18. The Biased Grandmother
Minister Ye hadn’t appeared again, even by the ti Ye Li personally saw off her cousin and aunt. Madam Xu had apparently lost all hope in the Ye Family’s etiquette and rules. If not for Ye Li, her niece, the Xu Family would have no further connection to the Ye Family, whom they blad for causing Madam Xu’s sister—Ye Li’s mother—to die of depression. Ye Li wasn’t angry. As she turned to return to Qingyi Pavilion, she glanced indifferently at Ms. Wang’s Fangyi Courtyard. A rare, mocking sneer touched her lips. Was Ms. Wang trying to assert her dominance over her?
"Third Sister..."
Before she could enter Qingyi Pavilion, Ye Ying approached, swaying as she leaned on her maid’s arm. Ye Li stood still, calmly eyeing the woman reputed to be the foremost beauty in the land. It seed that while outwardly she appeared fine, Ye Ying’s recent days had not been easy. Her usually exquisite and beautiful face now bore a touch of pallor and exhaustion. Her watery eyes, as she looked at Ye Li, held an added trace of resentnt and unshed tears, making Ye Li shiver involuntarily. "Her cheeks bespoke a language of lancholy, an illness that seed to have delicately seized her body. Her eyes glittered with tears, her breathing subtly short..." This inexplicably reminded Ye Li of lines from the renowned classic, *Dream of the Red Chamber*, used to describe an ethereal, otherworldly beauty. What a pity that the occasional glint of shrewdness in those teary eyes revealed none of Pearl Fairy’s lofty purity and detachnt.
"What happened to Fourth Sister?" Ye Li asked softly. "If you’re not feeling well, why not rest in your room?"
"Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. Ying’er is fine," Ye Ying answered in a soft voice, though her aggrieved expression suggested otherwise.
Ye Li nodded with an understanding look. "If it’s nothing, Fourth Sister, please continue your walk. I’ll head back first."
"Third Sister..." Seeing Ye Li about to turn and leave without hesitation, a flicker of annoyance crossed Ye Ying’s eyes, though it vanished quickly. Lightly biting her lip, she looked at Ye Li and asked, "Third Sister, did you receive the invitation to the Hundred Flower Gala?"
Ye Li nodded. The invitation had arrived yesterday morning. The Hundred Flower Gala was scheduled to take place in seven days at the Capital City’s largest Peony Garden. Seeing Ye Ying’s expression, a thought struck Ye Li, and she finally understood why Ye Ying had stopped her. "Fourth Sister, haven’t you received an invitation yet?"
Ye Ying shook her head dejectedly, her heart filled with resentnt toward Ye Li. If her maternal uncle hadn’t impeached Father in court, how could she, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the future Princess Consort Li, not receive an invitation to the Hundred Flower Gala? "Third Sister, you... you’re not going this year either?"
Ye Li chuckled. Was Ye Ying planning to use her invitation to attend the gala at the Peony Garden? Then again, as the future Princess Consort Li, even if soone noticed the na on the invitation wasn’t hers, no one would dare turn her away.
"My health is much better this year, so naturally, I plan to attend," Ye Li replied. As she finished speaking, she clearly saw Ye Ying’s face darken. Not wanting to get entangled further, Ye Li said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you, Fourth Sister."
"Thir—"
Seeing Ye Ying still wanting to speak, Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said, "Fourth Sister, why not seek an audience with Grand Consort Wise Zhao? This year’s invitations were personally sent by Eldest Princess Zhaoyang. If I don’t attend, wouldn’t it make the Eldest Princess think our Ye Family is disrespecting her?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Ying finally swallowed the words she was about to say. Eldest Princess Zhaoyang was the current Emperor’s paternal aunt, the only daughter of the forr Emperor’s primary Empress. She was notoriously ill-tempered and sotis wouldn’t even show deference to the current Empress or the Empress Dowager. Ye Ying certainly didn’t dare to provoke her. The fact that she hadn’t yet received an invitation was a clear indication of Eldest Princess Zhaoyang’s displeasure with her.
"Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Old Lady Ye requests your presence at Rongle Hall." Just as Ye Li was about to return to her room, Old Lady Ye’s nanny ca to deliver the ssage.
When Madam Xu had visited earlier that day, Old Lady Ye had excused herself, claiming illness, and hadn’t even sent soone to greet her. Ye Li naturally understood that the old matriarch was displeased with the Xu Family’s recent actions. She nodded indifferently. "I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Nanny."
The nanny repeatedly demurred, saying it was no trouble at all, then turned and returned to Rongle Hall.
In Rongle Hall, Old Lady Ye slightly narrowed her sowhat cloudy old eyes, sizing up the two granddaughters who entered side by side. Ye Ying had been doted on since childhood. Not only was she intelligent and gentle, but she was also born with extraordinary beauty. Both Old Lady Ye and Minister Ye held great expectations for her. If Ye Yue hadn’t already entered the palace and beco a Zhaoyi, Ye Ying would inevitably have been sent to the palace too. Now, being able to marry Prince Li, the Emperor’s full younger brother, as the primary Princess Consort, would naturally elevate the Ye Family’s status.
