At this point, he added a comment to endorse the Ye family: “It’s probably because the Ye family is a household of accumulated virtue and focused on tea production that Young Friend Ye was born into their family, advancing the development of tea in the Great Jin.”

Princess Yuning lowered her head to look at the teacup in her hand, lost in thought.

Master Zhineng then said to Fan Yu, “Your interest in tea production is commendable. However, the period from Pre-Qingming to early summer is the busiest season for the Ye family’s tea production. Although Young Friend Ye has surpassed her father in tea-making skills, I imagine Second Master Ye must be very busy. He might only be able to accompany you for three or four days at most.”

“Additionally, the reason Ye family tea tastes better than others must involve their proprietary techniques, which should not be revealed to outsiders. When you visit their tea factory, remember not to act rashly.”

Princess Yuning and Fan Yu were his juniors, and even Tan Xuan stood up to listen.

“Thank you for your guidance, Imperial Uncle,” Princess Yuning bowed respectfully.

Ye Hongsheng and the others were unaware of what had happened after Luo’nu and Zan’er left. The next day, they came down from the mountain, returned to their residence, and summoned the two servants to inquire.

“Prince Consort Fan and the others have arrived?” Ye Hongsheng asked with delighted surprise.

He said to Ye Chongming, “They read *The Classic of Tea* and were particularly interested in the tea tree’s growing environment and how to make tea. Coming to Lin’an at this time, they must be here to see the tea gardens.”

In the past, Ye Chongming would have been ecstatic.

The Ye family had no background or support, yet they were quite wealthy and engaged in the tea business, living each day as if walking on a precarious cliff. Establishing connections with the powerful and building a network was crucial for the Ye family.

But now, he was quite annoyed.

Why did they have to come at this particular time? Didn’t they know this was the busiest period for the Ye family?

In previous years, with the old tea masters around, Ye Hongsheng could have delegated some work. But now, Ye Yaming had just introduced pan-fired green tea, and Ye Hongsheng needed to personally make tea and train the apprentices—he truly couldn’t spare a moment.

Yet they couldn’t afford to offend the nobility.

These people didn’t understand the hardships of common folk. If you told them that missing this season’s work would leave the Ye family without means for the entire year, they wouldn’t comprehend and would only think you were being unappreciative.

“Yaming, what do you think we should do?” he asked Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming’s eyes showed only joy without worry.

She said, “There isn’t much Pre-Qingming tea to pick. I can handle the pan-frying by myself. Father, you should accompany Prince Consort Fan and the others. Entertaining them well will greatly benefit our family’s tea business in the future.”

Concerned that Ye Chongming might not fully understand, she continued, “Grandfather, think of it this way: without Prince Consort Fan and the others’ endorsement, this Longjing tea would sell for at most 200 taels of silver per catty. But with their endorsement, it could sell for 1,000 taels per catty. Would you prefer a yield of 100 catties selling at 200 taels each, or 50 catties at 1,000 taels each?”

“The latter, of course,” Ye Chongming replied decisively.

Ye Yaming smiled.

In her timeline, West Lake Longjing had been imperial tribute tea from its inception. This was because its production techniques were originally researched for tribute purposes, so once it appeared, it immediately became a tribute item for the Qing Palace. That was its formidable advantage.

Now, she possessed the best Longjing tea production techniques, using pan-firing methods that were ahead of the Great Jin’s steamed tea techniques. If she also had Master Zhineng, Princess Yuning, and Prince Consort Fan’s imperial family members as advocates, this Longjing tea would eventually become a tribute item.

And once it became tribute tea, the Ye family would catch the Emperor’s eye. Would anyone dare to target the Ye family then?

Cooperating with the Lu and Qi families could certainly deter some minor threats, but the Lu family was only a marquis household, and the highest official in the Qi family was only a third-rank official. In the capital, there were numerous nobles higher than marquises and officials above the third rank.

At present, compressed tea dominated the market, and osmanthus tea was still a minor player with limited time in the spotlight, not yet having caught the attention of top-tier nobles.

When pan-fired green tea emerged, nobles more powerful than the Meng family would inevitably notice the Ye family.

The Lu and Qi families wouldn’t be able to protect the Ye family then.

Having promised to ensure the Ye family’s peace and prosperity, yet unwilling to bear the burden of the entire Ye family for life, making Ye family tea become tribute tea was her long-term plan for them.

However, since the plan was still in its early stages, there was no benefit in making Ye Chongming develop premature expectations, so she didn’t mention this at all.

With his concerns dispelled, Ye Chongming immediately brightened up.

He had one more question: “What if they ask to see how the tea is made?”

Ye Hongsheng also looked toward Ye Yaming.

“They can observe the tea-making process at the factory,” Ye Yaming said. “The production process for the original loose tea is generally similar. Even if our family has proprietary techniques, outsiders like Prince Consort Fan would only see the spectacle without discerning the subtleties, so there’s no need to worry.”

“As for Longjing tea, one look is enough to tell it’s pan-fried. You can just tell them directly that it’s a Ye family secret technique not suitable for observation. If they want to experience tea picking firsthand, Father, you can have Manager Li contact the garden owners outside the city first. Give them some silver and let the visitors experience it there, so they won’t have to travel so far.”

With the tea market flourishing in Jiangnan, slopes and small hills outside the city unsuitable for grain farming were planted with tea. Thus, there were several tea gardens of various sizes outside the city.

“Wouldn’t that offend them?” Ye Chongming worried a bit.

“I believe they’ll understand. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter much. They won’t punish us for this. Plus, Master Zhineng is still there.”

At the mention of Master Zhineng, Ye Chongming relaxed.

Ye Yaming looked at Ye Hongsheng solemnly and said, “Father, remember this: we had Ye family tea and Longjing tea first, which is why Prince Consort Fan and others give us special regard. Tea is the foundation of our family’s standing. As long as we maintain control of Longjing tea, we won’t lack for the favor of the nobility. Never get the priorities wrong.”

These words were meant for Ye Chongming.

Ye Hongsheng had a pure heart. In his eyes, those nobles weren’t as important as his tea. So even when facing people like Fan Yu, he could maintain his composure, not feeling inferior and remaining neither servile nor arrogant.

This was probably why Fan Yu and others were willing to associate with him.

But Ye Chongming was different. His thoughts were complicated, valuing the Ye family’s interests above all else. Ye Yaming was concerned that he might do something inappropriate to win the favor of Prince Consort Fan and the others.

“I understand,” said Ye Hongsheng.

Ye Chongming also seemed thoughtful.

Originally, he had been considering whether to invite Fan Yu and the others to the Ye residence as guests. Having a princess, prince consort, and major capital nobles visit the Ye family would be an experience he could boast about for a lifetime.

But Ye Yaming’s words made him hesitate.

“What do you think, should we invite them to our residence? They’ve come from so far away—it seems impolite not to invite them, doesn’t it?” he asked.