greatest pleasure of Lord Rong¡¯s move was to let everyone enjoy the amazing food of his wife.¡±


    Mrs Rong looked at the cigarette curled up in the incense tripod, and her thoughts seemed to be lost in memory.


    This childe was right. Husband often said that it was better to cheer everyone. Therefore, friends were often invited to eat at home. At that time, the family was alwaysughing andughing, and the title of Mrs. Rong gradually spread. At that time, people were proud to be guests of Rong Mansion.


    Today, she was buried in the remote mountain temple with her cooking skills.


    ¡± Chefs have always been regarded as inferior upations, but they don¡¯t know that it is these inferior people who saved people from the barbaric era of drinking blood from the wastend. With their dexterous hands and mind, they have satisfied the desires of countless people and deserve respect.¡±


    Mrs. Rong was also from a family of chefs, and she had a deep understanding of the low status of chefs. Therefore, when she married her husband, there were many obstacles. However, the husband also said the same thing as the Childe Xia, and the husband felt that people who can cook food were very great.


    ¡± I came today to ask his wife toe out of the mountain to do a new job, it wasn¡¯t for the benefit of any restaurant, but for the sake of the training ss. Ye Jinxuan¡¯s ideal is not that she can aplish it alone, but that she needs the concerted efforts of millions of chefs from generation to generation, which is also themon ideal of everyone,¡± Xia Chunyu sincerely said.


    Mrs Rong was silent for a long time and said, ¡± Let me think about it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was overjoyed. It was not easy to talk about Madam Rong. He was quick to talk.


    ¡± Well, I¡¯m waiting for good news.¡± Xia Chunyu got up and left.


    He didn¡¯t know that Ye Jiayao was crazy to look for him this half day when he came back to Yun ¡®an. As soon as he returned to the office, the servant hurried to tell him that seconddy was looking for him everywhere and said it was urgent.


    Xia Chunyu was surprised and asked, ¡± Where¡¯s seconddy?¡±


    The servant said, ¡± Seconddy can¡¯t find you anywhere. Now she¡¯s going back to the training ss.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hurried to the training ss.


    This half day, Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood was extremely depressed. Chunyu, this bastard, cheated her. She has searched all possible ces where he may go but without a soul. What did he do?


    It was about the Helian, she shouldn¡¯t be so rash to tell them, for she herself wasn¡¯t not clear, others may not be more anxious?I wanted Chunyu to analyze first, but I couldn¡¯t find this guy at the critical moment.


    Song Qi seemed to have been chasing the prince, mother and son for thest half of his life. He needed to mate with Big ck quickly. He also got a good horse to ride, so that he could not chase so hard every time.


    Xia Chunyu jumped off his horse as soon as he got to the training ss, he threw Big ck outside the door and strode inside. Anyway, Song Qi would take care of Big ckter.


    Xia Chunyu asked a person in charge of sweeping the floor and boiling the water, saying that Yao was in the lounge. This morning, he had a lesson from the shopkeeper, and Xia Chunyu went straight to the lounge.


    ¡± Yaoyao, I heard that you were looking for me?¡± Xia Chunyu asked when he entered.


    Ye Jiayao was looking at him coldly with anger. He looked at Xia Chunyu¡¯s scalp pins and needles, and his heart was burning.


    ¡± Where have you been?¡± Ye Jiayao asked,¡± Don¡¯t say you¡¯re in Nangong Pce, and don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve gone to the Pce. I¡¯ve searched all the ces I can find. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to hear his lying story, so she blocked his back first.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± I have done something important.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, zing with anger, asked: ¡± What is the important event?¡±


    Xia Chunyu wanted to hide from her first so as to surprise Yaoyao. Who knew Yaoyao suddenly had something to look for him, so he had to let out a few words: ¡± Didn¡¯t I say yesterday that I was going to prepare a birthday present for you?¡± This is what I am doing. Now this is the most important thing for me.¡±

 Chapter 296 - Problems with the Cordyceps

    <h4>Chapter 296: Problems with the Cordyceps</h4>


    Ye Jiayao stunned. She mentioned itst night and he had just prepared already, making Ye wonder what the gift is.


    And now, She was not angry any more. Thinking of the more important thing, she held back her curiosity and pulled out a handcuff :¡± Wiping your sweat first.¡±


    Then Ye went to pour Xia Chunyu a cup of water.


    Xia didn¡¯t realize that he was sweating so much until he wiped his forehead. But it was because he was worried about Ye instead of his running.


    ¡± You are looking for me for something important?¡±


    Ye delivered the water to him and sat down opposite:¡± Today, Deng Haichuan passed on a message that Aruan heard something unexpectedly which may be rted to Helian Xuan. I suspect that Lord Yu will take action, but Aruan failed to know more and can¡¯t be sue about it. So I was in a hurry to ask you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned, thinking about this and saying:¡± It must be some problem in there, know that Aruan think something wrong. Helian Xuan was going toe back, but the emperor told him to stay for a few more days there until the political situation of Western Mongolia is stable. As far as I know, he is going to leaving this month.¡±


    Ye became nervous after hearing his words:¡± Will they send someone to assassinate Helian?¡±


    Xia shook his head:¡± I don¡¯t think so. Not only is Helian good at Kung fu, but also Flying Eagle Camp he leaded is intrepid which is well equipped and well trained. Even if they run into thousands of soldiers, Flying Eagle Camp will not suffer at all. It hardly can be work to murder him, not to say assassinate.¡±


    ¡± Then what will Lord Yu do? How can he remove Helian and the Helians?¡± Ye thought a lot .


    Xia was dignified:¡± Let me see.¡±


    Lord Yu was have equal shares with the crown prince. It was difficult to break the bnce immediately. Unless he had a sure grasp, or he could just do this step by step. If Lord Yu ned to get rid of Helian now, then it meant he didn¡¯t want to wait any more.


    What was the reason for Lord Yu not willing to wait? Although the Emperor¡¯s body was not as strong as before, he was still healthy.


    He always thought that the storm was noting yet. He didn¡¯t pay much attention to this matters,since he didn¡¯t want to reveal that the person he second so quickly. But now, if Helian was in trouble, he could¡¯t just stand by.


    Xia was ready to go without drinking the water:¡± Yaoyao, this thing is unusual. I have to go for further information. I will probably note to have supper.¡±


    Ye nodded: ¡°You must be careful and don¡¯t enraged Lord Yu.¡±


    Xia self-deprecated: ¡°I am afraid that Lord Yu has already been watching me. He has repeatedly expressed and intimated, but I always answered him perfunctorily. I think he has already assigned me to the party of the crown prince.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. Before you make a clear statement, I don¡¯t think he will do something bad to you. Otherwise, Chaise Shu wouldn¡¯te and be friendly to me.¡± Ye said tofort herself actually. She never thought that she needs to handle with this kind of matter after marrying Xia.


    Xia put his hand on Ye¡¯s shoulder:¡± You don¡¯t have to worry about it. It¡¯s not the first time for Jingan Mansion to experience the battle for the position of the emperor. My grandfather and my father could lead the family pass it safely, and so will I. We will be OK.¡±


    Ye looked at his solemn expression and couldn¡¯t say a word.


    The words delivered by Aruan made Ye nervous and she couldn¡¯t escape the bad mood.


    In a word, she would be with Xia.


    The ss was not over yet. Xiang Tao came and said that the pharmacist was back already.


    Ye went straight to the pharmacy.


    The pharmacist had been doing research on the Cordyceps for a while. At the moment he saw Ye, he cut off the Cordyceps to show her.


    ¡± There is some medicine powder in half of them.¡± said the pharmacist.


    Ye was shocked. ¡± What is the medicine powder used for?¡±


    ¡± I carefully identified. I think it is made from seven kind of medicinal cold herb, including white hibiscus and aconite. Even a healthy person can hardly afford it, let alone a weak person like you.¡±


    Ye sweated in his hands and whispered, ¡°What can them do harm to my body?¡±


    The pharmacist looked at her quietly and said word by word: ¡°Lifelong infertility.¡±


    Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao changed their facial expression. They were burning in anger.


    They knew the origin of this medicine. Liu Li was so vicious. It turned out that before the note event, Liu Li had already harmed Lady Qiao by such a hazy trick.


    Ye felt cold. Although she just took very few of them to stew for Xia, she would always be shared a bowl of soup by Xia. Since she didn¡¯t like the smell of traditional Chinese medicine, she drank a little every time.


    ¡± What if I haven¡¯t took much?¡± Ye¡¯s voice was floating and watching the pharmacist nervously.


    The pharmacist signaled her to reach out and check her veins. ¡± It is said that you have eaten so many reconciliation drugs, you should have improved, but now there is no improvement, um... I remember, the doctor¡¯s diagnosis book has been recorded that for some time it has indeed improved.¡±


    The pharmacist looked at the youngdy with some sympathy who had not given birth but was almost infertility.


    ¡°Fortunately, you didn¡¯t take much. It still can be fixed, but will takes some time. What¡¯s more,the prescription the doctor gave has no drug that can promote thie medicinal powder¡¯s properties. Otherwise, you will never have a baby.¡± the Pharmacist sighed.


    It suddenly came to her mind that it was after she receive the Cordyceps that Royal Doctor Lee gave her a new prescription which she never usedter.


    Ye felt dizzy when she walk out the pharmacy and didn¡¯t say anything on the way home. At once came home she found out the prescription, then she called Xiang Tao:¡± you go to ask the pharmacist with the prescription that will I never have a baby if I take medicine as this prescription says with the Cordyceps.¡±


    She is doing the final testimony. If it is confirmed, it means that Royal Doctor Lee has been instructed by Liu Li. She was always careful but still got Liu Li¡¯s trap unconsciously.


    Qiao Xi had never seen such a gloomy face of Lady Ye, and it must have been more than outrage.


    Nobody can calm down after the harm from the same person again and again. Even the one made of soil will be angry.


    Knowing this can be definitely important, Xiang Tao ran to the pharmacy and ran faster back after knowing the answer. She was out of breath.


    ¡± Lady Ye, ...¡± Xiang Tao was panting. ¡± It¡¯s clear. The prescription does have problems. The pharmacist said that you will have no hope to give a birth after taking the medicine as the prescription says three time.¡±


    The answer said by Xiang Tao still made Ye indignant, although it was not a unexpected answer.


    The medicine taken before was all in ruins. How many bad things did Liu Li do to me? It was far from enough for Liu Li to be pped twice and punished kneeling for three days. Ye thought.


    Ye took back the prescription and said coldly: ¡°Qiao Xi, go with me to the kitchen with the Cordyceps.¡±


    Let¡¯s share the prescription and the Cordyceps with Liu Li. And then she can have the chance to taste the good things from herself.


    Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao looked at each other. They all clearly knew what Lady Ye wanted to do, but also not very appropriate. She¡¯d better told Mrs. You the matter.


    Since Lady Ye had gone out of the room, Qiao Xi had to follow her with the Cordyceps.


    Xia Chunyu and his father didn¡¯te back for supper today. Neither did Chunguo and Mingrui. They had went back to the Imperial College after Mid-Autumn Festival. So there were Chunli and Chunfeng with female members appeared in supper.


    Everyone is in a table.


    Ye Jiayao personally brought a pot of soup in and ced it in front of Liu Li. She said with a smile: ¡°This soup is specially made for you.¡±


    Liu Li was stunned and had no idea of the reason why Ye is so nice to her.


    Chunli enviously said: ¡°Ye, you are entric. You suppose to make some delicious food for your sister-inw since she¡¯s pregnant!¡±


    After hearing the words said by the second little brother that women is water which can aquatic gold that can control money, he decided to be nice to Qiao. So he said so.


    Although Qiao felt awkward and sly, she was very touched. It was the first time that Chunli cared about her in front of the family.


    Ye smiled:¡± It¡¯s not appropriate for sister-inw to have the soup that increase the internal cold in human bodies. However, Liu Li can have it to remove the heat of autumn.¡±


    Chunfeng smiled, seeing Liu Li haven¡¯t had the soup:¡± Sister-inw is so thoughtful! It will be OK if I have some of the soup since Liu Li can¡¯t finish it all, right?¡±


    ¡± Of course you can. Your brother had already had the soup before.¡± There was something in her words, but others couldn¡¯t understand it.


    Mrs. You was happy to see Jiinxuan proactively being nice to Liu Li and rxing atmosphere. Liu Li could be a wet nket if she didn¡¯t ept the soup. ¡± Liu Li, you should take the soup since your sister-inw cooked the soup especially for you.¡±


    Xiao Ya open the casserole for Liu Li. A strange smell came from the casserole with the smell of traditional Chinese medicine. People found that there are some Cordyceps in the duck soup after a careful look.


    Once Liu Li saw the Cordyceps, she scowled.


    Ye sat down and said slowly:¡± Today, when I cleaned up the kitchen I found that most of the Cordyceps send by Lady Qiao haven¡¯t been used, and I always don¡¯t prefer the tonic. Thinking of Liu Li¡¯s suffer and her pale face, I decided to make the soup for my dear young sister-inw.¡±


    The face of Liu Li was even more ugly while Xiao Ya¡¯ hand holding a soup shook, making a piece of duck fell on the table.


    ¡± I am sorry. I deserve punishes. I¡¯ll clean up immediately.¡± Xiao Ya immediately confessed the crime and took out her handcuffs to clean up.


    Ye looked at the reaction of Liu Li, and sneered in her heart. ¡°I clearly tell you that this is what you sent me, so you dare not eat.¡± Ye thought.

 Chapter 297 - As son, I Have No Objection

    <h4>Chapter 297: As son, I Have No Objection</h4>


    Liu Li never thought that the things she sent to Ye Jinxuan woulde back to her.


    ¡± Sister-inw, have a try. It tastes good!¡± Ye Jiayao said enthusiastically.


    Liu Li licked his mouth and bit his teeth, said:¡± I don¡¯t like old duck soup.¡±


    Ye deliberately showed surprise:¡± No way. I remember that you would drink it before.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t like it now.¡± said Liu Li.


    You frowned. Liu Li was too much to reject Jinxuan¡¯s kindness.


    Chunfeng was afraid of Ye embarrassed, so said: ¡± I will drink it. I do like old duck soup.¡±


    As saying, he was going to drink the soup.


    Knowing what was inside the Cordyceps clearly, Liu Li was anxious. She blurted out in a hurry:¡±You can¡¯t do that.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng blinked with no idea of the situation and asked: ¡°Why can¡¯t?¡±


    Ye smiled and also asked: ¡°Yeah? why can¡¯t Chunfeng drink?¡±


    Chunli was confused too: ¡± Why can¡¯t Chunfeng Drink? You don¡¯t drink, so we do. We can¡¯t let down Jinxuan¡¯s kindness.¡±


    Something came into Qiao¡¯s mind. On that day, she identally told Ye Jiayao that the Cordyceps were given by Liu Li. There was probably something wrong with the Cordyceps since Liu Li was refusing to drink the soup.


    So she pulled the sleeves of Chunli to signal him not to participate in it.


    Everyone asked her why, but how can she round the lie without telling the truth?


    Chunfeng felt that Liu Li still can¡¯t let go of the heart knot, and sulked. It is rare for sister-inw to initiative to show kindness which is a good opportunity to ease the rtionship of them.


    Therefore, he advised: ¡°Let¡¯s drink a little. It represents sister-inw¡¯s heart!¡±


    Heart? Liu Li sneered. The mind was definitely there, but it can be a bad heart. Anyway, she couldn¡¯t drink the soup, neither could Chunfeng.


    ¡± Sister-inw, I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m not used to you treating me like this. We¡¯d better alienated from each other, so you can drink the soup yourself.¡± Liu Li could only give up well-behaved. Anyway she had told in front of Lady You and Lord Xia the day that what she could do were admit mistake and ept the punishment but reconcile with Ye Jinxuan.


    You was upset. She thought Liu Li was ridiculous. It was just about criticizing her, Jinxuan beginning tough.


    ¡± I think that sister-inw is afraid to drink. It is doubtful that you are afraid of have the things you give out before.¡± Ye Jiayao said slowly and softly.


    Liu Li¡¯s heart trembled. What? She had knew that this Cordyceps was given by her?


    Liu Li looked at Qiao, and Qiao shunned her eyes.


    ¡± It¡¯s totally not necessary for sister-inw to give me things through other people. Is that because you are afraid that I will be ttered?¡± Ye teased at Liu Li.


    It sounded there was something hidden so You was not in a hurry to speak. No wonder that Jinxuan made the soup for Liu Li suddenly.


    Liu Li¡¯s face was very tough, saying: ¡°You have a prejudice against me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t helpughing, then suddenly stopped. Her face became cold, making people feel pressure. She looked straight at Liu Li, and said angrily:¡± Is that true? You dare not to drink the soup because you the thing in the soup. What kind of hatred do I have with you, driving you to kill me several times.¡±


    Everyone in the room was shocked. The first thought in their mind was: Herees another big thing.


    Chunfeng was diffident:¡± Sister-inw, don¡¯t be anxious. There may be a misunderstanding.


    Ye sneered:¡± misunderstanding? How simple you are to think so. If not Lady Qiao mentioned it identally, I might have lost the ability to be a mother unconsciously. Fortunately, I don¡¯t like eating tonic. However, I have stewed half a catty of them for Chunyu to make up his body result to make it worse.¡±


    You was shocked. She was only angry when she heard Jinxuan victimized. But she had be fury when it came to Chunyu.


    She screamed: ¡°Liu Li, what have you done?¡±


    Liu Li whispered: ¡°I don¡¯t know what sister-inw is saying.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said:¡± Zhao Liuli, do you dare to admit it? I have the Cordyceps tested by the pharmacist of Renhe Pharmacy. Any one want to know the result? More than half of the Cordyceps was injected medicine powder which are made from seven kinds of herbs that increase the internal cold in human bodies. Even a man cannot sustain after taking all of this, let alone a woman. It will lead to lifelong infertility.¡±


    As soon as this statement came out, everyone were shocked.


    Chunfengwas the first one reacted and whispered: ¡°Liu LI, is this true?¡±


    Liu Li didn¡¯t scrupled anymore, and shouted:¡± Ye Jinxuan, I know that you hate me and is still vengeful. I have promised that I won¡¯t have anything to do with you. Why do you continue to make up such a lie to nder me?¡±


    Ye was calm. She took out a prescription leisurely. Qiao Xi picked it up and gave it to Lady You.


    ¡± The prescription was given by Loyal Doctor at the time that Lady Qiao gave me the Cordyceps from Liu Li. Now, I have sent it to be tested. It¡¯ s OK to take the prescription without the medicine powder in the Cordyceps, otherwise it will promote medicinal properties, just three times you take it,making you lose the ability to be a mother forever. I¡¯m not nder you. Lady Qiao knows clearly, so dose the pharmacist of Renhe Pharmacy. And you too.


    Liu Li was panic:¡± Yes, I gave you the Cordyceps, but I haven¡¯t done anything to them. Since they have been your ce for a period of time, it can be anyone hates you do the thing. You are not allow to smear me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled:¡± So why you changed face when seeing the Cordyceps? Why Xiaoya¡¯s hands shook when I said it given by Lady Qiao? Why you don¡¯t allow Chunfeng to drink the soup. The truth is absolutely clear. There is no point denying it.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t know if the powder has caused damage to Chunyu. The pharmacist said that the powder, the man ate, may also cause infertility.¡± This was the result of Ye Jiayao¡¯s creation. Only in this way could cause the pain of You¡¯s, and You would be fair.


    You was good to her, but her position in the heart of You was far below than Chunyu. There is never a mother can tolerate others hurt her son.


    You felt like magma rolling in her body. Worry about Chunyu made You emerge hate to Liu Li. You said indifferently:¡± So it was all fake the words Loyal Doctor said to me.¡±


    The words that Jinxuan was internal cold and had not much hope to be pregnant were just aimed to pave the way, then let the false be the true.


    That was really vicious. First to destroy her chastity then to deprive her ability to be a mother, the two a woman most care about. Liu Li was going to destroy Jinxuanpletely.


    Poor Chunyu was innocent but suffered from the matter. It was unimaginable for You if Chunyu was infertile.


    In the face of You¡¯s question, Liu Li trembled with his lips, and his eyes showed deep fear. She had just experienced a disaster and finally came over. She¡¯d never expected the old things to be revealed. Would she be forgiven by You again?


    And, will Chunfeng totally be upset to her?


    Liu Li looked towards Chunfeng timidly only to find disappoint with pain in his eyes once again.


    Yes, Chunfeng was very disappointed, disappointed to the extreme. He couldn¡¯t make it to persuaded himself to believe that Liu Li was temporarily confused twice.


    Again and again. How vicious Liu Li was. He could never match Liu Li¡¯s innocent face to her vicious behave. However, that was the truth.


    He felt that he didn¡¯t know Liu Li at all. How could a person be so vicious that just because she do not like others. To deprive people of the most precious things, to force people to die.


    ¡± Chunfeng, you should listen to me...¡± Liu Li timidly said. She was extreme panicked, more scared than thest time at which she came over because of Chunfeng.


    Chunfeng smiled awkwardly, and indifferently said: ¡°Is it necessary for you to exin? Have you ever realized that you are wrong? Liu LI, why are you making mistakes all the time? Again and again, more and more worse. Why must you destroy the poor confidence I have in you?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true...¡± Liu Li was in a hurry, but didn¡¯t know how to exin it.


    When things developed to this point, You was categorically unable to tolerate Liu Li. She asked Chunfeng: ¡°Chunfeng, if I punish her ording to the family rules, will you have any opinions?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng quietly looked at Liu Li whose face was full of fear and eyes were full of begging. He absolutely knew mother meant that the family couldn¡¯t no longer tolerate her. He liked the girl who was fractious but still cute, with being flighty to him, not the one in front who was doing harm to others by fair means or foul. He couldn¡¯t be selfish any more to let Liu Li stay here to harm the family one more time.


    Words came out from his mouth toughly:¡± As son, I have no objection.¡±


    Liu Li¡¯s face get pale immediately, swaying and almost unstable.


    Looking at Chunfeng unbelievably and painfully.


    She was given up by Chunfeng who gently told her to let the past go and live better yesterday.


    However, the situation had suddenly changed. Today, the heaven and the earth were reversed.


    Xiaoya suddenly squatted down, burst into tears with fear:¡± It¡¯s all my fault. I did on my own to vent resentment for Lady Liu Li. It was totally my idea with nothing to do with princess. Punish me only, please. Don¡¯t me princess by mistake. Princess does truly want to live well with Lord Chunfeng.¡±


    For the present, the only thing she could do is to sacrifice herself to save princess.

 Chapter 298 - Cowardly and stupid

    <h4>Chapter 298: Cowardly and stupid</h4>


    Everyone knew that Xiao Ya was just a scapegoat, but Coloured ze did not admit it, and Xiao Ya had taken on the responsibility. It was really hard for others to say anything.


    Ye Jiayao, looked at You¡¯s very gloomy and oppressed face, also came close to vomiting and, she refuted: ¡± You made your own decision? I didn¡¯t think such a maidservants should have such big power, and can also instruct the imperial doctor to obey your orders? Don`t be silly.¡±


    She had had no patience with Coloured ze and would never endure her again.


    No one could stand such a man who was deliberately trying to harm himself.


    But Xiao Ya cried and said, ¡± It was me who gave the princess a false message. Really, I only wanted to help the princess, but I did not expect to do so to harm the princess ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao choked. It seemed that Xiao Ya was determined to maintain Coloured ze. What a surprise! There should be someone who were willing to do so for Coloured ze.


    Coloured ze had mixed tastes in her heart. It was also an ident that Xiao Ya would take responsibility for the mistake. Should she be thankful? But why was she so sad?


    However, after all, she chose to remain silent and wronged.


    But no one thought she was really wronged at that moment, especially Chunfeng. He had lived with Coloured ze for nearly a year and he must know who the Colored ze is. She was valuable and capricious. Which of her men was not afraid? Who dared to make his own decisions?


    Wrong was wrong. If she could admit her mistake gracefully, she may still have a little good impression in Chunfeng¡¯s mind, but she chose to sacrifice Xiao Ya, the closest and most effective servant girl beside her, andpletely destroyed her beauty in Chunfeng¡¯s heart.


    You¡¯s face was covered with frost, her voice was deep: ¡± Well, since Xiao Ya had confessed, she conspired with imperial doctor Li to murder the prince and the second wife, she is your man and will be handed over to you for disposal. Do you mean to dispose ording to the rules of the pce or ording to the rules of our Jing ¡®an marquis house?¡±


    In the pce, the crime of this kind of behavior deserved death, and the punishment of flogging was light.


    Although marquis house was tolerant, it could not tolerate such evil deeds. She was responsible for 50 strokes and handed over to a human trade. As for the ce to go, it must not be a good ce.


    Coloured ze¡¯s eyes shed with a surprise, and tears filled immediately. The eyes looking at Xiao Ya became hesitant, and her heart could not bear and her lips trembled. It took a long time for her to intercede for Xiao Ya: ¡± Xiaoya was confused for a while ...¡±


    You very impolitely and sternly interrupted her words: ¡± You were confused for a while, your maid was confused for a while, you would kill someone if you are confused for a while, and do we all still have life to live in if you want to be confused for another time? You must be severely punished and never be lenient. ¡±


    Chunfeng said decisively this time: ¡± Coloured ze is from marquis house, and she will be handled ording to marquis house¡¯s rules.¡±


    Then he called Lin Kun¡¯s family: ¡± drag out and flog her for 50 times.¡±


    Since Coloured ze was his wife, he would do this wicked man and could no longer embarrass his mother and second sister-inw.


    Lin Kun¡¯s family looked at Madam, she raised her chin slightly, and motioned him to do as the third young master ordered.


    When Xiao Ya stepped forward, she prepared for the worst, whether she could be dead or alive, she kowtowed to the princess in tears and sobbed, ¡± Princess, I can¡¯t serve you any more, you should take care ...¡±


    Coloured ze tears became more and more turbulent, her heart liked a knife cut, Xiao Ya was the servant who served her for the longest time. Others were driven away by her within a few days. Only Xiao Ya, who had been with her, often advised her not to y tricks on others, and not to confront Ye Jinxuan. She refused to listen to her, so that she fell into such a miserable situation today, Chunfeng did not want her. Marquis house`s people all regarded her as a snake scorpion, and now even the closest Xiao Ya was convicted for her....


    She deliberately retaliated against Ye Jinxuan, but she did not suffer any damage. Instead, she became the mistress.


    Who did she retaliate against? It¡¯s her own...


    Watching Xiao Ya being taken out by Lin Kun¡¯s family, Coloured ze still has no courage to tell the truth.


    Chunli and Qiao looked at each other. They were both not present and were disappointed in the big conflict in the house before. But when they saw it with their own eyes, they felt horrified.


    Coloured ze was terrible...


    Ye Jiayao was very unwilling. Today, she came with the determination to break the, but she finally let the Coloured ze escape.


    She looked coldly her who was already on the verge of copse and said coldly, ¡± I admire Xiao Ya a little, though she was a bit silly, at least she still has something to rmend, loyalty, and what about you? What do you have?¡±


    Coloured ze was immersed in great sadness. Yes, what did she have? In the eyes of others, she was a snake and scorpion, and all the people had deserted her. Even she hated her own cowardice. What else did she have?


    Ye Jiayao continued to give a heavy blow: ¡± You are arrogant and selfish, but you are cowardly and stupid, and you have no responsibility, you hurt yourself in the end, because you never know what the meaning of a person¡¯s existence is, it`s being needed, not spurned, and you will always only cause trouble to the people around you and bring harm to those who love you most. Zhao Coloured ze, you have failed too much.¡±


    Having said this, Ye Jiayao bowed her knees to You and said, ¡± Mother, I am in a bad mood today and can¡¯t eat any more, so I¡¯ll leave first.¡±


    You also nced at Coloured ze with disdain and got up and said, ¡± I can¡¯t eat any more. If anyone want to eat, eat. Jinxuan,e with me.¡±


    A pair of old women and daughters-inw left, Chunfeng also calmly walked away, Coloured ze quickly followed, leaving only chunli and Qiao.


    Qiao looked at the table full of dishes: ¡± What should we do? Do we have to eat?¡±


    Chunli picked up the chopsticks: ¡± Of course, what a waste if we don`t.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed You into the house.


    You¡¯s mood could only be described as bad. She said sadly, ¡± Coloured ze is hopeless. I have beenpletely disappointed with her. I know you are angry, and I am also angry. However, with Xiao Ya carrying her and the queen mother protecting her, we can¡¯t punish her.¡±


    Previously, in You¡¯s cognition, it was only the discord between the two sisters ¨C in ¨Cw. She still wanted to set up matches to resolve the misunderstanding between them, but now she would not think so again, because their discord had endangered Chunyu and waspletely different in nature. Therefore, she could only choose one of the two daughters ¨C in ¨Cw.


    Of course, she could never choose Coloured ze.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were cold: ¡± Mother, as far as Coloured ze is concerned, what she cares about most is Chunfeng. Now, Chunfeng is downright disappointed with her, she has lost Xiao Ya, and her life won¡¯t be easy. We don¡¯t need to punish her any more.¡±


    You said, ¡± Don¡¯t you just forget it? Chunfeng that boy who knows if he will be coaxed back by Coloured ze`s a few drops of tears?¡±


    One side of mother Sun said, ¡± madam, don¡¯t you understand the temper of the third young master? He wants to be kind to a person. He is willing to pay his heart and lungs. Once he feels that this person is not worth it, he is very hard ¨C hearted.¡±


    Youmented and sighed, ¡± It¡¯s just a pity for Chunfeng, what a pity ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t so optimistic. Sometimes, she didn¡¯t have reason for her feelings. However, she won¡¯t be afraid of Coloured ze. Coloured ze was now in marquis house and was notorious in the pce. Who woulde forward for her? The maids brought by Coloured ze was all sent out by You. Xiao Ya was disposed today. What credible person were there beside her? Who would listen to hermand? Today¡¯s Coloured ze was only a bird with broken wings and a crab without feet. It couldn¡¯t fly or cross. She could deal with her anytime, depending on whether she was in a good mood.


    As for Chunfeng, he was really poor. She was a broken burden but not easy to throw away.


    See, if Chunfeng was really too painful, she would find a way to help him solve this burden. Everything depended on Chunfeng¡¯s own meaning.


    Xia Chunyu came back veryte today. First, he and several close associates of Xiao Jing and HeLian Xuan haf been analyzing various possibilities. They couldn¡¯t start the war first, only nip in the bud, and then when to see the prince. Finally, it was agreed that while giving HeLian Xuan urgent notice in 800 miles, they should pay close attention to the movements of those people in Yu Wang¡¯s core circle. Any matter, as long as they start, there would be clues to follow.


    After making what he thought was proper arrangements, Xia Chunyu returned to his home.


    As soon as he got home, the concierge informed him to go to his room, saying that his wife and his mother had been waiting for him.


    Xia Chunyu thought Yao told his father and mother about Helian¡¯s family, but there were still someints in his heart. It was not clear yet. Isn¡¯t it to let them worried in vain?


    But as soon as he got into the room, You told him to sit down and Renhe Hall¡¯s doctor as well as pharmacist came to watch his pulse.


    ¡± Mother, what is this?¡± Xia Chunyu felt puzzled.


    He was in good health. What doctor did he need to see?


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Just cooperate and you¡¯ll knowter.¡±


    Although she asked the pharmacist that such weight would not cause any serious consequences, she was still not at ease, nor was You, and she naturally agreed to ask the doctor toe and see it in person.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart became slightly afraid, but he could only endure the confusion first when he looked at his mother and Yaoyao very nervous.


    Doctor and pharmacist took turns to feel the pulse. After a long time, the two men exchanged views and said, ¡± Heir-son lord¡¯s health should be fine and will not have any impact.¡±


    You asked uneasily, ¡± Are you sure?¡±


    The pharmacist said, ¡± The prince has a lot of Yang energy in his body. If it happen to ordinary people, it¡¯s hard to say.¡±


    You caressed her heart, heaved a sigh of relief andforted herself by saying, ¡± This is good, this is good.¡±


    ¡± Mother, what¡¯s going on here?¡± Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t bear to ask.


    You called steward Zhong and asked him to take the two doctors out.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Do you remember the package of Cordyceps brought by your sister ¨C in ¨Cw?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded: ¡± Remember, you still have all kinds of soup stewed for me.¡±


    ¡± I learned a while ago that it was not from my sister-inw but from Coloured ze, and my heart became suspicious. I asked sweet peach to take the rest of the cordyceps and went to the doctor to check it out. Today, the pharmacist from Renhe Hall came back. I went to see that the cordyceps was filled with a kind of medicine powder, which was extremely cold in the shade,¡± Ye Jiayao said.

 Chapter 299 - I don’t like people like you

    <h4>Chapter 299: I don¡¯t like people like you</h4>


    Xia Chunyu turned pale when he heard the words. He only heard his mother say, ¡± Fortunately, Jinxuan has long had a heart of preparedness and did not take the medicine ording to the prescription prescribed by?the imperial doctor Lee before. Otherwise, if she took the medicine, it would stimte the yin and cold nature of the medicine powder. She will not have children in her life.¡±


    ¡± Is the matter serious?¡± The veins stood out on Xia Chunyu¡¯s forehead.


    ¡± I just know that what the imperial doctor Lee told us was a trap, deliberately saying that Jinxuan¡¯s body was too cold and extremely difficult to conceive, but the reality was to secretly drug her ¡±


    Under this, Ye Jiayao froze. No wonder You and Chunyu were both a little strange at that time. They tried their best to fill her with supplements and let her drink the medicine prescribed by the imperial doctor Lee, only saying that her body needed recuperation, but she did not know what the imperial doctor Lee said was so serious.


    She had seen the doctor of Renhe Hall herself. The doctor said that her constitution was difficult to conceive, but it was not the one without hope. She would get better after conditioning.


    This was really a ring by ring...


    ¡± Today, I heard that you ate much cordyceps, which made me very concerned. Jinxuan was also very worried, so she called the doctor to check you. Fortunately, you¡¯re fine, otherwise, I¡¯m going to ask the queen mother for advice.¡± The more You thought about Liuli, the more she hated her.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t think about whether he had anything to do, but worried about Yaoyao, who also drank the soup.


    ¡± How about Yaoyao, does she have anything?¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw that his eyes were cold and scary and said, ¡± I¡¯m fine, but I¡¯ve taken the medicine for half a year.¡±


    Even so, it was unforgivable. He didn¡¯t like to drink medicine himself. He believed no one in the world liked to drink medicine, but Yaoyao drank medicine for half a year without interruption. Why? Because she wanted to have a child of their own, but Liuli used a few cordyceps to crush Yaoyao¡¯s hard work and hopes for more than half a year, and he became her aplice once again, trying to persuade her to drink more ¡± poison¡±.


    It was intolerable and inexcusable.


    Xia Chunyu asked, ¡± Have you disposed of it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at You and said, ¡± Little Ya has shouldered all the me and made scapegoats. Chunfeng has dealt with her ording to family¡¯sw. As for Liuli, we have not asked for it, and we¡¯re toozy to ask for it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was livid: ¡± Is that all?¡±


    Every time she devised, either the queen mother ended up for her or someone else confessed her guilt and punishment, so she would not change her nature again and again.


    Xia Chunyu turned his head and left.


    Ye Jiayao and You asked together: ¡± Where are you going?¡±


    But Xia Chunyu marched out.


    You said urgently, ¡± You should go over and have a look.¡±


    You was afraid of Chunyu¡¯s anger, and Chunfeng was already miserable enough.


    Xia Chunyu walked so fast that Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t run. After all, there were so many servants in the house. Her new hostess had to keep a little image, but she was afraid of Chunyu¡¯s rash move in anger and gave her a nasty look. Long legs looked better, but it was really hard to catch up.


    At this time, Xia Chunfeng was ordering people to move his things. Once he saw some people and things, his mood would bepletely different.


    Before, he only wanted Liuli to change and they could live a good life, but now he didn¡¯t want to stay under the same roof with her for a moment.


    Couldn¡¯t he divorce with his wife, could he move to the study outside to live?


    Liuli looked sadly at Xia Chunfeng with a face of frost and saw him taking away his things bit by bit, which were not only his things, but also her possessions. The man she really fell in love with for the first time, her husband, would abandon her and went away. She lost Little Ya, and now would lose Chunfeng.


    The heart was empty, like a broken cave, and the biting cold wind was pouring in and making noises.


    She wanted to beg him regardless of everything and knelt down to beg him not to go and give her another chance. She had nothing. Could he stop being so cruel?


    Since then, she heard everything he said. Yesterday was like yesterday¡¯s death. She was willing to be reborn for him.


    However, was it still useful?


    After he came out from You, he never looked at her again. At thest moment when her eyes met with him, his eyes were not angry, but indifferent, cold enough to freeze and alienate people as if he didn¡¯t know her.


    This kind of look made her heart quiver, scared her and prevented her from opening the mouth.


    Therefore, she could only look at him in such a sad and intive way. He went to the bedroom to open the cab for clothes, and she stood crying. He went to the study to tidy up his books, and she hid behind the cab, and the tears were more turbulent.


    ¡± Third master, everything is ready.¡± The page boy talked back and forth.


    Xia Chunfeng nodded lightly: ¡± All moved to the study outside.¡±


    When he walked by her, he still didn¡¯t see her.


    Liuli summoned up great courage to seize his hand and sobbed and begged, ¡± Don¡¯t go, will you?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng wanted to withdraw her hand expressionless, but she grasped it tightly and did not know where her strength came from.


    The voice also became urgent, eager and cowardly.


    ¡± Don¡¯t go, I beg you, you said, let bygones be bygones, those are bygones ...¡±


    Xia Chunfeng kept silent for a long time and did not look back. His voice seemed toe from the ground cold: ¡± You know, my heart was still struggling when my mother asked me what I thought, but I was ashamed to defend you again. No matter what decision my mother and sister-inw made today, it was yours, and I deserved it ... At that time, I thought more about the need to calm down the anger of my mother and the hatred of her sister-inw first ... But when Little Ya punished you, you watched and felt at ease, and at that moment Ipletely lost heart to you.¡±


    ¡± No, I don¡¯t feel at ease. My heart is sad to death, but I¡¯m afraid of losing you, Chunfeng. I¡¯m really afraid of losing you. I already have nothing ...¡± Liuli defended, these are all her heart words!


    Xia Chunfeng twitched his mouth and turned slowly around with a hint of pity. ¡± it¡¯s because of this that I¡¯m disappointed at you. you¡¯ve always thought about yourself. if you¡¯re happy, you can y tricks on people and blind people, throwing people into fish ponds in the middle of the night in winter, how many people have suffered seedling damage for your bad taste. for yourpetitive heart, you¡¯ve done everything to harm your sister ¨C in ¨Cw. now, you can sacrifice Little Ya without hesitation in order to atone for yourself, that is, for fear of losing me, and that has served you for eight years.¡±


    ¡± You dare not go to see the scene of Little Ya being med by the staff. I went to see the scene, bloodied, she was only out of the air but not into the air. I don¡¯t know if she has any life left to wait for the next master.¡± Xia Chunfeng took a deep breath sadly.


    ¡± You such a person, also can let a person have what hope for you?If one day you need to sacrifice me, will you not hesitate?¡± Xia Chunfeng asked.


    Liuli cried and sacrificed lesser. how painful was her heart, but she still chose chunfeng, but didn¡¯t think this became the reason why chunfeng sentenced her to death.


    She cried, ¡± Do I like you for being wrong?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s tone became cold and hard: ¡± You like me right, but you don¡¯t know what to like at all. You will only build your own happiness on the pain of others.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng found no reason to forgive her.


    Yes, he liked her, liked her very much, and really wanted to hold her hands all his life. However, the reality was cruel. Today¡¯s events let him see her thoroughly and understood some things.


    She was not only unruly and capricious, her selfishness was deeply rooted in her bones and dissolved into her blood.


    He couldn¡¯t save, nor was he going to save.


    ¡± Then you said, how can you forgive me?I went to confess, I went to plead guilty, Chunfeng, don¡¯t go, don¡¯t give up me ... ¡± Liuli implored him pitifully, humbled herself and trampled her dignity on the soles of his feet.


    Xia Chunfeng broke her hand hard bit by bit and stared at her: ¡± Zhao Liuli, I think I like the wrong person. I won¡¯t like a person like you, not only I don¡¯t like it, but also I hate it. I¡¯m sorry to think that such a person as you is my wife.¡±


    In this way, it would be like a whip with a hook on it. It was bleeding profusely from the heart of Liuli. She was shocked and could not fully react.


    It turned out that he didn¡¯t get angry, didn¡¯t say angry words, but really didn¡¯t like her.


    She was so dazed and stunned that she even fell into the bottomless abyss with her heart and soul, falling all the time.


    ¡± Ah, both of them are there, just right.¡± Xia Chunyu came in and saw the two standing opposite each other, caring for each other without saying a word, and immediately raised a sneer.


    Xia Chunfeng didn¡¯t have to think about knowing that he didn¡¯te to visit the family, and he came to settle ounts. It didn¡¯t mean that he will pass the customs.


    ¡± Second brother, you can do what you want. I¡¯m busy moving now. When you make a decision, I¡¯ll take the penalty and do whatever I want.¡± Xia Chunfeng said tly, motioning for second brother to give up his offer.


    Xia Chunyu grabbed him and said, ¡± Why, you¡¯re going to plead guilty for her again?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng turned his head to look at Liuli whose eyes still froze and stood there. He could not see any fear. He was probably stunned by what he said just now.


    ¡± I bear my own fault. I am wrong because I don¡¯t know anything about the people around me. Do as you please!As for other people¡¯s affairs, I can¡¯t control them, and I don¡¯t want to, ¡± Xia Chunfeng said coldly.


    Xia Chunyu was startled. He came angrily and thought about all the possibilities. He believed that Chunfeng would be the biggest obstacle. Who knew, Chunfeng actually said such a thing.


    Frankly speaking, he didn¡¯t care how he ounted with Liuli.


    ¡± Very well, you finally see, also want to open, you can go!¡± Xia Chunyu no longer embarrassed him.


    It could be seen that Chunfeng had been downright disappointed with Liuli and wanted to give up.


    Such a woman might as well give up.


    Liuli just stood woodenly, watching the back of Chunfeng gradually disappearing into the night, whispering the name Chunfeng over and over again in my heart, and then she felt pain after repeating it.

 Chapter 300 - Death Hurriedly

    <h4>Chapter 300: Death Hurriedly</h4>


    Only Xia Chunyu and Liu Li were left in the room.


    Xia Chunyu looked at the appearance of Liu Li slouching, but he had no sympathy at all. There was no need for a person who always wanted to hurt others but ended up hurting himself.


    ¡± Zhao Liu Li, you should be very clear that no one in this family will like you anymore, is it you leave on your own or wait for chunfeng to stop you?¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were clear and cold.


    Liu Li did not seem to hear Xia Chunyu¡¯s words, but looked nkly at the empty house.


    This was her home, a warm and safe harbor for her. Even if everyone disliked her, there was at least a pure wind who loved her and had a solid shoulder for her to rely on. But now that the pure wind had gone, thest warmth had also disappeared, she was helpless , and there has be a bitter cold ice cer.


    However, where else can she go?Back to the pce?


    Yesterday, she wanted toe back, but the queen mother did not allow it. the queen mother said that she woulde back like this. She could not lift her head all her life, but she insisted oning back and said malicious words to the queen mother¡¯s anger. this time she left, she would not go back to the pce to look for her after any injustice.


    She thought things would always pass. Even if the duke and the madam did not like her, she was still a princess and she still had chunfeng. She was hiding in this room and could still live.


    However, only one dayter, the things of the past was turned over again.


    She as the God¡¯s favored one, suddenly found that she even worse and sadder than a Reservoir Dogs. The world was so big that there was no ce for her.


    This acknowledged caused her to copse. Her eyes searched in panic and finallynded in the needle basket on the table.


    She stepped forward and grabbed the scissors ced on the top...


    Ye Jiayao hurried after him and met Chunfeng was moving things outside the door.


    ¡± Chunfeng, your second brother?¡±


    Chunfeng simply said ¡± inside¡± and left.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the pages carrying boxes and wondered if Chunfeng was moving away from here.


    Now there was no time to delve into this. Ye Jiayao hurried inside and heard Chunyu asking for Liu Li toe down to the hall.


    Ye Jiayao thought she would hear the cry of Liu Li at the bottom, but after waiting for a while, she heard Chunyu cry out: ¡± What are you going to do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rushed in and was stunned by the present situation. She saw Liu Li pointing the scissors at her throat with a piercing cry: ¡± Don¡¯te here, you all don¡¯te here. Don¡¯t you just want me to die?I¡¯m going to die now. I¡¯m dead. You should always be satisfied ... ¡±


    ¡°Liu Li, calm down, don¡¯t do stupid things ...¡± Ye Jiayao hurried out to persuade.


    Liu Li if died here also get? She was going to kill the whole family.


    ¡± Don¡¯t youe to shed crocodile tears, Ye Jinxuan, it¡¯s all you, it¡¯s all your fault ...¡± Liu Li was red in eyes and growls.


    Fuck, to this moment also said such a thing, her character really does not change!Ye Jiayao, anxious and angry, whispered to Chunyu: ¡± I¡¯ll call Chunfeng.¡±


    It was estimated that this situation can only be dealt with by Chunfeng.


    Xia Chunyu stretched out his hand and stopped her, saying coldly, ¡± If you die, hurry up. What¡¯s the point of living like you?¡± Cats hate dogs.¡±


    Ye Jiayao froze, Chunyu, was he trying to persuade?Still thought she die too slowly?


    Liu Li expressed a frozen, some incredible looked at Xia Chunyu. Picking up scissors was just an impulse to read. After the point was pointed at the throat, what she wanted was to coerce death to see if they dare not force her again?As a result, Xia Chunyu asked her to die quickly ... he was not afraid of her death. Will the queen mother pursue her?


    Xia Chunyu approached step by step: ¡± Aren¡¯t you always vicious?When persecuting others, you don¡¯t blink your eyes, and your heart is still enjoying it.What?When it¡¯s your turn, you can¡¯t go down?Do you think if you threaten me with death, I will be afraid of you?You have long been notorious and you can only be ashamed of yourself if you die. I don¡¯t know how many people want to celebrate this news, and this devil wears the pants atst. ¡±


    He approached step by step with a scornful look on his face. LIU Li retreated step by step and retreated to the table. Her hands trembled and tears forgot to flow. Xia Chunyu, were you the devil?He was so cruel that he had to bepletely killed.


    ¡± Although you have only lived for 17 years, the name of the devil wears deep in the hearts of the people. As a old saying,¡±A bad thing never dies¡±. You are also one of them. Don¡¯t worry, we wouldn¡¯t forget you. Next time when Chunfeng get married again, we must open our eyes and choose a gentle and virtuous wife for him ...¡±


    No...


    Liu Li shouted in her heart that she would not marry another woman, she would not allow it, she would never promise.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the reaction of Liu Li and was settle down. Chunyu was indeed cunning and knew how to attack people¡¯s weaknesses. Liu Li lived chunfeng so much and was so stubborn andpetitive. How can she tolerate chunfeng marrying other women?


    ¡± You did hurry!I¡¯m very busy. I have to do something else after arranging things for you.Don¡¯t you deal with others simply?Hurriedly, with one knife down, there will be one more blood hole in the neck and blood will flow out gurgling. If the trachea pierces you, you will not be able to breathe. If the throat pierces you, you will not be able to say a word, nor will it be long. At most, you will suffer a wick sweet time. Then you will get colder and colder, and your face will be paler and paler. Then, you will lose consciousness. All the things in the world have nothing to do with you, how good, andpletely free ... ¡±


    ¡± Of course, those who died of excessive blood loss will look very ugly, but you can rest assured that I will let people paint you with rouge to ensure that you still look beautiful ...¡±


    Liu Li was frightened. She did not want to die so painful and so ugly.


    ¡± Xia Chunyu, you are not a human being ...¡± Zhao Liu Liroared indignantly.


    ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter what you say about me. Everyone praised me in my life, not what you said I was, but you, did anyone said you are a good person? Zhao Liu Li,be mature, to be such a failure, do you still want to find the reason from others?You think?the queen mother can protect you forever? Don¡¯t forget, the queen mother is old. As for the emperor and queen, including the prince, what do they think of you, won¡¯t you still be confused?¡± Xia Chunyu sneered.


    ¡± Well, do what you like to do, I¡¯m not willing to apany you.¡± Xia Chunyu turned away and took Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand by the way.


    Ye Jiayao was still a little uneasy, what if Liu Li really can¡¯t think of it?


    But Xia Chunyu firmly held her hand and pulled her out.


    ¡± Chunyu, Liu Li is now in an unstable mood, leaving her alone. What if something really happened?¡± Ye Jiayao worried.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth evoked a sarcasm: ¡± She won¡¯t die, selfish people will only let others die, notmit suicide. She will only put on airs when we are there.¡±


    People who shaked their hands with scissors willmit suicide?People who really wanted to die, where there was so much nonsense, were directly stabbed.


    Ye Jiayao felt Chunyu¡¯s statement was reasonable, but she was afraid of in any case.


    ¡± I still told the servants here.¡± Ye Jiayao broke her hand and called the servants in the Liu Li yard toe over and said, ¡± Third Mistress is in a bad mood. Watch it, don¡¯t let Third Mistress have an ident. If anything happens,e to me and the prince, don¡¯t disturb thedy.¡±


    As soon as the exnation was finished, the earth-shattering crying broke out inside, tore heart crack lung of cry, it was very grieved.


    Ye Jiayao turned her head to look at it and frowned. She was speechless with the one in it. She was up to this point and was still not introspective.


    Out of the east courtyard, I saw servant Suning.


    ¡± Heir-son lord, the seconddy,the?madam asked me toe and see that ... she is all right?¡± asked servant Sun.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± It¡¯s okay. You go back to tell the madam, don¡¯t worry. Oh, by the way, tell her that the third young master has moved to the study outside.¡±


    Anyway, it can¡¯t hide.


    Servant Sun sighed, and the thirddy suffered so much from this ordeal that she finally suffered the third lord. But the third lord still was always kind to her and loved her very much. The thirddy really did not to appreciate the happy life she enjoyed


    Back in her own room, Ye Jiayaoi¡¯s head was so ached that she hold her forehead. It was a real mess. How could it be endless?


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± You don¡¯t have to worry any more. Liu Li can¡¯t run amuck any more. She won¡¯t dare to file aint with the Queen Mother and Chunfeng won¡¯t protect her any more.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said sullenly, ¡± I am not afraid of what she do, I am sorry for Chunfeng and feel very guilty. If it weren¡¯t for us, Chunfeng wouldn¡¯t ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu came over to hold her hand and said with relief: ¡± You don¡¯t take all the responsibility on your own. You can only me Liu Li for not cherishing it and losing such a good husband as Chunfeng. It is Liu Lithat should be regretted and med. As for Chunfeng, he has opened it up and figured it out. Now it is a little sad, and I believe he will soon adjust it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao did not think so. Liu Li should be Chun Feng¡¯s first love. First love was the most unforgettable, whether it was beautiful or unbearable, and would remain in Chunfeng¡¯s heart for a lifetime. What if Chunfeng had psychological shadow?


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± Tomorrow I will apany you to Puji temple to show Master Ji Ren.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised and said, ¡± What are you doing with Master Jiren? Fortune-telling?¡±


    ¡± No, Master Ji Ren¡¯s medical skill is also very strong. I can¡¯t believe others.¡±


    ¡± No!The doctor of Renhe Hall is also very good at medical skill. Besides, he has been watching my illness all the time. ¡± Ye Jiayao felt that he was too nervous.


    ¡± No, I still need to ask Master Jiren to see you assured that you are fine.And I will apany you to see a doctorter.¡± Xia Chunyu insisted.


    He didn¡¯t hear the doctor say in person that he was not at ease. He should be more concerned about her in the future. No one can take advantage of this. If he does it again, he will cry till no tears.


    ¡± There will be some tonic medicine you will taketer, and I will raise it myself. No one will bring it.¡± Xia Chunyu had feelings of sorrow in his heart.


    Ye Jiayao lost her smile: ¡± Are you leisure? You are taking care of this little thing?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said solemnly, ¡± Your business, no matter how small, is a big deal for me.¡±

 Chapter 301 - They Wanted To Separate

    <h4>Chapter 301: They Wanted To Separate</h4>


    ¡°You are the one I care about most and that¡¯s why your business is all big issue to me.¡±


    These words were the most beautiful sweet words that Ye Jiayao had ever heard, making she felt iparable warm heart like warm spring water flowing through the heart.


    Ye leaned into his arms and said softly in a low voice: ¡°I really don¡¯t have to go to the Puji Master. The doctor of Renhe Pharmacy said that my body can be well-regted. I promise to take medicine on time every day, OK?¡±


    She must have a cute child with Chunyu, just like Baoer.


    Xia was holding Ye tightly. Thinking of Loyal Doctor¡¯s words that Yaoyao was originally a body cold, but was once attacked by the cold at that time, he spected that it must best time she fell into Smoke Afterglow Lake when escaping from ck Wind Ridge.


    Xia felt pain. That he failed to know his own heart clearly and was so careless are all his fault, making she suffer too much and almost die.


    It was her who was suffering from sin now. If only he could drink the bitter medicine for her. But he couldn¡¯t do that.


    ¡± Yaoyao, it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Xia Chunyu med himself. If he didn¡¯t persuade her to drink the nasty soup, she wouldn¡¯t ruin the half a year¡¯s efforts.


    Ye Jiayao knew what he was referring to andforted: ¡°This does not me you. I did the same thing. Fortunately, you are fine, though You have been drinking so much. Otherwise I will definitely be regretful.¡±


    The two people were silent but they were distressed by each other. There was a sense of the rest of robbery.


    For a long time, Ye Jiayao suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked: ¡°How is Helian Xuan?¡±


    Xia said: ¡°I have already arranged things properly. King Yu is also monitored and Helian Xuan has been told to be more careful by a letter of eight hundred miles of expedited.¡±


    Ye meditated: ¡°When you leave, I am wondering that will King Yu just want to reach the crown prince through Helian?¡±


    Xia smiled: ¡°He should not be so stupid and so bold. Although some military officers support him, the Forbidden Dragon Guard is under the control of the emperor himself and the Five-city Patrol Camp also has our eyeliners. If there are any changes, I or Xiaojing will know. What¡¯s more, Xishan Camp, which is stationed in Jinling City, is the base camp of Helian, where his cronies. If there is any change in Jinling City, Xishan Camp will easily beat both the Forbidden Dragon Guard and the Five-city Patrol Camp, making a coup impossible.


    ¡± He can start from the people around the crown prince at most to weaken the prince¡¯s power gradually.¡±


    Xia was never worried about this. The loyal followers of the prince can not be that simple.


    After listening such an analysis, Ye nodded: ¡°That¡¯s good. But anyway, you have to be careful.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, you didn¡¯t say the source of the information, did you?¡±


    Xia smiled:¡± Of course I know that will kill Aruan, so I haven¡¯t mention the source of the information. And I am reliable. No one will analyze where I got the information. Take easy.¡±


    Ye felt that she was really concerned too much about Xia a person who did know how to do things.


    Liu Li stayed in her yard and did not go out for a few days. Ye Jiayao asked the servant who said that Lady Liu Li did not eat or drink, but just cried or dazed.


    Plus, Chunfeng rarely went home, making Lady You was in a bad mood and always sighed in despair.


    Ye Jiayao also inquired about Ye Jinrong, saying that it was quite diligent in the work of Ruyi Embroidery. Uninformed people will not image that she was the bigdy of Wei.


    Finally, it was not a waste of Ye¡¯s effort.


    Liu Li entered the pce when everyone thought Liu Li wouldn¡¯t take any action.


    Ye Jiayao got the news and immediately rushed back to the mansion.


    You was extremely nervous, afraid that they will be called to scoldter.


    Ye Jiayaoforted: ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t think Liu Li will go to theint. After all, it was her that did the wrong things.¡±


    You said: ¡± It will be the same. Will she say something good for us to the Queen Mother? Moreover, she didn¡¯t eat or drink these days, making herself fragile. Then Queen Mother will certainly think that we are abusing her .¡±


    This was true. Liu Li did not need to say anything. As long as she stands in front of the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother will to get to the bottom.


    OK, then let¡¯s wait for the instruction of the pce.


    Not long after, Lord Xia also came back.


    ¡°There is still no instruction?¡± Lord Xia was a little surprised. Last time, the Queen Mother sent people here at the moment of getting the news?


    You shook his head and looked sad.


    Lord Xia said: ¡°You don¡¯t have to frown. It¡¯s not the first time for us to face the Queen Mother¡¯s ountability. Everything will be OK.¡±


    You gave him a look and said in heart:¡± You¡¯re really an old man. Can it be a big punishment when the punishment is for the whole family? It¡¯s really not funny that Jinxuan was almost ppedst time.


    After a while, someone ran to report that the third young masters went straight to the pce after hearing Liu Li entered the pce.


    All of them stunned. What did he do this for? To ask for sin? Or to argue with Liu Li?


    Everyone couldn¡¯t just stay here. If Chunfeng was rude in front of the Queen Mother, it would be awful.


    ¡± I think I need to go to the pce.¡± You stood up and said:¡± Ms. Sun, help me change clothes.¡±


    However, Lord Xia stopped her:¡± You are not going there. Chunyu are there too. Send him a message to tell him to pay attention to the two persons.¡±


    You was eager to say: ¡± Can Chunyu sustain the punishment if the Queen Mother was angry.¡±


    ¡± Then you can?¡± Lord Xia asked.


    ¡± Then I can ask for a favor!¡± Chunyu was her son and she couldn¡¯t see him to be punished.


    ¡± We all have no idea of the situation now. You should calm down. Lord Xia didn¡¯t take it for granted. In the end, he was used to the big scene, the generals whomanded the army. As cool as cucumber.


    You was annoyed:¡± You do know your sons¡¯ temper. Chun feng¡¯s temper is no worse than Chunyu. What he wants now is to divorce Liu Li. Maybe he will say this straight to the Queen Mother, then how can the Queen Mother spare him? We have never heard that a princess was divorced because imperial family will never let it happen.¡±


    Ye thought the same as You. They were afraid that Chunfeng would propose a divorce in front of the Queen Mother.


    ¡± Father, let me go with mother!¡± Ye Jiayao was not at ease.


    Lord Xia¡¯s mouth was pumped, and put down the tea cup:¡± Fine, let¡¯s go together to see who dares to move my son.¡±


    So, everyone went to change their clothes. Ye Jiayao did not have a level, so she wore a solemn clothes. Three people and two cars, went straight to the pce.


    Sitting in the carriage, You deliberately enjoined Ye: ¡± You¡¯d better not talk in front of the Queen Mother and stand behind us. Lord Xia and I will say.¡±


    Ye knew that You was afraid that she could not help saying, then offend the Queen Mother. This was also the meaning of defending her, so she nodded meekly.


    When they arrived at the gate of the pce, they saw Chunyu and Liu Li came out.


    Chunyu walked in front with cold face, and Liu Li followed him behind like a well-behaved wife.


    You went forward in a hurry: ¡± Chunfeng, how¡¯s going on? Did the Queen Mother have trubble for you?¡±


    Chunfeng had a look at his parents and the second sister-inw who¡¯s eyes were full of care. He felt even more embarrassing. He had made them worry too much about him.


    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Chunyu shook his head.


    ¡± Really?¡± You looked at Liu Li incredulously.


    Chunfeng said:¡± Go home first.¡±


    You became nervous immediately. It meant that there was something!


    ¡± Let¡¯s go home first.¡± Lord Xia urged people to get on the horse carriage.


    Getting home, everyone gathered in the main room.


    Chunfeng took a look at Liu Li who was looking down all the time and said seriously:¡± Liu Li went to ask the Queen Mother for thend, but failed. The Queen Mother only promised to let us go live in the seventh King¡¯s mansion.¡±


    ¡± What? You are going to live outside?¡± You was surprised.


    ¡± Father, mother. It¡¯s good to move out. I should be responsible for the trouble we made this half year. You can have a more peaceful lives after we move out.¡± Chunfeng said.


    He of course hoped he could stay home to respect parents and have a happy life with the family. But he couldn¡¯t. He married a woman who always did terrible things but couldn¡¯t be divorced. So the only way to make it not so easy for Liu Li to do harm to the second sister-inw at least was moving out.


    ¡± I object to the idea.¡± Although You valued Chunyu most but still couldn¡¯t ept the youngest son she loved most moving out suddenly.


    Lord Xia felt bad too. They actually wanted to be separated while he was still alive. Chunyu ckmailed a house, but didn¡¯t mean to move out.


    ¡± Liu Li, what do you want! You do want our family to be separated, right?¡± You got so angry that she never thought Liu Li was to entered the pce to ask for this kind of permission.


    Liu Li bit her lip and didn¡¯t talk. No one of the family liked her, they just hated her, making she have no reason to stay here.


    Of course she had to leave, so did Chunfeng. After moving out, only she and Chunfeng, as long as she was really sincere to Chunfeng, he would definitely change his mind.


    Ye Jiayao got it that Liu Li want to restart with Chunfeng outside, but she didn¡¯t understand why Liu Li did so only to cause Lord Xia and Lady You, even Chunfeng, hate her more, making it harder for her to reconcile with Chunfeng.


    Liu Li was still too selfish, and never put herself in the shoes of others. In fact, as long as she really regretted it and performed well instead of breaking up the family, the chances are that Chunfeng would change his mind.


    ¡± Chunfeng, I don¡¯t agree with you to move out. If someone must leave, then let Liu Li leave.¡± You said without hesitation.


    Liu Li¡¯s face got pale and looked up at Chunfeng for fear that he would repent.


    Chunfeng said: ¡°Mother, the Queen Mother has already made a will. Moreover, the house of the Seventh Kings is in the city, not very far, and I wille back to see you more than often.¡±


    You were in a hurry to tears, and yelled at Lord Xia: ¡± Say something!¡±

 Chapter 302 - How to divide

    <h4>Chapter 302: How to divide</h4>


    Everyone¡¯s eyes were focused on the duke, who was very embarrassed. He didn¡¯t want the family apart than anyone else, but looking at chunfeng¡¯s firm eyes and Liu Li¡¯s praying eyes, the duke said with a cold face: ¡± Chunfeng,e back anytime you want, dad got everything.¡±


    If Liu Li could stop doing evil after moving out and their rtionship still have hope, then it¡¯s worth splitting up, but if Liu Li still didn¡¯t know how to behave, he doesn¡¯t want Chunfeng to suffer indignities outside. Don¡¯t say anything about the royal princess¡¯s not being divorced at that time. Even if he fought to death, he would also help Chunfeng out of misery.


    You were indignant. ¡± How could you promise, duke?¡±


    It was hoped that the duke could dispel the idea with the authority of the head of the family, but the duke agreed.


    The duke looked helplessly at the grieving wife and said, ¡± you should give him everything that belongs to Chunfeng.¡±


    ¡± Dad, this is to split up, what about us?¡± Chunli didn¡¯t know when to sneak in. He was ted when he heard that the family was going to split up. Too good to ask for moneyter without looking at You¡¯s face.


    The old duke had no ce to vent his evil fire. When he heard such a question and saw the hopeful eyes, he immediately attacked him.


    ¡± Why? Do you really want to split up?¡±


    Though Chunli was stupid, he could see that his father¡¯s face was already covered with dark clouds, and he trembled and said, ¡± What can I do? I just came here and didn¡¯t listen to everything. I am scared. I definitely don¡¯t want to split up.¡±


    The old duke could see his duplicity and didn¡¯t feel good. ¡± If you want to split, then get out,¡± he said.


    Chunli shivered and did not dare to speak any more. But his heart wasmented: Since third brother had been separated, them separate all of us. How lucky third brother was.


    You were already very sad. She didn`t want to clean the family property anymore and left.


    The duke called Chunfeng to his study room. Chunli also wanted to stay and see how many third brother could get but when he saw everyone went away,he also walked away in a passive manner.


    Ye Jiayao and Liu Li were left in the hall.


    Liu Li only regards Ye Jiayao as air and walked past her without looking askance.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Zhao Liu Li, you don¡¯t love Chunfeng at all.¡±


    Liu Li stepped a meal, coldly said: ¡± You are not qualified to peach me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered: ¡± You have always loved only yourself.¡±


    Liu Li retorted: ¡± Don¡¯t say it as if you were great. I admit I can¡¯t beat you. You are the pearl in everyone¡¯s hands and I am the bug in the gutter that everyone hates. You can pose as high as possible, but I still won¡¯t take you seriously.¡±


    ¡± What does it matter whether you have me in your eyes? Do you think I will care?¡± Ye Jiayao sneered.


    Liu Li said motionlessly: ¡± I care, without your existence, Chunfeng and I would never have reached today.¡±


    ¡± Because of me? Zhao Liu Li, if you still don¡¯t understand what the problem is, you and Chunfeng will never be able topound. ¡± Ye Jiayao turned around and stared at her straight.


    ¡± You had thousands of times to make up everything, but you chose the worst way. Have you ever thought about the feelings in Chunfeng¡¯s heart? Do you not even want to bear this injustice for him? And are these grievances imposed on you by others? You deserve! ¡±


    Liu Li scoffed and smiled: ¡± I¡¯m not as cheap as you and not as cunning as you. In the future, we¡¯ll go our separate ways and we¡¯ll have nothing to do with each other.¡±


    After saying, Liu Li twist her head, left proudly.


    For the first time, Ye Jiayao deeply realized what a deadly enemy was. She hated her guts until she died.


    Well, then she will open her eyes to see if Zhao Liu Li could still turn the tide.


    Xia Chunyu heard about this great event when he came back from work, but he did not express any opposition. He told Ye Jiayao when dividing his mother¡¯s estate, let Chunfeng have more money. Other things they couldn¡¯t help him, at lease they can let him have more money.


    Even if he didn¡¯t say this, Ye Jiayao was prepared to do the same. They were short of money now, but the Tianshang Ju Restaurant was the source of living water, and they got paid every day. At the end of the year, aunt still had dividends. She didn¡¯t value marquis house¡¯s industry at all, and she won`t haggle over every ounce.


    After You calmed down, she called Chunli and Chunyu. She loved Chunfeng and wanted to make up for him in the industry, but she decided to split it equally for fear that the other two daughters-inw were unhappy.


    ¡± These are the property of the family, fertile fields are 200 ¨C odd, you three brothers, one person is 50 hectares, there are 16 shops in the city, you are four, and the ie from the farm is about 5 or 60,000 yuan a year, which can¡¯t be divided. After that, ording to the actual ie of each year, one third will be allocated to Chunfeng. As for the business of the silk shop in the city and Hangzhou, I don¡¯t n to divide it. Those are my private property ...¡± You said the one by one.


    ¡± Do you have any problem about this decision?¡± Atst, You consulted his two sons.


    Chunli first said, ¡± Mother, you were divided into four shares in the previous fertile fields and shops. How can the farm¡¯s ie be divided into three shares? Is it the rest, My second brother and I are also one-third of a person?¡±


    You were not happy. He was a concubine`s child, and he had already been able to get so much. If someone else got so much, he must had been very happy. But Chunli was too greed.


    ¡± You mean, I and your father can go to drink northwest wind?¡± You¡¯s tone was not good.


    ¡± I didn¡¯t mean that? Father and mother still have silk shops. How can they drink northwest breeze? ¡± Chunli smiled.¡± I am afraid of mother made a mistake. ¡±


    ¡± No mistake, I just want to give Chunfeng more money. He never asked me for money, but you came to ask for it so often. How much money did you get from me over the years? When you want money, you never mind it was too much. Now you are unsatisfied about getting too litter?¡± You were very angry. If Chunli dares to say anything again, he won¡¯t take a penny from her.


    Chunli shut his mouth, thought, you won¡¯t tell me even if you give third brother money privately, don¡¯t pretend you were justice, he was a bastard, could get benefits over office?


    Chunyu red at the eldest brother, who was really embarrassed to speak and showed his greedy nature.


    ¡± Mother, I don¡¯t want my share of the farm¡¯s ie. I give it to the third brother. He opens a house and lives in another ce, which costs a lot of money. There are shops, which I don¡¯t need. I also give them to the third brother.¡± Chunyu said.


    You felt a little relieved that Chunyu knew he loved Chunfeng. After all, brothers were brothers.


    Chunli was in a hurry. Don¡¯t give it all to your third brother. What about the eldest brother? Don`t forget him!


    ¡± Second brother, you are rmist, third brother won`tck of money, don¡¯t forget that Liu Li was a princess, and could the queen mother make Liu Li suffer hardship? There must be a lot of money to give. ¡± Chunli said.


    Chunyu said, ¡± The queen mother had her own business. Do you want she to say third brother eats soft rice? Does third brother have to ask Liu Li for money?¡±


    ¡± Why can`t he? I also ask your sister-inw for money.¡± Chunli spoke eloquently.


    Qiao tore off his sleeve and tried to tell him stop saying, but was thrown off.


    ¡± No, if you want to give up your share, my third brother and I will be equally divided,¡± Chunli said.


    Damn it, that was Chunli`s real purpose! When ites to money, all faces were exposed.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t bear any more. She spoke slowly: ¡± Eldest brother is wrong. We didn¡¯t give up, but give it to third brother. Eldest brother quietly made a fortune, and we didn¡¯te to think about you, did we?¡±


    Chunli said from embarrassment, ¡± Why? We are brothers, why only give to the third brother, am I not your eldest brother? What is quietly making a fortune? Where did I get rich? You have Tianshang Ju Restaurant which can earn loads of gold every day. Chunfeng married a princess and still has arge fief waiting for him to inherit. You are all gold risk ¨C averse. I will get some sry till death. This is called getting rich? Those who wear silk clothes are really jealous of beggars.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also wanted to say something but Chunyu stopped her and said, ¡± Eldest brother, don¡¯t hide it. How much money did you earn from ying jewels? Others don¡¯t know, but I know it. Jinling City is only such big that you still hope to hide it?¡±


    Qiao was shocked and said to Chun Li, ¡± Well, you have earned money but kept it from me, crying poverty in my ce and emptying my dowry. Do you ... do you deserve to be a husband?¡±


    Chunli rushed out a sweat. He made a lot of money selling jewels. How could the second brother know? And said it at this juncture, isn¡¯t this dismantling his tform?


    In the face of Qiao¡¯s usation, Chunli had to pretend to be silly and speechless: ¡± It¡¯s just a few pennies. I¡¯ve thrown in again. Don`t listen to second brother¡¯s nonsense.¡±


    You hated Chunli¡¯s face and said impatiently, ¡± No matter you earn more and earn less, it has nothing to do with your family. If you two want to quarrel, go back home. Now Chunyu wants to give his share to Chunfeng. This is Chunyu¡¯s own meaning, and it has nothing to do with you. If you still haveints, you should inquire about other families, how they are distributed, and then calcte with me.¡±


    It¡¯s really unappreciative.


    ¡± Mother, let¡¯s settle it. We have no problem.¡± Ye Jiayao took the lead.


    When Qiao saw that his mother-inw was not happy, she did not dare to make any more noise. She also said: ¡± I have no problem. Today¡¯s Chunli drank a few cups of yellow soup. His mind is not clear. Mother just ignore him.¡±


    Chunli hated so much. That was a separation. It was a once-in-a-lifetime affair. How can she give up so easily? There was no such shop after this vige. The defeated woman also said that women were water, water could be gold. Defeated women, go back and see how I tidy up you.


    You was upset and handed over all the real estate title deeds to Ye Jiayao. She asked Ye Jiayao to do it. Then she waved and told everyone to go away.


    Chunli went out of the door and went up with Qiao¡¯s tumult: ¡± The more you get, the more you want, right? When is it your turn to speak at home?¡±


    Not to be outdone, Qiao sneered, ¡± Are you anxious to settle ounts with me? Well, I¡¯m going to have a good calction with you, too. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao was afraid of two people quarreling, and Chunli would have roughed up Qiao. After all, Qiao was pregnant. She wanted to persuade her, but Chunyu took her away: ¡± Leave them alone, eldest brother is in arrears.¡±

 Chapter 303 - New Ideas

    <h4>Chapter 303: New Ideas</h4>


    As soon as Qiao returned to the house, she closed the door and began to scold him: ¡± Are you a pig brain?¡± Your abacus is really loud and clear. You don¡¯t feel ashamed. I feel ashamed.¡±


    Chunli was flustered and frustrated: ¡± Do you still say me?Can¡¯t you count?How many thousands of children a year umting over a long period of time? Ten thousand and eight thousand won¡¯t be enough for me to buy several pieces of good jade.¡±


    Qiao smiled angrily: ¡± You are a pig brain. Do you think our family¡¯s biggest profit is the farm?It¡¯s a silk shop. It¡¯s a business in Hangzhou. Do you know how much money mother still has? I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll frighten you to death if I say so. The real estate hasn¡¯t been divided yet. You¡¯re fighting so hard at the moment. I¡¯ll see if mother will give you a penny in the future.¡±


    Stupid idiot.


    Chunli froze, half-ring severely patted his forehead and said ruefully, ¡± Why don¡¯t you remind me earlier?¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t remind you, can I remind you in front of my mother ¨C in ¨Cw?I don¡¯t pull you, let you don¡¯t say?You pour, say more and more vigorously, kill yourself. ¡± Qiao red at him severely and hated him.


    ¡± Also, you should tell me honestly about making money by ying strange stones. Don¡¯t fool me. The second brother never tells lies.¡± Qiao thought that he was always crying poor with her, and she hated him straight to teeth.


    It turned out that the real cheating people was her husband, which could not be tolerated.


    She followed him all the time and ended up in his pit. She would never swallow her voice again. She would be as strong as two younger siblings.


    Chunli stammered, ¡± I really don¡¯t make much money. It¡¯s all a few hundreds of money and I¡¯ve thrown it back.¡±


    Qiao stared at him coldly: ¡± You lie to ghosts, dare you swear? You swear that if you cheat me, you will die of poverty in your life.¡±


    Well, this smelly bitch was really poisonous. What she wanted him to do was so cruel? Didn¡¯t it mean he was going to die?


    ¡± Qiao Mingxiu, don¡¯t go too far ...¡±


    Qiao had a big belly and a ck neck: ¡± Am I too much?When I marry you, I don¡¯t get you any benefits, but I only subsidize you. I use every penny earned by embroidery workshop in this house. You pour money and secretly hide it. What do you want?Want to keep a small one outside?Or do you want to divorce me and marry her?Xia Chunli, who is going too far? Today you make it clear to me, otherwise I will never give up with you. ¡±


    Chunli was a little scared. How did this bitch get up so badly today?Was she right, uh, guessed?Or heard what the wind?These days, the wife was close to her second sister ¨C in ¨Cw. Did the second sister-inw tell her anything?


    ¡± What are you talking nonsense?How can I have a baby, how can I marry someone else? Even if I have this heart, my parents can¡¯t agree with me.Besides, I also don¡¯t have this heart. A second wife as good as you is hardly to find. ¡± Chunli softened and coaxed.


    ¡± Since you mind so much, I¡¯ll give you all the money I earn in the future. I¡¯ll ask you for it when I want to use the money. Ah, originally I want to trouble you a little less. You see you, you¡¯re already very tired with a big belly, and you still need to take care of Niuniu and take care of the embroidery workshop. I look at you with concern ...¡± Chunli pressed her to sit in a chair and massaged her shoulders.


    Chunli never courted her like this, and Qiao¡¯s anger slowly disappeared, but she still had to threaten and warn him: ¡± If you keep your word, if you let me know you hide from me and want you to look good, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know anything, I just don¡¯t care about it with you. Now, I have it in my stomach, and if I don¡¯t fight for myself, I will fight for the children in my stomach and Niuniu. If you dare to excuse me, we¡¯ll lose everything.¡±


    ¡± Yes and yes, don¡¯t you say, I won¡¯t be sorry for you and your children, am I that kind of person?¡± Chunli was perfunctory, thinking whether to let Cuiyan live in another ce tomorrow.


    The separation of families was settled. Liu Li did not want to stay for a day. The pce was packed up and they would move immediately.


    You also wanted to choose a good day. Liu Li said it was better to choose a day than to hit it.


    On the day of moving, Chunyu and Chunli brothers went to help. After returning, Chunyu said that Chunfeng still lived separately from Liu Li, one in the inner court and the other in the outer court.


    Ye Jiayao was not surprised. Liu Li thought that if they changed ces, they could start over?It was not that easy. Once your heart was cool, did it mean you could change your mind?Chunfeng insisted on moving out, because he didn¡¯t want his family to see any trouble.


    Recently, there were many things in the family. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t have time to deal with the inn transferred from Brother Deng, and it had been idle for a long time. Ye Jiayao decided to renovate it and move the pastry house to this side. By the way, she would develop some more drinks, hot drinks in winter and cold drinks in summer, specially for serving female guests.


    Ha ha, you shouldn¡¯t look down upon woman¡¯s consumption ability. It was definitely not worse than man¡¯s. In addition, there were manydies in Jin Lin. In ancient times, women seldom went to restaurants because restaurants were man¡¯s territory and woman¡¯s ess was not convenient. She got a dessert house specially for female guests, and there was definitely a door.


    Of course, Ye Jiayao also had a selfish interest. Women loved gossip and she would find something difficult to hear in such a dessert house. Although she didn¡¯t want to take part in government affairs, she couldn¡¯t hide, especially in this ancient time when all honors were tied together.


    If you wanted to do what you wanted, it was just that you didn¡¯t have enough people. Housekeeper Zhao still had to work on the farm. Chunyu couldn¡¯t be without Song Qi and Ye Jiayao decided to let Cui Dongpeng graduate earlier to help.


    Cui Dongpeng had made rapid progress and was very hopeful to win the first batch of outstanding students. He redoubled his efforts to make the list andined a few disgruntled words.


    Ye Jiayao had to allow him to take part in the next issue.


    Cui Dongpeng made up his ass and packed up his bedding.


    However, the money would not be enough for this side to be overhauled again, because the emperor defaulted on his ount and said that now that Liu Li moved out and he would not care about the repair of the old house of Nangong Mansion. It was already cheap enough for him to earn a house for nothing.


    Chunyu was also embarrassed to grind hard and tie up the matter. The matter could not be solved. The three ces to be repaired could not be covered, so he had to put aside the Nangong old house first, but he was not in a hurry anyway.


    Ye Jiayao now squatted on this side of the dessert house as soon as she was free. Chunyu would alsoe and see if he got down.


    ¡± Yaoyao, is your dessert house okay?¡± Chunyu looked around, and the decoration here really took a lot of thought. Even a brick, a tile, and a railing were all very exquisite. Although it was just a small inn, the money spent on it was enough to buy two more inns, so it was a little worried. Yaoyao¡¯s idea was very good, but the traditional moral codes were hard to change.


    Ye Jiayao was full of confidence: ¡± No problem. When the dessert house opens, I will invite the wife of Yongning Marquis and Zhu toe and let everyone have a free taste first, and thenunch a series of activities without worry.¡±


    She wanted to make this ce where thedies of Jin Lin City were flocking to, but ordinary people still weren¡¯t allowed to enter. Therefore, the decoration here should be gorgeous and elegant, and everything should be the best.


    ¡± All right, you have many ideas anyway, but it doesn¡¯t matter if you can¡¯t.¡± Xia Chunyu relieved her pressure and didn¡¯t just rely on this ce to make a fortune.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± To have confidence in your wife, I will not do anything uncertain.¡±


    Xia Chunyu pinched her nose with spoil: ¡± Give you what you can do.¡±


    There were just two cooliesing. Ye Jiayao was busy taking off her hands. This guy always didn¡¯t look at the asion.


    Dinner time was approaching, and the two of them went home together in a carriage.


    There was no need to worry about the day when Liu Li was ying tricks, so it was still very rxing and happy.


    When they returned home, they were told that the first princess Yide wasing.


    Ye Jiayao was delighted. She did not change her clothes and went straight to the main building.


    The princess and You were talking about things. When they heard the servant report that seconddy and second master wereing, they had a tacit understanding to keep their mouths shut.


    ¡± Mum, princess.¡± Ye Jiayao made a formal ceremony when she entered the room.


    ¡± Jinxuan, you¡¯rete today,¡± Youined with a smile.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡°I didn¡¯t know princess wasing, or else I will have to do something important first.¡±


    Yide smiled angrily and said, ¡± Well said, I don¡¯te. You don¡¯t even know to visit us in the pce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was ashamed. She was really busy recently. She wanted to wait until the dessert house was finished before going to visit princess.


    Chunyu, eager to protect his wife, exined: ¡± Jinxuan has been working on a dessert house these days, and has already said that when it is ready, she will be the first to invite her mother and princess to see it. This is the first dessert house in Jin Lin City, and it is only a dessert house for women.¡±


    ¡± Really?¡± Yide wondered,¡± Is dessert house only for cakes?¡±


    ¡± Not only cakes, but also various drinks, refreshments and the like, some of which are simr to tea houses, but mainly desserts,¡± Ye Jiayao exined.


    ¡± It¡¯s really a rare ce to go. When you¡¯re done, I¡¯ll ask the wife of Yongning Marquis to go with me. She likes these sweets best.¡± Yideughed.


    You said with a slight smile, ¡± Look at you two, you¡¯re so dusty, you¡¯reing to meet people, and you¡¯re not too poor. Go and change your clothes, and you can eatter. Yide, you¡¯ll stay for dinner today.¡±


    ¡± If I stay, the queen mother will be alone. I¡¯ll go back first,¡± said Yide.


    As she got up to leave, Ye Jiayao sent her out. Yide spoke a few words, but Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡± Princess, if you have anything to say.¡±


    Yide said, ¡± If you are free, go and see Little Jing. I don¡¯t think he seems quite right recently.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked worriedly: ¡± What is wrong with him?¡±


    Yide¡¯s face was troubled: ¡± He seems to have fallen in love with a dusty woman, running out every night, returning with wine and spirits, and sometimes noting back at all. Her majesty don¡¯t even know it. They dare not tell her. You have to persuade Little Jing to stop degenerating.¡±

 Chapter 304 - Liu Li was a real pain in the neck

    <h4>Chapter 304: Liu Li was a real pain in the neck</h4>


    Ye Jiayao looked at Yide princess with a face of bewilderment.


    How was it possible? Little Jing was not the kind of person who did not care about himself! Even if Ruan married, he was depressed for a while and returned to normal.


    ¡± Perhaps, Xiaojing has difficulties!¡± Ye Jiayao naturally defended Xiaojing.


    Yide smiled wryly: ¡± I also hope that he has difficulties! But I tell to him,?he was talking back to me, which pissed me off. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao silently said, ¡± I¡¯ll ask him.¡±


    ¡± Well, except for his brother, he is most willing to listen to you and take your advice.¡± Yide had no choice but to find Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and said, ¡± Xiaoing is also my brother, and I won¡¯t ignore it.¡±


    When Yide was sent away, Ye Jiayao was uneasy. She was too busy to care about herself these days, not to mention caring much about the affairs of the Helian Mansion.


    During the meal, Ye Jiayao found that You always was distracted and ate two pieces of mutton that she didn¡¯t touch on weekdays without realizing it.


    Was You also worried?


    After supper, You called Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± There is one thing I want to hear from you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked dignified and solemn at You.


    ¡± The Yide princess tell me that Liu Li has had contact with the Royal Highness Yu¡¯s side princess these days, making the queen very unhappy. The queen mother says a few words of Liu Li, but Liu Li says that we all are a family. The queen mother is also angry. What do you think about this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Liu Li was really a crackpot woman. She didn¡¯t understand the structure of the brain of Liu Li. They should be cautious and afraid of being involved in the whirlpool. She was be close to the side princess of the Royal Highness Yu in public. Wasn¡¯t she be afraid to upset the queen and prince.


    The main purpose of Yide princess¡¯s visit was for Liu Li. After all, Liu Li was the wife of Chunfeng, and some things were delicate. Jing ¡®an marquis house had never made clear its position on the line, but both the prince and the Royal Highness Yu attached great importance to Jing ¡®an marquis house, Chunyu was the second, the key was the duke. His appeal in the army was notparable to that of ordinary people. Both sides were fighting for it, not to mention wanting to break the bnce.


    The rtionship between Chunfeng and Liu Li was so bad that outsiders didn¡¯t know. Even the queen mother and queen knew nothing about it. They thought Chunfeng still loved Liu Li and was willing to move away from Jing ¡®an marquis house for Liu Li. If Liu Li was not clear about the situation and drags Chunfeng into the water, a small variable might affect the overall situation. Therefore, Yide princess would make a special trip.


    ¡± I think, we should remind Chunfeng that no one can stop the Liu Li from doing anything, but Chunfeng himself must have a backbone,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    You sighed: ¡± I¡¯m just worried about Chunfeng. Liu Li didn¡¯t know how to handle things properly. But she didn¡¯t hurt Chunfeng.¡±


    ¡± Mother, I will ask Chunyu to see Chunfeng tonight.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    This poor bitch, her moving away was still so unnerving.


    When she returned to her room, Chunyu was teasing Bao. Bao seemed to like him very much. Sheughed when Chunyu teased her.


    Ye Jiayao saw Chunyu¡¯s posture of holding children getting better and better. Unlike the first time, Chunyu waspletely afraid to move. She?thought that he must be a qualified father when they had children in the future.


    Ye Jiayao also wanted to join in teasing Bao, but now there were more important things, so she ordered softly: ¡± Lian, you take Bao down first.¡±


    Lian took Bao from Heir-son Lord: ¡± Bao, let¡¯s go y with Little Ji and Little Rui.¡±


    Qiao Xi knew that the seconddy and the prince had something to say and withdrew.


    Xia Chunyu was still a little reluctant to let go of the baby milk. The faint scent of milk really smelt good and melted the heart.


    ¡± What does my mother say to you?¡± Xia Chunyu asked first.


    Ye Jiayao said the matter: ¡± Go to the seventh marquis house to see Chunfeng! It is better to be cautious.¡±


    The seventh marquis house was partly a servant of Jing ¡®an marquis house, so the situation of Chunfeng and Liu Li was still clear here. Liu Li had spent a lot of efforts to restore Chunfeng, bring tea and water every day, and deliberately pleased, but Chunfeng regarded her as air and turned a blind eye to Liu Li. Even if he knew that Liu Li was in contact with the Royal Highness Yu¡¯s side princess named Lin, he would not take care of it and would let it go.


    Chunyu sulked and said, ¡± Why can¡¯t she stop for a while? Who is this?¡±


    ¡± We don¡¯t care who she is, let¡¯s not let Chunfeng suffer losses and bring trouble to marquis house.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Chunyu frowned and said, ¡± I¡¯ll go over here.¡±


    As he said this, Ye Jiayao hurried out: ¡± You take your cloak because it¡¯s cool to ride a horse at night.¡±


    Chunyu didn¡¯t want to be in a carriage alone and liked to ride a horse.


    Xia Chunyu did not refuse to let Ye Jiayao tie his cloak. Although it was not necessary at all, he did not want Ye Jiayao to worry about .


    On this night, Chunyu left, Liu Li came and held a cup of cinnamon lotus soup in her hand.


    Tonight¡¯s Chunfeng was not the same as usual. when she entered the door, Chunfeng¡¯s indifferent eyes fell on her. Unlike before, hepletely ignored her existence.


    Liu Li was a little uneasy, wasn¡¯t Chunyu saying something to Chunfeng, and Chunfeng¡¯s eyes were not good!


    ¡± It¡¯s just stewed. You eat it while it¡¯s hot. Don¡¯t cook toote. I¡¯ll go first.¡± Liu Li thought it was better to leave quickly.


    ¡± Stop.¡±


    As soon as she turned around, there was a cold voice behind her.


    Liu Li paused and timidly turned around: ¡± What can I do for you?¡±


    After so many days of hard work, he finally spoke to her. If his facial expression was not so cold and his tone was not so cold, she would jump up happily instead of so scared as she was now.


    Chunfeng¡¯s political sense of smell was not acute, but now he was in a bad mood that ignored some things. The second brother came over tonight to remind him that he felt it necessary to have a talk with Liu Li.


    ¡± Sit down.¡± Chunfeng cherished words like gold.


    Liu Li chose the chair farthest from Chunfeng to sit down.


    Chunfeng was speechless. Was he so terrible?


    Well, it was not a bad thing that she also knew to be afraid of him, although he had no hope for her anymore, he only hoped to live in peace and not cause any trouble again.


    ¡± Are you familiar with the Royal Highness Yu¡¯s side princess Lin?¡±


    Liu Li suddenly realized that it was for this. It was really strange, the queen mother also said her for this matter. Wasn¡¯t it just with Lin met several times and said a few reply? Why did you make a fuss one by one? She made friends with Lin, which did not mean she supported the Royal Highness Yu ?


    ¡± We are not very familiar. There is just a little intersection before between us. what¡¯s the matter?¡± Liu Li had some unhappiness in her heart, but it didn¡¯t appear on her face. After moving in, this was the first time Chunfeng had talked to her well, and she didn¡¯t want to make the atmosphere stiff.


    ¡± You¡¯d better stay away from each otherter!¡± Chunfeng said.


    ¡± Why?¡± Liu Li refused to ept. She had few friends. After moving out, only Lin came to see her. The two women talked about spection. If she was not allowed to associate with Lin, then she didn¡¯t even have a friend.


    Chunfeng raised his eyebrows and said sullenly, ¡± Do you really don¡¯t understand or pretend not to understand?¡±


    Liu Li said, ¡± I know what you are worried about, but I am not a woman without discretion! My personal rtionship with Lin won¡¯t affect anyone, why not? Ye Jinxuan is also a good friend with Princess Yu. Her rtionship with Princess Yu is much closer than mine and Lin¡¯s. Why didn¡¯t anyone say she was?¡±


    Chunfeng choked on her words. He wanted to say, could youpare with the second sister-in-low? The second sister-in-low¡¯s work had always been reassuring. Unlike you, You were always in a muddle. You still felt very reasonable when you ran into trouble. Moreover, it was said that princess Yu was not popr at all. Lin was the real mistress of the pce. It was much more dangerous to associate with Lin than with princess Yu.


    However, Chunfeng already knew the temper of Liu Li. The second sister-in-low was a thorn in Liu Li¡¯s heart. If he wanted to say so, Liu Li would not only not listen but would also do the opposite.


    Chunfeng pondered over the matter and said, ¡± You should know that Lin is the person on the top of the Royal Highness Yu¡¯s heart. You and Lin are too close to each other. People outside will inevitably make various guesses. You don¡¯t care, but what will others think of me? You don¡¯t want me to be pushed to the forefront, do you?¡±


    This was heard by Liu Li, and she was silent. She did not think so much, only felt that it was her private affair tomunicate with Lin, and did not think that it would involve Chunfeng.


    ¡± Now there are gossip outside, surmising whether I am going to fall to the Royal Highness Yu ¡®s camp. Do you think this is a good thing? The reason why the emperor thinks so highly of Jing ¡®an marquis house is that it is always the emperor who the Jing ¡®an marquis house is loyal to. Liu Li, you are a princess, and you are the thirddy of Jing ¡®an marquis house. There are some things you should consider for everyone. ¡± Chunfeng¡¯s tone was still mild.


    Liu Li nodded silently: ¡± I know, I will have less contact with her in the future, but if I don¡¯t see her when shees to the door, is it too obvious?¡±


    Chunfeng rubbed his eyebrows and thought that it indeed was too obvious and not good.


    ¡± Just know what you should do.¡± Chunfeng had not much to say. He had said what he should say. Liu Li seemed to be listening. As long as she was not stupid enough to be hopeless, there should be no big problem.


    ¡± Oh!¡± Liu Li answer tamely.


    ¡± Well, you go back first, and I will continue to read the official documents.¡± Chunfeng started to urge her to leave.


    Liu Li rose disappointedly: ¡± Then you don¡¯t be toote!¡±


    Tonight, Chunfeng¡¯s peaceful talk with her had been a great improvement. Although Liu Li was eager to improve her rtionship with him, she also knew that such a thing was not urgent, so she walked away obediently.


    Chunfeng looked at the steaming bowl of cinnamon lotus soup on the table, thinking that sometimes he really felt that Liu Li was very poor. Liu Li was a spoiled child. The queen mother¡¯s indulgence only led to the arrogance, selfishness, wrong and repentance of Liu Li. Everyone regarded her as a scourge, and she didn¡¯t even have a friend. But that¡¯s why Lin¡¯s courtship was a Greek gift. He didn¡¯t believe that Lin¡¯s courtship was pure, it must be purposeful.


    Liu Li was not scheming, but she always did bad things; however, if she was clever, why she always did silly things.


    Chunfeng held his forehead and had a headache...

 Chapter 305 - Auspicious beginning of a new enterprise

    <h4>Chapter 305: Auspicious beginning of a new enterprise</h4>


    Ye Jiayao remembered the matter of Little Jing, and went to find Little Jing after ss the next day.


    Who knew that, actually he was in Changchun Building.


    Inquired, said Little Jing was drinking with a famous prostitute Su Yuanyuan .


    Shit,was everything the princess royal Yide said true?


    Ye Jiayao stared at the signboard of Changchun Building reflected by the redntern, listening to the melodious silk and bamboo in it, the warbler¡¯s voice like those of nightingales and swallows. , and her heart was depressed.


    It was said, it was not a rare thing for aristocratic children to visit brothels. In ancient times, brothels were legal upations, but families with strict family education were forbidden. Ye Jiayao could not ept such behavior.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s carriage was parked outside the Changchun Building, causing Gui Gong¡¯s attention to stare at Ye Jiayao eyeing up,whether his graciousness wanted to make trouble.


    Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile.Shit. She knew that she was dressed up for men¡¯s wear today. It was not good to break in like this. She was supposed to be Chunyu, and she came to catch criminals. What made people anxious was that she brought Qiao Xi today. If she had brought Song Xi, it would have been easy to do so. Just now she plugged the silver to get Little Jing inside and tried to ask Gui Gong to give him a message, but Gui Gong said nothing.


    No way, Ye Jiayao had to retreat first. Once she was back home, she wore a set of men¡¯s clothes and prepared to go again.


    Xia Chunyu saw it very strangely, Yao Yao has not worn men¡¯s clothing for a long time.


    ¡°What are you going to do ?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed with a stomach:¡±I want to go get revenge on someone!¡±


    Xia Chunyu was intimidated and immediately red: ¡± Who made you angry? Tell me, I¡¯ll pick him up,who dare to provoke my wife,?I have to give him a hard lesson.¡±


    Looking at Xia Chunyu rubbing his hands with his sleeve, Ye Jiayao broke the record: ¡± Forget it, you don¡¯t mix it up. I¡¯m also entrusted.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t work. What if you lose money? Going away, I will go with you. I have to see which one who is not open-eyed is impatient.¡± How can Xia Chunyu let her go alone.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t stop it.She still wanted to squat and leave a little face to Littlejing. So she had to say, ¡°Then you are far following, not allowed to blend.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was confused in his heart. What happened in the end?


    Once again, she came to Changchun Building, and Ye Jiayao let the carriage stop far away and swayed over.


    Xia Chunyu lifted the car curtain and looked at it. Darling, Yao Yao was going to rush into the brothel??That was terrible. He jumped out of the car and caught up.


    Ye Jiayao frowned crossly: ¡± Don¡¯t you stay in the car??¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows: ¡± Do you think I can still stay in the car calmly when youe to such a ce??¡±


    Ye Jiayao curled her pie mouth: ¡± Well, I¡¯m here to look for Little Jing. This guy has been in convulsions recently. He spends every day with Su Yuanyuan.The princess royal Yide is so worried that she says he still doesn¡¯t listen.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face changed and he dragged Ye Jiayao out with aplicated look.


    ¡± Hey, what are you doing??I have to talk about him. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu said nothing and pushed her directly into the carriage.


    ¡± Don¡¯t go, Little Jing is doing something.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao froze and thought, what did he mean by ¡± doing things¡±??The love of the bed is sometimes called doing things.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her with a nk face and wanted to exin it to her, but some things were difficult to say. He had to say, ¡± Do you think Little Jing is the kind of person who lingers around flowers and likes to look for flowers and ask willow trees??¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head. Although Little Jing was a little proud of his noble son, he was virtuous in nature and Helian Xuan had always been very strict with him. He had no such bad habits.


    ¡± That don¡¯t have to??You don¡¯t have to worry about this. Sometimes men do not always do bad things when they go to such ces. ¡± Xia Chunyu said implicitly but firmly.


    Fortunately, he came with us today, or he would have ruined the n of Little Jing.


    Ye Jiayao vaguely guessed, ¡± You mean, Little Jing is here to do business??¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her with a smile and seemed to be asking, what do you think?


    Ye Jiayao turned supercilious look and did something!He didn¡¯t say it earlier, and it made her angry. Uh ... but it seemed that she didn¡¯t mention it. Chunyu wouldn¡¯t tell her everything outside.


    Forgot it, since she knew that Little Jing had not fallen, she was at ease. When Little Jing¡¯s work was finished, princess royal Yide ¡®s doubts would naturally be dispelled.


    After being busy for more than a month, Ye Jiayao¡¯s carefully nned Ye¡¯s Dessert House finally opened.


    You, Yide princess royal, Yongning marquis¡¯s wife, Zhu,A Ruan and so on all came to attend the opening ceremony, which was a busy day in front of the gate, and the clothes in the store were fragrant and the temples were shadowed.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s new hot drinks, silver heron walnut juice, coconut milk, taro milk tea and so on are very popr.


    In addition, the decoration here was exquisite and elegant, and the appliances used were superior, whether whiteware or enamel.


    In short, it was three good things, good environment, good things and good service.


    Ye Jiayao took the opportunity tounch the membership system, and the threshold was high. It was not that members cannot get in. The total number was also under control, not exceeding 100.


    The mentality of these rich and superior people, Ye Jiayao, was very thorough. If anyone coulde here, they would despise it. The more they controlled and set a high threshold, these people would feel that membership was a symbol of status.Yongning marquis¡¯s wife took the lead and immediately got arge number of people¡¯s response, saying that they wanted to be members, not just for food, but for inclusion in the circle. People in the circle did not want to be excluded from the circle. People outside the circle wanted to take the opportunity to enter the circle.


    After a busy day and sending off the guests, Ye Jiayao asked the ount office to bring the ount books, smiling.


    Ha ha, almost all invited members today, the first day was the friendship price, with a 50 % discount and an annual fee of 500 taels, with a total of 48 members and more than 20,000 taels recorded. It was estimated that news would spread tomorrow and more people would join.


    The membership fee would be 20 % by tomorrow, and there would be no discount the day after tomorrow. Ye Jiayao was sure that she would be able to fill 100 ces tomorrow.


    Ye¡¯s Dessert House became a popr ce fordies in Jinling City. Imagined, this was the first ce in history to be open only to women. This was a ce where only people with a certain status coulde in. One by one, it was not allowed to tip their heads and squeeze their heads in??Daily wanted to see these topdy daughter, also had to seven turns eight corners around rtionship, there was such a ce, could see a lot of rare characters in daily, thought about all wanted to make people excited!?It was those gentlemen who enthusiastically supported their wives and daughters to join.


    This was the best ce fordy diplomacy.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t expect Ye Jiayao to be so effective. In just four or five days, the hottest topic in Jinling City was Ye¡¯s Dessert House, and most of the decoration expenses were recovered from the membership fee.


    What business was more prosperous than this??Faster than this one??All the heavenly dwelling ces would be over.


    Xia Chunyu admired her to the ground.


    This woman, too much, was a natural material for business.


    You never thought that one day she would be asked to do something, but it was just to join the members of Ye¡¯s Dessert House and her head was almost blown up.


    And Zhou, who also took in arge amount of human favor and asked Ye Jiayao to amodate him.


    Ye Jiayao was rebuffed.


    You was still not very happy. You didn¡¯t think it was a big deal. Besides, you still didn¡¯t earn money.?This kind of money was earned with ease.


    Ye Jiayao had to exin to her patiently.


    ¡°Why do everyone want to join? because of the difficulty? No matter what things are rare, they are noble and not rare. Moreover, as soon as there are more people, the quality of service is hard to guarantee. What she wants to build is fine products, her eyes should be far away, not just for immediate benefits.¡±


    You thought it made sense to change her membership. If any cat or dog can enter, she would not be rare.


    Must have to gasp in admiration, on business, no one can catch up with Ye Jinxuan.


    The sess of Ye¡¯s Dessert House had some joy and some sorrow.


    This day lin came to visit Liu Li again.


    ¡± Liu Li, do you know Ye¡¯s dessert house??¡±


    Liu Li seldom went out, not because she didn¡¯t want to, but because she had nowhere to go, so she was not well informed. However, she was very sensitive to the surname Ye.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know.¡± Liu Li light way.


    ¡± You didn¡¯t even know it.¡± Lin looked at Liu Li like a monster, then sighed and said, ¡± No wonder you don¡¯t know that Ye doesn¡¯t deal with you and won¡¯t tell you.¡±


    Liu Li listened to Lin¡¯s tone and confirmed spection in her heart that Ye Jinxuan had opened the Ye¡¯s dessert house.


    ¡°It is just a dessert house!?There are many ces to eat dessert, there is nothing to be proud of. ¡± zed ze scoffed at it.


    Lin said with a smile, ¡± The family is not good now!?¡±


    Liu Li eyebrows frown, face looked still light: ¡± Oh??What¡¯s wrong??¡±


    Lin sneered: ¡°Ye really has a set of membership system, which is used to appealing to people, and has a requirement for identity. No membership is allowed under the four officials. The quota is limited, with a maximum of 100 ces. Firste first, then, I¡¯m sorry, even if you are the wife of a senior official, the membership fee is still far too high. One thousand two hundred taels of silver will be three years and the membership formalities will be resumed in three years. Obviously, it is cheat people, but there are so many people who are eager to send money to catch up with their sons.¡±


    Liu Li was very ufortable in heart. Ye Jinxuan had many designs.


    Lin watched the reaction of Liu Li carefully and added: ¡± She is now the hottest person in Jinling City. Everyone wants to make friends with her and give her pride, and she really thinks she is the number one.¡±


    Liu Li was even more blocked. She had always regarded Ye Jinxuan as the object ofpetition andparison, but she was always better than her. Now she was even more despondent, and Ye Jinxuan was even more prosperous, so how could she not block her heart?


    ¡± If it weren¡¯t for princess royal Yide, Jingan marquis¡¯s wife, and Yongning marquis¡¯s wife, they would have some rare membership??I don¡¯t understand. Isn¡¯t she a good eater??To put it bluntly, it¡¯s a cook. What¡¯s the big deal??On identity, on appearance, which point can exceed you??¡± Lin had done his best to stir up trouble.


    Liu Li was suffocating fast, and said coldly, ¡± That¡¯s because she can pretend to talk to people and talk nonsense to hell. I haven¡¯t seen a woman heavier than her scheming.¡±

 Chapter 306 - Don’t see the problem

    <h4>Chapter 306: Don¡¯t see the problem</h4>


    Lin secretly pleased, indeed Liu Li and Ye Jinxuan didn¡¯t get along well with each other. She said on purpose: ¡± She is a businesswoman and already glib and crafty. Also, she is good at such things unlike us who grow up in a good family. If she cheats us, we will even help her to conceal it.¡±


    Lin also hated Ye Jiayao, because if it weren¡¯t that?she said something bad in front of the imperial concubine, would she had been punished? Originally, she had the final say in the inner court of Prince Yu¡¯s Mansion, but now she still had to look at Ruan¡¯s face and lose her princess¡¯s name, which had made her very angry. In short, it was all the harm of a bitch named Ye.


    ¡± Others will say, you and she are sisters ¨C in ¨Cw, when dessert house opens, she doesn¡¯t inform you, what is this? If she notifies you, you don¡¯t go, this is your mistake. But if she doesn¡¯t inform you, obviously she doesn¡¯t put you in the eye, how will outsiders think? Maybe others think you don¡¯t give her face or that you are mean!It is also too poisonous. ¡± Lin spared no effort to smear Ye Jiayao.


    Liu Li hated her to death, because she didn¡¯t nned to argue with Ye Jinxuan ant more, or she would not move out, but Ye was still calcting her. It was true. How could it be tolerated?


    ¡± Ah ... I can¡¯t get along with such people. I can understand why you move out now and I can¡¯t stand it.¡±


    ¡± Forget it, don¡¯t mention her, it¡¯s my big mouth. If you don¡¯t know this, you will not have to worry about it. If you know it, it can only be a bad heart.?There¡¯s something else in Prince Yu¡¯s mansion, I¡¯lle back first and see you another day.¡± Lin¡¯s purpose had been achieved, She would leave first.


    Liu Li sent Lin out of the house, and she was too infuriated. She ordered a carriage to be prepared and went to Ye¡¯s Dessert House.


    Indeed as expected, as Lin said, Ye¡¯s dessert house was extremely popr, which could be seen from the luxury carriage that had slipped away from the house. People who came here were both rich and noble.


    Liu Li looked for a moment and saw a familiar figureing out, and then ordered the carriage to leave.


    Ye Jiayao was sending Zhu and Zhu ¡®s sisters-inw out of the door. A membership card could take three people at a time, with a 20 % discount for each consumption. A hundred members were equal to four hundred to five hundred or more guests, which could motivate sales, because few people came to eat sweet hot drinks by herself. Moreover, owning a membership card was a symbol of identity, bringing people here with it, with a double face, and Ye Jiayao¡¯s abacus was finely crafted.


    ¡± What do you want to say?¡± Ye Jiayao sincerely said because Zhu was her better friend and had insight. Ye Jiayao would like to hear her opinion.


    Zhu chuckled and said, ¡± Don¡¯t embarrass me. I haven¡¯t seen any desserts and hot drinks you made. They¡¯re delicious. What else can I do for you?¡±


    ¡± There are always shorings. You must tell me when you think about them.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    ¡± Well, then I¡¯ll go back and think hard,¡± Zhu joked.


    When the carriage came, Ye Jiayao gave a virtual hand and called Zhu¡¯s sisters-inw and said, ¡± When you two want toe, just bring her card.¡±


    The two of them were still wanting more. They heard that they could get Zhu¡¯s card with a bright eye: ¡± Is that ok?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡°No one else can do it, but you can juste.¡±


    This was certainly not the first time that Ye Jiayao said that both the members and their friends coulde again. Of course, she did not say that to anyone. Doing business depended on her own ability and also on friends¡¯ support. For some friends, this face must be given.


    Indeed, they were very happy. Zhuughed: ¡± This is all right. Don¡¯t worry about the membership fee.¡±


    After sending Zhu away, Ye Jiayao went back to greet other guests.


    Looking at the good business in the store, Ye Jiayao was also in a good mood. At the beginning, she was also a little worried. As Chunyu said: ¡°Feudal ethics are deeply rooted and even can¡¯t open up the situation. Now she looks over-worried .¡±


    She was wondering if she was going to develop some new products. A waiter told her that Young Royal Highness Jing was here ,and he was outside, if she should let hime in?


    Ye Jiayao had a basic rule in this Ye¡¯s Dessert House that didn¡¯t receive male guests. The waiters here were all gorgeous and beautiful young girls, all of whom were selected from the thousands of people. After a period of training, the service was in ce.


    The store rules couldn¡¯t be broken. Men would disturb thedies here when they came in. Ye Jiayao would go out to see Little Jing.


    Little Jing had swollen eyes due to recent night lives. Ye Jiayao could not help but frown: ¡± What are you doing these days? People who engage in such activities are like ghosts.¡±


    Little Jing looked at the sign of Ye¡¯s Dessert House and said with a smile, ¡± Is it really not for male guests?¡±


    ¡± Of course, there are a number of darling unmarried daughters,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Little Jing wrinkled his nose: ¡± Will I have no luck with this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes: ¡± Upon hearing what you say, I know you have not been home these days. I have told princess to bring some delicious food back.¡±


    Little Jing embarrassed: ¡± I¡¯m busy ! Hey, do you find me the other day for something?¡±


    Ye Jiayao could not help rolling her eyes again: ¡± When you react at the moment, it¡¯s toote.¡±


    Little Jing became nervous: ¡± You really have something to do with me? Is brother Chunyu guilty again?¡±


    ¡± Go away, you speak nonsense!¡± Ye Jiayao was arguing for Chunyu, he didn¡¯t know how honest Chunyu was since Lu Xiaotian¡¯s incident.


    ¡± I hear that the old ancestor¡¯s cough has beenmitted again, and that you have not been able to get home recently. I know you are busy outside, but you shouldn¡¯t ignore the old ancestor and princess.¡±


    In front of?Little Jing, Ye Jiayao always imed to be his elder sister and said whatever she wanted.


    Little Jing smiled awkwardly: ¡± I see, my motherined to you, does she?¡±


    Ye Jiayao also did not deny it, saying: ¡± Comining is also out of concern. No matter what happens, family members are the most important.¡±


    Chunyu said that Little Jing was doing business and refused to tell her anything. It was a secret matter. She was not the kind of person who would asked endlessly. She would never go after the root of things she shouldn¡¯t ask.


    ¡± Yes, it must be corrected,¡± said Little Jing modestly.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t say anything about him when she saw that his attitude was correct. It was strange for them to stand outside the door and talk, so she asked Qiao Xi?to put some desserts to give to Little Jing.


    ¡± Here you are, when will I have something delicious here without your share? If you want to eat, let?Pingane and get it.¡±


    Little Jing cheerfully took over: ¡± If you say so, I¡¯ll be wee.¡±


    On her way home, Ye Jiayao was about to get off the carriage when she heard Qiaoxi?whispered, ¡± I seem to see the seconddy¡±


    Ye Jiayao poked out her head in a hurry and saw Ye Jinrong¡¯s back in a hurry, as if something was chasing her behind. It was a hurry to leave.


    Did she miss Bao? No mother would give up her child.


    Seeing Ye Jinrong, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help thinking about Assistant Minister Mu¡¯s case. It had been reviewing for some time. She didn¡¯t know if there was any result. Well, when Chunyu came back, she would ask.


    In the main room, You looked at this month¡¯s ounts and looked worried.


    Mother Sun said cautiously, ¡±?Seconddy is indeed busy, and it is normal for her to fail to attend to her affairs. When the people below see this situation, they will inevitably have some lucky thoughts, or thedy will do it ...¡±


    You closed the books and said lightly, ¡± Since I have handed over this family to her, I will not intervene. You also don¡¯t mind. Today is the end of the month, let the seconddy look at the bills first. She can manage the Heavenly Residence and Ye¡¯s dessert house, and it won¡¯t be hard for her to deal with this matter.¡±


    Mother Sun echoed with a smile: ¡± If the seconddy gets up with her heart, what else can escape her eyes?¡±


    You sighed, and said with some envy and helplessness, ¡± She is really capable. I have been running silks and satin business for many years. The shops in Jin Lin and Hangzhou together are not as good as her dessert house.¡±


    Who else can think of that kind of idea?


    The thought of despising Ye Jinxuan at the beginning, and thought of her of no use of being a cook? You didn¡¯t think she could make such a big noise. In another few years, she would even be Jin Lin¡¯s richest person.


    Still Chunyu had a vision!A little jealous ,but she was still very happy because her heart turned sour. Ye Jinxuan had not only earned back money but also face. Now everyone boasted that she had found a good daughter ¨C in ¨Cw?¡±


    ¡± Call?Housekeeper Zhong to pay the bill!¡± You¡¯s face had recovered. She wouldn¡¯t see the wrong person. Ye Jinxuan could solve this small matter by herself.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao returned to her room and changed her clothes, hearing that?Housekeeper Zhong was waiting.


    Ye Jiayao knew that it was the end of the month to pay the bill, so she came back early. Before dinner time, Ye Jiayao went to the front office to see Housekeeper Zhong.


    Both?Housekeeper Zhong and the ountant was in the room.


    Ye Jiayao quietly leafed through the books.


    This month¡¯s expenditure was much higher than that of the previous month. Some of it was used to add items to Chunfeng¡¯s new residence and bought several servants. These expenses had nothing to say and should be. But what about other expenses? For example, food was only slightly less thanst month, which wasn¡¯t normal? As she knew, the house was one room less and there were ten servants left. Moreover, there were no guests in the government this month.


    Since she took charge of the family, she had not given too many orders and warnings, just to see who was faithful and reliable, who could exercise self-discipline without deterrence, and who was most trustworthy.


    Well, it was only a month, then look for another month to see who else couldn¡¯t resist showing his nature.


    Ye Jiayao closed the books and said to Housekeeper Zhong, ¡± No problem, you do very well.¡±


    Housekeeper Zhong frowned his brows obviously, didn¡¯t seconddy really find any problem?


    ¡± Oh, I hear that thedy intends to let Lin Shu, son of Lin Kun, and Ziming, son of Zhou Xing, take over in the future?¡± Ye Jiayao seemed to ask at random.


    Housekeeper Zhong replied, ¡± It is true.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Well, then let Lin Shu go to the silk shop to learn something. There must also be a process for his session, it¡¯s not easy to seed.¡±

 Chapter 307 - Ask for advice

    <h4>Chapter 307: Ask for advice</h4>


    Manager Zhong thumped in his heart and tried to ask, ¡± where¡¯s the Ziming?¡±?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a nd smile: ¡± Ziming is now working in the third lord¡¯s mansion. There is stillcking manpower. Let¡¯s talk about itter.¡±


    Manager Zhong already understood the meaning of the seconddy. It seemed that the seconddy had a clear mind.Although Ziming was working at the third lord¡¯s mansion, because Ziming was the madam favourite sessor, Ziming¡¯s contract was still in the government, unlike others, it was even handed over to the third lord. The seconddy only asked Lin Shu to go to the silk shop to learn some skills, but did not mention letting Ziming go. Why?Was it not clear yet?This was giving her a warning!


    Since the seconddy didn¡¯t want to be discovered, it meant giving some people a chance to see if they can understand the seconddy¡¯s intentions.


    ¡± If anyone asks, you will answer as I said.¡± Ye Jiayao said. She liked smart men, and was transparent at all, but she doesn¡¯t like smart people.


    At dinner time, You saw Zhou Xingjia¡¯s expression as usual and there seemed to be no movement in the house. Jinxuan seemed to be in a good mood and still talked about the business situation of the dessert house with her today. Then she could not help being puzzled but wonder if Jinxuan really didn¡¯t find any problems.


    No, I would have to ask Manager Zhong to askter.


    So, after dinner, You called Manager Zhong, and after listening to Manager Zhong¡¯s reply, You smiled happily and asked, ¡± Did Zhou Xingjia ask?¡±


    ¡± Asked, I returned as instructed by the seconddy.¡±


    You looked a bit pale again for a few minutes. She paused for a moment and said, ¡± All right, never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. Let the seconddy solve it by herself.¡±


    Waved and told Manager Zhong to back off.


    Servant Sun also looked extremely worried, ¡± Zhou Xing¡¯s family are not so heartless. It¡¯s called excreta has pasted its eyes?¡±


    You sighed, ¡± You have been following me for many years and have always been reused. I don¡¯t want to see anyone who has made a mistake and won a bad reputation, but the seconddy has already reminded me that the means are gentle enough to be regarded as caring for the old man¡¯s face, and who is not careful and strange?No one else makes a mistake, only she makes a mistake. ¡±


    She added after a silence: ¡± I said she hasn¡¯t moved since she took over. This is to test everyone!¡± Without saying a word, everyone¡¯s every move can be seen. Anyone who can use it, can reuse it, or can¡¯t use it. Those who ¡°boil frogs in warm water¡± like this will be out of luck.¡±


    ¡± Yes! The seconddy is not so simple and has a clear mind. ¡± Servant Sun felt the same way. If she worked under such a person and did it conscientiously, then there was no need to worry about anything. She was not serious and still wants to know that it is impossible.


    You shook her head with a wry smile: ¡± She can hold back, but I don¡¯t care what means she uses.¡±


    She was also a person who can¡¯t put up with something or someone that didn¡¯t go her way. She won¡¯t me for her limited ability to do well, but she thought herself clever to deceive her master, regardless of who you were, she can¡¯t put up with anyone.


    At the moment, Ye Jiayao was invited to tea by Qiao Mingxiu.


    Qiao Mingxiu was recently stimted by Ye Jiayao¡¯s Dessert House, and she also wanted to do something well. After Ye Jiayao ordered her embroidery workshop, her business had greatly improved, but it was not enough, so she specially invited Ye Jiayao to ask for advice on how to do business.


    ¡± Sister inw, what¡¯s the matter with your membership?I¡¯ve heard that members also divide into gold and silver cards. Can they be useful?¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew what Qiao Mingxiu¡¯s idea was, but her family should also give some advice, so she did not hide her ideas and patiently exined the benefits of membership to her.


    ¡± First of all, membership can stabilize the customer group and give people a mysterious and unreachable feeling. People have curiosity. The more mysterious they are, the more vain they want to explore. Women like topare with others. She joins the membership, so I also want to join one. I can¡¯t fall behind others, can I?¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu nodding, that was the way it was.


    Ye Jiayao continued: ¡± Added my dessert house is unique and easy to create high-quality goods. If others want to follow suit, they can only like?blind imitation with ludicrous effection, it¡¯s no longer impossible to do that. Gold and silver cards are also distributed among members, which is a symbol of identity, because there are still ranking points among the 100 members, which cannot be generalized. So how can those ordinary members be stimted to consume?¡± Just designed a membership card upgrade system, and you can upgrade as much as you consume.¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu very admired her, with her eyes shining with stars and slurping: ¡± the second sister inw, how do you get all these wonderful ideas? If you do this, thedies will not be able to spend as much money as possible.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed. In fact, these management concepts were not surprising in modern times. Rich people had superiority and they were not short of money. As long as they thought the value of the money was worth it, they didn¡¯t care much about it. Many high-level clubs just catched the rich people¡¯s psychology.


    However, such a concept was still rare in ancient times, of course, it was not as thorough as Ye Jiayao¡¯s interpretation.


    ¡± The money is collected, but the service should also catch up with ,and keep geting rid of the stale and bringing forth the fresh, or the guests will be disgusted with eating the same several things. In addition, a series of activities should be set up to make everyone enjoy eating and ying. In fact, the business is not just selling snacks for this purpose,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao Mingxiu pondered: ¡± Can my embroidery shop also use this method?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought a lot and said, ¡± It can be used, but it¡¯s not the same.¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu was curious: ¡± Tell me quickly, what¡¯s the difference?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sipped her tea and said gently, ¡± First of all, you are not the only embroidery shop in Jin Lin, many old embroidery shops are better than yours.It is difficult to monopolize them. You have to position yourself first. What kind of embroidery shop do you want to make, a high-end famous product shop or a stable customer?¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu pondered over the matter carefully and said, ¡± It¡¯s difficult to do high-end embroidery. Although Ie from the No.1 embroidering Qiao¡¯s in Jiangnan, but female embroiders of mine are not up to that level, and the embroidery tailoring skills in Jin Lin are much better than ours.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, and Qiao still knew herself very well.


    ¡± In fact, it is not difficult to do high ¨C end embroidery. You can find a breakthrough from other aspects, such as styles and fabrics. If things are new and good, you will not worry about no business. You can create several high ¨C end customization every quarter as gimmicks, each with only one itembeled as your embroidery workshop, stating that only one item is duplicated. This requires high embroidery and cutting skills, but I think sister ¨C in ¨Cw do it personally should be fine.¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu was enlightened: ¡± Do you mean to use this to attract guests?¡±


    ¡± Yes, your things have been recognized and the following things will be easy to do after your reputation is established. You can state that only gold card members can have high-end customized qualifications and ordinary members can enjoy a series of preferential treatments. The requests for gold card members must be high, not a few dors, because realdies and daughters are disdainful of those who have no status and only a few dors. Ordinary members don¡¯t pay so much attention,¡± Ye Jiayao analyzed.


    Qiao Mingxiu became more and more sensible and feasible.


    ¡°The second sister-inw, I used to be a little unconvinced about you. I think you can make a good dish. This time I have really taken care of you. In the future, you should teach me more,¡± Qiao Mingxiu said sincerely.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°We are family, we needn¡¯t stand on ceremony? I¡¯m just saying in theory, how to do it, and you have to think about it yourself, sister-inw.¡±


    ¡± I am greatly appreciated that you showing me the business way. Otherwise, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do. If I can¡¯t even pay the rent of the store until the end of the year, everyone will make fun of me¡±


    Qiao Mingxiu was not modest. She considered whether she would close the door or not if?Ye Jiayao had not helped herst time.


    After pointing out, Ye Jiayao thought about Xia Chunyu and left first. Today Chunyu didn¡¯te back for dinner, and Song Qi didn¡¯te back to report, saying where he was and when he woulde back. In the past Chunyu was afraid of her worry, and if he didn¡¯te back, he would let Song Qi to send a message.


    This made her worried.


    Back to the room and waited for a long time. It was past 11o¡¯clock,Xia Chunyu came back.


    The night wind was clear and cold, and all his body was cold. Ye Jiayao asked Sweet Peach to soak up a cup of hot tea and let him drink some warm water.


    ¡± Why is it sote today?¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t go to hold her immediately. He rode back, his face and hands were cold by the wind, afraid of?making her cold, he held teamps to warm his hands. He walked over and said, ¡± I went to the west camp, and Song Qi was sent to handle affairs by me, but he still won¡¯te back tonight, because he was in such a hurry, he didn¡¯t have time to send you a message and worry about it, did you worry about me?¡±


    ¡± Why do you go to the west camp?There is no jurisdiction for you. ¡± Ye Jiayao was not only worried, but also very upset.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± It¡¯s not a big deal either. It¡¯s just that He Lianxuan has a letter and let me pass it on.¡±


    What kind of letter was it that Chunyu should send it in such a hurry? It must be very important.


    But Chunyu did not say that she would not ask questions. She only asked, ¡± When will He Lianxuane back?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head with aplicated look: ¡± Without the emperor¡¯s order, he will note back.¡±


    ¡± Very strange, things over there are over, the emperor won¡¯te back, what do you mean?¡± Ye Jiayao was more nervous, he won the battle, the emperor should have called him back to Jin Lin for reward, why don¡¯t you let hime back?


    ¡± The emperor¡¯s meaning is unpredictable, ... forget it, as long as the western camp is under the control of He Lianxuan, you can rest easy.¡± Xia Chunyu consoled, there were some things that can¡¯t be told to Yaoyao that Yaoyao was too smart to think much, and she can¡¯t help anything, so why should another person to worry.


    After listening to what he said, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t ask any more questions. She still believed Chunyu¡¯s ability. Chunyu wouldn¡¯t tell her if anything was wrong.

 Chapter 308 - A sincere gift

    <h4>Chapter 308: A sincere gift</h4>


    The next day was Ye Jiayao¡¯s ss, this period would end in another seven days fortunately, Lu Xiaotian¡¯s body recovered very well that he can get out of bed and walk. After this period, there were 15 days free, and Lu Xiaotian would return to ss when the next period begins.


    The dawn was right in front of us, and with that, Ye Jiayao got out of bed.


    Xia Chunyu also wake up, squinting to see the clock on several leakage and starting to wear clothes slowly.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a night shift today? Why get up so early? Get some more sleep!¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t been to the farm for a few days. Director Zhao passed on a message that it¡¯s almost finished. I must go and see it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was amazed:¡± How quickly¡±


    ¡°That is, no shortage of money, materials and manpower. Uncle Jiang was leading the construction. It should bepleted.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind was spinning, ancient buildings were carved beams and painted rafters, just those engraving would cost many hours, unlike modern buildings, built with steel and cement, or modern equipment. It only needed a few days to build a building.


    Anyway, things over there were Chunyu in charge, Chunyu¡¯s requirements would only be higher than her, as long as Chunyu felt well was enough.


    After breakfast, they went to guest The Duke and You, and went out together, one to the east, the other to the west.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s horse turned the corner and stopped, and looked at Ye Jiayao¡¯s carriage slowly went through, the corners of his mouth turned into a smile, the sincere gift was finally ready to give out.


    He really wanted to go to the training ss to see Yaoyao¡¯s expression of surprise, but he still had something to do, he should wait until tonight, how Yaoyao would thank him? Really looking forward to it!


    When Ye Jiayao went to the training ss, she entered the restroom straightly, when she entered the room, she had an aneurism. Why Duan Qilin, Lin Changchun, and the members of themerce were all in the room, what was the big deal?


    ¡°Why are you all here? ¡°Ye asked curiously.


    Duan Qilinughed:¡± Manager Ye, I¡¯m so admire you, you are so fierce.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! yeah! We went here as soon as we heard the good news. We couldn¡¯t believe it!¡± Lin Changchun said.


    ¡°That¡¯s great, our ss is getting more and more famous... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao was confused. What was up?


    Were they talking about the Ye¡¯s Dessert House? Didn¡¯t they already know?


    ¡°Manager Duan, you... You mean what?¡± ¡°Ye Jiayao said vacantly.


    ¡°Manager Ye, don¡¯t be pretended, anyway, you credit the most.¡± Duan Qilin was seldom happy like this, he always very serious and deep.


    Ye Jiayao said to herself. ¡°What am I pretending? It was really without rhyme or reason.¡±


    ¡°Everybody was here!¡± A clear voice behind him rang out to sound.


    Ye Jiayao got a momentary, was he Lu Xiaotian? Why he was here?


    Twist a head to see, that was Lu Xiaotian, his injury was not cured yet, a hand still over her chest when he was talking. But he looked great and always smiling.


    He was followed by a woman at about forty years old, who had aely face and a slight smile, with a graceful bearing.


    Duan Qilin stepped forward, his attitude was very polite, then he deeply made a bow:¡± Mrs. Rong, we are so honored that you can join our training ss.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Rong, it is a great pleasure for Jinling that you can get back.¡± Lin Changchun¡¯s tone was grateful and delightfulness.


    ¡°Thanks to the Manager Ye.¡± Lu Xiaotian was smiled to Ye Jiayao softly.


    Ye Jiayao blinked and looked at the woman. Was she Mrs. Rong? The first cook of Jinlin who imed to be the most famous? Mrs. Rong, who had gone into hiding for many years?


    Wait! Why did she say it¡¯s her credit? She had never seen Mrs. Rong before, and she even didn¡¯t know where she was. What was the misunderstanding in it?


    Mrs. Rong stepped forward, her clear, calm eyes fell on her face, and she smiled:¡± Are you the second madam of Jing¡¯an marquis house? Are you Ye Jinxuan?¡±


    Mrs. Rong always give people a very gentle feeling, a kind of retired calm, but there was a sense of respect, perhaps the name of The First Cook, let people can¡¯t be despised.


    Ye Jiayao bowed her out of respect.


    ¡°Yesterday, I have already been to Heavenly Residence, tasted the new dish that you developed. It¡¯s very good. I also wanted to go to Ye¡¯s Dessert House, but I couldn¡¯t enter in because I was not a member.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised, Mrs. Rong was think too much of her, even ran to the Heavenly Residence.


    Mrs. Rong saw Ye Jiayao¡¯s doubts and smiled,¡± I have not asked the world for many years. If not Jing¡¯an marquis came to me, I still don¡¯t not know that we have a great cook in Jinlin catering industry.¡±


    Wait... She said Chunyu went to find her? Ye Jiayao suddenly remembered, a few days ago, Chunyu disappeared in the morning, he said to her he was prepare a birthday gift... Surely it didn¡¯t mean that...


    ¡°To tell you the truth, if I didn¡¯t satisfy yesterday, I wouldn¡¯t be here today. Manager Ye, you are creative and mind nimble, nowadays the youngers is better than the elders.¡± Admired Mrs. Rong.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s ability was recognized by everyone, and now it was even more convincing after heard Mrs. Rong praised.


    Ye Jiayao smiled shyly:¡± You have overpraised.¡±


    Mrs. Rong looked at the environment of the restroom and said slightly, ¡°however, what really impressed me was the training ss, which promoted the Chinese food culture. The first step should be the training ss, Manager Ye, I¡¯m respect you of your broad-minded.¡±


    Uh... These probably all Chunyu said!


    ¡°Run this training ss is the meaning of the Manager Lu, it¡¯s everyone¡¯s contribution. I just do a modest contribution.¡± Although she had thought before, she couldn¡¯t take credit because it was Lu Xiaotian who first put forward.


    Mrs. Rong heard the words, the affection for Ye Jiayao was deepened a few points, Ye Jiayao¡¯s cooking may better than her, her idea was ingenious definitely above her, the key was she also has this breadth of mind, was so-called females were as excellent as their male peers.


    If she had a bucket of water, she should water her nts, if she was a river, she should water the earth, and she was such a person, unlike her, who guarded a pool of water and slowly became stagnant. Mrs. Rong was ashamed when she thought of it.


    ¡°Well, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll do my bit.¡± Mrs. Rong finally decided.


    Suddenly, everyone¡¯s face showed a happy smile.


    ¡°Mrs. Rong can teach us cooking, we are very wee, if those boys know that you areing, I do not know if they will be happy to faint.¡± Lin Changchunughed loudly.


    ¡°Well, Mrs. Rong, we shall be waiting for you to say this!¡± Lu Xiaotian¡¯s face was flushed with excitement.


    Ye Jiayao finally understood, Chunyu said the sincere gift was to help her to invite Mrs. Rong, the training ss would added a superior gentleman, and she can also relief from the heavy schoolwork. Oh! What a gift! Ye Jiayao can¡¯t say a word because of the proud of Mrs. Rong¡¯s joining, but also because of Chunyu¡¯s concentrated attention. As expected, the gift was full of sincerity.


    ¡°Mrs. Rong, I am very sincere and warmly wee you to join us,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    Looking at all the excited people, Mrs. Rong¡¯s heart stirred up a sentiment, the self-satisfied, as if rediscovered the life significance. She was d that she made such a decision.


    It was time for ss.


    Mrs. Rong offered to attend Ye Jiayao¡¯s ss, which made her a little nervous, as if she had returned to the university thesis defense meeting, where a group of academic authorities sat underground to examine her results.


    She agreed because each of her lessons had been carefully prepared, not fooled, she was not afraid of being examined by Mrs. Rong.


    Lu Xiaotian smiled.¡± I also want to listen, but I have to go back and take some medicine. Manager Duan, I must trouble you to treat Mrs. Rong well.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll arrange everything.¡± Said Duan Qilin.


    Ye Jiayao also smiled and said, ¡± Going back, keep your body well. All the students want you toe back to ss.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smirked and left.


    The students did not know Mrs. Rong, and it was strange to have a female audience, but their curiosity was soon piqued by Mrs. Ye¡¯s excellent lecture.


    Today Ye Jiayao told about the art of carving skills, which was in response to the requirements of students and additional courses.


    Cooking of carve patterns or designs on woodwork. Firstly, was know what kind of feasts or banquets. Carved pattern had exquisite, it can be divided into birthday dinner, celebration dinner, dinner party in general. Secondly, understood host¡¯s hobby and local customs, only this way can carve out guest¡¯s satisfaction works. And the most important thing was material, it was the key to the sess of carve patterns or designs on woodwork. Different material carving made different efforts. The collocation with dishes also has exquisite, to feast for the eyes, bring out the best in each other, and not a presumptuous guest usurps the host¡¯s role.


    So, carving what, was not arbitrary, there was a knowledge here to ask.


    Having finished the theoretical knowledge, Ye began to talk about how to carve.


    How to carve? The first thing was familiar with all sorts of knife method.


    Themonly used methods of carving include cutting, whittling, carving, rotating, stamping and punching.


    Ye Jiayao took a white radish as an example.


    Turnip was the easiest material to caver. It was soft hard moderate, easy to shape, the most difficult was tofu carving, which needed to reach a certain level.


    ¡°If you want to carve something, you should have a bottom in your heart, and then choose the materials. Of course, experienced people can design the patterns ording to the size and shape of the materials. ¡±


    ¡°What do you think this radish can be carved into?¡± ¡°Ye asked.


    Some people said it can carve a magpie, some said it can carve a fish, some said it was better to carve flowers, glittering and translucent got rid of, the opinions were vary from each other.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, removed the radish¡¯s outer skin and head and tailed neat and quick, here she used cut and whittle skills.


    Then she shook the turnip in her hand and said, ¡°Then carve a dove!¡±

 Chapter 309 - Reward

    <h4>Chapter 309: Reward</h4>


    Today, Madame Rong was sitting down here, so Ye Jiayao wanted to show herself.


    But in order to let the students see carefully, Ye Jiayao deliberately slowed down the pace, from time to time to cut, carved, spun , poked... In a short time, a flying white dove vividly on her hands.


    Everybody couldn¡¯t take the eyes off and was stunned to hear all the time the cook of shopkeeper Ye¡¯s creation.Today they saw her personally, and she still slowed down the speed,which had shocked them very much.


    Wang Mingde listened to the surrounding sound of a cold air, sneered and said secretly.¡±They just are shocked by this? The real unique skill of the shopkeeper had not shown yet! He had seen the cook¡¯s magic tofu carving, almost drop his jaw down.


    Madam Rong shed a praise, she also had some skill of sculpture.But every time she would take a long time to think of how to do it.Even so the carvings of skilled carpenters had to draw the drawings first, and then to engraving,but like Ye Jinxuan in this way, to get the material and without a second thought before starting then it can be carved exquisite work to put into effect . Such a skill, not a day or two days from practicing just can do it. How can she ,a big miss daughter,got it?


    If she knew Ye Jiayao was ying with knives as a toy when she was a child, she wouldn¡¯t be so surprised.


    ¡°Such a pigeon alone is not enough to make aplete work.¡±Ye Jiayao began to carve carrots again, a few turns, carved out a flower, then carved cucumber into green leaves, looked around, eyes on the window on a basin of bamboo, Ye Jiayu went to cut it down.


    Finally, thebination put the pigeons on the rockery. The flowers of the carrots were embedded at the feet of the pigeons, with a few green leaves.


    After the amazing sound of others , Madam Rong also be moved .The Ye Jinxuan¡¯s whole carving process, was like a flowing and a feast for the eyes without a waste. It should be in carving the dove did her make good ideal of the whole works of architecture, and can perfect the implementation of the work.No matter from the overall frame structure, or from the local fine point, all were perfect.


    Next, Ye Jiayao reached everybody to carve the simplest turnip flower, did next demonstration and exined, began to let everybody oneself go to practice.


    As a lesson went by,Ye invited Madam Rong to the lounge for a cup of tea.


    Madam Rong asked Ye Jiayao for a handout, and just a moment ago Ye Jiayao revealed the unique work.Madam Rong still felt incredible.Had she done before the homework?


    Ye Jiayao, of course, could not refuse to give her the handout folder.


    Madam Rong looked at it, and her eyes even more surprised, I did not expect this handout to be so detailed.Moreover, her notes only included the professor carving turnip flowers, and did not demonstrate the sculpture just before the work, and it can be a purely temporary y.


    ¡°Ye¡¯s carving is really admirable, and I think there was no one else in this Jinling city,¡± said Madam Rong.


    Ye Jiayao said.¡± There are mountains outside the mountains, people outside the people, this world has many people, do not show the mountains do not dew just.¡±


    That was what her modern dad used to tell her. Don¡¯t be proud. There were many good people in the world.


    ¡°So is it,¡± said Madam Rong, who appreciated her modest.


    They talked about the cooking, Ye Jiayao admired her very much, and modestly to ask for advice.They talked very happily.


    After finishing a day¡¯s course, Ye Jiayao wanted to go back home. She had many words to tell Chunyu.


    The business of the dessert house was bing better and better. The daily sales were increasing, which was not fresh for first third days and short of energy. The sales were catching up the Tianshang Ju Restaurant.


    She thought of Tianshang Ju Restaurant,a dessert house and a pastry room. Every day she made money without much efforts, Ye Jiayao was sense of aplishment.If not those chaotic things, life would be more happy.


    Er, rightness, Madam Rong said yesterday came here, but could note, Ye Jiayao thought for a while, asked Jiang Yue to get a VIP card again.This 101th card were given Madam Rong. And it should open a back door to her.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t start home until it was almost time for dinner.


    Zhou was there.


    Ye Jiayao thought she asked to open the back door again, which caused her headache. However, she said, ¡°Could you spare some time tomorrow?¡±


    Ye Jiayao first asked what things.Time like a sponge, squeeze or not,depended on what things and if worth to squeeze.


    Zhouughed and said :¡± Em, the good day of your sister Jinlian has settled down.Tomorrow Denge down to send the betrothal gifts. You are a sister-inw, must go to support her, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    It was that, Ye Jiayao said.¡± It must be there.¡±


    Now she was the hostess of Marquis mansion. No matter how say,Zhou was on our own side. We manage a happy wedding,but Ye did not attend was unreasonable.


    ¡°It would be great. It¡¯s settled, Denge tomorrow at 9 o¡¯clock, you are supposed toe here.¡± Zhouughed.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°The whole life of the Jinlian sister is settled, but how about the Yulian sister?¡±


    Zhou said: ¡°Your sister Yulian is not nasty.Now there are many whoe to matchmake, I have to choose a better one.¡±


    You was polite, left Zhou to eat dinner,.But Zhou was rare did not stay, and said the family had a lot of things,then should go back to prepare.


    Yu ordered others to send out Zhou atst.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Do you just ask me to go, or does your sister-inw also go?¡±


    ¡°Your third uncle¡¯s family is in Jin Ling only has our family. The more people we have, the better.¡±


    ¡°That is also to ask Liu li go?¡±


    ¡°This your the third aunt did not say, however I think she will go for respect.¡±


    ¡°You should get a giftter,because getting hired is a big deal. It doesn¡¯t take much, just show your heart,¡± she ordered.


    Zhou¡¯s really asked Liu li.


    Liu Li did not promise to go not first, but asked who first had been invited. Zhou told the truth, Liu li sneered after listening. ¡°If there is marquis mansion¡¯s mistress, what you want me to do?¡±


    She gave a cold refusal. If Zhou thought Ye was more important than she.Just let her go.


    Zhou¡¯s embarrassedly gone.It was good to invite Liu li sessfully.But if it couldn¡¯t,only had little impact on her. There was a sister-inw and Chunyu¡¯s wife.Things could be passable.


    She was not like the Liu li such stubborn and fought with Chunyu¡¯s wife all the time.She was who profitable then with whom.The loss of the matter did not do,but as for favorable things, who cared the face.


    Chunyu today got off work at 11 o¡¯clock .Ye Jiayao herself cooked for him to prepare midnight snacks, although Chunyu had certainly eaten in the pce, but today she was happy,,and wanted to treat him well.


    As soon as Chunyu entered the courtyard, he smelled a strong smell of food and his mouth turned upward.He went home soon,and shower before changing his clothes.


    Then Qiao Xi entered to the kitchen and reported that Heir-son Lord¡¯sing.


    Ye Jiayao had lifted the lid of the pot just as the lion¡¯s head had been steamed.


    It was a good device!


    Ye Jiayao personally brought third dishes and a soup, plus a pot of good wine, into the room.


    Xia Chunyu just came out from toilet, smelled sweet and moved his forefinger,and came over with deeply smelling.


    ¡°It smells good. Let me guess what it is... Well, there¡¯s lion¡¯s head, stir-fried prawns, iron mushroom, and... Fresh bamboo shoots soup. Am I right?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled proudly at Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was stunned,fuck him,he¡¯s nose just like a dog nose. He was unexpectedly smell fragrance and then can be reported all the dishes.


    ¡°Was I right?¡± Xia Chunyu was even more satisfied on his eyes.


    Ye Jiayaoughed at Chunyu and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. The snout of a pig is so clever.¡±


    Xia Chunyu drew a little at the corner of his mouth and sat down :¡± There is nothing to do with the Chinese Zodiac¡±


    Ah... Why should he belong to a pig? A little depressed!


    With a smile, Ye lifted the lid and Qiao Xi sent bowls and chopsticks to their tes.


    ¡°How long has I hadn¡¯t been treated in this way? I really miss the days when we were in the ck Wind Ridge. ¡±


    Fuck your ck Wind Ridge. Thought of this fellow at that time blindly acted big uncle, treat her as wench.Ye Jiayao very wanted to cover his head with lid.


    ¡°That depends on your performance,¡± Ye Jiayao was very cool to say.


    ¡°So, do you like the gift I¡¯ve prepared?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said contemptuously.?:¡± Not bad,I see you have the sincerity at least.¡±


    ¡°Only okay?¡±ughed by Xia Chunyu.


    Yesterday morning when he informed Lu Xiaotian, Lu Xiaotianle almost jumped up from the bed happily.It can be seen how much they were looking forward to Madam Rong¡¯s joining.


    Ye Jiayao nodded.¡± Not bad.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not afraid of Madam Rong¡¯sing?and stealing your spotlight? Well, I missed it. Women are so narrow-minded.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him. ¡°Who do you say is narrow-minded?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Xia Chunyu shrugged his shoulders and began to gobble down the food in chopsticks.


    ¡°Bah, I don¡¯t think so, Madam Rong cane, I am very happy.Today I talked with her and benefit a lot from it.After all she is the first celebrity chef, as expected has some real ability.I am looking forward to her tomorrow¡¯s teaching, I will go to audit.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed secretly . Of course he knew that Yaoyao was not a mean person, otherwise he would not bother to invite Madam Rong.


    ¡°Ah,ter I can be more rxed.¡± Ye Jiayao sighed.


    ¡°Did she start teaching soon?¡±Asked Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Yes, today she listened to my lesson andter wanted to show off.Lu Xiaotian¡¯s vegetarian meal lesson handed over to her.I heard that she is the first person in vegetarian meal.That Wang Mingde has known it, began to jump up happily andpletely not calm down.¡± Ye Jiayao thought of Wang Mingde¡¯s action began to feel joyful.


    Xia Chunyu ate food contentedly. He did not care about those, as long as his Yaoyao can be a little easier,and his goal could be achieved.

 Chapter 310 - Do you want to try new tricks

    <h4>Chapter 310: Do you want to try new tricks</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was not hungry at all, but it was Ye Jiayao¡¯s intention and he was sure to tter her, but he could not finish all the dishes by himself, so he insisted that Ye Jiayao apany him to drink some wine.


    Ye Jiayao was in a good mood. She drank two cups and told Qiao Xi to add another pair of chopsticks.


    The young couple had a little drink and had a special taste.


    Xia Chunyu told her about the progress of the other courtyard while peeling shrimp.


    ¡± It¡¯s almost the same. We¡¯ll have to paint and I guess it¡¯ll be finished in another ten days, and the details will be renovated. We can all live into the courtyard at Spring Festival.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had calcted that it was October and there were still two months for the New Year.


    ¡± I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have time to live in the house at New Year¡¯s Day. Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m in charge now. I can¡¯t escape social engagements, let alone spending the leisure time in the other courtyard. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t even have time to go to Zhenjiang.¡± Ye Jiayao was in a headache when thinking about this. It was around the clock to take charge of this job. When opening eyes every day, there was a lot of trivia, and she couldn¡¯t ignore it.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± I have a idea.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him suspiciously with her eyes stagnation.


    Xia Chunyu fed the peeled shrimp to her mouth andughed: ¡± Mother wanted to go back to Hangzhou for a long time, but she has not been able to spare time. Now she has given you the whole family. There is nothing to worry about. I¡¯ll talk to herter. Mother must be happy. Tomorrow the weather will be warmer. I¡¯ll take you to Hangzhou to visit grandmother and bring mom back by the way. Besides, we can stop by Zhenjiang and stay for a few days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was delighted: ¡± Really? ¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrow: ¡± When did I lie to you? ¡±


    ¡± It would be great if we could really do this.¡± Ye Jiayao was happy and wanted to propose a toast to Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu wiped his hand and raised his ss. His dark ink-like eyes reflected candlelight and seemed to have ripples of love and honey.


    The bottom of his eyes smiled: ¡± Come here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed his words, but her manner was delicate. She said, ¡± Why? ¡±


    The next moment, she was pulled into his arms, because the action was a bit violent, the wine in the Ye Jiayao¡¯s cup spilled out and fell on his clothes, and immediately spread out a dark color on the Xuan blue brocade.


    ¡± Look at you! all spilled! ¡± Ye Jiayao looked displeased and wanted to wipe the wine stains for him.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± He looked deeply into her eyes as if there were stars shining. His long arm hooked up her arm: ¡± I want to drink like this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao blushed: They were a long-term couple. What kind of toast did they have?


    ¡± You have a lot of tricks,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    He chuckled and said nothing, with burning eyes, and squeezed his hand around her waist.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face became redder. She drank a cup of wine with him obediently. Just to think of it, his arm still hooked her hand and entered. Ye Jiayao was pulled over by him and his lips were covered with wine fragrance. He gently held her lips and whispered in a bewitched voice: ¡± Do you want to try something new? ¡±


    The tacit understanding between husband and wife was that couples would know what the other wanted with one expression in eyes and one action, especially in some aspects, and Ye Jiayao had a good understanding and immediately understood the new tricks he referred to .


    Was marrying a man who was physically strong and good at flirting a woman¡¯s happiness or disaster? Ye Jiayao¡¯s points were not clear. Well, the process should be very happy. After that, it would be a disaster because she couldn¡¯t get up and would ache all over. Ye Jiayao absently thought that the third aunt was talking about tomorrow at around 10am. Well, she could get upte ...


    Again, what kind of new tricks did he say? Would it be abnormal?


    A little bit nervous ...


    Before she was nervous for long, she was held by him and they fell on the bed together.


    ¡± The food is not tidied up yet ...¡±


    ¡± Leave it for tomorrow ...¡±


    ¡± But ...¡±


    ¡± Concentrate, woman ...¡± Someone discontentedly contained the sensitive point on her chest and did everything he could to make fun of it.


    The next day Ye Jiayao did not get up, holding the quilt to watch him dress. He was dressed in a stone-blue bodyguard suit and wearing a ck belt, showing his good figure. The whole person looked tough and straight and handsome.


    Ye Jiayao felt that she was addict to uniform, especially liked to see him in uniform, who was especially handsome and domineering.


    She didn¡¯t know if such people walked around the pce and those women who had not received visit from emperor for many years would dream about it. Would they secretly drool?


    ¡± What are you thinking? ¡± Xia Chunyu finished packing and looked back and saw Ye Jiayao staring at him.


    Ye Jiayao looked back and pulled the quilt with some embarrassment to cover herself more tightly.


    ¡± Nothing ...¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s absolutely wouldn¡¯t admit that she wasmitting anthomaniacs just now and alsomitted anthomaniacs for other women.


    Xia Chunyu smiled, leaned over and kissed her face: ¡± You can sleep a little longer, I¡¯ll exin it to mom.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face was red again. Exin? How did he exin it?


    Oh, Majesty mother, your daughter-inw was knocked down by mest night and can¡¯t get up today?


    No matter what he says, she truly couldn¡¯t get up.


    After Xia Chunyu¡¯s departure, Ye Jiayao went back to sleep and heard in a daze that someone was asking, ¡± Hasn¡¯t seconddy got up yet? ¡±


    It seemed to be Zhou Xing¡¯s wife¡¯s voice.


    ¡± Hush ... keep your voice down. Seconddy is tired recently and seldom sleeps for a while.¡± It was Qiao Xi who wass covering up for her.


    Ye Jiayao woke up and heard Zhou Xing¡¯s wife ask, ¡± Did she mention me these days? ¡±


    Qiao Xi lost her smile: ¡± What¡¯s for? ¡±


    ¡± Oh, that¡¯s good, that¡¯s good.¡± Zhou Xing¡¯s wife¡¯s tone seemed to be both d and disappointed.


    Ye Jiayao curled her lip. It seemed that Zhou Xing¡¯s wife began to feel uneasy and came to explore Qiao Xi¡¯s tune.


    Hum, how dare she to y tricks at her hands? Was she a vegetarian? If Zhou Xing¡¯s wife didn¡¯t know about self ¨C examination, she wouldn¡¯t show mercy next time.


    There was no sleep at all. Ye Jiayao directly got up, rubbed her sour waist and couldn¡¯t help feeling some resentment. She wouldn¡¯t try any new tricks in the future. She really can¡¯t stand this trick.


    Fortunately, Mrs Rong¡¯s ss was in the afternoon, and Ye Jiayao dressed up well and went to see You.


    Joe was already here, and today she¡¯s dressed very brightly. By contrast, she looked haggard.


    You saw hering and asked anxiously, ¡°It was said by Chunyu that you¡¯re getting a little cold. Are you better now? ¡±


    It was a universal excuse to catch cold. Ye Jiayao took a sniff on purpose: ¡± Well, it¡¯s much better.¡±


    You was not at ease and said, ¡± Nothing matters to you except your health. Though you are busy, you should pay attention to your health. Now it is the time to turn cold, wear more and don¡¯t freeze.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded obediently.


    Although Zhou said it was around 10am, as the woman¡¯s representative, she always had to go earlier. The old woman and daughter ¨C in ¨Cw, together with the duke and Chunli, went to Zhou¡¯s office.


    In fact, the next job for the two families was to sit together and had a meal.


    Mrs Deng and You already knew each other. They soon said together. The man¡¯s side also had two sister ¨C in ¨Cw, apanied by Ye Jiayao and Joe. As for the men, they naturally joined the third uncle and the duke for social engagements.


    Deng¡¯s family was a schrly family. Deng¡¯s daughter-inw was also knowledgeable, gentle and virtuous. Ye Jiayao had a good impression on them. She thought Jinlian was blessed, at least it wouldn¡¯t be hard to get along with her sister-inw in the future. Although Mr Deng had six toes, what was the point? It was not an extra hand or a leg. As long as Zhou didn¡¯t make trouble and didn¡¯t give Jinlian bad ideas, Jinlian would have a good family.


    At time they were about to take their seat, the maids outside came to report that the third son and the princess Liu Li hade.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s reaction was t, but Zhou was somewhat surprised.


    Didn¡¯t they say that they couldn¡¯te?


    The Deng family heard the name of Liu Li and did not look very good.


    Ye Jiayao remembered that Mr Deng¡¯s six-toed affair was exactly spread by Liu Li. Mr Deng was in his twenty and was not able to marry wife, so they had to marry a concubine. Deng¡¯s family must have some bad thoughts about Liu Li.


    A momentter, Chunfeng and Liu Li entered the flower hall together.


    Chunfeng congratted his uncle and aunt and presented gifts.


    ¡± You don¡¯t need bring gifts. We are happy that you can be here.¡± Zhou chuckled.


    Chunfeng said slightly: ¡± My cousin¡¯s wedding, naturally, I shoulde to congratte her.¡±


    Chunfeng didn¡¯t know about Jinlian until today. He dragged Liu Li over and couldn¡¯t lose his courtesy.


    Chun Feng congratted Deng¡¯s master and Mr Deng again, andter he paid his respects to his parents.


    Liu Li smile lightly and followed, only slightly bending her lower knee when she saw You and the duke. The others in turn wanted to salute her, and she also epted it calmly.


    You hadn¡¯t seen Chunfeng for many days, and she missed him very much. When seeing Chunfeng getting much thinner, she was even more distressed.


    ¡± Why are you thin again? ¡± You was concerned.


    Chunfeng smiled: ¡± Recently, I have lost weight due to busy business, but my spirits are good.¡±


    You looked at Liu Li as fatter. She became more dissatisfied and she wanted to give her a few words. However, she was toozy to open her mouth when thinking about the previous actions of Liu Li.


    ¡± Later, when this is over, you and your mother will return to the house,¡± You exined.


    Chunfeng was nomittal.


    Today¡¯s seat was for the man and the woman to sit with flowers, which facilitatedmunication.


    Continuing the previous topic, everyone talked about Ye Jiayao¡¯s Ye¡¯s Dessert House.


    ¡± It¡¯s a pity that I know it toote, or I¡¯ll join it,¡± said Deng¡¯s sister ¨C in ¨Cw.


    You knew the rules set by Ye Jiayao and said with a smile, ¡± It¡¯s easy. Let people send a message about what you want to eat in the future and Jinxuan will send it to you.¡±


    She didn¡¯t mention membership.


    Ye Jiayao gave You a grateful look.


    Liu Li was expressionless all the way. Today she didn¡¯t want toe. It was Chunfeng who wanted toe. She didn¡¯t dare note. Now she was listening to what people were saying about the dessert house, and her heart was even more ufortable. She couldn¡¯t help it. She got angry and said, ¡± Why so bother to do so? Why don¡¯t you send a card since we are all family? The rules are for outsiders to see and engage in gimmicks.¡±

 Chapter 311 - Dismantled

    <h4>Chapter 311: Dismantled</h4>


    As soon as this was said, Mrs Deng¡¯s eyes eagerly looked at Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and knew for a long time that Liu Li would not be good to her, otherwise she would not be an enemy.


    ¡± This membership system of Ye`s Dessert House is the first in Jinling City. How many pairs of eyes are staring at it. I dare not just engage in gimmicks. Besides, business is about honesty. If I lose my credit, who else will believe me in the future? Being a human being is also the same thing. One mistake can still be forgiven. One mistake after another would be chilling, third young sibling, do you agree with this truth?¡± Ye Jiayao said with a calm smile.


    Liu Li`s emotion was slightly changed, Ye Jinxuan, you were making sarcastic remarks in public.


    ¡± Second sister-inw is really talkative. Doing a business also leads to the truth of being a human being. Who doesn¡¯t know that businessmen value profits and belittle righteousness,¡± said Liu Li airily.


    Under that circumstance, You and Qiao¡¯s faces were no longer good ¨C looking. They also ran silk shops and embroidery workshops.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Liu Li was really daring to say that, a pole knocked over a ship of people.


    Qiao chuckled: ¡± I heard that the birth mother of the third young sibling, Seventh Princess, was born in Shen`s family, the richest family in the north. It seems that the third young sibling have a deep understanding!¡±


    You`s face became cold, stared at Qiao¡¯s one, you wanted to fight back Liu Li, why mentioned seventh princess? The seventh princess was great good men of the same name as the seven wise kings, two things were different.


    Liu Li was already furious, she could bear other things, but she could not bear mentioning her mother.


    Liu Li hadn`t fought back yet, You shouted at her: ¡± What did you say? Is the seventh princess someone you can criticize?¡±


    Qiao did not dare to answer back.


    Ye Jiayao also felt it was inappropriate to mention the family¡¯s birth mother, not to mention a dead man, but Qiao had always had no brain and just wanted to attackLiu Li and didn¡¯t think so much. She hastily pulled aside the topic and smiled and said to Mrs Deng, ¡± There are a lot of people asking for membership now, but now the shop is still small and crowded as soon as there are more people. I¡¯m considering whether to expand the scale of Ye`s Dessert House. I¡¯ll find a way to add in the shop next door after a year to expand the membership, and I¡¯ll inform you first.¡±


    Zhou also said: ¡± Chunyu`s wife, you will also have to inform third aunt and reserve some ces for me. Many of my friends want to join the membership andined about me.¡±


    ¡± No problem, I must take care of our family members first next time,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Mrs. Deng was also a wise man. Knowing that Ye Jiayao was not good at starting this topic, she agreed to this one, then that one would have opinions and it was really difficult to do, she joked: ¡± Then I¡¯ll look forward to your flourishing business and expanding its scale as soon as possible.¡±


    An embarrassing situation was solved invisibly, and no one cared about what Qiao said about seventh princess.


    Liu Li was full of fire. You reprimanded Qiao, and she would not be able to attack again. Now Ye Jinxuan¡¯s embarrassment has been resolved, which made her so ufortable. She couldn¡¯t help thinking: just perfunctory words. If there came a person with more status, you dare not let him join the club?


    More and more she hated Ye Jiayao¡¯s hypocritical face.


    Ye Jiayao turned a blind eye to the eye knife released from time to time by Liu Li. You were not wee to me, and I didn¡¯t need to be polite to you.


    Though Deng¡¯s family were slow-minded, they could see that there was a problem between the two sisters ¨C in ¨Cw. Together with some fragmentary rumors they had heard earlier, they were more sure that they did not like Liu Li and chose to ignore it with tacit understanding.


    After Ye Jiayao`s remind, Qiao¡¯s mind became active and began to sell herself, saying that she had opened an embroidery workshop and was about tounch various offers. If Mrs Deng didn¡¯t mind, she could go and see. She soon changed the subject to her embroidery workshop.


    People had a good talk and left Liu Li alone.


    Liu Li felt left out and couldn¡¯t sit still anymore, but chunfeng was not over yet. She couldn¡¯t ask for leave, and she could only stay up and eat without knowing the taste.


    It was not easy to get to the end of the banquet and send the Deng family away. You were going to go back to home with Chunfeng. Liu Li didn`t want to go to the marquis house, saying she was ufortable to drink a little wine, and then went back first.


    Qiao waited until Liu Li was gone, then sniffed quietly: ¡± I don¡¯t know what she came for today. She has always had a dark face, as if everyone owed her debt, and she was disgusted.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± You know her temper and don`t need to care about her.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t want to care about her, I just don`t want to see her,¡± Qiao said.


    Zhou came to send the wedding cake: ¡± Thanks to you today, I will trouble you again when Jinlian is married.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Qia received the wedding cake, made a few polite remarks and also left.


    There was not much time to start sses in the afternoon. Ye Jiayao went back to change her clothes and hurried to the training ss.


    Unexpectedly, many people in the chamber ofmerce came today, even Zheng Sanduo, to listen to Mrs Rong¡¯s lectures.


    Duan Qirin said with sorrow, ¡± I can¡¯t even sit down, and I can¡¯t catch it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiles, everyone¡¯s mood is the same as hers!


    ¡± Squeeze and squeeze. It¡¯s rare. Take it as an example.¡±


    As a result, the ssroom was already not spacious enough and was full of people.


    Mrs Rong was calm and did not get stage fright because there were so many people under her. she began her lecture unhurriedly.


    ¡± The vegetarian diet focuses on health preservation. Those who are ustomed to chicken, duck and fish will find vegetarian diet nd, but otherwise, vegetarian dishes can taste as delicious as meat dishes ... Today, I¡¯ll tell you how to make vegetarian dishes as tasty as meat dishes.¡±


    Mrs Rong¡¯s lecture was simple and easy to understand, and with the live demonstration, everyone quickly mastered the collocation and modtion of vegetarian food.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s attention was focused on the fact that vegetarian food was her short board. She knew there were many secrets here, but it was the first time she heard such a systematic and detailed exnation and gained a lot. She had an impulse to plunge into the kitchen immediately.


    After the ss, she won the apuse of the whole house, and Mrs Rong¡¯s face was flushed with color. she was not afraid before, but now she was a little embarrassed.


    ¡± Mrs Rong, I wonder if you would like toe to our Xiangyi Restaurant as a chef? Just say how much sry you like. ¡± After the ss, even the shopkeeper of Xiangyi Restaurant chased Mrs. Rong and strongly invited her.


    ¡± Mrs Rong,e to our Jinxiang Garden. Our Jinxiang Garden is also dominated by vegetarian meals. You can do your best when youe.¡±


    ¡± Our Fuji Restaurant sincerely invites you ...¡±


    Both Ye Jiayao and Duan Qirin were dumbfounded. It turned out that that group of son of bitch was not meant to learn, they could have drive them out directly if they knew before.


    Ye Jiayao was still thinking about how to relieve Mrs Rong. Mrs. Rong only smiled faintly but said firmly: ¡± Thank you for your kindness, but I am not short of money, and I do not want to be a chef in any restaurant. I even refused Tianshang Ju Restaurant, please go back!¡±


    Er ... Ye Jiayao froze. When did she invite Mrs. Rong to be a chef?


    Mrs Rong¡¯s eyes met her and she smiled apologetically.


    Ye Jiayao understood that Mrs Rong was using her as a shield.


    Then she said with a smile, ¡± isn¡¯t it? I gave up a 10 % share of the restaurant, and Mrs Rong still didn¡¯t promise me.¡±


    Those who were full of hope lost their fire, and the 10 % share in the Tianshang Ju Restaurant was already a horrible number, far from what they could afford. Mrs Rong still didn¡¯t care. What hope did they have?


    Disappointed one by one, they all left despondently.


    Lin Changchun asked quietly, ¡± did you really offer a 10 % price?¡±


    Duan Qirin also looked at her eagerly.


    In fact, they all had such thoughts in their hearts, just embarrassed to open this mouth. Mrs Rong¡¯s title was a golden signboard, who could not be tempted, even if it was just to have a name!


    Mrs Rong came over and said slightly, ¡± I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m using you as a shield.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a wave of her hand: ¡± It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s a pleasure to help you out.¡±


    Duan Qirin and Changchun looked at each other and knew in their hearts that it was fake, but it was enough to show that Mrs Rong didn¡¯t mean to join any restaurant at all.


    Mrs Rong said, ¡± I promised to go out of the mountain because I hope this cooking skill will be followed by others and will not be buried. I will not consider anything else.¡±


    This was meant for those who have not yet left, meaning that everyone should not have the idea anymore.


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± If Mrs Rong really wants to make money, wouldn¡¯t it be easy to open a restaurant by herself as a shopkeeper, how could she be a chef for others? I understand.¡±


    Mrs Rong smiled. She didn¡¯t have the energy to open any restaurants. Was it so easy to open a restaurant? To entertain and greet, there were a lot of troubles. She had used to being simple and didn`t want to get into trouble.


    Everyone apanied Mrs Rong into the lounge.


    Duan Qirin said: ¡± There is something to discuss with everyone. The shopkeeper Lu was supposed to talk about it in person, but his health is known to everyone. I will do it for him.¡±


    Everyone looked at Duan Qirin solemnly.


    Duan Qilin cleared his throat and said, ¡± Remember when shopkeeper Lu was elected president, he said that he would hold a food festival?¡±


    Of course, they all remembered this.


    ¡± Shopkeeper Lu means to see if it can be done at the beginning of next month. For the first time, we will hold it in Jinling City, then we will expand.¡±


    Duan Qirin said that and looked at Ye Jiayao: ¡± Does the shopkeeper Ye think it is feasible?¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought for a while and said, ¡± There is still one month left, which should be enough. The key is what is the theme of this food festival? What should I do? Is it in the name of the chamber ofmerce or is the government also involved? Funding, location and maintenance of order will need to be discussed.¡±


    Duan Qirin said: ¡± The shopkeeper said very well that everyone should go back and think about it first. As for several questions raised by the shopkeeper just now, everyone will meet at the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow afternoon to make a decision quickly.¡±


    After finishing the business, everyone left.


    Without outsiders, Mrs Rong humbly asked Ye Jiayao, ¡± do you think there is anything I need to improve in today¡¯s lecture?¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± Is there anything else that needs improvement? This is the best lesson I have ever heard. I still want to ask you for advice.¡±


    This was not apliment, it was sincere. she really felt that Mrs Rong taught professional knowledge better than she did. As for her, she was better at making inmmatory speeches.

 Chapter 312 - New Ideas

    <h4>Chapter 312: New Ideas</h4>


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s unabashed praise and sincere expression made Madam Rong¡¯s face hot. She went to Heaven Residence and saw the dishes developed by Ye Jiayao spontaneously. Such imagination and creativity were just what shecked, as well as the skill of cooking carvings revealed by Ye Jiayao yesterday. It was breathtaking. Madam Rong rarely admired anyone, but she admired this young woman without reason.


    Heroes cherished heroes, masters cherished masters, and two people talked about cooking skills. They were very spective and inspired each other.


    Ye Jiayao always wanted to make western food, but she just felt the time was not ripe. After all, she was not sure whether the Chinese taste could ept western food, so she always focused on upying the position of Chinese food first. Mrs. Rong mentioned in food and thick soup just now, which suddenly gave birth to the idea.


    Madam Rong was also very interested in Ye Jiayao¡¯s proposal. They just started working together in the small kitchen of the training course to make this so-called western food.


    Because the students had to practice every day, the ingredients in the training course were still well prepared.


    Beef was ready ¨C made. Ye Jiayao took a piece of meat in the waist, which was the most tender meat in beef. It had less marbled fat, more lean meat and low fat content. People who were afraid of fat and liked to eat steak were the best choice. Roasting the steak until it was medium-rare would give off the aroma of butter, and the meat would be tender and juicy and delicious.


    She cut the loins into two pieces of moderate thickness, adjusted them to heart shape, and marinated them with various seasonings for about 30 minutes.


    Then Ye Jiayao began to make tomato sauce again, she boiled five big tomatoes to make a thick tomato juice and mixed it into the vor she needed.


    Then, Ye Jiayao picked up two purple radishes and started carving them. The purple radishes were a little good, with ultraviolet and white inside, and carved with skin. The carved flowers had purplece and were naturally transitional in color and very beautiful. The green leaves carved from cucumbers were pleasing to the eye.


    The preparatory work ahead was the most basic and in, and the real skill lied in frying.


    She poured oil into the pan until the oil temperature was hot enough, then added beef and fry.


    Without modern cooking equipment, everything depended on experience and the control of the temperature. One more point was too old, too few and too raw. People of this age couldn¡¯t even ept steak that they could still see blood. Moreover, if the temperature was not well controlled, it was likely that the outeryer was burnt and the inside was still raw.


    Of course, this difficulty was nothing to Ye Jiayao.


    Madam Rong was also concentrating on cooking her mushroom soup. Ordinary mushroom soup became different in her hands.


    Soon, the smell of beef and thick soup floated out of the kitchen, and the students who had originally devoted themselves to the practice in the big kitchen all left their jobs smelling the fragrance and quietlyy down at the window of the small kitchen to watch two top chefs cook, one by one with their mouths open, all quick to admire the saliva.


    A momentter, two tes of steak were freshly baked.


    The shape of love, doused with red tomato juice, and then ced with carved radish flowers, cucumber leaves, andce made of cucumbers, and then apanied by a bowl of thick soup carefully cooked by Madam Rong. The fragrance made people admire insects, and the shape and color were so gratifying.


    ¡± How?¡± Ye Jiayao was very satisfied with the western steak made by this cooperation.


    ¡± It looks good. Do you really mean that Western barbarians eat like this?¡± asked Madam Rong.


    ¡± They eat moreplex than this, plus drinks, wine, toast, and various snacks. However, this is the main part,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Madam Rong¡¯s heart was dark sigh, no wonder Shopkeeper Ye¡¯s creativity was so strong that she turned out to be well informed.


    ¡± Come and have a try. I have also been a vegetarian for several years. Today I will start eating meat.¡± Mrs. Rong went to get chopsticks.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± You can¡¯t eat this with chopsticks.¡±


    She said she had taken two knives, but unfortunately there were no forks. Ye Jiayao wondered whether she would order some knives and forks.


