Su Xiang promptly left after he got what he needed.
Wei Yannian’s face turned white in despair.
“What happened to Ye Ning and Ye Jinrong?” Fang Wen asked.
“Liujiang’s future has already been destroyed. Why can’t you leave it alone?” Mu said angrily.
“Well, my niece’s whereabouts are unknown as of the moment. I just want to know what should I do when I find her because I will not be returning her to the Ye family if her traitorous mother and sister are still around.
“Jinrong’s already married,” Ye Binghuai replied.
“We don’t accept someone like that,” Wei Yannian suddenly said.
Ye Binghuai turned to Wei Yannian, his face showing his obvious incredulity. “What did you say?”
Wei Yennian knew his son. The boy might be smart, but there was no way he’d come up with that whole crooked scheme on his own. He knew that whatever had transpired was masterminded by Jinrong. That scourge of a woman has already ruined his son’s future and he couldn’t let her do any more damage.
“My son’s divorcing her,” Wei Yannian said, his voice firm.
Wei Liujiang hurriedly protested, “But Jinrong’s already pregnant!”
Wei Yannian turned to his son, his jaw slack. “You…”
He was at a loss on what to say and what to do so he simply turned around and left.
Minister Mu chased after him.
“I need to go talk to my father,” Wei Liujiang told Ye Binghuai before leaving.
Xia Chunyu put his teacup down and slowly got up. He said to Ye Binghuai, “I have to call you father-in-law now.”
Ye Binghuai visibly swallowed.
“What are you planning to do now that you’ve learned of the truth? As long as Ning’s still in the Ye family, I don’t think Jinxuan will ever come back. Even if she does, it wouldn’t be as your daughter and naturally, I will side with her,” Xia Chunyu said before leaving Ye Binghuai to stew on his words.
Uncle Fang and Fang Wen stared at Ye Binghuai for a moment and then followed Xia Chunyu outside.
Today’s result might not have been perfect, but it will do. Wei Liujiang and Ye Jinrong might not have divorced, but they’re slowly going to get what’s coming to them.
Ye Binghuai stared at the empty space before him. Xia Chunyu more or less told him to divorce Ning if he wanted his daughter in his life.
If he divorces Ning, he’d gain the favor of the Jing An Marquis’ Heir-son Lord, his son-in-law. Surely Ning would not kick up such a fuss if she’s going to be facing someone as powerful as Xia Chunyu?
Ye Jiayao had just finished cooking when Little Lu came in to tell her that she had been invited by guests on the third floor. She asked if he knew them and he said that it was the first time he’s seen them. From Little Lu’s description of them, Ye Jiayao guessed that it might be her uncle and aunt coming to visit her.
She went upstairs and when she opened her door, sure enough, her aunt and uncle were waiting for her.
“Uncle, Auntie!” she exclaimed. “Where have you been? I didn’t know where you were staying so I wasn’t able to come visit you.”
Uncle smiled and said, “The Heir-son Lord said that it’s best to lay low and avoid contact with you until he’s got things settled.”
Ye Jiayao wondered if their presence here now indicated that Chunyu has already taken care of things?
“My niece, is it hard?” Fang Wen asked as she took her hands softly.
“It’s not as bad as it seems. I only really have to take care of the third floor and there are other cooks available to help me,” Ye Jiayao assured with a smile.
“You’re a lady! You shouldn’t have to do all these things,” Fang Wen complained.
“Do not worry so much, her husband’s taking care of her,” Uncle said.
Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to scoff. How exactly was he taking care of her? He was not helping her because of his commitment to their ‘marriage’, or out of the goodness of his heart. He’s just doing all these things to ease the guilt he’s feeling from abandoning her.
“By the way, you’re really good at cooking! I was surprised when I first tasted the food, it was incredibly delicious. You have to cook for your grandfather and grandmother when you and your husband visit Zhenjiang next year!” Uncle told her.
Ye Jiayao blinked, confused. “Next year… we’re going to Zhenjiang next year?”
Was her uncle delirious? Why would Chunyu go to Zhenjiang with her?”
“Yeah, he promised that you guys will visit next year. We’re leaving today so I needed to make sure that we’re going to be seeing you again soon!”
Ye Jiayao didn’t understand why the hell would Chunyu make a promise like that. “Wait, you’re going back today? Does that mean that everything’s alright now?”
Fang Wen smiled. “Everything has been taken care of. Wei Liujiang has been banned from taking any position in the government. For a scholar like him, that’s a huge blow. As for Jinrong, now that her father-in-law has found out about all her evil deeds, she’d be living a very uncomfortable life in their mansion. Wei Yannian proposed to have Wei Liujiang divorce her, but the young man loves his wife so…”
“What about Ye Ning?” Ye Jiayao asked.
