Chapter 11: Ye Anling Catches the Eye of a Eunuch

Ye Chutang saw that Dan’er seemed to be hesitating and guessed what she was thinking.

She picked up a strand of hair and twirled it around her index finger.

“Why’d you stop talking?”

Dan’er finally spoke up. “I just remembered something strange that Young Master said the night before last.”

Ye Chutang felt it was probably related to the reason Ye Jingchuan had brought her back home.

“What did Ye Anzhi say?”

“Dead eunuch, damn gelded dog, delusional freak!”

Though Ye Anzhi was a useless scoundrel, when it came to matters concerning the Ye family, he could be surprisingly tight-lipped.

Dan’er rarely heard anything useful from him.

Mostly because he spent his time yelling insults at her.

Two days ago, Ye Anzhi had probably lost his mind a bit and blurted that line out without thinking.

Ye Chutang grew curious. “Is Beichen a country where eunuchs hold power?”

She had grown up in the countryside and knew nothing of the capital or national politics.

Dan’er was startled by her blunt words and quickly cautioned her, “Miss, please be careful what you say.”

“So it’s true then—Beichen’s about done for.”

If eunuchs could suppress the emperor’s authority, it meant the very foundation of Beichen was rotten through.

Afraid she’d say something that would get her killed, Dan’er quickly shifted the topic.

“That night, Young Master beat me especially hard. I felt like I’d hit rock bottom and even thought of throwing myself into a well… Then I overheard Madam telling the Master to bring you back home.”

The Madam had always wanted the young lady to rot in the countryside forever. Suddenly calling her back now—it had to be for a reason.

Ye Chutang connected the dots and came to a conclusion.

Ye Anling had caught the attention of a powerful eunuch!

She asked, “Who’s the most powerful eunuch?”

Dan’er actually knew. “The Chief Eunuch, Lord De.”

The Ministry of Rites held two grand banquets every year.

As a servant present at these events, Dan’er occasionally heard palace and court gossip.

Lord De was mentioned the most.

Lustful, greedy, and in control.

Everyone despised him but also feared him.

Ye Chutang repeated the name “Lord De” softly to herself, then asked, “Why do you think I can save you?”

Dan’er offered a faint smile.

“I don’t know. I just… wanted to give myself one last shot at survival.”

“You’ve bet right. As long as you’re loyal to me, I’ll grant you your freedom when I leave the household.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Dan’er dropped to her knees again.

“Miss, I belong to you now—and I hope to continue serving you in the future.”

Ye Chutang had always been used to being alone, but even she understood that, given her current status, she needed someone trustworthy by her side.

But not just anyone could earn her favor.

“I only keep people who are useful.”

Dan’er kowtowed. “I will never disappoint you!”

She hadn’t wasted her three years in the Shangshu estate.

When it came to reading people and gathering intel, no one in the household was better.

“Stand up.”

Dan’er rose and continued drying Ye Chutang’s hair.

Once it was dry, she styled it into a youthful double-looped bun.

Ye Chutang looked at the hair cascading down her back and thought, It’s going to be so hot I’ll get a heat rash if I go out like this.

“Braid the back for me.”

Though unmarried girls in this era weren’t supposed to tie up all their hair, it didn’t mean they had to leave it completely loose either.

Dan’er thought the loose look suited her, made her seem more youthful and charming.

But she didn’t dare go against Ye Chutang’s wishes and quickly adjusted the style, making the braid look just as elegant.

Ye Chutang nodded approvingly. “You’ve got pretty nimble hands.”

Thanks to the original owner’s memories, she did know how to do her hair—but found it too troublesome and usually just went with the simplest styles.

“As long as you like it, Miss. I’ll put on your makeup now.”

Ye Chutang declined. “No need. Just a bit of lip color will do.”

Though ancient cosmetics weren’t industrially produced, their quality still left much to be desired.

They clumped and smeared easily with water. Dan’er figured that with her mistress’s stunning beauty, even without full makeup, she’d still be breathtaking. So she applied only a bit of lip balm.

She then opened two jewelry boxes and asked, “Miss, which hair ornament set would you like to wear?”

One was jade, the other gold. Both were of decent quality, each worth at least a hundred taels of silver.

Ye Chutang didn’t like wearing such burdensome things and said, “I’ll be buying new jewelry later anyway—no need for these.”

Just as she spoke, footsteps approached Ningchu Courtyard.

“Time to change.”

Dan’er fetched a light goose-yellow liuxian dress from the wardrobe.

Traditional clothing was elaborate—even a light summer outfit had three layers.

Luckily, the fabric was mulberry silk, warm in winter and cool in summer.

As Dan’er helped her into the final outer layer, a clear, pleasant voice rang out.

“Big Sister, it’s Ling’er—I came to see you!”

While tying the waist sash, Dan’er said, “It’s Second Miss.”

“Go receive her. I’ll finish up myself.”

“Yes, Miss.”

When Dan’er stepped out of the room, Ye Anling was already about to barge in.

She curtseyed. “Greetings, Second Miss.”

Ye Anling was dressed in a pink gauze dress, her hair styled in double hanging buns adorned with pearls and jade.

She looked lively and sweet, with an air of nobility.

She asked, “Where’s my sister?”

“She’ll be out shortly. Please, have a seat while I make some tea.”

Dan’er had already instructed Wangcai to get the brazier going earlier, so the water should be ready by now.

As soon as she left for the kitchen, the smile on Ye Anling’s face disappeared.

She looked at Ye Chutang’s room with deep disgust.

If not for needing this country bumpkin to marry Lord De in her place as a “food-sharing companion,” she wouldn’t be here sucking up to her!

Just then, footsteps sounded from the inner room.

Ye Anling quickly wiped the contempt off her face and stood up with a bright smile.

But when she saw Ye Chutang—so stunning she looked like a goddess descending from heaven—her smile froze on her lips.

A peasant girl from the countryside is actually more beautiful than the Princess of Anping?!

The Princess of Anping was known as the capital’s number one beauty.

Ye Chutang looked at the stunned Ye Anling and said mockingly, “You came empty-handed?”

Ye Anling snapped out of it, speechless for a moment.

“Ling’er was just too excited to see you and forgot to bring a gift.”

“Well, it’s not too late to go get one now.”

“……”

Just then, Dan’er returned with freshly brewed tea and, upon hearing Ye Chutang’s words, admired her even more.

Ye Anling’s expression stiffened. She glanced at her personal maid.

“Qiulu, go fetch the Eight-Treasure Auspicious Bracelet I prepared for my sister.”

That bracelet had been a gift from the Crown Prince—extremely valuable. She never wore it lightly.

But you had to spend something to get something.

Only by pleasing Ye Chutang could she win her trust—and make her plan at the family banquet easier to execute.

Qiulu knew how much that bracelet meant to her lady.

She hesitated for a second, then respectfully replied, “Yes, Second Miss.”

Once she was gone, Ye Anling gazed at the breathtakingly gorgeous Ye Chutang like she was love-struck.

“Sister, you’re so beautiful—prettier than even the capital’s number one beauty.”

Ye Chutang had watched enough palace dramas to know that Ye Anling was deliberately setting her up as a target.

If word of this got out, she’d become a thorn in the “number one beauty’s” side.

And women who could hold that title were usually royal or noble.

Looking at Ye Anling, who seemed sweet but was rotten to the core, Ye Chutang took a step back in disdain.

“Don’t go around claiming we’re related. My mother never gave me a younger sister.”

Ye Anling’s smile faded, her eyes misting over as if she were deeply wronged.

“Big Sis…”

“If you don’t understand human language, then get the hell out!”