Yu Tang and Miss Xu decided to visit the ginkgo garden.

The ginkgo garden was in the northwest of the estate, quite far from the courtyard where they were staying. If they went along the covered corridors, they would have to make a large detour, taking one or two hours. If they went along the estate’s bluestone path, it would only take three-quarters of an hour.

Qing Yuan advised them to take the bluestone path: “The roadside is full of blooming camellias, white magnolias, and cyclamens. At this time of year, it’s a riot of purples and reds. When the wind blows, the flower branches sway like a sea—it’s especially beautiful. You really must see it.”

The two immediately decided to follow Qing Yuan’s advice and take the bluestone path to the ginkgo garden.

Qing Yuan immediately gave orders, and naturally Qing Ping and Qing Lian led young maids carrying tea water, small stools, cushions, cooling fans, and other items. A large group of people followed in grand procession, and only then did Qing Yuan breathe a long sigh of relief.

Third Master didn’t usually stay here much, leaving only servant women for cleaning. When Third Master came over this time, he only brought Master Shu and a few others. Fortunately, Steward Si had hurried over and transferred some servant women from other estates. Otherwise, there wouldn’t even be anyone to serve tea around Miss, and those of them who attended personally would have lost great face.

Yu Tang felt it was somewhat mobilizing the masses, but seeing Miss Xu act as if this was nothing unusual, she thought this might be normal practice. She simply adapted to the situation and didn’t make things difficult for those maids by forcing them to change their habits to accommodate her.

On the way, Miss Xu talked about Hangzhou’s famous sights: “We definitely must see Leifeng Pagoda, and Yongjin Gate. I hear the boats there are as numerous as shuttles. Sitting in a private room at Louwailou, besides seeing Yongjin Gate, you can also see Qiantang Gate. And their vinegar fish is absolutely exquisite—everyone who comes to Hangzhou must taste it…”

This meant she wanted to go out and have fun.

As long as it wasn’t accompanying her shopping for clothes and accessories, Yu Tang felt she could go anywhere with Miss Xu.

But before they reached the ginkgo garden, a young servant from beside Third Madam Yang came running after them breathlessly, saying, “Second Master Yin has arrived in Hangzhou. Third Madam asks you to hurry back.”

Miss Xu was both surprised and delighted. She said “I understand” to that servant, then looked at Yu Tang apologetically and said, “It’s my fault today. I asked you out but couldn’t accompany you…”

“Go quickly! When you’re finished with your business, we’ll make another date!” Yu Tang said with a smile. “Didn’t you come here precisely to wait for Magistrate Yin? Don’t keep him waiting anxiously!”

Even so, ever since Miss Xu had received Yin Hao’s letter telling them not to worry needlessly, she hadn’t been as concerned about the situations of the Xu and Yin families. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but say, “I do want to see him, but if he could arrive a few days later, I think that would be even better.”

Miss Xu never forgot about having fun, always and everywhere.

Yu Tang smiled gently.

After seeing Miss Xu off, she also lost interest in leisurely strolling and returned to her own lodgings with Qing Ping and the others.

Qing Yuan was directing several matrons to wash the corners of the courtyard walls. Seeing Yu Tang return so quickly, she hurried forward to support Yu Tang lightly and said, “You didn’t go to the ginkgo garden?”

Yu Tang told Qing Yuan what had happened. Qing Yuan smiled and said, “How about I accompany you there this afternoon for a walk?”

“Let’s wait until there’s another opportunity!” Yu Tang was more curious whether Yin Hao’s arrival would bring any changes to the Pei family. After thinking for a moment, she asked Qing Yuan, “Have you met Huai’an Magistrate Yin Hao?”

“I have!” Qing Yuan smiled as she attended to Yu Tang, seating her at the round table in the reception hall. “Second Master Yin was once Third Master’s superior when Third Master worked in the Six Ministries, and they have a very close private friendship. Later, when Third Master returned home for the mourning period, Second Master Yin became magistrate in Huai’an. Every time Third Master goes to Huai’an, he stays at Second Master Yin’s home, and every time Second Master Yin comes to Hangzhou, he also stays at Third Master’s private residence.”

