How could Ye Jiaoniang be defeated so easily?
In just a moment, she realized what was going on, picked out two pieces of pink gauze, and thought that making them into dance costumes to wear for the Earl would be a good choice.
Yin Wenxiao didn't even glance at Yu Rou.
He sat beside Madam Yin, telling her about the clan's affairs over the past few days.
Recently, a young man from the clan has also entered the Hanlin Academy. Although his official position is lower than Yin Wenxiao's, he should not be underestimated.
After a while of lively conversation, everyone dispersed.
Qin Sheng went out with the Second Madam and the others, while Granny Shi took Yu Rou down to make arrangements.
After everyone left, Yin Wenxiao frowned. "Mother, with so many maids in the manor, why did you arrange for Granny Shi's niece to come in?"
Ye Jiaoniang stood there, feeling that something was not quite right.
Yu Rou looked quiet and gentle. Although she came from the countryside, her fair skin, big eyes, slender waist, and appearance were in no way inferior to hers.
Thinking of this, Ye Jiaoniang tentatively began, "Presumably, the old lady is feeling bored, so she—"
These past few days, Old Madam Yin has been angry with Ye Jiaoniang, and she is filled with regret, wondering why she ever agreed to let her into the mansion.
How many men truly love only one woman their entire lives?
If I hadn't softened and given in back then, Ye Jiaoniang would have been sent away long ago!
"Jiao Niang, remember your place." The old lady said displeasedly, "Don't always act so arrogantly just because the Lord does favor you. As a concubine, you don't even go to greet the mistress every day, and now you even interrupt us when we're talking. Is this how your parents raised you?"
"..."
She hadn't gone to pay her respects to the madam before because the Earl had instructed her to; she stopped going later because the madam's maid had caused a scene at Songliu Courtyard that day, after which Old Madam Yin confined her to her quarters; and later still, it was because she had actually fallen ill.
"The old lady is right," Ye Jiaoniang quickly curtsied.
She was pale and on the verge of tears, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice.
To Old Madam Yin, this appearance was affected; to Yin Wenxiao, it was nothing short of heartbreaking.
“Mother, Jiao Niang’s parents died early, why rub salt into her wounds?” Yin Wenxiao said.
Although he knew that Jiao Niang was indeed wrong, it was his original intention, and he just couldn't bear to see his beloved woman suffer from others' disapproval.
Yin Wenxiao then told Ye Jiaoniang to go back first.
Ye Jiaoniang bit her lip, climbed down the pole, curtsied, and then withdrew.
Old Madam Yin was still furious. She took a sip of tea to barely suppress her anger, and then poked her son's arm.
"You, you! I really thought you had thought it through, but look at the outrageous thing you've done! Sending the imperial physicians to treat a concubine—do you want to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone?!"
"..."
Yin Wenxiao has no way to refute this matter.
In families like theirs, concubines were euphemistically called "aunties," but in a more unflattering sense, they were just servants.
It was indeed unreasonable to have imperial physicians treat the servants in the mansion.
But Ye Jiaoniang was crying and sobbing, her face covered in rashes, threatening to kill herself if she was disfigured.
Yin Wenxiao was in such a hurry that he didn't care about anything else.
Madam Yin said, "I persuaded Asheng to agree to your wish to take a concubine, and now that she's been brought in, what more do you want? Are you really planning to spend the rest of your life revolving around a concubine?"
She didn't know how she could have given birth to such a love-struck son!
“Son knows he was wrong,” Yin Wenxiao said.
It was indeed a rash thing he did, and although there were extenuating circumstances, it ultimately damaged his own reputation and that of the Yin family.
"It's good that you know you were wrong."
What Madam Yin feared most was that her son would fall in love and become so obsessed that he would be willing to live a mediocre life. If that happened, how would she face her ancestors after she passed away?
"Alright, for the time being, you'll stay in the front courtyard. The Duke of Zhenguo has rendered great service in quelling the rebellion in the Northwest, and all the generals have returned to the capital. His Majesty and the Regent will surely reward them handsomely. Also, the rebellion in the Northwest has been going on for a long time, and now that it has finally been quelled, it is a great achievement worthy of being recorded in history. These past few days, the court must be very busy, so don't just focus on those trivial matters. Be more active in important court affairs, and make sure to visit your colleagues in court more often, understand?"
After saying that, Madam Yin picked up her teacup and drank some tea.
Then, softening his tone, he said, "You need to understand that only when you are strong enough will you have the confidence to make your own decisions in the future."
Her words were loaded with meaning.
"..."
Yin Wenxiao's heart skipped a beat. How could he not understand his mother's meaning?
He couldn't help but ponder: if one day his power and status surpassed that of the Qin family, could he then...?
"I understand, son." Yin Wenxiao quickly stood up and respectfully bowed to Madam Yin.
Old Madam Yin did not look at him.
Just as Yin Wenxiao left, Granny Shi came in.
Madam Yin said, "Now that Yu Rou has entered the manor, let her serve in my room starting tomorrow. With her coming and going, Wen Xiao will be able to see her more often when he comes."
Granny Shi curtsied: "Yes."
...
Madam Yin was a woman of her word, and she always took a tough stance when it came to matters concerning her son.
She sent someone to Mingyue Pavilion to retrieve the things that the Earl usually used. In less than half an hour, the news that the Earl was going to move to the front courtyard spread throughout the mansion.
Although the Earl used to live in the front yard, that was before Aunt Ye entered the household.
Ever since Consort Ye entered the mansion, the Earl has practically moved to Mingyue Pavilion to live permanently, and he no longer even goes to Madam's Zhefang Courtyard.
So when Old Madam Yin made such a big fuss about sending people to Mingyue Pavilion to retrieve the Earl's things, everyone in the mansion speculated that Concubine Ye had fallen out of favor.
An old woman and two maids arrived at Mingyue Pavilion, both personally assigned by the old lady.
Apart from a few sets of clothes, almost all of the Earl's belongings here have been taken away.
Ye Jiaoniang remained expressionless until they left, at which point she got up again and went into the inner room to change her clothes.
I had just changed and came out when Yin Wenxiao arrived.
"Lord." Ye Jiaoniang pursed her lips and bowed, her feigned coquettishness gone, replaced by a cold and indifferent demeanor.
A woman cannot simply cry and lament; if she wants to capture a man's heart, she must learn to be charming and witty.
These were all things her mother had taught her.
"Are you angry?" Yin Wenxiao put his arm around her shoulder and lifted her chin with his other hand. "Let your husband see."
In private, they always address each other as husband and wife.
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