12. Grand Consort Wise Zhao
Grand Consort Wise Zhao was currently the Madam of House in Prince Li's Mansion. However, she was not the biological mother of Mo Jingli. Mo Jingli and the present Emperor were both born to the Empress Dowager. Grand Consort Wise Zhao, on the other hand, was the Empress Dowager's cousin. Although the two of them entered the palace around the same time, they did not engage in the overt and covert struggles common among other palace concubines. On the contrary, they supported each other throughout their lives. Grand Consort Wise Zhao originally had a daughter, Princess Lin'an, who had married the Grand General of National Garrison some years prior and had accompanied him to guard the border. Yet, Grand Consort Wise Zhao herself was brought out of the imperial palace by Prince Li to be cared for in his home. In truth, it was the Empress Dowager who was uneasy about her youngest son living alone outside the palace and had thus requested Grand Consort Wise Zhao to look after him.
When Ye Li, having changed her attire, arrived at Madam Ye's Rongle Hall with the stewardess, the atmosphere within was one of harmonious joy. Madam Ye was seated with Grand Consort Wise Zhao. Naturally, Ms. Wang was beside them, accompanying Ye Ying. Several other noblewomen were also seated in lower positions. What surprised Ye Li the most was that Mo Jingli was also present, seated below the Grand Consort. It took Ye Li a moment to realize that this world was not as strict regarding interactions between men and women as the ancient times she had heard about in her previous life. There were no rules preventing an unmarried man and woman from meeting. Of course, a young lady from a prominent family was still expected to be accompanied by her maids or nannies when meeting her fiancé. If not for this leniency, how would Ye Ying have had the opportunity to become involved with Mo Jingli?
"I pay my respects to the Grand Consort and to His Highness Prince Li. Greetings, Grandmother. This junior greets all the ladies present."
The noblewoman seated at the head possessed a dignified and imposing aura. Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned. Although her youth had passed, her impeccably maintained face showed no trace of wrinkles. Grand Consort Wise Zhao might not have been a peerless beauty, but she triumphed in her elegant and noble bearing, which captivated onlookers.
"Old Madam, is this Third Miss?" the Grand Consort inquired, turning to Madam Ye after observing Ye Li.
Madam Ye replied with a deferential smile, "Replying to Your Highness, this is indeed my third girl."
The Grand Consort nodded and smiled. "She's a lovely, spirited child. It's just a pity... our Li'er wasn't fortunate enough." The Grand Consort pulled Ye Li closer, praising her. She then removed an ice-jade bracelet from her own wrist and slipped it onto Ye Li's. From beside Ms. Wang, Ye Ying's eyes darkened at the sight. How could Ye Li dare to accept the Grand Consort's bracelet? She quickly tried to refuse, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Grand Consort. Such a precious piece of jewelry suits Your Highness far better. I dare not accept such a generous gift." The Grand Consort pressed down on the hand Ye Li was using to remove the bracelet and feigned displeasure. "You girl, surely you're not looking down on my bracelet, are you? This was a gift to me from the late Emperor. I am old now; it looks better on young people like you. Seeing you wear it would make me happy too." Since it was explicitly stated to be a gift from the late Emperor, how could she refuse further? Wouldn't that be seen as disdainful of the late Emperor's bestowment? Ye Li finally relented. With a graceful bow and a slight smile, she said, "Thank you for your gift, Grand Consort. I will certainly treasure it carefully."
The Grand Consort seemed quite pleased with Ye Li's response. With a confirming nod, she released Ye Li, who then decorously walked behind Ms. Wang to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ye Ying.
The several ladies who had accompanied the Grand Consort were somewhat surprised upon seeing Ye Li. Third Miss Ye's reputation in the Capital City was almost as renowned as that of Ye Ying, who was known as its foremost beauty. The only difference was that one was celebrated for her talent, beauty, virtue, and conduct, while the other was infamous for possessing none of these qualities; hearing this, it was almost unbelievable they were from the same family. But this Third Miss Ye was also considered an oddity. She rarely attended the gatherings of the capital's young ladies. It was only said that ever since the death of the Ye family's First Madam, Third Miss Ye had not been well. Seeing her today—her appearance so refined and elegant, her speech graceful, her demeanor poised—subtly reminded people of the bearing of the late Madam Ye, who had hailed from the prestigious Xu family. How could such a young lady be so maligned by rumors? Not only did she lose such an excellent match with Prince Li, but she was also betrothed to Prince Ding. Her life was truly ruined.
