Rong Le Hall
Ye Li sat upright in her usual position as always, eyes fixed ahead while observing the varied expressions of those present as if she saw nothing. Minister Ye looked at his third daughter’s calm face and his fourth daughter’s aggrieved expression, feeling waves of pain in his temples. Though he wished to reprimand Ye Li as usual, seeing her almost indifferent expression, the old political veteran of several decades in court suddenly realized this might not be the wisest choice. Moreover, it could trigger certain consequences he preferred not to face.
Old Madam Ye maintained her lofty position, taking in everyone’s expressions. Recalling the servants’ report that Prince Ding’s carriage had personally delivered her granddaughter to the manor gates – though no one had seen the Prince himself, it was essentially confirmed that Prince Ding had indeed personally escorted Ye Li home. Looking again at Ye Ying’s resentful face, Old Madam Ye felt increased disappointment in this pampered granddaughter. Since Li’s betrothal to Prince Ding, Prince Li’s apparent regard for Ying had diminished from the legendary devotion. Of course, this might be due to Ying’s recent reputation. But if such obvious changes were apparent even to her, a homebound old woman, how could her supposedly clever and astute granddaughter not sense it? Instead of focusing on securing Prince Li’s attention, she kept creating trouble with her sister. Did she not understand that no matter how unloved Li might be, she was still a daughter of the Ye family and would be an asset in the future? For the first time, Old Madam Ye questioned whether exchanging Ye Ying’s betrothal to Prince Li for Ye Li’s had been a mistake.
“Enough. Ying’er, Li’er is your elder sister. Mind your place as a younger sister,” Old Madam Ye spoke.
Ye Ying froze, hardly believing Old Madam Ye would speak in Ye Li’s favor. Her eyes reddened with grievance as she bit her crimson lips: “But Grandmother… how could she humiliate Prince Li in public… this makes me…”
Bang! Old Madam Ye slammed the table forcefully, speaking coldly: “Humiliate Prince Li! When Prince Li troubled Li’er in front of so many people, did he not consider whether he would embarrass the Ye family? Or does he think our Ye family has no choice but him?” Old Madam Ye looked disappointedly at Ye Ying who still wanted to speak. For a man’s sake, completely disregarding family reputation and interests – could such a granddaughter truly be expected to bring any benefit to the Ye family? Perhaps one day she might even sell out the Ye family for Prince Li. Or did she think tarnishing Li’er’s reputation would improve her own? Glory and disgrace were shared – if she couldn’t understand even this, what had Madam Wang been teaching her all these years? Her cold gaze swept over Madam Wang, who shrank back, not daring to meet Old Madam Ye’s eyes.
“Father…”
Minister Ye frowned troubledly. He too was displeased with Li Jingli. If Prince Li wanted to make things difficult for Li’er privately, he could pretend ignorance. But such open mockery and difficulty wasn’t just slapping Ye Li’s face – it was grinding the Ye family’s face under his feet. If not for his second daughter in the palace and soon-to-be-born royal grandchild, even the Emperor’s brother wouldn’t have tolerated so. “Ying’er, your grandmother is right. Even if you become Princess Li, you remain a daughter of the Ye family. Do you think you could stand firm in Prince Li’s manor without the Ye family and your Second Sister’s support? Whether your Second Sister or your First, Third, Fifth, or Sixth Sisters – as long as your sisters remain harmonious and support each other, no one can bully you. Do you understand?”
“But… today Third Sister offended not just Prince Li, but also Princess Qixia. Perhaps even the Princess Imperial will blame us now,” Ye Ying glanced at Ye Li somewhat resentfully. She hadn’t taken Minister Ye’s words to heart at all. In Ye Ying’s mind, apart from her Second Sister in the palace, none of the Ye family’s other daughters deserved mention alongside her. As the future Princess Li, why would she need their support?
