Qingluan and the others followed behind Ye Li, watching their usually gentle mistress stride away with a dark face. They exchanged bewildered glances – the lakeside pavilion was too far from shore for them to hear what the Prince and Princess had discussed. Qingxia hesitantly asked, “Could the Prince have bullied the Princess?”
Qingshuang immediately darkened her expression. “What? The Prince bullied our mistress?”
Qingluan and Qingyu helplessly held back the agitated Qingshuang. Qingluan’s mouth twitched involuntarily. She had personally witnessed the Princess’s martial abilities – knocking out a strong man effortlessly without even breaking a breath. How could the Prince, confined to a wheelchair, possibly bully the Princess? Qingyu thought for a moment and said, “Let’s ask Ajin later. He must know.” Qingshuang pouted, “He stayed on shore with us, what could he possibly know?” Qingxia agreed, “He’s been with the Prince since childhood, he must know how the Prince upset the Princess. Quick, let’s go – the Princess has gone far ahead.”
Ye Li strode rapidly toward her courtyard while cursing Mo Xiu Yao thoroughly in her mind. She must have been blind to think that fellow had a gentle personality – she had even once thought him pure and innocent! That bastard teased… no, mocked her! Jealousy! Jealousy… Idiot, how could she be jealous of a man she’d only known briefly? At most, she just disliked others coveting what was hers.
“What’s wrong with the Princess?” Back in the courtyard, Wei Mama came out to greet them and immediately asked upon seeing Ye Li’s gloomy face. Having been separated from the young mistress she’d raised since childhood for several years, Wei Mama now showered Ye Li with all the accumulated love she’d missed, caring more than anyone about her mood and health. Being questioned this way made Ye Li somewhat embarrassed. Understanding that her reaction had been excessive, she couldn’t bring herself to admit she’d stormed off because Mo Xiu Yao had teased her. She quickly took Wei Mama’s arm and said, “Nurse, didn’t I tell you to rest properly? If you keep hovering around me like this, your little grandson won’t even recognize you anymore.” Lin Mama and Wei Mama’s entire family had come to the Prince’s mansion with Ye Li. She had assigned their capable male relatives to manage shops or estates outside while keeping the women in her courtyard. Usually, she tried to minimize having the two elderly women serve her, especially Lin Mama who was quite advanced in years – it certainly wasn’t easy for her to be running around with a young person.
Wei Mama looked at her somewhat sadly and said, “Has my young mistress grown up and tired of her nurse?”
“Nurse…” Ye Li had a headache – this tactic again! But at least it had diverted attention from what had happened earlier. Leading Wei Mama inside, Ye Li spoke to her sweetly and gently until Wei Mama was beaming with joy.
“Princess, Ajin has arrived,” Qingshuang announced as she entered, her pretty face still puffy with anger. She was still upset with Ajin from the outside.
“Let him in,” Ye Li said teasingly, “Who’s upset our little Shuang?”
Qingshuang’s little face reddened as she stamped her foot, “Mistress! It’s that awful Ajin, just because he serves the Prince he walks around with a dead face all day, as if everyone owes him five hundred taels of silver!” Ye Li sighed helplessly, “Qingshuang, aren’t you being unreasonable? Ajin just doesn’t like to talk, he’s far from having a dead face. Mo Jing Li is the one with a dead face – Ajin is merely quiet. That somewhat rosy cold face of his doesn’t even compare to Second Brother.”
Ajin entered carrying a box, giving Qingshuang an expressionless look. Qingshuang knew she’d been caught badmouthing him and turned her face away sheepishly. Ye Li laughed inwardly but maintained a serious expression as she looked at Ajin, “Ajin, what brings you here?”
Ajin placed the box on the table and stepped back two paces before saying, “This was sent by the Prince. The Prince… the Prince said he didn’t mean to upset the Princess and asked for the Princess’s magnanimous forgiveness.” The sentence came out stuttering, and Ye Li understood immediately. She smiled warmly at Ajin and asked, “Ajin, who taught you that last part?”
Ajin’s face reddened as he stared at Ye Li helplessly. Both the Prince and Princess were clever people – lies would always be exposed before them. Ajin silently noted this fact in his heart.
