HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 46: Ye Ying's Tragic Marriage

Chapter 46: Ye Ying’s Tragic Marriage

“The Prince Li and Princess Li are here as well? This old minister pays respects to Your Highnesses.” Old Duke Hua swept his gaze across everyone in the hall, lingering briefly on Ye Li before paying respects to Mo Jing Li and Ye Ying.

Mo Jing Li nodded, shifting his gaze from Mo Xiu Yao who had entered behind Duke Hua, and frowned. “Old Duke, what brings you here?”

Duke Hua stroked his white beard, smiling with immense satisfaction. “I’ve come as a matchmaker for Xiu Yao, to present the betrothal gifts. Old Madam Ye, please review if there’s anything unsatisfactory with the gifts. Third Miss, please check as well – if anything is missing, we’ll have it brought immediately.”

Old Madam Ye had already briefly reviewed the gift list once and hardly dared to find anything unsatisfactory. She quickly responded with a beaming smile, “How could there be any errors when Old Duke and Old Master Su personally arranged it?” She handed the list to Ye Li, who merely glanced at it before passing it to Qing Luan beside her, saying with a faint smile, “Thank you for the trouble, Duke and Master Su.”

Duke Hua assessed Ye Li for a moment, then turned back to Mo Xiu Yao with a nodding smile. “The Ye family truly knows how to raise their daughters. Xiu Yao is fortunate.”

Mo Xiu Yao glanced at Ye Li, smiling without speaking.

Su Zhe nodded in agreement, “The Old Duke speaks true. Third Miss excels in poetry, literature, and painting – she’s truly outstanding among the capital’s young ladies. The Ye family’s teaching is excellent.”

After another round of praise and modesty, Old Madam Hua, using the pretext of allowing the future newlyweds to develop their feelings, sent the two prospective bride and groom outside. Standing outside Le Rong Hall, Ye Li, and Mo Xiu Yao couldn’t help but exchange glances, which dissolved into faint smiles.

“Let me,” Ye Li walked behind Mo Xiu Yao to take A Jin’s position in the wheelchair. A Jin hesitated, not immediately letting go. Mo Xiu Yao raised his hand, “A Jin, you may withdraw.” The youth’s face showed surprise when looking at Ye Li, followed by newfound respect. He respectfully handed the wheelchair to Ye Li and disappeared with a leap.

Ye Li slowly pushed the wheelchair along the smooth path toward the garden. Mo Xiu Yao turned his head slightly and said softly, “If you tire, we can stop. Actually… I can manage myself.”

“I know, but you should also know I’m not some delicate noble lady,” Ye Li said with a smile. The wheelchair was expertly crafted, requiring little effort to push. Ye Li believed that even without someone pushing, Mo Xiu Yao could move freely on his own – otherwise, he would never have dismissed his trusted aide.

Hearing Ye Li’s words, Mo Xiu Yao seemed to recall something, coughed lightly, and chuckled, “Be careful these days. Jing Li’s other faults are manageable, but he’s particularly vindictive – you could say he never lets go of a grudge. You’ve gotten the better of him several times recently; he won’t let it rest.”

Ye Li nodded, saying somewhat helplessly, “I still don’t understand what I did to offend him.”

Mo Xiu Yao’s gentle smile held a touch of mockery, “If you had shown more dejection after the broken engagement, appeared more devastated, or even made some gesture toward ending your life, he probably wouldn’t target you. In fact… he might have even tried to make amends for some reason.”

Ye Li was speechless. “So, he treats me this way because my reaction didn’t meet his expectations?”

“Obviously.”

“…” How infuriating!

They stopped at a stone table beside the lotus pond. “Let’s rest here for a while,” Ye Li suggested. In early May, the lotus pond showed only emerald green, yet it felt refreshingly pleasant. The serving girls following from a distance cleverly brought tea and snacks before promptly withdrawing, leaving only Qing Shuang and the others standing at a moderate distance awaiting orders.

Mo Xiu Yao smiled and said, “Your attendants are all quite capable. That said – she’s the one from outside the city that night? Her martial arts are impressive.”

Ye Li looked back at Qing Luan, who was speaking with Qing Shuang, and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Qing Luan and Qing Yu came with my eldest uncle. Only Qing Shuang has been with me all along.” She didn’t specify which was Qing Yu and which was Qing Shuang, trusting that Mo Xiu Yao already knew the basics about her attendants.

Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “Ah, so they’re from the Xu family. No wonder. Li has good judgment. This puts my mind at ease about your future in the Prince Ding’s manor.”

Ye Li frowned, “You’re not telling me about the future affairs of Prince Ding’s manor, are you?” She could handle managing a group of elite special forces, or even commanding a regiment of soldiers. But managing a prince’s manor’s affairs and properties, even with recent learning and practice, still made her somewhat nervous.

Ye Li’s conflicted expression amused Mo Xiu Yao; the smile in his eyes deepened as he said, “You’ll be the future mistress of Prince Ding’s household. It’s better to discuss major affairs with you now to avoid future confusion. Is there something wrong with that?”

“No,” Ye Li shook her head, understanding the principle that position comes with responsibility. “I just hope I won’t make a mess of the manor.”

“I have faith in A Li,” Mo Xiu Yao smiled.

Ye Li raised her eyebrows helplessly, “For the sake of your confidence, I suppose I have no reason to decline.” Privately, Ye Li quite enjoyed this feeling. Her relationship with Mo Xiu Yao wasn’t like that of engaged couples, but more like friends. They understood each other’s thoughts and knew each other’s boundaries. Though their emotional bond might not be deep now, their interaction was more comfortable than typical engaged couples. Perhaps they would only ever share friendship, or maybe one day they’d become family to each other, but who could predict the future? Still, one could hope, couldn’t they?

“In my current condition, I’m not quite suited to pay respects to Master Xu and Lord Xu. I hope both elders won’t take offense,” Mo Xiu Yao placed his teacup on the table, looking at Ye Li somewhat apologetically.

“Eldest uncle already knows Prince Ding Manor’s current situation. They’re not the type to insist on empty formalities. Though… didn’t my brother mention visiting Prince Ding’s manor last time?” Ye Li looked at him curiously, wondering how the elegant and refined Xu Qing Chen would express his pickiness and dissatisfaction with his future brother-in-law.

Mo Xiu Yao smiled wryly, “After many years, Young Master Xu’s grace still inspires admiration.”

“Greetings to Prince Li and Princess Li,” Qing Luan and Qing Shuang blocked the path in the distance.

Mo Jing Li sneered, “What? This path is forbidden to me?”

Qing Luan and Qing Shuang exchanged glances. This small path only led to the lotus pond, with no other routes ahead. Prince Li had clearly seen their young miss and Prince Ding here yet insisted on proceeding – wasn’t he just looking for trouble? As Qing Shuang was about to speak, Mo Xiu Yao called out, “Please, Prince Li and Princess Li, join us.” Only then did they bow respectfully, “Your Highnesses, please proceed.”

Mo Jing Li snorted coldly and strode quickly toward the pair sitting by the lotus pond. Ye Ying followed behind him, biting her lip corner resentfully.

Mo Jing Li stood at the table, looking down at Ye Li imperiously. Ye Li frowned, greatly disliking his unbridled gaze.

“Jing Li, sit,” Mo Xiu Yao said calmly, extending his hand to Ye Li. She very cooperatively took his hand and rose to sit beside Mo Xiu Yao, leaving the opposite seats for Mo Jing Li and Ye Ying. Mo Jing Li sat without a word, and only then did Ye Ying approach the three, slightly out of breath. Mo Jing Li’s unrestrained pace was not something a physically delicate woman like Ye Ying could keep up with.

“Third Sister, Prince Ding,” Ye Ying said softly.

Ye Li nodded, smiling, “Fourth Sister, please sit. How have you been these past days?”

Ye Ying lowered her eyes slightly, saying quietly, “Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I am well in every way.”

Ye Li nodded, not pressing further since Ye Ying spoke thus. Although Ye Ying’s appearance hardly suggested all was well, she wasn’t truly concerned about her. If Ye Ying confided her troubles, she wouldn’t know how to respond. Mo Jing Li snorted lightly, “Of course, Ying’er is doing well. I wonder how Li’er has been these past days?”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, glanced sideways at Mo Xiu Yao, then smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. These days have been a bit busy, but all is well.”

Mo Jing Li’s face darkened, his gaze fixed coldly on Ye Li for a long while before addressing Mo Xiu Yao, “I wish to speak with Third Miss Ye privately.”

