"No, I didn't." Ye Jiaoniang pouted, then sniffed, slowly putting on a look of suppressed grievance.
"It's all my fault. I've only been in the manor for a short time, and I've already upset the Madam and the Old Madam one after another."
Ye Jiaoniang herself didn't know where the problem lay.
It's understandable that Qin Sheng didn't like her, since no wife would like a concubine.
But the old lady didn't like her either.
Ye Jiaoniang knew that if she wanted to gain a foothold in the Yin family, it wouldn't be enough to just hold onto Yin Wenxiao; she also needed to hold onto Old Madam Yin.
"It's none of your business."
Yin Wenxiao gently rubbed her delicate cheek with his fingertips and sighed, "I've been busy lately, but don't worry, once this busy period is over, I'll move back here to be with you."
"Really?" Ye Jiaoniang looked up at him.
A man shouldn't just focus on romance and physical intimacy. She understands and supports him in pursuing important matters and seizing every opportunity to climb higher.
"Of course it's true." Seeing her like this, Yin Wenxiao couldn't help but pull her into his arms.
"Then starting tomorrow, will I have to go and pay my respects to Madam every day?" As she asked this, Ye Jiaoniang's aggrieved expression deepened.
She naturally refused.
Qin Sheng stole her man, so why should she have to be subservient to her?
"Hmm." Yin Wenxiao lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips, comforting her, "Now that you've entered the manor, it's only a matter of time before you have to pay your respects to the Madam. I know you're afraid that she might find a reason to control you, but don't worry, I've already made arrangements. If she dares to do anything to you, I'll know immediately."
His words reassured Ye Jiaoniang somewhat.
"Then, my husband..." Ye Jiaoniang shyly wrapped her slender arms around his waist, "when will you be finished with your work?"
The servants inside had all left the room at some point, and the door was closed.
"What, you're already missing your husband even before we've separated?" Yin Wenxiao chuckled and picked her up in his arms.
"Ugh, who missed you?" Ye Jiaoniang lightly punched his chest with her fist. "What are you doing in broad daylight, husband? Hurry up and put me down."
"Of course---"
Yin Wenxiao placed her on the bed and said in a wanton tone, "I'll take good care of you."
...
About half an hour later.
After the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Ye Jiaoniang, her cheeks flushed, tidied Yin Wenxiao's clothes and watched him leave Mingyue Pavilion with lingering affection.
This wasn't the first time the two had engaged in illicit sexual activity during the day.
Ever since Qiu Kui was punished by the madam to clean the latrine, the maidservant who served Ye Jiao Niang was assigned from Madam Yin's side and was named Chun'er.
Having learned from Qiu Kui's mistake, Ye Jiaoniang dared not speak carelessly again.
However, besides Chun'er, she has also been secretly cultivating her own confidants.
Chun'er came in and tidied the bed, but Ye Jiaoniang ignored her, straightened her clothes, and went into the bathroom to take a bath.
Soaking in the warm water, Ye Jiaoniang raised her hand and scooped up a few petals floating on the surface, then gently sniffed them.
Ye Jiaoniang couldn't help but think, "Sure enough, Mother was right."
The claim that her parents died young was just a lie told by Ye Jiaoniang to Yin Wenxiao.
She didn't know who her biological father was. Her biological mother was a servant in a wealthy family in town, and later caught the eye of the wealthy master, who made her his concubine.
However, her mother treated her very well. She was favored by the wealthy master and lived a good life in the mansion. Every month, her mother would find a way to see her under the pretext of offering incense, bringing her money and gifts.
Ye Jiaoniang still remembers her mother stroking her hair and saying to her, "Our Jiaoniang is born to live a good life. One day, you will live even better than your mother."
At that time, Ye Jiaoniang had not seen much of the world.
She thought that the good life her mother talked about meant being like her mother, becoming someone's concubine, living in a wealthy family where clothes were readily available and gold and silver were worn.
Later, she met Eun Moon-hyo.
At first, Ye Jiaoniang thought he was just like those poor students, penniless and prone to daydreaming, using the guise of studying but actually nothing at all.
One day, when she went to the thatched cottage to deliver something, she overheard the old man talking to Yin Wenxiao outside and realized that he was actually the newly ennobled Earl of Pingyin in the capital!
Those powerful and wealthy families inherited their titles. Yin Wenxiao, a mere earl, did not stay at home indulging in laziness and enjoying the fruits of others' labor. Instead, he vowed to study hard and take the imperial examinations to revitalize his family's reputation.
Ye Jiaoniang also heard them say that the emperor and the regent admired him very much and were just waiting to pass the imperial examination so that he could serve the country.
She developed feelings for Yin Wenxiao.
Although her later encounters and interactions with him were largely calculated by her, Ye Jiaoniang's affection and love for him were genuine.
Before Yin Wenxiao left, he said he would come back to marry her, and she believed him, but later...
Ye Jiaoniang raised her hand and stroked her jade-like cheek, sighing inwardly, "My mother was right after all."
A woman's life can be as dependent on a man as a dodder vine.
However, you should never give your whole heart to a man.
My mother said that in this world, everyone looks out for themselves, let alone a delicate woman.
...
Early the next morning.
After finishing her business at the manor and having breakfast, Qin Sheng leisurely went to Songliu Courtyard to pay her respects to Old Madam Yin.
To everyone's surprise, Ye Jiaoniang was also there.
Ye Jiaoniang went to Zhefang Courtyard in the morning, but Qin Sheng was talking to the steward of the manor at the time, so he did not see her.
Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the old lady's place, they saw her again.
"Ah Sheng, you've come at the perfect time." Old Madam Yin greeted Qin Sheng with a smile, "Aunt Ye just made some food herself, come and have a taste."
Ye Jiaoniang used to cook for Yin Wenxiao a lot when she was in Hushan, and her cooking skills were quite remarkable.
On the small table were chicken and red date porridge, brown sugar glutinous rice balls, osmanthus syrup, and savory biscuits cut into small pieces.
Ye Jiaoniang quickly served a bowl of chicken and red date porridge and said with a smile, "Yes, if Madam doesn't mind, please try my cooking."
The old lady had already drunk half a bowl of porridge; it did indeed taste very good.
"No need, I've already had breakfast," Qin Sheng said calmly.
Ye Jiaoniang's smile froze slightly. Old Madam Yin wiped her lips with a handkerchief and said to her, "You should go back now."
"..."
Mingming, the old lady's attitude towards Qin Sheng was quite gentle before Qin Sheng arrived.
Ye Jiaoniang bit her lip, curtsied, looked up at Qin Sheng with a complicated expression, and then turned and left.
Unexpectedly, they ran into Yin Wenxiao in the courtyard.
Yin Wenxiao had just returned from court. He was talking to a pretty maid, and there was a smile on his face.
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