Chapter 5: No Kindness Like That of a Sister-in-law

He was the adopted son, taken in as the heir by his current father. Originally, he should have belonged to the third house, second branch, but since the third branch had no offspring, a suitable heir was chosen from among close relatives. His own parents had passed away early, and his elder brother and sister had already established their own families, so he was selected as the heir by Ye Si of the third branch.

Before him stood two women: one was his biological sister, Ye Chen—the very one that the monk Dao Ning had mentioned, now married in the village of Xiao Liu. The other was his sister-in-law, Lady Fang. Lady Fang had entered the Ye family at the age of sixteen, at a time when their branch was struggling the most. With Ye Chang’s parents dying in succession, the household was left desolate. Lady Fang took charge of the household, not only ensuring Ye Chen’s marriage was a grand affair but also allowing Ye Chang to attend school for several years.

Even when Ye Chang was struck by the so-called “ill-star,” it was Lady Fang who sought doctors and medicine; otherwise, with only Xiang’er, a young girl, there would have been no way to properly care for him.

Lady Fang was gentle on the surface but firm within. Even when her sister-in-law complained about her, she would not argue back, only shed tears. Ye Chen grumbled at her a bit, then shouted toward a corner of the courtyard, “My brother has returned and you don’t even greet him—are you really a man?”

Ye Chang instinctively shrank his neck. His sister was certainly formidable—a true woman of the Great Tang!

He then noticed a man in the corner of the courtyard. The man’s skin was dark and his face bore traces of soot, yet his clothes were kept clean. Their eyes met, and the man stood up, grinned twice in greeting, then returned to his seat on a tree stump.

“A useless fool, spending all day firing that broken kiln of yours. You don’t even know about my brother’s affairs!” Ye Chen scolded a few more times. From her words, Ye Chang could easily deduce that this inconspicuous man was his brother-in-law, Liu Kun—the distant nephew of the monk Dao Ning, now living as a layman.

“Eleventh Brother, why don’t you say something?” Ye Chen rattled off a string of words like pearls, but received no response from her brother. Worried, she approached and reached out to feel Ye Chang’s forehead.

“Um... Sister...”

Ye Chang was already somewhat accustomed to his new identity, so addressing her as “sister” only felt mildly awkward. The hand that touched his forehead was quite rough, suggesting that his sister’s household was not particularly well-off either.

He could truly sense Ye Chen’s affection for him. Having lived two lives, he had learned to let go of many things, but familial love remained impossible to forget. The care of his kin in this life reminded him of those from his previous life, and the longing for the past only made him cherish the present even more.

“Sister... I’m all right now, though I can’t recall some old matters... Brother-in-law works at the kiln—how is it these days?”

“Your brother-in-law spends all day at the kiln, coming home looking like a lump of charcoal. I had no choice but to move with him to the kiln site. I only learned of your trouble this morning, which is why I’m late.” Ye Chen spoke forthrightly. At home, she was a spirited girl; after marriage, managing the household among burly kiln workers, she grew even more direct. “Third Brother, you really don’t remember anything from before?”

“Owing money is certainly something I wouldn’t remember,” Ye Chang replied.

Ye Chen was puzzled for a while, unable to grasp his meaning, but Liu Kun in the corner chuckled. It seemed his sister was only outwardly clever, while his brother-in-law, though appearing honest, possessed a shrewd mind.

“I was just scolding Xiang’er. Knowing you had lost your soul, she still let you wander outside alone. You’re not a child anymore, always seeking immortals, gathering herbs, refining elixirs—it's time to settle down... Should I find you a wife?”

With this, Ye Chen shot a glance at Lady Fang, who lowered her head and said nothing. As the elder sister-in-law, she should have been concerned about such matters, but since Ye Chen took over, she could only stay silent.

“Sister!” Hearing talk of a wife, Ye Chang grew anxious—if a wife appeared out of nowhere, he would be truly embarrassed.

Ye Chen rolled her eyes, about to speak again when footsteps sounded at the gate. A dozen people soon appeared.

Seeing Aunt Liu from the eldest branch among them, Ye Chang remained expressionless, but Ye Chen’s face darkened.

