Glory

After the meal, Old Mrs. Ye said to Mrs. Chen, "At my age, my energy isn't what it used to be. After eating, I just want to rest. If I leave, my daughter-in-law and granddaughter probably won't feel comfortable staying either, so I'll take my leave with them now. In a couple of days, we'll host a return banquet at our home—you must come."

Mrs. Chen had already heard from her daughter about the incident by the lake. She had also sent someone to inquire and learned that Master Ye had spoken with her husband before taking the thief out through the back door. She realized this was an internal matter of the Ye family, though she didn't understand why it had spilled over to the Chen residence.

Since the Ye family was keeping it quiet, she naturally didn't want to meddle. Now that the Ye women were leaving, she didn't press them to stay, exchanging a few polite words before seeing Old Mrs. Ye off.

Seeing Ye Yaming pull Ye Yaqing onto Old Mrs. Ye's carriage, Tao Shi quickly followed and instructed the maids, "You take the carriage behind."

The maids, noting Old Mrs. Ye's silence, complied and got off, boarding the carriage Tao Shi had arrived in.

"As soon as the carriage started moving, Tao Shi couldn't wait to ask, "Did something happen earlier?"

Old Mrs. Ye fixed a stern gaze on Ye Yaqing.

She knew something must have occurred—otherwise, Mama Lin and Granny Liu wouldn't have failed to return with them. Moreover, when Ye Yaming and Ye Yaqing had returned to the hall, their expressions were clearly off.

But since both granddaughters had returned safely and Ye Yaming had handled the situation, even if something had happened, it couldn't be too serious. Thus, she remained calmer than Tao Shi.

"Aunt, let's discuss it when we get home," Ye Yaming said.

Their carriage was still on the main street—if Tao Shi became agitated and cried out, all her efforts at the Chen residence would be in vain.

"Wait until we're home," Old Mrs. Ye declared firmly.

Back at home, Ye Yaming recounted the events in detail to both of them.

Upon learning that her daughter had nearly fallen into the lake, Tao Shi was so furious she felt her heart might give out.

She slapped Ye Yaqing's shoulder. "How could you be so foolish? I told you that man was no good and to send someone back to inform me. Instead, you listened to his sweet talk and ignored my advice. Now look—you almost lost your life."

After being brought back to the hall by Ye Yaming, Ye Yaqing had doubted Yang Chuzhi but couldn't believe he was that kind of person. When he said he liked her, he seemed so sincere—how could it be a lie?

The fall into the water must have been an accident.

She had been torn internally ever since.

Even now, hearing Ye Yaming objectively describe the situation, she still refused to believe the truth.

Or perhaps, after sixteen years of life, Ye Yaqing had finally met a man she liked, and he had just confessed his feelings—she didn't want to accept that it was all a deception, that he was a fraud.

Ignoring her mother, she turned to Ye Yaming. "What makes you say he tampered with the railing? Couldn't it have been due to some other reason? You wronged him, calling him a thief and having him arrested in front of everyone. Even if he isn't sent to the authorities, his reputation is ruined."

Ye Yaming had no desire to speak with her.

You can never wake someone who is pretending to be asleep.

Besides, Ye Yaqing had parents—it wasn't her place to teach her how to live. With Ye Hongchang and Tao Shi's shrewdness, they would make sure Ye Yaqing faced the truth.She addressed Old Mrs. Ye, "Grandmother, when rescuing Second Sister, I broke into a cold sweat from fright. I still feel sticky and uncomfortable all over. I'd like to return to bathe."

She glanced at Ye Yaqing, "Perhaps Yang Chuzhi is a decent man, sincere toward Second Sister. Maybe someday I'll have to call him cousin-in-law, so I won't play the villain here. Let Da Bo and his wife handle this matter. I'm going back."

Old Mrs. Ye said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Today's incident was thanks to you. If not for you, your Second Sister falling into the water in such cold weather would have cost her half her life if not all of it. No matter what she thinks, your Da Bo and his wife are certainly grateful to you. Go back and rest well."

These words made Ye Yaqing's face alternate between red and white.

It wasn't that she wasn't grateful to Ye Yaming, but she couldn't believe Yang Chuzhi was a thief and disagreed with Ye Yaming's accusation against him.

"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to you today, Ming'er. You don't know how grateful Da Bo's wife is to you. If not for you, how could your sister be sitting here safely now? Go back and rest first. Da Bo's wife will properly thank you later."

"There's no need for gratitude. After all, Second Sister and I are blood-related sisters—I could never stand by and watch her fall into the lake. I'll take my leave now." Ye Yaming waved her hand and left the hall.

As soon as she departed, Old Mrs. Ye immediately urged, "Where are Old Master Ye and Da Bo? Go find them."

In Lin'an City, banquets were held in the morning, with guests eating lunch there. If time permitted, they could stay at the Chen family to socialize through the afternoon.

The women of Ye Jia had returned after lunch, leaving half a day remaining.

Ye Yaming washed comfortably, practiced calligraphy, and read for a while. Had Old Mrs. Ye not sent someone to summon her to the Main house for dinner, she wouldn't have bothered inquiring about the aftermath of the Yang Chuzhi incident.

Arriving at the main courtyard, she was surprised to find Ye Hongchang and Tao Shi there as well.

As soon as she entered, Ye Hongchang bowed formally to Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming quickly stepped aside to avoid accepting the gesture.

"Ming'er, today was all thanks to you. Otherwise, Qing'er's life would have been ruined, and our Ye Jia would have faced great trouble," he expressed with deep gratitude.

Seeing that Tao Shi seemed about to step forward and bow as well, Ye Chongming interjected, "Enough now. Are you trying to honor the child or harm her with such formality?"

This left Ye Hongchang and Tao Shi looking embarrassed.

Ye Hongchang hadn't intended to shorten Ye Yaming's lifespan—he felt that only such a solemn gesture could convey the depth of his gratitude.

Old Mrs. Ye personally came over, took Ye Yaming by the hand, and seated her beside herself. Addressing Ye Hongchang and his wife, she said, "If you truly wish to thank her, don't just say it—at least offer a token of appreciation."

"Of course, of course," Ye Hongchang replied repeatedly.

The gift had already been prepared by the couple and placed nearby.

At his signal, a maid presented an embroidered box. When opened, it revealed gleaming gold ingots inside.Ye Hongchang said, "This is Da Bo's way of thanking you." Seeing Ye Yaming's strenuous refusal, he continued, "I know giving money seems vulgar—one ought to present more refined things that young ladies would appreciate. But I'm aware you've purchased an estate and still have debts to settle. This is one hundred taels of gold, a modest sum. Compared to your second elder sister's lifelong happiness, this token of gratitude truly amounts to little."

At that moment, the maid opened another box, revealing a set of scholar's treasures.