Rupture

  Breakdown.

  Until Yelü Ye's line of sight disappeared behind him, Ye Li stopped and furrowed her brow. In the past six months, she had also gained a superficial understanding of the situation in various countries. This Yelü Ye appeared to be frank and generous on the surface, but as one of the dozen or so sons of the King of Beijun, he was the only prince who could rival the Crown Prince Yelü Hua for power, and his heart was naturally ruthless and cunning.

  If it wasn't necessary, Yeli didn't want to provoke someone like him.

  "The princess, that person..." Qingfeng saw Yueli's face didn't look too good and asked with some concern.

  Ye Li shook her head and said, "Don't worry." Qing Luan and Qing Feng exchanged a glance, both seeing the concern in each other's eyes. The princess walked ahead, perhaps not noticing, but they had seen the look in that prince's eyes. Qing Luan thought for a moment before saying, "That prince is not a good person, it's better if the princess keeps her distance from him." Ye

  Ling Shang smiled and said: "Silly girl, there are some people who can't be avoided no matter how hard you try. Unless we don't do anything at all, rest assured, I have a plan in mind."

  "Don't worry too much." Qing Luan smiled and said, she hadn't seen anything that the princess didn't have a grasp on, presumably the princess already knew how to handle it herself, all she needed to do was protect the princess well.

  "Don't think too much, go take a look at Feng Hua Lou." Ye Li said with a faint smile.

  As soon as she stepped into the Wind and Flower Pavilion, the crisp sound of porcelain shattering inside made Ye Li stop in her tracks. The shopkeeper of the Wind and Flower Pavilion was already very familiar with the Empress Dowager, and hurriedly came forward to apologize with a smile: "Your humble servant has seen Your Majesty, please come in." Ye Li nodded, stepped into the store, looked around and asked: "Nothing's wrong, is it?" The shopkeeper had

  A slightly embarrassed smile was squeezed out: "It's just that the two noble guests had a bit of a conflict, startling the princess. The princess is in the side room, please take a seat. A few days ago, the king sent someone to say he wanted some good pearls, originally thinking of sending them to the Ding Wang Fu these past few days, didn't expect the princess would come today." While speaking, he led Ye Li to another side of the elegant

  In the room, Ye Li nodded indifferently. The people who appear in Feng Hua Lou are either extremely wealthy or highly noble, and the conflicts between them are naturally not trivial matters that can be known by everyone.

  She entered the room and sat down, and the shopkeeper personally presented several boxes of pearls to Ye Li. Ye Li opened them and saw that they were indeed top-quality pearls. Among them was a box of pale purple pearls, with only nineteen beads, but what was rare was that each one was as big as a pigeon egg, with no difference in size, color, or shape. As soon as the box was opened, the pale purple luster...

  The entire room was shrouded in a mysterious glow. Ye Li was somewhat surprised and said, "Is this a night pearl?" One night pearl wasn't particularly rare, what was rare was that there were nineteen night pearls of exactly the same size and color. The shopkeeper smiled with some pride, "Her Highness is correct, it's indeed a night pearl. Just one of these night pearls is worth a city, not to mention...

  "It's really a rare one. And it's the least common purple color. I don't know if the princess will be satisfied." Ye Li nodded and smiled: "The shopkeeper has indeed put in a lot of effort." Seeing Ye Li's satisfaction, the shopkeeper's smile became even more radiant. It's worth noting that these dozen or so bright pearls were indeed obtained at great cost and with great difficulty, but such treasures are not something that just anyone can use.

  It's a good deal. If they were to sell the treasure separately, its value would be greatly discounted. The Ding Guo Wang Fu is neither short of money nor power, and if the Ding Wang Fei likes this box of night pearls, then he will have made at least half a year's worth of business without worrying.

  At this point, the shopkeeper became even more enthusiastic and took out several drafts for Ye Li to see. "Your Highness, please take a look. These are the best masters of our Fenghua Building who have specially drawn these designs for this box of bright pearls. I wonder if Your Highness is satisfied?" Ye Li looked at the drafts and they were indeed extremely exquisite pieces of jewelry. If made, they would surely make the entire capital city

  The ladies were envious. However, Ye Li didn't plan to make it into a wearable ornament. Beautiful and dazzling, who wouldn't like it? But if someone wore this kind of pearl as an ornament at night, they would be a living target. Although not very practical, it's still good for collecting or giving as a gift.

