The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 101 The Successor Head of Family

Chapter 101 The Successor Head of Family

On the morning of their first wedding anniversary, Guan Lao Taijun invited Granny Tong to conduct a simple ceremony.

The ceremony required no participation from the young couple, so neither of them attended.

After washing up and getting ready for work, Ye Baoling planned to return in the afternoon for the family assembly.

She turned to Ye Huaizhang and asked, Shall we talk tonight?

About what?

About where their marriage was headed?

Ye Huaizhang was tying his tie. His hands paused slightly, his expression and voice calm: Alright.

He had been mentally prepared for this day to come eventually.

He believed she couldn’t possibly break things off with him so easily.

They shared too many secrets between them to make a clean cut.

Ye Baoling went downstairs for breakfast before heading to the company, where an important financial meeting was scheduled for the morning.

After the bonds previously purchased by Su Manzhu matured, the funds had returned to their accounts. They needed to decide whether to use the money to repay previous bank loans or for financial investments.

The conservative faction in the company believed there were no good financial products available currently, and with high bank interest rates, it would be best to repay the bank debt first.

The slightly more aggressive faction hoped to use these funds to purchase index funds in the US stock market.

Many securities analysts believed that after the stock market crash, the US market would experience effective rebound and recovery over the next two years. Now was the best time to enter the market.

Others suggested following Ye Qingtang’s footsteps to expand the consumer market for jewelry in Southeast Asia and developed regions.

Ye Baoling wasn’t part of the conservative faction. In this era of great development opportunities, there was no need to rush repaying bank loans when you had money. Buying index funds seemed like a good choice.

As for expanding into Southeast Asian and European-American markets, it was indeed an opportunity.

Expanding into foreign markets now and then and then laying out the domestic market after the late 1990s would be the best timing strategy.

Ye Baoling said: First purchase index funds while simultaneously expanding into foreign markets. However, the foreign jewelry market is already a mature red ocean. As an unfamiliar brand trying to break in, we’ll face significant challenges.

This was completely different from Ye Qingtang’s fast-moving consumer goods that could rely on local distributors.

They would need to open their own stores overseas, requiring substantial upfront investment before seeing any results.

Ye Baoling: Although we have this idea, we shouldn’t act rashly. We can first investigate which location would be best for our first step in overseas expansion. Only after thorough market research should we take action.

Someone suggested: We should choose locations with large Chinese or Hong Kong populations for our first store. That would make it easier.

There was some logic to that.

Finally, Lin Meijuan said she would arrange and coordinate the preliminary market research.

After the meeting, Ye Baoling attended a business event hosted by a partner company before rushing back to the mansion at No. 1 Qing Tang Street at 2 PM sharp.

In the third-floor living room of Hall of Flourishing Harmony, the Ye family members had gradually gathered.

From the Oldest Branch were Ye Qizu, Ye Baoling, Ye Kais, along with Ye Qizong and his two sons.

The second branch consisted of five cousins.

The third branch included Guan Lao Taijun, Ye Huaizhang, Ye Jinbai, and Ye Jinfeng.

Among so many people, only Guan Lao Taijun and Ye Baoling were women.

Xing Shu said to Ye Qizu: Everyone is here. Lawyer Yang is waiting downstairs.

Ye Qizu set down his cup, cleared his throat, and said, My health is deteriorating day by day. Earlier, I transferred the shares of Ye Qingtang and Su Man to Bao Ling. Under my guidance, the company is now operating very smoothly, and I can step back with peace of mind.

Even at this point, the old man still couldn’t resist patting himself on the back.

Ye Qizong flattered his brother: Second Brother, you should still keep a close watch. With you around, everyone feels more at ease.

Although Ye Qizong no longer held shares in Ye Qingtang, the Ye Family Foundation maintained fixed equity stakes in Ye Qingtang and Su Manzhu. As beneficiaries, everyone still had a say.

But whether their opinions would carry any weight or whether Ye Baoling would listen was another matter altogether.

