The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 70: My Wife Doesn't Love Me

Chapter 70: My Wife Doesn’t Love Me

After Sister Ping left, Ye Baoling emerged from the bedroom to find Ye Huaizhang already pouring himself a whiskey at the bar counter.

She teased him: Running to our house several times a day – you must have a lot of free time.

Ye Huaizhang poured her a small half-glass as well. Your grandfather sent me. The old man has no objections to our marriage for now, but he said we shouldn’t announce the wedding publicly yet. We’ll bring it up again next year.

The decision to announce the wedding next year was Ye Baoling’s idea.

After all, her original agreement with Ye Huaizhang was only for a one-year marriage. If by next year they still wanted to continue and seek stability, then it wouldn’t be too late to make it public.

Ye Baoling took a small sip of her drink. Then let’s discuss it next year.

This was something you two agreed on together, wasn’t it? he suddenly remarked.

He still understood her quite well.

Ye Baoling admitted: Yes, that’s what we stipulated in our agreement, isn’t it?

His brow furrowed slightly, and the hand holding his glass paused momentarily. Only after a while did he realize this emotion was disappointment, or rather, disillusionment.

Not knowing where this feeling came from, Ye Huaizhang quickly suppressed the inexplicable emotion and gently clinked glasses with her: My position has always been that I don’t want a divorce. I hope our marriage will be stable.

Your position is what you want… but I also need to consider my position, what I want or don’t want. She said this with a smile.

Clearly, her thinking was decades ahead.

While he remained in the present.

Even though he had tried his best.

She held two Ugly King Jade Pendants in her hands, with another in her grandfather’s possession. Her career was steadily advancing. If emotional and physical needs weren’t considered, she truly had no demands of him now.

Their strongest bond turned out to be their shared secret place – the Blue Brick Tunnel.

They still wanted to open the Underground Bronze Door together.

After all, she wouldn’t dare go alone.

Ye Huaizhang suddenly realized she had never truly belonged to him at any moment. Even though they were married, legally husband and wife, if he wanted her to take his surname like other wealthy wives, that seemed impossible too.

Because she was already born with the Ye surname.

It was the Ye of the Oldest Branch, not his Ye from the Third Branch.

Noticing the slight change in his expression, Ye Baoling took the opportunity to sit on his lap, stroking his chin as she teased him: Why live so clearly?

Wasn’t it better to enjoy the moment?

He picked her up and made love to her with unprecedented intensity. His earlier thoughts weren’t entirely correct – at least in this moment, they belonged to each other.

They ignored Sister Ping when she knocked on the door.

Fortunately, Sister Ping wasn’t one of those tactless young maids – when no one answered her knock, she discreetly withdrew.

Afterward, he held her in his arms, all traces of his earlier despondent mood swept away.

He was so capable – his wife simply couldn’t leave him.

Thinking this, he kissed her forehead again.

Ye Baoling gently stroked his chest, her mind still occupied with her affairs even after physical and emotional satisfaction.

I’ve been thinking – regarding the Ugly King Jade Pendant matter, we can’t just sit back and wait.

He was pleased she used we.

Even being emotionally manipulated felt sweet to Ye Huaizhang, who caressed her slightly cool arm as he asked: What are you thinking?

We must pursue three paths.

The first is getting your grandfather to willingly give you the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

The likelihood of this path is very low.

The second option was to use scheming methods to trick the Ugly King Jade Pendant out of her grandfather’s hands.

This path required careful planning—her grandfather was clever and highly cautious, making him difficult to deceive.

Then there was the third option…

We’ll investigate and deduce possible hiding places for the Ugly King Jade Pendant ourselves. Then find a way to steal it.

What a pity this era didn’t have pinhole cameras yet, otherwise she could install one in both her grandfather’s bedroom and study.

That would be perfect!

Ye Huaizhang didn’t object to this thieving plan.

He said: First we need to determine whether the Ugly King Jade Pendant is still in your grandfather’s possession. If so, where is it stored? If it’s kept in a safe, you might locate it but would struggle to crack it open.

The Ugly King Jade Pendant should be with my grandfather. Before my parents divorced, there was unpleasantness over this jade pendant.

He had already heard from her about how her mother was falsely accused of stealing the Ugly King Jade Pendant, so he didn’t press further.

Ye Baoling recalled how after Ye Huaizhang gave her jewelry, he had cleared a space in his safe for her.

Didn’t the betrothal gifts include jewelry? The diamond set you gave me before is valuable enough—have someone deliver it in a couple of days.

Ye Huaizhang understood her meaning. I’ll have my grandmother bring it over. We should probably notify your grandfather in advance and choose an auspicious date.

Agreed.

Her fingers traced patterns on his chest, making him gasp sharply. He leaned down and retaliated by taking half her breast into his mouth.

She laughed and tried to push him away.

