28

oy a life of luxury as Empress Dowager. But who would have thought that her youngest child was occasionally brainless and her eldest, who happened to be the reigning emperor, was someone who chose his...The Imperial Capital Ode 28. Refusal

28. Refusal

The beauty-preserving pearl… Ye Li idly thought of the most desirable prize among the three gifts she had received, a greenish-blue pearl with an ethereal luster. It was said that those who wore the beauty-preserving pearl could remain youthful forever, which was more alluring to women than precious jewelry or fine clothes. However, for someone like Ye Li, whose mental age far exceeded her physical age of fifteen, it didn't hold as much appeal. Everyone has a desire for beauty, but she was still young and would only need proper care in the future to maintain a youthful appearance that matched her actual age. At fifty years old with the face of a twenty-year-old, Ye Li wasn't sure if she'd like that situation. Moreover, she harbored doubts about the claim of eternal youth associated with the beauty-preserving pearl. After all, its original owner, Princess Changyang, though somewhat younger than others her age, was far from being in the prime of her life.

"Father, please understand, I no longer have the beauty-preserving pearl," Ye Li said coolly.

"How could that be!" exclaimed Ye Ying in shock. Then she looked at Ye Li doubtfully: "Could it be that Third Sister doesn't want to part with the beauty-preserving pearl I'm only thinking of the Sorrowful Consort's benefit, after all, she is our family’s support."

Ye Li found this ridiculous in her heart. Support How many noble families could stand for a hundred years relying solely on familial connections

"Fourth Sister overthinks things. It was merely a pearl, and I've already given it away."

"Give it to someone else How could you possibly give the Beauty-Preserving Pearl away" Madam Wang shrieked. Which woman in the world would not want a Beauty-Preserving Pearl If she hadn’t been thinking of her daughter in the palace, Madam Wang might have wanted to keep the Beauty-Preserving Pearl for herself.

Ye Li glanced at her oddly and said不解地說道：“Lily is only fifteen years old. She doesn’t need a Beauty-Preserving Pearl yet.” She did not believe that fourteen or fifteen was the best age for girls like people in ancient times believed. Even if girls matured earlier, they still appeared too young and immature. Even Ye Ying’s beauty could not compare to the charm of a twenty-year-old woman. Old Madam Ye’s expression darkened as she looked at Ye Li and said：“Who did you give it to Let’s see if we can get it back. If we cannot get it back, let’s exchange for something more precious.”

Ye Li frowned and stared unblinkingly at Old Madam Ye with a strange expression on her face. "Get it back"

Old Madam Ye was already an old fox who would know that asking for the gift to be returned was considered impolite, but she really believed that the Beauty-Preserving Pearl was extremely important to Concubine Zhao. In addition, after news of the Flower Gathering reached the palace, Concubine Zhao would certainly ask them for it too. Moreover, Old Madam Ye did not plan on asking under the Ye Family’s name. She hoped that Ye Li could personally get it back for her. Smiling amiably, she said：“Good child, Grandmother knows this is a bit impolite, but you know how important the Beauty-Preserving Pearl is to Concubine Zhao. Life in the palace is hard and if she had the Beauty-Preserving Pearl…she would be able to gain more favor from His Majesty…”

Ye Li frowned helplessly. “Grandmother, I have already sent the Beauty-Preserving Pearl together with the Xueyin Zither to my uncle.”

The Minister of Rites was displeased as he glared at Ye Li angrily.“Nonsense! What does your uncle need a Beauty-Preserving Pearl for” If it were someone else, perhaps the Minister of Rites would have sent people to intercept her. But something given to his deceased wife’s brother, even if he had no love for him, was another matter entirely. Scholar Qingyun had two sons and one daughter. His second son Xu Hongyan was currently the only person in the Xu family who still held a government post. What really made the Minister of Rites feel pressure was his eldest brother-in-law Xu Hongyu, who had left Beijing ten years ago. He was also the most famous scholar in today’s world. Different from Inspector Xu’s refined but sharp and principled personality, this man, admired by everyone for being more outstanding than his teacher, always appeared calm, gentle, and charming. But if he did not like a person, that person would surely wish they were dead. This was the reason why even with their close family relationship, the Minister of Rites still dared not send Ye Rong to Lishan Academy. This brother-in-law was far from as upright as he appeared. The Minister of Rites had experienced this deeply back then.

