The Pearl in the Palm – Chapter 4
Ye Lizhu faintly felt that she was becoming somewhat uncomfortable again.
She pressed a hand to her heart and knitted her brows, but didn’t think too deeply about it.
Perhaps it was simply because seeing her father again had lifted her spirits just a tiny bit, leaving her body to catch up.
It was getting late. Ye Lizhu returned to her room, where several maids and older female servants quickly swarmed around her, carefully serving her as she undressed.
Now that she was returning to the Prime Minister’s estate, the rules of etiquette would naturally be vastly different from those in the temple. At Mingfo Temple, Ye Lizhu had managed her daily life all on her own, never relying on others for care. Going back to the capital meant she had to get used to having this many people shadowing her every move.
Suddenly, Ye Lizhu remembered a very important matter.
Her mother had been dead for eight years. In those eight years, had her father taken a new main wife to fill the vacancy?
Ye Lizhu looked to Nanny Chen and asked, “Since my mother passed away, is there a reigning matriarch in the household?”
Nanny Chen wouldn’t dare hide anything from the Eldest Miss. She replied, “Six years ago, the Master elevated Concubine Wu to the position of main wife. Madam Wu is generally generous and lenient with others. When you return, Miss, the Madam will surely take careful care of you.”
Ye Lizhu gave a strained nod. “Father never mentioned this… Has anyone new been added to the family?”
Nanny Chen shook her head. “Madam Wu has no children of her own. Up until two years ago, the Eldest Young Master was still being raised in Madam Wu’s quarters, but now that he has entered a private academy, he lives independently in his own separate courtyard.”
Ye Fu’an was, after all, the Prime Minister. With such a massive household and vast properties, he couldn’t simply go without a woman to manage the inner courtyard’s affairs. When Lady Jiang was still alive, Ye Fu’an had three concubines in his side-rooms. The Wu woman was the most outstanding among them, possessing a mild temperament and delicate beauty. Thus, after Lady Jiang passed, Ye Fu’an elevated her to official wife status.
Nanny Chen added, “The Eldest Young Master is incredibly bright and clever. There isn’t a single person in the estate who doesn’t adore him. Miss, once you return, you will definitely dote on the Young Master too; after all, the exact same blood flows in your veins.”
Ye Lizhu nodded.
Her mother was gone. If the Wu woman was truly virtuous and kind-hearted, able to ensure her father’s days ran smoothly, Lizhu wouldn’t deliberately oppose her. However, Ye Lizhu only recognized her own birth mother; she would absolutely never change her tune and call another woman ‘Mother.’
As for her younger brother, Ye Lizhu desperately wanted to see him, yet was almost afraid to. They hadn’t seen each other once in all these years. Ye Lizhu was terrified that her little brother would treat his older sister like a complete stranger.
After all, she had grown up completely on the outside.
Nanny Chen said, “It is getting late, and we still have to travel tomorrow. Miss, please hurry to bed and rest.”
Once Ye Lizhu was tucked into bed, the maids blew out two of the candles, leaving only two behind for a soft, dim glow.
Nanny Chen and Nanny Li rested in the outer room, keeping their ears pricked for any sounds from inside.
Although Madam Wu hadn’t done anything overtly wicked over the years, a bizarre incident three years ago where Ye Jiayou had seemingly been “possessed by evil spirits” had put Ye Fu’an heavily on guard against her. The entourage sent to pick up Ye Lizhu this time—every single female servant allowed to wait upon her—were all people who had once received Lady Jiang’s grace, had grown up in the Ye estate since childhood, and whose families had served the Ye household for generations.
The next day, when Ye Lizhu woke up, that sensation of a heavy boulder pressing down on her chest surged up once again.
She felt dizzy for half a moment before slowly gripping the edge of the bed to sit up. It was rather noisy outside, the sounds practically shaking the heavens. Ye Lizhu asked, “What is happening outside?”
Nanny Chen replied, “His Highness the Prince of Qin is departing. His subordinate generals are doing a headcount of the troops before they leave.”
Ye Lizhu nodded.
By the time she finished washing and dressing, the Prince of Qin’s men had completely cleared out.
Ye Fu’an had woken up bright and early. Standing downstairs, he watched from afar as his daughter, dressed in fresh attire, descended the stairs. She looked more exquisitely beautiful than any noble young lady he had ever laid eyes on, and his heart swelled with immense pride. “Zhuzhu, slow down on the stairs. All of you, make sure to support the Miss! If the Miss trips and falls, not a single one of you will escape punishment.”
Ye Lizhu walked down slowly. “I just want to walk by myself. I’m not a three-year-old child, why must I be held everywhere I go?”
