Chapter 005: A Kind Heart is No Match for a Sister-in-Law

However, the Liu family did not wish to return in such a disheartened manner

The courtyard of Changzhi is in close proximity to that of Sanzhi. Before long, a maid named Taohua moved in with a small wooden box. After Liu received it, she carefully opened it and took out a piece of yellowed paper

Shortly after she left, Liu Gui smiled and said, "Mr. Shijiro, I will go and take care of matters for you right away."

Although this woman has long hair and short insight, she is adept at mocking and ridiculing others. Ye Chen, with her straightforward personality, is no match for her. Ye Chen is furious and ready to explode, but Liu Kun holds her back, preventing her from rushing at the Liu family to fight.

Oh, Chen's niece has returned home for a visit, yet instead of going to your own house, what is the intention of coming here? Is it possible that seeing your third uncle is not back, you have taken this as your own family home?

"Being deceived? I suspect she has ulterior motives; it is not you who should be wary of being deceived!" Ye Chen said, still seething with anger.

In recent days, Shijiro has been unwell. As a younger aunt, it is only proper for her to return and pay a visit. I have heard that our aunt also came to visit at noon. The care shown by elders towards their juniors is a manifestation of their kindness, while the mutual affection we juniors share is a reflection of our filial piety.

Who is this Liu Gui?" Ye Chang asked Xiang Er in a low voice

As he spoke, he walked away, and everyone knew he was going to seek advice from the Liu family. Ye Chang called out from behind, "The sooner you go, the sooner you return," but did not try to stop him.

When she took out the piece of paper, Liu Gui's face twitched slightly, unnoticed by others, but Ye Chang saw it clearly

In contrast to the sparse population of the second and third branches, the main branch of the third house is quite prosperous. Liu's husband, Ye Xi, has one wife and two concubines. Liu alone has given birth to four sons and three daughters, and with the children of the concubines, there are a total of as many as fourteen individuals.

Liu originally came to settle accounts with Ye Chang and to teach this young man a lesson, which is why she brought these people along. However, she also understood that while the individuals she brought could bully the timid Ye Chang, it would not be feasible to do so with Fang and Ye Chen present.

Ye Chang slightly retracted her neck; this sister truly exudes an imposing presence, worthy of being a woman of the great Tang dynasty

This ... ... sister ... ...

She was so agitated that she could only produce Liu Gui's contract, but she also had her own plans in mind. After all, in her view, Ye Chang, who had lost his soul, was not long for this world. When the time came, this contract would naturally return to her hands.

Thank you, Aunt. After receiving the deed, Ye Chang smiled and said: "Just in time, I still have some matters to attend to that require someone to run errands... Liu Gui, do you know the carpenter in our village? Also, find out where there are any bamboo shoots for sale, and clarify these two matters."

Fang's temperament is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. Even when scolded by her sister-in-law, she does not argue back, only shedding tears. Ye Chen reproached her a couple of times, then shouted towards a corner of the courtyard: "My brother has returned, and you don't even greet him. Are you still a man?"

"Ye Chang, I have heard that you are suffering from soul loss?" Liu's eyes shifted: "No wonder you were rude to me at noon, even wanting to use a pickaxe against me... In your current state, with only a lazy little maid named Xiang'er in the house, how can you take good care of yourself, Liu Gui!"

Liu's face flushed red and then pale, momentarily at a loss for how to respond

Aunt came by at noon, and now she is here again, truly showing concern for her younger relatives, and she has brought so many people with her... Could it be that she knows that the household of Eleventh Master is short on manpower and has come to assist him?

Ye Chang has become somewhat accustomed to her current identity, thus when she calls out "sister," she feels only a slight discomfort in her heart

Ye Chen was puzzled for quite a while and still did not understand what Ye Chang meant by that sentence, but Liu Kun, who was sitting in the corner, couldn't help but laugh.

Uh ... ...

Upon seeing Aunt Liu with the long branch, Ye Chang remained composed, while Ye Chen's expression had already darkened.

Then he saw a man in the corner of the yard. The man had dark skin and a face marked by soot, yet his clothes were neatly arranged. When his gaze met Ye Chang's, the man stood up and chuckled twice, as a form of greeting, before sitting back down on a tree stump in the corner.

Liu Gui was still standing there in a daze, and Liu Shi did not expect Ye Chang to command people right in front of her. Before the two could react, Ye Chang had already put away the contract and then bowed deeply to Liu Shi, saying: "Once again, I thank you, Aunt. Your kindness is deeply appreciated and remembered by Eleven Lang."

"Why are you thanking me?" Fang's face turned slightly red, and she said somewhat shyly.

At this moment, Liu was left speechless, staring in astonishment.

Sister... I am fine now, just that I can't recall some old stories about the books... How is brother-in-law doing at the kiln? What is the situation like now?

