Glory

Old Mrs. Ye also sighed.

Because the Ye family's tea business was large, others would show her some respect when she went out. But when facing the nobility and those in official circles, they were always at a disadvantage, and any grievances they suffered had to be swallowed silently. That was why they wanted to find a backer.

Previously, they had pinned their hopes on Song Yifeng. But now...

"You must take to heart what Ming'er said the other day. If we had someone powerful backing us, what would it matter if the Meng family were Imperial merchants or had a consort in the palace? They would still show some restraint," she said.

"I know," Ye Chongming replied. "Didn't Ming'er say? This matter must wait until the Osmanthus Tea is sold. There's no need to rush."

"As for the Song family, I sent someone to inquire these past few days. The mother and son of the Song family are exactly as Ming'er described—they are not satisfied with this marriage arrangement," Old Mrs. Ye said.

Although Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye had expressed their approval of Ye Yaming's desire to break off the engagement, they still needed to investigate.

In the past, the mother and son of the Song family had been tight-lipped, making it difficult to gather information. But ever since Song Yifeng passed the examination and became a Recommended man, Yu Shi had become arrogant. Occasionally, while chatting with neighbors, she would reveal her disdain for her future daughter-in-law's merchant background.

With a little investigation, Old Mrs. Ye's people uncovered these thoughts.

"Since that's the case, we should find a way to break off the engagement," Ye Chongming said. While he was angry at Song Yifeng, he also felt a pang of discomfort.

First, there was Ding Jian, and now Song Yifeng. How blind had he been to let such petty men deceive him?

"Actually, having Ming'er enter a matrilocal marriage might be a good idea," he mused. "Ming'er is so clever and even knows how to make tea. I truly can't bear to see her married off."

Ye Hongsheng was said to be skilled at tea-making, but his expertise lay in making slight adjustments to existing methods, ensuring the Ye family's tea tasted better than others'. Ye Yaming, however, had broken free from convention and directly created a new type of tea. Such innovation on a grand scale was extremely rare.

Keeping a person like her in the Ye family would surely elevate the reputation of their tea and bring glory to the family. The Ye family could thrive for another two or three generations on this foundation.

With this in mind, he no longer regretted that Ye Yaming was not born a boy.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Ye Chongming felt refreshed and emphasized once more: "Break off the engagement, and do it quickly. I want to find her a good husband through a matrilocal marriage."

Having lived with him for a lifetime, Old Mrs. Ye immediately understood what Ye Chongming was thinking.

Hesitantly, she asked, "If we keep Ming'er at home, who will have the final say in the family? If the second branch surpasses the eldest branch, and the third granddaughter outshines the eldest grandson, I fear the eldest branch may develop resentment toward the second branch. Sibling strife is not a sign of a thriving family."

Ye Chongming fell silent.

Even now, Ye Yaming not only surpassed Ye Jiaxing but had also replaced his eldest son, Ye Hongchang, in Ye Chongming's heart, becoming the person he relied on most.

The truth was, Ye Yaming's recent performance had been exceptionally outstanding. When it came to major family matters, if he didn't seek her opinion, he felt uncertain.

And when Ye Hongchang returned, how would he feel upon discovering that Ye Yaming was not only more capable than Ye Jiaxing but also more valued by his father than he was?

He sighed. "In any case, the engagement with the Song family cannot remain. Think of a way to break it off. As for the matrilocal marriage, I'll discuss it with the eldest son after he returns.""Alright. Once Ming'er is free, I'll discuss with her how to call off the engagement," said Old Mrs. Ye.

She had promised to help Ye Yaming with this matter. But Ye Yaming clearly had strong opinions of her own and her own ideas. Old Mrs. Ye worried that if she didn't handle it well, Ye Yaming would be dissatisfied.

Better to discuss it first before proceeding.

...

Ye Chongming was concerned about his eldest son, and on the afternoon of the second day, Ye Hongchang returned.

