Mo Li

"Miss, the Madam is here."

In the comfortably and elegantly arranged Qingyi House, Ye Li was pondering over the embroidery in her hands when Qing Xia came in to announce.

Ye Li set down the embroidery and looked up. How did she still have time to come here? Ever since the fiasco at Ye Ying’s wedding two days ago, Wang Shi had been swamped with chaos. These past two days, rumors had also spread in the manor that the child in Zhao Yiniang’s womb clashed with Ye Ying and Ye Rong, stirring up even more turmoil. Lord Ye was equally overwhelmed—on one side were his daughter, now Princess Li, and his only son, while on the other was his most favored concubine and the unborn child. He wasn’t blind to the weight of each, but seeing Zhao Yiniang’s tearful, pitiful state, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon her. Unfortunately, the day after Ye Ying’s wedding, Ye Rong had inexplicably been thrown into a panic when his carriage was startled on the way to school, leaving him bedridden for two days. Wang Shi had only grown more frenzied since.

When Wang Shi entered, her expression was uncharacteristically amiable—a rare sight when facing Ye Li. But Ye Li was neither a concubine-born child who lived under her scrutiny nor a naive little wretch who knew nothing. She simply rose and offered a perfunctory greeting. "The fourth sister is about to return for her homecoming visit. How does Madam have time to come here?"

Wang Shi wore what she believed to be a warm and kindly smile. "Prince Ding’s Estate has already chosen a date, and the betrothal gifts will arrive in the next couple of days. Your wedding is also approaching, Li’er. I came to see if there’s anything left to prepare."

Ye Li invited Wang Shi to sit and replied, "With Mama Lin and my nurse handling things, along with my aunt and cousin’s wife having come to check several times, everything is in order. Thank you for your concern."

Wang Shi’s smile stiffened slightly. To her ears, Ye Li’s words sounded like an accusation that she, the legal mother, had neglected her duties. In truth, Ye Li harbored no such thought—she had never expected Wang Shi to take an active role in her wedding preparations. As long as appearances were maintained, that was enough.

"Actually… there’s another matter I wanted to discuss with you today, Li’er." Wang Shi quickly regained her composure, looking at Ye Li with earnestness.

Ye Li arched a delicate brow, regarding her with puzzlement.

Wang Shi heaved a long sigh. "You must have heard about the recent events, Li’er. It’s not that I, as the legal wife, am intolerant—it’s just that Zhao’s child truly clashes with the legitimate heirs of the Ye family. The day before yesterday, I specially sought out Daoist Lingxu of the Shuiyun Temple. He said that the child in Zhao’s womb bears a grudge against our family from a past life and is destined to bring calamity upon the Ye household. Just look… ever since news of her pregnancy spread, misfortune has followed our family at every turn. Yet the master still blindly shields her…"

Ye Li listened calmly as Wang Shi rambled on about her grievances against Zhao Yiniang and Lord Ye. Wang Shi had deliberately emphasized that Zhao’s child clashed with the legitimate heirs of the Ye family. But if one were to speak of legitimacy, who in the Ye family was more legitimate than Ye Li herself? Had she not already known the truth and dismissed such superstitions, witnessing Ye Ying’s ill-fated wedding might have made her wary of Zhao Yiniang and her unborn child."What does Madam mean? No matter what, that child is still the flesh and blood of our Ye family and Ye Li's own younger brother. Father naturally dotes on him." Ye Li lightly tossed the question back to Wang Shi. If Zhao Yiniang hadn't been so vigilant that Wang Shi couldn't find an opportunity to act, why would she come to discuss this with her? If she were truly fooled into offering some suggestion and something happened later, she'd be the one left holding the bag.

Wang Shi was taken aback, gritted her teeth, and forced a smile. "No matter what, that child is likely... Ying'er's incident has already brought great shame upon the Ye family. If something goes wrong with Li'er's marriage as well, our family will truly have no face left."

Ye Li lowered her eyes with a faint smile. "I'm afraid I have no say in this matter. Madam should discuss it properly with Father and Grandmother. A daughter follows her husband after marriage. Besides... there's not much face left to speak of regarding my wedding anyway. Once I marry, I'll take the Mo surname. Even if that child were to bring misfortune to someone, wouldn't it first fall upon those still surnamed Ye?"

Seeing that Ye Li was so unyielding, Wang Shi knew she wouldn't get the result she wanted here. Putting on a show of comforting Ye Li, she finally left, clutching her nearly crumpled handkerchief.

"Miss, that Wang Shi has such malicious intentions—you mustn't fall for her schemes!" As soon as Wang Shi left, Mama Lin and Mama Wei emerged from the inner room, the latter fuming with anger.

Ye Li raised her brows with a smile. "Nurse, you saw through her intentions?"

