Frightened

  Scared to death

  "I reported to Empress Dowager that the King of Dingguo has no intention of holding a wedding ceremony."

  As soon as this statement came out, the grand hall suddenly fell silent, and almost everyone's eyes were focused on Ye Li. Among them, the most intense ones were He Lian Hui Min and Liu Gui Fei in the palace. He Lian Hui Min probably didn't expect that she would dare to refuse marriage in the palace in front of all the noblewomen and the empress dowager, which made her own situation even more difficult. If the Dingguo King's household insisted on not marrying He Lian Hui Min, then her face would be completely lost. In response to He Lian Hui Min's hidden anger and shocked gaze, Ye Li returned a faint smile. Could it be that she usually appeared too gentle, so this Miss He thought she didn't dare to refuse marriage in public?

  "Empress Dowager, what are you saying?" The Empress Dowager frowned and stared at Ye Li disapprovingly. In fact, the current Empress Dowager did not want to have any involvement with the Ding Guo Wang Fu at all. When her youngest son rebelled without even giving her a heads up, she was put in a difficult situation and realized that this son was unreliable. As for women in the palace, without a son to rely on, no matter how capable you were, it was all in vain. Although her powers had been stripped away, the Empress still treated her with respect, so now she just wanted to spend her later years peacefully in the palace. Unfortunately, when she wanted to retire, her emperor son did not want to let her go. So after Mo Jing Qi hit a snag at Mo Xiu Yao's place, he pulled her out and pinned his hopes on making a move from Ye Li, the Ding Wang Fei. The Empress Dowager, now standing outside the situation, could see things more clearly and naturally understood that this Ding Wang Fei was not someone who could be easily led by the nose. Although she didn't like Ye Li, she too had no choice but to get involved in the matter at hand.

  Ye Li smiled and glanced at Mrs. Xu, who was not far away, then turned back to the Empress Dowager with a clear and firm voice, "I report to Your Majesty that the Dingguo King's Mansion has no plans to hold a wedding recently. In fact, as long as I am still the Queen of Ding, the King will not take any concubine into the mansion."

  The great hall was suddenly in an uproar.

  "Empress Dingguo, you are being too presumptuous!" Princess Zhaoren suddenly stood up and pointed at Ye Li: "As a woman, how dare you be so reckless and stop King Ding from taking a concubine? You have no virtue as a woman. How can such a jealous wife be worthy of King Ding?" Princess Zhaoren's only beloved daughter had been sent to the Northern Rong for a diplomatic marriage, and she was already feeling unwell in her heart. She had always been dissatisfied with Ye Li, so now she naturally took the lead in attacking her.

  Ye Li lazily glanced at Princess Zhao Ren, seemingly disapproving of her from the start. No, it should be said that Princess Zhao Ren was displeased with Mo Xiu Yao, and therefore also looked down on Ye Li. On ordinary days, Ye Li wouldn't mind, but today's matter wasn't something she could let slide. So Ye Li didn't plan to apologize, and instead smiled faintly: "Princess, it's best if you watch your words. Our king doesn't like taking concubines or secondary wives; as the primary wife, I naturally have to follow my husband's lead. Could it be that you want to join forces with outsiders to pressure our king? Princess, since you speak of wifely virtues, do you know what 'obeying one's husband' means?"

  The face of Princess Zhaoren turned pale and white, who in the capital did not know that Princess Zhaoren was born without a son and controlled her husband, not allowing him to get close to his concubines. It's fortunate that her husband is only the second son, if he were the eldest son, even as the respected princess, she might not be able to suppress the dissatisfaction of the noble families. At this time, the words of feminine virtue coming from her mouth had a hint of irony. Princess Zhaoren's face sank and she hummed, saying: "Even so, as the queen of Dingguo Wangfu, you should think about the descendants of Dingguo Wangfu, and help the royal family to flourish. Even if the king is temporarily confused and infatuated with someone, not willing to take a concubine, as his queen, you don't even know how to advise him, you can't live up to the word 'xian' (virtuous)."

  Ye Li raised her eyes and smiled faintly: "When did I, the imperial concubine, say that I was worthy of being a virtuous one? If being a virtuous concubine means doing nothing but finding beautiful concubines for my husband every day, sorry, I'm not virtuous and don't plan to be."

  "You... you..." Princess Zhao Ren was so angry that she couldn't speak clearly, pointing at Ye Li's finger and trembling for half a day without saying a word. Ye Li didn't avoid it at all, smiling slightly and raising an eyebrow at her.

  The empress on the throne looked at the eldest princess who seemed to be about to faint from anger, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, and said: "Alright, say what you have to say properly, don't get angry, Princess. Wangfei, it's impolite to disobey the teachings of one's elders."

  Ye Li nodded and respectfully said: "The Empress's teachings, Ye Li will remember the elder's teachings, taking the Eldest Princess as an example, I dare not disobey."

  The empress dowager frowned and coughed lightly, looking at Ye Lian: "Princess Dingwang, this time the emperor's marriage to Miss He Lian is both a family matter and a national affair. Princess Dingwang should prioritize national affairs and not act impulsively."

