Glory

Ye Hongsheng finally let out a long sigh of relief, slapping the table and exclaiming, "A just verdict. Such a person deserves to be cast into the eighteenth layer of hell."

"Ming'er has long since come to terms with it and isn't overly distressed. Don't bring this person up to her—what's past is past."

"Mm." Ye Hongsheng nodded.

"I heard that in the capital, you've gained the favor of Imperial Consort Fan and others. Sheng'er, you've done well," Ye Chongming said.

Yet Ye Hongsheng shook his head, "It's still Ming'er's tea sets and her theories that are impressive. When I left home for the capital, Ming'er taught me a great deal about how to set up a tea arrangement. Imperial Consort Fan probably took a liking to this and spoke with me a few extra words."

Seeing that his second son had now made a name for himself and could even form connections with powerful nobles like Imperial Consort Fan in the capital, yet remained humble and steady, Ye Chongming couldn't help but nod in approval.

It seemed that his third granddaughter's capability was not without reason.

Then came the year-end, with every household hosting banquets. The Ye family was busy attending feasts day after day. Ye Yaqing followed Tao Shi to various events, rushing from one place to another without a moment's rest.

Ye Yaming was unwilling to go, and the Ye family did not force her. Even so, Ye Yaming attended one banquet—the Mei family's feast, as they were Old Mrs. Ye's maternal relatives. It would have been impolite for Ye Yaming to decline again.

"Second Sister, you've lost a lot of weight recently, but your spirits seem better than before," Ye Yaming remarked, gazing at Ye Yaqing whom she hadn't seen in a while.

Ye Yaqing delightedly touched her own face and asked Ye Yaming, "Really? Have I really lost weight?"

She took after Tao Shi in stature, standing just under five feet three; perhaps due to adolescence, she was slightly plump, quite different from Ye Yaming's tall and slender figure.

Though she never spoke of it, she cared deeply about this, as evident from her eating only tiny portions at each meal.

"Yes," Ye Yaming nodded emphatically, "If you don't believe me, ask Cousin Mei Fourth and Yin'er."

They were sitting in the Mei family's pavilion, with a group of young ladies playing pitch-pot not far away on the open ground. Miss Mei Fourth, as the host, was accompanying them.

"You really have slimmed down," Miss Mei Fourth said.

"Second Sister, you must have noticed when wearing skirts, right? The waistbands surely feel looser," Ye Yayin added.

"That's true," Ye Yaqing smiled, her eyes crinkling.

She gazed into the distance, and as if struck by a thought, a sweet smile reappeared on her face just as she had begun to compose herself.

Seeing her like this, Ye Yaming's heart stirred.

Though she had never been in love in her previous life, she had seen young girls smitten—their most telling trait was occasionally breaking into silly grins and sometimes suddenly losing weight.

Was Ye Yaqing showing signs of something like that?

After returning to the Ye residence, Ye Yaming parted ways with Ye Yaqing on the path. After a few steps, she said to Ye Yayin, "I just remembered something I need to discuss with Grandfather. I'll head to the main courtyard—you go back first."

"Alright, Sister, go ahead," Ye Yayin replied obediently.

Ye Yaming went to the main courtyard and asked Old Madam Ye, who was removing her makeup, "Grandmother, has Second Sister been involved in any marriage discussions with any family recently?"

Old Madam Ye waited for Granny Yu to remove the largest piece of jewelry from her hair before turning to look at her granddaughter. "I haven't heard your aunt mention anything. Why? Is there something unusual about your second sister?"She knew Ye Yaming wouldn't come asking this question without reason.

Ye Yaming sat down on the nearby daybed, frowning slightly. "When Da Bo's wife comes to pay her respects tomorrow, you could ask her about it."

She tilted her head. "I've been worried about who Second Sister might be meeting at these banquets she attends daily. If the person is suitable, that's fine. But if they're inappropriate yet sweet-talk Second Sister, that would be troublesome."

Old Mrs. Ye immediately became serious.

"Alright, I'll ask your aunt tomorrow. If she doesn't know either, I'll have her investigate." She patted Ye Yaming's hand. "Don't worry, I won't say it was you who told me."

"Mm." Feeling reassured, Ye Yaming smiled at Old Mrs. Ye. "Then please rest, Grandmother. I'll take my leave now."

As the wife of the eldest son and manager of household affairs, Tao Shi needed to consult her mother-in-law daily about various matters, making several trips to the main house each day.

When she came over this time, Old Mrs. Ye asked, "How is the matchmaking for Yaqing going?"

Tao Shi's cheerful expression immediately fell. "I've looked at several families recently, but none seem suitable."

Old Mrs. Ye couldn't help but sigh.

They had been searching for a suitable match for her second granddaughter since she was thirteen. After all these years, they still hadn't found anyone satisfactory.

"During this period when she's been attending banquets with you, have you paid attention to who she spends time with or who she meets?" she inquired.

Tao Shi instinctively shook her head. "I'm always with the other ladies, while she plays with the young girls..."

Her words trailed off as she finally grasped the implication behind her mother-in-law's question.

"Are you suggesting there's a problem?" Remembering that Ye Yaqing had attended yesterday's banquet with Ye Yaming, she added, "Did Ming'er notice something?"

Old Mrs. Ye: "..."

Since she couldn't hide it, she didn't bother. "Last night, Ming'er came to ask me about Qing'er's marriage prospects. It seems she suspects something. Since you don't know, quickly summon Qing'er's maid and question her. We mustn't let her be deceived."

Tao Shi could no longer sit still. "Mother, I'll go attend to this immediately." She hurried away.

Returning to the main residence, she found an excuse to summon one of Ye Yaqing's personal maids.

The maid initially played dumb, but after being intimidated by Tao Shi, she tearfully confessed, "The young lady forbade me from speaking. She said if I told anyone, she would sell me."

"If you don't speak now, I'll sell your entire family immediately," Tao Shi threatened.

Only then did the maid sob out the whole story.

Similar to Ye Yaming's friendship with Yang Shu, Ye Yaqing had made some friends at the banquets. She had become particularly close with a Miss Su.

Since Ye Yaming and Ye Yayin didn't attend these banquets, Ye Yaqing had been spending time with Miss Su during recent events. Miss Su repeatedly begged Ye Yaqing to accompany her to meet her cousin. Being naturally gentle-natured, Ye Yaqing agreed.

Naturally, Miss Su wanted to speak with her cousin alone, leaving Ye Yaqing to converse with her cousin's friend.

After several such encounters, Ye Yaqing found herself getting along quite well with this friend.

Tao Shi listened with tightly knitted brows. "Do you know that person's name?"

The maid replied, "His name is Yang Chuzhi."

"Yang Chuzhi?" Tao Shi thought for a long time but couldn't recall any family with a child by that name.She asked again, "What do you think of his attire, demeanor, and conduct?"

"He dresses quite well, and it seems his family background is no worse than ours. His appearance is also very pleasing," the maid replied, having naturally observed him carefully. "He speaks and acts with perfect courtesy, never overstepping boundaries in the slightest. If you show even the tiniest hint of not wishing to speak further, he will find an excuse to take his leave without any persistence."