A flush rose on Jiang Chao’s fair face as he said in a low voice: “Isn’t the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching? I thought no matter what, I should come thank you and Old Master Wu. Who knew I’d take the wrong boat—by the time I reached Lin’an, it was already the fifteenth day of the eighth month.”

Yu Wen didn’t suspect anything and enthusiastically pulled him along, saying: “Then stay at my place first. Today I’ve also arranged to eat crabs with Brother Wu. He even has fifty-year-old Daughter’s Red wine. Today we’ll only discuss the wind and moon, not business. If there are any difficulties or unpleasant matters, we’ll talk about them after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Jiang Chao’s eyes turned red.

Yu Wen called loudly for A’Tiao to help Jiang Chao arrange a guest room.

Jiang Chao thanked him repeatedly.

A’Tiao withdrew with Jiang Chao’s young servant.

Yu Wen asked about the situation with Old Master Wang in Ningbo Prefecture.

Jiang Chao’s expression was dejected as he said: “Old Master Wang was also forced into a desperate situation. His employer’s youngest son suddenly connected with the younger brother-in-law of the Zhejiang Education Commissioner’s family. The authorities turned a blind eye to this matter. Previously I thought as long as I worked hard, I could somehow accumulate some family wealth. Now I know that accumulating family wealth isn’t so easy.”

The empire had been at peace for a long time. Wealthy households that had stood for a hundred years, or even dominated regions since the previous dynasty, were not few. When newcomers wanted to emerge, they would compete with these people for profit. To succeed required the right timing, favorable geography, and harmonious relations—lacking any one would not do.

Yu Wen understood his unspoken meaning and sighed to comfort him: “Don’t be discouraged. Thirty years on the east side of the river, thirty years on the west—many wealthy aristocratic families have also fallen.”

Jiang Chao nodded and said: “Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to stake everything on trying to enter this business.”

Everyone knew maritime business was difficult, but if one could carve out a path, afterward it would be a business with enormous profits. In just a few years one could join the ranks of the wealthy, and then future matters would be easier to handle.

As the two were talking, A’Tiao quietly entered behind the screen where Yu Tang and Chen Shi were hiding and said softly: “Madam, Miss, that Old Master Jiang doesn’t even have any luggage.”

Chen Shi was greatly alarmed and looked at Yu Tang, saying: “This, what should we do about this?”

Yu Tang guessed that Jiang Chao was most likely being blocked by debt collectors and couldn’t find lodging. Having no other option, he came to Lin’an to try his luck.

However, since even her father didn’t care about some matters, she had nothing to worry about either.

She pulled Chen Shi out of the hall and stood under the eaves, quietly saying to her mother: “Since Father has already decided to help Old Master Jiang, let’s not make things difficult for Father. How about we pretend not to know, give Old Master Jiang some silver to buy a few sets of clothes, and quietly send him on his way?”

Yu Tang didn’t know if Jiang Chao had encountered such things in her previous life, but judging from Jiang Chao’s actions these past days, he hadn’t betrayed his reputation from the previous life. Then he couldn’t possibly always hide in Lin’an. He would definitely go out again to find ways to turn things around. Why should they act like petty people?

In her previous life, when she fell on hard times, many people had helped her. She should also be kind to others and help people within her power.

Chen Shi felt what Yu Tang said made sense and went to open her dowry jewelry box to give A’Tiao some silver.

Yu Wen was completely unaware of this.

But Jiang Chao, whose nerves had been taut ever since entering this hall, saw it clearly.

There were people behind the screen. If they weren’t the Yu family’s female relatives, they were friends who had just been speaking with Old Master Yu here. The young servant who had led him in had gone to arrange his guest room, but now went behind the screen—eight or nine times out of ten, he had discovered he had no luggage and went to ask the person behind the screen for instructions. That person behind the screen should be Madam Yu.

He just didn’t know whether that Madam Yu was wearing the dark green eight-panel skirt or the white embroidered skirt.

The one wearing the white embroidered skirt was most likely a maid.

The Yu family should have already discovered his predicament.