    As the tools were notplete, Ye Jiayao had to fight with the spoon.


    After tasting the appetizing mushroom soup, Ye Jiayao was stunned by its unique delicacy.


    Due to professional ethics, when Madam Rong was making soup, she didn¡¯t mean to look at it carefully, but now she couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡± How is this soup made? I think you only use mushrooms, bean sprouts and so on.¡±


    Madam Rong smiled: ¡± Secret recipe, but if you want to learn, I can teach you.¡±


    Wow, so generous, she was willing to teach her the secret recipe. Ye Jiayao was so excited, beaming and nodding.


    Madam Rong also began to taste beef, learning Ye Jiayao, holding a spoon in her left hand to press the steak, and holding a knife in her right hand to cut small pieces of beef. This kind of fresh eating style was not well used, and the steak on the te always gave people a worry about flying out.


    Fortunately, the steak was tender enough, the texture was thin, and without a well full of tenacity, everything was cut open.


    Ye Jiayao looked eagerly at Madam Rong and wondered if she was used to eating her steak, although she thought her steak was definitely more delicious than those of the big western restaurants.


    Madam Rong carefully tasted it and nodded, ¡± The meat is fresh and tender, and it tastes delicious enough. it¡¯s very special with the sweet and sour vor of tomato juice ...¡±


    Uh ... was that all? Ye Jiayao wanted more than the evaluation of the word ¡± special¡±.


    Madam Rong cut another piece and put it in her mouth. The more she chewed, the more tasty she could not help nodding and praising it: ¡± Yes, it¡¯s good, it tastes fragrant, tender and smooth. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s too fat to eat this one. I think it¡¯s all right.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes shone: ¡± Really?You¡¯re not afraid of hitting me, are you?¡±


    Madam Rong said earnestly, ¡± I seldom eat meat, but I think I can easily consume this steak.¡±


    Yes, Ye Jiayao cheered from the bottom of her heart. Did this mean another way to make money?


    How about opening a western restaurant?It was said that western food was the way westerners ate it and that western aristocrats could enjoy. Would everyone flock to it and introduce it as fashion?


    Together with Ye Jiayao¡¯s thoughts, aplete n formed when a steak was finished.


    Rumble ... Rumble...


    Uh ... what sound?


    Ye Jiayao and Madam Rong looked outside the window. She walked over and opened it.


    The window was suddenly opened, and the people outside were shocked, some fell down, some wanted to run, but the shoes were trampled. Suddenly, the outside was sprawled, but everyone reacted quickly and got up and ran away.


    Ye Jiayao lost herugh. It turned out that these guys were watching.


    Madam Rong also saw it and said with a smile, ¡± It seems that the smell of steak has attracted them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao politely said, ¡± It should be the smell of thick soup that attracts them ...¡±


    After all this ordeal, it was gettingte. Ye Jiayao remembered that Chunyu was almost down.


    Hurriedly leaving, Mrs. Rong sent her out. It happened that Chunyu came to pick her up and he had to have a fewmonces with Mrs. Rong.


    Madam Rong watched the young couple leave in the carriage, thinking slightly and unconsciously with envy. Nowadays, such loving couples were rare, recalling that she also lived a happy life like immortal couples when her husband was still alive.


    Xia Chunyu had already found oil stains on Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth, but Mrs. Rong was there, and Mrs. Rong also said nothing. When he got into the carriage, he took out a handkerchief to wipe Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth.


    ¡± You open a small stove?¡±


    Ye Jiayao embarrassed to allow him to wipe her mouth and wipe away the evidence. She soon forgot the embarrassment and said excitedly, ¡± Chunyu, I want to open a shop again.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was startled: ¡± No, it isn¡¯t long before your dessert shop is opened. You want to open a new store again. Are you not busy?¡±


    He didn¡¯t want her to be so busy. He might as well take good care of her body when she was free. They already had shares in farms, Heaven Residence, pastry houses, dessert houses and mines. He himself had some scattered ie. This year was the input, and next year, the output would far exceed the input, and the returns would be generous. They were not short of money.


    Ye Jiayao now had a lot worryings: ¡± Come here busy!¡± In fact, it is a little hard in the early days. If it isn¡¯t for entertaining thedies, I won¡¯t have to go to the dessert house.¡±


    ¡± But now you have enough people?Zhong Xiang has already had enough effort to manage the Heavenly Residence. Jiang Yue has to charge pastry house and dessert house. It is also very hard to run on both sides. Deng Haichuan is still in Prince Yu Mansion. Cui Dongpeng and Wang Mingde cannot be alone after all. You should cultivate your assistants first, and don¡¯t squeeze out all the capable cadres and run too hard for others.


    Ye Jiayao was sshed with cold water, and the heat also dropped. Yes, she had her own hand, and the avable manpower was not enough. Zhong Xiang and Jiang Yue worked so hard this year. Although she gave the corresponding treatment, they should also take into ount the affordability of others. Don¡¯t make these two people dy even life-long events. Auntie Jiang had something to show and hoped that Zhong Xiang woulde to visit rtives early.


    ¡± Well, it¡¯s not mentioned in advance. Next year, there¡¯s still work to be done.¡± Ye Jiayao sighed helplessly.


    Forget it, money couldn¡¯t be earned.


    Xia Chunyu listened to her without mentioning it. He was about to breathe a sigh of relief and was dazed by the next sentence.


    ¡± What are you busy with?¡±


    ¡± Food Festival!I think Lu Xiaotian forgets, but today he asks Duan Qilin to send a message to hold the first food festival at the beginning of next month. This is a good opportunity. I have to prepare well. How can I say that I am now the number one in Jin Lin¡¯s catering industry? It can¡¯t be too bad and make peopleugh? ¡± Ye Jiayao said seriously.


    At the beginning of next month, Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyebrows puckered irretrievably.


    Was this the right time?


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s thoughts quickly switched from western restaurant to food festival, which would be discussed at a meeting tomorrow. Today, she had to think about it. She didn¡¯t notice the thoughtful look of the people around her.

 Chapter 313 - Being scolded

    <h4>Chapter 313: Being scolded</h4>


    Xia Chunfeng went to Dali Temple after talking to his mother. He did not return to the house until supper. Liu Li had been thinking about Chunfeng. She did not want Chun Feng toe into contact with Marquis House now. People on the other side looked at her not pleasing to the eye. Who knows if they would speak ill of her in front of Chun Feng. Her rtionship with Chun Feng had not recovered easily, but it would not be destroyed again.


    So she quietly called Ziming, who is Chunfeng¡¯s follower, for questioning.


    ¡± What did thedy say to the third young master today?¡±


    Ziming honestly said, ¡± Madam talked with the third young master , but I was unable to serve on the side, so I don¡¯t know what they said.¡±


    Liu Li said in frowsty way: ¡± When the third young master came out, how was his look?¡±


    Ziming said, ¡± The third young master has always been serious in speech and manner. I really can¡¯t see whether the third young master is happy or unhappy.¡±


    Liu Li could not help but stared at him: ¡± why don¡¯t you know anything?¡±


    Zi Ming had shut up his mouth innocently. I didn¡¯t know exactly! The third young master was now the same as the former Heir-son Lord. he had no expression and no mood. Instead, Heir-son Lord had be the former third young master and enjoyed himself all day.


    Liu Li looked at him like that, so full of evil fire had to hold back into belly, because it would depend on Ziming to understand every move of Chunfeng in the future.


    ¡± Then how long did you stay in marquis house ?¡±


    ¡± Not long, it took just more than half an hour.¡±


    ¡± Have you ever heard what were the servants of marquis house talking about?¡±


    Ziming had no time to gossip with the people. When the third young master entered the main room, he went to his mother Zhou, but his mother did tell him some things, but these things seemed to have nothing to do with the third the thirddy. However, looking at the gloomy face of the thirddy, he knew if he didn¡¯t say anything, she will felt angry .


    ¡± I heard some words, and everyone was saying that the seconddy was very good and that she was in charge and did not have much effort to keep the house in order.¡± Ziming knew that the thirddy and the seconddy did not deal with each other well and said good things about the seconddy, the thirddy must hold a grudge. Who let the seconddy only let Lin Shu learn to manage the business in the shop and not let him go.


    Liu Li was indeed ck in face, now what she couldn¡¯t hear most is others praising Ye Jinxuan, who was so capable and so virtuous, and she Zhao Liu Li is nothing. Her heart was like being blocked by a big stone so that she couldn¡¯t breath.


    ¡± You go down first and serve the third young master with snackster.¡± Liu Li said a pun, meaning you have to watch the third young master for me.


    Ziming answered, received the reward and went down.


    As soon as Ziming stepped down, Liu Li snaped all the teamps on the tea table to the ground.


    Why was there such an annoying person in the world? Ye Jinxuan¡¯s existence was to annoy her.


    The servant girl shivered with fear and dared not let out a sound in the air, timidly crouching down to clean up the mess on the ground.


    Liu Li¡¯s anger and anguish were nowhere to be told, what reminded her of Xiaoya¡¯s goodness. Xiaoya knew her mind best, and she would release her and find a way for her.


    It¡¯s a pity that Xiaoya was not here. she inquired about where Xiaoya was sold, but she couldn¡¯t find any news at all. Xiaoya didn¡¯t give it to several women who had business rtions with marquis house.


    You, what a wonderful job you had done!


    Liu Li hated gnashing teeth.


    And that Qiao, who used to grovel in front of her and pandered to her, now dared to speak out too much, and must had been taught by Ye Jinxuan, a bitch, or else Qiao had no courage.


    She thought again hated again, was so anger and was going to vomiting blood.


    ¡± Get out of here, get out of here for me.¡± Liu Li kicked a piece of broken porcin and roared.


    The maids trembled and retreated quietly.


    Marquis house¡¯s side was also not at peace, because You thought of Qiao¡¯s improper words and deeds at the dinner time today at her third uncle¡¯s side, she especially called Qiao and give her a lesson.


    ¡± How many heads you have, dare to criticize the seven princesses, have you ever thought about what will happen if these words reach the ears of the queen mother and the emperor? Those know, will say you have no brain, don¡¯t know will think the duke and I disrespected the seventh wise king. the seventh wise king was the queen mother¡¯s pain. Just look at the queen mother¡¯s favor for Liu Li, you can imagine. Moreover, the emperor¡¯s life was bought by the seventh wise king. if you are tired of living, don¡¯t bring trouble to the whole marquis house to bury you. you haven¡¯t got the qualification yet. ¡± You rarely said so harshly. it was really thought that the consequences of this matter were too serious. if You didn¡¯t give such a hard lesson, Qiao¡¯s brain-free memory will notst long.


    ¡± Moreover, the seventh princesse are well-known and respected. You criticize her, and everyone will only treat you as a mean person. If they have no skill, they will speak less and no one will treat you as a mute!¡±


    Joe already knew she was wrong. At that time, the mother-inw didn¡¯t look good, yelling at her in front of everyone. She thought this was the end of the story. Who knows, it hadn¡¯t happened yet, and the mother-inw was angry.


    Qiao¡¯s head was lifted and her tears streamed down when she was scolded.


    Ye Jiayao was very embarrassed at the side. You called Qiao and called her to attend in private. Although she could guess You also had the meaning of warning her, she was more concerned about Qiao¡¯s face. However, it is rare for You to have such a big fire that Ye Jiayao did not dare to speak for Qiao easily.


    She really didn¡¯t know that the seventh princess turned out to be a good person.


    A good king, a good man and a daughter born out of him, how could she be so determined?


    ¡± Fortunately, Deng¡¯s family members are sincere and don¡¯t like to gossip. Liu Li is still thinking about repairing the rtionship with Chunfeng, otherwise, it would be a big deal.¡± You thought more and feared more.


    Although the queen mother and the emperor wouldn¡¯t cure Jing ¡®an marquis house for their younger generation¡¯s arguments, they would surely feel ufortable and doubt Jing ¡®an marquis house¡¯s loyalty.


    ¡± Mother, daughter-inw has know I was wrong, and I will never dare again ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao quietly brought tea to You: ¡± Mother, drink water and calm down. Sister ¨C in ¨Cw has already made a mistake, and she is also careless.¡±


    You¡¯s face sank like water, staring at Qiao, ¡± The speaker is careless, the listener is conscious, the disease is from the mouth, and the eviles out of the mouth¡±


    Qiao was holding her stomach and did not know what to say.


    You didn¡¯t good the spirit. ¡± I¡¯ll spare you next time.¡±


    Qiao hurried to say yes.


    After teaching Qiao, You told Qiao to retire first, and there was no one else in the room except Mother Sun. You said to Ye Jiayao, ¡± Look at today¡¯s performance of Liu Li, her hatred for you has not gone away, and her obsession has deepened. You should bring back Ziming, and there is no shortage of such a person to serve Chunfeng.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t quite understand You¡¯s meaning. How did she say to Ziming?


    You saw that she hadn¡¯t figured it out yet and had to mention it.


    ¡± It is said that the family and children are the most loyal. Generations of people serve in the government, and their feelings for their masters are deeper than those who came in halfway. But once such people have a heart attack, it is also very terrible. Now you let Lin Shu go to the shop to learn how to do business and not let Ziming go, to warn Zhou Xing¡¯s family, but if she is still not introspective??Family rules, however, still need to be dealt with. This is from the standpoint of being a family member and must be done. However, Ziming may not think so. Let¡¯s transfer it back and see if this person is avable. If he is not avable, arrange him elsewhere and never put it on the side of Liu Li.¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly realized that ginger was the older the spicier, and more sophisticated than their young counterparts.


    If she had disposed of Zhou Xing¡¯s family and thus affected Ziming¡¯s future, Ziming would have a grudge and would have been used by Liu Li, it would have been a hidden danger if she had been encouraged to do so.


    Ye Jiayao immediately said, ¡± Well, I¡¯ll let Steward Zhong find Chunfeng tomorrow.¡±


    When she came out of You¡¯s room, she saw Qiao didn¡¯t leave and was still waiting outside, with her eyes flushed with tears.


    ¡± Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, how do you stand on the tuyere? Be careful of the cold. You are now double ¨C body. Take care of yourself. ¡± Ye Jiayao cared.


    Qiao looked timidly at the door of her eyes and pulled Ye Jiayao out.


    ¡± Sister inw, what did mother tell you?Are you still talking about me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± You don¡¯t think too much. Mother told me about the affairs of the government.¡±


    Qiao sniffed at her nose and said, ¡± I was too angry to upset a boat with a pole of Liu Li, so some people could not choose their words.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoforted: ¡± I know, you are careless. It¡¯s all right. Mother is also worried that we will only say we are. As long as we all remember, mother will not take it to heart.¡±


    Qiao said in sad way: ¡± I was humiliated by my mother for the first time after taking the door so long.¡±


    ¡°Being scolded with a few words by elders have what shame? The queen will also be trained by the queen mother! Mother was also out of concern. You didn¡¯t hear me. When I first entered the room, I was scolded worse than this.¡± Ye Jiayao quipped.


    ¡± Really?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, ¡± It¡¯s true. Mother didn¡¯t approve of me at that time.¡±


    She remembered when she first came, she fell asleep in the carriage one day, Chunyu held her back to her room, and You taught her a lesson all about it.


    Qiao¡¯s heart was a little morefortable.s, she should be careful when she speaked in front of her mother next time.


    Ye Jiayao sent Joe back to the yard before returning to her own room.


    Xia Chunyu went out after supper and said he woulde backter. Ye Jiayao took out his paper and pen to write a n for the Food Festival.


    She had participated in many modern food festivals, all of which were snacks, but such a model was obviously not in line with Lu Xiaotian¡¯s idea of food festivals. Lu Xiaotian¡¯s intention was to give each family a tform to show themselves, publicize themselves and show them what they were best at.


    So, what should I do?


    Her dessert house pastry room was easy to handle, but if it was Heaven House, what should she do to publicize the food festival?


    It was impossible to cook arge table. Let the guests sit down and eat.


    Food Festival guests were highly mobile. They must hade to try their own crafts. How could they bnce the interests of businesses with the needs of guests?


    Ye Jiayao bit the top of the pen and brooded about it, which was really difficult...

 Chapter 314 - Ye Jiayao’s suggestion

    <h4>Chapter 314: Ye Jiayao¡¯s suggestion</h4>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know when Xia Chunyu wille back and how she slept in bed from the couch, but she heard some small sounds in the morning. When she opened her eyes, Chunyu was wearing shoes and she was in bed.


    ¡± When did youe back?¡± Ye Jiayao stretched out an arm to press the quilt and felt cold, so he shrank back quickly.


    Xia Chunyu rushed over and kissed her. ¡± Don¡¯t wait for me in the future. You sleep first. I am a little busy these days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hooked his neck to keep him from leaving. His voice was soft and waxy, with anguid morning smell: ¡± What are you busy with?¡±


    Xia Chunyu kissed her again: ¡± By the end of the year, there are many things in the pce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao recalled that he didn¡¯t seem so busy this timest year.


    ¡± Lovely, you look after more at home. I¡¯ll apany you again after I¡¯ve been busy for a while.¡± Xia Chunyu coaxed her as if she was a child.


    Ye Jiayao reluctantly let go of his hand and sincerely felt that it was not a good thing for both of them to be so busy.


    After Xia Chunyu left, Ye Jiayao quickly got up when she thought there was something important to do today.


    First, Let Steward Zhong went to Chunfeng and called Ziming back. At this point, Chunfeng should have been able to take charge before going to Dali Temple. Otherwise, he would have to ask Liu Li. Maybe the dead woman would have to say something again.


    Steward Zhong asked what to arrange when he came back.


    Ye Jiayao thought it over yesterday: ¡± Let him help you do things first.¡±


    The arrangement of this position was very significant. It seemed that it was a good job to work for Steward Zhong, there would be bright prospects. But it was not an important job. Steward Zhong could also help her keep an eye on it.


    Steward Zhong did not raise any objection and went to the third young master¡¯s house when he was ordered to do so.


    Ye Jiayao then went to Heavenly Residence, looking for Zhong Xiang and Cui Dongpeng to discuss the Food Festival. Everyone brainstormed, three smelly cobblers hadpeted Zhuge Liang.


    However, they also heard for the first time about the Food Festival. they really couldn¡¯te up with any good ways and their ideas were all rejected by Ye Jiayao.


    While there were guests at noon, Ye Jiayao conducted another customer survey to listen to what kind of Food Festival the guests would like to see most.


    To sum up, some of the guests had offered real preferential treatment. These people belonged to the middle ss and the benefits came first. Some of the guests said they wanted to see something new. This part of the guests belonged to the higher end. They didn¡¯t care about money, they wanted something real and good. Some of the guests thought it was better to have an activity on Heavenly Residence, and they would certainly support it. These people were loyal customers of Heavenly Residence.


    Ye Jiayao had a idea in his heart. After lunch, she asked Qiao Xi and Xiangtao to go to the dessert house to help. These two people were very fond of making desserts recently, and she took Zhong Xiang to the chamber ofmerce.


    Everyone arrived early, Mrs Rong was there, who was specially invited by Lu Xiaotian .


    ¡± Due to my personal reasons, I have dyed everyone¡¯s business. I¡¯m really sorry, but before we can speak out, everyone will try to finalize the n for the Food Festival today.¡± Lu Xiaotian¡¯s opening remarks were very concise and got straight to the point.


    Lin Changchun was the first to speak: ¡± Food Festival can be ced by Qinhuai River, because there are the most leisure people there, the ce is spacious, it will not affect people¡¯s travel, and it is also convenient to maintain public order.¡±


    This proposal had been approved by everyone.


    Soon the location, time, number of days held and the apportionment of expenses were settled.


    The key question was what to do? In what form should it be held?


    Everyone had different opinions.


    Because when the time came to build a simple tent, each restaurant had a booth, and the space was limited, the guests could only taste it, what effect could it have? Everyone was not sure about all these things.


    After discussion and discussion, everyone¡¯s eyes finally focused on Ye Jiayao, who had not spoken.


    ¡± Shopkeeper Ye, what do you mean?¡± Asked Duan Kirin.


    At this time, Ye Jiayao already had a general n in her mind. Her eyes swept across the crowd and looked at those expectant eyes. She decided not to hide her private affairs. She said, ¡± Food Festival can actually not be limited to three days, but be used to promote to the restaurant in these three days. We could divide the Food Festival into two parts. The first part was what everyone said just now. In three days, bring out the restaurant¡¯s special dishes for guests to taste, introduce the restaurant¡¯s situation, and introduce a series of subsequent preferential measures, such as a few discount for ordering banquet during the food festival, or distributing coupons.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s eyes lit up and he caught the key point in Ye Jiayao¡¯s remarks, which was the word ¡± preferential.¡± .


    In addition to the delicious features, what could attract guests more than preferential treatment? Of course, it was preferential treatment, especially for restaurants with ordinary performance, which should be the most effective measure.


    ¡± This was not small profits but quick turnover?¡± ZhenSanduo spoke in a disdainful tone.


    ¡± Do a half die and ended up making little money? is it worth it?¡± Even the shopkeeper of Xiangyi Residence scoffed at her.


    ¡± Everyone has introduced preferential measures. Can those small restaurantspete with your big ones? Isn¡¯t thest benefit belong to you these big restaurants?¡± Some people questioned it again.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Opportunities are equal. No one is sessful from the start. It depends on what you do. It is not a channel to make small profits but quick turnover, nor is it a way to make you lose money in business.¡±


    These short-sighted guys, it was no wonder that after all these years, they could only y small games, had no cooking skills, had no unique business philosophy, and how could theypete with others? Some real preferential measures may make a few more money.


    Lin Changchun said immediately: ¡± I agree with the shopkeeper Ye that there arerge restaurants and small restaurants. We are holding a Food Festival to expand our restaurant business and attract more consumers. There are still many people who do not want toe to the restaurant to save money. This is an opportunity.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian nodded and said, ¡± The shopkeeper Lin said very well that the idea of the shopkeeper Ye is to help everyone expand their interests. The Food Festival is just a tform, giving everyone a chance to sell themselves. As for how to do it, it still depends on oneself and the strength of the offer is within one¡¯s capabilities. However, one thing must be stated first, that is, it is impossible topete in a vicious way, to reduce the price of each other, and to lose out atst.¡±


    The general direction was decided, and then Lu Xiaotian began to divide the work, leaving the venue to Duan Qilin, who personally took part in the issue ofmunication with the government. As for the early publicity and promotion work, Lu xiaotian looked at Ye Jiayao and then asked everyone, ¡± who do you think is more appropriate?¡±


    As a result, everyone¡¯s eyes fell on Ye Jiayao once again.


    Lu Xiaotianughed: ¡± Then it will going to trouble the shopkeeper.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter if I work hard. As a vice president, working for the chamber ofmerce and making profits for everyone is part of the business, but one thing needs to be said ahead.¡±


    Everyone were all ready to listen to her.


    Ye Jiayao gathered her smile and said seriously, ¡± Today¡¯s n was worked out by everyone together. Everyone¡¯s mind must be consistent. If anyone feels that attending this Food Festival is meaningless, he can quit. I said, human effort is the decisive factor and the opportunity has given you, and it¡¯s your own business to what extent you can do it. Don¡¯tin about it when the timees, so that everyone¡¯s good intentions will fall apart.¡±


    Several people who had just raised objections looked passive and embarrassed to avoid Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes.


    Duan Qilin said: ¡± It is true that participation is voluntary. The registration period is three days. Each family will pay a deposit of two hundred and twenty taels first, and then how much it will cost, whether it will refund more or make up less, make its own decision, and don¡¯tin.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s certain. If everyone else makes money, you won¡¯t be able to earn it yourself.¡± Chang Chun was not salty or weak.


    No one raised any objection, Lu Xiaotian said, ¡± That¡¯s settled. Everyone can get ready.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say something to Lu Xiaotian, but Lu Xiaotian said hello to Mrs. Rong, then just talking to Duan Qilin and left.


    Ye Jiayao was a little ufortable, but she could also understand Lu Xiaotian¡¯s estrangement. He didn¡¯t want to cause any misunderstanding.


    Mrs Rong came over and said gently, ¡± Today I have seen you in a different style.¡±


    A woman in a group of men was no less decisive and courageous than a man, giving Mrs. Rong a new understanding of Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao¡¯s sess depends not only on her superb cooking skills.


    Ye Jiayao smiled shyly: ¡°Hope you won¡¯tugh at me.¡±


    For Mrs Rong, she was very respectful and did not dare to stand up to her.


    The members left in twos and threes, leaving Ye Jiayao and Mrs Rong behind.


    Mrs Rong said, ¡± Your idea is really good, especially for those small restaurants, you can not say it. The biggest beneficiary of the Food Festival will be Heavenly Residence, but some people still don¡¯t appreciate it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled generously, ¡± Everything is from the overall situation, benifits of oneself own is nothing. Money should be earned by all! As for ungrateful, it is their own business, and I will not lose anything.¡±


    Mrs Rong couldn¡¯t help praising Ye in her heart. Jing ¡®an Hou Heir-son Lord was the best man among the people, and only women like Ye Jinxuan deserved him.


    She began to believe that perhaps many yearster, Ye Jinxuan would really be a person who inscribed history books. At least, she would have an indelible position in the hearts of people who love food.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know Mrs Rong had gave her such a high opinion in silence, she was only moving forward step by step for her own ideal. As to which step she could do, she just tried her best.

 Chapter 315 - With no good intentions

    <h4>Chapter 315: With no good intentions</h4>


    Stepping out of the Chamber of Commerce, Ye Jiayao saw the housekeeper Zhong waiting outside.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank. If there was nothing that couldn¡¯t be solved, the housekeeper Zhong would note here to find her.


    When the seconddy and Mrs. Rong said goodbye, the housekeeper came forward to salute.


    ¡°Say, what¡¯s up?¡± asked Ye Jiayao.


    Zhong said: ¡°This morning, the thirddy has promised to let the Ziminge back, and he has returned. However, after lunch, the thirddy sents people toe to pick Ziming.¡±


    ¡°Where is Ziming?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the key points.


    ¡°He... he goes back.¡±


    ¡°By yourself?¡±


    ¡°When he hears that the the thirddy asks for that, he leaves.¡±


    Uh... Ye Jiayao was angry, this Zhou Ziming really believed that he was a ve to Liu Li!


    ¡°This matter... What do you say ?¡± Zhong said that it was a headache.


    Ye Jiayao asked: ¡°How do Zhou Xing¡¯s wife say?¡±


    Zhou Xing was now in Hangzhou, so we couldn¡¯t ask him, and we could only ask his wife¡¯s attitude.


    Zhong said: ¡°She naturally defends her son and says that she doesn¡¯t want to offend the thirddy .¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought for a moment and said, ¡°You go to Dali Temple and tell the whole thing to the third young master,Leaving him to decide this.¡±


    If Zhou Ziming didn¡¯te back, then Zhou Xing¡¯s wife would be sent out, but poor Zhou Xing, he was a very capable assistant.


    The housekeeper went to Dali Temple, Ye Jiayao went to the dessert house, and found that the Ruan came, and she was surprised that the side imperial concubine Lin came together.


    ¡°Ruan, how long have you been here? This is...¡± Ye Jiayao pretended not to know Lin, and she did not see Lin actually. She only heard that there was a cinnabar on Lin¡¯s eyebrows, which was also called a beauty spot. What¡¯s more, she was dressed extraordinarily, so there was no doubt that she was Lin.


    Ruan smiled and said: ¡°It¡¯s been a while, this is King Yu¡¯s side imperial concubine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and bowed her knees.


    Lin smiled faintly: ¡°Shall I call you the second young master¡¯s wife or the shopkeeper Ye?¡±Ye Jiayao said: ¡°It¡¯s up to you, but just be casual.¡±


    Lin smiled and said: ¡°The things in your dessert house are really good. It is better for me to apply for a membership card and bring my sisters to taste them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to refuse, but in this way, shepletely confessed to Lin, and maybe Lin would be angry to Ruan.


    The rules were fixed, but people were flexible, Ye Jiayao said: ¡°It is my pleasure to have you be my membership, Qiao Xi, to apply for a card for King Yu¡¯s side imperial concubine .¡±


    Lin smiled: ¡°I think you will not agree. I hear that you have strict rules here with only one hundred members.¡±


    ¡°You side imperial concubine is worthy of honor, and no average person canpare.¡± Ye Jiayao quietlypliments.


    She didn¡¯t like Lin, but she still had to be polite.


    ¡°Just, I also hope that the you can keep the secret, otherwise some people who do not know their status maye topare them with you.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Lin smiled, neither agree nor say no.


    Ye Jiayao thought in her heart, this woman should not havee to make her suffocating! Ye heard that she was very close to Liu Li!


    Forget it, there was always a solution to a problem and she was not afarid of it. Now that Ruan came, it¡¯s naturally to give her some delicious deserts, Ye Jiayao let Jiang Yue take out several new products. Ruan said: ¡°I have already ate a lot and can¡¯t eat any more.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°Then take it back.¡±


    She let Jiang Yue pack in two and give one to Lin.


    Walking the two people out, Ye Jiayao just returned to the store. Little Man ran in, handing her a string of corals, whispered: ¡°This is a new good thing of our princess to send you, I just forgot, our princess say that she brings trouble to you today, but she just can¡¯t push it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. Ruan exined this to her by the eyesight of sending something. In fact, she did not need to exin it. She understood it.


    ¡°Go back and tell you the princess, I have epted the things, and I will go to see her when I have time¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Little Man snorted and ran out.


    Ye Jiayao came home and when she was still eating, someone came to report that Zhou Ziming was back, and the face of Zhou Xingjia, who was on the sidelines, was inconsistent.


    Ye Jiayao calmly said, ¡°Let him go to the housekeeper¡¯s.¡±


    You nced at Zhou Xing¡¯s wife ntly, speak slowly: ¡°I watched him grow up from a young age, and he is a very well-behaved child, how can he be so ignorant now? Can you manage it?¡±


    Zhou Xing¡¯s wife was so embarrassment and said:¡±It¡¯s estimated that he can¡¯t bear the third young master, madam, you know, Ziming has been serving him all the time.¡±


    ¡°Yes? Or, you have served in the past the third young master, you and your son can go there together, waiting for Zhou Xing toe back, Zhou Xing can also go, I am looking for someone else to manage the business in Hangzhou.¡± Said the You.


    Zhou Xing¡¯s face changed and he said: ¡°The child is just a moment when he can¡¯t think properly. I will talk with him when Ie back.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered at the bottom of her heart. She really looked at the bowl and thought about it in the pot. Can Zhou Xing¡¯s wife be reused? It was estimated that she had been bribed by Liu Li.


    At this time, the seventh prince¡¯s pce, Liu Li went to the seventh prince to talk with, not so arrogant but gently said: ¡°Why do you let Ziming go back? He serves you when he is a child. There is no shortage of such a person in Hou mansion. Is it necessary to do this?¡±


    Chun Feng faintly said: ¡°My mother is optimistic about Ziming. In the future, he will pick up the ss of Zhou Xing. Now Lin Shu, the son of Lin Kun¡¯s family, has gone to the store to study and take care of it. Now you call him back, and isn¡¯t it a dy to his future?¡±


    ¡°What is the future of taking care of the business? Isn¡¯t it just a few more money ? I will give him it, but I can¡¯t let you have no good person around you. How can I let it go?¡± Liu Li said.


    Chun Feng looked at her with no expression. Some words, he didn¡¯t want to say to maintain the current status quo, on the surface, even if it was too good. She should not have thought of that he didn¡¯t know that there was a rtionship between Liu Li and Zhou Xing¡¯s family. She often asked his son some questions, and she doesn¡¯t let his son go. He knew what was in the heart of Liu Li. Presumably, the second sister-inw had also found out that, so she called the child back for fear that the mother and son would not cause anything wrong.


    ¡°For you, it is natural to take care of the business, but as a servant, it is very difficult to be promoted from a third-ss servant to a first-ss servant. Moreover, it is not a matter of money. Things, Ziming has been with me for so long, I have to consider for his future. Moreover, there is no shortage of people around me. This is the case, you should stop calling him back, otherwise, people I thought you have a purpose.¡±


    Liu Li was depressed, she was not easy to bribe Zhou Xing¡¯s wife, which was an eyeliner in marquis mansion, plus with Ziming in hand. There was no worry that Zhou Xing¡¯s wife wouidn¡¯t cooperate, but now Ziming was back, and what about the n ?


    Listening to the Chun Feng , Liu Li muttered: ¡°What purpose do I have? All is for you.¡±


    Chun Feng sneered, was it good for him? Maybe, but she didn¡¯t know how to do good for him.


    After serving dinner for her master, Zhou Xing¡¯s wife went to find Ziming in a hurry. ¡°Who let youe back?¡±


    Ziming was bored and said: ¡°It¡¯s the third young masters. When hees back and sees that I¡¯m still in the house, he sends me away. I beg him but it¡¯s in vain.¡±


    Zhou Xing¡¯s wife sigh directly: ¡°This time things are really done not good. I think you could stay there. Now it¡¯s in trouble, neither side is pleased. I am just critised in front of my master.¡±


    Ziming was worried and asked: ¡°Is this matter serious?¡±


    Zhou Xing¡¯s wife frowned: ¡°Forget it, since you can¡¯t go back, you should do your job better now. If the madam and the second young master¡¯s wife are willing to reuse you, otherwise...¡±


    Ziming looked at her mother expectantly. Zhou Xing¡¯s wife did not say it. She turned to another point:¡± It¡¯s also a good thing to follow the housekeeper Zhong. Be smart, and Zhong will be very good to you. You will have a good future.¡±


    Ziming mmed his mouth in disapproval: ¡°What is the future? Will here be a good future? The third young master¡¯s wife have promised to let me to take charge in the future.¡±


    Zhou Xing¡¯s wife nced at him: ¡°Don¡¯t forget, your contract is still in the hands of the second young master¡¯s wife.¡±


    Once the mother and the child were leaving, a figure in the darkness sneaked away.


    Ye Jiayao was holding Baoer in y and one was talking to her.


    ¡°Are these true?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s true enough, it¡¯s in your expectation that Zhou Xing¡¯s wife goes to find her child once leaving the kitchen.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s smile was still on the face:¡±Baoer is really good,ugh to your aunt.¡±


    Baoer presented a sweet smile on face which Ye Jiayao a pleasure.


    ¡°You go ahead! Please pay more attention to it for meter.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The servant bowed her knees and retired.


    Qiaoxi went forward: ¡°It¡¯s no wonder that Ziming wants to go back. It turns out that the third young master¡¯s wife has promised him benefit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°The wages of avarice is death, but some people are unclear about whether this tempting food is poisonous or not?¡±


    Still, You was a meticulous mind, the master of dealing with matters in the house, immediately thinking of thisyer, if Zhou Xing¡¯s wife did not show her ws, she really did not think about this, I did not know that there was a hidden danger.


    ¡°The third young master¡¯s wife has moved out, but she keeps making trouble.¡± Qiaoxi said angrily.


    Ye Jiayao smiled indifferently: ¡°If she is so easy to admit defeat, she is not Liu Li.¡±


    Just I was wondering who wouldugh the longest.


    Previously, Ye Jiayao¡¯s fears turned out to be true. After Lin got the membership card, some people came to the door and asked for membership. They also said that they knew that there were already more than one hundred members.


    All of them who came had social status. If Ye Jiayao did not agree, she would offend them and promised that her rules would be broken and she would face herself.


    Lin, Lin, really was not good!


    Ye Jiayao had already expected this move, and she said frankly: ¡°I don¡¯t want to conceal anything from you, the one hundred and one member is Yu Wang¡¯s side imperial concubine, Yu Wang¡¯s most beloved imperial concubine, I cannot refuse it? I believe you can understand my difficulties. I am grateful that you want to join us, and I am also trying to find ways to expand the size of the dessert house, so that I can amodate more members, I will inform you at the first time,how is it?¡±

 Chapter 316 - Stupid woman

    <h4>Chapter 316: Stupid woman</h4>


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s polite remarks not only euphemistically revealed the identity of the other party couldn¡¯tpared with King Yu¡¯s concubine, but also expressed her sincerity.


    But thosedies didn¡¯t want to stop here, and they caught the loopholes in the rules.


    ¡°Since the rules are broken, more than one is more, more than a few are more. Is it possible that we will not be able to sit down with a few more dessert houses? Can we not be supplied?¡± Ady of the generals snorted.


    ¡± Well, we won¡¯t be affected by more than one of us, and we promise not to say it to the outside world,¡± said another assistant minister¡¯s wife with mirth.


    ¡± We promise not to go out.¡± The other two nodded and promised.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the fourdies in front of her, singing a red face and a white face, and wanted to fight her to the end.


    Her heart was clear and she could cope with all the troubles of the neers. She could also stand up in principle. But if she nodded her head and let thedies join the club, ha ha, she would never believe their promises. Once she opened the hole, it would be like a flood that could not be stopped. At that time, Lin incited some members to make trouble and would expand the situation, the reputation of Ye¡¯s Dessert House would surely be damaged.


    This hole could never be opened. It was better to offend these people than to offend one vote.


    Ye Jiayao said slowly: ¡± Thank you for valuing my small dessert house and not hiding it from everyone. I do have a few ces in my hand. However, these ces must be unanimously approved by the five gold card members. This is also the original intention of the gold card system, which was originally designed as a privilege for gold card members. King Yu¡¯s concubine is approved by everyone. On their eptable list, why don¡¯t I ask them.if they don¡¯t have anyments, I will naturally wee everyone with both hands,how about it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao put the me on the gold card members. The gold card members in the dessert house were Yide princess royal,Crown Princess, A Ruan, Yongning marquis and Zhu. These people had a very strong rtionship with her. How to decided was not a matter of her word, but it should still be very useful tounch it as a shield now. Did they dare to question Yide princess royal?Question Crown Princess?


    Sure enough, once this happened, the arrogance of the fourdies ceased to exist, and they looked at each other and had no idea at the moment.


    Ye Jiayao took the opportunity to say: ¡± Yearster, the dessert house will be expanded. Although the scale will be expanded, the number of ces will still be limited, not exceeding 20. You should know that there are still many people waiting in line to join the club, and your conditions are echoed. If you really want to join the club, how about I reserve a quota for you?¡±


    These several people¡¯s eyes contacted,they were all people who mix in the circle ofdies, the subtleties of this were well known to everyone,although it was instructed, it could be instructed that the forces of the people could notpete with the gold members here, they were entangled and entangled, not only could not find cheap, but also offended people who could not offend, why bothered?


    I couldn¡¯t believe that the seconddy of Jing¡¯ an marquis house was so powerful behind her.


    ¡°Before we didn¡¯t know the rules here. Since Mrs. Xia exined it clearly, we can¡¯t make it difficult for Mrs. Xia, then let¡¯s wait, Mrs. Xia must reserve a quota for us!¡± assistant minister¡¯s wife with mirth took the lead inpromise and didn¡¯t want to have a bad rtionship with Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± That is certain, I¡¯ll make a pre-registration for you first!¡± Ye Jiayao said smilingly, wrote down their names and sent each of them a box of cakes before sending them away.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the four names on the small notebook and the three people who had been here before. A sneer at the corners of the mouth floated up and the first cklist was obtained. The men of these people must have been from King Yu¡¯s group. Otherwise, how could their women obey Lin¡¯s orders and came here to pick a task?


    I would hand over this book to Chunyuter.


    It was quite a bit embarrassing to get this list: ¡°I don¡¯t expect General Wu¡¯s deputy General Zheng to be a King Yu¡¯s person. It¡¯s an ident... Yaoyao, you really helpe me a lot.¡±


    Ye Jiayao just thought this list might be useful, but she didn¡¯t expect to catch a hidden pile.


    ¡± The me only lies in the fact that these women have no brains, and they don¡¯t even know they have hurt their husbands.¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help gloating at the thought of their aggressive attitude today.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± I wish they would hurt more ,and always hurt their husbands¡±


    This unexpected harvest made Xia Chunyu very excited. He always suspected that there were people in the Five Cities and Soldiers who belonged to King Yu, but the other side was hiding and could not find it, but he sent it to the door.


    Ye Jiayao was also very happy to help Chunyu. The previous troubles disappeared without trace. The so-called ¡°blessings and sorrows¡±.Lin wanted to give her a scorpion . She didn¡¯t expect to send her a list. The price was really good, so she couldn¡¯t help but looked forward to a few more tomorrow.


    At the moment, in King Yu house, lin listened to the reply from the person she had assigned to go out to make trouble, her face was livid and her teeth were clenched with resentment.


    ¡± What a powerful means to carry out gold card members as a shield.¡±


    ¡± This Ye Jinxuan is indeed unusual, smiling all the time from the beginning to the end, with a mild attitude. Mrs. Zheng stabbed her with words, and she was not angry or impatient. There are Crown Princess,King Yu¡¯concubine,, Yide Royal Princess and Mrs. Yongning marquis among the members of the gold card. All these people have taken care of her, and these people are very close friends with her, and we can¡¯t find any loopholes in her at all,¡± said assistant minister¡¯s wife.


    Lin wanted to vomit blood, but before she handed over her hand, she felt that because Liuli was useless, she would lose so miserably, once she thought the things she decided to do ,it must had been caught by the hand. Now she knew she was too despising the enemy and couldn¡¯t even get rid of a dessert house.


    ¡°Tomorrow call a few provocative again in the past? Reasoning, we can¡¯t talk about her, we just don¡¯t talk about this justification, just make a fuss, stir up the anger of those who don¡¯t know the truth, andunch arge-scale denunciation. ¡°Assistant minister¡¯s wife proposed.


    Lin silence for a moment,then followed by a bite of silver fangs: ¡± Well, if you do it, you¡¯ll make a big noise, and she won¡¯t be able to speak clearly even if she is full of lips.¡±


    There was a sh of cold light in the assistant minister¡¯s wife¡¯s eyes: ¡± I¡¯ll look for someone.¡±


    The assistant minister¡¯s wife was about to step down when King Yu came in with a face of frost and hastened to salute.


    King Yu¡¯s face was expressionless, his eyes were cold and sharp, and his voice was as cold as ice: ¡± This is the end of the matter.¡±


    Lin seldom saw King Yu¡¯s serious expression, and gave her an expression of eyes to let her step down first.


    The assistant minister¡¯s wife quickly slipped away.


    Lin changed her smile, took King Yu¡¯s hand, asked him to sit down, and politely poured him tea and pinched his shoulder.


    King Yu shook his shoulder and avoided her hand. His face was heavy and cold.


    Lin¡¯s heart tightened and her smile became more gentle. She said with a gentle voice, ¡± The Royal Highness has a worry today?¡±


    King Yu stared straight at her and wanted to scold her for being a stupid woman, but at present this person was his favorite after all. He fought back his anger and coldly said, ¡± Who have you sent to make trouble?¡±


    Lin skimmed her pie mouth and said, ¡± How can this be said to be a riot? Ye Jinxuan thought it would be great to have the backing of a gold card member. I must teach her a lesson. Besides, the higher her position in Jinling¡¯s circle ofdies is, it is not good for us, and she must pull out the eyesore.¡±


    King Yu sneered repeatedly: ¡± You taught her?¡± Don¡¯t be sold and count the money for others with joy.¡±


    Lin unconvinced and murmured, ¡± Royal Highness, you are too look down upon me.¡±


    King Yu scoffed: ¡± Do you think I am rmist?¡± you¡¯re definitely not her opponent. I¡¯m afraid you will break my big deal.¡±


    ¡± Say, who did you call to make trouble?¡±


    Lin looked at him in a dignified manner, and she was afraid and told the list honestly.


    King Yu listened, his face was getting darker and darker, and the dark ones were about to drip out of the water. He stared at her for half a ring and finally could not help jumping out two words from his mouth: ¡± Stupid woman.¡±


    Lin looked at King Yu in an incredible way. Tears of injustice filled her eyes quickly, and tears might fell down, looking at delicate and touching.


    ¡± King Yu, how can you say that to your female servant?¡±


    King Yu said angrily: ¡± You think yourself is smart ,but you show others your old fortune. Can Ye Jinxuan not think that it is you sent people?As long as she goes back to talk to Xia Chunyu about it, who hase to make trouble. Xia Chunyu will immediately know who we are. We don¡¯t talk about the persons who show up on the surface , but you actually expose the persons who I make great efforts to find ,and haven¡¯t been exposed ,saying that are you a stupid woman or you still feel wronged?¡±


    Lin¡¯s mouth and tongue were tied and she couldn¡¯t say a word for a long time. She really didn¡¯t think about it. If she really broke the Royal Highness¡¯s n, she would have worked hard ,but done a bad thing.


    Lin said with a hint of luck and weakness, ¡± Maybe she couldn¡¯t think of ...¡±


    King Yu red at her again: ¡± Do you think anyone is as stupid as you?.¡±


    ¡± So far, I warn you, don¡¯t mess with Ye Jinxuan, she is not a simple person. If you dare to break the my business again, you can go home!¡±King Yu was so angry that he said malicious words to Lin for the first time and left.


    Since thest kidnapping incident, King Yu felt Ye Jinxuan was unusual and had just been so frightened that she could still sink to make the wedding banquet colorful. This calm and calm attitude was not what ordinary women could have, and then she caught the opportunity to send mooncakes and quietly fought for the position for A Ruan. He could not say what she did. Heavenly Residence, pastry house, dessert house, training ss ... which thing she did was not enviable sess, but a woman was able to be vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. Liuli failed miserably in several meetings with her, even the Empress Dowager..


    King Yu even thought that if this woman was his, she must be a good wife who could help him. Unfortunately, the famous flower had its owner.


    Lin saw King Yu leave angrily, withering on her chair and losing in this way?The first meeting was a fiasco, but she didn¡¯t want to...

 Chapter 317 - Ye Jiayao’s propaganda plan

    <h4>Chapter 317: Ye Jiayao¡¯s propaganda n</h4>


    Ye Jiayao stayed in the dessert house when she was free and waited for two days, but nothing strange happened ,so she was confused. Did Lin decided to stop when she saw that the n didn¡¯t work? Or she had another way?


    If you didn¡¯te, didn¡¯te!Considering that she had no other handle to let people grasp, regardless of her, the olddy was busy!


    Lu Xiaotian hadmunicated well with the government and got the permit. Duan Qilin had also chosen the address and started to build a tent and the tent would be built in a unified way. This time, all the 39 restaurants would take part in it as the way they like. The number was not veryrge because Fu Ji and Xiang Yi Building didn¡¯t take part in it, and they had also incited many restaurants to sing counter-games with food festivals, waiting to see Lu Xiaotian and Ye Jiayao¡¯s jokes.


    Duan Qilin still worried about whether such a food festival would be too cold and cheerless so that had no sensational effect.


    Ye Jiayao did not thought?so. Thirty ¨C nine of them were not few, not too cold and cheerless, not too many, which may be easier to manage. Moreover, all the restaurants signed up wanted to show their elegant demeanour at the food festival with all their strength. The quantity was passable, the quality kept up with, and with vigorous publicity, they were sure to seed.


    Ye Jiayao printed leaflets and sent people to distribute them everywhere. She printed them into the form of admission tickets. Admission by tickets could be free to try out a snack at any booth. And everyone wouldn¡¯t throw the leaflets away. This was to catch people¡¯s mentality of being greedy for small and cheap. Of course, those real aristocrats were disdainful of this small and cheap. However, Ye Jiayao was targeting at the middle ss this time and it was still very attractive to these people.


    Moreover, when the time came, there would also be Jinling Nine Beauties to help. This was Ye Jiayao¡¯s most proud idea. Once had Jinling Nine Beauties, they would both had delicious food and beauty, so there was no worry about attracting no people.


    Originally, Nine Beauties asked for a lot of money, but in Jinling City, the most important thing was beauty. There was only one flower leader every year. Generally, this business was to eat youth rice, and it would be good to be able to be red for three to five years. Who didn¡¯t want to be included in this Nine Beauties?Those who thought they were going to be angry and thought?they had good looks and talents, but those who didn¡¯t choose the leader of the flower all wanted?to join in. If they could show their faces at the food festival, those who were has-been may be able to make aeback, and the neers would emerge and made a fortune from now on.


    As a result, all the pimps and girls had been asking for a rtionship everywhere. They wanted Ye Jiayao to include the girls in his building in the list of ¡± Nine Beauties¡± and the cost can be settled through discussion.


    At the end of the day, there was a situation of deficit.


    Liu Xiaotian was also worried about the expense was big so that the restaurant participating in the exhibition would had opinions. As a result, Ye Jiayao did not spend money to get things done, but was sighing and admiring. Such a woman was too capable to make a man blush!


    Ye Jiayao also made up a mandarin to sing storytelling in the tea house several times. Soon, the whole Jinling people knew that an unprecedented food festival was about to be held and began to look forward to it.


    Everything was ready only when the east wind blows, the war drums and the drama began.


    To Ye Jiayao¡¯s dismay, Little Jing,who was elusive, and one day he should came running and solemnly asked she if there was Liu Yiyi in Nine Beauties.


    By Ye Jiayao¡¯s supercilious look, fuck, olddy wouldn¡¯t invite Liu Yiyi even if they invited sows.


    ¡± Why you want?to see Liu Yiyi?Don¡¯t you have a crush on Su Yuanyuan?¡±


    Little Jing made an uninterestingment and said wryly, ¡± Su Yuanyuan, do you know?¡±


    Ye Jiayao threw another supercilious look at the past: ¡± Do you think?anyone else in Jinling does not know now? Last time I went to see Ruan, Ruan also asked about it.¡±


    Little Jing suddenly became nervous: ¡± What did you say?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him like that, stole joy from his heart, and deliberately said airily, ¡± What did I say? Of course, to tell the truth, you spend every day with Su Yuanyuan and don¡¯t even return home.¡±


    Er ... the corners of Little Jing¡¯s eyes twitched and stared at Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± Why?Do I say wrong?¡±


    ¡± Forget it, forget it,¡± said Little Jing, depressed.


    Ye Jiayao, fearing that he might hold back internal injuries, said with a smile, ¡± Well, I¡¯ll not tease you, I know you¡¯re not such a person, and Ruan also knows it.¡±


    Little Jing¡¯s face softened a little, and she said bitterly, ¡± That¡¯s better.¡±


    He didn¡¯t care what other people thought of him, but Yaoyao and Ruan¡¯s attitude, he still can¡¯t help?minding.


    Little Jing rarely came. Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help asking curiously: ¡± When will your brothere back?¡±


    Little Jing opened his mouth and almost uttered the words, but immediately remembered Chunyu¡¯s exnation and forcefully swallowed the words to his lips.


    Not to say that he can¡¯t trust Yaoyao, Yaoyao was one of themselves. Brother Chunyu said Yaoyao was too smart. If you smoke a thread, she can pull out your whole thread. It was dangerous, and it would be better to not let her know.


    ¡± I can¡¯t say for sure, I guess next year, but my grandmother and mother also want?to see the new daughter ¨C in ¨Cw!I have to wait again. ¡± Little Jing said.


    Ye Jiayao was a talented person. She guessed from the reaction of?Little Jing just now that there was an article. Chunyu was also secretive. She knew it good for her. The less she knew, the safer she was. But her heart was always full of worries. She can¡¯t help but take pains to guess.


    ¡± Forget it, don¡¯t say pull down, but you can enjoy the food festival by calling a few more people for me.¡± Ye Jiayao changed the subject.


    ¡± It¡¯s no problem, as long as you bring Su Yuanyuan into Nine Beauties, how many people wille to you to speak freely.¡± Little Jing said brightly.


    Ye Jiayao could not help but look at him with disdain: ¡± It turns out that the purpose of youring today was not for Liu Yiyi, but for Su Yuanyuan ... I know what she looks like. Don¡¯t be an ugly person.¡±


    ¡± Can the person I have a crush on be ugly? I had so bad taste?¡± said Little Jing in an exaggerated way.


    Ye Jiayao sniffed: ¡± I don¡¯t hope for your aesthetic.¡±


    Little Jing sweated and said, ¡± Do me a favor. It¡¯s business.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heart a fiercely, this was business?Do they wanted?to make an issue of food festival?Ah, olddy worked so hard to get a food festival, you didn¡¯t want to tear down my table.


    There were some worries, but Little Jing said it was business, and she would have to help if she was torn down?


    Then she nodded and said, ¡± Take a picture of her and see if she can still get into my eyes, it will depend on you.¡±


    Little Jing smiled: ¡± No problem, I¡¯ll send it back.¡±


    Little Jing left happily, leaving Ye Jiayao with a heavy heart and a feeling of an approaching storm.


    Absent ¨C mindedly busy till dusk in the dessert house, was preparing to go home, and Xia Chunyu was here.


    Ye Jiayao said unexpectedly, ¡± Why are you so early today?¡±


    In the past half a month, she had hardly finished his work on time and ate all his dinner outside.


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡± It¡¯s rare to be free. Look at the time. Come and pick you up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was busy exining everything and sat in the carriage with Chunyu.


    ¡± Today Little Jing hade.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked pale and was not surprised: ¡± Oh, what did hee to do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao deliberately said, ¡°He came to ask if there was Liu Yiyi in the Nine Beauties at the Food Festival?¡±


    Er ... Xia Chunyu¡¯s mouth twitched a little indiscernibly.


    Ye Jiayao looked at his reaction in his eyes and said softly, ¡± How could I invite her? Even if she was a nine ¨C day fairy, I won¡¯t invite her. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu corners of the mouth and smoke, what a narrow-minded woman!To this day still bear grudges!However, even if Yaoyao went to invite Liu yiyi, Liu yiyi would note. Liu yiyi was a proud person.


    ¡± Hey, why don¡¯t you talk?¡± Ye Jiayao stabbed him with his elbow discontentedly.


    Somehow to express their opinions!Wasn¡¯t she supposed to firmly support her decision at this time?


    Xia Chunyu dazed for a moment: ¡± What should I say?¡±


    Ye Jiayao piqued and gave him a hard blow: ¡± Forget about it.¡±


    When he saw her pouting, he could hang an oil bottle. Xia Chunyu said with a chuckle, ¡± Whoever you say was beautiful was beautiful, but in my eyes, no one can match you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao still wanted to be tense, but the corners of his mouth were not obedient, which was more or less the same.


    This guy¡¯s sweet words were getting better and better.


    It made her happy. Xia Chunyu stretched out his arm and saw her in his arms and said softly, ¡± Tell you something.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also said softly, ¡± You said!¡±


    ¡± Remember thest time I told you, let mother back to Hangzhou? Today, I wanted?to mention this matter. You¡¯ll knock on the edge when the timees. I¡¯ve already asked my father about it and his father agrees. She hasn¡¯t seen his father-inw for many years.¡±


    ¡± This thing, ok, since father agreed, mother should be no problem?¡± Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t thought?it was a matter at all. She was not needed.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile: ¡± Mother is a person with a heavy mind and always can¡¯t put down her family. So, you have to p your chest to ensure that you will take care of the family well to relieve her worries.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± What¡¯s the matter with this? Am I not doing the same thing well now?¡±


    Xia Chunyu tightened his arms: ¡± Of course, my Yaoyao, who goes up to the hall and goesdown to the kitchen, is a good financial manager and a worthy wife, who can marry you as a blessing from my past life. My mother also believes in your ability, that is, to give her another reassurance.¡±


    Ye Jiayao followed suit with a yful smile: ¡± For the sake of your spare no effort to wear me a high hat, let me just cooperate with you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help recalling here chin and kissing here.


    A lingering kiss did not break up until the temperature inside the car gradually increased and their breath was somewhat confused.


    It was not far from home, but it would arriveter. They had to control the evil fire.


    The two hugged each other silently and enjoyed the peace and warmth. However, Ye Jiayao was not calm in his heart, and there were signs that the storm was reallying. She didn¡¯t believe Chunyu let here father and mother go to Hangzhou, but simply wanted them to go back to see their family, and then they could live a free year.

 Chapter 318 - Graduation Ceremony

    <h4>Chapter 318: Graduation Ceremony</h4>


    After dinner, the rare family gathered in a tea chat.


    It happened that Qiao¡¯s aunt came today and gave many gifts, and she was very careful. Took care of everyone in the family and everyone has gifts.


    Junfeng¡¯s gift was sent by You to the seventh prince.


    Qiao saw everyone in joy and made him feel well. He sat there confidently with his waist and back straight.


    Ye Jiayao deliberately asked where Qiao¡¯s elder sister-inw married when she thought about Chunyu¡¯s story today.


    Qiao said excitedly, ¡± It¡¯s not easy for my elder sister-inw toe back and marry in Quanzhou. When I was a child, my elder sister-inw loved me and hadn¡¯t seen me for more than ten years. I don¡¯t expect her toe back to Suzhou this time and alsoe to Jin Lin to see me.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s too rare. If you want to have a good reception, why don¡¯t you invite them to live in Heavenly Residence tomorrow, my treat?¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao was delighted and was about to agree when she heard you say, ¡± Please stay at home.¡± Today, my elder sister-inw of the Qiao came over and I just left the house. I didn¡¯t even see the above. I¡¯lle to my home tomorrow and have a good talk.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said at the right moment: ¡± My mother hasn¡¯t been back to Hangzhou for many years. Her eldest brother has been in good health and can stille and see her in the past few years. Her legs and feet are not very well and can¡¯te.¡±


    You had some regrets in her heart, and she was really helpless to marry so far. She wanted to go back and have a look. It was really inconvenient to have a high mountain and a high water. After listening to Chunyu, she missed her family all the more.


    The duke said smilingly, ¡± You are right, I have been guarding the border all the year round. Your mother is afraid of travelling long distances and she must taking care of her family. So she can¡¯t walk at all. Now, I¡¯m one of the most idle people. I¡¯ll take a holiday with the emperorter. Why don¡¯t we go to Hangzhou this year, um ... just over there for the new year.¡±


    You identally looked at the duke. Was this true? Looking at the duke was not like talking casually, a burst of ecstasy in the heart, but immediately worried again, if she left, what would the family do? Jinxuan was in charge in the first year and had many social parties during the New Year. She still needed help. Moreover, it took at least more than two months for her to go there. Qiao¡¯s body gradually became heavier. In case she gave birth in advance, she was absent as a mother-inw and could she count on Aunt Wei?


    ¡± No No No! How can I get away with a family affair?¡± You thought about it, still focusing on home.


    ¡± Mother, you don¡¯t have to worry about things at home, there is Jinxuan? I will thae care of outside, Jinxuan will take care of at home. Besides, my grandmother is getting older and less than one year old. Things are changeable ... ¡± Xia Chunyu advised.


    Having to say that Chunyu¡¯s remark was a sore spot for You. Children would like to support but parents can not wait. You hesitated that if something terrible happen in next year .


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± Mother, you can go with your father at ease. You have worked hard for the family for most of your life. It¡¯s time to take a good rest. After a year, Chunyu and I will go to Hangzhou to pick you up and meet my grandfather and grandmother by the way.¡±


    The duke¡¯s rare gentleness said, ¡± the children are all old, and we should let go.¡±


    Chunli also said, ¡± Why don¡¯t I apany my father and mother?¡±


    You red at him. ¡± Your wife is still very big. You stay at home honestly and take good care of your wife. If you have any mistakes, I will hold you responsible.¡±


    This was agreed?


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu looked at each other with relief in their hearts.


    The next day, Ye Jiayao purposely set aside half a day to receive Qiao¡¯s aunt. After all, she was now the hostess and gave Qiao¡¯s face.


    The rtionship between her and Qiao was be better at a tremendous pace, and the progress was very smooth. Qiao was convinced by her and oftenes to consult her on how to do business. What was the good thing? He wille to her and say that after a long time of contact, Ye Jiayao felt that Qiao was not really a bad-hearted person or a little ambitious, but she was not good enough and liked to covet small gains, mainly because she was short of money. Now the business was getting better and better, and she was influenced by Ye Jiayao, and gradually bing more generous.


    Harmony brings wealth. She had already had a enemy, LiuLi, that was a rival to her, and can no longer have bad rtions with Qiao.


    The banquet was very abundant, the host family was polite and the guest family was well ¨C informed, but it was quite pleasant.


    When Qiao¡¯s elder sister-inw left, she said to Qiao: ¡± I am relieved to see your mother-inw and sister-inw today. It¡¯s a blessing of the previous life for you to marry such a person. You get along well with your two younger siblings. She¡¯s a capable person with an open mind and a good ce. It won¡¯t do you any harm only to get along.¡±


    With such an exnation, Qiao increasingly determined to make friends with Ye Jiayao. Chunli was doomed to nothing in his life. The mansion¡¯s second brother will be in charge in the future, and they must rely on his second brother and second sister-inw.


    Tomorrow was the graduation day of the first group of trainees in the training course. Lu Xiaotian asked her to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. Ye jiayao wrote her speech seriously in front of the desk, and what made herself excited.


    This was the first culinary training ss and the first batch of graduates in history. She didn¡¯t know if this day will be recorded in history, but one thing was certain, these graduates were all very good, and the best was Wang Mingde, who was sent from Heaven Residence. This guy was really awesome. He did not say a word at ordinary times, and made a great coup?in the assessment. Especially in vegetarian meals, even Madam Rong was also full of praise for him.


    The draft had already been written, but Ye Jiayao was still in a state of excitement. And Chunyu was staying in the pce again tonight. She toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep by herself alone. She only slept a while before dawn. When the time came, Qiao Xi knocked at the door to wake her up soon.


    Ye Jiayao quickly got up, looked in the mirror and was depressed. She had two dark circles under her eyes. She did the passionate speech with two dark circles under her eyes. How could she feel that it was not enough to give force?


    As a result, Ye Jiayao wore a makeup rarely, dressed modestly and neatly, took Qiao Xi out of the house and headed for the training ss.


    The morning Rosefinch Street was a bit cold and cheerless, and there were few people in the spacious street, but Ye jiayao knew that the Drum-tower Street across the street was very busy, and the shops that made breakfast were already open, with steamed buns and tofu soup, delicious beef noodles and scallion oil ... people went to the simple shed and threw two coppers to eat a full breakfast.


    So, what an amazing thing to eat, to wear, to live, and eat rank first. Ye Jiayao felt that her speech could still be perfected. She was thinking of ecstasy. The carriage suddenly stopped suddenly, and the inertia made Ye Jiayao rush forward. If Qiao Xi hadn¡¯t held her, her head would have crashed into the door.


    ¡± What¡¯s going on?¡± Ye Jiayaoined.


    Liu, the driver of the bus, said, ¡± There are officers and soldiers passing by.¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened the car curtain and looked out, only to see a group of officers and soldiers, each looking alike, trotting by the side of the carriage at a uniform pace, with a total of 200 or 300 people.


    Er ... such a sight is rare. Ye Jiayao wondered if something had happened.


    It was not until the officers and soldiers had passed that the carriage began to move slowly.


    By the end of the training session, Duan Qilin and Lu Xiaotian were already there, and others were arriving one after another.


    The graduation ceremony officially began.


    First Lu xiaotian spoke.


    ¡± You are all the key members selected carefully by various restaurants, and after four months of study, you have proved with your practical actions that you are indeed qualified to be the first batch of trainees in the training course, and you have set a good example for the training course with your outstanding achievements ... I announce that you have all passed the examination. Below, I read out the list of outstanding trainees, 10th, Guo Chong of Good again Restaurant, 9th, Zhang Xiangtian of Mingyue Resturant ... 3rd, Zhao Linyue of Kirin Pavilion, 2nd, Guan Neng of Vegetarian food Restaurant, 1st, Wang Mingde of Heavenly Residence.


    There was a big round of apuse from the below.


    Lu Xiaotian went on: ¡± the top three students will be included in the honor roll of our training course.¡±


    The apuse was even louder.


    Everyone looked enviously at the students who had won the top three, without envy or disapproval. All the examination procedures were open and all about strength.


    The next step was to issue certificates.


    This certificate was proposed by Ye jiayao and confirmed after consultation with the relevant government departments. It was somewhat simr to the modern vocational and technical certificate and was a pioneer.


    Therefore, the first batch of students who got this certificate were very excited.


    This was the affirmation given by the government.I didn¡¯t expect to have this honor in the training ss.


    Today¡¯s ceremony was also attended by restaurants which transporting students, and they were very happy to see that the people they sent had achieved excellent results. The key topetition in restaurants was thepetition for talents, and I hoped these people can y a big role when they returned.


    Duan Qilin also went up to say a few words, but he hoped that everyone would make persistent efforts and learn endlessly when they returned.


    When it was Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn to speak, the students immediately quieted down and looked at Ye Jiayao expectantly.


    Everyone knows that Ye Jiayao was the most important lecturer in this training course. What she taught was the most novel and practical. It was like opening a window to their closed hearts so that they can see a new world and rediscover themselves in this profession.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes swept gently through the excited and energetic faces. She took a deep breath and said slowly: ¡± At the opening ceremony, I said that we are not only cooks, but also the sessors of Chinese food culture. We have a higher andrger goal, not only for the sake of supporting the family, but also for you, us and each of us.Each of us is a brick and a cornerstone to this goal. Now, you have all obtained certificates with outstanding achievements and be outstanding figures in various restaurants, and be a outstanding person in this industry. And now, I want you to remember your mission. We are ordinary but we are not ordinary. We are small, but only if our heart works toward a goal, stone can also be umted into mountains, water into the sea. Do you have that confidence?¡±


    Under the roar loud: ¡± Yes ...¡±

 Chapter 319 - Discomposure

    <h4>Chapter 319: Diposure</h4>


    The young hearts were stirred up by the passion of Ye Jiayao, screaming one by one, and the blood was boiling.


    Mrs. Rong looked at the scene with some surprise, and Lin Changchun whispered in a low voice: ¡± This is the specialty of Shopkeeper Ye, the best motivator. My old bones cannot help but stir.¡±


    Mrs Rong smiled knowingly: That was true. Thought about herself being moved, wasn¡¯t it just because the Heir-son Lord of Jing ¡®an marquis said a word?


    The original words were like this:¡±We are not only a cook, but also the inheritor of Chinese food culture...¡±


    It was really inspiring!


    After the ceremony, Wang Mingde came to Ye Jiayao with a certificate with some shyness, scratching his head and stammering, ¡± Second ... Seconddy, I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t disgrace you.¡±


    Zhong Xiang severely beat Wang Mingde on the chest: ¡± Well done, you give us Tianshang Ju Restaurant a great honor.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng, who came to observe the ceremony today, gnashed his teeth and said, ¡± Look, I will also be on the honor list in the next issue.¡±


    Wang Mingde encouraged: ¡± You can certainly do it. You are smarter than me.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± You say this yourself. If you can¡¯t get the first three in the next issue, I will let you carry the trays.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng made a determined effort to say, ¡± I can make a written pledge to fulfill a military order.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lost her smile: ¡± What written pledge to fulfill a military order, we are not in the army.¡±


    Speaking of the army, Zhong Xiang frowned and said, ¡± This morning, I saw many officers and soldiers in the street. I don¡¯t know what happened.¡±


    On weekdays, there were officers and soldiers patrolling the city, all in small groups, and the officers and soldiers looked rxed, but today they felt different and made people panic.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank. Zhong Xiang came from Tianshang Ju Restaurant. He was not the same way as her. Zhong Xiang also met officers and soldiers. It seemed really unusual.


    ¡± It¡¯s okay, maybe they are catching some important criminals.¡± Chang Chun interrupted.


    At noon, Ye Jiayao made the decision and set up a table in the Tianshang Ju Restaurant to celebrate Wang Mingde¡¯s victory.


    People in her restaurant had won such a big honor, and everyone was very happy with the glory.


    At the beginning, shopkeeper Ye said that everyone should be trained and be a chef. At that time, everyone listened and just felt that it was enough that shopkeeper Ye thought that. As a result, Zhong Xiang won a gold medal in the food contest and was promoted to the top of the training ss in just one year. The next Cui Dongpeng and Deng Haichuan were all very hopeful. This made everyone believe that if they worked hard enough, they could one day be as sessful as Zhong Xiang.


    Ye Jiayao, because of her own identity, couldn¡¯t eatrge bowls of meat and drink wine with everyone as before. She might as well quit early to save everyone from restriction and make everyone eat, drink andugh to their heart¡¯s content.


    Ye Jiayao took Qiao Xi to the dessert room, the guests in the dessert room were too many today. Ye Jiayao turned around and found everyone talking quietly.


    ¡± I heard that several families were searched house and confiscated property this morning.¡±


    ¡± Yes, there are all kinds of charges. This time, there is a greatmotion.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t think the wife of the Ministry of War will be able toe here in the future.¡±


    ¡± Why?The Minister of War also ... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly realized that such a big move was a property raid, with different charges, but the purpose was the same.


    The problem was, the Ministry of War ministers seemed to be from the prince¡¯s side! So were the others...


    Ye Jiayao was not calm. Although Chunyu had always said that he would be a pure minister and only served the emperor, Chunyu was hard to clean up due to the rtionship between Helian Mansion.


    If the prince¡¯s power fell, the Helian Mansion would bear the brunt, even Chunyu would suffer.


    Damn it, they had made great efforts for so long. Was that the result of Little Jing¡¯s running to get together with Su Yuanyuan?


    Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi to return to the office first and went to Helian Mansion by herself. If there was any news at home, she would immediately went to Helian Mansion to find her.


    When she arrived at the Helian Mansion, the concierge told her that Yide princess had gone to the pce.


    Ye Jiayao did not dare to go to the ancestors. The ancestors were too old. Yide princess and Little Jing kept a lot of things from the ancestors. If she impetuously said something to the ancestors, it would be bad for the ancestors to worry about. So she had to go home.


    As soon as she got home, she heard You were looking for her.


    Ye Jiayao hurried to You¡¯s room.


    You was already packing the cages and would leave for Hangzhou in three days.


    When Ye Jiayao came, You sent the servants out.


    The old woman and daughter-inw sat down and talked.


    ¡± Do you know something big has happened in Jinling City?¡± You asked.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± I heard about it in the dessert house, and several adults have been ransacked.¡±


    You sad: ¡± Yes, some of them still have some friendship with me.¡±


    ¡± Mother, do you know the specific situation?¡± Ye Jiayao worried about nowhere to ask. Thedies in the dessert room just said a little, and refused to say more about this.


    She was like a mouse that had got into the bellows, unable to find a direction.


    You said, ¡± I think that you will be well informed, unexpectedly you don¡¯t know as well. But I guess the prince may be in trouble, and I don¡¯t know the specific situation. I went to ask the duke to inquire before, but the duke hid in the study to read idle books and told me to mind my own business.¡±


    Er ... the duke had all retreated. it seemed that the problem was not as serious as usual.


    Ye Jiayao advised: ¡± Father has his own reason. At this time, father still has the mind to read idle books. I believe it¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    She felt guilty about what she just said.


    You sighed, ¡± I think I still don¡¯t want to go to Hangzhou. I feel uneasy about this happening at this time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a shock: Chunyu was going to suggest his parents to leave. There must be some reason. If You didn¡¯t go, Chunyu¡¯s n would be broken.


    ¡± Mother, what¡¯s going on outside has nothing to do with us. Chunyu has already written a letter to Hangzhou, and now it¡¯s toote to withdraw it. If we make grandfather and grandmother an empty joy, it¡¯s not good. You can rest assured! If there really is something happened, can father still be so calm? Whatever, Chunyu still is here!¡±


    You was hesitant and ambivalent. She really couldn¡¯t help worrying about this. In case something happened, she and the duke could always find a way to ease it, but ... she couldn¡¯t bear to disappoint her parents.


    ¡± Mother, why don¡¯t you do this? When Chunyues back, I¡¯ll ask him if it doesn¡¯t matter. If Chunyu says it doesn¡¯t matter, you can go safely,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    You sighed heavily: ¡± All right.¡±


    Ye Jiayao waited restlessly for Chunyu toe back and wondered if the storm would affect the Food Festival.


    About 3 p.m., Song Qi came back and sent a message saying that the Heir-son Lord could note back today and asked his family not to wait for him.


    Ye Jiayao sent everyone away: ¡± Song Qi, you tell me honestly if the prince is in trouble?¡±


    Song Qi thought of the Heir-son Lord¡¯s exnation and stammered, ¡± the Heir-son Lord will not be in trouble. He tell you not to worry. They are all small problems and will not affect the overall situation.¡±


    Ye Jiayao started an anonymous anger. He told her not to worry, but he didn¡¯t tell her anything, letting her guess and specte, which was fucking annoying! Was she the kind of casual person? After all she went through the more dangerous situation, what else was there to be afraid of?


    ¡± You go back and tell the prince that when hees home, he¡¯d better exin everything to me, or I¡¯ll worry about to death. It¡¯s not to say that he lets me not to worry, I won¡¯t worry. If he wants me to feel at ease, he¡¯lle up with something real.¡± Ye Jiayao said it in a bad breath.


    She wouldn¡¯t be kept in the dark anymore. She would fight together if she wanted to fight. Maybe she couldn¡¯t help.


    Song Qi reverently stepped down.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to think, but did not eat dinner. She went straight to minister Su¡¯s home to find Zhu.


    Zhu invited her in.


    ¡± I also want to go looking for you!¡± Zhu said.


    Ye Jiayao dazed: ¡± You are looking for me for what happened today?¡±


    Zhu said, ¡± No, I heard that someone went to the dessert house a few days ago to get you into trouble?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± It¡¯s not much trouble.¡±


    Zhu said, ¡± Be careful of King Yu¡¯s concubine. She¡¯s not a gooddy. Besides, I hear she¡¯s very close to the Liuli.¡±


    Zhu¡¯s understanding of this was still some. Ruan was Ye Jinxuan¡¯s good sister. Without Ruan, Lin was King Yu¡¯s wife so Lin hated Ruan, which was bound to be apanied by Ye Jinxuan¡¯s hatred and collusion with Liuli. Obviously they wanted to be against Ye Jinxuan.


    ¡± Well, I know quite well.¡± Ye Jiayao still appreciated Zhu¡¯s kind reminder.


    ¡± It¡¯s good that you know that. It¡¯s always right to watch out for things,¡± Zhu said.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, this was a must. She had ordered Jiang Yue to be especially careful when someone did something bad. If anyone came to look for something, Jiang Yue should let he/she wait for her to deal with it.


    ¡± I¡¯m here to ask you, do you know about the property ownership of ministers and several officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs today?¡± Ye Jiayao cut to the point.


    Zhu smiled wryly: ¡± To tell you the truth, father has ordered us not to talk anything about it. I just know there is such a thing, but the inside story is not clear.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood became more and more heavy, and even minister Su was so cautious.


    ¡± you should be better informed than I am,¡± Zhu wondered.


    Ye Jiayao also gave a wry smile: ¡± I¡¯m also a hearer. Now the duke has nothing to do with him, no matter what happens outside. Chunyu is in the pce again, saying that he won¡¯t be able toe back today. I¡¯m afraid the storm hasn¡¯t finished yet. When the timees, people will panic and my carefully nned food festival will be ruined.¡±


    Ye Jiayao deliberately moved out of the excuse of food festival.


    Zhu¡¯s eyes shed a look of disappointment, and she immediatelyughed: ¡± Don¡¯t worry about this, as long as there¡¯s no serious trouble and the court doesn¡¯t issue martialw, it won¡¯t affect the food festival and the court¡¯s disputes have nothing to do with themon people, and themon people will still live their own lives.¡±


    Failing in inquiring, Ye Jiayao went back to her office crestfallen.


    It seemed that she had to wait and there would always be a result.


    On this night, it rained cold and cold all night, and the whole Jinling city seemed to enter winter overnight.

 Chapter 320 - Predicament

    <h4>Chapter 320: Predicament</h4>


    The next day, when it was not bright, Ye Jiayao was woken up by a knock at the door. The room was still dark. Qiao Xi, sleeping in the outer room, lit a candle to open the door.


    Xia Chunyu came in with a cold and humid air.


    Ye Jiayao put on her coat and was toote to ask anything. She quickly told Qiao Xi: ¡± Go and prepare hot water and let Xiangtao also stand up and serve.¡±


    Qiao Xi immediately went to the office. Ye Jiayao opened the wardrobe, took clean cotton-padded clothes for him, and went to the clean room to fetch cotton handkerchief.


    Xia Chunyu took off his wet clothes by the brazier, took the cotton handkerchief and wiped him casually, picked up the clean and soft cotton clothes and put them on.


    Hot water was soon brought in and Xia Chunyu washed his face. That was done.


    Ye Jiayao had been handing things next to him, observing his look. His face still stained with frost and snow, making his face look pale and his dark eyes deep into the night sea. Although he had tried his best to converge, he could still be seen the cold snap inside.


    Xiangtao held up hot tea, but Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t pick it up. He went straight into bed and told Ye Jiayao, ¡± I haven¡¯t slept for two days and two nights. I¡¯ll sleep for half an hour first, wake me upter and I¡¯ll go to work.¡±


    She would like to ask him very much what the situation was. But at this moment, Ye Jiayao chose to be silent. She could see that he was really tired.


    Ye Jiayao motioned Qiao Xi and Xiangtao to rest. When she looked back, the people on the bed had already issued a slight nasal snoring. Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile and moved the sandss to the top of the head of a bed, snuggled up to him and looked at the sandss with her eyes open. There was only half an hour¡¯s rest time.


    She did not dare to sleep, fearing that she might oversleep and dy his business. And there were many weeds that were breeding and spreading in her mind, disorderly.


    At this time, it was the night before dawn, because it was rainy night, the ray of dawn that should have prated through the window edge waste, dark and gloomy. And the depressed person¡¯s chest was suffocated.


    She thought it had been a long time, but when she looked at the fine sand in the sandss, it didn¡¯t seem to change much.


    Ye Jiayao sighed silently and closed her eyes to continue thinking.


    The scheduled time didn¡¯te, Xia Chunyu had automatically woken up.


    Ye Jiayao also suddenly woke up and looked at the sandss for the first time. ¡± Before the timees, you can sleep again.¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned over and held her in his arms, hugging her in the most familiar and intimate position.


    The voice was still hoarse and tired: ¡± Don¡¯t sleep, talk with me!¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind tightened. Did he tell her?


    ¡± I know you¡¯re very upset these days, but it¡¯s confidential and not for your own good. But now things have some changes, and I¡¯d like to hear your opinions.¡± Xia Chunyu realized that there were some things that she would worry about although he said no problem. Yaoyao was a sensitive and slender woman and had already seen some clues. Rather than making her suspicious, he might as well tell her frankly. Besides, the current situation really needed an onlooker to analyze.


    Somehow, Ye Jiayao was not nervous now. No matter what happened, she wouldn¡¯t be afraid if two people faced it together.


    Xia Chunyu was silent for a moment to organize thenguage and said, ¡± In fact, Helian Xuan is no longer in Xi Meng, and the emperor issue a secret order to make him stay in the northeast, that is, the third day after Ruan tell the news. We are all puzzled why the emperor make such an arrangement. The northeast used to be where my father was guarding, and after father returned to Jinling, there was Weiyuan General called Ma Mingyuan guarding. There is no need to transfer Helian Xuan there at all. We have to link the situation with King Yu.¡±


    ¡± The Su Yuanyuan is a secret woman who is ced in the brothel in the early years. Only a few people know that the ce is mixed up with good and evil people and have the best news. But King Yu now has a very tight control over the Helian Mansion, if we sneak around, it is easy to reveal contents. So Little Jing aboveboard contact Su Yuanyuan. And through Su Yuanyuan¡¯s intelligence and some things I heard in the pce, we have a hunch that King Yu is in a bureau, but we don¡¯t know exactly what it is.¡±


    ¡± This is also thanks to your list. We have captured Zheng of the Department of Patrol and Defense and picked up the minister of the Ministry of War. The minister of the Ministry of War is from the prince camp. In fact, he has always been King Yu¡¯s man . This time, King Yu strike at the prince camp and list many charges. We take the opportunity to reveal evidence of arms trafficking by the minister of the Ministry of War to Jiang of Censorate, who is also from King Yu camp. But he does not know that the minister of the Ministry of War is from King Yu camp, and can not report to King Yu immediately. That is to say, King Yu doesn¡¯t take advantage of this battle. His most important piece is removed together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened carefully and her heart followed his words.


    Xia Chunyu continued: ¡± But the problem is far from simple. We all think that King Yu is only rooting out the power of the prince. But someone tell emperor that the prince is secretly training men of sacrifice. The emperor is furious and ordered strict investigation. This matter has always been a secret. Even I don¡¯t know it, only Helian Xuan know it. Fortunately, Ruan¡¯s previous report alerted the prince¡¯s to cover up all the evidence early and the clue was broken.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a tight mind: ¡± Why does the prince train the men of sacrifice? Does he really have that mind?¡±


    Xia Chunyu sneered, ¡± Without these men of sacrifice, the prince will have been assassinated countless times. So it is just in order to protect himself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief. It would be good if the clues were broken. Otherwise, the emperor would never tolerate him, no matter what his purpose was. God knew if the emperor would think that the prince was training the men of sacrifice to kill him.


    ¡± Now, all the clues are strung together, I finally understand the emperor¡¯s attitude toward Helian Xuan. It is estimated that the thing that the prince secretly set up a group of men of sacrifice has been told to the emperor, adding the trimmings. How can the emperor tolerate the prince¡¯s rebellion? He must first cut off the prince¡¯s wings. The head of the Pce Guards who go to search Military Office and Minister Office and confiscate their properties is my man. He searched a secret order which said that Ma Mingyuan waits for Helian Xuan toe to the spot and kills him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gasped for air-conditioning and eximed, ¡± Isn¡¯t it dangerous that Helian Xuan?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head: ¡± I told Helian Xuan earlier to watch out. He deliberately said himself ill and dyed his journey to the northeast. Now it is estimated that he is still on the way.¡±


    ¡± However, the emperor has wanted to kill Helian Xuan, Helia Mansion is not dangerous?¡± Ye Jiayao was worried.


    Xia Chunyu sighed and looked dignified: ¡± This is my problem. Although the emperor fail to find evidence that the prince has trained the men of sacrifice, the emperor has be suspicious. It is not so easy to dispel the suspicion of the emperor. The prince is now under house arrest.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lost in thought. Yes, what the emperor cared most was that someone tried to shake his supremacy. In history, there were examples of killing parents and children.


    ¡± This bureau is hard to break. If we can¡¯t dispel the suspicion of the emperor, There is no doubt that emperor lose favor with the prince. Once the prince loses power, Helian family will bear the brunt. How can I sit idly by?¡± Xia Chunyu rubbed his swollen brain, said helplessly.


    Ye Jiayao said hesitantly, ¡± Is there any way to bring disaster to the east?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes shed: ¡± What do you mean?¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t you say that someone wants to assassinate the prince? Since someone can assassinate the prince, he can also assassinate the emperor. ¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    Xia Chunyu sat up in surprise and immediately covered Ye Jiayao¡¯s mouth. He listened warily to the noise around him with his ears up to make sure there was no one outside. Only then did he loosen his hand.


    He lowered his voice and seriously said, ¡± Tell me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also lowered her voice and said, ¡± Now that the prince is under house arrest, the guard must be someone chosen by the emperor himself?¡±


    ¡± Well, the emperor know my rtionship with Helian family and doesn¡¯t let me step in. Even my soldiers are excluded.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes showed a malicious intent: ¡± Look, even the emperor is on guard for you. This is forcing us to spare no effort to help the prince. If he?falls, I¡¯m afraid Jing¡¯an marquis house will suffer.¡±


    ¡± Only by helping the prince wash away the doubts can everyone survive the crisis. My n is to send someone to assassinate the emperor, which is certainly not true. I¡¯d better point the doubts to Concubine Shu. As for the men of sacrifice, I don¡¯t believe King Yu will have none,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu was thoughtful and remained silent for a long time.


    Until there was a crow outside.


    Xia Chunyu loosened his eyebrows and stared silently at Ye Jiayao with a solemn look: ¡± These words said today must not be re-entered into the ears of a third person.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, also didn¡¯t know if her idea was adopted. She also knew that it was very difficult and risky to handle.


    Xia Chunyu got up and dressed and said, ¡± I¡¯m going out. You pretend not to know anything and nothing has happened. Continue your food festival.¡±


    Ye Jiayao remembered one more thing: ¡± Little Jing asked me to list Su Yuanyuan in the first nine beauties, and do you have any ns to let your mother leave?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± There is a n, but the n cannot keep up with the change and will be re-nned.¡±


    ¡± So ... does mother have to go? She told me yesterday that she did not want to go.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hesitated for a moment, then said firmly, ¡± Go, she must go.¡±


    ¡± What about the father?¡±


    Xia Chunyu turned around and said, ¡± Father will act ording to the original n, so he must go.¡±


    Er ... Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t turn around a bit, and the duke was also involved in the original n?


    When Xia Chunyu went out, it was just bright and gloomy. It was very cold. Ye Jiayao watched his straight back disappear in the cold morning. Her heart was still heavy, but she finally knew what he was going to do, and she believed Chunyu¡¯s strategy and ability. She believed that even though Helian Xuan was far away, he must have some precautions.


    Whatever he was, she was his woman anyway. She would follow him on what road he was going to take. It didn¡¯t matter whether he went to heaven or to the hell.

 Chapter 321 - Old Friends

    <h4>Chapter 321: Old Friends</h4>


    Xia Chunyu went out on this trip and came back soon. He didn¡¯t say anything, just as usual. When he was on duty in the pce in the afternoon, the bodyguardmander said he had worked hard these days and asked him to go home and rest for two days. Then he went to Jiangxi to do a job. Xia Chunyu knew that it must have been the emperor¡¯s behest and wouldn¡¯t let him step in and deliberately arranged him out, so he dly epted it.


    Two dayster, Xia Zhuofeng and You went to Hangzhou with great fanfare, while Xia Chunyu left for Jiangxi.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to keep Song Qi, but Ye Jiayao refused. Who knew if this job was dangerous or not? What if someone wanted to take advantage of it to murder Chunyu? She insisted that he should take Song Qi with him.


    Song Qi¡¯s martial arts was not that good, but he was clever. Once upon a time, there were so many court spies found out in ck Wind Ridge, but Song Qi was safe. This guy was more good at hiding than lucky.


    Anyway, with one more loyal and effective person following, Ye Jiayao could be at ease.


    Now, the burden of mansion really fell on Ye Jiayao¡¯s shoulder.


    When the October ount came out, Zhou Xing¡¯s wife not only did not converge, but instead intensified. ording to Ye Jiayao¡¯s original n, Zhou Xing¡¯s wife would be disposed of. But now the situation was different, she still had to calm them down and let Ziming go to Hangzhou with the duke, nominally letting Ziming meet his father and get acquainted with the business in Hangzhou. By the way, this disturbing factor would be eliminated first andmake Zhou Xing¡¯s wife happy. On the other hand, she sent people to keep an eye on Zhou Xing¡¯s wife and watched the movement of Liuli.


    The strongest fortresses began to disintegrate from the inside. She couldn¡¯t do anything outside, but she was absolutely not allowed to have problems inside.


    The long-awaited Food Festival was finally kicked off. The weather was good, though it rained continuously before, it cleared up on this day. People who were oppressed at home for many days came out to join the crowd.


    By the Qinhuai River, there was a neat row of simple booths with rednterns hanging in a row, and 39 restaurants set their booths ording to the lottery, and it did not mean that which restaurant was famous for its big booths, but all by its own luck, and no one had anything toin.


    On the river opposite the booth, a big water table was set up. This was a ce for the nine beauties to show their talents. Every three beauties took turns to perform art and set up three lottery links. People could get a bill after spending at the food festival. Half of the bill would be kept by themselves and the other half would be put into the lottery box. There were five prizes. The first prize was a golden pig which weighed 250 gram The second to fifth prizes were free coupons of different value for each restaurant. People were enthusiastic about the golden pig and consumed a lot, even if they couldn¡¯t get the pig, they could get a free ticket.


    Ye Jiayao and members of the Chamber of Commerce were in the elegant room in the sky near the river. It was only a few steps away from the ce where the Food Festival was held and naturally became a ce for everyone to rest and talk.


    While drinking tea, everyone listened to the sweet singing from the waterside pavilion and looked at the crowded in exhibition booth, allughing and squinting.


    ¡± How good Shopkeeper Ye¡¯s ideas they are! The advertising is good, and the methods are creative, which is much better than I thought.¡± Lu Xiaotian looked at Ye Jiayao with a slight smile, though he was already restrained, the appreciation in his clean eyes was still obvious.


    ¡± Isn¡¯t it? Yesterday, I was still worried that no one woulde today or people came and left disappointed.¡± Lin Changchunughed.


    Ye Jiayao wouldn¡¯t im all the credit for herself. It was good for others to recognize her but it¡¯s not interesting to boast about it. She said politely: ¡± How can it be? Everyone is very attentive and the guests are very satisfied.¡±


    ¡± The key is that Shopkeeper Ye¡¯s idea has attracted people, and that lottery has promoted consumption. I think the food festival alone will have a considerable ie in this way. ¡± Duan Qilin said pertinently.


    Everyone nodded and agreed.


    ¡± Maybe both Fu Ji and Xiang Yi Building will be repentant for what they have done ...¡± Changchunughed and made no shade of schadenfreude.


    ¡± It¡¯s their ownck of foresight, no one else to me.¡± someone sniffed.


    Lu Xiaotianmented: ¡± Atst, a good start has been made. The reputation of the Food Festival has been established, and it can be held once a year in the future. By next year, advertising will be done early to attract people around.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± It¡¯s better to advance the time, and it¡¯s best in August and September. It¡¯s a bit too cold now, and it¡¯s rainy this season. In case of a rainy day, the effect will be greatly reduced.¡±


    Lu xiaotian nodded to show hisapproval. If he hadn¡¯t been injured by Xia chunyu and had been lying in bed for two months, the issues would have been held up.


    Suddenly, Ye Jiayao seemed to see two familiar faces in the crowd and she stood up excitedly.


    She went to the window and looked carefully. She couldn¡¯t bear the joy in her heart and said goodbye to all the members of the chamber ofmerce.¡± I saw several old friends just now. I didn¡¯t expect them toe. I went to meet them.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian smiled: ¡± Please feel free.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sped down the stairs and called Little Lu.


    ¡± Little Lu, do you know Yongning marquis¡¯s Heir-son? ¡±


    Xiaolu nodded: ¡± Yes ... but he hasn¡¯t been here for a long time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± You go to the booth of the dessert house to call Yongning marquis¡¯s Heir-son, and say I¡¯m looking for him.¡±


    Little Lu said yes and trotted out.


    Ye Jiayao told Little Yang to prepare cakes, tea and fruit.


    She didn¡¯t expect Zhao Qixuan and Susu toe back. The two guys didn¡¯t squeak when they came back.


    Soon, Little Lu came back with Zhao Qixuan and Susu.


    Susu still wore a facial paralysis look, cold and cool, but the white brocade robe, straight and straight figure, graceful gait, were eye-catching everywhere. Zhao Qixuan still looked like a dude, cynical, and shook a fan in winter, and was not afraid to catch a cold.


    Ye Jiayao deliberately seemed cold with a face, but excited in the mind. It had been so long without them! What a surprise!


    Su Yi came near, then she smiled and said hello.


    Zhao Qixuan began to shout: ¡± I wanted to surprise youter, but you found out us first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him: ¡± Be honest first. When did youe back? ¡±


    ¡± We came backst night, and we heard about this Food Festival as soon as we came back. When we asked about the location, which near Tianshang Ju Restaurant and we came to see it,¡± Zhao Qixuan said with a smile.


    Susu nodded his head, proving it was true.


    Well, Zhao Qixuan was glib. His words were doubtful to Ye Jiayao, but Susu was a serious person. Since Susu nodded, Zhao Qixuan didn¡¯t lie.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡± You two guys have left for so long, have you forgotten all your friends in Jinling? ¡±


    Zhao Qixuan exaggerated: ¡± How could I? We miss you all the time! ¡±


    ¡± Bah, don¡¯t exaggerate so much. You didn¡¯t even send a letter.¡± Ye Jiayao sniffed and led them inside.


    Zhao Qixuan followed behind and exined, ¡± It¡¯s true. You don¡¯t know that the hintend is not easily essible. Even writing a letter requires sending someone to the town to find a post station for three days. s, it¡¯s a ce where birds don¡¯ty eggs.¡±


    Three people sat down.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± How can the border trade meeting be held in such a remote ce? ¡±


    Zhao Qixuan shook his fan and said, ¡°Though it¡¯s a remote zone, now the border trade has been opened, the roads have been repaired and the houses have been built. Within one year, it has changed greatly.¡±


    This was also true, before grandpa Deng drew a circle in the south China sea, it was deserted. As a result, it quickly developed into a prosperous city in a few years, with the strong support of the state, businessmen came in and capital poured in. Even the ce where birds did noty eggs could be a cornucopia.


    ¡± So ... how¡¯s the business over there? ¡± Ye Jiayao asked with interest.


    Asked about this, Zhao Qixuan was very happy and could not hide his pride: ¡± We are the first group of gold diggers to seize the opportunity. Today, Su Su and I upy most of amercial street and are local leaders.¡±


    Su Yi drank tea calmly, with a easy look, as if Zhao Qixuan¡¯s remarks had nothing to do with him.


    ¡± Oh? Is it still possible for me to inject capital now? ¡± Ye Jiayao did not invest because of the shortage of funds.


    Zhao Qixuanughed, ¡± I came back this time to take you to make a fortune. I have got many shops andnd for Little Jing and Chunfeng, and by next year, the profits will show up. South Vietnam¡¯s medicinal materials, ivory jade, passionflower fur ore, and silk, tea and porcin, all of which can be traded there, which is very prosperous. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao was moved, ¡± That¡¯s good. I¡¯m ready for all the money I owe you. I¡¯ll wait for you toe back. I still have a spare sum of money on hand as an investment.¡±


    The instability in Jinling caused such a thought. If she couldn¡¯t make business here, at least she still had some industry there.


    Zhao Qixuan was startled: ¡± How can it be so profitable of your shop? ¡±


    800,000 debts had be paid off so soon, and there was spare money? It was a real p in the face.


    Ye Jiayao chuckled: ¡± Tianshang Ju Restaurant is not the only industry of mine.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan slumbered and shook his head: ¡± I really respect you. Your ability to make money is almost catching up with me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lost her smile and said, ¡± Have youe back to see Little Jing? ¡±


    After the prince was ced under house arrest, Little Jing was changed to a casual position, and Helian Mansion was a cold and quite ce.


    Zhao Qixuan and Susu took one look at each other and Su Yi said, ¡± It is better for us not to get too close to Helian Mansion now.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dazed for a moment, in other word, they already knew, but what did this mean? Getting rid of the rtionship? Or was it another calction?


    Su Yi saw Ye Jiayao¡¯s confusion and got up and looked at the door.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± This is the ce where I work. It¡¯s safe.¡±


    Su Yi nodded, closed the door and sat back and said slightly: ¡± It is better to be cautious.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan also put away his previous smirked look and seriously said, ¡± We all know the matter. We didn¡¯t expect to see such changes in royal court in about half a year.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan also put away his previous smirked look and seriously said, ¡± We all know the matter. We didn¡¯t expect to see such changes in royal court in about half a year.¡±

 Chapter 322 - Food Festival

    <h4>Chapter 322: Food Festival</h4>


    ¡± Things of the past have not been mentioned. Chunyu has been sent to Jiangxi, Little Jing has be an idle person again, Master Crown Prince is still under house arrest, and Helian Mansion is easily to be med now.¡± Ye Jiayao just said things objectively.


    Although Minister Su was also a loyal supporter of the Master Crown Prince, Yong¡¯an marquis as not clear as Jing¡¯an marquis?in their political direction , Ye Jiayao was not clear about what Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan thought in their hearts, or they did not want to get involved in it and just became a businessman infort,?it was understandable that they not to intervene in the matter from their own point of view. After all, it was extremely dangerous to fight for bing the Master Crown prince, and if one bad thing happened, jade ahd stone would be burned together.


    Su Yi gave a wry smile: ¡°My family as easily as Helian Mansion to be med.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood and heard Zhu said that Minister Su defended Master Crown Prince at the first time and provoked Majesty to anger.


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡± I don¡¯t approve of?King Yu .He is deep ¨C minded, ruthless andpetitive. Since Huai Song Dynasty was founded it has been in constant dispute ,?it has been at ease just for more than ten years. If?Royal Highness Yu bes the Master Crown Prince, and sits in a dragon chair,?maybe it will fight again.¡±


    Su Yi mused: ¡± We dare not look for a Little Jing. After all, it is convenient to act in the dark. Did Chunyu give any exnation when he left?¡±


    Ye Jiayao remembered what she and Chunyu said that night. Chunyu repeatedly told her not to enter the ears of a third person. Although Chunyu didn¡¯t mention itter, Ye Jiayao¡¯s intuition told her that Chunyu was already nning the matter.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head: ¡± He only asked me to do my own business and take good care of my family as usual.¡±


    Su Yi said: ¡± I think Chunyu would not have no ns. He didn¡¯t tell you because he didn¡¯t want you to worry.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan also said, ¡± Since we¡¯re back, we can¡¯t do nothing. Su Yi and I will go around first and string together to see the situation.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart settled down ,she thought they would not sit back after listening to the two men¡¯s words. This would be good, one more person and one more strength. Besides, neither of these two men was ordinary, and they had their own methods.


    ¡± Well, you should also be careful. The Master Crown Prince¡¯s side has already been suppressed and even the queen has been deprived of the right to run the sixth pce.¡± Ye Jiayao still wanted to remind a few words.


    Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan nodded.


    Suddenly there was a gong beating outside.


    Zhao Qixuan startled: ¡± What is this movement?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± It should be the lottery time. Oh, by the way, this afternoon is the ce of Su Yuanyuan. It is estimated that Little Jing will alsoe to join the lottery. You can have lunch here at noon.¡±


    ¡± Then I have to go quickly. I voted for several tickets. I have a lot of money today. Maybe I can bring a golden pig back,¡± Zhao Qixuan said, going to the lottery.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± The golden pig is one every day. If you win, I¡¯ll treat you .¡±


    Zhao Qixuan closed the fan, knocked on the palm of his hand and said confidently, ¡± You just wait and see. The God of Wealth is possessed. It cannot be stopped.¡±


    Su Yi gave Zhao Qixuan a scornful look, followed him and said, ¡± Then arrange a private room for us.¡±


    It meaned to eat here and waited for?Little Jing.


    Ye Jiayao sent the two men downstairs before returning to the upper room.


    The topic of upstairs everyone?had shifted from Food Festival to the next training ss.


    Ye Jiayao sat and listened quietly.


    ¡± I suggest inviting two chefs from other ces toe and give lectures and let the students learn more about cooking from other local cuisines, after all Jin Ling is a metropolis with many businessmen from all over the world,¡± Lady Rong suggested.


    Duan Qilin immediately pped his hands and echoed: ¡± This is a good idea. We can¡¯t limit ourselves to HuaiYang cuisine.¡±


    Everyone nodded in session. Ye Jiayao thought about. All right, she had nned to open a course in Shandong province and Hunan province in the next session, so she was rxed.


    Dong Dong Dong ... drums outside.


    The crowd rushed to the window to watch, because it was a signal of winning the golden pig.


    Who was so lucky?


    Ye Jiayao was also curious, but there were so many people there that they couldn¡¯t see clearly.


    After a while, Little Lu came in mirth and whispered to Ye Jiayao, ¡± Heir-son Lord of Yong¡¯ning marquis has won the golden pig.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Fuck, that guy was possessed by a God of Wealth. He said that he would get the golden pig if he wanted it.


    At noon, Ye Jiayao treated and invited everyone to dinner. Because the Food Festival was held nearby, Heavenly Residence was full of business ,even Deng Haichuan came back to help, but it was still too busy to do so. Ye Jiayao had to do in person.


    In the afternoon, when Su Yuanyuan came on stage, Little Jing dide. Cui Dongpeng was instructed to suggest that Little Jing should take a trip to Heavenly Residence . They sat in the room for an hour and then separated.


    The Food Festival of the first day didn¡¯t end until eight o¡¯clock in the evening. Cui Dongpeng and Jiang Yue came and reported today¡¯s harvest.


    Cui Dongpeng said: ¡± The total ie of the Heavenly Residence¡¯s exhibition position today is 2,482 taels. There are more than 300 coupons distributed, and there are 56 tables for ordering meals on the spot.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was shocked by the data. She had predicted that it would be great to break the thousand, and the result more than doubled. And those coupons were allte benefits.


    Ye Jiayao still left some thoughts and made some articles on the coupon, giving a 15 % discount for consumption at ordinary times and a 30 % discount for consumption during the Spring Festive. Because during the Spring Festive was the off ¨C season, this could increase the ie during the off ¨C season, and it was also gradually changing the custom of guests not to eat out of their homes during Spring Festive.


    The data of Heavenly Residence were already amazing, but the data from Jiang Yue report were even more frightening.


    ¡± The total ie of booths in pastry and dessert houses is 55682 ...¡±


    Before Jiang Yue¡¯s words did not end, Cui Dongpeng took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Yue and thought in horror, fuck ,which was too arrogant.


    Jiang Yue¡¯s face was flushed with excitement, ignoring Cui Dongpeng¡¯s exaggerated reaction, and continued: ¡± The Dessert House does not issue coupons, but almost everyone whoes to the Pastry House has received one.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was a little afraid to think about this data. How many people had came to the Food Festival today? Thousands of people must had. Even if one-third of the people came to the exhibition position of the Dessert House, it was also an incredible number.


    ¡± Were they all finished?¡± asked Ye Jiayao tentatively.


    Jiang Yue nodded with a smile: ¡± Later people still can¡¯t get it, saying they wille again tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was silly. She had issued 500 coupons of?Heavenly Residence in total. Today she had already gone to more than half of them. She had issued 1500 coupons of the Pastry House, all of which were gone.


    ¡± The seconddy, should we print again?¡± Jiang Yue asked.


    Ye Jiayao thought about:¡± We don¡¯t print more, we¡¯ll have preferential policies tomorrow. The cake purchased during the Food Festival will be 15 % off, and the discount food festival willst another seven days.¡±


    It was toote to print again. It was better to use this method.


    Jiang Yue said: ¡± Yes, the Pastry Shop has just received a few disciples. They are still very smart and?learn quickly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and Jiang Yue¡¯s meaning were Yingtao and Qiao Xi. They were addicted to making cakes. Today, thanked to the help of these two people, if?they were not there ,it would be too busy to turn.


    ¡± Today is the first day. It is estimated that more people wille tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, including the follow-up business, and you will have to work hard for a few days,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Cui Dongpeng and Jiang Yue nodded, ¡± Don¡¯t worry, the seconddy.¡±


    ¡± Well, when the quantity goes up, the quality must keep up with it. We can¡¯t smash the signboard of ourselves. In addition, we should pay attention to food hygiene and safety ,prevent someone make trouble.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s thought was not surplus. The influence of the Food Festival had exceeded expectations. No mistake could be made at that time, or the bad influence would increase several times.


    The two people nodded solemnly and forcefully, and the stakes were clear.


    Cui Dongpeng said: ¡± I think the best business for this Food Festival is our exhibition position, and the others are not bad.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± That¡¯s good.?People should earn money together, so that more businesses and guests will be attracted toe next year.¡±


    Ye Jiayao left Yingtao for Jiang Yue, and would open a night job to make cakes tonight, otherwise they would not be avable tomorrow.


    It was already dark when she returned to the house.


    A Lian came to Yejiayao¡¯s room with Bao in her arms.


    ¡± The?firstdy , the seconddy came here today, but she didn¡¯te in. The concierge said he knew the seconddy. When I went out, the seconddy had already left.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took over the Bao and smelled a lot of milk fragrance. His white tender little hand touched Ye Jiayao¡¯s face. Ye Jiayao took a sip of the fragrance and saw Bao ¡®s smiling face and felt all the fatigue disappeared.


    In a sh, Bao had been in Marquis House for more than two months, growing a lot of meat, holding heavy weight, and his face had enriched a lot, giggling, and he couldugh out loud.


    ¡± She is missing Bao .¡± Ye Jiayao could feel a feeling of being a mother. At the beginning, Jinrong threw Bao to her cruelly and was desperate not to let Bao suffer hardships with her.


    ¡± You go to Mingyue Embroidery?tomorrow and tell her that Bao is very good. When she can give Bao a stable life,e and pick Bao up.¡± Although Ye Jiayao loathe to give up Bao , Jinrong was Bao ¡®s mother. She couldn¡¯t be so selfish.


    Besides, Jinrong was really like a changed person now. She sent people several times to ask about Jinrong,?all people sayed that Jinrong was very secure and diligent. Such a change was not easy for a pampered daughter. Jinrong did not go back to ask for help from Ye Binghuai and did not go looking for Liuli again, so she had already looked up.


    A Lian promised .


    A Lian didn¡¯t leave until Xiangtao came in to reply, saying that Zhou Xing¡¯s family went to the thirddy¡¯s side when they went out to buy vegetables today.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face sank down immediately, and why did Zhou Xing¡¯s family ran to see what Zhou .If something went wrong, there would be a demon.


    ¡± You keep a close eye on me, and let the thirddy¡¯s side also keep an eye on the spot. When the wind blows and the grass blows, you will return to me immediately, and don¡¯t wait for me toe back.¡± Ye Jiayao ordered that she would tell Xiangtao where she was going, and now Xiangtao was staying at home.


    ¡± I?see.¡± Xiangtao looked like hadplete bamboo on her mind.

 Chapter 323 - Someone was making trouble

    <h4>Chapter 323: Someone was making trouble</h4>


    When it came to the second day of the food festival,the situation was continuously hot and every booth was crowded with people which was even more lively than the first day.On the third day, even the people from the surrounding towns came here.


    Still in the elegant rooms of the Heavenly Residence which were became another stronghold of the business association. The boss of each shop came here to talk lively and jovially,and they also could learn the update of their booth and to take care any problem in time.


    ¡°If it had been known that the situation of the food festival will be so good,we should hold it for ten more days or half month.¡±someone said regretfully.


    Lu Xiaotian shook his head and said: ¡°After a long time,there will be no freshness.So three days are enough for people with strong interest to expect the next food festival.¡±


    Duan Qilin nodded his head and said:¡±This is truth that everything going beyond the limit is as bad as falling short.¡±


    ¡°Be contented,this time, everyone had made a lot of money.These had already make some people envy and hate us.¡±Lin Changchun said leisurely with a tone did not conceal sarcasm.


    Everyone understood andughed.


    A rapid knock on the door rang and a young?salesclerk ran?into the room and said:¡±shopkeeper Lin,someone is making trouble outside¡±


    Lin became strict and asked what happened


    ¡°Someone saying that he had stomachache after eating our food .¡± The salesclerk answered.


    During that time,another salesclerk got in and said:¡±Shopkeeper Du,someone is making trouble outside the...and saying that they found hair in our soup.¡±


    One after another,several other guy came and reported the same thing. Even the pastry of Ye Jiayao¡¯s pastry house also got the same problem.


    ¡°Everyone needed to take care about these quickly,otherwise,it would be bad if it?getrge.¡± Duan Qilin said urgently.


    ¡°Wait everyone.¡±Ye Jiayao cried out and everyone looked at her.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes stood firm and swept over the face of the shopkeeper who had the problem and asked: ¡°Do you really think there is something wrong with your product? ¡±


    ¡± Impossible. All the ingredients are fresh and clean. This is the first food festival. We can¡¯t fuck up our own signboard.¡±Lin Changchun said seriously.


    ¡± Yes, I¡¯m sure there won¡¯t be any problems. The cooks, including those who worked, all wore hats ording to the request of shopkeeper Ye. How could hair fall in?¡± shopkeeper Du also said doubtfully.


    Lu Xiaotian took a breath and said:¡±It can be ident, I think someone is breaking down our fame on purpose.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s right, but the problem hase out, and I can¡¯t provide any evidence now. Therefore, when I go to deal with the problemter, I must make a reasonable effort to seize several booths and raise the suspicion that the troublemakers were instigated by others and definitely can¡¯t admit their mistakes. Shopkeeper Lu, please tell the government guy. If the troublemakers are too arrogant, catch them first and let¡¯s deal with themter.¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly .


    Lu Xiaotian nodded and said:¡±You guys act ording to your circumstances. I go to find someone for help.¡±


    Everyone went downstairs one after another. To deal with the the problem and told their men to be careful with their booth which did not go wrong yet.


    Ye Jiayao called Deng Haichuan and Little Lu went to the pastry booth together.?The booth of the pastry room was just opposite to the water table and was the most lively location. At this time, the three floors inside and outside were crowded with people. Across the crowd, Ye Jiayao heard a woman swearing in the street.


    ¡°What a junk it is, purely cheat people with an expensive price and and unclean. My kids started to have suffer from diarrhoea after eating it. If you don¡¯t give me a statement, I¡¯ll smash your shop today... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered,¡± the means is really a simple one, it was have diarrhoea after eating their pastry again, there was no any other pattern? ¡±


    ¡± Move out the way, the shopkeeper Ye ising.¡± Deng Haichuan shouted loudly, separating the crowd Little Lu from the?left and right and guarding Ye Jiayao into the pastry booth. Ye Jiayao went in and saw that it was a woman in her early 30s, dressed in decent clothes, but her skin was rough and dark, which did not match her silks and satins.?A little boy who was six or seven years old was crouching beside her , groaning in pain while covering her belly.


    ¡°You¡¯re the shopkeeper? Well, you¡¯re here atst. You¡¯d better give me an exnation.¡± When the woman saw Ye Jiayao, she put her hand on her waist and pointed to Ye Jiayao, and she became more and more arrogant and said.


    Jiang Yue came forward and whispered in Ye Jiayao¡¯s ear: ¡± She bought some chestnut cakes here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded slightly and asked: ¡± How many chestnut cakes have been sold today? ¡±


    ¡± There are twelve drawers.¡±Jiang answered .


    Ye Jiayao calcted that one drawer was twenty-four, and twelve drawers were nearly three hundred. Then she got an mind and signaled Little Lu toe, whispered a few words to Little Lu, and Little Lu squeezed out the crowd and left.


    With a smile, Ye said to the woman, ¡°Haven¡¯t you eaten any other thing ?¡±


    ¡°I came here and bought the cake because of everyone said that the pastry of the Heavenly Residence is good, but I was cheated.¡±The woman said angrily.


    And then she raised the paper box of pastry in her hands and said to these onlookers beside:¡±Everyone have a look and judge between right and wrong.This is the chestnut cake that I bought from here, my child only ate this and have suffer from diarrhoea after eating this.Is there nothing wrong with her chestnut cake or not?¡±


    People were talking about it. Some of them also ate chestnut cakes, but they couldn¡¯t help covering their stomachs for fear that they might have a stomachacheter.


    Ye Jiayao said slowly: ¡± Today is the third day of the Food Festival, and thousands of cakes have been sold in our booth, even today we have already sold twelve drawers. But?you are the first to say there is something wrong with our cake. The probability of that things is really lower than that of?winning the golden pig.¡±


    ¡± Are you trying to deny the truth ? The evidence is still in my hands. Do you dare to taste this chestnut cake in front of everyone? ¡°The woman said fiercely.


    ¡°Why not? give it to me.¡±Ye Jiayaoughed and said .


    The woman was careful. She opened the box and gave Ye Jiayao a?pieces chestnut cake only. The rest cake she wanted to keep it as evidence she said.


    Ye Jiayao took a closer look at the cake and pulled out a sneer at the corner of her mouth and said: ¡± This chestnut cake is an imitation of ny percent simrity. It¡¯s more than enough to fool people who don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s still a little short of trying to deceive me.¡±


    The woman¡¯s face changed, ¡°What do you mean? I came here with empty-handed and this chestnut cake was sold from your booth. You are the only one chestnut cakes seller all through the food festival.¡±


    Ye Jiayao showed the chestnut cake and to the crowd of onlookers,and said ¡± Guys, those who bought the cakes from our Heavenly Residence pastry house all know that all the cakes in our booth have marks.I have to say that this chestnut cake has a high imitation level, the color is soft and the marks are also there. But the marks in Heavenly Residence ¨C pastry house are specially made by carpenters, and?ordinary people?can not forge them.¡±


    As she said this, Ye Jiayao turned her head to Jiang Yue and asked: ¡± Go and fetch a ready-made chestnut cake.¡±


    Jiang Yue said yes and immediately opened the steam drawer and gave Ye Jiayao a chestnut cake on a dish.?Ye Jiayao put two pieces of chestnut cakes together.


    ¡± Look, everyone, the mark on the chestnut cake just taken out is clear and beautifully patterned, while the mark on the imitation chestnut cake is much shallower, and the pattern is just simr and rough.¡± Ye Jiayao showed it to the onlookers with a dish and said.


    Everyone only took a rough look at it but no had?clear distinction?after they were suggested by Ye Jiayao¡¯s word. They all felt that the woman¡¯s cake was really rough.


    The woman¡¯s face turned blue and white, and her eyes gleamed, just as if she had lost her rightness.


    Ye Jiayao also sank her face and stared at the woman coldly: ¡± Do you want to falsely im for money or?someone ordering you toe? I think you have been instructed by someone, otherwise, you won¡¯t specially look for someone to carve the mold. ¡±


    ¡± You ... you¡¯re ndering at me.¡± the woman stammered.


    Ye Jiayao sneered and said: ¡± It is not a nder,everyone¡¯s eyes are bright and clear..


    ¡± That is, I also ate chestnut cake. Why is it all right? ¡± shouted someone in the crowd.


    ¡± I also ate it.¡±


    ¡± Me too.¡±


    At that time, many people in the crowd responded for Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao nodded with a smile at everyone and said, ¡± Thanks for everyone¡¯s trust, we Heavenly Residence, always thinking that the service of guests is the first objective. Whether it¡¯s in a restaurant in Heavenly Residence or in a pastry shop, there has never been a food hygiene problem. Of course, this is not something to show off. This is the conscience of our people in the catering industry, and it¡¯s our duty.¡±


    Deng Haichuan took the lead in pping smartly: ¡± That¡¯s good.¡±


    Suddenly there was apuse, and the woman saw that the situation was not good and was ready to slip away.


    Ye Jiayao winked at Deng Haichuan and Deng Haichuan grabbed her.


    ¡± What? Want to escape? Don¡¯t you care about your children? ¡± Deng Haichuan quipped.


    Ye Jiayao sniffed: ¡± Because this is not her child at all.¡±


    Jiang Yue was startled and wondered how did the seconddy known that?


    The onlookers were also confused.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± The child groans in such pain, but the woman has never looked at the child. She has no half-hearted love in her eyes, and now she is leaving the child to run away.If the child is her own, can she not love him? Can she leave the children behind? If I were her I must have taken the child to the doctor in a hurry.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said. crouching down and taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from the child¡¯s forehead for the child, softly said, ¡± Is it painful??just hang in there, I have already sent someone to call a doctor for you.¡±


    The child cried bitterly and cried, ¡± She¡¯s not my mother. She asked me to eat chestnut cakes. When everything setted, give me fifty coppers.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned her head and red at the frighteneddy with genuine anger.


    ¡± Deng Haichuan, send her to the official,¡± she shouted.


    Damn it, it was too inhumanity. If she found out who was behind it, she would make sure the bastard pay for this.


    The truth came to light and people were outraged, especially some of them were mother who were more angry and denounced women in session.


    Ye Jiayao took the opportunity to say: ¡± This food festival is our first food festival in Jinling City¡¯s history. No, it is our first food festival in Huai Song¡¯s history. Our 39 restaurants have shown their sincerity to organize this food festival. We are lucky to have won everyone¡¯s recognition and support. We are d to be exhausted, but there are some people whose eyes are shallow and don¡¯t want others to be good. She is not alone in making trouble today. Several booths have encountered such problems. Hope everyone can polish their eyes and don¡¯t let the despicable means of the bad guy blind your eyes.¡±

 Chapter 324 - Perfect End

    <h4>Chapter 324: Perfect End</h4>


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s remarks were intended to pave the way for colleagues to resolve disputes, so as not to allow people who did not know the truth to be used and cause adverse effects. Moreover, they were said with more credibility when the evidence was conclusive.


    From time to time, the crowd made a voice of condemnation.


    Ye Jiayao saw that the goal had been achieved and asked loudly, ¡± Who can help me to carry the child to Heavenly Residence? My buddy has already called for a doctor.¡±


    At once a burly man stepped forward and said, ¡± I¡¯lle.¡±


    ¡± Thank you for the eldest brother,¡± Ye Jiayao said gratefully.


    The man picked up the child, followed by Ye Jiayao, and sent the child to live in Heavenly Residence. About the same time, Xiao Lu invited a doctor. After the doctor saw the child, he asked him some questions and checked the chestnut cake. He said explicitly, ¡± I¡¯ve mixed croton powder in the chestnut cake. I¡¯ll give the child a prescription and it¡¯ll be all right after eating it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao asked Olivia to go with the doctor to take the medicine, gave the child to Xing for care and asked, knowing that none of the other innkeepers hade back yet.


    Ye Jiayao went to Lin Changchun¡¯s booth.


    As soon as she got there, she saw a few middle-aged men with the appearance of a bludger with a pointed mouth and monkey cheeks moring to be sent to the magistrate.


    The people around them were talking: ¡± It was someone who made trouble on purpose. Just now, one of them was caught by the pastry shop in the sky.¡±


    ¡± Isn¡¯t it? these people are too hateful to be nice to others, making this kind of inferior and indiscriminate means.¡±


    ¡± There seems to be some trouble over there ...¡±


    ¡± Let¡¯s go and gather together a party to catch up all these guys.¡±


    These people immediately ran to another booth. Ye Jiayao looked at the booth, which was probably manned by Du, and his lip angle was slightly bent. It seems that her words started everyone¡¯s conventional thinking.


    Soon Changchun came up and saw Ye Jiayao and said with concern, ¡± Have you handled it over there?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded with a smile.


    Changchun wiped his sweat and said, ¡± These guys are so insidious that I know they have done evil, but I can¡¯t get any evidence. Fortunately, the onlookers have clear brains and yelled, so I will arrest them regardless of the seriousness of the incident. Now I have to hurry up to deal with the aftermath and borrow your territory for use.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± You may as well use it, but it¡¯s not yet time for dinner. Do you want me to help?¡±


    Changchun knew that Ye Jiayao had a good brain and could not get away with it.


    Before long, several rioters were arrested. Lu Xiaotian called the government¡¯s patrol and handed over the people and evidence to the patrol for interrogation.


    Everyone waited patiently for the news.


    After another hour or so, the captors returned the news, saying that they were ordered to arrest people ording to the prisoners¡¯ confessions. As a result, the people did not show up, and it was estimated that they got the news and ran away.


    Everyone frowned in session, so that they could not catch the messenger behind the scenes. In fact, everyone knew in their hearts that the food festival was a sess, who was the most disturbing and who was most likely to send someone to destroy it, but the clue was broken, and they couldn¡¯t count ounts without evidence. They couldn¡¯t help feeling depressed and annoyed.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s eyes were also filled with anger and said with a cold face: ¡± Men, we don¡¯t have to pay attention to the bugs in the gutter. In another half day, the first Food Festival will be closed perfectly. To do a good job in food festival, raise our reputation and earn our money is the most powerful response to gangsters.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s spirits were lifted and their eyes looked at Lu Xiaotian with some eagerness.


    ¡± Therefore, this afternoon, we must deploy more personnel to ensure that the gangsters will no longer have the chance to take advantage of it, and I will give more hard work to the officials to keep an eye on it,¡± Lu Xiaotian continued.


    ¡± Yes, I¡¯ll go and sit in person in the afternoon.¡± Duan Qilin first seconded.


    Everyone was deeply impressed and solemnly dispatched their own personnel.


    By the end of the afternoon, the pastry drinks prepared by Heavenly Residence pastry shop had been cleared away and closed down ahead of schedule. Considering that the surrounding booths were still continuing, Ye Jiayao decided not to withdraw and asked Jiang Yue to send two people to watch, while others could rest first.


    After Jiang Yue handed over the ounts, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. These three days were like a war. The whole people were like taut strings. They dared not rx for a moment. Now they couldn¡¯t finally make a job.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her relieved expression and felt a little distressed. She wanted to take a few days off to let her have a good rest. However, the follow-up tasks were still very heavy and must be adhered to. She had to be determined to say, ¡± You go back to rest first, and I¡¯m afraid you will be busy in the next few days.¡±


    Jiang Yue shook her head and said, ¡± It¡¯s okay. I can stand it. Later, I¡¯ll go to the pastry shop.¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t be so anxious, slow down, no problem,¡± Ye Jiayao advised.


    Jiang Yue smiled, ¡± The seconddy, how did you see that there was something wrong with the chestnut cake? Ipared them with each other, just like we did. That mark can mix the spurious with the genuine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao responded with a smile: ¡± I didn¡¯t see it, I guessed it. Why did the woman want me to taste chestnut cake? If there was no problem with chestnut cake, would she ask me to taste it? There was no difference in appearance and no trace of tampering. It only showed that the cake was carefully imitated. Facts had proved that the chestnut cake was mixed with croton powder.¡±


    ¡± Then how did you make everyone believe that the mark was different?¡± Jiang Yue was confused.


    Ye Jiayao exined to her: ¡± The chestnut cake in the woman¡¯s hand has dried up, and the chestnut cake I asked you to take out from the steaming drawer was hot and moist, and the mark on it would be clearer. Besides, I just waved the cake in front of everyone for a few times and guided it with words. People simply couldn¡¯t see clearly, and my thoughts will naturally follow my words. All I can say is that the woman herself couldn¡¯t bear the heat and would be stunned by the bluff.¡±


    Jiang Yue suddenly realized, she look the seconddy with the eyes full of more than a bit of admiration. The seconddy had a careful mind and immediately grasped the crux of the matter and solved the problem easily. Unlike her, she was only thinking about whether she really made unclean food and was very passive. Ah ... it seemed that she still had a lot to learn.


    ¡± I see, I will move my mind first when I encounter problemster,¡± said Jiang Yuemely said.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile,¡± That¡¯s because you didn¡¯t expect anyone to make mischief and gain wisdom. It would be better to pay more attention in the future.¡±


    By the time Shen Zheng, the booths began to close one after another, and the crowd gradually dispersed without any abnormal problems. The first Food Festival finally ended sessfully.


    Shopkeepers were busy counting the fruits of their victory. Didn¡¯t even think about it. There were plenty of profits, but to be sure, Heavenly Residence was definitely the biggest winner.


    After the food festival, the second training ss was held immediately. Ye Jiayao was really unable to spare her efforts. She wanted to devote more attention to Jing¡¯an marquis house and dealt with the situation that may change at any time, so she said hello to Lu Xiaotian in advance and did not attend the preparatory work.


    However, the situation over there would still be reflected to Ye Jiayao in time. It was heard that the number of restaurants required to attend doubled this time, and everyone wanted to submit a few more students. However, the current venue and faculty were not yet allowing such arge expansion of enrollment, and Lu Xiaotian and others had a headache. Agreed this restaurant would sin against that one and they did not know what to do.


    Ye Jiayao gave an idea. Offer a test, let them speak ording to strength.


    Training courses were for elites, for promotion, not science poprization, and it must be ensured that every student who left the training course could be a leader in the industry.


    Lu Xiaotian was deeply convinced and handed over the matter to Duan Qilin and Mrs Rong, which soon solved the problem.


    Ye Jiayao waited a few days. Jing and Zhao Qixuan did not have any movement at all. She wanted to go to Helian Mansion , but remembered Chunyu¡¯s exnation, saying that Princess YiDe had made her shy if there was no need, try to get there as little as possible. Helian Mansion couldn¡¯t go and there should be no problem going to YongAn marquis house. Besides, she had a very legitimate reason ... to pay back the money.


    Therefore, Ye jiayao went to Datong Exchange to return the money to Zhao Qixuan.


    It was thest time that the steward invited Ye Jiayao to the room for tea.


    ¡± Shopkeeper Ye was unable to attend the chrysanthemum meetingst time, and our master was deeply regret,¡± said the steward.


    Ye Jiayao remembered this and forgot about the chrysanthemum meeting.


    ¡± I¡¯m really sorry, I¡¯m too busy to take off my body,¡± Ye Jiayao apologized.


    Steward walked over, ¡± Shopkeeper Ye¡¯s business is doing well. It¡¯s a good thing to be busy exining it. We will entertain the most important customers at the end of the year and hope that Shopkeeper Ye will not refuse this time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately promised toe down: ¡± The end of the year and the beginning of the year are off season. I think I¡¯m not so busy. I¡¯ll certainlye.¡±


    Having received Ye Jiayao¡¯s promise, the steward was very happy and said some pleasantries. The man had already prepared the bill and presented it respectfully with both hands.


    Ye Jiayao got the silver ticket and got up to leave.


    When she arrived at Yong ¡®an marquis house, the concierge said that Heir-son Lord was not in the house and did not know where she was going, but she said she woulde back for dinner. Mrs. Marquis Yong ¡®an heard that Ye Jiayao wasing and asked her toe in. Ye Jiayao apanied Mrs. Marquis Yong ¡®an to have tea and chat while waiting for Zhao Qixuan.


    At about the end of the meal, Zhao Qixuan came back and saw Ye Jiayao huffing: ¡± You didn¡¯t receive male guests in that dessert house. They didn¡¯t let me in even I have tried half a day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Mrs. Marquis Yong ¡®an both gaped.


    ¡± I didn¡¯t tell you, the dessert house only receives women?¡± Mrs marquis Yong¡¯an puzzled.


    Zhao Qixuan sat there shaking his fan and didn¡¯t feel good. ¡± You just praised how delicious the contents are. And I want to try them, but the door couldn¡¯t be get in.¡±


    Ye Jiayao can¡¯t helpughing. She waited here for Zhao Qixuan, but Zhao Qixuan ran to the dessert house.


    ¡°Yaoyao, you are not honest in doing so. Why discriminate against men?¡± Zhao Qixuanined.


    Mrs Marquis Yong ¡®an first refuted, ¡± what did you say? Can you guys go where we women can¡¯t go?Dessert House of Ye is the only shop in Jinling really for our women. In such a ce, do you still dare toin? Jinxuan, leave him alone. This boy wants to be taught.¡±

 Chapter 325 - Begins to act

    <h4>Chapter 325: Begins to act</h4>


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t helpughing, Yongning marquis¡¯s wife did things quickly and spoke directly, very witty.


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°Mom, you are going to prepare dinner. I am hungry. At the door of the Dessert House, I just smell the fragrance and I have not eaten anything.¡±


    Yongning marquis¡¯s wife smiled and said: ¡°You deserve it, the shop rules are hanging at the door, you haven¡¯t seen it?¡±


    Said to Ye Jiayao: ¡°You rarelye once, I will stay here for dinner today, no refusal.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°And so your wish shall be mymand.¡±


    After leaving Yongning marquis¡¯s wife, Zhao Qixuan gave Ye Jiayao a look, deliberately said: ¡°You are stilling back first. Our back garden is unique in Jinling City. Do you want to visit?¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew what he mean,she did good naturally and happily,and said: ¡°Okay!¡±


    They walked in the garden in tandem, and Qiao Xi stopped at the cloister, knowing that the seconddy had something to say to Yongning marquis Heir-son.


    Came to a otter through the nine-turn corridor, where the sight was wide and quiet, and there was no need to worry about someone eavesdropping.


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°I and Susu will go to Nanshan Hot Springs tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was inexplicable. Was it necessary toe here to say this?


    Zhao Qixuan saw her puzzled and said: ¡°I heard that the emperor has been upset recently, and concubine Shu proposed to go to the Nanshan Pce for a few days. It happens that I have a hospital there.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brilliant mind shed, Immediately, her heart suddenly mentioned the eyes of the scorpion. Thinking of a possibility, but looking at Zhao Qixuan¡¯s solemn expression, she was more and more sure of the guess in her heart.


    They were going to do it, and implemented that bold n.


    The uncontrolled eleration of the heartbeat was like a mountain gong, drum...


    ¡°Is it all nned?¡± Ye Jiayao felt that her voice was a little bit swaying.


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°I have already deduced countless times. As for whether I can seed in one fell swoop, I have to look at God¡¯s will.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know what to say. Now her best friend was involved. The feeling of being tied to a grasshopper on a rope was the same as life and death.


    ¡°Is there anything I can do for you?¡± Ye Jiayao said, forcing herself to calm down.


    The idea was made by her, although Chunyu was not in Jinling, but he certainly made some arrangements.


    ¡°No, even if things don¡¯t work out, Susu and I are sure to stay out of the way. You don¡¯t have to worry, just be busy with your own business.¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Listened to him saying that Ye Jiayao was also relieved, but didn¡¯t fold people in, kept a green mountain, and there was plenty of wood.


    ¡°That... you should be careful.¡± Ye Jiayao gave him a silver ticket.


    ¡°This is 800,000 silver tickets, 600,000 is for you, and the rest, you decide ording to circumstances.¡±


    There was no need to say anything between friends, absolutely trust was enough.


    Zhao Qixuan took over the sliver ticket and said: ¡°Then I¡¯m not polite. To be honest, I¡¯m really short of money now. The remaining 200,000, if only this side can be settled satisfactorily, I¡¯ll go back to the south next year and buy you all the shops andnd.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood that what they have to do now was not only to consume manpower, but also more financial resources. It was difficult to do without money. This was why she was anxious to take out all her savings. Money was to be used on the edge of a knife.


    As long as they pull back the disadvantages, there were plenty of opportunities to make money.


    After finishing the business, Ye Jiayao gathered a cloak, took a deep breath, and looked at the sunset like a colorful brocade. The evening of Jinling was so beautiful. If only it could be so peaceful all the time.


    A breeze blew through, and the water surface of the pond was smashed.


    ¡°Is this the lotus pond that you once fell?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a smile.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s mouth was pumped, and he looked at Ye Jiayao silently: ¡°I can¡¯t bear to look back, can you say something happy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said: ¡°What do you want to say?¡±


    ¡°I want to join the club, I have to go to the dessert house to eat.¡± Zhao Qixuan said seriously.


    Uh... Fuck off.It was really persistent!


    ¡°Well, when you¡¯re done, Ye¡¯s Dessert House goes out of business for a day and specializes in hosting you,the VIP.¡± Ye Jiayao said simply.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled and said: ¡°This is right, and I wille with Susu!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed, and of course she would invite Susu, now the two people were always together.


    Seeing someoneing to this side from afar, Ye Jiayao recognized the servant girl beside Yongning marquis¡¯s wife, and presumably came to call them to dinner.


    The two looked at each other and walked back tacitly.


    When Ye Jiayao came back from Yong¡¯an marquis house, the sky was already dark. As soon as she entered the yard, Xiangtao was excited to wee it: ¡°The seconddy,Heir-son Lord wrote a letter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was overjoyed and eagerly said: ¡°Really? Where is the letter? Please show me.¡±


    Xiangtao gave her a letter, but there were two letters.


    ¡°There is also a letter from Yangzhou.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was busy entering the house, sat down and couldn¡¯t wait to open the letter.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I am here all right, I miss you, remember the things at home... You have to be good, take care of your body, don¡¯t forget to eat when you are busy, don¡¯t write too much or toote at night.I don¡¯t want you to lose weight. Wait for me toe back in peace. Don¡¯t reply, I will change ces tomorrow, I won¡¯t receive it... Chunyu .¡±


    The letter was not long, but with deep care, Ye Jiayao put the letter in her chest, and her heart stirred with warmth.


    This time Chunyu went to Jiangxi to suppress bandits. Ye Jiayao had beenforting herself. Chunyu was also experienced in the battlefield. Chunyu had the courage and the martial arts. Several bandits were not a piece of cake. But she still can¡¯t help worrying. In this year, without telephone, nowork, people outside, it was too inconvenient to contact all by letters.


    Folded the letter carefully and put it in the dice, Ye Jiayao took a look at the letter from Yangzhou just now.


    It was written by Zhongyuan. First, he told that Ye Binghuai nned to advance the wedding date to the end of the year.Second, Jinyao was going to make a marriage.The other party was the stupid son of Yangzhou who participated in politics. Jinyao tried to die once, but failed. Zhongyuan was still in the mountains to form a filial piety. He wanted to help her but he was strong in will but weak in power,so he also asked eldest sister to look at her brotherhood and asked her for love. Jinyao was wrong,after all, she was still young, give her a chance to change, Jinyao would be grateful for a lifetime, he would also be grateful for the elder sister for a lifetime... And, the second sister had not been informed, he did not know if elder sister knew the whereabouts of the second sister...


    Ye Jiayao read the letter of Zhongyuan and fell into meditation.


    Everything was as she expected, without the shelter of Ning, the fate waiting for Jinyao was so unbearable, but who let Jinyao did those things?me trouble to herself, who can me?


    However, Zhongyuan impressed her with one sentence, and thousands of mistakes, after all,the age was small.


    Help or not? Ye Jiayao hesitated.


    Things had been going on for so long, and the hate and anger in Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart had gradually faded. Was it really necessary for Jinyao to repay the mistakes she had made with the happiness of her life?


    Was it too cruel?


    Ye Jiayao thought for a long time, and told Qiao Xi to grind ink and wrote a letter to Ye Binghuai.


    She only helped this time, and she hoped that Jinyao can conduct herself well.


    As for Ye Binghuai¡¯s continuation of the string, she had no interest in it. This family, the only thing she cared about was Zhongyuan. It was rare to have a child who was sensible and motivated.


    After writing the letter to Ye Binghuai, Ye Jiayao wrote another letter to Zhongyuan.


    She told him that the days of filial piety are miserable, he should pay attention to his body, and his homework can not fall.Guozijian was reserved for him and waited for him toe back next year.Then she told him the whereabouts of Jinrong and that Bao was raised by her and so on.


    Finally, she wanted to write a letter to Chunyu, but she had to hide all words in her heart, thinking that he had left his original ce and could not receive the letter.


    After three days, Ye Jiayao heard that the emperor went to the Nanshan Pce.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart had been hanging.


    In the Nanshan Pce, the emperor leaned on the Dragon couch and looked over the fold. From time to time he frowned. It was obvious that the contents of the fold made the Dragon unhappy.


    Concubine Shu brought in the sweet-scented osmanthus and lotus seeds and wolfberry soup with a gentle smile and a soft voice: ¡°Emperor, take a rest. It is said that emperor came to the pce for recuperation, but emperor is more tired than in the pce.¡±


    The emperor put aside his pen, rubbed his swollen brain and sighed, ¡°State affairs are busy, and crown prince used to share, but now...¡±


    Concubine Shu smiled and said, ¡°What really bothers the emperor is the matter of the prince! Since there is no evidence, the emperor can not wronged the prince, the prince has been stable, benevolence and filial piety have increased, courtiers have great expectations of the prince, the prince should not be so indiscriminate.¡±


    On the surface, this remark was a kind word for the prince, but a sentence of courtiers had great expectations for the prince, and it really hit the emperor¡¯s pain.The prince¡¯s prestige was getting higher and higher, and this was not a good thing either. It was precisely because of the support of the courtiers that the prince gave birth to dissidence. The prince was ced under house arrest, and even some courtiers risked death to appeal.The censors,these idiots,actually still learn the schrs of the past,died on the golden hall, threaten by death.


    ¡°What do you know? There is no evidence that it doesn¡¯t mean that there is no such thing.¡± The emperor was not happy.


    Concubine Shu¡¯s attitude became more and more gentle: ¡°Concubine just don¡¯t want to see the emperor upset, see the emperor can¡¯t eat and sleep well, Concubine feel sad.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s face softened a little, and his eyes grew a little softer: ¡°Fortunately, there is a concubine who can relieve my troubles.¡±


    Concubine Shu smiled and sent the longan lotus seed soup to the emperor: ¡°Is it good for concubines to feed the emperor? This is what concubines personally made, and the emperor rewarded concubines with a face.¡±


    The emperor also smiled, obediently containing the lotus soup that Concubine Shu fed.


    Suddenly there were sweet-sounding tweedle waving in the wind,faraway and long, sometimes the gurgling was like water, sometimes elegant and flowing clouds.


    The emperor straightened up and listened carefully and asked Eunuch Wei: ¡°who yed the Guqin?¡±


    He went to the door of the temple and looked up at the direction of the sound. He said, ¡°If I should will send someone to have a look?¡±


    The emperor said, ¡°go quickly.¡±


    Not a long timeter, someone came back and said that it was the other courtyard of Yongning marquis¡¯s heir-son, not far from here. Yongning marquis¡¯s heir-son and Su Yi, the son of minister Su, came to the other courtyard for vacation a few days ago.


    The emperor was clear: ¡°I said, such superb Guqin skills, it turns out to be Su Yi.¡±


    Wei Gong smiled and said: ¡°The talent of the third son of Su is excellent, Guqin is superb, but unfortunately, no official career.¡±


    The emperor also regretted and sighed: ¡°Let theme and apany me to speak, and I haven¡¯t seen them for a while.¡±

 Chapter 326 - Assassination

    <h4>Chapter 326: Assassination</h4>


    When Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi came together, Zhao Qixuan still had some embarrassment and constraint on his face.


    The emperor¡¯s insightful sight lingered on the two faces for a moment, but he smiled.


    Clearly, there were two talented people, one who had unparalleled business mind and the other who had learned everything and was proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, ritual, music and shooting. Both of their families ced high hopes on them. However, the two men had be interested in each other and would rather give up their future titles and enjoy the scenery.


    It was said that Zhao Qixuan had proposed many times to give up inheriting the title, but the Yongning duck still did not give up, thinking that the son would one day be able to break away from evil ways and return to the orthodox path. But the Su duck who was almost vomiting blood by anger let it go after beating, scolding and banishing his son but in vain.


    ¡± Aren¡¯t you two in the south? When did youe back?¡± The emperor spoke slowly.


    Su Yi replied, ¡± It¡¯s not a few days since I came back.¡±


    The emperor pretended to be august: ¡± When youe back, you are not at home to filial to your elders and do not visit me in the pce, but you are hiding here and enjoying yourselves.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said in a passive voice: ¡± My father said that he would think about me when he couldn¡¯t see me. He would be angry if he saw me. Therefore, If Ie back to the mountain, my father will not have to worry or be angry.¡±


    The emperor was drinking tea and almost spat it out, choking his trachea and coughing.


    Concubine Shu quickly rubbed the emperor¡¯s back in order to smooth his breath.


    Su Yi gave Zhao Qixuan a slight nt. Could you fucking talk well?


    The emperor got better and said with augh, ¡± Tell me about the border trade. How about over there?¡±


    When it came to border trade, Zhao Qixuan was very happy: ¡± Your decision, my emperor, is so wise that you choose such a border area among the three countries, nominally to build a bridge between South Yue and Huai Song, but in fact even Xi Fan is brought in. South Yue and Xi Fan are rich in natural resources, butmercial and handicraft industries are many years behind we Huai Song, and there is a great demand for silk, tea, porcin and so on, which is equal to opening up the market of the two countries. At the same time, we can buy medicines, iron ore and other materials there cheaply to make up for the shortage of Huai Song.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s face became more pleasant after listening to thesepliments.


    Su Yi said: ¡± When we went there, it was still a deserted vige. Now vendors from all over the country are rushing in, and with the strong support of the imperial court, they have developed rapidly and are already quiterge. I think that within three years, there will be no less prosperous ce than Yangzhou.¡±


    The emperor was deeply gratified. In this way the government¡¯s tax revenue could be greatly increased.


    ¡± So, we¡¯reing back to raise money and prepare for a big fight this time. How to say, we¡¯re also Jinling gentlemen, and if we want to do this, we have to do the imposing manner and ostentation and extravagance of imperial city people.¡± Zhao Qixuan went on.


    Emperor was very happy and said, ¡± Excellent, if border town can flourish, you will also be credited with it. However, let me first state that tax evasion is not allowed.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said , ¡± My emperor, I have always beenw-abiding and a man of moral self ¨C discipline. I will never do such a thing as tax evasion. I have earned a lot of money, can I make the court suffer a loss? If I don¡¯t have any other skills, I¡¯m thinking about paying more taxes and adding more bricks and tiles to the imperial court.¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s corners of mouth were rising slightly again and again, his heart despised. What a smooth sycophant! But he just liked his like this. Such a evil debt.


    Concubine Shu heard the happy chat between monarch and ministers. And she thought that the emperor had not been so happy for a long time, so she proposed scalding a pot of wine.


    The emperor readily promised.


    In a short time, good food and wine were served.


    The emperor said, ¡± If it hasn¡¯t been for Su¡¯s zither, I don¡¯t know you two stinky boys are back.¡±


    Su Yi said, ¡± The bright moon is over the head, and the Greenfield bursts, which make me a whim. I¡¯m very sorry for disturbing you.¡±


    The emperor shook his hand: ¡± That is not a big deal.¡±


    ¡± I heard that Su¡¯s zither art came from Mr. Ouyang. No one in Huai Song cane out of you. It¡¯s rare for the emperor to be graceful today. Su?might as well y the zither again, how about it?¡±


    Su Yi got up and saluted: ¡± I will follow the instructions.¡±


    Concubine Shu said, ¡± Just in time, this time I came here with Green Qi(a kind zither). I¡¯ll send someone to fetch it.¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s the Green Qi that is equal to Mr Ouyang¡¯s Jiao Wei?¡± Su Yi was attracted, and was no longer calm like before.


    Concubine Shu¡¯s eyes flitted with a smug look and said, ¡± Exactly.¡±


    Su Yi solemnly said, ¡± It¡¯s really my pleasure. I will burn incense and clean my hands. I dare not defile the name of Green Qi.¡±


    A momentter, a maid-in-waiting held a harp and ced it on the zither.


    Su Yi sat cross-legged and touched the strings with some excitement. It was rare to see such a famous zither, let alone y it.


    I saw that the zither was ck with a faint green tinge. If there were green vines wrapped around the ancient wood, I would try to pluck the strings and the sound of the zither would be melodious and melodious.


    Zhao Qixuan walked over and said to the emperor, ¡± He is just a harp idiot. He thinks he will go back today and refuse to wash his hands for three days.¡±


    The emperorughed heartily again. Zhao Qixuan was a real clown and always amused people.


    Su Yi couldn¡¯t help ncing at Zhao Qixuan, and then immediately closed his eyes and peered at the zither before it rang.


    Long white fingers brushed up like a wisp of wind brushed through the pine forest, rolling up the billows.


    Sitting on a rock, leaning against ancient pine, listening to a song in the morning, Drinking pure dew, Looking at the clouds gradually rising among the mountains and suspending above the mountains, crane¡¯s dancing to pines¡¯ sing leisurely. blue smokeing out of the valley, all sounds silent, birds knowing their meaning, everyone clearing the worldly hearts of the world, and escaping from the the world....


    The song ¡± Lie down to Look at clouds rising¡± was yed with ease like the wind, floating like a cloud, lofty in the sky, distant in the ground, carefree in the heart and leaping to the fingertips.


    The lingering sound gradually drifted away, but all the people in the temple were still in the music and couldn¡¯t extricate themselves.


    Zhao Qixuan even looked at Su Yi in a daze.


    Swoosh ... a dissonant sound of surprises rang out.


    Su Yi grabbed half of the incense burning in the incense burner and waved and tossed it. The incense went off like three sharp arrows.


    A sting...The incense hit the fast-moving dark arrows, but the arrows were so fierce that they were slightly disturbed and flew toward the emperor on the dragon seat.


    Again, with a thump, the dark arrows shot through the emperor¡¯s sideburns into the red sandalwood carved dragon screen behind him.


    The crowd just woke up, the eunuch Wei cried out with a loud voice: ¡± There are assassins, escort the emperor ...¡±


    The words did not finish, but a row of dark arrows broke through the window and shot directly at the emperor.


    Everyone¡¯s breaths were halted, and the emperor was unable to respond. He did not know where to hide, but Concubine Shu immediately slipped from her chair and crawled on the ground.


    Just then, Su Yi leaped out of the seat with a light spirit like a bird. He did not know when he had an extra sword in his hand and wielded at arrows at a gallop. At the same time, Zhao Qixuan, who was interested in Su Yi, threw himself at the emperor, trying to block the arrows with his body.


    Su Yi shot several arrows, but one shot Zhao Qixuan and sank from his shoulder.


    Su Yi saw Zhao Qixuan injured so his eyes were zing with ferocity. He raised his sword and went through the window.


    Zhao Qixuan endured the pain, turned over to protect the emperor and kicked the table in front of him.


    When the guards heard the sound, some rushed to the ce where the assassin was hiding, while others poured into the pce to form a people shield.


    Seeing that the crisis was temporarily lifted, Zhao Qixuan endured the pain to climb up and pleaded guilty: ¡± My emperor, I am in a critical situation. I offend the Dragon Body. Please forgive me.¡±


    After all, the emperor was the supreme ruler of the world, he immediately calmed down and said, ¡± why are you guilty of protecting me?¡±


    His eyes were full of anger. He cried out, ¡± Be sure to seize the assassin alive. I will interrogate him by myself.¡±


    Some people dared to assassinate the emperor, it defiedws.


    Concubine Shu also scrambled to get up, a face of panic, and said with concern, ¡°My emperor, are you all right? Do you get hurt?¡±


    The emperor nced at her coldly and ignored her.


    Concubine Shu was greatly uneasy in her heart. Even the emperor was not happy with her subconscious escape. Zhao Qixuan was able to block the arrows for the emperor regardless of life and death, but she did avoid it. Concubine Shu regretted that she knew she would not hide. But it happened so suddenly that it was toote to regret now she missed a good opportunity in vain.


    Not daring to provoke the emperor again, Concubine Shu turned her attention to Zhao qixuan and sent word to the imperial doctor.


    Zhao Qixuan shook his head and said, ¡± Assassins have not yet been caught, and I don¡¯t know how many of them are. Still, I will not move until the emperor is safe.¡±


    The emperor looked at Zhao Qixuan with some appreciation. His loyalty could be learned. He was out of themon and he was despised at ordinary times.


    There was a flurry of banging outside. Soon, Su Yi came back with his sword and said with a cold face: ¡± I am ipetent. The assassins have high martial arts skills and they were run away. Now the bodyguardmander has taken people to chase them.¡±


    The emperor shook his hand and told the guards to enforce martialw outside. He said, ¡± Fortunately, you are here today, otherwise, I have already been poisoned.¡±


    Su Yi suddenly knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty: ¡± I am summoned by the emperor today. I forgot to take off soft sword at my waist and please the emperor forgives me.¡±


    The emperor had no time to deal with these matters at the moment. Besides, if Su Yi had not brought the sword, he would have been dangerous today.


    ¡± You get up! Just now you met the assassin, what did you find?¡±


    Su Yi said: ¡± He had covered his face so that I failed to see his face clearly. He is ruthless, and his martial arts are still superior to me.¡±


    ¡± Message ...¡± A bodyguard ran in.


    ¡± Report to my emperor, I has just found a waist tag in the assassin¡¯s fight ce.¡± The guards presented a ck waist tag with both hands.


    The eunuch Wei went to pick it up and handed it over to the emperor.


    When the emperor saw this, he glowered and med, trembling his lips. It took a long time to jump out of the crevice of his teeth with a saying: ¡± This rebellious son ...¡±


    Su Yi was frightened: ¡± My emperor ...¡±


    The emperor handed over the waist tag to Zhao Qixuan, who was shocked to see the waist tag: ¡± The east ... is the east pce?¡±


    Concubine Shu, who was depressed because she couldn¡¯t protect the emperor in time, suddenly felt a joy in her heart. It was a killer sent by the Eastern Pce. That was great. Now the Prince couldn¡¯t exin it clearly.

 Chapter 327 - Transfer the misfortune

    <h4>Chapter 327: Transfer the misfortune</h4>


    The apanying officials rushed to express their views on the waist tag.


    ¡°Your Majesty, prince is dying struggling!¡±


    ¡°Yes, your Majesty, the prince can be punished for his thought.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, this is a great sin against heaven, unforgivable ...¡±


    One by one, they all imed to be denouncing the prince.


    The emperor¡¯s anger grew stronger and stronger, and his face was as dark as ink.


    ¡°Drive back to the pce immediately and I will interrogate the prince overnight.¡± The emperor said angrily.


    ¡°Report to the Emperor.¡± Su Yi¡¯s voice sounded like pearls falling to the ground.


    ¡°Your Majesty, let me say a word.¡± Su Yi looked grave and calm.


    The emperor said with dignity, ¡°Say it...¡±


    ¡°Report to your Majesty, I think there is something suspicious about it.¡±


    ¡°Keep saying,¡± the emperor sink a track.


    Su yi weighed the waist tag in his hand and said, ¡°Your Majesty, killing the emperor is a big crime against heaven. If it is the order of the prince, will the prince be stupid enough for the assassin to carry the waist tag with him? What if it fails? Wouldn¡¯t it be suicide?¡±


    Emmm ... the emperor took a breath and slowly calmed down.


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°I only heard that assassin had tattoos with word on their bodies, but I haven¡¯t heard of those with waist tags. There is a great possibility that such heavy waist tags will be left behind in the fight.¡±


    ¡°But the prince can¡¯t get rid of the suspicion. Now that the prince is under house arrest, it is inevitable to hold a grudge against the emperor,¡± said a minister.


    Su Yi said, ¡°What if he was framed? If you killed the prince by mistake, but let the real deviant get away with it, wouldn¡¯t it be his expectation? Now the bodyguardmander has taken people to pursue the assassin, why not wait for a while?¡±


    ¡°It is true that if this behind-the-scenes person is not pulled out, it will be dangerous if he is still close to the people appreciated by the emperor,¡± Zhao Qixuan echoed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to defend someone, but everything is still evidence ¨C based, and I¡¯m bound to find out the real murderer,¡± Su Yi said.


    After the emperor calmed down, his thoughts became clear. After hearing what Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan said, he also felt something suspicious.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the assassin came with the determination to die. He would rather kill himself than be captured alive. If the assassin dies and the waist tag cannot prove it, wouldn¡¯t it be a headless case ¨C solving?¡± Some ministers questioned it.


    The emperor¡¯s brows became tighter and tighter, and his heart was deeply tangled.


    The prince had the motive to assassinate him, and he had already decided emotionally that the prince did it. But Zhao Qixuan was right. If the person who harbors evil thoughts was still close to him and appreciated him, it would be tantamount to a poisonous snake lurking beside him, and it was possible to drill out and bite him at any time. It made people shudder to think about it.


    Think of this, the emperor had an idea in his heart.


    ¡°As Su said, this is a big matter. I can¡¯t easily tell who has the heart of rebellion.¡±


    Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan both breathed a sigh of relief. This n was really dangerous. One was not good and the other was self ¨C defeating.


    Concubine Shu was disappointed. There was already evidence but still could not convict the prince. As long as the prince dies, the throne would belong to her son.


    Though she was disappointed, but it didn¡¯t mean there was no hope. Concubine Shu looked forward to the good news brought back by the leader of the bodyguard.


    The crowd dispersed, and the emperor asked eunuch Wei to take Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan to the partial house to cure the injury.


    Fortunately, it only hurt the shoulder, did not touch the aorta, and was not in danger of life, but after all it was shot by a sharp arrow, it was not a minor injury.


    The imperial doctor handled Zhao Qixuan¡¯s wound, bandaged it, prescribed some medicine and ordered some precautions before he went to the emperor¡¯s office to reply.


    Su Yi looked at Zhao Qixuan¡¯s shoulder strap with gloomy eyes.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled andforted: ¡°It¡¯s all right. I¡¯m rough and thick. It doesn¡¯t matter. Just keep it for a few days.¡±


    Su Yi nced at the curtain and med himself: ¡°It is my martial arts that are loose and I have failed to protect the emperor and you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan understood: ¡°Oh, we¡¯re businessmen now. We don¡¯t kill people at ordinary times. It¡¯s all right. Who else does it every day? Besides, no one can think of such a thing as assassination. Don¡¯t me yourself, the emperor didn¡¯t me you, and I wouldn¡¯t me you too.¡±


    Su Yi said, ¡°If I know who did it, I won¡¯t spare him.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled: ¡°Okay, at least a few holes should be pierced back.¡±


    Su Yi snorted and frowned. ¡°You¡¯ve shed so much blood. Rest well and don¡¯t talk.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then you¡¯re here with me ...¡± Zhao Qixuan said pettishly.


    The people behind the curtain receded silently.


    At dawn, the bodyguard returned and told the emperor something secretly, and the emperor immediately announced that he would drive back to the pce.


    Zhao Qixuan also went home to recover from injury.


    Ye Jiayao only heard from the dessert house the next afternoon. The prince`s maternal uncle Shu`s residence was surrounded by imperial troops this morning. She didn¡¯t know what was going on.


    She also heard that the emperor was going to the temporary dwelling pce for a while, but he hurried back to the pce.


    Ye Jiayao knew in her heart that Zhao Qixuan¡¯s action seemed to have taken effect, causing disaster to move eastward. Even if he couldn¡¯t find the real evidence of Shu¡¯s rebellion, the emperor wouild not easily believe Concubine Shu and King Yu with this doubt in his heart.


    Just didn¡¯t know what happened at that time. Ye Jiayao wanted to know, but she had to endure and wait for the situation to ferment.


    After waiting another day, she heard that the prince was released and returned to the office to reflect. Concubine Shu was banned, and the queen returned to phoenix printing. Although King Yu was not punished, his mother and princess were punished, and his life was also difficult.


    Ye Jiayao was overjoyed and went to Yongning marquis house with cakes, only to know Zhao Qixuan was injured.


    Mrs. Yongning Duck knew that Ye Jiayao had unusual friendship with her son and took her to say a few words, so she was taken to see Zhao Qixuan.


    Zhao Qixuan was leaning on a soft couch and eating apples, crunchy and seemed to have a good appetite.


    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t get up. I didn¡¯t think you were in good spirits!¡± Ye Jiayao walked over with mirth.


    Zhao Qixuan motioned Little Shao to go out to look at the spot and make sure it was safe before he hummed, ¡°Why? Do you want to see me half dead!¡±


    The prince¡¯s crisis was lifted and Zhao Qixuan was not seriously injured. Everything was going well. Ye Jiayao was in a good mood, but for the sake of caution, Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice was very low. She said with a smile:?How can it be? I¡¯m happy. Here, the pastry in the dessert house to reward you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan threw away half of the apples he chewed with one hand, went to pick up the food box and opened it to see the full range of cakes inside. He said with a smile: ¡°That`s ok, but it¡¯s not a good reward. Don¡¯t forget, you said you were going to celebrate my day out of business. This time I did my best and bled, and I was trapped at home and couldn¡¯t see Susu.¡± His smiling face turned sad.


    Ye Jiayao endured theugh: ¡°Then you¡¯ll get the injury well and I¡¯ll never break my word.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan turned to smiling face and happily ate cakes.


    ¡°This time Susu and I also earned a lot of rewards for rescue work. However, what I value most is that the emperor asked me to take care of border trade affairs. Susu also received a four ¨C product official rank, which is to hang a name, not to work, and get a sry for nothing.¡±


    ¡°You took the risk and benefited everyone. You did a lot of work this time,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled: ¡°To say that the big contributor behind the scenes is Chunyu of your family, he came up with the idea. Little Jing couldn¡¯t find a suitable person to execute it for a while, and I came back with Susu and caught up.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ye Jiayao had long known that Chunyu would have an arrangement.


    ¡°Of course, it was Concubine Shu¡¯s suggestion that the emperor should go to Nanshan Pce. You didn¡¯t know, when the assassination happened, Concubine Shu was scared soft on the ground, and the emperor couldn¡¯t help it. I threw myself at him to block the arrow for the emperor. As a result, the emperor had bad feelings for her, and then we deliberately left the waist tag of the Eastern Pce to let the emperor suspect the prince first and let the assassin hide in the prince`s maternal uncle Shu`s house, and the bodyguard leader saw the assassin go in with his own eyes.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s thought: This tactic of cking out self before cking out others was wonderful. It added credibility and could also exonerate the prince and ssify him as a victim.


    Zhao Qixuan was full of cakes and said vaguely, ¡°If the assassin didn¡¯t caught, this assassination would be a headless case ¨C solving. The emperor can only find some scapegoats to ease the fire, and he can¡¯t kill both sons.¡±


    ¡°Although the emperor still has doubts about the prince, he certainly has more doubts about King Yu now. The next step will gradually weaken King Yu¡¯s power. Hey ... Yaoyao, you have many ideas. Think of a way to drop the stone and pursue it. Now is a good chance!¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him: ¡°Don¡¯t ask me such a thing. I only do business and nothing else.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want to let others know that even the assassination idea came from her. However, she felt that it was not a good idea to drop a stone in a well now. The emperor was suspicious of both princes and would certainly keep the bnce and let them contain each other. The emperor wouldn¡¯t put the treasure on the prince or King Yu, and it would take time to cultivate another prince.


    The fourth prince was mediocre and not capable in all aspects. The sixth prince was heard to be intelligent, but the mother and princess were not high in status, and it was difficult to convince the public. Therefore, it was the emperor¡¯s best policy to maintain the status quo. The prince had been hit this time, his power had been weakened a lot, and he also needed to rebuild his life and interest.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll discuss it with Susuter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled angrily and said, ¡°You¡¯d better be at ease to recover your injuries first! Don¡¯t want to see Sue earlier?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan sighed gloomily as he could not swallow some food: ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened to Susu, his father, as long as he stayed at home for three days, he wanted to marry him a wife. His thought of breaking up Yuanyang¡¯s never die!¡±


    Ye Jiayao was amused by him. Yuanyang were a female and a male, ok? It was really strange, Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi, who would be seme? Who would be uke?

 Chapter 328 - Dividends

    <h4>Chapter 328: Dividends</h4>


    <b>?</b>


    Finally, she could go to Helian Mansion this time with dignity.During this time ,Ye Jiayao felt oppressed.She couldn¡¯t see her ancestor without permission, only to ask the servants to send her some good food.


    However, this time she went to see Princess Yide. Little Jing said that the Queen Mother was ill, and Princess Yide went to the pce to take care of her.


    Ye Jiayao understood that the Queen Mother was a strong backbone of the Princesses. As long as the Queen Mother was still alive, the Emperor was ultimately worried about it. She didn¡¯t know if Liuli was also in the pce. It was said that the Queen Mother doted on her, she was supposed to apany her.


    Little Jing sneered: ¡°She is such a kind of person who care nothing, let alone the conscience .¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless, and thought Liuli was digging a grave to herself.


    The two went together to see the ancestors, the ancestors was more healthy than before. Maybe she was used to the crisis,and she was very peaceful to that without worrying.She still talked andughed.


    Ye Jiayao secretly admired her. It was a man who was more old, more wise.Only her calm was enough for her to learn.


    Married into the family of Mansion, she was at the center of political rights.Once can be rich and wealthy, but the risks were also higher . As long as the day of the imperial power was undecided, it would not stop. Like this sinister things, it would happen again.


    After talking with the ancestor, the ancestor went to the Buddhist temple to pray the Buddha, then the two people retired.


    ¡°Have you seen old Zhao?¡± Little Jing asked.


    ¡°Well, I have seen it. There is nothing wrong with him. He can eat and sleep, even to joke.¡± Ye Jiayao smiled.


    Little Jing smiled bitterly: ¡°Thanks to the two of them, otherwise I can¡¯t do anything. But unfortunately, I can¡¯t visit him.¡±


    The suspicion was still to avoid.


    ¡°Nothing because he knows it. It can be waited until he was cover from hurting .I am going to invite you, and everyone will get together.¡±


    ¡°Well, if my brother and brother Chunyu had been back, it would be fine.¡± Little Jing sighed.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him in sadness, could not help but felt distressed.He had emotionally unsatisfactory, and now the burden of a family was falling on his shoulders, the pressure can be imagined.


    When he first met himst year, he was still a sunny teenager who didn¡¯t know what to worry about. Just over a year, he was forced to provoke a heavy burden at home and grew up overnight.


    On the day of Chunyu¡¯s returning only had expection. When the soil had destroyed, he would had been able toe back. How about Helian Xuan? Was it on the way or had it already reached the northeast? The secret letter found on the desk of the Ministry of Military Affairs liked a heavy mountain. The pressure on the people was too breathless to afford. The grievances of the Prince had been rehabilitated. Did the emperor still have to deal with Helian Xuan?


    A great meritorious deed, but in the end it was left uneptable because of the emperor. It said that it was a kind of sorrow.


    Ye Jiayao barely squeezed a smile andforted him: ¡°Do not worry, your brother is a person with great wisdom, so he is not so easy to be killed.¡±


    Little Jing smiled and said: ¡°I wish it!¡±


    ¡°Right, Yaoyao, have you recently visited Auntie?¡± Little Jing seemed free to say.


    Ye Jiayao shook his head: ¡°In the autumn will happen many things. It will be safe to see her less. After all, my identity is what King Wang feared, and Lin is not very kind. If they made a fuss about it, A Ruan would be bad. Moreover,my people are in Yu Manision , and every day I will get the news. A Ruan, she is leading a peaceful life at least.¡±


    Little Jing had a little bit of sorrow: ¡°Everyone is safe and fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went back to the dessert house, only to see Xiangtao there.


    Xiangtao was not often to go out. There should be definitely a matter for her to find me.


    ¡°Xiangtao, what¡¯s the matter?¡± When she entered the room, she asked.


    Xiangtao said, ¡°Aunt sent someone toe, and I¡¯m afraid that the aunt had something to do, so then I will report it quickly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately thought of the coal mine. The second aunt said that there will be dividends at the end of the year. Wouldn¡¯t it be to pay dividends? This was a good thing!


    Did not care about the business of the dessert house, Ye Jiayao only wanted to went home.


    The second aunt sent thest time toe to Jinling¡¯s Qiu Manager, and presented a letter.


    When Ye Jiayao pulled out, she saw a silver ticket. And the amount of Big Tonghui¡¯s ticket was fully 600,000 .


    Ye Jiayao was amazed. She and Chunyu were estimated that such a mine with good quality andrge scale would be very good for two years. As a result, it was taken back in one year. This was only a 10% bonus. She just can¡¯t believe it.


    Another was a simple bill. How much was invested this year, how the produced, how the gross profit and how the profit. All the writing was clear. For fear that Ye Jiayao wanted to use the money at the end of the year, she will send the dividend to her first. The winter was the peak season for coal sales. Next month¡¯s profit would be more objective, and when it was less, she would supply it. If more, she didn¡¯t hope to pay back.


    Ye Jiayao was stunned. Fuck off. Mining like digging a cornucopia. It was no wonder that those coal bosses were so wide-spread. They changed a luxury car liked changing clothes. There was no ce for use money.


    The second aunt¡¯s ount, Ye Jiayao was absolutely trustworthy. Giving her 10% of the shares was equivalent to giving her money. No matter how much the second aunt sent her, they earned.


    It was a perfect time for this money toe. She just took out her money and returned it to Zhao Qixuan. She also took advantage of it during the Spring Festvial, because the bonus could be sent in time.


    Ye Jiayao put the silver ticket away, and then read the letter, and nothing more than some family¡¯s daily. They hoped that they would spare time going to Shanxi.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and asked Manager Qiu: ¡°Is everyone healthy?¡±


    Manager Qiu replied: ¡°It is quite well. This year, the firstdy and the seconddy are pregnant. The madam is happy from ear to ear, but they just remembers the dishes you have made.¡±


    ¡°Really, that¡¯s a happy event.¡± Ye Jiayao was also happy for the second aunt. But just thought that it wasn¡¯t heard the news from her for so long, and made her depressed.


    ¡°The second aunt also gave the first madam, the third madam , the childes and thedies all prepared gifts. But I do not know the first madam and the marquis went to Hangzhou.¡± Manager Qiu said.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°I have epted it for them first. They wille backter. If you want to stay in Jinling for a few more days or go back?¡±


    ¡± Tomorrow I will leave for Shanxi, there are many things over there.¡±


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯sing to the end of the year. Everyone is busy, so I will prepare a gift. Please bring it back, and help me to say hello to my aunt and her husband.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Shemanded Qiao Xi to take the silver for rewarding. It was not easy for people to run long distances. It was nature to reward him, and fifty silver was necessary.


    Manager Qiu thanked a lot, and then went to rest.


    Ye Jiayao saw the gift card sent by the second aunt, and also prepared a gift list. Then called the Manager Zhong, let him buy it right away, then let Manager Qiu bring it back tomorrow.


    She also called Qiao Xi to sent the gift of the first childe and the firstdy to the first madam¡¯s home.


    After lunch, Ye Jiayao took a nap for a while, then took Manager Qiu to her third uncle¡¯s manision, and took advantage of Manager Qiu. It was better to let Qiu personally send the gifts to them, preventing Zhou¡¯s suspicion, may be she thought I gave less to her.


    When she came to the third uncle¡¯s manision, the servant said that the madam was at the meeting. Ye Jiayao went to the flower hall for waiting. When she walked out the second door, just saw Zhou and a madam talking andughing outside.


    Ye Jiayao watched them clearly. It was the ambassador¡¯wife of the Ministry of finace who troubled them before? How did her get together with Zhou? She couldn¡¯t help but watch out more.


    ¡°Hey... Hey? It¡¯s a rare guest!¡± Zhou saw Ye Jiayao, giggling.


    Thedy looked a little embarrassed, and smiled just as saying hello.


    Ye Jiayao politely said hello to her.


    The madam hurriedly left.


    Zhou said: ¡°I must get there tomorrow.¡±


    After thedy¡¯s lefting, Ye Jiayao asked casually: ¡°The third aunt, do you have a party tomorrow?¡±


    Zhou was proud to say: ¡°Yes, Mrs. Cui was especially geting here to invite me to enjoy the plum blossom in her other house. This time, all the invited officials were thedies of the six officials. She only handed in the posts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought, Jinling¡¯s madams anddies had their own circles, nothing more than an interest alliance. Mrs. Cui this time held the plum blossom, which was an invitation to the private affair or the object that she want to draw. If only I can go to see it.


    ¡°Jinxuan, are youing to talk with me?¡± Zhou asked.


    Ye Jiayao took back his mind and said with a smile: ¡°The second aunt sent Manager Qiu to Jinling, and gave everyone a gift. I brought Qiu to manage things, and now the people are in the front hall.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡± Zhou was delighted: ¡°The second aunt is too polite, so far away, did she send people to give gifts every year?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered at the bottom of his heart. So? Were you afraid that you have not received a gift in previous years?


    ¡°How can she? Shanxi was not close, may be the second aunt had just been here this year, and remembered everyone.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s smile was a bit brilliant, and she giggled: ¡°The second aunt really cares us.¡±


    Then she said to ask the people around to call Manager Qiu.


    Ye Jiayao chatted with Zhou for a while, and inquired about the party to visit the plus blossom. Zhou knew very little and couldn¡¯t say any useful news. Ye Jiayao turned the topic and asked Jinlian¡¯s marriage. The date was set at the first month of the 18th.


    Zhou said: ¡°You¡¯d better give your mother a letter, and let her be sure toe back in the first month. Jinlian¡¯s wedding, she must attend as her aunt.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not saying: ¡°It was rare for my mother to return to her family. It was originally scheduled toe back in March.¡±


    ¡°But Deng urged that if we missed this day, it will take several months.¡± Zhou was anxious, not because she paid much attention to Jinlian. Jinlian is not her daughter, and she only wanted Yu and marquis to came, supporting herself.


    ¡°It is estimated that it is somewhat difficult. However, I will inform my mother. As for whether or not she cane back, but you should not hope too much.¡± Ye Jiayao said that the bad words firstly. Jinlian¡¯s wedding was a major event, but You had not returned for more than ten years. Her mother¡¯s family was also very difficult toe by. Besides, Chunyu was deliberately going to take his father and mother away. It was said that they wille back in March, so it was better not to break this n.


    Zhou was inevitably disappointed, thought that the lord would send a letter to the marquis. The request to the lord had never been refused by the marquis. With time going by, the marquis wille back. Who dare You note back?


    In a short while, the Manager who went to see Manager Qiu came back. Zhou did not mention any reward. Ye Jiayao also reminded that Manager Qiu will go back tomorrow. Zhou still did not say that Ye Jiayao thought that Zhou was stingy as usual. Even if I don¡¯t know how to be a man, it was no wonder that the second aunt didn¡¯t want to care her.

 Chapter 329 - Someone set fire to house

    <h4>Chapter 329: Someone set fire to house</h4>


    On the morning of the next day, Chief Zhong prepared a gift, and Ye Jiayao personally sent Chief Qiu out of the city, telling him to pay attention to safety on the road. Chief Qiu promised and then was sent out of the city by Chief Zhong.


    Ye Jiayao turned to the training ss, and today she had sses. Since Mrs. Rong came, she had devoted herself to the training ss and had undertaken most of the ss affairs. Lu Xiaotian had also returned to ss. Ye Jiayao was much more rxed and had a ss turn in five days.


    In this issue, Tianshang Ju Restaurant sent Cui Dongpeng and Jiang Youli, both of whom passed the examination smoothly. Cui Dongpeng was full of ambition this time and vowed to take first ce, not to humiliate Tianshang Ju Restaurant.


    Ye Jiayao ressured him that everything was good as far as possible ,and the first ce was not so easy to take.


    Any skill was god¡¯s reward for food, and talent was very important. Cui Dongpeng was clever, he was good at making interpersonal rtionships and doing management, but he stillcked some talent in cooking. Wang Mingde was just the opposite. Wang Mingde looked rather dull, but he had a high understanding in cooking and worked diligently and conscientiously. This kind of person could seed instead.


    Even so, but she also did not want Cui Dongpeng to be hit by the time. Several of the students in this group were quite good.


    Cui Dongpeng was very confident: ¡± Second Mistress, you can watch it! I¡¯m in the second phase. If I don¡¯t get the first, I¡¯m ashamed to see anyone.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed and thought to herself that it seemed necessary to render special treatment to Cui Dongpeng.


    The students learned theory in the morning, and then practiced in the afternoon, they studied seriously, and Ye jiayao¡¯s teaching was also vigorous. Time passed quickly, and it got close to dusk in an instant.


    When Ye Jiayao went out to get into the carriage, she found a few people sneaking around and poking their heads. Ye Jiayao was very ufortable and felt something was wrong. She turned back and called Cui Dongpeng. He was now the monitor of the ss and she had something to tell him.


    ¡± You have been watching carefully recently. There seems to be some people nearby who are not very well ¨C behaved.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng solemnly nodded: ¡± Yesterday the Boss Lu had also said, I will pay attention to it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard that Lu Xiaotian also discovered it, and felt even more uneasy, urged him repeatedly before she went back.


    The next day, when it was not bright, Ye Jiayao was awakened by a rapid knock at the door.


    It was XiangTao that knocked at the door.


    QiaoXi went to open the door andined in a low voice, ¡± what¡¯s the matter? It¡¯s still not bright!¡±


    XiangTao said, ¡± Cui Dongpeng hase and said there is a very urgent matter to tell Second Mistress.¡±


    When Ye Jiayao heard that it was Cui Dongpeng, her heart thumped and she was wide awake.She got up and dressed and said, ¡± Let him wait in the lobby. I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    When Ye Jiayao saw Cui Dongpeng, she was startled that Cui Dongpeng¡¯s face was ck with paint and his clothes were in tatters.


    ¡± Cui Dongpeng, what happened?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao in a hurry.


    Cui Dongpeng gritted his teeth with cold eyes and said, ¡± Second Mistress, someone came to the training ssroomst night to set fire to house. Fortunately, I sent a vigil and found it in time. Everyone escaped without any casualties, but ...¡±


    ¡± But what, you are quick to say!¡± Ye Jiayao was worried.


    ¡± Butst night, the wind was strong and the fire was fierce. The house was burned for most of the time. We all caught the arsonist and were scuffling. Suddenly, a group of people came out. Most of us were fighting the fire, so we let the guy run away again,¡± Cui Dongpeng said angrily.


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and it liked burning a fire in her heart. It was the ancestral home of Duan Qilin.


    ¡± Have told the Boss Lu?¡±


    ¡± We sent people separately to leave and report to the officials. Officials should be there soon. Everyone is still there now,¡± Cui Dongpeng said.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were cold: ¡± Go and see.¡±


    Which bastard put the fire on, if it was pulled out by her, she would kill him.


    Ye Jiayao hurried to the training ssroom. Duan Qilin and Lu Xiaotian had arrived. Officials were on the scene of the investigation and others hade in session.


    Everyone looked at the ckened ruins and was furious.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± Fortunately, everyone is fine, Boss Duan, you count the losses first. Boss Lin, please calm the students. Boss Lu, let¡¯s listen to what the government says, and we¡¯ll meetter to discuss how to deal with the aftermath.¡±


    Everyone had no objection and acted separately.


    After investigating the scene and asking some students, the captor said, ¡± It seems that someone has deliberately sabotaged it. Do you think about who you have offended recently or who you think is the most suspicious?¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Lu Xiaotian took one look at each other, there were many suspicious people.


    This time, several restaurants sent people who failed to pass the examination felt resentful, as well as thest food festival, and some people were jealous to sabotage.


    However, the arsonist ran away, this kind of thing had no evidence and was not good to testify.


    Ye Jiayao had thought about it, and called Cui Dongpeng: ¡± You fought with the man. What did he look like, do you remember?¡±


    Cui Dongpeng said ruefully, ¡± It was still dark at that time and I couldn¡¯t see the man¡¯s face clearly, but the man¡¯s left face seemed to have a naevus the size of a small fingernail.¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s not very easy to find,¡± said the captor. ¡± There are hundreds of thousands of people in Jinling City. But it is also a clue. You¡¯d better provide a list of suspicious person, and maybe they will contact each other.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian said: ¡± We have eliminated some students from restaurants this time. Will they be suspected?¡±


    Captor said, ¡± This must be done.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian said, ¡± I¡¯ll give you the listter. Please take care of it.¡±


    This catcher was dedicated: ¡± Arson is a felony, and we will certainly try our best to catch it. Now we have to find this arsonist first.¡±


    Duan Qilin has counted the losses and came over: ¡°The list of thest entries has been burned, and the damage of the rest room is the most serious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t participate in the selection and assessment, so she couldn¡¯t help even if she wanted to.


    Lu Xiaotian said, ¡± It¡¯s ok, Mrs Rong should have it over there. She changed all the written papers.¡±


    Catcher said, ¡± Please clear up the list and give it to me as soon as possible. It will be difficult to check it after a long time.¡±


    Sent off the captor, Lin Changchun came over and said, ¡± I asked the students to go back to their restaurants to wait for news. The problem now is that the coverings and belongings brought by the students were burned. How can the loss of the bosses be solved?¡±


    Lu Xiaotian looked solemn and said, ¡± let¡¯s go to Mrs Rong¡¯s house first!¡± Get the list first, then discuss it together.¡±


    Everyone went to Mrs Rong¡¯s house together.


    Because she lived far away from home and usually came alone, the students didn¡¯t know where she lived, so they didn¡¯t inform her.


    At the moment, Mrs Rong had just started making breakfast in the kitchen. She heard everyoneing and rushed out to greet them.


    ¡± What? Someone set fire to it?¡± Mrs Rong was frightened to disgrace when she heard the news.


    Lu Xiaotian said about the situation and Mrs Rong said, ¡± I have the list, so I am taking it to you.¡±


    After getting the list, Lu Xiaotian sent it to the yamen immediately and everyone began to discuss the aftermath.


    ¡± Students¡¯ losses, and Boss Duan¡¯s losses, will be borne by the Chamber of Commerce! This is not a shop¡¯s matter, it¡¯s everyone¡¯s matter. ¡± Lu Xiaotian said.


    Ye Jiayao seconded: ¡± It should be said that the training ssroom is not for profit, but for everyone to do a good job. Now the training ssroom is on fire, and this loss should be borne by everyone.¡±


    Lin Changchun said: ¡± I think the boss who did not have the students to send us to our training ss will even have opinions.¡±


    ¡± No matter what opinions he has, or he will withdraw from the Chamber of Commerce.¡± Ye Jiayao knew that there were some people who were very active when they got benefits, once they were asked to contribute some money, they were not willing to do so. It didn¡¯t matter how few such people were.


    Duan Qilin listened quietly because he was a victim and could not say his position.


    Boss Du said, ¡± If they don¡¯t contribute, the rest will be fine if we gather together, orunch the 39 restaurants that attended the food festivalst time, each one can contribute a little, but everyone got a lot of benefitsst time.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian said, ¡± Count the number first, Boss Duan, don¡¯t be embarrassed and report the loss truthfully.¡±


    Duan Qilin mused, ¡± The old house has been burned for more than half of its value, and there is nothing valuable in it. Even if it costs to repair it again, I guess it will cost about 40,000or 50,000 taels, plus our cookings will have to be bought again. All these can be sold in real terms, and it uses as much as it needs.¡±


    Everyone had no opinion,this was how it should be.


    ¡± As for the students, let them register how much they have lost,¡± Lu Xiaotian said.


    ¡± I have already let Cui Dongpeng do this, and everyone reported the loss and then went back. It is estimated that the number will alsoe out at the moment,¡± Lin said.


    ¡± Will someone make a false report?How much money did they bring?We don¡¯t know if they say a bigger number. ¡± Boss Du questioned it.


    Mrs Rong thought for a moment and said, ¡± this is no way out, but even if they make a false report, it won¡¯t be too outrageous. After all, these students are all small cooks in restaurants and their ie is not high at all.¡±


    ¡± Every problem about money is easy to solve. The question is whether we can find out this person.If we can not pull him out, it is always a hidden danger. He cane to burn it once and can burn it for the second time.¡± Ye Jiayao said, gnashing her teeth. This incident really irritated her and was intolerable. Murder and arson were the most despicable and worst means. This time, it¡¯s not too bad to be rmed in advance. What if people were burned?


    When it came to this issue, everyone¡¯s face was very dignified. Indeed, who could guarantee that he would note to the scene for the second time without pulling out the criminal.


    ¡± It¡¯s really hard to find a person with a prickly face. I¡¯m afraid the government will eventually do nothing,¡± Duan Qilin sighed sadly.


    ¡± Anyway, we must try first, and everyone will think if there is any other ways?¡± Lu Xiaotian looked at the crowd and asked.


    Ye Jiayao thought, the man dared to set fire, it must be a gangster who wanted money but not life, even there was someone to help him ,she guessed that they were gangsters. The government was not very easy to check this thing, how to do?


    Ye Jiayao was sad, and suddenly her mind shed. By the way, she went to find Zhao Qixuan, who had a wide range of contacts and is familiar with both mafia and goveronments. Let him send someone secretly to inquire about it, and maybe he would?get something.

 Chapter 330 - The heart is not ancient

    <h4>Chapter 330: The heart is not ancient</h4>


    Before it was toote, Ye Jiayao went to Zhao Qixuan at once and left the rest to Lu Xiaotian.


    Zhao Qixuan was still fast asleep.


    Hearing that Ye Jiayao was looking for him, Zhao Qixuan quickly got up and made a little arrangement before inviting her in.


    Looking at Ye Jiayao¡¯s face as cold as the frost in the morning, Zhao Qixuan thought the situation had changed. His heart was raised to his throat, but he Zhao Qixuan was also a person who had seen the world after all so that he wouldn¡¯t be so impatient, right?


    Zhao Qixuan stressed, ¡± What happened? Don¡¯t scare me please, I¡¯m an injury person who areck of blood and cannot be scared! ¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t have time to joke with him. He said seriously: ¡± Someone set fire to the training ssst night. Fortunately, it was found in time and there were no casualties.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan startled: ¡± Are you sure it is someone that set fire to it? ¡±


    ¡± He almost got caught , but he got a back up and then ran away.¡± Ye Jiayao was mad at the result.


    ¡± Then you report to the officer! ¡± Zhao Qixuan expressed deep sympathy.


    ¡± Of course I did. The problem is, the government may not find out.¡± Ye Jiayao looked at Zhao Qixuan with a fixed look: ¡± I want you to help me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan understood her immediately. He had several docks. The identity of dockers was the mostplicated that each gang has their own people. Therefore, he had some friendship with that kind of guys. If was really a gang¡¯s problem, it would be easy to do it and just needed to sent greets to the Ninth Lord.


    ¡± I see, I will help you, but do you have any more definite clues? I can¡¯t just ask who set fire to itst night right? ¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    ¡± No except that the arsonist has a mole as big as a fingernail on his left face.¡±


    ¡± All right, I¡¯ll tell people to do it right away. You go back and wait for me.¡± Zhao Qixuan said so.


    Ye Jiayao solemnly said: ¡± Please be sure to help me find out, someone came to make trouble at thest food festival. I suspect it was the same person who ordered it. If we don¡¯t pull this bastard out, he will never stop.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan slightly stunned: ¡± It is not the first time? That¡¯s really interesting. I¡¯d like to see who he is and dare to touch my Zhao Qixuan¡¯s friend.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan wanted to roll up his sleeves subconsciously, but when he moved, the wound was touched. After taking a breath and calm down, he said decisively, ¡± Your business is also mine. I don¡¯t have to say anything else. As long as this person is a gang guy, I will help you find out.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was relieved with the word.


    ¡± Then please.¡±


    As soon as Ye Jiayao left, Zhao Qixuan told Little Shao toe in and said, ¡± You take my brand to jubao house and the find ninth Lords and say I need his help to find someone ...¡±


    At the same time, in the east of Jinling city, a blue shirt with umon appearance entered a small alley and knocked open a half-old wooden door.


    In the courtyard, a girl of 16 or so was sitting in front of a wooden basin washing the clothes. Seeing the maning, she hastily got up, wiped her apron with her wet hands and saluted the man: ¡± Third Young Master ...¡±


    This man was Xia Chunfeng, the third young master of Jing¡¯ an marquis house, and this young girl was Little Ya who had been given responsibility for the 50 boards to be sold by traffickers instead of LiuLi.


    Xia Chunfeng took a look at Little Ya and said, ¡± Are you all right? ¡±


    Little Ya disguised terms said, ¡± Thank you for saving my life. my wounds are all right.¡±


    The cold wind was prating the wet meaning of the Jiangnan, the vige near water, which was getting colder and colder. Xia Chunfeng¡¯s said: ¡± Go inside and talk! ¡±


    After sitting down, Little Ya brewed hot tea and served it respectfully.


    ¡± Third Young Master, please have tea.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng just held the hot tea in his hand with the heart warming. He mused, ¡± If I let you go back to serve the thirddy, are you willing to? ¡±


    Little Ya suddenly raised her eyes,surprised then dimmed, and bowed her head and said nothing.


    She had already paid off her love for the princess with her own life. She had not owed the princess anything, and now life was very peace. She didn¡¯t want to go back to the day when she used to worry about everything being a yes-girl and in an intrigue life.


    Xia Chunfeng was relieved to see how she reacted.


    ¡± I know you are not willing to that. If not, I won¡¯t force you, just forget it, I will look for someone else! ¡±


    Little Ya asked weakly, ¡± Does the princess want me to go back? ¡±


    Xia chunfeng said, ¡± She didn¡¯t know where you are, but she had looked for you, and you have been saved by me.¡±


    ¡± Emm ...Do you want me toe back? ¡±


    Xia Chunfeng confessed: ¡± To tell the truth, I need you toe back.¡±


    He also wanted to exin to her why, but Little Ya calmed down and said, ¡°My life is saved by you. I will do anything you want even though it is not what I want.¡±


    She was a grateful girl. She was loyal to the princess before, but now she was repaying her kindness to the third young master.


    Xia Chunfeng sighed. Losing Little Ya was her biggest loss of LiuLi .


    It was just a temporary thought make him to save Little Ya at the beginning. He thought Little Ya was a loyal servant. If he didn¡¯t save it, Little Ya would only have a dead end. He didn¡¯t know about today actually.


    ¡± Do you know what I want you back to do? ¡± Xia Chunfeng?thought it¡¯s a good to let her know about it. If Xiao Ya didn¡¯t have a firm mind and regret halfway, it would be in vain.


    Little Ya was clever: ¡± Do you want Little Ya to be your eyes and ears? ¡±


    Xia chunfeng¡¯s eyes shed astonishing and surprised that she know what he think.


    ¡± Yes, you know the thirddy¡¯s temper, although we are moving out now, she still has a grudge against the people over there. I can¡¯t stare at her all the time. You are her most trustworthy person and she will tell you everything. I think I can?rx if you stay with her.¡±


    The political situation was unstable these days. The eldest brother told him when he left that he should pay special attention to LiuLi and didn¡¯t get into trouble. LiuLi was getting closer to King Yu¡¯s concubine nowadays. He told her not to do so but it didn¡¯t work. He was really worried and then hee to Little Ya.


    Little Ya nodded: ¡± Then I will go back. Please arrange it for me. ¡±


    In seventh royal highness¡¯ mansion, LiuLi, in a very happy mood, sent away the side concubine Lin. She finally set the Ye¡¯s teeth on edge. Just wait and see, it was only the beginning. She would destroy everything of her, career, love ..., step by step until she had nothing.


    You Ye Jinxuan, I Zhao LiuLi would beat you One day.


    A maid hurried in to report.


    ¡± Princess, a trafficker hase and said there is some news about the person you are looking for.¡±


    LiuLi dazed for a moment and immediately said, ¡± Where is she? ¡±


    ¡± Waiting outside.¡±


    ¡± Let her in quickly.¡±


    LiuLi eagerly inquired the trafficker for a long time and finally heard the news of Little Ya.


    In the afternoon, Lu Xiaotian called an emergency meeting of the chamber ofmerce.


    Ye Jiayao also attended.


    ¡± I think some people have already heard about what happened in the training course.¡± Lu Xiaotian said, ncing at some people¡¯s faces intentionally or unintentionally, adding to his tone: ¡°It was someone who set fire maliciously. I don¡¯t understand why they hate the existence of the training course so much that set a fire is the only way to get rid of their hatred.¡±


    The shopkeeper of Xiangyi Building said, ¡± Could it be someone who has personal feuds with you guys? ¡±


    ¡± Whether there is personal or public enmity, taking this despicable and vicious means is themon indignation of both people and gods. Thew¡¯s long arms are slow but not leaking. Who did the evil and will not escape the sanctions of thew and the moral judgment.¡± Lu Xiaotian¡¯s mood was quite excited. He built the training course, and there were so many people had devoted a lot of efforts and ced many hopes on it, but it was set on fire.


    ¡± President Lu is not just gathering all of us together to listen to your anger,right? ¡± Zheng Sanduo said in an interesting tone.


    Lin Changchun scoffed lightly: ¡± The training course is not owned by President Lu alone, but by all members of the Chamber of Commerce. The training course was set on fire. I think, as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, all should feel angry. Emm? You shopkeeper Zheng don¡¯t think that way? ¡±


    Zheng Sanduo wouldn¡¯t jump into the trap do easily. He chuckled: ¡°Of course not. Such a sad thing will certainly hurt everyone¡¯s heart. However, anger has no meaning now, and we don¡¯t know who the murderer is. Even if cursing the ancestors of the family of the murder here, he can¡¯t even hear, isn¡¯t it??Could it be said that you shopkeeper Lin is suspected that one of us did it? ¡±


    ¡°what the truth is just the heaven and the man himself know. However, I think all the people present here are prominent figures in our food industry. They won¡¯t do anything like that worse than the pig and dog? ¡± Lin Changchun did not show weakness and retorted.


    ¡± Well, indeed, it¡¯s no use being angry now. The government has stepped in. I believe there will soon be a result. Then whoever did it will be ourmon enemy. Now, let¡¯s discuss the aftermath.¡± Lu Xiaotian raised his hand to stop the two men from continuing to fight each other.


    Ye Jiayao was watching from the side all the time.


    Some people were indignant, some were cool, some even gloated.


    People were not who they are in the old day.


    Lu Xiaotian continued: ¡± We have counted the number of losses, about 60,000 of silver, and the training course needs to be rebuilt. We have topensate for the students¡¯ losses. They are all small cooks, and their days are not rich before. We have contacted 39 restaurants participating in the food festival before, and all of them are willing to be generous, with 500 taels to each of them, and 3,000 taels to each of our three presidents.Mrs. Rong is also happy to give 500 taels. Now we have saved 26,500 taels in total, and still need more than 30,000 taels. What our presidents mean is to spend from the membership fee of the chamber ofmerce, after all, the training course is belong to the us.¡±


    The restaurants where the trainees were sent to the training course this time naturally made no objection and expressed their opinions in session.


    But there were a group of people who looked around and finally stayed at Zheng sanduo. Obviously, these people followed Zheng Sanduo¡¯s lead.


    Zheng Sanduo mused, ¡± The training course only recruits more than 30 students once. The first time was fine. Now there are this kind of selection and assessment. As a result, the small restaurants simply cannotpete with the big ones. The big ones can send more than two or three people, but none of the small ones can seed. Now everyoneins a lot. ¡±

 Chapter 331 - Three people conspired

    <h4>Chapter 331: Three people conspired</h4>


    As soon as Ye Jiayao heard these words, she knew that they came here for Heavenly Residence. Only Heavenly Residence upied two ces in the two training courses.


    Just about to argue, Ye Jiayao heard from Lu Xiaotian: ¡± I can exin what you said about this situation. In the first issue, I asked everyone that there were no candidates, but there were still many ces avable, so Heavenly Residence sent another student and there was still a vacancy. As for the second issue, it was clear to everyone that 36 students could be enrolled and more than 100 could be submitted. what else could be done except for the selection and assessment? The purpose of the training course is to train talented people, not to be enlightened in cooking skills. The assessment is the fairest way. Moreover, everyone has also seen that there is no fraudulent behavior and that the assessment is not enough of their own ability. Heavenly Residence has reported two people, both of whom were selected with absolutely excellent results. Some restaurants have reported four or five, but none of them has been selected. Therefore, it can only be said that the strength of Heavenly Residence has indeed been extraordinary.


    ¡± Ha ha ...¡± Someoneughed and it was the shopkeeper Mei of Juxiangzhai. Shopkeeper Mei sneered: ¡± Who does not know that President Lu and shopkeeper Ye have a deep friendship.¡±


    The eyes were extremely frivolous and ambiguous.


    This was ulterior motives!


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s face sank.


    Ye Jiayao was also angry, but she still tried her best to control her emotions and smiled.


    Duan Qilin couldn¡¯t hear any more and said, ¡± This has nothing to do with friendship, and with care or not care. With the skill of Shopkeeper Ye, she can cultivate a chef herself. Zhong Xiang is a good example, but Shopkeeper Ye is willing to pay and contribute, work hard in vocational education and not hide anything, unlike some people, hiding anything for fear that his skill will be learned and he will not have any food to eat.¡±


    ¡± This kind of sarcasm is needless to say, so as to save people fromughing and being generous,¡± Duan Qilin said impolitely.


    Shopkeeper Mei was puzzled: ¡± Did I say anything? I didn¡¯t say anything!¡±


    Shopkeeper Du also sneered, ¡± No matter what has been said, some people just don¡¯t want to pay and want to stay out of the way. Ok, don¡¯t pay if you don¡¯t want to! It doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t want to take part in all the activities of the Chamber of Commerce in the future. I don¡¯t want toe out when the Chamber of Commerce needs it, and I don¡¯t want to touch it when there is benefit.¡±


    ¡± Shopkeeper Du, don¡¯t be so blunt when you talk. Aren¡¯t we discussing this?¡± Zheng Sanduo said slowly.


    Ye Jiayao understood why Zheng Sanduo¡¯s gang came at her today, she smiled and said with a high profile, ¡± Are you discussing it?Seems to be clearing me up! It¡¯s all right. I¡¯m all ears to hear what¡¯s wrong with it.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Ye, no matter what other people said, I Liu support you. Thanks to your idea, we got a lot of benefits from thest Food Festival. As for those who only know about farting or sour farting, it is not my Liu who looks down on him, but he is not enough to look at it.¡± Shopkeeper Liu spoke strongly.


    ¡± That is, Shopkeeper Ye, I¡¯m also supporting you ...¡±


    ¡± Shopkeeper Ye, don¡¯t care a viin.¡±


    At that time, most people fell to Ye Jiayao¡¯s side.


    Shopkeeper Mei¡¯s face was not very good ¨C looking, but he did not dare to speak out again, causing public anger.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Thank you very much for your support, or that sentence, the Chamber of Commerce belongs to everyone, and the business of the Chamber of Commerce is everyone¡¯s business. As long as everyone works together, nothing is a problem.¡±


    Lu Xiaotian didn¡¯t want to continue the argument and said, ¡± Then let¡¯s vote. Who agree to use the membership fee of the Chamber of Commerce topensate for the training course, raise your hand and show your attitude.¡±


    For this while, arge number of people raised their hands. Zheng Sanduo¡¯s men looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and raised their hands one after another.


    The general trend of the times was that it was no use for them to insist on it, but rather to be a good man.


    Lu Xiaotian¡¯s eyes were swept again and he said, ¡± Since all the votes passed, that¡¯s it. How much money was spent, the Shopkeeper Duan will set up the ounts and announce them to the public.¡±


    That¡¯s how it was settled. After the meeting, Lu Xiaotian left first. Lin Changchun and Ye Jiayao walked together and whispered, ¡± I think the things were exactly caused by those people.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a nd smile, ¡± If you don¡¯t know what to do, wait, and the truth wille out sooner orter.¡±


    She had no doubt about Zhao Qixuan¡¯s ability to handle affairs. Unless she made a mistake, this behind-the-scenes person should not be stupid enough to use his own people to do bad things, and it was easy to find out.


    ¡± Look at the gang, it¡¯s estimated that they¡¯ll gather together to discuss the matter.¡± The shopkeeper Lin made signal with his lips.


    Ye Jiayao looked up and saw Zheng Sanduo and even Shopkeeper Mei whispering, and then got into their carriages respectively.


    ¡± Let them discuss and see what else they can do.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice was cold and cold.


    Fuck, couldn¡¯t endure who even toldabout Lu Xiaotian and her.


    Changchun said, ¡± I¡¯ll send someone to follow them.¡±


    Sure enough, as Lin Changchun expected, the three carriages arrived at a teahouse, the three men alighted, asked for an elegant seat and started plotting.


    ¡± People have been arranged?¡± Zheng Sanduo asked.


    ¡± They have already been given money to leave Jinling to avoid the limelight. Don¡¯t worry. Although these people are gangsters, they are all giving out notes on the road, taking money and eliminating disaster for others, or else they will not get mixed up,¡± Mei said.


    ¡± Well, don¡¯t let government officials find it.¡± Zheng Sanduo urged.


    ¡± I¡¯m not afraid to find it. I didn¡¯te forward personally. I sent a reliable person to do it and couldn¡¯t find us,¡± Mei said.


    Shopkeeper Lian sighed, ¡± It¡¯s a pity that the arson was discovered and several were not burned. Otherwise, we can use Lu Xiaotian and others of mismanagement today.¡±


    The three men were pitiful. Zheng Sanduo said, ¡± This time they are deadly. Come slowly. Let¡¯s have fun with them. However, we should not forget that our main goal was Ye Jinxuan. The existence of this woman is the biggest obstacle. As long as Ye Jinxuan is defeated, Lu Xiaotian is not enough to afraid.¡±


    ¡± This is difficult. Look at Duan Qilin and Lin Changhun and Shopkeeper Du. They are quite obedient to Ye Jinxuan and other members. Ye Jinxuan is now regarded as a god of fortune and is very fawning.¡± Shopkeeper Mei was annoyed and said that he was attacked by everyone just now in the Chamber of Commerce, thinking that made him going to vomit blood.


    ¡± Moreover, the management of Heavenly Residence is tight, and there is no chance to start. The dessert house is even more difficult for ordinary people to enter, and the pastry house is not easy to tamper with,¡± Shopkeeper Lian said.


    ¡± There will always be opportunities, and everyone will be patient. What¡¯s more, there is support behind us,¡± Zheng Sanduoforted.


    Shopkeeper Mei and Shopkeeper Lian heard the speech, looked firm for a few minutes. Although they didn¡¯t know who was behind Zheng Sanduo¡¯s finger, Zheng Sanduo dared to face Ye Jinxuan, presumably the backstage must be very hard. Ye Jinxuan was not only the shopkeeper in Heavenly Residence, but also the vice president of the Catering Chamber of Commerce. Her most frightening identity is the second youngest daughter of Jing ¡®an marquis house.


    At this time, Zhao Qixuan saw guests in the room. The neer was the local strongman of Jinling . It was said that he was the leader of the road, and all parties wanted to give him face.


    ¡± I already know who the arsonist is. Several gangsters under Wang Laohu, the leader of whom is the dog left son with a long face, have always been whispering together these days and even disappearedst night. They hurried home this morning to say they are leaving Jinling for a few days. Now they have gone out of town and are missing,¡± said Jiuye.


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s heavy eyebrows screwed up: ¡± Is there any way to catch them?¡±


    Jiuye mused, ¡± It is sure that they will be catch. Even if they take some money, they will spend it in a few days. Their homes are all in Jinling, and it is impossible not toe back. Wang Laowu has said that he will not show any partiality. I also sent someone to watch them. As soon as they appear, they will catch them.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s eyebrows loosened. The monk could run, the temple can¡¯t run, since the temple has found, was it necessary to still worry about catching no one? Sooner orter.


    ¡± This will trouble you Jiuye, or I can¡¯t exin it to my friends,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    ¡± MarsterZhao rest assured that your business is my Jiuye¡¯s business, and your friend is myJiuye¡¯s friend.¡± Jiuye said in a sincere way.


    Zhao Qixuan said with a smile, ¡°I must thank you very much for your kindness in handling this matter.¡±


    Jiuye alsoughed: ¡± Zhao must not say thank you to me, isn¡¯t it bury me?¡±


    The two men smiled knowingly.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡± There¡¯s one more thing I want to trouble Jiuye.¡±


    ¡± You say.¡±


    ¡± My friend is the shopkeeper who lives in Heavenly Residence. Recently someone tried to find her trouble, but I was injured and inconvenient. Please help me to keep an eye on the suspicious person.¡±


    Hearing it was the shopkeeper in Heavenly Residence Jiuye was surprised and said, ¡± It turned out to be Shopkeeper Ye, that¡¯s all the more so. I also admire this woman very much. Her story of fighting bandits in ck Wind Ridge alone makes all the brothers in the gang admire her very much. Master Zhao, I remember it and guarantee her safety.¡±


    Zhao Qixuanughed heartily and also fought bandits intelligently. Was there any rumor that Ye Jinxuan still hadthree heads and six arms?


    ¡± All right, I¡¯ll be relieved if you say this. When it¡¯s over, I¡¯ll ask her to buy you a drink.¡±


    ¡± I dare not,¡± said Jiuye wryly, ¡± she was the seconddy in Jing ¡®an marquis house and Heir-son Lord was famous for his name, it was just a piece of case.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan had his own n. He and Susu were going to leave Jinling in the final. What would happen in the future is unpredictable. Chunyu was a gentleman and did not deal with people on the road, but sometimes these people could be of great use. Ye Jinxuan was also a female hero and a generous handout spirit. If Ye Jinxuan could have a connection with Jiuye, maybe it would be useful in the future.


    ¡± You don¡¯t look down upon Shopkeeper Ye, although she was the seconddy in Jing ¡®an marquis house, she had a chivalrous heart. She would be willing to make friends like you. Another day, I would make an appointment. Let¡¯s meet together!¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Jiuye smiled and did not refuse. he was very interested in seeing this woman.

 Chapter 332 - The party

    <h4>Chapter 332: The party</h4>


    Ye Jiayao got the news from Zhao Qixuan that the arsonist had been found, but he was no longer in Jinling City, and Zhao Qixuan said he would catch him one day.


    Ye Jiayao was pleased to find the suspect so soon. Although no one caught him, she did not mind waiting a few more days because she had at least a specific goal and direction.


    The post-disaster reconstruction of the training course had already started, and it was estimated that overtime work would not start again until yearster. In addition, the follow-up effect of the food festival was still there. Heavenly Residence and dessert house were very busy. Cui Dongpeng and Jiang Youli coulde back for great use.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s focus of work was also on Heavenly Residence. On this day, Housekeeper Zhao came and said that the courtyard of the farm had beenpletelypleted and asked her to go to check and ept it. If there was no ce to revise, the workers could all go back.


    No time like the present, and it happened to be beautiful and sunny today. It was good to go out. Ye Jiayao was preparing to go out, but Little Lu reported that Heir-son Lord of Yongning marquis came.


    Ye Jiayao was happy, and she wondered if those arsonists had been found?


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s arm was still hung. Ye Jiayao saw it and somehow was moved. He was really a true friend! Although he didn¡¯t recovered fully, he was busy dealing with her affairs.


    She was thinking whether to say something good first or to cut to the chase.


    She heard Zhao Qixuan said, ¡± Yaoyao, what about today when you have said you will treat me to dessert? I have had a hard time sneaking out.¡±


    Uh ... your was thinking about dessert.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Won¡¯t you inform me first? I may as well call someone to go out and put up ¡°close¡± sign today. I can¡¯t change the n to close the shop. Besides, I¡¯m going to check and ept the house on the farm now!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan beamed with delight when he heard this: ¡± What house? The scenery near your farm is good. Do you build another courtyard?¡±


    The courtyard was built after Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi went to the south, but this guy guessed right.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and said, ¡± Yes, it has been designed by Master Jiren.¡±


    ¡± Wow, then I should go to see, and give you some advice,¡± he was very interested and said.


    Ye Jiayao guessed that Zhao Qixuan was too bored at home and wanted toe out and rx. As for the eptance, it was better to have one more person to consider, then she said: ¡± Good! However, the distance is a little far, the ride is still bumpy, do you feelfortable?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan straightened his spine and said disapprovingly, ¡± It¡¯s a matter to have such a small hole? Don¡¯t say riding, even riding a horse I also have no problem. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Well, let¡¯s go together!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan stopped when he got into the carriage and smiled, ¡± I want to call Susu. She¡¯s the most particr about courts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and knew that he just wanted to find a chance to see Susu. In view of Zhao Qixuan¡¯s hard work to help her solve the problem, she didn¡¯t mind giving him an excuse.


    ¡± Well, you call Susu.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan beamed: ¡± You go first. I¡¯ll call Susu andeter. Anyway, I know where your farm is. By the way, can you cook there? It is better to order more dishes and alcohol.¡±


    These were all small things. Ye Jiayao set out first.


    At the farm, Ye Jiayao almost didn¡¯t recognize the ce. It was a big change.White walls and ck tiles, the standard Huizhou style of architecture, stood in the water andnd fields, and appeared somewhat bolder in the sunny days.


    Not in a hurry to visit the courtyard, Ye Jiayao told Zhu Wang¡¯s wife and sister inw Jiang to prepare some food and drink, and then looked at the bills sent by Housekeeper Bai.


    About how much money was spent, she had a number in her heart because she handed it to Chunyu of more than two hundred and twenty thousand pieces of silver.


    She hadn¡¯t finished bills yet. Hearing the sound of a carriage outside, Housekeeper Zhao let people in. Ye Jiayao was dumbfounded, didn¡¯t he say to call Susu? Why were Little Jing and Chunfeng here?


    Zhao Qixuan said with a smile: ¡°It¡¯s lively to have more people, and it happens that they two are avable, so they areing together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wasn¡¯t afraid so many people, but she was too surprised. People used to get together all the time. How long had it been since they got togetherst time, and she was also very happy and said: ¡± Juste in, wee.¡±


    She told Qiao Xi to tell aunt Jiang to prepare more dishes.


    Five people began to visit the courtyard together.


    In front of the garden was a three-in-one courtyard, which was fairly modest and had the beauty behind it. Arge garden, pavilions, rockery and grotesque stones, winding water and corridors, and gardens with vegetable as well as?not only graceful but also elegant gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, there were leisure and graceful scenery in the countryside. Such abination did not seem abrupt at all, but was unique.


    Su Yi visited the whole courtyard and gave ament ... a human garden.


    Little Jing smiled: ¡± Master Jiren¡¯s handwriting always has surprises.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said that you didn¡¯t know the really mysterious ce. It was a secret chamber carefully designed by an expert.


    Zhao Qixuan shouted: ¡°I adore this ce very much, Yaoyao, please lend me this ce a few days and I¡¯ll recover from my injuries soon.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± I don¡¯t mind if your mother agrees.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan had the effrontery to say, ¡°You can talk to my mother, saying that you have kindly invited me toe here for medical treatment.¡±


    Ha, it was kind of you, but I wouldn¡¯t be bothering.


    Su Yi nced at him. Zhao Qixuan murmured, ¡± Can¡¯t you be gentle with me? I¡¯m injured!¡±


    Su Yi said ndly: ¡± Do you still know that you are a wound number?¡±


    Someone immediately became honest.


    Everyone couldn¡¯t helpughing. Everything had its vanquisher. Zhao Qixuan was crafty like a loach, only Su Yi could control him.


    Today, when the sun was warm, the table was set in the open courtyard, with square tables, bamboo chairs and Qiao Xi was afraid that the chairs were too ice, so she also put soft cushions on the chairs. It had something of farmhouse fun.


    On the table, Su yi confiscated the ss in front of Zhao Qixuan and asked Qiao Xi to exchange for a cup of tea.


    Zhao Qixuan dared not say anything in anger and looked sadly at the alcohol in front of others and stared at the tea in front of him.


    He pursed his lips to Ye Jiayao, but Ye Jiayao just pretended not seeing him. He winked to Little Jing, but Little Jing just turned to talk with Chunfeng. Chunfeng didn¡¯t even lift his eyelids at all,pletely blocking the signal from Zhao Qixuan.


    Everyone knew that Su Yi was for Zhao Qixuan¡¯s good health. He was injured and unfit for drinking.


    Zhao Qixuan gnashed his teeth: ¡± You guys are not helpful.¡±


    He bitterly picked up the cup and tried to drink, but the hot tea was too hot to burn his?tongue.


    Ye Jiayao also wanted to care about it. Su Yi stopped her with a look. No one cared more about Zhao Qixuan than Su Yi, so she wouldn¡¯t worry about it.


    Zhao Qixuan saw that it was no use tossing and turning, so he had to give up, munching on food and opening up a lively atmosphere.


    ¡± Little Jing, you and?Su Yuanyuan really have some affairs?¡±


    The corner of his mouth twitched and a blush arose from his face.


    ¡± Hey! Su Yuanyuan is not bad. Although it is not as good as Liu Yiyi, but she is still white, tender and watery. ¡± Zhao Qixuan continued to amuse Little Jing.


    Little Jing blushed and said angrily: ¡°So much food even cannot block your mouth.¡±


    ¡± Oh, it doesn¡¯t matter to say. I¡¯d better help your to consider. ¡± Zhao Qixuan wanted to tease him even more when he blushed.


    Ye Jiayao knew that Little Jing had nothing to do with Su Yuanyuan, but making smoke bombs. She was determined to rescue Little Jing.


    ¡± Hey, I¡¯m a good woman sitting here. What kind of prostitutes are you talking about?¡±


    ¡± That is, don¡¯t look at any asions.¡± Little Jing took the opportunity to criticize.


    Zhao Qixuan was passive and turned to Chunfeng to talk.


    ¡± Chunfeng, only for half a year sincest meet, howe you are so silent now, even don¡¯t talk.¡±


    Chunfeng sipped his apricot blossom vige with a helpless smile: ¡± Just listen to what you said.¡±


    Su Yi kicked Zhao Qixuan under the table. Even a fool could tell that Chunfeng was unhappy in marriage. Of course, she heard her sister-inw say something, as if it was caused by the discord between Liuli and Ye Jinxuan that Chunfeng should move out. This guy always touched the soft pot.


    Who knew, there were many people who wanted to kick him, and three feet kicked Zhao Qixuan almost at the same time.


    Zhao Qixuan was kicked and immediately cried out, ¡± Who kicks me?¡±


    On the scene, the three persons looked normal, drinking and eating vegetables, and no one spoke to him.


    Zhao Qixuan glumly looked at this and then at that. Just now, he was kicked like a storm. What did he say wrong? The opinion was so severe?


    Seeing Zhao Qixuan being kicked, Chunfeng was somewhat sorry, and Zhao Qixuan was also concerned about him. They hadn¡¯t been together for a long time, and they would have fewer days together in the future. It was really disturbing that he was so distressed. Chunfeng said: ¡± In fact, it¡¯s also good now. You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡±


    Little Jing raised his ss and motioned, ¡± It¡¯s good to get over it. If you don¡¯t get rid of it, it won¡¯t do you any good.¡±


    Su Yi also raised her ss: ¡± If you are tired of staying in Jinling, you can go out for a walk and go to the south, where the folkway is simple and the scenery is beautiful. By the way, you can visit the property we have bought for you.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng had a conation, but it was not the time yet, said slightly: ¡± Wait for free time!¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s nervous system soon forgot about being kicked by the crowd and said with a smile: ¡± Be sure toe. I promise you will like the ce. The girls over there are simple and enthusiastic. When the timees, my brother will introduce you to the daughter of a tribal chief, to your satisfaction.¡±


    The words didn¡¯t finish, but?he got a second kick.


    This time Su Yi did not hide, but looked at his eyes with a faint threat: ¡± Do you also want to find one?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan hurriedly said with a smiling face: ¡± What am I looking for? I¡¯m not interested in women, you know. ¡±


    Everyone understood andughed.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± Find a chance to travel together and make a long journey.¡±


    Little Jing immediately chimed in: ¡± I support with both hands, travel all the way to the mountains and waters, and tread all the great rivers and mountains in Huai Song.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan liked to be busy most. He said excitedly, ¡± If you talk, you have to count your words. Susu and I are waiting for you there. Come on, let¡¯s have a toast to this agreement.¡±


    Ding ding ding....


    There was a faint bell,?Su Yi listened attentively, her face suddenly changed greatly.


    Little Jing was also tense.


    Ye Jiayao did not know what had happened and was puzzled: ¡± What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Chunfeng put down his ss and said with awe, ¡± This is the clock in the pce, which can spread for ten miles and cannot be sounded easily, otherwise there is a big event in the pce.¡±

 Chapter 333 - Mourners

    <h4>Chapter 333: Mourners</h4>


    The five persons hurried up and returned to the city to find out the queen mother¡¯s demise.


    The crowd was frightened. It was too sudden. Didn¡¯t it say that the condition had improved? How did ite so quick?


    Susu said decisively, ¡± Let¡¯s go back to the pce first. It is estimated that there is already a will in the pce.¡±


    Everyone returned home without objection.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao arrived at marquis house, she saw Housekeeper Zhong directing the servants to take off the rednterns and put on the white ones, all wearing white cloth strips on their waists.


    When Ye Jiayao came back, Housekeeper Zhong rushed up to meet her, looking anxious: ¡± Seconddy, Xiangtao has already taken people to look for you, and there is a decree from the pce asking us to go to the pce to mourn.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± You send someone to send a message to the marquis and his wife at once. The queen mother was greatly bereaved. What else should we do and what system to follow? If you don¡¯t know, go to Helian Mansion and ask for suggestion. There must be no mistake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had not experienced such a big scene and had no clue, but this time she couldn¡¯t give others a chance to me her, and she could only ask for advice from Helian Mansion.


    Housekeeper Zhong said, ¡± When the previous emperor dies, I¡¯m on duty in the house. I know well about the conventions.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was pleased: ¡± That¡¯s good. I¡¯ll give it to you first.¡±


    The marquis and You were absent, Chunyu was also absent, and the eldest sister-inw was pregnant. She was on behalf of marquis house, so she must go to the pce to mourn.


    The needlework room delivered the gown in time, and Ye Jiayao changed the gown and headed for the pce.


    There were many carriages parked outside the pce gate, and servants from various provinces were waiting. Unexpectedly, Ye Jiayao met a familiar face among the maids.


    It was Little Ya.


    Uh ... Little Ya was sold, wasn¡¯t she? She also looked for Little Ya, but she didn¡¯t find her.


    Little Ya also saw her and came up to her and bowed her knees.


    ¡± Seconddy.¡±


    ¡± Little Ya, you are ...¡± Ye Jiayao suspected Little Ya had returned to Liuli.


    Little Ya said, ¡± I still serve the thirddy.¡±


    Oh, Ye Jiayao nodded clearly. No wonder she couldn¡¯t find her. She was found first by Liuli. However, she hadn¡¯t heard Little Ya in the Seventh mansion in recent months, even recently.


    Qiao Xi was also left behind, with eunuchs leading the way at the pce gate. Ye Jiayao was among the women who came to mourn.


    By the time she arrived, it was already full of people. Ye Jiayao saw Zhu in the crowd and went to Zhu¡¯s side.


    ¡± Why so suddenly?¡± Ye Jiayao asked in a low voice.


    Zhu shook her head and said, ¡± I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s our turn to go inter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had to stand with Zhou and wait.


    Soon the name was called, Ye Jiayao and Zhu entered the hall together.


    Looking around, Crown Prince, Prince Yu and other princes knelt in front of the spirit. The ancestress, Princess Yide, Yongning marquis¡¯s wife, Crown Princess, Ayuan, Liuli and others were also there, with red and swollen eyes and sad faces. Ye Jiayao had no affection for the queen mother and was really not sad, but she had to do something to mourn.


    After waves of people came in to mourn, those with lower status were taken out, the rest, listening to the instructions of the chambein, knelt down ... worshiped ... cried...


    Therefore, the hall was crying like a sheet, and that momentum almost overturned the roof.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the people around her with some horror, one by one, all catching up with the performance troupe. The eyes, like the tap switch, started to drip tears, and they howled like a giant earth ¨C shattering.


    After thinking that she could not fall to others, Ye Jiayao also howled several times and thought it would be enough to cry for a while. As a result, this howling was only half an hour, and several of them cried so badly that they fainted in the middle and were helped down by the chambein.


    Ye Jiayao felt that if she continued to cry, her brain would be starved of oxygen. She didn¡¯t know that mourning was also a hard work. She had to stop for a while and then cry out a voice from time to time. Several times she almost scared Zhu, making Ye Jiayao embarrassed.


    At the end of the round, the chambein took everyone to the temple to rest.


    Ye Jiayao saw that everyone¡¯s face was pale and they could not walk steadily. This time, she consumed a lot of energy. As soon as she got to the temple, everyone was lying in the chair and did not even want to say anything.


    Zhu worried about her mother-inw and went to serve her.


    Ye Jiayao was also worried that the ancestress could not stand it, so she went to see her.


    The ancestress was in low spirits. She only nodded and sighed from time to time when she saw Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao could understand the old ancestress¡¯s mood when she saw her contemporaries died, it was hard to avoid mncholy to see life and death again. In addition, the queen mother was the biggest reliance in everyone¡¯s interest circle. Now without this support, who knew what would happen in the future.


    However, the person was already dead, it was no use worrying about. One would find a way in the end. Just go ahead and find the way!


    Ye Jiayao went to ask the chambein for two cups of tea. When she passed by Ayuan and Crown Princess, everyone could only say ¡± hello.¡± Liuli sat still, and did not know what was going on. She did not seem to see her, and Ye Jiayao was toozy to ignore her.


    The old ancestress took the tea and held it in her hand but did not drink it.


    Yide drank two drinks to moisten her voice, but because she cried too much, her voice was still hoarse: ¡± Do you get a message from your mother ¨C in ¨Cw?¡±


    ¡± It has already been spread, but Hangzhou is far away, even for many days.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡± Maybe the government is quick to report it,¡± Yide sighed.


    Ye Jiayao understood that the death of queen mother was a national funeral and the whole country should be filial. Even the spring festival would be deserted.


    Yide slowed down and said, ¡± If your mother-inw is not there, only you can do the funeral. If you don¡¯t understand anything, ask me, don¡¯t go wrong.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded her head and thanked her. Now her every move represented Jing ¡®an marquis house. Dozens of pairs of eyes were watching her. If anything went wrong, she would be branded as unfilial and disrespectful and couldn¡¯t bear the usation.


    When everyone had enough rest, the chambein came to summon everyone to cry.


    After three trips back and forth, Ye Jiayao was almost too much for her life. It was said that such mourning wouldst for three days, and it suddenly seemed to copse.


    At the time of leaving the pce, it was getting dark. Ye Jiayao sent her ancestress back first. Prince Yide wanted to stay up by the coffin and she met Little Jing and Su Yi at the gate of the pce.


    ¡± You¡¯re tired, too,¡± said the old ancestress. ¡± Go back first, and you also should enter the pce tomorrow at five.¡±


    Ye Jiayao did not insist on the arduous task and told Little Jing to take good care of his ancestress.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, you also pay attention to your body and rest more,¡± said Little Jing.


    As he spoke, his eyes drifted to the distance. Ye Jiayao followed his eyes and saw Ayuan and Crown Princessing together.


    While watching the scene, Ye Jiayao urged him: ¡± Ancestress has already got on the bus. You must go!¡±


    It was not that she was unkind and didn¡¯t let Little Jing see for a while. Since Ayuan¡¯s marriage, it was rare to go out. Little Jing never had a chance to see Ayuan at all. But it was really a talkative ce. If people saw anything fishy, it was not good.


    Little Jing hastily withdrew his eyes, lowered his head and turned away.


    Crown Princess and Ayuan saw Ye Jiayao and they came along together.


    Ye Jiayao saluted the two and the Crown Princess said, ¡± I¡¯m going back, too. Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dazed for a moment. The Crown Prince¡¯ mansion was not the same direction as Jing ¡®an marquis house.


    But since Crown Princess said so, Ye Jiayao could not refuse. She looked at Ayuan and Ayuan nodded at her.


    Ayuan watched the two leave and never looked back for a long time, because there was not only elder sister Yao in that direction, but also someone who was in her dream.


    She had already seen Little Jing and saw him looking at her, but now it was too far even to look at him. She could only look at the back from a distance in the name of seeing elder sister Yao.


    ¡± Princess, it¡¯s time for us to return,¡± whispered Aman.


    Ayuan sighed silently and turned to her carriage.


    Ye Jiayao and Crown Princess were sitting in the same carriage, and her own carriage followed slowly.


    Her mind was veryplicated, specting on the intention of Crown Princess to invite her to ride with her. Didn¡¯t she say she wanted to avert suspicion? Why did she want to make such a close move in front of so many people?


    The Crown Princess seemed to see through Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind and said with a smile, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. After all, we can¡¯t break up because of the suspicion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao embarrassed to say, ¡°Your majesty is joking.¡±


    Crown Princess smiled and said, ¡± It¡¯s the same to avoid everything. Why bother your? You and I haven¡¯t talked well for some time. I haven¡¯t been to your dessert house yet. I take a gold card for nothing.¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s not that. Crown Princess is willing to join the club, which will bring many benefits us,¡± Ye Jiayao said politely.


    ¡± I¡¯d like to give you more benefits, but the present situation is not allowed, wait for the future!¡± Crown Princess said.


    Ye Jiayao wondered, was this the promise of her? As long as she, no, was the whole Jing ¡®an marquis house on her side, so when Crown Prince became king in the future, she would be queen, and naturally would not mistreat Jing ¡®an marquis house, was that what she meant?


    In fact, Crown Princess should know their hearts that Chunyu was already on Crown Prince¡¯s side, and the future master of Jing ¡®an marquis house had chosen the camp. There was really no need for her to say this.


    Or Crown Princess were worried about her rtionship with Ayuan. Her feelings with Ayuan were well known. So, she deliberately invited her to go with her in front of Ayuan to let her to see all.


    ¡± During the period of Crown Prince¡¯s house arrest, Crown Prince¡¯s mansion is like a icy house. You are the only one who still cares about me and the grandson. You send some delicious food every three to five times. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Jinxuan, you are still the former Jinxuan. I will remember this feeling,¡± added Crown Princess.


    To tell the truth, Ye Jiayao was fond of her and thought she was kind and friendly. Of course, she dare not treat her as friends. Of course, her kindness to Crown Princess was not pure, so she said so, making her blush.


    She thought more than once about what she would do if Ayuan came to ask her to help Prince Yu one day.This problem had given her a headache, but she knew exactly how she should choose. She was from Jing ¡®an marquis house, and her position must be consistent with Chunyu¡¯s.

 Chapter 334 - Little Ya’s hint

    <h4>Chapter 334: Little Ya¡¯s hint</h4>


    It didn¡¯t matter for whatever purpose the Crown Princess was doing today. They were already grasshoppers on one rope and people on one boat, and they could only be in the same boat and had no way out.


    At the end of the journey to the Prince¡¯s Mansion, Crown Princess said in a low voice, ¡°Be careful of Yongning marquis mansion and Zhao Liuli.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was a little bit confuse. She could understand the reason of being careful with Zhao Liuli. Liuli was now very close with King Yu¡¯concubine Lin. For Liuli, Prince and King Yu were all her cousins, and no one was close to each other. However, everyone thought that she was the queen mother¡¯s favorite granddaughter. The queen mother was on the side of the prince and took it for granted that Liuli also supported the prince.


    In fact, in addition to the queen mother, there were many people who had opinions on Liuli in the pce. For example, the queen¡¯s kindness to Liuli was just to show to the queen mother. The queen¡¯s own daughter, Jinghe princess, had to marry to west Mongolia because of Liuli. This life was rare to see each other again. In exchange, she also hated Liuli.


    In addition, Liuli had no sense of right and wrong and her position was unstable. At this time, whoever woos her was likely to fall to which side.


    The problem was that Liuli had no good quality to be drawn in. Therefore, no one on the prince¡¯s side showed special friendliness and closeness to Liuli from top to bottom. However, this person was of no use but had some destructive power. A mouse excrement could break a whole pot of porridge, so it was a problem.


    As for Yongning marquis mansion, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t quite understand it. Yongning Lord and Jing¡¯an Lord were two daredevils of this dynasty. Their political stance looked clear and they were loyal to the emperor only. In fact, everyone couldn¡¯t fathom it. Crown Princess won¡¯t say this for no reason at all. Was it what Yongning Lord did to show his heart? Standing at King Yu¡¯s side? If this was the case, Zhao Qixuan helped to y a drama of assassination and rescue this time, was it opposite to Yongning Lord? Didn¡¯t Zhao Qixuan know his father¡¯s attitude?


    In an instant, many thoughts came to her mind, and when she recovered, Crown Princess had already gone to the mansion.


    Ye Jiayao seemed to have pressed a stone in her heart, which was heavy and made her couldn¡¯t breathe. The current situation was changing; maybe everyone had to face the problem of choosing and being chosen.


    On her carriage, Qiao Xi took a cloak and covered her leg.


    ¡°Seconddy, me and Little Ya stood together before, Little Ya said something to me.¡± Qiao Xi said.


    Ye Jiayao asked absently, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Nothing specifically, she just asked me to tell you that thirddy has recentlye closer to some restaurant ¨C makers.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was surprised: ¡°what did you say?¡±


    Qiao Xi repeated Little Ya¡¯s words again.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind was full of crackles, and soon she had a clear idea like moving clouds to see the moon.


    Little Ya purposely asked Qiao Xi to spread the news, not without a target, but to suggest that Liuli had reached out to her career.


    It was no wonder that Zheng Sanduo and others shouted at her in the chamber ofmerce, with the aim of provoking people¡¯s dissatisfaction with her and thus weakening her influence in the chamber ofmerce. Shopkeeper Mei even talked about her and Lu Xiaotian. No one outside knew about thest fake letter except her family, and she was almost certain that the so-called closer person was Zheng Sanduo.


    Just, food festival trouble, training ss was burned by fire was also the gang did? Or was it inspired by Liuli?


    Ye Jiayao was livid and angry. She couldn¡¯t help but want to burst into a rude phrase ... Zhao Liuli, you fucking bitch.


    After conspiring against each other again and again, didn¡¯t you fucking satisfied yet?


    If let her find out, all the previous ones were directed by Zhao Liuli, she would definitely not spare her, chunfeng had been downright disappointed with Liuli anyway, and had maintained the marriage with difficulty, without worrying about chunfeng¡¯s feelings, perhaps, it could also help chunfeng to extricate herself. Anyway, the queen mother was gone, who could protect her again? Depend on King Yu? Ha ha, King Yu was not so capable now.


    In a word, she would not relent any more. She would sweep away the fallen leaves like autumn wind and show no mercy to the enemy.


    When she returned to marquis mansion, the concierge reported that Zhong Xiang hade and had been waiting for her at Uncle Jiang¡¯s ce for several hours.


    Although Ye Jiayao was exhausted and tired, Zhong Xiang must had something to do when he came to see her, so she had to cheer up and call Zhong Xiang to see her.


    Jiang Yue came together, and they stood together. They were quite brilliant and beautiful.


    Well, if it weren¡¯t for the sudden demise of the queen mother, they would have married at the end of the year, and now they could only drag back, at least until after the national funeral. The ancient funeral system was extremely strict, and she learned some only today. During the national funeral, people were not allowed to marry, and the whole country mourned.


    ¡°Seconddy, today the court had issued a ban on banquets and entertainment during the national mourning period. From this afternoon, there were no guests in the Heavenly Residence, and the pastry shop had a very light business. It was estimated that this would be the case next time. Therefore, my fellows asked me to ask for a show.¡± Zhong Xiang said.


    Ye Jiayao said thoughtfully, ¡°This is no way out. Everyone is the same. You go back to arrange for the Heavenly Residence and Dessert House to close down first until the government lifts the ban and tells the guests that the coupons they have are still valid until the ban is lifted.¡±


    This was caused by force majeure, and she would not let the guests suffer losses.


    ¡°As for the pastry shop, still open first and do as much as they can. Also, you ask your fellows what they want. If everyone wants to go home and rest now, let everyone go back, I will pay wages and year-end bonuses in advance, but I have an idea that it¡¯s rare for everyone to have such a long holiday now and can use it to improve their cooking skills. You and Wang Mingde will teach them. During this period, the wages will be paid as usual. You and Wang Mingde will work harder and I will calcte wages separately.¡±Ye Jiayao said.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s eyes lit up: ¡°I think it¡¯s very good. Who wouldn¡¯t want to learn cooking and get paid? No one wants to go back. ¡±


    Jiang Yue said: ¡°If the pastry shop is also at leisure, I will also teach and train several pastry apprentices.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the decision. You go to arrange it and get a charter. I have no spare time these days. I can¡¯t help it.¡± Ye Jiayao was powerless when she thought of the terrible mourning.


    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll be right back to arrange it.¡±


    ¡°By the way, we should also pay attention to safety during the closing of the business. I¡¯m afraid that a series of recent events are directed at us. You should arrange people to keep watch every day and do a good job of fire prevention and theft prevention. Don¡¯t let small people take advantage of it.¡± Ye Jiayao recalled Little Ya¡¯s suggestion and had to be careful.


    Zhong Xiang¡¯s face slightly changed and he hesitated to say, ¡°These days, some gangsters have been wandering around Heavenly Residence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart thumped and her face sank and she said, ¡°It¡¯s even more important to watch and let all the brothers lift up their spirits to me. Once they make trouble, they must be caught.¡±


    Zhong Xiang promised that if the Heavenly Residence were also set on fire, the loss would be disastrous, and it would affect everyone¡¯s rice bowls. Naturally, it was duty-bound and prudent.


    Poor Ninth Lord took great pains to arrange this, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know it. She took the men who came to defend the Heavenly Residence as the ones who were going to destroy it.


    After the two men left, Ye Jiayao washed up and went to bed. Today, she almost copsed. At this time, she really wanted You or Chunyu to be here. This hostess of marquis house was not easy to be, not only to take care of the housework, but also to deal with so many things. Unfortunately, even if Youe back as soon as possible, it would take at least a month. Chunyu didn¡¯t even know in which mountain pimple he was, and there was not even a letter recently.


    Thinking about it, Ye Jiayao went to sleep in a daze.


    In the middle of the day, Ye Jiayao was woken up, got up,bed her hair, washed her face, put on her gown and went to the pce.


    Everyone arrived ahead of time, and no one dared to bete at this time. If you sleepte, you would be given a crime you can¡¯t afford.


    However, the ancestor didn¡¯te, heard that she was ill and went back yesterday and fell down. Ye Jiayao was very worried that a mountain had copsed and if the ancestor had something wrong. That was really a disaster.


    Yide was also very nervous, but she couldn¡¯t get out of here, so she had to send the people around her to take the imperial doctor back to look after the ancestors.


    With yesterday¡¯s experience, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t dare to cry with all her strength today. She cried her throat intermittently to save her strength. The men howled the women and took turns to battle anyway. The whole pce was filled with sorrow and sorrow, which made it even chillier.


    During the rest period, Ye Jiayao observed that concubine Shu had not appeared. Is she still grounded? Didn¡¯t even give the chance to mourn the queen mother?


    Yide princess said in a low voice, ¡°The queen mother had an imperial decree on her deathbed, so she won¡¯t let concubine Shue to mourn.¡±


    Er ... Ye Jiayao was startled. The queen mother put such a shackle on concubine Shu when she died. Not to mourn for the queen mother was tantamount to not recognizing her as a high-ranked imperial concubine, and it would make people think that concubine Shu had really done a big wrong thing and was punished by the queen mother. The blow to concubine Shu was really heavy. Even if concubine Shu turned over in the future, it would be a stain on her life and would be difficult to wash.


    Therefore, the battle in the pce, without the shadow of sword, was chilling in bloodshed.


    ¡°Not only that, even King Yu was not allowed toe, but the Emperor still allowed he toe, and this matter should not be publicized.¡± Yide princess added, her voice was so low that only Ye Jiayao could hear her.


    Ye Jiayao was dismayed. It seemed that the emperor would not give up King Yu. Even the queen mother¡¯sst decree was disobeyed.


    However, on second thought, you could understand the emperor¡¯s intentions. If King Yu couldn¡¯t came, he was very unfilial and the ancients attach the greatest importance to filial piety. It was impossible for such a person who was very unfilial to inherit the great power. It was not clear whether the emperor really values King Yu. Perhaps, the emperor just wanted a force that could contain the prince.

 Chapter 335 - Trap

    <h4>Chapter 335: Trap</h4>


    At noon everyone ate simple vegetarian dishes and took time to repose. Royal Princess Yide went to the queen, and A Ruan was not there. Ye Jiayao sat down with Qiao.


    The topic revolved was around Su Yi.


    ¡± The third uncle has made a contributionst time, and my father-inw has nned to let him take an official career. He also sets out to make a blind date for the third uncle, making him very annoyed. Now, the third uncle need not worry about it.¡± Qiao said.


    Ye Jiayao knew that during the national mourning period, Minister Su had to stop the idea to find a wife for Su Yi.


    ¡± In fact, I envy the third uncle very much. Being an official is not the only way out. Life is only a few decades away. It is more worthy to be able to do something you like and live the life you want,¡± Qiao said.


    Ye Jiayao deeply believed that she liked Qiao¡¯s open-minded outlook on life, or else she could not talk with her.


    Just then, a maid-in-waiting came up and saluted Ye Jiayao: ¡± Madam Xia, please the queen is finding you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at the maid-in-waiting and saw her face unfamiliar. However,?there were so many maids. She could not recognize many of them. She thought Royal Princess Yide was also at the Queen¡¯s. She was supposed to talk to her about something. She did not doubt, and went with her.


    The maid-in-waiting took her around seven and eight turns. Ye Jiayao was suspicious when she saw that it was not like the way to the Queen¡¯s Pce.


    ¡± The queen is not in Chaoyang Pce?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    The maid-in-waiting said, ¡± Not in the Chaoyang Pce, but in the front, we will arrive.¡±


    Ye Jiayao deliberately said, ¡± Will it be too long??Royal Princess is still waiting for me to go back!¡±


    The maid-in-waiting said, ¡°Royal Princess is with the queen.¡±


    Er ... Ye Jiayao listened to what she said, who looked calm, so she reassured her. Considering that it was not far from Ninghe Pce, she continued to follow the maid-in-waiting and came to a warm house.


    When she entered the house, she found no one inside. The maid-in-waiting said, ¡°Madam Xia will wait until the queen and Royal Princess arrive.¡±


    Then she went out.


    Ye Jiayao wondered if they had something important that was not convenient to say in Chaoyang Pce so that they deliberately found such a ce. However, there seemed to be something wrong, but it couldn¡¯t be said exactly where it was wrong.


    Looking at this warm house, the arrangement was simple, with a couch, a table, two chairs, a antique shelf and a bookshelf. Because of the funeral, the soft cushions on the couch and chair had all been changed into dignified navy.


    Suddenly she heard footsteps, and someone immediately pushed the door and came in.


    When Ye Jiayao saw, she was surprised and said, ¡°The Prince?¡±


    The prince looked up and saw Ye Jiayao, he was also surprised and puzzled: ¡± Why are you here?¡±


    ¡± The maid ¨C in ¨C waiting has brought me here, saying the queen is looking for me,¡± she said.


    The prince¡¯s eyes were fixed: ¡± This is the ce where I rest. Why does the queen summon you here?¡±?¡±


    After a while, the two persons¡¯ faces turned pale, their voices darkened, and there was a problem.


    Ye Jiayao said quickly, ¡± Then I¡¯ll go.¡±


    However, there were footsteps outside again, and the noisy footsteps showed there were many people.


    ¡± Father, you walk slowly ...¡±


    It was the voice of the fourth prince.


    The prince looked dignified: ¡± It¡¯s toote.¡±


    They were stuck inside, and it was the emperor who wasing.


    A man and a woman were together, especially during the funeral, it was such a dilemma.


    The pce was indeed an unpredictable ce, facing life and death at any time.


    Ye Jiayao looked around in panic and found there was no hiding ce. Did she jump through the window? If this was a trap, it was even more unclear if she was discovered.


    Ye Jiayao told herself not to mess up and be calm. She took a deep breath and thought about the countermeasures and said quickly, ¡°A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder, Your Royal Highness, I¡¯ll tell themter that you¡¯re looking for me to worry about the emperor¡¯s and queen¡¯s diet, knowing that I have a great friendship with Madam Rong, the first person in the vegetarian diet, and you want to invite Mrs. Rong.¡±


    Prince nodded, indeed, he could not escape and had nowhere to hide. If the emperor misunderstood, both of them would die. He adopted Ye Jiayao¡¯s suggestion.


    The two persons quickly separated. His Royal Highness sat in a chair and Ye Jiayao stood not far away.


    Footsteps outside stopped at the door.


    The prince said slowly, ¡± The queen mother has died, and the father and mother are so sad that they cannot eat and sleep well. How can they go on like this? I see it in my eyes, but I¡¯m anxious in my heart. I have to ask you to discuss it. I hear my wife say that you have a good rtionship with Madam Rong, who is known as the first person in the diet. Would you ask Madam Rong toe into the pce and help me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed, ¡± Your Royal Highness has a world of filial piety to learn from. I see the emperor¡¯s face gaunt and the empress has cried and fainted several times. ording to Royal Princess, the empress hasn¡¯t eaten food since yesterday, and I¡¯m also very worried. Since Your Royal Highness has said that, I¡¯ll go to ask Madam Rong, but after the training course has been burned by fire, Madam Rong seems to say that she wants to return to Yun ¡®an temple for a while, if she cannot, I will also be willing to help, and I can also make some dishes.¡±


    ¡± Ah ... if someone like you are in the kitchens, I will not have to worry about it.¡±


    ¡°You Highness also needs to take care of yourself.¡±


    ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter in this pce. The queen mother has always loved me, and I only hate myself for not doing more filial piety ...¡± The prince¡¯s voice choked up, tears in his eyes and true feelings were revealed.


    ¡± Your highness, pleasement!¡±


    The prince gave a wave of his hand: ¡±?Please give it to you. Try to keep a low profile and don¡¯t let the emperor know, otherwise the emperor will not agree.¡±


    ¡± I understand that the emperor is the model of the world. At this time, he must be very distressed. He wishes he is bitter, let alone think of eating better and wearing warmer clothes, but the emperor is also the king of a country. He has to be busy handling the affairs of the government when he is sad. How can he do without a good body?¡± Ye Jiayao was very sincere in kowtowing to the emperor.


    The prince¡¯s eyes showed approval and thought this Ye Jinxuan really had an exquisite heart.


    ¡± That¡¯s right, there¡¯s nothing else we can do to help. Those of us who are children and servants can only spend more time on these trivial matters,¡± the prince said.


    The two persons, echoed each other, cooperated very well.


    ¡± I¡¯m looking for you today. Please be sure to handle this matter,¡± the prince solemnly said.


    ¡°I obey.¡±


    The door was pushed open, and the emperor came in slowly. The fourth prince followed behind him, looking rather angry.


    The prince and Ye Jiayao were surprised in disguise and immediately bowed to the emperor.


    ¡± I¡¯ve seen my father ...¡±


    ¡°I have seen the emperor ...¡±


    The emperor nced at the two persons lightly, sat down at the gate, and said gently, ¡°Since you know I won¡¯t agree, don¡¯t be busy.¡±


    ¡± Please take care of the your body,¡± said the prince.


    The emperor looked at the prince with aplicated look. He had heard some bad rumors before. He was angry but heard such a touching dialogue. Did he really wronged the prince?


    ¡± The elder brother of the prince is also the same. It¡¯s just a small matter, and it¡¯s just like something gross,¡± said the fourth prince at leisure.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank, this was such a bad heart!


    ¡°The fourth younger brother is wrong. One meal is really a small matter for you and me, but the father is the backbone of the whole world. To say something unpleasant, you and I are not worthy of death, but the father cannot have any mishap.¡±


    The fourth prince was choked to find a word, but he quickly responded: ¡± Prince¡¯s brother is dutiful, but it¡¯s good to leave the matter to the crown princess, and so you don¡¯t need to take the matter personally? It is always not good to have a single man and a single woman in the same room.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t hold back and said coldly, ¡± The gentleman is magnanimous, the dog is long and the royal highness is worried about the health of the emperor¡¯s body and asks what¡¯s the matter? Those who say nice things and throw everything to others are somewhat insincere. I can¡¯t think of it, can¡¯t do it, and don¡¯t allow others to think about it? Can you?¡±


    Anyway, everyone knew that she had a violent temper, but if she tolerated it, it made people think she had something in her heart.


    The prince praised in his heart, she said so well, this had severely beaten the fourth prince.


    The emperor had some doubts, but he was relieved to hear what Ye Jiayao said. Ye Jinxuan and Chunyu fell in love with each other to the deep, and would not have any problems with the prince. It seemed that they were together for the sake of his body, so the expression of his eyes became much milder when he looked at the prince again.


    ¡°The fourth prince, I don¡¯t want to criticize you, but if you have half of the prince, I will have beenforted.¡± The emperor¡¯s tone was faintly full of disappointment and criticism.


    The fourth prince was frightened and did not dare to speak again, and stood nervously.


    The emperor added: ¡°The prince has filial piety, I¡¯m very happy, and prince¡¯s concerns are deeply felt by me. I know myself that this suffering can still be ovee. However, the queen¡¯s body is not good recently and she is so attentive and has overworked that she really needs to pay attention. So, Jinxuan, if she doesn¡¯te, you will have to take care of the queen¡¯s diet.¡±


    The prince and Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts. It seemed that the emperor had believed them, and the crisis had been gone through. It also gave the emperor extra credit for his impression of the prince. If the main messenger behind this knew, he would be irritated to death.


    Ye Jiayao saluted: ¡°I will obey and serve the Emperor and Empress well. It¡¯s a blessing for me. I bear the title of a kitchen, but I haven¡¯t made much efforts, I¡¯m really ashamed.¡±


    When the emperor heard this, he smiled slightly and pretended to be dignified. ¡± Isn¡¯t that right? How can you do nothing but benefit?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled.


    The emperor also said to the prince, ¡± I¡¯ve been busy with state affairs recently, and I¡¯m too busy to do anything. I¡¯ll leave the matter behind to you. You must do it properly.¡±


    The queen mother¡¯s funeral was a big event, the emperor was willing to give it to him, showing that he was willing to give him another chance.


    ¡± I¡¯m sure I won¡¯t dishonor you.¡± The prince solemnly promised.


    This was really a blessing in disguise!


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s look at the fourth prince was even worse.


    ¡± The emperor still have whatmand? I¡¯m willing to share the worries of the emperor. ¡± Ye Jiayao ttered.


    The emperor said slightly, ¡± You said yourself that if you can¡¯t do anything else, you will only cook food. You should do a good job in this matter, and I will give you credit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao curled her lips and thought that she could do so many things, and she was very capable.

 Chapter 336 - Go for wool and come back shorn

    <h4>Chapter 336: Go for wool ande back shorn</h4>


    Ye Jiayao returned to Ning He Pce, but before she entered the pce gate, she saw a pce mothse up and said in a panic, ¡± Madam Xia, the crown princess are looking for you everywhere! ¡±


    When the princess got the news, she asked, ¡± Where have you been? I looking for you everywhere. ¡±


    This was not the ce to talk. Ye Jiayao winked at thecrown princess. Thecrown princess understood and took Ye Jiayao directly to the queen.


    Princess Yide was also there. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ye Jiayaoe back safe and sound.


    ¡± I heard someone falsely imed that the queen¡¯s imperial decree had taken you away, but it scared everyone.¡± said Yide.After Ye Jiayao adjusting her mindfor a while,she told the truth of what had happened before.


    When the three women heard this, their faces were allturned pale.


    This tactic was very cruel. If the traitor seeds, the prince and Jing¡¯ an marquis house would be disgraced.


    Ye Jiayaoforted everyone: ¡± Fortunately, there was no danger and got good from the misfortune this time.¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s very sinister to find out who is behind this.¡± the princess said angrily.


    Ye Jiayao said,¡± It¡¯s very clear that who will be benefit from puttingdown the crown prince because all the world¡¯s bustle is for profit and all the world¡¯s tumult is for profit. But now I can¡¯t make it public. The emperor already believes that the prince summoned me andwe should not cause anymore trouble now. I believe that the people behind these would be scare at the moment.¡±


    The queen mused, ¡± Jinxuan said that since the emperor has already believed that it was the crown prince who summoned you. Now, it is time for the emperor to be sensitive, we should be calm and patient. Let these clowns ys their trick ,we need to be careful. ¡±


    Yide said with anxious, ¡± I¡¯m afraid . Today they are made trouble of Jinxuan. Fortunately, Jinxuan is alert and has defused the crisis. I don¡¯t know what will happen next time.¡±


    The queen called a pce moths came by and said to Ye Jiayao, ¡± Her name is Wanyu. If I want to see youter, I will send her to summon you, and you need not to care about any summonation with the exception of her.¡±


    Ye Jiayaomitted Wanyu¡¯s appearance to her memory and nodded her head to ept her promise. The queen thought of thisyer and made such an arrangement, which reassured her that other concubines summoned her and she was no need to go, but once the queen summoned her and she had toe, just like today, although she had doubts, she still had to follow.


    At this time, in the pce of Chaohua,concubine Shu red at Concubine Mo with a face of frost, and Concubine Mo bowed her head in fear.


    ¡± It is no wonder that old four can¡¯t get into the eyes of the emperor because of such asmall matter is not well done.¡± Concubine Shu said with a cold voice.


    Concubine Mo was the mother of the fourth princes. Originally, she gave birth to a prince and was able to make another promotion. However, the queen did not like her, so she was still a Concubine Mo.


    Mo Jieyu said with chagrin, ¡± It is only because the prince and Ye Jinxuan who are so cunning that they not only convince the emperor of their words, but also win the emperor¡¯s favor.¡±


    Concubine Shu became more and more stuffy. The queen mother, the old fucking dead woman setted her a trick even though she was dead. She wouldn¡¯t let her wear mourning for her also calcte. She even wanted to exclude King Yu. If it weren¡¯t for fame, who the fuck want to wear mourning for you old fucking dead woman ?


    Fortunately, the emperor still remembered the old lover and didn¡¯t listen to the old woman¡¯s words. otherwise, King Yu would have to be criticized, with his spine poked and this stain on his back, and he would not have any chance topete for the position of crown prince.


    There was also the assassinationst time, which was clearly framed, but there was no evidence and almost destroyed everything she had worked hard for many years.


    She could not swallow this tone at all.


    It heard that the crown princess and Ye jinxuan took the same carriagest night. It seem that Jing¡¯ an marquis house havepletely fallen to the prince¡¯s side, and originally she wanted to woo her. Since this was not necessary, then couldn¡¯t me her for wanting to wipe out all of them sooner orter.


    Unfortunately, they still handled the problem this time, go for wool ande back shorn, which made concubine Shu very annoyed.


    ¡± The prince imed that he had specially summoned Xia Ye . Old Fourth knew it was a lie, but he couldn¡¯t puncture it. Once it was punctured, he would have to reveal himself,¡±Concubine Mo said gloomily.


    ¡± Now, the queen must also know about it, if the queen asks ...¡± Concubine Mo worries.


    ¡°Anything need to worry about? ¡± There was a chill in concubine Shu¡¯s eyes.¡± If she checked, wouldn¡¯t she say that the crown prince lied in front of the emperor? Don¡¯t worry, she won¡¯t check or dare to check. ¡±


    ¡± No matter whether the investigation is carried out or not, the queen will definitely doubt the old four, even if she would be more hated the old four.¡± Concubine Mo still could not help worrying and murmured in a low voice.


    Concubine Shu gave her a nce and sneered repeatedly: ¡± She doesn¡¯t like you and your son. Don¡¯t forget that the crown prince was nearly drowned in the lotus pond because of old four. Although old four was careless and that was just an ident, she wouldn¡¯t think so. If we waiting her son sat in the dragon chair, there would be no ce for you and your son to live in this world. There is still a way to fight back or await for your doom when we sits there. What are you afraid of? ¡±


    In fact, she had already figured this out, otherwise she would not have acted as concubine Shu¡¯s helper. The battle in the pce was always cruel, either you die or I live, but it was just a matter that feeling terrified for imminent danger .


    ¡± However, we still have to be cautious. If one move fails, they must be on guard. Wait for some day. There will always be opportunities. I don¡¯t believe that she can¡¯t be defeated.¡± Concubine Shu grit her teeth.


    Perhaps that admonition from the crown princess did worked. Ye Jiayao could not help thinking deeply when she saw that Mrs. Yongning and A Ruan had a meeting of eyes or a smile.


    Originally,A Ruan and they were on the same side, but they were forcefully pushed to the opposite side. Fortunately A Ruan had always assumed an attitude of no matter the world, and King Yu¡¯s rtionship with her was not far away or near. At this stage, A Ruan can still stay out of the way now, Butwhat can she do when the situationturned white-hot and inevitable.


    She still had so many friends, rtives can discuss, but what did A Ruan have In Jinling?Besides her only friend herself, who else can A Ruan find?


    Thought about it and felt sorry for Ruan.


    And Zhao Qixuan, if his position and his family were in disagreement, it was also a very painful matter. Helped the prince, it may be harmful to his family and help the King Yu , which was tantamount to standing on the opposite side of his friends. Other friends were good to say, but what should Su Yi do? Su¡¯s family was loyal... Ah!


    It was true that every family had a hard book to read and everyone had their own troubles.


    After leaving the pce, Ye Jiayao endured fatigue and went to visit his ancestors at Helian Mansion.


    Little Jing was¡¯t there, she was called by the crown prince.


    Ye Jiayao pondered that the crown prince was reused, and he wouldn¡¯t avoid his rtives.


    The ancestor didn¡¯t lie on the bed. He actually meditated in the Buddhist temple to chant Buddhism. Ye Jiayao waited for a while. The ancestor did not get up until he finished reading the scriptures.


    ¡± Jinxuan ,you¡¯re here ! ¡± The old ancestor came out trembling, and Ye Jiayao hurried forward to assist him.


    ¡± I heard that you are not feeling well, and crown princess was worried and let me have a look at you specially.¡± Ye Jiayao helped Ancestor to sit down and took the Lu ¡®an melon slice handed by the servant and put it at the hand of Ancestor.


    The old grandmother smiled: ¡± Yide is , she didn¡¯t know I wasn¡¯t ill, she didn¡¯t tell you, and she hurt you.¡±


    Ah? Ye Jiayao consternation, you did not get sick?


    The ancestor sighed, ¡± I can¡¯t stand the atmosphere there. If I stay any longer, I will be sick.¡±


    Grandfather saw her face was not good and said, ¡± Look at you, your face is so ugly. You should also pay more attention to it. Don¡¯t cry so hard and bezy if you can. You are a wise people and don¡¯t need the guidance of Grandfather. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled wryly: ¡± I¡¯ve beenzy enough, and I¡¯ll be found if Izy again.¡±


    The ancestor kept Ye Jiayao stay for dinner. Ye Jiayao thought that she was also ate alone when she back home. Her eldest sister-inw was apanied by her eldest brother, so she stayed and told Qiao Xi to go back and say something. If someone wanted to find her for something, let Qiao Xi get back to ask for it and report it back.


    Ye wanted to make some delicious food for her ancestor personally. But the ancestor did not allow her to work hard and forced her to lie down in the guest room for a while before calling her after dinner.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t obey him,but was really inconvenience to the guest room, so she took a nap on the couch in the ancestor¡¯s room.


    In a daze, she heard Little Jinging back and talking to ancestor.


    ¡± The emperor handed over all funeral services to the prince, who was praised for his good work.¡±


    ¡± Oh? Didn¡¯t the emperor arrange everything by himself? ¡±


    ¡± This is also thanks to the Yaoyao. Today, someone wants to set up the prince and deceive Yaoyao to ... Ha ha, that¡¯s a mistake. Yaoyao is not so easy calcting. Go for wool ande back shorn, they¡¯re fuck up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was awake and closed her eyes to continue pretending to sleep when she heard that Little Jing was preaching her merit.


    ¡± Ah, it¡¯s really a dilemma for the child. Now listen to the light, happy, and rxed mood, but how dangerous the situation was at that time. One careless move is to lose her¡¯s reputation. You go to the pce tomorrow to find your mother and say I told her to sent someone forJinxuan, to follow her from time to time. Jinxuan are not familiar with people in the pce and thingsand may be trick for it.¡± said the ancestor.


    ¡± Well, I¡¯ll talk to my mother tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a warm current in her heart for the ancestor really loved her.


    ¡± The crown prince asked you to help him to do thing this time, you shouldtry your best , and you can¡¯t disgraced me and Helian Mansion. The crown prince will be a benevolent gentleman in the future, and we can¡¯t hide anything,be loyal to the emperor and assisting the crown prince. It is ok to have a clear conscience in all things, ¡± sighed the old ancestor.


    ¡± Yes, I will remember your word.¡±


    ¡± Your eldest brother still has no news yet? ¡±


    ¡± Yes, the secret report just arrived today. The eldest brother has already gone to Taiyuan and announced that he is seriously ill and cannot continue his journey. He will arrive in Jinling in a few days.¡±


    Old ancestress mused, ¡± The defenders of Taiyuan Prefecture are your father¡¯s old subordinates. It is a wise choice for your brother to go there.¡±


    ¡± To say, the emperor is also too unkind. When the war is over, he wants to ughter the donkey after it has done its job at the mill.¡± Little Jing was can¡¯t put up with his unreasonableness.


    Old Ancestor chided, ¡± You can talk about this with me. Don¡¯t talk nonsense outside. Be careful, out of the mouthes evil.¡±


    Little Jingsaid: ¡± I won¡¯t say it outside.¡±


    The maid came in to report that dinner was ready.


    Grandfather turned to look at the back room and said, ¡± Jinxuan is tired and sleeps as soon as she touches the pillow. Keep the food stay hot ,let her sleep for a while.¡±


    ¡± Old ancestress, why don¡¯t you eat first? I¡¯ll apany Yaoyaoter.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m not hungry now,just wait! ¡±

 Chapter 337 - Not ordinary bad

    <h4>Chapter 337: Not ordinary bad</h4>


    Ye Jiayao did not dare to let the ancestor hungry. She yawned and got up when Little Jing said he would change his clothes.


    After supper, Qiao Xi came back to pick her up. The ancestor asked the servant to pack five boxes of co corii asini: ¡°the other day, Yide got me a tonic and asked her to get this. You see you are so thin; it must be a deficiency of both qi and blood. This co corii asini is best for invigorating qi and nourishing blood.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was deeply moved. Ancestor loved her better than her own grandmother.


    After sending the ancestor and Little Jing, Ye Jiayao went home. Qiao Xi told her on the way that Zhong Xiang had asked his brothers in Heavenly Residence, they all agreed to stay and learn cooking. Sincest month, two people had been sent to work at night, and the big water tank in the backyard was full of water to reassure the seconddy.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, that was so well.


    ¡°Also, Master Zhongyuan replied, but the letter was at home, I did not bring it.¡±


    ¡°Forth Master and Master Minrui also returned from imperial academy today, saying they had a holiday earlier this year because of the national mourning.¡±


    ¡°Zhao steward also came back and asked the seconddy to tell him what to do next, he is resting in the mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was pleased, Zhao Steward came back, she had one more helper, said, ¡°Go back and tell Zhao Steward to go to Heavenly Residence tomorrow and ask ountant to calcte the year-end bonus for me to have a look at. In addition, ask him to help Zhong Steward with the mansion affairs first, and make arrangements until I am not so busy.¡±


    Qiao Xi wrote down one by one and hesitated to say, ¡°The firstdy and the first master quarreled with each other today. It was said that the first master brought Cuiyan outside and was known by the firstdy. The quarrel was fierce and everything in the house was smashed ...¡±


    Ye jiayao couldn¡¯t help frowning when she heard this. Eldest brother was too unreasonable.


    ¡°When I came over, the mother of the house next to the firstdy also came, please see firstdy after you return to the office.¡± Qiao Xi looked at the reaction of the seconddy and stammered, ¡°The mother of the house said that the firstdy had already wanted to die, and now she is afraid no one beside her and watch closely.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyebrows tightened.


    She was almost too busy to break her breath, and the family still had such a shitty thing, that was so tired!


    ¡°Where is first master?¡±


    ¡°The firstdy got angry and he ran away.¡±


    Er ... this bastard ran after a disaster and asked others to clean up his mess. Ye Jiayao also got angry and told the driver to hurry up.


    As soon as she returned home, Ye Jiayao headed straight to the courtyard of the elder room.


    As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard the sound of crying from the inside of the house and Auntie Wei¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Why do you think so? It is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. You see the Lord has also married two concubine rooms. You are pregnant, chunli is not easy. Isn¡¯t it normal to find a woman? Women, will be generous, if you are virtuous, give him a concubine room early, everything will be fine. Since everything has happened, it¡¯s no use crying. It¡¯s better to lift a sedan chair and bring people back to the end. You are the oldest; Cuiyan has to listen to you?¡±


    Ye jiayao suddenly became very angry and lifted the cotton curtain and went in.


    ¡°Shut up, what is a man with three wives and four concubines normal? What is eldest sister-inw pregnant, eldest brother is not easy? Who is not easy? To endure all kinds of difort during pregnancy, we should also take care of the embroidery workshop and housework, take care of the small ones and serve the big one. Who is really not easy?¡± Ye Jiayao easily refrained from swearing, and now she couldn¡¯t bear it. She couldn¡¯t listen to this kind of self-effacing speech.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face was like ice and her tone was not good, which shocked Auntie Wei.


    Qiao was extremely angry and wronged. Auntie Wei also said that she was not virtuous. Now someone had finallye forward to say a few words of justice. Qiao was so moved. At that moment, the second sister-inw was her own sister.


    ¡°Eldest brother doesn¡¯t care about things in the home, eldest sister-inw is pregnant, now it is the time she needs eldest brother most, however, he wants tofort other women, how dare you to say such words, are you goddamn stupid?¡± Ye Jiayao showed no mercy. She didnn¡¯t like concubines like this. What¡¯s more, a maid like Auntie Wei who climbed the bed of her master only lifts the stuff of concubines and was even more disgusting.


    ¡°Not that I didn¡¯t warn you, madam hates concubinage most, if she knew you said such a thing, you`ll be in trouble, also, you don¡¯t forget that it is now a national funeral, if this thinges out, elder brother would definitely lost his officer, sometime even a felony! You don¡¯t have any eyesight, but still want to be a peacemaker. Just stay in your own room, don¡¯t mix up with others and add to the confusion, send the guest out.¡±


    Auntie Wei was scolded and dizzy, and forgot to argue, saying that seconddy of the Family was a severe one, which was also a little too severe.


    The mother of the room also had a cold face and said stiffly, ¡°Auntie Wei, please!¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that auntie Wei was the birth mother of first master, she would have been unable to bear it. The seconddy`s scold really worked off her anger.


    Auntie Wei did not dare to challenge the majesty of Ye Jiayao, walked out of the door and thought about it. Madam did not like her, but never pointed at her nose like this. Today, she was forced to go by a younger generation. It was really pissing her off. Auntie Wei turned to stare at the curtain and spat at the ground.


    The curtain was lifted, Qiao Xi came out and stared nkly at auntie Wei, who hurried away.


    Ye Jiayao sent out all the servants before she sat down and said to Qiao, ¡°Don¡¯t cry. Auntie Wei is right that it¡¯s no use crying. Will the eldest brother still love dearly? If you cry, he can change it? Think about how to solve this problem.¡±


    Not to say that she couldn¡¯t cry. When people were sad, it was necessary to cry out, but Qiao¡¯s eyes were swollen like walnuts. Besides, she still had children in her stomach, and crying over her head would hurt her body.


    Qiao sobbed, but she stopped crying slowly and choked out: ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do now, only you can help me to say a few words.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°You don¡¯t say that. If her mother was there, she wouldn¡¯t have allowed this kind of thing to happen. Otherwise, Cuiyan would have carried her aunt. It¡¯s not that her mother didn¡¯t nod her head and drove people out, but she got entangled again.¡±


    She had heard about this matter before and heard that Cuiyan had misbehaved and was always trying to seduce first master.


    Qiao agreed. Cuiyan was sent away by her mother ¨C in ¨Cw, and her heart was better.


    ¡°But, what should I do? It¡¯s no use trying to persuade her not to listen to her. father and mother are not here again. I will never allow that bitch to enter the room. ¡°Qiao gnashed her teeth.


    ¡°He also kept telling me that he didn¡¯t make much money ying with stones and bought stones for all he earned. Now I know that he has set up a house outside and invited several servants to serve that bitch.¡±


    ¡°I hate it. I¡¯ve been married for nearly five years. How much money did he get from me? I was almost finished by him, but it turned out that it was all for the bitch. What did you say I worked so hard to?¡± Qiao said and came to grief.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless. Chunli was not normal bad!


    If you had the ability to raise a small one, you would dare to pay your wife¡¯s bottom to raise a small one, you would be ashamed of yourself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she can¡¯t get into this door,¡± Ye Jiayao said firmly. Chunli couldn¡¯t be allowed to start this bad behavior, saving the two brothers from learning bad things.


    ¡°What should I do? Let him keep outside?¡± Qiao startled.


    ¡°Of course not. Don¡¯t say it¡¯s a national funeral. Even in normal times, it¡¯s not allowed. Don¡¯t worry, there will always be ways. Let me think about it.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao¡¯s sullen way: ¡°Second sister-inw, I just count on you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said helplessly, ¡°You can¡¯t all count on me. You have to rely on yourself after this threshold. Eldest brother, you can¡¯t treat him too well and depend on him too much. Husband and wife should have respected each other and loved each other, but it also depends. Some people like to treat politeness as a blessing and took it for granted.¡±


    Qiao nodded: ¡°You¡¯re right, Chunli is an ungrateful person.¡±


    ¡°You know, the husband is just like the child, also need discipline, slowly set ¨C up! You rest first, don¡¯t think much, the child will soon be born. You be sad and angry at this time, and the child will know that he will also be upset.¡± Ye Jiayao told her again, and then got up to leave.


    When the mother of the room sent her out, Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°How did firstdy know about Cuiyan?¡±


    The mother replied, ¡°It was the boy around the first master.¡±


    ¡°And... had firstdy been there?¡±


    The mother of the room said angrily, ¡°Yes, firstdy went as soon as she got the news. The first master and the bitch were making love in the house. The firstdy wanted to beat Cuiyan, and the first master stopped ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao sank her face: ¡°It¡¯s nonsense. How did you guys work? Don¡¯t know the firstdy is giving birth soon? What if she is out of breath, or if she fought and hurt her child?¡±


    The mother of the room was not able to lift her head after being trained. She was also dizzy and didn¡¯t think so much. Now think about it, she was really scared.


    ¡°This happened, you won¡¯t tell me first? Can¡¯t wait a day? You are an old man in the mansion, and you have no discretion in doing things.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was me who was thoughtless, and I knew wrong.¡± The mother of the room repeatedly apologized.


    ¡°This is the only time, not for example. You should watch and encourage the firstdy and not let her get so excited.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I must be bullish on the firstdy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed, did not return to her yard, but went to the front office and called the Zhong steward.


    ¡°If anyone can¡¯t control his mouth, don¡¯t me me for not showing mercy.¡± Ye Jiayao said in a low voice.


    This kind of thing was nothing in normal times, but it was a very special time now. If it was passed out, things would beplex.

 Chapter 338 - A Ruan‘s difficulty

    <h4>Chapter 338: A Ruan¡®s difficulty</h4>


    Housekeeper Zhong promised.


    ¡± You¡¯ll have to go to the Third Young Master¡¯s house and ask him toe over at once and say something happening at home. I¡¯ll wait for him. By the way, don¡¯t let the thirddy know,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered again.


    Although she was in charge, she was a woman after all, and as a sister-inw, she couldn¡¯t train her eldest brother. It was unfit. Only Chunfeng would be asked toe over to solve the problem, and it would be much easier for their own brothers to talk.


    Xia Chunfeng hurried over when he got the news. He already knew about it on the road. He was also very annoyed and his eldest brother was too careless. At this time, everyone was careful, but he should still stab the basket.


    ¡°Second sister-inw, tell me what you want me to do.¡± Xia Chunfeng cut to the chase.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± Eldest brother is still at Cuiyan¡¯s side, and I have issued a password in the government. This matter must be settled as soon as possible. When you go to the eldest brother, you say that the eldest sister-inw is angry and wants to go back to her family. If things get too big, let the royal family know that the eldest brother himself should know what the result will be. First let the eldest brothere back, hold people steady, and then they will decide when the father and mothere back.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng nodded and said, ¡± Yes, I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    He got up and was about to leave.


    Ye Jiayao said in a hurry: ¡± Wait, does Liuli know this matter?¡±


    Chunfeng said: ¡± She doesn¡¯t know when Ie out, but when I go back, she will definitely ask, don¡¯t worry, I will deal with it and won¡¯t let her know.¡±


    Ye Jiayao opened her mouth and wanted to say that he could not hide from Liuli. She would certainly know, but she still did not say, ¡± That will be hard for you.¡±


    ¡°Second sister-inw is kind. I am a member of this family, and I should do something.¡±


    There was a relief, and Ye Jiayao felt a little peace in her heart. Fortunately, she had napped in the ancestor¡¯s ce for a while before, otherwise she would certainly not be able to survive at the moment.


    After washing, Ye Jiaoyao sat in bed and read zhongyuan¡¯s letter.


    Content was nothing more than thanks to her timely help, Ye Binghuai canceled Jinyao¡¯s engagement with the magistrate¡¯s silly son. However, this made the magistrate very unhappy, but he believed that with Jing¡¯an marquis support, the magistrate could not do something to Ye Binghuai.


    The other was to report peace, saying that he was doing well on the mountain, his lessons had not fallen, the mountain was clean, and it was a good ce for meditation and reading. Finally, he asked her if she would like to go back to attend Ye Binghuai¡¯s wedding....


    After reading the letter, Ye Jiayao felt a lot of emotion at that time. Ye Binghuai finally gave birth to a son who was not only not a scum but also a very good one.


    Jinyao¡¯s engagement was dissolved, but she couldn¡¯t handle so many people who Ye Binghuai would promise her.


    As for Ye Binghuai¡¯s marriage, although he didn¡¯t want to postpone it, who let him catch up with the national funeral?


    Closing the letter, Ye Jiayaoy down, tired, but unable to sleep. She didn¡¯t know where Chunyu was now.


    She thought a lot about it, and she didn¡¯t know how long it took. Xiangtao knocked at the door and sent a message saying that the gentleman had returned home.


    Ye Jiayao slept peacefully.


    The next day Ye Jiayao got up about three. She was going to enter the pce around five. She didn¡¯t do what the emperor had told her, so she could only squeeze out this time to visit Madam Rong.


    When she left the house, she told Housekeeper Zhong that if there was anything urgent at home, he would go to the pce to find Little Jing and Little Jing would send a message on her behalf.


    Ye Jiayao felt that Madam Rong would not promise. A person who had been in an temple for so many years certainly didn¡¯t like theplicated interpersonal rtionships in the pce, as well as all kinds of strict rules and scheming.


    And this job would eventually fall on her head.


    As expected, Madam Rong politely refused, for the simple reason that she was not suitable for the pce.


    Ye Jiayao was not good at embarrassing her either. It was her idea to solve the crisis temporarily. s, she only solved her own problems.


    Ye Jiayao felt that she had beenzy for several generations, so she had to finish all the things umted for several generations in her life.


    Or to say that she didn¡¯t control well the time of crossing, so she was so busy this life.


    There was no way, she could just go ahead and bear it.


    When she arrived at Ninghe Pce, Ye Jiayao found that there were fewer peopleing today. Zhu said, ¡± All of them are ill.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded sympathetically. It was estimated that they were really ill. Not many people were qualified to pretend to be ill like the ancestor.


    ¡± You still stand up? I don¡¯t think you look well, ¡± Zhu cared.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart said that from early to midnight, people who were seriously short of sleep could look well?


    ¡± It¡¯s all right. It may be that I don¡¯t sleep well,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡± What happens yesterday? Isn¡¯t it the queen¡¯s call?¡± Later, the Crown Prince¡¯s wife takes people everywhere looking for you. I want to ask you yesterday, but I never find a chance.¡±


    ¡± Ah?Oh ... at that time, the Crown Princess is looking for something for me, which has been solved. ¡± Ye Jiayao prevaricated, the fewer she knew about yesterday, the better.


    Zhu was perfunctory when she saw her like this and smiled: ¡± If there is anything I can do for you, just say it.¡±


    ¡± Well, sure, what kind of friendship do we have?¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    Just then, they heard the servant report: ¡°King Yu, King Yu¡¯s wife has arrived ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao stopped to look and saw King Yu and A Ruaning together. As he passed Ye Jiayao, King Yu nodded slightly at Ye Jiayao as a greeting.


    Ye Jiayao also greeted.


    A Ruan whispered to King Yu: ¡± I have a few words with Yaoyao.¡±


    King Yu did not say yes, but he went inside first.


    Zhu said with great wisdom, ¡± I go in first, and you should alsoe in earlier. The ceremony is about to begin.¡±


    Only Ye Jiayao and A Ruan, A Ruan said, ¡± You let Deng Haichuan go back!¡±


    ¡± Why?¡± Ye Jiayao was surprised that Deng Haichuan was specially assigned to protect A Ruan, saying that protection may be exaggerated. Deng Haichuan hadn¡¯t the skill yet. At the very least, she could know A Ruan¡¯s situation in time.


    A Ruan¡¯s face was troubled: ¡± Lin is not less stirred up by King Yu about this matter, moreover, the concubine exins this matter speciallyst night ... I don¡¯t know why she talks about it so well.¡±


    ¡± I see, but, in this case, if you have a difficulty ...¡± Ye Jiayao knew that this was not A Ruan¡¯s intention, and concubine Shu suddenly mentioned Deng Haichuan, perhaps rted to yesterday¡¯s incident, the y was probably directed by concubine Shu, and she was annoyed.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be careful, and you yourself will be careful,¡± A Ruan said.


    Ye Jiayao was helpless: ¡± If you have difficulties, you must tell me that I don¡¯t care if you are Princess Yu. In my heart, you are only A Ruan, my good sister, not only me, but also Little Jing, will help you without hesitation.¡±


    A Ruan nodded deeply: ¡± I am the same.¡±


    A Ruan didn¡¯t dare to stay much and hurried away.


    Ye Jiayao dazed for a moment and entered the hall.


    After howling for a round, Ye Jiayao found the Crown Princess and told her about Madam Rong. Of course, she wouldn¡¯t say that Madam Rong refused, saying that she had been frightened by arson because of the training course and she had been in a bad mood.


    ¡± Then it¡¯s only you who have to work hard,¡± said the princess.


    Later, the Crown Princess went to the queen¡¯s ce to get the sign so that Ye Jiaoyao could enter and leave the pce and enter the kitchens.


    One of the benefits of this job was that there was a good reason not to stay in the hall and howl, plus the queen sent an aunt who had served beside the queen mother and was still a little bit of an identity to Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t have to worry about where she went.


    When she went to the kitchen, the chief chef of the kitchen had already obtained an imperial decree, specially prepared a separate kitchen hearth for Ye Jiayao and several assistants.


    Lu Yiming came over to say hello.


    ¡± Shopkeeper Ye, I hear that you want to do vegetarian meals?¡±


    This made Lu Yiming a little curious. The vegetarian diet was the specialty of the Lu¡¯s family. His family¡¯s vegetarian diet workshop was a century-old shop. Who couldpete with the Lu¡¯s family except Madam Rong in Jinling City? How much was this Ye Jinxuan?


    Ye Jiayao seldom made vegetarian meals, and she also listened to Madam Rong¡¯s several lessons and gained a certain understanding of vegetarian meals. However, she thought that cooking could change all kinds of food as long as she knew the ingredients and the matching method.


    However, in front of vegetarian food experts, Ye Jiaoyao was still modest.


    ¡°I just try it, but I¡¯m not very good at it, and you can give me some advice.¡±


    Lu Yiming answered politely: ¡°Shopkeeper Ye is a good cook, you¡¯re so modest, and I should ask Shopkeeper Ye for more advice.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and checked the ingredients, all vegetables, fruits and tofu.


    She thought hard and then had an idea.


    First, she soaked the bean skin in warm water, and then got an old bean curd, mashed it, added chopped scallions, bruised ginger, and mixed all kinds of sauces.


    When the bean skin was wet and soft, she spread it evenly on the chopping board, add the mixed bean curd stuffing and kneaded it into the shape of a fish.


    Lu Yiming looked at it from the side and he was amazed. The shopkeeper¡¯s idea was more. How could he not have thought of turning a bean bag into a fish shape after decades of vegetarian food?


    When the fish nks were wrapped, they were steamed in a steamer.


    Ye Jiayao stripped eggnts with proper root size and thickness, cleaned them, cut them to two thirds, and never cut them off.


    Then she fried the whole eggnt in soybean oil until it was ripe, and took it out to control oil.


    Then she took the chicken, cut it into thin strips, cut mushrooms into bruise, and cut scallions into sections.


    The in chicken was also fried in a frying pan and served on a te.


    She changed it into an oil pan, put fried chicken and mushroom powder into the pan and stirred- fried, then put the fried eggnt into the pan, added various seasonings to stew, and boiled the eggnt again in the middle.


    Afterpletion, she took out the eggnt and ced it on the edge of the te, dished it into a dragon shape, added the rest of the chicken and mushroom to stir fry it several times and put it in the middle.


    A dish of dragon eggnt was fresh out of the oven.


    Lu Yiming was dumbfounded. He saw Ye Jiayao take out a carrot and cut and dig it. In a short time, a lifelike dragon head appeared and was ced at one end of the eggnt, which was more like a coiled dragon.


    Ye Jiayao began to fry steamed in fish again.


    When the bean skin turned golden yellow, she immediately fished out and controlled the oil. Then she fried pine nuts, mixed soup stock, and cooked fish in the soup until the soup tasted good.


    Lu Yiming only looked at these two hands of Ye Jiayao¡¯s dew, and he was convinced that he could not help feeling somewhat depressed. His vegetarian meals for so many years had been made in vain, and he was conservative and did not understand innovation. Ye Jinxuan just moved her mind a little and exceeded him.


    The Duke of Wei sent word that the emperor would have lunch with the Empress today.


    That¡¯s right, it saves ye Jiayao from making two, although the Emperor said to leave him alone, she couldn¡¯t really take it seriously, what she did was what she wanted to do, she didn¡¯t care if the emperor ate it or not, however, the vegetarian dishes she made had all the vor and color, the emperor can¡¯t Resist Temptation!


    Pan long eggnt, pine nut crisp skin fish, Dongpo Hydrangea, Hangzhou Pepper Beef Six, three fresh, with the edge of the soup... exquisite vegetarian meal presented when the emperor frowned, ¡°Don¡¯t you mean vegetarian food? Why are there so many meat dishes? Is this made by Ye Jinxuan?¡±


    Wei Gong Gongpensate tough a way: ¡°Xia Madam said, these are all vegetable shan, should not be wrong.¡±


    The emperor shook his head and pointed to the crispy fish with pine nuts. ¡°look at this,¡± he said. ¡°the fish are all here. Why not a meat dish? Where Is Ye Jinxuan? Send her up.¡±


    During the national mourning period, the whole country is vegetarian, she actually made meat dishes for him to eat, what peace of mind?


    The Queen looked around and saw that the fish was a real fish, and said, Jane Day, this is too bold, for the sake of the emperor¡¯s body, but also not taboo ah! How are we gonna get her out of this with a headache.


    Ye Jiayao was transported to the temple.


    ¡°Jin Xuan, what do you see yourself doing?¡± The emperor¡¯s tone is a little harsh, theplexion is more gloomy.


    Ye Jiayao nameless way: ¡°I do is vegetarian diet ah! Panlong, crispy skin fish, Dongpo Hydrangea... are made with vegetarian materials! Even oil is used in soybean oil, OH, there are pot, also on weekdays do vegetarian cooking pot.¡±


    The emperor smells speech one leng: ¡°you mean this fish is false?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. ¡°It¡¯s made of bean paste wrapped in bean skin. Your Majesty will know it when you taste it.¡±


    The emperor suspected Fox, Wei Gonggong hurriedly picked up the chopsticks, poke open the fish tail part, clip a sample to eat. Put in the mouth chewing, aftertaste for a long time, just said: ¡°the emperor, is really tofu, no fishy smell, taste great.¡±


    The empress let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile: ¡°Jin Xuan, you are too good to be true.¡±


    Ye jiayao micro ran way: ¡°even if the vegetarian diet also want to do the color, smell and taste can arouse appetite! Minister Qie but spent a lot of thought.¡±


    The emperor himself tasted it, only to believe that this is vegetarian diet, not from the appetite opened, several days have not had such a strong desire to eat.


    ¡°you are always surprising,¡± said the emperor with a faint smile.


    ¡°so much food, why don¡¯t you sit down and eat too!¡± said the Queen.


    This is a great gift, a great honor. Ye Jiayao understood that the queen was ttering her. But she is frightened, she already enough conspicuous, if eat together with the emperor empress, spread, I am afraid to be cursed to also want to die.


    Ye Jia Yao Nuo said: ¡°I thank the Empress Grace, but I dare not...¡±


    ¡°what don¡¯t dare, you even dare to teach, bold days, the Queen want you to sit you sit, we are not a man-eating tiger.¡± The emperor bluffed face way, tone is not a bit to teach people.


    Ye Jia said: You Are More afraid than the tiger, the tiger came, she can also use a knife and arrows to resist, fight back, if you want to eat people, the person had toe to your mouth.


    Wei Gonggong gave a wink to the chambein, and immediately the chambein moved to the embroidered pier.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t push, so she sat down.


    I never thought I would one day be able to sit at the same table as the emperor and Empress. It was like a dream. I was afraid that others would not get such an opportunity after all their efforts, and she had only cooked a few dishes.


    Just sat down, did not move chopsticks, Prince and Yu Wang came over together, Leaf Jiayao busy get up.


    Crown Prince and Yu Wang See Ye Jiayao unexpectedly and parents sit at the same table, are secretly surprised. However, the mind is different.


    Prince surprised is pleased with joy, it seems that Leaf Jin Xuan do vegetarian diet, parents are very satisfied.


    Yu Wang surprised is heavy worry, he finally let the Emperor on the summer Chunyu from the heart of alert, and ran out of a Leaf Jin Xuan got the father¡¯s favor.


    Ye Jiayao took the opportunity to leave, the Prince, anyway, she is his group, she does not want to Yuwang give birth to her what bad mind, this person look at the eyes know is a tough role. Chunyu¡¯s not here. She can¡¯t be messed with.


    As soon as I left the pce of the Zichen, I saw the little scene hurrying in.


    ¡°Yao Yao, I was looking for you!¡±


    Thest thing ye Jiayao wanted to see today was Xiaojing, because she had told Zhao housekeeper, there is an urgent message to Xiaojing.


    ¡°did something happen to Hou Fu?¡± Ye Jiayao asked in an urgent voice.


    ¡°should be, clock housekeeper did not say, but look at him very anxious, I just saw Chun Feng, told him, he has rushed back first.¡±.


    ¡°that you help me to say with long princess, home emergency, can not not be solved, let long princess help me take a point, I wille back as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to help you?¡± Xiaojing asked


    ¡°do not need, it is a family matter.¡± Ye Jiayao refused, ugliness do not go public, even close as Helian Wang Fu, can not say or do not say good.


    Xiaojing is clear, is certainly not to say things, now the HOUFU Chunli husband and wife and Yao Yao, Chunli is a unreliable lord, perhaps Chunli into trouble.


    ¡°then you go, I will tell my mother.¡± Small scene way.


    Ye Jiayao hurried to the pce gate.


    In the brain each kind of bad idea not to live to appear, in the big winter, is hard to rush out a cold sweat.


    The Bell Keeper and Joe Xi waited at the gate of the pce. When they saw ye Jiayao, they rushed forward, look dignified way: ¡°Cuiyan came to the door, said she was pregnant with a child, the big young master always abandoned, the old ve scared, no matter 3721, first people to be tied up, gagged, if let her noisy on nothing to hide.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said in a deep voice, ¡°it¡¯s a good bundle.¡±


    This cui smoke, still have a few courage really, dare toe to the door to make trouble, is the seed of pregnant with summer in the belly, or know you shi and Lord not in? Or is it to know now Special Period, take opportunity to pinch Hou Fu, force Hou Fu to let her in? There are no tigers in the mountains. Clowns jump over the mountains.


    ¡°Big Young Lady Gas Faint, called a doctor to rescue, save for a while before waking up, this moment seems to move the fetal gas, do not know to keep.¡± Clock housekeeper tone heavy way.


    Ye Jiayao is in a state of shock. How can that be? Jo¡¯s normal delivery date is in February, more than two months away! You Shi gave her this family, and she also promised with all her heart. As a result, such a big thing happened. The Doctor said that Qiao Shi was pregnant with a male fetus this time. The first eldest grandson of the Xia family, ah, if so, how can she bear this responsibility?


    Ye jiayao anxiously: ¡°Hurry Back...¡±


    The carriage ran very fast, but during the national mourning period, the streets were deserted and empty, all the way back to the Jing an Hou mansion.


    Ye Jiayao almost jumped off the cart, ankle sprain, pain, she is a cold sweat, Gnash teeth, activity under the ankle, fortunately did not hurt bones and muscles.


    He trotted in and made a beeline for Joe¡¯s yard.


    Yard, Chunli and Chunfeng are standing in the wind, Chunli a face of shame, see Ye Jiayao, the head dare not lift.


    Ye Jiayao really want to kick this scum to death, but now no time to pay attention to him, back to calcte.


    ¡°Chun Feng Way:¡± you quickly go in to have a look, the doctor said that the situation is not good, I invited Ren Hetang¡¯s Doctor toe over again


    Ye Jiayao red at Chun Li and went inside.


    Room mother, as well as Lin Kun¡¯s family are all inside. From time to time from the bedroom came Qiao¡¯s dull moan. Seeing hering, Lin Kun¡¯s family answered back and forth, looking worried, ¡± whispered:¡± second young mistress, afraid is not very good, to premature birth, has gone to invite a stable wife, the original good stable wife, because did not think big young mistress will give birth in advance, so not at home, said to go to rtives, now had to find another home


    Although ye Jiayao has already had the psychological preparation, but can not help but heart sink.


    ¡°call a doctor.¡±


    Lin Kun went into the bedroom and called the Doctor of Renhetang out.


    Ye Jiayao asked directly: ¡°Doctor, how sure are you?¡±


    The doctor looks grave way: ¡°the child is born should be no problem, but this child is not yet full-term, afraid is difficult to support.¡±


    Ye Jiayao only feel before the eyes a ck, Joe Xi hurriedly hold her, urgent call: ¡°two young grandmother...¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, calm down, strong spirit way: ¡°I¡¯m Fine, Qiaoxi, you immediately go to the Helian Wang Fu, find the ancestors, said big little premature, need the royal physician Wang Fu Help.¡±


    Itoku and his ancestors¡¯bodies were cared for by a royal physician. They had been in the House of Helen for many years. In ancient times, it was very dangerous for a woman to give birth to a child. It was like going through the gates of death, let alone giving birth to a child prematurely. She must do her best to provide medical care.


    Adults must first save, as for the child, Ye Jiayao Heart a pain, can only see Providence.


    Joe Xi knew that this matter is big, immediately nodded to do.


    The Doctor of benevolence and Hall hears to be able to look for imperial physician toe, secretly relieved tone, have imperial physician to be in good, otherwise he really did not have 100% assurance.


    ¡°Can I go in and have a look?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the doctor.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said the Doctor


    Lin Kun¡¯s family opened the curtain to let the second youngdy in.


    The doors and windows of the inner room were closed, and tworge basins of charcoal fire were born. The hot air rushed into the room. It was very stuffy? Ask the Doctorter.


    A few of the house¡¯s experienced stewards waited on matchmaking, who had to step in before she arrived.


    Ye Jiayao walked to the bed, see Joe¡¯s face is full of tears, I do not know because of pain, or sad reason.


    Room mother way: ¡°just painful past a while. Now is a joss stick time painful a while.¡±


    Ye Jiayao doesn¡¯t know much about giving birth, only that the shorter the interval betweenbor pains, the more likely she is to give birth.


    Well, there¡¯s still time for her to talk to Jo when the incense sticks out.


    ¡°Lin Kun¡¯s family, go and urge the women toe quickly.¡±


    Lin Kun¡¯s family went in response.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the room mother: ¡°You also first leave, I want to say a few words with big little grandma.¡±

 Chapter 339 - The shameless couple

    <h4>Chapter 339: The shameless couple</h4>


    When everyone was gone, Ye Jiayao sat down on the embroidered mound by the bed and took Qiao¡¯s hand. Her hands were cold and sweaty.


    ¡± Eldest sister-inw, you don¡¯t need to think much about anything, calm down. This time, let me help you, but the premise is that you will give birth to the child well, and then we will vent our anger and hate. If you are not there, if the child is gone, it will be too good for that bitch, understand?¡±


    Qiao¡¯s tearful eyes were filled with hatred, and she said with a low voice, ¡± The second sister-in-low, I can¡¯t spare that pair of bitches.¡±


    ¡± Yes, definitely not to spare them. So cheer up and be well, you just rests assured, I will help you, Chunfeng will also help you, and mother will not spare them when shees back. You know, I am a person of upromising words.¡± Ye Jiayao solemnly promised.


    Qiao held Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand tightly, and her previous sadness turned into hatred and determination after receiving Ye Jiayao¡¯s promise. She did not want to die, she wanted to live, and then let that bitch die.


    ¡± You are having a second child, and the doctor say that as long as you cooperate well, there will be no problem, so you must listen to the doctor and midwifeter. I have already sent someone to ask the imperial doctor. After this issue, let¡¯s calcte the general ledger again.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao¡¯s heart was determined not to be confused and helpless, her lips tightened and she nodded hard.


    Ye Jiayao saw that Qiao¡¯s morale was burning and breathed a sigh of relief. Having children was a difficult process. It was dangerous to be in the same state as sister-inw.


    Soon, the midwife arrived, and then the physician arrived.


    With the imperial doctor in charge and the midwife¡¯s support, Ye Jiayao sent out all the irrelevant people, leaving only the Mother Fang and Lin Kun¡¯s family to help. Others boiled water and stewed soup, which had nothing to do for the time being, were waiting outside at any time.


    Ye Jiayao made time for this and went out. Seeing Chunfeng and that shameless man still standing in the wind, she said to Chunfeng, ¡± Your job doesn¡¯t matter?¡±


    Chunfeng thought for a moment and said, ¡± I¡¯ll go back to the pce first, and I¡¯lle backter for you. There must be a person in our family over there, and we can¡¯tck of people here.¡±


    Chunfeng knew that Ye Jiayao was also responsible for the emperor¡¯s queen¡¯s meals, so the time for cooking dinner was free for Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was deeply convinced that this was the only arrangement.


    ¡± That you first go there!¡±


    Chunfeng looked at the blue cotton curtain in the front wing with disbelief and solemnly told the eldest brother, ¡± Don¡¯t go wrong again, or you won¡¯t be able to exin it when your father and mothere back.¡±


    Chunli nodded in a flurry, and he was scared. He didn¡¯t think Qiao would move her tire and give birth so much in advance. His heart was also clear. If Qiao and her child were in trouble, his good life woulde to an end.


    After Chunfeng left, Chunli looked timidly at Ye Jiayao and said hesitantly, ¡± Second sister-in-low, that ...Cuiyan, can you let her go first? After all, she already has children in her stomach. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s sharp eyes swished at Chunli. Until now Chunli still thought about that bitch. Ye Jiayao could not help but cold voice quipped: ¡± Why? Love dearly? Or you think, in case Qiao is in trouble, somehow the bitch still has one in her belly?¡±


    Chunli was said to be in his mind, with a red face and guiltily arguing: ¡± No, it¡¯s not ... I, how can I think so?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s voice grew colder and colder, with a chill over her body: ¡± You¡¯re the only one in Jinling City to make such a noise during the national funeral. You don¡¯t know how many pairs of eyes are staring at Jing ¡®an marquis house now? People are waiting to catch our mistakes. You don¡¯t know your own mind. Don¡¯t bring trouble to the whole marquis house to bury with you.¡±


    ¡± you¡¯d better pray for god¡¯s blessing to keep Qiao and her children safe, or you¡¯ll wait to be evicted from the house, and the bitch and her child will not want to see the sun tomorrow.¡±


    Chunli¡¯s thrilling look at Ye Jiayao, what did you mean? Killing people?


    Ye Jiayao approached one step and said, ¡± Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what that bitch¡¯s idea is. Doesn¡¯t she want to force marquis house tomit a crime while father and mother are not making a scene during the national funeral. Do you think that Cuiyan really likes you and is good for you? If she really respects you and loves you, will she disregard your reputation? She takes you to the pit of death, and you still can¡¯t carry it here ... ¡±


    Chunli was appalled. There seemed to be a crack somewhere in his heart. Something began to shake and disintegrate. Cuiyan kept saying she liked him and was willing to live for him and die for him ... but she really chose the most inappropriate way to make him in a quandary.


    Ye Jiayao went on: ¡± If it isn¡¯t for keeping marquis house¡¯s reputation, I won¡¯t care about your fucking things. Whoever wants to defile the lintel, I¡¯ll fix it with all my might. That bitch is wrong in her wishful thinking.¡±


    Thest few words almost popped out from the crevices of Ye Jiayao¡¯s teeth, appearing as cold as a heavy hammer on Chunli¡¯s heart.


    Chunli was frightened by her imposing manner of forcing people, his legs and feet were weak and he dared not speak any more.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t want to look at the shameless man again. She felt that her eyes were polluted when she looked at him. She threw her sleeves away and went straight out of the yard.


    The housekeeper Zhong stood by outside the second gate and saw the seconddying out without saying anything. He took the seconddy to the woodshed.


    There were two menservants at the door, and when they saw housekeeper Zhong and the seconddying, they unlocked the door.


    Ye Jiayao went in.


    Sitting on the ground was a woman trussed up, her hair was scattered, her eyes were full of hate, and her lips were painted with bright red rouge, which made her look more like a female ghost.


    Was this the Cuiyan who had captivated Chunli?


    Ha ha, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but despise Chunli¡¯s eyes. On identity, Qiao was the daughter of arge family. Cuiyan was just a maid and couldn¡¯t read a word. In terms of appearance, Qiao could throw off several streets of Cuiyan. What did Chunli really like about Cuiyan? Did he like her style or her gentleness?


    The fact was just the man was shameless, the bitch was even more shameless, and she wanted to climb the master¡¯s bed all day and relied on this dirty means to climb the higher position. She didn¡¯t have any sympathy for this self-righteous woman and didn¡¯t need it.


    Cuiyan also stared bitterly at the seconddy. She hated this woman. If it hadn¡¯t been for this woman, she wouldn¡¯t have been kicked out by herdy. Maybe she was already an concubine now.


    ¡± Why do you tie and lock me? Let me go quickly! I¡¯m pregnant with elder master¡¯s child. Can you afford it if there¡¯s any trouble?¡± Cuiyan¡¯s vigorous voice rang way.


    The Housekeeper Zhong shouted at her, ¡± Shut up, what are you, how dare you yelling at your seconddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised her hand to stop the housekeeper Zhong: ¡± You go out first.¡±


    The housekeeper Zhong red at Cuiyan and warned in a low voice, ¡± Seconddy, be careful. She¡¯s crazy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sneered, shrew had no market here, what crazy search was actually a sign of weakness, using a strong appearance to hide inner weakness. Didn¡¯t Cuiyan rely on the children in her belly? Humph! Unfortunately, in her eyes, the child was nothing at all.


    The housekeeper Zhong gave two menservants a wink, and the three men withdrew. Qiao Xi also walked away two steps, standing on the left side of the seconddy and Cuiyan, staring at Cuiyan with her eyes fixed. if Cuiyan dared to be rude to the seconddy, she would rush up in the first ce.


    Ye Jiayao sniffed contemptuously: ¡± Is it great to have a master¡¯s child? When you take a child as a treasure, it is only a grass in my eyes. Do you think it is the child of the master, and marquis house will recognize it? Cuiyan, you are too naive. Do you know what child in your belly are called? Son of a bitch, his existence, can only prove that you are a bitch.¡±


    Cuiyan dazed for a moment, her eyes flickered slightly, then she became firm again. the seconddy was bluffing her, deliberately saying so. who did not know thedy wanted to have her grandson to be almost crazy.


    ¡± You don¡¯t have the right to say this to me. Letdye.¡± Cuiyan didn¡¯t change her strong attitude.


    Ye Jiayao was really going tough. Letdye? Who did she think she was? Took a chicken feather and you wanted to be yourmander.


    ¡± Lady? Cuiyan, you should be d thatdy was not here at the moment, otherwise, you would have been given a bowl of abortion medicine to fill it down, and you would still be able to be arrogant?¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were watchful andbative.


    ¡± Now that the firstdy is angry with you, you know, if she and the child in her belly have any mistakes, even if you can¡¯t afford to lose a hundred lives, don¡¯t drag them in front of me, you don¡¯t have the qualification, and don¡¯t expect the master toe to save you, he¡¯s not sure ... It¡¯s only because you¡¯re smart and too eager. If the children are born, let the master hold the children in front of thedy, and thedy looks like him, maybe you still have a chance, but you just chose this time to make a fuss and make things irreversible.¡±


    Cuiyan stupefied looking at the seconddy, suddenly her heart panicked. Was she really too eager? Wasn¡¯t this the best chance? She didn¡¯t ask much, just a concubine identity, and it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Just a not of consent...


    All of a sudden, Cuiyan realized where she was wrong. She thought she was making trouble now. She thought that marquis house wouldpromise in order to calm down, but she forgot that this seconddy was a hard nut to crack. Lady might still think about this child, but this child had nothing to do with the seconddy, and the seconddy would naturally not take it seriously.


    Ye Jiayao said that and turned to leave. Qiao Xi quickly followed.


    When she left the door, Ye Jiayao told the housekeeper Zhong, ¡± Keep a close watch. Without mymand, no one is allowed to approach, let alone enter.¡±


    ¡± Yes,¡± The housekeeper Zhong said.


    ¡± If she makes any more noise, you shut her up.¡±


    Now was not the time to dispose of Cuiyan. When Qiao¡¯s procreation difficulty had passed smoothly, Cuiyan would be disposed of by Qiao herself.

 Chapter 340 - Here comes Qiao’s family

    <h4>Chapter 340: Herees Qiao¡¯s family</h4>


    It had been an hour and a half since Qiao¡¯s pain interval was shortened, but the midwife said it was not yet time to see if it coulde out at night.


    Ye Jiayao inquired about Qiao¡¯s state. The midwife said she was ok and very cooperative. Did whatever she said.


    After a while, chunfeng returned, and Ye Jiayao thought she would not give brith until the evening and then went to the pce first.


    After a round of howling at Yonghe Pce, she went to the kitchen to make dinner and hurried home at night.


    It was said that misfortune never rains but pours, and the ancients never deceives me. This winter was the busiest in her two lives.


    Ye Jiayao sat in a carriage and closed her eyes to rest as soon as possible, but many things seemed to move in her head like antern, causing her headaches.


    Qiao Xi sat quietly and looked at the exhausted seconddy.


    Everyone else thought that marrying into the marquis house, wearing gold and silver, enjoying a lot of hot food and spicy food, and enjoying endless splendor, but the seconddy had not lived a few days of ease, she was busy with this and that, now, the burden of the family fell on the seconddy, and many things had to be done, many things could not be ignored, neither could they be avoided, nor could they be thrown away....


    She only hated herself for being too humble and couldn¡¯t help much.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly opened her eyes and seemed to think of something.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll forget a few things, so remenber for me first.¡±


    Qiao Xi nodded quickly: ¡°you say.¡±


    ¡°After going back to the office, ask Zhao steward to call Deng Haichuan back from King Yu¡¯s mansion.¡±


    ¡°The firstdy invited only one nurse, which is not enough. Ask Lin Kun¡¯s family to invite another two nurses. They should be handsome in appearance, innocent in life, healthy in health and careful in heart.¡±


    ¡°To learn more, who is the best pediatrician in Jinling City? Please invite him home. Let him decide the diagnosis fee, but ask him to stay in marquis house for three months.¡±


    If the child can survive for three months, there should be no problem.


    Ye Jiayao closed her eyes again.


    Qiao Xi only felt that her nose was sour and her eyes were dry. Couldn¡¯t she put these things away and have a good rest?


    Back at mansion, steward Zhong and Zhao ran back and forth in advance.


    Zhao steward said that the ounts had been worked out and asked the seconddy to have a look.


    Ye Jiayao took over the ount and said, ¡°You know what¡¯s going on at home, and I don¡¯t have time to look at it tonight, please wait patiently for a day or two.¡±


    Zhao Steward said in a busy way: ¡°Seconddy, it¡¯s not urgent. It¡¯s not the end of the year. Usually it¡¯s small year¡¯s eve¡¯s business.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and asked Zhong steward, ¡°Does firstdy gave the birth?¡±


    Zhong steward shook his head and trembles.


    ¡°Just say it. I have to know all the good things and bad things.¡± Ye Jiayao was really afraid that he would say something bad and could not help but listen.


    ¡°The first master secretly ran to see Cuiyan. We stopped him from entering. Later, the third master came to drag him away.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a little blocked up, endured it, calmed down her mood and asked, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    If this was the case, Zhong steward didn¡¯t have to tell her and won¡¯t look dignified.


    Zhong steward could not bear to say because seconddy was already busy enough and said, ¡°Just when the first master of Qiao¡¯s family came to Jinling to pay a bill at the end of the year, he came to see the firstdy and saw everything, he was so angry that pressing the first master on the ground and beat him cruelly. Several people couldn¡¯t pull him down, and first master suffered a lot ...¡±


    ¡°He deserved it.¡± Ye Jiayao hated gnashing her teeth.


    ¡°The third master said a lot of good things, but it was not easy to calm down the anger of the master Qiao. Who knows, when Auntie Wei knew that the first master was beaten, she rushed out to fight with him. This was even worse. His face was scratched by Auntie Wei.¡±


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to pass out and forgot it. One wave was not t and the other was rising again. She got angry with just listening.


    ¡°Now where is master Qiao?¡±


    ¡°The third master apanied him in the front courtyard and said a lot of good things, but he took charge of justice and waited for you to make a statement.¡±


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a moment and said, ¡°Zhong steward, tell me what I said and let Auntie Wei stay away for a month. Without my permission, she is not allowed to go out of the West Small Cross Court. No one in the house can tell her what is going on in the house and who is talkative about who is to me.¡±


    ¡°Zhao Steward, you should find a ce to send Cuiyan over. Be careful on the road and don¡¯t let anyone see it. Watch her for me. Don¡¯t be polite to her. Don¡¯t let her run away and die.¡±


    The two men took their orders, and Ye Jiayao went straight to thepound looking like ice.


    Qiao Xi quickly told stewards Zhong and Zhao about the ount given by seconddy and told them to do it quickly.


    Then she trotted to chase the seconddy.


    Ye Jiayao arrived at thepound, not in a hurry to see the master Qiao, but first went to the delivery room and asked the imperial doctor and the midwife, heard it was not time for birth then she went to the nt hall.


    Ye Jiayao entered the room and saw a handsome man sitting there sullenly, with three eye-catching blood marks on his white face.


    Chunfeng was waiting for Ye Jiayao so badly. These two hours had really not been easy.


    One didn¡¯t care to let the eldest brother run to find Cuiyan, and the other didn¡¯t care to let the master Qiao be scratched by auntie Wei, but it didn¡¯t work to say a lot of good words.


    Seeing Ye Jiayao finally arrived, he got up with surprise: ¡°Sister-inw.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded.


    Chunfeng said, ¡°This is the eldest brother of the eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, Qiao Mingdong.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a gift: ¡°Ye Jinxuan met Master Qiao.¡±


    Qiao Mingdong gave a perfunctory fist and looked cold.


    Ye Jiayao understood Qiao Mingdong¡¯s mood and would not care about it. She asked Chunfeng, ¡°Have you had dinner?¡±


    Chunfeng said: ¡°I have eaten.¡±


    Turned aside the upper position and asked Ye Jiayao to sit down.


    Ye Jiayao sat down and paused for a moment, said, ¡°When this happened, we had no light on the face of the marquise house. The duke and his wife had always been strict in running the house, and the house did everything from top to bottom and behaved properly. Madam trusted me and gave me the house to take care of. I also thought I could take care of it ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile: ¡°I¡¯m still too young and too junior, so that some people have a restless mind. There is no need to talk about right and wrong, Chunli is wrong, and I am wrong too. I failed to find it in time and nip it in the bud.¡±


    Chunfeng looked at Ye Jiayao surprisingly. Why did she take the responsibility? She had done very well. It was all the eldest brother¡¯s own responsibility. What did it have to do with her?


    Ye Jiayao had her own painstaking efforts. Did¡¯t you want Qiao¡¯s family to settle ounts with the duke or You? me their failure in raising kids? She took over the responsibility, and let Qiao¡¯s family me her. She was a junior, and even if the other party said something unpleasant, she could bear it.


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of saying these now? Since you are a family leader, how do you solve this problem?¡± Qiao Mingdong said in a cold way.


    Ye Jiayao said solemnly, ¡°This is to let you know our attitude of Jing ¡®an marquis house, and we will not protect our own member. I told my sister-inw earlier that we should leave everything alone and give birth to the child, then vent our anger with anger and vent our hatred. She will do whatever she wants, and I will bear all the consequences.¡±


    Qiao Mingdong¡¯s eyes had changed slightly, and Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were no longer so angry.


    He had to say that these words were very powerful, but his sister¡¯s temper was clear, her heart was soft, she had no backbone, and she was even more ruthless. At that time, would somebody else persuade her toendure this tone?


    ¡°If Mingxiu wants to knock out the child in that bitch¡¯s belly, can you do it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes were firm: ¡°That boy, we won¡¯t admit it in Jing ¡®an marquis house.¡±


    ¡°If Chunli must ept that bitch as a concubine ...¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    Qiao Mingdong¡¯s anger, which had just fallen down, came up again, only to hear Ye Jiayao say, ¡°If he must take Cuiyan as his concubine, then he went out of the house, removed his n name, Jing ¡®an marquis house won¡¯t ept him.¡±


    Uh .....


    Qiao Mingdong gasped for air, and the removal of n name was the most serious punishment. It was tantamount to the death penalty for Chunli. A person who was removed from n name would be looked down upon all his life. The seconddy really had such a big right?


    ¡°Your attitude can represent the attitude of the duke and his wife?¡±


    ¡°You can rest assured that I can make the dicision since I dared to say this.¡±


    If Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t have a bit of self ¨C confidence, she couldn¡¯t point this head and open this mouth. It was not about whether she had such a big right, but about the reputation and even future fate of Jing ¡®an marquis house. If Chunli insisted on going his own way and annoyed Qiao family to make trouble, they will be used by people with ulterior motives to promote it, marquis house would be in danger. In front of the overall situation, Chunli was a fart.


    Besides, she was absolutely sure that Chunli would not hesitate to choose the former between fame wealth and Cuiyan.


    Chunfeng also understood the temper of the eldest brother. The eldest brother was not saying that he valued fame and wealth, but covetedfort and enjoyment, leaving him with nothing, which made him feel worse than killing him. He knew that Ye Jiayao¡¯s saying so was just to ease Qiao Mingdong, and concubinage would never happen, involving national mourning. Who dared to mention such a thing?


    So chunfeng also said, ¡°Master, rest assured that what my sister-inw said represents our house¡¯s attitude.¡±


    Qiao Mingdong swept away his previous gloomy mood and seriously said, ¡°I¡¯m relieved that seconddy of the family is showing this attitude, and everything will wait until Mingxiu gives birth to a child.¡±


    Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief silently. Fortunately Qiao Mingdong was not the kind of importune person. As long as he showed sincerity, the other party would not be embarrassed.


    ¡°Auntie Wei is an illiterate woman, not to mention she knew any etiquette, but she was carried into a concubine¡¯s room because she has served the duke for many years and saved up a little hard work. Please don¡¯t care about her. Now I¡¯ve ordered her to stop and she won¡¯t want toe out to say anythingter,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao Mingdong felt the scar on his face and was satisfied with Ye Jiayao¡¯s handling.


    ¡°The master¡¯s face injury still needs to be dealt with, so as not to leave scars, that would be a sin. Chunfeng, you are here with the master. I¡¯ll call the doctor. As for the delivery room, I am still worry. I have to see.¡± Ye Jiayao got up to leave.


    Qiao Mingdong also got up to send her, and admired this young family leader. She acted decisively and clearly, with a strong momentum of female heroes.

 Chapter 341 - Dark People

    <h4>Chapter 341: Dark People</h4>


    Watched Ye Jiayao leave, Qiao Mingdong asked Chunfeng, ¡± What family did your second sister-inwe from?¡±


    That share sometimes sinks and gathers and sometimes has a sharp momentum, which is not what ordinary family¡¯s girl will have.


    Xia Chunfeng smiled: ¡± My second sister-inw is a strange girl, of no obvious origin, but a daughter of Yangzhou, but she is really strong Heavenly Residence, have you ever heard of her?¡±


    Qiao Mingdong nodded, ¡± I have heard the name of Heavenly Residence in Suzhou. it is said to be Jinling¡¯s best restaurant.¡±


    ¡± A year ago it was not enough to be called restaurant. My second sister-inw took over and made Heavenly Residence a lot better.¡±


    As Xia Chunfeng said, his face naturally showed admiration.


    Qiao Mingdong gaped, surprised and said, ¡± It is her the shopkeeper of Heavenly Residence?¡±


    ¡± Yes, she also works in the imperial kitchen, vice president of Jinling Catering Chamber of Commerce, and she has a good rtionship with our eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, so you can rest assured.¡±


    Qiao Mingdong couldn¡¯t return to absolute being for a long time. Was there such a wonderful woman in this world? Granny of Qiao¡¯s family was also a character. She founded her family¡¯s inheritance, but she didn¡¯t have the same means as this seconddy. Ming Xiu was lucky to have made friends with her in a year.


    Well, he really didn¡¯t have to worry about it. As long as Ming Xiu survived this, he believed there was nothing that couldn¡¯t be solved.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know that Chunfeng had said a lot of good things, but it wasn¡¯t as effective as bragging about her. At the moment, her heart was pulled by the dull groans inside.


    The old women rushed in and out, with pots of hot watering in and pots of blooding out, watching her scalp tingle in a cold sweat. wouldn¡¯t it take time to shed so much blood?


    It¡¯s terrible for a woman to have a child. This was the second child. Was the first one not more dangerous?


    Hongxiu came in and told her,¡± Herees Mama Gui from Helian Mansion. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao was busy: ¡± Please.¡±


    A maid led Mama Gui in.


    ¡± Seconddy.¡± Mama Gui gave a blessing.


    ¡± Old Ancestress was thinking about you and asked the me toe and see.¡±


    Ye Jiayao invited Mama Gui to sit down and the maid to made tea.


    ¡± It¡¯s been so long since it started.¡± Ye Jiayao was worried.


    Mama Gui asked, ¡± What does the imperial doctor say?¡±


    ¡± The imperial doctor said that because the child was not full ¨C term, he could not use his strength. He relied on his mother, but sister ¨C in ¨Cw has no strength.¡±


    Mama Gui silentlyforted her by saying, ¡± Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s dangerous to have children. Hold on and it must survive. The firstdy is lucky and will be fine.¡±


    With Mama Gui sitting here, Ye Jiayao was relieved. Time passed by, but the child still didn¡¯te out.


    After a while, Zhou also came, looking shocked: ¡± What does it mean the birth, isn¡¯t it not yet time?¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that Zhou was a big mouth or an inquisitor. Fortunately, the house issued a password, and no one was allowed to mention it. As she was about to exin, Mama Gui said, ¡± Premature delivery is not a rare thing.¡±


    Zhou looked at Mama Gui with unfamiliar eyes, sitting side by side with Ye Jiayao. She didn¡¯t dare to offend. She asked, ¡± This is ...¡±


    ¡± This is Mama Gui served around Princess Yide,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Zhou immediately grinned: ¡± I said, Mama Gui came out of style of arge family.¡±


    Mama Gui smiled, ¡± Madam is joking.¡±


    Zhou originally wanted toe over and see for a while, but the people of Princess Yide stayed a little longer, she stayed a little longer and pulled things off with Mama Gui.


    Ye Jiayao wanted Zhou to leave early. This person was an unstable factor here.


    The Mama Gui was old and refined. She guessed at Ye Jiayao¡¯s facial expression. Besides, she didn¡¯t like to talk to Zhou and drank a cup of tea. She said, ¡± I can¡¯t see this for a while. The Princess isn¡¯t in the house. Old Ancestress is alone. Old ve doesn¡¯t rest assured, so I¡¯ll leave first. When there¡¯s good news, remember to report it so that Old Ancestress won¡¯t be worried.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Sure.¡±


    When Zhou saw that Mama Gui was leaving, she didn¡¯t want to stay. She didn¡¯t know how long it would take to wait until Qiao¡¯s birth, and she didn¡¯t have a baby so soon. Sheughed: ¡± I have work at home, too. I¡¯ll go back first. If there is a ce where I can be useful here, Jinxuan, you can send someone to inform me and I¡¯lle.¡±


    ¡°Mama Gui, let¡¯s go together!¡± Zhou said familiarly.


    Mama Gyuui smiled and said nothing, and they left together.


    Chunfeng and Qiao Mingdong were also fidgeting in the nt hall, walking up and down with their hands behind their backs and almost hitting each other. They smiled awkwardly and said, ¡± Sit down and wait! We can¡¯t make it strong, we have to wait. ¡±


    Qiao Mingdong said with a wry smile, ¡± Yes, I didn¡¯t expect this trip to catch up. my mother said she woulde to Jinlingter in the year.¡±


    The two men sat down and ordered the exchange of hot tea.


    After drinking only two drinks, someone came to report that the thirddy sent someone to look for the third young master.


    Chunfeng pleaded guilty and went out to meet people.


    This was Xiaoya.


    ¡± Didn¡¯t I said that I won¡¯t go back tonight because of having something to deal with?¡± Chunfeng said.


    Xiao ya said, ¡± I came to know that the firstdy is about to give birth, and you know what the thirddy is afraid of.¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s eyes turned cold. He knew that Coloured ze had mentioned this matter more than once. As long as someone in the family came to see him or he came to visit, Coloured ze would have to say nonsense and suspect that he had something to hide from second sister-inw.


    ¡± I think she must be full,¡± Chunfeng said crossly.


    Xiaoya said: ¡± Why don¡¯t I go back to tell the truth? The firstdy is going to give a birth.¡±


    Chunfeng thought for a moment and nodded. ¡± Let¡¯s just say that I¡¯m with the eldest young master of Qiao.¡±


    Xiaoya said, ¡± The handmaiden will cope with the situation at the thirddy¡¯s side, and the young master could rest assured.¡±


    Chunfeng watched Xiao Ya leave silently thought, I have nothing to worry about if there isyou.


    This person was saved correctly.


    Coloured ze listened to Xiaoya¡¯s reply, hesitating to say, ¡± Isn¡¯t the birth date of sister-inw February? It¡¯s only December. How did it advance so much?¡±


    Xiaoya said, ¡± I didn¡¯t know it. It happened that the the eldest young master of Qiao came to Jinling to check the ounts. The prince is not in the office now. A man must stay with him, and the third young master will stay.¡±


    In fact, she did hear that the fistdy seemed to have been irritated by the the first young master, but the specific situation was not very clear and she simply said she did not know.


    Coloured ze coldly hum: ¡± why is there no man?The eldest young master is not a man? His own brother ¨C in ¨Cwes, let others apany him.¡±


    Xiaoya didn¡¯t see the eldest young master and didn¡¯t know the situation of him, so she had to make up: ¡± How can the eldest young master still have the mind to apany him now? The firstdy is premature, and the eldest young master is anxious.¡±


    Coloured ze agreed, no longer entangled with this matter, however, eldest sister-inw good carry of premature birth was a bit odd!


    ¡± what about the Ye?¡±


    Coloured ze made no secret of its dislike of Ye Jiayao in front of Xiaoya, calling her Ye directly.


    ¡± Seconddy has been watching in firstdy¡¯s room,¡± Xiao Ya replied.


    Coloured ze scoffed at her smile and said softly, ¡± Of course she will keep her watch. How long does it take for the olddy to leave the house, the firstdy get premature, if it¡¯s for the firstdy¡¯s own sake, if it¡¯s because of something else, hum ... the surname leaves the me.¡±


    ¡± You go there, why didn¡¯t inquire about something, didn¡¯t you hear anything else?¡±


    Coloured ze gave Xiaoya a disgruntled look.


    Xiaoya said calmly, ¡± I did ask a woman, who said premature delivery is amon urrence. Everyone is busy running around, and I was embarrassed to ask more.¡±


    Coloured ze pondered: ¡± Xiaoya, do you think should go over and have a look or not?¡±


    Xiaoya was afraid of the princess would make trouble over there. The third young master certainly did not like thirddy go there. She said, ¡± the princess may go and take this opportunity to repair it with the seconddy and the firstdy. If you are willing to put down your figure, will they still dare to care about it?¡±?¡±


    Xiaoya understood the princess¡¯s temper and deliberately said the opposite.


    Indeed as expected Coloured ze spitting,¡± I¡¯m going to please them?I need to please them? I just want to go over and see what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡± If there¡¯s a real situation, you¡¯ll find out when the timees. Now over there, everyone is busy. Moreover, if you go there, it¡¯s not good to go at a nce. The seconddy is there to watch, and you also have to watch, isn¡¯t it? Otherwise, others will gossip again and what about simply pretend that you are not feeling well. When I visited the third young master, I also said you were not feeling well. The third young master also asked me to serve you well.


    Coloured ze hesitated, Xiaoya said very reasonable, went there would be in trouble, or not, and in a few days it will be clear to ask Zhou. Zhou lives near and must know more.


    ¡°Okay, then don¡¯t go. I really don¡¯t feel well these days. The queen mother was gone, and now the people in the pce are not cold or hot when they see me, even the queen. Ah ... people are snobbish as people walk then the tea be cool,¡± said Coloured ze in chagrin.


    ¡± Princess, perhaps you have be too oversensitive. Now everyone is sad. How can you think about this?¡± Xiaoya urged.


    zed ze¡¯s corners of the mouth float a sneer,¡± Sad? One by one¡¯s howling is very energetic, just like their mother have dead, but how many are there really sad? It¡¯s all a pretence.¡±


    Xiaoya thought, the queen mother doted on you so much. How many times did you go to see the queen mother when she was ill? How much filial piety do you have when you said others were insincere? Otherwise, why didn¡¯t the queen mother announce you to the pce when she was to died? Must also see you! She had doted on you in vain, leaving so many names behind.


    Once seeing through some people and something, one would find it difficult to treat them as before. In the past, Xiaoya would also feel that the princess has done something wrong, but thinking that she was their master, there was nothing wrong with her master, and her master had difficulties, the handmaiden would have to help solve the problems. Now she felt that she was stupid before and even helped to do so many bad things.


    Fortunately, the third young master did not abandon her and saved her when she was most in danger. Listened to the third young master, the seconddy also secretly looked for her in private. Only the person who she had reported her life, did nothing to save her. Did there leave anything to say? The princess¡¯s side was always full of intrigue, resentment and suspicion, all dark and obscure things that can drive people crazy. If it weren¡¯t for the third young master, she wouldn¡¯t be able to stay for a day.

 Chapter 342 - Mother and child were safe

    <h4>Chapter 342: Mother and child were safe</h4>


    It was already midnight, and there might still be many night owls in modern times, but it was not far from morning in ancient times, and it was the quietest time.


    By this time everyone was in a bit of a bind, and so was Ye Jiayao, who wanted to sleep but did not dare to sleep. Qiao was still suffering from pain and uncertainty about her¡¯s life. How could she go to rest?


    She ordered the kitchen to make some food and give everyone a refreshment.


    Ye Jiayao went into the delivery room to see Qiao twice and cheer her up. To tell the truth, she didn¡¯t dare to go into the delivery room, with a thick blood smell, and Qiao¡¯s pale face and profuse sweat, scared her. She shuddered to think that she might one day experience such pain.


    She didn¡¯t dare to stay for a long time and came out with a few words offort. Xiangtao brought people here with the soup with red dates, peanuts, longan and semen nelumbinis in it which meant giving birth to son early. Each one had a bowl and assigned it down.


    Originally, all these things were done by Zhou Xing¡¯s family, but Ye Jiayao prevented Zhou Xing¡¯s family from doing so and let Xiangtao do it.


    Ye Jiayao asked Xiang Tao, ¡± did the third master and the master Qiao receive them over there?¡±


    Xiangtao replied, ¡± Yes.¡±


    ¡°What about the eldest master?¡±


    The Xiangtao lingered and said in a low voice, ¡± He has already sent someone to the kitchen to have something to eat.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was angry. He was a shameless man, heartless. Everyone grabbed their hearts, and he could eat and sleep, just like a man who had nothing to care about, he was beaten by master Qiao without a long memory.


    Hopeless.


    Ye Jiayao asked Mother Fang to bring soup to Qiao to see if she could eat something. Everyone was very hard, but the hardest one was Qiao. The kitchen stewed Qiao¡¯s soup, and Qiao could not go down after only drinking two spoonfuls of soup. Instead, she used ginseng slices to contain it.


    Seeing everyone had soup, Ye Jiayao just sat down and drank slowly.


    Drinking half, she suddenly reminded of a few things, called Qiao Xi in a hurry.


    ¡± Qiao Xi, you hurry to find the housekeepers Zhong and Zhao. I really forget about those things I said earlier. You also don¡¯t remember to remind me that they are all urgent matters. You have to hurry to do ...¡±


    She muttered to herself, ¡± I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s toote.¡±


    Qiao Xi looked at the seconddy who was in a hurry, but she couldn¡¯tugh at her and was very distressed.


    ¡± Seconddy, please rx. I has already told the housekeepers Zhong and Zhao, and they have already done it.¡±


    Er, Ye Jiayao looked at Qiao Xi unexpectedly and smiledter: ¡± You do a good job.¡±


    Qiao Xi said, ¡± the seconddy has only one head and two hands, and I can¡¯t help anything else. I will never forget what the seconddy told me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed, ¡± It¡¯s good to have you and Xiangtao, or I won¡¯t be able to do it well even if I have three heads and six arms.¡±


    Considering that there were still many capable people around her, but the scene was not big enough. Qiao Xi and Xiangtao were almost getting married. Yingtao were too young to stand alone. s, she was facing a shortage of workers.


    ¡± I see the head, the firstdy, work harder, the child ising out ...¡± The sound of a midwife¡¯s surprise came from the back room.


    Everyone immediately raised their spirits, and Ye Jiayao was also excited. Just as Lin Kun¡¯s family came out, Ye Jiayao went up and asked, ¡± Is it getting fast?¡±


    Lin Kun¡¯s family said with a smile: ¡± Soon, I will call the nurse to wait.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rejoiced: ¡± Go quickly. There are also child¡¯s clothes, swaddling clothes and so on. Be warm.¡±


    She remembered that at present, premature babies were put in the incubator.


    ¡± Seconddy, these are all ready.¡±


    ¡± The pigeon soup? The firstdy will certainly be hungry after giving birth.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simmering! You can bring it up at any time. ¡±


    Lin Kun¡¯s family looked at the happy appearance of the seconddy, as if she was going to be a mother. She stayed here all night and did her best to hand over the family. It was right to let the seconddy in charge of whole family.


    Lin Kun¡¯s family lifted the cotton curtain and went out. Ye Jiayao saw two small heads there at a nce and went over.


    ¡± When is it now, you still don¡¯t go to bed? Don¡¯t think you can bezy when imperial academy has a holiday. ¡± Ye Jiayao deliberately bluffed.


    Chunguo smiled, not afraid of her at all. The second sister-in-low actually was a person who couldmunicate with.


    ¡± Everyone doesn¡¯t sleep, and I have to wait for my little nephew to be born.¡±


    Minrui was not so bold, and he was both respectful and afraid of this cousin, dragging Chunguo¡¯s skirts all the time.


    ¡± Not yet, you go to bed first, ande back tomorrow to see. Minrui, you take Chunguo away.¡±


    Minrui was a good boy and most obedient. Ye Jiayao handed over the task to Minrui.


    Minrui said yes and dragged Chunguo away.


    Chunguo still howled all the way ... I wanted to see my little nephew.


    Ye Jiayao smiled. He just was a small fart child, what a nephew!


    Sending two kids, Ye Jiayao asked Hongxiu to call the master. The baby was about to be born. He should also be a father.


    After the joy, Ye Jiayao began to tense up again, walking around outside, her handkerchief was twisted.


    Qiao Xi thought that the seconddy was worried about the firstdy and urged, ¡± the midwife inside are the most experienced. besides, there are imperial doctors in charge, the firstdy will be fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao silently, she was not worried about this! Premature infants had a low survival rate. What if he/she cannot survive? There was an empty joy, even a bigger blow to Qiao.


    ¡± Seconddy! Seconddy!¡± Xiangtao rushed in.


    ¡± Seconddy, the housekeeper Zhong has invited a pediatrician, and they have already arrived.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened and she hurried out to meet them.


    The housekeeper Zhong invited a female doctor, over 30 years old, with a dusty appearance.


    ¡± This is Dr. Jiang, who went out for a visit today. I don¡¯t invite her until now,¡± exined the housekeeper Zhong.


    Ye Jiayao nodded approvingly, and the housekeeper Zhong was reliable in his work.


    ¡± There is also the matter of the wet nurse, and someone has already done it. I believe there will be news tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± You should go to rest first. You¡¯ve been working hard on this day.¡±


    The housekeeper Zhong finished his work, which did make old bones too much for him, so he stopped being melodramatic and went down to rest.


    Ye Jiayao said to Dr. Jiang, ¡± Dr. Jiang, I¡¯m really sorry. It¡¯s midnight and I invite you here. It¡¯s really a special situation.¡±


    Dr. Jiang said calmly, ¡± it¡¯s the doctor¡¯s duty to cure diseases and save lives. Lady, don¡¯t mention it. I have already been told about the situation on the way. To tell the truth, I have treated several premature babies, some of them have seeded and some have failed. I still have to wait until the baby is born. I can¡¯t guarantee it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened to Dr. Jiang¡¯s remarks, but she felt that this Dr. Jiang had real ability and medical ethics, no exaggeration and hypocrisy, honesty, and was worthy of trust and respect.


    ¡± Moreover, as for whatdy said, I can¡¯t stay at home for three months. I am a doctor and have many patients who need me. Many of them have to be visited regrly. I can only stay here for half a month at most. If I can¡¯t cure him/her for half a month, I will have no cure. If I can cure him/her, I cane and check him/her regrly in the future,¡± Dr. Jiang said seriously.


    Originally, ording to Ye Jiayao¡¯s meaning, it would be best if the doctor could stay in the office and deal with emergencies at any time, but she just wanted to believe in Dr. Jiang and wanted to invite such people.


    ¡± Well, then please Dr. Jiang. The baby hasn¡¯t been born yet, but it was almost there. You¡¯ll have to wait a little longer, or you can rest first and I¡¯ll send someone to call you again.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    ¡± No, I¡¯d better wait. When the childes out, I¡¯ll have to give him/her aprehensive examination first.¡± Dr. Jiang was in charge.


    ¡± Well, youe with me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao brought Dr. Jiang to Qiao¡¯s house.


    On entering the room, She saw the people¡¯s looks were dignified.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank and she asked Qiao Xi, ¡± What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Qiao Xi said, ¡± the child is born, but do not hear the crying. the physician has already entered.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯ll go and see,¡± said Dr. Jiang.


    The Mother Fang was busy leading Dr. Jiang into the room. Ye Jiayao did not rest assured and followed her.


    She saw the physician holding the child in the palm of his foot.


    The child¡¯s body was ck and purple, so small, it was estimated that it weighed only four or five pounds. Ye Jiayao was really worried that if the imperial doctor carried the child like this, his feet would be broken.


    The physician took several shots, but the child did not respond.


    Dr. Jiang opened the medicine cab, took out a set of needles, pulled out a slender silver needle and baked it on a candle, saying, ¡± Put the child down and I¡¯ll try.¡±


    The imperial medical skill was good, but he had not dabbled in pediatrics and couldn¡¯te up with a good solution. originally he also wanted to use silver needles, but the child was so young that he didn¡¯t dare to try.


    Since Dr. Jiang was willing to try, the imperial doctor put down the child, and Dr. Jiang went over to look at the child¡¯s face and said, ¡± Go away.¡±


    Not for fear that others would learn her medical skill, but for fear that the child¡¯s rtives would worry deeply when they saw the needle.


    Everyone took a few steps back when they heard this.


    Ye Jiayao only saw Dr. Jiang lift the child¡¯s foot and plunge it down with a single needle, fast and hard.


    Then the other foot, then slowly twisted the silver needle, suddenly pulled out the silver needle and lifted the child up, snapping several times.


    ¡± Boohoo ...¡±


    The stone that was repressed in everyone¡¯s mind fell to the ground with a thud.


    ¡± The child was crying, that¡¯s all right.¡± The Mother Fang wept with joy.


    Everyone was very excited. Ye Jiayao grabbed Qiao Xi¡¯s arm. Qiao Xi was pained by her, but she choked back abruptly. The seconddy was too happy.


    ¡°Qiao Xi, quickly, inform master, third master and master Qiao, quickly ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao urged joyfully and repeatedly, with tears in her eyes, walked to Qiao¡¯s bed and softly said, ¡±dy, you are too strong. You have a boy.¡±


    Qiao smiled weakly: ¡± You¡¯re worried.¡±


    ¡± It is good to be safe. After this, things will go smoothly in the future.¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t talk too much to the lying-in woman, she needs rest most now.¡± A clear voice rang out.


    It¡¯s Dr. Jiang. Her facial expression was always so calm and steady.


    The doctor¡¯s words must be listened to. Ye Jiayao smiled and said to Qiao, ¡± Then you can rest and keep your spirits up before we talk.¡±

 Chapter 343 - Persuasion

    <h4>Chapter 343: Persuasion</h4>


    Dr. Jiang handed the child over to the midwife after the examination and reported the examination results himself: ¡°The child weighs four catties and two taels, because the baby is well raised in the womb and the condition is not too bad. With careful care, he is very likely to survive, congenital deficiency, and it should be no big problem after the birth.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart could finally put down.


    ¡°Dr. Jiang, the child`s life is counting on you,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely.


    Now, this doctor Jiang was her lifeline, and she was counting on him.


    Dr. Jiang looked pale: ¡°The child is very young, tender and fragile now. Be careful when you hold it. Just look at it and send it back to me as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Well, Xiangtao, you take Dr. Jiang to rest,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    Dr. Jiang had just left with Xiangtao, then Chunli, Chunfeng and the master Qiao came in.


    Ye Jiayao almost didn¡¯t recognize Chunli. His nose was ck and blue. He looked like a big pig head. She couldn¡¯t see the expression on his face. Was he happy or not.


    Qiao Mingdong and Chunfeng were both so happy, waited until midnight, hoping for a safe mother and child.


    Chunfeng sent red envelopes to the midwives, imperial doctors and doctors, and ordered the carriage to send them back one by one.


    This way, the old woman cleaned up the children, wrapped her in cotton cloth and held her out for everyone to see.


    Chunli was also excited to see the child and wanted to stretch out his hand to hug her. Qiao Mingdong pull him back and stretch out his hand to take over the child. The posture was very standard. It could be seen that there was no less practice at home.


    He nced at Chunli contemptuously and said, ¡°You look like a pig head now. Be careful to scare the child, and say that the person the child sees at the first sight when he opens his eyes will look like him.¡±


    Chunli hated to grind his teeth straight. I was beaten by you. Why didn¡¯t my son like me? It was not normal if he didn¡¯t like me.


    Qiao Mingdong said gently to the child, regardless of his grinning teeth: ¡°My little nephew, Uncle told you that it is not easy for your mother to have you, and will honor your mother in the future. When you grow up, you can not read books well and won¡¯t make a lot of money, but you must do your duty and don¡¯t learn from your father ...¡±


    ¡°Hello, how do you talk to my son? This is my son, not your son, don¡¯t teach my son to be bad. ¡°Chunli was anxious to rob his son.


    Qiao Mingdong dodged: ¡°Didn`t you want your children anymore? Didn¡¯t you want the child in the belly of that cheap woman? What¡¯s going on now?¡±


    Chunli¡¯s face grew increasingly blue with a pig head: ¡°Who said I don¡¯t want a son? I never said that. ¡±


    ¡°You want a son; you want a son so you ignored your wife? Just had fun outside? You want a son, what¡¯s in that bitch¡¯s belly? Bustard?¡± Qiao Mingdong said straight.


    Ye Jiayao was afraid that the two men would rob to hurt the child. Dr. Jiang told her to be careful.


    Busy to make a noise and stop: ¡°When the child first came to this world, you two quarreled beside him. Is it really good? Don¡¯t make so much noise, give the child to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, Qiao Mingdong obediently gave the child to Ye Jiayao and gave Chunli a demonstration ¨C like stare.


    Chunli lost heart and couldn¡¯t argue with Qiao Mingdong at all. All the quarrels were justified and had to be bitterly avoided.


    Ye Jiayao carefully held the child in her arms. This little one was really a little one. His face was small. It was not as big as her palm. His eyes were closed and his mouth nk from time to time. He twisted his neck and stretched out his hands. He looked so cute. If he was born at full term, he must be a round, pink and tender meat ball.


    Ye Jiayao liked him more and more and loved him more and more. Poor child, you must grow up well and healthily and don¡¯t waste your aunt¡¯s work for you.


    Didn`t know when, Chunli poked his head over and looked at the child stupidly and said, ¡°The child is like me. Look at the eyes and nose, it¡¯s just like me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked sideways and saw that Chunli was swollen into a line of eyes, full of tenderness, joy and movement of mind, and handed the child over to him.


    Chunli paused for a moment, then filled his heart with joy and looked at his son intently and gently.


    This was his son, and he had a son. The feeling of being connected by blood was really amazing, as if life could not be separated again. This was the feeling women could not give him, satisfaction and pride.


    Ye Jiayao said gently, ¡°Congrattions, eldest brother, you have both son and daughter.¡±


    Chunli giggled and was really happy: ¡°Siblings have worked hard.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m not so hard ¨C working. As long as the family is round and harmonious, all the efforts are worth paying.¡±


    Chunli couldn¡¯t help nodding his head, and his eyes couldn¡¯t bear to move the child¡¯s face for a moment.


    Ye Jiayao added: ¡°Dew marriage will notst long after all. It is only the wife who is most worth cherishing. Only the wife will be able to dig out her lungs for you, sharing weal and woe. What are other women? They just took a fancy to your identity and status. If one day you are nothing, would they still apany you and watch you? They would already picked up high branches ...¡±


    The shame on Chunli¡¯s face grew stronger.


    Chunfeng lifted the cotton curtain and came in. Qiao Mingdong immediately hissed at him. Chunfeng understood and even lightened his steps.


    ¡°In fact, the eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw is not a narrow ¨C minded person, but she is angry with you for hiding from her. She had worked hard for you to carry on the family business and have children for you. By doing so, she really hurts her heart and makes her lose face. Even if a woman is beautiful and rich, she can¡¯t be as capable as a man who genuinely loves her, understands her and loves her.¡±


    ¡°If Cuiyan is a good woman, the eldest sister-inw will not refuse, but what kind of person is she, eldest brother, you can¡¯t see clearly, but we can see clearly, so scheming, and mentally incorrect, if she is really good to you, will she choose this time toe to make trouble? Now it¡¯s a national funeral. If this thinges out, your future will be ruined. The whole marquis house will follow to suffer. She didn¡¯t even consider your feelings in doing so. She only thinks about herself and wants to be an aunt to enjoy her wealth.¡±


    Ye Jiayao always spoke to him in a gentle tone. Now was the softest time for Chunli¡¯s mind. He should be able to listen to his feelings and reason. Thunder means could also work, but forcing Chunli to drive away Cuiyan, while the woman still lived in his heart, was to take temporary measures instead of permanent cure, with endless troubles. Only if Chunli could figure it out and understand it, could it be over.


    Chunli bowed his head sadly. He already understood the stakes and feared it much.


    ¡°Such a woman will only harm you and will not do you any good. Even if the woman outside is so good, she is not as good as a grass in the family, eldest brother. Speaking, you are the eldest son of the family. You can¡¯t start this rotten behavior. Otherwise, Chunyu and Chunfeng will follow your example in the future, but I will count all the ounts on your head.¡± Ye Jiayao said with anger.


    Chunli said in shame, ¡°Sister-inw, stop talking. I listen to you, but ... what about the children in her belly?¡±


    What should she do? Three pairs of eyes looked at Ye Jiayao.


    What should she do? This problem had been tangled in Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart for a long time. When Ye Jiayao first became so angry, the only thought was aborted, and a life that was not blessed and not recognized came to this world. What happiness was there to speak of? It was not responsible for this life.


    However, calmed down and thought about it. After all, it was a life. She was not God. She had no right to decide whether or not a life should be left behind.


    She had a n in her heart, but now she didn¡¯t want to say it, and finally depended on Qiao¡¯s meaning and Cuiyan¡¯s own attitude.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this problem,¡± Ye Jiayao said ambiguously.


    Chunli nodded and wanted to say something, but when he saw the child in his arms, he felt unable to say anything.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Sister ¨C in ¨Cw hasn¡¯t seen the child yet. You should show her the child in your arms, eldest brother. You must know that only if the sister-inw forgave you and the father and mothere back can you be relieved. Otherwise, you know the majesty of the father.¡±


    Chunli¡¯s heart was fiercely attentive, and he carried the child into the house in a busy and obedient manner.


    Qiao Mingdong looked at Ye Jiayao with a gleam of eyes. He was sincerely convinced of this woman, saying things in a reasonable way and quietly, grasping the right moment, firmly grasping the weakness of Chunli and sticking to the post of an asshole.


    Chunfeng thought of Liuli, beautiful and outstanding birth. However, she was still a failed woman. However, her failure was not to me others.


    Ye Jiayao raised her eyes and looked at both of them. Her eyes were full of red silk. She said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s give it to Chunli. You¡¯ve had a hard time, too. Go to rest early.¡±


    Qiao Mingdong said that you were the hardest worker, but if they didn¡¯t go to rest, she couldn¡¯t rest well, so she said, ¡°Let¡¯s go first, and you can also go to rest.¡±


    Yes, she should rest, too. If she didn¡¯t rest, she will fall.


    After sending Chunfeng and Qiao Mingdong away, Ye Jiayao was still not at ease, and her ears were stuck on the drapery to eavesdrop on the conversation inside.


    ¡°I was wrong this time. You forgive me for this time. I promise not to associate with her again.¡±


    ¡°Why you ran out to find her today?¡± Qiao said coldly.


    ¡°I ... I just have some words to ask her, not loathe to give up ...¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe your promise.¡±


    ¡°Really, you believe me, I can swear that I will never y with stones again, and in the future, my sry will be given to you ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard this, triggering a radian at the corners of her mouth and really not ying with stones, which meant that he was serious, but it was only good to keep it for a long time. Didn¡¯t rpse in two days.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll go back, too. It¡¯s getting light.¡± Ye Jiayao called Qiao Xi.


