Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Ye Shuang felt a momentary disorientation when she first saw Ye Sheng in the back garden.

She hadn't initially planned to come, but knowing Ye Sheng would be there, she decided to make an appearance. It wasn't that she particularly wanted to see Ye Sheng; their relationship had always been distant. Having been away from home for years, she felt closer to Song Yun than to her own half-sister.

The last time they had met was on Ye Shuang’s wedding day. During her post-wedding homecoming visit, Ye Sheng was absent, claiming to be away—though Ye Shuang suspected it was merely an excuse to avoid her.

Speaking of her wedding day, it was a memory etched permanently in her mind. It was also the first time she had openly confronted Madame Xu.

She remembered it had rained all night before the wedding, and the crabapple trees in the Duke’s mansion’s backyard had bloomed overnight.

Her vibrant red wedding gown had been thrown out of the room and nearly ruined.

It was also the first time she had asserted herself.

-

Seven months earlier, at the Duke’s mansion.

Her jewelry lay scattered across the floor, and maids hurried to pick it up. A young woman in red rushed out of the room and ran toward the backyard.

"Ye Shuang! Come out here!"

This woman was Ye Sheng.

"Sheng'er, be sensible. Now is not the time for tantrums," a richly dressed woman stepped forward to persuade her.

"Ye Shuang hasn’t been home for years, and as soon as she returns, she tries to take what's mine! Mother, you have to help me."

"It’s not that I won’t help you, but the marriage arrangement has already been settled. An imperial decree has been issued—it’s irrevocably decided."

Ye Sheng refused to listen. "I don’t care! You promised I could take my place in the marriage arrangement. How could you go back on your word now?"

"Because this marriage arrangement was always mine."

A figure emerged from the room—slender and pale, with loose black hair cascading down to her waist like ink-black silk.

"Ye Shuang! You—!"

"What? Did I say something wrong? This marriage was arranged by Grandfather for me. At that time, your mother hadn’t even entered the household, and you weren't even born yet!"

Ye Shuang’s grandfather had defied the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and committed suicide in the grand hall. The entire Ye family was implicated. To protect Ye Shuang, her grandfather secretly betrothed her to the then heir to the Prince of Huainan—the current Xiao Lin.

Xiao Lin had grown up with her in Yu Zhou until they were fourteen. At that time, the political landscape was in turmoil—various marquises and feudal princes launched coups, the nation was divided, and instability reigned with continuous warfare. They were too young to understand what it all meant, only aware that they rarely saw their grandfather, and their fathers and Marquis Xiao often wore worried expressions. Her and Xiao Lin’s fates were forever changed by these events.

After these words, both Madame Xu and Ye Sheng looked deeply uncomfortable.

"Shuang'er, watch your words. How dare you speak of your mother that way?"

Ye Hongyuan had also arrived in the backyard.

Ye Shuang bowed respectfully to him. "Greetings, Father."

Ye Sheng immediately clung to him, tugging at his arm and pleading tearfully, "Father, didn’t you promise? Why is Sister trying to take what’s mine as soon as she returns?"

The scene stung Ye Shuang deeply. Since she was leaving soon anyway, she decided she had endured enough. "Steal? Who is stealing from whom? I’m only reclaiming what is rightfully mine. How is that stealing? And let me remind you, Father—I have only one mother. Xu Rou’er is not my mother."

Ye Shuang stared straight at Ye Hongyuan, enunciating each word clearly.

"You—!" Ye Hongyuan was furious but helpless.

"Father, I’ve never asked you for anything my whole life. Just this once—can’t you grant me this? Must you continue to show such favoritism?"

Ye Sheng also cried out, "Father!"

Ye Hongyuan closed his eyes. "Someone, take the Second Young Miss back to her room and keep a close watch on her. Don’t let her cause any more trouble."

At his command, the servants waiting behind him immediately stepped forward. No matter how much Ye Sheng cried and protested, Ye Hongyuan did not change his mind.

