Glory

Ye Chongming smiled bitterly and shook his head: "If I choose the latter path, can we truly live in peace and stability?"

"No," Ye Yaming replied bluntly. "Wasn't Meng Chengwei targeting our family before this?"

Ye Chongming spread his hands: "So, do I really have a choice?"

After all, he was the head of Ye Jia and had been constantly considering the family's development and challenges during this period.

"Ming'er, you once said we should find a powerful official to collaborate with and expand Ye Jia's tea business. Seeing our thriving trade recently, watching us purchase tea mountains as far as Huizhou, and observing how nobles from the capital befriend your father—even traveling thousands of miles to visit our tea gardens—your grandfather deeply realizes you were absolutely right."

"Ming'er, Grandfather understands. If we hadn't partnered with Young Master Lu, our Ye Jia would likely have been destroyed long ago."

The thought still made him shudder with lingering fear.

That Meng Chengwei was like a rabid dog. Even after being imprisoned and exiled thousands of miles away, he could still send people to seek revenge, attempting to eliminate the main male members of our Ye Jia.

If not for Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji, Ye Jia wouldn't even have had the ability to seek justice.

As for this newly produced Dragon Well Tea being presented to the Crown Prince—while Ye Jia might face risks, there could also be tremendous benefits. Once it becomes Tribute Tea, the Emperor himself would become our backing. What would Meng Chengwei matter then? Without the Emperor's command, no one would dare touch us.

"Have you decided?" Ye Yaming asked.

Ye Chongming nodded: "It's decided."

Ye Yaming turned to Ye Hongsheng: "Father, are you afraid?"

"No," Ye Hongsheng answered firmly. "As long as you all are safe, I fear nothing."

"What if I want to take the risk?"

"Then your father will stand with you."

"Good." Ye Yaming smiled at him.

She turned back to Ye Chongming: "Grandfather, you should still discuss this matter with Da Bo, Third Aunt, Fourth Uncle, and Eldest Cousin before making the final decision."

Ye Chongming thought it made sense. Even as the family head, he couldn't make this decision alone for everyone.

He said: "Alright, I'll have someone summon your Da Bo back to discuss this thoroughly."

Since Lu residence wasn't far from Ye Jia, Zan'er returned while they were speaking.

He reported: "Young Master Lu said he's deeply grateful for the tea sold to him and particularly appreciates the warning. He also mentioned that Imperial Consort Fan and others are pure tea enthusiasts who avoid conflicts. Having their appreciation for this tea would greatly benefit Ye Jia."

Ye Yaming smiled at Ye Chongming: "Grandfather, you catch the implied meaning, right? This should reassure you. However, once Dragon Well Tea is presented upward, the situation will change entirely. So we must carefully discuss and decide our path forward."

Ye Chongming nodded.

Ten days later, Ye Hongchang returned from the capital.

It was precisely the season for Pre-Qingming Tea production, and both Ye Yaming and Ye Hongsheng were busy processing tea. Nevertheless, the day after Ye Hongchang's return, Ye Chongming sent someone to summon Ye Hongsheng and Ye Yaming down the mountain for a family meeting.

"Father, you should go. I won't attend. Whatever needs deciding, you make the call." After self-reflection, Ye Yaming resolved not to overly interfere with Ye Jia's development plans.

"Perhaps it's better you don't come," Ye Hongsheng said. "If you were there, some topics might become difficult to discuss openly."

He waved his hand: "I'll be going then."

Watching his retreating figure, Ye Yaming smiled faintly.Her cheap father, who had long been overlooked and belittled by the family, had always remained silent, living an inconspicuous existence.

Now that his daughter was supporting the entire Ye family, his heart ached for her, so he forcefully straightened up as well.

The next day at noon, Ye Hongsheng returned to the mountain villa and told Ye Yaming, "Ming'er, the credit for this tea is too great. Yesterday, your Da Bo proposed that you become the next head of the Ye family."

Worried that Ye Yaming didn't understand the implications,

he added, "That means we've become the main branch. After your grandfather passes away, we'll inherit seventy percent of the family assets, while the first, third, and fourth branches will each get ten percent." Ye Yaming asked, "How did you respond?"

"I agreed," Ye Hongsheng said, "but I gave an extra ten percent to your Da Bo."

In the past, he would never have agreed. Firstly, he didn't value money much and was unwilling to fight over it; secondly, he didn't want his daughter to bear such a heavy burden.

But now, no matter what, this family had to be managed by Ye Yaming; the tea was also being processed by her; and once the reputation of Dragon Well Tea spread, both he and Ye Yaming would face pressure from all sides, even danger.

Even if he intended to be modest, he couldn't let his daughter work in vain while the first branch leeched off her efforts.

So he shamelessly accepted the proposal.

However, the years of hard work by the first branch couldn't be ignored, which is why he allocated an extra ten percent to them.

Ye Yaming nodded, "That's good."

...

One month later.

It was mid-spring, the perfect season for outings. By the beautiful lakeside in Lin'an City, groups of young men and women sat or stood beneath the newly sprouted green willows, chatting, laughing, and reciting poetry.

A fast horse galloped into the city from outside, heading straight for the Ye residence.

"Guard Feng, you're back?" The gatekeeper immediately stepped forward upon seeing the dismounting man.

Feng Yu tossed the reins to him and asked, "Do you know if Old Master Ye is home? What about Third Miss?"

"Neither is here," another gatekeeper replied. "Old Master Ye and Third Miss are both at the tea garden in Baiteng County."

Hearing this, Feng Yu quickly grabbed the reins back, "I'm going to Baiteng County." With that, he mounted his horse and sped off in a cloud of dust.

On the mountain, Ye Yaming and Ye Hongsheng were busy processing tea. Ye Chongming, feeling uneasy, personally inspected the tea leaves picked by the manor serfs, overseeing Bai Rui, Lve E, Zhou Xiang, and Meng Ji as they spread the leaves to wither. Li Fu and Fang Xing had also been brought to the mountain and were honored to serve as gatekeepers for the tea-processing courtyard.

Thanks to Master Zhineng's earlier reminder, Fan Yu and the others had enjoyed themselves in Lin'an City for four days. Knowing it was time to process the Pre-Qingming Tea, they returned to the capital.

Thus, Ye Hongsheng wasn't delayed in tea processing.

But after hearing Ye Yaming's words, how could Ye Chongming dare to let Ye Hongsheng waste tea leaves? He only allowed him to watch from the sidelines, with all the Pre-Qingming Tea being processed solely by Ye Yaming.

Now that it was time for the Pre-Rain Tea, Ye Hongsheng finally had the chance to participate.

His two pages tended the fire for the father and daughter.

When Fang Xing came to report that Feng Yu had arrived, Ye Chongming, who had been squatting to examine the tea leaves, abruptly stood up.

"Oh, Old Master, please be careful!" Meng Ji was startled and hurried forward to support him.

"It's fine, it's fine, I just stood up too quickly." Ye Chongming waved his hand and was about to tell Fang Xing to invite Feng Yu in when he changed his mind and said to Meng Ji, "Come with me outside."

While stir-frying the tea, Ye Hongsheng asked Ye Yaming, "Has there been feedback from the capital after they tasted the tea?""It must be so," said Ye Yaming. "Otherwise, Feng Yu wouldn't have come all the way up this mountain."

P.S.

It's the end of the month, seeking monthly votes~

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