HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 44: The Fate of the Concubine

Chapter 44: The Fate of the Concubine

“Miss, Madam has arrived.”

In the elegantly arranged Qing Yi Pavilion, Ye Li was contemplating her needlework when Qing Xia entered to report.

Ye Li put down her embroidery and looked up, “How does she have time to come here?” Since the fiasco at Ye Ying’s wedding two days ago, Madam Wang had been in complete disarray. These past few days, rumors had also spread that the child in Concubine Zhao’s belly was incompatible with Ye Ying and Ye Rong, causing even more chaos. Minister Ye also had a massive headache – on one side was his daughter who had become Prince Li’s wife and his only son, on the other was his most favored concubine and future son. Minister Ye could clearly distinguish which was more important, but seeing Concubine Zhao crying like a flower in the rain, his heart still felt some reluctance. Unfortunately, on the second day after Ye Ying’s wedding, Ye Rong inexplicably frightened the horses on his way to school and ended up bedridden for two days. This made Madam Wang even more agitated.

When Madam Wang entered, her expression showed a rare benevolence when facing Ye Li. Unfortunately, Ye Li was neither a concubine-born child who needed to live by her moods, nor a naive young thing who understood nothing. So she merely rose and gave a faint courtesy, “Fourth Sister is about to make her homecoming visit, how does Madam have time to come here?” Madam Wang, wearing what she believed to be a kind and gentle smile, said, “The Prince of Ding’s manor has chosen a date to present the betrothal gifts in the next few days. Li’er, your wedding day is approaching, I came to see if there’s anything not fully prepared.”

Ye Li invited Madam Wang to sit, saying, “With Matron Lin and Nurse Wei managing things, and with Aunt and Sister-in-law having checked several times, everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Madam.”

Madam Wang’s smile froze slightly – Ye Li’s words sounded to her like an accusation of dereliction of duty as the legal mother. In truth, Ye Li harbored no such thoughts, as she had never believed Wang had any obligation to arrange her wedding. As long as appearances were maintained, that was sufficient.

“Actually… I came today to discuss something with you, Li’er.” Madam Wang quickly composed herself, looking earnestly at Ye Li.

Ye Li raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at her questioningly.

Madam Wang heaved a long sigh, “You must have heard about these past few days’ events. It’s not that I, as the principal wife and mother, am intolerant, but truly that Zhao’s child is incompatible with the Ye family’s legitimate children. The day before yesterday, I specially sought out Daoist Ling Xu at the Water Cloud Temple. He said Zhao’s child bears a grudge from a past life and was born to harm our Ye family. Look… since news of her pregnancy spread, our family has had nothing but misfortune. Yet the master still insists on protecting her…”

Ye Li calmly listened as Madam Wang went on about her dissatisfaction with Concubine Zhao and Minister Ye. Madam Wang deliberately brought up the incompatibility between Zhao’s child and the legitimate children – but when it came to legitimate birth, who in the Ye family was more legitimate than Ye Li? If she hadn’t already known the truth and disbelieved such things, after witnessing Ye Ying’s unfortunate wedding, anyone else might have developed prejudices against Concubine Zhao and her unborn child.

“What is Madam suggesting? Regardless, that child is still of Ye family blood and Li’er’s own younger brother. Father naturally cares for him,” Ye Li lightly tossed the question back to Madam Wang. If Concubine Zhao hadn’t been so vigilant and Madam Wang hadn’t been unable to find an opportunity to act, why would she come to consult Ye Li? If Ye Li fell for it and offered any suggestions, any future problems would naturally fall on her shoulders. Madam Wang froze, bit her lip, and forced a smile, “Whatever the case, that child probably… Ying’er’s matter has already caused the Ye family to lose face completely. If anything were to go wrong with Li’er’s marriage as well, our family would truly have no face left.”

Ye Li lowered her eyes with a faint smile, “I’m afraid I can’t make such decisions. Madam should discuss this properly with Father and Grandmother. A daughter leaves her family to follow her husband. Besides… there’s no matter of face left to speak of regarding Li’er’s wedding.” Once married she would take the Mo surname – if that child was meant to bring harm to anyone, wouldn’t it affect those still bearing the Ye name first?

Seeing Ye Li so unresponsive, Madam Wang knew she wouldn’t get what she wanted here. After making a show of comforting Ye Li, she left clutching her nearly deformed handkerchief.

“Miss, Madam Wang’s intentions are so malicious, you must not fall for her trap,” Once Madam Wang left, Matron Lin and Nurse Wei emerged from the inner room, with Nurse Wei speaking angrily.

Ye Li raised her eyebrows with a smile, “Nurse, you understood her intention?”

