Though Ye Li did not enjoy social gatherings, she understood the subtle distinctions between unmarried young ladies and married women. An unmarried lady avoiding gatherings of noble young ladies might simply be considered introverted or truly unwell. But after marriage, especially for a woman expected to manage a household, refusing to socialize was seen as arrogance and ungraciousness. In serious cases, it could even reflect poorly on her husband’s family. The current master of Prince Ding’s residence was the disabled Prince Mo Xiuyao, and though several ladies resided in the mansion, she would be expected to manage the household after marriage. Therefore, hearing Old Madam Ye’s words, Ye Li responded with a smile, expressing genuine anticipation for this year’s Hundred Flowers Festival.
After seeing off the Virtuous Dowager Consort and her entourage, Ye Li bid farewell to Old Madam and returned to Clear Leisure Pavilion. Old Madam Ye and Madam Wang were still delighting in the honor of the Dowager Consort personally delivering the betrothal gifts, so they made no effort to detain her. As she left Glory Hall and wandered absent-mindedly along the corridor, Ye Li recalled the meaningful glance the Dowager Consort had given her before leaving. There was something deeply significant in that look, though its meaning eluded her.
“Young Lady, look,” whispered Qingshuang, drawing her attention as they passed the garden.
Ye Li lifted her gaze and saw a striking couple in the pavilion by the garden path—the man handsome and stern, the woman exceptionally delicate and beautiful. It was none other than Mo Jingli and Ye Ying. Ye Li felt a flicker of puzzlement—why were they seated at such a busy garden entrance rather than a more secluded spot? It almost seemed as though they were deliberately waiting for her.
Stepping forward, she said, “Greetings to Prince Li.”
Mo Jingli glanced at the several maids following her and sneered, “You certainly know how to put on airs now.” In the past, Ye Li had appeared with only a single maid, giving her a somewhat provincial air. Now, freshly betrothed and surrounded by attendants, she not only dared to embarrass him but also carried herself with apparent grandeur. Mo Jingli felt an inexplicable irritation whenever he saw her. Thoughts of the nearly twenty thousand taels of silver that had fallen into Ye Li’s hands gnawed at him. It wasn’t that his residence lacked funds, but her boldness in demanding such a sum so openly seemed like a deliberate slight against him.
Ye Li covered her mouth and smiled, her calm gaze moving between the two of them. “Your Highness jests. This is merely proper etiquette for young ladies. I know Fourth Sister and Your Highness are in love, naturally… but you are not yet married, and Fourth Sister should still have maids accompanying her. Even if they follow at a distance, it prevents others from gossiping.”
“Third Sister, how can you say such things…” Ye Ying’s bright eyes reddened, tears welling up as she looked at Ye Li with a mixture of grievance and confusion. “The relationship between His Highness and me is pure. Even if I have wronged Third Sister, it was never intentional. Third Sister, why would you…”
Ye Li raised a hand, calmly interrupting her, amusement glinting in her eyes. “Fourth Sister misunderstands. Who said your relationship with His Highness is improper? Tell me who, and if Grandmother and Father won’t stand up for you, Third Sister will.” She swept a questioning glance over the group behind her.
Qingshuang covered her mouth, smiling faintly. “This servant hasn’t heard such talk. But since the Fourth Young Lady mentions it, there must be something to it. Perhaps we should report to Old Madam and thoroughly investigate to find those slandering Fourth Young Lady and Prince Li?”
Ye Ying’s expression shifted; she shot Qingshuang a hateful glare before turning back to Mo Jingli, looking pitiful. “Your Highness…” If Grandmother learned of this, she would surely scold her, and even nonexistent rumors might gain traction if they spread further.
“Enough! Ye Li, nothing you do will work. This prince will never be interested in you, so give up that idea,” Mo Jingli said coldly, his gaze heavy with apparent disgust.
Ye Li was momentarily stunned. What was he saying? Did he truly think her behavior was some game of playing hard to get? Where had he acquired such a bloated sense of self-importance?
Feeling her scrutiny, Mo Jingli grew embarrassed and angry, snapping coldly, “Have you looked enough? Shameless!”
Ye Li mentally rolled her eyes, restraining herself from remarking, “You need medication.” She curtseyed to him, smiling faintly. “Enough. Your Highness, Fourth Sister, please continue your conversation. I shall take my leave.” Without waiting for his response, she turned toward Clear Leisure Pavilion.
Behind her, Mo Jingli watched her slender figure depart, expression dark. Ye Ying noticed, her heart tightening. “Your Highness, Third Sister has always been like this. Please don’t take offense.”
Seeing her worry, Mo Jingli’s expression softened. He took Ye Ying’s hand and snorted lightly. “Don’t worry. Since she’s your sister, this prince will overlook it for your sake.”
Ye Ying’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her head shyly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
As Ye Li entered Clear Leisure Pavilion, idle servant girls chattered excitedly about the generosity of Prince Li’s betrothal gifts and how fortunate Fourth Young Lady was to become Prince Li’s primary consort. Of course, they also lamented how unfortunate Third Young Lady was, now married to the widely considered useless Prince Mo Xiuyao.
Qingshuang’s face paled with anger. Before Ye Li could react, she rebuked them sharply: “How dare you! Who gave you the right to discuss your masters?!”
The maids, caught entirely off guard, turned to see six or seven people silently standing behind them. They collapsed to their knees in fright.
Ye Li walked past them with calm composure. Just as the maids began to sigh in relief, thinking they had escaped punishment, Ye Li said: “Go receive twenty strokes each.”
“Please, no… Young Lady, forgive us! We won’t dare again…” They realized that serving in Clear Leisure Pavilion offered little difference from other courtyards; it wasn’t a place of favor or privilege. Third Young Lady was easy to serve, never unreasonable or angry. They had grown lax, thinking she would not punish them. Yet just a few casual words earned them twenty strokes.
“Go!” Ye Li waved dismissively and left, ignoring their pleas.
“Young Lady, why bother getting angry at such lowly people? It’s not worth upsetting yourself,” Qingshuang quietly advised.
Ye Li glanced back with a faint smile. “You think I’m angry?”
“Young Lady… then why?” Qingshuang asked, perplexed. It had been years since they had seen her punish any maids.
Ye Li laughed coldly. “I’m not punishing them for gossip, but for betraying their master.”
“Oh?”
“If you were a maid, would you stand right at the courtyard entrance gossiping about your masters where anyone could overhear?”
Qingshuang finally understood, but questioned, “Then who instructed them to do this? Surely not Madam Wang? What benefit would she gain, besides possibly upsetting Young Lady? And even that’s not guaranteed.”
Ye Li frowned slightly and shook her head. “Tomorrow, personally deliver a letter from me to Second Uncle at the Imperial Censor’s residence. Tell others I have matters to consult with Second Aunt and request her visit when convenient. But tell her there’s no rush.”
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