“Well, niece Chen, returning home for a visit, not to your own house but here—what’s that supposed to mean? Perhaps because your third uncle isn’t home, you think this is your mother’s house now?” Aunt Liu hadn’t expected Ye Chen to be present and, after a moment’s hesitation, couldn’t resist a mocking remark.

Ye Chen’s willow brows shot up as she rose to argue, but Lady Fang stepped forward to block her. “I greet you, Aunt... Your words are true—this is indeed the Ye family, little sister’s natal home. If she returns, even to Aunt’s house, it is still her own home. Surely Aunt wouldn’t refuse to add a couple of pairs of chopsticks?”

At these words, Ye Chang’s opinion of his usually silent sister-in-law changed instantly—she was formidable!

As expected, Aunt Liu, full of barbed remarks, was now left awkward. According to clan rules and local customs, the entire Ye clan was Ye Chen’s natal family. If she brought her husband, any household was obliged to host them for a meal.

“Eleventh Brother’s health hasn’t been good lately. As his cousin, little sister is right to visit. I heard Aunt also came at noon to check on him. Aunt’s care for the younger generation is the kindness of elders; our mutual concern is the filial duty of juniors.”

Lady Fang’s next few comments, sharp and incisive, left Ye Chang in awe.

His sister-in-law and sister were certainly no pushovers. Compared to them, the impatient Aunt Liu was outmatched by far.

“This... this...” Aunt Liu could only stand there, speechless.

“Aunt came at noon, and now again—so caring, bringing so many people... Perhaps you know Eleventh Brother has few people at home and came to help him?” Lady Fang added another jab.

“Uh...”

Aunt Liu had originally come to settle accounts with Ye Chang and teach him a lesson, hence the entourage. She knew that while her group could easily intimidate the previously meek Ye Chang, with Lady Fang and Ye Chen present, bullying was out of the question.

But Aunt Liu was unwilling to leave in defeat.

Unlike the second and third branches, the eldest branch had many members. Her husband, Ye Xi, had one wife and two concubines. Aunt Liu alone had four sons and three daughters; counting the concubines’ children, there were fourteen altogether.

A growing household was a sign of prosperity, but so many children needed to be settled and supported—a problem Aunt Liu had to solve. She didn’t want the concubines’ children to share her sons’ inheritance, so she had encouraged her husband to have the clan select an heir for the third branch—hoping to dispatch a concubine’s son to inherit the third branch’s land.

But Ye Si had not chosen from the eldest branch as she wished; instead, he picked Ye Chang from the second branch. This disappointed Aunt Liu and made her resentful of Ye Chang, who had “picked the peach.” When Ye Chang was struck by misfortune, she was probably the happiest, as his death would allow her plan to proceed.

“Ye Chang, I heard you’ve lost your soul?” Aunt Liu’s eyes flickered. “No wonder you were rude to me at noon, even brandished a mattock... With your condition, and only that lazy girl Xiang’er at home, how can you be properly cared for? Liu Gui!”

She called out, and a thin, slightly stooped man answered and stepped forward.

“You’ll stay here at the third branch and look after Eleventh Brother. Keep an eye on everything—don’t let any outsiders take advantage of his condition to do anything improper!”

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Ye Chen, who immediately jumped up, but Liu Kun was ready and held her back.

“Aunt, what do you mean by that?” Ye Chen, restrained, could not keep her mouth shut. “Are you saying my coming to see my brother makes me an outsider?”

“I never said that. If you choose to think so, I can’t help it. A married woman is like water poured out—her husband is a guest. Ye Chen, you ought to focus on managing your husband’s kiln, producing more pottery and earning more money.”

This woman, though long-haired and short-sighted, was sharp-tongued. Ye Chen, straightforward by nature, was no match for her. Furious, Ye Chen was held back by Liu Kun, preventing her from attacking Aunt Liu.

“Who is this Liu Gui?” Ye Chang whispered to Xiang’er.

“He was originally Aunt Liu’s dowry servant, now manages affairs for the eldest branch.”

Hearing this, Ye Chang understood. He approached, sizing up Liu Gui like a child eyeing sweets. The crowd was puzzled by his behavior, and even the feuding Aunt Liu and Ye Chen fell silent.

