"This servant begs Third Miss to show this lowly one a way out." Zhao Yiniang knelt on the ground and pleaded in a low voice.
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, idly sorting through the jewelry in her box as she asked with feigned confusion, "What are you saying, Zhao Yiniang? Who in this household doesn’t know that Father dotes on you the most? Aside from the Old Madam and Madam, aren’t all the finest things given to you first? Could it be… you’re still dissatisfied?"
A bitter smile flickered across Zhao Yiniang’s face. "This servant wouldn’t dare. Though my origins are humble, I did study for a few years in my youth. I know full well how privileged my position seems now. But I fear… once Madam has the time to spare, it will be this servant’s death."
Qing Shuang frowned. "What kind of talk is this, Zhao Yiniang? How can you speak like this in front of our young miss? Besides, our young miss will soon be married—what help could she possibly offer you? You’d be better off pleading with the Old Madam or the Master." Qing Shuang was displeased by Zhao Yiniang’s attempt to drag her mistress into a conflict with Wang Shi. The audacity of this woman, trying to use her young miss!
"Qing Shuang is right," Ye Li said coolly. "You know I’ll be married in two months. Even if I could help you temporarily, it wouldn’t last. Besides… why should I offend a Zhaoyi in the palace for your sake? As long as Ye Zhaoyi and Fourth Sister remain, neither you nor I can ever topple Madam." She fixed Zhao Yiniang with a steady gaze. "So tell me—why should I help you?"
Zhao Yiniang bit her lips until they paled. Of course she understood this logic—but what else could she do? She had once thought that bearing a child would secure her position, but Wang Shi wouldn’t even allow her that. Lately, she had sensed something amiss around her. If not for the sudden imperial marriage decree, Wang Shi might have already made her move.
"Third Miss, this servant asks for nothing else—only that you help me protect my child. I will be eternally grateful for your kindness!"
"You—"
Tears streamed down Zhao Yiniang’s face as she nodded. "This servant has only been in the household for a few months, yet I’ve already lost one child. This one… I must protect at all costs. Please, Third Miss, lend me your aid."
Ye Li sighed softly and gave Qing Shuang a slight nod. Qing Shuang stepped forward to help Zhao Yiniang up and guided her to a chair. As she did, her fingers brushed Zhao Yiniang’s wrist briefly before withdrawing, then she gave Ye Li an imperceptible nod.
Ye Li took a handkerchief from Qing Shuang and handed it to Zhao Yiniang. "It’s not that I refuse to help, but that I truly can’t. In two months, I’ll be leaving this household. Judging by your condition, you won’t give birth for several more months, correct?"
At these words, disappointment flashed across Zhao Yiniang’s face. Clutching the handkerchief tightly, she wept. "Then… does this mean my child is fated never to enter this world? I… I only wish for him to be born safely, to live well. Even if he isn’t a young master of the Ye family, even if he never steps foot in this household—I don’t care!"
Ye Li watched her pained expression quietly. She could see the sincerity in Zhao Yiniang’s words—this was truly about the child’s life, not some future ambition for wealth and status. Ye Li was not heartless, but neither was she one to act impulsively.Third Miss! If this servant can give birth to this child, I'm willing to have him adopted under the name of the deceased madam to continue her lineage. I can swear I'll never acknowledge him in this lifetime!
Ye Li's expression remained unchanged as she gazed at her calmly and said, "My mother has been gone for years, and I care little about so-called lineage matters. Besides, firstly, we don't know if this child will be male or female, and secondly, even if you never acknowledge him, won't he speculate himself when he grows up? If adopted under my mother's name, this child would become the legitimate heir, ranking above even Rong Ge'er born to Wang Shi. I fear he wouldn't survive even if born. Since mother passed, no children have been born in this household. With Wang Shi's temperament, would she allow anyone to stand above her son?"
Zhao Yiniang also realized she had spoken impulsively. Lowering her head in remorse with reddened eyes, she said, "This servant spoke wrongly. I beg Third Miss to save me. No matter what... this child is still your blood relative..."
After a moment's contemplation, Ye Li asked, "Between father's favor and this child, which do you choose?"
Zhao Yiniang was startled, not understanding why Ye Li would ask this. But she quickly grasped the meaning. After some thought, a determined look flashed across her face as she gritted her teeth and said, "I choose the child! As long as this child lives well, it doesn't matter if I never see him again!"
"I've heard some people have ill-fated destinies that can affect their family's marriages and offspring." After a brief silence in the room, Ye Li's voice drifted leisurely.
"Third Miss means for me to...?!" Zhao Yiniang looked in astonishment at the composed young woman before her.
"Don't do it yourself. If traces are left, it would be counterproductive."
Zhao Yiniang finally understood why Ye Li had asked whether she wanted the child or the master's favor. Currently in the household, the fourth miss was about to marry Prince Li as his principal wife, while the only son born to Wang Shi had always been sickly. If she gained a reputation for having an ill-fated destiny, she could forget about ever winning the master's favor again. More likely, she would be expelled from the family or sent to a suburban estate or temple for recuperation. With the household currently celebrating a happy occasion, they definitely wouldn't simply expel her—so being sent away was the probable outcome. If they were particularly ruthless and sent her far enough, she might never return to the capital in this lifetime.
"This is all I can do to help you. You're right—this child is after all my sibling. Our family has an estate in Yunzhou. If you go there, I'll ensure the safety of you and your child. Go back and think it over. Let me know once you've decided." Having said this, Ye Li rose and walked toward the inner chamber without waiting for Zhao Yiniang's response.
Though of humble origins, Zhao Yiniang had once been a scholar's daughter. She naturally knew what Yunzhou represented—it was home to Mount Li Academy, the finest institution in Great Chu. And Mount Li Academy belonged to the Gu family. When Ye Li said she could ensure their safety in Yunzhou, it wasn't an empty promise. In any case, given her status, she could never become the principal wife even if Wang Shi fell from grace. Yunzhou was a gathering place for scholars and talents. If she could bear a son... it would surely be better than waiting in the household to be killed by Wang Shi. Having thought this through, Zhao Yiniang stood and knelt again. "This servant thanks Third Miss for your great kindness!"
Ye Li paused briefly in her steps and said indifferently, "This was your own choice." Her graceful figure then disappeared behind the screen.Ye Li sat down and casually picked up a book to read. There were certainly better ways to handle Zhao Yiniang's situation, but it would involve a lot of trouble for herself. In this world, which woman wasn’t pitiable? She couldn’t possibly help them all, nor did she have the capability.
Before long, Qing Shuang entered with tea. "Miss, why are you reading again? It’s not like we’re preparing for the imperial exams."
"Has she left?" Ye Li set the book aside and asked.
Qing Shuang nodded. "She made quite a scene at the courtyard gate before finally going."
"Zhao Yiniang is clever. She’ll probably go complain about me to Father now." Taking the teacup from Qing Shuang, Ye Li smiled.
Qing Shuang looked worried. "Would the master punish you, Miss?"
"Even if Father is biased, he wouldn’t punish his own daughter, who’s about to be married, over a few words from a concubine."
"That’s good. I almost forgot—our Miss is the future Princess of the State. Even Prince Li’s consort would have to greet you with respect. But if you help her so readily, what if she turns on us later?" Qing Shuang fretted.
"She’s too favored—the mistress can’t tolerate her. She’s smart enough to know the price of using me."
"As long as Miss is aware."
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