Until Ye Li personally saw off her cousin and aunt, Lord Ye had not reappeared. Madam Xu had clearly given up any hope for the Ye family's manners and etiquette. After all, if not for Ye Li, her niece, the Xu family would have severed all ties with the Ye family long ago—the family that had caused her daughter’s melancholy demise. Ye Li wasn’t angry either. As she turned back toward Qingyi House, she cast a faint glance in the direction of Wang Shi’s Fangyi Courtyard, a rare mocking sneer curling at her lips: Was Wang Shi trying to intimidate her?
"Third Sister..."
Before she could enter Qingyi House, Ye Ying swayed gracefully toward her, supported by a maid. Ye Li stopped and calmly observed the renowned beauty before her. Though outwardly nothing seemed amiss, it appeared Ye Ying hadn’t been faring well these past few days. Her delicate, lovely face was now tinged with paleness and exhaustion, and her watery eyes brimmed with resentment and unshed tears, making Ye Li involuntarily shudder.
"Charming sorrow dwelled in her dimples, delicate illness veiled her form. Tears glistened like dewdrops, her breath soft and faint..."
For no reason, Ye Li recalled these lines from the timeless masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber , describing the ethereal fairy Lin Daiyu. But alas, upon closer inspection, the occasional glint of calculation in those tearful eyes bore no resemblance to the purity and transcendence of the Crimson Pearl Fairy.
"What’s the matter, Fourth Sister?" Ye Li asked gently. "If you’re unwell, why not rest in your room?"
"Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. Ying’er is fine," Ye Ying replied softly, though her aggrieved and pitiful demeanor suggested otherwise.
Ye Li nodded knowingly. "If you’re fine, then take your time strolling. I’ll head back first."
"Third Sister—" Seeing Ye Li about to leave without hesitation, a flash of anger flickered in Ye Ying’s eyes, though it vanished just as quickly. Biting her red lips, she gazed at Ye Li and said, "Ying’er just wanted to ask... have you received the invitation to the Hundred Flowers Festival?"
Ye Li nodded. The invitation had arrived the previous morning, announcing that the Hundred Flowers Festival would be held seven days later at the capital’s grandest peony garden. Observing Ye Ying’s expression, Ye Li suddenly understood why her sister had stopped her. "You haven’t received yours yet?"
Ye Ying shook her head sorrowfully, though her heart seethed with resentment toward Ye Li. If not for Ye Li’s uncle impeaching their father in court, how could she—the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue and the future Princess Li—have been excluded from the Hundred Flowers Festival?
"Third Sister, you... won’t be attending this year either, will you?"
Ye Li nearly laughed aloud. Did Ye Ying intend to use her invitation to enter the peony garden? Then again, as the future Princess Li, even if someone noticed the name on the invitation wasn’t hers, no one would dare turn her away.
"My health has improved this year, so of course I’ll be going."
As soon as she spoke, Ye Li clearly saw Ye Ying’s face darken. Not wishing to prolong the conversation, she added, "I have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you company, Fourth Sister."
"Third—"Seeing Ye Ying still wanting to say something, Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said, "Why doesn't Fourth Sister try requesting an audience with Consort Xian Zhao? This year's invitations were personally issued by Princess Zhaoyang. If I don't attend, wouldn't it make the princess think our Ye family is slighting her?" Hearing this, Ye Ying finally suppressed the words she was about to say. Princess Zhaoyang was the current emperor's elder sister, the only daughter of the late emperor's primary empress. She was notoriously ill-tempered and sometimes even disregarded the empress or the Empress Dowager. Ye Ying wouldn't dare cause trouble in front of her. The fact that she still hadn't received an invitation clearly showed Princess Zhaoyang's displeasure with her.
"Third Miss, Fourth Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence at the Hall of Glory and Joy." Just as Ye Li was about to return to her room, a maidservant from Ye Laofuren came to deliver the message.
Today, when Madam Xu visited, Ye Laofuren had directly claimed illness and didn't even send someone to greet her. Ye Li naturally understood that Ye Laofuren was displeased with the Xu family's recent actions. She nodded calmly and said, "I understand. Thank you for your trouble." The maidservant hastily expressed it was no trouble at all before turning back to the Hall of Glory and Joy.
