Chapter 9: Interrogation

Ye Chongming immediately nodded, “Yes, let’s do it that way.”

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have overlooked this. However, the matter was urgent and significant, and most importantly, Ding Jian was the son of the old manager, who had worked for the Ye family since Ye Chongming’s father was alive. Ding Jian, now in his thirties, had grown up under Ye Chongming’s watch, and he subconsciously trusted him.

When Ye Yaming brought it up, he realized his oversight.

By questioning them separately, if there were any deceit, as long as the three were not in collusion or hadn’t coordinated their stories, the truth would come out. Otherwise, if they intentionally concealed a few difficult customers, and the Ye family failed to apologize in time, causing a commotion, all their efforts today would be in vain.

When Ye Yaming suggested this, she kept her eyes on Ding Jian. Seeing a moment of panic in his eyes, she knew she was right.

Ding Jian was the key figure. If someone had bribed him and then tricked Ye Hongrong, the plan could easily succeed.

When investigated, it would appear that Ye Hongrong had coerced Ding Jian into helping him, placing the main responsibility on Ye Hongrong, while Ding Jian was merely following orders.

In such a situation, the manager wouldn’t be at fault for obeying the Master. In the end, even if Ye Chongming wanted to blame him, he couldn’t. If Ding Jian took full responsibility, the Ye family would be grateful and protect his family. But if he turned against the Ye family in court, they would be doomed.

At that moment, Meng Chengwei would appear as a savior, helping the Ye family through the crisis and earning their gratitude.

Everything was meticulously planned, making it difficult for the Ye family to avoid falling into Meng Chengwei’s trap. But with her presence, Meng Chengwei’s plan was likely to fail.

So, the Ye family split into three groups to interrogate Ding Jian and the two clerks. Worried that Ye Yaming, being young, might be deceived by the clerks, Ye Chongming wanted to send Manager Song to assist her.

Ye Yaming refused, “Let Manager Song stay with Father. I can handle this.”

Her clear thinking, calm demeanor, and thorough consideration reassured Ye Chongming, who inexplicably trusted her, “Then take Li Fu with you.”

Li Fu was the Ye family’s steward, responsible only for household matters and not involved in the family’s business. Usually, Ye Chongming wouldn’t let him interfere in business affairs. But he didn’t trust the tea shop staff and was wary of the tea factory and tea house staff. Lacking manpower, he brought Li Fu along.

Now, he had Li Fu accompany Ye Yaming, partly to ensure the young clerk took her seriously and partly to have Li Fu act as his eyes and ears, observing how she handled the situation.

So, Ye Yaming took Li Fu and Bai Xin to the next room.

“Speak,” Ye Yaming said without wasting time, “As long as you tell the truth without any concealment, I promise the Ye family won’t hold it against you. Of course, you can’t work at the tea shop anymore, but you can find work elsewhere.”

She smiled lightly, but her gaze was icy, “But if you try to hide anything, we’ll expose your actions. Unless you plan to leave Lin’an, it will be hard to support yourself and your family.”

The clerk, Liu Chunxin, a young man in his twenties, kept his head down, silent and defiant.

“Meng Chengwei must have given Ding Jian many benefits, but you probably didn’t get much, right? Maybe they even kept you in the dark about their collusion. Is it worth ruining your future for the little Ding Jian promised you?” Ye Yaming said calmly.

Hearing the name “Meng Chengwei,” Liu Chunxin looked up in shock.

He was indeed Ding Jian’s confidant. But to get him to cooperate without reporting, Ding Jian had to explain that the imperial merchant from the capital wanted to befriend Old Master Ye, but Ye Chongming was indifferent. So, Meng Chengwei resorted to this plan.

Thinking it wouldn’t harm the Ye family, and with Ding Jian promising to take him along to the Meng family, showing him fifty taels of silver, Liu Chunxin agreed. But he hadn’t expected the third young lady to know such a secret. Had Old Master Ye known all along? With his shrewdness, he would likely retaliate if Meng Chengwei set him up. Could Meng Chengwei’s promises still be fulfilled?

Realizing this, Liu Chunxin broke into a cold sweat. He didn’t know what the Ye family’s relationship with Meng Chengwei would be like after this, but Ding Jian and the two clerks were doomed. If Meng Chengwei’s promised position was gone, and the Ye family sent him to the authorities, confiscating Meng Chengwei’s silver and exposing his actions, he would have no way to survive.

Understanding this, he confessed everything, including the customer list.

Time was tight, and Meng Chengwei had planned to keep the situation under control, so the tea was sold to only a dozen customers.

Among them, two were specifically arranged by Meng Chengwei, while the others were honest, long-time Ye family tea shop customers with some connection to Ye Chongming. Even if they found the tea problematic, they wouldn’t report it to the authorities.

The only concern was a variable: someone who had heard about the tea from an old customer and bought some. This person was unpredictable.

Liu Chunxin, being clever, had inquired about who bought the tea, even though Ding Jian had him and Tian Pengyi sell separately.

“Tian Pengyi also knows who these people are,” he added.

Ye Yaming gave him a deep look, nodded, and left the room. At the door, she told Li Fu, “Uncle Li, go to my father and mention Meng Chengwei to Tian Pengyi.”

Li Fu understood and quickly went to Ye Hongsheng.

Ye Yaming then entered the room where Ye Chongming and Ding Jian were.

As soon as she entered, she heard Ding Jian still pretending, “Master, this is the list. I really just saw the profit and got greedy. When the fourth master wanted to do it, I followed his orders and hid it from you. I…”

Ye Yaming didn’t want to hear more and interrupted, “Enough, Liu Chunxin has confessed. Stop pretending. What did Meng Chengwei offer you to betray the Ye family and put us in jeopardy? The Ye family hasn’t treated you poorly, has it?”