Imperial Capital 45. Proposal and Return
"Thank you, Miss Third, for saving my life."
Aunt Zhao knelt in front of Ye Li, wearing a simple and elegant dress, completely different from her usual coquettish look. Ye Li raised her hand to signal Qingluan to help her up, and said in a calm voice: "No need to be polite, don't worry when you arrive in Yunzhou, someone will naturally arrange everything."
Aunt Zhao nodded and said, "I believe that Third Miss's words are as good as a mountain. I will abide by the agreement and raise this child obediently." Aunt Zhao lowered her head and gently stroked her still flat belly. There was complete tenderness and kindness between Aunt Zhao's eyebrows. From now on, this child is everything to her. Ye Li nodded and told Qingshuang beside her, "Go and get five hundred taels of silver notes for Aunt Zhao as a gift for the journey." Qingshuang went as she was told, and Aunt Zhao looked at Ye Li gratefully. The entire Ye Mansion was under the control of Wang, of course, including the manors in various places. It was inevitable that Wang secretly deducted her expenses. Although she herself saved some money, it was not much. In the entire Ye Mansion, except for the old lady and the old man, only Third Miss could take out such a large sum of money at one time. Aunt Zhao knew in her heart that although the Third Miss was not a warm and friendly person, as long as she behaved herself, she was definitely a reliable and trustworthy person. "Thank you for your kindness, Third Miss."
"There will be someone there to take care of your and your child's safety. With your father around, you won't dare to act too blatantly. But if you want to live well there, it depends on your own ability." Ye Li reminded lightly. Anyway, the manor was not hers, and if Aunt Zhao had the ability, it would be better for the child if she could control it herself.
Aunt Zhao was stunned, but secretly surprised that Ye Li could see through her thoughts. However, since she had spoken, it naturally meant that the Xu family would help her to a certain extent, and as long as she had enough means to control the manor in Yunzhou, it would become a place for her and her children to settle down. Thinking of this, Aunt Zhao hurriedly thanked Ye Li again, and at the same time, she had a deeper sense of awe in her heart.
"Miss, the Dingguo Palace has come to propose marriage." Qingyu walked in with a happy face and said with a smile, "The old lady and the old master want you to go over quickly."
Ye Li nodded, and seeing Qingyu's expression was a little strange, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "Anything else?"
Qingyu's happy expression was a little tangled. She looked at Ye Li and said, "His Royal Highness Prince Li and the Fourth Miss are back too." Today was the day Ye Ying was coming back. I don't know if it was intentional or just a coincidence, but the Fourth Miss's coming back and the Third Miss's engagement fell on the same day.
Ye Li was also stunned. She almost forgot that Ye Ying would also be coming back today. "What happened?"
Qingyu pouted and said, "Prince Li and my aunt arrived at about the same time, and they looked gloomy, as if someone owed him tens of thousands of taels of silver. It's really unlucky!"
"How dare you." Ye Li scolded calmly. Qingyu blinked her eyes and realized that there was no anger in the young lady's words. Then she playfully stuck out her tongue and hid aside, covering her mouth.
Qingshuang came out with a plain purse and handed it to Ye Li. Ye Li turned around and put it in Aunt Zhao's hand along with a gold lock and said, "This is my gift to my brother. I won't give it to you when the time comes."
Aunt Zhao's eyes turned red. She remembered that today was the day when Prince Ding's Mansion came to propose marriage, so she held back her tears and said goodbye to Ye Li. Then she packed up her things and walked out.
Ye Li turned around and said, "Let's go and see grandma."
Because there was no one in the Dingguo Palace who could be truly regarded as Mo Xiuyao's elder, Mo Xiuyao specially invited two very prestigious elders from the capital to come together. The old man Su Zhe, the head of the Imperial Academy, whom Ye Li had met once, and the father of the current queen, the old Duke Hua. Both of them were considered to be very important figures in the capital, which made Minister Ye feel very proud. The long list of betrothal gifts in the Dingguo Palace reminded people of the last time the Li Palace offered betrothal gifts. It looked pretty good originally, but now it seems that the Li Palace lacks some sincerity when compared. So Minister Ye smiled and invited the old man Su, the old Duke Hua and the Dingguo Prince to the study to talk, and inadvertently ignored Ye Ying and Mo Jingli who arrived at almost the same time.
