Chapter 9 – Why Hasn’t Ye Anling Gotten Engaged Yet?

Ye Chutang knew that when Kong Ru handed her the right to deal with the two maids, she was trying to make her look like someone who mistreats her servants.

Looking at the woman full of schemes, she sneered.

“Poison their tongues so they can’t speak, then sell them to the lowest-grade brothel.”

The reason she willingly jumped into Kong Ru’s trap was simple—being a true villain was far easier than pretending to be virtuous.

The two maids were still slapping their own faces, their cheeks swollen like pig heads and blood dripping from the corners of their mouths.

Upon hearing Ye Chutang’s words, they broke down crying and turned to Kong Ru for help.

“Madam, we were wrong! Please have mercy and spare us this time!”

Their words were slurred from the pain, but still barely understandable.

Kong Ru maintained the stern dignity of a matron in charge, coldly watching the sobbing maids.

“As servants, spreading rumors about the mistress can get you beaten—or worse.”

The maids picked up on her meaning and quickly turned toward Ye Chutang, bowing their heads to the ground.

“Eldest Miss, we were wrong! Please give us another chance!”

Ye Chutang watched them slap their faces and kowtow at the same time, genuinely curious how they managed to make those two awkward movements look so synchronized.

She cast a glance at Kong Ru and said lightly, “Your lives are in Madam’s hands. Begging her is far more useful than begging me.”

She could dig pits too—she just preferred to fill them with her own rules.

Naturally, Kong Ru wouldn’t contradict Ye Chutang over two gossipy maids.

“Chuer, you’re the daughter of the Minister’s household. You have every right to deal with servants. Do as you see fit.”

Then she turned to her personal maid and said, “Chuntao, go call Housekeeper Chen and have him sell them off as Eldest Miss instructed.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“We serve the old madam—”

The two maids tried to save themselves by clinging to their final lifeline, but before they could finish, a couple of servant boys gagged them and dragged them away.

Ye Chutang didn’t fear the old madam in the slightest and calmly followed Kong Ru to Ningchu Courtyard.

All the way there, Kong Ru walked on eggshells, afraid Ye Chutang might run off again and stir up more trouble.

Luckily, nothing unexpected happened, and she managed to deliver her safely.

Ningchu Courtyard was located on the eastern side of the Minister’s residence, near the back garden.

Though it wasn’t large, the environment was elegant, with many potted plants and flowers adorning the yard. In particular, the dense clump of green bamboo in the corner gave off a refreshing and serene vibe.

Kong Ru adjusted the jewel hairpin on her head that was on the verge of slipping and tucked in the stray strands of hair by her temples.

“Chuer, this is your courtyard. The main house has a main hall, a side hall, and your personal room. The eastern wing is where the maids live, and the servant boys sleep in the outer courtyard at night and come in for duties during the day. The western wing houses the kitchen, and the toilet is in the back.”

Ye Chutang looked around and nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad.”

“As long as you like it. If there’s anything else you need, just have your maids inform me.”

After speaking, she turned to another maid.

“Qiuhe, bring over the maids and servant boys we picked for the Eldest Miss.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Soon, eight men and eight women arrived at Ningchu Courtyard.

The small courtyard suddenly felt crowded.

Kong Ru looked at Ye Chutang, who appeared nonchalant, and asked, “Chuer, do you want to keep them all, or just pick a few?”

Ye Chutang was well aware that these people were all spies planted by Kong Ru.

So after inspecting them carefully, she selected two maids and one servant boy.

The boy would handle the heavy lifting in the courtyard, while the maids would attend to her personal needs.

The three stepped forward and respectfully bowed to her.

“Greetings, Eldest Miss. Please grant us names.”

“Dan’er, Shuang’er…”

Kong Ru thought she would hear something like “Dice” again, but instead, the servant boy was named “Wangcai” (Lucky Fortune).

She nearly burst out laughing.

As expected of an ignorant country bumpkin—only someone like her would come up with such tacky names!

The maids and servant had no right to reject their names and respectfully thanked her.

