Pei Yan wore a bamboo-green fine cloth robe with not even a hairpin inserted, let alone any other ornaments. He was completely clean and simple throughout, still wearing that gloomy expression, looking at everything with indifference. Zhou Zijin, on the other hand, wore a purple-red brocade robe with sapphire-blue folded branch and clustered flower patterns. Hanging from his waist were jade pendants, a golden three-piece set, pouches, and other items. A jade hairpin adorned his head, and in his hand was a red lacquered gold-traced folding fan. He was saying something to Pei Yan, who nodded from time to time with a rather perfunctory attitude.

A boat was moored in front of them.

It was a two-masted sailing vessel, about ten zhang long, with bright tung oil lacquer that could reflect a person’s shadow, carved lattice windows, white gauze curtains, and hanging tung oil lanterns.

It wasn’t the boat Zhou Zijin had arrived on that day.

Compared to the boat Zhou Zijin had taken that day, this one was more compact and refined.

Pei Man stood by the boat directing servants to carry trunks and boxes. From the looks of it, someone was about to depart.

Yu Tang craned her neck for a glance.

Yu Wen’s spirits lifted, and he said with a smile to Yu Tang and Yu Yuan: “I didn’t expect to run into Third Master Pei here. You wait here—I’ll go say hello.”

Yu Tang, remembering Pei Yan’s arrogant rudeness, didn’t want her father’s warm face to meet his cold backside. She tugged at Yu Wen’s sleeve and said quietly: “He hasn’t even seen us, and besides, he has friends with him. Must we go forward to greet him?”

Most importantly, her father wasn’t planning to take the imperial examination again or become an official—was it necessary to associate so closely with the Pei family?

Yu Wen, however, said: “Third Master Pei is actually quite decent. When Old Master Pei passed away, wasn’t I helping out there? Third Master Pei came to greet us every day and even assigned two servants specifically to attend to us. His etiquette was thorough, and he treated people sincerely. Now that we’ve encountered each other, how can we pretend not to have seen him?”

But you value others—they may not value you!

Yu Tang held onto Yu Wen’s sleeve and wouldn’t let go, saying: “Father, our boat is almost here.”

They were taking a passenger boat to Hangzhou.

Yu Wen said: “There’s still time. Even when the boat arrives, it has to dock at the wharf for a quarter hour. We won’t be late.” With that, he shook off his sleeve and was about to go over.

Yu Tang stamped her foot secretly in anger.

But Yu Wen stopped as if remembering something and turned around.

Yu Tang was delighted, thinking Yu Wen had changed his mind.

Who knew Yu Wen would beckon to Yu Yuan, saying: “You come with me to greet Third Master Pei. Pei Man is there too—get familiar with him. If you need anything in the future, it’ll be more convenient to approach him.”

Her father was taking the initiative to greet Pei Yan, and her eldest cousin still had to get familiar with Pei Man’s face. Yu Tang was beside herself with anger.

But Yu Yuan had already happily run off after her father. Even her anger was useless.

Yu Tang covered her eyes, not wanting to see her father receive cold treatment from Pei Yan. But to her surprise, Pei Yan was quite courteous to her father. During their conversation, he even lifted his eyelids to glance at her. Because of this glance, Zhou Zijin also noticed her and looked her way, then said something unknown to her father. Her father kept waving his hands, and Zhou Zijin laughed heartily a few times before looking at Pei Yan.

Pei Yan wore a cold expression and said nothing.

Zhou Zijin also stopped talking.

Pei Yan then called out to Pei Man once.

Pei Man dropped what he was doing and immediately strode over.

Pei Yan pointed at Yu Yuan.

Pei Man then bowed to Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan hurriedly returned the courtesy, appearing somewhat nervous.

Pei Yan said a few more words. Yu Yuan bowed to Pei Man again, Pei Man returned the courtesy, then turned to resume his tasks.

Yu Wen spoke a few more words with Pei Yan. Pei Yan nodded. Yu Wen also greeted Zhou Zijin, and everyone dispersed.

Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as her father came over, she asked impatiently: “Father, what did Third Master Pei say to you?”

Yu Wen’s face glowed with satisfaction, looking very pleased as he said: “Third Master Pei is truly decent, and his friend is good too. Hearing we were going to Hangzhou and it was on their way, they invited us to take the boat with them. I could see Third Master Pei looked like he had urgent business, so I politely declined. As expected, Third Master Pei didn’t insist I stay. However, it’s not without reason that someone so young can observe government operations in the Six Ministries. After just a few words with me, he called Pei Man over to introduce him to your brother. With that kind of perceptiveness alone, his official career will surely be smooth and prosperous in the future.”

Yu Tang sneered inwardly.

What smooth official career and prosperity—he never went on to become an official later.

Moreover, his being able to observe government operations in the Six Ministries at such a young age was because he had passed the Hanlin Academy examination, wasn’t it? It should have nothing to do with whether he had good perception, right?

As for her father’s praise of Pei Yan, she didn’t believe it at all. She felt her father was viewing him with goodwill, which was why he praised him so.

Otherwise, when Zhou Zijin suggested they take the boat to Hangzhou together, why didn’t he reciprocate with a few courteous words?

He simply didn’t want to travel with them.

Moreover, he wasn’t even willing to maintain basic face-saving courtesy and didn’t say a single polite word.

Yu Tang immediately recalled the look Pei Yan had given her the last time they met.

How infuriating!

She puffed out her cheeks.

Yet Yu Yuan also sang Pei Yan’s praises: “Friendly and courteous in dealing with people, not at all arrogant. I thought someone who achieved success at such a young age would be rather aloof and unwilling to associate with people like us. Third Master Pei truly lives up to being a scholar—with poetry and books in his belly, his bearing is naturally refined. He has cultivation and magnanimity.”