Nurse Wei said, “What else could it be? She wants to harm Concubine Zhao but is using Miss as a shield. If Miss were easily swayed and listened to her, when word got out about a daughter interfering in her father’s household affairs, being unkind to her father’s concubine and younger brother, it would only ruin Miss’s reputation.” Matron Lin smiled as she consoled Nurse Wei, “Sister, don’t worry. I can see Miss surely has her plans.” Ye Li nodded, “Madam Wang certainly won’t tolerate Concubine Zhao. It’s just that with so many affairs in the household now, she hasn’t had a chance to act.”

Matron Lin pondered, “Does Miss mean to save Concubine Zhao?” Ye Li shook her head, “It’s not exactly saving her – more mutual benefit. These days Concubine Zhao has helped me considerably. Moreover, I see Rong’er has been taught some improper ways by Madam. The Ye family will need to preserve some legacy.” Matron Lin said, “I fear Concubine Zhao might grow ambitious in the future.”

Ye Li waved her hand with a smile, “If she’s clever, she should know there’s no conflict of interest between us.”

Matron Lin thought for a moment and smiled, “Miss has considered everything thoroughly. This old servant worried needlessly.”

Ye Li smiled and shook her head, “I’m still young after all, there will always be things I don’t consider fully. I’ll need both of you to guide me in the future.”

By evening, Madam Wang had somehow convinced Minister Ye to agree to send Concubine Zhao to the Ye family’s old residence to give birth. Concubine Zhao naturally made quite a scene of crying and begging, and the remaining concubines in the manor couldn’t help but show sympathy for her pitiful state. It was well known that the Ye family’s ancestral home wasn’t in prosperous territory, but rather in Bing Province in Da Chu’s southwestern borderlands. Not only was it a harsh and barren region, but it was also thousands of miles from the capital. Since Minister Ye had come to serve as an official in the capital and brought Old Madam Ye along, the Ye family had never returned to their hometown. Even the ancestral hall had been moved to the capital years ago, leaving only an old residence and some land in Bing Province for clan relatives to manage. Let alone whether Concubine Zhao could live well there – just surviving the journey while pregnant would be a challenge.

Minister Ye’s expression showed some reluctance, but despite watching his once-beloved concubine beg pitifully, he still wouldn’t relent. Ye Li watched dispassionately as Concubine Zhao’s expression gradually changed from sorrow to despair – though there was some acting involved, there were some genuine emotions as well. Minister Ye’s heartlessness must have left Concubine Zhao feeling cold.

“Father,” seeing things had progressed far enough, Ye Li spoke up, “Not only is Bing Province far away, but the journey itself is exceptionally difficult. Even healthy people might not endure it, let alone Concubine Zhao in her pregnant state.”

Minister Ye’s expression shifted slightly as he looked at Ye Li, “Then what does Li’er suggest?”

Ye Li lowered her gaze and said quietly, “Since Madam intends to send Concubine Zhao away from the capital for support, why must it be Bing Province? If something were to happen on the journey… Elder Sister Zhao Yi is now carrying a royal heir, we should be accumulating good fortune for her.”

Madam Wang’s face turned pale, her heart trembling with anger. What did she mean by “Madam’s intention”? And to curse her precious daughter and grandson!

Old Madam Ye frowned slightly, “Then where does Li’er think would be suitable?”

Ye Li smiled faintly, “While talk of fate and fortune cannot be completely dismissed, neither should it be fully believed. Regardless, Concubine Zhao carries a child of our Ye family. If outsiders learned of this, they might say our Ye family doesn’t care for blood relations. As for where Concubine Zhao should go, surely Father and Grandmother have their considerations.”

Minister Ye gave Ye Li a deep look, his eyes clearly showing some testing intent as he said, “Our family has a villa in Yun Province, and the climate there is pleasant. How about sending Zhao there?”

“Naturally, everything is for Father and Grandmother to decide.”

Old Madam Ye looked Concubine Zhao over, then smiled at Ye Li, “Your father speaks well. Yun Province is a land of talent and virtue, historically producing many scholars and sages. Perhaps it could suppress this child’s destined fate.”

Ye Li respectfully replied, “Grandmother speaks wisely. Only when the Ye family prospers can we all prosper, isn’t that so?” Fate? What fate could an unborn child have?

Old Madam Ye nodded with satisfaction at Ye Li’s understanding of the bigger picture, “Li’er is indeed sensible. Since that’s settled, let this matter be decided.”

Concubine Zhao knelt in the hall, glancing at Madam Wang’s unwilling expression, and respectfully bowed to Old Madam Ye, “This servant thanks Old Madam for her grace. Thanks to the Master and Third Miss for their kindness.”

Ye Li smiled, “Please rise, Concubine Zhao. This is all Grandmother and Father’s grace – we juniors can only follow along. You face a long journey ahead, please take care. When my brother is born, I hope you will raise him well, to not disappoint Grandmother and Father’s intentions.”

Concubine Zhao nodded repeatedly, “This servant thanks Miss for her guidance.”

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