“That’s why all the servers at this teahouse are servants I’ve purchased with permanent contracts, and they’ve undergone a year of strict training before I dare place them there. How they should speak, how they should act, how to beg for mercy when abused or beaten by the powerful and noble—all of this has been carefully taught to them.”

“However, Third Grand-Uncle, you’ve taken great care of our branch of the family over the years, and our entire family is deeply grateful for this. Since you’re finally asking for something, I must make arrangements no matter what. If Cousin doesn’t mind, he can stay. The teahouse opens in two days, and I’ll have someone give intensive training during these few days, teaching Cousin tea-brewing skills and etiquette. Cousin is educated, and even though the training time is short, he’ll surely do better than the purchased servants.”

Ye Jiaqing was twenty years old this year, the fifth child in his family, and a grandson whom Ye Chongxian was particularly fond of.

As clan leader, Ye Chongxian was fairly well-off, with two to three hundred mu of good farmland. Ye Jiaqing had attended a private school. Unfortunately, he lacked talent for studies, so after a few years of learning to recognize some characters, he returned home to farm.

This time, he had come to the capital to attend the wedding only because he was curious about the capital city and had repeatedly begged Ye Chongxian to bring him along.

However, after seeing the prosperity of the capital, he didn’t want to leave. Ye Chongxian also had his motives, thinking that if Ye Jiaqing worked for Ye Yaming, he might have a promising future.

Now, hearing Ye Yaming’s words, both grandfather and grandson were startled. Ye Chongxian was still fine, suspecting that Ye Yaming had exaggerated matters to scare them away, but Ye Jiaqing was truly frightened.

Seeing that neither spoke, Ye Yaming smiled and continued, “If Cousin feels the teahouse isn’t suitable, I do have another place, though the environment isn’t as nice as the teahouse, and you’d be dealing mostly with commoners. However, since Cousin is literate and can do calculations, you could serve as a small manager.”

Ye Jiaqing’s eyes immediately brightened: “What kind of place?”

“My mother, Yayin, and Yayu originally opened a pastry shop in Lin’an, and business was quite good. They did it for fun, to earn some money for cosmetics. They don’t understand how to manage a business, so I’ve been handling it for them. But as you know, I can’t let go of the Ye family affairs, and now that I’m married, I also need to manage matters at the Martial Marquis’s mansion. I truly don’t have the energy to open another shop for them in the capital.”

“Now that Third Grand-Uncle wants Cousin to gain some experience in the capital, why not let me open this pastry shop? With Cousin as the manager, it would be a great help to me.”

These words greatly tempted Ye Jiaqing.

Although his family owned two to three hundred mu of land, they had many family members and high expenses, so they still had to farm the land themselves. They only hired temporary workers during spring planting and autumn harvest.

People said merchants were lowly. His family prided themselves on being farming and scholarly folk, but they could only afford meat once every ten days. Compared to Ye Chongming’s branch of the family, who ate meat and fish daily, what was the reputation compared to practical comfort?

Therefore, he also wanted to venture out and establish a career for himself. Even if he entered the merchant registry in the future, if he could live like Seventh Grand-Uncle’s family, it would be worth it.

Now, what Ye Yaming offered wasn’t a position as a tea master but as the manager of a pastry shop, which suited him even better. How could being managed by others compare to managing others in terms of prestige? It would also give him face when he returned to the clan!

“Grandfather, I’m willing to work at the pastry shop,” he quickly expressed his stance, fearing Ye Chongxian might object.

Ye Chongxian was also very satisfied with this arrangement: “Then we’ll have to trouble Ming’er.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Ye Yaming waved her hand. “However, I need to clarify some things upfront. If Brother Jiaqing does well, he’ll not only receive a fixed monthly salary but also a commission—for every hundred taels the shop earns, he’ll receive one hundred wen as commission. The better the business does, the higher his commission. Conversely, if income falls below a certain level, Brother Jiaqing might not be suitable as manager, and the position would need to be reassigned.”

She looked at Ye Jiaqing: “Can Brother Jiaqing understand this point? I can’t possibly open a shop that not only fails to make money but loses money every month. In that case, I might as well close the doors, don’t you agree?”

“Of course, of course,” Ye Jiaqing nodded repeatedly.

“Ming’er, that you can give your cousin this opportunity, I, your Third Grand-Uncle, am deeply grateful. How could he occupy the position if he lacks the ability? If he does anything wrong or improper, please say so directly. Don’t hold back on my account,” said Ye Chongxian.

He understood quite clearly.

To say nothing else, serving as a manager under pressure would help Ye Jiaqing grow quickly. With ability and skill, where couldn’t he establish himself? Once Ye Jiaqing could stand on his own, perhaps their family could also start a business.

Ye Yaming added, “I’m quite busy before the New Year, so I can’t open the pastry shop right away. Brother Jiaqing can first return with Third Grand-Uncle tomorrow and come back after the New Year.”

This way, she could also prevent a situation where Ye Jiaqing stayed, and other clan members, seeing that Ye Yaming was willing to give Ye Jiaqing an opportunity, would also ask to stay.

“Third Grand-Uncle also knows our family’s difficulties. When clan members have troubles, we’re very willing to help. But not all clan members are like Brother Jiaqing—literate, good with numbers, and upright and hardworking. If we keep others here, we also bear risks, possibly bringing fatal trouble upon ourselves. So if anyone else mentions this matter, I would ask Third Grand-Uncle to help explain a little.”

As Ye Yaming spoke, she bowed respectfully to Ye Chongxian.

“Ming’er, please don’t be so formal.” Ye Chongxian quickly avoided Ye Yaming’s bow. This was a fourth-rank titled lady, the wife of the Heir of a Marquis’s family—he couldn’t accept such respect.

“Rest assured, I’ll take care of this matter,” he said.

Ye Yaming smiled and said, “If clan members have difficulties and need money, they can speak to my grandfather. He will help.”

“Good, good, good. Your grandfather has helped clan members quite a lot over the years,” said Ye Chongxian.

People in the clan were all getting by. For those orphans and widows, Ye Chongming would offer assistance. Whenever any family encountered difficulties, as long as they approached Ye Chongming, after verifying they weren’t lying, he would provide help.

Previously, Ye Hongsheng only managed tea production and never handled these social relationships. When Ye Chongxian approached him about this matter yesterday, he was very troubled. He had spent the entire night restlessly, pondering how to refuse without offending.

Now, seeing his daughter resolve the matter with just a few words—not placing Ye Jiaqing in the crucial teahouse, not offending Ye Chongxian, and even getting Ye Chongxian to owe them a favor by helping them fend off trouble—he deeply felt he had much to learn.

In the future, when Ye Yaming became the family head, he would be the father of the family, and many matters would come to him, especially issues related to clan members. For many troubles, he hoped he could handle them himself rather than always burdening his daughter.

He said, “Ming’er, you should hurry back. Your husband has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Ye Chongxian also quickly said, “Go, go.”

“I won’t be able to come see you off tomorrow, so I wish Third Grand-Uncle and everyone a safe journey,” said Ye Yaming.