    When she left, she did not forget to tell her mother: ¡°I¡¯ll take the young master to Dr. Jiang¡¯ster, and be careful not to let the young master suffer the wind.¡±

 Chapter 344 - Dismissal

    <h4>Chapter 344: Dismissal</h4>


    This day she didn¡¯t need to go to Ninghe Temple. The Emperor and Queen¡¯s breakfast was not her duty, so Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t wake up until the end of Maoshi.


    Just about to get up, Qiao Xi came in.


    ¡± I just guessed the second Lady wants to get up at this point. It is still early, so you can sleep again!¡± Qiao Xi urged.


    The Second Lady?had just slept for less than two hours, which was not enough!


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t get up. It was so cold that she really wanted to hide in bed all day and sighed, ¡± No, there are still many things to do.¡±


    Qiao Xi tucked a warmer in her bed and said, ¡°The third young master had already sent someone to give good news to the third lord¡¯s house and Helian Mansion... The handmaiden had been to Dr Jiang¡¯s and said that llittle young master was fine and had eaten milk and was sleeping soundly ... the First Lady has also had breakfast, and Mother Fang said that her spirit is good ... The elder master Qiao is still asleep and hasn¡¯t got up. The Second Lady, can you sleep a little longer now? Even if you can¡¯t sleep, it¡¯s good to lie down and raise your strength.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but sit up and took notice of Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi was safe and faithful, which was beyond doubt, but for a long time, she had always felt that there was somethingcking and what were the shorings? Could not say for sure,?she understood that what Qiao Xicked was initiative, what shemanded her to do, and after her praise yesterday, Qiao Xi seemed to suddenly begin to understand. She would ponder her mind and knew what she cared about.


    Ye Jiayao looked at her smilingly: ¡± Qiao Xi, you understand my thoughts more and more. You are a little in charger¡¯s head. So capable, I can¡¯t bear to marry you out. What should I do?¡±


    Qiao Xi blushed and shyly said, ¡± The Second Lady you are teasing the handmaiden in the such early morning! Who said I want to get married?¡±


    She didn¡¯t even think about this problem, nor there was not married servant in the house, like The Mother Fang around The First Lady didn¡¯t married anyone.


    Qiao Xi was defeated and fled. Ye Jiayao was in a good mood. Hey down and held the old woman in her arms for a while. It didn¡¯t take long. Some things still had to be handled by herself, others couldn¡¯t rece her.


    After getting up and eating breakfast, Ye Jiayao went to Qiao first.


    Qiao was nursing the baby because it was a second child and the milk wading out quickly.


    The child was too young to have much strength and fell asleep after a few bites.


    When Qiao saw Ye Jiayaoing to see her, she handed the child over to the nurse and carried it back to Dr. Jiang¡¯s.


    Servants all withdrew and left two masters to speak.


    ¡± Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, you looks good!¡±


    Qiao said, ¡± After a night¡¯s sleep, I finally recovered.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought, I was afraid it was because she was in afortable mood. She said curiously, ¡± You had made peace with?eldest brother?¡±


    Qiao made a sound of bah and said, ¡± Who had made peace with him and it is not so easy for me to forgive him. I get to understand, I was just too easy to talk and I followed him in everything. He did¡¯nt take me seriously and was reckless. This time, if he doesn¡¯t teach himself to be honest, he doesn¡¯t know how to put me in his heart.¡±


    Qiao now gave birth to a son, had eldest brother beside and was at the rational position, so she was confident again.


    Ye Jiayao raised her hands in favor of it. Women would have to be cruel to men who were mean and did not clean up.


    ¡± Sister ¨C in ¨Cw,?I support you without any words.¡±


    Qiao said with a smile, ¡± It¡¯s all thanks to you.¡±


    ¡± I would have died eight hundred times if there was not you.¡±


    In her most difficult time, It was the second younger siblings gave her strong backing without hesitation. She wouldn¡¯t forget this kindness. Maybe she had many shorings and her heart was high and her skill was low, but she still knew what was right, who was sincere to her, who was hypocritical to her, or could see it.


    ¡± By the way, sibling, Where is the bitch Cuiyan?¡± Qiao asked.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± I¡¯m afraid she¡¯s not safe in the house. I got her out of here first. You don¡¯t have to worry about it. I¡¯ll deal with the matter of external government officeter. I heard there are still several servants out there who will be dismissed early.¡±


    Qiao was deeply impressed, but she felt a little guilty, ¡± It¡¯s just that she has to trouble second sister ¨C in ¨Cw.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled. She did her best, not all for Qiao¡¯s sake, but more from Marquis House¡¯s point of view. If she didn¡¯t handle it properly, it was a ticking time bomb and she didn¡¯t know when it would explode.


    After asking for the address, Ye Jiayao took Qiao Xi and Manger Zhao to the outer residence.


    Outside the house there were four maids, two women. There was an old gatekeeper, and the woman in charge surnamed Dong, and the servant girl of Cuiyan called Xiaohong. All these were what the eldest brother said. In order to get rid of the trouble here, the eldest brother did not dare to hide anything and told Ye Jiayao everything.


    Manager Zhao knocked at the door. The old gatekeeper opened the door, he looked suspiciously at Manager Zhao and then at Ye Jiayao, cautiously asking, ¡± You are ...¡±


    Manager Zhao smilingly said, ¡± This is the Lady in charge of Marquis House. Come here and have a look.¡±


    When the gatekeeper heard that she was the First Lady of the wealthy family, he did not dare to neglect her, so he invited people in and told Mother Dong.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the three-in yard, tidied up and entered the living room, looking at a set of furniture made of Hainan yellow flower pear wood.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t helpughing. It seemed that the eldest brother¡¯s family was still very rich, but now it was all owned by Qiao¡¯s family. The eldest brother had already handed over the deeds of the house to show sincerity.


    Mother Dong quickly came to meet them.


    In the face of Marquis House¡¯sdy, Mother Dong was uneasy. She didn¡¯t know what the purpose of hering here was. Ms Cui went to Marquis House yesterday and didn¡¯te back. Xiaohong went to inquire. She was rudely driven away by the people over there, saying that the firstdy was going to giving birth, everyone was busy and had no time to care her.


    Now everyone was in a panic and didn¡¯t know what to do.


    With a smile on her face, Ye Jiayao took a sip of tea slowly and put down the teamp and said, ¡± The best tea of Mountain Mao cloud is good, great.¡±


    Mother Dong smiled apologetically, ¡± I don¡¯t know is there anything I can do for thedy?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said slightly, ¡± The eldest young master said that you are the Manager Mother here, just look for you.¡±


    Mother Dong made an ear ¨C catching appearance.


    Ye Jiayao said gently: ¡± It¡¯s nothing like the eldest young master buying a house outside. Men, who don¡¯t like to hide beauties in a golden house, it just depends on whether they have the ability to hide it. But the problem is that we have strict rules in our Marquis House and strict family education, and the duke can¡¯t tolerate it, so this house will be took away.¡±


    Ye Jiayao deliberately described such a thing as amon thing, but Marquis House did not allow it, avoiding these people from threatening their lives and thinking they had taken hold of Marquis House¡¯s handle.


    Mother Dong¡¯s face changed, took away this house? What about Miss Cui? And what about them servants?


    Ye Jiayao saw through Mother Dong¡¯s thoughts and added, ¡± I didn¡¯t know about Miss Cui before. Now that I know it, Marquis House can¡¯t ignore it, but I still have to wait for Mrs Jing¡¯an duke toe back. Now Cuiyan¡¯s staying in the house, and she won¡¯te back. As for you ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao nced lightly, and Mother Dong clenched her fist nervously.


    ¡± When I came, I also asked the manager of the inner and outer courts and they are not short of manpower, so I¡¯m going to give you back your deed and give you another severance payment. No matter how you are also the people who served the eldest young master, We marquis house are the most benevolent in our work and won¡¯t hurt you, so what does Mother Dong think?¡±


    Mother Dong could be in charge here, and naturally she had some eyesight. The Lady had a tight tongue and a reasonable mind, which made it difficult for anyone to oppose her.


    It was good to be able to enter Marquis House, but that kind of high gatepound had deep water. It was not enough for her to look into it. She could get back the deed of sale, and be a free person, and had a severance payment. It was still a good deal thinking about that. In fact, thedy could otherwise everyone to seller for resale and got a sum of money.


    ¡± My Lady, all of us here are not locals, as far away as Henan, and most closed one is from Zhenjiang, and I am from Xiangshan. If there is no need for me here, I will go back to hometown, I wonder if the severance payment is enough for me to back home,¡± Mother Dong said.


    Ye Jiayao smiled, when she came, she already knew the origin of these people. It seemed that the eldest brother deliberately chose servants from other ces to avoid leaking information. It was much easier to solve now, as long as these people took severance payment and leave, everything would be all right.


    ¡± Mother Dong, since I said that I would not let you suffer, I will definitely do it. You are the one in charge of the house, fifty-two taels for you, and the rest, thirty taels. Of course, for outside, you are still the same number as the others, this, you know?¡±


    Mother Dong was delighted that her monthly sry was only one or two taels of silver. Ms Cui was stingy and did not reward her easily. The temple was small and oil is also less. Fifty taels, how many years would it take to save it? Moreover, she had twenty taels more than others. She had more than enough travelling expenses to go back to Xiangshan, plus her savings over the years, she could live afortable life when she was back.


    ¡± I understand ...¡± Mother Dong answered quickly.


    Ye Jiayao frowned on purpose: ¡± But ... do you think other people will have opinions?¡±


    Mother Dong assured her: ¡± Please?believe me,dy, I still has some skill.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled, ¡± Then it¡¯s up to you to do it. Manager Zhao will be waiting here and within half an hour, I hope everyone will pack up and leave, and there will be a carriage to take you out of the city or to the dock. He is also very busy. If you are well ced, the house will be repossessed and you will return to life. If you can do it well in advance, I will tell Manager Zhao to give you another 10 taels of silver.¡±


    When Mother Dong heard that she could get an extra 10 taels, she dared not to work not hard: ¡± I will immediately do it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was ready to go into the pce and walked into the courtyard. A maid came running with a jar of wine: ¡± Lady...¡±


    Ye Jiayao stopped: ¡± What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    The maid said, dy, the handmaiden Xiaohong, served Ms Cui. When Ms Cui entered the house, the handmaiden was also happy for her. This is her favorite plum wine, and there is only one ce left. Coulddy bring it to Ms Cui?¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised his eyebrows, but this time it was better not care too much. she smiled: ¡± Well, I didn¡¯t know Mis Cui drink.¡±


    Xiaohong said, ¡± Ms Cui doesn¡¯t drink much, but she drinks a small cup every day, saying it¡¯s good for beauty.¡±


    ¡± Drink every day?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao with some thoughts in her mind.


    ¡± Yes, she drink it every day.¡± Xiaohong nodded.

 Chapter 345 - Doubts

    <h4>Chapter 345: Doubts</h4>


    Sitting in the carriage, Ye Jiayao looked at the jar thoughtfully.


    Drinking every day ... It was supposed that she can¡¯t drink when she were pregnant!Cuiyan didn¡¯t understand thismon sense? Or, what was the problem here?


    Qiao Xi also stared at the jar: ¡± The seconddy, you don¡¯t really want to give this wine to Cuiyan, do you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was deep in thought. Indeed, about the children in Cuiyan¡¯s belly, everyone just listened to Cuiyan, but Cuiyan came to Marquis House to make trouble and rolled around,was she like a pregnant woman? Cuiyan should know clearly that the child was her biggest reliance and she must?be careful to protect the child. Well, it needed to be checked.


    Qiao Xi didn¡¯t say anything when she saw that the seconddy didn¡¯t respond.


    After entering the pce, Ye Jiayao went to the Chaoyang temple to ask the Queen what she want to eat today.


    The Queen was talking to several concubines, so she just let Wanru send a message that just did it casually. Now she didn¡¯t pay attention to this. The Emperor would have dinner at Zichen Pce at noon.


    What Ye Jiayao most disliked to hear was the word ¡± casually¡±. The person who said it may want to save trouble, but the person who did?it would not save trouble and would have to consider it again.


    It seemed that it was better to write a vegetarian?menu and let the Queen order her own meal.


    When they came to the Imperial kitchen, everyone knew Ye Jiayao well and greeted her warmly. Everyone helped her forwordly when she needed help.There was no need for the Imperial Chief kitchen to arrange.


    The kitchen was a ce where people had the right to speak by cooking. Those who was good at cooking and?could be appreciated by their masters were the boss. Although Ye Jiayao only called the name of the Imperial kitchen and seldom came to cook in the Imperial kitchen, she was only for the Emperor and Queen. Only special chefs like Lu Yiming could enjoy such a privilege. Others could hardly even won the qualification of helping chefs.


    In addition to Ye Jiayao¡¯s status as the seconddy in Jing ¡®an Marquis House, and she didn¡¯t like to put on airs and was polite to everyone, everyone naturally regarded her with respect and ingratiated. Even if?these were both not , at least they didn¡¯t want to offend Ye Jiayao. This made Ye Jiayao¡¯s work went smoothly.


    This was just the begining, Lu Yiming came again: ¡± Shopkeeper Ye, can I discuss a matter with you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a good temper, ¡± Shopkeeper Lu is wee. What can I do for you?¡±


    Lu Yiming was some embarrassed and stammered, ¡± Well, can I learn your vegetarian diet? Er ... you don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯m just afraid that after a while, when you leave, the Emperor and Queen want to eat the dishes you made and are embarrassed to send you to the pce and ask me to do them at that time, but what will I do?¡±


    Lu Yiming exined eagerly that each line had its own rules. If you wanted to learn from someone¡¯s good skills, you must ask for their consent. Stealing techniques?was despicable. If Shopkeeper Ye refused, he couldn¡¯t do anything.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t pass it on to the second people before get your consent, including?my son. I promise that these dishes will not appear anywhere except in the Imperial kitchen, and I promise to honor the reputation of the Vegetarian Imperial kitchen?for a hundred years.¡± Lu Yiming solemnly said.


    Lu Yiming¡¯s character, Ye Jiayao was trustworthy. Moreover, she was not a stingy person. Besides, Lu Yiming¡¯s concerns also made sense. She was only responsible for the Emperor¡¯s and Queen¡¯s diet during the mourning period. After this, she would certainly note after that time again, and the Emperor was embarrassed to open this mouth.


    Ye Jiayao frankly said, ¡± No problem, I can¡¯t believe others, but you chef Lu can¡¯t?be believed?¡±


    Lu Yiming was overjoyed. He didn¡¯t expect Shopkeeper Ye was so frankly. He gave a salute by holding his hands: ¡± So, thank you, Shopkeeper Ye.¡±


    Lu Yiming simplyid hands on Ye Jiayao. When other cooks saw him, they couldn¡¯t help shaking off their chin. What was this? The first chef in the Imperial?kitchen actuallyid hands on the Shopkeeper Ye?


    Two people teaching while doing and learned while remembering, regardless of the surprised eyes of others.


    After lunch, Ye Jiayao still couldn¡¯t leave. The task would not bepleted until the Emperor and Queen ran out of food. Otherwise, they would ask for extra food, or they would not be satisfied with which dish, or they would still want to find her.


    On this asion, Ye Jiayao sat in the small courtyard of the Imperial kitchen and took out the ount given by Manager Zhao yesterday.


    There was nothing wrong with the ounts. The sum of each was very clear. The total was quite considerable. However, the understrapper had more money, indicating that she made more money. Ye Jiayao was not the?one who only couldn¡¯t get into and stingy. She liked mutual benefit , and everyone was happy and generated money. She made an instruction on it and turned it over to Manager Zhao .


    After waiting for less than half an hour, the?Imperial kitchen attendant came back from where he had taken lunch, indicating that the Emperor and Queen had finished eating, and Ye Jiayao got up and went out of the pce.


    She was still thinking about Cuiyan and went back to ask her big brother first.


    When she got home, Manager Zhao talked back and forth in advance, saying that all the people had already been sent away and all the valuables in the house had been sealed up. He asked if he would send someone to bring them back to the firstdy.


    Ye Jiayao nodded, and naturally these things were to be handed over to You.


    ¡± You¡¯d better take Mother Fang with you,¡± said Ye Jiayao, let You¡¯s own people follow and check, so as to avoid any me on her.


    ¡± Yes.¡± Manager Zhao took orders to step down, and Ye Jiayao sent for the first gentleman.


    Chunli was also thinking about the house outside and soon came.


    Ye Jiayao sent out all the irrelevant people so that they could talk easily.


    ¡± Big brother, I have something to ask you.¡±


    Chunli was honest like a rabbit. Last night, he felt guilty and overwhelmed. Under the impulse, promise had gone out and the deed of house was handed over. In the middle of the night, he thought of regretting it, but it was toote. Besides, his big brother-inw was still there, he always stared at him with a squint. If Chunli was dishonest,?he would not mind beating him up again. He dared not put his fart and honestly acted with his tail in his hand.


    ¡± The?second sister-in-low, just ask.¡±


    ¡± Cuiyan said she is pregnant, have you asked the doctor to confirm?¡±


    Chunli shook his head: ¡± I didn¡¯t know about this until your big sister-inw came to make trouble that day. Cuiyan said she had already seen a doctor and wanted to find a suitable opportunity to tell me?and gave me a surprise.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a dispute in her heart. It seemed to be just a word of Cuiyan. Maybe Cuiyan wanted to use it as an excuse for fear that Chunli would dump her and not want her. This was amon trick used by thirdside person in an affair.


    ¡± How long did she say she was pregnant and when did her catameniae?¡± Ye Jiayao continued to understand the situation.


    Dregs blushed and hesitated:¡± She said it was almost two months ago. As for the catamenia, I don¡¯t remember it clearly. Who remembers it?¡±


    Well, it seemed that Chunli was not only a dregs but also confused. Now Ye Jiayao had not got any real evidence and couldn¡¯t say anything. Let¡¯s wait until the truth was revealed.


    ¡± Well, there¡¯s nothing else. Big brother can go back.¡± All the questions should be asked. Ye Jiayao ended the conversation.


    But what Chunli wanted to know hadn¡¯t been asked yet!


    ¡± The second sister-in-low, outside the house ...¡±


    There were still many valuable things there. He wanted to put them away, but his big brother-inw stared at him. He couldn¡¯t walk away and didn¡¯t know how Ye Jiayao solved them.


    Ye Jiayao knew what his idea was when she looked at his expression.


    ¡± Well, everyone has already been sent away. All of them came from other ces. They have been ced properly and will not have worries. As for the things in the house, the big sister-inw has already sent someone to check them out.¡± Ye Jiayao said bluntly, disillusioning Chunli.


    Chunli¡¯s face as white as ashes, his mouth twitched and he wanted to cry bitterly. This was really nothing.


    Ye Jiayao smiled andforted: ¡± Husband and wife, yours is the?big sister ¨C in ¨Cw¡¯s,?the big sister ¨C in ¨Cw¡¯s is youes, and not all of them will be your son¡¯s in the future?¡±


    The thought of his son made Chunli a little better and left dejectedly.


    As soon as Chunli left, Ye Jiayao immediately asked Xiangtao to invite the doctor from Renhe Hospital. Then she took the doctor and Lin Kun¡¯s family to the small yard where she had lived with?Auntie Jiang before.


    Manager Zhao had ced Cuiyan here.


    Ye Jiayao and the doctor were waiting in the hall, while Lin Kun¡¯s family brought Cuiyan.


    Cuiyan¡¯s hands were tied, her mouth was blocked by a handkerchief, and her long hair startled the doctor of Renhe Hospital.


    ¡± The seconddy, this is ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao downyed: ¡± A girl who doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with her recently has also make the firstdy angry. Today let you toe over?to see what¡¯s wrong with her.¡±


    The doctor knew that it was this woman who caused Marquis House¡¯s the firstdy had a?premature abortion yesterday . As for the specific situation, he was just a doctor and was not interested in asking. Some things didn¡¯t have to be said so clearly in the big house.


    When Cuiyan heard that he was a doctor, she forgot to struggle, and the color in her face immediately faded and she looked at the seconddy in horror.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed softly: ¡± Didn¡¯t you say you were not feeling well? Let the doctor have a look!¡±


    Cuiyan just reacted, struggling harder, her mouth blocked, her throat meowed and?refused, she would rather die than let the doctor see her .


    Ye Jiayao sneer at the bottom of her heart, confirming her spection.


    ¡± Lin Kun¡¯s family, let her be quiet,¡± Ye Jiayao ordered with a heavy voice.


    Lin Kun¡¯s family winked at the two people who carrying Cuiyan, and the two men added strength to press Cuiyan to sit down.


    But Cuiyan struggled desperately. In a critical situation, she was surprisingly strong and both men couldn¡¯t press her.


    With a sigh, the doctor took out a silver needle and walked over to Cuiyan: ¡±e on!¡±


    At that point, a shot went down the neck behind Cuiyan, and Cuiyan immediately softened and fainted.


    Ye Jiayao was dumbfounded: ¡± Doctor ... is she all right?¡±


    The doctor said calmly, ¡± That¡¯s all right. I just pricked her lethargy cave and kept her quiet for a while. She will wake up in less than half an hour.¡±


    Ye Jiayao thought: The acupuncture of traditional Chinese medicine was really amazing. A thin silver needle could be of such great use.


    Two people carried Cuiyan to the chair and untied the rope.


    The doctor came forward, grasped Cuiyan¡¯s hand and examined the pulse carefully.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the doctor nervously and hoped her guess was correct. That would be much easier. Otherwise, Qiao would have to kill the child in Cuiyan¡¯s belly, and she really couldn¡¯t help it. She might still make You unhappy, after all, it was Xia¡¯s blood. Mother could deny it and bone blood must be recognized. This was the attitude of many elders to deal with such things.

 Chapter 346 - Half road hijacking

    <h4>Chapter 346: Half road hijacking</h4>


    The doctor closed his eyes and diagnosed it for a long time before he opened his eyes: ¡°Without any problems, her body is good!¡±


    ¡°Doctor, is there really nothing unusual? For example,pregnant?¡± Ye Jiayao asked.


    The doctor re-cut the pulse and then shook his head affirmatively: ¡°I haven¡¯t found it yet.¡±


    ¡°Is pregnancy too short to diagnose? How long after pregnancy will it be disyed on pulse condition?¡±


    The doctor said: ¡°I am confident that I have this ability at least.Just more than a month of pregnancy can be diagnosed from the pulse.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s burden was gone. Cuiyan said that she had been pregnant for nearly two months, ha-ha, sure enough, it was a lie.


    ¡°Doctor, thank you so much, bother you to run a trip to here, this is a consultation,please ept it.¡± Ye Jiayao handed the doctor a piece of gold weighing two taels wrapped in a handkerchief.


    The doctor thought it was silver, and he knew the weight as soon as he got it. He said: ¡°The seconddy, you don¡¯t have to pay so much.¡±


    He usually only charged one taels silver outpatient fees for his visit.


    ¡°Please ept it.Thanks to you yesterday,I haven¡¯t thanked you yet!¡± Ye Jiayao saidughingly, told servant to send the doctor out.


    Cuiyan woke up, opened her eyes, stared at the beam, suddenly she remembered the doctor, and sat up in horror.


    ¡°Do you wake up?¡± A gentle voice came to her ears.


    Cuiyan turned her head and saw that the seconddy looked at her with a smile, but the smile was full of sorrow.


    Cuiyan knew that the matter had been revealed. She didn¡¯t expect the seconddy to be so cunning, and the hate in the chest was like a magma surging.


    ¡°Is there anything you want to tell me?¡± Ye Jiayao smoothed out the subtle folds on her skirt. She looked at Cuiyan in an unhurried manner. What would Cuiyan do when lies were exposed and masks were removed? She was really curious.


    Cuiyan turned her face away and faced Ye Jiayao with the back of her head: ¡°I want to see the first master.¡±


    Ha-ha. Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help sneering: ¡°Do you think that the first master will see you now? If you have real goods in your stomach, look at your child¡¯s sake, maybe he wille see you! It¡¯s a pity, just a Empty belly.¡±


    ¡°I will not leave the first master, you can¡¯t take us apart.¡± Cuiyan bit a tooth and said.


    Even Lin Kun¡¯s wife couldn¡¯t helpughing. Cuiyan was really unusual cheeky!


    ¡°Cuiyan, tell you a good news, the firstdy gave birth to a son, the mother and son are safe, the young master is cute and clever. Now the first master has a heart all in the young master, in order to show his determination to correct the mistake, even the house where you live, the first master has handed it over to the firstdy.¡± Ye Jiayao said slowly.


    Cuiyan¡¯s hands clutched the skirt and clenched, hatreds almost filled the sky, maliciously thought: Why was Qiao Mingxiu not died due to dystocia? Went to hell with her son!


    ¡°Therefore, you should understand that this is not the problem that whether you leave the first master or not but the first master does not want you anymore. The first master¡¯s feelings for you are not serious. And which man will treat a woman like you sincerely? Dew marriage is just a dew marriage, can not be exposed, exposure will die.¡± Ye Jiayao sniffed.


    Cuiyan turned her head fiercely and shouted at Ye Jiayao: ¡°It¡¯s all you fault. I don¡¯t ask for much. I just want to serve the first master. Why can¡¯t you let me stay here? What family rules do not allow mean? Then what are Auntie Wei and Auntie Yao?¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s look became serious immediately and her tone was cold: ¡°Why can¡¯t we let you stay? If there can amodate you, will the firstdy arrange you out? Don¡¯t you know the reason? Your mind is bad. Not to mention that you are nothing now, even if you are a true wife,you will still get a certificate of divorce and be divorced.¡±


    ¡°What kind of mind is not right? You do this to me, is your mind right? On scheming, who can match you? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s ridiculous to say so grandiose?¡± Cuiyan retorted her lips, she hated This woman deeply.


    ¡°How dare you, what are you, dare to denigrate the seconddy.¡± Lin Kun¡¯s wife said angrily.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be angry with such people.¡± Ye Jiayao did not care.


    ¡°It seems that you still know something about me, yes,in scheming, your little trick is really not enough for me, my principle of doing things is that people don¡¯t attack me, I don¡¯t attack. If people attack me, I will double back. So, you must be honest, otherwise, I have the means to repair you.¡± Ye Jiayao threatened without hesitation.


    The cold chill sending out suddently made Cuiyan shuddered, fear came from her heart, helplessly realized that this people had the right,power and means, and she had no power to have struck back.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s deterrence was enough, Converged murderous look, and told her servant: ¡°Look at her and wait for the firstdy to handle it personally.¡±


    Since Cuiyan was not pregnant, she would be handed over to Qiao, whatever Qiao wanted to do was allright.


    After figuring out the truth, the time for dinner was almost approaching. Ye Jiayao asked Lin Kun¡¯s wife to go back and she went to the pce.


    The carriage went halfway and suddenly stopped. Ye Jiayao felt that something was wrong and asked, ¡°Why has it stopped?¡±


    But no one answered outside, Ye Jiayao was shocked and opened the curtain, only to see the driver disappeared. A short-dressed middle-aged man came forward and held a punch: ¡°Madam Xia, my master want to meet you, please run a trip with me. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao immediately looked around. This ce was not really secluded, but it was impossible that there was no pedestrian. It was useless to call for help. What even worse was that she went to the small courtyard to do things without Qiao Xi. She just told Qiao Xi to go to the pce gate to pick her up after dinner.


    However, on second thought, even if Qiao Xi followed, she would help with nothing. Old Huang, the driver, was still hale and hearty and was quietly taken away, not to mention Qiao Xi.


    Ye Jiayao did not panic, but calmly asked: ¡°Who is your master?¡±


    ¡°You will know as soon as you arrive.¡± The man answered with a straight face.


    Ye Jiayao sneered: ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous, your master wants to see me,do I have to go see him?¡±


    ¡°This... I am afraid that you have no choice.¡±


    The man¡¯s attitude was cold and hard, cold light shed in his eyes. Ye Jiayao thought the situation would be bad. Ye Jiayao saw that the man took out a handkerchief and put it over her face.Ye Jiayao smelled a strange scent, and then it was ck. Her body was softened.


    The middle-aged man confirmed that Ye Jiayao was in aa, and then jumped into the carriage neatly and quickly left.


    On the upstairs of a certain house in this alley, a group of idle gangsters were gambling. Because of the national mourning, all the entertainment venues were closed. They had nowhere to go, they were hiding in Two Dog¡¯s home and gambling. Two Dog had a bad luck and lost several money.He was about to lose thest bit of money. He stood up to go to the bathroom and wanted to get rid of bad luck.


    Two Dog was releasing happily. The window next to the window broke a hole and the cold wind was pouring into it. Two Dog had a shudder,looked at the hole and kept scolding: To freeze to death, the window paper was broken, and the old man did not paste it actively...¡±


    Kept scolding, Two Dog were stunned.


    What was the situation? A man flew like a bird, and he fell on the carriage that was moving forward. The driver was just like a soft mud, and then he was taken away like a chicken, then another man came and said something to the man, as if he was still rough. The man jumped into the carriage and left....


    These little gangsters always had a keen sense of the crisis, and the intuition told him that this was unusual.


    However, anyway, it was not his own business, did not care about it!


    Two Dog shook twice, tidied up his pants, then looked at his hands and thought,didn¡¯t know if the luck would be better.


    Two dogs walked back.


    Hey... wait, why was this carriage so familiar?


    After thinking about it carefully, he couldn¡¯t help but jump straight between the brows. Was this not the carriage belong to the seconddy of Jing¡¯an marquis house?


    A while ago, the Ninth Lord confessed that they went to Heavenly Residence to secretly see if anyone wanted to make trouble. Several of their brothers spent several days squatting in front of the Heavenly Residence. They also saw the seconddy. Every time the seconddy came in this carriage


    Two Dog didn¡¯t have the mind to gamble, and immediately went downstairs to find Ninth Lord.


    Recently, the business was idle, the gambling house could not be opened,Chunlou could not receive guests, and Ninth Lord was idle to panic. He called several beautiful girls to apany him to drink, and even didn¡¯t dare to let them to sing a little song, afraid of being heard, the official government immediately came to the door.


    ¡°Ninth Lord, Two Dog has said that there is something urgent to see.¡±


    Ninth Lordughed, what else could be done at this time?


    However, Ninth Lord still waved his hand to indicate that a few beautiful girl to step down.


    ¡°Let hime in.¡±


    Two Dog were brought in.


    ¡°Ninth Lord, I pay respect to the Ninth Lord.¡± Two Dog was full of courtesy. Ninth Lordid his hand on the armrest, rxed andzy, said, ¡°I heard you have something urgent to report back? ¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Two Dog told Ninth Lord that the scene he had seen.


    When Ninth Lord heard that it was the carriage of the second lord of Jing¡¯an marquis house, he couldn¡¯t help but look at it seriously. ¡°Do you see it clearly? Are you sure?¡±


    Two Dog nodded affirmatively: ¡°I recognize the carriage, it is absolutely right, just do not know if the person inside is the seconddy of Jing¡¯an marquis house.¡±


    ¡°Hey...¡± Ninth Lord took a breath of cold air and thought about it for a moment. No, no matter whether it was the seconddy or not, since his servants saw it,he couldn¡¯t ignore it. Zhao¡¯s friend was his friend.He had promised in front of Zhao.


    After Ninth Lord made up his mind, he suddenly got up: ¡°Two Dog, you take a trip with me.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was not in the house today, ran to the use near the white tower temple to have a rest with Susu. Did not dare to stay for a long time, returned to their home before dinner,as soon as Zhao Qixuan returned to the marquis house, the servant told him that there¡¯s a guy called Ninth Lord who¡¯s been here, said that there was a matter of urgency, and went to see him immediately after returning.


    Zhao Qixuan took a breath of cold air. What was the matter that let Ninth Lord to be so anxious? He used to find him in a hurry. At the most, he said that he muste over but did not say that see him immediately.


    Zhao Qixuan didn¡¯t dare to dy, and told the doorman to tell the olddy that he was in a hurry and did not eat dinner at home.Also he specially ounted, didn¡¯t say it was Ninth Lord looking for him. The family did not like him to associate with the people of the underworld.

 Chapter 347 - To discuss countermeasures

    <h4>Chapter 347: To discuss countermeasures</h4>


    When Ye Jiayao woke up, she found herself trapped in a ce simr to a dungeon, correctly speaking, it was a delicate chamber of secrets.


    The ground was clean and spotless, the fish-shaped wallmps were beautifully made, and the beds and quilts on the bed were new and soft. There was a square table and two chairs against the wall, and tea and cakes were ced on the table.


    If it weren¡¯t for the rock walls and the iron ¨C d closed door, it would be afortable ce to live.


    Ye Jiayao was relieved to see that her clothes were still tidy. It seems that the man who kidnapped her did not want to ill-treat her or mistreat her.


    Who the hell was this man? Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    Liu Li? No, if it was Luli, it would certainly not be kind to her.


    Is it King Yu ? Supposedly, it was not possible. What benefit did King Yu have on kidnapping ? Use her to coerce Chunyu? Chunyu was still fighting bandits in Jiangxi, and she didn¡¯t know when he woulde back. Chunyu was a second-ss bodyguard though he was excellent. There were few soldiers under him. As for it?


    Is it a colleague? Tied her up and coerced her toe up with various secret recipes? This was possible, but it took a lot of courage. After all, her identity was not just the shopkeeper who lived in heaven. Once found out, it was against Jing ¡®an marquis house and Helian Mansion.


    Thought of this, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help feel scared. What if this person didn¡¯t want to let her out again? When the goal was reached, the corpse would be destroyed. No one in the street that was hijacked came and went, no one knew that she was tied up here, and no one even knew if she died here.


    Ye Jiayao was not calm. She still didn¡¯t want to die. She had a difficult time reborn. She has adapted to this era. She has found a person who loves her very hard and has struggled for a solid family fortune. All her painstaking efforts and efforts would bear fruitful fruits. Before she could enjoy life, she would have a child for Chunyu. She and Little Jing and Zhao Qixuan had agreed to travel....


    No, you couldn¡¯t panic. The more critical you were, the more calm you would be.


    Ye Jiayao went to the table and sat down, poured a cup of tea, ate some cakes, ate enough food and drank enough, and calmed down.


    She didn¡¯t enter the pce, and the pce would certainly ask questions. In less than an hour, everyone would know that she was missing, and she didn¡¯t know if others would try so hard, but Little Jing, Chunfeng, Zhao Qixuan and Susu, as well as the brothers who lived in Tianshang Ju Restaurant, would certainly look for her everywhere, and the Chamber of Commerce should would also take this matter seriously.


    She was afraid that it was not so easy to find.


    She wanted to escape, which was even more difficult, and she couldn¡¯t do martial arts.


    Now, the most important thing was to find out the purpose of kidnapping her so that she could be targeted, otherwise everything would be in vain to talk . After a pause, Ye Jiayao knocked at the door.


    ¡± Is anyone there? Which bastard said he wanted to see me, I came. Come on! Came out to see me ... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao shouted for a moment and listened carefully with his ears stuck to the door. There was no response from outside.


    Er ... sick, Tied me up and didn¡¯t want to see me. Didn¡¯t they think she will cry when it was so cold?


    ¡± Little puss ¨C head, capable of binding people, incapable of seeing people, ugly and ashamed of people, or afraid of your bastard being recognized by aunt ...¡±


    ¡± All right, you can hide, you wimp ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw that it was no use scolding him. He justy down and went to bed. If you shut up your aunt for a lifetime.


    Knew to be calm and knew to be calm, but Ye Jiayao was not a god, but a person, saying that she was not afraid of being false, thinking that she would never see Chunyu again, her heart bursted of pain.


    Also, Marquis house was now in the midst of many things. She was not there for arge family. Would she be confused?


    Damn son of a gun, you wanted to kill your aunt me, I must kill you.


    When Ye Jiayao was helpless, there was already a mess outside.


    When the kitchens saw that Ye Jiayao had note yet, Lu Yiming thought that Ye Jiayao had something dyed and wouldeter. He wanted to help Ye Jiayao cover up and prepare the food to be prepared first. As a result, waited and waited, and it was really unable to dy any longer he reported it to the kitchens manager, who then reported Eunuch Wei , and the queen knew that Ye Jiayao had note.


    At that time, Princess Yide happened to be in Queen¡¯s Pce, and she helped Ye Jiayao exin that Mrs. Jing ¡®an marquis house had just given birth, she maybe too busy.


    Although the queen was a little ufortable in her heart, she said she understood and didn¡¯t do a deep investigation, she asked Lu Yiming to rece Ye Jiayao for cooking dinner.


    And the people of Jing ¡®an marquis house thought Ye Jiayao was in the pce, so they were calm and quiet. They didn¡¯t start to panic until Zhao Qixuan came to visit marquis house, but they still thought about a fluke. Maybe the seconddy was in the pce?


    Xia Chunli and Zhao Qixuan immediately went to the pce to find Ye Jiayao. Manager Zhao ran to Helian Mansion to report, and Manager Zhong went to ask the third young master back. Finally, it was confirmed that Ye Jiayao was really missing. The whole house was in chaos and panic.


    Xia Chunfeng came back and cate everyone, and then went with Zhao Qixuan to discuss the major issues.


    The emperor was furious when he learned that Ye Jiayao had been tied up. During the national mourning, this kind of thing could hardly be tolerated. He gave Helian Jing a gold medal and ordered him to find out the people quickly .


    Jiuye had never thought that his smallnd would gather the four most prominent and prestigious childe of Jinling city one day. it was indeed a great honor.


    But now was not the time for lobbyists to befriend them. Jiuye called Ergouzi with a dignified look and asked him to repeat the situation at that time in detail.


    Ergouzi just came to tell Jiuye with a responsible attitude, and the result was really a big deal. Seeing the four fallen fairy-like characters listening to him carefully, Erzgouzi felt a little excited, and he had to behave well. He had to say it in great detail and not miss any details.


    ¡± At that time, I and my brothers y card at home. I had a bad luck and lost several times, so I wanted to go for a convenient and turned the limelight ...¡±


    Jiuye was embarrassed and made two sounds of dry cough, red at Ergouzi, really wanted to reward Ergouzi with a chestnut explosion. Smelly boy, He lost money or not, convenient or not, did that has anything to do with it?


    Ergouzi thought, this was why he saw the scene, didn¡¯t they want me to say in detail? The ins and outs must be made clear. Then he continued: ¡± The window paper of my toilet has broken a hole. My father doesn¡¯t care about anything, and he doesn¡¯t know how to paste it. The wind poured in from the hole and made me couldn¡¯t urinate when it was too cold ...¡±


    Jiuye could not bear it and growled: ¡± Say the point.¡±


    Fucking dog, made him lose face.


    If in normal times, Zhao Qixuan would certainlyugh, but now he couldn¡¯tugh but in some impatient way, ¡± Well, say the point!Time is precious!¡±


    Ergouzi paused, not too borate?All right!These were all masters, masters had the final say.


    Then he picked up the key point and started the narration.


    Among these people, Su Yi¡¯s kungfu was the best. ording to Ergouzi¡¯s description, the man¡¯s lightness kungfu was quite strong, and he had also given his services before his soldiers. If he was a man in the road, he should not do so.


    This point was also confirmed by Jiuye: ¡± There are many talented people in the road, but as far as I know, there is no more than five fingers in Jinling City like this. Moreover, I know all of them, and I¡¯m sure they didn¡¯t do it. It¡¯s impossible to say for sure if they invited experts from other ces, but there was no need for them to go to other ces to invite experts to hijacked a woman with no ability to bind chickens. ¡± Everyone nodded in session.


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡± In order to be cautious, you may as well check it secretly.¡±


    ¡± Master Zhao can rest assured that I would settled this matter. As long as it was done by the man in road, he would definitely not escape my eyes.¡±


    Little Jing mused: ¡± The key was not knowing what the purpose of this man¡¯s hijacking of Yaoyao is, whether it is for money or something else?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng said, ¡± I¡¯ve already known from the marquis house that if it is for money, there should be a letter, so I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡± That would be someone have revenge with the seconddy? Laozhao, didn¡¯t you sayst time that someone was going to be bad for the seconddy?¡± Jiuye spected.


    Little Jing was appalled. ¡± Laozhao, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan nodded ¡± Jinxuan came to me and asked me to help with the investigation. It was thest training ss being set on fire. She suspected that it was done by her colleagues.Jiuye had already found out the arsonist, but it was a pity that he had already slipped away. However, as long as they returned to Jinling, they would not have chance to run away again.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said and looked at Jiuye, and JIuye nodded, saying that there was no problem.


    Xia Chunfeng said, ¡± if it was colleagues, they probably don¡¯t have the courage to kidnap the seconddy of Jing¡¯ an marquis house, it is not a small charge.¡±


    Su Yi, who had been frowning thoughtfully, said: ¡± If it were not for money, Ye Jinxuan¡¯s disappearance would be most beneficial to who, or what value Ye Jinxuan has in using it, and who has enmity with Ye Jinxuan so deep that he would not hesitate to kidnap, we can find clues by making a name list and checking one by one.¡±


    Little Jing was worried, ¡± I hope it was not enemies who take revenge, or Yaoyao will surely suffer.¡±


    This was what everyone is worried about. At that time, the atmosphere was dignified.


    Zhao Qixuan was the first to cheer up, ¡± Brother Chunyu is not here, Jin Xuan¡¯s business is everyone¡¯s business. Come on, let¡¯s list the names one by one as Susu said, without fear of trouble, check them one by one, and move quickly, lest big sleep with much nightmare.¡±


    Su Yi said, ¡± Let¡¯s start with enemies!¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes were focusing on Chunfeng, whose face was ckened. when ites to enemies, everyone first thought of Liuli, even himself.


    If it was really Liuli, it was really hopeless.


    Xia Chunfeng sipped his dry lips and said, ¡± Write this and leave it to me.¡±


    Su Yi wrote down the three characters ¡± Zhao Liuli¡± on the paper.


    Xia Chunfeng looked at the ck characters on the white paper. The dark ink color also caught his eyes, and his eyes became gloomy.

 Chapter 348 - Suspicion

    <h4>Chapter 348: Suspicion</h4>


    The first suspect was identified, and everyone was confronted. It was not clear who Ye Jinxuan had a trouble with before.


    ¡°I know, there is still another person.¡± A female voice screamed.


    It was Qiao Xi who wanted toe with Xia Chunfeng. She didn¡¯t talk to anyone before, she could only listen, and she was guilty of herself. If she had followed her the seconddy today, even if she was in the hands of a monk, at least to be apanion to the seconddy, at least knew how the the seconddy were now, rather than standing here and doing nothing.


    Xia Chunfeng saw Qiao Xi, and could not help but brighten his eyes: ¡°Yes, you have served the the seconddy, you know more.¡±


    Qiao said: ¡°I can¡¯t say it, I think this person has reason to hate the the seconddy, that is, King Yu¡¯s side, and she also sent people to trouble the dessert house.¡±


    Little Jing patted his head: ¡°Yeah, how can I forget it, Yaoyao and A Ruan had a good rtionship, and she was sided with A Ruan . Lin¡¯s hatred of A Ruan was entirely possible.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was deeply impressed. At this moment, he thought that it would be nned by Liuli and Lin, and the two women had been close before.


    Su Yi wrote Lin on the paper, but there was ayer of doubt in her heart. If this matter was rted to Lin, then it may not be able to get away with King Yu. What was the use value of Ye Jinxuan, that were Jing¡¯an marquis and Xia Chunyu. The trick was that if you want to swear by this, with the feelings of Xia Chunyu and Ye Jinxuan, it was entirely possible to contain Xia Chunyu, and to contain Xia Chunyu was equal to the Jing¡¯an marquis, not to see Jing¡¯an marquis back to Jinling leisurely, in fact, he was thergest military yer behind Helian, and perhaps, in the minds of some old generals, Jing¡¯an¡¯s prestige was even higher than Helian¡¯s.


    Su Yi felt that someone stared at him, and he looked up and saw that the eyes of Little Jing were also full of doubt and dignity. The two were tacited.


    Little Jing said: ¡°Just start from the two people to check, in addition, Ninth Lord, you have a lot of people, and the news was well-informed. To find the carriage, even if they put the torch to burn, it also had a me.¡±


    Ninth Lord nodded: ¡°No problem, I will exin it here. Let all the people to find the people and the car.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°Just like this? There are no other suspects?¡±


    Su Yi cast a nce at him. After all, it was a person who knew each other very deeply. Zhao Qixuan immediately understood what was inconvenient. Indeed, this was the site of Ninth Lord. Ninth Lord was a man of the rivers andkes. Some secret things were not suitable to strangers.


    Little Jing ignored Zhao Qixuan¡¯s question and arranged: ¡°Chunyu, Liuli was handed over to you.As for Lin, I will find a way.¡±


    Now he still had the emperor¡¯s order. He had tried his best to save Yaoyao.


    Xia Chunfeng said a heavy sigh.


    The four said goodbye to Ninth Lord, saying that they would contacted him and then left.


    Ninth Lord was used to the wind and waves, and the three religions and nine streams all had to deal with each other. He knew that there were secrets that he can¡¯t intervene. Anyway, he would do what he should do.


    Four people met on the carriage, and Su Yi told everyone about his doubts.


    Everyone was deeply convinced that this possibility was very high.


    Little Jing said: ¡°I am now beginning to suspect when thest time King Yu was married, Yaoyao was stunned and thrown into the dry well. King Yu was also doing it. Who would doubt King Yu? It was doubt that who were beneficial in it, King Yu¡¯s move was detrimental.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said: ¡°Now it¡¯s just spection. There is no real evidence. The key is that King Yu is not easy to check.¡±


    Su Yi looked at Little Jing: ¡°Do you have a solution?¡±


    Little Jing said bluntly: ¡°There is no good way to think about it now.¡±


    Su Yi said: ¡°It seems that only Prince can help.¡±


    The outside person had already started to act. Ye Jiayao was not moving at all. They were just ignored her. No matter how she shouted and cursed, no one responded to her.


    This made Ye Jiayao very depressed and discouraged. Let you be schemed and people didn¡¯tmunicate with you at all, and how great ability just can¡¯t be used.


    When she didn¡¯t say anything, the secret room was so terrible that she remembered the tomb of the living dead written in Jin Yong¡¯s novel. That was not a living tomb. It was.


    Oh Chunyu, thest time when I was thrown into a dry well, then you can find me, but this time, you were not in Jinling, so who can save me?


    Thinking of it, Ye Jiayao¡¯s fragility in her heart could not be concealed. She wanted to cry, and the tears consciously fell down, but she was afraid of being heard by outsiders. She believed that there was someone outside but only ignored her.


    If the person who had tied her was her enemy, he must be happy to see her feebleness!


    Therefore, she clenched her lips and silently shed tears, she just did not make a sound.


    Xia Chunfeng did not go home directly, but first sent Qiao Xi back to marquis¡¯s mansion. Zhong Xiang, Deng Haichuan, and chamber ofmerce¡¯s shopkeeper Lu and Duan. The shopkeepers were waiting for news.


    There were no clear clues, so Xia Chunfeng had noment, but could only persuade everyone to pay more attention to it. If someone found something different, please told everyone the news .


    When came back to his home, Chunfeng was wondering how to start the investigation. He was looking for Little Ya directly or waiting for an opportunity. Little Ya acted his detective. It was always hidden for them. They were almost zero exchanges in the mansion. However, time could not wait. After a quarter of an hour, the second sister-in-low was more dangerous. If she really had unexpected misfortune, how can he exin to the second brother? How to exin to his father and mother?


    After considering it for a long time, Chunfeng decided to find Little Ya, and when he was about to leave. The servant said: ¡°The thirddy...¡±


    ¡°Are the third master back?¡±


    ¡°They wereing back, inside, do you want me to go in to pass on?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng sat down again. When did servants stop Liuli sessfully?


    Sure enough, Liuli came in without waiting for the servant, and eagerly asked: ¡°Xia Chunfeng, I heard that the seconddy was missing, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng squinted at her, although she looked very anxious, but the hidden sneak at the bottom of the eye could not escape from his eyes.


    But this was the sneak peek, so that the original mind of Xia Chunfeng had been shaken. In fact, Liuli was a woman who was not devious. Her bad and all her shorings were so straightforward, even if she wanted to cover up in front of him, she can¡¯t hide it.


    If she had done it, she would note here.


    ¡°Are you very happy?¡± Xia Chunfeng snorted.


    Liuli snorted: ¡°what am I happy to, but only did I feel very surprised. Hey, is there any news? Do you know who did it?¡±


    There was strong interest in the big eyes of Liuli.


    Xia Chunfeng was indifferent: ¡°If I knew who did it, would I still sit here now?¡±


    Speaking of the coldness of the sputum, he gnawed teeth: ¡°How dare to trouble my Jing¡¯an marquis¡¯s mansion. If this person was taken out by me, he would die, no matter who.¡±


    This was also a warning to Liuli, so Xia Chunfeng had been secretly paying attention to the reaction of Liuli.


    Liuli disdain: ¡°Who knows that the second sister-in-low offended somebody before, because there are a lot of people to guess.¡±


    He was afraid that there were more people Liuli had offended! In the past, the Queen Mother was protecting her. Now that the Queen Mother was gone, who can guarantee that no one wanted to retaliate? Xia Chunfeng sought.


    ¡°I see that the person who is the most offensive for her is you.¡± Xia Yan said sarcastically.


    Liuli was excited: ¡°Are you doubting me?¡±


    ¡°On the matter.¡± Xia Chunfeng understates.


    ¡°Why did I have to do this? What do I catch her? Is it a matter of beating her? If I want to beat her, I will find a few people on the street to stop her to give her a lesson. How did I take great pains?¡± Liuli¡¯s anger was irritating. As long as something was wrong with Ye, Xia Chunfeng was always the first to doubt her. He believed Ye such deeply, so he would not believe her ever.


    Yes, she was very eager to deal with Ye, even if she did it by fairs means, but she won¡¯t take such a way to get people caught, would it be put or not? In case it was detected, she will be unlucky. .


    She didn¡¯t do such stupid thing.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s eyes ran down the room, only to see Little Ya, who stood behind Liuli, shaking her head silently and moving her lips.


    Xia Chunfeng read what she said was...not her.


    Xia Chunfeng believed Little Ya, Little Ya was inseparable from Liuli, and she was the confidant of the ss, this kind of situation must involve some people, if Liuli really had any action, it must be fought by Little Ya. Since Little Ya said no, then It must be no.


    ¡°The training ss was set on fire. The little guys would be instructed by you, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Xia Chunfeng was also saying for nothing.


    Who knew, Liuli¡¯s eyes shed, just a short moment, then it was restored to calmness, bluffing: ¡°What do you want just to buckle on my head! Anyway, in your heart, I am a vicious woman, she who named Ye is a kind fairy...¡±


    As she speaking, the voice of Liuli brought a cry, and it was sad to wipe the corners of the eyes. It was really a few tears from her eyes.


    It was a pity that she use any drama was useless. The short panic had been caught by Xia Chunfeng. Xia Chunfeng¡¯s anger in the heart was angered, and the arson was really rted to Liuli. Even the arson could she thought of, and if there was unfortunate dead people, that was killing and setting fire.


    Looking at her appearance of grievances, Xia Chunfeng only felt extremely disgusted, and he really blinked to love this woman.


    ¡°Please go, I am tired, and I have to rest.¡± Xia Chunfeng was expressionless, indifferent and alienated.


    ¡°You...¡±Liuli was most angry, but still wanted to talk to him.


    Little Ya quietly pulled down her sleeves.


    Liuli suddenly calmed down and vowed to say: ¡°I don¡¯t have any skills, but there is one point. I would admit if I had done it. But if not, you can¡¯t buckle on my head.¡±


    After all, she screamed and went away.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s face became more and more gloomy, but it was a grandiose one. When she did something bad, she voluntarily admitted it. Wasn¡¯t it got someone to get the evidence of the handle, and she had to admit it?


    Regardless of her, it was okay to make sure that the second sister-in-low¡¯s missing was not rted to her. Other things would be saidter.


    This night, for many people, was a sleepless night.


    Ye Jiayao had always been the backbone of everyone. Whether in marquis¡¯s mansion, chamber ofmerce, or Tianshang Ju Restaurant. Everyone was used to listening to her orders. Now, the people were gone, everyone¡¯s mind was empty and panic.

 Chapter 349 - Talk about conditions

    <h4>Chapter 349: Talk about conditions</h4>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know how long she had been locked up in it. She could only estimated the approximate time. It should be the next morning.


    With a sound of sh, Ye Jiayao sat up immediately.


    It was the iron gate being opened, a woman brought a te of hot water in, and a clean cotton handkerchief was put on the basin.She put these on the table, turned around and left.


    ¡± Hey ...¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to stop her from leaving, but the old woman walked away as if a deaf, closed the door without any response.


    Ye Jiayao got mad for that. She was too slow to respond. She should seize the woman and not let her go until talking to her.


    However, there should still be a chance, this woman would give her something to eat.Ye Jiayao made up her mind that she would seized the old woman when she came in again.


    When she reached the table, Ye Jiayao found that there were two small jars of cdon beside the basin, and opened one of them. It was full of ash, which Ye Jiayao knew it was motherwort ash and she had been using all the time. It was used as cleanser for face, it could effectively decontaminate and also beautify the skin. It heard that this was used by Tiannv Emperor in the past.


    Another small jar was filled with rosy, glittering and translucent paste objects. After sniffing, she knew that this was the best rouge. Theplicated manufacturing process had highly requirement of raw materials and the price was also higher. Such a small box, could cost at least a dozen taels of silver, which was the favorite of royal parkdies.


    The bastard was thoughtful.


    Ye Jiayao thought of nothing and decided wash her face first.


    When everything done, it was a sound of thud, and the old woman came in with a tray decorated with gold and red paint, that was a bowl of millet gruel, and a te of crystal steamed dumplings, two steamed buns and two dishes of side dishes.


    Ye Jiayao paid attention this time. When the old woman put down her food, she grabbed her with one hand with great strength.


    ¡± Who is your master?What is this ce?¡±


    The woman looked at her straightly and didn¡¯t said a word..


    Well, these two questions were more difficult for the old woman to answer. So Ye Jiayao changed the way to said: ¡± Let your mastere to see me. Since I have been caught, what the hell with hiding from me ?¡±


    The old woman still looked at her straightly and didn¡¯t say a word.


    Ye Jiayao sulked: ¡± If you don¡¯t help me to send the message to your master, then you don¡¯t think about leave.¡±


    When the woman saw Ye Jiayao was got mad, she pointed to her ears with shook her hand and then opened her mouth to show Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was startled when she saw that only half of her tongue was left in her mouth, which was quite frightening.


    The old woman shook her hand and threw off?Ye Jiayao¡¯s gripped and left expressionless.


    Ye Jiayao reacted quickly, pulled the old woman back, rushed to the iron gate first, and she thought that it is impossible to escape,but long as she can get out of this house, maybe she can find something.


    The old woman didn¡¯t expect that Ye Jiayao wanted to escape, stayed on the ground in daze for a while, but she could only made a sound of er er when she wanted to shout.


    People outside also didn¡¯t expect that Ye Jiayao was rushed out. They thought it was the woman who came out. With such a daze of one or two seconds of them, Ye Jiayao already ran at the speed of the 100 ¨C meter dash.


    Unfortunately, it was not an unobstructed road outside. After Ye Jiayao just ran no more than twenty meters ,there was blocked by a rock wall.


    That wall was a secret door which she understood at first sight, but it¡¯s a tight fit. She couldn¡¯t find the operate mechanism, and she couldn¡¯t push or open it. The people behind her had already caught up.


    ¡± Second Lady, please go back your room and don¡¯t embarrass our servants.¡± The man was polite.


    Ye Jiayao recognized this man, he was the man who paralysis her with narcotic.


    ¡± Are you kidding, you caught me here, it was you who embarrassed me,?how dare you kidnapped me after you known I am the seconddy of the Jing¡¯ an marquis house,that was so bold ! What kind of background your master have?¡± Ye Jiayao tried out.


    The man was clearly got a bit of angry, but didn¡¯t want to be rude to her, just say coldly:


    ¡± Second Lady, please go back your room.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also saw that this man did not dare disrespect her, and was somewhat bolder. She raised her chin and sneered, ¡± Would I go back my room as you told me to? It¡¯s a dungeon here. Do you think I will return to the dungeon with you obediently? Are you think I¡¯m stupid ? You can catch me back if you dare to ! Come and get me, then I will im that you intend to misbehave to me, hum!¡±


    The man¡¯s face was already became very ugly, and his eyes twitched. ¡± Please don¡¯t embarrassed me, madam. I don¡¯t want to be rude to you .¡±


    ¡± Bah, you¡¯ve done every dirty trick you can do, there is no need to?be a gentleman for me, go to ask your master toe and see me. If you don¡¯t, I won¡¯t go anywhere,¡± Ye Jiayao quipped rudely.


    The man gritted his teeth and said, ¡± Then don¡¯t me me for be rude to you.¡±


    And then he approaching two steps to her.


    Ye Jiayao saw that she was going to be serious and rude: ¡± Wait, wait, look, the doors and gates here are more tightly guarded than the prison. I can¡¯t run out anyway. The chamber of secrets is too stuffy. I¡¯ll be bored to death. Let me stay here and take a walk, okay, man?¡±


    ¡± No.¡± The man rejected her without thinking.


    ¡± Why not? If you can¡¯t satisfy me for such a little request, I will go on hunger strike and you will wait to collect my corpse !¡± Ye Jiayao threatened.


    There was a flicker of hesitation in the man¡¯s eyes.


    Ye Jiayao took a close look at the matter and said softly, ¡± Don¡¯t rush to make a decision, man. Ask your master first, maybe he will agree?¡±


    The man sighed silently. What a fucking job it was? It was not hard to catch a woman.But it was hard to keep a woman here and treated her with a good attitude. It was been told by the above that they can¡¯t be rude to her, and took good care of her, god damn it. Were we going to treat her like a Buddha?


    ¡± Please go back your room, Second Lady, then I will ask my master.¡± The man said.


    It was difficult for Ye Jiayao to ran out and she refused to go back obediently. ¡± I¡¯ll wait for you here. You¡¯re good at martial arts, right? You can prod my acupoint. I promise I won¡¯t run.You can ask your master now. Anyway, I won¡¯t go back until I got a definite reply.¡± Ye Jiayao said shamelessly


    The man couldn¡¯t bear it anymore, and became serious: ¡± Second Lady,?forgive me.¡±


    Said, no matter she would charge him being rude to her or not, he seized Ye Jiayao¡¯s arm and walked back.


    ¡± Hey, hey, take it easy,man! It is my arm, not a stick,it going to break!¡±Ye Jiayao said with exaggeration


    The man was remained unmoved, Failed in his duty was more serious than the disrespectful charges. The seconddy was not a simple person to deal with, and she could ran out of the room in an unguarded moment. Besides, there were secrets that could not be discovered, so he would rather be disrespectful than letting the seconddy walk around here.


    Ye Jiayao leaned back and looked around and dyed his steps.


    Huh?There was also a way here that don¡¯t know where it lead in the dark. Perhaps, there was the exit.She had ran to the wrong direction?


    ¡± What time is it now? Man?How long have I been in here?It doesn¡¯t matter if you tell me this. I just want to know the time. I don¡¯t like feeling so confused. I will go crazy ... ¡±


    The man ignored her and continued to hold her forward.


    ¡± Say a word,man, you see that old woman has no tongue and almost scared me to death. You are the only one who can make a sound here. Let¡¯s have a talk when you have time. Communication is very important. Only when you understand my pain and I understand your difficulty that we can cooperate happily, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rattled on and was pushed into the Chamber of Secrets the next moment. The iron gate was heavily closed. She also heard a click and it seemed that was locked.


    She made all kinds of expressions of disdain and anger toward the iron gate, and when the small window on the iron gate was opened, Ye Jiayao immediately changed a smiling face: ¡± Don¡¯t forget to ask your master for me,man. I won¡¯t have breakfast! I¡¯m waiting for your news!¡±


    A bang. The man closed the small window again, depressed in his heart, and the caretaker was threatened by the prisoner. Moreover, he had to consult his master. This woman is not a simple woman. If she really go on hunger strike, the master would not happy.


    Ye Jiayao still found out something from the ordeal. At least she had a general understanding of the environment in which she lived. None of those who could build such secret tunnels and secret rooms are small families. Even if arge family would not build them without any special needs. Her other courts also had secret rooms, but they were much smaller than this one.


    Ye Jiayao began to re-examine this chamber of secrets. The bed was made of rosewood, beautifully carved, and the tables and chairs were matched. The tea set was Yixing¡¯s purple y teapot, and it was also the best kind, included the breakfast delivered today, all of these were exquisite food ... In short, the decoration was simple, but none of them were vulgar.


    Here, it was more likely to be used by the host as a meeting ce than as a dungeon of the chamber of secrets.


    After about a wick of incense time, the man returned, opened a small window and said coldly, ¡± The master said he would consider it.¡±


    Er ... this was just a perfunctory remark. He would think about it? When would he think about it?What would be the oue of the consideration?


    Ye Jiayao was not so easy to be coaxed and said, ¡± Then I¡¯ll have dinner when your master thinks it over.¡±


    The man said: ¡°Whatever, you won¡¯t die of hunger for one meal, it¡¯s not easy to starve to death.¡±


    It¡¯s Ye Jiayao¡¯s turned to be depressed. Did she really have to went on hunger strike?


    She believed that hunger strike would certainly be useful. Although it was not clear what was the purpose of her captors, they certainly did not want her to die. If she died, there would meaningless of caught her?


    Well, then she decided to be cruel herself.


    Ye Jiayao secretly ate two small rice porridge secretly, thought it couldn¡¯t be found that the porridge was missed two spoons, then she looked at the crystal steamed dumplings and swallowed the saliva severely. Just went on hunger strike as she had promised.


    Little Jing didn¡¯t sleep for almost the whole nightst night, thought about Ye Jiayao. She snatched a nap just before dawn. Then just waked up for a moment, and PingaAn came to reported that the men of the Ninth Lord had came,they found the carriage, and the driver.


    Little Jing was rousing spirit, fulled of spirits and sleepless, and put on her clothes to met with them.


    They said that the carriage was found at the entrance of an alley in the western city this morning. The driver was unconscious in the carriage. Passers ¨C by saw that he thought the driver was sleeping on the car.


    ¡± Where are the driver now?¡±


    ¡± Under controlled by the Ninth Lord, He had already sent someone to inform Master Zhao and Master Xia.¡±


    ¡± Go, go and have look,¡± said Little Jing went out and said nothing.


    Finally got a clue. Little Jing was a little excited. Besides being excited, she was also very impressive that the men of the Ninth Lord were so useful. He asked the city tourpany to find the carriagest night. These people hadn¡¯t report anything back yet.

 Chapter 350 - Chunyu’s breakthrough

    <h4>Chapter 350: Chunyu¡¯s breakthrough</h4>


    The coachman was cut off from the back of his neck and directly fainted. Or the people of Nine Lord woke him up, and because he didn¡¯t know what happened at all,he wouldn¡¯t get any answer if he asked the coachman.


    Everyone came excitedly, but they were full of disappointment


    Xia Chunfeng denied the possibility of the kidnapping of Liuli, so there were still Lin left now. Little Jing went to find a way to check Lin, Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan went to find the location of the carriage and saw if there were any clues.


    The two men made a big circle around the west city. The ce where Ye Jiayao disappeared was in the east of the city. This was the west of the city, from east to west,would the other party set traps?


    ¡± I¡¯m sure people are not in this area, either in the east or south or north of the city,¡± Zhao Qixuan said firmly.


    Su Yi scoffed: ¡± Why don¡¯t you say she is in the pce?¡±


    Therefore, the suspected illusion was illusory, imaginary and real, with real imaginary. The first reaction of everyone was that people were definitely not in the vicinity. Maybe the other party wanted this effect?


    Zhao Qixuan said with amazement: ¡°This is impossible. There are guards guarding all the gates of the pce. Even the carriage of the Prince has to be checked in and out of the pce gate. Now it is an extraordinary period, and the pce is strictly checked.¡±


    Su Yi was toozy to talk nonsense with him. It was a piece of cake to smuggle a person into the pce. He could also do it.


    The eyes fell on a group of officers and soldiers not far away. He saw that they knocked on the door and entered a house. Sincest night, the officers and soldiers began to search from house to house, but what effect could such a search have? Su Yi did not report too big hope.


    Looking around for a search, Su Yi saw the signboard of Datonghui, and his mind shed. He seemed to think of something, but he could not catch it.


    ¡± Hey, what are you thinking?¡± Zhao Qixuan looked at his stupefied trance and poked him with his elbow.


    Su Yi¡¯s thoughts were interrupted and he gave him a angry stare.


    Zhao Qixuan disapproved, and he sighed and said: ¡°I feel like this person disappears like a void. There are no clues. Where can I find it? I can¡¯t imagine what it would be like to return to Chunyu brother. You said I still have what face to see him in the future.!¡±


    Su Yi looked at his appearance of shame and said lightly:¡± The water has left marks and the wild goose has left a sound. There can be no clue, but we haven¡¯t found it yet.¡±


    ¡°There is such a mystery. If you don¡¯t find it, isn¡¯t it equal to no?¡± Zhao Qixuan was a little depressed.


    ¡°I am still worried that our movements are too obvious.Just in case the opponents are too rude,what should I do if they want to kill us?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s fears were not unreasonable. If their bold guess was true, the situation was terrible. In order not to be discovered, the person was really likely to do something to destroy the evidence. At that time,they just threw the dead body, who knew who done it?This headless case ¨C solving, government holding up a lot of!


    Su Yi frowned, things were really tough!


    At this time, in a mountain in Ganzhou, Xia Chunyu was lying on the mountain top, watching the numerous bandits below searching for him.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, what should I do? Or I will take people down and kill a bloody road.¡± Song Qi said.


    Xia Chunyu was dull, and he did not expect that his deputy would set such a bureau for him, and disrupted his n to make him suffer from the enemy.


    Since he started his squad at the age of sixteen, it was the first time he encountered this situation. He was shackled by his own people and said that he had to fight for help. In the end, he became a point of being beaten and needed someone to rescue him.


    Of course, the reinforcements would not be there. Deputy Guan imed to be entangled in a bandit. It was estimated that this time he must sit somewhere waiting for the good news of his death!


    But after all, he had experienced a lot of battles in the battlefield, not those who were showy without real worth, the situation was dangerous, but he was not jealous. In any case, he would go back safely, or what would Yaoyao do?She would cry.


    Xia Yu looked around in the jungle, the rolling stone had already been used up, and it was toote to cut the trees to make the rolling wood, and the rolling wood was not used. When it was halfway, it had to be blocked by the trees. Behind it was the cliff. If only he was alone, His skill couldpletely climb down the cliff to escape, but what about these brothers who followed him? More than five hundred brothers, fighting for three days and three nights, now only left less than half.


    Everyone had parents and rtives, and it was almost New Year¡¯s Day. He promised to settle the war before the New Year and let everyone go home for a good year....


    Xia Chunyu bit his teeth and figured out that there was a certain chance of winning if he fought hard.


    There were seven hundred or eight hundred bandits at least, and they were very fierce. However, these mob members also had weaknesses. After all, they did not obey the regr army, had strict military discipline, and ordered a ban. As long as they ned properly, they should still have a chance of winning.


    Everyone was looking forward to Xia Chunyu. He was the general Xia who was known as the god of war. He was the second only to the Royal Highness Helian, and it was not the first time. Every time, he would win. Everyone believed general Xia. The general Xia will have a way.


    Xia Chunyu looked up at the sky. It was getting dark, and the woods were darker. He had a n in his heart.


    Xia Chunyu pointed several directions and whispered a few words in Song Qi¡¯s ear. Song Qi nodded repeatedly and bent down to prepare.


    Then he called in severalmanders and gave them such orders. They nodded and understood and prepared for each other.


    ¡°The archers are prepared, as long as they fight off the bandits¡¯ offense, we have a way to break through.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ordered.


    The archers immediately took their ce, and no one doubted Xia Chunyu¡¯s decision to target the bandits under them.


    ¡°With the row of arrows, the three teams shoot, do not feel the pain of the feathers, let the bandits taste the taste of the arrow rain, everyone prepared, listen to my order,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    The bandits carefully touched it up. It was because the officers and soldiers above were so powerful that so many brothers died that they had killed half of the other people before they trapped the other side of the mountain.


    Everyone had only one life and they had to be cautious.


    Fifty meters, forty... Xia Chunyu waited patiently, waiting for more and more enemies toe near, and it would be more chaotic when retreating.


    Until the bandits were close to 30 meters, it was a steep slope. Xia Chunyu was only waved hands and shouted: ¡°shot them.¡±


    The arrow was like a rain, whistling away from the bandits, madly harvesting the enemy¡¯s life.


    The rushing to the front of the bandit suddenly fell arge piece, so fierce arrows, so that the people behind were very scared, turned around and ran, Xia Chunyu jumped out of the slope, murderous, loudly said: ¡°Brothers, follow them tightly, kill them...¡±


    The general took the lead in the charge, and the men under him were screaming and waving broadsword to kill.


    Several other directions alsounched the charge at the same time, all shouting ¡± kill¡± at the top of their voices and dragging pine branches behind them, causing a lot of momentum.


    At this moment, Song Qimanded severalrge crossbows, and the arrows were stained with fire oil and shot at several points pointed out by Xia Chunyu just now.


    There was no rain in the past few days, the vegetation was dry, and the fire quickly burned. The bandits on the top escaped, and they ran wildly. There was a fire underneath, and the fire was everywhere. The bandits were a mess, and the dagger shouted loudly to make everyone not mess. However, the bandits were all panicked. Moreover, the officers and soldiers who came down from the mountains were like wolves, and they shouted¡±kill¡±, the sounds were very loud.The trick was to drown the shouts of the dagger, and no people listened.


    Xia Chunyu led the men in a desperate charge ording to the pre ¨C determined route.


    Two battles against each other, the fight was the momentum.


    The brave won when they met head ¨C on.


    At this time, Xia Chunyu was a tiger who went down the mountain, and the person who blocked him would die.


    The night sky with fire on all sides revealed a sly face, and there were shouted of shouting everywhere. The scary bandits couldn¡¯t figure out how many officers and soldiers were there, and which side was the main force.


    The initiative of the whole war was in the hands of Xia Chunyu.


    In the hands of the big knife, the left shed the right thorn, and the slow running all made the soul of the knife. Many people took it, and the soldiers sessfully broke a bloody road.


    In the Pioneer Camp, the deputy general Guan would sleep peacefully. This time, Xia Chunyu was dead, as long as Xia Chunyu died, waited for dawn, he went to clean the battlefield, and cleaned up some of the bandits¡¯ corpses, and he could tell King Yu that hepleted the task. And it could be considered a great achievement. Oh, the deputy general Guan thought very beautiful, it seemed that he had already seen the forecourt title, and rich was beckoning to him.


    Xia Chunyu returned with more than two hundred soldiers. Everyone seemed to climb out of the blood pool of Shura. They saw that the two battalions who had to block the bandits¡¯ reinforcements were resting in the camp. Everyone could not help but screamed. The body exuded a murderous murder.


    Some soldiers saw the returning soldiers as if they had seen the ghosts, and they were shocked for a moment. They thought of going to talk to the deputy general Guan, but they were thrown by a long knife that was thrown by the air. They couldn¡¯t wait to make a scream.


    The rest of the soldiers who were stirring stopped immediately and did not dare to move. The two hundred warriors who returned with blood had the tacit understanding to hand over their weapons and pointed to them with a long knife. No one dared to resist.


    Xia Chunyu was sullen, his face chilled, striding toward the soldier who was shed by his heart, slowly pulling out the long knife, not wiping the blood on the knife, and walking toward the deputy¡¯s camp.


    Opened the curtain.


    The deputy Guan was a martial artist, and his six senses were much more sensitive than ordinary people.He woke up in his sleep, only a blur in front of his eyes, and his neck was cold, and a bloody long knife was ced around his neck.


    After the deputy saw the people clearly, his face was scared.


    Was this person crawling out of hell? More than a thousand bandits were trapped by hundreds of officers and soldiers, but they could not kill Xia Chunyu? was he still dreaming?


    ¡°What? I am still alive, are you disappointed?¡± Xia Chunyu smiled coldly on his lips.


    ¡°Xia... Xia General, no, no, how can I be disappointed, the general cane back is really good,I am worried about you!¡± The deputy Guan immediately made a surprise look.


    Xia Chunyu sneered: ¡°Your way of worry is really special, you sleep very sweet!¡±


    ¡°I have sent people to inquire about the news. I intend to rescue the generals after I have figured out the situation. This is to recharge my batteries...¡± Guan said.


    Xia Chunyu was not in the mood to listen to his nonsense: ¡°Don¡¯t y with me, honestly, who is instructing you to do this?¡±


    ¡± What did General Xia say?How can I not understand?¡± The deputy Guan pretended to be at a loss.


    ¡± I¡¯ll spare your life if you tell me the truth, otherwise, you know my means,¡± Xia Chunyu threatened.


    Soon, people outside heard shrieks inside, and the shrill shrieks echoed in the silent night sky, making people scared.


    After a while, Xia Chunyu took the blood knife out, and the other hand was carrying a human head. It was the deputy general Guan¡¯s head, holding a pair of frightened big eyes and dying.

 Chapter 351 - Su Yi speculation

    <h4>Chapter 351: Su Yi spection</h4>


    The statement made by Vice-Admiral Guan made Xia Chunyu feel heavy. I didn¡¯t think King ,Yu had reached the point where he couldn¡¯t hold him. At the same time, it also made him worry about Yaoyao in Jin Ling. No, he will return to Jin Ling as soon as possible.


    ¡± Brothers, Vice-Admiral Guan ept bribes from bandits, disobey military orders, fabricate facts, trap our army and embarrass our good brothers, and they said, should this man be killed?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were full of power, and the revolving knife pointed out that all the men were outraged.


    ¡± Kill, kill, kill ...¡±


    Angry growls soared into the sky.


    No one under Vice-Admiral Guan dared toe forward and argue. Vice-Admiral Guan lied about the fact that military intelligence disobeyed military orders, and they were not ashamed of it, just because they had to obey military orders.


    Xia Chunyu can¡¯t say that Vice-Admiral Guan will be instigated by others. This required evidence. King Yu only gave Vice-Admiral Guan a password, without a piece of paper and documents, and can¡¯t testify against him. He might even fall into the name of framing. He simply killed Vice-Admiral Guan and avenged for the dead men.


    ¡± Brothers, bandits have been terrified by us. Bandits leaders were killed by me in the chaos. Now the leaders are not afraid. Let¡¯s go straight to Huanglong and end their old nest tonight. Tomorrow they will be able to go back to Jin Ling.¡± Xia Chunyu, anxious to return, wanted a quick victory, but now was indeed the best chance. Bandits thought they have a hard time fight their way out and must renovate them. But he deliberately went the other way and killed aeback.


    ¡± Kill, kill, kill ...¡±


    The response to Xia Chunyu was a tsunami ¨C like roar.


    Ye Jiayao had been hungry for two days. Fuck, that bastard still won¡¯tpromise.


    Breakfast can only ate two porridge furtively, lunch and dinner can only ate a few grains of rice. That bastard must have deliberately delivered more than one meal. For hungry dizziness, it was a great test.But She was going topromise like this. She would never haggle with that bastard again. She can only grind her teeth.


    She was betting that this behind-the-scenes operator still cared about her life.


    Xiao Jing¡¯s anxiety was restless in the Chaoyang Pce. The queen specially announced the Crown Princess and Princess Yu entrance to the pce in order to cooperate with Xiao Jing¡¯s investigation. The news had progressed to Yu¡¯s mansion. Although only two days had passed, it had been too long for him. Yaoyao¡¯s life was uncertain, and he couldn¡¯t sleep well.


    Crown Princess had arrived. Why hadn¡¯t A Ruane yet?


    The Little Jing waited eagerly and finally heard the maid-in-waiting sing: ¡± Princess Yu had arrived ...¡±


    Little Jing hurried to the back of the screen.


    The queen had already dismissed irrelevant people a long time, and all the people in this hall were trustworthy.


    A Ruan came in to give a gift to the queen and a gift to the Crown Princess.


    The queen deliberately held her forehead and said, ¡± I want to announce you to go to the pce to discuss how to do things for the queen mother, but now the mourning family suddenly has some pain in the head.¡±


    The Crown Princess understood and said with concern, ¡± Mother is not well. It is better to announce the imperial doctor to see you first.¡±


    The queen gave a wave of her hand: ¡± Xinruo, you help me to rest for a while, A Ruan, you sit down for a while, stay for dinner, and talk while eating.¡±


    The martial arts on the scene still need to be done adequately.


    The Crown Princess graciously helped the queen to the bedroom. A Ruan said to the following servant Jiang, ¡± if you go and tell the lord, I won¡¯t go back for dinner.¡±


    Servant Jiang was assigned to A Ruan by King Yu, who apparently served A Ruan but was actually monitoring her. A Ruan took the opportunity to send her away.


    Servant Jiang hesitated for a moment and said, ¡± Let A Man go, and I will stay to serve the princess.¡±


    A Ruan was unhappy: ¡± Why? The princess also ordered not to move you?Are you the master or am I the master?¡±


    Servant Jiang said she did not dare, after all, the princess was still a princess, and hurried away, thinking that King Yu was in the pce and she woulde back as soon as possible.


    As soon as Servant Jiang left, Little Jing turned out from behind the screen.


    Staring at the direction of the door, he said angrily, ¡± The servants of King Yu are too presumptuous.¡±


    A servant dared to disobey orders, which showed that A Ruan¡¯s situation in Wangfu was quite different


    A Ruan said in a busy way: ¡± I pay attention to what you let me pay attention to, regardless of them. But you know, there are King Yu and Lin¡¯s people in the pce, few of whom I can trust, and they are also closely watched.¡±


    Little Jing understood A Ruan¡¯s difficulties. Speaking, it was somewhat difficult for A Ruan to ask him for help.


    ¡± I know, it doesn¡¯t matter, I have other ways to do it,¡± Xiao Jingforted.


    A Ruan said: ¡± However, I still found something unusual, just don¡¯t know if it is useful.¡±


    Little Jing was very happy: ¡± Tell me.¡±


    A Ruan was somewhat embarrassed and embarrassed, and said, ¡± Yesterday, when the sovereign was about to rest, Lin sent someone to call the sovereign. Such a thing has not happened since Yaoyao elder sister met concubine Shust time, and I let people pay attention to it. Only then did I know that Lin had previously met a person, like the steward of Da tong Organization.¡±


    Little Jing was startled. Datong Organization was thergest silver vige in Huai song, with semicolons all over the north and south of the great river, with strong financial resources, the whole Huai Song had a quiver. how do you get in touch with King Yu and Lin? Little Jing felt bad, he haven¡¯t thought about Yao¡¯s affairs yet, but thought that if King Yu gets the support of Datong Organization, the trouble would be great.


    A Ruan saw Little Jing frowned thoughtfully and thought that the news he provided should be useful. It was good to be useful, and I hope Little Jing can find Yao Jie as soon as possible.


    ¡± The news you said is very important. I have to check it immediately,¡± said Little Jing with a dignified look.


    A Ruan nodded, ¡± well, you go quickly, Yaoyao will please you.¡±


    After taking two steps, Little Jing turned back again: ¡± Be careful yourself, and the matter will not continue.¡±


    A Ruan said eagerly, ¡± You too.¡±


    The two men stared silently, everything in silence.


    At this time, Su Yi was sitting in a restaurant opposite to Datong Organization, looking thoughtfully at the ck gold-ted sign of Datong Organization.


    He had already thought about the sh in his mind when he found the carriage the other day.


    That was a rumour heard a long time ago.


    Shu Huimin, Lord Rong¡¯s sister, was supposed to enter the pce as a princess, but she died of a sudden illness. She sent another woman of the Shu to the pce, now concubine Shu, but rumors came out that Shu Huimin was ying dead, in fact, she had already agreed with Jiang Left League¡¯s young leader. Jiang Left League was the richest gang in Huai Song¡¯s financial resources, and the court was also deeply terrified. However, Lord Rong vowed that Hui Min was dead and even wanted to open a coffin for autopsy to prove her innocence.


    Lord Rong had been indifferent to the world all these years and enjoyed fishing every day, including the children of Lord Rong, who were very low ¨C key, but the business was very big, but the business was not in Jin Ling. There were rumors that the Rong¡¯s business had the shadow of Jiang Left League. Of course, these were only rumors and can only be heard without real evidence.


    Therefore, thest time the emperor was assassinated in Nanshan pce, the emperor did not anger Lord Rong, only punished his uncle and dismissed him for investigation.


    Now, turning back to the boss behind the chase, he was also a very low-key person, unless he showed up at the cocktail party held by chase every year, and there was no figure at all on weekdays. All the people who had seen him say that he was young, gentle and friendly.


    His rise seemed to have happened overnight. Thirty ¨C six semicolons opened at the same time, resisting thebined suppression and exclusion of several big plutocrat in Huai Song by themselves. Five yearster, Datong Organization into thergest silver vige in Huai Song, and the plutocrat against with him were either fell or disappeared without name.


    No one knew his real name, and everyone called him the left boss.


    This surname was not known to be true or false, but Su Yi thought that this left and Jiang Zuo may had a connection, because he had long spected that the big boss behind Datong Hui was from Jiang Zuo historian. Otherwise, who had such a big ability?Can withstand the alliance of several big chaebols and quietly wipe out their opponents.


    He traveled outside in the first three years and heard some rumors about historians. No one had ever seen the wife of the history leader, who was called the most mysterious woman in the Jianghu. The new leader was even more mysterious. He traveled outside at the age of 18 and disappeared, counting the time. It was seven years ago when Datong Organization appeared.


    If the rumor was true and his guess was right, then the following things will make sense. JiangLeft League has a close rtionship with Rong Guogong Shu¡¯s family. Jiang Left League¡¯s master was like a cloud, sending two of them to hijack Ye Jinxuan, who was a rare master in Jin Ling, deliberately leaving the carriage nearby. Therefore, Su Yi thought that this was the contempt and arrogance of the other party, or self ¨C confidence. He believed he can¡¯t take him even if he suspect to Datong Organization.


    Su Yi stuffy a mouthful of wine, the mood was very heavy.


    Drumming, someone quickly went upstairs and knocked on the door of the room.


    ¡± Susu, if you are here,Litte Jing is looking for us to discuss!¡±


    Regardless, picked up the hip sk on the table and sniffed it. ¡± Twenty years old flower carving?¡±


    After taking the cup from Su Yi¡¯s hand, he filled himself with a ss, slipped one mouthful and sighed with satisfaction: ¡± It was really good wine.¡±


    ¡± Susu, you¡¯re too mean to call me when youe to drink,¡±ined the bearer.


    Su Yi gave him a faint wind, and his eyes drifted away. Under the warm winter sun, those gold-ted characters were particrly striking and dazzling.


    ¡± What are you looking at?¡± Zhao Qixuan leaned forward and followed his line of sight to see only passers-by in the street.


    Su Yi withdrew his eyes and got up and said, ¡± Don¡¯t you want to discuss it?Hector even pce?You pay for it. ¡±


    Then he left.


    Zhao Qixuan stayed for a moment and murmured in his mouth, ¡± You¡¯re hiding to drink alone, and you want me to pay for it. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll pay for it. Isn¡¯t it for my wife that men earn money?¡±


    Su Yi, who walked to the door, suddenly turned around and frowned. ¡± What did you say?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was busy: ¡± I didn¡¯t say anything. I said I would pay for it and I would pay for it. It should be!¡±


    Su Yi corrected: ¡± You control all the money I earn, both male and female. This is your own business. What is there toin about?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan sweat,mented, Who was inside?You were inside!

 Chapter 352 - Hint

    <h4>Chapter 352: Hint</h4>


    Little Jing had already told the prince about the situation and then called everyone to discuss it.


    ¡°Do you think it has anything to do with the disappearance of Yaoyao? ¡± asked Little Jing.


    Xia Chunfeng didn¡¯t know all the details of Datong Hui: ¡± It¡¯s not supposed to be possible. Datong Hui is for business and may rte to the interest of King Yu. It¡¯s possible to provide King Yu with funds. What¡¯s the matter with helping King Yu catch my sister ¨C in ¨Cw? ¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said sternly, ¡± However, if King Yu got Datong Hui as his back up, the problem will be difficult.¡±


    Everyone knew very well that financial resources wrer the key to expanding their power.


    Money makes the mare go!


    Su Yi said, ¡± I¡¯m going to explore the bottom of Datong Hui tonight.¡±


    ¡± Ah? I¡¯ll go too,¡± Zhao Qixuan said excitedly, looking for Datong Hui at night.


    Su Yi red at him: ¡± You¡¯ll only get in my way.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan murmured bitterly, ¡± You are too despising people.¡±


    Everyone had no intention of ridiculing Zhao Qixuan. This was noughing matter. Xia Chunfeng said, ¡± Otherwise, I will go with you.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng still had some confidence in his skill. Although he was not as good as the second brother, HeLianXuan and Su Yi, he was not bad among Jinling¡¯s people.


    Su Yi shook his head: ¡± I¡¯ll do it alone.¡±


    Seeing Su Yi so firmly, Xia Chunfeng didn¡¯t say anything.


    Little Jing said: ¡± Chun Feng still goes to meet you. You are on the periphery. If Su Yi is caught, you may help as well. Datong Hui is too mysterious. It is always good to be careful.¡±


    Su Yi had no objection.


    Four people decided on the n and prepared it separately.


    If King Yu knew Little Jing that they were eyeing Datong Hui, they would be vomiting blood. In fact, this was a beautiful misunderstanding.


    That night Lin found him in a hurry, but it wasn¡¯t because of Datong Hui, but because of the news from the flying pigeon in Ganzhou: The failure.


    Vice Admiral Guan not only failed to make Xia Chunyu to death, but also dead. He also let Xia Chunyu destroy bandits at one stroke. The government suppressed the bandits for many years without winning them. Xia Chunyu won them as soon as he went. All right, Xia Chunyu performed meritorious service again, and he lost a deputy.


    However, but it was fine that this kind of useless thing was dead. Moreover, the secret newspaper also mentioned Xia Chunyu¡¯s interrogation of the pass lieutenant. Although Xia Chunyu¡¯s argument was that the pass lieutenant colluded with the bandits, did Xia Chunyu already know that the pass lieutenant was appointed by him?


    In a word, a coincidence had exposed Datong Huihui.


    Ye Jiayao was still on an arduous hunger strike. It was been three days, and she¡¯s still lucky to have water to drink, or she had already been dead.


    Just as Ye Jiayao made up her mind to stick to it for another day, the iron gate was opened and the doorman with poker face came in and said, ¡°The seconddy, my master agreed to let you take a walk in the outside passage every day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao exulted and thought that she reward from hunger finally, but she said weakly, ¡± I want half an hour, otherwise, I will continue to hunger strike.¡±


    ¡± My master said that if you go on hunger strike, my master will let you eat in a way, but he doesn¡¯t want to embarrass you. Please take a step back. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao secretly ground her teeth. One wick was better than none. She also wanted to explore another channel.


    There was a strong smell in the chamber of secrets.


    Ye Jiayao smoked her stomach and turned her head to look. It was the old woman who brought the delicious food to her heart.


    ¡± I¡¯m going to eat Buddha jumps over the wall tomorrow and I¡¯m locked up here by you. I can¡¯t do anything. This little wish should be satisfied me, right? ¡±


    Em ... the man hesitated: ¡± I need to consult my master.¡±


    When the man went out, Ye Jiayao wobbled up, dazed and dazzled. People died without eating. Sure enough, the taste of starvation was too bad.


    While drinking the soup and eating white steamed bread, Ye Jiayao was thinking about the n that had just popped up.


    There were not many people who could do the real Buddha ¨C leaping wall. Except Lu Jia and his son, Zhong Xiang, Wang Mingde and Deng Haichuan, all the other people couldn¡¯t. The cook here couldn¡¯t do anything. Could she send a message to the people outside from the food? Yes, that was it. If Buddha jumps over the wall came here tomorrow, she would ask for ice cream again, which was even more unique. Only Jiang Yue could make ice cream besides her.


    Ye Jiayao was a little excited, but more depressed. Why didn¡¯t she think of it earlier?


    This night, the sky was particrly dark and dark, with dark clouds overhead and opaque, as if a storm was brewing.


    A ck shadow, like a kite spreading its wings, crossed the high wall and fell silently into the courtyard.


    The man was Su Yi.


    Su Yi did not dare to be big, had a reserved breath, bowed himself and looked at the courtyard like a civet cat.


    Behind the front of the five-bay window, there was something fantastic.


    Moreover, this seemingly ordinary courtyard was full of unusual atmosphere. Every tree, every stone and every path here was exquisite and hides the array map of five element diagram.


    If Xia Chunfeng or Little Jing came, they would be found within ten steps.


    Su Yi walked carefully through the garden and saw a house in front of him. He was about to pass by when he suddenly found it wrong. A murderous look pervaded all around him.


    Su Yi held his breath, slowly searched for the source of murderous look, and soon found a secret sentry. The opponent was definitely a master. He was probably at the same level as the man.


    The secret post was set up and used by the master. Su Yi affirmed his suspicion even more.


    Datong Hui has a lot of articles.


    However, it was still uncertain whether Ye Jinxuan was captured here.


    The expert hiding in the dark was also searching around with a pair of eyes. He found something wrong just then. After searching for something, he did not find anything unusual. It may be due to his confidence in his skill, and the man hid his breath and hid himself in the dark.


    Progress would surely be discovered, and Su Yi retreated quietly and sought another way.


    From the side detour past, he came to a window.


    he was just about to peep at the house when hearing a burst of footsteps.


    Su Yi was busy hiding.


    ¡°Young Majesty ...¡±


    ¡± Well, she is willing to eat? ¡±


    ¡± Yes, but she offered to eat Buddha jumps over the wall tomorrow.¡±


    ¡± Well ...¡± A warm jade voice tugged at the often upturned tail tone.


    Su Yi¡¯s heart leaped quickly, and he restrained. He stepped back to leave, followed the way he came and leaped over the high wall. After taking a wild cat in Xia Chunfeng¡¯s hand and threw it away , the two men quickly left.


    Tonight¡¯s harvest was not small. The man in the house was called the young majesty. If he was the young majesty of the Jiangzuo League, his martial arts would not be weak. If he didn¡¯t retreat in time, he would surely be exposed.


    Su Yi¡¯s inference was not wrong. Immediately after he left, someone opened the window and looked out. Several men in ck also started searching the garden and finally found a wild cat.


    They didn¡¯t think it big and took the wild cat back to their master.


    Su Yi and Xia Chunfeng came to safety, and Xia Chunfeng urgently asked, ¡± How about that? What did you find? ¡±


    Su Yi was recalling that simple conversation.


    ¡°She¡¯s willing to eat?¡±


    She offered to eat Buddha jumps over the wall tomorrow ...


    Who was she? But the key thing was ¡± Buddha jumps over the wall¡±, which was the sign in the sky. Ye Jinxuan was dubbed the imperial kitchens by the emperor for this dish. Why did she say she want to eat Buddha jumps over the wall?


    ¡± Go back and talk about it.¡±


    The next day, a beggar sat at the gate of Datong Huiyuan. As soon as the waiter opened the door and saw the beggar, he pushed him away with bad attitude. The beggar couldn¡¯t be provoked to go further. He sat down again and set up a broken bowl to beg there.


    Towards noon, a man came out of Datong Hui, medium height and overweight, with calm eyes and a slight smile on his face, look like a Maitreya Buddha.


    The man got into a carriage, said a ce, and the carriage rolled.


    Across the street, different people followed, either on foot or in a carriage, all the way to the vegetarian restaurant.


    After the fat man entered, he soon came out and returned to Datong Hui in a carriage.


    Before long, there was news from the ninth lord that the steward of Datong Hui went to the vegetarian restaurant and ordered a Buddhist ceiling to be sent to Datong Hui.


    With the excitement in his heart, Little Jing asked everyone, ¡± Do you think it is Yaoyao that wants to eat Buddha¡¯s leaping over the wall??She is telling us in this way that she is there.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan pped his thigh: ¡± This is entirely possible.¡±


    Su Yi calmly said, ¡± It is not enough to confirm with a Buddha jumping wall. Wait a minute. If Ye Jinxuan is really hinting at us, then I believe there will be other hinting at the back.¡±


    ¡± What if it did not? My sister-inw was caught, and her captors could do whatever she wanted? ¡± Xia Chunfeng retorted.


    ¡± I suggest applying to the government for a search and turning the Chase Exchange upside down. I don¡¯t believe I can¡¯t find anyone.¡±


    Su Yi said lightly: ¡°What if they can¡¯t find it? Wouldn¡¯t it be startle? ¡±


    Uh ... Xia Chunfeng had lost his temper.


    Little Jing felt that Su Yi¡¯s remarks were reasonable. Without sure message, it was better not to disturb.


    Su yi said: ¡± let the people of the ninth lord keep watching and following this thing. These gangsters are more professional than those in the police station.¡±


    In the afternoon, news came that Datong Hui people went to Juxiang Garden to buy candied fruit and persimmon cakes, and went to Tianju pastry house to order a honey taro and persimmon cake.


    Everyone was lost in thought after listening.


    ¡± These things are verymon, Ye Jinxuan want to pass the message also want to give a clear point! ¡± Zhao Qixuan depressed.


    Little Jing seemed to think of something, his eyes suddenly shing and looking at Su Yi.


    Su Yi nodded slightly and said in unison, ¡± Chamber of Secrets.¡±


    ¡± What? What chamber of secrets? What¡¯s going on? ¡± Zhao Qixuan was at a loss.


    Xia Chunfeng smiled: ¡± The snacks bought in both ces have a secret word, candied fruit, honey taro, plus persimmon cakes and persimmon cakes. Isn¡¯t that the secret room? ¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t be suspicious, it must be Yaoyao. Yes, she is telling us that she is locked up in the Chamber of Secrets, and I knew she would figure it out.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not bad either. If we hadn¡¯t targeted Datong Huihui, Yao¡¯s message would have been passed in vain.¡± Zhao Qixuanughed and was not forgetting to take credit for himself.


    Everyone alsoughed and confirmed Ye Jiayao¡¯s presence. The next step was how to rescue her.

 Chapter 353 - Rescue matters

    <h4>Chapter 353: Rescue matters</h4>


    Ye Jiayao drew up a list of food to be eaten in the next few days, and she did not believe it. No one would find it if a hint was thrown out. However, it was hard to say, even if she did not know where she was locked up, the people outside would not even know, But even if it is useless, it is better to do nothing.


    This was the only hope, Ye Jiayao will firmly grasp it.


    She didn¡¯t know that Su Yi had visited Datong at night and didn¡¯t know how a group of people were nning to get her out.


    The channel that she saw earlier had been turned and sealed. It was clear that she was afraid of what she found, and it proved that there was something strange in the head.


    Since there was no chance to explore, the daily walking time that Ye Jiayao had won for a wick of incense was of little significance, but her range of activities had been expanded from the Chamber of Secrets to the Secret Road.


    In the secret room days, bored to go crazy, did not know how long to be imprisoned, Ye Jiayao thought of such a waste of time was too shameful, just asked the guy who was jealous to discuss paper and pen, she always wanted to organize a recipe, collect the stuff from the East and the West, the recipes of the various cuisines, and the cooking methods were always free. Now it¡¯s good, she had only time left.


    The behind-the-scenes boss of Datong Hui, Shi Qingyun, the junior leader of the Jiang Zuomeng, was read an ancient chess script and yed the script against it.


    The men came in to report back, ¡± Young Master, she wants ink, paper and inkstone.¡±


    Shi Qingyun frowned slightly: ¡± What does she want? ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Shi Qingyun sighed, ¡± Forget it, just depend on her! ¡±


    ¡± Young Master, are we following her too much? Do we need to do this and do thatter? You see, this is her recipe for today. Everything on it is strange and ancient, and people in the kitchen can¡¯t do it.¡±


    Shi Qingyun also had a headache. It¡¯s really hard to please God and restore his mind. The point was, he didn¡¯t want to mistreat her. This woman was one of the few people he could admire. If it weren¡¯t for being unable to refuse, he didn¡¯t want to waded into this muddy water and fell into his hands. At least he just losed his freedom. He was afraid he would suffer if he changed people.


    ¡± Forget it, let her alone, it¡¯s too boring to be locked in. She can¡¯t send anything out anyway,¡± Shi Qingyun said.


    Although there were manyints in his heart, the rules in the league, the words of the young Lord, were imperial edicts and couldn¡¯t be ignored.


    Shi Qingyun shook his head and gave a wry smile and continued to y the chess script. He said he would close it for three months. It were only a few days and it was too much for him.


    Unfortunately, there was a cocktail party tomorrow, and Ye Jinxuan promised to attend, which could had been perfectly justified. Now people in his office were unabled to meet each other. He didn¡¯t want Ye Jinxuan to know that it was he who catched her, and there would be time to deal with herter.


    While Chunfeng and others were discussing how to enter Datong to save lives, Jing¡¯an marquis and You hurried back to Jin Lin.


    Upon learning of the news of the death of the queen mother, the two men set out immediately.


    Who knew, as soon as Chunfeng got back to the house, he discovered that the death of the queen mother was not the most important thing for Hou Mansion. The most important thing was that Jin Xuan was missing, and even Joe gave birth to a grandson for the Xia family could not make people happy.


    The duke was furious and tied his daughter-inw in broad daylight, wasn¡¯t this hitting him in Jing¡¯an marquis¡¯s face?


    ¡± Chunli, who is checking this matter now? ¡± The duke¡¯s face was as cold as ice.


    Chunli was disconste. ¡± The Emperor ordered Jing Royal Highness to investigate the matter thoroughly, and the third brother was also investigating. All the people who could be sent to find it were sent out, and all the guys who lived in Tianshang Ju Restaurant went out spontaneously to find someone, but for several days, there was no news at all, and they didn¡¯t know which enemy the second sister inw was involved in.¡±


    Because of the limited news, Chunli and Joe discussed and discussed the possibility of coloured ze, saying that coloured ze is the only one who can offend the most malicious people by the second sister ¨C in ¨Cw.


    ¡± Are you sure they are enemies? ¡± You was worried and asked. Would someone envy Jin Xuan for doing so much business?


    The duke knew that the son was useless and red at him unhappily. He didn¡¯t have the spirit to say, ¡± Don¡¯t listen to him talk nonsense,it wasn¡¯t that simple.¡±


    ¡± Go, get Chunfeng,¡± the duke ordered.


    Chunli hurried to find Chunfeng.


    Chunfeng heard that his father was back, and immediately stopped the discussion to return to his office.


    Little Jing said: ¡± The duke came back just in time. We all went over and asked the duke to take an idea.¡±


    So, four people came to Jing ¡®an marquis house together.


    The duke saw that all four men hade and immediately invited them to the study and ordered them to go down without anyone disturbing them.


    Chunfeng was responsible for exining all the situation and asionally added a small scene.


    The duke was so angry that his beard shook up and roared, ¡± Since I know Jin Xuan was locked up in Datong, why didn¡¯t I send someone to rescue him, whether he was directed by King Yu or not, and dare to tie me to Jing ¡®an marquis house, I will still pick him up.¡±


    After all, the people inside were not simple. Moreover, they haven¡¯t figured out the purpose of the other party yet. They were afraid that the other party woulde to a dead end. Now the duke hase out and was justified. No matter how big the movement was, they would not be afraid.


    ¡± The duke, it¡¯s time for you toe back. What do you say? The small one would serve as a pawn for you.¡± Little Jing smiled.


    The duke red at him, but the anger in his eyes gathered a lot. He said, ¡± What should I do? You¡¯ve fixed up Datong Hui first, and I troops would be deployed to bring Datong Hui into the same pot.¡±


    Su Yi said: ¡± If it¡¯s just to save lives, it¡¯s no problem to do so, but behind-the-scenes emissaries will escape, and the shopkeeper of Datong Hui will certainly not recruit the mastermind.¡±


    The duke hesitated for a moment and said, ¡± The mastermind¡¯s business is slowly concerned.Otherwise, Chunyu can hurry with me when hees back.¡±


    Now that the duke had made his decision, everyone had no objection. Indeed, people were the most important. Who knew what variables would happen if they were dyed for another day.


    Therefore, the Ninth Lord came first, and a group of gangsters were wandered around Datong Hui and stalked secretly. The Duke was highly effective and called Little Jing. He quickly called out the people who called thepany and didn¡¯t say what to do, and headed straight to Datong Hui. As for Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan, they avoided it. After all, this action would offend King Yu, and they two might as well not be involved, but Chunfeng said they would go to find someone.


    Shi Qingyun heard that Datong Hui was surrounded by government officials,he was not surprised by the dark. Did thingse to light? No way! Ye Jinxuan¡¯s capture was quite confidential, or did he and King Yu¡¯s ned to light?


    With this in mind, Shi Qingyun jumped between his eyebrows and told the people under him to stay steady. The secret room he built here was very hidden and hard to find.


    Shi Qingyun didn¡¯t show up easily, but it was no good not to show up today. He adjusted his clothes, took a deep breath and went to see the officers and soldiers.


    ¡± Turns out to be a Jing Young Royal Highness report. I don¡¯t know what the report wants to do when he brings so many people to me. ¡± Shi Qingyun¡¯s gentle temperament, coupled with his clear and sweet voice, who would have thought such a gentle man would do a thing of forcing women into exile?


    ¡± I suspect that the disappearance of the second wife of Jing ¡®an marquis house has something to do with you. Now the king has been ordered to investigate your Datong Hui thoroughly.¡±


    Little Jing said, waved his hand: ¡± Search for me. Search carefully. You can¡¯t let go of any corner.¡±


    ¡± Wait a minute.¡± Shi Qingyun also raised his voice, and his face sank and cooled down, sending out a force for people.


    Little Jingg looked at him coldly.


    Shi Qingyun said, ¡± Can the sovereign have evidence to prove it? If you search for nothing, what should you do? You can¡¯t report that he is guilty next time. Although I am just amon citizen, I still pay taxes and tribute for nothing.¡±


    Small scene sneer at the bottom of Little Jing¡¯s heart, is was not the chamber of secrets? Do you think we were all really wine bags? What othermon people did you say? You were a leader of the left alliance of the Yangtze River, and you were close to King Yu. It was said that Rong Guogong was your big brother. Do you had suchmon people?


    ¡± Is there any evidence, search not to know? Little Jing, don¡¯t talk nonsense to him, search, what¡¯s the matter with me? ¡± Jing ¡®an marquis¡¯s eyes were full of power and gas.


    When Shi Qingyun saw that Jing ¡®an marquis was here, he knew he couldn¡¯t stop the search today, so he stepped aside and said, ¡± Then search, if you can¡¯t find anything, you¡¯ll certainly have to get this justice back next.¡±


    Jing ¡®an marquis cold snorted, ¡± Smelly boy, dare to threaten me? When I was on the battlefield to kill the enemy, your boy didn¡¯t know he was in that bastard¡¯s crotch! ¡±


    The duke was used to staying in the army and said rude things. Shi Qingyun had never heard such unpleasant words before. He was the leader of the left alliance of Jiang, who was not careful in front of him and did not dare to breathe heavily in the atmosphere. Now a white face was flushed bright red, but he also knew that the tiger ¨C like character could not care about anything, so he had to endure this tone forcefully.


    Officers and men were ordered to rush in and search separately.


    Shi Qingyun saw so many people rushed in with drooping eyelids and covering up a sneer. Was his territory free to rush? Waiting for the show!


    Who knew after a long time did not hear the expected shrieks, and no one was carried out. Shi Qingyun¡¯s face began to look dignified. Suddenly he remembered that night¡¯s wild cats, but also his heart sank. It seemed that his five lines of Eight trigrams were broken.


    Little Jing proudly raised his eyebrows at him. Su Su had already painted the map and exined the method of cracking it. You said your home was a dangerous ce and its eye was broken. Now it is also an empty nest.


    Chunfeng brought two people in.


    ¡± Uncle Jiang, Jiang Li ...¡± Xiao Jing recognized the two. Chun Feng called them, but they didn¡¯t work as carpenters?


    Chunfeng also did not exin: ¡± Uncle Jiang, leave, my yisow will please you.¡±


    Uncle Jiang said, ¡± This is our business.¡±


    Dare not dy, two people walked in at once.


    Little Jing wondered, ¡± What are their special abilities? ¡±


    Chunfeng pretended to be mysterious: ¡± You just wait and see! ¡±


    Su Yi said that Jiang Zuomeng had many talented people. They were afraid the Chamber of Secrets was not easy to find. He thought of Uncle Jiang and his two sons at that time. Others did not know, but he knew that these two were experts in government. If they could not find them, others would not be able to find them.

 Chapter 354 - See the light of day again

    <h4>Chapter 354: See the light of day again</h4>


    The construction of the secret chamber was nothing more than behind a bookshelf, a cab, or under the bed and the floor, but this was the territory of the young leader of Jiangzuo League. It was afraid he wouldn¡¯t adopt such amon method. It was too childish and it wold damage the prestige of Jiangzuo League.


    However, in order to be cautious, Uncle Jiang and Jiang Li cooperated with each other, one inside the house and the other outside the house.


    Ye Jiayao found something to do and settled down. When you couldn¡¯t change the situation, you could only get used to it and try to find a way slowly. It was no use trying so hard anyway. This was her attitude. If the mountain didn¡¯te, then she would go there, otherwise she would just stay there.


    Suddenly, the iron gate was opened and Ye Jiayao did not lift her head. She was busy writing books and muttered, ¡± Youe just right, the paper is running out, and your master is too stingy. Can¡¯t you send a few more? Or can¡¯t he afford these paper?¡±


    ¡± Second second...¡±


    The voice of surprise was familiar to her. Ye Jiayao looked up, stunned and blinked. She even couldn¡¯t believe this scene. Was she locked up for too long to have an illusion? She always imagined that one day, at some point, a familiar face would rush into this door and say to her ... Ye Jinxuan,e with me....


    Looking at seconddy¡¯s surprising face , Jiang Li was both excited and sad, he said, ¡°Seconddy, now the marquis and young royal highness Jing are all outside, and we havee to save you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao beckoned to him: ¡± Come here.¡±


    Jiang Li was puzzled but still walked to her.


    Ye Jiayao stretched out his hand and squeezed a handful on his arm: ¡± Does it hurt?¡±


    Jiang Li became even more puzzled and said honestly, ¡± It doesn¡¯t hurt much.¡±


    Ye Jiayao squeezed a handful again: ¡± Does it hurt?¡±


    Jiang Li inhaled a blow of cold air and said: ¡± It hurts.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled slowly and patted Jiang Li¡¯s shoulder vigorously: ¡± Ha, if it hurts, it¡¯s true. Hi!Ah Li, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s you whoe to save me! You guys are very quick. I think it will take a long time.¡±


    Jiang Li looked at his seconddy like a lunatic. If you tried to prove whether it was true or not, why not pinch yourself?


    Ye Jiayao happily tidied up the recipes and said to Jiang Li, who was still in a daze, ¡± Let¡¯s go. I don¡¯t want to stay here for a moment.¡±


    How many days had she been locked up? Seven days or eight days?When she went out, she would bomb it up.


    Outside, a group of officers and soldiers guarded the doors and saw Ye Jiayaoe out, all smiling triumphantly.


    Ye Jiayao said nobly, ¡± Thank you, all guys, for inviting you to drink when you return to Heavenly Residence.¡± Then she remembered that banquets were not allowed during the national mourning period and said, ¡± Anyway, you are indispensable for this wine.¡±


    Everyone smiled, a person from Jing¡¯an marquis house was really generous. The spirit of the seconddy was not like a prisoner imprisoned, for other women, they would surely cry out at this moment.


    Jiang Li was leading the way ahead, and asked Ye Jiayao to follow his footsteps and told her that there was a trap here.


    After passing through the long and narrow passage, there were dozens of steps up the stairs, and the light came through to warm the sun, forming a light beam in the passage, clearly showing the free dust in the light.


    Out of the entrance to the secret chamber, Ye Jiayao discovered that the entrance was built in the waterside pavilion in the center of the pool, and it was under the pool. This was too mysterious. What position was the host here?


    Come on, don¡¯t worry about asking these questions now. Ye Jiayao stepped out of the waterside pavilion and stood on the winding porch bridge, showering sunshine with her head, holding high and breathing deeply the slightly chilly air. It was a good feeling to see the sun again for the first time.


    Suddenly, Ye Jiayao thought of one thing and said to Jiang Li, ¡± There is a passage near the secret chamber, which has been sealed with bricks. I think there is something strange about it. Go and have a look.¡±


    Jiang Li nodded and took a few people down to it.


    In the shop, everyone was waiting anxiously, and finally someone came to report, ¡± The secret chamber has been found, and people have found it.¡±


    Small scene exultation, thankfully, is found.


    Shi Qingyun¡¯s face changed slightly and his heart became horrified. Such a hidden tunnel could be found. Is it useless for them to join Jiangzuo League, or was it the strength of Helian Mansion and Jing ¡®an marquis house?


    Shi Qingyun gave a faint expression of eyes to Shopkeeper Bai, who twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth and lowered his eyelids, indicating that he had received it.


    When things came to light, Datonghui would definitely give a statement that someone needed toe out to plead guilty. The younger leader was the future leader of Jiangzuo League. How could he fold it here for such a small matter?Therefore, it was most appropriate for him to carry the me.


    The marquis was already overbearing, but now the evidence was conclusive, he immediately shouted at him: ¡± The boy named Zuo? Aren¡¯t you arrogant? Aren¡¯t you aggressive? Do you want to talk with me? Now you¡¯d better exin it to me.¡±


    Shi Qingyun crusted his head and said with a face of innocence, ¡± The marquis, this is really weird. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on next. I never know there is a secret room here.¡±


    Little Jing was furious: ¡± You left it clean. People were found in your chase. Can you get away with it without knowing?¡±


    ¡± I really don¡¯t know. Please wait for a moment. I¡¯ll find out the truth and give you an exnation.¡± Shi Qingyun said seriously.


    Xia Chunfeng snorted with cold: ¡°Shopkeeper Zuo, you can pack it. Don¡¯t think we know nothing about you.¡±


    Shi Qingyun calmly said, ¡± You¡¯re joking. I¡¯m just a businessman. It¡¯s no use saying anything now. Please give me three exnations within the next hour. If I can¡¯t find out the truth, I¡¯ll be willing to punish myself next.¡±


    The marquis¡¯s eyes narrowed a crack and were as sharp as arrows. He had already seen Shi Qingyun¡¯s intention: ¡°Isn¡¯t it just to give you time to find a scapegoat?¡±


    ¡± The marquis insisted, I¡¯m also helpless, as the shopkeeper, naturally I can¡¯t get away with it, but I¡¯m really innocent, I have never met the seconddy, and what could I hide her in the house to do? There is no reason!¡± Shi Qingyun argued.


    While speaking, Ye Jiayao came out surrounded by officers and soldiers.


    ¡°Yaoyao ...¡±


    ¡°The second sister-inw ...¡±


    Chunfeng and Little Jing hurried up to see that Ye Jiayao was not injured or anything. After many days of heart suspension, they finally settled downpletely.


    Ye Jiayao had asked the officers and soldiers along the way that she was locked up in Datonghui, which was really strange. She and Datonghui were just a little business contacts, without enmity or resentment, and she was not the biggest customer of Datonghui. Why should the owner of Datonghui tie her up? No reason!


    The fat man she knew, the steward here, told her a few replies, and who was the handsome young man?


    Regardless of this, Ye Jiayao smiled at Little Jing and Chunfeng, walked up to the marquis and greeted to him: ¡°I¡¯ve seen the father.¡±


    When the marquis saw that Ye jiayao was fine, he eased down in his heart, ¡°It¡¯s fine, you go home first, and all the family are waiting for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to stay and see what happened, but the marquis ordered in front of so many people that she naturally obeyed and went back with Uncle Jiang.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao left, the previous topic continued, Shi Qingyun strongly demanded a chance to clear himself, or he wouldn¡¯t ept it.


    The marquis sneered, then he would see how this boy could justify himself.


    Upon hearing the marquis¡¯s promise to let Shi Qingyun investigate the case, the Shopkeeper Bai burst into a cold sweat on a round white fat face, which was very abrupt. He knelt down with a ssh: ¡± the marquis, I have to confess, it is I who have done it, I¡¯m guilty, the marquis, ese punish me...¡±


    The unexpected confession shocked everyone.


    Shi Qingyun was livid and indignant. ¡± I know it is you fellow who has done the good thing.


    Shopkeeper Bai couldn¡¯t help sweating and begged the marquis to catch him soon.


    Little Jing questioned: ¡± You jump out in time to plead guilty for your master?¡±


    Shopkeeper Bai nervously said: ¡± This matter has been concealed. This house is a small house, and the secret chamber is also a small secret building. The shopkeeper can guess the small head and fall into the hands of the shopkeeper, and it is better to fall into the hands of the marquis. You should not be deceived by the elegant appearance of the shopkeeper. In fact, he is a ruthless man, if someone is in the hands of the shopkeeper and is better to die.¡±


    Shi Qingyun was very angry: ¡± Bai Wanli, I¡¯m not too bad with you.¡±


    Shi surname was his original name, but externally, he imed to be Zuo.


    Shopkeeper Bai¡¯s eyes were full of hatred: ¡± You treat me well, but my son is in your hands. I have endured all these years to avenge my son.¡±


    Shi Qingyun said, ¡± You know it¡¯s an ident.¡±


    Shopkeeper Bai excited: ¡± I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s an ident, it¡¯s my son, my only son.¡±


    The two men quarreled.


    At this moment, Jiang Li came in and whispered in the marquis¡¯s ear. The marquis¡¯s face changed greatly and said. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with the weapons in the secret chamber?¡±


    ¡± This is also one of the small ns,¡± Shopkeeper Bai said dejectedly. ¡°Tie up seconddy in the secret chamber first, and when the time is right, lead you over again. Then you will find the hidden weapons in the secret passage, and then you will be able to convict Zuo Qingyun of kidnapping and possessing equipment. Unfortunately, the small one is discovered by you before it¡¯s fully prepared. If the marquis does not allow Zuo Qingyun to investigate the case today, he will be directly arrested or killed with one knife, the small enemy will be reported.¡±


    As he spoke, heughed twice, and theughter was eerily creepy.


    Heughed and cried: ¡± It¡¯s a pity that God doesn¡¯t have clear eyes!¡±


    Shi Qingyun sighed and said with great regret, ¡± Bai Wanli, I don¡¯t expect you to hate me so deeply that I can¡¯t save you now.¡±


    ¡± You are acting enough! The discovery of weapons in the secret chamber is a serious matter. Shi Qingyun, you cannot put off it. ¡± Little Jing sank a track.


    The marquis said, ¡°Arrest people first.¡±


    If they could find out the rtionship between Zuo Qingyun and King Yu, King Yu couldn¡¯t get away with it and they could bring him back for questioning slowly.

 Chapter 355 - Back

    <h4>Chapter 355: Back</h4>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t think she was so popr. When she returned to marquis house, people went to tell each other.


    QiaoXi and Xiangtao rushed out, crying andughing around her.


    ¡± Seconddy, you didn¡¯t suffer?¡±


    ¡± Seconddy, you are back. If you don¡¯te back, we will all cry.¡±


    ¡± Seconddy is a lucky woman. God will bless her. She can turn every evil into a good one.¡±


    Everyone was talking noisily. Although they didn¡¯t hold back tears, their smiles didn¡¯t stretch and they were very happy.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t feel bored at all, and felt well cared for.


    ¡± All right, don¡¯t cry. Everyone go back to work. I¡¯m back. If I find someone cking off, I¡¯ll punish you.¡± Ye Jiayao sent everyone away smiling.


    Only Qiao Xi and Xiangtao were left.


    Qiao Xi¡¯s tears never stopped. She looked at seconddy and said nothing.


    ¡± You also don¡¯t cry, I¡¯m back, right?¡± Ye Jiayao urged.


    Xiangtao said, ¡± Seconddy, sister Qiao Xi cries miserably these days, saying it¡¯s her fault that doesn¡¯t follow seconddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡± What¡¯s the use of your following? I¡¯m d you doesn¡¯t follow.¡±


    Qiao Xi sobbed and said, ¡± if I follow, I can serve you somehow.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m back now, and you can continue to serve.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    ¡± Well, I¡¯m going to see madame at the moment, and you will go with me. By the way, do you have any news about the marquis house or anything?¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to go back to take a bath and change clothes first, but she thought You was still waiting for her, so she went to see You first.


    Ye Jiayao got a general idea of the situation.


    After her disappearance, the emperor ordered Little Jing to investigate the matter thoroughly.


    Little Jing, Chunfeng, Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan all made great efforts to rush about her affairs almost every day. Her friends in Tianshang Ju Restaurant and people from the Chamber of Commerce also looked for her everywhere. If it wasn¡¯t for everyone¡¯s dedication, she wouldn¡¯t have known how long she would stay in that chamber of secrets.


    Qiao sent away Cuiyan, but it was not clear where she would be sent. the young master was quite well. Dr. Jiang said there should be no problem.


    The duke and his wife arrived home today and rushed to save her as soon as they got home.


    Ah! There were such parents-inw, there was no need to say. They were so kind.


    Unfortunately, they didn¡¯t have Chunyu¡¯s news all the time. It was New Year¡¯s Eve soon. Could hee back to the Spring Festival?


    When You heard the seconddy had been rescued, she couldn¡¯t sit still. The Mother Sun urged, ¡± Madam, you can rest assured. Seconddy wille back to see you first.¡±


    You sighed, ¡± This child is really troubled.¡±


    At home, she was attacked by stepmother and sisters, and then didn¡¯t get along well with Liuli. She also had a lot to worry about when she got married. When You was away, so many things had happened in the home that would have gone wrong if Jinxuan hadn¡¯t stopped the scene. Besides, the queen mother died, and she had been worried that Jinxuan would not be able to cope with it. You didn¡¯t think she would have handled it properly.


    She was extremely intelligent and capable, but she also had a bad fate.


    Mother Sun said, ¡± If the Seconddy dies hard, there will be happiness. I see Seconddy¡¯s face as a lucky person.¡±


    You sighed again: ¡± I am worried that ... after all, she has been missing for so long, in case something bad happens ...¡±


    Mother Sun knew what madame was worried about and she was also worried. If so, what could be done?


    ¡± Seconddy ising ...¡± The maid outside reported.


    You¡¯s face was pleased.


    ¡± Please.¡±


    Ye Jiayao came in quickly and saluted respectfully: ¡± Daughter-inw pays respects to mother.¡±


    ¡± Get up quickly.¡± You said in a busy way.


    You secretly looked at Ye Jiayao and saw her look as usual. She was not in such a mess as she thought. You was very pleased, but her doubts were like sticking in her throat and stabbing in her heart. How would she ask? Asking bluntly, if it hadn¡¯t happened, she was afraid Jinxuan would have thought much of it.


    ¡± Jinxuan, these days, where are you locked up? Have you ever been wronged?¡± You asked with concern.


    Ye Jiayao sat down on the embroidered mound: ¡± I didn¡¯t know that I was locked up in Datong Hui until today. These days, the maid deaf and dumb brought tea and water to me, but there was no other grievance exceptck of freedom.¡±


    ¡± You haven¡¯t seen anyone who tied you up?¡± You¡¯re surprised.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head and said, ¡± I haven¡¯t seen someone. I asked for it many times, but no one cared about me. I don¡¯t understand why the people of Datong Hui wanted to tie me up. For money? But their money will soon be piled up in the mountains.I am not the beauty of the whole country, and the person who tied me should have shown up. So, I am also confused about it, and now I will wait for my father to find out why.¡±


    You and Mother Sun looked at each other, their eyes were full of relief.


    Thank God.


    You said, ¡± You are suffering. Go back to rest quickly. Don¡¯t forget to burn a piece of paper before entering the courtyard to dissipate the bad luck. Let the kitchen give you two eggster, hoping that life will be smooth after this robbery.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said yes and got up to leave.


    When she left the door, Ye Jiayao looked sombre. With You¡¯s eyes shing and awkward, and the questions You asked, she knew in her heart that if she had lost her virginity during her disappearance, maybe You could not ept her.


    Forgot it, the clean hands wanted no washing. Went back to take a bath first, and dissipated bad luck.


    Ye Jiayao took a bath and slept until Qiao Xi called her, saying that the duke and the third young master came back and asked her toe over.


    Ye Jiayao quickly got up and went to the duke¡¯s study.


    Little Jing was also there, but the three men looked dignified.


    ¡± Father.¡± Ye Jiayao made a ritual.


    The duke reached out his hand to her and asked her to get up: ¡± Chunfeng, Little Jing, you say it!¡±


    ¡± Second sister-in-low, Zuo Qingyun, the shopkeeper of Datong Hui, we can basically confirm that he is the young leader of Jiangzuo number one gang Jiangzuo League, but we can¡¯t get any evidence.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know what Jiangzuo League was. But it sounded great.


    ¡± More than that, if he is indeed the young leader of the Jiangzuo League, then he may also be the grandson of Rong marquis. And Concubine Shu will call Rong marquis uncle.¡± Little Jing added.


    Ye Jiayao dazed and quickly straightened out the rtionship. So, this Zuo Qingyun and King Yu were still rtives. So, she was kidnapped, did King Yu instigate it?


    ¡± Now, Datong Hui¡¯s Manager Bai contended that he kidnapped you. We also found arge number of weapons in the secret channel. Manager Bai said that he kidnapped you and hid weapons in order to deal with Zuo Qingyun, who killed his son, so he wanted to avenge his son.¡± Chunfeng said.


    ¡± We know this is a pretext, but we suffer from no evidence. And Zuo Qingyun was caught, neither Rong marquis Mansion nor King Yu¡¯ Mansion moved.¡± Little Jing rued that if we could get some news from Zuo Qingyun, everything would be all right. The problem was that the Manager Bai was stubborn.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to think and asked, ¡± How did you find me?¡±


    What problems she couldn¡¯t control were left to the duke to think about. Originally she wanted to ask Zuo Qingyun, but she¡¯d better not meet him again because of the misgivings revealed by You.


    Therefore, it was better to wonder how she was saved.


    Little Jing said: ¡± This is also due to Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan. When you were kidnapped, you were just seen by a small bludger belong to the Ninth Master, who immediately informed the Ninth Master. and then the Ninth Master went to find Zhao Qixuan. Otherwise, we didn¡¯t know you were kidnapped, and Su Yi was the first to suspect that you were in Datong Hui because your carriage and driver were found in the street near Datong Hui. Moreover, Su Yi has experienced a lot in society these years and had some knowledge of Jiangzuo League.¡±


    ¡± We took a look at Datong Hui and found that the Manger Bai went to the vegetarian restaurant to buy the seafood and poultry in casserole, and candied persimmons he bought the next day. We guessed you were transmitting the message.¡± Chunfeng added.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± You are too good. I have drawn up many lists for them to buy, and I don¡¯t know if you can receive my message. I don¡¯t expect you to find it on the first day.¡±


    ¡± Not only that, he also visited Datong Hui at night and found that theyout inside was mysterious, and there were a lot of indisputable opponents.¡± said Little Jing.


    ¡± Wait ... you said, what did you want to buy, they all promised?¡± asked the duke.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and said, ¡± Yes, they didn¡¯t seem to want to mistreat me. Everything I eat was excellent. During that period, I went on hunger strike in order to get out and walk around. After three days of hunger, they promised me to walk outside the tunnel every day. So I discovered another tunnel. However, it was sealed upter and I didn¡¯t think there were weapons inside. What do they want? Rebel?¡±


    ¡± Definitely to rebel, I¡¯m sure these weapons were hide by King Yu.¡± Little Jing said firmly.


    The duke blew breath gloomily: ¡± Retrial, that Zuo Qingyun has a special identity and is not good to punish him. If we can¡¯t get real evidence, we will be in great trouble again. Now they still hide behind to support King Yu and dare not take any big action. At that time, they canpletely excuse us for framing their young masters to retaliate. These hooligans?don¡¯t tell you any rules, and they can deal with us by any means. Zuo Qingyun can¡¯t be punished but the Manager Bai can. We must pry open the Manager Bai¡¯s mouth.¡±


    Chunfeng seriously said, ¡± Leave the matter to your son, I¡¯m learned many ways to extract confessions in Dali Temple. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao suddenly thought of something and said, ¡± Damn it, maybe someone will kill Manager Bai. Send more people to watch him! Don¡¯t let him die.¡±


    Not to say that Zuo Qingyun¡¯s men were really good at Kong Fu? If someone was sent to assassinate him, Manager Bai would die, and all clues would be broken.


    Chunfeng also reacted. ¡± I¡¯ll arrange it now.¡± he said.


    The duke also thought of the stakes: ¡± Go quickly.¡±


    Fortunately, Thanked to Jinxuan¡¯s reminder, otherwise, he old guy was negligent.


    ¡± Then I¡¯ll leave first.¡± said Little Jing. ¡± Ancestress and mother are still worried about Yaoyao, and I have to go back to tell them the good news.¡±

 Chapter 356 - King Yu’s anger

    <h4>Chapter 356: King Yu¡¯s anger</h4>


    Ye Jiayao stayed and asked the duke, ¡°Father, has anything about Chunyu?¡±


    The duke said, ¡°No news is good news. It¡¯s all right. Go and rest!¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood the meaning of the duke. Those who fought in the battlefield were in a line of life and death. There was no news that they were still alive. This was the greatest good news. However, she hadn¡¯t been able to think so, had no such high consciousness, and no news made her heartache.


    However, the news soon came, but it was not about Chunyu, but about Bai Steward, who hung himself in prison with his waistband and was already dead when Chunfeng arrived.


    At this time, in King Yu¡¯s mansion, King Yu was furious, Lin knelt timidly on the ground, and did not dare to look at King Yu with her head down.


    ¡°You are a stupid woman who could aplish nothing but fail.¡± King Yu was so angry that he wanted to kill people.


    ¡°Look at what you have done. Now Qingyun is still in prison. You have ruined all my ns.¡±


    Lin wanted to cry but did not dare to cry. She said, ¡°Qingyun has always been in order. I didn¡¯t expect him to be discovered this time. I just ... just don¡¯t like Ye Jinxuan and wanted to teach her a lesson ...¡±


    She nned to let Qingyun prison Ye Jinxuan in secret. Within three months, the Heavenly Residence would have to be closed. Then she would make up news that Ye Jinxuan eloped with others. Even if she was released again, she would be ashamed to see others.


    I thought it was foolproof, and I didn¡¯t know where it went wrong.


    King Yu said angrily: ¡°You wanted to give her a lesson, also didn¡¯t weigh yourself, what skill do you have to teach her, now you failed, you taught me, you destroyed me.¡±


    Lin was frightened by the roar and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be like this ...¡±


    King Yu was extremely angry. Jiang Zuomeng was his biggest card. Shi Qingyun had been nning for many years to cooperate with him and had set up a headquarters in Jinling, but now his n had beenpletely disrupted because of a little personal grudge from a stupid woman.


    I didn¡¯t know if Qingyun could get away smoothly. If he failed like this, where would he get the money in the future? How to handle affairs without money?


    It was really bad to marry a stupid wife, and it was a scourge for thousands of years.


    At this time, King Yu only hated Lin, and there was no tenderness at all. What¡¯s the use of a woman who could aplish nothing but fail? With Liuli that stupid woman contacted many, also followed to be stupid.


    King Yu stared bitterly at Lin, his lips trembling, and for a long time he popped a word out of his teeth.


    ¡°Fuck off ...¡±


    Lin knew that she had been in great trouble this time, and did not dare to care about King Yu¡¯s rudeness to her, so she quickly got up and stepped down.


    ¡°Stop and listen to me. Don¡¯t do anything again. If you dare to make a move again, you will go home,¡± King Yu warned bitterly.


    Lin agreed, how did she dare to do anything now, even Qingyun had been failed, so long as she was not involved, thank God.


    King Yu¡¯s heaviness caused pain on both sides. Things had really been going wrong recently.Lieutenant Guan lost and Qingyun failed.


    Someone outside asked for a meeting.


    King Yu sighed, ¡°Come in.¡±


    People came in and saluted, ¡°The report has beenpleted, but only a message had been sent. Bai Wanli is a clear man, decisive ...¡±


    The bearer made a sign of hanging himself.


    King Yu nodded, ¡°Properly ce his family.¡±


    Qingyun was still in prison. He couldn¡¯te forward, nor can Rongguo mansion. All he could do was let Bai Steward die and break thest clue. With Bai Steward¡¯s confession, and Jing¡¯an duke and HeLian Jing didn¡¯t have enough evidence to condemn Qingyun.


    The incident was so sudden that he was at a loss.


    There was so much noise here that even A Ruan heard the news.


    It was rare for King Yu to make such a big fire to Lin. King Yu had always loved Lin. Unless Lin did something, King Yu¡¯s great event will be broken.


    Never mind, it was the best that they break up. A Ruan only cares about Yaoyao¡¯s safety for many days now. Hadn¡¯t they found Yaoyao yet?


    Just thinking about this, someone from outside came to announce the arrival of a man from Jing¡¯an marquis house.


    A Ruan heart thumped, was there good news or bad news?


    Busy to let people in.


    Here came Xiangtao.


    ¡°Greetings, Seconddy asked me to tell Princess Yu that she had returned and was all right.¡±


    A Ruan exultation: ¡°Really? Did you catch the person who kidnapped her?¡±


    Xiangtao said: ¡°Already caught him and now was questioning him.¡±


    A Ruan was delighted: ¡°That¡¯s good, isn¡¯t she hurt?¡±


    Xiangtao replied, ¡°Our seconddy is fine, afraid of the princess¡¯s worry, so she let mee.¡±


    A Ruan settled downpletely, motioned Xiangtao to approach her and whispered, ¡°You go back to tell Seconddy and say that King Yu has lost his temper at Lin today.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know if there was any connection between these two things, but Yao elder sister had been worried about Lin¡¯s pet and charming, fearing that she would suffer. Now Lin was beaten and could rest assured with Yao elder sister.


    Xiangtao nodded.


    A Ruan said with a loud voice, ¡°Seconddy is fine. Please tell her that I will visit her another day.¡±


    There were still many eyes and ears and eyeliner outside. A Ruan told them to see Yao elder sister in a fair and square way.


    Ye Jiayao listened to the message from the Xiangtao and meditated for a long time.


    She could understand King Yu¡¯s anger, Zuo Qingyun was caught and Datong Hui was exposed, King Yu would definitely angry. But why should King Yu be angry with Lin? Didn¡¯t King Yu always love Lin? Speaking, King Yu and Lin were cousins, childhood friends and had deep feelings.


    Er, no, Lin¡¯s mother was Rongguo mansion¡¯s youngest daughter and Zuo Qingyun¡¯s mother was Rongguo mansion¡¯s eldest daughter. So, was it possible that it was Lin who really wanted to deal with her, let Zuo Qingyun secretly imprisons her, and then arrange some rumors to trap her and get into trouble....


    If it were true, wouldn¡¯t it be a red-handed mistake, because of her, Datong Hui was in crisis. Ha ha, in this case, she wouldugh three times.


    However, Lin didn¡¯t need such trouble to discredit her, just find a gangster to rape her and won¡¯t she finished? At least Jing ¡®an marquis house couldn¡¯t stay any longer.


    Ah ... no, I didn¡¯t care if she was like this. Bai Wanli was dead now; he had a confession before his death and no evidence after his death. It was even difficult to convict Zuo Qingyun.


    That night, when the duke rested, he asked You.


    ¡°Did you ask about that?¡±


    ¡°I beat about the bush,¡± You said. ¡°She said it was a deaf and dumb woman who took care of her diet and daily life. She had never met anyone else. She asked for it several times, but that person refused to show up.¡±


    The duke thought, ¡°Zuo Qingyun was present when Jinxuan was rescued today. Seeing her reaction, it seemed that she did not recognize Zuo Qingyun.¡±


    You said, ¡°I believe what she said. Does Zuo Qingyun dare to show up? When he shows up, he can¡¯t hide anything, and now he can deny it.¡±


    The duke nodded and said, ¡°It makes sense, so don¡¯t mention it again, lest Jinxuan have an idea in her mind.¡±


    ¡°She is also a character. In that case, she can still finds a way to send news to the outside, and she can y a role in this stable and scheming family,¡± the duke sincerely praised.


    You smiled: ¡°I have heard all about what happened these days. When I entered the pce in the afternoon, I saw Yide, and she said that Jinxuan also solved a crisis for the prince and helped him regain his holy heart. Now even the queen likes her very much.¡±


    ¡°Outside, she is handling well, and she also tidies up the mess in the home. Speaking of which, the duke, you have to get a charter, and Chunli is too unreasonable. I have sent out Cuiyan, just to see that Cuiyan¡¯s mental skills are not correct. He wants to buy a house outside to raise Cuiyan, spending a lot of money on Cuiyan butts, crying poverty at home and wearing acid, and moving Qiao¡¯s breath, almost one corpse and two lives. ¡±


    The duke¡¯s anger brushed up: ¡°Really?¡±


    As soon as he returned home, he was busy to save Jinxuan, but he still didn¡¯t know about his family.


    ¡°Don¡¯t I lie?¡± You were unhappy.


    The duke gritted his teeth: ¡°I think I¡¯m going to pick up this rebellious son.¡±


    You was not trying to stir up their father-son rtionship, but the impact of this incident was really too bad. Seeing that the duke was really angry, You advised: ¡°Fortunately, Chunli was willing to listen to the advice and know the change. The duke can only tell him a few words and let him know how bad he is, and don¡¯t be too much.¡±


    The duke angrily said, ¡°I can¡¯t spare him.¡±


    You was speechless: ¡°The young couple are reconciled now. You say a few words to him and get a charter so that he won¡¯t dare to do it again. I think Chunli was taught bad by Auntie Wei, and the most outrageous thing was Auntie Wei, who even grabbed Master Qiao¡¯s face. If it spread out,how ugly it is. People will say that the woman of your duke is a shrew, and I¡¯m ashamed of it.¡±


    Women were like this. They have no mercy on their rival in love, but they could tolerate Chunli.


    When ites to auntie Wei, the duke said, ¡°I know.¡±


    For Auntie Wei, the duke was very helpless, not to say how much he liked Auntie Wei. Auntie Wei was illiterate, but because Auntie Wei was his first woman, young and ignorant, plus seed of love, so they made love. Later, Auntie Wei became pregnant and was raised to be an aunt.


    As an aunt, auntie Yao was very good at being human, low ¨C key, forbearing, gentle, respectful to You, and able to teach Chunguo with care and never cause trouble.


    Ah ... it was a dragon born of a dragon, a phoenix born of a phoenix, and a mouse born of a child who can make holes.


    Chunli became like this, which had something to do with auntie Wei.


    When You saw the duke frowning, You knew that he had listened to it and stopped saying more. ¡°You were busy saving Jinxuan today and the emperor didn¡¯t say anything. You have to go to the pce early tomorrow morning to add incense to the queen mother¡¯s spirit. ¡±

 Chapter 357 - Private

    <h4>Chapter 357: Private</h4>


    Ye Jiayao was at leisure for only half a day and then busy the next day.


    She couldn¡¯t help it. During her disappearance, there were still many people who were worried. Others could just send a message or something. However, the pce and the Helian mansion must go to report peace in person.


    Therefore, Ye Jiayao went to Helian mansion early in the morning to reassure the ancestor and then went to the pce with Yide princess to see the emperor and queen.


    This round was the morning when the queen left her and You in the pce for lunch and then left the pce after lunch.


    Ye Jiayao proposed a trip to Heavenly Residence, You had no objection. She just wanted several guards from marquis house to follow her, just in case.


    Such a thing happened, marquis house¡¯s people traveled very carefully, Ye Jiayao herself did not dare to support the big, follow it! It was a rare asion to show off.


    The brothers in Heavenly Residence knew yesterday that the seconddy was out of danger. They thought that the seconddy would need rest when she returned, and they did not dare to disturb her. They thought that they would send representatives to see the seconddy after two days. But, the seconddy came.


    Ye Jiayao asked everyone to gather in the lobby and said something together.


    ¡°This period of time, I let everybody worry, I heard that you have no mind to learn cooking, looking for me everywhere, was worried that I¡¯m missing, your year-end benefits fell through?¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    However, everyone did notugh, Deng Haichuan and others seemed to have some opinions. Ye Jiayao had a dry cough with two sounds. Well, this conversation was not good, and the ancients were more practical andcked humor cells.


    ¡°Ahem, joking, of course I know everyone cares about me, good brother! let¡¯s see who¡¯s fattening up. Fattening up means he don¡¯t care about the shopkeeper, and I¡¯m going to deduct welfare.¡±


    Cui Dongpengughed: ¡°Seconddy, A Xing was stung by the bees in the back yard and his face was swollen. Is it fat?¡±


    Everyoneughed at this. Ye Jiayao saw A Xing hiding behind the back, with his head down and his face covered. He was originally a pencil necked man, but now he had be a pig. She couldn¡¯t helpughing, and then she stretched back again, solemnly saying, ¡°Sticking a ho¡¯s nest is disinfestations for the people, reimbursement of medical expenses, and an additional five taels of silver.¡±


    A Xing buried his face, smiled miserably.


    Everyoneughed more loudly.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Tomorrow is the New Year¡¯s Eve. Everyone has been working hard for a year and is supposed to invite everyone to have a good meal. However, this is a very special time. We have to be careful to eat awsuit for a meal of wine. Let¡¯s let Zhao Stewarde over tomorrow morning and give everyone year-end benefits. Let¡¯s tidy up the store and go back for the New Year. On the eighth of the new year, the restaurant will open for business and wille back to learn cooking skills for me. Do you have anyments?¡±


    Everyone said in unison, ¡°No problem.¡±


    Ye Jiayao paused and went on to say: ¡°As for the holidays, the hotel will still send people to keep watch, three days in a round, each time two people, Zhong Xiang, Deng Haichuan, Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng, will be responsible for it. As for who will be on duty on which day, you will discuss the matter yourself, and you will not have to arrange for the distant ones at home to rush to the trouble.¡±


    The four men readily responded.


    Ye Jiayao just let the crowd disperse, leaving Zhong Xiang and Deng Haichuan and other two to speak upstairs.


    ¡°The four of you will study new dishes during the New Year, and when the mourning period is over, Heavenly Residence willunch new products.¡±


    Four people understood that this was to give them a chance to do a good job, a dish became famous, and all of them immediately took their full strength and said their positions in session, no problem.


    What Ye Jiayao wanted was everyone¡¯s drive to catch up with each other. It went without saying that today¡¯s cohesion in Heavenly Residence was unity. What was needed now was to mobilize everyone¡¯s enthusiasm and initiative.


    ¡°You should pay more attention to the people who are hardworking and savvy. The key is to be reliable. The more people you train, the better. You will need a lot of effort to open a branch in the future. You are my brothers and elders in the Heavenly Residence. You are trustworthy and can be entrusted with important tasks,¡± Ye Jiayao said sincerely.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s words let everyone have a bright eye and open a branch? Wasn¡¯t it true that the seconddy would send them to open a branch in other ces and be the only one?


    This was never thought of!


    Ye Jiayao watched four people smiling: ¡°Why? No confidence?¡±


    Deng Haichuan gnashed his teeth and held out his chest. ¡°How can we humiliate Seconddy if she tters us?¡±


    Cui Dongpeng also said, ¡°We will do whatever Seconddy says.¡±


    Wang Mingde was a little nervous. It was no problem for Seconddy to let him take charge of the kitchen, but if he was in charge of a restaurant, he had no confidence. Being in charge of a restaurant was not just a matter of cooking.


    Ye Jiayao saw Wang Mingde¡¯s concerns and said with a smile: ¡°No one will evere to the meeting and dare not challenge before the opportunity, then he will lose ten percent first. However, you can rest assured that my n is there, it will not be too big for apany to set up all of a sudden.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was nning to open two branches in April and May in Suzhou and Hangzhou.


    Zhong Xiang said, ¡°I dare not say anything that will do. In short, we will try our best.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded. It was up to people to n things.


    When she came back from Heavenly Residence, she heard Xiangtao said that both the shopkeeper Duan and Lin of the chamber ofmerce had been here. They knew she had entered the pce, went back first and said it was nothing. As long as she came back, it was ok.


    There was also a self-proimed Mu Qinchu, who arrived in the morning and was still waiting in the nt hall. He must see you.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyebrows puckered. She hadn¡¯t remembered the Mu¡¯s family affair for many days.


    Speaking, Ye Jiayao won¡¯t do the same thing when she took advantage of Mu¡¯s family to kick down thedder, so she went to the nt hall to see Mu Qinchu.


    Mu Qinchu was losing patience, but he couldn¡¯t just go back. He could only sit and wait.


    Atst he saw Seconddy, Mu Qinchu got up and saluted.


    ¡°Seconddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a seat: ¡°Is your mother in better health?¡±


    Mu Qinchu respectfully replied, ¡°With the blessing of Seconddy, my mother¡¯s body is much better. Today I came here specially to see Seconddy on orders from my mother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said nothing.


    Mu Qinchu said: ¡°Thanks to the seconddy¡¯s n, my father¡¯s case was reiterated, the merit waspensated, the sentence was lenient, and my mother decided to go to Xiangxi. As a result, the seconddy said about opening a branch Heavenly Residence ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood that this was for money. The family went to Xiangxi to take root. It was not good to have no money. She had to keep her promise.


    ¡°Since this branch can¡¯t be opened, I can¡¯t mistreat you, so, I¡¯ll give you two thousand taels. When will you start?¡±


    Mu Qinchu felt that the two thousand taels were not enough. Although they were encouraged by the seconddy to turn over the case, it was the Mu family who finally got the real benefits. Otherwise, his father exiled to Mobei to do hardbor, and the family could hardly get together again, so he was embarrassed to say too few.


    ¡°Father will not be sent out until after 15.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I could have given you a silver ticket now. However, the situation of Datong Hui is not clear now. If you don¡¯t mind, you wille to me after the eighth day. If the silver ticket of Datong Hui doesn¡¯t work at that time, I¡¯ll give you a silver ticket from another Silver Vige.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Mu Qinchu repeatedly praised and did not dare to disagree.


    Ye Jiayao also ordered Qiao Xi to fetch one hundred and twenty taels of silver to Mu Qinchu: ¡°Take these first, not counting in two thousand taels, and it will soon be New Year¡¯s Day, adding some winter clothes to the family. I will ask someone to look for the rtionship in Xiangxi, and when your father arrives there, he will be free from hardbor.¡±


    Mu Qinchu was so happy; this was how much money all can¡¯t change!


    Thanked again, this time thanks were sincere.


    After sending Mu Qinchu, Ye Jiayao was about to take a break when Chunfeng came, saying Zuo Qingyun wanted to talk to her, and his father and Little Jing were over there.


    On the way, chunfeng said to her, roughly speaking, there was no way to convict Zuo Qingyun. It had been dyed and afraid of problems, and even could not be reported. Without solid evidence, they pointed finger at Rongguo mansion and King Yu, but instead falls on the charge of framing a prince.


    It was Zuo Qingyun who put forward his own proposal for privacy, but it was a grandiose statement. What happened was caused by his untimely rule and unknown knowledge. He was responsible and willing to give somepensation. The duke wanted to hear what she meant.


    Ye Jiayao thought that since they couldn¡¯t charge him, then knock hard on a sum of money. The most important thing for Datong Hui was money anyway.


    When she arrived at Dali Temple, she did not meet in prison, but in the reception room of Chunfeng.


    Five people sat down.


    Zuo Qingyun pleaded guilty and offered topensate Jing ¡®an marquis house for his mistake.


    When the duke and others heard this number, they all surprised, and it was a million taels.


    Zuo Qingyun looked at the reaction of all the people with a faint look, and was sure in his heart that in the present situation they could not take him. One million taels was only to give each other a step down to calm things down.


    Ye Jiayao was scornful and said, ¡°Although I¡¯m not as capable as the shopkeeper Zuo, I can¡¯tpare with the shopkeeper Zuo who fights for money every day, but I¡¯m not poor, one million taels, and I really don¡¯t think much of it. Besides, marquis house¡¯s reputation is worth the money?¡±


    Hearing this, the duke chimed in: ¡°Even if we don¡¯tck the money in Jing¡¯ an marquis house, we are tied up in broad daylight. Isn¡¯t this hitting my face? Yes, we can¡¯t tolerate.¡±


    ¡± Also, in order to find me, the mansion, the King¡¯s mansion, and all my friends and brothers left their jobs and searched for me, who shouldpensate for their losses? Me?¡± Ye Jiayao said calmly.


    Zuo Qingyun¡¯s face darkened and he thought it would be easy to solve the problem if he threw out a million taels. But this Ye Jinxuan had a very big heart. This was to take advantage of his blood, and this woman was too good at grasping the opportunity.

 Chapter 358 - Chunyu came back

    <h4>Chapter 358: Chunyu came back</h4>


    Little Jing and Chunfeng spent their free time drinking tea leisurely while waiting to watch the drama. Yaoyao was usually easy to talk about, but?she was not so friendly if someone provoked her.


    The duke simply left it to Ye Jiayao to see how much she could squeeze.


    Zuo Qingyun looked at the situation, his heart went pit a pat suddenly, with a strong premonition of not knowing.


    ¡± Seconddy, you and I are both victims.¡± Zuo Qingyun said.


    Ye Jinxuan sneered at the bottom of her heart. Looked at him, everyone knew, it was just that only ayer of window paper had not been punctured.


    ¡± You can¡¯t say that. The mastermind is your staff. Your personal grudge leads me into your pce and makes Jing¡¯an marquis house a joke. If you are a victim, you shouldn¡¯t have talked to me.¡±


    ¡± You should know that if we don¡¯t give up, your Datong Hui won¡¯t get a good deal. The confession made by Manager Bai isn¡¯t believed by anyone, especially themon people. When they see that you have been caught and people and weapons are found in the house, they will think you are going to rebel. What is the crime of rebellion? You should be killed. Anyone will think that Datong Hui is going to close down. At the moment, however, many people are gathered at the gate of your Datong Hui to ask for money back. This is still in Jinling. I believe the news will spread quickly and spread to all branches of Datong Hui. What kind of losses will it cause then. You are a wise man, and good at calcting. Do you count?¡±


    Zuo Qingyun couldn¡¯t calm down. Of course he knew the consequences and knew them better than anyone else, so he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to give a million dors inpensation. But Ye Jinxuan also knew and coerced him. It seemed that if she couldn¡¯t be satisfied today, he wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out of this door.


    Not really couldn¡¯t go out, he could go at any time if he wanted. It was believed that no one here could stop him. Even if he was locked up in a prison, Jiang Zuomeng had a way. The problem was that he must go out aboveboard, otherwise, he would be a fugitive. And after years of painstaking efforts, the No.1 bank in Huai Song would copse and he really couldn¡¯t afford to lose.


    Not much, as long as they detained him for another three days, things would be unmanageable.


    Zuo Qingyun weighed it and decided to take a step back.


    ¡± What the seconddy said is, how about ... Ipensate the seconddy for another one million dors?¡±


    As soon as this remark was made, the hearts of the duke and others twiched.


    WTF! Ye Jinxuan squeezed out another million dors in a few words and made a fortune.


    Ye Jiayao was unmoved and said calmly, ¡± Two million.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun suffered from a flesh ache. He was rich, but his money was not collected in vain. Now he would take out 3 million dors. He tried to hide his anger and looked at Ye Jinxuan again. He didn¡¯t think this woman was cute at all. He wouldn¡¯t have taken the matter if he hadn¡¯t saved her with the idea of hero cherishing beauty. He shouldn¡¯t care what Lin Wanyin had to do with her. Damn it. I was full of good intentions but she wasn¡¯t appreciated.


    ¡± Well, two million.¡± Zuo Qingyun snapped.


    Ye Jiayao said softly, ¡± What I said is topensate me for two million dors and Jing ¡®an marquis house for two million dors.¡±


    Little Jing coughed violently and was choked by tea.


    The duke¡¯s heart beat faster, and he looked at his daughter-inw with a very appreciative look. He was so happy that he squeezed the money out that even King Yu was going to suffer from this.


    Zuo Qingyun¡¯s face was dark to the end, and he could hardly feel his heartbeat. Four million dors, which was almost the total revenue of all branches of Datong Hui, would affect even King Yu¡¯s n.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Zuo, if a man dares to do it, he will dare to afford it, be frank, afford it.If you do not do it, we have time, but you don¡¯t have any time to spend.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Zuo Qingyun gnashed the teeth anger, but he had to bow his head under the other ¡®s eave, leaving green hills without worries about firewood. ¡± Four million is fine, but I hope marquis house wille forward to rify that this matter has nothing to do with me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Since Shopkeeper Zuo is so frank, then we will not be ambiguous. There must be a saying about it.¡±


    ¡± Father, what do you think?¡± Ye Jiayao asked the duke what he meant.


    The duke pretended to be dignified and mused, ¡± naturally, there must be a saying. as for how to say it and how to benefit everyone, I have to think about it again.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun said: ¡± I don¡¯t want anything else, but I just want to let people outside know that this matter has nothing to do with me. As forpensation, when Ie out of this door, everyone will think it hasn¡¯t happened.¡±


    The duke said, ¡± If thepensation is in ce. you can leave at any time. it has been revealed.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun immediately wrote a letter. Chunfeng himself went to Datong Hui and soon he brought back four tickets worth one million dors.


    When he got the money, Chunfeng ordered his men toplete the prison release procedure. Zuo Qingyun left with a livid face.


    The dukeughed: ¡± Jinxuan, well done, well done.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Why don¡¯t we take the money for nothing. There is no way to condemn him. It is also good to let him lose so much money.¡±


    Little Jing said, ¡± Yeah, four million dors can form arge army. It¡¯s better for us to take it than let him support King Yu. However, Jinxuan is really hard enough. Do you see Zuo Qingyun¡¯s face? It¡¯s ridiculous.¡±


    Ye Jiayao dismissed: ¡± That¡¯s what he deserve.¡±


    The duke handed over a million dor of ticket to Little Jing: ¡± give it to the prince and say that King Yu is filial to him.¡±


    Little Jing also did not mention it. He walked over and epted it. The prince was short of money now. He was ced under house arrest a while ago. He lost a group of people and lost a lot of ie. With this money, he could do a lot of things.


    The other three million dors were given to Ye Jinxuan: ¡± This is your credit. You ept it yourself and pay off your debt.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was startled: ¡± No, I have the money to repay them.¡±


    The duke shook his hand: ¡± You keep it. Money can generate money in your hand. Anyway, you are in charge now.¡±


    ¡± No one is allowed to say anything about this today.¡± he warned.


    Chunfeng and Little Jing nodded their heads, knowing the seriousness of the case and the huge amount ofpensation. If the case came out, people outside might make a wild guess.


    Ye Jiayao touched the threerge tickets in her hand and was very happy. Adding three million dors at once. Now she was a real rich woman.


    With this money, the renovation of South Pce¡¯s old house was a mere trifle.


    The funds for the branches of Tianshang Ju Restaurant had also been collected.


    The other part came out to let Zhao Qixuan buy more industries in the south.


    Money generated money, maybe one day she would be the first rich woman in Huai Song.


    What was getting good out of misfortune? This was the best example.


    Today, Ye Jiayao finally worked of her feeling and everyone was in a much better mood. They were preparing to go back to the house, but they saw a man, dressed in armor and dusty, rushing in.


    Everyone was stunned. But Ye Jiayao reacted first and met up with surprise: ¡± Chunyu, you are back.¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t know the queen mother¡¯s demise until he returned to Ganzhou Mansion. His heart was in a hurry. He rushed back to Jinling without stopping. He didn¡¯t even change his clothes when he got home. He heard the servant said that Yaoyao was kidnapped and closed for many days, and didn¡¯te back until yesterday. The kidnappers were now closed in Dali Temple. Now Yaoyao went to Dali Temple, and he turned around and caught up.


    Along the way, his lungs were going to explode.


    Someone even attacked Yaoyao as he was absent and no one in marquis house.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s first thought was that it must be King Yu.


    King Yu was not satisfied by dealing with him, now Yaoyao also was in.


    This wasst thing he could stand.


    Do not do it, or that person would die.


    Seeing Yaoyao standing in front of him intact, Xia Chunyu breathed a sigh of relief, refrained from the impulse to hold her in his arms, andbatively asked, ¡± What about that bastard?¡±


    The duke knew that Jinxuan was the most nervous of his son, and thanks that things had been settled, or Chunyu¡¯s stubborn temper would have killed Zuo Qingyun on the spot.


    So the duck said: ¡± Go home first.¡±


    Chunyu was not willing to let it go: ¡± What about that bastard? I want to see which bastard dares to kidnap my woman. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao listened to his word, and she felt warm, sweet and happy. She really liked to hear him speak so aggressively.


    ¡± Er ... you¡¯rete and people have already been released.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    Xia Chunyu sulked and said, ¡± Let go? You guys actually let him go? Who is he? You dare not provoke him, but I am not afraid. Someone attacks my woman, and he will die.¡±


    Chunfeng patted Second Brother on the shoulder: ¡± Second Brother, things are moreplicated than you think. Go home first, then we talk about it.¡±


    They took him away finally.


    Ye Jiayao happily followed,looking like a sappy woman, looked at Chunyu¡¯s graceful posture. He used to be very handsome when he was wearing a bodyguard suit. It turned out that he was more handsome in armor and invincible.


    Outside the cold wind blew, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t feel cold at all. Today was really a good day. After making a lot of money, Chunyu, who was the man of Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart, also came back.


    This was called that every cloud had a silver lining?


    Ye Jiayao, sitting in the carriage, also lifted the curtain to peep at Chunyu behind her. Chunfeng and he were riding together, saying something from time to time. Chunyu listened with a frown and lifted his eyes suddenly to see her. The cold on his surface suddenly turned into thick affection.


    Ye Jiayao smiled at him and shrank her head back.


    Qiao Xi looked at her with an ambiguous smile in her eyes, and Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know it. what she thought was: she could sleep with Chunyu tonight, and she wouldn¡¯t need any warmer. she wanted to lie down on him, lol, that¡¯s great...


    When they returned to the house, Chunyu was called to the study by the duke and muttered for a long time before he was released.


    Ye Jiayao was to let people prepare bath water. looking at Chunyu¡¯s hard journey, with ck rim of the eyes and sunken eyes, and not had a good rest when he came back. However, he came to her first. Ye Jiayao was very sympathetic and ordered the chef to make some Chunyu¡¯s favorite dishes tonight.


    As soon as the bath water was ready, Chunyu returned.


    When Qiao Xi winked, the maids stepped down and Qiao Xi closed the door.


    No one else was there. Ye Jiayao threw herself at him and Chunyu ran away: ¡± I¡¯m so dirty, I haven¡¯t had a bath in a few days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sped him as soon as he grabbed her back: ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter whether you are dirty or not.¡±

 Chapter 359 - Not see the wrong person

    <h4>Chapter 359: Not see the wrong person</h4>


    Xia Chunyu held her with a wry smile. The person who made him think day and night and hold his stomach was in his arms at this moment. He could smell her faint scent and feel her soft body. He missed her so much that he even had a heart ache.


    ¡± Chunyu, why didn¡¯t you write a letter? I was worried to death.¡± Ye Jiayao said with a sour nose, her voice had a strong nasal sound.


    Chunyu¡¯s arms tightened tightly, her chin resting on her neck socket, and he said in a low voice, ¡± I can¡¯t write. I¡¯ve been in the mountains all the time.¡±


    ¡± Then you should send a letter first when youe back. I asked everyone and they all said they didn¡¯t know. This feeling was really bad.¡± Ye Jiayao murmured and felt extremely wronged.


    Chunyu said, ¡± I was afraid the letter hasn¡¯t arrived earlier than me yet.¡±


    Ye Jiayao let him go, gave him a thump, and shyly said, ¡± I hate you. Go and take a bath!¡±


    Chunyu smiled and spread out his hand: ¡± Help me take off my armor.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him, but happily helped him take off his armor. Er, it was made of pure iron and it was really heavy.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to go in and help him wash. Xia Chunyu refused. He didn¡¯t want her to see his dirty body.


    ¡± Chunyu, really don¡¯t need me to help?¡±


    ¡± No, you rest!¡±


    ¡± But I want!¡±


    ¡± Think again at night.¡±


    The two people spoke through the door.


    Well, this seemed a bit ambiguous. She said she wanted to help him take a bath. What did it mean to think again at night? Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but have a fever on her face. She was shy to speak again, otherwise Chunyu thought she wanted to do someting and thought of her as a sex maniac.


    This bath took a good time to wash incense and Chunyu came out refreshed.


    A blue satin robe with dark stripes, tied with a belt, looks handsome and straight. Chunyu was the type of with clothes seemed thin and have muscles stripped off which made Ye Jiayao was stirring. It was because they had been separated for too long.


    But she did not dare to run to him again, even if she really wanted to in her heart, she could not admit it in her mouth.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her with a smile and opened his hands. ¡± Now you can hug, hug me as you like.¡±


    ¡± Go away, who wants to hold you? Your hair is still wet.¡± Ye Jiayao guiltily pulled a piece of dry cotton handkerchief to help him wipe his hair.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter to admit that you miss me. We have been couple for such a long term. Do you think I willugh at you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao ring: ¡± Are you owe beating?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was in a good mood to see her from embarrassment. It¡¯s a pity that he would have to have dinner in the front yard in a few minutes, or else ... he¡¯d better endure it first, and the evening would be long.


    You was already anxious to see his son and sent someone to urge him.


    Ye Jiayao unhurriedly helped Chunyub his hair, tied a bun on his head and fixed it with a hairpin.


    ¡± Well, is it too tight?¡± It was the first time to help himb his hair. Ye Jiayao had no experience.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head: ¡± It¡¯s okay, as long as it¡¯s all youb.¡±


    When they was to leave the room, Xia Chunyu tenderly tied the canopy for her.


    ¡± There is no need for such a little road.¡±


    ¡± Look at you, you don¡¯t know how to cherish your body if I¡¯m not there. What do you want me to say about you?¡± Xia Chunyu frowned on purpose.


    ¡± Okay, okay, I¡¯m wearing it, but it¡¯s inconvenient to wrap it around my hands and feet.¡± Ye Jiayao was afraid that he would crush it for a moment and put it on honestly.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± There is a way to be warm and convenient.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was curious and blinked at him: ¡± What is it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu put on his cloak and opened it. ¡± You hide inside, I¡¯m holding you in my arms. How warm it is.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help a big supercilious look, what a bad idea. If the servants in the house see, they mustugh at her to death, how could she stand up after that!


    The two people went to the main courtyard hand in hand.


    Chunli and Chun feng were both present. Qiao would note because it was within the first month of giving birth. You was having fun with his grandson. When Chunyu and Jinxuan arrived, she return the child to the nurse.


    ¡± Chunyu, you back eventually.¡± You looked at his son and found that him had be thinner. She was deeply distressed. ¡± This job is very hard, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Chunyu said, ¡± Well, not very. It was just dizzy in the mountains.¡±


    Chunyu would not tell his family that it was dangerous outside, and every time he came back, he was fear that his family will worry.


    ¡± You are the same as your father, both you said that. I heard that the bandits there are fierce. Anyway, fororget it. It¡¯s good toe back safely.¡± You knew her son¡¯s temper and she was used to it.


    Chunyu¡¯s eyes were attracted by the child in the hand of the nurse, and he immediately understood that the eldest sister-inw had given birth. Was it a niece or a nephew? But, wasn¡¯t it not time yet?


    ¡± Chunyu, that¡¯s your nephew. We¡¯ve finally got a grandson in Xia¡¯s family, it can be called three generations together,¡± Youshi said with a smile.


    Although this grandson was not Chunyu¡¯s or Chunfeng¡¯s, he was the blood of the Xia family and You was very happy.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Chunyu, do you want to hug him?¡±


    Chunyu actually liked children very much. Just watch him loved Bao so much.


    Xia Chunyu did not object, so the nurse handed the child over to him.


    Xia Chunyu held it carefully and looked at the small, tender child with a frown: ¡± Why is he so small? He is much smaller than Bao. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± It was premature. He has grown a lot. He was even smaller when he was born. I didn¡¯t dare to hug hug him.¡±


    ¡± This was due to your eldest brother. ¡± You couldn¡¯t helpining.


    Chunli stood aside in feared silence.


    Today early in the morning, he was pulled out of his study by his father and kicked by his feet. He still has pain in his body and received a training session. Now his ears were still buzzing, but he had finally passed. He hope everyone would forget this matter quickly, or else his father would hear it again.


    The marquis also changed his casual clothes.


    ¡± Everyone is here. We haven¡¯t been together for a long time. Let¡¯s have some wine today.¡±


    Chunli ttered him with a smile and said, ¡± Father, isn¡¯t it four people of father and sons ?¡±


    The marquis red at him grumpily: ¡± Go away, not counting you.¡±


    Chunli touched a rebuff and fled despondently.


    Chunyu didn¡¯t know about Cuiyan yet, but after listening to what his mother said and looking at the expression of the eldest brother, he knew that the eldest brother had done something wrong. But he was brother. Chunyu called him toe and sat while eating.


    The marquis did not let him sit beside him: ¡± you roll to the edge of Chunfeng.¡±


    Chunli despondently sat down beside Chunfeng.


    ¡± Today is a good day. Jinxuan is back, Chunyu is back, and the family is back together again. Well, you also have a grandson. Ha ha, good, Chunyu and Chunfeng, you are also working hard. Your eldest brother is not as good as you but is better than you in giving birth to children. Ha ha ...¡± The marquis said heartily.


    Chunyu looked at Ye Jiayao sensitively for fear that she would not be happy.


    Ye Jiayao was as if nothing had happened. She was not unborn. Children would be born sooner orter. Don¡¯t need to worry.


    Chunyu was a little relieved and looked at Chunfeng, who was somewhat lonely.


    You screwed the marquis under the table.


    The marquis ate the pain and took a sip of air conditioning, only to remember that Jinxuan was in poor health and still recuperating. Chunfeng and Liuli did not seem to have made much progress. This topic really did not correspond to the atmosphere tonight. He couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly and said, ¡± however, I am not in a hurry. Take your time.¡±


    The family reunion dinner was less sufficient than usual. Not to think the fish and meat. During the national mourning period, themon people did not dare to show up although in secret didn¡¯t pay so much attention to it. However, the princes and ministers were very self-disciplined and absolutely did not dare to vite the ritual system.


    Four men also dare not drink more wine, each only drink a small cup.


    After dinner, the food rested was removed and tea was served. You hesitated for a long time, but still expressed her thoughts: ¡± Tomorrow will be a New Year¡¯s Eve, we will offer sacrifices to ancestors, and have a reunion dinner tomorrow night. Chunfeng, do you think ... is it time to call Liuli back?¡±


    The marquis said, ¡± this is the right thing to do. Do you still need to ask?It doesn¡¯t matter whether the reunion dinner is eaten or not, but after all, she is still the daughter-inw of the Xia family and can¡¯t denied our ancestor.¡±


    Chunfeng said,¡± I will bring her back tomorrow morning.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± I will arrange the ancestor worship tonight.¡±


    You said, ¡± No, I¡¯ve arranged everything in the afternoon. Everyone will get up early tomorrow.¡±


    After finishing the business, You thought of Chunyu and Jinxuan had not seen each other for many days, there must be endless words between them. The reunion of the couple shouldn¡¯t be dyed, so she let people early dispersed.


    When he returned to his yard, Chunyu asked, ¡± Did the eldest brothermit anything?¡±


    Ye Jiayao told him about Cuiyan.


    Chunyu was also angry: ¡± Eldest brother is too unreasonable.¡±


    Soon he thought of so many things that happened during his absence that he didn¡¯t know how Yao survived. He thought about it with love and pulled her into his arms: ¡± It¡¯s all my fault. If I knew so many things would happen I wouldn¡¯t let my mother go to Hangzhou.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was warm. Chunyu was in love with her. She was worth it again.


    ¡± Nothing, Aren¡¯t those alle over?¡±


    ¡± Father said that you have been imprisoned by Zuo Qingyun for many days. You tell me honestly if he has mistreated you and embarrassed you, you don¡¯t have to worry about what I think. You are my woman and it is my responsibility to fail to protect you in my life. If he has done something to you, I will kill him to avenge you.¡± Chunyu seriously said.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head and her nose was sour. You also asked this question. At that time, she was a little ufortable, but Chunyu asked now that she was only moved. She did find the wrong person. Not every man has such a mind. If it was not true love, how can he say such a thing?


    ¡± He didn¡¯t mistreat me. He just refused to show up every day but offering good tea and food. I think he didn¡¯t want to expose himself, and luckily I didn¡¯t ask him to show up again. Now think about it, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to get away safely if he showed up.¡±


    ¡± If he did anything to me, it would not be as simple as squeezing him 4 million taels. I would have killed him without your help,¡± Ye Jiayao said sternly.


    Xia Chunyu held her tightly and deeply med himself in the dumb voice: ¡± I was negligent and should send someone to protect you.¡±


    After the matter of deputy general Guan came out, he was most worried about Yaoyao. As a result, something really happened. If there hadn¡¯t been Little Jing, Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan, he didn¡¯t dared to think about the consequences.

 Chapter 360 - Is poisoning

    <h4>Chapter 360: Is poisoning</h4>


    The next day, everyone got up early, ancestor worship was a top priority and nobody dared to neglect it.


    The winter morning was particrly cold. Xia Chunyu asked Ye Jiayao to put on suede cotton boots and fox fur, and also asked Qiao Xi to fill a hand warmer to hold in her hand. When the whole of her was wrapped like a bear, Xia took her out of the house with satisfaction.


    Ye Jiayao obediently let him to hold, nced at his stern and cold profile face from time to time. It seemed that he had changed a lot on this trip and became more considerate. Even that aspect was gentle and would take her feelings into ount, rather than blindly making himself happy.


    Eh ... now I was going to worship my ancestors. It seemed not appropriate to think about this. Ye Jiayao took a breath of cold air and let the chill dispel those charming thoughts.


    ¡± Why are your face so red? What are you thinking?¡± He whispered jokingly in her ear.


