Pei Yan returned to Ouhé Hall where he was staying at the villa, looking dispirited.

There were still many matters at Pei Manor requiring his decisions, but he had delegated them all to Pei Man and come up the mountain. Firstly, he was worried about his mother and wanted to see how the old lady was faring here; secondly, he wanted to avoid those people who came to pay him New Year’s visits under false pretenses.

Once again, officials had submitted memorials requesting His Majesty establish a Crown Prince. The court and the realm beyond stirred with the news, and the gentry families of Jiangnan were especially roiling with undercurrents beneath the surface. The Pei family had originally chosen to settle in Lin’an precisely because they valued the city’s isolation and tranquility—how could he allow the Pei family to be dragged into such affairs again?

This sort of thing happened every few years.

In the past, he had been a surfer riding these waves, deriving incomparable pleasure from it all.

But ever since his father’s death, he suddenly found all these political machinations utterly meaningless.

Pei Yan gazed at the servant sweeping snow in the courtyard and let out a soft sigh.

From now on, he truly would be retiring to live as a hermit in the mountains and forests.

Things were still manageable now, but in another ten years or so, probably no one would remember him anymore.

However, before his true retirement, he needed to properly handle his second brother’s restoration to office. The connections in the capital couldn’t be allowed to fade just yet.

He summoned Pei Qi to question him: “How much silver do we have available for use in the household?”

“The money shop in Tianjin hasn’t been touched since the Old Master passed,” Pei Qi said in a low voice. “There are one hundred thousand taels of silver there.”

Pei Yan thought for a moment, then turned back to his study to draft a list which he handed to Pei Qi: “Give this list to Shu Qing, then follow his instructions.”

Shu Qing was the secretary who had returned to Lin’an with him and now served as his advisor.

Pei Qi respectfully acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Pei Yan reclined in his rocking chair.

A’Ming cleverly brought over a blanket and draped it across his legs.

Pei Yan paid no attention to A’Ming, closing his eyes while his mind raced rapidly.

Moving the silver from Tianjin to the capital for gift-giving would leave the Lin’an side rather short on expenditures. He had spent too much silver on the manor this year with little return, and couldn’t see how many more years it would take to recoup the investment. The best solution would be to liquidate some of the unredeemed pawns at the pawnshop to handle the emergency. He would need to discuss this matter with Manager Tong. Manager Tong was someone his father had left to him; he had only spoken with him once when first taking over Pei Manor—calculating the time, it had already been over a year. He really should find an opportunity to have a good talk with Manager Tong again.

As Pei Yan was thinking, he suddenly remembered Yu Tang’s cloak.

He recalled that when he was young, the pawnshop often had very fine furs. He could ask Manager Tong about getting one for Miss Yu to ward off the cold.

Thinking of this, Yu Tang’s face—as pale and delicate as fresh snow—floated into his mind.

Old furs… didn’t seem quite appropriate…

Better to find a way to get her some new furs.

There should be some in his storeroom…

Pei Yan was someone who acted upon his thoughts. He immediately had A’Ming send someone back to the city to open his storeroom: “See if there’s anything suitable for making a cloak for Miss Yu. It was my oversight earlier—I only thought of inviting her to come keep the Old Madam company, but I forgot…”

The Yu family, after all, maintained a simple household style. Even having received an unexpected windfall, they couldn’t possibly live like nouveau riches, starting to make clothes and buy jewelry, spending money like water.

However, Miss Yu had said something quite right.

If the remaining one hundred and fifty mu of good land from the Li Duan household that could grow green-stemmed rice were attributed to the Yu family, from then on the Yu family could live prosperously, and Miss Yu would probably be even happier.

Pei Yan added: “I need to write a letter. Arrange for someone to grind ink.”

The matter of Rizhao—relying solely on the people from the Censorate was still too slow; they handled too many major cases every day. He should write a letter to the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong instead. Having such a major case occur in their jurisdiction, if they reported it themselves, they could still earn a reputation for effective supervision. Being impeached by the Censorate, however, would look quite bad.

A’Ming hurried to make arrangements.

Pei Yan had already composed his phrasing in his mind. Once the ink was ground, he began writing the letter.

Yu Tang naturally cared about what place her poem had received, but she didn’t want to ask when Gu Xi had the opportunity to discuss poetry with her—lest Gu Xi, as in her previous life, once again hold forth endlessly before her like a female scholar. However, this also had much to do with the fact that in this life she understood what matters were truly most important.

Therefore, on the way back, seeing that Gu Xi was constantly hovering around the Old Madam with no energy or time to pay attention to her, she quietly asked Fifth Miss: “Who came in third and fourth?”

Fifth Miss smiled with pursed lips and said: “Sister Yu and I tied for third place.” She also told her, “Second Sister placed fifth, Fourth Sister ranked last.”

Yu Tang was somewhat surprised.

She had thought Second Miss would rank ahead of her.

Fifth Miss smiled and said: “Miss Gu’s poem was the best—both quick and meaningful. Everyone voted her first place. Third Sister lost to Miss Gu in terms of profound artistic conception. Sister Yu’s poem was also well done, but the rhyme scheme wasn’t as rigorous as Miss Gu’s and Third Sister’s, so you tied with me for third place. My governess felt Second Sister’s poem was too rigid without any spirit, and Fourth Sister was last because she finished writing last.”

Yu Tang’s face flushed slightly.

Gu Xi had begun her education at age three, studying together with her brothers from childhood. Even being reborn twice, she couldn’t catch up. And Third Miss’s poem was even better than hers, while Fifth Miss, the youngest, had tied with her for third place—clearly both young ladies were quite clever in their studies.

