Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 46. The Miserable Newlywed Life
46. The Miserable Newlywed Life of Ye Ying
"Prince Li and Princess Consort Li are also here? This old minister pays his respects to Your Highnesses." Old State Duke Hua glanced over the people in the hall, his gaze pausing briefly on Ye Li before he greeted Mo Jingli and Ye Ying.
Mo Jingli nodded, shifting his gaze away from Mo Xiuyao, who had entered behind State Duke Hua, and asked with a frown, "What brings you here, Old State Duke?"
State Duke Hua stroked his white beard, a triumphant smile on his face as he said, "This old man is here to act as a matchmaker for Xiuyao, to present the betrothal gifts. Old Madam Ye, please come and look at these gifts. Is there anything the Ye Mansion finds unsatisfactory? Third Miss, you come and see too. If anything is lacking, we will immediately send someone to supplement it." Old Madam Ye had only given the betrothal gift list a cursory glance before; how could she dare express any dissatisfaction now? She quickly replied with a beaming smile, "With the Old State Duke and Mr. Elder Su personally handling matters, how could there possibly be any mistake?" She then casually handed the list to Ye Li, who merely glanced at it before passing it to Qingluan by her side, smiling faintly. "We’ve troubled the State Duke and Elder Su."
State Duke Hua looked Ye Li over, then turned to Mo Xiuyao and nodded with a smile. "The Ye Family truly knows how to raise their daughters. Xiuyao, you are very fortunate."
Mo Xiuyao glanced at Ye Li and smiled without a word.
Su Zhe also chimed in with an assenting smile, "The Old State Duke is right. Third Miss’s accomplishments in poetry, calligraphy, and painting make her a standout among the young ladies of the Capital City. A testament to the Ye Family’s excellent upbringing."
Amidst more compliments and modest replies, Old Madam Hua, citing the need for the prospective couple to cultivate their feelings before marriage, dismissed the two of them from the hall. Standing outside Lerong Hall, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but look at each other, a faint smile eventually gracing their lips.
"Let me." Ye Li moved behind Mo Xiuyao to take over from Ah-Jin. Ah-Jin hesitated for a moment and didn’t immediately let go. Mo Xiuyao raised his hand and said, "Ah-Jin, you may withdraw for now." The young man looked at Ye Li, a trace of surprise on his face, followed by a newfound respect. He respectfully handed the wheelchair to Ye Li, then turned, leaped, and vanished from their sight.
Ye Li slowly pushed the wheelchair along the flat path toward the garden. Mo Xiuyao tilted his head slightly and whispered, "If you’re tired, you can stop. Actually... I can manage on my own."
"I know. But you should also know that I’m not some fragile, sheltered young lady," Ye Li smiled. The wheelchair was clearly meticulously crafted and didn’t require much effort to push. She also firmly believed that even without anyone pushing, Mo Xiuyao could move about freely; otherwise, he would never have dismissed his trusted attendant. Hearing Ye Li’s words, Mo Xiuyao seemed to recall something. He coughed lightly and let out a low chuckle. "Be careful lately. Jing Li’s other flaws are manageable, but he is incredibly vindictive—one might say he’d retaliate over the smallest grievance. He won’t sit back after taking a few major tumbles at your hands recently."
Ye Li nodded and said somewhat helplessly, "I still don’t understand what I did to offend him."
A hint of mockery glinted in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes as he smiled faintly. "If, after the engagement was broken, you had appeared more destitute, more lost, or even made a show of being suicidal, he probably wouldn’t have targeted you. He might even... have compensated you in some way for certain reasons." Ye Li was speechless. "So, he’s treating me like this just because my behavior didn’t meet his expectations?"
"Evidently."
...He’s so infuriating!
Reaching the stone table by the lotus pond, Ye Li stopped and smiled. "Let’s rest here for a bit." It was early May, and though the lotus pond only showed a stretch of verdant green, the sight was refreshing and pleasant. The maids, who had been following at a distance, cleverly brought tea and snacks and then immediately withdrew, leaving only Qingshuang and a few others standing at a respectful distance, awaiting orders. Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "The people around you are quite good. Is that maid one of those from that night outside the city? Her martial arts skills weren’t bad."
Ye Li looked back at Qingluan, who was talking with Qingshuang, and said, somewhat embarrassed, "Qingluan and Qingyu both came with my eldest maternal uncle. Only Qingshuang has always been with me." She didn’t specify which was Qingyu and which was Qingshuang, believing Mo Xiuyao would have a general idea about the people around her. Mo Xiuyao laughed. "So they’re from the Xu Family, no wonder. Ah-Li also has good judgment. This way, I won’t have to worry when you’re at Prince Ding’s Mansion."
