Glory

They had gone to the relay station in the morning to discuss matters with Chen Zhen, and by the afternoon, Lu Guanyi arrived. Accompanying him were not only servants bearing gifts but also Master Zhineng, who had come to act as their matchmaker.

"Haha, Master Zhineng, your esteemed presence brings great honor to our humble home," Ye Chongming personally went out to welcome Master Zhineng inside.

Over the past two years, the Ye family had grown even closer to Master Zhineng. Except for the periods when Ye Yaming was in Huizhou and Minzhou, she made time every month to visit Chongshan Temple, bringing tea she had personally made and pastries meticulously prepared by the cook to see Master Zhineng, even brewing tea for him herself.

Due to the separation between men and women, Ye Chongming would always accompany her on these visits.

Thus, not only did Master Zhineng receive the Jasmine Tea and Tieguanyin that Ye Yaming brought back from Minzhou, but even the Dark Tea—after being sent to Lu Guanyi at the border—was presented to Master Zhineng by Ye Yaming the very next day at Chongshan Temple.

The books she later wrote, The Art of Tea and The Way of Tea, were also sent to Master Zhineng as soon as they were completed, asking him to review them and point out any poorly written or inappropriate sections.

Therefore, when Lu Guanyi went to invite him at noon today, Master Zhineng gladly accompanied him to the Ye residence.

Once everyone was seated in the main hall, Master Zhineng began fulfilling his duties as matchmaker, discussing the wedding date with Ye Chongming.

Although Ye Chongming had already learned from Ye Yaming about the date the young couple had settled on, as the bride’s family, it was customary to show some reserve—expressing reluctance to let the girl marry too soon and a desire to keep her at home a little longer.

He repeatedly insisted on postponing the wedding, pushing the date as far back as possible.

After repeated persuasion from Master Zhineng, Ye Chongming finally agreed to the wedding date on the ninth day of the tenth month.

Once the wedding date was settled, Ye Chongming earnestly said to Lu Guanyi, "Zi Mo, you are likely aware of my family’s situation. Although I have three sons, combined, they are not as clever as Ming'er. It’s fair to say that the Ye family’s current standing is entirely due to Ming'er. That is why I revoked my eldest son’s position as family head and appointed Ming'er as the next head of the Ye family—a decision all three of my sons agreed to."

"Now that Dragon Well has become Tribute Tea and Dark Tea is to be transported to the Great Jin, this is no longer just a matter for our Ye family—it concerns the imperial court. The tea and tea ware trade in Huizhou and Minzhou also involve you and Qi Gongzi. None of these matters can proceed without Ming'er. So, after she marries, could you grant her some time and freedom to return to Lin’an occasionally to manage these affairs?"

Ye Yaming had discussed this with Ye Chongming, but he felt it would be better for him to raise the issue with Lu Guanyi.

His request was not excessive—just "occasionally"—to avoid causing any resentment in Lu Guanyi that might lead him to treat Ye Yaming coldly.

Hearing Ye Chongming plead so humbly, Ye Yaming felt a pang of sorrow, not only for herself but for all women of this era.

In modern times, even after marriage, women still had personal freedom and the right to work. But in this ancient era, once married, everything a woman did required her husband’s consent—even returning to her parents’ home.

She looked at Lu Guanyi.

Although this marriage was arranged by the emperor and could not be easily dissolved, and Lu Guanyi had previously agreed to let her return to Lin’an to manage affairs, his response now would determine her future attitude toward him.

Lu Guanyi’s demeanor was equally earnest.He said, "Grandfather, rest assured. Yaming has discussed this matter with me. After we marry, we will stay until the New Year. After the Lantern Festival, I will go to the border, and Yaming will return to Lin'an. From then on, she will reside in Lin'an. The work she does is far too important to the court—I would never confine her to the household and prevent her from pursuing it."

Ye Chongming’s face immediately broke into a relieved smile. "Thank you, Zi Mo."

Old Mrs. Ye and Ye Hongsheng both showed satisfied expressions.

Though Yin Shi had no particular thoughts about whether Ye Yaming worked or not, she was overjoyed to hear that Ye Yaming would live in Lin'an permanently.

Without a son, she naturally hoped her daughter would marry nearby so they could support each other.

Master Zhineng, standing nearby, also voiced his approval: "Zi Mo, you are doing the right thing. A child like Yaming, blessed with such extraordinary talent and divine favor—if you were to confine her to the inner quarters, even Heaven might object." His words resonated deeply with Ye Chongming.

Lu Guanyi gestured to An Tai, who then handed a small box toward Bai Rui.

"This contains the keys to my residence in Lin'an City and eighty thousand taels in silver notes. After my grandparents passed away, they left me their savings. Aside from what I invested in the tea business with you and the betrothal gifts, almost everything else is here. You may decorate the courtyard however you like, Ming'er; hire whatever servants or purchase whatever furnishings you see fit."

Ye Yaming was quite pleased with this gesture of handing over his earnings.

She wasn’t in need of money—what mattered to her was Lu Guanyi’s attitude.

Without hesitation, she replied, "Very well, I’ll take charge of this for now."

Bai Rui stepped forward and accepted the box.

Ye Yaming then asked, "As for how to arrange the house and what to furnish, do you have any preferences?"

Lu Guanyi shook his head. "I have no particular requests. Please do everything according to your own taste."

The two of them went back and forth, chatting casually like an old married couple. Master Zhineng and the four members of the Ye family found it both surprising and somewhat amusing.

Ye Chongming naturally hoped that Ye Yaming and Lu Guanyi would have a good relationship and spend more time talking together.

So he extended an invitation: "Master Zhineng, are you in a hurry to return to the temple? Why don’t we go sit in the garden, have a cup of tea, and stay for dinner?"

Master Zhineng knew full well that Ye Chongming wanted to keep his future grandson-in-law longer. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said, "I have no pressing matters, but Zi Mo is rather busy."

Lu Guanyi apologized, "Grandfather, I must accompany Minister Chen back to the capital early tomorrow morning and then head to the border. I also plan to visit the Qi residence shortly."

Ye Chongming immediately responded, "Of course, of course."

As Lu Guanyi was Qi Furen’s nephew and close to Qi Ji, it was only natural for him to pay a visit to the Qi residence while in Lin'an. As the prospective grandfather-in-law, Ye Chongming certainly hoped his future grandson-in-law would maintain good relations with Qi Zhifu.

After they had left, Ye Chongming said to Ye Yaming, "Let’s go to the main house and discuss your dowry arrangements."

"What is there to discuss? Just prepare the same dowry you gave Second Sister, and I’ll be fine with that."

The Ye family had provided Ye Yaqing with two shops in Lin'an City, one manor, along with various pieces of jewelry, silks, and a dowry for personal use of two thousand taels."Your grandmother and mother have looked at several shops for you, and there are also quite a few Manors. You should choose among them. Besides, don't you have your own money? If there are good ones, buy them together to save yourself the time and effort of selecting later," Ye Chongming said.

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