Mo Xiuyao's prediction proved accurate. Barely two days after the betrothal gifts were sent, a palace messenger arrived with an edict from Ye Zhaoyi, claiming she missed the Third Young Miss and requesting her presence in the palace. Ye Li knew exactly who truly wanted to see her. Although her relationship with Ye Yue hadn't been openly hostile while the latter was still at home, it was certainly no better than her relationship with Ye Ying. Unfortunately, even though Ye Yue was merely a Zhaoyi, Ye Li—who had yet to formally become Princess Ding—had no grounds to refuse. Thus, she had no choice but to accept the decree, change into appropriate attire, and follow the eunuch into the palace, accompanied by Qingluan and Qingyu.
Chu Capital lay in the northern part of Great Chu, its palaces towering and majestic, exuding extraordinary grandeur. The moment she stepped out of the carriage, the imposing aura of the imperial family struck her. Unlike the intricate craftsmanship found in the mansions of nobility, the imperial city emphasized vastness and magnificence. The five-clawed golden dragons coiled around massive stone pillars seemed to warn all of the inviolability of imperial authority. First-time visitors would undoubtedly be awed by its splendor, but Ye Li, who had long been accustomed to skyscrapers and historic landmarks from across the world, could only offer it faint admiration.
After alighting from the carriage at the palace gates, Ye Li followed the guiding eunuch into the inner palace. As she walked, she discreetly observed her surroundings, committing her location to memory.
Passing through gate after gate, they finally stopped before an opulent palace. Ye Li looked up—Yaohua Palace. She recalled that Ye Yue had been granted residence here.
"Third Young Miss Ye, please wait a moment. This servant will go inside to announce your arrival," the eunuch leading the way said in a shrill voice.
Ye Li nodded. "Please go ahead, Eunuch."
After the eunuch went in to announce her, he did not return quickly. Ye Li stood waiting for nearly the time it took an incense stick to burn, yet no one emerged.
Qingyu whispered, "Miss, what does Zhaoyi Niangniang mean by this?"
Qingluan hushed her sharply. "Hold your tongue. If Miss hasn't spoken, why must you?"
Realizing that the palace was not a place where one could speak freely as at home, Qingyu blinked sheepishly and fell silent.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Be patient."
Qingluan hesitated, glancing around before murmuring, "Miss, could it be that Zhaoyi Niangniang…?"
Ye Li shook her head with a light laugh. "Ye Zhaoyi wouldn’t resort to such petty tactics."
Both Qingluan and Qingyu were quick-witted. Understanding dawned on them, and they sealed their lips. Standing and waiting was nothing—one was trained in martial arts, the other in medicine; neither was frail.
Another quarter-hour passed, and still no one emerged from Yaohua Palace. Instead, a procession approached from a distance. The grandeur of their entourage made it clear they were figures of high status. The three of them stepped aside to avoid obstructing their path.
Soon, the group arrived at the gates of Yaohua Palace. A retinue of palace maids and eunuchs escorted two women in court attire, stopping not far from Ye Li.
One of them, dressed in blue, studied Ye Li curiously. "Oh? This young lady seems unfamiliar. Why are you standing here?"
Ye Li stepped forward and curtsied gracefully. "Ye Li, Third Daughter of the Minister of Revenue, greets the two noble ladies."So it's the future Princess Ding. We dare not presume. The palace lady in pink quickly stepped aside, covering her lips with a smile. "Why is Third Miss Ye standing here? Have you come to visit Ye Zhaoyi?"
Ye Li nodded with a smile. "Indeed, I've come by Zhaoyi Niangniang's command for an audience."
"In that case, let's go in together." The lady in blue reached out to pull Ye Li along. Ye Li smiled gently. "This is my first time entering the palace and I'm unfamiliar with the rules. Without Zhaoyi's summons, I dare not enter. I won't delay you two noble ladies any longer. My thanks again." The two women exchanged glances, and the one in pink said, "Very well, we'll go in first then. Elder Sister Zhaoyi tires easily now that she's with child—she's likely asleep and her attendants don't dare disturb her. Third Miss Ye, please wait a while."
