The Magnificent Grand Duchess 46: The Unfortunate Newlywed Life

  Yeh Yin's sorrowful new marriage

  "Is the King of Lei and Queen of Lei also here? I have seen His Highness and Her Highness before." The old Duke Hua swept his eyes across the crowd in the hall, pausing briefly on Ye Li before bowing to Mo Jing Lei and Ye Ying.

  Mo Jingli nodded and shifted his gaze away from Mo Xiuyao, who was following behind Huaguo Gong, and frowned: "What's with the old national grandfather?"

  Hua Guo Gong stroked his white beard, smiling complacently: "I've come to act as a matchmaker for Xiuyao and bring the betrothal gifts. Lady Ye, please take a look at these gifts. Is there anything that doesn't meet with your satisfaction? Third Miss, you also take a look, if there's anything lacking, we'll immediately send someone to make it up." Lady Ye had already roughly glanced over the list of betrothal gifts once, how could she dare have any dissatisfaction? She hurriedly smiled and said: "With Lord Hua and Mr. Su personally handling it, how could there be any mistakes?" She handed the list to Ye Li, who also only took a casual glance before handing it to Qing Luan beside her, smiling lightly: "Thank you, Lord Hua and Mr. Su."

  Hua Guo Gong looked at Ye Li for a moment, then turned back to Mo Xiu Yao and nodded with a smile: "The Ye family is indeed good at teaching young ladies, Xiu Yao you're really lucky."

  Mo Xiuyao glanced at Ye Li and smiled without saying a word.

  Su Zhe also nodded in agreement and smiled: "Old Guo Gong is right, Third Miss's poetry, books, and paintings are all worthy of being a talented woman in the capital. The Ye family has good family education."

  Again, with a humble tone of praise, Mrs. Hua sent the two away, citing that they should cultivate their feelings before marriage. Standing outside Le Rong Tang, Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao couldn't help but look at each other, finally turning into a faint smile.

  "I'll take over." Ye Li walked to Mo Xiuyao's back and took over Ah Jin's position, Ah Jin hesitated for a moment and didn't let go immediately. Mo Xiuyao raised his hand and said: "Ah Jin, you can retreat first." The young man looked at Ye Li's face with a hint of surprise, then added more respect that wasn't there before, respectfully handing over the wheelchair to Ye Li, turned around and jumped out of sight in front of the two.

  Ye Li slowly pushed the wheelchair along the flat path towards the garden, Mo Xiuyao slightly turned his head and said softly: "If you're tired, we can stop, actually... I can come myself."

  "I know, but you should also know that I'm not a weak and fragile lady," Ye Li smiled. The wheelchair was obviously carefully crafted, and it didn't take much effort to push it. Ye Li also firmly believed that even if no one pushed the wheelchair, Mu Xiuyao would still be able to move freely on his own, otherwise he wouldn't have sent away his trusted aide. After hearing Ye Li's words, Mu Xiuyao seemed to remember something and let out a light cough, laughing softly, "Be careful recently. Jing Lei is not a good person, he has a bad habit of holding grudges, you could say that he will definitely retaliate. Recently, he suffered several big losses at your hands, he won't let it go easily."

  Ye Li nodded and said somewhat helplessly: "I still don't understand what I did to offend him."

  Mo Xiuyao's eyes, with a hint of mockery, "If you were to be jilted and then acted more dejected, lost, or even suicidal, he probably wouldn't do anything to you. In fact...he might even compensate you in some way for certain reasons." Ye Li was speechless, "So, the reason he's been treating me like that is because my reaction didn't meet his expectations?"

  "It goes without saying."

  "......" Are you kidding me?!

  Ye Li stopped at the stone table by the lotus pond and smiled, "Let's take a break here." It was early May, and the lotus pond only had a patch of green, but it felt refreshing. The maids who followed from afar quickly brought tea and snacks before retreating, leaving only Qingfeng standing not far away waiting for orders. Mo Xiuyao smiled, "The people around you are all very good. Is that maid the one from outside the city that night? Her kung fu is impressive."

  Ye Li turned her head to look at Qing Luan, who was talking to Qing Feng, and said with some embarrassment: "Qing Luan and Qing Yu are both following my eldest uncle. Only Qing Feng has been following me all along." She didn't carefully explain which one was Qing Yu and which one was Qing Feng, believing that the people around her, Mo Xiuyao, would know roughly. Mo Xiuyao smiled and said: "So they're from the Xu family, no wonder. Ye Li's vision is also very good. In that case, when we arrive at the Ding Wang Fu, I won't have to worry either."

