Pei Yan didn’t care about these matters.

He knew that Fourth Master Song’s proposal was impossible for those present to agree to.

When there was someone to take the blame, who would be willing to drag their own family down?

Yet Fourth Master Song still couldn’t read the situation and pursued Pei Yan with questions: “What do you think?”

Pei Yan glanced at Fourth Master Song, but saw helplessness in his clear gaze.

Indeed, anyone who could become a clan head was no fool. If the Song family had no one in the court, they were just fish meat on the chopping block. Besides playing dumb and muddling through troubled waters, what else could they do?

At this moment, Pei Yan was immensely grateful that the Pei family’s younger generation was capable, giving him backup moves to turn the tables and the ability to intimidate these people.

He said indifferently: “Didn’t I say before? I’m in the minority obeying the majority. I’ll listen to everyone.”

Fourth Master Song’s eyes couldn’t hide his disappointment. The look he gave Pei Yan suddenly flashed with a hint of viciousness, then he smiled and moved closer to Pei Yan, saying in a low voice: “Though the Song family isn’t what it used to be, Hangzhou is still Song family territory. If I said there was something happening in Hangzhou I didn’t know about, that would be laughable. Xiguang, you and I are maternal cousins. How about we have a private word? The Tao family may be good, but ultimately they’re unrelated people.”

Pei Yan was completely unmoved, as if he didn’t understand the meaning in his words. He smiled and said: “Being unrelated has its advantages—at least they won’t use the banner of kinship to take advantage of me.” Having finished, as if remembering something, he smiled brazenly at Fourth Master Song, but his voice was very fierce, carrying a somewhat gloomy emphasis: “I most hate it when people take advantage of me.”

Fourth Master Song was badly startled by Pei Yan’s appearance like a murderous demon. His heart palpitated, his face turned somewhat pale, and he mumbled incoherently.

Pei Yan, however, resumed his previous expressionless face and leisurely took his seat beside Tao Qing.

Tao Qing was very interested in what he had just gone to do. Smiling, he said to him in a low voice: “I see that no matter what we say, it’s just going in circles, coming and going, repeating the same things over and over. Why not dismiss after the noon meal? You and I can also go out for a walk. The small vendors’ stalls outside the temple should all be set up by now, right? Let’s go see what they’re selling.”

In Pei Yan’s mind appeared a scene of bright spring light, with a group of exquisitely dressed, pretty young ladies arm in arm selecting their favorite items at those small stalls outside Zhaomin Temple.

He inexplicably felt somewhat vexed and restless, even unable to sit still, especially seeing Gu Chang still repeatedly saying to Elder Master Peng: “This matter, by reason and propriety, should be mentioned to the Yin and Li families. Isn’t the scripture lecture gathering to last nine days? I think we should send them word early. Even if the family heads can’t make it in time, sending a chief steward would work! The Yin family has a son-in-law in the Messenger Office. If this blows up, it would still be quite troublesome.”

In the end, Gu Chang just wanted to accumulate his network of connections and make everyone owe him a favor.

He felt even more uncomfortable.

Why should he do the work and let Gu Chang take the credit?

Especially since Gu Chang had become Pei Tong’s elder brother-in-law.

Pei Yan suddenly stood up.

Influential people’s every move draws special attention.

Pei Yan was no exception.

So after he stood up, not only did everyone’s gaze fall on him, but those who were speaking also stopped their topics, pricking up their ears wanting to hear what he had to say.

Pei Yan didn’t disappoint them either.

His expression stern and his voice severe, he said solemnly: “There are currently two matters. The first matter: how to satisfy Gu Chaoyang’s report? The second matter: should the Maritime Trade Bureau be abolished or not? For the first matter, Zhaomin Temple has a scripture lecture gathering—invite Wei Sanfu to Zhaomin Temple to watch the excitement, and everyone sit down to discuss what to do about these two hundred thousand taels of silver. Chaoyang will be responsible for this matter. For the second matter, I’ll take this opportunity to make a trip to Suzhou and ask Wang Qibao the purpose of his leaving the capital this time. Who will stay here to wait for Wei Sanfu, and who will go with me to Suzhou—everyone should decide on a plan now, and we’ll act separately.” Having finished, he swept his gaze over everyone present before continuing: “Does anyone have objections?”

Such an arrangement was naturally the best.

Only it turned the key point that should have been the Jiangnan aristocratic families taking the blame—the two hundred thousand taels of silver—into solving a problem for Gu Chaoyang instead.

The corners of Gu Chang’s mouth twitched slightly. He wanted to say something, but looking up he saw Elder Master Peng’s eager expression, and he tightly closed his mouth.

Pei Yan had proposed an idea beneficial to everyone. Whatever he said at this moment would only harm everyone’s interests, make people unhappy, and might even lead them to suspect he had selfish motives.

Nothing he did would be right!

He could only remain silent.

Elder Master Peng was truly pleased.

He couldn’t be bothered with those two hundred thousand taels of silver. Getting Pei Yan to take the lead on the Maritime Trade Bureau matter meant the main purpose of his coming had basically been achieved.

Full of smiles, he stood up and praised Pei Yan: “Xiguang’s idea is sound. I think it’s good! As for the gifts for visiting Wang Qibao, our Peng family is willing to be at Xiguang’s disposal!” At this point, finding himself quite humorous, he laughed and continued: “Xiguang, I’m not saying your Pei family can’t afford this silver. What I mean is, we can’t let you exert effort and spend money while we sit by and enjoy the results. We people should also contribute our share—that’s only fair to you, isn’t it?”