But ordinary officials couldn’t easily leave their jurisdictions.

For Yin Hao to visit Pei Yan like this, wasn’t there some problem?

Yu Tang had something on her mind. She ate lunch hastily and sat by the window making sachets.

The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching. Previously she didn’t socialize much with people, but now not only was she as close as sisters with Ma Xiuniang, her eldest cousin had also married a satisfactory sister-in-law, and she had made friends like Fifth Miss Pei. This year’s Dragon Boat Festival she would probably need to make several more sachets to give as gifts.

Yu Tang made herself stop overthinking and focused wholeheartedly, quickly completing three or four sachets.

Qing Yuan came to report to her: “Third Master and Magistrate Gu have returned and are talking with Second Master Yin in the study. The evening meal will almost certainly be a welcoming dinner for Second Master Yin. What time would you like your meal served?”

Yu Tang had never imagined Pei Yan would continue having his evening meal here tonight. She smiled and said, “Just the same as before.”

Qing Yuan acknowledged this, but soon returned and said, “A matron from beside Third Madam Yang next door has come to see Miss. She says Third Madam Yang would like to invite you over for the evening meal. What do you think…”

Yesterday Third Madam Yang and Miss Xu hadn’t gone out all afternoon. Today, after Yin Hao arrived, Third Madam Yang was inviting her for the evening meal. Yu Tang felt Third Madam Yang must have some matter to discuss with her, and she also wanted to inquire about Yin Hao’s purpose in coming, so she readily agreed.

Qing Yuan attended to her as she changed into another outfit and went to Third Madam Yang’s place.

Their courtyard was the same size as the one Yu Tang lived in. In the middle of the courtyard stood Lake Tai rocks, pomegranate flowers in bud, and tea-plum flowers in full bloom—a scene of spring vitality.

Shuang Tao lowered her eyelids, thinking their lodgings were actually a bit better—behind the room where they stayed was a small stream, and from Yu Tang’s inner chamber window, one could see not only distant Phoenix Mountain but also a fragrant pear blossom grove.

However, each courtyard had different scenery. Perhaps the place they stayed happened to suit the spring landscape.

Shuang Tao pondered this in her heart, quietly attending to Yu Tang through the evening meal.

Third Madam Yang served Yu Tang with “Snow Water Cloud Green” tea that the Yang family roasted themselves.

Yu Tang also remained composed, waiting for Third Madam Yang to speak.

After drinking three cups of tea and exchanging pleasantries twice, Third Madam Yang saw that Yu Tang continued following her conversation throughout, appearing extremely steady. She couldn’t help but nod inwardly in approval, her evaluation of Yu Tang rising several notches. Only then did she say, “I heard that the eldest master of Old Master Zhang’s family has passed away. Is this true?”

Yu Tang pondered this in her heart.

Zhang Shao’s death could be concealed for two more days at most, and given Yin Hao and Pei Yan’s relationship, even if Yin Hao didn’t know when he arrived, he would certainly know after the welcoming banquet. Since they were staying at the Pei estate, even if she told Third Madam Yang now, it wouldn’t affect the overall situation.

“I’ve heard that too!” Yu Tang said, and took the opportunity to inquire about Yin Hao’s purpose: “Did Magistrate Yin come here because of this matter?”

Third Madam Yang looked at Yu Tang’s beautiful face, feeling somewhat regretful in her heart.

This young lady was rarely intelligent, but born into an ordinary family, no matter how clever she was, there was no room for her to display it.

Her heart softened and she said, “Not really. He came because of salt certificate matters. We only just heard about Surveillance Commissioner Zhang’s affair.”

