Chapter 170: Slander
Manager Zhao laughed in exasperation. "What? You’re going to resort to force?"
Ye Yunfeng rolled his shoulders and sized him up from head to toe, raising an eyebrow. "Against you, Manager Zhao? I wouldn’t call it that."
Manager Zhao was in his thirties, but he was thin and frail. Ye Yunfeng figured he could toss the man out like a chick with one hand.
’That would hardly count as "using force"!’
Manager Zhao understood Ye Yunfeng’s implication and trembled with rage, yet he didn’t dare utter another word.
While he had never really met Ye Yunfeng, he was certainly familiar with the name.
Ye Yunfeng had stolen the show at the polo match, and his name was known even to many outside the palace walls.
Who would dare to provoke a man like that?
Manager Zhao said furiously, "Ye Chutang! Aren’t you afraid of what people will say behind your back for doing this?"
Ye Chutang offered a faint smile.
’If Ye Heng isn’t afraid, what do I have to be afraid of?’
"This is my business, so I won’t trouble Manager Zhao with it. I’m on a tight schedule today, so please make your decision quickly. If you still haven’t made a choice in ten minutes, then shall I choose for you?"
Furious, Manager Zhao spun around and stormed off.
"I’d like to see you try!"
The shop fell silent once more.
Ye Chutang pinched Xiao Wu’s cheek. Having saved them a hefty compensation payment, Xiao Wu was absolutely delighted.
"The fabrics here are all rather plain. I’ll pick out some better ones later and have more clothes made for you."
Xiao Wu beamed at her.
Ye Chutang rose to her feet. "Alright. On to the next."
Ye Jingyan was still worried about her health. "Sister, this doesn’t have to be done in a day or two. Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. Why don’t we go back early so you can rest?"
Ye Chutang shook her head. "There’s no need. There are only a few shops left, and besides, I have other things to do afterward."
Ye Jingyan paused, taken aback.
Ye Yunfeng leaned in curiously. "Afterward? Sister, you have other plans?"
Ye Chutang put the account book away. Her pale, slender fingers stroked its cover as she murmured,
"It must have taken a lot of work to create so many fake ledgers. I just wonder when I’ll get to see the real ones."
...
「The Han Residence.」
Outside the main gates, the two parties were locked in a standoff, the air thick with tension.
When Han Yao saw that Ye Heng had not only come in person but had also brought a large retinue, he immediately understood his intentions.
’He’s here to guard against me!’
The moment Ye Heng saw Han Yao’s expression, he knew this was bad. He took a step forward and tried to placate him. "My dear nephew, please listen to me. I was completely unaware of what happened to your father!"
Han Yao wanted to laugh.
"Unaware? Ye Heng, you were probably the one hoping for this day more than anyone, weren’t you!?"
’Once my father is dead, all of Ye Heng’s secrets will be buried with him, never to be mentioned again!’
Ye Heng’s voice was grave. "I know you won’t believe anything I say right now, but I swear, I truly did everything in my power to plead for your father! But—but he committed a grave crime this time, and I don’t have the kind of influence to change that. How could I—"
"How could you not? I’d say you’re plenty capable!" Han Yao spat out each word through gritted teeth, a mad flame burning in his eyes. "I was too naive! To think I actually believed you! You’d even betray and murder your own brother—what’s this in comparison!?"
Ye Heng’s heart plummeted, and the color drained from his face.
"Han Yao! Watch your mouth! My older brother and I grew up together—we were very close! Don’t you dare stand here and slander me!"