Chapter 99 -

Chapter 99: Chapter

With Manager Zhao locked away under heavy guard, the tension at the farm estate finally settled.

Yimei smoothed down her cloak, looking over at Zhengyu sitting quietly in his wheelchair. "Everything here is finished for now. I am heading straight to the East Market to start the pavilion renovations. I will see you tonight at dinner, husband, and we can present all of this to Grandmother together."

Zhengyu simply rolled his eyes at her casual tone, his face returning to its usual cool, unbothered expression. "Do as you wish. Just make sure you are back before dark."

He motioned to his guard with a short hand gesture. "Liu Feng, take me to the carriage."

Liu Feng bowed quickly, stepping forward to wheel Zhengyu out toward the main gates.

Yimei watched them leave before turning to her maid. "Come, Qinqin. We have a pavilion to build."

They climbed into the second carriage and set off toward the busy capital. After an hour of traveling, the quiet snow-covered country roads gave way to the loud, bustling streets of the East Market. Peddlers shouted their wares, carriages moved through the crowd, and the smell of roasted nuts filled the cold air.

The carriage pulled up right outside Wenlong Tea House, which was as crowded and lively as ever. A long line of wealthy customers stretched out the door, all eager to buy Yimei’s famous ginger tea.

The moment Yimei stepped inside, the shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. He bowed low with a huge smile. "Welcome, Young Madame! Business is booming today thanks to your wonderful recipe!"

Yimei smiled politely, nodding her head as her eyes scanned the busy room. Over in the corner near the tea counters, she spotted Lin Fang waiting patiently, looking over a small stack of paper receipts.

Yimei turned to Qinqin. "Qinqin, go over to Lin Fang and tell her about the new pavilion in the East Market. Tell her we are starting the repairs today and will need her help organizing the inner layout."

"Yes, Young Madame!" Qinqin bowed, hurrying over to speak with Lin Fang.

Leaving the two girls to talk, Yimei turned and walked up the wooden stairs toward the private second-floor room to meet Young Master Xiao.

Yimei pushed open the door to the private room on the second floor.

Inside, Young Master Xiao Jun sat behind his low wooden desk, deep in concentration as his ink brush moved quickly across a long scroll. Hearing the door, he looked up, his face instantly lighting up with a wide, bright grin. He tossed his brush onto the ink stone and leaned back, welcoming her with an easy, relaxed posture.

"Young Madame Bai," Xiao Jun teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. "To what do I owe the rare honor of your morning visit?"

Yimei walked inside, her posture straight and her tone completely practical. "I am not here for chit-chat, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Jun chuckled, waving a lazy hand. "Always so serious! You could at least pretend you came to have tea with me."

"I came to thank you," Yimei said, setting her hands neatly before her. "Thank you for the opportunity to place my ginger tea at your sister’s engagement feast. Ever since that day, I have been receiving countless letters from different wealthy families looking to buy it."

Xiao Jun nodded proudly, resting his chin in his hand. "Your tea was the highlight of the banquet! I should be thanking you too, our sales here at Wenlong Tea House have tripled. Leaving your recipe with my tea masters was a brilliant move."

Yimei scoffed softly, a amused glint in her dark eyes. "Don’t get too arrogant. The recipe I gave your tea masters is just a simple version, not my main, full blend. Consider it my payment to you for helping me get my tea into high society."

Xiao Jun laughed out loud, thoroughly enjoying her sharp wit. "Fair enough, fair enough! So, what is your next big move, Young Madame?"

"My husband gave me a new pavilion in the East Market," Yimei began smoothly. "I plan to renovate it into—"

"Ah, the abandoned three-story pavilion on the main east avenue," Xiao Jun interrupted casually, tapping his chin with a smile. "The one right next to the silk merchants?"

Yimei’s voice snapped shut. Her smile vanished, replaced by an icy, sharp glare.

"How do you know about that?" Yimei asked, her tone dropping into a cold, dangerous whisper.

Zhengyu had handed over the pavilion key in private just yesterday. The fact that Xiao Jun already knew the exact location meant one thing, he was keeping close tabs on her every move.

She did not like being spied on. Not one bit.

