When Ye Xi went to the real - estate brokerage again, the attitude of Broker Zhou was completely different from before. From afar, seeing Ye Xi coming, he immediately greeted her with a beaming smile.
Ye Xi briefly stated her requirements for the shop. After a moment of thought, Broker Zhou said,
"It's not too difficult, but commercial shops in the capital are always in high demand. Those with good locations and reasonable prices are truly one - in - a - million. I'm afraid it'll take some time to find one."
"It doesn't matter. You just go and look. If you find a good one, just send me a message."
Ye Xi knew very well that it would be quite difficult to find a suitable shop in this prosperous capital. But she wasn't in a hurry. After all, money just sitting idle in one's hands was of no use. Converting it into assets would provide more room for maneuver in the future, whether it was to sell or rent.
In no time, Ye Xi and Ling Yan were on their way back home. By then, what had happened at the Ye family earlier had already spread far and wide in the streets.
One person said, "That couple, Ye Pengcheng and his wife, are really heartless. Not only did they mistreat their younger daughter and help their eldest daughter have an affair, but they also forced their second daughter to be a concubine for that heartless man..."
Another one chimed in, "Those two were so stubbornly denying it just a few days ago, but now they claim to be truly in love. It's really disgusting. I bet they've been having an improper relationship for a long time. Maybe they even have a child..."
Immediately, someone else agreed, "Such despicable people! They've got good looks for nothing. That young master of the Cao family even had the nerve to say that Miss Ye the Second was disfigured and couldn't get married."
As soon as the voice fell, someone excitedly picked up the conversation,
"Speaking of which! The husband of the niece of the cousin of Sister Wang next door happened to deliver some fresh fruits to the Ye family today. He saw it clearly. Just as Cao Sheng said that Miss Ye the Second couldn't find a good match, the Prince of Yu'an happily came to claim her. Oh~ I heard that the face of that young master of the Cao family at that time was more colorful than an artist's paint palette! They even got into a fight over this..."
"Oh~ Really? Come on, tell us in detail..."
Everyone was chattering away, discussing animatedly.
Ye Xi and Ling Yan were stunned to hear all this.
Although most of it was true, but... how did the story start to deviate as it was passed on?
On the other side, at the Cao family -
"What!? You, you're going to drive me away!?"
Zhao E looked at Cao Dexiu in disbelief.
"Which man isn't philandering? You're going to drive me away just because of such a trivial matter? Xiu Lang, how could you treat me like this..."
As she spoke, tears rolled down like broken beads.
Although Zhao E was already in her thirties, after years of living in luxury in the Cao family, her face was well - maintained, looking as young as a woman in her twenties. When she cried, she looked so pitiful, like a pear blossom in the rain.
Cao Dexiu usually fell for Zhao E's act.
But after his visit to the Ye family today, he suddenly realized that Zhao E had been hiding many things from him. Take the recent incident between Cao Ceming and that concubine for example. As the head of the family, he hadn't received even a hint of it.
He had also been completely unaware of the long - standing secret relationship between Cao Sheng and Ye Jueyao.
The Cao family had been gradually declining. To put it bluntly, his own father was already on the verge of death. Although his younger sister was the queen in the palace, seemingly enjoying great glory, the younger generation was so unpromising. If something happened to the Cao family, her position as the queen would surely be affected.
Now that Ye Xi had severed ties with the Ye family in such a tragic and decisive way, and with the support of the Prince of Yu'an, this incident would surely be taken advantage of by the Cao family's enemies. It was already a turbulent time. His father had already gone to plead guilty before the emperor. He couldn't let Zhao E continue to cause trouble in the Cao family.
"You know very well what you've done. Now I'm still giving you some face and just sending you back to your hometown to recuperate. If my father comes back from the palace and finds out all the things you've done clearly, it won't be as simple as just sending you back to your hometown!"
Cao Dexiu waved his sleeve and said, suppressing his anger.
Zhao E's heart trembled, but she still refused to give up.
"But, but our two children..."
"You still have the nerve to mention the two children! Now that Sheng'er has caused such a scandal, do you think Wei'er can still marry into a good family? They were so well - behaved when they were young. But now? One is two - faced and deceitful, and the other is arrogant and helps the evildoers."
"And Ming'er, now which good girl from a decent family would dare to marry him? You act like a kind mother every day, but you know very well what you've done behind my back!"
Cao Dexiu was so angry that his chest heaved violently. If it weren't for the years of marital affection and the two children, he would have wanted to divorce her on the spot.
"I... I..."
Zhao E stammered, unable to say a word.
"Hurry up and pack your things right away..."
"Dad - " Cao Sheng rushed in and knelt on the ground with a thud.
"No matter whose fault it is, it's all my fault. Please don't blame mother."
"Yes, Dad." Cao Wei followed closely, "That Ye Xi is ugly and stupid. She was never worthy of big brother in the first place. Why do you have to hurt our own family for an outsider?"
"Do you two have a say in this?" Cao Dexiu roared, "From today on, you, are confined. You're not allowed to leave the courtyard until the autumn imperial examinations!" Cao Dexiu pointed at Cao Sheng and then turned to Cao Wei:
"You, be more well - behaved these days. Since you're siblings, now that your good brother has caused such a mess, you won't have an easy time either!"
After saying that, he ignored the pitiful - looking people and stormed off in anger.
While the Ye and Cao families were fuming on their sides, Ye Xi returned to the mansion, changed her clothes, and then headed straight for the prince's mansion.
As soon as she turned into the back door, someone came to report that Qiao Yan had come to see her. But because "Miss Xi was seriously injured" and couldn't receive guests, Sai Xing had told Qiao Yan all about the Ye family's affairs.
At first, Qiao Yan was happy. She pulled Sai Xing and scolded the Ye family while spitting on Cao Sheng. But later, when she heard from Sai Xing that Yi Yuan had accepted her horoscope and intended to marry her, Qiao Yan's face instantly changed. She kept shouting that it was impossible and then ran off to find Yi Yuan.
It was estimated that the two were talking at the moment, and the servant asked if Ye Xi wanted to go and take a look.
Ye Xi really didn't expect that Qiao Yan still had feelings for Yi Yuan.
She quite liked Qiao Yan for her straightforward and natural personality. Well, it turned out that the so - called good friend was actually a love rival.
"Where are Miss Jiang and Sai Xing?"
Ye Xi asked with a bitter smile.
"Miss Sai Xing saw that Miss Qiao seemed a bit strange, so she followed along. Miss Jiang... seems to have sneaked over too."
The maid replied respectfully.
Ye Xi: ...
"Alright, then let's go and take a look."
"Yes."
The maid answered and led Ye Xi towards the garden in the southwest corner.
"True feelings? Your Highness, everyone in the capital knows that Miss Xi and Cao Sheng were deeply in love before. But as soon as she broke off the engagement, she got together with you."
Before they saw anyone, Qiao Yan's slightly anxious and clear voice came into their ears:
"You may be sincere, but what about her?"
"She's just using you to get back at Cao Sheng and get out of the Ye family! She just wants to take advantage of you. Your Highness, you've always been so smart. Why are you so muddle - headed now!"