Chapter 3: The Ye Family

As it turned out, Ye Qinglan’s feast was so sumptuous that it completely overshadowed the shadow cast by the name Cui Jingyu.

Although Atuo had only been in the capital for four or five months, she had vaguely heard that during the Flower Festival banquet years ago, Ye Qinglan had been the paragon of noble ladies in the capital. Whether in terms of appearance, character, or temperament, she was flawless. Most remarkably, she possessed genuine capability. Her mother had died early, and her stepmother was cruel, yet she had managed to create a home of her own within the Ye estate for her two younger sisters. Not only did she manage the household with perfect order, but she also raised her sisters well. Many noblewomen, moved by her hardships and fond of her character, had spread her good reputation far and wide. Even now, with time having moved on, these ladies would still mention her from time to time.

For the past two months, while staying by her aunt Lady Meng’s sickbed, Atuo had listened to the ladies who came to visit exchange gossip. Whenever they spoke of Ye Qinglan, it was always with a tone of regret, lamenting how cruel fate could be to delay such a talented and virtuous woman until now. At twenty-three, it was an age where all hopes were considered extinguished; it was difficult to become a second wife or a stepmother, and even if someone were interested, they would inevitably suspect she had some hidden flaw—otherwise, why would she still be unmarried?

But in Atuo’s heart, Sister Qinglan was perfect in every way. Having lived in Yangzhou with her grandfather for nearly ten years, she had never seen a woman better than her. Though she had not met many noble ladies in the capital, she firmly believed that Ye Qinglan must be the best of them all.

They had left the Meng residence at the hour of the snake (9:00–11:00 AM), and before the carriage had even arrived home, the instructions had already been sent ahead. By the time Atuo walked through the door with the three sisters, lunch was already nearly prepared.

In a single word, to be able to whip up a feast of the "Eight Treasures" on such short notice—snow frog, grouse, venison, camel hump... and a mutton hotpot in the center, both rich and warming—spoke volumes of Ye Qinglan’s management skills and the underlying substance of their small household. No wonder Ye Lingbo was so spirited when she said, "Don't worry, raising a young girl like you is no effort at all for us; it’s not seven years ago anymore."

When she said she would treat Atuo like her own sister, she truly meant it. While ushering Atuo to wash and take her seat, she ordered the servants to move Atuo’s luggage into the prepared wing room, while her personal valuables and vanity cases were moved to Yan-yan’s room. She even arranged a welcoming feast for Atuo’s own matrons and maids, having Lady Yang accompany them to their seats. It was a complete experience of feeling right at home.

Lady Lin, the stewardess for Lady Meng, had not managed a household for years due to her mistress’s illness, yet Lingbo treated her with the utmost respect. She insisted on having her sit at the same table as the young ladies, poured her a cup of wine, and said, "Lady Lin, you must drink this. This is not just politeness. The Flower Festival is about to begin. Between the twenty-four banquets, the labor is immense; the ladies and young misses will be exhausted, let alone you, who are the stewardess and the backbone of it all. Atuo’s matron is from Yangzhou and doesn't even speak the local dialect, let alone know the customs of the Flower Festival, and her maid is still young. For this festival, Atuo will have to rely on your hard work. This cup is me pleading with you—you cannot refuse to drink it."

Her personality was indeed sharp; when she needed to be firm, she was as keen as a blade, and when she needed to speak softly, every word went straight to the heart. With Lady Meng recently deceased and the Meng family being so cold-hearted, Lady Lin had been feeling conflicted. Hearing these words, her eyes immediately turned red. She was a woman of strong character, and with a choked voice, she said, "Second Miss, rest assured. My late mistress’s final wish was to entrust me with the care of the young miss. It is you, First Miss and Second Miss, who have it hard. I toast you both—your kindness and warmth have truly saved us from the fire. This great grace, I shall never forget."

After saying this, Lady Lin downed the entire cup, and the harshness of the liquor brought tears to her eyes.

"Why so distant? We are all one family from now on," Lingbo said with a smile, raising her own cup to join her. Once she had finished, Qinglan smiled and said, "Alright, the necessary toasts have been made, let's eat properly. It’s midday, so let's keep it simple. Atuo just arrived today, and I fear they might ask questions in 'that' courtyard. It wouldn't do to go and report back smelling of alcohol."

At the mention of "that courtyard," Lingbo’s eyes turned cold, but it immediately transformed into an even sweeter smile. She said with deep meaning, "That’s perfect. I was just worried about how to bring certain things up. If they take the initiative to come looking for us, all the better; it saves me the trouble of having to find an excuse to make a scene."

Seeing Atuo looking at her in confusion, she laughed and said, "Don't worry. Although there are some filthy things in this mansion, your sisters have already tidied them up. Just settle in with peace of mind; we are here for everything."

