Chapter 33: Madam Zhang

One has to admit that although Madam Tao’s guess was not entirely accurate, it was not far from the truth. She could never have imagined that Ye Yaming would be making new tea.

“Don’t inquire any further, and make sure our people from the main branch don’t wander over there,” she instructed. “Also, in the future, if anything is going on with the second branch, try to help out as much as possible. If the Third or Fourth Misses suffer any grievances, let me know immediately.”

Madam Tao was the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch, carefully chosen by Old Madam Ye. Overall, she was fair, kind-hearted, intelligent, and clear in handling matters.

However, she also had her own selfish motives. If something affected the main branch’s interests, she would naturally be concerned; if it didn’t, she was happy to play the good person.

She thought very clearly—

The second master was skilled in tea making. Even if the family were to split in the future, the main branch would still need his assistance. The second branch had no sons, so even if they were given more profits and benefits, they would eventually fall into the hands of the main branch.

No matter what, Ye Hongsheng and Madam Yin had no sons, and Ye Jiaxing, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, would have to take care of the second-branch couple in their old age. Therefore, the main branch and the second branch should work together as one. Cooperation would benefit both sides.

Madam Zhang from the fourth branch was not as clear-headed as Madam Tao. She sent her maid to inquire twice but to no avail, so she decided to go herself, under the pretense of visiting Ye Yaming’s courtyard.

“Fourth Madam,” Nanny Yu frowned as she approached Madam Zhang.

“I’ve never seen osmanthus honey being made, so I came to take a look. What, Nanny Yu, you won’t even let me in?” Madam Zhang glanced at Nanny Yu.

Seeing Madam Zhang from afar, Nanny Yu knew she wouldn’t be easy to dismiss, so she immediately instructed a nearby maid to call Old Madam Ye. She focused on stalling Madam Zhang.

With a half-smile, she said, “I wouldn’t dare. But the osmanthus honey made by the Third Miss is a secret recipe from Madam Yin. Since she made a contribution the other day, Old Madam Ye asked me to guard here and not let anyone investigate. If you want to know how Madam Yin’s secret recipe is made, I need to inform Madam Yin first.”

“Hmph, what secret recipe from Madam Yin? Her family…” Madam Zhang instinctively wanted to belittle them but stopped halfway, remembering that Ye Yaming’s fiancé was a young scholar who might become a high-ranking official in the future. Not only the fourth branch of the Ye family, but even her own family might need to rely on Ye Yaming. She stopped herself in time.

“Fine, go ask. I don’t believe my sister-in-law and the Third Miss won’t give me this face,” she said nonchalantly.

Nanny Yu sighed inwardly and glanced towards the main courtyard, hoping the maid would come quickly to resolve the situation. Otherwise, she would offend people on behalf of the second branch due to her poor excuse. As a servant, she had no other way to stop the masters. Madam Zhang was so inconsiderate that she sent her maid to inquire and then came herself when she couldn’t get any information.

Nanny Yu entered the courtyard and, without going up the steps, explained the situation to Madam Yin, who was sitting on the veranda supervising the maids and servants baking tea.

“That Madam Zhang!” Madam Yin stood up angrily, ready to confront her.

“Mother…” Ye Yaming, hearing the conversation outside, quickly stopped Madam Yin.

She came out of the house and said to Madam Yin, “There’s no need to argue with her. Nanny Yu, you don’t need to go out either. Just let her wait outside.”

“Yes, you don’t need to go out,” Nanny Yu agreed. “I’ve already sent someone to inform Old Madam Ye. I came in not to ask for your permission but to buy some time. Once someone from the main courtyard arrives, Fourth Madam will calm down.”

Thinking about Madam Zhang’s frustration outside, Madam Yin felt much better. She smiled and said, “Alright, let’s do that.”

The Ye family’s residence was large, and with the third madam, Madam Cai, being a widow, it wasn’t good for male guests or servants to accidentally enter the third branch’s area. Therefore, the main courtyard and the four branches each had their own walls, with servants guarding the gates.

Today, Madam Yin had the second branch’s gatekeeper moved to guard Ye Yaming’s courtyard. Without her permission, Madam Zhang couldn’t force her way in.

“Sit down and have a cup of tea before you go,” she said with a smile.

Nanny Yu sat down and had a cup of tea.

Madam Zhang waited at the gate for a while, but neither Madam Yin nor the Ye sisters came out, and even Nanny Yu, who had gone in, was nowhere to be seen. She was furious and tried to force her way in, but the gatekeeper stopped her.

“Fourth Madam, we can’t let you in without our madam’s permission. Please understand and don’t make things difficult for us servants.”

The gatekeeper spoke politely but firmly, pushing Madam Zhang’s two maids, who were trying to protect her, to block her path.

Madam Zhang was about to curse when she heard a cold voice behind her, “Madam Zhang, what are you trying to do?”

She froze and turned to see Old Madam Ye approaching with an angry expression.

She had no choice but to bow and was about to defend herself when Old Madam Ye said, “Take her to the ancestral hall to kneel.”

Madam Zhang was shocked, “Mother, I just wanted to take a look, nothing more.”

Seeing Old Madam Ye ignoring her, she shouted, “It’s just osmanthus honey, nothing shameful. Why are they making it behind closed doors? Aren’t you curious, Mother?”

Old Madam Ye glanced at her, deeply regretting letting her youngest son marry such a fool.

Hearing the gatekeeper describe Madam Zhang being taken away, Madam Yin laughed heartily, feeling extremely happy.

Since Madam Zhang entered the family, she has caused Madam Yin a lot of trouble. This time, Madam Yin finally got her revenge and was delighted.

“Keep an eye on the fire while baking the tea. If it’s overcooked, not only I but also the old master and old madam won’t forgive you,” she warned the maids and servants.

Ye Yaming and her maids were scenting the flowers inside, while she and Ye Yayin were baking tea outside with their trusted maids. After teaching them twice and having three people watch each stove, they managed to bake several batches without any mistakes.

After this incident with Madam Zhang, Madam Yin became even more dedicated to making the osmanthus tea.

After Nanny Yu left, Madam Yin said to Nanny Bai, “My Ming’er is still the best. Second Master has made so much good tea for the Ye family, but none has made me this happy.”

“Third Miss is capable, and Second Master is a decent person,” Nanny Bai said with a smile. “Madam, your good fortune is still ahead, unlike Fourth Madam.”

Bai Xin and Lv E, having gained experience from the last time they scented tea, found it much easier this time, even with the addition of Ziye, Qingzhi, and Nanny Xia. As a result, Ye Yaming also found the process much more manageable.