Imperial Capital 32. My Cousin is Here

Rongle Hall

Ye Li sat in his seat as usual, watching the different looks of the people present, as if he saw nothing. Minister Ye looked at his third daughter who looked calm and his fourth daughter who looked aggrieved, and felt a throbbing pain in his forehead. He wanted to blame Ye Li as usual, but seeing Ye Li's indifferent expression, the old man who had been working in the court for decades suddenly realized that this was not the best choice. It might also lead to some consequences that he didn't want to face.

Old Madam Ye was still high above, taking in the expressions of everyone present. She recalled that the servant had just reported that it was Prince Ding's carriage that personally sent his granddaughter to the gate of the mansion. Although no one saw Prince Ding himself, it was basically certain that it was Prince Ding who personally sent Ye Li back. Looking at Ye Ying with a face full of resentment, Old Madam Ye felt even more disappointed with this spoiled granddaughter. Since Li'er and Prince Ding were arranged to be married, Prince Li showed less and less care for Ying'er than the legend said. Of course, this might be due to Ye Ying's reputation during this period. But even an old woman like her who never went out could notice such an obvious change. Could it be that her smart and clever granddaughter didn't feel anything at all? She didn't think about how to hold on to Prince Li, and she was always looking for trouble with her sisters. Didn't she understand that no matter how unloved Li'er was, she was still the daughter of the Ye family and would be a help to the Ye family in the future? For the first time, Old Lady Ye began to doubt whether it was a mistake to use Ye Ying to exchange Ye Li and Prince Li's marriage.

"That's enough. Ying'er, Li'er is your sister. Be aware of your behavior as a younger sister." Old Madam Ye said.

Ye Ying was startled, and couldn't believe that Old Madam Ye would actually speak for Ye Li. Her eyes were red with grievance, and she bit her bright red lips and said, "But grandma...she, how could she embarrass Li in public...this makes Ying'er..."

Pah! Madam Ye slammed her hand heavily on the table and said in a cold voice: "You embarrassed Prince Li! Prince Li made things difficult for Li'er in front of so many people. Why didn't he think about whether it would embarrass the Ye family? Or does he think that my Ye family must belong to Prince Li?" Madam Ye looked at Ye Ying with some disappointment as she was about to say something. She completely disregarded the family's reputation and interests for the sake of a man. Can such a granddaughter really be expected to bring any benefits to the Ye family in the future? I'm afraid that one day she might be able to sell the Ye family for Prince Li. Or does she think that her reputation will be better if Li'er's reputation is ruined? Prosperity and adversity are shared by all. She doesn't even understand what Wang has taught her all these years? A cold gaze swept over Wang, and Wang couldn't help but shudder and didn't dare to meet Madam Ye's gaze directly.

“Daddy…”

Minister Ye frowned in a troubled manner, he was also somewhat dissatisfied with Mo Jingli. He could pretend that he didn't know that Prince Li wanted to make things difficult for Li'er, but that had to be done in private. By making things difficult and ridiculing so blatantly, he was not hitting Ye Li's face but trampling on the reputation of the Ye family. If it weren't for the second daughter in the palace and the little grandson who was about to be born, what would happen even if he was the emperor's biological brother? How could he tolerate it so much? "Ying'er, your grandmother is right. Even if you become Princess Li, you are still the daughter of the Ye family. Do you think you can stand firm in Princess Li without the support of the Ye family and your second sister? No matter whether it is your second sister or your eldest sister, third sister, fifth sister, or sixth sister, as long as you sisters are in harmony and support each other, no one can bully you in the future. Do you understand?"

"But... Third sister offended not only Prince Li today, but also Princess Qixia. Maybe even the eldest princess will blame us." Ye Ying looked at Ye Li unwillingly. She didn't take what Minister Ye said to heart. In Ye Ying's heart, apart from her second sister in the palace, the other daughters of the Ye family were not worthy of being compared with her. She was the future Princess Li. How could she need their support?