Sure enough, speak of the devil and he appears. Halfway through the meal, just as Atuo was witnessing Yan-yan’s appetite, Lady Yang led a maid in to report: "Ying’er says the Master and the Mistress are having their lunch. Having heard about the young miss from the Meng family, they ask the First Miss to bring the Meng young miss over after she finishes her meal to clarify matters."

"Mistress Pan certainly has such fine manners," Lingbo sneered. "A guest arrives, and instead of welcoming her, she makes the guest come to see her. Your courtyard's rules—I understand them less and less."

The remark made Ying’er blush, and she looked outside for help, presumably because there was a more senior matron waiting, though she was being blocked by Lady Yang.

Qinglan, having a better temper than Lingbo, said, "Understood. Go tell the Master we will go as soon as we finish eating."

Only then did Ying’er depart.

While Lingbo was fierce toward the people in the other courtyard, she remained a gentle and reliable sister to Atuo. "Don't worry, I will go with you later. Qinglan has a good temper, but I am not so easy to talk to. It will be good enough if I don't give them trouble; they wouldn't dare give you any. Just eat in peace and build up your strength. The Flower Festival is only two days away; that is the real business of this year."

Atuo was a naturally heavy-hearted girl, but she didn't want to show it and worry them. She finished her meal quietly and followed Qinglan and Lingbo to see Master Ye and the "Mistress." She knew that the three sisters' mother was the original wife of the Ye family—the cousin of Lady Meng. The current Mistress Ye, surnamed Pan, had originally been a maid to the late Mistress and had been promoted from a concubine. Having climbed so hard to reach her current position, she was even more desperate to bury the past. The late Mistress had died early, leaving behind the three sisters. The eldest sister had acted as a mother, and Lady Meng had often lamented how fortunate it was that Qinglan had stood up, like a tree spreading its shade to protect her two sisters; otherwise, all three would likely have been broken in the deep, dark courtyards of the Ye estate.

Hearing this, it was clear that the later "Mistress Ye" was not a person to be trifled with. In Lingbo’s words, "Your Concubine Su looks snobbish, but she has no real means; compared to the concubines in the capital, she is considered honest." This showed just how cunning and ruthless the Ye family’s concubine was.

Atuo wasn't afraid, but she was used to being cautious. Yan-yan, whose personality was the complete opposite—reckless and loyal—heard Atuo was going and immediately followed, patting her chest. "I’m always getting into trouble anyway, don't be afraid. Just push the blame on me if anything happens; I’ve got you."

She was actually five months younger than Atuo, and hearing this, Atuo couldn't help but be moved.

Atuo followed Qinglan and Lingbo across half the Ye estate to the main courtyard. In fact, she had noticed when she arrived that the Wutong Courtyard, where the three sisters lived, was a side courtyard of the Ye estate. Not only was it far from the main entrance, but its location was also remote. It was only because Qinglan managed it so well that the garden, furnishings, and servants were in excellent order. In reality, a closer look revealed the clear intention of exclusion.

The main courtyard was indeed more imposing. Master Ye’s official rank was not low; at only forty, he had already reached the third rank. Although it was a leisure post, it was full of promise.

Ordinarily, when female guests came to visit, the Master of the house wouldn't need to see them. But Lingbo was so formidable that without the Master’s presence, the "Mistress" likely wouldn't have dared to meet the sisters at all.

***

Sure enough, Mistress Ye was prepared for battle, surrounded by a host of maids and matrons like bodyguards. On the surface, she was as warm as a spring breeze, perhaps even overly enthusiastic. As soon as she saw Atuo, she didn't wait for the girl to bow, but rose from her seat to greet her personally, grabbing hold of Atuo and looking her up and down. She smiled and said, "What a handsome young lady! No wonder Lady Meng loved you like a treasure. I like you the moment I see you. Good girl, how old are you? What is your name? Come, greet the Master."

Atuo subtly broke free from her hand and took a step back. Outwardly, she remained cautious and restrained, bowing as she said in a low voice, "Greetings, Uncle-in-law Ye."

Technically, she should have greeted Master Ye first, but it was common to greet the Mistress along the way. When Atuo didn't, the smile on Mistress Ye’s face stiffened. Seeing this, Master Ye coughed and said, "No need for such formalities. Mistress Ye is just like Lady Meng; treat this place as you would your own home."

Once he said this, Atuo understood his meaning. She also knew that Master Ye was usually partial to this new "Mistress Ye," so she bowed to Mistress Ye and said, "Greetings, Mistress."

Only then did Mistress Ye’s expression soften. She looked behind Atuo and said with a smile, "Qinglan and Lingbo are here too? Why don't I see Yan-yan?"

