Ye Jiaxing’s injury, Ye Hongrong being deceived, and Ye Hongchang—the First Master who had gone to the capital to collect payments half a month ago—being robbed on his way home, Ye Yaming suspected all these were Meng Chengwei’s doing.

He probably wanted to plunge the Ye family into trouble, then step in to resolve it, win the Ye family’s favor, become life-and-death friends with Ye Jiaxing, and ultimately control the Jiangnan tea market by influencing and controlling the Ye family.

Now that the first two incidents had occurred, and because Ye Hongchang was already on his way home, even if Ye Yaming sent someone to warn him, it would be too late. Moreover, she wouldn’t be able to explain how she knew in advance, so she decided not to waste effort on futile attempts.

What she needed to do now was to help resolve the Ye family’s troubles, prevent Meng Chengwei from getting close, and gain a voice in the Ye family.

…

When Ye Yaming and her party came down from the mountain, they traveled by carriage for smoothness, which took most of the day, but those on horseback could travel much faster.

By the time Ye Jiaxing returned from the main courtyard to the first branch’s quarters, he immediately sent someone up the mountain. The next day, just as Ye Yaming finished breakfast, Ye Chongming had returned.

“Has someone been sent to your Second Uncle’s place?” he asked Ye Jiaxing.

“Not yet,” Ye Jiaxing replied, somewhat embarrassed.

It wasn’t that he wanted to keep Ye Hongsheng in the dark. He just felt that given Ye Hongsheng’s temperament, his return wouldn’t be much help.

Moreover, Old Madam didn’t want to make a big fuss, fearing that if other branches learned about the trouble Ye Hongrong had caused, they would hold it against her beloved son. She wasn’t keen on letting Ye Hongsheng know. Ye Jiaxing, not wanting to displease his grandmother, hadn’t sent anyone to inform Ye Hongsheng.

Ye Chongming’s face darkened further.

This eldest grandson was meant to be the pillar of the family. Fearing he might be spoiled by his wife and grandmother, Ye Chongming had kept him at his side, carefully instructing him.

In matters like this, Ye Jiaxing should have recognized it as a life-or-death issue for the Ye family. Family prosperity required everyone to work together. Yet Ye Jiaxing, constrained by Old Madam’s personal feelings and the fourth branch’s face, didn’t send someone to inform the nearby Ye Hongsheng. If Ye Hongsheng and Madam Yin overthought this, the second branch would become alienated.

To allow family members to grow distant during a crisis of survival, could such a Ye Jiaxing truly be entrusted with the Ye family?

But now was not the time to instruct his grandson. Ye Chongming turned and ordered an attendant: “Go to the tea factory and tell the Second Master to come to the teahouse.”

The problematic tea had been sold from the teahouse, so he needed to go there to handle it. Everyone could meet directly there, without making Ye Hongsheng run back and forth.

Ye Jiaxing knew he had mishandled the situation and disappointed his grandfather. Eager to make amends, he disregarded his leg injury and, with a servant’s support, stood to follow.

Madam Guan, though vaguely aware that the Ye family business faced a major crisis, believed that nothing was more important than her husband’s health. Therefore, concerned, she had followed and been waiting outside. Now, learning that Ye Jiaxing intended to accompany them to the teahouse, she anxiously explained to Ye Chongming: “Grandfather, after returning from the mountain yesterday, my husband’s wound became somewhat red. The doctor repeatedly instructed him to rest at home and avoid movement. Please consider…”

“He’er…” Ye Jiaxing said in a displeased, low voice.

But Madam Guan stubbornly looked at Ye Chongming.

Back then, the Ye family’s Third Master had died because he neglected a minor illness, insisting on helping transport tea leaves, which worsened his condition. Third, Madam Cai now lived like a walking corpse.

With such a vivid example before her, she would rather her husband lacked achievements than become a widow at such a young age.

Ye Chongming paused, turned to Ye Jiaxing, and said, “You stay home and rest. Your Second Uncle and I will handle this.”

With that, he stepped out of the courtyard and walked away.

Near the main gate, he saw Madam Yin and Ye Yaming waiting there.

“Grandfather,” Ye Yaming bowed alongside her mother to Ye Chongming.

Ye Chongming frowned slightly, nodded to the mother and daughter: “There’s been a situation in the family. I’ve already sent someone to call Hongsheng. After we handle the matter, he’ll return home tonight.” With that, he prepared to continue walking.

Ye Yaming followed behind him: “I’ve already heard about Fourth Uncle’s situation from Fourth Aunt. Grandfather, are you going to appease the tea customers, apologize to them, and take back the tea?”

“This matter is urgent. It would be troublesome if people made a scene at the teahouse. Grandfather, you and my father will surely need to work separately. My father doesn’t like dealing with people, so I thought I might as well go with him, help him speak, and provide support, which might be better.”

Ye Chongming stopped and turned around, carefully examining his third granddaughter.

In his impression, this granddaughter had a fragile demeanor and spoke gently and slowly. But somehow, her usual fragility had transformed into resilience. Her eyes carried a determination, and even her tone conveyed an unquestionable firmness.

Reflecting on what she had just said, Ye Chongming couldn’t help but see her in a new light.

However, always thinking deeply, he assumed this was Madam Yin’s idea.

The Ye family’s daughters-in-law had all been carefully selected.

In the future, when the family was divided, even if the second, third, and fourth branches received less property, they would still be more prosperous than ordinary people and would need to manage some businesses. The daughters-in-law, if not exceptionally shrewd and capable, at least shouldn’t be a burden, let alone bring trouble to the family.

Therefore, at that time, he had told his wife that they needed women with clean family backgrounds, intelligence, opinions, and strong characters. They couldn’t afford women who were easily influenced, indecisive, or excessively weak.

The second branch’s wife was good in these aspects, but not having given birth to a son made her prone to overthinking. Often, an unintentional remark from others would cause her to imagine things.

This time, with the fourth branch causing such a major incident, and his wife and the first branch not informing the second branch, it was understandable that Madam Yin had some thoughts and wanted to push her daughter forward. Ye Chongming wouldn’t stop Ye Yaming from coming along.

But he wanted to be clear upfront: “Are you sure you want to go? This isn’t child’s play. You’ll have to read people’s expressions, hear unpleasant words. If a young girl like you starts crying at the first criticism, not only will you fail to satisfy the customers, but you might offend them. Can you bear those consequences?”

“That won’t happen, Grandfather. It’s our fault to begin with, so being criticized is deserved. I won’t cry, please rest assured,” Ye Yaming said.

Ye Chongming nodded, “Very well then, you can come along.”

As he said this, he continued walking toward the main gate. Ye Yaming quickly followed with Bai Rui.

Outside the gate, Ye Chongming’s gaze paused briefly.

Outside was not only his horse but also a carriage. One glance at the small blue floral curtains revealed that it was commonly used by female family members.

Ye Chongming couldn’t help but smile, saying to Ye Yaming, “You made preparations early. Were you so certain I would agree to you coming along?”

Ye Yaming shook her head: “Not certain. I was just preparing. Just in case. This way, we won’t waste your time.”

She continued, “Horses are faster. Grandfather, you go to the teahouse first, and I’ll arrive shortly.”