That would bring glory to the ancestors in the future. As soon as Ye Qingweng heard that Ye Shaohua might hinder his eldest son’s career, his expression grew serious: “It’s getting late. We must not delay the journey.”
Concubine Mei had initially held a sliver of hope for Ye Qingweng. Hearing his words, her heart sank halfway.
Ye Shaohua had long since boarded the carriage, not at all surprised by Ye Qingweng’s statement.
“Mother, we’re leaving,” she lifted the worn curtain of the carriage and glanced back at Concubine Mei.
This body was only eleven years old, but those pitch-black eyes bore no resemblance to a child’s gaze.
When Ye Qingweng met those imposing eyes, he couldn’t help but shudder inwardly. That was definitely not the look his fourth son should have had.
“I must have seen wrong,” Ye Qingweng shook his head. “Seems I’ve been too tired lately.”
How could he not know his own fourth son?
A few days earlier, in an effort to be fair, he had taken the top scholar along, hoping the scholar could offer some guidance to his fourth son. After all, having more members of the household earn scholarly honors would bring glory to the ancestors.
Unexpectedly, not only did this fourth son know nothing when questioned, but when the top scholar asked how many classics he had read, he actually started crying!
Ye Qingweng had never felt so humiliated in his life.
The next day, he brought generous gifts to visit the top scholar, finally appeasing his anger.
Remembering this, Ye Qingweng stopped thinking about his fourth son.
Meanwhile, in the main residence, Madame Ye was leaning by the window, embroidering.
“Well?” She glanced over as the steward returned.
The steward bowed respectfully, “Reporting to Madam, Concubine Mei and the Fourth Young Master have left. The master stopped concerning himself with the matter as soon as he heard the Fourth Young Master might affect the Eldest Young Master’s career.”
Madame Ye showed no surprise, only a sarcastic smile. “Still trying to trick the master into having the top scholar teach that bastard child? Look at what he’s like. Is he even worthy of studying under the same teacher as my Ming’er?”
The steward stood with head bowed, pretending not to hear.
**
Ye Shaohua and the others had arrived at the Ye family’s villa estate.
The Ye family owned several villa estates, but as people being sent away, Ye Shaohua and Concubine Mei naturally arrived at the worst one. It was dilapidated and rundown, with no steward, not even a single maid or servant in sight.
The coachman hurriedly drove the carriage back to report after dropping them off.
“Fourth Young Master, you rest for a while. Liu’er and I will tidy up the rooms…” Concubine Mei set down her bundle and lit a candle.
Ye Shaohua looked around the room. Instead of resting, she joined Concubine Mei in cleaning up. “Mother, we’re not in the Ye residence anymore. Here at the villa, you don’t need to call me Fourth Young Master anymore.”
In the Ye residence, as a concubine, Concubine Mei could only address Ye Shaohua as Fourth Young Master. Now that they were out of the residence, such formalities weren’t necessary.
Concubine Mei looked at Ye Shaohua, thinking that since she was actually a girl, this might be a good opportunity to break away from the Ye family. The longer it dragged on, the more troublesome it would become.
“Mother, please find me a tutor tomorrow,” Ye Shaohua said suddenly after arranging her belongings.
Hearing this, Concubine Mei was stunned. “Shaohua, we’re out of the Ye residence now. You don’t need to study anymore. Why do you need a tutor?”
Because Concubine Mei knew Ye Shaohua was actually a girl, she had only ever taught her female virtues and precepts, never anything else.
And the original host had no interest in learning, which was what had provoked the top scholar’s anger.
Originally, leaving the Ye residence meant this matter was over. She hadn’t expected Ye Shaohua to bring it up again now.
“I want to take the imperial examinations,” Ye Shaohua smiled at Concubine Mei. “Hmm… become the top scholar and let you enjoy a life of comfort.”
This was also her mission this time.
To be honest, the original host was quite unlucky.
Raised as a boy in ancient times while actually being a girl, she didn’t dare mingle among men.
Her elder sister, Ye Jin, was ashamed of the original host, making her deeply insecure.
Especially in the end, the original host, being a girl, fell for the Third Prince. The Ye family’s eldest daughter, the original host’s legitimate elder sister, was the Third Prince’s betrothed concubine. The original host’s undisguised gaze made the Ye family believe she was a pervert.
The original host was, after all, a woman and not cut out for martial arts or the imperial examinations, thus having no value.
Enchanted by the Third Prince’s talent and handsome appearance, the original host confessed her true gender. The Third Prince expressed surprise and even said he would take her as a concubine.
In the end, Madame Ye had her drowned in a pond.
When Madame Ye’s actions were exposed, the marriage between the original host’s legitimate elder sister and the Third Prince was called off, replaced by Ye Jin.
Only then did the original host realize that the Third Prince liked neither her nor her legitimate elder sister; he was fond of her talented and pleasing elder sister, Ye Jin.
For Ye Jin’s sake, the Third Prince personally set a trap for the original host.
This time, the original host’s mission was simple.
First, she would honestly continue living disguised as a man, pass the imperial examinations, and take good care of Concubine Mei. Second, she would ensure those who harmed her were punished.
So, the first step was still to pass the imperial examinations.
Concubine Mei was stunned for a moment after hearing Ye Shaohua’s words. “Alright, you want to become the top scholar? Then become the top scholar.”
Seeing Concubine Mei’s expression, Ye Shaohua knew she wasn’t taking it seriously, thinking she was just playing around.
But that was understandable, after all, the original host had always hated studying the most.
Nevertheless, the next day, Concubine Mei still went out and found a tutor for Ye Shaohua.
Although Concubine Mei had moved to the villa, her face remained the most beautiful among Ye Qingweng’s women.
Madame Ye hadn’t completely let her guard down. A year later, she sent Steward Ye to check on the situation of the mother and son.
Most importantly, to see if Ye Qingweng had secretly visited them.
When Steward Ye arrived, Concubine Mei was chatting with a neighbor, while only Liu’er was at the villa, feeding the dog.
“Liu’er, where is the Fourth Young Master?” The steward discreetly scanned the villa.
Liu’er, leisurely feeding the dog, paled at the sight of the steward. “Reporting to the steward, the young master went out to drink with friends.”
Drinking? The Eldest Young Master got up before dawn every day to practice calligraphy and study. When would he ever have free time to drink?
He had always known the Fourth Young Master was useless, but he hadn’t expected him to be this useless.
A trace of contempt flickered across the steward’s face.
