For the eldest daughter-in-law as the mistress of the first branch, personal conduct and ability were most important, and her family background couldn’t be too humble, or she wouldn’t command respect from the other sisters-in-law. Therefore, Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye had carefully selected the eldest daughter of the Tao family, who also owned farmland and tea plantations and whose background they knew well, as the eldest daughter-in-law.

Madam Yin’s father, Yin De’an, had become a xiucai (entry-level scholar) in his twenties and had promising prospects of passing the highest imperial examination to become an official. Once he succeeded, the Ye family would essentially have a powerful backer in official circles. So even though the Yin family owned only thirty mu of land with no other income, and Yin De’an was still studying for the imperial examinations, living frugally, Ye Chongming had managed to arrange his second son’s marriage to Madam Yin.

The third daughter-in-law, Madam Cai, came from a family that owned a silk shop with a modest business.

These three sons’ marriages had all been arranged by Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye.

But when it came to the fourth son, Ye Hongrong, before Old Madam Ye could call matchmakers for him, he had already set his heart on Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang’s family background wasn’t problematic—her natal family was salt merchants with a substantial business. In terms of wealth, the Ye family couldn’t even compare to the Zhang family.

The problem lay in Madam Zhang being born of a concubine. Her birth mother had originally been a “Yangzhou skinny horse” (a high-class courtesan). Her father was a womanizer who had taken seven or eight concubines and had more than a dozen children. Such a family was certainly chaotic, with improper family values.

But Ye Hongrong insisted on marrying her. Ye Chongming and Old Madam Ye repeatedly sent people to inquire and found that although Madam Zhang had some minor flaws, there was nothing seriously wrong with her.

The couple reasoned that Ye Hongrong was the youngest son and didn’t need to shoulder the family business. Having a wealthy father-in-law and a bride with a substantial dowry would be good for him. So they nodded in agreement.

After Madam Zhang entered the family, Old Madam Ye discovered that she indeed tended to be calculating, always wanted to be first, and liked to use petty tricks. This was a habit formed from growing up in an environment where one had to fight for everything good. Such habits and disposition, formed since childhood, were difficult for Old Madam Ye to correct, even if she had the inclination.

Furthermore, her youngest son wasn’t easy to deal with either, and she couldn’t bring herself to be strict with someone else’s child. Though Madam Zhang had many small flaws, there was nothing wrong with her major principles. So Old Madam Ye turned a blind eye, not wanting to waste energy on trivial matters.

Madam Zhang, relying on the fact that her natal family was stronger than all her sisters-in-law’s, and that the second and third sisters-in-law had no sons, while the eldest sister-in-law, though she had given birth to the Ye family’s eldest grandson, had only one son, whereas she had borne two sons in three years, looked down on her three sisters-in-law from the bottom of her heart.

On the other hand, she was the only one born of a concubine and feared that her sisters-in-law would look down on her. Outwardly tough but inwardly insecure, she deliberately adopted an attitude tougher than anyone else’s.

She didn’t dare to be unrestrained in front of Madam Tao, but in front of Madam Yin and Madam Cai, she was overbearing.

Unfortunately, Madam Cai spent all day eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures in her courtyard, rarely coming out; and Madam Yin was strong-willed and overthinking. The contempt revealed in Madam Zhang’s words and actions seemed to be specifically directed at Madam Yin alone. This often infuriated Madam Yin considerably.

Ye Yaming pulled Madam Yin out.

This was not the place for arguing.

After leaving the main courtyard, she stopped and called out to Madam Zhang: “Fourth Aunt, what exactly happened?”

“Hehe, Old Madam forbade us to speak of it. Ming’er, don’t put your Fourth Aunt in a difficult position,” Madam Zhang feigned reluctance.

“Very well,” Ye Yaming said with a faint smile. “I was just thinking that since something has happened in the family, perhaps Elder Brother Yifeng might be able to help. But now it seems there’s nothing serious, so I can rest easy.”

With that, she pulled Madam Yin and Ye Yayin along. “Let’s go back.”

“Hey, wait!” Madam Zhang called from behind.

Madam Yin wanted to stop, but Ye Yaming kept pulling her forward, saying, “Mother, I haven’t seen Father for days. Let’s have the servants call Father back so our family of four can have a reunion dinner.”

Without looking back, Madam Yin could imagine Madam Zhang’s deflated expression. Her mood immediately improved, and she said cheerfully, “Good, let’s do as you say, and call your father back.”

Second Master Ye Hongsheng wasn’t eloquent, but he had an exceptionally sensitive palate and was a tea enthusiast. All the tea produced by the Ye family factory was inspected by him. Since the tea factory was some distance from home, he disliked commuting daily and often stayed at the factory.

Although he didn’t involve himself in business matters, he was still the second master of the Ye family. Moreover, the Ye family tea’s current reputation was entirely due to Ye Hongsheng. As long as he was willing to inquire, no family matters, big or small, would be kept from him.

Regarding the trouble caused by Fourth Master today, since Old Madam and the first branch weren’t telling the second branch, Madam Yin wanted her husband to return home, so they wouldn’t be kept in the dark about everything.

“Second Sister-in-law, please wait,” Madam Tao, who had just come out, heard the verbal sparring between Madam Zhang and Ye Yaming, and quickly called out to Madam Yin.

As the eldest sister-in-law who had given birth to Ye Jiaxing, Madam Tao was highly valued by Old Madam. Madam Yin couldn’t disregard her, so she had to stop.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, will you tell them, or shall I?” Madam Tao said sternly to Madam Zhang.

Because the second branch had no sons, and the second master wasn’t capable, while the fourth master was Old Madam’s favorite, Madam Zhang dared to show attitude to Madam Yin. But she didn’t dare disrespect Madam Tao.

She said, “Elder Sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m unwilling to tell, but you also heard Old Madam’s instructions that this matter shouldn’t be known to too many people. If word gets out, our Ye family’s reputation will be ruined.”

“The issue isn’t about speaking or not speaking, but about doing or not doing, right? After it’s been done, you’re afraid of people talking. And in the entire family, you’re only guarding against our second branch. Fourth Aunt, I strongly suspect that you and Fourth Uncle have done something wrong to our second branch, otherwise why keep only our branch in the dark?” Ye Yaming spoke up.

Her father didn’t manage family affairs and stayed in the tea factory all day; Madam Yin had no sons, and her father was just a poor xiucai scholar, so she was often overlooked by Old Madam and Madam Tao, and looked down upon by Madam Zhang, suffering many grievances in secret.

As the eldest daughter of the second branch, the original owner had to protect her mother and younger sister. Despite her delicate appearance, she had inherited Madam Yin’s temperament—firm and strong-willed.

Therefore, Ye Yaming didn’t need to suppress her temper or act timidly.

Madam Zhang was startled and was about to flare up: “Don’t talk nonsense, that’s not what I meant…”

“Enough!” Madam Tao’s cold shout stopped Madam Zhang’s words.

Madam Zhang knew she was in the wrong but couldn’t admit defeat, muttering under her breath, “A niece, a junior, speaking to her elders like this—truly lacking in proper upbringing.”

But she spoke so softly that even Madam Tao, standing beside her, only heard vague murmurs.

Madam Tao estimated that Madam Yin and Ye Yaming hadn’t heard it. Not wanting to create more conflict, she ordered the maids and older female servants, “All of you, withdraw.”

Madam Mei and Madam Tao ran a strict household; with just one command, all the maids and older female servants retreated to a distance.

Only then did Madam Tao say to Madam Zhang, “Speak.”