He defended her: “Yaming has her reasons for what she does. Song Yifeng wronged her. As her grandparents, we shouldn’t protect others at the expense of our own child’s feelings.”

Elder Madam Ye fell silent.

This was indeed true.

When Zhou Xiang was summoned by Ye Chongming, he had someone notify Ye Yaming. Regarding this matter, Ye Yaming had something to say to the elderly couple.

If she didn’t explain herself clearly, it wouldn’t be good to leave an impression of ruthlessness in her grandparents’ minds.

Though she didn’t care how others viewed her, when harmony could be maintained through communication, why remain silent and let others misunderstand?

Hearing Ye Chongming’s words as she reached the doorway, she felt happy, and a smile appeared on her face.

She stepped over the threshold, first performed a respectful bow to the two elders, and said: “Regarding this matter, I have something to say to Grandfather and Grandmother, which is why I specifically instructed Zhou Xiang to notify me when he came to report to you.”

Zhou Xiang gave Ye Yaming a grateful look.

If Ye Yaming didn’t explain this matter, once Ye Chongming and Elder Madam Ye found out later, they would certainly harbor misgivings toward him.

“Oh? What do you have to say?” Ye Chongming asked with interest.

He was genuinely curious about Ye Yaming’s next move. If arranging for Zi Jin to approach Song Yifeng was merely using female charms to damage his reputation, he felt the tactic was too superficial and naive, unlike Ye Yaming’s style.

Ye Yaming smiled at him, then turned to look at Elder Madam Ye: “Grandmother, do you think I’m being too ruthless? You’ve always taught us to be kind and forgiving, not to quibble over petty matters with others.”

If Ye Yaming had only asked the first question, Elder Madam Ye would naturally have denied it. Her husband was right—there was no reason why their child should suffer grievances without being able to express her anger.

But the latter statement was what she often taught her granddaughters. If she denied it, she would be contradicting herself.

She said: “While I don’t think you’re being too ruthless, I do believe it’s time to stop and let go of the Song Yifeng matter. Only by letting go can you truly put him behind you. Putting him behind you means freeing yourself as well.”

She felt her words were particularly zen-like, and nodded her head after speaking.

“I could let him go. But given his character, now that he’s fallen to such a state, if he passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, would he spare our Ye family?” Ye Yaming asked.

Ye Chongming was startled, and his expression immediately turned serious.

Elder Madam Ye was also frightened and stuttered: “He-he wouldn’t, would he?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Ye Yaming said calmly, “At the prefectural school, he’s like a rat crossing the street—people may not actively chase him, but they certainly avoid him. He used to live comfortably and spend generously, but now he depends on others and feels embarrassed even to buy a book due to lack of money.”

“Before, our family sent him money and gifts, showing him the utmost respect, yet simply because we had money while he didn’t, because we were the givers, he resented us. Now that we’ve brought him to such a state, wouldn’t he harbor a deep hatred for us?”

Ye Chongming and Elder Madam Ye fell silent.

Having lived most of their lives, their rich experiences allowed them to understand human nature. They knew that Ye Yaming’s words hit the nail on the head.

Did Song Yifeng hate the Ye family? Definitely! Would he seek revenge if he gained power? Certainly!

A chill ran through the elderly couple.

“Therefore, since we’ve started this, we can’t stop halfway. If we don’t knock him down completely and ensure he can never rise again, this matter will have endless consequences,” Ye Yaming said.

“You’re right,” Ye Chongming sighed, “Your grandmother and I have lived a long life, yet we don’t see as deeply or clearly as you do.”

Elder Madam Ye said shamefully, “Grandmother was wrong. I shouldn’t have thought of you that way.”

“Do as you see fit,” Ye Chongming said, then added with emotion, “No wonder people say wealth doesn’t last beyond three generations.”

Why doesn’t wealth last beyond three generations? Not because later generations squander it, but because they’ve been comfortable since childhood, never experienced the hardships of life or the treachery of human nature.

Like himself, having been pampered since childhood and sailing smoothly through life, he saw everyone as good people. This nearly led him into a trap without even realizing it.

“Also, do whatever you plan to do next, and I won’t have Zhou Xiang come to question you anymore. Grandfather trusts you,” Ye Chongming added.

Ye Yaming gratefully stood up and bowed: “Thank you, Grandfather and Grandmother.”

As promised, Ye Chongming did not inquire further about the matter.

In truth, even if he had asked, he wouldn’t have learned much. Ye Yaming knew that some things couldn’t be rushed—rushing would reveal one’s intentions. Patience brings smoothness.

So for the next ten to fifteen days, she took no action, only continuing to have people watch Song’s mother and son along with Zi Jin and her aunt.

Yes, to prevent any unforeseen complications, despite having hired Zi Jin and her aunt, she remained cautious, worrying that Zi Jin might develop feelings for Song Yifeng and turn against her.

She had already told Zi Jin that she could only send her away after the New Year. After all, with late autumn arriving, the rivers freezing, and travel becoming difficult, leaving Lin’an wouldn’t be easy, and falling ill on the journey could be life-threatening.

She said this also because she worried that Zi Jin might act hastily and reveal their plans.

Unexpectedly, while she took no action, good news arrived from Zi Jin.

“What did you say?” Ye Yaming looked at Zhou Xiang in surprise.

Zhou Xiang took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Ye Yaming: “This was copied by Miss Zi Jin.”

Ye Yaming quickly took the paper and examined it carefully.

After looking at it for a moment, she raised her head in confusion, waving the paper in her hand: “What is this writing?”

Zhou Xiang suddenly smiled: “Miss Zi Jin is cautious in her actions, fearing that if this paper fell into others’ hands, it could bring her deadly trouble. So she copied this text in an alternating pattern. You must read the first, third, fifth characters and so on, and after finishing the first line, read the second, fourth, sixth characters.”

Ye Yaming raised her eyebrows, expressing admiration for Zi Jin: “She’s indeed cautious, clever, and quick-witted.”

“But not as clever as you, Miss,” Zhou Xiang replied.

He wasn’t flattering her; these were his true feelings.

When the young miss made this move initially, everyone thought she was using female charm to make Wang Wenzhi unwilling to marry his daughter to Song Yifeng, thus ruining Song Yifeng’s plan to attach himself to a powerful family. Who would have known she was sending Zi Jin as a spy to infiltrate the Song household, all to obtain Song Yifeng’s written work?

He couldn’t understand how the young miss knew Song Yifeng would write such an article. According to Miss Zi Jin, Song Yifeng had only written this yesterday.

After reading the article in her hand, Ye Yaming smiled contentedly: “Perfect.”

It was truly a case of searching far and wide only to find what you need without effort.

She had the original owner’s memories, and in those memories, Song Yifeng liked to write poems and essays criticizing and cursing others whenever he encountered unpleasant situations.