  Ye Li furrowed her brow, "You're not talking to me about the future affairs of the Ding Wang Fu, are you?" She had no problem managing a group of extraordinary special forces soldiers, and she could even handle an entire battalion. However, when it came to managing the affairs and industries of a royal palace, despite the days of learning and practice, her heart still felt somewhat apprehensive. Ye Li's conflicted expression clearly pleased Mo Xiu Yao, whose smile in his eyes grew more pronounced as he said, "You are the future mistress of the Ding Guo Wang Fu, so it's better to discuss these matters with you ahead of time to avoid chaos later on. Is there anything wrong with that?"

  "No." Yeli shook her head. She still understood the principle that when one is in a position, they should take care of its affairs. "I hope I won't mess up the royal palace."

  "I have faith in Ah Lian." Mo Xiuyao said with a smile.

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow helplessly, "For your sake, I seem to have no reason to refuse." In her heart, Ye Li actually liked this feeling. In fact, she and Mo Xiu Yao didn't really act like a couple who were engaged to be married, but rather more like friends. They both understood each other's thoughts and were clear about each other's boundaries. Although their emotional connection may not have been deep at the moment, they felt more at ease with each other than a real couple who were engaged to be married. Maybe for their whole lives, they would only have a friendship, or maybe one day they would become each other's family. But who could say for sure what the future held? However, wasn't it something to look forward to?

  "My current situation is not quite suitable for visiting Mr. Xu and Elder Xu. I hope the two seniors won't mind." Mo Xiuyao put down the teacup in his hand and said to Ye Li with some apology.

  "Eldest Uncle already knows the current situation of the Dingguo Royal Manor, and they aren't people who pay attention to those empty formalities. However... didn't Eldest Brother say he went to the Dingguo Royal Manor last time?" Ye Li looked at him curiously, her heart truly curious about how Xu Qingchen, that refined and elegant young master, would express his dissatisfaction and discontent towards his future brother-in-law.

  Mo Xiuyao couldn't help but smile wryly, "It's been many years since we last met, yet Young Master Xu's elegance still makes people envy."

  "I have seen King Li, I have seen Queen Li." Not far from the crossroads, Qing Luan and Qing Feng blocked the way together.

  Mo Jingli coldly laughed and said, "What? This path is one that this king cannot take?"

  Qing Luan and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, this small path only leads to the Lotus Pond, there is no other road ahead. Li Wang clearly saw that his own young lady and Ding Wang were still insisting on going forward, wasn't that looking for trouble? Just as Qing Shuang was about to speak, Mo Xiuyao had already spoken up: "Please come over, Li Wang and Li Wangfei." The two of them then bowed their heads respectfully and said: "Your Highness, please."

  Mo Jingli let out a cold hum and quickly walked towards the lotus pond, where a pair of lovers were sitting quietly. Ye Ying followed behind him, biting her lip with a hint of resentment.

  Mo Jing Lei stood by the table, looking down at Ye Li with a condescending gaze. Ye Li frowned, not liking Mo Jing Lei's unbridled stare one bit.

  "Sit down, Jing Lei." Mo Xiuyao said lightly, extending his hand to Ye Li. Ye Li cooperated and grasped his hand, standing up and sitting beside Mo Xiuyao, yielding the opposite seat to Mo Jing Lei and Ye Ying. Mo Jing Lei sat down without a word, while Ye Ying only managed to catch her breath as she walked in front of the three. Clearly, Mo Jing Lei's unbridled pace was not something that Ye Ying, with her delicate physique, could keep up with.

  "Third sister, it's decided," Ye Ying said softly.

  Ye Li nodded and smiled: "Fourth sister, sit down. How have you been these past few days?"

  Ye Ying slightly lowered her eyelids and softly said: "Thanks for your concern, third sister. I'm fine."

  Ye Li nodded, seeing Ye Ying say so and didn't ask any more questions. Although Ye Ying's expression couldn't be read as if everything was fine, she wasn't really concerned about her either. If Ye Ying had really confided in her, she wouldn't have known what to do. Mo Jing Lei hummed softly and said: "Ying Er is naturally very good, I wonder how Li Er has been these past few days?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, glanced at Mo Xiu Yao sideways, then smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, these past few days have been busy, but everything is fine."

