Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1190 - 1179: The Wealthy Merchant

Ye Cheng stood speechless, gazing at the martial arts drills before him. Had he not personally recruited these individuals, he might have assumed his elder brother had swapped them out for an entirely new contingent.

But in essence, wasn't this a new group altogether? The soldiers presenting a formidable and spirited front bore no resemblance to the impoverished, downtrodden souls from just a month prior.

Most striking were their eyes; they now shimmered with the light of survival and an unshakeable combat spirit. Ye Cheng felt a genuine sense of awe towards his brother. How had he accomplished such a transformation?

"Second Master, the Family Head is inside," a captain from the ranks stepped forward to report.

Ye Cheng appeared puzzled, asking, "How did you recognize me?"

"Reporting to Second Master, the Family Head provided your likeness. Shall I escort you in?"

"There's no need. Continue your drills. I will locate my brother myself." Ye Cheng proceeded, still in a state of disbelief; he had been present during the initial construction, so why did it appear so vastly different from his recollections?

The structures remained the same, yet the overall ambiance had undergone a complete metamorphosis. Most significantly, the vitality and morale of the people had shifted; their gazes were no longer vacant, and they no longer passively pleaded for sustenance. Even the children playing roadside were filled with laughter and cheer, a stark contrast to their prior demeanor of quiet fear.

The women within the stockade busied themselves with various tasks in an orderly fashion, their conversations revolving around their husbands and the best locations for foraging wild vegetables in the mountains.

Upon his approach, they all offered him greetings imbued with sincere respect.

A swirling unease, akin to ants crawling in his gut, consumed Ye Cheng; he was consumed by the burning desire to comprehend how his brother had so thoroughly remolded these people in a mere month. Were he told that they had all been raised in opulence and received meticulous education, he would readily believe it.

"What brings you here?" Ye Qiu emerged from the interior, flanked by two young boys, appearing to be around twelve or thirteen years of age. Their eyes held a keen sharpness, and upon spotting Ye Cheng, they executed a cupped-fist salute.

"Ye Mo, Ye Sen, greet Second Master."

The remarkable presence radiating from these two boys was undeniable. Were it not for their striking resemblance, Ye Cheng might not have identified them. He recalled that among the recruits he had personally selected, there was but a single pair of twins – two orphans who were mere skin and bones at the time, technically not meeting Ye Cheng's recruitment criteria.

However, a potent will to survive gleamed in their eyes, prompting Ye Cheng to waver. He had reasoned that if his brother had no use for them, he would keep them as errand boys, never imagining that in just a month, they would be nearly unrecognizable!

Not only had they gained weight and filled out, but their eyes had also acquired a resilient quality, utterly unlike children of their tender age.

Ye Cheng offered a smile tinged with relief, commenting, "Not bad. They've been well-cared for."

Ye Qiu nodded with evident satisfaction, stating, "You possess a discerning eye; Ye Mo and Ye Sen show exceptional talent."

Ye Cheng's happiness surged, responding, "I am pleased you are satisfied, Eldest Brother. The recruitment efforts continue; we have nearly depleted the available pool in Jing'an City, so acquiring individuals from beyond its borders may require some time."

"Hmm, your diligence is commendable, but is this matter significant enough to warrant your personal report?"

At these words, Ye Cheng's countenance darkened, and he lowered his head, a mixture of frustration and remorse clouding his features, "Eldest Brother, I am here to confess my error."

"Ye Lu has absconded?" Ye Qiu's expression remained unperturbed.

Ye Cheng felt an even deeper sense of shame, replying, "Eldest Brother, did you anticipate this? It was entirely due to my negligence. I presumed that as a legitimate young lady of the Ye Family, she would consider the broader implications and refrain from such a bold move. You cautioned me beforehand, yet I disregarded your counsel. Eldest Brother, I beg your punishment."

