Chapter 78: The Unparalleled Majesty of the Tigress

Though Jiao Sui had brought word that He Zhizhang would resign and return to the Way sooner than history records, and might even come to Xiuwu in search of Immortal traces, Ye Chang considered this something that would not occur until after the New Year.

He had not expected, however, that He Zhizhang would arrive so soon.

More importantly, timing was everything: his arrival could not have been more opportune—or, perhaps, more inconvenient. For Ye Chang was just in the midst of borrowing He's illustrious name to suppress his nominal father.

There was no doubt that his supposed father, Ye Si, would soon confront He Zhizhang directly, demanding to know why he had interfered in the family's private affairs and sown discord between father and son...

Caught unprepared, He Zhizhang would surely deny all knowledge, and Ye Chang's ruse—having invoked He Zhizhang’s name without permission—would be exposed. Not only would He Zhizhang look down on Ye Chang, but once the story spread, Ye Chang’s own reputation would suffer irreparable harm!

Ye Si and Madame Lu were equally astonished.

Though Ye Si had spoken harshly moments before, vowing to confront anyone who dared meddle in his household, the truth was, what was his station compared to He and Han? When he met them, he would have to bow deeply in respect, and if they deigned to speak kindly with him, it was already a tremendous honor.

And now the prince’s former esteemed guest had truly arrived... Wait—a former guest?

“He... He Gong has resigned?” He stammered as he asked.

“Indeed. He Gong has relinquished his office to seek the Way and has come here specially to visit,” Zhong Wei replied indifferently. Though he did not think much of Ye Si, he gave him face for Ye Chang’s sake.

If He were still in office, Ye Si would not dare offend him. But as he had already resigned, Ye Si’s thoughts turned: should he go and challenge him after all?

“Where is he now?” Ye Chang inquired.

“He is but three li from the village. Old and slow, he travels at an easy pace. As I met him on the road, the magistrate and the minor official sent me ahead to inform you,” Zhong Wei replied.

Three li—He Zhizhang was certainly traveling by donkey or horse. Even at a slow pace, he would arrive very soon!

Ye Chang understood he had to act swiftly—he must resolve matters before He Zhizhang arrived.

But just at that moment, Madame Lu sprang up: “Good, good, let him come! I have just the question for him—why does he concern himself with our family’s business!”

Ye Si, being a man, was more circumspect in his considerations, but Madame Lu, as a woman, thought only of the household and her children. Thus, Ye Si might hesitate to challenge He Zhizhang, but Madame Lu would certainly make a scene. Her outburst left Zhong Wei startled. Ye Chang, at last, hardened his resolve: better a quick pain than a lingering one.

But then, someone else stepped forward.

“I had not intended to speak, but now that things have come to this, I must ask plainly: must you insist that Eleventh Young Master remain with the third branch, and will you never relent?”

It was Lady Fang who stood forward.

At her words, Zhong Wei immediately recognized this as a family matter and, not wishing to air the family’s dirty laundry, slipped out and quietly closed the door behind him.

“That’s only natural—Eleventh Young Master is a son of our third branch!” Madame Lu exclaimed.

“If that is so,” Lady Fang pressed, “then let me ask you another question: when Third Uncle passes on, how do you intend to divide the family estate? If you truly mean to make Eleventh Young Master your heir, then put it in writing today—that when the estate is divided, Eleventh Young Master shall take the lion’s share, and Little Nineteen the lesser!”

Her words were thunderbolts.

Ye Si said nothing, but Madame Lu instantly objected: “Even so, the division must be equal…”

“Equal?” Lady Fang sneered. “Never!”

“You venomous widow, what are you plotting? Is it because you lost your husband that you mean to set up Eleventh Young Master…?” Madame Lu, seeing her own son’s interests threatened, could not restrain her tongue and spoke with venom.

But before she could finish, Lady Fang stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed. Not only was Madame Lu’s tongue stilled, but Ye Dan, Ye Si, and all present stood dumbstruck—even Ye Chang’s expression changed. Until now, all had been theater, proceeding smoothly, but with this slap, the play threatened to collapse.

Madame Lu was an elder of the family, if of a different branch, yet how could Lady Fang dare strike her? It was as if, when Liu had so often insulted Ye Chang, he had not dared retaliate—yet Lady Fang had struck out, and with perfect composure, as though she had merely reprimanded a servant.

