Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 40: The Most Unfortunate Wedding in History (Part 1)
40. The Most Unfortunate Wedding in History (Part 1)
「Minister Ye’s Mansion」
The mansion was bustling with activity early in the morning. Ye Li, Ye Shan, and Ye Lin were sitting with Lady Ye in Rongle Hall for a chat. The courtyard where Ye Ying lived had already become busy before dawn. Ms.Wang was annoyed by Ye Lin and Ye Shan being in the way. She was even more afraid that Ye Li would take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble, so she no longer wanted their company and instead brought a few nieces from her own family to accompany Ye Ying. Ye Li was naturally relieved. She had come early to pay her respects to Lady Ye and then stayed to chat with her. After all, she could not possibly stay in Qingyi Pavilion the whole day, as that would only attract gossip.
Lady Ye had a radiant smile on her face. She even looked much friendlier when facing others. Naturally, Ye Lin and Ye Shan did not miss this opportunity, flattering and entertaining the old lady. Ye Li calmly sipped her tea while secretly considering whether she should join in the excitement and watch the drama that was about to unfold.
As it neared noon, Lady Ye’s white-streaked eyebrows gradually knitted into a frown. She ordered the people around her, "Go out and see if the groom’s party has arrived yet."
After a while, the servant who had been sent out rushed back, wiping sweat from his brow as he reported, "Old Madam... The groom’s procession hasn’t arrived yet."
Lady Ye’s smiling face instantly turned grim. It was almost noon; if the groom’s party were to arrive in the afternoon, it would be highly inauspicious.
"Surely Prince Li isn’t going to abandon Fourth Sister again?" the youngest, Ye Shan, suddenly blurted out.
"Shan’er!" Ye Shan’s birth mother turned pale with fright.
"Insolence! Today is Fourth Sister’s joyous day! What nonsense are you spouting? Get out now!" Ye Li scolded sharply, taking advantage of the moment before Lady Ye could erupt to shoot a warning glance at Ye Shan. Ye Shan moved her lips, wanting to say more, but Ye Lin quickly grabbed her. Together with Ye Shan’s birth mother, they dragged Ye Shan out.
"Shan’er is young and speaks carelessly; it is Li’er’s failure in discipline. Please, Grandmother, calm your anger," Ye Li said softly to Lady Ye.
"Third Miss is right. Sixth Miss is young and inevitably has her little thoughts. Fortunately, we are all family here. Please, Old Madam, considering today is Fourth Miss’s joyous day, do calm your anger," Concubine Zhao, who had been granted a seat due to her pregnancy, quickly rose and pleaded. Lady Ye was in no mood to truly discipline Ye Shan at this point. She waved her hand and said, "Go summon the Master. And send someone else to check again." Knowing Lady Ye was not in a good mood, the attendants dared not say more and quickly left to carry out her orders.
The atmosphere in Rongle Hall grew tense. Ye Li, however, continued to sit calmly, drinking her tea. Concubine Zhao, sitting sideways, occasionally stole glances at Ye Li, only to find her face devoid of any emotion, as if nothing had happened. For a moment, Concubine Zhao was unsure if today’s events had anything to do with Third Miss. Sensing Concubine Zhao’s gaze, Ye Li looked up at her. The completely unreadable expression in Ye Li’s eyes sent a chill through Concubine Zhao’s heart. She nodded slightly at Ye Li, then turned her head, leaning back in her chair to rest with her eyes closed.
As midday passed, the messenger who had been watching at the main gate still hadn’t returned. It seemed Prince Li’s wedding procession was indeed going to be late. Minister Ye and Ms.Wang hurried in. Lady Ye stared at her son and daughter-in-law, her voice stern, "What exactly is going on? Have you found out?"
Minister Ye’s face was also dark. He said in a low voice, "Mother, please calm down. The person sent to inquire has returned. Prince Li’s Mansion... they have already set off."
Lady Ye was so furious she began to laugh, a scathing sound. "Already set off?" She pointed at Minister Ye, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Good. Very good! In what family does the groom’s side forget the auspicious time for the wedding procession on the wedding day? After today, our Ye Family will be the laughingstock of the entire Capital City! What on earth does Prince Li’s Mansion mean by this? Slapping the Ye Family in the face before the bride has even entered their home?"
