Jingcheng never lacked fresh topics of conversation. For several consecutive days, everyone discussed the He family’s affairs, gradually forgetting about Zhou Yu.
His recent excessive low profile had caused many to overlook him.
Only Ye Wanning kept people watching him.
“Young Mistress, Hanlin Zhou has learned about Madam Zhou borrowing usurious loans.” Fusheng came to report, feeling deeply remorseful that he hadn’t handled the task his mistress assigned well.
“Paper can’t wrap fire—it was bound to come out eventually. Since it’s happened, send people to collect the debt sooner rather than later.” Ye Wanning took small sips of tea, a faint smile on her face. “Everyone is nearly forgetting what Zhou Yu has done. Make sure they’re reminded—the bigger the commotion, the better. Ideally, the whole city should know. I’ll give additional rewards for that.”
Fusheng acknowledged the order. “This humble servant has also recently discovered something: Hanlin Zhou has been getting rather close with Lord Qian from the Ministry of Revenue.”
“Lord Qian?” Ye Wanning contemplated this person—a rather slick individual with real power and wealth. Was Zhou Yu aiming to become the Qian family’s son-in-law?
She recalled there were two marriageable daughters in the Qian family, but would Lord Qian even look favorably upon Zhou Yu?
After this brief reflection, Ye Wanning instructed Fusheng to continue monitoring Zhou Yu.
No sooner had Fusheng left than an Imperial Decree arrived from the palace: all three daughters of the Ye Family were included in the selection list. During this period, they were forbidden from discussing marriage arrangements, as doing so would constitute defiance of the Imperial Decree.
The Ye family had been mentally prepared for this and weren’t particularly surprised. However, the second branch couple arrived excitedly bearing gifts.
When the Old Master Ye was on his deathbed, he divided the family property between his two sons. While Ye Wanning’s parents were alive, the second branch visited frequently. After the main branch lost its pillars, the second branch couple only appeared to pay respects to the Old Madam on the first and fifteenth days of the month, remaining absent otherwise.
Ye Xianrong had barely stepped through the door when he congratulated Ye Mingde, “Mingde, you’re truly blessed! All three nieces are blooming beauties—surely one will be selected. What a pity your uncle has no daughters, so we’ll have to rely on your good fortune in the future!”
Li Shi chimed in with a smile, “It’s my failing for not bearing sons. But the main branch has such good luck, encountering this wonderful opportunity. Ah, where are Wan Ning and the others? Why haven’t they come out? I’ve brought silk and jewelry for them. Since they’re going for the imperial selection, as their aunt with limited means, this is just a small token of my affection.”
Facing their overwhelmingly enthusiastic uncle and aunt, Ye Mingde frowned slightly. It was Ye Mingyue who responded cheerfully, “My sisters didn’t know Uncle and Aunt were coming. I’ve sent someone to fetch them. Thank you for your kindness—we won’t stand on ceremony.”
Ye Mingde shot his brother a meaningful look—their family hadn’t planned for the sisters to be selected, so accepting gifts wasn’t appropriate. But Ye Mingyue pretended not to notice, thinking it foolish not to take advantage when offered. Their uncle had taken plenty from the main branch in the past, so fearing his elder brother might refuse, he quickly had servants accept the gifts on his sisters’ behalf.
When Ye Wanning and her two sisters arrived, Ye Mingyue immediately said, “Quickly thank Uncle and Aunt for remembering that you might need more clothing and jewelry, and specially bringing new ones.” As he spoke, he winked at his sisters.
Understanding his meaning, Ye Wanning expressed gratitude to her uncle and aunt.
“No need for such formality. The Ye family’s future now rests entirely on you three young ladies.” Li Shi beamed radiantly. It wasn’t that she was celebrating prematurely, but truly, these three daughters of the main branch were exceptionally beautiful—particularly Ye Wanning, whose beauty surpassed any other young lady in Jingcheng.
When selecting the primary consort, family background and character mattered most. But for secondary consorts, it was different—after all, what man doesn’t love youth and beauty?
Therefore, as soon as Li Shi heard about the imperial decree, she immediately brought her husband along. Previously, she had been afraid that the eldest branch would take advantage, but from now on, she would have to rely on them.
After seeing off the second branch couple, Ye Mingyue was the first to curl his lips in disdain. “Second Uncle and Second Aunt are so opportunistic. In the past, when they ran into me on the street, they would avoid me, afraid I would borrow money from them. But just now, they were so enthusiastic, as if our sisters were about to become the Crown Prince’s consort. Short-sighted, no wonder Second Uncle never got promoted in his entire life.”
“Mingyue!” Ye Mingde reminded him. “He is still our second uncle. We shouldn’t speak ill of him behind his back.”
Turning to his younger sisters, Ye Mingde spoke earnestly, “The preliminary selection is next month. You must prepare yourselves mentally. I’ve reached out to some of Father’s former colleagues to see if we can pull some strings and have you eliminated as early as possible.”
