Pei Yan was going to give her advice?!

She could actually encounter such good fortune!

Listening to this, Yu Tang was so excited she didn’t know what to say.

Pei Yan couldn’t help but curl up the corners of his mouth, smiling genuinely and sincerely.

Without the sarcastic look in his eyes, without the disdainful expression, his smile was like the scorching summer sunlight—a bit dazzling, but undeniably extremely bright.

Yu Tang stared, somewhat dumbfounded.

This was the real Pei Yan, wasn’t it?

But what had she done to have the good fortune of seeing Third Master Pei’s such genuine expression?

Yu Tang couldn’t figure it out. She felt that after returning home, she needed to carefully recall every word they had exchanged. She absolutely had to know why Pei Yan was smiling, so that the next time they met, she could definitely leave a good impression on him.

To take revenge on the Li family, she was still counting on Pei Yan to put in great effort!

“Please tell me quickly.” Yu Tang shamelessly flattered Pei Yan without blushing or showing any embarrassment, her tone as sincere as could be. “You’re experienced and knowledgeable. The advice you give will certainly be hundreds or thousands of times more brilliant than what we could think of ourselves. Please tell me, I’ll listen to everything you say.”

The corners of Pei Yan’s mouth couldn’t help twitching again.

Did this little girl think he was a fool? When she flattered someone, she was so straightforward it was like a puppy wagging its tail—thinking herself clever, yet completely transparent to others.

But he didn’t find it annoying at all.

This was probably because good-looking people were easily forgiven!

Pei Yan grumbled internally, but his face showed nothing as he said, “How many copies of ‘Fishing in Seclusion by Pine Creek’ did you reproduce?”

Yu Tang answered without thinking: “I didn’t reproduce ‘Fishing in Seclusion by Pine Creek.’ I only reproduced one copy of a map, but we haven’t been able to understand that map.”

Previously, not knowing about Wei Xiaoshan’s situation, she had thought that if anyone wanted that painting, she’d just give it to them—it would be perfect for extricating her family from this mess. But ever since confirming that Wei Xiaoshan’s death was related to her marriage arrangement and was orchestrated by the Li family, she had changed her mind—even if she died a horrible death and had to descend to the eighteenth level of hell, she would avenge Wei Xiaoshan.

Not only had she given the real painting to the Lu family, she also wanted to use this painting to ensure the Li family would never be able to rise again.

She planned to hide that reproduced copy of “Fishing in Seclusion by Pine Creek” for now and bring it out later.

But this matter had nothing to do with Pei Yan or the Pei family, and Pei Yan didn’t need to know about it.

Pei Yan smiled and said, “Then first show me that map you had someone reproduce. Let me see if that map is worth giving you another piece of advice.”

It was definitely worth it.

Otherwise, how could the Li family have become wealthy overnight in her previous life?

But she couldn’t tell Pei Yan this. She could only say “Mm” and prepare to go back and get the map.

However, Pei Yan called her back, saying with distaste, “Go put on some proper clothes first before coming back.”

Yu Tang smiled awkwardly, her gaze unconsciously sizing up Pei Yan.

He wore a moon-white fine cloth Daoist robe that looked very plain, but that fine cloth was clean, supple, and gleamed with a jade-like luster—it was sanshuo cloth, a specialty of Songjiang and a tribute item. One bolt of such fine cloth was worth as much as a bolt of gold-brocaded silk. He had no ornaments on his person, only holding a string of eighteen-bead prayer beads in his hand for playing with. Those beads were neither the purple-red small-leaf sandalwood nor the yellow huanghuali wood, but paulownia-colored. They looked plain and ordinary but emanated a faint sweet fragrance. Anyone knowledgeable could tell at a glance that these were green sandalwood prayer beads, imported goods from overseas, extremely rare. Back when the Li family had obtained a string of these, Lin Shi had treasured them like precious jewels, rarely taking them out to show others, and had even said she would keep such a string of prayer beads as a family heirloom. As for the black thousand-layer-sole cloth shoes on his feet, they were embroidered all over with the continuous swastika pattern using thread of the same color… All this refinement was hidden in careless casualness, concealed in subtle differences.

Yu Tang lowered her eyelids, giving Pei Yan a look of disdain in her heart.

Third Master of the Pei family was far too inconsistent between appearance and reality.

No wonder he looked down on her!

Afraid that Pei Yan would see her indifference, Yu Tang quickly responded with “Alright.”

Pei Yan nodded with satisfaction and said, “Also tell Old Master Yu. Please ask him to come along as well so we can discuss this together.”

This way, if that painting turned out to have no value at all, people wouldn’t misunderstand him as bullying a young girl.

“Oh right!” Yu Tang responded, only now realizing that this matter should indeed be discussed between her father and Pei Yan.

She immediately returned home.

Yu Wen had gone to the shop on Changxing Street and hadn’t returned yet.

According to Chen Shi, her eldest uncle had brought back some goods from Jiangxi that arrived at Shaoxi Wharf today. Her eldest cousin had gone to receive the goods, and with no one to watch the shop, Yu Wen had gone to help.

Yu Tang sent someone to ask Yu Wen to come back, while she herself went to the study to retrieve that reproduced map and instructed Shuang Tao to bring hot water so she could help her wash and groom again.

A falling-horse bun hairstyle, a bowl-sized pink camellia flower, lotus-seed-sized South Sea pearl earrings, an oil-green jacket with gold trim and an all-over gold pattern, a pink Hangzhou silk plain hundred-pleat skirt, and shoes of the same color with plain cloud patterns.

Yu Tang carefully looked at the beauty in the mirror, smiled as she made an encouraging gesture to herself, then went out to wait for Yu Wen.