Ye Qiu regarded his younger brother's contrite expression and let out a faint sigh, remarking, "It is commendable that you acknowledge your mistake. Bear in mind, we are engaged in a grand endeavor—a contest against adversaries of every stripe. Even the most minuscule oversight can prove fatal. Henceforth, never underestimate anyone, regardless of how trivial or familiar they may seem, should even a shred of suspicion arise in your heart."

"Yes, Eldest Brother, I understand." This time, Ye Cheng truly grasped the gravity of his underestimation and its potential ramifications, vowing never to repeat such a lapse.

Observing the sincerity in his younger brother's eyes, Ye Qiu recognized that Ye Cheng had absorbed the lesson, validating his decision not to confront Ye Lu directly. Though Ye Lu might pose future challenges, a loyal, thorough, and cautious younger brother held far greater value to him.

"And what of our stepmother?"

"She departed as well, absconding with their private assets. Fortunately, Eldest Brother had instructed me to maintain surveillance on the Li Family's associates, thus preventing them from seizing any further valuables."

"The business operations remained unaffected, did they not?"

"No, and as per your directives, we have initiated the transition from overt to covert operations. I have also made arrangements for the clansmen; should individuals from Prince Donghe or Prince Linsan arrive seeking retribution, we will have ample opportunity to relocate."

"You have performed admirably. Should the need arise and I am unable to return in time, you may seek assistance from City Lord Liu."

Ye Cheng appeared startled, questioning, "City Lord Liu? Will he truly assist us?"

"Even if reluctant, he will have no alternative. Prince Donghe no longer harbors trust in him, and a new City Lord is likely to assume office soon. Ensure vigilant observation; if any envoy dispatched by Prince Donghe is detected, immediately assume the guise of mountain bandits to intercept them. Furthermore, propagate the narrative that our stepmother and third sister met their demise at the hands of bandits while journeying to the temple outside the city to offer incense."

Ye Cheng paused, his lips parting slightly, before ultimately nodding in agreement. "Eldest Brother, I assure you, no aspect of your instructions this time will falter."

"Following the dissemination of the news regarding our stepmother and third sister being killed by bandits, proceed with a funeral ceremony and notify the clansmen. Should any individuals resembling them be encountered in the future, they are strictly forbidden from acknowledging them. The Li Family and Ye Lu are effectively deceased; any who approach them are to be treated as enemy spies and shown no leniency."

"Understood. I comprehend."

Simultaneously, Ye Lu and her mother, Li Dezhen, were seated within a jolting carriage. Ye Lu periodically lifted the curtain to glance backward, a mix of apprehension towards potential pursuers and a flicker of hope for someone to catch up mingling within her.

She harbored no regrets concerning her departure from home, nor did she lament following Prince Linsan's retainers to Lishan Prefecture of her own volition. This was because she firmly believed that in this world, Prince Linsan stood as the true protagonist. It was only by clinging steadfastly to him that she could anticipate a life unburdened by constraints amidst this tumultuous era.

She grasped the established norm of the ancient world where a concubine could be elevated to the status of a wife. Yet, she herself had been a mere concubine, not an officially recognized wife, so to her, what meaningful difference did the distinction truly hold?

Ultimately, only absolute triumph constituted victory. She held unwavering faith that with her allure, her prescient knowledge of the unfolding plot, and her foresight into future events, she was destined to capture Prince Linsan's regard. Thus, she was unyieldingly resolved to supplant the genuine heroine and ascend to the position of the most pivotal woman in Prince Linsan's life.

As for the Ye Family, it wasn't a matter of her lacking sentiment, but rather that her eldest brother had proven far too naive, harboring suspicions against her long before. Consequently, she could not be held accountable for her failure to issue a warning.

She mused internally: if her eldest brother had arrived in time and resolved to bequeath all the family's assets, aligning himself with Prince Linsan's cause, she might have found it within herself to forgive and forget. However, should he choose to abandon her or dispatch individuals to forcibly retrieve her, she would be compelled to unequivocally prioritize her own self-interest.