Ye Li added with a smile, “Your Prince would never say such things. Besides, I’m not angry. I’ll accept this – you may go.”
After Ajin quietly withdrew, Ye Li opened the box in good spirits to find, as expected, the portrait she’d been thinking about. She’d just been wondering what excuse she could use to get the portrait back, but Mo Xiu Yao had proved quite sensible by sending Ajin with it right away. Spreading the painting on the table, Ye Li gazed at the woman in it and sighed softly. Mo Xiu Yao’s words echoed in her mind – “I think this is the real Ali.”
“How beautiful…” Qingshuang exclaimed excitedly from beside her, “Mistress, did the Prince paint this? It’s so lovely.”
Wei Mama nodded approvingly and smiled, “The Prince truly has feelings for our young mistress. It seems the Master and Young Master didn’t misjudge him after all. Hehe…”
Ye Li was speechless – was it such a big deal over one portrait?
Before they knew it, the day for the return visit had arrived. Over these three days, Ye Li had adapted remarkably well to life in the Prince’s mansion. Even Lin Mama and Wei Mama, who had been worried at first, had relaxed their concerns. Their only dissatisfaction was that the Prince and Princess had not yet consummated their marriage. However, they weren’t the only ones concerned about this – Sun Mama of the Prince’s mansion shared their worry. Having raised Mo Xiu Yao since childhood, Sun Mama understood her master’s temperament well and had no complaints about the new Princess. She had even hinted to Lin Mama and Wei Mama that they would find a way to address this. With the Prince’s household being harmonious and showing great respect to their young mistress, and knowing that after the return visit their mistress would officially take charge of the Prince’s mansion, what more could the two elderly women be dissatisfied with? Therefore, on the day of the return visit, their faces were blooming with joy.
The welcome at the Ye family was exceptionally grand. Not only were Secretary Ye’s wife Madam Wang and the sisters Ye Shan, Ye Lin, and Ye Rong present, but even the married sisters Ye Zhen and Ye Ying had returned with their husbands. While Ye Ying’s presence wasn’t surprising, it was quite noteworthy that Ye Zhen, as the secondary wife of the Southern Marquis’s heir, had managed to have him accompany her. After entering and paying respects to Old Madam Ye, Ye Li was pulled away by her sisters for a private conversation, while Mo Xiu Yao remained in the main hall to talk with Secretary Ye and Mo Jing Li.
Qingyi Pavilion, Ye Li’s former residence, had been kept as it was, and the sisters gathered around a stone table in its courtyard. Ye Zhen observed the maids standing at a distance, then looked at Ye Li in her light purple clothing, adorned with pearl-tasseled hairpins, pearl earrings, and an exquisite lotus-patterned warm jade bracelet. Her calm demeanor and gentle smile seemed to have gained an additional air of nobility compared to before. She sighed enviously, “It seems Third Sister is living quite contentedly in the Prince’s mansion?” Ye Li smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister. Everything is fine.” Ye Shan clutched Ye Li’s arm and bombarded her with questions about the Prince’s mansion – how large it was, how it looked, what kind of people lived there, how they got along, and so on. Ye Li wasn’t hurried, waiting for her to finish before selectively answering what she could. When Ye Shan didn’t get all her answers and wanted to ask more, Ye Lin pulled her sleeve, forcing her to reluctantly close her mouth.
“I heard there’s a former Princess and a Secondary Imperial Consort in the Prince’s mansion. Have you met them, Third Sister?” Ye Ying, who had been sitting quietly with a blank expression unable to join the conversation, finally fixed her gaze on Ye Li and asked.
Ye Li looked at Ye Ying with surprise, frowning slightly as she said, “Fourth Sister, have you been unwell lately?” Though not much time had passed since they’d last met, Ye Ying’s appearance had changed considerably. She seemed even more thin and frail than before. While she had always been delicate, Madam Wang’s care had kept her in good health, her face usually glowing with an alluring blush. But now, without that rosy tint, her whole person appeared much darker. Although she wore rouge, it couldn’t compare to her previous natural beauty without makeup. Ye Ying’s eyes flickered slightly as she lowered them, saying quietly, “Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I’m just a bit tired.”
