Chapter 118: The Heart Beats Madly for Her

Kong Ru was stunned by Jun’er’s words.

Butler Chen heard the scream and rushed into the Liuli Courtyard.

He saw Kong Ru kneeling on the ground, her eyes vacant, as if she had lost her soul.

Meanwhile, Ye Anjun picked up the heavy bundle from the ground and struggled to carry it on his small back.

“Young Master, let me help you carry the bundle,” the butler offered.

Jun’er gripped the bundle tightly. “I can manage. Let’s go.”

Hearing this, Kong Ru snapped out of her daze.

She shouted at Butler Chen, “Get out! Jun’er and I still have things to discuss!”

Butler Chen paid no attention to Kong Ru and looked at Jun’er with a compassionate gaze.

“Young Master, would you like to talk with Madam for a while?”

Jun’er thought that since he had started speaking, he might as well resolve everything at once.

“Yes, you go out first, I’ll be right there.”

Butler Chen glanced back and forth between Kong Ru and Jun’er, then left the Liuli Courtyard.

Kong Ru had no time to worry about the pain in her knees, which felt like they were splitting apart, as she raised her hand to clutch her heart, which seemed ready to jump out of her chest.

“When did you find out?” she asked.

Jun’er found the bundle too heavy and set it on the ground.

“When I was three. I had a high fever for five days and fainted, nearly dying.

During that time, I woke up once and overheard you and Chun Tao talking about my background.

You complained that I came from humble origins, yet my body was fragile and could not endure hardship.”

Kong Ru looked at Jun’er in horror.

“You’ve been hiding this secret all this time! What are your intentions?”

She never expected a five-year-old child to be so cunning!

Jun’er suddenly smiled and asked in return, “If I had asked you directly, would I still be alive today?”

The answer, of course, was no.

Kong Ru couldn’t find words.

Years ago, she had been so excited to finally be pregnant with an old child, but she had accidentally fallen and miscarried.

The child had been her bargaining chip for keeping favor and couldn’t have been harmed.

So, she faked a pregnancy and had her close maid, Chun Tao, and Qiuhuo find a woman who was due to give birth around the same time and bought the child for a high price, making him the young master of the Ye family.

She thought this secret would go with her to the grave.

But that one casual complaint had been overheard by this fake young master!

Ye Anjun looked at Kong Ru’s pale face and asked, “My real parents must have passed away, right?”

Indeed.

In Kong Ru’s view, only the dead could keep secrets!

But she wouldn’t admit it.

“I was only responsible for buying the child. As for your parents’ fate, I don’t care, and I don’t even know who they are. You were brought back by Chun Tao, but she’s already dead.”

The implication was clear: there was no one to corroborate, and it all relied on her word.

Ye Anjun guessed that Kong Ru would never admit anything and didn’t press further.

“Mother, the barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes. You can decide whether or not to tell Father the truth.”

With that, he slung the bundle over his shoulder and left the Liuli Courtyard.

When he returned to Ning Chu Courtyard, Ye Chutang had already prepared lunch.

She looked at the pale-faced Jun’er and immediately asked Le’er to help carry the heavy bundle on his back.

“Jun’er, carrying such a load is bad for your recovery. There’s no need to do such small things yourself. Leave them to the servants.”

Butler Chen, sensing Ye Chutang’s cold gaze, quickly explained.

“I wanted to help the young master, but he wouldn’t let me.”

He was a servant, so he couldn’t go against the young master.

Jun’er grabbed Ye Chutang’s hand and shook it gently, like a spoiled child.

“It’s not Butler Chen’s fault. These things are gifts from Jun’er to my eldest sister. I wanted to carry them myself to show sincerity.”

Although he was using this gesture to impress her, he would surely be able to send her good things in the future with his own abilities. Hearing this, Butler Chen handed over the jewelry box in his hand.

“Miss, the master knows that Ning Chu Courtyard was broken into, and he was concerned that you might not have anything suitable for wearing. He sent you two sets of the finest jewelry. Please accept them.”

Ye Chutang gestured for Dan’er to take them.

“To think the master is actively sending me jewelry. It’s quite rare.”

“If Miss has no other matters, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go ahead.”

After Butler Chen left, Jun’er immediately said, “Eldest sister, this jewelry was suggested by Dan’er to Father, and that’s why he gave it to you.”

Ye Chutang smiled approvingly at Dan’er. “Well done.”

Jun’er took out a thousand taels in silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Ye Chutang.

“This is a birthday gift for you, from Jun’er to my eldest sister.”

He pointed at the bundle. “Inside are the savings I’ve accumulated over the years. I’m giving them all to you, eldest sister.”

That way, the eldest sister’s courtyard would have something valuable too!

Ye Chutang opened the bundle, took a glance, and smiled. “Jun’er, I accept your heartfelt gesture, but you can keep this money and these things for yourself.”

Jun’er’s expression darkened, and he looked like a poor little thing abandoned.

“Eldest sister, do you not like the things I gave you?”

Ye Chutang knew Jun’er was pretending to be pitiful but didn’t indulge him.

“Did you put all your little tricks to use on your eldest sister?”

Jun’er, fearing that his cleverness would annoy Ye Chutang, quickly apologized.

“I know I was wrong, and I won’t do it again. But these things are my heartfelt gift. Please accept them, eldest sister.”

Ye Chutang understood Jun’er’s sensitive nature and smiled. “Alright, eldest sister will accept them.”

She wouldn’t actually take his things but would help him keep them.

“Let’s eat. The food will get cold.”

The lunch was mainly nourishing, perfect for everyone in the courtyard who was recovering from illness.

After lunch, Ye Chutang went out.

She stayed in the Yinshi Poetry Pavilion for an hour before heading to the Prince of Chen’s residence.

Qi Yanzhou, having used his inner strength last night, was badly injured and lying in bed recuperating.

He looked at Ye Chutang and thought of the enchanting dream he had the previous night, his face flushing slightly.

“Miss Ye, I apologize for last night.”

“It’s fine. I’m here to see the prince.”

“What’s the matter?”

Ye Chutang asked, “Did the person you sent to Jiangnan arrive? They should have by now?”

Qi Yanzhou calculated the time and nodded.

“Unless there were delays on the road, Xize should have reached Jiangnan this morning. Why do you ask, Miss Ye?”

Ye Chutang took out the stack of silver notes Qin Muyun had given her before.

“When I was at the An Wang Residence, I saved Young Master Qin. These silver notes are his way of thanking me. The people of Jiangnan need this money more than I do. Please, your Highness, help me use this money to assist the disaster victims in his name.”

Qi Yanzhou looked at the thick stack of silver notes, feeling a deep shock.

Such generosity was rare.

“Miss Ye, helping the disaster victims is a great way to earn fame. You want to make a name for yourself, don’t you? Why use Huixuan’s name for this good deed?”

Ye Chutang placed the silver notes on the low table beside the bed.

“This money is not for me. If I can’t pass it on, I’ll use it for a good cause.”

Although the money belonged to Qin Muyun, giving it from her hands would still earn some merit.

Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang, her smile making his heart race uncontrollably.

He suddenly remembered what his mother had said.

“You’re my son; can’t I see that you have feelings for Miss Ye?”

At that time, he didn’t understand what love was. He thought he only admired Ye Chutang.

But with every encounter, he began to understand.

He had fallen in love with this extraordinary woman!

“Miss Ye, don’t worry. I’ll contact Xize. First, I’ll have him withdraw the silver from the Wanbao Money House in the name of the prince and use it to aid the disaster. Afterward, we’ll replenish the silver notes.”