Glory

Regarding Song Yifeng's matter, Ye Chongming did not intervene. However, when handling Meng Chengwei's affairs, Ye Yaming repeatedly witnessed Ye Chongming struggling with exhaustion, barely managing to persevere.

She believed that if she asked, Ye Chongming would undoubtedly assign Zhou Xiang to her. But doing so would inconvenience him in future tasks. How could she bear to prioritize her own ease and burden her sixty-year-old grandfather with additional work?

Upon hearing Ye Yaming's words, Zhou Xiang felt relieved, knowing she acknowledged his character and capabilities. She declined his service out of consideration for her elderly grandfather, not because he had previously refused her.

What was most remarkable was that the young lady patiently explained herself and expressed her intention to seek his assistance when needed, indicating she regarded him as half an insider.

For him, this was the best possible outcome—she had left herself a way out while preserving his gratitude and loyalty to the Old Master.

"Thank you, young lady," he said, kneeling and performing a deep bow.

When Ye Yaming first arrived in this world, she was unaccustomed to such customs, but she gradually grew used to them. Didn't she often kneel and bow to Ye Chongming, Master Zhineng, and others? Perhaps one day she would have to kneel to someone else. When in Rome, do as the Romans do—no need to overthink it.

"Go and ask Laiyun if he is willing to follow me. If he agrees, I will request him from the Old Master," she said.

"Yes."

If Ye Yaming had not offered that explanation, Zhou Xiang would have been deeply disheartened and saddened. Now, although he still felt a sense of loss and sorrow, he could only sigh and let the matter go.

Once the Old Master passed away and he sought refuge with the young lady, the foremost position by her side would likely belong to Laiyun, while he would become an insignificant figure. But what could he do? Such is fate.

His desire to serve by Ye Yaming's side stemmed not only from recognizing her as the future leader of the Ye family but also from the sheer satisfaction of working under her.

She was decisive and efficient, giving clear and unambiguous instructions while allowing flexibility in execution, rather than rigidly enforcing her methods and steps.

Moreover, she was fair in rewards and punishments, showing some tolerance toward servants who made mistakes without serious consequences. Such a master was truly the best one could hope for.

To be able to work by her side, Zhou Xiang felt immensely fortunate.

After taking his leave, he first called Laiyun and relayed Ye Yaming's message to him.

Watching Laiyun joyfully head to Ye Yaming's courtyard, Zhou Xiang entered the main compound and reported to Ye Chongming that Ye Yaming had sent him back.

Ye Chongming looked at him and asked, "If I ordered you to follow the Third Young Lady, would you be willing?"

Countless responses flashed through Zhou Xiang's mind.

If he refused, given his previous rejection, the Old Master would be even more convinced of his loyalty and would value him more highly. Even after the Old Master stepped down, he would surely secure a position and not be left adrift.

But recalling the exceptionally intelligent and perceptive Third Young Lady, Zhou Xiang immediately dismissed the thought.

Never try to play clever tricks in front of a smart person. If the Third Young Lady and the Old Master compared his words, he would be exposed. The consequences would be dire.

He honestly recounted his entire conversation with Ye Yaming to Ye Chongming.After finishing, he explained: "When Third Young Miss previously asked if I was willing to serve her, I declined. But after working with her during this period, I find it both thrilling and comfortable. Third Young Miss is exceptionally intelligent and foresees events with uncanny accuracy. She anticipates opportunities early in everything she does, laying pieces in advance to strike with precision—this feeling is addictive."

He glanced at Ye Chongming: "Moreover, I believe you, Old Master, will heavily rely on Third Young Miss in the future, yet she currently lacks capable external aides. Unwilling to miss this opportunity, I took the liberty of recommending myself to her."

With that, he knelt and kowtowed heavily: "I beg Old Master to punish me."

Ye Chongming was a tolerant man and had intended to assign Zhou Xiang to Ye Yaming's service. Though Zhou Xiang's initiative in requesting a change of master displeased him, he wasn't overly angered.

Especially since his granddaughter cared for his well-being—despite her need for Zhou Xiang, she still left him by the old master's side—this further warmed the old man's heart, making him disregard Zhou Xiang's minor scheming.

He said: "Enough. Since it's my granddaughter's filial piety, I'll keep you by my side. Don't overthink it. You're capable—as long as your loyalty remains with Ye Jia, there will always be a place for you here."

"Third Young Miss mentioned borrowing you when needed, which shows she still values you. When I eventually retire, you may then go serve her."

"Yes," Zhou Xiang replied gratefully.

This was the best outcome he could hope for. Regardless of whether Old Master held any reservations, at least he was willing to keep him close. And with Third Young Miss's appreciation, the old master wouldn't later find opportunities to dispose of him.

"When you went to summon Laiyun earlier, how did that boy react?" Ye Chongming asked.

"Those matters should be discussed between Third Young Miss and Laiyun. I didn't presume to speak much, only said Third Young Miss was summoning him and he hurried over immediately," Zhou Xiang reported truthfully.

Ye Chongming nodded.

Zhou Xiang knew his boundaries well—worthy of being the person he had selected and trained for years. And having some personal ambition was only human nature.

Thinking this, he felt reconciled.

"Very well, you've worked hard during this period. Return and rest. Come with me tomorrow when we go out."

"Yes."

When Laiyun heard that Ye Yaming wanted to recruit him to work for her, he was naturally overjoyed and repeatedly agreed: "This humble one is willing, this humble one is willing!"

Ye Yaming asked him: "What was your original surname before entering the mansion?"

Hearing this question, Laiyun became even more elated.

It was important to know that when servants were first purchased into the mansion, the matrons specifically training pages and maids would name them according to the mansion's naming conventions. After they were trained to serve masters and assigned to various courtyards, the masters there would rename them according to their own habits. Their original names from before entering the mansion were completely abandoned.

But Ye Jia was benevolent—as long as they remained loyal and worked hard, when they rose to become housekeepers, Ye Jia would allow them to restore their original surnames. Li Fu, Zhou Xiang, and Meng Ji had all achieved this.

Though Zhou Xiang and Meng Ji were only pages, their status was no lower than Li Fu's, hence they also received this honor.

Now Third Young Miss was asking his original surname—could she be planning to promote him to housekeeper?

He quickly replied: "This humble one's original surname was Fang."

Ye Yaming nodded: "Good. Laiyun means 'bringing luck,' and xing means 'fortune.' From now on, you shall be called Fang Xing."

The Ye family being merchants, their naming conventions valued meaning over elegance. Chang, Sheng, Fan, and Rong were the four masters' names; Fu, Gui, Ji, and Xiang were the housekeepers' and managers' names.Ye Yaming felt that naming her subordinates should follow this same pattern. Happiness and well-being seemed quite fitting to her.