Pei Yan hadn’t thought so much about it and agreed quite readily.
Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief, stood up to take her leave, and prepared to pay her respects to the Old Mistress before returning home.
Pei Yan looked very busy and instructed A’Ming to escort Yu Tang to the inner courtyard.
The Old Mistress was drinking tea with her second daughter-in-law. Hearing that Yu Tang had come and that A’Ming had brought her over, she turned to smile at Second Madam Pei: “Perfect timing for you to meet her too. This child has a lively disposition but isn’t troublesome—she’d make a good companion for A’Dan.”
Second Madam had always respected her mother-in-law. Hearing this, she immediately smiled and said “Yes,” adding warmly: “I’ve heard A’Dan mention her too. She said when she came to make clothes with you last time, she met Miss Yu, and Miss Yu helped her pick goose-green fabric for a jacket. Just hearing that, one knows she’s a steady young lady.”
The Old Mistress cherished her juniors and would quietly stew egg custards for them to eat—that was the Old Mistress’s loving kindness. However, these younger generations couldn’t let it go to their heads and truly become unruly, eating meat and drinking soup and wearing bright-colored clothing.
Their Pei Dan was the youngest, having grown up with them at her father’s official posts. Her mind was simple, and every time she went out with her sisters, Second Madam’s heart would be suspended, afraid she’d do something inappropriate. Each time she had to repeatedly instruct the maids and servants attending Pei Dan to keep a close eye on her.
If the people around Pei Dan were all like Miss Yu, then Pei Dan would have fewer opportunities to cause trouble.
As the two were talking, Yu Tang was led in by Steward Chen.
There was a stranger in the room.
Yu Tang couldn’t help but curiously size up Second Madam Pei.
Twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a peach-shaped face and willow-leaf eyebrows, wearing a white silk jacket with gilt silver auspicious cloud patterns, she sat there dignified and refined. She smiled before speaking, her composure revealing warmth, like a neighborhood elder sister who made one feel close.
“This is Second Madam, Fifth Miss’s mother,” the Old Mistress introduced Second Madam Pei to Yu Tang.
Yu Tang quickly stepped forward and performed a courtesy.
Second Madam reached out to help Yu Tang up, smiling: “I didn’t know Miss Yu was coming today, so I didn’t bring a greeting gift…” As she spoke, she thought for a moment, then removed an enamel white-backed redbud flower hairpin from her hair and handed it to Yu Tang. “Consider this a greeting gift. Please don’t disdain it, Miss Yu.”
The redbud flower was exquisitely crafted, with even the stamens inlaid with sesame-sized white crystal stones. At a glance, one could tell it was no ordinary piece.
Yu Tang groaned inwardly.
The various madams and young ladies of the Pei family were all quite nice—it was just that these social exchanges were too burdensome.
Who knew when she’d escape poverty.
“Thank you, Second Madam!” Yu Tang smiled and accepted it, sitting down on the embroidered stool the Old Mistress indicated. She smiled and proactively brought up her visit to the Pei residence: “I heard that the Li family really did transport several carts of silver back, so I thought that if this matter spread, it would only harm Lin’an City’s reputation, so I went to see Third Master.”
No matter what, Li Yi was an official who had gone out from Lin’an. If his reputation was ruined, it would also damage the reputation of Lin’an people. However, this shouldn’t be something Yu Tang needed to worry about, and going to tell Pei Yan about it was even less appropriate.
The Old Mistress was displeased in her heart, but she didn’t negate Yu Tang entirely because of this one matter. After all, she hadn’t had much contact with Yu Tang—perhaps this was just a momentary lapse on the young lady’s part?
“What did Third Master say?” she said coolly.
Yu Tang wanted to tell the Old Mistress of her suspicions, but the Old Mistress was clearly no ordinary woman. If she spoke directly, the Old Mistress would definitely think she was meddling or looking for excuses to seek out Third Master. It was better to answer what was asked. Over time, letting the Old Mistress judge for herself what kind of person she was would actually put the Old Mistress more at ease.
“Third Master said he understood,” Yu Tang smiled. “I thought that since I hadn’t seen you for several days, I’d come pay my respects to you.”
The Old Mistress smiled, thinking that she was indeed still a young lady—no matter how steady her conduct, there were still areas where her consideration fell short. Looking at Yu Tang’s beautiful face with its carefree expression, she suddenly felt it was a bit of a pity. She couldn’t help but instruct Yu Tang on proper conduct: “In the future when you encounter such matters, have your father come find Third Master and let him speak with Third Master.”
Yu Tang felt her opportunity had come and quickly said: “I did think about having my father come speak with Third Master before. It’s just that my father has been very busy these past few days—didn’t Provincial Graduate Li Duan’s Li family recently want to sell part of their permanent estate land that could grow jade-stalk rice? My father and Old Master Wu from next door bought a portion together. The deed just came into hand, and these past few days my father and Old Master Wu haven’t been home, busy with this matter all day! It didn’t seem right to disturb him, so I went to see Third Master instead.” After finishing, she obediently admitted her mistake: “After the Old Mistress said so, I also feel I acted too rashly. I won’t do this again in the future.”