Ye Li sighed inwardly. Ye Ying had indeed changed significantly – it seemed Consort Xianzhao’s skill in training people truly surpassed Old Madam Ye’s. “If you’re tired, you should rest more. No matter what, health is most important. Without good health, you have nothing.” After offering some brief advice, she answered Ye Ying’s question, “The Elder Princess Consort is devoted to Buddhism; I paid my respects after returning. As for the Secondary Imperial Consort…” Thinking of the eccentric Secondary Imperial Consort in the mansion, Ye Li couldn’t help but frown, saying lightly, “She’s Father Prince’s consort – we need not meet often.” Ye Shan exclaimed, “Then doesn’t that mean the Third Sister and the Prince are the only masters in the Prince’s mansion?” At these words, not only Ye Shan, Ye Zhen, and Ye Lin, but even Ye Ying couldn’t help showing a trace of envy in their eyes. Having no elders pressing down from above, no sisters-in-law or brothers’ wives to deal with, and not even any young sisters-in-law to accommodate – it was every newly married woman’s dream. However, thinking of Mo Xiu Yao’s condition, Ye Ying felt vaguely balanced again. Compared to being mocked and pitied when going out in public, enduring some grievances at home seemed bearable.
“Third Sister seems to have a good relationship with the Prince. You’re truly blessed,” Ye Zhen sighed with a wistful tone.
Ye Ying looked somewhat skeptical and asked dubiously, “Is the Prince’s temperament really that good? I’ve heard that people with physical disabilities usually have peculiar dispositions.” Ye Li frowned slightly and said, “The Prince isn’t difficult to get along with.” Whether Mo Xiu Yao had a good temperament or not, she didn’t know, but currently, they were getting along harmoniously, and that was enough. Ye Ying knew her words had displeased Ye Li, but she had never been one to bow to Ye Li, creating a moment of awkward tension. Seeing the situation between the two, Ye Zhen tried to change the subject, “The palace will be holding a banquet in a few days to bid farewell to the foreign envoys. Third Sister, Fourth Sister, have you received your invitations?”
Ye Li shook her head, “No.”
Ye Lin smiled, “The foreign envoys came specifically to celebrate the Third Sister and the Prince’s wedding, so even if others don’t attend, the Prince and Third Sister must certainly be there. But how does Eldest Sister know about this before Third Sister and Fourth Sister?” Ye Zhen smiled, “His Majesty assigned this task to our Heir Prince, so naturally, I learned about it earlier.” Ye Shan’s eyes brightened, “Then will Eldest Sister be going?” Ye Zhen nodded with a mix of shyness and joy, “The Heir Prince said he would take me to the palace with him this time.” She cast a grateful glance at Ye Li, clearly understanding that the Southern Marquis’s heir’s decision to bring her, a secondary wife, to the palace banquet was because she had become the sister of the newly appointed Princess of Prince Ding. Although only a secondary wife, Ye Zhen now felt she could stand more firmly in the Marquis’s mansion. After all, even the Heir Prince’s primary wife didn’t have a sister who was an Imperial Consort and two sisters who were Princesses. From this perspective, if she could bear children, she might even have a chance to compete with the Heir Princess in the future.
“Hmph, even if Eldest Sister can go, you certainly won’t be able to,” Ye Ying glanced at Ye Shan and said coldly. Ye Shan’s face immediately reddened as she stammered, “Fourth Sister, I… I wasn’t thinking that.” Without even looking at her, Ye Ying said, “Who has time to care what you’re thinking? Some people just can’t understand their status.”
“You!” Ye Shan’s eyes reddened, tears welling up. Finally, she could only get up and run out. Ye Ying’s words were too harsh – although directed at Ye Shan, they made Ye Lin uncomfortable as well. After glancing at the departing Ye Shan, she also rose to follow, and even Ye Zhen’s expression darkened. Ye Li looked strangely at Ye Ying, then at Ye Zhen. Ye Zhen sighed helplessly and said softly, “Fourth Sister, even if you’re in a bad mood, you shouldn’t take it out on Sixth Sister.” Ye Ying clutched her handkerchief and gave a cold laugh, “I’m in a bad mood? Eldest Sister, why don’t you ask if Third Sister could be in a good mood?”