Ye Li frowned. "You’re not going to tell me about the future affairs of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, are you?" She could manage a group of special forces with exceptional skills, even a regiment of soldiers. But managing the affairs and properties of a princely mansion... even with the learning and practice these past few days, she still felt somewhat daunted. Ye Li’s troubled expression clearly pleased Mo Xiuyao, the amusement in his eyes deepening. "You are the future Madam of House of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. It’s necessary to inform you about the mansion’s affairs in advance so you won’t be overwhelmed then. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Nothing." Ye Li shook her head; she understood the principle that one in a position must attend to its duties. "I hope I don’t make a mess of the mansion."
"I have confidence in Ah-Li," Mo Xiuyao said with a slight smile.
Ye Li raised her eyebrows helplessly. "For the sake of your confidence, I don’t seem to have any reason to refuse." In her heart, Ye Li quite liked this feeling. Actually, her interactions with Mo Xiuyao weren’t much like those of an engaged couple; they were more like friends. They both understood each other’s thoughts and knew each other’s bottom lines. Perhaps their affection wasn’t deep yet, but their interactions were more comfortable than those of a truly engaged couple. Maybe they could only be friends for a lifetime, or perhaps one day they would become family to each other. But who could say for sure what the future held? Still, one could look forward to it, couldn’t they?
"In my current situation, it’s not quite appropriate for me to visit Mr. Xu and Lord Xu. I hope the two elders will not take offense," Mo Xiuyao said, placing his teacup on the table and looking at Ye Li somewhat apologetically.
"My eldest maternal uncle already knows the current situation of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion; they aren’t people who care about such empty formalities. But... last time, my elder brother mentioned he visited King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?" Ye Li looked at him curiously. She was very curious to know how Xu Qingchen, such a gentle, refined, and handsome gentleman, would express his scrutiny and dissatisfaction with his future brother-in-law.
Mo Xiuyao gave a helpless, faint, bitter smile. "It’s been many years since we last met. Young Master Xu’s demeanor is still as enviable as ever."
"Greetings to Prince Li, greetings to Princess Consort Li." At a path intersection not far away, Qingluan and Qingshuang together blocked the way.
Mo Jingli sneered. "What? Is this Prince forbidden from walking this path?"
Qingluan and Qingshuang exchanged a glance. This path only led to the lotus pond; there was no other way ahead. Prince Li clearly saw their Young Miss and Prince Ding here yet insisted on coming forward. Wasn’t he just looking for trouble? Just as Qingshuang was about to speak, Mo Xiuyao, from their side, had already spoken, "Please invite Prince Li and Princess Consort Li over." Only then did the two bow their heads and respectfully say, "Prince, Princess Consort, please."
Mo Jingli snorted and strode quickly towards the couple sitting quietly by the lotus pond. Ye Ying followed him, biting the corner of her lip resentfully.
Mo Jingli stood by the table, looking down imperiously at Ye Li. Ye Li frowned, very displeased by Mo Jingli’s brazen gaze.
"Jing Li, take a seat," Mo Xiuyao said calmly, extending a hand towards Ye Li. Ye Li readily took his hand and rose to sit beside Mo Xiuyao, leaving the opposite seats for Mo Jingli and Ye Ying. Mo Jingli sat down without a word. Ye Ying only reached the three of them, slightly out of breath, after Mo Jingli had sat down. Clearly, Mo Jingli’s unconcerned pace was not something a delicate woman like Ye Ying could keep up with.
"Third Sister, Prince Ding," Ye Ying said softly.
Ye Li nodded, smiling. "Fourth Sister, please sit. How have you been these past few days?"
Ye Ying lowered her gaze slightly and whispered, "Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I am doing well."
Ye Li nodded and didn’t press further since Ye Ying said so. Although Ye Ying certainly didn’t look like everything was fine, she wasn’t genuinely concerned about her. If Ye Ying were to actually complain to her, she wouldn’t know what to do. Mo Jingli snorted. "Ying’er is naturally doing very well. I wonder, though, how has Li’er been these days?"
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, glanced at Mo Xiuyao, then smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Prince. Apart from being a bit busy these past few days, everything is fine."
Mo Jingli’s face turned cold. He stared at Ye Li with a gloomy gaze for a long time before turning to Mo Xiuyao and saying, "This Prince has some matters to discuss privately with Third Miss Ye."