He then turned to Madame Xu beside him. "You talk some sense into her. This time, I’ve failed her. I will find her another excellent marriage in the future."

Ye Shuang secretly sneered.

Madame Xu responded respectfully, "It is proper that Shuang'er marries into the Lin family. After all, the elder sister should marry first. Sheng'er is still young—it’s natural for her to be confused now. I will do my best to help her understand."

Ye Hongyuan was visibly relieved. "I’m glad you see it that way."

Madame Xu softened her tone. "Although Shuang'er is not my own daughter, she is still a daughter of the Ye family. If she marries well, the entire family and you, my lord, will benefit. Only when you thrive can Sheng'er and I have lifelong security and comfort."

As she spoke, Madame Xu began to weep quietly. Ye Hongyuan quickly drew her into his arms, murmuring words of comfort repeatedly.

Ye Shuang watched with cold detachment from where she stood, the last shred of guilt in her heart completely vanishing.

Madame Xu spoke again, with tears welling in her eyes. "Shuang'er, we may have mishandled things in this matter, but it was all for the sake of the Ye family. After all, it is you whom the imperial decree designates for marriage. Please don’t hold it against your younger sister."

"Look what you’ve done to your mother! Must our entire family kneel to beg your forgiveness?"

"Your entire family? Yes, you are the family. I am merely an outsider," Ye Shuang retorted sarcastically.

"How dare you say that!" Ye Hongyuan was about to lose his temper, but Madame Xu quickly held him back.

Ye Hongyuan reined in his anger.

Ye Shuang had seen this scene too many times.

Back when her mother had just passed away, her father had married Madame Xu. The following year, Ye Sheng was born, and the Marquis’ household had its Second Young Miss.

From then on, there was no one left in this household who would protect her. No matter how well they had treated her in the past, when it came to matters of vested interest, Madame Xu would always prioritize her own daughter.

She would always be an outsider in this home. Since that was the case, she felt no reason to remain.

-

"Shuang'er… Shuang'er?"

Ye Shuang was jolted from her reverie.

Song Yun tugged at Ye Shuang’s arm. "What’s wrong with you? I’ve called your name so many times, and you didn’t respond."

"Nothing, I was just recalling some past events."

Ye Shuang took a deep breath, trying to release the constriction in her chest.

"Don't trouble yourself with those thoughts. They’ve already played several rounds. Let’s go take a look!"

Not far away, the group had gathered to play Pitch-Pot. Song Yun pulled Ye Shuang closer, and fragments of conversation drifted over with the wind, growing clearer.

"Sister Yunxiu has already won several rounds in a row. It’s time to let the rest of us play."

"I said not to let her go first. With her here, what chance do the rest of us stand?"

"Sister, that’s hardly fair now, is it? We agreed that the loser would step down. Does that mean if I win, I can’t keep playing?"

"You!"

As they were standing farther away and they'd moved around, Ye Shuang couldn't immediately identify who had spoken.

Just as an argument seemed about to break out, someone intervened, "Alright, alright, why don't we play something else? Let's not ruin the mood between us."

At that moment, Ye Shuang finally recognized the speaker—it was Meng Huaisu.

Song Yun let out a soft, mocking laugh beside her.

Lin Qingwu glared at her, "What are you laughing at, sister? Are you laughing at our expense?"

Song Yun waved her hand dismissively, "It's nothing. I just remembered sneaking out of the mansion as a child and seeing a group of puppies fighting in an alley, nipping and tugging at each other until they were all covered in fur. The scene was just too amusing!"

Wang Yunzhen was the first to react, "How dare you insult us!"

Song Yun put on an innocent face, "Don't twist my words. I simply recalled a funny childhood memory and couldn't help but laugh. How can you accuse me of insulting anyone?"

As she spoke, she gave a subtle nudge to Ye Shuang with her elbow and gave her a knowing smile.

Ye Shuang couldn't help smiling slightly, then quickly dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief to hide her amusement.

Liu Yiyi, observing this, grew furious, her eyes growing stormy.