The Youthful Appearance Pearl… Ye Li idly recalled the most coveted prize among the three she had received—a luminous emerald-green pearl. It was said that wearing this pearl would grant eternal youth. For women who cherished beauty, this was far more alluring than precious jewels or lavish attire. However, for Ye Li, whose mental age far exceeded her physical age of fifteen, it held little appeal. While the desire for beauty was universal, she was still young. With a bit of care in the future, she could maintain her appearance to match her actual age without resorting to such extremes. The thought of being fifty with the face of a twenty-year-old didn’t particularly appeal to her. Moreover, she was skeptical about the pearl’s so-called eternal youth. At the very least, its previous owner, Princess Zhaoyang, though younger-looking than her peers, was far from being in the bloom of youth. But… just because she didn’t care for it didn’t mean others could simply take it from her!
"Father, forgive me, but the Youthful Appearance Pearl is no longer in my possession," Ye Li said calmly.
"How is that possible?!" Ye Ying exclaimed, then eyed Ye Li suspiciously. "Third Sister, surely you can’t bear to part with it? Ying’er is only thinking of Zhaoyi Niangniang. After all, she is the one our Ye family relies on."
Ye Li inwardly scoffed. Reliance? How many noble families that stood firm for centuries truly depended on nepotism?
"Fourth Sister is overthinking it. It’s just a pearl. I’ve already given it away."
"Given it away? How could you possibly give away the Youthful Appearance Pearl?" Wang Shi shrieked. What woman in the world wouldn’t want it? If not for her daughter in the palace, Wang Shi herself would have coveted the pearl.
Ye Li gave her a puzzled look. "I’m only fifteen, far too young to need the Youthful Appearance Pearl." She didn’t share the ancient belief that girls were at their most beautiful at fourteen or fifteen. Even in an era where women matured early, girls of that age still seemed too immature. Even someone as beautiful as Ye Ying paled in comparison to the allure of a woman like Yao Ji in her twenties.
Ye Laofuren’s eyes darkened as she studied Ye Li. "Who did you give it to? Perhaps we can exchange it back. Even if it means offering something more valuable in return."
Ye Li frowned, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ye Laofuren, her expression odd. "Exchange it back?"Ye Laofuren was a shrewd old woman who knew full well how improper it was to ask for a gift back after giving it away. However, the Beauty Pearl was far too useful for Zhaoyi Niangniang. She was certain that once news of the upcoming Hundred Flowers Festival reached the palace, Zhaoyi Niangniang would demand it from them anyway. Moreover, she had no intention of asking for it back in the name of the Ye family—she wanted Ye Li to retrieve it herself. Of course, Ye Laofuren suspected this was merely Ye Li’s excuse to avoid handing over the item in the first place. Forcing a kindly smile, she said softly, "Good child, Grandmother knows this is somewhat improper. But you must understand how important the Beauty Pearl is to Zhaoyi Niangniang. Life in the palace is difficult for her, and with the pearl’s aid, she might gain more favor from His Majesty..."
Ye Li frowned and sighed helplessly, "But Grandmother, I’ve already sent the Beauty Pearl and the Snow Sound Zither to Eldest Uncle."
Lord Ye’s face darkened with displeasure as he glared at her. "Nonsense! What use would your Eldest Uncle have for the Beauty Pearl?" If it had been anyone else, Lord Ye might have sent someone to intercept the gifts. But he didn’t dare stop anything meant for his late wife’s elder brother. Mr. Qingyun had two sons and a daughter. The younger son, Xu Hongyan, was now the only remaining official from the Xu family’s main line. However, the one who truly weighed on Lord Ye’s mind was the elder brother, Xu Hongyu, who had left the capital ten years ago.
Xu Hongyu was the most renowned Confucian scholar of their time. Unlike Xu Hongyan, who was refined yet sharp and principled, this celebrated scholar—said to surpass even his own teacher—always appeared gentle and refined. But if he took a dislike to someone, that person would surely wish for death rather than endure his displeasure. This was precisely why, despite their marital ties, Lord Ye had never dared shamelessly send Ye Rong to Mount Li Academy. His elder brother-in-law was far less upright than he seemed—Lord Ye had learned that lesson well in the past.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "A few days ago, Eldest Uncle wrote that Grandfather’s Pine Wind Zither had been damaged. When I received the Snow Sound Zither, I was so delighted that I immediately sent it to Grandfather. Since the Beauty Pearl was of no use to me, I included it for Eldest Aunt as well. Oh, and I also sent the Purple Jade Hairpin—said to nourish the body—to Second Aunt."
Lord Ye’s face twisted again. For some reason, hearing that his father-in-law’s Pine Wind Zither had been broken sent an inexplicable chill down his spine, accompanied by an unwarranted sense of guilt. As a result, he couldn’t muster any sternness toward Ye Li, only managing a weak reprimand: "You... foolish child, why didn’t you discuss this with your father and mother first?"
Ye Li inwardly raised an eyebrow. Had her father’s long years in office addled his mind, or did he truly believe Wang Shi was so virtuous? Consulting a concubine-turned-stepmother before sending gifts to his former father-in-law? If she had waited for their approval, the gifts would never have left the house.
"It was thoughtless of me," Ye Li said, lowering her head remorsefully. "But Eldest Uncle mentioned Grandfather was terribly upset. Since I can’t serve him in person, I acted impulsively when I received the Snow Sound Zither."
Lord Ye forced a smile. "Father knows you meant well.""Father..." Ye Ying called out anxiously.
Lord Ye's expression was stern as he waved his hand. "Let this matter rest. No more needs to be said. Later, send more silver notes to Yue Er in the palace. We mustn't skimp on greasing palms throughout the palace."
Though Wang Shi was unwilling to let it go, having been with Lord Ye for twenty years, she understood her husband better than anyone. One look at his face told her there was no room for discussion, and she couldn't help but resent Ye Li and the late Madam Ye. It was always like this! Whenever the Xu family was mentioned, her husband would never think of her. Was the Xu family his in-laws, but her Wang family not?
Exiting the Hall of Glory and Joy, Ye Li let out a weary sigh and turned to look at Ye Ying, who had followed her out. "Fourth Sister, I'll be heading back first."
As if not hearing Ye Li's words, Ye Ying smiled softly and said, "Third Sister is truly generous, giving away such priceless treasures without even a second glance."
"Fourth Sister jests. Grandfather and my aunts are hardly outsiders. Besides, my uncles and aunts have taken great care of me. Though I was born in the Minister's residence, not a single blade of grass around me was truly mine. Now that I finally have a few decent things to my name, it's only right to show filial respect to my elders. After all... shouldn't one be grateful? And you all—have you spared a single thought for my mother while living off her dowry all these years?"
"Third Sister speaks wisely. This younger sister has learned her lesson," Ye Ying said through gritted teeth.
Ye Li smiled. "I'm a simple person, only knowing how to repay my elders' kindness with these trifles. I can't compare to Fourth Sister's refined and unworldly nature, untouched by such material concerns. Take care on your way back."
"Safe travels, Third Sister!"
Without another glance at the shifting expressions on Ye Ying's face, Ye Li leisurely made her way toward Qingyi House. "Qing Shuang, have someone inform Zhao Yiniang that the time is almost right. Give Madam something to occupy herself with. I don't wish to see them for a while."
"Yes, Miss."
OpenNovel