Metropolitan Ode 35: Leisurely Life vs Scorching Heat

  Leisurely life vs fiery passion

  It wasn't until Ye Liri arrived at the Xu family that she realized Xu Qingchen's claim of needing to learn many things during his stay at the Ye estate was not entirely a polite gesture towards Old Lady Ye. In fact, on the second day after Ye Liri moved into the Xu family's separate courtyard, Second Aunt personally invited Madame Hua, the wife of the Duke of Hua, to teach her how to manage the household and navigate relationships between royal families and high-ranking officials. Additionally, an elderly lady-in-waiting from the palace taught Ye Liri about palace etiquette and rules. Every afternoon, Xu Hongyu would personally explain some strategic tactics to Ye Liri, followed by Xu Qingchen teaching her about appreciating antiques and treasures, as well as providing a detailed analysis of the various powers in the capital. Ye Liri had always thought that she was more experienced than others, having learned many things already. Now, however, she realized that in the eyes of her uncles and cousins in the Xu family, she still fell far short of being an excellent young lady from a noble family. As a result, Ye Liri began to live a life similar to that of students preparing for exams, striving to cram as much knowledge as possible into her brain within a short span of one month.

  "Miss, Miss Qin has arrived." Ye Li was sitting in the pavilion playing chess with Xu Qingbai, while Xu Qingyan watched from the side. Qingfeng came in to report. These days, not only did Ye Li receive an almost force-fed education, but even Qingfeng and Qingxia, who followed her here, were also thoroughly trained by Lin's nanny. Although it had been a short time, Qingfeng had become much more steady than before.

  Xu Qingyan's eyes lit up and he smiled: "Huh? Is that future second sister-in-law?"

  Xu Qingbai put down his chess piece and smiled at Ye Li: "Since we have a guest arriving, let's continue tomorrow."

  Ye Li naturally couldn't get enough of it, but compared to Go, she actually preferred Chinese Chess. In Ye Li's opinion, Go was a very heavy feeling, requiring a broad and profound strategy, without making a sound, mutually infiltrating each other. Chinese Chess, on the other hand, had to be much quicker, with horses galloping and guns firing, soldiers facing off against each other. In Ye Li's heart of hearts, she actually still preferred that kind of thrilling and refreshing feeling, just like in her past life. As she put down the chess pieces together with Xu Qingbai, Ye Li raised her head and smiled: "I'm not good at playing chess, I'm afraid Fourth Brother has already gotten impatient?" Xu Qingbai stood up, shook his head and laughed: "Compared to Little Five, I'd rather play with you." Xu Xiao Wu, the first chess fanatic in the Xu family - a Go chess idiot. He played terribly but was still infatuated with Go, unfortunately, even the servants at home didn't deign to play chess with him. Hearing Xu Qingbai's words, Xu Qingyan looked at Ye Li with a sorrowful face, Ye Li couldn't help but twitch her mouth. It was really unclear whether Fourth Brother was praising or mocking her.

  Qin Zheng was soon invited in, and Xu Qingbai also took Xu Qingyan out.

  "Lier, it seems you're doing well at the Xu's?" Qinzhuan stood outside the pavilion, smiling as he looked at Ye Lier.

  Ye Li's face was covered in dirt, and she pulled Qin Zhuan inside, "I never knew that I still had so much to learn."

  Qin Zhen covered her mouth and smiled secretly, saying: "Ye Bo Mu left early, you have a lot to learn. Who among us didn't start learning from childhood? Moreover, the one you're going to marry isn't an ordinary family, it's the Dingguo Wang Fu. It's no wonder Xu Bo Fu is being so meticulous." Ye Li thought of the two thick military strategy books she had left in her study and couldn't help but have a black face. Those who didn't know would think she was going to war instead of getting married. However, compared to the books Lin Nian Nian and the wet nurse brought, which were about etiquette for women, Ye Li chose more practical and interesting military books.

  "Hehe, never mind that. Has Sister Qin met my second brother?" Ye Li asked with a smile, looking at Qin Zhen.

  Qin Zheng's face was slightly flushed as she glanced at Ye Li and whispered: "Both the eldest young master and second young master have gone out."

  Ye Li let out a slightly regretful sigh, that's all. After thinking for a moment, she leaned in close to Qin Zheng and whispered with a smile: "It's okay, they'll be back."

  Looking at her smiling meaningfully, Qin Zhen's face turned even redder. In a fit of anger, she reached out to pinch her, and Ye Li hurriedly apologized while dodging, "Ah, Qin sister, I was wrong...I know I was wrong...spare my life..." Qin Zhen glared at her fiercely before saying: "You little girl! You...that day when you saw the Crown Prince, why didn't you have even a bit of...". Ye Li's calm demeanor that day still left a deep impression on Qin Zhen. Comparing it to her own restless and anxious heart now, she couldn't help but feel somewhat disheartened and uneasy.

