Chapter 85: Spreading the News About Private Tea

Zhou Xiang followed Ye Yaming and her two servants outside, his heart tense, unsure of how the Third Miss would retaliate against him for offending her.

If she spoke ill of him before the old master, the old master would undoubtedly dismiss him without a second thought. As a trusted confidant, Zhou Xiang knew many things about the Ye family, and the old master would never simply demote him to an ordinary servant or sell him off.

His fate would be uncertain.

It was currently the afternoon. If there were no issues at the tea house, Ye Chongming would return at this time; otherwise, he would be back later.

Ye Yaming was in no hurry, walking slowly until they reached the main courtyard. She asked the gatekeeper, “Has the old master returned?”

“He just got back, Third Miss,” the gatekeeper replied warmly. “He should be sitting down for tea after changing his clothes. You came at the right time.”

Ye Yaming nodded and walked in, indeed finding Ye Chongming sitting in the hall drinking tea with the old madam sitting beside him.

She greeted them and exchanged a few pleasantries.

When asked about the tea house, Ye Chongming was delighted: “The tea house business is doing well. Meng Chengwei colluded with bandits to trouble our Ye family, and no one believes the Yang family is innocent. If anything happens to me, Yang Hong is the most likely to take over as the head of the guild.”

“So, the tea merchants who were previously close to him are all on edge, fearing he might target them and secretly harm them. The tea customers also despise him and avoid the Yang family’s tea house, turning to our Jixiang House instead. I sent someone to check, and now the Yang family’s tea house is deserted.”

Ye Yaming was also pleased to hear this.

With Meng Chengwei arrested, the old madam was relieved, but her main concern was still Ye Yaming’s engagement.

During this time, Ye Yaming had taken over the matter personally, and the old madam was anxious for details but couldn’t ask Zhou Xiang directly, feeling very distressed. Seeing Ye Yaming now, she quickly asked, “How is the engagement cancellation going?”

Ye Yaming smiled at her: “I came to discuss this with Grandfather.”

“Oh?” Ye Chongming said, “If there’s any problem, just tell me. I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“I don’t just want to cancel the engagement; I want him to return everything he’s taken over the years,” Ye Yaming said. “Focusing solely on his involvement with women is not enough, so I plan to attack his character.”

“What do you plan to do?”

Not only Ye Chongming but also the old madam and the anxious Zhou Xiang perked up.

“I want someone to reveal the private tea matter to him,” Ye Yaming said slowly.

“What?” Ye Chongming was stunned and immediately shook his head, “No, no.”

Ye Yaming maintained her smile and said nothing.

Old Madam Ye glanced at her husband and smiled at Ye Yaming: “Your grandfather is just worried. Don’t blame him.”

She then said to Ye Chongming, “Don’t be so quick to deny it. Listen to what Ming’er has to say. Ming’er is not someone who acts recklessly. If she’s suggesting this, she must have her reasons.”

Ye Chongming realized he had spoken too hastily. Given Ye Yaming’s intelligence, she would never put the Ye family in danger.

He apologized to Ye Yaming: “You’re right, I was foolish. I was just thinking about covering up the matter and didn’t consider it properly. Your grandmother is right; you wouldn’t harm our family.”

Ye Yaming then said, “If Meng Chengwei hadn’t been sentenced to exile and sent away from Lin’an, I wouldn’t have suggested this. After all, if Meng Chengwei decided to retaliate and accuse us, it would be troublesome for our family.”

“Now that Meng Chengwei has been sent south, and Ding Jian and the involved workers have been sent west to mine, only Prefect Qi, Master Wu, and Manager Song know about this. As long as Advisor Wu or even Prefect Qi helps us clarify, the matter will be resolved.”

Prefect Qi, worried about potential complications, had informed the judicial office before arresting Meng Chengwei. As soon as the case was reviewed, he had Meng Chengwei sent away from Lin’an without delay.

So, Meng Chengwei had already left Lin’an for two days.

Ye Yaming had postponed the engagement cancellation until after dealing with Meng Chengwei, intending to use the private tea matter as bait to lure Song Yifeng.

“Keeping this matter hidden always worries me. After all, the Prefect’s position changes every three years. If Prefect Qi is replaced and the Meng family seeks revenge by bribing the new Prefect, it would be easy to smear us but difficult to prove our innocence, especially since it’s true.”

“Bringing it up now is better than having it uncovered later. With a year or two to buffer, even if it’s mentioned again, it won’t have much impact. After all, we were passively trapped by Meng Chengwei, not actively trading private tea,” Ye Yaming continued.

“Moreover, we have only signed a contract with Mr. Lu and haven’t started the actual cooperation. The middleman is still Master Zhineng. I don’t know if Prefect Qi has informed Master Zhineng and Mr. Lu about the private tea matter. If not, it will affect our cooperation if they find out later. It’s better to bring it up now before we start working together. If they care, the cooperation ends here; if they don’t, it means they don’t mind, and we can work with Mr. Lu and Mr. Qi with peace of mind.”

With these reasons, Ye Chongming was quickly convinced and nodded repeatedly: “You’re right, absolutely right.”

To be honest, although he wasn’t directly involved in the private tea matter, his son was. It was the only stain on his and the Ye family’s reputation. Hiding it from Master Zhineng and Lu Guanyi made him feel guilty. The thought of someone uncovering it and damaging the Ye family’s reputation kept him awake at night.

It was better to bring it up now, as Ye Yaming suggested before the cooperation started and while Prefect Qi was still in office. This way, they wouldn’t have to worry about it being used against them later.

“Do what you need to do,” Ye Chongming said. “Grandfather trusts you.”

He then looked at Zhou Xiang: “You will follow the Third Miss’s instructions. Do not disobey or act on your own.”

“Yes,” Zhou Xiang replied respectfully, feeling very conflicted.

He had misunderstood the Third Miss.

The Third Miss was indeed extremely intelligent and wholeheartedly devoted to the Ye family. How could she harm the Ye family or the old master? He had judged her with a petty mind and missed an opportunity to pledge allegiance to the future head of the Ye family.

Ye Chongming mentioned Zhou Xiang, and Ye Yaming recounted the earlier incident, smiling: “Grandfather, Zhou Xiang is truly loyal to you.”