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“This maiden, Ye Li, greets the Emperor. Greets the Empress Dowager.” Entering the grand hall, she saw a tall man wearing a yellow robe. Ye Li saw a flash of surprise on his face and quickly, but respectfully prostrated herself.
“Dispense with the ceremony. Chang-er, why are you here?” Mo Jing Qi glanced at Ye Li but quickly transferred his gaze to n.o.ble Consort Liu at the side. Moreover, he came over and pulled n.o.ble Consort Liu in front of himself.
n.o.ble Consort Liu lightly let out a breath and whispered: “What? Does the Emperor feel that this concubine can't come and greet the Empress Dowager?”
Mo Jing Qi sighed and said softly: “You know that We do not have this intention.”
“Emperor!” A voice filled with dignity and harshness drifted from farther within the grand hall. Ye Li secretly took a look. When the Empress Dowager was still young, she must've been a beautiful woman seen only once in a generation. Although she was Dowager Imperial Concubine Xian Zhao's older sister, the Empress Dowager looked younger. With only that pair of Pheonix eyes, others can already feel the fierce oppressiveness that made others unable to speak. But Ye Li knew that when young those eyes must've been very beautiful. At this time, the Empress Dowager did not pay attention to Ye Li and instead had her fierce eyes trained on n.o.ble Consort Liu. There was even a faint intention of murder. Obviously, the Empress Dowager did not like this n.o.ble Consort Liu.
“Imperial Mother.” Mo Jing Qi frowned and pulled n.o.ble Consort Liu further into the grand hall. “Imperial Mother, Chang-er came to greet you and coincidentally met Ye family's Third Young Miss. That's probably why they came together.”
The Empress Dowager said lightly: “Greeting? It is troublesome for n.o.ble Consort Liu to still remember and comes to greet Us.”
“Imperial Mother, you know that since Chang-er gave birth to Jing-er her body has not been well.” Mo Jing Qi's face is a bit ashamed, but he still firmly protected n.o.ble Consort Liu at his side.
Ye Li took a look at this Empress Dowager and couldn't help but empathize with her. It was difficult to give birth to these two sons. Waiting for the Empress of the late Emperor to die, she became the new Empress. Using all of her efforts, she pushed her son onto the throne. Now that she was the Empress Dowager, she should be enjoying her days. Who would've thought that the younger son is brain damaged and the older son, as the Emperor, only needed her as the Empress and not as the Empress Dowager?
“Imperial Mother, did you not want to see the Ye family's Third Young Miss? Shall we see the person We picked for Xiu Yao?” Seeing the increasingly unpleasant expression on the Empress Dowager's face, Mo Jing Qi quickly added.
Ye Li's face blackened: Emperor, aren't you just trying to make more waves in the water for others?
The Empress Dowager immediately trained her gaze on Ye Li. In Ye Li's heart, she chose to believe the words of n.o.ble Consort Liu. It is just that this gaze from the Empress Dowager was not something an ordinary person could endure.
After a long moment, “You are Ye Li?” The Empress Dowager asked.
Ye Li respectfully lowered her eyes and said: “To the Empress Dowager, this maiden is Ye Li.”
The Empress Dowager frowned. “Raise your head so that We can see.”
Ye Li raised her head obediently, allowing the Empress Dowager and Emperor their inspection.
“That year, We had seen your mother several times. Indeed, a granddaughter of the Xu family is someone that others cannot compare to, unable to even stand on the same stage. It's a pity…” What there was to pity, the Empress Dowager did not say. Naturally, no one had the courage to go up and ask.
Ye Li's sharp gave glossed over the n.o.ble Consort Liu sitting next to the Emperor. She clearly saw that the consort's face did not look very good. Doubt blossomed in Ye Li's mind. The Empress Dowager was clearly pointing at the mulberry tree but cursing the locust tree. She should be speaking about n.o.ble Consort Liu. But unable to compare to? n.o.ble Consort Liu was the daughter of Prime Minister Liu; she was not someone that cannot be on the same stage.
“Our Li-er is still inexperienced and does not understand. Ye family's Third Young Miss should not mind him.” The fierce Pheonix eyes of the Empress Dowager stared intently at Ye Li.