At times like these, even her martial arts training proved useless—because her pushing wasn’t really meant to create distance. Gradually, the pushing turned into embracing, and the embracing into clutching. The room filled with wet sounds, some pleasures truly could transport one to heaven.

He was too skilled. And too energetic.

The next day, Ye Baoling returned to the Gu Family and detailed the recent events to her grandmother.

Grandma Gu couldn’t help but sigh: Compared to Zheng Junni’s baby-swapping scandal, your matters are indeed minor.

Ye Baoling hit the nail on the head: My grandfather simply couldn’t refuse the betrothal gifts from the Third Branch.

Grandma Gu shook her head slightly: The richer they are, the greedier they become.

After a pause, the old lady asked: This works well though. When will you bring him over for dinner? He should visit our side too. The clothes you bought me last time will finally come in handy.

She had originally planned to wait until next year.

But seeing her grandmother’s hopeful expression, Ye Baoling couldn’t bear to refuse and nodded: I’ll check when he’s available.

He’ll have to make time even if he’s busy. But notify me in advance so I can have your uncle come home too.

Understood.

Lately, Ye Baoling kept recalling the system’s other reward task.

That was to identify the true culprit who framed the original host’s mother Gu Min for stealing the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

Grandma, you mentioned before that when my mother and father divorced, Mom was forced to sign the papers. What exactly happened?

Grandma Gu, who had been eating steamed egg custard, put down her silver spoon. Why are you asking about this so suddenly?

I dreamed of Mother. She wants me to find the real person who framed her for stealing the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

Grandma Gu’s eyes reddened. Your mother wasn’t entirely forced into signing the papers. It was those events that left her utterly disappointed. Your father cheated—while tearfully apologizing, he consulted lawyers about divorce. Your grandfather pretended to be fair and just, but in reality, he favored that vixen who was pregnant with a boy. That vixen, flaunting her pregnancy, pretended to be virtuous and called your mother in tears, begging and saying she was willing to be a concubine. Do you know the rules of your Oldest Branch?

What rules?

Your great-grandfather, besides his lawful wife, also married a concubine and had a long-term mistress outside, neglecting your great-grandmother for years. Your grandfather despised your great-grandfather’s behavior, so he established the rules for your Oldest Branch: no concubines allowed, no keeping mistresses outside. So, Zheng Junni could never enter the Ye family as a concubine. She was just forcing your parents to divorce.

This rule was something Ye Baoling had only recently learned.

She asked, What about the incident where my mother was framed for stealing the Ugly King Jade Pendant?

Grandma Gu replied, Your mother didn’t know your family had such an ugly jade at first. She only found out by chance when your father mentioned that there was a jade at home—worthless in terms of money, but a family heirloom. Whoever inherited the family business would receive it. Your mother grew curious: why was it called the ugly jade? She asked what it looked like. Your father, with his harsh tongue, said your mother couldn’t bear a son, which hindered his inheritance of the family business, and she still dared to covet the heirloom… I’m not clear on the specifics, but they had a big argument over it, and the whole family found out.

That sounded exactly like Ye Kaimin’s style!

Then what happened? Ye Baoling noticed her grandmother had finished the steamed egg custard and quickly handed her a tissue.

Grandma Gu took the tissue and wiped her mouth. Later, your grandfather fell seriously ill. For some reason, he took out that ugly jade and placed it on the family altar on the fourth floor. At the time, your mother and your father were in the midst of a fierce argument. She had no intention of going to see the Ugly King Jade Pendant. But overnight, it went missing. Your father immediately suspected your mother and asked if she had taken it. She denied it. In the end, it was found in the jewelry box in your mother’s bedroom drawer.

So, my father framed her?

Grandma Gu said, I can’t think of anyone else but your father. This incident infuriated your grandfather. Before, he had pretended to scold your father for his indiscretions, but after this, his attitude completely changed. Your mother was heartbroken and resolutely divorced your father. To secure custody of you, she made significant concessions on alimony. This matter weighed heavily on her heart and became an unresolved knot.

Thinking it over carefully, Ye Kaimin was indeed the most likely suspect.

But so many years had passed, and without evidence, he would never admit it.

The most valuable insight from this conversation was that her grandfather would take out the Ugly King Jade Pendant and enshrine it when he was seriously ill.

If pushed to the brink for survival, she wasn’t above provoking the old man into another serious illness.

The parentage test results were out.

They had used two institutions simultaneously for expedited testing.

As everyone expected, Ye Baoxian was not the child of Ye Kaimin and Zheng Junni.

In addition to the parentage test, Ye Qizu had forced Ye Kaimin to undergo a full physical examination. The results showed that due to a genetic mutation, his sperm was defective and unsuitable for further reproduction.

As for when the genetic mutation occurred?

It must have been after giving birth to Ye Baoling.

Faced with this outcome, Ye Qizu had nothing to say. Over the past few days, he had already sorted out his emotions and simply instructed, Send that child away.