  Mo Jingli's face turned cold, his eyes gloomily staring at Ye Lixiu for a long time before he said to Mo Xiuyao: "I have some things I'd like to discuss with Miss Ye alone."

  Ye Li couldn't help but find it amusing. Actually, from the first time she met Mo Xiu Yao, she had discovered that Mo Jing Lei loved to put on airs in front of him. For example, whenever Mo Xiu Yao was present, Mo Jing Lei would definitely be more likely to look down his nose at people with a condescending expression. In fact, Ye Li really wanted to tell him that when Mo Xiu Yao sat in his wheelchair, he mostly saw his nostrils. So Mo Xiu Yao rarely looked up at him. Also, whenever he spoke to Mo Xiu Yao, he would definitely use the self-appellation "This King". As if speaking like this could make him superior to others. In fact, everyone knew that although Mo Jing Lei was the son of the previous emperor and the current emperor's younger brother, unless he killed his older brother and became the emperor himself, his title for life would be below that of the Supreme Prince of Dingguo.

  "Ying'er, you may take your leave first. The prince and I will chat for a while." Ye Ying was the first to respond to Mo Jingli's words, although her gaze at Ye Li had already become resentful enough to produce venom. Watching Ye Ying's departing figure with a lingering and reluctant gaze, Ye Li let out a soft sigh in her heart. In just two or three days, Ye Ying had already transformed from a proud daughter of a noble family to a resentful wife of a wealthy family? It seemed that Mo Jingli might not have liked Ye Ying as much as the rumors said. If so, then why did Mo Jingli insist on marrying Ye Ying despite going against the late emperor's will? Was it really just a momentary whim?

  "Mo Xiu Yao!" Mo Jing Lei growled in annoyance, seeing that both Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li were completely unfazed by his words.

  "Jing Lei, you should really learn to behave yourself!" Mo Xiuyao gazed at Mo Jing Lei's gloomy face with a hint of pressure that made Mo Jing Lei involuntarily take a step back. "Is it the Emperor who allows you to speak to me like this? Hmm?" Compared to Mo Jing Lei's cold and stern expression, Mo Xiuyao's calm demeanor seemed even more approachable despite wearing half a mask. However, Mo Jing Lei was shocked and enraged to discover that he felt a hint of secret fear towards the man in front of him. This made him both angry and ashamed, and even more unbelievable. His last impression of Mo Xiuyao dated back eight or nine years ago. At that time, their identities and circumstances were similar - they came from the most noble families in Da Chu, and both had an older brother. His brother was the Emperor, while Mo Xiuyao's brother was the King of Dingguo. They didn't need to inherit titles, nor did they have any burdens; even if they slacked off, they could still live a life of luxury. Except that Mo Xiuyao excelled at everything he did! So from a young age, Mo Jing Lei had looked down on Mo Xiuyao. When he was diligently studying to gain his father's praise, Mo Xiuyao already received the admiration of everyone, including his father. When he took pride in his exceptional martial arts skills, Mo Xiuyao had already made a name for himself as an undefeated war god on the battlefield, adding more glory to the Dingguo Kingdom. As a youth, he disliked Mo Xiuyao but wasn't afraid of him. If he didn't like something, he would just fight it out; even if he lost, it was no big deal - one day he would win. But...he never thought that eight years later, after he had already written off Mo Xiuyao as a waste, he would actually be afraid of him!

  What a great shame!

  "Your Highness, King of Lei." Ye Li frowned at Mo Jing Lei's sinister and ferocious expression, not doubting that if they were in a different place, with a different person, Mo Jing Lei would have already torn the person opposite him to shreds. "Whatever it is, just say it directly. I don't have anything to hide from Xiu Yao."

  "Isn't there something that can't be said?" Mo Jing Lei quickly calmed down and put on a mocking expression, "Ye Li, are you certain?"

  Ye Li looked at him incomprehensibly, but Mo Jing Lei seemed to think he had grasped Ye Li's weakness. "So do you want to talk about what happened on the eve of my grand wedding and on the day of the grand wedding itself?"

  Ye Li looked at him with some sympathy, this guy absolutely didn't know that he would be so embarrassed on his big wedding day to faint on the spot, thanks to Mo Xiu Yao's contribution. "Big wedding day? Are you saying that you fainted and delayed the ceremony? At this time... Ye Li expressed deep regret."

  "Ye Li!" Mo Jing Lei gritted his teeth, staring at the innocent and sympathetic-looking woman in front of him. "Can't this king fulfill your wish by not attending the wedding ceremony?"