“Servant greets the young ladies. The Old Madam requests Princess Ding’s presence for a conversation,” a maid from Rongle Hall came to deliver the message.
Ye Ying glanced at Ye Li with a cold smile, “Third Sister wanted to know what’s wrong with me. You’ll find out when you go.”
Ye Li shook her head, rising to look at Ye Ying, “Fourth Sister, this temperament of yours might be tolerable at home. But now that you’re married… do you think the Madam can still protect you all the time?”
Ye Ying’s expression darkened as she stubbornly turned her head away without speaking. Ye Li didn’t press further. Although they were blood sisters, her feelings for these sisters were far less than what she had for her former cousin-sisters, and not as deep as her relationship with the Xu family cousins. She could offer advice, but if it wasn’t taken, there was nothing she could do.
Arriving at Rongle Hall, Old Madam Ye sat in the flower hall wearing festive clothing. Seeing Ye Li enter, her face immediately bloomed with joy, “Li’er, come let Grandmother have a look at you…”
Ye Li went to sit beside Old Madam Ye, who examined her carefully before nodding with satisfaction, “Have you adjusted well to life in Prince Ding’s mansion these past few days? Are the servants manageable? Has anyone given you trouble?” Ye Li smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Everything is fine. The servants are all very respectful.” Old Madam Ye nodded repeatedly, “That’s good, that’s good. Then you and the Prince…” Ye Li said, “The Prince is very easy to get along with.” Old Madam Ye looked somewhat troubled, glancing at Ye Li before saying, “Grandmother means you and the Prince… you and the Prince, when are you planning to have children? The Prince isn’t young anymore.” Ye Li felt slightly embarrassed – so Old Madam Ye had been pondering how to ask if they had consummated their marriage. Old Madam Ye stared at her and said, “Don’t try to deceive Grandmother. If Grandmother couldn’t see through this much, all these years would have been lived in vain. You and the Prince haven’t consummated the marriage, have you?” Old Madam Ye clearly understood that this granddaughter was different from the others, and quickly abandoned beating around the bush to ask directly.
“You can tell even that?” Ye Li thought for a moment before responding composedly, “Grandmother needn’t worry. The Prince and I feel we don’t know each other well enough yet, so waiting a while longer to… isn’t too late. Besides, we’re getting along very well now, so there’s no rush.”
Old Madam Ye watched Ye Li’s calm and composed expression and secretly shook her head, “Then… who manages the affairs of the Prince’s mansion?”
“External affairs are naturally handled by the Prince, and the household matters will be handed over to me after I return,” Ye Li answered.
Old Madam Ye’s expression cleared slightly – at least this granddaughter knew how to grasp the power within the mansion. Old Madam Ye was truly at a loss with her two legitimate granddaughters, Ye Li, and Ye Ying. Ye Ying seemed clever but was mindless, failing to secure power after entering Prince Li’s mansion and instead spending her days fighting with concubines over jealousy, making herself appear like a bitter wife. In comparison, the unassuming Ye Li was much smarter – one could tell from the attitude of the servants who had come from Prince Ding’s mansion that she was doing well there. But she seemed far too indifferent toward Prince Ding. She should know that even as Princess Ding, her lifelong prosperity still depended on Prince Ding.
“Li’er, tell Grandmother honestly. Is it because… because of the Prince’s legs that you…” Old Madam Ye dismissed the attending servants and asked Ye Li in a low voice, holding her hand.