Pei Yan had said that his purchase of estates in Jiangxi was to exchange grain for salt certificates, and both the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office and the Grand Canal Transport Headquarters were in Huai’an.

It seemed the relationship between the Yin and Pei families was even deeper than she had imagined.

Otherwise, why would Yin Hao, a capital official, willingly accept an external posting to become magistrate in Huai’an?

Yu Tang smiled and said, “Magistrate Zhou has already rushed over there. The Zhang estate will surely be able to lend a hand.”

She was telling Third Madam Yang that both the Pei and Zhou families had involved themselves in the capital’s affairs. The Yin family should decide its attitude as soon as possible.

A gleam of light flashed in Third Madam Yang’s eyes. She suddenly smiled and said, “Miss Yu, must your family recruit a son-in-law?”

Yu Tang’s heart tightened.

Was Third Madam Yang going to act as matchmaker for her?

She could easily decline others’ matchmaking, but with Third Madam Yang’s knowledge and discernment, if she acted as matchmaker, her parents would certainly be satisfied.

She inexplicably didn’t want to marry—at least not now.

“My mother and father have this plan.” Yu Tang lowered her head, seeming very shy, but from the corner of her eye she kept watching Third Madam Yang. “You may not know, but our family’s decision isn’t only because I’m an only daughter—it’s also because my uncle only has my eldest cousin. Our family’s bloodline is too thin.”

Third Madam Yang felt Chen Shi still loved her daughter dearly, and besides, nothing in the world was absolute.

She smiled without continuing this topic, instead speaking quite openly to Yu Tang: “We’ll probably stay at the Pei estate another five or six days before departing to return to the capital. With such a major incident at the Zhang family, it’s better we return early. I still have some relatives and old friends to visit these next few days. Since A’Xuan is after all an unmarried young lady of the Xu family, these next few days I must trouble Miss Yu to keep A’Xuan company, accompanying her around Hangzhou, so she won’t be bored and run around everywhere causing trouble.”

Miss Xu protested unhappily, “Am I really that thoughtless?”

Third Madam Yang and Yu Tang looked at her without speaking, but their gazes were full of the meaning “you are exactly that kind of person,” making Miss Xu feel quite aggrieved for a while.

Yu Tang stayed at Third Madam Yang’s place until the hour of the dog before taking her leave.

Spring nights came later and later. Even the half-exposed moon could illuminate the night.

Yu Tang walked slowly through the spring breeze with its subtle fragrance, pondering whether she should go see Pei Yan to tell him about Third Madam Yang seeking her out for a chat.

In her previous life, when she was at the Li estate, what Lin Jue most liked to say was “attend to every detail,” saying that only by knowing everything could one have complete control.

Third Madam Yang seeking her out for a chat could be considered one of the more important matters, right?

As Yu Tang thought about this, she unconsciously walked toward where Pei Yan was staying.

Shuang Tao thought Yu Tang must have gotten lost and quickly tugged at her clothing, smiling as she reminded her, “Miss, this way. That direction is the road to the front courtyard.”

Hearing this, Yu Tang hesitated for a moment.

Even if she was going to go, she should go tomorrow morning. If she was worried about delaying Pei Yan’s affairs, she could simply have Qing Yuan help deliver a message.

Why did she need to tell Pei Yan herself?

Yu Tang stood on the bluestone path as if shrouded in thick fog—as if the sun coming out would make the surrounding scenery clear, yet also as if separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, never knowing where she was.

“Miss, Miss Yu!” A man’s gentle yet refined voice spoke hesitantly.

Yu Tang looked up toward the sound and saw Gu Chang’s handsome face.

“Magistrate Gu!” Her eyes widened in surprise. She pointed at herself in disbelief and said, “Are you calling me?”

After all, in her previous life, even when she was Gu Xi’s sister-in-law, she had never spoken face-to-face with Gu Chang.

After her rebirth, she was actually speaking with Gu Chang.

Yu Tang felt this was extremely wondrous.