Glory

A sip of Guan Tie Yin tea, brimming with orchid fragrance, entered their mouths, and everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Their nearly ruined taste buds were finally saved.

For today's tea-tasting event, the Lin'an Gathered Fragrance House had closed for the day, with all its tea masters and attendants transferred here.

Xu Zan and Bai Xin, along with several others, had also arrived.

Seeing that everyone had finished tasting the tea and set down their teacups, they immediately took action, directing the attendants to carry wicker baskets filled with tea. They then personally delivered white porcelain tea caddies, each containing half a jin of tea, to the six people on the stage and to Princess Yu Ning and others below.

As for the tea merchants from Lin'an Tea Guild, they received nothing. These individuals, harboring ill intentions and seeking to climb by trampling on Ye Jia's tea reputation, were naturally not given any tea by the Ye family.

Ye Chongming sat beside Jin Baoshan.

He leaned close to Jin Baoshan's ear and whispered, "I'll have someone deliver half a jin to you later." Turning to the other two, he added with a smile, "You'll get some too."

Jin Baoshan and the other two, being upright in character, had initially not intended to participate in this tea-tasting event. However, Qi Zhibai intervened, transforming Wang Kuan and others' scheme into a Dragon Well Tea evaluation competition, requiring all those in Lin'an who had purchased the Dragon Well tea formula to participate. Only after consulting with Ye Chongming did Jin Baoshan and the others decide to join.

While Ye Chongming was deeply dissatisfied with Zhou Qingsong and his associates, he was quite pleased with Jin Baoshan and the other two's conduct. His satisfaction was naturally expressed through the gift of tea.

"Thank you, thank you," they replied.

The remaining individuals exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions grim.

Those who hadn't purchased the tea formula had initially been concerned that the Ye family might withhold crucial techniques when teaching the formula, preferring to wait and observe. Additionally, some were short on funds.

Later, upon learning that Zhou Qingsong had sold four tea-making masters to Wang Kuan, they were tempted. They considered forming a partnership, with each contributing two tea-making masters to learn the craft together, planning to teach others upon their return to save a significant amount on tuition fees.

But after today's events, everyone abandoned that idea.

"Wang Kuan, don't forget our bet. Once you return, send Qin Sixiang and his family, along with their indentured servant contracts, to me," Ye Chongming said to Wang Kuan.

Though his voice wasn't loud, everyone present heard it clearly.

Wang Kuan's face paled, and he opened his mouth to deny it.

But Ye Chongming gave him no chance to speak, continuing, "The entire tea guild is aware of this matter. You wouldn't dare renege, would you?"

Initially, Ye Chongming had considered asking Qi Zhifu or Master Wu to serve as witnesses but worried it might scare Wang Kuan off, so he refrained from involving officials. Still, he had informed the entire tea guild about the bet.

Wang Kuan, fearing that Ye Chongming might welch if he lost—since he had no connections to Zhennan Wangfu and couldn't match the Ye family's influence—had similarly publicized the bet.

Now, with Ye Chongming exposing the matter in front of the imperial family and Qi Zhibai, Wang Kuan knew he couldn't possibly deny it. His face ashen, he conceded, "A bet is a bet. I won't go back on my word. I'll send Qin Sixiang and his family to you tomorrow."

Ye Chongming gave him a penetrating look. "Qin Sixiang learned tea-making at my house. Hong Sheng recognizes him. Don't even think about trying any tricks."

Wang Kuan had indeed just considered sending a random family, claiming the man was Qin Sixiang.

Exposed by Ye Chongming, he sighed. "Don't worry, I won't."

Only then did Ye Chongming appear satisfied.The salt merchant who had been conducting the tea evaluation asked Qi Zhibei whether the tea tasting event had concluded.

Upon receiving confirmation, he stood up and addressed the crowd: "Honored guests, I am Chen Hui, the owner of this garden. Your esteemed presence here has brought immense honor to my humble abode, and I consider it the fortune of three lifetimes. I have prepared a banquet at the neighboring Qinghui Garden. Might I have the honor of your company for a simple meal?"

He then turned to Master Zhineng and said, "Venerable Master, I have prepared vegetarian meals for you and your disciples."

After exchanging a glance with Fan Yu, Master Zhineng nodded and said, "Many thanks, Benefactor."

Chen Hui was delighted. He then bowed in the direction of Princess Yu Ning and Ye Yaming: "Your Highness, Madame Heir, Madame Qi—a feast has been prepared for you at Qinfang Pavilion."

He gestured toward another direction, "Might my humble wife have the honor of accompanying you?" Following his gesture, they saw a middle-aged woman in sapphire-blue robes standing under the covered corridor to the west, who bowed to them from a distance.

"Master Chen is most thoughtful," Princess Yu Ning said with a smile.

Thus, the guests moved to Qinghui Garden and Qinfang Pavilion respectively.

Madame Chen led the ladies to Qinfang Pavilion while making polite conversation with the three.

"Madame Heir, are you with child? How many months along?" she inquired.

"Over four months," Ye Yaming replied, gently touching her slightly rounded belly.

"You still went to make tea despite your condition—that must have been arduous," Princess Yu Ning remarked sympathetically.

Hearing this, Ye Yaming quickly glanced at Qi Furen.

They had initially kept the pregnancy from Qi Furen, using the excuse that it was unwise to announce it before three months. But continuing to conceal it beyond that would have caused offense.

After all, aside from his somewhat distant father Lu Zhongyong, Lu Guanyi's closest relative was his aunt Qi Furen.

Therefore, after descending the mountain, Ye Yaming had informed Qi Furen.

Qi Furen had been deeply upset.

Lu Guanyi was her sister's only child. With him currently stationed at the border, Qi Furen lived in constant fear that something might happen to him without leaving an heir to continue her sister's bloodline.

When Ye Yaming returned from the capital, Qi Furen had wanted to ask if she was pregnant. But fearing it might seem intrusive so soon after the wedding, she had restrained herself.

To learn that Ye Yaming had hidden the pregnancy from her—and even traveled up the mountain to make tea for over a month while carrying the child—left Qi Furen furious.

She had nearly scolded Ye Yaming on the spot.

Ultimately, concerned for Ye Yaming's health, she bit back her words—but had been cold toward her ever since.

Princess Yu Ning, being astute, understood the situation at once from Ye Yaming's reaction and Qi Furen's darkened expression.

She sighed and took Ye Yaming's hand. "Alas, Dragon Well is Tribute Tea. You had to oversee its production personally to be certain. And fortunately you did—who knows how today's competition would have turned out otherwise? Had things gone poorly, not only your family but even the imperial court would have lost face. You acted for the greater good."

Qi Furen's expression softened slightly at these words, though her tone remained sharp. "If your family hadn't sold the Tea-making recipe, wouldn't all this have been avoided?"

Ye Yaming shook her head and gave a bitter smile. "We had no other choice."She recounted how those people had used various methods to steal the tea formula, saying, "I was worried that my family might come to harm because of this. Compared to the tea formula, the safety of my family is far more important. So after much deliberation, we resorted to this last resort—selling the tea formula."