The Great Jin Dynasty that she had transmigrated to was a fictional dynasty, equivalent to the Song and Ming periods in her original timeline. The planting and cultivation of tea trees, along with the harvesting and processing of tea leaves, were not just slightly but vastly inferior compared to modern advanced methods. She had numerous opinions to share about the Ye family’s tea plantation.

But haste makes waste. If someone who rarely visited tea mountains suddenly became knowledgeable about tea tree cultivation, the Ye family would surely think she was possessed by a ghost.

Moreover, matters had different levels of urgency and importance. Tea cultivation was a long-term concern, while Meng Chengwei’s infiltration and influence on the Ye family were imminent. He had appeared before Ye Chongming and Ye Jiaxing today, and the calamity for the Ye family’s first and fourth branches was about to arrive. For now, it was better to handle the family affairs first and overcome this crisis before addressing other matters.

…

In Baifeng County, at the Rugui Inn, Meng Chengwei lazily got out of bed. With the servant’s assistance, he finished washing up and sat down at the table.

From the moment the Ye family steward had specially escorted Meng Chengwei to the inn last night, revealing that he had saved the owner’s nephew, the innkeeper had been extremely hospitable toward him.

Now, having received word from an attendant that Meng Chengwei was awake, the innkeeper personally brought over a sumptuous breakfast.

Meng Chengwei invited him to join for breakfast, but the innkeeper declined. As Meng sat down, he asked, “What interesting places are there around here?”

The innkeeper listed all the local scenic spots, teahouses, and theaters, then humbly added, “Our small place doesn’t have much entertainment. Not like the capital, which has everything. These attractions surely won’t meet Young Master Meng’s standards.”

Last night, when the steward brought him in, he had mentioned to the innkeeper that Meng Chengwei’s group had come from the capital.

The innkeeper’s enthusiasm toward him was partly out of respect for the Ye family, but more from reverence for someone from the imperial capital.

Meng Liang was Meng Chengwei’s clansman, only half a month younger than him. Though from the same clan, their family circumstances were vastly different—Meng Liang’s family could barely make ends meet.

He was a clever person with a smooth tongue, exceedingly good at flattery, which made Meng Chengwei quite fond of him. For this trip to Jiangnan, Meng Chengwei had brought him along, intending to groom him as his right-hand man.

After all, sometimes the status of a clan brother was more convenient than that of a servant when handling certain matters.

When Meng Chengwei encountered Ye Jiaxing yesterday, he had hinted that he was from the capital. As for his specific identity, he hadn’t mentioned it, planning to reveal it gradually during dinner at the Ye residence. Unexpectedly, Old Master Ye had sent him away without even offering a meal, giving him no opportunity to reveal his status. This left Meng Chengwei with a stifled anger, extremely vexed.

Now, Meng Liang seized the opportunity and said, “Don’t bother telling our master about theaters and such. Consort Min is our family’s grand-aunt, and our master has been in and out of the imperial palace since childhood. He’s heard plenty of palace performances. The shows in this small place couldn’t possibly meet our master’s standards.”

“Brother Liang, you shouldn’t speak this way,” Meng Chengwei, intent on establishing his image, frowned and rebuked him. “Big places have their scenery, and small places have their charm. The same applies to theaters—there’s no distinction between noble and lowly!”

Meng Liang immediately stood up to receive the reprimand, respectfully saying, “Master is right.”

Last night, the Ye family steward who escorted Meng Chengwei had also relayed Ye Chongming’s order, instructing the innkeeper to discreetly inquire about Meng Chengwei’s background.

Hearing Meng Liang’s deliberate boasting was like finding a pillow when drowsy—exactly what he needed.

The innkeeper smiled and flattered him: “I’m truly honored. Never thought that in my lifetime I would meet imperial kin—it’s truly the fortune of three lifetimes.”

He further asked, “What esteemed position does Master Meng hold now? Coming to our small place, perhaps you have official business?”

“It’s hardly an esteemed position—merely handling some business entrusted by the imperial family,” Meng Chengwei replied with a face full of modesty.

The innkeeper was startled and quickly cupped his hands: “Ah, my apologies, my apologies.”

In the Great Jin Dynasty, imperial merchants all had imperial backgrounds and were appointed by the emperor to manage state-owned enterprises as official merchants. Some higher-ranking imperial merchant patriarchs even held official ranks of the fifth level or above, with their businesses and positions hereditary.

Although the Great Jin valued agriculture over commerce, the status of imperial merchants was completely different from ordinary merchants. Some major imperial merchants wielded more power than regular officials. The innkeeper’s shock and respect were genuinely not feigned.

Seeing the innkeeper’s reaction, Meng Chengwei instantly felt refreshed, as if drinking ice water on a hot summer day. The vexation in his heart also dissipated considerably.

This was more like it! How could these lowly commoners not show respect upon hearing the words “imperial merchant”? The Ye family’s treatment of him yesterday was simply because they didn’t know his identity.

Since this Rugui Inn belonged to Ye Jiaxing’s uncle, his status as an imperial merchant would surely reach the ears of the Ye family soon. He didn’t need to do anything, just wait here.

By late afternoon at the latest, the Ye family would certainly come with generous gifts, apologizing to him with the most humble and respectful attitude. By then, manipulating the Ye family would be but a thought.

With this in mind, his mood improved even further.

After the innkeeper withdrew and Meng Chengwei had almost finished eating, Meng Liang asked, “Master, where shall we go today?”

Meng Chengwei finished his last spoonful of porridge, took the handkerchief handed over by the servant, and leisurely wiped his mouth and hands. “No rush,” he said. “Let’s stay here for half a day or a full day before deciding.”

Meng Liang didn’t understand but dared not ask further.

His clan brother’s temperament was most unpredictable. When in a good mood, he wouldn’t mind any questions and sometimes would even joke around; when in a bad mood, he would turn so hostile that he would recognize no one, not even family.

Although Meng Chengwei’s expression wasn’t as unpleasant as when he woke up this morning, it was still best not to provoke him.

The innkeeper indeed did not disappoint Meng Chengwei. After withdrawing, he immediately sent someone to deliver a message to the owner, Tao Liyang.

Tao Liyang was Ye Jiaxing’s maternal uncle. Last night, upon hearing that his nephew was injured at the villa on the mountain not far from Baifeng County, he had planned to visit his nephew today. Even if his nephew had been sent back to Linan City, Ye Chongming would be there, and as a junior, he should pay his respects to the elder.

He had delayed setting out because he was waiting for news from the innkeeper.

Now, learning that Meng Chengwei came from an imperial merchant background, he was also surprised. He immediately rode up the mountain to find Ye Chongming.

“Imperial merchant?” Upon hearing Meng Chengwei’s identity, Ye Chongming frowned, then waved his hand saying, “No matter, we weren’t discourteous last night.”

He glanced at Tao Liyang: “This person has devious intentions and should not be deeply involved with. Worthy nephew, just have people attend to him well and avoid offending him. Don’t get entangled beyond that.”

He was concerned that Tao Liyang, being young, might want to establish connections upon learning that Meng Chengwei was from an imperial merchant family.

Building networks was certainly not wrong, but one had to be selective. Associating with people of poor character would not only bring no benefit but could bring disaster to the family.

Tao Liyang was somewhat surprised: “I heard that this Young Master Meng saved Jiaxing yesterday?”

If he could save someone, his character couldn’t be that bad, could it?