  Ye Li rubbed her nose awkwardly, how could she bear to tell the girl in front of her that she had long passed the age where she would blush at a handsome guy?

  "Cough cough, it's nothing... just calm down. It's not like there's anything wrong with anyone, everyone is equal and no one is better than anyone else." Ye Li tried to comfort her in a somewhat ambiguous way.

  Qin Zheng gave Ye Li a cold stare, and she finally understood that Ye Li, this weirdo, simply didn't comprehend the delicate and beautiful thoughts of a daughter-in-law.

  Ye Li cried injustice: Who doesn't understand...

  Ye Li was living a busy and happy life in the Xu family's separate courtyard, while the Ye family and the Lei Wang Fu were in a state of turmoil. The news of what happened at Chu Xiang Pavilion that day spread throughout the capital through various channels, accompanied by all sorts of speculation and conjecture from the masses. In the city's underground gambling dens, people had even begun placing bets on when the Lei King would abandon Ye Si Miss again. The scandalous news of the Lei King and Qiu Xia Gong Zhu also mysteriously began to spread: the Princess of Nan Zhao fell in love at first sight with the Great Chu Wang Ye, but due to their respective identities, they were forced apart. The princess's old feelings refused to fade, and she traveled thousands of miles to find her lover, only to discover that he had already taken another woman into his heart... This heartbreaking love tragedy was so poignant that it was almost as if someone had written a novel about it and was singing it in tea houses and taverns. As a result, Ye Ying found Mo Jing Lei and tearfully complained to him, but he happened to be at his wit's end at the time, and the two parted ways unhappily. Thus, the rumors grew even more turbulent.

  "Your Highness, Her Royal Highness has summoned you."

  Mo Jingli's face was gloomy as he stepped into the Wang Fu, and the steward who had been waiting for a long time hurried forward to report.

  Mo Jingli nodded and was about to return to her own distant footsteps when she turned around and headed towards Xianzhao Taifei's courtyard.

  "Empress Dowager."

  Xian Zhao Taifei sat on the soft couch, propping up her forehead with a somewhat unpleasant expression. It wasn't until Mo Jing Lei came in that she forced out a smile and said: "Lei'er is here, come sit down."

  "What instructions does the Empress Dowager have?" Mo Jing Lei walked up to the Imperial Consort and asked.

  The Empress Dowager shook her head and said, "I'm just asking you, how's the matter been handled? The wedding is approaching, and if anything else happens, it won't look good for the Emperor." Mo Jing Lei replied in a low voice, "Don't worry, Mother. It's just rumors, nothing will happen." Xian Zhao Empress Dowager frowned and said, "I didn't agree with you marrying Ye Ying from the start, but since she's Ye Shao Yi's sister, I tolerated it. Now look at the mess she's made. Can she still hold up the dignity of the Lei Wang Fu in the future?" Mo Jing Lei's eyes flashed with a hint of cleverness as he respectfully said, "She doesn't understand things, Mother will have to teach her well in the future." Xian Zhao Empress Dowager waved her hand, somewhat annoyed, and said, "Forget it, since things have come to this, it can only be like this. You go tell Ye Ying to behave herself these days before the wedding. Since she wants to be the princess of Lei Wang Fu, she must have the demeanor of a princess. Especially... don't provoke her third sister!"

  "Empress Dowager?"

  The empress let out a laugh and looked at Mo Jing Lei with a helpless expression: "Lei Er, this time you really have misjudged. Although the Empress Dowager cannot see through Ye San Miss's true nature for the time being, how could that woman be truly like what others say - a useless piece of jade? Moreover... even if she is indeed a useless piece of jade, as long as she is not an idiot, she would still be more valuable than Ye Ying. I heard that Xu Hongyu, the head of the Xu family, and several other young masters have arrived in the capital. Now you should understand how much the Xu family values Ye Li."

  Mo Jingli coldly snorted, "The Xu family may have a deep heritage, but they've already withdrawn from the imperial court. Moreover... that Ye Li has no virtues as a woman, and is not worthy of being the main wife of the Li King's Manor."

  The princess sighed softly and nodded: "Alright, as long as you know what's in your heart."

  Mo Jinglei didn't know that the recent days were just the beginning of his misfortune. Even if he had already withdrawn from the imperial court, the energy accumulated by a large family that spanned several hundred years and two dynasties was not something that a mere prince could withstand.

  Digression

  This chapter is over~