“One last question: if we ask for such a high price, will we still have the opportunity to become Imperial Merchants?” Ye Chongming asked.

“Whether we become Imperial Merchants or not has nothing to do with the price. Unless you don’t want money, people will assume you can make a profit from this deal. Don’t worry, we’re doing business with the imperial court, and this business concerns border peace. We are already acting as ‘Imperial Merchants.’ If the court doesn’t grant us the title this year, they’ll have to give it next year.”

Ye Chongming relaxed: “Then there’s no problem.”

As Ye Yaming returned from the front courtyard to the back courtyard, while still quite far from the hanging flower gate, the enthusiastic voice of the doorkeeper matron carried over: “Oh my, Third Miss is here.”

As her voice reached them, the person also came forward to greet Ye Yaming, crouching in a curtsy: “This old servant congratulates Miss, and offers felicitations to Miss.”

Ye Yaming smiled: “Thank you, both Madams. Bai Rui, reward them.”

Bai Rui quickly took out some copper coins as a reward.

After passing through the hanging flower gate, when they were far from the two matrons, the straightforward Lu’E couldn’t help but curl her lip: “Look at them, they certainly know which way the wind blows.”

Previously, the back quarters had been managed by First Madam Tao. After Ye Yaming became the future family head, Old Lady Ye had asked Ye Yaming whether she wanted Madam Yin to participate in household management, but Ye Yaming had refused.

Madam Yin wasn’t particularly capable; if she were to manage the household, Old Lady Ye, at her advanced age, would have to follow behind Madam Yin to clean up her messes, and would also have to endure Madam Tao’s mockery.

Secondly, Ye Yaming had already taken the position of family head from Ye Hongchang. If the position of managing the back quarters were also taken by Madam Yin, Madam Tao wouldn’t just be dissatisfied—she would certainly hate her to the bone.

Being one family of flesh and blood, why create such animosity? Household harmony and peace were more important than anything. Ye Yaming didn’t think managing the back quarters was particularly important. With her around, Madam Tao couldn’t lord it over Madam Yin anyway.

Therefore, the back quarters had remained under Madam Tao’s management.

The matrons guarding the hanging flower gate had all been carefully cultivated and promoted by Madam Tao over the years and had always been loyal to her. After Ye Yaming became the future family head, these matrons didn’t dare offend her, but they also didn’t dare show signs of currying favor, lest they anger Madam Tao and lose their good positions.

Thus, they had always been neither cold nor warm toward Ye Yaming.

But now they were suddenly passionate.

Bai Rui glared at Lu’E, and after glaring, she couldn’t help but say to Ye Yaming: “Miss, they act according to their masters’ expressions.”

This wasn’t making excuses for those matrons, but stating a fact.

Ye Yaming understood her meaning and smiled: “Indeed, I suppose this is a good thing.”

Madam Tao had been dissatisfied with her recently, so the maids and matrons under her management didn’t dare curry favor with Ye Yaming. Now that these people were openly beginning to curry favor, it meant Madam Tao’s attitude had also changed.

When two people’s statuses are not very different, the person who is slightly inferior will envy and resent the one who is slightly better; but if the difference in status between two people is extreme, as vast as an unbridgeable chasm, then the inferior person will only admire and curry favor, and will no longer envy or resent.

People are just that complex and pragmatic.

When they reached the gate of the second branch’s courtyard, the doorkeeping matron also congratulated Ye Yaming and said: “Miss, First Madam and Fourth Madam are in Second Madam’s courtyard. Second, Madam instructed that when you return, you should go there first.”

Ye Yaming had no choice but to change course and go to Madam Yin’s courtyard.

As soon as she entered, she was submerged in compliments.

Madam Tao was still maintaining the dignity of a First Madam and her teetering aloof persona. After all, she had previously been dissatisfied with Ye Yaming, and too rapid a change would invite ridicule.

Madam Guan knew that her mother-in-law disliked Ye Yaming, so even though she wished to be on good terms with Ye Yaming, she didn’t dare say much.

In contrast, Madam Zhang was quite exaggerated, praising Ye Yaming to the skies: “…Earlier, I praised your capabilities to your Fourth Uncle, but I didn’t expect you to be so capable, even producing tea that the court values, causing the court to send a third-rank official to negotiate business with our family. How many merchants can receive such an honor? So when I heard the imperial marriage decree, I wasn’t surprised at all. For a clever and capable girl like you, to be admired and sought after by Heir Lu, isn’t that as it should be?”

She continued: “I’ll go back and tell Rui’er, Xuan’er, and Ning’er that they’re benefiting from their Third Sister’s glory. Their good days are still ahead.”

The three siblings, Ye Jiarui, having received instructions from Madam Zhang, heard their names and gathered around, chattering: “Third Sister, you’re so capable. My mother says we should study hard and be as clever as you.”

“Third Sister, you’re so beautiful. I wish I could grow up to be as beautiful as you.” This was said by Ye Jiaxuan, the only girl among the three siblings.

The youngest, Ye Jianing, had been only six months old when Ye Yaming had transmigrated, still a small infant who would cry loudly in his wet nurse’s arms. Now he could run around mischievously.

He stared with big black eyes, sucking his index finger, seemingly trying hard to remember what his mother had taught him to say, but unable to recall.

He turned his head toward Madam Zhang and called out: “Mother…” looking as if he was about to cry from anxiety.

Seeing this, Madam Tao snickered, mocking Madam Zhang: “Fourth Sister-in-law, why bother? See how Ning’er is struggling? Yaming values relationships above all; even if Ning’er and the others don’t say flattering things, she would still support and care for them just the same. There’s no need for this.”

Madam Zhang, made quite embarrassed by her youngest son’s failure to perform, was about to explain to Ye Yaming with a red face when Ye Yaming stopped her with a wave of her hand.

Ye Yaming picked up Ye Jianing and held him in her arms, pinching his chubby little cheeks, and said to Madam Zhang: “I know Fourth Aunt has always liked me. I’m usually busy and don’t have time to play with my younger brothers and sisters, but where I can help, I definitely will. We’re family after all.”

As she spoke, she also said to Ye Jiarui and Ye Jiaxuan: “Do you like the snacks that Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister have the kitchen make every day? You often go to play with them, so they must like you very much.”

As far as she knew, Madam Zhang was quite strict in raising her three children, and all three were well-behaved and sensible, not troublemakers.

Ye Yayu had made great progress recently under Ye Yayin’s influence, but she still had some social anxiety. Human cubs, like kittens, are equally lovable creatures; spending more time with the three children would likely make Ye Yayu more outgoing.

Madam Zhang could see Ye Yaming’s goodwill and was immediately very pleased, promptly expressing that she would often let the three little ones go play with Ye Yayin and Ye Yayu.

Madam Tao, unwilling to be left out, interjected: “Yaming, when do you and Heir Lu plan to get married?”

Ye Yaming glanced at her and said: “Zimu said that after the black tea purchase negotiations with the court are settled, he’ll come to discuss the date with Grandfather.”

Madam Tao’s smile remained unchanged, but a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes.