Glory

"This matter is quite coincidental. It just so happens that the Xie family has a daughter-in-law related to my maiden family, so they approached me. I was wondering, why would the Xie family suddenly inquire about this? Then they mentioned the possibility of a marriage alliance."

She explained the situation of the Xie family and Xie Guizhou to Tao Shi, lowering her voice as she said, "What exactly is going on with your second branch's daughter's marriage arrangement? No one can find out what kind of match it is or who it's with. Naturally, the Xie family is uneasy, so they asked me to inquire."

She patted her chest and said, "I am your own sister-in-law. There are things you can't say to others, but don't you trust me? If there's no issue with that marriage arrangement, I will definitely help you secure the match with the Xie family."

To sway Tao Shi, she detailed how much land and shops the Xie family owned and how many of their members held official positions.

Tao Shi was indeed tempted.

The Ye family was wealthy, but their social status was low. Finding a family of high status that wasn't too poor was truly difficult. As for impoverished scholars, she feared encountering another Song Yifeng.

A family like the Xie family, with such favorable conditions, was exactly the kind she had always wanted to ally with but couldn't reach.

Now, because of Ye Yaming's marriage arrangement, the Xie family had come knocking.

The dilemma she had worried about earlier had indeed come to pass, bringing her both joy and worry.

"This marriage was arranged by her second uncle in the capital. I truly don't know the specifics. But I can assure you it's definitely not some questionable family. Everyone knows my second brother-in-law's temperament. He's an honest man who dotes on his daughter. If anyone mistreats his daughter, even this honest man can erupt in anger—not even Old Master Ye or Old Madam Ye could restrain him. Would a marriage he personally arranged be wrong?"

These words actually convinced Feng Shi.

Ye Hongsheng's temperament was well-known among relatives of many years. His doting on his daughter was also famous.

She gave a bitter smile and said, "I believe you, but others don't. Since there's no issue with the marriage, could you tell me the name and address of the person? That way, I can give them an answer. Once they inquire in the capital and confirm there's no problem, won't Qing'er have secured a good marriage?"

"I really don't know. You have no idea how difficult my life in the Ye family is now." She told Feng Shi about the matter of the successor family head.

This was an embarrassing affair, so she had never mentioned it to her maiden family.

Feng Shi was immediately shocked. "There's no such precedent. Not letting the eldest son and grandson inherit the family business, but instead allowing a married granddaughter to take over—what kind of reasoning is that? How could you and your husband agree to this?"

"Well, it's because the second branch is capable. They produced Dragon Well Tea, which even the Emperor praised. It might even become Tribute Tea in the future."

Lowering her voice, she added, "I'm only telling you this—don't spread it around. If Dragon Well becomes Tribute Tea, our family might even become Imperial merchants."

She winked at Feng Shi. "So now you understand why we're letting the second branch inherit the family business and why my husband and I aren't objecting? If we truly become Imperial merchants, even if our branch only gets twenty percent of the family assets in the future, it would still be more than the original seventy percent, and our status would be completely different. When my grandson grows up, he could even marry an official's daughter."

"Really? Are you sure about this?"Tao Shi said, "There's a fair chance of success. You must understand, not just anyone who makes tea can have it presented before the Emperor for a single sip. That step is the most difficult; the rest is just a matter of waiting. After all, matters like Tribute Tea and Imperial merchant status require inspections of qualifications and family backgrounds by officials from the capital."

Feng Shi nodded blankly.

Tao Shi leaned closer and whispered, "Ming'er's marriage arrangement is connected to this matter. It's of great importance, and no one wants complications, which is why we haven't spoken of it openly."

After speaking, she patted Feng Shi's arm and resumed her normal tone: "Anyway, the Xie family's proposal is indeed a good match, but if they insist on nitpicking and can't make a decision without thoroughly investigating Ming'er's future in-laws, then let it be."

She tucked her handkerchief and dabbed the corner of her mouth: "At worst, we'll wait another year or so. Once our family's status changes, I'll arrange a marriage for Qing'er. Though she'd be a bit older at seventeen or eighteen, I believe that if we become Imperial merchants, even if she's a year or two older than the groom's family's eldest son, they'd still be willing to form an alliance." Few men remain unmarried by eighteen or nineteen, but many are still unattached at fifteen or sixteen.

