Chapter 117: Jun’er vs. Kong Ru

Ye Chutang knew that during the early stages of pregnancy, folic acid was necessary, so she immediately entered the space.

When she had last visited, she had stocked up on a lot of medicines, filling two containers with all sorts of things.

She took out a bottle of folic acid, took a pill, and put the bottle back in the resting room.

Then she returned to organizing things in the Chen residence.

Ye Chutang found two valuable ledgers.

One was an account book that contained evidence of Chen He’s bribery and corruption.

The other was a secret ledger that recorded various royal scandals and secrets.

Ye Chutang collected these two books and left the space.

She got out of bed and went to the courtyard.

It was almost noon, and Dan’er and Le’er were preparing the lunch dishes.

Jun’er was sitting upright at the stone table, writing.

Jinzhi was practicing a set of basic martial arts that Ye Chutang had taught her previously.

Although people saw her as crazy, everyone knew she always followed Miss’s instructions.

Miss told her to practice more, and she obediently did so without anyone doubting it.

Ye Chutang glanced at the lunch, then said, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll make lunch today.”

Although she had nourished this body a lot, its foundation was still too weak, so it needed more care.

She went to the kitchen and picked out a lot of vegetables.

While choosing, she suddenly remembered something and looked at Dan’er.

“Go tell my father that Ningchu Courtyard was robbed again by the ‘ghost thief.'”

Dan’er and Jinzhi both knew that this referred to Ye Chutang’s dealings with the “ghost thief.”

But this matter couldn’t be discussed outside; things were gone, so it could only be considered theft.

“I’ll do it right away.”

Hearing this, Jun’er turned to Ye Chutang and said, “Big Sister, Jun’er wants to see Father.”

Ye Chutang, remembering how Ye Jingchuan treated Jun’er well, nodded.

“Dan’er, take Jun’er to see him.”

Then she reminded Jun’er, “If you want to come back for lunch, you’ll have to spend half an hour with Father.”

“Big Sister’s food is the best, I’ll definitely come back for it.”

He wasn’t coming to see his father at all!

Dan’er took Jun’er and left Ningchu Courtyard to go to Ye Jingchuan’s quarters.

The two met Ye Jingchuan, who had just returned from the Ministry of Revenue in the backyard.

Dan’er knelt in respect, “This servant greets the master.”

Ye Jingchuan had been busy with disaster relief efforts in Jiangnan, exhausted and overwhelmed. He had stayed overnight at the Ministry of Revenue.

After the morning court session, the disaster relief funds collected by the officials were sent out, and he finally had time to return to the manor to rest.

Upon seeing Jun’er, Ye Jingchuan immediately stepped forward and picked him up.

He affectionately rubbed his scruffy chin against Jun’er’s delicate face, his eyes full of love.

“You’ve gained quite a bit of weight, and your complexion looks better. Churu is really taking care of you.”

This son, whom he had high hopes for, was finally no longer looking lifeless.

Jun’er pulled away from Ye Jingchuan’s prickly chin and said, “Father, Big Sister’s courtyard was stolen again.”

Ye Jingchuan: “…”

Hadn’t the “ghost thief” already looted Lord Chen’s house last night?

How could they have stolen from Ningchu Courtyard too?

He asked Dan’er with a frown, “Was it the same as last time, did they take everything?”

“Master, this time it’s a little better. They only took a few valuable things. Large items like the bed and the cabinet are still there.”

Ye Jingchuan felt his heart tighten, “He really knows how to steal!”

He didn’t even consider reporting it to the authorities—after all, there was no way to find the thief.

“Thankfully, Churu didn’t take Wan Ning’s dowry to give to Chutang, or it would have been a huge loss.”

But he was still upset about Kong Ru’s eight boxes of dowries being stolen.

Dan’er, seeing how relieved Ye Jingchuan seemed, added, “Master, Miss likes to go out, but she hasn’t been dressing up, which might attract ridicule.”

This reminder caught Ye Jingchuan’s attention.

Ye Chutang had been planning to visit Prince Chen’s mansion lately, and she needed to look beautiful to win Qi Yanzhou’s heart.

He inwardly cursed the “troublesome goods.”

“You go ahead first. I’ll have someone send her two sets of clothes later.”

After speaking, he took Jun’er and went back to his courtyard.

“Jun’er, your health is much better now. I want to hire a tutor for you, to teach you reading and writing.”

Jun’er didn’t want anyone from outside entering Ningchu Courtyard.

“Father, any tutor would be inferior to Big Sister.”

Although Ye Jingchuan acknowledged Ye Chutang’s literary talent, her current main task was to marry Prince Chen.

