Due to the tea-making techniques of this era, the original loose tea, compared to modern pan-fried green tea, even when it was the first pick of early spring, still carried a slight bitterness and yellowish staleness, lacking freshness and aroma.

Even though Ye Yaming had added osmanthus to make osmanthus tea, it only enhanced the fragrance while still having many other shortcomings.

But now, after being brewed by Ye Yaming’s hands, the tea’s freshness stood out, while the bitter, stale, yellowish taste had almost disappeared. Combined with the lingering fragrance of osmanthus, everyone’s attention was completely drawn to the aroma that entered their mouths, followed immediately by a refreshing sweet aftertaste, instantly amplifying the flavor experience several times over.

After drinking this cup of tea, Master Zhineng suddenly began to doubt the tea he had been drinking the past few days.

It should be noted that after the Ye family had sent him osmanthus tea, he hadn’t drunk any other tea. He was extremely familiar with the taste of osmanthus tea, and after drinking it frequently, the initial amazement had worn off.

But now, he was once again amazed by the taste of this tea.

“What tea did Miss Ye brew?” he asked. “Did you make another batch later?”

It was osmanthus tea, but the taste was better than before.

“No, no,” Ye Chongming quickly shook his head. “It’s the same batch as before.”

As he spoke, he looked toward Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming didn’t respond to him, however, but instead turned her gaze toward Jingchen.

Jingchen was still recalling how Ye Yaming had brewed the tea. He truly couldn’t understand why the same tea tasted so much better when brewed by Ye Yaming.

In the past, he had always believed that he could bring out the best flavor in any tea. But now, compared to Ye Yaming, he suddenly felt that his self-satisfaction had been laughably arrogant.

He realized he had been like a frog at the bottom of a well, with a very limited view.

Although Master Zhineng didn’t know why Ye Yaming hadn’t spoken, but was looking at Jingchen, seeing that Jingchen still hadn’t regained his composure, he called out twice: “Jingchen, Jingchen.”

Only then did Jingchen look up, his eyes full of confusion: “Ah?”

Master Zhineng was both annoyed and amused.

Ye Yaming finally spoke up: “The tea I just brewed was given to me by young Master Jingchen.”

Seeing Master Zhineng looking at him, Jingchen finally snapped back to full awareness.

He nodded vigorously: “Yes, it’s the tea that Elder Ye sent to you earlier, which I put in a canister. Miss Ye didn’t bring tea, so I handed that canister to her. I watched as Miss Ye took the tea from the canister when she was brewing it.”

Upon hearing this, Master Zhineng was merely surprised, while Lu Guanyi and Qi Ji were filled with intense delight.

After all, Ye Yaming had brewed the tea using the utensils she had created, demonstrating their effectiveness. She had also said she would give them the brewing method as well, indicating that this method was not like Jingchen’s, which required an exceptionally sensitive palate and expertise in tea brewing to produce good flavor. It seemed to be something that ordinary people could learn.

This was an intangible asset, as valuable as the tea-making method itself.

Cooperating with the Ye family was indeed the most correct choice. No wonder that Meng Chengwei had used all sorts of tactics to try to cooperate with the Ye family. Unfortunately, he had used the wrong approach.

Master Zhineng looked at Ye Yaming, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating.

Given his noble status and his typically calm and steady demeanor, in their decades of friendship, this was the first time Ye Chongming had seen Master Zhineng appear so uncertain.

He couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing and said to Ye Yaming: “Ming’er, what are the special techniques in your tea brewing? Please share them with everyone.”

“This…” Master Zhineng, who was normally decisive, now hesitated, “Would that be inappropriate?”

“It’s fine,” Ye Chongming said. “Ming’er has said that loose tea is where you can taste the true flavor of tea. And to make loose tea beloved by the nobility, the tea brewing technique must be even more exquisite. As long as it can improve the taste of loose tea and make more people like it, she doesn’t mind sharing this brewing technique with others.”

“Good, good, good,” Master Zhineng happily praised repeatedly, clasping his hands toward Ye Yaming. “Thank you, Miss Ye, for being willing to share your knowledge so generously.”

Jingchen’s eyes were shining brightly.

Ye Yaming said: “Why don’t I brew another round, so that young Master Jingchen can grasp it once?”

“Yes, yes,” Master Zhineng repeatedly agreed.

The first pot of tea that Ye Yaming had brewed earlier had provided just one cup per person, with no extra. Master Zhineng naturally wanted to taste another cup.

Ye Yaming cleaned the tea utensils, used fresh tea, and brewed another round for everyone, explaining as she went.

Once again, everyone was immersed in the beautiful scene before their eyes.

Ye Yaming finished brewing the tea and poured it into each teacup. Seeing that Jingchen seemed completely absorbed in the tea brewing process, she didn’t call him but personally picked up the tea tray and served the tea to everyone.

Master Zhineng didn’t speak, but merely saluted with one hand before accepting the teacup. The others did the same.

Only Ye Jiaxing didn’t understand why the atmosphere in the room had suddenly become so solemn and dignified. However, he didn’t dare to ask, even lightening his breathing a bit as he carefully accepted the tea from his cousin and sipped it slowly.

As the tea entered his throat, he half-closed his eyes in comfort.

Hmm, it still had the same fragrance and wonderful taste as when he had first tried it at home. But…

He raised his head and glanced at everyone, completely puzzled: Did this tea require such a solemn atmosphere?

He looked at his grandfather and saw that he was like Master Zhineng and the others, so Ye Jiaxing could only concentrate his spirit and focus on the teacup before him.

In any case, his grandfather was handling everything, so he might as well just enjoy the fragrant tea in front of him.

After a long while, Master Zhineng carefully finished the tea in his cup and finally looked up, turning his gaze to Jingchen, who was wholeheartedly focused on savoring the tea.

Jingchen had immersed all his attention in the taste of the tea, single-minded and without distraction.

Master Zhineng didn’t rush him.

The others finished their tea and, seeing that Master Zhineng seemed to be waiting for Jingchen to finish, they also remained silent. For a moment, the room was very quiet.

Finally, Jingchen finished the tea in his cup, and only then did Master Zhineng ask: “Jingchen, what have you realized?”

Jingchen first placed the tea cup on the table, then stood up and clasped his hands in respect to Ye Yaming: “Thank you, Benefactor Ye. This humble monk now understands how to treat tea.”

Then he turned to Master Zhineng and said: “Previously, this disciple only treated tea as tea. But after watching Benefactor Ye brew tea, I have realized that tea has life. It needs us to brew it with our hearts.”

Master Zhineng nodded and looked at Ye Yaming, his eyes showing not just appreciation for an excellent younger generation, but respect for someone of equal standing.

“Third Miss Ye,” he called out, “is Jingchen’s statement correct?”

Ye Yaming smiled.

She liked Master Zhineng’s current attitude.

The first time she had accompanied Ye Chongming to Chongshan Temple, she had been a junior member of the Ye family, a female benefactor with impure motives who had abruptly intruded into a pure land. Although Master Zhineng hadn’t shown any rejection toward her, he had ignored her.