    Ye Jiayao said quickly: ¡± What? What do you think I am thinking? I¡¯m too hot because what you let me wear. It is hot, ok?¡±


    Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows and inclined his mouth, expressing deep doubts.


    Ye Jiayao bitterly wrinkled her nose and deliberately pulled the hat off her cloak. Xia Chunyu immediately put it on her: ¡± As I didn¡¯t ask, you don¡¯t have to take off the hat to prove it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at him. His dark eyes clearly contained a triumphant smile. She was discouraged that her ability to keep a straight face seemed to have declined.


    No one thought the first person to arrive today was Chunli. It was estimated that he was frightened by the duke¡¯s training these two days and wanted to show it well. The servants were already putting sacrifices, and after a while, the duke and his wife arrived. Because of Chunfeng and Liuli, the third uncle¡¯s family lived so close bur they were veryte. The duke let out a cold hum, and was very unhappy.


    Liuli only met You and Zhou and turned a blind eye to the others.


    Still very proud, Ye Jiayao expressed deep doubts about what Liuli had said that she liked Chunfeng. If she really liked him will be stingy with a smile? Thest thing Chunfeng wanted to see was that she was so cold and proud in front of his family.


    After worshiped the sky and sacrificed the ancestors, the sky became bright, and had a unexpected good sun. ording to custom, this day we should sweep away the dust, close the house and make a general mobilization, and thoroughly sweep inside and outside.


    The ancestor worship was done by You, and Jiayao was embarrassed to let You worry about the dust sweep. Chunyu was going to enter the pce to make a job anyway, so she didn¡¯t have to apany him, and Ye Jiayao was busy after the sacrifice.


    Liuli went to Qiao¡¯s house, took a seat for a while and went away. Later Ye jiayao heard the servant said that Liuli went to Zhou¡¯s house and did note back until half of the day.


    To be honest, Ye jiayao was a little afraid of Liuli and Zhou sticking together. It was not a good thing for them to meet each other and didn¡¯t toss about in New Year¡¯s Day again.


    Xiaotao came and said Dr. Jiang would go back ande every seven days.


    Ye Jiayao thought that the family would need to go back to celebrate the New Year. The little young master had nothing to do with it, so he ordered Qiaoxi to go to the ount office and pay Dr. Jiang fifty taels of silver.


    In a short time, Qiaoxi returned and brought back thirty taels, said that Dr. Jiang only received so much and refused to take any more points.


    Ye Jiayao secretly thought that this Jiang doctor was lofty morals and noble character, and such a person was worthy of trust. She didn¡¯t know if Dr. Jiang has studied women¡¯s studies, the medicine effect of Renhe hall was too slow. It might be different to change a doctor.


    ¡± Does he go?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Qiaoxi replied, ¡± Not yet. Still packing.¡±


    Ye jiayao immediately stopped her work: ¡± Qiaoxi, I¡¯m going to see Dr. Jiang now. You should prepare a good gift and deliver it immediately.¡±


    Ye Jiayao came to Dr. Jiang¡¯s room, and Dr. Jiang was talking with the nurse.


    ¡± Here¡¯s the medicine for the 7th, once at noon and once at night. Three bowls of water can be fried into a small bowl. Don¡¯t need to drinking it all. It¡¯s good to have a five or six spoons. Big housewives don¡¯t have enough breast milk so goat¡¯s milk is still needed. However, before drinking it, it must be thoroughly heated, otherwise it will be easy to have diarrhoea and other foods should be avoided. Children can¡¯t digest well now and it¡¯s very troublesome if they eat it badly ...¡±


    The nurse wrote it down one by one.


    Dr. Jiang thought for a moment and added, ¡°Carry out as little as possible, and don¡¯t go to ces with too many people.¡±


    After thinking again, it seemed that there was nothing to add. Dr. Jiang said, ¡± Let¡¯s do it first. If there is any problem,e to me at any time. I should not go out for medical treatment during the new year.¡±


    He said that and carried the medicine cab to go.


    ¡± Dr. Jiang ...¡± Ye Jiayao walked in with a smile and motioned the nurse to step down first.


    ¡± Does the second housewife still have anymand?¡± Dr. Jiang always looked pale and moody.


    With this kind of person, there was no need to make a detour, just went straight ahead. Ye Jiayao simply said, ¡± There is something.¡±


    Dr. Jiang did not speak and waited for Ye Jiayao to speak.


    ¡± I want to ask Dr. Jiang, can you treat women¡¯s studies?¡±


    Dr. Jiang looked her up for a moment and said, ¡± Your lips are white and it means your blood is insufficient. Is your period urate?¡±


    He put down the medicine cab, opened it and took out a pulse pillow.


    Ye Jiayao thought, there was a way out.


    Quickly to sat down and stretched out hand to give her pulse.


    Dr. Jiang was unlike the doctor of Renhe Tang, narrowed their eyes and pulled their beard and set up for a long time. He just took for a while and said, ¡± You have cold poison in your body and it has umted for many years, I think ... at least for four or five years, it is chronic poison. If I think well, it had happened for two years.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s brain was shocked. Didn¡¯t it say that the cold ising into the body? She thought it was the root of the disease that because of floated down overnight in Yanxia Lake. How did it be chronic cold poison? Four or five years, it was still at home!


    ¡± Are you going to hurt to death every month when you are in period? Like intestines were twisted together?¡± asked Dr. Jiang.


    Ye Jiayao nodded in surprise: ¡± Yes, it starts in Aprilst year.¡±


    Dr. Jiang said, ¡± That¡¯s right. Fortunately, you came to me today. In a few months, I can¡¯t help it. You can¡¯t want any children in your life.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was at a loss. This is too scary.


    ¡± However, the previous doctors said that I was just cold and had been drinking medicine to recuperate.¡±


    Dr. Jiang snorted a slight sneer at his nose: ¡± You are poisoned, not cold, and it is useless to recuperate.¡±


    ¡± You think about it yourself. Did you always eat something in thest few years?¡±


    In the past few years, it was all the memories of the original owners. Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t explore the memories of the original owners very much. To be precise, she didn¡¯t take the initiative to explore them, so she rarely thought about the past. Now Dr. Jiang reminded Ye Jiayao to think carefully, as if it were true.


    It should be the winter when she was thirteen years old, she quarreled with Jinrong, as if Jinrong had abused her mother, she was angry and then returned to her lips. As a result, she was punished by Ning to knee in the yard, and the snow like goose feather was freezing her into a snowman. No matter how did Sue¡¯s mother cry and beg, Ning just didn¡¯t let her up. Later, she was ill and had a fever and was dying. Ye Binghuai just said a few words about Ning. Ning invited her a doctor. Later, the doctor gave her a pill and said she would take one pill every day. After eating it for about half a year, she felt trouble so didn¡¯t take it any more. Would that pill have some problem?


    Dr. Jiang had already sat down to write a prescription and sighed with emotion: ¡± Bad medical skill does harm human life. If you follow my prescription, seven patches of medicine would be enough if you found it early. Now, you should take at least half a month. In addition, I¡¯ll prescribe you a dose for soaking, once every three days, every time for an hour, the water should be as hot as possible to let the pores of the body fully open so that the medicine can prate into it better. Both of these will surely remove cold poison in the body.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took the prescription, Jiang¡¯s medical skill was trustworthy, and Jiang said it was so certain, but the discovery was shocking and shocked her a bit.


    Qiaoxi just delivered the gift box.


    Ye Jiayao got up and said gently, ¡± Thanks to you, Dr. Jiang, I don¡¯t know how to thank you this time. You won¡¯t ask for more money. You must ept this gift box.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t need this kind of thing,¡± said Dr. Jiang lightly. ¡± You¡¯d better keep it for someone else.¡±


    He closed the medicine cab and left.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. This Dr. Jiang¡¯s temper was too strange. It was incumbent on him to heal the sick and save the sick, but it was also normal for the family members of the patients to express their gratitude. They did not steal or rob, and there were still people in the world that didn¡¯t live with the money?


    Qiaoxi said, ¡± Dr. Jiang has such a temper and she doesn¡¯t want the big housewife to send her the dress material, but if she is willing to receive money, she would have made a fortune and already opened hospital.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind moved: ¡± Is there no hospital in her family?¡±


    ¡± No, in this way, all the money she earned was used for medicine application. She is a famous good man from far and near.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was awed by this kind of person, who was too great. Compared with this, Ye Jiayao felt too bad about herself, she made so much money and also wanted to do good work. But she still earned more and gave less.


    She had an idea in her heart. She just knocked a sum of money from Zuo Qingyun. She thought it would be better to open a charity hall to help those who can¡¯t go to see a doctor because they had no money. She believe Dr. Jiang would be happy to do it.


    When looked at the two prescriptions on her hand, Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was blocked up with panic. After so long, it turned out to be poisoning. The medicine for the half of the year has been consumed in vain. The most depressing thing was that those pills were gone, otherwise, let Dr. Jiang verify them. But the doctor should still be there. What was hisst name?


    Ye Jiayao recalled half a ring before he remembered that he was surnamed Gu.


    This matter must be investigated clearly.


    In fact, she didn¡¯t need to check to know that it was done by Ning. Jinrong was only twelve years old at that time, and she wouldn¡¯t have such a mind, but she liked to speak with facts.


    Xia Chunyu came back from his job and looked at all the ces in the house clean and refreshed, but with fewer rednterns and beaming windows, hecked the vor of the year.


    After asking the servant, the servant said that the second mistress was in the room, and Xia Chunyu returned to the room directly.


    As soon as he entered the room, he saw her sitting on the bed staring nkly.


    Xia Chunyu took off his cloak and Qiaoxi took it and hung it on a chicken wing hanger and went out to make tea.


    ¡± What are you thinking? So preupied?¡± Xia Chunyu walked over and pinched her nose.


    Ye Jiayao was short of interest, toozy to move or hide, and let him a pinch.


    ¡± Chunyu, you sit down and I have something to tell you.¡± Ye Jiayao patted the edge of the bed.

 Chapter 361 - Chapter three hundred and seventy-seven

    <h4>Chapter 361: Chapter three hundred and seventy-seven</h4>


    Xia Chunyu saw that she was full of worries, stopped teasing and sat down next to her.


    ¡± You say.¡±


    ¡± I go to see doctor Jiang today ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart thumped, and he felt nervous, was it bad news? Otherwise, why did Yaoyao have a serious face?


    ¡± How do you say that?¡± He asked timidly.


    Ye Jiayao said sullenly, ¡°She has said I¡¯m not cold but poisoned.¡±


    ¡± Poisoning?¡± Xia Chunyu was frightened.¡± Does Liuli do it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately thought of Liuli. Last time Liuli used cordyceps to harm Yaoyao. Would she harm Yaoyao for a second time?


    Ye Jiayao gave him a look: ¡± This time you have wronged Liuli, she hasn¡¯t done it.¡±


    It was no wonder that Chunyu would have such a guess. There were too many bad things done by Liuli. Qualitative thinking would naturally lead everyone to doubt her. For example, this time she was kidnapped and even Chunfeng suspected that Liuli did it.


    ¡± Who is that?¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s voice was cold.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know yet. Doctor Jiang has said that the cold poison in my body has been deposited for at least four or five years, and it only has broken out recently.¡± Ye Jiayao gave a wry smile. The original owner of this body was really troubled. She took over this body and didn¡¯t inherit the rest, but his bad luck which had always followed her.


    ¡± Four or five years ago, you even hasn¡¯t got married!¡± Xia Chunyu mused.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°Isn¡¯t this nonsense? I have arrived in Jinan from Yangzhou at the beginning ofst year.¡±


    ¡± I suspect Ning has done it. I have been ill at the age of 13, and Ning has been giving me a pill ever since.¡±


    Chunyu depressed. ¡± Why are you so stupid? Knowing that Ning is not a good person, you still dare to take the medicine she has given you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless and could not say that she was not the same person as she is now, ok? If she had reced the original owner earlier, she would not have been so easily countered by Ning. She might have married Wei Liujiang and would not have met Chunyu. All she could say was that everything was doomed.


    ¡± Now, of course, I know Ning is not a good person, but she have used to hide deeply.¡± Ye Jiayao argued that although the original owner was really stupid and cowardly, she still wanted to maintain her former image, or she would have been nagged by Chunyu all her life.


    Chunyu thought so too. Yaoyao was only 13 years old at that time. As small as that, it was normal tock proper understanding and vignce of the worldly wisdom.


    ¡°Since doctor Jiang can diagnose, could she cure you?¡± Chunyu asked cautiously that he had already prepared for the worst.


    Ye Jiayao looked at him with a faint look and pretended to say sadly, ¡± Chunyu, otherwise, you can take a concubine.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart sank, but his face was smiling: ¡± You are much for any concubine.¡±


    ¡± But you¡¯re Heir-son Lord, you can¡¯t have a son to seed your title. Even if you don¡¯t abandon me, father and mother will abandon me. ¡± Ye Jiayao said even more pitifully.


    Xia Chunyu put his arms around her shoulder and took her into his arms. He said lovingly, ¡± Fool, isn¡¯t it easy to have an heir? If they abandon you, I¡¯ll run away with you. I don¡¯t cherish this title.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was moved to cry: ¡± Chunyu, why are you so good that I can¡¯t bear to leave you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was scared, his arms tightened and he was afraid that she would escape. ¡± Yes, you can¡¯t find a second man like me any more, and you are unique in my heart. Even if you escape, I will catch you back, so don¡¯t move away. Anyway, the result is the same. We will be together until we¡¯re old.¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t try to give me concubinage to please my parents and me. I don¡¯t like having a third person in our life.¡±


    His tone was still so gentle, but Ye Jiayao could feel he was shaking. She said that deliberately just now, he could ept the fact calmly, but he was afraid as soon as she said she wanted to leave.


    She couldn¡¯t y tricks on him any more, or she would suffered.


    ¡± Then you swear, no matter whether I can give birth or not, you will not abandon me or leave me behind.¡± Ye Jiayao asked him solemnly to swear.


    Under such circumstances, Xia Chunyu dared not joke and vowed: ¡± I like you in my life, never abandon you or leave you alone, otherwise I shall not die ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao quickly covered his mouth: ¡°Just swear. Why you has said so seriously that it is not appropriate in New Year¡¯s day.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her, her eyes were beautiful, clear as water, full of tender feelings and deep love, just like his heart in front of her.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked, though unlucky she was, she met Chunyu and married such a man, who could be luckier and happier than she was in the world?


    The more serious he was, the more skills Ye Jiayao would have to use in her confession.


    ¡± In fact, Doctor Jiang has said, it is not impossible to cure. She has already prescribed for me to take it for half a month, but I dare not hope too much. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.¡±


    Xia Chunyuforted: ¡± Since Doctor Jiang has said that, you can just try it. It doesn¡¯t matter whether it¡¯s effective. Don¡¯t have any psychological burden.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± I listen to you.¡±


    ¡± However, this matter must be checked out. There must have been no pills you have taken in those days, but which doctor has examined you, the doctor must always be there, as well as the old maids who follow Ning¡¯s side must know something.¡±


    Whether or not the poison in Yaoyao could be removed, Xia Chunyu would not let go of the poisoned man. If Ning did it, Ning was dead and it was no use poaching her corpse, but he couldn¡¯t let the unscrupulous doctor continue to harm others. As well as Zuo Qingyun and King Yu, he didn¡¯t care who you were, whether the young leader of Jiangzuo League, or the distinguished King Yu, whoever wanted to harm Yaoyao, he would retaliate and would not tolerate.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± That¡¯s what I think.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± You don¡¯t have to worry about this. I¡¯ll check it.¡±


    Chunyu took this matter and Ye Jiayao had nothing to worry about. Then she just needed to take medicine and bathe in the hope that Doctor Jiang would work miracles and get rid of the medicine.


    ¡± By the way, I has met Little Jing in the pce. Little Jing has said that we will get together at some time tomorrow, and I have already agreed. Thanks to Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan this time, and I also hear that a so-called Ninth Lord also has made great efforts. I have asked Little Jing to call him and thank them face to face. The ce is in your dessert house, and it will be good to get some tea and fruit cakes or something.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡± Well, yes, I¡¯ll make some delicious cakes myselfter, and Zhao Qixuan has been thinking about my dessert house for a long time. This time it¡¯s as he has intended, and don¡¯t forget to call Chunfeng.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    Xia Chunyu smiled and wanted to say that but didn¡¯t after thinking. Nanshan¡¯s n to assassinate was perfect and the effect was better than he had expected. Thanks to her idea, however, she was not allowed to participate in such a dangerous thing in the future.


    Outside, Xiangtao came to send a message: ¡°Heir-son Lord, seconddy, madam has asked when you will go there.¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned to look at the clock and said, ¡± Oh, no, it¡¯s time for dinner. I has told mother that I will be there early.¡±


    The two persons hurried to the main courtyard.


    Before entering the door, augh was heard.


    Especially Chunguo and Niuniu,ughed the loudest.


    In a look, the two little guys were having fun with the young master.


    Ye Jiayao thought of Doctor Jiang¡¯s warning. Now the child was still weak and had no resistance. Everyone grabed his little hand and kissed his little face for a while. In case anyone had a cold, it was still possible to pass it on to the child.


    But she could not say this, so she quietly said it to Chunyu. Chunyu nodded, went over to see his little nephew and asked Chunli, ¡± Eldest Brother, have you made name?¡±


    Chunli smiled: ¡± Not yet, first we¡¯ll take a nickname and wait for father to name. Just now mother has said to call him Zhuangzhuang, hoping him to be stronger and stronger.¡±


    Well, it was a bit earthy to call Zhuangzhuang, but the intention was pretty good. Zhuangzhuang was a premature infant and weaker than any other children. Now everyone¡¯s greatest hope was that he could grow up safely.


    ¡± Well, it¡¯s good, Zhuangzhuang, little Zhuang.¡± Chunyu smiled and looked at the child¡¯s eyes with special tenderness and kindness.


    ¡± By the way, doctor Jiang has told me that he should not be held in crowded ces, eldest brother, let¡¯s send the child back first! He¡¯s a premature baby, so we should be more careful!¡±


    On hearing this, Madam You also hastened to say, ¡± Well, then send him back quickly.¡±


    She handed the child over to the nurse and told her to take good care of it.


    Chunguo walked: ¡± When will my little nephew grow up? I¡¯ll y with him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡°He will soon grow up. You will give him a horse by this time next year.¡±


    Chunguo pouted: ¡± One more year, forget it, I¡¯d better y with Bao first!¡±


    ¡± Uncle ... you y with me, Niuniu also wants to ride a horse,¡± Niuniu said in a milky voice, tearing Chunguo¡¯s sleeve.


    Chunguo said firmly: ¡± No, you are a girl and you cannot ride a horse.¡±


    ¡± Uncle is the big bad guy.¡± Niuniu pursed her mouth angrily and climbed to You¡¯s knee, ignoring Chunguo.


    Everyone couldn¡¯t helpughing. Having children at home was hrious!


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes turned and saw Liuli sitting there sipping tea leisurely, with no expression on her face, as if the people and things here had nothing to do with her.


    You also saw it, but ignore her. She asked the servant, ¡°Why the marquis and the third lord haven¡¯te back? Where are they?¡±


    The servant replied, ¡± I¡¯ve already invited them. They have said they¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    To speak of the devil, they arrived.


    However, it was not only the marquis and Chunfeng who came in, but also Qiao, wearing arge cloak and a wipe on her head.


    You frowned and said, ¡± Why do youe here? Before the end of the confinement in childbirth, you wille out to catch the wind. If you fall ill, it will be a lifetime affair.¡±


    Qiaoughed: ¡± Mother, I can¡¯t lie down at all when the family is reunited today. It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ve covered up all the way here without showing a trace of wind.¡±


    This was really a family reunion.


    The servants filled in and set the table.


    Chunguo and Niuniu said happily, ¡°For meals, have a feast!¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Chunyu smiled at each other and understood each other¡¯s hearts. They hoped this family could always enjoy harmony and reunion.

 Chapter 362 - The highest treatment

    <h4>Chapter 362: The highest treatment</h4>


    The next morning, Ye Jiayao went to the dessert house to make cakes, and was sincere.


    White porcin tes were covered with washed and trimmed lotus leaves, and crisp rosin-crisp lotus cakes were ced on them like blooming water lilies.


    The green lotus were cut into small circles, scattered andid in fan-shaped porcin tes, with goldfish ¨C shaped Dingsheng cakes, like ying among lotus leaves.


    In the dish, a tree was framed with jelly and decorated with yellow and glittering osmanthus cakes, like sweet osmanthus on the branches.


    ¡°Seconddy, this is so beautiful. How can people eat it?¡± Xiangtao who came to help today was stunned and amazed to see the pastry craft of Seconddy.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡°Cooking cakes is the same as cooking. The taste is very important, but the appearance is also very important. The color, aroma and shape are indispensable.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s too good to be destroyed.¡± Xiangtao¡¯s eyeballs were going to fall off.


    ¡°That¡¯s you. You¡¯ll look at itter. Princes won¡¯t be polite.¡± Qiao Xi brought the freshly baked silver coil.


    Ye Jiayao looked at the time: ¡°We have to hurry. They should being soon.¡±


    A te of cakes was ced on the table, and Ye Jiayao took out her collection of night-light cups. She would get everyone some wine to drinkter. Unfortunately, there were no coffee beans, otherwise cakes and coffee would be the bestbination.


    As soon as the arrangements were made here, everyone came in through the back door. This was to avoid people¡¯s eyes and ears. The dessert house did not entertain male guests. It was a shop rule hanging on the signboard, and it couldn¡¯t be too ostentatious to break it. What¡¯s more, at this time, it was always right to keep a low profile.


    ¡°Ha ha, I finallye in. This ridiculous rule can suffocate me to death.¡± Zhao Qixuanughed heartily.


    ¡°Today is an exception for us,¡± said Little Jing.


    Qiao Xi and Xiangtao went to meet them and led them to the most luxurious room.


    The so ¨C called luxury was not magnificence, but simple elegance and Zen decoration.


    When entering the elegant room, the first thing that attracted everyone¡¯s attention was the winding clear water on the ground, covered with pebbles picked up from streams, a few small brocade carp swimming in the water, with lotus leaves floating on it, and enough water lilies to make a false mess.


    ¡°Hey, what a unique design. It tastes like a meandering stream.¡± Zhao Qixuan praised that he immediately liked this ce. The highest state of eating was the eating environment, the eating atmosphere and finally the taste.


    ¡°Yes, it took a lot of effort to repair it, and it was specially used to entertain gold card members.¡± Xia Chunyu smiled, saying that Yao¡¯s ideas were many and the whole things were done well.


    ¡°My mother said she didn¡¯t want to go when she came here. I didn¡¯t believe. Now, I don¡¯t want to go either.¡± Little Jing walked over.


    Even Su Yi, who was not easily praised, said, ¡°We¡¯ll also get one in the vi over there.¡±


    ¡°Well, we share the same feelings, and I also have the same idea.¡± Zhao Qixuan immediately agreed and gave Su Yi a faint supercilious look.


    The environment here was so quiet and elegant that it was pleasing to the eye. When people see cakes, they realize that their eyes were not enough.


    ¡°This ... this is to eat? Are you sure this is for eating?¡± Zhao Qixuan was stunned when he looked at the tes of exquisite pastries on the table.


    ¡°Of course is to eat, maybe ask you toe, just look at it?¡± Ye Jiayao came in with a smile.


    ¡°Yaoyao, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything you can¡¯t do at this time, only something we can¡¯t think of.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t exaggerate, it¡¯s just a little bit of thinking,¡± Ye Jiayao said modestly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I said. Those chefs in the pce changed their ways all day yet, but they can¡¯t think of anything good to break their heads.¡± Zhao Qixuan said, frowning. ¡°No, Yaoyao, you have to get me a gold card, or I¡¯ll lose a lot.¡±


    Xia Chunyu did not like it: ¡°Hey, how did you call people? Can you call Yaoyao? Later, you can only call sister ¨C in ¨Cw. Can¡¯t break the rules. ¡±


    Yaoyao was his exclusive property, and no one else could call it.


    Chunfeng slowly sat down: ¡°Second brother, I have always been very polite.¡±


    ¡°I also have to call elder sister, Yao elder sister if I want to call ...¡± Little Jing smiled.


    Zhao Qixuan skimmed the pie mouth: ¡°You can call your sister-inw your sister-inw if you want to, after all you are a few days older than me¡±


    Then he gave Ye Jiayao a straight salute: ¡°Good sister ¨C in ¨Cw! Please give me a gold card!¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡°You don¡¯t need gold cards. If you¡¯re here, I will entertain you in person. Today, I made these cakes myself, even if the gold card memberes, he will not enjoy such treatment.¡±


    ¡°That is, we are all brothers. Come here and sit down.¡± Xia Chunyu posed as a male host, greeting everyone to sit down.


    Qiao Xi served a nightlight cup and Xiangtao filled everyone.


    ¡°It is a great blessing for life to have wine and night light cups, such elegant environment, such delicious food and friends together.¡± Su Yi raised the ss.


    ¡°Sister-inw, this first cup is for you.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan intentionally saw, ¡°Hey, why do I have to call elder sister ¨C in ¨Cw, and you call younger sister ¨C in ¨Cw? Isn¡¯t this a mess?¡±


    Su Yi gave him a slight nt: ¡°I am older than Chunyu.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was depressed: ¡°Isn¡¯t it a husband singing with his wife?¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s fair face was quickly flushed and gnashed his teeth. ¡°I think you have itchy skin,¡± he said.


    Zhao Qixuan hurriedly bowed his head and said, ¡°Okay, you call your sister ¨C in ¨Cw, whatever you like.¡±


    Everyoneughed and Su Yi¡¯s face became redder.


    Xia Chunyu raised his ss: ¡°Come on, let¡¯s propose a toast to everyone, good brothers, and don¡¯t say anything outside. Whenever you can use my Xia Chunyu in the future, there will be a squeak, and I will go through fire and water.¡±


    Little Jing echoed: ¡°Come, drink to the good brothers.¡±


    Everyone picked up their sses and drank them off.


    Ye Jiayao called out: ¡°There is enough wine, but you are not allowed to get drunk. Everyone knows it in an extraordinary period.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, a jar of this wine won¡¯t make me drunk,¡± Zhao Qixuan said with a smile.


    While everyone was drinking wine and tasting cakes, Ye Jiayao thought of Ninth master and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t Ninth mastere?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°He has already been informed and said he wille. I think something had dyed him.¡±


    ¡°Hey, sister ¨C in ¨Cw, the Zuo QingYun, you let him go like this?¡± Zhao Qixuan asked.


    Xiao Jing and chunfeng cast a nce at each other, and they ate silently. Yao had ckmailed Zuo Qingyun hard. It was estimated that he was going to die of depression these days.


    Ye Jiayao gave a slight chuckle: ¡°Of course, he can¡¯t be let go of this way, so I decided to take out all the money that has been deposited in Datong tomorrow. I wish I could mobilize more people.¡±


    Little Jing drew a sigh of relief: ¡°You mean, inciting everyone to cash in on silver coins. If the amount isrge enough, Datong Hui will certainly not be able to cope with it, perhaps it will copse?¡±


    Su Yi mused, ¡°It¡¯s not so easy for Datong to copse. Several big banks failed to unite to deal with Datong years ago, which shows the depth of the story. However, it is still possible to create some trouble for Datong.¡±


    The following words, needless to say, everyone knew that Datong Hui could be said to be King Yu¡¯s vault. They didn¡¯t know it before, but now they know it. Naturally, They couldn¡¯t put the money in King Yu¡¯s vault any more, creating some trouble for Datong Hui, and King Yu would be even more in trouble.


    ¡°No problem, I¡¯ll contact my friend tomorrow and empty out the Jinling Datong Exchange first.¡± Zhao Qixuan waved his arm and said with great vigour.


    Xia Chunyu smiled coldly at the bottom of his eyes. If it were only hundreds of thousands of taels, it would not be possible to hit Datong Hui, but Yao has 3.6 million dors in her hand and Zhao Qixuan won¡¯t have less. The Catering Chamber of Commerce also said to Yao, who had been running a restaurant for so many years and had no financial means. If he start some more, he can gather together tens of millions of taels, that would be enough for Datong Hui to have a good drink.


    A few people downyed it and set off a financial storm in Jinling City.


    There was a knock at the door.


    Xiangtao went to open the door, and it was Ninth master who came.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, everyone, I¡¯mte.¡±


    ¡°Ninth master is very busy. Come and sit here.¡± Zhao Qixuan patted the seat around him and asked him to sit with him.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m going to disturb you today,¡± said Ninth master. ¡°The boys who set fire to the fire mentionedst time have already been caught, aren¡¯t they, Heir-son Lord and Seconddy ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were full of color: ¡°What kind of arson?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡°You don¡¯t know about this yet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao pie mouth: ¡°I haven¡¯t had time to say.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Xia Chunyu asked with a heavy voice.


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°Shortly after you left, someone set fire to the training ss in the middle of the night. A torch was set on fire at the old residence of Duan Qirin. Fortunately, there were no casualties. I asked Ninth master to help me find the gangsters who set fire to it. It was a pity that they slipped away. Now they sneak back for the New Year and were caught red ¨C handed.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a good opinion of this man in his forties, and he has always been at ease after all this time.


    Zhao Qixuan patted Ninth master on the shoulder: ¡± Nice bro, but since people are in your hands, they are not afraid to run away. Let¡¯s eat and drink first, and then judge them when we are full.¡±


    ¡°Yes, don¡¯t have to be in a hurry at this moment, Ninth master. Thank you for your help and kindness. I¡¯ll drink tea instead of wine.¡± Ye Jiayao raised her sses to Ninth master.


    ¡°I dare not, madam, don¡¯t mention it. Zhao¡¯s business is my business, Zhao¡¯s friend is my friend, and it is incumbent upon me.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng began to be absent ¨C minded, and others did not know, but he knew that the arson was caused by Zheng Sanduo, who was ordered by Liuli. Those gangsters took money to handle affairs. Who knew if Zheng Sanduo would be faithful to his promise, and that Zheng Sanduo was also unreliable and might bite out Liuli.


    He didn¡¯t want to cover up Liuli, but this happened and made him very embarrassed.

 Chapter 363 - Please cash in

    <h4>Chapter 363: Please cash in</h4>


    When everyone went to Ninth Lord¡¯s side, his men said that they had already confessed. They were directed by the small owner of Fuji, Zheng Sanduo, and it was housekeeper of Zheng¡¯s family who was looking for them.


    As expected, Ye Jiayao gnashed her teeth, Zheng Sanduo, he shouldn¡¯t me her for his unkindness.


    Ninth Lord saw Xia Chunyu: ¡°The lord, what do we do next?¡±


    Chunyu looked at Ye Jiayao, but Ye Jiayao looked at Chunfeng. Little Ya had already admonished her. She knew who was behind it. She wanted to see Chunfeng¡¯s opinion.


    When it came to Liuli, it was the family matter. The family matter should be at home and shouldn¡¯te out. The two daughters-inw of Jing ¡®an marquis house were enemies against each other and had set the fire, damaging the reputation of Jing ¡®an marquis house. She was the mistress of marquis house and had to worry about this.


    Chunfeng did not dare to look at her eyes and felt guilty.


    Ye Jiayao hesitated for a moment and said, ¡± I have decided to send these people to the government for disposal. I hope only Zheng Sanduo is behind this.¡±


    Sending officials would cost a long time to conclude, not a day or two. She was sparing time for Chunfeng. As for whether Zheng Sanduo could control his mouth, it depended on Liuli¡¯s own ability.


    Xia Chunyu immediately understood that Zhao Liuli might still be behind the arson case, so he was very angry. Why was everything rted to her? This woman was too bad, and her methods were getting worse and worse.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to send to the government, now Fuji will be over,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    It was so settled that Ninth Lord sent some gangsters to the government office. Ye Jiayao and Chunyu went to find Lu Xiaotian, chairman of the chamber ofmerce and head of the training course, so he naturally shoulde forward.


    Lu Xiaotian heard that the arsonist was caught and was heartened. He agreed to contact Duan Qilin and others at that time, waiting for the government to summon him at any time, and then called back several students who had seen the arsonist to testify in court.


    Chunfeng immediately returned and headed for Liuli¡¯s house.


    Liuli was delighted to see Chunfenging. Chunfeng had not entered her room since they moved out.


    But as soon as she saw Chunfeng¡¯s frosty face, her joy was frozen.


    ¡± Chunfeng, why do youe? Little Ya, go and make tea for the third master, for Biluochun. The third master likes Biluochun. ¡± Liuli made a smile and was hospitable.


    Chunfeng said coldly: ¡± No, Little Ya, you go out first.¡±


    Little Ya looked at the princess and waited for her to nod before going out.


    Liuli was so anxious in her heart that all sorts of bad thoughts emerged. Her new n had not been implemented yet. Chunfeng could not have known it.Besides, even if he knew, there was no evidence!


    Chunfeng simply stared at Liuli with an abhorrent look: ¡± Zhao Liuli, are you lunatic? If you don¡¯t do evil one day, you¡¯ll feel ufortable, won¡¯t you?¡±


    Liuli looked at Chunfeng with disbelief and said, ¡°What have I done? Do you want to use me like this? I stay at home all day long. I can¡¯t walk outside the gate. What else can I do? You cannot wrong me, okay?¡±


    If there were no Little Ya, Chunfeng might really think she had settled down, but the reality was so cruel. The woman he had treated with care and sincerity before touched his bottom line again and again, making him humiliated and ashamed to face his family. Today, the second sister-inw looked at his eyes and made him wish to dig a hole in the ground.


    ¡± You don¡¯t know what you have done? That few arson gangsters have already revealed Zheng Sanduo. Now, they have been sent to the government, can you guarantee Zheng Sanduo won¡¯t disclose you? Are you sure?¡± Chunfeng sneered.


    Liuli turned pale and looked flustered. The bastard Zheng sanduo, this useless fool, he had repeatedly promised in front of her that it would never go wrong, but now? Even the persons were caught.


    She really couldn¡¯t guarantee Zheng Sanduo won¡¯t reveal her. This time it was the government, and her reputation would be ruined.


    Chunfeng looked at her face with fear and he hated her much more: ¡± Now you know you¡¯re afraid? When you ordered Zheng Sanduo, why don¡¯t you know that you¡¯re afraid?¡±


    ¡°What am I afraid of? This matter has nothing to do with me.¡±


    Chunfeng was almost infuriated to fall down, gnashing his teeth and saying, ¡± Well, it has nothing to do with you, but I really hope it has nothing to do with you.¡±


    Chunfeng angrily left after saying so.


    He had nothing to say about a person who didn¡¯t know repentance and insisted on a wrong path and couldn¡¯t be pulled back, so he just let her kill herself.


    Chunfeng left the instant Liuli went out of the house.


    The government official¡¯s action was quick this time. After hearing the previous case, he set out to investigate the arson case. With little effort, those gangsters confessed, and the government immediately ordered the police to bring Zheng Sanduo back, only to be told that Zheng Sanduo was missing and Zheng Fugui didn¡¯t know where his son had gone.


    Obviously, Zheng Sanduo ran away, and some people testified here. The government painted portrayal and wanted Zheng sanduo.


    The case was put off for the time being.


    Ye Jiayao knew things wouldn¡¯t go so smoothly. Fortunately, Fuji¡¯s reputation had beenpletely destroyed. Lu Xiaotian held a meeting of directors of the Chamber of Commerce to remove Fuji from the Chamber of Commerce.


    Lu Xiaotian also issued a deration informing his Jinling colleagues of Zheng Sanduo¡¯s crimes. The reputation of Fuji fell to the bottom.


    After settling the matter, Ye Jiayao began to deal with Datonghui.


    The next day, it was thest day of this year for Datonghui to open. In previous years, there were no more guests, but this year¡¯s day would be unforgettable for Zuo Qingyun.


    As soon as the shop door opened, Ye Jiayao came and threw out 3.6 million taels of silver tickets for cash.


    Such arge sum of money frightened all the guys and hurried in to pass through.


    After a while, Zuo Qingyun personally came to see Ye Jiayao.


    He used to respect and admire this woman, but now he hated her to death. He suffered great losses only on this woman.


    ¡°Seconddy is in a hurry to use silver?¡± Zuo Qingyun asked with a smile. He was charismatic and had refined temperament.


    Although he hated her, but Zuo Qingyun was not a fool.This emotion could still be controlled.


    Ye Jiayao lightly said, ¡°Whether it is urgent or not, you don¡¯t need to worry about it, just cash the money.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun chuckled: ¡± Is the seconddy worried that we will default on your ount?¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s not true. Datonghui is Huai Song¡¯s No.1 Silver Vige. How can it destroy its reputation for a mere millions of taels of silver? For Datoonghui, it¡¯s only a drop in the bucket. ¡± Ye Jiayao had a faint smile and a calm tone.


    Zuo Qingyun lowered his eyebrows and said, ¡± So why the seconddy want to change?¡±


    Ye Jiayao stroked her sideburns and said slowly, ¡± It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t feel at ease, it¡¯s that I feel ufortable. I think I¡¯ve been locked up for so many days, and I¡¯m scared and don¡¯t want to keep the money with you.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s all a misunderstandings. Why should the seconddy still take it to heart?¡± Zuo Qingyun said well.


    ¡± Women are very careful, you don¡¯t know?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    ¡°But I think the seconddy will be different.¡±


    ¡± Ha ha, you think highly of me, Ye Jinxuan. Everyone who knows me knows that, in fact, I¡¯m stingy.¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s smile didn¡¯t change, but it was full of threat.


    Anyway, they were not the same people, there was no need to be polite.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Zuo, the three silver tickets you have opened are always avable. The 6002,000 I saved earlier is also a current ount, and I also ask Shopkeeper Zuo to cash them quickly. I¡¯m still busy!¡±


    Zuo Qingyun couldn¡¯t convince her, so he had to forget about it. Fortunately, he had enough inventory here, more than 3 million and 2,000, and still he could make it.


    ¡°The seconddy please want for a minute, such arge number need a long time to prepare. Will the seconddy move them by yourself? Or do you want our store to help with the transportation?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± I don¡¯t need to trouble Shopkeeper Zuo. The head of Huifeng bank is outside, and the money will go directly to Huifeng bank when ites out of your door.¡±


    In spite of Zuo Qingyun¡¯s best concentration, he couldn¡¯t help twitching his mouth. Huifeng bank and Datonghui could be said to be enemies. All the banks that opposed him before had been cleared. Only Huifeng bank matched with his bank. This woman was really cruel. This move was just hitting him in the face.


    Ye Jiayao inquired about the quarrel between Datonghui and Huifeng bank, so she purposely approached Huifeng bank and they immediately promised to send a steward and a coach to fetch the silvers without saying anything. Moreover, they were willing to give Ye Jiayao a high interest rate. The excitement in the eyes of the Huifeng bank¡¯s owner could not be concealed.


    She wanted Datonghui to lose not only money but also face.


    Zuo Qingyun was angry and helpless, and his kindness finally caused him to feel ashamed, but he couldn¡¯t say anything but to recognize his bad luck.


    The silver in the inventory was enough, but Zuo Qingyun could not give it all to Ye Jiayao. To prevent any casual guests froming to cash it, he consulted with Ye Jiayao, saying that one million taels were converted into gold.


    Gold or silver, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t care, as long as the total number was correct.


    Three million and six hundred thousand of silver were counted and moved by the men. After a full hour¡¯s work, it had been finished.


    After checking, Huifeng bank gave Ye Jiayao the certificate of deposit on the spot.


    Ye Jiayao yed the bill in her hand and put it in her arms. She looked back at the golden signboard of Datonghui, triggering a sneer at the corners of her mouth.


    This was only the beginning, and the next was the real drama.


    Zuo Qingyun was furious and had just returned to his room to prepare for a cup of tea. However, the man came to report that someone had taken a million taels of silver ticket to cash it.


    ¡± What?¡± Zuo Qingyun was not calm and had a strong bad feeling.


    What a coincidence?


    This time to cash the silver was from Helian Mansion. Zuo Qingyun had a calm face and let the man cash it.


    After this wave, a group of people came in one after another. The hundreds of thousands of taels, and finally added up to more than two million taels.


    Guys began to worry: ¡± Boss, we don¡¯t have much stock.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun¡¯s face was as ck as the bottom of the pan, and he didn¡¯t feel good: ¡°Need you tell me?¡±


    After so many years of running bank, that was, when dealing with several big banks, he had such arge discrepancy, but he was prepared to fight. Now, the incident suddenly caught him off guard.

 Chapter 364 - What a pity

    <h4>Chapter 364: What a pity</h4>


    Zuo Qingyun felt that things were not over yet, but the inventory was not enough. The most important thing in doing business was reputation. If it could not be fulfilled, Datong Hui¡¯s reputation would be destroyed. Zuo Qingyun weighed repeatedly and had to use some rtionships he didn¡¯t want to use, at least not now.


    Zuo Qingyun was right in his expectation. In the afternoon, another wave of cash rush broke out and many people who did not know the truth also came to cash in.


    ¡°Shopkeeper, what should I do? The 3 million taels of inventory I just transferred will disappear and the vault will be empty, but there are still many people waiting in line outside. If it doesn¡¯t match, the scene may get out of control ...¡± Dude rushed to report.


    Zuo Qingyun felt bitter in his heart. The 3 million taels he asked from Rong marquis mansion could not support him for half an hour. What should he do? It was toote to mobilize funds from other ces.


    The immediate crisis was the most sudden and violent storm ever encountered since the opening of Datong Hui. Zuo Qingyun gave a hand to let the man go out to resist and slow down the pace of cash.


    As soon as the man left, the ck dress person who had been standing on the side with his head hanging down said, ¡°Young master, why don¡¯t you just close the shop?¡±


    Zuo Qingyun looked dignified and shook his head. Now, could you close it?


    ¡°What should we do?¡± His men looked at the young master anxiously.


    Zuo Qingyun paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, and paused for a long time. He ordered: ¡°You go to King Yu¡¯s mansion and tell King Yu that the money will be brought back for emergency relief first, and I will find a way to make it up in the next few years.¡±


    Men in ck were ordered and step down.


    Zuo Qingyun added: ¡°Be careful. I suspect someone is secretly watching our every move.¡±


    After the ck dress person left, Zuo Qingyun called another person and told him this in his ear.


    The man nodded and retired.


    Half an hourter, several wooden boxes of carts arrived in Datong Hui, and the guys were busy carrying the boxes.


    Zuo Qingyun, who rarely showed up, came out to speak.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I am the owner of Datong Hui, please listen to me.¡± Zuo Qingyun was the owner of the No.1 Money Bank in Huai Song, though he was elegant, he also had the status of the leader of the Jiangzuo League, who had made all sides feel intimidated. Once his momentum broke out, his coercion could not be underestimated.


    It was only a very quiet word, and with a faint nce, the originally agitated crowd quieted down and everyone looked at the young and mysterious Datong Hui master.


    Zuo Qingyun said: ¡°As the No.1 bank in Huai Song, Datong Hui has been paying most attention to the word reputation for many years and has never defaulted on any payment. Moreover, Datong Hui has the highest interest rate among all banks, which is why everyone chose Datong Hui. However, today it is regrettable that many people who do not know the truth and follow suit because of the malicious nder and incitement of some people. I do not me you. Business matters are originally a matter of peace and wealth.¡±


    ¡°Here, I would like to make a statement. If you must cash in, please stand in line patiently. No matter how much you take, I will not default a penny even if I smash the pot and sell the iron. Of course, this is an exaggeration. I just want you to understand the reputation that Datong Hui has umted over the years, and will never lose it today ... If everyone is willing to believe me, believe in Datong Hui and re ¨C deposit the silver in our Datong Hui, I wee it, and Datong Hui will continue to seek the greatest benefits for everyone.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun said these words, held his fuels toward the crowd, turned smartly and walked steadily into the store.


    Some people hesitated.


    ¡°I was told that Datong Hui was going to close down and came here to cash it.¡±


    ¡°Me too, I heard that Datong Hui had provoked people who shouldn¡¯t have provoked ...¡±


    ¡°But look at the appearance of the shopkeeper, don¡¯t like to copse, Datong Hui is the first bank! All the money can be piled up into mountains. You see, so much money has been brought in.¡±


    ¡°I also think it is impossible. Some people said just now that Huifeng Bank wanted to bring down Datong Hui.¡±


    ¡°I think we may really be stunned. I have saved three years. The interest rate is very high. If I take it now, I have saved two years for nothing.¡±


    Zuo Qingyun had been waiting for news, wondering if his n could seed.


    King Yu¡¯s money was returned only half, and the other half had already been spent, so it meant that most of the boxes were filled with stones.


    So, it won¡¯t take long.


    ¡°Young master, a few more cars have arrived, also sent from King Yu¡¯s mansion, saying that they want to be with us, and King Yu said that there will be peopleingter.¡± The men came in to report back.


    Zuo Qingyun was pleased with this move, King Yu did well, and everyone came to cash it, he came to deliver the money.


    ¡°You go out and watch out,¡± Zuo Qingyun ordered.


    A well-dressed middle-aged man outside told his men to open a box in front of everyone. The inside of the box was neatly packed and glistening silver dazzled everyone¡¯s eyes.


    The middle-aged man said, ¡°Dude, count quickly. I have something urgent.¡±


    Man said cheerfully, ¡°Sir, wait a moment, and I¡¯ll do it right away.¡±


    The big guy rattled away a dozen boxes of silver.


    Some people began to whisper, ¡°When somebody elsees to deposit money, we have to take the money at the expense of interest. It¡¯s not cost ¨C effective. We had better leave.¡±


    After a few people took the lead, everyone¡¯s determination began to wave and went away one after another.


    In a few moments, the team shrank a lot.


    Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi watched the movement while drinking tea in the nearby teahouse.


    ¡°The boy is quite capable, and he even transferred so much silver,¡± Zhao Qixuan said.


    Today, he and Ye Jiayao, as well as the people theyunched, had almost taken thousands of taels of silver and hadn¡¯t emptied the bottom of the Datong Hui yet. It was incredible, which bank can have so many inventories? Bank¡¯s ie was entirely due to the fact that it was impossible to have such arge amount of money avable for cirction by taking customers¡¯ money to generate money, or by investing in business, or by lending high interest rates.


    Zhao Qixuan wondered.


    Su Yi said at leisure, ¡°Who knows if those boxes contain silver.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan consternation: ¡°You mean, false?¡±


    Su Yi said, ¡°Why did you open the box in front of everyone when you saw that guy who looks rich? It¡¯s too deliberate, isn¡¯t it? However, I have to say that the effect is very good. ¡±


    ¡°What else whispers in the crowd and takes the lead is obviously the guy of Datong Hui.¡±


    ¡°He was also forced to the end and did everything he could,¡± Su Yi sneered.


    ¡°I can confirm that Datong Hui has been emptied by us.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan was also depressed: ¡°Unfortunately, all the money we can get in our hands has been taken. Now, it seems that there is no chance! After all, it is not vegetarian either. ¡±


    Su Yi said, ¡°The result has been very good. Datong Hui has somewhat weakened its vitality in this battle. At least, it cannot give too much support to some people in a short period of time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said. Let him go first and wait until I be a wealthy tycoon. I will have fun with him again,¡± Zhao Qixuan scoffed.


    The storm finally subsided.


    Zuo Qingyun made an inventory of the losses and was depressed. It was all because the 4 million taels he signed out which made trouble. Ye Jinxuan was too cruel.


    Zuo Qingyun was depressed, while King Yu was even more depressed.


    His n and deployment had to be suspended because the crisis at Datong Hui.


    The culprit in this incident was the woman he dotes on. King Yu wanted to vomit blood.


    Hepletely broke his love for Lin. Such a stupid woman was not worthy of being his woman, let alone his queen in the future.


    Lin had not yet realized how unforgivable she had made a mistake. She was still nning the next step unwillingly and had asked several confidants to secretly discuss countermeasures.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know about the situation until the evening. Although it failed to bring down Datong Hui and discredit it, it was also a heavy blow to Datong Hui.


    This matter would not be mentioned for the time being. It would take a long time toe.


    It was more important for everyone to live in peace and stability for the New Year.


    The court had already issued various bans, such as banning firecrackers on New Year¡¯s Eve, saying that the queen mother was most afraid of fireworks during her lifetime and wanted the queen mother to walk quietly.


    For example, guests were not allowed to have big dinners, and even more, a series of entertainment activities such as singing opera were not allowed.


    Therefore, the year passed peacefully, the ears were quiet, rtives and friends were less visited, and eating and drinking were not tiring. Everyone regarded the year as a year of recuperation.


    Xia Chunyu was promoted to the first-ss bodyguard again because of his sess in suppressing bandits. You was very happy. After all, this was the honor of her son¡¯s life, but both Ye Jiayao and Chunyu looked very pale.


    What rank was not a matter of the emperor¡¯s word.


    If he¡¯s happy, he gave you a three-level rise. If he didn¡¯t feel happy, you would fall into dust, rise and fall. You really didn¡¯t have to look so heavy. Family was the most important thing.


    During the whole New Year, Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t go out very much. He stayed at home with Ye Jiayao every day to amuse Bao. He had thought that if Yao¡¯s health was not good, he would treat Bao as his daughter. Therefore, his special love for Bao could not evenpare with his little nephew.


    Of course, he is most concerned about the poison in Ye Jiayao¡¯s body. Although Ye Jiayao was very conscious about drinking medicine or something, she couldn¡¯t take a bath. Dr. Jiang said the higher the water temperature, the better.


    Xia Chunyu tried the water temperature himself every time and found it tolerable to let Ye Jiayao into the water.


    Could Ye Jiayao¡¯s delicate skin beparable to Xia Chunyu¡¯s bronze skin and iron bone? Everytime she entered the bath bucket, she liked a crab struggling in boiling water. She was pushed back by Xia Chunyu.


    ¡°Hold on, I asked Dr. Jiang personally. The water temperature is required, only five times in half a month. You have insisted twice and three more times is enough.¡± Xia Chunyu coaxed.


    Ye Jiayao broke her face and kept looking for a ce to break through. She said piteously, ¡°I¡¯ll be burnt three more times.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her embarrassment and couldn¡¯t helpughing: ¡°I think the more you soak your skin, the better. Be good, endure it again, and it won¡¯t burn for a while.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t bear it, I can¡¯t bear it ...¡± Ye Jiayao cried.


    In order tofort his wife and show the determination of husband and wife to share weal and woe, Xia Chunyu finally had to climb in and do some exercises himself ... well, it was conducive to opening pores and better absorbing medicinal properties.

 Chapter 365 - Rumors

    <h4>Chapter 365: Rumors</h4>


    This year, all shops opened veryte, almost all after the fifteenth day of the first month. Although business was light, it was better than nothing.


    The Heavenly Residence also opened and received scattered guests in dribs and drabs. Those aristocratic children, because of tight family constraints, did not dare to go to restaurants. They also wanted to go to some small restaurants that were not conspicuous, ordering two dishes and soup and a pot of wine. Therefore, the big restaurants did not have any business except vegetarian food shops.


    Ye Jiayao had intended to introduce vegetarian meals, if so, it seemed she meant to talk to gants of Lu`s vegetarian food shops. So she forgot the idea, and waited for the queen mother to be buried for another month, and the funeral period would be over.


    Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan were not in a hurry to go back to the south.


    A few people went to the dessert house every three to five and chose a fine day to go to Ye Jiayao¡¯s farm yard. Life was quite leisurely.


    However, it was not long before the peaceful days, a rumor suddenly spread in Jinling city.


    It was said that during the disappearance of Ye Jiayao, she was defiled by the steward of Datong Hui, and Jing ¡®an marquis house did not dare to speak out in order to preserve its reputation.


    Rumors had been growing more and more trustful. Some people said that the reason why Bai stewardmitted suicide in prison was that Jing ¡®an duke forced him to die, fearing that Bai steward would tell the truth.


    Of course, everyone was secretly talking about it and would note to Jing¡¯an marquis house to talk about it, but rumors soon spread to Xia Chunyu¡¯s ears.


    Xia Chunyu was so angry, but he could not say, he was afraid that his parents and Yaoyao would be angry when they heard about it. He thought that rumors would fade after a while, and there was no need to be truer. The more you reacted, the more people think you were guilty.


    Ye Jiayao was kept in the dark without knowing anything about it, and so was You.


    On this day, it was the 7th of the queen mother, and everyone went to the pce to worship the queen mother.


    You was here, so Ye Jiayao didn`t have to go. Ye Jiayao developed new dishes in the small kitchen at home.


    After the memorial ceremony, You and Yide princess were going to sit at the queen¡¯s ce. Before they left Ninghe Pce, they saw severaldies muttering.


    You didn¡¯t care, and Yide went forward.


    ¡°She was really calm at such a thing and I could not stand it if it was me.¡±


    ¡°After all, it was not good for reputation, they can only hit their teeth to promote blood cirction and swallow them.¡±


    ¡°Would it be fake?¡±


    ¡°Impossible, the news is absolutely reliable, and everyone in marquis house knows it.¡±


    ¡°Is it from marquis house`s people?¡±


    ¡°Of course, otherwise, how do people outside know? Ah, that Bai steward really feared nothing, and even dared to touch Jing`an marquis house¡¯s women.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha, where can we find such a profitable daughter-inw? As long as she can make money,¡± someone sneered.


    You and Yide paused. You looked at Yide and Yide said, ¡°Ignore them. They just bitch.¡±


    As a matter of fact, Yide had long heard of these popr sayings and asked Little Jing, he said it was nonsense. Yide naturally believed in Little Jing and believed in Ye Jinxuan, so she had not taken it seriously.


    However, You was different. Jinxuan was her daughter ¨C in ¨Cw. Jinxuan¡¯s reputation was damaged by being vilified, which she absolutely couldn¡¯t tolerate.


    She immediately worn cold face and walked over.


    ¡°What are you talking about? If you have the courage to say it again, ¡°shouted You majestically.


    She didn¡¯t care whether those women were the wives of several ministers. She would never tolerate anyone who wanted to damage house¡¯s reputation and Jinxuan¡¯s honor.


    Severaldies saw You, with fear and embarrassment on their faces.


    ¡°No, said nothing ... Mrs. Xia, let¡¯s go first.¡±


    ¡°Stop.¡± You said with a heavy voice.


    ¡°Today, if you don¡¯t speak clearly, no one will want to go out of this door.¡± You was angry.


    When Yide saw You attack, she also could not bear toe forward and scold, ¡± Mrs Liu, Mrs Wang, Mrs Deng ... you are also people of status and fame, and you have even learned from that woman with a long tongue in the city to catch the wind and catch the shadow, and to spread false news, is there any propriety or shame? Come on, let¡¯s go to the queen and theorize. ¡±


    They were not afraid of a single You, but it was not the same for Yide princess to participate. Everyone knew that Yide was close to the queen, and even the emperor respected the eldest sister and went to the queen to make a theory, could they still get good results?


    One by one, they all panicked.


    ¡°Princess, Mrs. Xia, we also listen to what people said, and we don¡¯t believe it!¡± Mrs Liu was busy trying to please.


    You zing with anger, staring straight at her, ¡°Don¡¯t try to justify yourself. I was listening to what you said just now. If you don¡¯t make it clear to me today, it won¡¯t end.¡±


    Mrs. Liu really wanted to fan her big mouth, she was quick to do so just now, which has severely offended You.


    ¡°This matter is being reported by everyone, and it is not only us who are talking about,¡± Mrs. Deng said guiltily.


    You was determined to find out the source of this rumor today. Since it had spread all over the city, she had nothing to fear.


    Immediately drew all thedies to the queen.


    ¡°You know exactly what kind of person Jinxuan is. You also know why she was in trouble. She suffered in a dark ce, was wronged, was not easy to be rescued, but was also vilified like this. I really can`t stand it.¡± You cried with tears.


    Yide also said, ¡°I thought the rumor was confined to the wise, but now it seems that they can¡¯t cure these gossips. Empress, you have to be fair to Jinxuan.¡±


    The queen naturally knew why Ye Jiayao was kidnapped. There was a shadow of King Yu here, but there was no evidence and she couldn¡¯t get it on the table. Ye Jiayao was very helpful to the prince, and it was inevitable that she would be hated. Plus, behind her were Jing ¡®an marquis house and HeLian mansion, which were the greatest help around the prince. For various reasons, the queen couldn¡¯t stand by.


    She dignified nce at the next few tremblingdies.


    Cold hummed: ¡°Very good, very good! A wife of ministers from the Ministry of Rites, a wife of a university student from Longyuan Pavilion, a wife of a censor from the Imperial Observatory ... you are all very well one by one! The queen mother hasn¡¯t been buried yet. You don¡¯t think about mourning, but you have a mind to gossiping.¡±


    Everyone was terrified and said in unison, ¡°We know the sin. Please pardon us.¡±


    ¡°Since you said you were listening to what people said, you confess truthfully. Where did you hear all this nonsense?¡± the queen demanded.


    They all confessed the spread of the rumors.


    The queen was so effective that she immediately brought all these people into the pce, and one group of people bit another group of people, eventually even Zhou was bitten out, and more than a few people reported her.


    You was so angry that she couldn¡¯t wait to strangle Zhou.


    Yide¡¯s eyes were on severaldies who had made friends with King Yu¡¯s side concubine Lin, whispered to the queen for a while, and the queen nodded, knowing fairly well that it was King Yu`s mansion who was behind it. This was a godsend! They couldn`t deal with King Yu, but if they could catch Lin¡¯s mistake and give him a charge ofx administration, even the emperor would have an opinion on him.


    She took thedies down for questioning, suggesting that her men must let them bit Lin.


    Thedies were summoned by the queen for questioning, and the ministers could not sit still. They were not sure what their wives had done. They were all worried. They were all going out of the pce and were waiting outside to find out the news.


    As a result, the emperor was rmed.


    As soon as the emperor came to the Chaoyang Hall, he saw arge area kneeling. The queen came forward to wee, Yide and You followed. Their facial expression was angry and sad.


    ¡°Queen, what happened?¡± asked the emperor.


    ¡°Please move and let me report it.¡± Queen said.


    When the emperor and queen went to the back hall to talk, they waited for an instant and told Yide and You to go in.


    The emperor¡¯s face was also not good ¨C looking, and he sighed and said, ¡°I already know this matter, it¡¯s about Ye Jinxuan¡¯s innocence and Jing ¡®an marquis house¡¯s reputation, and I will certainly give you justice.¡±


    You knelt down quickly and thanked him profusely.


    Just in time, Maid came to report that someone had already confessed. She was instructed by King Yu¡¯s side concubine Lins and Princess Liuli, and they also deliberately wooed marquis house¡¯s third wife to pick the task and increase her credibility.


    The emperor flew into a rage when he heard this: ¡°It¡¯s Liuli again. Why does everything have her share? Can¡¯t she settle down for a few days?¡±


    The queen said calmly, ¡°Liuli is a staunch believer. It is estimated that she was used by others.¡±


    Yide immediately understood the queen¡¯s meaning and said, ¡°I heard that Lin often went to see her after Liuli moved out of the marquis house.¡±


    You was not stupid either. She cried: ¡°Liuli is not so popr to mobilize so many people to nder Jinxuan, but I don¡¯t understand why Lin should deal with Jinxuan. Jinxuan has no cause or hatred with her ...¡±


    Why did she want to deal with Jinxuan? This problem hovered in the emperor¡¯s heart. The emperor did not know the feud between Lin and Ye Jiayao. He habitually thought about the situation in the court. It was a struggle between women, but it often hid a mystery in it.


    Ye Jinxuan was the daughter-inw of Jing ¡®an marquis house, Lin was King Yu¡¯s side concubine, but her position in King Yu mansion was far better than that of A Ruan. Would King Yu want to take this opportunity to suppress Jing ¡®an marquis house?


    But this kind of means was too despicable. What skill was it to let a woman take the lead?


    The emperor thought more and more angrily and said, ¡°Lin is so despicable, the Liuli is rather stubborn and hard ¨C headed, it is not a good lesson, and it is bing increasinglywless. Queen, I leave this matter to you and do whatever you want. The list of those aplices will be drawn up and let the family bring them back, no matter how many officials are demoted.¡±


    With the emperor¡¯s message, the queen¡¯s heart was set.


    Ye Jiayao was busy happily at home. Today¡¯s dishes were all very sessful and even Xia Chunyu, a senior eater, thought highly of them.


    It never urred to her that court had caused a big storm because of her at this time, and even more so that a group of officials were beaten down overnight after hard work in climbing up to today¡¯s position.

 Chapter 366 - A useless and abandoned chess

    <h4>Chapter 366: A useless and abandoned chess</h4>


    Lin was so scared and silly when she heard the news that she hurriedly ran to concubine Shu¡¯s pce. Concubine Shu turned pale with anger and said, ¡± What are you doing here?Are you afraid that others will not suspect me? I¡¯m already in trouble. What else do you expect from me?¡±


    Concubine Shu was so angry with her that she was almost overwhelmed by the queen mother these days.If anything else happened, she would lose her present position.


    But Lin didn¡¯t think about concubine Shu and cried, ¡± Auntie, help me ...¡±


    ¡± Save you? You are a fool who can¡¯t do anything better except bad things. I warn you, if you bring trouble to King Yu, I will never spare you.


    ¡± Auntie, you can¡¯t ignore me, or I¡¯ll die.¡± Lin¡¯s intestines were all regretful. King Yu told her not to make a move, but she still didn¡¯t hold back.


    ¡± You die yourself, but can¡¯t bring trouble to King Yu, to Lin, and Shu family. You bear your own mistakes. I haven¡¯t seen anyone discuss the plot at the meeting, don¡¯t you ask for it?¡± Concubine Shu regarded Lin as a gue. First, Shu¡¯s family¡¯s biggest concealment, and Yu¡¯s most important sessor, Datonghui, was victimized by her. Now she directly harmed Yu. The queen had been looking for a chance to deal with them, and she would certainly make a big issue of it.


    ¡± I warn you that you are holding on to this matter, and you say you listen to Zhou¡¯s remarks and put the me on Zhou¡¯s head. You can¡¯t admit that you were behind the killing, but you do hate Ye Jinxuan because she has helped Aruan against you all the time, which was a schadenfreude at the time, saying a few sarcastic remarks, but you didn¡¯t expect others to misunderstand your meanings,¡± Shu warned solemnly.


    This was a big matter. If she didn¡¯t teach this fool some words, who knew if this fool would make things worse?


    ¡± What if they want to confront me?¡±


    It was true that she told others to do it.


    Concubine Shu almost gushed out a mouthful of blood and was speechless: ¡± Will you not bite back? Can¡¯t you say they are instigated to frame you? What a fool!¡±


    Before she could teach Lin more, the queen¡¯s servant came to concubine Shu and took Lin away directly.


    Concubine Shu really wanted to die. If she knew this Lin Wanyin was so useless, she might as well support Aruan.


    She immediately ordered people to report to King Yu as soon as possible so that he could have a good mental preparation.


    Liuli was called to Chaoyang Pce earlier.


    After listening to the queen¡¯s query, Liuli was so calm that she washed herself clean.


    ¡°I just happen to be present at the time, but I don¡¯t say a word or participate. Although I don¡¯t get along well with Ye Jinxuan, I have sworn that we are irrelevant since ever. I mean what I have said and don¡¯t take part in it.¡±


    Yide said angrily, ¡± Are you not involved? You know their tricks, but still keep silent, isn¡¯t this the approval?¡±


    Liuli retorted, ¡± It¡¯s none of my business. Why am I talkative?¡±


    ¡± You ... you are clearly schadenfreude.¡± Yide was quite speechless.


    You were also very angry, and didn¡¯t believe that Liuli hadn¡¯t participate. But Liuli was still marquis house¡¯s daughter ¨C in ¨Cw, and marquis house had already emerged the event of Zhou, making peopleugh. If Liuli went in again, it would really make peopleugh off their fangs.


    ¡± How can you be so selfish?Are you happy when marquis house¡¯s reputation is damaged? You and Chunfeng moved out, so you don¡¯t think you are a member of marquis house?¡±


    ¡± Mother, I don¡¯t really think so much at the time. I have already been taught. As long as it is about the second sister-inw, whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, I will not participate. Even if I advise them not to do so, will they listen to me? People will believe it?¡±


    Liuli took such an attitude, but everyone had no way, and it happened that the servant reported that King Yu¡¯s side concubine had been brought.


    The queen asked Liuli to step down first. Today¡¯s focus was on Lin.


    Yide exchanged nces with the queen, and Yide also turned to the back.


    Lin was nervous all the way, silently reciting the words concubine Shu had taught her, and did not know whether it would work.


    When she entered the pce, she knelt down and performed a big ceremony.


    ¡°I have met your majesty and paid my respects.¡±


    The queen remained silent for a long time and did not call her up, but Lin¡¯s heart was in a state of panic and some sweat was seeping from her hands.


    ¡°King Yu¡¯s side concubine, do you know why you¡¯re called to this pce?¡± The queen¡¯s voice was cold, proud and slow, with a share of coercion.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know, your majesty,¡± Lin said guiltily.


    With a sneer, the queen suddenly raised her voice and added, ¡± You don¡¯t know? It was a pity that all the witnesses were there. You¡¯d better admit, otherwise I¡¯ll punish you seriously.¡±


    Lin cried out, ¡± Mother, I really don¡¯t know what the so-called things are. Please give me a clear hint. ¡±


    You said, ¡± You have encouraged the assistant minister¡¯s wife of the Ministry of Industry to nder our reputation of Jing ¡®an marquis house. Now they have all confessed that you are responsible for it, and you still justify it?¡±


    Lin¡¯s heart quivered and suddenly looked up at You, feeling even more aggrieved and surprised. ¡± Madam, where do you start this? I¡¯ve never done anything like this before.¡±


    You sneered, ¡± Really?Then you dare not confront them face to face?¡±


    ¡± There must be some misunderstanding, mother, about Ye Jinxuan, I just have heard from the thirddy of marquis house. I¡¯m just talking about it like jokes, presumably someone will wrong my intentions. Please trust me,¡± Lin argued.


    At the same time, Yide in the back hall said to severaldies, ¡± You have all heard that Lin was going to push you out as scapegoats. If you are an essory, the punishment will vary greatly. If you are an essory, you will only be scolded by the queen and the master. If you are the mastermind, maliciously ndering the hero, you will be ndered and framed. Don¡¯t say that you can¡¯t get away with it, even your master¡¯s future will be ruined. I am not rmist ¨C mongering, you know what you are doing, but you will be the scapegoat in the end.¡±


    Severaldies looked at each other, weighing the pros and cons in their hearts. Their masters supported King Yu to get more benefits. If they were finished at the moment, even if King Yu won the world in the future, could he still think of their master?


    ¡± After all, it¡¯s Lin¡¯s idea, not King Yu¡¯s idea,¡± Yide added.


    Everyone was suddenly enlightened. Yes, Lin was just a side concubine. If everyone sacrificed for Lin, would King Yu remember their kindness? Could he ept their goodness?


    ¡± Anyway, you have already offended Lin, and Lin certainly hates you very much in her heart. If Lin is fine, you¡¯ll be waiting to bear Lin¡¯s anger. You¡¯ll be jailed and don¡¯t know what Lin will say about you in front of King Yu,¡± Yide sneered.


    Everyone¡¯s facial expression was firm. Yes, they had offended Lin anyway. Today either Lin or they would be unlucky. Everyone had a dispute in their hearts.


    Lin asked for investigation, and the queen asked them to confront themselves and saw who couldughst.


    Severaldies were encouraged by Yide to be firm in their hearts. Seeing Lin passing the buck, they started to fight back. They began to me Lin in front of the queen, Yide and You. No matter how hard Lin implied everyone to lead the disaster to Zhou, it would not work.


    How could one mouth win more than a few mouths, and the fact that it was originally the case, Lin¡¯s argument was always guilty and humbled, and she soon fell down and was speechless but only to cry.


    When King Yu got the news, he was already exhausted and could not return to his mind after being hit hard for half a day.


    For today¡¯s situation, only Lin had to be discarded. She had be a useless chess, not only useless but also harmful enough to ruin all his n. There was no choice but to abandon the chess.


    King Yu hurriedly came to Chaoyang Pce.


    When Lin saw King Yuing, there was a hope in her heart that King Yu would be able to save her.


    However, King Yu did not even look at her. He came forward to salute the majesty and said with deep sorrow, ¡± Mother, it¡¯s I who spoils Lin too much, causing today¡¯s disaster and I¡¯m really guilty. Please punish me for this crime.¡±


    As soon as King Yu arrived, he pleaded guilty and turned passivity into initiative. The queen was not too hard on him. She also knew that it was impossible topletely defeat King Yu with this matter. However, it was enough to let the emperor be disappointed at King Yu.


    ¡± It is good that youe, this matter, you do it at your own discretion! Madam Jing¡¯an marquis is still waiting!¡± The queen was cold.


    King Yu looked at Lin with great regret and said: ¡°I grow up with Lin, so I have spoiled her and treated her so leniently that she has be what she is now, and I have advised her many times not to care these trivial matters and respect the Madam, but she just refuses to listen to it, because she is jealous and resentful and even angry with others. This action is really contrary to the principles of women, and is not allowed by the royal family. I dare not protect her any more. To protect her is to hurt her. I beg mother to make a decision for me to divorce her.¡±


    Lin looked at King Yu in disbelief as if she was struck by lightning. Tears rolled down and she opened his mouth but could not utter a word.


    The fact that she was abandoned by the man she loved deeply caused her to copse.


    The queen was also secretly surprised. She knew King Yu¡¯s love for Lin. she didn¡¯t expect King Yu to say that he would divorce his wife. She became more vignt to King Yu in her heart.


    But she didn¡¯t know that King Yu was already angry with Lin, and no one knew that Datonghui was involved, all thanks to Lin.


    ¡± What King Yu has said is right. Lin¡¯s actions have made a royal taboo, and even ordinary people¡¯s homes can¡¯t tolerate such bad behavior. Just do as King Yu has said. I hope that King Yu will restrain his family in the future and do not have such a regrettable thing again. ¡± The queen had made the final decision that she fully respected King Yu¡¯s decision. It wasn¡¯t she who forced him to do it, in fact, no one could me her.


    Poor Lin screamed and then fainted to the ground.


    Unfortunately, no one showed sympathy with her. She stewed in her own juice.

 Chapter 367 - Not over yet

    <h4>Chapter 367: Not over yet</h4>


    Lin was dismissed and King Yu apologized face to face. Several rted wives were disciplined and stripped of their imperial mandate. A rumor had be a taboo subject. Who dared to talk? The result was obvious.


    You was a littleforted. It was useless to say anything like this. You was going straight to the ground and sweeping all gossip with a furious rage.


    This time, everyone¡¯s target was Lin, and Liuli survived. But You think she should talk to Chunfeng. Such a daughter-inw would be a scourge sooner orter. Anyway, the queen mother was dead now, and the queen would definitely decide for them.


    Now, You still had one of the most important things to solve.


    Zhou, wait for me.


    In the small kitchen of Jing ¡®an marquis house, Ye Jiayao stared at Chunyu who was sitting opposite and savored the steak.


    ¡°Is it good?¡± Ye Jiayao asked expectantly.


    She had already decided to open a western restaurant at the end of the funeral period. Mrs Rong¡¯s approval gave her confidence. If Chunyu also liked it, it would be no problem.


    Chunyu¡¯s demand for food had always been very high. As soon as the steak was presented, he was attracted by the fragrance. Men were mostly carnivores and liked to drink inrge bowls and aterge pieces of meat. It had to say that the meat tasted wonderful.


    ¡°The meat is fresh and juicy, sweet and delicious, with an endless aftertaste, and the pepper juice is spicy, strong enough, with beautiful side dishes, in and light, just tobine the greasy quality of beef. Of course, this beef is not greasy, but, after all, it is a meat dish, and the meat and vegetable collocation is reasonable. The key is this soup, appetizing and keeping in good health, excellent.¡±Xia Chunyu¡¯sments were professional.


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡°Do you think there will be a market for this?¡±


    Chunyu smiled: ¡°I don¡¯t know others, but Qixuan and Little jing must like it, but it¡¯s a bit unustomed to using knives and forks. Is this really the way western barbarians eat it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it can be enjoyed by aristocrats. Ordinary people can¡¯t eat knives and forks. We Chinese people are not used to it, but it is not difficult to master. I think you can cut two pieces without extra trouble.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°It¡¯s natural. Your husband learns everything very quickly.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re going to stink!¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Am I not telling the truth?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was toozy to ignore him and said, ¡°Tell me, is there anything else that needs improvement?¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought and said, ¡°It would be good to have more food.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all right. Then there will be cakes and fruit, well, wine.¡±


    ¡°Wine is not strong enough.¡±


    ¡°Then get some mellow white wine, apricot blossom vige and so on.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, yellow wine is not very suitable. It must be white.¡±


    The two of them talked about how to make the western steak more in line with the Chinese taste.


    Xiangtao suddenly ran in.


    ¡°Heir-son Lord, Seconddy, someone saw Madam back just now and went back to her room and heading straight to Thirddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said unhurriedly, ¡°What¡¯s the fuss about this?¡±


    Xiangtao said, ¡°The problem is, madam looks very angry.¡±


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu looked at each other. Was mother going to look for Zhou¡¯s bad luck?


    Xia Chunyu wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and got up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go and see. You¡¯re at home.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said quickly, ¡°I¡¯ll go too.¡±


    If she really want to find Zhou, she may not be Zhou¡¯s opponent, and she was also very curious. How did Zhou get to You? Recently Zhou didn¡¯te to the mansion much!


    The two men hurried to Zhou¡¯s pce.


    The Zhou family was entertaining guests at the moment.


    When Zhou heard that You was here, Zhou immediately got up and greeted her with a chuckle: ¡°Oh, what brings you sister-inw here today? What a coincidence, Mrs Mo, they happen to be all here!¡±


    Madam Zhou, a third-rate butler, naturally did not know what was happening in the pce. Several people happened to be still talking about Ye Jiayao, and they were very excited.


    You¡¯s face was covered with frost, she nced coldly at thedies present, and it was not difficult to tell the meaning of scorn from their fine and hypocritical smile.


    What a coincidence, isn¡¯t it? She felt the same way that today she came to break with Zhou. How could Zhou be a rogue before? It was also a family conflict and could be tolerated. However, Zhou¡¯s disregard for marquis house¡¯s reputation was not just a family affair.


    She just wanted to break with Zhou in front of everyone. Since Zhou didn¡¯t take marquis house seriously, she won¡¯t want to get marquis house any more benefits from now on.


    If you want to do the first grade, don¡¯t me her for doing the fifteenth grade.


    You took a sneer at the corners of her mouth, and p in her face.


    The p was abrupt, crisp and loud. It immediately stunned Zhou and all the people present and could not respond to the half ¨C ring.


    Zhou covered her burning face with shame, anger, injustice, surprise ... and finally all turned into an emotion, anger.


    She bellowed angrily to Madam You: ¡°Sister ¨C in ¨Cw, what kind of crazy are you? Where have I sinned against you? Hit me when we meet. If you don¡¯t make it clear to me today, I¡¯ll hate forever.¡±


    She fought You countless times over the years and had a fierce quarrel, but not to the point of starting physical fight. Today, You pped her face in front of outsiders. If she didn¡¯t get justice back, she couldn¡¯t live in the future.


    You stared at her resentfully and said angrily, ¡°You don¡¯t know why I hit you? You live in marquis house, worship house¡¯s ancestors, and take the benefits of the house, but you failed your ancestors and the house. Who do?I else to beat? Hate me forever, I hate you forever!¡±


    ¡°And you.¡± You¡¯s eyes, like two swords, shot at severaldies sitting in the hall and said coldly, ¡°You gossips who have nothing to do all day and like to gossip, it¡¯s better to go out and inquire about what¡¯s going on in Jinling City. If I hear what I shouldn¡¯t hear again, I¡¯ll pick you up one by one.¡±


    Thedies of this status, You didn¡¯t think much of them at all. Moreover, most of the people who have close ties with Zhou were from King Yu¡¯s side. She had no scruples at all. Therefore, she said rudely.


    Everyone looked at each other, all daring to anger and dare not speak out. Their status was not enough topete with You, and they knew that they still have some self-knowledge.


    Zhou understood a little, and what she said about Ye Jinxuan behind her back was known by You. So what? This kind of thing, could not said not clearly, who can guarantee Ye Jinxuan innocence was still there? What¡¯s more, she still had the support of King Yu¡¯s side concubine behind her. What was she to be afraid of?


    Immediately muster up courage to say, ¡°Madam, can you tell some truth? You like a mad dog and bite when you open your mouth. If I have anything to offend you,e to me, nothing to do with others. Is the madam of Jing ¡®an marquis house amazing? Can you bully others?¡±


    Zhou said hit the floor, and Mrs. Mo also got the nerve to be a peacemaker: ¡°Yes, Mrs. Xia, the family has something to say, there are misunderstandings, just exin it clearly. Don¡¯t ruin the harmony.¡±


    Several otherdies also joined in.


    You huffed angrily, ¡°Shut up all of you and get out of here.¡±


    With these people, You were toozy to waste her breath.


    Looking directly at Zhou, she said, ¡°The words are grandiose. Is it right to rush you? Today I came at you. What did you say and do behind your back? Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know. Tell you the truth, I¡¯ve juste from the pce and more than a dozen First ss Imperial Orders and Second ss Ladies have been convicted. King Yu¡¯s wife Lin has brought a letter of divorce to go home. Your biggest backer has fallen down. Do you still have the spirit to justify with me now?¡±


    Zhou¡¯s face changed greatly, and the others were also on pins and needles. The imperial mandate of the family was rejected, not to mention them. Everyone was nervous and did not know if You had heard what was said about marquis house¡¯s second wife.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you ... you said.¡± Zhou denied guiltily.


    You sneered, ¡°You don¡¯t understand? Then I said it more clearly. You were offered up. Do you know what I was feeling when I heard your name from their mouths? After all, you are a family member and you can bear it if you can. But you are more and more unscrupulous and even the queen has spoken. It¡¯s time to purge the house. Zhou, what do you think I should do with you?¡±


    Zhou staggered and took a step back.


    The queen¡¯s words terrified her.


    She didn¡¯t expect things to get so serious, it was only to speak ill of Ye Jinxuan? Was the crime unforgivable?


    You took out a piece of paper from her pocket and lifted it in the air, saying, ¡± This is the guarantee you wrote before, and if you disrespect your eldest sister-inw and do anything harmful to the house, you will be expelled, in ck and white, with red handprints. Now, do you know how to do it? Give you an hour. If you don¡¯t give me fuck off after an hour, open a ancestral hall and deal with it ording to family rules.¡±


    You said that, ncing at Zhou again coldly, she turned and walked with great momentum.


    Zhou froze and stood there, and it took half a ring to react. The joke got bigger this time. She knew that with the queen¡¯s words, the master was absolutely afraid to protect her, and You¡¯s attitude was as tough as ever. She was finished andpletely finished.


    Zhou¡¯s thought of this leaves no room for helplessness.


    Severaldies stood up silently and did not dare to say a word to Zhou again. They quickly slipped away, fearing that another moment would set fire to their bodies.


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu stood outside the door, and You¡¯s words were heard. Although You never said what the gossips were chewing, she had a strong feeling that it was rted to her.


    Looking at Xia Chunyu again, his face was livid and his mouth pursed, obviously he knew something.


    When You came out, she saw Ye Jiayao and Chunyu standing outside the door, paused, and thought it would not be possible to hide it. ¡°Go home and talk about it,¡± she said.

 Chapter 368 - The most powerful return

    <h4>Chapter 368: The most powerful return</h4>


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu silently followed you back to marquis house and entered the gate. Xia Chunyu said, ¡°You go first.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a suspicious look: ¡°Why?¡±


    It was 100 % rted to her, and it was not a good thing, but she had the right to know whether it was good or bad. She didn¡¯t like to be kept in the dark. Although she knew Chunyu was good for her, she¡¯s not a weak person. Well, she may be weak in appearance, but she thought her heart was still strong. She had experienced life and death, and what¡¯s terrible?


    Xia Chunyu hesitated. He didn¡¯t want Yaoyao to be angry. She couldn¡¯t afford to be angry about such a thing. She had a quiet life.


    ¡°Chunyu, let her know,¡± You said.


    Xia Chunyu was silent. Since his mother said so, what else could he say?


    When she entered the house, mother Sun served tea to everyone and stepped down, closing the door tenderly. Saying such a thing, one less person was present and one less embarrassment.


    There were only person.


    You took a sip of tea and calmed down her mood before she said, ¡°Since you have heard it, I think you guessed about it. It was thest time Jinxuan was kidnapped. Some people with ulterior motives tried to make use of it and spread rumors to create trouble, hoping to trample Jinxuan down and damage marquis house¡¯s reputation.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a buzz in her head, then a stream of anger rolled up like magma pouring out of the ground.


    Damn it, it was for this, did Lin? If one n fails to produce another, one n was worse than the other.


    It was no wonder that You was so angry that Zhou was also a Xia family.


    Looking at Ye Jiayao¡¯s face turned blue, You said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be angry. All those who should be dealt with have been dealt with. I believe no one will dare to talk again after today.¡±


    When You said that, there was still a malicious intent in her eyes. She rarely lost such a big temper, but it didn¡¯t mean that she was weak, and marquis house¡¯s reputation was more invible. She was not afraid to fight a life-and-death struggle.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to say that she should be personally responsible for severely cutting those shameless bitches.


    Staring at Xia Chunyu again, he seemed to know earlier, but he didn¡¯t tell her. No wonder she went out recently, everyone looked at her strangely and worried, afraid she couldn¡¯t bear it?


    You said, ¡°I don¡¯t think Zhou is so easy to send. I¡¯m sure she¡¯lle and cryter. Jinxuan, you can leave it alone and stay in your own room. I¡¯ll handle this matter. Chunyu, you stay. I have something to tell you.¡±


    This was what Ye Jiayao meant to avoid. Although Ye Jiayao was curious about what You wanted to say to Chunyu, she bowed her knees and retired first.


    Also did not return to the small courtyard, but waited outside the courtyard for Chunyu.


    Just now, she was furious. Now calmed down and thought about it. You¡¯s presence was the most appropriate and justified. She was somewhat embarrassed, even Chunyu¡¯s presence was not enough. People would say Chunyu was afraid of being said to be wearing a cuckold husband.


    Lin was divorced, which somewhat surprised Ye Jiayao. Didn¡¯t King Yu love Lin very much? As a result, he said divorced because he had been a gossip for one time. It was said that King Yu was too hard-hearted and too cold ¨C blooded. In his heart, the most important thing was to be ambitious, and all the people and things that hindered his progress would be abandoned and eliminated without hesitation.


    Of course, she was not sympathetic to Lin. She would not relent toward the enemy, and they bear the consequences if they did.


    As for Zhou, she was even less sympathetic.


    You scolded so well. She worshiped the ancestors of marquis house, and took advantage of marquis house¡¯s benefits but failed it, she deserved everything


    Forget it, since You can solve it, she would hide behind and be a victim once.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao left, You said to Chunyu, ¡°Did you hear about this?¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded: ¡°I heard of it.¡±


    You said, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me and just let them nder her at will?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°I thought that the innocent is self ¨C cleaning, and this rumor is very difficult to find. Could I still fight with others? Just ignore them. ¡±


    You was annoyed. ¡°Ignore? Can ignore it? Three people be tigers and all talk about it. You have always been a tantrum, but now you can bear it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu ttered: ¡°I just couldn¡¯t find a way to fight back, it¡¯s you strong enough to solve the problem easily.¡±


    This was ttering, but it was also in his mind. He didn¡¯t expect his mother to be very effective this time and used thunderous means. He didn¡¯t check and ask who said it. All the people he contacted were people who attached more importance to faith. It was already very difficult for him to pass on the words to his ears. It was a headless case for him.


    You felt better after most of gloomy days. ¡°I t was not your fault anyway. Women should solve women¡¯s cases,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°By the way, you have a good rtionship with Chunfeng since childhood. You brothers said everything to each other. Do you know what Chunjeng is thinking about Liuli now?¡±


    Chunyu hesitated for a moment and tried to say, ¡°Why? This matter also rted to Liuli?¡±


    You didn¡¯t answer directly, but she sighed heavily.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s brows locked, and sure enough, Liuli and Lin were birds of a feather.


    ¡°Chunfeng didn¡¯t say anything, but could see that he was unhappy.¡± Speaking of Chunfeng, Chunyu¡¯s mood wasplicated, guilty, distressed and helpless. Chunfeng and Liuli came to this step, although the main responsibility was Liuli, but it was he who caused it.


    You sighed, ¡°You can¡¯t go on like this if you find a chance to ask him. I don¡¯t want my son to suffer all his life.¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at his mother with consternation. Did she intend to help Chunfeng dissolve the marriage?


    He thought so too. All the things before were due to the queen mother. Now the queen mother was gone and the biggest backer of Liuli had fallen down. The emperor and queen would not blindly protect Liuli.


    If Liuli was so unrepentant, Chunfeng should not be buried in this marriage.


    Think of this, Xia Chunyu breathed smoothly. ¡°Yes, I will ask him well.¡±


    Out of You¡¯s room, Xia Chunyu saw Ye Jiayao and others in the cold wind, frowning. ¡°How do you stand in the wind?¡±


    He pulled up her small hand, it cold like ice, so he robed it again and again.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°What did mother tell you?¡±


    Xia Chunyu wrinkled his nose and said bitterly, ¡°Teach me that I¡¯m useless and can¡¯t even protect my wife.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°You can lie to me!¡±


    Xia Chunyu solemnly said, ¡°I really didn¡¯t lie to you. I heard the rumors but couldn¡¯t stop it. I think my actual action is the most powerful response to the rumors.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him in a daze. His eyes were clear and light, with vast soft waves and boundless depth. No wonder he apanied her every time she went out these days. There was still such an intention.


    Yeah, their mouth is on their face. As long as he believed in her, it would be ok. He fought back with double love. Although the effect was slow, it would make those who do evil more suffocating.


    ¡°I froze to death, hurry back!¡± Ye Jiayao decided not to tangle with this matter anymore. She just pretended nothing happened and kept on living.


    Xia Chunyuined lovingly: ¡°The body is just right. The doctor told you to keep warm. You just don¡¯t care about yourself ...¡±


    ¡°Oh, you are so wordy, wordier than the doctor.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯ll have a son for me earlier, and of course you¡¯ll have to be long ¨C winded.¡± Xia Chunyu muttered, but the corners of his mouth could not help bending a radian. Jiang said Yao¡¯s poison had been released, so long as he had a good recuperation, there was no problem with pregnancy. Therefore, this topic was not a taboo topic now.


    Ye Jiayao raised his eyes and stared at him: ¡°What if I can¡¯t?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said at leisure: ¡°Then you¡¯ll always have a baby.¡±


    Ye Jiayaounched a vicious attack and gave him a heavy twist on his arm: ¡°You treat me like a sow!¡±


    Through the thick cotton-padded clothes, her little strength, even if she tried harder, would at best be bitten by a mosquito. Xia Chunyu was exaggerating and crying, ¡°You murdered your husband!¡±


    Ye Jiayao knew that he was pretending and her raised her chin. She threatened: ¡°Do you want to do it again?¡±


    Xia Chunyu chuckled and said with a smile, ¡°Peony flowers die and ghosts are romantic. Come on,e on, and let¡¯s go. I will never resist, let you do whatever you want.¡±


    That smile looked evil, obviously not pure thought, hum! That¡¯s not what you deserve.


    This way was honey oil blending, while Zhou¡¯s was suffering in an oil pan.


    Sent Chunwen to invite the master toe and cry in the house. Yulian was worried and advised: ¡°Mother, you should go to plead guilty to Big Auntie at this moment. Talk to Big Auntie. As long as Big Auntie doesn¡¯t investigate, there is still room for change.¡±


    Zhou cried, ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. She has long been looking down on me. She has always wanted to drive me out of the house. This time, she got hold of me and the queen backed her up. She would punish me to death.¡±


    Yulian was so angry that she hadn¡¯t married yet. If her mother was kicked out of the house because of this, could she still find a good husband? Was there any family wants her?


    ¡°Or, asking second cousin sister ¨C in ¨Cw?¡±


    ¡°Bah, she is more difficult to talk than your big aunt. Besides, I provoked her this time, and she may hate me to death. ¡°The more Zhou thought, the more afraid she was, it was all dead end.


    Now she was really regretting it. It was herrd that won her heart. When the Liuli was stirred up, King Yu¡¯s side concubine lured her and promised repeatedly that nothing would happen, she really believed it. The result? They all fell down, and no one cared about her.


    In addition, thanks to my dear baby for rewarding my novel, I received so many rewards for the first time. I was moved and also thanked all the parents who supported it. It is because of your support that it will be more wonderful.

 Chapter 369 - End together

    <h4>Chapter 369: End together</h4>


    Xia Zhuoqin got the news and came back angrily. He tore open his throat and shouted, ¡± What¡¯s the matter? This has just stopped for a few days and you have got into trouble again?¡±


    Zhou cried, ¡°I¡¯m just talkative and follow the trend to talk about Jinxuan, and I don¡¯t know who are so wicked to put it on my head. Now my sister-inw is adamant and will force you to divorce me ...¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin was now at the time to have a bright official career, and he was familiar with the official department and had some contacts. If such a scandal spread out, it would be destructive.Today, he heard in the official department that even minister of the Ministry of Rites was ordered by the emperor to go home and think about it. He wasughing at him then, but he didn¡¯t expect it came to him so soon.


    ¡°Somebody else is wicked, I think you are the simpleton, how can you participate in this gossip? Do you forget that you are also from Xia¡¯s family. What you have said is worth a hundred sentences from others. What eldest sister-inw values most is marquis house¡¯s reputation. Can she not be angry with you?¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin¡¯s mind was still clear. As a Xia¡¯s family member, what Zhou had said was of great reliability. This was exactly what sister-inw was angry about.


    ¡± Then you think what should I do now? Don¡¯t you really want to leave me? I¡¯m your person, even if I die. If you dare to divorce me, I will kill myself in front of you. ¡± Zhou threatened.


    Chunwen knew that his mother was wrong, but the punishment was too severe. ¡± Father, you can¡¯t divorce mother. If you do, not only your son will not be able to lift his head, and you will also lose your face. What about my sister¡¯s marriage?¡±


    Yulian looked at her eldest brother gratefully, it was he who really knew her mind.


    Xia Zhuoqin said angrily: ¡°Need you tell me this? But others have enough reasons and your mother has really done something wrong.¡±


    ¡± Isn¡¯t it just to say a few gossips? Do I break thew? It¡¯s no big deal that I make promise to her and say I¡¯ll never do it again. Is she so cruel to force people to the impasse?¡± Zhou began to cry again with sobs.


    ¡°What are you crying for? Shut up for me. ¡± Xia Zhuoqin was very tired and shouted. He sat down and frowned.


    Zhou hurriedly shut up, like an old hen suddenly pinched her neck, and looked at the master with hope. If the master protected her, it might still be redeemed.


    Xia Zhuoqin was very upset, so he had to give his face to eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw. Losing face in front of his family was better than losing outside. His future, his son¡¯s future and his daughter¡¯s future were the most important.


    Xia Zhuoqin made up his mind and stared at Zhou in disgust: ¡± You have made a mistake yourself, and you should make amends to eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, whether kowtowing or kneeling in the ancestral hall. In short, you won¡¯t pass this time without being seriously punished.¡±


    Zhou nodded, ¡± I¡¯ll make amends.¡±


    As long as she could pass this threshold, she vowed that she would never fight the people there again in her life.


    In Jing ¡®an marquis house, You also called the marquis back, and the husband and the wife discussed the matter. The marquis firmly supported the idea of madam. Zhou was too unreasonable, and she was not worthy of being a Xia¡¯s Family.


    The husband and the wife were waiting for them, and soon after, Xia Zhuoqin and his wife came over.


    As soon as they entered the door, Xia Zhuoqin shouted out: ¡± kneel down!¡±


    Zhou¡¯s swollen eyes were red and tearful, and she knelt down, but her fat, oily face could not make a touching appearance with tears.


    ¡± You yourself has done a good job, and you exin to eldest brother and sister-inw today, if eldest brother and sister-inw don¡¯t forgive you, you will be driven away from Xia¡¯s family.¡± Xia Zhuoqin said angrily, taking a firm attitude to show that he wouldn¡¯t protect her faults.


    You were very clear that these two were ying hard tricks. She would watch the drama coldly.


    Zhou wiped her tears and sobbed, ¡°Eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, I¡¯m wrong. I really know I¡¯m wrong. When I have heard the gossip, I should have stopped them and argued with them, but I¡¯m afraid of offending people, so I have just said a few ambiguous words. Eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, please believe me, I definitely don¡¯t mean to deliberately nder Jinxuan, let alone destroy Xia¡¯s reputation. I know I¡¯m wrong. If some people talk nonsenseter, I ... I will definitely go up and fight with them.¡±


    You wanted tough when she was listening to Zhou. Zhou was really good at talking. After a few words, she picked out her responsibility. She was the main force behind the rumor storm and was a good dog beside Lin. Now she said she was just following the crowd and she did it for pleasure. She still pretended to try to fight against them.


    ¡± Zhou, these words, you can only cheat the third uncle. Today in front of the queen, several madams you discussed together revealed you out. Not only I but also the queen has heard what you have done clearly.¡± You said coldly.


    Xia Zhuoqin changed his face, what? Wasn¡¯t that what happened? Even the queen had known?


    You saw his brother-inw¡¯s reaction and knew she had guessed right. Zhou must have evaded the bad result in front of him. Otherwise, could he help her to y? After all, he valued his official career most. The matter was big enough to have affected his reputation as an official, could he calm down?


    ¡± Why? Third brother-inw doesn¡¯t know? Today, the emperor disposed of arge number of officials, saying that they can¡¯t even manage their own women. How can they be an official? Even King Yu doesn¡¯t hesitate to give up his side concubine, and you should consider it carefully. ¡± You looked at him with a sneer.


    ¡± You idiot, what do you say? Don¡¯t hesitate to speak out?¡± Xia Zhuoqin was nasty, let alone King Yu, the minister of the Ministry of Rites was a living example!


    When Zhou saw that her husband¡¯s attitude had changed greatly, she panicked and said, ¡± Really ... I haven¡¯t said anything. Those people deliberately frame me up.¡±


    You sank a track: ¡°Deliberately set you up? These people are questioned separately. What they say is the same as each other. Do you have enemies with them? Will they collude and unite to harm you? What qualifications and abilities do you have to let thosedies of imperial mandate to frame you? Zhou, you should put nonsense on some reasons as well, who do you think will believe this?¡±


    Zhou knew she couldn¡¯t hide it and kowtowed repeatedly. Now it was true, banging on the green tiles on the ground.


    ¡± I¡¯m?confused for a while. I have lost my head. Madam, you have a lot of grace. Give me a chance this time and I won¡¯t dare again. I swear, if I disrespect you again and say another word against Xia¡¯s family, I won¡¯t die well.¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin hadpletely forgotten the measures they discussed before they came. He was full of thoughts about whether he would be affected. The storm was too big and Zhou¡¯s actions were well known. If he didn¡¯t give up, he was afraid of losing more.


    The marquis, who had been silent, snorted: ¡± Some mistakes can be made, but others can not be made, young brother, this time she¡¯s wrong too far. As for the divorce, you can do it by yourself, but I have to say in front of you. If you don¡¯t divorce, you will have no rtionship with Jing ¡®an marquis house, whether you are honored or disrespectful, it has no rtions with us, and from then on I will issue a statement to let everyone know that there is no rtionship between you and me. If you divorce, then you will still be my brother of Xia Zhuofeng.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s face was pale. The marquis said easily, but the pressure was as heavy as a thousand catties. His attitude was clear and there was no room for discussion. Your husband and wife should move forward and backward together. Yes, he would never force, but his brother had no choice.


    Before marquis house and her, Zhou had no doubt that her husband would choose marquis house


    ¡°Lord, you can¡¯t! A day together as husband and wife means endless devotion the rest of your life, and we have shared weal and woe for so many years. I have borne children for you and worked hard for your family. You can¡¯t be so rude ... ¡± Zhou knelt beside her husband, grabbed his robe and cried out.


    Xia Zhuoqin¡¯s face was like a ck pot, and his steel teeth bit, and finally he was determined. ¡± How many times have I advised you, you always don¡¯t listen to me, and now you deserve the me. Who can you me?¡±


    Zhou burst into tears: ¡°Don¡¯t I do it all for you, for this family? Lin has said that as long as I do it, she will let King Yu promotes you to a higher position, and she will even care for Chunwen¡¯s future career. As well as Liuli, yes, she has said that as long as Jinxuan was driven away, she will be in charge of marquis house. Then, the two families can really be close to each other. I have made a mistake, but how about Liuli? Is she right? She has instigated me. Why should I be divorced, but she is all right?¡±


    Zhou angrily pointed to You: ¡± You hate me in your heart and take advantage of this opportunity to drive me out of Xia¡¯s family. You have a vicious heart. You don¡¯t deny ... you want to treat me with family rules, do you? So you should treat your daughter-inw first, then you treat me, otherwise, I refuse to obey ... ¡±


    On hearing this, You felt a sharp pain in her heart and his blood surged.


    Liuli in front of the queen today was so adamant and so calm that she said she did not participate. She did not believe it, but she still kept a little dim sum thought to believe her. However, Zhou knocked her little hope to pieces.


    Liuli, were you crazy?


    The marquis also looked at You with consternation, seeing that You¡¯s face turned white with anger. He knew that presumably Liuli had said these words.


    When Zhou saw that the two persons were frightened by her, she became bolder, and even if she died, she would have to drag a cushion.


    You took a deep breath, so they would have a final end today.


    ¡± Zhou, what you have said, can you dare to confront with Liuli face to face?¡± You sank a voice asked.


    Zhou wiped away tears and stretched her neck. ¡°Confrontation is confrontation. She harmed me first, and she couldn¡¯t stay out of it.¡±


    You exchanged nces with the marquis. The marquis lowered his head in grief. Liuli had kept going too far again and again. After all, it should be settled. Then they would make a decision together.


    After receiving the marquis¡¯s approval, You shouted, ¡°Auntie Sun, send someone to invite the third lord and the thirddy toe over immediately.¡±

 Chapter 370 - Confronted face to face

    <h4>Chapter 370: Confronted face to face</h4>


    Ye Jiayao knew when her uncle and aunt entered marquis house, but since You asked her to avoid, she went to y with Bao in the room apanied with Chunyu.


    Bao camest year at Mid ¨C Autumn Festival, now she was more than eight months old, because of her good health, long white tender, moist and bright, fleshy, especially fond ofughing, no one in the courtyard did not like her, even now she had be simply the mascot of marquis house.


    Even Chunguo that fellow had toe over to amuse her every day then to study. Of course, Ye Jiayao suspects that Chunguo ran to her every day was to eat. Big kitchen couldn¡¯t make many delicious food, and she didn¡¯t have so many restrictions in this small kitchen. Moreover, she was developing new dishes, Chunyu and Chunguo tried them, which were perfectly justified.


    Fortunately, this little guy went back to imperial academy after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and Ye Jiayao¡¯s ears were going to clean.


    At this time, Xia Chunyu was sitting on the bed, putting Bao on the bed and moving all the quilts to make room.


    ¡°Come on, Bao, climb over here and this is for you.¡± Xia Chunyu shook his rattle and coaxed Bao in an extremely gentle tone.


    Bao was already full of flesh and blood, wearing many clothes, and was very difficult to climb. Little fat legs stamped, two little fat ws patting the bed from time to time, with little face raised high and dark and watery big eyes staring at Xia Chunyu¡¯s rattle drum. She wanted it very much, but it was too tired....


    Xia Chunyu looked at Bao, who dressed in pink silks and satins, with a small cotton-padded jacket lined with white fox fur at the cuffs and a soaring braid on her head. She was trying to climb forward. Her eyes narrowed withughter.


    Little kids were so cute.


    ¡°Come on, Bao, a little harder will be enough ...¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s shook rattle rattled in front of Bao, saying, ¡°Rattle, shake, shake, Bao hears and run fast ...¡±


    Bao stretched out her hand so hard that she was almost there. As a result, the abominable uncle took the toy away again.


    Bao didn¡¯t like crying, but she just climbed on the bed and couldn¡¯t move. She looked piteously at Ye Jiayao, who was settling ounts, as if she were asking her aunt for help andining.


    Uncle was a big bad guy...


    Ye Jiayao smiled and gave Xia Chunyu a quick look: ¡°Enough, to cheat children so happily. Be careful that Bao doesn¡¯t like you anymore.¡±


    Xia Chunyu held Bao in his arms and said proudly, ¡°Bao won¡¯t dislike Uncle, wouldn¡¯t he?¡±


    The rattle was still shaking. Bao disdained to pie his mouth and reached to Ye Jiayao¡¯s arms.


    Ye Jiayao put down her pen, got up and said with a smile, ¡°Look, she doesn¡¯t want you anymore.¡±


    She plucked rattle and stuffed into Bao¡¯s hand and Bao was picked up. ¡°Let¡¯s go and y with Da Ji, Da Rui and ignore the bad uncle.¡±


    After struggling to climb back and forth for several times, Bao finally got what she wanted. She smiled, shook the rattle happily and shook to Xia Chunyu like a demonstration.


    Xia Chunyu quit: ¡°I¡¯ve been coaxing for half a day and still won¡¯t please her, Yaoyao, you can¡¯t teach children like this. She can understand.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know how much he liked Bao. How could he be a bad uncle?


    Bao was able to knit his nose at Xia Chunyu with great cooperation.


    Xia Chunyu became even more anxious: ¡°You see, she really understands.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gloated: ¡°She also knows that you are always lying to her. Don¡¯t you know that they can¡¯t be cheated? She tried hard so you¡¯re going to give her something. Look at you, you lied to her so many times to let her climb back and forth. Won¡¯t you change something?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was speechless, but felt that what Yao said was quite reasonable. At first, Bao was quite positive and began to bezy slowly. Well, he should learn from experience and teach their children well in the future.


    Xiangtao came near and said, ¡°Seconddy, Third master and Thirddy areing and going to the main courtyard.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard it and frowned, third uncle and third aunt hadn¡¯t gone yet, how chunfeng and Liuli came?


    Was it still rted to Liuli?


    It was rted to Liuli, Ye Jiayao was not surprised at all. It is strange to say that there was no Liuli here.


    How did Zhou take Lin¡¯s ce? It was the work of Liuli. Lin¡¯s n for this rumor nder maybe was the idea of Liuli.


    Xia Chunyu mused, ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll go and see.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to, mother didn¡¯t call us. Don¡¯t go. ¡°Ye Jiayao really didn¡¯t want to see the hateful face of Liuli again. It was the same every time. Tears of injustice and eyes of hatred were nothing to see.


    Xia Chunyu also thought about it. If mother wanted to be real today, one more person been present and Chunfeng would be more embarrassed.


    Just thinking about it, Chunli came running and said mysteriously, ¡°Second brother, have you heard? Third aunt seems to be having trouble with mother.¡±


    Chunyu patted the elder brother on the shoulder: ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go to the study and talk.¡±


    The brothers left shoulder to shoulder.


    Ye Jiayao handed Bao over to Xiangtao and let her carried her back to A Lian.


    Standing still, she thought, although she didn¡¯t want to see some people¡¯s faces, she was still very concerned about the results, and called Qiao Xi, charged a few words, Qiao Xi nodded knowingly and lifted the curtain and went out.


    When You sent someone to call and Liuli knew that there was a fierce battle today. Even if what she did was hidden, she would always leave a mark. She knew that what was done by night appeared by day, but she did it, she would not be afraid to expose herself one day if she did it. As long as she could do irreparable harm to Ye Jinxuan, she would also be willing to bear some consequences.


    At that time, she would just be criticized for ndering Ye Jinxuan by spreading rumors, and how could they deal with her? However, she didn¡¯t expect You¡¯s words in front of the queen to raise the issue directly to the level of marquis house¡¯s reputation. The queen also severely punished a group of people for this, and even Lin was beaten.


    While in the pce, You did not delve into the matter. Now she was called, and must be investigated.


    Liuli had made up her mind that it was none of her business. If you had the ability, you could produce evidence.


    Liuli felt that she could be justified, but she missed a move, Zhou, and she believed that Zhou¡¯s ability to pretend was definitely better than her. As long as Zhou didn¡¯t bite her, she still had the initiative.


    Therefore, when Liuli entered the door, she saw Zhou¡¯s vicious eyes shooting at her, her heart was very scary, her scalp was numb and she was crying out badly.


    But Chunfeng looked calm, calmly offering his father and mother and his third uncle greetings.


    He knew everything clearly as early as Liuli began to n. He struggled and tried to stop it, but finally chose silence because he knew that hatred for second sister-inw was the knot of Liuli. Even if everything was destroyed, she still had to do it at all costs.


    Then let her go. At the same time of choosing silence, he also chose to give up a painful marriage. He couldn¡¯t redeem this person and let go. Maybe he could wake up the Liulipletely or destroy herpletely. However, if he didn¡¯t do it, he would never know the result.


    Liuli was about toe forward to salute. You refused: ¡°Don¡¯t salute me. I can¡¯t stand your gift.¡±


    Liuli knee had been bent down, suddenly froze in there, continue not, get up not again.


    You said angry words. If she wants to take them seriously, it will show that she does not respect her elders. If she continues to salute, she will be too wronged.


    However, it was only a moment of hesitation, and Liuli stood up only after greeting.


    You said coldly, ¡°Zhou, she¡¯s here, and you have to made it clear face to face.¡±


    Zhou now hated Liuli, and she was well enough to have peace with sister-inw Jin Xuan. If it weren¡¯t for Liuli to lead her to see King Yu¡¯s side concubine, would she be like today?


    ¡°Zhao Liuli, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t do justice, I thought about it. What you said at the beginning was bullshit, that is to say, you want to use me as a gun. I can¡¯t fall well; you also don¡¯t expect to get away with it.¡±


    In Liuli¡¯s heart there was a storm raging, but this was not the first time she had seen such a scene. She had made herself miserable every time. So, today, whether she could pass the border or not, she had decided not to beg for mercy. She won¡¯t let Chunfeng divorce with her. Even if you wanted to do so, you would not be able to do so. In this life, no one would want to divorce her.


    Liuli said: ¡°what did aunt say? I can¡¯t understand a word.¡±


    The flesh on Zhou¡¯s angry face was shaking, pointing to the Liuli and saying: ¡°It was the day when she came to me to worship the ancestors on the eve of the New Year¡¯s Eve. She said what she heard inside information, and someone presented evidence of corruption and bribery when he was an official in Jingzhou. If he was known by the prince, the prince hated such officials most. Even if for the sake of Jing ¡®an marquis house¡¯s face, he wouldn¡¯t reuse him again. And King Yu was now soliciting talents. King Yu was not such a pedantic person, as long as he could sincerely be used by him, he would certainly be reused. ¡±


    ¡°I was persuaded by her remarks, andter she led me to see Lin. They promised me benefits, not only for the promotion of the master, but also for Chunwen¡¯s future. I was confused for a while, thought it was just a few bad words about Jinxuan and not a crime. Why should I offend Lin? Then things happened.¡±


    ¡°Everything was led by Liuli, this way was also an idea of Liuli, she encouraged Lin to do it, Liuli, dare you admit it?¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes fell on the Liuli¡¯s face uniformly, and they underestimated the Liuli when she was so urate in grasping the weakness of people¡¯s hearts and in a few words, she grabbed Zhou¡¯s seven inches and lured them with inducements. What made everyone surprise was that the mastermind behind the whole incident was not Lin but Liuli.

 Chapter 371 - What do you want to do

    <h4>Chapter 371: What do you want to do</h4>


    Liuli¡¯s cold face, slowly, burst with a smile,. Her eyes slightly turned, looking at Zhou,said in gentle tone, ¡± Third aunt, medicine can¡¯t be taken indiscriminately, words can¡¯t be ther, can someone prove what you said?You said it was my mastermind. Did you hear that?¡±


    Zhou paused and choked. On that day, Liuli said that she had something important to tell her. She sent all the servants out. there were only two of them in the room, and there was no the third person could hear it. Liuli did not make a statement even when discussing it in Yu Mansion , but Lin always said a few words and then looked at Liuli, especially when discussing details. The blind could see that Lin was listening to Liuli in this matter. Although Liuli did not speak, her head had nodded.


    ¡± Zhao Liuli, you had calcted, even if I have a certificate, I¡¯m afraid you will also say that it is all my people, and naturally help me to speak, who knows if I am persecuting it!¡± Zhou was smart once.


    Liuli said in light way, ¡± Aunt, Why do you attribute your own business to me? Want to curry favor with King Yu¡¯s side? did I pull you? Didn¡¯t you ask me to introduce you? I just introduced you, and on the right day when they were talking about it, you rushed forward and showed skills for fear that others would not value you. How many nces did I give you, did you see? You only want to spit and talk happily, but now you¡¯reining about me. Aunt, your ability to rake is not small!¡±


    Zhou was nearly angry to fell back, feeling infinite in her heart, vicious, this Zhao Liuli was the real poisonous woman!


    Everyone didn¡¯t speak, quietly listening, quietly watching, watching this dog-eat-dog drama.


    ¡± Zhao Liuli, I really didn¡¯t expect you to be such a person, but how can you justify it? The fact is that I can swear to heaven that every word I say today is more true than real gold and silver. If there is a false word, I won¡¯t die easily from lightning strikes in heaven.¡± Zhou¡¯s spirit is bitter and she swore to me.


    Liuli still said with ease: ¡± the third aunt, swear but be careful. God has ears. Be careful to go out and be struck by lightning.¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s heart had never been so calm. In the past, he repeatedly faced the excuses of Liuli, tears, hatred and helplessness in the face of his family. His heart was just like suffering in a pan of oil, and he felt ufortable because he liked this person, no matter how disappointed he was in his heart and how used he was in his mouth, he still liked her and didn¡¯t want to give her up.


    But at this moment, he was very grateful for the increasingly mature performance of Liuli, and the deeper and deeper calction shows that there was really no remedy for her. A person could be stupid, jealous and make temper. As long as her heart had a little kindness and a little awe, it could still be forgiven and saved, while Liuli had nothing left.


    Her foolishness was vicious foolishness, her temper was killing people. Her heart was not ck, it had gone.


    Zhou has always been a good talker and eloquent speaker. At this moment, she suddenly didn¡¯t know how to fight back. Her tone was suppressed in her chest and she only felt a fishy smell in her mouth and almost vomited blood.


    She had been framed to have nothing, and those who had hurt themselves are still standing there acting as if nothing were on their mind, making the best of their ability tough at things. How could she tolerate this?


    Suddenly, she remembered one thing and immediately got excited.


    Abruptly swallowed the fishy sweetness in her mouth, she sneered, ¡± Zhao Liuli, don¡¯t be proud of it too early. I know your mind better than anyone else. You hate not only Ye Jinxuan, but everyone in Jing¡¯an marquis house. You want not only to destroy Ye Jinxuan, but also to destroy the whole Jing¡¯an marquis house.¡±


    Liuli disdain with a cold hum, loose orpiment, no evidence, who would believe? Even if someone believed it in heart, what could they do with her?


    Zhou said to You, ¡± There¡¯s one thing that eldest brother and sister-inw don¡¯t know yet, do you? I also found it by ident!¡±


    You heart jumped, there was still a thing?


    The duke¡¯s face was ck, and his eyebrows turned into a chuan character.


    At that point, Zhou gave Liuli a nt with a winner¡¯s eyes.


    ¡± It was Mingxiu who gave birth a few days ago. Liuli quietly sent someone to inquire about what happened in Jing¡¯an marquis house. I said I don¡¯t know. In fact, I was also very curious. I also secretly inquired about and watched what happened here. Although Jinxuan gave a sealing order, but she was kidnapped and disappeared, and the house was panic ¨C stricken. Some people¡¯s mouths were not so secure. I knew the truth and was scared, but knew the significance after all. Even Yulian didn¡¯t dare to tell to. But I was more curious about what happened if Liuli knew the truth. Liuli has also eyes and ears in Jing¡¯an marquis house.¡±


    What Zhou said made the expression of Liuli be not so calm atst, and her face was obviously pale. Her hands hidden in her sleeve secretly held the silk handkerchief in her hand.


    The reaction of You and the duke were even greater, with a cold chill in both eyes, looking at Liuli.


    ¡± So, I let people pay more attention to this. As I expected, Cuiyan, who was just sent away by Mingxiu, immediately invited by Liuli. Liuli, Cuiyan is still hidden by you now, right? What will you say you were hiding Cuiyan for? Can¡¯t be to see her poor, and just kindly take her in?¡±


    Chunfeng was also frightened. He didn¡¯t even know about it. Xiaoya had no reason to hide it from him. As soon as there was a stir in the ss, Xiaoya would report it to him, that is to say, it was not even known to Xiaoya.


    ¡± Liuli, is this true?¡± You, at the moment, not only was anger, but also fear. Jinxuan was trying her best to cover this matter. The people of the whole Jing¡¯an marquis house were not even daring to mention it, because the consequences were serious. But Liuli hid Cuiyan. What did she want to do? You were afraid.


    Liuli tried to calm herself down. Yes, this was her limited card. If she didn¡¯t have a good end, she would also pull a person or even more.


    ¡± Mother, I don¡¯t know what the third aunt is talking about. I haven¡¯t seen Cuiyan.¡± Liuli denied it. It¡¯s not the time for aplete war.


    ¡± You haven¡¯t seen Cuiyan? You are lying to ghosts. Don¡¯t think I know nothing. I can recognize the servant in your house. Isn¡¯t it Mama Fu who took Cuiyan away?¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s face had be livid. He snapped, ¡± Liuli, where did you hide the Cuiyan?¡±


    Liuli was still awe-inspiring like dead mouse feels no cold, ¡± I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, don¡¯t pour any dirty water on me, will you?You believe what she says?¡±


    Zhou schadenfreude said: ¡°If you want someone not to know, you should do nothing. Chunfeng, you will know all about it if you call Mama Fu to ask?¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s steel teeth were clenched and he stared bitterly at Liuli, ¡± Will you say it yourself or I ask Mama Fu?¡±


    She had already hurt the second sister-inw time and time again. This time, she was holding Cuiyan in her hands. Her mind was unpredictable. Saying she takes Cuiyan in with any kind intention, everyone wouldn¡¯t even believe that. He must not let her hurt eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, or anyone in this family.


    Liuli knew it couldn¡¯t be concealed. Mama Fu was faithful to her, but Chunfeng was in Dali Temple. There are plenty of ways to pry open a person¡¯s mouth.


    Liuli took a deep breath and smiled mournfully: ¡± Chunfeng, have you been waiting for today?Do you think you can hold me firmly if you have Xiaoya as your eyes and ears? You know what I¡¯ve done, but you don¡¯t stop it, you just want to wait until this time and then dismiss me with justification, do you?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was shocked. She knew that?


    ¡± Do you think I¡¯m really stupid enough to be hopeless?After the lesser came back, it was not the same as before. Do you know where the problem is?You both think you hide well, but Xiaoya¡¯s eyes are different from yours, you know? Women¡¯s intuition is very sensitive. ¡± Liuli smiled more bleak.


    ¡± I know you don¡¯t like it anymore, even, my existence makes you suffer, but you can¡¯t stop me, because you don¡¯t have enough reason. Chunfeng, I really want to repent, want to live well with you, want to give up hatred. even if you just perfunctory me, I can also give myself a reason for self ¨C deception, but you don¡¯t even want to perfunctory, your eyes look like looking at a snake, you are as cold as iron to me, even the chill of December is not as cold as your heart, all this attributes to Ye Jinxuan, and to every one in this house.¡±


    ¡± What do you think is your pain, what do you think is your injustice helpless, who do you think about my feelings? Being rejected by own husband and hated as strangers, being rejected by her parents-inws and hated sothat haveto leave this home, only the queen mother really loves me in this world. The queen mother has gone. Who else do I have?When Xiaoya came back, how happy I was to finally have a speaker, but she was your eyes and ears ... ¡±


    ¡± This rectified, how did I get through it, you know? Every night, I weep silently. Although being surrounded by so many people, I know that I am only one person, lonely and lonely, how much my heart hurts and how cold do you know?¡±


    Liuli¡¯s eyes were full of tears, but she stubbornly refused to let tears drip down. She was Zhao Liuli, once the most delicate monarch in Jinling City, and her pride was born. Even if she was spurned by ten thousand people, she would hold her head high and maintain her pride.


    What was more, she knew that her tears had not touched anyone¡¯s heart here. They would only say that she deserved it.


    Yeah, she took the me herself, so what? Her life was turned upside down from the moment Ye Jinxuan appeared. Why couldn¡¯t she deal with Ye Jinxuan and why couldn¡¯t she hate Ye Jinxuan?


    ¡± Whose fault is it that caused this situation today? Didn¡¯t I give you a chance? It¡¯s only three. Do you understand? If you hadn¡¯t let everyone down and despair over and over again, how could you have reached the point where you are today?¡± Xia Chunfeng said sadly.

 Chapter 372 - Lose

    <h4>Chapter 372: Lose</h4>


    Liuli smiled wryly and tears in her eyes almost fell down. She looked up at the beautifully carved patterns on the beams, which were exactly a pair ofcondom.


    No woman didn¡¯t want to meet a man she loved deeply; in the mean time he deeply loved her. She met, but she grew up and everything was too easy. So when she met, she didn¡¯t know it was what she wanted most. When she understood it, it was toote, lost, unable toe back, persistent, unable to get it, love was empty, and hated alone.


    But so what? She was in hell, so all the people she hated and loved came down with her! She didn¡¯t care about anything.


    When a person didn¡¯t care about anything, what else was there to be afraid of?


    Liuli just smiled slightly and looked at Chunfeng, but her smile did not make people feel warm at all. Instead, it had a creepy cold, and the light words seemed toe from the distant margin and also from the nihilistic underground abyss, in a low voice: ¡°Yes, who is to me?¡±


    ¡°Well, Cuiyan was hidden by me, what can you do? In this world, only I know where she is and tell you a good news by the way.¡±


    Liuli¡¯s eyes turned to You and the duke with a bright smile, which was the winner¡¯s smile: ¡°Congrattions to father and mother, you are going to be grandparents again, and Cuiyan already has the eldest brother¡¯s child in her belly.¡±


    ¡°You talk nonsense. The doctor had shown Cuiyan that she is not pregnant at all. Your move is useless,¡± Chunfeng rejected.


    Liuli said tepidly, ¡°There is such a coincidence in this world that Cuiyan lied and wanted to use her child to get a concubine¡¯s name, but it was a pity that Ye Jinxuan saw through it.¡±


    ¡°I have to say, Ye Jinxuan is thoughtful, funny thing is, because she hired a doctor to expose the lies of Cuiyan, the eldest sister-inw will be so relieved to send Cuiyan away, so that Cuiyan and her children in her belly will escape, leaving another blood line for your Xia family. ording to Cuiyan¡¯s own memory and the doctor¡¯s spection, it was when the queen mother died when she was pregnant ...¡±


    All the people present were stunned by the news.


    If Liuli was true, then what she held in her hand was a card that could deal a heavy blow to marquis house. Of course, marquis house won¡¯t fall because of this mistake. It was a big deal that marquis house falls on the charge of didn¡¯t teach children well, and marquis house once again became aughing stock. However, Chunli¡¯s future waspletely destroyed. The queen mother died, the whole country mourned, while Chunli was trapped in the gentle vige and made love, and not with his wife....


    ¡°Of course, it didn¡¯t rule out that Cuiyan¡¯s memory was wrong, or the doctor¡¯s diagnosis was wrong, wait until the melon was ripe. Naturally, it will be clear. ¡°Liuli threw a word lightly.


    Zhou was surprised, Zhao Liuli in her eyes, had always been a woman of high stature but no use, but now, at this moment, this conclusion had beenpletely overturned, and it had to be said that Liuli was a cruel person.


    But then, she saw the hope. Obviously, You had no way to take Liuli. You dare not move Liuli as long as she couldn¡¯t find Cuiyan. Even if Chunli was born out of themon family, he was the eldest son of marquis house. You¡¯s most important thing was the reputation of marquis house, and the duke was less likely to watch his eldest son be destroyed.


    Even if the Liuli was lying, You and the duke dare not take this risk.


    As long as the Liuli was safe, what could You do with her? The rabbit still bites when it¡¯s urgent, the dog jumps over the wall when it¡¯s urgent. Forcing her to be urgent, she would rather fight a losing battle. The eldest brother¡¯s family had suffered more than her family¡¯s.


    After thinking about thisyer, Zhou¡¯s waist and back were straight up.


    Only in seconds, You had thoroughly analyzed all aspects and interests involved in the whole matter.


    She belittled Liuli. This woman had changed from simple paranoia to scheming deep schemer, a cunning snake.


    Chunfengmented in his heart that he could not go any further when he came to this step.


    ¡°Mother, if nothing happens, the daughter-inw will go back first. Today is the 77th day of the Queen Mother¡¯s Day. The daughter-inw will go back to pray for the Queen Mother to express my grief.¡± Liuli looked at You calmly.


    You was speechless, but her anger rushed up and pressed down, and finally she could only say: ¡°Since the matter has been exined clearly, forget it, I hope you will take good care of Cuiyan, after all, she is pregnant with Xia Family¡¯s blood.¡±


    What was supposed to be a sure thing ended up being aplete failure.


    She couldn¡¯t make a move until the news of Cuiyan had been confirmed.


    Liuli blessed a gift, also did not look at Chunfeng, proudly walked away.


    Zhou also said, ¡°Eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, then we also left.¡±


    No one in the room spoke or moved.


    Zhou tore at the master: ¡°Sir, there is no more business for us here. Don¡¯t you go?¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin¡¯s brain was still a bit too small to turn over. Was this the end of the matter? He didn¡¯t have to divorce Zhou anymore? Eldest brother eldest sister-inw didn¡¯t pursue anymore?


    ¡°Go quickly, maybe you still want to stay for dinner?¡± Zhou tore at the master and left.


    You watched the two men leave and couldn¡¯t help it any longer. One mouthful blood gushed out.


    Chunfeng and the duke both changed their faces greatly, and they eximed aloud.


    ¡°Madam ...¡±


    ¡°Mother ...¡±


    Half an hourter, Ye Jiayao and Qiao Mingxiu came out of You¡¯s room.


    The three young masters of the Xia family stepped forward and asked in a hurry, ¡°How¡¯s the mother?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°She¡¯s better. The doctor said she was urgent to anger and attacked the heart. Don¡¯t let your mother worry anymore these days.¡±


    Chunli blinked his eyes and squeezed out two drops of tears, ming himself: ¡°I¡¯m to me, I¡¯m to me for this, and I¡¯m unfilial ...¡±


    Of course, you were to me. If it weren¡¯t for your obsession and disaster, today¡¯s mother wouldn¡¯t have been vomiting blood by Liuli and Zhou¡¯s anger. Moreover, it was not over yet. Cuiyan¡¯s existence was a time bomb and didn¡¯t know when it would explode.


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. If I hadn¡¯t relented and released Cuiyan, there wouldn¡¯t have been a disaster today.¡± Qiao Mingxiu also began to cry.


    Ye Jiayao sighed, ¡°I can¡¯t me you. Can you still kill Cuiyan? If you were so cruel, you would not be Qiao Mingxiu.¡±


    Don¡¯t say Qiao, the same thing was in front of Ye Jiayao. She would also make the same decision. Cuiyan was abominable, but she should not die of sin.


    If you wanted to me, you could only me Liuli. This woman was too abnormal.


    Chunfeng sat down and looked annoyed.


    Xia Chunyu silently said, ¡°Everybodye to me and discuss what to do next.¡±


    Cuiyan, a hidden danger was not solved and everyone was not safe.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Don¡¯t discuss it, Chunfeng. You can¡¯t solve the problem by rallying your spirits and dejectedly. If you want to be free and want to be yourself, go back now and see if there is any way to find out the whereabouts of Cuiyan. Give us news at any time.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng gathered his eyes and bit his lip, then got up and went out.


    Yes, he couldn¡¯t be so frustrated. He couldn¡¯t be led by Liuli. He couldn¡¯t let Liuli hurt his family any more. Therefore, he must find Cuiyan as soon as possible.


    ¡°Eldest brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, you don¡¯t have to worry. Things can always be solved. As long as you are good in the future, it is filial piety to stop worrying about your father and mother.¡±.


    Chunli nodded sadly: ¡°I don¡¯t think my father¡¯s condition is very good either. Why don¡¯t I stay with my father, Mingxiu, you stay to serve mother.¡±


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t object. Chunli knew his father was in a bad mood. He was even angrier when he saw him. He might beat him up, but he still chose to stay, indicating that he had the courage to face the problem.


    ¡°Well, the father and mother will be handed over to you. Chunyu, you also stay. I¡¯ll do something ande backter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was afraid of the duke¡¯s anger and needed a personal presence to ease it. Chunyu had the heaviest weight in the duke¡¯s mind. He would still hear Chunyu¡¯s words.


    Xia Chunyu worried, ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡°I went to dispel the possibility that some people may form an alliance.¡±


    Xia Chunyu understood. Ye Jiayao was going to look for third aunt.


    She did go to Zhou.


    At the moment, Zhou was fighting with his master.


    ¡°You want to divorce me? You are a useless thing. Don¡¯t me me if you dare to do the first day of the new year.¡±


    Xia Zhuoqin¡¯s heart heaved with rage, and both sides of his chest hurt. She was a bitch who made a mess of herself and made him so passive and incredibly arrogant.


    But he was also controlled by Zhou. For more than 20 years, he had learned Zhou¡¯s arrogance countless times and knew her temper well. As long as she still had a little reliance on it, she would dare to go to the house and expose the tiles.


    The matter of Chunli was Zhou¡¯s reliance. Zhou may not care about Xia¡¯s family, but he had to, because his surname was Xia.


    As the saying goes, ¡°One loss, all losses,¡± he clearly understood that he could get along well in the official department, not because he was capable, but because he was Jing ¡®an duck¡¯s brother.


    ¡°Do you think I want to ah, you didn¡¯t see eldest brother and eldest sister-inw so firmly, didn¡¯t even admit me this brother, what could I do? Speaking, it¡¯s all because you don¡¯t have a brain, and you get hot-headed in a hub. Please have a longer thought, a higher heart, no skill, and make less trouble outside. Otherwise, I will not spare you. ¡°Xia Zhuofeng, as the master of the family, still needed prestige. This was obviously Zhou¡¯s fault. She would ride his neck in this way, and would not be more arrogant in the future?


    Xia Zhuofeng said it, brushed his sleeves angrily and strode away.


    Zhou opened her mouth and wanted to shout, but thought about it and forgot it. God bless her, she could still stay at home and continue to be her assistant minister¡¯s wife.


    The maid came in and told her, ¡°Seconddy is here.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s heart suddenly hit a chug, why did Ye Jinxuan came to find her? Did she settle ounts with her?

 Chapter 373 - Talk about

    <h4>Chapter 373: Talk about</h4>


    Zhou was guilty and did not dare to see Ye Jinxuan. She said, ¡± I have a headache and I can¡¯t lie down.¡±


    ¡°The third aunt, how?Don¡¯t want toment on me?¡± Ye Jiayao came in smiling.


    Zhou looked embarrassed and said, ¡± Why?¡± I really have a headache. I feel dizzy watching today¡¯s incident.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat down with a slight smile without waiting for her to say hello.


    Zhou passed a wink to the maid, who rushed to make tea.


    Ye Jiayao took tea, tasted it slowly, and did not speak. Zhou¡¯s heart was in a state of turmoil. She sat and said nothing as soon as she arrived. What was this?Whether Ye Jinxuan came on behalf of herself or on the orders of her sister ¨C in ¨Cw?


    Zhou said weakly, ¡± Jinxuan, this time it¡¯s me confused, I am sorry for you, three aunts promise, not next time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was quietly putting invisible pressure on Zhou, who still had marquis in her heart and cared about this family. It was not hopeless yet. It would decide what she was talking about today.


    Now she finally heard what she wanted to hear, Ye Jiayao slowly put down the teamp and said lightly, ¡± I often make mistakes when no one is confused, but I am absolutely unambiguous on major issues, because some mistakes can¡¯t be undone.¡±


    ¡± Yes, such a muddle-headed three aunts never dare tomit any more,¡± Zhou said with smile.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± It can¡¯t all be med on you. You will only be used for the sake of the future of your husband and your sons. The so-called care is messy, so I came here specially to talk to you.¡±


    Zhou listened to what she said, and the stones in her heart slowly fell down.


    ¡± Third aunts, in fact, the most serious thing you did was not nder me, but ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao said this and paused.


    Zhou¡¯s heart suddenly raised again: ¡± What is it?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at her quietly and said, ¡± It¡¯s a great bluff. Coloured ze bluffed you with the third uncle¡¯s affairs in Jingzhou. You immediately believed it and you were led by the her. In case something really happened to him one day, it would not have been a big deal. If you were so easy to be bluffed, then ... the small thing would be a big deal and the big deal would be irreparable.¡±


    Zhou¡¯s heart was of a cold mind.


    Ye Jiayao went on: ¡± Said bluntly, you are guilty of a guilty conscience and don¡¯t y by yourself.¡±


    Zhou was scared again. Yes, she was guilty, afraid and sending evidence to others.


    ¡± To say the least, if someone really exposes third uncle, and makes third uncle disliked by the prince, but the prince will at least care about Jing ¡®an marquis house¡¯ s fame, not delve into it, big deal, no longer reuse it, what the prince knows, how can King Yu not know?What is the purpose of his courting you at the moment?Just against me?Third aunts, what you think is too simple. Even if King Yu reuse third uncle at the moment, the ultimate goal is to deal with Jing ¡®an marquis. If Jing ¡®an marquis falls down, do you think King Yu will reuse an official who is not innocent?Can you even sell your brother for the future title?Once he gets to the top, I¡¯m afraid the first people to be solved are those like third uncle.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said slowly, with a nd tone but heavy content.


    Zhou¡¯s surprise broke out in a cold sweat, yes!Why didn¡¯t she think about thisyer, when King Yu kicked down thedder, it wasn¡¯t a dead end yet?


    ¡± Third aunt, you must know that the master and the duke are brothers of a mother¡¯spatriot, blood is thicker than water, and they are melons on a vine. If the vine is cut off, no one will live. If Jing¡¯an marquis falls down, it will be a disaster for everyone, under the cover of the nest, there will be no eggs.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s tone was dignified.


    Zhou not only nodded repeatedly, but she was not stupid. She just made a fool of herself for a while. Ye Jinxuan said so. What else did she not understand?


    ¡± When the teeth still bite into the tongue, the family bumps and bumps, and having the problem it¡¯s all family business. It won¡¯t hurt the muscles and bones and won¡¯t kill anyone. But if the teeth bite into the tongue, they¡¯ll pull out the teeth or cut the tongue, wouldn¡¯t it be happy for the enemy and sad for the rtives?¡±


    Zhou nodded again.


    ¡± My mother-inw why so angry this time, can¡¯t hold you?You said she was only thinking of herself and trying to relieve herself?Third aunt, this is really not the case. You know that you and your mother-inw have been in constant dispute over the years, but what¡¯s the most frequently said sentence by your mother-inw you know?My mother-inw told me every time that she was a family. What else could she really care about?¡±


    ¡± My mother-inw is afraid this time that you will hurt uncle and the whole marquis family,¡± Ye Jiayao said sadly.


    Zhou was ashamed. ¡± I see. I¡¯ll make amends with my sister-inwter.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡± It¡¯s good for you to understand. The family is twisted into a rope and everyone depends on each other. Only when you are not happy in the past can they be allowed to pass by. Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s good to take warning.¡±


    ¡± Yes, I will never do anything stupid again. This time, I am really sorry for you.¡± Zhou became more ashamed.


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± Gossip, I won¡¯t take it to heart, but it¡¯s only this time. This time, my mother-inw is trying to protect me and won¡¯t let me show up. Next time, if anyone dares to plot against me, then I¡¯ll let her try my means, but I¡¯m not as good as my mother ¨C in ¨Cw.¡±


    This was a tant intimidation, which should be first moved by emotion and then understood by reason, but for some people, it still needed to be intimidated by absolute threat.


    Either not fighting and definitely strike the enemy without the ability to strike back.


    Zhou¡¯s facial muscles twitched. How could you not recognize Ye Jinxuan¡¯s warning? Speaking, at Xia¡¯s house, it was not the eldest sister-inw but this grandniece ... Ye Jinxuan who really let her fear.


    How many times, it seemed that she was going to be in desperate straits, but she can always miraculously recover the situation, which was a person¡¯s ability and a person¡¯s luck.


    Coloured ze hated her, but time and time again it will only make her even more awkward. The queen mother didn¡¯t like her, and now she was gone. On the contrary, Ye Jinxuan was liked by the emperor, maintained by the queen, made friends with her, and supported by the ancestor of Hector¡¯s pce. As far as this storm was concerned, the queen had disposed of so many people for her. From now on, who dared to dismiss her?


    Everyone had an abacus in his heart, and so did Zhou. She had made up her mind not to provoke Ye Jinxuan again in the future, or she would definitely not have any good fruit of her own.


    Ye Jiayao saw Zhou¡¯s reaction and knew that today¡¯s goal had been achieved. He said with a smile: ¡± Third aunt, what will happen in the future can be discussed with me. If I can help you, I will give you advice. They are all family members.¡±


    ¡± Yes, after that, you will have to bother you more,¡± Zhou said with a shy smile.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and got up to say goodbye: ¡± You should rest first when they feel dizzy. However, you and my mother-inw might as well untie the knot earlier. You are family, nothing can¡¯t be said.¡±


    At this moment, Ye jiayao used her honorific title ¡± you¡± to reassured Zhou.


    If people like Zhou can¡¯t be solved at one time, it was better to turn war into peace. Not to say how capable Zhou was, it was just helpless. Sometimes a mouse excrement can stir up a mess. Fortunately, Zhou cared about her family. This was a weakness and an advantage.


    After returning from Zhou¡¯s visit, Ye jiayao went to the main courtyard again. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Chunli kneeling in the courtyard, his face swollen high, apparently with the iron palm of the duke.


    However, Chunli¡¯s eyes were only ashamed and not resentful. Ye jiayao was relieved that the family was experiencing an unprecedented crisis. at this time, we all family could not take any wrong ideas again.


    When they entered the house, Chunyu and the duke were absent. The maid said they were in the study.


    Ye Jiayao nodded and went in to see You.


    I saw You sighing there, while Qiao sat on the edge of the bed wiping away tears.


    When You saw hering, she said to Qiao, ¡± Go and let Chunli get up, and you also go back to look after Zhuangzhuang.¡±


    Qiao understood that the mother-inw had something to say to her sister ¨C in ¨Cw.


    When Qiao went out, Ye Jiayao sat down in the position where Qiao sat just now, softly saying, ¡± Mother, you¡¯ll have peace of mind and don¡¯t think much.¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t expect coloured ze to be like this today.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was silent, yes, she didn¡¯t think of it. She felt that she was the stronger she could not fight and press down, the braver she was in the Vietnam War. Unexpectedly, the same as coloured ze, who had been defeated again and again, but now she was getting more and more interested.


    ¡± Jinxuan, you must find a way to find Cui Yan, and the children in her belly can¡¯t keep,¡± You gnashed her teeth.


    Although the child was also the blood of the Xia, the child of Xia we can¡¯t keep.


    Ye Jiayao understood and even agreed that although she believed it was cruel to deprive an unformed small life, she had to put the overall situation first. This child was a scourge to the Xia.


    However, now everything was still unknown, even if the child may not exist, who can guarantee that coloured ze was not cheating? As long as she hided emerald smoke for one day, the mystery would not be solved, and it would always be the most powerful card in coloured ze¡¯s hand.


    ¡± Well, the daughter-inw knows that the daughter-inw will find a way to solve this matter,¡± Ye Jiayao promised.


    ¡± You have to be careful, too. I see that coloured ze¡¯s hatred of our marquis house is bottomless. You didn¡¯t see it. Today she looks so cold at Chun Feng. It¡¯s as if it¡¯s freezing.¡± You were worried.


    Was it?That meant that coloured ze had lost heart to Chunfeng, perhaps even Chun feng hated it.


    She understood the obstinacy of coloured ze and never knew how to regress. She only knew how to move forward, even if it was an abyss, she would fall to pieces.


    Such obstinacy was terrible and tragic.


    You also saw this, so she was worried, fearing to force coloured ze to rush and burn it.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, I can handle that.¡± Ye Jiayao said.

 Chapter 374 - The enemy is the one who knows you best

    <h4>Chapter 374: The enemy is the one who knows you best</h4>


    You was angry and vomited blood this time caused serious injury and needed rest. Ye Jiayao asked mother Sun to take good care of You and went out first.


    Outside, Chunli was still kneeling. He did not dare to get up, nor did he dare to get up. His father had just kicked him and scolded him. The reason why he was punished so lightly was because everyone thought the crisis had been resolved, but now...


    Chunli regretted that he still had a little miss and nostalgia for Cuiyan. But now it disappeared at all. The woman seduced him with her gentle and lovely means and sweet words, saying she was not ask for fame and share. As long as she could serve him in this life, she was willing even to be a ve and a menservant ... As a result, she came to make trouble when she was least supposed to, and been with the people she shouldn¡¯t be with.


    Cuiyan was not desperate. Qiao¡¯s softhearted couldn¡¯t help his pleading. She even gave her a generous settlement fee, asking her to leave Jinling and never appear again. If she could save that money, it would be enough for the rest of her life.


    But she chose to go with Liuli and became a sharp weapon against marquis house.


    The softhearted ended up with endless troubles.


    This time, Chunli was really ashamed. He was greedy and shameless, he could fear, could be angry but rarely ashamed. However, now he was ashamed and wished to dig a hole and bury himself.


    So, no matter how Qiao persuaded him and passed on his mother, he could not get up. He knew that if he could not let his father see his determination to correct this time, his fate would be miserable and he would really be abandoned by his father.


    The duke Xia Zhuofeng and his second son Chunyu came out after discussion and saw that he was still kneeling in the courtyard, his burning anger finally calmed down. He walked over with a straight face and shouted grumpily, ¡°Why is he still standing here? Get out of my way. ¡±


    In normal times, he had slipped away, but now he didn¡¯t dare to move and was ready to get one foot.


    Xia Zhuofeng angrily scolded, ¡°You bastard, do you want to angry me to death?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°Eldest brother, you should go back first!¡±


    Chunli looked at his second brother and then at his father and said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯ll go to kneel in the ancestral hall.¡±


    He said, struggling to get up and limped away.


    Xia Zhuofeng said in a muffled voice, ¡°Damn it he is still stubborn with me.¡±


    ¡°Father, eldest brother really knows that he is wrong this time.¡±Chunyu said. He understood eldest brother¡¯s temper, he would never had been such a performance if he hadn¡¯t been really scared and ashamed.


    Xia Zhuofeng also wanted to scold him. He looked up and saw Ye Jiayao standing under the porch and forcefully swallowed what he wanted to said to Chunyu. ¡°You and Jinxuan didn¡¯t eat. Go to eat first. You¡¯re not hungry, but you also need to take care of Jinxuan¡¯s body.¡±


    Chunyu nodded, ¡°I will have the food deliveredter.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng did not object and went into the house with his hand behind his back.


    Ye Jiayao strolled up slowly: ¡°What countermeasures did you discuss with dad?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stretched out his hand and took her by the waist as he walked: ¡°First prepare for the worst, no matter whether the matter can be solved in the end or not, how will it be solved. Father wants eldest brother to stay outside for a few years and experience.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was slightly surprised, but thought about it, this was really a good way to leave Jinling for shelter. Even if the incident happened, the emperor would need time to ask for guilt and recall people to confront him. With this buffer, they could handle it calmly and get things done slowly. Moreover, this would enable Chunli to avoid the inevitable political storm. Chunli¡¯s character was actually weak andcks definite views. It had no benefit at all to stay in Jingling. If he was being used, he would be in trouble.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡°There should be no problem,¡± said Ye Jiayao.


    Today, she had clearly analyzed all the interests with Zhou. Zhou valued interest most. As long as she understood that she was firmly tied to marquis house, she should not have changed her mind again.


    The strongest fortresses tend to disintegrate from the inside, and the decision she and the duke made today was based on this understanding. Only when the internal unrest was resolved first and the fist was clenched in unison with the outside can there be no worries.


    Dinner was delivered from the kitchen, but neither of them had much appetite for it. As soon as the chopsticks were put down, Chunfeng came.


    He brought two pieces of bad news.


    First, when he returned, Sister Fumitted suicide.


    Second, Little Ya was given dumb medicine. Fortunately, he went back in time and snatched half a bowl of medicine. Otherwise, Little Ya could not speak any more in her life. Now she was sent for medical treatment and it was unclear to what extent she could recover.


    When Chunfeng said that, he was all over with rage, and hatred in his eyes was monstrous.


    The hatred was still general, to be exact, killing, he wanted to kill.


    Ye Jiayao was shocked. She could understand Chunfeng¡¯s anger, because Liuli was so hateful, but Chunfeng¡¯s hate reached such a level that it was beyond her expectation. After all, it was the woman he had loved, and Liuli hurt her, and also angered You to vomit blood. Chunfeng did not hate to kill anyone.


    Was there something she didn¡¯t expect? Was it because of Little Ya?


    Last time Little Ya suggested to her that she thought Little Ya was a conscience discovery and did not want to help the Liuli to do evil anymore. Today she only learned that Little Ya was saved by Chunfeng, and that Little Ya¡¯s return to the Liuli was to be the eyes and ears of Chunfeng.


    Forget it. We¡¯ll talk about itter. The most urgent dy now was to find Cuiyan. If they couldn¡¯t find Cuiyan, it was useless to say anything.


    ¡°Where do you think Liuli will hide people?¡± Chunyu frowned and asked.


    Chunfeng shook his head. He was upset now and couldn¡¯t guess where the Liuli would hide people.


    Ye Jiayao held Chunyu¡¯s shoulder in one hand and shook her head at him.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡°Which hospital is Little Ya in now?¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s eyes shed a look of chagrin: ¡°In Qingchun Hall.¡±


    Ye Jiayao mused, ¡°You go and take over the people now! Let her live with me. It is more convenient and safe to ask a doctor.¡±


    Chunfeng palpitated for a moment, suddenly got up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll pick her up.¡±


    Chunfeng hurried in and out.


    Chunyu also felt there was something wrong with it, but could not say it.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡°Can¡¯t you see it? Chunfeng cares about Little Ya very much. If you don¡¯t put Little Ya in ce, Chunfeng¡¯s heart won¡¯t settle down.¡±


    Chunyu raised his eyebrows and looked unbelievably at Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao picked her eyebrows like he did and said, ¡°Trust a woman¡¯s intuition, especially mine.¡±


    Chunyu scoffed in his heart andmented, ¡°Believe your intuition? Do you have a good intuition? When Little Jing liked you, you foolishly regard Little Jing¡¯s love as brother¡¯s love. ¡±


    ¡°Hey, what are you looking at?¡± Ye Jiayao said crossly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. I just think you have a bright eye.¡± Xia Chunyu dared not speak out and asked for punishment.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t think about his real idea, and thought, ¡°This was done by Mother Fu and killed Mother Fu, her clue is broken. People will definitely not be in the house. The industry outside is the three hundred fertile fields. The fief is far away in Huaibei, and there are seven loyal officials over there who were in charge. So we could not leave out the possibility that Liuli will ce people in the fief.¡±


    ¡°There is also a possibility that she is still in Jinling, but Liuli has few friends in Jinling, it was also a matter of interest to Lin. It is impossible to have a heart-to-heart rtionship with Liuli. She let Sister Fu do it; Sister Fu once worked in Ninghe Pce, would she be arranged in the old pce?¡±


    Chunyu¡¯s eyes brightened: ¡°This possibility is even greater.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡°Well, let¡¯s take Three ¨C pronged approach.¡±


    Chunyu was startled: ¡± Three ¨C pronged approach? Not two possibilities?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said: ¡°It is not ruled out that Liuli will rent a secluded house outside to hide people. Although this possibility is very small, because such an important card will surely be ced in the most reliable hand, we can¡¯t be careless. As long as there is a little possibility, we can¡¯t let go.¡±


    ¡°So, on the other side of the fief, you go to find a way. To search Jinling City, you will ask Ninth Lord for help. The Ninth Lord¡¯s people are omnipresent, which house is for rent, and his people are convenient to search. As for the old imperial family, I¡¯ll ask Yide princess for help, which is easy to find.¡±


    Chunyu caressed his palm and looked at Ye Jiayao with a look of admiration. He slurped, ¡°Yaoyao, you are a female Zhuge. If no one can be found under these three rules, my name is reversed.¡±


    At the same time, he alsoments: Liuli, you are barking up the wrong tree.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said angrily, ¡°Don¡¯t swear in a hurry, and think about it again. Is there any other possibility, otherwise, your surname will be reversed, and my son will not be reversed in the future? I don¡¯t know what Xia characters are reversed.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there is no such possibility. You have thoroughly analyzed the psychology of Liuli. She doesn¡¯t believe in people in the government and has no friends. Even if the center of the Seventh Lord¡¯s staff is transferred to her, Liuli can¡¯t trust them after all, so what Liuli can believe is the old man who served in queen¡¯s mother¡¯s pce and is very fond of Liuli. I bet that Cuiyan must be in the second possibility you said.¡±


    ¡°How is the saying going? The person who knows you best is often not your rtives, not your friends, but the enemy; you are the enemy to Liuli, an enemy who knows her very well.


    Ye Jiayao was speechless at the moment. Indeed, when she pondered the Liuli, she fully analyzed the character and way of doing things of Liuli. What did Liuli have and who was the person most trusted by Liuli? Holding such a card, where would Liuli hide the card?


    She didn¡¯t know that she knew Liuli so well.


    She hoped her guess was right. If she find Cuiyan early, she can solve the crisis early.


    Rmending an old book ¡± Ancient Trial Marriage¡± that has justnded in Tencent is also very good ¨C looking.

 Chapter 375 - Have news

    <h4>Chapter 375: Have news</h4>


    <h4>? </h4>


    After discussion, Xia Chunyu started to take actions and went out with Housekeeper Zhao. Ye Jiayao also wrote a letter for Song Qi to send to Helian Mansion.


    Havingpleted these tasks, Chunfeng returned with Little Ya.


    Little Ya¡¯s face was pale, and a pair of willow bent eyebrows were tightly puckering. It was a painful look, but she did not cry and her eyes were calm. When she returned to the princess, she hadn¡¯t expected to leave her alive.


    She served the princess at an early age and saw countless maids being disposed of by the princess, killed in a rod, hanged in a hanging rod, or tortured in various ways. She stabbed these people with thin needles, filled them with boiling water, or ordered them to eat a whole basin of red pepper, and died of vomiting blood....


    All these were just such a miserable fate because they made a small mistake, not to mention betrayal. The princess gave her dumb medicine to save her life, but only to show it to the third master, to him feel guilty and painful.


    Just ... she didn¡¯t exoect that the third master rushed in, kicked away several old women who pressed her and brought her out.


    This was tantamount to aplete break with the princess.


    Along the way, the third master held her so tightly andforted her all the time: ¡± Don¡¯t be afraid, I won¡¯t let you die ...¡±


    His voice was shaking.


    She shrank into his arms, greedily feeling his body temperature and breathing his breath. Although her throat was sore like boiling water as if there were thousands of steel needles sticking, she didn¡¯t care at all. Even if she died at this moment, she was satisfied.


    Up to now, she still felt that she was dreaming and that scene was her illusion.


    Chunfeng solemnly said, ¡°Second sister-inw, Little Ya is trusted to you please.¡±


    Ye Jiayao also solemnly said, ¡± She is with me. You can be assured.¡±


    Even if there were not for Chunfeng, in view that Little Ya was willing to disclose information to her on that day, and she would not sit idly by.


    Chunfeng looked at Little Ya with concern. His eyes were thick with concern: ¡± You can get assured that you are here to recuperate. The doctor has said it¡¯s still hopeful.¡±


    Little Ya struggled to squeeze out a smile and nodded.


    She didn¡¯t worry at all. Even if she was dumb, it didn¡¯t matter. Third master was so concerned about her, and she was very satisfied even to die now.


    She had self ¨C knowledge, she couldn¡¯t imagine anything, really, that was enough.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± What are you going to do? Do you want to go back?¡±


    ¡± I have to go back. I can always look at her in the house, and she can¡¯t be reckless.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s good, but you still need to be calm, and if you can¡¯t bear, you¡¯ll ruin great ns,¡± Ye Jiayao warned.


    No matter how much he hated Liuli now, he couldn¡¯t make a move until he found Cuiyan, otherwise the hidden dangers hadn¡¯t been eliminated.


    Liuli had a special identity. Even if she was to be disposed of, only the royal family had the right.


    Chunfeng¡¯s lips pressed tightly and silently nodded: ¡± I will.¡±


    After sending off Chunfeng, Ye Jiayao herself took Little Ya to the side court to rest and let Yexue to take good care of her.


    Little Ya wanted to say something gratefully, but she couldn¡¯t open her mouth. At the beginning, she helped the princess deal with the seconddy, and she hade up with many bad ideas. Now, the seconddy not only let bygones be bygones, but also took the initiative to take her in. Her heart was very ashamed.


    Ye Jiayao understood the meaning in her eyes and smiled and said, ¡± Let the past pass and you will stay with me in peace.¡±


    She wouldn¡¯t say much until Chunfeng would say something himself, she would just take care of her.


    Song Qi returned soon, saying that Royal Princess Yide would enter the pce early tomorrow morning.


    Chunyu didn¡¯te back until more than an hourter, and Ninth Lord readily responded and immediately ordered his men to inquire about it. The fiefs also found a rtionship and would inquire about it as soon as possible.


    Both of them were a little tired, and they rested after washing.


    Xia Chunyu held Ye Jiayao and touched her hair, sighing: ¡± I have said I¡¯ll apany you in the south at this time and y all the way. As a result, we don¡¯t go anywhere. We don¡¯t even go to Zhenjiang, and I still have to deal with so many serious problems and pains.¡±


    Ye Jiayao, resting in his arms, said in a faint voice, ¡± It can¡¯t be med on you. The n can¡¯t keep up with the change. No one has expected the queen mother to die suddenly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu gave a wry smile: ¡± I think I have done something wrong. If I can dispel the idea of marriage from the emperor on my own, perhaps Liuli will not hate you.¡±


    ¡± Pull down, as long as you propose to divorce, no matter who you marry in the future, Liuli will hate that person. She is so proud and can not suffer any injustice, and vengeful will be reported. What¡¯s more, I have provoked her before.¡±


    What Ye Jiayao said was true. no matter Chunyu was with her or not, Liuli would hate her. She and Liuli were destined to be enemies, and it was irreconcble and unable to resolve, only one side would fallpletely.


    Xia Chunyu was speechless and couldn¡¯t think of anything. How could there be such a paranoid person in this world, paranoid about hatred. The fire of hatred hurt both herself and others.


    ¡± Sleep, don¡¯t think much, maybe there will be good news tomorrow.¡± Ye Jiayao felt his mood was low andforted.


    The next day, there was news from Yide.


    There were two people who was said to be the most suspicious, one was mammy Fang, who loved Liuli so much that she broke her ribs with a kick from Chunfengst time. The queen mother let her leave the pce after she was injured and raised. Her address was still under investigation. She had moved away from her original residence more than a month ago. No one knew where she moved.


    Another was mammy Lu, who also loved Liuli very much. It was heard that she came out of the pce three years ago and went back to Suzhou to spend the rest of her life.


    Ye Jiayao pondered that Qiao¡¯s release of Cuiyan was during the period when she disappeared, that was, two months ago, when Mammy moved suddenly for more than a month, which was very suspicious. Ye Jiayao was almost sure that Cuiyan was hiding in Mammy Fang¡¯s ce.


    Then if they found Mammy Fang, they would surely find Cuiyan.


    The goal was immediately clear.


    Ye Jiayao immediately became confident and wrote back to ask Royal Princess Yide to find out what rtives, or good sisters, Mammy Fang still had. She sent Song Qi to inquire about where Mammy Fang used to live and see if he could find some clues.


    Song Qi came back excitedly at noon, saying that a rtive of Mammy Fang came to see her two months ago and stayed at Mammy Fang¡¯s house for a while. ording to the description of the neighbors, the rtive¡¯s appearance was Cuiyan.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirit was greatly raised. Yes, she was right. Then she would try her best to find Mammy Fang¡¯s next step.


    In the afternoon, Yide received the news that Mammy Fang had a eldest brother, but died a few years ago, leaving a nephew in Yangzhou. Mammy Fang¡¯s eldest brother was Fang Zhiyu, which she had told to her old sister.


    In Yangzhou? It was easy to do that and leave it to Ye Binghuai. As a minister in Yangzhou, it was not a piece of cake to find someone. Of course, it didn¡¯t rule out that Mammy Fang was still in Jinling, renting a small house to hide.


    Ye Jiayao had made a series of arrangements like this again. When Ninth Lord looked for someone over there, they would look for them ording to the characteristics and looks of Mammy Fang. Cuiyan would certainly not show up.


    Before dinner, Ye Jiayao went to see You.


    You¡¯s face was worse than yesterday¡¯s. Mammy Sun told her quietly that You didn¡¯t sleepst night.


    Ye Jiayao was worried. It was bad for her.


    Originally, she didn¡¯t want to say in advance about the progress of searching for Cuiyan. She wanted to wait for someone to find it. She liked to say it after the dust settles, so as not to make a mistake and make people think she was boasting. But for the sake of You¡¯s health, Ye Jiayao had to report truthfully.


    ¡± Mother, the whereabouts of Cuiyan have been made clear.¡±


    You were surprised: ¡± Really?¡±


    ¡± Well, I suspect that Liuli has handed over her to Mammy Fang, who moved suddenly more than a month ago, and neighbors say they have seen Cuiyan.¡±


    You¡¯s face brightened and faded slowly, regretting: ¡°How can we find her when she moves ... Jinling city is so big that we can¡¯t inspire people to look for someone openly. If she leaves Jinling, it will be nowhere to be found.¡±


    ¡± Mother, it¡¯s not that difficult to find someone in Jinling City. There are bright ways and dark ways. Even if they leave Jinling, where can Mammy Fang go with a pregnant woman?¡± She must have gone to her rtives. Now her rtives are also missing. She has no worries about missing people and the length of time.¡±


    When You heard this, she was relieved and sighed, ¡± Jinxuan, this time it¡¯s thanks to you, or else ...¡±


    ¡± Mother, you¡¯re wee to say that. Now that you hand over the charge and the family to me, I will certainly do my best, but it¡¯s mother who should keep good health as much as possible. Otherwise, everyone will not be at ease.¡±


    You thought so too. You was now ill and couldn¡¯t do anything. Worry was useless, but it also made children uneasy.


    ¡± By the way, I have heard that Chunfeng has ced Little Ya in the house?¡± You asked.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Well, I let Chunfeng send Little Ya here. Little Ya has suffered some injuries, but it¡¯s no a big deal.¡±


    You looked faint and said, ¡°Little Ya has been transferred anger. This child is formerly a fool, but she is still a sentient and intentional one. Take good care of her.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    At four pm., Chunyu and Chunfeng returned together.


    Ye Jiayao told them about the progress again. Both of them were excited, and they didn¡¯t expect to have the answers in a day.


    ¡°How about Liuli over there?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Chunfeng did not want to mention this person, but he could not help it.


    ¡°She has had a quarrel with mest night and I ignore her.¡±


    Yes, Liuli was just like a madmanst night. if it weren¡¯t for second sister-inw¡¯s admonition, he would have pped Liuli on the spot and kept it alive.


    ¡± Now I¡¯m sending someone to stare at her. I¡¯ll know immediately when the house is full of wind and grass.


    Chunyu nodded, ¡± I see or let Ninth Lord send a few people to stare at Liuli. I don¡¯t trust the people on your side.¡±


    Chunfeng said darkly, ¡± Second elder brother, you are too despising me. I have already made arrangements over there in the pce. My eyes and ears are not only Little Ya.¡±


    Ye Jiayao red at Chunyu. He could do such a thing privately. He didn¡¯t have to say in front of Chunfeng that Chunfeng had suffered setbacks now, but he also hit him.


    Chunyu stopped talking but touched his nose.


    ¡°Second sister-inw, how about Little Ya? Her voice is better?¡± Chunfeng cared about Little Ya again.

 Chapter 376 - Do whatever you like to do.

    <h4>Chapter 376: Do whatever you like to do.</h4>


    Little Ya¡¯s voice was more troublesome. She had invited Dr. Jiang toe and see it. Dr. Jiang thought that even if Little?Ya could speak, his voice would not return to its former appearance, but she said she was not good at this aspect of illness and rmended a bell doctor who was hidden in the mountain vige, but this person were erratic and not very easy to find.


    There was no doubt that it was not very easy to find, so Ye Jiayao had already sent someone to find it.


    Chunfeng was silent, but his heart was firmly determined. Even if Little Ya became mute, he would not leave her.


    Liuli nowy motionless on the bed for a whole afternoon, without saying a word or moving, so stupefied that one heart was suffering in the frying pan and it hurt too much for itself.


    However, the sad tears could not flow out at all. It turned out that the pain to the extreme could not be cried out.


    She thought she saw through it, opened it up, and quiet inside was gone. There was no hope and she would not be disappointed again. However, when Chunfeng rushed in desperate to take Little Ya away, her self-esteem was severely hit again.


    Why didn¡¯t she even have a handmaiden?


    He looked at her eyes when he held Little Ya, like a zing fire, like ice dense, because she hid Cui Yan??Or because she so appose of lesser??Was it because she did it, or was it because she was targeting lesser?


    Little Ya liked Chunfeng. She saw it earlier. Every time she mentioned it, Chunfeng said she was out of thin air and said she was looking for a job. At that time, Chunfeng still liked her, so she was at ease.


    Later, Little Ya stood up for her, she was moved and shaken. However, the situation forced her to have no better way. Although she had been reluctant to admit it, she couldn¡¯t hide her heart. At that time, she still had a little bit of mind to show. She wanted Little?Ya to leave and leavepletely. A woman who coveted her man, even a right-hand assistant and close friend, could not tolerate it.


    But after the event, she always thought about Little Ya and felt a little guilty. Little Ya was, after all, the maid who apanied her for the longest time and also the person who knew her mind best.


    But Little Ya came back. At first she believed in the so-called coincidence. However, gradually, she saw Chunfeng¡¯s line of sight always crossed her intentionally or unintentionally and fell behind her. There, it was Little?Ya¡¯ s position.?...


    If Little Ya was just an ordinary maid, it will be counted, but Little Ya was not. Little Ya¡¯s appearance was no less than her, but Little Ya never dressed herself deliberately. Little Ya knew books and gifts, and the daughter of Chen Shimin, Jiang Nan¡¯s biggest wit, was vulgar, but Little Ya knew how to hide.


    She and Chunfeng had been in constant cold war, but Little?Ya and Chunfeng had reached a tacit understanding. Did they think she was dead??But at that time, she didn¡¯t expect Little?Ya to be arranged back by Chunfeng, but simply thought that Little Ya could no longer trust Chunfeng with that kind of mind.


    So, Cui Yan¡¯s case had been prevented by her, but she was also lucky to have prevented it. Otherwise, she didn¡¯t know how passive she was now.


    As a result, yesterday she cheated out the truth.


    It was really unbearable. She wanted to kill Little Ya, but it was too cheap to kill her. She wanted Little Ya to live rather than die, and wanted Chunfeng to feel guilty and uneasy forever.


    However, at this moment, she was the one who lived or dies.


    She really had nothing. Her parents died early, her queen mother died, her lover became strangers and her men betrayed her. There were so many people in this world, but none of them was rted to her. She was alone and alone.


    ¡°Princess, the third young master was back.¡± Mammy told reporters outside.


    Liuli¡¯s blurred and painful eyes gradually restored to rity and bright eyes, like ice crystals frozen for ten thousand years, and corners of the mouth gradually pulled out a mournful smile.


    No, she still had enemies. The world had given her indifference, alienation and betrayal, so she also wanted her enemies to taste it.


    Marquis house paid most attention to reputation, so she would let marquis house lose his reputation.


    Ye Jinxuan was most proud of her cooking skills and Xia Chunyu¡¯s love for her, so she would not be able to cook food in her life.


    There was also a pure wind, and the cold light in the Liuli¡¯s eyes was even worse. The man she couldn¡¯t get won¡¯t be won by others. He would rather be destroyed than allowed to be with other women.


    Yes, she was obstinate, she was crazy, she would rather lose the world than the world.


    Liuli thought, a loud gurgling got up and sent people to eat.


    The purpose of her life in the future was to fight with those people. It was impossible to have a good health.


    Chunfeng returned to his study, leaned against the armchair, rubbed his swollen temples, and asked the housekeeper who came in after him.


    ¡°Three housewives?¡±


    ¡°Third Mistress hadn¡¯t been out of the house all the time and hasn¡¯t sent anyone out.¡± replied the housekeeper.


    Chunfeng was lost and thought, Liuli was really heavy to live gas!?Was she so sure they couldn¡¯t find Cui Yan?


    Now she hope that she could get news as soon as possible, and she would have one more worry after one day¡¯s dy.


    Chunfeng casually opened several passbook books on the book case.


    He was upset all day today and was not in the mood to handle his official business. He had to bring home to work overtime.


    As soon as she read a passbook, the housekeeper rushed to report that the third wife had gone out.


    Er ... Chunfeng was startled. When was this all? Liuli was still out. Where was it going?


    ¡°To keep up with¡±? asked Chunfeng in an urgent voice.


    ¡°It has already been followed up.¡±


    Liuli went straight to King Yu¡¯mansion, but King Yu was discussing with his staff, so the news of Liuli¡¯s request was reported to A Ruan.


    In the past, the inner court of King Yu¡¯mansion was decided by Lin, but now Lin had been suspended, leaving only a princess Yu in the house. People who didn¡¯t take princess Yu seriously have to listen to princess Yu¡¯s order now.


    A Ruan was about to wash up and change clothes to rest when he heard that Liuli asked to see King Yu.


    A Ruan was very surprised. It was sote, why did the Liuli find King Yu?


    A Ruan dared not be careless and asked A Man to invite Liuli in.


    But A Man soon returned, saying that Princess Liuli had left when she heard that King Yu was not avable.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t they say what they want to do?


    ¡°A Ruan doubted. A Man shook his head and said, ¡°If he didn¡¯t say anything, he said he woulde back another day.¡±


    A Ruan wanted to think, ¡°You quietly went to Jing ¡®an marquis house to talk to seconddy. ¡±


    A Ruan always thought this was odd. Liuli was close to Lin¡¯s family, but he never had any contact with King Yu when he came to the pce. It¡¯s really strange that he suddenly came.


    Ye Jiayao got the news and thought for a long time. He couldn¡¯t figure out what it meaned to look for King Yu at the moment. Was she going to show King Yu the truth? Or she wanted to confuse them?


    Chunyu, looking grave and cold, gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I think she was really crazy.¡±


    ¡°What do you think, she was trying to break the jar??¡°Ye Jiayao¡¯s indecision was uncertain.


    Chunyu said, ¡°Otherwise??She also knows that we were trying our best to find Cui Yan. If someone was found by us, what else can she do for her??¡°She was fighting back and warning us that if we make a move, she would not hesitate to hand over Cui Yan to King Yu.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took a cold breath. If this was the case, the problem would be in trouble.


    As soon as the Liuli stepped into the courtyard, a cold voice came from the front: ¡°What were you doing in King Yu¡¯mansion??¡°Out of the darkness came a man.


    Liuli eyelid also don¡¯t lift it, the voice gently said: ¡°can I go to see my brother??Illegal? ¡±


    Chunfeng¡¯s eyes were heavy. Did you have to do this??Who the hell was sorry? Did you want to hurt others, others wouldn¡¯t let you hurt, was it still someone else¡¯s fault?


    Liuli sneered: ¡± Xia Chunfeng, it¡¯s no use telling me less about the truth. Anyway, in your eyes, in your family¡¯s eyes, I¡¯m already a heinous woman, so I might as well finish it.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng was angry: ¡°What were you going to do before you stop??¡±


    Liuli stared nkly for a moment, slowly lift their eyes, eyes calm: ¡± I don¡¯t know, I have no retreat, you forced me.¡±


    She was not without hope. If everything could start over again, then she would certainly choose a different path and seek a simple happiness, but without it, she couldn¡¯t go back, just like Chunfeng couldn¡¯t like her any more.


    Therefore, she could only go forward, even if she fell to pieces.


    Xia Chunfeng stared at her for a long time and could not speak. Once upon a time, he was filled with joy as long as he saw her and would not be tired of listening to her naggingints. He also felt it was fun to watch her ying the woman. At that time, he did not expect that one day he would be rtively silent and only felt disgusted with his heart.


    He was not without introspection, two people to the point of today, did he also have the responsibility??If he gave her another chance, could she look back??However, he really did not dare to hold such hope. Every hope would only disappoint him. His heart was also made of flesh and blood, and he couldn¡¯t afford to be hurt again and again.


    Therefore, he could only choose to give up, because he could no longer cheat his heart and cannot even do perfunctory work.


    ¡°Liuli, you said you regretted it, but you were always doing something that makes you regret it more. I can¡¯t stop you. Do what you want to do, was it not to burn everything??I will apany you to the end. Even if you give Cui Yan to King Yu, even if the eldest brother or marquis house paid the price for it, it was all right. If you make a mistake, you should be punished and pay the corresponding price. You too, I will have no scruples on that day. ¡°Xia Chunfeng said such a sentence calmly, with calm and calm after killing one share.


    Hiding, however, was not hiding, but if he was led by Liuli for fear, not only he but also the whole marquis house would be stuck in the mire, and it would be better to have a good time.


    Xia Chun said it and turned to leave.


    Liuli just standing, the night wind in early spring was still so cold, it¡¯s as cold as something strike into your bone, but even colder was his decision.


    Like a sharp knife, it cut her way through her heart.


    She thought she could hold a good hand and lead him by the nose, but if people didn¡¯t y anymore, whatever you like, whatever the result, he will bear it.


    Xia Chunfeng, you were too cruel?...

