That night when they set up camp to rest, Zhao Jingwen said, "Third Son has such a soft heart."
Ye Suijin refused to listen to the slanderous words of the evil concubine and said directly, "Can you not tell the difference between having a soft heart and having a benevolent heart?"
Zhao Jingwen was left speechless by this retort.
For some reason lately, he found that disparaging the Ye clan didn't sit quite right with Ye Suijin anymore.
Things weren't always this way.
Ye Suijin scoffed, "If Third Brother was just soft-hearted, he wouldn't be able to wield his blade. Did you see any hesitation when he swung his sword? There was none."
And that was exactly why Zhao Jingwen didn't want Ye Suijin to think highly of Third Son Ye.
Third Son Ye was steady and calm. If it wasn't for the strange relationship between his father Ye Lao Si and Ye Suijin, he might have become the younger brother Ye Suijin relied on most.
Zhao Jingwen didn't want to see that happen. He hoped Ye Suijin would continue to be wary and suspicious of the Ye clan members.
That way, she would rely on him more.
After all, they were husband and wife.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly heard Ye Suijin sigh, "You and I are both ruthless people..."
He looked up. Ye Suijin was taking off her outer robe. He laughed and said, "Why say something like that all of a sudden?"
Ye Suijin said, "It's true."
Zhao Jingwen's ruthlessness was perhaps innate.
Ye Suijin's ruthlessness had been slowly forced out over time, from seeing far too much, until her heart grew cold and hardened, no longer softening easily.
In comparison, Third Son Ye's sincerity made people feel such warmth.
But Ye Suijin suddenly remembered Wu Shi's resentment before her death.
She had said, "You two, husband and wife...so vicious..."
What had she meant by that?
Ye Suijin froze.
The thought flashed by in an instant, with no possible answer, so Ye Suijin discarded it.
"That Xing Ma De guy will definitely stir up trouble. We'll have to keep an eye on him when we get back," she said.
Ye Suijin's group did not immediately return to Ye Castle after leaving. They went from Ye Castle to Neixiang County, then to Rang County, and finally Nanyang County, continuing to patrol and set up camp, training the younger brothers while overseeing the summer harvest throughout Deng Prefecture.
For the wandering refugees who caused disturbances each time, they only killed the ringleaders, and had the younger brothers take turns escorting the rest to Ye Castle. Once delivered, they would quickly catch up on fast horses to continue patrolling.
By the time they returned to Ye Castle, it was already June 24th, and the summer harvest was nearing its end.
Despite a few minor gang disturbances, there were no large scale uprisings, because Ye Castle had shown its ruthlessness, hanging the slashed corpses of the perpetrators at the city gates of Neixiang County and Rang County for all to see.
Compared to what Ye Suijin remembered from that year, it was relatively "peaceful" this time.
Ye Castle's reputation in Deng Prefecture was also much greater than before.
The expressions in the eyes of the rural people all along their journey back were different this time. The fear and awe were obvious.
Not just the common people, even the Ye clan members looked at this group of young people returning from patrol differently now.
Fourth Uncle Ye led everyone to greet them. His gaze toward Ye Suijin no longer held the defiance from before.
The sons and nephews had taken turns escorting the refugees back and passed along Ye Suijin's instructions. Ye Suijin's actions and plans while away, the important people back at the castle all knew about now.
The young female lord of the castle stood tall in everyone's hearts, her prestige rising to an unprecedented level.
Ye Suijin pretended not to notice. She dismounted, threw down the reins, and cheerfully called out, "Fourth Uncle, we're back!"
It was as if all the previous contention, friction, grudges and suspicions didn't exist. She was just a junior facing her close elder.
Even Fourth Uncle Ye was startled for a moment.
The clan brothers standing beside him quietly kicked him, and Fourth Uncle Ye came to his senses, but he was used to contending with Ye Suijin and couldn't adjust right away. He could only stiffly nod, "Mm, you're back."
After the murmured agreement, feeling his attitude was too cold compared to Ye Suijin's, he awkwardly added, "Good you returned safely."
This time, all the young people Ye Suijin had brought along were her peers, under the pretext of "giving the younger brothers a chance to train." In truth, she was worried the elders like Fourth Uncle would be too constrained dealing with officials, holding them back.
Those "officials" were deeply ingrained in the elders' minds. Even if the circumstances were different now, the long-instilled sense of awe would be difficult to shake off immediately.
The young people were much better. Newly entering the world, they had fewer restraints. With Ye Suijin leading the brothers, killing decisively and shedding blood, their awe of the imperial officials was completely erased.
Now when they saw a county magistrate, they could meet his gaze evenly. They no longer felt those county officials were of higher status than them, the Ye clan sons.
Two of Fourth Uncle Ye's sons stood behind Ye Suijin.
Seeing their father's stiff attitude, Third Son Ye lowered his head to rub his temples while Fifth Son Ye rolled his eyes skyward.
Ye Suijin's expression remained unchanged, still wearing a smile. She greeted everyone, then gestured for them to make way. The crowd parted and Fourth Uncle Ye walked alongside her toward the interior.
Fourth Uncle Ye asked, "More captives brought back? How many this time?"
Ye Suijin said, "Not many, only six including the ringleaders."
Fourth Uncle Ye was surprised. "The ringleaders weren't killed this time?"
"They weren't killed," Ye Suijin explained. "They were stealing, not robbing."
Fourth Uncle Ye was very satisfied.
When Ye Suijin had ordered the notice "Robbers of grain be beheaded! Rebels be slain! Those who deceive and incite riots be sliced and exposed for ten days!" spread throughout Deng Prefecture, he had been worried. Worried she was too young and fierce in word only. If unable to follow through with actions, it would become a joke and make Ye Castle look weak.
He didn't expect Ye Suijin to fully execute that order on this trip out. The feedback from the children showed that not just the local people, even the wandering refugees shuddered at the name Ye Castle now. Those who still dared openly rob food must have no fear of death.
Fourth Uncle Ye had already faintly sensed that Ye Castle's power now far surpassed the counties.
But compared to the southern Yangtze River region, the north central plains had remained relatively intact until now. Perhaps the new emperor simply hadn't had time to spare his hands here yet. What if the imperial court regained stability and new appointment letters arrived, acknowledging these remaining officials?
It would be awkward then.
Thus Fourth Uncle Ye had always hesitated, not yet acting. And because of his poor relations with Ye Suijin, he had never brought up this idea to her either.
He didn't expect Ye Suijin to have somehow realized it on her own this year. Not only did she understand, she dared to take action.
The young were indeed more impulsive.
No choice but to admit one's elderly limits.
As they walked, Fourth Uncle Ye briefed Ye Suijin on the various affairs at Ye Castle during her absence.
Ye Suijin listened attentively, continuously nodding.
"With Fourth Uncle here," she said with a smile, "I have no worries."
Fourth Uncle Ye still felt awkward.
The truth was, the bitter medicine Ye Suijin had forced down their throats that time had torn their familial bonds.
Fourth Uncle Ye still felt he had done no wrong. Letting a woman inherit the family business, wouldn't that lead to a change of surname? No Ye clan member could accept that.
Talk of marrying her off or having her take the maternal line was too naive. She didn't understand men's attachment to their surname, the importance of continuing the ancestral line over three generations.
But Fourth Uncle Ye also hadn't expected Ye Suijin to be so fiercely uncompromising, willing to renounce childbirth rather than let go of Ye Castle.
In any case, words now were useless.
What was done was done.
Yet now Ye Suijin seemed to be making overtures toward him? Her attitude had always been hard as bone before.
Ye Suijin said, "When I used to go out with Father, he would always say with Fourth Uncle guarding the home, his heart was at ease no matter how far he traveled. It's the same for me."
As she spoke, she strode across the threshold into the great hall, not looking at Fourth Uncle Ye.
Fourth Uncle Ye's steps faltered as a hard to describe anguish welled up in his heart. Taking advantage of stepping over the threshold, he surreptitiously brushed a hand over his eyes as if just casually wiping sweat, before hurrying to catch up.
Everyone sat in the hall for discussion. Each had their own matters to report, more detailed than Fourth Uncle Ye's earlier summary.
Ye Suijin listened carefully, giving affirmation or correction. When everything had been said, she asked, "What has become of the people sent back previously?"