Ye Li was speechless, but in Old Madam Ye’s eyes, this confirmed her suspicion. Old Madam Ye sighed, “Poor child, Grandmother knows your fate is bitter… but things are as they are, and you’re already married into Prince Ding’s mansion, what else can be done? Even as Princess Ding, you still need to hold tightly to the Prince. Most important is having children – once you have children, no one can threaten your position as Princess. Do you understand? Does the Prince have any concubines?” Ye Li shook her head, and Old Madam Ye’s smile grew broader, “In that case, it seems the Prince truly values you. No concubines are even better – as long as you have children with the Prince first, then later…” Seeing Old Madam Ye’s meaningful expression, Ye Li pondered for a while before finally understanding her grandmother’s meaning. It seemed Old Madam Ye was telling her that even if she looked down on Mo Xiu Yao’s disabled legs, she must first bear children. Once she had children, if she truly couldn’t accept Mo Xiu Yao, she could push him toward other women. After all, she was the Princess with status, and having children would be enough. A man’s favor was usually unreliable anyway.
Why didn’t she suspect Mo Xiu Yao might be impotent? Ye Li thought mischievously.
“Thank you for Grandmother’s teachings. Li’er understands,” Ye Li quickly agreed to avoid Old Madam Ye continuing to impart her experiences.
Old Madam Ye was satisfied with her apparent receptiveness and nodded, “Good child, Grandmother knew you would see things more clearly than Ying’er. Originally, these words shouldn’t be said on your return visit, but once you become Princess Ding, you won’t have much time to come home. So Grandmother will tell you now. In the coming days, if you’re free, why don’t you invite your Fifth and Sixth Sisters to the Prince’s mansion to keep you company?”
Ye Li started, frowning slightly. Old Madam Ye continued, “Shan’er and Lin’er are both good children, and you sisters grew up together. If they could… it would be support for both you and Ying’er. Grandmother thinks Lin’er is more steady, so it would be better if she went to Prince Li’s mansion. Shan’er is more lively, and your temperament can keep her in check. What do you think?”
What do I think? What do I think? Ye Li wanted to scream in frustration. This old lady was being far too presumptuous! She had even allocated the personnel, one for Prince Li’s mansion and one for Prince Ding’s mansion. No wonder Ye Ying’s expression had been so dark earlier. She was already having a miserable time fighting with Mo Jing Li’s concubines in Prince Li’s mansion, and now her own family wanted to send her sister to add to her troubles – anyone would be depressed. Clearing her throat lightly, Ye Li composed her expression and smiled, “Grandmother, isn’t it too early to discuss this? The Prince and I haven’t even… wouldn’t it be hasty to bring sisters from home into the mansion? What would the Prince think?”
Old Madam Ye smiled, “Grandmother isn’t saying to do it now. Besides, Shan’er is still young, so waiting another year or two wouldn’t hurt. Just keep it in mind.”
Ye Li’s lips twitched as she said, “Although Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister are born of concubines, our Secretary’s household is still of high status. Wouldn’t it be beneath them to enter a Prince’s mansion as secondary consorts?”
Old Madam Ye waved her hand dismissively, “Marriage is decided by parents – what do they have to feel wrong about? Isn’t becoming a secondary princess in a Prince’s mansion more dignified than being the primary wife of a minor official or a concubine’s son? Don’t worry about those two, Shan’er and Lin’er have always been obedient, they won’t have any objections.”
I object though, Ye Li thought to herself. After consideration, she said carefully, “Li’er understands Grandmother and Father’s intentions. However… among our family’s daughters, except for the Second Sister who entered the palace, all others have joined the Prince’s mansions. This… isn’t beneficial for Second Sister. Has Grandmother discussed this with Father?” Upon careful thought, Ye Li understood what Old Madam Ye was scheming for – it was all about that royal heir in the palace whose gender wasn’t yet known. Even if she hadn’t joined Prince Ding’s household and was still unmarried, Ye Li had never intended to cooperate with Old Madam Ye’s far-fetched plans. She truly couldn’t understand how Secretary Ye, a seasoned official, could agree to a plan conceived by someone who never left the house.
Old Madam Ye was startled, narrowing her eyes to study Ye Li before asking, “What do you mean by that?”
Ye Li smiled slightly, “Li’er is also a daughter of the Ye family – Second Sister’s welfare is naturally Li’er’s welfare. However… Grandmother can’t just focus on the two Prince’s mansions. You must know… the Princes usually don’t involve themselves in affairs, and support from court officials is also very important.”