Most likely, Ye Baoling wouldn’t pay them any mind.

Bao Ling reports to me regularly on her work, so there’s no need for you to worry, Ye Qizu retorted, deflecting Ye Qizong’s remarks while preserving his own dignity. His mind remained sharp as ever.

Ye Baoling smiled without speaking. Today, as she was poised to take charge, she was willing to leave her grandfather a fig leaf.

At this moment, Ye Qizu needed to maintain his authority so she could smoothly assume leadership.

Ye Jinbai, who had been entrusted by Ye Huaizhang to lend support today, chimed in: Indeed. Ye Qingtang and Su Man have achieved remarkable success this past year, and the results speak for themselves—all thanks to Bao Ling. Just yesterday, I read in the economics section of the newspaper that Bao Ling is expected to become the most influential female entrepreneur in Port City.

Those from the Second Branch who had benefited from Ye Baoling’s efforts also joined in with praise.

Ye Qizu continued, I’ve called everyone here today to announce that my health is declining further, and it’s time for me to retire. From now on, the enterprise will be fully entrusted to Bao Ling. As for family matters, I must also designate a successor.

Everyone listened intently.

With Ye Qizu retiring, logic dictated that the next successor should be chosen between Ye Kaimin and Ye Kais. However, Ye Kaimin was still in the hospital, and given his condition, he was clearly unfit for the role. That left only Ye Kais.

Ye Kais felt a flicker of hope but dared not expect too much. If the old man had truly chosen him, there would have been no reason not to discuss it with him beforehand.

To be the family successor, one must possess both virtue and talent. If one cannot control the enterprise and the Family Foundation, then the position of successor is merely ornamental. That’s why I’ve always believed that whoever manages the family business should inherit the leadership of the Oldest Branch and the Ye family. With that, Ye Qizu turned to Ye Baoling. I choose our Oldest Branch’s eldest granddaughter, Ye Baoling, as my successor.

Some applauded in celebration, others exchanged uneasy glances, and a few immediately voiced their opposition.

The first to object was Ye Qizong: Second Brother, the helm of the enterprise can be held by a woman—whoever is capable may take it, I have no issue with that. But how can the family patriarch be a woman? Our Ye family is not lacking in male descendants. With so many men in the Oldest Branch, aren’t there any suitable candidates? Moreover, succession should pass to your own generation, like Kais, not skip down to Bao Ling. This isn’t appropriate. Think of Zhu Yuanzhang—he bypassed his son to choose his grandson, and what happened then? The Jingnan Campaign, how many people died?

Ye Qizu grew displeased: If you don’t know how to speak properly, then don’t speak recklessly or give inappropriate examples. How is this the same? Does Ye Kais possess Zhu Di’s capabilities? If he had such abilities, he would have already taken over Ye Qingtang’s position. Since he lacks such competence, how could he manage our large family?

In this room, only Ye Qizong dared to oppose Ye Qizu, and he insisted: Being the family head merely involves managing the ancestral hall, compiling the genealogy, overseeing the Family Foundation—these tasks aren’t particularly difficult.

He remained unaware of matters like the Blue Brick Tunnel, the Ugly King Tomb, and the future development of the Ye family.

Ye Qizu responded: As I just stated, the roles of enterprise leader and family leader cannot be completely separated. If they are entirely divided, our Ye family will only maintain superficial harmony while gradually declining. Although Bao Ling is a woman, her children will still carry the Ye surname, and they could potentially become heirs in the future.

Ye Qizong laughed awkwardly: According to our Ye family traditions, only descendants of the Oldest Branch can become family heads. Any children Ye Baoling bears would belong to the Third Branch’s Ye lineage, not our Oldest Branch’s.

Ye Baoling immediately retorted: If I have children, they will bear my Ye surname.

Ye Qizong pointed at Guan Lao Taijun and Ye Huaizhang: Do you alone decide this? Does the Third Branch agree?