Would Old Master Yu find an excuse to drive him out? Or would he, as he hoped, take him in for a few days?

Jiang Chao’s mind was in chaos, but his face showed nothing as he lowered his head to drink tea.

Old Master Wu got word and quickly came over. Because of Jiang Chao’s presence, their original arrangement for the two families to admire the moon, drink wine, and eat crabs together in the courtyard was disrupted. It became Old Master Wu, Yu Wen, Yu Bo, Yu Yuan, Jiang Chao, and Old Master Wu’s two sons drinking wine, admiring the moon, and eating crabs in the front courtyard, while the female relatives of the Yu and Wu families opened a table in the back courtyard.

Madam Wu also knew about the failed investment. Previously there had been no opportunity to gather with Chen Shi, so now she inevitably took Chen Shi’s hand to discuss this matter: “To give up is to gain—without giving up, how can there be gain? Moreover, this family fortune was originally earned by our men. When they’re making money, we smile along with them. Now that they’ve lost silver, they also feel bad inside, so we can’t say discouraging words. I thought I was the only one like this, but I didn’t expect younger sister-in-law’s heart is even broader than mine. You even invited our family to eat crabs. I toast younger sister-in-law.” Having said this, she raised the Jinhua wine in front of her.

Yu Tang couldn’t help but look at Madam Wu with new respect.

These words were clearly meant to console Chen Shi.

Previously Yu Tang had only thought she was a smooth operator, adept at social situations. She didn’t expect she also had such breadth of mind and bearing. No wonder everyone liked to invite her to serve as the all-blessings woman at weddings.

She respectfully toasted Madam Wu with a drink.

But Madam Wu caught hold of her and began discussing her marriage prospects.

Yu Tang sat on pins and needles.

Wang Shi laughed heartily and came to her niece’s rescue: “There’s no rush for her affairs. The most important thing is finding someone compatible.”

Madam Wu nodded with a smile. Seeing Xiang Shi only sitting there drinking tea and eating mooncakes, she enthusiastically picked up a crab and placed it in Xiang Shi’s bowl, saying: “You should try some too. These crabs were really well bought—the crabs are plump and their meat is delicious. Very rare.”

Hearing this, Xiang Shi looked toward Wang Shi as if seeking help.

Joy overflowed from Wang Shi’s eyes and brows as she said: “Thank you, Madam Wu, but my daughter-in-law needs to be careful with her diet these days. Crabs are cold in nature, so she doesn’t dare eat them. By this time next year, I’ll invite everyone for a crab feast.”

Madam Wu was astonished, but quickly became as joyful as Wang Shi, repeatedly saying “congratulations, congratulations,” and saying “don’t forget by this time next year.”

“Definitely, definitely!” Wang Shi’s face was full of spring breeze, while Xiang Shi somewhat embarrassedly lowered her head.

Yu Tang watched in complete bewilderment.

Only then did Chen Shi smile and pat her daughter’s head, saying: “Silly girl, you’re about to become an aunt.”

Yu Tang suddenly understood.

No wonder Yu Yuan had seemed to want to speak but stopped. No wonder elder aunt had come to their home to borrow fabric…

Yu Tang exclaimed “Oh my” and reproached Xiang Shi: “Sister-in-law didn’t even tell me.”

Xiang Shi’s face turned even redder as she said bashfully: “It’s just been three months…”

In her previous life, Yu Yuan had never had children.

In this life, both she and Yu Yuan could become parents.

Her eyes moistened as she raised her wine cup to toast Xiang Shi.

Chen Shi laughingly took away Yu Tang’s wine cup and smiled, saying: “You silly girl, you’re confused. How can your sister-in-law drink wine at a time like this? We should have waited a few more days before telling you.”

Madam Wu and the others laughed heartily.

But Yu Tang unprecedentedly drank several more cups. When returning to her room, her steps were somewhat unsteady.

Jiang Chao, however, was drunk but clearheaded. Returning to his guest room, he drank two cups of strong tea in succession. Finally becoming somewhat more sober, he immediately asked the young servant who was still busy brewing tea for him: “What did the Yu family people say?”