"My thanks."
"Young Mistress, why didn't we go in with them?" Qingyu asked softly. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but there seemed to be more people passing through this path than when they'd first arrived.
Ye Li turned to look at her and asked with a quiet laugh, "Guess whether we'd be chased out if we followed them in?"
"Probably... not?" Qingyu answered uncertainly. While it would be embarrassing for the Ye family's daughter to be expelled, it wouldn't reflect well on Ye Zhaoyi either.
"Psst—over here, over here..."
Ye Li turned her head. From behind a flowering tree at the corner of the palace hall, a small head peeked out, grinning and waving at her. Ye Li glanced around before pointing at herself questioningly. The child, mostly hidden by the tree, nodded vigorously at her. Come here.
"Young Mistress?"
Ye Li waved a hand and walked over unhurriedly. "Are you the future wife of Uncle Prince Ding?" Squatting in the bushes was an exquisitely lovely little girl, about seven or eight years old, with her hair tied up in adorable buns. Two strands of glistening pearls adorned her hair, and her finely crafted robes were embroidered with golden phoenix patterns—clear signs of her noble status.
"I am. And who might you be?"
"I won't tell you." The little girl blinked her bright eyes, smiling at her.
Unfazed, Ye Li chuckled. "Then do you know Prince Ding? Have you met him? Lying isn't good, you know. Everyone knows Prince Ding hasn't left his residence in years—probably as many years as you've been alive."
The girl gave her a scornful look. "Even if I haven't seen him, can't I hear about him from others? Cousin Xiangxiang told me—Uncle Prince Ding is the strongest, smartest, handsomest, and most amazing person in the world. When I grow up, I'm going to marry him!"
"Cousin Xiangxiang?"
Looking at the girl's earnest expression, Ye Li couldn't help wanting to laugh. Still, she didn't wish to crush the child's fragile dreams. "Do you know how old Prince Ding is? By the time you grow up, he'll be old. Then there'll be others stronger, smarter, and better-looking than him. He won't be the most amazing anymore. What will you do then?"
"Huh?" The girl looked bewildered. "Then... what should I do? Wait—you're lying! You just want to marry Uncle Prince Ding yourself, so you're tricking me!"
"I'm not lying. Look, I'm much older than you, right? You'd have to grow as big as I am now before you could marry. By then, I'd already be old. Prince Ding is older than both of us. You see, by that time..."
The little girl sighed mournfully. "By then, Uncle Prince Ding will be even older than Grandfather. If I married him, Eldest Imperial Sister would definitely laugh at me. Fine, you can have Uncle Prince Ding."
Suppressing her laughter, Ye Li nodded sincerely. "Good. Thank you, Your Highness."How did you know I'm a princess?
Ye Li blinked her eyes. Not only do I know you're a princess, but I also know which princess you are.
I don't believe you. You've never seen me before.
Ye Li smiled gently. I'm guessing you're Empress's daughter, Princess Changle, am I right?
The little princess tilted her head and studied Ye Li for a moment before nodding. Fine, I agree with Cousin Xiangxiang—you really are clever. This princess will reluctantly be friends with you.
Watching the small girl trying her best to put on an adult demeanor and royal airs, Ye Li smiled brightly. Very well, thank you for your favor, Your Highness. What brings you here, and... um? She pointed at the flowering bush where the princess had been hiding.
Princess Changle wriggled unconcernedly, continuing to hide in the shrubbery. This princess heard the Ye family produces beauties. Ye Zhaoyi and that Ye Ying, who looks like she'd float away in a breeze, are famously beautiful. So this princess came to see if the Ye family really only has beauties. Now this princess admits, you're more pleasing to look at than Ye Zhaoyi and Ye Ying. You barely qualify as a beauty. I'm guessing you'll have to wait here a long time. How about coming to play with me?
Ye Li looked puzzled. How do you know I'll have to wait long?
