Glory

Just as Ye Yaming had seen Fang Xing and his party off, someone came to report: "Miss, Eldest Miss Yang is here to see you."

Ye Yaming was momentarily taken aback before remembering that Yang Shu, the daughter of Yang Hong and younger sister of Yang Tai, was the one referred to as Eldest Miss Yang.

In the wealthy circles of Lin'an City, especially within the tea trade community, it was customary for families to invite each other to banquets—whether for an old master's birthday celebration or a child's full-month ceremony. These gatherings provided opportunities for womenfolk to assess potential matches for their daughters or daughters-in-law, observing the appearance and character of young ladies and gentlemen present.

Therefore, whenever such banquets were held, Old Madam Ye would bring the young girls of the household along. Although the original host had been betrothed early and didn't need to seek a husband, staying cooped up at home would have been dreary. Attending these events allowed her to broaden her horizons and become familiar with people, preventing awkward situations where she might encounter someone on the street or, after marriage as a mistress of a household, fail to recognize anyone.

At these banquets, groups of similarly-aged young girls would socialize together. Although Ye Chongming and Yang Hong were bitter rivals in business, the original host and Yang Shu had surprisingly hit it off well during these gatherings.

Their families didn't interfere with their friendship. Through repeated interactions, the two had become close friends. Even without banquets, they would occasionally visit each other's homes.

However, Yang Shu's visit at this particular moment gave Ye Yaming pause for thought.

Meng Chengwei had been arrested by constables at the Yang family's teahouse. Dozens of tea customers had witnessed the cooperation between the two families and Yang Hong's protection of Meng Chengwei.

The Yang family's teahouse business had already been inferior to the Ye family's, and after Meng Chengwei's arrest, their business had declined even further.

Had Yang Shu come because she'd heard about the broken engagement and wanted to offer comfort, or did she have other motives?

While Ye Yaming was pondering this, Yang Shu's figure appeared in her line of sight. She quickly went out to the courtyard gate to meet her, smiling as she asked, "What brings you here to see me?"

Yang Shu first scrutinized Ye Yaming carefully before chiding, "What do you mean 'what brings me'? I'm always thinking of you. If you won't come to see me, can't I come to see you instead?"

"Of course you can," Ye Yaming replied helplessly.

Both girls laughed.

They walked together along the corridor back to the hall and sat down. After Yang Shu had some tea and snacks, she said to the two maids she had brought: "Didn't you want to learn how to make decorative knots from Bai Rui and Lve E? Now that you have the chance, why not go learn quickly?"

The four maids understood that their mistresses wanted to talk privately. Bai Rui promptly invited everyone to her quarters to discuss knot-making techniques.

After they left, Yang Shu glanced outside to ensure no one was around, then lowered her voice: "What happened? I heard you broke off your engagement with Song Yifeng? And that Song Yifeng wrote forbidden poetry and was thrown in jail?"

"Yes," Ye Yaming replied, glancing at her friend. Seeing genuine concern and worry in Yang Shu's eyes that didn't appear feigned, her suspicions about Yang Shu's motives diminished somewhat.

"What will you do now?" Yang Shu asked, looking at her friend with concern.

"My grandmother and mother keep telling me that when bad things leave, good things come. Fortunately, I hadn't married him yet when he was arrested. Otherwise, not only would I have come to a bad end, but our Ye family would have been implicated too."

"That's true," Yang Shu said, relieved to see that Ye Yaming didn't seem particularly heartbroken.

She leaned closer to Ye Yaming and whispered conspiratorially: "So have you thought about what kind of person you want to marry now? Do you still want to marry a scholar?"

Ye Yaming shook her head: "No, no."Yang Shu nudged Ye Yaming’s shoulder with her own, grinning suggestively. “What do you think of my brother, Yang Tai? He’s praised you many times. But since you were already engaged before, he couldn’t say anything even if he was interested. Now that you’ve broken off the engagement, why not become my sister-in-law?”

Ye Yaming glanced at Yang Shu, a flicker of deeper meaning in her eyes.

Yang Shu’s concern for her friend was genuine, and her wish for Ye Yaming to marry into her family was likely sincere too. But was this visit truly to comfort a friend, or did she have another motive? Was her remark a spontaneous joke, or had it been suggested by her elders?

The decline in the Yang family’s business and the emergence of Osmanthus Tea inevitably raised suspicions.

Feigning shyness, Ye Yaming playfully punched Yang Shu’s shoulder—a bit too hard, making Yang Shu yelp in pain.

“Sorry, sorry!” Ye Yaming hurriedly rubbed Yang Shu’s shoulder, flustered. “I didn’t control my strength—did I hurt you?”

It did hurt, and Yang Shu nearly lost her temper but managed to hold back. She shrugged as if unfazed and laughed, “Haha, it’s nothing, nothing. I’m tough—you can’t hurt me.”

“Well, don’t blame me—you’re the one saying such things,” Ye Yaming chided, shooting her a reproachful look. “If you keep this up, don’t call us close friends anymore.”

“Is my brother really that bad?” Yang Shu’s tone was teasing, but her eyes were fixed intently on Ye Yaming, not wanting to miss a single expression.

Ye Yaming’s smile faded slightly as she replied seriously, “My grandfather and grandmother plan to arrange a matrilocal marriage for me.”

“What?” Yang Shu exclaimed.

Realizing her overreaction, she instinctively covered her mouth, then quickly dropped her hand and feigned surprise. “How could that be?”

She glanced outside and whispered to Ye Yaming, “Don’t be foolish. Usually, only those of poor quality become grooms who live with the bride’s family. A girl like you, with talent, beauty, and a good family background—no matter what, you shouldn’t marry such a person.”

Then she muttered under her breath, “I don’t know what your grandfather and grandmother are thinking.”

She added, “Do your parents agree?”

“Yes,” Ye Yaming nodded. “You know my mother injured her health giving birth to Yin’er and can’t have more children. My father doesn’t want to take a concubine either. Our second branch has no sons. My mother is thrilled that I can stay home through a matrilocal marriage. My father also can’t bear to see me suffer in another household.”

Yang Shu wanted to argue further, but after opening her mouth, she found she had nothing to say.

Who wouldn’t want to stay in their own home, cherished by their parents forever, rather than marry into another family as a daughter-in-law, living under others’ scrutiny? Even if the man was somewhat lacking, it was still better than marrying someone incompetent who filled the house with concubines.

With that thought, she actually felt a twinge of envy for Ye Yaming.

As managing the household was Tao Shi’s responsibility, the servants promptly reported Yang Shu’s visit to her.

Since it concerned Ye Yaming and Tao Shi was aware of the Yang family’s current situation, she hurried to the main courtyard and informed Old Mrs. Ye about it.

After a moment’s thought, Old Madam Ye instructed her maid, “Lan’er, go to the third young lady’s courtyard and tell Miss Yang that we thank her for visiting Third Sister. Say it’s my wish for her to stay for a meal.”

“Yes.”

Lan’er went to Ye Yaming’s courtyard and relayed the message to Yang Shu.

“No, no,” Yang Shu quickly declined to Lan’er. “Thank Old Madam Ye for her kindness. But I didn’t inform my family in advance. Please convey my gratitude for her thoughtful offer.”