Ye Fu’an beamed. “In Dad’s eyes, Zhuzhu will always be a little girl. Come, try these water-milled sweet dumplings. The filling is made of pine nuts, walnuts, roses, and sesame. I didn’t let them put in too much sugar, just a dash of autumn soy sauce, so it’s perfectly fragrant and sweet.”
Not knowing if Ye Lizhu could stomach meat or fish right after leaving Mingfo Temple, Ye Fu’an had specifically ordered the kitchen to prepare several strictly vegetarian dishes. He even had people buy brand new pots, terrified that even a trace of lingering meat flavor would make his daughter feel unwell.
Ye Lizhu was a perfectly proper Eldest Miss, the precious golden daughter of the Prime Minister’s estate, second in status only to a Royal Princess. She should have lived the most pampered, leisurely life imaginable, yet she had spent nearly ten years reciting sutras in a temple. Ye Fu’an’s heart simply ached for his daughter. If Ye Lizhu wanted the moon from the sky, he would find a way to pluck it down for his precious girl.
Ye Lizhu looked at the exquisite white-glazed jade-bi-shaped bowl before her. The broth inside was crystal clear, simmered from lily bulbs and snow fungus, floating with three sweet dumplings the size of quail eggs. The cook was a master chef Ye Fu’an had specially hired and brought along for the journey, making the dumplings remarkably delicious.
Ye Lizhu tasted one before speaking up, “Yesterday I asked the nannies, and they said you had elevated Madam Wu to the main seat. Dad, it’s fine for you to spoil Zhuzhu, but you shouldn’t go too far in all things. Madam Wu manages the household for you; seeing you coddle your children so excessively will surely make her uncomfortable.”
Ye Fu’an had never been a man who fussed over women’s feelings. The only woman he had ever truly cherished and pitied was Ye Lizhu’s mother, Lady Jiang. But that was mainly because Lady Jiang was of noble birth, possessed peerless beauty, and had outstanding talents. Lady Jiang was his true legitimate wife, and Ye Fu’an had loved and respected her. The Wu woman was merely a side-concubine elevated to the main seat; in reality, she was still just a servant of the household, no different from the other concubines. Why would Ye Fu’an ever treat her like a real wife?
Ye Fu’an scoffed, “Zhuzhu doesn’t need to care about how others view things. You are Dad’s flesh and blood, Dad’s daughter. You’ve eaten so much bitterness all these years; before you marry, Dad is going to compensate you for everything. If the Wu woman dares to make you unhappy, you just tell Dad, and Dad will seek justice for you.”
Ye Lizhu nodded.
Ye Fu’an continued, “You have an older female cousin on your maternal grandmother’s side. Her childhood name is Ran-jie’er; you probably don’t remember her. Ran-jie’er’s father—that is, your Third Uncle—was transferred to the capital four years ago, arranged a marriage for Ran-jie’er, and then was transferred to Wanzhou two years later. When your maternal grandmother heard you were coming home, she had Ran-jie’er accompany your aunt to the capital. Firstly, so Ran-jie’er can get married, and secondly, because she feared you would be heartbroken upon learning your mother was gone, she wanted your aunt here to keep you company. Not long after you arrive home, Ran-jie’er and your Aunt Jun will reach the capital as well.”
Ye Lizhu had been too little when she left home. The Ye family had sprawling branches and lush leaves; it was a massive clan. She could barely recognize the people in her own immediate family, let alone those on her maternal grandmother’s side.
However, Ye Lizhu did vaguely remember that her grandmother’s family in Wanzhou was also a highly prestigious and prominent clan.
While Ye Lizhu was fuzzy on the details, Ye Fu’an was acutely aware of them.
Lady Jiang was Old Madam Jiang’s only daughter and had been endlessly doted upon at home. Even though Old Madam Jiang hadn’t seen Ye Lizhu in years, her heart still fiercely loved this maternal granddaughter.
Lady Jun was Old Madam Jiang’s favorite daughter-in-law. Sending Lady Jun over was a strategic move: first, to ensure Ye Lizhu wouldn’t be bullied by the Wu woman upon her return, and second, to guarantee that the ties between the Jiang and Ye families wouldn’t sever just because Lady Jiang had passed.
Ye Lizhu was the legitimate, first-born daughter of the Ye family. The moment Ye Fu’an brought the Eldest Miss back and entered the city gates, news immediately flew ahead. Madam Wu quickly gathered the flock of female relatives and the Eldest Young Master, Ye Jiayou, to wait at the main entrance.