Yu Tang couldn’t bear to listen anymore and said: “Brother, what do you mean by ‘people like us’? What’s wrong with our family? Don’t belittle yourself!”

Yu Yuan looked embarrassed.

Yu Wen laughed heartily and patted his nephew’s shoulder, saying: “I always thought you should study properly with me, but your eldest uncle insisted you follow him into business. See? Scholars are more respected than others. You no longer have the opportunity to study, but your children in the future must not follow your old path. Even if we have to sell all the family shops, we must support the children’s education.”

Yu Yuan deeply agreed and kept nodding.

Yu Tang, however, didn’t think so. She defended Yu Yuan: “If Brother hadn’t followed Eldest Uncle into business, forget about Eldest Uncle’s side—even on our side, we’d probably have problems with food and clothing. I think Eldest Uncle did the right thing.”

“You child!” Yu Wen said. “Why are you like a firecracker, igniting at the slightest touch? No, you ignited without even being touched. I didn’t say anything wrong—I just hope your brother will take a longer view and make sure his children study.”

Father and daughter went back and forth, and the boat arrived.

Yu Tang boarded the boat following her father and brother.

Before entering the cabin, she couldn’t help glancing toward Pei Yan’s direction.

The servants were still carrying trunks and boxes.

She thought of the scene when Zhou Zijin had arrived and couldn’t help asking Yu Yuan quietly: “Brother, what are they going to Hangzhou for? Is Third Master Pei going too?”

Yu Yuan was startled and also looked toward Pei Yan’s direction, saying: “According to that Scholar Zhou, the newly appointed Zhejiang Provincial Education Commissioner is Third Master Pei’s fellow disciple. Scholar Zhou seems to have some business with that Education Commissioner and is dragging Third Master Pei along. Otherwise, Third Master Pei is still in his mourning period—how would he casually run off to Hangzhou?”

Yu Tang was somewhat surprised and maliciously speculated about Pei Yan in her heart.

Perhaps he had said all those things to her father just so her father would help him spread word of his purpose for going to Hangzhou, lest anyone think that instead of observing mourning at home during his mourning period, he was running off to Hangzhou to play.

Yu Tang despised Pei Yan once again.

There weren’t many passengers on the boat today—scattered in twos and threes with many empty seats.

They found a corner to sit down.

After the boat started moving, the cool early autumn breeze blew on their faces, refreshing and pleasant, very comfortable.

Yu Yuan went to buy refreshments for Yu Wen and his daughter. The three of them drank tea and chatted.

Yu Wen asked Yu Tang: “Is there anywhere you want to go? Or anything you want to buy?”

Yu Tang was preoccupied with the painting matter—how could she be in the mood to play? However, since she was going to Hangzhou anyway, she should at least bring something back for her mother and Ma Xiuniang.

She took her father’s arm and smiled: “Could we buy a few handkerchiefs and head scarves to bring back?”

Yu Wen was surprised and smiled: “Only these things?”

Every time he went out, Yu Tang would practically make a long list of things for him to buy and bring back.

Yu Tang’s face reddened, and she huffed: “Wasn’t I just immature back then?”

Yu Wen laughed heartily, but felt exceptionally reassured inside. With a grand wave of his hand, he said: “Don’t worry about money. Buy whatever you want. After the Mid-Autumn Festival passes, the earnings from the estate will be handed over, and the family will have silver to use again.”

Yu Tang sighed inwardly.

How had she not discovered in her previous life that her father lived beyond his means?

Though, she seemed to be the same…

Yu Tang felt sheepish.

Someone hanging onto the boat window cried out in surprise.

The passengers in the cabin were all startled and looked outside one after another.

They saw a tung oil lacquered two-masted boat gliding through the water as nimbly as a fish, breaking through wind and waves as it sped past them.

“It’s the Pei family’s boat!” someone shouted. “I’ve seen it before. When Old Master Pei was alive, this is the kind of boat he took every time he went to Hangzhou.”

“Really?” Once that person spoke, even more people crowded to the boat windows to look.

“So fast!”

“So beautiful!”

Everyone exclaimed in admiration.

Then someone shouted: “Look quickly—is that an official placard? Can anyone read? Quick, look at what’s written!”

Yu Yuan also crowded over to look.

Yu Tang pulled him back, saying: “Brother, what’s there to see? It’s just a boat. Others will think we’ve never seen one before.”

Yu Yuan chuckled and said: “Aren’t I just envious? How wonderful it would be if our family could have such a boat someday.”

Yu Tang pouted.

Yu Yuan then patted her head, saying: “Don’t be angry, A’Tang. In the future, Brother will work hard to earn money and make sure your nephew studies well. When A’Tang returns to her maiden home, I’ll have your nephew display an official placard too and use such a grand boat to fetch you.”

What kind of nonsense was he spouting!

Yu Tang said: “I’m staying home—what maiden home am I returning to?!”

Yu Yuan smiled awkwardly and looked to Yu Wen as if seeking help.

Yu Wen, who had been silent until now, suddenly slapped the table and said seriously: “A’Tang is right. We should first do business well, then find ways to have our descendants study. The Pei family is like this. When they first moved here, they didn’t immediately take the imperial examinations—it was only the second generation that began. Then to Yu Yuan: “All these years I’ve misunderstood your father. When we return to Lin’an, I must invite your eldest uncle for drinks!”

Yu Yuan repeatedly said “I wouldn’t dare” in embarrassment.

Yu Tang, however, had lost even the interest to speak.

Why did they encounter Pei family people everywhere, and why was the Pei family mentioned in everything they discussed!

Couldn’t she live in a place without Pei Yan, without the Pei family?

So infuriating!