Chapter 21: The Domineering Consort Ye
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ye Sheng was just about to leave to go and see Eldest Sister when Ye Lin’er said, “Here, I’ve brought you these clothes to change into before you see Eldest Sister.”
Ye Sheng stared at her as he said, “Everyone in Ye Manor got new clothes yesterday except for me. Your mother, First Madam, was in charge of this. So, if I go in my old clothes, it’ll embarrass your mother, right?”
Ye Lin’er’s expression grew troubled as she replied, “Ye Sheng, my mother was in the wrong for doing that, and I know you’re angry. You were kicked unconscious the other day, and I was the one who brought you back. How about you change into these new clothes, and we’ll call it even?”
Ye Sheng looked at Ye Lin’er and smiled coldly to himself. If he hadn’t pretended to be unconscious at that time, he wouldn’t have discovered the secret about his mother’s death.
“Fine, we’ll call it even.” He knew that he shouldn’t be too anxious. For as long as he was still in the manor, Ye Sheng had to tolerate anything that came his way. He took the new clothes from her and started changing on the spot.
“I’m still right here!” Ye Lin’er was embarrassed.
Ye Sheng had pulled off his shirt to reveal his bare chest. His body was slim and tall and, although he didn’t have bulging muscles, because of his cultivation, the outline of his muscles were beginning to form, and they seemed close to perfect. Ye Lin’er’s face instantly turned red.
Worse still, Ye Sheng proceeded to pull his pants off. Ye Lin’er immediately squeaked and ran out of the room. No matter how steady she was, she was still just a young girl.
Ye Sheng snorted disdainfully and ignored her as he continued to change his clothes.
The clothing was made from high-quality silk, and its purple color accentuated his figure well. Once Ye Sheng had put these clothes on, he looked completely different. As well as his handsome face, these fashionable clothes and his cultivation ensured that he no longer looked like the lowly and stammering self he used to be.
Ye Lin’er was about to start cursing at him when he walked out, but instead she stood rooted to the spot. Ye Sheng now looked as glorious as some young hero, galloping by on his horse in the most beautiful scenery without a care.
“I can’t believe your entire aura has been changed just by changing your clothes,” Ye Lin’er remarked as she stared at Ye Sheng.
“Let’s go and see Eldest Sister,” said Ye Sheng flatly.
...
This was the first time Ye Sheng was going to see Eldest Sister since he’d transmigrated.
This was the first time Eldest Sister was going to see Ye Sheng since she’d returned home.
As Ye Sheng entered and walked past everybody, looking like an elegant and glorious young man who exuded a natural air of class, he turned everyone’s impressions of him upside-down. Everyone just stared at him in shock.
“Is that really Ye Sheng?”
“Since when did Young Master Twelve look so good?”
“We’ve always seen Young Master Twelve when he has been wearing those well-washed and drab clothes, and he’s always looked very meek and pliable. Today he looks completely different.”
“Young Master Twelve’s aura is so much better than the other young masters’ auras.”
Many people were murmuring among themselves as they looked on in shock. First Madam and Second Madam were also astonished by the change in Ye Sheng.
Consort Ye’s eyes immediately teared up as saw Ye Sheng walk in. When she saw how glamorous he’d become, she wore an enormous smile as she immediately went forward to give Ye Sheng a hug, saying very tenderly, “It’s been three years since we last met. My Twelfth Brother has grown up.”
“Eldest Sister,” greeted Ye Sheng with mixed feelings.
“I know it’s been hard on you for the past three years,” said Consort Ye sadly as she reached out to caress Ye Sheng’s cheeks.
“As long as Eldest Sister cares about me, it’s not hard at all,” replied Ye Sheng softly.
“Come and sit with me. The person I wanted to see most during this visit was you. I wanted to come back last year, only to find that I was pregnant and I couldn’t leave the palace, so you had to wait here and suffer for one more year. I’m so sorry.” Consort Ye took Ye Sheng’s hand and led him into the main hall to sit with her as everyone else looked on enviously.
First Madam looked rather unhappy at this sight.
Hu Mei decided not to make herself feel any angrier by standing around watching, so she said, “Consort Ye, since you would like to take some time to catch up with Number Twelve, then all of us will leave and not disturb you.”
Consort Ye nodded. “That’s a good idea. You may leave us.”
