Glory

"We encountered them," Feng Yu nodded, his face full of lingering fear. "Fortunately we did, otherwise we wouldn't just be lightly injured—we would have lost our lives."

He looked up: "We were wounded by bandits. They wanted to steal the silver and were determined to kill us."

"Was the silver lost?" Ye Chongming's heart tightened again.

Had his worst fear come true?

Feng Yu looked relieved: "Luckily you sent Guard Guan to meet us, otherwise it would have been lost. Guard Guan is truly formidable—not only did he protect our silver, but he also captured one of the bandits. However, several guards from the security company were injured."

Learning from his earlier mistake, he didn't dare pause dramatically again and continued immediately: "They're all at the Hall of Returning Spring now. The herbalist at the Hall of Returning Spring said it's fortunate they were brought in promptly, so their lives shouldn't be in danger."

Ye Chongming's anxious heart finally settled. At least both the people and the silver were safe.

Now he had the mind to concern himself with other matters: "Bandits? You captured a bandit? Was he sent to the authorities?"

"Yes. But he's temporarily detained. The magistrate said he'll hold the trial after we've recovered from our injuries."

Ye Chongming's expression turned grave.

Temporarily detained, not yet tried?

Earlier, Ye Yaming had warned him to be cautious of Meng Chengwei, that if one scheme failed he might devise another, targeting Ye Hongchang and that Tea Silver. Now it had indeed come to pass.

There was no need for investigation—this incident was undoubtedly Meng Chengwei's doing.

Now that the Tea Silver wasn't lost and a bandit had been captured, would Meng Chengwei try to influence the authorities to collude with the bandit? Or secretly have the bandit killed or released to eliminate evidence?

No, this matter needed immediate handling to avoid complications.

"Alright, I understand." He glanced into the room and said to Lin Zhensheng, "Shopkeeper Lin, go to the Hall of Returning Spring to check on the Eldest Master. Handle any matters that arise. If he's not seriously injured, escort him back to the estate to ease Old Master Ye and Old Madam Ye's worries."

"Yes."

"Tell the guards to rest and recover without worry. Our Ye family will cover all medical expenses and their family's living costs during their recovery. If anyone is too severely injured to continue working as guards, our Ye family will employ them in other capacities. They needn't worry about their future livelihood."

Lin Zhensheng understood that Ye Chongming intended to deal with the captured bandit and promptly replied, "Yes, rest assured, Proprietor. I will handle it."

Zhou Xiang, being the most quick-witted, immediately grasped from Ye Chongming's words that he was heading to the authorities. He hurried downstairs first to have the coachman bring the carriage to wait below.

Anxious, Ye Chongming didn't wait for the carriage to arrive and was already waiting downstairs.

Once in the carriage, he instructed, "First, return to the estate."

Zhou Xiang and Meng Ji were puzzled: Weren't they going to the magistrate's office? Why was Old Master Ye returning to the estate?

The coachman, unaware of the earlier events, simply followed orders. With a crack of the whip, the carriage slowly set off toward the Ye estate.

Lin Zhensheng had followed Ye Chongming downstairs. Tasked with going to the medical hall, he assumed Ye Chongming's hurried descent—without visiting his injured son or comforting the guards—meant he was rushing to the authorities to deal with the captured bandit.

Seeing the carriage heading in the opposite direction, toward the Ye estate, he was taken aback: "Has Old Master Ye been frightened out of his wits?"

Feng Yu had also suffered a small cut on his arm, but it had already stopped bleeding, which was why he had come to deliver the message.At this moment, he also wore a bewildered expression, murmuring dazedly, "Even if Old Master Ye was frightened out of his wits, weren't Meng Ji and Zhou Xiang also in the carriage? How could..."

The two exchanged glances, neither understanding what Ye Chongming was scheming.

"Forget it, let's go. I see you're injured too—hurry and get some medicine and bandages," Lin Zhensheng said.

The two also boarded the carriage and headed toward the medical clinic.

...

Outside the carriage was the bustling scene Ye Chongming had watched for decades: rows upon rows of shops, bustling crowds, laughter and hawking calls rising from all directions—a vibrant, lively painting he had never tired of seeing over the years.

But inside the carriage, Ye Chongming felt only a chilling cold throughout his body.

The Ye family had started as estate holders and gradually became tea merchants over four or five generations, always conducting business honestly. Although they had encountered much deceit and intrigue in the commercial world, and from this third-floor vantage point, he had witnessed many dark deeds, he had never encountered someone who would take lives and threaten an entire family without any grievance or enmity.

He’s merely an Imperial merchant with a family member serving as a consort—how dare he?!

Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he felt only deep helplessness and boundless sorrow.

The Ye family had remained in Lin'an City for generations, farming and trading, with no connections in the capital and no backing in official circles. Meng Chengwei had likely spotted this weakness, which was why he acted so brazenly!

Ming'er was right. To grow stronger, they must collaborate with others. They could no longer remain isolated, stubbornly clinging to their small patch of land.

Upon returning to the estate and entering the second branch’s quarters, Ye Chongming instructed the gatekeeper, "Go and fetch Third Miss."

Old Mrs. Ye was startled to see Ye Chongming return home at this hour.

Ye Chongming was an exceptionally diligent man, usually staying at the tea house to handle miscellaneous affairs. If he had no pressing matters, he would inspect the tea factory or tea house, sometimes inviting guests to drink tea at the tea house to cultivate relationships.

He typically left early in the morning and returned only in the evening. Now, with noon approaching, his unexpected return surely meant something had happened.

Remembering her eldest son, who had not yet returned from the capital, her heart tightened. She hurried forward and asked, "Why are you back at this time?"

Ye Chongming remained silent. He entered the room, sat down, accepted a towel from a maid to wipe his face and hands, took a few sips of tea, and only then spoke: "Let’s wait until Ming'er arrives to discuss it."

Old Mrs. Ye had no choice but to send someone to check why Ye Yaming had not yet arrived.

Shortly after, Ye Yaming arrived. Ye Chongming dismissed all the servants before recounting the incident of Ye Hongchang and the guards being injured.

Old Mrs. Ye was terrified. Fortunately, Ye Chongming, worried she might react as he had, spoke quickly, assuring her that Ye Hongchang had only suffered minor injuries and had not returned home because the security company’s guards were still in critical condition—he could not simply abandon them. This prevented Old Mrs. Ye from being frightened out of her wits.

After finishing his account, Ye Chongming sighed and said to Ye Yaming, "Ming'er, you were right. We don’t provoke others, yet they target us out of greed for our family’s assets. This matter likely won’t end peacefully. Since he hasn’t achieved his goal, he will surely have further moves. And as for that bandit, he definitely won’t let him reveal anything."

"What do you think our next step should be?" he asked.

"Was the Tea Silver secured?" Ye Yaming asked.Ye Chongming nodded, his face filled with relief. "Fortunately, you reminded me to send Guan Biaotou and the others to escort your Da Bo. Otherwise, not only would the Tea Silver be lost, but your Da Bo..."

At this point, he trailed off, too fearful to continue.