Glory

Ye Chongming felt a chill in his heart and nodded, saying, "I will instruct your Da Bo and the others to be extremely cautious in all matters."

He added, "Ming'er, you must also be careful. When you go out, bring more people with you."

Ye Yaming nodded, "Alright."

The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, but during holidays, the business at the Tea House and tea shops was always better than usual. Ye Chongming had no habit of taking breaks, so he followed his daily routine and went to the tea shop with Ye Jiaxing.

The tea shop was usually managed by the shopkeeper, and Ye Chongming went there mainly to attend to his own affairs on the third floor. If anything came up at the Tea Factory, Tea House, or tea trade, he could still be reached without difficulty.

When he had nothing to do, he would go downstairs to drink tea with friends.

Therefore, he usually strolled in leisurely around mid-morning, in no particular hurry.

By this time, many avid storyteller listeners had already arrived at the tea shop and finished a pot of tea.

Thinking of what Ye Yaming had said, Ye Chongming did not take his private staircase but entered through the main door of the tea shop and ascended the stairs used by the tea patrons.

Ye Jiaxing followed behind him. The young master, who usually maintained a dignified and composed demeanor mindful of his status, appeared outwardly the same as always. However, his constantly shifting gaze betrayed his inner unease.

If he didn’t hear any news while going upstairs, he planned to ask a waiter later to inquire about the rumors circulating among the tea patrons.

Just as they were ascending from the first to the second floor, they encountered a man coming down from the second floor at the staircase landing.

The man looked at the two with surprise and exclaimed loudly, "Oh, Old Master Ye, why are you at the tea shop today?" His voice was quite booming.

Ye Chongming glanced at him and recognized him as a tea merchant surnamed Chen from the tea trade. Since his business was small, he usually went unnoticed in the tea trade and rarely came to Ye Chongming’s attention. As a result, Ye Chongming didn’t even know his full name.

However, this man was quite adept at currying favor with the Yang family and often followed Yang Hong around, so Ye Chongming had some impression of him.

"Why shouldn’t I come to the tea shop?" Ye Chongming stopped and asked.

"Isn’t your Da Bo seriously injured? Wasn’t the Tea Silver he brought back from the capital also robbed by bandits? Instead of urging the authorities to track down the Tea Silver, how do you have the leisure to come here for tea?" Master Chen’s voice was thunderous, loud enough for the tea patrons upstairs and downstairs to hear.

"What? The Tea Silver was robbed? And Da Bo Ye is seriously injured? How could this happen?" Some tea patrons, whether genuinely concerned or gloating, crowded around to ask questions.

Ye Chongming gave the tea merchant surnamed Chen a deep look and said with a faint, mocking smile, "Master Chen is quite well-informed. Could it be that you’re in cahoots with the bandits? Otherwise, since I haven’t reported it to the authorities nor publicized it widely, how do you know the details so clearly?"

"Hah, Old Master Ye, there’s no need for such talk. That day, your Manor Guards rushed back on horseback, covered in blood—who didn’t see it? Besides, with people coming and going at the clinic, how could anyone hide the fact that your Da Bo was seriously injured and the Guards escorting him nearly lost their lives?" Master Chen retorted.

Although Ye Chongming had anticipated this situation, he played his part to the fullest, feigning anger as his face darkened. "What business is it of yours?"

"So, you admit it?" Master Chen immediately broke into a smile.Teahouses have always been hubs for gossip, attracting idle patrons who relish any opportunity for excitement.

Master Chen's booming voice, combined with the sensational nature of his remarks about the owner of Gathering Fragrance Pavilion and the revealing exchange with Ye Chongming, drew crowds from all directions. Even those who hadn't heard the rumors earlier now clustered around.

Standing on the staircase connecting the first and second floors, Ye Chongming and Master Chen became a spectacle easily viewed from both levels. Soon, the staircase was packed with onlookers above and below.

The teahouse, being a bustling Ye family property, had been built with an exceptionally wide staircase—broad enough for four people to ascend side by side—yet now both ends were completely blocked. Those unable to squeeze through craned their necks, straining for a glimpse.

Ye Chongming, known for his generosity and extensive connections, counted many tea merchants and regular patrons among his friends. Master Chen's smug demeanor offended not only Ye but others present as well.

Someone spoke up in challenge: "What business is it of yours whether he admits anything? Could it be, as Old Master Ye suggested, you were behind the Tea Silver robbery? Why else would you care so much?"

Unfazed, Master Chen replied with a grin, "Merely curious. Usually, the Ye family monopolizes the finest Estate Holders on the tea mountains, leaving small merchants like us to scavenge like beggars for scraps."

"Now that the Ye family's Tea Silver has been stolen, won't some of those Estate Holders become available? If no one here is interested in those prime growers, I might just ask Old Master Ye for a share."

His words stirred even those who had found him repulsive. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching and Spring Tea pre-orders about to begin, the teahouse was filled with tea merchants, some having traveled from other regions. Gathering Fragrance Pavilion was Lin'an's largest teahouse, and Ye Chongming, as the guild leader, naturally attracted crowds seeking news and networking.

The Ye family had operated in Lin'an for decades, even centuries. Their reputation for fairness, reliable pricing, and quality tea had secured lasting partnerships with the best Estate Holders. The family routinely assisted growers through difficulties, fostering unshakable loyalty. Rival merchants—local or outsider—could rarely poach these growers, despite offering higher prices, fueling widespread envy.

While Ye Chongming's consistent goodwill had previously deterred opportunism, the family's current crisis—insufficient funds for Spring Tea pre-orders—tempted some to consider seizing the moment. If they could snatch Estate Holders this year, those gains might become permanent. Long-term interests demanded action, not courtesy.

Ye Chongming surveyed the crowd: some visibly tempted, others sympathetic, and still others watching amusedly, aware they stood no chance in any competition for leftover growers. A microcosm of human nature.

Ignoring Master Chen, he clasped his hands toward a few genuinely concerned patrons and merchants. "Thank you for your concern. Hongchang is fine—only minor injuries. He'll recover with rest. As for the robbery, I'll report it to the authorities for investigation.""As for the Estate Holders, I apologize for disappointing everyone, but even though my Ye family is short on funds, our foundation remains intact. Moreover, the Estate Holders trust this old man, so how could I let them down? Even if I have to sell off family assets, I will conduct transactions with them as usual, never breaking trust."