Chapter 175

Why are you helping me? Ye Sisi pressed her lips, "I think, you can gather such clear Dao evidence of Zhao Hao's wanton killing of lives; dealing with Zhao Hao shouldn't be that hard, right?"

Ye Sisi gave a self-mocking laugh, "Ye Qingran, I actually underestimated you before."

Ye Qingran lifted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Help you? Who said I'm helping you? We're just using each other."

Fine, as long as you help me regain the Seventh Princess Consort's position, I'll do anything!

Is that position really so alluring to you? If one day you realize that everything you've poured your all into pursuing is merely a mirage, don't blame me for not warning you today.

Impossible!

Ye Qingran merely smiled and said nothing.

Ye Sisi frowned, gazing at Ye Qingran for a long while before finally leaving Ting Yu Xuan.

In the blink of an eye, six months passed; on the ninth day of the first month, Zhao Hao was subjected to Decapitation Execution. On the execution day, countless people came to watch. Though it should have been a heavy, oppressive affair, the people of Xiliang were instead in high spirits, and when Zhao Hao's head hit the ground, thunderous applause erupted.

Everything has cause and effect; it's not that retribution doesn't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet!

The day after Zhao Hao's execution, Ye Yu summoned his three daughters again to the study. This time they discussed Ye Sisi's marriage.

Zhao Shi was also present, but obviously the Zhao Family's misfortune had dealt her a heavy blow; she looked utterly exhausted. When she saw Ye Sisi enter, fury flashed in her eyes and she shouted at her: "You Rebellious Woman! Your cousin was beheaded, the Zhao line is now cut off, your aunt and uncle are devastated—are you satisfied? Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"

Upon hearing the first part, Ye Sisi felt as if a heavy hammer had struck her chest, waves of dull pain. Hearing the latter, she gave a bitter smile: "Why couldn't it be that I myself wanted to do this?"

Zhao Shi's expression was dripping with mockery: "You're my own child—how could I not know what's in your head? Do you think you're Huanhuan? Without someone behind you pulling the strings, you could never gather that evidence on your own!"

Ye Sisi shuddered and expelled a turbid breath.

The words coming from Zhao Shi's mouth felt to her no different from death by a thousand cuts.

She clenched her silver teeth, "No one ordered me to do this!"

Zhao Shi was about to say more when Ye Yu raised a hand to stop her: "Enough, the person's dead—what's there to quibble about?" To Ye Yu, Zhao Hao was merely an insignificant nobody. Dead is dead. Even if his own daughter died, he wouldn't feel much, let alone an outsider.

Father, why did you summon us this time? Huanhuan's gentle voice came.

Ye Yu looked at her, his attitude visibly softening: "I called you here to discuss Sisi's marriage."

Ye Yu casually glanced at Ye Qingran, pondered a moment, then said: "I and your mother visited the Fourth Prince (His Highness) and mentioned the marriage between him and Sisi, hoping to have the wedding settled before Mid-Autumn, the fifteenth of the eighth month. The Fourth Prince (His Highness) agreed, but he put forward a condition."

Huanhuan's eyes flickered, the smile tugging at her lips carrying a hint of malice.

I don't know what condition the Fourth Prince (His Highness) set.

Ye Yu glanced at Ye Qingran, "The Fourth Prince's (His Highness) demand is… Qingran, your sister lost the Seventh Prince (His Highness); she can't afford to lose the Fourth Prince (His Highness) too. Although the National Master dotes on you, for your sister's happiness, shouldn't you sacrifice a bit of yourself?"

Ye Qingran's eyes were icy, her lips curled like flames, "Lord Ye, speak plainly."

Whenever Ye Yu saw Ye Qingran's stubborn, unyielding attitude, his temper would flare easily. But today, for the sake of what he was about to say, he held it in.

You also know, the Fourth Prince (His Highness) is a philanderer; he said he'd seen you before, left a deep impression in his heart, and has always adored you, so he hopes that before Sisi marries him, you could go to the Fourth Prince's (His Highness) residence and spend a night with him.