Princess Changle pouted. My mother said the women in the palace have nothing better to do, so they make trouble for others. Making people they dislike wait longer during morning greetings or kneel longer—that's what these women love doing most. But don't worry, my mother doesn't do such things.
Ye Li smiled without responding, making the princess glare at her impatiently. Are you coming out to play with me or not?
Ye Li shook her head helplessly. I still have to wait for Ye Zhaoyi's summons. You know how troublesome it would be if she wanted to see me but couldn't find me. Also... someone's coming.
Princess Changle peeked out and immediately ducked back in. Imperial Concubine Liu is coming. Don't tell her you saw me! I can't stand her. Ye Li nodded, casually rearranging the bush to conceal the princess better. Understood. You should hurry back now—don't make the Empress worry. After fixing the shrubbery, Ye Li stood and returned to where Qingluan and Qingyu were waiting, preparing to greet the approaching procession that was far more elaborate than before.
From afar, a delicate floral fragrance could be detected. Surrounded by clusters of palace maids and eunuchs came a woman in a goose-yellow phoenix-patterned palace gown. Her slender figure, wrapped in the perfectly fitted dress, revealed graceful curves. Her snow-white skin seemed painted, her cherry lips lightly tinted, exuding seventy percent charm and thirty percent cool detachment. Among the many beauties Ye Li had seen recently—Qin Zheng's orchid-like elegance, Hua Tianxiang's peony-like nobility, Qixia Princess's peach-blossom radiance—this Imperial Concubine Liu resembled a pear blossom: pure white yet alluring, seemingly delicate but with an untouchable chill.
"You're Ye Li?" Imperial Concubine Liu stopped before Ye Li and asked coolly.
"This humble subject is indeed she. Greetings to Imperial Concubine Liu." Ye Li curtsied slightly.
The concubine's delicate willow-leaf eyebrows arched slightly. "You've never entered the palace before, have you? How did you know who I am?"
Ye Li smiled gently. "A few years ago, this subject was fortunate to witness Your Ladyship's beauty during the Emperor's Heaven Worship ceremony, so I remembered."
Imperial Concubine Liu seemed momentarily surprised before sighing nostalgically. "That... must have been five or six years ago? Impressive that you could remember at such a young age."
"Your Ladyship's peerless beauty naturally leaves a lasting impression," Ye Li replied with a smile.You are certainly more likable than your second sister. Why are you standing here? Come in with me. Ye Zhaoyi must have dozed off, leaving the future Princess Ding waiting at the palace gates like this. Consort Liu spoke lightly, but her tone carried an undeniable authority. Ye Li paused for a moment, then curtsied slightly and said, "In that case, please proceed first, Your Highness."
Inside Yaohua Palace, Ye Yue was momentarily stunned when she saw Ye Li entering with Consort Liu. Consort Liu glanced at her coolly and said, "Sister, I noticed Miss Ye waiting outside, so I invited her in. You don’t mind my interference, do you?" Though her words were polite, her expression showed no concern for Ye Yue’s opinion. Ye Yue forced a smile and replied, "Sister Consort Liu, you jest. It’s all my fault—I’ve been so absent-minded lately, forgetting things left and right. If you hadn’t brought Third Sister in, she would have had to wait much longer. It’s all you servants’ fault! Why didn’t any of you remind me?" Her charming phoenix eyes swept over the palace maids and eunuchs, instantly filling the hall with pleas for mercy.
Consort Liu frowned impatiently and said, "Enough, sister. If you forgot, then forget it—why take it out on the servants? I’m sure Miss Ye doesn’t blame you. Isn’t that right?"
Ye Li had no choice but to comply. "Consort Liu is too kind. I only waited a short while—there’s nothing to blame."
Only then did Ye Yue brighten up. She pulled Ye Li to sit beside her and said warmly, "Third Sister, you rarely go out. Since I entered the palace, I haven’t seen you at all. Now that we’ve finally met, I see you’ve grown even more refined after a year or two. How is everything at home?" Ye Li answered each question respectfully. Ye Yue kept the conversation light, asking about trivial family matters, while Ye Li responded with polite brevity. Strangely, Consort Liu seemed completely unbothered by the sisters’ reunion, sitting there with a faintly cold smile, neither interrupting nor showing any intention to leave. Ye Yue, too, appeared accustomed to Consort Liu’s presence, making no move to excuse her or take Ye Li elsewhere.