Guan Lao Taijun quickly smiled and said: Why wouldn’t we agree? There have been instances in the past where children took the woman’s surname.

That was through matrilocal marriage. Is Huaizhang entering such an arrangement? Ye Qizong continued to provoke.

The pressure shifted to Ye Huaizhang, who smiled and countered: If Bao Ling hadn’t married me, would she be eligible to become the family head then?

Ye Qizong was stumped by this question.

Ye Huaizhang continued: Bao Ling has already stated that her children will carry her Ye surname. I don’t understand why Third Uncle continues to question this.

Ye Qizong asked: You agree the children will bear our Oldest Branch’s Ye surname?

Whether I agree or not is irrelevant—this matter is Bao Ling’s decision. Ye Huaizhang thought to himself that he could barely maintain his own position, let alone make demands. If Ye Baoling wished, she could divorce him and have children with anyone, ensuring they fully carried her surname.

Their marriage represented the optimal choice for the Ye family, producing children who could inherit from both branches.

Ye Qizong couldn’t comprehend what charm Ye Baoling possessed that made the notoriously difficult Ye Huaizhang so compliant with her.

Having no alternative, Ye Qizong could only look toward Ye Kais.

Since the position of family head didn’t offer clear benefits, Ye Kais had only moderate interest in it. He wouldn’t refuse if offered the role, but wouldn’t insist on it either.

Primarily, he currently wished to avoid offending both his father and Ye Baoling, so he merely smiled without speaking.

Ye Qizong’s sons tugged at their father, urging him to stop talking.

Ye Qizu finally declared: This matter is my decision to make. You need not offer further opinions.

Finding himself without support, Ye Qizong had no choice but to remain silent.

None of the others would possibly oppose.

Since the position wouldn’t go to either the Second or Third Branches anyway, everyone was content to give face to both Ye Qizu and Ye Baoling.

Ye Qizu announced: Today, July 2, 1988, I, Ye Qizu, formally select Ye Baoling as the next head of the Ye family. We will choose an auspicious date for incense offerings at the ancestral hall. From now on, all family branches should report matters directly to Bao Ling. The property deeds for the three buildings of the Oldest Branch Residence, the ancestral hall, and the entire back garden will be transferred to Bao Ling’s name.

This meeting wasn’t for discussion, but rather a notification.

Since only Ye Qizu’s signature was required to transfer various assets, he had made up his mind – anyone’s opposition would be useless.

After the meeting adjourned, everyone came forward to congratulate Ye Baoling.

They agreed to have a meal together after selecting an auspicious day for incense offering.

When everyone had left, Ye Baoling followed Ye Qizu to the study, where the old man handed over important documents and items to her one by one.

The most crucial among them was the inventory of the Ugly King Tomb collection.

The inventory written on kraft paper was hidden in the lining of a wooden box, while Ye Qizu also gave her a bronze key.

There are two ways to open the Great Bronze Door. The first is by using three Ugly King Jade Pendants to unlock it; the second is through a hidden latch above the keyhole for the jade pendants. Open the latch, and you can use this key to open the door as well.

So that’s how it was.

Ye Baoling had always felt something didn’t add up before.

If the three Ugly King Jade Pendants were so important as keys to the Great Bronze Door, why would their ancestor Ye Qingtang distribute them among three families?

Without knowledge of the Ugly King Tomb, the second and third branches of the family definitely wouldn’t treat the Ugly King Jade Pendants as their most precious treasures to preserve.

So there was actually another hidden lock in the hands of the family head.

The Ugly King Jade Pendants are family heirlooms, but this key is more important than them. Gathering all three jade pendants is difficult, which is why this key is crucial for opening the Great Bronze Door. I’m exercising hard now. When I’m better and can go downstairs, I’ll accompany you through the Blue Brick Tunnel.

If he really couldn’t make the trip, it would be fine – Ye Baoling could take a camera to record the situation below, and he would tell her how to unlock and open the Ugly King Tomb.