  Ye Li looked puzzled, "What do you mean, Your Highness? Although Ye Li and Fourth Sister have had some unpleasantness in the past, it's not to the point where she would be so vicious as to hope that Fourth Sister wouldn't make it through the ceremony. Your Highness is slandering me like this, how can I...how can I still show my face to Fourth Sister?" Trying to frame her and make Mo Xiu Yao misunderstand? Mo Jing Lei's tricks were clearly not enough. Ye Li wore a faintly aggrieved expression, stubbornly staring at Mo Jing Lei, perfectly playing the role of a wrongly accused golden miss.

  Originally, Mo Xiuyao was about to speak up for Ye Li, but he couldn't help watching the beautiful girl in front of him with a relaxed expression. Even he couldn't resist wanting to applaud her brilliant performance. It seemed that Ye Li didn't need his reminder after all, she could handle most things better than he had expected. After thinking for a moment, just as Mo Jingli was about to get angry again, Mo Xiuyao finally spoke up: "A Li doesn't have to be like this, no matter what others say, I still believe in A Li."

  Ye Li lowered her eyelids and said softly: "If Xiuyao can believe me, that would be great. Otherwise... I really don't know what to do."

  "Ye Li, you're great!" Mo Jingli finally threw out a sentence and left swiftly like the wind.

  Ye Li couldn't help but shrug her shoulders and let out a light sigh. People like Mo Jing Lei, if you slightly offend him, he will remember the grudge until death. Unless you are willing to humble yourself, step on mud, and go apologize to him, letting him humiliate you enough, ordinary concessions are absolutely not enough. Moreover, this person has extremely powerful backers, the current Emperor and Empress Dowager. "I seem to have made an enemy for you?"

  "No, he and I were never on good terms." Mu Xi Yao said calmly.

  Ye Li blinked her eyes, "Can you tell me about it?"

  "When I was young, he hid my homework and got me beaten by Father King. I returned a slap from the previous emperor's board. In his youth, he suspected that I seduced his heartthrob, had someone put medicine in my wine at a banquet, and finally drank the cup of wine himself. Once during a martial arts competition, I accidentally kicked him off the stage, and the next day I was beaten by more than ten masters from the imperial court. Ten days later, Feng Zhiyao and I hung him on a large willow tree in the capital... Hmm, just in time to be seen by his heartthrob."

  "It's indeed... a deep-seated grudge." Ye Li was speechless. Although she had heard people mention before how Mo Xiuyao was radiant and spirited in his youth, looking at the gentle and calm man now, Ye Li still found it hard to imagine that Mo Xiuyao also had a mischievous and troublesome past.

  "Feng Zhiyao told me that on the day of the grand wedding, he found the unconscious Prince Li Wang behind the artificial hill in the garden of the Li Wang Fu. Without the people who get in the way, Mo Xiuyao smiled at Ye Lian."

  Ye Li smiled with a pure face, "It seems that Mo Jing Lei has indeed offended many people." She could absolutely guarantee that no one saw her take action against Mo Jing Lei, even Feng Zhi Yao should have only speculated. Mo Xiu Yao's eyes flashed with a smile, nodding: "Indeed it is. However... although Jing Lei usually doesn't have much brains, but the two in the palace and Xian Zhao Taifei are not brainless either. So..."

  Ye Li nodded seriously, "I understand." The two in the palace and Xian Zhao Taifei can be said to have emerged from the bloody path of dozens of concubines and sons of the former emperor. Of course, it's not comparable to Mo Jing Lei, this well-protected prince. Provoking them is absolutely harmful and useless. After bowing her head in thought, Ye Li said: "I'm afraid... I've already been targeted."

  Mo Xiuyao glanced at the maids standing not far away, nodded slightly and said: "No matter who it is, they won't be at ease. It's not that they're targeting you, it's just that you're more likely to catch their attention. Before the wedding, the palace will probably find an excuse to summon you once. At that time... bring that maid called Qingyu with you." Ye Li looked at him in confusion, and Mo Xiuyao explained softly: "Xu Da Gongzi told me that the maid seems to have good medical skills."

  Ye Li nodded slightly, raising her hand to gently touch the center of her eyebrows where a slight headache was forming. Mo Xiuyao smiled and poured her a cup of hot tea, asking with a smile: "Headache?"

  Ye Li nodded honestly, "I think I'm not good at these things." These mind-games and calculations really gave her a headache. Didn't these people know how to be tired?