His words reminded the other families.

They all expressed their willingness to share equally in the expenses for the gifts to visit Wang Qibao.

Pei Yan was noncommittal.

On Yu Tang’s side, she had already received the sweets and pastries Pei Yan had sent.

Looking at the bamboo baskets piled on the floor and the boxes filling the round table, she pointed at herself doubtfully and confirmed repeatedly with Hu Xing: “You’re saying all this was sent to me by Third Master?”

Hu Xing nodded repeatedly. Gazing at Yu Tang’s face as beautiful as peach blossoms and plums, he secretly marveled at how Yu Tang was growing more beautiful, while smiling warmly and replying: “Third Master also had me bring you a message, saying Miss Gu will also attend the scripture lecture gathering tomorrow, and asks you to go early too.”

Go early for what?

To compete with Gu Xi?

By then all the matriarchs from various households would be present—she knew she didn’t have that much face!

Yu Tang listened with anger in her heart.

Looking again at these things piled halfway across the room, her heart bubbled like boiling water.

What did Pei Yan mean by this?

Was he initiating reconciliation with her?

That day she was angry—did he notice?

Yu Tang clutched the handkerchief in her hand.

Actually, Pei Yan was still a decent person.

Though his mouth was like a knife, his intentions were good. He was just a bit arrogant—even when he did something wrong, he was unwilling to admit it.

The corners of Yu Tang’s mouth curved slightly upward.

Thinking that this small flaw of Pei Yan’s was actually quite endearing, like a little child.

No wonder her mother said that though men were the pillars of the household, they had a child living inside them who would pop out from time to time to be mischievous. At such times, one could only coax them, not scold them.

Then she would forgive Pei Yan.

Yu Tang picked up a box containing nested silk candy.

Hu Xing hurriedly said: “This was sent from the capital. Our household buys a lot every year—for family to eat and to give as gifts. However, we only give it to close friends and old acquaintances. Ordinary families don’t use this for reciprocal gifts.” As he spoke, he stood up and rummaged around, pulling out a square box made of kraft paper with a red character for fortune written in clerical script in the center, saying: “You must try this. It’s from the Tao family—ice rice cake from Fengcheng in Jiangxi. It’s quite rare here.”

Yu Tang smiled and thanked him, increasingly convinced she must have misunderstood Pei Yan earlier.

Pei Yan having someone bring her word that Gu Xi would attend tomorrow’s scripture lecture gathering was probably because he feared she would compete with Gu Xi, specially reminding her.

“I understand!” Yu Tang accepted the gift list, smiling as she gestured for Shuang Tao to refill Hu Xing’s tea, saying: “Thank you so much! And for making the trip yourself.”

“No thanks necessary, no thanks necessary.” Hu Xing said respectfully, feeling he should be even more courteous to the Yu family’s people.

Yu Tang then asked him: “What is Third Master doing now? I’ve received his gift—I should think about returning a gift.”

This was inquiring about Pei Yan’s whereabouts.

Hu Xing didn’t think this was an issue.

The Pei family was hosting, and the clan heads from several families who came to worship Buddha sitting together to chat was perfectly normal.

He said: “They’ve borrowed the great hall on the west side of Zhaomin Temple’s meditation rooms to chat together! The noon meal will probably be taken there in the hall. As for the evening meal, I don’t know. Even returning to their lodgings, it should be quite late.”

Meaning there was no opportunity today!

But Pei Yan chatting with clan heads surely wouldn’t be like their inner chamber ladies discussing only clothes and jewelry—they should discuss current affairs and economics. Would they talk about the current dynasty’s princes?

Yu Tang felt a bit anxious.

She said: “I heard Lord Gu also came. I wonder if he came for private or official business?”

Hu Xing naturally told what he knew: “I don’t know either. For the several clan heads talking in the great hall, only Pei Qi was arranged to serve tea and water. He’s Third Master’s personal attendant.”

Meaning whatever the people in the hall discussed was to be kept confidential.

Yu Tang understood and said to Hu Xing with a smile: “If I wanted to go thank Third Master, when do you think would be appropriate?”

Hu Xing also wanted to curry favor with Yu Tang and smiled: “That’s hard to say. However, I’ll watch for you. As soon as there’s news, I’ll have someone tell you.”

Yu Tang thanked Hu Xing and served tea.

Hu Xing naturally couldn’t stay long. He rose to take his leave and went to the hall.

The people inside were still talking.

He had Pei Qi relay a message to Pei Yan: “Miss Yu wants to come thank Third Master.”

Though Pei Qi didn’t like Yu Tang troubling Pei Yan at this critical juncture, whether to see her or not wasn’t for him to decide. He still dutifully went to report.

When Pei Yan learned of this, he felt somewhat smug.

This showed young ladies needed coaxing—once coaxed, they became obedient.

He thought perhaps in the future he should send Yu Tang sweets and pastries from time to time, to prevent her from always throwing tantrums in front of him. After teasing her just a few sentences, she would make a fuss and even get angry!

Pei Yan wanted to make Yu Tang wait a bit.

He said indifferently: “Thanks aren’t necessary. Just attend the scripture lecture gathering on time tomorrow and don’t make a scene with Miss Gu or suffer any losses.”

When Yu Tang received this message, she was once again too angry to speak.

What kind of person was this!

He specially sent someone to relay a message to her just to warn her not to get upset with Gu Xi?

When had she ever actively provoked Gu Xi?

Pei Yan was being unfair.

Was it just because Gu Xi had become his nephew’s wife that he was starting to side with Gu Xi?