Naturally, Ye Li ignored it and smiled: “The Empress Dowager has said too much. It is this maiden that doesn't have a destiny with Prince Li. Some things cannot be seen until after marriage. If Prince Li could already surmise that Ye Li is not a good match, it could be considered a good thing. This maiden should be thanking instead.”
“Oh? What happened during the grand wedding of Li-er, what does the Ye family's Young Miss think?”
“This matter…. It is a private matter of his Highness. This maiden shouldn't carelessly be judging.”
“If We must hear the opinion of Ye family's Third Young Miss, what then?” The Empress Dowager asked.
“The Empress Dowager asked… This maiden thinks that before the grand wedding, his Highness Prince Li was too excited and did not rest well the night before?” Ye Li brought out a harmless and gentle smile. She looked with a bit of fear up at the Empress Dowager. “His Highness Prince Li and Fourth Younger Sister are in love with each other. Who does not know this within the capital? Finally able to bring his beauty home, the Prince being excited is unavoidable.”
“Ye family's Young Miss, We heard that you said Prince Li bought things without paying? And also took quite a bit of money from him?” n.o.ble Consort Liu suddenly opened her mouth and said.
The temperature in the grand hall suddenly dropped. Ye Li blinked and widened her eyes, shame coloring her face. “This maiden is not sensible, begging forgiveness from the Emperor and Empress Dowager. This maiden… From before my late mother pa.s.sed, this maiden rarely leaves the manor. The first time managing outside matters have made some mistakes. Afterward, grandmother has taught this maiden. This maiden had already sent someone to repay the money to Prince Li's Manor. Also to apologize to the Prince. But…” the person was already gone. After getting the money from Prince Li's Manor, Ye Li sent the steward back with an additional two hundred teals as compensation for psychological damages. He could collect any extra into his own purse.
This was originally Mo Jing Li's fault. The Royal Family will not be unreasonable and not know who was to blame. Seeing Ye Li's shame and fear, Mo Jing Qi coughed and sent a warning look to n.o.ble Consort Liu. He comforted: “Well, this is Jing Li's carelessness. It is not Ye family's Young Miss's fault. Imperial Mother does not have intentions of blaming you.”
Ye Li showed a happy face and said: “This maiden thanks the Empress Dowager for her generousness.”
The Empress Dowager nodded with indifference. “Whatever, We did not have the intention to blame. Give Ye family's Young Miss a seat.”
Two palace maids carried out a circular stool covered in intricate designs. Ye Li cautiously took a seat on only two-thirds of the stool. She was not at all grateful to the Empress Dowager. If she could choose, she would rather continue standing. After sitting, it only caused a person that was already short to be even shorter. It also severely influenced her vantage point. Moreover, the manner in which a n.o.ble maiden should sit requires even more energy than a child sitting. At least when she stood, her two legs could borrow some strength. This elegant and dignified way of sitting, if not trained since young, a person could only pray to not fall off the stool.
“Ye family's Young Miss, is Mister Qing Yun doing well?” Mo Jing Qi observed Ye Li.
Ye Li smiled faintly and said: “Thank you, your Majesty, for your concern. Uncle has said that grandfather's health is well.”
Mo Jing Qi laughed and said: “Don't have to be so nervous. Remembering those days, We could still remember the elegance of Mister Qing Yun and can't help but look forward to it. It's just that We have not seen him for many years.”
Ye Li showed a bit of shame and lowered her head. “Since mother died, it has been many years since this maiden has seen grandfather and can't serve grandfather properly. This maiden is really guilty towards the love and care from grandfather.
“Ah? Ye family's Young Miss is marrying Prince Ding, surely old Mister Qing Yun would not miss it?”
“Grandfather is old and could not stand the long journey. Afraid that he can't personally see this maiden… But grandfather has sent Eldest Uncle to the capital to personally oversee everything. This maiden is very happy.”
Mo Jing Qi's eyes flashed. “Ah? Mister Hong Yu is already in the capital? Then… Xu family's Eldest Young Master…”
Ye Li calmly smiled and acted like she didn't understand Mo Jing Qi's probing. She said: “Eldest Cousin and several other cousins have already arrived in the capital. Uncle does not have a government position and did not want to be too extravagant.”
Mo Jing Qi laughed loudly. He said: “Xu family has never liked fame and instead prefers peace. It is just that Mister Hong Yu can be considered Our enlightened teacher. Entering the capital this time, it is disrespectful to be unable to grandly welcome him.”
