She smoothed things over: “This is good, this is good. A girl’s marriage is a lifelong affair; how could she possibly marry someone who doesn’t suit her in every way? When that Wang Fusheng was first mentioned by the matchmaker, I thought he was flawless. But seeing him today, he’s truly not presentable.”

“Let’s not mention anything else, just think about our banquet. With him standing there, how many jokes would it invite? Our Ming’er wouldn’t be able to hold her head up in public afterward.”

She patted Ye Yaming: “If we’re looking for a proper husband, then there are many more candidates. Grandmother will first select some for you, and when I find suitable ones, you can take a look at them, like today. If you don’t like them, Grandmother will find more. We have time; we can afford to wait a year or two, there’s no rush.”

Ye Yaming smiled at her: “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Old Lady Ye glared at Ye Chongming, her eyes containing a warning.

Ye Chongming immediately sobered up and hastily declared: “Alright, let your grandmother select properly for you. We all sincerely want the best for you.”

“Thank you, Grandfather and Grandmother.” Ye Yaming’s smile was sweet.

She stood up: “Now that this matter is settled, I should go to the tea factory with my father. We’re about to process spring tea, and I need to meet all the tea masters at the factory.”

Ye Chongming felt he had just disappointed his granddaughter and wanted to make amends; besides, tea production was important business.

He said: “Then I’ll join you. Those tea masters are skilled people and tend to be proud and arrogant. It might be difficult to make them listen to you. If I say a few words, it might help.”

So the three generations went to the tea factory together.

Old Lady Ye returned to the main quarters.

She had just sat down when she saw her youngest son rushing in urgently, almost startling her.

“You’re already in your twenties and a father of several children, why are you still so impetuous?” She glared at her son.

Ye Hongrong had no time for this.

He anxiously asked: “You took Ming’er to meet a potential son-in-law?”

“Ah. What’s the matter?” Old Lady Ye asked irritably.

Just mentioning this made her upset. How could she not have seen Wang Fusheng’s unsuitability beforehand?

Thinking of this, she glared at Ye Hongrong again.

If it weren’t for this wretched creature, would she need to worry about dividing the family property? If the family were divided, this unfilial son would be eating dirt!

Ye Hongrong had earned his mother’s favor by being observant, sweet-talking, and knowing how to please people.

But now he seemed oblivious to his mother’s expression and asked again: “Did Ming’er like him?”

Seeing her son’s worried and anxious face, Old Lady Ye became suspicious and asked: “What are you up to? Is something wrong?”

Since her youngest son returned from Huizhou, he had greatly admired Ye Yaming and protected his niece fiercely. If anyone spoke ill of her, he would be ready to fight.

“Just tell me first, did Ming’er like that person?” Ye Hongrong asked urgently.

“No,” Old Lady Ye shook her head.

Ye Hongrong sighed deeply in relief and plopped down on a nearby chair.

“What’s going on?” Old Lady Ye asked.

Ye Hongrong was carrying a big secret that he couldn’t tell anyone, and it was tormenting him terribly.

Yet during breakfast today, he heard his wife say that the old lady had found a son-in-law for Ye Yaming, and she complained about how unsuitable the man was.

Hearing that the meeting was today, how could he not be anxious? He rushed over immediately.

Although Ye Yaming had explained to him why marrying Lu Guanyi would have its disadvantages, he still felt it would be a great pity if this marriage didn’t happen.

That Wang whatever-his-name-was, who lived no better than a beggar, compared to Young Master Lu, was like comparing a cloud in the sky to mud on the ground. His niece rejecting someone as exceptional as Lu Guanyi to marry someone who was nothing and knew nothing made him feel aggrieved on her behalf.

After some thought, he decided to tell his mother about this matter.

“Mother, first promise me that you absolutely cannot tell anyone about this.”

Old Lady Ye looked at him suspiciously: “You haven’t gotten into trouble again, have you?”

“Mother, can you stop wrongfully accusing me? I only made trouble that one time.”

“Isn’t once enough? How many times do you want?” Old Lady Ye glared.

“Fine, fine. I won’t tell you then. Just say whether you promise or not?”

Old Lady Ye’s eyes shifted slightly: “Alright, I promise you.”

If her son had caused trouble, she wouldn’t cover for him. Her husband had said that if she continued to indulge him, this unfilial son would ruin the Ye family.

Ye Hongrong first sent away all the maids and servants. Still feeling uneasy, he specifically went out to check, and seeing that the maids and servants were far enough away to not hear their conversation, he returned to the room and told his mother about Lu Guanyi’s feelings for Ye Yaming.

Old Lady Ye opened her mouth in shock.

“Are—are you telling the truth?” she exclaimed.

“Shh!” Ye Hongrong quickly made a gesture for silence.

Old Lady Ye covered her mouth and nodded to show she understood, but the next moment she grabbed Ye Hongrong’s arm and anxiously asked: “Young Master Lu truly likes Ming’er?”

Though the old lady was advanced in years, her grip was still strong.

Ye Hongrong grimaced in pain and quickly threw cold water on his mother’s hopes: “What use is liking? He probably also feels it’s inappropriate. It’s been so long, yet he hasn’t sent anyone to propose, nor has he expressed his feelings to Ming’er.”

Old Lady Ye’s hand loosened, and her face fell in disappointment.

As a woman confined to the inner chambers, her thoughts weren’t as complex as Ye Chongming’s.

If Ye Chongming or Ye Hongsheng learned this news, their first thought would be what benefits this marriage could bring to the Ye family.

But Old Lady Ye was simply impressed by Lu Guanyi’s family background, which was so prestigious that the Ye family couldn’t hope to reach it even with a ladder. Moreover, despite his young age, he had begun working with the Crown Prince and had a limitless future. He was also so handsome that he surpassed even the most handsome man in Lin’an.

Therefore, not to mention ordinary families, even the daughters of noble families or officials in Lin’an city wished to marry him. When attending banquets, she had often heard people discussing Lu Guanyi as a golden son-in-law.

Now, hearing that this man, whom noble daughters and officials’ daughters all admired but who remained cold and ruthlessly rejected them, never even acknowledging their calling cards, actually liked her granddaughter—the old lady’s vanity was greatly satisfied.

This was the ultimate honor.

Unfortunately, Lu Guanyi merely liked Ye Yaming but was unwilling to marry her. She couldn’t boast about it outside, and her granddaughter couldn’t marry such a wonderful man.

Ye Hongrong was filial. His mother doted on him, and he cared for her in return.

Seeing his mother gradually clutching her chest in extreme discomfort, he quickly spoke up and explained Lu Guanyi’s family situation to his mother.

“Think about it, our family’s status is already low. It would be an unequal match. If Ming’er married into the Lu family, how difficult would her life be? Even Lu Guanyi’s grandfather and grandmother have no way to deal with that stepmother, and after all these years, Lu Guanyi still hasn’t obtained the title of heir apparent. You can see how formidable that woman is. If Ming’er marries into that family, how could her life be good?”