Chapter 84
Inquiry

Lin’an City is a prosperous and wealthy place. Ordinary people can’t come to Lin’an to be a scholar, which requires background, skills, and talent, so it can be seen that this Wang Wenzhi is not an ordinary person.

Ye Yaming asked again, “What is his attitude towards women?”

Zhou Xiang’s smile froze for a moment.

For such a question, other girls would be too shy to speak, but Ye Yaming remained calm, truly worthy of being their family’s third young lady!

“Master Wang has taken two concubines, one was promoted from his wife’s maid, and the other is a distant relative of the Wang family’s old lady. Apart from that, he has no other involvement with women and does not frequent brothels.”

“What is his attitude towards daughters?”

“In this regard, I haven’t paid much attention. But don’t worry, Miss. I will immediately have someone inquire about it and report back to you as soon as there is news,” Zhou Xiang said respectfully.

Ye Yaming frowned.

This Wang Wenzhi is indeed a very proper official.

After thinking for a moment, she instructed, “Find out which of Wang Wenzhi’s colleagues are upright and cannot tolerate scholars with corrupt morals, betrayal, and ingratitude. If there are none, see who cares about their daughters.”

Zhou Xiang initially didn’t know why Ye Yaming wanted to inquire about Wang Wenzhi’s situation. Now that Ye Yaming gave such instructions, he understood. He immediately got the hint: “Don’t worry, Miss, I understand your intentions. I will make sure they investigate thoroughly. Just wait for my good news.”

Zhou Xiang, who followed Ye Chongming, was well aware of the third young lady’s prowess, especially since Ye Chongming and the old lady had repeatedly warned him. Moreover, he had his own little thoughts. He was only twenty years old, while Ye Chongming was already old. Since Ye Yaming had to stay at home and recruit a son-in-law, and she was more capable than Ye Hongchang and Ye Jiaxing, it was likely that the Ye family would be managed by this third young lady in the future. Zhou Xiang naturally had to plan for his own future.

Now, being able to show his face in front of this young lady and work for her, Zhou Xiang was doing his best. If he put in ten efforts in front of Ye Chongming, he would put in twelve efforts in front of Ye Yaming.

Therefore, in just a few days, he had found out all about Wang Wenzhi and his colleagues’ situations and whereabouts.

“Master Wang has a colleague named Zhong Ming, who is the same age as Master Wang. He was the third place in that year’s imperial examination, very talented, and originally a compiler at the Hanlin Academy. He is particularly straightforward and has a bit of a temper. He loves speaking the truth when encountering injustice, so he has never been promoted.”

“Two years ago, he offended someone in the capital and was transferred out of the capital. Someone protected him, so he came to Lin’an and became Master Wang’s subordinate. I heard that this Master Zhong doesn’t get along well with Master Wang.”

“It’s just that…” Zhou Xiang said regretfully, “This Master Zhong has three sons but no daughters.”

“However, he is a grateful person. When he was at his lowest, his father-in-law married his daughter to him. He has never taken a concubine and is very loving with his wife.”

“After Master Zhong was transferred to Lin’an, did he change his straightforward temper?” Ye Yaming asked.

“No,” Zhou Xiang said, “That’s why he doesn’t get along with Master Wang.”

“Then it’s him,” Ye Yaming decided.

The Ye family cooperated with Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji. The first project was to make tea sets. Although she had given the designs, she was still not very assured and wanted to see it for herself. Moreover, she was not the type to sit still and did not want to stay at home all the time.

In case Song Yifeng went crazy to become Wang Wenzhi’s son-in-law, or if he fell in love with Zijing and wanted to break off the engagement, marry Zijing openly, or if Zijing suddenly changed her mind and wanted to become Song Yifeng’s wife or concubine, and then turned against her. If Song Yifeng took advantage of this opportunity and used her interactions with Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji to ruin her reputation, she and the Ye family would be in a passive position.

Therefore, this matter should be done as soon as possible.

After knowing Ye Yaming’s plan, Zhou Xiang also thought Zhong Ming was suitable, so he had already found out the information.

“I had someone inquire. Master Zhong has no other hobbies except drinking. He loves Taibai Lou’s peach blossom wine and often invites a few friends to have a drink, taking turns to host. Master Wang’s family is wealthy and is a regular at Taibai Lou. Master Wang occasionally takes song Yifeng to Taibai Lou to drink with them.” After saying this, Zhou Xiang looked like he had something to say but hesitated.

She said, “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t hesitate. Don’t worry, I won’t blame you.”

If Zhou Xiang really had something he couldn’t say to her, he wouldn’t show this expression. Only when he had something to say but was worried about being blamed would he look like this.

Sure enough, after she said this, Zhou Xiang said, “It’s just that, Miss, if you plan to let Miss Zijing cause trouble at Taibai Lou in front of the officials, it might not achieve the purpose. Men are tolerant of keeping mistresses. Even if Master Zhong says a few unpleasant words to Song Yifeng, it won’t affect anything. If we use this to break off the engagement, as long as Song Yifeng bites back, we won’t gain anything.”

“No, I don’t plan to do that,” Ye Yaming said.

Zhou Xiang raised his eyes and looked at Ye Yaming in confusion. However, this action was extremely rude, and he immediately lowered his head after realizing his behavior.

Ye Yaming stared at him and asked, “Zhou Xiang, what are your plans for the future when the Ye family splits?”

Zhou Xiang suddenly raised his head and stared at Ye Yaming with wide eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, Bai Xin and Lv E are my confidants. They are loyal to me and won’t reveal our conversation today. Don’t worry.”

Zhou Xiang suppressed his shock and panic, lowered his head, and tried to calm down. He knew that Ye Yaming wanted him to pledge allegiance. The reason she asked this was probably because her next actions would not be in the Ye family’s interest and might even go against the old master’s wishes. She was now letting him choose whether to follow the old master’s words or to follow her for his future.

Zhou Xiang was in a dilemma. It was the old master who had the foresight to pick him out from the servants of the mansion, keep him by his side, treat him as a confidant, and often teach him. Now, should he betray the old master and be bought by the third young lady?

No, he couldn’t do it.

After a long while, he said softly, “I’m sorry, Third Miss, the old master has been kind to me. I can’t betray the old master.”

After saying this, he saw that Ye Yaming didn’t speak for a while. He couldn’t help but look up at Ye Yaming, only to see her suddenly smile and say to him, “Good, I knew I didn’t misjudge you.”

She stood up and said, “Let’s go, follow me to the main courtyard.”