  Yelü said to the shopkeeper, "I also want this box of bright pearls. I'll have someone send over the design later and you can make it according to the design. Also, make a few more pieces of jewelry." Although the shopkeeper was slightly disappointed that Yelü didn't use her own designs, he was still very pleased when he saw Yelü select some other pearl jewelry. These were all top-grade

  Jewels are priceless but hard to find and even harder to sell. The king's gift to the queen is indeed generous.

  After selecting the accessories, Ye Li was about to ask if Feng Hua Lou had any good jade when a ceramic shattering sound came from beside her. Ye Li furrowed her brow and hadn't spoken yet when another cry of pain from a woman was heard, clearly someone had taken action. "Shopkeeper, what kind of person is next door?"

  The shopkeeper's face didn't look good either, and he said in a low voice: "Your Highness, they are the young master of the Murong Marquis Manor and the daughter of the Minister of Rites' Manor. And...and also Ya Ji from Qing Cheng Lane. I'll ask them to leave now."

  Ye Li thought for a moment and raised her hand to stop him, then stood up and said: "I know them all, I'll go take a look."

  The shopkeeper didn't dare say more and hastily led Ye Li to a luxurious room on the side.

  As soon as the door opened, everyone inside turned their heads to look at the entrance. Ye Li stood behind the shopkeeper and looked in, with several pieces of broken porcelain on the ground, a delicate yellow-clad girl was crying in Mu Yang's arms, next to her sat a middle-aged noblewoman with a light makeup but full of anger on her face. Yao Ji wore a red dress, her face pale, standing aside,

  The teacup that had fallen to the ground was ignored, "What's going on?" Ye Li stepped into the room and casually closed the door. Seeing Ye Li enter, Mu Yang's expression changed slightly as he gently lifted up the girl leaning against him and nodded at Ye Li: "Your Highness."

  She was suddenly interrupted by someone, and the middle-aged noblewoman glared at the door with anger, but when she saw Ye Li's face, she quickly restrained her anger, stood up and smiled: "I, Sun Shi, have seen the princess." Ye Li nodded slightly and said lightly: "I'm disturbing you, madam." She didn't have any impression of this Mrs. Sun, who was the daughter-in-law of Sun Da, the Minister of Rites.

  Her husband was only a fifth-grade attendant, and naturally, he couldn't keep up with Ye Li's conversations at banquets. Madame Sun also knew that the Empress Dowager had said she was disturbing her, but in fact, she was afraid that their side was too noisy and had startled the Empress Dowager. She hastily invited Ye Li to take a seat and smiled: "The Empress Dowager is joking, I'm afraid it's us who disturbed the Empress Dowager, please forgive us." Ye Li slightly raised an eyebrow

  She took a glance at Mrs. Sun and Miss Sun beside Mu Yang, their looks were not particularly satisfactory, but the elegant and refined temperament of being born into a scholarly family still made them look comfortable to others, without the arrogance of some noble families looking down on people. Miss Sun noticed Ye Li was sizing her up, her face turned red as she quickly lowered her head.

  Standing behind Mu Yang.

  Ye Li smiled faintly and looked at Mu Yang, saying: "Mu Shizi, how come you're here today? Are you accompanying Miss Sun to pick out accessories? I hadn't seen Miss Sun before, but now that I have, it's clear that you two are a perfect match. Don't forget to send an invitation to the princess and the king when you get married, so we can come and share in your joy." Miss Sun blushed...

  Yan Hong's face turned red as she quickly glanced at Ye Li and secretly grabbed a sleeve of her clothes. However, Ye Li's expression was somewhat dull, and after glancing at Yao Ji standing beside her, she said in a soft voice, "The princess is joking, if the princess and the king can attend, it will be an honor for the Marquis of Shu Yang's mansion."

  Although his eyes were obscure, they couldn't escape the gaze of Sun Furen and Ye Lian. Sun Furen's face suddenly sank, and she hummed softly: "Thank you for your kind words, Crown Prince, but whether this wedding can be held or not is still a matter to be discussed."