Ye Li couldn’t help but find it amusing inside. Actually, from her first meeting with Mo Xiu Yao, she noticed that Mo Jing Li particularly loved to put on airs in front of Mo Xiu Yao. For instance, with Mo Xiu Yao present, Mo Jing Li would invariably tilt his chin up more than usual and look at people with contempt. Ye Li wanted to tell him that since Mo Xiu Yao sat in a wheelchair, he mostly saw up Mo Jing Li’s nostrils. So Mo Xiu Yao rarely looked up at him. Also, whenever speaking to Mo Xiu Yao, he would refer to himself as “This Prince.” As if speaking this way would make him superior. In reality, everyone knew that although Mo Jing Li was the former emperor’s son and the current emperor’s brother unless he eliminated his brother and became emperor himself, his rank would always be below that of the Prince Ding of the First Rank.

“Ying’er will take her leave first. Your Highness and Sister, please continue your conversation,” Ye Ying was the first to rise in response to Mo Jing Li’s words, though her gaze at Ye Li had become poisonous with resentment. Watching Ye Ying’s departing figure with its lingering reluctance and unwillingness, Ye Li sighed inwardly. In just two or three days, had Ye Ying transformed from a proud noble daughter into a resentful wife of a powerful family? Viewed this way, Mo Jing Li perhaps didn’t love Ye Ying as much as legend suggested. If so, why had Mo Jing Li originally insisted on marrying Ye Ying, even defying the former emperor’s dying wish? Was it just a moment of willfulness?

“Mo Xiu Yao!” Seeing both Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li unmoved by his words, Mo Jing Li growled in anger.

“Jing Li, you need to learn some manners!” Mo Xiu Yao calmly stared at Mo Jing Li’s dark face, an intangible pressure making Mo Jing Li falter involuntarily. “Did His Majesty permit you to speak to me this way? Hmm?” Compared to Mo Jing Li’s dark and cold countenance, Mo Xiu Yao’s calm expression, even with half his face masked, was incomparably more approachable. Yet despite this, Mo Jing Li was shocked and angry to discover that he felt a trace of hidden fear toward the man before him. This made him both furious and ashamed, increasingly unable to believe it. His last memory of Mo Xiu Yao was from eight or nine years ago. At that time, their status and circumstances were very similar. They came from Da Chu’s most noble families, and they both had elder brothers. His brother was the emperor, and Mo Xiu Yao’s brother was Prince Ding. They didn’t need to inherit titles, had no burdens, and could live lives of luxury even if they did nothing but eat and drink. Except that Mo Xiu Yao excelled at everything compared to him! So he had disliked Mo Xiu Yao since childhood. When he was studying hard hoping for his father’s praise, Mo Xiu Yao had already earned everyone’s admiration, including the emperor’s. When he was secretly proud of his superior martial arts, Mo Xiu Yao was already commanding battlefields, adding more glory to Prince Ding’s manor’s undefeated reputation. In his youth, he hated Mo Xiu Yao but wasn’t afraid of him. When he couldn’t stand him, they’d fight, and losing didn’t matter – he’d win someday. But… he never imagined that eight years after categorizing him as useless, he would – actually fear him!

What utter humiliation!

“Your Highness Prince Li.” Ye Li frowned at Mo Jing Li’s vicious and ferocious expression, not doubting that in a different place, with a different person, Mo Jing Li would have already torn his opponent to pieces. “If Your Highness has something to say, please speak directly. There’s nothing between Xiu Yao and me that cannot be said openly.”

“Nothing that cannot be said openly?” Mo Jing Li quickly calmed down, adopting a mocking expression. “Ye Li, are you sure?”

Ye Li looked at him puzzled, but Mo Jing Li thought he had caught her in something. “Then shall we discuss what happened the night before my wedding and on the wedding day?”

Ye Li looked at him with some sympathy – this fellow didn’t know that Mo Xiu Yao had contributed to his embarrassing fainting episode on his wedding day. “The wedding day? Your Highness means when you fainted and delayed the ceremony? For that… Ye Li expresses deep regrets.” And sympathy.

“Ye Li!” Mo Jing Li glared at the innocently sympathetic woman across from him, gnashing his teeth. “Wasn’t my inability to complete the ceremony exactly what you wanted?”

