Chapter 106: Perhaps, the Young Master Has Not Yet Lost!

That very day, after the impeachment meeting of the noble family concluded, the Matriarch, leaning on her cane, entered the office and took a seat. Jiang Yingxia, accompanied by Zhao Shanhe, swiftly followed inside.

Upon seeing the Matriarch's unrelenting fury, Jiang Yingxia knelt without hesitation, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, "Matriarch, your actions are far too heartless! No matter how Tianlin behaves, he is still your own grandson. How can you allow others to openly snatch away his rightful position as Young Master?"

"What intentions has Elder Ye harbored all these years? You are well aware of them. By doing so, aren't you simply benefiting that Ye Tiancheng?" Jiang Yingxia cried bitterly, her spirits plummeting to the depths.

The Matriarch slammed her hand on the table and snapped, "Do you think I want things to end up this way? It’s because of that scoundrel Ye Tianlin, refusing to heed my orders, stubbornly breaking free from my control. He fancies himself capable, but in truth, he is utterly incompetent!"

Wiping her tears, Jiang Yingxia responded, "Is it just because Tianlin disobeyed you that you can treat him this way, banishing him from the Ye family?"

The Matriarch’s voice grew stern, "He deserves to suffer and experience the bitterness of losing everything. Besides, what’s done is done; the decree cannot be revoked. I, an old woman, must stand by my word!"

"This is terribly unfair to Tianlin!" Jiang Yingxia protested.

Before she could finish, Elder Ye abruptly pushed the door open, followed closely by Ye Tiancheng, the newly appointed Young Master. Without any preamble, Elder Ye declared, "Jiang Yingxia, as a mother, it’s understandable you defend Ye Tianlin. But you must face facts: rules are necessary to maintain order. For the Ye family to advance, the capable must take the lead."

Ye Tiancheng chimed in, "Exactly. This mess is the result of Ye Tianlin’s own making. If he hadn’t broken the family rules, he wouldn’t have ended up like this. So, the Matriarch’s decision is absolutely correct."

Jiang Yingxia was nearly livid with rage at their words.

The Matriarch’s expression darkened, though inwardly she shared the same displeasure. Yet this time, she was truly helpless; Ye Tianlin’s misdeeds had been exposed, and in front of so many, he obstinately refused to admit fault.

The Ye family had endured for generations, not only because of its vast foundation but also due to its strict family rules, which had propelled it to its current stature. Anyone within the Ye family must abide by these rules. Though the Matriarch wielded great power, she too was bound by them. There was no alternative.

Moreover, Elder Ye’s status was formidable, with immense influence. Any conflict stirred by this could only end badly.

Thinking this over, the Matriarch felt deeply aggrieved, silently cursing both Ye Tianlin and Su Rulan hundreds of times over in her heart.

"Given how things have unfolded, this is clearly the best outcome. But the urgent matter now is not Ye Tianlin’s issue—it’s the cooperation with the Hong family overseas," Elder Ye shifted the subject.

The Matriarch nodded slightly, signaling him to continue. "What’s your view on the cooperation with the Hong family?"

Elder Ye smoothed his white beard and smiled, "What other view could there be? It’s all benefit and no harm. If the collaboration proceeds smoothly, the Ye family will leap forward, forcing even the capital’s financial conglomerates to yield."

Mid-sentence, Elder Ye paused, then turned toward Ye Tiancheng and personally recommended, "Now that Tiancheng has just been appointed Young Master, this is a perfect opportunity. Why not assign the entire overseas cooperation with the Hong family to him? It will help him establish a solid foundation."

The Matriarch hesitated, inwardly resisting, but the situation was settled. Despite her reluctance, she nodded and said, "Very well, you shall take full responsibility for the cooperation with the Hong family."

"Thank you, Matriarch!" Ye Tiancheng felt elated, performing an elaborate bow with perfectly staged reverence. He thought to himself how effortlessly this had come to him—Ye Tianlin, for the sake of a mere woman, was willing to lose everything, inadvertently clearing the way for him to claim the position he had long coveted. It was exhilarating.

Jiang Yingxia’s face turned pale, overwhelmed by desolation and creeping despair. She shakily rose, resembling a defeated soul at the end of the curtain, and with Zhao Shanhe’s support, she staggered out in a daze.

Seeing Jiang Yingxia so shaken, Zhao Shanhe quickly led her to the lounge, personally poured a cup of hot tea, and respectfully handed it to her. With a sigh, he said, "Mistress, have some tea first to steady your nerves. Don’t let your health suffer from the shock."

Jiang Yingxia accepted the cup, her hands trembling uncontrollably. "Tianlin has lost completely. Did you see the look on Elder Ye’s and Ye Tiancheng’s faces just now? It was as if they couldn’t wait to flaunt it in my face!"

Zhao Shanhe recalled Ye Tianlin’s last words before leaving, clenched his fists slowly, and said in a low voice, "Maybe... the Young Master hasn’t really lost yet."

"Why do you say that?" Jiang Yingxia shook her head, unable to see any glimmer of hope.

Swallowing, Zhao Shanhe took a deep breath and replied, "I can’t quite explain it, but my instinct tells me that the Young Master is far more complicated than we realize. Perhaps we’ve all underestimated him."