The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 61 Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang?

Chapter 61 Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang?

Before the ancestral tablets in the Hall of Flourishing Harmony’s fourth-floor hall, Ye Baoling clearly understood that her grandfather had brought her here to play the villain.

He wanted her to reject Liang Meiyun.

How could she easily comply with the old man’s wishes?

So she agreed.

Seeing the old man’s expression growing increasingly unpleasant, Ye Baoling shifted her tone: However… Second Aunt, although I can help with this matter, even if I take responsibility, I cannot handle it alone. I’ll need Xing Shu and others to assist.

The implied meaning was that it still depended on the old man’s decision.

Liang Meiyun didn’t trust the people under the old man’s command. She said: If you need personnel, you can hire private investigators from outside. I’ll cover the expenses.

Ye Qizu scolded: How can we let outside private investigators handle this? Do you want the whole world to know before you’re satisfied?

Liang Meiyun had always been more assertive than Zheng Junni: How is it that I want the whole world to know?

She pointed at Zheng Junni: She’s the one making trouble!

Zheng Junni immediately retorted: Second Aunt, stop making baseless accusations. If you want to escalate this, I’m not afraid of making it bigger. Let’s see who ends up losing face.

The two sisters-in-law started arguing again.

With her wealthy maternal family backing her, Liang Meiyun stood her ground: If Baoling isn’t willing, then I’ll find private investigators myself and have my brother help monitor the situation. I refuse to believe we can’t uncover who leaked the information!

Compared to Liang Meiyun and the Liang family, Ye Qizu still trusted his own granddaughter more. Fearing Liang Meiyun might blow things out of proportion, he finally had to say: Baoling, you take charge of the investigation. Whatever cooperation you need, just make your requirements directly, and have everyone cooperate!

Ye Baoling wanted both everyone begging for her help and complete control: After all, I’m not professionally trained in investigations. If I take responsibility, I definitely can’t guarantee having answers by next week or next month. I can only promise that I’ll do my best to uncover the truth. Can you accept that?

I can! Liang Meiyun confidently believed she could find private investigators to assist Ye Baoling.

Ye Kaimin knew he couldn’t control his daughter, but compared to Liang Meiyun conducting her own investigation, his daughter was more reliable.

He tugged at Zheng Junni: Agree to it.

Zheng Junni didn’t want to agree. The best outcome for this matter would be no investigation at all, letting it fade away unnoticed.

But she had no way to oppose it now – the more she objected, the more guilty she would appear. She could only nod: Take your time with the investigation. I won’t rush you. Just don’t target me specifically.

It was finally decided that Ye Baoling would be responsible for investigating who had leaked Ye Baoshun’s case to the media.

Ye Qizu warned: This investigation primarily focuses on who leaked the information, without targeting anyone specifically. Before results emerge, no one should discuss this privately anymore, nor should we accuse our own family members without evidence. This matter is settled.

Before dismissing everyone, Ye Qizu looked at Ye Baoshun: Kneel here for the entire day and reflect properly!

Then he instructed Xing Shu: No food for him today. Lock him in the fourth-floor room tonight. Without my permission, he’s not to leave his room half a step.

Xing Shu hurriedly acknowledged the order.

Ye Qizu then called Ye Baoling to his study, advising her that even if she couldn’t uncover the truth, it didn’t matter – what was most important was fairness and justice.

In other words, don’t be swayed by Liang Meiyun into targeting Zheng Junni.

Ye Baoling retorted, What if the investigation reveals it really was Zheng Junni?

What could be done?

She hadn’t broken any laws. The worst-case scenario would be cutting off her allowance and stripping her of household management authority.

The old man simply hadn’t anticipated there could be even worse possibilities.

Meanwhile, Ye Kaimin returned to his room and, after dismissing the servants, quietly questioned, Was it really you who sent A Jin to leak the information?

Zheng Junni didn’t want to admit it, but she needed allies at this moment. A Jin heard about Ye Baoshun and Lu Tianyou’s affair from others. She said she wanted to expose it. I didn’t know whether it was true or not, so I just reminded her that if she were to leak it, she shouldn’t use our phone line. That way, if anything went wrong, it wouldn’t be traced back to us. Who would have thought A Hong would overhear?

Ye Kaimin couldn’t really blame his wife, since they were the beneficiaries in this situation.

Observing Ye Kaimin’s expression and realizing he wasn’t angry, Zheng Junni quickly added in a hushed tone, I never would have believed Ye Baoshun could be interested in men. I think heaven is helping us. Our Xianbao truly brings good fortune—he’s naturally blessed. Look how all those blocking his path are automatically clearing away.

