Chapter 18: The Truth Revealed

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Upon hearing this, Steward Li lifted his head, thinking to himself that Miss Su of the Su family was already the fiercest among her sisters before her marriage, and now she had not regressed at all. Her gaze was sharp and piercing, immediately spotting this important person as soon as she arrived.

He explained calmly, "That is Baozhu. Madam has not seen him before; he was picked up by the young master."

Madam Ye raised her delicate eyebrows, "Picked up?"

Steward Li then recounted the entire story from the moment Zhao Baozhu fainted in front of the Ye family’s gate, coincidentally encountering Ye Jinghua as he was leaving. Madam Ye frowned as she listened, murmuring, "This matter... is a bit too coincidental. Have you checked who he really is?"

It was no wonder Madam Ye was suspicious. The Ye family was currently the most influential among the noble families in the capital. Over the years, countless people had tried every possible way to forge ties with the Ye household — some out of flattery, others harboring ill intentions. Madam Ye had been very cautious, managing the Ye estate like a fortress. Only the rules of this separate residence were somewhat relaxed, and she feared that if no opportunity could be found within the main household, attention might be drawn to Ye Jinghua instead.

“Rest assured, Madam,” Steward Li said with a smile, “On my first day here, I sent someone to investigate. This child indeed came all the way from the south. He fainted right at the gate on his first day in the capital. He said he’s from Yizhou, likely fleeing a flood disaster and unable to survive there, so he sought refuge here.”

Madam Ye nodded, trusting Steward Li’s diligence, then shook her head with a sigh, "Poor child." Then, somewhat pleased, she added, "I didn’t expect Qing’er to have such a kind heart."

Knowing that Madam Ye’s greatest concern was Ye Jinghua’s distant and aloof nature—that he might be too otherworldly and withdrawn—Steward Li flattered her with a smile, "Indeed, not to mention the second young master, even this old servant’s heart softens upon seeing such a pitiful little face!"

Madam Ye smiled, "That greedy little cat is quite a sight. So fair and delicate, definitely not an ordinary refugee."

Though her attention was mostly on Ye Jinghua as she entered, she still noticed a lively young boy standing behind her son, cheeks puffed out. During their conversation, he kept his head lowered, his fair cheeks twitching slightly, like a little glutton sneaking a bite!

"I’ve long heard that Yizhou produces beauties. Seems it’s true," Madam Ye mused with a faint smile, then said to Steward Li, "Since Qing’er likes him, keep him here. Bring him to me tomorrow so I can have a look."

Steward Li nodded promptly, "Yes, Madam."

On the other side, Zhao Baozhu had no idea that every step of his journey from Yizhou to the capital had been thoroughly investigated. At this moment, he followed behind Deng Yun, his head lowered in a daze.

By now, even though he had never been worldly, he gradually sensed that Ye Jinghua might not be the simple innkeeper’s son he had previously thought.

Deng Yun held Zhao Baozhu’s hand, noticing his staggered steps. Turning back, he saw Baozhu’s dazed expression and scolded sharply, "What are you doing? Lost your soul? Hurry up and keep up!"

Zhao Baozhu trembled, lifted his head, his cat-like eyes misty. Deng Yun softened his tone a little, "What’s wrong now?"

Baozhu’s eyelashes fluttered; he looked at Deng Yun and whispered, "Brother Yun, can you tell me... where exactly is this?"

Deng Yun was momentarily stunned by the address "Brother Yun," then glanced over Baozhu twice, wondering if the child truly had lost his mind. He said, "What do you mean where? This is the Ye estate."

Baozhu’s lips quivered, "Isn’t this an inn?"

Deng Yun’s thick eyebrows shot up, and he raised a hand to knock Baozhu’s head, but seeing his pale face, he instead flicked Baozhu’s forehead lightly and reprimanded, "Have you lost your mind? What inn? This is the second young master’s private residence! Open your eyes and look—what inn in the capital dares to be built like this? They’d be beheaded immediately!"

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The flick on his forehead wasn’t too painful. Baozhu raised his hand to rub it, still dazed, whispering, "The Ye estate... this is the Ye estate?"

Deng Yun saw his usual sharpness was gone and grew worried. Just as he was about to ask more, Ye Jinghua’s voice came from the corridor.

“Baozhu.”

Baozhu snapped back to attention and looked up to see Ye Jinghua standing at the end of the corridor, waving to him.

“Come here quickly.”

Deng Yun hurriedly led Baozhu over. As they approached, Ye Jinghua’s gaze settled on Baozhu’s face, his brow slightly furrowed. Fang Qin lifted the curtain and led the group into a side pavilion.

Ye Jinghua took the seat of honor and was immediately attended by a maid pouring tea. Before the tea was finished being poured, he glanced at Baozhu. Seeing Baozhu half-hiding behind Deng Yun with a tightly furrowed brow, Ye Jinghua studied him a moment, then lowered his eyes and took a sip from his cup, speaking calmly.

“Baozhu, come here.”

Baozhu was startled but looked up and slowly walked over. Ye Jinghua put down his tea, looked at Baozhu, noting the gloom on his face, and frowned.

“Are you hungry?” Then he turned to summon, "Prepare a new meal."

The maids responded in unison. Baozhu widened his eyes and hurriedly said, "No need." He had no appetite now.

Hearing this, Ye Jinghua turned back and frowned at Baozhu.

“If you’re not hungry, then what’s wrong?”

