After Lan’er left, she stayed for a while longer before taking her leave.

Not long after, Ye Chongming returned, and Ye Yaming went to the main courtyard to accompany her grandparents for dinner. She relayed to them what Yang Shu had said during her visit.

Grandmother Ye immediately frowned. “What does she mean by that? Does the Yang family wish to propose marriage to you?”

“That’s unclear,” replied Ye Yaming.

She couldn’t quite determine Yang Shu’s intentions. But from Yang Shu’s behavior, her visit to the Ye household was not as simple as hearing about Ye Yaming’s broken engagement and coming to check on her.

Ye Chongming said, “The Yang family currently has a poor reputation. If they could form a marriage alliance with our family, it would change their situation—that’s one reason. Secondly, hasn’t Meng Chengwei always coveted our tea-making secrets and craved our osmanthus tea? Our family’s tea maker is your father. If you married into the Yang family, wouldn’t your father give the Yang family some advice for your sake? This way, the Meng family would indirectly obtain our tea-making secrets.”

“Who cares? Our family won’t be forming marriage ties with them anyway,” Ye Yaming said.

She knew Ye Chongming’s words were meant to remind her that the Yang family’s marriage proposal harbored ill intentions.

Old Lady Ye had been secretly keeping an eye out for suitable candidates lately and took the opportunity to ask, “What kind of son-in-law do you want to bring into our family? Can you tell your grandfather and grandmother?”

Ye Yaming thought for a moment and said, “First, this person must have a clear mind and not be confused, always making muddled decisions that would anger me daily. That’s the most basic requirement. Next, I hope he would be good-looking, intelligent, and have a pleasant personality. Otherwise, if my children take after him and are ugly, stupid, and ill-tempered, wouldn’t I be bringing trouble upon myself?”

Ye Chongming: “…”

Old Lady Ye: “…”

These requirements didn’t seem particularly high, but would someone who was handsome, smart, and good-natured be willing to become a son-in-law of the Ye family?

Moreover, when speaking of marriage and having children, this child, Ming’er, was so calm, neither blushing nor showing any nervousness. It was as if she were discussing someone else’s affairs.

This child…

The two elders didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Ye Yaming paid them no mind, finished her meal at her own pace, and then took her leave.

After eating, she didn’t return directly to her courtyard but went for a walk in the garden.

In the water towns of Jiangnan, the Ye family residence had also channeled running water to create a pond, planted lotus flowers, and piled up artificial mountains and strange rocks. Trees and flowers were planted on both sides of the small path, with pavilions built at the corners. In spring and summer, the scenery here must be beautiful.

Unfortunately, it was now late autumn, and the pond was filled with withered lotus; the path was covered with fallen leaves, and the deciduous trees revealed their strong, sinewy branches.

The small path was swept every morning. But leaves fell continuously, and by evening, many had accumulated on the path, making a rustling sound when walked upon.

The servants from each courtyard were busy with their duties and wouldn’t come here without reason. The garden rarely had visitors. The “sha sha” sound of footsteps and occasional bird and insect calls only added to the tranquility of the place.

Ye Yaming loved this serenity.

Walking here, she could empty her mind, think about everything, or think about nothing. Even the desolate autumn scenery was extremely beautiful in her eyes.

Bai Rui and Lu’E usually took turns accompanying Ye Yaming. The two would not follow her together. But after she had taken two walks alone, when Ye Yaming came to the garden for another stroll, two people followed behind her.

As they walked, approaching the courtyard of the third branch of the family, Ye Yaming suddenly said, “Let’s go sit with the third branch for a while.”

“What?” Both maids looked at her, puzzled.

“After my engagement was broken, everyone in the household sent gifts to comfort me. Third Aunt and Fifth Sister both sent something. Although I returned gifts, I haven’t personally thanked them. Since we’re passing by, why don’t we go in and sit for a while?” Ye Yaming said.

“Alright,” the two maids agreed.

Lu’E went forward to knock on the door.

After a long while, an old woman came over, first opening the small window in the door to peek outside. Seeing Ye Yaming, she was quite surprised.

“Third Young Miss,” perhaps because she hadn’t smiled in a long time, her smile appeared somewhat stiff, “Do you need something?”

Ye Yaming explained her purpose.

The old woman hesitated for a moment, then apologetically said, “Our mistress has never liked seeing people. If I let you in without permission, I would certainly be punished by the mistress. Please wait here, Young Miss, while I inform my mistress, then I can let you in.”

Twelve years ago, when Third Master Ye Hongfan passed away, Old Lady Ye, worried about her third daughter-in-law’s grief, had Madam Tao and Madam Yin often visit Madam Cai—at that time, the fourth son Ye Hongrong wasn’t yet married, and Madam Zhang wasn’t in the picture.

Since then, Madam Cai had been blocking everyone like this, not letting them in.

Ye Yaming could understand Madam Cai’s behavior back then.

Just like after her broken engagement, whether she was heartbroken or not, she wouldn’t want everyone constantly coming to comfort her, preventing her wounds from healing. She preferred to have some quiet time.

Not only Ye Yaming, but Old Lady Ye and the others could understand this too.

But after a month, three months like this, the situation became unusual. It’s worth noting that Madam Cai was still pregnant at that time.

Old Lady Ye personally came to counsel Madam Cai; she also invited Madam Cai’s natal family to comfort her and had her stay at her parents’ home for a short while.

But Madam Cai still maintained her stance of not wanting to see visitors.

When her mother-in-law came, Madam Cai didn’t dare open the door, but she kept her head down and remained silent. When Madam Tao and Madam Yin came, she simply didn’t open the door.

Seeing that she wasn’t constantly in tears and her overall state seemed peaceful, and considering this daughter-in-law’s preference for solitude, Old Lady Ye let her be. She only arranged for a doctor to check on her regularly.

This situation continued even after Madam Cai gave birth to Ye Yayu, with no improvement.

When Ye Yayu was six or seven years old, Old Lady Ye saw that her granddaughter’s disposition was unsuitable—she was timid around people, lacking not only the demeanor of a Ye family young lady but also falling short compared to the countryside farmers.

She immediately told Madam Cai to send her daughter to the main courtyard, where she would personally teach Ye Yayu.

This infuriated Madam Cai, who cried nearly to the point of fainting, saying she only had this one child, and if her mother-in-law wouldn’t even let the child stay with her, what was the point of living?

Old Lady Ye was greatly frightened at the time and quickly said, “Never mind, never mind.” From then on, whenever she saw Ye Yayu, she would just sigh to herself, not daring to mention taking Ye Yayu to the main courtyard.

For her granddaughter’s sake, she encouraged the other four granddaughters to visit Ye Yayu often. But everyone was turned away at this door.

When Old Lady Ye questioned Madam Cai, she responded that Ye Yayu was scared and unwilling to go out and play.

What else could Old Lady Ye do? She could only give up.

But whenever Ye Yayu was mentioned, she would sigh: Would this granddaughter ever marry? When she did, would Madam Cai accompany her daughter to her husband’s family as an attendant?

The three waited at the door for a long time, until Lu’E couldn’t help but frown. Finally, the old woman returned slowly and apologetically said to Ye Yaming, “The mistress said she was merely expressing a small token of her feelings, and the Young Miss needn’t be too courteous. It’s getting late, and it will be dark soon. The mistress suggests the Young Miss return home, and she won’t invite the Young Miss in for tea.”