Though the impeachment matter seemed to end with the Emperor’s lukewarm punishment, its aftereffects were far from over. Before Minister Ye could even return home after court, news of the morning court session had already spread like wildfire among the capital’s noble families. Somehow, a rumor emerged that Minister Ye had sought advancement by selling his daughters – when Prince Li showed no interest in his unremarkable Third Daughter, he allegedly orchestrated for his Fourth Daughter Ye Ying, known as the capital’s greatest beauty, to seduce His Highness, Prince Li. What starts as one person’s rumor seems to become fact when repeated by a hundred. Wherever Minister Ye went, he felt people’s gazes had changed from before. In the end, he could only hurriedly finish his official duties and return home, suppressing his frustration.
When Qingshuang gleefully related these outside rumors to Ye Li, she merely smiled faintly and paid them no mind. She only worried somewhat whether these actions might cause trouble for her uncle. However, Second Uncle wasn’t a reckless man – since he chose to act this way, he must have had his reasons and plans. Still, Ye Li was rather surprised that her father hadn’t directed his anger at her over this incident. After all, when Minister Ye had stormed home yesterday, even Madame Wang and Ye Ying had received a harsh scolding. Perhaps it wasn’t that he didn’t plan to vent his anger on her – he had burst into Qingyi Pavilion yesterday, but for some unknown reason, after entering her room he left without saying anything.
Perhaps he had experienced a rare moment of guilt? Ye Li thought idly as she cast a glance at the simple furnishings in her room.
She sat leisurely by the window, head bent over her embroidery as a purple iris gradually took shape under her hands. Embroidery required patience, and Ye Li, who had been a sniper in her previous life, had patience in abundance. In this life, her mother had taught her embroidery since she was six years old, and over the years, she had grown to love this art form. Due to her memories from her previous life, Ye Li naturally possessed more experience and knowledge than others of this era, and her work always carried a unique spirit and vitality that others lacked.
A commotion could be faintly heard from the courtyard. Ye Li frowned and raised her head. “Qingxia, what’s happening outside?”
“Young Master Rong has returned, Miss. He’s outside the courtyard demanding to see you,” Qingxia respectfully replied.
Ye Li smiled faintly, casually pinning her embroidery needle into the silk fabric as she stood up. “Let’s go see.” Ye Rong, the only male heir of the Ye household, was eleven years old this year and studied at a renowned academy in the capital. Influenced by Madame Wang, he had never liked his legitimate elder sister Ye Li since childhood. After Madame Xu’s death, being the only boy and legitimate son in the household, he had become even more dismissive of Ye Li, looking down his nose at her. It was rare enough to see him a few times a year, let alone have him come seeking Ye Li. Without asking, she knew it must be about yesterday’s incident when Father had scolded Madame Wang and Ye Ying. He had just returned from school yesterday, and today he couldn’t wait to come defend his mother and sister.
Before she even stepped outside, she could hear Qingshuang arguing with Ye Rong. “How dare you! You’re just a lowly maid, yet you dare block my way! Be careful, or I’ll sell you to a brothel!” Ye Rong glared fiercely at the maid in blue clothes before him.
While others might show deference to the young master of the household, Qingshuang wasn’t so courteous. Her pretty eyes widened as she raised her head and coldly laughed at Ye Rong: “No matter how lowly I am, I’m still Miss’s maid. Whether I’m to be beaten or sold isn’t for Young Master Rong to decide. Barging into your legitimate elder sister’s courtyard – is this the etiquette you learned at school? What fine teaching, and what fine learning!”
“Worthless maid! Beat her!” Ye Rong furiously commanded his servants to teach Qingshuang a lesson.
“Rong’er, what are you doing?” Ye Li walked out of the courtyard and looked coolly at the confrontational youth before her, her gaze falling on the servants’ hands gripping Qingshuang. “Release her at once.” The two servants who had been holding Qingshuang jerked back as if burned, hurriedly withdrawing their hands and hiding behind Ye Rong. Seeing his people so useless, Ye Rong felt greatly embarrassed. He snorted in displeasure and said to Ye Li, “Third Sister, your maid is most discourteous. I’m helping you discipline her.”
Ye Li coldly regarded him. “I will manage my people. If you have free time, perhaps you should review your etiquette lessons a few more times.” Looking at Ye Rong’s demeanor, Ye Li understood why Father both loved and hated this son. His only male heir, yet unfortunately lacking in intelligence. Madame Wang was truly delusional to think her son could compare to the Liu family’s Second Young Master. Young Master Liu was only sixteen yet already known throughout the capital as a young scholar of prominence. This year he had even gone alone to study at Li Mountain Academy, and both the Liu family and his teachers and classmates held high hopes for him – he was future top-scholar material. Meanwhile, her half-brother was just an unremarkable young wastrel in the capital. Ye Rong had been spoiled since childhood by the Old Madame and Madame Wang. Even the former Second Sister and current Fourth Sister didn’t dare speak to him this way. Ye Rong immediately jumped up like a scalded cat, pointing angrily at Ye Li: “How dare you speak to me this way! I’ll tell Grandmother and make you pay!”
Arguing with such a child was truly beneath her dignity. Ye Li could never understand – while the Ye family might not be an ancient noble house, they still held some standing in the capital. How had they produced someone as foolish as Ye Rong? Too lazy to deal with the angry boy, Ye Li turned to go back to her room. “Please leave, Young Master Rong.”
“Ye Li, stop right there!” Ye Rong raged. “You shameless woman! Prince Li didn’t want you, yet you had your uncle speak ill of Father before the Emperor, causing Father to scold Mother and Fourth Sister. You scheming woman deserved to be abandoned by Prince Li, you deserved…”
“You unfilial creature! Silence!” Lost in his angry tirade, Ye Rong hadn’t noticed the cold look in Ye Li’s eyes and the slight smile that crossed her lips. Not until an angry roar came from behind did he stiffly turn around to see everyone around him trembling on the ground. His usually genial father was glaring at him with an iron-grey face. “Father…”
“What fine upbringing this Minister’s household has. A mere son of a promoted concubine dares to publicly insult the legitimate daughter of the first wife in broad daylight. How enlightening.” Among those accompanying Minister Ye, a handsome youth spoke with a cold smile.
Hearing this, Minister Ye’s expression grew even more severe. “What are you waiting for? Seize this beast! Twenty heavy strokes of the paddle!”
Upon hearing Minister Ye’s words, Ye Rong immediately began screaming in terror. He kicked and punched at the two servants who approached, “Father… Father… Your son knows his wrong…” But unfortunately, his young strength was no match for these servants in their prime. He was quickly dragged to a spot nearby to receive his punishment.
Ye Li’s expression remained calm, though carrying rare delight as she quickly stepped forward. “Greetings, Father. Aunt, Cousin, why have you come?”
Minister Ye looked at his daughter, who showed such respectful deference to him yet rare warmth to outsiders and felt a slight discomfort in his heart. But thinking of the sparse furnishings in Ye Li’s courtyard, he found himself unable to express his displeasure. He could only force a smile and say, “Qingfeng and your aunt came to see you, so I accompanied them over.”
Xu Qingfeng coldly smiled and said, “Indeed. If we hadn’t come today, we wouldn’t have known what kind of life our little sister leads in the Ye household.” Minister Ye’s smile froze as he found himself at a loss before Madame Xu’s cold face and Xu Qingfeng’s unfriendly expression. Ye Li smiled faintly, stepping forward to take Madame Xu’s hand with a smile. “Aunt, let’s not stand at the entrance. Come in for some tea.”