Glory

Ye Yaming did not immediately head to the main hall of Jixiang Garden. Instead, she waited for a moment, estimating that the person Lü E had gone to summon would arrive soon, before making her way there.

Ancient houses were not soundproof. As she entered the courtyard through a concealed side door near the antechamber and stood beneath the covered corridor, she could hear a shrill female voice emanating from the hall.

"Call your master here. I want to see why I’m being denied a membership card. Coming here to drink tea is an honor I’m bestowing upon your master. How dare they act so high and mighty? Marrying a fourth-rank military official and sticking a phoenix feather in their hair doesn’t change the fact that they’re nothing but a pheasant. Opening a shabby tea house and thinking they’re something special—what a joke!"

The Lady of Yong’an Bo arrived shortly after Lü E, stepping out from the side door just moments after Ye Yaming. The words naturally reached her ears as well.

Her face instantly darkened.

Seeing her, Ye Yaming bowed respectfully and softly apologized, "My sincerest apologies, Lady Qian. The tea house attracts only distinguished guests. If a scene were to erupt, it would reflect poorly on me, Lady Song, and Lady Tang alike. I heard that these two ladies once belonged to your household, and since you happened to be here, I took the liberty of inviting you to mediate."

She made her request gently and politely, "I will go speak with the two ladies first. If I cannot persuade them, would you be willing to step in and advise them on my behalf?"

"Of course, if this is inconvenient for you, please do not feel obliged. They are now part of the Song and Tang families, and it is understandable if you prefer not to intervene. I sought your assistance primarily because they originated from Yong’an Bo’s residence, and you happened to be present. Should a dispute arise, you would at least be aware of the situation."

Seeing Ye Yaming’s sincere demeanor and earnest gaze, the Lady of Yong’an Bo felt the inexplicable anger that had flared within her begin to subside.

She grasped Ye Yaming’s arm and sighed, "Good child, it’s considerate of you to think of me. These two are my brother-in-law’s daughters, spoiled and unruly since their youth, never heeding discipline even in their maiden days. I fear my presence might only provoke them further and make the situation worse. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please issue them the membership cards? I would be in your debt."

Ye Yaming hesitated, "As you can see, the tea house is quite small and can only accommodate a limited number of guests. If I issue a card to Lady Song now, in the future, any official of the same rank as Official Song would have to be granted one as well. But if that happens, I’m afraid you would struggle to find peace and quiet here."

Officials skilled in social maneuvering are the ones who thrive. Once minor officials learn that high-ranking officials frequent this tea house—where they might chance upon them, strike up a conversation, or even share tea and exchange gifts—the high-ranking officials and nobles would lose their tranquility.

Without peace and quiet, and with the perceived drop in exclusivity, they would likely stop coming. And if they cease to visit, the minor officials would follow suit. After all, the expenses here are not insignificant, and the location is remote—hardly affordable or accessible for minor officials with limited means and leisure.

In that case, her tea house would have to close its doors.

Thus, maintaining a threshold is essential—the minimum requirement being officials of the third rank and above, or nobles of marquis rank and higher.

The reason the Lady of Yong’an Bo received an invitation was actually a special exception Ye Yaming made to address the situation with Lady Tang and Lady Song. After all, Lady Tang’s husband holds the third rank. If everyone else had invitations except him, Lady Tang—who already resented Shi Shi—would surely seize the opportunity to cause trouble.By redirecting the invitation originally meant for Lord Tang to the Yong'an Earl Household, the teahouse not only suffered no loss but also prevented potential trouble.

And indeed, that strategic move came into play today.

The Yong'an Earl Household was already one rank lower than the Xuanwu Marquis Household in nobility status, not to mention that the Lu father and son held military power and were the newly risen influential figures of the Great Jin Dynasty, whom even the emperor had to treat with caution.

Despite being older than Yin Shi, the Lady of Yong'an Earl did not dare to put on airs in front of Ye Yaming. She made that request merely betting on Ye Yaming's merchant background and her recent marriage, assuming she would be too timid to refuse.

After all, if Ye Yaming couldn't resolve the issue, she would have to step in. But the Yong'an Earl Household held little influence, and her two married daughters no longer respected her authority—her words carried little weight. If it came to that, she would lose face entirely.

Hearing Ye Yaming's response, she immediately realized this young woman was not someone to be easily pushed around. She quickly smiled and said, "My apologies, I wasn't aware of your situation and made an unreasonable request. Please handle it first, and if it truly becomes unmanageable, I'll step in. Thank you, Madam Lu."

"Very well," Ye Yaming nodded. "Please wait here for a moment, Lady Qian."

She turned and instructed Ziyuan, "Have someone bring a chair for Lady Qian to sit." Then, she proceeded to the main hall with Lve E and Qingzhi.

Lady Song was no fool either. She knew well that the teahouse's clientele consisted of highly esteemed guests, most of whom she couldn't afford to offend. She had already stationed maids and elderly servants at the front entrance to alert her if other guests arrived, allowing her to quiet down.

Unexpectedly, Ye Yaming entered through a concealed side door. The maids standing under the corridor were startled when they saw the group approaching silently. It wasn't until the teahouse attendants addressed Ye Yaming as "Miss" that they relaxed, realizing the person their mistress had been waiting for had arrived.

"What is going on here?" Ye Yaming stepped directly inside, scanning the room with a glance.

"Miss," Wenxiu exclaimed, her face flushed with anger—clearly upset by Lady Song's earlier remarks. Seeing Ye Yaming enter was like a godsend, and she hurriedly explained the situation.

Both Lady Tang and Lady Song were in their thirties. They looked Ye Yaming up and down, and Lady Song sneered disdainfully, "So you are Madam Lu?"

Ye Yaming had no intention of wasting time and energy arguing with this woman. Even if she won the argument, it would do her no good—instead, she would gain a reputation for being "shrewish." This was clearly the two women's intention.

Her eyes darkened as she asked, "'Even if you stick a phoenix feather on yourself, it won't hide the fact that you're just a pheasant'—was that said by you, Lady Song?"

Lady Song was taken aback, realizing Ye Yaming must have arrived earlier. She opened her mouth to retort sarcastically.

But Ye Yaming gave her no chance to speak and continued, "His Majesty strongly promotes officials from humble backgrounds, judging heroes by their abilities rather than their origins. Lord Tang and Lord Song may not come from prestigious families, but they attained their third and fifth-rank positions through their own capabilities. How is it that in your words, Lady Song, they become pheasants adorned with phoenix feathers? If your words were to spread, aren't you afraid all the officials from humble backgrounds would hold a grudge against you? Let alone the noble figures in the palace."

Lady Song grew frantic upon hearing this and snapped, "I was talking about you! This has nothing to do with anyone else. Stop twisting my words!"Just kidding. The nobles in the palace all come from minor official families—truly "pheasants adorned with phoenix feathers." If these words reached the palace, neither she nor her husband would survive.

Madam Song deeply regretted her careless words, which had given Ye Yaming leverage against her.

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