“This servant thanks Third Miss for saving my life.”
Concubine Zhao knelt before Ye Li, her simple elegant attire a stark contrast to her usual alluring style. Ye Li gestured for Qing Luan to help her up, saying softly, “No need for such formality. Once you reach Yun Province, don’t worry, someone will naturally arrange everything for you.”
Concubine Zhao nodded, saying, “This servant believes Third Miss’s word is as solid as a mountain. This servant will also keep the promise to raise this child properly.” Looking down and gently caressing her still-flat abdomen, Concubine Zhao’s expression showed complete tenderness and maternal love. This child would be her everything from now on. Ye Li nodded and instructed Qing Shuang beside her, “Go fetch five hundred taels in silver notes for Concubine Zhao, for travel expenses.” Qing Shuang acknowledged and left, while Concubine Zhao looked gratefully at Ye Li. The entire Ye manor was under Madam Wang’s control, including all the estates in various locations. It was inevitable that Madam Wang would secretly withhold her allowance. Though she had saved some silver herself, it wasn’t much. In the entire Ye manor, apart from the Old Madam and the Master, only the Third Miss could produce such a large sum at once. Concubine Zhao understood in her heart that though Third Miss wasn’t a warmly affectionate person, she was reliable and trustworthy as long as one behaved properly. “Thank you for Third Miss’s mercy.”
“Someone there will be responsible for your and the child’s safety. With Father’s presence, she won’t dare act too blatantly. But whether you can live well there depends on your abilities,” Ye Li reminded her coolly. After all, the estate wasn’t hers – if Concubine Zhao could manage it herself, it would be better for the child too.
Concubine Zhao started, secretly surprised that Ye Li could see through her thoughts. However, since Ye Li had spoken up, it naturally indicated that the Xu family would help her to some extent – as long as she had sufficient skill to handle the Yun Province estate, it could become a place for her and her child to establish themselves. Thinking of this, Concubine Zhao hurriedly thanked Ye Li again, while feeling even more reverence in her heart.
“Miss, the Prince of Ding’s manor has arrived with the betrothal gifts,” Qing Yu entered with a joyful face, saying, “The Old Madam and Master request Miss to come quickly.”
Ye Li nodded, noting Qing Yu’s slightly strange expression, and raised an eyebrow, “Is there something else?”
Qing Yu’s happy expression became somewhat complicated as she looked at Ye Li and said, “Prince Li and Fourth Miss have also returned.” Today was officially Ye Ying’s homecoming day. Whether intentional or truly coincidental, the Fourth Miss’s homecoming and Third Miss’s betrothal ceremony had fallen on the same day.
Ye Li was also startled – she had almost forgotten Ye Ying was coming back today. “Has something happened?”
Qing Yu pursed her lips and said, “Prince Li and the son-in-law arrived almost simultaneously, with faces so dark it’s as if someone owes him tens of thousands of taels of silver. How inauspicious!”
“Impudent,” Ye Li rebuked mildly. Qing Yu blinked, hearing no real anger in her mistress’s voice, and playfully stuck out her tongue, covering her mouth as she ducked aside.
Qing Shuang came out with a plain pouch and handed it to Ye Li, who turned and gave it to Concubine Zhao along with a golden lock pendant, saying, “Consider this my gift to my brother. I won’t see you off when the time comes.”
Concubine Zhao’s eyes reddened, and remembering this was the day the Prince of Ding’s manor was presenting betrothal gifts, she hurriedly held back her tears as she bid farewell to Ye Li, carefully storing away the items before leaving.
Ye Li turned back and said, “Let’s go see Grandmother.”
Since the Prince of Ding’s manor had no true elders for Mo Xiu Yao, he had specially invited two highly respected elders from the capital to accompany him. These were the Imperial Academy’s Chancellor Su Zhe, whom Ye Li had met once before, and the current Empress’s father, the Old Duke Hua. These two were both influential figures in the capital, bringing great face to Minister Ye. The long list of betrothal gifts from the Prince of Ding’s manor easily reminded people of Prince Li’s betrothal ceremony. What had seemed quite good at the time now seemed to lack sincerity in comparison. Thus, Minister Ye, wearing a smile, invited Chancellor Su, Old Duke Hua, and the Prince of Ding to his study, inadvertently neglecting Ye Ying and Mo Jing Li who had arrived at almost the same time.
