The one who got beaten this time was Ninth Wife’s relative from back home, the dining hall manager – Sister Ma.

Actually, Ye Kong’s temper wasn’t that bad. If you didn’t provoke him, sometimes he’d just let things go. Like Steward Ye Cai and gatekeeper Old Li Si – now that they treated Ye Kong politely, he had no intention of settling accounts with them for past offenses. To be honest, he didn’t have the time to haggle with these servants.

But some people just didn’t have eyes. They always thought they still had backing and influence – you’re just a kid, nothing special. This whole affair still had to start from when Ye Kong returned to the manor.

Around noon, Ye Kong came back from outside. His mood today was quite pleasant – he’d killed the Fan brothers, obtained treasures, kissed Lu Qin’s little mouth, taught Iron Bailiff a lesson, and received the adoration of Southern Capital City’s common people…

All good things! What reason was there not to be happy?

Thinking of his mother waiting at home, Ye Kong declined invitations from all sides and returned to the manor alone.

The household servants, who had already been gossiping up a storm, all greeted him enthusiastically when they saw Ye Kong. “Eighth Young Master.”

“Hey, Eighth Young Master, you’ve really become famous!”

“Eighth Young Master brought honor to our Ye manor. We servants feel proud when we go out too.”

Ye Kong was naturally delighted to hear this. After a few simple pleasantries, he tossed out a piece of broken silver. “It’s almost noon – brothers, go have some drinks.” After saying this, Ye Kong hurried back to his small courtyard.

Chen Jiuniang didn’t know about Ye Kong going out on a dangerous venture, so she hadn’t been too worried. However, visit our site this morning she’d heard her son had caused quite a commotion at the entrance to Treasure Spring Pavilion. She didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing, so she couldn’t help worrying.

Chen Jiuniang hadn’t even done her embroidery work, waiting for Ye Kong to return. As soon as she saw him, she scolded, “You stinky brat, why do you only know how to cause trouble? You said you were going out of the city to have fun with friends – how did you end up at Treasure Spring Pavilion? At such a young age, already learning to visit brothels, and making such a big scene at that.”

When Ye Kong heard his mother was angry about this, he quickly pressed Chen Jiuniang to sit down and massaged her shoulders, laughing. “Mother, you’ve got it all wrong. Your son didn’t go to Treasure Spring Pavilion for romantic pleasure. Last night I really was outside the city. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your goddaughter Little Qin.”

Chen Jiuniang said half-believingly, “Really?”

“Of course it’s real. You can ask Liu Changqing too. When they got into it with the bailiffs, I had just entered the city. I was dragged there by them afterward.”

Ye Kong spoke so definitively that Chen Jiuniang stopped doubting, but she still nagged, “You’re still young and haven’t married yet. Treasure Spring Pavilion is not a place you should go. What if you catch a dirty disease?”

Brother here would only go for the unbroken courtesans – how could I catch a disease? Of course Ye Kong wouldn’t say this. He just kept nodding in agreement.

Chen Jiuniang continued, “Kong’er is grown up now. You need to find a wife. How about Mother arranges something for you? That way you won’t mess around outside…”

This was exactly what Ye Kong feared. He quickly stopped her. “Don’t! Mother, I’m only fourteen! It’s still early. I, I, I… haven’t finished developing yet!”

Hearing her son say such things, Chen Jiuniang covered her mouth and laughed, then added, “Actually, Little Qin is a good girl.”

Ye Kong didn’t respond, changing the subject. “Mother, you don’t know – your son made quite a splash today. Everyone in Southern Capital City knows about me now. You didn’t see how impressive I was today.”

“What’s so impressive about it?” Chen Jiuniang scolded. “I heard all about it. You made a big show, but do you know what you did? You completely offended the City Guard and those bailiffs. Be careful they noodlesremember today’s grudge and settle accounts with you later.”

“They wouldn’t dare! If they behave properly from now on, fine. But if they want to get even, heh heh, then don’t blame this young master for being ruthless!”

Chen Jiuniang was afraid he’d cause more trouble, so she quickly said, “Forget it, forget it. If you just live peacefully, Mother will be content. Don’t stir up any more trouble.”

They chatted for a while longer. Ye Kong got hungry and only then remembered about lunch.

When they arrived at the dining hall, the servants naturally hurried to greet them, their words carrying an indescribable respect and flattery. This made the dining hall manager, Sister Ma, very unhappy.

Originally, the person she looked down on most was now receiving respect. The servants no longer clustered around her hoping for extra helpings of food like before. Instead, they all rushed to get their rice and sat beside Ye Kong and his mother to curry favor. Sister Ma felt dejected, and her mouth didn’t stay idle either. However, she also knew that Ye Kong had become successful now and his temper wasn’t good, so she didn’t dare directly confront him.

So she picked up the large pot of vegetables and walked to another corner of the dining hall, ladling an extra spoonful to a few servants who weren’t close to Ye Kong.

Those servants were flattered beyond expectation and laughed. “Sister Ma is so generous today, proactively giving us extra food. Do you have some happy news?”

Sister Ma glanced sideways toward Ye Kong’s side and sneered sarcastically, “Where are there so many happy occasions? Not like some people with happy news one after another. Don’t you see everyone swarming over like flies?”

When those servants saw she was dissatisfied with Ye Kong, they didn’t dare cause trouble and kept silent. This made Sister Ma’s heart even more resentful.

“Hmph, why don’t you all swarm over there to curry favor too? This old lady’s food is fragrant, but to flies, shit is more attractive!”

Sister Ma’s words insulted everyone present. One servant couldn’t help but say, “Sister Ma, how can you say such things? We’re all eating here. Talking about shit and all – you’re making me want to vomit.”

