146 Family Members Are Here (1/2)
The news of the search for Ye Jinxuan reached Ye Jiayao.
Others may be clueless as to where and how it began, but Ye Jiayao knew that it was Xia Chunyu who started the whole thing.
What on earth was this fellow trying to do? Didn't he already make it clear that he wanted nothing to with her anymore? Why was he all of a sudden creating such a big hoo-ha over the search for her?
Was he just trying to make himself to be some kind of a hopeful hero? That thought infuriated Ye Jiayao.
While Ye Jiayao was stewing in her anger, Helian Jing was overwhelmed with anxiety that he didn't dare to go visit Heavenly Residence for the past two days.
Li Yao has stayed in Black Wind Ridge. Li Yao is a woman.
Brother Chunyu was so protective of Li Yao that he even risked the wrath of Liu Li and the Empress Dowager just to defend her.
Helian Jing also found it odd how certain Brother Chunyu was that the wife of Wei Liujiang was not the real First Lady Ye.
And the way Brother Chunyu gazes so tenderly at Li Yao...
Could Li Yao be the First Lady Ye, Brother Chunyu's rumored wife?
The mere possibility of that devastated Helian Jing.
He wished that that wasn't the case, but he was too afraid to seek confirmation and the uncertainty was driving him crazy.
Finally, when he thought he'd climb the walls out of madness, Helian Jing turned to his brother.
”Big brother, that day when you talked about outsiders and their matters, what do you mean by that?” His instincts told him that his brother knew exactly what was going on.
Helian Xuan sweepingly gazed at the impatient Little Jing and said, ”It means exactly what it means.”
”What? I don't understand. Can you make yourself clearer?” Helian Jing pouted.
”How much clearer could it get? Their conflict will be resolved only by themselves.” Helian Xuan thought that his brother was still hounding him for that 500,000 taels so he added, ”Even if you manage to get the money, Chunyu still won't let him go.”
Helian Jing was confused. ”Why? What rights does he have to not let him go? He can't go back on his words.”
”Did Chunyu personally promise to let Li Yao go after paying 500, 000 taels?” Helian Xuan asked.
Helian Jing shrugged. ”I don't... I don't know.”
Helian Xuan snorted. ”See? You're meddling in things you know nothing about.”
”Yaoyao said it so I believe it's true,” Helian Jing said as if he was daring his big brother to contradict it.
”Little Jing, I promise you, they will work this out in just a few days.” He was afraid that Little Jing would stick his meddlesome nose in the couple's business and just ruin things.
”How can you guarantee that? On what grounds? Did Brother Chunyu tell you something?”
”He didn't say anything, but I know Chunyu. He doesn't do useless things and he always has a plan.”
”A plan? What possible plan could he have had to compare Yaoyao with Liu Yiyi in front of everyone?” Helian Jing told his brother angrily, recalling Xia Chunyu's cruel words that day.
”Perhaps Li Yao offended Chunyu so Chunyu is spiting him on purpose,” Helian Xuan suggested. Chunyu could be very generous but he could also be extremely petty.
Helian Jing thought that Brother Chunyu was acting like a woman. And speaking of woman...
”Big brother, have you seen Chunyu's wife?”
”No.”
”Could it be someone we all know?” Helian Jing tried to sound him out.
Helian Xuan tensed. ”Didn't you hear that she jumped off the cliff? Where would have I seen her?”
”Are you certain?”
”I don't have time to fool around with you, Little Jing. Get lost,” Helian Xuan dismissed, trying to deter his brother's suspicions.
Helian Jing walked out of the study gloomily, his mood worsening.
In Heavenly Residence, Ye Jiayao was called over by Manager Zhao.
”This is a list of a few private banquets. I have offered a price of 300 taels for 10 tables on your behalf. The prices used to be 300 taels for 20 tables, but since you're an imperial chef now, it's only fitting to raise it. Take a look at the dates and make some arrangement beforehand.”
Ye Jiayao browsed the list. There's a total of six banquets, which would add up to 160 tables and would equate to 4800 taels. Even after the 40% was deducted and the wages of the helpers were distributed, she'd still have about 2,000 taels left. Finally, she could earn some decent money.
A name suddenly caught her eye and she stopped short.
Wei residence? Which Wei residence?
Understandably, Ye Jiayao was particularly sensitive towards the surnames Wei and Mu.
She couldn't figure out which Wei was this because the name wasn't written on the list, just the date and the address of the house.