Upon hearing this, Ye Yaming’s face revealed disgust.

“Keep the son, discard the mother”—it seemed that Madam Kong was no pushover either. There wasn’t a single decent person in the Meng family.

Indeed, when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beams will be askew. How could parents who raised someone like Meng Chengwei be any better themselves?

Yun’er continued: “Most of the Meng family’s servants have been sold. Excluding maids and elderly female servants, there are only three or four useful male servants left. Yesterday, a servant named Jia’an disguised himself as a peddler to gather information at the Ye family’s gate. Today, two other servants named Jiawang and Jiaxing have been keeping watch outside our main gate. Jia’an has been associating with a young master from a family surnamed Qian recently, who knows what mischief they’re plotting.”

“What’s the situation with the Qian family? What kind of person is this young master Qian?” Ye Yaming asked.

Yun’er explained the circumstances of the Qian family and Qian Yongshou.

The young master’s name was Qian Yongshou. His grandfather had been a third-rank official but had passed away from illness more than ten years ago. The Qian family had only a single male heir in each generation. His father was an unremarkable man who had taken several concubines but only managed to produce Qian Yongshou as his sole heir, spoiling him to the point where he didn’t know his limits.

Upon hearing that Qian Yongshou was a lecherous man, Ye Yaming snorted derisively.

The Meng family was using such low-class tactics again.

But it didn’t matter if the trick was old as long as it worked. If they succeeded, even if she wasn’t molested, just being verbally harassed would prevent her from moving freely in noble women’s circles in the capital. The Meng family would certainly use this incident to stir up trouble.

Judging from Lu Guanyi’s popularity among young women in Lin’an, it couldn’t be much different in the capital. Previously, Yun’er had helped her gather information about Lu Guanyi, and she knew that even when Lu Guanyi wasn’t the heir and had a difficult stepmother at home, many noble ladies were willing to marry him just for his handsome face.

These noble ladies, knowing that Lu Guanyi had refused to marry them and instead chosen a lowly merchant’s daughter, probably couldn’t stand the sight of her.

If these noble ladies learned what Meng Xianzong was planning, who knew what trouble they might cause, not only humiliating her in public but also forcing her to leave the capital.

Although she would mainly reside in Lin’an in the future and wouldn’t often come to the capital, there was a difference between not coming and not being able to stay. She wouldn’t tolerate such humiliation.

Besides, she was tired of being constantly on guard. Since the Meng family wouldn’t behave themselves, she would deal them a fatal blow.

As for Consort Min and the Third Princess, if they truly protected the Meng family, they probably already harbored deep hatred toward the Ye family and herself. Even if she didn’t retaliate against the Meng family’s schemes, Consort Min and the Third Princess would hate her regardless, so a little more animosity wouldn’t make a difference.

The imperial court still needed her to produce black tea. If things escalated, it wasn’t certain that the Emperor would protect Consort Min and the Third Princess.

She instructed Yun’er: “I understand everything you’ve told me. Go find Zan’er. Among the people he brought, there’s someone called Zheng Lin. Have him disguise himself as a merchant from another province and approach these Meng family servants. Tell him to mention a porcelain business opportunity that could earn several thousand taels of silver, enticing them to pursue this deal.”

Yun’er blinked: “Miss, are you planning to…”

He vaguely guessed what Ye Yaming intended to do, but still wanted to clarify to avoid making mistakes that could ruin her plan.

“Servants have no right to own private property; everything belongs to their masters. They’ve been loyal dogs for so many years, and the Meng family used to be wealthy. Their fortunes might even exceed what the Meng family has now.”

“Previously, when the Meng family had money and power, they were content to enjoy the shade of a big tree and the benefits that came with it. Now that the Meng family has fallen, they probably want to leave. However, Meng Xianzong finds them useful, so how could he possibly let them go? One party wants to partner with others in business and regain their freedom, while the other refuses to release them. Guess what the outcome will be?”

As she said this, Ye Yaming revealed a cold smile.

Yun’er’s eyes brightened, and he praised: “Excellent idea.”

The Meng family repeatedly tried to use others to do their dirty work, but they could also let the Meng household turn on itself. They would merely provide bait, and given how ruthless Jia’an and the others were, they might even go back and eliminate Meng Xianzong’s family.

If something happened to the Meng family at the hands of their servants, it wouldn’t be connected to the Ye family, and they wouldn’t get into trouble. Miss’s strategy was truly brilliant.

“Help Zheng Lin rent a shop and stock some goods. For whatever funds you need, get them from Zan’er. Also, offer him advice on handling this matter well. Once this is over, I’ll transfer Zheng Lin to work in Huizhou. After a couple of years, when things have settled down, he can return to my service if he wishes.”

“I’ll go find Brother Zan right away,” he said enthusiastically. “We’ll make sure to handle this properly.”

Ye Yaming nodded: “You’re capable. These past two years, we’ve relied heavily on you here in the capital.”

Yun’er quickly bowed: “It’s my good fortune to serve Miss.. Doing my job is my duty; I dare not claim credit.”

Ye Yaming asked further: “What was your original surname?”

Yun’er looked up at Ye Yaming, his heart pounding: “My original surname was Ma.”

He wasn’t sure if Miss’s question about his surname meant what he thought it might.

“I was previously in the Ye family, only as the succeeding family head without many steward positions under me. After I’m married, you will all be on my attendants’ list. I will promote you and Song’er to junior stewards, and Zan’er to head steward. You’ve been loyal and capable, doing so much for me. I’ve seen it all and won’t treat you unfairly.”

Yun’er and Zan’er, who were standing nearby, fell to their knees with a “thud” and kowtowed to Ye Yaming, exclaiming emotionally: “Thank you, Miss.”

Zan’er never imagined that he, an ordinary servant, would rise to become a head steward just by following the right master. In these few years, he had not only learned much from Miss but would now make such a leap in status. He couldn’t help but let tears roll from his eyes.

Yun’er felt the same way.

Although they didn’t have the title of stewards these past two years, they had received considerable monthly wages and rewards. Miss was truly generous to her subordinates. As long as one worked diligently, she wouldn’t treat them unfairly.

Ye Yaming then said to Bai Rui and others: “Bai Rui and Lu’E will temporarily remain by my side, but your treatment will be the same as Zan’er’s. After you are married, you will be promoted to stewardess aunties, with Zi Yuan and Qing Zhi replacing you as senior maids.”

Bai Rui and Lu’E quickly expressed their gratitude.

“Alright, Yun’er and Zan’er, go attend to your duties now. If you’re uncertain about anything, Yun’er, come directly to me with your questions; don’t hesitate too much. As for Zheng Lin, after you take him out of the estate, tell him not to come here anymore. If he has anything to report, have him contact you through your informants.”

This Yun’er was the most capable among the first batch of trainees from Sun An’s program. He had originally been a servant in the household of an official from the capital who went to serve in another province. Later, when the official got into trouble and his servants were sold off, he was selected and purchased by a steward from the Qi family and sent to the Ye family.