Chapter 98: Wanting Some Peace

Seeing Madam Yin getting stuck in her thoughts again, Nanny Bai sighed and said, “The Old Master intends to let you not restrict Third Miss. The Old Master values Third Miss very much and doesn’t want her to be wronged, so he said that without any intention of blaming you.”

She was originally a maid by Old Madam Ye’s side. When Madam Yin married into the family without a dowry and was unfamiliar with the rules of the big house and had never managed servants, Old Madam Ye assigned Nanny Bai to help her manage the household and also to teach her the rules.

Having followed Madam Yin for more than ten years, Nanny Bai understood her very well. She said, “Think about it: this matter could have been handled by Old Madam talking to you, but the Old Master personally spoke to you and explained how our family is cooperating with Mr. Lu and Mr. Qi. Such matters, even Old Madam wouldn’t inquire about. Now, for the sake of Third Miss, the Old Master patiently explained everything to you.”

Hearing this, Madam Yin’s mood improved. At that time, she indeed felt a sense of being favored.

The honor of being called to speak by the father-in-law had only been experienced by her sister-in-law, Madam Tao, and that was merely to discuss the preparations for the New Year’s gifts. As for business matters, even Old Madam would be rebuffed if she inquired.

Nanny Bai continued, “Why did the Old Master do this? Isn’t it because he values Third Miss?”

She looked at Madam Yin, “Second Madam, you always regretted not having a son. Now that the Third Miss has annulled her engagement with Young Master Song, the Old Master has decided to find a husband for her to join the family. In the future, Third Miss will be like a son to the second branch. A daughter who stays at home and brings in a husband is even more considerate than a son who might forget his mother after marrying.”

“Besides the reasons I mentioned, another reason is that the Old Master hopes that the money Third Miss earns will make her more dedicated to tea-making. Anyone who works day and night without seeing a penny would be unwilling to continue working hard. Since Third Miss will stay at home, the money she earns won’t go to her husband’s family. It will stay in the second branch and be used to support you, Madam.”

There was another reason she didn’t mention.

Although Madam Yin was injured during childbirth and hadn’t conceived again, she was only thirty-two. What if she recovered and had another son? Or if Ye Hongsheng took a concubine and had a son? By then, Third Miss’s wealth would all go to the fourth young master of the Ye family.

That would be very disheartening for Third Miss.

Not only the Old Master and Old Madam but even Nanny Bai, who had watched Third Miss grow up, didn’t want to see that happen.

And this reason, no one would tell Madam Yin.

With Nanny Bai’s persuasion, Madam Yin finally felt at ease.

She nodded, “You’re right. I was overthinking.”

No matter what, the Old Master valuing Ye Yaming was a good thing.

Previously, the glory of the second branch came from the son-in-law, Song Yifeng. Now that Song Yifeng had proven unreliable, looking down on the Ye family as soon as he achieved some success, it was fortunate that Ye Yaming performed well, preventing the second branch from being blamed by the Old Master and Old Madam for Song Yifeng’s ingratitude.

Moreover, Ye Yaming staying at home and bringing in a husband completely resolved her regret of not having a son. In the future, the second branch would have an heir.

Thinking this way, Madam Yin no longer had any resentment about Ye Yaming keeping the money and even felt happy. However, thinking about her daughter’s engagement being annulled by Song Yifeng made her uncomfortable again. She led Nanny Bai back to the second branch, cursing Song Yifeng and Madam Yu all the way.

Returning to the second branch, she didn’t go to her main courtyard but went to Ye Yaming’s courtyard.

Entering the courtyard and walking along the path, she saw Bai Xin and Lv E standing like door gods in front of Ye Yaming’s room.

Seeing her approach, Bai Xin hurriedly came down the steps to meet Madam Yin and whispered, “Madam, since returning from the main courtyard, Miss has locked herself in her room and said no one is allowed to enter.”

Madam Yin frowned and was about to move forward when Bai Xin added, “Miss said that if you came, I should tell you to let her have some peace.”

Madam Yin stopped. She asked worriedly, “She won’t do anything foolish, will she?”

Bai Xin shook her head, “I don’t think so. Actually, Miss had already noticed something wrong with Young Master Song some time ago. She was mentally prepared for the annulment. She is probably just feeling sad and doesn’t want to talk to anyone, so she locked herself in her room.”

If anyone knew whether Ye Yaming was sad, it was Bai Xin.

It seemed that since she fell ill, Miss had become cold towards Young Master Song. Not only did she stop visiting the Song family, but she also showed no sadness when planning the annulment.

Perhaps people are like this; after a near-death experience, they suddenly wake up and let go of things they once cared about.

Seeing this, Nanny Bai quickly advised Madam Yin, “Madam, why not let Miss have some peace?”

Madam Yin had been somewhat intimidated by Ye Yaming recently. For some reason, since her illness, her third daughter had become distant, exuding an inexplicable authority and becoming more formidable. Previously, her daughter would share her thoughts with her. Now, after the annulment and returning from the main courtyard, she remained silent, and Madam Yin learned about it from the Old Master and Old Madam. She didn’t insist, gave Bai Xin a few instructions, and led Nanny Bai away.

Leaving the courtyard, she stopped, looked back, and after a long silence, asked Nanny Bai, “Have you noticed that Ming’er seems to have changed a lot recently?”

“If Third Miss hadn’t changed, how could she have gained the Old Master’s appreciation and respect?” Nanny Bai smiled, “Third Miss has grown up. People change as they grow up, especially after experiencing something like an annulment.”

Thinking about Ye Yaming’s recent performance, Madam Yin sighed, “It seems Ming’er indeed noticed something wrong with the Song family long ago.”

Stimulated by this, she worked hard, actively participated in the family’s business, and gained the Old Master and Old Madam’s recognition and favor. Fortunately, she succeeded.

Thinking this, Madam Yin felt a bit relieved.

In the courtyard, Bai Xin saw Madam Yin and her group leave and then knocked on Ye Yaming’s door, saying softly, “Miss, Madam has left.”

Ye Yaming was sitting at the table, writing something.

Without looking up, she said, “Come in.”

When Bai Xin entered, Ye Yaming stopped writing, looked at the paper she had written, frowned, and after confirming she couldn’t think of more, she saw the ink was dry and handed the paper to Bai Xin, “See if there’s anything missing.”

She was secretly grateful that the original owner, a literary girl, had taught Bai Xin and Lv E to read and write. Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome for her after coming here.