  Ye Li's heart was filled with anger, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of rage. What were these people thinking? If it were just men being unfaithful, that would be one thing, but these women were also not willing to calm down and were instead pushing their way into other people's homes, clearly forcing the men to be unfaithful. Did they think Ye Li was some kind of virtuous and gentle woman who would willingly go along with them? Ye Li stood up, her voice cold as she said: "Your Majesty is joking, isn't it? Can a marriage between two countries really be so careless? When we first agreed to the alliance, the King of Northern Rong never mentioned sending someone to marry into the Dingguo royal family. If this is truly a matter of state, then where is the letter of engagement from Northern Rong? If there is no such letter, then isn't this just some private decision made by certain individuals? Does Your Majesty think that the Dingguo royal family is some kind of place where anyone can enter at will? Miss Helian may be able to enter the Dingguo royal family, but as for a lowly position like a maid, there's already someone waiting in line. You're just an unclear and ambiguous adopted daughter, Miss Helian - first give me a clear explanation of your status before you dare speak with me!"

  He Lian Huimin stood up, her beautiful face full of anger, "Even if you are the princess of Dingguo, I am also a noble lady of Beijun, how can you humiliate me like this!"

  "Northern Rong's noble daughter?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow in disdain, "This king consort has never heard that the noble daughter's identity is someone's adopted daughter. A noble daughter whose own parents' backgrounds cannot be revealed?"

  Everyone present understood the meaning of Ye Li's words. In the Great Chu, even if one's adoptive father was higher in status than their biological parents, when speaking to others outside, they would still mention their biological parents first and at most add a sentence later mentioning someone as their adoptive daughter. However, He Lian Hui Min did not mention her biological parents' identity at all, which could only prove that the identity of He Lian Hui Min's parents was probably not just low, but extremely low. Thinking about some customs in Bei Rong, people like Ye Li who were dignified and elegant were rare among the nobles. On the other hand, many slaves from Bei Rong were good-looking, including those who were sold or captured from other countries, among whom there were many descendants of Great Chu people. Therefore, He Lian Hui Min did not even mention her biological parents' identity, which made people suspect that she might be a descendant of Bei Rong's slaves. If that was true, then the Duke's household marrying her back would be a huge joke, even if it was just as a concubine. The noblewomen looked at He Lian Hui Min with subtle and complex gazes, which included several parts of disgust and disdain. The status of Bei Rong slaves and Great Chu servants were even lower. Not only could they be killed or spared at will, but they also had to do rough work that ordinary people did not want to do, and there was no mention of monthly allowance. Many female slaves were also played with and abused by their masters at will.

  He Lian Hui Min was also extremely intelligent, how could she not notice the change in the eyes of the people present, and looking at Ye Li's eyes, there were a few more points of resentment.

  The empress dowager hesitated and took a glance at He Lian Hui Min, but she also didn't know what He Lian Hui Min's true identity was. If it were really like that, if He Lian Hui Min's true identity got out, it would only make the imperial court dissatisfied with the emperor's edict to marry her off, and even make the military think that the emperor intentionally wanted to humiliate the Ding Guo Wang Fu. "The princess is probably just filtering, since Bei Rong country has a good relationship with our Great Chu, they naturally wouldn't not understand our customs. The woman sent for the marriage alliance must be of noble birth, I suppose it's Miss He Lian who grew up in General He Lian's estate after her parents passed away when she was young, so she got used to it?"

  Ye Li originally didn't plan to cling to her identity and make things difficult for He Lian Hui Min, as it would not be beneficial for the Ding Guo Wang Fu if He Lian Hui Min's humble origins were exposed. Standing up, Ye Li glanced at He Lian Hui Min before looking straight at the Empress Dowager and saying: "Your Majesty, I am stating clearly here that unless the King personally agrees to take a concubine, I will not agree to anyone entering the palace."

  The Empress Dowager was secretly annoyed, if it were possible to get through to the King of Ding, why would they have to find the Queen of Ding and say so much nonsense. "Queen of Ding, the Emperor's edict has been issued, don't you know what it means to defy imperial orders? Do you want the Emperor to go back on his word?"

  Yelü smiled and looked up, saying: "In that case, there's only one solution. Please have the Emperor and Empress Dowager issue an edict to execute this concubine. Once I'm gone, the position of Wangfei will be vacant, and naturally, Wangye can take in a new side consort. At that time, whether Wangye marries someone or takes in someone as his side consort, it's none of my business."

  "Decree the queen!" The empress dowager was enraged. Ye Li's expression remained calm and composed, not changing in the slightest. The empress dowager coldly sneered, "If I must have Miss Helian enter the palace?"

  Ye Li's face flashed a faint smile, and the cold light in her hand flickered. "So, I suppose Your Majesty won't mind if we hold both the wedding and funeral at the same time in the palace. I guarantee that the funeral will be more lively than the wedding."