The young servant quickly said: “They didn’t say anything. Following their madam’s orders, they brought a few sets of clothes and twenty taels of silver for the master, saying it was for the master to use for the festival. I also received one tael of silver as a reward.”

Indeed an honest and kind family.

Jiang Chao let out a long breath.

These past days being chased by debt collectors, afraid of implicating his mother, he didn’t even dare return home, and didn’t even have money to send festival gifts to the Yu and Wu families.

This kindness could only be repaid later.

He recalled the green and white skirt hems behind the screen.

All were kind-hearted people.

He thought hazily, not knowing when he fell asleep. When he woke the next day, not only was it bright daylight, but the sun was already high in the sky. His young servant was sitting boredly by his bed in a daze.

“A’Zhou.” He called the young servant.

A’Zhou was greatly startled and immediately stood up, saying: “Master, are you alright? Old Master Yu came early this morning. Seeing you were still resting, he didn’t wake you. He only said that after you wake and have breakfast, you should go to the study. He and Old Master Wu are waiting for you in the study.”

Jiang Chao rubbed his temples, only then remembering that Yu Wen had invited him to tour Lin’an City at yesterday’s banquet.

It seemed he had gotten up too late.

A hangover was hard to endure. After Jiang Chao washed his face and had breakfast, only while walking on the road to Yu Wen’s study did he gradually feel himself becoming clearheaded.

Yu Wen and Old Master Wu decided to accompany Jiang Chao first to Zhaoming Temple, then to Tianmu Mountain.

Jiang Chao had no mind for leisure activities, but their hospitality was hard to refuse. In the end, he still rode in the Wu family’s carriage toward Zhaoming Temple.

On the road, Old Master Wu told him about the famous scenic spots and historical sites in Lin’an City, along with some interesting anecdotes. Among them, he mentioned the old plum tree at the Pei family’s place: “…The old generation says it’s paired with the Enlightenment Pine at Zhaoming Temple. Though one is in the east and one in the west, they’re the two oldest trees in our Lin’an City. But whether it’s true or false, no one can say for certain.”

Yu Wen laughed and said: “It’s probably concocted by those literary scholars. This is the first time I’ve heard this story.”

But Jiang Chao’s heart pounded wildly, his voice even becoming somewhat shrill: “The family you’re talking about—it wouldn’t be the Pei family, would it? The Pei family of Xiaomei Lane? That Pei family with three jinshi scholars in one family! From you two elder brothers’ tone, it seems you have some friendship with their family?”

Old Master Wu was stunned and said: “I’m talking about precisely the Pei family of Xiaomei Lane. We’re neighbors with the Pei family, so naturally we know them. But to say we’re close, Old Master Yu is certainly closer than me. They’re both scholars. When Old Master Yu’s shop opened, Third Master Pei personally came to congratulate him.”

This truly was a village appearing after mountains and rivers seemed to bar the way!

Jiang Chao couldn’t suppress his inner excitement and said: “You two elder brothers have truly saved my life.”

Old Master Wu and Yu Wen looked at each other in bewilderment. Jiang Chao was already excitedly saying: “Wasn’t it because Old Master Wang’s employer’s youngest son connected with the Zhejiang Education Commissioner that Old Master Wang had to abandon his family and property? I’ve been thinking all along whether I could go through the Ningbo prefect. What you two elder brothers just said reminded me—rather than trying to reach the Ningbo prefect from afar, it would be better to ask Third Master Pei to step forward.”

Old Master Wu and Yu Wen only half understood.

The two exchanged another glance.

Old Master Wu said carefully: “You mean—you want us to ask Third Master Pei to step forward to help with a lawsuit? Could it be that the Pei family has some connection with the Ningbo prefect?”

These were minor matters. What they feared was that Jiang Chao’s sudden visit to Lin’an was originally to seek help from Pei Yan.

They were honest in their dealings with people, but they weren’t fools. They didn’t want to be used as pawns!