After speaking, she even made a gesture as if taking an oath.
Second Madam suppressed a smile.
But the Old Mistress was startled: “What did you say? The Li family sold fifty acres of permanent estate land?! Do you know how much per acre?”
Yu Tang smiled: “They said forty taels of silver per acre. A few days ago my father and Old Master Wu went to sign the deed. They were afraid the Li family would make difficulties, so they asked Third Master to intervene and help resolve the irrigation matter. My father and Old Master Wu are both very grateful to Third Master. They even said in a few days they’d go to the temple to burn incense for Third Master, asking the Bodhisattva to bless Third Master with good fortune, peace, health, and longevity!”
At this, both the Old Mistress and Second Madam burst into laughter. The Old Mistress even laughed until tears came out. While accepting the handkerchief from a little maid to wipe the corners of her eyes, she said: “He’s still young—what incense is there to burn? Be careful of diminishing his good fortune.”
Yu Tang felt embarrassed.
With Pei Yan, at first glance one would be dazzled by his appearance. After a few more encounters, one would be overwhelmed by his imposing presence. Whether the former or the latter, both easily made others overlook his age.
“Then, then I’ll tell my father as soon as I get home,” she said. “Have him change to something else to thank Third Master with.”
“Nothing is needed!” The Old Mistress’s face still held the joyful smile from her hearty laugh. “He lacks nothing. Besides, since he’s taken on the role of family head, he must protect the neighbors. What’s there to thank?” As she spoke, the old lady began recounting how Old Master Pei used to benefit the community in years past.
This was probably the Old Mistress’s most unforgettable memory of her late husband.
Yu Tang listened respectfully, but from the corner of her eye she noticed a little maid peeking around outside.
Firstly, she didn’t want to interrupt the Old Mistress’s beautiful memories; secondly, she was just a guest and needn’t make a fuss.
Yu Tang sat there steady as a mountain.
But that little maid kept anxiously peeking until Second Madam finally noticed.
Second Madam gave her personal maid a look, and the maid unobtrusively went out. Before long, she quietly returned and whispered a few words in Second Madam’s ear. Second Madam then looked toward the Old Mistress. After the Old Mistress’s words reached a pause and she had taken a few sips of tea from her cup, Second Madam said with a smile: “Mother, Madam Shen has come to visit you.”
“Madam Shen?” The Old Mistress asked in confusion. “Which Madam Shen?”
Second Madam smiled: “The wife of Teacher Shen Shanyan who serves as instructor at our county school.”
Hearing this, the Old Mistress frowned: “What is she coming for? Why didn’t she send a visiting card in advance?”
She looked as if she didn’t particularly care for Madam Shen.
Yu Tang couldn’t help but perk up her ears.
Teacher Shen lived alone in Lin’an year-round—she wondered what kind of person his wife was? And what connection did Madam Shen have with the Old Mistress?
But Second Madam smiled good-naturedly: “Didn’t aunt say last time she had something to bring to you? She entrusted it to Madam Shen. I imagine Madam Shen is mostly here to deliver the item. Thinking you knew about it, she probably didn’t send another visiting card.” She added: “Besides, Madam Shen isn’t exactly a stranger, so she didn’t stand on ceremony with you.”
The Old Mistress gave a somewhat disdainful light snort: “Let her come in then!”
Second Madam personally rose to greet her.
Yu Tang quickly stood to take her leave.
But the Old Mistress kept her: “She’ll say a few words and leave. I still have something to ask you.”
Yu Tang couldn’t bring up leaving again and stood to refill the Old Mistress’s tea.
Second Madam then brought two people in.
Yu Tang looked up and nearly flung the teapot in her hand.
Those spirited brows, those bright and piercing eyes—if it wasn’t Gu Xi, who else could it be?
Her heart immediately began pounding wildly.
In her previous life, she had never heard of Gu Xi having any connection with the Pei family, nor had she seen Gu Xi visit the Old Mistress. How was it that after living a second life, everything had changed?
Never mind the changes with Jiang Ling—even the Gu Chao and Gu Xi siblings had come to join the excitement!
Fortunately, everyone in the room had their attention focused on Gu Xi and Madam Shen who had entered with her. No one noticed Yu Tang’s abnormality. Even Gu Xi only glanced quickly at Yu Tang, a flash of amazement crossing her face before she quickly lowered her eyes demurely, following Madam Shen in curtsying to pay respects to the Old Mistress.
The Old Mistress smiled faintly, showing none of her earlier complaints. After the two rose and sat down, while the maids were serving tea and refreshments, she even asked Gu Xi: “You’re the eldest daughter of the second branch of the Gu family, Gu Chaoyang’s younger sister?”
Clearly she had heard of Gu Xi before.
Gu Xi quickly stood to answer, but the Old Mistress stopped her: “Sit and speak