Chapter 959: Chapter 957: Yuanfan Wouldn’t Be Like This Too, Would He?
She just wanted to make Madam Yin’s resolve a little stronger, to increase her concerns about Zhao Gang through this wish-making and future fulfillment, but she didn’t expect to encounter Ye Xinyi, this troublemaker.
Would she die if she didn’t speak? Doesn’t she have any sense? Ever since her legitimate elder sister came back, things have completely changed. Every time they faced off, when did Ye Xinyi ever gain the upper hand? Yet she still dreams of restoring her past glory, once again trampling Madam Yin and her underfoot.
What is she thinking? Her brain must be malfunctioning, right?
Madam Li was more than relieved as she bid farewell to Madam Yin and her daughter, surprised to see that the two of them hadn’t changed their minds because of Ye Xinyi’s words and still went to request peace charms.
She once again marveled in her heart that Miss Ye’s combat power was truly unmatched. Despite being at a disadvantage and targeted, she managed to win completely. Moreover, under the gaze of their group, she still went to request peace charms for Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion’s General Officers. Such decisiveness and fearlessness truly shouldn’t be underestimated.
Madam Li and Madam Zhou headed to the reserved guest room, pretending to chat nonchalantly about the earlier awkward situation while noticing Madam Zhou’s struggle to mask her discomfort.
Given Ye Xinyan’s powerful demeanor and strength earlier, Madam Li believed that regardless of whether Madam Yin had any dealings with Zhao Gang of Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, the Ji Family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo would no longer dare to say a word about it.
This was what Madam Li had hoped for—that Zhao Gang’s name and Madam Yin’s trip would fade from their group’s memories. If inappropriate words were spread, who knew if Miss Ye would suspect The Vice Minister’s Residence, causing trouble for the residence and her daughter?
……
Madam Zhou returned early from Cien Temple, and the three mother-in-law and daughters got out of the carriage outside the Second Gate. Madam Zhou didn’t want to look at Ye Xinyi more than necessary, yet she still felt the need to admonish her.
She drooped her eyelids, casting a sidelong glance at Ye Xinyi from under them, and instructed coldly, “You shouldn’t go out in the coming days, and limit your connections outside. That construction industry, just return it to whoever it belongs to. Don’t let our Ji Family be tainted with such filthy money!”
Ye Xinyi had been returning in trepidation all along, and indeed saw her mother-in-law’s look of disdain. Her mother-in-law’s last words were “our Ji Family.” According to that, what was she, Ye Xinyi? Wasn’t she the daughter-in-law of the Ji Family?
Ye Xinyi couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart, but this was her husband’s home, and that was her mother-in-law. She could only accompany her carefully, agreeing respectfully in a soft voice.
Watching her elder sister-in-law support her mother-in-law, surrounded by maids and old woman servants as they left first, a wave of sadness welled up in Ye Xinyi, and she could no longer hold back, shedding two tears.
Her personal maid Qingqing quickly handed her a handkerchief, whispering a counsel, “Fourth madam, let’s hurry back. There are so many people around here…”
Indeed, Ye Xinyi immediately wiped the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief and looked around. Luckily, no one was there. If she were seen crying here and someone relayed it to her mother-in-law, her mother-in-law would only loathe her more.
At this moment, Ye Xinyi’s mood was even more desolate than a fallen autumn leaf.
Though she was the concubine-born daughter, she was dearly cherished by her father and aunt from birth. Because of the fondness of her Princely Heir father, no one ever dared disgrace her, either inside the house or outside.
Even though she had to humble herself before Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan, it was due to her aunt’s teaching, for her own good, so she could raise her concubine-born status and keep her legitimate elder sister underfoot all her life.
So her humble demeanor was voluntary. If she was unwilling to meet her legitimate mother, her father would immediately stand up for her.
Ever since Ye Xinyan, that/whore came back from her wayward life outside, her days had become less than desirable. When she first married into the Ji Family, everyone flattered her, with courtesy up and down the house.
Ever since her father was stripped of the right to inherit the title, the ji Mansion, renowned for its prestige, began treating her with increasing disdain. Especially her mother-in-law’s expression and gaze just now… were those even looks fit for a person?
As soon as Ye Xinyi entered her room, she hurried towards the inner chamber and flung herself onto the bed, crying silently. The Ji Family was so prestigious, so fastidious, why did they agree to marry this concubine-born daughter at that time?
……
Ye Xinyan wasn’t happy either. On the way back, she kept talking to Madam Yin, dissecting and reasoning. She repeated that we should live our lives well, and as long as we live with a clear conscience, that’s what truly mattered. As for what others think, that’s their business, what does it have to do with us?
But Madam Yin kept staring at the bobbing carriage curtain in front of her, staying silent without speaking up.
Until Ye Xinyan had no choice and spoke about herself: “Life is tough, right, mom? Just like me, although looked down upon by many, like Madam Zhou and such female relatives, I still live a carefree and celebrated life, don’t I?”
Perhaps Ye Xinyan’s words were a bit arrogant or maybe because Madam Yin cared more about her daughter than herself, these few words did make Madam Yin turn her gaze back.
After examining her for a few moments, she scolded, “What nonsense are you saying? Are these supposed to be your strengths? Ah Yan, mom is telling you, now that you have a husband’s family, you can’t always behave willfully; you need to consider Yuanfan’s reputation, do you understand?!”
The tone unexpectedly became a bit stern.
Ye Xinyan found this change in tone quite sudden. She blinked in confusion. Her initial topic was about Madam Yin and Zhao Gang, it seemed she hadn’t digressed. How did she end up being lectured by her mom all of a sudden?
“Well, mom, you’re right in everything you said.” Ye Xinyan stubbornly brought the topic back, “What I was saying is, mom, think about it, now it’s Ye Xinyi who behaved arrogantly for over twenty years and married into society’s most lauded literary family. But you saw Madam Zhou’s attitude towards her today, Ye Xinyi’s life must be difficult. Do you want me to restrain myself and become a woman praised by society, yet live a whole lifetime like Ye Xinyi, always swallowing my pride and meekly bearing everything?”
Ye Xinyan looked resolutely at Madam Yin, displaying an air of not giving up until she got an answer.
Under Ye Xinyan’s expectant gaze, Madam Yin’s expression changed. After a long internal struggle, she seemed to make a big decision before speaking, “Mom would rather have Ah Yan live happily, envied yet helpless to others, than let you be like that Ye Xinyi, constrained by worldly rules, suppressed by in-laws and siblings, unable even to breathe freely under others’ watch. That would hurt mom.”
Ye Xinyan was thrilled: “You see, you see, I wasn’t wrong, right? So let’s not worry about whatever Ye Xinyi says; she has ill intentions, fearing that you and I will live well. We have to live happily, so those who seem perfect on the surface but are full of inner bitterness can see, let’s make them envious!”
“Well, I’ll go back and find Jiang Yifan, let him think of ways to deal with that Ye Xinyi. Not living her life properly, her mind full of malicious intent, what kind of person is that?”
Madam Yin was stunned for a moment. Well, this was her daughter, her thoughts were indeed unpredictable. The problem was, she even mentioned her son-in-law, Yuanfan is a scholar through and through, he probably wouldn’t think this way, right?