HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 18: The Biased Grandmother

Chapter 18: The Biased Grandmother

Minister Ye never reappeared even until Ye Li personally saw off her cousin and aunt. Madame Xu had given up any hope for the Ye family’s etiquette and propriety. If not for having Ye Li as a niece, the Xu family would have had nothing more to do with the Ye family that had caused their daughter to die in melancholy. Ye Li wasn’t angry; as she turned to head back to Qingyi Pavilion, she cast a faint glance toward Madame Wang’s Fangyi Court, a rare mocking smile curling at her lips: was Madame Wang trying to show her authority?

“Third Sister…”

Before she could enter Qingyi Pavilion, Ye Ying came swaying over, supported by her maid. Ye Li stopped and calmly observed the capital’s greatest beauty before her. It seemed that although nothing appeared amiss on the surface these past few days, Ye Ying hadn’t been having an easy time. Her usually exquisite, beautiful face had gained some pallor and haggardness, and the watery eyes looking at Ye Li held added traces of resentment and moisture, making Ye Li involuntarily shudder. “Worry adorns her two cheeks, illness assails her delicate form. Teardrops glisten as she breathes faintly…” Ye Li inexplicably recalled these lines describing otherworldly beauties from the masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber. Unfortunately, seeing the occasional glint of cunning in those watery eyes, where was there even half the noble transcendence of the Crimson Pearl Fairy?

“What’s wrong with Fourth Sister?” Ye Li asked softly, “If you’re unwell, why not rest in your room?”

“Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. Ying’er is fine,” Ye Ying said gently, though her aggrieved, resentful manner certainly didn’t seem fine.

Ye Li nodded knowingly, “Since nothing’s wrong, Fourth Sister can continue your walk. Third Sister will head back first.”

“Third Sister…” Seeing Ye Li about to leave without hesitation, a flash of anger crossed Ye Ying’s eyes but quickly disappeared. Biting her rouge lips, she looked at Ye Li and said, “Ying’er just wanted to ask Third Sister if you received the invitation to the Hundred Flowers Gathering?”

Ye Li nodded. She had received the invitation yesterday morning; the Hundred Flowers Gathering was set for seven days later at the capital’s largest peony garden. Looking at Ye Ying’s manner, Ye Li’s thoughts turned, and she finally understood why Ye Ying had stopped her, “Fourth Sister hasn’t received an invitation?”

Ye Ying shook her head grievously, her heart full of hatred for Ye Li before her. If not for her uncle impeaching Father in court, how could she, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue and future Princess Li, not receive an invitation to the Hundred Flowers Gathering? “Third Sister, are you… not going this year either?”

Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh. Could Ye Ying be planning to use her invitation to enter the peony garden? But then again, as the future Princess Li, even if someone recognized that the name on the invitation wasn’t hers, surely no one would dare turn her away.

“My health is much better this year, so naturally I’ll be attending.” After Ye Li spoke, she saw Ye Ying’s face darken. Not wanting to engage further, Ye Li said, “I have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep Fourth Sister company.”

“Third…”

Seeing Ye Ying about to say more, Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said, “Fourth Sister might try seeking an audience with Noble Consort Xian. This year’s invitations were personally issued by Princess Imperial Shaoyang. If I don’t attend, wouldn’t it seem like our Ye family is disrespecting the Princess Imperial?” Hearing this, Ye Ying finally swallowed whatever she had been about to say. Princess Imperial Shaoyang was the current Emperor’s blood aunt, the only daughter of the late Emperor and Empress Yuan. She was famous for her difficult temperament, sometimes not even giving face to the current Empress or even the Empress Dowager. Ye Ying didn’t dare cause trouble before her. The fact that she hadn’t received an invitation clearly showed Princess Imperial Shaoyang’s displeasure with her.

“Third Miss, Fourth Miss, the Old Madame requests both young ladies’ presence at Rongle Hall.” Just as Ye Li was about to return to her room, a matron from Old Madame Ye came to relay the message.

When Madame Xu visited today, Old Madame Ye had directly claimed illness and didn’t even send someone to look in. Ye Li naturally knew this was Old Madame Ye’s displeasure with the Xu family’s recent actions. She nodded faintly, “I understand, thank you for coming all this way, Matron.” The matron repeatedly demurred, then turned to return to Rongle Hall.