Sister Ma snorted coldly, then looked at Chen Jiuniang’s face and sneered mockingly. “What’s wrong with saying it? Is your stomach that shallow? Some people can eat just fine while looking at a face ugly as shit. Look at that face – it’s like having a big turd plastered on it. Haha, and it’s from the night before too.”

Sister Ma’s voice wasn’t loud, but Ye Kong’s ears were exceptionally good. If he hadn’t heard, he would have let it go. But since he heard it, this matter wasn’t finished. He absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to talk about his mother like that.

Damn it! I haven’t even settled accounts for the cold bun incident last time – might as well settle old and new scores together now!

He grabbed his rice bowl and hurled it over. Before Sister Ma could react, Ye Kong was already standing in front of her. Left and right, two hard slaps made Sister Ma see stars.

“Watch your mouth from now on! Insulting people too much means getting your mouth slapped!”

Sister Ma was a shrew. After being hit, her shrewish nature erupted even more. She sat on the ground and made a scene, shouting, “What did I say? Did I name anyone specifically? If you’ve got guts, say it out loud and let everyone judge!”

Ye Kong’s expression turned cold. How could he possibly repeat it? Chen Jiuniang hadn’t heard those words, and most of the servants hadn’t heard them either. If he said it again in front of everyone, how could his mother save face?

With this thought, Ye Kong didn’t want to pursue it further. He warned, “I hope this matter ends here. This is just a lesson for you. Think with your brain before speaking from now on. If there’s a next time, it definitely won’t be this simple!”

If it had been someone else, under Ye Kong’s absolute force, they would have endured it and let it go. But Sister Ma had no such awareness. She thought Ye Kong was looking for an excuse to back down because he was afraid of her. So she shouted at Ye Kong’s retreating back, “Why are you running? If you’ve got guts, let everyone judge! I just said someone’s face has shit on it. Did I say it was you? Why are you so agitated? What are you feeling guilty about? Could it be your mother has a pile of shit on her face?”

As soon as these words came out, the dining hall fell silent. Everyone knew this matter wouldn’t end well. Looking at Chen Jiuniang again, having been publicly mocked and humiliated, even a clay figurine couldn’t maintain face. She immediately covered her face and ran out of the dining hall.

“Mother!” Ye Kong called out once, then turned back to look at Sister Ma. This time he was truly enraged. He rushed forward and delivered a barrage of punches and kicks to Sister [stolen content]Ma. If people around hadn’t held him back, Sister Ma would have died on the spot.

Even so, her injuries weren’t light. She probably wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for three months at least.

So this matter alarmed Ninth Wife. Although Sister Ma wasn’t really her relative, she was still her person. Beating Sister Ma was slapping her face. Everyone cared about face. She ran to Second Wife to demand an explanation, wanting to drive this mother and son out of the Ye manor before she could rest easy.

After beating Sister Ma, Ye Kong quickly returned to the small courtyard to comfort Chen Jiuniang. “Mother, don’t stoop to that kind of person’s level. She was talking nonsense.”

Chen Jiuniang had suffered cold looks and bullying before, but none compared to the humiliation this time. In front of all the outer courtyard servants, exposing her scar – even someone as accustomed to it as her couldn’t bear it.

However, she was afraid her son would do something rash in his urgency. She wanted to smile and say it was nothing, but her tears disobediently streamed down.

“Mother, don’t worry. It’s just some melanin deposits. I’ll definitely cure it for you. Then let their dog eyes see – actually, my mother is very beautiful!”

Just as they were talking, there was commotion outside. Old Li Si came first to inform them that Second Wife would be coming shortly to visit Chen Jiuniang.

When Chen Jiuniang heard Second Wife was coming, she quickly held back her tears and went to wash her face. Ye Kong had already thought of a plan – anyway, now he had money and ability, why stay in this Ye manor and suffer insults? Second Wife’s visit was probably more about accusation than concern. Why not take this opportunity to leave the Ye manor?

Outside the Ye manor, the sea was wide for fish to leap, the sky high for birds to fly. Wouldn’t that be delightful?

“Oh my, Jiuniang is still doing embroidery work? Your embroidery is getting more and more beautiful. Even the masters in the big workshops in the capital can’t compare to you!” When women want to build connections, it’s very easy – just grab onto something at random and praise you until flowers bloom everywhere. Then it’s convenient to talk about other things.

Second Wife came in with great familiarity and launched into a round of praise that made Chen Jiuniang embarrassed. She said shyly, “Second Mistress, you flatter me. Read on JormuntlI just embroider casually for myself. How could I compare with masters from the big workshops?”

“Jiuniang, we’re all sisters. Please don’t be so formal.” Second Wife pulled Chen Jiuniang to sit together on the bed.

Ye Kong looked on – something’s wrong here. She’s not coming to accuse us. Although he knew Second Wife was like a weasel paying respects to a chicken, you can’t hit someone who’s smiling. How was he supposed to bring up leaving the Ye manor now?

“Second Mistress, I…” Ye Kong tried to interject.

Second Wife was very shrewd and quickly interrupted. “Oh, this must be Kong’er. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to visit you. You’re getting more and more accomplished. Look at those clear eyes and handsome features.”

“Second Mistress…”

“Kong’er, don’t be so distant. What ‘Second Mistress’? You should call me Second Mother. All these years I really haven’t taken good care of you two. Are you still angry at Second Mother? You don’t know how hard it is for me to manage this household…”

This woman really could talk. Ye Kong and Chen Jiuniang couldn’t get a single word in. They just listened to her rattle on, foam flying from her mouth. Of course, it was full of household gossip and tales of rivalry. It irritated Ye Kong beyond endurance, but he didn’t know how to interrupt, so he could only grit his teeth and listen to her machine-gun chatter.