Glory

Before Lu Guanyi could respond, she smiled brightly and turned her gaze to Master Wu. "My idea requires only five thousand taels of silver. Does Master Wu think it worthwhile?"

Her question made Master Wu inwardly startle, realizing that his earlier condescension and skepticism had been fully noticed by Ye Yaming.

A young girl like this, born into such a family and at such a tender age, yet able to speak with such insight—she was clearly no ordinary person. Who could predict what heights she might reach in the future? Offending her would certainly not be wise.

Moreover, with Ye Yaming's proposal, Lu Guanyi and his associates could directly commission the production of various tea sets. By promoting her theory of tea arrangement, wouldn't the self-proclaimed literati among the capital's nobility eagerly embrace these tea utensils?

Previously, those who enjoyed pressed tea found a single set of tea utensils sufficient. But with Ye Yaming's tea arrangement theory, anyone without eight or ten sets of tea utensils would be embarrassed to claim knowledge of tea.

Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji's business wouldn't need to struggle to source tea leaves—they could make a fortune regardless.

He slapped his palm with his fan and praised, "Worth it! Extremely worth it!" After speaking, he laughed heartily, showing enthusiastic support.

His demeanor made Madam Wu unable to bear watching.

After his initial shock, Ye Hongchang offered lavish praise, though it was tinged with deep regret.

If Ye Yaming had proposed this before their cooperation with Lu and Qi, and the Ye family had undertaken this business alone, wouldn't they have reaped enormous profits? Now that the idea came from their family member, the earnings had to be shared with Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji—truly rather unfortunate.

Ye Yaming beckoned to Bai Rui, who immediately brought over a painting tube that had been placed nearby and handed it to Lu Guanyi's page.

"Inside are some tea set designs I've drawn. Young Master Lu and Qi Gongzi, please see if they're usable. If so, consider them as throwing out a brick to attract jade."

"With my brick as inspiration, skilled painters or scholars from academies might also gain inspiration to design complete tea set patterns. You could then purchase such designs with some silver."

Lu Guanyi personally took the painting tube, poured out the drawings inside, and unrolled them to examine. One sheet depicted a complete tea set including teapot, teacup, fairness cup, water bowl, and tea caddy. Most striking was that all pieces were white, adorned with freehand brushwork depicting peach blossoms—some blooming lavishly, others as buds, with peach branches rendered in varying ink intensities.

Individual pieces might not seem remarkable, but as a complete set they became irresistibly captivating.

Imagine springtime when peach blossoms bloom: selecting a small pavilion where willow leaves sprout, or simply sitting on a grassy lawn, laying out such a tea set to brew Pre-Qingming spring tea in the gentle spring breeze—what delightful seasonal harmony!

He lifted his eyes to Ye Yaming, his gaze bright. "Is this a spring or peach blossom theme?"

Ye Yaming smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Qi Ji had already leaned in to look when Lu Guanyi unrolled the painting. Now he clapped his hands vigorously and exclaimed, "Marvelous! Simply marvelous! I believe when such a tea set is displayed, young ladies from boudoirs will compete to purchase it. Who wouldn't love such an elegant, spring-infused complete tea set?"

Lu Guanyi pulled out this page to examine the next one.

He raised an eyebrow. "Ceramic?""Correct," said Ye Yaming. "Tea sets don't necessarily have to be made of fine porcelain. Ceramic tea ware possesses a rustic and elegant beauty. Additionally, they can be individually crafted as vases and water bowls, forming a matching set with corresponding porcelain pieces."

The tea sets she had drawn were all extremely classic modern designs and highly representative. Lu Guanyi could take them directly to the kiln to have them fired.

Except for the ceramic group, which was Ru ware celadon.

When she had previously commissioned tea sets, she had specifically inquired with the kiln owner and learned that Ru ware celadon also existed in this time and space.

After Lu Guanyi finished flipping through the five tea set design drawings by Ye Yaming, Qi Ji and the irresistibly curious Master Wu gathered around, exclaiming in admiration, which made Ye Jiaxing itch to join them.

However, aware of the status disparity and knowing he couldn't approach Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji so casually, he suppressed his burning curiosity, waiting for the three to finish before he could take a look.

Once Lu Guanyi and the others had finished examining the tea set drawings, Ye Chongming couldn't resist asking for them himself. He, Ye Hongchang, and Ye Jiaxing huddled together, their heads close as they studied the designs.

Madam Wu was also tempted to see the tea sets that everyone was raving about. Only Old Mrs. Ye's thoughts were entirely elsewhere.

She kept glancing toward the door and then at Ye Yaming, worried that Song Yifeng might not arrive at the Ye residence at the time Ye Yaming had predicted.

Just then, the Housekeeper in charge of the kitchen appeared at the doorway. Old Mrs. Ye knew that the kitchen was ready and the banquet could begin.

She looked at Ye Yaming, wanting to ask for her opinion on whether to start the banquet now.

Ye Yaming nodded to Old Mrs. Ye.

It didn't matter when Song Yifeng arrived. Whenever he came, Ye Chongming would certainly handle the matter in the room next to where everyone was gathered. Given the poor sound insulation of these ancient wooden structures, their conversation would inevitably be overheard by those present.

Seeing this, Old Mrs. Ye glanced around the room. Noting that Lu Guanyi and the other two were already drinking tea while only the three Ye family members were still examining the drawings, she prepared to announce the start of the banquet.

But just as she was about to speak, the matron guarding the gate hurried to the doorway, entered, and bowed to her, saying, "Old Madam, Young Master Song has arrived. He says he has urgent matters to discuss with Old Master Ye."

This matron was also Old Mrs. Ye's trusted confidante, specially assigned to keep watch at the main gate. Old Mrs. Ye had specifically instructed her that if Song Yifeng came, she should report it openly in front of the guests rather than discreetly.

Although Ye Chongming was looking at the drawings, he had kept half his attention on the matter of Song Yifeng. After all, this was the main event of the day.

If they didn't quickly break off the engagement now, once Song Yifeng learned that the Ye family was collaborating with Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji, and that Ye Yaming had even gained Master Zhineng's favor, he would cling to them like a piece of sticky plaster, impossible to shake off.

Naturally, he heard the matron's report.

He handed the drawings to Ye Hongchang.

Master Wu was aware of Song Yifeng and knew he was Old Master Ye's grandson-in-law.

Initially, he hadn't known which Ye family daughter Song Yifeng was engaged to. But after hearing about Ye Yaming's performance at Chongshan Temple and learning that Lu Guanyi, Qi Ji, and even Master Zhineng had praised Third Miss Ye highly, he had specifically inquired about Ye Yaming's situation.

After all, both young masters were still unmarried. If Third Miss Ye was so outstanding, whether the two young masters had any intentions toward her and what their elders thought about it were important matters for which he needed to be mentally prepared.