She looked at Lu Guanyi: “I understand the character of those present. They’re not gossips who would spread what I said and cause you to lose face.”

Lu Guanyi had remained silent because he found Ye Yaming’s eagerness to explain, her fear that he might misunderstand or be angry, exceptionally adorable.

He liked Ye Yaming, but he had never seen in her eyes the infatuation he had noticed in other girls’. In this marriage, she was rational and clear-headed; without him, perhaps she could still live well.

This awareness made him particularly attentive to Ye Yaming’s emotional changes. Any small kindness from her, any slight concern, could fill his heart with endless joy.

Seeing that Ye Yaming had finished speaking and was looking at him, waiting for his response, he quickly said: “It doesn’t matter, even if word gets out. Because it’s the truth, and you didn’t say anything wrong.”

He pulled Ye Yaming into his embrace: “Actually, if you hadn’t said it, I would have found an opportunity to say it myself. Some people have filthy hearts and foul mouths. Since you married me, those who can’t stand seeing others do well might label you as a calculating woman who married above her station. I particularly hate that kind of talk. Your performance today was excellent.”

He suppressed the surge of emotions in his heart and lowered his head to kiss Ye Yaming’s forehead: “Let’s continue this way in the future.”

He didn’t know about others’ marriages, but he was especially grateful to have married Ye Yaming. He felt there was no woman in the world more intelligent, kind, and sincere than Ye Yaming. Her words and actions always struck a chord with him, damn well aligning with his wishes.

He didn’t think Ye Yaming was putting on an act today. The character she had displayed on their journey to Huizhou with him and Qi Ji was honest—she said whatever was on her mind and never concealed anything.

Even if she had schemes and methods, that was simply because she was smart. She only retaliated when provoked. She had never harmed anyone without reason.

Ye Yaming was also very pleased to hear him speak this way. She felt that their communication had always been in sync, without any barriers.

She continued: “Princess Imperial Yuning hopes that Princess Imperial Yuan will go out more often. Today, I invited her to open a pastry shop with my mother, and she agreed.”

Lu Guanyi couldn’t help but smile, bending down to give Ye Yaming another kiss: “You are a clever little fox.”

Setting aside their suspicion about the Emperor arranging a marriage between Princess Imperial Yuan and Lu Zhongyong, it was very important for Ye Yaming to establish good relations with Princess Imperial Yuan in advance and bring her into their camp. Even without such an arrangement, having Princess Imperial Yuan as a shareholder in the Ye family’s pastry shop was an extremely clever move.

The eldest Princess Imperial had passed away, and now Princess Imperial Yuan, the second Princess Imperial, was the oldest and highest-ranking among the princesses.

While the Emperor might not have had much feeling for this half-sister in the past, as they all grew older and the siblings who had once fought fiercely for benefits gradually diminished in number, Princess Imperial Yuan, who had always remained obedient and was in a pitiful situation, gained the Emperor’s sympathy.

At this time, by involving her in business, making her happy, and clearly stating the benefits of having Princess Yuan as a business partner in an open and aboveboard manner, Ye Yaming could not only gain Princess Imperial Yuning’s goodwill but might also create a favorable impression on the Emperor.

When others take a wife, even if she doesn’t drag them down, they still need to allocate energy to protect her. But Ye Yaming not only didn’t need protection, she could even help him in return.

What more could a husband ask for with such a wife?

…

Although Ye Yaming didn’t plan to stay at the teahouse continuously afterward, the second day was the peak period for membership card applications. And processing membership cards was an affair likely to cause trouble.

For instance, an official of rank four like Qi Zhipei would be like a local emperor in a place like Lin’an, but in the Capital, where high officials and aristocratic families were as numerous as cattle, a fourth-rank official simply wasn’t impressive enough.

Jihang Pavilion publicly claimed to have only two hundred membership cards, but that was merely a marketing tactic. If a high official came but wasn’t issued a card, that would mean offending someone to the death. However, cards couldn’t be issued to everyone who came. Though they said two hundred cards, issuing up to three hundred would be remarkable; too many would easily lead to problems.

To avoid offending people, Ye Yaming had sent calling cards to prominent officials and nobles in the Capital a few days earlier. These were essentially promotional materials explaining that the teahouse had only two hundred membership cards available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those who received these cards and recognized that the teahouse would be an excellent place for networking in the future would send someone to apply for a membership card today. If they failed to see this or dismissed it, they couldn’t blame the Ye family later for not having a membership card.

But there were always people who didn’t play by the rules. Inevitably, there would be people without calling cards coming to apply for membership today. This would require Ye Yaming to make the decisions.

So Ye Yaming came to the teahouse again the next day.

Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji could say they were helping out and accompanying friends like Fan Yu during the opening, but it wouldn’t be convenient for them to come afterward.

Only Ye Hongsheng and Ye Yaming, father and daughter, were busy at the teahouse.

The situation with male customers was manageable. Once they heard Ye Hongsheng say “the two hundred membership cards have all been issued,” they understood that their status wasn’t high enough. Making a scene wouldn’t accomplish anything and would only offend those who had received memberships, so they wouldn’t say much more.

The female customers were different.

Just now, as Ye Yaming was chatting with guests in a private room, the guest’s maid came in to report: “Lady Lu, your maid says there’s a matter at the front that requires your attention.”

“Go ahead, you don’t need to keep us company. Go take care of your business,” the guest waved her hand.

Ye Yaming excused herself and saw Lu’E standing outside. She led her a distance away and asked: “What happened?”

“There are two ladies—the elder sister is Madam Tang, wife of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the younger sister is Madam Song, wife of the Director of the Bureau of Ceremonies in the Ministry of Rites. Neither has our teahouse’s calling card, yet they’re demanding membership cards. We issued one to Madam Tang and told Madam Song that, due to limited numbers, she would have to share one with Madam Tang, just reporting the membership number when visiting the teahouse. But Madam Song berated us viciously.”

Hearing this, Ye Yaming immediately understood and a mocking smile curled the corner of her lips: “These two have come specifically to cause trouble.”

As the saying goes: “Even Qin Hui had three friends.” Lady Shi was no exception.

These troublemaking sisters were Lady Shi’s friends—though calling them friends was generous; they were more like her lackeys.

They also came from aristocratic families but had married newly promoted scholars. The elder sister’s husband had indeed risen to become the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review with the support of the Duke of Wei’s household. The younger sister’s husband lacked ability and had only reached the position of a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.

Precisely because of their good relationship with Lady Shi, Ye Yaming hadn’t sent a calling card to the Minister’s wife. Unexpectedly, they had come to find her.

“Do this,” Ye Yaming whispered a few instructions in Lu’E’s ear.

Lu’E nodded repeatedly and headed in the direction Ye Yaming had indicated.