Atuo watched coldly. Master Ye and the woman actually shared a certain resemblance. She had a pointed, oval face and delicate features, but there was a hint of pettiness, and she looked to be only around thirty. Her attire was somewhat overly opulent, and her temperament didn't even match that of Concubine Su.

Master Ye was slightly better, but only to a degree. It was clear he had risen through the civil service examinations, and one could still see the refined air he once possessed as an official in the Hanlin Academy. But over time, that had been worn away, leaving only the exhaustion of a middle-aged man. His eyes were puffy, and there were deep wrinkles at their corners. He looked like a sentimental man of indecisive character, constantly mindful of Mistress Ye’s wishes.

Sure enough, he immediately furrowed his brows and said to Ye Lingbo, "What is the meaning of this? The older you get, the less you understand the rules. You didn't even greet your mother—what kind of behavior is that?"

Atuo keenly sensed that he seemed somewhat afraid of Ye Qinglan. From the moment she entered, he had been ill-at-ease, and even his reprimands were directed only at Lingbo.

But Lingbo was not someone to be trifled with. Hearing this, she immediately sneered, "Heh, my mother died seven years ago. Where did this new mother suddenly spring from?"

Master Ye was so angry his eyebrows stood on end. He pointed at her, "You, you, you..." Before he could continue, Mistress Ye moved to support his arm and urged, "Master, please calm your anger. The Second Miss is still young and doesn't understand. Don't hold it against her. Children are taught slowly; at the very least, we just won't let her attend the Flower Festival this year. Let her be taught at home for a year, and she will be fine by next year."

With a single sentence, she wanted to strip Lingbo of her qualification to attend this year’s Flower Festival. Atuo was secretly shocked and looked at Lingbo with concern, only to see her find the time to wink at her, as if saying, "See? I told you she was ill-intentioned."

Atuo immediately realized where her ease came from.

Because Qinglan had started to speak.

"Father." She bowed gracefully before lifting her head, her expression calm. In fact, Atuo had long since discovered that she possessed a naturally serene temperament. It wasn't just the women; even the men who frequented the imperial court had to settle their hearts in her presence. As a female junior, she possessed a natural aura that demanded respect, the standard look of a noble daughter, forcing even these men to treat her with the gravity due to a senior.

Even her father, Master Ye, was no exception.

"Father’s instruction is correct, but Lingbo did not mean it intentionally. She has suffered from a cold since seven years ago, and because I did not care for her properly and the treatment was not timely, she has had a fiery temper ever since. She cannot control it herself and did not mean to anger Father. I ask for your understanding." She spoke unhurriedly.

A flash of guilt crossed Master Ye’s face, but Mistress Ye, clutching his arm, was about to speak again. Seeing this, Qinglan continued, unhurried and steady.

"The Flower Festival is a major event of the year. Lingbo is already nineteen and cannot afford to be delayed. Furthermore, the season is auspicious this year. Father has always worried about how to settle us sisters; perhaps we should take advantage of this year’s Flower Festival to find a match for Lingbo. That would resolve a great worry for the household." She slowly raised her eyes to look at Master Ye and asked, "I wonder what Father thinks?"

It was no wonder the officials feared her. Her words had almost completely blocked all of Master Ye’s avenues of retreat. Moreover, there was profound meaning in her speech, true to the saying: sorrowful but not resentful, angry but not harmful, neither humble nor arrogant, yet preserving dignity. It was truly more than Master Ye could bear.

In contrast, Mistress Ye’s whispering while clinging to his arm seemed uncouth. It perfectly matched what the ladies of the capital often cursed concubines for: "Full of vixen tricks, focused solely on whispering in his ear."

Master Ye had no choice but to answer hastily, "What you say also makes sense."

"Thank you, Father." Ye Qinglan did not give him a chance to change his mind, bowing deeply to seal the matter.

A trace of malice flashed in Mistress Ye’s eyes, but on the surface, she smiled even more warmly. "It should have been this way long ago. You are father and daughter; what is there that cannot be discussed? Qinglan is truly thoughtful, no wonder the Master favors her. Lingbo is just too hot-headed; she should learn more from her sister."

No wonder Yan-yan had nicknamed her the "Five-Step Snake" in private. Looking at her now, every word she spoke since entering had been laced with poison, not stopping until someone was hurt. She truly had the ruthlessness of a snake that would kill you within five steps.

By comparison, the one in the Meng family was truly a saint.

***

Fortunately, although the Five-Step Snake was poisonous, there were those who could handle her.

"Mistress, please stop sowing discord here. With such skill, it is a pity to waste it on us. It would be better to teach it to your Yin-zhang; that would be the real business. After all, the Flower Festival is only two days away, and Yin-zhang will be betrothed soon. Wouldn't it be a shame if your skills died out with you?" After she finished, not waiting for Master Ye to get angry, she continued, "Everyone knows I have this fiery temper; I cannot control it, and I speak sharply. Please, everyone, don't hold it against me."

