"She doesn't know. In the Liang family, only Liang Hemiao and Yang Guihua are aware of this matter." Bao Min's answer made Ye Yunniang feel a little better.
After listening, Cai Damei only said one thing to Ye Yunniang, "Whatever you want to do, I'll support you."
"What Madam means is what I mean," Bao Min chimed in.
"I want Liang Hemiao to reap what she sows," Ye Yunniang voiced her thoughts.
"Good."
On the wedding day, Ye Yunniang arrived at the Wang family's residence with the invitation Liang Hemiao had given her.
True to a family that had prospered for generations, the Wang estate was a sprawling five-courtyard compound. Its pavilions, towers, bridges, and flowing water were quite eye-catching.
Following the directions, Ye Yunniang came to the Qunfang Pavilion, where female guests could rest.
There, she saw a familiar face.
"What are you doing here?" Baise was very surprised to see Ye Yunniang.
"Invited by the bride," Ye Yunniang replied.
"The bride invited you to the Wang family?" Baise's expression turned odd.
"I embroidered the bride's wedding dress."
Baise understood the implication immediately. "The Wang family is not a good place to be."
"Worried I'll be snatched away?" Ye Yunniang laughed.
"Would you be snatched away?" Baise retorted.
"No," Ye Yunniang smiled, and Baise smiled too.
The two chatting and laughing didn't notice someone watching them not far away.
"Young Master Mo, you really shouldn't be here," Luo Xin said helplessly, looking at Tong Mo, who was disguised as a garden gardener.
Tong Mo was supposed to be tending to the garden flowers. Instead, he was plucking them all and throwing them on the ground.
He was practically a flower-wrecker.
"I won't mess up the task Uncle entrusted me with."
Tong Mo moved to another spot, continued plucking flowers, and muttered nonstop.
"That heartless woman, doesn't miss me at all..."
Achoo, achoo...
Ye Yunniang sneezed several times in a row.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, probably someone is talking about me." Ye Yunniang wondered, who could it be?
Chunyao, Jiang Mingyue, or someone from the Wang family?
"Figured out who it is?" Baise asked teasingly.
Ye Yunniang shot Baise a look. After they became familiar, she realized Baise loved to joke around.
"You still haven't told me. How did you and Uncle Tie Yi get together?" Ye Yunniang seized the chance to press Baise.
"You're relentless." Ye Yunniang had asked about this several times. Baise always avoided answering.
"Can't help it, your attitude makes me curious." Ye Yunniang knew Baise was usually straightforward. But regarding Tie Yi, she was keeping things too well hidden.
"Tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone else," Ye Yunniang urged.
"Want to know?"
"Yes, I do."
"Alright, let's trade secrets." Baise hooked her arm around Ye Yunniang's shoulder. "You tell me first, who is Pingping's father?"
Ye Yunniang glanced at Baise. "Aren't you asking something you already know? Pingping's father is, of course,"
"Li Jun, your dead husband." Baise leaned closer to Ye Yunniang. "That story only fools outsiders. Li Ping's father is..." At the end, Baise's voice became almost inaudible as she uttered three words.
Ye Yunniang's expression didn't change, but the momentary stiffness in her body was felt by Baise.
"Ye Yunniang, you are really something!" Baise gave a thumbs-up.
"Now that you know, how about telling me about you and Uncle Tie Yi?" Having her hidden secret uncovered didn't fluster Ye Yunniang much.
Right now, she was more interested in the story between Baise and Tie Yi.
"You've changed. You're not the simple, easy-going Ye Yunniang anymore."
"I learned it all from you."
"Fine, I'll tell you. It's very simple between Tie Yi and me."
After learning from Ye Yunniang which blacksmith shop Tie Yi worked at, Baise went straight there.
Using the pretext of wanting to custom-make special embroidery needles, Baise asked for Tie Yi by name.
Taken to the backyard, she saw Tie Yi forging, bare-chested.
With just one glance, Baise was captivated by his gleaming muscles.
