Glory

"However, there is one matter I need to discuss with Young Master Lu," Ye Yaming added.

She briefly explained the Ye family's conflict with Meng Chengwei.

"I presume both Young Master Lu and Qi Gongzi are aware of this matter. I bring it up again now to inform you that the Meng family has been continuously seeking ways to retaliate against our family."

She then proceeded to recount the recent actions the Yang family had taken against the Ye family, as well as the incidents involving Ye Yaqing.

Of course, she did not mention Ye Yaqing's affection for Yang Chuzhi, only stating that the Yang family had attempted to exploit Ye Yaqing, but she had uncovered their scheme.

As she spoke, she stood up and bowed to Lu and Qi.

The two men quickly stepped aside to avoid the gesture.

Qi Ji asked, "Miss Ye, what are you doing?"

Ye Yaming smiled. "If not for the protection of you two gentlemen, our family would have long suffered at the hands of the Meng family. Their lack of direct action and their reliance on the Yang family to carry out their schemes are entirely due to your influence."

Her expression turned serious. "However, we will handle any troubles we can manage on our own. I do not wish for the Ye family to remain weak and perpetually dependent on your protection."

"Therefore, we will retaliate against the Yang family. I will also use the news of purchasing tea mountains to spread rumors and lure out the people sent by the Meng family to kidnap me, so we can capture them all in one fell swoop."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chongming was startled.

"What, Ming'er? The Yang family wants to kidnap you? How did you know?" he asked urgently.

"Lately, whenever I go out, I feel like someone is secretly watching me. I asked the Security Company to follow me discreetly and investigate. They found that those people are strangers, not the manor guards or servants of the Yang family," Ye Yaming explained.

"I suspect the Meng family wants revenge but fears angering you two gentlemen. So, on the surface, they are using the Yang family to scheme against my sister and me in matters of marriage, while secretly plotting to harm our family. This way, we won't suspect them."

Ye Chongming was both shocked and furious. He slammed the table and exclaimed, "How despicable! They go too far! They tried to harm us, and when we remained vigilant and unharmed, they still hold a grudge!"

"If not for their fear of you two gentlemen, their retaliation would not be so indirect and mild," Ye Yaming reminded him to thank the two men.

Ye Chongming quickly bowed to Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji. "Thank you, gentlemen."

Lu and Qi avoided his bow.

Lu Guanyi said, "Old Master Ye, please, there's no need for such formalities. Since we are partners in business, we are one and the same."

He turned to Ye Yaming. "If you need any assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to ask. Your well-being ensures our success. Otherwise, this business partnership cannot continue."

"Indeed, indeed," Qi Ji echoed.

The tea mountains had not yet been purchased, and the spring tea had not been produced. Since their collaboration began, they had only engaged in the tea set business.

Yet, the concept of the tea arrangement was proposed by Ye Yaming, the tea sets were designed by her, and the sales through the Gathering Fragrance Pavilion in the capital were also tied to her ideas and designs.

As for themselves, they had merely traveled to Xinping Town to select a kiln and had the porcelain masters produce the tea sets. This step was the least technically demanding.

Previously, without their involvement, the Ye family had managed to produce the tea sets on their own.

Now, with the purchase of tea mountains, Ye Yaming had once again provided them with a clear direction.Although it still needed to be verified whether Huizhou truly had such suitable tea mountains, Ye Yaming had always been reliable. Throughout their cooperation, every word she spoke—even those that seemed unbelievable at the time—had ultimately proven entirely feasible, with results exceeding expectations.

As for Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji, aside from relying on their ancestral influence to provide some protection for the Ye family through their status, they had contributed little.

Thus, when faced with the gratitude of Ye Chongming and Ye Yaming, the two felt genuinely ashamed.

"Very well, if there is a need, we certainly won’t stand on ceremony."

Ye Yaming turned to Qi Ji with a smile. "The Yang family conducts business unscrupulously, even to the point of endangering lives. If you send someone to investigate, Young Master Qi, you’ll quickly learn the truth."

"We have been gathering evidence on these matters recently."

"When the matter is exposed, we would appreciate it if you could put in a word for us with Magistrate Qi. There’s no need for any special intervention—simply ensuring the Yang family is punished according to the law will suffice."

Qi Ji promptly replied, "No problem, no problem."

Ye Yaming then turned to Lu Guanyi. "These matters shouldn’t take long. I estimate we can set off around the twentieth of this month."

"There’s no rush. Once you’re ready to depart, just send word to notify me," Lu Guanyi said.

After leaving the Gathering Fragrance Pavilion and returning to Lu Guanyi’s residence, Qi Ji, who had been holding back his thoughts the entire way, burst out as soon as they entered, "The Ye family is truly peculiar. It seems the one in charge isn’t Old Master Ye, but Third Miss Ye, who only recently came of age."

"Those with ability rise; the incompetent fall. Third Miss Ye is intelligent, quick-witted, and exceptionally courageous. It’s not surprising that she holds sway in the Ye family," Lu Guanyi remarked.

He then smiled and added, "When we first chose the Ye family as our partners, I was actually somewhat concerned."

Qi Ji glanced at him in surprise. "Concerned about what?"

"Concerned that the Ye family might be overly benevolent but lacking in capability."

Lu Guanyi paused and turned to gaze in the direction of the capital. "You must be aware that our choice of partners cannot be hidden from those in the capital. Officially, His Highness has many political opponents; privately, my dear stepmother is highly skilled in manipulation."

"They fear our status and dare not target you or me directly, so their focus naturally shifts to the Ye family. If the Ye family is compromised, our plans will fail."

"Moreover, at the time, the Ye family was also embroiled in the illicit tea incident. That matter could have been exploited—those in the capital could have used it as leverage to crush the Ye family completely."

He entered the hall, sat down, and accepted the tea offered by a servant. "Fortunately, the Ye family handled the situation decisively and efficiently. Since they were also recommended by Master Zhineng and there were no better partners in Lin’an City, I decided to proceed with the collaboration."

He took a sip of tea and placed the cup on the table. "Later, I was utterly astonished when the Ye family managed to have Meng Chengwei imprisoned and exiled a thousand miles away. At the time, I was puzzled, thinking I had misjudged them. It was the incident with Song Yifeng that gave me some insight."

He looked at Qi Ji. "Do you remember when I tested Old Master Ye with my words?"

Qi Ji nodded.

"At that point, I realized it wasn’t Old Master Ye’s doing at all. I also tested Ye Hongchang, the eldest master of the Ye family, and Ye Jiaxing, the eldest young master—neither of them was responsible. Meanwhile, the second master of the Ye family was in the capital, and after speaking with him, I found him even less astute than his nephew.""Back then, I suspected this was Third Miss Ye's doing. The wit and intelligence she displayed at Chongshan Temple far surpassed that of other Ye family members. And today's conversation has finally confirmed this for me."

At this point, a smile appeared on Lu Guanyi's handsome face: "This is truly a delightful surprise. With someone like her in the Ye family, we can rest assured."