In that instant, only one thought raced through Ye Shixian’s mind: ’Ye Chutang is trying to utterly destroy us! She’s truly vicious!’

’It wasn’t enough for her to send people to block our gate with a coffin yesterday—today, she’s taken it even further! It’s like she’s afraid the news of Mingze’s death isn’t causing a big enough scene!’

But she had no choice but to brace herself and go out to face them.

...

When Ye Shixian emerged, the man at the front of the group, dressed in coarse linen, immediately began to wail even louder.

"Young Master Mingze! How could you have left us so suddenly!"

His cry was like a signal; the people behind him immediately raised their voices in turn.

The sharp, mournful cries were incredibly piercing, making Ye Shixian’s heart hammer in her chest.

Accompanied by the funeral dirge, the sound was all the more harrowing.

Ye Shixian’s vision started to blacken.

"Who—who are you people! How dare you cause a scene at the Ye Family residence!"

The man in the lead paused, surprised. "Miss Ye, you don’t recognize me?"

He looked to be in his early twenties, but his complexion was sallow and his eyes were sunken. It was clear he was a man ravaged by drink and debauchery.

Ye Shixian felt a wave of nausea and said with disgust, "I’ve never met you in my life!"

The man immediately took a few steps forward, pointing to his own face as he spoke urgently. "It’s me! Zhao Fusheng! Young Master Mingze used to give me tips when he visited Fulu Street..."

Ye Shixian was startled.

Fulu Street was a notorious district in the Capital City, a filthy place teeming with riffraff and home to numerous gambling dens. Ye Mingze would occasionally go there for a bit of fun, and it wasn’t unheard of for him to lose eight hundred or even a thousand taels in a single night.

Ye Heng had tried to intervene, but Mrs. Gao always shielded Ye Mingze, so it never went beyond a simple reprimand.

Ever since Ye Mingze had been admitted to the Imperial College, such incidents had ceased. Everyone assumed he no longer frequented such places.

’Who would have thought someone would show up at their door today over it!’

Ye Shixian immediately cut him off. "Nonsense! Mingze was devoted to his studies and would never go to a place like that! I don’t care who sent you, but you will leave this instant! Otherwise, you’ll have only yourselves to blame for what happens next!"

At her words, the man’s expression instantly changed.

"What, is Miss Ye trying to deny it now?"

Ye Shixian’s brows knitted tightly. "I have no idea what you’re talking about!"

’The Ye Family absolutely cannot afford another scandal right now!’

The man sneered and spat on the ground. His face was devoid of tears, showing none of the grief from his earlier wailing.

"Now that’s not right, Miss Ye. Everyone on the street knows Young Master Mingze’s name. Are you really turning your back on him now? Or are you trying to get out of paying his debt?!"

Ye Shixian was completely floored.

"Get out of paying a debt? What debt?"

"Your own dear brother’s debt, of course!"

The man pulled a stack of papers from his robes and held them high.

"These are the IOUs Ye Mingze signed on our street! For a total of thirteen thousand taels! It’s all here in black and white, clear as day!"

Every word struck Ye Shixian like a clap of thunder, ringing in her ears.

The color drained from her face, and she retorted instinctively, "You’re lying! Mingze had no dealings with you people! How could he possibly have gambling debts!"

"You don’t believe me? His thumbprint is right here! He hasn’t been buried yet, so why don’t you take this and compare it yourself, Miss Ye?"

The words were utterly devastating. Ye Shixian staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground.

The onlookers had only come for the spectacle, but they hadn’t expected so many twists and turns from the Ye Family. Ye Mingze was already dead! How could he still be at the center of such a huge mess?

Thirteen thousand taels!

Even when the Ye Family was at its height, coming up with that much money at once would have been difficult—let alone in their current state!

"We were originally going to grant you an extension, out of respect for Lord Ye. But now that Ye Mingze is dead, this debt must be paid today!"