Chapter 73: Intelligence Also Brings Its Own Sorrow

After Ye Chang left, Ye Quan reported softly, “My lord, madam, when Eldest Young Master came earlier, he was accompanied by a group of peculiar people. Aside from the Kunlun slave, there were also two bald monks.”

“Dreaming of immortals but befriending monks—this Eldest Young Master is quite interesting,” Ye Si nodded, his smile fading slightly. “He’ll need someone to look after him in the valley; let the Kunlun slave remain by his side.”

Before he finished speaking, Ye Chang’s voice came from outside: “Master, where are my six young servants, and where is Chunming?”

“Hm?” Ye Si’s brows flickered as he glanced at Lady Lu beside him. She lowered her gaze slightly, as if leaving the decision entirely to him. Ye Si sighed, rose, and walked to the door. “Speaking of this, Eldest Young Master, you don’t need so many servants at your side; you must focus on your studies. How can you allow so many children to make a racket around you? Your younger brother needs playmates, so apart from Chunming, who will remain with you, I’ve sent the others back to the estate.”

Ye Chang frowned slightly. “I fear that’s not appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate?”

“These children will all be useful in the future. Right now, they’re learning to read and calculate alongside me…”

“You child, how amusing—just household servants, what need have they to read or calculate?” Ye Si rebuked, but his tone was not harsh. “That settles the matter. What is the Kunlun slave’s name? He will serve at your side, and let…”

“Let Xiang’er stay with me,” Ye Chang interjected, unable to hold back.

He wished to endure for a while, since the man before him held the title of “father”—unlike the uncle from the main branch, who shared only the same room. If they argued, a single act of defiance would be enough to ruin him. But thinking of the marks on Xiang’er’s face, his heart ached. Ever since arriving in this world, he treated Xiang’er as both sister and daughter—not spoiling her without principle, but unable to watch her suffer such inexplicable harm.

“I failed to consider this,” Lady Lu spoke up this time, stepping out with a gentle smile. “Xiang’er has served Eldest Young Master for years; I should not have taken her away. But the household lacks female servants, and only Xiang’er is attentive, so I had her serve Young Master for the time being. Eldest Young Master, for your brother’s sake, please be accommodating; after some time, I’ll buy you a young and beautiful maid.”

Her words were warm and soft, but unwavering in intent. Ye Chang frowned and shook his head. “Xiang’er is accustomed to serving me. If madam wishes, buy Young Master several young and beautiful maids instead.”

Hearing this, Ye Si’s face darkened and he cleared his throat, about to scold him, but Lady Lu held him back, laughing softly. “It was my mistake. If so, Xiang’er will continue to serve Eldest Young Master and take good care of him.”

When she first heard talk of buying a young and beautiful maid for Ye Chang, Xiang’er pouted, her eyes shimmering with tears. Now, as the situation turned unexpectedly, she broke into a bright smile and responded cheerfully.

Ye Chang could only smile wryly.

This Lady Lu was formidable, indeed. Compared to her, Lady Liu was utterly weak.

He suspected even his so-called father was no match for Lady Lu; just now, his father was clearly about to lose his temper, but Lady Lu’s gentle pull suppressed it at once.

Moreover, Lady Lu was retreating in order to advance. It seemed she returned Xiang’er to Ye Chang, but in reality, all the other attendants he brought were now under her control. For the price of a half-grown maid, she gained five adult servants and six children—a bargain by any measure.

If Ye Chang tried to argue further, his only justification would be that Cui Xiujing and others were brought by him—but under Tang law, everything belonging to the son was the father's property, and Ye Si was his nominal father. Any argument would be deemed insubordination.

An unfilial son could be beaten to death by his father and the authorities would only impose a fine; but if a son struck his father, the consequences would be dire.

Unable to argue, must he swallow this silent loss?

If Ye Si and Lady Lu were openly hostile like Ye Ding and Lady Liu, it would be easier—everyone could part ways, and Ye Chang could tear things apart even at the risk of infamy.

But now, their velvet-gloved hostility left him feeling like a tiger biting a hedgehog, not knowing where to start.

