After all, the Ye family’s status and position were far inferior to the Meng family’s, not to mention that Meng Chengwei had Imperial Consort Min and the Third Princess she had borne behind him. Moreover, in this lifetime, the Ye family’s tea money hadn’t been stolen, and Ye Hongchang had only suffered minor injuries. In the eyes of Lu Guanyi and Magistrate Qi, the punishment Meng Chengwei received was already sufficient.

Ye Yaming wasn’t one to make things difficult for herself. After all, the original owner’s wish was to change the fate of the Ye family and herself.

Now the Ye family’s fate had already changed. Not only had Ye Yaming prevented them from falling for Meng Chengwei’s trap and going down that road of no return, but she would also make their path even broader in the future. As long as she was around and the Ye family descendants didn’t bring disaster upon themselves, she could make the Ye family prosper for another generation or two.

In her view, the task of changing the Ye family’s fate was not only fulfilled but had exceeded expectations. She could consider this mission accomplished.

As for Meng Chengwei, if he didn’t come to trouble the Ye family again, they could stay out of each other’s way. If he wanted revenge, Ye Yaming guaranteed he would reap what he sowed and suffer the consequences.

Now, as long as she broke off the engagement with Song Yifeng, the original owner could rest in peace and be reincarnated.

Thinking of this, she said to Ye Chongming: “Grandfather, you said that if I needed anyone, I could come to you. Does that offer still stand?”

Ye Chongming was momentarily startled but quickly nodded: “Yes, of course it does.”

He added: “However many people you need, whatever kind of people, just tell me.”

“I need unfamiliar, clever young men. If you know trustworthy idlers or ruffians, that would be even better. I want them all.”

Ye Chongming thought for a moment. Meng Chengwei had already fallen, so the only person Ye Yaming might need people to deal with now was probably Song Yifeng.

He didn’t ask any questions, only said: “Good, I’ll select a few people and have Zhou Xiang bring them to you shortly. As for the idlers and ruffians, Zhou Xiang will also give you a list of them.”

Ye Yaming showed a bright smile: “Thank you, Grandfather.”

Ye Chongming opened his mouth, wanting to comfort Ye Yaming. After all, no girl would be happy encountering such a situation.

But he didn’t know how to console her and could only stiffly say: “After breaking off the engagement, Grandfather will find you someone better. If you want to take in a son-in-law, I will also carefully select for you and won’t let you encounter such a situation again.”

“Alright,” Ye Yaming readily agreed.

In modern times, she had seen many arranged marriages among wealthy families. Those young masters and misses didn’t have freedom in marriage either, let alone in this feudal ancient era.

Besides, she had no expectations for marriage, and Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye wouldn’t harm her. The person they chose, after passing her scrutiny, would not be a pitfall.

So, casually taking in an acceptable man as a son-in-law, having two children, having control over the business and household affairs, carefully raising the children to adulthood—she found such a life very satisfactory and had no further desires.

After experiencing life and death, many things truly seemed trivial.

Although Ye Chongming had been busy dealing with Meng Chengwei during this period, he had also diverted some attention to Song Yifeng. Old Madam Ye, unable to help with the Meng Chengwei matter, either by her own will or her husband’s instructions, did her best to investigate Song Yifeng’s situation.

Therefore, during this time, both Madam Yu’s and Song Yifeng’s words and actions were under the elderly couple’s surveillance. The elderly couple also knew clearly about their attitudes toward the Ye family and Ye Yaming.

The more they learned, the more distressed they became. Old Madam Ye cursed “ungrateful wretches” every day at home. Ye Chongming wished to break off the engagement immediately.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t spare the effort earlier. Now that Ye Yaming wanted to take matters into her own hands, his actions were swift. Not long after Ye Yaming returned to her courtyard, Zhou Xiang led five servants to her.

Zhou Xiang first entered to explained to Ye Yaming: “The old master carefully selected for a while and found only these few who are clever enough and don’t move around outside much. I figured you wouldn’t want those who aren’t clever, as they wouldn’t help and might even cause trouble, so I didn’t pad the numbers.”

He continued: “However, there are some clever lads at the tea factory and tea house who could be useful. If you need them, I can call them all here. We also know many usable idlers and ruffians outside. Whatever kind you need, I can find them for you.”

A teahouse was a place where all sorts mingled. If you didn’t maintain good relations with street idlers and ruffians, they would come and cause trouble at your teahouse every few days, making it impossible to do business.

So the Ye family would send money to the local underworld bosses in this area every year for peace. Seeing that the Ye family played by the rules, those in the underworld also hoped for a long-term, stable income with minimal trouble, so they restrained their subordinates from causing disturbances. Sometimes when Jixiang Pavilion encountered problems, they would even lend a hand.

Therefore, everyone coexisted peacefully and even developed some rapport.

If the Ye family wanted to deal with someone powerful and influential, it certainly wouldn’t work, but for someone like Song Yifeng, the underworld would be very happy to take on this business.

Fearing that Ye Yaming wouldn’t understand, Zhou Xiang lowered his voice and explained the ins and outs to her in detail.

Ye Yaming was very satisfied: “Good.”

She then asked: “For this matter, has the old master entrusted you to dispatch these servants and liaise with the idlers and ruffians?”

Zhou Xiang nodded and added, “Among the servants, there’s one called Lai Yun who is more astute and capable than the others. He used to work under Steward Li. I often accompany the old master, and many people have seen me, but Lai Yun is unfamiliar. For matters requiring external contact, if Miss assigns them to me, I will have Lai Yun handle them.”

Ye Yaming said: “Very good.”

She then gave Zhou Xiang a series of instructions and had him coordinate with Nanny Xia to understand the situation with Zi Jin.

Zhou Xiang’s ability to stand out among numerous servants and become Ye Chongming’s attendant naturally meant he was extremely capable.

Within a few days, he had gathered the information Ye Yaming had asked him to find.

“The Educational Officer’s name is Wang Wenzhi, forty-two years old, with five sons and four daughters. His third and fourth daughters are not yet betrothed. Both daughters are around fourteen or fifteen years old. Since the third daughter is born of a concubine, she is only two or three months apart from his legitimate fourth daughter.”

“Lord Wang greatly admires Song Yifeng’s writings. Song Yifeng often brings his essays to seek guidance and gives small gifts. The two have a close relationship. He often regrets that Song Yifeng is already engaged and wishes to take him as a son-in-law. This is also the same Lord Wang.”

Ye Yaming asked: “What kind of person is this Lord Wang?”

Zhou Xiang hesitated a moment, then said: “He should be fairly upright. At least he hasn’t done anything bad or been criticized by others. Everyone praises his talent. He ranked seventh in the metropolitan examination.”

The Educational Officer in Great Jin was similar to the Educational Officer during the Song, Yuan, and Ming periods in history, or the Educational Commissioner in the Qing Dynasty. Although only ranked as a proper eighth-grade official and administratively under the jurisdiction of the prefectural government, because he was responsible for teaching and supervising government students in the prefecture, he could directly report to the Director of the Imperial Academy about the students’ situation. His position was more detached than ordinary officials in the prefectural government.