Shen Hui arranged the banquet and dared to have his wife entertain guests because Madam Shen was eloquent and skilled in social interactions.

Seeing that everyone had taken their seats, Madam Shen began introducing the dishes. She spoke knowledgeably not only about the flavors and preparation methods but also about the origins and legends behind each dish. Though there were only four people at the table, she made it lively with her conversation.

Meanwhile, Ye Yaming served dishes to Princess Imperial Yuning and then to Madam Qi, while also responding to Madam Shen with a few witty remarks.

The atmosphere of the entire banquet finally eased.

Princess Imperial Yuning had spoken those harsh words earlier to support Ye Yaming and to warn Madam Qi, not to truly break relations with her.

Seeing that Madam Qi had finally stopped looking stern, she pointed to a dish and said to a maid, “Madam Qi loves this dish; please bring it closer to her.”

Madam Qi, surprised and honored, quickly stood up to express her thanks.

Princess Imperial Yuning gestured for her to sit down, then said to her, “My tone was a bit harsh earlier, and I apologize for that. But I truly care for Yaming, which is why I spoke as I did. Madam Qi, please don’t mind my interference in how you manage your nephew’s wife.”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare,” Madam Qi hurriedly replied.

After saying this, she felt her words sounded stiff, as if she was still angry.

She quickly explained further, “I know Your Highness genuinely cares for Yaming. It’s our Guanyi’s good fortune that Yaming has your care. As her aunt, I can only be happy about this and wouldn’t dare to have any other thoughts.”

“That’s good then. Now, let’s eat. Madam Shen has prepared such delicious and exquisite dishes; we should enjoy them properly,” Princess Imperial Yuning said.

Despite everyone’s repeated invitations to stay longer, Princess Imperial Yuning and her entourage returned to the capital the next day.

Upon returning to the capital, Princess Imperial Yuning went to the palace and presented Emperor Chu Chang with the Tieguanyin tea that Ye Yaming had specifically entrusted her to deliver.

“It’s always Yuning who thinks of her Imperial brother,” Chu Chang sighed with a smile. “People say the Emperor has everything. But who would believe that I, the Emperor, can’t even get a satisfying cup of tea when I want one?”

Because the Ye family’s Tieguanyin was newly introduced and its production was highly unstable, the people of the Imperial Household Department didn’t dare present it to him, fearing they wouldn’t be able to supply it consistently this year.

After all, this wasn’t tribute tea, and if the Ye family couldn’t supply it, they couldn’t hold the family accountable. In that case, they would have to bear the Emperor’s wrath.

Chu Chang understood the concerns of the Imperial Household Department. He wasn’t a tyrannical ruler who only cared about his preferences without regard for others. After receiving two jin of Tieguanyin from Princess Imperial Yuning last year, he had quietly enjoyed it without making a fuss, and this year he hadn’t even asked for more.

He knew that if there was any of this tea available, his Imperial sister would surely think of him.

“There’s no way around it,” Princess Imperial Yuning said. “This Tieguanyin was made by Yaming last year. I heard her say that this tea must be made from a special tea variety unique to Min Province; the tea leaves from Lin’an simply don’t produce the same flavor when processed.”

“Min Province is so far away, and she’s pregnant now. She also has to personally make the Longjing tribute tea from Lin’an, and she can’t be in two places at once. You enjoyed this tea when it was presented last year, but what if this year’s tea makers aren’t skilled enough? Wouldn’t that cause trouble for many people? Therefore, neither the Ye family nor the Imperial Household Department dares to present it to you. Only I would think of you whenever I get something good, not fearing any blame.”

“Yes, yes, yes, my little sister is the best,” Chu Chang said with a smile. “The palace has just received some cloud brocade. Take it with you when you leave—most of it for yourself, and a smaller portion, please give to Lady Lu on my behalf.”

“Thank you, Imperial Brother,” Princess Imperial Yuning stood up and curtsied.

After sitting down, her expression showed she had something more to say but was hesitant.

Chu Chang asked curiously, “What has happened to make you so hesitant to speak?”

His sister, born of the Empress and the Crown Prince’s full sister, had been favored since childhood. She had grown up to marry a suitable husband, and her brother had successfully ascended the throne—she had never suffered any grievances in her life and was most free-spirited.

This had also shaped her straightforward personality; she would say whatever was on her mind without many reservations. It was rare to see her this hesitant.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” Princess Imperial Yuning quickly said. “I was just wondering if the Ye family could become Imperial merchants. I’m not trying to interfere in politics; this is just casual conversation between siblings. If you find it inappropriate, just pretend I didn’t mention it. It’s mainly because I felt distressed seeing Yaming going up the mountain to make tea while pregnant and still being targeted by others.”

As she spoke, she recounted how the tea merchants in Lin’an had used various underhanded methods to steal the tea recipe, forcing the Ye family to sell it. She also mentioned how Wang Kuan and others had recently united to try to step over the Ye family.

“I told you last year about Yaming dreaming of how to make tea. Outsiders say she is the reincarnation of the Tea Deity, and I believe this—Master Zhineng also firmly believes it. Otherwise, how could one explain why she, at such a young age, knows so much and can make all kinds of tea?”

“The reincarnation of the Tea Deity is an auspicious sign for the country, a blessing from heaven, indicating that Imperial Brother’s governance is effective and that a golden age is approaching. For such a person, we should provide protection, preventing riffraff from bullying her and angering the spirits.”

With that, she stood up and bowed to Chu Chang: “Your Imperial sister has overstepped and dares to speak frankly. If there’s any impropriety, please forgive me, Imperial Brother.”

Chu Chang quickly gestured for her to rise and sighed, “Imperial sister need not be so formal. You’ve always had a good sense of propriety. If you didn’t feel that this matter would be detrimental to the country and me if mishandled, you wouldn’t have mentioned it to me.”

He especially favored this sister not only because she was his full-blooded sibling but also because Princess Imperial Yuning never interfered in political matters.

Yet when he faced major issues, she would step forward to protect her Imperial brother. This made Chu Chang, who was accustomed to deceit and couldn’t fully trust even his wife and sons, feel particularly comforted.

After Princess Imperial Yuning sat down, he said, “What you’re asking isn’t difficult. I’ve tasted this year’s tribute tea, and it’s even better than last year’s. I was already planning to bestow rewards upon the Ye family. However, I was thinking of simple rewards, not granting them the position of Imperial merchants. You must know that the title of Imperial merchant is only given to merchant families involved in major transactions with the court.”

“However, the court signed a contract with the Ye family last year, and this year the Ye family will deliver a large quantity of black tea to the court. Once the black tea is delivered, I will issue an edict designating the Ye family as Imperial merchants, with an official rank that can be inherited.”

This had been Chu Chang’s original plan.

Putting aside rumors of the reincarnation of the Tea Deity, simply considering that Ye Yaming was Lu Guanyi’s wife and the future daughter-in-law of Princess Imperial Yu’an, who was about to marry Lu Zhongyong, Chu Chang would naturally favor the Ye family.

The several hundred thousand troops under Lu Zhongyong’s command—Chu Chang wouldn’t feel at ease entrusting them to anyone else. Since Lu Zhongyong didn’t harbor excessive ambition, and Chu Chang had no plans to replace him, he needed to secure his loyalty.