Chapter 88: Invite Lu and Qi for Dinner

This small, thin man was a thief, skilled in climbing walls and stealing. It was extremely difficult for Madam Yu and others to discover him. Once inside, he didn’t need to climb out frequently. He would find an empty room to stay in. When Song Yifeng returned home, a partner would shake a bamboo pole outside, signaling him to eavesdrop by the Song family’s hall window.

The Song family’s actions were very predictable. Song Yifeng and his mother were very close, and he would always talk to her in the hall before going to his study to read.

The servant would accompany Song Yifeng when he went out, manage the study upon returning, and help with tasks like grinding ink. The cook usually stayed in the kitchen or cleaned, and the maid Xiao Xiang followed Madam Yu out and was always at her beck and call upon returning.

With few servants and many tasks, the three servants were always busy. Once their work was done, they preferred to stay in their quarters and rarely moved around. This made it easy for the thief to hide. After observing their routine for a few days, he would stay inside the Song house if there was no special information.

But today’s news was important. After everyone in the Song family went about their business, the thief immediately climbed out and informed his partner.

Within half an hour, Zhou Xiang had relayed the conversation between the Song family mother and son, as well as Song Yifeng’s recent activities, to Ye Yaming. During dinner, when Ye Chongming returned, Ye Yaming went to the main courtyard to inform him and the old madam.

Trusting Ye Yaming’s intelligence, Ye Chongming didn’t interfere with the engagement cancellation, only calling Zhou Xiang daily to inquire about the situation. The old madam was also very concerned about the progress.

Knowing Ye Yaming’s plan, the elderly couple had many questions. They couldn’t control Song Yifeng’s actions. What if he didn’t act as Ye Yaming expected?

Hearing Zhou Xiang’s report, Ye Chongming and the old madam looked at Ye Yaming in surprise.

The previous day, they had privately discussed whether the plan would work. After all, it was just two passersby mentioning private tea to Song Yifeng without evidence. Why would he believe it? If Song Yifeng investigated and found no evidence, wouldn’t Ye Yaming’s plan fail?

The old madam couldn’t help but ask Ye Yaming, “Why wouldn’t they investigate? What if it’s not true? After all, it’s just hearsay.”

Ye Yaming smiled, “The Song family mother and son have been trying to cancel the engagement but couldn’t find a reason. Now that a reason has presented itself, does it matter if it’s true? The most important thing is that they have a legitimate reason to cancel the engagement without being called ungrateful or treacherous.”

She spoke about the matter as if it were someone else’s business, without any emotion. This made Ye Chongming and the old madam feel both strange and uneasy.

Despair is the greatest sorrow.

Ming’er had been so good to the Song family mother and son, but she must have been deeply hurt to be so indifferent now. Or perhaps she was too strong, pretending to be unaffected while actually holding on, not wanting them to see her pain?

Ye Chongming sighed inwardly, hating Song Yifeng even more. He asked Ye Yaming, “Do you think he will use this to threaten us to cancel the engagement, or will he tell Master Wang first?”

“The result is the same,” Ye Yaming said. “If he threatens us and we don’t admit it, won’t he turn to Master Wang?”

The elderly couple: “…” Indeed.

“But I guess he won’t come to us first,” Ye Yaming said.

She looked at Ye Chongming and smiled mischievously, “If you get scared and agree to cancel the engagement when threatened, he won’t have the chance to seek Master Wang’s help. Even if he tells Master Wang the truth, without evidence, Master Wang won’t believe him.”

“It’s better to cry to Master Wang, saying he’s conflicted about whether to stand for justice or gratitude. He’ll say he sees Master Wang as a father and is troubled, seeking advice.”

“If Master Wang wants him as a son-in-law, he’ll support the engagement cancellation without hesitation. If not, but still cares for him, he’ll advise him to investigate. Either way, he’ll establish himself as someone who values gratitude but must act for justice in Master Wang’s eyes.”

Ye Chongming and the old madam had mixed feelings.

Finally, Ye Chongming instructed Zhou Xiang, “Keep a close watch on them.”

“Yes,” Zhou Xiang replied.

The next day, Zhou Xiang reported with admiration, “Things are developing as Miss predicted. Song Yifeng indeed went to cry to Master Wang, who immediately advised him to cancel the engagement.”

He paused and told Ye Chongming, “It’s possible that Song Yifeng will come to cancel the engagement tomorrow.”

Although they had gone through so much trouble to cancel the engagement, and things were developing as expected, Ye Chongming and the old madam were still very angry. They looked at Ye Yaming, who remained calm.

Seeing them looking at her, Ye Yaming smiled sweetly and said to Ye Chongming, “Grandfather, please stay calm tomorrow and don’t let that scoundrel anger you.”

Old Madam Ye immediately felt anxious and said to Ye Chongming, “Yes, you must stay calm and not get angry.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t really get angry,” Ye Chongming said. “As long as I think about canceling the engagement and keeping Ming’er at home, I won’t be angry at all.”

Old Madam Ye quickly looked at Ye Yaming, who nodded in agreement with a smile, “That’s the right way to think.”

Old Madam Ye finally felt relieved.

“Tomorrow, send invitations to Mr. Lu, Mr. Qi, and Advisor Wu to come for dinner,” Ye Yaming said.

Ye Chongming’s eyes lit up, immediately understanding Ye Yaming’s intention. He asked, “Is that okay? Will they come? What if they come and Song Yifeng doesn’t?”

“They will,” Ye Yaming said. “We’ve just started our cooperation. Although I’ve given them the tea set designs, you still need to discuss the next steps and production quantities. As for Advisor Wu, he’s helped you a lot. If we invite him for dinner, with Mr. Lu and Mr. Qi’s presence, he’ll definitely come.”

“As for Song Yifeng…” She sneered, “He’s desperate to cancel the engagement and marry into Master Wang’s family. Now that he has an excuse, he won’t wait a moment longer. If it weren’t late today and he wasn’t worried about Master Wang’s opinion, he might have already come to cancel the engagement.”

Ye Chongming nodded, “That’s good.”