Since things had reached this point, Ye Kaimin could only say, This works in our favor. Now that Ye Baoshun is confirmed gay, I’m curious to see how the old man will handle his arrangements.

But Zheng Junni remained somewhat worried: Should you talk to Bao Ling? Make her understand who her real family is. She shouldn’t trust Liang Meiyun and help outsiders instead of her own.

I’ll speak with her later.

*

When Ye Baoling arrived at the company, she saw colleagues huddled together gossiping as soon as she stepped out of the elevator.

It wasn’t hard to guess they were discussing Ye Baoshun’s scandal.

Noticing Ye Baoling’s arrival, everyone quickly dispersed, offering polite smiles and greetings: Good morning, Young Miss.

Good morning, she responded with a nod and a smile.

Shortly after, Wang Simin slipped into her office.

Her gossip-loving soul was burning with curiosity as she whispered, Did your family have a Bestowal of Titles on the Six States yesterday?

Not last night, but this morning we did.

Wang Simin: Did your brother admit it?

Does he need to?

Fair point. So what happens now? Will your family accept his… partner?

Ye Baoling chuckled at her friend’s question. No more questions. Get back to work—we have a meeting starting soon.

Wang Simin tactfully stood up. If you ever need to vent, I’m here for you. I can be your trash can.

Just then, Ye Baoling’s team members entered for the meeting, and her trash can floated away.

The meeting began with a detailed review of the information everyone had recently gathered.

Progress at Lisa’s husband’s L&D company was slow. Ye Baoling asked, What’s the current status at L&D?

Yang Baozhu replied, L&D just passed the first round of evaluation. They’re now in the second round. If there are no issues after this round, we’ll begin negotiation talks. They might come to Hong Kong for an inspection, with all expenses covered by us.

Covering inspection costs wasn’t the problem—the issue was timing.

How long will the second evaluation take?

About three months.

Meaning even if successful, any agreement would be next year’s matter.

When it came to developing a regional market, this timeframe wasn’t considered long, so the team members weren’t particularly anxious.

Ye Baoling was even less hurried, as she was waiting for the stock market crash to arrive.

After finishing her work at the company, she went to the Tumbleweed newspaper office to find Bai Zhu.

The circulation of Tumbleweed had recently stabilized at around 5,000 copies, basically achieving a break-even point excluding labor costs.

Ye Baoling picked up the latest sample issue on the desk. The bold red headline on the newspaper warned that the stock market was on the brink of danger and advised everyone to exercise caution when entering the market.

Recently, Ye Baoling had been reading financial magazines and newspapers from various publishers, but only Tumbleweed was warning people that the stock market was at a dangerous edge.

Bai Zhu made her a cup of instant coffee. Those stock investors nowadays see the market rising and others making money, then they all rush in like a swarm, buying up those poorly performing junk stocks. What kind of logic is that? Everyone lifting the sedan chair together, charging forward? If they don’t hit the brakes in time, they’ll eventually plunge right off the cliff.

Ye Baoling completely agreed: You make a valid point. But at times like these, nobody will listen to this kind of talk. People will just think you’re hindering them from making their fortune.

Bai Zhu nodded helplessly: True. But I still need to warn them, as a clear-headed financial journalist.

Ye Baoling gave her a thumbs up.

After chatting for a while, Ye Baoling finally got to the real purpose of her visit.

Do you know any editors or reporters at ‘Sunday’?

I know someone there. Bai Zhu had also been following the recent news. She asked: Are you cleaning up the mess for your cousin?

Ye Baoling took a sip of coffee and said: There are specialists handling his mess. I want someone from ‘Sunday’ magazine to help find the phone number of the whistleblower.

Bai Zhu shook her head: That might be difficult. I don’t know if they recorded the specific time when the whistleblower called. If we have the exact time, then it would be easier to check with the phone company for numbers that called in during that time.

In this era without caller ID, it was indeed quite troublesome.

Ye Baoling was mentally prepared. If there’s no specific time, even a time range would work. We could check the call records for that period to the newspaper’s tip line.

If it’s just a time range, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

Then please help me ask. As she spoke, Ye Baoling took out an envelope and handed it over. This is asking for a favor, can’t expect people to help for free. If it’s not enough, just let me know.

