Madam Gao, who prided herself on being a noble lady of a prestigious family, was accustomed to subtle schemes and hidden machinations. She had never encountered such a scene of public brawling, her face contorted with anger.
Ye Wensong hadn't expected his usually brainless legitimate daughter to be so… ferocious.
"Pull them apart, separate them."
"This is rebellion, utter rebellion."
More and more people gathered around.
Ye Luan leaped aside, dodging the chaos.
"Miss, are you alright?"
"Ah, your arm is bleeding."
Ye Luan glanced at her arm dismissively. "It's nothing, just a minor injury."
Within the small courtyard, only Ye Xue's agonizing cries filled the air.
Hmph.
This was merely an appetizer; could she not handle it?
"Father, Mother, Eldest Sister is trying to kill me—" Ye Xue knelt on the ground, weeping profusely.
Ye Wensong was infuriated.
"You—you clearly have no regard for me. Guards, restrain the Eldest Miss on the bench and administer family punishment."
Just as he spoke, a resonant voice boomed from the doorway.
"Stop!"
An old woman with silver hair, leaning on her grandson Bai Muheng, entered. Though appearing frail and sickly, her voice was as clear and powerful as a bell.
Upon seeing her, Ye Luan recognized the Old Madam of the Duke's mansion. She stepped forward. "Grandmother."
Old Madam Bai's health was poor, and for years she had secluded herself from worldly affairs. However, upon hearing that her granddaughter had been betrothed to someone near death, she insisted on coming.
"My poor child, sold off and then subjected to such brutal beating—"
The Old Madam embraced her, her words implicitly accusing the Ye family.
The Ye family members looked displeft, especially Ye Wensong, whose face flushed from green to red.
Though the Bai family was not as prominent as in previous years, they remained a reputable century-old clan, an esteemed lineage, far surpassing the Ye family, which lacked deep roots.
"Why has the Old Madam personally come?"
Old Madam Bai struck the ground with her dragon-headed cane, her tone sharp. "This old woman is astonished that Lord Ye has sent Ah Luan to the Prince's manor. What a colossal joke!"
Her poor health had kept her ignorant of the suffering Ah Luan had endured. A pure girl had been defiled.
"How can a father not seek justice for his daughter, and instead allow her to marry a dying man? What is your intention?"
Ye Wensong's face turned ashen under the scolding.
In the capital, which noble family dared to challenge the Dingbei Prince? It was akin to a mayfly trying to shake a great tree.
Even the Duke's mansion had limited options. The Ye family could not afford to ruin itself for an unfilial daughter.
He too lowered his gaze. "Old Madam, we all know who the Dingbei Prince is. Even the Bai family dares not seek justice at his door; the Ye family is also powerless."
The Old Madam's anger surged. "If you hadn't sent Ah Luan there in the first place, could a dignified Prince have forcibly taken a minister's daughter?"
"Old Madam, if you are here to accuse, it is far too late," Madam Gao retorted, clutching her handkerchief.
"What are you, to speak in my presence here!"
Madam Gao's face turned pale, and she dared not utter another sound. Her maternal family was weak, no match for the Bai mansion.
"It's alright, Grandmother, I am fine."
Old Madam Bai's eyes reddened. "It is my fault, all my fault. I should have brought you back to the mansion, and you would not have suffered this."
"The Dingbei Prince has grown more arrogant over the years, suppressing aristocratic families. Your grandmother is powerless."
The extermination of the Yu family was a warning to their noble clans.
Ye Luan saw the Old Madam's genuine distress and comforted her, "The Prince has not bullied me, Grandmother. Please do not be upset."
"His Majesty is gravely ill; why would he suddenly have the whim to bestow a marriage upon an unremarkable daughter like you? It must have been the Dingbei Prince pulling strings."
"Ah Luan, do not worry. I will enter the palace tonight and seek justice for you. I will stake my life to make the Dingbei Prince give you a proper status."
Her precious granddaughter, so young, could not be made to live as a widow. If the Dingbei Prince had defiled her granddaughter, he must grant her proper status.
The autumn wind was bleak, and the sun was setting.
The night wind howled, carrying the scent of flowers through the air.
Ye Xue watched the scene with jealous hatred, a sinister smile playing on her lips.
"Old Madam, His Majesty is gravely ill, and the inner palace cannot interfere in politics. Whom are you seeking? You might as well beg the Dingbei Prince to retract his decree and perhaps allow my sister to become a concubine."
As she spoke, several low sneers echoed.
Ye Luan restrained the enraged Old Madam and slapped Ye Xue across the face, saying coldly, "Shut your dog mouth."
"You—"
She was furious.
She was absolutely furious.
How had this wench changed so much, hitting her at the slightest provocation!
Ye Wensong, seeing the Bai family's unyielding stance, quickly tried to appease them. "Alright, alright, stop this fuss."
Ye Luan coldly straightened herself, blocking the Old Madam.
She did not want the Bai family to suffer because of her troubles, especially since many members of the Bai mansion were in the army.
If they angered Xiao Chizhan, it would be easy for him to secretly order the death of the Bai family members in the army.
Noble families were no longer what they once were. Xiao Chizhan, in his efforts to cultivate power and plant his loyalists, had been continuously suppressing clans. Most of the new officials in the court were loyal to Xiao Chizhan.
Offending him would lead to no good end.
Thinking this, she said, "Grandmother, His Majesty's decree has been issued. Marriage to Lu Feibo is already settled. Please do not be angry for my sake over something so unworthy."
"Ah Luan, do not be afraid. If you do not wish to marry, the entire Bai mansion will support you, Grandmother will help you."
A graceful gentleman, as clear and cold as a cypress.
A faint smile graced his lips, and Ye Luan's heart was complex, filled with gratitude.
"Cousin, I wish to marry Lu Feibo."
Whether she married or not was beyond her control; she could not drag the Bai mansion down to die with her.
"Ah Luan." Old Madam Bai's eyes were red with tears. Her already frail body, exposed to the cold wind for so long, was pale and weak, utterly cold.
She knew that Ah Luan did not want to implicate them.
"Grandmother, please don't worry about me; I am well."
Ye Wensong, unable to bear the scene, frowned. "Let's return to the mansion."
After much persuasion, Ye Luan finally managed to comfort the Old Madam and helped her onto the carriage.
"Ah Luan, Grandmother will always be your backing. If you no longer wish to marry, come find Grandmother." Old Madam Bai lovingly held her hand.
Bai Muheng, mounted on his steed, smiled and lightly patted Ye Luan's head. "Did you hear? Grandmother is risking everything for you, willing to oppose the Dingbei Prince."
Their Bai family knew well that the fate of their entire household rested on the Dingbei Prince's whim. If they defied the imperial decree for Ah Luan, the consequences would be unimaginable.
However, the Old Madam doted on her granddaughter, and even facing the Dingbei Prince, she was willing to take a gamble.
But unexpectedly, Ah Luan did not want them to get involved.
"Cousin, please take good care of Grandmother. When I have time, I will certainly visit."
"Alright."
The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone street, and the carriage slowly departed.
"Miss, how is your arm?"
"It's fine. Let's go, too."