I did not say anything about you. If you think this way, I have no choice. A married daughter is like spilled water; a son-in-law is a guest. I said to Ye Chen, you should be devoted to your husband and raise your children well in your marital home, helping your family Liu Kun to fire the kiln properly, producing more pottery and earning more money instead...

"Your brother-in-law works at the kiln all day, looking like a coal-blackened figure. I had no choice but to stay with him at the kiln. I only found out about your situation this morning when I returned home, which is why I arrived late." Ye Chen spoke candidly. When at home, she was a spirited girl, and after marriage, managing household affairs among a group of rough kiln workers made her even more straightforward: "San Lang, do you really not remember the old days?"

Having sent Liu Gui away, she closed the main door, keeping the onlookers outside. Ye Chang smiled and bowed to Fang Shi, saying: "Thank you, sister-in-law"

The following remarks from Fang were sharp and incisive, leaving Ye Chang in awe.

"This is the contract, take good care of it." Liu handed over the paper, a cold glint flashing in her eyes

At this point, Ye Chen cast a sideways glance at Fang Shi, who lowered her head and remained silent. As the elder sister-in-law, she should have been concerned about these matters, but now that Ye Chen had taken over, she felt it inappropriate to say anything.

Originally a servant accompanying Lady Liu, he is now in charge of affairs on the Changzhi side

As Ye Chang's gaze met hers, Fang's face flushed slightly, and she averted her eyes. Ye Chang felt even more admiration for this sister-in-law; not only was she young, but her quick wit was remarkable. She was able to discern his intentions from just a glance and a single sentence, engaging with him in a way that left Liu speechless.

It seems that my sister appears to be shrewd on the surface, while my brother-in-law, who seems honest, actually possesses a clever mind.

Liu Gui?" Ye Chang called out.

Upon hearing this, Ye Chang's perception of his sister-in-law, who had rarely spoken, suddenly changed: she is a formidable person

He can truly feel Ye Chen's affection for him. In this second life, he has learned to let many things fade away, but the bond of family is something that cannot be diminished. The love from his relatives in this life reminds him of his family in another life, and the longing for those relatives makes him cherish what he currently possesses even more.

She has always been strong-willed within the Ye family. Now, in this awkward situation, it is inevitable that some would take the opportunity to add insult to injury. Immediately, the people around her began to stir up more commotion. Liu, feeling provoked and left with no choice, gritted her teeth and said: "Taohua, go back and bring me the chest from beside my bed"

It was precisely because Ye Chang was struck by the "broom star" this time that Fang's family had to invite a physician for treatment; otherwise, relying solely on a young girl like Xiang Er, how could she possibly take good care of him

Liu was astonished

I was just reprimanding Xiang'er, fully aware that you are suffering from a loss of spirit, yet still allowing you to wander outside alone. You are no longer a child; every day you only seek immortals, explore the Dao, gather herbs, and refine elixirs. It is time for you to settle down... Otherwise, shall I help you find a wife?

"Shijiro, why aren't you speaking?" Shui Lianzhuhua said a lot, but Ye Chen did not hear his younger brother respond with a single word. She approached with concern and reached out to touch Ye Chang's forehead

This fellow does not seem easy to deal with, but Ye Chang does not mind; he was never intending to confront this person in the first place

Is that really the case?" Ye Chen looked at Ye Chang and Fang with suspicion

Ye Chenliu's eyebrows immediately shot up. She stood up, ready to argue, but her sister-in-law, Fang, stepped forward to block her: "I have met you, Aunt. Aunt is quite right; the Ye family is indeed the maternal home of my sister-in-law. When my sister-in-law returns, it is as if she has come back to her mother's house, and surely Aunt would not forget to add a couple of pairs of chopsticks."

He is the adopted son, meaning he is the son who has been passed on to his current father. Originally, he should have been the third branch's second line of descent, but due to the third branch having no offspring, a close relative was chosen as the adopted son. His parents passed away early, and both his older brother and sister have already started their own families, so he was selected as the adopted son by the third branch's Ye Si.

Ye Chen shot him a glance, just as he was about to speak again, when suddenly footsteps were heard at the door, followed closely by the appearance of more than ten individuals

Both one's sister-in-law and elder sister are not to be underestimated; in comparison, this impatient Aunt Liu is clearly on a much lower level.

Indeed, Aunt cares for her younger generation. Knowing that there are fewer people on the side of the Eleventh Master, she sent the most capable one from her side. However, since she is sending someone, the contract should also be brought along for good measure.

Indeed, Liu was originally full of sarcastic remarks, but at this moment, he could not help but feel embarrassed. According to the clan rules and local customs, the entire Ye clan consisted of Ye Chen's maternal family. When she brought her uncle back, it was customary for any household to extend an invitation to host guests for a meal.

"The little person is here," Liu Gui replied, without any signs of arrogance.