Chen Shi was greatly surprised to see her and said, “What are you doing? I haven’t even seen you dress so formally when going to Ma Xiuniang’s house for a banquet. Are you going to see someone?”

“Going to visit the Pei family.” Yu Tang said somewhat dejectedly, “I have some business and need to request an audience with Third Master Pei.”

Chen Shi didn’t suspect anything.

In her mind, Pei Yan was of the same generation as Yu Wen. Moreover, Pei Yan was benevolent and protected the local neighbors. Her daughter going to see Pei Yan was like visiting an elder—dressing formally showed more respect, while dressing plainly showed more intimacy. Either way was appropriate.

“What are you going to see Third Master Pei about?” Chen Shi asked curiously. “Is it about the tax reduction matter?”

Last year, Jinhua had suffered a flood disaster. The newly appointed prefect of Jinhua had petitioned the court to reduce taxes for two years, and the court had agreed. Lin’an had also suffered flood damage last year, though only in four or five villages. Seeing that Jinhua had been exempted from taxes, some people had gotten the same idea. These past few days, people had been encouraging Yu Wen to jointly petition Prefect Tang to come forward.

Yu Wen felt that the disaster-affected area wasn’t large, and with everyone working together, they might be able to make up the losses. He had found an excuse to decline. Then some people had turned their attention to Pei Yan.

“No, not that.” Yu Tang smiled and said, “It’s about Uncle Lu’s painting. Since that painting ended up in the Li family’s hands, Third Master Pei should know about this.”

One mountain cannot contain two tigers.

The Li family had been jumping around quite vigorously these days. The Pei family should also teach the Li family a lesson.

Chen Shi nodded, straightening her temple hair while instructing her: “Then when you go, be well-behaved. Don’t act all casual as if you’re in your own home, eating and drinking whatever you want. A young lady should maintain some dignity.”

If her mother knew that she had already eaten pig trotters with her hands in front of Pei Yan, would she be so angry she’d cough up blood?

Yu Tang pressed her lips tightly together, not wanting to make a single sound.

Fortunately, Yu Wen returned quickly, and the father and daughter had a private conversation in the study.

After learning the whole story, Yu Wen complained, “What were you thinking beforehand, child? What if Third Master Pei doesn’t believe you?”

Yu Tang couldn’t very well say this was just a feeling she had, could she?

She said, “You’re the head of the household and one of the most notable scholars in Lin’an. But Third Master Pei’s temperament is something no one can figure out right now. If you go to him and he agrees, that’s fine, but what if he doesn’t? You can’t very well put your warm face against his cold backside, can you? It’s more suitable for me to go! Even if I say the wrong thing, people will just think I’m a child and won’t take it to heart.”

Yu Wen felt his daughter made sense. After washing and grooming again, he went with Yu Tang to the Pei residence.

Pei Yan wasn’t accustomed to waiting for people. After seeing off Yu Tang, he had gone to his study in the outer courtyard.

This study was usually used for handling mundane affairs and was quite relaxing.

When Yu Tang and Yu Wen entered the study, he was lounging lazily in a rattan rocking chair, drinking newly available rock tea. The warm autumn afternoon sunlight streamed in, making him look as comfortable as the autumn sunshine itself.

“Old Master Yu and Miss Yu have arrived!” He didn’t put on airs, standing up to greet them, his gaze falling on Yu Tang.

Not bad—delicate and graceful like a spring begonia flower. This was how a young lady should look.

He nodded slightly, revealing a satisfied expression.

Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief.

In her heart, however, she pondered—so Pei Yan appreciated this kind of style. Good thing she had thick eyebrows and big eyes, lacking in refined elegance but with beauty in abundance. Otherwise, she really couldn’t pull off such styling.

In the future when visiting Pei Yan, she’d dress like this.

After all, she was the one asking for favors.

Yu Wen, on the other hand, was deeply flattered.

Pei Yan’s demeanor was too amiable, treating them like old friends.

Yu Wen had never seen Pei Yan like this. He quickly bowed to Pei Yan, saying, “We’ve disturbed you!”

Pei Yan shook his head. Watching as the young maids came in to serve tea and refreshments and then closed the door, he got straight to the point with Yu Tang: “Did you bring that map? Let’s look at the map first. Maritime business is profitable these days, and everyone wants a piece of the pie. Each finds their own connections, each organizes their own fleet, and each family has their own sea charts…”

As he spoke, he took the map from Yu Tang’s hands and spread it flat on the desk, then turned to fetch a magnifying glass.

Yu Wen became immediately excited and said, “Is that a magnifying glass in your hand? It’s made so exquisitely! Is it also an imported item?”

Pei Yan looked at the magnifying glass in his hand with confusion, then suddenly understood: “Indeed, it’s a magnifying glass. When I was playing in Guangzhou a few years ago, I came across it by chance and bought it. Would you like to take a look?” He handed the magnifying glass to Yu Wen.

Yu Wen took it in his hands with great curiosity, examining it from all angles for quite a while before returning it to Pei Yan, saying, “You must find this amusing. I’m very interested in these little gadgets.”

Thinking of how he had previously misunderstood Miss Yu and hadn’t formally apologized to the Yu family, Pei Yan said nonchalantly, “If Old Master Yu likes it, I’ll just give this to you. I have another one at my residence in Hangzhou.”

“Oh no, that’s not necessary!” Yu Wen declined with a red face. “I’m just looking.”

“It’s fine.” As Pei Yan spoke, he had already taken the magnifying glass to carefully examine the map.

The Yu father and daughter immediately held their breath, waiting for Pei Yan’s verdict.