Chapter 53
Understanding

Meng Chengwei knew the Ye family’s actual situation and understood that the rumors were just a small trick. Apart from causing some short-term discomfort to the Ye family, they wouldn’t have much effect. Once the Ye family spent a large sum of money to pre-order tea, the rumors would be dispelled on their own.

However, the Ye family’s reaction really frustrated him.

Young Master Meng had never experienced such frustration in his life, especially from a mere merchant. This frustration was like a blockage in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He couldn’t feel better without causing some trouble for the Ye family. After sending the servant away, he instructed another attendant, “Bring Fifth Master here.”

Soon, Meng Liang arrived.

Meng Chengwei said, “Leak the information to Yang Tai, tell him that I plan to go to Taibai Tower for a drink tonight.”

Meng Liang was overjoyed. Did this mean that Meng Chengwei had changed his mind and decided to cooperate with the Yang family?

“Yes, sir. I will definitely pass the message to Yang Tai,” he said, bowing happily before leaving.

…

Ye Chongming didn’t know who had targeted the Ye family before, so he passively took the hits. Now that he knew it was Meng Chengwei causing trouble, he naturally had people keep an eye on Meng Chengwei and his group.

As the saying goes, “A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake.”

The Ye family had been in Lin’an City for over a hundred years. They not only knew the city officials and constables but also had dealings with the local ruffians and hooligans. These people were well-informed and excellent at keeping an eye on others.

So, when Meng Chengwei and Yang Tai were drinking and having a good time at Taibai Lou that evening, the news reached Ye Chongming’s ears.

Ye Chongming went to Ye Yaming and told her the news.

Ye Yaming took the opportunity to inquire, “What is the situation with the Yang family? Which tea merchants in Lin’an City have a good relationship with you? Which ones are against you?”

The original owner knew nothing about these matters and couldn’t ask Ye Chongming directly. Some things had to be approached gradually. Once Ye Chongming truly recognized her abilities, he would naturally tell her these things.

Now, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity?

Ye Chongming explained the situation of the tea merchants in Lin’an City to Ye Yaming in detail.

At that time, the “guild” was equivalent to a chamber of commerce. Although it was a private organization, it had more power and authority over its members than modern chambers of commerce. The head of the guild was the president of the chamber of commerce.

Where there are people, there are conflicts, especially in the business world. There were fifty or sixty tea merchants in Lin’an City who were part of the tea guild, and naturally, there were many conflicts and internal factions.

Because of this “power,” many people coveted the position of guild head, including Yang Tai’s father, Yang Hong. On the surface, he flattered and fawned over Ye Chongming and often talked about forming a marriage alliance with the Ye family. However, secretly, he always wanted to bring Ye Chongming down and take the position of guild head for himself.

Originally, Ye Chongming was worried that Ye Yaming only showed intelligence in details and might lack a broader perspective due to her gender and living environment.

So, while explaining these things, he paid close attention to Ye Yaming’s reactions. To his great surprise, Ye Yaming not only listened with great interest but also occasionally asked questions.

These questions were precisely on point, demonstrating her keen, thorough, and comprehensive understanding, which was truly impressive.

In recent days, he had discussed Ye Yaming with his wife multiple times in private. Although Old Madam Ye was very surprised by Ye Yaming’s intelligence, she never admitted in front of her husband that she had misjudged her. She usually didn’t pay much attention to the second branch of the family and hadn’t really gotten to know the two girls from the second branch.

She explained to Ye Chongming, “The couple from the second branch are not outstanding. Ming’er, as the eldest daughter of the second branch, naturally has more responsibility, especially since her parents have no sons. But because the second branch is not prominent, she didn’t show her talents to avoid attracting attention from other branches.”

“Her parents are both alive and love her dearly. She also has a fiancé who seems fine on the surface. The family doesn’t lack food or clothing, and the business is stable. Where would she have the opportunity to show her intelligence?”

At this point, Old Madam Ye took the opportunity to make a sweeping statement, “If it weren’t for Meng Chengwei’s lecherous gaze and his possible intentions towards her, and the fact that the marriage with the Song family was approaching, which wasn’t a good match, she wouldn’t have had to find a way to break off the engagement. She probably wouldn’t have shown her cleverness. Don’t you men always demand that women be quiet, chaste, and virtuous? Isn’t she the perfect example of a virtuous lady?”

These words left Ye Chongming speechless, dispelling all his doubts and suspicions.

Seeing Ye Yaming’s excellent performance now, he was only pleasantly surprised and had no other thoughts.

After understanding the general situation of the tea guild in Lin’an, Ye Yaming said, “Meng Chengwei colluding with the Yang family is both good and bad. The good thing is that Meng Chengwei won’t target us for a while, so our family is safe.”

Since Meng Chengwei had dragged the Yang family into the water, the incident from the previous life where the Ye family was used as a front for selling private tea and then blamed for it would not happen again.

At this moment, the Ye family had already escaped their previous fate.

“The bad thing is that with Meng Chengwei’s support, the Yang family’s strength will definitely increase. Since Yang Hong has long coveted the position of guild head, he will definitely do something to bring you down. You need to be prepared.”

Ye Chongming had the same analysis.

Hearing that Ye Yaming’s analysis matched his own, he was completely relieved. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said, “Whether I’m the guild head or not, at my age, I don’t care about these things anymore. As long as the family is safe and we can do business well, I’m satisfied.”

Although Ye Hongchang was his eldest son, he was far inferior to him in all aspects. If he were gone, Ye Hongchang wouldn’t be able to take on the role of guild head with his abilities and qualifications. Therefore, there was no need to hold on to the position at all costs.

Moreover, although Ye Chongming had been doing business all his life, it was always in the Jiangnan region, where business ethics were valued. Business was based on honesty. Even if there were intrigues, they were all based on skill and had traces to follow. He had never experienced such underhanded and ruthless tactics without any reason.

At his age, he only hoped for the safety of his family. If giving up the position of guild head could ensure the safety of his family, he had no regrets.

Ye Yaming nodded and reminded, “But you still need to be careful. I observe that Meng Chengwei is a vengeful person. We didn’t provoke him before, yet he repeatedly attacked us. Now that we have repeatedly refused him, his revenge will be even more severe. Moreover, the Yang family is not easy to deal with. It will be difficult for our family to remain safe and sound.”

She was worried that once Meng Chengwei was summoned by the authorities and spent a few days in jail, the Ye family would relax, allowing others to take advantage. These words were meant to keep Ye Chongming on his toes.