Casual Living vs Desperate Struggle

lood relations would be detrimental to us. As for where Aunt Zhao will go, I believe Father and Grandmother already have plans."Secretary Ye looked deeply at Ye Li with an obvious probing gaze and sai...The Imperial Capital Ode: Leisure Life vs. Dire Circumstances

35. Leisure Life vs. Scorching Trials

Upon arriving at the Xu family residence, Ye Li realized that Xu Qingchen was not merely trying to placate Elder Lady Ye when he said he needed to learn many things during his stay in the Ye family compound. In fact, on the second day of her stay at Xu’s country villa, Auntie Number Two personally invited the Duchess of Huo Guo to teach her how to manage a household and handle social interactions with members of the imperial clan and high-ranking officials. Additionally, an elderly woman who had served in the palace taught Ye Li about court etiquette. Furthermore, every afternoon, Xu Hongyu personally instructed Ye Li on strategies and schemes, while Xu Qingchen tutored her in the appreciation of antique treasures and detailed analyses of the various factions within the capital’s elite circles. Despite believing that she had already lived an extra lifetime and thus possessed extensive knowledge compared to others, Ye Li now understood that according to her uncles and cousins at the Xu family residence, she still fell short of being a distinguished lady of high society. Therefore, in order to maximize the knowledge imparted by her relatives within just one month, Ye Li embarked on an intense learning regimen akin to cramming for multiple exams.

"Miss, Miss Qin has arrived." While sitting under a pavilion playing chess with Xu Qingbo and having Xu Qingyan watching from the side, Qingsh霜 came in to report. During these days, not only was Ye Li subjected to intensive study sessions, but even her attendants, Qingshuang and Qingxia, were rigorously tutored by Lady Lin. Although it had been a short period of time, Qingshuang had already become much more steady than before.

Xu Qingyan’s eyes lit up as he smiled, "Oh Is that my future second sister-in-law"

After setting down his chess piece, Xu Qingbo turned to Ye Li with a smile and said, "Since there's a guest here now, we'll continue another day."

Naturally, this was exactly what Ye Li had wished for. She actually preferred Chinese chess over go (weiqi). To Ye Li, go required an acute sense of feeling to strategize broadly without revealing one’s intentions and gradually infiltrate the opponent's defenses. In contrast, Chinese chess demanded swiftness with quick movements like cavalry charges and pikes facing each other head-on. Deep down, she still preferred the excitement of Chinese chess as in her previous life. Along with Xu Qingbo putting his chess piece down, Ye Li raised her head and smiled, saying, "I'm not good at playing games; I fear that Brother Four has already grown impatient." Xu Qingbo stood up, shook his head, and said with a smile, "Compared to Little Five, I'd rather play with you." Xu Xiaowu was the first chess enthusiast in the Xu family—specifically for go—but he was terrible at it. Despite being extremely passionate about go, even the household servants in the Xu family wouldn't deign to play with him.

Upon hearing Xu Qingbo’s words, Xu Qingyan looked miserable and glared resentfully at Ye Li; Ye Li couldn’t help but twitch her mouth. She had no idea whether her fourth brother was praising or belittling her.

Qin Zheng was quickly invited in as Xu Qingbo dragged Xu Qingyan out of the room.

"Li'er, it seems you're doing well at the Xu family" Qin Zeng stood outside the pavilion and smiled at Ye Li.

Ye Li's face was pale with earth-colored makeup. She pulled Qin Zeng inside, saying, "I never knew there were so many things I needed to learn."

Qin Zeng covered her mouth and laughed softly. She said, "Since Aunt Ye passed away early on, you naturally have more to learn. We all learned these from childhood. Moreover, the one you're marrying into is not a common household; it’s the Prince of Ding's Mansion. It’s no wonder Uncle Xu and others are so meticulous." Ye Li thought about the two thick volumes of military strategy books still in her study. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated—she had wondered if she was going to war instead of getting married. Still, compared with the books on women's etiquette given by Lady Lin and her wet nurse, Ye Li wisely chose more practical and interesting books on military strategies.

"Haha, let’s not talk about that. Have you met my second brother" Ye Li asked Qin Zeng with a smile.

Qin Zeng blushed slightly and glared at Ye Li before whispering, "Both First Young Master and Second Young Master are out."

Ye Li sighed softly in disappointment. That meant she hadn’t met them. She then leaned closer to Qin Zeng and whispered with a smile, "No problem, they’ll be back."

