Ye Yaming glanced at Madam Tao and asked, “What do First Uncle and First Aunt plan to do?”

“I’ve already told Qing’er about the investigation results from the Chen family. That railing was indeed sawed through by Yang’s people, leaving only a thin inner layer. It looked normal from the outside, but would certainly give way when leaned against, guaranteeing a fall into the lake,” Ye Hongchang said.

“It’s obvious the Yang family hasn’t given up and sent this Yang An to harass us,” Madam Tao added. “If your Second Sister still pines for that scoundrel after knowing this, I’ll be furious.”

“Talk to her properly. If she won’t listen, let me know, and I’ll persuade her,” Old Lady Ye said.

“Mother, don’t worry. I plan to arrange Qing’er’s marriage quickly to prevent her from overthinking,” Madam Tao sighed.

“Originally, I didn’t want to connect with another merchant family and was looking for a scholarly household. But now I’m afraid—it’s better to settle her marriage soon. There are several good young men in families we’re friendly with. I’ll make a selection and present you for your approval. If you have no objections, we can proceed with the engagement.”

Hearing this, Ye Yaming frowned.

Ye Hongchang had come to deeply respect his niece.

Seeing her expression, he quickly asked, “Yaming, do you have some thoughts on this?”

Ye Yaming replied, “Sister’s marriage shouldn’t be something I, as her younger sister, interfere with. But I do have something to say.”

She looked at Madam Tao: “First Aunt, Second Sister still has feelings for Yang Chuzhi. Even if you tell her the truth, she’ll make excuses for him, saying he was forced by the Yang family. She might believe he truly likes her and wants to marry her.”

Madam Tao’s eyes widened, then she smiled bitterly: “You’re right.”

Had Ye Yaming visited the first branch’s quarters during the afternoon, she might have thought the sisters had spoken. But Madam Tao had been with Ye Yaqing the whole time and knew they hadn’t had any contact.

“If you force her to get engaged to someone else while her heart still belongs to Yang Chuzhi, then he and this romance might become her most unforgettable and cherished memory. What we can’t have often seems the best to us,” Ye Yaming explained.

“For example, when you see a beautiful piece of clothing or jewelry that you like, but someone else buys it immediately, don’t you still think about it years later? But if you bought it yourself, took it home, and wore it a couple of times, wouldn’t you stop finding it so special?”

Madam Tao’s marriage had been arranged by her parents through matchmakers. She and Ye Hongchang showed mutual respect, but she had never experienced a deep, passionate romance. If Ye Yaming had only spoken the first part, she might not have understood, but with this comparison, she immediately grasped the concept.

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly right,” she agreed. Then hesitantly asked, “So what should we do? Surely we can’t let her continue seeing Yang Chuzhi?”

“That won’t be necessary. Let her calm down first. You can continue investigating Yang Chuzhi, and perhaps even let Second Sister see his and his family’s situation for herself. Once she discovers that Yang Chuzhi or his family aren’t as wonderful as she imagines, she’ll come to her senses.”

Madam Tao nodded with a smile and looked toward the elders and Ye Hongchang.

Ye Chongming said, “Yaming is right. Let’s do as she suggests. Don’t rush Qing’er’s matter—haste breeds chaos. If a potential fiancé’s family hears about today’s incident, they’ll certainly harbor doubts, which would be disadvantageous to her future position in their household.”

“Father is right,” Madam Tao immediately abandoned her remaining thoughts on the matter.

“Very well then. Father, Mother, Yaming, enjoy your meal. We’ll take our leave,” Ye Hongchang said as he stood up.

Since the elders had only invited Ye Yaming to dine with them, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to stay longer.

“Yes, go back and offer Qing’er some guidance,” Old Lady Ye said.

Before leaving, Madam Tao said to Ye Yaming, “Your Second Sister is very grateful to you. After you finish dinner and return to your quarters, she plans to visit you personally to apologize and thank you.”

“That’s not necessary,” Ye Yaming replied. “Second Sister is tired today. Let her rest well. We sisters will have plenty of time to talk in the future.”

After the couple left, Ye Yaming said to Ye Chongming, “Grandfather, you should have someone keep a close watch on Yang Chuzhi’s family and investigate them thoroughly.”

Ye Chongming’s expression grew serious: “What’s wrong? Is there something suspicious?”

Ye Yaming nodded: “Yang Tai, Yang An, Chuzhi—’ calmly handling matters’—don’t you find these names peculiar? For a servant’s son, even if the master’s family bestowed their surname upon him, would they give him a name that’s so closely connected to the young master of the household?”

Her eyes narrowed as she spoke in a low voice: “Could it be that Yang An is Yang Hong’s illegitimate son, deliberately sent out under the guise of being a servant’s child, just so he could take the imperial examinations and later benefit the Yang family?”

Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye were stunned by Ye Yaming’s suggestion.

“That… that can’t be, can it?” Old Lady Ye stammered. “Who would let their son bear the identity of a servant for life?”

Ye Chongming, however, appeared thoughtful, his eyes suddenly brightening as if Ye Yaming’s words had opened a new door for him.

Ye Yaming had expected this reaction.

From how desperately Ye Chongming sought marriage alliances with scholarly families, it was clear that these merchants, after accumulating wealth, constantly struggled to break free from the constraints of their social status, yearning for the protection that comes with official power.

The method of identity substitution was something Ye Chongming had never considered before. Now that she had provided this perspective, he would certainly contemplate its feasibility.

She quickly poured cold water on the idea: “Grandfather, you must realize that if Yang An truly is Yang Hong’s son, the Yang family would be guilty of deceiving the emperor. The court has explicitly forbidden merchants’ offspring from participating in the imperial examinations—would they allow people to exploit this loophole without severe punishment? If discovered, it would bring destruction upon their entire family.”

“Taking such a risk of having your family executed and property confiscated—if the child isn’t naturally gifted in scholarship and never passes the highest examinations or becomes an official, would such a strategy be worth it?”

Ye Chongming’s excited mind quickly sobered.

Indeed, how could he forget that such actions would result in the execution of the entire family!

The fact that Ye Chongming didn’t even dare to form partnerships showed his conservative nature and lifelong pursuit of stability. Ye Yaming’s words immediately dispelled all his thoughts on the matter.

Seeing his clear-eyed expression, Ye Yaming continued, “Courtesy demands reciprocation. Since the Yang family has dug such a deep pit for us, nearly costing Second Sister her life, we must strike back.”

“Moreover, they’re collaborating with the Meng family, who despise us and certainly won’t let matters rest. Perhaps this trap was the Meng family’s handiwork. If we don’t eliminate them while their spirits are dampened and before they rise again, who knows what troubles we’ll face in the future?”

Ye Chongming’s eyes instantly blazed with intensity: “Yaming, what good ideas do you have?”