Chapter 114: Sincerity is the Ultimate Weapon

After being severely reprimanded by Ye Chutang a few times, Shuang’er still had other intentions, but she obediently listened.

When she mingled with Ye Anzhi, she would gather all sorts of information and keep a close eye on the movements of Liuli Courtyard.

“The madam suffers from excruciating pain every night, looking like a ghost.”

Ye Chutang looked at Shuang’er mockingly. “Useless information won’t get you the antidote.”

Shuang’er replied, “Yesterday, after the Crown Prince of Anwang came by, the madam met with someone from the Kong family. I don’t know what exactly was discussed.”

Ye Chutang took out an antidote for the Heartbreaking Powder and handed it to Shuang’er.

“Don’t play tricks. I have no patience for you.”

“Yes, miss, I understand. It won’t happen again.”

After saying this, Shuang’er happily took the antidote and left.

Ye Chutang got up early and had a busy morning. By now, she was extremely tired and returned to her room to rest.

She slept until it was almost dark.

When she woke up, she was a bit confused.

“Two hours! I really can sleep.”

She murmured to herself but didn’t think too much about it. She got up and went to the courtyard.

Shan’er was preparing dinner.

When she saw Ye Chutang coming out, she hurriedly picked up a wooden box from the stone table.

“Miss, this is from the Anwang Residence.”

Ye Chutang opened the box and took a look.

A deed of exchange, a land deed, and a hundred taels of gold.

“Anwang moves fast. Put it in my room.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Shan’er placed the box and then, together with Le’er, started preparing dinner.

Ye Chutang practiced martial arts, while Jin Zhi and Jun’er practiced stance nearby.

After dinner, Shan’er cleared the dishes, and Le’er, while brewing medicine, also sewed clothes for Jun’er.

Ye Chutang went to the back courtyard to rinse her mouth.

When she returned, she saw that Le’er had embroidered “Peace and Joy” with gold thread on the front of Jun’er’s clothes.

She asked, “Is Jun’er’s birthday coming soon?”

Le’er was surprised by Ye Chutang’s sharpness and nodded.

“Miss, the little young master’s birthday is the day after tomorrow.”

“I see.”

Ye Chutang smiled, then pulled Jun’er out to the back garden for a walk to aid digestion.

She asked, “Jun’er, your birthday is coming soon. Is there anything you want or want to eat?”

Jun’er grabbed Ye Chutang’s hand and looked up at her cautiously. “Elder sister, Jun’er wants to leave the house. Is that okay?”

He had never left the house due to his health since birth. Occasionally, when the servants mentioned the bustling streets and beautiful scenery outside the city, he yearned to see it.

Ye Chutang gently touched Juner’s emaciated face and smiled. “Of course, you can.”

Jun’er’s eyes lit up, his joy evident.

“Thank you, elder sister. When is your birthday?”

“Winter month. It’s still far away.”

Jun’er felt that the timing was just right, giving him enough time to prepare a birthday gift.

The two of them finished their walk and headed to Ningchu Courtyard.

Liu Yiniang walked up to them.

“Greetings, Miss, Little Master.”

Ye Chutang had no interaction with her and merely nodded indifferently.

“Is there something you need, Yiniang?”

Liu Yiniang took a food box from the maid and handed it to Ye Chutang.

“This is the lotus leaf pastry I just made, fragrant and cooling. Please, Miss and Little Master, try it.”

Ye Chutang didn’t reach for it and asked coldly, “What is your intention, Liu Yiniang?”

Liu Yiniang looked at Jun’er and smiled gently. “I have no ulterior motive. I just think Jun’er is pitiful and wanted to show him some kindness.”

“Jun’er was even more pitiful before. Why didn’t you show him any kindness then?”

“At that time, Madam was taking care of Jun’er, so it was not my place.”

Ye Chutang realized that Liu Yiniang wanted to show kindness to Jun’er now, hoping that Jun’er would care for her in return when he grew older. This sounded like a mutual benefit, but Jun’er, being a legitimate son, could not be entrusted to a concubine to raise.

It wasn’t that she looked down on Liu Yiniang, but the rigid class system of the time made such arrangements impossible.

“Liu Yiniang, my father will soon marry a new wife. Are you not worried that no one will care for Jun’er?”

After saying that, she pulled Jun’er away.

Liu Yiniang watched the backs of the two as they walked away, trying to defend herself:

“Miss, you misunderstand me. I know I have no right to raise the Little Master. I just want to be close to him. Isn’t it good to have one more person who cares for him?”

Seeing that they kept walking, Liu Yiniang, anxious, raised her voice.

“Miss, whether the Little Master accepts my kindness should be up to him to decide!”

Ye Chutang found this amusing and stopped.

“Liu Yiniang, I’ll give you some advice. In situations where there is an imbalance of status, if you want something in return, sincerity is the ultimate weapon.”

Then, she looked down at Jun’er.

“It’s your duty as a concubine to care for the legitimate son. Even if Jun’er accepts your kindness, there is no need to repay you.”

Though Jun’er was only five, he understood everything clearly.

“Rest assured, elder sister. Jun’er understands.”

He turned around, stood in front of Liu Yiniang, and took the food box.

“Aunt Liu, I also want plum jelly cake and apricot soup. Please make them tomorrow and send them to Ningchu Courtyard.”

No need to be polite to someone with bad intentions!

If Liu Yiniang could serve elder sister as faithfully as she had for ten years, Jun’er would ensure her prosperous old age.

Jun’er carried the food box back to Ye Chutang and handed it to her like a treasure.

“Elder sister, Aunt Liu not only dances well but is also skilled in cooking.”

Ye Chutang took the box and looked at the embarrassed Liu Yiniang.

“From now on, let Aunt Liu handle the pastries and sweet soups.”

Afterward, she pulled Jun’er back to Ningchu Courtyard.

Liu Yiniang, furious at being treated like a servant, almost tore the handkerchief she was holding.

A maid comforted her, saying, “Aunt Liu, don’t take it to heart. The Miss won’t stay in the Shangs’ Mansion forever. She’ll get married eventually. Just bear with it for now.”

“That’s true. Let her be arrogant for a few more days.”

Ye Chutang and Jun’er returned to Ningchu Courtyard and shared the lotus leaf pastries with everyone. They were crispy, delicious, and fragrant.

After eating, Jun’er drank his medicine, and Ye Chutang treated him with acupuncture.

As Juner’s health improved, the depth of the acupuncture increased, making the pain worse.

Jun’er sweated profusely, clenching his clothes tightly, but he said nothing.

Ye Chutang wiped the sweat from his forehead and comforted him. “Just a few more days, and it won’t hurt so much.”

Jun’er relaxed his lips, managing a weak smile.

“Jun’er isn’t suffering.”

As long as he could get better, he could endure the pain.

Once Ye Chutang finished the acupuncture, she went back to bathe and rest.

In the middle of the night, Ye Chutang got up, packed all the valuable items in her room into her space, and then went to the woodshed.

She took the dowry she had obtained from Kong Ru and went to the Chen family home, where she had previously been accused of “crying wolf.”

She had learned from the poetry hall in the afternoon that Chen He was not a good person. So, she emptied his house without any qualms.

After robbing Chen’s residence, she also visited a nearby wood shop to collect her goods.

The shop was not far from Chen’s house, and Ye Chutang didn’t see the need to waste her Deeds of Virtue on teleporting. Instead, she climbed over the courtyard wall.

Just as her feet touched the ground, a sharp sword was pressed against her neck.