Chapter 38: Ye Li Was...[Spoilers]
When Ye Li and Ye Zhen arrived at Ye Ying's courtyard, Ye Ying and Wang-shi were picking through the selection of dazzling jewelry on the table. Seeing the two people arriving together, Ye Ying was a bit surprised but quickly recovered her expression.
Ye Ying smiled, stood, and welcomed them. "Eldest Sister. Third Older Sister. Why did you arrive together?"
"I heard that Fourth Younger Sister was busy." Ye Zhen giggled. "So, I went to Third Younger Sister's place first. It just so happened that Third Younger Sister wanted to come to Fourth Younger Sister's place; so, we walked together."
Ye Ying faintly laughed. "What is Eldest Sister saying? What could Ying-er be busy with? Eldest Sister, Third Older Sister, hurry and have a seat."
Ye Li followed behind the two, an interested frown marred her face. This is the first time Ye Li has seen Ye Ying speak with them, her sisters, without any arrogance. In particular, during these last few days, she had been looking down at the concubine born children. It seems that the methods of Old Madam could not be underestimated; it had been such a small amount of time and Ye Ying has changed drastically. Facing such a changed Ye Ying with her sincerity and warmth, Ye Zhen was a bit uncomfortable.
Ye Zhen, for a moment, assessed Ye Ying and turned to face Wang-shi in greeting. "Greetings Mother."
"Madam." Ye Li casually saluted.
Wang-shi looked at Ye Li's cold and indifferent face; in her heart, she ground her teeth. Although she had been elevated to the Legitimate Wife for so many years, Ye Li had never called her "mother." Of course, she didn't want Xu-shi's daughter to call her mother, but Ye Family's true daughter was only Ye Li. This made Wang-shi feel that her status was fake. She had blown winds into her husband's ear as they lay at night, but she didn't know why, on this matter, the Lord had never agreed. And, he has never insisted that Ye Li change her form of address.
"Mother, Ying-er along with Eldest Sister and Third Older sister will talk. Mother still have things to take care of. You should quickly go first." Ye Ying pulled at Wang-shi's hand, acting a bit spoiled.
Wang-shi proudly and adoringly looked at her daughter. She immediately felt better. Regardless, in the end, it was she that won. Isn't that right? Her daughters: one was within the Imperial Harem and one was Prince Li's Princess Consort. In the future, her son will be the master of the Ye Family. Xu-shi had already died. Her biological daughter could only marry a Prince that was crippled and her adopted daughter was taken as a concubine.
"Well, alright," Wang-shi said. "You sisters take your time talking. In the front, there are still things to take care of. Mother will go out first."
The three sisters escorted Wang-shi out. Ye Ying immediately pulled Ye Zhen and Ye Li to sit. She looked at the two a bit ashamed. "Eldest Sister. Third Older Sister. Previously, it was Ying-er that did not understand. Towards the two older sisters, I was negligent, I hope that the two older sisters would be generous and not blame Ying-er."
Hearing this, Ye Zhen took a look at Ye Li. With a smile, "Fourth Younger Sister must be joking. We are all sisters. What is there to blame or not to blame? In the future, this older sister would still want to depend on Fourth Younger Sister."
Ye Ying's expression brightened. She smiled and said: "Grandmother was right. We are all sisters within the same family. It is only natural that we help each other. Eldest Sister, you should not say anything about depending on."
Ye Li sat on the side and listened to the two pander each other word by word. In her heart, she knew what kind of words were spoken by Old Madam to Ye Ying. But Ye Ying could listen to the Old Madam's teachings to such an extent, this was somewhat surprising. Of course, she believed another saying even more. It is easy to change the Empire, but to change human nature is even more difficult. Even if Ye Ying listened to the Old Madam, her personality would not change in such short a time. It would seem like... These past days, something has happened that she didn't know about.
Late at night, it should've been peaceful and calm, but the Minister's Manor, because of tomorrow's wedding ceremony, was brightly lit. Even the servant girls within Ye Li's Qing Yi Court showed a bit of excitement. After all, the Fourth Young Miss marring into Prince Li's Manor was a happy occasion. In the Manor, whether your status was high or low, you would still get some monetary reward.