"I couldn’t attend Fourth Sister’s wedding. How is she and Prince Li?" Ye Yue asked softly, gently stroking her slightly rounded belly.
Ye Li recalled Ye Ying’s somber expression when she had returned home a few days prior—hardly a sign of marital bliss. But she had no intention of dampening Ye Yue’s mood and simply replied with a smile, "Fourth Sister and Prince Li are newlyweds—naturally, they’re doing well. I… have been rather busy lately and haven’t had the chance to speak with her." Ye Yue was well aware of the strained relationship between Ye Li and Ye Ying, so she didn’t press further. Instead, she held Ye Li’s hand and said warmly, "We’re all sisters. After marriage, we can’t see each other as often as we did at home. But you should still visit one another. I’m stuck in the palace, but you sisters outside can look out for each other, so Father and Grandmother needn’t worry. Don’t you agree?"
Ye Li nodded. "Your Highness speaks wisely."The two sisters were discussing matters of the Ye family when a palace attendant entered, announcing that the Empress Dowager had summoned the Third Miss Ye. Ye Yue was momentarily stunned before turning to Ye Li with a smile. "Since the Empress Dowager has summoned you, Third Sister, you should go quickly. Her Majesty is the epitome of grace and is most affectionate toward the younger generation. There’s no need to be afraid. As for me… I’m not in the best condition to accompany you." Ye Li nodded, her gaze lingering on Ye Yue’s well-maintained jade-like fingers as they lightly stroked her abdomen. She replied calmly, "This humble girl thanks Your Highness for the reminder. If that is the case, I shall take my leave." Ye Yue smiled. "Take care, Third Sister. Someone, escort the Third Young Miss out."
"Sister, I was just about to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I’ll accompany the Third Miss Ye on the way," Consort Liu said as she stood up.
Ye Yue nodded. "In that case, I’ll trouble you, Sister Consort Liu."
Consort Liu gave a faint nod. "Third Miss, let us go."
Ye Li followed Consort Liu out of Yaohua Palace, glancing back at the lavishly decorated palace gates. When the Empress Dowager’s summons was mentioned earlier, if she hadn’t misread it, Ye Yue had seemed tense. As for Consort Liu… Ye Li observed the woman walking ahead with her entourage. Even now, she couldn’t discern whether Consort Liu’s attitude was friendly or hostile. Escorting her into Yaohua Palace, and now accompanying her to see the Empress Dowager? Ye Li was certain that if Consort Liu hadn’t been present, Ye Yue would have said far more than she had today. But to say Consort Liu was well-disposed toward her—not only had they never met before, but the barely concealed disdain beneath that aloof arrogance made it impossible for Ye Li to believe so. With a helpless shrug, she followed calmly. The people in this palace were truly troublesome…
The Empress Dowager’s residence was located in the northwest of the imperial palace, its grandeur and golden splendor spanning an area twice that of Yaohua Palace, a testament to the exalted status of the emperor’s birth mother.
"Zhaode Palace was specially built for the Empress Dowager after His Majesty ascended the throne," Consort Liu remarked coolly as they stood before Zhaode Palace awaiting summons. "Also, don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense. The Empress Dowager is not someone with a gentle temper. Be careful." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Thank you for the advice, Your Highness." Consort Liu gave a light hum, flicking her sleeves as she stepped into Zhaode Palace ahead of her. Ye Li followed, her expression composed, though her mind was already racing. Though she had only just entered the palace, the strangeness here had already surpassed her understanding. It was said the current emperor had been placed on the throne largely through the Empress Dowager’s efforts, and she was renowned as a virtuous consort and wise empress dowager. Yet Consort Liu, the emperor’s favored concubine, showed not the slightest respect for her. And then… Ye Li glanced up at the plaque beneath the eaves, its three characters—Zhaode—flamboyantly inscribed. She could only hope the emperor had written those words willingly.
"This humble girl, Ye Li, pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager." Upon entering the grand hall and spotting the tall figure clad in bright yellow robes, Ye Li’s expression flickered with surprise for only a moment before she respectfully bowed.
"Rise." Mo Jingqi glanced at Ye Li before quickly shifting his attention to Consort Liu beside her. He descended the steps and pulled her close. "Shang’er, why have you come?"
Consort Liu gave a light hum. "What? Does Your Majesty think this concubine is unworthy of paying respects to the Empress Dowager?"
Mo Jingqi sighed softly. "You know very well that’s not what I meant.""Your Majesty!" A stern and displeased voice echoed from the hall. Ye Li glanced subtly in its direction. The Empress Dowager must have been a stunning beauty in her youth. Though she was the elder sister of Consort Xian Zhao, the Empress Dowager appeared even younger than her sister. However, her phoenix eyes now carried an indescribable sharpness, though Ye Li knew they must have been captivatingly beautiful in her prime. At this moment, the Empress Dowager didn't notice Ye Li but instead fixed her piercing gaze on Consort Liu, with even a hint of murderous intent. Clearly, the Empress Dowager strongly disliked Consort Liu.
"Mother." Mo Jingqi frowned, leading Consort Liu forward as he said, "Mother, Shang'er has come to pay her respects. She must have coincidentally met the Third Miss Ye and came together."
The Empress Dowager replied coolly, "Pay her respects? How rare for Consort Liu to remember to greet me today."
"Mother, you know Shang'er has been unwell since giving birth to Jing'er," Mo Jingqi said awkwardly, yet resolutely shielding Consort Liu by his side. Catching a glimpse of the Empress Dowager's dark expression, Ye Li couldn't help but sympathize with her inwardly. After enduring so much—bearing two sons, outlasting the late emperor's first empress to become queen, and exhausting all efforts to place her son on the throne so she could enjoy her twilight years as Empress Dowager—who would have thought her younger son would occasionally act foolish, and her elder son, the emperor, would prioritize his wife over his own mother?
"Mother, didn't you say you wanted to meet the Third Miss Ye? Shouldn't we first see how suitable she is as Xiu Yao's bride?" Seeing the Empress Dowager's worsening mood, Mo Jingqi quickly changed the subject.
Ye Li nearly rolled her eyes. Your Majesty, are you redirecting trouble onto me?
Sure enough, the Empress Dowager soon shifted her gaze back to Ye Li. Silently, Ye Li decided it might be better to trust Consort Liu's words. The intensity of the Empress Dowager's stare was not something an ordinary person could endure.
"So, you are Ye Li?" the Empress Dowager finally asked after a long pause.
Ye Li lowered her eyes respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is indeed Ye Li."
The Empress Dowager frowned. "Raise your head and let me see you."
Ye Li obeyed, allowing the Empress Dowager and the emperor to scrutinize her.
"I met your mother a few times in the past. As expected of the Xu family's granddaughter, you are far above those unworthy of mention. A pity..." She didn't elaborate, and naturally, no one dared to ask. Ye Li noticed the subtle displeasure on Consort Liu's face beside the emperor and felt a faint curiosity. The Empress Dowager couldn't possibly be indirectly criticizing Consort Liu—after all, Prime Minister Liu's daughter was hardly of "unworthy" status.
"My Li'er is immature. I hope you won't take his previous actions to heart," the Empress Dowager said, her sharp phoenix eyes fixed unwaveringly on Ye Li.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Your Majesty flatters me. It was simply that I and Prince Li were not fated. Rather than discovering mutual disdain after marriage, it was fortunate His Highness raised the matter beforehand. For that, I am grateful."
"Oh? And what do you think of the incident at Li'er's wedding?"
"This... It is His Highness's private matter. I should not presume to speculate."