  "Mother..." Miss Sun called out in a low and somewhat panicked voice.

  Ye Li seemed to ignore the situation in front of her, raised an eyebrow and smiled: "What are you talking about, Madame Sun? Although it's not well-known in the capital that the Marquis of Shuoyang's estate and the Sun family have been friends for generations. Can't we just let bygones be bygones and not ruin the friendship between our two families over a little bump?"

  Mrs. Sun naturally knew that the marriage could not be settled so easily, and she glanced at Yaoji with disdain, sighing to Ye Li: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the princess either. The relationship between this Marquis of Shuoyang's son and this young lady, although we usually don't go out, we've also heard some rumors. In the past, it was just thought that the young master of Shuoyang was young and reckless, but now

  Our family's daughter hasn't even gotten married yet, and Shu Shi Zi is already making a fuss about taking a concubine. Princess, our Sun family isn't unreasonable either, in the future when our daughter gets married, of course we won't stop Shi Zi from taking a concubine. But this what's-her-name Yao Ji girl absolutely won't do! She was entangled with Shu Shi Zi before marriage, and there's also that title of "Number One Dancer in the Capital"

  "Not to mention the Marquis of Muyang's estate and the Sun family, if she really married in, would this useless maid still have a place to stand?"

  Ye Li sighed in her heart. Who knows if these two people are enemies from their past lives? They just parted ways last night, how did they meet again here today?

  "How did Yao Ji end up here?" Ye Li asked softly.

  Yao Ji's face was pale, but her back was straight. She sneered at Ye Li's words and said: "Can't Yao Ji come to Feng Hua Lou just because she is in the princess's heart? Why doesn't the princess ask Marquis Shu and Miss Sun why they are here? Or is it that in the princess's heart, Yao Ji is already a predetermined target for humiliation?" Ye Li was taken aback, looking at Yao Ji with a...

  Her eyes, hidden with anger, felt a little guilty. She couldn't say that she didn't have any suspicions about Yāo Ji's actions in her heart, but now Yāo Ji said it so openly and honestly, which could only prove that meeting Sūn Xiǎojiě at Fēng Huá Lóu was indeed unrelated to Yāo Ji. If Yāo Ji had come first, then this matter would not be a coincidence, but rather someone's deliberate intention, "hug

  "Sorry." Yelü said softly.

  Yaoji was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold laugh and said: "Forget it, nothing. People like us are originally inferior to others anyway? It's just that the Empress Dowager is also here today, so we might as well make things clear. I, Yaoji, swear that I will absolutely not marry into the Murong Duke's household as a concubine, and besides, after last night... my reputation in the capital should be spread far and wide."

  Isn't that right? Even if Sun Shang now only fears Marquis Mu, he will not agree, isn't that so? Marquis Mu's son, the kindness of Yu Mei is not dared to be said to be cleared from now on, it should be considered that Yu Mei owes the son a favor for this life, and if there is an afterlife, she will repay it. As for this life, you and I have nothing to do with each other again. Madam Sun, are you satisfied?

  After hearing Yaoji's words, Ye Li's heart moved and she furrowed her brow, but ultimately didn't speak up. Mu Yang looked at the woman in front of him with a mixture of difficulty and pain, despite her pale face, her red dress made her look stunningly beautiful. As the only male heir of the Mu Yang Hou Fu, he carried the weight of the entire family's rise and fall on his shoulders.

  But he couldn't help being drawn to this beautiful and strong woman. He had always underestimated Yaoji's pride and the backlash from the Hou Mansion and the Sun family, which is why things have become so difficult now. Today's events were even more unexpected, originally it was just following his mother's orders to accompany his fiancée and future mother-in-law

  People go out to buy things, and they call it cultivating feelings. However, when he arrived at Feng Hua Lou, he coincidentally ran into Yao Ji, who had just finished buying jewelry and was about to leave. When Madame Sun suggested going in to chat, although he felt a bit uneasy, he still held onto a glimmer of hope and didn't stop her. But Yao Ji, being flirtatious yet stubborn, ended up offending Madame Sun after only a few words, which led to the arrival of Empress Ding, who happened to be at Feng Hua Lou as well.