"Li'er greets grandma. I've met Madam Hua and all the ladies." Ye Li stepped into Rongle Hall and saw Madam Ye chatting happily with Madam Hua. There were also some familiar ladies joining in the fun. Mo Jingli, Ye Ying and Wang Shi were sitting on the side with unhappy faces. Wang Shi and Ye Ying obviously couldn't get a word in, and Mo Jingli's expression probably made people afraid to talk to him.
"Li'er, come here quickly. Would you like to see my granddaughter?" Madam Ye waved to Ye Li affectionately. Her cloudy old eyes were also full of gentle smiles. It was as if Ye Li was her most beloved granddaughter. Ye Li stepped forward obediently, "Grandma." Madam Hua pulled Ye Li to sit beside her and said with a smile, "Madam, don't blame me for competing with you for your granddaughter. I love this Third Miss so much. No wonder my Tianxiang keeps talking about coming to play with the Third Miss all day long." Ye Li smiled and said, "You are too kind, Madam. Li'er misses Tianxiang too." Madam Hua nodded repeatedly and said, "Good child, you really have the style of your mother. No wonder Xiu Yao has refused to go out for many years, but this time he came to our house specially to ask our old man to propose marriage."
Ye Li lowered her head, her beautiful face tinged with a faint red. She laughed softly and said, "Old Duke Hua has been indifferent to worldly affairs for many years. He is so tired. Li Er is really..."
Madam Hua nodded secretly. Even though she was shy, she was still able to be dignified and handle things with ease. She was not as coquettish as the other ladies from wealthy families. Only a girl like this could be worthy of such a large family business as the Dingguo Palace. She patted Ye Li and said with a smile, "What's the matter? The old man is free now. Naturally, he wants to worry about the marriage of the younger generation. Xiu Yao was also raised by our old man..." As if she remembered Mo Xiu Yao's current situation, Madam Hua couldn't help but sigh and told Ye Li, "You will be a family in the future, so you must live a good life..."
Ye Li acted shy and silently agreed, feeling embarrassed in her heart.
As if she remembered that she had neglected another newlywed couple, Madam Hua turned around and smiled at Mo Jingli, "I haven't congratulated Prince Li and Princess Li yet. The Queen Mother and Concubine Xianzhao have been looking forward to having a grandson. I believe that the two nobles will soon be able to fulfill their wishes." As soon as Madam Hua spoke, everyone present hurriedly congratulated Mo Jingli and Ye Ying. Mo Jingli's coldness was really scary, so those who originally wanted to congratulate him did not dare to speak. At this time, as soon as Madam Hua spoke, everyone naturally followed suit and congratulated. Mo Jingli looked at everyone with a cold face, but he couldn't be too disrespectful to Madam Hua, so he nodded lightly.
Ye Li sat next to Madam Hua, and happened to see Ye Ying's expression clearly. Ye Li was also a little strange. Although some problems occurred on the wedding day, it had nothing to do with Ye Ying. With Mo Jingli's love for Ye Ying, he would only feel more guilty about her and be doubly nice to her. But the expressions of these two people were really not like the expressions of a group of newlyweds who loved each other. Perhaps because of Ye Ying's almost unconcealable gloomy expression, Wang's face was not very good. Fortunately, she knew to consider the situation and just kept a gloomy face and did not get angry.
"Prince Ding is here."
The voice of the maid reporting came from outside the door. Minister Ye walked in with the old Duke of Hua, Su Zhe, and Mo Xiuyao. Before they came in, the loud laughter of the old Duke of Hua came in, "Haha, I have waited for so many years, and finally I will drink the wedding wine of Prince Ding. What is the hard work? It's just right to see how great the future Princess of Ding is, so that my maid can also bow down to her."
"Ali is still young, old Duke, please don't scare her." Mo Xiuyao's voice was light with a gentle smile.
"Good boy, you know how to protect your wife even before you even get married."
The hall was quiet. Old Madam Hua smiled and nudged Ye Li, saying, "Our old man is a rough man. Please don't be offended, Li'er." Ye Li smiled and shook her head. She looked at the door and saw a man with white hair and beard. Although he was nearly 70 years old, he still walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger. Ye Li was born in a military family. When she saw this old man, she knew that he must be a famous general who had fought on the battlefield for half his life. She couldn't help but like him.