Ye Yu spoke in an exceptionally calm tone, uttering words that no normal parent could ever bring themselves to say.

I know it's difficult for you, but for your sister's happiness, just sacrifice yourself once. After all, it's merely spending a night with the Fourth Prince (His Highness)—nothing much, and you should be able to accept it. Besides, even if you later marry the National Master, as long as we keep quiet, he won't find out. You're not a virgin to begin with, and the National Master knows that; if there's no blood on your wedding night, he won't suspect anything.

Ye Qingran's reaction was calm, yet it left Ye Sisi stunned and speechless.

She slowly turned her head, gazing at the tranquil Ye Qingran, wondering if it was because they were both wanderers adrift in the world, but for the first time in her life she felt sympathy toward this half-sister, whom she had disliked for years.

Lord Ye, you're quite the schemer! Ye Qingran sneered.

Lord Ye, selling off your daughters so effortlessly—doesn't your conscience ache?

Ye Sisi lowered her head in dejection, deeply feeling the same.

Ye Yu immediately flared up: "You're my daughter—I gave birth to you and raised you. Just listen to me; for our sake, is it really so hard to make a small sacrifice? I, Ye Yu, have truly sinned—how could I have begotten a wolf-hearted, dog-lunged, ungrateful rebellious woman like you?"

Huanhuan still maintained her flawless noble lady demeanor: "Sister, Father is right. We're both his daughters; helping him shoulder his worries is only natural. Although this time asking you to spend a night with the Fourth Prince (His Highness) indeed wrongs you, if you go, you'll lose only your body; if you don't, Sisi will lose her happiness."

Ye Yu's brows and eyes relaxed; he was quite pleased with Huanhuan's words.

All of you should learn from Huanhuan—she's the only one who puts my mind at ease!

Huanhuan, you're so reasonable and understanding, and you're Sisi's own older sister—why don't you go? With your beauty, I imagine the Fourth Prince (His Highness) would certainly not turn anyone away.

Huanhuan's expression shifted, her sharp gaze shooting toward Ye Qingran. She's destined to marry the Crown Prince—how could she possibly spend a night with that disgusting Fourth Prince (His Highness)?

Zhao Shi raised her eyebrows sharply and snapped: "Ye Qingran, do you think Huanhuan is like you? Our Huanhuan is a chaste young lady! How could she do such a sordid thing? You're different—you've slept with men before; this kind of thing is your specialty, right? Who knows how many men have ruined that thing, yet you still pretend to be pure here—who are you trying to impress?"

As the words fell, the tightly shut study door burst open, and two figures stormed in. Amid everyone's shocked stares, one grabbed Zhao Shi's hand and rained blows on her from both sides, beating her severely.

Ye Qingran, tell your maid to stop at once! Ye Yu reacted belatedly and shouted. To commit such a grave act of defiance in his study—does this daughter still have any regard for her father?

In a short while, Zhao Shi had been slapped dozens of times. Han Xing and Leng Yue struck hard; both are formidable cultivators—how could a frail woman like Zhao Shi, who can't even truss a chicken, endure such a beating?

Ye Qingran, release my mother!

Ye Sisi furrowed her brows, ultimately unable to bear it, and pleaded.

With just a glance from Ye Qingran, Han Xing and Leng Yue halted their hands. I warn you—if you dare utter another insult against my lady, I'll tear out your tongue!

Having said that, she flicked her sleeves and left, closing the door behind her as if nothing had happened…

Ye Yu looked at this daughter whose joy and anger never showed on her face, whose actions were rather ruthless, his eyes flickering as a vicious idea gradually took root in his mind.

Huanhuan, I never expected you to still be a chaste young lady…

Ye Qingran stroked her chin, smiling ambiguously.

Huanhuan lowered her eyelids, feeling somewhat guilty.