Chapter Sixteen: Relying on the Mountain

  Xue's expression also changed, and he coldly said: "Master, Fu'er is still young and doesn't understand things yet. She can't help but say something wrong sometimes. You're angry, but you shouldn't hit her!"

  Ye Chengli snorted: "She's already thirteen years old, and it's time to talk about marriage, is she still young? If you didn't care about your sister, that would be fine, but instead you keep saying the deceased was not at fault. This is what you've taught your good daughter!"

  After all, it was just Qi Ye Qing Fu speaking out of turn about the deceased Bi Rong.

  Xue's heart was burning with anger and hatred, but she managed to swallow the vicious words that had reached her lips. She turned around and pulled Ye Qingfu away.

  Before leaving, Xue couldn't help but glance at Ye Qinglan. Ye Qinglan was standing there timidly, with her head bowed and a demure expression, looking both gentle and honest.

  Tonight's farce is mostly to blame on Ye Qingfu's arrogance and impulsiveness. Ye Qinglan seems innocent, but if you think carefully, without her pretending to be pitiful, would Ye Qingfu have been provoked?

  Xue silently gritted her teeth and charged the entire bill to Ye Qinglan's account.

  After Xue's mother and daughter left, there were only Ye Chengli and Ye Qinglan in the big house.

  Ye Chengli's anger subsided slightly, and his tone was softer than before: "Lan'er, it's getting late, you should go back and rest too!"

  Ye Qinglan nodded obediently and opened her mouth to say: Sorry, it's all my fault for making Second Sister angry. And also made Father lose his temper. I'll go apologize to Second Sister tomorrow.

  Compared with Ye Qingfu's willfulness and arrogance, the younger daughter's cleverness and thoughtfulness have touched people's hearts.

  Ye Chengli's heart softened, and his face became even more gentle: "How can we blame you for this? Fu'er has a bad temper, let her reflect on herself for the past two days, don't go find her." With Fu'er's irritable and bad temper, Lan'er went to see her and would definitely be scolded.

  "But... " Ye Qinglan nervously pinched her hem and said in a low voice: Mother seems to be angry too...

  Ye Chengli seeing her like this, had more pity and softly comforted: Don't worry, she won't make things difficult for you because of this. After a pause, he added another sentence: If anyone bullies you in the future, come tell me.

  Ye Qinglan was visibly moved, choking back tears as she nodded: "Father, you're really too good to your daughter." Without much effort, she had gained such a powerful backer, it was great!

  Playing the weak and pitiful card really works.

  Of course, she didn't really take Ye Chengli's last words to heart. If she were to cry and complain every now and then, it would be too obvious. The means are also too inferior, and smart people don't bother with them.

  The true cleverness is to make everyone think she is kind and innocent.

  Ye Chengli obviously thought so, lovingly looked at his clever daughter and couldn't help but sigh: "It's just a pity that Bih Rong died too early." Without the protection of her mother, Lan'er must have suffered from a lot of gossip.

  Tears welled up in Ye Qinglan's eyes, but she held them back and pretended to be strong, which only made people feel more sympathetic towards her.

  Little did he know, Ye Qinglan was thinking to herself at this moment that Bi Rong had been dead for many years, yet Ye Chengli still couldn't forget her. It seemed that he must have had some true feelings for Bi Rong back then.

  This was a very beneficial good thing for her. It also strengthened her determination to stick close to the cheap old father's thigh.

  Ye Chengli also fell silent, his eyes gazing into the distance, clearly recalling past events.

  Ye Qinglan lightly nodded and then quietly withdrew.

  Rui Xue, who had been guarding the door, hastily went forward and took a quick glance at Ye Qinglan: "Miss, how are you?"

  Just now, there was a big commotion in the house, and she vaguely heard about it. When she heard her own young lady sobbing and crying, she felt both heartache and anxiety. Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything and could only wait outside.

  Ye Qinglan didn't say anything and walked forward silently.

  Rui Xue felt a sense of wonder in her heart, but she didn't dare say anything and quietly followed along.

  After walking a distance, Ye Qinglan finally stopped. Rui Xue looked up and her heart skipped a beat suddenly.

  Under the clear and cold moonlight, there was no longer a hint of sadness or grievance on that plain yet lovely face. The eyes were cunning and bright, with a mischievous smile at the corner of the lips: "Tonight someone got scolded and beaten, fortunately it wasn't me."

  Rui Xue understood her meaning and stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

  How is this possible?

  Ye Qingfu relied on Xue's support and never put Ye Qinglan in her eyes. Ye Qinglan had endured countless grievances, but she didn't even have the courage to speak out, let alone fight back. She watched with a mix of anxiety and anger in her heart, yet was helpless.

  What's going on this time?

  Ye Qinglan obviously had no intention of explaining, and smiled as she said: "Alright, nothing's wrong now, go back and rest."

  Ye Chengli was quite angry this time, and punished Ye Qingfu to stay in her room for two days. Even if Ye Qingfu wanted to cause trouble for her, it would be a matter for later. In short, her ears were clear and quiet for these two days.

  That night, Ye Qinglan slept exceptionally soundly.

  The next morning, at dawn, Ye Qinglan got out of bed and went to Xue's place to pay her respects.

  Xue Shi was dressing in front of the mirror when she heard the maid's report, and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. She casually instructed: "Have Third Miss wait outside for a while."

  Hong Yu quickly responded with a "yes", lifted the curtain and turned to the outside corridor, smiling and saying: "The madam is dressing up, please wait for a moment, Third Miss."

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly and responded with a "yes". She had expected that Xue Shi would retaliate, but she didn't think it would come so soon. This so-called "wait for a moment", who knows how long it will take...

  Hong Yu smiled contentedly and walked away.

  Rui Xue couldn't laugh anymore, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes, she lowered her voice and said: "This Hong Yu is simply relying on her master's power, it's too much!" She was just a maid by Madam Xue's side, yet she was showing off in front of Ye Qinglan, it was really annoying.

  Ye Qinglan smiled faintly.

  This wait is just half an hour.

  The maids and servant girls coming and going would catch sight of Third Miss standing in the corridor with her head bowed, and they couldn't help but exchange knowing glances with each other.

  The news of the second young lady being confined at home had spread early in the morning. Upon closer inquiry, it was found to be related to the third young lady. No wonder Madam Xue had given the third young lady a cold shoulder when she came to pay her respects that morning...

  "Third sister, what are you doing standing here?" a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind.

  Ye Qinglan's eyebrows furrowed reflexively as soon as she heard the voice. She would rather deal with Ye Qingfu, who was arrogant and willful, than have any contact with Ye Yuanshou.

  Unfortunately, some things can't be avoided no matter how hard you try.

  Ye Yuanzhou leaned in close, his concerned eyes fixed intently on her face...