Glory

Everyone gathered at the second gate to welcome Ye Ruhui.

Ye Ruhui was the first child of Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye, now in her forties.

Yun'er was in the capital, and Ye Yaming had previously asked him to inquire about Ye Ruhui's husband's family situation.

Ye Ruhui's husband's family was surnamed Su. Old Master Su had become acquainted with Ye Chongming when they were young and doing business together. Both thought highly of each other's character and were interested in expanding their businesses into each other's cities, so they arranged a marriage between their children.

Men approach matchmaking for their children differently from women. A man would think his friend is good, meet the friend's son once, find him acceptable, and then settle the marriage. They wouldn't consider other factors.

As it turned out, only after Ye Ruhui married into the family did she realize that her mother-in-law was difficult to deal with, her father-in-law had a large group of wives and concubines, and there were many illegitimate children. The household was full of conflicts and complicated relationships.

As the eldest daughter-in-law with a gentle disposition, she couldn't assist her mother-in-law in the struggles among the wives and concubines, which made her unpopular with her mother-in-law. Her first child was a daughter. To secure the position of the eldest grandson, her mother-in-law arranged a concubine for her husband before she had even finished her postpartum confinement.

Thus, Ye Ruhui's life in the Su family was truly unhappy. She was too overwhelmed to return to her maiden home for many years, only going back once for Ye Jiaxing's wedding as the eldest grandson of the Ye family. If Ye Yaming hadn't married into the capital, she might never have seen this eldest aunt.

Typically, inner chamber women like them, living in comfort with servants attending to them and no need to labor, should appear younger than women outside. For instance, Yin Shi, nearly forty, looked only in her thirties.

But Ye Ruhui appeared older than her actual age. She had heavy eye bags, many fine wrinkles on her face, and surprisingly, a lot of white hair.

She wore a light brown dress with a sapphire blue jacket, minimal jewelry, and approached with an old matron and a maid.

Seeing Yin Shi crouch to pay respects, she quickly stopped her: "Second sister-in-law, no need for such formalities." Then, to the three girls who were bowing, she said: "Rise, rise quickly."

After Yin Shi and the others stood up, she looked at Ye Yaming and said: "This must be Ming'er? Even as a child, you were a beauty, and now you've grown even more stunning—so dazzling you could blind your eldest aunt."

Worried that the two younger girls might feel slighted, she added: "These two are also very beautiful."

Pausing, she looked at Ye Yayin, then at Ye Yayu, noticing that although the two girls were about the same age, their appearances differed, and there was some difference in height.

She turned to Yin Shi, about to ask in surprise, when Ye Yaming quickly interjected: "Eldest Aunt, this is Yayin, and this is Yayu."

As she spoke, she winked at Ye Ruhui.

Ever since Cai Shi was sent away from the Ye family, no one dared mention her in front of Ye Yayu. At first, Ye Yayu cried for her mother, but somehow her wet nurse must have explained things to her, and gradually she stopped asking and no longer mentioned Cai Shi.

Understanding Ye Yaming's hint, Ye Ruhui promptly said: "So it's Yayin and Yayu. You've grown so much, your eldest aunt hardly recognizes you."

"Eldest Sister, let's go inside to talk," Yin Shi suggested.

"Alright, alright."

After entering the hall and sitting down, Ye Ruhui gave Ye Yaming a wedding gift—a set of head ornaments.

Naturally, Ye Yaming politely declined.Ye Ruhui quickly grasped her hand and said, "Ming'er, there's no need to be so formal with your aunt. If you marry well, your aunt can share in your glory. You don't know this, but ever since learning you're to marry the heir of Marquis Xuanwu, even my mother-in-law dares not vent her anger on me so freely anymore."

Not just her mother-in-law, but even her husband—who doted on his concubine and hadn't stayed in her room for ages—had started treating her differently.

Her words carried a tinge of sorrow.

Ye Yaming said, "Aunt, your blessings are yet to come. I've heard your son is clever and capable, highly regarded by his father. Once he marries, you can look forward to a life of ease."

Ye Ruhui had given birth to two daughters before finally having a son. Her son was two years younger than Ye Yaming.

Old Master Su had a concubine-born eldest son before his legitimate younger son—this alone revealed the Su family's lack of propriety. In earlier years, Ye Hongchang often stayed in the capital and maintained contact with Ye Ruhui, which prevented Old Master Su from treating his wife too harshly.

In recent years, as the Ye family's business expanded and Ye Yaming became engaged to a noble from the capital, Old Master Su's attitude toward them changed significantly. Starting last year, he began taking his legitimate son under his wing to learn the trade.

Fortunately, her son was intelligent and ambitious, giving Ye Ruhui some hope for her later years.

"Yes, yes," Yin Shi chimed in with a few comforting words.

Seeing Ye Ruhui's circumstances, Yin Shi felt profoundly grateful. In truth, Ye Ruhui's life represented what most women endured: suffering under a mother-in-law's tyranny, competing with concubines for favor, and desperately striving to bear sons.

Yin Shi counted herself exceedingly fortunate to have married into the Ye family and to Ye Hongsheng.

Had she been in a family like the Su's—bearing two daughters without subsequent pregnancies—she would likely have lost her standing long ago. Thinking this, Ye Ruhui's possession of a son didn't necessarily mean she lived better than Yin Shi did.

...

Several days later, at the Meng residence.

"What's going on? Has that Ye Yaming still not left her residence?" Seeing that Ye Yaming's party had been in the capital for seven days with Jiaxing and Jiawang reporting daily that she hadn't ventured out, while Jia'an pressed incessantly, Meng Xianzong could no longer sit still.

Once Ye Yaming married, he wouldn't dare attempt this. Being caught would bring entirely different consequences—after all, she would hold a fourth-rank Imperial Mandate from the court.

"Not yet," Jiaxing replied with bowed head, his thoughts already wandering elsewhere.

Before the Meng family's decline, he and Jiawang had befriended the son of a minor landowner. The three shared similar interests and often schemed together. Recently, he noticed their friend spending lavishly, radiating confidence. Upon inquiry, he learned the fellow had made a fortune through business ventures.

After much gifting and emotional appeals, they finally discovered their friend had partnered with someone in the porcelain trade who needed capital due to recent family troubles. Their friend only provided funds—handling neither procurement nor sales—yet took thirty percent of the profits for half the investment.

Jiaxing and Jiawang had money but their Indentured Servant Contracts remained in Meng Xianzong's possession, preventing them from leaving. This hands-off investment opportunity suited them perfectly. They were persistently persuading their friend to let them join the venture.

But their friend refused, fearing the Meng family would cause trouble if they found out.

This bred resentment in Jiaxing and Jiawang toward Meng Xianzong, making them hope the Ye family matter would conclude quickly.As a result, Ye Yaming was like a turtle, holed up in her residence and refusing to come out.

Seeing Jiaxing like this, Meng Xianzong wanted to lose his temper.

But remembering that the family still relied on them to handle matters, he had to suppress his anger and said, "Think of a way to lure her out. Jia'an has been urging us repeatedly."

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