Ye Li quickly said “wouldn't dare,” but she didn't consider it right. Eldest Uncle had only directed a bit of his study because of the late Emperor. Who is this person's enlightened teacher? What's more, if he really wanted to grandly welcome, he would've already gone. She does not believe that Mo Jing Qi didn't already know when her Eldest Uncle would arrive in the capital.
Mo Jing Qi did not intend to continue being entangled in this issue. He looked at Ye Li and said: “Ye family's Young Miss won this year's Hundred Flowers Gathering. Even Princess Rong Hua has praised Ye family's Young Miss in front of the Empress Dowager several times. Don't know if Ye family's Young Miss could broaden Our and the Empress Dowager's horizon?” Basically, he did not give Ye Li an opportunity to refuse. With a wave of his hand, maids and eunuchs brought forth a desk carved with flowers, pens and papers were all sufficient.
“Then this maiden can only try.”
Ye Li stood behind the desk, holding a painting brush. In her heart, she cursed at the Emperor sitting here a hundred times. She really could not understand why these ancient emperors enjoyed making others write poetry and paint. After all, not everyone liked to write poetry or essays. Not everyone had the talent. What if you were asked by the emperor and could not write a poem? What would you do?
Ye Li followed the rules and drew an orchid. Conveniently, she wrote a poem about orchids written by her grandfather a few years ago. Her calligraphy couldn't be considered outstanding. Looking at the pair of eyes before her, they showed surprise and then disappointment. Ye Li couldn't care anymore and stood behind the desk, waiting for the Emperor's evaluation.
“Serene Orchid? This is Mister Qing Yun's poem?” n.o.ble Consort Liu frowned.
Ye Li shyly said: “This maiden is not very well-versed in poetry. Hope that the Emperor can forgive.”
In the dept of n.o.ble Consort Liu's eyes, a bit of condescension sprouted. She glanced at the painting and said: “Ye family's Young Miss's calligraphy isn't bad.”
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but agree with n.o.ble Consort Liu. Ye Li's work at the Hundred Flowers Gathering was still hanging within the Inner Palace. The painting is indeed not extraordinary and just followed the rules. But the poem? The three people were doubtful of the poem from the Hundred Flowers Gathering. That peony poem was definitely not something penned by Ye Li. After all, the Xu family didn't have much, but they were filled with talented people. Carelessly finding someone to write the poem for Ye Li shouldn't be difficult. This wouldn't be a strange matter, “Ye family' Young Miss's calligraphy is very beautiful.”
Ye Li clearly felt that the interest of the three people has waned. Although she didn't quite understand why these ancient people thought their four scholarly arts represented the intelligence of a person, this result was not bad for her.
It was not until afternoon that the Empress Dowager had someone escort Ye Li from the gates of the Imperial Palace. During this period, she contributed her calligraphy by helping the Empress Dowager copy a volume of scriptures. Because no one ever thought of asking her to bid farewell to Lady Ye at the Palace of Precious Flowers, Ye Li did not intend to bother the Empress Dowager by having her send someone to escort Ye Li that way. She could only pretend she forgot. Accompanied by the gifts from the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Consort Liu, Ye Li could not let out a sigh until she sat in the carriage. A sigh filled with impatience and irritation.
“Young Miss, rest first. Your face doesn't look very good.” Qing Yu took Ye Li's pulse and whispered.
Qing Luan said helplessly: “This was Young Miss's first time in the Palace. She is a bit nervous. It's a pity that we couldn't go into the Palace of the Empress Dowager and couldn't follow Young Miss.”
Qing Yu faintly smiled: “You can only scare yourself if you went. Don't cause more trouble for the Young Miss.”
Ye Li leaned against the carriage, closed her eyes and rested. She went through the events inside the Imperial Palace one more time. Inside the Palace, you can only be careful. There are many situations where you have no time to think. The Emperor. The Empress Dowager. n.o.ble Consort Liu…. It seemed that everyone is normal, but there is some kind of hidden and tangled relationship. And there is also Ye Yue…
Not good!
Ye Li suddenly opened her eyes startling Qing Luan and Qing Yu. “Young Miss, what's wrong?”
“The carriage is not going the right way!” Ye Li said. Her words had not completely landed when a loud bang shocked the carriage and an arrow shot inside.