When they arrived at the courtyard entrance, Ye Jiayao's struggle began anew.
"What's the matter? They are not strangers." Xia Chunyu didn't want to put her down.
Ye Jiayao said, "Don't you think that this is really mean? What do you treat me as? Your mistress? My reputation and fame would be ruined, more so than it already is. I don't need your support. I can provide for my own needs."
Xia Chunyu didn't know how to respond. He wanted to give her silver so she wouldn't have to work so hard, but he knew she'd never take it. She's more than likely to throw it in his face rather than accept it.
Xia Chunyu had no choice but to put her down. "Then I'll go in, too, and sit with you for a bit."
"No." Ye Jiayao had suspicions of what that 'sit' really meant.
Xia Chunyu tamped down the urge to yell at her for turning him away. "I'll pick you up tomorrow night."