“You… you dare to strike me?” Madame Lu gasped, pointing at Lady Fang in shock.

“Lady Fang, how dare you!” Ye Si was furious. “You have no respect for your elders, and must be punished by family law!”

“Elders?” Lady Fang replied coolly. “I call her ‘aunt’ out of courtesy, but she takes it as her due. I entered the Ye family through proper marriage, my name entered in the clan genealogy. This woman—was she properly wed? Is her name in the records? Was her union presented before our ancestors?”

Three times she demanded, and Ye Chang and his companions were all astonished.

According to custom, a wife must be formally married, incense burned to inform the ancestors, her name recorded in the genealogy—only then is she truly a member of the family. Madame Lu, for reasons of her own, had never had a proper ceremony, nor had she been presented at the ancestral shrine. She had returned in haste this time, and none of the proper rites had been observed. By local custom, she was not a legitimate wife of the Ye family.

“You are but a wanton woman who ran off with another man, neither honored nor virtuous, not even a concubine! And your son—we call him Little Nineteen out of courtesy to Third Uncle, but as the illegitimate child of an illicit union, his name is not in the records. If Eleventh Young Master is made heir, giving him a little share of the estate is already kindness between brothers. Otherwise, he could be expelled from the house or even sold as a slave, and who could object?”

Ye Chang was utterly stunned.

Lady Fang had mentioned she had a way to deal with Ye Si and Madame Lu; he had assumed it would be by words, forcing the third branch to let him return to the main family, perhaps at some cost. He had not expected Lady Fang to strike so decisively, grasping the third branch’s very lifeblood.

Without legitimacy, neither Madame Lu nor her son could hold their heads up, especially before the properly married Lady Fang. Not only that, but Little Ye Xi’s status was as illegitimate as his mother’s. Until now, Ye Si and Madame Lu had been focused on taking advantage of Ye Chang, but now, exposed by Lady Fang, their faces were ashen.

“Clan head, tell me,” Lady Fang pressed Ye Dan, “has there ever been a case where the bastard child of a wanton woman is placed above the rightful heir?”

Ye Dan coughed, his expression grave. “Lady Fang, it’s never right to resort to violence…”

“Of course, Clan Head, your rebuke is just,” Lady Fang instantly returned to her gentle, modest demeanor.

But now, no one could see her as a bullied widow; her earlier show of strength made it clear she was a tigress.

Ye Dan looked to Ye Chang. “Eleventh Young Master, this concerns you—what do you say?”

Events had moved so swiftly that Ye Chang was left reeling. He had thought he would be forced to accept the blame for ingratitude and rebellion, but Lady Fang, with a slap and a few words, had turned matters entirely around.

In his heart, he could only silently praise: “Truly worthy to be the great-granddaughter of Empress Wu Zetian… Thank heaven my sister-in-law is on my side.”

Since Lady Fang had gone so far for him, he would play his part to the end.

“These four years I have lived with the third branch. Though my father was absent, I have relied on them for all my needs. At first, I hesitated, but after today… alas, I fear that if I remain, neither my elders nor my little brother will feel at ease.”

All present nodded in agreement. Even if the breach was not formal, Madame Lu would never rest easy after this. In truth, from the start, she had been careful not to let Ye Chang spend time alone with Ye Xi.

“Father, Madam, perhaps we can pretend today never happened and let me remain with the third branch?”

Seeing the terror in their faces, Ye Chang finally relaxed, wanting them to suffer a bit longer.

“Eleventh Young Master, what are you saying? You have your own parents, and patrons who care for you. Returning to the main family is the proper course!” Ye Si put on a righteous air. “Though I am loath to part with you, I cannot let private feelings hinder your future or that of the Ye clan!”

Madame Lu started to speak, but Lady Fang’s glance silenced her; she looked at Lady Fang in fear and nodded in assent.

“In that case… alas, I am fond of Little Nineteen and had hoped to remain close, but I dare not defy my elders’ wishes. Clan Head, I ask the rest of the elders to witness this.”

At these words, as though reluctant, Ye Chang paused. Ye Si and Madame Lu, however, eagerly agreed: “Excellent, excellent, this is as it should be!”

