Chapter 97: The Ownership of Money

“If you are short of silver, just let me know, and I will lend it to you. You can repay me once the business makes a profit.”

“She had already mentioned it,” Madam Yin quickly said. “Over the years, our second branch has saved more than four thousand taels of silver. I can pawn my jewelry for five hundred taels. As for the shortfall, Ming’er initially suggested borrowing from you, Mother-in-law. But later, she designed three tea sets, and Mr. Lu paid ten thousand taels of silver for them. Ming’er said she would contribute six thousand taels to make up the ten thousand, so I didn’t need to pawn my jewelry.”

She smiled, “So we managed to gather the ten thousand taels without borrowing from you, Mother-in-law.”

Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye exchanged a glance.

When Ye Yaming presented the three tea sets, she initially said she wouldn’t charge anything as a gesture of goodwill for the Ye family’s cooperation. However, Mr. Lu disagreed, saying that the tea sets would make a lot of money once produced. He didn’t want to take advantage of a young girl, so he paid ten thousand taels of silver and immediately gave her a silver note.

Later, Ye Yaming drew five tea set designs and priced them at five thousand taels, but Mr. Lu disagreed. He planned to let Ye Yaming join the business with her design ideas, giving her a 1.5% share of the tea set business profits from both his and the Ye family’s shares.

After receiving the ten thousand taels silver note, Ye Chongming discussed it with Old Madam Ye, wondering how Ye Yaming would use the money. Would she give it to Madam Yin for distribution, use it to cover the second branch’s share of the business, or keep it as her private money?

It seemed that Ye Yaming valued family but had her limits. She helped when her parents and relatives needed it but didn’t sacrifice everything without any personal interest.

Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye called Madam Yin not only to remind her but also to find out how Ye Yaming handled the ten thousand taels of silver.

Now, Ye Chongming appreciated Ye Yaming’s approach.

He said, “Do you know the share distribution of the cooperation?”

He explained the details of the Ye family’s cooperation with Lu and Qi. Of course, he didn’t mention Ye Yaming’s 3% share of the tea set business.

Finally, he said, “You should have contributed fifteen thousand taels, but because Ming’er created the osmanthus tea, which will bring great profits and benefits to the tea business, the public fund reduced your share by five thousand taels. This means that Ming’er earned those five thousand taels for your branch.”

“And she designed three tea sets, earning an unexpected income, and contributed six thousand taels. So, out of the fifteen thousand taels, she alone contributed eleven thousand taels.”

Madam Yin’s eyes widened slightly. She pursed her lips and continued listening to her father-in-law’s lecture.

“I know you are a family, and family members don’t distinguish between each other. In theory, all the money Ming’er earns should be handed over to you for management. But your mother and I are still here, and the Ye family hasn’t split up. We allow each branch to have its own private funds and don’t require you to hand over all the money.”

Madam Yin lowered her head and said nothing.

“Ming’er is intelligent and has worked hard for the family, contributing a lot. I don’t want her to earn a lot of money only to end up with nothing in her hands, having to ask others for money to buy something.”

“So, from now on, let her keep the money she earns. You don’t need to rely on a fifteen-year-old unmarried girl to support you. You have your monthly allowances, and we haven’t mistreated you.”

These words were harsh, and Madam Yin’s eyes reddened. She stood up, lowered her head, and said, “Father-in-law, I never intended to rely on Ming’er. She earned ten thousand taels and kept four thousand for herself. I didn’t say a word about it and let her manage it herself.”

In fact, she had thought about it. When Ye Yaming gave her six thousand taels, she said she had designed three tea sets for cooperation with Mr. Lu. But Mr. Lu was generous and paid her ten thousand taels. Her grandfather and uncle were also generous and didn’t take the money into the public fund, saying it was her private money.

At that time, Madam Yin felt both happy and conflicted. The unexpected windfall relieved her urgent needs, but Ye Yaming kept four thousand taels without a word, making her feel complicated, unhappy, and aggrieved.

In families that haven’t split up, children’s income usually goes to the public fund. She had raised Ye Yaming, so shouldn’t Ye Yaming’s earnings be used to support her? Was this a sign of estrangement or distrust?

But Ye Yaming’s recent rise in status and unquestionable authority in front of Ye Chongming, along with the guilt and shame Madam Yin felt about the unsuitable engagement with Song Yifeng, prevented her from expressing her dissatisfaction.

Madam Yin had accepted the money without a word about the four thousand taels. So, she spoke confidently now.

Hearing this, Ye Chongming, who had no particular emotion, suddenly laughed in anger. He had thought that someone who could raise a child like Ye Yaming must be very intelligent. He had privately felt that marrying into a scholarly family was the right choice, as the children were exceptional.

Now, he realized this was completely wrong.

Madam Yin didn’t seem very smart. She was still speaking confidently. Her attitude itself was problematic. He didn’t want to waste words for someone who didn’t understand. Explaining more wouldn’t help.

He decided to handle it simply and directly, “Just do as I say. Ming’er’s future earnings will be kept by her. She can spend it as she wishes, and you are not to touch her money.”

“Yes,” Madam Yin replied, feeling wronged.

“Alright, you can go back now,” Ye Chongming said impatiently, waving her away.

Madam Yin bowed and left. As she walked out of the main courtyard, estimating that the gatekeeper couldn’t see her, the tears she had been holding back finally fell.

“Tell me, what did I do wrong? Why did the Old Master suddenly speak to me like that?” she asked Nanny Bai.

Although the content of their conversation wasn’t suitable for servants to hear, Madam Yin was still a daughter-in-law, and Ye Chongming was her father-in-law. Even with Old Madam Ye present, he couldn’t ignore etiquette. So, Nanny Bai stayed behind Madam Yin and heard everything.