Throwing a Spanner in the Works

Spring Peach caught sight of Ye Lily and quickly scurried over to the carriage. She leaned in and whispered something to the people inside. In a flash, the carriage curtain was whisked open as if by a gust of eager wind.

Inside were Ye Amy, Ye Cindy, Ren Wanyun, and Chen Ruoqiu. The four of them stared at Ye Lily as if they'd seen a ghost, their eyes popping out like marbles. Chen Ruoqiu's eyes flickered, while Ren Wanyun's brows knitted together like a tightly woven basket. "Lily, why are you dressed like a plain Jane? You look like a wilted flower in that get - up!"

"Exactly!" Ye Cindy jumped in, her words spilling out like a waterfall. "You look hideous. You should be wearing something as bright as a neon sign. I've got a stunning canary - yellow new dress in my room. Spring Peach, take Lily and make her change into it right away. And what's with the lack of jewelry? It's like you're from a pauper's family, not the General's Mansion. People might think we're starving you here!"

Secretly, Ye Cindy was seething with jealousy. She was a rather comely young lady, with a sunny and generous demeanor that made her seem like a proper high - born young lady. But there was one thing that gnawed at her like a persistent rat. Her skin wasn't as fair as snow; instead, it had a bit of a wheat - colored tint. She wouldn't dare say anything about Ye Amy's fair complexion, but seeing Ye Lily's porcelain - like skin, especially with that lotus - colored dress that made her look like a goddess, she felt like the odd one out among the three Ye family girls. Her complexion was like a dull pebble next to their shiny pearls.

Ye Amy scrutinized Ye Lily with a hawk - like gaze. The hanging cloud - like chignon she wore was dainty and exquisite, and paired with the lotus - colored dress, it gave her an air of elegance that was as natural as breathing. Without the glitz and glamour of gold and silver jewelry, she had a simple yet noble charm, like a rare orchid blooming in a secluded corner. Ye Amy smiled, her voice as sweet as honey but with a hidden sting. "Lily, let's not talk about the dress for now. But jewelry is a must. After all, we represent the family's face. Grandmother would have a fit if she saw you like this. And why on earth did you choose such a hairstyle? You're still young, and the double - loop chignon you used to wear was much more suitable for you."

Guyu was so angry that her face turned as white as a sheet of paper. But as a servant, she was like a caged bird, unable to speak back to her masters. She could only grind her teeth in frustration. These people from the second and third branches of the Ye family were as sneaky as foxes, trying to make Ye Lily look as rustic as possible.

Ye Lily sneered inwardly. Ye Amy was really pulling out all the stops, even bringing up the old lady. She knew very well that Lily had always been terrified of the old lady's authority. And as for the hairstyle, Ye Amy was only a year or so older. Who was she to talk about being young? Ye Amy herself was wearing a fairy - like flying chignon and a pink gauze dress that made her look like a celestial being, trying to be the most beautiful and talented young lady. Why should Lily be the one to play the supporting role?

After they finished speaking, Ye Lily remained silent, just smiling at them like a Mona Lisa, leaving them guessing what was going on in her head. Finally, Ye Cindy felt a bit uneasy under that gaze and snapped at the maid standing by the carriage. "Spring Peach, what are you waiting for? Take Lily to change her clothes this instant!"

"No need," Ye Lily interrupted, her face quickly taking on a sorrowful expression, as if a dark cloud had suddenly covered the sun. "I'm dressed like this for a reason. I really love the jewelry Second Aunt gave me. It's not that I'm being willful by not wearing it."

The others stared at each other, their faces a picture of confusion, like they were trying to solve a complex math problem. Guyu and Jingzhe also exchanged a puzzled look, wondering what Ye Lily was up to.

"Father is far away in the northwest, leading the soldiers to fight like lions in a bloody battle. The Huns haven't been driven back yet, and the soldiers are out there in the cold, wearing their iron armor. Here I am in the capital, living a life of luxury, feasting and reciting poems. I feel so ashamed. Last night, the Bodhisattva appeared in my dream, asking me to pray sincerely. So I've decided to wear plain clothes and not adorn myself with jewelry until Father returns victorious."

