Undercurrents

Ye Lily looked at her mother with confusion. Though unwilling, she obediently kept quiet.

Ye Amy didn't understand what was wrong with Ye Lily's words either.

But seeing Chen Ruoshuang's nervous expression, she realized something and stood still without saying another word.

The old Madam Ye frowned.

Despite being with General Ye for so many years, she didn't understand the intricacies of officialdom.

Her perspective was limited to the four corners of the inner courtyard.

She couldn't grasp the meaning behind Ye Lily's words. Feeling that Ye Lily had been acting strangely all day, repeatedly challenging her authority as the head of the household, she was about to explode in anger.

"Little Lily's words are quite right," Ren Qingn interrupted with a smile, stopping the old Madam Ye from scolding.

"It was just a misunderstanding. How could matters from the front hall reach the inner courtyard? It was purely coincidental.

Duke Ding is broad-minded and won't take children's play seriously. It's all a misunderstanding. Poor Lily fell into the water and got scared, truly pitiful."

The old Madam Ye opened her mouth but felt dissatisfied that her second daughter-in-law had interrupted her.

However, Ren Qingn came from a famous merchant family, and many household expenses were subsidized by her.

Although dissatisfied, the old Madam Ye didn't want to offend her. She coldly snorted but didn't continue.

Chen Ruoshuang also realized something and quickly followed Ren Qingn's lead.

"Exactly, Amy, Cindy, never mention those words again. Lily accidentally fell into the water, and it just happened that Duke Ding saw it. There are coincidences in this world." She smiled at Ye Lily. "Lily, Grandmother was worried about you and wasn't really angry."

Ye Lily looked at the woman before her. Ye Amy resembled Chen Ruoshuang in appearance and temperament.

Chen Ruoshuang came from a scholarly family, with gentle and elegant features.

She walked and talked softly, beautiful yet not frivolous. Such a cultured woman seemed easy to deal with, but who knew what would happen later...

Later, when the Hun envoy requested a marriage alliance, there was only one eligible princess in the palace—Qing.

Chen Ruoshuang said that Amy was old enough, and marrying off to the Huns was a good destiny. She volunteered with Amy for the marriage alliance.

But Amy wasn't a princess, so Fu Xiuyi bestowed her the title of Princess Yue Ru, making the marriage legitimate.

In the end, it was Qing who married off.

Qing died on the way to the marriage alliance.

Qing's princess title was given to Princess Yue Ru. Princess Yue Ru naturally took over everything that belonged to Qing.

Her Qing... was not even sixteen.

Ye Lily closed her eyes.

If anyone believed that Chen Ruoshuang had nothing to do with this, even Chen Ruoshuang herself wouldn't believe it.

Perhaps Chen Ruoshuang and Lady Mei had already reached an agreement, wanting to see her hope shattered by her own expectations.

Chen Ruoshuang's smile stiffened.

The young girl in front of her had a round face, round eyes, and a round nose. With such a timid expression, it was easy to think of her as dull and clumsy.

But now, it was different. The timid expression disappeared, replaced by a solemn look.

It wasn't sudden seriousness but genuine dignity, creating a subtle sense of distance.

For a moment, Chen Ruoshuang felt like she wasn't facing the foolish daughter of the main house but someone of high status. That hidden sharpness made her shiver.

The next moment, the young girl smiled at her. "I understand. Auntie Chen, don't you think Little Lily did nothing wrong?"

Chen Ruoshuang was taken aback.

She looked at the obviously displeased old Madam Ye and reluctantly said, "Although that's true, Lily falling into the pond was indeed careless. What were those maids doing? Without Brother and Sister-in-law around, have they become too bold? In my opinion, we should replace those maids."

Ren Qingn chuckled. Chen Ruoshuang glared at her angrily, and Ren Qingn smirked knowingly.

This sister-in-law appeared cultured and reasonable, but she was very shrewd. Such words could fool Ye Lily, perhaps intending to replace the people around her.

Now that Amy was of marriageable age, no matter how notorious Ye Lily's reputation was in the capital, in terms of status, Amy couldn't compare to Ye Lily. After all, Ye Chenchuan still held military power.

The third branch was also becoming restless.

Ye Lily lowered her head. "Why does Auntie Chen want to replace Guyu and the others?

They are all people left by Father and Mother. Many servants in the western courtyard have been replaced.

I don't recognize any of the second-class maids from the other day. If you replace Guyu and the others, I won't know whom to talk to in the western courtyard."

Ren Qingn's smile abruptly stopped.

In the western courtyard, Ye Chenchuan and his wife were often away from the capital.

Almost all the maids and servants had been replaced. Some belonged to the old Madam Ye, some to the second branch, and some to the third branch.

Since the second branch managed the household, naturally, more belonged to them.

This statement was fine if unsaid, but if spread outside, people would question the intentions of the second and third branches.

There was no reason for sisters-in-law to interfere in the eldest brother's courtyard.

Her mind raced quickly.

She glared at Chen Ruoshuang with a smile and said to Ye Lily, "Your Auntie Chen was joking with you. Guyu and the other maids were just careless. Our Ye family is kind-hearted and can't do such inhumane things. Little Lily, don't worry."

Her words subtly countered Chen Ruoshuang.

Ye Yuanbai looked at his mother, then at Chen Ruoshuang, and yawned.

The old Madam Ye was getting impatient with the verbal sparring between her second and third daughters-in-law.

Seeing this, she said, "Enough, these are just trivial matters. Second daughter-in-law, bring over Seventh Brother, let's disperse. So many people, it's making my head spin."

Ren Qingn quickly carried Ye Yuanbai to the old Madam Ye's bed and said, "Mother, we'll take our leave first. Seventh Brother, be good while playing with Grandmother."

Chen Ruoshuang glanced at Ye Yuanbai, placed her hands on her belly, and slowly walked out of Rongjing Hall.

The second branch had a son and thus gained favor from the old Madam Ye. No matter how capable she was, what could she do… Amy was just a daughter.

If only she had a son, the things of the main house would eventually be contested. With a son, at least they could compete equally, unlike now, where the second branch benefited unfairly.

Moreover… the main house still had a legitimate son. Although he followed Ye Chenchuan to the border, who knew if he would return to claim his share?

Thinking about this, Chen Ruoshuang raised her head, her gaze falling on the group heading towards the western courtyard.

The young girl wore a deep red brocade robe. She always liked bright colors, and without her parents around, she didn't know how to dress properly, often appearing rustic.

Now, the deep red made her skin appear whiter. Though her features hadn't changed, she looked much more solemn. Even somewhat… majestic?

Guyu whispered, "Miss, your body hasn't fully recovered. Why rush to Guangwen Hall? You've already explained your condition; studies aren't urgent. Or…"

"No," Ye Lily interrupted. "Prepare the carriage immediately."

Though she hadn't spoken harshly, Guyu shivered and dared not ask further questions.