  Everyone present couldn't help but take a deep breath, looking at the cold light of the short knife in Ding Wangfei's hand. A few people who were still thinking about other things also extinguished their wild ideas. Even if it was an unwanted daughter from a humble family marrying into a slightly better-off household, she could still be of some help to her family. But if she married into the Ding Guo Wangfu, not only would she offend Ding Wangfei, but she would also be committing a sin for no reason. Looking at the woman in front of them who was still smiling warmly, they didn't dare suspect that she was just joking earlier. Ye Lian smiled and swept her gaze over the crowd, stopping on He Lian Hui Min, and said: "How about it? Does Miss He Lian still want to insist on entering the Ding Guo Wangfu?"

  He Lian Hui Min secretly took a deep breath, looking at Ye Li with an unyielding gaze: "The princess wants to kill me? I'm afraid she doesn't have the ability. Can a mere short knife scare me?" Which daughter of Beijiang wasn't raised from childhood wielding swords and knives on horseback? He Lian Hui Min, although born into a lower status, was adopted by He Lian Zhen from a young age, so her martial arts skills were naturally not weak. With a swift motion, she also drew out the curved knife from the gemstone-encrusted scabbard at her waist, pointing it at Ye Li.

  "Miss He Lian, how can you draw your sword in front of the empress dowager? Put it down at once." The queen scolded with a frown.

  Liuyi Guifei said calmly, "Just now when Princess Dingwang drew her sword, I didn't see the Empress scolding her."

  The queen smiled and said: "Sister, have you forgotten that our ancestors decreed that the king and queen can bring swords into the palace?"

  Yu Guifei hummed softly and turned her head away, no longer paying attention to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager also didn't bother with her and just smiled faintly, letting it go.

  Looking at He Lian Hui Min holding that ornately decorated curved knife against herself, Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled.

  He Lian Hui Min frowned and said: "What are you laughing at?"

  Ye Li smiled and said: "Speaking of which... there are quite a few women who have their eyes on my husband, the king. Today, I'll use you as a test subject!"

  "How dare you!" Helián Huìmǐn sneered, swinging her curved knife at Yè Lí. Yè Lí sidestepped lazily, but Helián Huìmǐn didn't let up, her blade flashing in a continuous dance. As a woman raised on the vast grasslands, Helián Huìmǐn wielded her curved knife with a ferocity that far surpassed that of women from the Central Plains. Yè Lí waited until she had swung over ten knives before laughing crisply and saying, "Enough, Miss Helián? Now it's my turn." Compared to Helián Huìmǐn's majestic aura, Yè Lí's moves seemed unremarkable, and the onlookers barely even understood what they were seeing. Before anyone knew it, Yè Lí had closed in, one hand grasping Helián Huìmǐn's returning hand, while her foot kicked away the leg that was about to kick her. Her other hand flashed with a cold light, stabbing mercilessly towards Helián Huìmǐn's chest.

  "Stop, Your Majesty! Spare her!" The Empress Dowager and the Queen cried out in unison.

  He Lian Huimin found herself unable to break free from Ye Li's grasp and could only close her eyes and wait for death. She was unwilling, she thought that her own martial arts skills were among the best even among the Northern Rong women, but she had lost to a woman from Great Chu in a muddled way. She hadn't even had time to clearly see her opponent's moves, but these things didn't matter anymore, even in her unwillingness, what awaited her was death...

  After a while, the expected pain did not arrive. He Lian Hui Min opened her eyes with some confusion, only to see Ye Li pushing her to one side without any courtesy, calmly putting away the short knife in his hand. A figure walked by on Ghost Gate Pass, and He Lian Hui Min was still a bit out of sorts. She could feel that earlier, Ding Wang Fei absolutely did not just want to scare her, the killing intent that came at her face was enough for her to clearly recognize that she had indeed narrowly escaped with her life.

  Having suffered such a blow, Helian Huwei was speechless for a moment, standing dazed in the great hall.

  The Empress Dowager's face turned green with rage, and she stood up saying: "Ding Wangfei, you have a big nerve! Forget it... I'm old and can't manage these things anymore. Empress, the rest of this matter is for you to handle, I'll go back first." After finishing speaking, the Empress Dowager rubbed her chest and summoned the palace maid beside her to support herself as she walked away.

  The Empress Dowager threw down the gauntlet, and the Queen could only smile bitterly. Liu Guifei looked at the Queen and asked: "Your Majesty, how will this matter be handled?"

  The queen smiled and said, "Of course, we will report to the emperor and let him make a decision. However, after today... I think this matter is not difficult to resolve either. Sister, don't you think so?" If Helian Hui Min still dared to want to marry into the Dingguo Wangfu, then she could only admire her.

  Liu Guifei lowered her head to look at Ye Lian in the hall, with more complexity and depth in her eyes. The empress dowager didn't bother with her, but smiled and said: "I still like Ding Wangfei's temperament. If she doesn't make a sound, it's already surprising when she does. When handling things, she is also neat and efficient. I suppose from now on, those who want to marry their daughters into the Ding Wangfu will have to think twice." She smiled faintly at Ye Lian in the hall, with more envy and admiration in her eyes.

  Ye Li bore the gaze of the crowd, nonchalantly playing with the sharp blade in her hand. Since this matter couldn't be let go, it might as well be settled once and for all.