Glory

"Indeed," Zhao Kun replied. "I had planned to bring this matter before Your Majesty once Chen Zhen successfully completes the transaction."

"Very well. Once news arrives from Chen Zhen's side, submit a memorial to grant them the title of Imperial Merchant."

Zhao Kun acknowledged with a "Yes."

Imperial merchants were divided into several ranks. Those holding an official rank, which could be hereditary, were of the fifth grade. Of course, there were also those without official rank, whose status as Imperial Merchants could be revoked if the court ceased doing business with them due to changes in trade relations or personal connections.

The former Meng Chengwei's family belonged to the latter category.

Zhao Kun did not inquire about the specific rank to be granted to Ye Jia.

Ye Jia was engaged in such significant trade with the court, generating profits several times greater than those of other Imperial Merchants. More importantly, Ye Jia held a monopoly—no one else could produce Dark Tea.

While tea had long been part of the Tea-Horse Trade Market, the tea available there was incomparable to Ye Jia's Dark Tea. The court purchased Dark Tea from Ye Jia at prices similar to border tea but sold it for two to three times the price. Since only Ye Jia could produce Dark Tea, their role was irreplaceable.

Once Ye Jia's tea mountains yielded next year's harvest, an additional 100,000 jin of tea would further increase their profits.

If trade with the Great Jin flourished, they might even negotiate with Ye Jia to supply more tea.

Thus, according to the grading standards, Ye Jia qualified as a fifth-grade hereditary Imperial Merchant. Zhao Kun only needed to report this in the memorial as per regulations. If the Emperor disapproved, he would naturally issue an edict in response.

Moreover, judging by the Emperor and Prime Minister Yuan Zhengwei's remarks, since Madam Lu's tea was "bestowed by the gods," Ye Jia might receive even greater honors and privileges.

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than Chu Chang spoke again: "Ye Jia's substantial trade with the court merits the title of Imperial Merchant. Since Madam Lu received divine gifts, she must be of extraordinary origin, benefiting the nation and symbolizing prosperity and auspiciousness. It would be improper for the court not to acknowledge this. What kind of reward should we confer upon her?"

In a monarchical system, decisions were not made unilaterally. Instead, the ruler would first hint at their intentions to close ministers, who would then propose the matter in court. Officials would debate, either opposing or supporting the idea, before an edict was formally issued. This process avoided the appearance of autocracy, distinguishing a wise ruler from a tyrant.

Ministers, when presenting matters, would gauge the ruler's inclinations. It was unwise to raise issues that might trouble the monarch, lest one risk their position.

Yuan Zhengwei had long contemplated bestowing an honor upon Ye Yaming. His motivation was not out of respect for Lu Zhongyong, nor did he have personal ties to Lu Guanyi or interactions with Princess Yu Ning and others.

His reasoning aligned precisely with Chu Chang's earlier statement: since Ye Yaming was of extraordinary origin, possibly even a celestial being descended to earth, failing to confer an honor would be a grave discourtesy. If the heavens took offense, bringing drought, floods, or locust plagues, would that not be disastrous?

After all, granting an honor cost nothing—neither money nor grain—yet yielded goodwill. Why not proceed?

This was why he had repeatedly mentioned Ye Yaming and emphasized the "divine bestowal."Hearing that Chu Chang understood his meaning, he said, "Lu Guanyi is now a third-rank official, and Madam Lu holds a third-rank Imperial Mandate. Bestowing a lower rank would be meaningless. Why not grant her the title 'Madame of Tea Supervision' with a first-rank status? What does Your Majesty think?"

In the Great Jin Dynasty, grand princesses and princesses held first-rank status; princesses of the commandery level held vice-first rank.

For women not of royal blood, the court had occasionally issued imperial decrees through the empress dowager to bestow the title of commandery princess for outstanding contributions, but never the title of princess.

Yuan Zhengwei believed that given Lu Guanyi's talents, it was not impossible for him to become a first-rank official. By then, the rank of "Madame of Tea Supervision" would be meaningless.

Moreover, since she was rumored to be a celestial being descending to earth, granting her a vice-first rank—one level below a princess—would be disrespectful. It would be better not to bestow any title at all.

If they were to grant a title, they needed to show sincerity. Since it was merely an honorary title, why not be generous?

It had to be said that Yuan Zhengwei became prime minister not only because of his abilities but also because his thought processes aligned most closely with Chu Chang's. The ruler and his minister often thought alike.

As soon as Yuan Zhengwei proposed this, Chu Chang understood his intention.

He nodded and said, "Your suggestion is excellent. There is no need to bring this matter to court for discussion. Once Minister Chen's report arrives and the Ministry of Revenue grants Ye Jia the status of Imperial Merchant, I will directly issue an edict to confer upon Madam Lu the title of 'Madame of Tea Supervision.'"

The court was not lacking in those who envied talent and ability. Many already disapproved of Lu Guanyi's rapid rise to the third rank at such a young age, and Ye Yaming's rumored origin as a "celestial being" could not be openly discussed. If this were debated in court, numerous officials would oppose it, and the proposal might be rejected, ruining their goodwill.

Since this was merely the bestowal of a title upon a woman and not a matter of national importance, it could bypass court deliberations and be decided directly by the emperor.

Yuan Zhengwei shared the same view.

He promptly replied, "Your Majesty is wise."

Ye Yaming was unaware that the emperor and the prime minister were planning to bestow a title upon her due to the rumors she had allowed to spread.

She had been living quite comfortably during this period.

The child was cared for by the wet nurse and maids, and since the baby was either eating or sleeping, there was little need for her to be involved in education at this stage. She spent time with the child when she had leisure and could focus on her own affairs when busy.

Apart from moving residences and attending the engagement banquets of Ye Yayin and Ye Yayu, she also participated in several banquets hosted by Princess Yu Ning and others. She visited the Gathered Fragrance House a few times to drink tea and chat with close friends.

This was a completely different life from the one she had led in Lin'an.

In Lin'an, she had no social life at all—aside from focusing on tea production, she was either at home caring for the child.

Suddenly transitioning to this new lifestyle, which reminded her of the frequent social gatherings in her previous life, Ye Yaming adapted effortlessly and even found it quite enjoyable.

"The day after tomorrow is a rest day. How about I take you hunting?" Lu Guanyi suggested.

"Great! Wonderful!" Ye Yaming's eyes lit up immediately, but then they dimmed, and her entire demeanor wilted. "But for a hunting trip, we'd have to leave tomorrow afternoon, right? And stay out for two nights. What about the child?"

"Why not invite your mother and two sisters to stay for a couple of nights?" Lu Guanyi had already thought of this.With a man's broad-mindedness, he saw nothing wrong with leaving the child in the care of the wet nurse and maidservants. After all, Xia Momo, Bai Xin, and Lve E were extremely loyal and reliable. When Ye Yaming went out with Ziyuan and Qingzhi, she could fully entrust the child to them.

But Ye Yaming didn't think so.

Although she also attended social gatherings, she would only stay for half a day. Any longer than that and she would grow restless, her heart preoccupied with the child, insisting on returning home for a glance to set her mind at ease.

If she couldn't trust the maidservants, surely she could trust her own mother and younger sister, right?