Chapter 13: In Truth, Father Is Even More Ruthless

"Our home is a bit humble, I hope you won't mind," Dongmen Meng said with a gentle smile.

"Auntie, it's quiet here. The flowers outside are pruned so beautifully by Uncle. I don't think it's humble at all," Wanqing replied.

Just as Ye Ming entered, he grew more frustrated. Why did it sound as if they were implying he had nothing better to do than fuss over plants?

Dongmen Meng thought this girl spoke well, and judging by her clothes, she was no ordinary child in Taixi County.

"Mother, I have good news for you!" Ye Qin, who stood nearby, was brimming with excitement, eager to share something important.

"Oh? Qin Qin, what is it that makes you so happy?"

"Mother, isn't next month the Festival of Auspicious Origins? Our teacher said we would have... um, what was it, brother?" Ye Qin grew unsure how to explain.

Ye Kun spoke softly, "Mother, for next month's festival, our teacher plans to invite the students' parents to observe the results of our studies."

"Yes, yes, that's it. But what's it called exactly?"

Ye Kun was silent for a moment.

How would I know? The teacher didn't give it a name.

Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng both looked at Ba Wanqing. If their son didn't know, perhaps this girl would.

Ba Wanqing was taken aback. It seemed the teacher really hadn't given it a name.

"Teacher only said we would be tested in both literature and martial arts," Ba Wanqing managed.

"Oh? Then it seems this year’s festival will be rather interesting," Ye Ming chuckled. It would be good to see what the children had learned, bring some honor to the family.

"Kun Kun, Qin Qin, you two must do your best. I'm really looking forward to seeing you shine," Dongmen Meng encouraged.

"Don't worry, Mother! I’ll do my best," Ye Qin declared, pounding her chest with confidence.

Ye Kun, meanwhile, was deep in thought. His younger brother was clearly eager to show off; as the elder, this was a rare opportunity. He wanted his brother to shine on the day of the festival, but all this needed to be done subtly.

How could he help his brother without anyone noticing?

If it was a poetry contest, that would be simple enough—he could just teach his brother in advance. Winning in literature would be a piece of cake.

Archery, however, posed a problem. He himself could barely hit the target, so how could he help his brother there?

Perhaps it would be best to aim for the literary prize; that was an honor in itself, and their parents would surely praise his brother for it. His brother would be happy, and wouldn’t feel as though he was being overshadowed by his elder brother. Still, it was a bit of a headache.

"Wanqing, did you come just to visit?" Dongmen Meng asked with curiosity.

"Auntie, I was hoping Ye Kun could teach me to paint."

"Is that so? Kun Kun, you must teach Wanqing well, understand?"

"Understood, Mother."

"Go to the backyard. It's quieter there."

The three children went off to the backyard, leaving Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng alone.

"It's good for them to have a friend to talk to. They were always just the two of them before," Ye Ming said, satisfied. Children shouldn't be too sheltered.

"Indeed. Look at how happy Qin Qin is, as if she's found a future bride," Dongmen Meng said, covering her mouth with a laugh.

The couple fell into a quiet moment.

Ye Ming's expression gradually grew serious. "Has the man confessed?"

"He’s stubborn. Killing him feels like such a waste."

"Seems I'll have to handle it myself. You're just not up to it," Ye Ming said, sounding rather smug to be speaking to his wife like that.

Dongmen Meng said nothing. She knew her husband: he might talk a lot, but he was even more ruthless—just timid only in front of her.

The two of them went to the kitchen, where they found Xiao Ling standing quietly, waiting.

Suspended from the rafter was a man tied with a special rope. This was no ordinary binding; it was a soft cord, designed to tighten the more one struggled.

"Master, Madam," Xiao Ling greeted respectfully.

Ye Ming couldn't help but marvel, "To think the fish vendor managed to hide for so long. If Kun Kun hadn't noticed something odd about the fish, we’d have all been fooled."

Ye Kun wanted to interject: That night, I simply didn’t want to eat fish. It had nothing to do with me. Please, stop praising me. Why not praise my younger brother? After all, he’s your own son. What if he grows up resenting me, saying all the childhood love was given to the elder? A man's jealousy is even more dangerous.

"I'll leave this to you. Keep it quiet—the children are still in the backyard," Dongmen Meng instructed.

"Alright. Send Tian Tian in for me. A little teamwork will make this more enjoyable," Ye Ming said, flexing his hands with a sinister grin.

Dongmen Meng chuckled and had Xiao Ling fetch Zhang Tiantian.

As Zhang Tiantian entered the kitchen, Ye Ming set up a small soundproof barrier.

Soon after, Ye Ming came out, hands clasped behind his back, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. It was clear he had gotten the answers he wanted.

Xiao Ling stole a glance into the room. She had long heard of the master’s cruel methods, but seeing it firsthand was something else.

The madam had tormented the fisherman countless times with no result, but the master had only been inside for less than a cup of tea before he confessed.

Inside, Zhang Tiantian was already cleaning up the body. No one knew what method the master had used.

"So, what did you find out?" Dongmen Meng barely glanced over, certain it must have been a ghastly sight.

"The results weren’t as satisfactory as I’d hoped," Ye Ming answered with a slight smile, his lips twisting with a murderous edge.

Dongmen Meng frowned, whispering, "So they’re not giving up?"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. We need to stay vigilant and not leave any weaknesses exposed."

"Then fight back," Dongmen Meng said coldly.

"The children are still young. It's not the right time. We agreed we'd wait until they're older," Ye Ming replied.

"I just can't stand to see you suffer," Dongmen Meng said, looking at him with both resentment and tenderness.

Ye Ming was stunned for a moment before smiling, "With you and the children beside me, what hardship can I speak of? Just don't tease your husband too much."

"Who’s teasing you? You bring it on yourself. Now hurry and make dinner—the children must be hungry."

"Got it!"

Watching her husband hurry off, Dongmen Meng smiled with quiet contentment.

"Madam, should we send someone?" Xiao Ling asked in a low voice.

Dongmen Meng was silent for a moment, then sighed, "No, let’s wait."

"Yes, Madam," Xiao Ling replied with respect.

The children in the backyard were completely unaware of what had happened.

If Ye Kun and Ye Qin ever learned what their parents were capable of, it would shatter the image they held—especially of their father. The more he talked, the more ruthless he was.

At that moment, Ye Kun was pondering how to muddle through this. Was the county magistrate’s daughter so easily fooled? All for the sake of his younger brother.

Ye Qin and Ba Wanqing sat together on bamboo stools, a small wooden table before them, with ink and brushes gathered for the lesson.

"Why are you sitting so far apart? Move closer," Ye Kun said, hands behind his back, playing the part of a stern, bald-headed teacher.