Ye Li stood respectfully behind Ms. Wang, completely oblivious to Mo Jingli, who had been staring at her with a somber expression ever since she entered. While listening to the others offer flattering words to the Grand Consort, she gazed at the crystalline jade bracelet on her wrist, her mind raced. If the Grand Consort truly favored her, or was offering this gift out of guilt because Prince Li had broken off their engagement, she herself wouldn't believe it, and neither would anyone else present. Moreover, the Grand Consort had just casually mentioned Prince Li. With Ye Ying and Mo Jingli both present, it seemed a clear attempt to embarrass her. So, what was the Grand Consort trying to achieve with this gesture?
"We old women chattering here must be terribly boring for you young folk. Why don't Third Miss and Fourth Miss take Li'er out for a stroll?" Grand Consort Wise Zhao suddenly changed the subject, her voice cheerful and smiling.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Ms. Wang and Ye Ying stiffened. Madam Ye was also taken aback but quickly composed herself and replied with a smile, "The Grand Consort is right. It was thoughtless of me to keep His Highness Prince Li here, wasting his time with us. Ying'er, Li'er…"
Ye Li's heart skipped a beat. She stepped forward, smiled at Madam Ye, and said, "Grandmother, Fourth Sister and His Highness Prince Li are deeply in love; it's natural for them to miss each other. I wouldn't dare become an unwelcome third wheel and earn their annoyance." After speaking, she playfully stuck out her tongue at Madam Ye, her youthful, girlish charm catching Madam Ye and Ms. Wang—who were accustomed to Ye Li's usual composed demeanor—off guard. Having her inner thoughts exposed, Ye Ying turned bright red. After glaring at Ye Li, she stole a shy, quick glance at Mo Jingli, her beautiful, blushing face stunningly radiant. Hearing Ye Li's words, Mo Jingli's face darkened further. He snorted, stood up, and said to Ye Li, "It's good you know your place!" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, her smile unwavering. "What is Your Highness saying? I am a very considerate person. How could I possibly disturb Fourth Sister and my future brother-in-law? I would much rather stay here and keep Grandmother, the Grand Consort, and the other ladies company. I greatly admire the Grand Consort's elegance and grace, and I hope Your Highness does not find my presence tiresome."
The Grand Consort gave Ye Li a deep look and then smiled. "In that case, Li'er, you shall stay."
Mo Jingli harrumphed and led Ye Ying out. Ye Ying, naturally, followed him with a heart full of joy. Observing the serenely smiling girl before her, the Grand Consort's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment before she smoothed it away and resumed her conversation with Madam Ye.
Utterly bored, Ye Li continued to stand behind Ms. Wang, listening to the idle chatter of the Capital City's noble ladies while mentally reciting a few chapters she recalled from *The Art of War*. This was a habit she had developed in her previous life. In that life, Ye Li came from a military family. Her great-grandfather, from a poor background, had fought in the Anti-Japanese War and was, to put it bluntly, a coarse man. Yet, this very man despised being called coarse, so from Ye Li's father's generation onward, the family's descendants were cultivated as scholar-generals. The old man's greatest pastime was forcing the younger generation in the family to memorize classical texts, all of them archaic and filled with obscure particles. The younger members of the family, unable to bear this torment, generally tried to test into schools as far away as possible and would rather have died than return home for holidays. However, after more than a decade of this "torment," the younger generation had indeed benefited greatly.
All the ladies present were prominent figures in the Capital City. Although they chatted with relaxed expressions, they did not fail to observe Ye Li standing behind Ms. Wang. The longer they observed her, the more they realized this Third Miss Ye was different from the rumors. Regardless of the topic of conversation, her face showed no trace of curiosity or surprise. Even when Prince Li and Fourth Miss Ye's marriage was mentioned, she showed no sign of grievance or resentment. Whether this composure was genuine or feigned, the ability to deceive such discerning women, who had long since learned to see through people's hearts, was a true skill in itself. Such imperturbability was impressive. Few young ladies from noble families, and indeed, not many men, could achieve it.
"Speaking of which, we rarely see Third Miss Ye in the Capital City. Will you be attending this year's Hundred Flowers Festival?" one of the ladies suddenly asked, as Ye Li was mentally reciting.
Before Ye Li could answer, Madam Ye smiled and said, "Li'er's health has been much better these past two years. Naturally, she will attend this year." Madam Ye naturally understood Ms. Wang's past reasons for preventing Ye Li from attending. However, now that both girls' betrothals were settled, it would be unreasonable and discourteous to continue barring Ye Li's participation. Although she favored Ye Ying more, the shrewd Madam Ye had no intention of letting this granddaughter, soon to be Princess Consort Ding, become estranged from the Ye family.