Ye Li said lightly smiling：“Several days ago, my uncle wrote a letter about how Grandfather’s Songfeng Zither was damaged recently and that’s why Lily happily sent the zither to him when she heard it. Since the Beauty-Preserving Pearl would not be useful for me to keep either, I thought I might as well send it along with the zither.” Of course, she had also conveniently sent a jade hairpin said to have health benefits to her second aunt-in-law.

The Minister of Rites’ expression twisted again. He did not know why hearing that his daughter had broken Grandfather’s Songfeng Zither made him feel cold down his spine and guilty for some reason, so he could not show a strong attitude towards Ye Li. He only said weakly：“You… this child, why didn’t you ask your father or mother first.” Ye Li raised her eyebrows unconcernedly in her heart. Had her father been an official too long that his brain wasn’t working properly Or did she really think Madam Wang was virtuous and kind Would she actually have the guts to send gifts to her ex-father-in-law after consulting with a concubine who had been elevated to wife’s status

"Ji'er was contemplating it but didn't come to a decision. It's all my elder uncle's fault for saying that Grandfather is very angry. Ji'er can't show her filial piety in front of Grandfather, so when she got the Snow Sound Zither today and was overjoyed, she immediately had someone send it away," Ye Li felt guilty and lowered her head.

Grand Secretary Ye forced a smile and said, "Father knows that Ji'er has good intentions."

"Father..." Ye Ying called out anxiously.

Grand Secretary Ye's expression was stern as he waved his hand. "Let this matter be dropped. No need to talk about it anymore. Later on, give more banknotes to Yue for her to bring into the palace. Don't skimp on greasing palms inside and out."

Although Lady Wang felt resentful, she had been following Grand Secretary Ye for twenty years and understood her husband better than anyone else. Just by looking at his expression, she knew that there was no point arguing about it anymore, so she couldn't help but hate Ye Li and the deceased Lady Ye. It was always like this! Every time they mentioned the Xu family, he would never think of her again. Was the Xu family really his wife's family and not hers

After leaving Rongle Hall, Ye Li let out a faint sigh in annoyance as she glanced sideways at Ye Ying who followed behind her. "Fourth Sister, I'll be returning first."

Ye Ying seemed to have heard nothing as she said with a light tone, "Third Senior Sister is indeed generous. She gave away such priceless treasures without even looking at them."

"Fourth Sister is being too modest. Grandfather and the two aunts are not strangers after all. Moreover, both uncles and aunties have been taking good care of our elder sister. However, although she was born into the House of Secretary Shangshu, none of the grass or trees around her were hers to possess. Now that we finally have something worthwhile to offer, it’s only natural to show respect to our elders. After all… shouldn’t one be grateful" And what about you Have you ever thought about her even once while living off my mother's dowry money these years

"Third Sister is right; your younger sister has learned from you," Ye Ying gritted her teeth and said softly.

Ye Li smiled, "I am an ordinary person who only knows how to use such trinkets to repay the care of my elders. Unlike Fourth Sister, who is refined and not concerned with these material things." She added politely, "Fourth Sister, take your leave."

"Wish you a pleasant journey, Third Sister!"

Ignoring the changes on Ye Ying's face behind her, Ye Li strolled leisurely in the direction of Qingyi Pavilion. "Qingshuang, tell Aunt Zhao that it’s time to find something for Lady Feng to do since I don’t want to see them recently."

"Yes, Miss," replied Qingshuang.r heart seeing her family members. She smiled and said, "Second Uncle, Second Brother and Fourth Brother don't blame Fifth Brother then. It's been a while since I've seen Li as well."Xu Hongyan sized...