Glory

After all, the Ye family's status and position were far inferior to the Meng family, not to mention that Meng Chengwei had the backing of Min Fei and the Third Princess she had given birth to. Moreover, in this lifetime, the Ye family's Tea Silver had not been stolen, and Ye Hongchang had only suffered minor injuries. In the eyes of Lu Guanyi and Qi Zhifu, the punishment Meng Chengwei had received was already sufficient.

Ye Yaming was not one to torment herself unnecessarily. In any case, the original host's wish was to change the fate of the Ye family and her own.

Now, the Ye family's fate had already been altered. Not only had Ye Yaming prevented them from falling into Meng Chengwei's trap and heading down that path of no return, but she would also ensure their future path was even broader. As long as she was around and the Ye descendants did not bring about their own downfall, she could ensure the Ye family's prosperity for another generation or two.

In her view, the task of changing the Ye family's fate had not only been accomplished perfectly but had exceeded expectations. It was time to consider the mission complete.

As for Meng Chengwei, if he refrained from provoking the Ye family in the future, they would go their separate ways without interference. But if he sought revenge, Ye Yaming was confident he would face the consequences of his own actions and suffer a backlash.

Now, all she needed to do was break off the engagement with Song Yifeng, and the original host could rest in peace and move on to her next life.

With this in mind, she said to Ye Chongming, "Grandfather, you said I could ask you for anyone I needed. Does that still hold true?"

Ye Chongming was taken aback for a moment but immediately nodded. "Of course, it still holds true."

He added, "Just tell me how many people you need and who they are."

"I need unfamiliar but clever young men. If you happen to know any trustworthy loafers or troublemakers, that would be even better. I'll take them all."

Ye Chongming thought for a moment. With Meng Chengwei already dealt with, the only person Ye Yaming might need people to handle now was likely Song Yifeng.

Without asking further, he simply said, "Alright, I'll select a few people and have Zhou Xiang bring them to you later. As for the loafers and troublemakers, I'll have Zhou Xiang provide you with a list."

Ye Yaming flashed a bright smile. "Thank you, Grandfather."

Ye Chongming opened his mouth, wanting to comfort Ye Yaming. After all, no young woman would be happy in such a situation.

But he didn't know how to console her and could only say awkwardly, "After the engagement is broken off, I'll find you a better match. If you prefer a matrilocal marriage, I'll carefully select someone for you to ensure you never have to face such a situation again."

"Alright," Ye Yaming agreed without hesitation.

In her modern life, she had seen plenty of wealthy families arranging marriages. Even the sons and daughters of those families had no freedom in marriage, let alone in this feudal era.

Besides, she had no expectations for marriage, and she knew Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye would not deceive her. Anyone they selected, especially after her own scrutiny, would definitely not lead her into trouble.

So, marrying a passable man in a matrilocal marriage, having a couple of children, managing the family business and household affairs as she saw fit, and raising the children with care—such a life seemed perfectly satisfactory to her. She desired nothing more.

Having experienced life and death, she had truly learned to let go of many things.

Although Ye Chongming had been busy dealing with Meng Chengwei during this period, he had also kept some attention on Song Yifeng. Old Madam Ye, unable to contribute much in the matter of Meng Chengwei, had done her best to investigate Song Yifeng's situation, whether out of her own volition or at her husband's urging.

Thus, during this time, both Yu Shi and Song Yifeng's words and actions had been under the watchful eyes of the elderly couple. They were well aware of the pair's attitude toward the Ye family and Ye Yaming.

The more they learned, the more dismayed and heartbroken they became. Old Madam Ye cursed them daily as "ungrateful wretches," while Ye Chongming could hardly wait to break off the engagement immediately.Unfortunately, she had been too busy earlier to handle it herself, but now Ye Yaming had to take matters into her own hands. Old Master Ye acted swiftly; shortly after Ye Yaming returned to her courtyard, Zhou Xiang arrived with five pages.

Zhou Xiang entered first and explained to Ye Yaming, "The Old Master spent half the morning carefully selecting, and only these few are considered clever and haven’t been seen around much outside. Presumably, you wouldn’t want those who aren’t clever—they wouldn’t be of help and might even cause trouble—so we didn’t just fill the numbers recklessly."

He continued, "However, there are still some clever lads available at the Tea Factory and Tea House. If you need them, I can summon them as well. Outside, we’re familiar with quite a few usable loafers and idlers. Whatever type you need, I can find them for you."

Tea houses were places where all sorts of people mingled. If you didn’t maintain good relations with the local loafers and idlers, they would cause trouble at your tea house every few days, and you wouldn’t be able to run your business.

Therefore, the Ye family sent some silver to the local underworld bosses in the area every year to ensure peace.

The underworld figures, seeing that the Ye family understood the ways, hoped for a steady, trouble-free income stream each year and thus restrained their subordinates from causing trouble. Sometimes, when the Gathering Fragrance Pavilion encountered issues, they even lent a hand. As a result, everyone coexisted peacefully and even developed some camaraderie.

If the Ye family were to target someone with power and influence, it wouldn’t work, but for someone like Song Yifeng, the underworld would be more than happy to take on the business.

Zhou Xiang, afraid that Ye Yaming might not understand, lowered his voice and carefully explained the intricacies to her.

Ye Yaming was very pleased. "Good."

She then asked, "Has the Old Master entrusted this matter to you, to dispatch these pages and liaise with the loafers and idlers?"

Zhou Xiang nodded and added, "Among the pages, there’s one named Laiyun who is more clever and capable than the others. He originally worked by Steward Li’s side. I’m often seen with the Old Master, so many people recognize me; Laiyun is less familiar. For any external liaison tasks, if you assign them to me, I’ll have Laiyun handle them."

Ye Yaming said, "Very well."

She then gave Zhou Xiang a series of instructions and had him coordinate with Xia Momo to understand the matter concerning Zijin.

Zhou Xiang had stood out among the pages to become Old Master Ye’s attendant, which naturally meant he was highly capable.

Within a few days, he had gathered the information Ye Yaming had asked him to find.

"Education Intendant Wang is named Wang Wenzhi, currently forty-two years old. He has five sons and four daughters, among whom the third and fourth daughters are not yet betrothed. Both are around fourteen or fifteen years old. The third daughter is born of a concubine, while the fourth is legitimate, and they are only about two or three months apart in age."

"Lord Wang greatly admires Song Yifeng’s essays. Song Yifeng often brings his writings to seek advice and sends small gifts. Their interactions are quite close. Lord Wang often regrets that Song Yifeng is already engaged and is the one who wishes to take him as a son-in-law."

Ye Yaming asked, "What is Lord Wang’s character like?"

Zhou Xiang hesitated for a moment before replying, "He should be considered upright. At least, he hasn’t done anything improper or been criticized. Everyone praises his talent—he ranked seventh in the Metropolitan Examination."

In the Great Jin dynasty, the Education Intendant was similar to the role in the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, or the Education Commissioner in the Qing dynasty. Although only holding the eighth rank and administratively under the prefectural government, because he was responsible for teaching and supervising the scholars of the prefecture and could directly report to the Chancellor of the National Academy on their conduct, his status was more elevated than that of ordinary prefectural officials.