 Chapter 377 - Worse than a dog

    <h4>Chapter 377: Worse than a dog</h4>


    King Yu heard that Liuli came to him, and he was also surprised. He asked Ruan, Ruan said she did not know why. She told Liuli to wait. However, Liuli left and said she woulde again another day.


    King Yu didn¡¯t take it to heart because he thought it might not matter.


    Early the next morning, Chunyu was transferred to the pce. Two dayster, queen mother¡¯s coffin would be carried to cemetery. And Chunyu, as the first-ss bodyguard in the pce, would naturally assume the important task of maintaining order and royal security. Chunyu was given a big holiday for personal when Prince presided over the funeral, but now he had to be called to the Pce.


    When Chunyu was away, Ye Jiayao did not go out. Even asked Madam Rong to take the ce of the ss over there. In case of news, she might as well deal with it immediately.


    After breakfast, there was a message, but it was a letter from the uncle of Qiao family saying that the floor she had asked him to help find was already avable. Needless to say, the location was definitely not inferior to that of Tianshang Ju, and the scene was more magnificent than that in Tianshang Ju. It was used to be a restaurant, but it was a pity that it was not well managed and the owner didn¡¯t want to open it, so it would be transferred.


    This floor met her requirements in all directions, even better, but the price was also high, which was 20 % higher than expected.


    Twenty percent was not a small number. Although she was now rich, she was not short of money, but the floor price of more than 200,000 dors, and twenty percent was about 45,000 dors, which could do a lot of things. However, if this floor was really as good as Master Qiao said, it didn¡¯t matter if it was expensive.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to think and asked Manager Zhao toe to Suzhou. Manager Zhao¡¯s vision and ability were trustworthy. if Manager Zhao also felt good, she would buy the building.


    Manager Zhao had just left the front foot when Song Qi came running.


    ¡± Second Lady, there¡¯s news from Ninth Lord.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt a shock and said, ¡± Do you find it?¡±


    Song Qi nodded, ¡± Yes, but the guy over there is not sure if it is the person we are looking for.¡±


    Ye Jiayao rejoiced: ¡± You go and see, be careful, don¡¯t be found. If so, let the Nine Lord¡¯s men monitor people at a distance first, and don¡¯t disturb them.¡±


    Song Qi said yes and turned to go. Ye Jiayao stopped him again and gave him a silver ticket of two hundred dors: ¡± You take it and buy liquor for the brothers under Nine Lord. You¡¯ve been working hard on them these two days.¡±


    These were rewards for finding people, and those who didn¡¯t find people, also worked hard. Ye Jiayao wouldn¡¯t forget that they worked even for nothing at the behest of the Ninth Lord. But if Ye Jiayao made them an offer, they would be willing to work harder, and this also gave the Ninth Lord face at the same time.


    It wouldn¡¯t cost many dors, but it would make everyone happy. Why not?


    Less than an hourter, Song Qi came back. It had been determined that it were Fang Mammy and Cuiyan. The ce was very secluded and the two women lived in seclusion. Neighbors still didn¡¯t know who lived in it. Coincidentally, this house belonged to the rtives of a gangster under Ninth Lord, and this was the only way to find it.


    After finding them, Ye Jiayao calmed down and thought what to do next?


    The best way was to let them disappear forever.


    But she couldn¡¯t do such a thing. she was not terminating at this point, if she was in that case, what was the difference between her and Liuli? Liuli could easily kill Fu Mammy and poison Little Ya. But she couldn¡¯t do it,?she couldn¡¯t bear that Her hands are stained with blood. Not everyone had the courage. She thought she was inferior to Liuli in these aspect.


    Persuading Cuiyan to leave? Persuading Fang Mammy to stop helping others to abuse their rights?


    It was very difficult, Cuiyan had a backer and wanted something. Fang Mammy was a loyal servant of Liuli. They might promise face to face, but it was also possible that when they turned around, they went back on our word.


    Or hiding these two people, keeping Liuli from finding them?


    Ye Jiayao was very tangled.


    Thinking about it, Ye Jiayao went and asked You what her meaning.


    You heard that people had found them so her face was ruddy with excitement.


    ¡± Jinxuan, what do you think should be done?¡±


    Uh ... this question, Ye Jiayao also wanted to ask You! Ye Jiayao did not know what to say at the moment.


    You¡¯s heart was fixed and she had an idea, but she didn¡¯t say anything but wanted to hear what Jinxuan would do.


    A dispute about marquis house¡¯s reputation and Chunli¡¯s future. How to decide? was it a woman¡¯s benevolence or a decisive war without any future trouble?


    Cuiyan¡¯s disposition was clear to her. Mingxiu was no match for Cuiyan at all, and Chunli was an airhead. Therefore, she did not allow Chunli to ept Cuiyan as a concubine. It should be noted that the concubine couldn¡¯t go beyond the wife, otherwise, the family would be in chaos.


    Therefore, there was no need to expect Cuiyan to stop unless her purpose was achieved.


    As for Fang Mammy, the old maid around the queen mother for many years had been faithful to the queen mother and Liuli so that she did not distinguish between right and wrong and did not distinguish between ck and white.


    Therefore, there was no need to expect Fang Mammy to listen to orders.


    You was looking at Jinxuan with an inexplicable mood. Did this still require hesitation? As a matter of fact, everyone knew that there were only two solutions. First, adults and child should be killed together, and second, if child was killed, the evidence would be lost.


    Compared with marquis house¡¯s reputation, she had no burden at all for sacrificing Cuiyan, she just was a bitch.


    However, Jinxuan was still hesitating. You was disappointed. Jinxuan was still short of biting after all. It should be noted that people like them were at the center of political rights, it was not that you wanted to keep the flower cluster with the current, and you would do it. If there was a little oversight, they would be beaten down by the huge waves or torn by the whirlpool.


    Taking the matter of Chunli as an example, it was not a matter to put it aside at ordinary times or punished them, and it would be all right after a while. But it must not happen now.


    First, the emperor attached great important to filial piety. If the queen mother hadn¡¯t turned the tide and ruled out all resistance, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to sit in this dragon chair. The queen mother had paid a lot for the emperor, so anyone who showed a little disrespect to the queen mother at this time must be severely punished.


    It was said that several militarymanders of the Military of War had just gathered for a few drinks, they were exiled from Jinling to a ce of hardship and cold. Not sure that if they coulde back in their lives.


    Second, although the prince now had the upper hand, King Yu¡¯s strength was not still to be underestimated. Both sides were trying to find each other¡¯s mistakes. If King Yu caught hold of Chunli, he would certainly y by the title and expand indefinitely. What would be the final result couldn¡¯t be predicted now.


    Jinxuan could fully analyze the stakes. What else could she hesitate about?


    The disappointment revealed in You¡¯s eyes, though it was only a passing moment, it was keenly captured by Ye Jiayao.


    It was not that her crisis awareness was not enough, if it was to the point of life and death, she was believed that she would do everything to protect her cherished people, but now she thought it was not that far.


    Ye Jiayao thought for a moment and said, ¡°I think that the two women should be controlled first, and then we try to calm them done. Everyone has weaknesses. As long as we find their weaknesses, the problem can be solved. Mother, let daughter-inw do this.¡±


    Killing people was not a skill. She could solve the problem without weapons, that was the real good method.


    It was You¡¯s turn to hesitate. For the first time, You felt unable to fully trust Jinxuan. What if she failed?


    ¡± Mother, don¡¯t worry. If what you think is happened, your daughter-inw will know what to do.¡± Ye Jiayao said firmly, and her eyes were dark and calm, as quiet as a silent night, and no one could fathom anything in the darkness.


    You sighed, ¡± Go ahead, don¡¯t let me down. We can¡¯t afford to lose.¡±


    Getting back from You, Ye Jiayao¡¯s order was immediately handed out.


    Soon, a group of people sneaked quietly into the secluded house, took the people inside to a carriage and left quietly.


    In the afternoon, Ye Jiayao went out, after several tosses and turns, determining that no one was following her, she came to an underground gambling house.


    This was the territory of Ninth Lord.


    Gambling shops usually had secret rooms, and the entrances and exits were hidden in unexpected ces.


    Ye Jiayao first met Fang Mammy.


    Fang Mammy stared at Ye Jiayao with a face of resentment, but the panic in her heart could not subside like a surge of undercurrent. Why could Second Lady have guessed that Cuiyan was in her ce? Her whereabouts were already very secret. She and Cuiyan hardly went out and had little contact with the princess. After moving there, she had not seen the princess, however, Second Lady still found her.


    ¡± Fang Mammy, long time no see. Are your ribs all right?¡± Ye Jiayao smiled like nothing happened.


    At the same time, Fang Mammy only felt a dull pain in her ribs. She was getting older and recovering slowly, and she really suffered for several months.


    Fang Mammy looked at another ce and kept silent.


    ¡± Fang Mammy was supposed to take care of yourself. Why were you still living alone in Jinling? I think you will go to Yangzhou to take refuge in your close nephew. I heard that when your eldest brother was alive, he woulde to Jinling to see you every year. After your eldest brother died, your nephew did it again. Your nephew is really kind.¡± Ye Jiayao sighed.


    Fang Mammy¡¯s muscles on the face twitched, and her fear was even greater. Second Lady actually checked her family.


    ¡± Your nephew should be your only rtives in this world.¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a slight smile.


    Fang Mammy knew that she should keep calm at this time, and the more she cared about her family, the easier it would be to be controlled by Second Lady. However, knowing it was one thing, but not doing it was another thing. Fang Mammy said coldly, ¡± What do you want to say?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a gentle smile: ¡± Fang Mammy is loyal, what I like most is those subordinates who are loyal. But what I hate most is those subordinates who are stupid, regardless of right or wrong. Even a dog has its own opinion. It is not that the shit is given to it by its master, but it can also be eaten as meat bones. Dogs can still tell the difference between meat bones and shit.¡±


    Fang Mammy¡¯s mouth twitched more and more frequently and her face turned pale with anger. Second Lady said she was inferior to dogs, how mean she was!


    ¡± Today, Fang Mammy is invited toe over. I believe Fang Mammy knows what to do ...¡±


    Fang Mammy could not helpmenting: was this an invitation? A group of people rushed in and tied her up. Her mouth also was blocked by rag, and she was wearing a sack on her head. This was called ¡°invitation¡±? Was there such an invitation?

 Chapter 378 - Listen to my arrangement

    <h4>Chapter 378: Listen to my arrangement</h4>


    Of course, why the seconddy caught her only did Mother Fang know. Now she had be a prisoner and Cuiyan had been exposed. I¡¯m afraid she was only waiting for die.


    If she died, let her go. Anyway, she can go down early to serve the queen mother.


    At the thought of this, Mother Fang calmed down.


    ¡± If you want to kill me, why so much nonsense?¡± Mother Fang disdained.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and nodded: ¡± So you want to die! However, I¡¯d like to contradict others. If you want to die, I will let you live and let you see your rtives all die for you. ¡±


    Mother Fang¡¯s face changed greatly and she looked at the seconddy with a smile liked a spring breeze, but it was a chill that rushed straight at her forehead and then she chilled .


    How vicious!


    ¡± I do things on my own, and all people say the seconddy¡¯s mistress is aboveboard, but I don¡¯t know how vicious you are.¡± Sister Fang was angry.


    Ye Jiayao seemed to hear a big joke and couldn¡¯t helpughing. A momentter, she stopped smiling and her eyes set, and then broke out chill.


    ¡± You are pleased to go in for intrigues and conspiracy, but talk to me about what aboveboard, don¡¯t feel funny?¡± To deal with the insidious people, I had always only return like for like, and I will never tolerate them.¡±


    Mother Fang¡¯s heart was striking and bursting of fear. The seconddy gave her the impression that she would say what she wanted to do and that she would not care what she did. However, the eldest brother only left such a son. If he had suffered an ident because of her, she would have died unsatisfied.


    ¡± I, I only have been ordered to act.¡± Sister Fang softened her tone.


    Ye Jiayao scoffed: ¡± You were ordered to act? Mother Fang, I didn¡¯t say you were old at all. It was better to stay at home for the rest of your life, but you must help the tyrant to victimize his subjects. Aren¡¯t you asking for trouble?¡±


    Motherr Fang defended weakly: ¡± That Cuiyan was also a poor man. It was your marquis who bullied her first, and the princess was just not used to it.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled angrily: ¡± Mother Fang, you just can¡¯t believe what you said!¡± I don¡¯t need to argue with you about who was right and who was wrong.¡±


    ¡± I might as well tell you one more thing. Mother Fu was dead.¡±


    Mother Fang froze and stared incredulously at the seconddy. Did she dispose of Mother Fu?


    However, the next moment, the seconddy¡¯s words shocked her even more.


    ¡± It was the princess who forced her to die. In her eyes, you are just a dog, a dog that can be driven at will and executed if it was not used,¡± Ye Jiayao said coldly.


    Stopping saying, then Ye Jiayao got up and left.


    Mother Fang knelt down in a burst of tears and cried out in an urgent voice, ¡± The seconddy, please let go of my family. I swore that I would not mix with the princess any more.¡±


    First, the family was held hostage, and then learned from Mother Fu¡¯s lesson. Under the double impact, Mother Fang¡¯s loyal heart shook to the end.


    Ye Jiayao took a subtle sneer at the corners of her mouth, which was she waiting for.


    ¡± Really? But why should I believe you?¡±


    ¡± Cuiyan has already fallen into your hands, and I was failed to fulfill the task of the princess¡¯s recement. For the princess, there is no use value anymore. For you, too. What is the difference between believing and not believing?¡± I only asked the Seconddy not to anger my family. I was grateful.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sat down again.


    ¡± If you want me to spare you and your family, you just have to honestly answer a few questions,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Mother Fang¡¯s eyes shed and she hesitated.


    This made Ye Jiayao suspicious. Was there anything hidden in it?


    Ye Jiayao seriously said, ¡± The first question is whether Cuiyan was pregnant and how long was she pregnant?¡± You should know this question, and you don¡¯t need to be asked. Just get a doctor to see it clearly, but ask you just want to give you a chance.¡±


    Mother Fang struggled for a moment and said weakly, ¡± It had been nearly four months.¡±


    Ye Jiayao secretly surprised, four months?


    There were three days after the queen mother¡¯s dead thenplete three full months, while Cui Yan was pregnant for four months. Was it because the number of days of pregnancy was not enough that the doctor could not diagnose it? If this was the case, then the child did not have one during the funeral. It should be noted that this issue was the key to the whole event. Pregnancy conceived before the funeral and pregnancy conceived during the funeral were not entirely the same culpability.


    The fact remained to be confirmed.


    ¡± The second question, Liuli asked which doctor to visit?¡± Ye Jiayao continued to raise the second question.


    Mother Fang¡¯s eyes flickered again and her voice dropped further: ¡± It was Doctor Li who has been expelled from the royal hospital.¡±


    ¡± Where is the Doctor li?¡±


    Mother Fang sighed with a sigh. Let it go. Even if she concealed it now, the seconddy could find out the address of Doctor Li.


    Ye Jiayao felt that there was no need to ask any more questions. As long as the pregnancy period of Cuiyan was determined, Liuli could not be disturbed.


    ¡± When I confirm what you said, I would decide whether you would stay or not.¡± Ye Jiayao left this sentence and turned to leave the Chamber of Secrets.


    Cuiyan was once again locked up and her heart was agitated. She was almost certain that she had fallen into Jing¡¯an marquis¡¯s mansion again. It was afraid that was the seconddy who was annoyed.


    What a fear.


    The door of the chamber of secrets crashed with a sh, and Ye Jiayao came in, then followed by a doctor.


    This scene, which was how familiar to her.


    More than two months ago, the second wealthy family brought the doctor to diagnose her and said she was not pregnant, which made her fall short of sess forck of a final effort. But now she was really pregnant, and she was scared, not to mention the child in her belly, that was, her life was in the hands of others.


    Ye Jiayao winked at the doctor, and the doctor understood. He stepped forward and put the medicine cab on the table, opened it and took out a pulse pillow.


    Cuiyan was well-advised this time not to resist or swear. She had already learned about the cruelty of the seconddy. How can she still be puffed up in front of the seconddy?


    After careful diagnosis, the doctor replied, ¡± Judging from the pulse condition, it should be three to four months pregnant.¡±


    ¡± What is three months or four months on earth?¡± What Ye Jiayao wanted was more urate time.


    The doctor said cautiously, ¡± More than three months, more or less, and will approximate four months. Ask the girl when thest menstrual period came and then can get the exact date.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked heavily at the Cuiyan.


    Cuiyan answered honestly, ¡± Eighteen.¡±


    ¡°Was it urate?¡±


    Cuiyan nodded, ¡± Two or three days in advance of each month.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s right. Today is thirteen. To be exact, the girl¡¯s pregnant was three months and twenty-five days.¡±


    Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief that the queen mother demise was a matter of sixteen. ording to the physiological cycle of Cuiyan. It was in sixteen that she should have came the menstruation, so even if what Chunli and Cuiyan did on the evening of the 16th or 17th, there would never be a child. It can only be said that the child was conceived before that.


    Ye Jiayao asked Song Qi to take the doctor out.


    Before she could open her mouth, Cuiyan said sadly, ¡°The seconddy, please raise your hand. This child is the first master¡¯s. I don¡¯t want anything. I promise I won¡¯t appear in front of you again. I only ask you to let me keep this child ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao said tly, ¡± What did the thirddy tell you?¡±


    ¡± No ... The thirddy didn¡¯t say anything. She just thought I was poor and took me in.¡± Cuiyan was weakly said.


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath andmented, ¡± How can I trust your guarantee when you still dare to cheat? I¡¯m not afraid to tell you that before I came here, madam had already told me that the children in your belly must not stay. Do you want me to hand you over to madam?¡±


    Cuiyan raised her eyes in horror, and her face waspletely bloodless.


    ¡± Today, you are the only one who can save the child. It depends on whether you want to save it or not,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Cuiyan was disappointed, and stayed for a moment, then began to cry, and crying while saying:


    ¡± The thirddy said that as long as I listen to her, she will not only help me save my child, but also help me enter marquis¡¯s mansion...¡±


    Ye Jiayao was very speechless. Once people had greed and desire, they would easily get confused and be led by the nose.


    ¡± Do you really think that The thirddy was so kind? She took you in and hid you for the real purpose of helping you?¡± Ye Jiayao said slowly, with a heavy tone.


    ¡± She is using you to deal with marquis¡¯s mansion. If you take her words seriously, then we will be unlucky and you and your children will not live. Do you know how the thirddy announced it to the outside world?¡± She said that the child was conceived during the national mourning period. As long as you are not an idiot, you should understand this crime.¡±


    The sobbing of Cuiyan stopped immediately, showing a look of horror.


    ¡± Of course, you also hate marquis, especially hate me and the firstdy. You think that as long as you give birth to a child safely, marquis will never sit back and let your blood flow out. Yes, Hou Fu did not turn a blind eye to that step, but one thing you must understand is that even if you have a son, you will not be able to enter marquis¡¯s mansion in your life.¡±


    Cuiyan¡¯s lips quivered and wanted to ask why. Ye Jiayao had already read her mind then said coldly, ¡± Because you are smart and calcting, I said earlier that if you keep your peace and wait for the birth of a child to slowly figure out, perhaps madam will let you go easy on it. During the national mourning period, you kicked up a row but the firstdy let you go, then you were given a generous resettlement fee by the kindness firstdy, but you still mixed with the thirddy, and still don¡¯t want to relinquish, how can marquis amodate such a person as you?¡±


    Cuiyan was desperate, her heart was regretful, she was wrong step by step and could not be redeemed if she missed it.


    ¡°If you get in marquis¡¯s mansion, but the child in your belly is, after all, the blood of the Xia¡¯s. I have a proposal now. If you listen to my arrangement, you won¡¯t suffer it a lot. Do you want to listen?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Cuiyan looked at the seconddy nervously and already guessed her thoughts.

 Chapter 379 - Unreasonable woman

    <h4>Chapter 379: Unreasonable woman</h4>


    King Yu and prince came out of Zichen pce side by side.


    The two men all smiled genially and parted ways as soon as they said goodbye.


    At the moment of turning around, the smile on King Yu¡¯s face condensed into frost.


    The funeral of the queen mother by the prince won the favor of his father, and there was an intention among the words to allow the prince to resume his administration.


    Things had really not been going well recently...


    King Yu was extremely depressed.


    He was about to go to the Chaohua Pce when he heard someone calling him from behind.


    ¡°Third imperial brother.¡±


    When King Yu looked back, it turned out to be Liuli. He couldn¡¯t help thinking of Liuli¡¯s visitst night, he smiled: ¡°It turned out to be the imperial sister. Where did youe from? Where are you going?¡±


    Liuli said, ¡°I have been here specially for you.¡±


    King Yu picked from his brow, ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I want to say something to you.¡±


    King Yu looked around and went to a few ces.


    Liuli kept a certain distance to follow up.


    In a quiet ce, Liuli came straight to the point and said her purpose clearly. King Yu listened, the expression was still pale, but his heart was uncertain. If what Liuli said was true, it would be a good opportunity to deal with Jing ¡®an marquis house, which broke his n and caused heavy losses to Datong Hui, he always remembered the bill.


    But were the words of Liuli credible? Liuli was, after all, from Jing ¡®an marquis house.


    Liuli saw King Yu¡¯s hesitation and said, ¡°It¡¯s true, brother, don¡¯t doubt it. Marquis house already knows that I hid people. Now, in marquis house¡¯s eyes, I¡¯m already a woman of heinous crimes. They are heartless to me. Why should I be righteous to them? Now they are looking for Cuiyan everywhere. I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t take long for them to find her. Brother, please make an early decision.¡±


    King Yu frowned and said, ¡°That¡¯s why you came to see mest night?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a pity that you were busy. I couldn¡¯t leave home too long, let alone tell the princess. The princess and Ye Jinxuan are like sisters. Who knows if she will abandon your interests and instead reveal the news to Ye Jinxuan.¡±


    Liuli said frankly. She¡¯s already throwing caution to the wind. If she didn¡¯t take advantage of this opportunity, she won¡¯t have another chance in the future. She¡¯s going to hand over Cuiyan as soon as possible.


    ¡°The truth of the matter was clear to you when you see Cuiyan.¡±


    King Yu pondered for a moment and felt that the opportunity was rare. As long as things were made big, his father could not even be partial to Jing ¡®an marquis house. The emperor had just disposed of several military attach¨¦ s a while ago, and the one who favors the other would be criticized. And the prince would certainly excuse Jing ¡®an marquis house. If the operation is proper, perhaps even the prince would be affected.


    At the thought of this, King Yu lightly said, ¡°You give me the person first, and I will make a decision after asking.¡±


    Liuli came out of the pce and immediately went to the small courtyard where mother Fang lived.


    But when she got there, she knocked at the door for half a day and no one answered.


    Went out? No! Even if mother Fang went out to buy something, Cuiyan was always at home, with a cat¡¯s eye on the door, and it was her that Cuiyan saw, so she was impossible not to open the door.


    Liuli was more and more uneasy, ordered people to kick the door.


    However, the doors and windows inside were closed, the furniture was all neat, but the people were gone. They searched all over the front and back of the house and did not even find a shadow.


    Two big living people disappeared out of thin air.


    Liuli thought impassability, she personally arranged the people. No one else knew this ce except her and mother Fu. Mother Fu was dead and the dead couldn¡¯t talk. She didn¡¯t believe that Jing ¡®an marquis house had such a big ability toe here in such a short time.


    Liuli waited for two cups of tea, but no one was seen, so she had to tell her men to wait here and went back to the mansion first to see the situation.


    The sky turned dark, the feeling of unknown becames stronger and stronger, she was fidgeting.


    And King Yu was also waiting, Liuli said to send people up to an hour, it was getting dark, there was still no movement, was it that people were found by Jing¡¯ an marquis house?


    In Jing¡¯ an marquis house, Ye Jiayao was talking to Qiao.


    ¡°It has been determined that it is the eldest brother¡¯s child. I can¡¯t get down to it. After all, it is a life. Cuiyan is abominable, but the child is innocent ...¡±


    Qiao¡¯s lips pressed tightly, her white hands clenched her fists until her joints turned white, which showed how angry she was with this fact. Ye Jiayao sympathized with her and would be angrier if she was Qiao.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll do it.¡± Qiao almost burst out from between her teeth.


    Ye Jiayao silently said, ¡°It¡¯s easy to deal with children. A pair of baby dropping pills is enough, but what about Cuiyan? Also disposed of? Otherwise, she will definitely hate to go crazy and make trouble endlessly. Two lives, you really have to do it?¡±


    Qiao said angrily: ¡± why can¡¯t I do it? I wish she would die now. Last time I was already let her go, but how did she repay me?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was speechless, but she did not feel that Qiao was terminating her hand. She couldn¡¯t do it because she was out of the matter and didn¡¯t hate her that much.


    ¡°Leave them alone, don¡¯t even do what her thought? Let her be an aunt? Don¡¯t even think about it. ¡°Qiao snapped.


    ¡°Well, if you decide to do so, I¡¯ll leave the person to you and do whatever you like, but I want to remind you that once your hands are stained with blood, you won¡¯t be able to wash them off in your life, and you can guarantee that the eldest brother will remember that he once had a child killed in your hands, and he won¡¯t have any resentment in his heart,¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Qiao dazed, the sharp nk in her eyes dim for a few minutes, and she hesitated.


    ¡°If we deal with them now, they will die without proof. But if Liuli sends out the wind, people will say we are guilty then kill people. Even if there is no evidence, everyone will believe such talk. The eldest brother and Jing ¡®an marquis house won¡¯t argue.¡±


    Ye Jiayao analyzed the stakes.


    ¡°Killing has the advantage of killing. It relieves anger, but it can¡¯t solve the problem. Not killing has the worry of not killing, but I think it is much smaller than the consequences of killing. Once a woman bes a mother, her heart is soft. Cuiyan already knows that she can¡¯t get into this door, but she believes she won¡¯t do anything bad for marquis house for the sake of her child ...¡±


    Qiao¡¯s facial expression became vacant and her heart was so tangled that she could not kill anyone. What should she do? If she keeps them, they¡¯ll makes her feel blocked?


    ¡°Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, don¡¯t try so hard to make a decision. Think it over before you make a decision.¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    In fact, she couldn¡¯t say for herself whether this person should or shouldn¡¯t stay. In fact, this kind of thing might not have so many worries at all, but it was very difficult for her.


    Everyone has his own bottom line, do something and not to do nothing. She was also a vengeful person. She had no mercy on Jinrong Jinyao, and her sisters. The lesson would be taught, but she never intended to kill anyone.


    Out of Qiao¡¯s house, Chunyu and Chunli stood outside. Chunyu said to Chunli, ¡°Eldest Brother, you and your wife discuss this.¡±


    He said then took Ye Jiayao away.


    Chunyu looked at her sullen and worried, but smiled slightly: ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry so much about this. You did the right thing. Killing people is simple. Just lift the knife and drop it with your hand, or a cup of poisoned wine with a rope. It was a good time at the time, but what happened afterwards? Will you regret it? Will you have nightmares at night? Cuiyan is hateful, but her existence will not harm marquis house, on the contrary, she maye in handy at a critical moment.¡±


    ¡°Liuli won¡¯t take it easy. Look at it. What is waiting for us is a verbal attack. I have a n to let some people¡¯s n fail.¡± Chunyu said confidently.


    Ye Jiayao sighed faintly: ¡°I have already made a promise over there. If sister-inw still can¡¯t let her go, I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu stopped and held her on the shoulder with his eyes bright and light and said earnestly, ¡°This matter is over. Leave it to me.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared askance at him for a long time, hating to grind her teeth: ¡°If you dare to get me a woman or a child outside, I will kill them.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was speechless, how did she say to him? Oh, she could endure Cuiyan, also advised eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, her turn was not line?


    Ah ... women, sometimes it was really unreasonable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I won¡¯t let you have such a chance.¡± Xia Chunyu pied mouth.


    Ye Jiayao snorted, frowning. ¡°You¡¯d better not try it.¡±


    ¡°I dare not.¡± Xia Chunyu bowed with a wry smile.


    It was midnight already, and there was still no one to report when mother Fang¡¯s men return.


    Liuli dropped down and sat down. There was no doubt that Cuiyan must have been taken away by Jingan marquis house.


    Her only card, lost.


    What did she tell King Yu? Next, Jing ¡®an marquis house was sure to shoot her! What should she do?


    Liuli had been on tenterhooks for two days, but there had been no movement in Jing ¡®an marquis house. No one hade to make trouble, and Chunfeng¡¯s attitude towards her was the same as before.


    Even on the day of the queen mother¡¯s funeral, she met You and others, and they said nothing but looked at her with more indifference.


    A few dayster, Zhou Xing¡¯s family came quietly to report that Song Qi had been drinking with the pages in the house, and that after drinking too much, he was revealed that the matter of Cuiyan and mother Fang had been solved.


    What did that mean? Anyone would think that they were killed, secretly put to death!


    Liuli n came from the heart. Well, do you think people are dead and can rest easy without proof? Then I¡¯ll let you taste what death is without proof.


    Soon, it was reported in Jinling City that the Jing ¡®an marquis house¡¯s eldest son, Xia Chunli, had raised an outer room and had children during the national funeral. Jing ¡®an marquis house secretly disposed of people in order to conceal their ugliness, killing one corpse and two lives....


    Even the Imperial Historians did not know where to collect the evidence. There was also a bunch of people who proved that on the days after the death of the queen mother, marquis house¡¯s eldest daughter-inw had a big belly and fought in the street outside the residence set up by Xia Chunli specifically for raising the outer room. Another doctor came forward to prove that he had given the concubine a pulse, and that she was indeed pregnant and was pregnant during the national funeral.


    The idea of impeaching Jing ¡®an duke seemed to fly to the front of the royal case.


    At that time, marquis house was at the forefront.

 Chapter 380 - Confrontation in court

    <h4>Chapter 380: Confrontation in court</h4>


    In the face of gossip, everyone in Jing¡¯ an marquis house kept quiet and refused to respond.


    However, rumors were so loud that the emperor looked at the hard evidence and was very angry. The prince argued a few words for Jing¡¯ an marquis house in hismand, but was scolded by the emperor.


    King Yu took the opportunity to say that he hoped to find out the truth of the matter. If it was true, such a big act of disobedience must be severely punished. If it was false, he would give Jing¡¯ an marquis house an innocence.


    The Prince hatred in the heart, people were dead, how could they prove it? How to check?He was very worried about it.


    The emperor was deeply impressed. After all,Jing¡¯ an marquis was a court minister and he had countless achievements.He could not be wronged, but if he did, the influence would be too bad, so he called Jing ¡®an marquis to the royal study room and was ready to ask by himself.


    Xia Zhuofeng was waiting for this opportunity, let Chunli first to the Zixiao Pce, waiting to arrange the arrangement.


    In the royal study room, The prince ,King Yu and several censors of censorate were presented.


    The emperor gloomily red at Xia Zhuofeng and said slowly, ¡± Lord Shen, tell the duke what you found.¡±


    Lord Shen was the censor of the censorate. He had been working overtime and collecting evidence all over the ce as if he had beaten chicken blood. He thought he was sure to give Jing¡¯ an marquis a good look.


    ¡± I followed the instructions.¡± Lord Shen arched his hands and looked like two sharp knives at Jing ¡®an marquis, who was as peaceful as Taishan Mountain.


    Xia Zhuofeng licked his ears and straightened his back to listen.


    Lord Shen began to spit on the sin of Jing¡¯an marquis house, and his words were sharp and the momentum was like a rainbow.


    ¡°, the iron card is like a mountain, what else can you say?¡± Shen Daren hated the geological question.


    ¡± The duke, irrefutable evidence, do you have anything to say? ¡± asked Lord Shen, hating geology.


    Xia Zhuofeng cleared his throat and bowed his hand to the emperor. He slowly swallowed: ¡°The trivial things in my home pollute the holy listener, and I am afraid.¡±


    The opposition¡¯s speeches on the scene were all happy. They thought: You should admit it. It was powerless and useless in the face of powerful facts.


    The emperor just wanted to be angry, only to listen to Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s painful words: ¡°This kind of nonsense, I did not want to respond, but the people of censorate have abolished a lot of effort, collecting so many so-called evidence is not easy, the old minister I have to give them a statement.¡±


    ¡± Yes, the son liked a girl and it was originally intended to be a concubine, but the girl didn¡¯t like it, and it was during the pregnancy that the daughter-inw ,so he released the girl from the house. However, the son really liked her and was loathe to give up, so he secretly ced people outside and looked at it asionally. Later, the daughter-inw knew that,she was really angry and went to the outer residence to verify it, which was understandable even if she fought with her.¡±Xia Zhuofeng was calm and leisurely.


    ¡°Lord Shen, you don¡¯t also have a few rooms concubine¡¯s in the home?I heard that the family often quarrels. Last year, you loved the girl in the Drunk Red Mansion again. Your wife almost smashed the Drunk Red Mansion. Is that the case?I remember correctly, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Shen¡¯s face turned red when he was suddenly uncovered.


    ¡± And Lord Wei, your son, aged 17, heard that he is already a regr visitor to Wangxian Building and often fights with others for jealousness , right?¡±


    ¡°Lord Gao, I also heard that you liked your grandson¡¯s servant girl. You want the servant girl to be your side concubine. Your grandson has left home and has not returned yet, right?¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng looked at the past one by one and revealed the old story one by one.


    Several adults were flushed and convulsed, but they could not be refuted.


    The emperor¡¯s face was dripping with water, and he looked at the three censorships in disdain.You didn¡¯t behave properly and still dared to speak out and criticized others here?The face was too thick.


    The prince smiled, and the duke knew so much.


    King Yu¡¯s heart was annoyed. A group of useless wastes had not brought down the people yet, and he was the first to make a mess of himself.


    Xia Zhuofeng smiled happily: ¡°All of you are both moral and moral. Compared with you, my son is too pure. For so many years, he just has seen a gimmick in my house. I will go back to criticize him. Let him learn and study like the adults, why no one else has made such a big move, but he just looked at the girl,buting to the holy ce.¡±


    Lord Shen were not fuel-efficientmps either, and immediately retorted: ¡± the duke should not avoid the heavy and neglect the light. what he is talking about now is to make the prince mor for concubinage during the national funeral. children are the best evidence.¡±


    The emperor looked at Xia Zhuofeng again.


    Xia Zhuofeng said, ¡± Are you moring for concubinage?The medicine should not be taken indiscriminately and the words should not be ther. When did my son say he would take concubinage?Although m son is useless, he still knows the minimum etiquette. Even if he borrows 100 courage, he can¡¯t make a fuss about concubinage during the national funeral. Is he think his life is too long?In exchange for you, will you?¡±


    ¡± But it¡¯s true,¡± said the Lord Gao confidently.


    ¡± Facts?The fact is that the so-called witnesses you have casually called say a few words of nonsense?¡±The tone of Xia Zhuofeng suddenly froze and hardened.


    Arched his hands to the emperor: ¡± the emperor, since he said this, I really wants to take a serious view. the evidence given by the censorate is absurd and untrustworthy.¡±


    King Yu said slowly, ¡± the duke said the evidence of the censorate is absurd and untrustworthy. Can the duke have evidence to prove it?¡±


    ¡± That is, we censorate have always done the things based on evidence. Those witnesses are neighbors, and all confessions have been seen with their own eyes and heard with their ears. They have no cause or enmity with you in Jing ¡®an marquis house. Will they have wronged you?¡± Lord Wei said.


    ¡± The duke said that the evidence of the censorate is not credible. The duke dide up with evidence!¡± The Lord Gao chimed in.


    Xia Zhuofeng sneered, ¡± Of course, there is evidence. Now the son is outside. Let him exin the matter himself.¡±


    King Yu sneered at the bottom of his heart. Cui Yan were gone. Did you still make it clear?


    Xia Chunli was passed in.


    Xia Chunli rarely had a chance to see the emperor, so close, and a special interview was never held, so he was somewhat nervous.


    Such nervousness was seen by others as a sign of guilty conscience.


    ¡± The rebellious son, still not quick to kneel down and make things clear by himself,¡± Xia Zhuofeng growled. He did not dare to disy his lion roar in front of the emperor.


    Xia Chunli¡¯s legs softened and he trembled and said, ¡± Back to the emperor, I ... I am guilty.¡±


    The emperor said impatiently, ¡± Why are you guilty??¡±


    To this eldest son of Jing ¡®an marquis house, the emperor was all kinds of despises, he was obsequious, unlike Chunyu and Chunfeng, they were magnanimous and aboveboard.


    Xia Chunli stammered, ¡± I am very scared because of my sin, which worries the emperor about my personal affairs.¡±


    ¡± I did like Cui Yan, a maid, and wanted to wait until his wife Qiao gave birth,then trying to admit her to the door, but Qiao had knew this matter, saw Qiao so sad and angry, and I regretted and felt that I shouldn¡¯t do this. Cui Yan was encouraged toe to the door, which made me feel that Cui Yan was a woman who didn¡¯t know the general principles, I didn¡¯t want such a woman, I gave her a settlement fee and let her leave. Cui Yan said she was pregnant at the time, and I thought it was her trick, so didn¡¯t take it to heart, untilter I knew she was really pregnant.Now I¡¯m very tangled. I don¡¯t want such a woman. I want a virtuous wife, and so do concubines.Not every woman can go to the house, but she has the kid of me. I am quite embarrassed... the emperor, what do you think?¡±


    The emperor listened to the upset and was about to take a sip of tea to relieve his boredom. But Xia Chunli asked such a question that he almost spit out the tea.


    This kind of shit to ask me what to do?He managed everything day by day, Should he also care about such a broken thing as you?But on second thought, what was he doing with such great fanfare to challenge him face to face, didn¡¯t in charge of broken things?


    The emperor was very depressed.


    The prince asked, ¡± Chunli, what do you mean is that Cui Yan was pregnant when she came to make trouble??¡±


    Chunli nodded sorrowfully: ¡± It¡¯s been more than four months now, almost five months.¡±


    The prince breathed a sigh of relief and stopped talking.


    As long as Cui Yan was not pregnant during the national funeral, it was also somebody else¡¯s family things, which minister, which princely children were not three wives and four concubines, what was the big deal?It was also worth going to the front of the holy ?


    ¡± You¡¯re nonsense. A doctor has proved that Cui Yan is only three months pregnant at present. There¡¯s a medical certificate here. You can¡¯t deny it,¡± Lord Shen threatened.


    Xia Chunli looked at Lord Shen stupefied: ¡± Lord Shen, when did Cui Yan get pregnant,are you clear or am I clear?¡±


    Er ... Lord Shen choked and said angrily.¡± Can the doctor¡¯s diagnosis be wrong??¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s not necessarily. There are many bad doctors. Which doctor is so terrible?Even a few months of pregnancy could not be diagnosed. The Medical Department should deprive him of his medical qualification so as not to harm people. ¡± Chun Li angrily said.


    The prince gave a nce at King Yu, a face of certainty, andughed in his heart.He was afraid he throwing stones at his own feet this time.


    What was the fuel-efficientmp in Jing ¡®an marquis house?Could you not prepare?


    ¡± Then please royal hospital doctor to diagnose Cui Yan?Otherwise, no one can say clearly. ¡°Lord Gao said.


    Xia Zhuofeng pretended to be amazed: ¡°Hey? Didn¡¯t you just say that we have killed the people in Jing¡¯an marquis house? People have killed, how is it diagnosed?¡±


    ¡°If you are not guilty, can you kill people? Isn¡¯t it just to prevent face-to-face verification?¡± Lord Shen said righteously, and finally got to their death point, look at what to do next.


    King Yu¡¯s eyelids jumped straight, and the intuition told him that this was a bad thing.


    Xia Chunli retorted, ¡± Who told you that Cui Yan was killed by us?She is pregnant with my bone and blood, tiger poison does not feed on children. I am not like you, and you do everything for your own benefit.¡±


    ¡± Oh, I know, is Liu Li said right?She once hid Cui Yan and asked Cui Yan to do what she wanted. Fortunately, Cui Yan was not stupid enough to be hopeless and escaped when she knew that Liu Li was hostile. ¡± Xia Chunli looked at several adults with disdain.


    Under this, everyone was dumbfounded. Several adults looked at Yu Wang in the same ce andined in their hearts that Yu Wang ah Yu Wang, your news was definitely not allowed.It was too harmful to us.

 Chapter 381 - Stupid teammates

    <h4>Chapter 381: Stupid teammates</h4>


    King Yu also sensed scalp numb. What the hell was Liuli doing? Was she helping him or hindering him?


    When the emperor heard the name of Liuli, he was startled. The troublemaker was really bing more and more intolerable. She not only quarreled with Ye Jinxuan, but also argued with the people in marquis¡¯s house.


    He had no idea of it, Liuli was notorious then, once the emperor heard her name, what urred to him was conspiracy, then looking at the expression on several censors¡¯ and adults¡¯ dismal faces, King Yu was more sure about his guesswork. He was quite unhappy about Liuli¡¯s and King Yu¡¯s behavior, and started to be partial to and side with Marquis Jing ¡®an.


    On seeing that his father¡¯s face changed, he secretlyined, why were these stupid people staring at him? Did they want father to know that they were instructed by him?He immediately turned away to show that it had nothing to do with him.


    However, Lord Shen became more and more nervous when he saw King Yu¡¯s reaction. Did King Yu think they were useless and was frightened by a few words?King Yu said he was bold enough to do it. If something went wrong, he would shoulder it. Was there anything to be frightened about?


    Lord Shen hesitated for a while and said, ¡± Don¡¯t ask me who I heard it from? This affair is so notorious naw that everyone is talking about it.¡± The impact of this incident is extremely negative. Just a few words from you will not be enough to get rid of your suspicion.¡±


    King Yu narrowly spit out one mouthful old blood. Couldn¡¯t the old goat be a little more discerning ?Didn¡¯t he hear that Cuiyan is still alive?Didn¡¯t he see that the emperor was angry? What he did is just like putting the head on the rope set, is he seeking to die?


    ¡± Then what¡¯s your idea?¡± Xia Zhuofeng asked with anger.


    ¡± The only means to solve this problem is to call Cuiyan and ask the doctor in the royal hospital to diagnose it, and the truth would be clear.¡± Lord Gao said.


    The prince sighed, ¡± Must it be solved in this way?Father is busy with government affairs, but has to waste time and energy on this trivial matter.¡±


    ¡± My Highness, Prince, this is rted to the court¡¯s etiquette and statutes. If things are not made clear, themon people and officials may learn from it. Didn¡¯t several Lords in the Ministry of Military Affairs all get punished for viting the etiquette?Will everyone say that the emperor is partial to Marquis Marquis Jing¡¯ an?¡± Lord Wei said.


    Xia Zhuofeng and Xia Chunli looked at each other and were both embarrassed.


    When Lord Shen saw this situation, he had more confidence. It seemed that they were just bluffing. Cuiyan must have been disposed of long before.


    The emperor didn¡¯t want to take charge of this matter, but some censors continuously mentioned it. If he dropped it, it would be really hard to stop the public voice.


    So he said: ¡± Now that some of you are determined to find out the truth of it, then you let that person who was called ...¡±


    ¡± Cuiyan.¡± Eunuch Wei reminded in a low voice.


    ¡± Yup, the maid named Cuiyan came to check it.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng stammered: ¡± This ... this ...¡±


    ¡± Can¡¯t you hand in that person? Or are all the rumors outside the world true?¡± Lord Shen tilted his mouth and smiled gleefully.


    King Yu couldn¡¯t help expecting something, and he was almost confused by the father and son.


    Xia Zhuofeng sighed heavily: ¡± The family is unfortunate, I am really ashamed to stand here. Even if my son is proved innocent, it can not change much. Considering royal reputation, I would rather choose to take the me. And I don¡¯t mind whatever others think of me.The emperor, it¡¯s all because I didn¡¯t teach my son well, please punish me!¡±


    Prince already understood that the so-called royal reputation refers to Liuli and even King Yu. If it proved the innocence of Chunli, it would testifythe ulterior motives of Liuli and King Yu. Of course, King Yu was not deeply involved. Father rebuked him at most, but it was enough to let father see the negative side of King Yu . The duke was making concessions in order to gain advantages.Can he not help to pour oil on the fire?


    ¡± Duke, your word is not right, ck is ck, white is white, if we call white ck and don¡¯t tell right from wrong, whats the function of etiquette¡¯s existence?The emperor is a clever and clear monarch, and he can¡¯t be fooled casually. ¡± The prince said with unhappiness.


    How can the emperor not understand the meaning of Marquis Jing¡¯ an? Indeed, Liuli had repeatedly humiliated the royal family, which was really depressing. Moreover, this incident had caused much publicity and can¡¯t even be considered private.


    This old fox would carry the me silently. But why must he also speak it out openly and say it out?Can he still let him keep on taking the me?Wouldn¡¯t it show that he is a bad king?


    ¡± What the prince said is extremely true, Dear Xia , you don¡¯t have to worry about anything. If you can prove it, I will give you justice.¡± The emperor had to show magnanimity and understanding despite his depressed feeling.


    ¡± Since it was the emperor¡¯smand, I will only obey it,¡± Xia Zhuofeng answered reluctantly.


    When King Yu heard this, he was suddenly nervous again. It seemed that the Lord Xia really had a way to prove it.


    Said in a hurry: ¡± You don¡¯t need to be embarrassed. If there is any misunderstanding here, it would be better to rify it.¡±


    If he was not sure, he would only get himself into a more embarrassing situation, or it was better to find a step down as soon as possible.


    Xia Zhuofeng sneer at the bottom of his heart, boy. He changed his tune quickly and got misunderstood in the twinkling of an eye.


    ¡± It¡¯s a misunderstanding, but it¡¯s a misunderstanding caused by bad intentions,¡± Xia Zhuofeng jeered.


    As he said this, Xia Zhuofeng made a bow: ¡± Please ask the emperor to announce Chunyu to see him!When the child heard that the emperor was going to summon the old minister, he was in a hurry to go back to look for Cuiyan. I have said no need to, but he must find someone toe. ah ... how could this impatient guy be so ignorant? I guess that the person have already been brought in at the moment. ¡±


    King Yu and several censors and adults almost fell back. What the hell, Cuiyan was not dead!


    The emperor was also oppressed with chest pain. This old fox was really sinister. Was Chunyu crude? It was clearly this old fox who had set up a trap. And he was described so loyal a person. He served as the good man and othered suffered the losses but still could not speak ill of him.


    Chunyu and Cuiyan were summoned in. Xia Zhuofeng said, ¡± You should first confirm whether this is Cuiyan, in case that others thought we have found someone taking her ce.¡±


    The lords looked at each other. They had not seen Cuiyan yet. Who knew if this woman in front of them was Cuiyan ?


    ¡± If you have no opinion, please let the royal doctore in!¡± Xia Zhuofeng said.


    ¡± Emperor, I have never seen what Cuiyan looks like?The emperor, should let the duke present evidence to prove it?¡± Shen¡¯s forehead was sweating.


    If it was false, and was mixed up by Marquis Jing¡¯ an, and they would take the me.


    Xia Chunyu scoffed and said, ¡± Do you want evidence?Come here Mother Fang, please.


    A momentter, Mother Fang was brought there.


    Fang Mother was an old man from Ninghe Pce. The emperor naturally recognized her. Moreover, Mother Fangwas originally a mother assigned to Liuli by the queen mother, butter her several ribs were broken after being kicked by Chunfeng for making rumors, and left the pce to heal her wound.


    There was no doubt in the emperor¡¯s mind that this matter was rted to Liuli and it was firmly confirmed after the appearance of her.


    ¡± Mother Fang, you have to prove who she is and tell the emperor what you know by the way. Don¡¯t worry, the emperor will make decision for you, but if you lie, you will be guilty of deceiving the king and your rted family will be punished or even killed.¡± Chunyu warned gently.


    Thanks to Yaoyao¡¯s taking the life of Mother Fang¡¯s family as a bargaining chip, and with her earnest persuasion, Mother Fang promised to tell the truth.


    The prince¡¯s eyes looked at Chunyu with a slightly reproachful meaning. You should had already schemed it and didn¡¯t evenmunicate with me first, making me worried about it and being scolded by the emperor.


    Chunyu smiled, if this matter was told in advance to the prince, can the prince still worry about it? And can King Yu catch the trap?Although the prince was frightened and wronged, the benefits were real. Well, made amends with the princeter.


    Mother Fang knelt on the ground, and even at this moment, her heart was still very tangled. She knew it clearly what fate was going to be when she said the truth. After all, she witnessed the princess¡¯s growth. But if she didn¡¯t say it or lied, her nephew¡¯s life would be in danger. After a careful consideration, Mother Fang said, ¡± She is Cuiyan. The princess once hid her in my ce, and I has been with her for a while.¡±


    ¡± You said the princess hid Cuiyan in your ce?Why does she hide her?¡± although the prince had resentment in his heart, he understood that this was a good opportunity and would not miss it.


    ¡± The princess wanted to take advantages of Cuiyan¡¯s pregnancy. She said that all the people in Marquis Jing¡¯ an¡¯s office were not good who always bullied her. She wanted to revenge.¡±


    That was the only sentence, that was, breaking the rock and sweeping away the dark clouds and clearing away the moon.


    The emperor¡¯s expression turned dark and serious, and sneered.


    ¡± The princess also said that when the person was handed to Highness, Highness will certainly find a way to torture them.¡±


    King Yu hadn¡¯t woken up from the first thunder yet, and then the seconde to hit him, directly ckening him both inside and outside.


    ¡± What the hell are you talking about?What¡¯s the business with me?¡± King Yu was angry. He was really not afraid of the strong opponent, but was afraid of the stupid teammate. Liuli was the stupid one, who was too stupidto be tolerated. She should tell an old ve about such a secret matter, and he, unfortunately, believed in her. King Yu really wanted to strangle Liuli.


    ¡± Father, this matter has nothing to do with me, I have never seen Liuli before. The Mother Fang must be ordered by others and she should be put to death.¡± King Yu defended herself nervously.


    ¡± I have told a lot of lies in his life, but what I said today is true.¡± Mother Fang was ashamed.


    Xia Chunyu said quietly: ¡± Hasn¡¯t emperor Yu not seen Liuli? On the night of 12th, Liuli went to King Yu Office. On the 13th, King Yu and Liuli had whispered in the imperial garden for a long time. Later, the rumors were spread all over the country, and the Lords of the Imperial Observatory began to be busy. The memorial of impeachment was ced on the holy royal court. My Highness Yu, we haven¡¯t offend you, have we?¡±


    This time, the n was not just aimed at Liuli, but also at dragging King Yu into the water. Last time King Yu snared him, and he almost died in the valley and killed Yao, and he also couldn¡¯t forget the revenge of kidnapping Yaoyao. He must revenge onKing Yu first and then on Jiang Zuomeng.

 Chapter 382 - What qualifications do you have to go back with me

    <h4>Chapter 382: What qualifications do you have to go back with me</h4>


    King Yu¡¯s head was covered with big drops of perspiration. These remarks were too vicious. The original movement of Liuli was already under their surveince, and he was foolishly moving forward. It seemed that he really angered to be confused by the matter of Datong Hui and became eager for quick sess and instant benefit. He was not such a person before. He was cautious and careful, nning step by step and working step by step. Years of hard work hade to naught in a short period of time, how could he not be annoyed and how could he not grieve.


    He shouldn¡¯t have said anything such as not seeing Liuli and blocked his retreat.


    The emperor was very angry. He thought Jing¡¯an Marquis meant Liuli, but he didn¡¯t expect to involve King Yu.


    Although King Yu¡¯s recent performance disappointed him, the emperor still didn¡¯t want to trouble this son and even tried his best to create opportunities for him, because once King Yu fell, the prince was the only one to show off. The fourth son was not able to do anything at all, the sixth son was still young and not strong enough topete with the prince. And the emperor himself was still at his peak in his age, and he was uneasy about the fall of power. He could not suppress the prince by himself, but could take advantage of King Yu¡¯s power.


    But King Yu, a fool, was caught on a conversation. Could he pretend not to know? Could he not give Jing¡¯an marquis house a recement?


    The prince hardlyughed. The little resentment he had before was now thrown beyond the highest heavens by the joke in front of him.


    Third younger brother, Did you think Jing¡¯an marquis house was easy to provoke? You shouldn¡¯t have troubled Jing ¡®an marquis house so soon, leading Jing ¡®an marquis house, which had always remained neutral, to fall to my side. I really wanted to thank you very much, my dear third young brother.


    ¡± Bastard, Don¡¯t you know Liuli is what kind of person? What are you messing around with about her?¡± The emperor thundered.


    Xia Chunyu came to anger when he heard this. The emperor also defended King Yu, he did not say that King Yu was plotting evil, but med him for blending Liuli. The two were totally different meanings.


    King Yu had felt that he was going to die. At the moment, he seemed to see a glimmer of light. He felt guilty and said, ¡± Father, please punish your son. It is my fault. The sister told me she was aggrieved in Jing¡¯an marquis house. The queen mother was dead so that no one could protect her. I was?too sorry for her to tell the right from wrong...Father, please punish me, I shouldn¡¯t have listened to her.¡±


    King Yu knelt down and bowed his head, ashamed of himself.


    It was impossible not to admit his mistake. He could only be half-genuine?and half-sham, putting the me on Liuli. This fool deserved it.


    The emperor looked straight at several censors with sharp eyes and threatened, ¡± Did King Yumand you to do this?¡±


    The three censors shivered with fear, their legs softened, and knelt on ground.


    ¡± I listened to rumors, andunched an investigation. It was not instigated by anyone,¡± said Censor Shen with trepidation.


    Even if he was stupid, he still understood the meaning of the emperor¨Che wanted to let King Yu go. If they foolishly said that they were instigated by King Yu, it would really be to a bad end. Didn¡¯t admit it, it just would lead to lose an officer, which was better than lose life.


    All three strongly denied it.


    The emperor¡¯s tummy was full of anger and he throw the anger at the three censors: ¡± You fatuous and ipetent people, taking the sry of the imperial court, are doing all sorts of things without finding out what is going on. Youe to me to im credit for it, so that I am almost hoodwinked by you and wrong the hero. What¡¯s the use of you? Come on, take off their official hats and dismiss them for investigation.¡±


    The three censors, sweating a lot, did not dare to breathe. They were allowed to take off their official hats and get out.


    The emperor red at King Yu again: ¡± you alsomitted an unforgivable sin. From today on, you will stay in your mansion to reflect on yourself.¡±


    King Yu trembled and obeyed, and slipped away.


    Prince sighed secretly, it seemed father still didn¡¯t trust him! He had to keep third young brother to hamper him.


    After handling the censors and King Yu, the emperor looked more cheerful and had a much calmer tone. He said to Xia Zhuofeng, ¡± Dear Xia has good intentions and endures the humiliation in order to save the royal face. Ah ... I am ashamed of you.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng hastened to say, ¡± The emperor has really hurt me. I am loyal and willing to do anything for you. Why do you talk about injustice?¡±


    The emperor nodded with great relief: ¡± I love your loyalty, and my heart is very released.¡±


    As soon as his eyes turned, he saw Chunli and others kneeling on the ground. The emperor said, ¡± Chunli has served in the academician courtyard for many years, and I hear some good remarks about him. I think it is time for him to be promoted to a senior position in the academy. So, tomorrow I intend to promote you to a bachelor¡¯s degree in lecturing in the academician courtyard.¡±


    Chunli was pleasantly surprised. His bachelor¡¯s degree was from five grades, and he immediately rose by two grades, every cloud has a silver lining.


    ¡± Thank my emperor.¡± Chunli hastened to kowtow to him.


    Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s corner of his eyes were twitched. This sweet jujube was not a good thing. Why the brat so happy?


    ¡± The emperor, frankly speaking, this matter is made by Liuli. Since she entered Jing¡¯an marquis house, marquis house has not been peaceful in a few days. continue like this, I¡¯m afraid my life will soon be over. Such a daughter-inw, having no blessing, I can¡¯t afford so! My emperor, please help me. ¡± Xia Zhuofeng took the opportunity to speak, sighing.


    In the past, the queen mother did everything possible to maintain it. Now the queen mother was gone. If the emperor didn¡¯t promise, he wouldn¡¯t be able to leave today.


    The emperor was silent for a long time, and knew well that it was not enough to appease Chunli by merely raising an official position. Liuli was too much for him to open his mouth to protect her.


    The emperor asked: ¡± What does Chunfeng mean?¡±


    Xiao Zhuofeng¡¯s tears would fall out, sadly said: ¡± Chunfeng¡¯s life is miserable.¡±


    The emperor sighed for a long time. His wife and his family couldn¡¯t stand each other, and Chunfeng was caught in the middle. The taste was definitely not good. Then the emperor said: ¡± In that case, I will make decision and let them divorce. Outside, you can say that Liuli is filial. Liuli is very sad because of the queen mother¡¯s death and she is willing to study Buddhism for the queen mother for three years. So I let her go back to the pce.¡±


    Xia Zhuofeng immediately bowed to his knees and bowed his head: ¡± Thank the emperor for yourpassion. My family are all grateful to the emperor.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s look was so ugly because the princess was returned, and the others were so grateful. Maybe Zhao Liuli was the only one in the whole world. It was really ashamed.


    A storm ended, although Xia Zhuofeng failed to take the chance to bring down King Yu, he finally won a holy life and sent Zhao Liuli out of his house.


    Everyone felt that the depression in the chest for a long time was swept away, and even breathing became smooth.


    After leaving Zichen pce, Chunyu exined a few words to the prince, who smiled and didn¡¯t mind any more. everybody left and went home together.


    Chunyu patted the first brother on the shoulder: ¡± First brother, I don¡¯t lie to you, does this woman stay right?¡±


    Chunli smiled wryly: ¡± The second younger brother and the second younger sister-inw are foresight.¡±


    A few days ago, he and Qiao were still wondering whether to leave Cuiyan. Now, it seemed that the decision of the second younger sister-inw and the second younger brother were right. If he really killed Cuiyan, there was no doubt that they wouldn¡¯t be able to pass today.


    Everyone went home happily. After hearing the news, You immediately perked up and told the servants to pack up the third courtyard and wee the third master back to the house.


    Cuiyan was sent to the farmhouse outside and let her go after giving birth.


    Xia Chunfeng also got the news from Dali Temple. He immediately felt light after being depressed for so long. Finally, he waited the day when the cloud dispersed and the moon was bright, so he immediately asked for leave to house and began to pack up his things.


    The emperor¡¯s imperial edict had not yet arrived at Seventh Lord¡¯s mansion, so Liuli did not yet know. she was still waiting for the good news from King Yu. She heard that today the censors were going to impeach Jing¡¯an Marquis and punished Chunli.


    Her life was not easy, everybody else also didn¡¯t expect to live in peace, she must make general turmoil.


    ¡± My princess, third master are back, packing up.¡± The maid came in nervously and reported.


    Liuli was stunned,?packing up? What did Chunfeng want to do? He wanted to leave this house? He wished!


    Liuli immediately went to Chunfeng¡¯s room.


    She saw peopleing and going out and carrying out boxes of books and clothes.


    Liuli flew into a rage: ¡± stop it all! who allows you to move?¡±


    The servants did not dare to move. Chunfeng came out of the house and waved hands to the servants to signal them to move on.


    Liuli became angry and said angrily, ¡± Xia Chunfeng, what are you doing?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng dismissed the question and said simply, ¡± What do you do? Don¡¯t you see it?¡±


    ¡± What do you mean? Are you moving back to marquis house? Well, then we move in together. ¡± Zhao Liuli threatened and thought: You went back, I also went back, went back to continue to make trouble. Let me see what you would do.


    Xia Chunfeng took out a sneer at the corners of his mouth: ¡± You move with me? Do you think you are still the daughter-inw of Jing¡¯an marquis house?¡±


    Liuli also sneered: ¡± You and I are pointing to marriage by the queen mother and emperor personally . You are my husband, and a wife is her husband¡¯s echo. Naturally, I will follow you.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng really wanted tough. Up to now, she still posed as the third daughter-in-low of Jing¡¯an marquis house. It was ridiculous that she still had the face to enter the gate of Jing¡¯an marquis house after she had done such an evil thing.


    Liuli saw that he couldn¡¯t stopughing, and became angry from embarrassment: ¡± What are youughing at? Xia Chunfeng, I¡¯ll tie you up in my life. You don¡¯t want to befortable if I¡¯m not happy. You and whole marquis house don¡¯t want to live in peace. I see, and I am desperate too. Nobody expects to be better. ¡±


    Xia Chunfeng had a hard time to stopughing. He looked at the Liuli as if she were a joke. This woman he once loved deeply was now only extremely disgusted.


    ¡± Zhao Liuli, I have to thank you, thank you for doing this, otherwise, the emperor can¡¯t promise me to divorce you. You don¡¯t know yet, the emperor has already said that he will let you and me divorce and let you go back to the pce to keep filial piety for the queen mother. The queen mother loves you so much that you should also keep filial piety for the queen mother. Well ... I think the imperial edict will arrive soon. ¡± Xia Chunfeng said slowly.


    As if there was thunder exploding in the mind of Liuli. She looked at Xia Chunfeng unbelievably. The emperor ordered him to divorce? No, it was impossible...

 Chapter 383 - A person

    <h4>Chapter 383: A person</h4>


    Zhao Liuli can¡¯t believe this was true, was her n shattered again? She spected countless times that the worst thing was to make marquis lose some reputation, and King Yu promised her that he would never confess her. She was only responsible for telling King Yu about it, and all other things were arranged by King Yu alone. They had no evidence against her, and even if they questioned her, she had a way to get rid of it. After all, Cuiyan was dead, servant Fang must had escaped death as an insider, and she used the death cannot give witness.


    Looking at her uncertain expression of indecision, Xia Chunfengughed even more at her lips.


    ¡± Surprise?But I¡¯m not surprised. Your paranoia and selfishness are taken for granted. However, the result is much faster than I expected. ¡±


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s eyes were slightly distant, looking at the shimmering glow of the sky, heaved a sigh of relief, and then withdrew his eyes. The deep eyes seemed to be stained with the glow, smiling slightly, streaming with light, increasingly showing his elegance.


    This was the ease and ease that emanated from the inside out after the heart block dissipates.


    ¡± You must be puzzling over sensitive thinking, what link is wrong? You can¡¯t think of it, so you can¡¯t believe it. As thest conversation between you and me, I¡¯ll try my best to clear up your doubts and doubts.¡±


    ¡± Zhao Liuli, you lose at judge others by yourself. You use your attitude to figure out others. You can easily force servant Fu to death and poison Little Ya. They are a tool in your eyes. You can use them when you can. You don¡¯t need them, and you can discard them at will. You always only know to put yourself first, so you are cruel and you are poisonous. How can a master like you expect others to die hard for you?¡±


    Liuli stupefied and looked at his light and clear eyes. The bright and rxed smile. How long have she not seen him like this?The cheerful and gentle Chunfeng once touched the softest part of her heart with such a smile, and they also had endless love words and happy time with love and honey....


    Now, he said, this was thest conversation between them.


    He smiled, but his thin lips spit out words that are more beneficial than knives and colder than frost.


    Liuli¡¯s heart hurt violently.


    She thought she didn¡¯t care about this person any more, but now, sadly, she found that she still cared so much and couldn¡¯t let go of what she cared about.


    What she thought in her mind, Xia Chunfeng already didn¡¯t care about it, and simply dissected: ¡± So, you will take it for granted that once the people in Jing ¡®an marquis house find Cuiyan, they will surely kill people and kill Cuiyan, and marquis house will regain the initiative. After you found Cuiyan missing, you were scared and you panicked. However, you waited a few days and found nothing happened in marquis house, and you took it for granted that marquis house was toote to cover up the truth and how dare to get you in trouble, so you got up again and thought of a n which make marquis house fall to voice their own opinions. And you only need to tell King Yu this idea.¡±


    ¡± So, you lose at the understand of human nature. Not everyone in this world is as selfish as you are. For their own self ¨C interest, the second sister-inw found Cuiyan and servant Fang. Instead of killing them, she madeprehensive arrangements, because she knows to respect human life and sometimes not killing is more frightening than killing. I might as well tell you that it is servant Fang who testifies against you in front of the emperor today.¡±


    Liuli turned pale, shaking and taking a step back, it was almost unstable, and hatred in her heart was like pouring out of magma, which was Ye Jinxuan again and again bad for her good deeds.


    Xia Chunfeng said with indifference, ¡± The second reason for your failure is unknown. Do you think King Yu is your solid ally?Oh, it¡¯s so naive. If you change to be a prince, you may still care about the friendship between the cousins and cover up for you, but you don¡¯t know what to do with each other. You must find King Yu. Of course, you think you have amon goal to deal with. It¡¯s natural to hit it off, but you never thought that once the plot is revealed, King Yu will shoulder the responsibility?¡± He might as well tell her that King Yu cleared himself at the first moment, instead testifying that he was blinded by you.¡±


    Liuli¡¯s face was white again, it was white and bloodless, legs soft and crumbling.


    Xia Chunfeng was approaching two steps, and his eyes suddenly turn cold: ¡± You are malevolent, but you are very stupid. When I say to you, I don¡¯t care about anything and I see the end of today, but you can¡¯t see that you are still there gloating and silently carrying out your revenge n.¡±


    ¡± Zhao Liuli, from you into the door of the summer home, everyone sincerely treats you and regards you as a member of the summer home. How can you be unreasonable, everyone is willing to endure it? It is your selfishness, arrogance and willfulness. It is you who have pushed away all the people who want to be good to you, including me, I really love you and don¡¯t want to give up you. It is you who have to draw a gap between you and me and all the people who care about and love you, and plunge a nail into it, the queen mother who is to love you like her life, she also totally disappointed in you.Even the dying didn¡¯t ask you toe into the pce to see her. Zhao Liuli, you are finally left alone.¡±


    These words were cold and cruel, urgent and cutting, and every word was like a whip with a hook and a nail that plunged relentlessly into her heart.


    Especially that sentence ... Zhao Liuli, you were finally left alone.


    Yes, she was left alone atst. Her parents died at an early age, and the queen mother who loved her most was gone. Now, even the people she loved will leave her.


    A person¡¯s endless destion and loneliness swept over her, causing her heartache to be unable to breathe.


    At this moment, she had no strength to hate anyone any more, but only endless panic. From then on, she would be alone to face others¡¯ indifference, to face the wind and rain of life, be alone, this concept had destroyed all her pride and persistence.


    A person, she never knew that these several words had such great power and can destroy everything, but now she really felt it.


    In the end, she was left alone.


    Liuli smiled miserably and tears streamed down unconsciously.


    She regretted it, but she could not say the word ¡°regret¡±.


    She wanted to ask him not to leave, but she could not say how to ask him to stay.


    She wanted to give up all her dignity and pride and knelt on the ground to beg him, but she could only stand weeping.


    Xia Chunfeng finally threw up his anger and cleared up all the bitterness in his heart. This life of depression and anguish was ended. Those who hadughed were buried deep in his heart and all the unpleasant thoughts were scattered in the wind.


    He finally took a deep look at the tearful Liuli and said gently, ¡± I¡¯m gone, you don¡¯t have to wait for me toe back.¡±


    After that, Xia Chunfeng strode away and never returned.


    In his heart, he murmured in a low voice ... farewell, Zhao Liuli, from now on she and he were passers ¨C by.


    Liuli hastily turned around and gawked at the back of chunfeng.


    Striding fast, walking briskly.


    He just walked out of her sight and out of her life.


    Her heart seemed to be stripped away and the blood was dripping with pain to the point of numbness.


    Chunfeng, didn¡¯t go...


    She called in her heart.


    But only her own sobs were heard in the wind, echoing in the empty courtyard.


    It was a vibrant spring, but her life was full of fallen leaves and a depression.


    Zhao Liuli finally burst into tears, burst into uncontroble tears and squatted on the ground like an abandoned child.


    No one came to persuade her. The servants from Jing ¡®an Marquis House all packed up and followed the third young master. The people sent from the pce did not dare to persuade her. Who dared to go to stroke of bad luck at this time?


    Everyone can only stand and watch from a distance. They didn¡¯t have much sympathy in their hearts. They were more worried about their future, following a princess who had no husband¡¯s family and whom the emperor didn¡¯t like is not a real princess. The prospect was grim.


    Xia Chunfeng went straight back to Marquis House. The feeling of going home this time is different from the past. There was no guilt, no burden, no need to see mother¡¯s worried look, and no need to be afraid of other people asking him how he was.He was the third son of Marquis House, only the third son of Marquis House. He liked this identity.


    Even the concierge saw him grinning and said happily, ¡± Third master, you are finally back!¡±


    Xia Chunfeng raised his eyebrows and smiled: ¡± Yes, I am back.¡±


    ¡± The seconddy cooked herself and was waiting for you to eat at the moment!¡± The concierge walked over.


    Xia Chunfeng¡¯s heart was warm and warm. He nodded his head and sped to the main courtyard.


    On this night, the father and son had a good drink, and the good apricot vige drank two jars. Chunfeng was directly down, still holding the jars and refusing to let them go, and was giggling all the time.


    Chunli also giggled, happy, finally promoted, for many years, thought this was the way it was in my life, ah ... life is always full of idents, too unexpected.


    Even Chunyu was a little tipsy and insisted on getting father down.


    There was no reason why the three young and strong sons still can¡¯t do better than father, and they must be despised by his father.


    Xia Zhuofeng¡¯s hands with wine were unstable, and he shouted with his tongue: ¡± Smelly boy, drink! Who¡¯s afraid of you? I have never been afraid of two things in my life, one is killing the enemy and the other is drinking and I will not believe in not turning over you, little rabbit ...¡±


    Outside, Youined, ¡± How old are you? You still think you¡¯re a 18 years old young boy.¡±


    Although it was aint, You had a clear smile in her eyes, and she hadn¡¯t seen the master so happy for a long time.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± Everyone is seldom happy. This wine has been suppressed for several months. Let them go!¡±


    Only Qiao¡¯s smile was somewhat helpless. Although she admitted that the decision of the second sister-inw was correct, Cuiyan and the child¡¯s existence were like a thorn in her heart, and there was always something unpleasant.


    Ah ... this may be her life!

 Chapter 384 - Can’t go back any more

    <h4>Chapter 384: Can¡¯t go back any more</h4>


    Xia Chunyu was carried back by Song Qi.


    As soon as he came back, he fell down on the bed, full of the ascent of alcohol, and Ye Jiayao dared not open the window and ventte. Drunken people had all their pores open and were easy to suffer from the cold.


    She had to order people to prepare hot water, sober soup and then she changed his clothes herself.


    But this guy was too uncooperative and moved around. He grabbed her with his both hands and giggled with his eyes closed: ¡°Yaoyao, I¡¯m so happy, I haven¡¯t been so happy for a long time ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a helpless wry smile. She knew Chunyu¡¯s mood because Chunfeng¡¯s happiness had always been a knot in Chunyu¡¯s heart. He always felt that Chunfeng¡¯s misfortune was his fault. She didn¡¯t think so. It was because she had a guilty feeling towards Chunfeng that she was able to tolerate Liuli again and again.


    Now Chunfeng finally broke away from the bitter sea and was reborn. everyone in the family was very happy and pleased.


    ¡°Yaoyao, do you know? I¡¯m really happy ... ¡± He was drunk and repeated this sentence over and over.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ¡± I see, you¡¯re happy, I¡¯m happy, everyone is happy, but your capacity for liquor is too bad, your father still has walked back on his own. You three brothers are very happy that you all has gone under the table.¡±


    Xia Chunyu refuted: ¡± Father is cunning ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao lost her smile: ¡± Hey, you know you have been calcted by your father!¡±


    The old marquis was indeed cunning, deliberately let the three sons consume each other first, and then started to exert his power after they had almost finished drinking.


    Xia Chunyuughed again: ¡± Happy, really happy, Yaoyao, I am so happy ...¡±


    He pulled Ye Jiayao into his arms rudely. He was drunk and didn¡¯t have a judgement of his strength. He just wanted to hold her tightly and let her feel his joy from the bottom of his heart.


    Ye Jiayao was lying on him in an indecent posture, thinking that Qiao Xi would send hot waterter and Xiangtao would bring sober soup. If they saw her lying on him like an octopus, what would they think?


    She struggled to get up quickly, but this fellow was so tight that she couldn¡¯t make any move.


    ¡± Chunyu, let me go quickly and I will change your clothes.¡±


    ¡± Yaoyao, I¡¯m so happy ...¡±


    ¡± Xia Chunyu, you are enough. Can you say something else?¡±


    ¡°Yaoyao, I¡¯m so happy ...¡±


    Fuck, wasn¡¯t this the same?


    ¡°Yaoyao, I¡¯m so happy, Chunfeng is back ...¡±


    ¡°Okay, you can dream happily! Let me go quickly. ¡±


    Fuck, were drunken people so long ¨C winded?


    ¡°Yaoyao, I like you so much ...¡±


    Uh ... well, she liked to hear the truth after drinking.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t get free from him, so she just remained. Sheid on his body and started to trick him.


    ¡± Chunyu, except me, do you also like other women?¡±


    Ha ha ha ... he responded her with a giggle.


    ¡± Come on, tell me quickly otherwise I won¡¯t talk with you any more,¡± Ye Jiayao demanded.


    ¡± Yes ...¡± Someone was vague and sweeping.


    Ye Jiayao suddenly became angry: ¡± Who is it?¡±


    Yes, indeed there were other women.


    Someone held her and rubbed her in his neck: ¡± Like Bao, Yaoyao, give me a lovely daughter like Bao ... Yaoyao, let¡¯s have a baby!¡±


    A pair of hands also began move around, touching here and there.


    Ye Jiayao was in distress situation, Bao was also a woman? She wasn¡¯t even a girl?At most, she was just a baby girl. This bastard still dared to tease her when he was drunk. He was drunk and wanted to have a baby. He gave birth to one for her!


    Just as she was going to retort, there was a slight nasal snoring in her ear, and she looked up and saw that this guy was asleep.


    Ye Jiayao was so speechless that she was finally able to get out of trouble.


    It was only then that she took off his coat and covered him with the quilt.


    Watching him sleep with a smile, Ye Jiayao smiled helplessly, ordered a jasmine incense to get rid of the alcohol ascent, otherwise, she couldn¡¯t sleep tonight.


    Huh? Didn¡¯t Qiao Xi go to y hot water? Why hadn¡¯t shee back so long?


    Ye Jiayao was about to lift the curtain when she went out to call for someone. She heard Xiangtao outside ask, ¡± Let¡¯s not send this water and sober soup?¡±


    Qiao Xi replied, ¡°You go in, but I dare not go, and I am not ignorant.¡±


    ¡°Forget it, I won¡¯t bother either.¡± Xiangtao said here.


    ¡± Ah ... it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen Heir-son Lord drunk in so many years,¡± sighed Qiao Xi.


    Xiangtao smiled and said, ¡°Heir-son Lord is drunk. and he shouted vigorously with the seconddy, saying he wants to have a baby ...¡±


    Qiao Xi alsoughed: ¡°Don¡¯t speak it out.¡±


    After a pause, Qiao Xi said, ¡± I really hope that the seconddy will soon have a child, as lovely as Miss Bao and the young master Zhuangzhuang.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s certain. Dragon born dragon, chicken born chicken. As for the appearance of our Heir-son Lord and the seconddy, the children born must be more beautiful than Miss Bao and the young master,¡± said Xiang Tao with absolute certainty.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face flushed bright red, so the two smelly wenches saw and heard it before they hid out and even talked about the children.


    She couldn¡¯t help but stare in the back room, this smelly guy, to see what he had done and made her to beughed at.


    However, she really wanted a child. She was 19 years old after that. In modern times, she was 19 years old, when she was young and still studying, but in ancient times, there were very few people who had not yet be mothers at the age of 19.


    The poison on her body has beenpletely removed, and it was no problem to find another doctor to see it. But Chunyu and she were very careful because of the national mourning. They were afraid to have children at this time and earned a bad reputation. Now that the mourning period had expired and the dust had settled, it was time to consider the children.


    ¡± Sister Qiao Xi ...¡±Yingtao¡¯s voice rang out again.


    ¡± What is it?¡± Qiao Xi lowered her voice and asked.


    ¡± The concierge has said that the thirddy was outside, neithering in nor leaving, and the concierge has asked me to report back,¡± Yingtao said.


    Xiangtao immediately corrected her: ¡± What¡¯s the thirddy? There¡¯s no thirddy in the house now.¡±


    Qiao Xi gave her an oblique look. What was the point of arguing about this now?


    She asked, ¡± does thedy know?¡±


    Yingtao said, ¡± The concierge only lets me to tell the seconddy.¡±


    Ye Jiayao lifted the curtain and told Xiangtao and Yingtao, ¡± Take care of the Heir-son Lord, Qiao Xi, you go out with me.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know why Liuli wasing over at the moment. If she came to make trouble, she would give her a good lesson. Anyway, Liuli was no longer marquis house¡¯s person. There was no need to be polite to her.


    Zhao Liuli then stood stupefied in front of marquis house, looking at the characters of Jing¡¯ an marquis house on the door.


    The door was open, and one could see the gorgeous wall in it.


    As long as she raised her foot, she could walk in.


    However, there was an invisible door, or heart door, in the middle of this open door. She knew very well that she could no longer walk into this door.


    Tonight she would enter the pce. The emperor¡¯s decree ordered her to enter the pce immediately, since then she couldn¡¯t walk out any more in her life.


    The overall situation had been decided and she was unable to reverse it. On her way back to the pce, she suddenly wanted toe over and look at it and want to separate herself from Chunfeng.


    Although Chunfeng said ... she didn¡¯t have to wait for him toe back.


    She knew that it was all over, but she just wanted to look at him again. This nce must have engraved his face and voice on her heart. She could only spend the long lonely years in the future with memories.


    People likeed this. Once they lost everything, they thought of the beauty and happiness of the past, and those hatred became vague.


    Over the past two years, she had had a nightmare, tangled in this dream, and clearly wanted to wake up but she refused to do so.


    Now she finally woke up, but it was toote.


    A figure appeared behind the cliff.


    Liuli just stood still and watched the figureing towards her.


    She didn¡¯t want to escape, nor did she want to go up and tear off her impulse, though she couldn¡¯t wait to cramp and peel the person in front of her before she came here.


    This person was her enemy in the past and enemy all her life. Sadly, she couldn¡¯t fight this person, although she exhausted all her efforts, in the end, she still suffered a crushing defeat.


    Ye Jiayao walked to the front of Liuli and looked at her calmly and silently.


    Because she saw the empty eyes of Liuli, which she had never seen. Her eyes were only proud before, even if she was forced to admit mistakes on the spot, even if she held the tears, her eyes were also proud and unyielding, which was her inherent pride and persistent willfulness.


    However, now, the ss had nothing in her eyes, and they were empty, making her suddenly lose her desire to criticize.


    She really didn¡¯t understand the intention of Liuli standing here.


    To memorize the past?


    She was unwilling?


    Or did she want to say goodbye?


    Liuli was also looking at Ye Jiayao. She had no sarcasm or ridicule, no anger or hatred, only doubts and vignce.


    Liuli¡¯s heart was mournful, all of a sudden, she felt that all this was ridiculous, but it was an idental war of words that gradually evolved into today¡¯s result.


    She couldn¡¯t help thinking that if she bought ice drinks that day, she wouldn¡¯t be angry in Tianshang Ju Restaurant, maybe everything would be different.


    If she hadn¡¯t been unhappy at that time, even if she knew Chunyu had had a true lover in ck Wind Ridge and they loved each other deeply, she wouldn¡¯t be so upset. Everything just because, this was Ye Jinxuan! In the sixteen years when she could get everything she wanted, it was the first time she had suffered losses.


    Was it worth it?


    She asked herself again and again, but the answer was no longer meaningful.


    ¡°Is Chunfeng okay?¡± She asked this sentence in a low voice. Once the name was spoken, her heart was full of tenderness.


    Ye Jiayao said coldly, ¡± What do you think?¡±


    He should be very happy. He finally got rid of her. He walked so firmly and so briskly, like a bird out of a cage, waiting for him is a vast world.


    And she was going to walk into that dark cage.


    ¡± I juste to see him and I will leave.¡± Liuli slowly turned around and headed for the carriage, each step seemed to step on the tip of the knife, and each step seemed to weigh as much as one thousand catty.


    This was once her home...


    But she couldn¡¯t go back any more...

 Chapter 385 - Naya is coming

    <h4>Chapter 385: Naya ising</h4>


    Looking at Zhao Liuli on the carriage, the carriage slowly rolled up and headed for the pce.


    Qiao Xi was puzzled: ¡± She just left like this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao sighed silently, or what else? Rolled on the floor? Liuli was, after all, unable to do such a cheap act. Liuli was still the proud Liuli. Even if she fell into the dust, she would hold her noble head high.


    Today, she came and stood here. It was not easy.


    This crazy woman, paranoid woman, finally brought herself to no way back.


    Was it poor? Or sad?


    It was not too much to say that she deserved it!


    But if her parents were alive, if not for the excessive indulgence of the queen mother, and if she did note to this strange world, perhaps the fate of Liuli would be different, however, there was not such ¡°if¡± in the world and everything had happened and ended in sadness.


    Let it go, forgot it, everyone should pay a corresponding price for their action, that was all.


    The next day, Manager Zhao came back, busy and tiring but with his face brightened.


    ¡± The seconddy, the restaurant that master Qiao find is definitely in the good area. As for the price, I have been working with him for a few days and just press down ten percent, and have already paid the deposit and the bnce within half a month.¡±


    As Manager Zhao spoke, he took out a map and the restaurant¡¯s elevation n and showed it to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao was also very satisfied after looking at it. This section was the same as Jinling City Fu¡¯s section which was the most prosperous section. The floor was spacious and there were 22 private rooms just on the second and third floor, several more than those in Tianshang Ju Restaurant


    ¡± Yes, it can be settled like this, and you may have to work hard. Tomorrow, you go to Suzhou with Deng Haichuan. You¡¯ll be in charge of the renovation of the restaurant ording to the style of Tianshang Ju Restaurant¡¯ and let Deng Haichuan be in charge of recruitment. Chefs will be recruited locally, all welfare benefits are in ordance with the system of Tianshang Ju Restaurant¡¯ and must be opened in a month.¡± Ye Jiayao simply said.


    Manager Zhao immediately promised and went down to Deng Haichuan.


    As soon as Manager Zhao left, Ye Jiayao got up and went to see Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi. The two men nned to leave for the south in three days, so today Ye Jiayao purposely closed down the dessert house and prepared to entertain the two again.


    Of course, she also invited a Little Jing. As for Chunyu and Chunfeng, they willeter.


    Ye Jiayao was about to prepare food, Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi came.


    ¡± You¡¯re early and I haven¡¯t done anything yet!¡±


    Ye Jiayao said embarrassedly, she had made an appointment between 3 pm to 5 pm, but it was just during 1pm to 3 pm.


    ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter. We have no ce to go so we think we¡¯d bettere earlier and have a cup of tea,¡± Zhao Qixuan shook his paper fan and said.


    Su Yi nced at him lightly, thought, who had no ce to go? It was you who have no ce to go.


    ¡± Then you go to sit down first.¡± Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi to lead them to the VIP room for tea.


    Jiangyue smiled and said, ¡± Please go to rest, the seconddy. I¡¯ll do it. Although I can¡¯t make cakes as well as you, it is not very far from you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± That¡¯s it. I¡¯ll leave this to you.¡±


    Tea was the best Qimen ck tea, brewed in boiling water and filled with the aroma of tea immediately.


    ¡± Yaoyao, the tea here is sweet!¡± Zhao Qixuan held a smell cup, sniffed deeply and closed his eyesfortably to finish the tea.


    ¡± Last time I gave you a packet, didn¡¯t I? If you like, I¡¯ll have someone prepared some more, and you can take it to the south, ¡± Ye Jiayao said cheerfully.


    Su Yi said, ¡± You just ignore him. He has many good teas, such as Lushan mist, Junshan silver needle and the new Meiwu Longjing. Let him get you someter.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said gloomily, ¡± Susu, you don¡¯t understand this. I said the tea here is fragrant because of the environment here and the people who make tea. The tea is tasted in a state of mind. Do you understand? What Iment is sorrow of leaving. Do you understand?¡±


    Su Yi scoffed disapprovingly: ¡± Just you? Those who can¡¯t even tell the difference between the old Longjing tea and the new Longjing tea can only taste the state of mind. And the sorrow of leaving? You just stay.¡±


    ¡± Who said to stay, the south is my vast heaven and earth, andst night I don¡¯t know who was there sighing, saying that he doesn¡¯t know when wille back. Only state officials are allowed to set fires and forbid people to lightmps.¡± Zhao Qixuan said sadly.


    ¡± Yaoyao, you see, he always bullied me like that.¡± Zhao Qixuanined to Ye Jiayao.


    Ye Jiayao said with a pie mouth: ¡± One willing to fight, the other willing to take, what do you want toin?¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s eyes shed a light smile.


    Zhao Qixuan shook his fan hard and turned his eyes at those two: ¡± Neither of you are good people.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t helpughing and deliberately said, ¡± Su Yi, he said you are not a good man. You should let him go to the south to show his skill on his own.¡±


    Su Yi said at leisure: ¡± That¡¯s what it means.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan almost didn¡¯t spit out a mouthful of blood, pointing to Ye Jiayao and shaking his fingers: ¡± I really didn¡¯t see it, Yaoyao, you¡¯re too unkind.¡±


    Ye Jiayao raised his eyebrows and said, ¡± Call me sister ¨C in ¨Cw.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan tried to weep, but failed to shed a tear, shit, two person bullied one, and it was really not let people to leave.


    Let it go, the gap between the enemy and oneself was too great, fighting with them was just let oneself lose. Zhao Qixuan quickly adjusted his mind and changed the subject: ¡± Sister ¨C in ¨Cw, I heard you are nning to open a branch. Do you ... consider opening a branch to the south? It¡¯s the border of the three countries, and the Tianshang Ju Restaurant is famous abroad.¡±


    Really didn¡¯t say, Ye Jiayao had such ns, but now the focus was on Hangzhou and Suzhou, the border trade town, and she nned to reconsider the next year.


    ¡± Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, I tell you, there is no decent restaurant over there now, and there is no ce to eat. You think, there are many businessmen, and their pockets are bulging. They are not afraid of not having money but a good restaurant. If you open a branch shop there, I promise your money wille constantly, no less money than Jinling.¡± Zhao Qixuan spared no effort to persuade.


    Su Yi rarely united with Zhao Qixuan: ¡± Yes, the market there is definitely no worse than Jinling.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled: ¡± The key is that you opened a branch, and then there will be enough reason toe to the south, work inspection! Take Chunyu with you. How nice it is for your couple to travel all the way to the mountains and waters.¡±


    Ye Jiayao sniggered. It was afraid the two guys were too boring over there, but what they said about the business market was really a great opportunities. This was feasible.


    ¡± All right, then help me find a good floor and I¡¯ll send someone over there.¡± Ye Jiayao simply said.


    Zhao Qixuan smiled: ¡± If you are too busy, Susu and I can take a stake in it. We can help you run it. All you need to do is offering the manpower.¡±


    Uh ... it turned out that he was ying with this idea.


    Ye Jiayao turned over her eyes and said, ¡± Floor, renovation and early investment are your business, I¡¯ll offer manpower, and the business model can ording to the Tianshang Ju Restaurant. I¡¯ll be responsible for the cuisines, and you get forty percent of the profit, the rest is mine.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan quickly began to scratch his abacus in his heart and cried, ¡± Sister ¨C in ¨Cw, you are trying to get good ie without any input!¡±


    Ye Jiayao solemnly said, ¡± What do you mean? Do you know how much the sign of Tianshang Ju Restaurant is worth now? Do you know the market value of the dishes I developed? When you open a restaurant, you think several cooks will make everything all right? There is much question here, otherwise, the Tianshang Ju Restaurant can have a room in Jinling City, where restaurants are like forests? Can you be the first restaurant in Jinling in just one year? Four or six points, that¡¯s because we are friends, you need to know, even if you get 30 % share, I promise you will return all your money in less than a year, and what other business will return to your money so soon? Opening a mine makes a lot of money, but there is also a risk of ending in a waste mines. The restaurant which is on my business model is sure to make great profits¡±


    Ye Jiayao really had the confidence to say that, she may not be able to do anything else, but it was a piece of cake for her to open a restaurant. If it weren¡¯t for Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi who are trustworthy friends and have a life-long friendship, she won¡¯t consider cooperation. The signboard of Tianshang Ju Restaurant can¡¯t be smashed, no matter where it was opened. Even Qiao Dashao wanted to cooperate, said that there was no problem about two or eight points, but she still didn¡¯t promise! Four or six points, it was really the price of friendship.


    Zhao Qixuanmented: Everyone said you were a woman who could make money, and it turned out to be truth. Ah, there was no way. Who let her have this skill?


    The two exchanged their expressions in their eyes and Zhao Qixuan pped his hand and said, ¡± Four or six is four or six. That¡¯s settled. As soon as we get there, we¡¯ll start right away. You also need to hurry up!¡±


    The cooperation was so happily finalized.


    Zhao Qixuan took a look at the time and he remembered Little Jing and others.


    ¡± Hey? It is so strange, why haven¡¯t these guyse yet? It¡¯s a little toote.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Maybe it was dyed by something.¡±


    ¡± Ah ... even the delicious food is can¡¯t make they quickly,¡± Zhao Qixuan despised.


    Su Yi couldn¡¯t help staring at him again: Everyone else was like you? Just know about eating.


    Just then Chunfeng came in a hurry.


    ¡± Yisow, Old Zhao, Su Yi and others quickly withdrew to Helian Mansion.¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned and said, ¡± What is it?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan wondered, ¡± What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Chunfeng said: ¡± Princess Naya of Simon came to Jinling, it is too suddenly, and no information has received before, she just came.¡±


    Ah? Ye Jiayao was also surprised. Naya, Helian Xuan¡¯s fiancee, why suddenly came?


    ¡± Now where is she?¡± Zhao Qixuan got excited and didn¡¯t expect to see Helian Xuan¡¯s fiancee before he left. What an exciting thing!


    Even Su Yi, who had always been calm, was moved.


    ¡± Just out of the pce, to Helian Mansion! My second brother and Little Jing have both gone. Let mee and let you know.¡±


    There was nothing to say, everyone had to go!


    She would also like to see the princess and see what this woman who could make Helian Xuan fall in love with was like.


    Ye Jiayao immediately ordered Jiang Yue to pack the cakes then four people rushed to Helian Mansion.

 Chapter 386 - Female Heroes

    <h4>Chapter 386: Female Heroes</h4>


    Along the way, Zhao Qixuan kept asking Chunfeng what Princess Naya looked like.


    However, Chunfeng hadn¡¯t seen her yet. he also got the message from his second brother.


    As a result, he was despised by Zhao Qixuan. Chunfeng said he was very wronged. What the fuck, he came to tell the news immediately. What else?


    Ye Jiayao knew that Helian Xuan had arrived in the northeast and had taken over the military defense in the northeast, and the general Ma Mingyuan, who had obtained a secret order against Helian Xuan, was executed by Helian Xuan for not obeying military orders. It can be said that Helian Xuan now had aplete grasp of the situation in the northeast, and the emperor would not be so easy to deal with him again.


    Helian Xuan can handle the northeast side, of course, including Jing¡¯an marquis¡¯ credit, the northeast was Jing¡¯an marquis¡¯ territory, Jing¡¯an marquis stayed over there for more than ten years, strong power, was it not easy to get rid of Ma Mingyuan?


    It was not clear whether Princess Naya woulde on behalf of Ximeng or herself.


    Everyone came to Helian Mansion, and the servants led them directly to the main courtyard.


    As soon as Ye Jiayao entered the door, she saw a woman sitting next to her ancestor in a foreign dress, sitting upright, her eyes looked at Ye Jiayao with a pair of heroic spirit, her eyes were calm and firm,a look would know that was the image of a female general after a hundred battles.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but praise her. She was a princess and a heroine.


    The images of Helian Xuan and Naya and their horses galloping through the grasnds appeared in her mind, and it was really harmonious and perfect.


    ¡°Everyone is here! Sit down, sit down quickly and serve tea ... ¡± said Yide warmly.


    Ye Jiayao sat down beside Chunyu. Chunyu smiled gently: ¡± You¡¯vee quite quickly.¡±


    The old ancestor looked at Ye Jiayao with a smile and said to Naya, ¡± This is Ye Jinxuan, my granddaughter, and she will have to call your sister-inwter.¡±


    ¡± And these, Zhao Qixuan, Su Yi and Chunfeng, are good brothers of Xuaner.¡±


    Everyone got up and saluted with mirth.


    For Ye Jiayao, if the first time she went to the man¡¯s house and she was watched by so many people that she would blush with shame and be ufortable. However, this Naya was natural and graceful, and her eyes did not dodge or blink.She replied, ¡± You are the brothers of Helian Xuan,so you are?my brothers.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan praised: ¡± Sister ¨C in ¨Cw really deserves to be a sister ¨C in ¨Cw. Only women like sister-inw deserve our brother Xuan! Brother Xuan is really a blessing!?¡±


    ¡± We are so happy to see our sister-inw before we left.?Susu, do I say it right?¡± Zhao Qixuan said and poked Su Yi who sat by him.


    Su Yi smiled embarrassedly, depressed in the heart, you piece of shit, could you not call Susu in front of so many people?


    Naya was generous in character and epted all praise ording to the order. She had no burden at all for being called sister ¨C in ¨Cw. Although she hadn¡¯t officially married yet, anyway,she would marry Helian Xuan sooner orter. She said generously: ¡± I¡¯m d to meet you, too. Helian Xuan often mentions you.¡±


    After greeting, the old ancestor went back to rest. Yide went to prepare dinner, left a few young people to speak, there were elders in rhe room and everyone was in a state of formality and uneasiness.


    Ye Jiayao brought out the cakes, and everyone talked about it while eating.


    ¡°Naya, youe this time,does Helian Xuan know?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± I wrote him a letter, and our marriage has been reported to your emperor for a long time, but after such a long time there was no news, Helian Xuan was sent to the northeast, and I¡¯m almost 20 years old. In Ximeng, a woman at my age, she was already the mother of several children, and I want to ask the emperor what he really meant.?If he doesn¡¯t agree, I go to the pce every day to bother him and see what he can do to me. ¡± Nada said confidently.


    The crowd gaped, and sured enough that she was indeed a female hero ,Incredibly dared to openly forced marriage.


    Keke, Xia Chunyu had a dry cough. The emperor must also had a headache when he met such a princess of Ximeng. They didn¡¯t hear what she said to the emperor, or they will definitely fall out of their eyeballs.


    The emperor was scolded to urine dun!


    ¡°Anyway, I won¡¯t go, I will live in the Helian Mansion and wait for Helian Xuan toe back.¡± Nada insisted.


    Ye Jiayao sincerely expressed her admiration. The foreign woman was so straightforward and heroic, she could do whatever she wanted, and She could walk thousands of miles alone to save HeLianXuan. What else did she fear?


    Everyone expressed their support.


    In this matter, the emperor did not do well enough, for the fear for Helian Xuan,the emperor had been stalling for silence. You were the emperor,you had the three pces and the six courtyards, and the beauty was like clouds. You were not in a hurry, but somebody else can¡¯t afford to lose her youth.


    Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi and others didn¡¯t know. The emperor also wanted to kill Helian Xuan!


    ¡°Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, you can live here with peace of mind, marriage, our ancestors had the final say, it was no use for the emperor to oppose it,¡± said Little Jing.


    He had some resentment before.If it weren¡¯t for the eldest brother and her things so happened,maybe he and Ruan would have been together. Now saw her, he had no knot in his heart. Such a woman was worthy of the eldest brother and can afford to be called eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw.


    ¡± Well, just settle down peacefully. If you feel bored, you can find me and I¡¯ll show you Jinling cuisine.¡± Ye Jiayao also expressed her closeness.


    Speaking of food, Naya pointed to the cakes on the te and said, ¡± The food on your side is delicious. By the way, Helian Xuan told me that you have opened a big restaurant and your food is delicious.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡± Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, the second sister-inw can not only open a restaurant, but also a pastry house, a dessert house, especially the dessert house, the food inside is delicious, but unfortunately, the dessert house only serves women ,men are rejected.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a supercilious look and she became the second sister-inw so soon?


    Well, Helian Xuan was bigger than Chunyu, and she can only be relegated to the second sister-inw.


    Naya¡¯s eyes shone and she looked at Ye Jiayao: ¡± Really??You¡¯re so capable, can you make milk wine??Our roast whole sheep over there are also delicious!?¡±


    She was afraid she wouldn¡¯te back to Ximeng for a long time when she thought of hering to Jinling. Moreover, she didn¡¯t bring a cook this time, only a guard. Even for a long time, she couldn¡¯t eat the wine and food from her hometown.


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± If you want to eat, I will do it for you!?¡±


    Ha ha, was this not a piece of cake?


    Naya¡¯s facial expression had changed from admiration to shock: ¡°Can you cook whole sheep and horse milk wine??¡±


    Even Little Jing and others looked at Ye Jiayao with disbelief. Only Chunyu was calm. Yaoyao can do even food for westerners. What was so remarkable about a Simon¡¯s roast whole sheep?


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± As long as you tell me about what vor it is, I can basically do the same.¡±


    She did not dare to say that she had eaten and learned. It was too scary, so she can only say so, made everyone think she was a good cook who knows everything at once. Well, it¡¯s also a bit scary.


    Zhao Qixuan helped the forehead: ¡± The second sister-inw, is there anything you can¡¯t do??¡±


    Ye Jiayao was not modest: ¡± Ha ha, not yet.¡±


    The crowd fell back.


    The conversation was very happy. Yide left everyone for dinner. After dinner, they chatted with Naya for a while before leaving for home.


    When she got home, Chunyu told her that Naya hade to know that the emperor was going to harm Helian Xuan and that she was putting pressure on him.


    Ximeng had asked for Huai Song before, so the emperor dared to ignore it, but now Ximeng¡¯s civil unrest had been resolved.There was still a great deal of power in the integration and aggregation of scattered sand.The emperor had to consider itpletely. Moreover, the emperor was wary of Helian Xuan and King Yu also can¡¯t get away with it. King Yu was out of favor now,no power to care for others.Maybe, Helian Xuan would be able to return to Jinling within a year because of the action of Naya.


    Ye Jiayao sincerely said, ¡± I really admire Naya for having the courage toe alone.¡±


    Chunyuughed: ¡± Do you think Naya is impulsive? She is a female who canmand thousands of troops and horses. She has a ravine in her heart. She has a thorough analysis of the situation. It seems bold, but it is the simplest and most effective one. Only one thing is that I have been betrothed to Helian Xuan. If your emperor doesn¡¯t give the main marriage or the marriage, I¡¯ll make trouble with you and the emperor will be unable to stand it. After all, behind Nada is a tough Ximeng.¡±


    Well, then she admired Naya even more. She can take the initiative toe to force marriage regardless of their honor. This was not something anyone can do.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help thinking of Ruan again. Ruan and Naya were both straightforward and pure personalities, both of them were foreign princesses. If Ruan was not King Yu¡¯s concubine, she would certainly be good friends with Naya.


    ¡± By the way, how about Liuli??¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Chunyu frowned, pulled her into his arms, held her small hand, rubbed it for a moment, and sighed, ¡± the emperor still let her live in the Coloured ze Pce and filial piety for the Empress Dowager. In this life, she may also have passed away like this.What about th fief,it was estimated that the emperor will take the chance to take it back and it was impossible to hand it over to Liuli again.¡± .


    Not because the emperor loathed to give it up.Because of the deep brotherhood between the emperor and the seventh sovereign,the emperor would never loathe to give up this fief. It was only because it was difficult for Liuli to take on such a big role that he did not trust to hand it over to her again. Moreover, whether Liuli will remarry or not was still a matter of two opinions. Such a decision is beyond reproach.


    Ye Jiayao was silent. She knew very well that the so-called filial piety, that is, apanied the Buddha for the rest of her life, It was the most severe punishment for a woman with such a proud heart as Liuli.


    ¡± Don¡¯t say her, by the way, I listen to Qixuan said you want to open a restaurant together. What¡¯s going on? ¡± Chunyu turned the topic when he saw that she was unhappy.


    Ye Jiayao spoke about cooperation.


    Xia Chunyu burst outughing: ¡± This Old Zhao, this is a different way to trick us all into the past. He is a lively person. If it was not for Susu, he wouldn¡¯t want to leave Jinling. All right, if we really go there in the future, there will be a ce to stay.¡±


    ¡°What a ce to stay??The main purpose of my restaurant is to make money.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile: ¡± It¡¯s good to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to travel to the mountains and y with water, both public and private.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s corners of the mouth became warped, yes, this was also one of her purposes, what a good excuse!?It was really worth looking forward to.

 Chapter 387 - Disagreeable trick

    <h4>Chapter 387: Disagreeable trick</h4>


    Naya stayed in Helian Mansion and went to the pce to pay her respects to the emperor and queen every day. It was said that the emperor was persecuted by her and the queen also had a headache.


    Of course, the queen¡¯s headache was fake, and she wanted Helian Xuan to return to Jinling quickly. Helian Xuan was the greatest supporter of the prince.


    Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan left for the south on a sunny morning.


    The branch in Suzhou had already been set up and the floor in Hangzhou had also been found. It would have been best to send Zhong Xiang to be in charge of there, but Zhong Xiang was also responsible for the teaching of the training course, and the marriage between Zhong Xiang and Jiang Yue had also been settled. Ye Jiayao was embarrassed to let the couple separate?two ces and dismissed the idea of sending Zhong Xiang.


    In addition to Zhong Xiang, only Wang Mingde and Cui Dongpeng were suitable candidates. However, the course of Cui Dongpeng¡¯s training ss was not over yet, and Wang Mingde might not be able to take on a great job. Ye Jiayao ned to postpone it until Cui Dongpeng finished.


    Tianshang Ju hadunched new dishes for the New Year at a stroke, and all kinds of promotional activities were still popr. Moreover, Tianshang Ju had vigorously cultivated chefs during the closing of the national mourning, and several good budding chefs had emerged, so that Tianshang Ju would not face a situation of shortage of personnel after Wang Mingde and others left.


    Everything was moving towards normal, stable and good development. Ye Jiayao was free from worries and hardly needed to take care of it. She could only turn around once in a while and be the shopkeeper without doing anything in peace and mind.


    When someone started a business, he/she had to work hard for themselves. When the business reached a certain scale, it was not a good thing for he/she to do everything on their own. He/she should learn to delegate power, train all kinds of talents, give people room to y fully. nning?their own strategies and controlling the overall situation was the key. Ye Jiayao knew this.


    This day, Ye Jiayao called aunt Jiang over and gave her the makeup she had prepared.


    Ye Jiayao had always regarded Jiang Yue as her younger sister. Zhong Xiang was the main force in Tianshang Ju and was also her good brother. Ye Jiayao naturally could not be stingy.


    Aunt Jiang looked at the gift list and was very uneasy: ¡± The seconddy, this ... this is too much. How can I take these? You have already given the Yue cake room a 20 % share. We can¡¯t take these any more.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± Most pastry houses are staffed by Jiang Yue, and it¡¯s right to give her a share. Besides, I regard Jiang Yue as my younger sister, and your whole family is also my family members. Do you regard me as an outsider?¡±


    Aunt Jiang was embarrassed to say, ¡± We¡¯re not wee. It¡¯s really the seconddy who pays too much gifts to us ...¡±


    A pair of gold bracelets, a pair of golden steps, a pair of jade bracelets, a pair of jade hairpins, and a full set of silver jewelry. Damask satin could not be worn out in our lives, plus 5002 silvers and 502 golds. This was ... really too much and too expensive.


    These were too much more than what the Jiang family had. How could aunt Jiang feel at ease? they were not insatiable people.


    ¡± Take it, if you don¡¯t take it, I¡¯ll be angry,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a smile.


    However, Aunt Jiang prevaricated and said sincerely, ¡± The seconddy, it¡¯s a blessing that we have been able to meet you and Heir-son Lord. Without you, we¡¯d have to live in ck Wind Ridge in our lives. We can¡¯t even think about the family reunion, let alone live such a safe andfortable life now. The seconddy, you and Heir-son Lord are the great benefactors of our Jiang family, and we can¡¯t repay your kindness even doing anything for you.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± Don¡¯t say that, Aunt Jiang. It¡¯s all fate. Don¡¯t say anything about kindness. There will are same gifts when Li marries a wife.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was such a person. She would only be good to he/she?with all her heart if someone did same to her. She wouldn¡¯t be polite to he/she if someone wanted to hurt her.


    Although aunt Jiang said that Jiang¡¯s family benefited from she and Chunyu, if it wasn¡¯t for uncle Jiang¡¯s help, Chunyu¡¯s task wouldn¡¯t have been so smooth.The pastry house and dessert house would not have had such a good business if Jiang Yue hadn¡¯t done her best.Last time she was imprisoned in Datong Hui, if it wasn¡¯t for Jiang Li and uncle Jiang, Maybe Little Jing could not even know the door of the backroom.


    Everyone in the Jiang family deserved her treatment.


    ¡± Ah, Li, the child, is not satisfied with several girls who I rmend to him, well, now, his younger sister will marry before him.¡± When it came to Jiang Li¡¯s marriage, aunt Jiang was worried.


    Arguably, the young and the old were in order. Yue would not be able to marry until Jiang Li married, but Yue was 19 this year and Zhong Xiang was 23, so she couldn¡¯t afford to wait.


    Ye Jiayaoforted: ¡± Marrying is the most important event in one¡¯s life. There is no rush to get married. I go by the principle of quality over quantity. Li is now highly valued by the manufacturing bureau and has a bright future. He can find a good wife definitely.You can rx and wait slowly.¡±


    Aunt Jiang said with a wry smile, ¡± I¡¯m in a hurry to hold my grandson. I can help them with their children while I am still strong, but don¡¯t wait for the time when I can¡¯t hold them any more.¡±


    ¡± Aunt Jiang, look at what you said. You and uncle Jiang will still be so strong in ten years. Otherwise, you can go back and ask Li what kind of woman he likes, and I will help him pay attention to it.¡± Ye Jiayaoughed.


    ¡± That¡¯s good.¡± said aunt Jiang. ¡± The seconddy¡¯s sight is sure to satisfy him.¡±


    After the two women spoke for a while, aunt Jiang left first, and Ye Jiayao asked the servants to help bring the makeup to Jiang¡¯s house.


    Now Jiang¡¯s family had set up a house outside, not far from marquis house, although it was a small house, it was very nice and warm.


    Quiet down in the room, Ye Jiayao asked Qiao Xi to brew a pot of tea, and sat in front of the book case to continue her food ceremony.


    This was the work that began during the period of imprisonment and it was out of control, Ye Jiayao had sorted out the dishes of northeast China, Shandong and Sichuan cuisine, and many other dishes also were sorted out. When this set of gourmet treasures waspleted, it would be the most detailed andprehensive menu book in history and would be a milestone in the history of food culture.


    This job was very meaningful.


    ¡± Ah ... time has passed so quickly that Jiang Yue sister is married.¡± There was a gentle sigh of Xiangtao from outside.


    ¡± What? You also want to get married?¡± Qiao Xiughed and joked.


    ¡± I don¡¯t want to get married. I¡¯ve been ready to serve the seconddy in my life.¡± Xiangtao skimmed her mouth and said.


    ¡± Come on, if you marry him, you are also able to serve the seconddy. Hey, what does he mean? Why don¡¯t you mention it? Do I help you ask him?¡± Qiao Xiughed.


    Xiangtao shyly said, ¡± I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡± Hey, you still pretend not to know. Nothing like that, huh? All right, then I don¡¯t know anything. Don¡¯t cry when the seconddy marries you to others.¡±


    ¡± Come on, you¡¯re older than me. You must marry before me.¡± Xiangtao said.


    Ye Jiayao frowned, Xiangtao, this girl, has a sweetheart? Who? Why doesn¡¯t she find out?


    The implication in Qiao Xi¡¯s words clearly referred to the people in marquis house, otherwise she would not have said that she could still serve her.


    Who was he?


    Ye Jiayao thought, suddenly it urred to her that the man was Song Qi...


    Well, she would find a chance to ask Qiao Xi.


    If it was Song Qi, it would be a good marriage and she would be happy to get this marriage done.


    Just thinking about it, someone outside reported that Cui Dongpeng had asked for a meeting.


    Before Qiao Xi sent a message, Ye Jiayao put aside her pen and went out. She saw that there was still a suspicious flush on Xiangtao¡¯s face, which was clearly the blushing appearance of a girl in love.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes shed a subtle smile.


    The message came from the maid of the outer court. After Ye Jiayao asked where the person was, she went straight to the antechamber.


    Cui Dongpeng saw the seconddy and sprinted forward: ¡± The seconddy, Tianshang Ju is in trouble.¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked calm and sat down: ¡± You speak slowly.¡±


    Cui Dongpeng said: ¡± Before lunch today, many beggars came outside Tianshang Ju. At first, we didn¡¯t care, but they still didn¡¯t leave, so we advised them to walk away. They just sat at the door but didn¡¯t fight or scold. A group of people dressed in rags and stinking were scared off. Beggars only left one after another after lunch, but at this moment, they came again. The seconddy, depending on the situation, they clearly do it on purpose. Maybe they are instructed. What do you think we should do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao frowned. There was something like this?


    ¡± Are they all local? Does this kind thing just happen in our Tianshang Ju?or do other restaurants also have?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Cui Dongpeng said: ¡± There are local ents and foreign ents, but it is not clear whether other restaurants have such a situation.¡±


    ¡± Didn¡¯t they ask for anything?¡±


    ¡± We asked them, but they ignored us. They ate what we gave, still sat when they finished eating.¡± Cui Dongpeng said glumly.


    Ye Jiayao wanted to think and said, ¡± You go to other restaurants first to find out whether there are the same matter.¡±


    If so, there could be a famine. Communication was not developed in this era, and news wasgging behind. If the famine was caused, then she was willing to help them.


    If not, they were only aiming at Tianshang Ju, so there was no doubt that this was a plot against Tianshang Ju.


    A band of beggars were sitting at the door, the guests would have no appetite. If she was the guest, she must turn around and go.


    Using beggars to affect the business of Tianshang Ju was hardly to be dealt with. You couldn¡¯t beat or scold them yet. If there was a conflict, maybe those beggars would recriminate and say that you were bullying the weak?in Tianshang Ju.


    This kind of method was really disgusting and extremely harmful.


    ¡± In addition, you let brothers pay attention to where these beggars will go since they leave and who they contact with. ¡± Ye Jiayao ordered.


    Originally, this kind of matter was easy to solve by asking the Ninth Lord¡¯s people to deal with it and letting gangsters deal with beggars, but she didn¡¯t want to trouble Ninth Lord with anything.


    If they reported to an official, the government could only drive them away. If they returned after be driven out, they couldn¡¯t do anything about it. Thew didn¡¯t stipte that beggars couldn¡¯t beg in front of restaurants, and they couldn¡¯t let officers and soldiers keep at the entrance to restaurant. In this case, everyone thought that Tianshang Ju would be sealed up!


    Therefore, Ye Jiayao should first find out what was going on and then decided what to do.


    Cui Dongpeng was instructed to do it immediately.

 Chapter 388 - Countermeasures

    <h4>Chapter 388: Countermeasures</h4>


    When Xia Chunyu returned from work, Ye Jiayao asked if there was any famine or something.


    Xia Chunyu startled, ¡± Why did you suddenly ask this?Last year, the grain was abundant. Where does the faminee from?¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled,¡± I just ask.¡±


    After dinner, Cui Dongpeng came again, saying that other restaurants did not have such a situation, but only Tianshang Ju Restaurant . Little Yangquietly followed the beggars, but he didn¡¯t know who to follow because all the baggars came from different ces.


    Ye Jiayao looked dignified. What a group of organized beggars was!


    It seemed that it was difficult to cope with it by her staff.


    Cui Dongpeng added, ¡± Today¡¯s performance was half as low as before. At dinner time, even beggars came to the store to beg for water and drink. Several tables of guests in the lobby left after eating half of the food and didn¡¯t pay the money. They were still very unhappy. Our brothers almost beaten the beggars and Brother Xiang stopped them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded, ¡± For the time being, there can be no conflict. If these beggars dare to be so bold, they must be instigated by others. If there is a conflict, I¡¯m afraid they are falling into the trap of the other party. Go back and tell everyone to do their own work. If the beggars return tomorrow, steamed buns still be given away, and I¡¯lle up with some way to solve this problem.¡±


    After dinner, Xia Chunyu and Chunfeng chatted for a while before returning to their own courtyard. Xia Chunyu casually asked Xiangtao, ¡°Where¡¯s the seconddy?¡±


    Xiangtao said, ¡± Cui Dongpeng is here. The seconddy has gone to see him.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sensitive way, ¡± Why does Cui Dongpenge?¡±


    Generally, if there was no urgent matter. People of Tianshang Ju Restaurant would note here.


    ¡± He has came here once before , as if there was trouble in Tianshang Ju Restaurant.¡± Xiangtao was didn¡¯t know the details clearly.


    Xia Chunyu take a cold breath, Tianshang Ju Restaurant was in trouble? This was really surprising. Who dareed to trouble Tianshang Ju Restaurant?


    Xia Chunyu turned his head and went to the outer court.


    He met Ye Jiayao on the way. Ye Jiayao was thinking things with her head down. She didn¡¯t see Xia Chunyu, but Qiao Xi saw him and called out Heir-son Lord


    Ye Jiayao raised her head, ¡± Are you going out?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at her worried face and asked, ¡± What happened in Tianshang Ju Restaurant? I heard Cui Dongpeng came to see you. ¡±


    ¡± I was about to tell you about it!¡±


    The two people talked as they walked back.


    Xia Chunyu listened to this and swore sullenly, ¡± What the hell is this bastard who hase up with such a damaging recruit? If I catch him, I will kill him.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m going to see the situation tomorrow. Maybe it¡¯s industrypetition, but such a means is too despicable.¡± Ye Jiayao also wondered who did it.


    Liuli was out of the question. Lin has left Jinling after she was divorced. It was heard that she went to hometown Xuzhou, and King Yu was less likely to use this method to deal with Tianshang Ju Restaurant for Tianshang Ju Restaurant had no the qualification. Besides, she couldn¡¯t think of any enemy to deal with her. Therefore, Ye Jiayao believed that it was likely a greater chance ofpetition among peers. After all, Tianshang Ju Restaurant was now known as Jinling¡¯s No. 1 restaurant, and there were many envious people.


    ¡± You don¡¯t care this matter,It just happens that I¡¯ll be on the evening shift tomorrow. I¡¯ll be free during the day. Let me deal with it.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t want Ye Jiayao to deal with a bunch of smelly beggars.


    So early the next morning, Xia Chunyu went to visit Nith Lord and asked Ninth Lord to lend him a few people. Ninth Lord dispatched twenty men to Xia Chunyu immediately.


    These gangsters knew each other well and their identity won¡¯t be noticeable, so it was convenient to start a business. This was why Xia Chunyu asked for Ninth Lord for people.


    You know, beggars also had territory and gangs. For this kind of organized action, the other party must first find a beggar leader.


    Xia Chunyu asked these gangsters to find out what beggars were involved in this incident. It was best to find beggars¡¯ leader and watch out secretly to find out beggars¡¯ leader were in contact with whom.


    Afeter getting the order, the twenty gangsters split up with great energy.


    Could anyone have chance to work for Jing ¡®an marquis house? That was a good job that you could not ask for. The seconddy of Jing ¡®an marquis house was generous with her money, and every time she rewarded great silver. Who could not work hard?


    The has already spread and the time was almost up to dinner. Xia Chunyu and Song Qi were dressed in casual clothes, renting a cruise ship on the river, sitting on the boat and seemingly leisurely floating on theke, with his sharp eyes staring at the sky in front of the door.


    Really, dozens of beggars poured in from all directions one after another, sitting at the gate of Tianshang Ju Restaurant, sleeping, picking feet, catching lice. They were as disgusting as possible they could.


    Xiaolu brought steamed buns and give away to them one by one. Beggars took them and ate. After finishing eating, they continued to dig nose excrement and scratched feet.


    Passers-by guests saw this scene, covering their noses and making detours. Not to mention eating in the restaurant.


    Xia Chunyu was so angry that it was such a evil tactic!


    It was not over yet. When some guests entered the restaurant. Some beggars stuck up like dogskin sters and begged. The guests were annoyed and turn around and go.


    ¡± His son of bitch! Heir-son Lord. I can¡¯t stand it. I¡¯ll beat the stinking beggars to death.¡± Song Qi rubbed his hands and was about to go ashore.


    Xia Chunyu red at him, ¡± You¡¯re not messing with me.¡±


    But he also couldn¡¯t help cursing all the 18 generations of the bastard fathers in his heart.


    ¡± I can¡¯t swallow this tone ¡± Song Qi hummed.


    ¡± Who can swallow?Will it be useful for you to beat them up?When the timees, all of them will lie in Tianshang Ju Restaurant and ask for medical expenses. ¡± Xia Chunyu said sullenly. Only by seizing the mastermind could they solve the problem.


    After the meal, the beggars finished their work on time and scattered one after another.


    Xia Chunyu and Song Qi disembarked and went to the restaurant for dinner.


    Cui Dongpeng was swearing, ¡± Mother of God, I only did two tables of business at noon, so much food was wasted.¡±


    Zhong Xiang patted him andforted him, ¡± Don¡¯t worry, this situation won¡¯tst long.¡±


    ¡± I can¡¯t afford to lose even one day. It used to be full of gusts. How much money did we lose?¡± Wang Mingde was deeply distressed.


    This was all glistening silver, here were also everyone¡¯s share!


    ¡± The most irritating thing is that we have to give them steamed buns. I really want to get arsenic in them and poison these unappreciative smelly beggars.¡±


    ¡± If you really do this, it will suit somebody else¡¯s wish.¡± Xia Chunyu walked in calmly.


    ¡°Hier-son Lord ...¡± Everyone hastened to salute.


    Xia Chunyu gave a wave of his hand, ¡± Don¡¯t be bothered. Get me two dishes.¡±


    Wang Mingde hurried to prepare it.


    Xia Chunyu sat down in the lobby and said to the crowd, ¡± Don¡¯t make a move even you are feeling angry. Things will soon be found out. We¡¯ll double the return of the one who makes this mess.¡±


    With the words of Hier-son Lord, the anger in everyone¡¯s heart had subsided, and Hier-son Lord had gone out of his way, Need they to worried that he would not be able to cure this group of smelly beggars?


    Xia Chunyu had a leisurely lunch before joining the gang at the scheduled ce.


    These gangsters were really efficient in their work. They?found many useful clues and found something in only a morning.


    ¡°Hier-son Lord, it is true that someone secretly bought the four beggars¡¯ gangs in the north and west and east of the city to make trouble in turn. Yesterday they came from the east, today they came from the west, and tomorrow they are either from the north or from the south.¡±


    ¡± Hier-son Lord, I heard that they had received three rounds of deposit, 50 coppers per person per day. If things were done well, they would also be rewarded.¡±


    ¡± Hier-son Lord, I heard of that they still had further actions. If they shed with Tianshang Ju Restaurant, the beggars in the whole city would rush toTianshang Ju Restaurant to make trouble.¡±


    ¡± Hier-son Lord, I heard that...¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was bing more and more dark. This schemer was cunning. The four beggars¡¯ gangs hade down for twelve days after three rounds. All the guests in Tiangshang Ju Restaurant would be driven away. The most important thing was that the other party has already paid three rounds of silver and would not contact these beggars any more in the near future, making him unable to touch them.


    He knew very well that even if these beggars were caught for interrogation, it was useless to ask what the person they contacted looked like. The person was not going out, or was originally an obscure person. How could they find them? Catching people would only break the clue.


    A group of beggars were all people with low lives. If Tianshang Ju Restaurant dared to fight and catch them, They would fool you and haunt you. Therefore, you have to ept that and couldn¡¯t do anything.


    Things were more serious than he thought.


    Xia Chunyu frowned and thinking about the solution.


    Song Qidao said: ¡± Hier-son Lord, this is no way to go on like this. This group of people is obviouslying to make trouble. Why don¡¯t we report it to the government and let the government arrest people, one batch after another?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head and said, ¡± Can you catch them all? You said they made trouble? Did they make trouble? Who rules that beggars cannot beg in or outside Tianshang Ju Restaurant? It¡¯s useless. It¡¯s not a radical way. ¡±


    ¡± Then what can we do?¡± Song Qi was extremely oppressed.


    One of the Ninth Lord¡¯s men said, ¡± If you just want to calm down this matter, it¡¯s simple, sir. They¡¯re only doing this for the benefit of others. as long as you talk to the leader about the conditions, you should be able to settle down. But you won¡¯t be able to catch the person in charge.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± If can¡¯t find out the people in charge then you are talking about shit.¡±


    He just wanted to find out this bastard.


    ¡± You have to work hard at night and report to us as soon as you have any clues.¡± Xia Chunyu said, and took out a bag of silver, ¡± Everyone has worked hard. This small amount of money can be used for you to buy wine and drink.¡±


    Everyone epted the money with mirth.


    Xia Chunyu went back to talk to Ye Jiayao about the situation. Ye Jiayao said, ¡± You can¡¯t being controlled by the other party. This afternoon, I have let Zhong Xiang start cooking porridge in the vicinity of Tianshang Ju Restaurant, we have to be rational first. Then even if they make trouble again, we can also speak loudly.¡±


    ¡± If they stay at the door again, it will be purely a riot, and the government has reason to arrest people. Then, let Ninth Lord watch several leaders. The other party would definitely have further contact with the beggar leader. At that time, we can arrest people, and I don¡¯t believe they cannot be dealt with.¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought for a while, extended his brow and said, ¡± Yaoyao, you have a better brain.¡±

 Chapter 389 - Divide and Rule

    <h4>Chapter 389: Divide and Rule</h4>


    Ye Jiayao set out to do immediately. In the afternoon, near the Heavenly Residence, a porridge tent was set up in the ce where the food street was once held.


    In Xiangyi House, Mei Xiuguang, the Mei shopkeeper of Jubao House was secretly talking with Lian Xingwang.


    ¡°Shopkeeper Lian, that¡¯s a good idea. Yesterday the Heavenly Residence was full of guests. I heard that only two tables of guests were received at noon today.¡± Mei Xiuguang pulled the tea cover with a face of schadenfreude.


    Lian Xingwang sneered, ¡°This is really clever, much better than Zheng Sanduo¡¯s idea. Even if Ye Jinxuan knew someone was calcting her, she would be helpless.¡±


    ¡°That is, Zheng Sanduo promised at the beginning. As a result, he now lives like a lost dog in hiding, and his business with Fu Ji has copsed. Zheng spent half his life working hard, now gone with a fire.¡± Mei Xiuguang sighed, but there was not much regret on his expression.


    Peers were friends, the less peers the better.


    ¡°Fortunately, we have not been implicated, and we only hope Zheng Sanduo will stay away from people and not be caught by the government.¡± Lian Xingwang said.


    Mei Xiuguang frowned: ¡°Shopkeeper Lian, this action can ensure foolproof?¡±


    Lian Xingwang scoffed: ¡°The man said that he would stop this after ten days or a half months, the money has already been paid and will not be contactedter. Ye Jinxuan can¡¯t suspect us without evidence. She is sure of this loss.¡±


    Mei Xiuguang nodded his head and settled down: ¡°With these ten days and a half months, the business in Heavenly Residence will definitely plummet, and the family¡¯s dominance day wille to an end. It is only Ye Jinxuan who can me herself for making too many enemies.¡±


    Two men thought of Ye Jinxuan being disgusted by a group of beggars and couldn¡¯t helpughing.


    ¡°Shopkeeper.¡± There was a man calling from outside.


    ¡°Come in.¡± Lian Xingwang put down a smile and assumed a dignified pose as a shopkeeper.


    The man came in and said, ¡°Boss, the Heavenly Residence has built a shed and started to cook porridge.¡±


    Lian Xingwang and Mei Xiuguang looked at each other and couldn¡¯t helpughing.


    Lian Xingwang waved his hand to let the man go down and said to Mei Xiuguang, ¡°Business has been stirred up and still give porridge to beggars. This Ye Jinxuan must be so humiliated. Is she vomiting blood?¡±


    Mei Xiuguangughed: ¡°She thought porridge could solve the problem? It was so naive that female Zhuge met unreasonable beggars and was also poor in skills. She could bear it all.¡±


    At the same time, the news that the Heavenly Residence was giving porridge also reached one¡¯s ears.


    A gentle young men was beating the table with rhythm, lost in thought, raised his eyes for a moment, and corner of the mouth slightly raised an elegant radian.


    ¡°This woman is really not simple.¡±


    ¡°Young master, what do you mean ...¡± His men didn¡¯t understand.


    It was Zuo Qingyun, the owner of Datong Hui, who was called the ¡°Young master¡±.


    Zuo Qingyun said gently, ¡°Her move of retreat instead of attack was so wonderful! Didn¡¯t some beggars came to make trouble? Then she will make porridge with great fanfare. I have made porridge on my side, and you will still stay in the door. That will be a pure riot. When the timees, public opinion will fall into the Heavenly Residence. Her move not only earned public praise, but also resolved our subsequent moves.¡±


    ¡°If I expected well, then she should report to the official.¡±


    ¡°Young master, what should we do? Can¡¯t let her go so innocently!¡±


    For the first time since his debut, the young master had failed to a woman. The whole Datong Hui, no, it was the entire Liangzuo league that couldn¡¯t bear it.


    Zuo Qingyun smiled lightly: ¡°Let¡¯s just look and forget about Xiangyi House and Jubao House. If Ye Jinxuan is smart enough to catch evidence, then Xiangyi House and Jubao House can also be removed from Jinling¡¯s catering industry.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be too nice for her?¡± Men were angry.


    ¡°Nice for her?¡± Zuo Qingyun¡¯s mouth tilted, triggering a hidden smile.


    ¡°Of course we can¡¯t let she so happy, but we shouldn¡¯t start work again until we have aplete grasp of it. One such thing as capsizing in the gutter is enough. She can dissolve it by her ability and might as well send another fortune to her.¡± Zuo Qingyun said.


    His men were more confused, Ye Jinxuan was not a rival? Why didn¡¯t she send her fortune?


    Zuo Qingyun¡¯s good-looking eyebrows were picked, and the average person would not understand his mind. He seldom met a funny opponent. Just like a cat teasing a mouse, the fun among it was not enough for outsiders.


    Outside the Heavenly Residence, beggars still sit in rows and drank rice gruel, lookingcent.


    Curie¡¯s men in the Heavenly Residence were all so angry.


    Damn it, these smelly beggars were really shameless. They queued for porridge over there and returned to eat here. Poor people even had no conscience.


    If it weren¡¯t for the seconddy¡¯s orders, they would already beat them.


    This night, even one guest was in Heavenly Residence, but the next day it continued to cook porridge. Beggars in the city came in line when they heard about cooking porridge.


    Their heart was so oppressed that they didn¡¯t have to cook any food. The chefs all pinched steamed buns and cook porridge. The beggars were sitting at the door.


    Everyone¡¯s heart was beating drums. What did Seconddy mean? It was too heavy to breathe.


    Ye Jiayao had to be patient. Now what she wanted was word of mouth, which was overwhelming public opinion. Only when this word was enough could she make an issue of it.


    At the same time, she was also watching. The more patient she was, the more proud her opponent would be, and the more proud they be, the easier they would be negligent and unguarded.


    Chunyu¡¯s side had also been arranged, and several beggars who did not show up have all been targeted.


    On the third day, Ye Jiayao reported to the official, and the government immediately sent someone to arrest all the beggars sitting at the door.


    Beggars were furious and wanted to make trouble, shouting that Heavenly Residence was rich and heartless, but the government refuted everyone¡¯s reason for trouble in a few words.


    ¡°You said Heavenly Residence is rich and heartless? You touch your own conscience. Instead of driving you out of here, they gave you white steamed bread and rice gruel, which was also called being rich and heartless, then there are no good people in the world. Who dares to make trouble again and takes them all to the quarry to work as coolies?


    Beggars searched everywhere for their leaders, but without them, they naturally did not dare to make any noise and dispersed in session.


    In a quiet alley in the city, in a deserted house, in a grove outside the city and in a ruined temple, several gangsters were beating and kicking around the beggar leader.


    Scold while fighting: ¡°You¡¯re a stinking beggar, you know the rules of the road? The Heavenly Residence is covered by the Ninth Lord, and you dare to make trouble? I¡¯ll kill you. ¡±


    ¡°Killing is also useless. When the timees, I will throw them at the mass graves, unnoticed ...¡± Someone said airily.


    The beggar leader was beaten and rolled all over the ground, screaming and begging for mercy: ¡°I didn¡¯t do it, I really didn¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°Put your mother¡¯s shit, I has been staring at you for several days. The one sitting at the gate of Heavenly Residence today is the beggar gang in the north of your city. Do you still dare to justify it?¡± The gangsters were fierce, and beat them even heavier, kicking and kicking.


    The leader of the beaten beggarined that others also had a part in it. Why should he be arrested?


    ¡°You deserve it. You can safely go to hell. Your territory and your staff will be taken over. I think everyone in the east, south and west of the city will be happy to take over.¡±


    The gangsters followed Xia Chunyu¡¯s words.


    Beggar leaders almost spit out a mouthful of blood. It was also bad. It was their turn who in the north of the city today, and everyone did it. In the end, he was unlucky and all the benefits were taken up by others. It wasn¡¯t so cheap.


    The other gangs were summoned out screaming at the moment.


    ¡°You said these was useless, I don¡¯t believe¡± A gangster was also a malicious kick, directly kicking off the two ribs of the beggar leader.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s true. People in Xiangyi House gave us money to do this. People in the east, south and west of the city all received money. Each person has fifty coppers a day.¡±


    The gangsters came forward and pulled up the cor of the beggar leader: ¡°What you said is true?¡±


    ¡°Really, I did not dare to hide, but the people in Xiangyi House really ordered us to do it. Although the people who came to contact us were very mysterious, we went to the streets as beggars, begging everywhere and met more people. Xiangyi House is in the north of the city, and I know that person. He is a steward of Xiangyi House, surnamed Zhang, I swear to heaven, my words are all true ...¡± Where the beggar leader still dared to hide, he would have to die if he was not made clear.


    The gangsters stopped at this moment and threatened, pointing to the beggar leader, ¡°If you still want to live, listen to me and if you dare to disobey me, I will kill you easier than killing an ant.¡±


    The beggar leader nodded and looked frightened.


    The same scene was performed in four ces and the confession was obtained with little effort.


    Beggars in the north of the city were thrown into jail on the same day. They went to exin to their subordinates and surrendered to the government. Several other leaders, though not thrown into jail, were also ordered to take the government to surrender.


    Xia Chunyu was sitting at Ninth lord¡¯s pce and other news came back, and Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡°Ninth lord¡¯s men are able to handle affairs. This time, I thank Ninth lord for his help.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m honored to be able to help you,¡± said Ninth lord.


    ¡°Then I will leave first and invite Ninth lord to drink another day.¡± Xia Chunyu gave a gift.


    Out of the door, Song Qi said with a smile, ¡°Heir-son lord, you are so high in dividing and ruling.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said nothing. However, what he did was just using human nature. Originally, there were contradictions between these beggars¡¯ gangs. Blessed were they not able to share the same benefits, not to mention the misfortune of being alone. In the end, his territory was divided up by another family. Who would like to? It¡¯s better to drag people into the water than everyone else.


    It¡¯s still the right analysis of Yaoyao. It was done by her peers.


    A fire burned the training ss and also destroyed the Fu Ji. This time, it was also done in Xiangyi House and Jubao House.

 Chapter 390 - Is base?

    <h4>Chapter 390: Is base?</h4>


    The truth had been revealed, but even Wang Xing and Mei Xiuguang still do not fully understand theing storm.


    ¡± It¡¯s okay, the people in the north of the city have been caught. Tomorrow, the people in the south of the city will have one batch and another batch. The prison in the government office will be so big that I don¡¯t think they can catch it, and the prison will not be stuffed.¡± Even the prosperous way was not satisfied.


    This situation had long been anticipated by the mysterious man, and he had alreadyid down a n for the future.


    Ye Jinxuan, did she think a few days of porridge can solve the problem by grasping a few people?Hum, it was not that easy.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know if those beggars were caught or not, if they give us up ...¡± Mei Xiuguang was a little worried.


    Lian Xingwang said: ¡± Shopkeeper Mei, don¡¯t worry about to much. Beggars will not take part in such a thing on their own. Besides, the people I sent are very careful and don¡¯t reveal their identity. Even if beggars are caught, they don¡¯t know who ordered them.¡±


    MeiXiuguang listened to even Lian Xingwang said so guaranteed, also relieved, then just wait for the show tomorrow!


    After another murmur, Mei Xiuguang left for home.


    The day was bright and Lian Xingwang was awakened by a quick knock on the door, which was as urgent and heavy as a banditing to rob.


    Even Lian Xingwang¡¯s wife had a dream and was woken up by people. She was upset and murmured.


    ¡± Which guy, days didn¡¯t light to noisy, also let don¡¯t let a person sleep?¡±


    Even Wang Xing felt a little uneasy and put on his clothes.


    Before the clothes were put on, the door was kicked open.


    Several grand coordinators rushed in and red ferociously at Lian Xingwang: ¡± You are Lian Xingwang?¡±


    Even when Wang Xingwang saw this battle, he suddenly asked with a limp leg, strong support and weak strength, ¡± Several officials are ...¡±


    With a wave of his hand, the leading catcher said, ¡± Take ...¡±


    The men rushed up immediately and the chains locked the men away.


    Lian Xingwang¡¯s wife was in a hurry, but she couldn¡¯t help worrying about her disheveled clothes and ran out: ¡± What¡¯s thew my master hasmitted, officer, officer?You can¡¯t catch people at random ... ¡±


    ¡± Mei Xiuguang has already told all the facts and even prospered, your plot has been exposed,¡± said the catcher with cold hum.


    Lian Xingwang amazed when the tour operators rushed in, he thought about it for that. He was already writing a draft in his stomach and saw what the official master should say, but he never expected Mei Xiuguang to have fully confessed.


    This damned Mei Xiuguang, useless thing, he can be hurt by him. Lian Xingwang wanted to cry without tears.


    Lian Xingwang didn¡¯t know that Mei Xiuguang was cursing him at the moment.


    Damned Lian Xingwang, not previously agreed, killed not to recognize?Did he say that there will not be any ws in this act of secrecy?This was good, he recruited not also dragged him into the water, he just listened to a few ears, didn¡¯t do anything...


    The two men were caught separately and tried separately. They hated each other in their hearts and pushed the responsibility on each other. The 18 kinds of instruments of torture any which were not used in them. They confessed and gave a clear ount of the cause and effect of the incident.


    Xia Chunyu got the confession, but he was not happy to feel avenged. There was a mysterious person mentioned in the confession. However, neither Lian Xingwang nor Mei Xiuguang knew who this person was.


    The prefect saw that the prince was not very satisfied with the result of the case and immediately ordered his men to extract confessions under torture and must find out the mysterious man.


    Pitiful Lian Xingwang and Mei Xiuguang were beaten with skin cut open and flesh torn and half alive. Living was worse than dying, but they really didn¡¯t know who this mysterious person was. They couldn¡¯t get any torture and they identify each other as the mastermind.


    After the beating, the two men had to admit that they were the mastermind and also called for an arson case in the training course.


    After daybreak, the government official officially opened the inquiry, and Ye Jiayao invited Lu Xiaotian and others to attend.


    Everyone saw that Lian Xingwang and Mei Xiuguang were all covered in blood, they were trembling looked at it, which was too bad.


    However, after listening to the confession of two people read by the government and the confession of four beggars surrendering themselves with their he hands¡¯ confessions, all of them were outraged.


    Competition among peers was a normal thing. He were not as good as others because of his ability, butpetition was not recognized by others. It was too hard to say that he willpete by this despicable means.


    If he looked at their miserable situation again, there were only several words in everyone¡¯s heart that they deserved it.


    The government announced the result of the penalty, Lian Xingwang and Mei Xiuguang by improper means caused extremely bad effects. It also involved the case of arson, which was punished for both crimes and sentenced to three years in prison topensate for the reputation loss and economic loss of Heaven Residence, totaling 32,000 taels of silver.


    The two men fainted on the spot, going for wool anding home shorn, they were more than eating rice, they were losing all their lives to do it.


    Lu Xiaotian said in court that the removal of Xiangyi House and Jubao House from the Catering Chamber of Commerce should be taken as a warning.


    All the members who came to attend were members of the catering chamber ofmerce, and everyone agreed.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s emotion finally eased down and finally came out of this evil spirit.


    Just who the hell was that mysterious man?Ye Jiayao wanted to break his head and couldn¡¯t figure out who else he had sinned against?Who else wants to live with her and cannot live in the sky?


    Although even Xing Wang and Mei Xiuguang finally admitted that they were the mastermind, Ye Jiayao still believed their original confession.


    Just now, the enemy was in the dark and could only wait and see what happened, when the soldiers came to cover up the water.


    The incident came to an end, and the Heavenly Residence resumed its normal business, but Ye Jiayao ned to continue to cook porridge. These days, she found that many poor families came to beg for porridge and drink it, dragging their children and women, one by one with sallowplexion and emaciatedplexion, but there were still so many poor people who do not have enough to eat and wear warm clothes in such a rich ce as Jin Ling, which made Ye Jiayao very ufortable.


    However, porridge was not given for nothing. Long-lived give alms would not only not solve their poverty, but would also help these people develop dependence and inertia. They would not have to work and will have to eat for nothing. Who would still work in the future?


    Therefore, Ye Jiayao thought of a way to get in touch with several paper box workshops so that these poor people could receive a bowl of rice porridge if they pasted five paper boxes, two steamed buns if they pasted twenty, and three coppers if they pasted thirty.


    There was no technical content in the paper paste box and it was not very tiring. Women and children can participate in it and get enough food and clothing with their ownbor.


    Gradually, Ye Jiayao¡¯s reputation for being a good man spread abroad.


    In fact, Ye Jiayao did more than one good deed. This one was forced to be a high-profile one. Now seeing a doctor was free in Jin Ling.The Leshan pharmacy which only charge the drug price was funded by Ye Jiayao, and Dr. Jiang sat in the pavilion. No one didn¡¯t know about this.


    On this day, a carriage passed by the gate of the Heavenly Residence. The carriage slowed down. The people in the carriage lifted a corner of the curtain with paper fans and watched the guests flock to the heavenly residence. On the way forward, it was a captain dragon. Everyone was holding cartons, patting the team in good order, waiting for eptance, and then leading steamed buns.


    The curtain was closed, and Zuo Qingyun¡¯s right hand were holding a paper fan, knocked on the palm of his left hand with aplicated look.


    Ye Jinxuan, what should I do with you?


    She let him lose such a big face and lost 4 million taels of silver and arge number of customers in vain. As a result, he also helped her get rid ofpetitors and earned her the reputation of being a good man.


    What the hell was he doing here?Or was it base?


    Zuo Qingyun was very depressed.


    In addition to being depressed, more people still appreciate it. All good things can be done in different ways. It was better to teach people to fish than give them fishes.


    Zuo Qingyun was depressed for a long time and finally came to the conclusion that he was making a base.


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know her opponent¡¯s mind was so tangled. She was busy with opening her western restaurant.


    Xia Chunyu said that she was a man who could not spare.


    Ahem, it was necessary for Ye Jiayao to state that she was not idle, but just wanted to enrich everyone¡¯s taste. Of course, she could make a lot of money. Why not?


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t expect that before her western restaurant opened, there was a strong demand for admission, and there was no reason to insist. In a word, I like steak andmb chops.


    This person was princess NaYa.


    Ye Jiayao just showed a little in front of her, and then she said about the western restaurant, and NaYa had to cooperate.


    Ye Jiayao said she was speechless. What kind of cooperation did she have in a small western restaurant? But NaYa still want to cooperate, even if she only made a tenth of the profit she still wanted to take a stake in it.


    Well, Ye Jiayao believed that NaYa was idle and wanted to find something to do.


    So, she had to let her take a stake.


    Na Ya, who was happy and reported everyday, helped to watch the repair work of the store, showed her female general¡¯s imposing manner and made a group of craftsmen tremble and worked very hard every day.


    Xia Chunyu went to the west restaurant shop on this day and went home to talk to Ye Jiayao.


    ¡± I think your western restaurant can open ahead of time.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wondered, ¡± Why?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± I went to see it today, and it is estimated that it will be finished in three days.¡±


    ¡± So fast?¡± Ye Jiayao was very surprised. The repair project was originally nned for a month, which was only half a month old. She didn¡¯t look very much at it because she said she had been given the prerequisite work, and she was busy developing recipes for western food.


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile: ¡± NaYa now has only two things every day, one is to enter the pce to annoy the emperor, and the other is to go to the store to watch the progress of the project.¡±


    ¡± You didn¡¯t see that she had a whip in her hand and looked like a cruel supervisor.¡±


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t helpughing at NaYa¡¯s appearance.


    Ye Jiayao has nonguage. All right!This was also a good thing, but when the western restaurant opened, she should not be so conscientious.


    ¡± By the way, did the emperor say to let Hector even Xuane back?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Xia Chunyu was brightened even more: ¡± Just about to tell you this, the emperor is also afraid of Na Ya, and today he made a decree to bring He Lianxuan back.¡±


    ¡± Really?¡± Ye Jiayao was very surprised.


    Xia Chunyu nodded with a smile: ¡± I¡¯ll be with the emperor when the decree is made.¡±

 Chapter 391 - Truth Years Ago

    <h4>Chapter 391: Truth Years Ago</h4>


    Xia Chunyu could not bear to say the following words when he saw Ye Jiayao¡¯s happy appearance.


    Although the emperor asked Helian Xuan toe back, the emperor¡¯s wariness about him did not disappear. He asked Helian Xuan to bring only his guards back to Jinling, while the rest of his men stayed in the northeast and were taken over by others. The people who took over were the emperor¡¯s own cronies.


    This aimed to reduce the military power of Helian Xuan.


    The reason was that King Yu had said something. If he hadn¡¯t suggested to the emperor that Master Crown Prince¡¯s death guard was formed with the help of Helian Xuan, the emperor wouldn¡¯t have been so uneasy about Helian Xuan. Although he didn¡¯t catch evidence in the end, the emperor¡¯s suspicion would not have been so easy to eliminate.


    At present, the situation could only be calcted step by step. It was not good to be always stay in northeast China. Now some people were eyeing up the northwest camp, and it was better for Helian Xuan toe back to preside over the overall situation.


    In addition to these concerns, Xia Chunyu nced at the booklet on the table, which was full of recipes.


    ¡± What cuisines are being sorted out now?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao said with a headache, ¡± Hunan cuisine, this is my worst cuisine. I have to consult the chef who makes Hunan cuisine, but there are very few people in Jinling.¡±


    ¡± Then can¡¯t sort out the cuisines you are familiar with first? As for Hunan cuisine, and when we go to the south and make a detour around Xiangxi, then you can make a field trip and visit the local chefs?¡± Xia Chunyuughed.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyes brightened and soon faded. Going to the south wasn¡¯t an immediate matter. At least she wouldn¡¯t go for nearly two years. She still thought this food treasure book woulde out early.


    Xia Chunyu read her mind and said slightly, ¡± People have to write a historical record all their lives. A pharmacopoeia will take decades to walk through mountains and rivers and taste hundreds of herbs. What you have done is no less impressive and difficult than theirs. Take your time. You can do this very well.¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard his words, suddenly had a feeling of being suddenly enlightened. Yes, what she wrote now was only based on the knowledge umted in past lives. In this life, she had only traveled from Shandong to Jinling, and this time was not the history she was familiar with. Perhaps, there were many delicacies she had never seen. It was humiliating to be a frog in the bottom of a well, and then she would beughed at by others. Still, in this life, as long as she could finish this thing, she would not waste her life.


    ¡± Chunyu, thank you.¡± After Ye Jiayao figured it out, she was totally rxed, put her arms around Chunyu¡¯s neck and gave him a swish in the face.


    Xia Chunyu touched her face and said with a bad smile, ¡± Well, I have a full face of saliva when I kiss you, and I will not molest you when Ie.¡±


    Ye Jiayaoughed angrily: ¡± I¡¯m not Bao. Bao only ys with saliva!¡±


    ¡± You are the same.¡± Xia Chunyu pressed her back and kissed her hard on her eyes and nose.


    ¡± Ah, are you Big ck?¡± Ye Jiayao tried very hard to hide.


    ¡± What? Big ck incredibly dare lick you, this dead dog, bravery son fat! I¡¯m going to knock it on the stew to drink ... ¡±


    ¡± Big ck, it¡¯s close at hand ...¡±


    ¡± Well, you dare get at me and see how I treat you ...¡±


    ¡± Help, dare not ...¡±


    Outside the house, Qiao Xi and Xiangtao chuckled and chuckled. Heir-son Lord and the seconddy really loved each other.


    The two persona frolicked for a while. If it were not because that Ye Jiayao¡¯s face was rosy and her breath was slight, she could not escape easily. Sheined, ¡°Look at you, you¡¯ve messed up my hair.¡±


    She went to the front of the diamond mirror to tidy up her appearance. She would go to the main courtyardter.


    Xia Chunyu picked up the already cold tea and drank half a cup of it, lowering the fire.


    Every time he teased her, he couldn¡¯t restrain himself. Strange to say, the time of marriage was not too short. How could he react as soon as he touched her, and his self-control ability was too poor?


    Song Qi took a letter outside and went into the courtyard. He saw Qiao Xi and Xiangtao standing in the porch whispering andughing, and asked, ¡± Where is Heir-son Lord?¡±


    ¡± In it!¡± Xiangtao pointed to the inside and looked ambiguous.


    Song Qi was a fine person and immediately understood that it must be full of entertainment and should not be disturbed at this time, but Heir-son Lordmanded that the letter from Yangzhou must be told to him in the first ce.


    ¡± But this ...¡±


    Qiao Xi asked, ¡± does it matter?¡±


    Song Qi nodded, it was an urgent matter!


    Qiao Xi thought for a moment and went to the court: ¡°Heir-son Lord, Song Qi asks to see you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu lifted the curtain and came out. Song Qi was busy presenting the letter.


    Xia Chunyu took a look at it, gave Song Qi a hand and turned into the house.


    ¡± Song Qi is looking for you? What can I do for you?¡± Ye Jiayao had arranged her hair and asked with concern when she saw Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was not quite right and his face was cold.


    Xia Chunyu handed the letter to her: ¡± Look.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s face changed as she opened it doubtfully.


    She almost forgot about it, but Chunyu had been pursuing it.


    ¡± It¡¯s Ning,¡± Ye Jiayao said angrily.


    A letter, in fact, was a confession made by Doctor Gu, a doctor who treated Ye Jiayao before, who confessed to the fact that he has poisoned in Ye Jiayao¡¯s medicine at the instigation of Ning.


    ¡°This doctor Gu has left Yangzhou after he hurt you. He has been practicing medicine in other ces all these years, and it¡¯s not easy to find him. At first he has denied it, and we have used some means to let him confess truthfully.¡± .


    ¡± What do you want to do?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    What should she do? Ning was already dead. Even if she hated her, she couldn¡¯t dig out her flogging corpse from the grave! It was a pity that it was toote to know. As for the doctor, the doctor should save the life and help the wounded, but he poisoned the patient for a few dors. The doctor had no medical ethics and was not worthy of being a doctor at all. He could harm her for money. Who could guarantee that he would not harm others for money? How many people had been hurt by him over the years?


    Ye Jiayao gnashed her teeth and said, ¡± I¡¯ll leave him to the government for investigation. As a healer, I can¡¯t forgive him for hurting people with all my skill.¡±


    Fuck, if she hadn¡¯t met Doctor Jiang, she would have died in her life.


    Xia Chunyu nodded approvingly, which he also meant.


    ¡± This letter, this confession, will also be given to your father to have a good look.¡±


    Taking a good look at these words, Xia Chunyu was very angry. Although it was Ning who had done it, as the head of the family and father, he was so indifferent to his daughter that Ning¡¯s audacity and his connivance could not be separated from causing this result, and it was also unforgivable.


    Could he forgive him for almost hurting his childlessness?


    He recalled when he was in ck Wind Ridge, Yaoyao spoke of her poor life, and he still doubted whether it was fully true. If Ye Binghuai stood in front of him now, he would definitely give Ye Binghuai a good lesson.


    ¡± I won¡¯t go back in May,¡± Ye Jiayao said sullenly.


    On the eighth day of May, it was Ye Binghuai¡¯s second wedding. He was an old man and became a bridegroom again. Originally, she wanted to go. She had to go for Zhongyuan. But now she didn¡¯t want to go. She really didn¡¯t want to see Ye Binghuai¡¯s face.


    ¡± You don¡¯t have to go, I do.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡± On this trip, Zhongyuan will be brought back to imperial academy after a year of filial piety. Later, Zhongyuan will stay in Jinling so as not to learn from your father.¡±


    Shit a father, Ye Binghuai was not her father. Her father was the most kind and reasonable father.


    Ye Jiayaomented in her heart, but could not speak out.


    Xia Chunyu immediately wrote a letter and packed it into an envelope with the confession, ordering people to send it to Yangzhou.


    During dinner, You noticed that Ye Jiayao was worried and had no appetite and said, ¡± Today¡¯s food is not to your taste?¡±


    ¡± No, no, very good!¡± Ye Jiayao came back to her senses and said.


    You smiled: ¡± You look so thin, you should eat more. Qiao Xi, put a bowl of ck chicken soup for the seconddy. This ck chicken soup is the most effective supplement for your body, especially for women.¡±


    Now that everything had settled down, You was most concerned about Chunyu¡¯s children. Jinxuan¡¯s body had been cleared of poison. She had repeatedly asked Doctor Jiang, who said no problem. She was not pregnant because of the national funeral. Now, the queen mother had been buried for nearly three months. It was time for good news. Could it be that Jinxuan was too thin? Well, she must eat more and put on more weight before she could conceive easily.


    ¡± I¡¯lle.¡± Xia Chunyu personally served Ye Jiayao chicken soup.


    ¡± Second brother is really considerate,¡± Qiao envied, but her eyes were fixed on Chunli.


    Chunli only did not see her. Such a thing could be done when two people were present, but now arge family was present. He was embarrassed.


    Qiao saw that he was unmoved and lost her eyes in dismay.


    You looked in the eye and thought that she had married the marquis for so many years, but the marquis had not served her a dish, and she sighed sourly: ¡± s, the old is not as good as the young.¡±


    The marquis was worrying about dealing with a piece of Dongpo meat. he paused when he heard this, and soon felt sorry. He smiled and said: ¡°Chunfeng, get your mother a fish belly.¡±


    Chunfeng immediatelyplied and smiled. ¡± Mother, father knows you like this best.¡±


    You nced andined to the marquis: ¡°Do you have no hands? Do you want to use your son?¡±


    The marquis said, ¡°Isn¡¯t the fish over there close to Chunfeng? It¡¯s convenient for him.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was in distress situation. Chunyu¡¯s move caused the envy of her sister-inw and her mother-inw and upset her jealousy ... Ah, women hearts were the same. No matter how old or young they were, they all hoped that the people they loved could take care of themselves with consideration, even for once.


    However, in this era when men were superior to women, it was really not easy for men to serve women. Such a good man as Chunyu was rare.


    Well, then she would help her sister-inw and her mother-inw fulfill their wishes today.


    ¡± Mother Sun, you can change the vinegar fish from the West Lake so that the marquis can clip it,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a slight smile.


    Mother Sun gave a hint and changed the vinegar fish with a smile.


    You was leering at the marquis to see what reason he had now.

 Chapter 392 - Was she pregnant?

    <h4>Chapter 392: Was she pregnant?</h4>


    Everyone looked at the marquis smilingly for a good drama.


    This was supposed to be the most unusual act between husband and wife, a sign of love, but in this family, it was of epoch-making significance. It was impossible to subvert the idea of male superiority and female inferiority at one stroke, but it could only be imperceptibly changed. A little change began with this dish.


    The marquis took a smoke from the corners of his mouth and wanted to get away with it, but You was adamant. Jinxuan was also an aplice and a group of children were watching him. How could he put his face down?


    Chunyu this smelly boy, he himself wanted to please his wife, he could secretly did, why at this moment? He would do this in front of everyone. This was good, but his mother¡¯s eyes were sharp.


    Xia Chunyu, who was the first person to do this, had no burden. He had been assiduously feeding Ye Jiayao, stuffing her bowl full and bulging like a hill.


    ¡± Eat more and grow more meat,¡± he said softly.


    It was a pity that it was too far away, or the marquis would kick him under the table.


    There was no alternative but to smile and serve thedy with food: ¡± Madam, are you satisfied with this?¡±


    ¡± Not satisfied, I want to eat sweet and sour spareribs today.¡± You was asking too much.


    The marquis twitched at the corners of his mouth and had to stretch his arms to clip sweet and sour spareribs.


    You smiled with satisfaction.


    Chunli was happy to watch the y. He didn¡¯t think the dignified father had to pick dishes for his wife. Suddenly, he felt a chilling from the right, and half of his body on the right was frozen. Turning his head, he saw Qiao staring at him withoutughing.


    As soon as Chunli¡¯s neck shrank, he obediently picked up Qiao¡¯s bowl and filled it with lots of chicken soup.


    There was no shame in having a father as an example.


    At the dinner table, the three women smiled at each other, tacitly saying that their hearts were full of joy.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s leg touched Ye Jiayao¡¯s leg and winked at Ye Jiayao as if to say ... did her husband do well?


    Ye Jiayao curled her mouth, endured the smile and bowed her head and drank the soup.


    These ck-bone chickens were sent by Zhu Wang yesterday. They were home-raised chickens, native and especially fragrant.


    Ye Jiayao took a sip, and it was really delicious, with agaric, mushroom, and a few slices of Jinhua ham.


    Waiting for the second sip, she suddenly felt sick and couldn¡¯t help it. She heaved up on her side.


    Xia Chunyu was frightened and said nervously, ¡°Yaoyao, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao only felt upset about her stomach and couldn¡¯t say anything at all. She really wanted to spit it out and hurriedly ran outside, she didn¡¯t want to affect everyone¡¯s appetite.


    Xia Chunyu stood up and chased her out.


    The rest of the people looked at each other, she was fine just now, how could she suddenly vomit?


    You hesitated, and met Qiao¡¯s eye, immediately they understood what each other was thinking and said together, ¡± If she is pregnant?¡±


    This cognition made everyone excited.


    The old marquis, flushed with excitement, hastened to urge You: ¡± You go and see it quickly.¡±


    You came back to her senses and said, ¡± Chunfeng, you should go and ask Doctor Jiang and Mother Sun to pour a cup of hot water. s, how can she spit outside? What if she suffer from cold wind ...¡±


    Everyone split up and forgot to eat.


    This was going to be a real joy, marquis house¡¯s big news.


    Ye Jiayao squatted down and vomited seriously as soon as she arrived outside. She had never experienced such a disgusting feeling. Even if she took a bite of the apple, she found that half of the worms in the apple, it was not so disgusting.


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t stop rubbing her back, his face turned white with nervousness, and he had never seen Yaoyao like this before, as if she was trying to vomit all her insides.


    Was there a problem with the chicken soup?


    ¡°Yaoyao, better yet?¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave a wave of her hand and continued to vomit. Was she better? Did he have no eyes? Didn¡¯t he see her vomiting blood soon?


    Xia Chunyu was very worried. How could this happen?


    When You was out of doors, You carefully asked, ¡± Jinxuan, do you have baby?¡±


    Uh .....


    Ye Jiayao was shocked, even her sickness was shocked by this question and disappeared.


    Qiao said, ¡± I vomit like this when I¡¯m pregnant with Niuniu, and when I¡¯m pregnant with Zhuangzhuang, I vomit like this, but not so much.¡±


    You immediately red at Qiao. What did she mean? She meant Jinxuan was pregnant with a girl?


    Qiao was immediately aware of this, she said the wrong thing, the mother-inw wanted to have a grandson of Jinxuan so much. Naturally, she didn¡¯t like such an example, so she dared not speak in a passive manner.


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu both looked at each other stupefied and couldn¡¯t respond.


    The two often joked about having a baby. No matter she gave birth to a boy or a girl. It was good to have one...


    At some point, this was pregnant?


    Xia Chunyu paused for a while and said stupidly, ¡°Yaoyao, your menstruation seems to be several dayste this month.¡±


    Ye Jiayao caught a glimpse of Chunli and the marquis wasing out, and immediately her face flushed with suppress, fuck, how could he say menstruation in front of so many people? Didn¡¯t she lose face?


    The bitter water that had just stuck in her throat suddenly spat out again.


    By the time Doctor Jiang arrived, Ye Jiayao had been held to You¡¯s bed by Xia Chunyu, and she had vomited to copse.


    This feeling was too magical. It seemed that the martial arts student suddenly opened up their pulse and entered a new realm of martial arts. However, she was suddenly the olfactory nerve evolved into a dog¡¯s keen sense of smell and turned into a dog¡¯s nose.


    The incense on everyone¡¯s clothes could be smelled far away and clearly.


    You was using jasmine fragrance, Qiao¡¯s was grapefruit, Chunli¡¯s was lotus, Chunfeng¡¯s was sandalwood...


    Every fragrance irritated her stomach and sickened her.


    It almost killed her!


    Ye Jiayao tearfully said, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m really sorry. Can you go out? Your fragrance ...¡±


    Oh,it was so smelly and unbearable!


    You immediately noticed that pregnant women had a very sharp nose, and said, ¡°Everybody out, Jinxuan can¡¯t smell the fragrance.¡±


    The big guy hurried away, sniffing and smelling his sleeves with his nose, but he could not smell anything.


    Xia Chunyu stood at a distance at a loss: ¡°Yaoyao, I don¡¯t use incense. Do I have to go out?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved feebly.


    His clothes had been smoked with rose incense by Qiao Xi and Xiangtao, and he asked if he had to go out?


    Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help worrying about Ye Jiayao, and he was afraid that he would stimte Yaoyao here. He was so tangled that he finally rolled away and hurriedly rolled back to change clothes.


    ¡± Doctor Jiang is here ...¡±


    You took Doctor Jiang to exin the situation of Ye Jiayao, and Doctor Jiang said lightly, ¡± I¡¯ll examine the pulse first, but I can¡¯t jump to conclusions instantly.¡±


    Everyone dared not go in. Doctor Jiang was the only one who went in, and everyone waited outside for news.


    Mother Sun carried a clean dress: ¡°Madam, this dress isst year¡¯s and has never been worn.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and wait for me to change it,¡± You said quickly.


    The marquis also said, ¡± I¡¯ll change my clothes.¡±


    And then the marquis stared at Chunli and others who were standing there and said solemnly, ¡± You have all gone to change. Do not wear any clothes that have been fumigated with incense.¡±


    Before long, Doctor Jiang came out, just as Xia Chunyu wasing back.


    Everyone gathered around Doctor Jiang: ¡± Doctor Jiang, what is the situation?¡±


    Doctor Jiang smiled: ¡± Congrattions to the marquis, to Heir-son Lord, and to the seconddy.¡±


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, You¡¯s hands folded to chant the Buddha¡¯s name. The old marquis was also excited with his beard quivering. Chunfeng pped his hands on Chunyu¡¯s shoulder in silly wait for a while: ¡°Congrattions, Second Brother, you are going to be a father.¡±


    ¡± Congrattions, Second Brother, and finally what you expect hase true.¡± Chunli also came to congratte him.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s soul flew a circle outside the sky, then returned to its original position. He rushed into the room, quickly came to the bed and knelt down at the head of the bed, holding Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand. Those who were d did not know what to say. They only grinned and giggled, but their eyes were full of tears.


    Ye Jiayao already knew that she had a baby and could not confirm it, but she still couldn¡¯t believe it. For a long time, the child was a barrier and a knot in her heart. She didn¡¯t know how much she envied when Liuli was pregnant. She didn¡¯t say that she could not sleep at night. Later, her sister-inw conceived again. She still had no news at all. She could only bear hardships without saying a word, and was criticized as being inaudible and as not caring. In fact, she cared very much and could only hide her worries in the bottom of her heart.


    Chunyu loved her so much and she also loved Chunyu so much. If she cannot have children, it would be her greatest regret in her life.


    It was the sublimation and the crystallization of their love that she dreamed of.


    And now, finally, god still cared for her.


    ¡°Hey? See you, do you go wild with joy? ¡± Seeing Xia Chunyu¡¯s excited tears shing, Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was soft like water.


    ¡± I¡¯m wild, I¡¯m so happy, Yaoyao, this is not a dream?¡± Xia Chunyu held her hand and stuck it on his face.


    Ye Jiayao smiled softly. His nose became sour. He did not say anything, but she knew that he also wanted to have children very much.


    Fortunately, they made it.


    ¡± Chunyu, we have children of our own. We don¡¯t have to think about robbing other people¡¯s children for adoption.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded excitedly, hugged Ye Jiayao gently, but deeply, and embraced this woman and their children with all his heart.


    ¡± Yaoyao, thank you very much. I don¡¯t know what to say. I¡¯m very excited and I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not true.¡± Xia Chunyu whispered in her ear.


    Ye Jiayao also nodded hard and couldn¡¯t say a word.


    All of a sudden a rose fragrance burst into the nostrils, and the feeling of nausea was immediately dragged up again.


    Ye Jiayao pushed him away and threw up again on the edge of the bed.


    Xia Chunyu was at sea: ¡°What¡¯s the matter? I have changed my clothes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said intermittently as she heaved: ¡± You haven¡¯t changed your inside clothes ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu was dazed and speechless. This sense of smell was too sensitive. It was incredible. What could he do from now on?

 Chapter 393 - Miserable life

    <h4>Chapter 393: Miserable life</h4>


    That night, the duke went to the ancestral hall alone and knelt there for a long time. And You issued the first order that all incense in the house should not be used again, nor should rouge gouache with strong fragrance. Anyone who dared to vite the order and collide with the seconddy should be punished as a familyw.


    As a result, the people of the whole house threw all the things rted to the word ¡± incense¡± ( ahem, names are not included ) into the box, and no one dared toin.


    In the second order, the seconddy¡¯s pregnancy should not be publicized. Whoever dared to talk out of it will be punished as a familyw.


    There was a folk saying that it is not appropriate to publicize it in the first three months of pregnancy, but to keep a low profile or something bad will happen easily. After three months, the fetus would stabilize then it can be told to rtives and friends.


    You did not believe this before, now she would rather believe in its existence than in its absence, because the child y a really important role in her heart and it could not bear the slightest loss.


    Ye Jiayao had returned to her room and tilted on her bed.


    The room had long been open for venttion. The incense tripod had been removed. All the incense ¨C smoked clothes had been taken away. Qiao Xi, Xiangtao and others had also bathed in clean water, and they dared not to serve the second wife with any trace of fragrance.


    Ye Jiayao tilted weakly, listening to outside Mother Sun admonishing the maids in the yard loudly, all kinds of precautions had been ordered to article 28, even implicitly mentioning that even a fart cannot be put in front of her.


    Ye Jiayao was extremely speechless. For her own sake, the house was turning upside down. She didn¡¯t want to make such a trouble and bring so much inconvenience to others, but she couldn¡¯t help it. Who let her nose suddenly be a dog¡¯s nose? The key was not to be a dog¡¯s nose but to smell anything that will affect her stomach nerves and vomit.


    This was still the beginning. She didn¡¯t know how long this situation wouldst and when it would end.


    Qiao Xi poured out a cup of warm water, and urged, ¡± the seconddy, drink water!¡±


    The stomach was already empty, but Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t feel hungry, but her mouth was bitter. Ye Jiayao barely drank two drinks, which caused another vomiting.


    Sadness in her heart, mother fuck, even to drink boiled water made her want to vomit. How could a person live like this!


    Qiao Xi was worried, what could she do? The seconddy couldn¡¯t even drink water. Could she drink medicer?


    Xia Chunyu had already bathed for the third time in the clean room. Others just bathed once . He was the one would be especially close to Yaoyao. He must wash thoroughly, or else he could not even get up to bed.


    Atst, he got out and put on his clothes. Qiao Xi waited for him outside with a sad look on her face.


    ¡± Hier-son Lord, The seconddy can¡¯t eat anything. She even vomit when she drink water ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned deeply, ¡± Did you ask?The seconddy doesn¡¯t want to eat anything?¡±


    Qiao Xi murmured, ¡± How can we dare to ask? The handmaiden only asked one question, and the seconddy vomited immediately, and the seconddy asked the handmaiden to be kind enough not to mention eating.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was worried. Although his mother and Dr. Jiang said that this was a normal reaction, how could she eat nothing?


    ¡± Does the medicine boil on?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    ¡± It¡¯s going on, but the handmaiden thinks that the seconddy can¡¯t drink it,¡± said Qiao Xi sullenly.


    Xia Chunyu gave a wave of his hand, ¡± You go down first and I¡¯ll persuade herter.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went into the bedroom and saw Ye Jiayao looked pale. He felt that she the whole people had been thinner in less than two hours from the moment got the reaction, and he could not help feeling distressed.


    ¡± Yaoyao, feel better?¡± Xia Chun Yu did not dare to get close to her, so he was afraid that he had any smell on his body and would rush her.


    Ye Jiayao waved to him, now she urgently needs a warm embrace tofort her.


    Xia Chunyu stepped forward in three or two steps and consciously made himself a human-flesh cushion for her . Ye Jiayao rested her head on his chest and held his waist in her hand. ¡± Chunyu, it¡¯s too hard. What should I do?¡±


    Xia Chunyu caressed her back and softlyforted her, ¡± I¡¯ve heard of it for a while and you should bear with it and think of something else to distract your attention.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said sadly, ¡± What else can I think about? I am opening a restaurant and making a diet. Everything is rted to eating. I feel like vomiting when I think about eating.¡±


    Saying this she vomited again.


    Xia Chunyu rubbed her back, but said, ¡± Then you think about the child, whether it is a boy or a girl?Will it be like you or me, the birth of the child should be in the first month, what do we have to prepare for the child ... ¡±


    When it came to children, Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart became soft, and she unconsciously feel the belly, which was still very t. At this time, the child should still be a hairball, but it had used such a fierce way to dere its existence.


