Su Wei’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice cold and heavy. "Ye Heng, you need proof for such accusations. Second Miss Ye came out of the goodness of her heart to inform you, yet you slander her so. That is going too far."

Ye Heng was consumed by hatred.

"What do you know?! She’s vicious and ruthless! There’s nothing she isn’t capable of!"

Su Wei countered, "Oh? That’s something I don’t understand. She has no grudge against you all, so why would she do something like this?"

"Of course it’s—" Ye Heng stopped mid-sentence, swallowing his words. "Of course, it’s because she’s convinced I was the one behind that incident all those years ago! She despises me and is intentionally retaliating!"

Su Wei said nothing, merely staring at him with an expressionless face.

Ye Heng’s heart hammered in his chest. He avoided Su Wei’s gaze, his jaw clenched so tight he could have shattered his teeth. "Ever since she returned to the capital, she’s never been able to stand the sight of my family! I may have lived in that residence for a time, but I returned it to them later! But she’s the type to seek revenge for the smallest slight. She’s obviously holding a grudge and is using this opportunity to humiliate us again!"

He spoke with such conviction, as if he had witnessed it himself and had irrefutable proof.

A corner of Su Wei’s mouth twitched.

’The Ye Mansion residence? Did he return it willingly? Wasn’t it only because the Eldest Princess intervened and reprimanded him that Ye Heng had no choice but to pack up and leave overnight?’

"Lord Ye is overcome with grief, and his mind is unwell," Su Wei said, turning his head to give an order. "Watch over Lord Ye carefully during this time. If anything happens to him, it will be your heads!"

"Yes, sir!"

With that, Su Wei turned and left.

But Ye Heng panicked. "Wait!"

Su Wei turned back. "What is it? Does Lord Ye need something else?"

Staring at that stern, indifferent face, the words caught in Ye Heng’s throat. He couldn’t get them out.

’He knew without a doubt that Su Wei would never let him out at a time like this!’

’He wouldn’t even get to see Mingze one last time!’

The tang of blood filled Ye Heng’s mouth. "Lord Su, for the sake of us once being colleagues, I beg one thing of you! Mingze... Mingze’s funeral..."

"You needn’t worry about that," Su Wei cut in. "With Second Miss Ye present, I’m sure everything will be handled appropriately."

Ye Heng’s eyes turned bloodshot. This was the very last thing he wanted to happen!

’Mrs. Gao is useless, and Shixian is the only one left in the whole family. But she’s trapped in the mansion, so there’s very little she can do.’

’Under these circumstances, he feared Mingze wouldn’t even get a decent funeral!’

’And if Ye Chutang got involved... He didn’t dare to imagine what would happen!’

However, these matters were of no concern to Su Wei.

He hinted, "If Lord Ye’s case were to be resolved soon, perhaps you would still have time."

As if struck by lightning, Ye Heng stumbled back half a step, his face aghast. All the strength seemed to drain from his body, and he collapsed to the floor.

’No, he couldn’t...’

Su Wei gave him one last, cold glance. Unsurprised by the reaction, he turned and left.

...

The carriage stopped before the mansion gates. Ye Chutang lifted the curtain and stepped out.

"Second Miss, you’re finally back!"

The servant at the gate hurried forward upon seeing her.

Ye Chutang paused. "What is it? Is something the matter?"

"Not long after you left today, people started arriving to deliver calling cards," the servant said, presenting several cards with both hands. "Please, have a look."

The Ye Mansion had been refusing all visitors lately, so all calling cards were being turned away.

But these were different.

"You said before that anyone who came from the shops, or any news from them, was to be reported to you directly. These are all from today!"

Ye Chutang arched a delicate eyebrow.

’Profitable business, coming right to my door?’