Madam He entered the Ye Family and successively bore four sons, successfully winning over the entire family to her side. Old Man Ye had always favored Madam He, and now his wishes had been fulfilled. After Madam He joined the family, he no longer visited Madam Li's chambers.
Driven to desperation, Madam Li had no choice but to resort to tactics and seduced Old Man Ye. Unexpectantly, this time, she, who had not conceived for many years, found herself with child again.
Madam Li thought she saw a glimmer of hope in life, but fate played a cruel joke on her. This child was another girl, the same one who, because she hurt Ye Jiu, was harshly beaten by Madam He and is still kneeling at the doorway—Ye Erya.
Ye Jiu still remembered, a few years ago, when she was deemed foolish for her slow responses, Madam Li would secretly pinch and twist her behind people's backs. However, Ye Jiu was no fool; she might not be quick enough to avoid Madam Li's malice, but she could make sure Madam He saw the bruises on her body.
Madam He's combativeness was nothing to scoff at. Furthermore, all four of the Ye sons were borne by her, which also solidified her unquestionable status in the household.
Madam Li and her daughter, who usually could not outdo Madam He, could only secretly torture her in her weakened state. Once Madam He discovered this, they naturally could not expect any good to come of it.
Madam He dealt with them decisively, ensuring the mother and daughter dared not harm her covertly again. At most, they would curse at her near her ear, for in their eyes, she was but a dumb mute.
This time, it was because Ye Erya took the opportunity, when no one was around, to try and steal the Opium Cake her elder brother bought for her. Ye Jiu was slow but knew to resist. Who would have known that the girl could be so ruthless, almost taking Ye Jiu's life with a single stone.
As she was thinking, Ye Jiu's headache began to throb again.
Seeing Ye Jiu wince with discomfort, Madam He immediately called out, "Is my little Jiu suffering again? Eldest daughter-in-law, why are you still standing there? Can't you see your sister-in-law is in pain? Go and get someone to fetch the doctor quickly to take another look at Xiaojiu!"
Watching Ye Jiu's pained expression, Madam Zhang's worry was in no way less than Madam He's. Hearing her mother-in-law's shout, Madam Zhang immediately responded, "Yes, Mother, I'll have Wenqing fetch the doctor right away."
At this moment, Old Man Ye was still at the humble woodshed's entrance, with Madam Li clutching at his sleeves and pleading, "Cousin, I beg you, just speak to elder sister on my behalf and let Erya come back. She's already been beaten to within an inch of her life. If she keeps kneeling in the cold wind, I fear she won't survive this ordeal..."
Although Erya didn't hold a high position in the family, she was still his daughter, and Old Man Ye's heart ached for her, naturally.
Just as he was about to soften and agree, he saw Madam Zhang emerge from the main house in a fluster and call out, "Wenqing, hurry and fetch the doctor to have a look, your auntie is in pain again!"
"Ah!" Ye Wenqing, the eldest grandson of the Ye family, answered and immediately ran outside.
The moment Old Man Ye thought of his wife's deep concern for his little girl, his heart was no longer with Madam Li and her daughter; he turned around, intending to go see his Xiaojiu.
Madam Li clung tightly to Old Man Ye's sleeve, "Cousin, Erya is your daughter too..."
Old Man Ye's face betrayed his emotions, "After Doctor Li arrives and sees Xiaojiu, I'll discuss it with the old lady and ask her to forgive Erya. But this child really lacks discipline, attacking Xiaojiu over mere food. Such a ruthless heart!"