Chapter 28: No Matter How Beautiful, She Is Still a Consort

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Chapter 28: No Matter How Beautiful, She Is But a Concubine

Having secured permission to leave the palace, Ye Wanwan brought up Consort Li, who was waiting at the entrance: "Empress Dowager, what is this about you wanting to take Princess Fuying away?"

The Empress Dowager acted as if she had just remembered. "I almost forgot to tell you since you didn't bring it up. The Feng family framed your brother so viciously; I must punish her. From now on, Fuying will stay by your side. That girl has a soft temperament and is easy to manage. Keep her with you to relieve your boredom, and learn how to raise a child while you're at it."

Ye Wanwan had no desire to take on this burden. "Is the Empress Dowager punishing Consort Li or punishing me? I don't want to raise a child."

The Empress Dowager disapproved. "What are you saying? What woman doesn't raise children? If you don't do it now, you will have to eventually. You must learn."

Ye Wanwan did not bring up the sterility decoction again, but she firmly refused. "I simply won't do it. It is exhausting and worrisome, and if I don't raise her well, it will become my fault."

Finding that logic sound, the Empress Dowager waved her hand. "Fine, if you won't do it, then don't."

Ye Wanwan prepared to leave the palace. As she turned, she paused. "Empress Dowager, please don't make things difficult for Consort Li. This has nothing to do with her. She is usually very respectful toward you; why chill her heart and provoke the Emperor's anger just to vent your frustration?"

Ye Wanwan left without waiting for a reply. She could not control the Empress Dowager's decisions, but she had fulfilled her duty to plead on the consort's behalf, even though the situation left her feeling thoroughly repulsed.

Upon exiting, she saw Consort Li and immediately assumed a gentle expression. "The Empress Dowager has summoned you inside, Sister."

She reached out to support Consort Li, patted the back of her hand, and said nothing more.

"Thank you, Wan'er."

Consort Li gave Ye Wanwan a sincere smile. Using her nickname was her way of acknowledging the favor.

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Watching Consort Li enter, Ye Wanwan felt a sense of melancholy. She had expected the consort to remain impenetrable, but the moment her daughter was involved, her defenses immediately crumbled.

*Swish.*

She opened her fan to hide the corners of her mouth. Ye Wanwan’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled; she had thought of something amusing.

Setting aside palace matters, Ye Wanwan left to visit Ye Shaoyang. She wouldn't miss him this time; after all, his wounds were deep enough that he wouldn't be going out to carouse anytime soon.

Ye Shaoyang had been ambushed and slashed with a blade. It was fortunate that he possessed some martial arts skill and that the incident was discovered in time, which saved his life.

There were many carriages at the entrance of the Prime Minister's estate. It seemed there were many visitors, though most were there for the Prime Minister, with very few actually coming to see Ye Shaoyang.

As Ye Wanwan stepped out of her carriage to enter, she caught sight of a carriage nearby adorned with black-and-white crane lanterns. The Leng family had actually come.

Of all those involved, the Leng family was the most innocent, yet they had borne the brunt of the Ye family's fury. Even when the Feng family was finally exposed, the Ye family hadn't been as ruthless toward them.

The two families had harbored grievances for years; it was no exaggeration to say they were at daggers drawn. Yet, despite having been wronged, the Leng family had still sent someone to pay a visit.

They were truly a century-old clan that had produced two empresses and maintained their refined integrity even in the heart of the capital; such magnanimity was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Ye Wanwan did not want to engage in social pleasantries, so she arrived quietly and instructed her attendants not to make a fuss. Wang Wei went to see Prime Minister Ye with the Empress Dowager's rewards, while Ye Wanwan went directly to find Ye Shaoyang.

She had expected visitors in Ye Shaoyang's room, but she did not expect it to be *him*.

A group of men emerged from the room. The man in the lead, clad in white, possessed an outstanding aura. It was none other than the eldest young master of the Leng family, Leng Yunfang.

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Ye Wanwan did not slow her pace and walked straight toward them. The men had been discussing something, but the moment they caught sight of her, they fell silent, their expressions shifting instantly.

"Greetings, Noble Consort."

Leng Yunfang, however, did not move. His companion hurriedly whispered a reminder: "Brother Leng has not returned to the capital in a long time, so you likely do not recognize her. This is the eldest daughter of the Ye family, the current Noble Consort."

Only then did Leng Yunfang bow. "Greetings, Noble Consort. I was lost in thought for a moment; please forgive me, Your Ladyship."

Ye Wanwan remained cold, her expression stern. She gave a slight nod. "I am in a hurry to visit my brother. Excuse me."

Until Ye Wanwan entered the room, the men were reluctant to look away. "To be fair, the Noble Consort's beauty is beyond reproach. Even if her temper is cold and arrogant, she is truly stunning."

His companion gave him a shove. "Commenting on the Noble Consort? Do you have a death wish?"

He glanced covertly at Leng Yunfang. Praising the Noble Consort in front of the Leng family—where did that leave the Empress?

Leng Yunfang clearly possessed excellent temperament and did not seem to care. However, the man next to him added a flattering remark: "No matter how beautiful, she is but a concubine. How could she compare to the dignity and virtue of the Empress?"

The others hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, you are right."