Ye Li couldn’t help but find it amusing. She had noticed from the very first time she met Mo Xiuyao that Mo Jingli especially loved to put on airs in front of him. For instance, whenever Mo Xiuyao was present, Mo Jingli would invariably tilt his chin higher than usual, looking at people with a disdainful expression. In fact, Ye Li really wanted to tell him that since Mo Xiuyao was seated in a wheelchair, he mostly saw Mo Jingli’s nostrils. That was why Mo Xiuyao rarely bothered to look up at him. Furthermore, whenever Mo Jingli spoke to Mo Xiuyao, he would always use self-referential terms like ’this Prince,’ as if speaking that way made him superior. In reality, everyone knew that although Mo Jingli was the son of the late Emperor and the younger brother of the current Emperor, unless he managed to eliminate his brother and become Emperor himself, his noble rank for this lifetime would always be beneath that of the Prince of Ding Kingdom, whose rank surpassed the first grade. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Ying’er will take her leave first. Prince, Sister, please chat at your leisure." Ye Ying was the first to rise in response to Mo Jingli’s words, though the look she gave Ye Li was so resentful it could have been laced with poison. Watching Ye Ying’s departing figure, her gaze filled with reluctance and unwillingness, Ye Li sighed quietly in her heart. In just two or three short days, had Ye Ying transformed from a proud, sheltered young lady into a resentful wife of a wealthy family? Looking at it this way, Mo Jingli might not be as fond of Ye Ying as legends claimed. If so, why on earth did Mo Jingli insist on marrying Ye Ying back then, even to the point of defying the late Emperor’s decree? Was it truly just a moment of pique?
"Mo Xiuyao!" Seeing Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li remain impassive to his words, Mo Jingli growled in annoyance.
"Jing Li, you really need to learn some manners!" Mo Xiuyao gazed coolly at Mo Jingli’s sullen face. An invisible pressure caused Mo Jingli to falter. "Did His Majesty give you permission to speak to this Prince in such a manner? Hmm?" Mo Xiuyao’s calm expression, even with half his face masked, was countless times more amiable than Mo Jingli’s dark and cold face. Yet, despite this, Mo Jingli was shocked and enraged to find a hidden fear of the man before him stirring within. This made him both furious and ashamed, and even more incredulous. His last impression of Mo Xiuyao was from eight or nine years ago. At that time, their identities and situations were very similar. They both came from the most noble families of Great Chu, and both had an elder brother. His brother was the Emperor; Mo Xiuyao’s brother was the Prince of Ding Kingdom. They didn’t need to inherit titles and had no burdens; even if they just idled their lives away, they could live in luxury forever. The only difference was that Mo Xiuyao excelled him in everything he did! Therefore, he had disliked Mo Xiuyao since childhood. When he was burying his head in books, hoping to earn their Imperial Father’s praise, Mo Xiuyao had already garnered the admiration of everyone, including the Imperial Father. When he was secretly proud of his superior martial arts skills, Mo Xiuyao was already dominating battlefields, adding further glory to the undefeated God of War reputation of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. In his youth, he detested Mo Xiuyao but did not fear him. If he didn’t like him, they’d fight. Even if he lost, it didn’t matter; one day, he would win. But... he had never imagined that eight years after he had classified Mo Xiuyao as a cripple, he—he would actually fear him!
What an utter humiliation!
"Your Highness Prince Li." Ye Li frowned, looking at Mo Jingli’s sinister and ferocious expression. She had no doubt that if this were a different place and a different person, Mo Jingli would have already torn the one opposite him to shreds. "Prince, if you have something to say, please say it directly. Xiuyao and I have nothing that cannot be said openly."
"Nothing that cannot be said openly?" Mo Jingli quickly regained his composure, his expression turning mocking. "Ye Li, are you sure?"
Ye Li looked at him, puzzled. Mo Jingli, however, clearly thought he had caught Ye Li in a slip. "Then, how about we discuss what happened the night before my wedding and on the wedding day itself?"
Ye Li looked at him with a degree of sympathy. This guy definitely didn’t know that Mo Xiuyao had played a significant role in his embarrassing fainting spell on his wedding day. "On your wedding day? Are you referring to when you fainted on the spot and delayed the wedding ceremony? For that... Ye Li expresses her deepest regrets." And sympathy, she added silently.
"Ye Li!" Mo Jingli ground his teeth, glaring at the woman across from him, who looked so innocent and sympathetic. "My inability to complete the wedding ceremony—wasn’t that exactly what you wished for?"
Ye Li looked bewildered. "Prince, what do you mean by that? Although Fourth Sister and I have had some unpleasantness in the past, I’m not so malicious as to wish she couldn’t complete her wedding ceremony. For the Prince to slander Ye Li like this... how... how can I possibly face Fourth Sister again?" Trying to frame me and make Mo Xiuyao misunderstand? Mo Jingli’s schemes are clearly not up to par. With a touch of grievance and defiance, Ye Li stared at Mo Jingli, perfectly embodying the role of a wrongly accused Miss Noble.