Minister Ye frowned. "Perhaps something genuinely delayed them?"
Lady Ye snorted coldly. "What could be more important than the wedding procession?"
Minister Ye was rendered speechless. Lady Ye could only sigh in helpless frustration. Prince Li’s Mansion arriving late for the procession was already a joke, but no matter how angry they were, they still had to send Ye Ying out. Otherwise, Ye Ying’s reputation would be utterly ruined. Glaring fiercely at Ms.Wang, Lady Ye demanded, "What are you still standing there for? Go see if Ying’er is ready. As soon as the procession arrives, send Ying’er out immediately."
Ms.Wang, also aggrieved but not daring to show it, quickly replied, "Everything has long been ready. We are just waiting to bid farewell to you, Old Madam, before she departs."
Lady Ye harrumphed and said no more.
It was already late in the Weishi period (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) when a servant finally came to report that the wedding procession was approaching. Ye Ying, supported by her dowry nannies and maidservants, was brought to Rongle Hall to bid farewell to Lady Ye. Although her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, Ye Li, sitting close by, could still see the paleness beneath the powder and the slight redness and swelling of her eyes. Evidently, Ye Ying had already had a good cry. However, it didn’t matter. Doesn’t a bride have to cry when she leaves her home anyway?
Lady Ye personally helped Ye Ying up and offered some words of encouragement and caution. Ye Ying then bid farewell to Minister Ye and Ms.Wang before her red bridal veil was lowered, and she was escorted towards the Ye Mansion’s main hall. Ye Li also rose and followed behind Minister Ye and Ms.Wang.
「In the great hall of Ye Mansion.」
Mo Jingli, dressed in a festive bright red wedding robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon, looked even more handsome and possessed an added air of stern dignity. However, Ye Li could clearly detect an unusual stiffness in his cold demeanor. Looking closer, she noticed the unnatural paleness of his complexion and the unconcealable dark circles under his eyes. Strangely, after being cooped up all morning, Ye Li’s mood miraculously improved considerably. I’d bet my eldest cousin’s Top Scholar title that Mo Jingli definitely put on makeup!
The moment Mo Jingli entered, his eyes found Ye Li, who was standing beside Minister Ye. A flicker of fire crossed his eyes, his gaze so intense it even bypassed his own bride.
Minister Ye coughed lightly in displeasure. Only then did Mo Jingli reluctantly shift his gaze and greet Minister Ye. "I was delayed. Please forgive me, Father-in-law."
If he hadn’t mentioned it, Minister Ye might have let it pass. But now that he had, Minister Ye’s anger flared anew. His tone was somewhat cool as he replied, "I wouldn’t dare. I only hope Your Highness will treat Ying’er well in the future."
Mo Jingli knew he was in the wrong and hurriedly agreed, promising to treat Ye Ying well. But as he looked up, he caught sight of Ye Li’s face, an almost-smile playing on her lips. Remembering what he had endured the previous night, Mo Jingli desperately wanted to pounce on Ye Li and tear her to shreds. Throughout his life, he had always been the one to torment others; apart from Mo Xiuyao in the past, this was the first time he had been so miserably tricked. He had woken before dawn to find himself bound and thrown into a pond. Despite his shouts, it wasn’t until after daybreak that the guards he had hidden in the nearby woods found him. Although it was nearly May, that particular pond was frigid year-round. By the time he was pulled out, he was so frozen he could barely move. He had finally reached the villa outside the city, where he drank ginger soup and medicine to dispel the cold. Once he had somewhat recovered, he had rushed back into the city, forcing himself to endure his considerable discomfort to attend the bridal procession, yet he had still missed the auspicious hour. Compared to him, Ye Li, who was now looking at him with a calm smile, seemed infuriatingly well.
I will not let you off easily! Mo Jingli’s eyes turned cold and ruthless.
Ye Li merely pursed her lips; she had long given up on Mo Jingli’s intelligence. She even shot him back a look that clearly conveyed: I’ll be waiting!
What Ye Li didn’t realize was how their brief exchange of glances appeared to those with ulterior motives. Ms.Wang, standing beside Ye Ying, had witnessed their interaction. A flash of malice crossed her half-lowered eyes.
