Glory

She smoothed things over, saying, "That's good, that's good. Marriage is a lifelong matter for a girl—how could she marry someone completely unsatisfactory? When the matchmaker first mentioned this Wang Fusheng, I thought he was flawless in every way. But seeing him today, he's truly not presentable."

"Never mind anything else, just imagine if we were hosting a banquet. With someone like him standing there, who knows how much ridicule he'd attract. Our Ming'er wouldn't be able to hold her head up in public afterward."

She patted Ye Yaming's hand. "If we're looking for a proper husband, there are many more candidates to choose from. Your grandmother will screen them first for you. When I find suitable ones, you can take a look at them just like today. If they're not to your liking, I'll keep searching. We have time—we can afford to wait a year or two. There's no rush."

Ye Yaming smiled at her. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Old Mrs. Ye shot Ye Chongming a glare, her eyes filled with warning.

Ye Chongming immediately snapped back to his senses and quickly assured her, "Alright, let your grandmother choose carefully for you. We all genuinely want you to be happy."

"Thank you, Grandfather and Grandmother." Ye Yaming's smile was sweet.

She stood up. "Since this matter is settled, I'll go to the Tea Factory with my father. Spring Tea production is about to begin, and I need to meet the Tea-making masters at the factory."

Ye Chongming felt he had disappointed his granddaughter earlier and was eager to make amends. Besides, tea production was an important matter.

He said, "Then I'll go along too. Those Tea-making masters are skilled people and can be quite proud. It might be difficult to get them to listen to you. If I say a few words, it might go more smoothly."

So the three generations went to the Tea Factory together.

Old Madam Ye returned to the Main house.

She had just sat down in the Main house when her youngest son hurried in, startling her.

"You're in your twenties with children of your own—why are you still so impetuous?" she scolded, glaring at him.

Ye Hongrong had no time for small talk.

He asked urgently, "Did you take Ming'er to meet a potential groom who lives with the bride's family?"

"Yes. What about it?" Old Madam Ye replied irritably.

The subject put her in a bad mood. Why hadn't she noticed earlier that Wang Fusheng was unsuitable?

Thinking of this, she glared at Ye Hongrong again.

If it weren't for this troublemaker, would she even care about dividing the family? If they split the household, this wretched boy would be left with nothing!

Ye Hongrong, being his mother's favorite, was naturally observant and smooth-talking.

But this time, he seemed oblivious to her expression and pressed, "Did Ming'er approve of him?"

Seeing her son's anxious and worried face, Old Madam Ye grew suspicious. "What's going on? Is there something wrong?"

Since returning from Huizhou, her youngest son had held Ye Yaming in high regard, defending his niece fiercely. If anyone spoke ill of her, he'd be ready to fight.

"Just tell me first—did Ming'er approve of that man?" Ye Hongrong insisted.

"No," Old Madam Ye shook her head.

Ye Hongrong heaved a huge sigh of relief and slumped into a nearby chair.

"What exactly is the matter?" Old Madam Ye asked.

Ye Hongrong was carrying a big secret that he couldn't share with anyone, and it was tormenting him.

Earlier, during breakfast, he had overheard his wife saying that Old Madam Ye had found a groom who lives with the bride's family for Ye Yaming, and she kept complaining about how unsuitable the man was.

When he learned that the meeting was today, he panicked and rushed over immediately.Although Ye Yaming had analyzed for him the various disadvantages of marrying Lu Guanyi, he still felt it would be a great pity to let this marriage opportunity slip away.

That Wang Something-or-other, who lived little better than a beggar, compared to Young Master Lu, was like clouds in the sky versus mud on the ground. His niece, rejecting an outstanding talent like Lu Guanyi to marry someone who amounted to nothing and could do nothing, made him feel aggrieved on her behalf.

After some thought, he decided to tell the old madam about this matter.

"Mother, first promise me you absolutely cannot speak of this to anyone else."

Old Madam Ye looked at him suspiciously: "Don't tell me you've gotten into trouble again?"

"Mother, could you stop wrongfully accusing me? I've only gotten into trouble that one time."

"Once isn't enough? How many times do you want?" Old Madam Ye glared.

"Alright, alright. I won't argue with you. Just tell me if you promise or not?"

Old Madam Ye's eyes shifted slightly: "Fine, I promise you."

If her son had truly gotten into trouble, she wouldn't cover up for him. The old master had said that if they continued to indulge him, Ye Jia would be ruined by this unfilial son.

Ye Hongrong first dismissed all the maids and servants. Still feeling uneasy, he specifically went out to check and saw that the maids and servants were all far away, unable to hear their conversation. Only then did he return to the room and tell his mother about Lu Guanyi liking Ye Yaming.

Old Madam Ye's mouth fell open in shock.

"You... are you telling the truth?" she exclaimed.

"Shh!" Ye Hongrong quickly made a silencing gesture.

Old Madam Ye covered her mouth and nodded to show she understood, but the next moment she grabbed Ye Hongrong's arm and asked urgently: "Young Master Lu really likes Ming'er?"

Despite her age, the old madam's grip was quite strong.

Ye Hongrong grimaced in pain and quickly poured cold water on his mother's excitement: "What's the use of liking? He probably also thinks it's inappropriate. It's been so long and he hasn't sent anyone to propose, nor has he even expressed his feelings to Ming'er."

Old Madam Ye's hand loosened, her face full of disappointment.

As an inner household woman, her thoughts weren't as complex as Ye Chongming's.

If Ye Chongming or Ye Hongchang learned this news, their first thought would likely be what benefits this marriage would bring to Ye Jia.

Whereas Old Madam Ye simply thought that Lu Guanyi's family background was too good, so good that Ye Jia couldn't reach it even with a ladder; additionally, though young, he had already begun working for the Crown Prince, with boundless prospects. He was also extremely handsome, more good-looking than the most beautiful man in Lin'an.

Thus, not to mention ordinary families, even the daughters of noble families or officials in Lin'an City wanted to marry him. When attending banquets, she had frequently heard people discussing Lu Guanyi as the golden bachelor.

Now, suddenly hearing that this Lu Guanyi, whom noble and official daughters admired but who treated them coldly and mercilessly rejected them, never even acknowledging their calling cards, actually liked her granddaughter - the old madam's vanity was greatly satisfied.

This was the ultimate honor.

Unfortunately, Lu Guanyi only liked her but wasn't willing to marry Ming'er. She couldn't go out and boast about it; and her granddaughter couldn't marry such an excellent man either.

Ye Hongrong was filial. The old madam doted on him, and he also cared for his mother.

Seeing his mother gradually beginning to clutch her chest, looking extremely distressed, he quickly spoke up and explained Lu Guanyi's family situation to his mother."You see, our family's status is already low. A humble family shouldn't marry above its station. If Ming'er marries into the Lu family, how difficult would her life be? Even Young Master Lu's grandparents can't do anything about that stepmother. All these years, Young Master Lu hasn't been granted the heir title - that shows how formidable that woman is. If Ming'er marries in, could she possibly have a good life?"