Glory

Tao Shi was well aware that the second branch of the family was no longer what it used to be, and she had heard of Ye Yaming's formidable reputation. Ye Hongchang had even recounted everything he knew about Ye Yaming's deeds to ensure she fully grasped the extent of her capabilities.

However, for over a decade or two, she had always held a superior position over the second branch and Ye Yaming, with the mother and daughter of the second branch being timid and submissive. This ingrained perception made it difficult for her to develop any genuine reverence for them.

Moreover, while everyone spoke of Ye Yaming's prowess, Tao Shi had watched her grow up. The idea that Ye Yaming had been hiding her abilities all along and only now revealed her true talents seemed implausible to her. She preferred to believe that Ye Yaming's successes were mere flukes—a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—combined with ancestral guidance from dreams, rather than genuine skill.

Besides, as Ye Yaming's elder, Tao Shi reasoned that no matter how capable Ye Yaming became, she would never dare disrespect her, the wife of Da Bo. Hadn't Ye Yaming remained silent the previous two times Tao Shi made sarcastic remarks about her?

It never occurred to her that Ye Yaming would confront her so bluntly and speak with such audacity.

And the aura Ye Yaming exuded while speaking was entirely different from her usual demeanor. Though Tao Shi didn't recognize it as the authority of a leader, she felt a deep-seated fear within.

This Ye Yaming before her was utterly unlike the one she had always known.

At that moment, Ye Hongchang's earlier warnings echoed in her ears.

"I... I..."

Stammering for a while, she steeled herself, stood up, and bowed to Ye Yaming. "Ming'er, please don't hold a grudge against someone as insignificant as me. Forgive your Da Bo's wife this once. I truly know I was wrong. I won't dare do it again."

When Tao Shi first arrived, both had assumed it would be like any other routine exchange of pleasantries, never expecting the conversation to escalate to this point. Thus, they hadn't dismissed the servants. Bai Rui and Mama Li were both present in the room.

Witnessing Tao Shi suddenly yield and bow to Ye Yaming left the two servants utterly stunned.

Ye Yaming did not avoid accepting Tao Shi's bow.

However, she had no intention of pushing the conflict further. Since Tao Shi was willing to back down, that was sufficient.

She personally stepped forward to help Tao Shi up, saying, "Da Bo's wife, it's good that you recognize your mistake. We are family, and I hope we can live in harmony rather than constantly eyeing each other with jealousy and resentment. A harmonious family leads to prosperity. Only by working together with unity can the Ye family thrive."

"Yes, yes," Tao Shi nodded repeatedly.

For an elder to humble herself and plead for forgiveness before a junior was ultimately humiliating. Blushing, she said, "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Very well, Da Bo's wife, take care on your way out."

Watching Tao Shi flee as if chased by a ghost, Bai Rui stole a glance at Ye Yaming. Seeing her calm expression, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "Miss, will there be any repercussions?"

"Don't worry, there won't be," Ye Yaming replied.

Tao Shi, in essence, was someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Consider Ye Hongrong and Zhang Shi—neither had a mild temperament. Ye Hongrong enjoyed Old Madam Ye's favor, and Zhang Shi came from a powerful maternal family. Had Tao Shi ever bullied the fourth branch? Though she held strong opinions about them, she never dared say anything in Ye Hongrong's presence and only occasionally made snide remarks to Zhang Shi, falling silent after being rebuked.But her attitude towards the former second branch had been entirely different. Though she appeared the most reasonable and kindest to Yin Shi, it was often her who made Yin Shi angry and brought her to tears.

Now that Ye Yaming had become the successor family head and was about to marry into a marquis' household in the capital, Tao Shi dared to make sarcastic remarks from time to time. Besides her unwillingness to accept this, it was also because she thought Ye Yaming had a gentle temperament, was a junior, and wouldn't dare to talk back—making her an easy target.

Now that Ye Yaming had retorted, Tao Shi's habit of making snide remarks would surely be cured, and she wouldn't dare to do it again.

...

Mama Li followed behind Tao Shi. Seeing how uncomfortable her mistress was, she didn't dare to speak and just lowered her head as she walked. The mistress and servant returned to the main branch in silence.

Tao Shi felt deeply embarrassed about backing down in front of a junior with servants watching, so she wanted to save face in front of Mama Li.

After sitting down in her bedroom, she patted her chest and said, "Just now... her presence was truly terrifying."

"Indeed, this old servant was also greatly startled," Mama Li naturally agreed with her. "I've always heard people say the third young lady is formidable, but when facing us, she always smiles and seems very approachable. Usually when we meet on the road and I greet her, she would even stop to exchange a few words. Only today did this old servant realize how truly formidable she is. No wonder the heir of Xuanwu Marquis took a liking to her. She's no ordinary person."

"Exactly," Tao Shi felt somewhat vindicated hearing Mama Li say this, and her heart felt somewhat relieved. "From now on, let's not provoke her. We can't afford to, we can't afford to."

She added, "Don't speak of today's matter to anyone, not even to the master."

"This old servant understands," Mama Li said.

From then on, whenever Tao Shi encountered Ye Yaming, she would always greet her with a smiling face and never again spoke with jealousy. As for the matter of accompanying the bride to the capital, she never mentioned it again.

...

On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, while Ye Yaming was checking what else she needed to bring, Qingzhi ran in and reported, "Miss, your husband is here."

"Who?" Ye Yaming hadn't processed it yet.

"Your husband, that is Young Master Lu, he's here," Qingzhi said.

Ye Yaming: "..." The address wasn't wrong, but it felt strange.

When she went out to the outer courtyard, Lu Guanyi was sitting opposite Ye Chongming, talking.

Seeing Ye Yaming, Lu Guanyi stood up and smiled, "Ming'er, I've come to pick you up."

"When did you return from the border?"

"Five days ago."

Even riding at full speed, it would take two to three days from the capital to Lin'an. It was clear that Lu Guanyi had returned from the border to the capital and then rushed nonstop to Lin'an.

Still, that he came personally showed considerable sincerity.

"You've been traveling continuously for days, and you have to return to the capital tomorrow—that's too exhausting," Ye Yaming turned to ask Ye Chongming, "Grandfather, what if we delay our departure for the capital by a couple of days? We still have plenty of time anyway."

"That's what I said too," Ye Chongming chuckled. "But Zi Mo said it's unnecessary; this kind of travel is nothing to him."

Lu Guanyi looked at Ye Yaming, "No need to change the date. Going to the capital earlier will allow me to show you around the house first. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, I'll have them fix it right away."

Ye Yaming was speechless: If one didn't know better, they'd think this guy was from modern times, with such open-minded thinking.It's important to know that this era has particularly strict rules, such as the prohibition of meeting before marriage. Moreover, unless previously acquainted, a bride wouldn't even know which way her husband's family home faced before entering it. Who would take her to see the marital home before the wedding?

As if reading Ye Yaming's thoughts, Lu Guanyi said, "Our family isn't so particular about these things. My father doesn't care about such formalities, and with no other elders around, you can do as you please."

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