Mo Xiuyao, who had initially intended to speak up and help Ye Li out of her predicament, now watched the elegant young woman before him with a leisurely air. Even he couldn’t help but want to applaud her splendid performance. It seemed Ye Li truly didn’t need any pointers from him; she could handle most matters even better than he anticipated. Lowering his gaze in thought for a moment, Mo Xiuyao finally spoke just as Mo Jingli was about to erupt in anger again. "Ah-Li, there’s no need for this. Regardless of what others say, this Prince will always believe in Ah-Li."
Ye Li lowered her eyes and said softly, "That Xiuyao can believe me, that’s truly wonderful. Otherwise... I truly wouldn’t know what to do."
"You’ve got guts, Ye Li!" Mo Jingli finally spat out, then stormed off like a gust of wind.
Ye Li shrugged helplessly and sighed softly. With someone like Mo Jingli, if you offend him even slightly, he’ll hold a grudge to the death. Unless you’re willing to trample yourself into the mud, present yourself at his door to apologize, and let him humiliate you to his heart’s content, mere ordinary concessions are absolutely not enough. And to top it off, this person also has extremely powerful backers: the current Emperor and the Empress Dowager. "It seems I’ve made an enemy for you?"
"No, he and I have never been on friendly terms," Mo Xiuyao said calmly.
Ye Li blinked. "Can you tell me about it?"
"When we were young, he hid my homework, which earned me a beating from my Royal Father. I returned the favor with a caning from the late Emperor. When we were youths, he suspected me of trying to seduce his sweetheart and had someone drug my wine at a banquet; in the end, he drank that cup himself. Once, during a martial arts competition, I accidentally kicked him off the stage. The next day, I was ambushed and beaten with clubs by a dozen imperial guards. Ten days later, Feng Zhiyao and I hung him from a large willow tree somewhere in the Capital City. Hmm... and it just so happened his sweetheart saw him."
Indeed... a feud as deep as the sea. Ye Li was speechless. Although she had long heard people speak of how dashing and spirited Mo Xiuyao was in his youth, looking at the gentle and serene man before her now, Ye Li still found it difficult to imagine that Mo Xiuyao also had an age of being naughty, mischievous, and playing pranks.
"Feng Zhiyao told me that on the wedding day, he found an unconscious His Highness Prince Li behind the rockery in the garden of Prince Li’s Mansion." With the meddlesome person gone, Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li with a smile and said this.
Ye Li smiled with perfect innocence. "It seems Mo Jingli has indeed offended many people." She could absolutely guarantee that no one saw her lay a hand on Mo Jingli; even Feng Zhiyao should only have been able to surmise it. Amusement flashed in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes as he nodded. "Indeed. However... while Jing Li has consistently lacked brains, the two in the palace and Grand Consort Wise Zhao are not without intelligence. So..."
Ye Li nodded earnestly. "I understand." Those two in the palace, along with Grand Consort Wise Zhao, could be said to have fought their way through a bloodbath involving dozens of the late Emperor’s consorts and over ten of his sons. Naturally, they couldn’t be compared to a prince like Mo Jingli, who had been too well-protected. Catching their attention too much would definitely be harmful and bring no benefits. Lowering her head in thought, Ye Li said, "I’m just afraid... I’ve already been targeted."
Mo Xiuyao glanced thoughtfully at the few maids standing attentively in the distance and nodded slightly. "No matter who it is, they won’t be at ease. It’s not specifically targeting you; it’s just that you are more likely to draw their attention. Before the grand wedding, the palace will likely find an excuse to summon you once. When that happens... bring that maid of yours named Qingyu." Ye Li looked at him questioningly. Mo Xiuyao explained softly, "Eldest Young Master Xu once told me that girl seems to possess decent medical skills."
Ye Li understood. She raised her hand to gently touch her brow; she had a bit of a headache. Mo Xiuyao smilingly poured her a cup of hot tea and asked, "Headache?"
Ye Li nodded honestly. "I suppose I’m still not very good at these things." All this scheming and calculation, it really is a headache. Don’t these people ever get tired?
"I’m sorry," Mo Xiuyao looked at her calmly.
Ye Li waved her hand, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "I guess even if His Majesty hadn’t betrothed me to you, he would have betrothed me to a family he found displeasing." The Xu Family’s background was too unique; the Emperor wouldn’t feel at ease no matter whom he betrothed her to. Just like the few young masters of the Xu Family: Xu Qingchen was already twenty-two, yet he was neither married nor betrothed, and the Emperor had never considered arranging a marriage for him. She even suspected the Emperor wished Xu Qingchen would never marry in his lifetime, or if he did, it would be best if he, like Xu Qingze, married a woman from a family with only an empty reputation and no actual power. Otherwise, it would be marrying a princess. Thinking of this, Ye Li looked up and asked, "Are there any unmarried princesses in the palace currently?"
