The Ye Family of Fengling Lane was thrown into a night of frantic disarray.

Ye Mingze’s sudden death was a fatal blow to the Ye Family in its current state.

The already anxious household was now in complete chaos.

If not for the official guards stationed outside, some would have likely already grabbed the silver and fled.

Ye Shixian hadn’t slept all night.

By the time morning light filtered into the room, her eyes were completely bloodshot.

Shaoyao hurried in, looking like she wanted to speak but was hesitating.

Ye Shixian forced herself to focus. "What is it?"

Shaoyao bit her lip. "The mistress stayed with Second Young Master Ye all night. She’s on the verge of collapse, but I’ve tried to get her to rest several times and she refuses..."

A dull ache began to throb in Ye Shixian’s head again.

’I’m already exhausted from worry. How am I supposed to find the energy to deal with this?’

"Have someone keep an eye on her. As long as she doesn’t do anything rash, it’s fine. Is the news contained?"

Shaoyao nodded quickly. "Rest assured, Miss. The gates are shut tight. They have no way of getting out to talk even if they wanted to! But... Miss, how long do you plan on keeping this a secret?"

’Ye Mingze is dead!’

’How can you just hide the body of a grown man?’

When Shaoyao had come out of that room earlier, it felt so gloomy and terrifying!

Ye Shixian clutched her handkerchief.

"With Father’s case still unresolved, we absolutely cannot let him find out!"

She couldn’t bear to imagine what her father might do if he found out.

They could only tell him after they had safely weathered this crisis—

The sound of urgent footsteps approached, and a servant rushed over to report.

"F-First Miss!"

The noise made Ye Shixian even more irritable, and she snatched a nearby paperweight and threw it.

"What is it now!"

’I have to worry about everything by myself. Isn’t that exhausting enough!?’

The servant jumped in fright, skidding to a halt at the door. His expression was a panicked and troubled mix, as if he didn’t know how to begin.

"First Miss, you should go take a look! Outside, outside—"

’Someone’s here?’

Ye Shixian sneered. ’At a time like this, who would dare to show up at our door?’

But the servant’s next words made her expression freeze.

"Second Miss Ye sent someone to deliver a coffin! It’s sitting right outside the main gate!"

Ye Shixian froze as if struck by lightning. "What did you say!?"

Shaoyao was quick to react. "Could it be that she already knows—"

The servant’s face was grim.

"I don’t know where she heard it, but a large crowd has already gathered outside. First Miss, what are we going to do!?"

Ye Shixian’s nails dug deep into her palms, and she gritted her teeth so hard they could have shattered.

"Fine... Just fine, Ye Chutang!"

’At this rate, the news of Mingze’s death will spread throughout the entire Capital City in less than half a day!’

With a furious storm rampaging in her chest, Ye Shixian stormed outside.

"If she thinks she can make a mockery of the Ye Family, she can dream on!"

...

The moment Ye Shixian reached the front courtyard, she saw the main gates thrown wide open. Directly outside sat a black coffin.

Instantly, the blood rushed to Ye Shixian’s head, and the world swam before her eyes.

’Ye Chutang has gone too far!’

Just then, a middle-aged man standing by the coffin spotted Ye Shixian. He stepped forward and cupped his hands in a polite gesture.

"I am the shopkeeper of the South City Coffin Shop. Second Miss Ye had someone place a special order for this coffin early this morning. She said she’s aware of your current inconveniences and that this is a small gesture, not worth mentioning—just something to help send Second Young Master Ye on his final journey. The Lords here wouldn’t let me through the gate, but now that you’re here, this should be much simpler."

The moment he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted into an uproar.

So that’s why there was a commotion at the Ye Family residence so early in the morning! Something really did happen!

Second Young Master Ye, isn’t that Ye Mingze? From the sound of it, he’s actually... dead!?

The middle-aged man paid them no mind, however, simply turning and waving a hand.

"Leave the coffin here. We’ll be on our way!"

His assistants all answered in agreement.

’But how could Ye Shixian possibly let them leave just like that!?’

"Stop!"

She cried out, acutely aware of the countless stares from the crowd. It felt like her head was about to explode.

Her eyes scanned the crowd several times, but she couldn’t find any sign of Ye Chutang.

"Where is Ye Chutang? Did she not come? Or does she not dare!?"

Everyone knew the two families had been at each other’s throats recently. To send a coffin now was simply—

The middle-aged man turned around.

"Second Miss Ye didn’t come in person. She just sent someone to pay and then left."

’She never even showed her face!’

Ye Shixian stared at the coffin, a chill running down her spine.

The middle-aged man paused for a moment before adding placatingly, "We all understand how you must feel after suddenly losing a close relative. But regardless, it is best to have him laid to rest as soon as possible. Don’t you agree?"

’Ye Shixian wanted to march right up and tear his mouth to shreds!’

"Did Ye Chutang also tell you to say that!?"

"You misunderstand. Second Miss Ye didn’t say any of that. On the contrary, she was deeply grieved by Second Young Master Ye’s passing and specially selected the finest nanmu wood coffin. The servant she sent mentioned that you are currently confined to your residence and inconvenienced in many ways, so she would handle these small matters for you. Also..."

He paused.

"Also, she said you can rest assured. She will be sure to give Lord Ye Heng a full account, lest their time as father and son end in lifelong regret."

The last thread of sanity in Ye Shixian’s mind finally snapped.

"What!?"

...

「Heavenly Prison.」

Ye Chutang ordered the servant to stop the carriage at a distance, choosing to walk the rest of the way.

She had not gone far before she was stopped by the guards on duty.

"The Heavenly Prison is a restricted area! No unauthorized entry!"

Ye Chutang stopped and lifted her gaze.

A familiar figure came into view.

The man started in surprise upon seeing her.

"Miss Ye, what brings you here?"

Ye Chutang curtsied.

"Greetings, Lord Su."