10. Concubine Zhao Seeks Help
"I beg Third Miss to show me a way to survive." Concubine Zhao knelt on the floor, pleading in a low voice.
Ye Li raised her eyebrows. Tinkering with the jewelry in the box, she said with some irony, "What are you talking about, Concubine Zhao? Everybody in this mansion knows that you're our Father's favorite. Apart from the Old Madam and Madam, who else in this mansion is treated as well as you? Is there anything you're not satisfied with?"
Concubine Zhao's smile was bitter. "I dare not. Although I am lowly born, I have had some education. I know very well that I am living a life of luxury at the moment. But... I fear... the moment Madam is free, it could be the end of me."
Qingshuang frowned. "What are you saying, Concubine Zhao? How could you say such things in front of our young lady? Moreover, our young lady is getting married soon. What can she do to help you? You'd be better off asking the Old Madam or the Old Master." She was displeased with Concubine Zhao's attempt to draw their young lady into a conflict with Ms. Wang. How dare she try to use their young lady?
"What Qingshuang said is true," Ye Li said. "As you know, I'm going to be married in just two months. Even if I could help you momentarily, it may not amount to much. Besides... why should I offend Zhaoyi from the palace for you? With Ye Zhaoyi and my Fourth Sister around, neither you nor I can ever bring down the Madam." Ye Li looked at her, calmly asking.
Concubine Zhao bit her lip until it was nearly white. Did she not know of these realities? But knowing them, what use was it? Initially, she had thought that having a child would give her something to rely on, but Ms. Wang wouldn't even allow her that. She had already sensed something amiss lately. If it hadn't been for the sudden marriage decree, Ms. Wang probably would have acted against her by now. "Third Miss," she pleaded, "I just beg you to help me protect my child. I will surely be grateful for your great kindness!"
Ye Li started to speak, "You…"
Concubine Zhao tearfully nodded and said, "I've only been in the Ye Mansion for a few months, yet I've already lost a child. I must keep this child safe at any cost. Please, Third Miss, lend me a hand."
Ye Li heaved a sigh, signaling Qingshuang with a nod. Qingshuang walked over to help Concubine Zhao onto a chair. Qingshuang's right hand rested briefly on Concubine Zhao's wrist before she withdrew it, subtly nodding at Ye Li.
Ye Li took a handkerchief from Qingshuang and handed it to Concubine Zhao. She spoke softly, "It's not that I don't want to help you, but I genuinely can't. I'm leaving this place in two months. Looking at your condition, you'll be pregnant for several more months before giving birth, won't you?" Hearing this, disappointment flashed across Concubine Zhao's face. She gripped the handkerchief tightly and sobbed, "Is this child destined not to come into this world? I... I just want him to be born safely, to live well. Even if he's not in the Ye Mansion or a young master of the Ye Family, it doesn't matter."
Ye Li quietly watched her desolate expression. It was clear that Concubine Zhao's words came from the heart; she was sincerely concerned for the life of her unborn child, not for any future wealth or glory. Ye Li was not a heartless person, but neither was she one to act impulsively.
"Third Miss! As long as I can give birth to this child, I'm willing to have him adopted under the name of the late Madam to continue her lineage. I can swear to keep it a secret and never acknowledge him in my life!"
Ye Li's expression remained unchanged. She looked at her calmly and said, "My mother has been deceased for several years, and I do not greatly concern myself with continuing her lineage. Moreover, first, we do not know whether the child is a boy or a girl. Second, even if you never acknowledge him, won't he suspect something when he grows up? If he is adopted under my mother's name, he will be the rightful heir, with a status even higher than Brother Rong, who was born to Ms. Wang. I'm afraid this child, even if born, wouldn't survive." Since her mother's death, no child had been born in the mansion. With Ms. Wang's temperament, how could she allow anyone to surpass her son?
Concubine Zhao knew her words were rash and regretted them. She lowered her head, her eyes reddening. "I misspoke. I beg Third Miss to save me. After all… this child is of the same blood as Third Miss…"
Ye Li pondered for a while before asking, "Father's affection or this child—which one would you choose?"
Concubine Zhao was startled and didn't understand why Ye Li would ask such a question, but she soon figured it out. After some thought, determination flashed on her face. She gritted her teeth and said, "I choose the child. As long as he can live, it doesn't matter if I never see him again!"
"I've heard that when someone has a bad fate, it can affect the marriages and offspring of their family." After a brief silence, Ye Li's quiet voice drifted through the room.
"Are you asking me to...?!" Concubine Zhao looked in surprise at the calm young girl before her.
"Don't do it yourself. If you leave any trace, it will backfire."
Concubine Zhao finally understood why Ye Li had asked whether she wanted the child or the Master's favor. Now, Fourth Miss from the mansion was about to marry Prince Li as the Princess Consort, and the only son of the Ye Family, by Ms. Wang, had always been in poor health. If she were to carry the reputation of having a bad fate, she could forget about receiving the Master's favor for the rest of her life. There was a high possibility that she would be kicked out of the Ye Mansion or sent to a villa or temple in the outskirts for 'cultivation'. With a joyous event currently happening in the mansion, they definitely wouldn't easily kick her out. So, it meant being sent away from the mansion. If they were cruel enough to send her far away, she might never return to the Capital City in her lifetime.
"I can only help you this much. You're right; your child is my sibling regardless. Our family has a villa in Yunzhou where I can ensure your and your child's safety. Take some time to think about it. Let me know once you've made a decision." After finishing, Ye Li didn't wait for Concubine Zhao's response and stood up to walk into the inner room.
Though Concubine Zhao was of humble origin, she had once been a girl from a scholarly household. She clearly knew what kind of place Yunzhou was. More importantly, she knew that Yunzhou was the location of Great Chu's best academy, the Lishan Academy, which belonged to the Xu Family. Ye Li's assertion that she could keep her safe in Yunzhou wasn't empty talk. Considering her own low status, even if Ms. Wang fell, she could never become the official wife. On the other hand, Yunzhou was a place rich in culture. If she could give birth to a boy there... it would definitely be better than waiting in the Ye Mansion to be killed by Ms. Wang. After thinking through these points, Concubine Zhao stood up and fell to her knees again. "This servant thanks Third Miss for your great kindness!"
Ye Li paused for a moment and calmly responded, "This is your own choice." Her elegant figure disappeared behind the folding screen.
Ye Li sat down and casually picked up a book to read. There were better solutions for Concubine Zhao's problem, but they would have attracted a lot of trouble for her. In this world, which woman wasn't pitiable? However, she couldn't help them all, nor did she have the capability to do so. Shortly, Qingshuang walked in carrying tea. "Miss, why are you reading again? We're not aiming to become the Top Scholar."
"Has she left?" Ye Li asked, setting down her book.
Qingshuang nodded. "She caused a scene at the courtyard entrance before leaving."
"Concubine Zhao is smart. She might even complain about me to Father once she gets back." Taking the teacup from Qingshuang, Ye Li said with a smile.
Qingshuang seemed worried. "The Master wouldn't punish Miss, would he?"
"Even if Father is partial, he wouldn't punish his daughter, who is about to marry, over a few words from a concubine."
"That's good. I almost forgot that our Miss will be the future Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom." Qingshuang's worry eased. "Even Princess Consort Li would have to greet Miss with respect. Miss, you agreed to help her so quickly. What if she betrays us in the future…"
"She has been too favored; the Madam cannot tolerate her. Being a shrewd woman, she naturally knows the price of using me."
"As long as Miss is aware."