Ye Li looked bewildered. “What does Your Highness mean by that? Though I’ve had some unpleasantness with Fourth Sister, I’m not so vicious as to wish her wedding ceremony would fail. Your Highness slandering me like this, how… how can I face Fourth Sister again?” Trying to frame her and make Mo Xiu Yao misunderstand? Mo Jing Li’s skill level wasn’t sufficient. Ye Li maintained a slightly hurt expression, defiantly staring at Mo Jing Li, perfectly portraying the role of a wrongly accused young lady.

Mo Xiu Yao, who had originally intended to speak up in Ye Li’s defense, leisurely watched the elegant young woman before him. Even he couldn’t help wanting to applaud her brilliant performance. It seemed Ye Li truly didn’t need his guidance; she could handle most situations better than he’d anticipated. Lowering his eyes in thought, just as Mo Jing Li was about to explode in anger again, Mo Xiu Yao finally spoke: “A Li need not be so concerned. No matter what others say, I will always believe in A-Li.”

Ye Li lowered her gaze, saying softly, “It’s wonderful that Xiu Yao believes me. Otherwise… I really wouldn’t know what to do.”

“Ye Li, you’re something else!” Mo Jing Li finally spat out these words before storming away like a gust of wind.

Ye Li helplessly shrugged her shoulders and sighed softly. Someone like Mo Jing Li would hold a grudge until death over the slightest offense. Unless you were willing to humble yourself completely and go begging for his forgiveness, letting him humiliate you to his satisfaction, ordinary concessions would never be enough. What’s more, this person had extremely powerful backing – the current Emperor and Empress Dowager. “I seem to have made an enemy for you?”

“No, he and I were never friends, to begin with,” Mo Xiu Yao said calmly.

Ye Li blinked. “Can you tell me about it?”

“When we were young, he hid my homework, causing my father to beat me. I repaid him with one of the Emperor’s paddles. In our youth, he suspected me of seducing his love interest and had someone spike my drink at a banquet – he ended up drinking that cup himself. Once during martial arts practice, I accidentally kicked him off the arena platform. The next day, I was ambushed by over a dozen palace martial arts experts. Ten days later, Feng Zhi Yao and I hung him from a large willow tree in the capital. Hmm… his love interest happened to see that.”

“Truly… a deep sea of hatred,” Ye Li was speechless. Though she’d heard stories of how dazzling Mo Xiu Yao had been in his youth, looking at the current gentle and quiet man, she found it hard to imagine Mo Xiu Yao at an age of mischief and pranks.

“Feng Zhi Yao told me he found Prince Li unconscious behind the rock garden in his manor on the wedding day,” Mo Xiu Yao said with a smile, now that the troublesome person had left.

Ye Li smiled with pure innocence. “It seems Mo Jing Li has indeed offended many people.” She could guarantee that no one saw her approach Mo Jing Li – even Feng Zhi Yao must have only guessed. Amusement flashed in Mo Xiu Yao’s eyes as he nodded, “Indeed. However… though Jing Li has always lacked intelligence, those two in the palace and Noble Consort Xian Zhao are not without brains. So…”

Ye Li nodded seriously. “I understand.” Those two in the palace and Noble Consort Xian Zhao had fought their way through dozens of the former emperor’s consorts and over ten sons. They naturally couldn’t be compared to Prince Li, who had been too well protected. Drawing too much of their attention would do more harm than good. After thinking for a moment, Ye Li said, “I fear… I’ve already caught someone’s eye.”

Mo Xiu Yao thoughtfully glanced at the maids standing not far away, nodding slightly. “Whoever they are, they won’t be at ease. It’s not specifically targeting you, just that you’re more likely to draw their attention. Before the wedding, the palace will probably find an excuse to summon you. When that time comes… bring your maid Qing Yu.” Ye Li looked at him questioningly, and Mo Xiu Yao explained softly, “Young Master Xu mentioned to me that that maid seems quite skilled in medicine.”

Ye Li understood, raising her hand to touch her temple as a headache began forming. Mo Xiu Yao smiled and poured her a cup of hot tea, asking, “Headache?”

Ye Li nodded honestly. “I feel I’m still not good at these things.” All this scheming and calculating gave her a headache. Didn’t these people ever get tired?

“I’m sorry,” Mo Xiu Yao said quietly, watching her.