In Rongle Hall, Old Madame Ye slightly narrowed her clouded elderly eyes to observe her two granddaughters entering side by side. Ye Ying had been doted on since childhood; not only was she clever and gentle, but she was also blessed with extraordinary beauty. Both Old Madame Ye and Minister Ye had placed great hopes in her. If Ye Yue hadn’t already entered the palace as an Imperial Consort, Ye Ying would surely have entered the palace too. Now being able to marry His Highness Prince Li, the Emperor’s brother, as his primary wife would naturally elevate the Ye family’s status further. As for Ye Li, originally the noblest legitimate daughter of the Ye family’s first wife, Old Madame Ye had always harbored some small grudge against the original Madame Xu, and after Madame Xu’s death, she had largely ignored this granddaughter. Now looking carefully, she found that Ye Li was no less than Ye Ying. She even had more of the grace and composure of a scholarly family, which Old Madame Ye knew was inherited from her mother’s hundred-year-old noble Xu family – and this was precisely why Old Madame Ye disliked Ye Li and Madame Xu.

“Grandmother.” Ye Li and Ye Ying greeted in unison.

Old Madame Ye lovingly beckoned them to sit beside her and asked kindly, “The Hundred Flowers Gathering is in a few days. Have your mothers prepared everything for you?”

Ye Ying lowered her head dejectedly, “Granddaughter didn’t receive an invitation, so Mother’s preparations won’t be needed.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, asking puzzledly, “Grandmother, is there something special to prepare for the Hundred Flowers Gathering?”

Hearing this, Old Madame Ye’s eyes flickered slightly as she contemplatively observed Ye Li’s expression, “Nothing much… young ladies should just dress beautifully when going out. I’ll have your mother make you some new clothes and prepare some jewelry.”

Ye Li remained calm under her scrutiny. Indeed, Madame Wang hadn’t prepared anything for her, hadn’t even mentioned it once. Predictably, if she were to attend the Hundred Flowers Gathering in her usual clothes, she would certainly be ridiculed and lose face. “Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. Li’er understands.” Ye Li showed a hint of joy, appropriately displaying a young lady’s delight in new clothes and jewelry.

Old Madame Ye nodded, saying nothing more. She wasn’t unaware of how Madame Wang treated Ye Li in private, but as long as it didn’t cause the Ye family to lose face in front of others, she didn’t want to interfere. However, Ye Ying turned to Ye Li with an apologetic smile, “Mother prepared Third Sister’s clothes and jewelry long ago, but yesterday when Rong’er returned, she momentarily forgot to have them sent to Third Sister.”

“Is that so? The Hundred Flowers Gathering is still several days away, there’s no rush,” Ye Li smiled faintly. So they’d finally brought the conversation around to Ye Rong?

At the mention of Ye Rong, Old Madame Ye’s smiling face also grew serious. Looking at both of them, she said solemnly, “Rong’er is still young. If he does something wrong, you as his elder sisters should guide him properly. Today your father had him beaten in front of outsiders – how can a small child endure such treatment?”

Ye Ying frowned slightly, saying with concern, “Grandmother is right, it was Ying’er’s fault for not guiding her brother properly. But Rong’er has learned his lesson today. When Ying’er came out earlier, he was still crying in pain. He certainly won’t dare offend Third Sister again, so I hope Third Sister won’t hold it against him.”

“Wasn’t it said he barely got hit? Why is he still in pain? Has a doctor been called?” Hearing that her only grandson was unwell, Old Madame Ye grew anxious, her gaze toward Ye Li growing increasingly cold. Ye Ying quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. Their mother has already had a doctor examine him. He just needs to rest in bed for a few days, though I’m afraid it will delay his studies for a while.”

Old Madame Ye frowned, glaring at Ye Li with some anger, “You’re his elder sister, why couldn’t you be more lenient with Rong’er? Would you be happy if his health is damaged and his studies are delayed?”

Ye Li laughed coldly inside, though her exterior remained unchanged as she said calmly, “Grandmother’s reprimand is right. Li’er will certainly guide Rong’er well in the future. His temperament does need teaching, and while his offense against Li’er today wasn’t much – naturally I’ll be lenient with my brother – but what if he offends some noble person one day?”

Hearing this, Old Madame Ye’s expression grew even worse, though thinking of Ye Li’s marriage, she suppressed her anger and waved for her to withdraw. As Ye Li turned to leave, she heard Ye Ying’s sweet voice behind her talking about how with elder sister and Prince Li’s help… Since her grandmother wouldn’t listen to her words, Ye Li didn’t care. She only hoped Imperial Consort Ye in the palace and Prince Li could cover up Ye Rong’s messes for a lifetime.

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