An old man who hadn’t been in the Capital recently asked: “Who is that?”

Everyone looked up: “That should be the girl from the Ye family who married into the Xuanwu Marquis’s Manor. In our alley, whose family could afford such magnificent horses, with servants bearing the aura of the battlefield?”

“Yes, it’s her.”

Another person said: “She hasn’t been married long, right? I’ve seen her return several times already. What married daughter visits her maternal home so frequently?”

An old man surnamed Li, who knew inside information, said: “You don’t know? My steward was chatting with the Ye family’s steward recently and learned that this Ye family girl is quite remarkable.”

He explained Ye Yaming’s contributions and status in the Ye family, then added: “I heard she received guidance from an immortal in her dreams, which is why she understands tea processing and is so capable at such a young age.”

“Well, no wonder she could marry into a marquis’s household. People with skills can always make their way in the world,” said a tall, thin old man.

He shook his head as he spoke.

Recently, when the Ye family’s daughter got married, the ceremony was extravagant. Later, she frequently returned with servants, occasionally bringing her husband, a fourth-rank general. His wife and daughters-in-law had been so jealous that he couldn’t bear to look at their faces.

They had said things like she must have used some bewitching methods to marry General Lu; otherwise, with her merchant background, how could she have secured such a prestigious match?

Later, he would use Old Li’s words to put his wife in her place and warn her not to speak carelessly. If such words spread, how could their family survive?

“Hey, Old Master Li, I heard your family wants to form a marriage alliance with the Ye family? How’s it going? Don’t keep it to yourself. The Ye family has two young ladies of marriageable age—they won’t all go to you.”

The old man surnamed Chen who asked this question did so in front of everyone because he believed that, except for Old Li, none of the other families present had conditions as good as his own.

His son was a fifth-rank official, and his grandson, now fifteen, was already a student scholar with promising prospects.

If not for the fact that the Ye family’s daughter had married into the Xuanwu Marquis’s Manor—where the Marquis held significant power—and his grandson could become brothers-in-law with the promising young General Lu, with the Ye family potentially becoming imperial merchants, he wouldn’t have considered the Ye family at all.

Of course, he said he wouldn’t compete with Old Li, but he wanted his grandson to marry the Xuanwu Marquis’s Lady’s sister. A cousin once removed was not only more distant but also had lost both parents—not a sign of good fortune.

When Old Li heard Chen’s words, he became nervous.

Ever since seeing the Ye family’s third daughter get married, he had set his sights on the Ye family. Recently, he had been constantly sending his steward to befriend the Ye Manor’s steward, inquiring about the Ye family’s situation. These days, he was having his steward test the waters.

He was also interested in the Lady of the Marquis’s sister.

But if Old Chen came to compete, this marriage prospect would be uncertain.

He looked around, then leaned close to Old Chen and said softly: “Haven’t they recently opened a teahouse? Only officials of the third rank and above, or aristocrats of marquis rank and above, can enter. Those of lower ranks can’t even get through the door. And do you know about the pastry shop that opened on East Main Street? It’s a partnership between Princess Imperial Yü’an and Madam Ye.”

Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

“Their family associates with such people—how could they look upon families like ours?” Old Li shook his head and sighed. “We might as well give up on this idea.”

What he said was the truth, all told to him by the Ye family’s steward.

But there were some things he didn’t mention. He had heard that the Ye Second Master doted most on his daughters. When General Lu proposed, Second Master Ye didn’t want to marry his daughter to him, fearing that once she entered the marquis’s household, it would be as deep as the sea, and she might suffer in such a family.

In the end, it was General Lu’s sincerity and repeated promises to treat the Ye third miss well, plus the fact that she liked General Lu, that made Second Master Ye relent.

Second Master Ye only had two daughters. With the elder daughter married into a wealthy family, the younger daughter didn’t necessarily need to be sent to an official or noble family. Parents who cherish their daughters would only choose families with few members and good family traditions. And his family happened to be just like that.

Old Chen’s eyes flashed with excitement, but he said: “Ah, then it seems impossible. Forget it, let’s not have unrealistic dreams. Let’s look at other families.”

The other old men looked at each other, each with their thoughts.

…

After entering the gate, Ye Yaming and Lu Guanyi separated. Lu Guanyi stayed in the outer courtyard to ask his father-in-law about the teahouse; Ye Yaming went to the inner courtyard.

When Madam Yin saw her daughter, it was as if she’d seen a savior. She explained the situation and said: “Initially, I said the shop was too spacious and too big, but now I find it’s too small.”

“Do you have any ideas?” Ye Yaming asked.

Madam Yin said: “I was thinking of opening two more branch stores in the south and north of the city. What do you think?”

When business is good and there are too many customers to accommodate, the natural solution is to open branch stores.

But Madam Yin didn’t feel at ease without consulting her daughter first. She feared that if she overextended, problems could arise, and if Princess Imperial Yü’an lost money because of her, it would be troublesome.

She had another concern: she would soon return to Lin’an. Opening three shops at once, when Princess Imperial Yü’an was accustomed to a life of luxury and had never managed such affairs before, she was currently helping manage this shop only for the novelty. Later, if she had to manage three shops with frequent problems, Madam Yin worried that Princess Imperial Yü’an might become annoyed.

Earning some money at the cost of displeasing the Princess Imperial would be counterproductive. Her daughter was of humble birth and walked carefully in the Capital; she should help her daughter, not become a burden.

After hearing Madam Yin’s thoughts, Ye Yaming was touched. Madam Yin had truly grown and was considering matters more thoroughly now.

She asked: “Have you discussed your concerns with Princess Imperial Yü’an?”

Madam Yin shook her head: “I wanted to consult with you first.”

“Then ask her, lay all the problems before her, and see what she thinks. First, tell her that this shop matters little to both her and you. You don’t rely on this shop to earn a living; it’s just to pass the time when bored. Let Her Highness the Princess Imperial know not to force herself because of you.”

She continued: “If the Princess Imperial hesitates after hearing your words, it means she wants to open branch stores. Then tell her that as long as capable managers are overseeing the shops, she doesn’t need to worry too much. Haven’t you seen how we don’t personally manage our teahouse but entrust it to managers?”

Madam Yin’s eyes immediately brightened: “Yes, yes.”

She asked further: “Are you saying to let Princess Imperial Yü’an appoint managers to oversee it?”

Ye Yaming nodded with a smile: “Yes, that’s right. Originally, you prepared the managers and cooks, and since you were leading this shop, you used your people. But if the branch stores are mainly managed by Her Highness the Princess Imperial, and she holds a seventy percent share, naturally it’s better to use her people.”