Ye Li waved it off, saying carelessly, “I guess even if the Emperor hadn’t matched me with you, he would have matched me with someone else he disapproved of.” The Xu family’s background was too special; the Emperor wouldn’t be at ease matching her with anyone. Just like the Xu family’s young masters – Xu Qing Chen was already twenty-two, yet had neither married nor been betrothed, and the Emperor had never considered arranging a marriage for him. She even suspected the Emperor hoped Xu Qing Chen would never marry, or if he did, would marry someone like Xu Qing Ze had – a woman from a family with a reputation but no real power. Otherwise, he’d have to marry a princess. Thinking of this, Ye Li looked up and asked, “Are there any unmarried princesses in the palace now?”

Mo Xiu Yao nodded, “The former emperor’s youngest daughter, Princess Lin Lang, and the current emperor’s eldest daughter, Princess Fang Fei, are both twelve years old now. Why?”

Ye Li shook her head, hoping she was overthinking things. Xu Qing Chen couldn’t possibly marry a twelve-year-old girl, could he? Though there were still Xu Qing Bo and Xu Qing Yan…

One look at Ye Li’s expression and Mo Xiu Yao guessed what she was thinking. He nodded, “Years ago, both the Emperor and even the former Emperor had indeed hinted at wanting to marry a princess to Xu Qing Chen, but Master Qing Yun refused.” The Xu family’s refusal to marry imperial women was considered one of the peculiarities among Da Chu’s noble families. Though marrying a princess meant forever disconnecting from court politics and power, only holding the empty title of Prince Consort while living a life of luxury – a nightmare for ambitious noble sons – many great families were still willing to let their secondary sons without inheritance rights marry princesses. After all, it meant their family’s bloodline would merge with the royal family, symbolizing the emperor’s favor and glory. But the Xu family, which had passed through two dynasties over hundreds of years, had at least five sons who refused to marry princesses. A century ago, the Xu family head had even established a family rule forbidding Xu sons from marrying into the royal family, even for illegitimate sons. Thus, the royal family no longer bothered proposing marriages to the Xu family.

“The palace must already know about eldest uncle and the others coming to the capital?” Ye Li asked.

Mo Xiu Yao nodded, “Though they came privately, Master Hong Yu didn’t particularly hide his movements. Such things would be impossible to completely conceal if investigated, and Minister Ye shows complete loyalty to the current Emperor. Being overly secretive would only raise suspicions.”

Ye Li smiled, “That makes sense. I still need to pay my respects to my eldest uncle later, and I have many things to seek his guidance on.”

“Give Master Hong Yu my regards.”

In Lady Wang’s Fang Yi Chamber, Ye Ying lay in Lady Wang’s arms, sobbing miserably. Lady Wang dismissed the maids from the room and held her daughter comfortingly, “Ying’er, what’s wrong? You just got married, how did things become like this? Has Prince Li mistreated you?” Ye Ying raised her head to look at her mother’s worried and loving face, and her grief welled up anew as she cried even more sorrowfully, “Wuu… Mother, Ying’er is so miserable…”

“What exactly happened? Did Prince Li treat you badly? Don’t be afraid, my good daughter, we’ll tell your father later. Your father loves you most and will surely stand up for you,” Lady Wang quickly said.

Ye Ying wiped her tears and cried, “What use is father? What can he dare do to Prince Li’s manor? When Prince Li’s manor so casually presented the betrothal gifts, he didn’t say anything! Father doesn’t love me at all.”

Lady Wang was speechless. To say Prince Li’s betrothal gifts were lacking was only in comparison to Prince Ding’s grand gesture. With Noble Consort Xian Zhao personally arranging the gifts, they couldn’t possibly have embarrassed Prince Li’s manor, and Ye Ying had been quite satisfied at the time. It was only now, seeing Prince Ding’s manor so formally inviting Duke Hua and Old Master Su to present the betrothal gifts, that Ye Ying felt she had lost face compared to Ye Li. Though Lady Wang herself felt somewhat uncomfortable about it, she still knew what was important. Gently patting Ye Ying’s choked-up back, she said, “Silly child, how can you blame your father for this? You know yourself that there was nothing wrong with Prince Li’s betrothal gifts at the time, don’t you? If there had been anything inappropriate, how could your father and grandmother have let you marry like that? It’s just that Ye Li’s wedding date was set after yours, so Prince Ding’s manor had to make her betrothal gifts more substantial than yours to save face. But think about it – what else does she have besides the betrothal gifts? Prince Li is the Emperor’s brother, accomplished in both civil and military arts, and one of the capital’s most handsome men. Prince Ding is now just an idle prince without power or influence, confined to a wheelchair and with a ruined face. You’re still far better off than her, aren’t you?”

