“Glup…”

Ye Cheng greedily stared at the jade pendant, unable to resist swallowing.

It wasn’t just an ordinary jade pendant.

It represented the future identity of the Prince Consort!

“What do you mean by that?”

Ye Cheng took a deep breath, his expression wary as he asked.

“This is my question now,” Ye Chuan said, holding the jade pendant, his gaze sharp as he fixed his eyes on Ye Cheng. “Think carefully before you speak. You only have one chance.”

“Fine!”

Ye Cheng, lacking the deep scheming of his mother and the sharp intelligence of his younger brother, couldn’t resist the temptation. Greedily, he nodded.

“Good.”

Ye Chuan smiled and nodded. “I can give it to you.”

“Really?”

Ye Cheng was first filled with excitement, but then quickly became cautious, glaring at Ye Chuan. “What’s your game?”

“Don’t be nervous,” Ye Chuan said with a slight smile. “I never said it was free. You’ll have to trade for it.”

“Trade for it?”

“Her contract of sale,” Ye Chuan pointed to Ye Ying’er standing beside him.

Ye Cheng froze for a moment, then a look of realization flashed across his face, and he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I never would have guessed, never would have guessed, that you, this damn thing, would actually be so loyal!”

But then his expression darkened, and he viciously glared at Ye Ying’er. “You traitorous bitch! I knew you would betray me!”

Ye Ying’er, long oppressed by the domineering ways of their mother and son, trembled, her face turning pale.

Ye Chuan’s expression turned cold. He stood up abruptly, walking toward Ye Cheng in large strides, lifting his right hand.

“What do you want to do?”

Ye Cheng instinctively tried to dodge.

“If you want the jade pendant, don’t move!” Ye Chuan shouted sharply, freezing Ye Cheng in place.

“Smack!”

The crisp sound of a slap echoed as Ye Chuan’s hand landed on Ye Cheng’s right cheek.

How many times was this now?!

Ye Cheng clutched his already swelling cheek, furiously screaming, “Ye Chuan, I’ll kill you, you bastard with a father but no mother!”

“Heh…”

Ye Chuan’s lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes gleaming with malice.

“Bang!”

Without warning, he threw a punch straight into Ye Cheng’s nose.

Ye Cheng let out a miserable scream as blood instantly poured from his face. Dazed, his legs wobbled, and he collapsed to the floor.

Ye Chuan didn’t stop. He rushed forward and pressed Ye Cheng’s head to the ground, beating him mercilessly.

“Ah!!”

“Howl!!”

“Ye Chuan, how dare you hit me! Father won’t let you get away with this!”

Ye Cheng screamed in pain while still trying to threaten.

“Then scream louder!” Ye Chuan growled, his fists hammering down relentlessly on Ye Cheng’s head.

“Call that old man out here and let’s see how he won’t get even with me!”

“Stubborn, huh?”

“You’re really something, huh?”

“Just like a bitch, always begging for trouble!”

As Ye Chuan continued to strike, Ye Cheng howled in pain, crying out for his father.

Ye Ying’er watched in shock, her hand clamped over her mouth in horror.

It seemed like the Third Young Master had changed completely. He was no longer the harmless person he once was…

But… if this continues, someone might die!

As Ye Ying’er stood frozen with fear, suddenly, an exclamation came from outside.

“The Second Young Master is back!”

Ye Ying’er flinched.

It was Ye Ren!

The second son of Zhao Shi.

If there was anyone Ye Ying’er feared most in the Ye family, it was Zhao Shi, followed closely by Ye Ren.

Compared to Ye Ren, Ye Cheng seemed like a fool!

The Ye family had several businesses in other places, and Ye Ren had gone to collect money from them. By coincidence, he had just returned.

Just as Ye Ying’er was thinking this, a well-dressed young master strode confidently into the main hall.

This person looked somewhat similar to Ye Cheng, his features sharp, and his stature tall, nearly as tall as Ye Chuan. He had an air of grace about him.

“Second Brother!”

“Second Brother, you’re finally back!”

“Ye Chuan, this little bastard has gone mad!”

“Quick! Help Big Brother beat him to death!”

Ye Cheng, seeing Ye Ren, seemed to have found his savior. He screamed hysterically.

Ye Chuan stopped his assault, calmly clapping his hands, not even sparing Ye Ren a glance.

Ye Ren furrowed his brows, his face dark, scanning the situation in the room. His gaze shifted from Ye Ying’er to Ye Chuan and then finally to Ye Cheng. Coldly, he spoke, “Third Brother, I need an explanation.”

“Explanation?”

Ye Chuan smiled nonchalantly. “He deserves a beating. I’m just teaching him a lesson for your mother. Is that explanation good enough?”

Ye Ren’s face darkened further, but a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had just returned and didn’t know what had happened this morning. All he knew was that Ye Chuan, this person worse than a dog, seemed to have become someone else!

“What’s going on?”

At this moment, Zhao Shi received a report from the servants and hurriedly entered.

Since Ye Zhenghuai had been greatly angered this morning and was still resting in his room, the servants dared not disturb him and only reported to Zhao Shi.

“Ah! Cheng’er!”

Zhao Shi entered and immediately saw her precious eldest son lying on the floor, beaten badly. She rushed over and helped him up.

“Cheng’er, what happened? Are your injuries serious?”

Zhao Shi was heartbroken, almost on the verge of tears.

“Mother, that little slut betrayed me!”

Ye Cheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face full of resentment. His teeth gritted as he said, “Ye Chuan, this little bastard came back to take her sale contract!”

“Ye Chuan!”

Zhao Shi was furious, and she turned to glare at Ye Chuan with malice. “You dare touch my son? I’ll make you pay with your life!”

“And you, you little slut!”

“How dare you have second thoughts? Do you think this useless piece of trash can protect you?”

“Guards, take these two dogs down!”

With Ye Zhenghuai not around, Zhao Shi didn’t even bother to pretend to act.

Ye Ying’er, terrified, could only cower behind Ye Chuan.

Meanwhile, Ye Ren stood silently, his brows furrowed, his expression unreadable.

He had just returned and was still confused about how things had escalated so quickly.

Ye Cheng and Ye Ying’er had always been at the mercy of their mother and brother. How had they suddenly developed the courage to resist?

Seven or eight servants rushed in, surrounding Ye Chuan and Ye Ying’er, but each one hesitated, unwilling to take the first step.

After all, from the events of this morning until now, the Third Young Master, who had once been meek, had suddenly changed into someone vicious and unyielding. The servants were all somewhat intimidated.

Ye Chuan scanned the room calmly, unfazed. He slowly raised the jade pendant in his hand.

“So, you don’t want this anymore?”

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Ye Ren.

Zhao Shi’s eyes flickered, her face betraying her greed.

Ye Ren’s pupils contracted.

This… this is the jade pendant given by the Empress for the marriage contract?

Seeing the expressions of his mother and eldest brother, Ye Ren narrowed his eyes. In his mind, the truth was already forming.

While he had been away, his mother and elder brother must have set their sights on the Prince Consort position and intended to seize Ye Chuan’s jade pendant and replace him with Ye Cheng!

No wonder Ye Chuan had fought back…

Interesting…

Ye Ren’s face grew a bit more complicated, not looking very pleasant.

A thought uncontrollably crossed his mind.

Why had his mother and elder brother chosen to do this while he was away?

There could only be one future Prince Consort.

But his mother had two sons!

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