Though the impeachment matter seemed to end with the Emperor’s lukewarm punishment, its aftereffects were far from over. Before Minister Ye could even return home after court, news of the morning session had already spread like wildfire among the capital’s noble families. Somehow, a rumor emerged that Minister Ye had sought advancement by selling his daughters—when Prince Li showed no interest in his unremarkable Third Daughter, he allegedly orchestrated for his Fourth Daughter, Ye Ying, famed as the capital’s greatest beauty, to seduce His Highness. What began as one person’s whisper became fact when repeated by a hundred tongues. Wherever Minister Ye went, he felt gazes shift, heavy with judgment. In the end, he hurriedly finished his duties and returned home, suppressing his frustration.
When Qingshuang gleefully repeated these rumors to Ye Li, she merely smiled faintly and paid them no mind. She worried only whether her uncle might face trouble. Yet Second Uncle was not reckless—if he chose to act, he must have had his reasons. Still, Ye Li was surprised her father hadn’t directed his anger at her. When Minister Ye stormed home yesterday, even Madame Wang and Ye Ying had received harsh scoldings. Perhaps he had intended to vent on her too—he had entered Qingyi Pavilion, but for some unknown reason, left without a word.
Perhaps he had felt a rare pang of guilt? Ye Li thought idly, glancing at the sparse furnishings of her room.
She sat leisurely by the window, bent over her embroidery as a purple iris gradually took shape beneath her hands. Embroidery required patience, and Ye Li, once a sniper in her previous life, had patience in abundance. Her mother had taught her since age six, and over the years she had grown to love the art. With her past-life memories, her work carried a vitality and spirit others lacked.
A commotion stirred faintly from the courtyard. Ye Li frowned.
“Qingxia, what’s happening outside?”
“Young Master Rong has returned, Miss. He’s outside demanding to see you,” Qingxia replied respectfully.
Ye Li smiled faintly, pinning her needle into the silk before rising.
“Let’s go see.”
Ye Rong, the only male heir of the Ye household, was eleven and studied at a renowned academy. Influenced by Madame Wang, he had never liked his legitimate elder sister. Since Madame Xu’s death, as the only boy and legitimate son, he had grown even more dismissive, looking down on Ye Li. Rarely did he seek her out—without asking, she knew it must be about yesterday’s scolding of Madame Wang and Ye Ying.
Before she stepped outside, she heard Qingshuang arguing.
“How dare you! You’re just a lowly maid, yet you dare block my way! Be careful, or I’ll sell you to a brothel!” Ye Rong glared fiercely.
Qingshuang, unafraid, widened her eyes and laughed coldly.
“No matter how lowly I am, I’m still Miss’s maid. Whether I’m beaten or sold isn’t for Young Master Rong to decide. Barging into your legitimate elder sister’s courtyard—is this the etiquette you learned at school? What fine teaching, and what fine learning!”
“Worthless maid! Beat her!” Ye Rong commanded furiously.
“Rong’er, what are you doing?” Ye Li emerged, gaze cool upon the servants gripping Qingshuang.
“Release her at once.”
The servants recoiled as if burned, withdrawing behind Ye Rong. Embarrassed, he snorted.
“Third Sister, your maid is discourteous. I’m helping you discipline her.”
Ye Li’s eyes were cold.
“I will manage my people. If you have free time, perhaps review your etiquette lessons again.”
Looking at him, she understood why Father both loved and hated this son. His only male heir, yet lacking intelligence. Madame Wang was delusional to think her son could compare to the Liu family’s Second Young Master, already famed at sixteen, studying at Li Mountain Academy, destined for greatness. Meanwhile, her half-brother was a spoiled wastrel.
Ye Rong jumped like a scalded cat, pointing angrily.
“How dare you speak to me this way! I’ll tell Grandmother and make you pay!”
Arguing with a child was beneath her. Ye Li turned back toward her room.
“Please leave, Young Master Rong.”
“Ye Li, stop right there!” he raged. “You shameless woman! Prince Li didn’t want you, yet you had your uncle speak ill of Father before the Emperor, causing Father to scold Mother and Fourth Sister. You scheming woman deserved to be abandoned, you deserved—”
“You unfilial creature! Silence!”
Lost in his tirade, Ye Rong hadn’t noticed Ye Li’s cold gaze and faint smile. Not until an angry roar thundered from behind did he stiffen. Everyone around trembled. His genial father glared, face iron-grey.
“Father…”
“What fine upbringing this Minister’s household has. A mere son of a promoted concubine dares to publicly insult the legitimate daughter of the first wife in broad daylight. How enlightening.” A handsome youth among Minister Ye’s companions spoke with a cold smile.
Minister Ye’s expression hardened.
“What are you waiting for? Seize this beast! Twenty heavy strokes of the paddle!”
Ye Rong screamed in terror, kicking and punching at the servants.
“Father… Father… Your son knows his wrong…” But his young strength was no match. He was dragged aside to receive punishment.
Ye Li remained calm, though a rare delight flickered in her eyes. She stepped forward.
“Greetings, Father. Aunt, Cousin, why have you come?”
Minister Ye looked at his daughter, respectful yet warm to outsiders, and felt discomfort. Seeing her sparse courtyard furnishings, he could not voice displeasure. He forced a smile.
“Qingfeng and your aunt came to see you, so I accompanied them.”
Xu Qingfeng smiled coldly.
“Indeed. If we hadn’t come today, we wouldn’t have known what kind of life our little sister leads in the Ye household.”
Minister Ye’s smile froze under Madame Xu’s cold face and Xu Qingfeng’s unfriendly gaze. Ye Li smiled faintly, taking Madame Xu’s hand.
“Aunt, let’s not stand at the entrance. Come in for some tea.”
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