“What did you say?! Ye Li won the Hundred Flowers Champion?!”
In the Huixue Pavilion of the Ye Manor, Young Lady Ye Ying’s usually gentle and elegant voice carried an unmistakable edge. In the elegantly decorated flower hall, the maids knelt trembling as they replied, “Young… Young Miss, that’s indeed what people are saying outside. Third Young Miss has returned to the manor, and… the families of the Imperial Censor Qin, the Xu family, the Marquis of Huaguo, General Yangwei, the Grand Chancellor, and the Minister of Rites have all sent gifts to congratulate Third Young Miss on her victory.”
Ye Ying’s beautiful face finally showed a crack in its composure. With a sweep of her hand, she knocked everything off the nearby table. The maid kneeling at the front was struck but dared not cry out in pain, hurriedly saying, “Please calm your anger, Young Miss…”
“Calm what anger! How could that贱人 Ye Li possibly become the Hundred Flowers Champion?” Ye Ying cried in disbelief. She had pushed Ye Li forward precisely because she knew that Mother hadn’t arranged for anyone to teach her these past years. Against Princess Qixia, whom even she wasn’t confident of defeating, Ye Li would surely lose face. While she might not win this year’s Hundred Flowers Champion, at least she would have lost without competing, saving face. More importantly, everyone would know that she, Ye Ying, was truly the most outstanding daughter of the Ye family. Even if Ye Li was the Xu family’s granddaughter, she still couldn’t compare!
Though enraged, Ye Ying quickly regained her composure, returning to her usual elegant and gentle demeanor. Standing up, she said, “Everyone rises. Let’s go see Mother.”
The maids in the flower hall all secretly breathed sighs of relief. Those who needed to clean up the mess did so, while others hurriedly tidied their appearance to follow Ye Ying to see Lady Wang.
In Rongle Hall
Ye Li sat quietly, allowing Old Madam Ye, Minister Ye, and Lady Wang to examine her. Old Madam Ye looked at Ye Li with kind affection and smiled, “Li’er is truly worthy of being our Ye family’s legitimate daughter. You’ve made quite a name for yourself now – our Ye family has produced two Hundred Flowers Champions. Everyone in the capital praises our way of educating daughters.”
Ye Li smiled faintly, pressing her lips together, “Grandmother is too kind. It’s all thanks to Grandmother and Father’s guidance.”
Minister Ye looked at his composed and dignified daughter with complex emotions. This daughter, whom he had never truly paid attention to, was markedly different from his other daughters. Though seemingly unremarkable, when observed, she possessed a unique air of dignity and the elegant grace of a noble family. This inevitably reminded him of his first meeting with his deceased wife, who had the same elegant indifference. Beautiful enough to captivate hearts, yet elegant enough to inspire feelings of inadequacy. Even without growing up in the Xu family, even without the finest education, could the Xu bloodline still make his other children pale in comparison? Minister Ye thought silently about what he’d heard of his other daughters’ performances at the Hundred Flowers Gathering. Thinking of Ye Rong, who had been spoiled by his mother and Lady Wang, Minister Ye felt even greater regret: why couldn’t Li’er have been a boy?
“The Qin family, Xu family, Marquis of Huaguo’s family, the Liu family… we must be careful with the return gifts for all these families who sent congratulations,” Old Madam Ye instructed, looking at Lady Wang who sat with lowered eyes.
Lady Wang quickly concealed the light in her eyes and respectfully replied, “Rest assured, Old Madam, I understand.”
Old Madam Ye nodded with satisfaction, “As for those congratulatory gifts, send them all to Qingyi Pavilion. Li’er can look through them and see what jewelry, accessories, and clothes she likes, and we’ll arrange for more. Although we don’t need to attend all the invitation events from various families, we can’t decline them all either. We mustn’t lose the Minister’s household’s face.” Before Ye Li could respond, a maid announced Fourth Young Miss’s arrival.
