“You insolent wretch, still daring to talk back? You’ve truly gone too far!”
Ye Liaozhai’s blood pressure instantly spiked.
Concubine Liu hurriedly patted his chest. “Master, calm your anger, don’t let it harm your health!”
She wiped away a tear, putting on a pitiful expression. “It’s all because Tianbao is unlucky. Though he’s the only boy, he’s born of a concubine. Even if he can carry on the Ye family line, in the end, he still can’t compare to the eldest young lady, the legitimate daughter…”
She deliberately emphasized the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, highlighting Ye Tianbao’s importance and pitifulness, all in an attempt to provoke Ye Liaozhai into promoting her to the position of the principal wife.
Ye Liaozhai said in a low voice, “An illegitimate son is still a boy who can continue the family line! What can this rebellious daughter do? A troublemaking good-for-nothing!”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Great Li’s customs are open-minded, valuing strength regardless of gender. How can you be so old-fashioned?”
Ye Piaoling pointed and criticized, “Look at you, you’re just a chancellor. It’s not like your family has a throne to inherit. How important is continuing the family line, really?”
Upon hearing this, Ye Liaozhai was both shocked and furious.
“You wretched creature, how dare you speak such disrespectful words? Say one more word, and I’ll skin you alive!”
Seeing this, Concubine Liu was overjoyed and quickly seized the opportunity to fan the flames:
“Eldest young lady, you should say less! Your father is a pillar of the court, handling countless affairs every day. If you anger him to the point of illness, it could delay important matters of both family and state!”
Ye Liaozhai found this flattery quite agreeable and gave her a satisfied glance.
Concubine Liu doubled down on her act of the virtuous wife and mother, stepping forward to tug at Ye Piaoling’s sleeve. “Eldest young lady, if you have any grievances in the future, direct them all at me. Just don’t harm your brother again, and don’t cause any more trouble for your father…”
“In this lifetime, I have no other wish but to hope for peace and safety in our Ye family… to hope that your father remains healthy, lives a long life, and that everything goes his way!”
Ye Piaoling truly couldn’t stand her hypocritical, pretentious act any longer.
A thought crossed her mind, and she quietly stuck the “Truth-Telling” talisman on Concubine Liu’s back.
Perfect timing to test the talisman’s effects…
The talisman flashed and silently merged into Concubine Liu’s body.
Ye Liaozhai was still glaring at Ye Piaoling with disgust. He had originally intended to whip her, but now he felt that even a whipping wouldn’t be enough to vent his anger!
This wretched creature, despite being the legitimate daughter, didn’t understand propriety as well as Concubine Liu, a mere concubine.
Concubine Liu was so reasonable and principled—perhaps it really was worth considering making her the principal wife…
At that moment, Concubine Liu suddenly spoke impatiently: “You old fool, what are you standing there holding a whip for? Hurry up and whip her!”
“What did you say?!”
Ye Liaozhai froze.
Old fool?
Surely she doesn’t mean me??
Concubine Liu was horrified and quickly covered her mouth.
—What was wrong with her? How had she accidentally spoken her true thoughts out loud?!
“I’m asking you!” Ye Liaozhai roared. “What did you just say?”
Concubine Liu opened her mouth to defend herself, but her words were already out of control:
“I said you’re an old fool. Is there anything wrong with that? Look at yourself—your temples are turning white, and you’re no good in bed anymore… If it weren’t for your wealth and power, do you think I’d be willing to serve you?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the servants were stunned.
Ye Liaozhai had spent years scheming to climb the official ranks, and the stress had aged him quickly, giving him white hair early on…
But that wasn’t the main point.
The main point was: he was no good in bed anymore!
No wonder the Ye family had so few descendants, with only one male heir.
The servants suddenly understood: Oh, so it was all the master’s physical problem…
Got it, got it!!
Ye Liao Zhai was shocked, his eyes bulging almost out of their sockets, and he trembled as he said, “You… you…”
Concubine Liu was so frightened that she fell to her knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly and forcefully while loudly saying:
“Master, please calm your anger! What I said is all from the heart! You only have Tianbao as your one son, and I just hope you kick the bucket soon to meet the King of Hell, so all the Ye family’s wealth will belong to us mother and son!”
“Best of all, before you die, make me the official wife, so inheriting the family fortune will be even easier! Then, as a young and beautiful widow with immense wealth, I can secretly keep a few young lovers… Wouldn’t that life be delightful?”
Once the words were spoken, Concubine Liu nearly fainted from fright.
She had intended to kowtow and make excuses, but she found herself completely unable to control her mouth, pouring out all the heartfelt words she had kept bottled up for years!