The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: The Account Book

Ye Heng nodded, his face etched with deep concern. ”That’s right. I believe you’re seventeen this year, aren’t you? The perfect age to be discussing marriage. You children suffered so much while you were away. Now that you’ve finally returned to the Capital City, it’s only natural that your Second Uncle will personally ensure you find a good match!”

His words and tone implied he truly saw himself as an elder with the authority to decide her fate.

Ye Chutang’s expression, however, remained impassive. She showed none of the shyness typical of a young woman when the topic of marriage was raised.

”Second Uncle, I haven’t given the matter any thought.”

Ye Heng was stunned. ”What?”

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips curved into a slight smile, but her eyes were clear and piercing.

”Over these past few years, while raising Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu, I’ve seen enough of the world’s fickle nature. Now that we’ve finally returned, I have only one wish: to see them raised well. I desire nothing more.”

Hearing the seriousness in her tone, Ye Heng grew frantic. ”But—but you’re a woman! How can you possibly not marry? I’ve already begun looking into potential suitors these past few days, all with the intention of finding a good match for you, and now you—”

Ye Chutang paused for a moment before replying, ”Thank you for your kind intentions, Second Uncle, but I’m well aware of my own circumstances. I’m sure many people will have their reservations about what I’ve been through these past three years. Rather than force myself into a marriage of compromise, I would prefer to be free and independent.”

”You—”

Ye Heng was floored. He never imagined Ye Chutang would say something like that. ’She really doesn’t plan on marrying!?’

’Doesn’t that mean she’ll be leeching off the Ye Family for the rest of her life!’

Ye Heng took a deep breath and did his best to persuade her. ”Chutang, your parents are gone now, so Second Uncle must take on this burden for you. Otherwise, how could I possibly face them in the afterlife? If they knew from beyond the grave that you still have no one to rely on, they wouldn’t be able to rest in peace!”

But Ye Chutang smiled.

”That’s where you’re mistaken, Second Uncle. My parents doted on me. The only thing they ever wanted was for me to be healthy and safe. Why would something like this make them unhappy?”

Ye Heng was at a loss for words. Staring at the young woman before him, he felt a momentary daze.

’As he recalled, this niece of his had always been frail, with a soft and quiet disposition. She was practically a clay doll that anyone could mold to their will.’

’But after three years apart, how had she become a completely different person?’

As she spoke, a faint smile played on her lips, and her demeanor was gentle and graceful. Yet, there wasn’t a hint of compromise in a single one of her words.

She was like a sword hidden in its sheath, ready at any moment to reveal its sharp, gleaming blade and press it to his throat.

Ye Heng clasped a hand behind his back and paced back and forth, his expression troubled. ”But... but you...”

For a moment, he was at a complete loss as to how to respond.

Ye Chutang said, ”With my parents and older brother gone, it’s naturally my responsibility as the eldest sister to provide for the family. Yan and A Feng will soon be attending the Imperial College, and there will be many expenses in the future. We can’t come running to you every time we need money. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Ye Heng’s expression flickered.

”Actually... Chutang, there’s something I haven’t had a chance to tell you. I’m afraid Yan and A Feng won’t be able to attend the Imperial College for the time being.”

Ye Chutang froze, her long lashes lifting slightly. ”Why?”

Ye Heng explained with a troubled air, ”You may not be aware of the full situation. Your father’s... accident... happened while he was on the road after his demotion. His careless words had angered the Holy Emperor, and many people began to shun him. Three years have passed, and with your father gone, it’s no easy task for Yan and A Feng to enter the Imperial College.”

The implication was clear: Ye Zheng was dead, leaving Ye Chutang and her siblings as helpless orphans. The fact that Ye Zheng had been demoted for offending the Holy Emperor only made matters more complicated.

No one would be willing to risk helping them.

Who knew if someone might use the connection to cause trouble for them down the line?

Ye Heng sighed. ”I fought for it as best I could, but my influence is limited. I’m afraid...”

Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice—the position wasn’t high-ranking, but it wasn’t insignificant either.

Elsewhere, it might have been enough to throw his weight around, but this was the Capital City. As a mere fourth-rank official, he still had to tread carefully around his superiors.

Ye Chutang lowered her gaze and said nothing.

Ye Heng quickly added, ”But rest assured! Even if they really can’t get into the Imperial College, there are other academies they can attend!”

’But how could even the best of those other academies compare to the Imperial College?’

’He simply didn’t want Yan and A Feng to get into the Imperial College so easily.’

After a long moment of contemplation, Ye Chutang finally said, ”If that’s the case, then it can’t be forced.”

A flicker of joy went through Ye Heng’s heart, but to his surprise, Ye Chutang continued, ”If they can’t get into the Imperial College, it becomes even more crucial to plan for Yan and A Feng’s futures. I’d like to review the ledgers for the shops for the past few years, as well as the income from the leased farmland, so I can start making arrangements for them. What do you think, Second Uncle?”

Ye Heng’s face froze.

...

By mid-May, the weather in the Capital City had grown steadily hotter.

As noon approached, the sun blazed fiercely, making the room unbearably stuffy.

Ye Yunfeng had set up a small bamboo cot in the courtyard. He’d laid a cool mat over it, and the shade of a nearby tree blocked most of the sun, casting a pleasant shadow.

Xiao Wu lay on the cot, drowsily drifting off to sleep.

Ye Jingyan sat nearby, reading a book while gently fanning Xiao Wu.

This was the scene that greeted Ye Chutang upon her return.

Ye Yunfeng was the first to spot her. ”Sister! You’re back—huh? What is all that?”

Two servants followed behind Ye Chutang, each cradling a wooden box that looked rather heavy.

Hearing his brother’s voice, Ye Jingyan also looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Ye Chutang directed the servants to take the wooden boxes inside. Only after they had left did she explain, ”They’re the ledgers for the shops our parents left us, along with the revenue records for the leased farmland.”

As if hearing them speak, Xiao Wu, who had been sleeping soundly, let out a small whimper. She rubbed her eyes with a chubby little hand and woke up.

She rolled over and sat up, her cheeks flushed from her nap. The moment she saw Ye Chutang, her eyes still half-closed, she stretched out her small arms, asking to be held.

Ye Chutang leaned down and scooped her into her arms, a soft, warm little bundle.

Xiao Wu wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck and nuzzled against her affectionately.

Ye Jingyan frowned slightly. ”The ledgers? Not the deeds?”

Ye Chutang smoothed down Xiao Wu’s sleep-tousled hair and gave a faint smile. ”How can something that’s already been swallowed be so easily spat back out?”

Ye Yunfeng was stunned, finding it hard to believe. ”What do you mean? Sister, you went to ask for them in person, and he actually refused to hand them over!?”

’But those things belong to us!’

In truth, Ye Chutang had expected as much, which was why she hadn’t gone to get the deeds in the first place.

If Ye Heng had even a shred of decency, he wouldn’t be occupying their house and delaying its return, let alone failing to mention it even once.

It was as if he could brush everything aside with the simple excuse, ’Yan and A Feng are still young.’

”It doesn’t matter. We’ll go through the ledgers first. Once we have a clear picture of the situation, we can decide how to act.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a little head popped up, its large, shining eyes, like black grapes, gazing up at her.