Pei Yan also had someone bring over some peaches, plums, and other fruits.

Yu Tang looked at the fresh, tender peaches and bright red plums in the fruit plate, unable to hide the astonishment on her face: “Peaches and plums are already on the market this early?”

“Probably not yet, right?” Pei Yan answered lazily. “The estate steward sent them over, saying they’re new varieties grown on the estate. Only two or three baskets fruited, not enough to sell yet, so he brought them for me to taste first.”

Yu Tang thought of the sea buckthorn trees she’d gone to see during New Year’s. Forget bearing fruit—they’d barely even bloomed.

She immediately felt somewhat deflated, very much wanting to visit the Pei family estate to see exactly what differences existed between their mountain forests…

Yu Tang bit into the peach resentfully.

The flavor was sweet and refreshing, extremely delicious.

The frustration in her heart increased by several degrees.

Pei Yan found her pouty, sulky face quite amusing.

He’d said those cryptic words, thinking Yu Tang should come find him for clarification, and sure enough, Yu Tang had run over within his expected timeframe.

His stay in this godforsaken place for several days hadn’t been in vain.

However, once Pei Yan set his mind on someone, that person would find it very difficult to escape his grasp.

He observed Yu Tang carefully, feeling that if he didn’t throw out some more bait, Miss Yu might explode—and that wouldn’t be fun anymore.

Pei Yan hurriedly said: “You said you had urgent business with me. Is it about Ku’an Temple? Those young ladies couldn’t handle it and asked you to step in and help?”

Yu Tang had to admire Pei Yan’s cleverness.

She nodded and said straightforwardly: “I proposed the incense-making matter, so I can’t abandon it halfway. Therefore, I’d like to borrow someone from you.”

Pei Yan thought for a moment and said: “Manager Tong?”

This fellow was too smart.

Yu Tang no longer wanted to rack her brain figuring out how he’d guessed. But while he’d guessed she had designs on the Tong family, he hadn’t guessed specifically whom, which still gave Yu Tang a small moment of secret satisfaction. She couldn’t help showing Pei Yan a more radiant smile than usual, saying cheerfully: “Manager Tong is advanced in years and highly virtuous. If he diverts his attention to managing this matter, what about the Pei family pawnshop? Besides, we’re only dealing with small incense-making matters—why use a cleaver to kill a chicken? I think the Pei family pawnshop still needs Manager Tong sitting in command. Having Young Manager Tong help us make decisions would be enough.”

Pei Yan froze.

Watching him, Yu Tang felt gleeful and said hurriedly: “What’s wrong? Do you think it’s inappropriate? My experience is limited—I could only think of Young Manager Tong. Otherwise, could you give us some advice? See which steward we should invite to help us? Of course, we won’t permanently station this steward with us. We’ll find a suitable person from among our servant women or the temple’s lay Buddhists and masters as soon as possible to take over. Then he can return to managing Pei family affairs. What do you think?”

Pei Yan felt that even assigning Young Manager Tong would be using a cleaver to kill a chicken. But when he thought carefully, among his stewards, there truly was no one more suitable than Young Manager Tong.

He glanced at Yu Tang.

Just in time to catch a flash of smugness in her eyes.

This little schemer!

No wonder she was being so obedient—she’d dug a pit here waiting for him.

But he wasn’t one to be trifled with either.

She just thought he couldn’t produce someone more suitable, didn’t she? Then he’d assign Hu Xing to her.

Pei Yan immediately said: “Young Manager Tong is fine. However, Manager Tong goes to Hangzhou every month to reconcile accounts. If he leaves again, the pawnshop won’t be very convenient. I think having Hu Xing help you would be better. He mainly serves Old Madame now, so he should be able to handle your affairs as well.”

Hu Xing would naturally be even better.

This person was extremely sociable, an old hand in the Pei household, with connections both inside and outside the residence, and quite capable. The drawback was that Hu Xing was an old fox—getting him to wholeheartedly listen to her orders and work for them would require considerable effort.

But this way, she’d be led around by the nose by Pei Yan again.

Yu Tang’s eyes rolled, and she immediately had her argument. She said: “Chief Steward Hu would naturally be even better. But as you said, he mainly follows Old Madame’s orders now. If he runs to Ku’an Temple with us every few days, wouldn’t that be the tail wagging the dog, leaving Old Madame without capable people? Moreover, Old Madame let the Pei young misses manage this matter precisely to train their ability to handle affairs. If we use Chief Steward Hu, won’t Old Madame feel it hasn’t achieved the purpose of training them?”

If he still ignored her after she said this, then she’d have no more scruples. He’d better not blame her later for working Hu Xing to the bone.

Yu Tang gazed at Pei Yan with bright eyes, even blinking without realizing it herself.

Was she declaring war on him?

Pei Yan raised his eyebrows.

However, these words of hers truly left him unable to pick out any flaws.

His mother had been the clan matriarch for half a lifetime, accustomed to making unilateral decisions. Since he’d already assigned Hu Xing to serve his mother, pulling Hu Xing out again to use for his nieces and Yu Tang would indeed be somewhat inappropriate.

It seemed he’d still underestimated Miss Yu.

Besides having looks and occasionally being rash and impulsive, she sometimes actually had a brain.

Pei Yan had always appreciated people who could snatch food from his mouth.

He smiled and said: “Then it’s settled. I’ll send someone to inform Manager Tong right away and have Young Manager Tong come find you.”