“You’re still young, having Churu teach you would be a bit of a waste.” The child could not argue and obediently nodded.

“You’re right, Father. I’ll listen to you.”

Ye Jingchuan knew Jun’er had learned some reading and writing already, so he checked his progress.

“Jun’er, I’ll find a tutor for you. Once your health improves, I’ll send you to school.”

“Okay, thank you, Father.”

Ye Jingchuan, feeling exhausted, yawned and called for Steward Chen.

“Send Young Master to Ningchu Courtyard.”

Jun’er got down from Ye Jingchuan’s lap and said, “Father, tomorrow is my birthday.”

In the past, on his birthday, it was always Kong Ru who reminded Ye Jingchuan to buy gifts for the child and have a meal together.

But no one reminded him this year, and he had forgotten.

Fortunately, Jun’er mentioned it, or he would have disappointed his son.

He patted Jun’er’s head and smiled, “Don’t worry, I remember. Tomorrow, I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes.”

“Father, that’s not necessary. Big Sister will take me out to play tomorrow, but her courtyard was robbed.”

Jun’er didn’t say it too explicitly, but Ye Jingchuan understood immediately.

He went to his room and took out silver notes and two jewelry boxes.

He handed the silver notes to Jun’er.

“Take this to your Big Sister. If you see anything you like tomorrow, let her buy it for you.”

Jun’er took the silver notes, his large eyes like dark grapes, curving into a crescent smile.

“Thank you, Father.”

He handed the jewelry boxes to Steward Chen.

“Take this to Churu. Make sure she dresses nicely when she goes out. If she doesn’t need it, remind her to keep it safe so it doesn’t get stolen again.”

These items were worth a lot, and Ye Jingchuan had gathered them for Ye Anling’s dowry.

After giving them to Ye Chutang, he would need to find two more sets for her dowry, and he felt quite reluctant.

“Yes, Master.”

Steward Chen took the jewelry boxes and left with Jun’er for Ningchu Courtyard.

After leaving Ye Jingchuan’s courtyard, Jun’er said to Steward Chen, “I need to go to Liuli Courtyard to get something.”

“Sure, Young Master.”

They arrived at the gate of Liuli Courtyard.

Jun’er stopped Steward Chen and said, “You wait outside. I’ll come out once I’ve got what I need.”

With that, he entered the courtyard and headed straight for his room.

The room was large, stuffy, and hot, filled with a strong smell of medicine.

He searched through the wardrobe and found a cloth bag, filling it with the silver and precious items he had collected over the years.

The bundle was heavy, and Jun’er nearly couldn’t lift it.

When he was struggling to carry the bag out of the side room, he was spotted by Kong Ru, who looked emaciated and frail.

Kong Ru hadn’t been well, feeling like she was teetering on the edge of death every night, fearing that one day she wouldn’t wake up.

Now she had become so thin that only skin and bones remained. Her face was gaunt with deep wrinkles, resembling an old person nearing the end.

Seeing the heavy bundle on Jun’er’s back, she asked, “What’s in the bundle?”

Jun’er had been tormented by Kong Ru for five years, and he instinctively felt afraid of her.

“Nothing… Nothing at all.”

He took a few steps back, then turned and ran.

But the bundle was too heavy, and before he could get far, Kong Ru grabbed him by the shoulder and snatched the bundle away.

Jun’er, for the first time, yelled at Kong Ru, “Give it back to me!”

Kong Ru threw him to the ground and opened the bundle.

When she saw the silver and valuable items, she slapped Jun’er’s face in anger.

“Traitorous child, after all these years, this is how you repay me!”

After cursing, she tied up the bundle again, preparing to take it away.

Jun’er got up and hugged the bundle, “This is mine. Give it back!”

He wasn’t a Ye family child, and had never cared about these material things. The only reason he took them was to give them to his Big Sister.

Big Sister was a Ye family member and had the right to take them!

Kong Ru, who had been suppressing her anger for days, finally exploded. Her aged features twisted in fury.

“You ungrateful wretch, go die!”

Since she couldn’t raise him properly, she wouldn’t raise him anymore.

With all her strength, she lifted her right foot and kicked Jun’er in the stomach.

Jun’er dodged swiftly, then struck Kong Ru’s left leg at the knee.

This move was taught to him by Ye Chutang.

Kong Ru’s left leg buckled, and her knee slammed onto the ground.

As she screamed in pain, Jun’er’s voice echoed coldly in her ear.

“Mother, if you keep bullying me, I’ll tell Father I’m not a Ye family child.”