Xing Shu reported, I heard that the First Lady wants to adopt the child herself.

What does she want to do? Occupying the name Ye Baoxian, thinking she can confuse the issue after I die? Not a chance! Isn’t the child born to a mainland woman? Send it back to its biological parents. Give them some money to settle it, and make sure it has no further connection to our Ye family. Ye Qizu was very decisive, unwilling to leave any loose ends.

Xing Shu quickly acknowledged, I’ll arrange it immediately.

Also, stop calling Zheng Junni the First Lady—she doesn’t deserve it! For Baolong’s sake, arrange a place for her to live outside. From now on, she is not allowed to set foot in the Ye family ever again. Ye Qizu also didn’t want them to divorce, as Ye Kaimin had no need to remarry anyway.

If they divorced, Ye Kaimin would have to split assets with her, pay alimony, and it would cause a huge scandal, making the family a laughingstock.

Xing Shu asked, What about Miss Baoxin? The Second Young Master relies on her a lot.

Ye Qizu thought it over. Ye Baolong couldn’t lose both his mother and his sister at once. The child only had the intelligence of a six or seven-year-old and would be very troublesome if he threw a tantrum.

He waved his hand, I don’t care about her. Do as you please.

The implication was that Ye Baoxin could continue living with the Ye family.

Xing Shu didn’t dare delay and hurried off to carry out the orders.

Meanwhile, in Abundant Moon Tower, Ye Kaimin hadn’t shaved for days. Unkempt, he sat in the small side hall watching Xing’s wife and Yin Jie come to take the child away.

Xing’s wife came in and asked, Da Ye Sheng, do you want to take one last look?

Ye Kaimin ignored her, indicating he didn’t want to see.

After everyone left, the room felt empty. The servants didn’t dare linger around him, moving cautiously and making sure not to make a sound.

He sat there motionless, reminiscing about the past few months—it all felt like a fleeting dream.

All his hopes had been false.

Zheng Junni had written him letters begging for forgiveness, but he tore them up. It was this woman who had made him a complete fool.

Now everyone knew there was something wrong with his sperm. How could he ever show his face again?

The sound of high heels echoed from outside. He looked up and saw Ye Baoling entering.

Ye Baoling walked in slowly, observing the disheveled Ye Kaimin, who had aged considerably.

From her perspective, she didn’t dislike or hate him; in fact, she found him somewhat comical.

But from the original host’s point of view, this father of hers truly deserved to die.

A hundred deaths wouldn’t be enough for him.

However, Ye Baoling didn’t want to escalate tensions with him just yet.

If you keep wallowing like this, people will really see you as a joke.

You’re happy about this, aren’t you? Ye Kaimin’s voice was filled with despondency.

Ye Baoling replied calmly, What does it have to do with me? The ones who are happy and watching the spectacle are others, not me.

Ye Kaimin lamented, Heaven has been so unfair to me!

Last night, I dreamed of my mother. She told me that you framed her for stealing the Ugly King Jade Pendant—this is your retribution. Only if you sincerely repent and apologize at my mother’s grave will Heaven treat you fairly.

Ye Kaimin looked at Ye Baoling in disbelief. My character isn’t that terrible! I’ve never considered framing someone. That Ugly King Jade Pendant was indeed taken by your mother—it was found in her jewelry box. How could I have framed her? Who’s been feeding you nonsense to make you have such dreams?

Still unrepentant?! Not afraid of continuing to suffer retribution?

I haven’t done anything wrong! Ye Kaimin roared as if his heart were being torn apart, his gaze more resolute than ever before.

Ye Baoling studied her father’s expression. Are you certain you didn’t frame her?

Ye Kaimin raised three fingers. I swear by the lamplight—if I framed her, may I die without a whole corpse.

At that time, besides you, who else could enter my mother’s bedroom?

Seeing his daughter interrogating him like a criminal, Ye Kaimin wanted to curse but restrained himself.

After thinking for a moment, he said, Sister Ping, and several other servants who attended to your mother could enter.

Ye Baoling pressed further, What about the altar where the Ugly King Jade Pendant was enshrined? Who could go there?

The fourth floor is usually locked—not just anyone can go up. But… your mother might have made a spare key in advance…

Ye Baoling grew angry. Shut up! Let me confirm with you once more—it wasn’t my mother who stole it.

A daughter telling her father to shut up—how outrageous!

Ye Kaimin fumed, Is that any way to speak to your father? In your heart, only your mother matters, and your father means nothing, is that it? I told you, it wasn’t me!

Ye Baoling stared at Ye Kaimin. Though his attitude was utterly repulsive, she was almost certain he hadn’t framed her mother.

At this point, he had no reason to lie to her.

Author’s Note: Ye Huaizhang plucks petals one by one: Loves me, loves me not, loves me, loves me not, loves me…

Ye Baoling: Nice pecs to touch [mischievous grin]