Old Lady Ye also sighed.

Because the Ye family’s tea business was substantial, when she went out, people would give her a certain degree of respect. But when facing the nobility and officials, they were at a disadvantage and had to silently endure any grievances. That’s why they wanted to find a powerful backer.

Previously, they had placed their hopes on Song Yifeng. But now…

“You should take to heart what Yaming said earlier. If we had someone backing us, what would it matter if the Meng family were imperial merchants with someone serving as a consort in the palace? They would still be somewhat wary of us,” she said.

“I know,” Ye Chongming replied. “Didn’t Yaming say that this matter must wait until the osmanthus tea is sold? We can’t rush it.”

“Regarding the Song family, I’ve sent people to inquire these past few days. The Song mother and son are indeed as Yaming described—not satisfied with this marriage arrangement,” Old Lady Ye said.

Though Ye Chongming and Old Lady Ye had agreed when Ye Yaming wanted to break off the engagement, they still needed to investigate.

In the past, the Song mother and son had been tight-lipped, making it somewhat difficult to gather information. But ever since Song Yifeng passed the provincial examination, Madam Yu had become conceited. Occasionally, when chatting with neighbors, she would reveal her disdain for her future daughter-in-law’s merchant background.

With just a little inquiry, Old Lady Ye’s people had uncovered her true thoughts.

“If that’s the case, then let’s find a way to break off the engagement,” Ye Chongming said, feeling both angry at Song Yifeng and somewhat hurt.

First Ding Jian, then Song Yifeng—how blind was he to be deceived by such petty men?

“Having Yaming take in a husband who would join our family would be a good idea,” he said. Yaming is so intelligent and skilled at making tea. I’m truly reluctant to let her marry out.”

Ye Hongsheng was said to be good at tea-making, but he merely made minor adjustments to existing methods, making Ye family teas taste better than others. Ye Yaming, however, had broken from convention and directly created a new type of tea. Such innovation in a major direction was extremely rare.

Having such a talent remain in the Ye family would surely make their tea famous and bring glory to the Ye name. With this foundation, the Ye family could prosper for two or three more generations without issue.

This way, he wouldn’t have to regret that Ye Yaming wasn’t born male.

Thinking this way, Ye Chongming immediately felt refreshed and emphasized once more: “Break off the engagement, hurry and break it off. I want to find a good husband for her who will join our family.”

Having lived with him for a lifetime, Old Lady Ye immediately knew what Ye Chongming was thinking.

She hesitantly asked: “If we keep Yaming in the family, who will have the final say? If the Second Branch becomes stronger than the First Branch, and the third granddaughter stronger than the eldest grandson, I fear the First Branch might develop rifts with the Second Branch. Brothers turning against each other is not a sign of family prosperity.”

Ye Chongming fell silent.

Even now, not only was Ye Yaming stronger than Ye Jiaxing, but in Ye Chongming’s heart, she had even replaced his eldest son Ye Hongchang, becoming the person he relied on most.

Ye Yaming’s performance had been truly outstanding recently. For important family matters, if he didn’t seek Ye Yaming’s opinion, he wouldn’t feel confident.

But when Ye Hongchang returns and discovers that Ye Yaming is not only more capable than Ye Jiaxing but is even more valued by their father than he is, what would he think?

He sighed: “Anyway, we can’t keep the engagement with the Song family. Think of a way to break it off. As for bringing in a husband for her, let’s discuss it with my eldest son when he returns.”

“Alright. When Yaming is less busy, I’ll discuss with her how to break off the engagement,” Old Lady Ye said.

She had promised to help Ye Yaming with this matter. But Ye Yaming had her ideas and strong opinions. Old Lady Ye worried that if she didn’t handle it well, Ye Yaming might be dissatisfied.

Better to discuss it further before proceeding.

…

While Ye Chongming was thinking about his eldest son, the very next afternoon, Ye Hongchang returned.

At that time, Ye Chongming was reviewing account books in Zixiang Building when a man on horseback swiftly entered Lin’an City. The rider stopped urgently before the back door of Zixiang Building and anxiously said to the doorkeeper: “Quick, please get the Old Master…”

The two shop assistants recognized him as Feng Yu, one of the guards who had accompanied the First Master to the capital. Feng Yu was travel-worn and unshaven, with tattered clothes stained with brownish blood.

Without asking, they knew something must have happened to the First Master.

One of the assistants hurriedly ran into the building, rushed into the innermost room, and exclaimed: “Old Master, Feng Yu has returned alone with blood on his clothes.”

With a “clang,” the teacup in Ye Chongming’s hand fell to the ground.

At this moment, sitting across from Ye Chongming and drinking tea was Old Master Mei, who had come to discuss the details of issuing tea currency.

Hearing the assistant’s words, he was also startled and looked toward Ye Chongming. Seeing Ye Chongming’s face turn pale and his body trembling, he quickly said: “Don’t panic, Chongming. Only the guard is injured. Hongchang should be fine.”

Ye Chongming’s attendant Meng Ji quickly tried to calm him, while another attendant Zhou Xiang took out some cooling oil from Ye Chongming’s chest pocket and applied it to his temples, then found a bottle of patchouli water from the drawer and poured it down his throat.

Although Ye Chongming was sixty this year, he was in good health and didn’t usually keep medicinal pills on hand. He only prepared some anti-heatstroke items in the room because he was prone to heatstroke in summer and might feel mentally fatigued when discussing business in the teahouse.

Zhou Xiang was desperately trying anything, afraid Ye Chongming might have a stroke. He thought these two items might be of some help, so he used both on Ye Chongming.

Surprisingly, after being suddenly forced to drink a mouthful of the choking patchouli water, the anxious and worried Ye Chongming instantly calmed down.

He couldn’t panic, couldn’t be chaotic, and most certainly couldn’t collapse. With Ye Hongchang’s fate unknown, if he collapsed, the Ye family would be finished.

He took several deep breaths, striving to calm himself.

“Where is Feng Yu?” he asked.

Before the assistant could answer, footsteps sounded from the stairway. Meng Ji looked out and saw that it was Lin Zhensheng, the teahouse manager, and an assistant supporting Feng Yu up the stairs.

Feng Yu’s appearance would certainly have caused panic if he had entered through the front door of the teahouse. Fortunately, he had come through the back door, which was only for teahouse staff.

Lin Zhensheng had hurried out as soon as the assistant ran upstairs, personally helping Feng Yu up.

When Ye Chongming saw Feng Yu’s condition, his heart became even more unsettled. He stared at Feng Yu and asked: “Where is the First Master?”

“First Master is injured, but not seriously. He’s currently at Returning Spring Hall,” Feng Yu quickly explained in one breath as instructed by Lin Zhensheng on their way up, not wanting to worry Ye Chongming.

Ye Chongming was sixty years old; if something happened to him due to anxiety, not only would the Ye family be finished, but all of them would have no good days ahead.

“It’s all that rash boy A-Kun’s fault. Before Feng Yu could speak, he rushed in to report,” Lin Zhensheng glared harshly at Liu Yukun, the assistant who had rushed ahead with the news.

Liu Yukun had realized he had caused serious trouble when Ye Chongming nearly had a stroke, and now hung his head, continuously apologizing.

Ye Chongming had no time to reprimand him and kept questioning Feng Yu: “Where were you injured? Who injured you? Where is Guan Canghai? Did you meet Guan Canghai and his people on the way?”

Guan Canghai was the head of an escort agency with excellent martial skills. Ye Chongming had specifically asked him to go and meet Ye Hongchang’s group.