Mo Xiuyao nodded. "The late Emperor’s two youngest daughters, Princess Linlang and Princess Fangfei, both turned twelve this year. Why?"
Ye Li shook her head, hoping she was overthinking. Xu Qingchen was unlikely to marry a twelve-year-old girl, right? But there were still Xu Qingbai and Xu Qingyan...
From Ye Li’s expression, Mo Xiuyao guessed what she was thinking. He nodded and said, "In the past, both the current Emperor and even the late Emperor did indeed hint at wanting to marry a princess to Xu Qingchen, but Mr. Qingyun rejected it." The Xu Family not marrying women from the imperial family was a peculiar case among the great and influential families of Great Chu. You see, although marrying a princess meant severing all ties with the imperial court and power, living a life of luxury under the empty title of Prince Consort—which was an absolute nightmare for ambitious sons of prominent families—many great clans and noble houses were still willing to have their non-inheriting legitimate younger sons marry a princess. After all, this meant their family bloodline would thenceforth be mingled with the imperial family, signifying the Emperor’s favor and glory. However, in the Xu Family’s history, spanning several hundred years and two dynasties, at least five of its sons had refused to marry princesses. A hundred years ago, the Xu Family Head even established a family rule that Xu descendants must not marry into the imperial family; even concubine’s sons were not exempt. Therefore, the imperial family no longer bothered to suggest marrying princesses into the Xu Family, saving themselves the embarrassment.
"The palace should already know about my eldest maternal uncle and his party’s arrival in the capital, shouldn’t they?" Ye Li asked.
Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Although it’s said they entered the capital privately, Mr. Hongyu didn’t deliberately conceal their tracks. Such matters cannot be hidden if one truly investigates. Minister Ye is utterly loyal to the current Emperor. Being secretive would only arouse suspicion."
Ye Li smiled. "You’re right. I should still go pay my eldest maternal uncle my respects later; I also have many things to ask his guidance on."
"Please give my regards to Mr. Hongyu."
「In Ms. Wang’s Fangyi Courtyard」
Ye Ying was clutching Ms. Wang, sobbing so wretchedly. Ms. Wang dismissed the maids in the room and, hugging her daughter comfortingly, asked, "Ying’er, what’s wrong? You just got married, why is this happening? Has Prince Li mistreated you?" Ye Ying looked up at her mother’s worried and loving face, was overcome with grief, and cried even more sorrowfully. "SOB... Mother, Ying’er is suffering so much..."
"What on earth happened? Did Prince Li really treat you badly? Don’t worry, my good daughter. We’ll go tell your father later. Your father dotes on you the most; he will definitely stand up for you," Ms. Wang said hurriedly.
Wiping her tears, Ye Ying cried, "What good can Father do? What does he dare to do to Prince Li’s Mansion? When Prince Li’s Mansion sent such perfunctory betrothal gifts back then, didn’t he just say nothing! Father doesn’t care about me at all."
Ms. Wang was speechless. To say Prince Li’s Mansion’s betrothal gifts were lacking was only in comparison to the grandeur of Prince Ding’s Mansion’s. With Grand Consort Wise Zhao personally overseeing them, the gifts couldn’t possibly have shamed Prince Li’s Mansion, and besides, Ye Ying had been very satisfied at the time. It was only now, seeing Prince Ding’s Mansion so earnestly invite Old State Duke Hua and Lord Elder Su to present the betrothal gifts, that made Ye Ying feel inferior to Ye Li and lose face. Although Ms. Wang herself felt somewhat uncomfortable, she still knew what was important. She gently patted Ye Ying’s back, who was choking on her sobs, and said, "My silly child, how can you blame your father for this? You knew yourself there was nothing wrong with Prince Li’s Mansion’s betrothal gifts back then, didn’t you? If there had truly been something amiss, how could your father and grandmother have let you marry just like that? It’s just that girl Ye Li’s wedding is scheduled after yours, so Prince Ding’s Mansion, even if only for appearances, had to make her betrothal gifts more substantial than yours. But think carefully, apart from the betrothal gifts, what else does she have? Prince Li is His Majesty’s own younger brother, excels in both literary and martial arts, and his looks are among the best in the Capital City. That Prince Ding is now merely a powerless, idle prince, confined to a wheelchair and disfigured. No matter how you look at it, you’re much better off than her, aren’t you?"
