The person who liaised with the Prince of Zhennan’s household reported, “The Third Young Master’s health is deteriorating. Previously, he would have one serious illness every six months and a minor one each month; now it’s practically one major illness every five days and a minor one every three days. The imperial physicians shake their heads as soon as they leave the mansion. The Princess used to cry constantly, but now it seems her grief has reached the point of numbness—she cries less often and spends her days in a daze.”

Lu Guanyi and Ye Yaming exchanged a glance.

Lu Guanyi rewarded the messenger and dismissed him. The couple, however, said nothing about this matter.

Such affairs couldn’t be rushed; it was best to follow the natural course of events. For now, they could only keep watch on these places and wait for the most opportune moment.

Two days later, the Marquis of Xianwu’s household hosted a banquet, where Lu Guanyi and Ye Yaming reciprocated by inviting those who had previously invited them.

At this banquet, Ye Yaming saw the Princess of Zhennan again. The Princess remained as beautiful as ever. Apart from wearing slightly thicker face powder, there was no sign that she was mentally and physically exhausted from caring for her frail son day and night. She sat among the noble ladies, chatting and socializing appropriately. Only in brief moments did she reveal expressions of fatigue and worry.

For this banquet, Ye Yaming invited not only her parents, eldest uncle, and two younger sisters, but also Ye Ruhui’s family and Ye Yaxiu’s family.

The Marquis of Xianwu’s mansion had many courtyards. Guests were seated in different courtyards according to their status and rank, and they also dined in those areas. This arrangement prevented awkward situations where people of vastly different statuses might inadvertently offend one another.

Ye Yaxiu had only heard that her cousin had married into a prestigious family but hadn’t truly experienced what that meant.

Now, sitting in the gilded, colorfully painted hall with its carved beams and painted rafters, observing the luxurious furnishings and utensils, and hearing announcements like “The Princess of Kang has arrived” and “Princess Imperial Yuan has arrived,” she genuinely felt the class difference.

“Sister-in-law, I heard you and Princess Imperial Yuan opened a shop together—that famous pastry shop in the capital, is that right?” Ye Ruhui had heard about this from her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law before coming, who had instructed her to inquire about it. Now seeing Madam Yin enter, she raised the question.

Ye Yaxiu immediately perked up her ears.

Madam Yin smiled and said, “Yes, that’s right. You know I already had one in Lin’an. I wasn’t planning to stay here long, so I had no such intentions initially. Later, Princess Imperial Yuan was bored at home and wanted to find something to pass the time. She asked about Yaming, and Yaming encouraged us to open a shop together. It’s just something we casually started to pass the time—nothing serious.”

“Well…” Ye Ruhui said somewhat bashfully, “My husband’s family runs embroidery shops—the largest ones in the capital belong to them. Sister-in-law, would you be interested in opening an embroidery shop together? We could be partners.”

Before arriving, Madam Yin had received instructions from Ye Yaming, who warned that while her aunt was honest, her aunt’s husband’s family was cunning. Ye Yaxiu herself was always looking for advantages. Seeing how well the pastry shop was doing, especially with its connection to Princess Imperial Yuan, they might become envious and try to get involved indirectly.

Madam Yin didn’t care whether Ye Ruhui genuinely wanted to open an embroidery shop with her or had designs on the pastry business. She rejected all proposals: “No, no, no. I’m returning to Lin’an the day after tomorrow. Even for the pastry shop, Princess Imperial Yuan has her stewards managing it. How could I possibly open another shop?”

Ye Yaxiu, who was beside them, said, “Second Aunt, your recipes are the most profitable assets. Why don’t we partner to open several shops? You wouldn’t need to manage them—just contribute your recipes as your investment, and then simply collect the dividends.”

She smiled and affectionately linked arms with Madam Yin. “If you’re worried about offending the Princess Imperial, we could include her as a partner too. She can have the majority share if she wants, and she wouldn’t need to be involved in the operations—just collect dividends. You have the recipes, the Princess’s name can deter opportunists, and we’ll help with management. With this three-way collaboration, we’ll surely make the business flourish.”

Having received Ye Yaming’s instructions, Madam Yin handled these two with composure.

She smiled and said, “I have no patience for these matters. My husband and Yaming are already busy as tops all day. I worry enough about them, not to mention I have Yin’er and Yu’er’s marriages to arrange. However, since you have such ideas, I can’t simply refuse. After all, we’re family, and if I can help you connect with noble personages, that would be ideal. When everyone benefits, that’s truly good, isn’t it?”

These words made Ye Ruhui and Ye Yaxiu feel quite pleased.

“But I can’t make this decision myself; I need to consult Princess Imperial Yuan. As you know, she’s a Princess Imperial—she doesn’t lack money at all. Opening a shop is just a pastime for her, something to do when she’s bored. The little profit we make means nothing to her. If she’s unwilling, there’s nothing I can do. You mustn’t blame me then.”

“We won’t blame you, we won’t. If Second Aunt could help us ask, my aunt and I would be deeply grateful,” Ye Yaxiu said with a smile.

Ye Ruhui then asked, “Have you made any arrangements for Yin’er and Yu’er’s marriages yet?”

“We’re still considering prospects,” Madam Yin replied. Now that she was running a business and interacting with countless people daily, she had developed skills in reading people’s expressions and responding appropriately.

Regardless of Ye Ruhui’s intentions in asking this question, Madam Yin had no interest in letting her continue. She directly described the conditions of the Li and Chen families.

“These are just neighbors near our residence who sent people to inquire. There are others with better conditions, including some noble families.”

“Noble families?” Ye Yaxiu asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Madam Yin smiled. “Noble sons are willing to become brothers-in-law with the heir of the Marquis of Xianwu. Moreover, our dowries are substantial.”

With this explanation, the two women understood.

Indeed, those noble sons might seem unattainable to families like theirs. But in a baron’s or marquis’s household with numerous legitimate and illegitimate children and grandchildren, illegitimate sons without scholarly talent weren’t worth much.

Having the heir of the Marquis of Xianwu as a brother-in-law meant marrying a Ye daughter wouldn’t lower their status. With a substantial dowry, they would gain practical benefits and wouldn’t worry about having enough to eat after family division. Many people would be willing to make such a match.

Understanding this, neither woman could bring herself to promote their eligible male relatives again.

Despite Ye Yaming’s increased exercise regimen over the past two years, after a busy day of seeing off the last batch of guests, she felt sore all over.

“You’ve worked hard,” Lu Guanyi came over to massage her shoulders and joked, “Shall I carry you back?”

Ye Yaming’s eyes sparkled: “Really?”

Without further words, Lu Guanyi squatted down in front of Ye Yaming.

Matron Xia quickly interjected from the side, “Young Master, our lady has already sent someone to bring a sedan chair. It will be here shortly.”

For a noble lady to raise her bottom and be carried on a man’s back would be the subject of ridicule if word got out. She absolutely would not allow the young couple to do such an improper thing.

Ye Yaming shrugged and said to Lu Guanyi, “No choice—I’m under Matron Xia’s authority.”