Nevertheless, Ye Chang believed they would eventually reveal their flaws.

Returning to Wolong Valley, Ye Chang was unsurprised to find the place greatly changed. The craftsmen he’d hired had all been dismissed, and several projects halted midway. Seeing this, Ye Chang could only shake his head—more adept at ruining than accomplishing.

For the next two days, Lady Lu brought people daily to care for Ye Chang, showing meticulous concern, while Ye Si occasionally visited the valley. The houses were still crude, so he could only take Ye Chang up the heights, pointing out where to build houses and where to plant vegetables, speaking with enthusiasm.

They both avoided mentioning one matter—Ye Chang’s papermaking workshop.

News of Ye Chang’s papermaking had spread in Wu Ze Po; his “toilet paper” quickly replaced the old latrine chips and became a daily necessity among the slightly wealthy families. A small roll of “toilet paper” cost only a penny, enough for one person for half a month; even a large family spent only ten or so pennies per month.

But Ye Chang knew they were secretly inquiring about the papermaking workshop.

“Why are you so troubled lately, master?” After Ye Si and Lady Lu left one day, Ye Chang’s heavy demeanor caught Xiang’er’s attention, and she asked.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Ye Chang replied absently, preoccupied.

“Who says I don’t? I understand very well… Lady Lu is not a good person, and master is worried about her!” Xiang’er declared.

Her words were startling. Ye Chang stared at her in surprise; the little maid had always been affectionate and respectful toward Lady Lu, serving her diligently. She hadn’t shown any sign of dislike.

She was only ten… Could it be that, as a girl, her innate talents were awakening early, and her “actress” skills already emerging?

Seeing Ye Chang’s astonishment, Xiang’er wrinkled her nose. “I heard something—from Ye Quan. Master, do you know why the lord, despite having a son outside, adopted you as his heir?”

This was one of Ye Chang’s puzzles—Ye Si had married outside, but never brought his wife home, kept it secret, and even after having a son, adopted Ye Chang as his heir. It made no sense.

“Ye Quan is tight-lipped; I’ve tried to find out, but he never said a word.”

“He wouldn’t tell others, but I’m small and he didn’t notice, so I overheard. The lord and madam were advised by a sage: their marriage must not be publicized, or it would bring disaster upon their offspring. Later, they were told it wouldn’t hurt to adopt a son to ward off calamity…”

Ye Chang’s expression changed slightly. Adopting a son to avert disaster—meaning the biological son was thought to be at risk, so an adopted son was a scapegoat for any misfortune. Ye Chang didn’t believe in such things, but many Tang people did, and there were always mysterious rumors. If Ye Si and Lady Lu really adopted him for this reason, their intentions were certainly not benevolent.

“Moreover, the lord manages affairs outside, and with no one at home, he foresaw that the main branch coveted his estate. Adopting you as heir was a way to leave himself an escape route…”

With this, all doubts were resolved.

“If that’s true… well, so be it.” Having heard this, Ye Chang made up his mind, though he knew Xiang’er was just a child—smart, but perhaps unable to discern truth from falsehood. Who knew if Ye Quan deliberately let her overhear, misleading him into starting trouble and taking the blame himself?

“Originally, I thought Lady Lu was a good person, but hearing this, I realized her ill intent—she wants to harm master. Anyone who wishes you harm can’t be good!” Xiang’er waved her little fist, visibly angry. “Too bad I’m still little and can’t help master deal with her… Why not ask Lady Fang to handle her?”

Ye Chang was taken aback. “Why Lady Fang?”

“Master is kind and not a match for madam. I heard people say, ‘the most venomous is a woman’s heart.’ I’m not yet a woman, nor a match for madam, so only Lady Fang can deal with her!”

Xiang’er’s words were innocent, making Ye Chang laugh heartily. Yet after laughing, he felt a spark of inspiration.

Indeed, while Xiang’er had revealed Ye Si and Lady Lu’s motives, her information was secondhand, its truth uncertain. To deal with them, he should seek Lady Fang’s wisdom. Compared to himself, an outsider, Lady Fang was native to this era, and from the fiercely competitive royal family of Li Tang. Though she’d lost in palace intrigue, she was surely more resourceful than Lady Lu.