Ye Ying bit her cherry lip in grievance and whispered, "But... there are several concubines in the Prince’s mansion..."
Ms. Wang was taken aback for a moment, then broke into a smile. Hugging Ye Ying, she said, "My silly daughter, what man doesn’t have a few women in his chambers? You must remember, you are Prince Li’s principal consort. Look at our own household, don’t we have many women too? So what? Aren’t they all kept in line by me? Come, tell Mother properly, how have you really been these past few days?"
To speak of Ye Ying’s newlywed life, the word ’miserable’ couldn’t even begin to describe it. Missing the auspicious time for fetching the bride and the groom fainting during the wedding ceremony on the wedding day were bad enough. After Mo Jingli fainted, he was sent back to the bridal chamber. A royal physician was summoned and he drank medicine, but he remained unconscious. As the new bride, Ye Ying could only remove her own red bridal veil and then, starving, take care of her unconscious husband. By the time Mo Jingli woke up, it was already close to the fifth night watch. Forget about the wedding night consummation; Ye Ying didn’t even have time to rest before she had to hastily groom herself and go pay her respects to Grand Consort Wise Zhao.
Grand Consort Wise Zhao was already dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, and upon seeing Ye Ying’s unsightly complexion that even heavy makeup couldn’t conceal, she erupted on the spot. She criticized Ye Ying from her attire and grooming to her conduct and behavior, finding fault in everything. What Ye Ying found most unbearable was that Grand Consort Wise Zhao constantly compared her to Ye Li, the person Ye Ying detested most. Ye Ying, who was usually confident, listened as Grand Consort Wise Zhao recounted how elegant and dignified Ye Li had been when she saw her yesterday, and how frivolous and rude Ye Ying was. How Ye Li’s conversation was appropriate, while Ye Ying didn’t know her place. Ye Ying finally couldn’t bear it anymore and retorted. This, of course, enraged Grand Consort Wise Zhao, who made Ye Ying kneel for a full quarter of an hour during the tea ceremony. Finally, it was Mo Jingli, growing impatient, who allowed Ye Ying to rise.
If Ye Li had been there, she would certainly have told Ye Ying: Poor child, you’ve fallen into Grand Consort Wise Zhao’s trap. She’s deliberately making things difficult for you. Grand Consort Wise Zhao has navigated the deep palace for decades like a fish in water; how could she genuinely get angry so easily? She was clearly prodding Ye Ying’s weaknesses, looking for an excuse to lash out at her. One could also say she wanted to put Ye Ying in her place from the start.
If her misfortunes had ended there, Ye Ying might not have been so distraught. But after finally finishing serving the Grand Consort breakfast and returning to her own courtyard, when she saw four or five women, dressed in bright and beautiful attire, each with her own distinct charm, who had clearly been waiting for a long time, Ye Ying almost spurted a mouthful of blood from her heart.
She had never known that Mo Jingli already had five concubines even before their grand wedding! Moreover, she couldn’t do anything to these concubines, as they were either bestowed by the Grand Consort or the Empress Dowager. They were either legitimate daughters of minor officials or concubine’s daughters of high-ranking officials. Ye Ying kept recalling her grandmother’s teachings, using all her strength to suppress her anger and deal with those women. Returning to her room, what awaited her was not her gentle new husband, but the Steward-in-Chief and other stewards of the mansion, holding cold, hard account books.
Ye Ying was indeed a talented lady, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but this did not mean she was skilled in managing a household or accounts. She had once disdained such things as vulgar, believing they would tarnish her elegant and ethereal disposition. But under the frowning and lip-curling expressions of the Grand Consort and the stewards, for the first time, she felt like an idiot. Two days later, before she could even make sense of the seemingly endless account books, Grand Consort Wise Zhao coldly informed her that she no longer needed to concern herself with these accounts. While Ye Ying breathed a sigh of relief, she also understood that she had lost the authority to manage Prince Li’s Mansion.
Upon hearing Ye Ying’s words, Ms. Wang’s face couldn’t help but turn grim. If Ye Ying didn’t have the authority to manage the Prince’s Mansion, then she, as Princess Consort Li, was a complete figurehead. For the first time, Ms. Wang regretted having spoiled and indulged this daughter too much. If she had taught her more back then, she wouldn’t have encountered such problems. But what Ms. Wang didn’t understand was that, when compared to Grand Consort Wise Zhao, it wouldn’t have mattered even if she had taught Ye Ying more, or even if she herself had gone. From the very beginning, Ye Ying was destined not to obtain the authority a Mistress of House in a Prince’s Mansion should have.
"Then... what does Prince Li mean by this?" Ms. Wang asked, holding Ye Ying’s hand.
