The Imperial Capital Rhapsody 10: Aunt Zhao Seeks Help

  Aunt Zhao seeks help

  "Slave seeks Third Miss to point out a way to survive." Zhao yiniang knelt on the ground and begged in a low voice.

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow, lowered her head to fiddle with the jewelry in the box, and said inexplicably: "What did Madam Zhao say? Who doesn't know that Father dotes on Madam Zhao the most in our mansion now? What good things aren't all about Madam Zhao's here? Is it... that Madam Zhao still has something to be dissatisfied with?"

  The smile on Zhao's face was somewhat bitter, "I don't dare. Although I have a humble origin, I've also studied for several years, how could I not know that this is indeed a glorious time? Only afraid... when the mistress has time to deal with me, it will be my death sentence."

  Qingfeng frowned and said, "What is this nonsense, Zhao Niangniang? How can you say such things in front of our young mistress? Besides, our young mistress will be getting married soon, what can she do to help you? You'd better go beg the old madam and master instead." Qingfeng was very displeased with Zhao Niangniang's intention of using their own young mistress to deal with Wang Shi.

  "Qingfeng is right, you also know that I will be married in two months. Even if I can help you for a while, it's probably not worth much use. Moreover... why should I offend the imperial concubine in the palace for your sake? As long as Ye Concubine and Fourth Sister are there, whether it's you or me, we're no match for Madame." Ye Li stared at her, asking indifferently.

  Madam Zhao's vermilion lips were slightly pale as she bit them, how could she not know this principle? But knowing it, what can be done? Originally thinking that having a child would give her something to rely on, but Wang Shi wouldn't even allow her to have children. In the past few days, she had been feeling that something was off around her. If it weren't for this sudden imperial marriage, Wang Shi might have already made a move against her. "Third Miss, I don't ask for anything else, just please help me keep my child safe. I will definitely be grateful for your great kindness!"

  "You..."

  Aunt Zhao nodded with tears in her eyes, saying: "I've only been in the mansion for a few months, but I've already lost one child. This child must be kept no matter what, please Miss Third help me out."

  Ye Li let out a light sigh and nodded at Qingfeng. Qingfeng walked forward to help up Zhao Yiniang to sit down on a chair, her right hand briefly rested on Zhao Yiniang's wrist before letting go, and she subtly nodded at Ye Li.

  Ye Li handed the handkerchief given by Qingfeng to Zhao Niang, saying softly: "It's not that I don't want to help you, but I really can't help. Two months later, I will leave the mansion, and looking at your appearance, it will take at least a few more months for the baby to be born?" Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Zhao Niang's face, tightly clutching the handkerchief in her hand as she wept: "Is it... is it that this child is destined not to come into this world? I... I only hope he can be born safely and live well, even if he's not in Ye Mansion or a young master of the Ye family."

  Ye Li quietly watched her painful expression, she saw clearly that what Zhao Niang said at this time was all true, she was indeed for the sake of this child's life and not for her own future possible wealth and glory. Ye Li is not a cold-blooded person, but at the same time, she is also not an impulsive hot-blooded person.

  "Third Miss! As long as I can give birth to this child, I am willing to adopt him under the name of the late madam to continue her ancestral line. I can swear that for my whole life, I will never acknowledge him!"

  Ye Li's expression didn't change, and she looked at her calmly, saying: "My mother passed away many years ago, and I don't care about the incense inheritance. Besides, first of all, this child is not yet determined to be a boy or girl, secondly, considering his age, even if you never acknowledge him, won't he guess it himself when he grows up? If he is adopted under my mother's name, this child will become the legitimate son, with a status above Wang Shi's son Rong Ge Er. I'm afraid that even if he is born, he might not survive." Since her mother passed away, there have been no more children born in the mansion. With Wang Shi's temperament, would she allow someone to surpass her own son?