First Madam didn’t say anything and turned to leave. She remembered to pull Ye Lin’er along with her before leaving.
Hu Mei dragged her indignant-looking son away as well.
Water Chestnut Flower was just standing there quietly. As she walked away, she glanced at Ye Sheng and seemed to be trying to figure something out.
No one dared to go against the consort’s orders, so they all left as well.
The large hall was left with nobody but Ye Sheng and Consort Ye, as well as her own entourage of eunuchs, maids, and bodyguards.
Ye Sheng looked at Consort Ye and found that she also was different from how he’d remembered her. The woman in front of him now exuded an invisible authoritative air. Perhaps because she had been in the palace for a long time and was now of high standing, she had picked up this air of authority.
Consort Ye continued to hold onto his hand and looked at him with her teary, gentle gaze. Ye Sheng felt his heart melting.
He had inherited all the memories from the body he was in, and he knew that all he had received was an endless heartlessness from everyone around him. Regardless of whether they were memories of Ye Manor, his father, or his grandmother, all the memories were void of any warmth. The only warmth he’d ever felt was from his mother when he was a small child and Eldest Sister, who was sitting with him right now.
“Eldest Sister, how have the three years in the palace been for you?” asked Ye Sheng with concern.
“You know what I’m like. After I married the emperor, I became his favorite, so I’ve been living rather peacefully in the palace. But I missed you every day, and I remembered how badly you cried when I left for the palace. A year ago, I wrote you a letter and got someone to deliver it to the manor, but since you didn’t reply, I figured that you were in a bad situation. I guessed that you wouldn’t be able to receive my letters, so I stopped writing,” said Consort Ye gently.
“It’s true that I didn’t receive anything.” Ye Sheng nodded.
“First Madam doesn’t like you, so I’m sure she must have taken those letters away,” said Consort Ye with a cold laugh.
“Twelfth Brother, have you been practicing martial arts?” asked Consort Ye as she pinched Ye Sheng’s muscles, and her expression changed.
Ye Sheng nodded. He hadn’t used the Molting Spell because he didn’t need to hide himself in front of Eldest Sister, so the chances of being found out were very high.
“I’ve practiced martial arts secretly, and I’ve been very cautious. It’s been like skating on thin ice,” said Ye Sheng rather flippantly.
Consort Ye sighed and said, “Father won’t allow you to learn martial arts. If he finds out, he will punish you very severely.”
“Eldest Sister, Ye Manor is like a jail to me, and I want to escape,” said Ye Sheng very sincerely.
“I’ll help you.” Consort Ye nodded gravely, as at the same time she smiled gently.
“Thank you, Eldest Sister!” Ye Sheng was so happy that he stood up and bowed.
“My silly brother! When I was still living in the manor, I had so many younger brothers and sisters, but you were the only one I doted on. Everyone else in this household has their own form of help, but you don’t, and you don’t have anybody left in this place. If I don’t help you, who else would I help?” Consort Ye’s voice filled Ye Sheng with warmth.
Ever since he’d transmigrated, Ye Sheng had been living very cautiously. He hadn’t dared to let anybody know that he had been learning martial arts. He had been concealing himself in this cold and heartless manor, and now he finally saw a ray of hope.
“His Majesty is coming for a meal tomorrow, and Father will definitely be around. I’ll think of a way to get you out of here,” said Consort Ye.
“Got it.” Ye Sheng’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected things to move so quickly.
“Back in the palace, I heard that you had received a beating by army paddles not too long ago?” asked Consort Ye with a frown.
Ye Sheng told her what had happened from the beginning.
“Ye Qing is really a troublemaker! He was the one at fault right from the start and actually dragged you down with him. He deserved to be beaten,” snapped Consort Ye coldly as she frowned.
“Eldest Sister, you don’t have to be angry anymore. My wounds have all healed up. Besides, Ye Qing got it worse than I did. He received 100 paddles, while I only took 50.” Ye Sheng tried to calm his sister down.
“Tsk, nobody knows what Father is thinking. If you weren’t still living here, I wouldn’t want to come back at all. Once I’ve helped you to settle this problem, I’ll return to the palace. In the future, when you go on your own journey out in the world, you can use my name for protection. As long as I’m here to protect you, your future will definitely be bright,” said Consort Ye in a domineering awe-inspiring voice.