Glory

Therefore, regarding the matter of Lu Guanyi and Ye Yaming's engagement, Lu Guanyi would inform the Duke of Yingguo through the Crown Prince in a casual conversational manner. However, he could not explicitly warn the Duke not to disclose it.

The Duke of Yingguo's household was crowded with loose tongues, and there was a chance the news might reach Shi Shi's ears, causing trouble for the Ye family.

Lu Guanyi also mentioned he would assign an exceptionally skilled guard to protect her in secret. Ye Yaming felt she had the ability to protect herself and would not take excessive risks. However, if the old man and Old Madam Ye found out, they would undoubtedly worry.

Thus, Ye Yaming decided to selectively inform Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye about these arrangements.

She said, "Although arrangements have been made, there are still areas beyond his protection. Therefore, regarding our engagement, he plans to inform the Duke of Yingguo in a certain way. If the Duke does not disclose it, Shi Shi will remain unaware of this engagement for the next two years, sparing us some trouble."

She looked at the elderly couple seriously and added, "Given the situation in the capital, I hope our family will handle it similarly. Many people envy us and wish us ill. Our family has already attracted much resentment because of the Dragon Well Tea—being in the spotlight is not a good thing. So, regarding my engagement with Young Master Lu, it's best to only inform my father and mother for now, and keep it from everyone else."

These words poured cold water on Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye, completely dousing their initial joy and eagerness to announce the engagement with great fanfare.

"You're right, let's not speak of it then," Ye Chongming said.

Old Madam Ye frowned, "Your grandfather, your father, and I are no problem. But your mother—she might tell your maternal grandparents' family."

Everyone has those closest to them whom they trust most.

For Ye Yaming, perhaps Ye Chongming and his wife, along with Ye Hongsheng and his wife, were the closest and most reliable. But for Yin Shi, her own parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law were the closest and most trustworthy.

Most of the Yin family were fine, except for Yin Shi's second sister-in-law. She had wanted Ye Yaming to marry her nephew and, after being firmly rejected, held deep resentment toward the Ye family, Yin Shi, and Ye Yaming.

Expecting her to keep the secret would be very difficult.

Ye Yaming found herself in a dilemma.

After all, Yin Shi was her birth mother. Ordinarily, a marriage should be arranged by one's birth mother, just as Tao Shi had been managing Ye Yaqing's marriage matters. Now, not only had Yin Shi not been involved in arranging the marriage, but she wouldn't even be told about the engagement. When she eventually learned the truth, she would be deeply hurt.

"Never mind, let's tell her. Grandmother, please emphasize the seriousness of the situation to her and frighten her a bit so she doesn't tell my maternal family," Ye Yaming said.

Old Madam Ye nodded.

"I'll go up the mountain tomorrow to tell your father in person," Ye Chongming said.

Ye Yaming smiled, "You should send someone to call him down instead. If he learns about my engagement, he definitely won't be able to stay on the mountain. He'll want to come down to question me and personally meet Young Master Lu before he feels assured."

Ye Chongming thought that made sense.

His second son doted on his daughter excessively, especially Ye Yaming, his eldest daughter. Anyone who coveted his daughter was an enemy. Back then, he had never shown Song Yifeng a pleasant expression.

"Alright, I'll send someone up the mountain shortly," he said.How exactly Old Mrs. Ye spoke to Yin Shi, Ye Yaming did not know. That evening, Yin Shi went to Ye Yaming’s quarters and inquired in detail about Lu Guanyi’s circumstances. Ye Yaming did her best to present the situation in a positive light, and only after hearing this did Yin Shi feel at ease.

Just as Ye Yaming had predicted, Ye Hongsheng appeared at the entrance of the Ye residence the following noon, covered in dust and riding a horse.

“Second Master Ye!” a delighted voice called out from behind him.

Ye Hongsheng turned to see Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji, along with their pages. The one who had greeted him was Qi Ji.

Since the marriage arrangement was not to be publicly disclosed, when Ye Chongming had sent a servant to summon Ye Hongsheng, he had only mentioned that Ye Yaming’s marriage prospects had been settled and asked him to return, without specifying that it was an engagement with Lu Guanyi.

Thus, Ye Hongsheng was still unaware that Lu Guanyi was his future son-in-law.

He greeted them warmly, “Young Master Lu, Young Master Qi, have you returned to Lin’an? Please, come in and visit my home.”

“Haha, we came specifically to see you,” Qi Ji said with a laugh.

Lu Guanyi clasped his hands and bowed to Ye Hongsheng. As he followed him inside, he asked, “Second Master Ye, have you been up in the mountains making tea? How is your health? Is the work on the mountain very strenuous?”

Ye Hongsheng was quite surprised.

Without Qi Ji around, Lu Guanyi, though not particularly talkative, would still exchange a few pleasantries. But whenever Qi Ji was present, the chatterbox Qi Ji would do most of the talking, while Lu Guanyi listened quietly, rarely speaking.

For Lu Guanyi to initiate conversation now and even express concern for his health was rather unusual.

As they chatted, they reached the outer courtyard. The gatekeeper had already rushed to inform Ye Chongming, who arrived shortly after.

Ignoring his son, Ye Chongming asked Lu Guanyi, “What did Master Zhineng say?”

Lu Guanyi had gone to Chongshan Temple the previous evening. By the time night fell, the city gates had already closed, so he could only return to the city today.

His arrival now surely meant he had just returned from Chongshan Temple.

Lu Guanyi smiled and said, “Master Zhineng is very willing to act as a matchmaker for me and Third Miss. I came to inform you, and I plan to set off for the capital shortly. The Crown Prince will arrange for the betrothal gifts to be sent on my behalf, and Master Zhineng will come to formally propose the marriage.”

His smile faded slightly as he rose and bowed deeply to Ye Chongming and Ye Hongsheng. “However, I may not be able to come in person at that time. After returning to the capital, I will depart for the border. I ask for your understanding, Grandfather and Father-in-law.”

Ye Hongsheng was stunned.

“Wh-what?” He pointed at Lu Guanyi and turned to Ye Chongming. “You said Ming’er’s marriage had been settled—could it be… Young Master Lu?”

“Yes,” Ye Chongming replied cheerfully. “It’s Zi Mo.”

Ye Hongsheng stared at Lu Guanyi, dumbfounded.

“Father-in-law, please rest assured, I will treat Third Miss well,” Lu Guanyi said.

Ye Hongsheng remained silent.

Just then, Ye Yaming’s voice came from outside: “Grandfather.”

Upon hearing the servant’s report that Lu Guanyi had arrived and had encountered Ye Hongsheng at the gate, Ye Chongming had immediately sent for Ye Yaming.

The marriage between Lu Guanyi and Ye Yaming was a complicated matter, entangled with many issues. Ye Chongming felt it would be best for the two young people to discuss the details themselves.Ye Chongming said to Lu Guanyi, "Since you're pressed for time, you must have matters to discuss with Ming'er. The room next door is my study—you and Ming'er can speak there. Your father-in-law has just returned and isn't yet aware of the full situation, so I'll explain everything to him."

He turned to Qi Ji with a smile, "I'm not very familiar with Zi Mo's family affairs either, so I'll have to trouble you, Qi Gongzi, to stay and help clarify things."

"Of course, of course," Qi Ji promptly replied.

Lu Guanyi bowed gratefully and went out to find Ye Yaming.