    It was really a magical feeling.


    ¡± However, I don¡¯t think we need to prepare anything. Mother will arrange a proper post, and then Yide Princess and Old ancestor will also prepare it. You just need to keep your body healthy and be fat and white. As for me, I will be responsible for supervising you to keep your body healthy ...¡±


    ¡± So, even you don¡¯t want to eat any more, you have to eat a little, Although you will vomit all of them. If you don¡¯t eat, our children will have to be hungry and will be as thin as a small monkey when it was born, and then you will feel guilty yourself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was silent. Yes, if she didn¡¯t eat, the children would not eat either. If it resulted in stunting, it wouldn¡¯t be good.


    ¡± The kitchen is cooking rice congee, let Qiao Xi get you a bowl? Just a little, ok?¡± Xia Chunyu patiently persuaded.


    Ye Jiayao endured nausea and said piteously, ¡± Just a small bowl.¡±


    ¡± Do you want to have something else?¡±


    ¡± Can you not to mention anything else?¡±


    ¡± Well, you wait, I¡¯ll take it in the flesh ...¡±


    At the end of the gruel, Ye Jiayao began to go back on her word, never thinking that she would one day be reduced to being unable to live with food. The greatest hobby in her life was food. Now food has be her most disgusting thing.


    Xia Chunyu earnestly advised her. And it was not easy to coax her into eating two mouths, she vomited all the food. The food she ate was much less than she vomited.


    It came to the same condition when she drank medicine.


    Watching Ye Jiayao eating as if she was being tortured. Xia Chunyu couldn¡¯t help touching her stomach and grudgingly gnash his teeth .


    ¡± You smelly boy, you¡¯re not born yet and had messed with your mother and your father like this. When youe out, I must teach you a lesson ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao thus began her miserable life.


    Every day she wrestled with the word, eat. She couldn¡¯t eat, and only vomited then walk lightly. However, how could she not die of hunger?


    The work of opening a western restaurant and sorting out recipes had been put on hold, and Madam Rong had also taken over the course of the training course. It was announced that she had gone to Yangzhou to avoid peopleing to visit her.


    She was not in the mood and energy to deal with the guests now. Plus, you couldn¡¯t tell the guests that you should back to change clothes that without smoked incense and wash all the rouge and gouache on your face.


    Simply saying she was not at home and it could save a lot of trouble.


    But in this way, she couldn¡¯t think about going out or anything, otherwise she woud be easy to be found.


    You woulde to visit at least once a day, and Mother Sun had be her Manager here. You also specially assigned two kitchen maids toe over and let the small kitchen open fire alone and cook whenever she wants to eat.


    Chunyu stayed at home with her every day when he got off the work. He made her happy and tried to coax her into eating. This kind of treatment seemed to be even more exaggerated than the time Liuli was pregnant.


    The day was too idle. Ye Jiayao asked the needlework room for some soft cotton cloth and let Mother Sun teach her how to make small clothes. Doing something can distract her attention, so as not to make her sick day and night.


    The material was cut out and she only needs to sew it up with a needle and thread.


    Making children¡¯s clothes might seem simple, but they were more exquisite than adults¡¯ clothes, using the softest silk thread with fine stitches, so that no thread could be exposed and hidden in the side seams, so as to prevent each of them from going to the children¡¯s tender skin.


    Compared with her cooking skills, Ye Jiayao¡¯s needlework was almost one heaven and one earth.


    Xia Chunyu looked at her hard work and uneven stitches and wondered, ¡± Yaoyao, how long did it take you to finish that wedding dress?¡±


    He didn¡¯t know Yaoyao was not good at needlework, he only thought she was keen on cooking and didn¡¯t like to do such sewing work. So when she gave him a sachetst year, he had been happy for a long time.


    Qiao Xi and Xiangtao knew it, but they wouldn¡¯t say it, so Xia Chunyu was confused at this time.


    Ye Jiayao carefully sewed one stitch at a time and casually said, ¡± One month?Two months?Or three months? I forget it. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu startled, this also could be forget? A woman embroidered her wedding dress just once in her life, which should be remembered.


    ¡± I think your wedding dress is well embroidered.¡±


    The words meant that, how couls she embroider so badly now?Look at this crooked stitch. It looked like a worm crawling. Could their children wear it?


    Of course, he wouldn¡¯t say anything about such worries. No one can see these clothes if they were wore inside.


    Ye Jiayao nodded with mirth, of course, but she did not embroider it. It was the original owner¡¯s embroider.


    Xia Chunyu gave himself a reason, probably because she did not do it for a long time and her skill was rusty.


    ¡± Chunyu, you see, how do you think these small trousers made by me?¡± Ye Jiayao finished thest sew and showed it to Chunyu.


    Chunyu turned it over and over, wondering, ¡± When would the child wearing this?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± Three or four months. At that time, the weather also turned warm. This tender yellow color must be very good-looking for the child¡¯s skin.¡±


    Xia Chunyu had a dry cough for two times and said with hesitation ¡± Children of three or four months should still wear open ¨C backed pants!¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s for sure, don¡¯t you expect him to take off his pants and pee on his own!¡± Ye Jiayao said, this kind ofmon sense questions still needed to be asked?


    Xia Chunyu pulled the two trouser legs apart and looked at Ye Jiayao speechless.


    Er ... Ye Jiayao was dumbfounded, Mother Sun told her that it would be enough to sew all the edges together. As a result, she identally sewed the crotch.


    Suddenly blushed, mother fuck, she was very embarrassed.


    Hurriedly snatched back the trousers andined, ¡± It¡¯s all you, and I¡¯m distracted by your rambling here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said he was innocent. When he came in, she was sewing the crotch, okay?

 Chapter 394 - Strange taste

    <h4>Chapter 394: Strange taste</h4>


    Looking at his speechless face, Ye Jiayao bluffed: ¡± Why?Did I say wrong?¡±I remember not to sew the crotch before, you are harming me.¡±


    Such a embarrassing thing, killed couldn¡¯t recognize?...


    Otherwise, he would always tell the child that your mother would not even do the pants...


    The child must despise her!


    Xia Chunyu twitched his mouth, and he thought talking to a woman was tantamount to not be happy. Well, it was his fault, all his fault.


    After a embarrassing incident, Ye Jiayao lost face. She decided to make up for the sewing skill and made many beautiful clothes for her children in the future. The feeling of making her own clothes was different from that of others. the thread in the hands of a fond-hearted mother, her children¡¯s clothes were full of motherly love....


    Ye Jiayao seemed to have found her goal again, but she didn¡¯t believe it. Her hands could carve amazing carvings, and her mind could figure out food that others couldn¡¯t think of. With such ingenuity, she couldn¡¯t make a small embroidery needle?


    There were people from the main courtyard called Chunyu over for dinner.


    Of course, the word ¡± eat¡± couldn¡¯t be said in this courtyard, and people said that the madam asked the Heir-son Lord toe over.


    Xia Chunyu told her when he left: ¡± You needn¡¯t embroider. It¡¯s gettingte and the light is not good. Don¡¯t hurt your eyes.¡±


    In the room of You, You and mother Sun were looking at a small apron in their hands, which Ye Jiayao just finished.


    The thread heads were all hidden, but this twisted stitches, irregr edges...even the trim edge could be sewn out of the curve by her, You were really amazed.


    ¡°Is this really what the seconddy did?¡±


    Mother Sun said with a smile, ¡± Yes, the Second Lady is still happy. Let me find a pattern and embroider some patterns.¡±


    You was speechless and thought, Jinxuan¡¯s needlework which done by women was too bad. When she was a girl, it was the first time to embroider and made clothes for the first time. It was also better than this.It was true that no one was perfect. Jinxuan¡¯s cooking was first ss, and the needlework which done by women was also bad to first ss.


    Could her baby grandson wear the apron of this defective product?


    Well, fortunately, there was a hydrangea in the family, if it was really not good, her grandmother was there.If the child was counting on his mother, it would be pitiful.


    ¡°Mother Sun, you take the scissors and remove the lines. I will change them.¡± You said.


    Mother Sunughed: ¡± Madam, don¡¯t change it. Although Second Lady isn¡¯t good at needlework which done by women, it¡¯s also her mind.The Second Lady will gradually get better. After she finished the work,she will also disgust herself. Besides, so many people will make clothes for the young master, and when the good news of pregnancy is announced, the clothes that are delivered can not be worn out.We are no shortage of clothes.¡±


    You thought about it and smiled: ¡± Then you choose a simple pattern for her.¡±


    Let Jinxuan practice, it would always be fine.


    Xia Chunyu and Chunfeng came to greet each other. You asked, ¡± What would Jinxuan like for dinner?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± I dare not mention the word ¡°eat¡±, but she did eat two apricots that I brought back today.¡±


    You¡¯s eyes lit up: ¡°Does she love sour?¡±


    Xia Chunyu thought about it: ¡°I don¡¯t know,I have spent a lot of time trying to let her eat two apricots ,and she didn¡¯t spit.¡±


    You and Sun looked at each other with joy and ordered, ¡± Sun, to get more fruit for the seconddy.¡±


    ¡± Yes, I will do it myself.¡±


    ¡± I think the baby in the seconddy¡¯s belly must be a boy. At the beginning,Liuli also liked to eat sour food ...¡± Chunfeng¡¯s remarks came out naturally and stopped halfway.


    Some of the past events clearly floated up. At that time, he was as happy and excited as the second brother, and did not know what to do. At that time, he and Liuli were the most intimate and sweet times. At that time, he imagined the child¡¯s appearance countless times....


    However, the child was gone, a boy who had already formed.


    However, now Liuli was not in this house and had be a passer ¨C by in his life.


    Things and people were different, only in a short span of one year.


    Xia Chunyu looked disconstely at Chunfeng and knew that he was thinking of some unhappy things, so he changed the subject: ¡± Mother, how long will this situationst?I am afraid she can¡¯t afford it.¡±


    It was not just that Yaoyao couldn¡¯t eat it, but he was also very ufortable.He dared not eat any spicy food,and would not be able to drink ,any scallions, ginger and garlic were also not be allowed to eat, and even if you washed your mouth, Yaoyao could smell it, and would rush him to second room to sleep and not allowed him to close.


    Now he could only eat green vegetables, tofu and rice per meal, which was even lighter than the monks in the temple, and his mouth was fading out.


    You sighed, ¡± The average person, after taking some antiemetic pills, has got better. Unfortunately, Jinxuan couldn¡¯t even drink the pills and couldn¡¯t help but endured it. This reaction would end in a few days or took several months.¡±


    ¡°Ah, a woman is really painful of pregnancy!¡±


    Xia Chunyu took a pumping stroke in his brain, and his heart followed with a sigh: it was too sinful.


    You¡¯s face was awkward and said, ¡± Jinxuan is so hard that you have to bear more responsibility and do everything ording to her. Don¡¯t make her angry.Hear it?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± How dare I!Now she is the biggest in the family,I will take her as a bodhisattva.¡±


    You¡¯s heart now rested entirely on her grandson,she couldn¡¯t see her son¡¯s sufferings,regarded saw it as couldn¡¯t see it.Not just for a few months, but after enduring it, it passed.


    ¡± You know it,¡± You said slightly.


    ¡± All right, let¡¯s go to dinner first, Chunfeng,after dinner, you stay and I have something to talk to you.¡±


    Xia Chunyu then picked up some rice at random.Now, for him, it was to fill his stomach. There was really no way to ask for anything. When he finished eating, he would go back to apany Yaoyao.


    Chunfeng followed his mother to the room.


    You looked at the youngest son, all sorts of helplessness, the marriage was dissolved, Chunfeng was much more cheerful than before, but it always revealed that vacant, disappointed look ,which made people look worried.


    ¡± Feng, you and Little Ya, I know, what are you going to do?If you really like her,I will make the decision and let you ept her as a concubine. ¡± You said directly.


    Although Little Ya¡¯s voice had not beenpletely healed, it had been able to speak. Since Chunfeng came back, Little Ya had served Chunfeng with all her heart and soul. To put it bluntly, Little Ya was also guilty of this sin.She naturally wouldn¡¯t object to their being together, and there was aforting person who couldfort Chunfeng. Chunfeng could also get out of the haze as soon as possible, but Little Ya¡¯s status was low and being marquis house¡¯s thirddy was still not qualified.


    Chunfeng didn¡¯t expect his mother to leave him specially for this matter. He didn¡¯t know how to answer.


    He had Little Ya in his heart and also knew how Little Ya felt about him. He secretly vowed to take good care of Little Ya in his life, but he was really not in the mood to think about love now. Liuli had cast a shadow on him, giving him a fear of love.


    ¡± Mom, this matter, can we talk about itter?¡±


    You said, ¡± You know, I always don¡¯t advocate three wives and four concubines. Like your second brother and sister ¨C in ¨Cw, there is only one in each other¡¯s eyes. This is the husband and wife. Your eldest brother has moved his mind to ept a concubinage and almost made a fuss.¡±


    ¡± However, we can¡¯t mistreat people because they have suffered so much for you. She is now 18. Give her a name so that she can serve you properly, and I can rest assured. Besides, Little Ya is still pleasing to my eyes.¡±


    Chunfeng said, ¡°Mom, this matter has not been considered by me, or let me think about it?¡±


    You sighed, ¡± The past is over. You can¡¯t stay in the shadows. There are still many good women in the world.¡±


    Chunfeng said sheepishly, ¡± I didn¡¯t shrink in the shadow and I could get out of it. I am now at ease.¡±


    You gave him a look: ¡°In short, you think about it yourself, but you don¡¯t have to worry about it, but getting a wife must be cautious. You are clear about Little Ya¡¯s identity. After all, our family is a famous family.¡±


    Chunfeng was silent, and his mother really saw through his mind.


    Chunyu returned to his room and saw Ye Jiayao eating apricots again. He couldn¡¯t help thinking of his mother¡¯s question.


    All say the woman who liked eating sour food was pregnant with a boy,who liked eating spicy food was pregnant a girl, maybe Yaoyao was pregnant with a boy.


    Xia Chunyu smiled and walked over and sat down next to her: ¡± You like apricot, I¡¯ll buy it for you tomorrow!¡±


    Ye Jiayao sniffed at her nose and found no abnormal taste. She settled down and said, ¡± I don¡¯t like eating it very much, but I don¡¯t vomit.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said¡± I suddenly want to eat stinky tofu.¡±


    Xia Chunyu paused: ¡± Stinky tofu?Are you sure?¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded with a fixed attitude: ¡± I didn¡¯t want to throw up when I suddenly thought of stinky tofu. Does this mean that I can ept stinky tofu??¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately got up and said, ¡± I¡¯ll go and buy it now. I remember there was a stall selling stinky tofu when I turned two streets. It should not be closed at the moment.¡±


    Although this taste was a bit weird, and the most unbearable thing he could bear was stinky tofu, which was said to smell stinky and eat well. He tried several times and could not agree with it. He almost passed out by the smell and the stinky tofu was still stinky after all.


    However, as long as Yaoyao wanted to eat, even if it was very stinky, he could bear it.


    My God, after so many days, I finally heard Yaoyao said I wanted to eat. It was really not easy!


    Xia Chunyu said that he left and walked away quickly.


    Ye Jiayao continued to chew apricots and caught a glimpse of Qiao Xi and Xiang Taoughing there sipping their mouths.


    ¡± What are youughing at?¡±


    Qiao Xi did not dare tough at the strange taste of Second Lady, saying with a smile: ¡± I think Heir-son Lord is really considerate to Second Lady. He can¡¯t stand stinky tofu and has to walk away when he smells it. However, when Second Lady said that you want to eat stinky tofu ,Heir-son Lord immediately bought it, he didn¡¯t even want us to buy it .¡±


    Ye Jiayao snorted and said, that was what his son wanted to eat. Could he not buy it?


    However, the taste of this little guy in the belly was really strange, the fragrant things did not like, they liked the stinky, it really was a stinky boy.

 Chapter 395 - Being a dad is not easy

    <h4>Chapter 395: Being a dad is not easy</h4>


    Xia Chunyu rushed to the ce where sold stinky tofu and found that the old man was collecting his stall. Xia Chunyu forgot the stink and rushed up to hold the old man without covering his nose. ¡± Uncle, I want to buy stinky tofu,¡± he said eagerly.


    The old man smiled: ¡°This lord, unfortunately you came here toote, stinky tofu are sold out today.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was dumbfounded. What about Yaoyao? She was very not easy to think of something to eat, and it should sell out?


    Xia Chunyu was indignant and grabbed the old man and shook desperately: ¡°How can you sell out? How can you sell out? I bought stinky tofu for the first time in my life. How can you sell it out?¡±


    What about Yaoyao? What about my son? My son had been hungry for several days...


    The old man looked at the excited guest with horror. Shit, I was still happy about today¡¯s business. Finally, I can stop my stall early and go home for dinner. Who let you be so untimely?


    ¡°Check it again and see if there are any omissions.¡± Xia Chunyu did not give up and let go of the old man and went to turn over the old man¡¯s stall.


    ¡°This lord, it really sold out, why don¡¯t you go and look for other ce?¡± The old man said sympathetically.


    Xia Chunyu lifted the lid of the pot and all the baskets, only the stink curled up and the stinky tofu residue was not seen. He was very upset: ¡°Where else can I buy it?¡±


    The old man said, ¡°There seems to be a stall in the north of the city, but even the stall will be closed now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu red at him glumly: ¡°Aren¡¯t you saying it in vain? In a word, I want stinky tofu, and you give me a solution, otherwise I won¡¯t go.¡±


    The old man was dumbfounded. He had seen scoundrels. He had never seen scoundrels because he couldn¡¯t eat stinky tofu. This year, everyone was strange.


    Well, you can stay here without leaving. I have to leave.


    The old man smiled wryly: ¡°This lord. It is sold out. Where do you want me to get it for you? Otherwise, you wille back tomorrow to buy it? I¡¯ll keep it for you. ¡±


    ¡°No, I want it today,¡± Xia Chunyu said domineering, without stinky tofu, he couldn¡¯t go back.


    Xia Chunyu said, and sat down on the basket, no matter whether it was stinking or not.


    The old man was helpless, and this kind of constantly chauffeured man was the most unattractive. He said, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe home with me and get it? There are some at home, but it¡¯s a little far. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu suddenly stood up: ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up!¡±


    ¡°Let me tidy up the stall.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about this mess, no one wants it here.¡± Xia Chunyu took out an ingot of silver and stuffed it to him: ¡°I¡¯ve packed all your stinky tofu.¡±


    The old man was dumbfounded and looked at the heavy silver in his hand. Oh, my god, I hadn¡¯t seen such heavy silver in my life. At least five or two taels....


    A piece of stinky tofu and a copper coin would be very good if you could sell 300 or 400 pieces of tofu a day. One or two pieces of silver and one thousand pieces of copper coin would be equivalent to five thousand pieces of copper coin...


    ¡°Hurry up, hurry up, I¡¯m in a hurry to get it.¡± Xia Chunyu took the old man and walked quickly.


    The old man was still immersed in the great joy of dropping the pie on the ceiling, and took a few steps with him in a daze before he remembered, ¡°Er ... this lord, my family is over there.¡±


    Go backwards.


    In the distance, HeLian Jing and Princess Naya came over on horseback and saw Xia Chunyu dragging an old man at a distance with the wind at his feet.


    ¡°What is Chunyu elder brother doing? Who is that old man?¡± HeLian Jing wondered.


    Naya was a straight-tempered woman: ¡°Go up and see.¡±


    The two men rode on horseback to catch up.


    ¡°Chunyu elder brother, where are you going? My sister-inw and I are going to your house. ¡°HeLian Jing said.


    Xia Chunyu was delighted when he saw the horse of HeLian Jing: ¡°Come down quickly.¡±


    Thought, Little Jing came too soon. He thought he could buy stinky tofu nearby, so he didn¡¯t ride big ck.


    HeLian Jing didn¡¯t know what happened, so jumped off the horse.


    Xia Chunyu pulled the old man out of his way: ¡°Little Jing, I¡¯ll use your horse first. You walk to my house by yourself. It¡¯s not far anyway.¡±


    As he said, he flew on his own and carried the old man up with a clip of his legs and a wave of his whip.


    Poor old man hadn¡¯t ridden a horse in his life, scared


    HeLian Jing and Naya looked at each other, in the heart was confused, was Chunyu brother doing his job? And was it very important?


    Two people didn¡¯t understand, she simply dismounted and led the horse with HeLian Jing to Jing ¡®an marquis house.


    Today she had toe. Chunyu said Ye Jinxuan had gone to Yangzhou for the sake of the western restaurant. How could she go to Yangzhou at this juncture? Also didn¡¯t say when toe back. It¡¯s really sad. She¡¯s getting bored and moldy these days. So she came to ask, when would Ye Jinxuan return to Jinling?


    She didn¡¯t expect to see each other, they didn¡¯t say much word. Little Jing¡¯s horse was also be robbed.


    When they arrived at marquis house, someone immediately led them to see Madam.


    Ask the servant here about the seconddy. The servant replied that she was not in the house.


    As soon as You¡¯s talk with Chunfeng was over, Chunfeng was about to step down when he heard that Little Jing and Naya wereing.


    You hastened to exin, ¡°Don¡¯t miss your mouth.¡±


    Chunfeng nodded, second sister-inw¡¯s current situation should not be disturbed.


    After a fewmonces, everyone sat down to drink tea, and Naya said bluntly, ¡°I took the liberty ofing to disturb you today to ask Jinxuan when she will be back.¡±


    You said with a smile, ¡°Jinxuan¡¯s father wants to have a new wife in a few days. She went back to help, and didn¡¯t say when.¡±


    Little Jing had always felt that this matter was not quite right. Chunyu elder brother was most nervous about Yaoyao. How can he rest assured that Yaoyao will go to Yangzhou alone? Moreover, the renewal of the father-inw is also a great event. Chunyu, as a great son ¨C in ¨Cw, how can he not go to help? Was it Chunyu elder brother who quarreled with Yaoyao? Yaoyao returned to her family in a fit of pique?


    ¡°When did her father do the wedding? Little Jing, otherwise, let¡¯s also go to Yangzhou! I heard that the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou has pleasant scenery.¡± Naya was not a woman who can¡¯t walk out of the gate. She was a tough woman who gallops through the grasnds. How far was Yangzhou? She¡¯s not saying she¡¯ll go before she leaves. Anyway, she was so boring.


    You startled, if Naya went to, lies would be revealed.


    Little Jing was about to say yes, Chunfeng said: ¡°You might as well ask my brother, my second brother seems to want to pass by too, what about go together.¡±


    You stared his andined that Chunfeng could not speak. What would you do if you said this in a hurry? Does he apany them to Yangzhou? The problem was that they can¡¯t see anyone when they go to Yangzhou.


    Chunfeng gave his mother a reassuring smile. Anyway, the second brother was going to Yangzhou to congratte his father ¨C in ¨Cw. Then he said that second sister-inw had returned and missed the trip, and when they returned to Jinling, it could be said that second sister-inw had heard that they had gone to Yangzhou and missed it again. Anyway, it was almost three months since the trip was dyed, and then there would be no need to hide any news of second sister-inw¡¯s having a baby.


    Little Jing frowned and said, ¡°When I came here, I saw Chunyu elder brother was so hurry. I don¡¯t know where to go, and he also rode away my horse.¡±


    Er ... both You and Chunfeng were shocked. Chunyu was not at home with Jinxuan and ran out to do what?


    You wanted to send people away earlier, now she had to apany them until Chunyu came back.


    Ye Jiayao and others were impatient. Since she became pregnant, her mood was easy to be impetuous.


    Wasn¡¯t it just two blocks across? Why took so long?


    Qiao Xi said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you let Song Qi go and see it?¡±


    ¡°Look at what? Is not to buy a stinky tofu, can also lost people?¡± Ye Jiayao was displeased, damn it, very not easy to want to eat. If she can¡¯t eat it, she will feel like scratching her heart with paws. She couldn¡¯t wait for a moment.


    Xia Chunyu galloped home with hot stinky tofu, walked to the front of the house, left the horse behind, and walked to the second courtyard in three steps.


    As soon as he was about to turn into the hall, he saw Chunfenging with Little Jing and Naya.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s footsteps suddenly stopped, Eh! He forgot the two men.


    Chunfeng was quick-witted and said with a smile, ¡°Second Brother, you came back just in time. They couldn¡¯t wait any longer and were about to leave.¡±


    ¡°Ah, you are going, then you go, I have work to do, don¡¯t send, Chunfeng, you send.¡± Xia Chunyu smiled and wished they would leave quickly.


    Little Jing turned supercilious look. It seemed as if he would like to go quickly.


    ¡°I was supposed to go. Since you came back, I won¡¯t go first. It¡¯s rare to see you recently, and it¡¯s her first visit to your home.¡± Little Jing said.


    Xia Chunyu smile froze, don¡¯t go?


    Chunfeng hastened to say, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe to my ce and sit down? I have a very good plum wine in my ce.¡±


    Xia Chunyu followed: ¡°Then you go first, and I¡¯ll change my clothes andeter.¡±


    Thought, fortunately, the third brother is alert, otherwise he will not be able to hide from him if he has to go to his ce.


    Little Jing knew it was equivalent to Yide princess and his ancestors knew it. As soon as they knew it, the queen knew it, and then everyone knew it. Then there would be no peace.


    Naya sniffed her nose and made a painful expression, covering her nose and saying, ¡°What is so smelly?¡±


    Little Jing also sniffed and sniffed like a puppy. He always smelled Chunyu and looked surprised at Chunyu: ¡°Chunyu elder brother, you dropped into the cesspit?¡± It stinks.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was gloomy. Your horse just dropped into the cesspit. This is the food for Yaoyao!


    ¡°Hey? No, how does it smell like stinky tofu? ¡± Little Jing said to himself.


    Xia Chunyu held tight the stinky tofu in his arms and was annoyed. If it was dyed any longer, the tofu would be cold.


    Little Jing saw that he subconsciously covered the paper bag on his chest and said, ¡°It¡¯s stinky tofu, isn¡¯t it? Chunyu elder brother, I remember you hated this stuff very much!¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighed silently. Yes, he really hated it. Is it easy for him? It¡¯s not easy to be a father!


    Chunfeng¡¯s mouth twitched. That ... shouldn¡¯t be what second sister-inw wanted to eat! Second sister-inw couldn¡¯t smell the fragrance, but she wanted to eat stinky tofu. His unborn nephew¡¯s taste was not generally strange!

 Chapter 396 - Why do you want to say one hundred pieces？

    <h4>Chapter 396: Why do you want to say one hundred pieces?</h4>


    ¡± What is stinky tofu? Can I eat it?¡± she asked curiously, their Simon didn¡¯t have it.


    Little Jing had good appetite for it, just because it was so smelly that those masters who imed to be noble generally don¡¯t eat it, and they secretly ate it if they would like to eat. Brother Chunyu was a person who smells this and wanted to feel sick. He even held a pack of stinky tofu and was afraid of being robbed. Wasn¡¯t it too strange?


    ¡± Stinky tofu is a snack that smells smelly and tastes delicious. If you dare to taste it, you will love it, but the average person does not dare to eat it and will stay away it,¡± Little Jing said happily.


    ¡± Ah ... then I¡¯ll try it.¡± Naya was bold and immediately became interested when she heard about this challenging food.


    Xia Chunyu said without hesitation, ¡± No.¡±


    Naya was embarrassed. She didn¡¯t expect Chunyu to refuse so bluntly. She lost face.


    ¡± Brother Chunyu, you are too stingy! Isn¡¯t it just a few stinky tofu?¡± Little Jing was more sure that there was a problem.


    Chunyu was not a stingy person, whatever priceless treasures, and he would also send as long as she opened her mouth but the stinky toufu. There was no doubt that Brother Chunyu was just to buy stinky tofu hurriedly. Who else can let Brother Chunyu buy stinky tofu just like to put out the fire hurriedly? Who else can let Brother Chunyu hold stinky tofu as a baby?


    There was no one but Yaoyao.


    Chunfeng touched his nose and looked sympathetically at the second brother: ¡± the second brother, you¡¯d better say it, and you just can¡¯t hide it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said bitterly, ¡± This is what your Sister Yaoyao wants to eat. She was pregnant and don¡¯t want to eat anything. It is hard for her to remember to eat stinky tofu.¡±


    Little Jing and Naya were tongue-tied and paused for half a ring before returning to their senses. They both said in unison, ¡± Was Sister Yaoyao pregnant?¡±


    ¡± Was Jinxuan pregnant?¡±


    ¡± You don¡¯t say out, she has extreme morning sickness, and she can¡¯t smell anything. She hasn¡¯t eaten for many days, and she has just been lived in a mouthful of water,¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Little Jing danced with joy: ¡± Oh, I¡¯m going to be a big uncle, too good, it¡¯s ... it¡¯s a great happy event!¡± I have to go and congratte to her.¡±


    Naya nodded hastily: ¡± It turned out that she was hiding at home because of pregnancy and I almost ran to Yangzhou to find her.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s stride stopped Xiao Jing¡¯s way: ¡± To congratte her, you must first bathe and change clothes and thene back. You can¡¯t have any fragrance on your body. Clothes smells like incense were not allowed to be worn. Food with spices can¡¯t be eaten. Her nose is now better than that of Torino, and when she smells it, she will vomit day and night.¡±


    Little Jing startled: ¡± And this?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said in anguish, ¡± Didn¡¯t you find that I¡¯ve lost weight these days? I don¡¯t even eat meat, what do you think?¡±


    Chunfeng proved to the second brother: ¡± It is true that no one in our family dares to use incense, even rouge and gouache. This is the only way to hide it from you, thinking that when the second aunt¡¯s reaction is not so strong, and we will tell you again.¡±


    Naya heard that even rouge and gouache could not be used. She touched her face and smells the fragrance of her body. She said, ¡± Forget it, I¡¯lle to see her again tomorrow.¡±


    Anyway, the words had already been said, Chunyu also said impolitely: ¡± I have to give food for Yaoyao first, or it will not be good to eat if it got cold. I have seen her pitifully. She hasn¡¯t eaten a mouthful of delicious food for more than ten days ...¡±


    After taking two steps, he turned back and solemnly said, ¡± Remember, don¡¯t say it out, or you will deal with it yourself.¡±


    Little Jing smiled and nodded, ¡± I understand it, and don¡¯t say anything.¡±


    It was so good that Yaoyao finally was pregnant and took so many medicines that everyone had been waiting for so long. The ancestor prayed for her every day in front of the bodhisattva. Now, they finally realized what they wanted. If the ancestor knew the good news, she would certainly grin from ear to ear.


    However, in order to let Yaoyao rest quietly, let¡¯s still hide it!


    Ye Jiayao feebly with his ears on the couch to listen what was going on outside and couldn¡¯t stop swallowing. Where on earth had this guy gone? Your son was hungry, didn¡¯t you know?


    Qiao Xi also stood at the door looking forward Heir-son Lord toe back soon like looking forward with impatient expectancy.


    ¡± Yaoyao, Yaoyao ...¡±


    All of a sudden there was a Chunyu shouting outside.


    Qiao Xi said happily: ¡± Heir-son Lord, you areing back finally.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re waiting for so long, soe to eat it hurriedly, and it still was warm luckily!¡± Xia Chunyu was busy handing over stinky tofu to Qiao Xi.


    Qiao Xi held up to the seconddy.


    Ye Jiayaoined: ¡± How did you go so long?¡±


    Xia Chunyu wiped his sweat, half on his way was on his way and half was anxious by Little Jing.


    ¡± Unfortunately, the old man¡¯s stinky tofu was sold out. I bought it from his house and made it ready ¨C made, thanks to Little Jing¡¯s horse. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be able to get it at the moment.¡±


    It turned out that Chunyu was not slow which made Ye Jiayao feel a little morefortable, only me to the sold out of stinky tofu.


    As soon as the paper bag was opened, the unique fragrance of stinky tofu spread out, and Ye Jiayao took a deep breath. It was so sweet...


    For the first time in more than ten days, I felt like I had a good appetite.


    ¡± Give it to me ...¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t wait.


    Qiao Xi quickly loaded tes and put chopsticks on.


    Ye Jiayao put a piece in her mouth, only felt that the skin was crispy, the inside was tender, and the aroma was excessive. It was so delicious that it was simply the best delicacy in the world.


    Xia Chunyu and Qiao Xi both looked at her nervously and made preparations for her spittoon as soon as she vomited.


    Who knew, Ye Jiayao ate one piece after another, eating sweetly.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s hanging heart fell to the ground. For the first time, he had the feeling of watching Yaoyao eat and couldn¡¯t help crying. It was not easy!


    This few days to see Yaoyao can¡¯t eat, can¡¯t sleep well, and can¡¯t easily vomit. His heart was pulled in the pain! He wanted to rece her in suffering, but he couldn¡¯t. This feeling of anxiety and helplessness can drive people crazy.


    He even thought that if this were all the same, the child might as well be abandon.


    ¡± Yaoyao, is it delicious?¡± Xia Chunyu asked cautiously.


    Ye Jiayao nodded as she ate and said vaguely, ¡± It¡¯s delicious. That¡¯s what I wanted.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said: ¡± That¡¯s good. I¡¯ve already reach an agreement with the old man who sells stinky tofu to send us 100 pieces of toufu a day.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared in big eyes, one hundred a day? Treated her as a pig, how can she eat so much?


    Suddenly she felt full and couldn¡¯t eat any more.


    Ye Jiayao put aside the bowl and looked at him with bitterness: ¡± Why did you say one hundred? Why?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was puzzled: ¡± What¡¯s the matter? It¡¯s rare to have what you want to eat. Naturally, it¡¯s much better.¡±


    Ye Jiayao wanted to cry: ¡± But when I heard a hundred pieces and suddenly I didn¡¯t want to eat.¡±


    Xia Chunyu opened his mouth, only to find that he had lost hisnguage ability. He really didn¡¯t know what to say. Pregnant women had a strange taste. What¡¯s the matter of saying it?


    He can¡¯t live as this!


    Xia Chunyu hastened to remedy: ¡± Then I asked him to send ten pieces?¡±


    ¡± No, I have lost my appetite and I don¡¯t want to eat any more,¡± Ye Jiayao said with a tearful voice.


    ¡± No, you just act like I didn¡¯t say it, ok?¡±


    ¡± No, I have already heard it, and your son has also heard it, and he said no.¡± Ye Jiayao fell on the pillow feebly, touched her belly, looked up to heaven with two eyes, mourned, and wanted nothing to eat again....


    Xia Chunyu was sweating profusely and really wanted tosh his own mouth. Why was he so talkative?


    Qiao Xi also looked at Heir-son Lord withints. Why did he report his achievement? He made the seconddy hate to eat it.


    However, a few stinky tofu still opened the door to Ye Jiayao¡¯s appetite. Smelly wax gourd, smelly cabbage heart, smelly shrimp paste and musty tofu are all smelly things in a word. In fact, Ye Jiayao most wanted was to eat durian, but Huai Song didn¡¯t have it. Everyone had never heard of this kind of fruit, and teased Ye Jiayao but she just have to bear it.


    Xia Chunyu had been speechless with Ye Jiayao¡¯s peculiar taste. Every time he saw her eating with relish, she justifiably said that was your son wanted, and he wanted to drag this smelly boy out of his mother¡¯s belly and give him a lesson.


    You were a bad boy. It was not enough to torment your mother, but also your father. Your mother would not vomit. Do you know that I will vomit?


    You were also worried. She ate these things every day. She can¡¯t keep up with nutrition. She hadn¡¯t seen any pregnant woman who liked to eat this smelly food. Why don¡¯t you enjoy it, grandson? There were so many delicious things in the world, ah ... it was really beyond words.


    Come on, when they got through this period, she must supply for her unborn grandson.


    Ever since Ye Jiayao was pregnant, Naya hade here every once in a while, bearing in mind that no incense, no rouge powder and no food were allowed.


    Ye Jiayao weed her toe because she saw that she made small clothes or something. Her eyes were greedy and she was moring to learn needlework. In Simon, women didn¡¯t pay attention to needlework, and coarse sewing would be enough. She even practiced martial arts from an early age and didn¡¯t touch the needle and thread. She thought it was really cute to see small clothes or something. She heard that women here like to embroider purse strings and sachets to show their love and vowed to embroider a sachet for him before Helian Xuaning back.


    The two men worked together on sewing work. First, they had apanion, and then they can talk with each other, and life passed quickly. Second, Naya¡¯s sewing work was worse than hers.


    This was true of human nature. Once you felt someone was worse than you and had a bottom one, your heart would be bnced.


    Ye Jiayao herself was an amateur. She also showed Naya, a serious teacher and an open mind in learning, and they enjoyed it.


    ¡± Jin Xuan, what do you think of my mandarin duck embroidery?¡±


    ¡°This is mandarin duck? I thought it is a duck!¡±


    ¡± Naya, look at the lotus I embroidered ...¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s too rough. It¡¯s not like a lotus, it likes a lotus leaf ...¡±


    Therefore, the two men dismayed to tear down ande back.


    Only Qiao Xi and othersughed all the time.


    After Xia Chunyu had seen Nada¡¯s sewing work, he neverughed at Yaoyao. Well, one mountain is lower than the other. His wife was at least better than Helian Xuan¡¯s and satisfied.

 Chapter 397 - Not to be taunted

    <h4>Chapter 397: Not to be taunted</h4>


    When the Dragon Boat Festival arrived, Ye Jiayao¡¯s degree of vomiting was relieved, but she still could not smell the fragrance. Therefore, this Dragon Boat Festival was the simplest festival ever held by marquis house. Only a handful of wormwood could be inserted into the gate. Fragrant bags could be made and worn, but they were not allowed to contain spices, that is, they should be fit for the asion. As for zongzi and realgar wine, everyone could only eat secretly. The nose sensitivity of Seconddy was beyond human imagination.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t do food, but it didn¡¯t affect her to make money. Sheunched the activities of dragon boat watching, food tasting and prize winning early. A month in advance, anyone who spent more than 12 silvers in Heavenly Residence or pastry house or dessert house can get a bill, write down his name and address, put it in the prize box, and wait until the Dragon Boat Festival. Awards include one to six grades. First prize is a gold mouse, plus a senior membership card of Heavenly Residence. With this card, all the prizes in restaurants and pastry houses will be 70 % off.


    At that time, guests like tide waved into the restaurant.


    In addition, the zongzi in Heavenly Residencest year had gained a great reputation, and they were booked early this year, and the quantity was sorge that they were almost catching up with the ice-covered moon cakes, and Heavenly Residence had made a lot of money selling zongzi.


    As for the marketing methods that emerge in endlessly in the Heavenly Residence, other restaurants could only look to the outside world for sighing, and they also learned, but the brand Heavenly Residence was already deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. When it came to the concept of ¡°Heavenly Residence¡±, that was the best restaurant in Jinling. Therefore, even if they learned, the effect was far from as good as Heavenly Residence.


    The good news was not only that, but also the opening of Suzhou¡¯s branch, the new business model and master Qiao¡¯s full support had made it a great sess and made it famous all the way.


    Ye Jiayao was very optimistic with Deng Haichuan¡¯s superb cooking skills, flexible mind, and social intercourse ability. In fact, Deng Haichuan did not disappoint her.


    Then came the branch in Hangzhou. Cui Dongpeng and Liu Qisheng sessfully graduated from the training course. Both of them did well in the top 10. Cui Dongpeng, though he failed to win the first ce, also took the second ce and entered the honor roll. The first one was taken away by Lin Changchun`s man. Therefore, she heard Cui Dongpeng had been depressed for several days,he promised to take the first ce.


    Ye Jiayao had to encourage him again and let him and Wang Mingde go to Hangzhou after the Dragon Boat Festival to get everything ready and ready to open within a month.


    This year¡¯s Dragon Boat Festival, Ye Jiayao won¡¯t be able to see the dragon boat race. However, Chunyu won¡¯t take part in the dragon boat race this year, and she was not rare to see it.


    A Dragon Boat Festival was just doing work at home.


    I have to say that a skillful person could learn everything quickly as long as she works hard. In just a month, Ye Jiayao¡¯s sewing level had advanced by leaps and bounds and her demands on herself had be higher and higher, even pestering Qiao to learn double-face sewing.


    Qiao dly became a teacher. Compared with the second sister-inw, she was better than her only in this respect. How could she not show her skill well?


    Xia Chunyu did not think much of it. She wanted to run when she just learned to walk, and Yaoyao¡¯s enterprise was too big.


    However, he won¡¯t say anything but encourage Yaoyao to stay at home every day. If she doesn¡¯t find something to do, she will be spoilt.


    However, he would go to Yangzhou tomorrow. It would take at least four or five days for this trip, but she covered her head with embroidery and treated him as air. Xia Chunyu was very upset.


    ¡°Yaoyao, that, will the ceremony be too thin?¡± Xia Chunyu was looking for a topic.


    Ye Jiayao did not lift her head. ¡± Don¡¯t send it if it¡¯s too thin.¡±


    Er ... the old father-inw was overjoyed and told him to go empty ¨C handed? He didn¡¯t have this face.


    ¡± Hum, he doesn¡¯t deserve to be a father.¡± Ye Jiayao still had a grudge against the poisoning.


    Ah, no longer worthy, but after all he was your father. The ostensible ceremony was still needed. In fact, Xia Chunyu had secretly prepared another gift list. Told her about it, but only to attract her attention.


    ¡± That ... your second sister will not be informed?¡± Xia Chunyu asked.


    Ye Jiayao finally stopped her work and mused, ¡± Come on, she won¡¯t go. Now she¡¯s staying well in Mingyue Embroidery Square.¡±


    Now, she and Zhongyuan knew that Jinrong was in Mingyue Embroidery Square, and Ye Binghuai didn¡¯t know it. Ye Binghuai hadn¡¯t thought about looking for this daughter, how fickle he was. If Jinrong goes back to Ye¡¯s home, Ye Binghuai might use Jinrong as a tool for interest exchange and force Jinrong to remarry. This, presumably Jinrong knew it herself, so she hadn¡¯t been going home and didn¡¯t contact her family.


    Jinrong had many shorings, but her affection for Wei Liujiang was very firm and unshakable.


    Wei Liujiang was sentenced to three years in prison. A Lian said Jinrong had to wait for him toe out.


    Moreover, Jinrong could now calm down and do things confidently. If Jinrong had really changed, for Bao`s sake, she didn¡¯t mind helping her in the future.


    Xia Chunyu understood what Ye Jiayao meant. Indeed, Ye Binghuai was really a selfish one. Anyone who can make be used of, he will make use of it without thinking. If Jinrong goes back to Ye¡¯s house, he was afraid the day would be worse than Jinyao¡¯s.


    The thought of Jinyao made Xia Chunyument that if Jinyao didn¡¯t have that kind of mind, her life would be a different scene. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in her own hands.


    Yaoyao looked like a strong person with a clear grudge. In fact, Yaoyao¡¯s heart was the softest. If anyone was sincere to her, she would treat them better. Even if Heifenggang¡¯s second master who was full of evil, he stopped an arrow at the end of he life, she won`t say anything bad of him since then. Even if he mentions him asionally, she won¡¯t let it be said.


    In this world, all living beings were like clouds. It was really hard for good people and bad people to be clear, even if they were evil and unforgivable, but they were kind to you and saved your life, you also had to memory them.


    Of course, those who had sinned against her would also be miserable. He had a profound and personal experience of this.


    Xia Chunyu closed his book, walked over, sat down next to her, took off the flower in her hand and said, ¡± Rest for a while, it¡¯s been embroidering all morning.¡±


    Ye Jiayao snatched it back: ¡± No, I said I would finish it in seven days. This is double-face sewing, veryplicated.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was depressed. ¡± You¡¯ve been staring at this thing all morning without looking at me. I¡¯ll leave early tomorrow morning. It¡¯ll take several days!¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him an oblique look: ¡± You have nothing to look at. I have to look you for the rest of my life. And I have to look at you less so that I don¡¯t get tired of it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was angry with her. What did she mean and what was tired of watching?


    ¡± Ye Jinxuan ...¡±


    ¡± Why?¡± Ye Jiayao asked, this guy, didn¡¯t know she was making clothes for her son? Alwayse and stir.


    ¡± If you are disgusted with me, I will also be disgusted with you,¡± Xia Chunyu threatened.


    Ye Jiayao red at him and Xia Chunyu also red back. This was a matter of principle and could not back down.


    The two men stared at each other for a moment at each other¡¯s big eyes, and Ye Jiayao said with a faint voice: ¡± It¡¯s said that when a woman is pregnant, men are most likely to change their minds, too, and it¡¯s also true that when a woman is pregnant, she is either sallow and emaciated, such as me, or white and fat and round, and her figure is out of shape. She is no longer beautiful and slim. Now I dare not look in the mirror. I can¡¯t bear to see my ghost appearance. It¡¯s also normal for you to see me tired.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart thumped, feeling ominous, only listening to her increasingly intive tone.


    ¡± I¡¯m just joking, but you¡¯re saying the truth ...¡±


    Uh ... what¡¯s in my mind? Didn¡¯t you say you were tired of watching me? You said it was a joke, and I said it in my heart. What reason was this?


    Xia Chunyu was about to retort when she saw her eyes blink a few times, causing tears to appear, making her even sadder.


    ¡± Do you think I want to be like this? Not just to raise your children? I¡¯m so hard ¨C working, you don¡¯t care for me at all and say such sad words. It¡¯s not yet three months. Wait until the belly gets bigger and my figure ispletely out of shape. Are you going to throw up when you see me? Xia Chunyu, I was really wrong about you. I didn¡¯t think you were such a person. Do you have any conscience ... ¡±


    Xia Chunyu tongue ¨C tied, what kind of person am I? How did I be the kind of person you call a heartless person?


    It was really wrong!


    It was he who was obviously wronged. As a result, her mouth turned up and down, and a big hat buckled down like a mountain.


    Was there any justice in this?


    Ye Jiayao nced at his flushed face and touched her belly to start prenatal education.


    ¡± Children, do you know how much injustice I has suffered for you? I was rejected by your father and hated by your father. Maybe he will soon abandon us ... ¡± Ye Jiayao said, taking a deep breath as if to swallow all the big grievances:¡± However, don¡¯t be afraid, even if your father doesn¡¯t want you, you still have your mother, who will never abandon you ... ¡±


    Xia Chunyu smartly shivered and almost didn¡¯t vomit blood.


    He only said a word, or fought back her words, but she pulled out of the way and actually rose to the point of abandoning his wife.


    No, no, She didn¡¯t know whether the child could hear or not. If she is allowed to talk nonsense, will the child not recognize him as a father in the future?


    Xia Chunyu licked his dry lips and said, ¡± Stop, Yaoyao, you can¡¯t do this wrong to me. I am true to you. When did I abandon you? You are unique in my eyes. Even if the fairy stood in front of me, I wouldn¡¯t look at her ... ¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at him with bitterness: ¡± Really? Didn¡¯t you say you were tired of watching me?¡±


    Xia Chunyu shook his head like a rattle and smiled approvingly: ¡± I never said this, never even thought about it, never in my life, never in my next life. You see, I¡¯ve been staring at you all morning, Yaoyao, I found pregnant women especially beautiful, with a kind of maternal love glow. Really, you are the best one ... never tire of watching.¡±


    ¡± You promise?¡±


    ¡± I can swear to heaven.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was reluctant to say, ¡± I¡¯ll just trust you once, well, I¡¯m thirsty after saying so many words.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hurriedly to pour water for her, in the heart chagrin, only women were difficult to raise, the ancients honestly did not deceive me, what¡¯s more, women have a small baby, absolutely not to be taunted!

 Chapter 398 - It’s going to change

    <h4>Chapter 398: It¡¯s going to change</h4>


    Ye Jiayao watched him looked depressed and couldn¡¯t helpughing. Such a boring day she would only have fun ying tricks on him.


    However, Ye Jiayao also knew the limits while ying tricks on people, otherwise it would be bad to make people feel cold.


    Therefore, she stopped doing the embroidery work and tilted in his arms. She now asked him to rub her shoulder, and then asked him to beat her back, while Chunyu was pleased with doing that.


    After lunch, Chunyu took a nap with Ye Jiayao and when he slept in a daze. He heard Song Qi say, ¡± Call Hier-son Lord quickly, something big has happened in the pce.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes opened immediately. His dark eyes were awe-inspiring and not sleepy.


    Qiao Xi also panicked and rushed in to call him.


    Xia Chunyu had already heard it, made a gesture of booing, carefully pulled his arm out under from Ye Jiayao¡¯s neck and crept out of the bedroom.


    ¡± If the seconddy wakes up, tell her I have something to deal with and have to go out for a while. Don¡¯t talk details to her.¡±


    Xia Chunyu went out and saw Song Qi looked anxious, but he refrained from asking until he came out of the courtyard. ¡± What happened in the pce?¡± he asked.


    Today was the Dragon Boat Festival, there was the Dragon Boat Race. The Emperor went to see the Dragon Boat Race.


    Song Qi said, ¡± It was from Lord Xiaojing that the emperor suddenly fainted when he stood up after watching the dragon boat race. Now the emperor has been carried back to his pce and the imperial doctors are treating him. I still don¡¯t know if the emperor¡¯s illness is serious.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face became grim. The emperor¡¯splexion was not very good these days. He had also heard something while serving in front of the emperor, saying that the emperor was suffering from kidney deficiency, but it should not cause fainting.


    The emperor¡¯s illness was tantamount to a dark cloud blotting out the sun. Xia Chunyu did not dare to neglect and hurriedly rode a big ck horse into the pce.


    Ye Jiayao slept soundly, and did not get up until Naya came to find her.


    Found Chunyu was not here, she asked Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi said Hier-son Lord had something to be done and had gone out. Hearing that, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t care, she dressed up, and Naya came in.


    ¡± Jin Xuan, tell you a big thing. I¡¯m really scared today,¡± she said nervously.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and sneered, ¡± What big event can scare you, a female general has experienced hundreds of wars .¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯tugh,¡± she said sternly, ¡± it¡¯s really a big deal. People are worried at the moment.¡±


    Ye Jiayao took it seriously,¡± Tell me about it.¡±


    ¡± Today you didn¡¯t go to see the dragon boat race. I went, and the queen specially reserved a ce for me on the third floor. As soon as the dragon boat race was over, the emperor was about to drive back to the pce, but as soon as he stood up, he fell tly, and everyone was in a mess.¡± Naya said.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart sank, the emperor fainted? What disease was it?


    It seemed Chunyu went out for this.


    ¡± Now princess royal, Little Jing have gone to the pce. Oh, and the duke, I¡¯vee directly to you. Jin Xuan, do you think the emperor¡¯s illness will be very serious?¡±


    Ye Jiayao shook her head nkly. She hadn¡¯t entered the pce for a long time. She hadn¡¯t seen the emperor or heard Chunyu talk about the emperor¡¯s difort.


    But one thing was certain. If the emperor was ill at this time, if he was seriously ill, it would be in chaos.


    Helian Xuan hadn¡¯te back yet, ah ...What she could do was only to bless the emperor all right!


    After hearing the news, Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t even want to embroider. He waited anxiously for Chunyu toe back.


    As soon as it was dark and close to 10 p.m., the father and son came back together.


    Xia Chunyv took a deep breath and changed a smiling face before entering the room.


    In a rxed tone, he asked, ¡± Yaoyao, did you eat dinner? What did you eat?¡±


    Ye Jiayao hurried up to meet him, ¡± How is the emperor going?¡±


    Xia Chunyu stared at Qiao Xi, who curled her mouth innocently, ¡± Princess Naya hase.¡±


    Xia Chunyu sighed helplessly, he just wanted to hide it. As a result, this quick-mouthed Naya was good at keeping a secret.


    ¡°be quick to tell me, how is the emperor going?¡± Ye Jiayao had been worried about this for a long time and couldn¡¯t eat any food.


    Xia Chunyu helped her to sit down and said slightly, ¡± Nothing happened to the emperor. He was now awake.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at him straightly, ¡± Chunyu, I know you are afraid of worrying me, but you also know that I am a dreamer. If you don¡¯t tell me the truth, I will always think about it, and than the worse it will be.¡±


    After living together for so long, although Chunyu¡¯s acting skill was brilliant, his hesitation passing in his eyes were real. This shows that the situation was serious and definitely not as simple as what he said.


    ¡± I¡¯m not a person who can¡¯t bear the pressure. You tell me the truth quickly and I can bear the worst situation.¡± Ye Jiayao said seriously.


    Xia Chunyu sighed silently, it was really too difficult to lie to Yao. She was very unhappy with the concealment of thest time.So he had to let Qiao Xi to step down before saying, ¡± The emperor has suffered a stroke.¡±


    Ye Jiayao startled, ¡± How did he have a stroke?¡±


    A stroke should be a precursor to this disease, right?The imperial doctor asked the emperor for a pulse every day. The imperial doctor didn¡¯t find anything wrong?Or were they not good at medicine?


    Xia Chunyu said with a wry smile, ¡± It¡¯s not no reason. In fact, there are traces to follow. Aren¡¯t there some new beauties in the harem?I heard that the emperor turned over the brands of these beauties ... ¡±


    Well, this meant that ... It was the emperor¡¯s excessive desire cause stroke?


    ¡± Of course, the imperial doctor won¡¯t say that. In the pce, I met Little Jing. The queen and Yide princess now suspect that someone has given the emperor some pills. Otherwise, it¡¯s impossible for the emperor to think of desire every night at his age.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    Ye Jiayao understood that the pills Chunyu mentioned should be aphrodisiac.


    ¡± what medicine did the emperor take? Aren¡¯t there any record taken by the royal hospital ?The queen should have known!The queen didn¡¯t stop him?¡± Ye Jiayao wondered.


    Xia Chunyu said somberly, ¡± This is the problem. There was no problem with the medicine prescribed by the royal hospital. The queen does not know if the emperor has taken anything else, even Eunuch Wei does not know.¡±


    ¡± This needs to be checked. Those who gave this medicine to the emperor are certainly not kind.¡±


    ¡± Now the queen has begun to investigate and can only wait for news. The key is that the emperor is unconscious and the physician says the situation is serious.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was heavy. After a long time of peace, there was trouble again.


    ¡± Then will you go to yangzhou tomorrow?¡± Ye Jiayao asked casually. Chunyu must be inseparable from this situation now.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head,¡± maybe I can¡¯t get there, I¡¯ll let Chunfeng take this trip! Your father will be considerate. ¡±


    He had to. Could He Ye Binghuai married a new wife beparable to the emperor¡¯s seriouse illness?


    This night, everyone slept uneasily. Stroke was a very dangerous disease.Maybe the emperor would go.


    Everyone had just sent the queen mother away. If the emperor went again ... it was really going to be a bad day.


    Fortunately, no news was received that night. No news was good news.


    Chunyu asked Chunfeng about Yangzhou¡¯s affair early in the morning and went to the pce.


    The emperor was in aa for a day and a night, he didn¡¯t wake up until the evening. But he couldn¡¯t speak or move. The queen thoroughly investigated the medicine matter and put the relevant people in to trail. In a fit of anger, she put some of the most favored beauties into limbo.


    The emperor was still alive but unable to issue an edict. The prince couldn¡¯t be justified in supervising the country. He had to ask several prime ministers to preside over the overall situation. The prince couldn¡¯t be anxious at the moment. What if the emperor got well? The emperor was already on guard against the prince. If the prince too urgent to take the order, the emperor might even me him.


    In short, it was a mess.


    At this time, Yu Wang and an elegant young man were talking in secret in Yu Wang fu¡¯s study.


    ¡± Medicine, they are definitely not found out, colorless and tasteless. You have a lot of good things in Jiangzuo Union.¡± King Yu was in a good mood and smiled slightly.


    The young man chuckled, ¡± When will the next step be nned?¡±


    King Yu leaned back a little andid his hand on the table with a leisurely posture and a confident look, ¡± Since the old man won¡¯t die for a while, wait a few more days for the queen to do something over and over again until at the end this medicine appears in their house, so there will be a good show.¡±


    ¡± Yes, there are not many people who know that Jingguo Gong is addicted to alchemy. When the timees, they will not have to do anything else. Everyone will naturally suspect that the queen. The emperor dies, or will be a living dead person in the future. Who will have the greatest benefit? Prince, of course, is a stable prince this time. He evaded all courtiers who urged him to supervise the country. However, as long as the matter came out, if he refused again, and in everyone¡¯s eyes it was only pretentious. ¡± The young man smiled with a hint of coolness.


    King Yuughed, ¡± If you can¡¯t defeat your opponent without a bloody de, this is the highest tactics.¡±


    The two men had a good talk.


    These days, although Xia Chunyu pretended to be rxed in front of Ye Jiayao, Ye Jiayao knew that he was not rxed. On the contrary, Chun Yu¡¯s mood was very bad. At night, even if he didn¡¯t not sigh, Ye Jiayao could feel that he was thinking with his eyes open.


    The medicine couldn¡¯t be found out and makes people uneasy, but this was the biggest clue. The taste of the plot was so strong that people couldn¡¯t breathe.


    They also doubted King Yu, but could not find any clues.


    Now the prince¡¯s demands for supervision of the country were rising and rising, and the prince had been tempted. First, the country must not have no king for a day. Second, this was what the prince had been dreaming of for many years. It was Chunyu and Little Jing and others who persuaded him again and dismissed the prince¡¯s idea.


    But it wouldn¡¯tst long. the emperor¡¯s condition hadn¡¯t improved. if it went on like this, the prince couldn¡¯t say the past without supervising the country.


    It was a headache. It feels like a conspiracy, but they couldn¡¯t catch a clue, which made Xia Chunyu very depressed.


    The way back to Jinling by Helian Xuan seemed to be not smooth. The emperor only allowed him to bring 300 guards back to Jinling, but there were several assassinations along the way, and the 300 guards were killed and wounded inrge-scale interception. Xia Chunyu sent a team of people to meet him in the past, but there was no news yet.


    HelianXuan, he muste back safely, otherwise, the day would really change.


    Xia Chunyu sighed silently in the night.

 Chapter 399 - Counterattack

    <h4>Chapter 399: Counterattack</h4>


    The emperor suffered a stroke on the thirteenth day.


    The queen said the emperor¡¯s illness needed rest quietly to recuperate, cannot be visited and no one can enter or leave Zichen Pce except the queen and the imperial doctor.


    Although news came every day, the emperor was gradually recovering, but more and more people doubted the truth of the news.


    Everyone had not seen the emperor for so long, so it was reasonable to guess many things.


    The real reason for everyone¡¯s unease was that King Yu¡¯s cold face which was like a thousand-year-old iceberg. It showed that the situation was not good and the emperor was in danger. It was said that King Yu and the forth prince and the sixth prince kneeled down in front of Zichen Pce every day, only wanted to go in and look at the emperor, but the queen didn¡¯t allow it.


    In contrast, the Master Crown Prince, of course, also went to Zichen Pce to kneel and pay respect every day, but his expression was not as heavy as King Yu, and the prince gradually began to take charge of the government affairs. Of course, this was a request made repeatedly by the ministers, most of which were from the Master Crown Prince¡¯s party.


    What did this mean?


    It was hard for people not to think much about it!


    Just as the situation was in a stalemate and doubts were gathering, a fire broke out in the Jing guo duke house, which red up that night, burned almost half of the Jing guo duke house.


    The five cities¡¯ guard and defense department, Beijing yamen(government office in feudal China) and fire department were all deployed. After a half-night of busy work, they managed to contain the fire. As a result, the fire was caused by an explosion of the alchemist furnace in Jing guo duke house. What¡¯s more, the guard and defense department found a box of pills during the rescue of property. ording to verification, it was the pills that have the effect of refreshing and strengthening energy.


    Rumors immediately spread like the wind. At this time, King Anle, also known as the fifth imperial uncle, who was in Luzhou, happened to return to Jin Lin. After hearing the news, he took a group of people into the pce to ask the queen for an exnation.


    In the previous time, the queen suspected that someone had given the emperor some medicine. Otherwise, could the emperor have been so powerful in that period? Queen used many power only to find no evidence in the harem. As a result, they found such pills in Jing guo duke house.


    What was Jing guo duke house? It was the queen¡¯s maiden family which made people doubt it.


    At that time, all the targets were directed at the queen, who was hard to tell.


    The fifth imperial uncle was very excited and threatened that if the queen did not give an exnation, he would not hesitate to send troops to the king.


    He had spoken out such serious words which clearly used the queen and the Master Crown Prince of being suspected of rebellion. In fact, the suspicion was not enough. In the eyes of some people, it was clear that the evidence was conclusive.


    The heavy rain wasing, a storm was imminent.


    When this happened, Xia Chunyu, the first-ss bodyguard and deputy leader of the guard, was busy. He didn¡¯t care about his home at all, and guarded in the pce day and night. The Master Crown Prince¡¯s East Pce was even busier, the meetings went on one after another.


    ¡± Luzhou reported that the military forces of the fifth imperial uncle were gathering.¡±


    ¡± Xuzhou reported that Xuzhou¡¯s military forces have marched to Jin Lin.¡±


    ¡± Military forces from Fujian and Zhejiang marched toward Jin Lin.¡±


    ¡± The military forces of Shuzhou marched toward Jin Lin.¡±


    ¡± There is no movement in the northwest camp.¡±


    ¡± Recently, many strange faces havee to Jin Lin...¡±


    ¡± The team that went to meet King HeLian has joined King HeLian and is rapidly approaching Jin Lin.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Almost all of them were bad news, only thest one let everyone secretly breathe a sigh of relief, but the nerves were tenser.


    At present, the power in Jin Lin was only the guards military and the northwest camp stationed near Jin Lin.


    There were only 3,000 guards and only 20,000 guards in the five cities guard and defense department, and the hearts of the people were mixed. Although the northwest camp was a subordinate of He Lianxuan, He Lianxuan left for more than a year and the camp was helplessly ced in many people. It was hard to say that this was still monolithic if the troops were divided into several groups.


    Several teams under the banner of King Qin had already taken the first step, and the Master Crown Prince had no right to mobilize military forces, unless he was given an imperial edict to supervise the country. To do this was not difficult for the Master Crown Prince, because the decree was now in the hands of the queen. But once the decree is signed, it was really a false decree. If the emperor woke up...


    Everyone spoke vehemently.


    ¡± The Master Crown Prince, the situation is imminent. If reinforcements are not moved, Jin Lin will be in danger.¡±


    ¡± The Master Crown Prince, the fifth imperial uncle and King Yu have obvious ambitions. If we don¡¯t start first, and let the rebels break Jin Lin, it will be in a reversal condition and the consequences will be unimaginable ...¡±


    ¡± The Master Crown Prince, please decide as soon as possible ...¡±


    The prince¡¯s eyebrows were always frowning. He thought for a long time and looked at Xia Chunyu.


    ¡± Chunyu, what do you think?¡±


    At that time, all eyes fell on Xia Chunyu¡¯s face.


    Xia Chunyu knew what the prince was thinking, he was a legitimate heir to the throne. As long as he hid his capacities and waited patiently to prevent the emperor from catching his wrong, the throne must be his. However, the development of the situation forced the prince into a dilemma.


    The queen and prince¡¯s statement of rebellion had gone up in a hubbub, and there was no room for argument. If they announced to control the country and mobilize the army at this time, more and more people would talk about it. Prince was kind and filial and would not tolerate the usation of killing his father and seizing the throne. Moreover, the emperor was sometimes sober and sometimes confused. Who knew that if the emperor would use this as an excuse to harm the prince after he was fully awake?


    But if he didn¡¯t do anything, he would just have to wait and die.


    There was only a dead end to forbearance, and there may still be a chance to fight back. History had always been written by the victors, and it had always been like this.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were still hesitating and gradually became firm.


    All the people here could be trusted, but speaking skills were still needed.


    He stood up and said,¡± Prince, what Official Song said is right. How could the fifth imperial uncle havee back to Jin Lin so opportunely? It is clearly premeditated. The fifth imperial uncle had covet the throne before, and Zhao Zhuohui, who led the troops in Xuzhou, Qiu Guangsheng, who led the troops in the southwest, everyone knows who they are obeyed. As for those who recently entered Jin Lin, they were ordinary people. Don¡¯t forget that Jiang Zuomeng and Rong guo duke house are inextricably linked with King Yu. I understand that Prince¡¯s dilemma at this moment is due to the concern for the emperor¡¯s body, fearing that the emperor might hear of the aggravation of the troubles. Queen and prince have tolerated everything for the emperor, but now it is in an emergency. Please let the emperor tomand to order the King Qin¡¯s troop, or our country is in a danger. I believe that the emperor don¡¯t want to see the conspiracy of rebel ministere true.¡±


    The true situation of the emperor, among all the people here, only he, Xiao Jing and the prince knew that the emperor was just hanging a sigh of relief, almost a dead person who can¡¯t give anymand, so he deliberately said so to make everyone think that the emperor could still make a decision, and the prince hesitated only to worry about the emperor¡¯s repeated illness.


    Xiao Jing also stood up and said, ¡± The prince has a clear conscience in filial piety, but he can¡¯t watch disorderly officials and viins seed. Please give priority to state affairs and the overall situation.¡±


    All the ministers advised one after another to ask the Master Crown Prince to give priority to the overall situation.


    The prince was silent for a long time, with aplicated look, and half-heartedly sighed with emotion: ¡± When I was a child, my fifth imperial uncle was the most kind people to me, and I was asionally criticized by my father and he would say something good for me, but now I don¡¯t expect to fight each other. King Yu ... my third brother who always followed behind me when I was a child. Call me brother prince and brother prince, but now he is blinded by greed. Ah ... I really don¡¯t want to see this situation today.¡±


    Everyone was worried and grumbling. Prince was kind and filial, but it was over filial. When the time came, it was not only Prince who would die. All of them would suffer.


    Only Xia Chunyu was calm, and the prince recalled the past indicated that he was determined.


    As expected, the prince¡¯s eyes were suddenly cold, revealed a rare cold.


    ¡± What everyone said is right, and I can¡¯t ignore the overall situation for my own sake, let alone let the disorderly officials and viins seed in their plot. I¡¯ll go and ask for an order.¡±


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the stone fell to the ground in their heart.


    ¡± At this time of chaos, please do your duty and don¡¯t mess up your position first,¡± the prince said.


    Everyone said yes.


    ¡± Chunyu, He Lianjing, you stay, and the rest of you can leave.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and He Lianjing stayed.


    When they all left, the prince looked awe-inspiring and said, ¡± Chun Yu, Xiao Jing, we have no way out.¡±


    This meant that once the will was invited, everything would be a foregone conclusion. The emperor, whether he could get well or not, would no longer be able to sit on the dragon chair. Otherwise, the emperor would surely fear the prince¡¯s ability which burst out this time.


    Xia Chunyu and Xiao Jing also looked serious, and no one wanted to make such a choice. However, the situation forced them to do so, and the prince said this just wanted them to show their attitude and be prepared for it.


    ¡± Master Crown Prince, we will pledged our loyalty to you till the death.¡± Both of them said in unison.


    The prince nodded his head in a determined manner: ¡± King Yu think that he can overthrow the situation with fifth imperial uncle, hum, but he don¡¯t know that this step is to attract a tiger to drive a wolf, I am filial but not stupid, Chunyu and Xiaojing, act ording to the n.¡±


    ¡± Yes,¡± the two of them answered.


    The n had already been drawn up, just waited for the prince to make this determination. Now, let¡¯s have a good fight.


    On that day, there were several vicious robberies and smashing incidents in Jin Lin. Officers and soldiers dispatched and the city was heavily guarded, strangers were all arrested. This was an action against the unknown people who mixed into Jin Lin.


    The next day, 36 steeds galloped out of the city, headed for the southeast and northwest respectively.


    In the pce, a beauty who had been sent into the cold pce reported concubine Shu, said the medicine was offered by her which was colorless and tasteless and mixed with wine to be drunk by the emperor. The medicine not only had the effect of refreshing oneself and strengthening energy, but also can damage people¡¯s organs insides.


    The next day, the fifth imperial uncle who returned to Luzhou encountered interception in the middle of the road. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and the fifth imperial uncle disappeared.

 Chapter 400 - Backroom

    <h4>Chapter 400: Backroom</h4>


    Just three to five days ago, hundreds of people were killed in Jinling city. These people were all highly skilled in martial arts. The soldiers had suffered heavy injuries and had paid a lot.


    It was hard to say that there were no innocent people in this matter, but under the current situation,they would rather kill them wrongly than let them go.


    If such a group of people with high martial arts were organized, they would be a great force.


    At the same time, the remarks about the rebellion of the queen and the prince quickly changed, pointing to Concubine Shu and King Yu. King Yu¡¯s side refuted the usation and said that if they wanted to convict him, there must be a story. Why didn¡¯t they find out before? Why did anyone find out about Concubine Shu when Duck Jing¡¯s matter came out? Clearly, it was a frame-up. Both sides said they were right and could not hold each other down. However, Concubine Shu was already under control. For King Yu, this was definitely a very bad thing.


    Helian Xuan was still breaking through and approaching Jinling.


    It said that all the people who went to block and kill were men of high skill.


    Let people¡¯s hearts be in suspense.


    This time Xia Chunyu was hardly at home. Ye Jiayao did not dare toin. She was not a person who could not understand the general situation. The dispute over imperial power had reached a incandescence stage. Any carelessness was a disaster for the whole family.


    The greater the pressure, the more calm Ye Jiayao became and made the following arrangements unhurriedly.


    First of all, let Zhongyuan, Minrui and Chunguo go to Zhenjiang, let Qiao return to Suzhou with Niuniu and Zhuangzhuang, and let Lian inform Jinrong that they would take Bao to Yangzhou Mother Su¡¯s temporary shelter. It was not clear how the situation in Jinling would develop, but first let them stay away from the storm center.


    Secondly, let Zhong Xiang and Jiang Yue marry earlier as soon as possible, and not wait for any auspicious day. She knew that the emperor was not very well, and if he died, the marriage would not be finished.


    Third, the brothers who lived in Tianshang Ju were ordered to go home once Jinling got tangled up, or go to the branch of Tianshang Ju over Hangzhou, ande back after the limelight had passed.


    The fourth was to transfer assets.


    All the money in the bank was taken out in batches and hidden in the farm¡¯s backroom, which was cleverly built, and might not be found out even if it was deliberately searched.


    Every one of them was a precaution.


    ¡± JinXuan, do you also go to Zhenjiang to avoid it?¡± when sending Chunguo and others to leave, You said. You¡¯s most hope to leave was Ye Jiayao. She was pregnant with Xia family¡¯s children. Anyone could die except Xia family¡¯s children!


    Ye Jiayao said firmly, ¡± I can¡¯t go.¡±


    She would stay with Chunyu no matter what the situation was.


    ¡± But if you go, Chunyu will be able to rest assured, and I will also be able to rest assured.¡± You urged.


    Ye Jiayao was silent. She knew she should go. She was Chunyu¡¯s biggest concern. Chunyu could only take a chance if she was safe. However, she could not convince herself to leave at this time. She was the hostess of Jing¡¯an marquis house. If she left, maybe it would cause more panic.


    Now, Chunyu¡¯s ns were still going on in secret, in order not to beat the grass and frighten away the snake¨Cact rashly and alert the enemy. But if she left, King Yu would know Chunyu¡¯s ns were going to do something. They would be in great trouble when the time came.


    Therefore, her departure could reassure Chunyu, but her stay could reassure more people, including herself.


    Besides, she still had onest step to retreat, and then she would hide in the farm¡¯s backroom.


    You saw that she could not be persuaded. You had nothing to do but hiss and sigh.


    Ye Jiayao had another worry, that was Ruan. This time, King Yu seeded or prince won. If King Yu won, then Ruan was safe, but if Prince won, what should Ruan do then?


    was Ruan immune to the great crime of rebellion which should exterminate every one of her family?


    It was a pity that Ye Jiayao did not dare to find Ruan now, fearing to bring her trouble.


    While Ye Jiayao was at a loss, Ruan sent a secret letter. The letter was short and only five words ... Do not worry about me.


    This was Ruan¡¯s statement. She had prepared for the worst.


    It hurt Ye Jiayao. If Ruan married Little Jing, now they could fight together, or she could go back to Nanjiang to avert disaster. Now Ruan couldn¡¯t go anywhere but wait for the final ruling.


    It was too painful.


    A few dayster, several military forces under the slogan of King Qin were approaching Jinling city, and the northwest camp was in opposition to King Qin¡¯s military forces. The war was imminent.


    The situation was grim because reinforcements had not arrived.


    By this time, many people who thought war was impossible left Jinling to take refuge.


    Xia Chunyu also had to urge Ye Jiayao to leave Jinling. Once the rebels broke through the line of defense of the northwest camp, Jinling City would face a fierce battle. If they didn¡¯t go at this time, they might not be able to leaveter.


    The duke also urged you to take refuge out of the city with Ye Jiayao, but you was determined not to leave. Until now, she understood Ye Jiayao¡¯s mood and would rather die together than live alone.


    Ye Jiayao, however, agreed to leave and dragged You to the farm.


    At this time, it was no use staying.


    Originally, she wanted to persuade Yide princess and ancestor to follow her out of city. But the ancestor did not go, Yide princess would not go.


    Naya didn¡¯t care much. She grew up ustomed to the war and had no burden on the uing war. Instead, she had a burning passion. She would stick to it here until Helian Xuan came back. She believed Helian Xuan woulde back.


    Can the hero who could ride thousands of miles on his own and be against the enemies alone be stopped by a few gangs?


    Ye Jiayao had to take You quietly to the farm.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to send some people to protect her, but she refused. The more people following her, the more attention she attracted. Ye Jiayao only brought closer maids Qiao Xi, Xiangtao and Mother Sun.


    It was the first time You came to the farm. It was very beautiful. You couldn¡¯t help butment that if the enemy attacked, even this ce would be a heap of ruins overnight.


    ¡± JinXuan, the backroom here was reliable?¡± You worried and asked.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± Mother, don¡¯t worry, even if the top was razed to the ground, this backroom would not be exposed.¡±


    At the beginning, when she asked uncle Jiang and Jiang Li to built the backroom, she demanded to avoid war, not just a hidden vault.


    She was reborn, so she was be with a much stronger sense of anxiety than ordinary people. Preparedness was her motto.


    At that time, she hoped that she would never use this backroom in her life, but she did not expect to use it so soon.


    Everyone settled down and the food prepared by the Zhu Wang¡¯s family was delivered.


    You saw Zhu Wang¡¯s wife and was stunned. Didn¡¯t this Zhu Wang¡¯s wife make trouble at the wedding banquet of Liuli and be expelled from the house? Why was she here?


    Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu never spoke to the people of marquis house about this matter. Only Chunfeng had been here several times and knew a little details, but he also didn¡¯t know that Zhu Wang¡¯s wife was instigated by Liuli.


    Ye Jiayao only said that Zhu Wang¡¯s son was suffering from a strange disease. Considering that they were poor, she gave them a chance to live.


    You had a wry smile: ¡± I see you are tough in daily life, I don¡¯t know you are kind.¡±


    Mother Sunughed, ¡± The seconddy is kind, and she will get good returns.¡±


    The seconddy could let it go and give people a chance to live, didn¡¯t?Zhu Wang and his wife be loyal to the seconddy with all their hearts??Only Zhu Wang and his wife took care of it, which could imply that the husband and wife had already won the trust of the seconddy.


    Ye Jiayao smiled and said nothing. In fact, not all people doing bad things were evildoers. Many people were forced to go out of their way. People like Liuli were, after all, a minority. Now, they were getting retribution.


    After dinner, Ye Jiayao took You to visit the backroom, and even Qiao Xi and others did not be allowed in.


    To tell the truth, even Zhu Wang¡¯s wife didn¡¯t know where the entrance to this backroom. This backroom was built by uncle Jiang and his son, no one else was involved in.


    The backroom was built under the study, six feet deep into the ground. Even knocking on the ground of the study did not recognize the backroom was under it.


    And the entrance was not in the study, but in the most humble woodshed. Who could have thought there would be a secret entrance in a pile of groceries? It could be seen that uncle Jiang was clever.


    Entering the woodshed, rotating the oilmps on both sides of the wall. One turned 180 degrees to the left and the other one turned 180 degrees to the right, with a loud bang, a big stone next to the woodpile pushed away, revealing a ck hole half a person tall and three feet wide.


    Ye Jiayao held the oilmp and walked ahead. You hesitated for a moment and followed closely.


    As soon as they entered the secret passage, Ye Jiayao pressed the authority on the lower wall, the stone door copsed and closed, while the oilmp outside returned to their original shape.


    Ye Jiayao lit the oilmp on the cliff, the dark passage suddenly was lit up, and a stone step extended to the end of the darkness.


    Ye Jiayao led the way in front and said, ¡± Mother, be careful at your feet.¡±


    You was afraid of Ye Jiayao¡¯s mishap, helped her from behind: ¡± Be careful yourself.¡±


    Ye Jiayao felt warm from the bottom of heart. You¡¯s casual behavior showed that You loved her.


    After walking about dozens of steps, they finally reached the t ground.


    Ye Jiayao lit the wallmp again, and the backroom was brightly lit.


    You looked at the backroom and could not help but be surprised.


    This... this was the backroom? All kinds of furniture were avable, and the backroom so deep into the ground was not stuffy or damp at all.


    Ye Jiayao looked at You¡¯s surprised expression, smiling, walked to the front of a wall, pushed several bricks in different positions,with a loud noise, a backroom was revealed again.


    The backroom enclosed the other backroom.


    ¡± JinXuan, doesn¡¯t the structure of this backroom bee up with you?¡± You was surprised and didn¡¯t close her mouth properly.


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± I didn¡¯t have this skill. It was designed by Chunyu and uncle Jiang, and it was also built by uncle Jiang.¡±


    You immediately raised a feeling of pride, his son was smart! The backroom had already been built secretly enough, and it was still covered with the other backroom. even if it was discovered, people would never expect there would be a cave in here.


    ¡± Mother, can you rest assured now?¡± Ye Jiayao asked with a smile.


    You nodded. Hiding here was absolutely safe.


    Ye Jiayao hadn¡¯t revealed all the secrets of backroom to You yet. There was also a vault with thousands of silver and gold in it.


    Moreover, the backroom had built waterproof and smoke-proof passages. even if someone found the entrance to the backroom. Whatever they did, watering or smoking, there was no impact here. This was her experience from the modern anti-Japanese sis, and uncle Jiang understood it as soon as she mentioned it to him.

 Chapter 401 - Outbreak

    <h4>Chapter 401: Outbreak</h4>


    After seeing the Chamber of Secrets, You¡¯s heart settled downpletely, she even thought that it would be good if Chunli and Chunfeng could also take refuge here.


    The marquis and Chunyu were responsible, but what did it have to do with Chunli and Chunfeng?Chunli actually said he would apany his father at home, which was aforting reason. As the eldest son of marquis house, Chunli had been drifting for so many years and finally made a responsible decision.


    As for Chunfeng, he simply said that he would go to Dali Temple on duty. Now Dali Temple still had a fart matter. This boy clearly wanted to participate in the trouble in the city. The enemy was going to Enemy at the Gates soon, and he still wanted to do so. You was angry with it.


    Ye Jiayao was sitting in a rocking chair by the window, looking at the mottled bamboo shadows outside the window and the faint fragrance floating in the night wind.


    Qiao Xi was going to close the window to avoid the fragrance of flowers outside making the seconddy ufortable.


    ¡± No, just leave it open and let fresh air in,¡± Ye Jiayao stopped it and said.


    ¡± But ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± No matter.¡±


    Strange to say, since the emperor suffered a stroke, the situation suddenly became tense and her adverse reactions suddenly disappeared. It seemed that this smelly boy also knew that this was a unusual time and became honest.


    Ye Jiayao caressed her slightly bulging belly, and naturally a soft light shone in her eyes.


    ¡± Did thedy rest?¡±


    ¡± I has just been there and thedy has rested.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and looked out of the window again. Song Qi should being soon.


    Thinking about Cao Cao and then Cao Cao arrived, Xiang Tao led Song Qi to see her.


    ¡± Are they all set up?¡± Ye Jiayao asked when he met.


    Song Qi replied, ¡± The Zhong Xiang¡¯s family is in a remote mountain depression. Even if there is a war, it will have little impact there. Moreover, Zhong Xiang¡¯s father said that they still have a cer in the mountain where sweet potatoes are hidden. If the situation is critical, they can hide in the cer. Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang should be safe there.¡±


    Ye Jiayao obviously relieved. Originally she wanted to invite Jiang Shu¡¯s family toe here, but Jiang Shu refused and they were about to go to the inws side. She was unable to outspeak him, so she had to let Song Qi follow them and had a look.


    During the night, Song Qi and Zhu Wang took turns to keep vigil. Although there was still a line of defense of the northwest camp in front, the rebels would not be able to get through it, but they would also guard against bandits or something.There must be some fish in troubled waters at this time.


    Three days passed without incident.


    Every day news came from the city that there was already a tense situation between King Yu and Prince, but they all maintain the final bottom line. Everyone wanted to move, but King Yu posed as a victim, and Prince needed to convince people with reason and thought about what he can act to make this matter right and proper. Therefore, neither side dared to make a move unless it was absolutely necessary.


    On the fourth day, there was finally a fire in the front. A total of 200,000 military forces from several armies fought with 100,000 chosen men from the Northwest Camp. The fightingsted two days and two nights, and even the farms could see the zing mes.


    Song Qi suggested that everyone hid in the Chamber of Secrets.


    Ye Jiayao deeply believed that he was right .The rebels were overwhelming forces before reinforcements arrived. No matter how tough the northwest camp was, it can only supported hard, and the defense line may be breached at any time.


    So they moved all the stuff into the chamber, and they all hid in.


    Song Qi also set up a decoration outside and designed it as if it had been dested for a long time.


    The hiding was for several days.


    Ye Jiayao was in the Chamber of Secrets and her heart was in the city. It was unknown that how Chunyu and Little Jing were now. She was a little envious of Naya, who had a good martial arts skill and was able to fight side by side with everyone, but she can only hide like a turtle.


    At the moment, Xia Chunyu was patrolling in the pce, with 3,000 guards and troops stationed around the pce gates. Zichen Pce was heavily guarded. The imperial city was originally a solemn ce, and now there was more dignified and tense atmosphere. If the city was broken, then this was thest line of defense, hoping that it can support until Helian Xuan came back and until the reinforcements arrived.


    ¡± Second Brother ...¡±


    Xia Chunfeng walked in a hurry and shouted at a distance.


    Xia Chunyu stopped.


    ¡± Second Brother, you asked me to stare at Datong Hui. Today there was indeed a movement.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes became cold: ¡± Say.¡±


    ¡± In recent days, several people havee to Datong Hui every day, just passing by, but these people don¡¯t appear again today after posting a notice to close the door of Datong Hui yesterday.¡± Xia Chunfeng said.


    ¡± Have you targeted these people?¡± Xia Chunyu looked more dignified.


    Although he has caught many fresh faces these days, Xia Chunyu spected that Datong Hui has been taking root in Jinling City for many years. Perhaps, the power had already infiltrated, and it was not clear how strong the power was, but at the critical moment, a straw can crush a camel. Civil strife, he was most worried about civil strife, siege by strong enemies outside and rebellion by spies inside, which was really dangerous.


    Xia Chunfeng said firmly: ¡± We keep up with them. The people of the Ninth Master have yed a big role this time. ording to the report of the Ninth Master, some of them are iron workers, bamboo makers, bean curd buyers, tea shops and even fortune tellers, but today, without exception, they are all closed down and the doors are closed.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart had a movement, it was about to have a big action!


    ¡± Keep watching and report as soon as there is any news,¡± Xia Chunyu said seriously.


    ¡± Yes.¡± Xia Chunfeng led the order away, what the fuck, this kind of work was what he liked to do. His ambition was to fight like his father and his second brother. As a result, the emperor issued an imperial edict that he became a xu and went to Dali Temple. Doing those bad jobs that belong to Shaoqing was a waste of talent, this just wasted his time and he was already impatient. After this crisis, in any case, let the prince changed his job, it had better let him go to the front to kill the enemy.


    Looking at Chunfeng¡¯s departure, Xia Chunyu thought that it was impossible to do great things with the power of the Jiangzuo League alone. There must be a connection. The guards were not without suspicious characters. All suspicious people had already been stared at, but they were not sure that all spies were under the control. There were also five city patrol departments over there. If they acted together, the harm would be great.


    Xia Chunyu thought about it and then went to the East Pce to discuss with the prince for less than half an hour before going out.


    That night, the enemy outside the cityunched the most violent attack, and finally tore open the defense line of the Northwest Camp and drove straight, the enemy really approached the walls.


    The prince went up to the city wall and looked at the great army below.The torches looked like the Milky Way. His heart sank to the extreme.


    The other side was damaged, but there were still more than 100,000 soldiers. And there were only 23,000 soldiers in the city,bined with the people voluntarily organized forces, it was only 25,000. The disparity of power is tantamount to an ant versus an elephant.


    How long would itst?No one dared to think about it, but only supported a while is for a while.


    The enemy rushed to the gate andunched a siege war without stopping, threatened to break the imperial city.


    ¡± Rush, kill ... capture the traitors and viins, and protect the country and defended the emperor ...¡± It was the fifth imperial uncle who survived that shouted below.


    The failure to sessfully intercept and kill the fifth imperial uncle was the biggest failure in the n. The prince hated and gnashed his teeth. It was no use regretting at this time. He thought of it and tried his best. The failure to seed can only be said to be fate.


    In King Yu¡¯s pce, a bunch of King Yu¡¯s staff and men of sacrifice all looked dignified, but their eyes were determined, and their achievements and failures were seen today.


    ¡± As we all know, the sess or failure of life and death lies in today¡¯s day. If seed, all of you present will be the heroes of the past .Fail, that you are disorderly princes and viins, and will be beheaded. Whether they are heroes or viins depends on you.¡± Yu Wang Zhen said.


    Everyone responded in unison: ¡± I will serve my Lord, even if I die, I will not shrink back.¡±


    King Yu nodded slightly, ¡± Well, listen to rhe orders, Yu Hai, you led 600 troops to ambush the tunnel, Luo Kewu, Zhang Qiao, Zhao Xiang, Guo Li ¡®er etc, each lead 300 military forces to pretend to attack the four gates in the north, south, west and east, Luo Kewu, a 300 ¨C member team will join you. At that time, the other party will think that the north gate is the key attack point. In the guards, there are people to connect. It is the best if you can break through, attack Zichen Pce directly, protect the emperor, capture prince and queen alive. If you can¡¯t break through, there will try to create momentum, attract troops and dy time ...¡±


    King Yu already had answers, and this n had been worked out countless times in his mind, there were only 3,000 guards. As far as he knew, four gates, five hundred each, and another one thousand were ced in Zichen Pce, guarded by Xia Chunyu himself. Xia Chunyu was a battle-hardened and resourceful militarymander, and must not be underestimated.


    On his side, there were only 2,000 troops and there was a great disparity in troops, but as long as the inside and outside cooperated properly, there was still a good chance of winning the battle. What¡¯s more, there were several top experts in the Jiangzuo League, each one of them was the characters who can fight with one hundred enemies. It should not be difficult for these men to kill a Xia Chunyu. As long as Xia Chunyu died and left his party without leader, the so-called Huai Song¡¯s first elite will be a loose sand. Not enough to fear of them.


    This was only a battle against the royal pce, and the men from the five city patrol department would also wait to open the gate and release the military forces of the fifth imperial uncle into the city, this is the day to break the city and break the pce.


    After this night, Huai song would usher in a new sun, and he was the sun.


    When the time came, he would rebuild his national power and unify the whole country, and he would build asting achievement.


    At that time, King Yu was full of ambition.


    This was a tense arrangement of troops. Ruan was also on pins and needles. There were so many people in the pce this evening. These people did note in through the gate and walked in secret passages. She didn¡¯t know there were secret passages in the pce.


    The siege outside had already started, and King Yu clearly wanted to take the opportunity to join forces inside and outside. Ruan had turned several circles inside the house, with contradictions in her heart and finally made up her mind.


    ¡± Man, you quietly go out of the office to find Royal Highness Jing, just saying that there will be a change tonight. Royal Highness Jing will understand.¡±


    Man worried, ¡± Princess, what about you?¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry about me, King Yu is ambitious. If he is superior, he will certainly attack us southern Xinjiang, not only southern Xinjiang, but also neighboring countries.¡± Nguyen hurried way.


    ¡± Princess, why don¡¯t we go together? I can take you out. ¡± Man said.


    ¡± No.¡± Ruan refused without hesitation. Man had achieved great lightness skill and had never performed well since she came to Jinling. This was herst card. Man was fine to walk alone, but it was difficult for her to leave with Ruan. Maybe both of them would not be able to walk away. The most important thing now was to spread the news.

 Chapter 402 - Battle

    <h4>Chapter 402: Battle</h4>


    ¡± But ...¡± The maid called Man worried about leaving princess here alone. King Yu would find it if she was gone. At that time, what should the princess do? King Yu was a ruthless man. Once he found out that the princess betrayed him, Man could imagine the consequences easily.


    Ruan decisively interrupted her words: ¡± Man, this is an order, it is rted to the future of Nanyue(a ce). Go quickly and if you don¡¯t go, I¡¯ll die now.¡±


    With tears in her eyes, Man finally saw the princess, stamped her foot and turned away.


    ¡± Be careful, Man.¡± Ruan told.


    Man stopped, she turned back and said, ¡± Princess, take care of yourself. Man will be back when I finish my task.¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯te back ...¡±


    But Man had disappeared into the night.


    Ruan looked at the thick ink-like night,stupefied, praying silently, praying for Man to get out of the house smoothly. She had little power and could only do this. She kept saying that it was for the peace of Nanyue, only she knew that what she wanted more was safety for that person, as well as Yaoyao sister, Chunyu brother, all the people she liked, the people she wanted to cherish, safety....


    Sure enough, soon after Man left, King Yu got the news and rushed to kick the door.


    Ruan was already lying in bed, pretending to be asleep.


    The loud noise threatened her with a jerk. She pretended to be frightened: ¡± Man, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    King Yu came to the bed in a hurry. He grabbed Ruan by the cor and angrily asked, ¡± What about Man?¡±


    Ruan inexplicably said, ¡± Isn¡¯t Man in the outer room? What about Man?¡±


    ¡± You pretend not to know by now! Where do you let Man go?¡± King Yu would never believe Ruan¡¯s words. Man was a loyal servant. She would never leave her post without Ruan¡¯s orders.


    He was negligent. He didn¡¯t think Man was a who was good at small meritorious service. When the secret person in the house found Man, he ran after her, but he still lost her.


    More unexpectedly, Ruan would betray him. Although he did not dote on her, he had not mistreated her. The woman, where the needle went, the thread followed. No matter how she and Helian Jing were before, she had been his wife. Unexpectedly, she stabbed him in the back at such a critical time.


    This made King Yu angry and unbearable.


    ¡± Tell me, do you let Man find Helian Jing?¡± King Yu ruthlessly asked her.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Ruan continued to pretend.


    ¡± Bitch!¡± King Yu pped her cruelly, so powerful that he knocked Ruan to the ground and her white face immediately showed five bright red fingerprints.


    Ruan sipped her lips, her eyes were full of resentment, and she stared at this man without fear. This so-called beloved was cold as ice, hard as iron, and cruel as wolf. What a ambitious man.


    Although he was King Yu, he was mighty, but in her eyes, he couldn¡¯t evenpare with Little Jing¡¯s half finger.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. If you insist on ming me, I have nothing to say,¡± Ruan said coldly.


    King Yu smiled angrily and coldly: ¡± You can continue to pretend that tomorrow, when Helian Jing¡¯s head falls to the ground, I will give you his head. Don¡¯t you like him very much? Don¡¯t you really want to see him? I can marinate his head with lime so that you can see him every day. Should you thank me for helping you so well?¡±


    If she had a knife in her hand now, she would not hesitate to stab a big hole in his chest. He was a devil.


    Ruan gritted her teeth without saying a word. She had already prepared for the worst. If Little Jing died and the devil gained the world, she would immediatelymit suicide and would never live alone.


    Using her death to warn Nanyue.


    She was not afraid of death.


    King Yu wanted to stimte her with vicious words, but the woman was surprisingly calm and said nothing.


    King Yu groaned, ¡± Come on, take care of the princess. If the princess is a in trouble, you are all dead.¡±


    Now he couldn¡¯t let her die. When things were done, he wanted her to live worse than die.


    No one could betray him, and all those who betrayed him would pay a terrible price.


    Man struggled to get rid of the person in the house and headed straight to Helian Mansion. However, Helian Jing was not here. King Yide princess heard the news and immediately sent someone to inform Little Jing, who was guarding the gate, with Xia Chunyu, who was guarding the pce.


    Although Man did not see Helian Jing, but the news that the princess ordered to send had been sent, Man wanted to leave here.


    ¡± No, you can¡¯t go.¡± Yide grabbed her and said decisively.


    ¡± I must go back, the princess alone ...¡± Man anxiously wanted to return.


    ¡± You¡¯re silly.¡± said Yide. ¡± If you don¡¯t go back, the princess can still find excuses to prevaricate. If you go back, the evidence will be conclusive. You will die and the princess won¡¯t live.¡±


    Man wept bitterly: ¡± What then?¡±


    ¡± You stay here and you are not allowed to go anywhere.¡± said Yide. ¡± As for the princess, we will try to rescue her. Even if she doesn¡¯t send this message today, we won¡¯t have nothing to do with her.¡±


    Her son¡¯s mind was the clearest for his mother. Little Jing would never stand by Ruan, not to say that Little Jing still wanted to marry Ruan. Ruan was King Yu¡¯s wife after all, but it was necessary to protect Ruan¡¯s life.


    At 23:45 in night, the pce gates were attacked and the enemy attacked fiercely.


    ¡± It does move.¡± Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were cold and he exuded a cold fighting spirit.


    Naya said, ¡± If there are no spies, this pce gates are not so easy to break, but there are attacks everywhere, and the north gate has the greatest attack force, but I don¡¯t think King Yu¡¯s n is so simple.¡±


    Xia Chunyu nodded and said, ¡± There must be another move.¡±


    ¡± Everyone listens to my order, no matter what ahead, everyone will strictly guard Zichen Pce and never take a step back.¡±


    ¡± Yes.¡± One thousand guards responded loudly, which made birds fly away in a panic under the eaves.


    Luo Kewu, who attacked at the North Gate, anxiously asked his soldiers,?¡°Do reinforcements arrive?¡±


    ¡± Not yet.¡±


    Damn it, where were three hundred soldiers? All of us had already started fighting, and they were not here yet. What about the agreed nted agents? In this time they had not rushed in the pce gate.


    ording to King Yu¡¯s n, the north gate was the only ce to must be broken. if it could not be attacked and the chaos could not be created. If so, Yu Hai¡¯s chance of sess would be small.


    Luo Kewu scolded but had to crustily continue his attack.


    He didn¡¯t know that the so-called 300 reinforcements had been dizzied or beaten by Ninth Lord¡¯s gangs led by Chunfeng, they were solved.


    The so-called nted agents had been killed and the bodies lied behind the door.


    Yu Hai and others who lied in ambush in the tunnel had been waiting for news, but the scheduled time had passed, and there was still no movement, one by one they were all agitated.


    Shit, no matter, just rushing out.


    This tunnel was secretly built by King Yu, who asked Jiang Zuomeng¡¯s men. It took more than three years toe in handy for this day.


    Indeed, the most important thing about King Yu¡¯s deployment was that this strange soldier attacked all sides. As long as there was one ce that should be using to open the pce gate, even if it was only a single crack, they would be able to drive straight into the pce and create chaos. Then this strange soldier suddenly appeared in the pce and caught Xia Chunyu off guard.


    However, they all had failed and been attacked by Xia Chunyu. Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t deal with them before in order to paralyze King Yu.


    It seemed appropriate that they were called strange army. Although it didn¡¯t achieve the desired effect, six hundred people suddenly appeared in front of Xia Chunyu, still startled Xia Chunyu.


    Fuck! There was a secret way.


    It was a secret, the pce was so heavily guarded, how did King Yu quietly dig out such a passage?


    There was no point introspecting at this time. The strong enemy was in the front and he could only fight until death.


    ¡± The crossbowmen prepare!¡±


    Xia Chunyu immediately calmed down and directed the battle.


    The sharp arrows were like rain, and they flew away in a row by row. And then the second team was following, which was continuous.


    This kind of volley was very destructive to the enemy without shelter. It was like cutting leeks.


    However, more than a dozen people rushed in the front of the team waved swords very well, which hit arge number of arrows. Only a few of arrows prated the gap and hit the people behind.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes narrowed into a seam angrily, tightly held the long knife in his hand.


    ¡± There are some really formidable opponents, everyone was careful! Set up the iron bucket array!¡±


    With these opponents, his carefully arranged crossbowmen could no longer y their roles, and they had to fight close.


    Naya also drew out double knifes, posing as a posture and standing beside Xia Chunyu.


    Came on, opponents, let I teach you a lesson.


    The pce was plunged into a fierce battle.


    At this time, the west gate, the only ce not under attack, the deputymander of the five-city patrol department stood at the top of the city and carefully watched the movement under it. when he saw the light shing three times in the distance, he could not help but wake up and make a gesture to his soldiers.


    Knowing this, the men immediately ran down the tower and prepared to open the gate.


    At this moment, a sharp arrow was shot over in the darkness, piercing the heart with one arrow. And then several sharp arrows shot all the soldiers guarding the gate. The attack came so suddenly that the soldiers fell without even making a sound.


    The deputymander¡¯s attention was paid outside the city, he saw that hundreds of surprise soldiers sped to this side and soon came to the gate.


    But how did they suddenly stop? Why not go to town?


    The deputymander was furious. Damn it, these bastards were still slow when they opened a door. He was about to turn around to look at it, but felt a long knife rest on his neck with a cold light shining.


    ¡± Deputymander Wang, where are you going?¡± Helian Jing smiled and looked at the deputymander who was with a face of surprise.


    ¡± King ... King ... I find enemy and now will report.¡±


    Helian Jing sneered him and said: ¡± Is it the enemy? Aren¡¯t they your friends?¡±


    ¡± King King ...¡±


    He couldn¡¯t believe he died just like this.


    Helian Jing drew back his long knife and shouted, ¡± The enemy attack, crossbowmen shoot arrows ...¡±

 Chapter 403 - Struggle

    <h4>Chapter 403: Struggle</h4>


    The enemy at the west gate saw the secret code from the inside of the city and came safely towards the gate, only to find that the gate was still closed and found something was wrong. They thought about evacuating quickly, but there was a hint of fluke in their heart. Perhaps the other side¡¯s reception has been hampered and needed a little more time. The onught of the east gate and the harassment of the north gate of the south gate were aimed at keeping this empty gate, and the inside and the outside were suddenly attacked.


    It was such a fluke, such a hesitation, that an arrow rained like a locust on the head of the city.


    The enemy was within range without cover and without block, and immediately became a target. Some people were quick to respond, they blocked some arrows and turned horses to retreat, but the back has fallen down, blocking the way, and the arrows were raining heavily, wave after wave, giving no respite at all. Soon, all the 500 cavalry were killed at the gates, and even if they were not dead, they were only breathing heavily.


    Helian Jing looked at the situation at the gate and did not get carried away or clean up the battlefield. In the darkness in the distance, he did not know how many enemy soldiers were still hidden. The other party could never send only a few hundred cavalry. As soon as the gate was opened, the follow-up troops would surely flock.


    All he could do was to close the gate and kept a tight rein on it. It was a moment to be able to hold on for a while.


    The siege battle also fell into stalemate, while the battle in the pce was the worst.


    One thousand to six hundred could barely be called an advantage. However, the other¡¯s superior yer was too strong. The sword moves were superb. Six people entangled with Xia Chunyu and Naya. Four people wield their swords to strike the iron stabbing array, the tendency was to tear open a hole.


    This war can be said to be the most difficult and dangerous of the hundreds of battles Xia Chunyu had experienced.


    Besieged by the three masters, the other side cooperated with each other in a tacit understanding, attacking all the way up, down and down, with the front and back nking each other in a dilemma. There had never been a battle that made Xia Chunyu felt that death wille at any time.


    However, the more dangerous the moment, the more he could inspire his morale, aroused his fighting spirit, abandoned all distractions, paid close attention to each other¡¯s moves and tried to find out the w.


    Naya was also brave and unstoppable. Double swords were like flying dragons. She could brandished the swords with ease and could deal with the three people without being in a disadvantageous position at all.


    Yu Hai¡¯s heart was heavy. What the fuck, where did the dangerous femalee from? The original n was three-to-one or even four-to-one to win Xia Chunyupletely, while the rest of the experts were responsible for the shock. The so-called guard camp, which was invincible, was not as easy as chopping melons and vegetables in front of absolute force??As a result, the dangerous female came out of the way, disrupting the whole n.


    No, they must be solved first.


    Hai Yu issued an order to make the four masters responsible for the shock turned around and attacked Xia Chunyu first.


    However, the four masters had been surrounded by the guards. Eveeyone seemed to abandon their lives. They used their own flesh and blood to stop the master from breaking through. At that time, blood spattered, limbs were flying wildly, and the tragedy was indescribable, but no one stepped back. The step back was death, and the previous step was also death. So, they would rather die vigorously, if their blood could add a hope for victory, then they would die.


    Xia Chunyu knew that the situation was as tragic as ever, how many brothers had fallen and how many brothers had followed. They were all his soldiers. They chatted and farted together, drank and ate meat together, and each familiar smiling face could only be memories in the future.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart was dripping blood and his anger was burning. These were all his good brothers, hisrades-in-arms who walked through life and death together. The men with their iron bones. They interpreted the word hero best with their full hot blood.


    It was easy to live but it was difficult to die generously.


    Yes, they were all heroes.


    Xia Chunyu shouted, turned his wrist, turned his knife into?sharp and turned into an attack. After several rounds, he had found out his opponent¡¯s weakness, seized the opportunity and tried to end the fighting as soon as possible.


    A sh of sword light pointed at Xia Chunyu¡¯s left shoulder, but Xia Chunyu did not avoid it. The long knife was like breaking a bamboo and chopped at another opponent. This was the only chance to kill opponent , used his own wounds to get the other¡¯s life.


    Bo, the sharp de pierced Xia Chunyu¡¯s left shoulder. At the same time, Xia Chunyu¡¯s long knife also hit another opponent¡¯s neck, followed the knife trend, turned backhand, and the long knife went straight into the enemy¡¯s abdomen behind him.


    In an instant, only one of the three masters was left. Xia Chunyu did not care enough for his left shoulder to bleed profusely and his remaining power did not diminish. He did his best to kill thest master.


    The siege was broken, and the remaining masters were not Xia Chunyu¡¯s opponents at all. He was killed by Xia Chunyu in only two rounds.


    At the same time, Naya also ended the battle and her body also hung up the color.


    ¡± Still can insist on??¡± The two men quickly joined together, back to back.


    ¡± It¡¯s just a small injury,¡± she said without care.


    Xia Chunyu was impressed by this woman. She was a little better than him in this skill. She was really tough.


    At the beginning, she offered to help, but he still looked down on her. He didn¡¯t think that it was really a big help. Unexpectedly, she really helped a lot. He was afraid he couldn¡¯t handle it if she hadn¡¯t been there tonight.


    ¡± Be careful, or I won¡¯t be able to exin to Helian Xuan,¡± Xia Chunyu told.


    Naya said simply, ¡± You¡¯d better look after yourself first!?Don¡¯t forget you have a wife and son. ¡±


    When it came to Yaoyao and his unborn child, Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart was warm. He didn¡¯t die so easily. He promised Yaoyao that he would be reunited with her alive. He would wee a new life with Yaoyao, and they still had a long and beautiful time to live together.


    While speaking, the two men had already cut down several enemy troops.


    ¡± We all want to live, and there are still four masters left. How about that??I three and you one??¡± Xia Chunyu said with ease.


    ¡± Bullshit, am I worse than you??One person solves two, split up and see who gets first. ¡± Naya disdained.


    After Saying it, she jump to kill the target.


    Xia Chunyu was startled and thought that she was too tough. He could not lose to a woman, or he would beughed at by Helian Xuan for a lifetime. The goods came too slowly and couldn¡¯t catch up.


    At once in the tiger eye, cold light suddenly appeared, the fighting spirit was monstrous, and he turned into a fierce lion and hit its own target with unstoppable momentum.


    East Gate, the main battlefield, toweringdders were erected on the towering walls of the city, and a wave and a wave of soldiers came up and were beaten down again. However,dders were everywhere, enemies were everywhere, and soldiers guarding the city also suffered heavy casualties.


    Everyone¡¯s heart had be numb, only knowing to kill the enemy with a sword, kill one person to break even, and kill a pair to earn a life.


    The prince sitted in the temporarymand camp nearest the gate.


    The bad news came one by one, and he still looked calm. The courtiers around him had advised him to evacuate many times, but he was still sitting like a mountain.


    This is a battle of life and death. If he withdrew, the hearts of the people would inevitably be divided. Then the city would break by itself at that time. When the city broke, even if he hid underground, he would also be dug out. What else could he hide?


    Jinling city had no safe ce. It was better to live and die with all the soldiers here.


    no way back, let it go and fight until thest man.


    Ministers looked at the prince¡¯s resolute and cold eyes and saw his determination that he would rather die generously. They all sighed silently, and at the same time, their hearts were also full of admiration. The prince, who had always been gentle, also had such resolute determination that he would rather die. This was the other side they had never seen before.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s eyelids kept jumping tonight. She was very anxious. She knew the enemy had broken through the defense line of the Northwest Camp.


    Thousands of horses passed by, even hiding in such a deep underground chamber could feel the earth was shaking.


    Jinling City was finally facing the biggest crisis.


    And her Chunyu and countless others she cared about were still in the city and under siege.


    As an imperial city, Jinling City¡¯s walls were very solid, but even if they were solid, the disparity between the enemy and the enemy is so great , even a wheel war would bring down the defenders, it was only a matter of time.


    Could they hold out until reinforcements arrived?


    However, Ye Jiayao¡¯s biggest worry was civil strife. Chunyu, you must be well. She couldn¡¯t live without him and their children couldn¡¯t live without dad.


    Yes, I am very strong. She had lived two lives, and she was not afraid of anything.


    But she waa not strong enough to lose him.


    If she hadn¡¯t met him, her heart could have been as hard as iron. However, fate had made her meet him. Her heart was no longer her own. If he was not there, her heart would not be there. What was there to miss without you?


    So, Chunyu, you must be well?...


    In King Yu¡¯ Mansion, King Yu was unprecedented irascibility. The development of the situationpletely deviated from the preset track.


    The failure of the fifth imperial uncle to break the city was obviously due to an ident inside.


    There was no good news from the pce for a long time, so it could be seen that it was not sessful.


    He has invested all his possessions, including 300 men of sacrifice, all assigned to Yu Hai and Zuo Qingyun¡¯s staff.?...


    Why??Clearly, the victory was assured.


    The quicksand in the clock leak kept passing, the time was passing, and the day was about to light up.


    Was it a victory or a crushing defeat waiting for him?


    Was it a glorious life or a cowardly death?


    At this moment, these two questions had really be questions in King Yu¡¯s mind and became question marks.


    This made his heart heavier than ever before.


    The dawn finally broke through the sky. The mes of war that had been burning all night did not fade away at all. Everyone was fighting for time. For the rebels under the banner of fighting for the emperor, one more dy would be one more danger. For the soldiers who stick to the city, one more dy would be one more hope.


    Just as the sun was about to cross the horizon, there was a rumbling sound from the sky like thunder rolling in. The men who were tired to copse and were about to lose their support looked around with indecision and uncertainty in their eyes.


    Was it enemy reinforcements or our reinforcements?


    Everyone¡¯s heart was full of such question.


    The fifth imperial uncle also looked at the distant movement, and his heart sank. He knew very well that it was definitely not his man. His people did not arrive so soon, and the fastest was the day after tomorrow.


    At that time, he should have taken control of the overall situation and couldmand the whole world. Who dared not, killed without forgiveness.


    Then, it was only his enemies who wereing.

 Chapter 404 - Finally came

    <h4>Chapter 404: Finally came</h4>


    In the morning breeze, HeLian Xuan led the way, the wind was zing fast, gs were whistling, blood was burning in the heart, there was excitement, anger and worry.


    Excited was that after a year and a half, he finally came back, Jinling, his home.


    Angry was that the shameless king Yu and fifth imperial uncles were coborating to attack the city. Such a prosperous and peaceful ce, the ancient capital of one thousand years, was now being trampled by the iron hoofs.


    Worry was that his rtives were in danger, and Huai Song¡¯s territory was in danger. He was afraid that he would not be able to make it.


    He broke through all the way and died in a narrow escape. He was on the trot and exhausted to the extreme, but he could not stop, and did not dare to stop for a moment.


    Just fear to be toote.


    The two words ¡°toote¡± sometimes really had the destructive power, and he had long been a man of iron and steel, but when he thought of these two words, he still couldn¡¯t help but burst his heart quiver.


    The emperor, the prince, you must hold on. I¡¯m here with reinforcements.


    Little Jing, Chunyu, and all the brothers, you must hold on, Ie and fight with you.


    Naya, you also hold on. You have left home thousands of miles for me, and we have not married yet. On the grasnd, you will give me a chance to fulfill the oath you made to the longevity day.


    With this in mind, HeLian Xuan was so worried that he raised his hand and waved his whip and shouted, ¡± Rebels are just around the corner, brothers, follow me ...¡±


    The prince was told that there were troops from far away who did not know whether they were enemy or not, and the prince immediately boarded the tower to overlook it.


    ¡°Your Royal Highness, it¡¯s too dangerous here. Please leave immediately.¡± A general blocked the prince with his body. There were arrows flying here and enemy soldiers who may attack at any time. It was a fart to live and die here.


    The prince looked at the man whose whole body was covered with blood. He did not know whether it was the general¡¯s own or the enemy¡¯s. He asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°I am Commander Ling Tong of the Military Forces Department of the Five Cities,¡± the general said, handing over his hand.


    The prince nodded slightly and patted him on the shoulder, ignoring the blood on his armor: ¡°Good man.¡±


    Words over, gently pushed the captain away and reached the crib, looking far away.


    He saw a ck g waving against the wind in the distance.


    There was a faint smile on the prince¡¯s lips, which gradually spread to the deep eyes and lit up the light of hope. This guy, rushing fast and slow, finally caught up.


    The g, like the dazzling golden light that leaped out of the horizon, became the bright light that shone into his heart.


    Because he knew that it was the banner of Helian Xuan.


    HeLian Xuan, here he was.


    ¡°That¡¯s our reinforcements,¡± said the prince slightly.


    This sentence was like a potion of god¡¯s medicine foring back from the dead. Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up and their already numb hearts were suddenly resurrected with blood.


    ¡°Reinforcements areing, brothers, kill ...¡±


    Suddenly, the defenders¡¯ momentum surged.


    As soon as reinforcements arrived, the troops of the fifth imperial uncle were attacked on both sides of the stomach, and trapped in the dilemma. They also failed to attack the city. They turned their heads and the reserve team became a forward. If they could not break through, they would be a turtle in a jar and die.


    Unfortunately, they were confronted with HeLian Xuan, the best worrior of Huai Song, and it was not easy to break through.


    In the pce, with the first golden sun projected on the towering pce, thest enemy soldier was killed by Xia Chunyu.


    An arduous battle had finallye to an end.


    But no one cheered, and everyone looked at the corpses everywhere, looking solemn and stirring. Victory came so hard that it paid an unimaginable heavy price.


    Of the 1000 guards, only more than 100 were standing now, the rest were either seriously injured or dead.


    Zichen Pce, the core ce of Huai Song, was the symbol of imperial power. At this time, it was simply hell on earth, the blood pool of Shura.


    Choo ... A meteor ¨C like fireworks suddenly rose in the east and blossomed in the air.


    Xia Chunyu, who was already exhausted, suddenly set his eyes on him.


    Immediately, there was a look of surprise.


    That was the signal that he had negotiated with the prince for reinforcements to arrive.


    The reinforcements arrived atst, and Jinling city was saved.


    Xia Chunyu was originally thinking of sticking to the pce, but now he had no worries.


    Turning his head to look at the brothers who had lost their look, Xia Chunyu shouted: ¡°Brothers, that¡¯s a sign of the arrival of reinforcements. We have not fight in vain. We have defended the dignity of Huai Song, the dignity of the royal family and our own dignity.¡±


    Everyone looked a bit fierce.


    ¡°Now, Imand, Cheng Yi, you take 50 people to stay and clean up the battlefield. You can¡¯t let the bones of your brothers be iplete. The rest of you will follow me out of the pce and capture the disorderly officials and viins alive.¡± Xia Chunyu issued amand.


    Naya followed Xia Chunyu¡¯s footsteps and asked, ¡°Will reinforcements be HeLian Xuan?¡±


    Xia Chunyu was not sure about this problem, although he thinks it was possible for HeLian Xuan to do so.


    ¡°Should be right!¡±


    Naya rejoiced: ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for him at East City gate.¡±


    In an instant, she broke away from the team.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s helpless wry smile, Naya came to help, thanked to her that night, and now she was retired as a hero.


    King Yu also saw the fireworks. The color in his face instantly faded away and his body shook quickly, almost unable to stand.


    The tide had gone.


    He was defeated and utterly defeated.


    He still had hope and hoped that if reinforcements do not arrive in such a timely manner, he would be able to break into the city within half a day.


    But now, all hopes had been dashed.


    ¡°Your Highness, please follow me quickly to evacuate,¡± said a man dressed in ck.


    King Yu just froze, still unable to recover from the absolute impact of the fireworks.


    He was filled with reluctance and disbelief.


    He was regret, years of painstaking efforts, years of nning, ended in this way.


    He was regret, his ambitions were shattered.


    He was regret, but he still brushed past the easy-to-reach territory. He was clearly better qualified than the prince to sit in the dragon chair and reign in the world.


    What was prince??Indecision, women¡¯s benevolence, this country would only be more decadent in his hands. The reason why the prince was a prince was that he had a mother who was a queen, and he was born six months earlier than him.


    On intelligence, on strategy, on valor, what was princeparable to him?


    But he failed. From then on, he was a disorderly minister and a thief. He was like a rat in a sewer all his life, and the prince became a hero of protecting the country and even ascended the throne.


    Is his painstaking nning ultimately a wedding dress for the prince?


    If he didn¡¯t poison his father, then he still had enough time to deal with the prince and nibble away at him. In fact, he had been doing this before and had achieved very good results. However, after the assassination of the emperor in Nanshan Pce, the Shu family was involved. Although the father didn¡¯t me him, it was obvious that the father had taken a cautious attitude toward him. What happened after that, one by one, all showed that the father had given up him.


    As a result, he couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. Instead of waiting to die slowly, he might as well rise up and fight.


    However, the result of a desperate fight was elerated destruction.


    At the thought of this, King Yu burst into blood and spat out one mouthful blood.


    ¡°Your Highness ...¡± His men eximed in amazement.


    King Yu gave a wave of his hand and forced himself to calm down and face the reality.


    ¡°Go, kill Princess Yu, and we will withdraw from the secret passage.¡±


    It¡¯s all because of the damn woman. If she hadn¡¯t leaked his n, maybe now he had seeded.


    His life was destroyed by a woman.


    Lin was ignorance and A Ruan betrayed him, they were all damned.


    If he lost, he would have to pay the price to those who betray him.


    Killing A Ruan can at least make HeLian Jing miserable.


    A Ruan¡¯s hands were tied back, but her look was calm. She was ready to die; it was only a matter of the twinkling of an eye. She could die, but she would rather die, but never want to see Little Jing¡¯s head before she died, as King Yu said.


    As long as Little Jing lives well and all the people she likes are safe, her death will be reassuring.


    The door was violently kicked open with a bang.


    A Ruan raised her eyes and saw a stranger.


    The heart that was originally carried was put down, and immediately, a faint smile floated on her lips.


    It would be better if he was not King Yu, which showed that King Yu¡¯s plot didn¡¯t seed.


    Somebody drew out a long knife and came to A Ruan.


    A Ruan took a deep breath, spit it out slowly and closed her eyes slowly.


    Death wasing, but she had only joy in her heart.


    Because she knew that King Yu was defeated and would not hesitate to kill her. If King Yu wins, his abnormal mind will certainly torture her in a variety of ways.


    People looked at Princess Yu, who saw death as her return, and couldn¡¯t help feeling slightly dazed.


    He thought that this beautiful woman, like flower, would cry out to him, but she did not even have the meaning of asking for forgiveness.


    He was a Jianghu person, and all Jianghu people had a share of Jianghu loyalty. The most respected person was the one who was not afraid of death.


    Therefore, the knife was raised but could not bear to fall at that time.


    This was the hesitation for a few seconds.


    A light figure broke through the window and stood in front of him with a machete.


    ¡°Kill me first if you want to kill the princess.¡± There was a clear and crisp voice.


    A Ruan opened her eyes and was surprised: ¡°A Man, what are you doing back? Go.¡±


    A Man¡¯s eyes were fixed on the enemy and she said firmly, ¡°Princess, before A Man came to Jinling, I promised to protect the princess. If I can¡¯t protect the princess, I must not let the princess go alone. Even if I die, I will follow the princess and serve the princess under the ground.¡±


    A Ruan was speechless. She told A Man not toe back, but didn¡¯t want another person to die in vain. Unexpectedly, A Man was so disobedient.


    ¡°A Man, you are too disobedient,¡± A Ruan said, tears streaming down.


    The man looked at Princess Yu, then at this young girl who was thin, and his heart became more and more tangled.


    He was a Jianghu person, and this time he acted on the order of the younger Lord. If the younger Lord ordered the killing of Princess Yu, he would not even hesitate for a moment, but the order was given by King Yu.


    He was embarrassed to let him deal with a weak woman.

 Chapter 405 - The golden cicada

    <h4>Chapter 405: The golden cicada</h4>


    Just as the killer hesitated, he heard a noise outside.


    ¡± Quickly, surround this ce, no fly is allowed to fly out, pay attention to the secret passage ...¡±


    It was Xia Chunyu¡¯s voice, Ruan and Mang were both surprised.


    Ruan looked at the killer who raised his knife and did not fall. She thought he did not really want to kill her. She said, ¡± If you want to kill me, do it quickly, or you may as well leave early.¡±


    The killer dazed and said, ¡± You are dead.¡±


    Mang thought he was going to kill her when he said this. She was ready to fight to the death. As long as she could stop three or two moves, she could wait for Hier-son Lord toe over.


    She was the only one who could handle the lightness skill, but the others were not enough.


    Who knew, the next moment, the killer took the knife and turned away.


    Mang was dumbfounded, he left?


    Ruan said, ¡± Don¡¯t you hurry up and untie the rope for me?¡±


    Mang came to his senses and cut the rope with a knife. ¡± Princess, why did you say he left?¡±


    Ruan was speechless,¡± Do you want him to stay?¡±


    Uh ... of course not.


    ¡± Ruan ... Ruan ...¡±


    There was a hurried and anxious voice outside.


    ¡± King Jing, Princess, King Jing is here ...¡± Mang was overjoyed,?King Jing came to rescue the princess in the flesh, showing how King was worried about the princess.


    She had always known the princess¡¯s mind, and this was where the princess¡¯s heart was bound.


    Ruan¡¯s eyes shed with a gleam of light. She was still hovering at the edge of life and death the previous moment. At this moment, not only was the crisis relieved, but she also heard the voice of a small scene. The joy of the post-disaster rebirth was far less than the joy of making sure that the small scene was safe and sound.


    ¡± Ruan ...¡± HelianJing first rushed in and saw Ruan standing in front of him. HelianJing only felt his whole body¡¯s blood pouring into his brain at this moment, and he hold Nguyen in his arms without thinking , tightly and tightly ... forcibly trying to melt this person into his body, never to be separated again, with thousands of words in this wordless embrace.


    At this moment, he put aside all his worries, all his reserved and depressed emotions were like sh floods, like magma jetting deep underground, and can no longer be suppressed. he had missed once, and he did not want to and could not miss the second time.


    No one knew how tangled his heart was and how painful it was that night.?Mang escaped to report that Ruan would undoubtedly be in danger. He wished he could rush to save her immediately. However, he had a harder task and a heavier burden. On one hand, he would lose his family and the world, and on the other hand, the person who he precised were waiting for his rescue.


    He has no choice.


    He could not help himself, and even no one could please him. Everyone was doing his best to face many crises. Therefore, he could only let his heartnguish in boiling water and boiling oil. Every minute and every second was like being struck by a thousand swords.


    It was not until the eldest brother arrived with reinforcements that he took off the heavy load.


    Along the way, he was so worried that he was afraid it would be toote. He did not dare to imagine what would happen to Ruan if anything happened to her. Would he be insane? Even if he was crazy, it was an irrevocable regret.


    Fortunately, Ruan was fine.


    Fortunately, he still had time...


    Ruan froze and paused for a moment, but held him slowly. Something seemed to be stuck in her throat, which was too sour to handle.


    She finally knew Little Jing¡¯s heart. She was not alone?and Little Jing also liked her.


    This was enough, even if this life cannot be together, there would be no regrets in this life if there was such a hug.


    In South Vietnam, it wasmon for women to remarry. It was not rare for little brother to marry sister-inw when brother died. But she didn¡¯t know that was Huai Song the same as there. People regarded women¡¯s chastity more than their lives. If she and Little Jing were both ordinary people, there may be hope. But she was the princess, the concubine of King Yu who hadmitted a great crime of rebellion. He was King Jing of Helian Mansion. With a noble identity, the gap between them was not only a deep ravine, it was even an insurmountable Milky Way.


    Therefore, she did not dare to think.


    Little Jing coulde to save her and gave her such a hug. It was really true and satisfied.


    Mang looked at this scene and was too excited to cry.


    Xia Chunyv rushed in. Seeing this scene, he swallowed back what he wanted to say. He did not want to disturb the bad karma mandarin ducks, so he let them to hold on for a while.


    But it could only be for a while, King Wang has fled, and this person must chased down, otherwise,?there would be no end to trouble, and Ruan would also be properly ced. This was repeatedly told by Yaoyao before she going to the farm. If Ruan can be saved, this would be the case....


    ¡± Cough ...¡±


    Litte Jing and Ruan just couldn¡¯t help it. They were awakened by Xia Chunyu¡¯s cough. Little Jing was fine. Anyway, he already wanted to open it. Besides, Chun Yuge was an insider, so there was no need to pretend in front of him. Although he loosened his hand, he still held his arm around Ruan¡¯s waist as if she were his woman.


    But Ruan¡¯s face was red with embarrassment and she wanted to stay away, but when Little Jing noticed that she wanted to stay away, he held her tighter.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± Mang, go get two sets of maid¡¯s clothes and change for the princess quickly, preferably with unkempt hair.¡±


    Mang unknown so, but still obedient to find clothes.


    Little Jing understood Chunyu¡¯s intention and said, ¡± Don¡¯t bother. I¡¯ll take Ruan back to the mansion.¡±


    Xia Chunyu really wanted to beat this idiot and knocked on his elm head. Why not?understand?


    Xia Chunyu pulled Little Jing over, ¡± Go, go outside.¡±


    ¡± Why, what couldn¡¯t be said here?¡± Little Jing murmured reluctantly.


    Xia Chunyu kicked his ass, ¡± You¡¯re stupid.¡±


    ¡± Why am I stupid?¡± Little Jing turned his eyes innocently.


    Xia Chunyu pulled him outside and whispered, ¡± You just brought people back. How do you let your brother and your mother get away from each other??Yes, we all know Ruan is innocent. But even if she is innocent, but will others think so?Maybe you will think that you are blind and deliberately find excuses to exculpate Ruan. Don¡¯t forget, she is Concubine of Yu. This heavy status doomed her not to be fair with you, let alone together. Whether Ruan¡¯s life can keep alive or not is unknown. For them, everything will be done to eliminate evil. ¡±


    Little Jingmo said, ¡± I have thought about all this you said, but if not, what should I do? Let Ruan hide for a lifetime? I won¡¯t let my own loved one be so wronged.¡±


    Xia Chunyu gnashed his teeth and said, ¡± So you are stupid. Are you a pig reincarnation? Can¡¯t you move your brain?¡±


    Chunyv seemed to have a way. As long as he could stay with Ruan, he could tolerate being called a pig.


    ¡± Then what do you say?¡±


    Xia Chunyu muttered a few words, and Little Jing nodded and was ted, smiling and admiring, ¡± Chunyu elder brother, you are said to be resourceful and like a wily old fox.¡±


    Xia Chunyu almost didn¡¯t spit out blood, what the fuck, is your stomach full of straw? Is there no ink? Resourceful was enough, why add a wily old fox? Didn¡¯t he know it was a derogatory term? He wanted to kick such him for such a wily old fox.


    At the end of this conversation, Ruan and Mang were dressed up, with half-worn clothes and messy hair, as if they had been abused.


    Xia Chunyu red at the scene and said, ¡± You are responsible for setting fire. I¡¯ll take people away first.¡±


    Little Jing giggled and said, ¡± No problem, I am sure I will keep the each tile burns here.¡±


    He said gently to Ruan, ¡± Ruan, you can go with Chunyu elder brother. I¡¯ll see you again.¡±


    Ruan smiled and kept up with Xia Chunyu with her head down.


    Little Jing watched Ruan and others leave and brought in two bodies from the outside. These were all people who resisted being killed. Only then did they take out flint and light the curtains, and the mes soon swept through and zed.


    Burnt it, burnt it, burnt the cage that trapped Ruanpletely and turn it into ashes.


    Ruan followed Xia Chunyu and saw that the government was full of officers and soldiers. The servants in the government were detained by officers and soldiers one by one. Fortunately, everyone was scared and worried about their own lives, but no one noticed Ruan and Mang.


    ¡± You should search carefully and not miss every corner,¡± Xia Chunyu said to the officers and soldiers.


    ¡°Fire! Fire!¡± Some officers and soldiers saw a fire in the backyard and cried out.


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡± Put out the fire quickly, but don¡¯t burn the evidence of the crime, and strengthen the security, so as to prevent the rebels from fleeing in disorder.¡±


    Everyone started to act one after another. Xia Chunyu took advantage of the chaos to bring people out of the pce and handed them over to Chunfeng.Chunfeng was told a few words and?nodded repeatedly.


    Chunfeng saw that the second brother was all injured, and he could not help worrying, ¡± Second brother, you have to deal with the wound first.¡±


    Chunyu said, ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter. Be careful and don¡¯t let anyone find it.¡±


    Soon, someone discovered the secret passage. Xia Chunyu personally took people out of the secret passage, and the fire set by Little Jing quickly spread and burned the yard where Ruan lived cleanly.


    After the incident, officers and soldiers found two charred bodies with only a few bones left in a pile of rubble, which were identified as King Yu¡¯s Concubine and her handmaid.


    Little Jing was sad for a while at the sight of the two corpses and shed a few tears, sighing and sighing, ¡± King Yu¡¯s Concubine is great girl who has put out her family¡¯s sense of honor. If she hadn¡¯t risked her death and tipped them off, it would have been us who died at this moment. Such a great girl deserves everyone¡¯s admiration. Unfortunately, she hasn¡¯t escaped King Yu¡¯s poison ... Unfortunately, it¡¯s too bad ... ¡±


    Everyone was dead, and with King Jing¡¯smentation and endless regrets, all the officers and soldiers present silently observed a moment of silence for King Yu¡¯s concubine, who was so tragically killed.


    This was Ye Jiayao¡¯s first n, to get rid of the golden cicada and let Ruan disappear, leaving Ruan with a reputation for killing her bad rtives, blocking the long public mouths of courtiers, andying the groundwork for the friendship between Huaisong and South Vietnam tost forever.

 Chapter 406 - Good News

    <h4>Chapter 406: Good News</h4>


    The reinforcements led by Helian Xuan were sweeping the rebels, and Naya and Jing¡¯an marquis also led 10,000 troops out of the city to attack. Within two hours, the fifth royal uncle was hacked to death by disorderly knives and trampled into meat paste by steeds, capturing Zhao Zhuohui, the armymander of Xuzhou, and Qiu Guangsheng, the armymander of southwest China, annihted more than 30,000 enemy troops and numerous surrenders, and the war was won.


    Helian Xuan had already seen the bright red color in the army and was in a good mood. After the battle, he immediately ran toward the figure.


    Naya immediately flew with hosts, her hair flying in the sky, her eyes clear, smiling slightly at the familiar figure, and galloped forward with an unmatched momentum.


    Helian Xuan, finally saw you...


    No one would feel the sudden appearance of this bright red on the battlefield of the Janjaweed because everyone can see how powerful and invincible this delicate figure was and how fearless it was to make the enemy feel scared.


    Soldiers worshiped the strong, regardless of gender.


    Such a magnificent and beautiful woman deserved everyone¡¯s admiration.


    The prince stood at the head of the city and looked at the two figures, red and white, approaching each other. He bowed his head slightly and said, ¡± Helian Xuan, the original joke, now seems to being true.


    Helian Xuan refused to marry for a long time. Prince once joked ... Do you want to wait for the beard to turn gray then marry? Helian Xuan disagreed ... Why did¡¯t you wait for the prince to reign and then became a minister?


    Hiding in the Chamber of Secrets, Ye Jiayao felt that her heartstrings were almost broken.


    Why didn¡¯t Song Qie back when he went out to spy on the news?


    It was dawn!


    You also stayed up all night praying for the Buddha¡¯s name.


    The night was as long as a century, and every minute was a torment.


    Xiangtao, who listened to the movement at checkpoint, ran pale and said, ¡± There seems to be a lot of people outside.¡±


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was striking. There was full of people? Who were definitely that they were not Chunyu¡¯s people, unless they were rebels or soldiers.


    The atmosphere suddenly became tense and everyone knew that the chamber was built in secret, but after all, it had not been tested and it was not clear whether it would work.


    Ye Jiayao felt everyone¡¯s flustered andforted: ¡°Be easy, it will be fine.¡±


    Ye Jiayao still had this confidence, now she was worried about Song Qi, Song Qi was still outside! They hoped that he woulndn¡¯t be caught by these people.


    Everyone snuggled up and waited for the people outside to leave.


    After a long time, there was a movement from the secret crossing.


    Everyone¡¯s breathing would stop nervously, only one heart thumped like a drum roll.


    Knocked, a long and a short tap.


    Xiangtao rejoiced and said, ¡± It is our person.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said hurriedly: ¡± Open the secret door.¡±


    When the secret door burst open, Song Qi came in and swore, ¡± This group of bandits and robbers is just a group of locusts ...¡±


    ¡± Song Qi, what¡¯s the situation outside?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao.


    Song Qi¡¯s face copsed and he was depressed. ¡± I came back early and found something was wrong. Then I hid in the neighborhood. The seconddy, the chickens and ducks in our yard, the fruit in the orchard and the valuable things in the house were all looted.¡±


    ¡± What about the people?¡± You also came up and asked.


    ¡± They went away contentedly, madam, I don¡¯t know how much we lost.¡± Song Qi was still worried about the lost property.


    ¡± Things are gone, and everyone is ok, by the way, you go to spy on the news, how is it?¡± Ye Jiayao said, property and so on were all things outside. If they were gone, they would be gone. There was nothing to be regretted. Besides, what was really valuable had been moved to the vault long time ago by her.


    Speaking of this, Song Qi was jubnt: ¡± Madam, the seconddy, Prince Helian even arrived with reinforcements in time, and the rebels were defeated when I went out. However, there were still many deserters like the one who came here just now and ransacked everywhere. Let¡¯s wait here for the Heir-son Lord¡¯sing to pick us up.¡±


    After hearing about Helian Xuan¡¯s returning, and the rebels were defeated, then everyone breathed a sigh of relief. You hurriedly folded his hands to thank all the gods and Buddhas.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s taut heartstrings were rxed but turned out to be dizzy and tottering. If Qiao Xi were not quickly to hold her, she would had copsed to the ground.


    You was frightened. ¡± Jin Xuan, Jin Xuan, what¡¯s wrong with you? Is there any difort?¡±


    After a pause, Ye Jiayao shook her head with a wry smile. She was too nervous and the suddenly rxing made her spirit be disappeared.


    ¡± I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just so happy.¡±


    You had a wet feeling in her eyes and said with relief, ¡± Yes, this disaster has finally passed.¡±


    Song Qi reported the good news, chewed a steamed bun and went out to watch, while the rest remained in the Chamber of Secrets.


    It was a few hours before Chunfeng brought a team of people to meet him.


    Ye Jiayao saw Chunfeng and her heart sank involuntarily. Why didn¡¯t Chun Yue here? Chunyu said that after the crisis, Chunyu woulde to meet her in person. What happened to Chunyu?


    ¡± Chunfeng, where are your father, the first brother and the second brother?¡± You asked in an urgent voice.


    Chun Feng dare to say that both his father and his second brother were injured. Now they had no time to deal with the wound. One was busy cleaning up the mess, the other was busy arresting King Yu. It was not dangerous to clean up the mess, but it must be very dangerous to arrest King Yu. King Yu was surrounded by expert guards. Those were all dead men, not deadly, and difficult to deal with. He wanted to help the second brother, but the second brother wouldn¡¯t let him.


    ¡± Father and the second brother are still busy and can¡¯t get away from each other. For fear of mother and the second uncle¡¯s worries, let me meet you first,¡± Chunfeng said perfunctorily.


    ¡± Your second brother didn¡¯t hurt?¡± Ye Jiayao asked anxiously.


    Chunfeng hit a careless eye: ¡± Injuries are inevitable. Even Naya was injured, but it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Anyway, the second brother¡¯s injury can¡¯t be concealed, he can only say it lightly.


    Ye Jiayao looked dignified, but she did not dare to ask any further questions. It was conceivable how dangerous the situation wasst night. Chunfeng must had reported good news but not bad news. If she asked further questions, they would not be able to hold on.


    It was inevitable that he will hurt. If he wouldn¡¯t be killed, there was ok..


    Before Ye Jiayao got into the carriage, Chun Feng whispered something to her, which shocked Ye Jiayao¡¯s spirit.


    A Ruan was still alive and was now in marquis¡¯s mansion. It was so good that she finally heard a good news.


    Tonight, the moonlight was bright, the wind was gentle, the mountains were quiet, the streams were clear and the night was so rxing, but the dense forest at this time was full of pitfalls.


    Xia Chunyu pursued along the secret road, but he didn¡¯t expect King Yu to belong to pangolin scales. He actually opened a secret road to the outside of the city in the mansion. How much effort would it take.


    After leaving the secret passage, Xia Chunyu pursued the mountain forest with the help of tracing technique and finally found the trail of King Yu.


    ¡± Prince, you withdraw first, and our subordinates to block the people.¡± Several dead men decided to treat death as their own.


    King Yu ordered his head down and was not moved by his staff¡¯s determination to die. These people were all the dead men he kept. This was their missions.


    King Yu would continue to retreat, as long as he persisted for another five miles, he would be able to gather with Zuo Qingyun and others, and his hope of escaping would be even greater.


    The dead man, holding a long knife in his hand, rushed desperately to pursue Xia Chunyu and others.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes suddenly shot fiercely, and a sharp murderous look broke out. He also grasped his long knife and rushed over.


    There were seven people in each other¡¯s team. Those who could guard King Yu¡¯s side at this time were by no means equals. Although there were more than 20 people on their side, she was afraid that they wouldn¡¯t have much advantage. This was a bitter battle. In any case, they would win King Yu.


    When Ye Jiayao returned to marquis¡¯s mansion, it was safe. It seemd that the disaster that almost wiped out everything but did not have any impact on marquis¡¯s mansion.


    Ye Jiayao eagerly went to see A Ruan.


    ¡± A Ruan.¡±


    ¡± Sister Yaoyao.¡±


    The two good sisters hugged each other tightly.


    ¡± You¡¯re fine just ok , and I was worried about you .¡± Ye Jiayao wanted to cry but a smile.


    A Ruan was also a little tearful: ¡± Thanks to the timely arrival of Little Jing and Brother Chunyu.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for Brother Chunyu¡¯s voice, let the killer know that he had lost his best chance, so he didn¡¯t kill me atst. Otherwise, it was hard to say.


    ¡± Little Jing also went to?¡± Ye Jiayao was not surprised, but pretended to be surprised.


    A Ruan nodded shyly, recalling Little Jing¡¯s hug, her heart was as sweet as honey.


    ¡± This guy, the prince ordered him to to defend the city gate all the time? How dare did him absent without leave, the prince would me him for leaving his post without permission, I will see what he will do, ¡± said Ye Jiayao deliberately.


    A Ruan panicked: ¡± Will you? What can be done?¡±


    She knew no matter how ignorant she was that military orders were, and militaryws were ruthless. If Little Jing disobeyed militaryws in order to save her, it would be bad.


    Looking at her tense appearance, Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡°Be easy, I amused you. This time the city of Jinling can be saved, and Little Jing was also a credit. The prince won¡¯t care about the little time he left first.¡±


    A Ruan just reacted to it. Sister Yaoyao was teasing her and could not help lightly chastising her: ¡± Sister Yaoyao, you are too bad, and it was not so scary.¡±


    ¡± Everyone¡¯s nerves have been stretched for so long, rxed by joking!¡± Ye Jiayao said disapprovingly.


    One thing suddenly urred to her.


    ¡± You came to marquis¡¯s mansion, haven¡¯t anyone seen you?¡±


    A Ruan shook his head. A Man and I came in dressed as handmaid, ¡± A Ruan replied.


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± That¡¯s good. There are not many people here who knows your identity. Moreover, I live on the grounds of this courtyard. But to A Man, you have to ask her to change her name. Your identity cannot be revealed until the n ispleted.¡±


    A Ruan, aware of the seriousness of the matter, nodded and said, ¡± Chun Feng has already told us, and A Man and I will pay attention to it.¡±


    A Ruan thought Sister Yaoyao was only trying to save her life, but she did not know that Sister Yaoyao had a more far-reaching n and had arranged all the back roads.


    Two people said for a long time, then to rest separately. Ye Jiayao can¡¯t sleep with her eyes open, her eyelids still jumped all the time. Why hasn¡¯t Chunyue back yet? Did King Yu catch him? What about the emperor¡¯s illness?Countless problems linger in her mind.

 Chapter 407 - How dare he leaves me

    <h4>Chapter 407: How dare he leaves me</h4>


    It was not easy to wait until dawn when Ye Jiayao could not bear to continue to wait for Chunfeng. As a result, Little Ya said Chunfeng went out in the middle of the night.


    Well, she knew that everyone was busy, that the chaos had just ended and that a lot of mess had to be sorted out, but Chunyu somehow had to send a message to her. Didn¡¯t he know she would worry?


    Looking at the seconddy¡¯s worried departure, Little Ya had aplicated look. She had opened her mouth several times to call out her and tell her something, but the words of Chunfeng¡¯s exhortation forced her to hold back.


    Ye Jiayao returned to her yard to find Song Qi and asked Song Qi to inquire about Chunyu.


    Song Qi went away for a long time before he came back slowly.


    ¡± You quickly say, where is Heir-son Lord?¡± Ye Jiayao looked at his miserable look and was in a ze of impatience.


    ¡± You say or not to say?¡± Ye Jiayao rarely stood on her arch eyebrows and got angry.


    Song Qi really didn¡¯t know how to say it. The Heir-son Lord¡¯s condition was too bad. What if the seconddy got angry and harmed the children in her belly? But if he didn¡¯t say so, the seconddy would also get angry at the moment.


    He had to said softly, ¡± Heir-son Lord caught King Yust night and suffered some injuries.¡±


    What was some injuries? Chunfeng said earlier that Chunyu was injured. King Yu was now fighting like a trapped animal. How dangerous it was to arrest King Yu, she could think easily.


    Therefore, it was definitely not as simple as some injuries. He should be seriously injured. Otherwise, could Song Qi be so sad?


    Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She could not be angry. She had children in her belly.


    After a few breaths, Ye Jiayao adjusted her mind and calmly asked, ¡± Where is the Heir-son Lord now?¡±


    ¡± In ... the pce, the imperial doctor is healing his wounds.¡± Song Qi had to report truthfully.


    Ye Jiayao was silent and the room was silent. Qiao Xi and others did not dare to breathe. They were also worried about the Heir-son Lord.


    ¡± Qiao Xi, help me change clothes and I will enter the pce.¡±


    ¡± The seconddy ...¡± Song Qi hurriedly tried to stop it, if the seconddy saw Heir-son Lord, she would be stunned. Royal Highness Helian even said that he would not tell the seconddy until Heir-son Lord woke up.


    ¡± You don¡¯t have to say anything, go and prepare the carriage.¡± Ye Jiayao said, rather than hanging around here, she might as well go to find Chunyu. He was injured, and it was the time when he needed her most. She took care of him and cheered him up. If his injury didn¡¯t matter, then she could be at ease. If he almost died, then she could at least stay with him for a while. Otherwise she wouldn¡¯t even see him at the end.


    Ye Jiayao had to prepare for the worst. Now was not the time to cry, let alone copse.


    Xiangtao winked to Song Qi heavily, meaning going now!


    Song Qi sighed helplessly and leaved.


    The pce gate was heavily guarded, and many officials who wanted to go into the pce to find out what was going on were blocked out, but as soon as Ye Jiayao revealed her identity, the guards immediately released her.


    Under the guidance of Song Qi, Ye Jiayao headed straight to prince¡¯s Eastern Pce.


    Helian Xuan and the prince were discussing the matter. They heard reports from the servants that the seconddy of Jing¡¯an marquis house was here.


    Helian Xuan was surprised slightly, said: ¡± I go to see young sister-in-low.¡±


    The prince nodded in acquiescence.


    Xia Chunyu was instrumental in this battle to defend the pce, and he captured King Yu alive, which could be said that he had made the first achievement. Unfortunately, he was injured in many ces and was seriously injured. The prince had ordered the imperial doctor to do his best to treat him. However, up to now, he had not yet woken up.


    Ah ... he didn¡¯t know how to exin it to Ye Jinxuan.


    Ye Jiayao was stopped outside the door by an imperial doctor.


    ¡± The seconddy, the Heir-son Lord is still in aa and should not be disturbed. Please wait patiently.¡± The imperial doctor advised her to follow the instructions.


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to kick the imperial doctor down. What was patience? Could she be patient? Chunyu was lying in it, whether he was alive or dead was uncertain, she just wanted to go in and had a look, not to do anything else.


    But after all, this was the Eastern Pce, and Chunyu¡¯s illness required the utmost efforts of the imperial doctors. Ye Jiayao had to say patiently, ¡± I¡¯ll go in and see him, and I make sure I won¡¯t be noisy or interfere with your treatment.¡±


    The imperial doctor hesitated. He had seen too many family members of the patient, who had promised not to do anything before, but once they saw the patient, they were excited and started crying. The wound inside was really serious. His shoulder was pierced by a sword, his chest and back were deeply cut by a knife, and other ces were also scarred....


    ¡± Let her in!¡± A voice like a sigh sounded.


    Ye Jiayao looked back in amazement. It was Helian Xuan.


    However, seeing that the armor of Helian Xuan had not been unloaded, the arms were still wrapped with white bandages, with sunken eyes and bloodshot eyes, she knew he was extremely tired.


    ¡± The first brother ...¡± Ye Jiayao bowed her knees.


    Helian Xuan smiled slightly and shook his hand without injury: ¡± Sister-inw dose not need to be more polite, Chunyu¡¯s injuries are heavier, but I know he can survive. This man is very tough. What¡¯s more, he still has you, and he is reluctant to leave.¡±


    Ye Jiayao was brimming with tears, even Helian Xuan said he was seriously injured. The situation was certainly not optimistic.


    Ye Jiayao forced herself to smile and said, ¡± How dare he to leave.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t me him for his desperate efforts. This was his duty. How many people diedst night. Those people also had parents, wives and children, but they still died generously. They were all heroes. She respected heroes and she was proud of Chunyu. But if he dared to die and dared to leave her alone, then even if she caught him up under the ground, she wouldn¡¯t spare him.


    Such a tone was in, but full of threats and decisive words, which made Helian Xuan felt a bit sad. This seemingly weak woman was much tougher than he expected. She did not have Naya¡¯s martial arts, but her bearing courage was absolutely inferior to Naya¡¯s.


    ¡± Yes, if he dares to be frightened, we will not let him go.¡±


    Helian Mansion agreed to let her in, the imperial doctor could not stop her and was back to the side.


    Ye Jiayao smelled a strong smell of blood as soon as she entered the room, causing her stomach to twitch. But when she thought that the smell of blood came from Chunyu, her heart was violently pulled up.


    She walked quickly to the front of the bed and saw Chunyu¡¯s eyes closed and his face was pale. She carefully lifted the nket, but he was covered with bandages and blood stained on the bandages.


    Ye Jiayao covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying, but tears could no longer be held back, streaming down and dripping down.


    The imperial doctor exined by her: ¡± The Heir-son Lord¡¯s wounds have been treated, and now he is unconscious due to excessive blood loss andck of strength ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao wiped away tears and whispered, ¡± Doctor, you tell me the truth. Is there any worry about his life after all?¡±


    After careful consideration, the imperial doctor said, ¡± This is hard to say, but the Heir-so Lord is strong and is more likely to wake up.¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded: ¡± Can you let me stay alone with him for a while?¡±


    The imperial doctor saw that she was calm, sighed silently, and turned to leave.


    He was hurt all over, and Ye Jiayao dared not touch him. She only gently caressed his sleeping face, sniffed at his nose and choked: ¡± Chunyu, can you hear me? I¡¯m Yaoyao, your Yaoyao ... ¡±


    ¡± I wait for you at home all night, but you just doesn¡¯te back, so I have toe to you. I am worried about you and can¡¯t sleep, but fortunately our children doesn¡¯t know much about it.¡±


    ¡± To tell you something, the night before, I felt our child move. It was a strange feeling. For the first time, I really felt his existence. You see, he is moving again now. Wake up quickly. Touch and see ...¡±


    But the person in bed did not respond at all.


    Ye Jiayao¡¯s tears slipped down like broken beads, but she tried to keep a calm tone.


    ¡± Our mother said that when you were in her belly, you moved almost at this time. As a result, a little monkey was born. She said that you was hated by both men and god when you were a naughty child. If our child is as naughty as you, I can¡¯t cope with it alone, so you have to wake up quickly. You said that you should teach him to read books, teach him martial arts, and cultivate him into a man of indomitable spirit. One knows better than one¡¯s teacher. If you don¡¯t wake up, then I can only teach him to cook, and then he will be a cook. I am only good at cooking.¡±


    ¡± Chunyu, I know you can hear me, and you also know how sad I am. You have left me once, and you vowed not to leave me again. Just before you went to the farm, you promised me that you wille to meet me personally and take care of yourself. As a result, you renege on your promise ... you won¡¯te to meet me. I don¡¯t me you. You are responsible for everyone, country and world, but now the storm is calm and you shoulde back to me.¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m not as strong as you think. I¡¯m strong because I know you¡¯re by my side, because you said that whatever I do, you¡¯re standing by me. If the sky is falling, you¡¯re standing by me, so I¡¯m not afraid of anything, as long as you¡¯re by my side.¡±


    ¡± But now I¡¯m scared to death. In fact, I¡¯m cowardly. I¡¯m scared now. I know you are injured but I can¡¯t do anything for you. You don¡¯t know how bad this feeling is. Chunyu, you¡¯re too cruel. How can you do this to me ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t say any more. She fell on the edge of the bed and wept silently. She felt as if a knife was piercing her heart.


    Qiao Xi couldn¡¯t bear to listen and ran outside to cry, clutching her mouth.


    Ye Jiayao said malicious words keeping her head down: ¡± Chunyu, if you dare to leave me like this, when the child is born, I will make him an orphan without father and mother. I do what I say. If you don¡¯t believe you just try, I can¡¯t live without you ...¡±


    Tears were more turbulent. Chunyu, you woke up, please don¡¯t frighten me.


    ¡± You a woman, noisy, I can¡¯t even sleep well.¡±


    A hoarse and unreasonable voice sounded slightly in Ye Jiayao¡¯s ears.


    Ye Jiayao was immersed in grief, sobbed: ¡± I am crying to death. You still think I¡¯m noisy ...¡±


    Uh ... the sound?

 Chapter 408 - Won’t die

    <h4>Chapter 408: Won¡¯t die</h4>


    Ye Jiayao suddenly raised her eyes and saw Chunyu¡¯s eyes still closed. Did she hear voices? The joy that had just risen turned into deep sadness.


    ¡°Xia Chunyu, you are an irresponsible bastard,¡± Ye Jiayao cried.


    ¡°I wake up and you scold me.¡± Xia Chunyu slowly opened his eyes and said innocently.


    Before, he seemed to have been trapped in a chaotic ce, unable to find a way out, he was so anxious, and then heard the voice of Yaoyao talking to him. He groped along with the sound, but the fog was so thick that he couldn¡¯t see anything at all until she said that he would make his child an orphan without father or mother. He was frightened and rushed forward recklessly, only then did he get out of that terrible ce and wake up.


    Ye Jiayao thought she was dazzled, wiped away tears and blinked at Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu smiled feebly: ¡°Don¡¯t you know me?¡±


    Thought she would burst into tears, thought she would jump up.


    Who knew the next moment, Xia Chunyu was dumbfounded. He saw a woman crying and her eyes were red and swollen. She said nothing, got up and ran away. She also ran fast and disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.


    Uh ... what kind of reaction was this?


    Xia Chunyu was perplexed.


    The next moment, Xia Chunyu was depressed. She was a pregnant woman. Was it right to run so fast? At this time, Xia Chunyu really had the urge to get up and grab the woman and beat her ass.


    Ye Jiayao rushed out and saw the imperial doctor and HeLian Xuan standing in the courtyard talking. He pulled the imperial doctor and went inside.


    Anxiously said: ¡°The imperial doctor, he¡¯s awake, you go and see, quickly ...¡±


    The imperial doctor and Helian Xuan were dumbfounded. Wake up? Really awake? Wake up so soon?


    Ye Jiayao did not dare to be excited or happy. The physician said Chunyu seemed to be dying, but only a glimmer of hope for survival. She was afraid that this would be a blip.


    So she rushed out and called the physician.


    After a cup of tea, the physician carefully examined the pulse, and after turning over Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyelids, he breathed a sigh of relief and said to Ye Jiayao and HeLian Xuan: ¡°The prince is physically strong and different from ordinary people. He can survive such a heavy injury, and his heart beats smoothly at present, so there should be no problem. However, after all, he has lost too much blood and is greatly weakened; he still needs a good rest so as not to drop the root of the disease.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost couldn¡¯t believe her ears and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°Doctor, do you mean he won¡¯t die?¡±


    Xia Chunyu, who could not move in bed, was speechless. Yaoyao, why did you ask like this?


    Could¡¯t be more euphemistic?


    The imperial doctor smiled: ¡°I guess it¡¯s not a problem for the prince to live for decades.¡±


    Everyone was jubnt at this conclusion, and the earth-shattering cry directly stunned everyone.


    Ye Jiayao burst into tears and wept bitterly regardless of the image.


    Chunyu won¡¯t leave her. On this day, hell paradise was like a roller coaster. Her heartstrings were stretched to the point where they couldn¡¯t be tightened any more. All kinds of emotions were like tsunamis, which could no longer be repressed and erupted in an instant.


    She cried because of fear to break up.


    She cried because of the joy of recovery.


    There were also endless grievances.


    HeLian Xuan also confused, but he soon understood. Ye Jinxuan loved Chunyu deeply, only this cry can vent her pain and depression. He did not have a fever in his heart and his eyes became wet.


    Xia Chunyu, who was crying by her, also wanted to cry. Because of love, those words she said still clearly echoed in her ears.


    ¡°I¡¯m not as strong as I thought ...¡±


    ¡°If you dare to leave me behind and wait for the child to be born, I will make him an orphan without father or mother. If you don¡¯t believe it, try ...¡±


    ¡°Chunyu, I can¡¯t live without you ...¡±


    He had been chasing her all the time. He had been coaxing her all the time. asionally, she said a few sweet words to show her heart, and he tried to force her out. Now he knew that he was so important in her heart.


    All of a sudden, Xia Chunyu felt that he was worth all these injuries.


    Qiao Xi, fearing that the second youngdy would cry too much and hurt her body, came to help her and advised her: ¡°Don¡¯t cry, second youngdy. Be careful to hurt the body.¡±


    After Ye Jiayao vented her feelings, her mood gradually calmed down and she sat by the bed holding Xia Chunyu¡¯s hand. She was not willing to loose. She griped tightly and looked at him momentarily, fearing that he would disappear in the twinkling of an eye.


    Xia Chunyu wanted to hold her, but she couldn¡¯t. The wound hadn¡¯t healed and he couldn¡¯t move.


    Other irrelevant people were well-advised to step down.


    ¡°Can you pour me a ss of water?¡± Xia Chunyu licked his dry lips.


    Ye Jiayao hastily got up to pour water.


    Ye Jiayao fed him with a small spoon and a small spoon.


    ¡°Drink slowly and be careful to choke.¡±


    ¡°Look at you, make yourself like this, when being a hero, hadn¡¯t you thought about us?¡± Anyway, he was already awake, and the physician said he won¡¯t die. Ye Jiayao began toin.


    Xia Chunyu said with a wry smile, ¡°Why didn¡¯t I think about it? If it weren¡¯t for thinking about you, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to stick to it now and would have died.¡±


    Yes, how many times a day and a night he faces death depended on his will. If he was a little discouraged, his life would be lost. Yaoyao and his children were his endless motivation and supported him from crisis to crisis.


    Ye Jiayao felt dejected and knew that what he said was not a lie, so she no longer pursued it.


    ¡°The imperial doctor said that your injury could not be moved. You have to stay in the Eastern Pce for a while. I¡¯ll report to my motherter ande here to take care of you. I don¡¯t trust others.¡±


    Xia Chunyu agreed, and he also wanted Yaoyao to be around him. Anyway, he knew that his opposition was invalid and can only affect her. When he was well, he would double thepensation.


    ¡°How about A Ruan?¡±


    ¡°A Ruan is safe at home. No one knows that she is still alive. Did you exin everything to Little Jing over there?¡±


    ¡°I have already told him that HeLian Xuan wille forward and do his work for A Ruan.¡± Xia Chunyu said, this n was really wonderful. A Ruan was impossible to be with Little Jing under the title of Princess Yu, which waspletely impossible. Therefore, only let A Ruan die and preserve A Ruan¡¯s reputation, and then try to be with Little Jing in another capacity.


    Little Jing¡¯s stupid mouth must be out of sync with his happiness at the moment.


    After confirming this matter, Ye Jiayao won¡¯t let Chunyu speak again.


    ¡°You close your eyes and have a good rest. I¡¯ll go back to the office first and see me when you wake up.¡± Ye Jiayao said softly.


    Seven dayster, Xia Chunyu returned to marquis house to recuperate.


    In the past five days, King Yu was given poisonous wine and died in concubine Shu¡¯s arms. Concubine Shu hanged herself on a white silk. As for Jiangzuo League, the court was already terrified of Jianghu gangs, and this time Jiangzuo League openly participated in the coup, how could the court allow them to exist? Jiang Zuo League could not be as powerful as a country¡¯s power, and at that time bloodshed was also set off in Jianghu.


    After the rebellion subsided, the prince¡¯s prestige reached its peak and he formally supervised the country under the patronage of courtiers.


    The brothers of Heavenly Residence all returned and reopened under Zhong Xiang¡¯s leadership.


    Qiao also returned from Suzhou, apanied by master Qiao, who came to inquire about the actual situation.


    It was said that the dispute over imperial power was a royal affair, but it was themon people who would suffer in the end and had to care about the situation.


    Ye Jiayao ignored all these things. She only took care of Chunyu wholeheartedly and changed her way to make him a good meal. Although the injuries were not fatal, if he left the root of the disease, it would be a lifetime of injuries and could not be careless.


    More than ten dayster, Xia Chunyu was able to walk on the ground. Under Ye Jiayao¡¯s careful care, he gained a whole lot of weight,ining a lot about it, saying that Yaoyao was simply raising pigs.


    Ye Jiayao liked this. She raised pigs. Keep a big pig and a little pig in the future.


    Well ... it didn¡¯t seem quite right to say that, then she¡¯s not a sow?


    Under the proposal of Hector¡¯s pce, the prince affirmed princess Yu¡¯s contribution to the peace, buried her with the princess¡¯s treatment, and submitted the credentials to South Yue for permanent repair.


    Princess Yu¡¯s ashes would also be escorted back to South Yue, and Little Jing volunteered to take over the task. The prince epted Little Jing when he knew that there was a feeling between Little Jing and A Ruan and wanted to fulfill it.


    A Ruan and A Man went back to South Yue in disguise as apanying maids.


    Before he left, Ye Jiayao called Little Jing and earnestly told him that along the way, there were many opportunities for two people to get along with each other, but there were many people and many eyes, so don¡¯t let the stuffing out of your head for a while, then the previous achievements were abandoned. Instead, perhaps even the Prince¡¯s Mansion and Jing ¡®an marquis house would still fall into the crime of deceiving your king.


    Little Jing knew this was a big event and did not dare to expect anything. He promised toe down and promise not to expose his action. How could he have any problems at this juncture after so long of patience?


    Ye Jiayao then safely handed A Ruan over to Little Jing.


    A Ruan took Ye Jiayao¡¯s hand and was extremely grateful to Ye Jiayao not only for sisterships, but also for her endless gratitude. If it weren¡¯t for Ye Jiayao, she and Little Jing would not have been possible in her life. This was her only thought in this life. Yao elder sister was nning for her step by step. Really, this kindness was not enough in her life.


    Ye Jiayaoforted: ¡°By next year at thetest, we will be able to meet again, and then we will be able to be sisters aboveboard.¡±


    When A Ruan and Little Jing were taken away, a big event in Ye Jiayao¡¯s mind was truly settled.


    The next day there was news of the emperor¡¯s bad condition. The emperor¡¯s condition had improved slightly. Knowing that King Yu had staged a coup, he became more and more serious. The imperial doctor made everyone ready.


    In other words, they could prepare for the funeral.


    After two days of hard support, the emperor died and the whole country mourned.


    Ye Jiayao was very emotional. In fact, the emperor was a good person; at least he was good to her. She couldn¡¯t say what¡¯s wrong with the emperor¡¯s tactics of checks and bnces. She stood on his position and hopes his throne will be stable and his country will be stable. It was only a pity that he couldn¡¯t see through King Yu¡¯s ambition as soon as possible, or underestimated King Yu¡¯s ambition, leading to such an end.


    The death of a man was like the extinction of amp, the evaluation of his merits and demerits byter generations, that¡¯s all.

 Chapter 409 - The fate of schadenfreude

    <h4>Chapter 409: The fate of schadenfreude</h4>


    In an instant it was the fifteenth day of the first month of the year.


    Prince had been enthroned for several months, and everyone thought that the new emperor was a gentle and kind king. He must have raised his family, raised his interest, and made peace his priority. Unexpectedly, the new emperor had issued several decrees, emphasizing agriculture,merce and military defense, all under three controls, which made people quite surprised. Only those who apanied him or her during the coup on the same day may understand a thing or two, saying that the country should pay more attention to agriculture,merce and military defense. The prince¡¯s goal was to enrich the nation and strengthen the army.


    No matter what the state affairs were, the seconddy of Jing ¡®an marquis house, Ye Jiayao, had a headache at this time. Why?


    It was because the 18th of the first month was the big day for Helian Xuan to marry Naya, and her birth date had arrived and it was possible to give birth at any time.


    Originally, she was looking forward to the baby¡¯s birth every day, but now she was looking forward to the baby¡¯s stay for a few more days obediently. Why not wait for her to drink the wedding wine before she was born? She had to attend the wedding.


    Naya said that she was the only good friend in Jinling and would be disappointed if she could not attend.


    Then why did you choose such a good day? If she happened to be in production on the 18th, Chunyu would definitely not attend the wedding. Ye Jiayao was really depressed.


    ¡°Chunyu, I feel like my stomach was sagging again today,¡± said Ye Jiayao, standing in front of the mirror and watching her belly anxiously.


    ¡°Really? Let me see.¡± Someone immediately ran over and circled her three times, then touched her stomach and nodded,¡± Maybe you are right!¡±


    ¡°What should I do? The steady woman said that sagging belly means it is near, but today it is only 15th and there are still three days left. I don¡¯t know if I can make it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked slowly around the room with her. The midwife said it would be easier for pregnant women to walk more, so he would apany her around the room a few times every day. It was too cold outside and he was determined not to let her go out.


    ¡°This ... is not something that we can decide. It depends on our son. It¡¯s them to me. They will pick the day and dare to have opinions. Let them discuss it with our son themselves.¡± Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t care about it. Big things weren¡¯t as important as his son.


    Ye Jiayao watched him speechless. Discuss with your son? Can your son understand?


    Yes, ording to Dr. Jiang¡¯s diagnosis, Ye Jiayao was believed to be pregnant with a male fetus. Ye Jiayao still had a skeptical attitude towards the technical work of pulse-taking in traditional Chinese medicine. She remembered past lives, when her aunt was pregnant, she listened to her fetal heart and said she was having a boy, but she was born a daughter in the end. It was really clear at a nce unless she did B ¨C ultrasound. But Dr. Jiang¡¯s words were confidence and even guaranteed by her reputation of practicing medicine for more than 20 years. Ye Jiayao could believe a boy in her belly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if Little Jing cane back in time.¡± Ye Jiayao was so speechless about this Helian Jing that he didn¡¯t want toe back from South Yue. What was he trying to insert the door upside down?


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes shed with a smile. Little Jing must being back, perhaps with surprise.


    Since it was a surprise, you could only hide it first.


    ¡°Well, that guy is not in tune. People say that he takes women seriously and despises friends. He even ignores his own brother directly,¡± Xia Chunyu said indignantly.


    Although Ye Jiayao thought so in her heart, she still could not help but defend Little Jing: ¡°Little Jing was not as bad as you said. South Yue is a long way away after all. Maybe he was dyed.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a pity that Zhao and Su Yi can¡¯te back, otherwise they can get together again,¡± sighed Ye Jiayao.


    Helian Xuan exultation, if Zhao Qixuan was present, it would certainly add a lot of color, well, she really missed them.


    At this point, the three men sitting in the elegant room of Hangzhou¡¯s Heavenly Residence branch sneezed. Zhao Qixuan and Helian Jing sneezed. Su Yi, the elegant male god who had always been around the clock for 360 degrees, also sneezed earth ¨C shattering, giving Zhao Qixuan and Helian Jing a shock.


    The two men were in shock, well, it should be said that they were three, with a charming woman sitting beside them.


    All three looked at Su Yi with great horror.


    What Helian Jing was thinking was: Damn, this guy is handsome and even sneezes louder than others.


    Zhao Qixuan thought: What is the meaning of heart and soul? This is called heart and soul, even sneezing with such tacit understanding, and ying with such momentum, cool, and great. However, what¡¯s the matter with you Little Jinging to y with us with the tacit understanding forcefully? You already has a beauty in the side, ok? It was a real disaster.


    A Ruan thought: What happened to these three men? I haven¡¯t seen any tacit understanding between them all the way here, but it¡¯s neat at the moment.


    Su Yi was slightly embarrassed by what they stared at, not to mention the presence of beautiful women, but on the surface he simply nced at the three men and said simply, ¡°Look at me for what? No matter how full you are, you have to eat and travel after eating.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan looked at him affectionately with a smiling face and said, ¡°Beauty can be eaten and beauty can be eaten.¡±


    Su Yi red at him and took away the bowl and chopsticks in front of him: ¡°In that case, you won¡¯t eat any more. You can watch me eat and save some food.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan stretched out his hand to grab the bowl and chopsticks: ¡± That ... I mean, looking at you, you can eat a few more bowls of rice.¡±


    ¡°Then you end up in the corner with your rice bowl. Earn such money, and you want to eat a few more bowls of rice, which you can¡¯t afford,¡± Su Yi said.


    Zhao Qixuan wanted to cry but without tears, crying to Little Jing: ¡°You see, he always bullied me like this. It¡¯s too unreasonable. I¡¯m on a thief boat and a vampire. I¡¯ve been living in the dark ...¡±


    Helian Jing and A Ruan could not helpughing, Helian Jing gloated: ¡°It¡¯s a thief ship, and you¡¯re begging for it yourself. You can¡¯t even use your hard work if you don¡¯t want it. Hum, it serves you right.¡±


    Su Yi freely asked: ¡°What kind of n?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s bing a monk. Where is this really going to be a monk? Hiding eagerly in the temple and waiting for you toe, I told you ...¡± Helian Jing gloated over his head and left someone¡¯s warning behind and shook it out all at once.


    Zhao Qixuan blinded him. You can¡¯t tear down the tform like that. This is to kill me! I moved a guy with a heart of stone. What¡¯s this call? Zhao Qixuan really wanted to cry.


    Su Yi listened quietly and then watched Zhao Qixuan lightly: ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled worse than cried: ¡°You ... you don¡¯t listen to him talk nonsense. I really wanted to be a monk.¡±


    Su Yi looked at Little Jing again and asked calmly, ¡°Is this your idea?¡±


    Helian Jing said with smile: ¡°I don¡¯t have that skill, it was Yao ...¡±


    Er ... someone finally reacted by selling Yaoyao and watching a quiet handsome man with a guilty conscience, thought: it¡¯s over.


    Helian Jing wanted give himself a mouth, why also gave Yaoyao out!


    Zhao Qixuan banged his head on the table and waspletely speechless.


    Su Yi said as if nothing had happened: ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to have that brain.¡±


    Then he smiled at A Ruan and said, ¡°Princess A Ruan.¡±


    A Ruan was listening to the story happily. Su Yi suddenly called her, and she subconsciously replied, ¡°Well!¡±


    Soon also to react, along the way everyone was called her Princess A Qin, even Little Jing called her so, how did Su Yi know she was A Ruan?


    Then Su Yi looked at Helian Jing with a wry smile on his face as he tilted his mouth. ¡°Should I ask for the fee?¡±


    Helian Jing corners of the mouth trembled, damn, retribution to too fast! This guy was silent on weekdays, acting lonely, high-definition and elegant people. The original heart was so ck. What was the fee and the seal fee? This was clear to ckmail!


