Chapter 80: Facing Off

Yang Hong couldn’t let him continue speaking, so he rushed downstairs in a few steps and shouted at the man, “Shut up.”

Everyone turned to look at him.

Someone exclaimed in surprise, “Master Yang?”

Yang Hong ignored him and said to the man speaking ill of Meng Chengwei, “Who are you? Who sent you? Mr. Meng comes from a noble family, and his upbringing has been extremely strict. His character is impeccable…”

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted him sharply, “Impeccable character? Yang Hong, you’re blind and colluded with Meng Chengwei is one thing, but how can you mislead others? Do you have a grudge against everyone?”

As the person spoke, they came up from the staircase.

Everyone looked and saw that it was none other than Ye Chongming, the owner of Jixiang Lou. Behind him were his grandson Ye Jiaxing, the manager of Jixiang Lou Lin Zhensheng, and several attendants and guards.

The customers in Yang’s Tea House included many who had also visited Jixiang Lou, some of whom were regulars. They were only at Yang’s Tea House that day because of the discounts.

Seeing Ye Chongming, some people looked embarrassed. But more people were excited.

A confrontation, a confrontation!

They had long heard that Yang Hong, the owner of Yang’s Tea House, and Old Master Ye were at odds, often clashing in the tea trade, with Yang Hong trying to take Old Master Ye’s position as the head of the tea trade.

But these were just rumors; they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes.

Now, seeing the two of them face off, the tension was high, and everyone was eager to watch the drama unfold, hoping they would even come to blows.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Ye Chongming went up to the second floor and didn’t approach Yang Hong. Instead, he walked past him and stood directly in front of a young man in a blue silk robe behind Yang Hong.

Ye Chongming’s usually cloudy eyes were now sharp, and his voice was icy, “Meng Chengwei, my Ye family has no past grievances or present enmity with you. I didn’t even know who you were before. I was puzzled as to why you repeatedly tried to harm my family. So, it turns out you were helping Yang Hong to pull me down and take my position as the head of the tea trade?”

He suddenly turned his head, his eyes like an eagle’s, staring at Yang Hong with a cold smile, “Master Yang, you have quite the influence, getting a royal merchant from the capital to clear all obstacles for you with underhanded tactics. I’m curious, what benefits did you offer Meng Chengwei?”

The information in his words was too much, and all the tea house customers widened their eyes, their pupils following Ye Chongming’s movements, their nostrils flaring, each one excited and flushed.

“You’re talking nonsense,” Yang Hong naturally wouldn’t admit it. He had just connected with Meng Chengwei. Although he had intentions, he hadn’t done anything yet and wouldn’t take this false accusation.

He was about to speak when Ye Jiaxing rushed over and grabbed Meng Chengwei by the collar, moving so quickly that Meng Chengwei’s attendants, Gu Jie, and the Meng family’s guards didn’t react—they were all focused on the argument between Ye Chongming and Yang Hong.

“Meng Chengwei, why did you collude with bandits to injure my father and rob our tea silver? When one plan failed, you sent your steward to seize our tea gardens. How despicable are you? Nephew of Consort Min, royal merchant, I spit on you!”

Saying this, Ye Jiaxing spat in Meng Chengwei’s face. He had wanted to punch Meng Chengwei a few times to vent his anger, but his grandfather said that if he hit him, they would be in the wrong. If Meng Chengwei retaliated, he would be arrested and imprisoned with Meng Chengwei, and the prefect couldn’t use the previous incidents against him.

Thinking it over, Ye Jiaxing decided to spit in Meng Chengwei’s face.

Spitting was harmless, with no injuries, and even if Meng Chengwei pursued it, he would only have to apologize verbally. He could enjoy the satisfaction first.

Meng Chengwei trembled with rage. He had never been hit or scolded by his parents. As he grew older and showed his ruthless side, his family didn’t dare to say a harsh word. Today, caught off guard, someone grabbed his collar and spat in his face—an utter humiliation.

At this moment, Meng Liang, Gu Jie, and others reacted and rushed to rescue their master.

Ye Jiaxing, having been warned and being clever, knew not to suffer immediate losses. As Meng Liang, Gu Jie, and others approached, he let go and stepped back. The Ye family’s guards quickly intervened, blocking the Meng family’s guards and attendants.

Yang Hong was stunned by the information in Ye Jiaxing’s words. So were the tea house customers.

When the storyteller was in full swing, a circle of customers had gathered at the staircase. When Ye Chongming appeared and went upstairs, even those uninterested in watching couldn’t help but come to see the excitement. Those at the staircase eagerly followed him upstairs, and the tea house staff couldn’t stop them.

Now, the second floor was packed; even the empty seats near the staircase were filled, with everyone craning their necks to see. If someone looked around, they would see a sea of shocked faces.

“What nonsense are you spouting? We don’t know you. Who are you? How dare you slander us?” Meng Liang shouted.

He had been displeased since Gu Jie appeared to sign the contract on behalf of Meng Chengwei. After all, he had introduced the Yang family connection, but Gu Jie took the credit and was to stay in Lin’an to manage affairs. Meng Liang had been simmering with anger, not knowing where to vent it. Now, the Ye family causing trouble gave him a chance to vent and show off.

See, at critical moments, it was his cousin who stepped up.

“Is this how people in Lin’an behave? Barging into someone’s tea house and spouting nonsense, have you lost your mind?” he added, casting a wide net of blame.

This angered the tea house customers, but they didn’t direct their anger at Meng Liang. Instead, they looked at Ye Chongming.

Although Ye Chongming was well-respected, did he have any basis for his accusations? Colluding with bandits to rob tea silver? Could a royal merchant, the nephew of a palace consort, be foolish enough to do such a thing?

To push Yang Hong to the head of the tea trade? Ridiculous. Was Yang Hong that influential?

Ye Jiaxing, having been instructed by Ye Chongming on the carriage, knew he had to take the lead today.

He was young, impulsive, and hot-headed. Even if his actions were rash and excessive, people would understand. After all, his father was injured, and as a son, he had to seek justice for his father.

Being older and more respected, Ye Chongming had to be careful with his words to avoid escalation. So today, it was up to Ye Jiaxing to take action.

Ye Jiaxing was quick-witted.

As soon as Meng Liang finished speaking, he retorted, “Enough with the generalizations. You’re from the capital, but I didn’t say everyone from the capital is like your master, morally corrupt, full of deceit, and ruthless. Don’t drag others down with you!”