  Aunt Zhao also knew that she had spoken impulsively, and with a hint of remorse, she lowered her head, her eyes reddening as she said: "It was the servant's mistake. Please, Third Miss, save the servant... no matter what... this child is also Third Miss's flesh and blood..."

  Ye Li sank into thought for a moment, then asked: "Father's favor and this child, which one do you want?"

  Zhao Yiniang was taken aback, not understanding why Ye Li would ask such a question. But she quickly regained her composure, thought for a moment, and a determined look flashed across her face as she gritted her teeth and said: "I want the child, as long as the child lives well, even if I never see them again, it's fine!"

  "I've heard that some people's fate is bad, which can affect the marriage and children of their family members." The room fell silent for a while, before Ye Li's voice floated up softly.

  "Third Miss wants me...?!" Zhao's wife stared at the calm girl in front of her in surprise.

  "Don't take matters into your own hands, leaving traces will only make things worse."

  Zhao Yiniang finally understood why Ye Li asked if she wanted children or the old master's favor. Now that the fourth miss of the mansion is about to marry King Lei as his official consort, and the only son of the Ye family born by Lady Wang has always been in poor health, if she were to gain a reputation for being unlucky, she would never again receive the old master's favor this lifetime. It was very likely that she would be expelled from the household or sent to a separate courtyard or temple outside the city to cultivate herself. Currently, there was a joyful occasion at the mansion, so they absolutely wouldn't easily expel her from the household; it would be sending her out of the mansion instead. If they were ruthless enough to send her even farther away, she feared that this lifetime she would never return to the capital.

  "I can only help you with this, what you said is right, and you are my younger sister. Our family has a separate courtyard in Yunzhou, if you go there I will ensure your mother and child's safety. You think about it yourself, and let me know when you've made up your mind." After saying that, Ye Li didn't care about Zhao Niang's reaction anymore, got up and walked into the inner room.

  Although Zhao Yiniang was born into a humble family, she had also been the daughter of a scholarly family. She naturally knew what Yunzhou was and that it was the location of Rui Shan Academy, the best academy in Da Chu, which belonged to the Xu family. Ye Li said that going to Yunzhou would indeed allow her to protect herself, not just flattering herself. Regardless of her identity, even if she were a member of the royal family, she couldn't become the legitimate wife of the king. Yunzhou was a place where culture and talent thrived; if she could give birth to a boy... it would be better than waiting in the palace to be killed by the Wang family. After thinking this through, Zhao Yiniang got up again and knelt down, "Your servant thanks Third Miss for her great kindness!"

  Ye Li's foot paused for a moment, and she said lightly: "This is your own choice." The clear figure disappeared behind the screen.

  Ye Li sat down and casually picked up a book to read. As for Zhao Niang's matter, there were better ways to solve it, but she would have to stir up a lot of trouble herself. In this world, which woman wasn't a pitiful person? Even if she wanted to help, she couldn't, and she didn't have such great abilities either. Before long, Qingfeng walked in with tea, "Miss is reading books again? We're not taking the imperial exam."

  "Going back?" Ye Li put down her book and asked.

  Qingfeng nodded and said: "They were still making a scene at the entrance of the courtyard before they left."

  "Zhao Yiniang is a clever person. She might even go back and report to Father about me." Ye Li took the teacup from Qingfeng's hand, smiling as she spoke.

  Qingfeng was somewhat worried, "The master won't punish the young lady, will he?"

  "Even if Father is biased, he won't punish his daughter who's about to get married just because of a few words from her aunt."

  "That's good. I forgot, our young lady is the future queen consort." Even if it were Queen Li who saw her, she would still have to greet and ask after her well-being. "Our young lady agreed to help her so quickly, what if in the future she turns around and bites us..." Qing Shuang said with some concern.

  "She's too spoiled, Mrs. Won't put up with her. She's a clever person and naturally knows the cost of what I need to pay."

  "It's fine as long as you have a number in mind."