Drawing lacquerware patterns for the Yu family was Pei Yan’s spur-of-the-moment idea. Yu Tang didn’t believe at all that Pei Yan understood lacquerware, yet his serious demeanor involuntarily made her suspicious.

Perhaps he really was someone who could master everything once he learned one thing!

Before the mourning period, hadn’t Pei Yan never farmed either? But now, even she had heard that the peaches, plums, and pears from the Pei family estate were sold as far as Jiangnan and the Two Lakes regions. There were even rumors that their peaches were going to become tribute items.

Yu Tang had no choice but to suppress her doubts and sit quietly beside him listening to Pei Yan speak.

She heard him ask her eldest cousin: “What kind of shop do you want to make your family’s into?”

Yu Yuan was startled, thought for a moment, then said cautiously: “To be able to earn money every year, so the family elders don’t have to worry about the shop’s business anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan pursed his lips and said: “Your ambitions are too grand.”

Yu Tang knew he was speaking sarcastically and was considering whether to say a few words on her eldest cousin’s behalf when Yu Yuan already smiled and said: “We’re from a small household—these are the only ambitions we have. To expand the business, one needs connections in official circles. Our family has few members. My second uncle is the best at studying among us, so we won’t sit on this mountain gazing at that higher one.”

She thought that after her eldest cousin said such things, Pei Yan would surely be even more contemptuous. Who would have expected that Pei Yan’s expression would freeze slightly, as if recalling something? He stared blankly for quite a while before saying softly: “Being content brings happiness! Sometimes this is truly a blessing.”

His voice carried a trace of melancholy that made Yu Tang’s hair stand on end.

How could Pei Yan speak in such a tone and say such things?

She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Pei Yan.

But Pei Yan just happened to turn back, and their gazes collided directly.

Yu Tang hastily smiled at him.

He froze again, then curved his mouth in a self-mocking manner. Sweeping away his previous dejection and despondency, he once again became domineering and said: “You want to make money, but you also have to be able to make it! If you only set your goal at making money, then you definitely won’t make big money. In my opinion, your courage needs to be bolder. At minimum you should aim to be first in Lin’an, top three in Zhejiang, right? No, even if you become first in Lin’an and top three in Zhejiang, you probably still won’t be famous in Suzhou or Guangdong. As I see it, you need to find a way to make your shop number one in Zhejiang. This way, your shop won’t have to worry about making money. Think about it—am I right or not?”

He was right.

Not to mention Yu Yuan—even Yu Tang felt what he said made sense.

But to become number one in Zhejiang required first, capital investment, and second, someone’s protection.

Pei Yan truly spoke without considering the difficulties!

But both Yu Yuan and Yu Tang were intelligent people. Pei Yan clearly knew their family’s situation yet dared to speak this way, which most likely meant he already had some plan. Yu Yuan also saw this—this Third Master of the Pei family was different from the Old Master. The Old Master was like warm winter sun; if you came seeking help with difficulties, as long as the old gentleman knew about it, he would certainly handle it for you. This Third Master particularly enjoyed being flattered. Even if he had a solution, he needed people to praise him before he would possibly tell you.

No longer fearing embarrassment, he said directly: “I’ve always been rather slow-witted and can’t think of any methods. You’re Third Master of the Pei manor and surely have solutions. Why don’t you just tell me directly?”

Pei Yan heard countless flattering words every day—how could he care what Yu Yuan said?

He looked at Yu Tang without speaking.

Yu Tang was extremely annoyed.

So her elder brother’s kind words weren’t enough—she had to say a few kind words too?

Yu Tang deliberately ignored him and stared straight back at him.

The two looked at each other for a while before Pei Yan finally conceded defeat.

He touched his nose, feeling that Miss Yu’s cat claws had emerged again. He’d better not provoke that trouble.

Of course, it wasn’t that he feared this trouble, but rather he felt his time was precious and couldn’t be wasted on such a small matter. Moreover, there was Shen Shanyan pursuing him relentlessly, making it impossible to guard against. He should resolve the Yu family’s matter as soon as possible.

Pei Yan spoke frankly: “I thought of this when I saw your family’s lacquerware. In a few days, censors will come here to re-investigate several cases. I received word that the Ceremonial Directorate might also send people. You should follow my suggestion and find a way to quickly make several beautiful carved red lacquer boxes that I can use as gifts. Then your family’s boxes will become famous.”

When all was said and done, they still had to take this route.

Yu Yuan was overjoyed and repeatedly agreed.

Seeing no joy on Yu Tang’s face, Pei Yan immediately felt displeased and asked: “You think this isn’t good?”

“No.” Yu Tang naturally knew Pei Yan was helping their family. But ever since she decided to escape from the Li family, she knew that in all matters, relying on others was inferior to relying on oneself. Others could help you temporarily but not forever. After receiving someone’s kindness, one should remember it in one’s heart and repay them, while also taking advantage of the opportunity to stand on one’s own. Only then would one not disappoint those who had helped.

She said: “I’m thinking about what kind of boxes to make!”

Pei Yan’s expression cleared greatly as he said: “Today is too late—there’s not quite enough time. When I’m free these next few days, I’ll draw a few more patterns for you—eight or eleven sets would be good. As for your family’s side, you need to make the boxes as quickly as possible.”

Carved red lacquer boxes required dozens of layers of lacquer applied repeatedly.

