Mother and Daughter

After Nurse Gui left, Ye Cindy emerged from behind the screen.

She crawled to Ren Wanyun, leaning against her mother, unable to hide her anger. "Mother, Ye Lily refuses to give up on Duke Ding. What should I do?"

In the Ye household, the eldest branch held the highest rank.

If Ye Lily asked Ye Xin for a marriage proposal, it was highly possible. But Ye Cindy also admired Duke Ding. If Ye Lily succeeded, what would she be?

How could such a handsome prince end up with someone as stupid and ignorant as Ye Lily? Every time she thought about it, Ye Cindy felt a hundred kinds of resentment.

"Don't worry. No one in this house can surpass you," Ren Wanyun assured her. "Ye Lily is foolish and not a threat. I'll ensure she doesn't marry Duke Ding. As for you…"

She sighed. "Keep an eye on Qiushui Garden. Don't think Second Miss is harmless. If you have such thoughts, so might she."

"Ye Amy?" Ye Cindy frowned. "Does she admire Duke Ding too? Impossible. Even if she does, Third Uncle isn't as influential as First Uncle. They're not worth worrying about."

"You…" Ren Wanyun tapped Ye Cindy's forehead playfully. "How can I feel at ease? Your third aunt is cunning. Remember how she handled your third uncle…"

Realizing she shouldn't say this in front of her child, she stopped abruptly. "Anyway, don't worry about Fifth Miss. I'll handle it."

"Thank you, Mother," Ye Cindy said sweetly. Mother and daughter laughed together.

In Qiushui Garden, Chen Ruqiu sat writing at the table.

From a scholarly family, she loved literature and often wrote or read, even as a married woman.

Ye Amy stood behind her in a yellow silk dress, slim and delicate, resembling a younger Chen Ruqiu.

"Mother, why did you say that to Nurse Gui earlier?" she finally asked.

Surprisingly, instead of telling Nurse Gui to discourage Ye Lily from liking Duke Ding, Chen Ruqiu instructed her to encourage it, saying Duke Ding was a good match.

"Aren't you pushing her toward him?" Ye Amy complained.

Chen Ruqiu set down her brush, sighed, and pulled Ye Amy to sit beside her. "Amy, I've told you. In this household, act indirectly. That way, no matter what happens, it won't trace back to you."

Ye Amy shook her head. "I don't understand."

Chen Ruqiu smiled. Her daughter was talented and intelligent but still too young. Perhaps Lord Ye's third son spoiled her too much, so she didn't understand the dangers of the household.

Unlike Chen Ruqiu, who grew up amidst scheming sisters and concubines in the Ministry of Rites household, she tightly controlled her husband after marriage.

But failing to bear a son was her greatest regret. No matter how much Lord Ye loved her, without a son, she had no leverage. Eventually, he'd take concubines. Then what?

So she had to raise her daughter well.

"Amy, what do you think of Ye Lily?" she asked softly.

Ye Amy thought for a moment. "She's bad at studies, arts, and speech. Weak and clumsy. Without First Uncle's name, no one would respect her. Even concubine-born daughters seem more dignified."

Anyone hearing this would be shocked. Such harsh words about Ye Lily came from this gentle cousin. After all, Ye Lily considered Ye Amy her best friend.

"Perhaps she used to be like that," Chen Ruqiu shook her head. "But after nearly drowning, I sense Ye Lily has changed."

"Why do you say that, Mother?" Ye Amy was puzzled.

Chen Ruqiu wasn't sure herself. Maybe it was a girl's temporary rebellion after being hurt.

But having seen many people, she saw Ye Lily more clearly than her self-proclaimed clever sister-in-law. Ye Lily had become smarter.

Her conversation and behavior in Rongjing Hall were entirely different. Was it Duke Ding's rejection or someone guiding her?

Regardless, she couldn't let her guard down.

"Maybe Duke Ding's rejection hit her hard. But Amy, remember, smart women don't fight other women—they fight men."

Chen Ruqiu's voice was soft, almost singing.

"If you admire Duke Ding, why focus solely on Ye Lily? No matter how powerful your First Uncle is, no man marries a foolish woman. Duke Ding, as a prince, wouldn't marry someone unworthy—it'd be laughable."

"But…" Ye Amy looked sad.

"Listen to me. Don't distance yourself from Ye Lily. Stay friends. Work harder and show everyone your talent and beauty.

The more outstanding you are, the clumsier she'll seem." Chen Ruqiu smiled, her words cutting like knives.

"I told Nurse Gui to encourage her to pursue Duke Ding. A foolish girl throwing herself at him only makes her look more ridiculous. Duke Ding will grow to dislike her even more."

"So…" Ye Amy seemed to understand.

Chen Ruqiu patted her head.

"You're a smart girl. You understand my meaning. Encourage her to keep pursuing Duke Ding and embarrass herself in front of him. Only then will Duke Ding notice you. Even if the world forces him to marry Ye Lily, if he loves you, you win."

"Mother…" Ye Amy blushed, burying her head in Chen Ruqiu's arms. "I understand."

Chen Ruqiu chuckled. When she married Lord Ye's third son, there were many obstacles. He was a talented young man, and many matchmakers approached him.

Why did he choose her? It was because one day at a temple, she happened to wear white silk and play the zither under a tree. Lord Ye heard her and was captivated. He insisted on marrying her.

Lord Ye loved the zither and the color white.

See? Amidst all the competing women, she won because she knew she was dealing with a man.

What about the Ye family's three legitimate daughters? Only her Amy could handle Duke Ding.