Chapter Sixteen: A Pleasant Family Visit

  The living room is elegant and clean, with two sets of red lacquer case wood chairs arranged in a square shape. On the headboard table, there is a small potted landscape with mountain rocks covered with green moss, adding a few more points to the quiet and secluded atmosphere.

  Ye Zhao gently shook his folding fan, dressed as a young master. If it weren't for Ruyi having already recognized her brother, who would have thought that the owner of this small wealthy family was once impoverished and destitute? His parents had no choice but to sell their six-year-old daughter to the capital city.

  Ruyi's parents had long since passed away, and the only relative left was an older brother, who had already moved away from Nanhai County to the countryside. After inquiring around, it turned out that her brother was actually living in Xiguan, where he had married into the Wang family oil mill as a son-in-law. Now that Old Master Wang had passed away, Ruyi's brother had become the master of the Wang family oil mill.

  Ye Zhaoye heard the news and was delighted for Ruyi, but also felt bored. So she decided to follow Ruyi to meet her relatives, which made Ruyi feel both nervous and terrified, yet she didn't dare disobey her master's words.

  Ye Zhao originally wanted to take Rong'er out for a walk, but Rong'er wouldn't join in on the fun, let alone the fact that her husband was planning to dress her up as a man.

  Just after dinner, Ye Zhaoye and his three servants were chatting with Chen Adai in the living room. Chen Adai had a square face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and spoke calmly, but his eyes still looked slightly red, probably because he had just cried with Ruyi in the backyard. Ruyi's tear marks were still visible, looking pitiful.

  "Mr. Ye, all these years you have taken care of my sister, I'm ashamed to say that our Chen family has gone through a huge change, and my sister has been alone and wandering in the wind and rain since she was young. If it weren't for your kindness and allowing her to have a place to settle down, I fear...I fear...the great kindness of you and Mr. Ye is something I can never repay!" Chen Ah Da sighed, his face full of gratitude.

  It's not like he didn't think he would never see his sister again, she was sold to the north at such a young age, how could she survive the harsh winds and sands of the northern country? Even if she was lucky and had a good fate, it's likely she would still end up in a difficult situation, suffering humiliation. Who knew that they would suddenly meet again, and his long-lost sister would turn out to be a beautiful young woman, seemingly not having suffered at all. Chen Ah Da's surprise and gratitude were beyond words.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "This is because your brother and sister's fate has not yet been fulfilled, and it has nothing to do with me."

  By Ye Zhaos side was a servant dressed as a young man, Su Na, third-class guard, but he was the most skilled in firearms among Ye Zhaos personal troops, except for Ba Ke Shi.

  Following Ruyi to join the fun, he didn't want to reveal his identity, only saying that he was the young master of Taihe Number. Living in Xiguan, Chen Dada unexpectedly knew about Taihe Number, and not only did Chen Dada know, but also Wang Shi, who was sitting next to Ruyi, knew too. Wang Shi wasn't bad-looking, with a fair complexion, although she was a bit plump, wearing a green skirt and pearl hairpin, exuding the air of a lady from a wealthy family like Kangshi. Living in Xiguan and being a merchant for generations, plus taking charge of half of the oil mill after her father's passing, Wang Shi could be considered to have seen the world and wasn't overly cautious, chatting freely with guests in the living room.

  She looked down on Ye Zhao, with the air of a young master, but if you were really a young master, that would be fine. What's more, are you the young master of Taihe Bank? How small is the door face of Taihe Bank? Can it even open a bank? It would be strange if someone went to deposit money there. I've heard people say that the number of customers coming and going in one day can be counted on one hand, and there are more employees than customers, just for show.

  It was said that the master of Taihe House was a declining family in Beijing, and it was often joked that this master would definitely ruin the family business. But unexpectedly, this prodigal son is now standing right in front of her. As a woman, Wang's eyelids were thin, and she couldn't help but look at Ye Shao with some disdain.

  What's more, the oil factory had a big trouble recently. Wang was already worried and didn't know how many times he had quarreled with Chen Ah Da.

  "Mr. Ye, I have an impolite request to make, and it's presumptuous of me to say it out loud, so please don't take offense, Mr. Ye." Chen Ah-Da spoke in a refined and elegant manner, completely unlike the rough and uneducated rustic he was supposed to be.

  Ye Zhao smiled: "Brother Chen has something to say, it's okay to speak freely. In my eyes, Yiyi is like a close relative, and Brother Chen is also my elder brother."

  Ru Yi was startled and knew that her master's words were never restricted, but she really feared that her brother would follow the trend and address their master as a sworn brother.

  Wang's mouth corners twitched, thinking that this relative was beyond their reach.

  Chen Ada felt a bit embarrassed and hesitated before saying: "I want to ransom my sister, please help me, sir."

  Ru Yi was stunned, this brother had never mentioned it to her, and she couldn't care about the rules, hastily saying: "Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? I don't want to!" To redeem a maid from the Prince's mansion, how much silver would that cost? Moreover, Ru Yi had been raised as the future heir's personal maid since childhood, with famous masters in the capital teaching her piano, chess, books, and paintings. If this account were calculated, it's likely that even if brother sold the oil shop, it wouldn't be enough. Not to mention Master and Mistress's kindness was higher than the sky, how could she bear to leave them?