Ye Ying bit her cherry lips resentfully and said softly, “But… His Highness has several concubines in his manor.”

Lady Wang was startled, then broke into a smile, hugging Ye Ying as she said, “Silly daughter, what man doesn’t have several women in his household? Remember, you are Prince Li’s principal wife. Look at our household – don’t we have quite a few women too? But what of it? Aren’t they all obedient to their mother’s rule? Come, tell Mother properly, how have these past few days been?”

Speaking of Ye Ying’s married life, “tragic” hardly began to describe it. On the wedding day, not only did they miss the auspicious time for the bride’s procession and have the groom faint during the ceremony, but after Mo Jing Li fainted and was carried back to the bridal chamber, he was examined by the Imperial Physician and given medicine but remained unconscious. As the new bride, Ye Ying had to lift her red veil and then tend to her unconscious husband on an empty stomach. By the time Mo Jing Li woke up, it was nearly the fifth watch, and forgot about the wedding night – Ye Ying barely had time to hastily wash and dress before going to pay respects to Noble Consort Xian Zhao. The Noble Consort, already dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, saw Ye Ying’s awful complexion that even heavy makeup couldn’t hide and immediately flew into a rage. She criticized everything from Ye Ying’s dress and appearance to her conduct and behavior, and what Ye Ying found most unbearable was being compared to her most hated Ye Li. The originally confident and composed Ye Ying listened as Noble Consort Xian Zhao went on about how elegant and proper Ye Li had been when she saw her yesterday, while Ye Ying was frivolous and discourteous; how Ye Li was so well-spoken while Ye Ying knew neither when to advance nor retreat. Ye Ying finally couldn’t take it anymore and talked back. This enraged Noble Consort Xian Zhao, who made Ye Ying kneel for a full quarter hour during the tea ceremony. Only when Mo Jing Li grew impatient did she allow Ye Ying to rise. If it had been Ye Li, she would have told Ye Ying: Poor child, you fell for Noble Consort Xian Zhao’s trap. She was deliberately tormenting you. How could someone who had navigated the deep palace for decades so easily lose her temper? She was deliberately pressing Ye Ying’s weak points to find an excuse to act against her. You could say she wanted to give her a harsh lesson.

If Ye Ying’s misfortunes had ended there, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But after finally finishing attending to the Noble Consort at breakfast and returning to her courtyard, she nearly coughed up blood when she saw four or five beautifully dressed women of varying attractiveness waiting for her. She had never known that Mo Jing Li already had five concubines before their wedding. Moreover, she couldn’t do anything about these concubines because they had been bestowed by either the Noble Consort or the Empress Dowager. They were either legitimate daughters of minor officials or illegitimate daughters of high officials. Ye Ying constantly recalled her grandmother’s teachings, using all her strength to suppress her anger while dealing with these women. Returning to her room, instead of a gentle newlywed husband, she was greeted by the manor’s steward and managers bearing cold account books. Though Ye Ying excelled in the four arts – music, chess, calligraphy, and painting – this didn’t mean she was skilled at household management and accounting. She had previously disdained such vulgar matters, believing they would taint her refined and ethereal temperament. But under the frowning and pursed lips of the Noble Consort and managers, she felt like a fool for the first time. Two days later, before she could make sense of the seemingly endless account books, Noble Consort Xian Zhao coldly informed her that she need not manage these accounts anymore. While Ye Ying felt relieved, she also understood that she had lost the right to manage Prince Li’s manor.

Hearing Ye Ying’s words, Lady Wang’s expression also turned ugly. If Ye Ying had no right to manage the manor, then her position as Princess Li was purely decorative. Lady Wang regretted for the first time that she had spoiled and indulged this daughter too much; if she had taught her earlier, they might not have encountered such problems. But what Lady Wang didn’t understand was that compared to Noble Consort Xian Zhao, no amount of additional teaching, even if she had personally taught Ye Ying, would have made any difference. From the beginning, Ye Ying was destined to be denied the rights a manor’s mistress should have.