  "Sorry." Mu Xiuyao looked at her lightly.

  Ye Li waved her hand, not paying much attention to the matter, saying: "I guess even if the Emperor didn't point me out to you, he would still point me out to someone who doesn't get along with him." The Xu family's background was too special, and no matter who the Emperor pointed Ye Li to, he wouldn't be able to rest easy. Just like the several young masters of the Xu family, Xu Qingchen was already 22 years old, yet he hadn't gotten married or engaged, and the Emperor had never considered arranging a marriage for him. She even suspected that the Emperor hoped Xu Qingchen would never get married in his lifetime, or if he did, it would be to someone like Xu Qingze's wife - a woman from a family with only a good reputation but no actual power. Or else, it would be to a princess. Thinking of this, Ye Li looked up and asked: "Are there still any unmarried princesses in the palace?"

  Mo Xiu Yao nodded and said: "The youngest princess of the previous emperor, Princess Linlang, and the eldest princess of the current emperor, Princess Fangfei, are both twelve years old this year. How is that?"

  Ye Li shook her head, hoping she was thinking too much. Xu Qingchen wouldn't possibly marry a twelve-year-old little girl, would he? But then there were Xu Qingbai and Xu Qingyan...

  As soon as Ye Li's expression changed, Mo Xiuyao guessed what she was thinking. He nodded and said: "In the past, both the emperor and the previous emperor had hinted that they wanted to marry the princess to Xu Qingchen, but were rejected by Mr. Qingyun." The Xu family not marrying a royal woman is also an unusual example among the great aristocratic families of Chu. It's worth noting that although marrying one means having no relationship with the imperial court and power from then on, and can only live a life of luxury with a nominal title as a prince consort. This is absolutely a nightmare for young men from aristocratic families who have ambitions and aspirations. However, many aristocratic families are still willing to let their younger sons without inheritance rights marry a princess. After all, this means that the family's bloodline will be merged with the royal family from then on, meaning the emperor's favor and glory. But in the history of the Xu family, which has been passed down for two dynasties and hundreds of years, at least five sons have refused to marry a princess. A hundred years ago, the head of the Xu family even established a rule that Xu family members were not allowed to intermarry with the royal family, not even if they were illegitimate children. Therefore, the royal family also stopped proposing marriage between the princess and the Xu family.

  "The palace should already know about Second Uncle's group entering the capital, right?" Ye Li asked.

  Mo Xiu Yao nodded and said, "Although it's a private trip to the capital, Mr. Hong Yu didn't intentionally hide his tracks. This kind of thing can't be hidden even if one wants to, and Ye Shangshu is indeed loyal to the emperor with an honest heart. Trying to cover it up would only raise suspicions."

  Ye Li smiled and said: "That makes sense. Anyway, I still need to go pay my respects to my uncle, and it's a good opportunity to ask him for advice on many things."

  "Give my regards to Mr. Hongyu."

  In the Fang Yi courtyard of the Wang family, Ye Ying was crying bitterly in Mrs. Wang's arms. Mrs. Wang dismissed the maid and hugged her daughter, comforting her, "Ying'er, what's wrong? You just got married, how could it be like this? Did Li Wang mistreat you?" Ye Ying looked up at her mother's worried and loving face, and cried even more sorrowfully, "Mother...I'm so miserable..."

  "What's wrong? Did King Li really treat you badly? Don't be afraid, good daughter, let's go back and tell your father. Your father loves you the most and will definitely stand up for you." Wang Shi hastily said.

  Ye Ying wiped away her tears and sobbed: "What can Father do? What can he do to the Li Wang Fu? In the past, when the Li Wang Fu so casually betrothed him, didn't he say anything at all! Father doesn't care about me at all."

  The king's family was speechless, and the other side said that the Li Wangfu's betrothal gift was inferior, but it was only a matter of dignity. How could the virtuous Empress Dowager personally prepare the betrothal gift and lose face for the Li Wangfu? Moreover, Ye Ying was also very satisfied at that time. It's just that now seeing the Ding Wangfu being so serious about inviting the Huaguo Gong and Su Lao to make a formal proposal, Ye Ying felt that she couldn't compare to Ye Li and had no face. Although the king's family was also somewhat uncomfortable in her heart, she still knew what was important. She gently patted Ye Ying's back, who was crying and choking, and said: "Foolish child, how can this matter be blamed on your father? The betrothal gift from the Li Wangfu was not inappropriate, and you yourself were clear about it, weren't you? If there was anything wrong with it, how could your father and grandmother have let you marry like that? It's just that Ye Li's marriage date is set after yours, so the Ding Wangfu has to make her betrothal gift thicker than yours in order to save face. But think about it carefully, what else does she have besides the betrothal gift? The Li Wang is the emperor's younger brother, and he is both civil and martial, with a handsome appearance that is one of the best in the capital. That Ding Wang is now just an idle king without power or influence, sitting in a wheelchair, and his face is ruined. How can you not be better than her?"