  "Yaoji..." Looking at Yaoji's resolute expression, Muyang couldn't help but step forward to grab her, but just as he took a step, his sleeve was caught by someone. "Muyang..." Miss Sun's delicate face was filled with surprise and panic. Muyang's heart suddenly turned cold, and he immediately calmed down. Miss Sun had already been betrothed to him, and if anything went wrong with this marriage, given the strict family rules of the Sun family, even if Miss Sun didn't think about ending her life, she would probably have to spend the rest of her life in solitude. Thinking of this, Muyang's feet seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move forward.

  Ye Li sat on one side, watching with her eyes and shaking her head in her heart. The Sun and Mu families would never accept Yao Ji. It wasn't because Yao Ji was from a humble background, but because she was too outstanding, and also because of Mu Yang's feelings for her. As for Mu Yang, he wasn't a bad person, and he didn't have a reputation for being promiscuous or flirtatious. However, he couldn't solve the situation in front of him. If he were promiscuous, he could have married Sun Miss and continued to indulge in his pleasures outside, even without Yao Ji, with his status, he could find another beautiful woman just like her. If he was ruthless enough, he could directly call off the engagement with Sun Miss, as Mu family only had him as their sole heir, even if Mu Yang Hou was unwilling, he would eventually back down.

  Yao Ji's charming eyes drooped slightly, covering up the hint of bitter smile in her eyes. She turned to Ye Li and said: "Your Highness, thank you for saving my life last night. I bid farewell." Her cold gaze swept across the faces of the other three people in the room, saying lightly: "I'm just a humble woman from a poor background, not worth your trouble. Please, Marquis Shu's son and everyone else, don't bother coming to disturb me again. Farewell."

  "Yaoji girl..." Miss Sun, who was standing next to her, suddenly looked up and called out to Yaoji. When Yaoji turned around, she glanced at Mrs. Sun before speaking in a soft voice: "Yaoji girl, if the young master really has feelings for you... after we get married... please ask the young master to take you in as well. Just hope that the young master will give Lian'er and the Sun family some face."

  "Lotus!" Mrs. Sun scolded in a low voice.

  Mu Yang looked at the delicate and elegant girl in front of him with surprise, a hint of delight flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that she would be the first to speak up.

  Yao Ji hummed softly and turned away.

  The arrogant attitude made Mrs. Sun, who was already unhappy, furious. "How dare you! What's your attitude?!" Yaoji turned back, with a disdainful smile: "I said I would never enter the Hou Mansion of Shuoyang, do you think I'm pretending to be unwilling? I, Yaoji, am indeed a woman of humble origin, but not so lowly. The Hou Mansion of Shuoyang is beyond my reach and I don't want to climb up to it either. Miss Sun's kindness, I also cannot accept, so no need to thank me."

  "Yaoji, you..." Mu Yang furrowed his brow. He knew that becoming a concubine would humiliate her, but this was already the best compromise he could think of.

  Yaoji looked at him coldly, a stark contrast to her usual gentle and charming self. Mu Yang let out a soft sigh and said, "Yaoji, can't you compromise for my sake?"

  The room fell silent for a long time, and Ya Ji suddenly smiled faintly, "Mu... Mu Lang, do you know what my name is?"

  Mu Yang was taken aback, looking at her with some confusion. Yao Ji shook her head and resolutely said: "Unless you sincerely marry me and take me in as your wife, otherwise we won't meet again in this lifetime!"

  "Take you in?" Mrs. Sun stared at Yāo Jī, sneering: "What status do you have to dare ask for a proper marriage with the Mù family? Even if Mù Shìzǐ hadn't engaged today, you still wouldn't be qualified. Lián'ér is willing to accept you, that's her generosity, your good fortune, don't be ignorant of what's heavy and light, and bring shame upon yourself." Yāo Jī proudly said: "Then so be it, since it can't be done, please leave, Mù Shìzǐ. Are you also going to stay here with them and watch me be humiliated?"

