The carriage slowly came to a stop before the gates of the Ye Residence.
The maids riding outside climbed down first, placed a stepping stool beside the carriage, and carefully helped their young ladies alight.
The people of the Ye household had already received the news. Everyone wore broad smiles and waited eagerly at the entrance.
As soon as Ye Jinyun and Ye Jinrong stepped out of the carriage, a crowd immediately surged forward to greet them and escort them into the residence.
Once the family had entered, the servants at the gate pulled out fire starters and lit the strings of firecrackers hanging outside.
A deafening series of crackles erupted.
The entire Ye Residence became lively and festive.
The family happily made their way to the main hall.
Seated at the head of the room, Father Ye’s face was glowing with pride.
Looking at his two daughters, he said,
“You sisters have truly brought honor to the Ye family and our ancestors. For both of you to be selected for the palace at the same time is an extraordinary distinction. As your father, I am deeply gratified.”
Madam Yang smiled so broadly that she could hardly conceal her joy.
“The Master is absolutely right. The Ye family must be blessed by the Bodhisattvas to have two daughters chosen at once. What tremendous fortune! In the future, when Rong’er becomes one of His Majesty’s favored consorts, she will surely bring prosperity to the Ye family for generations.”
Father Ye nodded enthusiastically.
“Well said. Rong’er, Yun’er, once you enter the palace, you must support one another and always remember that the honor of the entire Ye family rests upon your shoulders.”
Ye Jinrong shyly replied,
“Father is right. Rong’er will remember your teachings. I will certainly become one of His Majesty’s favored consorts and ensure the continued prosperity of the Ye family.”
Ye Jinyun, however, had no such ambitions.
She simply curtsied, responded politely, and said nothing more.
Noticing her lackluster expression, Father Ye assumed she was worried about failing to win the Emperor’s favor after entering the palace.
So he comforted her:
“Yun’er, there is no need to worry. Although your appearance has certain shortcomings, making it difficult to gain His Majesty’s affection, Rong’er is your sister. If she becomes favored, she will naturally help you. And with your father supporting both of you at court, you need not fear being bullied in the palace.”
Ye Jinyun knew he had completely misunderstood her concerns.
But she saw no point in explaining.
She simply agreed.
Although Ye Jinrong had never particularly liked her elder sister, she also understood that Father Ye was correct.
Once inside the palace, the fewer enemies one had, the better.
The women of the harem would already be difficult enough to deal with. If the sisters turned against one another, they would only be giving others an opportunity.
Thus, she obediently agreed as well.
The Old Madam and Madam Yang then pulled Ye Jinrong into another long conversation filled with affectionate advice and encouragement.
Meanwhile, Ye Jinyun sat quietly in her seat, drinking tea and eating pastries.
In everyone’s eyes, the true star of this selection was Third Miss Ye Jinrong.
Second Miss Ye Jinyun had simply been lucky enough to be selected.
No one believed she would receive the Emperor’s favor after entering the palace.
As a result, nobody bothered coming over to chat with her.
Ye Jinyun was perfectly happy with that arrangement.
The fewer people bothering her, the better.
After everyone had sat in the hall for a while, a maid suddenly entered to report:
“The Young Master has returned!”
The entire room erupted with excitement.
The eldest son of the Ye family, Ye Huaibo, had left three years ago to travel and study.
Since then, he had never returned home, sending only a letter each month.
His prolonged absence had left his parents constantly worried, while the Old Madam often spoke of him with longing.
In the letter he had sent the previous month, he mentioned that he would soon begin his journey home.
No one had expected him to arrive on such an auspicious day.
The family immediately rose to welcome him.
But before they could even leave the hall, they saw a travel-worn figure already entering the main courtyard.
The moment Ye Huaibo saw his family, he swept aside his robe and dropped to his knees with a thud.
“Father, Mother, your son has returned.”
Then he turned toward the Old Madam.
“Grandmother, your unfilial grandson has returned.”
The Old Madam’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
“Ah, my precious grandson! Get up, quickly get up. It’s enough that you’ve come home. It’s enough that you’ve come home.”
She reached forward, eager to help him up.
Nearby, Madam Yang was already crying openly.
Had her personal maid not been supporting her, she might have collapsed onto the floor.
Even Father Ye, usually composed, was visibly moved.
Though he did not shed tears like the women, his eyes reddened slightly.
“Huaibo, stand up. You’ve had a difficult journey. As long as you’ve returned safely, that’s all that matters.”
After rising to his feet, Ye Huaibo looked toward Ye Jinyun and Ye Jinrong standing behind their father.
A warm smile spread across his face.
“Three years apart, and both my sisters have grown into young ladies.”
Upon seeing her elder brother for the first time in three years, Ye Jinrong burst into tears.
She rushed forward and complained mournfully,
“Big Brother hasn’t come home for three whole years. You clearly didn’t miss Rong’er at all. Otherwise, why didn’t you come back to see me?”
Ye Huaibo shook his head helplessly.
His younger sister had always been spoiled and willful.
Three years had changed nothing.
“All right, all right. It’s Big Brother’s fault for not coming back sooner. To make up for it, I’ve brought gifts from the south—the kind young ladies love most. Does that satisfy our Rong’er?”
Only then did Ye Jinrong nod happily and break into a brilliant smile.
Seeing Ye Huaibo return home filled Ye Jinyun with genuine happiness as well.
After his birth, Ye Huaibo had been raised by her mother, who was then the mistress of the household.
At the time, Madam Yang had merely been a concubine.
Since the principal wife had not yet produced a legitimate son, Madam Yang had no right to keep her own son by her side.
Although Ye Huaibo was born to a concubine, Ye Jinyun’s mother had always treated him as if he were her own child.
She cared for him devotedly and even hired an excellent tutor to educate him.
Later, when Ye Jinyun was born, young Ye Huaibo often followed their mother around, helping look after his little sister.
Even after her mother passed away and Madam Yang became the mistress of the household, Ye Huaibo never changed his attitude toward Ye Jinyun.
He continued to care for her just as before.
Whenever Madam Yang made things difficult for her, Ye Huaibo would often speak up on her behalf.
He would privately comfort her whenever he feared she might be upset.
And whenever she lacked anything, he would secretly have servants deliver it to her.
Among all the people in the Ye family, Ye Huaibo was perhaps the one who had shown Ye Jinyun the most sincere kindness throughout her life.