According to Feng Yu, those people not only wanted the silver but were specifically targeting Ye Hongchang, seemingly intending to kill him. If not for Guan Canghai and two escort guards protecting him at the cost of their lives, those bandits might have succeeded.

Ye Yaming said: “Do you know why Meng Chengwei doesn’t dare come directly to our home and openly demand that you hand over the position of head of the tea guild to him, or ask you to acknowledge him as your superior?”

Without waiting for Ye Chongming to answer, she continued: “It’s not because he fears the law, but because the profits from private tea are substantial, and the Meng family isn’t the only one with eyes on this sector. He doesn’t dare to openly move against our Ye family, or even openly express interest in this area. They are like rats in the gutter, only daring to do evil in the shadows.”

Ye Chongming’s mind stirred: “Are you suggesting that Magistrate Qi and Meng Chengwei aren’t working together?”

Otherwise, Meng Chengwei could simply approach Magistrate Qi, have him hint to the Ye family, or directly intervene in the Jiangnan tea trade. Why would he need to resort to these underhanded tactics?

Ye Yaming nodded: “So, you should just tell Magistrate Qi in detail about all the schemes Meng Chengwei has orchestrated recently. Didn’t you already explain the private tea matter to Secretary Wu and warn Magistrate Qi about it? The bandit incident is just a continuation.”

“In the previous case, because it involved the issue of Fourth Uncle selling private tea, even if Magistrate Qi wanted to move against Meng Chengwei, he couldn’t. Catching the rat would inevitably damage the jade vase—if this matter were exposed, he couldn’t protect our family, and Meng Chengwei isn’t the only one eyeing the position of head of the tea guild. But now, this matter can be traced back to Meng Chengwei.”

Old Lady Ye, listening from the side, brightened and said rapidly: “Yes, yes, yes, once the bandit testifies, Magistrate Qi can arrest that Meng fellow.”

Ye Chongming, however, frowned and shook his head: “Meng Chengwei wouldn’t be so foolish as to personally meet with the bandits to collaborate; even if he needed to discuss matters, he would only speak with the bandit leader. The small fry who was captured might not even know about him.”

When Meng Chengwei had manipulated Ding Jian, it was because Ding Jian was a man of some standing. An ordinary person approaching Ding Jian would not have convinced him to cooperate in sabotaging his former employer. So Meng Chengwei had to appear personally.

Moreover, at that time, Meng Chengwei had underestimated the Ye family, believing they wouldn’t suspect him. Even if suspicion eventually fell on him, since it involved Ye Hongrong dealing in private tea, the matter could only be concealed, not exposed. The Ye family wouldn’t dare report it to the authorities, leaving him unharmed.

Now, having failed with one scheme, he had implemented another, this time colluding with bandits. The nature of this crime was different, and he would not appear in person, handing evidence to the Ye family and the authorities.

Ye Yaming smiled: “Aren’t you worried that Meng Chengwei will send someone to coordinate testimonies with the bandit, erasing his traces? We can do the same in reverse.”

Ye Chongming was startled, and then widened his eyes: “You mean, you mean…”

The rest of his words, being treasonous, he dared not speak aloud.

Old Lady Ye hadn’t initially understood, but now she grasped the meaning and blurted out: “You mean we should get the bandit to change his testimony, making him implicate Meng Chengwei?”

Ye Chongming was frightened and quickly looked around.

Some things could be done but not spoken of. What if someone overheard?

Ye Yaming smiled: “No, no, no, Grandmother, how could we do something illegal? But we can provide Magistrate Qi with an approach—have him bluff the bandit, just as I bluffed Liu Chunxin.”

“We’re just providing a lead. As for how to conduct the investigation, that’s the magistrate’s business. Professional matters should be handled by professionals. How they interrogate and who they implicate is beyond our concern,” she added.

“The other day, when Grandfather informed Secretary Wu about that matter, since Magistrate Qi did not react, it shows he’s unwilling to see changes in the Jiangnan tea market. That being the case, he will surely protect us and thoroughly investigate this case.”

Regarding the private tea matter, she had instructed Ye Chongming to inform Secretary Wu merely to test the waters, to see Magistrate Qi’s attitude toward the Ye family. The fact that this hadn’t caused any ripples at the magistrate’s office indicated that Magistrate Qi still wanted Ye Chongming to remain in the position of head of the tea guild.

Now that Meng Chengwei had repeatedly targeted the Ye family, she didn’t believe Magistrate Qi could remain idle, not making use of the bandit incident.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Ye Chongming was enlightened by her words.

He knew something of the authorities’ methods. If Magistrate Qi truly wanted to connect this incident to Meng Chengwei, regardless of whether Meng Chengwei was involved, he could pin this crime on him.

The Ye family indeed didn’t need to do anything; Magistrate Qi would take action himself.

With Ye Yaming’s words, Ye Chongming felt reassured, and the color returned to his face.

He said to Old Lady Ye: “News of the robbery shouldn’t be spread for now. If you and Madam Tao go to the medical hall, the news will get out. After I visit the magistrate’s office, I’ll go to the medical hall to check on Hongchang. If he’s not seriously injured, I’ll have someone bring him home. You needn’t worry, nor send people to attend to him.”

What mother wouldn’t be concerned when her son was injured? If not for hearing from her husband that her son’s injuries weren’t serious, Old Lady Ye would have been unable to sit still.

Now with Ye Chongming speaking this way, she understood the gravity of the situation and suppressed her anxiety, nodding: “Alright, I understand.”

After giving these instructions, Ye Chongming left swiftly, taking a carriage to the magistrate’s office.

Unable to visit her son, Old Lady Ye had intended to discuss the matter of breaking off the engagement with Ye Yaming, but considering that Ye Yaming was still producing osmanthus tea in her courtyard and that her coming here had already delayed things a bit, she swallowed her words, concerned about the state of the tea if Ye Yaming delayed any longer.

Very well, she would wait until Ye Yaming finished making the tea before discussing it.

Ye Chongming went to the magistrate’s office, requesting to see Secretary Wu; then, with Secretary Wu’s introduction, he met with Magistrate Qi and explained the situation in detail.

“Go back and have someone write a complaint, and have your eldest son bring it to file a formal accusation. After I hold a court session to examine the case, I can then send constables to investigate whether the person behind this is indeed the one you mentioned,” Magistrate Qi said.

Ye Chongming blinked.

These words… what exactly did they mean?

However, he knew that officials typically spoke in vague terms. Even if Magistrate Qi had certain intentions, he would never explicitly express them to avoid giving others something to use against him.

The fact that Magistrate Qi was willing to meet with him already indicated his stance.

Ye Chongming immediately agreed, and seeing Magistrate Qi offering tea to signal the end of the visit, he tactfully took his leave.

Only then did he go to Returning Spring Hall to see his son.

“Father, I’m fine,” Ye Hongchang said to his elderly father, still somewhat frightened.

He had nearly not made it back, nearly not seen his family again.