Chapter 1860: The Frail Young Master's Proxy Marriage Beauty Wife 15

How could the Ye family be merely in chaos?

Madam Ye had just come to from a faint, her consciousness still not clear, when Ye Bing Tian scolded her until she felt utterly ashamed.

But the Second Uncle's family begged bitterly, using their control of many flower shops as a pretext, demanding they step in to resolve the marriage between Ye Chang and the prefect's second daughter.

While Ye Bing Tian was frazzled, his concubine had her daughter step forward to soothe, hoping the prefect's second daughter would consent to wait a bit longer, hoping Ye Chang could still reform.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Auntie managed to obtain control of the household, and Madam Ye was placed under house arrest.

As for Ye Hui's scandal, it was actually taken in by the Su family, who feared losing face.

Not only did she fail to achieve her heart's desire of replacing the principal wife, but she became a concubine, utterly breaking with her bosom friend Young Madam Su, competing for favor day and night, and ended up using the fertility prescription Ye Yu Ci had given her that day.

Ye Lao San always believed Ye Yu Ci would soon take them to live in the grand manor, heeded his words, and kept finding fault with Ye Bing Tian's shop every few days.

The Ye family, from top to bottom, now has a reputation that is extraordinarily bad.

Ye Zining was also blamed by Ye Bing Tian, but after unexpectedly befriending the Young Marquis Duan Linfeng, who had come to Chuan Ze Cheng to visit relatives, the situation seemed to improve somewhat.

Five days ago.

Many shops had closed their doors in preparation for New Year's Eve, only the storefront on the best spot of the main street remained open for business.

At this moment, however, it was not so busy; Ye Yu Ci personally tended the clothing shop, and Jin Chen would occasionally come to see him.

Coincidentally, that day Ye Zining was invited to meet with Duan Linfeng.

A great coat displayed in the shop especially caught Ye Zining's eye.

It bore a noble yet scholarly air, like a pine in the snow, and the fabric was of the finest quality.

"Customer, come in and have a look; I can tell at a glance this coat suits you."

The attendant did not come forward, merely holding a measuring tape in the shop and chuckling, neither servile nor overbearing.

Clothing shops are generally expensive, but this one even more so; everyone in Chuan Ze Cheng knows it serves only the wealthy, and except on the first and fifteenth of each month, one must come in person to select garments.

Ye Zining stood at the entrance and already saw several familiar faces; thinking of the Ye family's recent scandals, he felt reluctant to go inside.

Duan Linfeng noticed Ye Zining's dejection and gently said, "Just have a look; I think it would suit you as well."

Ye Zining's eyes finally lit up, and he nodded at Duan Linfeng.

"Good."

But upon entering, he discovered Ye Yu Ci was also inside.

Ye Zining frowned at him, instinctively disliking him; these days the Jin family had been pressing them hard, and he suspected it was at the instigation of this good younger cousin of his, who had been separated by only a few hours.

Thinking of the previous proxy marriage, Ye Zining shook his head and understood.

Could it be that all Ye Yu Ci needs is an apology?

"Linfeng, wait a moment… I see Ye Yu Ci's younger brother."

Having already heard from Ye Zining about the Jin family's forcible demand for a proxy marriage, Duan Linfeng responded, and as he followed Ye Zining's retreating back, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he fixed his gaze on Ye Yu Ci, who stood with downcast eyes, fingering the measuring tape.

I had thought him a powerful and selfish person, but unexpectedly he is this coldly splendid and noble, no less than the capital's aristocratic youths.

"Ye Yu Ci, you're here too," Ye Zining said somewhat stiffly, standing a few steps away from him, his eyes still wary.

Ye Yu Ci lifted his slender phoenix eyes, glanced lightly at Ye Zining, and was extremely cold.

"It turns out you're my older cousin."

Ye Yu Ci's smile warmed, and his earlier cold gaze seemed merely Ye Zining's illusion.

But Ye Zining knew this person's inner nature was utterly malicious!

"Older cousin, have you taken a liking to any fabric here?"

Several gossiping glances came from around, for the Ye family had recently been the favorite topic after tea and meals; now seeing it unfold before them, how could these young ladies and gentlemen let it pass?

Ye Zining could only suppress his anger and say, "What happened before, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, it's all in the past," Ye Yu Ci said, warmth rippling in his eyes, smiling, "My husband's health has improved greatly; I must also thank older cousin for his kindness."

