This thin man was a professional thief, skilled at climbing walls, breaking into houses, and stealing. It was extremely difficult for Madam Yu and others to detect him.

After entering, he didn’t need to frequently climb over walls to exit; he simply found an empty room to stay in. When Song Yifeng returned home, an accomplice would raise and wave a bamboo pole as a signal. He would then hurry over to crouch behind the window of the Song family’s main hall to eavesdrop.

The Song family’s activities were very predictable. Song Yifeng and his mother depended on each other for survival, and the mother-son relationship was extremely close. After returning home, he would invariably chat with his mother in the main hall before returning to his study to read.

The manservant would accompany Song Yifeng when he went out, and upon returning, would tidy up the study and help grind ink for him; the cook generally stayed in the kitchen or cleaned the house; the maid Xiao Xiang would go out with Madam Yu and then attend to her commands after returning.

The Song household had few servants but many tasks, so the three servants were constantly busy like oxen turning a millstone. When they finally finished their work, they preferred to stay in their quarters and rarely wandered around unnecessarily.

This made it convenient for the vagrant to hide. After observing the routine for several days, if there was no special intelligence to gather, he simply stayed in the Song residence without leaving.

But today’s news was important. After the Song family members had each returned to their places, the vagrant immediately climbed over the wall and reported the information to his accomplice.

In less than half an hour, the conversation between the Song mother and son, as well as Song Yifeng’s recent whereabouts, were reported by Zhou Xiang to Ye Yaming. By dinner time when Ye Chongming returned, Ye Yaming went to the main courtyard and informed him and Old Lady Ye.

Trusting Ye Yaming’s intelligence, Ye Chongming had not interfered with the matter of breaking off the engagement, only calling Zhou Xiang daily to inquire about the situation. Old Lady Ye was also very concerned about the progress.

Knowing Ye Yaming’s plan, the elderly couple had many doubts. They couldn’t control Song Yifeng’s actions. What if Song Yifeng didn’t act as Ye Yaming had predicted?

Upon hearing Zhou Xiang’s report, Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye looked at Ye Yaming with astonishment.

Just yesterday, the elderly couple had privately discussed whether this plan could succeed. After all, it was just two passersby mentioning private tea in front of Song Yifeng—with no evidence, how would Song Yifeng believe it?

If Song Yifeng investigated and found no evidence, wouldn’t Ye Yaming’s plan fail?

Old Lady Ye couldn’t help but ask Ye Yaming: “Tell me, why don’t they verify this information? What if it’s not true? After all, it’s just hearsay.”

Ye Yaming smiled: “The Song mother and son have been desperately trying to break off the engagement, but until now, they couldn’t find a reason. Now that a ready-made excuse has been delivered to their doorstep, does it matter whether it’s true or not? What’s most important is that they have a legitimate reason to break the engagement without being called ungrateful or parasites—that’s enough.”

Seeing her speak about this matter as if discussing someone else’s affairs, without the slightest emotion, Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye felt both strange and uncomfortable.

There is no greater sorrow than the death of the heart.

Yaming had been so good to the Song mother and son; perhaps she had been hurt too deeply, which was why she appeared this way. Or perhaps she was too proud, pretending to be indifferent while forcing herself to maintain composure, not wanting them to see her pain?

Ye Chongming sighed inwardly and increasingly despised Song Yifeng.

He asked Ye Yaming: “Do you think he will directly use this leverage to threaten us into breaking the engagement, or will he first inform Lord Wang who admires him?”

“The result will be the same,” Ye Yaming said. “If he comes to threaten us and we deny it, wouldn’t he then go to Lord Wang to accuse us?”

The elderly couple: “…” Indeed.

“However, I suspect he won’t come to us first,” Ye Yaming said.

She looked at Ye Chongming with a mischievous smile: “What if you become frightened and agree to break off the engagement as soon as you’re threatened? Wouldn’t he miss his chance to seek Lord Wang’s help? At that point, even if he told Lord Wang the truth, there would be no evidence, and Lord Wang might not believe him.”

“It’s better for him to go to Lord Wang and pour out his grievances, saying he heard this news and is very conflicted, unsure whether to stand on the side of justice or the side of gratitude. He will say he regards Lord Wang as a father figure. Now, with his mind in turmoil, he’s come to seek advice.”

“If Lord Wang intends to take him as a son-in-law, he would certainly support him in breaking off the engagement without hesitation; if not, but still has his best interests at heart, he would advise him to investigate. Either way, he will establish in Lord Wang’s mind an image of someone who doesn’t forget gratitude but must sacrifice personal relationships for the greater good.”

Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye had complex feelings that were difficult to express.

Finally, Ye Chongming instructed Zhou Xiang: “Keep a close eye on that side.”

“Yes.”

The next day, Zhou Xiang came to report with admiration on his face: “Events have unfolded exactly as Miss predicted. Song Yifeng indeed went to Lord Wang to pour out his grievances. Lord Wang immediately advised him to break off the engagement.”

He paused, then said to Ye Chongming: “It’s possible that tomorrow, Song Yifeng will come to you to break off the engagement.”

Although they had gone to such lengths to break off the engagement, and events had indeed developed as they had predicted, at this point, Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye were still quite angry.

The two looked toward Ye Yaming, but saw that she remained completely calm.

Seeing them looking at her, Ye Yaming’s eyes curved into a smile, and a sweet expression spread across her face as she said to Ye Chongming: “Grandfather, tomorrow you must remain calm and not let that scoundrel anger you.”

Old Lady Ye immediately felt anxious and said to Ye Chongming: “Yes, yes, you must think positively and not get upset.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t get angry,” Ye Chongming said. “Just thinking that once this engagement is broken, Yaming can marry someone who will take our surname and stay in the family forever—that removes all my anger.”

Old Lady Ye quickly looked at Ye Yaming and saw her nodding in agreement with a smile: “That’s exactly the right attitude.”

Only then did Old Lady Ye feel relieved.

“Tomorrow, please send invitations to Young Master Lu, Young Master Qi, and Adviser Wu to come to our home as guests,” Ye Yaming said.

Ye Chongming’s eyes brightened as he immediately understood Ye Yaming’s intention.

He asked: “Is that possible? Will they come? What if they come but Song Yifeng doesn’t?”

“They will,” Ye Yaming said. “We’ve just started collaborating, and although I’ve already handed over the teaware production drawings, you still need to discuss the next steps and how many pieces to produce. As for Adviser Wu, he has helped you so much, and if we send an invitation for a meal, with Young Master Lu and Young Master Qi’s presence adding prestige, he will certainly come.”

“As for Song Yifeng…” She sneered, “He’s desperate to break off the engagement and marry into Lord Wang’s family. Now that he has an excuse, he naturally can’t wait a moment longer. If it weren’t already late today, and if he weren’t concerned about Lord Wang’s opinion, he might have already come to discuss breaking off the engagement with you.”

Ye Chongming nodded: “That’s good then.”