  Ye Ying bit her cherry lips and said in a low voice: "But... there are still several concubines in the prince's mansion."

  Wang was taken aback, then burst out laughing and hugged Ye Ying, saying with a smile: "Silly girl, which man's house doesn't have several women? You must remember that you are the legitimate wife of King Li. Look at our own home, aren't there many women here too? What can be done about it? Aren't they all obedient to me? Come on, tell me honestly, how have you been spending these past few days?"

  When it comes to Ye Ying's new married life, it can't be described with just two words "unfortunate". On the wedding day, they missed the auspicious hour for the welcoming ceremony, and the groom, Mo Jing Lei, fainted. After being sent back to the bridal chamber, he was given medicine by a doctor but didn't wake up. Meanwhile, Ye Ying, as the new bride, had to remove her red veil herself and take care of her sleeping husband on an empty stomach. By the time Mo Jing Lei woke up, it was almost dawn, and Ye Ying didn't even have time to rest or tidy herself before going to pay respects to Empress Xian Zhao.

  Empress Xian Zhao was already dissatisfied with Ye Ying as a daughter-in-law, and when she saw Ye Ying's pale face despite her heavy makeup, she blew up. She criticized Ye Ying from head to toe, comparing her unfavorably to Ye Li, the person Ye Ying disliked the most. Originally confident in herself, Ye Ying slowly lost her composure as Empress Xian Zhao went on about how elegant and refined Ye Li was the day before, while Ye Ying was frivolous and rude.

  Ye Li would have told Ye Ying: "Poor child, you fell into Empress Xian Zhao's trap. She's just pretending to be angry." After decades in the palace, Empress Xian Zhao couldn't possibly get angry so easily. It was clear that she intentionally poked at Ye Ying's weaknesses and used it as an excuse to scold her, or rather, give her a warning.

  If the misfortune ended there, Ye Ying would not be so miserable. However, after serving the imperial consort and returning to her own courtyard, she saw four or five women waiting for her, dressed in bright and beautiful clothes, each with their own unique beauty. Ye Ying's blood almost burst out of her head. She had no idea that Mo Jing Lei already had five concubines before their grand wedding. Moreover, she couldn't do anything about these concubines because they were either gifted by the imperial consort or the empress dowager. They were either daughters of low-ranking officials or high-ranking officials' illegitimate daughters. Ye Ying kept thinking about her grandmother's teachings and used all her strength to suppress her anger to deal with those women. When she returned to her room, instead of being greeted by her gentle new husband, she was met with the cold and icy account books held by the steward and accountant of the manor. Ye Ying was indeed a talented woman skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but that didn't mean she was good at managing the household or accounting. She had always despised these mundane tasks, thinking they would tarnish her elegant and refined temperament. But under the disapproving gazes of the imperial consort and the accountants, she felt like a fool for the first time. Two days later, before she could even finish going through the seemingly endless account books, Empress Dowager Xianzhao coldly told her that she no longer needed to manage these accounts. Ye Ying let out a sigh of relief but also realized that she had lost the right to manage the Mo King's manor.

  After hearing Ye Ying's words, Wang Shi's face also couldn't help but look ugly. If Ye Ying didn't have the right to manage the Wang Fu, then she was completely just a decoration as the Li King's consort. For the first time, Wang Shi regretted being too doting and indulgent towards this daughter. If only she had taught her more back then, they wouldn't have encountered such problems. However, what Wang Shi didn't understand was that compared to Xian Zhao Taifei, it wasn't a matter of teaching her more, even if she herself went personally, it would be useless. From the start, Ye Ying was destined not to get the rights that should belong to the mistress of the Wang Fu.

  "What... does 'Li Wang' mean?" King asked, pulling at Ye Ying.

  Yeying shed tears and said, "The king said that the queen is taking pity on me because I'm young and helped me manage the palace. After two years when we have children, I'll have learned enough to take over, it's not too late."