"And if I insist on hearing your opinion?" the Empress Dowager pressed."This humble girl thinks... perhaps His Highness Prince Li was too excited about the grand wedding and didn't rest well the night before?" Ye Li smiled innocently, with a trace of faint apprehension as she looked at the Empress Dowager. "Everyone in the capital knows His Highness and my fourth sister are deeply in love. Now that he's finally about to marry his beloved, it's only natural the Prince would be somewhat agitated."
"Miss Ye, I heard you recently accused Prince Li of not paying for his purchases and demanded quite a sum of silver from him?" Consort Liu suddenly interjected with a smile from her seat.
The temperature in the grand hall dropped abruptly. Ye Li blinked in confusion, her face flushed with shame. "This humble girl acted improperly. I beg the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty for forgiveness. Since my late mother passed away, I've rarely ventured out. This was my first time handling such matters, and I overstepped my bounds. My grandmother has already reprimanded me, and I sent someone to return the silver to Prince Li's Palace with my apologies to His Highness. But..." She hesitated, "Both the messenger and the silver were turned away." Afterward, Ye Li gave two hundred taels to the steward she had sent as compensation for his distress, while pocketing the rest with a clear conscience.
Since Mo Jingli was clearly in the wrong, even the imperial family wouldn't seriously consider punishing her. Seeing Ye Li's expression of shock and remorse, Mo Jingqi coughed lightly and shot a warning glance at Consort Liu before reassuring her, "Enough. This matter was Jingli's oversight, not your fault. The Empress Dowager has no intention of blaming you."
Ye Li gratefully replied, "This humble girl thanks Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager for your magnanimity."
The Empress Dowager nodded indifferently. "Very well. We had no intention of reprimanding you. Prepare a seat for Miss Ye."
Two palace maids brought an embroidered stool and placed it behind Ye Li. She thanked them before carefully sitting on only two-thirds of it. Internally, she felt no gratitude for the seat—if given the choice, she would have preferred to remain standing. Sitting not only made her appear even smaller in this already subordinate position but also severely limited her field of vision. Moreover, the proper sitting posture for noble ladies was more exhausting than the horse stance she had practiced as a child. At least with the horse stance, her legs could bear the weight, but sitting elegantly like this required years of training—otherwise, one could only pray not to topple off the stool.
"Miss Ye, how is Mr. Qingyun?" Mo Jingqi asked, studying her with a hint of curiosity.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My uncle mentioned that my grandfather is in good health."
Mo Jingqi chuckled. "There's no need to be so tense. I once had the privilege of witnessing Mr. Qingyun's grace and have long admired him, though it has been many years since I last saw him." Ye Li lowered her head in shame. "Since my mother's passing, I, too, have not seen my grandfather for many years. I am unworthy of his affection, as I cannot bring him the joy my mother once did."
"Oh? Surely Old Mr. Qingyun wouldn't miss his only granddaughter's wedding to Prince Ding?"
"My grandfather is advanced in years and cannot endure the hardships of travel. It's unlikely he will attend... However, he has sent my eldest uncle to the capital to oversee the ceremony on his behalf. I am overjoyed by this."
Mo Jingqi's eyes flickered. "Oh? Mr. Hongyu has already arrived in the capital? Then... Young Master Xu..."
Ye Li replied candidly, "My eldest cousin and several other cousins have also come to the capital. Since my uncle holds no official rank, we saw no need to make an announcement."
Mo Jingqi laughed heartily. "The Xu family has always shunned vanity and preferred tranquility. Still, Mr. Hongyu was once my tutor. It is rather discourteous of me not to have greeted him upon his arrival." Ye Li hurriedly demurred, though inwardly she scoffed. Her uncle had only instructed Mo Jingqi at the late emperor's behest—hardly enough to be called his tutor. Besides, if Mo Jingqi had truly wanted to welcome him, he would have done so already. She highly doubted the emperor was unaware of when her uncle had arrived in the capital.Mo Jingqi evidently had no intention of lingering on the matter either. Looking at Ye Li, he said, "Miss Ye won the top honor at this year's Hundred Flowers Festival. Even Princess Ronghua has praised you several times before the Empress Dowager. I wonder if Miss Ye would allow Us and the Empress Dowager the pleasure of admiring your talents." Without giving Ye Li any chance to refuse, he waved his hand, and palace maids and eunuchs promptly carried over an intricately carved writing desk, complete with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.