“Liu Gui?” Ye Chang called.

“Here,” Liu Gui replied, with no hint of arrogance.

He would not be easy to deal with, but Ye Chang was unconcerned; he had no intention of confronting him.

“Aunt, are you giving him to me?” Ye Chang smiled at Aunt Liu. “Then I must thank you.”

Aunt Liu was dumbfounded.

It was common for wealthy families to give servants away, but Aunt Liu had not intended to give Liu Gui; she wanted him to control the third branch’s affairs. With Ye Chang as the sole master, and Xiang’er only a maid, Ye Chang’s condition meant Liu Gui would soon take charge, and with some trickery, could siphon off the third branch’s assets.

“Aunt is indeed caring, knowing Eleventh Brother lacks people and sending her most capable servant. But since you’re giving him, shouldn’t you hand over his deed of indenture?” Lady Fang spoke softly.

Ye Chang met her eyes; Lady Fang blushed and looked away. Ye Chang admired her all the more—so young, so sharp, and able to read his intent from a glance and a single phrase, joining him in a duet that left Aunt Liu speechless.

By now, neighbors had gathered, all kin, some chiming in, “Exactly, no gift without a deed—bring it out.”

Aunt Liu’s face flushed and paled, unsure how to respond.

She had always been forceful in the Ye clan, but now, in this awkward situation, others seized the chance to pile on. The crowd grew more boisterous, and Aunt Liu, pressed, gritted her teeth. “Peach Blossom, fetch the box from my bedside!”

The eldest branch’s courtyard was close by, and soon the maid Peach Blossom brought a small wooden box. Aunt Liu carefully opened it and took out a yellowed sheet of paper.

As she handed it over, Liu Gui’s face twitched slightly—seen only by Ye Chang.

“This is the deed—keep it well.” Aunt Liu handed it over, her eyes cold.

She had been forced to hand over Liu Gui’s deed, but had her own plan. In her mind, Ye Chang’s days were numbered; soon, the deed would return to her.

Such scheming was hardly hidden from Ye Chang.

“Thank you, Aunt.” Ye Chang smiled as he took the deed. “Just as well, I have some errands that need running... Liu Gui, do you know the village carpenter? And where can I buy bamboo? Find out for me.”

Liu Gui stood there stunned; Aunt Liu hadn’t expected Ye Chang to command him so openly. Before either could react, Ye Chang had safely stowed the deed and bowed deeply to Aunt Liu. “Thank you again, Aunt. Your kindness will be remembered by Eleventh Brother.”

Sensing something amiss, Aunt Liu felt uneasy. But words once spoken could not be taken back, and with a touch of wishful thinking, she merely snorted and departed, giving Liu Gui a meaningful look. Liu Gui understood and nodded slightly.

Aunt Liu had arrived in high spirits but left in defeat, losing a servant. Only after walking some distance did she suddenly realize: wasn’t she here to cause Ye Chang trouble?

Soon after she left, Liu Gui, with a forced smile, said, “Eleventh Gentleman, I’ll go take care of your errands.”

He spoke as he moved off, clearly going to consult Aunt Liu. Ye Chang called out, “Go quickly and return soon,” but did not stop him.

Once Liu Gui had gone, the door was closed, shutting out the crowd. Ye Chang smiled and saluted Lady Fang. “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

“Why thank me?” Lady Fang blushed, a little shy.

She was just past twenty, in the prime of her life, her cheeks rosy and eyes lowered—a young wife’s charm radiating. Ye Chang was momentarily dazed, but his self-control saved him from embarrassment.

“If not for your help, Aunt would not have been so easily duped.”

“Duped? I think she’s up to no good. The one duped might be you!” Ye Chen, still angry, retorted.

“Wife, Sister-in-law and Eleventh Brother have their own plans.” Liu Kun smiled wryly. “Fifth Aunt seems clever, but I fear she’s in for a loss.”

Aunt Liu had married into Wu Ze Po from Xiao Liu village and was a senior figure in Liu Kun’s clan, which explained his earlier silence.

“Is that really so?” Ye Chen eyed Ye Chang and Lady Fang with suspicion.