Ye Ying said tearfully, "The Prince said the Grand Consort is helping me manage the mansion out of consideration for my youth. He said that after a couple of years, when I have a child and have learned enough, it won’t be too late for me to take over."
A gleam flashed in Ms. Wang’s eyes. "Right, a child! The Prince is correct. Ying’er, you indeed should bear the Prince a legitimate eldest son as soon as possible. You must remember, it has to be the legitimate eldest son. You absolutely cannot let those other women bear Prince Li’s offspring before you do." Ye Ying was startled and looked at Ms. Wang with some hesitation. Ms. Wang said softly, "Good child, don’t be afraid. Mother will tell you what to do. You are Prince Li’s principal wife; it’s only natural for you to bear his legitimate son. Therefore, those women absolutely must not become pregnant before you. Understand?" Seeing the cold glint in Ms. Wang’s eyes, Ye Ying quickly nodded. Only then did Ms. Wang reveal a satisfied smile, pulling Ye Ying to sit down and discuss in detail.
As mother and daughter, one teaching and the other learning, were engrossed in their conversation, a serving girl outside the door came to announce that the Master had arrived.
Ms. Wang was overjoyed. She pulled Ye Ying and smiled, "You see, your father still cares about you." She quickly pulled Ye Ying up with her to welcome Minister Ye. When Minister Ye entered and saw Ye Ying, he was first taken aback, then asked, "Why is Ying’er here?" Ye Ying lowered her head resentfully and said, "Ying’er is paying a home visit. Naturally, I’d be here talking with Mother. Where else did Father think his daughter would be?" Minister Ye frowned slightly and couldn’t help taking another look at Ye Ying. He felt that this daughter of his seemed somewhat different after not seeing her for a few days. However, he soon attributed it to his daughter having grown up after marrying and becoming a wife, so he didn’t inquire further.
After Minister Ye was seated and tea had been served, Ms. Wang asked, "My lord, you’re not accompanying Old State Duke Hua and Lord Elder Su? What brings you here at this time?"
Minister Ye said, "Old State Duke and Lord Elder Su have already left after the feast. I’ve come to discuss Li’er’s dowry with you." A bad premonition welled up in Ms. Wang’s heart. "Li’er’s dowry? Hasn’t it already been properly prepared? Does my lord think there’s still some issue?" Minister Ye nodded, glanced at Ye Ying sitting to the side, and said, "Mother and I discussed it. We’ve decided to add two more manors, one courtyard, two shops, and eight thousand taels of silver to Li’er’s dowry."
"What?!" Ms. Wang couldn’t help but shriek, nearly knocking over the teacup before her. Ye Ying also stared at Minister Ye in disbelief.
Minister Ye frowned in displeasure. "This is Old Madam’s decision."
Ms. Wang struggled to suppress a scream. With red eyes, she looked at Minister Ye and said, "Why? Yue’er and Ying’er are also my lord’s legitimate daughters and Old Madam’s biological granddaughters! Old Madam is being far too biased! We can overlook Yue’er being in the palace, but this... how will Ying’er establish herself in Prince Li’s Mansion in the future?" Minister Ye said impatiently, "What nonsense are you spouting? You know perfectly well what happened with Ying’er’s dowry. How much you supplemented it with—do you think Old Madam and I don’t know?" Ms. Wang said softly, somewhat unwillingly, "Didn’t Li’er also have extras added to hers? When Eldest Miss married, her dowry wasn’t even a fraction of Li’er’s."
Minister Ye said coldly, "The dowry Li’er’s mother left for Zhen’er—don’t you know where that went? Furthermore, the extra portion of Li’er’s dowry was left to her by her mother; it came from the Xu Family. The extras for Ying’er all came from the Ye Family’s funds!"
"My lord..." Ms. Wang looked at Minister Ye, her face filled with grief, her body swaying as if about to collapse. "I knew it... My lord, you’ve always looked down on me. Just because my natal family is of humble origin, not as distinguished as Older Sister’s..." Before she could finish, Ms. Wang was already weeping profusely. "SOB SOB... If I had known it would be like this, and even implicated my daughter to be slighted by you, my lord, I... I would have been better off dead back then..."
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Seeing his wife’s grief-stricken appearance, Minister Ye’s heart softened. He recalled how he had indeed been somewhat cold towards her recently because of Concubine Zhao, and said helplessly.
With tears in her eyes, Ms. Wang looked mournfully at Minister Ye. "Hasn’t my lord always looked down on me?"
Minister Ye said, "Alright, alright, don’t let your imagination run wild. When have I ever looked down on you?"
Only then did Ms. Wang stop her tears. She looked at Minister Ye with emotion. "Bi’er knows that my lord will always treat Bi’er well."