Bai Zhu knew the Ye family heiress wasn’t short on money. She joked: If you have jobs like this in the future, you must come to me, don’t go to others. Let me earn some extra money to keep the newspaper running.

During this period, Ye Baoling had indeed helped Bai Zhu earn quite a bit of extra income, and both of them couldn’t help but laugh.

After leaving the Tumbleweed newspaper office, Ye Baoling went to the third residence to have afternoon tea with the elderly lady and Yang Pinxian.

Then she returned home to finish writing the remainder of her thesis.

Dinner was just Ye Baoling and Liang Meiyun. Liang Meiyun’s spirits were completely dejected.

Her son had knelt for an entire day and was now locked in a room on the fourth floor.

Your grandfather is so heartless. He even said to let him continue starving, only giving him water to drink.

Ye Baoling expressed heartfelt sympathy: How can he go a whole day without food…

He should at least starve for two days!

She even sighed: What if he gets sick from hunger?

It’s all because of that Lü guy who deceived him, and your vicious stepmother, who made sure the whole world knew about it! I don’t even dare answer my phone now.

In Liang Meiyun’s eyes, everyone was at fault except her son.

Ye Baoling suggested, Later, you can secretly bring him some food.

I don’t have the key. Xing Shu has all the keys. I can’t get in.

Then he’ll just have to go hungry!

Good.

Ye Baoling comforted her, Grandfather is acting this way because he values Baoshun so much.

Maybe you could go talk to the old man?

How could that be possible?

Ye Baoling frowned, I could try talking to him, but I’m afraid it might just make him angrier. Sometimes, Grandfather really dislikes me too. It would be better to have Xing Shu talk to him. As an outsider, his words might actually be effective.

Just then, Ye Kais returned, Talk to him about what? Let him starve! He did such a foolish thing precisely because he’s had it too easy!

Liang Meiyun couldn’t bear to hear her husband bring up that matter again, Alright, that’s enough. It’s so annoying. Isn’t he your son too?

Ye Kais sat down to eat, not wanting to say another word.

Liang Meiyun asked Ye Baoling if she had started the investigation yet.

I’ve asked a friend to look into the phone number of the person who leaked the information. We might not get results until next week.

Liang Meiyun had also been thinking about it, It might have been called in from a public phone booth near us.

To maintain her impartiality, Ye Baoling refrained from making assumptions, We’ll know once we find out.

If you need a private investigator, just tell me. Your aunt can help you…

Before Liang Meiyun could finish, Ye Kais interrupted, You don’t need to get involved in this. Otherwise, people will say you’re interfering with the investigation. You’re putting Baoling in a difficult position.

Ye Baoling smiled, It’s not a court case, it’s not that serious. And there’s no rush about the private investigator. I have friends who can help.

See? You don’t even care about Baoshun as much as Baoling does. As soon as you come home, all you think about is eating. Have you considered that our son hasn’t eaten since last night?

Ye Kais slammed his chopsticks on the table, I’m done eating! Are you satisfied now?! The reason Ye Baoshun is like this is because you and Dad spoiled him!

The couple bickered back and forth in hushed tones.

Ye Baoling finished her meal quietly and excused herself to make a phone call, heading upstairs.

After her shower, just as she finished drying her hair, she heard a knock at the door.

Opening it, she found her father.

If her father needed to speak with her, he usually sent a servant to summon her to Abundant Moon Tower.

For him to condescend to come today, he must need something from her.

Ye Baoling smiled and asked, Dad, did you need something?

Ye Kaimin walked in and sat down on the sofa in the living room.

Since they were family, he didn’t bother with pleasantries and got straight to the point, How is the investigation into Ye Baoshun’s matter going?

Ye Baoling replied, It’s only the first day. There’s no progress yet. I’m not a professional at this.

Ye Kaimin crossed his legs, I’m not rushing you. You know what your aunt is like, don’t you? Last time, when the Amulet of safety was removed, she lost her authority over the household and started resenting your Aunt Jun. This time, she’s just lashing out blindly. Your grandfather knows what she’s like, which is why he handed the matter over to you—to keep her family from interfering. You should focus on your work. Aren’t you expanding into the European and American markets? Don’t waste your time on all this messy business.

The implication was clear: if she could avoid investigating, she should.

Her father rarely spoke to her with such a calm and tactful tone.

Ye Baoling suddenly remarked, Dad, are you feeling a bit guilty?

Ye Kaimin smiled helplessly, Who’s guilty? Where is there any guilt?

He didn’t even dare to scold her loudly, which made him seem even more guilty.