Baozhu stood before Ye Jinghua, meeting the young master’s gaze. The slight furrow of his brow gave his jade-like face a cold tint. The jade ring and colorful silk tassels at his waist marked him as a noble young master.

That’s right—such a person could never just be a wealthy son of a merchant family. Baozhu’s thoughts swirled between admiring Ye Jinghua’s fine calligraphy and his faint smile. He was so lost in thought he stammered, unable to speak clearly.

“I…I…”

Seeing Baozhu’s dazed look as if he’d lost his soul, Ye Jinghua reached out and took Baozhu’s right hand, which hung limply at his side. It felt icy cold. After a moment, he looked up.

“Were you frightened just now?”

He thought Baozhu had been scared by Madam Ye’s loud lamenting and regretted not sending him away earlier. Baozhu was young, inexperienced, and unaware that Madam Ye would come with such shows every now and then. Witnessing that scene must have terrified him.

Ye Jinghua squeezed his hand and pulled him closer, looking him over and soothing him softly.

“Don’t be afraid. Mother only says those things with her mouth; she wouldn’t actually do anything to me.”

Baozhu’s worries were not about that. He nodded weakly but still looked dazed. Ye Jinghua frowned, seeing that Baozhu was partly absent-minded and not listening. He turned to Fang Qin.

“Take him away first.”

Fang Qin frowned deeply, nodded, and reached out to lead Baozhu away. Ye Jinghua stopped him, took a small embroidered pouch from his sleeve, and handed it to Baozhu.

Fang Qin’s eyebrows twitched at the sight of the pouch, hesitatingly looking at Ye Jinghua.

“…Young master, this—”

Ye Jinghua gave him a look and gestured to stop him.

“Take him away.”

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Fang Qin swallowed his remaining words, softly said “Yes,” and took Baozhu’s hand, leading him outside. Baozhu was still in a daze, unaware of what Ye Jinghua had given him. Clutching the pouch, he followed Fang Qin back to his own quarters.

Once inside, Fang Qin told him to sit aside and frowned.

“Speak. What’s going on with you?”

Baozhu sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at Fang Qin. Seeing his state, Fang Qin lightly scolded, “Were you really scared out of your wits? You’re usually so bold, yet you act like a cat with its tail stepped on whenever you see Madam.”

Now back in his own room, Baozhu slowly came to his senses and looked at Fang Qin. His eyelashes fluttered as he said softly, “...It’s not because of Madam.”

Fang Qin frowned. “Then what is it for?”

Baozhu hesitated, bit his lower lip, then steadied himself to ask, “Young master... Ye young master, who exactly is he? Earlier, I heard Madam mention the Emperor... and the Empress. What does all this mean?”

Fang Qin was first taken aback, then narrowed his eyes and frowned, muttering curses.

“What a confused child. How could they not have explained this to you clearly?”

Baozhu knew Fang Qin was scolding Fang Li. He pressed his lips tight and stared at Fang Qin, sensing he was about to hear something important.

Fang Qin sighed softly, looked up seriously, and explained.

“This is Fang Li’s fault. Now that you’re part of the Ye household, I’ll tell you everything. Our master is the current Chief Minister, Ye Xianggong. Madam has two sons and three daughters; our young master is the youngest but ranks second among the brothers. The eldest daughter entered the palace years ago and is now His Majesty’s Consort Chen, mother to the fifth prince. The eldest son went into official service six years ago and now holds a position in the Ministry of Justice at the rank of Junior Fourth Grade.”

Fang Qin spoke calmly, casually dropping terms like ‘Chief Minister’ and ‘His Majesty’ without any pride or excitement. But to Baozhu, these words hit like thunderclaps ringing in his ears.

Ye Jinghua is the son of the Chief Minister!

Baozhu suddenly recalled his own recent brazen behavior and realized he had been blind to think Ye Jinghua was just a wealthy merchant’s son.

What now? He had not only barged into someone’s home but was also mistaken for a servant! Baozhu remembered the silver coins Ye Jinghua had sent him before and finally understood—they were wages for the servants.

He bit his lip, thoughts racing. On one hand, he marveled at how generous the Ye household’s wages were; on the other, he remembered his goal to take the imperial examination. He had planned to retrieve his own credentials before explaining, but since Ye Jinghua was the Chief Minister’s son, he could no longer say this!

Among scholars of the current dynasty, the greatest taboo was to seek favor from powerful families before entering official service. Of course, some scheming students would fawn over noble sons, changing allegiances as convenient. But Baozhu had been raised by his father to be upright and would never do such things.

Seeing Baozhu’s pale face, Fang Qin remained silent, his eyelashes trembling. His cat-like eyes showed a dazed expression. He sighed inwardly, realizing that though Baozhu came from a small place and seemed bold, he was easily frightened by such revelations. He had initially suspected Baozhu was a cunning flatterer, but now saw he was quite fragile.

But then again, Baozhu came from humble origins; hearing the Emperor’s name would bring anyone to their knees. Fang Qin chuckled softly, shaking his head, mildly amused at having mistaken this little cat for a fierce tiger.

Thinking this, his resentment toward Baozhu eased considerably. Seeing the boy’s pointed chin drooping pitifully, he sighed and bent down to gently comfort him.

“There’s no need to be afraid. Our young master was born into such a noble and wealthy family, but his temperament is the kindest. Unlike those other spoiled sons, he never lightly punishes his servants.”

He paused, glanced at Baozhu, and thought of how they had all observed Ye Jinghua’s treatment of Baozhu these days—not only no punishments but he wouldn’t even let the sun shine on him too long.