  Chen Adai was taken aback, not expecting his sister to react this way. He thought she would be happy, but instead, he saw that Yu Yi's face was flushed and anxious, while Ye Zhao looked elegant and refined. Chen Adai's mind started to wander, and he nodded secretly, thinking that his sister must have a crush on Ye Zhao.

  Ye Zhaoyu smiled and said, "To say that I also have my own desires, but you siblings recognizing each other, if I were to stop it, wouldn't that be inhumane? The silver is secondary, the master and servant have gone through a lot together, she has found her home, and should be released. Consider this an act of kindness from me, later I'll send someone from the capital to bring back her contract."

  "This, how can this be? Master Ye, you still want to collect the ransom." Chen's head shook like a rattle drum. Originally, they had raised his sister for all these years, and now that they met, saying he wanted to ransom his sister was already unreasonable. If he didn't even want the ransom, just showing mercy and releasing her, what kind of person would he become? However, it's clear that Master Ye treats his sister extremely well.

  When Wang heard that Chen Da wanted to ransom his sister, he initially turned cold, but now his mind was moved. This prodigal son is generous, if he really doesn't pay a penny and can bring Ruyi back, it would be great. This girl is pretty and has been serving people for a long time, it's cost-effective to raise her at home. Moreover, her own nephew is not young anymore, and it's hard to say that he doesn't have a wife yet. His aunt had asked him several times to take the lead in helping him propose to Ruyi, which would be very suitable.

  "Yè Gōngzǐ indeed comes from a wealthy family, and it's good that he treats us well. But if we just let Rúyì return like this, I'm afraid Yè Lǎoyé won't agree, right?" Since it was a matter of taking advantage, Wáng Shì didn't mind flattering this prodigal son a few sentences.

  I'm so angry I could cry, but I also can't help but be rude. "Am I really that annoying? Do you have to drive me away?" I don't even know who I'm saying this to, my heart is getting more and more resentful, and I couldn't help but wipe away tears.

  Chen Ah-da was stunned, and Wang's family went over to persuade him in a low voice, but Ruyi just shook his head.

  Ye Zhaowas not expecting this scene, but thinking about it made her feel at ease. As Yi had grown up in the Wang mansion since childhood, her few friends were probably just auspicious, prosperous and precious. After she got married, Rong'er treated them with kindness, and Ye often chatted and laughed with them. Although no one dared to respond to her jokes every time, they still had a lively and joyful atmosphere.

  From Ruyi's own perspective, she was only seventeen years old in virtual age. She had just been redeemed and returned home when Cold Not Ding (her husband) died. In a year or two, Chen A'da would have married her off to another family, but it's not necessarily better than being by her own side.

  Ye Zhaocuo thought for a moment and then smiled: "Brother Chen, this matter of course depends on Ruyi's own thoughts."

  Chen Ah Dai saw Ruyi in this state and could only nod helplessly: "It's like that, it's like that."

  Wang said with a smile: "What kind of reason is this? Does the master have to look at the maid's face when speaking?"

  Ru Yi was startled again and stopped crying, hastily pulling on Wang's sleeve, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense."

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "Mrs. Chen is right, this is indeed our family's rule."

  Wang's face looked even worse, and he sneered: "The rules of the Ye family are good, no wonder they have fallen to this point!" Chen Dajiang entered the house, but she didn't like hearing others call her Sister-in-law Chen.

  Sunna had been annoyed by this woman's repeated disrespect towards Master, and now hearing her even more brazenly mocking Master, she couldn't bear it anymore. Suddenly, she sprang up from her chair, her voice low and stern: "You hussy! How dare you be rude to my young master again? I'll slap your mouth!"

  Wang's family was startled at first, and then they said with a smile: "Ah, what a big show, what a big momentum! Chen Ah Da, send the guests off!"

  Su Na was so angry that she really wanted to go over and scold her, but seeing the master glare at him, he could only awkwardly retreat.

  Ye Zhaoquan didn't mind, stood up and smiled: "Brother Chen, sorry to disturb you, come to Taihe Teahouse tomorrow for a cup of tea."

  Chen Adai was extremely angry that Wangshi didn't give him any face, but having been oppressed for years, he hadn't even thought about making a scene. He could only smile wryly and see Ye Zhaoye and his servants off at the gate of the mansion. On the steps, Chen Adai repeatedly apologized, "My wife doesn't know her manners, sir, please don't take offense."

  Ye Zhao smiled and nodded.

  This alley is extremely quiet, with walls over 10 feet high on both sides, and just a few hundred steps ahead, you can exit the alley onto Chongde Avenue.

  As they walked down the alley, Suna whispered, "Master, I was wrong!" It was their first time sneaking out in plain clothes, and only now did he remember Bakshi's warning not to cause trouble without Master's permission.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "It's nothing, to be wrong you have to admit your mistake to Ruyi, after all, she is Ruyi's sister-in-law, what kind of manner is it for you to order her around?"

