A Stunning Revelation

Madam Yi, Yi Peilan's mother, and Ren Wanyun were as thick as thieves. Mister Yi and Ye Gui had each other's backs in the officialdom, like two knights protecting each other on the battlefield. Occasionally, Ren Wanyun would even take Ye Cindy to the Yi residence for a visit. Yi Peilan was on the best of terms with Ye Cindy and also got along well with Ye Amy.

Both the ladies present and the gentlemen on the other side of the hall turned their heads towards the entrance.

Ye Gui and Ye Wan had been swamped with official business lately and couldn't make it. But that wasn't the reason everyone was looking.

No matter what, Ye Xin, the mighty General of Martial Power, held great prestige in the imperial court. During the previous emperor's reign, the Ye family had numerous special privileges. The term "close confidant of the emperor" fit them to a T. Whoever held the military power had the right to speak. So even though Ye Xin was often away from the capital, people still showed respect when the Ye family was mentioned. Ye Gui and Ye Wan's smooth sailing in the court was also due to the momentum of their elder brother.

The gentlemen looked at the Ye family because of their power and the might of the military. The ladies, however, were looking for a laugh.

The older ladies, being more mature, would put on a polite front even if they secretly looked down on them. But the young girls were different. Maybe it was human nature to be jealous. Ye Xin had only one legitimate daughter, and as Ye Xin's legitimate daughter, Ye Lily's status was truly extraordinary. One could even say she was comparable to a princess. But this high - born legitimate daughter was a complete dunce, as dumb as a box of rocks, timid as a mouse, and had made a fool of herself with her infatuation with Prince Ding, Xu Hao. Unfortunately, it was a one - sided love, and the whole court knew about it.

What's more, compared to her two outstanding cousins, she seemed more like a country bumpkin.

"I wonder what kind of show we'll see today. With Prince Ding here, Ye Lily must have ' meticulously' dressed up," Yi Peilan said, covering her mouth with a giggle.

"Don't you think it'll be even funnier during the competition? With Ye Lily's brainless personality, she'll probably be so full of herself that she'll volunteer to go on stage. That would be a real showstopper!" Jiang Xiaoxuan joined in the laughter.

Bai Wei sighed and shook her head in a pretentious manner. "I really don't know what kind of sin General Ye committed in his past life to have such a daughter."

Just as they were talking, they saw a group of people being led in by the maids of Yanbei Hall.

Walking in the front were none other than Ren Wanyun and Chen Ruoqiu. Ren Wanyun was wearing a thin silk robe embroidered with gold - trimmed patterns. With her plump figure and a Yuanluo chignon, she looked every bit the wealthy and dignified mistress of the house, exuding an air of authority like a queen bee ruling her hive. Chen Ruoqiu, on the other hand, was different. Even though Ye Amy was already sixteen, she still looked like a young and graceful lady. Wearing a light - green silk skirt with a pipa - lapel, she was clearly a gentle woman from a scholarly family, as delicate as a water lily.

Behind them were Ye Amy and Ye Cindy.

Ye Amy was dressed in a long, light - pink double - breasted feather - like silk dress. Her long hair was coiled into a Flying Immortal chignon, adorned with pink pearls. The pearls were of such excellent quality that they gave off a soft, alluring glow, attracting everyone's eyes like a magnet. Next to her, Ye Cindy was wearing a peach - colored flower - scattered Ruyi cloud - like skirt, a bright and eye - catching color. Her hair was styled in a Hundred - Flowers chignon, making her look energetic and lively. The jade bracelet on her wrist was so translucent that it was clearly no ordinary item, shining like a rare gem in a treasure chest.

The two of them were in their prime, one gentle and the other generous. Their expensive clothes and jewelry announced their status, and with their good looks, they were like two shining stars, attracting the gazes of many young gentlemen. On the men's side, a gentleman couldn't help but exclaim, "The daughters of the Ye family are truly beautiful."

"There's another one," Cai Lin said, his eyes fixed on Ye Amy, the girl he had a crush on. He couldn't help but sneer at the mention of the other daughter. "The Ye family also has General Ye's daughter. Now, that's a real beauty," he said sarcastically.

The gentleman didn't seem to be aware of the rumors outside and had no idea about the comments on Ye Lily. Thinking Cai Lin was being sincere, he replied, "General Ye's daughter must be outstanding."

"Heh," Cai Lin let out a scornful laugh and casually pointed at Ye Amy and the others. "Well, there she is..."

But his words got stuck in his throat.

They saw that behind Ye Cindy and Ye Amy, there was another person. She wasn't walking with them but was left alone, trailing behind. Ordinarily, this would have made her look dejected and timid, like a lost lamb. But somehow, she didn't seem humble at all.

She was wearing a black - gold embroidered shirt and a crescent - shaped phoenix - tailed silk skirt. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with large, blooming begonias, as if they were actually sprouting and blooming beneath her feet. As the girl walked, it was as if she was walking on a carpet of flowers, swaying gracefully like a willow in the breeze.

The girl, perhaps feeling a bit cold, had a lotus - colored cloud - silk cape draped over her shoulders. In an instant, it toned down the colorful patterns, adding an air of dignity that was as imposing as a lion's roar.

As she got closer, everyone could finally see her face clearly. She was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen. Her hair was simply styled in a hanging - cloud chignon, with only a plain silver hairpin inserted diagonally. At the end of the hairpin, a small begonia flower bloomed, adding a touch of brightness to the otherwise somber look. The combination was truly charming.

Her skin was fair to begin with, and the lotus - colored dress made her skin look like creamy jade. Her eyes were clear and bright, twinkling like a little wild animal's, full of life. Her lips held a faint smile, yet it didn't seem like a simple smile. Her nose was small and rounded at the tip, and her mouth was rosy. She had a rather cute appearance, but no one would mistake her for a mere girl.

Some people are born with beauty but lack charisma, while others may not be extremely beautiful but have an alluring charm. This girl was rather cute and delicate - looking, not exactly a peerless beauty, but her charisma was so captivating that people couldn't help but be drawn in. That air of dignity, that sense of elegance, and that innate nobility made people dare not have any disrespectful thoughts.

The way she walked, with her chin slightly raised, her skirt not even rustling, and her hands folded in a perfect position, was neither stiff nor casual. It was as if she had repeated this movement thousands of times, with not a single flaw.

This noble aura and inner dignity surrounded her, making her seem not like a young girl of fourteen or fifteen but like a seasoned woman in a high position. Ye Amy, Ye Cindy, Ren Wanyun, and Chen Ruoqiu unconsciously became her foils, like four attendants following their master. And she, walking at the end, was clearly the master.

"Who is that?" Yi Peilan murmured. Even as a girl, she was completely spellbound by this girl. How could someone so young have such an extraordinary bearing?

"Is this... a guest of the Ye family?" Bai Wei asked. "I've never seen her before."

The men's side was also deathly quiet. Men look at people differently from women. The people present were all in the officialdom, and they could immediately tell the difference in this girl. It wasn't her appearance but her bearing. That calmness that came after experiencing countless storms, that noble attitude towards everything in front of her, and that hidden disdain that radiated from within.

It was like a jaguar had entered a flock of sheep, a complete contrast.

"Is this General Ye's daughter?" The gentleman who had been talking to Cai Lin earlier was a bit excited. "What a beauty! What an extraordinary bearing! She's truly outshining her predecessors!"

"Ye Lily?" Cai Lin was stunned. He took a closer look and exclaimed, "It's Ye Lily?"

His words were like a bombshell, causing the whole place to fall silent for a moment. Then, an uproar ensued.