Ye Li raised her eyes and spoke softly: “Fourth Sister need not worry. On my way back, I had already sent letters of apology and gifts to the Princess Imperial’s manor. The Ding Kingdom Manor will also send people to explain to the Princess Imperial. The Princess Imperial is magnanimous and principled – she surely won’t blame us young ones for such a small matter.” Of course, the Qin, Murong, and Hua Duke’s manors had also sent similar apologies.
Hearing this, Old Madam Ye showed an approving smile: “Li’er has handled this matter extremely well. Since it happened in public and Princess Qixia was initially at fault, Princess Imperial Zhaoyang has always been fair-minded and won’t hold it against the younger generation. Prince Ding is also thoughtful – we should send a return gift to his manor to thank him for personally escorting Li’er home. This… we’ll let Li’er handle it herself. Take whatever you need from the storehouse.” After some hesitation, Old Madam Ye still entrusted this matter to Ye Li. She really couldn’t trust Madam Wang, and while the Ye family didn’t need to curry favor with the Ding Kingdom Manor now, they couldn’t let relations worsen either.
“Li’er understands, please rest assured, Grandmother.” Ye Li rose to acknowledge.
Madam Wang’s face turned slightly green. Social exchanges were the responsibility of the principal wife. If it were in Ye Li’s name that would be one thing, but having Ye Li handle it in the Ye family’s name was humiliating her position as principal wife. Old Madam Ye didn’t even give her a chance to speak, frowning: “If you have time, you’d better sort out Ying’er’s dowry properly – don’t forget there aren’t many days left until the wedding.”
“Yes,” Madam Wang responded meekly.
“My Lord, Old Madam…”
The old nurse by Old Madam Ye’s side hurried in, specifically glancing at Ye Li before approaching Old Madam Ye: “Old Madam, the Xu family’s Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, and Fifth Young Master have come to visit.”
“What?!” Minister Ye sprang from his chair – all the Xu young masters visiting together meant his difficult brother-in-law had arrived in the capital. Of course, with Master Xu’s pride, he would never personally visit the Ye family who had caused his precious sister’s death.
Old Madam Ye reacted more quickly, hurriedly saying: “Quick, invite the young masters in.”
Ye Li was also surprised, feeling somewhat guilty for not knowing her uncle and cousins had arrived in the capital to welcome them. Her eldest uncle had doted on her most when he was still in the capital, and even Ye Li felt somewhat at a loss after so many years apart.
“Grandmother, let Li’er personally welcome my cousins.”
Old Madam Ye nodded: “Go then. Ying’er, Shan’er, and Lin’er go too.”
Ignoring the delight on the spectating Ye Lin and Ye Shan’s faces and Ye Ying’s displeasure, not concerning herself with whatever schemes Old Madam Ye might be planning, Ye Li rose to leave and walked out quickly. Ye Lin and Ye Shan hurriedly followed, leaving only Ye Ying looking unwillingly at Minister Ye. She was the future Princess Li – why should she welcome Ye Li’s cousins?
“Ying’er!” Minister Ye felt a headache – this daughter had truly been spoiled too much. Seeing Minister Ye’s expression, Ye Ying knew her father was truly about to anger. She could only bite her lip and turn to follow Ye Li and the others.
“Before Ying’er’s wedding, have her come to serve me, her grandmother, at Rong Le Hall every day,” Old Madam Ye said coldly to Madam Wang?
“This… I still have many things to teach Ying’er, I’m afraid…” Madam Wang said uneasily.
“You teach? Look what you’ve taught all these years!” Old Madam Ye said coldly. “No sense of propriety, spoiled with favor. Relying on some talent and beauty while not knowing her limits. These things matter little in the inner quarters, but once married she’ll manage an entire manor – can the poetry, songs, dance, and petty scheming you’ve taught support the dignity of Prince Li’s manor?”
Minister Ye nodded: “Mother speaks truly. Noble Consort Zhao was personally taught by Mother. It’s Ying’er’s good fortune if Mother can guide her.” Seeing her husband readily agree with an expression brooking no objection, Madam Wang could only reluctantly acquiesce. Those low-born concubines had been restless lately, especially Zhao, and she had no energy to manage Ying’er’s affairs.