The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

Chapter 197

Mango seemed to realize something as she looked into Madam Ye's eyes. Thus, the old lady smiled in relief as she realized that her daughter-in-law was a very intelligent woman.

She patted the back of Mango's hand and she said softly, "This is an item that symbolizes the matriarch of the Ye Family. Make sure to keep it safe. Many people have sworn loyalty to it."

"Many people? Like who...?"

"You are kind of impatient, girl."

With that, Madam Ye sighed softly and she handed the brocade box to Mango.

After that, Mango opened it and she saw that it was an old ring. The totem on it seemed to have another interpretation, it radiated with both humility and a sense of nobility.

"This ring is half of a pair. The one you have is for the madam and Nathan has the other ring. It belongs to the head of the Ye family, but he has never worn it. The reason why I didn't give it to you five years ago is that I had no idea how long you and Nathan would last. Even then, it was obvious that you loved my son very much. As a mother, I was proud as well as happy about that. But as the matriarch of the Ye Family, I felt guilty and I blamed myself because I didn't know whether you were a good fit for my son."

Now, Madam Ye did not hold back her words. In the past, Mango might have been sad because of these words. However, since she had experienced so much, she did not feel sad. This was because she knew that what Madam Ye said to her were probably the secrets of the Ye Family which she failed to find in the past.

"Do you think I'm a good fit now?"

"It's not about whether or not you're not a good fit, it's about Nathan's approval. Nathan had told me before that he wanted to give up his identity as a member of the Ye Family just to be with you and your son. Nathan's actions made me understand his feelings. He was never a talkative child. Nick, however, was the exact opposite of him. He was expressive and easygoing. Nick lived simply according to his wishes, and he passed away just as simple."

When she spoke of Nick, Madam Ye's eyes were wet with tears.

She had lost her son before her hair was even grey. Surely that would be a tough pill to swallow for anyone.

Mango could not say much about her brother-in-law whom she had never met, but she could see that both Nathaniel and Madam Ye missed him very much.

"Mom, you can't bring someone back from the dead. There's no need to be sad."

"What if I told you that Nick was still alive?"

Clearly, Madam Ye's words stunned Mango.

"What?" "This is a Ye Family secret. Now that you are the madam of the Ye Family, I'll tell you this secret because I hope you can understand that Nick's safety is in your hands now."

Madam Ye grasped Mango's hand again.

At the time, her heart was so shocked that she couldn't accept it.

"But Nathan said..."

"Fie doesn't know either. Everyone thinks that Nick died sacrificing himself for the country, but only I and another person know that he is still alive. As for what he is doing now, you don't need to know.

All you need to know is that if one day Nick asks you for help, you must help him."

Obviously, Madam Ye didn't intend to make it clear to Mango about what Nick was doing.

Thus, Mango was very shocked, but she still nodded and obeyed.

The old lady looked at the ring in her hand and she said, "This ring is not only a symbol of your identity, but also your responsibility to protect the Ye Family. I know you're worried about Zion's disappearance. I'm also a mother, so I know how you feel. I don't know where Zion is now, but I can tell you that he is still alive. You can continue to search for him, but you need to do so in secret."

"But why?"

This, Mango did not understand.

Zion was her son, and also a true-born son of the Ye Family. Why did she need to be so sneaky?

Madam Ye sighed and she said, "There has to be someone in the Ye Family who grows up in the darkness. In Nathan's generation, that person was Nick. Now that Wisdom has been announced as the heir of the Ye Family, that can't be changed, so..."

At that, Mango seemed to understand something all of a sudden.

"Did you orchestrate Zion's disappearance?"

"To be precise, it was Nick who rescued Zion. As for where they went, I guess only Nick knows. Rest assured that he will nurture Zion well, and one day you will meet him again.""

"Mom, I don't understand. What's going on?" Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

Mango had never imagined that her missing son would be with her brother-in-law. What was more, her mother-in-law apparently even hid the truth from Nathaniel.

Then, Madam Ye whispered, "The Ye Family has always been working with both sides of the law for the past hundred years. Do you know why?"

"I don't know, isn't it because our family has deep roots in the community as well as extensive connections?"

"That's certainly one aspect, but those connections can change anytime, unless the hidden forces are our own."

Madam Ye knew that Mango was very smart. Thus, when she finished making her statement, Mango naturally understood.

"Do you mean that the hidden powers in Ocean City belongs to our family?"

"That's right!" After that, Madam Ye looked out the window as she whispered, "The Ye Family's always had twins for generations, be it either brother and sister or just brothers. But in each generation, one of those children will die. Do you know why?"