“Chuer, rest up for now. If you need anything, just tell your maids and servant. Ling’er will come by later to take you shopping.”

“Alright, you’re free to go now.”

Kong Ru didn’t argue and turned to leave. Ye Chutang looked at the two maids.

“Go pack up your things and move in.”

“Yes, Eldest Miss.”

After they left, she turned to the servant boy. “Go to the storeroom and collect my monthly silver and daily supplies.”

“Understood.”

Once he left, Ye Chutang went into her room.

There were ice blocks set out to cool the room, and a wave of chill greeted her.

A canopy bed, a chaise lounge, a vanity, a short table, a round table, a wardrobe, a screen, and a bathtub—everything was there.

All made of rosewood, though not pure solid.

The room was decently clean, and the bedding was high-grade silk—light and breathable.

Ye Chutang shoved her bundle of fake belongings into the wardrobe and sat beside the ice basin to rest.

Not long after, the two maids returned carrying a few bundles and moved into the eastern wing.

They tidied up briefly and unpacked their things.

As they came out, the servant boy had just returned.

Wangcai carried a large tray.

On the tray were a few sets of new clothes, two jewelry boxes, two taels of silver, and a banknote worth a hundred taels.

Behind him were two others—one with daily necessities and the other carrying fruits and snacks.

The three placed everything on the large round table in the main hall.

When Ye Chutang stepped out of her room, they immediately bowed. “Eldest Miss.”

She waved her hand casually. “Go about your business.”

The servant boys left, while the maids stayed behind in the main hall.

Ye Chutang took the silver and banknote, appeared to tuck them into her sleeve, but actually slipped them into her storage space.

“Dan’er, organize these things. Shuang’er, tell me about the members of the Minister’s household.”

“Yes, Eldest Miss.”

Soon, Ye Chutang got a clear picture of the Ye family.

Ye Jingchuan had a widowed mother who was no longer involved in household matters. She now spent her days doting on grandchildren and enjoying her old age.

He also had a legal wife and two concubines.

His wife, Kong Ru, had borne him two sons and a daughter.

The eldest daughter, Ye Anling, was sixteen years old and known in the capital for her literary talent.

The eldest son, Ye Anzhi, was fourteen and the old madam’s beloved treasure.

The second son, Ye Anjun, was five. He was born late in life and had always been weak and sickly.

Concubine Jiang had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, Ye Siyin, now fifteen and already engaged to be married by year’s end.

Concubine Liu, an exotic dancer gifted by the emperor a few years ago, was childless but unusually favored.

Ye Chutang hadn’t expected that Ye Jingchuan only had two concubines, and one didn’t even have children.

Weren’t people in ancient times obsessed with “carrying on the family line”?

Curious, she asked Shuang’er, “Is the madam a tigress who won’t let the lord take more concubines?”

Shuang’er was startled by her bold words and quickly lowered her head.

“Replying to Eldest Miss, Madam is gentle, and she and the Master are on very good terms.”

As for concubines, that wasn’t something a servant like her could comment on.

Ye Chutang continued, “Ye Siyin’s already getting married. Why hasn’t Ye Anling gotten engaged yet?”

“T-The Eldest Miss is both talented and beautiful, kind and filial. The Master and Madam want to keep her at home for a few more years.”

After saying that, she added carefully:

“There are quite a few nobles in the capital hoping to marry her.”

“Oh? Are any of them old and ugly royal relatives who have their eye on her?”

“Eldest Miss, please watch your words. Speaking disrespectfully of the royals is a serious offense.”

Ye Chutang wasn’t bothered.

“It’s just some casual chatter among ourselves. It’s not like you’re going to report me to the palace, right?”

Shuang’er was terrified and dropped to her knees to show her loyalty.

“Shuang’er would never betray the Minister’s residence. But Eldest Miss must be cautious—walls have ears.”

“Now that’s true. Spies are everywhere.”

With that, Ye Chutang tilted Shuang’er’s chin up, locking eyes with her.

“So, are the three of you the spies that Madam and the Master sent to keep tabs on me?”