Glory

On the twelfth day of the eleventh month, Ye Yaming was playing with a child using a bell when Lve E rushed in breathlessly: "Mis... Miss."

Ye Yaming's expression shifted as she stood up and asked, "What happened?"

Over the past two years, Lve E's temperament had grown increasingly steady; she no longer panicked over minor incidents.

Moreover, Lve E had mentioned just yesterday that her monthly courses hadn't arrived this month. They were waiting a few more days to confirm a potential pregnancy with an herbalist, so such rash behavior was unlike her.

"The... the imperial decree," Lve E finally caught her breath, "A palace eunuch has come to deliver an imperial decree, requesting all household members to gather in the main hall to receive it."

Ye Yaming froze momentarily before delight dawned on her face. This must be news from the border—the Emperor had issued an imperial decree.

She instructed everyone, "Quickly, straighten your attire and go to the front hall to receive the decree."

She then asked Lve E, "Is anyone receiving them in the front hall?"

"Yes, the young master happened to return from his office and met the decree-bearing eunuch at the entrance. He entered with them."

Ye Yaming hesitated, considering sending Lve E to fetch Ye Hongsheng and Yin Shi from Ye Jia to jointly receive the decree. If this decree not only conferred upon her the title "Tea Mistress" but also granted Ye Jia the status of imperial merchants with official ranks, it would concern the entire Ye family, not just her alone.

Yet even though Ye Jia was relatively close to the Lu family's villa, it still required travel time. The palace eunuch might grow impatient waiting.

Suppressing her thoughts, Ye Yaming turned and said, "I'll go change clothes first." She then instructed the wet nurse, "Change the child's clothes as well."

Shortly after, Ye Yaming emerged in fresh attire, bringing her two children and all the servants to the front hall.

Lu Guanyi stood up and introduced, "Eunuch Wang, this is my wife."

He then presented to Ye Yaming, "This is Eunuch Wang from the imperial presence, here to deliver the decree."

"Apologies for keeping you waiting, Eunuch Wang," Ye Yaming said with a smile.

Eunuch Wang bowed to Ye Yaming, "May Madam Lu enjoy boundless peace."

Seeing Eunuch Wang's benevolent expression and exceptionally courteous demeanor, Ye Yaming considered asking if he could wait briefly when Lu Guanyi interjected, "Madam, I've already discussed with Eunuch Wang about waiting a moment to announce the decree until your father and the others arrive. I've sent someone to notify them."

Overjoyed, Ye Yaming said, "Thank you for your accommodation, Eunuch Wang."

Eunuch Wang waved dismissively, smiling, "This humble servant is most fond of the fragrant tea Madam Lu prepares. Staying longer to enjoy two more cups is my privilege—I dare not accept thanks from Lord Lu and Madam Lu."

Ye Yaming knew Lu Guanyi must have already provided a red envelope. But since Eunuch Wang made this remark, she naturally had to respond accordingly.

She summoned Xu Zan: "Go, prepare two tins of Dragon Well, two tins of Tieguanyin, two bricks of Dark Tea, and a premium red envelope for Eunuch Wang."

"Madam Lu needn't trouble yourself—Lord Lu has already given this humble servant—"

"His is his, mine is mine. You've traveled today on behalf of Ye family matters—it's only proper that I express gratitude," Ye Yaming replied cheerfully.

Having received double generosity and such quantity of tea—whether for gifting or personal consumption upon returning to the palace—Eunuch Wang beamed with satisfaction.

He then offered Ye Yaming a personal favor: "After announcing the decree here, this humble servant must proceed to Lin'an's Ye family tomorrow morning for another reading. Does Madam Lu have any messages to entrust to this humble servant? It's but a trivial effort—please don't stand on ceremony."Ye Yaming was overjoyed: "Then I shall write a letter, and I humbly request Your Excellency to deliver it to my grandfather."

With that, she excused herself and went to the adjacent room to write the letter.

She was not lacking in messengers, but she used this method to allow the Ye family to get closer to Eunuch Wang, taking the opportunity to give him an additional red envelope.

The Ye family did not lack money; what they lacked was status and prestige. Being able to exchange a few more words with a palace eunuch, have him stay for a few more cups of tea, and build a good relationship were all matters that brought honor to Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye. When the elderly couple spoke of it to others, their faces would glow with pride.