"To argue like this in front of a guest—what does it look like?" Master Ye said with disgust.

Mistress Ye followed the lead, immediately pulling Atuo to sit down, and smiled, "Exactly. We should treat such a beautiful little guest well. I hear your name is Atuo, right? With such looks, you are sure to win the title at the Flower Festival..."

As she spoke, she placed her hand on Atuo’s shoulder. Atuo felt as if she had been coiled by a python; her hair stood on end, and even the woman’s arm felt as slippery, cold, and clammy as a snake—lacking only the scales.

Another hand was placed on her other shoulder. Atuo looked up and saw it was Qinglan. With gentle firmness, she pulled Atuo toward her and said to Mistress Ye, "The Flower Festival is not just about looks; character and temperament come first. Atuo is only fifteen; this year she is just going to join the fun and broaden her horizons."

"Qinglan is right. You are indeed the one who nearly won the Flower Festival back then; what a pity." Mistress Ye said it was a pity, but her eyes were full of smiles. She turned to Master Ye and said, "Master, I have an idea. Why not let Qinglan participate in the Flower Festival this year? Although she is older, she can look after her sisters. When the younger sisters find good matches, it will be the same as her finding one herself."

When these words were spoken, a murderous glint appeared in Lingbo’s eyes.

But Mistress Ye was a snake, and her methods were no less effective.

"Mistress is right. Since my sister must take on such a heavy responsibility, more work deserves more reward. Please, Mistress, send some of the new brocade to our courtyard so we can make clothes for my sister for the Flower Festival. And please return the jewelry and headpieces of our mother that you have been holding onto. Although Yin-zhang needs them, they are, after all, things left behind by our mother. Keeping them for so long without returning them is not the right way."

When Lingbo said this, she saw that Mistress Ye had no reply, but Master Ye’s expression began to darken in anger. Lingbo watched him and smiled.

"Alright, I know your courtyard is like a Pixiu—only taking in, never giving out. I wouldn't dare expect you to give us anything; it’s enough that you don't fleece us. Atuo is our guest, not yours, so she doesn't need your monthly allowance. We will take care of it ourselves; just don't come and disturb us." She said this with great nonchalance.

No matter how much she used her "fiery temper" as an excuse, Master Ye was about to lose his temper.

"Listen to what you are saying—what does it look like? How much money is a monthly allowance? To be so petty in front of a guest, you have no trace of a noble lady’s demeanor."

"The money isn't much, but you have withheld it for half a month; I wonder what that means?" Ye Lingbo asked with a smile. "Although we aren't waiting for this money to survive—if we were, we would have starved to death long ago. But for what is rightfully ours, you should send it over soon. If this ends up before the Old Matron, it won't look very good."

Her words were laced with threats, making Master Ye tremble with anger. He scolded Ye Lingbo, "The most important thing for a woman is gentleness and compliance. With your attitude, you will only embarrass yourself at the Flower Festival."

Ye Lingbo did not take his words, nor did she beg for mercy. She simply smiled, pulled Atuo up, and said, "Master Ye’s instruction is well-taken. But since the greetings are over, we will take Atuo back. Unless there is something important, please do not come and disturb us, Mistress and Master. If there is a message, just send it. We take our leave."

Ye Qinglan added a few polite words, saying things like "We sisters must go back to prepare for the Flower Festival, thank you for your understanding, Father." But Lingbo didn't care about that; she had already grabbed her and ran off together.

As they walked out of the main courtyard, they saw Yan-yan holding a jewelry box, chatting with an old matron, and walking over with a grin.

"Stop," Ye Lingbo immediately called out to her. "Where have you been? How many times have I told you? Is this courtyard any good place? Running around everywhere, getting harmed without even knowing it. I think your skin is itching for a lesson; I’ll deal with you when we get back."

"I went to see the Old Matron," Yan-yan said, aggrieved.

"Who doesn't know you went to see the Old Matron?" Ye Lingbo pulled her over and lowered her voice. "The Old Lady is paralyzed in bed now. Even though she is bound by filial piety, do you think it’s easy living under the thumb of a daughter-in-law? She finally gave you something, and you’re walking around with it, afraid that Mistress Pan doesn't know? Come back with me."

Atuo had also heard that the Old Matron of the Ye family had been bedridden since suffering a stroke. Although she had been a sharp woman who managed the household clearly in her day, now that she was faced with a son who doted on his concubine and destroyed his wife, and who was of one mind with the concubine, forcing the three granddaughters to live in a side courtyard, she had no way to help. She could only choose not to see what she didn't want to see.