“The Heir-son Lord has already hinted at your dad that he should divorce her. He told her that he’s going to lose you if he continues to defend that vile creature. Someone like your dad would choose the option that will give him more power and reach, but I think he’s afraid of what ruckus Ning would create if he kicks her out.”
Ye Jiayao pursed her lips, deep in thought. It wasn’t quite the right punishment for trying to have her killed, but it’d suffice.
“We need to get going. Let me settle our bill and we’ll be on our way,” Uncle said.
“There’s no need to pay, Uncle. It’s my treat. I just… can you leave a little later? I didn’t know you’ll be leaving today so I haven’t prepared some gifts for Grandfather and Grandmother. I can run out now and find them something, if you can delay your departure a little later,” Ye Jiayao told him.
Fang Wen smiled fondly at her niece. “Don’t worry about that. Your husband has already bought gifts for them. He’s a very thoughtful and considerate man. He asked for our preferences and has bought everyone a gift. You have to cherish him, Jinxuan. He seems to genuinely care for you.”
Ye Jiayao nodded and pasted a polite smile on her face. What crack did Chunyu give them? How did he fool them so easily? He’s so grumpy with her and yet he puts on a caring act in front of others. It’s sickening.
In the evening, after her shift, Ye Jiayao walked out of the restaurant and found Chunyu’s carriage waiting by the door.
She deliberately ignored it and walked away.
“Wait, Miss Ye! Miss Ye, hold on!” Song Qi called out, catching up to her.
She turned around and leveled him with a deadpan look. “Who are you talking to?”
She’s not a ‘miss’. She’s a cook now.
“Miss Ye, please hold on,” Song Qi repeated. He’s not going to disrespect the lady just because she’s dressed as a man now.
“I’ve already finished my work,” Ye Jiayao told him. “If you have anything to discuss with me, it would have to wait until tomorrow. I can’t work overtime.”
Song Qi said, “But Miss, it’s better if you come with me now. The Heir-son Lord has something important to tell you.”
She glanced back at the carriage just in time to see Chunyu come out. He walked over to her, his gaze trained on her as he said expressionlessly, “Song Qi, gather everyone and tell them that they need to work overtime tonight.”
Ye Jiayao held in her snarl. This despicable man! He’s going to punish the workers because she refused to talk to him? His willingness to put his interest ahead of others’ well-being just shows how much of a self-centered he really was.
“If the
Terrible! He was torturing her. Everyone was tired. It was hard to get the work done. He was going to toss people again.
“If the young master has anything to say, let’s just talk about it! Is it interesting to do these things?” Ye Jiayao said angrily.” If you think it’s interesting, I’m still willing to do” Xia Chunyu said idlly.
“It’s not interesting. I’m not as boring as you.” Ye Jiayao looked at his handsome face.
“Alright, let’s get on the carriage!” Xia Chunyu leaned on the fan and pointed to the carriage.
Ye Jiayao gave him a gruff look and went to the carriage.
“What’s the matter?” Ye Jiayao was very indifferent.
Xia Chunyu leisurely said: “I want to make a deal with you.”
“What transaction?”
“Your contract expires over two years.During this period, the former partpication in profit will be calculated according to the contract. In addition, you will own 30% of the restaurant’s profit. After the contract expires, the restaurant will return. You will own the whole restaurant.”
Ye Jiayao was eager to reach out her hand and touch his forehead to ensure whetherhe was sick.
Xia Chunyu nodded his head seriously and said: ” don’t you believe it? You can make a statement on paper.”
Ye Jiayao confused, why?
“What should I do?” Ye Jiayao asked.
Xia Chunyu smiled: “Marry me.”
“What?” Ye Jiayao jumped up in surprise. She forgot that she was in the carriage. She slammed into the top of the car and snarled her head.
Xia Chunyu was thinking about kneading her. But he gave up finally, He scolded, “why are you still have this rough temper.”
Ye Jiayao complained: “Why are you say it suddenly?”
Do not you know why? Xia Chunyu never know this word, but he understand that this is not a good word.
“I would like to make heavy profits. Naturally, I will receive rich reports. Moreover, your uncle and your aunt should tell you some things. You should be mentally prepared.” Xia Chunyu said.
What am I supposed to prepare for?What is the relationship between us now? Apart from employers and employees, it is the enemy, the passers-by. How can we talk about getting married? She should not marry him. He is coquettish and mean.
Xia Chunyu said” in fact, you don’t have to surprise, I just want to get rid of the emperor, because he bestowed a marriage upon me.”