  Madam Wang's eyes flashed, "Right, child. The king was right, Ying'er, you should indeed give birth to the king's eldest son as soon as possible. You must remember, it's the eldest son. Absolutely cannot let those women give birth to the king's children before you." Ye Ying was startled, looking at Madam Wang with some hesitation, Madam Wang said softly: "Good child, don't be afraid. Mother will tell you what to do. You are the king's legitimate wife, giving birth to the king's eldest son is a matter of course. So those women absolutely cannot get pregnant before you. Understand?" Looking at the cold glint in Madam Wang's eyes, Ye Ying quickly nodded. Only then did Madam Wang reveal a satisfied smile and pull Ye Ying down to sit and discuss in detail.

  The mother and daughter were teaching each other, just as they were getting into the spirit of it, a maid came to report that the master had arrived.

  The Wang family was overjoyed, and pulled Ye Ying to smile: "Look, your father still cares about you." Hurriedly pulling Ye Ying together to welcome Ye Shangshu. When Ye Shangshu came in and saw Ye Ying, he first hesitated before saying: "How is it that Ying'er is here?" Ye Ying lowered her head with a hint of resentment: "Ying'er has returned home, naturally she would be speaking with her mother. Does Father think his daughter is somewhere else?" Ye Shangshu slightly furrowed his brow and couldn't help but take another look at Ye Ying. He felt that this daughter seemed somewhat different after not seeing her for a few days. However, he soon attributed it to the fact that his daughter had grown up since getting married and becoming someone's wife, so he didn't ask any more questions.

  After Ye Shangshu sat down and was served tea, Wang asked: "Master, you didn't accompany Hua Guogong and Su Lao Da Ren, why did you come over at this time?"

  Ye Shangshu said, "The old national duke and Su Lao have already eaten and returned, I came to discuss with you the matter of Li'er's dowry." Wang Shi felt a bad premonition in her heart, "Li'er's dowry? Isn't it already prepared? What problem does Master think there is?" Ye Shangshu nodded, glancing at Ye Ying sitting on one side, "I discussed with Mother, and we decided to add two more estates, one courtyard, two shops, and eight thousand taels of silver to Li'er's dowry."

  "What?!?" Wang's voice rose to a shriek, almost knocking over the teacup in front of her. Ye Ying also stared at Ye Shangshu with an incredulous expression.

  Ye Shangshu frowned in dissatisfaction and said, "This is what the old lady meant."

  The Wang family's lady struggled to hold back her screams, her eyes red as she stared at Ye Shangshu: "Why? Yu'er and Ying'er are also the old master's legitimate daughters, the old madam's own granddaughters. The old madam is being too biased. Yu'er is already in the palace, but this will make it difficult for Ying'er to stand firm in the Lei Wang Fu in the future." Ye Shangshu impatiently said: "What nonsense are you talking about? You know very well what's going on with Ying'er's dowry. How much did you secretly add and think we don't know?" The Wang family's lady spoke softly, somewhat unwillingly: "Did Lier not also secretly add some? The dowry for the eldest daughter when she got married was not even as much as her spare change."

  Ye Shangshu said coldly, "Don't you know where the dowry left by Lier's mother for Zhen'er went? Moreover, the extra dowry of Lier was left by her mother and was given by the Xu family. The extra ones of Ying'er are all from the Ye family!"

  "Master..." Wang's face was filled with sorrow as she gazed at Ye Shangshu, her body swaying unsteadily. "I knew it... Master, you've always looked down on me. It's all because my family background is humble and not as noble as my sister's..." Before she could finish speaking, Wang had already burst into tears, wailing, "Waaah... I should have known better, and now my daughter has been disdained by Master too... I might as well have died back then..."

  "What are you talking about?!" Seeing his wife's sorrowful appearance, Ye Shangshu's heart softened. He thought of how he had been neglecting her for Zhao's sake these past few days and couldn't help but say.

  Wang's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Ye Shangshu with a sorrowful expression, "Doesn't Master look down on me?"

  "Alright, don't get any wrong ideas, when have I ever looked down on you?"

  Wang stopped her tears and looked at Ye Shangshu with emotion, "Bi'er knows that Master will always be good to Bi'er."