How could that work?

Nobles shouldn’t be treated cheaply.

She was inviting Young Manager Tong to help, not inviting Young Manager Tong to run errands for her.

Yu Tang immediately said: “Where’s the need for such trouble? My family and Manager Tong’s family could be considered old family friends. As long as you give the word, I’ll personally go invite Young Manager Tong.”

Since Pei Yan had decided to help her and was prepared to let go, he wouldn’t play any more tricks. He readily agreed and stopped concerning himself with this matter, leaving Yu Tang and the others to figure things out themselves.

He picked up his tea, looking ready to see his guest out.

Yu Tang was furious.

This Pei Xiaguang always played tricks in front of her, speaking in half-truths.

Yu Tang immediately picked up her tea cup as well, took a sip of the mulberry and chrysanthemum drink, and said: “This tea is quite good. It seems somewhat different from the mulberry and chrysanthemum drink I’ve had at home before. Who prepared this tea? Does Third Master have the formula? Can it be shared? If it’s inconvenient to share, could you tell me where I might find it? I think this tea has a light taste with a lingering aftertaste. I’d like to get some for my mother to try too.”

If she wanted to ask him something, just ask—why create so many pretexts!

Pei Yan feigned ignorance, wanting to see what move Yu Tang would make, and simply went along with her words: “I don’t know who prepared it. Qing Yuan? Yan Qing? I don’t remember. Let A’Ming help you ask and give you the formula.”

Yu Tang thanked him with a smile, ready to obtain the formula without ceremony, then immediately threw a direct pitch: “Last time you said Miss Gu would present incense at Zhaoming Temple’s Buddha Bathing Festival sermon gathering. How did you know about this? Did Miss Gu send someone to consult with you? Wasn’t the Buddha Bathing Festival sermon gathering organized by Old Madame? Can anyone who donates anything appear at the grand ceremony?”

Now this is interesting!

Pei Yan was momentarily stunned by Yu Tang’s sudden barrage of questions, but he quickly recovered and smiled: “Of course it’s because the Gu family sent someone to speak with my mother. If the marriage between the Gu and Pei families succeeds, Miss Gu will be our Pei family’s eldest grandson’s wife. If she can spread her virtuous reputation at the incense gathering, it would also benefit our Pei family.”

Yu Tang didn’t believe this at all. She smiled and said: “It seems Third Master will ultimately pass the clan head position to the eldest young master after all.”

Otherwise, why bother letting Gu Xi build a virtuous reputation?

If one pursued an official career, family members were best kept low-profile and anonymous. First, to avoid being sought out for favors over every little matter, causing trouble for no reason. Second, to avoid overshadowing the superiors’ female relatives, making superiors lose face and damaging mutual affection.

Pei Yan froze again.

There were all kinds of speculations outside, but not a single person dared say them to his face, let alone question him about them.

Yu Tang knew Pei Yan hadn’t expected her words to be so sharp, so she simply said bluntly: “If Third Master has no intention of making the eldest young master clan head, I can’t understand why you’d elevate Miss Gu to compete for this virtuous reputation. I think I’m certainly not the only person in Lin’an who would speculate this way.”

Pei Yan’s expression immediately darkened.

He hadn’t expected Yu Tang to be so bold as to poke at their family’s sore spot.

Had he indulged her too much, allowing her to go from being cautious before to speaking so recklessly now!

Pei Yan picked up his tea and said sternly: “It’s getting late. Miss Yu should head back early! Otherwise, if it gets too late and the roads become difficult, your family will worry.”

What a temper!

Turning hostile at the drop of a hat.

Unable to tolerate even half a sentence that didn’t suit him.

Yu Tang complained inwardly but showed nothing on her face. She dared not truly antagonize him. She pretended to know nothing and smiled: “It’s not even past noon yet? There’s still time!” After saying this, she suddenly showed an expression of dawning realization and slapped her hands together: “Oh my, I was so focused on hurrying here that I forgot it’s nearly lunchtime. You surely haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Then I won’t disturb you. I’ll rest nearby. After you’ve had lunch and your afternoon rest, I’ll come visit you again. As for how we should handle the Buddha Bathing Festival incense gathering, I have no idea at all. I’m afraid I’ll still need to consult you about this.” Then, without waiting for Pei Yan to say anything, she rose with a smile, preparing to take her leave.

Pei Yan was dumbfounded.

What was this?

Retreating to advance?

She didn’t actually think he wouldn’t dare offend her, did she?

If she wanted to stay for lunch, he’d do exactly as she did—pretend to know nothing!

Pei Yan changed to a smiling face and said gently: “Since that’s the case, I won’t keep Miss Yu. As for the Buddha Bathing Festival incense gathering, I don’t know the specific arrangements right now either, so I’m afraid I can’t help Miss Yu much.”

Yu Tang knew Pei Yan lacked scruples, but she hadn’t expected him to be this unscrupulous.

She snorted coldly in her heart but showed no sign of yielding.

He told her not to come, didn’t he?

She’d make him ask her to stay himself.

Yu Tang pondered in her heart, her smile growing more radiant: “That Third Master is letting Young Manager Tong help us is already an enormous favor—we’re all infinitely grateful. Since you don’t know the arrangements for the incense gathering, it just so happens I haven’t yet visited Old Madame. I’ll go ask Old Madame then.”