Yu Yuan said: “Rest assured. This matter will certainly be handled properly.”

His words had barely fallen when San Mu rushed in gasping for breath, clutching two boxes in his arms.

Yu Tang took the boxes and personally handed them to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan examined their family’s boxes carefully and said: “This carving work is really quite mediocre. Look—here, here, and here—the lines aren’t handled crisply enough. You must pay attention to the boxes I want. Also, this lacquer isn’t bright enough. Is it because the lacquer quality is poor? Or can’t your family formulate brighter lacquer? The carved red lacquer box I saw in the palace was as reflective as a mirror. You need to find a way to achieve this level of craftsmanship.”

Regarding carved red lacquer techniques, Yu Tang didn’t understand very well either.

She and Pei Yan both looked at Yu Yuan together.

Yu Yuan was so nervous his back broke out in sweat. He said: “The lacquer quality is poor. When my grandfather was alive, he also made boxes as bright as mirrors, but it required tremendous effort.”

So the technical aspects could still be resolved.

Pei Yan immediately said: “Good then. You should first procure some quality lacquer, then discuss with your family’s master craftsmen how to make boxes as reflective as mirrors and how to improve your family’s carving work.” After finishing, he also called A’Ming in loudly: “Go to the accounting office and withdraw two thousand taels of silver for the young master.”

The Yu siblings were left dumbfounded by this turn of events and said in unison: “No need, no need. Our family still has that much silver. You helped our family so greatly last time—we still have money deposited at the silver shop!”

But Pei Yan didn’t change his mind: “Since this is my idea, whether this matter succeeds or fails is my responsibility. This silver isn’t a gift to you but temporarily loaned to you. When you’ve made money, you must return it to me.” After speaking, as if afraid they wouldn’t accept, he paused and continued: “I’ll charge you three percent interest.”

Now Yu Tang and Yu Yuan had nothing to say.

Pei Yan mentioned several more inadequacies in their boxes when A’Ming came to report that Scholar Shen had arrived.

Pei Yan’s brows furrowed so tightly they could trap a mosquito as he said: “Ask Scholar Shen to sit in the flower hall for a while. I’ll be right there.”

Yu Yuan stood to take his leave.

Yu Tang couldn’t very well keep them longer either, but before leaving she still couldn’t help quietly asking Pei Yan: “What does Scholar Shen want with you? I heard he’s been coming to find you constantly these days!”

Pei Yan hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue.

Yu Tang was quite astonished.

What matter could make the straightforward Pei Yan not know what to say…

But she wasn’t one to force others into difficulty. She acted as if she’d never asked the question and smiled: “Then I’ll go see my elder brother off first.”

Pei Yan nodded.

The Yu siblings left the Tilling Garden.

Yu Yuan said: “You’re staying here a few more days? Shall I come fetch you then?”

Yu Tang shook her head: “Isn’t sister-in-law due to give birth soon? Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay at the Pei manor another two or three days. The Pei family’s sedan chair will send me back then. You don’t need to worry—just handle the matters Third Master entrusted well.”

“That’s for certain.” Yu Yuan said with emotion: “Third Master has shown our family great kindness. We can’t pull the planks from his boat. No matter what, this time I must make the boxes Third Master wants.”

Yu Tang encouraged her eldest cousin with a few words, watched him leave the Pei manor, then slowly walked toward the guest room where she was staying.

In her previous life, in places she couldn’t see, Pei Yan had seemingly helped her greatly as well. In this life, she hoped for an opportunity to repay Pei Yan properly.

Moreover, Pei Yan hadn’t deliberately concealed his assistance to the Yu family’s lacquerware shop. She believed everyone up and down the Pei household would soon know. Should she mention it to Old Madam Pei? After all, their Yu family had received kindness—both emotionally and logically she should go express thanks.

Having made up her mind, Yu Tang went to Old Madam Pei’s quarters.

The Old Madam was reclining on her imperial concubine couch listening to Zhenzhu read Buddhist scriptures to her. Seeing her enter, she smiled and had Zhenzhu bring over an embroidered stool.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yu Tang sat down and chatted with the Old Madam for a bit, then gradually steered the conversation toward what had just happened: “…After seeing my elder brother off, thinking about him going back to make boxes, I wanted to ask if you have any favorite patterns. I’ll have my elder brother make a few for you to store things in.”

Old Madam Pei’s eyes shifted.

Little girl—she wanted to inform her that the Yu family had received kindness from Pei Yan, didn’t she?

Old Madam Pei smiled: “You say Xiaguang drew two patterns for your family? I don’t want anything else—just give me two boxes with the patterns he drew.”

This was simple.

Yu Tang most feared Old Madam Pei thinking she had ulterior motives, trying to ride on Pei Yan’s coattails.

“Alright.” She hastily agreed: “I’ll have my elder brother select two with the finest carving for you.”

Old Madam Pei thought for a moment and said: “Then just have him make several more. For the Buddha Bathing Festival, I need to send Buddhist scriptures to Zhaoming Temple. Make two more boxes that can hold Buddhist scriptures.”

Yu Tang agreed repeatedly. When Fifth Miss finished her studies, the two accompanied Old Madam Pei for the evening meal, discussed Buddhist incense matters for a while, then each returned to their rooms.

Nanny Chen asked Old Madam Pei: “Should we mention this to Third Master?”

Suddenly caring for the Yu family’s business without reason like this—anyone who knew would think about it for a while.