Ye Ying had changed into thin white clothing, her face pale, appearing even more frail. Supporting herself on a maid’s hand, she entered and paid respects to Old Madam, Minister Ye, and Lady Wang before saying with a pale face, “Ying’er has brought shame to the Ye family. Please punish me, Grandmother and Father.”
Old Madam Ye’s graying eyebrows lifted slightly as she looked at Minister Ye without speaking. Ye Ying had always been Minister Ye’s favorite, even more so than Noble Lady Ye who had entered the palace. How could he bear to punish her? Lady Wang quickly drew her daughter into her arms and consoled her softly, “Silly child, how could this be your fault? If not for the unexpected circumstances, surely this year’s Hundred Flowers Champion would still have been Ying’er.” Minister Ye nodded, following Lady Wang’s lead, “Your mother speaks truly. There were circumstances beyond your control, it’s not your fault. Quick, stand up. You’re delicate, and the ground is quite cold.”
Watching this harmonious family scene before her, Ye Li maintained a composed and respectful expression, though her mind had already wandered to the new friends she’d made today. Especially Qin Zheng, her future sister-in-law – she needed to think about what return gifts to send them. She had too many matters to attend to lately and no time to participate in this boring family drama. Thinking about her future married life, perhaps she could get a husband who was neither too good nor too bad. If possible, form a peaceful and happy family. Perhaps even have one or two children of her own…
While Old Madam Ye was intently observing the young lady in blue robes, Ye Li had already mentally drifted away to contemplate her recent affairs.
Watching the scene before her, Old Madam Ye secretly sighed. Previously she had thought Ye Yue and Ye Ying were good, but now she realized Ye Li was truly the one who kept her talents hidden. Just based on this composure and calmness, Old Madam Ye believed that if it had been Ye Li who entered the palace, perhaps she could have gone much further. Unfortunately, now, Ye Li was betrothed to the disabled Prince Ding, who surely had no future. Truly, fate was playing tricks…
“Grandmother, Sister winning the Hundred Flowers Champion is a great joy for our Ye family. Shouldn’t we tell Second Sister so she can share in the happiness?” Once the family of three had finally finished their affectionate display, Ye Ying moved to Old Madam Ye’s side and said sweetly.
Minister Ye smiled, “It’s rare for Ying’er to show such magnanimity. You speak well. Mother, what do you think…”
“You speak truly. In a few days, it will be time for the palace visitation. We can report this good news to Noble Lady Ye then,” Old Madam Ye nodded, turning to look at Ye Li with a smile. “Your Second Sister has always been good to her sisters. In the future, when you each manage your households, you should visit her more often.”
“Grandmother!” Ye Ying called out shyly, covering her face as a blush rose on her pale cheeks. In comparison, Ye Li showed much less girlish bashfulness. Minister Ye looked lovingly at his youngest daughter and chuckled along.
Ye Ying glanced at Ye Li, her beautiful eyes glancing about as she said softly, “Third Sister hasn’t seen Second Sister for a long time, right? Mother should prepare a nice gift for Third Sister to give to Second Sister.”
Lady Wang started, looking at Ye Ying with furrowed brows. Old Madam Ye’s thoughts stirred, and she turned her gaze back to Ye Li, hesitating but not speaking. Ye Li noticed Old Madam Ye and Ye Ying’s expressions, and with a quick thought understood Ye Ying’s intention. She watched Ye Ying impassively, somewhat looking forward to her performance. Seeing that Lady Wang couldn’t immediately grasp her meaning and Old Madam Ye remained noncommittal, Ye Ying frowned slightly and prompted softly, “I hear Noble Lady Sister is with child now, and when women are pregnant, their appearance…”
Everyone present was far from stupid. Just hearing the word “appearance,” Lady Wang immediately understood, and her look toward Ye Li gained some eagerness. “My Lord…”
Ye Li inwardly sighed helplessly – truly, no one in this family was a fool.
“Ying’er makes sense. Li’er, give the Beauty-Preserving Pearl as a gift to Noble Lady Ye when you enter the palace. Whatever you want in return, just ask your mother.” Minister Ye saw no issue with Ye Ying’s suggestion and immediately decided.