Seeing Ye Li’s amused expression, Qin Zeng's face turned redder. Annoyed, she reached out to pinch her. Ye Li hurriedly pleaded for mercy while dodging, saying, "Oh no, Sister Qin, I’m sorry… I know I was wrong… Please spare my life…" Qin Zeng glared at her again before saying, "You impudent girl! How could you be so calm when you met the Prince of Ding that day—" Ye Li's composed demeanor during their encounter left a deep impression on Qin Zeng. Comparing it to her current unsettled and anxious state, she felt somewhat dejected.

Ye Li awkwardly rubbed her nose; how could she tell this young lady that she had long passed the age of blushing at handsome men

"Ahem, well… just keep a calm mind. There's nothing to worry about; everyone is meeting new people for the first time.

Qin Zheng gave Ye Li an annoyed look. She realized that this oddball, Ye Li, simply didn't understand delicate feminine thoughts.

Ye Li protested her innocence: Who doesn’t know that…

While Ye Li was leading a busy yet pleasant life at the Xu Manor, things were not so peaceful for the Ye Family and Li王府. News of what happened at Chu Xiang Pavilion spread through various channels in the capital city, accompanied by all sorts of speculations and theories from the masses. Even the gambling houses had people placing bets on when Li王爺would abandon Miss Ye again. The scandalous news about Li王爺and Princess QiXia also inexplicably circulated: A romance between a princess of Nanzhao and a prince of Dachu, who fell in love at first sight but were forced apart by their circumstances; the princess was still pining for her lost love while he had already found another woman to cherish. This tragic tale of heartbreak was only missing being turned into ballads sung in teahouses and taverns. For this reason, Ye Ying sought out Mo Jingli to pour out her woes, but Mo Jingli was already at his wits' end with the situation and they parted on bad terms. As a result, rumors grew even more rampant.

"Your Highness, Dowager Consort has requested your presence."

Mou Jingli entered the王府with a grim expression; the head steward had been waiting for him and hurriedly informed him of this.

Mou Jingli nodded and changed direction to head towards Dowager Consort XianZhaio's residence instead of returning to his own quarters.

"Mother."

The Empress Dowager was sitting on a soft couch, supporting her forehead with her hand. Her expression looked rather unpleasant. As Mo Jingli entered the room, she managed to force out a smile and said, "Li'er is here. Come sit down."

"Has Mother given me any instructions" Mo Jingli asked as he sat down in front of the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager shook her head and replied, "Mother was just asking how things were going. With the wedding approaching, it wouldn't look good if something else goes wrong at court." Mo Jingli said solemnly, "Rest assured, Mother. It's just some rumors; there won't be any problems." The Empress Dowager frowned and said, "Originally, I didn't agree with you marrying Ye Ying, but since she is the younger sister of Lady Ye Zhaoyi, I let it go. Now that things have gotten so out of hand, can she still uphold the dignity of the Li Prince's王府門麵？”墨景黎冷眸閃過一絲精光，恭聲道：“她不懂事，以後還請母妃好好教導。”賢昭太妃擺手無奈道：“罷了，既然事情到了這一步也隻能這樣了。你去告訴葉瑩，這些日子安分守己地準備婚禮，既然是要做黎王的王妃就得像個樣子。特彆是……彆去招惹她那個三姐！”

"母妃？"

太妃嗤笑一聲無奈地看著墨景黎道：“黎兒，這次你當真是看走眼了。雖然一時看不出那葉三小姐的深淺，但一個女子怎麼可能如彆人所說是無才無德無貌的千金？再說了……就算她真是個無才無德無貌的千金，隻要不是傻子也比葉瑩有價值得多。聽說徐家當家人徐鴻羽，以及幾位公子都已經到了京城。現在你應該知道徐家對葉璃的重視了吧。”

墨景黎冷哼一聲道：“再怎麼是世家淵源，如今已經退出朝堂了。何況……那個葉璃毫無婦德可言，不堪為黎王正妃。”

太妃輕歎一聲點頭道：“罷了，你心裡有數就行了。”

不過墨景黎並不知道，他的倒黴日子纔剛剛開始。即使退出了朝堂，在跨越兩個王朝的世家大族麵前，一個王爺的力量也難以抵擋。r. Smiling at Mu Yang Hou who seemed a bit nervous, Mo Jingqi suddenly said: "Mu, there’s no need to worry. It has been so long since your son wrote two letters, and he doesn’t seem concerned about hi...