  "Yes!" Xuna turned around and made a fist to Youyi, bowing his head: "Sister Youyi, forgive me!" He was naturally much older than Youyi, but could only address her in this way.

  Yu's heart is anxious, earlier he was wronged and confused, as if he had made a fuss and said something unpleasant, isn't this crazy?

  Suddenly, Suna apologized to himself and hastily waved his hand, saying: "No, no, it's nothing." Unable to bear it any longer, he suddenly knelt down before Ye Zhao, "Master, I, a slave, just spoke wrongly, I deserve to die!"

  Ye Zhao just smiled and said: "Get up, your sister-in-law already knows that our household rules are special. The maid was just talking big and didn't mean it. Besides, you weren't even talking to me."

  Ruyi was amused and wanted to laugh, but didn't dare to, so she bowed her head respectfully and said in a low voice: "The master is kind to us servants, we all know that."

  Ye Zhao shook her head and said: "It's neither good nor bad, you will get married sooner or later, have a place to belong, and naturally let you out." This was indeed true.

  "Servant, servant, willing to serve master and mistress for a lifetime."

  Ye Zhao just smiled: "This is because you haven't met your soulmate yet, sooner or later one day, you won't be saying this."

  Ruyi's face turned bright red, "Slave, slave is telling the truth, master and...and..." She dared not utter such nonsense.

  Ye Zhaoye also felt that he had misspoken, and in this era it seemed like a joke, so he coughed and said: "Your brother is a good person, you haven't seen him for over ten years, have you? In the future, go visit him more often. Your sister-in-law is a fierce mother hen, as his younger sister, you should advise him well. Especially after today's commotion, don't ruin your brother and sister-in-law's relationship."

  Ru Yi nodded slightly.

  At the entrance of the alley, Rui Si was waiting with his eyes wide open, and he rushed over to kowtow to his master.

  Ye Zhaowu frowned and said: "Not a good student of medical classics, what are you doing here?"

  Rui Si's face turned sour, even though he was a master of deceit and swindling, but when it came to doing business, he was really in a difficult situation.

  With a bitter face, "Master, Rui Si'er is not playing around, but actually found out about a plot that involves Yuanyi's older brother. I'm afraid of delaying Master's affairs, so I hurriedly came to deliver the message."

  Ye Zhaoyao smiled: "What's up again? You're just stalling me! Now, you've also learned to be cunning."

  "Master, I don't dare, I don't dare!" Rui Si's face was filled with fear as he leaned in close to Ye Zhao. "I've heard that it's true, Master Chen Ah Da's oil shop is probably going to be ruined." His voice was very low, so that Yi wouldn't hear, and also because he didn't know what the master's plans were, and if he didn't intervene, Yi would definitely not be happy.

  "How could it be lost?" Ye Zhao slightly frowned.

  Rui Si said, "Tao's second son is a rascal. He has been eyeing the Wang family oil mill in Xiguan and wants to buy it at all costs. The old Wang refused to sell, so he sent people to cause trouble several times, injuring several apprentices and even setting fire once. I heard that the old Wang can't hold on anymore, and the oil mill will likely change hands within these two days." Rui Si said with hatred, "This son of a bitch Tao is a coward at home, not daring to breathe loudly in front of his wife, but outside he becomes a tyrant, bullying men and women. He's a scoundrel!"

  Ye Zhaonaturally knew why Rui Si was deeply resentful of Tao Lao Er, he had been beaten once for nothing, and this face hadn't been regained yet. Although he didn't dare to provoke trouble himself, he thought that Tao Lao Er would investigate even the smallest details, including his bowel movements.

  Ye Zhao just smiled: "Whether he buys it or not has nothing to do with us."

  Rui Si nodded hastily: "Yes, yes, I understand."

  Ye Zhaoyu smiled and said, "However, you can't just take that beating for nothing. I've been wanting to get it back for a long time. You deal with it, but remember, we don't bully people or implicate others, got it?"

  Rui Si's eyes sparkled with spirit as he listened, his thin face radiant, "I understand!"

  ……………………

  Yesterday, I occasionally logged onto QQ and saw someone in the group say that I only post "tickets" every day, which seems very cold. I fainted on the spot. It's not that I don't want to chat with everyone, but I'm really busy to death and have a headache because I haven't saved any drafts.

  Recently, I had something to do for two days and one night I smoked again, which made my throat swollen. This is the second time that I've used smoking to make my throat swollen. The first time was when I was writing a novel. It's amazing how the human body works. My throat was swollen from smoke, not because of a cold, but it still triggered the self-protection program and started a fever.

  After messing around twice, the draft was gone, and now there's only one day left for the draft. I'm worried about how to handle the new book going online. Although everyone knows that I write slowly, if I say that the first month of the new book doesn't have a few thousand words of chapters, it's hard to convince anyone. So I've been thinking of storing up drafts these days, but I haven't had time, and it's driving me crazy.

  Off to decipher the characters, sweating... still the same phrase, votes...