After all, many families worry that an early betrothal might lead to unforeseen mishaps—leaving their children as "second-hand goods" or even burdened with reputations for bringing misfortune to spouses.

Moreover, people change. Many who are well-behaved in childhood turn out differently as adults, so plenty prefer to arrange marriages only when their children are near marrying age.

Seeing Tao Shi's calm and composed demeanor, Feng Shi finally believed her sister-in-law's words.

If nothing else, she knew this sister-in-law's temperament well. If the second branch couldn't bring such significant benefits to Ye Jia, why would the main branch readily yield? Tao Shi would have surely rushed back to her natal family to stir up trouble.

This sister-in-law of hers was not one to be magnanimous or indifferent to slights.

"Alright then, I'll speak properly with the Xie family."

As she said this, Feng Shi added, "Don't worry, I won't recklessly disclose what shouldn't be said."

"Thank you, Sister-in-law," Tao Shi replied with a cheerful smile.

While Tao Shi was busy digesting the advantages brought by Ye Yaming's marriage arrangement, Ye Yaming herself hadn't had the chance to visit the manor to check on the jasmine flowers.

She and Ye Hongsheng spent two days accompanying Lu Qingsheng and his wife, Peng Shi, on a tour of Lin'an City. It wasn't until the morning of the third day, after seeing the couple off on their carriage back to the capital, that she found time to go to the manor. There, she began guiding the newly purchased servants in making Jasmine Tea.

Jasmine buds are picked and bloom that very night, releasing their fragrance. Before this, tea leaves must be layered over the buds. Once the flowers open and the tea absorbs the scent, the spent blossoms are sifted out, and the tea is roasted over fire.

High-quality Jasmine Tea requires this scenting process nine times. During production, tea makers must stay up late every night.

Fortunately, Second Uncle Lu not only came to propose but also brought two Manor Guards: one named Yi Wu, said to possess martial skills rivaling imperial guards, and another, a maid named Chen Xiu.

With these two protecting her, her safety was greatly assured, making an extended stay at the manor unproblematic.

Guan Ting had previously traveled the world with a Security Company, constantly on the move until she grew weary of restlessness. After joining Ye Yaming, she was confined to the residence for so long that she now yearned for activity again.Seeing that Ye Yaming had two highly skilled individuals by her side, and that Chen Xiu—who appeared thin and small—could defeat her in under ten moves, Guan Ting decided to temporarily take leave from Ye Yaming.

"When you need me, just call. I’ll head home to rest for a couple of days first, then join another escort mission for fun," she repeatedly reminded Ye Yaming.

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm!"

As Shen Changqing walked along the road, he would occasionally encounter familiar faces, exchanging greetings or nods with them.

Yet, regardless of who it was,

everyone’s face bore an expression devoid of excess emotion, as if indifferent to everything.

To this,

Shen Changqing had grown accustomed.

Because this was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution responsible for maintaining the stability of Great Qin. Its primary duty was to slay demons, monsters, and supernatural beings, though it also handled some side tasks.

It could be said

that every person in the Demon Suppression Division had blood on their hands.

When one becomes accustomed to life and death, they grow indifferent to many things.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he found it somewhat unsettling, but over time, he grew used to it.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who remained in the Demon Suppression Division were either formidable experts or individuals with the potential to become experts.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

Within the Demon Suppression Division, there were two main roles: the Garrison Envoy and the Demon Subduing Envoy.

Anyone who entered the Demon Suppression Division started as a Demon Subduing Envoy at the lowest rank,

advancing step by step, with the eventual hope of becoming a Garrison Envoy.

Shen Changqing’s predecessor had been a probationary Demon Subduing Envoy within the division—the lowest tier among the Demon Subduing Envoys.

Possessing the memories of his predecessor,

he was very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppression Division.

It didn’t take long for Shen Changqing to stop in front of a pavilion.

Unlike the other solemn and imposing areas of the Demon Suppression Division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, exuding an unusual tranquility amidst the pervasive bloodshed of the division.

At that moment, the pavilion’s door was wide open, with people occasionally entering and exiting.

After only a brief hesitation, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Upon entering the pavilion,

the atmosphere abruptly changed.

The scent of ink, mingled with a faint trace of blood, assailed his senses, causing him to instinctively frown before quickly relaxing.

The scent of blood that clung to everyone in the Demon Suppression Division was nearly impossible to wash away completely.