Ye Li dismissed her servant girls. Just, as usual, she picked up the book and sat by the lamp to continue reading. Once in a while, she would pick up a brush to make notes. Didn't know how much time passed, in the distance, a raucous noise drifted in.
Time gradually disappeared.
Exhausted, Ye Li rubbed her eyebrows and leaned against her chair. Her straight back slowly wilted to the side. Her once bright eyes were slowly steeped in exhaustion. Ye Li tried to open her eyes, but couldn't withstand it. Time passed. Her two eyes gradually closed. The temperature in the room dropped, silence. Occasionally, the crackling of the light could be heard.
A long time later.
A shadowed flashed inside Qing Yi Court. It seemed quite familiar with the pattern and arrangement of things inside the manor. It easily bypassed the guards, jumped across the wall, and disappeared into the night. Inside Qing Yi Court, the boudoir was still elegant, but it was now silent and cold. There were no traces of its owner. Only an open book lay next to the bookcase.
Outside the Capital
In the gloomy forest, a tall, black figure flew straight through the trees. It was not until the figure came across the sight of someone standing erect not too far away that the figure stopped.
"You are late." The man under the reflection of shadows grumbled.
"No, you are early." The black man chuckled. His tone was a bit lazy. He looked at the shadowed face of the man. "I heard that Ye Family's Fourth Young Miss is the most beautiful maiden in the capital. Did not expect it, but there was no interest in the most beautiful maiden. Instead, spending money on a Third Young Miss with no talent or looks. Or is it... Is it this Third Young Miss that is the most beautiful? Earlier, I was in a rush and did not see very clearly. Now looking, not bad." Finished speaking, he placed the person on his shoulders down and removed the hood to reveal a person asleep.
"Enough! You can go." There were more hints of anger and coldness in the man's voice.
The man in black shrugged. "In that case, I wish you good luck." Without delay, he neatly put the maiden on the ground. Shrugging his shoulders a few times, he disappeared into the forest.
The man under the shadow observed the maiden on the ground a moment before stepping from under the tree. By the light of the moon, a solemn face was revealed, staring angrily at the maiden on the ground. His face was originally elegant, but under the moonlight, a ruthlessness shone forth. "Ye Li, don't blame this Prince for being vicious. If you want to blame, blame it on your bad luck. Even if it is something this Prince doesn't need, it is not Mo Xiu Yao's turn to pick it up!" He bent over and reached his hand out, intending to pull at the maiden's collar. But at the moment he wanted to touch, his vision blackened. A pain bloomed on his neck and he fell to the ground.
Originally, the maiden was unconscious, but her two eyes immediately shot open. Conveniently, she pushed the person over. There was a sound behind her, but she simply ignored it.
Ye Li slowly adjusted her clothes and a moment later came upon the man on the ground. Disappointment flashed across her face. When she realized that the incense in her room had a problem, she knew that someone wanted to cause her trouble. Who knew it would be Mo Jing Li. Moreover, the reason was that stupid. Walking around Mo Jing Li, it was the first time she seriously considered this Prince Li and if that brother of his, the Emperor, had spoiled him to the point that his mentality was damaged. He shouldn't be wasting brain cells like this. Carefully, she removed a silk thread from her sleeve and very competently tied the person on the ground up.
Looking at the man tied up tightly, she nodded in satisfaction. Do not look down on her silk thread. Be it durability or flexibility, it was good in all aspects. Unless Mo Jing Li had attained the legendary profound Inner Force from the myths, the strength of a normal person would not be able to break this thread. As for her own binding method, Ye Li was even more assured. Unless Mo Jing Li could shrink himself, he could only wait for someone to come and save him. She just didn't know with Mo Jing Li doing something so immoral, would he bring bodyguards? Looking at the current situation, there doesn't seem to be anybody. Hopefully, he will be able to make the wedding tomorrow; Ye Li thought irresponsibly. In the end, she kicked him to vent her anger and then, using her memories, left the wooded area.
Chapter 38: Ye Li Was Kidnapped