Glory

She had originally intended to stay in the house Cui Zijin had rented, seeking help from various people and finding connections to inquire with the officials whether there was any chance to reverse the situation. However, the small landowners who had registered their fields under Song Yifeng's name caught wind of the news and came to demand compensation from her.

Fortunately, she heard the commotion at the door and realized the matter couldn't be resolved peacefully. Knowing she had to compensate Ye Jia for breaking off the engagement, she had borrowed heavily from these small landowners. Now, even if she were sold by weight, she couldn't repay the debt.

Immediately, she moved chairs and stools, packed a small bundle, and climbed over the back wall to escape.

After fleeing, her heart ached with unbearable pain.

She recalled that when Ye Jia sold the original two-courtyard house of the Song family, the buyer hadn't specified whether the furniture was included. However, since the Song family still owed Ye Jia several hundred taels of silver, the buyer would certainly claim the furniture was part of the deal.

How could Yu Shi agree? These furnishings and household items were all carefully selected and purchased by her. When buying the house, she had ample funds and wanted the furniture to match her son's status as a Recommended man and the grandeur of the two-courtyard residence. She had chosen high-quality wood and paid extra for exquisite craftsmanship.

The vases, curtains, pots, pans, and bowls—all had cost money.

Altogether, these items were worth over a hundred taels of silver.

But these small landowners had suffered significant losses, and the fields registered under Song Yifeng's name were also problematic. They would need to bribe officials to make changes, incurring additional expenses. Yu Shi dared not return to that house to deal with the furniture.

Now, without her son, savings, or income, every coin had become precious. Losing such a large sum of assets felt like a fatal blow to Yu Shi.

Currently, Yu Shi had moved again, renting a dilapidated, cramped little room to live in.

"Young lady, should we reveal Yu Shi's whereabouts to those small landowners?" Zhou Xiang asked.

Ye Yaming shook her head. "No need."

Zhou Xiang glanced at Ye Yaming and sighed inwardly: The young lady is still too soft-hearted.

But as this thought crossed his mind, he heard Ye Yaming add, "She goes to the yamen every day to deliver meals to Song Yifeng. Do you think she can escape? Even if she pays someone to deliver meals for a couple of days, she will eventually visit her precious son. She can't avoid showing her face and will inevitably be pursued by her creditors."

Zhou Xiang:

Well, this is still the same clear-headed Third Young Lady.

Ye Yaming curved her lips into a smile, but her eyes were icy cold.

Soft-hearted? How could she be!

In her previous life, the original host had been worn down and forced to take her own life, and Bai Rui and Lve E had died tragically. The misery of the Song mother and son in this life was merely repayment for the sins they committed in their past life. The more wretched they were now, the more likely they would be reborn as humans in their next life, not as beasts in the animal realm.

She was doing this for their own good.

See how benevolent she was!

"Alright, withdraw everyone else. Leave just one person to keep an eye on Yu Shi. If there are no special circumstances, report her situation to me every ten days," she said.

"Yes."

Seeing that Zhou Xiang had agreed but hesitated to take his leave, Ye Yaming gave him a curious look. "Is there something else?"

"Young lady, I..." Zhou Xiang hesitated, unsure how to phrase it.

But having followed Ye Yaming for some time, he knew she disliked people who hemmed and hawed. Gritting his teeth, he spoke his mind: "I wish to serve you from now on, young lady."

Ye Yaming raised an eyebrow.Zhou Xiang had likely been capable from the start, and after several years of training under Ye Chongming, he became even more competent. He was perceptive, knew when to advance or retreat, kept confidences, and handled matters thoroughly. Any task assigned to him would be completed flawlessly without errors.

Since becoming a CEO in her modern life, Ye Yaming had always had such a special assistant by her side and had grown accustomed to it.

Though Bai Rui and Lve E were loyal, they had only basic literacy and spent their days confined to the estate, lacking culture, insight, and courage. They were entirely unable to assist Ye Yaming with business matters.

So, when she found Zhou Xiang efficient to work with, she asked if he would be willing to follow her.

But Zhou Xiang declined.

She had originally planned to ask for Lai Yun to train after the Song Yifeng matter was resolved and Zhou Xiang returned to Ye Chongming’s side. Lai Yun was a few years younger than Zhou Xiang and hadn’t been trained under Ye Chongming, so he naturally couldn’t compare. Still, he was quick-witted and capable, and with gradual cultivation, he would eventually grow. Of course, using Lai Yun would require her to invest considerable effort early on and occasionally clean up his messes.

Unexpectedly, after the Song Yifeng affair concluded, she heard Zhou Xiang say such words.

Yet, upon reflection, she understood his choice.

His initial refusal had been out of necessity.

He feared she was testing his loyalty.

If he agreed to follow her, it would show he could easily betray his original master. What employer would dare use such a servant? Not only might he fail to stay with Ye Yaming, but he might also be unable to return to Ye Chongming’s side—perhaps even beaten to death or sent to mine.

After all, as a trusted subordinate who knew too many secrets, the Ye family would never simply sell him off. Even if he were silenced, he could still write.

So, his choice had been for self-preservation.

Now, by expressing his willingness, he likely saw the situation in the Ye family clearly.

In this era where "seventy years is a rarity," how many more years could the sixty-year-old Ye Chongming live? And her recent performance had clearly surpassed Ye Hongchang’s. Since she planned to stay in the Ye family through a matrilocal marriage, it was highly probable that while Ye Hongchang would be the next head, she, Ye Yaming, would hold the real power—or at least have significant influence in the household.

Zhou Xiang was still young and had to seek his own path, didn’t he?

Even if Ye Hongchang remained in power after Ye Chongming’s death, Ye Hongchang already had his own trusted aides. What good position would be left for Zhou Xiang?

Given that she had previously expressed interest in recruiting him, Zhou Xiang’s current choice was not surprising.

After some thought, Ye Yaming said, "You should stay by the Old Master’s side."

Zhou Xiang’s heart sank upon hearing this. He quickly lowered his head to hide his disappointment and sorrow.

He had expected this.

The young lady was so capable that she could choose anyone in the estate at her word. And he had rejected her once.

Zhou Xiang was deeply frustrated but not regretful. He knew that even if given another chance, he would still have to refuse when she asked before.

Ye Yaming glanced at him and continued, "The Old Master is elderly and often lacks energy. If you leave, he would be at a loss. Stay with him for now. If needed, I will borrow you from the Old Master."