Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 27. Stay-young Treasure Pearl

27. Everlasting Youth Pearl

"What did you say?! Ye Li won First Beauty?!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

In the Ye Mansion, inside Ye Ying’s Huixue Pavilion, Ye Ying’s usually gentle and graceful voice carried an indescribable harshness. The maids kneeling in the elegantly arranged flower hall replied in terror, "To... to answer your question, Miss, the rumors outside are indeed true. Third Miss has returned to the mansion. Furthermore, congratulatory gifts for her win have arrived from the Qin Family of the Imperial Censor’s Mansion, the Xu Family, State Duke Hua’s Mansion, General Yangwei’s Mansion, the Prime Minister’s Mansion, and the Minister of Ministry of Rites’ Mansion." Ye Ying’s beautiful face finally cracked. With a wave of her hand, she swept everything from the nearby table onto the floor. The maid kneeling at the forefront was struck but dared not cry out in pain, hastily saying, "Miss, please calm your anger..."

"Calm what anger! How could that wench Ye Li become First Beauty?" Ye Ying exclaimed in disbelief. She had pushed Ye Li forward, banking on the fact that their mother hadn’t arranged for specialized tutors for her over the years. Against Princess Qixia, a rival even she wasn’t confident of defeating, Ye Li was sure to make a fool of herself. In that case, even if Ye Ying didn’t win the First Beauty title this year, she wouldn’t lose face as she hadn’t competed. More importantly, everyone would know that only she, Ye Ying, was the most outstanding daughter of the Ye Family. Even if Ye Li was the Xu Family’s granddaughter, she still couldn’t compare to her!

Despite her rage, Ye Ying quickly calmed down, regaining her usual grace and gentleness. She stood up and said, "All of you, get up. Let’s go see Mother."

The maids in the flower hall all sighed in relief. Those meant to clean up the mess began to do so, while those designated to accompany Ye Ying hurriedly tidied their appearance and followed her to see Ms. Wang.

Inside Rongle Hall, Ye Li sat quietly, allowing Old Lady Ye, Minister Ye, and Ms. Wang to scrutinize her. Old Lady Ye looked at Ye Li with a loving smile and said, "Li’er, you are indeed a true daughter of our Ye Family. You’ve certainly made a name for yourself this time. Our Ye Family has now produced two First Beauties! Who in the Capital City doesn’t praise our family for raising daughters so well?"

Ye Li offered a faint smile. "Grandmother, you flatter me. It is all thanks to the excellent guidance from you and Father."

Minister Ye gazed at his composed and dignified daughter, his expression complex. This daughter, to whom he had never paid much attention, was entirely different from his other daughters. She seemed unremarkable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, she exuded a distinct air of dignity and the graceful bearing of established aristocratic families. This reminded him irresistibly of the first time he met his deceased wife; she too possessed such elegance and composure. Beautiful enough to capture hearts, yet her grace also made others feel inadequate. Even without growing up in the Xu Family, even without the finest upbringing, could the Xu bloodline still allow her to surpass his other children so effortlessly? He silently mulled this over, recalling what he had heard about his other daughters’ performances at the Hundred Flowers Pageant. Then, thinking of Ye Rong, spoiled by his own mother and Ms. Wang, Minister Ye’s regret deepened: Why wasn’t Li’er a boy?

"The Qin Family, the Xu Family, State Duke Hua’s Mansion, the Liu Mansion... for all those families who sent congratulatory gifts, ensure the return gifts are chosen carefully," Old Lady Ye instructed, looking at Ms. Wang, who sat quietly to the side with downcast eyes.

Ms. Wang quickly concealed the glint in her eyes and replied respectfully, "Old Lady, please rest assured. I understand."

Old Lady Ye nodded in satisfaction. "As for those congratulatory gifts, send them all to Qingyi Pavilion. Li’er, if you see any jewelry or clothes you like, you can acquire more. All the families have sent invitations. While we don’t need to attend every single one, we cannot afford to decline them all. We must not disgrace the Minister’s Mansion." Before Ye Li could reply, a maid outside announced that Fourth Miss had arrived.