Mama Wei huffed. "What else could she mean? She wants to harm Zhao Yiniang but is dragging you into it. If you were soft-hearted and actually listened to her, rumors would spread that a young lady interfered in her father's household affairs, showing no kindness to a concubine or her son. It would ruin your reputation for nothing!"

Mama Lin smiled soothingly at Mama Wei. "Sister, don’t be so anxious. I believe Miss must have her own calculations."

Ye Li nodded. "Wang Shi will never tolerate Zhao Yiniang. It's just that with so much happening in the manor now, she hasn’t had the chance to act."

Mama Lin mused thoughtfully. "Miss means to save Zhao Yiniang?"

Ye Li shook her head. "It's not exactly saving—just mutual benefit. Zhao Yiniang has helped me a lot these days. Besides, I see that Rong'er is being raised rather improperly by Madam. The Ye family still needs to preserve some lineage."

Mama Lin said, "I only fear Zhao Yiniang may grow too ambitious in the future."

Ye Li waved her hand dismissively. "If she's smart, she'll know there's no conflict of interest between us."

Mama Lin thought for a moment, then smiled. "Miss is thorough in her considerations. This old servant worried too much."

Ye Li smiled faintly and shook her head. "I'm still young—there are bound to be oversights. I’ll need both you and Nurse to advise me in the future."By evening, Wang Shi had somehow convinced Lord Ye to agree to send Zhao Yiniang back to the Ye family's ancestral home in Bingzhou for her confinement. Naturally, Zhao Yiniang wept and pleaded desperately, her pitiful state drawing sympathetic looks from the other concubines in the household. It was well known that the Ye family's ancestral home was no prosperous or comfortable place—it was located in Bingzhou, near the southwestern border of Great Chu. Not only was it a remote and harsh region, but it was also thousands of miles from the capital. Since Lord Ye had taken office in the capital and brought Ye Laofuren with him, the Ye family had never returned to their hometown. Years ago, even the ancestral shrine had been moved to the capital, leaving only the old estate and a bit of land in Bingzhou under the care of distant relatives. Forget whether Zhao Yiniang could live comfortably there—just surviving the journey while pregnant would be a trial in itself.

Lord Ye’s expression softened with reluctance, but despite his former favorite concubine’s desperate pleas, he refused to relent. Ye Li watched calmly as Zhao Yiniang’s expression shifted from sorrow to despair. Though there was an element of performance in her display, there was also genuine emotion. Lord Ye’s heartlessness must have chilled Zhao Yiniang to the bone.

"Father," Ye Li spoke up once the commotion had settled somewhat, "Bingzhou is not only distant but also treacherous to travel. Even a healthy person might struggle, let alone Zhao Yiniang in her condition."

Lord Ye’s expression flickered as he looked at Ye Li. "Then what do you suggest, Li’er?"

Lowering her gaze, Ye Li replied coolly, "If the madam’s intention is simply to send Zhao Yiniang away from the capital, why insist on Bingzhou? If anything were to happen on the journey… Elder Sister Zhaoyi is now carrying the imperial heir—we should be accumulating blessings for her sake."

Wang Shi paled, her heart trembling with fury. What did Ye Li mean by "the madam’s intention"? And how dare she curse her precious daughter and unborn grandchild!

Ye Laofuren frowned. "Then where do you think would be suitable, Li’er?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "While fate should not be entirely dismissed, neither should it be blindly followed. Regardless, Zhao Yiniang carries the Ye family’s descendant. If outsiders were to hear of this, they might accuse our family of lacking compassion. As for where Zhao Yiniang should go, I trust Father and Grandmother have already considered it."

Lord Ye studied Ye Li intently, his gaze probing. "Our family has an estate in Yunzhou, where the climate is mild. What if we send Zhao Yiniang there instead?"

"Naturally, it is for Father and Grandmother to decide."

Ye Laofuren scrutinized Zhao Yiniang before smiling at Ye Li. "Your father is right. Yunzhou is a land of scholars and sages—perhaps its influence can temper the child’s fate."

Ye Li bowed respectfully. "Grandmother speaks wisely. The Ye family’s prosperity is our prosperity, is it not? As for fate… how can an unborn child have one?"

Pleased with Ye Li’s sensible words, Ye Laofuren nodded. "Li’er is truly understanding. Then it is settled."

Kneeling in the hall, Zhao Yiniang cast a glance at Wang Shi’s resentful face before bowing deeply to Ye Laofuren. "This humble servant thanks the Old Madam for her mercy. And thanks to the Master and Third Miss for their kindness."

Ye Li smiled. "Rise, Zhao Yiniang. This is all Grandmother and Father’s grace—we juniors can only defer to their wisdom. The journey ahead is long, so take care. When your son is born, raise him well, so as not to disappoint Grandmother and Father’s expectations."Zhao Yiniang nodded repeatedly, "This servant thanks the young lady for her guidance."