No one had expected Ye Lily to come up with such a speech. Usually, she was so timid that she could barely string two words together, let alone speak in such a refined manner. Ye Amy and Ye Cindy were left speechless, their mouths hanging open like gaping fish. Chen Ruoqiu stroked her forehead, lost in thought. Ren Wanyun, on the other hand, looked a bit embarrassed. Ye Lily's words made her feel like a villain. If Lily was praying for her father with such devotion, what did that make the rest of the Ye family? But there was no way she was going to let her Cindy wear such plain clothes to the Chrysanthemum Banquet. Ren Wanyun gritted her teeth and forced a kind smile. "Well, dear, you're still a young girl. There's no need to be so serious. Just relax at the Chrysanthemum Banquet..."

But Ye Lily suddenly dropped to her knees and bowed deeply to Ren Wanyun. "Please, Second Aunt, grant me this chance to show my filial piety."

They were right in front of the Ye Mansion, and there were people coming and going. Ye Lily's sudden bow attracted the curious glances of passers - by, who stared like they were watching a fascinating circus show.

Ren Wanyun could demand that Ye Lily wear something more flamboyant to maintain the family's image, but could she really deny Ye Lily's filial piety? Her own elder brother was out fighting in the northwest. If she not only didn't pray but also didn't support her niece's filial act, what kind of person would she be seen as?

Ren Wanyun's face turned as green as a pickle. She hadn't expected Ye Lily to respond like this, and what was even more annoying was that she couldn't refuse. She quickly told Spring Peach to help Ye Lily up. "Oh, you silly child. How could Second Aunt not support your filial piety? You're so thoughtful at such a young age. Fine, if you want to be plain, then be plain."

Ye Cindy was still a bit resentful but didn't dare to go against her mother's decision. Ye Amy and her mother seemed to sense something different about Ye Lily. When they looked at her again, their eyes held a new kind of curiosity.

"However," Ren Wanyun said with a fake smile, "our carriage is already full. We've had the butler prepare a separate one just for you, Lily. It's quite roomy. You can follow us in the second carriage, and we'll enter together later."

Every year at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Ye Lily would ride in the same carriage as these two ladies. It's not like one more person would make it unbearably crowded. Today's behavior was clearly a deliberate act.

Ren Wanyun had her own scheme. Ye Cindy was at the age of finding a husband. Since Ye Xin's official position was higher than Ye Gui's, there was a chance that if there were noble families looking for a daughter - in - law, they might consider Ye Lily first. Ye Lily was so clumsy that without someone to guide her, she was bound to make a fool of herself. Only by doing this could Ye Cindy's grace and poise be highlighted.

So she had prepared two carriages. Chen Ruoqiu and her daughter had the same idea, so they naturally didn't object.

"Sure, as Second Aunt wishes," Ye Lily replied with a faint smile.

Ren Wanyun was a bit surprised. She thought Ye Lily, who was usually so timid and always clung to Ye Amy and Ye Cindy, would put up a fight about being in a separate carriage. But Ye Lily didn't even bat an eyelid.

Now, her pre - planned speech seemed completely unnecessary.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go to my carriage then," Ye Lily said, bowing to the four of them. She then climbed into her carriage.

The carriage was fairly spacious, but it wasn't as fancy as Ren Wanyun's, more like a plain Jane compared to a princess carriage.

Guyu fumed, "Making the young lady ride alone is bad enough, and then making her follow behind? What kind of malicious intentions are these?"

Jingzhe looked at Ye Lily with a hint of worry and let out a soft sigh.

Ye Lily stared at the candied fruits on the small table, her hands clenching into fists slowly.

Did they think they could embarrass the eldest branch of the family, distance her from them, and make her a laughingstock, bringing shame to Ye Xin?

She was going to show them who would end up being the one to cause trouble.