Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Ransacking the Home

Ye Shixian’s mind went blank for a moment, and she subconsciously looked at the servant.

Five thousand taels?

The servant wiped the sweat from his forehead and said hurriedly, "Time is short. My master said to pay five thousand taels first. The rest will be returned in full in a few days."

Although Murong Ye’s status was noble, over ten thousand taels was still a considerable sum for him. It wasn’t easy for him to produce so much at once.

These five thousand taels were all he could manage to scrape together, sending a servant to deliver them in secret.

The men behind him also began to persuade him in low voices, "Big Bro, five thousand taels is a lot. Besides, he’s a young master from the Murong Mansion. We ought to give him some face."

With Ye Heng in prison, the Ye Family was an easy target, but Murong Ye was a different story. His father is the Second-rank Commander!

Zhao Fusheng flicked the stack of silver notes, and his expression instantly changed to a smile.

"Since Mr. Murong has stepped in, this is easily settled!"

Ye Shixian closed her eyes, the heavy weight on her heart finally lifting halfway.

She thought this group would finally leave, but to her surprise, the man added with a cryptic smile:

"With Mr. Murong around, Miss Ye can rest easy from now on!"

Ye Shixian’s heart dropped. She immediately looked up and saw everyone staring at her with peculiar expressions.

Only then did she belatedly realize—’Something’s wrong!’

Murong Ye had indeed helped her, but now, in everyone’s eyes, the two of them were inextricably linked!

A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth. If even one person added their own embellishments, there was no telling what rumors would spread about her and Murong Ye!

Ye Shixian knew all too well the terrifying power of gossip to twist the truth.

"I don’t—"

She had just started to speak when the rest of her words got stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

’What could she say?’

’That there was nothing between her and Murong Ye?’

’But she had, in fact, secretly sent someone to ask Murong Ye for help!’

’And Murong Ye had, in fact, come to her aid!’

’She just never expected it would be in front of so many people...’

The image of a tall, slender, and aloof figure flashed through Ye Shixian’s mind. She bit her lip and said:

"Mr. Murong, Shixian is endlessly grateful for your help. However, this is a family matter, and I dare not trouble you with it. When my father’s name is cleared in the future, we will be sure to visit and express our thanks! We will also repay these silver taels in full!"

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

’From the sound of it, it seemed like she wanted to draw a clear line between herself and Murong Ye?’

’But hadn’t he just helped her? Why was she in such a hurry...?’

The servant who had delivered the silver notes was also dumbfounded.

When he came back to his senses, his brow furrowed instantly.

’His own young master had run himself ragged for her sake, even getting scolded by the old master several times, yet she didn’t show the slightest bit of gratitude?’

’At a time like this, who else but his master would get involved in the Ye Family’s mess!’

The servant’s friendly demeanor vanished, and his tone turned harsh. "Miss Ye, if you wish to thank him, you can wait until you see my master and tell him in person! However, I’m afraid you won’t be able to wait for Lord Ye!"

Ye Shixian’s eyelid twitched. She asked in astonishment, "What?"

The servant said, "You’ve been cooped up at home, so I’m afraid you don’t know yet. Lord Ye’s case has already been closed! This morning, he was escorted into exile in Tongbei! By now, he’s probably already left the city!"

Ye Shixian’s vision went black, and she collapsed backward.

Shaoyao rushed forward to catch her. "Young Miss!"

The crowd instantly erupted in an uproar!

"Is it true?! Ye Heng has been exiled!?"

"He wasn’t sentenced to death..."

"Exile to Tongbei... that barren, frozen wasteland is probably a fate worse than death!"

"If he’s been exiled, then... what about the rest of the Ye Family?"

This was the same question burning in Ye Shixian’s mind.

She could barely stand, her whole body trembling, her face as pale as a ghost.

"Impossible!"

She murmured in a daze, "My father is innocent! Someone must have framed him! It must be—"

Just then, the sound of urgent hoofbeats suddenly came from the street corner.

As if sensing something, Ye Shixian snapped her head up to look!

A troop of officials on horseback was approaching rapidly, their presence menacing!

The crowd quickly retreated to both sides, clearing a path down the middle of the road.

The man in the lead, dressed in an official’s robe, announced in a loud voice:

"By order of the Holy Emperor! Ye Heng is guilty of corruption, selling official posts, and dereliction of duty! He is hereby sentenced to exile in Tongbei, effective immediately, and shall not return without a summons! All Ye Family property is to be confiscated! All residents of the mansion are to vacate the premises at once!"

He looked down at Ye Shixian from his high horse and said coldly:

"Why are you not kneeling to receive the decree and give thanks for His Majesty’s grace?"

...

CLACK.

Ye Chutang placed the final stone. The white piece completely crushed the black, leaving no possibility of a comeback.

"It’s over,"

she said.

Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks.

’So brutal! Big Sis is playing so fiercely today!’

Ye Chutang chuckled lightly. "You’ve improved a lot today. You lasted three moves longer than last time."

Xiao Wu instantly cheered up.

Ye Chutang glanced at the sky. "Let’s pack up. It’s about time."

Xiao Wu blinked. ’Huh? Isn’t Big Sis going to play another game?’

’Time?’

’Does Big Sis have something else to do?’

A maidservant came forward to clear the board. Ye Chutang waved to Xiao Wu.

"Come on, it’s time to go out."

Xiao Wu froze.

’Go out? At this hour?’

Ye Chutang took her hand and turned her head to give a quiet order:

"Prepare the carriage. We are going to Jiuhua Mountain."