“Li’er greets Grandmother, greets Old Madam Hua, greets all the ladies.” As Ye Li entered Rong Le Hall, she saw Old Madam Ye engaged in pleasant conversation with Old Madam Hua, with some vaguely familiar ladies joining in, while Mo Jing Li, Ye Ying, and Madam Wang sat to one side with unhappy expressions. Madam Wang and Ye Ying clearly couldn’t join the conversation, and Mo Jing Li’s expression also discouraged anyone from speaking to him.
“Li’er, come here, everyone look at my granddaughter, isn’t she lovely?” Old Madam Ye warmly beckoned to Ye Li, her somewhat clouded elderly eyes full of kind smiles. As if Ye Li were her most precious beloved granddaughter. Ye Li obediently went forward, “Grandmother.” Old Madam Hua pulled Ye Li to sit beside her and smiled, “Old Madam, please don’t blame me for stealing your granddaughter, but I simply can’t help loving this Third Miss. No wonder our Tian Xiang constantly talks about visiting Third Miss.” Ye Li smiled, “Old Madam is too kind. I miss Tian Xiang as well.” Old Madam Hua nodded repeatedly, “Good child, you truly have your mother’s grace. No wonder that child Xiu Yao, who refused to leave home for many years, especially came to ask our old master to propose marriage.”
Ye Li lowered her head, her beautiful face tinged with a faint blush. She said softly, “The Old Duke has long withdrawn from worldly affairs. For him to trouble himself so, I really…”
Old Madam Hua nodded approvingly to herself – even when shy, she remained composed and proper, unlike the affected manners of typical noble young ladies. Only such a woman could manage the great household of the Prince of Ding’s manor. She patted Ye Li kindly and smiled, “What trouble is it? Our old master has nothing to do now. Naturally, he wants to concern himself with the younger generation’s marriages. Xiu Yao also grew up under our old master’s watch…” Seemingly recalling Mo Xiu Yao’s current condition, Old Madam Hua couldn’t help but sigh lightly, instructing Ye Li, “You’ll be family from now on, you must live well together…”
Ye Li acted bashful, silently accepting, while inwardly drawing a large “awkward” character in her heart.
Seemingly remembering she had neglected the other newlywed couple, Old Madam Hua turned to Mo Jing Li with a smile, “This old woman hasn’t yet congratulated Prince Li and Princess Li. The Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Xian Zhao have long hoped to hold grandchildren – surely they will soon have their wish fulfilled.” As Old Madam Hua spoke, everyone present hurriedly offered congratulations to Mo Jing Li and Ye Ying. Mo Jing Li had been emanating such cold air that those who had wanted to congratulate him earlier hadn’t dared speak. Now that Old Madam Hua had broken the ice, everyone naturally followed with their congratulations. Mo Jing Li coldly watched everyone, but ultimately couldn’t completely disregard Old Madam Hua’s face, and gave a slight nod.
Sitting beside Old Madam Hua, Ye Li could see Ye Ying’s expression. Ye Li found it strange – although there had been some issues during the wedding ceremony, they had nothing to do with Ye Ying herself. Given Mo Jing Li’s fondness for Ye Ying, he should have felt more guilty and treated her even better as a result. But these two’s expressions didn’t look like those of a loving newlywed couple. Perhaps because of Ye Ying’s almost undisguisable dejected expression, Madam Wang’s face didn’t look too good either. Fortunately, she still knew how to read the situation and only maintained a dark expression without making a scene.
“The Prince of Ding has arrived.”
A maid’s announcement came from outside. Minister Ye entered accompanying Old Duke Hua, Chancellor Su, and Mo Xiu Yao. Before they even entered, Old Duke Hua’s resonant laughter could be heard, “Ha ha, this old man has waited so many years to finally drink the Prince of Ding’s wedding wine. What hardship is a single trip? A perfect chance to see how remarkable the future Princess of Ding is, to make even my girl willingly bow to her.”
“A-Li is still young, Old Duke, please don’t frighten her,” Mo Xiu Yao’s voice carried a gentle, warm smile.
“Good lad, not even married yet and already knowing to protect your wife.”
The hall fell quiet. Old Madam Hua smiled and nudged Ye Li, saying, “Our old master is a rough person, Li’er please don’t take offense.” Ye Li smiled and shook her head, looking toward the entrance to see a white-haired and bearded man leading the way. Though nearly seventy years old, he still walked with the vigor of a dragon and tiger, his bearing extraordinary. Coming from a military family herself, Ye Li immediately recognized that this elder must have been a famous general who had commanded armies for half his life and couldn’t help feeling favorably disposed toward him.