Minister Ye glanced at Ye Ying and muttered an uncomfortable "Mm." Meanwhile, Ye Ying, sitting to one side, also became pensive. She was actually quite surprised by her mother’s means of currying favor with her father. Although watching her mother put on such a girlish, bashful act on the spot made her feel somewhat cringeworthy, her father clearly fell for it. She also remembered the First Madam from years ago. It could be said that Ye Ying had striven from a young age to be a woman like the First Madam. So she had never really understood why her father would abandon such a beautiful, elegant, and talented woman like the First Madam to favor her own mother more. For a time, she even suspected if she had truly been striving in the wrong direction. But after growing up, the praise from the young ladies of the Capital City and the admiring gazes of men made her understand that she had not been wrong.
"My lord, then... Li’er’s dowry..."
Minister Ye frowned. "This is Old Madam’s decision. If you still have objections, go speak to Old Madam about it." Although Minister Ye could be a bit muddled when it came to private matters within his own household, he wasn’t too confused about official business. He immediately pushed Old Madam Ye forward as a scapegoat.
Of course, Ms. Wang didn’t dare go question Old Madam Ye. If she had dared to challenge Old Madam Ye, she would have long ago found a way to poison that old hag who always looked down her nose at her and loved to boss her around.
Seeing his wife and daughter both looking aggrieved yet not daring to speak, Minister Ye sighed and said, "You also know what kind of betrothal gifts Prince Ding’s Mansion sent. Although, with the dowry Li’er’s mother left her to bolster it, outsiders might not see anything amiss. But which of the Capital City’s influential families isn’t aware of the true situation? If any unpleasant rumors spread, our Ye Family wouldn’t be able to show its face in the Capital City anymore." To covet a son-in-law’s generous betrothal gifts yet fail to provide a corresponding trousseau would lead to being pointed at and criticized behind one’s back.
Ms. Wang recalled the long list of betrothal gifts from Prince Ding’s Mansion and had to admit that even though King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion had declined, it still possessed a vast estate and abundant resources.
"If this matter gets out, the ones who will lose face won’t be King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion or Li’er. It will be our Ye Family, and also Her Highness Zhao Yi in the palace," Minister Ye continued.
At the mention of Ye Zhaoyi in the palace, Ms. Wang’s expression wavered even more. However, the thought of having to give out tens of thousands more taels of silver made her heart twinge with pain again. After some deliberation, she said softly, "My lord and Old Madam have considered things thoroughly; it was I who was mistaken for a moment. Please don’t take offense, my lord. Let’s do as my lord says. I don’t have the mind to manage these things right now anyway."
Hearing this, Minister Ye looked at her in surprise. "What? Has something happened to Ying’er?"
Ms. Wang pulled Ye Ying over and recounted in detail what had happened in Prince Li’s Mansion. Hearing this, Minister Ye’s anger also couldn’t help but surge. Ye Ying might not have seen that Grand Consort Wise Zhao deliberately intended to revoke her housekeeping authority, but how could Ms. Wang and Minister Ye not see it? Who had ever heard of a new daughter-in-law being required to manage household accounts on her very first day? And then, after only two days, to directly declare Ye Ying unsuitable for managing the household? Even the most demanding mother-in-law wouldn’t act like this.
"This is outrageous! I’ll go find Prince Li. I’ll demand an explanation from him for the Ye Family!" Minister Ye said angrily.
Ye Ying hurriedly grabbed Minister Ye, stopping him from leaving. Minister Ye frowned. "Ying’er, what are you doing?" Ye Ying said in a low voice, "Father, let’s put this matter on hold for now. The Prince has already agreed with the Grand Consort. Going to speak about it now will only make the Prince unhappy." After crying and being enlightened by Ms. Wang, Ye Ying was very clear that her only support now was Mo Jingli, so she absolutely could not displease him.
"Are we just going to let it go like this?" Minister Ye asked. Comparing the gentle and courteous Mo Xiuyao with the arrogant Mo Jingli, Minister Ye felt even more dissatisfied with this son-in-law. Why did Prince Ding have to be in such a status and situation? Minister Ye thought with no small regret.
"Ying’er will try to find a way. If it still doesn’t work, then I’ll ask Father to intervene."
Minister Ye sighed softly and said to his daughter with pity, "Alright. Although Prince Li is the Empress Dowager’s own son, we don’t need to be that afraid of him. His Majesty is not an unreasonable person. If worse comes to worst, we can just ask His Majesty to make a judgment. Later, prepare some more taels of silver for Ying’er to have on hand."
"Yes, my lord. I thank you on Ying’er’s behalf, my lord."
