Glory

According to Feng Yu, those people not only wanted money but were also targeting Ye Hongchang, seemingly intent on killing him. If it weren't for Guan Canghai and two guards desperately protecting him, the bandits might have succeeded.

Ye Yaming said, "Do you know why Meng Chengwei doesn't dare come directly to our home, openly demanding that you hand over the position of tea guild leader or submit to him as your master?"

Without waiting for Ye Chongming's response, she continued, "It's not because he fears the law, but because the profits from illicit tea are substantial, and the Meng family isn't the only one eyeing this trade. He doesn't dare move openly against our Ye family, nor even show explicit interest in this area. They're like rats in the sewers, only capable of scheming in the shadows."

Ye Chongming's heart stirred: "Are you suggesting that Qi Zhifu isn't in cahoots with Meng Chengwei?"

Otherwise, Meng Chengwei could simply approach Qi Zhifu directly, having him pressure the Ye family or intervene in the Jiangnan tea guild. Why would he need to resort to these underhanded tactics?

Ye Yaming nodded: "So, you just need to report all of Meng Chengwei's recent schemes truthfully to Qi Zhifu. Previously, regarding the illicit tea matter, you already informed Master Wu and alerted Qi Zhifu, didn't you? The bandit incident is the follow-up."

"The earlier case involved Fourth Uncle's involvement in selling illicit tea. Even if Qi Zhifu wanted to act against Meng Chengwei, he couldn't—going after the rat would inevitably break the jade vase. If this matter were exposed, he wouldn't be able to protect our family, as Meng Chengwei isn't the only one eyeing the tea guild leader position. But this current incident can be traced back to Meng Chengwei."

Old Madam Ye, listening nearby, brightened and repeatedly agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! Once the bandit testifies, Qi Zhifu can arrest that Meng fellow."

But Ye Chongming frowned and shook his head: "Meng Chengwei isn't foolish enough to personally negotiate with the bandits. Even if he did, he'd only deal with their leader. The captured underlings likely wouldn't know him."

When he enticed Ding Jian, it was because Ding Jian was a person of some standing. An ordinary person approaching him wouldn't have convinced Ding Jian to betray his longtime employer, so Meng Chengwei had to appear in person.

Moreover, at that time, Meng Chengwei still looked down on the Ye family, believing they wouldn't suspect him. Even if they eventually did, since Ye Hongrong was involved in illicit tea trade, the matter had to be covered up rather than exposed. The Ye family wouldn't dare report it to the authorities, posing no risk to him.

Now that one scheme failed and he resorted to another—this time colluding with bandits—the nature is different. He absolutely wouldn't personally get involved and hand evidence to the Ye family or the authorities.

Ye Yaming smiled: "Aren't you worried that Meng Chengwei might send someone to collude with the bandits and erase his traces? We can do the same in reverse."

Ye Chongming was startled, then widened his eyes: "You mean, you mean..."

The words that followed were too audacious for him to utter.

Old Madam Ye didn't grasp it at first but now understood and blurted out, "You mean we make the bandit change his testimony and implicate Meng Chengwei?"

Ye Chongming was alarmed and quickly looked around.

Some things can be done but not spoken aloud. What if someone overheard?Ye Yaming smiled and said, "No, no, no, Grandmother, how could we do anything illegal? But we can give Qi Zhifu an idea, telling him to bluff the robber, just like how I bluffed Liu Chunxin back then."

"Anyway, we just provide a clue. As for how to conduct the trial, that’s the officials’ business. Professional matters should be handled by professionals. How they interrogate and who they uncover is beyond our concern," she added.

"Regarding the matter the other day, Grandfather, you informed Master Wu. Since the prefect showed no reaction, it’s clear he doesn’t want any changes in the Jiangnan tea market. Therefore, he will surely protect us and thoroughly investigate this case."

Her purpose in having Ye Chongming report the illicit tea incident to Master Wu was merely to test the waters—to gauge Qi Zhifu’s attitude toward the Ye family. The fact that it caused no ripple in the official circles indicates that Qi Zhifu still wants Ye Chongming to remain as the head of the tea guild. Now, with Meng Chengwei repeatedly targeting the Ye family, she couldn’t believe Qi Zhifu would remain idle and not use the robbery incident to his advantage.

"Right, right, right," Ye Chongming exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.

He knew a thing or two about the tactics of officials. If Qi Zhifu truly wanted to link this matter to Meng Chengwei, even if there were no actual connection, he could still pin the blame on Meng Chengwei.

The Ye family really didn’t need to do anything; Qi Zhifu would take action on his own.

Hearing Ye Yaming’s words was like taking a tranquilizer for him. His complexion returned to its previous rosy hue.

He said to Old Mrs. Ye, "The robbery shouldn’t be disclosed yet. If you and Tao Shi go to the medical clinic, it will be hard to keep it secret. After I finish at the yamen, I’ll go check on Hongchang. If he’s not seriously injured, I’ll have someone bring him back. Don’t worry, and there’s no need to send anyone to attend to him."

As a mother, how could she not worry about her injured son? If her husband hadn’t assured her that their son’s injuries were minor, Old Mrs. Ye would have been restless long ago.

Now, hearing Ye Chongming’s words, she understood the gravity of the situation. Suppressing her anxiety, she nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."

After giving these instructions, Ye Chongming strode out briskly, got into a carriage, and headed to the yamen.

Unable to visit her son, Old Mrs. Ye had intended to discuss the matter of breaking off the engagement with Ye Yaming. But remembering that Ye Yaming was still processing Osmanthus Tea in her courtyard, and realizing she had already delayed her a bit, she swallowed her words, worried that further delay might affect the tea.

"Never mind," she thought. "I’ll wait until Ye Yaming finishes processing the tea."

Ye Chongming went to the yamen, requested to see Master Wu, and was then introduced to Qi Zhifu. He explained everything in detail to the prefect.

"Go back and have someone draft a formal complaint. Have your eldest son bring it to file a lawsuit. Only after I hold a court session can I dispatch constables to investigate and see if the mastermind is the person you suspect," Qi Zhifu said.

Ye Chongming blinked.

What did that mean?

But he knew that officials often spoke in vague terms. Even if Qi Zhifu had such intentions, he would never express them outright to avoid leaving any evidence.

The fact that Qi Zhifu agreed to see him was already a clear indication of his stance.He immediately agreed and, seeing that Qi Zhifu had already picked up his teacup to signal the end of the audience, tactfully took his leave.

Only then did he finally go to the Hall of Returning Spring to see his son.

"Father, I'm fine." Seeing his elderly father, Ye Hongchang still felt a lingering fear.

He had almost failed to return and would have been unable to see his family again.