His mind wandered at random, but he felt lighter. Before, unclear of Ye Si and Lady Lu’s true intentions, he had held back his own tactics; but now, if their ill intent was confirmed, he could lay down his burdens and respond freely.

“I’ll go visit Lady Fang. These days, Cinu hasn’t come to study; I’ll ask about it,” Ye Chang said.

“I’ll go too!” Xiang’er grinned, delighted that Ye Chang had accepted her suggestion.

Lady Fang resided in her own home, now a widow. If she had family to return to, she might remarry, but with none, and only Ye Chang looking after her, the Ye clan might even try to marry her off for a bride price.

A widow’s door attracts gossip, so hers was tightly closed, with only two elderly servants guarding it. When Ye Chang arrived, the old servant opened the main gate and led him in, leaving it open as a sign of propriety.

Ye Chang understood, and spoke with Lady Fang from outside the hall, asking about Cinu and her daughter, and why Cinu hadn’t been sent to the valley to study. Lady Fang answered quietly, her tone even.

“Since Cinu wishes to learn and I have returned, sister-in-law, please send Cinu to study tomorrow,” Ye Chang finally said.

Lady Fang agreed.

Afterwards, Ye Chang took his leave. Xiang’er was confused: wasn’t master here to seek Lady Fang’s advice? Why did he leave without saying anything of importance?

The next day, Lady Fang indeed brought Cinu to Wolong Valley, happening to meet Lady Lu. Lady Lu greeted her warmly, “Lady Fang, what brings you to Wolong Valley?”

“Eldest Young Master is teaching Cinu to read and write, so I brought her… Aunt, since you’re here, why not keep me company for a chat?” Lady Fang’s smile was just as sweet.

The two exchanged glances, and Ye Chang and Xiang’er, who had come to greet them, sensed a current of electricity between them. The women sat together in Ye Chang’s tea and leisure pavilion, with Xiang’er attending. Listening to their endless conversation about domestic matters—especially the difficulties of raising children—Xiang’er felt drowsy.

She wondered how they could talk for so long. For two whole hours, she fetched water several times, yet the women kept chatting. When Ye Chang returned with Cinu, he invited them to stay for a meal. Before Lady Fang could reply, Lady Lu said cheerfully, “I’ve heard Eldest Young Master is skilled in cooking. I’ve always wanted to taste it, but he’s been studying, so I didn’t want to intrude. Today’s the perfect opportunity.”

Lady Fang shook her head. “I told my household I’d return for the meal. Aunt may stay, but I must go.”

“Oh, if you’re leaving, I’ll go with you,” Lady Lu said, disappointed. “Eldest Young Master, another time then.”

“If madam is willing, why not send Young Master to join Cinu in reading and writing?” Ye Chang suggested.

Lady Lu’s expression stiffened slightly. She shook her head and sighed. “Young Master is foolish and unruly, unlike Cinu. He’d only cause trouble and disrupt the studies… Perhaps when he’s older.”

Ye Chang smiled and nodded, then added, “I’ve already cooked today—there are few in the valley, so leftovers would be wasted. I’ll send you some later.”

Lady Fang remained silent, but Lady Lu’s eyes glimmered. “That would be wonderful.”

Xiang’er grew more confused, feeling there was something hidden in their words, but unable to grasp it. After Lady Lu and Lady Fang left, she was still absent-minded, until Ye Chang messed up her hair bun. “Little girl, what are you thinking? Xiang’er, you mustn’t be too clever!”

“What’s wrong with being clever?” Xiang’er was more puzzled.

“Cleverness is good, but too much brings trouble. Take a box of pastries—she worries it’s poisoned; learns to read and count—she fears I’ll harm her son… Being too clever is exhausting, and cleverness can be one’s downfall.”

Xiang’er understood a little—he was talking about Lady Lu, but she felt Ye Chang’s words also hinted at Lady Fang, though she couldn’t quite figure out how.

Eventually, she gave up thinking. Why be so clever? With master taking care of her, that was enough.