Don’t worry, I won’t wrong an innocent person, but I won’t let go of… she emphasized, those who stir up trouble.

Ye Kaimin could tell his daughter was deliberately opposing him. Are you incapable of understanding human speech?

Before her father could lose his temper, Ye Baoling smiled and eased the tension, I understand. Some things you don’t need to remind me—I know what I’m doing.

Ye Kaimin took it as her agreement.

Back at Abundant Moon Tower, Ye Kaimin went to play with his son, while Zheng Junni asked softly, What did she say?

Ye Kaimin replied, She knows what she’s doing.

Zheng Junni’s heart sank at his words. What does ‘she knows what she’s doing’ mean? She didn’t agree with you? Is she even your own daughter?

Ye Kaimin clicked his tongue in annoyance. What more assurance do you want? Isn’t it enough that she knows what she’s doing? You’re just looking for trouble.

He hated being caught in the middle like a sandwich cookie.

The current Ye Baoling wasn’t the same as before, whom he could easily control. It’s already good enough that she agreed to ‘know what she’s doing.’

With that, he stood up and walked out.

Just then, Ye Baoxin returned home from working overtime and overheard their hushed argument. She came in and asked, What’s going on?

Zheng Junni walked to the door, asked the nanny to take the child away, and then explained the situation to Ye Baoxin.

After all, they’re not from the same mother. She won’t see Bao Xian as her own younger brother. From the way she’s acting, I think she’ll stir up trouble even if there isn’t any.

Ye Baoxin, however, had some thoughts of her own. If we can get some leverage over Ye Baoling, couldn’t we use it to control her instead?

What leverage could we possibly get? Does she really like women? Zheng Junni’s scalp itched, and she asked her daughter to apply some herbal ointment.

Ye Baoxin used a cotton swab to apply the ointment to her mother’s scalp. In the past while, the family arranged two blind dates for Ye Baoling, and both went badly. Don’t you think that’s strange, Mom?

Zheng Junni turned her head. Does she really like women?

Maybe it’s even more serious than that.

Tell me quickly.

I suspect Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang are involved.

What?! Impossible! Zheng Junni was both shocked and excited. How could she mess around with Ye Huaizhang? They share the same ancestors and ancestral hall! If the old man finds out, won’t he break her legs?

Ye Baoxin shared some observations she had made recently.

In the past, it was hard to catch a glimpse of Ye Huaizhang at events. Even if he attended, we girls rarely ran into him. But in the last few months, almost every time Ye Baoling showed up, Ye Huaizhang was there too.

What occasions?

That night of Grandpa’s birthday, they played pool together.

Zheng Junni remembered. Right, that night Ye Baoling even left in Ye Huaizhang’s car.

Ye Baoxin continued, Later, Gong Jiahua invited Ye Huaizhang, Ye Leqiong, and me to play tennis at the sports center. Coincidentally, Ye Baoling also showed up, and we ended up playing badminton together. At Ye Qingtang’s listing celebration last time, Ye Huaizhang arrived late and immediately went to speak with Ye Baoling. Eventually, they left the venue one after the other. And yesterday, they partnered up for bridge, exchanging flirtatious glances with seamless understanding. Looking back now, no matter what they do, Ye Huaizhang and Ye Baoling always stick together.

Zheng Junni seemed to grasp the situation. Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang weren’t close before, but they’ve grown familiar since the old master’s birthday. The day she left in his car, they might have already taken a liking to each other and started fooling around.

Possibly, Ye Baoxin said with disdain. I just never expected Ye Huaizhang to be such a lecher, not even sparing his own relative. To put it bluntly, this is incest!

Zheng Junni snorted coldly, Ye Baoling is good-looking. Men are all lustful.

She added, It all makes sense now. Who is Ye Baoling, really? What does she have besides her looks? Ever since getting involved with Ye Huaizhang, her horizons have broadened, and she’s changed completely lately. Including all those stunts she’s pulled at the company—I don’t believe for a second she managed that without Ye Huaizhang’s help. That Xian Bi was probably handled by him too.

Most likely.

Ye Baoxin had been irritated by Ye Baoling’s recent rise to prominence, but if it was all just because she had Ye Huaizhang backing her, then Ye Baoxin felt much better.

It proved Ye Baoling wasn’t actually superior to her.

Ye Baoxin tossed the cotton swab into the trash. I’ll hire a private investigator to keep an eye on them. Once we have this leverage over Ye Baoling, Mommy, you won’t have to fear her at all.