The exterior was appealing, but the interior needed testing.
Baise had someone get Tie Yi drunk, tested him out,
and was very satisfied with the results. She then found a matchmaker to propose marriage.
"You are really something!" Ye Yunniang was impressed.
"Of course," Baise said proudly. "You're not bad either, to be with that one."
With her curiosity satisfied, Ye Yunniang didn't press further about Baise and Tie Yi.
"How did you figure it out?"
"I've had a few dealings with him," Baise said through gritted teeth.
"You suffered a loss because of him?"
"Why don't you say I had a relationship with him?" Baise said with a mischievous tone.
"He wouldn't, and you wouldn't either," Ye Yunniang answered firmly.
"Really don't know what kind of dog luck he had, to get a foolish woman like you," Baise's tone couldn't hide her envy.
Ye Yunniang wanted to say she wasn't foolish, but felt saying so would make her seem truly foolish.
"My legs are tired from sitting. I'm going for a walk in the garden." Ye Yunniang got up and headed to the nearby garden.
Baise was too lazy to move, leaning back in her chair to watch the lively surroundings.
As Ye Yunniang entered the garden, Tong Mo walked over.
"When did you get back?"
Seeing Tong Mo, Ye Yunniang was shocked.
"Returned yesterday," Tong Mo answered in an unfriendly tone. "Ye Yunniang, how have you been taking care of yourself? Getting into so much trouble?"
Even though the words were meant to be caring, they sounded sharp to the listener.
"Did your uncle send you?"
"Luo Xin isn't as smart as me, nor as skilled in martial arts." Tong Mo's words made Luo Xin, hiding in a nearby tree, roll his eyes.
"You..."
"Yunniang, you're here." Liang Maimiao hurried over, took Ye Yunniang's hand, and pulled her towards the inner courtyard.
"Is there gold in the tree?" Tong Mo looked up.
"No."
"Then hurry up and follow them," Tong Mo muttered disdainfully. "Blockhead."
Luo Xin: ... Don't get angry, don't get angry. He's just a pitiful guy nobody loves.
Having consoled himself, Luo Xin followed behind Liang Maimiao and Ye Yunniang.
Arriving at the bridal chamber in the inner courtyard, Liang Maimiao said a word to the maid guarding the door and took Ye Yunniang inside.
Liang Hemiao was eating pastries, wolfing them down as if she were starving.
"Eat slowly," Liang Maimiao said, pouring water for Liang Hemiao.
Liang Hemiao took the teacup and drank a big gulp. "Sister Yunniang, so many people today said my wedding dress is beautiful and envy me. It's all thanks to you."
"No matter how well the clothes are made, if the person wearing them isn't beautiful, they won't look good either." Ye Yunniang's compliment made Liang Hemiao's cheeks blush again.
"Don't just stand, let's sit and talk," Liang Maimiao invited them to sit.
After talking for a while, Liang Hemiao rubbed her stomach and said to Liang Maimiao, "Sister, I want to eat noodles."
"Alright, I'll go to the kitchen and see," Liang Maimiao said without hesitation, getting up and leaving.
After Liang Maimiao left, Liang Hemiao poured tea and handed it to Ye Yunniang with both hands.
"Sister Yunniang, have some tea."
"Okay," Ye Yunniang smiled, took the cup, and drank a sip. After swallowing the tea, just as she was about to speak, her eyes closed and she fainted.
"Sister Yunniang, Sister Yunniang..." Seeing Ye Yunniang faint and slump over the table, Liang Hemiao reached out and pushed her.
Ye Yunniang, following the force, started to slide under the table.
Liang Hemiao reached out to support Ye Yunniang, then pinched her hand.
Still no reaction. Liang Hemiao let go of Ye Yunniang, sat down beside her, picked up a cup, and took a large gulp of tea.
The look she directed at Ye Yunniang held not a trace of innocence or kindness.
"Ye Yunniang, don't blame me for being heartless. Blame yourself for being too weak, too foolish."
