Chapter Twenty-Five Persuasion

  "No way," Ye Chengli's face sank, and he refused without hesitation: "This is absolutely unacceptable."

  Ye Qinglan had already anticipated his reaction and was not flustered, saying calmly: "Please don't get angry first. I know you're worried about me. But this isn't a momentary impulse or a reckless move. These past few days, I've been thinking it over carefully. The more I think about it, the more I feel that staying behind would be better..."

  Ye Chengli's face sank, his eyes sharp: "Tell me honestly, is there any reason? Is it that your mother has been treating you badly?" If everything was fine, why would she suddenly have this thought?

  Ye Qinglan's eyes sparkled with tears, but she didn't say a word.

  This silent grievance is more powerful than a verbal protest and also more moving.

  Ye Chengli's eyes gradually floated up with anger.

  When Bi Rong died, Ye Qinglan was still young and was naturally taken care of by Xue Shi. He was busy with official duties and rarely asked about her, although he vaguely sensed that Xue Shi didn't pay much attention to Ye Qinglan, but he also didn't take it to heart. It wasn't until this moment that he suddenly realized his own neglect of his daughter.

  How much hardship has she suffered? She doesn't even want to return to Zhengzhou and is determined to stay in the capital.

  Ye Chengli took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I'll find time to talk to your mother about it. Don't worry, she will definitely treat you well from now on. Just follow me back to Zhengzhou with peace of mind."

  Ye Qinglan smiled bitterly: "Father, do you really think that just because of a few words, my days will get better? If mother really wants to make things difficult for me, there are many ways to do it. You can protect me once or twice, but you can't always be protecting me. Moreover, I don't want father to quarrel with mother because of me and cause family discord. After thinking about it, staying is the best solution."

  "But you're still young and need someone to take care of you..."

  "I can take care of myself." Those bright, watery eyes were full of pleading: "There are grandparents and aunts in the mansion who will take care of me. Father, please agree to it! I'll be good and listen obediently, I won't cause any trouble."

  Ye Chengli still frowned: "No way, can't leave you alone in the mansion."

  If the young daughter is really left behind, I don't know how many people will gossip behind her back. How can a gentle and timid daughter bear it?

  Xue's family is also a dignified one, how can they bear to do something that would give others an excuse to gossip.

  No matter how you look at it, this is absolutely impossible!

  Ye Qinglan ignored Ye Chengli's unpleasant expression and continued to plead: "What I said today was too sudden, it's understandable that you can't accept it for the time being. Please take a few more days to consider it carefully before giving me an answer."

  Facing such a pitiful and lovely face, even someone with a heart of stone can't help but refuse outright.

  Ye Chengli also wavered, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, a young servant rushed over to report: "Reporting to Third Master, the Old Master has ordered me to come and urge you to hurry up, saying that time is running out and asking you to go over quickly to discuss matters."

  Ye Chengli then came to his senses and realized that he had delayed for quite some time, and had no time to say anything more. He hastily instructed "This matter will be discussed later when there is free time" and left.

  The master has left, there's no need to pretend to be pitiful anymore.

  Ye Qinglan quickly collected her expression. However, in the blink of an eye, she had a smiling face, and there was no longer any hint of the pitiful look from before.

  Rui Xue stared with her eyes wide open and tongue tied. This changing face skill was really too formidable.

  Ye Qinglan ignored her stunned gaze and smiled: "It's fine to stay here too, let's go to the Ring Cui Pavilion."

  Rui Xue was taken aback: "But, Sixth Miss didn't send anyone to invite... it's not very good to go so proactively!"

  Ye Qinglan smiled and blinked her eyes: "My own sister, please come and go more often. Maybe Sixth Sister is waiting for me to find her!"

  ……

  Rui Xue followed behind her own young lady, thinking silently. Is having a thick skin a shortcoming or an advantage?

  Before long, they arrived at the Ringed Verdure Pavilion.

  Rui Xue had already come back to her senses, and smiled as she walked forward to exchange a few pleasantries with the maid guarding the door. The maid was also quite clever, and smiled as she said: "The Sixth Miss has just returned from Madame's place, and is currently reading and resting. Please wait for a moment, Tenth Miss, I'll go inform her."

  The words were tactful, but intentionally or unintentionally left room for retreat. If Sixth Miss didn't want to see Tenth Miss, she could use "I'm tired and don't want to receive guests" as an excuse later on.

  Ye Qinglan was speechless with laughter. The maidservants beside Ye Qingning were indeed one more clever than the other.

  According to rough estimates, Ye Qingning had at least seven or eight maids by her side, not counting the housekeeper and the servant who did the heavy chores. In comparison, this tenth miss from a humble background was indeed too shabby, with only three people by her side.

  Ye Qingfu's treatment was even better than hers, with five or six maidservants serving her. As for Ye Qingrou's specific situation, it is temporarily unknown, but one can guess that it will not be much worse.

  It's really frustrating when you compare yourself with others and feel inferior.

  That little girl named Ying Er quickly turned back, smiling and said: "Miss Ten is inviting you over." Her attitude was much more enthusiastic than before.

  Ye Qinglan smiled and followed Ying'er into the house.

  Ye Qingning's boudoir was more exquisite and luxurious than imagined. There were not many decorations, but each one was delicate.

  Ye Qinglan didn't have time to look at her much, and smiled as she said to the young girl sitting idly by the window reading a book: "I've really come at an inopportune moment, disturbing Sixth Sister's pleasant mood."

  Ye Qingning slightly curled up the corners of her lips and smiled sarcastically: "You've come all this way, what's the point of saying these things." She didn't put down the book in her hand, nor did she get up to greet him. As a host, it was somewhat impolite.

  With yesterday's experience, Ye Qinglan was mentally prepared and smiled without changing her expression: "Today the weather is so good, but Sixth Sister is cooped up in the house reading books, truly wasting the fine spring scenery. Why not go to the garden together to admire the flowers?"

  To get along well with Ye Qingning in a short time, of course, you need to put more thought and effort into it.

  Ye Qingning liked quietness and disliked noise, upon hearing the words, she didn't change her expression, lazily responding: "I don't want to go. If you want to go, just go find Ba Tang Mei instead! She loves running around everywhere."

  Having said that, he lowered his head and continued reading again.

  Rui Xue stood aside, feeling a bit hot behind her ears. Although Ye Qingning's slow and rude behavior wasn't directed at her, seeing her own mistress being unfairly cold-shouldered made her feel very embarrassed as well.

  The parties involved didn't seem to mind at all, and lightly rounded themselves off: "Since Sixth Sister doesn't want to go, I won't go either." As he spoke, he sat down beside Ye Qingning and casually picked up a book from the table to flip through it. His movements were extremely gentle, carefully not making a single sound.

  Ye Qingning couldn't help but look up and glance at Ye Qinglan.