Ye Zining: "……"

You're full of bullshit.

If you really wanted to thank me, you wouldn't be secretly tripping up the Ye family behind the scenes?!

The attendant fetched the great coat, saw Ye Zining and Ye Yu Ci talking, and said, "Young lady, this is what this customer wants."

"I'll do it."

Ye Yu Ci set down the measuring tape wound around his fingertips, took up the great coat, smiled at Ye Zining, and said, "Older cousin, try it on."

Ye Zining looked at him strangely, thinking, "This person must be crazy."

"All right."

Putting on the great coat, Ye Zining also felt it was not bad, and he looked expectantly at Duan Linfeng; seeing his fervent gaze, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

"It suits you very well," Duan Linfeng said, his gaze returning to Ye Zining as he smiled and praised.

Ye Yu Ci stood behind Ye Zining; Youyou glanced toward Duan Linfeng, and in his phoenix eyes a fierce hatred flared up, then slowly lowered.

His cold, beautiful visage hid in the dim corner, like a ghost or a specter.

"Ah!"

Ye Zining suddenly cried out in pain, his expression anguished; amidst the astonished gazes of the onlookers, he hastily unfastened the coat's ties, "What is this?!"

He rarely lost his composure like this, but now he couldn't care less.

It was only because, after putting on the great coat, a sharp, needle-like pain stabbed his back and chest!

Ye Yu Ci walked over, puzzled, and said, "Older cousin, what's wrong?"

"Ye Yu Ci, what did you hide in this clothing? Needles? Are you deliberately trying to harm me?" Ye Zining's face turned livid with anger, and losing composure in front of Duan Linfeng made him even more embarrassed.

Ye Yu Ci crouched, picked up the great coat, examined it inside and out several times, and looked at Ye Zining in bewilderment, "There's nothing there, older cousin—what are you talking about?"

He then let the nearest customer feel the sleeve.

"Yes, there's nothing, no needles at all." That customer gave Ye Zining a strange look and said, "Master Ye, perhaps you're mistaken?"

Duan Linfeng felt something was off, and gently asked Ye Yucí to take a look.

Ye Yucí gave the cloak to the attendant, and Duan Linfeng took it back; the fabric was smooth—there wasn't even a thread end, let alone a silver needle.

But Ye Zining felt a dense, tingling chill on her back, perhaps even bleeding.

Could it be that Young Master Ye did this on purpose?

You really shouldn't say that; they might be targeting Madam Jin, but it's not certain.

Maybe they can't afford it; this cloak isn't cheap, the Ye family these days... tsk tsk.

Ye Zining heard the gossip nearby, instantly flew into a rage, and fiercely glared at Ye Yucí.

Duan Linfeng frowned, took Ye Zining's wrist, and coaxed, 'All right, Zining, I heard there's a flower shop not far away; let's go sit there.'

But saying that, Ye Zining inexplicably felt she was being unreasonable.

'Linfeng, I'm not talking nonsense—this clothing really has a problem,' Ye Zining said, voice hurt.

Suddenly a path opened at the doorway.

What a lively day today.

Jin Chen walked in holding several stems of flowers, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

His fox-fur robe was warm and lustrous, his brows and eyes proud and noble; holding the flowers, he looked like a little prince who had stepped out of a painting.

Jin Chen suddenly saw this scene and exclaimed, 'What are you doing? Our ready-made clothing shop is no place for exchanging feelings.'

Ye Zining hastily let go, secretly feeling annoyed.

Duan Linfeng also stepped back half a step, looking at the newcomer with some astonishment.

Husband.

Seeing Duan Linfeng's gaze turn to Jin Chen, Ye Yucí called out, instantly drawing Jin Chen's attention.

'Eh, here I am, here I am.'

Jin Chen grinned and shoved all the flowers in his hand into Ye Yucí's hands, saying, 'I just went to the east city flower shop; I thought these flowers would suit you.'

'Ah Ci, what's wrong with you?'

Ye Yucí lowered the corners of her eyes, took Jin Chen's hand, and said, 'Cousin said the clothing has a problem.'

The attendant again held the cloak, letting Jin Chen feel it.

'There is a problem.'

Jin Chen nodded, glanced nonchalantly at Ye Zining, and said, 'I suggest going to the medical clinic; maybe you've contracted some skin disease.'

Ye Zining: '……'