“Then… what is Prince Li’s position on this?” Lady Wang asked, holding Ye Ying’s hand.

Ye Ying lowered her head tearfully, “His Highness said the Noble Consort was taking pity on my youth by helping manage the manor. He said after a couple of years, when I have children and have learned enough, it won’t be too late to take over.”

Lady Wang had a flash of inspiration, “Right, children. His Highness isn’t wrong. Ying’er, you should quickly bear him an heir. Remember, a legitimate heir. You absolutely cannot let those women bear Prince Li’s children before you.” Ye Ying was startled and looked at Lady Wang hesitantly. Lady Wang said softly, “Good child, don’t be afraid. Mother will tell you what to do. You are Prince Li’s principal wife; bearing his legitimate heir is your natural right. So those women absolutely cannot become pregnant before you. Understand?” Seeing the cold light in Lady Wang’s eyes, Ye Ying quickly nodded. Only then did Lady Wang reveal a satisfied smile and pull Ye Ying down to discuss details.

As mother and daughter were deeply engaged in their discussion of teaching and learning, a maid serving outside came to announce the master’s arrival.

Lady Wang was delighted, pulling Ye Ying along as she smiled, “See? Your father does care about you.” She quickly led Ye Ying to welcome Minister Ye. When Minister Ye entered and saw Ye Ying, he was startled before saying, “Why is Ying’er here?” Ye Ying lowered her head resentfully and said, “Ying’er has come home to visit, naturally I would be speaking with Mother. Where else does Father think his daughter should be?” Minister Ye frowned slightly, unable to help to look at Ye Ying again. He felt this daughter seemed somewhat different after not seeing her for several days. However, he quickly attributed it to her having grown up now that she was married, and didn’t ask further.

After Minister Ye was seated and served tea, Lady Wang asked, “Why has my lord come at this time instead of accompanying Duke Hua and Old Master Su?”

Minister Ye said, “The Duke and Old Master Su have finished their meal and left. I came to discuss Li’er’s dowry with you.” Lady Wang felt a hint of foreboding, “Li’er’s dowry? Hasn’t it already been prepared? Does my lord see any problems?” Minister Ye nodded, glancing at Ye Ying sitting to the side, “I discussed with Mother, and we decided to add two estates, one courtyard, two shops, and eight thousand taels of silver to Li’er’s dowry.”

“What?!” Lady Wang couldn’t help but shriek, almost knocking over her teacup. Ye Ying also looked at Minister Ye in disbelief.

Minister Ye frowned in displeasure, saying, “This is the Old Madam’s decision.”

Lady Wang struggled not to scream, looking at Minister Ye with reddened eyes, “Why? Yue’er and Ying’er are also your legitimate daughters, Old Madam’s granddaughters. Isn’t Old Madam showing too much favoritism? With Yue’er in the palace that’s one thing, but how can Ying’er establish herself in Prince Li’s manor after this?” Minister Ye impatiently said, “What nonsense are you talking about? You know perfectly well what happened with Ying’er’s dowry. Do you think Mother and I don’t know how much extra you added to it?” Lady Wang said softly with some unwillingness, “Hasn’t Li’er also had extra added? Even the eldest miss’s dowry when she married wasn’t a fraction of hers.”

Minister Ye said coldly, “Don’t you know where the dowry that Li’er’s mother left for Zhen’er went? Moreover, Li’er’s extra dowry was left by her mother, it came from the Xu family. Ying’er’s extras all came from the Ye family!”

“My lord…” Lady Wang looked at Minister Ye with a grief-stricken face, her body seeming about to collapse, “I knew it… you’ve always looked down on me. Just because my family background is humble compared to her sister’s noble origins…” Before she finished speaking, Lady Wang was already crying copiously, “Wuu… if I had known it would be like this, that my daughters would be scorned by you, I… I might as well have died back then…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?!” Seeing his wife in such distress, Minister Ye’s heart softened. Thinking of how he had somewhat neglected her lately because of Lady Zhao, he said helplessly.

Lady Wang looked at Minister Ye tearfully and resentfully, “Hasn’t my lord looked down on me?”

Minister Ye said, “Don’t overthink things needlessly, when have I ever looked down on you?”

Only then did Lady Wang stop her tears, looking at Minister Ye with emotion, “Bi’er knows my lord will always be good to Bi’er?”

