For them to scheme against Ye Yaqing like this, the Yang family must have promised the two families some benefit, and they were counting on no one finding out.

Given these circumstances, the Ye family could detain Qin Sheng without hesitation. Once caught, he could be handed directly to Ye Hongchang for questioning, without Ye Yaming needing to concern herself.

Guan Ting had spent enough time with Ye Yaming and Bai Rui to know they were extremely reliable, so she set her mind at ease and focused on watching Ye Yaqing and her companion.

Ye Yaming said, “Let’s move closer and hear what they’re saying.”

According to her guess, if Yang Chuzhi had designs on Ye Yaqing and harbored ill intentions, he would certainly try to probe for information about the Ye family today.

During their previous meetings, because banquets were frequent before the New Year, they had been able to see each other daily. This time, however, they had been separated by the New Year holiday, meaning they hadn’t seen each other for about half a month.

If Ye Yaqing had fallen in love, her affection and longing for Yang Chuzhi would have multiplied several times over during this period.

As for Yang Chuzhi, after such a long absence, he would surely question her to see if she had revealed anything to her family, whether he was safe from the Ye family’s scrutiny, in order to plan his next move.

Guan Ting naturally had no problem with this: “Alright. I’ll go forward first; you can stay where you are.”

With that, she moved forward silently, leaping to another clump of trees in just a few steps, her movements agile and noiseless.

After concealing herself, she was about to turn back to signal Ye Yaming that all was well, but in that instant, she nearly cried out in surprise.

Ye Yaming’s face was inches away!

When had she gotten there? She had followed right behind, and Guan Ting hadn’t noticed at all. Was her martial skill too weak, or was Ye Yaming too strong, or perhaps… she wasn’t human?

Ye Yaming put her finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture.

Nearby, Yang Chuzhi’s words reached their ears: “…I apologize for my rudeness. Let me introduce myself properly. My family lives at the east end of West Approaching Street. If you ask about the xiucai scholar Yang’s residence there, you’ll find it. My family consists only of my parents and us three siblings. My sister is already married, and I have a younger brother who’s thirteen this year and preparing for the tongsheng examination next year.”

“Though my family’s circumstances can’t compare to your Ye family, we’re comfortable enough. We have several hundred mu of land and a few shops, which are sufficient to support our studies and living expenses.”

Peering through the gaps in the trees, Ye Yaming observed this Yang Chuzhi, noting that while his features weren’t as refined as those of Lu Guanyi, Qi Ji, or Ye Jiaxing, he was still reasonably handsome—at least with proper features, cultured and refined, possessing the air of a scholar.

Combined with his smooth talking and confident manner, it was no wonder Ye Yaqing had fallen for him.

After introducing himself, Yang Chuzhi smiled gently at Ye Yaqing: “You’re a proper, self-respecting girl who has never asked me about these things. That you’re asking today—could it be that your maid let something slip, and your family has learned of my existence?”

Ye Yaqing’s face instantly flushed red, her eyes filled with the embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed. She had been sitting down, but now suddenly stood up, looking as if she might deliver a curt remark and flee.

Yang Chuzhi quickly pacified her: “Miss Ye, I have admired you for a long time. If you don’t find me objectionable, I’ll send someone to formally propose marriage. Would that be acceptable?”

Ye Yaqing was stunned, and a moment later her face reddened again, though this time the annoyance had disappeared, leaving only shy delight.

Guan Ting, being the same age as Ye Yaqing and also an unbetrothed young lady, had never witnessed such a scene. Her face flushed with embarrassment, her heart pounding like a drum, her eyes darting about, unable to look directly at Ye Yaqing.

Ye Yaming, however, frowned deeply, her gaze fixed intently on the pair, and she tugged at Guan Ting, signaling her to pay attention.

Seeing Ye Yaming’s furrowed brow and serious expression, Guan Ting felt deeply ashamed of her unprofessionalism and quickly composed herself, adopting a serious demeanor as she focused on Ye Yaqing’s situation.

Ye Yaqing and Yang Chuzhi were talking at a spot with a stone table and several stone stools. Initially, both had been seated, but Ye Yaqing had just stood up, and Yang Chuzhi had also risen while confessing his feelings.

Now, seeing Ye Yaqing’s face flushed crimson, he stepped forward, seemingly intending to take her hand.

Ye Yaqing retreated several steps in panic, hiding her hands behind her back, and bit her lip: “You… you shouldn’t…”

“Alright, alright, I won’t move, I won’t move,” Yang Chuzhi quickly raised his hands to show he would stay put.

Only then did Ye Yaqing calm down.

As she lowered her head to stare at her shoes, Yang Chuzhi unobtrusively took a step forward: “About what I said earlier, does Miss Ye have anything to say?”

Ye Yaqing felt extreme sweetness in her heart.

She felt that her many years of unsuccessful marriage discussions had all been in preparation for this moment, to meet the man before her. This was heaven’s best arrangement for her.

She gently shook her head.

But fearing he might not see, or might misunderstand her meaning, she summoned her courage and said, “I… doesn’t the young master mind that we’re a merchant family?”

“What does it matter if you’re a merchant family? As long as one obeys the law and maintains kindness, it’s a virtuous household. Besides, you are graceful and kind-hearted, gentle and virtuous—the finest young lady under heaven…”

As Yang Chuzhi spoke, he advanced another two steps.

Although Ye Yaqing had, through coincidence, developed feelings for this Yang Chuzhi and secretly carried on a romance behind her family’s back, she was still fundamentally an obedient daughter who knew that before marriage, it was inappropriate to have physical contact with a man.

This ingrained upbringing made her unconsciously retreat several more steps, anxiously saying, “You… don’t come any closer. Stay where you are and speak properly.”

“I can’t help myself,” Yang Chuzhi’s tone carried a hint of grievance. “Do you know? We haven’t seen each other for a full sixteen days. People say a day apart feels like three autumns—calculate how many years we’ve been separated! I’ve been thinking of you so intensely that I can’t sleep at night, wishing I had a pair of wings to fly to the Ye residence to see you…”

While uttering these sweet words, he took two more slow steps forward. Ye Yaqing could only retreat again.

The place where they were standing was a viewing platform. The Chen family had built a jutting area on the lake with stone slabs and had installed railings along the edge of the lake.

Initially, Ye Yaqing had been sitting with her back to the lake, but after repeatedly backing up, she had now reached the railing.

“Quick, go over there and save her.” Ye Yaming, seeing the situation turning dangerous, left these words with Guan Ting and stepped out.

Guan Ting was still somewhat confused.

For safety’s sake, wealthy households like this would have someone inspect the lakeside railings every few days, especially before hosting banquets, checking multiple times to prevent accidents.

Even if Ye Yaqing leaned against the railing, she couldn’t fall into the water, could she?

But having interacted with Ye Yaming for this period, Guan Ting greatly admired her. In her eyes, Ye Yaming was extremely intelligent, had meticulous thinking, and showed extraordinary talent in learning martial arts—she was the person Guan Ting admired most, without exception.

So although her mind didn’t agree with Ye Yaming’s assessment, her body instinctively followed Ye Yaming’s instructions.