Glory

In the Qi residence, Qi Ji watched as his father remained silent after hearing his report, and couldn't help but anxiously say, "Father..."

Qi Zhipei turned his gaze to his son.

Seeing his father looking at him with a subtle expression, Qi Ji felt inexplicably uneasy: "Wh-what's wrong?"

When his father looked at him like this, it usually meant nothing good.

"You and Zi Mo met Third Miss Ye around the same time. Zi Mo fell for her and sought to marry her. Why didn't you take a liking to her back then?" Qi Zhipei suddenly asked his son a question.

Qi Ji was baffled: "What?"

When he processed what his father had asked, he immediately became agitated: "Father, what are you thinking? One does not covet a friend's wife—"

"Silence!" Qi Zhipei cut him off sharply. "Answer my question."

Qi Ji had often been punished by his father for his poor academic performance, and he feared whenever Qi Zhipei's face darkened.

Seeing his father's anger, he quickly became subdued. Recalling the question, he answered honestly, "Third Miss Ye is too formidable. I know how she dealt with Meng Chengwei and Song Yifeng. If I ever wronged such a powerful woman, wouldn't she make my life a living hell? In comparison, I prefer gentle and virtuous women."

Qi Zhipei scoffed and scolded, "Pathetic."

Qi Ji found it amusing and grinned carelessly: "Heh, back then, Zi Mo asked me the same question, and when I told him, he replied with the exact same two words: 'Pathetic.'"

Qi Zhipei had no desire to speak further with this foolish son: "Enough, return to your room. I'll give you an answer after discussing with Master Wu."

"Yes."

Not long after Qi Ji left, Master Wu hurried back.

Upon learning that the young eunuch had set his sights on the Ye family, Master Wu had gone out to gather information. Although the target was the Ye family, the Qi family was a collaborator. Moreover, Dragon Well was a Tribute Tea, and the Ye family operated within Qi Zhipei's jurisdiction. Whether for public or private reasons, he could not stand idly by.

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Master Wu reported to Qi Zhipei how Xiao Lizi had conspired with Wang Kuan and visited the teahouse early that morning.

What Ye Yaming could deduce, Qi Zhipei and Master Wu naturally could as well.

"It seems Xiao Lizi deliberately sought out Wang Kuan just to deliver that message to Ye Chongming," Qi Zhipei narrowed his eyes. "We don't know who his master is, but it's definitely not the Third Prince."

If the Ye family only had Dragon Well as a Tribute Tea, it might not have attracted the attention of powerful figures in the capital. But now, under the Ye family's name, there were vast tea plantations in Huizhou and Minzhou, along with occasionally revealed tea formulas that astonished the world. Such a lucrative prize would tempt not only ambitious princes but also other nobles and royalty.

Thus, while the Second Prince was a suspect, others could not be ruled out.

Qi Zhipei rubbed his temples: "When Ji wanted to go into business with Zi Mo and chose the Ye family, I never imagined they would grow to this extent."

Had he foreseen it, he might not have allowed Qi Ji to get involved.

The Qi family had no interest in court struggles, lacked no wealth, and only wished to serve as officials peacefully. Now, caught in this whirlpool, it would be difficult to extricate themselves.Master Wu did not think so: "By not taking sides, you avoid risks, but it also makes it difficult to advance. In my opinion, partnering with the Ye family in this business can serve as a stepping stone for your promotion without the risks of aligning with a faction. This is beneficial rather than harmful for you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhipei nodded in agreement: "You’ve thought it through more clearly than I have."

Then he asked, "So you think I should help the Ye family?"

"Not to help the Ye family, but to help yourself."

Master Wu had already weighed the pros and cons of the matter on the carriage ride back, after discovering that Xiao Lizi had intentionally sought to befriend Wang Kuan and deliberately revealed to Ye Chongming that his master was the Third Prince.

"Young Master Lu’s confidant has already taken the Dark Tea to the border. Anyone with an interest can easily connect Young Master Lu and Third Miss Ye by investigating this and recalling the betrothal gifts from her engagement. Their marriage won’t remain a secret for long."

"Moreover, Young Master Lu is now nineteen, and Third Miss Ye is seventeen. With the Shi family’s downfall, Young Master Lu’s position as heir is secure. Their wedding is imminent, and there’s no real need to keep the engagement hidden. Since you and Young Master Lu are constantly together, once the marriage between the Lu and Ye families is announced, anyone who looks into it will easily uncover our partnership with the Ye family."

It should be noted that Qi Ji personally traveled to Huizhou and Minzhou, even using Qi Zhipei’s son’s name to meet with the local prefects. However, those regions are remote and far from the capital, so unless someone deliberately sought it out, news of the Qi family’s collaboration with the Ye family was unlikely to reach the capital.

In truth, the initial secrecy surrounding Lu and Qi’s partnership with the Ye family was only to protect the Ye family from suppression by Lu Guanyi’s stepmother, Shi Shi, not to conceal it from everyone.

"Although the tea formula for Dark Tea came from the Ye family, both the Qi and Lu families have a stake in this business. Given this, it would be wise for you to reveal now that the Ye family’s backing comes from you and Young Master Lu. After all, on the surface, Young Master Lu is aligned with the Crown Prince. Whether Xiao Lizi’s backer suspects the Crown Prince’s involvement is beyond our control. As long as they don’t trouble the Ye family, it’s none of our concern."

Qi Zhipei nodded: "Alright, let’s proceed as you suggest."

He bowed to Master Wu: "I must trouble you to handle this matter for me."

Naturally, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to appear personally, so Master Wu would need to approach Xiao Lizi and explain the Ye family’s "backing."

Master Wu quickly sidestepped the bow: "You are too kind, sir. It is my duty to serve you; there is no need for such courtesy."

...

Meanwhile, at the Ye residence, Ye Yaming returned to her courtyard, had a meal, and enjoyed a refreshing afternoon nap.

Having stolen a half-day of leisure, she had no desire to do anything else. She spent the afternoon reading a travelogue that Bai Rui had recently purchased for her, then went to the main house to have dinner with her grandparents. It was then that she received a report from Lve E.

"Miss, Young Master Qi is here. The Old Master has asked you to come to the study in the front courtyard."

Upon arriving at the study, she found Qi Ji already seated.

Before she could ask, he proactively explained: "My father sent Master Wu to speak with that eunuch. The man was quite surprised and claimed that the Third Prince merely admires the Ye family’s tea and wanted to explore the possibility of doing business with them. Since this business is a joint venture between the heir of Xuanwu Marquis and me, the Third Prince likely won’t interfere further. He was very polite and repeatedly apologized to Master Wu."

Ye Yaming and Ye Chongming exchanged a glance.Ye Yaming personally poured a cup of tea for Qi Ji, then poured one for herself. Raising her cup, she smiled at Qi Ji and said, "I'll use tea in place of wine to express my gratitude for your assistance, Lord Qi."

Qi Ji laughed heartily and replied, "This venture is ours together. Isn't it only natural for my father to lend a hand?"

Ye Chongming looked at Qi Ji with great affection.

Indeed, it was young men like Qi Ji and Ye Jiaxing, with their simple and straightforward nature, who were the norm. His own granddaughter, who had been touched by divine enlightenment, was bound to be extraordinary.

Off-topic note:

A new month begins, seeking your guaranteed monthly votes.

7017k