Minister Ye looked at Ye Ying, making an uncomfortable sound of agreement. Ye Ying, sitting to the side, was also thoughtful, quite surprised at her mother’s methods of manipulating her father. Though watching her mother act out this maiden’s shyness seemed rather unbearable to her, her father fell for it. She remembered the former First Lady too. It could be said that Ye Ying had always strived to emulate women like the former First Lady since childhood. So she had never really understood why her father would abandon such a beautiful, elegant, and talented woman as the First Lady in favor of her mother. At one point she even wondered if she had been working toward the wrong goal. But as she grew up, the praise from the capital’s young ladies and admiring glances from men made her understand that she hadn’t been wrong.

“My lord, then… about Li’er’s dowry…”

Minister Ye frowned, “This was Old Madam’s decision. If you still have objections, go speak with her.” Though Minister Ye might be unclear about some private household matters, he wasn’t too confused about important affairs. He immediately used Old Madam Ye as a shield.

Lady Wang naturally didn’t dare question Old Madam Ye. If she had dared to confront Old Madam Ye, she would have found a way to poison that old hypocrite who always looked down her nose at her and loved to meddle years ago.

Seeing his wife and daughter’s wronged but silent expressions, Minister Ye sighed and said, “You know what kind of betrothal gifts Prince Ding’s manor sent. Though with the dowry left by Li’er’s mother supporting it, outsiders won’t notice anything. But which noble family in the capital doesn’t know each other’s circumstances? If any criticism spreads, our Ye family won’t be able to show our faces in the capital anymore.” Taking the generous betrothal gifts from the son-in-law’s family but being unable to provide a matching dowry would certainly lead to pointed fingers and gossip.

Lady Wang recalled Prince Ding’s manor’s long list of betrothal gifts and had to admit that even though fallen, Prince Ding’s manor was still wealthy with vast holdings.

“If this gets out, it won’t look bad for Prince Ding’s manor and Li’er. It will look bad for our Ye family and the Noble Consort Zhao in the palace,” Minister Ye continued.

At the mention of Noble Consort Ye in the palace, Lady Wang’s expression wavered even more. However, thinking about having to give away several more tens of thousands of taels of silver at once made her heart ache again. After considering for a while, she finally said quietly, “My lord and Old Madam have considered everything thoroughly. I was being short-sighted. Please don’t take offense, my lord. Let’s do as you say. I don’t have the energy to manage these matters anymore.”

Hearing this, Minister Ye looked at her in surprise, “What? Has something happened with Ying’er?”

Lady Wang pulled Ye Ying close and detailed everything that had happened in Prince Li’s manor. Listening made Minister Ye’s anger rise uncontrollably. Though Ye Ying might not see that Noble Consort Xian Zhao deliberately wanted to strip her of household management rights, how could Lady Wang and Minister Ye not see it? Who had ever heard of a new bride being made to manage the household and accounts on her first day? And then directly determining she was unsuitable for household management after just two days? Even the most harsh mother-in-law wouldn’t do this.

“This is outrageous! I’ll go find Prince Li and demand an explanation from him for our Ye family!” Minister Ye said angrily.

Ye Ying quickly grabbed Minister Ye to stop him from leaving. Minister Ye frowned, “Ying’er, what are you doing?” Ye Ying said softly, “Father, please hold off on this matter for now. His Highness has already agreed with the Noble Consort; going to speak about it now will only make His Highness unhappy.” After crying and receiving her mother’s advice, Ye Ying understood clearly that her only support now was Mo Jing Li, so she absolutely could not make him unhappy.

“Are we just going to let this go?” Minister Ye said. Comparing the courteous Mo Xiu Yao with the arrogant Mo Jing Li, Minister Ye became even more dissatisfied with this son-in-law. Why did Prince Ding have to be in such circumstances? Minister Ye thought with regret.

“Ying’er will find a way, and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll ask Father to help.”

Minister Ye sighed lightly, saying to his daughter with pity, “Alright, though Prince Li is Empress Dowager’s son, we needn’t fear him so much. The Emperor is not unreasonable; if things don’t work out, we can ask the Emperor to intervene. I’ll prepare some extra silver for Ying’er to keep in reserve.”

“Yes, this humble wife thanks my lord on Ying’er’s behalf.”

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