Unlike the minor squabbles before, the old case Han Yao had dredged up would have enormous consequences.

It was true that Ye Zheng had angered the Emperor and been demoted, but his subsequent accident had not been the Emperor’s doing.

If it were proven that his death was no accident, but a deliberate murder... one could only imagine that His Majesty would order a thorough investigation!

The Emperor’s wrath was something they could never withstand!

Just as Ye Shixian was at her wit’s end, the sound of a maid’s frantic cries suddenly came from outside.

"Miss! You must go see the Second Young Master!"

Ye Shixian whipped around to see Ye Mingze’s personal maid running toward her in tears.

A growing sense of dread filled her heart.

"What’s wrong with Mingze now?"

The young maid collapsed to her knees.

"Miss! The Second Young Master came down with a high fever last night. He won’t eat or drink, and we can’t get any medicine down him. I’m afraid if he keeps burning up like this... I’m afraid... I’m afraid—"

Fury flared in Ye Shixian. "This is a serious matter! Why did you wait until now to report it?"

The young maid trembled, choking on her sobs. "Spare me, Miss! I-I only thought... with the state the mansion is in, the less trouble, the better. You already have so much on your mind, I didn’t dare disturb you. I just thought that if I sponged down the Second Young Master and wrapped him up to sweat out the fever, he might get better, but who knew..."

Her voice trailed off as tears streamed down her face, clearly terrified out of her wits.

Ye Shixian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt something rampaging in her chest, and her temples throbbed violently, giving her a splitting headache.

’Yes, so much has happened in such a short time. The entire household is in a panic. Of course the maid wouldn’t dare report it. She only came because it couldn’t be hidden any longer!’

Ye Shixian shoved all other thoughts aside and rushed out the door.

"If anything happens to Mingze, every single one of you will pay!" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

...

Ye Shixian arrived as quickly as possible and threw open the door.

"Mingze?"

She hurried past the decorative screen to see Ye Mingze lying on the bed, eyes shut tight, his face an unnatural, feverish red.

He had been unconscious this entire time and had lost a great deal of weight. His face was so gaunt he was almost unrecognizable.

Combined with his current complexion, the sight was even more unsettling.

Ye Shixian touched his forehead. It was, just as she’d feared, burning hot.

Her heart leaped into her throat—if they couldn’t bring down such a high fever soon, it might cause permanent damage!

"Mingze? Mingze?"

She called his name several times in desperation, but just as he had been for days, Ye Mingze showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Give me the medicine!"

She gave the order, had someone prop Ye Mingze up, and prepared to administer the medicine herself.

But just as the maid had said, Ye Mingze’s jaw was clenched shut. Not a single drop could be forced past his lips.

The bitter, brown concoction trickled from the corners of his mouth, soaking his collar and the bedsheets. It even splashed onto Ye Shixian’s dress.

The dark stain stood out starkly against the fabric of her skirt.

The hand Ye Shixian used to hold the medicine bowl trembled slightly as a chill crept through her.

’In just a few short days, she had become a fish on the chopping block, completely at others’ mercy!’

"Miss, you have to save the Second Young Master!" the young maid pleaded tearfully.

And how could Ye Shixian not want to save him?

He was her own brother!

Moreover, with her father’s situation unknown, Mingze was now the only male left in the family. And though Ye Shixian had always found her brother foolish and impulsive, she couldn’t possibly stand by and watch him die.

If anything happened to him, life would become unbearable for her and her mother!

She glanced out the door.

The autumn air was crisp and the sun was bright, but the courtyard was littered with fallen leaves, creating an inexplicably desolate scene.

She gritted her teeth and shot to her feet!

...

Outside the Ye Mansion gate, the government guards stood watch, swords at the ready.

Ye Shixian hurried toward them, her eyes red, clearly having just been crying.

Her exquisitely manicured nails were digging so deeply into her palms that the pain was sharp and piercing.

"Sirs, I have a favor to ask!" Ye Shixian stopped and curtsied, her expression sorrowful. "My brother has fallen ill. He’s had a high fever all night that won’t break, and he is in desperate need of medical attention. I know the Ye Mansion is sealed, and this puts you all in a difficult position. I ask for nothing else, only that you do me a small favor. Please, I beg you to relay a message to my cousin, Ye Chutang. Ask her to save my brother’s life, for the sake of us both being part of the Ye Family!"

As she spoke, she actually dropped straight to her knees!

In the dead silence, Ye Shixian could taste the coppery tang of blood in her mouth.

’She was furious, filled with a burning hatred!’

’Before today, she never would have imagined that she would be kneeling before such lowly guards!’

’But she had no other choice!’

’I have to save Mingze, and right now, the entire Ye Mansion is being watched by Shen Yanchuan’s men. They won’t allow any outsiders to enter. The only exception is Ye Chutang—’

Ye Shixian never would have dreamed that, after everything, she would end up begging the one person she detested most!

The government officers exchanged a look before one of them finally spoke.

"Miss Ye, it’s not that we’re unwilling to help, but your brother has fallen ill at a very inopportune time. Second Miss Ye was taken hostage by Han Yao today and nearly lost her life. She has her own safety to worry about. How could she possibly come here?"

Ye Shixian’s head snapped up!

But the government officer was unmoved and waved a hand at her—the Princely Heir himself had escorted that lady back to her residence. Wasn’t it obvious which of them was more important?

Blood began to trickle from Ye Shixian’s palm. Her vision swam, and finally, her body went limp and she collapsed to the ground!

...

「The Ye Mansion.」

Ye Chutang quickly tended to her wound. The patch of gauze on her long, fair neck was particularly jarring to the eye.

Ye Yunfeng stared at her, still unable to shake his guilt.

"Don’t overthink it. I’m your big sister; it’s only natural that I’d do this," Ye Chutang said, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, who was it that fired that last arrow?"

Ye Yunfeng paused. He thought for a moment, then frowned and shook his head. "There were too many people, so I didn’t get a clear look. But I’m certain it was one of the Princely Heir’s men, and they were incredibly skilled!"

Ye Chutang looked thoughtful. "Then perhaps I can arrange a match for you sometime?"

Ye Yunfeng’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course." Ye Chutang, intrigued herself, smiled. "In any case, that person did save my life, didn’t they? It’s only right that we thank them."

She tilted her head, her voice soft and gentle.

"Once Father’s, Mother’s, and our older brother’s affairs are settled, I’ll go and ask Shen Yanchuan."

Ye Jingyan froze for a moment before murmuring softly, "Speaking of which, the day is almost upon us."