“Oh my, wouldn’t that be like throwing away the God of Wealth? How could they bear to do that? Your grandfather thinks very clearly,” Princess Imperial Yuning said.

Ye Yaming nodded carelessly, “Isn’t that so?”

“I don’t have the patience to manage so many affairs; I just love making tea. Seeing everyone enjoy the tea I produce makes me especially happy. The tea I produce is sold by my uncles, father, and cousins, allowing more people to drink good tea, right? So when grandfather asked me to be the next family head, I agreed.”

“But how are the profits calculated? Surely all the earnings can’t go to your natal family?” Miss Wan asked again.

At this point, she became embarrassed and said, “My question is abrupt, please don’t take offense, Madam Lu. I mainly…” her face reddened, “I’m mainly curious.”

Birds of a feather flock together. Ye Yaming knew that Princess Imperial Yuning and Prince Consort Fan Yu were sincere at heart. Having grown up in the royal family and aristocratic households, what evil creatures hadn’t they seen? People with improper intentions couldn’t escape their eyes.

So although she hadn’t spent time with Madam Chen and the others before, she had no guard against them because of Princess Imperial Yuning’s connection, and wanted to befriend them.

She waved her hand, “There’s nothing that can’t be said. Originally, my eldest uncle was the next family head. After my grandparents pass away, we would divide the family property—his household would get seventy percent, while our second branch and my third and fourth uncles’ families would each get ten percent.”

“Now that I’ve become the next family head, when we eventually divide the family, our second branch will get sixty percent, the first branch twenty percent, and my third and fourth uncles’ families ten percent each.”

The third branch’s situation was complicated and a family disgrace, which she didn’t intend to discuss. Her third uncle was gone, her third aunt had been expelled, but Ye Yayu from the third branch remained. When the family is divided in the future, Ye Yayu, as the third branch’s sole heir, would still receive a share of the property. So her explanation wasn’t wrong.

Miss Wan looked at Ye Yaming, frowning, “But this way, wouldn’t all the money you earn belong to your brothers? Is that worth it?”

“My parents don’t have sons, I’m the eldest daughter, and I have a younger sister below me.” Ye Yaming smiled and said, “I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, but I had originally planned to bring in a son-in-law to marry into our family. Our Young Master knows about this. It was only after he proposed that I decided to marry out.”

This statement made everyone gasp.

This gasp was both from surprise at the unexpected fact and at how directly and openly Ye Yaming had spoken.

Ancient people were reserved, aristocratic families even more so, and aristocratic women were the most reserved of all. Because even the slightest matter might affect the family’s reputation and bring disaster to the family, everyone was cautious, not daring to say an extra word or take an extra step.

Even legitimate daughters from proper aristocratic families were like this, let alone Ye Yaming, who came from a merchant family and had married above her station to Lu Guanyi.

She should have been more careful with her words and actions.

Now she had spoken so openly. If this reached the ears of outsiders, where would the young general Lu’s face be? Would he be so humiliated that he would directly divorce her? Oh right, he couldn’t divorce her because there was an imperial-decreed marriage. But a man could directly neglect his wife and take several concubines, which would be enough to make his wife suffer.

Princess Imperial Yuning truly liked Ye Yaming, not just because of the “divine teachings in dreams” and guessing she had a special origin, but because during those few days of interaction in Lin’an, Ye Yaming’s character and personality had impressed her and won her favor.

She glared at Ye Yaming and scolded, “What nonsense are you talking? Can you say such things carelessly? Fortunately, there are no outsiders in this room; otherwise, if word got out, where would your Young Master put his face?”

As she spoke, she also instructed, “The capital is not like Lin’an. All of the Great Jin’s clever people gather here—the entire city is full of the shrewdest of the shrewd, with more schemes than holes in a sieve. One slight misstep could cost you your life. From now on, think carefully before you say or do anything; what doesn’t need to be said is best left unsaid.”

Ye Yaming had already stood up, respectfully listening, then bowed deeply with a face full of contrition, “Yaming knows her mistake.”

Only then did Princess Imperial Yuning breathe a sigh of relief, gesturing for her to sit down.

She turned to the others and said, “This child Yaming is most straightforward, with no guile. What was just said, let it end here, don’t spread it outside. If I hear any rumors…”

She swept her gaze across everyone, “I will not be lenient.”

Madam Chen and the others changed from their previous jocular manner. Madam Chen spoke seriously, “Your Highness, rest assured, we all understand and certainly won’t gossip idly. Besides, what did Madam Lu just say? She only spoke about becoming the family head, nothing else.”

Towards the end, she smiled again, her tone relaxed.

“That’s right, that’s right, I didn’t hear anything just now,” Madam Yuan laughed in agreement.

The atmosphere in the room immediately shifted from the previous tension to relaxation.

Miss Wan picked up her teacup and sincerely said to Ye Yaming, “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t asked inappropriately, Madam Lu wouldn’t have said these things—it’s all on me. Come, let’s drink tea. This tea is so good, let’s just enjoy it.”

Seeing them like this, Ye Yaming’s face was full of helplessness.

From their few days together in Lin’an, she knew that Princess Imperial Yuning had probably come from the deep palace and was wary of those with deep schemes. Therefore, she befriended those who were simple-minded, pure-hearted, and straightforward.

Although she had schemes and methods, she considered her intentions to be righteous and her nature pure. She very much hoped to befriend Princess Imperial Yuning and this group of friends, to integrate among them.

People have many facets. It seemed that Princess Imperial Yuning and Madam Chen’s group also didn’t lack schemes and methods when facing others. As long as one’s heart was righteous and nature pure, they were of the same kind.

She said, “Your Highness’s instruction is correct. But I would like to explain that the reason I spoke so candidly just now was because everyone here is on good terms with Your Highness. And I know Your Highness’s character best. Those who can befriend her are all upright in conduct and pure of heart, and would never spread gossip.”

These words made everyone present feel comfortable.

Princess Imperial Yuning reached out and pinched Ye Yaming’s smooth cheek, “You have such a sweet mouth, so articulate.”

Ye Yaming pulled her mischievous hand away and continued, “Moreover, what I said is the truth and not a secret. Anyone who takes a trip to Lin’an would know.”

Then she said sheepishly, “Back then, to find a suitable son-in-law to marry into our family, my grandmother almost turned Lin’an upside down. So many matchmakers were searching everywhere for someone with a good appearance, excellent character, who was also willing to marry into our family. Rather than have others gossip about this, I should speak about it openly myself.”

And also to establish herself as a naive and innocent character, to reassure people like Minister Li’s wife.