Glory

"If you're short on silver, just tell me and I'll lend it to you. You can repay me later when the business starts making money."

"I've already mentioned it," Yin Shi quickly replied. "Over the years, our second branch has saved over four thousand taels of silver. I can pawn my jewelry for another five hundred taels. As for the remaining shortfall, Ming'er initially suggested borrowing from you, Mother. But later, when she designed those three tea sets and Young Master Lu paid ten thousand taels to purchase them, Ming'er said she would contribute six thousand taels to make up the full amount, so I wouldn't need to pawn my jewelry."

She smiled. "So we've managed to gather the ten thousand taels and won't need to borrow from you, Mother."

Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye exchanged a glance.

When Ye Yaming had presented the three tea set designs that day, she originally intended to offer them free of charge as a gesture of goodwill for the collaboration with Ye Jia. However, Lu Guanyi disagreed, stating that the tea sets would generate significant profits once produced, and he didn't want to take advantage of a young girl like Ye Yaming. He insisted on purchasing them for ten thousand taels and immediately provided the silver notes.

Later, when Ye Yaming presented five tea set design sketches and asked for five thousand taels, Lu Guanyi again disagreed. Instead, he proposed that Ye Yaming contribute her design concepts as shares, with both Lu's family and Ye Jia each allocating 1.5 shares from the tea set business to her.

After all, what Ye Yaming provided wasn't just five designs but a comprehensive design philosophy for tea sets. This approach would enable continuous and substantial profits. The 30% share was rightfully deserved by Ye Yaming.

After Ye Yaming received the ten thousand taels in silver notes, Ye Chongming discussed the matter with Old Mrs. Ye. They had wondered how Ye Yaming would use the money—whether she would hand it over to Yin Shi for distribution, cover the second branch's ten thousand tael share contribution, or keep silent and treat it as her personal savings.

Now it appeared that while Ye Yaming valued family ties, she also had her limits. She was willing to help her parents and relatives when needed but wasn't inclined to sacrifice everything selflessly.

Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye had summoned Yin Shi not only to admonish her but also to learn from her how Ye Yaming had handled her ten thousand taels.

Ye Chongming now admired Ye Yaming's approach.

He said, "You're aware of the share distribution in the collaboration, right?"

He detailed the specifics of Ye Jia's cooperation with Lu Qi, though he omitted the part about Ye Yaming receiving 30% shares from the tea sets.

Finally, he added, "Your branch was originally supposed to contribute fifteen thousand taels. It was only because Ming'er developed Osmanthus Tea, which will bring significant profits and benefits to the tea business, that the family reduced your share contribution by five thousand taels. Essentially, those five thousand taels were earned by Ming'er for your second branch."

"And after designing three tea sets and receiving unexpected income, she contributed another six thousand taels. This means that out of your branch's fifteen thousand tael share contribution, she alone provided eleven thousand taels."

Yin Shi's pupils slightly widened.

She pressed her lips together and continued listening to her father-in-law's lecture.

"I know you're a family, and families typically share everything. In principle, the money Ming'er earns should all be handed over to you for management. But since your mother and I are still here, and Ye Jia hasn't divided the family assets, each branch is allowed to have their private savings. We don't require you to surrender all your money."

Yin Shi bowed her head and remained silent."Ming'er is clever. She has exhausted her mind and efforts for the family, contributing greatly to the entire Ye family. I don’t want her to earn so much money yet end up with not a single coin in her hands, having to ask others whenever she needs to spend money or buy something."

"From now on, let her keep the money she earns. After all, your food and lodging are covered by the family funds, and you receive a monthly allowance. Your mother and I have never shortchanged you or deprived you of necessities. There’s no need for you to rely on your fifteen-year-old unmarried daughter for support."

These words were rather harsh, and Yin Shi’s eyes reddened instantly.

She stood up, bowed her head, and said, "Father-in-law, I never intended for Ming’er to support me. When she earned ten thousand taels, she kept four thousand for herself, and I didn’t say a word about it. I let her manage it as she pleased."

In truth, she had thought about it. At the time, Ye Yaming had given her six thousand taels, explaining that she had designed three tea sets originally intended for collaboration with Young Master Lu and his associates. But Young Master Lu, being generous, had given her ten thousand taels instead.

And Old Master Ye and Da Bo, also being fair, did not take the ten thousand taels for the family funds, instead declaring it her private money. Yin Shi’s feelings at the time were a mix of joy and complexity.

This unexpected windfall delighted her, solving her urgent financial needs. But Ye Yaming’s decision to withhold four thousand taels without discussion left her feeling displeased, unhappy, wronged, and upset all at once.

In which family do unmarried children’s earnings not go into the family funds? She had given birth to and raised Ye Yaming—shouldn’t the money her daughter earned be given to her as a gesture of filial piety? Was this a sign that her daughter was distancing herself from her, or did she not trust her and was guarding against her?

However, Ye Yaming’s recently elevated status in Ye Chongming’s eyes, her increasingly authoritative demeanor, and the guilt Yin Shi felt over the inappropriate engagement with Song Yifeng kept her from voicing her dissatisfaction.

At the time, Yin Shi had accepted the money without a word about the four thousand taels.

So now, she spoke with righteous confidence.

Hearing this, Ye Chongming, who had initially been calm, laughed in anger.

He had originally thought that Yin Shi, being the mother of Ye Yaming, must also be exceptionally intelligent. He had even privately remarked that marrying into a scholarly family was indeed the right decision, as the child born from such a union was truly remarkable.

Now he realized he had been completely mistaken.

Yin Shi did not seem all that clever after all.

And she had the nerve to act righteous. Her attitude itself was problematic.

When dealing with foolish people, he never liked to waste words. No matter how much you explained, they would never understand.

He decided to handle it bluntly: "Just do as I say. From now on, Ming’er’s earnings will be kept by herself. She may spend them as she wishes, and you are not to lay a finger on her money."

"Yes," Yin Shi replied resentfully.

"Alright, you may go," Ye Chongming waved impatiently.

Yin Shi bowed and withdrew.

Once she left the main courtyard, and estimated that the maid guarding the gate could no longer see her, the tears she had been holding back finally fell.

"Tell me, what did I do wrong? Why did the Old Master suddenly speak to me like that?" she said to Bai Momo.

Although the content of their conversation was not meant for servants’ ears, Yin Shi was, after all, a daughter-in-law, and Ye Chongming was her father-in-law. Even with Old Madam Ye present, he had to observe propriety. Thus, Bai Momo had not been dismissed but had stood behind Yin Shi, hearing everything.