The First Jasmine - Chapter 27
Chapter 27: The Retaining Radiance Pearl
"What did you say?! Ye Li won the title of the Hundred Flowers Champion?!"
Within the Huixue Pavilion of the Ye Manor, Ye Ying’s usually gentle and elegant voice carried a trace of indescribable harshness. In the elegantly and quietly decorated flower hall, the serving maids were all kneeling on the floor, replying with fear and trepidation: "Re-Replying to the Miss, the rumors outside are indeed saying so. The Third Miss has already returned to the manor, and... the Qin Manor of the Censor's Office, the Xu family, the Duke Hua Manor, the General of Spreading Might Manor, the Prime Minister's Manor, and the Ministry of Rites Minister's Manor have all dispatched people to deliver gifts to congratulate the Third Miss on winning the crown." A crack finally appeared on Ye Ying’s lovely and beautiful face. With a sweep of her hand, she sent everything arranged on the table beside her crashing to the ground. The maid kneeling right at the front was struck dead-on but did not dare to cry out in pain, hastily saying: "Miss, please appease your anger..."
"Appease what anger! Ye Li... how could that slut Ye Li possibly become the Hundred Flowers Champion?" Ye Ying cried out in disbelief. When she pushed Ye Li forward, she had been certain that because her mother had not specially hired anyone to instruct Ye Li over the years, Ye Li would inevitably lose face when facing Princess Qixia—whom even she herself was not entirely confident in defeating. At that time, although she would fail to obtain this year's Hundred Flowers crown, it would be a defeat without a battle, which could not be considered a disgrace. More importantly, everyone would know by then that only she, Ye Ying, was the most exceptional daughter of the Ye family. Even if Ye Li was the maternal granddaughter of the Xu family, she still could not compare to her!
Although she was enraged to the extreme, Ye Ying calmed down very quickly, regaining her usual elegance and gentleness. Rising to her feet, she said: "All of you get up. Let us go to Mother's place to take a look."
The maids in the flower hall all let out a silent sigh of relief. Those who needed to clean up the mess cleaned up the mess, while those who needed to follow Ye Ying hurriedly tidied their appearances to accompany her to see Madam Wang.
Inside the Rongle Hall
Ye Li sat quietly and calmly, letting Old Madam Ye, Minister Ye, and Madam Wang size her up. Old Madam Ye looked at Ye Li with a loving smile and said: "Li'er truly lives up to being a di daughter of my Ye family. Now you have indeed made an overnight sensation. Our Ye family has actually produced two Hundred Flowers Champions. Who in this capital does not praise us for having an effective way of raising our daughters?" Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled flatly: "Grandmother praises me excessively. It is all due to Grandmother's and Father's fine guidance." Minister Ye's expression was highly complex as he looked at the quiet and dignified daughter before him. This daughter, whom he had never seriously paid attention to, was completely different from the other daughters in the household. She seemed unremarkable, but if one looked closely, she possessed a unique sort of grand stability and the graceful elegance of a prominent clan. This caused him to continuously recall the first time he met his late wife, who had also possessed such elegance and indifference. Beautiful enough to capture one's soul, yet equally elegant enough to make one feel inferior. Even if she had not grown up in the Xu family, and even if she did not have the finest upbringing, could the Xu family's lineage still leave his other children far behind? Recalling the performances of his other daughters at the Hundred Flowers Grand Gathering that he had heard others mention, Minister Ye thought silently to himself. Then, remembering Ye Rong, who had been thoroughly spoiled by his mother and Madam Wang, the regret in Minister Ye's heart grew even deeper: Why isn't Li'er a boy?
"The Qin family, the Xu family, as well as the Duke Hua Manor, the Liu Manor... for these families who sent congratulatory gifts, the return gifts must be handled with meticulous care," Old Madam Ye instructed, looking at Madam Wang, who sat to one side with lowered eyes.
Madam Wang hastily concealed the light in her eyes and said respectfully: "Please rest assured, Old Madam, your daughter-in-law understands."
Old Madam Ye nodded in satisfaction. "As for those congratulatory gifts, send them all to the Qingyi Pavilion. Let Li'er see if there are any hair accessories, jewelry, or clothes she likes, and purchase some more. All the households have sent invitations; although you do not need to go to all of them, you cannot refuse to go to a single one either. When the time comes, do not lose the face of the Minister's Manor." Before Ye Li could respond, a maid outside reported that the Fourth Miss had arrived.
Ye Ying had changed into a thin white robe, and her countenance was also somewhat pale, making her appear even more delicate and weak. Supporting herself on a maid's hand, she came in to pay her respects to the Old Madam, Minister Ye, and Madam Wang before saying with a pale face: "Ying'er has disgraced the Ye family. I ask Grandmother and Father to punish me."
