Though Longjing tea’s fragrance wasn’t as overpowering as osmanthus tea, which could fill an entire room from just one table, it had a unique aroma and a mellow taste that far surpassed osmanthus tea. Everyone who tried it couldn’t stop praising it. The experienced tea connoisseurs truly appreciated the flavor of this tea.

Even those with money to spare, who usually couldn’t tell the difference between teas, praised it endlessly.

After all, with the endorsement of the Emperor, Crown Prince, and Princess, plus the expensive price tag, who would dare say it wasn’t delicious or worth it? Wouldn’t that just reveal their shallow nature? Were their tongues more precious than the Emperor’s?

Thus, the scene that had occurred when Osmanthus tea first hit the market repeated itself. Those who could afford it and enjoyed the tea bought a liang or two to take home and share with friends. Wealthy patrons bought several jin at a time to give as gifts.

Therefore, despite Longjing tea’s high price, its popularity couldn’t be hindered. Both the capital and Lin’an experienced demand that exceeded supply.

…

In the capital, at the Meng residence, clanging and crashing sounds erupted from the main hall.

A maid who was bringing tea and refreshments to the hall immediately stopped and approached a servant standing in the corridor, quietly asking, “What’s wrong with the Young Master now?”

Ever since the Young Master had returned from his border exile half a month ago, his temper had grown increasingly volatile. He looked at people with sinister eyes that frightened everyone. Servants would be beaten for the slightest mistake.

All the servants in Meng Chengwei’s quarters now lived in fear.

“I heard it’s because the Ye family’s Jixiang Pavilion is selling a lot of tea,” the servant boy replied.

The words “Ye family” had become taboo among the Meng household servants.

Who could have imagined that the Young Master, who had everything he wanted and was thriving in the capital, would be defeated in Lin’an by a small merchant family with no backing whatsoever?

Because of this, the Meng family had become a laughingstock in their social circles.

Moreover, due to the account books and the attempted murder of the Marquis of Xuanwu’s eldest son, the Crown Prince’s faction made a big case of it, with Meng Chengwei as the target.

Meng Chengwei was already a convicted criminal, and committing more crimes during his punishment period added to his offense. Consort Min had paid a great price to save Meng Chengwei’s life, but he still suffered greatly.

Now that he had returned, he was lame in one leg and had a small permanent scar on his face.

Because of this, his temperament had changed dramatically, becoming even more unpredictable. He had been back for nearly a month but kept himself confined to his quarters, seeing no one except his parents. An unintentional word or glance from a servant could provoke his furious anger, bringing calamity upon them.

Hearing the words “Ye family,” the maid hesitated.

She knew that if she went in to deliver refreshments now, she would certainly become the target of the Young Master’s anger, with unpredictable consequences.

But not delivering them was also unacceptable.

She decided to wait a moment.

Seeing no one else around, she asked, “Isn’t the Ye family just ordinary merchants from Lin’an? With no backing or background, couldn’t the Young Master crush them as easily as an ant now that he’s free?”

“Being able to send tea to the Emperor, and even receiving the Emperor’s praise—does that sound like an ordinary merchant family? Just after the Emperor praised the Ye family’s tea and wanted to make Longjing an imperial tribute tea, the Ye family would suffer misfortune. If the Young Master moves against the Ye family now, wouldn’t that be suicide? What couldn’t the Imperial Guards uncover if they investigated?”

The maid nodded after hearing this. “That’s true.”

She sighed. “I just hope the Young Master can live peacefully and not cause more trouble.”

The Meng family was going through difficult times, and the servants would be the first to suffer.

The servant boy shook his head. “Impossible.”

Meng Chengwei had been vindictive since childhood, let alone after suffering such a great humiliation. He wouldn’t be Meng Chengwei if he didn’t seek revenge.

The two exchanged glances and sighed in unison.

Inside the room, Meng Chengwei was gnashing his teeth. “Ye family, I won’t let you off easily.”

Madame Meng, who had hurried over after being informed by a servant, arrived just in time to hear these words.

She advised, “My son, please let it go. That Ye family seems to be your nemesis. Think about it, what didn’t go smoothly for you before? But ever since you went to Lin’an, everything you did had the opposite result from what you expected, and you ended up in this state. If that’s not a clash of fates, then what is?”

“So, I beg you, can we stop provoking the Ye family?” As she spoke, tears fell from her eyes.

“No,” Meng Chengwei said, “Such a great humiliation in my life—how could I not seek revenge? If I don’t destroy the Ye family, I’ll never be at peace for the rest of my life.”

Madame Meng thought for a moment and said, “You suffered backlash when you used underhanded tactics; why don’t we use an open strategy this time?”

Meng Chengwei asked curiously, “What open strategy?”

“In the Ye family, the formidable tea makers are the Second Master of the second branch and the Third Miss. I’ve heard that Third Miss had her engagement broken off and hasn’t found another match. Why don’t we exert some influence and spread some information about her? That Fifth Young Master from the Duke Ying’s household, isn’t he looking for a suitable second wife?” Madame Meng lowered her voice.

Meng Chengwei narrowed his eyes.

The husband of the Third Princess, who was Consort Min’s daughter, was the Second Young Master from Duke Ying’s household. Since Consort Min had always appreciated Meng Chengwei’s strategic talents and groomed him as her daughter’s support outside the palace, the relationship between the Third Princess and her cousin, Meng Chengwei, was quite good.

Because of this, they knew more about Duke Ying’s household affairs than others.

This Young Master Jiang appeared to be a fine gentleman on the surface. Unexpectedly, his wife died less than a year after their marriage, covered in injuries.

His wife’s family was also prominent and doted on their daughter. After investigating the cause, they created a scene at Duke Ying’s mansion, and everyone learned that Young Master Jiang was impotent, grew suspicious and paranoid, and tortured his wife in bed.

The matter was naturally settled only after Duke Ying’s family paid substantial compensation.

With no other choice, the Duchess Ying had to find another wife for her son—a county magistrate’s daughter from another province. This girl was beautiful, and the Duchess hoped her son would cherish her and not cause another death. Additionally, since her family background was modest, there would be fewer complications if something happened.

Perhaps Young Master Jiang’s psychological illness had worsened, or perhaps, without the constraint of a powerful in-law family, within half a year, the magistrate’s daughter also died tragically.

That magistrate was of humble origins with no solid foundation. When he initially agreed to the marriage, he had hoped for patronage. Now that he had lost a daughter, he didn’t dare make a sound. His wife cried in private a few times, and that was the end of it.

But the disappearance of Young Master Jiang’s wife couldn’t be concealed forever. During New Year celebrations, when families hosted banquets and she never appeared, too many people asked questions. The Duchess finally had to say she had died of illness.

People might not say anything to her face, but who didn’t discuss the true cause of this “death from illness” behind her back?

Because of this, it became even more difficult for Duke Ying’s family to find another wife for Young Master Jiang.

After Meng Chengwei was imprisoned and exiled, Madame Meng sent people to investigate the Ye family in detail. Knowing that the Third Miss was exceptionally beautiful, she now proposed this vile scheme to her son.