Ye Li raised her eyes and said softly, "Don't worry, fourth sister. When I came back, I had someone send a letter of apology and gifts to the Princess's Mansion. The Prince Dingguo's Mansion will also send someone to explain to the Princess. The Princess is magnanimous and will not blame us ignorant young people for such a small matter." Of course, the Qin Mansion, Murong Mansion and Duke Hua's Mansion also went to apologize at the same time.

Hearing this, Old Lady Ye smiled appreciatively and said, "Li'er handled this matter very well. Since it was in public and Princess Qixia was at fault first, Princess Zhaoyang always distinguishes right from wrong and will not argue with the youngster. His Royal Highness Prince Ding is also thoughtful. He can send a return gift to Prince Ding's Mansion and say thank you Prince Ding for personally sending Li'er back. This... let Li'er handle it herself. If you want to send something, just go to the warehouse and get it." After hesitating for a while, Old Lady Ye still handed the matter over to Ye Li. She was really a little worried about the Wang family. Although the Ye family did not need to please Prince Ding's Mansion now, they could not make the relationship worse.

"Li'er understands, please rest assured, grandma." Ye Li stood up and responded.

Wang's face turned pale. Interpersonal relations are the responsibility of the mistress of the house. If it was done in Ye Li's personal name, it would be fine. But in the name of the Ye family, it was embarrassing for her, the mistress of the house. Old Madam Ye didn't give her a chance to speak. She frowned and said, "If you have time, you might as well take care of Ying'er's dowry. Don't forget that there is not much time left for the divorce."

"Yes." Wang responded timidly.

"Master, Madam..."

The nanny beside Old Madam Ye came in hurriedly, took a look at Ye Li, and then walked to Old Madam Ye and said, "Old Madam, the eldest son Xu and the second, third, fourth, and fifth sons of the Xu family are here to visit."

"What?!" Minister Ye jumped up from his chair in surprise. If several sons of the Xu family came to visit at the same time, didn't that mean that his troublesome brother-in-law had also arrived in the capital? Of course, with Mr. Xu's arrogance, he would never personally visit the Ye family who killed his only precious sister.

Madam Ye was the quickest to react and said, "Quick, invite the Xu gentlemen in."

Ye Li was also a little surprised. She didn't know that her uncle and cousins ​​had already arrived in the capital and didn't go to greet them. This made Ye Li feel a little guilty. When her uncle was still in the capital, he loved her the most. After not seeing him for so many years, even Ye Li was a little overwhelmed.

"Grandma, Li'er, please go and greet my cousin and the others in person."

Madam Ye nodded and said, "Go ahead. Ying'er, Shan'er and Lin'er should also go with you."

Ignoring the surprise on Ye Lin and Ye Shan's faces and Ye Ying's dissatisfaction, and not caring about what Madam Ye was thinking about this matter, Ye Li stood up and left quickly. Ye Lin and Ye Shan followed behind him, leaving Ye Ying looking at Minister Ye unwillingly. She was the future Princess Li, why should she go to meet Ye Li's cousin?

"Ying'er!" Minister Ye had a headache. This daughter was really spoiled too much. As soon as she saw Minister Ye's expression, Ye Ying knew that her father was really going to be angry. She had to bite her lip and turn around to follow Ye Li and others.

"Before Ying'er gets married, let her come to Rongyue Hall every day to serve me, her grandmother." Old Lady Ye looked at Wang coldly and said.

"This... daughter-in-law still has a lot of things to tell Ying'er, I'm afraid..." Wang said a little uneasily.

"You teach? Look at what you have taught her in these years." Old Madam Ye said coldly, "She doesn't know how to act and how to retreat. She is arrogant because of her favor. She doesn't know how high the sky is and how deep the earth is because of her talent and appearance. These are of no use to her in the family. After she gets married, she will be in charge of a mansion. Can the poems, songs, dances, and intrigues you taught her be worthy of the reputation of Prince Li's mansion?"

Minister Ye nodded and said, "Mother is right. Empress Zhaoyi was taught by mother herself. It is her blessing that mother can teach Ying'er a thing or two." Seeing her husband agree immediately with an expression that would not tolerate any rebuttal, Wang could only bear it helplessly. Recently, those little rascals have been restless, especially that concubine Zhao, and she has no time to take care of Ying'er's affairs.