I’ll speak with your second uncle later. The second-floor study will be yours from now on. That study also has a safe and secret passage. Your second uncle and aunt will move to Abundant Moon Tower. As for your third granduncle’s family, let them move out gradually – at least some of them need to leave. We don’t need so many people crowded here.

Ye Baoling had no objections to any of these arrangements.

After Lawyer Yang arrived, they signed a pile of transfer agreements, expecting to complete all transfer procedures within a month.

Once the signatures were done, it was basically settled and couldn’t be changed anymore.

That evening, the family rarely sat together for dinner.

Ye Qizu thought of Ye Baoshun and asked, Any news about Baoshun recently?

Ye Kais replied, Someone saw him in Bangkok…

Ye Qizu: What was he doing?

Said he was eating out with friends.

Ye Kais didn’t dare tell the truth, because the person who saw Ye Baoshun said he was wearing women’s clothes and drinking in a bar.

Ye Baoshun had his bank card with him, and the Family Foundation deposited living expenses every month, so he certainly didn’t need to worry about food and clothing.

Ye Qizu didn’t want to bother, but still had to instruct: Find a way to locate him and have him settle down in Australia. No more reckless behavior outside.

Ye Kais sighed, When has he ever listened to us?

Liang Meiyun didn’t dare interject on this topic, only diverting the conversation with Ye Baoling: The eel today is delicious.

Indeed it is, Ye Baoling replied with a perfunctory smile.

Ye Huaizhang didn’t finish work until nearly nine o’clock. The couple sat at the bar in the sitting room, chatting while having a drink.

There were no conflicts between them, no incompatibilities. With so many shared secrets, neither would find anyone suitable if they separated.

But Ye Baoling found the one-year renewal plan proposed earlier by Ye Huaizhang quite intriguing.

Many people, after marriage, start treating their partners as so-called family members and stop caring about their thoughts and needs—especially men, who often neglect their wives’ feelings, becoming completely different persons before and after marriage. This is the crux of why many marriages encounter problems.

With annual renewals required, neither party would dare take the other for granted. Both would need to invest more thought and respect into the relationship, keeping the marriage fresher.

She agreed to renew for one year.

Seeing her agreement, he was initially delighted but soon regretted suggesting the one-year renewal. Renewing every year is too troublesome. How about we make it three years?

Ye Baoling shot him a glare. You’re going back on your word.

Or rather, pushing his luck.

He laughed in rebuttal. I’m just tailoring the plan to fit.

Tailor your head.

If we renew every three years, I’ll give you the Ugly King Jade Pendants from the Second and Third Branches. Unconditionally. He tried to tempt her.

Ye Baoling smiled.

Little did he know, the Ugly King Jade Pendants from the Second and Third Branches no longer held any appeal for her.

She teased him, When we got married last year, I told you—what I care about has never been the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

He was sharp. Did your grandfather tell you some secret?

As the family head’s secret, is that something you should know?

Ye Huaizhang was left speechless. Then he spread his hands playfully to scare her. I surrender. If I take a fancy to another woman next year and don’t renew with you, if I divorce you, don’t cry.

Ye Baoling pinched him. I’ll chop off your little brother and feed it to the birds.

Her pinches really hurt.

But being pinched by her actually made him happy.

He only feared that she didn’t care about him at all.

In the end, they decided to extend their marriage for one year and revisit the renewal next year.

Cheers. To our everlasting love. He raised his glass and clinked it with hers.

Ye Baoling took a small sip with a smile. She was on her period today and didn’t dare drink too much. Having worked all day, she was exhausted.

That night, as they slept, his warm hands gently covered her slightly cool stomach.

Huddled together, they felt at peace.

It had been a long time since the entire Third Branch had eaten a meal together.

This Saturday, Ye Yongqi returned from the United States for summer vacation, and their aunt Ye Jinliu organized a family dinner.

She even brought a boyfriend—a handsome Chinese-American younger than her.