With such a strong hold over her, they could control Ye Baoling for life!

Zheng Junni screwed the cap back on the herbal ointment and sneered, Who knows if Ye Baoling is truly foolish or just pretending? Gong Jiahua is such a fine young man, yet she chooses to carry on this shady affair with Ye Huaizhang. Who is Ye Huaizhang? Even if he divorces that ward off bad luck through marriage wife, he’d never marry her. Isn’t she just letting him have her for free? Tch, what a disgrace to the Oldest Branch.

Zheng Junni could imagine how furious Ye Qizu would be when he found out.

Unaware of being discussed, Ye Baoling sneezed.

She was on the phone with Ye Huaizhang.

Caught a cold? he asked.

Not a cold.

The tense atmosphere at dinner had kept Ye Baoling from eating properly, and now she was starving, craving barbecue.

Ye Huaizhang was still on his way home. Let’s get barbecue then. There’s a decent grilled meat place in the south district. Come out now, I’ll wait for you at the intersection.

Don’t feel like moving, she lazily replied, not wanting to go out. I’ll just have the kitchen whip up something edible.

After hanging up, Ye Baoling went down to the wine cellar and opened the Brick Door in advance for Ye Huaizhang.

Back in the living room, she opened the door to forage for food but overheard her second uncle and aunt arguing outside.

They were quarreling over secretly bringing food to Ye Baoshun.

Ye Baoling quickly shut the door, both to avoid meddling and to prevent her aunt from suspecting anything—after all, Ye Baoshun hadn’t eaten all day, and here she was, an elder sister, heartlessly craving a midnight snack.

Hah.

Never mind. Best not to provoke them for now.

She had no choice but to curl up on the sofa and watch television. After flipping through two channels, she came across an entertainment program extensively covering Ye Baoshun’s scandal. The host was beaming with excitement, looking happier than anyone else.

The Oldest Branch had spent a considerable amount of money to suppress this disgraceful scandal, but there were always those who, for the sake of sales or ratings, refused to play along.

To understand both sides, Ye Baoling watched the entire program.

She believed that in the elite circles of Port City these past couple of days, the topic of conversation during leisure moments would undoubtedly be Ye Baoshun.

Still hungry, she opened the cabinet in the bar, found half a box of biscuits, took them out, and ate them with Jasmine Iced Tea. It actually had a unique flavor.

While they were eating, Ye Huaizhang arrived carrying a bag of food.

She caught the aroma of grilled meat.

You bought barbecue?

So quickly?!

It’s not far, and the shop wasn’t busy.

As long as you pay extra, the owner will prioritize your order—that’s why it was fast.

Besides the barbecue, there was also beef congee. Ye Baoling first took a bite of grilled pork belly, then drank a few spoonfuls of congee, immediately feeling completely satisfied.

When you’re hungry, eating exactly what you crave is the simplest form of happiness.

Ye Huaizhang unpacked all the barbecue and arranged it neatly, teasing, Does the Oldest Branch not feed you? How pitiful.

Ye Baoling smiled. I wasn’t very hungry during dinner.

Then she changed the subject. The one not being fed now is Ye Baoshun, not me. He’s been kneeling in the Divine Tablet Hall for most of the day and starving all day. I’d really like to see how miserable he looks right now.

He gently brushed her hair back. Aren’t you going to play the good Samaritan and save him?

He doesn’t deserve it.

If Ye Baoshun hadn’t arrogantly tried to chase her away, she wouldn’t have dragged him out early to Sacrifice the flag.

What pleased her most now was that she was eating and drinking comfortably in her room while he was pitifully starving.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring building, the mother and daughter rushing to Sacrifice the flag had already decided to hire the most expensive private detective to tail Ye Baoling.

As for why they weren’t targeting Ye Huaizhang—mainly to avoid early exposure and prevent him from finding out.

Zheng Junni cautioned, Don’t get involved in contacting the private detective. Stay completely clean and don’t be connected to this matter. I’ll handle everything from now on; don’t ask about it anymore.

Ye Baoxin understood her mother’s concerns and nodded in agreement.

Alright, I won’t interfere. Let me know if there’s any progress, Mommy.

Having controlled Ye Baoling successfully for so many years, Zheng Junni refused to believe that, without Ye Huaizhang’s help, she couldn’t continue to manipulate that wretched girl.

She simply refused to believe it.

Author’s Note: Ye Huaizhang: I advise you to think twice.

Ye Baoling: I advise you to be kind.