Just then, Father Ye arrived with his elder brother, their laughter and conversation filling the air. Suddenly, Mother Ye's furious voice cut through the pleasantries: "I'm asking you, did you let her..." Mother Ye pointed at the concubine, "...take my daughter's place?"
Father Ye's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" He then looked at the concubine sitting in his daughter's seat, his expression darkening further. "Who allowed you to sit here?"
In the past, the concubine, emboldened by Father Ye's favor, had often flaunted herself before Mother Ye. Mother Ye understood men's predilections; they loved beauty. Now, her own youth had faded, and she naturally couldn't compare to her younger self. So, she had turned a blind eye. But now, this woman dared to overstep and challenge her daughter's position. This was something Mother Ye could not tolerate.
Hearing Father Ye's words, the concubine felt a pang of guilt. She instinctively stood up, her ample curves brushing against Father Ye's arm. "Master, this concubine did ask Master's permission~"
Father Ye frowned and pulled his arm free from her embrace. "When did I ever say such a thing?"
The concubine's face showed a flicker of embarrassment. "It was last night..."
What happened last night, everyone present seemed to know.
Mother Ye's face contorted with distress.
Witnessing this scene, Ye Qingcheng still couldn't quite grasp what was happening. She walked forward, looking down at the concubine. "May I ask... what is your name?"
The concubine timidly replied, "I... I am called..."
"Incorrect!" Ye Qingcheng interrupted her directly.
The concubine looked at Father Ye, confused. "Where did I go wrong?"
Ye Qingcheng let out a soft scoff. "Your address is wrong."
The concubine froze.
Ye Qingcheng's retort was sharp and direct: "When you address me, you must respectfully say, 'Reporting in.' And you must clearly state your own designation: 'this servant.'"
The concubine's face turned a mottled red and white, looking extremely displeased.
Ye Qingcheng then sat down in her original seat. "Alright, you may now answer my question."
The concubine's expression was one of great discomfort. "Young lady, aren't you going too far? Wasn't your mother also a concubine who was elevated..."
Ye Qingcheng gave a light laugh. "Mama Su."
Mama Su was a dowry maidservant of her mother, having served by her side for many years. She had watched Ye Qingcheng grow up. "This servant is here."
Ye Qingcheng stared intently at the concubine. "Slap her."
Mama Su complied. "Yes."
To the concubine's horrified expression, a sharp *slap* rang out as Mama Su struck her.
The concubine tearfully ran to Father Ye. "Master, are you just going to let your daughter bully me?"
Ye Qingcheng adjusted her clothing and chuckled. "This... Young concubine..."
The concubine's face darkened at these words. "I..." Before she could speak, she saw Ye Qingcheng's intimidating gaze and forcefully changed her words.
"This servant's name is Xiaoqian."
Ye Qingcheng nodded. "Oh, Xiaoqian. Your name is lovely, but why are you so foolish!"
Xiaoqian's face flushed with anger. "You..."
Ye Qingcheng crossed her legs and sat up straight. "I believe your brain needs a good dose of treatment. Let's not even mention that you are merely a concubine, and originally just a maidservant. To put it mildly, you are a 'dowry maid.' Yet you dare to aspire to rise above your master. First, let's not talk about whether you can get pregnant. Even if you were pregnant, you would still be a concubine. When facing your own children, you would have to address them as young lady or young master. Furthermore, my current status is that of a Princess Consort. When you see me, you must perform a kowtow."
Ye Qingcheng straightened her posture, her meaning clear: hurry up! She was waiting.
Xiaoqian's face was a picture of misery, but she complied. She knelt and performed the kowtow.
"This servant pays respects to the Princess Consort."
However, the Princess Consort did not grant permission for her to rise, and Ye Qingcheng remained silent. Thus, Xiaoqian could not get up.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Father Ye chuckled. "Qingcheng, I see she has realized her mistake. Perhaps we can let this matter rest?"
Ye Qingcheng remained silent, but Mother Ye, not wanting the awkwardness to fester and become unmanageable, tugged at her sleeve.
Seeing her mother's seemingly weak demeanor, Ye Qingcheng sighed softly. "You may rise."
Only then did Xiaoqian tremble and get to her feet.
However, seeing Ye Qingcheng's regal bearing as a Princess Consort, she dared not be presumptuous.
Father Ye, seeing that a trivial concubine's impolite behavior had led to such an embarrassing situation, felt utterly disgraced. He shot her a fierce glare. "What are you dawdling for? Get out of here."
With these words, the concubine's so-called pride plummeted. She covered her face and fled.
Ye Qingcheng watched her departing figure, knowing that this woman would undoubtedly cause trouble for her mother in the future. And her mother, being the type to smooth over conflicts, glanced towards Mama Su.
Mama Su, having spent many years in the rear courtyard, understood the meaning behind Ye Qingcheng's gaze. She quietly left the banquet hall. In a short while, she returned, and no one noticed she had ever left.
Seated at the same table as Ye Qingcheng were her parents, her legitimate elder sister and brother, and the women from her uncle's family.
Ye Qingcheng elegantly used serving chopsticks to pick up some food. As she took her first bite, someone couldn't help but voice their envy. "Some people, just because they are a Princess Consort, act so high and mighty."
Well, here was someone practicing insinuation. Ye Qingcheng rarely bothered with such matters, merely looking at the person who had spoken. Ye Qingcheng did not recall ever seeing her before.
Seeing that her daughter did not recognize the woman, Mother Ye introduced her. "She is your elder uncle's daughter."
Ye Qingcheng nodded. "Oh," she acknowledged, then continued eating, paying no further attention.
"That's right! And married to a cripple, no less."
A cripple? Ye Qingcheng's hand, which was lifting food, paused. She looked up at the woman.
Before Ye Qingcheng could speak, her aunt, the elder uncle's wife, interjected. She slapped her daughter on the back of the head. "What are you saying? Can't even keep your mouth shut while eating. You have no sense of propriety when you speak."