Glory

After a long while, she murmured, "How can anyone live so freely in this world? Especially women—we endure countless hardships and grievances throughout our lives."

These were her mother's words. Because she hadn't borne a son and suffered humiliation from her sisters-in-law, her mother often repeated this phrase to urge her to endure patiently.

"Do you think I cannot achieve that?" Ye Yaming asked.

Yin Shi fell silent.

Indeed, could she not? Her daughter truly could.

Not only did Ye Yaming possess a substantial dowry, but her tea-making skills made her indispensable to the imperial court. As the head of Ye Jia, she had the support of the entire family behind her. She could live exceptionally well without relying on a husband.

"Not only can I achieve it, but you can too," Ye Yaming said. "You have me, and you also own farmlands and shops. Even if you were to divorce Father, you could live quite comfortably."

Yin Shi grew even more silent.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Actually, what you said is both right and wrong."

"Hmm?"

"I truly could manage. But that's only because I have you. You are capable—more capable than most men—and you are filial to me. If I didn't have you, even with farmlands and shops, I wouldn't be able to survive on my own."

This time, it was Ye Yaming's turn to fall silent.

Indeed, in this era, the legal system was underdeveloped, and women's status was low. A wealthy woman living alone was like a glaring piece of tender meat—easily targeted and exploited by others with just a little scheming. Society had long labeled women as "weak and easily bullied."

"Regardless, one must become strong oneself. Once you are strong, you can connect with equally powerful people and leverage their influence. For example, if you have pastry recipes and can partner with Princess Yu'an in business, would any ordinary man dare to bully or scheme against you?"

Yin Shi was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "That's true."

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance and suddenly laughed.

Both of them were now living happily within their families, yet here they were discussing whether they could fare well after a divorce—it seemed somewhat like unnecessary worry.

Moreover, Ye Hongsheng and Yin Shi were an old married couple and unlikely to divorce; Ye Yaming's marriage was arranged by the emperor, making divorce impossible. Their conversation was essentially meaningless.

However, Yin Shi understood Ye Yaming's point: "I see. Yayin's marriage cannot be perfect in every way. We will do our best to consider her interests, but she must also like the match. If she ends up unhappy after marriage, she can divorce and return home. As long as your father, you, and I are here, she need not worry about being bullied."

Ye Yaming nodded. "Exactly. Yayin is still young—take your time selecting a match for her. Also, keep an eye out for suitable matches for Yu'er and mention them to Grandmother."

Yin Shi had asked for Ye Yaming's opinion partly to gauge whether she intended to marry Ye Yayin into a noble family.

Now that Ye Yaming was the wife of a marquis's heir and on good terms with Princess Yu'an and Princess Yu Ning, she might be able to find a good match for her sister and marry her into nobility. That way, the sisters could support each other, and Ye Yaming would gain an ally.

But judging from Ye Yaming's words, she had no such intention. Yin Shi felt reassured.According to her wishes, she still didn't want her youngest daughter to marry into a wealthy family. Recently, she had interacted with many noble matrons, whose words could twist and turn eighteen ways with too many hidden agendas - it was utterly exhausting. Even Ye Yaming might not fare well in such households, let alone Ye Yayin.

As for Ye Yayu, she was only suited for particularly simple circumstances, preferably marrying into a family far less wealthy than Ye Jia, so she wouldn't suffer any mistreatment.

Ye Yaming changed the subject: "What did Father say about when he'll return to Lin'an?"

"He'll set off on the eighteenth of the twelfth lunar month." Yin Shi replied, then sighed softly.

Yin Shi didn't have many worries, so Ye Yaming guessed right away: "You don't want to return to Lin'an, do you?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but I can't bear to leave the business here in the capital. The pastry shop is about to open a branch, and I'm worried Princess Yu'an can't manage it all. It would be such a pity to ruin this great opportunity."

Ye Yaming completely understood Yin Shi's feelings and was pleased by her entrepreneurial spirit. Women should have their own careers, live their own splendid lives, rather than always prioritizing men.

In the past, Yin Shi would never have said such things.

Frowning in thought, she said: "I'll write a letter to discuss with Grandfather, to see if Da Bo can return instead, while you and Father remain in the capital. With me handling tea production now, Father doesn't need to stay in Lin'an permanently."

Quality control for Ye Jia's tea couldn't rely on just one person. What if that person caught a cold and lost their sense of taste? Moreover, Ye Jia now had Tea Factories in more places than just Lin'an - one person couldn't manage them all.

Ye Yaming had long ago purchased about ten servants with sensitive palates for quality control, and she had brought modern tea evaluation methods here, establishing tea grading standards.

Every batch of tea produced by each Tea-making master under Ye Jia must be sampled and undergo strict evaluation. Each batch must be evaluated separately by several tea tasters, who must produce evaluation reports and assign tea grades.

Only this way could Ye Jia's tea quality be ensured.

This year she had gone to Minzhou and hadn't had time to implement this system, but when next year's Spring Tea comes out, this method will be put into practice.

"However, Father still needs to return this spring during the Pre-Qingming Tea production - it's only about half a month total. He can come back after this batch is finished."

Yin Shi was quite tempted.

But she immediately shook her head: "That wouldn't be good. Your Da Bo has been in the capital all these years. Now that you've become the next head of family and married into a marquis household, sending him back to Lin'an would look bad when people talk about it."

Ye Yaming naturally wouldn't propose having Ye Hongchang return herself, but would find a way to make Ye Hongchang suggest it himself.

However, after Yin Shi's comment, she abandoned the idea of intervening: "You're right. Then let's forget it. If Da Bo is willing to make such arrangements, he'll propose it himself; if he doesn't, it's not good for us to make him return."

Yin Shi nodded: "Exactly. Now that you're going to be family head, you must be fair in everything and avoid giving people reasons to criticize."

She hadn't realized it before, but only after opening her own shop and doing business did she appreciate her daughter's capabilities. Coming to the capital and seeing those noble ladies treat her with respect because of her daughter made this feeling even stronger.She finally understood the words her husband had spoken when advising her not to bear a son—even if she risked her life to give birth to a boy and raised him meticulously, he could never surpass their eldest daughter. The honor and respect she now enjoyed were all brought to her by her daughter.

In the past, she had been fixated on having a son. Although she had loved her daughters, she hadn’t devoted much attention to them. Now, she truly placed her daughters first, always thinking of Ye Yaming in everything she did.

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