Ye Huaizhang whispered to his wife, Good news—Auntie has finally broken up with Gong Jinghui.

Ye Baoling saw through relationships more clearly. They were just having a fling from the start.

After the meal, Ye Jinliu announced her plans to move to the U.S. with her boyfriend.

She had discussed it beforehand with Guan Lao Taijun, so the old lady didn’t object.

No one else had any objections either.

Both were wealthy and simply wanted to live together without marrying—which was fine.

If they grew tired of each other, they could separate and find someone new.

Ye Baoling asked her, Auntie, when are you planning to go to the U.S.?

Ye Jinliu replied, After summer vacation. We’ll live there for a few years. Flights are convenient now—we can come back anytime we want.

While they were chatting, Gong Jinghui arrived.

He came mainly to discuss matters concerning Silver Snake Mountain.

Currently, the four households on Qing Tang Street were jointly operating to urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly disinfect the medical base excavated by the Japanese army on Silver Snake Mountain and then backfill the soil.

The Gong family had no interests in Silver Snake Mountain, but they also didn’t want it to be developed, as that would inevitably affect the living environment on Qing Tang Street.

Most importantly, the Ye family had consulted a feng shui master years ago who proclaimed to everyone that leaving Silver Snake Mountain undeveloped and tranquil would be most beneficial for all families.

After Gong Jinghui entered, Ye Jinliu very openly introduced her boyfriend to him, as if he were merely her childhood friend.

Gong Jinghui still seemed somewhat uncomfortable, while Ye Jinliu appeared completely natural, showing no signs of anything unusual.

Ye Baoling couldn’t help but whisper to Ye Huaizhang, Auntie’s acting is really impressive. She could win a Best Actress award.

In Ye Huaizhang’s eyes, Gong Jinghui was even more detestable than his aunt.

Gong Jinghui had betrayed his marriage and family, and was a hypocrite who pretended to be moral.

But this had nothing to do with Ye Huaizhang or Ye Baoling, and they weren’t about to meddle by passing moral judgment on others.

It didn’t even affect their normal business cooperation with the Gong family.

A month later, through the joint efforts of the four families on Qing Tang Street, the medical base was filled in.

Because too many people had died on the mountain, citizens became even more reluctant to approach it.

Silver Snake Mountain and Qing Tang Street returned to their former tranquility.

The uproar at No. 1 Qing Tang Street mansion erupted again in mid-August, when Ye Baoshun sent a letter home.

In the letter, Ye Baoshun said he had given himself a new name: Ye Baoqing.

Not only had the name changed, but the gender had been changed too.

Through surgery, he had become she.

The letter included two recent photos of her – bright red lips, jet-black long hair, not particularly beautiful but looking very healthy and full of passion.

Ye Qizu was so angry he nearly tore up the photos.

Ye Kais and Liang Meiyun were devastated but helpless; what could they do at this point?

At least she was still alive.

Ye Qizu immediately summoned a lawyer to change his will. He allocated two properties each to his sons Ye Kaimin and Ye Kais, along with 50 million cash each; he left 10 million Hong Kong dollars each to Ye Baoshun and Ye Baolong.

All remaining properties, stocks, antique jewelry, and over a billion in deposits were entirely inherited by Ye Baoling.

Ye Kais strongly objected to this – the shares had already been given to Ye Baoling, how could all the deposits go to her too? It was too biased! He argued with the old man for nearly half a month, but ultimately had to accept reality.

As for Ye Qizu, he had only one requirement for Ye Baoling.

He hoped she would soon bear the next generation heir for the Ye family.

Ye Baoling made it clear that she would not accept this arrangement.

Author’s note: Tomorrow will be the final chapter of the main story.

There will be two or three extra chapters following that.

Regarding the new story that will follow immediately – it will be posted in a couple of days, not sure exactly which day, might post several chapters at once. The complete story is 200,000 words, a non-scary suspenseful page-turner. The next period novel will probably start after the Chinese New Year.