"Is it because they have to hide their identity and they have to work in secret in order to protect the Ye Family's background?"

Thus, Mango's thoughts were flying fast through her mind.

Madam Ye nodded in relief.

"During this generation, Nick was the first one to have children, but unfortunately, Macy only gave birth to one child, which was Wisdom. This fact complicated things, but Wisdom is definitely part of our family. As for why Macy did not have twins, it was because she mistakenly ate something wrong back then in another state. Thus, it caused the other child to be a stillbirth. Flowever, Wisdom was more survivable and devoured his own brother before he was born with difficulty, but then his own

health was affected as well. So, I never knew who to give the Ye Family's Dark Night Empire until you and Zion came along."

Madam Ye's words shocked Mango very much.

"The Dark Night Empire?"

"Yes, the Dark Night Empire and the Ye Family's roots are the same, so a strong heir is needed to inherit them. Previously, it was Nick, and now it is Zion because he is also a child of the Ye Family. In fact, from the moment you and Zion appeared and when Nathan told me that you were his wife, I knew that you had another child. Thus, I only found about about Rita after I did some investigating. She's precious as she is the only girl born in our Ye Family for the past hundred years. However, Rita has suffered enough, so she deserves to live openly as the daughter of the Ye family. Mango, please forgive me for taking Zion away without your permission. Setting him down this path in life is my fault, but I made this choice for the sake of the Ye family."

Madam Ye's eyes were full of guilt and self-blame, but they lacked regret.

Hence, Mango's emotions were very complicated. Truthfully, she did not expect that she would hear this, and things that evolved was completely out of her expectations.

Up until now, she always thought that Zion had been kidnapped. Furthermore, she worried every day about his current situation. However, Madam Ye had suddenly told her that Zion was safe and sound with her brother-in-law. Unfortunately, Zion would be living a very different life now and he would not be able to live openly for the rest of his life. Thus, Mango's heart was very sad.

"How could you? Mom, he's my son!"

Although Mango did not blame her too much, she sounded extremely angry and dissatisfied obviously.

That was right!

Who could tolerate their own child being treated like this?

After all, Zion was only four years old!

His life hadn't even begun, but it had already been predestined by other people.

What was more, perhaps Zion would never show his face to other people ever again. Mango did not even know if she would meet him ever again. Right now, she couldn't accept that having a son was equal to having no son.

Thus, Madam Ye naturally knew her grievances. She sighed and she said, ""I know you blame me, and maybe Nathan will blame me for this too. In the past, the Ye Family's Dark Night Empire was directly under the jurisdiction of the matriarch, and although the family knew about it, they were not involved. The family was only in charge of the public business, but the matriarch had to bear more responsibility, do you understand?"

At that, Mango frowned deeply.

"Mom, what do you mean by that?"

"From now on, all the power of the Dark Night Empire is yours, and this ring is a token. Since Nathan's father died young, I'm the one who handles both the business and the Dark Night Empire. As a woman, I'm exhausted, but I can't fall because there are still people who need me. Mango, I now leave the Dark Night Empire in your hands, as well as Nathan and the rest of the Ye Family."

Madam Ye looked at Mango solemnly, which suddenly made her feel sad.

"Mom, I don't understand, what's going on?"

"There are many important people in the Dark Night Empire. Our main function is as the country's intelligence acquisition organization. We're affiliated with the government. Do you understand?" As she heard that, Mango was surprised once again.

"You mean to say..."

"Why do you think the Ye Family has been standing for a hundred years? Both the Hans family and the Song family are well established in Ocean City and they are old families, but why can't they compare to us? That's because the Ye Family has been serving the from the very beginning, both overtly and covertly. The Dark Night Empire is very important, and the family members in charge must be people who are resilient. The position is not for just anyone to hold."

Madam Ye's acknowledgment of Mango's abilities was very firm, which shocked Mango very much.

"I didn't do anything, so why do you think I'm the right person for the responsibility?"

"Because Nathan thought you were right for him, and because you were sincere to him. The fire incident five years ago caused a lot of misunderstanding between you two, but what you did for Nathan after you came back was completely sincere and pure. Even under those circumstances, you still did not hurt Nathan or the Ye Family. That proves the strength of your character. You may be young, but the experience is the best teacher and you will certainly grow. I also believe that the Ye family will prosper with the efforts of both you and Nathaniel."

The old lady smiled very wisely. Then, Mango suddenly felt that Madam Ye saw through her very easily. Although she still felt embarrassed and sad, but in the end, she had Madam Ye's recognition, and that was enough for her.