As for Ye Li, who was originally the Ye Family’s most noble legitimate daughter from the first wife, Old Lady Ye had always harbored a slight resentnt towards Ye Li’s mother, the late Ms. Xu. Consequently, after Ms. Xu’s passing, she had paid little attention to this granddaughter. Now, looking closely, she realized Ye Li was in no way inferior to Ye Ying. In fact, she possessed an even greater air of magnanimity and composure, characteristic of a scholarly family—qualities Old Lady Ye knew were inherited from her mother, who hailed from the centuries-old, prestigious Xu family. This was precisely why Old Lady Ye disliked both Ye Li and her mother, Ms. Xu.
"Grandmother," Ye Li and Ye Ying greeted in unison.
Old Lady Ye, with a loving expression, beckoned them to sit beside her and asked gently, "The Hundred Flower Gala is in a few days. Has your mother made preparations for you?"
Ye Ying lowered her head, her expression downcast. "I didn’t receive an invitation to the Hundred Flower Gala, so Mother’s preparations won’t be needed."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked, seemingly puzzled, "Grandmother, what preparations are needed for the Hundred Flower Gala?"
Hearing this, Old Lady Ye’s eyes flickered. She scrutinized Ye Li’s expression thoughtfully. "Oh, nothing in particular... It’s just that young ladies should dress beautifully when they go out. I’ll have your mother prepare so new outfits and jewelry for you later."
Ye Li, her expression calm, allowed Old Lady Ye to study her. Ms. Wang indeed hadn’t prepared anything for her, nor had she even ntioned the gala. It was predictable that if she attended the Hundred Flower Gala in her usual attire, she would surely be ridiculed and lose face. "Thank you for your consideration, Grandmother. Li’er understands." A flicker of delight crossed Ye Li’s face as she appropriately displayed a young girl’s fondness for new clothes and jewelry.
Old Lady Ye nodded without saying more. She wasn’t ignorant of how Ms. Wang treated Ye Li privately, but as long as it didn’t bring sha to the Ye Family in front of outsiders, she preferred not to interfere. However, Ye Ying smiled apologetically at Ye Li. "Mother had already prepared Third Sister’s clothes and jewelry. It’s just that when Rong’er returned yesterday, we montarily forgot to have them sent over."
"Is that so? The Hundred Flower Gala is still several days away, so there’s no rush," Ye Li replied with a faint smile. Had they finally brought the topic around to Ye Rong?
The ntion of Ye Rong caused Old Lady Ye’s smile to fade sowhat. Looking at the two girls, she said sternly, "Rong’er is still young. If he does anything wrong, you, as his elder sisters, should guide him properly. Today, your father gave him a caning in front of outsiders. He’s just a child; how can he endure that?"
Ye Ying’s brow furrowed, and she said with a pained expression, "Grandmother is right. It’s all my fault for not teaching my younger brother well. However, Rong’er has learned his lesson today. When I ca out just now, he was still crying out in pain. He definitely won’t dare to offend Third Sister again. Please, Third Sister, don’t hold it against him anymore."
"What’s this? I was told he wasn’t hit much. Why is he still in pain? Has a doctor been summoned?" As soon as Old Lady Ye heard her only grandson was unwell, she grew anxious, her gaze towards Ye Li turning colder.
Ye Ying quickly reassured her, "Don’t worry, Grandmother. Mother has already had a doctor examine him. He just needs to rest in bed for a few days. I’m only afraid his studies will be delayed for so ti."
Old Lady Ye frowned and glared at Ye Li in annoyance. "You’re his elder sister! Why can’t you be a bit more indulgent towards Rong’er? Would you be happy if he injures himself and his studies are delayed?"
A cold sneer ford in Ye Li’s heart, but her expression remained unchanged as she said calmly, "Grandmother’s teachings are correct. Li’er will certainly guide Rong’er properly in the future. His temperant truly needs so correction. It’s a small matter that he offended today; as his sister, I will naturally be indulgent. But what if he were to offend an influential personage soday? What then?"
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Ye’s expression turned even fouler. However, the thought of Ye Li’s marriage alliance made her suppress her anger, and she waved her hand dismissively. Ye Li turned and took her leave. As she departed, she could hear Ye Ying’s delicate voice behind her, cooing about how matters would be fine with ’Elder Sister’ (Ye Zhaoyi) and Prince Li around.
Since Old Lady Ye wouldn’t listen to her words, Ye Li didn’t care. She could only hope that Ye Zhaoyi in the palace and Prince Li could indeed cover for Ye Rong’s misdeeds for the rest of his life.
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