Glory

Yang Hong could no longer allow the man to continue speaking. Taking three steps in two, he rushed downstairs and shouted at the man, "Shut up!"

Everyone turned to look at him.

Someone exclaimed in surprise, "Master Yang?"

Ignoring them, Yang Hong addressed the man who had spoken ill of Meng Chengwei, "Who are you? Who sent you? Young Master Meng comes from a noble family, raised with the strictest discipline since childhood. His character is beyond reproach..."

Suddenly, a familiar voice sharply interrupted him, "Beyond reproach? Yang Hong, if you're blind and choose to collude with Meng Chengwei, that's your business. But don't mislead others—do you have a grudge against everyone?"

The speaker ascended from the staircase as he spoke.

Everyone recognized him—it was none other than Ye Chongming, the owner of Gathering Fragrance Pavilion.

Behind him followed his grandson Ye Jiaxing, the pavilion's manager Lin Zhensheng, and several manor guards.

Many tea drinkers in Yang's Teahouse had visited Gathering Fragrance Pavilion before, some even being regular patrons. They had only come to Yang's that day because of the discount.

At the sight of Ye Chongming, some looked sheepish.

But more wore expressions of excitement.

It's happening, it's happening!

They had long heard rumors that Yang Hong, the owner of Yang's Teahouse, was at odds with Old Master Ye, often challenging and undermining him in the tea trade, hoping to pull him from his position as guild leader and take the seat for himself.

But these were only rumors—they had never witnessed it firsthand.

Now, seeing the two confront each other with such fiery tension, the crowd reveled in the drama, almost wishing for a physical fight.

To everyone's surprise, however, after reaching the second floor, Ye Chongming did not approach Yang Hong. Instead, he passed him and stood directly before a young man in sapphire-blue silk standing behind Yang Hong.

Ye Chongming's once-cloudy eyes now gleamed sharply, his voice icy, "Meng Chengwei, my Ye family has no past grievances with you, nor any recent conflicts. I didn't even know who you were before. I've been wondering why you repeatedly scheme to harm my family. Is it to help Yang Hong pull me down so he can take the guild leader's seat?"

He abruptly turned, his gaze eagle-like as he fixed it on Yang Hong, a cold smile spreading across his face, "Master Yang, what immense influence you must have, to enlist an imperial merchant from the capital as your pawn, using underhanded methods to clear all obstacles. I'm curious—what benefits did you promise Meng Chengwei?"

The sheer weight of this revelation stunned the teahouse patrons. Their eyes widened, following Ye Chongming's movements, nostrils flaring with excitement, faces flushing red.

"You're talking nonsense!" Yang Hong naturally denied it. He had only just connected with Meng Chengwei. Though he had intentions, he hadn't yet acted—he wouldn't bear this false accusation.

As he prepared to speak, Ye Jiaxing rushed forward and grabbed Meng Chengwei by the collar. The move was so swift that Meng Liang, Gu Jie, and the Meng family's manor guards failed to react—everyone's attention had been fixed on the argument between Ye Chongming and Yang Hong.

"Meng Chengwei, why did you collude with bandits to injure my father and rob our family's Tea Silver? When that failed, why did you send your housekeeper to seize our estate holders? How can you be so despicable? And you call yourself Min Fei's nephew, an imperial merchant's son? Pah!"

With that, Ye Jiaxing spat directly into Meng Chengwei's face.Originally, he wanted to punch Meng Chengwei a few times to vent his anger, but his grandfather said that hitting him would put their own family at a disadvantage. If Meng Chengwei retaliated by making accusations, he would end up being arrested and imprisoned alongside Meng Chengwei. Even Qi Zhifu wouldn't be able to use the previous incident as grounds for intervention.

After much deliberation, Ye Jiaxing finally spat in Meng Chengwei's face.

Spitting was one thing—it didn't involve physical assault or leave any injuries. Even if Meng Chengwei pursued the matter, Ye Jiaxing would only need to offer a verbal apology. He decided to vent his frustration first and deal with the consequences later.

Meng Chengwei trembled with rage.

In all his years, not even his parents had ever struck or scolded him. As he grew older and revealed his cunning and ruthless nature, his family didn't dare speak a harsh word to him. Yet today, caught off guard, he had been grabbed by the collar and spat on—an utter humiliation.

At this moment, Meng Liang, Gu Jie, and the others snapped out of their shock and rushed to rescue their master.

Ye Jiaxing, having been forewarned and being quick-witted himself, understood the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble. As soon as Meng Liang and Gu Jie lunged forward, he released his grip and stepped back. The Ye family's manor guards promptly stepped in to block the Meng family's guards and attendants.

Meanwhile, Yang Hong was stunned by the information in Ye Jiaxing's words.

He wasn't the only one shocked—the tea house patrons present were equally dumbfounded.

Earlier, when the storyteller was enthusiastically narrating, a crowd of tea drinkers had already gathered at the staircase. When Ye Chongming appeared and went upstairs, even those on the first floor who hadn't been interested in the commotion couldn't resist coming to watch. Those already at the staircase eagerly followed him to the second floor, and the tea house staff were powerless to stop them.

Now, the second floor was packed to the brim. Even the empty private booths near the staircase were crammed with people craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the scene.

If anyone had scanned the room, they would have seen faces filled with astonishment.

"What nonsense are you spouting? We don't even know who you are! How dare you slander us and make baseless accusations?" Meng Liang shouted loudly.

He had been simmering with resentment ever since Gu Jie showed up to replace Meng Chengwei in signing the contract with Yang Hong. After all, it was Meng Liang who had brought the Yang family into the picture. Yet Gu Jie had swooped in to take credit and was now set to remain in Lin'an to manage affairs on Meng Chengwei's behalf. Meng Liang had been seething with anger but had no outlet for it—until now.

The Ye family's disruption provided him with the perfect opportunity to vent his frustration and prove his worth.

See? In critical moments, it was still his cousin who stepped up to the front lines.

"Is this how people in Lin'an behave? Bursting into someone's tea house and spouting nonsense—have you lost your minds?" He fired another sweeping accusation.

This time, the tea house patrons grew somewhat annoyed. However, their irritation wasn't directed at Meng Liang—all eyes turned to Ye Chongming.

Although Ye Chongming had always been praised for his character, did he have any evidence for his claims? Colluding with bandits to seize tea silver? That Young Master Meng was an Imperial merchant and the nephew of a palace consort—would he really be foolish enough to do something so reckless?

Just to help Yang Hong become the head of the tea guild? Don't make us laugh! Was Yang Hong really that important?

On the carriage ride over, Ye Jiaxing had received instructions from Ye Chongming: today, he had to take the lead.

He was young, impulsive, hot-tempered, and inexperienced. Even if his words and actions were a bit rash or excessive, everyone would understand. After all, it was his father who had been harmed—wasn't it only natural for a son to seek justice for his father?

Ye Chongming, on the other hand, was older and held a higher status. Anything he said could easily be scrutinized and blown out of proportion. So today, it was up to Ye Jiaxing to carry the weight.

And Ye Jiaxing was quite sharp-tongued.As soon as Meng Liang finished speaking, he retorted, "Enough! What nonsense about all Lin'an people being like this. You're from the capital—did I say everyone in the capital is like your master: morally bankrupt, full of vile schemes, and viciously underhanded? Stop dragging others into this."