13. Verbal Battle in the Garden
Though Ye Li did not enjoy being the center of attention, she understood the difference between an unmarried maiden and a married woman. If she refused to participate in gatherings when she was still unmarried, people would only think that she was introverted, calm, or perhaps frail. However, after marriage, this was especially true for women who were to hold great responsibilities. If she still refused to be part of society and interact with others, people would think she was arrogant and overbearing. This attitude could seriously affect her husband's family. The current master of the King of Ding Kingdom's Mansion was the disabled Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao. Although there were a few other women in the Mansion, she was due to take control after their marriage. Therefore, hearing Old Lady Ye's words, Ye Li responded in agreement with a smile, appearing to greatly anticipate this year's blossom festival.
After seeing off Grand Consort Wise Zhao and her party, Ye Li bid farewell to the old lady and returned to Qingyi Pavilion. Old Lady Ye and Ms. Wang were still excited about the honor of having the Grand Consort personally deliver the betrothal gifts, and did not keep Ye Li for long. As Ye Li left Rongle Hall, she walked absentmindedly along the cloister. Her mind replayed the way Grand Consort Wise Zhao had looked at her as she was leaving. For some reason, I feel there was a profound significance in the Grand Consort's gaze, she thought.
"Miss, look." As they passed by the garden, Qingshuang softly reminded Ye Li, who had been lost in thought.
Gazing up, Ye Li saw a strikingly handsome couple sitting in a pavilion near the garden path. The man was handsome and stern, while the woman was breathtakingly beautiful and gentle. It was none other than Mo Jingli and Ye Ying. Ye Li was slightly perplexed. Why are they idling here, at this busy garden pathway, instead of somewhere more romantic? It seems as if they've been waiting here for me, she wondered. She approached them and greeted, "Greetings to His Highness Prince Li."
Mo Jingli glanced at the maidservants following Ye Li and sneered, "You certainly know how to put on a show now." In the past, I'd seen Ye Li a few times, neither too close nor too far, he recalled. Each time, she only had one maidservant with her, which made her look rather provincial. Now, just after our engagement was announced, this Ye Li not only dares to embarrass me but has also started putting on such airs! For some reason, I always feel a surge of irritation whenever I see her. The thought of the nearly twenty thousand silver taels that ended up in her hands makes me gnash my teeth. It's not that my Prince Li's Mansion can't afford this sum, but her actions clearly show she doesn't care about me at all; that's why she so brazenly demanded money from me!
Ye Li covered her lips with a smile, her gaze drifting over the two. "Your Highness is jesting. This is merely the proper etiquette for young ladies. I understand that Fourth Sister and Your Highness are close. However, since you are not officially married yet, it might be better if a maidservant accompanies Fourth Sister when she goes out. Even if she just follows from a distance, it would prevent others from gossiping," she advised.
"Third Sister, why are you saying this?" Ye Ying protested, her bright eyes welling up with tears. She looked at Ye Li with a wronged expression. "His Highness and I have done nothing improper. Even if I, your younger sister, have wronged you, Third Sister, it wasn't my intention... Why would you say such things?"
Ye Li raised her hand, interrupting Ye Ying with an amused smile. "Fourth Sister, you misunderstand. Who said you and His Highness did anything inappropriate? Just tell us. If anyone dares to say such a thing, even if Grandmother or Father won't stand up for you, I, your Third Sister, will." She then turned inquiringly to the maids behind her.
Qingshuang, covering her mouth to hide a smile, replied, "This servant hasn't heard anyone say such things. However, since Fourth Sister mentioned it, there must be such a rumor. It would be best to report it to the Old Madam and conduct a thorough investigation. That should reveal the person who is slandering Fourth Sister and His Highness Prince Li."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ying glowered at Qingshuang resentfully and turned her woeful gaze towards Mo Jingli, murmuring, "Your Highness…" If this incident reaches Grandmother, I'll surely be reprimanded, she worried. And if it escalates, even if the rumors are nonexistent now, they might just become real.
"Enough!" Mo Jingli rebuked her sharply, his gaze filled with disdain and disgust. "Ye Li, no matter what you do, this Prince will not be interested in you. You might as well give up on that idea."
