Glory

This lean, wiry man was a skilled cat burglar, adept at scaling walls and pilfering goods. It would be extremely difficult for Yu Shi and others to detect him.

Once inside, he didn’t need to frequently climb back out. Instead, he would find an empty room to lie low in. When Song Yifeng returned home, an accomplice would raise a bamboo pole and wave it as a signal. The man would then sneak over and crouch beneath the window of the Song family’s main hall to eavesdrop.

The routines of the Song household were highly predictable. Song Yifeng and his mother relied on each other for support, and their bond was exceptionally close. After returning home, he would inevitably spend some time chatting with his mother in the main hall before retreating to his study to read.

The page followed Song Yifeng when he went out and, upon their return, tidied the study, prepared ink, and attended to other tasks. The cook usually stayed in the kitchen or busied herself with cleaning. The maid, Xiao Xiang, accompanied Yu Shi when she went out and, after returning, remained on standby to carry out Yu Shi’s orders.

The Song family had few servants but plenty of chores. The three servants were constantly busy, like donkeys turning a millstone, with endless tasks to complete. Once their work was finally done, they preferred to stay in their own quarters and rarely ventured out unnecessarily.

This made it easy for the loafer to conceal himself. After observing the household’s patterns for a few days, if there was no particularly noteworthy information, he simply stayed inside the Song residence without leaving.

But today’s news was important. As soon as the Song family members had settled into their respective places, the loafer immediately scaled the wall to relay the information to his accomplice.

In less than an hour, the conversation between Song Yifeng and his mother, along with Song Yifeng’s recent movements, was reported by Zhou Xiang to Ye Yaming. When Ye Chongming returned home for dinner, Ye Yaming went to the main courtyard and relayed this information to him and Old Mrs. Ye.

Trusting Ye Yaming’s judgment, Ye Chongming had not intervened in the matter of breaking off the engagement. He merely summoned Zhou Xiang daily to inquire about the situation. Old Mrs. Ye was also deeply concerned about the progress.

Though aware of Ye Yaming’s plans, the elderly couple had many doubts. They had no control over Song Yifeng’s actions. What if Song Yifeng didn’t behave as Ye Yaming had anticipated?

Upon hearing Zhou Xiang’s report, Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye looked at Ye Yaming with astonishment.

Just the day before, the two had privately discussed whether this plan could succeed. After all, it was merely two strangers mentioning the matter of illicit tea in front of Song Yifeng. Without any concrete evidence, why would Song Yifeng take it seriously?

If Song Yifeng investigated and found no proof, wouldn’t Ye Yaming’s plan fail?

Old Mrs. Ye couldn’t help but ask Ye Yaming, “Why do you think they wouldn’t verify the information? What if it’s untrue? After all, it’s just hearsay.”

Ye Yaming smiled and replied, “The Song mother and son have been desperate to break off the engagement but previously had no valid reason. Now that a ready-made excuse has fallen into their laps, whether it’s true or not hardly matters. What’s most important is that they now have a legitimate reason to end the engagement without being labeled as ungrateful or heartless. That’s enough for them.”

Seeing her discuss the matter as if it were someone else’s affair, without a trace of emotion, Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye found it both strange and unsettling.

There is no grief greater than that of a heart that has died.

Ming’er had been so kind to the Song mother and son. Perhaps she had been hurt too deeply, which was why she appeared so detached. Or maybe she was putting on a brave face, pretending everything was fine while suppressing her pain to avoid worrying them?

Ye Chongming sighed inwardly, his resentment toward Song Yifeng growing stronger.

He asked Ye Yaming, “Do you think he will directly use this leverage to threaten us into breaking off the engagement, or will he first report it to Official Wang, who holds him in high regard?”"The outcome would be the same regardless," Ye Yaming said. "If he comes to threaten us and we refuse to admit it, wouldn’t he just turn around and report us to Lord Wang?"

The two elders: "..." That was indeed true.

"However, I suspect he won’t come to us first," Ye Yaming added.

She looked at Ye Chongming with a mischievous smile. "What if you, being timid, agree to break off the engagement as soon as he threatens you? Then he’d miss the chance to seek Lord Wang’s help. Even if he told Lord Wang the truth afterward, without evidence, Lord Wang wouldn’t believe him."

"Instead, he’d go to Lord Wang and lament, saying he’s torn upon hearing the news—unsure whether to stand on the side of justice or gratitude. He’d claim to regard Lord Wang as a father figure and, feeling utterly confused, seek his advice."

"If Lord Wang intends to take him as a son-in-law, he’d undoubtedly support breaking off the engagement without hesitation. If not, but still wishing him well, he’d advise him to verify the facts."

"Either way, he’d establish an image in Lord Wang’s mind of someone who remembers kindness but must prioritize righteousness, even at the cost of severing ties." Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye felt complex emotions, too complicated to put into words.

Finally, Ye Chongming instructed Zhou Xiang, "Keep a close watch on that side."

"Yes."

The next day, Zhou Xiang returned with admiration. "The situation unfolded exactly as the young lady predicted. Song Yifeng indeed went to Lord Wang and poured out his grievances. Lord Wang immediately advised him to break off the engagement."

He paused and added to Ye Chongming, "It’s possible Song Yifeng will come to you tomorrow to annul the engagement."

Although they had gone to great lengths precisely to achieve this outcome, and things were progressing exactly as anticipated, Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye were still deeply angered by this point.

They turned to look at Ye Yaming, only to find her expression still perfectly calm.

Noticing their gaze, Ye Yaming curved her eyes into a sweet smile and said to Ye Chongming, "Grandfather, tomorrow you must stay calm and not let that scoundrel upset you."

Old Mrs. Ye immediately grew anxious and urged Ye Chongming, "Yes, yes, you must keep your composure and not let anger get the better of you."

"Don’t worry, I won’t truly be angry," Ye Yaming said. "Just thinking about how, once this engagement is broken off, Ming’er can enter a matrilocal marriage and stay with our family forever—that thought alone dispels any anger."

Old Mrs. Ye quickly glanced at Ye Yaming and saw her nodding in agreement with a smile. "That’s the way to think about it."

Only then did Old Mrs. Ye feel relieved.

"Tomorrow, please send invitations to Young Master Lu, Qi Gongzi, and Master Wu to visit our home as guests," Ye Yaming suggested.

Ye Chongming’s eyes lit up as he immediately understood her intention.

He asked, "Is that appropriate? Will they come? What if they arrive but Song Yifeng doesn’t show up?"

"They will," Ye Yaming assured him. "We’ve just begun our collaboration. Although I’ve handed over the tea set designs, you still need to discuss the next steps and production quantities. As for Master Wu, given how much he has helped you, and with the added prestige of Young Master Lu and Qi Gongzi’s presence, he will certainly accept our invitation."

"As for Song Yifeng..." She sneered. "He’s desperate to break off the engagement and marry into Lord Wang’s family. Now that he has an excuse, he won’t wait a moment longer. If it weren’t so late today and he weren’t worried about Lord Wang’s reaction, he might even come to discuss breaking the engagement with you right now."

Ye Chongming nodded. "That’s good then."