"Miss Ye, you have such refined taste, taking a stroll?"
The speaker was dressed in a bright rose - red long dress that hugged her body tightly, accentuating her slender waist.
She had a head of jet - black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her eyes were both alluring and lively. As she spoke, she walked closer.
"Aunt Wei, what a coincidence!"
Ye Zhinan recognized the person in front of her. A hint of disdain flashed across her eyes.
Wei Louming had taken many concubines. This woman was the last one, the youngest and the most alluring. According to the order, everyone called her Thirteenth Aunt.
These concubines usually didn't go out. They made Wei Shishi do all the work. Meeting her here, Ye Zhinan wondered what she was up to.
Ye Zhinan naturally didn't want to get involved with the Wei family. She was just about to leave after exchanging some polite words, but Thirteenth Aunt didn't seem to be moving aside. She blocked the way with a coquettish smile on her face.
"Aunt Wei, do you have something to say?"
Ye Zhinan put away her smile and said seriously.
Thirteenth Aunt was neither angry nor giving way. She leaned forward and said, "Niece, why are you being so distant? Your father and my master are old friends. Since we're here, we should take care of each other. I'm your elder after all, so I should show some concern for you."
"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. If I don't go home soon, I'll be starving."
After saying that, Ye Zhinan gave a forced smile and immediately turned around to leave.
The Wei family must be either out of their minds or just looking for trouble.
Ye Zhinan's mind was filled with the vegetables in the field and the ducks in the shed. She had no time to think about the strange behavior of the Wei family's concubines, nor did she want to deal with them. Just dealing with Wei Shishi was already a headache. If there were thirteen more concubines, who could stand it?
The day of the canal - opening was approaching. The villagers gathered at the village entrance, waiting to see the mountain spring water being led into the village. But the Ye family was in disgrace and not qualified to watch. Ye Zhinan could only stay in the field, keeping an eye on the young seedlings.
"Little seedlings, you're in luck. You'll soon be nourished by the mountain spring water! Grow well and grow fast!"
Suddenly, a fragrant smell wafted over, and her view was blocked by a shadow. Ye Zhinan looked up and saw a large group of people.
"Niece, you've had a hard time. A young lady who used to be too delicate to touch water is now working in the fields. It makes me feel so sad."
The speaker was none other than Thirteenth Aunt of the Wei family.
Ye Zhinan frowned imperceptibly. Led by Thirteenth Aunt, there were four or five people standing behind her.
Most of the Wei family's concubines had come out. Each of them was beautifully dressed, looking as if they were strolling in their own courtyard.
Although they were all exiled and had to work on the farm, the Wei family only had their land but no one working on it. However, they had everything they needed. It was hard to believe that they didn't have someone backing them up.
Ye Zhinan dusted off her clothes, stood up, and gave a slight curtsy.
No matter how disgusted she was, she still had to follow the proper etiquette.
After the curtsy, her face darkened.
"The weather isn't very good today. What wind has blown all of you ladies out?"
Seeing that Ye Zhinan ignored her, Thirteenth Aunt tightened her hand that was hanging by her side. Just as she was about to speak, someone beside her interrupted.
"The canal is being opened. We're going to have a look. Do you want to come with us?"
The speaker was Tenth Aunt, wearing a light lotus - colored long dress. She was plain and elegant, not as eye - catching as Thirteenth Aunt. But a string of beads around her neck was shining brightly in the sun, making it hard to look directly at.
Ye Zhinan's deep eyes showed a half - smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Tenth Aunt. I'd like to go and see the excitement!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment when they heard this. A person walked out of the crowd and came beside Ye Zhinan. She whispered, "If you don't like it, just find an excuse to leave."
Ye Zhinan looked up. Her eyes were like a bottomless lake.
"Thank you for your reminder, Sixth Aunt. I've never seen a canal - opening before. I really want to gain some knowledge."
Sixth Aunt was a kind - hearted woman. Her daughter had been married far away. So she had always treated Ye Zhinan like her own daughter. This time when they were exiled to the northern border, even though there was some unpleasantness between the Ye family and the Wei family, they still kept in touch as before.
Ye Zhinan knew that Tenth Aunt and Thirteenth Aunt had ill intentions, but she thought that if you don't go into the tiger's den, you can't get the tiger's cubs!
After saying that, the group walked towards the village entrance.
Apart from Sixth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Aunts, Seventh Aunt and Eleventh Aunt also went. These two were close to Tenth Aunt, and the three of them walked together. Thirteenth Aunt walked in the front by herself and urged everyone to hurry up from time to time.
Sixth Aunt pulled Ye Zhinan and said worriedly, "Why do you have to come with us?"
"We're all exiled prisoners. Why can the Wei family come and go as they please?"
After saying this, Ye Zhinan realized that she had spoken too quickly. She had not only scolded the Wei family but also complained about Sixth Aunt. "I'm just curious. I don't mean anything else."
"I know the Wei family has done some wrong things, but the master is also helpless. I'm powerless to do anything, and I can't control the others. But now that I see your family's life is getting better, I feel a bit relieved."
Sixth Aunt whispered while looking around from time to time. Then she continued, "You're stronger than my Niuniu. Now that the master has fallen from power, I'm worried that she might be bullied in her husband's family."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. Big drops of tears fell on Ye Zhinan's hand as she was wiping Sixth Aunt's eyes.
Although Ye Zhinan had only come here halfway through and had never met Sixth Aunt's daughter, she was soft - hearted and couldn't bear to see women cry. When she saw others crying, she also wanted to cry. The two of them almost hugged each other and cried loudly.
Suddenly, Tenth Aunt handed over a brand - new handkerchief. "Sixth Sister, it's not appropriate to cry like this on this occasion, is it?"
Hearing this, Sixth Aunt quickly took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong."
Ye Zhinan stared coldly at Tenth Aunt's back and let out a silent "humph" in her heart.
People without children really can't understand.
Although Tenth Aunt had been in the family earlier than Thirteenth Aunt, they were of a similar age. This woman seemed as plain as a chrysanthemum, but there was always something intriguing in her eyes.
Ye Zhinan had never liked her before, and now she disliked her even more.
"Sixth Aunt, you're of a higher seniority than her. You don't have to be so afraid of her, do you?"
"Shh!"
Sixth Aunt quickly covered Ye Zhinan's mouth. "Her family is a wealthy family in the capital. Although they can't be said to be extremely rich, they can live off their wealth for several generations. So even the mistress would give her some leeway."
A woman still has to be rich!
Ye Zhinan understood the importance of making money.
"It's just money. It's easy to deal with!"
When Sixth Aunt heard this, her eyes flashed, but then she quickly concealed it. She shook her head self - deprecatingly. "It's not that easy! The Ye family has you and your brother. I have nothing."
"You have me! I..."
"Miss Ye!"
Before Ye Zhinan could finish speaking, she saw someone waving to her in the distance. Taking a closer look, she found it was Chen Zhenhai.
Oh no!