Glory

In the past, she might have dismissed Ye Yaming's words, viewing her as a naive young girl. But ever since Ye Yaming had offered Ye Chongming numerous suggestions and been repeatedly praised by him for her great wisdom, Xia Momo had begun to regard this girl she had watched grow up with newfound respect.

"Song Yifeng is an ambitious man," Ye Yaming continued. "His goal isn't merely to break off our engagement, but to marry the daughter of the Education Commissioner or other officials, using these shortcuts to climb the ladder of success. So even if Yu Ling'er tries to seduce him, he won't make that mistake. If the Yu family were to cause trouble, how could he ever gain the favor of those important officials?"

"Moreover, if Yu Ling'er actually succeeded in seducing him and capturing his heart, what do you think he would do? Would he break off our engagement to marry Yu Ling'er?"

Old Madam Ye and Xia Momo froze, exchanged glances, and simultaneously shook their heads.

Definitely not.

Old Madam Ye said, "The Song family—not to mention Yu Shi—even Song Yifeng himself has grand ambitions. The Yu family only runs a small business. Song Yifeng doesn't even value our family with our large enterprise, so how could he possibly marry the Yu family's daughter? Taking her as a concubine would be more likely."

The area where the Song family currently lived belonged to a lower-middle-class neighborhood, where housing prices weren't particularly high.

Their neighbors, the Yu family, were in the bean product business. The women made bean products at home, Yu Ling'er's father sold them at the market, and her brother delivered goods to wealthy households that placed custom orders. The whole family worked tirelessly, barely making ends meet and just managing to stay clothed and fed.

The Ye family had shown kindness to the Song family, and Ye Yaming would have given Song Yifeng her very heart if she could. Yet he showed no gratitude whatsoever and treated Ye Yaming with complete indifference, proving himself to be cold-hearted and unfeeling.

How could such a person give up a good marriage prospect for Yu Ling'er and be willing to marry her?

Ye Yaming nodded: "So, if we have Yu Ling'er seduce Song Yifeng, even if he develops feelings for her, he would only abandon any thought of breaking off the engagement. He would definitely marry me first, then take Yu Ling'er as his concubine."

"Therefore, the idea of using Yu Ling'er to seduce him, creating rumors about their affair to force him to break off the engagement should be abandoned. Even if you catch him in an affair, what can you do about it? In the end, it would only result in him gaining another concubine—nothing more!"

Xia Momo was left speechless, her expression embarrassed. Old Madam Ye also fell silent.

Two old women who considered themselves experts in household schemes had been completely defeated.

Xia Momo stammered, "Then what should we do?"

"This matter isn't urgent," Ye Yaming said. "Actually, we don't need to exert much effort. Isn't Meng Chengwei planning to spread rumors? Perhaps when the Song mother and son hear the gossip, they'll try to find a way to break off the engagement themselves."

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, as if struck by inspiration: "Actually, Xia Momo, your idea isn't entirely unworkable. But we shouldn't involve any respectable young women."

She looked at Xia Momo: "Xia Momo, do you know of any exceptionally beautiful and talented women from a brothel?"

Old Madam Ye: "..."

Xia Momo: "..."

Xia Momo stared at Ye Yaming, her expression dazed and speechless.

Ye Yaming was amused by her reaction.

This Xia Momo, who thought herself so clever, was actually just a woman with no practical experience, having only heard about some underhanded tactics from others.The Ye family's inner quarters were truly upright and proper.

Old Mrs. Ye suddenly became very interested in her granddaughter's schemes. However, she didn't ask Ye Yaming what she intended to do.

Some plans shouldn't be overheard by others.

She said, "There should be some. I'll send someone to inquire."

Jiangnan was prosperous and a place of literary excellence, never lacking in talented and beautiful women from brothels. What Ye Yaming needed wasn't just talent and beauty, but someone willing to work for the Ye family. She understood this and would send someone to make thorough inquiries.

Ye Yaming bowed to Old Mrs. Ye. "Thank you, Grandmother."

She added, "I also need a few clever people who can gather information. Please help me select some, Grandmother."

"Alright," Old Mrs. Ye nodded with a smile.

"What about this old servant then?" Xia Momo grew anxious when she saw there was nothing for her to do.

"You can maintain contact with Xiao Xiang from time to time and keep an eye on the Song family's situation."

Ye Yaming said seriously, "But it's best if you don't personally contact Xiao Xiang. Send an unfamiliar maid instead, or go through the female family members of those shop managers and clerks. Otherwise, if Yu Shi discovers it, we'll be fine, but Xiao Xiang's fate would be tragic."

Xia Momo's expression changed, and she nodded vigorously. "Alright, this old servant remembers."

Seeing Ye Yaming consider things from Xiao Xiang's perspective, Old Mrs. Ye sighed with emotion. "If not for our family's support, Song Yifeng wouldn't even have enough to eat, let alone study. Yet he shows no gratitude at all. Tell me, how can he be so ungrateful?"

"Not everyone has a conscience," Ye Yaming said calmly.

In her previous life, she had a close friend who married a university classmate—a husband from a poor family. After graduation, he entered her family's company and climbed to a high position. When her father passed away, her friend discovered that not only did her husband have a mistress outside, but also a son who wasn't much younger than her daughter.

When she filed for divorce, the man wasn't afraid. He had already acquired company shares, bought several properties outside, and obtained a significant portion of the assets.

During a gathering back then, a friend who studied psychology analyzed the mentality of such husbands from poor families.

To become such a man, one must possess exceptional looks and talent. These golden phoenixes rising from humble origins are inherently extremely proud, and rightfully so. After marrying into a wealthy family, due to their background, they are often looked down upon in their wife's family and social circles. This combination of pride and inferiority easily warps their psychology, breeding resentment toward their wife's family and the wife herself.

Although there are those with strong mental fortitude who are grateful and love their wives, the vast majority of such husbands indeed fit this analysis. Some might not keep mistresses or seek divorce, but they adopt a resigned attitude in marriage. And how many such marriages are truly happy?

...

While the Ye family was holding various meetings, Meng Chengwei waited left and right, but Ye Jiaxing never emerged from the Ye residence. As dinner time approached, there wasn't even a reply from Ye Jiaxing. Instead, he received news that Ye Chongming had already returned from the mountains.

With Ye Chongming back, his scheme to seize Estate Holders could no longer be concealed. His last chance to make a desperate attempt through Ye Jiaxing had vanished.

Meng Chengwei slammed his teacup onto the table, took a deep breath, and ordered his servant, "Go, spread the rumors even wider."

"Yes," the servant hurried out.From today onward, they had the loafers outside spread some rumors.