Mr. Yang said, "All was done as you instructed. We had them repair the walls and dig drainage ditches to fix up the places around the castle that needed work. For meals, we only gave them three-tenths rations, so they wouldn't have the energy to run off."
This was clearly how prisoners of war were treated, but appropriate for the situation.
Mr. Yang approved.
Ye Suijin said, "Three-tenths is enough. Right now many people outside are also just getting by on three-tenths rations. It's pitiful, but after all, when people leave their home soil behind, their value decreases."
At this time, everyone sighed, "That's right."
So they must defend this land. Ye Family Fort had to be well managed and operated.
Mr. Yang asked, "What are the plans for these people next, Fort Lord?"
They couldn't be locked up in Ye Family Fort for a lifetime, and killing them all was also unrealistic.
But before leaving, Ye Suijin said she had some ideas that she hadn't sorted out the details yet. She had to go out and see the external situation before making plans when she came back. And now she had returned.
"I've figured it out," Ye Suijin had been out for half a month, both to observe the current situation and gather her memories to organize her thoughts.
These days were enough for her to think it through about what to do next. She had it all thought out now.
"Let's do this for today. Tomorrow I'll discuss the details with Mr. Yang and Fourth Uncle," she said, "Everyone just got back. Go get some rest first."
Indeed, they were all travel-worn. The land of Henan was vast. Even when riding a horse, they had to wear face veils, otherwise after a swift day of riding, their nostrils would be black.
The crowd dispersed.
Ye Suijin called Mr. Yang to stay behind and asked him again, "Any news about the map?"
This puzzled Mr. Yang even more than the first time.
"What news could there be?" He spread out his hands, "It can't just pop up on its own, can it?"
But it did just pop up on its own!
How could it still not pop up? Where was it hiding? Why couldn't she remember?
Ye Suijin clenched her fists in frustration.
If you're gonna pop up, then be quick about it!
Leaving the great hall, people chatted with each other in groups of threes and twos. Those who went on the trip told those who didn't all about their experiences, with great excitement. And the listeners were also fascinated and invigorated.
"From now on, no one in Deng Prefecture would dare look down on us!"
"That's right!"
There was a vibrant energy. This was the living Ye Family Fort.
Ye Suijin smiled subtly.
As her gaze turned, she noticed a hint of smile in Zhao Jingwen's eyes. She cocked her brows, "What are you smiling about?"
Zhao Jingwen moved closer to her and said in a low voice, "Mr. Yang called you Fort Lord."
Mr. Yang addressed her as Fort Lord, and no longer Little Fort Lord.
On this trip, she had finally become the true leader in Mr. Yang's heart.
In the past, she was merely "the orphan left behind by the late Fort Lord". Perhaps even until Mr. Yang was completely disappointed and left, she would still just be her father's daughter, and not a leader he was willing to serve.
Ye Suijin lowered her eyes, then looked up.
There was no need to be trapped in the past. Otherwise, what would be the point of rebirth? The road ahead was still long.
She would no longer take those wrong turns and detours.
Her loved ones would not let her down, and talents would not be wasted.
Ye Suijin strode forward, with Zhao Jingwen following her.
In the courtyard under the corridor, Duan Jin and Tenth Son were talking. The two boys of similar age were both handsome. It was pleasing to the eye to see them.
Especially on this trip, both of them performed outstandingly, which was gratifying.
Ye Suijin walked by with a smile, not wanting to disturb them. But she overheard Tenth Son say, "...something must be wrong with the horse's leg. I felt like his right foreleg lacked power all the way back."
Duan Jin said, "Then don't delay. Go let Xu Quèzi take a look right away. Don't let a small problem become serious and hard to treat."
Ye Suijin took two more steps forward, then suddenly stopped and turned around. It was as if a flash of light went off in her mind.
"A-Jin—" she called out.
Duan Jin immediately bounced over, "Master!"
"Who?"
"Huh?"
"Who did you just mention?"
"I didn't mention anyone...Tenth Son?"
"No, the other one, who?"
"...Xu Quèzi?"
Ye Suijin clenched her fist in realization!
She knew it! The map must be somewhere close by!
It must be hiding somewhere, just waiting to pop out and jump in front of her!
