Chapter 3 Give Up the Yard
"This is?"
Just as the mother and her two daughters were crying together at the entrance of the Minister's mansion, another carriage stopped not far away.
Those who came down were Minister Ye and Ye Wanning's older brother, Ye Chengjing!
After many years apart, Ye Wanning also missed her elder brother.
Unfortunately, he kept disappointing her, and when she died, he didn't even feel a little sad!
"Husband!" Upon seeing Minister Ye, Madam Zhou threw herself into his arms: "This, this is my sister's daughter!"
Minister Ye and Ye Wanning's biological mother grew up together, and what he remembers most is what his old friend looked like when she was young.
Upon seeing Ye Wanning's face, which was almost identical to her birth mother's, Minister Ye's eyes widened instantly after just one glance!
"Ning, Ningning? You really are my daughter!"
Soon his eyes also reddened, and he grabbed Ye Wanning's hand! His hands were trembling!
The whole family forgot to even enter the gate of the Minister's residence, except for Ye Chengjing, who stood to the side with his arms crossed and a cold expression.
Dressed in a brown official robe, he looked down at Ye Wanning with a condescending gaze, seemingly showing no sign of happiness.
"Father," Ye Wanning cried the hardest, "For the past ten years or so, I've been searching for you. I still remember you holding me as a child to pick mulberry leaves..."
At that time, Minister Ye and his first wife had a relatively harmonious relationship, and Zhou was just a proper maid.
Minister Ye was also deeply moved. He took Ye Wanning's hand and entered the mansion, forgetting about the other three.
"Back then, you were such a tiny little thing. Your mother sewed you a little dress from several layers of red silk! Your father held you in his arms in the summer, and you weren't hot at all! Every time after court, your father would come to hold you first! And you wouldn't let your father go to court..."
Ye Wanning listened, her face filled with emotion.
However, all she felt was a cold laugh.
In her previous life, Minister Ye also reminisced about these things with her.
She believed it and was very grateful. However, she later learned that the memories were real and that she had indeed had feelings for someone, but it was all in the past.
Now, his heart is only for Zhou Shi and her two children! As for Ye Wanning, he hasn't seen her for more than ten years, and even though they are related by blood, they are practically strangers!
"Father, how have you been all these years?" Ye Wanning asked deliberately after crying for a while, and then recounted her ordeal of being abused over the years, "Every time I think of you, I think of Mother, and I think that I must come back to see you..."
“That family forced me to cook and burn firewood, but I didn’t know how, so they beat me…”
“Back then, I was as tall as an axe, and they made me chop wood. I got injured, and I still have scars on my hands…”
He embellished his story of the suffering he had endured, and sure enough, Minister Ye was moved to tears.
If she had known it would be so easy to win him over, Ye Wanning wouldn't have needed to pretend to be strong in her past life.
She told Minister Ye that she had not suffered and that he should not worry. However, Ye Jingshu later stirred things up, making everyone think that she had been enjoying herself while she was away, and that she was suffering after returning to the Minister's mansion.
This made Minister Ye even more disgusted with her.
"Don't worry," Minister Ye promised, wiping away his tears. "Father will definitely make it up to you. Everything that belonged to you and your mother all these years, Father will give you!"
"Thank you, Father!" Ye Wanning immediately thanked him loudly and bowed to Minister Ye.
Originally, she didn't necessarily have to return to the Minister's residence.
But in her previous life, she only learned on her deathbed that the reason why Minister Ye was able to become a high-ranking official in the court, be valued by the emperor, and pass the imperial examination in one fell swoop was all because of her mother's support.
Even now, most of the Ye family's assets come from Ye Wanning's birth mother's dowry.
These things originally belonged to her too.
She could give it up, but she couldn't tolerate leaving her mother's things to Zhou, and to her children!
She has to take everything back!
"Father." After thanking him, Ye Wanning asked, "After returning to the manor, will I be the second young lady of the Minister's manor? I remember... Jing Shu is about three years younger than me, right?"
Upon hearing this, Minister Ye's expression immediately stiffened.
It's normal for wealthy families to have three wives and four concubines, but as a high-ranking official in charge of the Ministry of Rites, he had to be upright and honest first.
Before the woman was even brought into the house, she gave birth to a child. The woman was a slave, a servant of his principal wife! If this were to get out, and the officials in charge of criticism found out, they would surely impeach him!
This is also what Minister Ye has always felt guilty about!
The age of his two daughters is evidence that he does not follow the etiquette of this dynasty!
"These are all minor matters. You should stay at our residence for a few days and rest well. Look how thin you've become; it really breaks my heart!"
Minister Ye quickly changed the subject, saying he wanted to arrange accommodations for Ye Wanning.
Seeing this, Ye Jingshu immediately stepped forward: "Father, I have always lived in my sister's courtyard. Now that my sister has returned, let's return the Red Leaf Courtyard to her!"
This is the best courtyard besides the main hall of the mansion; even Ye Chengjing's residence is not as good as the Red Leaf Courtyard.
In her previous life, Ye Jingshu said the same thing.
Ye Wanning was naturally embarrassed to accept the offer, so she moved to increasingly remote areas, which made people think she was being picky, while Ye Jingshu gained a reputation for being generous.
Therefore, she could never refuse in this lifetime!
Ye Jingshu is willing to be a good person, so let her be! Don't even think about enjoying the benefits while leaving a good reputation!
Before Ye Wanning could speak, Ye Chengjing interrupted, "Father, are you so quick to acknowledge her back? What if someone is impersonating her with ulterior motives? Shouldn't we conduct a blood test to verify kinship?"
Even though she had already given up hope, Ye Wanning was still deeply hurt.
She still remembers the scene of her mother taking her and her older brother out to play.
Her older brother had loved her so much, and she had been incredibly happy.
Unfortunately, when she left and returned, Ye Chengjing had gone from being her brother to someone else's...
"What nonsense are you talking about! She looks exactly like your mother! You were already eight years old when she disappeared, don't you remember her?" Minister Ye glared at him, his expression disapproving.
Ye Chengjing didn't say anything more, but his gaze toward Ye Wanning became even more suspicious and wary.
Ye Wanning pretended not to notice and smiled at Ye Jingshu.
"Since my sister is offering me the courtyard to stay in, then I won't stand on ceremony! I'll go to the guest room to freshen up first, and then my sister can move her things out to make room for me! Thank you, Jing Shu!"
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