Ye Li was taken aback, finding it difficult to comprehend what Mo Jingli was implying. Is he suggesting that my actions mean I'm playing hard to get? Where did he get such an inflated opinion of himself? she wondered.
Feeling scrutinized by Ye Li's gaze, Mo Jingli became somewhat flustered and snapped angrily, "Have you stared enough? Shameless!"
He really should take his medicine, Ye Li thought, suppressing the urge to say it out loud. She simply bowed politely and excused herself, "I've seen enough. Please enjoy your time, Your Highness, Fourth Sister. I will take my leave now." Before Mo Jingli could respond, she turned on her heel and headed straight towards Qingyi Pavilion.
Mo Jingli's face darkened with irritation as he watched her retreating, slender figure. Seeing his expression, Ye Ying felt a pang of anxiety and comforted him softly, "Your Highness, Third Sister has always been like this. Please don't let her get to you."
Looking at the beautiful face before him, full of worry and appeal, Mo Jingli's expression softened slightly. He pulled Ye Ying closer, let out a soft sound, and said, "Don't worry. Since she is your sister, this Prince will overlook it for your sake."
Ye Ying's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head bashfully. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Just as Ye Li and her party walked into Qingyi Pavilion, they heard several idle maids chattering excitedly. "Today's betrothal gifts from Prince Li's Mansion were so generous! Fourth Miss is truly blessed to marry Prince Li as his Princess Consort." Of course, they also took the opportunity to discuss what they perceived as misfortune: "And Third Miss is marrying that good-for-nothing Prince, the one everyone in the Capital City knows is a cripple!"
Qingshuang's face turned pale with rage. Before Ye Li could speak, she yelled sharply, "Impudence! Who gave you the audacity to gossip about your masters?!"
The maids had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed the six or seven people standing behind them until Qingshuang spoke. They whirled around, so frightened that their legs gave out, and they all knelt immediately.
Ye Li walked indifferently past the kneeling maids. Just as they were inwardly sighing with relief, We've escaped unscathed! they thought, Ye Li said coolly, "Each of you shall receive twenty strokes of the heavy plank."
"Please, Miss, show mercy! We won't dare to do it again!" the maids pleaded.
Although Qingyi Pavilion was not a favored courtyard in the Ye Mansion, for these menial maids, it made little difference. After all, any perks or benefits in other courtyards rarely trickled down to them. Moreover, Third Miss was known as the kindest master in the entire Ye Mansion. She never made unreasonable demands, never vented her anger on the maids, and had virtually never punished anyone in her courtyard. Consequently, the maids had inevitably begun to take her soft-heartedness for granted, and their discipline had grown lax. They never expected that just a few idle words would result in twenty strokes of the heavy plank.
"Go!" Tired of listening to their pleas for mercy, Ye Li uttered the single word and departed, flicking her sleeves in dismissal.
"Miss, there's no need to be upset with such petty individuals. It's not worth ruining your mood over them," Qingshuang said softly, following behind Ye Li.
Ye Li turned her head to glance at her and chuckled, "You think I'm upset?"
"Miss... Then why did you punish them?" Qingshuang asked, puzzled. Over the years, I've very rarely seen the Miss punish a maid, she thought.
Ye Li sneered. "I punished them not because they were gossiping, but because they were disloyal to their master."
"Eh?" Qingshuang was confused.
"If you were a maid gossiping about your master, would you stand right at the entrance of the courtyard where anyone could see and hear you?" Ye Li asked.
Qingshuang finally understood. Still somewhat puzzled, she asked, "Then who instigated them? Surely it wasn't Ms. Wang? What good would that do her, other than possibly annoying you, Miss?" And she might not even succeed in annoying you at that, Qingshuang added mentally.
Ye Li's eyebrows furrowed slightly. She shook her head and said to Qingshuang, "Tomorrow, go to the Imperial Censor's Mansion personally for me and deliver a letter to my Second Uncle. To the outside world, just say that I have some matters I don't understand and wish to consult my Second Aunt, asking her to visit when she has time. Oh, and tell my Second Aunt that there's no hurry."