“This…”
Ye Li smiled faintly, “I don’t know about Fourth Sister’s situation. But regarding Prince Ding’s mansion, Grandmother should rest assured that Li’er doesn’t need any assistance.”
Old Madam Ye pondered for a moment, knowing Ye Li’s words made sense. Aside from Ye Li’s confidence in controlling Prince Ding’s mansion meaning they didn’t need to sacrifice another daughter there, if Ye Li was unwilling and they forced someone in, sister-against-sister strife would look unseemly. In Old Madam Ye’s view, neither Ye Shan nor Ye Lin could compete with Ye Li. Understanding this point, Old Madam Ye ceased insisting and smiled, “Li’er speaks sensibly. Grandmother’s thinking was incomplete. Just pretend Grandmother never mentioned this. Although Prince Ding’s mansion has an illustrious reputation, historically, the Princes of Ding have never involved themselves in royal family matters. Viewed this way, Prince Ding’s mansion’s influence might be less significant than Prince Li’s.”
“Yes, Grandmother didn’t say anything, and Li’er didn’t hear anything,” Ye Li softly agreed. It was best to dispel Old Madam Ye’s notion. The Prince’s mansion would be her home from now on, and she didn’t want to see anything there that would make her uncomfortable.
After chatting with Old Madam Ye for a while, servants came to invite them to dine. Being a family dinner, there were no outsiders present. Only Old Madam Ye accompanied by Secretary Ye and Madam Wang, Mo Jing Li and Ye Ying’s couple, Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li, and the Southern Marquis’s heir Fu Zhao. At the dining table, Ye Li could feel a cold gaze occasionally sweeping over her. Without even looking up, she could guess who it was. While Ye Ying attentively served dishes to Mo Jing Li, he maintained his expression of someone being owed thousands of taels as he periodically stared at Ye Li. Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li dined leisurely and gracefully, occasionally selecting their favorite dishes for each other. Fu Zhao thoughtfully observed both sides while casually drinking and eating. Secretary Ye’s expression was somewhat awkward and comical – clearly trying to make the banquet atmosphere more harmonious and natural, yet unable to handle any of his three sons-in-law. Except for the Southern Marquis’s heir who showed him some respect, and Mo Xiu Yao who was naturally easy to get along with, Mo Jing Li’s face plainly showed his displeasure.
“Ahem, Prince, we haven’t seen each other for several years. Let me toast to you,” Fu Zhao finally broke the strange atmosphere, standing to offer a toast to Mo Xiu Yao, “And to the Princess as well. Wishing the Prince and Princess a hundred years of happiness together.”
Mo Xiu Yao raised his wine cup and smiled warmly, “Thank you for your kind wishes. I couldn’t attend your wedding to offer congratulations – please forgive me.” He drank the wine Fu Zhao offered. Fu Zhao’s smile became more genuine as he said, “No matter, we’ve known each other since childhood. Now we’re relatives too. When I left, my mother also instructed me to invite the Princess to visit the Marquis’s mansion when she has time.” This Southern Marquis’s heir was skilled in social graces. Everyone in the capital knew that although the Southern Marquis’s heir hadn’t inherited the title yet, the Heir Princess already ruled the mansion. Yet now he didn’t mention the Heir Princess, only speaking of the Southern Marquis’s wife.
Ye Li raised her cup in return and smiled, “Please convey my thanks to the Marquis’s wife.”
Looking at everyone’s pleasant conversation, Mo Jing Li let out a light snort and stood up, “Since Fu Zhao has offered a toast, Mo Xiu Yao, this Prince will also drink to you.”
Mo Xiu Yao raised his eyebrows with a faint smile, “It has indeed been long since this Prince shared a drink with Jing Li. Shall we toast to you and Princess Li as well?”
Mo Jing Li snorted lightly, waving away the maid who came forward to pour wine and personally filled cups for both Mo Xiu Yao and himself. He drained his cup in one gulp, then challengingly stared at Mo Xiu Yao’s wine cup. Mo Xiu Yao smiled silently and lifted his cup to drink it dry.
“Another!” Mo Jing Li raised the wine pot to fill their cups again, and just like that, the two began a drinking contest at the table.