Glory

"Of course, I'm referring to the shop managers and assistants. The pastry making still requires your own cooks. Remember, in such partnership businesses, you must keep control of the pastry recipes and the cooks. This way, no matter who you collaborate with, you can maintain your irreplaceable position, and others will value and respect you."

Yin Shi nodded thoughtfully.

How Yin Shi conducted business and how she spoke and acted when socializing with noblewomen in the capital were all taught to her bit by bit by Ye Yaming. The mother and daughter pair—one daring to teach, the other daring to learn—felt no sense of incongruity whatsoever.

Primarily, Ye Yaming's capability was admired by both Ye Chongming and Ye Hongchang, while Yin Shi acknowledged her own lack of skill. Isn't it natural for those without ability to seek guidance from those with it? There was nothing improper about it.

"Additionally, if you plan to open branch stores, don't launch two at once. Do them one by one, otherwise you'll be overwhelmed."

Yin Shi nodded repeatedly.

They didn't avoid Ye Yayin and Ye Yayu while having this conversation. Both listened with great interest, feeling they had gained considerable insight.

After finishing the business discussion, Yin Shi began shooing them away: "You two, go to the kitchen and see what good dishes are available. Have the cook prepare a couple extra that your sister likes. I have some things to discuss with her."

Ye Yayin and Ye Yayu exchanged glances, shrugged, and obediently went out hand in hand.

Only after confirming they had left did Yin Shi mention the Li family's inquiries about Ye Yayin and their interest in forming a marital alliance with the Ye family.

"I've had people make inquiries. The Li family only has one son, one grandson, and one granddaughter. The granddaughter is already married, and the grandson is sixteen this year, currently studying at the Imperial College."

"Old Master Li originally held a fourth-rank official position but retired a few years ago due to illness. Master Li is a Recommended Man who didn't pass the imperial examinations. They want their grandson to focus on his studies for a few more years, so they've been holding him back from taking the imperial exams. Since he can study at the Imperial College, passing the Licentiate and Recommended Man exams shouldn't be difficult."

In the Great Jin dynasty, besides admitting outstanding talents from various regions, the Imperial College also accepted children of capital officials, though admission required meeting certain thresholds. Not only did students need to pass entrance exams, but they also needed recommendation letters from Imperial College instructors.

Instructors wouldn't provide recommendation letters to students lacking talent or poor character, lest it tarnish their reputation. Moreover, each instructor could only recommend one student per year, making the quota extremely precious. To obtain a recommendation, one needed both connections and superior qualifications compared to others.

That the Li young master could enter the Imperial College indicated he truly possessed both talent and good character.

Even before coming to the capital, Ye Yaming had people investigate the households near the Ye residence. She also knew that this Old Master Li had previously been an official in the Ministry of Revenue—a department known for lucrative opportunities—so the Li family's financial foundation was likely quite substantial.

She wasn't insisting that Ye Yayin must marry into wealth, but the husband's family should at least have sufficient means to support themselves. Marrying into a family like the Wangs in Lin'an City, where the entire household relied on the wife's dowry for living expenses—wouldn't that be distasteful?

"The Li family maintains clean morals. Despite having few descendants, none of the men keep concubines. I've met Old Madam Li and Madam Li—both are kind people. The whole family gets along very harmoniously."

Ye Yaming glanced at Yin Shi: "You think this family is suitable?"

Yin Shi shook her head: "I just think it's worth considering. As for how to proceed, you and your father should decide."

Ye Yaming: "..."She sighed helplessly, "Have you ever asked Yayin what kind of family she wants to marry into? She's the one who will live that life, so you should hear her thoughts."

"She's just a child, what does she know..." Yin Shi began, but after glancing at Ye Yaming, she quickly changed her tone, "Alright, I'll ask her."

Ye Yaming nodded.

Yin Shi hesitated but couldn't hold back, "The problem with the Li family is that both the young master and his father are only sons—three generations of single heirs. The pressure on their daughter-in-law to bear a son would be immense. What if she can't give birth to a son?"

This was a sore point she had endured for half her life. Fortunately, she was blessed: her husband didn't mind, her in-laws never criticized her, and she had a capable daughter who allowed her to hold her head high.

But this was only possible because Ye Hongsheng had three brothers. Ye Hongchang and Ye Hongrong both had sons, so the Ye family wasn't lacking in heirs to carry on the lineage. Otherwise, no matter how open-minded her in-laws were, they might have pressured Ye Hongsheng to take a concubine.

She had no say in Ye Yaming's marriage, and at least Lu Guanyi had a brother. But with Ye Yayin, she didn't want her daughter to suffer the same hardships she had endured.

Ye Yaming nodded, "That is indeed a concern. But everything has two sides. Families with many brothers often struggle with sister-in-law relationships and internal conflicts. There are plenty of cases where siblings turn against each other over inheritance and resources."

Just look at Lu Guanyi and Lu Guanyu—a perfect example. Shi Shi saw Lu Guanyi as a thorn in her side precisely because he was the legitimate eldest son and the rightful heir, blocking her own son's path.

If the Lu family was an exception, consider the Ye family—their family tradition was upright, right? There weren't many brothers, and they were all born of the same mother, with excellent sibling relationships. Even so, there were still many conflicts among the branches, let alone families with half-siblings.

Recalling her years of interactions with Tao Shi and Zhang Shi, and their constant scheming over family assets, Yin Shi fell silent.

Ye Yaming continued, "So my suggestion is to evaluate the other party. If his character, ability, and temperament are good, then have an open discussion. If Yayin can't bear a son and his family insists on taking a concubine, they must agree to a harmonious separation and allow her to take her daughters. If they agree to this condition, the marriage can proceed. Otherwise, forget it."

"Harmonious separation?" Yin Shi was shocked.

In this era, unless a woman truly couldn't endure life with her in-laws, who would willingly seek a separation? Not only would she face gossip, but her maiden family would be shamed, and it would affect the marriage prospects of other girls in the family.

Yet Ye Yaming spoke of it as casually as eating or drinking—Yin Shi couldn't comprehend it.

"Would you consider separation if your future husband had any shortcomings?" she asked incredulously.

Ye Yaming shook her head. Just as Yin Shi breathed a sigh of relief, she added, "I originally planned to, but then the Emperor arranged my marriage. However, even without separation, there are ways to handle it. If Lu Guanyi wrongs me, I'll take the children and return to Lin'an, never living with him again. It's practically the same as separation."

Yin Shi nearly choked on her breath.

"You... you..." She felt a torrent of words to scold her daughter, but for the life of her, she couldn't find where to begin.Ye Yaming waved her hand: "Anyway, I never suffer losses in what I eat, and never endure grievances in what I bear. Expecting me to live in frustration is impossible. Whoever makes me unhappy, I'll make them unhappy."

Yin Shi: "..."

7017k