The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 596: Seeking Favor, I Am Still the Empress!

Chapter 596: Seeking Favor, I Am Still the Empress!

Li Bin felt a slight sting in his nose. A gentle breeze blew, and he quickly lowered his head, saying, "I merely called a few friends from my school days to help; it was my second brother who contributed the most."

Ye Siheng smiled, "As long as it benefits the country and the people, there’s no need to dwell on whose contribution is greater or lesser. What matters is that everyone did what they could. I’m sure your second brother thinks the same."

Li Bin felt relieved and smiled back, "You’re right, Wang Ye."

He thought about how Chu Shuo not only assisted the Ninth Princess in establishing a medical clinic but was now also setting up a school. Surely, there would be great rewards for him in the future.

This school not only waived tuition fees for the children but also allowed girls to enroll!

In the past and even now, it was a rarity for girls to learn to read and write at home, let alone attend a school to learn the broader principles of life.

However...

Li Bin shook his head, "But this school... not a single girl has registered. I asked around with my friends, and they all think educating girls is useless; they would rather stay at home to help out."

As the weather warmed up, the school would start, but he feared there wouldn’t be a single girl to enroll...

Ye Siheng responded, "I already have a plan; it’s nothing to worry about. Your second brother is clever, and I’m sure he’ll find ways to promote it when the time comes."

Li Bin was delighted, "Thank you, Wang Ye."

"No need to thank me; this is all for A’Li," Ye Siheng added, ensuring he knew, "Remember to thank the Ninth Princess later."

After all, the credit had to go to A’Li.

Li Bin was taken aback, "I... I understand."

Ye Siheng had stepped back from administrative affairs and was heading directly to Xuanzheng Temple. A’Li was there teaching the little Daoist priests.

Before the carriage arrived, Qing Feng remarked, "Wang Ye, there’s a carriage parked outside Xuanzheng Temple; it seems to belong to the Marquis Zhenbei’s residence."

Having knelt on the ice for three days and with Ye Siheng’s guidance, Qing Feng’s internal strength and swordsmanship had improved, making him sharp and perceptive.

Even from a distance of over ten meters, he could see the sign on the carriage clearly.

Ye Siheng raised his hand, and the curtain lifted. He glanced over and confirmed it was indeed the Marquis Zhenbei’s carriage.

There were a few maidservants waiting outside, indicating that a lady was with them. After all, Xie Beihan no longer took maidservants along and only brought along male attendants.

Fan Yunxi rarely went out these days.

That meant...

Ye Siheng’s gaze shifted, and in a flash, he had moved from the carriage to the entrance of Xuanzheng Temple.

The Black Armor Guard and the coachman all gasped in shock. Would they still have jobs after this?

Qing Feng clenched his fists in excitement, "Wang Ye is impressive!"

This skill was unparalleled in the Human World.

Even though it wasn’t his own feat, as a subordinate of the Wang Ye, he felt a great sense of pride.

He quickly followed suit with light-footed steps.

As Ye Siheng entered Xuanzheng Temple, he saw Empress Xie in plain clothing, accompanied by an elder woman, entering the main hall.

Inside, Nanli was teaching the Daoist priests about the principles of Feng Shui.

Empress Xie suddenly burst in, "Sixth Girl!"

Nanli paused and looked up at Empress Xie.

It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and Empress Xie, stripped of her ornate palace attire and jewelry, looked older. Her formerly jet-black hair now bore many strands of silver.

She looked anxious, her eyes fixed intently on Nanli.

The Daoists, unaware of her identity, were eager to learn and said, "Madam, the Wangfei is currently teaching us. If you have something to say, why not sit quietly and wait until she’s finished?"

Having finally gotten a chance to attend a lesson, they were reluctant to have anyone interrupt.

However, Empress Xie’s expression darkened as she shot Cangan a fierce glance, "I am the Empress! Do you dare speak to me?"

Who was he to call her an old woman?

Cangan and the others were taken aback; they never expected the current Empress to appear in such a simple and aging guise.

Wasn’t the Empress supposed to be dignified and virtuous?

Yet, looking at her demeanor now, that hardly seemed the case.

Nanli stepped forward but hadn’t spoken when suddenly a gust of wind blew, and Ye Siheng appeared at the door.

Dressed in dark clothing with subtle embroidery, his handsome features stood out in the golden sunlight, radiating an undeniable authority.

"Empress, A’Li is busy; if you have something to say, please wait," Ye Siheng said. "Perhaps you can speak with me instead."

His sudden appearance startled Empress Xie, causing her to take two steps back, momentarily breathless.

However, she quickly regained her composure; after all, Xie Beihan had long mentioned that Ye Siheng had experienced a strange occurrence and possessed the ability to teleport.

"I cannot communicate with you," she turned her head away, focusing on Nanli, "Sixth Girl..."

"Empress!" Ye Siheng’s face turned cold.

Empress Xie’s anger flared, "Ninth Brother, even if I’ve left the palace, the Emperor has not deposed me; I am still the Empress, your elder sister-in-law! Is this how you treat me?"

"With so many people watching, including those studying the Dao, don’t you fear their judgment?"

Ye Siheng smiled, "After all these years, doesn’t the Empress know me? When have I ever cared about what others say?"

Empress Xie was momentarily at a loss for words, but she pressed on, "I demand to know! You will not stop me!"

Ye Siheng was unbothered by her defiance.

Yet, Nanli interjected, "If the Empress has something to say, please go ahead; the time wasted on this quarrel is considerable."

Empress Xie wasted no time and urgently asked, "I have done many good deeds; when will Yan’er be able to leave the Underworld and be reincarnated?"

She wished to see Ye Chengyan reborn within her lifetime. Perhaps she could hold her son once more.

Nanli frowned and scrutinized Empress Xie’s demeanor, "Did the Empress perform good deeds during this recent snow disaster?"

"Indeed!" Empress Xie quickly affirmed, "I donated a significant amount of silver and jewelry, set up shelters to distribute porridge, bought medicine to save lives—whatever I could do, I did."

Hearing this, Nanli responded, "But these are merely minor merits; they add little to your own redemption, let alone for Ye Chengyan who is trapped in the Underworld. It can hardly be considered significant."

Empress Xie’s expression froze.

After a brief pause, she suddenly snapped, "I’ve done everything I could; why?! Why is it merely minor merit?!"

She resembled a deranged woman.

Cangan, displeased, remarked, "You think a few good deeds over a few days will redeem you? Empress, do you know some spend their entire lives without achieving redemption?"