Though Ye Li wasn’t one for crowds, she understood the difference between an unmarried maiden and a married woman. If a girl still in her parents' home avoided social gatherings, outsiders might simply think her introverted or genuinely unwell. But if a married woman—especially one expected to manage household affairs—refused to engage with others, people would assume she was arrogant and ungrateful, and in severe cases, it could even harm her husband’s family.
The current master of the Ding Royal Palace was none other than the disabled Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao. Though there were other women in the household, once Ye Li married in, she would inevitably take charge of the estate. Thus, after hearing Ye Laofuren’s words, Ye Li smiled and agreed, feigning great enthusiasm for the upcoming Hundred Flowers Festival.
After seeing off Consort Xian Zhao and her entourage, Ye Li excused herself from the old madam and returned to Qingyi House. Ye Laofuren and Wang Shi were still basking in the honor of Consort Xian Zhao’s personal visit to deliver the betrothal gifts, so they didn’t detain her.
As Ye Li left the Hall of Glory and Joy, she walked absentmindedly along the corridor, her thoughts lingering on the meaningful glance the consort had given her before departing. For some reason, she felt there was something profound in that look.
"Miss, look," Qing Shuang whispered softly as they passed the garden, pulling Ye Li from her thoughts.
Raising her head, Ye Li saw a striking pair seated in the pavilion by the garden path—a handsome, solemn man and a breathtakingly delicate woman. It was none other than Mo Jingli and Ye Ying.
Ye Li was puzzled. Why weren’t these two enjoying a romantic moment somewhere more private instead of sitting at this busy garden entrance? It almost seemed as if they were waiting for her.
Approaching them, she curtsied lightly. "Greetings to Li Wang Dianxia."
Mo Jingli glanced at the maids trailing behind her and sneered. "You’ve certainly learned to put on airs."
In the past, whenever Mo Jingli had seen Ye Li from afar, she had always been accompanied by just one maid, giving off an impression of pettiness. But now, barely after being granted the imperial marriage, not only had she dared to humiliate him, but she was also flaunting her newfound status. For some reason, the sight of Ye Li always put him in a foul mood. The thought of the nearly twenty thousand taels of silver she had wrung from him made his teeth grind. It wasn’t that Prince Li’s Palace couldn’t afford the sum—it was the fact that Ye Li’s actions made it clear she didn’t care about him, hence her boldness in demanding the money.
Ye Li covered her lips with her sleeve and chuckled lightly, her gaze drifting between the two. "Your Highness jests. This is merely the proper decorum for a young lady. I understand that Fourth Sister and Your Highness share deep affection, but… after all, the wedding hasn’t taken place yet. It would be best if Fourth Sister were accompanied by her maids when going out—even if they follow at a distance. It would spare her from gossip."
"Third Sister, how can you say such things…?" Ye Ying’s bright, watery eyes instantly reddened, tears shimmering as she looked at Ye Li with deep hurt. "His Highness and I are completely innocent! Even if I’ve wronged you, Third Sister, this… this wasn’t my intention. Why must you…?"Ye Li slightly raised her hand, calmly interrupting her words, and asked with some amusement, "Fourth Sister, you've misunderstood. Who said you and His Highness are involved in anything improper? Just speak up. Even if Grandmother and Father won’t stand up for you, your Third Sister will." After speaking, she swept a questioning glance over the people behind her. Qing Shuang covered her lips with a smile and said, "This servant hasn’t heard anything. But since Fourth Miss says so, there must be something. Perhaps we should report it to the Old Madam for a thorough investigation—we’ll surely uncover whoever slandered Fourth Miss and His Highness Prince Li." Ye Ying’s expression changed, and she shot Qing Shuang a hateful glare before turning her pitiful gaze toward Mo Jingli. "Your Highness..." If Grandmother found out about this, she would surely reprimand her. And if the matter escalated, even baseless rumors might become real.
