Although Saixing was just a rough maid, she was surprisingly good at doing hair and applying makeup.
Ye Xi was very satisfied.
She admired herself in the mirror for a while before saying regretfully, "Undo it. Do my hair the way I usually wear it, and apply the makeup like before."
"But, Second Miss..." Saixing hesitated.
After all, Ye Xi's previous hairstyle was old - fashioned, and her makeup looked dirty, ugly, and gaudy. She was a beauty who could captivate a nation, but after applying makeup, she looked like a thirty - or forty - year - old street singer.
But Saixing didn't dare to say it. This was her first time serving the noble, and she was afraid of saying the wrong thing and getting beaten or sold.
Ye Xi had already used her mind - reading ability and knew that Saixing was an honest and straightforward girl.
Seeing her hesitating now, how could Ye Xi not know what was on her mind?
"Undo it. Mother and Elder Sister like it this way," Ye Xi said with a gentle smile.
Ye Xi's previous makeup and hairstyle were all arranged by Qingyuan. It was obvious who was behind it.
For now, Ye Xi had neither a backer nor the strength, so she couldn't let them detect anything amiss.
Saixing was so touched that tears welled up in her eyes.
[Second Miss is really kind. She doesn't even care about her most important appearance just to make the Lady and the Eldest Miss happy.]
Ye Xi couldn't help but smile when she read Saixing's thoughts.
Soon, Ye Xi was all dressed up. She took Saixing and waited for the carriage at the gate.
While she was in a daze, Ye Jueyao came gracefully from afar.
Seeing Ye Xi from a distance, Ye Jueyao immediately walked over and warmly took Ye Xi's hand.
"Sister, you came early. How's your health today? I've been so busy during the day these days that I can only come to see you at night. But every time I come, you're already asleep. We haven't even had a chance to talk for days," Ye Jueyao's voice was as sweet as a warbler's, with a hint of grievance.
Her words were not only an excuse for herself but also shifted the blame to Ye Xi.
[She's wearing the same makeup as before. It seems Mother and Qingyuan were over - worried.]
[Tsk tsk, how ugly. Hehe~ Having such a sister beside me makes me look even more beautiful.]
"I'm fine," Ye Xi lowered her eyelashes to hide the emotions in her eyes and replied as usual.
Ye Jueyao's thoughts reached Ye Xi's ears word for word. Although she was prepared, after more than a decade of sisterly affection, Ye Xi still felt a bit sad.
"What are you two sisters talking about?"
Qian Fangxue and Ye Pengcheng came side by side, followed by Ye Yudong with dark circles under his eyes.
"We were just talking about Second Sister's health," Ye Jueyao ran over lightly and coquettishly wrapped her arm around Qian Fangxue's.
Ye Yudong's eyes lit up instantly, and he looked at Ye Xi meaningfully.
Ye Xi trembled slightly.
In the past, she always thought Ye Yudong looked at her in a strange way, but she thought she was overthinking.
Now that she knew they were not blood - related, Ye Xi finally understood why Ye Yudong always looked at her with such lecherous eyes.
A wave of nausea rose in her stomach. Ye Xi lowered her head and forced it down.
"Only Yaoyao is considerate," the group had already walked up to Ye Xi as they were talking.
"Father, Mother," Ye Xi bowed politely.
"Alright. Let's go quickly. We don't want to be late," Ye Pengcheng said seriously, maintaining his dignity as the head of the family.
They each got into the carriage and headed for the palace.
The banquet was very grand. All officials above the seventh rank in the capital were invited. They greeted and flattered each other when they met.
In the past, Ye Xi was always just a foil to Ye Jueyao at such banquets.
The Ye family was deliberately isolating Ye Xi from others because they were afraid that she would get too close to someone and ruin their plan of exchanging lives.
So Ye Xi didn't know many people. She sat obediently in her seat, looking around for the trace of Master Hunyuan.
"Hey, isn't that the Second Miss of the Ye family who's engaged to you? Is she looking for you?"
Cao Sheng was greeting the young masters of the noble families when he heard his friend Sun Liu ask him.
Following Sun Liu's gaze, he indeed saw Ye Xi looking around in her seat.
Disgust filled his eyes. Cao Sheng angrily flicked his sleeve and said, "Looking around like that. Where's the demeanor of a gentle lady! If it weren't for the fact that she saved my grandfather's life, I would never have engaged to such an ugly and stupid woman."
Sun Liu was Cao Sheng's best friend. He knew something about Cao Sheng's affairs, so Cao Sheng didn't hide his disgust for Ye Xi at all.
"You're right," Sun Liu, who of course knew what kind of person his friend was, echoed, "A woman in her sixteenth or seventeenth year who looks like she's thirty - six or thirty - seven doesn't deserve to be the wife of the son of the national uncle. In my opinion, only the talented and beautiful Miss Jueyao is a good match."
These words made Cao Sheng beam with joy. The two of them flattered each other again.
Ye Xi, who was anxiously waiting for Master Hunyuan, had already forgotten all about Cao Sheng.
Soon, the banquet began. Master Hunyuan really showed up to offer blessings to the Great Yin Dynasty and the royal family.
Glasses clinked.
Ye Xi stared closely at Master Hunyuan, as if afraid he would run away.
On the other hand, after his friend mentioned Ye Xi, Cao Sheng glanced at her condescendingly a few times.
To his annoyance, Ye Xi didn't even give him a sidelong glance after several looks.
Cao Sheng was furious. What's wrong with this woman? Does she still want to marry me? She's really ungrateful!
Involuntarily following Ye Xi's gaze, Cao Sheng saw several young masters of the noble families approaching Master Hunyuan to observe.
Flinging his wine cup down angrily, Cao Sheng cursed secretly, "Shameless bitch! She's already flirting with others while I'm still here. Doesn't she know how ugly she is?"
While Cao Sheng was scolding angrily, Ye Xi saw Master Hunyuan leave after offering blessings.
Ye Xi immediately found an excuse and quietly followed him.
However, the palace was too big. After a turn, Master Hunyuan disappeared.
Ye Xi was stunned.
It was over. She had lost track of the master, and now she was lost.
Ye Xi was so anxious that she was pacing around. Just as she turned the rockery, she bumped into someone.
"Ah!"
[Ouch, it hurts!]
Ye Xi's exclamation and the person's thought rang out at the same time.
Without even raising her head, Ye Xi quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"It's okay," a cold and indifferent voice came from above.
Ye Xi looked up and was so shocked that she took a few steps back.
The man in front of her had slanting eyebrows that reached into his temples and long, narrow phoenix eyes. His handsome face was as bright as the moon, and his eyes seemed to contain ice and snow. He was wearing a black robe embroidered with gold, looking extremely noble.
It was the Prince of Yu'an, Yi Yuan!
This was really over. Ye Xi sighed inwardly at her bad luck.
Everyone knew that the Prince of Yu'an was cold - hearted, cruel, and tyrannical. She was probably going to die here today.
[Am I really that scary? She's so pale with fear.]
Yi Yuan's thought rang out again.
Only then did Ye Xi realize that Yi Yuan was still holding her.
"Your Highness," Ye Xi quickly stood up and bowed.
It seemed that the Prince of Yu'an wasn't angry. Ye Xi thought secretly.
Yi Yuan just grunted faintly and then walked away.
He just came out for some fresh air and didn't want to get involved in any amorous tales.
"Your Highness!" Ye Xi suddenly called out to stop him.
Because Ye Xi remembered something, something very important that could determine whether she could break the evil spell of the tied - lives curse!