Glory

He didn't dwell on the matter further, tilting his head back to gaze at the sky with a sigh. "I hope your Da Bo and the others have a safe journey and return soon."

"They should," Ye Yaming replied, her words not matching her thoughts.

According to the original course of events, Ye Hongchang would not be safe.

Entering the main courtyard, Ye Yaqing approached with Ye Yayin. "Grandfather, Second Uncle, you're back?"

"Grandfather, Father," Ye Yayin greeted the elders, then ran to Ye Yaming's side with a sweet smile. "Sister."

Ye Yaming patted her head and followed Ye Chongming and the others up the steps.

Tao Shi, Yin Shi, and Zhang Shi were all waiting at the entrance. Together, they entered the hall.

"You're back? How did things go?" Old Mrs. Ye stepped forward, her voice filled with concern.

"Hmph." Ye Chongming snorted coldly, his expression grim as he took the seat of honor. After sipping his tea twice, he ignored her question and countered, "Where is that little beast?"

"Still kneeling in the ancestral hall," Old Mrs. Ye replied, studying her husband's expression. She then turned to scold Ye Yaming with displeasure, "Ming'er, I heard you went out with your grandfather? Your grandfather had important matters to attend to. You shouldn't have caused trouble."

Clang! The sound of Ye Chongming slamming his teacdown heavily echoed through the room.

He looked up at Li Fu, who stood by the door. "Li Fu, go to the storeroom and fetch two sets of the finest head ornaments and jewelry, along with six rolls of the most vibrant silk. Deliver them to the Third Young Lady's room."

"Yes," Li Fu acknowledged promptly and hurried out.

"This... Husband?" Old Mrs. Ye looked at Ye Chongming in confusion.

"If it weren't for Ming'er today, things would have been far more troublesome. If it had escalated, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our family might have been ruined. That you can all sit here peacefully drinking tea and chatting is entirely thanks to Ming'er."

Ye Chongming declared, "This is my reward for Ming'er. No one is to make envious remarks. If anyone disagrees, come and argue with me directly."

His words silenced the room. Especially among the women, although Ye Chongming was usually kind to his family, the authority of the household head was undeniable. When he was serious, everyone feared him.

No one dared to lift their heads now, only stealing glances at Ye Yaming from the corners of their eyes, wondering what great deed she had accomplished in such a short time to earn such high praise from the Old Master.

"Grandfather, you flatter me. I merely shared my suspicions; it was nothing significant. The successful resolution of the matter is all thanks to Grandfather and Father," Ye Yaming quickly demurred.

In an era that emphasized filial piety and humility, such words were necessary.

Ye Chongming stood up. "Enough, everyone may disperse. I'm going to see that disgraceful creature."

After taking a few steps, he noticed Old Mrs. Ye and Ye Hongsheng following him. He stopped and said, "Hongsheng, go back and rest. Everyone else, return to your own courtyards."

He scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Old Mrs. Ye, his expression stern. "No one is to plead for mercy today. If anyone disregards my words, don't blame me for ignoring decades of respect and punishing them as well."

Old Mrs. Ye's face shifted through several emotions.

In decades of marriage, this was the first time Ye Chongming had so openly disrespected her in front of the younger generation, almost pointing his finger at her nose to scold her.

But this also indicated the severity of the situation.

She didn't dare say another word, watching helplessly as Ye Chongming strode out.When immortals fight, mortals suffer. None of the women from the various branches dared to upset Old Madam Ye at this moment. Since Old Master Ye had spoken, everyone quietly followed Ye Chongming out and returned to their own courtyards.

Yin Shi was overjoyed that Ye Yaming had earned Old Master Ye's praise. She followed her husband and daughter back to the Second Branch's main hall before pulling Ye Yaming aside to inquire about the day's events.

Ye Yaming felt that Old Madam Ye's protectiveness toward the spendthrift Ye Hongrong stemmed from how well the Ye family men had sheltered their women. Even Old Madam Ye, who had managed the household her entire life, lacked any sense of crisis.

Only when women understood the ruthlessness of the business world would they know how to raise their children properly. She recounted everything, leaving both Yin Shi and Ye Yayin trembling with fear. Realizing this was a trap set by others, and that mishandling it could plunge the Ye family into crisis, both felt terrified.

Ye Yaming said, "Flies flock to cracked eggs. If our household were in good order, Meng Chengwei couldn't execute his schemes no matter how many he had. If Grandmother continues indulging Fourth Uncle like this, and if Grandfather fails to discipline him strictly, he might bring even greater disaster upon us in the future."

These words were meant for Ye Hongsheng's ears.

Though not eloquent, Ye Hongsheng was astute.

Ye Chongming had only three sons. With the fourth son unreliable, he could only depend on the eldest and second sons. Ye Hongsheng, as the second son, still had his father's ear.

Even if Ye Hongsheng couldn't subtly influence matters, it would be good for him to keep a closer watch on Ye Hongrong himself.

"Don't worry. After this incident, your grandfather will definitely impose strict discipline on your fourth uncle," Ye Hongsheng assured.

Previously, though Ye Hongrong accomplished little, he hadn't caused any trouble, so Ye Chongming had neglected to rein him in.

Now that he had nearly brought calamity upon the family, how could they continue to indulge him? At the very least, he would certainly be barred from any involvement in business matters.

"That's good to hear."

Seeing their conversation winding down, Ye Yayin couldn't resist asking, "Sister, how have you become so remarkable?"

Yin Shi shared the same curiosity: "Indeed."

Ye Yaming turned to Yin Shi with a smile. "Wasn't it because I saw Mother being wronged and wanted to help her regain dignity? As the eldest daughter of our branch, I must uphold our family's honor. I want everyone to know that even without sons, the daughters of the Second Branch are no less capable than sons."

She then looked at Ye Yayin. "Yayin, you must remember: having your own abilities is far better than relying on others. If you're capable and can stand on your own, no one can look down on you—not even those with status and power."

"Oh," Ye Yayin nodded, only half-comprehending.

After dinner, Ye Yaming brought out the moldy pressed tea she had brought back.

The Great Jin Dynasty existed in an alternate timeline, roughly equivalent to the Song and Ming periods. Pressed, loose, powdered, and cake teas coexisted, while pan-fired green tea was just emerging. Black tea and oolong tea had yet to appear.

Among all tea types, since the upper class still favored pressed tea, the Ye family's tea factory used the finest first-harvest crude tea of spring to produce pressed tea. They added spices and compressed it into various patterns. This pressed tea, whether purchased by the Tea Monopoly Bureau or sold on the open market, commanded the highest prices.

Lower-grade tea leaves were made into loose, powdered, or cake teas to meet different market demands.Pressed tea is a type of steamed green tea that requires several processing steps: steaming, pressing, grinding, shaping, yellowing, and drying. The process involves harvesting fresh leaves, soaking them in water, steaming, rinsing with cold water, lightly pressing to remove moisture, heavily pressing to extract tea juice, grinding finely in an earthen basin, and finally compressing the mixture into cakes using molds.