Chapter 54: Attack and Criticism

Ye Chongming’s heart tightened, and he nodded, “I will remind your uncle and the others to be careful in everything.”

He also instructed, “Ming’er, you must be careful too. Take more people with you when you go out.”

Ye Yaming nodded, “Okay.”

The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, but during holidays, the business at tea shops and tea houses was better than usual. Ye Chongming didn’t have the habit of taking a day off, so he went to the tea house with Ye Jiaxing at the usual time.

The shopkeeper usually managed the tea house, and the reason Ye Chongming went there was to do his own work on the third floor. If there was any business at the tea factory, tea shop, or tea guild, they could still find him. When there was nothing to do, he would go downstairs to drink tea with his friends. Therefore, he usually went there leisurely at the usual time and was not in a hurry.

At this hour, many people who love listening to storytelling had already arrived at the tea house and enjoyed a pot of tea.

Thinking about what Ye Yaming had said, Ye Chongming did not use his private staircase but entered through the main entrance of the tea house and went upstairs using the stairs that the tea customers used.

Ye Jiaxing followed behind him. Usually, he was mindful of his status and maintained a composed demeanor as the young master. Although he appeared the same as before, his darting eyes betrayed his inner unease. If he didn’t hear any news while going upstairs, he planned to ask a waiter to find out what rumors the tea customers were talking about.

As they were walking from the first floor to the second floor, they encountered someone coming down from the second floor at the staircase.

Upon seeing them, the person exclaimed loudly, “Oh my, Old Master Ye, what brings you to the tea house today?”

Ye Chongming glanced at him and recognized him as a tea merchant named Chen from the tea guild. Since his business was small, he was usually like an invisible person in the guild and never came to Ye Chongming’s attention. Therefore, Ye Chongming didn’t know his full name. However, this person was known for currying favor with the Yang family and often followed Yang Hong around, so Ye Chongming had some impression of him.

“Why can’t I come to the tea house?” Ye Chongming stopped and asked.

“Isn’t Old Master Ye seriously injured? And didn’t the tea money you brought back from the capital get robbed? Why aren’t you asking the authorities to investigate the stolen tea money? How do you still have the mood to come to the tea house for tea?” Mr. Chen’s voice was loud enough for all the tea customers upstairs and downstairs to hear.

“What? The tea money was robbed? And Old Master Ye is seriously injured? How terrible!” Some tea customers, whether genuinely concerned or gloating, gathered around to inquire.

Ye Chongming looked deeply at Mr. Chen and said with a half-smile, “Mr. Chen, you seem well-informed. Could it be that you are in cahoots with the robbers? Otherwise, how do you know so much when I haven’t reported it to the authorities or publicized it?”

“Haha, Old Master Ye, that’s not fair. That day, your guards came rushing in, covered in blood. Who wouldn’t know? Besides, with people coming and going at the medical clinic, how could the news of your serious injury and the near-death of your guards be kept secret?” Mr. Chen replied.

Although Ye Chongming had anticipated this situation, he acted out his anger, his face darkening, “What business is it of yours?”

“So you admit it?” Mr. Chen laughed immediately.

Tea houses were places for gossip, frequented by idle people who loved to join in the fun.

Mr. Chen’s loud voice and the fact that he was talking about the owner of Jixiang Lou made the conversation with Ye Chongming full of information. Even those who hadn’t heard the rumors gathered around.

Ye Chongming and Mr. Chen were standing on the stairs between the first and second floors, making it convenient for the customers on both floors to watch. Soon, the stairs were crowded with people.

The tea house was bustling, and since it was their own place, the Ye family had built the staircase wide enough to accommodate four people walking side by side. So, the staircase entrance was not small.

But now, both sides of the entrance were blocked, and some people who couldn’t squeeze in were craning their necks to look at the staircase.

Ye Chongming was well-liked and had good connections. Many tea merchants and customers in the tea house were on friendly terms with him.

Seeing Mr. Chen’s behavior, not only Ye Chongming but also others couldn’t stand it.

Someone spoke up against Mr. Chen, “What business is it of yours whether he admits it or not? Could it be that, as Old Master Ye said, you were involved in the robbery? Otherwise, why are you so concerned?”

Mr. Chen was not annoyed and replied with a smile, “I’m just curious. Usually, the Ye family monopolizes the best tea gardens on the tea mountain, and we small tea merchants are like beggars, picking up the leftovers every year.”

“Now that the Ye family’s tea money has been robbed, won’t some of those tea gardens be available for us? If no one else is interested, I would like to ask Old Master Ye for some.”

His words made those who found him annoying start to think.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching and the spring tea pre-orders about to begin, many tea merchants, including some from out of town, were present in the tea house. Jixiang Lou was the largest tea house in Lin’an City, and with Ye Chongming as the guild head, everyone gathered there to drink tea, chat, and exchange information.

The Ye family had been operating in Lin’an for decades, and because they were honest and offered reasonable prices, the tea gardens with high-quality tea leaves were willing to cooperate with them. Whenever the tea gardens had difficulties, the Ye family would help as much as they could, maintaining a very stable relationship. Even if other tea merchants or out-of-town merchants offered high prices, they couldn’t take these tea gardens away from the Ye family. Everyone envied and admired the Ye family.

Usually, because of Ye Chongming’s kindness, no one had any ill intentions. But now that the Ye family was in trouble and didn’t have enough money for the spring tea pre-orders, could they take some of the tea gardens?

Moreover, if they took them this year, they might belong to them next year and in the future. This was a long-term benefit, and they couldn’t afford to be modest in the face of such interests.

Ye Chongming glanced around and saw that some people were clearly tempted, some showed sympathy, and some, knowing they couldn’t compete even if the Ye family lost some tea gardens, had a look of schadenfreude.

In short, it was a display of human nature.

He ignored Mr. Chen and cupped his hands to the tea customers and merchants who genuinely cared about the Ye family, “Thank you all for your concern. Hongchang is fine, just lightly injured. He will be fine after some rest. As for the robbery, I will report it to the authorities and let them investigate.”

“As for the tea gardens, I’m sorry to disappoint you all. Even if the Ye family is short of funds, we still have our assets. Moreover, the tea gardens trust me, and I won’t let them down. Even if I have to sell my property, I will trade with them as usual and keep my word.”