Old Madam Ye’s grey brows arched slightly, and she looked at Minister Ye without speaking. Ye Ying had always been deeply doted on by Minister Ye, even three fractions more than Ye Zhaoyi, who had already entered the palace; how could he bear to punish her? Madam Wang hastily drew her daughter into her embrace and comforted her in a soft voice: "Silly child, how can this be blamed on you? If it weren't for the unexpected accident, this year's Hundred Flowers Champion would surely still have been Ying'er's." Minister Ye nodded, also chiming in along with Madam Wang's words: "Your mother is right. The matter arose from an accident, so you cannot be blamed. Hurry up and rise. Your body is weak, and the ground is very cold."
Watching the harmonious and affectionate family of three before her, Ye Li’s expression remained indifferent and without a ripple. Her face still wore a look of thorough stability and respect, but her mind had already begun to think about the few friends she had newly made today. Especially Qin Zheng, her future cousin-in-law. She also needed to think about what return gifts to send them. She had plenty of matters to attend to recently and simply had no time to participate in this boring family ethics drama. Then, thinking about her future married life, perhaps she could obtain a husband who was neither too good nor too bad. If possible, they could form a peaceful and harmonious family. Perhaps she could also have one or two children of her own...
While Old Madam Ye was sizing up the green-robed young lady sitting to one side without turning her gaze for even an instant, Ye Li’s mind had long since wandered to the heavens to ponder the tasks she needed to handle recently.
Looking at the scene before her eyes, Old Madam Ye sighed in secret. In the past, she had thought Ye Yue and Ye Ying were the fine ones; only now did she see clearly that Ye Li was the one who truly hid her light under a bushel. Relying on this composure and calm alone, Old Madam Ye believed that if the one who entered the palace had been Ye Li, perhaps she could have walked much further. Regrettably, now Ye Li had been betrothed to the crippled Prince Ding, who was destined to have no future. It was truly a trick of fate...
"Grandmother, Elder Sister claiming the Hundred Flowers crown is a monumental joyous occasion for our Ye family. Should we inform Second Elder Sister as well to let her be happy too?" Once the family of three finally finished being affectionate, Ye Ying walked over to Old Madam Ye's side and spoke in a delicate voice.
Minister Ye laughed and said: "It is rare for Ying'er to possess such broad-mindedness. What you say is exactly right. Mother, what do you think..."
"Regarding the matter you mentioned, a few days from now will be the day to enter the palace to pay respects. At that time, we shall report this joyous news to Her Ladyship Zhaoyi," Old Madam Ye nodded and said. Turning her head to look at Ye Li, she smiled and said: "Your Second Elder Sister has always treated her sisters exceptionally well. In the future, when each of you manages an estate, you should also go to accompany her more often."
"Grandmother!" Ye Ying cried out softly in a bashful manner while covering her face, a flush of crimson flying across her pale and lovely face. By comparison, Ye Li lacked a measure of a maiden’s bashfulness. Minister Ye looked at his youngest daughter with doting affection and also began to chuckle along.
Ye Ying looked at Ye Li, her beautiful eyes rippling with light as she laughed softly and said: "Third Elder Sister also hasn't seen Second Elder Sister for quite a long time, right? Mother must prepare a fine gift on Third Elder Sister's behalf to send to Second Elder Sister."
Madam Wang was startled, looking at Ye Ying with a knit of her brows. On the contrary, a thought stirred in Old Madam Ye's heart. She turned her gaze back to Ye Li, hesitating for a moment but failing to open her mouth. Ye Li took in the expressions of Old Madam Ye and Ye Ying, and with a turn of her thoughts, she understood what Ye Ying meant. Remaining entirely unperturbed, she looked at Ye Ying, somewhat anticipating her performance. Seeing that Madam Wang could not understand her words for the time being and that Old Madam Ye was also remaining unperturbed, Ye Ying could not help but knit her brows, reminding in a soft voice: "Sister Zhaoyi is currently with child. I heard that when a woman is pregnant, her appearance..."
None of the people present were truly obtuse. Upon hearing the two words 'appearance', Madam Wang reacted instantly. The expression with which she looked at Ye Li also gained a bit more eagerness. "Master..."
Ye Li let out a helpless, soft sigh in her heart: Truly no one in this household is a fool.
"Ying'er's words carry reason. Li'er, send the Retaining Radiance Pearl into the palace as a gift for Her Ladyship Zhaoyi. Whatever you want, just feel free to ask your mother for it." Minister Ye clearly did not feel there was anything wrong with Ye Ying's proposal, immediately making the final decision.