Because of the presence of elderly Ye Chongxian and sheltered inner chamber women like Madam Yin, Ye Yayin, and Ye Yayu, who had never traveled far from home, Ye Yaming not only arranged for a physician to accompany them but also ensured they traveled at a leisurely pace. The servants made all arrangements for lodging and meals in advance, so they ate on schedule, departed only after the sun was high, and settled in to rest early each day.
Thus, a journey that should have taken three days stretched to five, and finally their party arrived at the gates of the capital.
“Yaming, if you need anything these days, just send a servant to tell me. Don’t stand on ceremony with your aunt. If nothing comes up, I’ll be waiting to drink tea from you as a new bride,” Madam Qi lifted the carriage curtain to bid farewell to Ye Yaming.
“Thank you, Aunt. You’ve gone to such trouble,” Ye Yaming smiled.
Seeing the Qi family’s carriage depart, Ye Yaming noticed that Lu Guanyi remained on horseback without moving. She couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t you leaving?”
“I’ll escort you there first, so you know the way.”
Ye Yaming smiled and lowered the curtain. “All right.”
The carriages carrying the Ye clan members happened to be stopped nearby, and everyone overheard this exchange.
As the carriages slowly set off with Ye Yaming’s carriage and Lu Guanyi on horseback beside it, Ye Chongxian’s grandson said to his grandfather, “The heir really values Third Sister.”
Ye Chongxian nodded. “No wonder your Seventh Grand-Uncle wanted to make your Third Sister the heir to the family headship. With her tea-making skills and the Xuanwu Marquis Estate as backing, their branch’s business will only grow larger.”
Lu Guanyi didn’t enter the Ye residence, only escorting the Ye family to the entrance of the alley, making sure they knew the way, before returning to the Lu residence.
The Ye residence was a compound with three courtyards, located in a neighborhood that was neither particularly good nor bad. The Ye family couldn’t qualify for a residence in a better area. It wasn’t a matter of money, but of insufficient status.
This area was home to wealthy people of lower status or minor officials. Of course, there were also families whose fortunes were in decline, as well as those who had risen to higher positions. In this era, unless someone suddenly rose to prominence, people often lived in the same place for generations, and neighbors knew each other well.
Now, as more than ten Ye family carriages entered the alley, all the idle people in the neighborhood came out to watch.
“Whose carriages are these?”
“My, how long! And how many is that now?”
“Whose carriages are they?”
“The Ye family’s. They’ve stopped in front of the Ye residence.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
Ye Hongchang and Ye Hongsheng alighted first and went to help the clan leader Ye Chongxian down, followed by the other clan elders, and they courteously entered the gate together. Their carriages drove forward to proceed to the rear entrance and the stables.
The carriages carrying the women then pulled up to the main gate of the Ye residence, with maids and elderly female servants quickly alighting to help the ladies and young misses down.
Li Fu had also arrived and, after seeing the ladies enter, directed the servants in unloading their belongings.
At this point, some onlookers couldn’t resist coming forward to inquire: “What’s happening at your Ye family? Why have you brought so many things? Could this be a dowry?”
The Ye family had owned this residence for about twenty years, so the neighbors naturally knew it belonged to the owner of Ji Xiang Lou, a tea merchant from Jiangnan.
Being neighbors and locals, Li Fu could not be dismissive. Moreover, once the wedding was held, everyone would know anyway, so there was nothing to hide.
He smiled and said, “Our miss is marrying into a family in the capital, so we’ve come here to prepare for her wedding. In a few days, she will depart from here as a bride. Everyone is welcome to come and drink the wedding wine.”
“Oh my, marrying in the capital? That’s wonderful news, congratulations. Which family is she marrying into?”
“The Xuanwu Marquis Estate.”
“The Xuanwu Marquis Estate?” This question was asked in a high, surprised tone. “My goodness, your young miss has made an excellent match!”
Li Fu knew what these people were thinking—that the Ye family’s social status was insufficient for the Xuanwu Marquis Estate. But these people were polite and only said nice things.
After exchanging a few pleasantries and seeing that the servants had finished moving the belongings, he apologized and followed them into the residence.
The onlookers continued their discussions for a while before gradually dispersing.
A man carrying a pole with goods, looking like a peddler, left with them.
Not long after, this man entered the Meng residence and reported the news to Meng Chengwei’s father, Meng Xianzong.
“After waiting so long, they’ve finally arrived.” Meng Xianzong perked up. “Go call Jiawang and Jiaxing here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Meng Xianzong paced back and forth in the room, his face contorted with bitter resentment.
The Meng family had once been imperial merchants with a fifth-rank official title, handling imperial business, with Consort Min providing support from within the palace. They had lived better than many fourth-rank officials, with many people seeking their favor.
But after his son was imprisoned twice, he was stripped of his official position, and naturally, they lost their status as imperial merchants. Consort Min was also reprimanded by the Emperor. Most terrifyingly, Duke Ying had somehow discovered that the Meng family had tried to use them as pawns and had turned the tables, causing trouble for the Meng family.
Last year, Meng Chengwei had died in exile, and the Meng family’s business had collapsed due to constant harassment, resulting in significant financial losses. They had sold their original residence and moved to a small, remote dwelling, also selling off many servants. To avoid trouble from Duke Ying’s estate, they dared not continue their business and now survived only on the rental income from their remaining three shops.
How could Meng Xianzong swallow this grievance? He refused to acknowledge that it was his son who had first provoked the Ye family, attempting to steal their tea formula without success, then trying to harm the male members of the Ye family, and finally attempting to ruin Ye Yaming’s marriage by using Duke Ying’s influence. He only believed that the Meng family’s downfall was entirely the fault of the Ye family.
However, with the Meng family’s greatly reduced financial resources and only a few servants left, Meng Xianzong neither dared nor had the means to travel to Lin’an to harm anyone. There, the Ye family had home-field advantage, and it was completely unrealistic to try to harm Ye Yaming inconspicuously when she was protected by servants and guards.
He had planned to wait until Ye Yaming came to the capital for her wedding. Therefore, during this time, he had sent people to loiter around the Ye residence to inquire about news of Ye Yaming’s marriage.
Now, finally, he had waited for her arrival.
Shortly, three servants entered and bowed together: “Master.”
Ye Yaming and Lu Guanyi’s wedding is set for the ninth day of the tenth month. Today is the nineteenth day of the ninth month, so there are still twenty days. During this time, you three must work hard. I expect that Ye Yaming will surely visit jewelry and silk shops before her wedding. Jiawang and Jiaxing, you two go together every day to watch the Ye residence. Once you see Ye Yaming leave, send someone to notify Jia’an. Jia’an, find out where Qian Yongshou is each day, and upon receiving the message, prompt the Qian family servants to lead Qian Yongshou to cross paths with Ye Yaming, so the two can meet.”
“When this matter is done, I will return the indenture papers to all three of your families. We have been master and servants, and with the Meng family in this state, I don’t want to burden you any further.”
As he spoke, Meng Xianzong made a show of wiping away a tear.
Hearing these words, all three servants perked up.