They no longer cared about Ye Chang’s workshop; their priority was self-preservation. If Ye Chang changed his mind and insisted on staying, it would be trouble indeed. With powerful allies and legitimate status, no matter how much wealth Ye Chang accumulated, it would all belong to him, while Little Nineteen would gain nothing and live in constant dread.

“Now that this is settled, I’ll go to receive He Gong. Clan Head, Sister-in-law, I leave the rest to you.”

Ye Dan nodded repeatedly. “Go, go, do not keep He Gong waiting.”

Ye Chang glanced at Lady Fang; she smiled slyly, but the expression vanished in a heartbeat—a fox who had just stolen a hen.

This sister-in-law…

Ye Chang was left speechless, unsure how to describe her. One thing was certain: she had restrained herself in the Ye family. With her intelligence, she could have made the family’s life a torment.

Composing himself, Ye Chang opened the door, just in time to see Zhong Wei pulling his head back—he had slipped out earlier, closing the door, but had been eavesdropping the whole time. Ye Chang did not expose him but said with a smile, “I must trouble you, Clerk Zhong, to accompany me to greet our guest.”

“No trouble at all! For a young master to know such distinguished figures in the capital—truly the mark of a chosen one!” Zhong Wei replied, raising his thumb in praise.

Inwardly, he added: “I, too, have an eye for talent. Early on, I saw that Ye Langjun was no ordinary man, and cultivated his friendship. The Liu family matter, Young Master Zheng, and now this—all have strengthened our bond.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Clerk Zhong,” Ye Chang replied politely, then sent Chunming to Wolong Valley to inform Cui Sui, and set out to welcome their guest.

After a few steps, Zhong Wei grew uneasy and whispered, “Given the state of things here, is it suitable to receive He Gong and the others?”

“Do not worry, Clerk Zhong. Since He Gong comes in search of the Way, I shall take him to my retreat in the valley. Though humble, it will serve for our purposes. I must ask you to accompany us and remind me should I err in courtesy.”

Zhong Wei was delighted. For a minor official like him, the chance to be seen by high-ranking guests was a precious opportunity to raise his standing and hope for promotion.

“A young master like you ought to have had a better father,” Zhong Wei said coarsely, then laughed.

Ye Chang let the remark pass in silence. The two of them had barely gone half a li from the village when they saw a group approaching at a leisurely pace.

He Zhizhang had hoped to travel light, but the county magistrate and constable insisted on accompanying him, and he could not refuse. Though already eighty, he cared little for such matters, but the officials dared not show him the slightest disrespect. His resignation had been marked by a farewell poem composed by the emperor himself, with ministers contributing as well—clearly, he was not leaving office out of disfavor.

Seeing Ye Chang from afar, He Zhizhang laughed. “The lad lives a carefree life—having stirred up a storm in Chang’an, he now enjoys himself in the countryside!”

“I have long known Ye Langjun, but did not realize he had accomplished so much in Chang’an. Here in Xiuwu, his fame is already widespread: channeling the rainbow canal, judging the Bodhisattva’s case…”

Yuan Gonglu, speaking as he walked, sighed inwardly.

He had once thought Ye Chang too fond of clever schemes, a dangerous habit. Thus, though acquainted, he kept his distance. He had not expected that in just a few months, Ye Chang would make such a stir in the capital, even being summoned by the emperor himself. Though he was exiled from Chang’an, he had not truly fallen, and had in fact gained powerful friends.

Such is fate; had he known, he would have cultivated closer ties with Ye Chang and gained the reputation of one who recognizes talent.

As he regretted this in silence, Ye Chang approached, and from a hundred paces called out, “Master He, Jiao Langjun said you might come, but I never dreamed you would arrive so quickly!”

“I am but a cloud in the wind now, free to visit as I please!” He Zhizhang replied, raising his voice with effort. “Come, let me hear if you have any new verses to share.”

“Busy with mundane affairs, I have written no poems,” Ye Chang replied, disappointing He Zhizhang, but then added, “But since you have come, Master, surely new poems are not far off.”

Everyone laughed; Ye Chang’s flattery was skillfully delivered, and He Zhizhang could not help stroking his beard in pleasure. As they drew near, He Zhizhang introduced his companions one by one: the magistrate, the constable, and among the others, one he mentioned especially. “This is Du Fu, styled Zimei, a master of poetry—he and you ought to be friends!”