Chapter 74: Well Said

Now that the second household has risen, earning money from tea recipes, and this money stays within the Ye family, benefiting the descendants, Ye Chongming doesn’t see any difference. The only change is that the money is now earned by the second household instead of the main household.

This is the second household’s ability. They are not taking advantage of anyone; they are just not letting the main household take advantage of them. Even the main household can’t say anything shameless about it.

So, on the carriage ride, he explained this to Ye Hongchang in front of Ye Yaming. He didn’t know what Ye Hongchang thought, but on the surface, Ye Hongchang seemed completely unconcerned and even encouraged Ye Yaming with a few words.

Seeing Ye Chongming mention her, Ye Yaming spoke up, saying to Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji, “I am a member of the Ye family. It is an honor for our family to cooperate with you two. So, rest assured, even if the tea recipes need to be bought, the price won’t be high, as we are now considered family.”

“For example, for a tea similar to osmanthus tea, I would only charge five thousand taels. As you know, the profit from osmanthus tea is substantial, and five thousand taels can be easily earned back.”

She paused and continued, “If I were to spread the word that such a tea recipe is for sale, it could easily sell for thirty or forty thousand taels, if not fifty thousand.”

To cooperate with the Ye family, Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji naturally had to pay attention to them. They were amazed by the osmanthus tea at Chongshan Temple and saw the bustling scene at Jixiang Tea House earlier. They had also inquired about the price of osmanthus tea and the cost of raw tea. With this calculation, they knew that as long as the quantity was large, the Ye family’s osmanthus tea could make a substantial profit.

This was not a one-time deal but an annual profit that could be passed down to future generations. A single recipe could sustain a family for generations.

That’s why they offered very favorable cooperation terms, willing to take a smaller share and work under the Ye family.

Hearing Ye Yaming’s words, Qi Ji felt more comfortable and was about to express his modesty when Lu Guanyi asked with interest, “Miss Ye, do you have a new tea recipe similar to osmanthus tea?”

Ye Yaming nodded, “Yes, I plan to make jasmine tea using a method similar to osmanthus tea. However, the jasmine flowers are not in season yet. I need to wait until next summer to see if it can be successfully made.”

“Jasmine flowers?” Lu Guanyi thought of their fragrance and nodded in agreement. He then curiously asked, “Aren’t you afraid that we might not cooperate with you and try to make it ourselves? After all, we haven’t signed a contract yet.”

Ye Yaming confidently smiled, “First, I believe you two wouldn’t abandon your principles for such a small profit. Your vision is much broader than that.”

Qi Ji’s eyes lit up at her words.

Ye Yaming continued, “Second, I believe in the value of our Ye family’s tea and my father’s and my ability to continuously create new teas. You two are too smart to give up an entire forest for a single tree.”

“Well said,” Qi Ji’s eyes sparkled, and he clapped his hands with his fan, “Well said indeed.”

Qi Ji had grown up in the capital with his grandparents and only came to Lin’an last year. Therefore, he had a close relationship with Lu Guanyi.

In the capital, he had seen many noble ladies and famous talented women. But it was his first time meeting someone like Ye Yaming, who appeared gentle but spoke with confidence and wisdom.

Of course, he wouldn’t admit that he was impressed because Ye Yaming praised him and Lu Guanyi without flattery and with great eloquence.

Although Lu Guanyi didn’t say much, his eyes showed appreciation. He said, “Miss Ye is right. If the jasmine tea’s taste and fragrance match osmanthus tea, we will pay thirty thousand taels for the exclusive production rights.”

Seeing his straightforwardness and lack of intention to take advantage of her tea-making skills, Ye Yaming was pleased and said, “I have created some tea utensils and developed a special brewing method to enhance the flavor of loose tea. As a gesture of goodwill, I can give you these tea utensils and the brewing method.”

She had made a fairness cup, tea strainer, and water bowl and didn’t mind giving them away. Once they were accepted, she would introduce the Gaiwan and Yixing teapot, which would require payment for the ideas.

Lu Guanyi’s eyes brightened, and he asked, “Did you bring these tea utensils, Miss Ye? Can we see them?”

Ye Yaming nodded and signaled to Bai Xin, who opened the rattan box and took out the three tea utensils, placing them on the tea table in front of Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji.

Lu Guanyi looked at the tea utensils but didn’t ask about their use. Instead, he turned to Ye Chongming and said, “Didn’t you want to invite Master Zhineng as a mediator? I have already asked him, and he is willing to do so.”

After saying this, he turned to Ye Yaming and said, “Since you have new tea utensils and a brewing method to demonstrate, why don’t we go to Chongshan Temple now and let Master Zhineng taste the tea you brew?”

“Okay,” Ye Chongming agreed repeatedly.

This Mr. Lu was indeed considerate and generous.

If Lu Guanyi had asked Ye Yaming to brew tea now, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable, as she had mentioned her tea-making skills. But it would have made the Ye family uncomfortable, like asking a guest’s daughter to dance, which would be rude and disrespectful.

Having Ye Yaming brew tea for Master Zhineng was different. Ye Chongming and Master Zhineng were peers and had known each other for most of their lives, so Ye Yaming was considered a junior to Master Zhineng. It was appropriate for a junior to brew tea for an elder, and Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji were just there to enjoy a cup of tea, not disrespecting the Ye family’s daughter.

So, the group went downstairs, got into the carriage, and headed to Chongshan Temple.