This matter had been weighing so heavily on Ye Mingde that the dark circles under his eyes had grown even darker.
As the eldest brother, he had to act as a father figure. With their parents gone, all matters concerning his younger siblings fell on his shoulders.
Not wanting her eldest brother to worry too much, Ye Wanning went over to comfort him. “Big Brother, don’t overthink it. I’m here, and I’ll take good care of our sisters.”
“Ah.” Looking at his eldest sister, Ye Mingde couldn’t help but sigh. It was precisely because his eldest sister shone too brightly that he was most worried. But he couldn’t say this aloud, so he could only take things one step at a time.
The Emperor was advanced in years but still robust in health. Aside from the deceased deposed Crown Prince, there were seven other princes still alive. The seventh prince was twenty this year, the same age as the Crown Prince’s son, but his marriage had already been arranged—he was betrothed to the eldest legitimate daughter of Xie Bohuai’s eldest brother. The Emperor doted on him greatly and had arranged this marriage early, and with none other than the foremost noble family, the Xie Family.
This selection of consorts was mainly to choose for the four imperial grandsons. Everyone knew that the princes already had their primary consorts in mind; what they were selecting now were secondary consorts and noble concubines.
The Ye Family understood this well. They had no intention of climbing the social ladder by marrying into royalty. The daughters they had painstakingly raised with care were not meant to become someone’s secondary wives.
Though Ye Mingde’s official rank wasn’t high, he had accompanied his father and grandfather on outings since childhood. While he hadn’t experienced many things firsthand, he had heard plenty. Even if one were lucky enough to enter the Crown Prince’s residence, it wasn’t certain that the Crown Prince’s son would ultimately ascend the throne.
Such words were too treasonous to utter; not even to Lin Shi would Ye Mingde speak of them.
None of the princes were easy to deal with. This year, when floods struck the south, the Crown Prince’s faction had been relentlessly targeted by Prince Hui.
The court might appear calm on the surface, but beneath it, everyone was secretly vying for power. However, discussing these matters with his younger siblings would be futile, so he might as well bear the burden alone.
While the Ye Family remained relatively calm, other households were quite different.
At this moment, Xie Bohuai was lounging lazily, watching the other two branches of his family quarrel.
The Xie patriarch had no intention of getting involved in the struggle for the throne, but when the Emperor arranged a marriage between the eldest legitimate daughter of the eldest branch and the seventh prince, the Xie Family had no choice but to comply. Fortunately, the seventh prince lagged far behind the other princes, making it unlikely for him to contend for the throne.
Seeing that the eldest branch had secured backing, the second branch began to entertain ideas of their own. They secretly reached out to Prince Hui, hoping to marry their daughter to Prince Hui’s son.
Prince Hui was the father of Zhao Yun Jun Zhu. He had approached the Xie patriarch several times, wishing to form a marriage alliance, but the patriarch had no authority over Xie Bohuai’s decisions. When Prince Hui realized that Xie Bohuai’s path was blocked, he turned his attention to the second branch of the Xie Family, who had expressed goodwill.
They all shared the Xie surname, yet before the patriarch had even passed away, the eldest and second branches were already seeking to align with different factions.
The eldest branch accused the second branch of having ulterior motives, while the second branch argued that it was unfair—they hadn’t initiated the contact; Prince Hui had expressed interest, and they couldn’t afford to offend him.
The argument between both sides grew increasingly fierce. Master Xie, his head throbbing with pain, slammed his teacup down and shouted, “Enough! None of you have hidden your intentions well. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming. I’m not dead yet, and you already want to take charge?”
The members of the Xie Family hurriedly expressed their deference, but Xie Bohuai alone appeared indifferent. He stood up and said languidly, “Since this doesn’t concern me, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait!” The old master took a deep breath. He was well aware of the ambitions of the eldest and second branches, but resolving their issues would take time. He ordered them to return and reflect on their mistakes, keeping only Xie Bohuai behind.
The door closed, leaving Xie Bohuai standing behind it.
“You’ve seen it for yourself—your two elder brothers are shortsighted. The future of the Xie Family rests on you.” The old master’s tolerance of Xie Bohuai stemmed from the high hopes he placed in him.
“I dare not claim such responsibility. I am merely a son of a concubine,” Xie Bohuai replied, his eyes half-closed.
He had heard the term “son of a concubine” since childhood.
His mother was a commoner who had fled famine, noticed by the old master for her beauty and forcibly taken as a concubine. Madam Xie, jealous and domineering, was not one to tolerate rivals. Both he and his mother endured daily mistreatment.
When he was five, driven by extreme hunger, Xie Bohuai stole two steamed buns from the kitchen. For this, he and his mother were strung up and beaten by Madam Xie.
He watched as his mother was beaten to death. The old master merely frowned slightly, without uttering a single word of reproach toward Madam Xie.
From that day on, Xie Bohuai understood clearly: he would rise above everyone else. By any means necessary, even if it meant being despised and cursed, he would make every member of the Xie Family fear him at the very sight of him.