Glory

Yin Shi was truly a woman blessed by fate.

Despite her humble family background, she married into the Ye family and enjoyed a lifetime of wealth and luxury. She also had a wonderful husband like Ye Hongsheng, who never looked down on her for bearing only two daughters.

Back when she could no longer have children, everyone in the mansion secretly mocked her, thinking she would either have to grudgingly allow her husband to take a concubine or end up with no one to care for her in her old age.

But then, the third young lady suddenly proved herself capable. Not only did she hold up the Second Branch, but she also supported the entire Ye family, securing the position of family head and inheritance rights for the Second Branch.

In contrast, the lady of the household married the eldest legitimate son and gave birth to the eldest legitimate grandson. Though she basked in glory and schemed tirelessly all her life, in the end, her efforts came to nothing—like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

So, it’s best not to compare yourself to those blessed by fate.

Take herself, for example. In looks and ability, she was no worse than the lady of the household, yet she was born a servant, destined to wait on others. Who could she blame?

…

Over in the Second Branch, Yin Shi was neither as angry as Tao Shi imagined nor as ecstatic as she assumed.

In these times, an uninvited guest was considered extremely rude, let alone one coming to present betrothal gifts.

Lu Bin’s second son, Lu Qingsheng, had arrived in Lin’an the day before. He first sent a card to Ye Chongming, announcing his intention to present betrothal gifts to the Ye family today. Ye Chongming immediately informed Ye Yaming.

However, Ye Yaming only told Yin Shi about it this morning and explained the situation to her.

Upon learning that this marriage arrangement was merely a temporary solution to resolve the crisis between the Ye and Lu families and that it might be called off later, Yin Shi’s initial joy over securing a good match quickly turned into boundless worry.

“But in two years, you’ll be eighteen. If the engagement is broken off, where will we find another good match?” The thought alone made her want to weep.

“Haven’t you seen the matchmakers flocking to our house recently? Whether I marry a commoner or enter a matrilocal marriage, it won’t be difficult. As long as my expectations aren’t too high, there’s no problem at all.”

These words comforted Yin Shi.

Although Ye Yaming’s marriage was ultimately decided by Old Madam Ye, the old lady was considerate. Whenever someone came with a marriage proposal, she would chat with Yin Shi about it to put her at ease. Thus, Yin Shi was well aware of the flurry of proposals during that period.

Ye Hongsheng had also reassured her, saying that since Ye Yaming was to become the next head of the Ye family, even if she married out, she would still manage the family’s affairs, and most of the Second Branch’s sixty percent share of the family property would belong to her. With such vast wealth and their daughter’s striking beauty, finding a marriage match would be no trouble at all.

Since both her mother-in-law and husband had said so, and Ye Yaming was a highly decisive person, Yin Shi stopped worrying.

“You’re clever and capable, and you have your own ideas. As your mother, I’m reassured. Do as you see fit, and don’t worry about me,” Yin Shi said.

This was one of the things Ye Yaming appreciated most about Yin Shi.

She felt fortunate that in this life, her parents were neither meddlesome nor troublesome and genuinely cherished their daughter. Although the other members of the Ye family had their own minor agendas, none were particularly unreasonable.

Thus, when the betrothal party arrived and the servants learned it was for the third young lady, they rushed to congratulate Yin Shi, who remained perfectly composed.

Aside from Tao Shi and Yin Shi, everyone else was overjoyed. A rising tide lifts all boats—Ye Yaming was the next family head, and by marrying into a powerful, noble family and becoming an official’s wife, she would ensure that no one would dare look down on the Ye family or dismiss them as mere merchants again. This was a tremendous boon for the entire Ye family."Who exactly came to propose? Have you found out?" Zhang Shi asked.

The maid who went to inquire shook her head: "I don't know. I asked the sisters in the main house, and they all said they didn't know."

So after Master Zhineng and Lu Qingsheng left, Tao Shi, Zhang Shi, and even Ye Jiaxing's wife Guan Shi all went to the main house to ask about the marriage proposal.

Old Madam Ye dismissed all the servants and said, "Young Master Lu and Qi Gongzi received news in the capital that someone is coveting the Dragon Well tea-making recipe. The Meng family instigated a family that only has a noble title but is actually rotten to the core to propose to Ming'er."

"If we refuse, they will hold a grudge against our family and cause trouble for us." "So your father-in-law sought help from the two young masters and Master Zhineng, going to great lengths to settle Ming'er's marriage to avoid being targeted. This is a temporary measure to resolve the crisis. This marriage isn't real. Therefore, you don't need to know which family made the proposal. If anyone asks, just say it was Second Master who arranged Ming'er's engagement when he was in the capital."