Ye Ying, now dressed in a thin white gown, her face somewhat pale, appeared even more delicate and frail. Supported by a maid, she entered, greeted Old Lady Ye, Minister Ye, and Ms. Wang, then said with a wan expression, "Ying’er has brought shame upon the Ye Family. Please punish me, Grandmother, Father."

Old Lady Ye’s graying eyebrows twitched slightly as she glanced at Minister Ye without speaking. Ye Ying had always been Minister Ye’s favorite, cherished even more than Ye Zhaoyi, who was now in the palace. How could he bear to punish her? Ms. Wang immediately pulled her daughter into her arms, gently soothing, "Silly child, how could this be your fault? If not for the unforeseen incident, this year’s First Beauty would undoubtedly still be yours, Ying’er."

Minister Ye nodded, concurring with Ms. Wang. "Your mother is right. It was due to unforeseen circumstances, so you are not to blame. Get up quickly. You are frail, and the floor is cold."

Watching this heartwarming scene of the family trio, Ye Li remained outwardly calm and unperturbed, her expression still respectful. Inside, however, her thoughts had already drifted to the new friends she had made that day, especially Qin Zheng, her future sister-in-law. She needed to consider what return gifts to send them. There were so many things to attend to lately; she really had no time for such tedious family dramas. Her thoughts then turned to her future married life. Perhaps she could find a husband who was neither too good nor too bad. If possible, they could build a peaceful and happy family. Maybe they could even have a child or two...

Even as Old Lady Ye steadily observed the young woman in green seated quietly to one side, Ye Li’s mind had already wandered far away, contemplating the tasks she needed to handle soon.

Old Lady Ye watched the scene unfold, sighing inwardly. Previously, she had thought Ye Yue and Ye Ying were the promising ones. Only now did she realize that Ye Li was the one who was truly deeply reserved and capable. Based on this composure and calm alone, Old Lady Ye believed that if Ye Li had been the one to enter the palace, she might have gone much further. Alas, Ye Li was now betrothed to Prince Ding, a cripple with no prospects. Truly, fate plays cruel tricks...

"Grandmother, Third Sister winning First Beauty is a joyous occasion for our Ye Family. Shouldn’t we tell Second Sister so she can be happy too?" Once the family trio had finished their display of affection, Ye Ying approached Old Lady Ye and cooed.

Minister Ye chuckled. "It’s rare for Ying’er to be so considerate. She’s right. Mother, what do you think...?"

"You are right. In a few days, it will be time to pay respects in the palace. We shall inform Her Highness Zhao Yi of this good news then," Old Lady Ye nodded and said. Turning to Ye Li, she added with a smile, "Your Second Sister has always treated her sisters very well. In the future, when you both manage your own households, you should visit her often to keep her company."

"Grandmother!" Ye Ying cried out softly, covering her face in feigned shyness as a blush rose on her pale cheeks. In contrast, Ye Li lacked such maidenly coyness. Minister Ye, looking lovingly at his younger daughter, chuckled along.

Ye Ying glanced at Ye Li, her beautiful eyes glinting, and said with a light smile, "Third Sister hasn’t seen Second Sister in a long time, has she? Mother, you should prepare a fine gift for Third Sister to give to Second Sister."

Ms. Wang was taken aback and frowned at Ye Ying. A thought, however, struck Old Lady Ye. Her gaze shifted back to Ye Li, but she hesitated to speak. Ye Li observed the expressions of Old Lady Ye and Ye Ying, and with a quick turn of mind, understood Ye Ying’s intention. She calmly watched Ye Ying, somewhat anticipating her next move. Seeing that Ms. Wang hadn’t grasped her meaning and Old Lady Ye remained silent, Ye Ying couldn’t help but frown slightly before gently reminding them, "Now that Sister Zhaoyi is pregnant, I hear that a woman’s appearance during pregnancy..."

No one present was truly slow-witted. Upon hearing the word "appearance," Ms. Wang reacted instantly. Her expression grew more fervent as she looked at Ye Li, then she turned to her husband, "My Lord..."

Ye Li sighed inwardly. Truly, no one in this family was a fool.

"Ying’er is right. Li’er, send the Everlasting Youth Pearl to the palace as a gift for Her Highness Zhao Yi. If there’s anything you want, just ask your mother for it," Minister Ye declared, evidently seeing no issue with Ye Ying’s suggestion and promptly making the decision.