Glory

New tea varieties aren't like cabbages that can be casually created at will. Haven't you observed how throughout the long history of tea drinking, only a few tea-making methods have been developed?

Therefore, he was merely considering that the existing tea-making recipes didn't account for future innovations in tea varieties.

"This... perhaps we should wait until you create another new tea before bringing it up?" he suggested tactfully.

Wouldn't it be awkward if they made the proposal but she never managed to create another new tea? Ye Chongming was truly worrying himself sick over his granddaughter.

Ye Yaming turned to Granny Yu and Bai Rui: "Both of you may leave now."

Since Ye Chongming and Ye Yaming were discussing important matters, Old Madam Ye had long established rules for the servants in the main courtyard: whenever the Old Master, the Elder Master, or Third Miss visited, everyone except Granny Yu should withdraw from the room.

Thus, the other servants had already withdrawn early and consciously kept their distance from the main hall.

Now that even Granny Yu and Bai Rui were being dismissed, Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye grew serious, their gazes burning as they looked at Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming couldn't help but laugh: "Why are you both looking at me like that? Don't tell me you think I've created another new tea?"

"Isn't that the case?" Hearing her question, Ye Chongming felt a twinge of disappointment.

"Not yet, but it won't be long now," Ye Yaming said.

Her smile faded as she addressed them solemnly: "Grandfather, Grandmother, do you believe deities exist in heaven and earth?"

The two were taken aback again.

Old Madam Ye said: "Naturally, we believe."

She regularly visited temples to burn incense and donate money, praying for divine protection to keep the Ye family safe and sound.

Ye Chongming also nodded.

Ye Yaming continued: "Didn't I fall ill some time ago? While feverish and delirious, I kept faintly hearing someone whispering in my ear - all about understanding tea. When I recovered, these words remained firmly in my mind, completely unlike a dream."

Both Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye widened their eyes.

"And during this period, I've been having related dreams intermittently," Ye Yaming added. "The creation of Osmanthus Tea came from the method that person told me."

"So that's how it is, that's how it is," Ye Chongming exclaimed in sudden understanding.

In his youth, he had also attempted to create new teas, but without exception, all ended in failure. Ye Hongchang and Ye Hongsheng had similar experiences. Except for Ye Hongsheng, who remained obsessed with tea-making and, being still young, continued attempts, the others gradually faced reality and abandoned such impractical fantasies.

Therefore, Ye Chongming knew exactly how difficult it was to create new teas.

Yet Ye Yaming, who had never made tea before, suddenly claimed to have inspiration. Turning inspiration into reality required countless trials. But she seemed to know the correct method from the start, succeeding in one attempt, and later producing several hundred jin of tea without a single failure - this was truly unusual.

Naturally, Ye Chongming didn't want to doubt his granddaughter.

Elders tend to view their children through rose-colored glasses - when children display exceptional talent, they accept it readily, thinking "our child has always been this outstanding." Even if doubts arose, they would dismiss them, attributing it to divine blessing or ancestral fortune.

But occasionally, nagging doubts would surface.

Now with Ye Yaming's explanation, Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye suddenly understood.

So it truly was divine protection or ancestral fortune.

Ye Chongming even asked: "Was the voice male or female?"

Ye Yaming replied: "A male voice."Ye Chongming slapped the armrest: "That's it then. It must be your great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather manifesting to enlighten you."

Old Mrs. Ye had a deeper understanding: "Probably because Ming'er has the highest comprehension and most spiritual nature, which is why the Ye family ancestors came to enlighten you."

Ye Chongming nodded in full agreement: "It must be so."

Ye Yaming: "..."

She knew that as long as she said this, the two elders would accept it readily. After all, there was no nine-year compulsory education or socialist core values at this time. People were generally superstitious, and everyone would undoubtedly believe her explanation.

She fabricated this lie not only to patch up previous matters but also to lay the groundwork for future plans.

Previously, the Ye family had no power, influence, or backing, so she had to consider whether to introduce various tea types. Now, with their cooperation with Lu Guanyi and the others, plus having Master Zhineng as a powerful supporter, she believed it would be completely feasible to introduce pan-fired green tea and some tea utensils next spring.

As for other tea types, it would depend on Lu Guanyi and his companions' character and whether their backing was strong and reliable. If they truly had the Crown Prince as their supporter, and the Crown Prince had good character, strong capabilities, and a relatively stable position, then she could definitely build a career in the Great Jin dynasty.

That's right - the ambitious President Ye was already envisioning her career blueprint in this Great Jin dynasty. Even with the risk of getting involved in the struggle for the throne, she felt eager to proceed.

When Ye Chongming came back to his senses, he was overjoyed: "So that means you might be able to create other types of tea?"

Ye Yaming nodded: "I already have some ideas. It's just that there are no tea leaves available for experimentation now. When spring comes and tea leaves are available, I believe I'll definitely succeed in making this type of tea."

Ye Yaming's confident demeanor filled Ye Chongming with confidence in her, and he repeatedly said: "Good, good, good."

"However, during this period, we can start making tea utensils first," Ye Yaming said.

She gave Ye Chongming a playful wink: "This can serve as both our commitment to the cooperation and a demonstration of our capabilities."

"Excellent," Ye Chongming clapped his hands together.

If they didn't contribute all their current estate holders and crude tea as shares, but only relied on their original tea-making techniques, the Ye family might be acceptable at the beginning of the cooperation but would become increasingly disadvantaged as time went on.

After all, Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji would be doing most of the work dealing with local officials and tea merchants, while the Ye family would have limited subsequent strength and thus no say in matters.

But if they continuously introduced new tea utensils and created new teas, that would be completely different. It might even end up with the Ye family taking the leading role.

"When the time comes, you'll come with me to discuss the partnership matters with Young Master Lu and the others," he said.

As he spoke, he showed a sly smile: "I mentioned wanting to invite Master Zhineng to be the agent. I wonder if that will work."

He had a little scheme - worried that Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji's status might not be enough to suppress Meng Chengwei, he wanted to borrow Master Zhineng's influence. So he proposed to Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji about having Master Zhineng serve as the agent.

Furthermore, in future cooperation with Lu Guanyi, Qi Ji, and the others, Ye Yaming would definitely need to participate. He hoped that Master Zhineng and Lu Guanyi's group could first witness Ye Yaming's capabilities. This way, they would respect her rather than treat her as some shallow woman trying to approach them through improper means with the intention of marrying them.

Therefore, he wanted Ye Yaming to not only have the reputation of creating Osmanthus Tea in front of Master Zhineng but also to showcase her tea brewing skills.

In this regard, his thinking coincided perfectly with Ye Yaming's.