Chapter 86: Not Saying

Zhou Xiang was shocked again. He didn’t expect Ye Yaming to reveal this matter.

Wasn’t she afraid that the old master and old madam would overthink and have a bad impression of her?

Ye Yaming told Zhou Xiang, “Find a suitable person to spread the news about the private tea to Song Yifeng…”

She explained the next steps to Zhou Xiang, who, despite his regret, firmly remembered her words and bowed, saying, “I guarantee to handle the matter properly.”

Seeing that Ye Yaming had arranged everything, the old madam asked, “Ming’er, should we inform your mother about the engagement cancellation?”

Ye Yaming shook her head, “It’s better not to. If she knows, she might feel conflicted and troubled. It’s better to directly expose Song Yifeng’s facade and save a lot of trouble.”

After Ye Hongsheng told Madam Yin about Song Yifeng’s shortcomings, Madam Yin told Ye Yaming that if Song Yifeng was truly unsuitable, she could cancel the engagement and wouldn’t stop her. Given the old master’s high regard for Ye Yaming, he would likely agree to the cancellation as well.

Ye Yaming, with the original owner’s memories, knew that these parents genuinely loved their children, unlike her modern parents, who only cared about her not being hungry or cold and demanded academic and career achievements without caring about her well-being.

Therefore, she had a good impression of Ye Hongsheng and Madam Yin.

However, her impression of Madam Yin had greatly diminished during this time.

As grandparents, Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye were naturally a bit distant from their granddaughter. Ye Chongming was busy with external business all day, and the old madam had to manage the large family with many grandchildren. Moreover, the engagement involved the in-laws, Yin De’an, so it was understandable that Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye didn’t know the details of the engagement.

But Madam Yin was different. She had only two daughters, and the younger one was still young a few years ago, not yet at the age for marriage discussions. Apart from a few servants in the second household, she had nothing to worry about. If she truly loved her daughter, she should have had someone investigate the character of Madam Yu and Song Yifeng, even before the engagement was settled, to understand what kind of people this mother and son were.

But she did nothing, not even asking the old servant, Nanny Xia, to inquire. Instead, she only knew how to boast about her future son-in-law’s achievements and compete for face with her sisters-in-law in the household.

To say she loved her daughter, she did. But she was naive, easily trusting people, and not very good at managing affairs.

One could say that the tragedy of the original owner in her past life was largely due to Madam Yin.

Thinking of this, she added, “Regardless of what mother thinks or plans, I am determined to cancel this engagement. So there’s no need to tell her. Otherwise, she might get angry and cause trouble with the Song family, creating more issues.”

Ye Chongming nodded, “You’re right.” He looked at Zhou Xiang, “Let’s proceed as planned.”

Zhou Xiang bowed and left.

After Ye Yaming also left, Old Madam Ye said to Ye Chongming, “Why do you think Ming’er said those things to Zhou Xiang in front of us?”

She was instructing Zhou Xiang to do things behind Ye Chongming’s back, essentially inciting him to betray his master. Such matters should be kept secret, so why did she say it openly?

Old Madam Ye couldn’t understand.

Ye Chongming sighed, “This child, though scheming and resourceful, is straightforward and open. Even if she has plans, she doesn’t want to hide them in the dark but lays them out clearly. This is true for Zhou Xiang’s matter and the private tea matter. This child is magnanimous. I wonder how Madam Yin raised her.”

Old Madam Ye pondered her husband’s words and shook her head, “That muddle-headed Madam Yin couldn’t have raised someone like Ming’er.”

She added, “It seems Ming’er isn’t close to Madam Yin.”

Ye Chongming sighed, “That’s not a good thing.” He advised his wife, “So you must be good to Ming’er, care for her more. Of course, I will also do my best to be good to her. Keep her heart at home, close to the family. Otherwise, even a recruited son-in-law won’t keep her.”

If a person isn’t close to their family and doesn’t feel a sense of belonging to the family, it’s hard to make them contribute to the family. This is especially true for a girl like Ye Yaming, who can leave the family through marriage.

He said, “The engagement with the Song family will be canceled soon. You need to start looking for a suitable candidate for a son-in-law. Don’t make decisions on your own. Let’s see first if there are any suitable ones. If there are, don’t tell Madam Yin, let Ming’er take a look first.”

“Yes, I understand,” Old Madam Ye replied.

She thought for a moment and said, “I’ll find some jewelry to send to Ming’er.”

“Go ahead,” Ye Chongming agreed, “If there aren’t any suitable ones, go out and have some made, and make her some new clothes as well.”

…

Two days later, at the Song family.

Madam Yu returned with Xiao Xiang after buying groceries, entered the inner courtyard, and complained to Xiao Xiang while massaging her legs, “You always say the Third Miss of the Ye family is good and filial, but look, how many days has it been since she came to see me? Aren’t you on good terms with Nanny Xia? Go and tell her to have the Third Miss come and see me. Otherwise, I won’t recognize her as my daughter-in-law!”

Xiao Xiang poured a cup of tea for Madam Yu and placed it in front of her, responding with a “yes” but inwardly rolling her eyes.

Previously, the Ye family’s Third Miss would visit every few days, bringing fish or meat, so the Song family hardly needed to buy any. Now that she no longer played the fool, Madam Yu was distressed about the money spent on groceries.

The Song family’s mother and son looked down on others while spending their money. How unlucky she was to serve such a family!

“Shall I go now?” she asked.

After thinking momentarily, Madam Yu shook her head, “Forget it, wait for Guizi to come back, I’ll tell him. Your young master will be attending a poetry gathering soon, let Guizi go and inform them.”

Guizi was Song Yifeng’s servant.

Madam Yu and Song Yifeng dreamed of him achieving great success, originally wanting to name the servant “Zhegai” (meaning to win the top prize), but it was too obvious and inappropriate. Madam Yu couldn’t come up with a scholarly name, so she simply called him Guizi.

And by “them,” Madam Yu meant the Yin family.

The Song family mother and son, while maintaining their pride, wanted the Ye family’s money but were unwilling to ask directly. So when Song Yifeng needed money for poetry gatherings or other activities, they would either let the servants mention it to Bai Xin and others, letting the original owner know or have Guizi bring some snacks to Yin De’an and “unintentionally” mention the activities.

Yin De’an, having been a private school teacher all his life, was most proud of his student, Song Yifeng. Now that this student had become his grandson-in-law, he naturally worried endlessly about him.

Knowing that Song Yifeng would be attending an event, fearing he might appear poor and be laughed at, he would send someone to inform Ye Chongming. Thus, the Ye family would proactively send money to Song Yifeng.