In the Hall of Glory and Joy, Ye Laofuren squinted her slightly clouded aged eyes as she examined the two granddaughters entering side by side. Ye Ying had been doted on since childhood—not only was she intelligent and gentle, but she was also breathtakingly beautiful. Both Ye Laofuren and Lord Ye had high hopes for her. If Ye Yue hadn't already entered the palace as a Zhaoyi, Ye Ying would certainly have been sent there as well. Now that she was to marry Prince Li, the emperor's full younger brother, as his principal wife, it would undoubtedly elevate the Ye family further. As for Ye Li, originally the most noble legitimate daughter of the primary wife, Ye Laofuren had always harbored some minor grievances against the late Xu Shi. Since Xu Shi's passing, she had paid little attention to this granddaughter. Now, upon closer inspection, she realized Ye Li wasn't inferior to Ye Ying in any way. In fact, she carried an air of dignity and composure befitting a scholarly family—a trait Ye Laofuren knew was inherited from her mother, who came from the prestigious Xu family. And this was precisely why Ye Laofuren disliked Ye Li and Xu Shi.
"Grandmother," Ye Li and Ye Ying greeted in unison.
Ye Laofuren affectionately gestured for them to sit beside her and asked gently, "The Hundred Flowers Festival is in a few days. Has your mother prepared everything for you?"
Ye Ying lowered her head with a downcast expression. "This granddaughter hasn't received an invitation. Mother's preparations will go unused."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "Grandmother, is there anything special to prepare for the Hundred Flowers Festival?"
Hearing this, Ye Laofuren's eyes flickered thoughtfully as she studied Ye Li's expression. "Nothing much... Young ladies should always dress beautifully when going out. I'll have your mother make you some new clothes and jewelry."
Ye Li remained calm under her scrutiny. Wang Shi hadn't prepared anything for her—she hadn't even mentioned it. It was predictable that if Ye Li attended the Hundred Flowers Festival in her usual attire, she would be mocked and humiliated. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. Li'er understands." Ye Li allowed a trace of delight to show, appropriately displaying a young girl's joy and anticipation for new clothes and jewelry.Ye Laofuren nodded without saying more. She wasn’t unaware of how Wang Shi treated Ye Li in private, but as long as it didn’t escalate to the point of embarrassing the Ye family in public, she had no intention of interfering.
Ye Ying, however, offered Ye Li an apologetic smile. “Mother had already prepared Third Sister’s clothes and jewelry, but when Rong’er returned yesterday, she forgot to send them over.”
“Is that so? The Hundred Flowers Festival is still days away—there’s no need to rush.” Ye Li smiled faintly. So, the conversation had finally turned to Ye Rong.
At the mention of Ye Rong, Ye Laofuren’s cheerful expression darkened slightly. She looked at them sternly. “Rong’er is still young. If he does anything wrong, you, as his elder sisters, should guide him properly. Today, your father beat him in front of outsiders—how could a child endure that?”
Ye Ying’s delicate brows furrowed, her face filled with distress. “Grandmother is right. It’s Ying’er’s fault for not teaching him well. But Rong’er has already learned his lesson—he was still crying in pain when I left earlier. He won’t dare offend Third Sister again, so please don’t blame him anymore.”
“Didn’t they say he wasn’t hit much? Why is he still in pain? Was a physician called?” The moment she heard her only grandson was suffering, Ye Laofuren grew anxious, her gaze toward Ye Li turning even colder.
Ye Ying quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. Mother has already had a physician examine him. He just needs to rest in bed for a few days, though it might delay his studies for a while.”
Ye Laofuren frowned, shooting Ye Li an angry glare. “You’re his elder sister—why can’t you be more forgiving? If his injuries delay his studies, will you be happy?”
Ye Li inwardly sneered, but her expression remained unchanged. Calmly, she replied, “Grandmother’s reprimand is justified. Li’er will make sure to teach Rong’er properly from now on. His temperament needs guidance—if he offends me, it’s no big deal. As siblings, I’d naturally yield to him. But what if one day he offends someone of higher standing?”
At this, Ye Laofuren’s face darkened further. However, remembering Ye Li’s impending marriage, she suppressed her anger and waved her off.
Ye Li turned to leave, hearing Ye Ying’s sweet voice behind her, chattering about how Prince Li and her elder sister would take care of things…
Since Ye Laofuren wouldn’t listen to her words, she didn’t care. She only hoped that Ye Zhaoyi in the palace and Prince Li could truly clean up Ye Rong’s messes for the rest of his life.
－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－
Alright, the next two chapters will feature the male lead. Any thoughts, dear readers? Feel free to leave comments~
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