Glory

Ye Yaming couldn't be bothered to argue anymore. As her closest family in this world—her parents and younger sister—she would never treat them poorly anyway.

She asked, "How has Fifth Sister been recently?"

Since Ye Yayu was staying in Ye Yayin's courtyard, and the child was truly pitiable, Yin Shi poured all her maternal affection into her, visiting the two young girls at least two or three times daily.

Mentioning Ye Yayu brought a smile to Yin Shi's face. "She's growing closer to Yayin. They play with the cat together, and once when I visited, I even heard her laugh aloud."

"Doesn't Yayin still have her female tutor coming for lessons? Before, whenever the tutor arrived, Yayu would hide in her room and refuse to come out no matter what. Now, with Yayin pulling her along, she can sit beside Yayin during lessons. Although she still hides behind Yayin fearfully when the tutor asks her questions, it's still significant progress."

Ye Yaming was delighted to hear this.

"Take it slowly, no need to rush. With Yayin guiding her, she'll gradually improve."

"Yes, your grandmother and I think the same way," Yin Shi said. "Those pastry recipes you wrote—the kitchen made them, and both girls love eating them. I've noticed Yayu's complexion has become rosier recently, and she's put on some weight."

"Speaking of which," Yin Shi continued seriously, "you've written at least ten recipes recently—that's more than enough. How much can two young girls eat? Don't just give away benefits to the kitchen staff for nothing. Keep any good food recipes you have for yourself; they'll be valuable assets when you marry someday."

This was something Yin Shi had learned from observing Tao Shi and others.

Young ladies from well-established families would include some recipes in their dowries when they married. Occasionally preparing dishes or pastries would earn them respect in their marital homes.

In contrast, Yin Shi had nothing like this. The Yin family originally only owned a few meager acres of land. It was only after her maternal grandfather passed the imperial examination and became a Licentiate that the family's status improved slightly.

"It's fine, they're not worth much," Ye Yaming said. "If you consider them valuable assets, then these recipes I've written can be included in the dowries when the family's young ladies marry. Wouldn't that be good?"

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Since we're planning to buy a shop, and I have these food recipes, why don't you select a capable cook from the kitchen and take on two apprentices to open a pastry shop? This shop can be your business with Yayin and Yayu. Both Da Bo's wife and Fourth Aunt manage shops—you should open one too."

"If this one does well, you can open several chain stores in the city. I'll write a few more food recipes for you until we have sixteen varieties."

She then explained the concept of chain stores to Yin Shi.

Since Ye Jia owned Gathering Fragrance Pavilions in both Lin'an City and the capital that sold the same items with identical business models, Yin Shi immediately understood the chain store concept.

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Is that feasible?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Ye Yaming laughed. "I purchased several dozen people recently, and some aren't suitable for tea production. I can assign a few to you as Housekeepers, shop assistants, and cooks. We just need one capable cook from the kitchen to get this venture started."

"If I ask for one cook, Grandmother would gladly give her to me, and neither my aunts nor sisters-in-law would object."

The more she spoke, the more excited Yin Shi became.In the past, she might have had reservations. But now, seeing her daughter thriving in business and even taking over the position of family head from Old Master Ye, with the entire household now following her commands, Yin Shi realized that women could also achieve great things. When one succeeded, people not only refrained from criticism but instead admired her.

She nodded firmly, "Alright, Mother will listen to you."

She, too, wanted to engage in business and earn substantial wealth.

"If there's anything you don't understand or any trouble you encounter, feel free to ask me," Ye Yaming advised. "If the servants don't obey, just let me know."

"Okay," Yin Shi replied with full enthusiasm.

After discussing this matter, Ye Yaming asked, "How is the marriage arrangement for Second Sister going?"

"While you were out with your grandfather today, visitors came to the house. I heard from the servants that the Xie family from the west of the city sent a matchmaker to propose marriage. The Xie family seems quite well-off, with some members serving as officials in the court. It's an excellent match. I'm not sure if your Da Bo's wife has agreed to it yet."

She added with a smile, "You've secured such a good marriage, and our Dragon Well Tea has become Tribute Tea. With rising tides lifting all boats, your Second Sister's marriage prospects are no longer stuck in an awkward middle ground."

As she spoke, Yin Shi couldn't help but show a hint of pride on her face.

Tao Shi had been the most favored person in the Ye family's inner quarters for many years, a constant source of insecurity for Yin Shi. Coming from a wealthy family with a generous dowry, married to the next family head, with a son as the legitimate eldest grandson, and managing the household herself—she seemed to have all the advantages.

But now, the hundred thousand taels of silver Ye Yaming brought back instantly overshadowed Tao Shi's modest assets. Ye Yaming had even taken over the position of family head, proving more capable than Old Master Ye and the eldest young master combined. Most importantly, she had secured an exceptional marriage, far superior to the so-called "Xie family."

Yin Shi now felt like a liberated serf singing in triumph, all her pent-up frustrations dissipating, leaving her feeling refreshed and joyful, as if spring had arrived and flowers were blooming.

Seeing Yin Shi like this, Ye Yaming was also very pleased.

...

When they went to the Main house for dinner that evening, Ye Yaming learned that Ye Yaqing's marriage had finally been settled—with the Xie family from the west of the city. The family head was Xie Linjiang, and the proposal was for his youngest grandson. Since he had an interest in commerce, the Xie family arranged this marriage for him.

"Have both sides met? Has Second Sister met that Young Master Xie?" Ye Yaming asked.

Old Madam Ye nodded, "They've met. Both sides are satisfied. I've seen the young man—he's handsome, polite, and comes from a good family."

What she didn't mention was that the only one likely dissatisfied was Tao Shi.

Tao Shi was someone who, as the saying goes, "covets the land of Shu after capturing Long." In the past, she wouldn't have dared to hope for a match as good as the Xie family. But now that she had it, she felt regretful, thinking it could have been even better.

After all, if Ye Yaqing were two or three years younger and they had waited until the Ye family became Imperial merchants, this match with the Xie family wouldn't have been considered marrying above their station.

Hearing Tao Shi's remarks, Old Madam Ye nearly spat in her face.

Her eldest daughter-in-law had seemed fine in the past. But since the second branch rose to prominence, her petty and narrow-minded tendencies had all come to light.

"That's good," Ye Yaming said, happy for Ye Yaqing.Although in her view, at seventeen years old—still a high school student—there was no need to worry about marriage. But seeing Tao Shi fret anxiously all day long, and Ye Yaqing sink into silence after encountering that scoundrel, burying herself in embroidery at home, she hoped Ye Yaqing’s marriage could be settled sooner rather than later.

She herself was very busy and had little time to accompany Ye Yaqing. Moreover, words of comfort were fine once or twice, but repeating them would only annoy both parties.

She could only hope Ye Yaqing would come to terms with things on her own.

Now, with the engagement settled—and to someone Ye Yaqing was satisfied with—her spirits ought to have recovered.

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm!"

As Shen Changqing walked along the road, he would occasionally run into acquaintances. They would greet each other or exchange nods.

But no matter 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 tasked with maintaining the stability of Great Qin. Its primary duty was to slay demons, monsters, and supernatural beings, though it also handled some side endeavors.

It could be said

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

When one had witnessed life and death too often, they would grow indifferent to many things.

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

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who could remain 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 joining the Demon Suppression Division started as a Demon Subduing Envoy at the lowest rank,

then advanced 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 before a certain pavilion.

Unlike 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 furrow his brows before quickly relaxing them.

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