Liu is a member of the Liu clan who married into Wuzepei from Xiaoliu Village, and is also an elder within the Liu Kun lineage. Therefore, his previous silence can be attributed to this reason as well.

Sister! Listening to the daughter-in-law, Ye Chang felt a bit anxious. If an inexplicable daughter-in-law suddenly appeared out of nowhere, it would be quite awkward for him

She is just in her early twenties, still the most radiant time in a woman's life. With a blush on her cheeks, she lowers her gaze, revealing her charm completely. Ye Chang was momentarily taken aback, but fortunately, he has strong self-control and regained his composure before losing his demeanor: "If it weren't for your assistance, our aunt would not have been so easily deceived."

She called out Liu Gui, and among those who accompanied her, a thin, slightly hunched man responded and stepped forward

"Aunt, what did you mean by that just now?" Although Ye Chen was held back, he could not restrain his words: "Is it possible that my return to see my brother makes me some irrelevant outsider?"

Such thoughts cannot possibly escape the notice of Ye Chang

She arrived with an air of arrogance, yet left in a dejected manner, even sending someone off. Until now, she still hasn't figured out what happened. After walking for a while, she suddenly stopped in her tracks: wasn't she here to cause trouble for Ye Chang?

It is certain that one cannot remember the money owed to others, Ye Chang said

As she spoke these words, she intentionally or unintentionally cast a glance at Ye Chen, who immediately jumped up but was restrained by Liu Kun, who was already prepared.

"Aunt, have you given him to your nephew?" Ye Chang replied with a smile, turning to Liu: "In that case, I thank you very much, Aunt."

What a useless fool, all day long only knowing how to burn that broken kiln, not even aware of my brother's matters! Ye Chen scolded a couple more times, and from her words, Ye Chang could easily deduce that this inconspicuous man was his brother-in-law Liu Kun, who was also the distant nephew of the Dao Ning monk from a secular family.

However, the outcome was not as she had wished; instead of selecting a successor from the long branch, she chose Ye Chang from the secondary branch. This left Liu greatly disappointed, and she harbored resentment towards Ye Chang, who had "picked the peach." Now that Ye Chang was in trouble, she might be the happiest one. If Ye Chang were to be struck dead by a falling star, her original plan could be executed once again

Before him stood two women: one was his original sister, Ye Chen, who had married into Xiao Liu Village, as mentioned by the monk Dao Ning; the other was his sister-in-law, Fang. Fang entered the Ye family at the age of sixteen, during a particularly difficult time for their branch of the family. Ye Chang's parents had passed away one after another, leaving the household in disarray. Fang managed the household affairs, not only ensuring that her sister-in-law Ye Chen had a splendid marriage, but also allowing Ye to study for several years.

The hand that touched his forehead was also quite rough, indicating that my sister's family background is similarly not very good

While having more children is certainly a sign of a prosperous household, the challenge arises when these children grow up and need to establish their own families and careers. This is where Liu must apply her intellect. She is unwilling to let the children of a concubine share in her sons' inheritance. Initially, she encouraged her husband to take action, urging the clan to select an heir for their third son, Ye Si. The true intention behind this was to send a concubine's son to inherit the family land allocated to the third branch.

You should stay here at San Zhi and take good care of Eleventh Master. You must keep a close watch on everything inside and out, and do not allow any outsiders to take advantage of Eleventh Master’s condition to engage in any unscrupulous activities.

"Madam, sister-in-law, and Eleventh Master have their own opinions," Liu Kun said with a bitter smile. "Fifth Aunt seems astute, but she is likely to suffer a loss."

At this moment, the neighbors gathered around to watch had increased, all of them belonging to the same clan. It was inevitable that some well-meaning individuals would say: "Indeed, when sending someone off, how can one do so without a contract? It is better to bring a contract along."

As she was leaving, she gave Liu Gui a glance, and Liu Gui understood, slightly nodding his head

Upon hearing this response, Ye Chang understood the situation. He stepped forward and scrutinized Liu Gui from head to toe, resembling a child who had just spotted candy. The onlookers were somewhat perplexed by his demeanor, and even Liu's family, who were in a standoff with Ye Chen, fell silent at that moment

Seeing his appearance, Liu felt an uneasy sense of something being amiss, yet the words once spoken could not be taken back. Moreover, the woman's wishful thinking only led her to hum a sound in her heart before she left with her companions

It is quite common for wealthy families to send their servants to others, but she did not intend to give anyone away; rather, she wanted to send Liu Gui to take control of the assets of the San Zhi family. San Zhi has only one master, Ye Chang, while Xiang Er is merely a young maid. With Ye Chang suffering from a loss of spirit, Liu Gui would naturally become the person in charge here. At that time, employing some tactics, even if he does not completely ruin Ye Chang, he would still be able to take some of San Zhi's assets back.