HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 28: Refusal

Chapter 28: Refusal

The Beauty-Preserving Pearl… Ye Li idly thought of the most coveted of her three prizes – that gleaming, jade-green pearl. It was said that whoever wore the Beauty-Preserving Pearl could maintain eternal youth. For beauty-conscious women, this was far more alluring than precious jewelry or fine clothes. However, for Ye Li, whose mental age far exceeded her physical age of fifteen, it held less appeal.

While everyone had an appreciation for beauty, she was still young, and with proper care later, she could pursue beauty within reasonable bounds of her actual age. She wasn’t sure she’d truly enjoy having a twenty-year-old face at fifty. Moreover, she remained skeptical about the pearl’s supposed eternal youth properties. At least its original owner, Princess Imperial Zhaoyang, though younger-looking than her peers, was far from being in the prime of youth. However… her disinterest didn’t mean others could simply plunder it!

“Father, please forgive me, but the Beauty-Preserving Pearl is no longer with me,” Ye Li said calmly.

“How is that possible?!” Ye Ying exclaimed, then looked at Ye Li suspiciously. “Could it be Third Sister is reluctant to part with the pearl? Ying’er is only thinking of Noble Lady Ye’s interests. After all, Noble Lady Ye is our Ye family’s support.”

Internally, Ye Li sneered at this. Support? How many truly enduring noble families had maintained their position for centuries through mere marital connections?

“Fourth Sister thinks too much. It’s just a pearl. I’ve already given it away.”

“Given it away? How could you possibly give away the Beauty-Preserving Pearl?” Lady Wang cried shrilly. What woman in the world wouldn’t want the Beauty-Preserving Pearl? If not for thinking of her daughter in the palace, Lady Wang herself would have likely tried to claim it.

Ye Li gave her a strange look and said puzzledly, “I’m only fifteen, far from needing the Beauty-Preserving Pearl.” She didn’t share the ancients’ belief that fourteen or fifteen was a girl’s most beautiful age. Even if ancient girls matured early, fourteen or fifteen-year-olds still appeared too immature. Even someone as beautiful as Ye Ying couldn’t compare to the unique charm of women in their twenties like Yao Ji.

Old Madam Ye’s eyes darkened as she looked at Ye Li, “Li’er, who did you give it to? Let’s see if we can get it back. We can even exchange it for something more precious.”

Ye Li frowned, looking steadily at Old Madam Ye with an odd expression. “Get it back?”

Old Madam Ye was too experienced not to know how inappropriate it would be to ask for a given gift to be returned. But the Beauty-Preserving Pearl would be immensely useful to Noble Lady Ye, and she believed that once news of the Hundred Flowers Gathering reached the palace, Noble Lady Ye would ask for it. Besides, she hadn’t planned to ask for its return in the Ye family’s name – it would be best if Ye Li retrieved it herself. Of course, Old Madam Ye suspected this was just Ye Li’s excuse, that she simply didn’t want to give up the item. Forcing a kindly smile, she said softly, “Good child, Grandmother knows this is somewhat improper. But you know how important the Beauty-Preserving Pearl would be to Noble Lady Ye. She faces difficult days in the palace, and if the pearl could help her gain more of His Majesty’s favor…”

Ye Li frowned and said helplessly, “But Grandmother, I’ve already sent the Beauty-Preserving Pearl and the Snow Sound Zither to First Uncle.”

Minister Ye’s face darkened with displeasure as he glared at Ye Li, “Nonsense! What use would your First Uncle have for the Beauty-Preserving Pearl?” If it had been anyone else, Minister Ye might have sent people to intercept the gifts. But he truly didn’t dare intercept gifts sent to his deceased wife’s eldest brother. Master Qingyun had two sons and one daughter. The second son, Xu Hongyan, was now the only member of the Xu family’s main line still in officialdom. The one who caused Minister Ye the most pressure was his brother-in-law Xu Hongyu, who had left the capital ten years ago and was now the most renowned great scholar in the realm. Unlike Imperial Censor Xu, who was refined yet sharp and principled, this world-renowned scholar, said to have surpassed his teachers, always maintained an appearance of cultured elegance. However, if he took a dislike to someone, that person’s life would become worse than death. This was also why, despite their in-law relationship, Minister Ye hadn’t dared to shamelessly send Ye Rong to the Lishan Academy in recent years. This brother-in-law was far from being as proper as he appeared – he had experienced that deeply years ago.

Ye Li smiled faintly, “A few days ago, First Uncle wrote that Grandfather’s Pine Wind Zither had been damaged recently, so when I received the Snow Sound Zither, I happily had it sent to Grandfather right away. And since I had no use for the Beauty-Preserving Pearl, I sent it along to First Aunt.” Of course, she had also sent the purple jade hairpin, said to have health benefits, to Second Aunt.

Minister Ye’s face twisted again. For some reason, when he heard about his father-in-law’s damaged Pine Wind Zither, he felt an inexplicable chill down his spine and an unexplained sense of guilt arose in his heart. Therefore, he couldn’t maintain a stern attitude toward Ye Li and could only weakly reprimand, “You… child, how could you not discuss this with your father and mother first?”

Ye Li mentally raised an eyebrow indifferently. Had her father’s mind grown dull from too many years in office, or did he truly believe Lady Wang was virtuous and kind? How could she discuss sending gifts to her former father-in-law with a concubine-turned-wife? After such a discussion, would she still be able to send anything?

“It was Li’er’s oversight. First Uncle said Grandfather was quite angry. Since Li’er cannot show filial piety to Grandfather in person, when I received the Snow Sound Zither, I was so happy I had it sent immediately.” Ye Li lowered her head guiltily.

Minister Ye forced a smile and said, “Father knows Li’er has a filial heart.”

“Father…” Ye Ying called out anxiously.

Minister Ye’s expression grew solemn as he waved his hand, “Let this matter rest here. Say no more. Later, sent more silver notes to Yue in the palace. We can’t be stingy with the palace payments.”

Although Lady Wang felt unwilling, having been with Minister Ye for twenty years, she understood her husband better than anyone. One look at his face told her this matter was not up for discussion. She couldn’t help but resent Ye Li and the deceased Lady Ye. It was always like this! Whenever the Xu family was mentioned, her husband never thought of her family – wasn’t the Wang family his in-laws just as much as the Xu family?

Leaving Rongle Hall, Ye Li let out a tired sigh and turned to look at Ye Ying who had followed her out, “Fourth Sister, I’m returning now.”

Ye Ying seemed not to hear Ye Li’s words and said with a light laugh, “Third Sister is so generous, giving away such a priceless treasure without even a second glance.”

“Fourth Sister jests. Grandfather and both Aunts aren’t outsiders. Moreover, both Uncles and Aunts have taken great care of me, yet though I was born in the Minister’s household, not a blade of grass or piece of wood around me was truly my own. Now that I finally have a few presentable things, naturally, I should show filial respect to my elders. After all… shouldn’t one have a grateful heart?” And you all, using my mother’s dowry money all these years, have you spared her even a thought?

“Third Sister speaks truly, little sister has learned from you,” Ye Ying said through gritted teeth.

Ye Li smiled, “I’m a common person, only knowing how to repay elders’ care with such trinkets. I can’t compare it to Fourth Sister’s refined nature that doesn’t care for such material things. Fourth Sister, walk slowly.”

“Third Sister, take care!”

Ignoring whatever expressions might be playing across Ye Ying’s face behind her, Ye Li walked leisurely toward Qingyi Pavilion. “Qing Shuang, have someone tell Concubine Zhao the time is about right. Find something to keep the Madam occupied. I don’t want to see them lately.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

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