Xiao Jun noticed the sudden freeze in her expression and raised his hands in defense, but the easy grin stayed on his lips. "Now, don’t look at me like you want to poison me..."

Xiao Jun raised his hands in self-defense, though a small, teasing smile remained on his face. "Now, don’t look at me like you want to poison my tea..."

"I don’t need to poison your tea to make you suffer, Young Master Xiao," Yimei said, her voice dropping into a cold, flat tone. She took a step closer to his desk, her dark eyes fixed on him. "Why are you tracking my movements?"

Xiao Jun’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. He lowered his hands and sighed quietly.

"I am not spying on you to cause trouble, Young Madame," Xiao Jun explained in a low, honest tone. "The East Market is a shark tank. Every shop, every building, and every deed is watched by big families."

Yimei narrowed her eyes slightly, processing his words.

"I keep my ears open because business in the capital moves fast," Xiao Jun continued, leaning forward on his desk. "I knew about the pavilion because my men handle property notes in the East Market. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t be sitting here giving you my top tea masters and selling your ginger tea."

Yimei stared at him for a long, quiet moment, measuring his words. She knew he was a businessman through and through, but his explanation made practical sense. In the capital, information was power.

"If you ever place eyes on my private affairs again, Xiao Jun," Yimei said, her voice sweet yet full of clear warning, "our partnership ends on the spot. Understood?"

Xiao Jun gave a respectful nod, his playful grin returning. "Understood, Young Madame. My lips are sealed. Now... what are your plans for this new pavilion?"

Yimei smoothed down her sleeves, her face returning to its calm, professional look. "It will be a high-class, multi-purpose pavilion. We will offer top-quality tea, fine food, and clean entertainment. It will be a place for private auctions, business meetings, scholar gatherings, and small banquets, all with private rooms and excellent service."

Xiao Jun’s eyes lit up with genuine interest, and he gave an approving nod. "A high-end pavilion built for class and privacy? That is brilliant. Most tea houses are noisy or only made for men to talk politics. A clean, high-class place with great privacy, good food, and top service will bring in every rich scholar and noble family in the capital."

"Which is why the renovation must start today," Yimei said, walking toward the door. "I am heading over there now with my team to inspect the building."

"Do you need wood carvers or reliable workers?" Xiao Jun offered quickly. "I can send my best craftsmen over to help you speed up the work."

Yimei paused at the door, looking back over her shoulder with a sharp, subtle smirk. "Send them over. But make sure they answer to me, not to you."

Xiao Jun laughed softly, bowing his head. "As you command, Young Madame."

Yimei paused at the door, her hand resting on the wooden frame. She turned back to look at Xiao Jun, her dark eyes sharp and focused.

"Before I go," Yimei said, her voice turning completely businesslike, "what about the task I gave you earlier? Have you found reliable merchants who can supply high-quality seeds and farming tools?"

Xiao Jun’s playful look faded into a serious, proud nod. He picked up a small scroll from his desk and slid it across the wood toward her.

"I don’t make promises I can’t keep, Young Madame," Xiao Jun said, resting his hand on the paper. "These are the top three seed vendors in the capital. I also spoke with a reliable smith who can supply iron plows at fair prices."

Yimei walked back over, picked up the scroll, and scanned the names quickly. Her dark eyes sparkled with satisfaction. With these clean suppliers, she and Zhengyu could bypass Second Uncle’s corrupt contacts completely and fix the First Branch’s fields for good.

"Good," Yimei said, tucking the scroll neatly into her sleeve. "Make sure they are ready to deliver to the southern farm by next week."

"They are already on standby," Xiao Jun replied with a confident smirk. "Now, go handle your pavilion. I will send those wood carvers over within the hour."

Yimei gave a short nod of approval and stepped out of the room, heading down the wooden stairs. At the main counter, Qinqin and Lin Fang were waiting for her, their faces bright with excitement after discussing the layout.

"Young Madame!" Lin Fang said, bowing politely. "Qinqin told me about the new three-story pavilion in the East Market. It is a massive space!"

"It is," Yimei said with a confident nod. "And starting today, we turn that dusty building into our gold mine. Let’s go."