Glory

"Therefore, all the tea house attendants are servants I purchased under lifelong indenture contracts, and they underwent a year of strict training before being allowed to serve. Their speech, conduct, and even how to beg for mercy when facing humiliation or abuse from nobility were meticulously taught."

"However, over these years, Third Granduncle, you have shown great care for our branch of the family, and we are deeply grateful. Since you’ve made this rare request, no matter what, I must arrange something. If our clansman does not mind, he may stay. The tea house opens the day after tomorrow—in the coming days, I will have someone provide intensive training to teach him tea-brewing skills and etiquette. As an educated man, even with limited time, he will surely outperform those purchased servants."

Ye Jiaqing, aged twenty and the fifth child in his family, was a grandson particularly favored by Ye Chongxian.

As the clan leader, Ye Chongxian’s family was fairly well-off, owning two to three hundred mu of fertile land. Ye Jiaqing had attended a private school but lacked academic talent; after a few years of basic literacy, he returned home to farm.

His journey to the capital was driven by curiosity about the city, and he had pleaded with Ye Chongxian to bring him along for the wedding escort.

Yet, upon witnessing the capital’s prosperity, he wished to stay. Ye Chongxian, with his own motives, hoped that if Ye Jiaqing worked under Ye Yaming, he might secure a promising future.

Hearing Ye Yaming’s words, both grandfather and grandson were startled. Ye Chongxian suspected she might be exaggerating to deter them, but Ye Jiaqing was genuinely alarmed.

Noting their silence, Ye Yaming smiled and added, "If the tea house seems unsuitable, I have another option—though the environment isn’t as refined, and it involves interacting with commoners. However, with his literacy and numeracy skills, our clansman could serve as a junior Housekeeper."

Ye Jiaqing’s eyes lit up. "Where?"

"My mother, Yayin, and Yayu previously ran a pastry shop in Lin’an, which was quite successful. They treated it as a pastime to earn pin money, but they lacked business acumen, so I managed it for them. As you know, I’m tied up with Ye Jia affairs, and now that I’m married, I also handle matters for the Xuanwu Marquis Household. I simply don’t have the energy to open another shop for them in the capital."

"Since Third Granduncle wishes for our clansman to gain experience here, why not let me establish this pastry shop? He could serve as the Housekeeper, which would be a great help to me."

This proposal greatly appealed to Ye Jiaqing.

Although his family owned two to three hundred mu of land, they had many mouths to feed and high expenses, requiring them to farm themselves—only hiring temporary laborers during planting and harvest seasons.

Merchants were often looked down upon, and his family prided itself on being a farming-and-scholar household. Yet, with meat only once every ten days compared to Ye Chongming’s branch feasting daily, practical benefits outweighed empty prestige.

Thus, he yearned to venture out and achieve something. Even if it meant entering the merchant class, a life like Seventh Granduncle’s would be worth it.

Now, Ye Yaming wasn’t offering him a mere tea server position but a Housekeeper role in a pastry shop—far more to his liking. Being in charge sounded much more impressive than being managed, and it would boost his status back in the clan.

"Grandfather, I’m willing to work at the pastry shop," he declared eagerly, fearing Ye Chongxian might object.

Ye Chongxian was equally satisfied with the arrangement. "Then we’ll be troubling Ming'er.""It's no trouble, no trouble at all," Ye Yaming waved her hand. "But I must make some things clear upfront. If Jiaging performs well, he will not only receive a fixed monthly allowance but also a commission—for every hundred taels of profit the shop earns, he will receive one hundred wen. The better the shop's business, the higher his commission. Conversely, if the revenue falls below a certain level, it may mean Jiaging isn't suited for the role of Housekeeper, and the position will have to be reassigned."

She looked at Ye Jiaging. "You understand this, right? I can't run a shop that not only fails to make money but loses it month after month. In that case, I might as well just close it down. Don't you agree?"

"Of course, of course," Ye Jiaging nodded repeatedly.

"Ming'er, I'm already immensely grateful that you're giving your clansman this opportunity. How could he possibly cling to the position if he proves incompetent? If he ever does anything poorly or incorrectly, feel free to speak up—don't worry about my feelings," Ye Chongxian said.

He saw the situation clearly.

If nothing else, taking on the role of a Housekeeper under pressure would help Ye Jiaging grow quickly. With ability and skill, he could establish himself anywhere. Once Ye Jiaging could stand on his own, perhaps their family could even start a business of their own.

Ye Yaming added, "I'm quite busy before the New Year, so the pastry shop won't be able to open immediately. Jiaging can return with you tomorrow, Third Granduncle, and come back after the New Year."

This would also prevent other clansmen from seeing that Ye Yaming was willing to give Ye Jiaging a chance and deciding they wanted to stay as well.

"Third Granduncle, you know the difficulties our family faces. We're very willing to help clansmen in need. However, not every clansman is like Jiaging—literate, skilled in calculations, honest, and hardworking. Taking them in carries risks for us, and it might even bring about life-threatening dangers. So, if anyone brings this up again, please help explain it a little on our behalf."

As she spoke, Ye Yaming bowed to Ye Chongxian.

"Ming'er, there's no need for such formalities," Ye Chongxian quickly stepped aside to avoid her bow. She was a fourth-rank Imperial Mandate holder and the wife of the Marquis's heir—such a gesture was more than he could accept.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," he said.

Ye Yaming smiled. "If any clansmen are in difficulty and need money, they can speak to my grandfather. He will help."

"Good, good. Actually, your grandfather has already done more than enough for the clan over the years," Ye Chongxian replied.

Most clansmen were managing well. For those who were widows or orphans, Ye Chongming would step in to assist. Whenever any family encountered hardship, as long as they approached Ye Chongming and he verified they weren't lying, he would offer help.

Ye Hongsheng had previously focused solely on tea production and never involved himself in such interpersonal matters. When Ye Chongxian came to him yesterday to discuss this, he had been very troubled and spent a sleepless night pondering how to refuse without causing offense.

Now, seeing how his daughter had resolved the matter with just a few words—neither placing Ye Jiaging in a critical position at the teahouse nor offending Ye Chongxian, and even securing Ye Chongxian's gratitude to help shield them from future troubles—he felt there was much he still needed to learn.

In the future, when Ye Yaming became the family head, he would be the head's father, and many matters would inevitably come to him, especially those involving the clan. He hoped to handle as many troubles as possible on his own, without burdening his daughter with every little thing.

He said, "Ming'er, you should head back now. Your husband has been waiting for you for quite some time."Ye Chongxian also quickly said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

"I won't have time to see you off tomorrow. I wish you a safe journey, Third Great-Uncle." Ye Yaming said.