  "Yaoji, you!" Mu Yang frowned, his face showing an unpleasant expression. Yaoji had always been gentle and understanding, when did she become so unreasonable? Yaoji seemed to not care about his displeasure at all, and glanced at Miss Sun standing aside with disdain: "Madam Sun was right, I followed you just to marry into the Mu Yang Hou Mansion as the young master's wife. Since you can't marry me, what else is there to do? Do you want me to lower my head and become a concubine for this little servant girl who has nothing but a good family background? I, Yaoji, am not that cheap. There are many men who want me, and there will always be one willing to marry me as his legitimate wife..."

  "That's enough!" Mu Yang's face turned iron-gray, and he pulled Sun Miss, who was sobbing with tears for Yao Ji, towards Sun Madam, saying: "Mother-in-law, let's go back."

  Madam Sun glanced at Yaoji and nodded with a smile to Ye Li: "Let the princess see the joke, I'll take my leave first."

  Ye Li nodded, "No need to see me off, madam, take your time."

  Three people pushed the door out, from head to toe, Mu Yang didn't look at Yao Ji again. Naturally, he also didn't discover that Yao Ji's lips, which had turned a bit pale, slowly seeped out a thread of blood. Until the footsteps outside disappeared, Yao Ji's body swayed and almost fell down. Qingfeng and Qingluan, who came in from outside, hurriedly went forward to support her and sat her down on a chair beside her. After catching her breath, Yao Ji raised her head and smiled at Ye Li: "The princess hasn't had enough fun yet?" Ye Li shook her head and said softly: "Why must you? Is it worth ruining yourself for Mu Yang's sake?"

  Yao Ji was taken aback and smiled bitterly: "Feelings are hard to understand... they come suddenly and run deep. If I could choose, why would I..."

  Ye Li waved her hand and smiled: "I understand, once you've been through the ocean it's hard to be content with just water, isn't that right? The refined people's pointless sighs, when you're hungry and can't even get three meals a day, your clothes are tattered and you can't even keep warm, then you'll know what it means to have a special affection. Ordinary people struggle every day for food and clothing, without love they just go through the motions of life." Yao Ji looked at her with an odd expression: "The princess is after all a member of the Xu family, the leader of the hundred flowers, how can your way of thinking be so..."

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Common taste?"

  Yao Ji didn't say a word, but her expression clearly revealed her thoughts. Ye Li smiled carelessly and said: "I was still young when I thought I would become the queen of Lei, but later when King Lei broke off the engagement, I thought it wasn't a big deal. At worst, I could find someone with a lower social status who is kind-hearted and live a simple life. Later, I was betrothed to King Ding, but how could I defy the imperial decree? The Ye family and Xu family would be ruined." Yao Ji naturally knew about Ye Li's situation when she entered King Ding's mansion. At that time, she even pitied this Miss Ye, but didn't expect that in just a year's time, Miss Ye became the Queen of Ding, envied by all the noblewomen in the capital, while she was the one who deserved pity. "What did the queen think at that time?"

  "What can I think? Just let myself have a better life afterwards. Don't you want me to impulsively hang myself?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and looked at her, Yao Ji frowned and looked back at Ye Li, somewhat disbelieving: "Don't tell me the princess has never expected any emotional attachment?" She knew she would never have a future with Mu Yang, but having been through so much in life, she couldn't help but want to grasp any warmth and sincerity. She knew Mu Yang truly loved her, but his true feelings couldn't make him give up his rightful responsibilities. So all she could do was let him marry peacefully and not get entangled again.

  Ye Li sighed softly and said, "Alright, I shouldn't have teased you. But I think... feelings need to be maintained by both parties' efforts. No matter how much one person puts in, the feeling won't last long."

  "Mu Yang loves me, I know. I also love him." Yao Ji said in a low voice.

  Ye Li supported her chin and looked at her, "Feelings are a matter of two people, you are three. You love him, he loves you, what about Miss Sun? She is the most innocent one."

  Yao Ji bit her lip and stared at her, "Do you think that Miss Sun is really so weak and innocent?"

