Seeing the uncle and niece, Manager Zheng hurriedly made introductions: “This is the owner of our Pinya Pavilion, Master Wu.”

Both parties exchanged greetings and took their seats as host and guests.

“I was in the countryside and rushed back as soon as I received Manager Zheng’s report,” Master Wu explained with a smile.

“Ha ha, no matter, no matter.”

As a wealthy heir for generations, Ye Hongrong had no problems with social etiquette. Moreover, when it came to conversation, he was much more glib than Ye Hongsheng. He usually hung around with a group of wealthy friends, and while he wasn’t particularly accomplished in other areas, he understood a fair bit about various random topics.

When it came to casual conversation, he could chat with someone non-stop for half a day or a full day.

Master Wu exchanged pleasantries with him, partly hoping to get him to promote his tea voluntarily, and to gauge Ye Hongrong’s background.

Ye Hongrong didn’t disappoint him, displaying clear knowledge of all matters great and small in Lin’an city. Although Master Wu had only visited Lin’an once and wasn’t familiar with the place, he could tell from Ye Hongrong’s composure that he wasn’t making things up.

Ye Yaming was fine with this approach. In her previous life, she had dealt with all kinds of people in business negotiations. She knew Master Wu was afraid they might be swindlers and was trying to probe their background through this method.

But Ye Hongrong grew impatient, especially after learning that Ye Yaming wasn’t particularly set on securing business with Pinya Pavilion.

“Master Wu came for the osmanthus tea, didn’t he?” he asked.

Master Wu perked up: “Yes. Could I try some first?”

Ye Hongrong raised his hand slightly, and Zan’er understood, beginning to brew tea for everyone.

This time he used the tea set that Ye Yaming had created.

Master Wu and Manager Zheng saw this and also became interested in the tea set. With Ye Yaming’s nod, Zan’er explained the usage of the tea utensils to them.

These tea sets were designed by my niece and are very popular in the Capital. We have dedicated kilns producing high, medium, and low-end tea sets. If you’re interested in selling them, you can also place orders with us,” Ye Hongrong said.

Master Wu asked about the prices but then fell silent, focusing on tasting the osmanthus tea that Zan’er handed to him.

The taste naturally left him amazed.

“Has Wangjiang Tower bought your tea?” he asked.

Ye Hongrong nodded: “They’ve pre-ordered it.”

Without waiting for Master Wu to inquire further, he continued: “When our tea first came out last year, it sold out in less than a month. We don’t have stock available; customers can only pre-order for next year. The Capital has already placed many orders. This year we plan to make more, and since we happened to be passing through your region on business, we thought to promote it to you. However, the supply will depend on our production capacity. It’s not a matter of buying just because you want to.”

He glanced at Manager Zheng: “So the price is the price. I assume Manager Zheng has already told you? We don’t accept haggling.”

Hearing this, Master Wu’s smiling face slowly darkened, and his brows furrowed.

“Before you two engage in this business, perhaps you should inquire about the situation in Xin’an city,” he slowly began. “I hear you’re looking to buy tea mountains in Huizhou? Indeed, tea mountains in Lin’an are expensive, and ours are much cheaper. But even a powerful dragon doesn’t oppress the local snake. Whether you can buy tea mountains or not, and whether you can get tea leaves from the Tea Bureau after buying them, all depends on whether the people of Xin’an agree.”

Ye Hongrong’s pupils contracted, and he turned to look at Ye Yaming.

They hadn’t mentioned a word about buying tea mountains at Pinya Pavilion. Later, at Wangjiang Tower, because the owner and manager seemed more honest, they had mentioned their interest in tea mountains while gathering information.

But less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea after leaving Wangjiang Tower, Master Wu had arrived knowing about their plans to buy tea mountains.

It seemed this man had an informant in Wangjiang Tower.

Moreover, judging from his words, was he a local power? Did he have connections in the government?

“So, if I want to buy tea mountains in Huizhou, I need Master Wu’s approval?” Ye Yaming asked with a half-smile.

When Ye Yaming suddenly interjected, Master Wu wasn’t surprised, though his expression became more arrogant: “Whether you can buy them or not, Miss Ye, why don’t you try and see?”

Seeing Ye Yaming fall silent, and the Fourth Master Ye acting like an outsider after his niece spoke, calmly drinking tea as if having a niece meant he didn’t need to worry anymore—

Master Wu straightforwardly put forward his conditions: “After you’ve tried and still want to buy tea mountains, I can help you acquire them at an extremely low price, and the Tea Bureau won’t give you any trouble in the future.”

“And the condition?” Ye Yaming asked.

Master Wu’s fingers tapped beside his teacup: “The recipe for making this osmanthus tea.”

Seeing that Ye Yaming’s expression didn’t change at all upon hearing this, and that Ye Hongrong acted as if he didn’t understand, Master Wu’s brows furrowed slightly.

He had made an exorbitant demand, naturally leaving room for the other party to make a counter-offer.

He was determined to get the tea recipe, but besides the conditions he offered, he could also provide some silver.

But the other party didn’t say a word, not even showing the expected anger, which left him confused.

While he was puzzled, he heard Manager Zheng cough once.

He turned his head and saw the manager lifting his chin slightly forward, seemingly directing him to look at Ye Yaming. He turned back and saw Ye Yaming pick up her teacup, holding it in her hand without drinking.

Was this… a gesture to see him out?

They were dismissing him directly?

A surge of anger rose in Master Wu’s heart.

However, having been in business for many years, he had learned not to get angry easily.

If you get angry, it means you’re the first to lose composure, putting you at a disadvantage. Maintaining a calm demeanor is the best way to defeat an opponent.

He said: “I’ve said all I have to say. It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he stood up to leave.

Ye Hongrong politely escorted him to the courtyard gate, still smiling and waving: “Safe journey. I won’t see you any further.”

Master Wu had arrived in a sedan chair. After boarding it and traveling some distance, he instructed Manager Zheng: “Have someone inquire about their background.”

Meanwhile, as soon as they left, Ye Yaming instructed Fang Xing: “Go to Wangjiang Tower and ask Master Li why Master Wu is so arrogant.”

For her business trip, she naturally brought capable people, so she had brought Fang Xing and another competent servant with her.

As Fang Xing went out, he happened to see one of Master Wu’s servants talking to an inn attendant.

He narrowed his eyes and quietly moved behind a pillar, wanting to hear what the two were discussing.

The attendant said: “…there are also two young masters, but they’ve gone out.”

“Do you know their identities? Where did they go?”

The attendant shook his head: “I don’t know.”

Fang Xing retreated and reported the situation to Ye Yaming.

Ye Yaming said: “I understand.”

Ye Hongrong returned after seeing Master Wu off, and hearing Fang Xing’s words, asked Ye Yaming: “Yaming, do you think he has some relationship with government officials?”