At the time, he was reviewing account books at Gathering Fragrance Pavilion when a man on horseback rushed into Lin'an City. The rider halted abruptly at the back entrance of the pavilion and urgently said to the gatekeeper, "Quick, fetch the Old Master..."

The two gatekeepers recognized the man as Feng Yu, one of the Manor Guards who had accompanied the Eldest Master to the capital.

Feng Yu was covered in dust, unshaven, and his clothes were torn and stained with brown bloodstains. Without needing to ask, it was clear something had happened to the Eldest Master.

One of the gatekeepers hurriedly ran inside, rushed into the innermost room, and exclaimed, "Old Master, Feng Yu has returned alone, and there's blood on his clothes."

With a clatter, the teacup in Ye Chongming's hand fell to the floor.

Seated across from him, drinking tea and discussing the issuance of tea currency in detail, was Old Master Mei. Startled by the gatekeeper's words, he looked at Ye Chongming. Seeing Ye Chongming pale and trembling all over, he quickly spoke up, "Chongming, don't panic. It's only the Manor Guard who's injured. Hongchang will be fine."

Ye Chongming's page, Meng Ji, hurriedly patted his back to soothe him, while another page, Zhou Xiang, took out cooling oil from Ye Chongming's chest pocket and applied it to his temples. He then rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a bottle of Huo Xiang water, and forced him to drink it.

Although Ye Chongming was sixty years old, he was in good health and didn't keep any emergency pills on hand. However, as he was prone to heatstroke in summer and often felt fatigued during meetings at the teahouse, he kept some anti-heatstroke supplies in the room.

Zhou Xiang, in his panic, was grasping at straws, worried that Ye Chongming might suffer a stroke. Thinking these items might be of some use, he administered both to Ye Chongming.

Surprisingly, after being forced to drink a mouthful of the pungent Huo Xiang water, Ye Chongming—who had been overwhelmed with anger, anxiety, and worry—instantly calmed down.

He couldn't afford to panic, to lose his composure, or to collapse. With Ye Hongchang's fate unknown, if he were to fall, the Ye family would be finished.

He took several deep breaths, trying hard to calm himself down.

"Where is Feng Yu?" he asked.

Before the gatekeeper could reply, footsteps sounded from the staircase. Meng Ji peeked out and saw Lin Zhensheng, the teahouse manager, and another gatekeeper supporting Feng Yu as they came upstairs.

Feng Yu's condition was such that entering through the main entrance would surely cause panic. Fortunately, he had come in through the back door, which was reserved for teahouse staff.

When the gatekeeper rushed upstairs, Lin Zhensheng had immediately gone out to personally assist Feng Yu up.

Seeing Feng Yu in such a state, Ye Chongming's heart raced even more anxiously. He stared at Feng Yu and asked, "Where is the Eldest Master?"

"The Eldest Master is injured, but not seriously. He's currently at the Hall of Returning Spring," Feng Yu said, having been instructed by Lin Zhensheng on the way up to deliver the news quickly to prevent Ye Chongming from worrying further.

At sixty years old, if Ye Chongming were to fall ill from distress, the Ye family would be ruined, and none of them would have a good life afterward.

"It's all because of that impulsive lad, A'kun. Feng Yu hadn't even spoken yet, and he rushed in to report," Lin Zhensheng glared fiercely at Liu Yukun, the gatekeeper who had rushed in first with the news.When Liu Yukun nearly caused Ye Chongming to have a stroke, he knew he had made a grave mistake and hung his head while repeatedly admitting his fault.

Ye Chongming had no time to reprimand him, instead staring at Feng Yu and continuing to ask, "Where were you injured? Who injured you? Where is Guan Canghai? Did you encounter Guan Canghai and his group on the way?"

Guan Canghai was the chief escort of the Security Company, a highly skilled martial artist whom Ye Chongming had specifically hired to rendezvous with Ye Hongchang and his party.