  Ye Shangshu looked at Ye Ying, somewhat uncomfortable, and hummed in agreement. Ye Ying, sitting on the side, also seemed to be thinking deeply, still surprised by her mother's tactics to win over her father. Although she had watched her mother make a show of being shy and girlish, which was somewhat unbearable, her father clearly fell for it. The great madam from back then was someone Ye Ying remembered well. It could be said that Ye Ying had always been striving to become a woman like the great madam since she was young. So, in reality, she never quite understood why her father would abandon the beautiful, elegant, and talented great madam for her own mother. At one point, she even doubted whether she had been working hard in the wrong direction. However, after growing up and receiving praise from the ladies of the capital and the admiring gazes of men, she realized that she hadn't been mistaken.

  "Old master, then... Lian'er's dowry..."

  "Yeshangshu frowned and said, 'This is something that Old Lady Ye has decided. If you have any opinions, go tell her yourself.' Although Yeshangshu was a bit muddled about private matters in his own household, he was not too confused when it came to official business. He immediately pushed Old Lady Ye out as a shield."

  Wang naturally didn't dare to ask Old Lady Ye, if she dared to confront Old Lady Ye, she would have found a way to poison that old woman who always looked down on her with her nose and loved to point fingers.

  Seeing his wife and daughter looking wronged but not daring to speak, Ye Shangshu sighed and said: "You also know what kind of betrothal gifts were sent by the Ding Wangfu. Although there is Li'er's mother's dowry to support it, outsiders can't see anything. But which family in the capital doesn't know each other's roots? If any rumors come out, our Ye family won't be able to live in the capital anymore." Greedily taking the rich betrothal gifts from the son-in-law's family but not being able to give corresponding dowry is something that would make people point and laugh at their back.

  Wang thought of the long list of betrothal gifts from the Ding Wang Fu, and had to admit that even though the Ding Guo Wang Fu had declined, it was still a wealthy and powerful family.

  "If this gets out, it won't be the Dingguo Wangfu and Lier who will lose face. It'll be our Ye family, and also Consort Shao in the palace." Ye Shangshu continued.

  As soon as the imperial concubine Ye Zhaoyi was mentioned, Wang's expression became even more unsettled. Just thinking about having to give away several tens of thousands of taels of silver again made her heart ache. After some deliberation, she said in a low voice: "The master and mistress have thought this through carefully, I was just momentarily mistaken. Please don't mind me, let's do as the master says. I'm not in the mood to deal with these things now."

  Ye Shangshu looked at her in surprise, "What? What happened to Ying'er?"

  Wang dragged Ye Ying and told her all about what had happened in the Li Wang Fu in great detail. Even Ye Shangshu couldn't help but feel his anger rising as he listened. Perhaps Ye Ying couldn't see that Xianzhao Taifei was intentionally trying to take away her right to manage the household, but how could Wang and Ye Shangshu not see it? Who had ever heard of a new daughter-in-law taking charge of managing the household on her first day? And deciding after just two days that Ye Ying wasn't suitable for managing the household? Even the most demanding and cruel mother-in-law wouldn't do such a thing.

  "Too deceitful! I'll go find King Li and demand an explanation for the Ye family!" Minister Ye said in anger.

  Ye Ying hastily pulled Ye Shangshu back, not letting him leave. Ye Shangshu furrowed his brow and said, "Ying'er, what are you doing?" Ye Ying spoke in a low voice, "Father, let's put this matter off for now. The prince has already agreed to the empress dowager's request. Even if we go talk to him now, it will only displease the prince." After crying for a while and being comforted by Wang Shi, Ye Ying was very clear that her only support now was Mo Jingli, so she absolutely could not afford to displease him.

  "Is that all?" Ye Shangshu said, comparing the gentle and polite Mo Xiuyao with the arrogant Mo Jingli. He was even more dissatisfied with this son-in-law. Why did he have to be in such a situation? Ye Shangshu thought regretfully.

  "Ying'er will think of a way, if it still doesn't work, then ask Father to take charge."

  Ye Shangshu let out a soft sigh and said to his daughter with a sympathetic tone, "Alright, although the Prince of Lei is the Empress Dowager's own son, we don't have to be so afraid of him. The Emperor is not an unreasonable person, if all else fails, we can ask the Emperor to intervene. Let's prepare some extra silver for Ying'er just in case."

  "Yes, I'll thank you on behalf of Ying'er."

  Digression

  I'm so annoyed with the endless updates ~ my fingers are really going to cramp up, aren't they? I just saw that I have a lot of flowers and diamonds, as well as rewards from several dear friends. Thank you guys ~ holding back tears for a moment ~ haha ~