  Ye Li waved her hand and said, "This has nothing to do with whether she is weak or not. She is Mu Yang's fiancée, and in this world, not every woman who gets jilted is as carefree as I am. I've heard that the Sun family's rules are very strict, if Mu Yang were to call off the engagement, Miss Sun would have no other choice but to become a nun. So even if she was pretending, it was only to maintain her legitimate status. Moreover, she hasn't committed any crimes like murder or arson. We may not like her, but we can't say she's wrong. If it weren't for your affair with Mu Yang, she could have been a true gentle and elegant lady, marrying well and becoming the mistress of the Mu Yang Hou Fu. Do you think it would be pleasant to suddenly find out before the wedding that your fiancé has someone else in his heart? Miss Sun not hating you both to death already proves that her temperament isn't bad."

  "So... was it really my fault?"

  Ye Li felt a bit uncomfortable and touched her nose, saying that it was Yao Ji's fault, which she couldn't bring herself to say. Yao Ji and Mu Yang had known each other for at least seven or eight years, but Mu Yang's engagement was less than two months old. Logically speaking, it wasn't Yao Ji's fault, but now she was the one who had to take responsibility for this mistake. "This... is probably just fate playing tricks on people. Don't take it too hard, you're a talented and beautiful young woman from a wealthy family, so don't worry about your future. Who hasn't met a few scoundrels in their youth?"

  When Yueli described him as a scoundrel, Yaoji glared at her with some displeasure. Yueli smiled and said, "I know he's not a bad person, I was just saying that."

  Yao Ji couldn't help but smile and said, "Although the princess's words are not very pleasant to hear, I know you're trying to comfort me. Thank you, Yao Ji. But, with your status as a princess, why would you especially come to comfort someone like me?"

  "I'm not often one to comfort people, so don't mind if I say something unpleasant," Ye Li said with an apologetic smile. "As for identity and all that... since you're a friend of Feng San's, I'll reluctantly consider myself a friend of Feng San's too. Even if it's just for Feng San's sake, I couldn't possibly ignore this." Yao Ji stood up and smiled: "Then thank you, Princess. Goodbye." Ye Li furrowed her brow, looking at her: "You look quite pale - do you want to rest a bit before leaving?"

  Yaoji shook her head and smiled: "Don't worry, I'm just a bit tired these past few days. I plan to leave the capital for a rest..." Before she could finish speaking, Yaoji's body went limp and she fell to the ground. Qingluan, who was standing beside her, quickly supported her and pulled her back up. Ye Li was also startled and called out to Qingfeng to summon Qingyu from outside to come and take a look. In no time, Qingyu hastily entered and took Yaoji's pulse, looking at Ye Li with an odd expression.

  "What's going on? Just say it straight out."

  Qīngyù looked at the red-clothed woman who was unconscious in the chair, then raised her eyes to look at Yè Lì and said: "Slippery pulse, she's three months pregnant. It's possible that she moved the fetal energy, so..."

  Moved the fetal gas...... Four words exploded Ye Li's dizziness and blurred vision, only feeling that the top of her head was rumbling with thunder. So... Was she just trying to break up a pair of children's father and mother? Meddling in other people's business will indeed bring retribution...

  Although Qingyu was not a doctor, she still followed the principle of "a doctor is like a parent" and carefully examined Yaoji. Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed tightly, and she said with some dissatisfaction, "This...is too careless. Already over three months pregnant and still acting like this, it's truly fortunate that the child can be preserved."

  "Maybe she doesn't even know herself."

  Qing Yu disapproved and rolled her eyes, "Three months pregnant and still doesn't know, how stupid can one be? In a few more days, it'll start to show and won't be able to hide it!"

  Ye Li nodded slightly, understanding. The big belly... She looked at the person in front of her who was unconscious with some difficulty, wondering what to do now?

  Mind your own business...

  Digression

  Ugh... Mu Yang and Yao Ji won't be together, even if the plot is so melodramatic... To be honest, I really don't think Mu Yang is a scumbag, of course he also absolutely doesn't have a "one life, one destiny" kind of mentality. Yao Ji isn't a mistress either, Sun Xiao Jie isn't an innocent white lotus but she's not wrong either. Mu Yang likes Yao Ji but he can't give up his responsibilities, Yao Ji likes Mu Yang but she can't accept being a concubine, Sun Xiao Jie did everything wrong and is the most innocent but she must maintain her status and marriage. So... that's just a messy, melodramatic mess~