16. Provoking the Eldest Di Daughter, Deserves a Beating!
The impeachment issue seemed to have ended with the emperor's lukewarm punishment, but the after-effects were far from over. Before Minister Ye could even return home from court, the entire affair had spread like wildfire through the prominent families of the Capital City. Rumors spread that Minister Ye, in a bid for power and glory, had offered his unattractive third daughter to Prince Li. When she was spurned, he allegedly had his fourth daughter, Ye Ying—known as the most beautiful woman in the Capital City—attempt to lure His Highness Prince Li. A rumor from one person's mouth is just gossip, but when a hundred people say it, it somehow becomes fact. No matter where he went, Minister Ye could feel the change in people's gazes. He was finally forced to suppress his frustration, rush through his administrative duties, and return home.
When Qingshuang, bursting with schadenfreude, relayed these rumors to Ye Li, Ye Li only responded with a faint smile and paid them no mind. She did, however, harbor some concern that her actions might bring trouble to her uncle. However, her second uncle was no reckless man; he must have had his reasons and plans before acting. She was surprised, however, that her father hadn't taken out his anger on her over this matter. After all, even Ms. Wang and Ye Ying had faced his wrath when he returned home in a huff yesterday. Perhaps he had not yet decided to vent his anger on her. After all, he'd already stormed into Qingyi Pavilion, but for some unknown reason, he'd left without uttering a single word after entering.
Perhaps he was expressing a rare moment of guilt? Disregarding the thought with a glance at the modest furnishings in the room, Ye Li continued musing absently.
Sitting leisurely by the window, she continued her embroidery, gradually shaping a purple iris. Embroidery required patience, and as a former sniper, Ye Li had that particular virtue in abundance. In this life, her mother had personally taught her embroidery since she was six, and Ye Li had grown to love this art form over the years. Blessed with knowledge and experiences beyond her time due to her past life, her handiwork always bore a certain unique charm and spirit that set it apart.
Noise from the courtyard stirred her from her thoughts, prompting her to look up, "Qingxia, what's going on outside?"
"Miss, it's Young Master Rong. He is in the courtyard, insisting on seeing you," Qingxia replied respectfully.
Ye Li gave a faint smile, gently placed the needle on the fabric, and stood up. "Let's go and see." Ye Rong was the only male heir of the Ye Family, just eleven years old, studying at the renowned Lishan Academy. Influenced by Ms. Wang from a young age, he had never liked Ye Li, his eldest di sister. Since the death of Ms. Xu, his attitude towards Ye Li had only worsened, given that he was the sole male child and di son of the house. They hardly met a few times a year, and he would certainly not have made an effort to see Ye Li on his own. Doubtless, this was because their father had reprimanded his mother and sister. Having returned from the academy only yesterday, he was now eager to defend them.
Even before she left the room, the sounds of an argument between Qingshuang and Ye Rong reached her ears. "Audacious! You're nothing but a lowly servant girl, how dare you block my way! Be careful, or I'll sell you to a brothel!" Ye Rong glared fiercely at the servant girl dressed in blue.
Others might fear the sole young master of the mansion, but Qingshuang was not so courteous. She stared him down defiantly and scorned, "Even if I'm lowly, I am still the Miss's servant. It's not for Young Master Rong to decide whether to beat or sell me! Intruding on your eldest di sister's courtyard, is this the etiquette you learned at the academy? Truly well taught, and well learned indeed!"
"Insolent girl! Hit her!" Enraged, Ye Rong ordered the young male servant standing behind him to discipline Qingshuang.
"Rong'er, what are you doing?" Ye Li stepped out of the courtyard, her eyes resting coolly upon the tense scene before her. Her gaze moved to the two young male servants grabbing Qingshuang's hands. "Let go!" The servants, looking as though they'd been scorched by fire, hurriedly withdrew their hands and darted behind Ye Rong. Seeing his servants' incompetence, Ye Rong felt deeply embarrassed and snorted in discontent at Ye Li. "Third Sister, your servant is incredibly disrespectful. I was just helping you teach her a lesson."
Ye Li eyed him coldly. "I will discipline my own people. If you have spare time, perhaps you would be better off learning some manners." Just by looking at Ye Rong, Ye Li understood why their father both loved and hated this son. He was their only son, but unfortunately, quite foolish. Ms. Wang was even delusional enough to think her son could rival Second Young Master Liu of the Liu Family. At sixteen, Second Young Master Liu was already a famous and gifted youth in the Capital City, and this year he was even heading to Lishan Academy alone to study. Everyone, from the Liu Family to his mentors and classmates, placed high hopes on him, seeing him as a future Top Scholar. Her half-brother, Ye Rong, however, was merely an insignificant dandy in the Capital City. Ye Rong had been spoiled by Old Madam Ye and Ms. Wang since childhood. In this household, not even her former second sister nor the current Fourth Sister dared to speak to him so bluntly. Ye Rong's fury erupted. He jumped up like a scalded cat, pointed at Ye Li, and shouted, "You've got some nerve talking to me like that! I'll tell Grandmother, and she'll make you pay!"
Quarreling with such a child was beneath her dignity. Ye Li had always wondered how a family like the Ye Family—not a great clan of centuries, but still one with some standing in the Capital City—could produce a son with such an idiotic disposition as Ye Rong. Too tired to deal with the furious boy, Ye Li turned to go back to her room. "Qingxia, please escort Young Master Rong out."
"Ye Li, stop right there!" Ye Rong cried, enraged. "You shameless woman! His Highness Prince Li rejected you, and then you had your uncle speak ill of Father in front of His Majesty! Because of you, Mother and Fourth Sister were reprimanded by Father! You deserve to be abandoned by Prince Li, you insidious woman, you deserve..."
"You beast! Shut your mouth!" A furious roar echoed from behind Ye Rong. Absorbed in his tirade, he hadn't noticed the cold glint in Ye Li's eyes or the faint smirk that touched her lips. Only when he heard the roar did he turn stiffly, just to see his attendants prostrated on the ground, trembling. His usually amiable father was glaring at him, his face livid. "Father..."
"Such splendid discipline in Minister Ye's Mansion. The son of this concubine—one merely promoted from common concubine rank—dares to publicly insult the legitimate daughter of the principal wife. Truly enlightening," a handsome young man among the group with Minister Ye sneered.
At his words, Minister Ye's face darkened further. "Why are you hesitating? Arrest this beast! Twenty heavy strikes!"
Hearing his father's orders, Ye Rong wailed and fought against the two servants who came to take him away. "Father… Father… I know I was wrong…" But he was young and weak, no match for the strong adult servants. Soon, he was dragged away for his punishment.
Ye Li remained outwardly impassive, but her eyes held a glimmer of rare joy. She quickly drew near. "Father. Aunt, Cousin, why are you all here?"
Minister Ye watched his normally respectful daughter show such a rare display of affection to these outsiders, which left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart. However, remembering the humble furnishings in Ye Li's courtyard, he couldn't bring himself to lose his temper. He forced a smile. "Xu Qingfeng and your aunt came to visit you. I merely accompanied them."
Xu Qingfeng smirked frostily. "Is that so? If we hadn't come today, we wouldn't have known what kind of life our little sister is leading here in the Ye Mansion." Minister Ye's smile froze. Facing Madam Xu's cold expression and Xu Qingfeng's hostile gaze, he was at a loss for words. Ye Li offered a faint, distant smile, then stepped forward to take Madam Xu's hand. "Aunt, let's not stand at the doorway. Please, come inside for some tea."