Glory

It must be said that although Tao Shi's speculation missed the mark, it wasn't far from the truth. She would never have imagined that Ye Yaming could create new tea blends.

"Stop making inquiries, and make sure our branch's people don't wander over there either," she instructed. "Also, from now on, offer more assistance to the second branch whenever possible. If Third Miss or Fourth Miss face any grievances, inform me immediately."

As the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch, Tao Shi had been carefully selected by Old Mrs. Ye. Generally speaking, she was a fair-minded person with a good heart—intelligent, shrewd, and clear-headed in handling matters.

However, she had her own selfish interests. When the main branch's interests were threatened, she naturally took issue; when they weren't, she was happy to play the good person.

She reasoned clearly—

Second Master Ye Hongsheng excelled at tea making. Even if the family divided in the future, the main branch would still need his assistance. The second branch had no sons, so no matter how much profit or benefits were allocated to them, they would eventually fall into the hands of the main branch.

Regardless, since Ye Hongsheng and Yin Shi had no sons, Ye Jiaxing, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, would be responsible for supporting the second branch couple in their old age.

Therefore, the main and second branches should unite as one, working together in harmony. Cooperation benefits both sides and is good for everyone.

Zhang Shi of the fourth branch, however, lacked Tao Shi's clear-headedness.

After sending her maid to inquire twice without success, she took matters into her own hands, using the pretext of visiting Ye Yaming's courtyard to show up at the entrance.

"Fourth Madam," Granny Yu frowned as she approached Zhang Shi.

"I've never seen osmanthus honey being made, so I came to take a look. What, Granny Yu, are you forbidding even me from entering?" Zhang Shi glanced sideways at Granny Yu.

Having spotted Zhang Shi from afar, Granny Yu knew she wouldn't be easily dismissed, so she had immediately instructed a young maid beside her to summon Old Madam Ye. For now, her task was to stall Zhang Shi.

She replied with a half-smile, "This old servant wouldn't dare. It's just that Third Miss's method of making osmanthus honey is Yin Shi's secret recipe. Because she recently rendered a service, Old Madam instructed me to guard here and prevent anyone from prying. If Fourth Madam wishes to know how Yin Shi's secret recipe makes osmanthus honey, I must first report to Second Madam."

"Tch, what secret recipe? Her Yin family..."

Zhang Shi instinctively wanted to belittle the method, but halfway through her sentence, she suddenly remembered that Ye Yaming's fiancé was a young Recommended Man. If he later became a Presented Scholar and a high official, not only the Ye family's fourth branch but even her own natal family might need to seek favors from Ye Yaming. She promptly bit back her words.

"Fine, then go ask. I don't believe Second Sister-in-law and Third Miss would refuse me this face," she said, standing there with a careless attitude.

Granny Yu sighed inwardly and glanced toward the main courtyard, hoping the maid would return soon to resolve the situation. Otherwise, her poorly chosen excuse would have offended someone on behalf of the second branch.

But as a servant, without using such an excuse, she truly had no way to stop her masters. Who would have thought Zhang Shi would be so unrefined as to personally intervene after her maid failed to gather information?

Granny Yu entered the courtyard but didn't ascend the steps. Instead, she explained the situation to Yin Shi, who was sitting under the corridor overseeing the maids and older women roasting tea.

"That Zhang Shi!" Yin Shi stood up angrily, ready to go out and confront her.

"Mother..." Hearing the conversation outside, Ye Yaming quickly called out to stop Yin Shi from inside the room.

She emerged and said to Yin Shi, "Don't go argue with her—it's unnecessary. Granny Yu, you stay here too. Just let her wait outside.""Exactly, there's no need for you to go out." Granny Yu also strongly approved of this approach. "This old servant has already sent someone to inform Old Madam Ye. I didn't come in to request your permission, but rather to stall for time. Once someone arrives from the main courtyard, Fourth Madam will quiet down."

Just thinking about Zhang Shi being thwarted outside put Yin Shi in excellent spirits.

She smiled and said, "Very well, let's proceed accordingly."

The Ye residence was spacious, and with Third Madam Cai Shi being a widow living there, it wouldn't do for male guests or servants to accidentally intrude upon the third branch's quarters. Therefore, both the main courtyard and the four branches had their own enclosing walls, each with matrons guarding their respective gates.

Today, Yin Shi had transferred the matron guarding the second branch's gate to stand watch at Ye Yaming's courtyard entrance. Without her explicit permission, Zhang Shi wouldn't be able to force her way in even if she tried.

"Then have a seat and enjoy a cup of tea here before you go," Yin Shi said with a smile.

Granny Yu indeed sat down and drank a cup of tea.

After waiting at the entrance for a while, Zhang Shi not only failed to see Yin Shi and the Ye Yaming sisters come out, but even Granny Yu, who had just entered, had vanished without a trace.

Furious, she immediately attempted to barge in but was stopped by the gatekeeping matron.

"Fourth Madam, without our madam's permission, we dare not let you enter. We beg your understanding—please don't make things difficult for us servants."

Though the matron's words were polite, her actions were not. She firmly seized the two maids who were trying to shield Zhang Shi and push their way in, shoving them forward to use their bodies as a barrier blocking Zhang Shi's path.

Enraged, Zhang Shi was about to unleash a torrent of angry curses when a cold shout came from behind her: "Zhang Shi, what do you think you're doing?"

Her body stiffened, and she turned around to see Old Mrs. Ye approaching from behind, her face filled with fury.

She had no choice but to turn and perform a courtesy, intending to offer some excuses in her defense, when Old Mrs. Ye commanded, "Restrain her and drag her to the ancestral hall to kneel in penitence."

Zhang Shi was horrified. "Mother, I only wanted to go in and have a look. I meant no harm."

Seeing that Old Mrs. Ye was turning a deaf ear, she cried out again, "It's just osmanthus honey, nothing shameful! Why are they doing it behind closed doors, afraid of being seen? Aren't you curious, Mother?"

Old Mrs. Ye glanced back at her, filled with deep regret over how she had allowed her youngest son to follow his whims and marry such a fool.

Hearing the gatekeeping matron describe how Zhang Shi had been hauled away, Yin Shi laughed heartily, leaning back and forth in her mirth, exceptionally pleased.

Ever since Zhang Shi had entered the household, Yin Shi had suffered plenty of grievances at her hands. This time, she had finally been able to vent her frustration, and it felt truly satisfying.

"Roast carefully, keep a close eye on the heat. If anything gets burnt, not even I, nor Old Master Ye and Old Madam Ye, will forgive you," she warned the maids and matrons.

Ye Yaming was inside the room scenting flowers with her maids and matrons, while Yin Shi and Ye Yayin, along with their trusted maids, were outside roasting tea. Ye Yaming had come out to instruct them twice, and with three people tending each stove, they were extremely vigilant. After several rounds of roasting, there had been no mistakes.

After the incident with Zhang Shi, Yin Shi became even more dedicated to perfecting this Osmanthus Tea.

After Granny Yu left, Yin Shi remarked to Bai Momo with emotion, "My Ming'er is truly the best. Second Master has crafted so many fine teas for the Ye family, but none have brought me this much satisfaction."

"Third Young Miss is capable, and the master is an honest man," Bai Momo said with a smile. "Your good fortune, Madam, is still ahead—something Fourth Madam could never compare to."With the experience from the last tea scenting session, Ye Yaming found it much easier this time, even with the addition of Bai Rui, Lve E, Qingzhi, and Xia Momo.