She sincerely praised them: “You and Third Miss are both so impressive!”

Fifth Miss blushed and said modestly: “Not at all, not at all. It just happened that the topic suited what I’m good at.”

Yu Tang didn’t argue with Fifth Miss, only smiled and patted her head.

Fifth Miss lowered her head bashfully.

Thus neither of them noticed that Third Miss, walking ahead of them, had ears bright red.

That evening they had dinner at the Old Madam’s quarters. Yu Tang thought the Old Madam would keep them to talk. Who knew that just as the servants had cleared the table, the Old Madam served tea to send them off as guests.

Yu Tang and the others couldn’t hide their surprise.

The Old Madam said quite frankly: “Your Third Uncle will be coming shortly to pay his respects to me, so I won’t keep you here.”

The several juniors obediently rose to take their leave. Yu Tang and the others couldn’t very well linger, so everyone returned to their respective quarters.

Early the next morning, the Old Madam had them come to pay respects after the Hour of the Dragon.

Yu Tang asked why.

Liuxu, who came to deliver the message, smiled and said: “Third Master will be paying respects to the Old Madam early in the morning.”

Yu Tang understood completely.

After breakfast, A’Ming arrived carrying a bundle.

Yu Tang was very surprised and repeatedly asked if there was some urgent matter.

A’Ming chuckled and stuffed the bundle in his hands to Shuang Tao, saying: “This is something our Third Master asked me to deliver. Third Master is still waiting for my reply!” Having said this, without waiting for Yu Tang to speak, he ran off in a flash.

“What is this?” Shuang Tao muttered, carrying the bundle inside.

Opening the bundle, it turned out to be a water-green kesi cloak with phoenix tail and circular flower patterns trimmed with white sable fur.

“This…” Yu Tang picked up the cloak in astonishment.

The unique weave pattern of the kesi silk shimmered with magnificent luster in the dim indoor light.

“How beautiful!” Shuang Tao couldn’t help but exclaim.

Yu Tang felt uneasy.

Why was Pei Yan sending her a cloak?

She instructed Shuang Tao: “Go see what A’Ming is doing. Why would Third Master send me a cloak?”

And moreover, it was a woman’s cloak.

It couldn’t have been made on short notice.

Shuang Tao also felt something was amiss.

If Third Master had such intentions, he could easily have had the Old Madam pass it to Miss. But now to send it over privately like this…

She hurried off to find A’Ming.

Yu Tang finished dressing and grooming, then reclined against the headboard reading. Only then did Shuang Tao return through the wind and snow.

“Miss!” She couldn’t be bothered to return to her room to change clothes and entered the inner chamber still carrying the cold air. “A’Ming is with Third Master at the Old Madam’s quarters. I managed to find an opportunity to speak with him. He said Third Master saw that Miss’s cloak was too thin and specially sent someone back to Pei Manor overnight to fetch this. He also said if you don’t like it, make do with it for these few days and he’ll have someone make another one. He also asked me to inquire what color you prefer.”

Rushed out specially?

Yu Tang was somewhat lost in thought.

Did he see that she was still cold today wearing her cloak?

Should she accept this cloak or not?

Not accepting it would disappoint Third Master’s kind intentions. Accepting it—it was too valuable, and she felt uneasy.

However, this cloak really was very beautiful, and she liked it very much.

Yu Tang couldn’t make up her mind.

She wished her mother were here.

Then she could ask her mother.

Yu Tang traced the raised patterns on the kesi silk with her fingertips, frowning in distress.

On Gu Xi’s side, she too had finished dressing and was idly sitting at her writing desk reading. However, when Hexiang came to report to her, her fingers gripped the book pages so tightly she nearly tore the book.

“Yu Miss’s personal maid Shuang Tao ran to find Third Master’s personal page boy?” Her face darkened as if about to rain, appearing somewhat distorted in the flickering lamplight.

“Yes!” Hexiang responded softly. “The two of them hid behind the flowering trees pulling and tugging at each other for quite a while before Shuang Tao left. Then A’Ming ran to see Third Master.”

Gu Xi asked: “Where was Third Master at that time?”

“Still in the Old Madam’s quarters,” Hexiang answered.

Gu Xi’s brows knitted together, her tone quite cold: “And then?”

Hexiang stammered: “Then after A’Ming went in, about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, A’Ming came out from the Old Madam’s quarters with Third Master and returned to his lodgings at Ouhé Hall.”

Gu Xi was startled and said: “After returning to Ouhé Hall, he didn’t go to Miss Yu’s quarters again?”

Hexiang paused and said: “I stood there for a while then came back, so I don’t know…” whether anyone went afterward. Besides, she didn’t want to keep spying anymore—in such cold weather, one wrong move could freeze a person badly.

Fortunately, Gu Xi said nothing more, waving her hand to dismiss her.

That night, Gu Xi didn’t sleep well, constantly wondering why Shuang Tao had gone to find A’Ming.

But the next morning, when she went to pay respects to the Old Madam, she found out.

At that time, only Yu Tang was in the room. The servants who usually attended weren’t anywhere to be seen. Since she had become familiar with everyone in the Old Madam’s quarters during this time, the old woman at the door didn’t stop her when she entered. She walked straight into the main hall as if entering uninhabited territory. Just as she was wondering why there was no one in the room and whether she should make some noise, she heard the Old Madam’s voice: “…He only began learning to manage household affairs after his father passed. Before that, he never concerned himself with such matters, so inevitably there are lapses in propriety. Please don’t take it to heart.”