    ¡°That, eldest brother Su Yi, eldest brother, is a thing of the past, don¡¯t care about it. You see what you are doing with Zhao now, with deep feelings, like clouds and wild cranes, envy others, Zhao is sincere and can be told by heaven and earth. As friends, we should do a favor, right?¡± Helian Jing said.


    Zhao Qixuan looked at Su Yi, nodding, silently in his heart, wow, definitely heaven and earth can tell!


    Su Yi nodded, ¡°Well, I really want to thank you, so I¡¯m also going to do you a favor. I¡¯ll take care of the revenue of your dozen stores for a year. Do you have any opinion?¡±


    Helian Jing eyeballs almost pop out. Damn it. I just watched a lively scene behind his ass. You are going to swallow my revenue for a year. It¡¯s too hard. Zhao was right. This fellow is a real vampire.


    ¡°I was thinking, should also keep her share of the profits for Ye Jinxuan?¡± Su Yi took a sip and thought deeply.


    ¡°No no no, it all depended on me. Don¡¯t get on with innocent people.¡± Helian Jing waspletely convinced and disgruntled. If he let Yaoyao know that he sold her, it was expected to be even worse. He would rather offend Su Yi than Yaoyao. .


    When Yaoyao said it, it must rot in the belly, otherwise, he would not know how to die.


    Now he finally realized the feeling of ¡°I don¡¯t know how to die¡±.


    Su Yi replied, ¡°Eat.¡±


    A Ruan somehow look at this and look at that. What¡¯s going on? Why is Little Jing¡¯s expression of cut meat? Little Jing is not to say, the business over border trade city is helped by Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan? Then continue to ask them to take care of it. What does it matter?


    Zhao Qixuan saw that Su Yi didn¡¯t even settle ounts with him, and was immediately ted. ¡°Eat, eat, eat and move on, the food in the Heavenly Residence is fragrant ...¡±


    Someone was happy too early and was kicked out of the carriage when he was on his way, so he had to ride a horse and watch the two carriages wander in front with bitterness against the cold wind.

 Chapter 410 - It is really an ass

    <h4>Chapter 410: It is really an ass</h4>


    This trip to Jinling was still three days away, and time was very short, so everyone was on the move.


    Of course, even if the horse did not stop running, for those who sat in luxury carriages, were padded with thick soft supports and can lie down and sleep when tired, they did not feel hard. What was really hard was that those who rode horses all the way would have their noses flushed with cold and their buttocks would soon break into eight ps.


    Helian Jing every time he saw someone grinning, touching his ass and climbing upstairs with eight characters, he was preparing to eat tofort his battered body and mind, but he was mercilessly driven to a small square table in the corner by someone, eating green vegetables and tofu alone, and his sad little eyes made Helian Jing shiver.


    He thought,pared with this, it was more cost-effective to give up one year¡¯s profits, and it was better to suffer pain for a while than to suffer piecemeal.


    Old Zhao, Old Zhao, this was the younger brother who was sorry for him, so let¡¯s not cry for change...


    Helian Jing calmed down after he said he was too modest in his heart. When he had a meal together, he would give A Yuan food.


    ¡± This shrimp ball tastes supple and delicious. Eat a few more ...¡±


    ¡± This sizzling mushroom is delicious. It¡¯s almost up to the standard of living in Heavenly Residence. I don¡¯t expect it toe back in half a year. The cooking level in Jinling has improved so much ...¡±


    ¡± And this Vince Tofu, well, it is quite authentic.¡±


    Su Yishi said, ¡± It¡¯s cold and naive. It¡¯s still good to be in the south. It¡¯s like spring all the year round. Come and drink two cups of warm water. The Huadiao wine here is just right.¡±


    The waiter politely poured wine to several guests and asked, ¡± Do you want the guests over there?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s shing eyes nodded, ¡± Want to ...¡±


    As a result, Su Yi and Helian Jing said in unison, ¡± Don¡¯t worry about him.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s bitterness, anger, smell of wine and meat, and looked at the green vegetables and tofu in front of him, which is an uncontroble tear flowing into his stomach...


    Fuck, Susu would punish him for exporting gas. The most abominable person was Little Jing. Now it was discovered that Little Jing was really not a thing. He hurt him so badly that he even fell into the pit. When he returned to Jinling, he would make Susu to be happy and see how he can punish him for goods full of bad water and without good will.


    Zhao Qixuan secretly took the oath with grinding his teeth.


    It was already the 17th of the first month, and when Ye Jiayao woke up in the morning, he felt that his stomach was falling more and more obviously.


    You came over to look at it and immediately ordered the midwife and the doctor to follow their orders, and everyone solemnly waited for the birth of the youngest son.


    Ye Jiayaomented and sighed. It seemed that she would not be able to go to the wedding tomorrow. Even if she was not born, You and Chunyu would not let her go.


    Xia Chunyu then took the annual leave together with the maternity leave. The Emperor sympathized with him and turn a blind eye.


    For the great heroes, this welfare was still to be given. What¡¯s more, everyone knew how much the new general for protecting the country hurt his wife.


    So this time, Xia Chunyu was almost a constantpanion to Ye Jiayao. Even Helian Xuan had toe to him personally to discuss marriage, and to make a long story short, before two cups of tea had been drunk, he was marching orders.


    Today it was more than an hour since he left the office. When I came back, he said to Ye Jiayao with a smile: ¡± Yes.¡±


    Ye Jiayao held the hot-water bag in her arms and cocked herself on the bed. When she heard this, she said, ¡± Really?That will be great. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu said about Little Ya¡¯s father¡¯s case.


    You had long agreed that Chunfeng should ept Little Ya as his concubine, but Chunfeng was slow to do it, and Little Ya did not mention it. Everyone could see that the two men were sentient, but they were so consumed that they maintained the rtionship between master and servant.


    Ye Jiayao hated concubinage. After all, she grew up in a monogamous society and didn¡¯t ept the word ¡± concubine¡± in her mind. But she also understood that Little Ya¡¯s status was not worthy of Chunfeng, and she couldn¡¯t afford to be the thirddy. This was an impossible thing. Even if there was a deviation, it couldn¡¯t be worse so much. As she was the daughter of Yangzhou officer, she had a lot of resistance when she married Chunyu, and the concept of being a family member was deeply rooted.


    So, for some time, she was quite confused. Are these two people ready to spend so much time?


    Later, she learned that Chunfeng had been trying to check the case of Little Ya¡¯s family. If Little Ya¡¯s father can turn over the case, Little Ya would no longer be the daughter of a sin minister. It would be even better if he could restore his position as an official, and Little Ya would be able to take off her ve nationality.


    This had made Ye Jiayao sit up and took notice of Chunfeng, who was really mature, responsible, resourceful and acting more and more like Chun Yu.


    ¡± Tell me, what is the situation?¡± Ye Jiayao asked curiously.


    Xia Chunyu sat down next to her and touched her superrge belly with some apprehension. He just said, ¡± It¡¯s also a coincidence. Her father was framed by the emperor¡¯s uncle Shu , concubine Shu¡¯s brother. Didn¡¯t the Criminal Department and Imperial Histories had been investigating the crimes of King Yu¡¯s remnants? He asked someone to hand over Little Ya¡¯s father¡¯s case by the way. Chunfeng secretly collected evidence and handed it over to the Criminal Department through other channels. Now it was found out that it was framed. Today, the Criminal Department officially turned over the case for Little Ya¡¯s father, only waiting for the emperor¡¯s instructions. It was estimated that the officer would be reinstated at that time. ¡±


    ¡± Fortunately, it was Uncle Shu who hurt us. Otherwise, the case that the previous emperor had already set could not be changed,¡± Xia Chunyu said happily.


    Ye Jiayao nodded slightly and said ¡°Yes¡±. As soon as the son began to reign, he overthrew the iron case set by the farther. Even if there were grievances, in order to safeguard the farther¡¯s reputation, his son could only be wrong or wrong. Therefore, opportunity was very important.


    Little Ya¡¯s father was an adviser to the emperor, and his official position was not small, just because he offended the emperor¡¯s Uncle Shu with a small matter ,and hurt the whole family. Now, Little Ya can regain her identity, and she and Chunfeng can be married.


    ¡± This matter is known to us, even to our father and mother. Be careful not to spill the beans,¡± Xia Chunyu told.


    Ye Jiayao gave him a supercilious look: ¡± Am I such a talkative person?¡±


    Of course, she understood Chunyu¡¯s intention and was d to have such an effect when it was done secretly. If it said out, the feeling would be different.


    Others would think that Jing ¡®an marquis house was really wrong for engaging in malpractices for personal gain. Others would also think that there would be some problems in it, and they would also think that Little Ya encouraged Chunfeng to avenge her.


    Xia Chunyu smiled: ¡± I know you¡¯re not that kind of person, isn¡¯t it just in case? Chun Feng seldom has a woman he likes, and we always want to fulfill him. In his words, those so-called nobledies he can¡¯t believe, boast as much as good and as much as virtuous. Who knows what kind of person is inside?If something go wrong, if his parents¡¯ sister ¨C in ¨Cw and they aren¡¯t on good terms, if they are possible to be narrow-minded ... he is really afraid, so it is better to find someone who knows the root and knows the root, has a good disposition, and has a peaceful family and is right to live in harmony. ¡±


    Ye Jiayao agreed with this very much. In retrospect, Chunfeng had been caught between Liuli and his family in a dilemma over the past few years. Only those who were in it can feel the pain.


    When ited to Liuli, Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡± Zhu came to see me the other day and said she saw Liuli in Ciyun temple. Do you know about this?¡±


    Xia Chunyu said half ¨C heartedly, ¡± I heard of it.¡±


    In fact, he knew for a long time that Liuli went to Ciyun Temple a year ago. It was his own request. Ciyun Temple was the royal an tang. The life of Liuli in the pce was difficult. The queen turned a blind eye to her and other concubines looked at her coldly. Even the minions in the pce didn¡¯t take her seriously. It would be better to go to Ciyun Temple, which is the same as the ancient Buddha of Qingdeng, but at least there was no need to suffer supercilious look.


    When he heard about it, he still felt some emotion in his heart. In the past looking shining, who once such shining and can get anything she wanted, fell into such a bleak position. The queen mother pampered her for thirteen years, but eventually it hurt her all her life.


    So, people can¡¯t get carried away when they were in power. Thirty years east of the river, 30 years west of the river, every dog has its day, and when you got carried away, at least a few of them will fall to the ground when you were in trouble. Maybe someone will give you a hand. If you nt all the thorns, you can¡¯t really me anyone.


    ¡± She lost her hair?¡± Ye Jiayao¡¯s inexplicable sadness in her heart does not mean sympathy for Liuli. She always thought that Liuli was self-inflicted iniquity when it came to this step. It was just pure sadness that there all things changed.


    Xia Chunyu shook his head: ¡± It¡¯s not clear. I didn¡¯t ask.¡±


    There was no need to inquire about the damage caused by Liuli to this family, and everyone remembers it vividly. They didn¡¯t want to mention this person, let alone pay attention to this person.


    Ye Jiayao was stupefied with trance, with a spasm of pain in her stomach, which froze her whole body.


    Xia Chunyu immediately noticed something was wrong with her and said with concern, ¡± What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Ye Jiayao looked at Chunyu nervously and at a loss: ¡± Chunyu, I have a stomachache and may have a baby.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face became white immediately, and she was more nervous than she was. She panicked and said, ¡± So ... what should I do?¡±


    Ye Jiayao speechless, fuck, he was not privately asked the doctor and steady woman?What kind of abnormality should be dealt with? He had asked them more than once or twice andforted her confidently. Now he asked her?


    ¡± You¡¯re such an ass. Go to the doctor ...¡± Ye Jiayao was on fire.


    ¡± Oh! I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go right away ...¡± Xia Chunyu got up hurriedly, but forgot to have a foot on the bed, slipped on the edge, fell down, liked a dog and chewed mud, without any embarrassment, without any pain, got up and ran out, tearing open his throat and shouting, ¡± Call doctor, the seconddy is going to have a baby ...¡±


    It was like shouting ... Got out of the water and put out the fire...


    Ye Jiayao was stunned to see him wrestle. He just wanted to faint when he heard the gas-filled roar.


    Someone who had always been reliable was so unreliable at the critical moment. What an ass!!

 Chapter 411 - Suffering

    <h4>Chapter 411: Suffering</h4>


    Ye Jiayao was about to give birth. Everyone in marquis house was gathered in the second courtyard. You and Qiao Xi were watching outside the main wing, while men were waiting in the nt hall, anxious and worried.


    ¡± The second brother, could you please not walk around? I get dizzy by you. ¡± Chunli said.


    Xia Chunyu said in a thick voice: ¡°I can¡¯t sit still. This is my first time as a father. Of course I¡¯m nervous for the first time. Isn¡¯t it the same for you to be a father for the first time? Don¡¯t look at me if you are dizzy!¡±


    Chunli whispered that the problem was that he was dangling in front of his eyes, although he didn¡¯t want to see him. What¡¯s more, he was still so handsome today.


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart was tied to Yaoyao in the delivery room. He never remembered that he had had a bad fall, his lips were cracked and swollen, and his eyebrows were deeply wrinkled and his face was anxious. He hadpletely lost his cool, calm and cold appearance.


    Still Chunfeng couldn¡¯t see him like this anymore: ¡°Second brother, I think you¡¯d better deal with your wound first.¡±


    ¡± Ah? Wound? What wound? I am heart-broken now. Why hasn¡¯t she given birth after such a long time? Why not yet? It¡¯s been more than three hours. It¡¯s really killing me. ¡± Someone¡¯s head was a mass of paste now.


    Xia Chunfeng silently pointed to the corners of the mouth, meaning: Second brother, your mouth was broken.


    Who knew Xia Chunyu impatiently said, ¡± Do you want me to shut up? Hum, when you be a father, you will know the taste of this. ¡±


    Then he gave Chunfeng a hard stare.


    Xia Chunli and Xia Chunfeng looked at each other and said at the same time that they were toozy to care about him.


    As for the old marquis, he always closed his eyes and took a calm attitude. Although this was not the first time he had be a grandfather, this time his feeling waspletely different. This was the real sessor of the future marquis house. Could he not be nervous? But he was marquis and an elder, if he was as nervous as these cubs, he would make peopleugh.


    ¡± No, I have to go and see. Yaoyao will be afraid without me,¡± Xia Chunyu said, going to the main wing.


    Chunli quickly grabbed him: ¡°Second brother, the delivery room was a filthy ce, and men cannot go in.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes were wide open and round: ¡°Shit is a filthy ce. My wife is in, and she is suffering. My son is struggling hard. It¡¯s a ce to wee a new life. You say it¡¯s a filthy ce, eldest brother. You¡¯re too enough.¡±


    Xia Chunli was speechless. Wasn¡¯t that what elders said? The ce where woman gave birth to a child, was full of flesh and blood and was a dirty ce. Men were not allowed to go in, if they did, it would be unlucky. How could he go too far when he was kindly dissuaded?


    The old marquis finally opened his eyes and said slowly, ¡°Chunyu, you sit down. It¡¯s a woman¡¯s business to have children. You¡¯ll only make things worse if you go.¡±


    ¡± But ...¡±


    ¡± But what? Will you deliver the baby or how? You are a gentleman in there, will make women embarrassed, understand?¡± The marquis said.


    ¡± I can¡¯t deliver a baby, but with me, I can at least drum up the strength for Yaoyao!¡± Xia Chunyu depressed way, it was his wife, he didn¡¯t care the taboo.


    The marquis gave him a leer and thought he still wanted to cheer up, maybe Jinxuan was okay, but he was scared to death. It was said that it was terrible for a woman to have children!


    ¡± Stay for me quietly.¡± The marquis ordered him directly.


    Xia Chunyu was so angry that he had to sit down and look at the three men at the house. None of them was a good thing. It wasn¡¯t their wife, they didn¡¯t know how distressed he was.


    In the delivery room, Ye Jiayao was pale and sweated like a pulp. Fuck! She wanted a caesarean section...


    It hurt too much. It really hurt beyond imagination.


    Caesarean section was a good thing. When a dose of anesthetic went down, people didn¡¯t know anything, and they could hug the baby when they waked up.


    Unfortunately, this was an extravagant hope, which had not such a good technology in ancient times!


    ¡± Jinxuan, hold on, midwife has said, in another two hours, the uterus will be almost open.¡± You soothed Ye Jiayao while wiping her sweat.


    What? She had pained for more than three hours, and the interval of pain was getting shorter and shorter, but there was still another two hours of pain?


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to kill a person.


    It was too desperate.


    Qiao alsoforted: ¡°Sister inw, the first child is always harder. I have had a pain of two days and a night when I give birth to Niuniu. Your condition is much better than mine. It is estimated that children will be born before dawn.¡±


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to die this time.


    Was this a constion? The more theyforted, the more she was frustrated!


    This kind of torture wouldst until dawn, and she wouldn¡¯t be able to live.


    Ye Jiayao was afraid of pain, extremely afraid of pain, and wanted to shout out, but she felt humiliated. She was also afraid of being heard by Chunyu. That guy might not be able to help but rush in. She didn¡¯t want him to see her in this mess. Therefore, she endured quite hard.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to take the time to rest and nourish yourself when it¡¯s not painful, even if it¡¯s just a moment of fascination.¡± This was the experience of You.


    Ye Jiayao wept silently in grief. She wanted to sleep, but could she sleep?


    She was thinking of giving birth to a few more sons and daughters, but now she didn¡¯t want to kill herself again. If she could survive this time, she would thank the god.


    Time seemed to freeze, every minute and every second was extremely long and difficult. Ye Jiayao had a stomachache, and Xia Chunyu in the hall was heartbroken.


    He heard from his colleagues privately that his wife had born for several days and nights and almost died. Some said that her wife could not born naturally, and then she could only be tied to the cow¡¯s back by local means, and even a very unfortunate colleague told him that her wife died in childbirth, resulting one corpse and two lives.


    In a word, none of what he heard was as smooth as a henying eggs, which made him jumpy.


    So, his mood was rather tangled. He was looking forward to the birth of the child quickly and thinking about not being born so early, and he was afraid that Yaoyao couldn¡¯t survive. If there was any reason, he thought he didn¡¯t have the courage to face what one corpse and two lives, then it was better to have two corpse and three lives directly.


    On that day when he was seriously injured, Yaoyao cried in his ears and said: ¡°Chunyu, I can¡¯t live without you.¡±


    In fact, he also wanted to say, ¡°Yaoyao, I don¡¯t know what it means to live without you.¡±


    In the face of thousands of troops and thousands of enemies, in the face of the blood sea and mountains of bodies, he would not wrinkle his brows, but it was rted to Yaoyao and his son, and he couldn¡¯t even afford the slightest damage. He didn¡¯t care if others would say he was spineless or cowardly, that¡¯s what he was.


    Xia Chunyu finally could not bear it. He slipped out of the nt hall while the big guys were dozing with their eyes closed.


    As soon as he entered the main wing room, You jumped up from his chair and drove relentlessly: ¡°What are you doing here? Hurry up and get out. This is not the ce where you cane. ¡±


    ¡°Mother, let me go in and take a look at it,¡± Xia Chunyu pleaded with a bitter face.


    ¡± No, men can¡¯t go into the delivery room. Go out quickly,¡± You said.


    ¡± Why not? That¡¯s my wife.¡± Xia Chunyu froze and refused to go, his eyes staring at the thick curtain, vaguely hearing Yaoyao¡¯s dull groans and cries, pulling up his heart.


    It must be very painful! The pain couldn¡¯t be called out yet. Yaoyao was a face-saving person. What could this do?


    ¡± Even woman does it. There¡¯s a lot of stress here, a lot of talk, but you can¡¯t go in anyway.¡± You were adamant not to let him in.


    Qiao sighed silently, s ... only Chunyu loved her wife. She had two children, and it was a life of suffering and death, but Chunli never cared so much about her.


    It was true that people had to die ifpared to others.


    Xia Chunyu was stopped from entering by his mother. He couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Yaoyao, don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ll be out there. If you need me, you¡¯ll squeak. Nobody can stop me.¡±


    ¡± Yaoyao, cry out if you hurt yourself, don¡¯t endure it, it doesn¡¯t matter if you speak loudly, no one willugh at you, who dares tough, and I won¡¯t let himugh in his life ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao heard it and wept, but her heart was better.


    Although Chunyu was not around her, Chunyu¡¯s heart had always been around her. She struggled in pain. He also suffered so much. She couldn¡¯t let him see her now, or he would love dearly.


    ¡± You go quickly, I can¡¯t cry when you are here,¡± said Ye Jiayao while the pain was not so severe.


    You immediately said, ¡± Do you hear what wife has said? Go out quickly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face was pale. Yaoyao said it with a tearful voice. It showed how much she hurt.


    He wanted to rush in to apany her, hold her hand, and both of them suffered together and worked together, at least better than her alone.


    Other people wouldn¡¯t let him not be afraid, but Yaoyao wouldn¡¯t let him in, so he couldn¡¯t go in. if Yaoyao got angry, the consequences would be very serious.


    Xia Chunyu took two steps in frustration and looked back again, shouting, ¡°Yaoyao, you must hold on, you must be safe, otherwise, I will give you back what you have said as it is.¡±


    Then he went out with his head down and didn¡¯t want others to see the tears in his eyes.


    He didn¡¯t want want any more kids, just this one was going to drive him crazy.


    In the delivery room, Ye Jiayao¡¯s tears became more turbulent. She said on the same day that she could not live without him.


    Now Chunyu wanted to tell her this sentence too?


    This guy, why made it like life-death separation, thought she was not painful enough? Wasn¡¯t it just having children? The midwife said that if the baby was in a correct position, it would certainly be able to give birth smoothly, and she would not die young!


    The heartmented a few words, but it was a few more courage. Everyone else could do it. How could she not do it?


    This was her long-awaited child, a witness to her love with Chunyu, and this child was the hope of the whole Jing¡¯an marquis house.


    She imagined so much about the kid, would the child be like him or like her?


    She had made so many small clothes, from infancy to the age of three, she would watch her children grow up day by day in her new clothes.


    Therefore, she must let her child be born smoothly and became her and his pride.

 Chapter 412 - Baby is coming

    <h4>Chapter 412: Baby ising</h4>


    With the first sunshine rising in the morning, a loud cry shook all the people in marquis house who had endured a night of mental exhaustion.


    The old duke, who seemed to have gone to sleep, mmed his eyes on the table and gave a loudugh and praise: ¡± Listen to this cry. It¡¯s earth-shattering indeed. Grandfather like a tiger has no grandson like a dog. ¡±


    Xia Chunli and Xia Chunfeng, who were confused, had not yet been frightened by the child¡¯s crying, but had been surprised by the old duke¡¯s p and slid to the ground.


    Then he was stunned by the duke¡¯s shameless remarks about taking credit.


    He had never heard of the saying that grandfather liked a tiger had no grandson liked a dog.It was clear that the father liked a tiger had no son liked a dog, his father was too shameless.


    Xia Chunyu, who had been wandering outside the delivery room all night, heard this crying, stayed in the petrified, and looked at the curtain incredulously, for fear of his own auditory hallucinations.


    Song Qi said happily, ¡± Congrattions on the birth of your son.¡±


    This night was really not easy.Heir-son Lord spent a night in this yard, how to persuade him to go back to the house to rest,but he didn¡¯t.They had to stand here like a wooden stake to watch the Heir-son Lord turned round and round, and went back and forth.


    Song Qi looked at the gorgeous sunrise in the sky at a 45 ¨C degree angle. He had an impulse to cry, which was not easy.It tortured him more than to be a father.


    Xia Chunyu reacted with relief. He also felt indescribable in another way. He was grateful for joy and fear. His child was born and finally gave birth. How is Yaoyao?


    Mother sun lifted a soft cotton ¨C padded curtain and gave the good news: ¡°Heir-son Lord, he is a beautiful and strong little Heir-son.¡±


    ¡± Ha ha ... reward, everyone has reward.¡± The old duke stalked out of the nt hall and pped Chunyu on the shoulder: ¡± Son, good job, good job.¡±


    Xia Chunyu was speechless. What was this call?What was a good job?It sounded strange.


    Then came out Chunli and Chunfeng and looked at each other, saying, ¡± father has gone mad with joy.¡± .


    In the delivery room, Ye Jiayao was so tired that her eyes couldn¡¯t be opened, and when the midwife said he was a healthy little Heir-son, she just breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes and fell asleep.


    Although You¡¯s heart was entirely devoted to this little life that had just arrived, she still had to do her duty of being a mother-inw first and asked Dr. Jiang,he said Jinxuan was just too tired to sleep and everything else was fine,only then could she safely go to see the midwife to clean up the grandson.


    ¡± Madam, there are not many thousands or hundreds of children who have been delivered in my hand. This is the first time I have seen such a beautiful child. Other children have just been born and are crumpled and lean. They don¡¯t look like little Heir-son , pink and tender, and even his fingers are fat ...¡±


    The midwife praised that although she had ttering intentions, she was telling the truth.


    You was very happy to listen and looked at her grandson. The more she looked, the more she liked it. It was like Chunyu when he was a child. No, it was more lovely than Chunyu when he was a child.


    ¡± Madam, you see how powerful the shin pedal of the little Heir-son is. He must be stronger than the Heir-son Lord when he grows up in the future.¡± Mother Sun was also grinning, this little guy was so adorable that her heart would melt when she looked at it.


    Qiao thought of his son, who was the size of a mouse when he was born. She looked pathetic and could not help admiring him: ¡± It¡¯s strange to say that the baby was well raised in the womb, and the younger siblings don¡¯t eat much, and the taste is still so strange. How can such a stocky child be born?¡±


    You gave her an angry look: ¡± People eat less, but the nutrition they eat is all on their children. Like you, the delicacies, ginseng and bird¡¯s nest,nutrition you eat is all on yourself.¡±


    She was hurt by her mother ¨C in ¨Cw, but Qiao was not angry. She only looked at her girth, which was much thicker. Not only was she depressed, but she did not lose weight after such a long time.


    After a while, the child was washed and the midwife carefully wrapped it up with a quilt and handed it over to You. You held it in her arms and her smiling mouth did not close properly. It was really a feeling of holding the heart flesh, more exciting than when she was a mother to held Chunyu for the first time .


    ¡± Madam, hurry up and show it to the duke and the Heir-son Lord. Both of them are in a hurry,¡± Mother Sun warned with a smile.


    Then came the scene.


    You and the duke surrounded the child and one said, ¡± oh, my grandson is like me. look at the eyebrows, nose and mouth ...¡±


    ¡± As far as your round eyes,cow devil¡¯s nose and thick lips, are you not bashful enough to say that the child is like you?Clearly it¡¯s like me, you see how delicate these eyebrows are ... ¡±


    ¡± Bah, my grandson is a look at the heroic force, where is delicate?Which one is like you?¡±


    ¡± The child is like his father and his father is like me, so the child is like me .Look in the mirror, if it weren¡¯t for me to improve your Xia family, you could have such a brilliant son and you could have such a lovely grandson?¡± Somebody was justly justified.


    The three sons were speechless.


    Was this still a dignified mother?Was this still a dignified father?


    Chunyu was the most helpless and anxious person . It was very difficult to see his son held out. As a result, he didn¡¯t even look at his son clearly and had no chance to held him in his arms. His son was taken over by his father and mother.My father and mother, er, could you pity me for this first time as a father ?


    Forgot it,he couldn¡¯tpete with them. he¡¯d better see his wife first.


    Ye Jiayao slept deeply, he waiting for her to wake up after two hours.


    ¡± Yaoyao, you wake up!¡±


    As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Chunyu sitting on the bed with deep and clear eyes looking at her softly.


    ¡± How do you feel now?Does it still hurt?What¡¯s wrong?¡± Some people talked and inquired, and the strong concern was beyond expression.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head, and everything else was fine except for her strength. She turned her eyes and found that only she and Chunyu were in the room.


    ¡°Where is my child?¡±


    When asked about the child, Xia Chunyu resentfully said: ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, the child was taken away.¡±


    ¡± Ah?¡± Ye Jiayao puzzled, who dared to rob her son?


    Xia Chunyu exined: ¡°Our children are too likable. They were previously arrogant by our father and mother. I want to hold our baby. Butter ancestor and Yide princess royal came and were taken over by ancestor ...¡±


    Uh ... that was what happened.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a happy event for the family of Helian? Is there any time for the ancestors and Yide princess royal toe over?¡± Ye Jiayao questioned.


    ¡± Yes, I also said that they should hurry back and don¡¯t dy the wedding, but the ancestor said, Yes, Chunyu, you should hurry over to help, the child will be handed over to her. Yaoyao, listen to what this means. She doesn¡¯t care about her own grandson¡¯s wedding, but she has to take over my son and ask me to go ... ¡± Xia Chunyuined.


    Ye Jiayao looked at Chunyu, a face of anger, and could not helpughing: ¡± So, you haven¡¯t held our child up to now?¡±


    ¡± More than that?I didn¡¯t even take a look at my son. Too much, as soon as I got close, they looked at me like predators.That¡¯s my son, ok? These guys are happy and don¡¯t even regard me as a dad at all. ¡± Xia Chunyu said gloomily.


    Ye Jiayao really sympathized with him. As the Heir-son Lord of marquis house, he had always been the focus of everyone¡¯s attention. Nowadays, the limelight was all upied by his son, and he was so cold, pitiful and pitiful!


    ¡± Yaoyao, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go and get my son back for you to see.¡± Xia Chunyu vowed.


    ¡± I don¡¯t worry, I am the mother of the child, I worry about what!Later, they will send my son back in good faith. ¡± Ye Jiayao said confidently. Although she wanted to see her son very much, it was also her pride to be a mother.She could understand the feelings of the elders, so-called alternate generation love.


    ¡± Why?Then I¡¯m still the father of the child!¡± Xia Chunyu said angrily.


    ¡± Because the child wants to eat ...¡± Ye Jiayao said proudly.


    Er ... Xia Chunyu was dumbfounded. Why didn¡¯t he think of thisyer?


    When it came to feeding, in a short time you really came to see ye jiayao with her child in You¡¯s arms.


    From a distance she heard the crying sound, and Ye Jiayao¡¯s heart was pulled up inexplicably.


    ¡± Jinxuan, the child is hungry, you should quick to feed him and let the nursee if the breast milk has not yet passed.¡± You looked at her grandson crying miserably and his face flushed red, which was called ¡± love dearly¡±.If it weren¡¯t for Dr. Jiang¡¯s saying that this breast milk had better be from her mother, she would have called for a nurse and couldn¡¯t let her baby grandson starve.


    Ye Jiayao asked Chunyu to help her up quickly and held her own child, which caused a flood of maternal tenderness.


    This was her and Chunyu¡¯s child. His crying eyes and nose were all wrinkled together. She couldn¡¯t see he looked like who. How pathetic!


    ¡°Jinxuan, hurry up!¡± You distressed her grandson and urged her.


    Ye Jiayao was a little embarrassed. That ... were they here watching her breast-feed ?


    As a result, the two people did not feel a little bit ufortable at all, but eagerly stared at her.


    Ye Jiayao had to lean sideways, lifted up her clothes and feed the child.


    When she fed her child, the child stopped crying, instinctively opened his mouth to hold it, and then sucked it with great concentration.


    Ye Jiayao gasped. This little guy was very strong.


    Xia Chunyu leaned over and looked intently at the baby¡¯s feeding. For the first time since the baby was born, he was able to look at the baby so closely and quietly. He had to say that the baby was really good ¨C looking, with delicate eyebrows, a small but skillful nose and a thinyer of fluff on his tender skin.The more he looked, the more he liked it.


    This was his son, the feeling of blood connection, it was so wonderful.


    Xia Chunyu stretched out his hand and tried to touch the child¡¯s head, but as soon as his hand touched it, the child¡¯s small arm waved.It seemed to be protesting that he is bothering him to eat.


    You said: ¡°Chunyu, don¡¯t make a noise, let him eat well.¡±

 Chapter 413 - Sorry

    <h4>Chapter 413: Sorry</h4>


    Xia Chunyu bitterly withdrew his hand and felt that he had no ce in his mother¡¯s heart now and waspletely reced by this little fellow.


    Ye Jiayao suffered from the child¡¯s pain, but she gnashed her teeth and endured it. After eating for half a day, this little fellow ate a head of sweat and didn¡¯t eat anything. He couldn¡¯t help crying aloud and then continuing to eat, over and over again.


    Seeing the child¡¯s pathetic little appearance, You couldn¡¯t help but order Xia Chunyu, ¡°Chunyu, youe ...¡±


    Well, Xia Chunyu just looked at his mother: ¡°I¡¯ming? What am I doing?¡± He also whispered in his heart that he didn¡¯t have any milk.


    You said urgently, ¡°Youe to suck it up. Do you see that your son is exhausted?¡±


    Under this, Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao blushed like boiled crabs.


    This was an embarrassment.


    Ye Jiayao thought Chunyu would refuse and would find a way to send his mother away. But this fellow shed a smirk in his eyes and then touched his nose and said, ¡± That ... mother, you should go out first, or Jinxuan will be embarrassed.¡±


    He was very willing to do this kind of good work on his behalf.


    It was a pity that Ye Jiayao had no strength at the moment, or she would kick this fellow out.


    You paused and looked at Jinxuan¡¯s blushing face. She almost dropped blood. ¡°Then you have to work hard. You must suck it out,¡± she said.¡±I¡¯ll see if the pig¡¯s foot soup is ready in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡± No hard work, no hard work, all for the sake of my son!¡± Xia Chunyu pushed his mother out.


    As soon as he turned back, he looked at Ye Jiayao with a wry smile: ¡± Son, your father hase to help you.¡±


    ¡± Bah, get out of here.¡± Ye Jiayao was ashamed to dig a hole in the ground. This fellow was malicious.


    Xia Chunyu Yi was just saying, ¡± Yaoyao, this is a matter of food and clothing for our children. This is a top priority. Don¡¯t think about it, OK? Do you see that our son¡¯s tender little lips are all broken? Tears in the eyes, full head and big sweat, pitiful to see, love me dearly ... ¡±


    Damn you, didn¡¯t he look at himself in the mirror to see what he loked like now, but he also said so grandiose. But looking down at her son in her arms, he was still trying hard to suck. What was nursing strength, she had seen, it was too hard!


    Tears were still hanging out of the corner of his eye, and a bubble appeared on his small lips. Ye Jiayao was too sad to talk about it. Forget it, as long as he could make his son eat milk smoothly, she could not consider so much.


    Seeing that Ye Jiayao did not object, Xia Chunyu cheered in his heart and leaned forward and said to his son, ¡± Come, son, let¡¯spete to see who gets the milk first. Although you exceed me so much, but I should give you an edge.¡±


    Ye Jiayao almost didn¡¯t hold back her breath. He bastard, he didn¡¯t have a serious face in front of his son. He owed a beating! If he taught her son badly, she would fight hard with him..


    After a wick of incense, someone looked sadly at the little fellow who enjoyed eating milk and dancing from time to time, feeling frustrated. I lost to the boy and was tragically despised by his wife.


    Ye Jiayao finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to catch someone.


    ¡± You don¡¯t go to Helian Mansion?¡±


    Someone stood by and said, ¡± No, I want to see my son.¡±


    ¡± You are not afraid of Helian Xuan break up with you? Little Jing is not here again. If you don¡¯t go, won¡¯t he even have a brother? Hurriedly, you¡¯re already a father, and you even don¡¯t have constitution yet. ¡± Ye Jiayao scolded.


    Xia Chunyu said disapprovingly, ¡°Who has said Little Jing is not here? He must havee back at the moment, and Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan have alsoe back. There are many good brothers, and I am not the only one. The father is the father on the first day and his son is the most important.¡±


    Ye Jiayao stared at him meaningfully: ¡°Little Jing is back? And Susu and Zhao Qixuan?¡±


    ¡± Yes, and A Ruan, Little Jing has written a letter long ago, letting me hide from Helian Xuan, so as to give him a big surprise.¡± Someone had only his son in his eyes, but he didn¡¯t find that someone had already been angry, and hepletely forgot what he said three days ago.


    He said that someone was not in tune, not only attaching importance to color but also despising friends, but also neglecting his own brother.


    ¡± Xia Chunyu ...¡±


    Xia Chunyu fought a cold war in a spirit ¨C stirring way, and this just came true. His wife was angry.


    ¡± That ... I also want to give you a surprise, um ... that¡¯s what Little Jing asks, it¡¯s none of my business!¡± Someone is very ungrateful in pulling Little Jing out of the top jar.


    Ye Jiayao turned supercilious look: ¡± Oh? Is it a requirement of Little Jing? Let me have a look at the letter. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu dared not to show her the letter and said, ¡°Yaoyao, I finally think, you¡¯re right. No matter whether Little Jinges back or not, I¡¯m a good brother of Helian Xuan. It¡¯s unfit if I don¡¯t go. Then I¡¯ll go first, and I¡¯lle back after drinking the wedding wine. You and our son are fine! I will leave first. ¡±


    Xia Chunyu saw that the situation was not good and immediately wiped oil off his feet.


    Ye Jiayao watched him escape from the wild. She couldn¡¯t helpughing and finally drove this fellow away.


    At the bottom, she looked at her son with gentle eyes and said: ¡°Son, your father¡¯s not such out of tune at ordinary times. He¡¯s just so happy because you finally havee to us ...¡±


    For Helian Xuan¡¯s wedding, the emperor didn¡¯t arrive, butpresented a generous gift of congrattion. Officials from both civil and military came to congratte him. The scene was very lively.


    Zhao Qixuan and others knew that Xia Chunyu had upgraded to be a father. They were so happy that they forgot the original intention ofing to get drunk with the groom and set their sights on Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu let his tongue be full of lotus flowers, which were full of tricks. It was just like a word ... What if he got drunk and suffocated his son? Were they responsible?


    He refused all the people who hade to join the party.


    ¡°If you want to drink, wait for my son¡¯s full moon, you will bring gifts, and I will drink whatever you want. If I dare to frown, I will have my surname.¡± Someone said with great pride.


    They had disdain, but also took gift? Taking advantage of the opportunity to make money for his son, right?


    It was too unpromising. Since he married his wife who was a first-ss businesswoman, his mind had been full of these tricks.


    As a result, this night, someone who was originally responsible for blocking the wine for the groom¡¯s official was almost not drinking, so the groom was poor and drank directly down.


    Originally, a group of people wanted to go to the bridal chamber. As a result, they were kicked out one by one by bride and were all honest.


    The next day, in addition to the drunken Helian Xuan, all members of Helian Mansion went to Jing¡¯an marquis house, and even the bride left the bridegroom¡¯s office to follow.


    Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi also came early in the morning.


    Chunyu was the first father among them. Besides, Ye Jiayao was a person everyone admired and liked very much. Therefore, everyone valued this child very much.


    Xia Chunyu grabbed his son to present his treasure this time.


    ¡°Look, look, this is my son, handsome, beautiful! Only I, Xia Chunyu,can give birth to such a good son, can you do it?¡± someone stank a lot.


    The crowd was a burst of contempt.


    ¡°Do you bear? Doesn¡¯t my sister give birth? It¡¯s my elder sister Yaoyao¡¯s credit. Can you have a son without her?¡± Helian Jing first refused to ept.


    ¡°It¡¯s all you wife¡¯s credit, but it¡¯s none of your business!¡± Zhao Qixuan chimed in.


    ¡°She could have born without me?¡± Xia Chunyu was rightfully justified.


    The crowd burst into silence, sighing and sighing. At the beginning, the guy with a face of facial paralysis was cold and proud. But now, he didn¡¯t see anyone in a year. How could he be so fresh? It was puzzling.


    However, the child did grow very pleasing, and everyone was toozy to dispute with the smelly fart¡¯s father. He surrounded the child one by one with gold locks and gold bracelets.


    ¡°Elder brother Chunyu, I want to discuss something with you!¡± Zhao Qixuan said with a shy smile.


    ¡± What is it?¡± Someone was now very proud, and his tone of voice made others want to beat him.


    ¡± That ... Susu and I can your son¡¯s adopted parents?¡± Zhao Qixuan walked over.


    ¡± I also want to be.¡± Helian Jing came to help.


    ¡± Go away, you have already been younger uncle, but also want to be adopted father? You should be content. ¡± Zhao Qixuan pushed away Helian Jing and instead asked Xia Chunyu smilingly,¡±All right?¡±


    He didn¡¯t have a chance to be a father in his life. It was rare to see such an eye-catching child. He really couldn¡¯t the fact, but also wanted to be an adopted father forfort.


    Xia Chunyu understood Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi¡¯s ideas. In fact, he had no opinion. They were his good friends. Although they were not as good as he and Helian Xuan, they were also called ¡± friends of life and death¡±. What¡¯s more, they were also among the dragons and phoenixes, a talented and elegant woman, a wealthy and rich man who could afford his son¡¯s adopted parents. He believed Yaoyao would not object to this matter.


    He was narrow ¨C eyed and smiled: ¡°Do you really want?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan nodded.


    That Su Yi didn¡¯t express her opinion was tantamount to acquiescence, and her eyes still showed a rare look of hope.


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡°The adopted parents are not so easy to be. First of all, you must express your sincerity.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan didn¡¯t open his mouth, so Su Yi said, ¡°No problem, 28 shops in the border trade city, all the proceeds from the title deed should be presented as gifts, and is the sincerity enough?¡±


    Even Zhao Qixuan suffered a pain in the flesh when she said this.


    Xia Chunyu was secretly pumping air, so generous. The title deeds and all the proceeds of the 28 shops were definitely a frightening amount. This gift was sincere enough.


    He dropped a lovely son. s, his son was richer than him since the day after he was born.


    ¡± Oh, what I meant was to say that you should recognize my son as a adopted son, but you can¡¯t recognize one arbitrarily.¡± Xia Chunyu walked over.


    Su Yimented: ¡°Do you think everyone can raise my interest?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled and said, ¡°That¡¯s what it is. I think I have a special affinity with my adopted son. I like him at first sight.¡±


    ¡± Ha ha, but since you have said that so sincerely and wanted to give your adopted son a gift, I will ept it for my son?¡± Someone had the audacity to say.


    The crowd turned supercilious, did he know how to write ¡°embarrassment¡±?

 Chapter 414 - Name Dispute

    <h4>Chapter 414: Name Dispute</h4>


    Ye Jiayao didn¡¯t know at this time that it was only a short time. His son, who was born less than 24 hours, had already had two adoptive father, and was also the owner of the twenty-eight stores. He was having a good chat with Na Ya and A Ruan.


    This time, A Ruan was in the identity of A Qin ¡®s sister , and the king Nanyue was also a sneak peek, directly letting the two people give their marriage in Nanyue. She had already told the people of Nanyue. Could you hold the Song Emperor against this marriage?She had not only sacrificed personal happiness for the peace and tranquility of Song Dynasty, but even the life was gone.It still couldn¡¯t bear to give her a young Royal Highness in Nanyue.


    This was also thest step in Ye Jiayao¡¯s n, she specifically to let Little Jing go to Nanyue, that was to let Little Jing handle the?king Nanyue by himself. As long as there was willing to cooperate, everything would be all right absolutely. As a result, Little Jing didn¡¯t spend much time at all. The king Nanyue was deeply moved by Little Jing¡¯s constant affection and wished to send two people directly.


    In this way, the problem of A Ruan¡¯s identity had beenpletely solved, and she could be the princess of Jing Royal Highness in Helian Mansion. Twin sisters, of course, were the same in looks. It was no surprise that they had different characters. Even if some people doubted ,but the people in Nanyue said she was A Qin, it was no use doubting.


    Of course, this kind of drama could only deceive outsiders. One of their own couldn¡¯t be cheated. She believed Yide princess royal must have a knot in her heart. After all, A Ruan was once Princess Yu, but what the things was done , and even princess royal couldn¡¯t say ¡± no¡±. If it was leaked out, the consequences would be very serious.


    In short,Little Jing and A Ruan finally got what they wanted.


    ¡± What do these people always look the child? We haven¡¯t?hold it!?¡± A Ruanined. He had been held up by his ancestors and refused to give up. She could only stand and watch. Yaoyao¡¯s son was too cute and looked very beautiful. He was carved in the same looks as Chunyu . He slept so sweet that he could spit milk bubbles in his mouth and let a person couldn¡¯t help but wanted to bite.


    Not easily, the ancestor was invited by aunt, and the child was robbed by Chunyu again. s ¡­ it was so difficult to hold the child.


    Naya also said, ¡± Yes, they¡¯ve been watching for a long time and haven¡¯t seen enough yet??I¡¯ll get him back.?¡±


    Said angrily to rob the child.


    A few men met at the head to amuse the child, and the baby woke up now and looked around with big and dark eyes.


    ¡°Hey, these little eyes are so bright!¡± Little Jing praised.


    ¡± What? Small eyes, Helian Jing, what kind of eyesight do you have??Will you watch it? ¡± Zhao Qixuan immediately retorted.


    Little Jing quickly corrected the mistake: ¡± Big eyes, big eyes, big twinkle eyes. ¡±


    ¡°This is okay, and see clearly who the son is...¡±


    Someone seemed to have forgotten that he was the adoptive father, causing Xia Chunyu to re: ¡± To be clear, whose the son is ?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan smiled quickly: ¡± Your son, your son, my adoptive son, OK?Adoptive son,e, give me a smile ... ¡±


    Su Yi only looked at the children in the arms with eyes spoiling, with a rare tenderness.


    People had to say the word ¡± fate¡± among themselves. In this life, the people he met are various and numerous. However, as for this child, he felt like the child at the first sight and wanted to spoil him and care for him, and then there were some regrets. This feeling was subtle and unclear. It was not until Qixuan proposed to recognize him as a adoptive son that he was suddenly enlightened that he realized what those minor regrets were, and that this child reminded him of his desire to be a father.


    ¡± So small, could heugh? ¡± Xia Chunyu remembered that Zhuangzhuang and Niuniu would onlyugh after more than ten days.


    Just then, the baby smiled.


    Everyone was very excited: ¡± He is smiling ...¡±


    The next moment, the little baby¡¯s mouth was clearly bent downward,and then he burst into tears.


    ¡°Oh, how are you crying? This ... This is what happened!¡± Lao Zhao said innocently.


    Su Yi hurriedly adjusted his posture. Did his posture was wrong and the child was not feeling well?


    Xia Chunyu said with great experience: ¡± He should be hungry and want to eat breast milk.?¡±


    ¡± That you give him to eat hurriedly! ¡°Little Jing said .


    Xia Chunyu was embarrassed: ¡± I don¡¯t have any breast milk. What do I feed him??¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you finished??Look at you,you¡¯ve made the child cry.?¡± Naya walked in directly and carried the child directly from Su Yi¡¯s hand.


    Just now, she was still a tigress, and the next moment she became very gentle.


    ¡± Baby, don¡¯t cry, aunt holds you, aunt takes you to your mother ...¡±


    She said and left.


    It was just a breathing, the child was robbed in this way, but no one stepped forward to stop it, let alone snatch it back.


    One way was stunned, heroine Naya, princess Helian, even incredibly also had such a gentle side like water? Secondly, we did not dare to argue. Last night we saw how Naya ferocious was. Zhao Qixuan was kicked out of the door with one foot, lying on the ground for half a day, and who dared to provoke her?


    Ai...


    Dejected one by one.


    His son was so popr, Ye Jiayao was very proud at the beginning. It was very happy. Later, Ye Jiayao became depressed. In addition to the children who wanted to eat breast milk, she could hold the child for a while. It was difficult to meet her son at other times.


    Xia Chunyu was no better than her, only the two couples looked at each other.


    Then let Ye Jiayao depressed things happened.


    The old duke¡¯s generation was a word ¡°zhuo¡±generation, Chunyu¡¯s generation was a word ¡°chun¡± generation, and her son was a word ¡°tai¡± generation, aiming at peace and national security. The name of Zhuang Zhuang?was Xia Taian, hoping Zhuang Zhuang would have peaceful and healthy life. Ye Jiayao and Chunyu pondered for several days ording to metal, wood, water, fire, earth and name stroke, thinking about several fairly loud names, such as Xia Taiyu and Xia Tailin, etc. In this regard, Ye Jiayao was not very satisfied. Why must his son be a word ¡°Tai¡± generation, and felt anything was not pleasant to listen to.


    As a result, one day, the old duke excitedly took a few names to let Ye Jiayao and Chunyu choose, and announced the name when he was ready to hold the full month wine.


    Ye Jiayao almost passed out.


    Xia Taiyang¡­..Xia Sun¡­


    Xia Taishan¡­... Is it Tarzan?


    Xia Taiyi¡­..Is it a doctor?


    Oh, my god! This was all bad names. Ye Jiayao grabbed Xia Chunyu: ¡± I don¡¯t care. You tell your father that my son can¡¯t call such a bad name anyway. Why must it be a word ¡°tai¡± in the middle? Can¡¯t other words do it??¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± However, these names have been thought out by my father for several months. If we don¡¯tply him with these names, I¡¯m afraid he will not be happy.?¡±


    ¡± Chunyu, I really don¡¯t want to speak badly of our father, but the level of?the names what he thought is really not so good. You see your name, Chunyu, donkey, now my son will continue your tragedy? The name is to follow a person for a lifetime. ¡± Ye Jiayao was very sad, but also very determined. She would fight for a good name for her son to the end.


    Xia Chunyu disgruntled:¡± Why is Xia Chunyu¡¯s name bad? I live to now,I am only called an ass by you. Others don¡¯t have your brain. Moreover, my name was given by my grandfather, not by my father. ¡±


    ¡± Visible the name that your grandfather thought is not good, the somebody else just afraid to call you face to face, secretly call you, can you hear? ¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Xia Chunyu frowned at the names and said, ¡± In fact, I think the other two are good except the name Taifei, Taiyang, the rising sun are shining brightly. Was our son born at sunrise??Taishan is also good, mighty and domineering, a manly gentleman, standing tall like a mountain ... ¡±


    ¡± Stop, anyway, I don¡¯t like it, do it at your own discretion. ¡± Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t tell him, did she tell him there was a movie called Tarzan in another time and space??The inside of Mount Tai was surrounded by a leaf, which was like a monkey running around in the forest?


    Xia Chunyu was very difficult. His father was cheerful and Yaoyao was so resolute. Of course he couldn¡¯t let Yaoyaoe forward to oppose his father. He had to do this difficult thing. Now he just knew why men call men. It turned out to be difficult people.


    Xia Chunyu had to consult his father.


    As a result, both father and mother thought that the names were very good, but they despised Xia Taiyu and Xia Taichang, saying that the grandchild of the elder sister-inw¡¯s family had already called Yuyu, and could not repeat, and Taichang was tacky, and that the tterer of Chunli was trying to tter his father, saying that the name what his father thought was very good, with a good moral and clear voice.


    The old duke was veryfortable and felt more intelligent than ever. He was too knowledgeable.


    Xia Chunyu came back in vain, and was swear by Ye Jiayao. She drove him out of the room and made a swearing. If the child called any of those names, he would not enter the door again.


    Xia Chunyu stood outside the door,sighing and crying.


    He didn¡¯t think his fame, and he was not afraid of any difficulties, today was baffled by his son¡¯s name. Shit, his favorite name was Xia Tianci, wasn¡¯t his baby son the best gift from God?


    What should I do? Xia Chunyu thought hard for a few days and finally came up with a trick.


    So, someone always called the child in ears again and again ,Tianci ,Tianci¡­..When nobody around him.


    Didn¡¯t disappoint to Chunyu. Finally, after a period of special training, every time he called Tianci, the child would smiled at him.


    Xia Chunyu was ted and said to the child at the cradle: ¡± Children, the name Tianci is yours, and the names your mother has given are not exactly good. I¡¯m just embarrassed to hit her.?There¡¯s no way to reason with a woman. You talk reason with her, she will nder you, you nder her, she will be angry, if you angry with her, she will cry ¡­ really ¡­ ah, when you grow up and have someone you like, you will know the taste. ¡±

 Chapter 415 - Providence to decide

    <h4>Chapter 415: Providence to decide</h4>


    On the day before the full moon wine, the family sat together to determine the name of the child, holding a formal family meeting for a name, which was the first time in the family Xia.


    No way, because the father and his son had different opinions and disputed.


    The old marquis thought he couldn¡¯t get any better with his several names, and he had the support of his wife and eldest son. And Jinxuan also said these names were good.


    It was Chunyu¡¯s inability to understand, and he was stubborn to the end, he insisted that the name was good but not loud enough, and thought that his son should take a better name, just like a stupid donkey.


    The old marquis was confident that he would win even if by voting, so he could hold a family meeting with confidence and boldness.


    He didn¡¯t know who was behind the promotion of this meeting. The real opponent was Jinxuan, and she was firmly opposed by 100,000 points.


    However, Ye Jiayao was also kept in the dark and did not know that Xia Chunyu was working so hard, but actually had other ns.


    Xia Chunyu assured her that he would get it done and let her not attend the meeting tonight so as not to get caught in the middle.


    Ye Jiayao was still touched. He was a man of bearing. She also rewarded him with a kiss and promised him that if he could handle this matter, he would be rewarded like this and made his heart itched.


    As for the main characters in this meeting, the newly born young Heir-son would naturally be present.


    At the moment, the little fellow opened his big ck eyes in grandmother You¡¯s arms, looked at this one and then looked at that one, listened to the heated debate among the adults, and sucked the small fist which was tender pink and plump with relish.


    ¡± Chunfeng, which name is best on earth in you opinion? ¡± The old marquis wanted to strike Xia Chunyupletely, as long as he pulls Chunfeng to his camp, Chunyu would be fighting alone helpless.


    Xia Chunyu winked at Chunfeng. Chunfeng took an empty fist next his lip, dry cough twice, and drily smiled: ¡± I think the names took by father are all good.?¡±


    The old marquis proudly straightened up his waist, but chunfeng soon let him frustrated in a word. He couldn¡¯t help ring at him.


    Chunfeng said this: ¡± However, I think the second brother¡¯s name is better. Tianci, a baby from God and a gift from God. It¡¯s good. ¡±


    ¡± You don¡¯t forget, the younger¡¯s generation is Tai generation, this is the rule set by forefathers.?¡± The old marquis said righteously.


    Xia Chunfeng skimmed the mouth, shit a rule set the forefathers, not dad youe up with??Passed the buck to the forefathers, said that now the country was prosperous and the people were safe, the family Xia had shouldered the important task of protecting the homnd and the nation from generation to generation, and the most expected thing was the peaceful life of the nation. Gave the word ¡°Tai¡± casually,the moral of this word was good, but it was not really pleasant to hear to have ¡°Tai¡± word in the middle.


    The second brother said, if Chunfeng didn¡¯t against now, and the name ¡°Taishan¡± would belong to his sonter.


    s, Chunfeng was also throwing caution to the wind in order to have a good name for his son in the future.


    ¡°This is set by forefathers,it cannot be changed casually, I think Taiyang is good, little Taiyang, wouldn¡¯t you say so??Isn¡¯t that a good name??¡± You firmly support marquis, and asked the little fellow in her arms and smiled.


    But the little fellow only wanted to eat his hands, and he also made a clicking sound.


    Xia Chunyu acted ording to the asion and said, ¡± In this case, it is better to leave it to the child to decide what name he likes.?¡±


    The old marquis scoffed: ¡± what does the child know??How many years will it take for him to know what is good and what is bad??¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s up to providence to decide, then everyone have no words to say!?¡± Xia Chunyu said slowly.


    ¡± God¡¯s will to decide, how to decide??¡± Asked chunfeng.


    Xia Chun yu¡¯s smile was not very clear: ¡± The name Taiyi is passed, Taiyang and Taishan are okey, I have an alternative name ... Tianci, let¡¯s use these three names to call the child, and if the childugh when he hears the name. So it¡¯s his name.?¡±


    ¡± This way is good and interesting. I think it is feasible.?¡± Chunfeng spared no effort to cooperate.


    But he was very worried in the mind, what could the second brother do to let the little nephew have a reaction??If the abacus failed, wouldn¡¯t it be self ¨C defeating?


    As a matter of fact, Xia Chunyu was more worried and silently said in his heart: Son, son, you couldn¡¯t drop the chain at such a critical time. This was rted to the life-long happiness of your father and your mother. You knew your mother was a very vindictive person. If her had a knot in her heart, your father would have to suffer for the rest of our lives, and you have to work hard for your father.


    The old marquis pondered for a while and felt that he upied two names, Chunyu only had one. When the time came, he would speak louder and didn¡¯t his lovely grandson would respond??Hum!?Always his chance was bigger.


    ¡± That¡¯s it, I¡¯ll call.?¡±


    With a wave of his hand, the old marquis decided. He got up and walked beside the child, then they all surrounded.


    The old marquis wanted to shout at top of voice, but when he saw the cute appearance of his baby grandson, he was afraid of scaring his grandson, held his voice naturally and said very gently, ¡± Good grandson, how about calling you Taiyang in the future??Xia Taiyang, how nice ... ¡±


    The little fellow blinked his big dark eyes and looked at grandpa with a confused look.


    ¡± Xia Taiyang ...¡±


    No response.


    ¡± Xia Taishan ...¡±


    Still no response.


    Xia Chunyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His son loved tough and grinned as soon as he was amused. He was really afraid that his son wouldugh when he shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡± Xia Tianci ...¡± Xia Chunyu also called out in a whisper.


    The little fellow¡¯s eyes which were ck like crystal grapes turned, and his small mouth be warped, smiled.


    Xia Chunyu almost jumped up with excitement: ¡± Father, look, he is smiling. He likes the name Tianci.?¡±


    The old marquis shouted with a ck face: ¡± I said I call the names. Why do you call??Maybe he can recognize your voice, this time does not count.?¡±


    Er ... Xia Chunyu was dumbfounded: ¡± Father, you are ying to depend on it.?¡±


    ¡± What can you do if I y to depend on??¡± The old marquis justly said.


    Xia Chunyu had nonguage. The marquis admitted that he had cheated. What can he do with his father??How dare him??But it can¡¯t do like that!


    The old marquis believed that his analysis was correct. Grandson must have recognized his father¡¯s voice, but grandson¡¯s time with him was not short. He coaxed his grandson every day.


    So with a more gentle voice again.


    ¡± Xia Taiyang ...¡±


    ¡± Xia Taishan ...¡±


    Then reluctantly cried, ¡± Xia Tianci??¡±


    The little fellow paused, hey ...ughed again.


    A toothless little mouth, tender, smiled with curved eyes and two small dimples on the cheeks, and looks lovely.


    The old marquis¡¯s face waspletely dark, this ... What was the matter?


    You wowed. Does her lovely grandson really like the name Tianci?


    She also called out softly, ¡± Tianci ...¡±


    Hey hey ... The little fellowughed more joyfully, pedalled his calf and waved his fist as if he were saying the name was too good, he liked it, and he wanted to be called Tianci.


    The husband and wife looked at each other and found it incredible that such a young child the age of breast milk. How could he tell the difference between good and bad? Was it really providence?


    Chunfeng was also a face of magical looking at second brother, second brother, did you do magic?


    Now it was Xia Chunyu¡¯s turn , and he was heaved with joy: ¡± Mom, do you shout it again??¡±


    You called over and over again, the little grandson smiled like a flower and made her heart melt.


    ¡± It seems that he really likes this name. That¡¯s good. After that, our lovely grandson will be called Tianci, Xia Tianci, a gift given by God to the Xia family. This name is good, nice and meaningful. I like it ...¡±


    The old marquis froze, madam, how did she turn the direction of the wind in a single moment??This wall grass fell too fast!


    ¡± marquis, don¡¯t care about the Tai generation, I will call him Tianci, what a nice name, my lovely grandson ah ...¡± You held the little guy happily and kissed him incessantly.


    The old marquis was still unwilling, let out a cry ... Tianci.


    And drew augh.


    As a result, when he saw the smiling face of his lovely grandson, the old marquis threw the tangle and unwilling to the outside of the cloud nine, he amused grandson and was in the great joy


    Xia Chunyu just wiped out the sweat and sighed with infinite emotion. He spent a lot of painstaking efforts for today¡¯s game. Fortunately, the child was smart.


    Xia Chunyu returned to his yard with his son in his arms as a winner.


    ¡± Yaoyao, it¡¯s done.?¡± Xia Chun began to take credit from entering the door.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised: ¡± Really??Has it been decided??What¡¯s his name??Taiyu or Tailin??¡±


    Xia Chunyu walked over and said, ¡± Neither is it. Our son is called Tianci, Xia Tianci.?¡±


    Ye Jiayao silently recited the name, she didn¡¯t think it was bad, just ... When did the name Tiancie out??She hadn¡¯t heard anyone mention it before!?Moreover, it was not in Tai generation at all.


    ¡± Who does this namee from??¡± Asked Ye Jiayao in confusion.


    Xia Chunyu gloated: ¡± Of course I did. Who else can think of such a nice and meaningful name??¡±


    ¡± You up??When did youe out??¡± Ye Jiayao watched him with a deeply suspicious look.


    Xia Chunyu drizzled with a smile: ¡± I came up with the idea temporarily. That, Taiyu, my parents said it could not be used and Tailin was also rejected. I simply abandoned the Tai word, and the name was chosen by my son himself.?¡±


    Ye Jiayao was curious: ¡± The son chose it himself??How??¡±


    Xia Chunyu said the situation just now again, Ye Jiayao with a grain of salt, held the son to try to call Tianci, and sure enough the babyughed happily.


    Oh, it turned out that the little guy really liked it himself. That Ye Jiayao had no opinion at all.


    Xia Chunyu silentlymented with some pride that he was so clever that he could think of the way to satisfy both sides and turn a stalemate dispute into an invisible one, so that everyone could ept this reality with joy. His wisdom is simply unprecedented.

 Chapter 416 - Fear is often greater than the danger

    <h4>Chapter 416: Fear is often greater than the danger</h4>


    ording to Ye Jiayao, it was enough to invite a few rtives and friends to get together for the full moon wine, but there were too many people who hade to give gifts. Since they had all given gifts, you must invite them to have a meal. As a result, there were 500 or 600 people on the list.


    Ye Binghuai and his wife came, and Zhenjiang¡¯s ancestors¡¯family also came to arge crowd. Even the second aunt and her family wereing from Shanxi, together with rtives in HangzLord and master Qiao in SuzLord ... rtives and friends alone were nearly a hundred people. It can be called the mostplete gathering of all rtives and friends in the history of the Xia family.


    There were more friends and colleagues, the duke¡¯s friends, You¡¯s friends, Chunyu¡¯s colleagues and Ye Jiayao¡¯s own friends ...


    Ah, not one less!


    So, this day, the whole staff in Heavenly Resident came over to help, everyone was busy all day witLordt touching the ground, while Xia Tianci, the young lord, was so naughty and was also a cute yer. As soon as he appeared in the full moon wine, he killed a bunch of men, women and children, and shine on you was absolutely better than blue. It was predicted that 18 yearster, Jinling City¡¯s No.1 childe was absolutely him, and the duke couple were so happy that almost unable to find the north.


    As for the smelly fart daddy Xia Chunyu, he didn¡¯t have time to think about the smelly fart. He kept on entertaining people like a gyroscope all day, until midnight, and then he came back with heavy steps.


    Ye Jiayao had already put the child to sleep. She was looking at the gift list sent by visitors today. Seeing Chunyuing back who had a face of exhaustion. She was busy ordering Qiao Xi to wash his face with hot water and personally soak up his favorite Biluochun for him.


    Xia Chunyu washed up and changed his casual clothes at home. He went to see his son sleeping on the bed first. He had a milk fragrance and was carved with powder and jade. He was really cute. Looking at him, he didn¡¯t feel any fatigue, only full happiness.


    ¡± Are they all set up?¡± Asked Ye Jiayao softly.


    Because there are so many rtivesing here this time, the aunt¡¯s family is almost fully deployed and there are not so many guest rooms in the mansion, so we have to pack up a nearby inn to amodate visitors.


    This time, let Ye Jiayao decide that the Lordse of Nangong Mansion sLordld be repaired as soon as possible, and that such a happy family reunion will not make peoplee all the way to stay in the inn.


    Xia Chunyu nodded and chuckled: ¡± It¡¯s all set up. Big Brother Fang still wanted to talk to me. I ran back quickly or I¡¯ll have to talk with him all night.¡±


    Ye Jiayao smiled: ¡± I heard that Big Brother drank too much.¡±


    ¡± Did¡¯n he? I did my best today.¡± Xia Chunyu said.


    ¡± You did your best? Thanks to Zhao and Su Su, the two men helped you block the wine. Otherwise, you still don¡¯t know which table to lie under at the moment.¡± Ye Jiayao lightly said with smile.


    Xia Chunyu said in a weak voice, ¡± I also drank a lot, ok?¡±


    He hurriedly tore open this topic, Xia Chunyu saw a thick stack of gift sheets on the couch, smiled: ¡± So many gift sheets! We are rich.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him an oblique look with disdain: ¡± You think these are all free? It will all be returnedter.¡±


    Therefore, she had to ssify and count one by one so as not to forget which family will have a happy event in the future.


    ¡± However, this time Mrs Yongning Lord didn¡¯te, I was surprised.¡± Ye Jiayao looked at the top of the list, it was Mrs. Yongning Lord who let Zhao Qixuan bring it.


    Xia Chunyu mused, ¡± She is embarrassed toe! In fact, she doesn¡¯t need to worry, altLordgh the emperor has the meaning of snubbing Yongning Lord, for Zhao Qixuan¡¯s sake, he won¡¯t deal with Yongning marquis Lordse.¡±


    Ye Jiayao understood from the aftertaste that she knew the twists and turns. Chunyu was sent to GanzLord to destroy bandits, not in Jinling. Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi teamed up to arrange the assassination of Nanshan Pce to save Prince from the crisis, which reversed the whole situation and made a great contribution. Otherwise, Yongning marquis Lordse will definitely be doomed in this great clean ¨C up, even if Yongning Lord did not make any substantial rebellion.


    Of course, no one will know that on the eve of the chaos, Jing ¡®an Lord and Yongning Lord had a long talk, partly at the request of the old brothers and partly at the threat, and finally persuaded Yongning Lord to stay put.


    The card that the old duke took out really shocked Yongning Lord, that was, the assassination of Nanshan pce. That is to say, your son was already a prince¡¯s man, and helped the prince beat King Yu, causing King Yu to start to decline. If King Yu knew about this, does your son still have his life? Only when the prince wins can you have a way to live


    Also thanks to Yongning Lord¡¯s not taking part in the rebellion, otherwise, the victory or defeat of that night was really hard to say.


    ¡± Another day, I will ask her to go to the dessert house, always hiding and appearing guilty. The emperor didn¡¯t me her. Why doesn¡¯t she be at ease?¡± Ye Jiayao said.


    Zhao is a good friend of this couple, and now he is Tianci¡¯s god father. Zhao is not in Jinling all the year round. She will naturally help him if she can.


    Xia Chunyu was deeply impressed. He rubbed his eyebrows and felt a little sleepy. He said, ¡± You¡¯ve been busy all day today. Rest early, but you won¡¯t sleepte tomorrow.¡±


    Ye Jiayao had a headache when she thought of going to the dock tomorrow morning to send Ye Binghuai and her so-called stepmother.


    The two men went to bed and rested, while the little ones slept in the middle. Although both were tired, they held their son¡¯s hand and looked at his son¡¯s quiet sleep. They couldn¡¯t help but feel happy and couldn¡¯t see enough.


    ¡± Yaoyao, our son is really good ¨C looking, haven¡¯t seen such a good-looking child.¡± Xia Chunyu smug, kissed his son¡¯s forehead, and craned his neck to kiss her.


    Ye Jiayao quickly resisted with one hand: ¡± Be careful not to press my son.¡±


    Gave him a white look and said, ¡± I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve be regrtely. My son is loved by everyone and don¡¯t need you to say. They have discerning eyes.¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s true, even if the blind can¡¯t see, smelling the fragrance of my son, he will be drunk.¡± Someone doesn¡¯t change the character of smelly fart, ignoring the first half sentence directly.


    Ye Jiayao was really speechless. She always thought this fellow wasposed and mountain-like in personality. Unexpectedly, since the birth of the child, he had be out of tune, boasting and boasting his arrogance will soon catch up with Zhao Qixuan.


    Always talks about his son when meet someone, as if only he had a son in the world.


    It¡¯s happy to have a son, but it¡¯s been a month, can you lower the temperature slightly?


    It is really unbearable.


    ¡± My son, will must be clever, must be both civil and military talents in the future, must be better than me ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao turned a supercilious look and looked at the top of the tent. It was about to start again.


    ¡± Today HeLian Xuan said,ter if he has a daughter, he will be betrothed to my son. I didn¡¯t promise this, if his daughter is like Na Ya, a tigress, wouldn¡¯t my son suffer? Besides, my son is born so handsome now. When he grows up, he must be more handsome. What kind of girl do you want? A finger hook and a small eye nce. The girls will all crazy about him. Oh, you said my son is so good, it is also a trouble ... ¡±


    Saying to be troublesome, but someone¡¯s facial expression does not look like trouble at all, but rather is very happy and triumphant.


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t bear it: ¡± Xia Chunyu, you shut up for me.¡±


    ¡± why, what I said is a serious matter, a matter of life-long happiness for my son ¡­¡± someone rightfully said.


    ¡± Bah, my son is only a full moon, and you are talking about life-long events. Xia Chunyu, are you sure you will not look back on the road of turning into an ass? You didn¡¯t find that people have different eyes on you recently?¡± Ye Jiayao irate said.


    Xia Chunyu picked his beautiful eyebrows and tutted, ¡± Look at what you said, how did I change into an ass? Can an ass give birth to such a smart child? Of course, I know that everyone looks at me differently, they just envy me for marrying such a beautiful son, especially Zhao, and seeing my son is going to crazy.¡±


    Ye Jiayaomented that this fellow was no longer savable.


    ¡± Xia Chunyu, you love your son and spoil your son. I have no opinion. Who doesn¡¯t love his son, but you are a father. Can you be a little like a father? If you want to go on like this, I have to worry about my son¡¯s future. He will be spoiled by you. When the timees to spoil a dude, I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± Yaoyao, you¡¯re rmist. What kind of person am I, and don¡¯t I know how to educate children? Now the child still doesn¡¯t understand, I love him more, and when he understands, I will have to y the role of strict father. At that time, I can¡¯t kiss him like this any more. Even if I like it in my heart, I have to be strict with him. Yaoyao, I really don¡¯t have many days to spoil him like this, only these two or three years.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, with a mncholy tone.


    There is no father does not love his children, but the father is his son¡¯s example. If he wants to teach his son to be a man of indomitable spirit, he cannot dote on him. He can only silently y the role of strict father, watching him grow up and be proud of him silently.


    Ye Jiayao was silent. She didn¡¯t expect Chunyu to say such a thing. He knew it in his heart.


    ¡± Besides, our son is hard ¨C won, how much you suffered for him, I have to love him much otherwise I will feel sorry for you.¡± Xia Chunyu eyes looked softly.


    Ye Jiayao felt a rush of heat flow. She thought he forgot her when he had a son. That¡¯s what he thought.


    ¡± Let¡¯s stop talking, I want to go to bed.¡± Ye Jiayao tucked the child in a small quilt, closed her eyes with the child¡¯s little face, and let the feeling of happiness slowly ferment in her heart, very d, her life wasplete.


    Xia Chunyu craned his neck and kissed both faces, and the two people he loved most in his life were all around him. Such happiness and satisfaction were iparable.

 Chapter 417 - From the Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 417: From the Eyes</h4>


    Ye Binghuai and his wife returned to Yangzhou in the morning of the second day. They were too busy to leave for too long. Zhongyuan stayed and continued to study in imperial academy for next year¡¯s exam.


    The elder uncle, second uncle, third uncle and others in Zhenjiang spent three days back, while the lord Qiao less spent almost half a month back in Suzhou, while Hangzhou¡¯s rtives and the second auntie and others spent more than half a month.


    It had been more than half a month since all these rtives were sent away.


    Ye Jiayao had recovered almost. Her son had been two tits and You taken care of him. Ye Jiayao can do her own thing safely.


    The first thing to do was to open a western restaurant.


    The floor had already been repaired because of pregnancy.


    Ye Jiayao, while recruiting people, nned to publicize and create momentum, positioning the western restaurant as the most popr food among the western aristocrats, and only the aristocrats can enjoy the world¡¯s delicious food.


    Ten dayster, the Western Heavenly Resident opened. On the opening day, the Western Restaurant was almost not crowded out. It was so exotic and only western nobles could eat good things. The nobles in Jin Ling were naturally flocking to it.


    Ye Jiayao did her best in propaganda and also took a lot of care in the dishes, not only preserving the exotic vor, but also blending the taste of Jiangnan people. Thebination of Chinese and Western cultures and nutritional collocation won unanimous praise.


    The sess of the western restaurant had made people in Jin Ling¡¯s catering industry all sigh with emotion, and the world had been unable to stop Ye Jinxuan¡¯s madness.


    Since Ye Jinxuan had been in Heaven Resident, in less than four years, she had already rushed out of Jin Ling and was famous all over the world. Up to now, Heavenly Resident had more than ten branches all over the country, all in the most prosperous city, without exception, each branch can be one of the best local restaurants in a very short time.


    Moreover, with the sign of Heavenly Resident derived Heavenly Resident pastry, Heavenly Resident dessert shop, Heavenly Resident western restaurant. ¡°Heavenly Resident ¡± have all been a great sess.


    No one can estimate how much revenue can be earned by Heavenly Resident this brand. Dared not think about it. It must be an astronomical figure.


    In those days, the first cookers in Heavenly Resident are now all top chefs. Many people wanted to dig the wall and hire at high sry, but all of them have failed. All the servants in Heavenly Resident were proud of being people in Heavenly Resident, loyal and confusing.


    To sum up, the name of Ye Jinxuan represented a legend and a myth in the catering industry of Huaisong dynasty.Let everyone can¡¯tpare with him and too far behind to catch up with.


    This day, Naya and A Ruan came to the western restaurant. Naya came often because she was one of the shareholders, and A Ruan came for the first time because she now lived in the pce and would not have a wedding until next month. Today, Naya went to the queen to talk about it and let A Ruan out.


    ¡± It¡¯s good toe out, stay in the pce I almost moldy.¡± A Ruan breathed deeply the free air outside the pce.


    ¡± Why do you so hurry? You will be free next month.¡± Sheforted.


    A Ruan curled she pie mouth: ¡± It¡¯s not fair why the eldest sister-inw can live in Helian Mansion when shees to Jin Ling, and I have to live in the pce.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with a smile, ¡± Naya wanted to live in the pce, but the emperor did not let her.¡±


    At the beginning, she entered the pce every day to force the emperor, and the emperor saw that she was toote to escape. How dare he let her live in the pce?


    A Ruan hugged Naya¡¯s arm and shook and shook: ¡± sister-inw, how did you do it? Please teach me, or I¡¯ll have to spend another month in the pce.¡±


    Naya said dryly, ¡± We are in a different situation. I can¡¯t teach you.¡±


    And then said: ¡± Girls should be reserved. No one can show you such a hurry to get into the husband¡¯s family, even if you can just be anxious in heart!¡±


    Ye Jiayao startled, fuck, Naya not bashful to say reserved two words? These two words seemed to have nothing to do with her.


    A Ruan bitterly wrinkled her nose: ¡± Forget it, I¡¯ll endure it.¡±


    Man, came and served.


    First soup, a cup of sour plum juice, and all kinds of cakes and fruits, and finally steak.


    The special iron te, when presented, can also hear the sound of oil explosion, ¡°zi¡±, and the smell of beef wasing on her face.


    With a little ck pepper juice, the aroma was more appetizing.


    A Ruan looked at the knife and fork in her hand and did not know how to use it.


    Naya became a teacher: ¡± Look at the spot, hold a fork in your left hand and a knife in your right hand. Cut like this, pay attention, you can¡¯t go back and forth. It¡¯s not as good as killing a pig.¡±


    A Ruan imitated Naya¡¯s appearance, cut off a piece of beef and chewed it in her mouth. She couldn¡¯t help but stared big eyes and said vaguely, ¡± Good, tender and fragrant. It tasted special ... delicious.¡±


    ¡± Delicious, Yaoyao does food for me the first time, I decided to take a stake, now think about it, I¡¯m really prescient!¡± Naya said.


    Ye Jiayao lowered her head silently. This year, how did everyone be so smelly fart?


    Thought at the beginning, someone was really dead skin to build a share.


    ¡± Eldest sister ¨C in ¨Cw, you are really wise.¡± A Ruan was also a tterer.


    ¡± That is, my eyes have always been very urate, choose a man is, grasp business opportunities, otherwise, I can be your sister ¨C in ¨Cw?Otherwise, I can be the shareholder of Heavenly Resident Western Restaurant?¡± Naya proud way.


    It happened that A Ruan also nodded solemnly, her eyes braved the stars and looked at her admiringly.


    Ye Jiayao felt terrible.A fuck Chunyu in the family was enough for her. Now she had another fuck best friend and a silly best friend. She were not well.


    ¡± Please enjoy it, I¡¯ll go to busy!¡± Ye Jiayao decided to retreat and stay, it was difficult to guarantee that she would be assimted.


    It was enough to fool home. If she also became a fool, the day would be over.


    When she entered the kitchen, she found Jiang Yue fiddling with cakes there. Ye Jiayao hurried over: ¡± Yue, didn¡¯t I say you weren¡¯ting?You¡¯re almost born, and still not resting at home.¡±


    Jiang Yue was now eight months pregnant, with an unusuallyrge belly, simr to pregnant twins, and had long let her go home and had a baby. She just didn¡¯t listen and went to the pastry shop every day.


    Jiang Yue said with a smile, ¡± You don¡¯t have to worry about me, the seconddy. I¡¯m in good health. I can¡¯t afford to be idle at home.¡±


    Ye Jiayao saw Jiang Yue look good and energetic. She thought she was pregnant and had lived half dead for a long time. This woman was really angry than people.


    ¡± If you can¡¯t idle up here, otherwise Zhong Xiang will protest with me.¡± Ye Jiayao said with smile.


    ¡± He won¡¯t, or he told me that you are too busy to be short of manpower here!¡± Jiang Yue said.


    Zhong Xiang not only won¡¯t, he also dare not, their home, but she had the final word.


    Ye Jiayao grunted, ¡± Zhong Xiang told you this matter. It¡¯s definitely not the intention of asking you to help. Go back quickly, otherwise, I¡¯ll ask Zhong Xiang to drag you back.¡±


    There were so many people in the kitchen that she can¡¯t afford to take care of her if she bumps into a big-belly woman.


    Just talked about Jiang Yue, and the man came to report that Jiang Li wasing.


    ¡± My brother ising, too good, I haven¡¯t seen my brother for several days.¡± Jiang Yue said happily, and find a reason to stay.


    She said she would go out to see Jiang Li.


    Ye Jiayao grabbed her and told Qiao Xi, ¡± Qiao Xi, go and entertain her.¡±


    Qiao Xi¡¯s face was lightly flushed and she went out with her head down.


    Jiang Yue did not understand: ¡± why let Qiao Xi go? She is not a man here?Don¡¯t you want to use all your close-fitting maids if you are short of manpower here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao picked out a cry: ¡± Let me tell you this. Since the western restaurant opened, your brother hase here every three to five days. He will treat him today and others tomorrow. Any treat muste here. Moreover, he hase at noon. Do you understand?¡±


    Jiang Yue blinked: ¡± I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Eldest brother to eat here was very normal, take care of their own business!And men love to eat meat.Although the consumption here was rtively high, the eldest brother was now promoted, nor can he afford it.


    Ye Jiayao said, ¡± At noon, Qiao Xi and I were there. Do you understand?¡±


    Jiang Yue continued to blink, as if he understood a little.


    She smiled: ¡± eldest brother, why don¡¯t you give him a discount while you¡¯re here?¡±


    Ye Jiayao poked her forehead in dismay: ¡± You are so stupid. Why don¡¯t you want to think about it? Why should I ask Qiao sunseeker to entertain your brother?¡±


    Jiang Yue finally realized this time.


    Surprised: ¡± You mean that my brother fall in love with Qiao Xi?¡±


    Ye Jiayao cornered of the mouth a curved, smile of taboo.


    Jiang Li¡¯s eyes from watching Qiao Xi were of great significance.And Qiao Xi blushed when she saw ginger leaving. what did this mean?


    Now that the marriage between Xiang Tao and Song Qi had been decided, Qiao Xi was older than Xiang Tao and had to be arranged for her. This girl always said that she would not marry in her life, because she had not met her favorite, once met, seed of love would not allow her to marry.


    ¡± Really?When did this happen?I don¡¯t know at all. My mother is probably still in the dark.¡± Jiang month surprise.


    Ye Jiayao whispered a few words in her ear, and Jiang Yue nodded repeatedly: ¡± I see, today I will call my brother back for a good interrogation.¡±


    Two dayster, Aunt Jiang came to the door.


    Qiao Xi waited for orders from the seconddy to serve tea politely and then hid out after serving tea.


    Great aunt Jiang¡¯s eyeball also turned with Qiao Xi, narrowing her smile eyes, just like her mother-inw watching her daughter ¨C in ¨Cw.


    ¡± Aunt Jiang, today how free toe over?¡± Ye Jiayao see aunt Jiang reaction in fundus, pretended not to know.


    Aunt Jiang smiled: ¡± that ... that, seconddy, didn¡¯t you promise to find a daughter-inw for A Li before?A Li is a shy boy. I asked him many times. He was silent. Yesterday he finally spoke, saying that he wanted to find a diligent, capable, kind-hearted and knowledgeable girl. It doesn¡¯t matter what his identity is. Our Jiang family was only a peasant family. If it weren¡¯t for the prince and the seconddy, now it¡¯s not the same as rubbish. The second youngdy, can you have such a girl around you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t help but want tough. Jiang Li¡¯s several demands were not just for Qiao Xi. It seemed that the two person really liked each other.

 Chapter 418 - Zhao’s revenge

    <h4>Chapter 418: Zhao¡¯s revenge</h4>


    The Jiang family¡¯s meaning was clear to Ye Jiayao, but it still needed to be asked about Qiao Xi¡¯s family. Qiao Xi was the niece of Zhong housekeeper. Her father died early because of illness, so Zhong housekeeper was equal to Qiao Xi¡¯s father.


    However, it was believed that Zhong housekeeper won¡¯t object. Jiang Li was after all a seven-product officer, and he was also a talented person. Besides, Qiao Xi¡¯s age can¡¯t be dyed any longer. The most important thing was that two people had feelings.


    This was the most important thing for Ye Jiayao, but she couldn¡¯t do something to decide a person¡¯s life casually.


    Ye Jiayao called Zhong housekeeper, only to mention that, Zhong housekeeper said cheerfully: ¡± It is Qiao Xi¡¯s blessing to have second youngdy to make decision for her, and I¡¯m happy to see this happen.¡±


    Originally, as Qiao Xi, it would be best to match a servant with a slightly promising future in the mansion. Now, she can marry to Jiang¡¯s family is still a little ambitious. Uncle Jiang and his wife are both good people to deal with. Qiao Xi will never suffer when she marries to there.


    The marriage was settled smoothly.


    Ye Jiayao was happy and worried. Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao were the most effective maids around her. Qiao Xi was meticulous and had a certain prestige in the house. She was more considerate than Xiang Tao. Xiang Tao married to Song Qi and could still work in the house. However, Qiao Xi married to Jiang¡¯s house and could no longer work in the house.


    Ah, it¡¯s not easy to train a loyal and effective person again.


    Now that the marriage was settled, the couple will simply get married together, and the big time will be set after A Ruan¡¯s marriage with Little Jing.


    On April 28, when A Ruan and Little Jing were married, the red sedan chair set out from the pce, and the emperor gave A Ruan a wedding gift of princess. The guard of honor was mighty and went to Helian¡¯s mansion.


    In just three months, Helian¡¯s mansion even held two happy events, and all the wedding guests were princesses, and at that time they passed on good news.


    Last time, Ye Jiayao was not able to attend Na Ya¡¯s wedding because of Tianci¡¯s birth. This time, she could not be absent anyway. Moreover, in order to express her blessing to the two new couples, she volunteered to undertake the wedding banquet.


    ¡± Everyone move quickly, we will open seats soon.¡±


    ¡± That ... Dai Chong, are the side dishes I want ready?¡±


    Ye Jiayao rolled up her sleeves and put on her apron, ready to start work.


    Dai Chongughed, ¡± Second youngdy, I¡¯ve already got it ready, but my skill is inferior to you.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said with augh, ¡± Just shut up and do what you should do.¡±


    The oil in the pan was already hot. Ye Jiayao poured the cut cuttlefish into the pan, and the smell of fish suddenly spread.


    The most important thing about fried cuttlefish is the word ¡°heat¡±. After that, cuttlefish will grow old, unable to bite, before that, immature and unable to eat.


    Everyone was ncing towards this side. Now they could see that there were very few opportunities for the Second youngdy to disy her cooking skills. It was a great benefit to be able to nce at it.


    They only saw second youngdy stir ¨C frying, spooning, nking and cooking in one go, without tasting them at all. She was very calm. It was the style of a top chef.


    One by one, the eyes were gaping and the work at hand was forgotten.


    Ye Jiayao had just finished a dish and was preparing to fry a ¡°for a hundred years¡±. She only heard the crying of wow wow, then someone shouted in a hurry: ¡± Yaoyao, hurry up, your son is hungry ...¡±


    Mother and son are united. Listening to her son crying so miserably, Ye Jiayao had no idea of cooking. She was busy calling Dai Chong to let Dai Chong take over. She held her son and went to the next room.


    Before she could sit down, the little guy pulled her skirt and looked at her piteously. The tears fell off like water beads.


    Xia Chunyu followed behind and said lovingly, ¡± Why do you have to cook by yourself? There are so many chefs and they can cope with it. I saw our son hungry. I ran all the way with him and he cried like this.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gave him a bad look, not to dispute with him, but to feed the children first.


    The little fellow smelled the milk fragrance, and the little mouth came up, holding his exclusive ¡°bottle¡± to suck it up.


    While eating, He also watched Ye Jiayao with a small look of injustice, like crying ... Mom, I am hungry.


    Ye Jiayao was so sad, softly coaxed, ¡± Baby, don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t be wronged, isn¡¯t this Mom here? Don¡¯t cry don¡¯t cry ... ¡±


    Xia Chunyu was more distressed than her: ¡± He is really hungry. I¡¯ve already run fast, son, don¡¯t cry. It¡¯s all your mother¡¯s fault, leaving you behind ...¡±


    At usual, Yaoyao went out to handle affairs and had a nurse at home. They don¡¯t worry about Tianci. Today they came to Helian¡¯s mansion to drink wedding wine, but they didn¡¯t bring the nurse with them. As a result, Yaoyao came to cook in the kitchen and Helian¡¯s mansion was so big. Ah, poor son!


    Ye Jiayao herself had already been extremely distressed. This guy was still talking and talking. She¡¯s tired of it.


    Impatiently said, ¡± All right, all right, you go and drink the wedding wine. Just give me the baby.¡±


    ¡± That you don¡¯t want to cook?¡± Asked Xia Chunyu.


    Ye Jiayao said angrily, ¡± Don¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll just stare at him here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu just walked away in a passive sort of way.


    When Ye Jiayao finished feeding the child and carried him back to the kitchen, Dai Chong had finished all the food for Ye Jiayao.


    Well, somehow she made a dish herself, which was also a promise.


    Ye Jiayao simply sat down with her son to see everyone keep busy.


    Tianci satiated with food drink and was in a good mood, with big eyes looking east and west, apparently attracted by the sound of cutting vegetables and stir-frying dishes. He reached out his small arm to go forward.


    Ye Jiayao was curious and held him to Dai Chong¡¯s side, who was stir ¨C frying. As a result, the little fellow danced with joy and jumped in Ye Jiayao¡¯s arms.


    Ye Jiayao was surprised, maybe her son like cooking?


    It was really guessed by Ye Jiayao that by the time he caught the week, Xia Chunyu had added a spoon for cooking dishes to his pen, abacus, gold ingot and toy sword on his own whim, which was meant to be fun. Who had thought that his baby son regarded money as dirt and did not dare to be interested in pens and swords at all and grabbed the spoon directly.


    As a result, they just sighed.


    My baby son, why did you choose a spoon instead of a civil or military one? Do you want to be a chef in the future? Jing ¡®an Marquis house¡¯s future sessor will be a cook. This result can hardly be looked directly at.


    Ye Jiayao was also a passive sort of person, son. You think this is simr to interest, but you can¡¯t be a regr worker! You are the future heir of marquis house!


    After the incident of catching week, the old duke issued an order in the mansion for the first time. No one is allowed to bring his baby grandson into the kitchen. It is absolutely to nip in the bud.


    This is another story, not to mention. Let¡¯s talk about the wedding banquet of?Little Jing and A Ruan.


    Last time HeLian Xuan got married, everyone made HeLian Xuan a fool, fully drunk night and day. This time, they also can¡¯t let go of Little Jing. Zhao Qixuan, of course, wanted to y tricks on Little Jing, not for the sake of making fun of it. Little Jing had make him suffered a lot. Su Su still often takes this as a joke. If he doesn¡¯t let Little Jing have a good drink, how can he swallow this tone? For this reason, he had postponed his trip back to the south.


    ¡± Little Jing, you and A Qin are love is like oxygen. You must drink this cup!¡± Zhao held a jar open irrigation.


    Little Jing said with a bitter face: ¡± Laozhao, you have toasted me three bowls by yourself and can you still drink?¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t I say this reason is not enough for a white one? Then I wish you and your wife canst this love forever. Do you want to drink or not?¡± Laozhao smiled.


    Little Jing¡¯s head had already begun to faint, but when he heard such a blessing, he must drink it.


    Crustily scalp drank a bowl.


    ¡± Little Jing,e again, this time I wish you early birth of your son and a son as clever and lovely as my adopted son ...¡±


    Everyone booed and Little Jing had to drink again.


    ¡± No, drink again I will get down.¡± Little Jing tongue knot.


    ¡± Little Jing, our men can say anything, just can¡¯t say no, does anyone disagree ...¡± Laozhao won¡¯t let him go so easily.


    Everyone more enthusiastically echoed.


    Xia Chunyu and HeLian Xuan gave each other a wry smile. HeLian Xuan really loved his brother and said to Su Yi, who was sitting there drinking wine, ¡± Su Yi, don¡¯t you care about Zhao, ask him to let Jing go.¡±


    Su Yi said slowly, ¡± When Zhao has had enough trouble, I¡¯ll go on.¡±


    Er ... Helian Xuan with ck lines, the original real malicious person was Su Yi! Ah, who let his brother identally offend somebody else?


    At the beginning, he was still strange and insisted on refusing to ept Zhao¡¯s Su Su. He suddenly figured it out. It turned out that there was also his brother¡¯s credit.


    However, his brother was just a footman, and the real mastermind was someone else. But Zhao and Su Yi now recognize Ye Jinxuan¡¯s son as their adopted son. Naturally, they could no longer find Ye Jinxuan to vent their anger, and his brother became a scapegoat and a punching bag.


    Xia Chunyu then pretended to be mute. The feud here also involved Yaoyao. He didn¡¯t dare to catch this trip.


    HeLian Xuan smiled heplessly, well, he couldn¡¯t deal with it, however, A Ruan is much more gentle, believe that Little Jing was drunk, A Ruan also only love dearly, not like his wife, don¡¯t let him go to bed for three whole nights.


    Bro, you can ask for more blessings from yourself!


    His brother didn¡¯t help, Little Jing was miserable. He yearned for the wedding night of the bridal chamber for a long time. How many charming scenes and how many lingering charms he had had. As a result, he was drunk and unconscious. When he woke up, the dragon and phoenix candles were all burnt out. It became a pity for him for life. He always wanted to find a chance to retaliate against Zhao¡¯s hated straight mrs. But that man was far away and there was really no way to retaliate. This has be another pity for HeLian Jing.


    Ye Jiayaoter heard that and her heart was full of sorrow. Only pity A Ruan, very not easy to marry Little Jing, long-cherished wish fulfilled, but the wedding night was spent with a drunkard.

 Chapter 419 - Final Results ( 1 )

    <h4>Chapter 419: Final Results ( 1 )</h4>


    Six yearster, the border trade city in Nanjiang.


    During the bloomy spring season, the clusters of pink and tender cherry blossoms that were nted on both sides of the road in the city, like clouds, adorned the new border trade city and made the city full of spring.


    A carriage stopped in front of the NO.1 restaurant in the border trade city ¡ª Tianshang Ju Restaurant. A young master dressed in a small green robe with a dark blue silk sash tied around his waist and a piece of suet white jade hanging on the silk sash jumped out of the carriage, causing passers-by to look at and praise in their hearts: what a beautiful child.


    The child was only five or six years old, with a round face and excellent look and dark and clear eyes, but he pretended profundity to sp small hands behind him and looked up at the signboard of Tianshang Ju Restaurant with his head held high, frowning slightly, learning to look like an adult and shaking his head thoughtfully: ¡± I don¡¯t expect the branch here to be more magnificent than Jinling City¡¯s.¡±


    Snap... the back of his head was called a palm.


    ¡± Child should behave like a child, what role are you ying?¡± Then the young woman getting out of the carriage was unbearable and thinly denounced.


    The young master turned his eyes and said, ¡± Only your adults are allowed to pretend, why don¡¯t you let me do. I have practiced this expression in the mirror for a long time¡±.


    Although he wasmented in his heart, his face was immediately changed into a smiling face with big and innocent eyes. He said, ¡± Mom, do you think my two godfathers there? If we now go in, will it scare them to be silly?¡±


    ¡± It is unlikely to be silly, however, you have to get handkerchief ready.¡± Another young man who was pretty handsome stepped out of the carriage, holding two look-alike babies, one left, one right, whose faces were pink and tender like the newly released small glutinous rice ball, slowly said.


    The young master heard these words and jerked. He quickly covered his meaty face with a look of fear.


    Every year his two godfathers returned back to Jinling, they would kiss his face as soon as they saw him, which made his face coated with saliva. It didn¡¯t matter if big godfather kissed him, because big godfather was too handsome beyond words, even more handsome than his father, and wouldn¡¯t kiss up endlessly, not more than three times. But the enthusiasm of little godfather was too much, especially sincest year he had grown a beard. He said it was called ¡°masculine¡±. Shit masculine, the bristly chin hurts him.


    The beautiful young woman took a look at the man and took a little girl from his arms, held her in her arms, and said, ¡± Don¡¯t frighten him.¡±


    The man raised his eyebrows and said, ¡± I tell the truth, right? Son.¡±


    The young master nodded repeatedly and then said with relief: ¡± However, I have sisters this year, and I think it can help me.¡±


    ¡± There¡¯s no way. How tender your sisters¡¯ skin is! They can¡¯t stand their eating, you still stand it yourself!¡± The man gently pinched the girl¡¯s small nose in his arms, his eyes full of sweet,pletely ignored his son¡¯s grievance.


    ¡± Dad, you are too entric.¡± The young master frowned indignantly.


    Who hadn¡¯t been tender? He had been eaten by everyone since he was as young as his sisters. How came I didn¡¯t see papa react as he did, to the contrary, it seemed he was happy. Hum! Dad was not fair.


    Looking up to sky, the young woman couldn¡¯t do anything with the funny two, speechless.


    Her son was simply a elf. He liked to y the role of an adult at an early age, behaving like an adult and speaking in adult¡¯s tone. His action was too elder to bear.


    As for the elder one, it was very difficult for me to force him to be serious. However, as soon as the two daughters were born, he was not serious as usual.


    She was now most afraid of listening to the father-son dialogue. It happened that the two men often had long conversations and the issues discussed could surprise her.


    For example, in the carriage before, the father and son were discussing whether son¡¯s eldest uncle¡¯s daughter would prefer to be his wife or his second uncle¡¯s daughter.


    The brat said, ¡± I like both of them. It¡¯s hard to choose between them. Why don¡¯t I marry both of them?¡±


    The other man even said, ¡± Son, this is a certain difficulty! You can do it?¡±


    This dialogue luckily wasn¡¯t heard by Helian Xuan and Helian Jing. Otherwise they two definitely were beaten down.


    Yes, the very eye-catching family were Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu, and their three children.


    Ye Jiayao sighed helplessly: ¡± Go in, don¡¯t humiliate yourself here.¡±


    Ye Jiayao went straight to the restaurant. In such a short time, many passers-by had already stopped, because their children were really tooeye-catching.


    Xia Chunyu disdainfully curled his lip and said to his son, ¡± Son, your mother is jealous of us.¡±


    Xia Tianci learned his expression and said, ¡± She¡¯s jealous of me.¡±


    At the same time, he followed his mother insolently with his small hand on his back.


    Xia Chunyu was shocked, he reacted in a while: ¡± You brat, how dare you!See how I fix you ...¡±


    Jiang Youli was in charge of the branch of Tianshang Ju Restaurant in the border trade city. After finishing the training course, he was sent by Ye Jiayao. He was conscientious and willing to put his heart into the management of the branch. In all the branches, this one had been ranked among the top five, which was very good.


    It was time for lunch, Jiang Youli took care of the kitchen in person. The quality of the food had always been the most important thing in Tianshang Ju Restaurant. Even if the guests only ordered a dish of green vegetable, he also showed his sincerity to make it.


    The waiter came to report: ¡± Manager Jiang, several guests from Lotus Pavilion are calling to see you!¡±


    Oh? Jiang Youli was slightly surprised. This was not the only-one case, but it was rare. Generally, guests would only ask to see the manager if they had problems.


    ¡± Is the food not to their taste? Or is there something wrong with the reception?¡± Jiang Youli asked cautiously.


    The man replied, ¡± I see they eat happily. It shouldn¡¯t be these problems.¡±


    Jiang Youli relieved and went upstairs to Lotus Pavilion.


    The decoration style and elegant name of rooms here were as same as in Jinling¡¯s Tianshang Ju Restaurant.


    The same is true for the main course system, which was only slightly adjusted ording to local tastes.


    Jiang Youli knocked at the door and entered without looking at what the guests looked like, bowed down and said, ¡± I am the manager here. May I help you?¡±


    Ye Jiayao chuckled and deliberately slowed down, ¡± I have ordered the dish named crap leaping into Dragon¡¯s Gate in Jinling¡¯s Tianshang Ju Restaurant. It seems that your dish here is not the same as in there. Is this ce a branch of Tianshang Ju in Jinling?¡±


    Jiang Youli smiled and said, ¡± Yes, this is, exactly. As for the tiny difference in taste, you don¡¯t know it, but we have slightly changed it ording to the taste of the people here. People in Huaiyang prefer sweet taste, but the people here don¡¯t like it too sweet and greasy, so ...¡±


    Jiang Youli said, suddenly felt something was wrong. How familiar this woman¡¯s voice! He raised his head unconsciously, immediately dumbfounded.


    Uh ... Was he dazzle? The couple in front of him was definitely the seconddy and the Heir-son Lord!


    ¡± The ...the ... seconddy?¡± Jiang Youli stuttered, unexpected.


    Ye Jiayaoughed: ¡± Jiang, long time no see!¡±


    Jiang Youli¡¯s eyes were full of tears, excited! He had also been here for four and a half years and had never been back to Jinling. Although life here was still satisfactory, he was homesick, he missed people living in Tianshang Ju Restaurant in Jinling. And now the seconddy suddenly appeared here. How could he not be ecstatic?


    Everyone sat down and talked for a while. Jiang Youli gradually calmed down before he remembered: ¡± Mr. Su and Mr. Zhao said you woulde back this year, but they didn¡¯t know when you woulde, but they said that if you came, you would certainlye here first. So they let me report in time, and I am going to tell them now.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile, ¡± No, you¡¯ll take us thereter.¡±


    I had to give them a big surprise when I came here from a long distance.


    Ye Jiayao inquired, ¡± Are Master Helian, Master Jing and Xia San here?¡±


    Helian Xuan went to Ximeng with Naya years ago, Helian Jing returned to Nanyue with Ah Ruan. As for Chunfeng, he was guarding Chuanxi, while she and Chunyu travelled all the way to enjoy the world¡¯s delicacies and made the final revision for her culinary ssics.We had an appointment that it was about this time that we came to the border trade city to meet.


    Jiang Youli replied, ¡± I have not heard of it, but if theye, they will certainlye over for dinner.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± It seems that we are the first to arrive.¡±


    Then the whole family got back into the carriage and headed for Zhao Qixuan¡¯s other courtyard here under Jiang Youli¡¯s guidance.


    On the way, Jiang Youli said: ¡± Almost 50% of the two main streets in this city, south and north, are paved by Mr. Zhao, while 20% are owned by Heir=son Lord, Xia San and Master Jing. Mr. Zhao and Mr. Su are the real overlords here.¡±


    Xia Chunyu and others were now walking along the north-south street. ording to a rough estimate, there were two or three hundred shops in this street, and there were at least five hundred together. Zhao and Su ounted for more than half of them, who were really cool. They couldn¡¯t help but said loudly: ¡± These two guys have rich financial resources! They are damn rich.¡±


    Riding with Xia Chunyu, Xia Tianci looked around and asked, ¡± Where are my 28 shops? Where are they?¡±


    Xia Chunyu frowned. ¡± I don¡¯t know. Ask your godfathers.¡±


    After a change of thoughts, he said, ¡± Tianci, you see how many pavements your godfathers own. How about you work harder to get another 20 or 30 shops?¡±


    Tianci disapprovingly said: ¡± I don¡¯t know about the 28 shops, but I can¡¯t push them off and ept them reluctantly. I¡¯ll make a lot of money by my own, Dad. We¡¯ll see. I will certainly be better than you and godfathers in the future.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed: ¡± Good boy, promising, worthy of your father¡¯s son ...¡±


    Tianci disdained, it was who just asked me to get 20 or 30 pavements by cheating?

 Chapter 420 - Final Results ( 2 )

    <h4>Chapter 420: Final Results ( 2 )</h4>


    At this point, Zhao Qixuan was busy looking at the n of the new store, while Su Yi was holding a book in his rocking chair, drinking tea while reading, and grasping a handful of peanuts from time to time with relish.


    Zhao Qixuan rubbed his eyes and murmured, ¡± It¡¯s strange that my left eye has been jumping all morning and is still jumping now. It¡¯s said that there is no chance of getting rich recently.¡±


    Su Yi nced at him lightly: ¡± Aren¡¯t you getting rich every day?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said, ¡± Yes, that¡¯s why it¡¯s strange!¡±


    ¡± Hurry to work, don¡¯t dream in broad daylight.¡± Su Yi saidzily.


    Zhao Qixuan turned a supercilious look. He either read books casually or went out to ride a horse every day, leaving everything to him to do. Otherwise, he admitted that man charged the outside affairs while women did household chores, then he would have noints. However, he wanted to be the boss, wasn¡¯t he afraid that he would rebel?


    However, this could only be considered in his mind. He had suffered a lot over the years for the sake of this internal and external struggle between the top and the bottom. He had thought about everything and tried it. Every time he wanted to rebel with indignation, he was strongly suppressed. It was really miserable!


    When Yaoyao came, he must use this fellow of his numerous crimes.


    The housekeeper came in and told him, ¡± Two young masters, someone is asking for a meeting outside.¡±


    ¡± Who!¡± Zhao Qixuan was not happy, and asked impatiently.


    ¡°He has refused to say, saying you will know if you see.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said crossly: ¡± Which guy has such arge spectrum and does not report his name when he asks for a visit. Is he very idle? Do I have to see him? I won¡¯t see.¡±


    Su Yi frowned his eyebrows, thoughtfully.


    The housekeeper¡¯s eyes shed with a teasing smile, you said so yourself. It was none of his business if he was beatenter. He just obeyed his order.


    ¡°I will answer back.¡± He said.


    Su Yi was about to speak when he heard a young voice sighing: ¡± The adopted son hase all the way to see adopted fathers, but they have refused to see me. Forget it. Then he has gone back and made a trip for nothing. It seems that what he has said before was false and cheats children ...¡±


    Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi looked at each other, dazed for a moment, and jumped up and rushed out at the same time.


    Ye Jiayao raised her hand to reward her son with a chestnut explosion, she just asked him to call adopted fathers. He even said such a big deal freely.


    As a result, before the hand fell on her son¡¯s head, the two men flew out and hugged her son almost at the same time.


    Each of them held Tianci¡¯s little face and kissed passionately.


    ¡°My adopted son, I miss you so much to die. Oh, you are taller and more handsome. How can you get so handsome?¡± Zhao Qixuan shouted excitedly and spat.


    Su Yi was also very excited: ¡± Son, why do youe? Do youe alone? Where are your parents?¡±


    Now it were Ye Jiayao¡¯s turn and Xia Chunyu¡¯s turn to look at each other. Were these two guys¡¯ eyes sick? They two were standing there and not being seen?


    Xia Tianci took out a small handkerchief to wipe his face. There was too much saliva, especially on the side of Little adopted father, with his finger pointing back: ¡± Behind.¡±


    Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan saw Ye Jiayao and others. Zhao Qixuan let go of the gifts and rushed towards Xia Chunyu: ¡± Oh, elder brother Chunyu, sister ¨C in ¨Cw, and my little nieces, I miss you all.¡±


    Xia Chunyu hurried back a few steps to avoid Zhao Qixuan¡¯s bear hug: ¡± Hey, who has such a big voice and can¡¯t say it?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan said with a shy smile: ¡± That¡¯s not to know you¡¯re here! If I know, I will burn incense and ce the case, and will go out of the city to meet you instantly.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said with a smile: ¡°Burning incense, you should be asking God!¡±


    ¡± God is not as good as you to make me happy, except, uh ... god of fortune.¡± Zhao Qixuan was so happy, his mouth with honey.


    It was really nice to meet each year, but it was the first time they¡¯ve met in the border trade city. It was seven years since they came here. For the first time, he had a good friend and a good brothere to see him.


    ¡± Oh, Wanwan and Tingting are so big,e on, let me hug.¡± Zhao Qixuan looked at the twins, wearing the same skirts, stretching out his hand to embrace.


    The two little girls were somewhat shy and tightly hooked their father¡¯s neck for fear of being carried away by the bearded uncle.


    Su Yi came up and pped his hands smilingly: ¡± Wanwan, Tingting, let me see.¡±


    Two little girls eyed the beautiful uncle darkly, one just gave a small hand, and the other rushed over.


    Both Su Yi and Zhao Qixuan hugged each other and said proudly, ¡± See?They like my hug.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan skimmed the pie mouth and said that Chunyu and Yao¡¯s children were as sly as fox.


    Everyone came into the room and exchanged greetings. Zhao Qixuan suppressed his breath and was full of tricks. He had to fix two little girls.


    Xia Tianci was relieved. Finally, there was no need to suffer any more. Fortunately, mum gave birth to two sisters.


    After the two little girls adapted to the new environment, they also let go and let uncle bearded hug them. He was really fun. Unlike grandpa¡¯s beard, his were sparse and few.


    So they pulled out their beards and yed.


    However, their grandfather was also full of beards, all of which were pulled by them.


    At first Zhao Qixuan tried to amuse the two children by pulling them out with pain, but then he ran out for a while and came back with his chin clean.


    Everyone burst outughing. Everyone knew why Zhao Qixuan wanted to grow a beard. Zhao Qixuan wouldn¡¯t be able topete with Su Yi, so he would grow a beard. Su Yi didn¡¯t have a beard and was clean in vain. Zhao Qixuan used a man¡¯s symbol beard to give people an illusion that he and Susu, he was the stronger one.


    This kind of trick was useful to cheating people who didn¡¯t know. Nut actually it was no use for him even if to have a full beard on his whole face.


    In the evening, Helian Jing and A Yuan also arrived, and the next day Helian Xuan and Naya, Chunfeng and Little Ya arrived one after another. A group of friends gathered in the southern town thousands of miles away from Jinling, tearing Zhao Qixuan¡¯s nose.


    This agreement had been said for seven years, and every year it was said that it had finallye true.


    In the evening, Su Yi ordered Housekeeper Jiang politely to send two cooks to make a delicious meal. Ye Jiayao said with a smile: ¡± I am the chef and need I to invite another chef?¡±


    Yes, Ye Jiayao was now the world¡¯s first chef given by the emperor. Moreover, her culinary treasures were regarded as a ssic by chefs all over the world.


    Today, Jinling City had a gold que with a royal gift of ¡°The first floor of the world¡±, which was left by the emperor when he was a prince. Anyone who came to Jinling would alsoe here to enjoy the gold que.


    As a result, four women cooked together, six men drank tea and chatted, and the eight children were led by Xia Tianci, king of the children.


    Helian Xuan gave birth to a son and a girl, the son was one year younger than Tianci and named HelianYuchen, the daughter was only four years old this year and named Helian Mengtong, Helian Jing also gave birth to a son and a girl, the daughter was one year younger than Tianci and named Helian Qionglin, the son was three years old this year and named HelianYibo, Chunfeng¡¯s child was now only five years old and was sadly called Xia Taiyang.At the beginning, the old duke failed to put the name on Tianci, deeply regretting that when Chunfeng gave birth to a son, he would use the name anyway, no matter how Xia Chunfeng resisted, it would be invalid. Xia Chunfeng was so depressed and vowed never to give birth to a son again. Otherwise, the next name would be Xia Taishan.


    The men chatted happily and the children were also very lively.


    Suddenly, they heard someone say, ¡± Call my husband to listen.¡±


    Then the two young voices sweetly called, ¡± Husband ¡­¡± and dragged the lingering sound.


    ¡± Well, yes, tomorrow I will take you to buy sugar-coated haws.¡± One was smiling.


    Helian Xuan and Helian Jing sprayed tea, ring at Xia Chunyu.


    Xia Chunyu was very happy and triumphant. He thought that he had been the boss for nearly 30 years just because Helian Xuan was three months old. Now he was well, and his son was fighting for this tone for him.


    Suddenly he felt some sharp nces, hurriedly changed his satisfactory face, and said pretended: ¡°Eh, children are just ying.¡±


    Helian Xuan red at each other: ¡± Xia Chunyu, you are fish begins to stink at the head.¡±


    ¡± Is that a bunch of sugar-coated haws just want to cheat my daughter out, you are thinking too much.¡± He said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be bloody, who take me to young marriage?¡± Xia Chunyu refuted back.


    ¡± That is, I can testify that my adopted son is so good that he is not worthy of your child?¡± Zhao Qixuan was on his adopted son¡¯s side.


    Su Yi shook his fan and nodded his head.


    Helian Xuan glumly pointed to this and that, one child and three dads, and he said angrily, ¡°Young marriage is right, but your son can only have my daughter and one daughter ¨C in ¨Cw, otherwise it will not be discussed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it, my daughter Qionglin is my precious, absolutely can¡¯t be a concubine.¡± Helian Jing said indignantly.


    Xia Chunyu was in a good mood and said disapprovingly, ¡± How old are the children? What are you worried about?¡±


    Zhao Qixuan looked gleefully at those two brothers and said: ¡± I¡¯m afraid my daughter won¡¯t listen to me when growing up.¡±


    The debate caused by Tianci¡¯s sentence was not over yet, he heard Tianci say: ¡± Yuchen will get me a rose cake and Yibo will pour me tea ...¡±


    ¡± I tell you, you want to marry my sister, first of all you have to persuade me ¡­¡± said he like a senior official.


    Several adults, with ck lines on their faces, looked speechless at the two boys of Helian Mansion who treated Tianci, thinking in their hearts: what kind of genie was born by Xia Chunyu and Ye Jinxuan?


    Ye Jiayao and Naya and others had prepared the dishes ande up to see Xia Tianci sitting there like a master, ordering this to instigate that, and he had a face of enjoyment.


    Ye Jiayao really wanted to dig a pit and bury herself. This smelly boy had really lost her face.


    Xia Tianci saw hering, and immediately became honest and came running fart to curry favor with the way: ¡°Mummy, I haven¡¯t eaten your food for a long time. It¡¯s really sweet. I can smell the fragrance ten miles away ¡­ Tianci loves the food made by mummy ¡­ Mummy has worked hard and let me give you a massage at night! And, mummy, Tianci... ¡±


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thanks to the God that he was afraid of someone, otherwise, it was really terrible!


    This night, everyone tasted food, drank wine and told the past, and the picture in memory was still as clear as it was yesterday.


    Life was not in a hurry for dozens of years. Fortunately, there were lovers with brothers and mutual support, he in her story, she in his story, the past, everyone walking all the way, and in the future, they would continue to work hand in hand.


    Ye Jiayao silently looked at these good friends, good brothers and sisters and was surrounded by full happiness. She was really d that she came to this world, met so many people worth cherishing for a lifetime, and made her life so happy andplete.


    She couldn¡¯t help thinking that if it hadn¡¯t happened to these people, it would have been another story.


    ( Complete )


    !

 Chapter 421 - Announcer I ( Liuli )

    <h4>Chapter 421: Announcer I ( Liuli )</h4>


    In the winter of the ninth year ofTianbao, it would be December 18th in a few days, and the snow had fallen one after another. The whole world were wrapped in silver, all saying that the auspicious snow was a sign of good harvest. But in some people¡¯s eyes, it seemed that heaven and earth were remembering the queen mother who had died for ten years.


    Today was the queen mother¡¯s day of sacrifice. An imperial decree was handed down in the pce early. On this day, the queen would go to Ciyun Temple to pray for the queen mother¡¯s spirit in heaven.


    Zhao Liuli got up early and took a broom to sweep the snow with the nuns in the temple. She was still a princess, the emperor did not deprive her of the princess¡¯s title, and even sent some dim sum in the pce for the New Year¡¯s holiday, so the host took special care of her with different degree of food and clothing, and her work was easier than that of others. But the queen¡¯sing to pray today was the top priority in the temple, and everyone was assigned work.


    Zhao Liuli mechanically swept the snow. She thought she had been in Ciyun Temple for eight years. She looked down on everything and figured it out. But today because the queen wasing, she has evoked some dusty memories and her mood was also uneven.


    Today¡¯s queen, the princeling princess of the year, once being looked down upon by her very much, because the princeling princess¡¯s family was not a prominent family member, but ady from the family of officials of the third ss. The queen mother was opposed, but she was in the eyes of the first queen and the prince and became the princeling princess. For this reason, the queen mother also ignored the first queen for a while. Until the crown princess gave birth to the emperor¡¯s grandson, and she had always been cautious and ttering in front of the queen mother, the queen mother¡¯s facial expression gradually soften. She was willing to give her a few minutes of face in front of her, but she still had a few words after her, but now, she had be the queen and mother of the world.


    It¡¯s really impermanent, but there were too many people she looked down upon in those days. At that time, she was the apex of the queen mother¡¯s heart. She could call wind and rain. No matter what she did, she teased and humiliated, the queen mother did everything she could to protect her. Even when the Emperor would like to me her, under the strong protection of the queen mother, he had to go and forget about it.


    She was so spoiled that she felt that she was right in everything she did until the emergence of Ye Jinxuan, the person she hated most in her life and the biggest enemy.


    However, at that time, she also looked down upon in the eyes, repeatedly fighting against thew and repeatedly failing miserably. At that time, she seemed to be trapped in evil influence, intent on stepping this person under the soles of her feet and stepping into the mud, never turning over. Ironically, she was the one who finally fell into hell, and she was the one who could not turn over any more.


    In the first year of praying for the queen mother in the pce, she thought every day and night that if she had been more tolerant a little, maybe everything would had been different.


    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t! For the first time in my life, she was beaten in Ye Jinxuan¡¯s hands, followed by envied, envied of such a mediocre woman and humble cook, who won Xia Chunyu¡¯s heart. Hated every time Xia Chunyu¡¯s eyes when seeing Ye Jinxuan , full of gentle love, as if the world in addition to her Ye Jinxuan, there was no other woman; Hated every time she heard others praise her Ye Jinxuan for her ability, and hated the people around her one by one towards Ye Jinxuan. Hated every time sheint it to Chunfeng, Chunfeng always said good things about Ye Jinxuan ...


    Yes, envied and hated because of jealousy, she was jealous of Ye Jinxuan. Clearly nothing was like her, but she lived better than her. She had a mother-in ¨Cws high regard for her , had a husband loved her, had friends liked her , and is famous for her Tianshangju restaurant in Jinling ...


    Very uneasy, she finally had a chance to stand up, better than Ye Jinxuan¡¯s chance, her child, but it was gone.


    Therefore, she began to calcte, but again and again, in the end, retribution fell on her own head.


    For the first time, she was scolded by the queen mother for Ye Jinxuan.


    For the first time being treated coldly by parents inws due to Ye Jinxuan.


    And got unfamiliar with Chunfeng due to Ye Jinxuan.


    Lost Little Ya because Ye Jinxuan.


    Forced to move away from Marquis house of Hou because Ye Jinxuan.


    Reputation was ruined because Ye Jinxuan.


    ...


    But now thought about it, not so much because Ye Jinxuan, but because she did it herself.


    Xia Chunyu scolded her for a long time. On the same day in Lanting Tea House, Xia Chunyu said, ¡°When you bully others by yourself, you are happy. Have you ever thought about how others feel? Don¡¯t you think bullying others is taken for granted? You can¡¯t stand any injustice ...


    At that time, she only felt angry. Of course, she took it for granted that she bullied other people because she did not like them.


    Later, framed Ye Jinxuan and Liu Xiaotian, Xia Chunyu scolded her for doing wrong.


    Chunfeng¡¯s eyes were getting colder day by day, and she stillint that Chunfeng did not help her, did not look towards her, and even doubted what Chunfeng and Ye Jinxuan have some thoughts in mind.


    Now she understood, it was not Chunfeng who liked Ye Jinxuan to be disappointed with her. Ye jinxuan was his sister-inw and his family. He was disappointed because she had repeatedly hurt him to lose face and embarrassed him in front of his family, making him feel guilty. Chunfeng was a person who regarded his family as very important.


    Unfortunately, she understood these principles toote and was too proud to know how to lower her noble head.


    Chunfeng ...


    She silently recited the name in her heart, as if her heart had been pierced by a needle, and it was aching faintly.


    Chunfeng, do you still hate me?


    You must still hate me, otherwise, why don¡¯t youe to see me for so many years? Even if it was good for the servant to take a look and let me know that you don¡¯t hate me anymore!


    Chunfeng, did you know that, in my life, I only treated one person sincerely, that was you, did you know how much I regreted ?Did you know how much I missed you ...


    Zhao Liluli raised her head and looked at the dark sky, pushing back the tears.


    Chunfeng, did you know, now I had only this thought, I hoped I could see you again in my life, even if I looked at you from a distance.


    Atst it was light, and the queen¡¯s ceremony arrived at Ciyun Temple.


    Zhao Liuli mixed up in a group of nuns while chanting sutras, and then hid in her own room. she didn¡¯t want to see the queen.


    It was beyond expression to see people who were looked down upon by themselves in the past so shiny and bright.


    However, after the queen¡¯s blessing, she was specially asked to meet her in the past.


    If she had been a crown princess before, she would never have gone, but if she saw that the family was a queen, what the queen said was an imperial decree, and she had to abide by it, she did not dare to disobey it.


    The queen and the host were drinking tea in the fragrant room and saw Zhao Liuli in a blue frocking in, but they didn¡¯t recognize it at first sight.


    In fact, when she recited the scriptures before, she was looking for Liuli in all the Sani, but everyone was wearing the same monk¡¯s clothing and hats, with their heads down, and couldn¡¯t tell the difference at all.


    Now saw her, She was also surprised, not seen for many years, Liuli had lost a lot of weight, the original round face had now be a standard melon ¨C shaped face with a pointed chin, which shows her eyes are particrlyrge, and her broad frock is worn on her body and empty.


    When the queen saw her like this, she was deeply touched in her heart. The once glorious ss monarch had now be like this.


    If she could be a little capable and tolerant, she would not fall into this field today.


    Previously she also asked the host, how did the Liuli live here? The host said that Liuli was quite quiet and had few words. She would never object to anything.


    The queen sighed silently and motioned for everyone to step down. She wanted to say a few words to Liuli alone.


    Quietly in the room, only sandalwood filled the air.


    The queen deliberated and said, ¡± LIuli, would you like to follow me back to the pce?¡±


    Liuli looked up, eyes low was surprised to look.


    For the first time since she came here for so many years, someone asked her if she would like to go back to the pce.


    The queen smiled slightly, ¡± Before I came here, the emperor mentioned you, saying that you had blessed the queen mother for many years. Your filial piety ismendable. Now you are still a princess. If you are willing to go back to the pce or you are willing to remarry, the emperor will decide for you.¡±


    In fact, Ye Jinxuan told her this, and she told the queen mother and the emperor that the queen mother thought that Liuli was the only daughter of the seventh wise kings after all. Even if she did something wrong, the punishment for so many years would be enough, and she could not really call Liuli the ancient Buddha for the rest of her life.The emperor was a filial piety, so the queen mother said, the emperor naturally had no objection.


    Liuli cornered of the mouth with a wry smile, back to the pce? However, the pce was thest ce she would like to stay. She spent the most beautiful time in the pce. She asked Ciyun Temple to stay there without being looked down upon.


    As for remarriage, a notorious unruly princess and an abandoned woman who was old and yellow, who would like to marry her?Even if someone had to marry because of the majesty of the royal family, she was afraid he wouldn¡¯t treat her sincerely. Why bother again?


    Unless this person was Chunfeng.


    Liuli lingered for a long time and asked, ¡± Is Marquis house of Hou all right now?¡±


    The queen knew that Liuli was concerned about Xia Chunfeng.She couldn¡¯t help but think of Ye Jinxuan¡¯s words again: She said that Liuli did so many wrong things, but she was true to Xia Chunfeng. It was just youthful and spoiled. Even if she wanted to be good to a person, she didn¡¯t know how to do it.Of course, Chunfeng was now very happy, and it was impossible to renew his lead with Liuli.


    The queen said slightly, ¡± the old duke of Marquis House of Hou has already retired, and he has lived a carefree life in his home. now Xia Chunyu has inherited the title.¡±


    After a pause, the queen added, ¡± Chunfeng is now a general, guarding western Sichuan and having two sons.¡±


    Liluli couldn¡¯t say whether it is joy or loss in the heart. The joy was that Chunfeng was so promising. In fact, he didn¡¯t like it when the queen mother sent him to Dali Temple. He wanted to kill the enemy like the old duke and the second brother Xia Chunyu. Now, he was getting his wish.


    What was lost was that Chunfeng married another and had two sons.


    Couldn¡¯t help but thought again, if her children were saved at the beginning, perhaps, there would not be so many things behind.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know which girl is so blessed?¡± Liuli said with a smile, the thought in the mind was very bitter.


    The queen also hesitated and said, ¡± It¡¯s Chen Ya, the daughter of Longyuan Pavilion.¡±


    Liuli dazed, Chen ya, wasn¡¯t that Little Ya? Little Ya was a child of a crime minister who didn¡¯t enter the pce to be a ve. Had her father¡¯s case been vindicated?


    Her face was burning and herplex emotions were rolling. She thought it would be the daughter of her family, but it turned out to be her former maid Little Ya, a mute, and Xia Chunfeng was really sentient beings and righteous, marrying a mute and helping her to rehabilitate her family.


    Ridiculous, ridiculous, once so noble, she had now be ayman disciple in an tang, once humble and lowly girl had be the daughter of a university student in Longyuange, and the wife of a general was really ironic.


    The queen saw that her face was blue and white, and her face wasplicated and indistinguishable. She didn¡¯t expect Liuli to care so much after such a long time.


    ¡± Liuli, as long as you figure it out, you will still have a good future.¡± The queen advised.


    Liuli gave a sad smile, ¡± Thank the queen for remembering me, but I think this life is very good. I am quiet here for the rest of my life. I just want to pray for the queen mother and the emperor and queen.¡±


    The only thought was shattered. What hope does she have?


    ¡± You don¡¯t have to rush to answer me, you are still young, your life still has a long way to go, you think it over, let people send a message to my pce, and I will arrange it for you.¡± The queen and said.


    Liuli bowed her head and kept silent. Was she still young? She was almost 30 years old. She could have how many 30 years in life. One step was wrong and the other was wrong. She couldn¡¯t return her head.


    Three dayster, Zhao Liuli officially fell out of her hair and became a nun. Her name was Buhui (no regret).


    In this life, she had too many regrets and hoped that she would not regret again in the next life.

 Chapter 422 - Announcer II ( Little Jing )

    <h4>Chapter 422: Announcer II ( Little Jing )</h4>


    The procession of escorting king Yu¡¯s coffin back home was full of white banners and mighty lines. Everyone looked solemn and dignified, and the people stopped to watch and looked sad wherever they passed.


    However, Helian Jing who sitting in the carriage was in a very good mood. From time to time he secretly looked at the corner of the car curtain behind the car, and pretending to be an apanying maid -A Ruan, thinking about Yao¡¯s n before, he was more and more happy.


    He thought it was impossible in his life, and regret it all his life. Who thought that King Yu¡¯s death gave him this big chance.


    However, at this time the sun was so hot that A Ruan may even get sunburned.


    Helian Jing was very love dearly to her, thinking a moment, and then knocked on the car wall.


    Pingan outside asked, ¡± Lord, what¡¯s the order?¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m a little dizzy, call a maid toe in and rub for me.¡± Helian Jing said.


    Pingan said nervously: ¡± lord, you¡¯re not feeling well, so let me massage?¡±


    Helian Jing really wanted to kick Pingan down with one foot, who wanted you to massage, did you want to disturb my good things?


    Pingan stuck tongue out and made a face. She jumped out of the carriage to find the maid. She thought the lord had looked at the most beautiful one, who knew it was a dark-skinned woman, and the words about she looks ordinary was reluctant. Was the lord sure about her to serve him? Was the report wrong?


    In case of a mistake, the lord won¡¯t say that he was wrong. It must mean that she was barking up the wrong people and must have to be cut off again.


    Pingan ran back, quietly asked the lord: ¡± Lord, are you talking about the ck one?¡±


    Helian Jing sullenly answered, was he not clear enough?


    Pingan secretly suck up the tongue, God, the lord¡¯s eyes were indeed different! The fairy-like beauty was not his like, but liked the ck charcoal.


    After receiving a definite instruction, Pingan said to the swarthy maid, ¡± What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The maid replied, ¡± I¡¯m Mo Xiang.¡±


    After listening to the name, she was very happy. Mo Xiang deserved the name as ck of ink.


    ¡± Lord is a little ufortable, you get on the carriage to serve him, and be careful to serve. If you serve well, Lord would reward you, if not, hum ...¡± Threat of Pingan.


    Helian Jing heard in the carriage and wanted to get off to beat up the Pingan. Fuck off, how dare did you to talk with my woman in this tone, waiting for me to beat you severely.


    A Ruan hesitated, because before leaving, Sister Yaoyao gave a special exnation that our two people should keep a distance and must not make people suspicious. What was Little Jing going to do?


    However, her current identity was apanying maid, how can she vite the lord¡¯s order?


    A Ruan had to get into the carriage and didn¡¯t notice that countless envious and uneven eyes were cast behind her.


    She was so ugly, but she was so lucky enough to serve the lord. Was the head of the Steward Pingan clipped by the door, or did she have cramps in her eyes?


    Only A Man was happy in her heart. Lord Little Jing must be pity about the princess¡¯s hard-working and deliberately made excuses to let her get on the carriage to rest.


    Pingan was very depressed, thinking little about she was hated by a bunch of maid.


    As soon as A Ruan got on the carriage, Little Jing pulled her to sit down and handed over the kettle, softly said: ¡± Are you tired!¡±


    A Ruan didn¡¯t hand the water andined bitterly in a low voice: ¡± Why did you ask me toe up? Forgot Sister Yaoyao¡¯s advice?¡±


    Little Jing said: ¡± What¡¯s the matter? Originally I also need a few close-fitting people to serve me!¡±


    ¡± But, it is not good.¡± A Ruan felt nervous, in case of one thousand out of the question to break the n.


    Little Jing put the kettle in her hand: ¡± Ok, don¡¯t worry, there won¡¯t be any problems.¡±


    A Ruan just opened the kettle and took a sip of it. The weather was so hot and the sun was so hot that it was too much for me. After a sip of herbal tea, she was much relieved.


    Little Jing took a handkerchief to wipe her sweat. A Ruan shyly hid him, but she was caught by Little Jing. She could not break free and could not protest loudly. She had to let him wipe her sweat stiffly.


    His movements were gentle, because the distance was very close and she could smell the faint scent of mint in his clothes. A Ruan only felt a fever on her face, and Little Jing did this to her. Did he really not mind once she was another man¡¯s wife?


    Since she was rescued, she had always had such misgivings. Little Jing was a kind-hearted person. Will he just pitied herself? That was why he didn¡¯t object to Sister Yaoyao¡¯s arrangement? She did not dare to ask, what if this was the case?


    A Ruan¡¯s face was painted with special juice prepared by Sister Yaoyao, which appeared dark and ugly, but Helian Jing didn¡¯t care at all. Once a person lived in your heart, it didn¡¯t matter whether she was beautiful or ugly. People who was his love was just beside him, and Little Jing was only happy and can¡¯t help holding A Ruan¡¯s hand.


    A Ruan shyly and symbolically struggled for a moment, then let him hold it and her heart beat faster.


    ¡± You¡¯re here to rest. I saidter that you served me well and transferred you to my side to be my maid, so that you can be justified.¡± Little Jing said his best n.


    Watching A Ruan suffer a lot, he couldn¡¯t stand it.


    ¡± Is that good?¡± A Ruan was uneasy, to be on the safe side, she would rather suffer more.


    ¡± Tube it is good, when I see you suffer a lot, and I will feel ill.¡± Little Jing.


    A Ruan¡¯s heart like a warm current gushed through, sweetly, softly, it was the first time she heard Little Jing so bluntly express his concern for her.


    If they had been able to do this before, she would not have promised to marry King Yu. At that time, Little Jing¡¯s attitude was not clear. She had no confidence at all. Was she still clinging to him?


    At that time, her heart was broken and died . If there wasn¡¯t Sister Yaoyao¡¯s help, she would really rather have withered all the time.


    Unexpectedly, after twisted and turned, now, they can still sit together and listen to him say such sweet words.


    ¡± Little Jing... you ... really don¡¯t hate me?¡± A Ruan hesitated repeatedly, but still asked this question, not knowing the problem. Even if she was with him in the future, she had a knot in her heart.


    ¡± You don¡¯t have to force, I know you are softhearted, and pity me, but you really don¡¯t have to force.¡±


    Little Jing said: ¡± You say what? How can I pity you? Why is it so hard? I don¡¯t know where the thoughts came from.¡±


    A Ruan, with her head down, did not dare to look at his eyes, wasn¡¯t it true?


    Little Jing was a little aggrieved. ¡± I thought you knew it. If I had only pity on you, how would I have run to save you? If Sister Yaoyao and others don¡¯t know my thoughts, were they still make these arrangements? I have missed once, thinking that I have no chance in my life and you don¡¯t know how upset I am. Now, we still have the chance to be together, how can I abandon you?¡±


    This was the second time Little Jing had expressed himself to others. His first experience was simply horrible, so his heart was not without some shadow, a little tense, and his hands are sweating.


    A Ruan also sweated nervously, feeling that both hands were wet together and thought it was her sweat too much, so she was embarrassed.


    ¡± A Ruan, don¡¯t entertain foolish ideas, ok? Unless you don¡¯t like me.¡± Little Jing deliberately said.


    ¡± No, no, no, how don¡¯t I like you, I always love you, you know.¡± A Ruan urgently said.


    Little Jing pretended to be calm and stared at her with faint eyes. Although her face was painted ck, and he could not see blushing on her face, but her big eyes were shy and ardent and full of affection.


    ¡± Really, you don¡¯t force, to tell the truth it doesn¡¯t matter, I bear the blow.¡± Little Jing deliberately pie his mouth.


    ¡± It¡¯s true, it¡¯s true. I¡¯ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. It¡¯s because I care too much that I¡¯m a bit swayed by considerations of gain and loss.¡± A Ruan saw his dejected expression, his heart ached, and he expressed his heart more eagerly. There was no reaction at all. When did the wind reverse, nor did it notice someone¡¯s hidden smile.


    ¡± You don¡¯t know, when I put on my wedding clothes and married King Yu, I really wanted to die ...¡±


    The next moment, a hand covered her mouth.


    ¡± The past is over. Shall we not mention it again, ok? We wasted a lot of time, and I will use the rest of my life to make up for it, so that you will be as happy every day as Sister Yaoyao.¡±


    He only wanted to tease her, but as a result, she was in a hurry and was about to shed tears. He was deeply distressed and felt a bit of a jerk. A Ruan¡¯s heart was always known to him.


    A Ruan threw himself into his arms and sobbed silently.


    Not because of injustice, but because of tears of joy.


    Little Jing held her, stroking her back and letting her cry in his arms. After this embrace only belongs to you, whether it¡¯s tears of injustice or tears of joy, you can flow freely in my arms.


    However, there was still a problem that makes Little Jing somewhat uneasy.


    After A Ruan had cried enough, he calmed down his mood and asked, ¡± That ... your father, the king of South Vietnam, will it be difficult to speak?¡±


    A Ruan immediately understood what Little Jing was worried about and was afraid her father would not agree.


    ¡± Hum, he dare not promise, I will let him really lose his only daughter.¡± A Ruan grunted.


    Little Jing¡¯s heart tightened: ¡± Don¡¯t do any stupid things. If your father doesn¡¯t promise, I¡¯ll stick to it and beat it up. I¡¯ll grind it up by hook or by crook. In a word, he doesn¡¯t promise. I won¡¯t go away, eat and live on his money before he was poor.¡±


    A Ruan couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡± Even if you stay in South Vietnam all your life, you can¡¯t eat and drink and run out of his money!¡±


    ¡± Then I will change the pattern and bother him every day, just like my first aunt, and the emperor will have to flee as soon as he sees my the first aunt.¡± Little Jing vowed, don¡¯t give up until he reached the goal.


    A Ruan turned her eyes and smiled like a flower: ¡± In fact, it¡¯s easy to do with my father.¡±


    Little Jing eyes a bright: ¡°How to do it, please tell me quickly.¡±


    A Ruan whispered in his ear for a while.


    Little Jing nodding, and smiled: ¡± That¡¯s no problem, I look so well proportioned, so handsome, so gentle, as long as it¡¯s a woman, old and young, and all like me very much. It¡¯s a piece of cake to take care of your grandmother.¡±


    A Ruan gave him a supercilious look and found for the first time that Little Jing was such a narcissistic people, but she liked him.


    Little Jing was Indifferent, gentle, narcissistic, no matter what he was, were the only person in her heart, the one who loved most.

 Chapter 423 - Extraneous(â…¢) Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi

    <h4>Chapter 423: Extraneous(¢ó) Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi</h4>


    Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi had been troubled by a problem for a long time.


    Two people together, must distinguish who was strong or weak,inside or outside!Who was whose wife?


    Because of this, he and Su Yi had conducted many in-depth discussions and had heated debates.


    For example, on this day, Zhao Qixuan spent a lot of effort to help Su Yi got a chess book. While Su Yi was happy, Zhao Qixuan thought about fighting for it.


    ¡± Susu, you see how nice I am and know what your favorite thing is . ¡±


    Someone turned over the chess book and nodded with satisfaction.


    ¡± But you don¡¯t have to thank me, love wife is a man¡¯s duty.¡±


    Someone thought deeply and nodded, and said: ¡°Well, I will love you and make sure that you will love it.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan secretly gnashed his teeth. This fellow always believed he would stay with him forever by his good skills . In addition to his skill well, which point was better than me? Every time we fight, every time a dispute couldn¡¯t be resolved,we would use violence to solve the problem. I was so embarrassed that you were so gentle like a jade, good look ,that was all pretended.


    Zhao Qixuan had to pretend that he didn¡¯t understand someone¡¯s implication. He pulled out an ount book and handed it over: ¡± Look, this is the ount for this month. Ha ha, it¡¯s 10 % more thanst month¡¯s ie. Is your husband good? ¡±


    Someone had a short stop when he turned over the book , he gave him a faint look and slowly swallowed: ¡°What did you say?¡±


    The slender phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, and the corners of the mouth still held a gentle smile, but the threat from the deep and remote ck eyes was already very obvious.


    Zhao Qixuan shrank his neck and said weakly, ¡± No, I didn¡¯t say anything!¡±


    What else could he say in that threatening look?


    Someone continued to turn over the books and said slightly, ¡± There are many times more merchants in the border trade city now, and this ie has only increased by 10 %. I¡¯m ashamed to boast of my business genius.If genius are all like you,the world had no genius.


    Er ... Zhao Qixuan was so angry that he almost fell back. He didn¡¯t do anything every day. He walked the bird at home, yed chess and read books. And even thought he was bashful. Didn¡¯t he know how hard it was for a man to work outside. Too injustice.


    Su Yi looked at his grievances, but he took out a title deed:¡±I bought the mountain in the east of the city and spent 10,000 yuan. I want to nt some Bupleurum, Sanqi or something. Now the medicine is expensive!¡±


    ¡°What? How much silver do you say?¡± Zhao Qixuan licked his ears. Did he hear the mistake?


    Su Yi stuck out a finger: ¡°One thousand.¡±


    ¡°One thousand?¡± Zhao Qixuan stunned and screamed.


    How could this be? In the east of the city, there were a few hundred acres of mountains. ording to thend price here, there was more than 100,000 yuan of silver. He... how did he do it?


    Su Yi shook the paper fan and said: ¡°This mountain was bought by Childe Wang . I asked him to y chess with me three times and I won it. You also know that I have never loved to take advantage of others. This money still has to be given a little.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan almost slipped down from his chair and looked at Su Yi like a monster. He won a mountain in three chess games, but he said that he didn¡¯t like to take advantage of others? What did he want to take advantage of?


    ¡°Hey, that Childe Wang¡¯ skill of chess is really bad. I want to hold the next draw in the first game. The second game only lets him lose one. The third game still loses one. Qixuan, you don¡¯t know, It¡¯s a very painful thing to pull your own level like him. It¡¯s a very painful thing for men. It¡¯s not easy for men! So, if you spend money as an insider, don¡¯t spend a lot, be considerate of the hard work of men.¡± Someone Sighed.


    Zhao Qixuan had been speechless, this fellow didn¡¯t want to get any disadvantages, he just shook a gun, he immediately retaliated.


    ¡°The Childe Wang will still y chess with me tomorrow. I heard that the store you boughtst time was preempted by him. Tomorrow, I will get it, Qixuan, this time you said to him. How much silver is worth it? I think, three thousand is almost... um... I think it¡¯s OK.¡± Someone got a fan and got up and rubbed the temple: ¡°I¡¯ll go to sleep first, recharge my batteries, at night,I have to love you more, it will cost my brain tomorrow, men are not easy...¡±


    Zhao Qixuan¡¯s eyes widened, his fingers trembled, but he couldn¡¯t say a word. After a while, his head was heavy on the table, and his heart was filled with anger. Was this life being bullied by him?


    Su Yi¡¯s posture was leisurely tilted on the couch with one hand resting behind his head, and he could not help but raised his mouth when he saw Zhao Qixuan crying. Fought with him, Zhao Qixuan was still a little tender. In this life, it was better that he was the insider.


    Zhao Qixuan certainly wouldn¡¯t give up.


    On this day, Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi went to travel together. They went to see the five pavements that Su Yi won from Childe Wang .


    With these five pavements, that half of the street was belong to them.


    Sinceing to the Maocheng, Su Yi rarely traveled with Zhao Qixuan. The folk customs here were simple, and he was afraid that it couldn¡¯t ept such a situation. Therefore, Su Yi paid attention and tried to keep a low pitch. Because both of them were eye-catching,and more conspicuous when they walked together.


    In fact, Zhao Qixuan was also a beautiful man. It was not a very burly figure. It was also a well-proportioned figure. The shoulders and waist were wide and the legs were slender. If he didn¡¯t go with Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan, he was also considered to have a grand appearance.


    Su Yi was needless to say, it was not an exaggeration to describe it with the appearance of Pan An. The facial features were as exquisite as paintings, and the figure was slender and tall, with one hand raised and one foot thrown, the charm was graceful and elegant, not to mention that the woman would be ted when she saw it, and even the man would not move his feet when he saw it, and there would also be some people who admired him.


    Su Yi kept a distance from Zhao Qixuan as far as possible, but Zhao Qixuan, who was a rtively like to gule him, always used his elbow to barrel him, and sneered.


    ¡± Susu, how red your face is?¡±


    Su Yi gave him a look. Outside, it was not convenient to teach him, so he had to endure it first.


    ¡°Susu, you look like a little shy wife.¡± Zhao Qixuan cheerfully said.


    Su Yi hid on the side, and he glued again. The two walked from the middle of the street to the left, and from the left to the right, liked the Chinese word ¡°Zhi¡±.


    Pedestrians on the road were all pointing to them.


    Su Yi was guilty and angry. He felt that everyone must have seen something. He could not help but lower his voice and shouted, ¡°Are you enough ?¡±


    ¡°Then you admit, admit that you are the insider, I will be enough.¡± Zhao Qixuan which willing to miss such a good opportunity.


    ¡°You see that you are so white and beautiful,and look like an insider, right?¡±


    Su Yi couldn¡¯t bear it anymore, stopped and said coldly: ¡°You go by yourself, I am back.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t do it, what are you ashamed, we are wife and husband?¡± Zhao Qixuan was a cheeky, he didn¡¯t care whether other people knew or didn¡¯t know, knew what? Not breaking thew?


    The key was that those sisters and aunts , saw Su Su¡¯s eyes shining like hungry wolves saw little sheep.


    Shit. This handsome man belonged to me.They should stop thinking to obtain him, hum!


    He wanted to dere sovereignty.


    ¡± Susu, you admit it, admit it won¡¯t be less meat?¡±


    Su Yi was angry, he used a little paper fan, pointed Zhao Qixuan¡¯s acupuncture points.


    ¡°After an hour, the acupuncture points are self-solving. You like to be seen by people. You stand here and let people see enough!¡±


    Su Yi turned around and left.


    Poor Zhao Qixuan, with ascivious smile on his face, made a gesture of pulling people in one hand and a fan in the other, It was just a women who wanted to p a good woman, now was pointed the acupuncture points on the street.


    Pedestrians came and went on the streets, all of them cast curious eyes.


    First, They were curious, and then they felt so funny. When they realized the deep meaning of Zhao Qixuan¡¯s expression, they spit it up and talked about it.


    Was this person crazy?


    He must think a girl crazily.They saw his face grinning.


    Ah... Pitiful, asked what the emotion was, just made people crazy in the street, but unfortunately such a beautiful man.


    ...


    Zhao Qixuan cried, teared in two lines.


    The bottom of his heart was roaring: Susu, you were a jerk, was there such a torture? He didn¡¯t take revenge, he would follow yourst name. When he went back, he would not definitely let Su Yi out of the door for three days.


    After standing in the street liked a fool for an hour, he finally moved. Zhao Qixuan still wanted face and pretended to knock the palm of his hand with a paper fan: ¡± Ha, this mystery has finally been solved by me.¡±


    Then pretended to be very happy, shook the paper fan and walked back slowly with a square step.


    It suddenly dawned on someone that this young man was thinking about problems. However, it must not be a serious problem to think about, otherwise he could look so lewd just now?


    Zhao Qixuan went to the ces where had few people, only to withdrew his smile and ruthlessly grind his teeth, Su Yi, wait for him.


    When Zhao Qixuan angrily returned to his yard, he saw Su Yi sitting under the wisteria trellis, stretching his legs slowly, and drinking tea while reading.


    ¡± Su Yi ...¡± Zhao Qixuan walked over and stood in front of Su Yi like a stake.


    ¡± Su Yi, you are too vicious, have you done this to your own man?¡±


    Su Yi¡¯s eyelids did not lift: ¡± Go away, don¡¯t block the sun, I¡¯m basking in.¡±


    Zhao Qixuan angrilyined: ¡± Su Yi, since I met you at the age of ten, I can no longer hold anyone else in my heart. You have been hiding, I have been chasing,suffering so much. For you, I almost saw through the world of mortals. For the sake of my hard pursuit, can¡¯t you give me in once? Can¡¯t I have a little man¡¯s dignity? Can¡¯t you be gentle once? Is it a shame to admit that I am your man?¡±


    Su Yi picked his eyebrows, looked up at him, hooked his fingers and motioned him to bend over.


    Zhao Qixuan was angry and straightened his waist but did not bow his head.


    Su Yi lost his smile, sighed, put down his books, stood up to face him, then put his arms around his waist, pulled him into his arms, bowed his head and kissed him.


    Er ... didn¡¯t think this would please him.He was angry.He was very angry.


    Unfortunately, Zhao Qixuan had no resistance to Su Yi¡¯s gentleness. He soon became soft and was unconscious by a kiss. The purpose of justice was soon thrown outside .


    In a daze, only listened to someone whispered softly sigh, spoiled to whisper ...His wife, why was he always so capricious? what should he do with him?


    Someone ... almost spouted blood.


    Sad in heart: Su Yi, he was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing ...

 Chapter 424 - Extra Story Four ( Xia Chunfeng )

    <h4>Chapter 424: Extra Story Four ( Xia Chunfeng )</h4>


    In the summer of the tenth year of reign of Emperor Tianbao, when Emperor Wu of Xuan who governed his people by both civilians and violence reigned for ten years, the whole country was prosperous and peaceful, and people were living and working in peace and contentment. Xia Chunfeng got a promotion and brought his family back to Jinling.


    Xia Chunyu and Xia Chunli went out of the city early in the morning to meet them. Ye Jiayao also kept busy, gathering servants and arranging various matters.


    ¡± Is the third yard cleaned up?¡±


    ¡± Yes, the three little masters¡¯ rooms are also ready.¡± The one from Lin Kun¡¯s family answered.


    ¡± What about the servants for the third yard?¡±


    ¡± Yeah, they are in position as yourmand.¡±


    ¡± The kitchen over there?¡±


    ¡± The materials have been prepared and are the freshest ...¡±


    Ye Jiayao nodded and wondered what else was missing.


    Chunfeng and Little Ya had been away from home for many years, but they were finallying back. You was d very much and had repeatedly told her that everything should be properly arranged and nothing should be neglected.


    Xiangtao was also the Mother in charge now. Seeing that the seconddy was still thinking with a frown, she said with a smile: ¡± Please rx, the seconddy. Everything is ready. Now what you should do is just wait for them.¡±


    Ye Jiayao then stretched her brows and said with a smile, ¡± That¡¯s good. Everyone should cheer up and wee the third master and the thirddy home.¡±


    The servants took order to melt over.


    Ye Jiayao asked Yexue, ¡± Does Tianci get up?¡±


    Yexue replied, ¡± Young Master got up early and has been studying. He said that although he did not go to school today, his lessons could not be left behind. He learns what he should learn first so that he can y well with Taiyang and other young masters.¡±


    Ye Jiayao couldn¡¯t helpughing: ¡± What he said is good, but he doesn¡¯t work so hard on weekdays. He said like that because he would like to y widely when other masters return back. He deliberately does as he said to protect him from my ming.¡±


    Xiangtaoughed: ¡± What the seconddy said is unfair. The young master Tianci is talented. No matter what he learns, he shouldn¡¯t learn by holding the book all day as the others did. Even Professor Su is full of praise for him.¡±


    When it came to understanding, Tianci¡¯sprehension was indeed beyond ordinary people. He was only nine years old, but the teachers in the school and Professor Su said that his present level of learning was further beyond the examination of the schr. Plus, he learned martial arts well and was good at cooking. He had many fantastic ideas about cook, even more than she, the world¡¯s top chef did.


    Ye Jiayao was very satisfied with this, but she also worried a lot. Although he was clever, he sometimes yed tricks on people. He was honest like a rabbit in front of her, but definitely a bully outside. Even children several years older than him had to listen to his orders.


    Ye Jiayao shook her head and smiled. Forgot it. After all, the child was young. They several cousins had not seen each other for a long time, let him y happily.


    When it was about 10 o¡¯clock, Song Qi came to report that the Heir-son Lord had already received the third master and woulde here soon.


    Ye Jiayao immediately sent someone to inform the duke and his wife that they were going out to wee them.


    The scene of reunion after a long separation was always particrly touching. Ye Jiayao was better, after all, she met in the border trade city years ago, but You didn¡¯t see her son and grandson in seven or eight years. She cried so much that her usual noble dignitypletely disappeared. At the moment, she was only a mother who separated from her child for many years.


    Ye Jiayao advised: ¡± Mother, It is very hot here, the third young brother and the third young sister-inw are tired all the way. Let¡¯s go back to the house and talk about it again.¡±


    You remembered it just now. She wiped away the tears and said with a smile, ¡± I¡¯m overjoyed. You should go in and ce your luggage first. And we will talk about it again.¡±


    The duke was also relieved and said happily: ¡± Yes, settle down first. It¡¯s time to have lunchter.¡±


    Due to the return of Chunfeng¡¯s family, Jing¡¯ an marquis house was more lively than the New Year¡¯s Day. After everyone had lunch happily, all men of Xia family went to the ancestral temple to worship their ancestors.


    After many years, once again, the Xia family reunited.


    Xia Chunyu and Xia Chunfeng were sitting in the study drinking tea in the evening.


    Xia Chunyu took out a box and gave it to Chunfeng.


    Chunfeng was confused and asked: ¡± What is this?¡±


    ¡± You open it.¡±


    Xia Chunfeng joked: ¡± Don¡¯t give me any title deeds, I will not go out of house.¡±


    Xia Chunyuughed: ¡± You dare move out, I¡¯ll break your leg.¡±


    As soon as the box was opened, Xia Chunfeng¡¯s smile froze on his face. He knew all the things in the box, which he had given to Liuli, the jade bracelets, hairpins and so on.


    The forgotten past seemed to havee to mind like film clips.


    This pair of red chalcedony bracelets were sent by him as a gift of apology after he hurt Liuli for the first time.


    There was also a sachet under it. Although it had never been seen before, it should be made by Liuli, to him.


    ¡°Why are these things here?¡± Xia Chunfeng sipped dry lips and asked obscurely, ¡°How is she now?¡±


    Xia Chunyu looked at Chunfeng¡¯s reaction in his eyes. Over the years, grievances and enmities had dispersed with the wind. However, there were some good things worth remembering, and he believed Chunfeng still remembered them.


    He didn¡¯t want to promise this, but Liuli let person send things specially and pleaded with him to give Chunfeng. After all, Liuli was also a poor person, the queen mother gave her endless love, but didn¡¯t teach her how to love a person. So she was far away from the person she loved, and it was important for her to get him back.


    ¡± Last winter, she has already cut off her hair in Ciyun Temple. This was sent before she did that. I think she want to end the rtionship between you and her. Her new name is Buhui (not regretful).¡± Xia Chunyu sighed.


    Chunfeng was dazed and confused. He couldn¡¯t tell what kind of feeling he was in. In short, it was chaotic.


    ¡± Originally, the queen wanted to persuade her to go back to the pce and choose a new husband, but she refused. I heard that she only asked something about your situation. After knowing you were doing well, she...¡±


    Shepletely let it go, didn¡¯t her? Was she still missing him over the years?


    Since that day he left Qixian Mansion, he had never seen Liuli again. Didn¡¯t want to see, even didn¡¯t want to think of this person, this woman who had brought him endless pain. However, when he heard that she asked to go to Ciyun Temple, he was deeply moved for a while and then gradually forgot.


    In the past few years in Chuanxi, he and Little Ya got along well, and gave birth to Taiyang and other children. They lived a happy life, and he had never thought of Liuli.


    However, at the moment, seeing these things, he was inexplicable sorrow. Cutting off hair, bing a monk, not a worldly woman any more. Buhui, did she mean no regrets in this life or no regrets in the afterlife?


    ¡± These things, you do it at your own discretion!¡± Xia Chunyu said with regret.


    He often thought that if it weren¡¯t for he and Yaoyao, perhaps Liuli would have a good life with Chunfeng.


    That night, Xia Chunfeng tossed and turned.


    Little Ya subtly felt the difference of Chunfeng and asked, ¡± Is there?anything on your mind?¡±


    Xia Chunfeng stretched out his arms and let her rest in his arms.He shook his head and said, ¡± I don¡¯t have anything on my mind, but I have been away from home for many years and finallye back. My mood is somewhatplicated.¡±


    Little Ya said softly: ¡± Me too. Mother didn¡¯t agree to get us married very much before. Before Ie back, I was still worried. But today, our mother took my hands to ask about our health, which moved me very much. I had a misfortune in my childhood. I was sent to the Pce to be a maid. I was afraid every day. I was like treading on thin ice and only wanted to survive, but I didn¡¯t dare to think about anything else. However, I met you, had you and the children, and now got the mother¡¯s approval. My heart is only grateful over and over again. Later, I will take care of our parents with sisters-in-low, and raise the children well.


    Xia Chunfeng fondled her shoulder pityingly and hugged her sideways.


    In fact, it was he who should to say ¡°thank you¡±, Little Ya was the light of his darkest life and his redeemer. Others said she was not worthy of him. Only he knew her well. She was an intelligent woman although had done some bad things. But at that time, she had no choice so he didn¡¯t me her.


    For so many years, she took care of him and gave birth to children for him. He never had to worry about family matters. She gave him the peaceful happiness and warm home he yearned for.


    So, in this life, he would not betray her.


    Thinking of this, Xia Chunfeng¡¯s annoy at Liuli gradually died down.


    However, he still found a spare time and went to Ciyun Temple.


    She had already finished worrying about the world of mortals, so he also went to say goodbye to the past.


    Xia Chunfeng was in blue robe. Although he was already 30 years old, he was still elegant and handsome, with less childlike youth and more years of precipitation, bing calm and restrained.


    He stood up with his hands behind his back and looked at the ce where Ciyun Temple was, but he did not dare to step for a long time. He had a feeling of being afraid of approaching somewhere. He wanted to see Liuli, but he was afraid that Liuli would not see him. If they met, what should he say?


    He really didn¡¯t know what to say. Perhaps, Liuli also didn¡¯t want him to disturb her.


    Xia Chunfeng hesitated for a long time and took his steps towards it.


    After going in, he added three pirs of incense and sesame oil.


    He deliberately searched for Liuli, but never saw her inside or outside.


    Xia Chunfeng was a little disappointed, but it was all right for him to be here.


    Walking out of there, Xia Chunfeng mounted his horse and was about to leave, at the same time, he suddenly felt strange. He looked back, vaguely, as if there was a woman standing on the highest tform in the deepest part of temple.


    At such a distance, he couldn¡¯t see the face at all, but he was sure that the woman was Liuli.


    The two looked at each other from such a distance and no one moved.


    For a long time, the woman turned away and never appeared again. Xia Chunfeng looked back silently. Suddenly, he understood why Liuli should be called ¡± Buhui (no regrets)¡±, It was not this life without regrets, but for an afterlife without regrets.


    The eyes were a bit sour. Xia Chunfeng pinched his lips, his legs clipped, and he whipped his horse away.


    If he met her again in the next life, he thought, he would remember her smiling and innocent.

 Chapter 425 - Additional Novel Five Parenting

    <h4>Chapter 425: Additional Novel Five Parenting</h4>


    ( I )


    Cousin Tai ¡®an is a hard nut, also known as sleepwalking worm. When you talk to him, he always responds slowly. It¡¯s always the case that when Xia Tianci has changed several topics, his thinking still stays on the first question, and then he suddenly inserts an irrelevant word, which makes Xia Tianci, who is extremely active in thinking, very depressed and doesn¡¯t like to y with Tai ¡®an.But there are no other boys in the house except Tai ¡®an. The two brothers in Helian family are good to get along with, but they can¡¯t y together every day. Xia Tianci felt lonely and miserable in his childhood.


    Since three brothers¡ªTaiyang Taishan Tailin came back, this situation has changed.


    Recently Xia Tianci had found new fun.


    One day, after dinner, Xia Tianci began to cry ... Itching, Itching!


    Ye Jiayao dragged him over: ¡± what is itching?Did you not take a bath yesterday?¡±


    Xia Tianci wriggled: ¡°yes, I¡¯m calling Taiyang(the same sound as itching in Chinese.¡±


    Ye Jiayao gnashed his teeth and got a little angry: ¡± Can you just pronounce it clearly?¡±


    Taiyang¡¯s ssmate came up here happily: ¡± second brother, Did you call me?¡±


    Xia Tianci¡¯s big eyes blinked and stared at his mother: ¡± Mom, Can I y checkers with Taiyang?¡±


    Ye Jiayao waved impatiently.


    One day, after dinner, Xia Tianci began to cry again ... itching itching!


    Taiyang immediately ran over: ¡± Second brother, do you want to y checkers?¡±


    Xia Tianci wriggled: ¡± I asked my mother to scratch me.¡±


    Taiyang were disappointed making his t mouths.


    Ye Jiayao red at him angrily.Youshi said in a hurry, ¡± Poppet,e here, I will scratch you.¡±


    After such a few times, Ye Jiayao was beyond endurance andined to Xia Chunyu: ¡± Your son is too bad. It¡¯s obvious that he is meant to tease others!¡±


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t think so: ¡± Like a mother, like a son. If you want to solve the problem, you must start from the source.¡±


    Ye Jiayao said angrily, ¡± What is like a mother, like a son?What is wrong with me?When did I do bad things like this?¡±


    He said slowly: ¡± In the beginning, who spoke with his tongue rolled up and called me wrongly as a stupid ass?¡±


    Er ... Ye Jiayao was speechless, there seemed to be such a thing!


    ( ii )


    In ancient times, a woman with no talent was virtuous, so it was enough for women to recognize a few words, like a girl in her sister-inw¡¯s home, who started to learn about needlework when she was young, but Ye Jiayao believed that women still need to be well-educated and steeped in propriety, just as a saying goes wisdom in hold, elegance in mold.Therefore, Ye Jiayao also attaches great importance to the enlightenment of her two baby daughters.Therefore, I teach my two daughters to read the three-character sutra every night before going to bed.


    ¡°This means that when Kong Rong was four years old, he knows the manners of modesty. He gave the big pear to his brother to eat, everyone should know this kind of respect and love for his brother...¡±


    Ye Jiayao softly exined the implication to her daughter.


    Words hadn¡¯te to the end, Tingting tted her mouth, suddenly began to cry.


    Ye Jiayao asked, ¡± Why did you cry so suddenly?¡±


    The little girl snapped her tears and sobbed, ¡± I am the youngest in the family, and then I can only eat the smallest.¡±


    Ye Jiayao just wanted to exin to her daughter that it is not always the case that the little should give the pear to the big, the truth is the humble between brothers and sisters.


    But some people standing by said, ¡± Tylin is younger than you, or let your mother bear a younger brother or sister, so you are not the smallest.¡±


    The little girl thought for a while, stopped crying, and seriously said to her mother, ¡± Mom, give birth to more younger brothers and sisters, Tingting wants to be the elder sister, I wants to eat big pears.¡±


    Wanwan said, ¡± I am the elder sister. you can only be the second sister, and the big pear will be given to me, you know?¡±


    ¡± Hum, Kong Rong is not a good man, I hate him ...¡± Tingting said angrily.


    Ye Jiayao looked up to sky speechlessly.She really wanted to find a piece of tofu and hit her head. That guy was alreadyughing covering his stomach. Ye Jiayao grabbed a pillow and threw it to him.


    ( iii )


    One day, when the sun was fine, Xia Chunyu and his wife took their two daughters to y in the garden. There were butterflies flying in the garden. Wanwan and Tingting watched them, felt like them and cried out to catch butterflies.


    His precious babies have such demands. Is there any reason not to satisfy them?Immediately, Xia Chunyu told people to take the pocket, and without much effort, he caught two butterflies, one baby.


    Wanwan said she wanted to take a bottle to put the butterfly into it and bring it back to y.


    Ye Jiayao felt that it would be bad if the butterfly had powder on it. Moreover, the butterfly would soon die if it was packed in a bottle, so she thought of taking this opportunity to educate children to protect animals and love them.


    ¡± Wanwan, I have to tell you, let¡¯s y here for a while and let the butterfly goter. Otherwise, mother butterfly will be very sad if she can¡¯t find her baby.¡±


    Wanwan was reluctant and loved the butterfly in her hand.


    ¡± Must we let them go?Can¡¯t I just y them one night?¡±


    Ye Jiayao said gently, ¡± If anyone hides you two for a night, Mother will get crazy, and so will Mother Butterfly.¡±


    ¡± Mom, how about letting father catch Mama Butterfly, Mama Butterfly will apany you and Baby Butterfly will apany us,¡± said Tingting.¡±


    Xia Chunyu cooperated with Ye Jiayao one in a thousand and softly said, ¡± If you catch the mother butterfly, the father butterfly will be sad again, and the rtives of the butterfly will be sad.¡±


    Tingting¡¯s little fist shook: ¡± Dad, then you can catch the whole butterfly family, even their friends, and let them visit our house.¡±


    Wanwan felt that what her sister said was very reasonable and urged, ¡± dad, go find them and catch them all.¡±.¡±


    The couple both looked at each other. They all had headaches. How can this be taught?


    ( iv )


    Butterfly was still caught back. Of course, Butterfly¡¯s mother and father survived. As expected, Butterfly died the next day. The two sisters found that Butterfly was dead and cried sadly.


    Xia Chunyu was so distressed, and took his daughter to the garden, dug a pit near the flowers and buried the butterflies. Heforted her by saying, ¡± Baby butterflies are just asleep. Let¡¯s bury them here. Next spring, the butterflies will wake up and be more beautiful.¡±


    The two babies still whimpered together. Sadly, the butterfly will not wake up until next year.It will take so long.


    ¡± Is it because the butterfly is small that it will not wake up until it has slept for a long time?¡± Asked Tingting sobbed.


    Xia Chunyu didn¡¯t think deeply, just hummed.


    In the evening, Xiao Ji¡¯s newly born grandsons, Hua Hua, disappeared.


    We can¡¯t find it anywhere.


    ¡°So strange, Hua Hua is still so small, it can¡¯t run away.¡± Ye Jiayao wondered.


    ¡± Mom, don¡¯t look for it. Hua Hua is sleeping. When it wakes up, it will be more beautiful.¡± Tingting said childishly.


    ¡± Well, mom, let¡¯s not make so much noise.¡± Wanwan usibly reminded.


    Ye Jiayao was confused about what she heard, and Xia Chunyu next to her gushed out a mouthful of tea.


    Waited for a while asked, ¡± Where did Hua Hua sleep?¡±


    Tingting said proudly, ¡± Baby Butterfly is too lonely to sleep alone. I let Hua Hua apany it.¡±


    Xia Chunyu put down his teamp and ran out. Ye Jiayao was puzzled. What did she mean by its sleeping? Isn¡¯t the butterfly dead?


    After a while, Xia Chunyu brought back a dog covered in mud and said with a mournful face, ¡± Fortunately, the two gangs did not dig deep, otherwise the flowers would really not wake up.¡±


    After knowing the reason, Ye Jiayao scolded Xia Chunyu for cheating kids.You¡¯d better bury Hua Hua. Otherwise, the two kids will bury themselves one day for being more beautiful.


    ( v )


    One day, Xia Tianci came to his grandfather¡¯s ce indigently after school.


    ¡± Grandfather, someone wants to hit me.¡±


    The old man red at him: ¡± who dares to bully my lovely grandchild? tell me dear, I will taught him lessons for you.¡±


    Xia Tianci frowned and said, ¡± Grandpa, I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t beat him.¡±


    The old duke suddenly straightened his waist, rolled up his sleeves, bent his arms, and showed his grandson the muscles on his arms. he said with great vigour, ¡± can¡¯t I beat them?Look, What is this?Muscles, do you know when I was young, I use a silver gun in the battlefield, killing enemies. There is no one in the world that grandfather could not beat.¡±


    Xia Tianci poked his index finger on a muscle that was no longer very hard and said, ¡± But they are princes.¡±


    The old duke¡¯s neck was blocked: ¡± What¡¯s the big deal with the princes? Your grandfather and I are still the duke. You are the grandson of the duke. I can¡¯t forgive him for fear of what he might do for him dares to bully my grandson.¡±


    ¡± Xia Tianci, where are you?Get out of there.¡± Just then, there was a loud thunder outside.


    He hid behind his grandfather in the summer and said timidly, ¡± Grandpa, herees the bully. Do as you like please. If you can¡¯t beat him, don¡¯t fight with him.¡±


    The old duke stared and could not say a word.


    Xia Chunyu saw the Tianci hiding behind the old man as soon as he entered the room, and he was about toe forward to catch him and scolded: ¡± Oh, boy, now you should have learned to fight. If you want to fight, then do it well, but why did you drag the pants of Ge Da¡¯s grandson, and paint turtles and y hooligans on their dicks. If I doesn¡¯t teach you a lesson today, what if you drag others¡¯ pants tomorrow?¡±


    The old duke quickly stopped: ¡± what makes you so fierce and evil.Don¡¯t scare my grandson.¡±


    Xia Chunyu said, ¡± Father, you can¡¯t stop me any longer. If this boy doesn¡¯t have a lesson, he will learn something bad.¡±


    The old duke said, ¡± What to educate?.¡±When you were a child, you were worse than Tianci. Didn¡¯t you do anything about pping people¡¯s trousers?You¡¯ve done more wicked things than this. I didn¡¯t hit you at that time, did you also learn to get bad?¡±


    Xia Chunyu¡¯s face turned ck, father, how can you expose my past before my son? How can I teach children now?


    ¡± That guy deserves it.¡± Xia Chunyu bulging.


    Xia Tianci heard that dad also did it, and immediately got the confidence.


    ¡± Ge Xiaopang also deserves a spanking. He called Taiyang a little puss ¨C head. Reasonably I will draw him a turtle. Dad, you didn¡¯t witness that my turtle is very real.¡±


    The old duke walked over and said, ¡± Our dear Tianci has a gift for painting!¡±


    Looking at two of them, one praising, the other one being drown in the praise, the child could no longer be educated.


    That night, Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao had a long conversation and seriously and profoundly discussed the parenting sutra, vowing to find an effective parenting method of educating kids ording to their aptitude. After a long discussion, they decided to give birth to another one, they are sure that they will be able to possess a clever and obedient child if they do so.


    So the discussion ended and they began to ¡°sow seeds¡± diligently.


    The author¡¯s words: This is the end of the story, but the vexed and happy life still to be continued.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!