"Enough!" Mo Jingli coldly snapped, his voice icy. "Ye Li, no matter what you do, this prince will never take a liking to you. Give up on this delusion." His gaze fixed on Ye Li, filled with disdain and disgust.
Ye Li was momentarily stunned. What was Mo Jingli talking about? Did he actually think she was playing hard to get? Where did this man get such an inflated sense of self?
Under Ye Li’s scrutinizing gaze, Mo Jingli grew increasingly irritated and snapped, "Have you stared enough? Shameless!"
Ye Li sighed inwardly, resisting the urge to tell him he needed medicine. She curtsied to Mo Jingli and said, "Enough, Your Highness. Fourth Sister, take your time chatting. I’ll take my leave." Without waiting for Mo Jingli’s response, she turned and walked straight toward Qingyi House.
Behind her, Mo Jingli watched her slender, retreating figure with a dark expression. Seeing this, Ye Ying’s heart tightened, and she said softly, "Your Highness, Third Sister has always been like this. Please don’t take it to heart."
Mo Jingli’s expression softened slightly as he took in the beautiful face before him, filled with worry and pleading. He pulled Ye Ying closer and huffed lightly. "Don’t worry. Since she’s your sister, this prince will overlook it for your sake." Ye Ying’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her head shyly. "Thank you, Your Highness."
As soon as Ye Li entered Qingyi House, she overheard a few idle maids chattering excitedly about the lavish betrothal gifts Prince Li’s Palace had sent that day, marveling at how fortunate Fourth Miss was to marry Prince Li as his official consort. Of course, they couldn’t resist mentioning the misfortune of Third Miss, who was to marry the infamous good-for-nothing prince known throughout the capital. Qing Shuang’s face paled with anger, and before Ye Li could speak, she sharply rebuked, "How dare you! Who gave you the audacity to gossip about your masters?!" The maids, too engrossed in their chatter, hadn’t noticed the six or seven people standing behind them. At Qing Shuang’s voice, they turned around and immediately collapsed to their knees in fright.
Ye Li walked past the kneeling maids with an indifferent expression. Just as they thought they had escaped punishment and sighed in relief, Ye Li said, "Go and each receive twenty strikes of the rod."No... Please forgive us, Miss! We won't dare again... Although Qingyi House isn't favored within the manor, for these low-ranking maids doing menial work, it actually makes little difference. After all, good things in other courtyards never reach the servants, and Third Miss is actually the easiest master to serve in the entire Ye household. She never makes unreasonable demands to trouble her subordinates, never vents her anger on the maids, and has hardly ever punished anyone in the courtyard. Naturally, these young maids began taking advantage of her kindness and grew lax in their duties. Never did they expect that today, just for gossiping a little, they'd receive twenty strokes of the cane.
"Get out! I can't be bothered with your pleas for mercy," Ye Li said indifferently before turning on her heel and leaving.
"Miss, why trouble yourself with such petty people? It's not worth ruining your health over them," Qing Shuang followed behind Ye Li, gently advising.
Ye Li glanced back at her and smiled, "Do you think I'm angry?"
"Miss... Then why...? You've rarely punished maids these past few years."
Ye Li gave a cold laugh, "I punished them not for their gossip, but for betraying their master."
"Eh?"
"If you were a maid gossiping about your mistress, would you do it right by the courtyard entrance where anyone could hear?"
Qing Shuang suddenly understood, then asked puzzledly, "Then who instructed them? It couldn't be the Madam, could it? What would she gain from this? Other than perhaps annoying you—and even that's not certain."
Ye Li frowned slightly and shook her head, saying to Qing Shuang, "Tomorrow, go personally to the Censor's manor and deliver a letter to Second Uncle for me. Tell others that there are some matters I don't understand and would like to consult Second Aunt, inviting her to visit when she's free. Oh, and tell Aunt there's no hurry."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Does anyone feel the plot is progressing too slowly? Seeking collections, comments, reviews—begging for all kinds of interaction~
OpenNovel