“If you’re short on money, feel free to tell me. I can lend you some. You can pay me back after the business starts making a profit.”

“She did tell me,” Madam Yin hurriedly replied. “Over these years, our Second Household has saved more than four thousand taels of silver. I could pawn my jewelry for another five hundred taels. As for the remaining amount, Yaming initially suggested borrowing from you, Mother-in-law. But later, after she designed those three tea sets that Young Master Lu bought for ten thousand taels, Yaming said she would contribute six thousand taels to make up the full ten thousand, so I wouldn’t need to pawn my jewelry.”

She smiled. “So we’ve gathered the full ten thousand taels and won’t need to borrow from you, Mother-in-law.”

Ye Chongming and Elder Lady Ye exchanged a glance.

When Ye Yaming had presented those three tea set designs, she had originally said she wouldn’t accept any payment, considering it a gesture of goodwill for the Ye family’s cooperation. But Lu Guanyi disagreed, saying they would make considerable profit from manufacturing these tea sets, and he didn’t want to take advantage of a young girl like Ye Yaming. So he offered ten thousand taels to purchase the designs and immediately gave her the bank notes.

Later, for the five tea set design drawings Ye Yaming created, she asked for five thousand taels, but Lu Guanyi disagreed again. He planned to have Ye Yaming join as a partner with her design concepts, giving her a one-and-a-half percent share from both their side and the Ye family’s side in the tea set business.

After all, what Ye Yaming provided wasn’t just five design drawings, but an overall design concept for tea sets. This concept would allow him to make money continuously, and a lot of it. A three percent share was what Ye Yaming deserved.

After Ye Yaming received the ten thousand tael bank note, Ye Chongming had discussed the matter with Elder Lady Ye. They had been wondering what Ye Yaming planned to do with the money. Would she give it directly to Madam Yin for her to allocate, or help the Second Household put up the ten thousand taels for their investment, or would she keep quiet and treat the ten thousand taels as her private funds?

Now it seemed that Ye Yaming valued family ties, but she also had her limits. She would help her parents and relatives when they needed it, but she wouldn’t sacrifice everything without any self-interest.

Ye Chongming and Elder Lady Ye had summoned Madam Yin not only to admonish her but also to find out from her mouth how Ye Yaming had handled the ten thousand taels.

Now Ye Chongming greatly appreciated Ye Yaming’s approach.

He asked, “Are you aware of the partnership share distribution?”

He explained the details of the Ye family’s cooperation with Lu and Qi. Of course, he didn’t mention the three percent share Ye Yaming would receive from the tea sets.

Finally, he said, “Your household should have contributed fifteen thousand taels, but because Yaming created the Osmanthus tea, which will certainly bring tremendous profit and benefits to the tea business, the family reduced your share contribution by five thousand taels. In other words, these five thousand taels were earned by Yaming for your Second Household.”

“And after designing three tea sets and receiving an unexpected income, she contributed another six thousand taels. This means that of your Second Household’s fifteen thousand tael investment, she alone has provided eleven thousand taels.”

Madam Yin’s pupils widened slightly.

She pressed her lips together and continued listening to her father-in-law’s lecture.

“I understand that you are family, and family shouldn’t distinguish between one another. By rights, money earned by Yaming should be given to you to manage and allocate. But her grandmother and I are still here, and the Ye family hasn’t divided its property. We do allow each household to have its private funds, and we don’t require you to contribute all your money.”

Madam Yin kept her head lowered and said nothing.

“Yaming is intelligent and works tirelessly, racking her brains for the family. She has contributed greatly to the entire Ye family. I don’t want her to earn so much money only to end up with nothing for herself, having to ask others whenever she wants to spend money or buy something.”

“So from now on, let her keep the money she earns. After all, your food and lodging are provided by the family, and you also receive a monthly allowance. Her grandmother and I haven’t mistreated you or denied you necessities. You don’t need to have your fifteen-year-old unmarried daughter support you.”

These words were rather harsh, and Madam Yin’s eyes immediately reddened.

She stood up and, with her head lowered, said, “Father-in-law, I never intended to have Yaming support us. When she earned the ten thousand taels and kept four thousand for herself, I didn’t say a word to her about it. I let her manage it as she wished.”

In truth, she had thought about it. When Ye Yaming gave her the six thousand taels, she explained that she had designed three tea sets originally meant for collaboration with Young Master Lu. But Young Master Lu was generous and gave her ten thousand taels. And her grandfather and uncle were also generous, not putting the ten thousand taels into the family funds, saying it was her private money.

At that time, Madam Yin’s feelings were both joyful and complicated.

This unexpected windfall made her happy, solving her urgent problems. But the fact that Ye Yaming had kept four thousand taels without discussion left her feeling very complex, with emotions of displeasure, unhappiness, grievance, and distress all welling up in her heart.

In which family did children not contribute their income to the household before family division? She had raised Ye Yaming, so shouldn’t Ye Yaming’s earnings be given to her as a show of filial piety? The current situation made her wonder if Ye Yaming had grown distant from her or if she distrusted and was guarding against her.

But Ye Yaming’s recently elevated status in Ye Chongming’s eyes, her increasingly unquestionable authoritative demeanor, and Madam Yin’s guilt and shame over the inappropriateness of Song Yifeng’s marriage proposal prevented her from expressing this dissatisfaction.

Madam Yin had simply accepted the money then, not saying a word about the four thousand taels.

So now when she spoke, she felt entirely justified.

Hearing this, Ye Chongming, who had been quite composed until now, suddenly laughed in anger.

He had originally thought that Madam Yin, who had given birth to Ye Yaming, must also be an exceptionally intelligent person. He had even privately reflected that marrying into a scholarly family was indeed the right choice, as the children born from such unions were truly impressive.

Now he discovered that this idea was completely wrong.

Madam Yin didn’t seem to be that clever after all.

And she was still acting self-righteous! Her attitude itself was problematic.

For confused people, he never wanted to waste words. Because no matter how much you say, they won’t understand.

He decided to handle it simply and directly: “Just do as I say. From now on, all of Yaming’s income will be kept by her. She can spend it however she wishes, and you are not allowed to have designs on her money.”

“Yes,” Madam Yin answered, feeling aggrieved.

“Alright, you may go now,” Ye Chongming waved his hand impatiently.

Madam Yin bowed and retreated.

After leaving the main courtyard, once she was certain the gate matron could no longer see them, the tears Madam Yin had been holding back finally fell.

“Tell me, what did I do wrong? Why did the Elder Master suddenly speak to me like that?” she asked Nanny Bai.

Although the content of their conversation was not appropriate for servants to know, Madam Yin was still a daughter-in-law, and Ye Chongming was her father-in-law. Even with Elder Lady Ye present, he couldn’t ignore propriety. Therefore, during their conversation, Nanny Bai hadn’t been sent away but stood behind Madam Yin, hearing everything.