Ye Yaming didn’t bother to argue further. As the closest family members in the world, she would never shortchange her parents and sister.

She asked, “How is Fifth Sister doing lately?”

Since Ye Yayu lived in Ye Yayin’s courtyard, and the child was truly pitiful, Madam Yin had poured her maternal love onto her, visiting the two young girls at least two or three times daily.

At the mention of Ye Yayu, Madam Yin’s face brightened with a smile: “She and Yayin are becoming closer. When they play with the cat together, I once heard her laughing out loud.”

“Yayin has always had a female tutor coming to teach her, hasn’t she? Previously, when the tutor arrived, Yayu would hide in her room and refuse to come out no matter what. Now, with Yayin pulling her along, she can sit beside Yayin and attend lessons together. Although she still hides behind Yayin when the tutor asks questions, it’s already great progress.”

Hearing this, Ye Yaming was also very pleased.

“Take it slowly, don’t rush. With Yayin guiding her, she’ll gradually improve.”

“Yes, your grandmother and I think the same,” Madam Yin said. “Those pastry recipes you wrote, the kitchen has made them, and both girls love them. I’ve noticed Yayu’s complexion is rosier these days, and she’s also gained some weight.”

“By the way,” speaking of this, Madam Yin became serious, “You’ve written no fewer than ten recipes lately, which is enough. How much can two little girls eat? Don’t just let the kitchen staff benefit from them. Keep your good food recipes for yourself; they’ll be a valuable asset when you get married.”

This was something Madam Yin had learned from Madam Tao and others.

Young ladies from families with tradition would have some food recipes in their dowries. Occasionally, preparing special dishes and pastries would bring them face in their husband’s family.

In comparison, Madam Yin had none. The Yin family originally had only a few acres of poor land, and their social status only improved when Madam Yin’s maternal grandfather passed the preliminary imperial examination.

“It’s no big deal, not worth much. If you consider these recipes valuable assets, then the young ladies in our household can also take these recipes as part of their dowry when they marry. Wouldn’t that be good?”

After thinking a bit, she said: “Since we’re going to buy shops, and I have food recipes, why don’t you select a capable cook from the kitchen, along with two apprentices, to open a pastry shop? This shop can be considered a business for you, Yayin, and Yayu. Elder Aunt and Fourth Aunt both manage shops; you should open one too.”

“After this one does well, you can open several chain stores in the city. I’ll write a few more food recipes for you, making it sixteen items in total.”

As she spoke, she explained the concept of chain stores to Madam Yin.

The Ye family had Ji Xiang Towers in both Lin’an and the Capital, selling the same items with the same business model. Therefore, Madam Yin understood the concept of chain stores immediately.

Her eyes brightened at once: “Is it feasible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ye Yaming smiled. “I bought several dozen people recently, some of whom aren’t suitable for tea production. I can assign a few to you as managers, assistants, and cooks. We just need to request one capable cook from the kitchen, and we can set up the business.”

“If I ask for one cook, Grandmother will certainly be happy to give me one, and neither Aunt nor Sister-in-law will have any objections.”

The more they discussed, the more interested Madam Yin became.

In the past, she might have had reservations. But now, seeing her daughter run businesses so successfully, even taking over the position of family head from the eldest master, with the entire family following her orders, Madam Yin realized that women could also accomplish great things. If they succeeded, not only would no one criticize them, but people would even admire them.

She nodded firmly: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

She also wanted to run a business and earn substantial money.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand or if you encounter any problems, you can always come to me,” Ye Yaming instructed. “If the servants don’t obey, just tell me.”

“I will,” Madam Yin replied, full of enthusiasm.

After discussing this matter, Ye Yaming asked: “How are the marriage arrangements for Second Sister coming along?”

“Today, while you and your grandfather were out, someone came to our house. I heard from the servants that matchmakers from the Xie family in the western part of the city came to propose. It seems the Xie family is quite well-off, with family members holding official positions in the court. It’s an extremely good match. I don’t know if your Elder Aunt has agreed or not.”

As she spoke, she smiled: “You’ve arranged such a good marriage for yourself, and our Longjing tea has become tribute tea. As fortunes rise, your Second Sister’s marriage prospects are finally neither too high nor too low.”

Speaking of this, Madam Yin couldn’t help but show some pride on her face.

Madam Tao had been the most prominent figure in the Ye family’s inner courtyard for many years, a constant source of insecurity for Madam Yin. Born into a wealthy family, with a substantial dowry, a husband who was the next family head, a son who was the eldest grandson, and management of the inner courtyard—she had everything good.

But now, with Ye Yaming bringing back these one hundred thousand taels of silver, she instantly outshone Madam Tao’s assets. Ye Yaming had also taken the position of family head, proving more capable than the eldest master and eldest young master combined. Most importantly, she had arranged such an excellent marriage for herself that compared to the so-called “Xie family,” it was a hundred times better.

Madam Yin now felt like a liberated peasant singing triumphantly. The knot in her heart had completely disappeared, leaving her feeling refreshed, as if spring had arrived with blooming flowers.

Seeing Madam Yin like this, Ye Yaming was also very happy.

……

By dinner time at the main house, Ye Yaming learned that Ye Yaqing’s marriage had finally been arranged with the Xie family from the western part of the city. The head of the family was Xie Linjiang, and the proposal was for his younger grandson. Because he enjoyed commerce, the Xie family had arranged this match.

“Have both parties met? Has Second Sister met that young Master Xie?” Ye Yaming asked.

Old Lady Ye nodded: “They have met. Both sides are satisfied. I’ve seen that young man; he looks good, is polite, and comes from a good family.”

What she didn’t mention was that the only one dissatisfied was probably Madam Tao.

How to describe Madam Tao? She was never content with what she had. Previously, she wouldn’t have dared to even dream of a good match like the Xie family. But now that she had secured it, she felt regretful, thinking it could have been even better.

After all, if Ye Yaqing were two or three years younger and could wait until the Ye family became imperial merchants, then the Xie family match wouldn’t be considered marrying up.

Hearing Madam Tao say this, Old Lady Ye nearly spat in her face.

Her eldest daughter-in-law had seemed quite good before. But ever since the second branch rose to prominence, all her petty flaws had been exposed.

“That’s good,” Ye Yaming was also happy for Ye Yaqing.

In her view, at seventeen, one was still a high school student with no hurry to marry. But seeing Madam Tao anxious every day and Ye Yaqing becoming withdrawn after encountering that scoundrel, spending all day quietly embroidering at home, she hoped Ye Yaqing’s marriage could be arranged soon.

She was very busy and didn’t have much time to keep Ye Yaqing company. Besides, offering words of encouragement once or twice was fine, but any more would become annoying for both parties.

She could only hope that Ye Yaqing would come to terms with things herself.

Now it was good—the engagement was settled, and with someone Ye Yaqing was satisfied with, her mood should improve.