Qing Yuan didn’t care about First Madam’s reaction.

First Master’s household and Third Master appeared to coexist peacefully on the surface, but in reality they were already like fire and water—and this fire and water was mostly First Madam’s own wishful thinking. As someone from Third Master’s household, even if she fawned over First Madam, First Madam not only wouldn’t appreciate it, but would think it was because Third Master owed First Master something and was trying to curry favor with them. Why should she offer up Third Master’s dignity for First Madam to trample?

Qing Yuan discussed the matter of fresh fruits with Hu Xing: “It’s precisely the season when all things revive. When cherries go out of season, wild water chestnuts should come into market, right? Whatever the case, find a way to send some over. When Third Master returns, I’ll have something to report.”

“That goes without saying.” Hu Xing was greatly alarmed, but at the same time felt somewhat proud in his heart.

He had always treated the Yu family with courtesy—clearly this move was right.

“You can rest assured,” he promised Qing Yuan. “Apart from the several old madams’ quarters, it’s Miss Yu’s place. Anyone can go without, but Miss Yu won’t lack for anything.”

Qing Yuan thought for a moment and said: “That’s not necessary either. Miss Yu is a junior—treating her too generously and drawing others’ attention wouldn’t be good.”

Hu Xing smiled: “What do you have to worry about with me handling things! I guarantee no one will notice, no one will gossip.”

Qing Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

Hu Xing was one of the three chief stewards in the household. If he didn’t even have this much discernment and ability, it would be time for someone else to sit in the chief steward’s position.

She took half a basket of apples back to Yu Tang’s place, cut a plate of fresh fruit, and brought it in.

Yu Tang was studying Liu Gongquan’s calligraphy, while Miss Xu was studying Lady Wei’s. Yu Tang’s characters had sharper brushstrokes, while Miss Xu’s were much gentler. But Miss Xu clearly wrote better than Yu Tang.

Without showing any reaction, Qing Yuan moved the brush rest between them and smiled: “Eat some fruit before continuing to copy! Otherwise the fruit will turn brown soon.”

Miss Xu had originally just been passing time. Now that there was something else to do, she immediately put down her brush, pulled Yu Tang to eat apples, and said: “Yesterday’s cherries were delicious! Are there none today? I’ll have A’Fu give you some broken silver and send a young servant to buy some back.”

While personally serving tea to the two, Qing Yuan smiled and said: “The cherries here in Lin’an are all small and rather sour. Yesterday’s cherries were rushed over from Shandong by swift horse—they’re large and sweet. We didn’t expect both young ladies would enjoy Shandong cherries so much. I’ll arrange it right away, though I’m afraid they won’t arrive today—we’ll have to wait a day or two. Otherwise, shall we send someone to buy some local cherries first? If the two young ladies find them too sour, we can add rock sugar or honey to make fruit preserve and drink it mixed with water—that’s also very delicious.”

Miss Xu couldn’t help but regard Qing Yuan more highly and smiled: “Our family often uses this method too. When did you enter the household? Have you been to the capital with Third Master?”

The climate in the capital was dry with much wind and sand, so fruits weren’t suitable for storage and were usually made into preserves to eat.

Qing Yuan smiled: “My family are hereditary servants. I entered the household at five, first serving in the Old Madam’s quarters. At eight, I began serving Third Master. When Third Master went to the capital, I also went along.”

In other words, she entered the household first and learned the rules in the Old Madam’s quarters.

She was a true trusted hereditary servant.

Miss Xu nodded inwardly.

Yu Tang also perceived that Qing Yuan was different from others, but she felt she was merely a passing guest in the Pei household. If Qing Yuan treated her courteously, she would also respect Qing Yuan—that was enough. As for other matters, there was no need to inquire. Knowing too much wasn’t necessarily a good thing either.

The three chatted and laughed, and soon it was time for the midday meal.

Third Madam Yang, staying next door, looked at First Madam sitting calmly across from her drinking tea and felt quite vexed.

The words had been stated very clearly—the Yin family had few descendants, whether sons or daughters they valued them all, so there was no way they would marry their daughter to Pei Fei as a daughter-in-law. Was this First Madam of the Pei family truly oblivious? Or was she pretending not to understand while perfectly aware?

Third Madam Yang no longer wanted to talk with her, much less invite her to stay for the midday meal and annoy herself.

She picked up her tea and smiled: “I still need to take my medicine, so I won’t keep you. When we’re free, we’ll have a proper chat.”

First Madam was extremely disappointed.

She had thought that with Third Madam Yang keeping her doors closed to guests, she would surely be bored alone and would welcome this old acquaintance from the capital visiting. She hadn’t expected Third Madam Yang to be as disagreeable as before, her words all barbed, the two unable to sit at the same table.

But regarding her second son’s marriage, she absolutely had to fight for it—she couldn’t let the Pei family make the decision.

It was just a pity her natal family had no daughters of suitable age for her second son, otherwise why would she need to seek far when there was someone near?

First Madam wasn’t someone without shame—that she could persist until now was entirely supported by her devoted maternal heart. Now being rejected so nakedly by Third Madam Yang, she could no longer continue.

With a cold expression, she rose to take her leave.

Third Madam Yang personally saw her to the door.

Upon going out, she saw one of her household matrons holding a large blue and white porcelain plate at the doorway talking with someone.

Seeing Third Madam Yang and First Madam Pei, the two immediately stood aside with lowered hands in respectful attendance.

They could have simply walked past, but First Madam had to display her magnanimity and smiled asking: “What are you doing?”

