Zhao Yiniang returned in a huff and, as expected, stirred up another scene. Within half a day, the entire Ye household knew that she had gone to Third Miss Ye Li’s Qingyi House to curry favor and win her over, only to be mocked and driven out by Qing Shuang, the maid at Ye Li’s side. Even though Zhao Yiniang was currently favored, the Minister merely gave Ye Li a perfunctory reminder during the morning greetings, suggesting that Zhao Yiniang’s influence wasn’t as great as rumored. With such an incident, the concubines in the rear courtyard naturally couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to gloat and make snide remarks, to which Zhao Yiniang retaliated with sharp words of her own. Wang Shi, confined to her courtyard while instructing Ye Ying, was absent, leaving the concubines unrestrained and the rear courtyard unusually lively.
Wang Shi had suffered a heavy loss at Ye Li’s hands this time—not only losing tens of thousands of taels of silver but also being placed under confinement by Ye Laofuren. Ye Li had no interest in how much porcelain Wang Shi smashed upon returning to her courtyard, but she suspected that Ye Laofuren’s so-called confinement held little real weight. After all, in just a few days, Prince Li’s Palace would be sending betrothal gifts, and as the mistress of the Ye household and Ye Ying’s birth mother, Wang Shi would inevitably have to make an appearance.
On the day Prince Li’s Palace came with the betrothal gifts, Ye Li sat leisurely in her courtyard, selecting new maids. The household staff, ever attentive, had not forgotten her request despite being busy receiving Prince Li’s envoys in the main hall. Early that morning, the steward’s wife had brought the candidates for Ye Li to choose from. Seated calmly in a chair beneath the eaves, Ye Li silently observed the dozen or so maids standing in the courtyard. Seeing her remain silent for so long, the steward’s wife grew uneasy, wondering if the selection displeased the Third Miss. Just as she was about to suggest bringing in another group, Ye Li spoke softly, “Qing Shuang, take a look. Keep the ones you find suitable.”
Touched by her mistress’s trust, Qing Shuang promptly replied, “As you wish, Miss.”
Walking among the maids, Qing Shuang felt a slight discomfort. In the past, her mistress had been neglected, and she herself had been ostracized by the other maids. Now, these same girls stood before her, waiting to be chosen. After careful consideration, Qing Shuang selected a few with delicate features and a docile demeanor, presenting them to Ye Li. Glancing at them, Ye Li smiled inwardly—Qing Shuang was too meticulous, even in choosing maids.
The steward’s wife smiled ingratiatingly. “Third Miss, are these all? Perhaps you’d like to pick a couple more, just in case?”
Ye Li’s cool gaze met hers, amused. “Very well, then. Two more.”
The steward’s wife shivered inexplicably under that gaze and quickly averted her eyes.
This time, Ye Li didn’t even look, merely pointing at random. “Those two.”
Qing Shuang followed her gesture. The two maids at the front—one plain and unremarkable, the other strikingly beautiful and coquettish, clearly not the obedient type. Worse, the latter was looking at her mistress with undisguised arrogance. How dare she!
After dismissing the remaining maids with a wave, Ye Li examined the six now standing before her and asked lightly, “What are your names?”
“This servant is Yun’er.”
“This servant is Xiao Cui.”
“This servant is Jing’er.”
“This servant is Tian’er.”This servant is Xue Yan, and this one... Hanqing.
Ye Li nodded slightly. The names were decent enough, and she wasn’t particularly inclined to rename them. Her gaze settled on the last two she had chosen. "Xue Yan, where did you serve before? I don’t recall seeing you." The girl named Xue Yan, with her plain yet composed features, curtsied gracefully and replied, "Third Miss, this servant was originally a second-rank maid in the old madam’s courtyard. Since I was of no consequence, it’s natural you wouldn’t have noticed me." Ye Li smiled. "You don’t seem like someone ‘of no consequence.’ In that case, you’ll serve by my side, just like Qing Shuang."
Serving by the master’s side meant becoming a first-rank maid. Xue Yan was momentarily taken aback by the promotion but didn’t let her surprise show inappropriately. "Thank you for your kindness, Third Miss. This servant will serve you wholeheartedly. Please bestow a new name upon me." It was customary for first-rank maids to receive a new name from their mistress, symbolizing a break from their past and loyalty to their new master. Ye Li arched her delicate brows, pondered for a moment, and said, "From now on, you shall be called Qing Xia."
"Qing Xia thanks the Miss for your grace." After curtsying, Qing Xia stepped aside and stood respectfully with her hands at her sides.
"Hanqing... are you skilled in embroidery?" Ye Li asked.
A hint of arrogance flashed in Hanqing’s eyes as she answered crisply, "Of course. This servant’s embroidery is among the best in the mansion."
Ye Li seemed satisfied with her answer and nodded. "Good. In that case, you’ll be assigned to needlework."
"Miss, this servant is not a seamstress!" Hanqing’s expression darkened, and she glared at Ye Li indignantly.
"Impudence! How dare you contradict the Miss!" Qing Shuang scolded sharply.
Unfazed, Ye Li smiled and said, "I know you’re not a seamstress. Truly important embroidery work won’t fall to you. Being a seamstress isn’t easy—the best ones have at least ten years, if not decades, of experience. Someone like you hardly seems the type to settle into needlework quietly."
Hanqing’s pretty face flushed crimson with anger as she glared at Ye Li. But Ye Li paid her no mind. Rising to her feet, she said with a faint smile, "The coming days may be busy. If the workload becomes too much, you may seek help from the steward. Once we move to the Ding Royal Palace, there will be more hands in the needlework department. Also... your name needs to be changed. From now on, you shall be called... Jingwen."
"Thank you, Third Miss, but this servant is quite satisfied with her current name!" Hanqing retorted, her face still red.
Qing Shuang sneered. "Impudent! Your satisfaction means nothing if our Miss is displeased. With that flirtatious face and such an improper name, do you think Qingyi House is some brothel or tavern?" Qing Shuang still couldn’t fathom why her mistress had chosen someone like this.
"Change your name, or leave Qingyi House at once. Or... perhaps you’d prefer to consult your former master?"
Hanqing’s expression twisted before she gritted out, "This servant thanks the Miss for the new name."
Ye Li’s gaze swept over her indifferently before she turned away. "Now that you’ve entered Qingyi House, as long as you behave, I won’t make things difficult for you. But if you harbor ulterior motives, it’s best to leave now. Otherwise... the fate of those who were beaten outside the Hall of Glory and Joy a few days ago will be your example. Qing Shuang, Qing Xia—each of you shall receive ten taels of silver. The others will get five taels each."
"Yes, Miss."The maidservants quickly expressed their gratitude in unison, "Many thanks, Young Miss!" For these young girls whose monthly wages were less than one tael, five taels of silver was no small sum. Though Jingwen's eyes held a trace of disdain, she knew better than to provoke Ye Li at this moment and followed suit with her thanks.
Leaving Qing Shuang to handle the aftermath, Ye Li turned to return to her courtyard when the voice of the housekeeper's wife came from outside, requesting an audience. "Third Young Miss, Consort Xian Zhao summons you."
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