Old Madam Ye repeated the explanation Ye Yaming had taught her to everyone.

"Besides preventing the Meng family from using this against us, Ming'er's marriage is also meant to intimidate the petty people in Lin'an City. Recently, many people have been using various methods to probe for our Dragon Well tea secret formula. Knowing that we have a fifth-rank official noble as our backer in the capital will make them more restrained."

She knew that although her eldest daughter-in-law appeared generous on the surface, she was actually quite calculating, especially since Ye Yaqing's marriage had been delayed for so long, becoming a constant worry for Tao Shi. With Ye Yaming securing such a glorious marriage, Tao Shi was bound to have thoughts about it.

Therefore, she specifically looked at Tao Shi: "Yaqing's marriage prospects have always been neither high nor suitable. Now that Ming'er is getting married, families that previously looked down on us will likely change their minds. Eldest daughter-in-law, take this time to carefully select a match for Yaqing and settle her marriage while you can."

When Tao Shi had previously noticed Yin Shi's calm demeanor during her inquiries, she had been suspicious. Hearing her mother-in-law's explanation, she immediately felt relieved.

So that's how it was, she thought to herself. It seemed Ye Yaming's marriage was nothing but a pretense.

Now hearing that Ye Yaming's marriage could benefit her own daughter's marriage prospects, she felt delighted. But after the delight, new worries emerged.

"Those seeking marriage alliances are doing so because they want to become brothers-in-law with a fifth-rank official noble. If Ming'er's marriage doesn't materialize later, won't they accuse us of deception and take their anger out on Yaqing?"

When Zhang Shi heard this, she wanted to laugh in Tao Shi's face.

This was like a starving person being given a bowl of meat-filled rice by someone who risked danger to get it, only for the starving person to ask, "Won't I get too full eating this? Won't my stomach upset and give me diarrhea?"

If you have the ability, don't eat it then.

Old Madam Ye also laughed in exasperation upon hearing this.

She said calmly, "That was an oversight on my part, I didn't consider that. Then you should be careful - screen out any suitors who are specifically seeking to become brothers-in-law with a fifth-rank official noble and reject them. To be safe, perhaps you should only consider families that previously showed interest in marriage alliances."

Zhang Shi quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief, afraid she might laugh out loud.

Tao Shi's face turned red and white alternately."This marriage brings benefits to everyone in the household. Only Ming'er, in order to resolve the family crisis, has essentially wasted her prime years in vain. It pains my heart to see this as her aunt." Zhang Shi said, beckoning to the maid beside her.

The maid stepped forward and opened the box she was holding, revealing a set of gold and jade hair ornaments inside.

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm!"

As Shen Changqing walked along the road, whenever he encountered acquaintances, they would greet each other or exchange nods.

But regardless of who it was.

Everyone's face bore no extra expression, as if they were indifferent to everything.

Regarding this.

Shen Changqing had already grown accustomed.

Because this was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution responsible for maintaining the stability of Great Qin. Its main duty was to slay demons, monsters, and supernatural beings, though it also handled some side tasks.

It could be said.

Every person in the Demon Suppression Division had much blood on their hands.

When one had witnessed life and death frequently, they would become indifferent to many things.

When he first arrived in this world, Shen Changqing found it somewhat uncomfortable, but over time, he grew accustomed.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who could remain in the Demon Suppression Division were either powerful experts or individuals with the potential to become experts.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

Within the Demon Suppression Division, there were two main roles: one was the Garrison Envoy, and the other was the Demon Subduing Envoy.

Anyone who entered the Demon Suppression Division started from the lowest level as a Demon Subduing Envoy,

then gradually advanced, with the ultimate hope of becoming a Garrison Envoy.

Shen Changqing's predecessor was a probationary Demon Subduing Envoy within the Demon Suppression Division, the lowest rank among the Demon Subduing Envoys.

Possessing the memories of his predecessor.

He was also very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppression Division.

Without taking much time, Shen Changqing stopped in front of a pavilion.

Unlike other solemn and murderous places in the Demon Suppression Division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, presenting a unique tranquility within the blood-soaked Demon Suppression Division.

At this moment, the pavilion's door was wide open, with people occasionally entering and exiting.

Shen Changqing hesitated only for a moment before stepping inside.

Upon entering the pavilion.

The environment abruptly changed.

The scent of ink mixed with a faint bloody odor assailed his senses, causing him to instinctively frown, but he quickly relaxed.

The bloody scent that clung to everyone in the Demon Suppression Division was almost impossible to wash away completely.