In the capital’s May weather, the blazing sun beat down from overhead. Madam Wu, dressed in a dark blue robe, stood at the very front. Beside her stood the Eldest Young Master, Ye Jiayou, with maids holding up parasols on both sides to block the sun. Flanking them further out were the side-concubines, Lady Liang and Lady Zhou.
Madam Wu lowered her head, softly and gently instructing Ye Jiayou, “Later, when you see your Eldest Sister, you are absolutely not allowed to get too close to her, do you hear me? The Eldest Miss has a weak constitution, you cannot just casually bump into her. The Master dotes on her so much; if you frighten her, the Master won’t favor you like he used to.”
Ye Jiayou and Ye Lizhu were born of the same mother, and their features shared a three-part resemblance. Ye Jiayou was only about seven or eight years old now, yet he was exceptionally handsome, dressed in moon-white brocade. His ink-black hair was braided into several small plaits gathered at the top, and his clear eyes were a beautiful shade of brown. As Madam Wu leaned close, Ye Jiayou smoothly, wordlessly took a step away from her.
Just then, a servant boy outside the alley shouted, “The Master’s carriage is approaching!”
Everyone waiting outside rushed forward to welcome them. The female relatives on Madam Wu’s side hastily took out their handkerchiefs to dab the sweat from their foreheads, quickly adjusted their appearances, and pasted on polite, welcoming smiles.
Soon, everyone heard the rumble of the passing carriage. A dozen or so attendants cleared the path ahead. Once the carriage drew near and rolled to a stop, Ye Fu’an was the first to step down.
Madam Wu was all smiles. “Master, you have returned! Where is the Eldest Miss? Having not seen the Eldest Miss for so many years, I have missed her terribly. I have already ordered people to sweep the Eldest Miss’s quarters spotless—right in the Yunxiang Pavilion. Please, quickly let the Eldest Miss step down.”
Lady Liang also smiled and chimed in, “Madam is right, everyone has missed the Eldest Miss immensely. Just now, Madam was even saying how the Eldest Miss has a fragile constitution and cannot withstand the wind or rain, telling us all to be careful in everything we do.”
Ye Fu’an’s face instantly darkened. “Zhuzhu’s health is perfectly fine. What do you mean she ‘cannot withstand the wind or rain’? Stop sitting around with nothing better to do than cursing people behind their backs.”
Madam Wu quickly shot Lady Liang a sideways glare. Lady Liang awkwardly backpedaled, “Master, please do not be angry, this concubine misspoke.”
Madam Wu smiled again and said, “Master, it is dreadfully stuffy in the carriage, shouldn’t you hurry and let the Miss down?”
“Zhuzhu is asleep,” Ye Fu’an commanded. “Drive the carriage carefully into the courtyard, directly to Jingshui Pavilion.”
Madam Wu froze. “The Eldest Miss isn’t staying in Yunxiang Pavilion?”
“She is not,” Ye Fu’an stated flatly. “To Jingshui Pavilion.”
Beside them, Ye Jiayou called out, “Dad.” Ye Fu’an reached out and rubbed Ye Jiayou’s head. “You’re covered in sweat out here. Wet nurse, why did you let the Young Master wait out here in this blazing heat?”
Ye Jiayou’s wet nurse hurriedly explained, “The Young Master has never met the Eldest Miss, so he—”
“If this happens again, none of you need to stay by the Young Master’s side anymore,” Ye Fu’an cut her off coldly.
He began to walk inside, and Ye Jiayou quickly trotted after him. “Dad, can I go see Zhuzhu?”
Ye Fu’an flicked him on the forehead. “No manners at all! What do you mean ‘Zhuzhu’? Call her Sister! Go change your clothes and follow Dad into the palace later. His Majesty has summoned us for the evening banquet. When we get back tonight, your sister will be awake.”
“You just got back, why is His Majesty calling you over at this hour?” Ye Jiayou asked.
Ye Fu’an never shied away from discussing court politics in front of Ye Jiayou; the boy would have to enter the court as an official one day anyway. Though young, his mind was already quite deep.
Ye Fu’an explained, “The Prince of Qin has arrived in the capital, and His Majesty is hosting a banquet to receive him. Several cabinet ministers must attend. You are going to tag along to meet the Prince of Qin, to see what true presence and aura look like. Stop hanging around with the Prince of Chen’s heir and those other useless dandies, fighting roosters and walking dogs. Read more books, practice more martial arts—only then will you actually make some progress.”
Translator’s Anecdote: Prime Minister Ye really looked his entire harem in the eye and said, “You are all just background extras in the grand, pampered saga of my daughter,” and I respect that.