“What do you think about this matter?” Ye Yaming asked him.

“Make your own decision. You think more deeply and see further than your grandfather.”

As he spoke, Ye Chongming’s smile faded, and he said seriously, “Ming’er, our family’s status isn’t high. In the past, I always hoped you girls would marry good husbands who could help the family. But your grandfather would never disregard your lives for this reason. When I previously betrothed you to Song Yifeng, it was because I thought he would give you a good life.”

“I wouldn’t do it before, and I certainly won’t now. Longjing tea has risen to fame, and our family is no longer obscure, no longer merchants that anyone can step on. You should understand how important you are to our family now. Therefore, your marriage is extremely important. Only if you live well can our Ye family prosper.”

“So, even if Young Master Lu is from the capital’s nobility and cooperates with our family, if he isn’t a good man, you should reject him without thinking too much. Don’t worry about Duke Ying’s matter either. When the time comes, I’ll plead with Master Zhineng, and then have your grandmother find you a good family to marry into, which will help us avoid this issue. As for the Meng family, we’ll always find a way.”

“Grandfather…”

Although Ye Yaming knew that Ye Chongming prioritized her wishes because of her abilities, she was still moved.

She had a decisive personality. Once she analyzed the pros and cons of something and made up her mind, she wouldn’t change it.

She said, “Then I’ll agree to his proposal.”

Ye Chongming was startled, but then reacted with surprise and joy: “You’ve thought it through?”

“I have.” Ye Yaming nodded. “Besides, he promised me that if I feel this engagement is unsuitable after two years, I can break it off.”

“Good, good, good.”

Naturally, Ye Chongming hoped that Ye Yaming would agree to this marriage.

Someone like Lu Guanyi was a marriage connection he hadn’t dared to dream of before, especially since Lu Guanyi excelled in every aspect. His granddaughter also excelled in every way. Apart from family status, they were the most well-matched couple.

“Shall I go reply to him?” he asked.

After speaking, he waved his hand: “No, no. As the woman’s family, we should be more reserved. Since he said to let you consider for a day or two, let’s give him our answer in two days.”

“Let’s reply to him now,” said Ye Yaming, who always handled matters efficiently. “He has many important matters to attend to in the capital, and there’s no need to make him wait two extra days just for our face. But you don’t need to go; I’ll have Fang Xing deliver the message.”

“For such an important matter, is it appropriate to have a servant deliver the message?” Ye Chongming hesitated.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. If he doesn’t believe it, he’ll come and ask me himself.” Ye Yaming didn’t think this was a particularly significant matter.

To be cautious, however, she called in both Fang Xing and Bai Rui, saying, “In a moment, you two go to Young Master Lu and deliver a message. Tell him that regarding the matter he mentioned, I agree.”

Neither Fang Xing nor Bai Rui knew what matter Ye Yaming was referring to, nor did they understand why she wanted both of them to deliver the message together.

But as the master had instructed, the two didn’t say much, just acknowledged the order and left.

Ye Chongming, thinking about forming a marriage alliance with the Xuanwu Marquis’s household, was so excited that he wanted to rush back to the inner courtyard to share the good news with Old Madam Ye.

But he held back, patiently waiting with Ye Yaming for Fang Xing and Bai Rui to return with news.

Before long, Fang Xing and Bai Rui returned, accompanied by Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji.

After paying respects to Ye Chongming, Lu Guanyi asked Ye Yaming, “You’ve made your decision?”

Ye Yaming nodded: “Yes.”

Lu Guanyi suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and said, “Then I’ll go to Chongshan Temple right away to ask Master Zhineng to act as a matchmaker. If he declines due to his status as a monk, I’ll go to the capital first thing tomorrow morning to find His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Imperial Yuning.”

Ye Yaming said, “Please arrange as you see fit.”

Qi Ji looked at Lu Guanyi, then at Ye Yaming, feeling something wasn’t quite right.

Is this how men and women discuss marriage? He could see that Lu Guanyi was very happy, extremely happy, but wasn’t Ye Yaming too calm? She showed no shyness or sweetness—was this the normal behavior of a young lady discussing marriage?

It seemed that his brother’s path to happiness would be a long one.

Lu Guanyi had come just to confirm that the marriage was agreed to by Ye Yaming herself.

Now that he knew she had personally consented, he didn’t stay long and took his leave to go to Chongshan Temple.

As soon as they left, Ye Yaming planned to slip away: “I’m going back to research jasmine tea. Grandfather, please inform Grandmother and my parents.”

She didn’t want to deal with their questioning or pretend to be shy in front of them. She had noticed Qi Ji’s gaze earlier.

But she couldn’t help it—anyone who had received confessions since kindergarten, collected a stack of love letters every week in middle school, and received several bouquets on the way from classroom to dormitory in university wouldn’t feel shy about such things, especially since she and Lu Guanyi were discussing such a serious matter.

“Go ahead, go ahead.”

Ye Chongming returned to the inner courtyard in high spirits and told Old Madam Ye about the matter.

“Really?” Old Madam Ye was incredulous at first, then asked, “What is his family situation like? Will Ming’er be bullied if she marries into their family?”

Although there was a saying “raise your head when marrying off a daughter, lower your head when taking in a daughter-in-law,” and Ye Yaming was capable, their families were mismatched in status. With filial piety pressing down on her, Old Madam Ye feared Ye Yaming would suffer many grievances after marriage.

Ye Chongming explained in detail the situation Lu Guanyi had told him, then said, “I also told Ming’er not to compromise herself. But she still agreed to the marriage, so let’s not say much more about it. Call Madam Yin over in a while and inform her of this matter.”

“Tell her that Young Master Lu suddenly brought up this matter, and Ming’er agreed after consideration. Apart from me being present at the time, no one else knows. Tell her not to blame Ming’er; Ming’er is doing this for the entire Ye family’s benefit.”

He also told Old Madam Ye about the issues with Meng Chengwei and Duke Ying’s household, exaggerating the matters somewhat to let everyone know that Ye Yaming had made a sacrifice for the Ye family.

After hearing this, Old Madam Ye first felt distressed and asked, “Ming’er didn’t agree to this marriage just to resolve these troubles, did she?”

“That’s part of the reason. But you’ve seen Young Master Lu yourself—his appearance, character, abilities, family background—which aspect isn’t outstanding? If we miss him, who would you find for Ming’er?”

“But isn’t it improper for Young Master Lu to arrange this marriage without informing his parents? What if the Lu family doesn’t recognize Ming’er as their daughter-in-law?” Old Madam Ye asked again.

“I asked Young Master Lu about this issue, too. He said everyone in the capital knows his stepmother’s attitude toward him. These past couple of years, his stepmother has tried to arrange marriages for him, but he’s exposed her schemes. As a result, his stepmother has a very bad reputation, and everyone knows she tries every means to find problematic young ladies to be his fiancée.”

Old Madam Ye’s gossip spirit immediately burned fiercely: “What kind of problems? Did he tell you?”

“For example, there was a young lady who had an affair with a servant and was already pregnant. His stepmother planned to betroth her to Young Master Lu. Young Master Lu refused this marriage in public, but his stepmother still insisted. Two days later, that young lady’s situation was exposed. Just imagine, how could the people of the capital not criticize his stepmother? This has happened twice already. Now matchmakers don’t dare to act as go-betweens for Young Master Lu, because whichever family’s daughter catches his stepmother’s eye, the noble ladies suspect that girl has problems.”

Old Madam Ye: “…”