Whether it was a coincidence or Eunuch Wang had deliberately chosen this time, it happened to be the hour when officials left their offices for dinner, and Ye Hongsheng had already returned from the teahouse.

Thus, it did not take long for the servants to swiftly bring Ye Hongsheng, Yin Shi, Ye Yayin, and Ye Yayu.

Seeing this, Eunuch Wang stood up, cleared his throat, and said, "Since everything is ready, shall we proceed with the proclamation of the imperial edict?"

"Please, Eunuch Wang."

The incense table had long been prepared. Once Ye Yaming and the others knelt down, Eunuch Wang unrolled the bright yellow silk brocade and began reading the imperial edict.

This edict was much longer than the one conferring the marriage. It began with an elaborate preamble, lavishing praise on the emperor, implying that it was due to the emperor's diligent governance that the current prosperous era had been achieved—the common people had enough to eat, the Great Jin Dynasty could allocate more land for tea cultivation, and the people were willing to spend money on tea, leading to the current prosperity of the tea market.

Only afterward did it announce that the Ye family had been appointed as hereditary Imperial Merchants, with an official rank of Fifth Pin, and that Ye Yaming had been conferred the title of "Lady of Tea," a First Pin rank.

When Ye Hongsheng arrived, he had only heard from the servants that the palace had come to proclaim an edict, likely finally granting the Ye family the title of Imperial Merchant.

He had not expected the Ye family not only to receive the title of "Imperial Merchant" but also to be granted a hereditary Fifth Pin rank. He was immediately overwhelmed with excitement. When he heard that Ye Yaming had been conferred the title of "Lady of Tea," a First Pin rank, he could no longer hold back, and tears streamed from his eyes.

Yin Shi did not quite understand the flowery language. After kowtowing and rising, she saw Ye Yaming receive the court attire of a First Pin Imperial Mandate from Eunuch Wang, heard the excited whispers of Ye Yayin and Ye Yayu, and noticed her husband discreetly wiping away tears. Her eyes widened in astonishment.

As soon as Ye Yaming and Lu Guanyi escorted Eunuch Wang and his entourage out, she grabbed Ye Hongsheng's hand and asked, "Yayin said that Ming'er has been granted a First Pin Imperial Mandate by the emperor. Is it true?"

In the past, she would not have had much concept of official ranks. But now, spending her days with Princess Yu'an and the wives of noble families, she had become thoroughly familiar with these ranks.

Seeing Ye Hongsheng nod, her eyes widened even further: "Then doesn't that make our Ming'er a princess?"

Ye Hongsheng shook his head, speculating, "In terms of rank, she is on equal footing with the princesses. However, the emperor conferred upon Ming'er the title of Lady of Tea, not princess."

"Regardless, being on equal footing with the princesses means she surpasses the vast majority of noble and official wives in the capital." Yin Shi's excitement remained undiminished as she asked further, "Has Father also been granted a Fifth Pin official rank?"

"Yes," Ye Hongsheng nodded emphatically.

"Wonderful, wonderful," Yin Shi's tears also began to fall uncontrollably. She murmured, "We are no longer lowly merchants. We will no longer be looked down upon. I wonder how excited Father and Mother will be when they receive the imperial edict."After seeing off Eunuch Wang and returning, Ye Yaming witnessed Ye Hongsheng and Yin Shi weeping with emotion and overheard Yin Shi's words.

She couldn't help but take a deep breath and turned her gaze toward Lu Guanyi.

Lu Guanyi stepped forward with a smile, took her hand, and asked, "Are you so happy you've gone dumb?"

Ye Yaming laughed, her eyes glistening with tears.

She nodded vigorously. "Yes, happy."

She was happy—despite having traveled back to ancient times, she had still built a successful career, filling this unfamiliar world with the fragrance of tea. As long as the government remained just and stable, she would bring all the teas from the future to the Great Jin Dynasty and even have court officials take these teas abroad, spreading them across the world.

She was even happier that, aside from her career, she had also found love and started a family with the one she loved. Beyond that, she had a loving family and reliable friends.

She believed that as long as she nurtured her career, love, and friendships well, her life would surely be peaceful, smooth, and filled with happiness and fulfillment.

The End