The matron from Third Madam Yang’s quarters quickly said: “Miss Yu’s side sent over a plate of vegetarian buns. I was just expressing thanks.”

First Madam saw that the unfamiliar matron was still holding a pastry box and paid it no mind. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Third Madam Yang, she returned to her meditation room.

Who knew that just after entering and sitting down, she heard a young maid say that Nanny Yang had suffered a grievance today.

First Madam’s brows knitted tightly as she summoned Nanny Yang to question her.

Nanny Yang wore an expression of long-suffering forbearance and said gently: “It’s not really a big matter. Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to reward Bai Zhi with a few vegetarian buns to take out for her relatives to taste? Today when she went to get the buns, who knew Miss Yu’s side found them delicious and also took a large plate, so there was none left for her. I thought to go to the kitchen and have them make another portion. The kitchen had never encountered such a thing and didn’t know what to do. I thought it wasn’t worth making things difficult for the kitchen staff over such a matter—we’ll still need to eat the food they prepare in the future. So I told them to save us a portion tomorrow, which would make up for today’s matter.”

First Madam thought of the scene she had just witnessed.

She couldn’t help but laugh coldly: “So it’s to curry favor with Third Madam Yang. I wonder what good can be gained from such flattery.”

But she was even clearer in her heart that she had no way to give anyone any benefits in the Pei household, which made her feel life was even more difficult and unbearable for even a moment longer.

Lin’an was after all First Madam’s marital home, but Nanny Yang here could be said to know no one and have no connections. Her son was still serving in the Yang family—each additional day here made her more uncomfortable. She couldn’t wait to return to the capital.

She said: “When will the Young Master go to Hangzhou?”

The Lin’an Pei clan dominated alone. Even if she summoned her son to help Pei Tong and Pei Fei, her son would need opportunities to be useful. But Hangzhou was different. The four great southern clans all had branches settled there—the Pei family couldn’t dictate everything and control all matters, could they?

First Madam smiled: “There’s no rush. My in-law’s maternal uncle has arrived and specially summoned A’Tong over to test his learning. Their family must be very satisfied. Even if we’re not anxious about A’Tong’s scholarly career, their family will be anxious.”

Otherwise, why would she have chosen Gu Xi as her daughter-in-law?

As eldest son’s wife, no less!

Back then, their Gu family could even regard someone like Li Duan favorably—how much more so her son?

“However, A’Tong is still young after all and doesn’t pay much attention to social relationships.” First Madam pondered: “Go prepare some gifts and have A’Tong visit my in-law’s maternal uncle more often when he has time. Our in-law’s maternal uncle is no ordinary scholar. When First Master was alive, he praised him more than once and even said if our family had daughters, we would certainly try to marry them to him.”

Speaking of this, she thought of the scene when her husband had told her this and couldn’t help but smile with pleasure.

Nanny Yang sighed deeply.

If First Master were still alive, why would First Madam need to worry about these things?

But First Master’s illness came too suddenly—gone just like that, without even leaving any final words…

She lowered her head and quietly wiped the corners of her eyes.

First Madam now began to take Yu Tang seriously. She asked Nanny Yang: “What’s that Miss Yu’s background? If I’m not mistaken, Miss Gu even mentioned her specially in front of me.”

Because of the vegetarian bun matter, Nanny Yang had already inquired about Yu Tang and knew she came from humble origins, which was why she dared complain about this to First Madam. Hearing this, she quickly told First Madam everything she knew: “…Because her father is a scholar and has a private friendship with Chief Steward Tong, Third Master has met her a few times and invited her to the household to keep the Old Madam company… She also gets along well with the several young ladies and created some fragrance formula that she gave to Ku’an Temple for making Buddha incense… This sermon assembly, their family also showed off quite a bit…”

In First Madam’s view, Yu Tang was just someone taking advantage.

She said disdainfully: “Don’t bother with her. I’ve seen plenty of this type—playing little tricks and thinking they can manipulate everyone, not even knowing how they’ll die. The urgent matter is finding a way to win Gu Chaoyang’s favor for A’Tong. Other matters can wait.”

Living in the Pei household, their nights were long with much idle time. Whenever there was time, it wouldn’t be too late to deal with those who didn’t know their place.

Nanny Yang lowered her eyes and responded “yes.” First Madam began discussing with her what gifts to send to Gu Chaoyang.

At noon, Gu Xi had the midday meal with Miss Wu and took a detour past Yu Tang’s door.

The bright red auspicious doors were tightly closed. Pink wisteria hung down from the wall. When the wind gently blew, it made rustling sounds—tranquility mixed with a touch of sweetness, beautiful as a painting.

Gu Xi stood for a while before going to Miss Xu’s place.

Who knew Miss Xu wasn’t home—she was at Yu Tang’s place.

She couldn’t stay long, much less did she want to see Yu Tang, so she simply returned to her own quarters.

In the afternoon, when she arrived at the dharma hall, Second Madam was talking with Old Madam Pei.

She approached with a beaming smile to pay her respects.

Old Madam Pei seemed to be in very good spirits, smiling as she had a young maid grab a handful of melon seeds for her, then continued listening to Second Madam: “I also tried it myself—the craftsmanship is truly excellent. Miss Yu said when she comes to pay respects to you this evening, she wants to bring Matron Shi along. I think that’s quite good.”

“Then bring her over.” Old Madam Pei said cheerfully, telling the several old madams beside her: “If she’s really that good, inviting her to the household regularly would be nice.”

The several old madams all smiled and nodded.