Chapter 63: Unworthy to Be Parents

“Am I correct in what I said?”

Madam Leng looked sternly at Qiao Zi Yu as she asked.

Qiao Zi Yu responded respectfully, “Yes, you are correct.”

“And she came here with you?”

“Yes… yes, she did!”

Qiao Zi Yu stammered.

He wanted to deny it, but Ye Xin Yao had already stepped provocatively to his side in the face of Madam Leng’s interrogation.

“Madam, how do you have the time to be out? Have you been feeling better lately?”

Seeing Madam Leng’s gloomy expression, Qiao Zi Yu hastily tried to shift the topic, expressing concern for her health.

However, Madam Leng was not moved by his attempt.

She continued, “Zi Yu, my husband accepted you as his student because of your intelligence and eagerness to learn.

Do you still remember what he told you on your first day?”

Qiao Zi Yu felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. Clenching his sweaty fists, he replied, “The teacher said that to pursue scholarship, one must first learn to be a good person.”

Madam Leng said sternly, “A raw jade can be polished, but rotten wood cannot be carved.

In broad daylight, you are here with a wealthy young lady, bullying a girl from a poor family. Is this what your teacher taught you?”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zi Yu immediately dropped to his knees with a loud “thud.”

“Madam, I wouldn’t dare!”

“Wouldn’t dare? Then did I just imagine what I saw?”

At this moment, Qiao Zi Yu deeply regretted his earlier decision.

He should have left immediately instead of staying here and watching Ye Xin Yao make a scene.

By now, Ye Xin Yao also realized the gravity of the situation. She knelt beside Qiao Zi Yu, pleading coquettishly, “Madam, it’s all my fault. Please don’t blame Brother Zi Yu.”

“My husband didn’t accept you as a student, and I cannot bear to hear you call me Madam.”

Madam Leng’s tone was icy.

Qiao Zi Yu shoved Ye Xin Yao aside and moved forward on his knees.

“Madam, it was this Miss Ye who acted recklessly on her own. I did not aid her in any way. I have always remembered my teacher’s guidance and would never dare forget it.”

“Brother Zi Yu!”

Ye Xin Yao’s face was filled with disbelief.

She quickly bowed her head to hide her expression, and when she looked up again, tears glistened in her eyes. Her sorrowful and self-reproachful demeanor was pitiful enough to move anyone.

“Brother Zi Yu, I’m so sorry!”

Qiao Zi Yu didn’t spare Ye Xin Yao a glance, keeping his head lowered as he apologized to Madam Leng.

Hearing that the county magistrate’s son was kneeling in his store, the shopkeeper dropped everything he was doing and hurried over.

“Madam, please calm down. We have many fine clothes in our shop. Tell me which one catches your eye, and I’ll give you a discount.”

“I heard that guests on your second floor are considered far more distinguished than those on the first. Is that true?”

Madam Leng raised her head and looked at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper quickly assessed the situation and realized Madam Leng was standing up for the young woman. He immediately denied, waving his hands, “No, no! Every customer who visits our store is a treasure to us. We wouldn’t dare offend anyone.”

“Is that so?

Because what I just heard from your staff suggests otherwise!”

“You’re absolutely right to point that out, Madam!”

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically, then turned to the haughty middle-aged attendant and said sternly, “Tao Qian, you’ve wronged a customer without cause. Apologize immediately!

And after so many years in the job, it seems you’ve learned nothing about tact. From today on, Xiao Liu will take over your position!”

“W-what?”

The young shop assistant, Xiao Liu, who had been standing quietly to the side, was stunned.

What just happened?

Was he being promoted to the second floor?

It was common knowledge that working on the second floor earned a monthly salary of 500 wen, several times his current pay!

“Thank you, Shopkeeper!”

Xiao Liu immediately bowed deeply to the shopkeeper, then turned to bow to both Madam Leng and Ye Xin Ran.

“Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Miss.”

“Madam, perhaps Xiao Liu could escort you upstairs to choose some clothes?”

The shopkeeper continued smiling apologetically. Madam Leng nodded slightly and then said to Qiao Zi Yu, “You may rise. Let this matter end here, but I hope you will conduct yourself better in the future.”

She then took Ye Xin Ran’s hand and headed upstairs.

Once on the second floor, Ye Xin Ran finally spoke. “Thank you, Madam, for standing up for me earlier.”

Madam Leng smiled. “I wasn’t exactly standing up for you. Qiao Zi Yu is my husband’s student, and it’s my duty to look out for him.

By the way, do you and that young woman have some kind of long-standing grudge? Otherwise, why is she always targeting you?”

Ye Xin Ran smiled bitterly. “I wouldn’t call it a grudge. She’s just gotten used to taking things from me ever since we were children.”

“Since childhood?”

Madam Leng was taken aback.

“She is your…”

“My younger sister,” Ye Xin Ran replied.

“We grew up together. She always had to out do me in everything, and in the end, even stole Qiao Zi Yu, who I was engaged to since childhood.

I didn’t expect that even now, she hasn’t changed.”

“And your parents? Didn’t they do anything to discipline her?” Madam Leng asked, deeply shocked.

“Parents?”

Ye Xin Ran gave a cold laugh. “My parents only ever joined her in bullying me. If I so much as resisted, it would result in either a beating or scolding.”

“That’s outrageous!

It’s hard for parents to treat every child equally, but how could they be so blatantly unfair?

Such people don’t deserve to be parents!”

Madam Leng clutched her chest, her voice trembling with indignation.

“Madam, don’t upset yourself. It’s all in the past now, and I don’t care much about it anymore,” Ye Xin Ran said, quickly stepping forward to steady Madam Leng. With one hand supporting her and the other gently patting her back, she added, “Besides, you seem much more spirited than the last time we met.”

Madam Leng’s expression softened into a smile. “Much more spirited indeed. I haven’t been out of the house in ages, and this is my first outing this year.

And I owe it all to you!” She looked at Ye Xin Ran with gratitude.

Ye Xin Ran quickly replied, “Madam, you are blessed with good fortune. Still, you must take care not to over exert yourself.”

“I understand,” Madam Leng said with a nod. “I just came out for a bit of fresh air and to pick up some medicine. I’ll be heading back soon.”

Her maid quickly chimed in to confirm, “Madam is indeed planning to return. She spotted you from across the street at the pharmacy and insisted on coming over to say hello.”

“What medicine did you pick up, Madam?” Ye Xin Ran asked.

She remembered that it was not yet mid-month, so there shouldn’t be a need for additional medication.

Sensing Ye Xin Ran’s curiosity, Madam Leng explained, “It’s not for me.”

She gestured out the window toward the pharmacy across the street and said, “I wonder if you’ve heard of the traditional remedy from “Shun Medical Hall” called “Double Star Tea”. It’s specifically used to treat excess heat and poor appetite.

The tea has a pleasantly tangy taste and no dietary restrictions.

My good for nothing son always clamors for it during summer. Since he’s coming here to escape the heat this year, I decided to prepare it early.”

Clear heat and aid digestion?

An idea sparked in Ye Xin Ran’s mind. Glancing at the medicine package in Madam Leng’s hands, she asked,

“Madam, may I take a look at this tea?”