“It’s quite simple, Young Master. That night you rushed back and covered me with that white fur coat—I examined it closely later, and it was full of yellow sand. If you had come from Huzhou Prefecture, a place surrounded by water, how could there be so much sand on you?”
A look of slight approval flickered in Ye An’s eyes, but he only gave a non-committal smile. “You’re quite clever, little girl.”
“Eh?”
“Bandits are fierce; I had to deal with them personally. The unresolved case in Huzhou Prefecture only required a letter from me to guide the local authorities, and they would naturally handle it.”
“So… so, you did both?”
Ye An did not deny it. Seeing Chuxia’s astonished expression… made him feel quite pleased.
“Young Master, the chief steward is waiting at the door.”
Ye An stopped jesting, his expression returning to normal. “Come in.”
When Cang Qianlang saw Chuxia, he was momentarily stunned and looked questioningly at his young master. Ye An casually said, “Let this girl serve me, grinding ink and brewing tea.”
Cang Qianlang quickly agreed. However, when Chuxia saw him, her face turned slightly pale, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, moving a few steps behind Ye An. Cang Qianlang then gave a bitter smile, “Do you still hold a grudge? I truly regret what happened that day. If you cannot forgive me, I, as the chief steward, feel deeply guilty and have nothing to offer in return except perhaps your indenture contract…”
Chuxia’s eyes lit up, ready to respond, but Ye An casually interrupted, “Qianlang, are you trying to pass off my favor as your own, using the Jun family’s resources for personal gain?”
Cang Qianlang hurriedly admitted his mistake. Chuxia, seeing her hope of redemption vanish, couldn’t help but mutter internally—how could the rumors of the Young Master’s generosity be so off? He was supposed to be a man who would scatter his wealth like dust… why was he being so stingy now? Her mind raced, and she quietly suggested, “Chief Steward, if you feel guilty but cannot burn my indenture, I wouldn’t dare blame you… but you could use your own money to buy my freedom…”
