Although she hadn’t suffered any loss in the end and had fought back, it ultimately became meaningless. So she devised a plan to leave the Li household.

Even during her time in the brothel, she had seen through men’s true faces. After this experience, she understood more clearly that someone like her should no longer have expectations of men.

Though Song Yifeng had feelings for her, after seeing how he treated the Ye family and his former fiancée, Zi Jin completely disapproved of this person. She was crystal clear about Song Yifeng’s intentions.

Song Yifeng simply wanted to gain both a person and wealth without paying any price.

Not knowing her background, he might consider taking her as a concubine, but if he learned of her past, the best outcome would be keeping her as a mistress outside his household. Given his previous poverty, current financial difficulties, and the fact that even as an official in the future he wouldn’t earn much salary, she would likely still have to pay for her food, clothing, and expenses, while he would just come by occasionally to spend the night.

To him, this might be the greatest favor he could bestow upon her, but in Zi Jin’s view, he was simply getting something for nothing.

Only if she were insane would she entrust her life to such a man.

After hearing Zi Jin’s explanation, her aunt realized the truth and immediately sighed, consoling her: “When we leave this place for a small town in the south, we’ll buy a house, start a small business, and find you an honest man who doesn’t mind your background. Then you can marry and live a good life.”

Zi Jin nodded, “Good.”

With her beauty and skills, it wouldn’t be difficult to captivate a man’s heart. Although she no longer had expectations of men, life was too difficult for two women living alone. There would be constant harassment from idle men at their door, and nearby women would see them as potential rivals.

So marriage was inevitable. If she chose carefully, she could find a reasonably suitable man.

When Song Yifeng returned home, he explained everything to Madam Yu, who naturally disliked this woman who had seduced her son.

However, given their desperate situation and her unwillingness to spend their meager remaining funds, after weighing the pros and cons, she reluctantly agreed.

After all, her son had promised he wouldn’t marry a woman like Zi Jin.

Thus, two days later, Mama Cui found a house, and the four of them moved to a location far from their original residence.

…

At the Ye household, Ye Yaming was studying Jin Dynasty laws when Zi Yuan, a second-rank maid in the courtyard, came running in and reported: “Miss, the in-law’s elderly master has arrived.”

Ye Yaming was startled for a moment before realizing Zi Yuan was referring to Yin De’an.

The news about Song Yifeng had spread across half of Lin’an city, and Yin De’an had come to the Ye family to inquire about the truth after hearing the rumors.

Ye Yaming thought for a moment and said to Zi Yuan: “The elderly master didn’t summon me, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go over. Go and find out what my maternal grandfather said.”

Zi Yuan accepted the command and left.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she returned and reported: “The in-law’s elderly master asked our elderly master what happened, so our elderly master told him about Young Master Song coming to our house to break off the engagement, and also described the circumstances of that day to the in-law’s elderly master.”

Mentioning Song Yifeng, she raised her eyes to secretly observe Ye Yaming, fearing that she might be heartbroken and upset.

Seeing that Ye Yaming’s expression remained calm, showing no particular emotion, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued: “After hearing this, the in-law’s elderly master felt very ashamed and remorseful. He repeatedly said that he had misjudged and apologized to our elderly master. Our elderly master said he didn’t blame the in-law’s elderly master, since he also hadn’t recognized Song Yifeng as that kind of person.”

Ye Yaming nodded.

The trap she had set, which led Song Yifeng to take the initiative in breaking off the engagement, was firstly to maintain control of the situation and secondly to provide an explanation to Yin De’an and Madam Yin.

If the Ye family had taken the initiative to break off the engagement, Yin De’an would certainly have objected and demanded justice for his student. Madam Yin would also have had her suspicions.

Now that Song Yifeng had shown ingratitude first and taken the initiative to break off the engagement, no matter how much Yin De’an favored Song Yifeng or regretted the broken engagement, he couldn’t utter a single word of blame against the Ye family. All he could do was feel remorse and apologize.

“Has my maternal grandfather left?” she asked.

“Yes. After apologizing, the in-law’s elderly master left with a pained expression. He said he heard the rumors at the private school and came immediately, without telling anyone at home. Our elderly master invited him to stay for a meal and suggested that the mistress, you, and Fourth Miss come out to greet him and chat, but he refused and left directly.”

“All right,” Ye Yaming picked up her book again, her gaze falling on the pages as she instructed, “When the mistress calls for me, report it.”

“Yes.”

Zi Yuan quietly withdrew.

Sure enough, not long after, someone came from Madam Yin’s side to summon her, saying they wanted to take Ye Yaming back to her maternal home for a visit.

Ye Yaming frowned. Just as she was about to get up, she saw Mei’er, the senior maid of Elder Madam Ye, enter. After bowing to Ye Yaming, Mei’er said: “When the mistress went to request permission from the elder madam, the elder madam told the mistress that she should return to her maiden home alone, without bringing the young miss. Fearing that a young maid might not explain clearly, the elder madam sent me to inform the young miss.”

Ye Yaming’s furrowed brow finally relaxed.

She wasn’t afraid to meet the Yin family members. After all, regarding the broken engagement, she was the victim, and there was no reason to blame her anywhere.

But she was truly tired of pretending. Having to act heartbroken and upset while listening to people’s comfort or criticism of Song Yifeng was neither comfortable nor meaningful to her.

…

Although the matter of Song Yifeng was said to be completely handled by Ye Yaming, Ye Chongming and Elder Madam Ye were still concerned. Though they didn’t want to inquire daily, they had instructed Zhou Xiang to report any new developments regarding Song Yifeng.

Therefore, on the evening when Song Yifeng moved, Zhou Xiang reported this matter to the elderly couple.

Zhou Xiang had already informed the elderly couple about how Song Yifeng was receiving cold shoulders and ostracism at the prefectural school, and the criticism that the Song mother and son faced in the alley two days earlier.

Now, hearing that Song Yifeng and his mother had moved and were living with the aunt and niece Zi Jin, Ye Chongming, and Elder Madam Ye knew that the next move in Ye Yaming’s plan had begun.

Both were kind-hearted people, with Elder Madam Ye, being a woman, having an even softer heart than Ye Chongming.

She said to Ye Chongming: “Now that the Song family has lost their money and their reputation is ruined at the prefectural school, isn’t this punishment enough? Minister Wang has already shown his disdain for Song Yifeng, so using female charms to further damage Song Yifeng’s reputation seems unnecessary, doesn’t it?”

After all, regarding romantic affairs, men could understand each other and didn’t consider it a serious matter.

Song Yifeng was merely ungrateful, he hadn’t done anything truly terrible. Now that his reputation was ruined in both official and scholarly circles, the punishment seemed sufficient without needing to be too ruthless.

In his heart, Ye Chongming also felt it was enough.

But he deeply admired and loved his granddaughter Ye Yaming, and wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill of her, even if that person was his wife.