"This humble subject shall embarrass herself."
Standing behind the desk, Ye Li picked up a brush to paint while silently cursing the emperor in her heart a hundred times over. She truly couldn't comprehend the ancient emperors' penchant for randomly summoning people to compose poetry or lyrics. After all, not everyone enjoyed versifying, nor did everyone possess such quick wit. What if someone was called upon but couldn't produce a poem?
Ye Li painted a conventional orchid painting and inscribed a poem about secluded orchids that her grandfather had composed years earlier. The only noteworthy aspect was likely her calligraphy. Observing the shifting gazes of those present—from curiosity to surprise, then to disappointment—Ye Li remained unfazed, standing respectfully behind the desk as she awaited the emperor's evaluation.
"Secluded Orchids? Is this Mr. Qingyun's poem?" Consort Liu frowned as she asked.
With an apologetic expression, Ye Li replied, "This humble subject is truly unskilled in poetry. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
A trace of disdain flickered in Consort Liu's eyes as she glanced at the painting. "Miss Ye's calligraphy is quite commendable, though."
Even the Empress Dowager, rarely in agreement with Consort Liu, conceded, "Miss Ye's work from the Hundred Flowers Festival is currently in the palace. The painting is indeed unremarkable—merely conventional. As for the poem..." The three figures on the dais simultaneously suspected that the stunning peony poem from the festival couldn't possibly have been Ye Li's handiwork. After all, the Xu family had no shortage of talented scholars. Finding someone distinguished to ghostwrite for Ye Li would have been effortless, making such a poem unsurprising. "Miss Ye's calligraphy is indeed excellent."
Ye Li keenly sensed the trio's waning interest in her. Though she didn't fully grasp why the ancients equated artistic skills with intelligence, this outcome wasn't entirely unfavorable for her.
It wasn't until afternoon that Ye Li was escorted out of the palace by the Empress Dowager's attendants. In the interim, she had contributed her calligraphy by transcribing a Buddhist sutra for the Empress Dowager. Since no one had remembered to send her to bid farewell to Ye Zhaoyi at Yaohua Palace, Ye Li refrained from troubling the Empress Dowager's attendants and pretended to have forgotten as well. Accompanied by palace servants, she exited the imperial city laden with gifts from the emperor, Empress Dowager, and Consort Liu. Only after settling into the carriage did Ye Li finally exhale the breath she had been holding all day.
"Miss, you should rest for a while. You don't look well," Qingyu said softly, checking Ye Li's pulse.
Qingluan sighed. "It must be nerves from Miss's first time in the palace. Pity we couldn't enter the Empress Dowager's quarters to accompany you."
With a gentle smile, Qingyu added, "Even if you had entered, you'd likely have just frightened yourself. Best not to trouble Miss further."
Leaning back in the carriage, Ye Li closed her eyes to rest while mentally reviewing the day's events in the palace. Inside, she had to tread carefully, leaving little room for deeper reflection. The emperor, Empress Dowager, Consort Liu—each seemed ordinary, yet each seemed to conceal some tangled, hidden relationship. And then there was Ye Yue...
Something wasn't right.Ye Li suddenly opened her eyes, startling Qingluan and Qingyu. "Young mistress, what's wrong?" they asked.
"The carriage is on the wrong path!" Ye Li exclaimed. Before her words could fade, a whooshing sound pierced the air as a long arrow shot through the carriage.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
The novel is now VIP-locked. Thank you all for your continued support. From now on, there will be daily updates of 8,000 characters—I hope this is acceptable to everyone. As a working amateur writer, 10,000-word daily updates are beyond my capability. Additionally, managing plot pacing presents challenges; I worry some sections might feel padded or end abruptly. Also, thank you to those who sent diamonds, flowers, and tips—sending flying kisses your way~
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